9:00 pm: Alabama @ No. 24 Vanderbilt: As you should be well aware by now, the Crimson Tide is currently sitting all alone in first place in the SEC. Not the SEC West, the entire SEC. The problem? They were so bad in the non-conference part of their schedule that the only reason they are even in the bubble conversation is because they are leading a power conference.
That is what makes tonight's game so important. Alabama has two wins that matter this season. They've beaten a Kentucky team that stinks outside of Rupp Arena at home, and they went into Thompson-Boling Arena and knocked off enigmatic Tennessee. But those wins don't counteract the number of bad losses Anthony Grant's team has suffered. If 'Bama wants to lock up a spot in the tournament, winning games like this one is quite important.
Vandy, on the other hand, has their own work to do to get in. They are ranked and they have some nice wins this season, but their resume is far from what you would consider a lock at this point.
9:00 pm: Illinois @ No. 25 Minnesota: This is a huge game for those of you that spend your time bubble watching. Both the Illini and the Gophers have beena disappointment over the last month of the season, and its getting to the point that it will be difficult to turn it around. Ironically, this issue is at the point for both teams. Devoe Joseph left Minnesota and Al Nolen got injured, meaning that this Minnesota team has been using Blake Hoffarber to handle the ball. For Illinois, Demetri McCamey simply has not been playing like an all-american.
7:00 pm: Penn State @ Michigan State: This is another game with bubble implications in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions have surprised people this season, playing their way into the bubble conversation. Michigan State has also surprise. They have been a major disappointment, losing their way into, well, the bubble conversation. Someone is going to have to step up and take the Big Ten's fourth, possibly fifth, tournament bids.
7:00 pm: No. 9 UConn @ St. John's: The Johnnies are a very good team in the Garden and Paris Horne is a terrific defender that will likely be matched up with Kemba Walker. The Huskies have been sputtering a bit of late.
9:00 pm: Cal @ Washington: The Huskies have now lost three games in a row. All of them on the road. They come home tonight. Isaiah Thomas and company are a different team there.
Other Notable Games
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Thursday's Pregame Beat: Big night for Alabama, the Big Ten |
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