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spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA.sPubDate = "3/18/2009 7:07:55 PM GMT";
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spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA.appHeader = "Special feature| Who's hot, and who's not entering the Big Dance";
spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA.appFooter = "Yoni Cohen, NBCSports.com contributor";
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spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA[i++] = new Array("","","Tyreke Evans and Memphis have won 25 consecutive games.","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/NBCSports/Interactives%20and%20Slideshows/College%20Hoops/090316_TenTeamsToWin/090316_Memphis.vmedium.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "Nikki Boertman", "AP", "298", "189", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA[i-1].body = "“We are so good right now,” said Memphis coach John Calipari. After his Tigers crushed the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 64-39 for the Conference USA tournament title, Calipari said, “We would have done this to anyone today, in any league.” He’s probably right.
With the victory, Memphis will enter the NCAA tournament riding the nation’s longest active winning streak at 25 games. The red-hot Tigers haven’t lost since Calipari moved freshman Tyreke Evans to point guard before Christmas.
This year, Memphis won Conference USA games by an average of more than 18 points per contest. The Tigers also fared well in non-conference play, notching victories at both Tennessee and Gonzaga.
Like a fine wine, Memphis’ defense got better with time. According to my analysis of game-by-game efficiency data available at kenpom.com, the Tigers allowed opponents to score significantly fewer points per possession in their final 10 wins (0.78) than they did in their 10 previous victories (0.91). Memphis is well prepared for NCAA tournament success.
But not all Tigers have the same stripes. Ice-cold Clemson will join March Madness having lost six of its last 10 games, in large part because its defense is not effective as it once was. The Clemson Tigers allowed foes to score significantly more points per possession in their final 10 games (1.05) than they did in their 10 previous outings (0.97).
“We need to play better on the defensive end,” said Clemson coach Oliver Purnell after his Tigers were upset by Georgia Tech 86-81 in the ACC Tournament.
Other than Memphis, which NCAA tournament teams are playing particularly well? Other than Clemson, which clubs are struggling? ";
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spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA[i-1].body = "
![](\"http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/Projects/03_FOOTBALL/GoingOvertime/RedArrowUp.gif\")
Led by guards James Anderson and Byron Eaton, the Cowboys defeated the Oklahoma Sooners in the Big 12 tournament and won eight of their last 10 games.
Oklahoma State scored more points per possession down the stretch (1.13) than it did earlier in the year (1.04). The Cowboys also allowed opponents to score fewer points per possession in the past month (1.01) than they did the previous month (1.07).
";
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![](\"http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/Components/Art/SPORTS/Projects/03_FOOTBALL/GoingOvertime/RedArrowdown.gif\")
No team has done more to hurt their seeding in March than the Tigers. LSU lost to Vanderbilt at home and then got trounced by Auburn on the road. After beating hapless Kentucky by nine, the Tigers subsequently lost to Mississippi State by 10.
Junior forward Tasmin Mitchell shot poorly the past four games (17-for-52 from the field), but not as poorly as sophomore guard Bo Spencer (10 for 39). If LSU’s second- and third-leading scorers don’t snap out of their funks, the Tigers will lose during the NCAA tournament’s first weekend.";
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spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA[i-1].body = "
Who’d a thunk American rather than Georgetown or Maryland would be the Washington, D.C. area’s winningest club?
The Eagles won 19 of their last 20 games, including the Patriot League crown. American also starts five seniors and is the most experienced club in the field of 65.
But don’t expect the Eagles to burst many brackets. American also is the shortest team in the NCAA tournament.
";
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spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA[i-1].body = "
The Musketeers are ranked in the Top 25, but I’m not sure why. Xavier is tanking faster than the Dow Jones. Its best victories, over Memphis and Missouri, occurred nearly four months ago while its worst losses, to Charlotte, Richmond, and Duquesne, took place in the past month.
In losing five of its last 10 games, the Musketeers scored fewer points per possession (1.08) than they did in winning their previous 10 contests (1.13). Similarly, Xavier has recently allowed opponents to score more points per possession (0.96) than it used to (0.90).";
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The Cardinals’ defense has been stellar throughout the season, but Louisville’s offense finally caught fire early this year.
During Louisville’s 10-game winning streak, junior guard Earl Clark is averaging 16.5 points and 9.4 rebounds a game. Thanks in part to Clark’s improved play, the Cardinals scored many more points per possession during their winning streak (1.14) than they did while losing two of their 10 prior games (0.98).";
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spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA[i-1].body = "
The Golden Eagles started the season 23-4. Then Dominic James broke his foot and Marquette lost its luster and five of its next six games. But while Marquette has gone cold, don’t put the Golden Eagles on ice.
Any team that can without James take Syracuse to overtime, nearly defeat Villanova, and lose by only four at Louisville is dangerous — and a potential bracketbuster.";
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spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA[i-1].body = "
The Badgers aren’t going to win the National Championship. Nor are they going to make the Final Four. But since Jon Leuer replaced Keaton Nankivil in the starting lineup (after Nankivil injured his ankle in practice), Wisconsin has played much better defense and won seven of its last 10 games.
With Leuer as a starter, the Badgers are holding opponents to significantly fewer points per possession (0.95) than they did with Nankivil as a starter (1.08).
";
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spt_bkc_hot_not_NCAA[i-1].body = "
Will Ben Howland coach the Bruins to a fourth consecutive Final Four? Not if recent performance guarantees future results. Unlike prior UCLA clubs, this year’s team enters March Madness having lost four of its last 10 games. The Bruins recently turned in their worst offensive game of the season against USC and their worst defensive performance of the year against Washington State.
The Bruins also scored fewer points per possession (1.14) in the past month than they did the month prior (1.19) and allowed opponents to score more points per possession down the stretch (1.06) than earlier in the year (1.02).";
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