A HUGE game for NCAA ball. Here's a schedule of some notable games:

12 PM:
Syracuse @ Georgetown, ESPN
Minnesota @ Purdue, BTN
Florida @ Kentucky, CBS
Providence @ UConn, ESPNU

1:30 PM:
Kansas St @ Oklahoma St, ESPN3
Ole Miss @ LSU, ESPN3

2 PM:
Marquette @ St. Johns, ESPN
UCLA @ Washington, CBS
NC State @ FSU, ESPN2


2:30 PM:
Clemson @ The U, ESPN3

2:35 PM:
Indiana State vs. Creighton

3:30 PM:
San Diego State @ Boise State, NBCS

4 PM:
Notre Dame @ Louisville, CBS
Mizzou @ Tennessee, ESPN

4:30 PM:
Arizona State @ Arizona, FSN

6 PM:
Kansas @ Baylor, ESPN

9 PM:
Duke @ UNC, ESPN

NOTES:

- In a repeat of last month's slopfest, look for the Hoyas to hold down homecourt against Cuse. Triche and MCW may not go 6-19 again... but Lubick, Starks, and Smith-Riviera won't go 5-26 again. Porter will get some help. Won't be easy... but in DC, Georgetown should make their final argument for a 1 seed here.

- Purdue is hot. Minnesota doesn't want to get on the bubble. This should be a fight. No clue which Gophers team shows, so no clue who will win.

- Kentucky simply needs a win to make the tourney. Florida is top five in both offensive AND defensive efficiency in the COUNTRY. Say hello to the NIT, Cal.

- KSU and Oklahoma State might be the most fun pairing of offenses on Saturday. I look for Cowboy redemption from their loss earlier this week.

- NC State is probably in... but a loss at FSU would do their seeding no favors. They could fall to a double-digit seed with a loss. And as I said for the Virginia game, FSU is tough at home. Who guards Snaer?

- Indiana State destroyed McDermott earlier this year, so I'm hoping this rematch airs on ESPN3 or something.

- San Diego State and Boise State is one of those fun mid-major bubble games we get come March. Jamaal Franklin. Keep your eyes out.

- I don't see Louisville losing the rematch of the Notre Dame game, unless Russ Smith catches a case of the stupids again. Quiet as kept, Louisville might be setting itself up for serious 1 seed contention. Siva gets hot this time of year, and a Big East Tourney title might push them into the 4th 1 seed.

- both Mizzou and Tennessee need the win. Bubble matchup. I like Tennessee at home.

- Arizona State has the backcourt to fuck with Arizona. Key to the game: Carrick Felix, honorary Dukie. Can he play better than he played at home? It's probably a stretch to think so... but the Sun Devils need the win to make the tourney.

- Which Baylor shows up? The physical, competitive squad? Or the dumb, butterfingers squad? Play the offense through Jefferson and Austin and they win. Jackson starts gunning, they lose. BUT a Baylor loss likely keeps them off the bubble, so never underestimate a desperate team at home, especially when McLemore struggles on the road. This seems like the most obvious candidate for Upset of the Day.

- UNC is playing better in the 4 guard lineup, and they gave us a game in Cameron... without Ryan Kelly. Everyone is cysing PJ Hairston guarding Ryan Kelly, as if Kelly doesn't have half a foot on Hairston and a high-as-shit shot release. This is gonna be a 3-point-shotfest, and a battle of who can score the most. Bullock and Hairston gave our shorter guards problems last game-- who guards them? Can Curry rotate effectively on defense? On the other side, is Hairston guarding Kelly REALLY going to work? Is McAdoo's bulging disk going to make him even less of a factor in a game where UNC will need its size more than ever? Big things on the line for both Duke and UNC here. Per usual, I make no call on this game. No jinxes either way.

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