-KENTUCKY AT LOUISVILLE. This is huge and bitter rivalry game. It’s an out of conference game, but it’s as intense as just about any conference rivalry you’ll come across. Louisville is now back at full strength and is aiming at a #1 seed, whereas Kentucky is just looking for a big win on their profile. Their most notable win to date was the season opener against Maryland, and with the SEC being weak, they’re not going to get too many shots at quality wins in conference down the stretch, so they should have a sense of urgency in this one. The last time these two teams met, it was in the Final Four. There’s not quite as much on the line today, but it is still a big game.
-UNLV AT NORTH CAROLINA. North Carolina is 9-3 on the year, but has no big wins to speak of and could be in some trouble as they head into conference play. UNLV has looked solid, but a road win such as this would help build their resume even more.
-SANTA CLARA AT DUKE. At 11-2, Santa Clara appears to be a solid team and if they could pull the upset it would really cement them onto the national scene. As good as they are, they’re probably way overmatched in this one, though.
-AIR FORCE AT FLORIDA. Air Force is 8-2, but has managed that record against an atrociously weak schedule. If they want to be taken seriously, they need a win in a game like this. It’s also a very big game for Florida who has dropped their last couple of games and suddenly doesn’t appear to have any major wins on their profile.
-VIRGINIA TECH AT BYU. Both of these teams have good records along with a decent win or two, but both have also struggled lately and could use another good solid win on their profile as they head into conference play.
-DAVIDSON AT RICHMOND. This looked like it would be a big game coming into the year, but now it just looks like two teams that are grasping at straws and trying to keep their heads above water.
-XAVIER AT TENNESSEE. Xavier has lost two straight, including a boneheaded loss to Wofford in their last game, and just doesn’t seem to have it this year. Tennessee is a modest 7-3 and is looking to build up their profile. This is the kind of game they really can’t afford to lose.
-SOUTH DAKOTA STATE AT NORTH DAKOTA STATE (Summit League). This is perhaps South Dakota State’s biggest remaining challenge on the year, and if they can win this they stand a very good chance at running the table in the Summit and landing close to, or even inside of, the bubble. North Dakota State is unbeaten at home, and isn’t likely to lose too many of their remaining games, so it would be a notable road win for SDSU.
-EVANSVILLE AT CREIGHTON (Missouri Valley). The conference opener for both teams. Creighton is in good shape to not only make the field, but earn a very good seed, if they can take care of business in conference play.
-GEORGE MASON AT SOUTH FLORIDA. These two teams have put up decent resumes so far, but both still have a lot of work to do. This is a big game for George Mason in particular since they will have limited opportunities in conference.
-LOYOLA, IL AT DEPAUL. This is an intriguing match up between two teams who each have just three losses. Neither have any real big wins and both have a ton of work to do to play their way into the NCAA discussion, but a win today would be a nice start.
-BUTLER AT VANDERBILT. Vandy is 5-5, and quite honestly it’s amazing their record is even that good. Butler is on the road, and at this point only has one true road win, but they shouldn’t have too much trouble in this one.
-AUBURN AT ILLINOIS. This is a rather big mismatch and the Illini shouldn’t have too much trouble winning it.
-BELMONT AT UCF. Both teams are 8-3 and Belmont already has a nice road win at Stanford. If they can pick up another win in this one and then blow through conference play they could land near the bubble.
-WASHINGTON AT CONNECTICUT. Washington is a very modest 8-4 and needs a big win to have any chance at all.
-OHIO AT OKLAHOMA. Ohio, a Sweet Sixteen team from a year ago that returned all their starters, doesn’t have a true road win yet, and would essentially have to win out to get any real consideration for an at-large bid. Oklahoma has been somewhat impressive. A win today gets them to 8-3 and puts them in pretty decent position heading into conference play.
-HARVARD AT CALIFORNIA. A win for Cal gets them to a respectable 9-3, and gives them pretty solid footing heading into conference play.
-VALPARAISO AT MURRAY STATE. At 9-4, Valpo could end up in the RPI top 100, which may be one of the few, if not only, RPI top 100 wins Murray State manages. They lost a big one at Dayton last week and must win this week.
-CENTRAL MICHIGAN AT MICHIGAN. Michigan is unbeaten and should roll through this one.
-UMKC AT KANSAS STATE. Kansas State is in the rankings with some decent wins and shouldn’t have too much trouble winning this one today.
-FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON AT VCU. VCU shouldn’t have too much trouble picking up their seventh straight win and improving to 10-3.
-FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL AT MIDDLE TENNESSEE (Sun Belt). A win gets MTSU to 10-3 and if they can run through the Sun Belt I think they’ll get a serious look.
-UTAH STATE AT TX SAN ANTONIO. They’ve done it against a weak schedule, but Utah State only has one loss and should get a look if they can avoid stubbing their toes.
-DENVER AT LOUISIANA TECH (WAC). LA Tech enters conference play with a 9-3 record and although they don’t have quality wins, they should be in okay shape if they’re able to blow through the league. That would also mean blowing through Utah State.
-FORDHAM AT GEORGIA TECH. As someone who really dogged Georgia Tech early, I’m actually starting to like this team. A win gets them to 9-2.
-TOWSON AT OREGON STATE. A win for Oregon State improves them to 10-2.
-CHICAGO STATE AT OHIO STATE. Ohio State should sleepwalk and still be able to win this one.
-DELAWARE STATE AT MARYLAND. Maryland hasn’t lost since the season opener against Kentucky and shouldn’t have any trouble winning today.
-WESTERN MICHIGAN AT NC STATE. NC State continues to play well and can improve to 10-2 with a win.
-HARTFORD AT COLORADO. A win gets the Buffs to 10-2.
-ALCORN STATE AT SYRACUSE. The Orange have just one loss on the year and shouldn’t have any trouble today.
-LA SALLE AT SIENA. With just two losses, La Salle could be a dark horse in the Atlantic Ten. People are so used to them being bad that no one has started paying attention to them yet.
-COPPIN STATE AT ARIZONA STATE. Arizona State is largely untested, but a win gets them to 11-2.
-BRYANT AT LEHIGH. A win for the Mountainhawks gets them to 10-2.
-SAMFORD AT WISCONSIN. Wiscy has a lot of work to do. A win in this game gets them to 9-4.
-PRESBYTERIAN AT SOUTH CAROLINA. A win will get SC to 9-3, but they’ve racked up that record against a weak schedule.
-NC CENTRAL AT MARQUETTE. A win for Marquette gets them to 9-3, but they’re struggling when it comes to big wins.
Griggs