“Wacky Wednesday” seems a pretty tame description for one of the best college basketball days in the last decade.  There were shocking results, bubble battles and defining wins and losses.  On top of that, there were some Hall of Fame broadcasting moments.  Here are the highlights:

- “This kind of basketball is so much fun to watch!” – Statement from ESPN’s Mike Patrick after a sequence where North Carolina had an outlet pass intercepted in the backcourt, Clemson missed a layup, followed by Clemson breaking up a 1-on-4 break with a bad reach-in foul.  If I ever murder somebody, I want Mike Patrick on my jury.
- Jason Williams returned to our TV screens as a halftime host on Sportscenter U, only now apparently ESPN has given him three Valium pills and told him that his puppy is sick.  Where’s the JayWill that will tell me Chieck Diakite is an unbelievable free throw shooter?  I miss him.

Now for some Bubble Highlights

- Virginia Tech’s performance was superb at Wake, and don’t believe the explanations or excuses that Wake Forest was “looking ahead” to Duke or “flat”.  Watching the game, it was clear that Wake was flat for about five minutes in the first half, but bounced back fairly well.  Wake didn’t play well, but they did not play badly either.  Tech played good defense, got good shots and got nice contributions from its bench.  They won despite absorbing a number of Wake Forest haymakers and missing roughly 66 free throws down the stretch.  Just a gigantic win for the Hokies.
- Illinois State might be done as an at-large candidate after losing at Wichita State.  The undefeated start was nice, but the Redbirds profile has slipped badly.  The MVC might even be a one-bid league.
- Northeastern beat George Mason in a 58-57 slugfest to clutter up the top of the CAA.  Mason needs a win at VCU to stay on the bubble.  I still think the regular season champ (whoever it is) will get a good at-large look.
- Zam Frederick’s long bomb reception and layup at the buzzer lifted South Carolina to a thrilling win over Florida and onto the good side of the bubble.  What a play.