Jhondre Jefferson

And in the midst of all this big-game hoopla, we have off-court news for the men’s basketball program.
 
Jhondre Jefferson, a junior college post player, committed to South Carolina Thursday during his visit, according to various reports, including Phil Kornblut. The 6-foot-9 Jefferson is attending Northwest Florida State Junior College, and reportedly was also offered by [...]

Thursday's bubble watch

Although South Carolina doesn’t play until tonight – in case you haven’t heard – I’ve decided to move its NCAA tournament chances up another 10 percent. Combined with Wednesday night’s results – carnage all over the bubble – the more you look at the field in its entirety, the more it’s becoming difficult to see the Gamecocks not make it without a collapse.

Although tonight looms even larger, thanks to Florida’s loss – which we’ll explain later.

South Carolina’s key numbers: 20-7 overall, 9-5 SEC, first place in the East. RPI rank of 41, SOS of 85.

What just happened: If you missed it, all you need to know is if there was an ACC or SEC bubble team in action, they lost, and everyone else smiled.

The stunner, of course, was Kentucky’s loss to Georgia. It left the Wildcats needing to beat Florida this weekend, then making a deep run in the SEC tournament.

Of course the Gators aren’t going to be quick to fold either, not after losing at Mississippi State Wednesday. Does anybody in the SEC want to make the tournament? (I mean besides Vanderbilt and Auburn, which are making runs too late.)

The downside for USC is that Florida’s RPI rank dropped down to 53, meaning USC now has zero victories against top 50 teams. (I have to give one of you credit for pointing this out Wednesday.)

Tennessee is the league’s highest-ranking RPI team, so that makes tonight all the more important for the Gamecocks. While USC’s chances look pretty good, a loss today will introduce the you-never-know factor. How much will the committee weight USC’s lack of wins against top 50 teams? Will it undo the positive aspects of its resume’?

If this keeps up, I’m not sure it’ll matter. USC will have a bye in the first round of the SEC tournament, and at worst looks third in the pecking order among SEC teams. I know, the committee says it doesn’t weigh how many teams from a conference get in. But who believes that isn’t in the back of their mind?

As for the ACC, Miami and Boston College each lost games they could not, respectively at Georgia Tech and N.C. State. It was a worse loss for Miami, which had no margin for error and can now at best finish 7-9 in the ACC. Boston College may still be safe.

In addition, Virginia Tech failed to knock off No. 2 North Carolina, meaning the Hokies probably have to knock off Florida State this weekend to have a shot.

The more these middle four ACC teams – Miami, Boston College, Virginia Tech and Maryland – struggle, the more it opens up the field to teams from other conferences – like the SEC.

Elsewhere, UAB was dealt a big blow when it lost at UTEP. Minnesota won what might have been a winner-in game against Wisconsin, but given all the other losses, the Badgers are still in better shape than most.

There will be those who say Northwestern’s win at No. 20 Purdue vaults the Wildcats back into consideration. Eh, I’ve gotta see more.

Three teams won games they needed: Texas A&M and the Mountain West duo of UNLV and San Diego State.

What to watch Thursday: Well that game at 7 p.m. at the Colonial Life Arena might matter a little. Otherwise, a few other bubble-icious affairs:

7 p.m.: Providence (could use another big) at No. 11 Villanova.

9 p.m.: No. 23 Illinois at Penn State (believe it or not, the Nittany Lions could all but clinch a bid with this one.)

10:30 p.m.: California (on the right side of the bubble for now) at Arizona (really needs to win this one). … Oregon at Southern California (still clinging to hopes.)