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Pregame Shootaround: Some Pac-12 action on a relatively quiet night

Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson

AP

Game of the Night: Colorado at No. 10 Arizona, 9:00 p.m.

The game itself should be pretty good, assuming that the good Colorado team shows up, the one that we all thought would have a chance to make the NCAA tournament and compete for the Pac-12 title. That Colorado team hasn’t been seen in a while, which is what makes this game so important. They need some marquee wins to put on their tournament resume, and beating Arizona in Tucson is about as marquee as it gets.

Oh, and should I mention that Jay Bilas and Bill Walton will both be on the call for this one? That will be fun.

Who’s Getting Upset?: No. 8 Utah at Arizona State, 10:00 p.m.

Saturday will bring us the biggest game in the Pac-12 season to date, with the Utes paying a visit to the McKale Center to take on Arizona. But before that happens, Utah must make the trip to Tempe to square off with Arizona State. When they talk about trap games, this is what they mean.

Mid-Major Matchup of the Night: Belmont at Murray State, 9:00 p.m.

The two best teams in the Ohio Valley square off tonight, as well as the two best players. Cameron Payne and Craig Bradshaw may not get a ton of attention, but they are among the elite when it comes to talent at the mid-major level.

Five Things to Watch For

1. Nebraska at No. 7 Wisconsin, 9:00 p.m.: The Huskers have been one of the most disappointing teams in the country this season, but they’ve gotten to 2-2 in the Big Ten and will have a chance to land a key win over a Wisconsin team that will be playing without point guard Trae Jackson. That’s a big opportunity.

2. Auburn at Florida, 7:00 p.m.: Bruce Pearl’s boys will head to Gainesville to take on a Florida team that really cannot afford any more losses to non-NCAA tournament teams.

3. Cincinnati at Memphis, 7:00 p.m.: Memphis has been playing better of late, but have they been good enough to beat one of the American’s best?

4. Richmond at George Washington, 7:00 p.m.: The Colonials lost at La Salle last week, dropping them a game off the pace in the Atlantic 10 race. This will be a crucial bounce-back game for them.

5. No. 3 Gonzaga at Pepperdine, 11:00 p.m.: The Zags have yet to lose in WCC play, but Pepperdine has been one of the league’s surprises. They already beat BYU and are 4-1 in the conference.