Daily Word: Has Louisville figured things out?

Daily Word: Has Louisville figured things out?

By ESPN.com

Every weekday, some of our college hoops experts discuss the biggest issues, trends and themes in and around college basketball.

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1. Louisville has won three straight games: A product of the schedule or have things finally settled down for the Cardinals?

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Andy Katz: Less is more. Not having Chris Jones hasn't been as much of an issue for the Cardinals. But playing Virginia (on Saturday) could change that pretty quickly. Scoring against the Cavs could be a major issue for Louisville, which has had its moments being offensively challenged.

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Eamonn Brennan: I wouldn't say things have settled down, exactly. The Miami win came with Jones in the lineup, and it was a two-point scrape at home. Nor did the Cardinals impress in a 52-51 win at Georgia Tech. Some credit is due for winning those games despite the turmoil, and for blowing up FSU so thoroughly on the road Saturday. But whatever questions we all have about how U of L will look against quality teams without Jones -- and they honestly might get better on the offensive end without all those touches going to a high-usage, sporadically efficient, shoot-first point guard -- won't be answered until the week is out.

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Jeff Goodman: Probably a combination. The loss of Jones will eventually hurt the Cardinals, because of his toughness, fearlessness and ability to make tough shots. However, the key for Louisville is defense, and Rick Pitino's team has been defending the past few games, albeit against the likes of three likely NIT teams in Miami, Georgia Tech and Florida State.

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2. Which bubble team in action Wednesday (UCLA, LSU, Miami, Oklahoma State, Oregon) most needs a win?

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Katz: UCLA. The Bruins don't get huge points for beating USC. So beating the Trojans is a must. It would only hurt if they were to lose.

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Brennan: Man, that's a tough call. Everybody? I think Oregon could probably survive a loss at Oregon State, given where they are right now. I'd say the same for Oklahoma State despite those four straight losses, even at home against TCU; the rest of the bubble just doesn't have the Cowboys' quality wins. Miami could absolutely use a win at Pitt (and so could Pitt), but it wouldn't boost either team into the field; both need the ACC tournament. UCLA, weirdly enough, might be the answer: The Bruins are right on that 50-50 bubble cusp and need to maintain as much before the start of Pac-12 tournament play. A home loss to USC might end the dream.

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Goodman: They all need wins, but I'll go with Oregon here. The Ducks are right on the bubble and have a road game against in-state rival Oregon State. Wayne Tinkle has done a nice job with the Beavers, but this one is critical for Dana Altman and the Ducks.

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3. Which conference tournament that starts this week are you most interested in watching?

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Katz: The CAA. Yes, William & Mary has a chance to make history and make the NCAA tournament for the first time. I love seeing teams shattering their ceiling to make the field.

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Brennan: It doesn't start until Friday, I realize, but the West Coast tournament is pretty fascinating. Gonzaga is still fighting for a No. 1 seed. Saint Mary's probably has to win the thing to get in. And BYU, fresh off a road win in Spokane, as bubbly as bubble teams come, has a great chance to prove that Saturday night's potential bid-maker wasn't a fluke.

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Goodman: The Missouri Valley will be fun, but both Wichita and Northern Iowa are already locks to make the NCAA tourney. Murray State is not, despite the fact that the Racers ran the table in the Ohio Valley this season. I love sophomore Cameron Payne, and Murray should win the league tourney. Otherwise it would be another example of how the system is flawed. Regular-season champs need to be rewarded.

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Games To Watch

By ESPN.com

No. 12 Notre Dame at No. 16 Louisville
7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

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Since third-leading scorer Chris Jones was dismissed from the team, Louisville has won two straight games. Those wins, although they came on the road, were against teams in the bottom half of the ACC standings. Wednesday's game should provide a clearer picture of what the Cardinals look like without Jones.

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TCU at Oklahoma State, 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU

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In our Bubble Watch, Oklahoma State recently went from "should be in" to "work left to do," not the way you want to be trending in March. The Cowboys have a good chance to end their four-game skid when they host TCU.

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Oregon at Oregon State, 11 p.m. ET, ESPNU

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Oregon appears to be on the safe side of the bubble, but road wins never hurt, especially when they come against a rival. Oregon State, meanwhile, may be the Pac-12's biggest surprise and can get to .500 in conference play with a win.

They Said It

By ESPN.com

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ESPNU Basketball Podcast

By ESPN.com

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Andy Katz and Seth Greenberg check in with newsmakers from around college basketball.

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