• What happens now to Creighton?

Once NCAA tournament sure things both Creighton and Harvard have played themselves into precarious positions. The Bluejays have lost three in a row, most damning a blowout to Missouri Valley leader Wichita State on Saturday. Despite a gaudy 21-5 record, Creighton doesn't have a whole lot of at-large meat on the bone -- wins against San Diego State, Tulsa and Northwestern rank as the best -- and can ill afford many more stumbles in either the regular-season finish or the Valley tourney. That home BracketBuster against soaring Long Beach State becomes even more critical for the Bluejays now.

• And what about Harvard?

The Crimson are an even more interesting case study after losing to Princeton. Harvard remains very much in the driver's seat in the Ivy League race -- it is the only team with one loss -- but Yale, the team sitting right behind the Crimson, comes to town on Saturday. Here's where it gets curious. The selection committee has never awarded an at-large bid to an Ivy League team but in yet another year with a soft bubble, if Harvard loses like it did last year -- in a one-game playoff -- what would the committee do with a team with a blemished Ivy record yet one shout-from-the-rooftops nonconference win over Florida State? Certainly the Crimson would rather not find out. The straightest path is to win out.

• Is the Pac-12 the only disappointing conference?

Absolutely not. The West Coast underachievers have company, welcoming the SEC to the indistinct party. On Saturday, Tennessee smoked Florida in Gainesville, Alabama suspended three more starters (that's four banished altogether, for those keeping score at home), Vandy couldn't finish a comeback against Kentucky and Georgia beat Mississippi State in overtime. All of those teams were supposed to be making big strides this year. Instead the Gators are sliding, the Crimson Tide unraveling, the Commodores still trying to find a signature win and the Bulldogs are, well, the Bulldogs are probably exactly what we should have thought they'd be -- once again failing to live up to their promise. Mike Slive ought to send Valentine's candy hearts and red roses to the basketball offices in Lexington to thank the Wildcats for keeping his conference relevant.

-- Dana O'Neil

Miami over North Carolina, Wednesday: The Hurricanes didn't get much out of Reggie Johnson in a loss at Florida State (four points). But the Canes were still right in the mix to possibly pull off the road win. North Carolina played Virginia's game for too long before finally pulling ahead. P.J. Hairston has a sore foot and his status is unknown. The Canes desperately need another big-time win -- at home or on the road.

Guards Durand Scott and Malcolm Grant can handle themselves. If Johnson and Kenny Kadji can play tall, long and strong, then they have a shot. The onus is on the Miami fans to turn out. They traditionally are apathetic. Miami needs them to be an extra presence for this upset to occur.

-- Andy Katz