Obviously, Tulane needs to take care of business in what will be a very tough game against Houston, which has to win the AAC tournament to play in the NCAA tournament despite clearly having regional-caliber talent.
If Tulane wins, here's what else could help the Wave in its bid to host a regional:
1) Oklahoma State beats TCU (start time: 7:30) in Big 12 winners' bracket
TCU has a better RPI than Oklahoma State and a much better record against the RPI top 50, so it would help Tulane for the Horned Frogs to lose even though Oklahoma State is in the running to host a regional, too.
2) Marshall beats Southern Miss (start time: 7:30) in CUSA winners' bracket
USM has been very good at home all year, and that's where the CUSA tourney is being played. A loss to Marshall would make it very unlikely the Golden Eagles can come back to win the tournament and get back in the hosting conversation.
3) Texas State beats Louisiana-Lafayette (start time: 7:30) in Sun Belt winners bracket
This is by far the most significant game because Tulane definitely is competing with the Cajuns for a regional hosting spot. Texas State is better than Arkansas State and took one of three in Lafayette during the regular season, dropping the rubber game by one run. ULL probably will win because it is a really good team, but an upset would not be a shocker.
4) Connecticut beats South Florida (6:00) in AAC winners' bracket
Not that it is a realistic possibility, but if South Florida reaches the championship game, Tulane would get next to no RPI bump for beating the Bulls. UConn is in the top 50 despite having no significant series win to speak of this year (The Huskies are NCAA regional worthy on talent but not on their results), so Tulane would get a decent bump by beating them.
If Tulane wins, here's what else could help the Wave in its bid to host a regional:
1) Oklahoma State beats TCU (start time: 7:30) in Big 12 winners' bracket
TCU has a better RPI than Oklahoma State and a much better record against the RPI top 50, so it would help Tulane for the Horned Frogs to lose even though Oklahoma State is in the running to host a regional, too.
2) Marshall beats Southern Miss (start time: 7:30) in CUSA winners' bracket
USM has been very good at home all year, and that's where the CUSA tourney is being played. A loss to Marshall would make it very unlikely the Golden Eagles can come back to win the tournament and get back in the hosting conversation.
3) Texas State beats Louisiana-Lafayette (start time: 7:30) in Sun Belt winners bracket
This is by far the most significant game because Tulane definitely is competing with the Cajuns for a regional hosting spot. Texas State is better than Arkansas State and took one of three in Lafayette during the regular season, dropping the rubber game by one run. ULL probably will win because it is a really good team, but an upset would not be a shocker.
4) Connecticut beats South Florida (6:00) in AAC winners' bracket
Not that it is a realistic possibility, but if South Florida reaches the championship game, Tulane would get next to no RPI bump for beating the Bulls. UConn is in the top 50 despite having no significant series win to speak of this year (The Huskies are NCAA regional worthy on talent but not on their results), so Tulane would get a decent bump by beating them.