Tonight’s the night for multiple TVs, DVR and watching games online. Otherwise you’ll miss some of the college basketball action – and even then, it may not be possible.
Fifteen ranked teams play, including all five unbeatens in Duke, Ohio State, Kansas, Syracuse and San Diego State. There are two ranked showdowns – Pittsburgh-Georgetown and Louisville-Villanova – and another killer showdown in the Missouri Valley.
Makes me wish ODU-Drexel was on another night so it could get some attention.
(All times ET)
Pittsburgh at Georgetown, 7 p.m. (ESPN): It’s a helluva time for the Hoyas to avoid a three-game losing streak. The Panthers (15-1), lead the nation in offensive efficiency and have the kind of fleet, mobile guards who give the Hoyas fits. (i.e: Chris Wright and Jason Clark can’t guard.) Still, it’s in DC and Pitt’s not nearly as imposing on the road.
Louisville at Villanova, 7 p.m. (ESPN2): The other ranked showdown of the night is a guard’s dream. Preston Knowles and Peyton Siva don’t get nearly the acclaim of Villanova’s loaded backcourt, but they’ve performed nearly as well thus far. If we’re lucky, Louisville will press throughout and give us a track meet of a game. Is that too much to ask with this many top-flight guards?
UNLV at San Diego State, 10 p.m. (CBS College Sports): The Rebels missed a chance to hold court last Wednesday against Jimmer Fredette and BYU. Tonight’s no easier as they make the trip to SDSU. If UNLV hit a few 3s (no small feat), the Aztecs could very well drop from the unbeaten ranks. They’ve sleepwalked through the last 30 days vs. the likes of IUPUI, Cal Poly and Occidental. Better wake up.
Syracuse at St. John’s, 7 p.m. (ESPNU): The Johnnies had a nice week, upsetting Georgetown and snagging a spot in SI. Then they got drilled in South Bend. So which team shows up against unbeaten Syracuse? Hard to say. But expect a slow game (probably 56 possessions) where neither team opens a huge lead.
Wichita State at Creighton, 8:05 p.m.: The Shockers and Jays are right behind Missouri State in the MVC standings, but it’s the Shockers who stand a better (slim!) chance of garnering an at-large bid come March. That makes this one crucial for Gregg Marshall’s squad. Also, the crowd should be rockin’.
Kansas at Iowa State, 9 p.m. (ESPN2): Ken Davis did himself proud with a feature on Cyclones coach Fred Hoiberg. Also, the Jayhawks never seem to play well at Hilton.
Duke at Florida State, 9 p.m. (ESPN): Once upon a time, this was considered the Blue Devils’ biggest roadblock to an unbeaten season. Then FSU lost to Auburn, the world froze over and things got topsy-turvy. Except when it comes to Duke. With or without Kyrie Irving, the odds of FSU winning this game are about 10-1.
Old Dominion at Drexel, 7 p.m: Hoftsra leads the CAA, but the Dragons and Monarchs shouldn’t be ignored. Even if they are lagging in efficiency margin.
Ohio State at Michigan, 6:30 p.m. (BTN): Hit on every other unbeaten team, so I didn’t want the Buckeyes to feel left out. Check out what UMHoops thinks of this game.
EAST
Texas-Pan American at N.J. Tech, 5 p.m.
Maine at Albany, N.Y., 7 p.m.
Holy Cross at Army, 7 p.m.
UMBC at Binghamton, 7 p.m.
Saint Louis at Duquesne, 7 p.m.
Fordham at George Washington, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Georgetown, 7 p.m.
Penn at La Salle, 7 p.m.
Colgate at Lafayette, 7 p.m.
Navy at Lehigh, 7 p.m.
George Mason at Northeastern, 7 p.m.
Syracuse vs. St. John’s at Madison Square Garden, 7 p.m.
Hofstra at Towson, 7 p.m.
Louisville at Villanova, 7 p.m.
Bucknell at American U., 7:30 p.m.
St. Bonaventure at Temple, 7:30 p.m.
SOUTH
Furman at Davidson, 7 p.m.
UAB at East Carolina, 7 p.m.
Wofford at Georgia Southern, 7 p.m.
Georgia St. at James Madison, 7 p.m.
Delaware at UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m.
Va. Commonwealth at William & Mary, 7 p.m.
Arkansas at LSU, 8 p.m.
Nicholls St. at Northwestern St., 8 p.m.
UTEP at Tulane, 8 p.m.
Georgia at Vanderbilt, 8 p.m.
Maryland at Wake Forest, 8 p.m.
South Carolina at Alabama, 9 p.m.
Duke at Florida St., 9 p.m.
MIDWEST
Ohio St. at Michigan, 6:30 p.m.
Ohio at Akron, 7 p.m.
Toledo at Cent. Michigan, 7 p.m.
South Florida at Cincinnati, 7 p.m.
Saint Joseph’s at Dayton, 7 p.m.
Nebraska at Missouri, 7 p.m.
Massachusetts at Xavier, 7 p.m.
W. Michigan at Ball St., 7:30 p.m.
Indiana St. at Bradley, 8:05 p.m.
Wichita St. at Creighton, 8:05 p.m.
Drake at Evansville, 8:05 p.m.
N. Iowa at Illinois St., 8:05 p.m.
S. Illinois at Missouri St., 8:05 p.m.
Northwestern at Iowa, 8:35 p.m.
Seton Hall at DePaul, 9 p.m.
Kansas at Iowa St., 9 p.m.
Colorado at Kansas St., 9 p.m.
SOUTHWEST
Wyoming at TCU, 7:30 p.m.
Southern Miss. at Rice, 8 p.m.
Memphis at SMU, 8 p.m.
Texas-Arlington at Sam Houston St., 8 p.m.
Cent. Arkansas at Stephen F.Austin, 8 p.m.
Oklahoma St. at Texas A&M, 8 p.m.
UTSA at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 8 p.m.
McNeese St. at Lamar, 8:35 p.m.
FAR WEST
Tulsa at Arizona St., 8:30 p.m.
Colorado St. at New Mexico, 10 p.m.
UNLV at San Diego St., 10 p.m.
Nevada at Idaho, 11 p.m.
UC Davis at Long Beach St., 11 p.m.
Want more? I’m also on Twitter @BeyndArcMMiller.