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Last week Michigan, Creighton, and Portland showed that any team can win on a given night. With three upsets, a triple overtime, and a couple of expected wins, the college basketball scene continues to heat up. This week the top 25 ups the ante even more with eight games that match top 25 teams. If there was ever a week to take control of the remote, it is this week. Listed below are some of the games you need to watch.
National Games:
#8 Oklahoma State vs #23 Oklahoma
On Monday night at 9 pm EST, ESPN will start the week off strong with the Cowboys paying the Sooners a visit. Both teams have won four of their last five games and are looking to move up in the rankings. Both teams played a ranked team last week but only Oklahoma came out with a win. With the Cowboys playing on the road, the Sooners will take advantage and come out with the upset.
Winner: Oklahoma
#7 Michigan State vs #15 Iowa
ESPN will again take advantage of a huge match-up on Tuesday at 7 pm EST when the Spartans will travel to take on the Hawkeyes. Both teams are coming off huge losses to Michigan and are looking to take out their frustrations on another ranked team. Even with the Spartans going on the road, look for them to put their loss behind them and force Iowa into losing two of their last three.
Winner: Michigan State
#16 Iowa State vs #6 Kansas
Wednesday at 9 pm EST the Cyclones will travel to take on the Jayhawks on ESPNU. The Cyclones have suddenly lost three of their last four but managed to beat a good Kansas State team over the weekend. One of the losses came at home against these same Jayhawks, who happen to be on a six game win streak. Look for that streak to continue on to seven as the home team should have no problem dispatching Iowa State for a second time.
Winner: Kansas
#13 Cincinnati vs #12 Louisville
On Thursday the Bearcats will travel to the Cardinals to play on ESPN at 7 pm EST. Louisville is back on a four game winning streak after dropping two of their previous four. Cincinnati is now riding an 11 game win streak and is anxious to keep their positioning in the AAC. This should be a good game but don't be surprised to see the Bearcats pull off the win on the road.
Winner: Cincinnati
#17 Duke vs #2 Syracuse
On Saturday ESPN will wrap up our national games at 6:30 pm EST when they televise the Blue Devils trip to the Orange. Syracuse should come into this game with their perfect record intact while Duke has struggled against good teams. This could be the game where the Blue Devils break out but it is on the road and against a top five team. Syracuse should continue to build up their resume and make the rest of the ACC try and catch up.
Winner: Syracuse
WCC Games:
Pacific vs BYU
On Thursday the Tigers of Pacific travel to Provo to take on the Cougars of BYU. The game will be at 9 pm EST and will be televised on BYUtv. In a game that has taken on a little less glamor after the Cougars losses to Portland and Gonzaga, it has taken on an even greater importance to the Cougars as a win will be required and expected. After a four game road trip, the Cougars will enjoy the friendly confines of the Marriott Center and will take advantage of the home court as they come out with a win.
Winner: BYU
Gonzaga vs San Francisco
Saturday at 10 pm EST on Root Sports, Gonzaga will pay a visit to San Francisco to try and extend its lead in the WCC race. San Francisco is hoping that the home court advantage will provide enough to knock off the league leader and put the Dons back into the conference race. On this night, Gonzaga should prove to be too tough for the Dons and will come out with yet another win.
Winner: Gonzaga
Saint Mary's vs BYU
Saturday at 11 pm EST on ESPN2, Saint Mary's will visit the Marriott Center for the first time since the desperate heave went through the net and beat BYU in a heart-breaker. The Cougars will be looking for revenge as well as a foothold in the conference race as they suddenly find themselves sitting in fourth place. Both teams have been shown that they can be beat, so in this case the home court advantage should give the Cougars just enough of an edge to come out with the win.
Winner: BYU
These are some of the games we will be watching. Let us know what we missed and what we should be watching with you.
