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Pregame Shootaround 2.19.13: MSU-IU, VCU-St. Louis highlight loaded slate

Kenny Boynton, Ernest Ross

Florida guard Kenny Boynton (1) goes up for shot against Missouri’s Earnest Ross during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)

AP

Game of the Night: No. 1 Indiana at No. 4 Michigan State (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)

We already gave this game the full-post preview treatment. Get your popcorn ready.

Who’s Getting Upset? No. 5 Florida at Missouri (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)

If you look at Kenpom’s numbers, Florida has been the best team in the country this season. But there are two factors in that equation that must be accounted for: 1) Their two best wins were blow-outs that came at home back in November; 2) Their only two notable road performances have been a 25 point win at Florida State, who isn’t a tournament team, back on December 5th and the torching they took at Arkansas earlier this month.

Now, Florida heads off to Columbia where they’ll be taking on a Missouri team that has Laurence Bowers back, is playing better basketball than they were a few weeks ago, and has proven to be a much better team at home than on the road. The Tigers desperately need a big win, not necessarily for their tournament chances but for their confidence and to keep the doomsday theorists at bay.

Mid-Major Matchup of the Night: No. 24 VCU at St. Louis (9:00 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Net)

The Atlantic 10 isn’t a mid-major league, so spare me the angry comments. But this is the kind of matchup that deserves some extended discussion. You’d be hard-pressed to find two teams that play more opposing styles, but nonetheless, these two teams are essentially sitting in a tie for first place in the conference. (Technically, VCU has a one game lead in the win column.) The Rams like to press, thriving on their ability to force turnovers and turn those turnovers into layups and three-pointers. St. Louis is a is more of a halfcourt team, one that can be downright stingy defensively.

They execute in the half court and are a nightmare to try and score on when their defense gets set. VCU cannot score when forced to go against set defenses. This should be a fun battle.

Five Things to Watch For

1) Utah State heads to BYU to take on the Cougars in a game that was postponed due to the heart attack suffered by Danny Berger of USU in a practice earlier this season. This is an intense rivalry -- as they all are in the state of Utah -- but some of the luster as been lost as Kyisean Reed and Preston Medlin’s injuries have had an effect on how good the Aggies are. (9:00 p.m. ET)

2) Wichita State and Indiana State square off in a huge battle in the Missouri Valley. ISU won at Wichita State by 13 points earlier this season and hasn’t lost at home since Dec. 1st. But the Sycamores have also struggled of late, losing their last two games and falling into a position where they are nearly out of the bubble pictures without a win over the Shockers. WSU currently leads Creighton by a game and ISU by two games in the MVC standings. (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN3)

3) San Diego State has dropped two in a row and five of their last nine in Mountain West play. They are all but out of the MWC race, but beating Wyoming at home would help keep them out of the bubble picture. (10:00 p.m. ET)

4) There are four notable bubble battles in the ACC tonight. Florida State at NC State (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2), Maryland at Boston College (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN3), UNC at Georgia Tech (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN3), and, most importantly, Virginia at No. 2 Miami (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU).

5) Southern Illinois has been the ultimate spoiler in the MVC race this season. The travel to Omaha to take on Creighton tonight. (8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN3)

Top 25


  • No. 1 Indiana at No. 4 Michigan State (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
  • Virginia at No. 2 Miami (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
  • Duquesne at No. 15 Butler (7:00 p.m. ET)
  • No. 17 Marquette at Seton Hall (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN3)
  • No. 24 VCU at St. Louis (9:00 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Net)

You can find Rob on twitter @RobDauster.