Daily rants and opinions...because we're THAT bored.
by Spaen - Thursday, January 19
(1) Duke Blue Devils @ Georgetown Hoyas
12:30 PM, CBS
(2)Florida @ Tennessee - 6:00 PM, SEC-TV/ESPN Full Court
Bruce Pearl and the Volunteers have an awesome opportunity to catch the national spotlight again if they can take down Florida. Already scoring a victory at Texas, they are still turned down because the 'Horns were hooking up Buckman-less. Florida could very well be the most overrated team in the horrible SEC, and they'll be playing the second-best and only other good team in the conference.
(9)Pittsburgh @ St. John's - 11:05AM, CSN West/ESPN Full Court
Madison Square Garden will be the next place for the Panthers to try and extend their amazing winning streak. St. John's may not be Marquette, but their defense proved earlier this week that they have the defense to slow down any team. The Panthers do not have an explosive offense, and as long as the Red Storm can hold them down, they'll have a chance of winning.
Another great non-conference matchup. UCLA is coming off of an absolute smackdown against their USC rivals, and look to play a strong Mountaineer team that's won 11 straight.
(7)Illinois @ Northwestern - 3:30PM, KDSM (locally)/ESPNU/ESPN Full Court
This one could be very interesting. Last year, Northwestern couldn't get it done because of the Illini's great offense. Now since this year's Illini can't score more than 60 points on the road in Big 10 play, Northwestern has a golden opportunity to steal a win in the Big 10 that no one thought was possible in early December.
(6)Gonzaga @ San Diego - 5:00PM, FSN Northwest/FSN West 2
Like the SEC, the WCC only has two good teams: these two. Gonzaga really has been sketchy on the road, but San Diego always seems to falter in opportunities like these. A bad streak will have to end.
(20)Syracuse @ (8)Villanova - 5:00PM, ESPN
Do not give up on Syracuse just yet. Especially at the beginning of the year, Syracuse looked like a team that would fall flat on its face once Big East play started. However, they suffered their first major loss just this past week against UConn. They failed to break into the top 2, but they can steal Villanova's 3rd-place spot with a major victory on the road.
(3)UConn @ (17)Louisville - 8:00PM, ESPN
Amazing plays, big dunks, and all-around street play will exist in this Big East battle featuring two of the teams with the best athleticism. It will be Louisville who needs the win the most, as they have started out Big East play at a disappointing 1-3. Let's just say hosting UConn ain't making it any easier.
Georgia Southern @ Davidson - 1:00PM, FSN South
SoCon Basketball finally has a meaningful game on TV. Two of the better teams in the Southern Division will be chasing Furman throughout the season, and they've both already lost to them..
Nebraska @ Kansas - 3:00PM, ESPN
If the Huskers want to prove to the Big XII that they're legit, this is a must-win. Kansas may be having a down year, but any win at The Phog will give the team a boost. Something the Huskers very much need.
Colorado @ Oklahoma State - 3:00PM, WOI (locally)/Altitude
Two teams in the Big XII that are just about there to break into the top. Colorado is starting to gain some confidence over the last two games, which include a great win at Mizzou and a blowout against Baylor. Oklahoma State really hasn't been the great at home, even though they've been winning. Another performance like the one against Texas A&M won't cut it.
Drake @ Northern Iowa - 7:00PM, FSN Midwest/CSN Chicago
A great in-state rivalry with big things at stake. For Drake, they've fallen off the map ever since their loss to Iowa State, and find themselves in the middle of the conference standings. For Northern Iowa, they've been chosen by most to win the The Valley, and for the most part lived up to the expectations. They're among 3 other teams with great talent in the arguably best mid-major conference. Add that, a rivalry, and you got yourself sold on a fantastic game.
