Games to Watch - Week of Dec. 22nd

Mon, Dec. 22nd

Marquette @ NC State - The Wolfpack have quietly amounted a 7-1 record so far, with their only loss a 5 point loss at Davidson. Not many people are tossing around their name for an at-large bid, and they'll probably struggle in ACC play, but here's a golden opportunity to put their names in the bubble mix... for now.

Georgia Tech @ USC - I saw Gani Lawal in the Penn St. ACC/Big 10 challenge game and he looked pretty good. He'll have his hands full vs. an athletic frontcourt that includes Taj Gibson, who is currently averaging over 3 blocks per game.

Tues, Dec. 23rd

Butler @ Xavier - The Musketeers fell from the list of unbeatens Saturday under a 55 point 1st half barrage by Duke. The Blue Devils will do that on occasion. Xavier isn't as bad as they looked against Duke, but they aren't great by any means, and you know an underated, hard-working Butler team will give them a game.

Missouri @ Illinois - Wow... a Missouri-Illinois game that actually means something for both teams! The Tigers have some good wins but could really use a good road non-conference win. Meanwhile, after missing out on beating Clemson at home a few weeks ago, this is Illinois' last chance at notching a good non-conference win in a conference that already has plenty of good looking non-conference resumes (Michigan, Minnesota).

Texas @ Wisconsin - If you like up-tempo, high scoring basketball games... don't turn this one on. It's probably not going to be pretty.

Kansas @ Arizona - This is the Desert Diamond Fiesta Bowl Classic. Basically a fancy name for a good non-conference matchup. As for the teams, I couldn't see Kansas not making the tournament... but right now there's not a whole lot backing them up on paper other than beating Washington at a neutral site. Meanwhile, Arizona followed up their big upset over Gonzaga with a loss @ UNLV... they've been awfully tough at home this year though, and this team does have a good deal of talent. Should be a close game

Wed, Dec. 24th and Thurs., Dec. 25th

Merry Christmas everyone! No college basketball. Enjoy presents, family, and college football. And I think there's NFL games or something.

Fri., Dec. 26th

Fairfield @ UConn - Only game on the schedule. Fairfield has a good record but has been blown out vs. the 3 legit teams they've played... and by legit I mean Missouri, Virginia Tech, and Memphis. Huskies... have fun!

Sat., Dec 27th

Washington St. @ LSU - Only Washington St.'s 2nd road game of the year. The Cougars don't have any bad losses (all to tournament teams, two to top 10 opponents Pitt and Gonzaga) but don't have any good wins either outside of Miss. St. This win would really, really help.

UAB @ Louisville - The more I look at the Blazers' resume, the more I think they're probably a tournament team... want to convince me? Win on Saturday. It's definitely possible... Louisville's looked pretty mortal so far, especially against teams that can handle the press (and UAB's set of guards definitely can)

West Virginia @ Ohio State - Lighty's out for 6 to 12 weeks. Saturday, we'll find out how the Buckeyes handle it.

Sun., Dec. 28th

Texas Tech @ Stanford - At this point in the season, there's two reasons you're undefeated:

1. You're really good.
2. You've had a sucky schedule.

Stanford's toughest game so far has been home vs. Air Force. They did play road games though... at Colorado State and at Yale. Come on now. Texas Tech will at least be a semi-tournament worthy opponent.