We are entering the final games of conference season. Some teams have all but officially snatched regular season conference titles, however little they mean, while others have placed themselves squarely on the bubble.
College basketball schedule: Duke-Syracuse, Cincinnati-Louisville both rematch
The two biggest games of a Saturday loaded with college hoops action both feature rematches.
Rich Barnes
Wherever your rooting interests lie, there are a few games that are absolutely must-watches, including three top-16 heavyweight bouts. You don’t even need to think. We will tell you what you watch.
All times listed are Eastern.
No. 1 Syracuse vs. No. 5 Duke (7 p.m. ESPN)
The obvious headliner. Two of the country's best teams fighting near the top of the ACC late in the season. One is brand new to the conference while the other has more tradition than just about any other program in the conference. The two winningest active coaches. Tyler Ennis vs. Jabari Parker in a battle of two of the best freshmen in the country. Both are ranked in the top five. Each is coming off of a loss to an inferior team, and for Syracuse it was its first loss of the season. The storylines practically write themselves.
No. 11 Louisville vs. No. 7 Cincinnati (noon, CBS)
Louisville’s season has mirrored Duke’s in a way. The similarities run beyond the two credentialed coaches with slicked hair. In the preseason AP Poll, they were ranked third and fourth with Louisville coming out ahead following its national championship. Both dealt with losses and slipped into the 20s, though Duke losing to Clemson by double figures is the hardest fall. Each has lost to Roy Williams and his band of giant killers. All the while Cincinnati has gone 6-2 against the RPI top 50 including a win over the Cardinals.
Here are the rest of the games featuring Top 25 teams, and where to watch them. The other big games occur at the same time as the two listed above, and you don’t want to miss those.
No. 2 Florida vs. Ole Miss (noon, CBS)
Drake vs. No. 3 Wichita State (8 p.m., ESPN3)
No. 4 Arizona vs. Colorado (9 p.m., ESPN)
No. 6 San Diego State vs. New Mexico (10 p.m., ESPN2)
No. 19 Texas vs. No. 8 Kansas (7:30 p.m., ESPNU)
*We would tell you to watch this if it didn’t interfere with Duke/Syracuse.
St. John’s vs. No. 9 Villanova (1:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1)
George Washington vs. No. 10 St. Louis (8 p.m.)
Notre Dame vs. No. 14 Virginia (2 p.m., ESPN2)
No. 16 Wisconsin vs. No. 15 Iowa (noon, ESPN2)
*This game would be one that we would tell you to watch if it didn’t interfere with Louisville/Cincinnati.
No. 17 Iowa State vs. TCU (4 p.m., ESPN2)
LSU vs. No. 18 Kentucky (4 p.m., ESPN)
Temple vs. No. 22 Memphis (9:30 p.m., ESPNU)
No. 23 UCLA vs. Stanford (6 p.m., ESPN2)
Minnesota vs. No. 24 Ohio State (6 p.m., Big Ten Network)
No. 25 Gonzaga vs. San Diego (midnight, ESPN2)
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