January Viewing Guide

It wasn't long ago that we were blogging through Marathon Madness, previewing the Feast Week tournaments and complaining about Finals Week. But 2010 is gone and it's time for the conference grind of early 2011 to begin.

Conference play has already began for some low and mid-majors. Some of the high-majors still have a couple of non-conference games to take care of before they start conference play. But by the time the middle of the month rolls around, we will be knee-deep in conference play.

There are literally hundreds of good games in January. Seriously, look at this list. If you are a hoops fan, I dont think you will go a single day without good basketball for at least 31 days.


Top-15 Games of January

- #15 - Friday 1/7 - 7:00PM - Cleveland State at Butler
Butler has been the cream of the Horizon League crop for too long. Cleveland State, led by Norris Cole has a legitimate shot at dethroning the reigning National Championship runners-up. If you like mid-major basketball, you do not want to miss this one.

- #14 - Wednesday 1/12 - 7:00PM - #6 Pittsburgh at #9 Georgetown
Georgetown will look to get their first home win against a ranked opponent while Pittsburgh will look to knock off another Big East foe. Pittsburgh's defensive play has impressed me more than anything else about this team so far, and both of Georgetown's losses have come against teams who played strong defense.

- #13 - Saturday 1/8 - 3:30PM - #4 UConn at #14 Texas
This may be the best non-conference game of the month. Texas will have allot of guys they can throw at Kemba Walker. But UConn doesn't have too many guys they can throw at Tristian Thompson. There is alot of good basketball being played on the 8th, and this might be the best game.

- #12 - Saturday 1/15 - 3:00PM - #24 Illinois at #25 Wisconsin
Both of these teams need a quality-win to reaffirm their statuses among Big Ten elite. The Kohl Center is one of the toughest places in the country to get a win for a road team. That said, Illinois is a balanced, experienced team that matches up well with the Badgers and that also just beat them at home on Saturday. This should be a good one.

- #11 - Thursday 1/13 - 7:00PM - #13 Purdue at #16 Minnesota
If Minnesota wants to reassert themselves as true Big Ten, a win over Purdue would be a good start. If Minnesota's big men can produce, it will make the task a whole lot easier.

- #10 - Saturday 1/29 - 12:00PM - #9 Georgetown at #8 Villanova
Two of the best backcourts in the country go head-to-head in this one. It seems like every Big East game will be a dogfight and this does not look to be any different.

- #9 - Saturday 1/1 - 3:00PM - #20 Notre Dame at #5 Syracuse
Notre Dame seems to be for real. We will find out if they are. Syracuse is still unbeaten and a road win for the Irish would be huge. I don't think it happens, but it will still be an interesting game nonetheless.

- #8 - Wednesday 1/26 - 10:00PM - #7 San Diego State at #16 BYU
The two best teams in the west square-off in the biggest regular season game in Mountain West history. BYU's Jackson Emery has stated that his team won't lose another game this season, but San Diego State still hasn't lost a game.

- #7 - Monday 1/17 - 3:30PM - #8 Villanova at #4 UConn
The MLK Day quadruple-header starts off with a Big East classic. Can Villanova stop Kemba Walker? Will anybody else on UConn step up? There's not too much better than Big East hoops in the early afternoon.

- #6 - Saturday 1/29 - 9:00PM - #10 Missouri at #14 Texas
No team in the country is more exciting to watch than Missouri. Both squads boast uber-talented backcourts. I would not miss this game if I were you.

- #5 - Tuesday 1/25 - 9:00PM - #11 Purdue at #2 Ohio State
Purdue has learned how to play without Robbie Hummel, and the Boilermakers look to be the second-best team in the Big Ten. But the best team in the Big Ten, tOSU, is rolling as of now, and Jared Sullinger is in contention for PoY.

- #4 - Saturday 1/29 - 7:00PM - #17 Kansas State at #3 Kansas
Kansas seems pretty unstoppable right now, and KSU is close to rock bottom. But if the Wildcats can mesh once they get their suspended players back, this becomes the marquee game we all think it should be

- #3 - Saturday 1/22 - 12:00PM - #8 Villanova at #9 Syracuse
There might not be as much hype around this game as last year's tilt, but that doesn't make it any less of a showdown. I like the match-up between the bigs for both team. It will be interesting to see how 'Nova's guards handle the 2-3 zone.

- #2 - Monday 1/17 - 7:30PM - #5 Syracuse at #6 Pittsburgh
This will be Syracuse's first true road game in hostile territory. The Petersen Zoo is one of the most hostile gyms in the country. This the must-watch Big Monday game of the month

- #1 - Saturday 1/22 - 4:00PM - #14 Texas at #3 Kansas
Texas gets better every game and Kansas is one of the three best teams in the country. What would make this game even more interesting is if Kansas is still undefeated. It's entirely possible that they are. Did I mention that these are the two best teams in the Big-12? This has all the makings of a "Game of the Year" candidate.


Games worth marking down on your calender
Tuesday 1/4 - 7:30PM - #4 UConn at #20 Notre Dame
Sunday 1/9 - 2:00PM - #13 Minnesota at #2 Ohio State
Tuesday 1/11 - 7:00PM - Wisconsin at #12 Michigan State
Wednesday 1/12 - 7:00PM - #20 Louisville at #8 Villanova
Saturday 1/15 - 1:00PM - #10 Missouri at #18 Texas A&M
Monday 1/17 - 5:30PM - #17 Kansas State at #10 Missouri
Monday 1/17 - 9:30PM - #3 Kansas at #23 Baylor
Tuesday 1/18 - 7:00PM - #19 Michigan State at #25 Illinois
Wednesday 1/19 - 9:00PM - #18 Texas A&M at #14 Texas
Saturday 1/22 - 12:00PM - #2 Ohio State at #25 Illinois
Saturday 1/22 - 2:00PM - #17 Kansas State at #18 Texas A&M
Saturday 1/22 - 9:00PM - #19 Michigan State vs. #11 Purdue
Monday 1/24 - 7:00PM - #15 Notre Dame at #6 Pittsburgh
Monday 1/24 - 9:00PM - #23 Baylor at #17 Kansas State
Wednesday 1/26 - 8:00PM - #21 Central Florida at #22 Memphis
Saturday 1/29 - 12:00PM - #20 Louisville at #4 UConn
Saturday 1/29 - 1:00PM - #13 Minnesota at #11 Purdue
Monday 1/31 - 7:00PM - #20 Louisville at #9 Georgetown
Monday 1/31 - 9:00PM - #14 Texas at #18 Texas A&M


Rivalry Games
Wednesday 1/5 - 9:00PM - Memphis at Tennessee
Thursday 1/6 - 7:00PM - Xavier at Cincinnati
Sunday 1/16 - 7:00PM - Butler at Wright State
Sunday 1/9 - 10:00PM - UCLA at USC
Thursday 1/13 - 9:00PM - Mississippi State at Ole Miss
Saturday 1/15 - 2:30PM - Arizona State at Arizona
Saturday 1/22 - 4:00PM - Virginia Commonwealth at Old Dominion
Tuesday 1/25 - 7:00PM - Belmont at Lipscomb
Tuesday 1/25 - 7:00PM - North Carolina State at Clemson
Wednesday 1/26 - 8:00PM - Stephen F. Austin at Sam Houston State
Thursday 1/27 - 7:00PM - Michigan at #19 Michigan State
Sunday 1/30 - 10:00PM - Washington at Washington State


Potential Upsets
Sunday 1/2 - 7:45PM - Miami (FL) at #1 Duke
Monday 1/3 - 7:00PM - #9 Georgetown at St. John's
Monday 1/3 - 7:30PM - #15 Michigan State at Northwestern
Thursday 1/13 - 10:15PM - Utah State at Boise State
Wednesday 1/19 - 7:00PM - East Carolina at #21 Central Florida
Wednesday 1/19 - 7:00PM - #22 Memphis at Southern Mississippi


Other Interesting Match-ups
Saturday 1/1 - 11:00AM - West Virginia at Marquette
Saturday 1/1 - 2:00PM - New Mexico at Dayton
Sunday 1/2 - 6:00PM - Wisconsin at #21 Illinois
Saturday 1/8 - 11:00AM - West Virginia at #9 Georgetown
Saturday 1/8 - 1:00PM - #17 Kansas State at Oklahoma State
Saturday 1/8 - 2:00PM - Marquette at #Pittsburgh
Saturday 1/8 - 3:00PM - Florida State at Virginia Tech
Saturday 1/8 - 4:00PM - #14 Kentucky at Georgia
Saturday 1/8 - 4:00PM - UTEP at UAB
Sunday 1/9 - 12:00PM - Cincinnati at #8 Villanova
Sunday 1/9 - 8:00PM - Maryland at #1 Duke
Monday 1/10 - 7:00PM - #20 Notre Dame at Marquette
Tuesday 1/11 - 9:00PM - #19 Florida at Tennessee
Wednesday 1/12 - 8:00PM - Oklahoma State at #18 Texas A&M
Wednesday 1/12 - 9:00PM - #1 Duke at Florida State
Thursday 1/13 - 9:00PM - Virginia Tech at North Carolina
Saturday 1/15 - 12:00PM - Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Saturday 1/15 - 1:00PM - Maryland at #8 Villanova
Sunday 1/16 - 4:30PM - #11 Purdue at West Virginia
Sunday 1/16 - 7:45PM - North Carolina at Georgia Tech
Wednesday 1/19 - 7:00PM - #1 Duke at North Carolina State
Wednesday 1/19 - 7:00PM - Cincinnati at #15 Notre Dame
Wednesday 1/19 - 9:00PM - Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
Wednesday 1/19 - 9:00PM - Florida State at Miami
Thursday 1/20 - 9:00PM - Virginia Tech at Maryland
Thursday 1/20 - 10:00PM - Arizona State at Washington State
Thursday 1/20 - 10:30PM - Arizona at Washington
Saturday 1/22 - 2:00PM - Saint Mary's at Vanderbilt
Saturday 1/22 - 2:00PM - Tennessee at #4 UConn
Saturday 1/22 - 3:00PM - Temple at Xavier
Saturday 1/22 - 4:00PM - Oklahoma State at #23 Baylor
Saturday 1/22 - 10:30PM - Arizona at Washington State
Tuesday 1/25 - 7:00PM - Florida at Georgia
Tuesday 1/25 - 8:00PM - #3 Kansas at Colorado
Tuesday 1/25 - 9:00PM - #4 UConn at Marquette
Wednesday 1/26 - 7:00PM - #8 Villanova at Providence
Wednesday 1/26 - 7:00PM - West Virginia at #20 Louisville
Wednesday 1/26 - 7:30PM - #14 Texas at Oklahoma State
Thursday 1/27 - 8:00PM - Boston College at #1 Duke
Thursday 1/27 - 9:00PM - UCLA at Arizona
Saturday 1/29 - 2:00PM - North Carolina State at North Carolina
Saturday 1/29 - 4:00PM - Georgia at #14 Kentucky
Saturday 1/29 - 4:00PM - #16 BYU at New Mexico
Saturday 1/29 - 6:00PM - Arkansas at Vanderbilt
Sunday 1/30 - 1:00PM - #1 Duke at St. John's
Sunday 1/30 - 5:30PM - Miami at Virginia Tech


Mid-Major Must-See Games
Saturday 1/1 - 2:00PM - Valparasio at Butler
Monday 1/3 - 7:30PM - Jacksonville at Campbell
Tuesday 1/4 - 8:05PM - Missouri State at Creighton
Wednesday 1/5 - 10:00PM - #16 BYU at UNLV
Saturday 1/8 - 2:00PM - Lehigh at American
Saturday 1/8 - 3:00PM - Air Force at #16 BYU
Saturday 1/8 - 7:00PM - Coastal Carolina at Liberty
Sunday 1/9 - 2:35PM - Cleveland State at Valparasio
Sunday 1/9 - 8:30PM - Missouri State at Wichita State
Monday 1/10 - 7:30PM - Hampton at Morgan State
Wednesday 1/12 - 10:00PM - UNLV at #7 San Diego State
Saturday 1/15 - 5:00PM - #21 Central Florida at Southern Mississippi
Saturday 1/15 - 6:00PM - #7 San Diego State at New Mexico
Saturday 1/15 - 8:00PM - Dayton at Xavier
Saturday 1/15 - 8:15PM - Campbell at Belmont
Wednesday 1/19 - 7:00PM - James Madison at Old Dominion
Wednesday 1/19 - 8:05PM - Northern Iowa at Wichita State
Wednesday 1/19 - 10:00PM - Air Force at #7 San Diego State
Tuesday 1/25 - 7:00PM - Richmond at Dayton
Wednesday 1/26 - 9:05PM - Creighton at Northern Iowa
Wednesday 1/26 - 10:00PM - Long Beach State at Pacific
Thursday 1/27 - 10:00PM - Utah State at San Jose State
Thursday 1/27 - 11:00PM - Saint Mary's at Gonzaga
Saturday 1/29 - 12:00PM - Xavier at Richmond
Sunday 1/30 - 8:00PM - Northern Iowa at Missouri State


Other Notable Mid-Major Match-Ups
Saturday 1/1 - 8:05PM - Drake at Creighton
Monday 1/3 - 7:00PM - Iona at Siena
Monday 1/3 - 7:00PM - Hofstra at Drexel
Wednesday 1/5 - 7:00PM - Drexel at Virginia Commonwealth
Wednesday 1/5 - 7:00PM - Marshall at #21 Central Florida
Wednesday 1/5 - 8:15PM - Belmont at Stetson
Thursday 1/6 - 7:00PM - Albany at Vermont
Thursday 1/6 - 7:00PM - South Alabama at Florida Atlantic
Thursday 1/6 - 7:00PM - Charlerston at Furman
Thursday 1/6 - 8:00PM - Oral Roberts at North Dakota State
Thursday 1/6 - 8:30PM - Tennessee State at Murray State
Thursday 1/6 - 8:30PM - Jackson State at Alabama A&M
Thursday 1/6 - 9:00PM - Saint Mary's at Loyola Marymount
Thursday 1/6 - 10:30PM - Boise State at San Diego State
Friday 1/7 - 8:05PM - Wichita State at Illinois State
Friday 1/7 - 7:30PM - St. Peter's at Iona
Saturday 1/8 - 12:00PM - Austin Peay at Murray State
Saturday 1/8 - 2:00PM - George Mason at Old Dominion
Saturday 1/8 - 7:30PM - Jacksonville at Lipscomb
Saturday 1/8 - 10:00PM - UC-Santa Barbara at Pacific
Sunday 1/9 - 2:00PM - Saint Louis at Temple
Sunday 1/9 - 3:30PM - St. Peter's at Fairfield
Monday 1/10 - 8:15PM - Jacksonville at Belmont
Wednesday 1/12 - 8:00PM - Nicholls State at Northwestern State
Wednesday 1/12 - 8:05PM - Northern Iowa at Illinois State
Wednesday 1/12 - 10:00PM - Colorado State at New Mexico
Thursday 1/13 - 7:00PM - Old Dominion at Drexel
Thursday 1/13 - 7:00PM - Liberty at High Point
Friday 1/14 - 7:00PM - Valparasio at Wright State
Saturday 1/15 - 3:00PM - Nicholls State at Sam Houston State
Saturday 1/15 - 4:00PM - Old Dominion at Hofstra
Saturday 1/15 - 4:00PM - Austin Peay at Tennessee State
Saturday 1/15 - 7:00PM - Samford at Chattanooga
Saturday 1/15 - 7:00PM - Oakland at IPFW
Saturday 1/15 - 8:30PM - Murray State at Tennessee Tech
Saturday 1/15 - 9:05PM - Portland State at Montana
Sunday 1/16 - 2:00PM - Akron at Buffalo
Monday 1/17 - 7:00PM - Charleston at Chattanooga
Monday 1/17 - 8:00PM - North Carolina A&T at Hampton
Monday 1/17 - 8:15PM - Campbell at Lipscomb
Tuesday 1/18 - 7:30PM - Maine at Vermont
Wednesday 1/19 - 7:30PM - Kent State at Buffalo
Thursday 1/20 - 7:00PM - Samford at Furman
Thursday 1/20 - 7:00PM - Chattanooga at Wofford
Thursday 1/20 - 10:05PM - Weber State at Portland State
Friday 1/21 - 9:00PM - Siena at St. Peter's
Saturday 1/22 - 3:00PM - McNeese State at Northwestern State
Saturday 1/22 - 9:00PM - Montana at Montana State
Monday 1/24 - 7:00PM - Morehead State at Ball State
Wednesday 1/26 - 7:00PM - Bucknell at Lehigh
Wednesday 1/26 - 8:00PM - Air Force at Colorado State
Thursday 1/27 - 7:00PM - Kent State at Ball State
Friday 1/28 - 7:00PM - Detroit at Milwaukee
Friday 1/28 - 7:00PM - Columbia at Harvard
Saturday 1/29 - 2:00PM - Rider at St. Peter's
Saturday 1/29 - 2:00PM - Butler at Valparasio
Saturday 1/29 - 4:00PM - Cleveland State at Loyola (IL)
Saturday 1/29 - 7:00PM - Saint Mary's at Portland
Saturday 1/29 - 7:15PM - Austin Peay at Morehead State
Saturday 1/29 - 12:00AM - Utah State at Hawaii
Monday 1/31 - 7:15PM - Campbell at Jacksonville