Down The Stretch: 12 Must-See NCAA Games
Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 10:43AM 
By JOHN P. WISE
One Great Season
It's February. Pretenders and contenders have been separated. Teams have declared their superiority.
Many squads are playing to get into the NCAA tournament, while a few elites already are playing for their seeds. Between now and Selection Sunday on March 14, there are 12 games that you do not want to miss. They are listed below:
Mon., Feb. 8, Kansas at Texas, 9 p.m. -- It's too bad these teams play only once this year, but next week's showdown in Austin will reveal KU's invincibility ... or its vulnerability.
Mon., Feb. 8, Villanova at West Virginia, 7 p.m. -- Villanova has got to be one of the least heralded No. 2 teams in history, but the Wildcats have four games left this season against teams currently ranked among the top eight. This will be an interesting one.
Sat., Feb. 13, Xavier at Florida, 6 p.m. -- Florida has far more to lose than gain in this game, so the Gators should just go ahead and win this one. But Xavier finds itself once again at the top of the A-10 standings, and could get a huge resume boost with a win in Gainesville.
Sat., Feb. 13, Rhode Island at Temple, 4 p.m. -- Six A-10 teams finished the month of January with at least 15 wins, and five of them have just one or two league losses. This conference is wide open, so you can bet February will be a mad scramble.
Sat., Feb. 20, Ohio State at Michigan State, TBA -- I don't expect a road win for the Buckeyes, but they're playing excellent basketball right now and have five winnable games before this one, so confidence could be through the roof when OSU visits East Lansing.
Sat., Feb. 20, Xavier at Charlotte, 2 p.m. -- If URI at Temple isn't the best game left on the A-10 schedule, it's this one. Many thought Xavier was rebuilding this year, but the Muskies are in position for a league title and a solid NCAA tournament seed.
Thurs., Feb. 25, California at Arizona, 9 p.m. -- Yes, I did sneak a PAC 10 game into this list. Why? Because this league is suffering through its worst season in years, and I'd be surprised if even one team got an at-large bid. The Bears and Wildcats have their eyes set on the automatic bid.
Sat., Feb. 27, Kentucky at Tennessee, noon -- The last Saturday in February is really shaping up to be a great one, at least for those who own a couch and a television. This will be a great game to start the fun with its track-meet potential.
Sat., Feb. 27, Michigan State at Purdue, TBA -- These teams meet twice within 18 days, and this second game in West Lafayette could offer more Big Ten spoils for the victor.
Sat., Feb. 27, New Mexico at BYU, 4 p.m. -- The Cougars will be looking to avenge their lone league loss, last week at New Mexico. The winner of this game likely will win the MWC and get a well-deserved No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Sat., Feb. 27, Villanova at Syracuse, 9 p.m. -- Here's another tough road test for 'Nova that will no doubt have an impact on the Big East race just about 10 days before the league tournament starts.
Wed., March 3, Kansas State at Kansas, 8 p.m. -- Kansas could have the Big 12 title and a No. 1 NCAA tournament seed locked up by then, but that doesn't mean the Jayhawks will take a nap against its in-state rival. KSU will have more to play for, including revenge for Saturday's overtime loss to KU in the Octagon.
Reader Comments (5)
Forgive me if I miss unranked Xavier at unranked Charlotte.
Dude, the A-10 is a nice league, and will have a team in the Elite Eight this year, unlike the ACC and PAC 10. Please make a note of it.
dude if i did not know any better i would think you went to Xavier...2 games in the top 12 and that BS article about UC fans now understanding how Xavier feels when BK left. Might have to make another trip to NYC and have a serious sit down with you.
Objectivity, yo. And that BK/Xavier piece was right on. My point wasn't that UC fans DO know how Xavier fans feel. It was that they STILL DON'T know, because Xavier has lost four -- not just one -- likable, successful coaches to bigger programs the last 15 years. The Road to the Final Four isn't only built for power teams and household names. Recognize.
LOL...love your opinions but I dont love Xavier. Good work