College Basketball: The Week Ahead

It's that time of year.. when the NCAA Tournament is all the rage, and everybody and your mother starts talking college hoops. Get a leg up on your bracket competitors by watching this week's prime-time games.

Tuesday

#1 Pittsburgh at Providence

The Panthers are looking like the overall No. 1 seed in the Tournament, while the Friars could use a marquee win on their resume.

Penn State at Ohio State

Another bubble team that could really use a big win, Penn State has been solid on the road. OSU is struggling and needs to bounce back.

Northern Iowa at Illinois State

Although streaking Creighton is in first right now in the MVC, UNI is tied with the Bluejays and ISU is just one game out.

#23 Florida State at Boston College

Florida State likely clinched a bid with its two wins this past week, while Boston College would lock one up with a win.

Florida at #18 LSU

With the SEC East a muddled mess, LSU has taken advantage to become clearly the best team in the league. UF is on the bubble.

Texas A&M at Nebraska

Two bubble teams in the Big 12. A&M had two wins last week to right the ship, while Nebraska badly needs wins.

BYU at San Diego State

After Utah, the race in the Mountain West is crowded. Both of these teams have chances at an at-large; the winner gets the inside track.

Wednesday

Kentucky at South Carolina

An SEC bubble battle. Both teams are tied for the SEC East lead at 8-4, but neither is anything close to a lock for a bid.

Dayton at Rhode Island

Never thought I’d be mentioning Rhode Island this late in the season, but the Rams are just one game out of the A-10 lead. Dayton needs to bounce back after its road loss to Saint Louis.

#2 Connecticut at #8 Marquette

A battle amongst the four teams fighting for first in the Big East. Does Marquette have anyone to stop Hasheem Thabeet? Does UConn have the guards to match-up with Marquette?

Virginia Tech at #12 Clemson

Virginia Tech is in dire need of a marquee win for its resume, while Clemson is fighting for a top-two seed.

#7 Duke at Maryland

Can Maryland complete the home sweep of UNC and Duke? A win by the Terps would likely lock up a bid for the Dance.

Kansas State at Missouri

Missouri is developing as a Final Four sleeper in March, while Kansas State could use a win for its bubble profile.

UNLV at Utah

UNLV picked up a huge win over BYU on Saturday to stay in the field, while Utah is a lock for the Dance, barring a collapse.

Thursday

West Virginia at Cincinnati

Another game involving a team firmly in the field, and a bubble team looking for a win. Cincy needs a marquee victory.

Minnesota at #20 Illinois

Minnesota snapped out of its funk with a win over Northwestern, while Illinois bounced back from its dismal performance against Penn State with a win at Ohio State.

#5 Memphis at UAB

One of the more intriguing games of the week. A win by UAB could put the Blazers into next week’s projected NCAA field.

#16 Purdue at Michigan

Purdue is one of the hottest teams in the Big Ten, while Michigan blew a chance on the road when it lost in OT at Iowa.

USC at California

USC is falling out of the at-large picture quickly after its loss to Washington and the reported aftermath of it, while California is coming off of a loss to Oregon State.

#14 Arizona State at #21 Washington

A potential battle for the Pac-10 title. ASU escaped with a win over Arizona, while Washington picked up a split against the LA schools.

Friday

Siena at Niagara

Siena has the MAAC title wrapped up already, but a loss to second-place Niagara would likely mean the Saints need to win the conference tourney. Niagara is an impressive 22-7 thus far.