Preview Roundups
March 03, 2018
St. John's at Providence 12:00 PM ET
Providence will try to improve its NCAA Tournament resume and strengthen its Big East tourney seeding when it caps the regular season at home against St. John's on Saturday. All 10 of the seeds for the league's upcoming tournament in New York's Madison Square Garden will be finalized Saturday, and the Friars are in a logjam in the middle, tied with two other teams for fourth place.
Wake Forest at Georgia Tech 12:00 PM ET
Georgia Tech hosts Wake Forest on Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams, looking to win consecutive games for the first time since mid-January. The Yellow Jackets ended a seven-game losing streak on Thursday at home, getting impressive performances from Tadric Jackson and Ben Lammers in a 78-75 victory over North Carolina State that sets up a matchup with the Demon Deacons to decide the 13th seed in next week’s ACC tournament.
Virginia Tech at Miami-Florida 12:00 PM ET
It was a big week for Virginia Tech and Miami with both schools pulled off huge upsets over top-10 ACC opponents, as the Hokies stunned No. 3 Duke 64-63 at home with a bucket in the final four seconds, while the Hurricanes, after squandering a 16-point lead, got a running, long-range, buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Ja'Quan Newton for a 91-88 triumph at No. 9 North Carolina. Both teams have earned byes into the second round of the ACC Tournament, but a double bye could be in the cards for the winn
Kentucky at Florida 12:00 PM ET
A double-bye to the quarterfinals in the SEC Tournament is on the line Saturday when No. 25 Kentucky heads to Gainesville for a rematch with Florida in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Wildcats will look to avenge their 66-64 loss to the Gators on Jan. 20 that ended the team's 30-game home winning streak against SEC opponents.
Xavier at DePaul 12:00 PM ET
No. 4 Xavier is already guaranteed at least a share of the Big East championship - but it has bigger goals in mind as it wraps up the regular season Saturday afternoon against host DePaul. A win this weekend would give the Musketeers their first outright Big East title in school history - and end Villanova's four-year run of dominance in the process.
West Virginia at Texas 12:00 PM ET
Texas' postseason hopes may hinge on Saturday's regular-season finale against visiting No. 19 West Virginia. The Longhorns, who have beaten their past three ranked opponents at home, still sit on the bubble after an up-and-down season.
Mississippi State at Louisiana State 1:00 PM ET
Mississippi State looks to bounce back from a tough home loss when it travels to face LSU in an SEC contest in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Bulldogs were beaten by 22 at home by No. 17 Tennessee on Tuesday, while the Tigers have dropped two straight, including an overtime decision to South Carolina on Wednesday.
Clemson at Syracuse 2:00 PM ET
Clemson has stabilized following a rough stretch but desperately wants to check one last item off its regular-season to-do list. The 18th-ranked Tigers can earn a double-bye in the ACC tournament by beating host Syracuse on Saturday.
Boston College at Florida State 2:00 PM ET
Florida State will try to stop an ill-timed two-game losing streak and perhaps gain a first-round bye in the upcoming ACC tournament when it finishes the regular season at home against Boston College on Saturday. The Seminoles are tied for ninth in the ACC after consecutive losses at North Carolina State and No. 18 Clemson, which puts a stain on the team's NCAA Tournament resume.
Alabama at Texas A&M 2:00 PM ET
Not even a solid freshman season from Collin Sexton has been enough for Alabama to secure a berth in the NCAA Tournament. They'll need Sexton to be at his best Saturday afternoon as the Crimson Tide look to complete a season series sweep of Texas A&M.
Baylor at Kansas State 2:00 PM ET
Kansas State and Baylor are both dangerously close to the NCAA Tournament bubble entering the regular-season finale. The Wildcats host the Bears on Saturday in a game that the selection committee certainly will be watching as it determines how to narrow the field of bubble teams over the next week.
Michigan at Michigan St 2:00 PM ET
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo acknowledged his team needed to do some soul-searching following its Jan. 13 setback to Michigan - its second setback in three games at that point. The second-ranked Spartans haven't lost since, setting the stage for No. 1 seed Michigan State to exact some revenge on the 13th-ranked Wolverines on Saturday when they renew acquaintances at New York's Madison Square Garden in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament.
Creighton at Marquette 2:30 PM ET
After stealing the show on Senior Night, Khyri Thomas will try to help visiting No. 24 Creighton exact some revenge on Marquette in Saturday's Big East regular-season finale for both teams. Thomas, a junior, racked up 16 points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals against DePaul on Tuesday as the Bluejays won their final home game, and will look to make it three straight wins entering the Big East Tournament.
Stanford at Arizona State 2:30 PM ET
One of the most perplexing teams in the country in recent weeks, Arizona State may have regained its swagger just in time for next week’s Pac-12 tournament. The Sun Devils look to maintain their momentum Saturday against visiting Stanford, which saw its three-game winning streak come to an end with Thursday’s 75-67 loss to Arizona.
South Carolina at Auburn 3:30 PM ET
No. 15 Auburn aims to clinch at least a share of its first SEC regular-season title since 1999 when it hosts South Carolina on Saturday. The Tigers also would secure the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament with a win - which, if coupled with a loss by Tennessee, would give them the outright crown.
Notre Dame at Virginia 4:00 PM ET
After making history as the first team to go 9-0 on the road in ACC play, No. 1 Virginia returns home to host Notre Dame on Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams. The Cavaliers etched their names in the record book in dramatic fashion Thursday when De'Andre Hunter drained a 3-pointer off an inbound play with 0.9 seconds remaining for the 67-66 comeback victory over Louisville.
Kansas at Oklahoma State 4:00 PM ET
With 14 straight Big 12 titles, Kansas has been the class of the conference ever since Devonte' Graham followed college basketball. The senior standout aims to lead his sixth-ranked Jayhawks to a sixth straight victory to close out the regular season Sunday when they visit Oklahoma State.
Texas Christian at Texas Tech 4:00 PM ET
No. 12 Texas Tech hopes to be back at full strength when it enters the postseason. The Red Raiders might get their injured leaders back Saturday in the season finale against visiting TCU.
Oregon at Washington 4:30 PM ET
Oregon still has a slim chance of finishing in the top four of the Pac-12 standings heading into its regular-season finale at Washington on Saturday afternoon. The Ducks would need to beat the Huskies and hope UCLA, Utah and Stanford also lose, creating a five-way tie for third.
Penn St. at Purdue 4:30 PM ET
Purdue couldn't have asked for a much easier path to the Big Ten tournament championship game that it has received so far, but the No. 8 Boilermakers nearly stubbed their toe in the first of two games they needed to win to get there. The third-seeded Boilermakers hope to squash the dreams of an upset-minded team for the second straight day Saturday when they face seventh seed Penn State in Madison Square Garden.
Georgetown at Villanova 5:00 PM ET
Villanova's last two games have not been the smoothest efforts from a team that hopes to earn a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but there is still time to impress the selection committee. The fifth-ranked Wildcats wrap up their regular season Saturday against visiting Georgetown with plenty still on the line.
Louisville at NC State 6:00 PM ET
Louisville will try to rebound from one of its most disappointing losses in recent history as it visits North Carolina State on Saturday evening. The Cardinals, who had possession and a one-point lead over No. 1 Virginia with 0.9 seconds remaining, turned the ball over on an inbound play and then watched as Virginia's De'Andre Hunter drained a 30-footer off the backboard for a 67-66 victory Thursday.
Georgia at Tennessee 6:00 PM ET
No. 17 Tennessee has enjoyed a breakthrough season, and enter Saturday with an opportunity to clinch at least a share of the SEC regular-season title with a home victory over Georgia. The Volunteers, who will be the top seed in next week’s SEC tournament with a victory and an Auburn loss, rode another impressive performance from Admiral Schofield in winning 76-54 at Mississippi State on Tuesday for their 10th victory in the past 12 games.
Arkansas at Missouri 6:00 PM ET
Highly touted freshman Michael Porter Jr. hasn’t played since Missouri’s season opener, but there’s a chance he will take the court for the team's regular-season finale on Saturday against visiting Arkansas. Porter will be a game-time decision, and the Tigers could use him in a matchup of teams trying to improve their seeds for next week’s SEC tournament.
California at Arizona 6:30 PM ET
With its coach back on the bench and its second-leading scorer back in the lineup, No. 22 Arizona suddenly looks like a national title contender again. After a controversy-filled week, the Wildcats can win the Pac-12 regular-season title outright with a victory Saturday against visiting California, which has lost six straight and owns the league’s worst offense and defense.
Oregon St. at Washington St. 6:30 PM ET
Washington State will try to wrap up the regular season on a high note when the Cougars host Oregon State in a Pac-12 game on Saturday. Washington State has won three of its past five games, most recently a 78-76 upset against visiting Oregon on Thursday night.
Marshall at Middle Tennessee St. 7:00 PM ET
No. 23 Middle Tennessee looks to put an exclamation point on a historic campaign when it wraps up the regular season at home against Marshall on Saturday. The Blue Raiders, who moved into the top 25 for the first time in program history last week, cruised past Western Kentucky 82-64 to extend their winning streak to 11 games and clinch their second Conference USA regular-season championship in as many seasons.
Colorado at Utah 7:00 PM ET
Utah’s quest for a top-four Pac-12 finish - and a
corresponding bye in the opening round of next week’s conference tournament - is coming down to the final day of the regular season. The Runnin’ Utes are one
of four teams tied for third place in the Pac-12, with another a game back,
entering Saturday night’s home date with Colorado.
Butler at Seton Hall 8:00 PM ET
One of the more successful classes in Seton Hall history will be honored Saturday on Senior Night when it plays visiting Butler in the Big East finale for both teams. Desi Rodriguez, Angel Delgado, Khadeen Carrington and Ismael Sanogo will be feted for their many accomplishments, which has included 82 victories, when the Pirates go for a season sweep of the Bulldogs.
North Carolina at Duke 8:15 PM ET
Third-ranked Duke hosts No. 9 North Carolina in the regular-season finale between the Tobacco Road rivals Saturday night with the second seed in next week’s ACC tournament on the line. Duke saw its five-game winning streak come to an end with a 64-63 loss at Virginia Tech on Monday and the Tar Heels had won six straight contests before Miami (Fla.) beat them at the buzzer 91-88 on Tuesday.
Vanderbilt at Mississippi 8:30 PM ET
It's not a first-place battle, but Vanderbilt and Ole Miss will be playing for the pride of not finishing in last place in the SEC when they meet in their regular-season finale Saturday on the Rebels' home floor. The Commodores come in having dropped three straight, including a home loss to Missouri on Tuesday, while Ole Miss is on a two-game losing streak, falling to No. 17 Tennessee and No. 25 Kentucky over the last week.
Nevada at San Diego St. 10:00 PM ET
Nevada tries for its sixth straight victory and looks to enter the Mountain West Tournament on a roll when it visits San Diego State on Saturday in its regular-season finale. The No. 21 Wolf Pack, who clinched their second consecutive MW regular-season title with a 92-83 victory over Colorado State on Feb. 25, are coming off a 101-75 win over rival UNLV on Wednesday behind the continued strong play of junior guard Cody Martin.
Loyola Marymount at Gonzaga 10:00 PM ET
After winning their 17th West Coast Conference regular season title in 18 years, No. 7 Gonzaga sets its sights on trying to win a sixth consecutive WCC Tournament title when it faces Loyola Marymount in the quarterfinals Saturday night at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. The question is will this be the last time Mark Few's squad plays in the tournament?
UCLA at Southern California 10:15 PM ET
Despite its continued involvement in the current
FBI investigation into college basketball corruption, USC could wind up with a
share of its first Pac-12 regular-season title since 1985. It will all be
decided this Saturday night when the Trojans wrap up their regular season by
hosting rival UCLA.
Pepperdine at St. Mary's 11:59 PM ET
Saint Mary's has 27 wins, is ranked 20th in the nation and owns a road victory at No. 7 Gonzaga. Despite that impressive resume, the Gaels know they still have more work to do at the West Coast Conference Tournament in Las Vegas, starting with 10th-seeded Pepperdine in the quarterfinals Saturday night if they want to secure an NCAA Tournament bid for the second straight year.