...excluding the tourney of course.
Saturday is a smorgasbord of big-time games. I am sure most hoop fans are well aware that UConn travels out to Seattle to tackle Gonzaga and that Duke and Xavier will meet in the Meadowlands. However, there are a dozen of more games on Saturday worth catching.
Miami (OH) @ West Virginia - WVU has played some decent foes already, and lost to them. Kentucky held them to 43 points and Steph Curry rallied to beat them in th last two minutes in the Garden. Miami (OH) has three losses. To UCLA, Pitt & Xavier. Suffice it to say they will not be intimidated by the Moutaineers.
Duke vs. Xavier (Meadowlands, NJ) - A really intersting and fantastic game. For a complete breakdown, click here.
Michigan St @ Texas - Michigan State has been dissapointing early, failing their only true test of the season miserably (losses to Maryland and UNC by 18 & 35 respectivly). Texas slepwalked through closer-than-expected wins over hapless instate foes Texas Southern, and Texas St. A win in this game keeps Texas on pace with Oklahoma on the One Line come selection Sunday. A win for Michigan St. rights the ship heading into Big Ten play.
Louisville @ Minnesota - Minnesota is unbeaten so far. Conisder them 0-0 going into this one. Lousiville brings Tubby's Gophers their first true test. With a win, the should be ranked for Christmas. A loss? In the eyes of most true college hoops fans, they are 0-1.
Temple @ Kansas - Kansas already has one loss to A-10 foe UMass. Temple will look to add a second.
Arizona @ UNLV - The Wildcats are fresh off their upset win over Gonzaga. UNLV has flown under the radar for the past few years, but Lon Kreuger seems to always have a tough squad come March. Arizona entered the season in turmoil; coaching upheaval, Brandon Jennings in Europe, BUT don't overlook the talent on this squad. This game seems like a perfect 7-10 NCAA tourney game to me.
Davidson @ Purdue (Indianapolis, IN) - Is Purdue the Final Four contender people thought entering the season, or are they the team that was emasculated by Duke on their home floor? Davidson is in year two of dragon-slaying. They have been so good in that role that they won't be big underdogs in this one.
Providence @ Boston College - Two middle of the pack teams from major conferences collide in a game that means a ton to each schools slim post season chances.
LSU @ Texas A&M - LSU takes a break from their brutal SWAC confernce schedule to play a fellow BCS school. A&M has already beaten Arizona, but it is really tough to project what they will be facing when LSU plays it's first real game of the year.
BYU @ Arizona St. - GREAT game under the radar. Both of these team feature NBA first-rounders in James Harden and Lee Cummard. Both teams need a solid resume building win to play in the 4-6 saeed range. BUY enters 10-0, Arizona St with just the one defeat to Baylor (though the needed overtime to beat IUPUI by one in their last contest).
Syracuse @ Memphis - For a team that lives off it's non-conference success to validate its lackluster conference strength, Memphis has missed a few golden opportunities this year, but gets another one when the Orange come to town. They have already lost tough games to Xavier and Georgetown. This is likely their last chance to beat a ranked foe this season. Without that win, even if the run the C-USA table, it is hard to see them any better than a #4 come March.
Florida @ UCF - On paper, a total mismatch, but this game means a LOT more to UCF than it does the Gators. The Gators appear to be a little better on paper than in practice, and expect UCF to give their absolute best in this one. This is my longshot upset special of the day.
Iowa @ Drake - Drake is coming off the best (and first decent) season in three decades. Tonight the get a shot to show in-state giant Iowa that they are still here to play.
VCU @ Oklahoma - This is exactly the kind of preparation Oklahoma needs for the Big Dance. VCU is tough, scrappy, experienced and not afraid of Oklahoma. Oklahoma SHOULD win, but the question is, will they bring their A game against a smaller-name opponent?
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