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Pregame Shootaround 2.28.13: Six leagues will determine champ tonight

North Carolina State v Duke

DURHAM, NC - FEBRUARY 07: Seth Curry #30 of the Duke Blue Devils watches on as teammates Mason Plumlee #5 and Quinn Cook #2 celebrate during their game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Cameron Indoor Stadium on February 7, 2013 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

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Game of the Night: No. 3 Duke at Virginia (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)

Virginia only has so many opportunities left to try and play their way into the NCAA tournament, and there may never be a better chance than knocking off the No. 3 team in the country. The Cavs are in an awkward spot. They have a number of good wins this season, but thanks to some horrendous losses, their computer numbers are to the point that they need every win that they can muster.

Virginia’s style of play is a difficult one to prepare for. They are a lot like Wisconsin in their style of defense and the way they like to control the tempo of the game. Virginia dares teams to shoot threes over their pack-line defense, which could backfire against a team like Duke, who has a number of quality three-point shooters along their perimeter. But the ‘Hoos are tough at home. A win here and Virginia should all but count on a tournament bid.

Who’s Getting Upset?: No. 2 Gonzaga at BYU (11:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

BYU’s at-large chances are essentially gone, but that doesn’t mean that the Cougars are a bad basketball team. They have two of the best players in the WCC on their roster in Tyler Haws and Brandon Davies, and they play an uptempo style than can generate a lot of points. If there is a knock on this Gonzaga team, it’s that their defense leaves something to be desired. Throw in the added advantage of playing in front of a tough, rowdy Marriott Center crowd, and BYU should have a shot at pulling off the upset.

Mid-Major Matchup of the Night: Utah State at No. 25 Louisiana Tech (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN3)

It’s a shame that Preston Medlin and Kyisean Reed ended up getting hurt this season, because a matchup between that USU team and this Louisiana Tech team would have been a lot of fun to watch. More than anything, this should be a chance for you to watch LTU play. They are the overwhelming favorite to win the WAC’s automatic bid, and if they do go dancing, you’ll want to know who you’re picking, won’t you?

Five Things to Watch For

1) It’s the SWAC, so people won’t pay much attention to it, but with two games left, Southern and Texas Southern -- the two teams tied for first place in the SWAC with just two games left in the regular season -- square off tonight for a share of the league’s regular season title. The game is at Texas Southern, who lost the first matchup on the road. (9:00 p.m. ET)

2) Five other league titles are on the line tonight:


  • Stony Brook could win the outright America East title by beating Boston U. on the road tonight. They have a two game lead over the Terriers with two games left in the regular season. (7:00 p.m. ET)
  • Robert Morris currently holds a one game lead over Bryant in the NEC standings. There are two games left. Tonight, Bobby Mo will head to Rhode Island to take on the Bulldogs. (7:00 p.m. ET)
  • Mercer visits Florida-Gulf Coast tonight. The Bears hold a two game lead over FGCU with two games left in the regular season. (7:30 p.m. ET)
  • Niagara can clinch a share of the MAAC title tonight by beating Rider at home. They Purple Eagles hold a one game lead over Loyola (MD) with two regular season games left. (7:00 p.m. ET)
  • South Dakota State has one regular season game left. Western Illinois has two. SDSU holds a half-game lead -- one game in the win column -- over WIU. Both are in action tonight.

3) Dominic Artis returns to the floor tonight for No. 24 Oregon as they host Oregon State. The Ducks are tied with UCLA for first in the Pac-12 standings. (11:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)

4) Missouri’s road struggles have been well-documented this season. They visit South Carolina tonight. (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

5) Will we see another ranked Big Ten team lose on the road tonight? No. 16 Ohio State visits Northwestern. (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

Top 25


  • No. 2 Gonzaga at BYU (11:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
  • No. 3 Duke at Virginia (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
  • No. 16 Ohio State at Northwestern (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
  • Oregon State at No. 24 Oregon (11:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
  • Utah State at No. 25 Louisiana Tech (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN3)

Notable Games


  • North Carolina at Clemson (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN)
  • Detroit at Temple (7:00 p.m. ET, ESPN3)
  • Drexel at Old Dominion (7:00 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network)
  • Utah at California (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU)
  • Missouri at South Carolina (9:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2)

You can find Rob on twitter @RobDauster.