Top Games
No. 5 Kansas State at Washington State (Friday, 11:00 PM, FSN): Tough trip for Kansas State all the way to Pullman, where the Cougars are difficult to beat. If DeAngelo Casto and Reggie Moore return from injury, an upset is possible. Klay Thompson will be key for WSU. Prediction: Kansas State 72, Washington State 69
Utah State at No. 16 Georgetown (Saturday, 12:00 PM, ESPNU): Completely different style for Georgetown after facing Missouri earlier this week. Tai Wesley will be a key for USU; he will be a match-up problem for the Hoyas. Prediction: Georgetown 75, Utah State 65
No. 10 Kentucky at North Carolina (Saturday, 12:30 PM, CBS): Two of the all-time greatest programs, and two teams that are filled with freshmen this season. It will be interesting to see if Harrison Barnes snaps out of his slump, and if Kentucky can handle UNC’s bigs. Prediction: Kentucky 82, North Carolina 78
Butler vs. No. 1 Duke (Saturday, 3:15 PM, ESPN): This game is certainly not going to be a repeat of the national championship game, which went down to the wire. Duke is much better than last season, while Butler has struggled so far this season. Prediction: Duke 80, Butler 66
No. 20 Illinois at Gonzaga (Saturday, 5:15 PM, ESPN): An interesting battle between a couple of teams who have been softer than expected on the interior. For Gonzaga, Elias Harris has to be healthy and contribute, while Illinois has to take advantage of its edge at the point. Prediction: Illinois 76, Gonzaga 74
North Carolina State at No. 8 Syracuse (Saturday, 5:30 PM, ESPN2): North Carolina State was absolutely destroyed by Wisconsin this week, and they are missing Tracy Smith more than expected. Syracuse is different than last season, but still solid. Prediction: Syracuse 73, North Carolina State 61
Wichita State at No. 17 San Diego State (Saturday, 10:00 PM, Mountain): A very underrated game between two of the best non-BCS teams in the country. Both teams could be sleepers come March. Look for Kawhi Leonard to break out of his slump for SDSU. Prediction: San Diego State 68, Wichita State 59
Temple at Maryland (Sunday, 8:00 PM, FSN): Temple has been struggling somewhat this season, not getting the production it needs from Lavoy Allen. However, if Temple is going to win on Sunday, Allen has to toughen up against Jordan Williams, who has been supremely productive. Prediction: Temple 65, Maryland 63
Conference Clashes
Oral Roberts at IUPUI (Saturday, 7:00 PM): Will either of these teams push Oakland for the Summit League crown? Both have struggled so far. Prediction: IUPUI 75, Oral Roberts 70
Murray State at Morehead State (Saturday, 8:00 PM, ESPN FullCourt/Regional TV): Although both teams are not playing very well this season, this is going to the first of three games to decide who goes to the Dance. Prediction: Morehead State 63, Murray State 60
Virginia at Virginia Tech (Sunday, 6:00 PM, FSN): The first ACC game of the season. Tech has to bounce back from its loss to Purdue, while UVA beat Minnesota. Prediction: Virginia Tech 67, Virginia 57
Intrastate Battles
Rhode Island at Providence (Saturday, 4:00 PM, ESPN FullCourt/Regional TV): Not surprisingly, Providence is putting up points this year – but they’re also defending better. URI has a couple losses. Prediction: Providence 84, Rhode Island 76
Boston College at Massachusetts (Saturday, 6:30 PM, Regional TV): Boston College is playing better lately, while UMass is undefeated. Prediction: Boston College 79, Massachusetts 70
Southern Mississippi at Mississippi (Saturday, 8:00 PM, ESPNU): Southern Miss is looking like a team who could push Memphis in C-USA; Ole Miss can win the SEC West. Prediction: Mississippi 77, Southern Mississippi 69
New Mexico at New Mexico State (Saturday, 9:00 PM, ESPN FullCourt/Regional TV): This game would have been better if Drew Gordon (NM) and Wendell McKines (NMSU) were playing. Prediction: New Mexico 75, New Mexico State 70
Clemson at South Carolina (Sunday, 4:00 PM, ESPN FullCourt/Regional TV): Neither team is likely to contend for their respective league crown, but a win here could provide momentum. Prediction: Clemson 68, South Carolina 65
Other Games to Watch
Oklahoma State at La Salle (Saturday, 1:00 PM): La Salle has suffered competitive losses to Baylor and Missouri; Oklahoma State has improved its defense. Prediction: Oklahoma State 73, La Salle 70
Harvard at Michigan (Saturday, 1:00 PM, Big Ten Network): Tommy Amaker faces his former team. The Crimson already blew out Colorado – is Michigan next? Prediction: Michigan 69, Harvard 65
Belmont at Vanderbilt (Saturday, 2:00 PM, Regional TV): Belmont nearly beat Tennessee at the start of the year, while Vanderbilt owns a win over North Carolina. Prediction: Vanderbilt 87, Belmont 74
Alabama at No. 22 Purdue (Saturday, 3:30 PM, ESPN2): Purdue somehow knocked off Virginia Tech earlier this week; their defense and toughness will overwhelm Alabama. Prediction: Purdue 61, Alabama 49
West Virginia at Miami (Fl.) (Saturday, 4:00 PM, Regional TV): West Virginia has been getting great production from Casey Mitchell; Miami has been very inconsistent. Prediction: West Virginia 75, Miami (Fl.) 71
Texas Tech at No. 23 Washington (Saturday, 4:00 PM, FSN): Prepare for a ton of points put on the board in this one. Last year’s battle was a classic – this one will be a blowout. Prediction: Washington 98, Texas Tech 77
Western Kentucky at No. 14 Memphis (Saturday, 8:00 PM, Regional TV): Memphis has not been running lesser teams out of the building, and WKU has a veteran group led by a big and talented frontline. Prediction: Memphis 79, Western Kentucky 68
Richmond at Arizona State (Sunday, 2:00 PM, Regional TV): Both teams are coming off a loss, with Richmond falling to Old Dominion and Arizona State getting dropped by Baylor. Prediction: Arizona State 56, Richmond 53
Kent State at UAB (Sunday, 8:00 PM): Both teams won at least 24 games last season, although neither is nearly as good as they were a year ago. Prediction: UAB 71, Kent State 63
No. 19 Texas at USC (Sunday, 10:30 PM, FSN): This game would be a lot more competitive if Jio Fontan was eligible for USC. Without him, expect a lopsided result. Prediction: Texas 76, USC 64
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