Wednesday's Pregame Beat

Good slate of games today, headlined by the conclusion of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, which is now tied 3-3. For the previews of the games, check out our original ACC/Big Ten Challenge post here.

• 7:15 pm: Illinois @ Clemson
• 7:30 pm: Boston College @ Michigan
• 7:30 pm: Minnesota @ Miami FL
  
• 9:15 pm: Duke @ Wisconsin
• 9:30 pm: Florida State @ Ohio State

If Duke, who is undefeated in the challenge, knocks off Wisconsin at the Kohl Center and Clemson holds serve against a struggling Illini team at home, that means that Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota all need to win in order for the Big Ten to win the challenge. OSU and Michigan play at home, which means the challenge may come down to the Minnesota and Miami winner.

7:00 pm: Siena @ Georgia Tech: The Saints were expected to contend for an at-large berth this season, but six games in they are just 4-2 with losses to St. John's and Temple. Georgia Tech was predicted by some pundits to be a sleeper in the ACC, in large part because of their front line of Gani Lawal, Zach Peacock, and all-world freshman Derrick Favors. Ryan Rossiter has been playing well, but the Saints are going to be at a distinct disadvantage in the paint. If they can compete down low, don't be surprised if Tech gets hit with an upset.

7:00 pm: George Mason @ George Washington: It may not matter to the majority of you, but these two schools are trying to build this into a real rivalry; they are calling it the battle of the orange line (the orange line of the DC subway system connects the two schools). I work at a bar right by the GW campus, and all the employees were required to wear GW shirts in support of the team today. Go Colonials?

7:00 pm: Dayton @ Miami OH: The Redhawks proved that they can compete on an elite level with their performance against Kentucky, but have struggled in the rest of their games. If Dayton, who is much tougher defensively than the Wildcats, can prevent Miami for getting open threes all night long, the Flyers should be able to steal one on the road.

7:00 pm: Old Dominion @ Richmond: The Spiders are coming off of back to back wins against Mississippi State and Missouri and should compete for an A-10 title. Kevin Anderson and David Gonzalez are as good of a back court as you are going to find at this level. But Old Dominion is one of the better teams in the CAA. Should be a great game to watch.

7:00 pm: Pitt @ Duquesne: Duquesne is another team that can might be able to compete in the A-10, and this is the last time that these two teams will hold this rivalry in storied Mellon Arena.

7:00 pm: Western Kentucky @ South Carolina: Seeing AJ Slaughter and Devan Downey go head to head will be a treat for fans in Columbia.

8:00 pm: Northern Iowa @ Iowa State: Northern Iowa was thought to be the best team in the MVC, but after they lost to DePaul and Creighton finished last in the Old Spice Classic, a lot of people are questioning how good the MVC is. The book is still out on how good Iowa State ends up being. You know about Craig Brackins, but Marquis Gilstrap and Lucca Staiger are both turning into reliable scorers.

8:00 pm: Arkansas @ Oklahoma: Both of these teams really need a win. Arkansas has been ravaged by suspensions in the early going, but once those guys come back and join Rotnei Clarke, Marshon Powell, and Michael Washington, the Razorbacks could be a team to look out for in the SEC. The Sooners should be glad that UCLA has struggled so much, because otherwise they would be talked about as the most disappointing team in the country. Willie Warren is going to need to wake up and lead this team.

8:00 pm: Oklahoma State @ Tulsa: Maybe the most intriguing game of the night. Oklahoma State is a run and gun team loaded on the perimeter that is expected to shoot their way, literally, to near the top of the Big XII. But with Jerome Jordan and Ben Uzoh leading an experienced group, many believed Tulsa to be the best team in C-USA this season. OK State has posted a couple nice wins over Utah, Bradley, and Seattle, but this will be their toughest test this season.

9:00 pm: UNLV @ Arizona: The young Wildcats have visions of continuing Arizona's 25 year tournament streak, and with how weak the Pac-10 has been this season, Zona will need a home win like this to make that happen. UNLV is coming off of a home win against Louisville. Good test for the baby Cats.

9:00 pm: Washington State @ Gonzaga: The Cougars are 7-0 on the season and Klay Thompson is playing like an all-american. The Zags are for real this season, and a road win at the Kennel would be very impressive.

9:30 pm: Missouri @ Vanderbilt: Both the Tigers and the Commodores are looking to play their way into an at-large bid. With both teams near the bubble come Selection Sunday, this could be game that breaks a tie. Memorial Gymnasium is a tough place to play, and I'm not sure Mizzou has an answer for AJ Ogilvy.

Other notable games:

• 7:00 pm: Drexel @ Villanova
• 7:00 pm: Stetson @ Louisville
• 7:00 pm: Butler @ Ball State
• 7:00 pm: East Tennessee State @ Tennessee
• 7:00 pm: BU @ UConn
• 7:00 pm: Hampton @ South Florida
• 7:00 pm: Stony Brook @ St. John's
• 7:30 pm: Rhode Island @ VCU
• 8:00 pm: Alcorn State @ Kansas
• 8:05 pm: Ole Miss @ Arkansas State
• 9:00 pm: Cal @ New Mexico
• 9:00 pm: Prairie View A&M @ Texas A&M
• 9:00 pm: Utah @ Weber State
• 9:05 pm: BYU @ Utah State
• 10:00 pm: San Diego State @ San Diego