7:00 pm: No. 17 Syracuse @ No. 7 UConn: Syracuse is in one of the worst stretches of Jim Boeheim's career. After winning their first 18 games of the season, the Orange have dropped four in a row, complete with a 22 point loss at home to lowly Seton Hall and enough rumor and innuendo around the program to make you hate the internet. I think its safe to say the Orange could really use this win.
UConn, on the other hand, has gotten impressive enough play out of the non-Kembas on the team that they have been able to withstand this cold stretch that Walker is currently in. The Big East is a mess behind Pitt, who has a two game cushion in first place, and games between two of the top seven teams in the conference are all the more important as a result. If UConn is going to win this game, they are going to need to be able to penetrate the Syracuse zone, whether it is off the dribble or via the pass.
9:00 pm: No. 5 Duke @ Maryland: I will be at the game, and here is a copy of the preview that I wrote for Rush the Court:
Maryland has played a number of big games this season. They've lost them all. The Terps are in that treacherous bubble area where they have beaten everyone that they are supposed to beat and have lost to everyone they are supposed to lose to. That, frankly, is not the best way to get yourself a bid to the NCAA Tournament. While they still have games left against Florida State and North Carolina, tonight's matchup with Duke is the only game left on the Terp's schedule (they already lost to Duke once) against a truly elite team, which makes it the most important game of their season. Duke, on the other hand, will be looking to reestablish their superiority in the ACC. Granted, a loss at Florida State is not a terrible loss. A 15 point loss at St. John's is.
The Blue Devils have a flaw, and its not necessarily playing without Kyrie Irving. Duke is weak in the paint. In every game that they have struggled, their big men have been beaten up inside. Maryland has arguably the best big man in the conference in Jordan Williams, a double-double machine when he stays out of foul trouble. He had 22 points and 13 boards in the first matchup, a game Maryland nearly won on the road. If Adrian Bowie continues his hot play and Williams once again goes off, the Terps may finally land that big win they have been so close to so many times this year.
7:00 pm: Marquette @ No. 7 Villanova: With rivalry games like Syracuse-UConn and Duke-Maryland happening tonight, it only makes sense that a game like Villanova-Marquette could fly under the radar. But don't be fooled, this is an important game that should be quite entertaining. Marquette is a much better team than their record indicates, having lost a number of close games to very good competition, but the Golden Eagles were able to win late against Syracuse on Saturday. Could that turn their season around?
9:00 pm: No. 6 San Diego State @ Colorado State: This is a huge game for the Rams. They have a shot at being able to earn an at-large bid, but the are going to have to notch a couple of victories against the top of the league to make that happen.
8:00 pm: Mississippi State @ Alabama: One of the more intriguing matchups of the night. Alabama has the best record in the SEC right now, but Mississippi State, with Dee Bost and Renardo Sidney back in the fold, has the most talent in the SEC West. Can the Crimson Tide continue their winning ways?
Other Notable Games:
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Wednesday's Pregame Beat: Duke-Maryland and UConn-Syracuse highlight a busy night |
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