Wednesday’s college basketball slate is packed with great games as March Madness approaches.
After a Tuesday college hoops games slate with a good chunk of key games that could impact the chase to March Madness, Wednesday’s is even more stacked. College basketball, ladies and gentlemen!
Seton Hall (16-6, 6-5) at Villanova (16-5, 7-3) – 6:30 p.m. on Peacock
Seton Hall has a great opportunity to make a late-season push for March Madness, taking on Villanova on the road for a Quad 1 chance. The Pirates sit at 49th in the NET with their best win being NC State in the Maui Invitational. However, they’ve already squandered chances to upset UConn and St. John’s, and in a down Big East, they won’t get many more opportunities as good as this.
Meanwhile, Kevin Willard and Villanova are focused on improving their seed, potentially to a top-four seed line with a really strong finish. It’s a big one from the Main Line on Wednesday night!
UCF (17-4, 6-3) at #8 Houston (19-2, 7-1) – 7 p.m. on FS1
In the stacked Big 12, teams may start to be able to separate themselves here in February. The Cougars are certainly trying to do that, as Kelvin Sampson’s bunch seems to have hit a new gear in hopes of a late charge at a one seed.
On the other side, Johnny Dawkins and UCF look for a second straight ranked win, taking down Texas Tech over the weekend. This time, they’re on the road, and maybe feeling disrespected by being outside the AP Poll at 17-4 and in a power conference. The Knights have one of the best guards in the country in Themus Fulks, so that matchup with Kingston Flemings should be cinema.
#10 Michigan State (19-3, 9-2) at Minnesota (10-12, 3-8) – 7 p.m. on Big Ten Network
I’m only highlighting this game due to Minnesota’s ability to take down quality teams in their barn. The Golden Gophers have wins over Iowa and Indiana at home, and while Michigan State is a bit above them, the Spartans have looked shakier lately. Don’t count out a Niko Medved masterclass.
Duquesne (12-10, 4-5) at George Mason (20-2, 8-1) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
With Saint Louis nearly a lock, VCU’s resume intact, and George Mason boasting a 20-2 record, a three-bid A-10 isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. They will have to come to play after a slow start last time out against St. Bonaventure. But the Patriots are at home all week, and know what’s at stake with a strong end to the regular season.
UTSA (4-17) at South Florida (14-8, 6-3) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Simple as this – if South Florida somehow loses to UTSA, the at-large dream is officially over.
Tulsa (19-3, 7-2) at Florida Atlantic (14-9, 6-4) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Tulsa finds itself at 46th in the NET, which is above teams like USC, Seton Hall, and even undefeated Miami (OH). But with a 1-2 record across Quad 1/2, even a loss at one of the better teams in the American would be difficult to come back from. Plus, a win here would be a Quad 2 win, so that’s something that could help the resume ever so slightly.
Charleston Southern (11-12, 2-6) at High Point (20-4, 8-1) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
High Point is in the same boat as South Florida. They just can’t lose this game.
Texas A&M (17-4, 7-1) at Alabama (14-7, 4-4) – 7 p.m. on SEC Network
The Aggies, much like UCF, may feel disrespected. They are 17-4 and in first place in the SEC, but are still unranked. This is a chance to prove themselves against a Nate Oats-coached Bama team.
And to that note – with Oats and ‘Bucky Ball,’ squaring off, this might be the first team to 120 points. Be ready to have your head on a swivel.
Liberty (18-3, 10-0) at Delaware (6-15, 2-8) – 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Notice a trend here for certain teams? The Flames just need to win this game, whether it’s be 1 or 40.
Colorado (13-9, 3-6) at Baylor (12-9, 2-7) – 8 p.m. on Peacock
Baylor finally halted its losing streak last time out, and with a home game against Colorado, are definitely in line to win a second straight. The Bears are still just 55th in the NET, so they’re likely out of the field at the moment, but just need to start stringing a few wins together, no matter who they come against.
Georgia Tech (11-11, 2-7) at Cal (16-6, 4-5) – 8 p.m. on ACC Network
If you’re Cal, you’ve got to come home with a win here, because you’d bet all other bubble teams are rooting for Georgia Tech to knock the Golden Bears further down in the picture. So if you’re bubble watching, here’s the number one game to keep an eye on.
#16 BYU (17-4, 5-3) at Oklahoma State (15-6, 3-5) – 9 p.m. on FS1
AJ Dybantsa and BYU are in danger of falling toward the second tier of the top-heavy Big 12, so a road win at Oklahoma State may feel like a must-win.
But for the Cowboys? This game is right there with Seton Hall-Villanova in terms of a bubble team with a massive chance at separating themselves. The Cowboys actually don’t even have a Quad 1 win yet, so the more chances they don’t get, you can start taking them out of consideration.
#20 Clemson (18-4, 8-1) at Stanford (14-8, 3-6) – 10 p.m. on ACC Network
Stanford is nearing their last leg, and Clemson knows that, so for a Tigers team on the road, they have to know how important this game is for the Cardinal. But for Clemson? It’s also important. Don’t count the Tigers out of getting a seed that many thought was impossible at the beginning of the season. Brad Brownell is doing another outstanding coaching job.
Santa Clara (19-5, 10-1) at Pacific (15-9, 6-5) – 10 p.m. on ESPN+
Another team bubble teams will be rooting for is Pacific. They are more than capable of knocking off a Santa Clara team currently 44th in the NET. I’d actually say this is upset alert numero uno.
San Diego (10-14, 4-7) at Saint Mary’s (19-4, 8-2) – 10 p.m. on ESPN+
After falling to Gonzaga on the road, Saint Mary’s is down to minimal chances to improve its metrics. With an 0-3 record in Quad 1, they really can’t afford any losses to inferior teams in conference from here on out.
Utah State (18-3, 9-2) at New Mexico (18-4, 9-2) – 11 p.m. on FS1
This is one of the best games in college basketball on Wednesday. Two top-tier teams in the Mountain West, both knowing a spot in March Madness isn’t guaranteed, even with a top 40 NET. The Lobos are just outside at 43rd, while the Aggies are inside the top 30. I’d argue this game is more important for New Mexico, but if Utah State can win on the road, their at-large chance will just get that much better.
Iowa (16-5, 6-4) at Washington (12-10, 4-7) – 11 p.m. on Big Ten Network
Our final game to look out for on Wednesday is an Iowa team looking to take down Washington on the road. The Huskies are somehow 48th in the NET Rankings, so they aren’t out of the picture either. This feels like a trap game for the Hawkeyes and a chance for the Huskies to start some late season momentum.