LEADING OFF
It's worth noting that a lot of times media outlets list coaches being on the hot seat because there always have to be some coaches on the hot seat. But that said former UMass coach Travis Ford is starting to land on a lot of those lists as Oklahoma State has underacheived this season. I have a hard time believing he'd get fired, but you never know. His recruiting struggles aren't helping.

That jacket however should certainly be on the hot seat.

UMASS PATH TO POSTSEASON

With projected results (W,L, or ?) are based on Jeff Sagarin's predictor from RPI forcast.com

By postseason I mean any tournament happening after the conference tournaments are over - NCAA, NIT, CBI, CIT - I'm guessing a UMass teams with a winning record gets a bid to one of those.

UMass has 29 games on its schedule and at least one A-10 Tournament game (I'm aware that two A-10 teams won't make the tournament, but if this execise is going to be relevant, UMass has to be good enough to make the A-10 Tournament). So a winning record means at least 16 wins.
Currently: 14-4


WINS: Elon, Northeastern, NJIT, BC, Utah, Towson, ECU, Siena, Quinnipiac,, Davdison, CCSU, Fordham, Charlotte, Saint Joseph's

LOSSES: FSU, Charleston, Miami, La Salle

Date - Opponent - (Expected according to Jeff Sagarin's Predictor. A ? is anything game where UMass is given a 40-60 percent chance of winning)

Jan. 18 at Duquesne , (?)

Jan. 21 at Richmond, (L)

Jan. 28 vs. Saint Louis, (L)

Feb. 1 at Rhode Island, (W)
Feb. 4 at George Washington, (W)

Feb. 8 vs. St. Bonaventure, (W)

Feb. 11 at Saint Joseph’s, (L)

Feb. 18 vs. La Salle, (?)

Feb. 21 vs. Xavier, (?)

Feb. 25 at Dayton, (L)

Feb. 29 at Temple, (L)

Mar. 3 vs. Rhode Island, (W)

Prognosis: 
One current win. Four projected (W) wins . Five projected (L) and three (?). Two wins clinches a winning season. Three probably assures CBI or CIT. Six wins I think gets UMass to at least the NIT.

GAMES OF THE DAY:
MONDAY: No. 4 Baylor at No. 10 Kansas, 9:30 p.m.
 - Best Big 12 games of the season.
TUESDAY:  - No. 7 Michigan State at No. 13 Michigan, 7 - It's been a long time since this game was this good
WEDNESDAY:  - San Diego State at New Mexico - The Lobos are legitimate. Winning here would prove it.
THURSDAY:  - Vandy at Alabama, 7 -
FRIDAY:  - Ugh nothing
SATURDAY:  - No. 9 Missouri at No. 4 Baylor,  New Mexico at No. 12 UNLV
SUNDAY: - Virginia Tech at Virginia

UNDEFEATED: Syracuse, Baylor, Murray State

WINLESS: Binghamton, Towson

Question I don't know the answer to: What would UMass' record have to be in the Atlantic 10 to get NCAA consideration?

BUZZER BEATERS
How much of a lift can Jarnell Stokes give Tennessee. The freshman looks pretty promising so far and the Vols could sure use the help.

...10 hours til Baylor-Kansas...