The University of Tulsa Golden Hurricane, currently sitting on the NCAA Tournament bubble, will face off against the Tulane University Green Wave at Devlin Fieldhouse on February 25. This matchup pits two American Athletic Conference foes against each other, with Tulsa looking to bolster its postseason resume and Tulane seeking to play spoiler. The Golden Hurricane, also known as Tulsa, enters this contest having recently righted the ship with a decisive victory, while the Green Wave, or Tulane, has been riding a wave of momentum with four wins in their last five outings.
As the favored team, Tulsa still has much to prove, particularly in terms of consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Despite their superior record and NET ranking, they have shown vulnerability in recent games, which Tulane will likely look to exploit. The Green Wave, meanwhile, has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in their ability to dictate the pace of the game and capitalize on opponents' mistakes. For Tulane to pull off the upset, they will need to leverage these strengths and find ways to counter Tulsa's advantages, making for a potentially intriguing matchup between two teams with differing motivations and levels of expectation.
Averaging 18.3 points per game between them, the duo of and has been crucial to Tulsa's success, with the team's leading scorer, David Green, contributing 16.5 points per game. His 4.4 rebounds per game have also been vital, while Miles Barnstable's 15.0 points per game have provided a significant secondary scoring threat. With a record of 22-6, including 10-5 in the American Athletic Conference, Tulsa has demonstrated its ability to compete against a variety of opponents, although its recent form has been somewhat inconsistent, with wins over UTSA and Charlotte bookending losses to Wichita State, UAB, and South Florida.
The team's backcourt has been bolstered by 's 4.1 assists per game, which have helped to create scoring opportunities for his teammates, including , who has averaged 10.2 points per game. His 45% three-point shooting has been a key factor in Tulsa's offense, while Myles Rigsby's 7.3 points per game have provided a spark off the bench. With a NET ranking of 55, Tulsa will be looking to build on its recent wins and strengthen its position in the conference standings, and the contributions of Tylen Riley, Ade Popoola, and Myles Rigsby will be important in this effort, as the team prepares to face Tulane.
Averaging 18.7 points per game, 's scoring prowess has been crucial for Tulane, with the team's leading scorer also contributing 4.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per contest. His 45% three-point shooting has been a significant factor in the team's recent success, including wins over Rice, North Texas, and UAB. With a 17-10 overall record and 8-6 mark in the American Athletic Conference, Tulane is looking to build on its current momentum. The team's Quad Record, which stands at 0-1 against elite opponents, 2-3 against good opponents, 4-5 against mid-tier opponents, and 10-1 against lower-tier opponents, suggests that they have been able to take care of business against weaker foes.
The team's supporting cast, including and , has also played a significant role in Tulane's recent wins, with Asher Woods averaging 13.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while Curtis Williams Jr. has chipped in with 12.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. His ability to score in the paint has been complemented by 's all-around game, which includes 10.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game, and 's 6.9 points and 4.0 rebounds per game have provided a spark off the bench. With these key contributors, Tulane will look to extend its winning streak against a strong Tulsa team.
The matchup between Tulsa's Tylen Riley and Tulane's Rowan Brumbaugh will be pivotal in determining the outcome of this game. As the primary ball handlers for their respective teams, their head-to-head battle will have a significant impact on the flow of the game. Riley's ability to create for himself and others, as evidenced by his 4.1 assists per game, will be tested by Brumbaugh's well-rounded skillset, which includes a high scoring average and notable rebounding and playmaking abilities.
Brumbaugh's advantage in scoring and rebounding will put pressure on Riley to elevate his game, particularly on the defensive end. If Riley can contain Brumbaugh and limit his scoring opportunities, it could disrupt Tulane's offense and give Tulsa an opportunity to control the tempo of the game. Conversely, if Brumbaugh can exploit Riley and get into a rhythm, it could be a long night for the Tulsa defense. The outcome of this individual matchup will have far-reaching implications for the team's overall performance, making it the key to unlocking the game's outcome.
CHD Scout Prediction
Tulsa
81
Tulane
71
Based on the model's prediction of an 81-71 Tulsa victory with a 79.2% win probability, I agree that Tulsa will emerge victorious. The significant difference in NET rankings between the two teams, with Tulsa at #55 and Tulane at #184, suggests a substantial disparity in overall team quality, which I believe will be the decisive factor in this matchup.
As the season enters its final stretch, this matchup holds significant implications for both teams' postseason aspirations. For Tulsa, a win would bolster their NCAA Tournament resume, potentially improving their seeding prospects, while a loss could jeopardize their at-large bid, given their current Quad 1 and Quad 2 records. Conversely, Tulane's only path to the postseason is by winning the AAC conference tournament, rendering this game more about building momentum and confidence rather than enhancing their resume. With this game classified as Quad 2 for Tulane and Quad 3 for Tulsa, the outcome will have a more pronounced impact on the Golden Hurricane's postseason positioning, and a Tulsa loss would be a damaging Quad 3 defeat, underscoring the notion that their tournament fate is far from secure.