Preview Roundups
December 22, 2018
South Carolina Upstate at NC State 12:00 PM ET
North Carolina State returns to the court following its biggest win of the season after knocking off No. 7 Auburn on Wednesday. The Wolfpack will look to make it five straight wins as they host South Carolina Upstate on Saturday afternoon.
Georgia at Georgia Tech 12:00 PM ET
Georgia travels to Georgia Tech on Saturday for the latest installment of their cross-state rivalry, and both teams have experienced mixed results through the season’s first 10 games. The Bulldogs nearly knocked off No. 20 Arizona State last weekend before blowing a big lead and saw a 17-point lead nearly evaporate in Tuesday’s win over Oakland, while the Yellow Jackets were stunned at home by Gardner-Webb on Monday, only to turn around and win Wednesday at Arkansas.
Jacksonville St. at West Virginia 12:00 PM ET
No matter how much West Virginia coach Bob Huggins works on his offense, the result is just about always the same. After another game of poor shooting and execution against Rhode Island, the Mountaineers will try again to improve their efficiency when they host Jacksonville State in a non-conference game on Saturday.
Little Rock at Georgetown 12:00 PM ET
Josh LeBlanc is a reserve in name only - one that continues to do good things for Georgetown, which will play its final game before Christmas break Saturday afternoon against visiting Little Rock. LeBlanc registered his second career double-double Tuesday to help the Hoyas rebound from back-to-back defeats and will try to make it two in a row against the Trojans from Arkansas.
Grambling State at Wisconsin 12:00 PM ET
No. 17 Wisconsin looks to improve to 6-0 at home when it faces Grambling State on Saturday. The Badgers bounced back from a 74-68 overtime loss to 23rd-ranked Marquette with an emphatic 101-60 victory against Savannah State on Dec. 13 to top the century mark for the first time in over five years and hope to continue their winning ways in Madison by beating Grambling State for the third straight time.
Wake Forest at Tennessee 12:00 PM ET
Fourth-ranked Tennessee, which suffered its only loss against No. 1 Kansas in overtime, looks to go into the Christmas break with six straight victories when it hosts Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon. The Volunteers have averaged 87 points during their winning streak, including 102 at Memphis last Saturday and an 83-70 triumph against Samford on Wednesday.
Tulane at Alabama A&M 12:00 PM ET
Prior to the start of Tulane's last game, coach Mike Dunleavy talked about his indifference regarding offense in comparison to the importance of winning the turnover and rebounding battles. The Green Wave failed to show much progress in any of those areas in Friday's 18-point loss to Towson, giving Dunleavy plenty of areas to address less than 24 hours later when Tulane meets winless Alabama A&M in the consolation game of the Boardwalk Battle in Atlantic City, N.J.
Connecticut at Villanova 12:30 PM ET
The calendar year began so nicely for Villanova as the Wildcats stormed through the Big East en route to their second national championship in three seasons. However, 2018 is not ending in nice fashion as the team needs to defeat Connecticut at Madison Square Garden on Sunday to avoid ending the year with a three-game losing streak.
Temple at Drexel 1:00 PM ET
Coming off a pair of nail-biting victories, Temple closes out the calendar year Saturday against fellow Philadelphia rival Drexel. The Owls edged Massachusetts by two points and then Davidson by two points and would love a more relaxing victory this time around.
Savannah State at Iowa 1:00 PM ET
No. 21 Iowa looks to overcome its mounting injuries when it hosts Savannah State on Saturday. The list of walking wounded is growing by the day in Iowa City as Ryan Kriener (ankle), Cordell Pemsl (knee), Riley Till (ankle) and Connor McCaffery (head) are all nursing injuries following the 78-60 win over Western Carolina on Tuesday, and the Hawkeyes will have to lean on their starters as they search for their fourth straight victory.
Columbia at Rutgers 1:00 PM ET
Rutgers has been unable to buy a win lately but should be able to take one when it hosts Columbia on Saturday in a non-conference game. The Scarlet Knights saw their losing streak reach four games after falling to Seton Hall last Saturday but close the year with two winnable games, including the 49th meeting with the Lions.
William & Mary at Virginia 2:00 PM ET
It is well known that Virginia thrives on perhaps the best defensive system in the country, but the third-ranked Cavaliers are also showing they have a little more firepower on the other end of the court. They will try for another complete effort and an 11th straight win to begin the season when they host in-state foe William & Mary on Saturday.
Arkansas St. at Syracuse 2:00 PM ET
Syracuse typically plays a soft nonconference schedule, but the team already has lost four games this season with its ACC schedule looming. The Orange certainly cannot afford another defeat at home against Arkansas State on Saturday, when the Orange will try to put together a crisper offensive effort.
Florida Atlantic at Miami-Florida 2:00 PM ET
The 15-day layoff worked wonders for Miami as the rested Hurricanes came back from the break to earn an elusive win, ending their four-game skid with an 80-73 triumph over Houston Baptist. The Hurricanes continue their homestand Saturday against in-state foe Florida Atlantic, which will head 56 miles south looking for its second straight win.
Marshall at Texas A&M 2:00 PM ET
Texas A&M has played all season without senior guard Admon Gilder and it looks like that trend will continue. Gilder announced on social media Friday - ahead of Saturday's home game against Marshall - he remains out indefinitely with a blood clot in his arm.
Cal St. Fullerton at Nebraska 2:00 PM ET
While James Palmer Jr. is in the midst of the best offensive stretch of his career, Nebraska's defense has arguably been more impressive for the bulk of the season. The Big Ten's third-leading scorer and one of college basketball's stingiest defenses return to the hardwood for the first time in nearly a week Saturday when the 22nd-ranked Cornhuskers host Cal State Fullerton and attempt to run their home winning streak to 18 games.
Clemson at South Carolina 2:00 PM ET
Teams want to be at their best when they face their arch-rivals, but that won’t be the case for Clemson or host South Carolina when the in-state foes tangle on Saturday. Both squads are battling injuries to key players going into their annual pre-Christmas clash.
Texas State at Arkansas 2:00 PM ET
Arkansas will try to avoid losing three straight home games for the first time since 2012 on Saturday when the Razorbacks host Texas State - winners of eight in a row. A 69-65 setback to Georgia Tech on Wednesday was Arkansas’ second in three games since the Razorbacks saw their six-game win streak end Dec. 8 in a 78-77 loss to Western Kentucky.
South Carolina State at Cincinnati 2:00 PM ET
Former Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins was in the house Wednesday as the Bearcats pummeled UCLA 93-64 in the official grand opening for the newly renovated Fifth Third Arena. Cincinnati, which beat cross-town rival Xavier before falling at No. 16 Mississippi State prior to the Bruins' contest, will conclude preparation for the American Association Conference regular season when South Carolina State visits for the final non-league game of the season.
Saint Louis at Florida State 2:30 PM ET
Florida State looks for its sixth straight win before heading into the holiday break as it takes on Saint Louis on Saturday afternoon from the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla. The 12th-ranked Seminoles are coming off a 95-81 win over North Florida on Wednesday, while the Billikens are fresh off a win over North Carolina Central.
Tennessee St. at Memphis 3:00 PM ET
Memphis looks to win for the fourth time in five games when it hosts Tennessee State on Saturday afternoon in both teams' last contest before a holiday break. Coach Penny Hardaway's squad is coming off a 99-89 victory over Little Rock on Wednesday, while Tennessee State has dropped two straight, including an 82-60 decision at Akron on Tuesday.
UCLA at Ohio St. 3:00 PM ET
Ohio State continues to win and UCLA appears to be falling apart ahead of a matchup between top-tier programs Saturday at Chicago's United Center as part of the CBS Sports Classic that also includes North Carolina facing Kentucky. The No. 14 Buckeyes have won four in a row since their lone loss (Syracuse) and UCLA has dropped its last two games, the last of which was a a crushing 93-64 defeat Wednesday night at Cincinnati.
Indiana St. at Colorado 3:00 PM ET
Colorado’s six-game win streak will be put to a
road test as the Buffaloes are in the midst of a stretch of six straight and
nine of 11 road/neutral-site contests. That journey resumes Saturday in
Honolulu as Colorado tips off the eight-team Diamond Head Classic with a
matchup against Indiana State of the Missouri Valley Conference.
Boston College at DePaul 3:30 PM ET
A pair of high-scoring backcourts will do battle when Boston College visits DePaul on Saturday for a non-conference game. The Eagles will trot out Ky Bowman and ACC Rookie of the Week Wynston Tabbs while the Blue Demons counter with seniors Max Strus and Eli Cain.
Air Force at Michigan 4:00 PM ET
Fifth-ranked Michigan looks to stay unbeaten when it hosts Air Force in non-conference play on Saturday. The Wolverines have won 11 consecutive games to start the season for the first time since the 2012-13 campaign, but were sloppy in the wins against South Carolina (89-78) and Western Michigan (70-62) in the last two weeks, and hope to rediscover their top gear by downing Air Force in the first meeting between the teams in nearly 53 years.
Wichita St. at VCU 4:00 PM ET
Wichita State won its third straight game for the first time this season as several Shockers had career nights in an 84-63 victory over Oral Roberts on Wednesday. The Shockers will conclude their non-conference schedule on the road against VCU on Saturday.
Murray St. at Auburn 4:30 PM ET
Seventh-ranked Auburn comes into Saturday’s home contest against Murray State looking to recover from a subpar showing in Wednesday’s loss at North Carolina State. The Tigers could not overcome 25 turnovers and 5-of-25 shooting from 3-point range in a 78-71 setback that marked Auburn’s second defeat of the season, as one of the better offenses in the nation so far this season never found its footing.
Florida Gulf Coast at Florida 5:00 PM ET
State rivals Florida Gulf Coast and Florida will meet up Saturday in the second game of a doubleheader in the Metro by T-Mobile Orange Bowl Basketball Classic at the BB&T Center in neutral Sunrise, Fla. Both teams struggled their last time out but pulled out victories, with the Gators overcoming Mercer 71-63 while the Eagles barely slipped past NAIA's Keiser 87-85 for their third straight win.
Stanford at San Francisco 5:00 PM ET
Stanford has won two straight games and four of its last five, but third-year coach Jerod Haase is far from satisfied. Haase knows the Cardinal will need a complete effort Saturday against host San Francisco, whose lone defeat came to a ranked Buffalo team in Belfast, Ireland, on Dec. 1.
Kentucky at North Carolina 5:15 PM ET
Two of college basketball's most prestigious programs again are on the same court when 10th-ranked North Carolina and No. 18 Kentucky clash in the CBS Sports Classic at Chicago on Saturday. The teams have combined to play in five national championship games over the last 10 seasons, with the Tar Heels winning two titles and the Wildcats claiming one during that span.
Seton Hall at Maryland 5:30 PM ET
Maryland returns from an 11-day break to host Seton Hall on Saturday in a non-conference game that could benefit the winner come NCAA Tournament time. Seton Hall coach Ralph Willard, whose Pirates have won four straight games, turned a chance meeting with Terrapins coach Mark Turgeon last spring into a two-game contract that could strengthen a resume which already includes a 3-2 mark versus Power 5 conference teams this season.
Jacksonville at Indiana 6:00 PM ET
Indiana wraps up its non-conference schedule in search of its sixth straight victory when it hosts Jacksonville on Saturday. The Hoosiers' latest win was an 86-53 beatdown of Central Arkansas on Wednesday, and the Dolphins remain in the Hoosier State after a 100-74 loss to Notre Dame on Thursday.
Wright St. at Mississippi State 7:00 PM ET
Mississippi State is taking on the look of a team that can make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament this season as they prepare to host Wright State on Saturday. The No. 16 Bulldogs took Wofford's best shots before erasing a nine-point halftime deficit en route to a 98-87 victory Wednesday with senior guard Quinndary Weatherspoon the catalyst at both ends of the floor.
Akron at Nevada 7:00 PM ET
Nevada is off to its best start since the school moved to Division I in 1969-70 and is one of just eight undefeated teams in the nation. But the sixth-ranked Wolf Pack will be working hard to end a disturbing trend when it hosts Akron on Saturday afternoon.
Vanderbilt at Kansas State 7:00 PM ET
Two teams missing a major impact player with an injury seek a boost to their resume Saturday night when Vanderbilt takes on Kansas State in the Wildcat Classic at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. Vanderbilt lost talented freshman guard Darius Garland for the season due to knee surgery while the Wildcats will be without versatile senior forward Dean Wade for three-to-eight weeks with a foot injury.
UC Davis at Arizona 7:00 PM ET
Arizona shook off disappointing losses to Alabama
(76-73) and Baylor (58-49) by beating visiting Montana (61-42) earlier this
week. The Wildcats will now look to make it two in a row to close out
nonconference play when they host UC Davis of the Big West Conference on
Saturday night.
Cornell at Southern Methodist 8:00 PM ET
A more balanced offense has helped SMU win five of its past six games heading into Saturday's non-conference finale against visiting Cornell. The Mustangs, who have four players averaging double figures, will then turn their attention to the American Athletic Conference slate starting Jan. 2.
Sacred Heart at St. John's 8:00 PM ET
St. John's entered Friday as one of eight unbeaten teams remaining in the country and they have a chance at taking a perfect record into Big East play with a win over visiting Sacred Heart on Saturday. The Red Storm, who begin conference action Dec. 29 at Seton Hall, recorded their most lopsided victory of the season with Wednesday's 86-52 victory over St. Francis Brooklyn.
Illinois at Missouri 8:00 PM ET
Missouri has begun to win more recruiting battles over border rival Illinois since coach Cuonzo Martin’s arrival, but the Fighting Illini have maintained the upper-hand on the court. Illinois will try for its sixth straight win in the Braggin’ Rights series when it faces the Tigers on Saturday in St. Louis.
Tulsa at Oral Roberts 8:00 PM ET
Tulsa will go for a fifth straight victory Saturday when it travels to face crosstown rival Oral Roberts in the annual Mayor's Cup game. The Golden Hurricane are coming off a 72-67 victory over Dayton on Sunday, while the Golden Eagles were routed 84-63 by Wichita State on Wednesday, their fourth loss in five games.
Kansas at Arizona State 9:00 PM ET
Top-ranked Kansas strives to remain unbeaten when it visits No. 19 Arizona State on Saturday. The Jayhawks will be aiming to avenge last season's setback against the Sun Devils, who pulled off a stunning 95-85 win at Kansas' Allen Fieldhouse.
San Diego at Washington St. 10:00 PM ET
Washington State hasn't won more than eight games heading into January in its four previous seasons under head coach Ernie Kent. But the Cougars have a chance to hit the nine-win mark before Christmas if they can pick up two wins in the Las Vegas Classic, starting with Saturday night's contest against San Diego at the Orleans Arena.