No. 10 West Virginia Mountaineers at No. 9 Villanova Wildcats
A month ago, a case could be made that Villanova was the best team in the country. Sitting at 20-1, the Wildcats appeared ready for another Final Four run. However, the brutality of the Big East set in and Villanova has gone 4-4 in its last eight games.
“I don’t think we’re in a rut,” coach Jay Wright told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I think we are what our record is. That’s the great thing about a Big East season. By the end of the season, you are what your record says you are.”
No. 23 Texas A&M Aggies at Oklahoma Sooners
With all the talk centering around Kansas and Kansas State in the Big 12, little has been made of Texas A&M which is quietly positioning itself for a lengthy tournament run. The Aggies gave Kansas all it could handle a few weeks ago, falling by just five points. Texas A&M gets it done on the defensive end, implementing pressure defence and has the ability to grind out wins against any team in the country.
No. 22 Maryland Terrapins at Virginia Cavaliers
When ACC play started in December, Maryland was an afterthought after struggling in non-conference play including a home loss to William & Mary. Maryland is now tied for the ACC lead after a win over Duke and, if it beats Virginia, will assure itself of at least a share of the ACC regular season title. Having a guard like Greivis Vasquez makes this a dangerous team in March.
No. 2 Kansas Jayhawks at Missouri Tigers
Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich both struggled Wednesday against No. 5 Kansas State, but the fact that Kansas beat Kansas State by 17 points with its two stars struggling, showed that the Jayhawks can have off nights and still beat one of the best teams in the country. Xavier Henry has shrugged off his midseason slump and looks every bit like the lottery pick he was billed to be and Marcus Morris is the most improved player in the Big 12, giving Kansas even more weapons.
No. 1 Syracuse Orange at Louisville Cardinals
This time of year, most teams are suffering from bumps and bruises and Syracuse is no exception. Forward Kris Joseph did not participate in practice for most of this week, suffering from a knee injury that he tweaked against St. John’s Tuesday. Despite the injury, Joseph will play on Saturday in the final game at Louisville’s Freedom Hall.
South Carolina Gamecocks at No. 13 Vanderbilt Commodores
After averaging 42.3 points per game as a senior in high school, many expected Vanderbilt freshman John Jenkins to enter the starting lineup immediately after arriving at the school. However, due to depth, Jenkins started the season on the bench but is now in the starting lineup, getting the nod the last two games and hitting 11 of his 20 shots.
No. 25 Texas Longhorns at No. 21 Baylor Bears
For Texas guard Jordan Hamilton his season has seen a lot of highs and lows. He did not score in games against Kansas and Baylor, but in Monday’s win against Oklahoma, the freshman posted his first double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. More importantly it appears that Hamilton has finally realized the importance of defence.
“Jordan has realized he’s more than just a guy who can stand and shoot,” coach Rick Barnes told the Austin American Statesman.
Virginia Tech Hokies at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
With both teams needing wins to lock up an NCAA Tournament berth, Saturday’s game may serve as an elimination game for Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech lost three straight before beating North Carolina State Wednesday but needs this win and wins in the ACC tournament to make the tournament. Georgia Tech has lost four of six down the stretch.
No. 16 Tennessee Volunteers at Mississippi State Bulldogs
With Mississippi State leading the SEC in defensive field goal percentage (38 percent), Tennessee knows what Bulldog player it needs to avoid when trying to go to the basket. Jarvis Varnado has blocked nearly 150 shots this year and blocked six Tennessee shots in last year’s SEC championship game. Tennessee will try to take Varnado away from the basket by bringing Wayne Chism outside.
North Carolina Tar Heels at No. 4 Duke Blue Devils
Wednesday’s loss to Maryland snapped Duke’s eight-game winning streak but coach Mike Krzyzewski told the News and Observer that playing a close game against a good team will help his team in the NCAA tournament.
“Both teams played their hearts out,” Krzyzewski told reporters. “There was a lot of emotion in this building, and [Maryland] fed on it early on and almost knocked us out of the building. And our kids responded really well.”