College Basketball: TV Times, Preview for This Week's Top Matchups

I know, I know—you guys are still in full-on football mode.  With the conference championship games in college football this week and NFL Playoffs on the horizon, there's not much time to squeeze college hoops onto your plate.

But if you don't pay attention early, you'll have a hard time filling out your bracket in March.  

In case you missed it, last week we had a hearty helping of holiday tournament hoops.  UNLV and UCF provided some shockers over UNC and UConn, respectively (good lord that's a lot of acronyms), and Harvard and Dayton pulled out some surprising holiday tournament wins.

Early on this season, we've already seen some huge upsets like Long Beach State over Pitt and Cleveland State over Vandy.  We've also seen some marquee programs square off like Kansas-Kentucky, Kansas-Duke and Ohio State-Florida.

But my friends, you haven't seen anything yet.

This week, the ACC, Big Ten, Big East and SEC will throw down and there are plenty of other inter-BCS conference and mid-major matchups sure to peak interest.  

Whether you're aware or not, this time of the year is critical for teams' tourney resumes.  These out-of-conference battles could be the difference for teams on the bubble.

Lets take a look at the can't-miss games for each day of the week.

Times, TV channels, records and stats are updated as of Sunday.

Monday, November 28

11 Xavier (4-0) at 19 Vandy (5-1, 3-1) on ESPN2, 7 p.m. ET

Update: Xavier topped Vandy, 82-70 in overtime.  Xavier improves to 5-0 and Vandy fell to 5-2.  

Mark Lyons hit a trey for Xavier with 6.5 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime.  Tu Holloway took over from there as he scored eight of his 24 in the OT to lift the Musketeers to the win.

Lyons added 19, Travis Taylor pumped in 11 off the bench and Andre Walker pulled down 14 boards in the win as the Musketeers overcame 38 percent shooting from the floor.

Vandy got 20 from John Jenkins and 18 apiece from Lance Goulbourne and Jeff Taylor, but ultimately couldn't overcome their 18 turnovers. 

Xavier improved to 9-1 against the SEC since 2008.  This is another blow for Vandy, who started as a Top 10 team, but have now lost to Cleveland State and the Musketeers.

Tuesday, November 29

4 Duke (7-0) at 2 Ohio State (6-0), on ESPN 9:30 p.m. ET

Duke Key Players

G Seth Curry: 15.1 PPG, 3.3 RPG

G/F Ryan Kelly: 14.6 PPG, 4.6 RPG

G Austin Rivers: 14.4 PPG, 2.4 RPG

F/C Mason Plumlee: 11.4 PPG, 10 RPG

Ohio State Key Players

C Jared Sullinger: 18.8 PPG, 10.7 RPG

F William Buford: 17.7 PPG, 4.2 RPG

F Deshaun Thomas: 12.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG

The Dukies have proven themselves during their always-challenging early season schedule with wins over Michigan State, Tennessee, No. 15 Michigan and No. 14 Kansas, but will get their biggest test of the year in Columbus. Ohio State has dealt with a tamer schedule, but looked tough in an 81-74 win over Florida. The Buckeyes have had the advantage of playing their toughest games at home in the early schedule.

15 Michigan (5-1) at Virginia (5-1) 7 p.m. ET ESPN2

Michigan Key Players

PG Tim Hardaway Jr.: 17.2 PPG, 3 APG

G Trey Burke: 11 PPG, 4.2 APG

Virginia Key Players

F Mike Scott: 14.8 PPG, 10 RPG

G Joe Harris: 11.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG

Michigan got wins over a No. 8 Memphis team and a struggling UCLA team in the Maui Invitational while giving the Dukies a nice fight as well in the same tournament. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Co. are proving last year's tourney appearance may become a regular occurrence for the Wolverines. Virginia hasn't played much of a schedule yet and already has a loss to TCU.

Northwestern (5-0) at Georgia Tech (4-2) 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Northwestern Key Players

F John Shurma: 21.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG

G/F Drew Crawford: 19 PPG, 6.2 RPG

Georgia Tech Key Players

G Glen Rice Jr.: 17.7 PPG, 7 RPG

F Kammeron Holsey: 12.3 PPG, 5.2 RPG

C Daniel Miller: 9.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG

The Wildcats are a bit of an early surprise as Northwestern knocked off LSU, Tulsa and Seton Hall to win the Charleston Classic last week. Their frontcourt duo of John Shurma and Drew Crawford will have to continue to carry this team. Tech already has losses to St. Josephs and LSU early on and could be headed for a long season. The interior matchup between Shurma and Miller should be a treat.

Illinois (6-0) at Maryland (3-2) 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Illinois Key Players

G D.J. Richardson: 13.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG

C Meyers Leonard: 12.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG

Maryland Key Players

G Terrell Stoglin: 20.2 PPG, 3 RPG

G Sean Mosley: 11 PPG, 5.6 RPG

Illinois has had an easy start to their schedule. Their only wins to speak of are over Richmond and Illinois State and both were by single digits. Maryland had a rough trip to Puerto Rico last week. They knocked off Colorado, but fell by 20 to Alabama and 26 to Iona. The backcourt matchups will be a treat in this one.

Miami (4-1) at Purdue (6-1) 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Miami Key Players

G Malcolm Grant: 17.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG

G Durand Scott: 12.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG

Purdue Key Players

G/F Robbie Hummel: 19.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG

Ryne Smith 12.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG

Purdue had a pretty decent showing in the Puerto Rico Shootout last week, edging Iona and Temple before dropping one to Alabama, 65-56. Hummel is back for what seems like his 10th season in West Lafayette and is the key to the Boilermakers' hopes. Miami's only loss came in a heartbreaker on the road to Ole Miss. But then again, that's the only challenge they've faced this season.

Wednesday, November 30

9 Wisconsin (6-0) at 5 UNC (5-1), 9:30 p.m. ET ESPN

Wisconsin Key Players

G Jordan Taylor: 11 PPG, 5.8 APG

G Ben Brust: 12.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG

F/C Jared Berggren: 12.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG

UNC Key Players

F Harrison Barnes: 17.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG

F/C John Henson: 15.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG

G Kendall Marshall: 4.8 PPG, 10.8 APG

The Big Ten-ACC Challenge kicks into high gear as a pair of Top 10 teams and perennial tournament studs square off in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels will be looking to avenge their loss to UNLV in the Las Vegas Invitational. The Badgers come in undefeated, but have only one win of any substance, over BYU last Saturday.

Notre Dame (5-2) at 19 Gonzaga (4-0), 11:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Notre Dame Key Players

G Eric Atkins: 15.4 PPG, 4.2 APG

F Tim Abromaitis: 14 PPG, 7 RPG

G Jerian Grant: 13.4 PPG, 4.9 APG, 4.4 RPG

Gonzaga Key Players

C Robert Sacre: 17 PPG, 9 RPG

G Kevin Pangos: 15.8 PPG, 3 APG

F Elias Harris: 12 PPG, 7.3 RPG

Notre Dame had a rough ending to their trip out to Kansas City in the CBE Classic as the Irish dropped a pair to Mizzou and Georgia. Their only win of significance thus far is over Detroit. Gonzaga has wins over Washington State and Hawaii, but this could be their first real test of the year. Watch out for Robert Sacre to have a big game.

22 Creighton (5-0) at San Diego State (7-1), 10:30 p.m. ET

Creighton Key Players

F Doug McDermott: 23.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG

G Jahenns Manigat: 10.4 PPG, 2.2 APG

San Diego State Key Players

G Chase Tapley: 16.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG

G Jamaal Franklin: 15.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG

This will be a great early bracket-buster game featuring a pair of stellar mid-major programs. Creighton has found itself ranked after knocking off in-state rival Iowa by 23 points last week. They have the No. 4 offense in the country, averaging 89.6 points a game.

San Diego State is following up their breakout season with another tough early season schedule. The Aztecs have knocked off Pac-12 foes USC and No. 23 Arizona, but suffered a setback at Baylor a few weeks back.

Florida State (5-2) at Michigan State (4-2), 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
 

Florida State Key Players

G Michael Snaer 13.6 PPG, 4.7 RPG

G Deividas Dulkys: 9.6 PPG, .481 3PT%

C Bernard James: 9.3 PPG, 8.6 RPG

Michigan State Key Players

F Draymond Green: 12.7 PPG, 11.2 RPG

G Keith Appling: 10.7 PPG, 3.2 RPG

Florida State is looking to build off of their Sweet 16 appearance last year, but had an ugly loss to Harvard and gave one away against defending champs UConn in OT at the Battle4Atlantis in the Bahamas. Michigan State had pretty solid showings vs. ACC powerhouses UNC and Duke and followed it up with four straight wins vs. lesser opponents. Izzo's Spartans hope to get a win vs. another quality ACC opponent.

Indiana (6-0) at NC State (5-1), 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Indiana Key Players

F/C Cody Zeller: 14.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG

G Victor Oladipo: 12.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG

G/F Will Sheehey: 13.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG

NC State Key Players

F C.J. Leslie: 16.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG

F Richard Howell: 13.7 PPG, 8.8 RPG

G Lorenzo Brown: 13.2 PPG, 6.5 APG

Indiana took back the state title by knocking off Butler last week for their only quality win of the season. The third son in the Zeller clan leads a solid offense which ranks 13^th in the country at 85 points per game. NC State should be a good test for the Hoosiers ahead of their clash with No. 1 Kentucky. The Wolfpack's solid scoring attack has led them past Princeton and Texas, but wasn't enough to get them by Vandy at the TicketCity Legends Classic.

Virginia Tech (5-1) at Minnesota (6-1), ESPN2 9:15 p.m. ET

Virgina Tech Key Players

F Dorian Finney-Smith: 8 PPG, 10.3 RPG

G Erick Green: 14.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG

G Dorenzo Hudson: 14.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG

Minnesota Key Players

F Trevor Mbakwe: 14 PPG, 9.1 RPG

G Austin Hollins: 10.3 PPG, 2 APG

F/C Ralph Sampson III: 5.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG

Virginia Tech split a pair in the NIT Tip-Off Classic in NYC, barely edging Oklahoma State after dropping a double-digit loss to Syracuse. Malcolm Delaney may be gone, but Green and Hudson have been picking up the offensive slack. The Gophers had a decent showing in Orlando at the Old Spice Classic. They squeaked out a win over DePaul, but then dropped the title game to Dayton. Mbakwe has been great for them, but they need to see some development out of Sampson this season.

Thursday, December 1

Georgetown (4-1) at Alabama (7-0), 9:30 p.m. ET

Georgetown Key Players

G Jason Clark: 19 PPG, 3.8 RPG

C Henry Sims: 13.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG

F Hollis Thompson: 13.4 PPG, 5 RPG

Alabama Key Players

F JaMychal Green 15.5 PPG, 8.0 RPG

F Tony Mitchell: 14.4 PPG, 7.5 RPG

Alabama got off to a great start, winning the Puerto Rico Tip-Off by knocking off Maryland (by 20), Wichita State and Purdue. They have a tough schedule going forward with matchups against Dayton, Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Georgia Tech before entering conference play so they could really make their tourney resume pop with another out-of-conference win.

The Hoyas got off to a mixed start with a solid showing vs. Kansas and then a fifth-place finish at the Maui Invitational thanks to an OT win vs. Memphis. They're one of the better offensive teams in the country, averaging 82 points per game.

Ole Miss (5-1) at DePaul (4-1), 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Ole Miss Key Players

F Terrance Henry: 12.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG

F Murphy Holloway: 10.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG

DePaul Key Players

F Cleveland Melvin: 19.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG

G Brandon Young: 18.2 PPG, 5.4 APG

Ole Miss has started off after sloppily winning two of three in the Virgin Islands at the Paradise Jam. They knocked off Drake and TCU, but fell to No. 19 Marquette by 30. They've had trouble with turnovers (16 per game) and free throws (58 percent as a team).

DePaul showed they may not be the Big East doormat this year after a solid showing in Orlando at the Old Spice Classic. They edged Texas Tech and Arizona State and dropped a one-point game vs. Minnesota.

Friday, December 2

9 Florida (4-1) at 5 Syracuse (6-0), 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

Florida Key Players

G Kenny Boynton: 19.6 PPG, 3 APG

F Brad Beal: 16 PPG, 5.8 RPG

G Erving Walker: 12.2 PPG, 5.2 APG

C Patric Young: 10.4 PPG, 8.6 RPG

Syracuse Key Players

F Kris Joseph: 15.3 PPG, 6 RPG

C Fab Melo: 6.2 PPG, 5.7 RPG

G Scoop Jardine: 6.8 PPG, 3.7 APG

Dion Walters: 12.7 PPG, 3.5 APG

This will be an epic SEC-Big East battle between two possible Final Four squads. Syracuse posted quality wins over Virginia Tech and Stanford during its run to the NIT Tip-Off Championship. They've been able to put the distraction of Bernie Fine's sexual-abuse scandal aside, but now that Fine's been fired, coach Jim Boeheim will likely come under fire and could cause problems for the Orange.

The Gators lost their only real challenge of the year at Ohio State. Boynton and Beal will have to prove themselves on the road again against the Orange.

22 Vandy (5-1) at 7 Louisville (5-0), 9 p.m. ET, ESPN

Louisville Key Players

G/F Kyle Kuric: 13 PPG, 4.6 RPG

F Chane Behanan: 9.2 PPG, 9 RPG

Vandy Key Players

G John Jenkins: 20.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG

F Jeff Taylor: 15 PPG, 6.5 RPG

F Lance Goulbourne: 9.8 PPG, 7.5 RPG

After facing Xavier on Monday, Vandy will face their second stern test of the week in another Big East-SEC clash with Rick Pitino's boys. The Cardinals have knocked off Butler and Ohio so far this season, but will get a real idea of where they stand after battling Jenkins, Taylor and the Commodores.

Saturday, December 3

5 UNC (5-1) at 1 Kentucky (6-0), Noon ET, CBS

UNC Key Players

F Harrison Barnes: 17.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG

F/C John Henson: 15.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG

G Kendall Marshall: 4.8 PPG, 10.8 APG

Kentucky Key Players

G Doron Lamb: 14.2 PPG, 4.2 RPG

F Terrence Jones: 13.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG

F/C Anthony Davis: 12.7 PPG, 8.2 RPG

F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist: 12.5 PPG, 7.3 RPG

G Marquis Teague: 11.7 PPG, 4.0 APG

This has to be the game of the week and a very early season championship game preview. Watching Barnes vs. Jones, Henson vs. Davis and Marshall vs. Teague will be something special and we'll almost certainly see these matchups in the NBA in the near future.

17 Marquette (5-0) at 11 Wisconsin (6-0), 4:30 p.m. ET

Wisconsin Key Players

G Jordan Taylor: 11 PPG, 5.8 APG

G Ben Brust: 12.8 PPG, 3.7 RPG

F/C Jared Berggren: 12.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG
 

Marquette Key Players

G Darius Johnson-Odom: 20 PPG, 3.6 APG

F Jae Crowder: 17.8 PPG, 8 RPG

G Vander Blue: 12.2 PPG, 4 APG

Marquette has the fifth-best offense in the nation, but its only quality win thus far was over Ole Miss en route to the Paradise Jam title the Eagles earned in the Virgin Islands. They'll likely see a drop-off in points when they battle their in-state rival Badgers. Should be a great Big Ten-Big East battle.

Purdue (6-1) at 12 Xavier (4-0), 3 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Purdue Key Players

G/F Robbie Hummel: 19.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG

G Ryne Smith: 12.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG

Xavier Key Players

G Tu Holloway: 15 PPG, 5.7 APG

G Mark Lyons: 17.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG

C Kenny Frease: 10.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG

These two will be facing their second marquee foes of the week. Xavier looks to secure another quality out-of-conference win for their tourney resume while the Boilermakers hope to gain Top 25 recognition and prove they're still a tourney team without JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore.
 

16 Pitt (5-1) at Tennessee (3-2), 5:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

Pitt Key Players

G Ashton Gibbs: 19.3 PPG, 3.5 APG

G Travon Woodall: 15 PPG, 8.5 APG

F Nasir Robinson 13.8 PPG, 4 APG

Tennessee Key Players

G Trae Golden: 18 PPG, 7.2 APG

F Jeronne Maymon: 14.4 PPG, 9.4 RPG

G Jordan McRae: 13.4 PPG, 1.4 RPG

Though they went 1-2 in Maui with a double-OT loss to Memphis and a double-digit loss to Duke, Tennessee still showed it's no pushover in the Vols' first season without Bruce Pearl. They're averaging over 85 points per game and have plenty of weapons. Pitt got an early season wake-up call with a double-digit loss to Long Beach State a few weeks back. They haven't played a quality opponent yet, so this will be a nice test for Gibbs, Woodall and crew.

Sunday, December 4

10 Baylor (5-0) at Northwestern (5-0), 4 p.m. ET

Baylor Key Players

C Perry Jones (previously suspended)

F Quincy Miller: 15.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG

F Anthony Jones: 12.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG

F Quincy Acy: 11.4 PPG, 7.4 RPG

Northwestern Key Players

F John Shurma: 21.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG

G/F Drew Crawford: 19 PPG, 6.2 RPG

Baylor will welcome back its star big man Perry Jones this week and that should help the Bears against Shurma and the Wildcats' stellar frontline. The Bears have a quality win over San Diego State, but with not much else on their out-of-conference slate, a win here could help them come tourney time.

18 California (5-1) at San Diego State (7-1), 5 p.m. EST

San Diego State Key Players

G Chase Tapley: 16.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG

G Jamaal Franklin: 15.7 PPG, 5.1 RPG

California Key Players

G Allen Crabbe 13.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG

G Jorge Gutierrez: 12.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG

California got thumped by Mizzou (92-53) in the CBE Classic final in Kansas City and will need to get some confidence back in this one. With only one more game scheduled vs. a ranked opponent until Pac-12 play, they'll also need this one for their tourney resume. Tapley and Franklin vs. Crabbe and Gutierrez should be a great backcourt showdown.

Dayton (5-1) at Murray State (7-0), 2 p.m. ET, ESPN3

Dayton Key Players

G Kevin Dillard: 13.3 PPG, 5.5 APG

F Chris Johnson: 11.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG

G Paul Williams: 11.8 PPG

F/C Josh Benson: 11.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG

Murray State Key Players

G Isaiah Canaan: 20.6 PPG, 3.7 RPG

F Donte Poole: 14.4 PPG 3.6 RPG

F Ivan Aska: 12.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG

We get into some more mid-major mojo to finish the week. Both these teams won early season holiday tournaments. The Flyers won the Old Spice Classic in Orlando, knocking off Wake Forest, Fairfield and Minnesota en route to the title. The Racers conquered the Great Alaskan Shootout with victories over Alaska-Anchorage, San Francisco and Southern Miss. The Racers also have a win over UAB earlier this year.

A win for either team could help solidify their out-of-conference resume.

NC State (5-1) at Stanford (5-1), 4 p.m. ET

NC State Key Players

F C.J. Leslie: 16.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG

F Richard Howell: 13.7 PPG, 8.8 RPG

G Lorenzo Brown: 13.2 PPG, 6.5 APG

Stanford Key Players

G Aaron Bright 13.8 PPG, 3.5 APG

F/C Josh Owens 12.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG

G Chasson Randle 10.7 PPG, 3.5 RPG

Stanford's only loss this season was to Syracuse in the Preseason NIT final. Considering their weak schedule prior to the Pac-12 slate, the Cardinal could really use a win vs. this ACC foe. C.J. Leslie and Company will have a busy weak after battling Indiana earlier. If they can pull out both these victories, expect to see C.J. Leslie and Company in the Top 25 next week.