Conference tournament action is in full swing. While no automatic bids will be handed out on Thursday, the day’s slate is filled with power conference action that will have major implications on the bubble.
Your Watch Grid guide to Thursday’s college basketball conference tournaments
What to watch on Thursday in college hoops.
Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
Games start at noon E.T. and won’t conclude until after midnight. All told, we get about 13 hours of basketball today. This is what you need to be watching.
For more on the stakes going into today, read Chris Dobbertean’s latest Bracketology update.
Early shift
- You might remember what happened when Louisville and Virginia played last week: the ‘Hoos came back from four points down with under one second left to give the Cards the most heartbreaking loss possible. Now Louisville gets its shot at retaliation with its NCAA tournament hopes squarely on the line. The Cards almost beat Virginia just a few days ago. Do it this time, and they’re likely in the NCAA tournament. The game is on ESPN.
- Xavier is likely a 1-seed regardless, but this game earns coveted “maybe watch” status just because it could be our last chance to watch Shamorie Ponds all season. He rules. The game is on FS1.
- Kansas State is ... probably .... in regardless, but the Fighting Bruce Webers can save themselves some extra anxiety on Sunday by beating K-State. The game is on
- Alabama is the first team out in our latest Bracketology projection. The Tide need this win in the worst way. The game is on SEC Network.
- Boston College’s guards are awesome. MAYBE WATCH.
- Oklahoma State just became the first team to ever sweep series against Kansas under Bill Self. Round III comes with the added intrigue that Oklahoma State is currently the second team out in our projection. The Cowboys need this one. The game is on ESPN2.
- Providence is currently the last team avoiding Dayton in our projection. The Friars get an opportunity for another quality win against Creighton.
- Maybe watch Nevada just because it could be a trendy pick for a darkhorse Sweet 16 or Elite Eight run.
Late shift
- Marquette vs. Villanova is the first must watch game of the night session. Marquette stayed on the bubble by beating DePaul last night, but the Golden Eagles remain the third team out in our bracket. The game is on FS1.
- Notre Dame is the fourth team out in our latest projection. Beat Duke and they’re probably in. ALL EYES ON BONZIE. The game is on ESPN.
- Texas is one of the last eight teams in. They can save themselves some stress by beating Texas Tech. The game is on ESPN2.
- Last time North Carolina and Miami played, the Hurricanes’ hit a buzzer-beat to stun the Tar Heels in a game that had shades of the UNC-Villanova title game. The game is on ESPN.
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