College Basketball Games of the Week

The slate of match-ups never slows down, especially not this week with several battles highlighting our college basketball games of the week. Let’s get right to breaking it all down, starting with the ACC and moving on to the Big 12 and Big 10.

No. 8 Miami at No. 13 Virginia

The Cavaliers are losers of two straight, but both came on the road against upset minded teams. At this point, the questions surrounding this team are more focused on their ability to win away from home than anything but things don’t get any easier with the Hurricanes coming to town. Virginia’s big three remain steady, with Malcolm Brogdon, London Perrantes, and Anthony Gill, but the production provided by their supporting cast has been iffy at best. Tony Bennett’s perimeter will need a big game to keep up with Angel Rodriguez, Sheldon McClellan, and Ja’Quan Newton. Newton has given Miami big time minutes off of the bench, a role that some wondered whether or not he would buy into. McClellan has been playing like an all-conference guy, dropping 20 of his 21 points in the second half of a win over Florida State. Rodriguez remains a bit volatile, but there’s no doubting his importance to Jim Larranaga’s group. Miami has to find a way to limit Gill’s impact on the boards, particularly on the offensive end, and will need to play a disciplined game with regards to turnovers. Quality open looks are always at a premium against UVA, with this week looking no different.

No. 1 Kansas at No. 11 West Virginia

Playing in Morgantown is one of the greatest home court advantages in the Big 12, especially when you have to deal with a Bob Huggins led team. The Mountaineers are probably the best team in the country at taking opponents out of their half court offense, with their full court press creating havoc in the backcourt and limiting time in the frontcourt. This is why Frank Mason III and Wayne Selden Jr. must play their most disciplined game yet. A transition style game should give Selden the chance to spot up on the perimeter for quality threes, something he’s been very efficient with lately, while Perry Ellis could get plenty of opportunities for one-on-one down low. But WVU big man Devin Williams will be a formidable opponent for Kansas’ senior. West Virginia has held home court the past two meetings against KU and it remains to be seen whether or not there will be a slight letdown after Kansas’ marathon win over Oklahoma.

No. 16 Iowa at No. 6 Michigan State

This game has quite a different look just weeks after the first meeting in Iowa City. First of all, the Spartans had barely worked out the kinks without Denzel Valentine last time, but Valentine made a brief return for the Spartans in their 92-65 win over Penn State last weekend. If he’s fully healthy and ready to go, MSU will finally have their playmaker back, something the Hawkeyes will have to account for each trip down the floor. Of course, Iowa’s Jarrod Uthoff missed most of the last game with foul trouble, but he’s played like a potential Big 10 POY candidate for much of the season. Seeing what head coach Tom Izzo does with him will be the key decision to this game. Michigan State will receive a natural boost by playing at home, but Iowa’s ability to spread teams out and hit from the outside at a 40-percent clip remains dangerous.

No. 20 Pittsburgh at No. 20 Louisville

The Cardinal keep competing in big games but have yet to prove that they can win one. That will need to change when the Panthers come to town, as UL will look to rebound from their loss at Clemson last week. In that game, Damion Lee and Trey Lewis were a combined 5-for-31 from the field, easily their worst game of the season. Rick Pitino can’t afford that from them again, ever, but especially not against a team as offensively efficient and versatile as Pitt. Michael Young and Jamel Artis have been magnificent for Jamie Dixon, giving him the most offensively potent group that he’s had in quite a few years. I’d expect the YUM to be hopping, but the home court advantage means nothing if Louisville can’t find a way to be efficient and unselfish on the offensive end.