FIRST TIER
1. Syracuse at 5. Duke 5:00 pm ESPN - A rematch of arguably the best game of the season. Both teams will be coming off losses in games where they did not play at their very best. Duke's cold streaks against North Carolina's zone has to give you some trepidation heading into this one. While Carolina played a 1-3-1, Syracuse's 2-3 is just as mean and could really affect Blue Devils shooters. Jabari Parker will need to play a complete game. He disappeared last night and it hurt Duke. As for Syracuse, they have been skirting by in the last couple of weeks with similar offensive issues. C.J. Fair reverted back to his old ways of appearing only for short bursts versus the entire game. I like Duke at home in another close one with the difference being Amile Jefferson. DUKE 65-62 11. Louisville at 7. Cincinnati 11:00 am CBS - Last time these two teams met, the Bearcats nearly blew a 17 point lead in the second half only to have Sean Kilpatrick close out the game. Louisville been red hot with their only loss being to Cincy in the last month or so yet the finish to their season will be brutal. I do not know if it is fair to judge how Louisville is playing right now since it is all against inferior opponents. Cincinnati only fell once to SMU but other than that, it is all cylinders ahead. Russ Smith will need to be involved and not go 6/15 like he did the first time these two teams played in January. Kilpatrick will carry the squad again with a big game inside from Justin Jackson. CIN 68-63
16. Wisconsin at 15. Iowa 11:00 am ESPN - These two have a good rivalry going in the last couple of years. I am fascinated to see what would have happened in early January if Fran McCaffery does not get ejected from the game. Iowa stood a fighting chance in that game, and it completely changed with McCaffery got tossed. People forget how good Deyvn Marble was in that one with 27 points. Wisconsin is red hot in recent weeks with strong play from Frank Kaminsky and Nigel Hayes keeps doing work off the bench. Hayes had eight points the first time these two met, but not as much of a factor as he has been in the last couple games. I have Iowa. I feel like they will rise to the occasion again at home gaining another major win for their resume. IOWA 79-76
6. San Diego State at New Mexico 9:00 pm ESPN2 - This will be worth a bar watch on Saturday night pitting the top two Mountain West opponents. Also these two teams have played some classics in the last couple of years. San Diego State's defense has been stout all year and rarely do they allow 65 points or more. Lobos will have to capitalize on every opportunity they get on Saturday night. As for New Mexico, they can give it to with either Kendall Williams or Alex Kirk inside whom should be healthier. I could see Kirk being a real issue for the Aztecs and will push the home team to victory. UNM 71-69
13. Michigan State at 20. Michigan (Played on Sunday) 11:00 am CBS - This game was a lot more exciting a couple weeks ago. Both teams are in desperate need of a win. Keith Appling played in a win against Purdue having nine assists and it can only be assumed he will be closer to full strength for this one. Michigan has alternated wins for the entire month of February. This should be bode well as they lost the last one. They need to find their offense again because it has suddenly disappear or Indiana unlocked a secret about how to stop them. Michigan State hit a record 17 threes on Thursday night. They beat Michigan for 35 minutes last time and didn't close. They finish the deal Sunday. MSU 67-61
SECOND TIER
19. Texas at 8. Kansas 6:30 pm ESPNU - First time these two teams met Texas threw a #BEATEMDOWN on Kansas. And I think the reverse could happen on Saturday. Texas holds a team without seniors, we know that, and I have to think this is a problem heading into one of the toughest arenas in all of college basketball. Jayhawks also have scuffled in the last few games meaning they are poised for another outbreak. Kansas rolls in this one. KU 79-62
4. Arizona at Colorado 8:00 pm ESPN - No one can deny Arizona is a different team without Brandon Ashley. They went from contending for the title to maybe being a fringe Elite Eight squad. They need to find some offense inside possibly with Big Zeus or Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in conjunction with more consistent guard play. Colorado is warming up and learning how to play without their star, Spencer Dinwiddle as they have won five of their last six. Wildcats were able to squeak one out in Salt Lake City and I cannot see the same thing happening in Boulder. Big time Askia Booker performance. BUFFS 74-65
SMU at 21. UConn (Played on Sunday) 1:00 pm CBS Sports Network - First time around the world learned SMU is a better team than anyone gave them credit for at the beginning of the year. Since then, UConn has been a different team only falling to Louisville, Cincinnati and sweeping Memphis. I think this will be a pissed off Husky team ready to dominate the Mustangs. If Shabazz Napier does not get 30, I will buy everyone whom reads this a coffee. UCONN 81-68
George Washington at 10. St. Louis 7:00 pm No TV - Bilikens survived George Mason on the road this week and it is clear the bulls-eye is directly on their back right now. They needed a big Jordair Jett performance in the second half and overtime to win the game. George Washington has been playing better but they do not seem like a team that can head into the Arch and win this game. STL 69-61
THIRD TIER
23. UCLA at Stanford 5:00 pm ESPN2 - Must-win for Stanford whose hanging onto the bubble right and last time these two met, the Bruins ran them out of the game putting up 91 points. Even though it is tough to win at Maples for a road team, Stanford does not play defense and UCLA is a good offense team. No upset here. UCLA 89-73
St. John's at 9. Villanova 12:30 pm FOX Sports 1 - Johnnies have yet to lose in the month of February facing their toughest task, a road game in Philadelphia. If they were to win, it will definitely help their bubble case in a major way. Villanova did not play well the first time they saw St. Johns in early January shooting only 35 percent including doing nothing from three. They will need to do a little bit more on Saturday. James Bell was a non-factor in the first meeting and that does not happen in this one. NOVA 69-62
2. Florida at Ole Miss 11:00 am CBS - Quick #HotTake: Marshall Henderson could not handle Kentucky at home, and Florida will frustrate the hell out of him. UF 70-54
Minnesota at 24. Ohio State 5:00 pm Big Ten Network - Quick #HotTake: Gophers are on the wrong side of the bubble and do not see Columbus being nice to them. OSU 61-51
Charlie.
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