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After another week of exciting basketball, the seedings for conference tournaments around the country don't seem to be any clearer. This past week showed that the conference leaders are not immune to upsets and any game can come down to the wire. This week should start to separate some of the leaders and those who will be chasing them. Let's start with the national games.
National Games:
15 Michigan vs 22 Ohio State
On Tuesday at 9 pm EST, ESPN will start our slate of national games when Michigan pays a visit to Ohio State. Michigan is coming off a huge loss to Iowa that has put them a game behind Michigan State. Ohio State is essentially out of the conference race, but is still fighting for conference and NCAA tournament seeding. The game is being played in Value City Arena and the Buckeye fans will make it tough for the Wolverines to come in and take the game, so don't look for it to happen.
Winner: Ohio State
1 Syracuse vs 25 Pittsburgh
On Wednesday at 7 pm EST on ESPN, Syracuse will travel to Pittsburgh to try keep their undefeated season alive. The last game between the two ended with a five point win at home for the Orange. This game will be at the Petersen Events Center where the Panthers have lost two of their last three. Syracuse is holding onto a one game lead over Virginia in the ACC and should keep the lead intact.
Winner: Syracuse
3 Florida vs 14 Kentucky
Saturday at 9 pm EST on ESPN, Florida will travel to Rupp Arena to take on Kentucky while trying to solidify their conference lead. Right now the Gators have a two game lead on the Wildcats and could extend that lead to three games, with only six games to go, with a win. Kentucky is working to close the gap and a win on Saturday, combined with another win at Florida to end the regular season, would put the Wildcats in the drivers seat. Look for the Wildcats to pull the upset on Saturday and make the conference race a close one.
Winner: Kentucky
6 Villanova vs 18 Creighton
In a game that might be the most critical of the week, Villanova will visit Creighton on Sunday at 5 pm EST on Fox Sports 1. Villanova has a one game lead in the Big East and their only loss, in conference play, was to Creighton in January. Creighton is coming off a loss to St. John's and can't afford another loss in conference. In this case, look for the Bluejays to take care of business at home and force a tie at the top.
Winner: Creighton
WCC Games:
BYU vs Pacific
On Thursday at 11 pm EST on Root sports, BYU will visit Pacific and try to extend their four game win streak. The Cougars are in second place in the WCC and will need to continue to win in order to keep that position. Pacific is looking at exacting revenge on the Cougars who beat them in Provo. This game should be good but should also end in a Cougar win.
Winner: BYU
BYU vs Saint Mary's
On Saturday at 9 pm EST on ESPN2 the Cougars will continue their road trip to visit Saint Mary's. The Cougars should come into the game still in second place and the Gaels should still be clinging to third place. The game in Provo didn't go as well for the Gaels as they had hoped, and are looking to make up for that at home. The Cougars haven't played well on the road and will need to take some of their home magic with them to California. This game should be closer, but should end the same way.
Winner: BYU
San Francisco vs Santa Clara
Saturday night on ESPNU at 11 pm EST, San Francisco will visit Santa Clara in an attempt to make up some ground on the Cougars and Gaels. After losing to BYU last week, the Dons will need to beat the Broncos if they want any chance to increase their seeding in the conference tournament. The Broncos will not make it easy but in the end they most likely won't be able to stop the Dons from walking out with a win.
What games will you be keeping tabs on during the week?
