Programming note: Duke/NC State is not on national television. You can catch it on ESPN3.com, where bitching about the choppy feed to your significant other is strongly encouraged.
College hoops Thursday viewing guide: Indiana looks to avoid the upset bug
Top-ranked Indiana will look to avoid the upset bug that has plagued recent No. 1 teams when it heads into Assembly Hall for a date with a desperate Illinois team Thursday night.
No. 1 Indiana vs. Illinois (7 p.m./ESPN)
If Illinois is going to save its season and make a push for the NCAA Tournament, that has to start tonight. The Hoosiers need to quiet the raucous Orange Krush early or else the No. 1 team in the country will once again be on upset alert.
Clemson at Virginia (7 p.m./ESPN2)
A win by the Cavaliers tonight will be their 13th straight at home, the longest such streak they’ve had since moving into John Paul Jones Arena. Clemson won the first meeting between these two, 59-44, back on Jan. 12.
Old Dominion at Drexel (7 p.m./NBC Sports Network)
It’s the first game for Old Dominion interim coach Jim Corrigan, who takes over a team that is just 2-20 overall and an imperfect 0-10 in CAA play.
Belmont at Murray State (8 p.m./ESPNU)
The game of the year in the OVC is finally here as preseason All-American Isaiah Canaan and the Racers look to hand Belmont (19-4, 10-0). This one figures to provide as much quality guard play as any mid-major game you’ll see all season.
Washington at UCLA (9 p.m./ESPN)
This has the potential to be a turnaround for one these two teams that are on the precipice of a Pac-12 free-fall. Since the Bruins are at home, and the only one of the two with realistic at-large bid dreams, it’s safe to say this is a bigger deal for them.
No. 21 Missouri at Texas A&M (9 p.m./ESPN2)
The No. 21 team in the country STILL has not won a single road game.
Seattle at Denver (9 p.m./ROOT Sports)
This is a not a professional sporting event.
No. 19 Oregon at Colorado (10 p.m./ESPNU)
Oregon needs a win to snap a two-game losing streak and keep pace with first-place Arizona, while the Buffs are looking to shake the stigma of being the most disappointing team in the Pac-12. Despite its extremely solid non-conference resume, it’s hard to see Colorado earning an at-large bid without a victory tonight.
Saint Mary’s at Santa Clara (11 p.m./ESPN2)
The Gaels have won seven straight this season and have also beaten Santa Clara seven straight times.
Pepperdine at No. 6 Gonzaga (11 p.m./ROOT Sports)
Boredom is the major enemy for Gonzaga right now. It almost bit the Bulldogs over the weekend against San Diego, but a similar performance will be harder to give at home in front of The Kennel.
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