Rivalry Week; The Most Important Week in College Basketball

Rivalries are built through competition and the spirit of the game.  These games are the ones that are circled on the calendar from players, coaches and fans alike.  There’s nothing like the passion displayed, the blood shed, and the tears that drench the faces of those who could not win. It’s a time when you can forget a teams record – as it is virtually irrelevant. Aside from conference tournaments and March Madness, Rivalry Week stands as one of the most thrilling times in all of basketball where teams battle against bitter rivals for dominance in their state and conference.  The games that come before are just a build up for what remains as the most important regular season games of the year.  This year is no different – with some eye popping match ups from top to bottom. Here’s a little rundown of key games throughout the week.

Monday:

Villanova (4) @ West Virginia (5)

This game is monumental in positioning as both teams fight for that number 2 spot in the Big East. ‘Nova is looking to rebound fresh off a loss to Georgetown; however, they chose a bad time to have to bounce back – against the Mountaineers from West Virginia. The WVU coliseum will be rocking tonight as two of the nation’s top teams tip off at 7 ET on ESPN.

Kansas (1) @ Texas(14)

This is one of the most anticipated games of the Big 12 season as the two conference heavyweights square up in a battle in Austin, Texas.  Texas has recently declined in the polls and has dropped 4 out of their last six ballgames after a 17-0 start, but you can bet that they’ll show up tonight and not allow themselves to be embarrassed in Austin. You can catch this game right after the Big East matchup on ESPN at 9 ET.

Tuesday:

Tennessee (12) @ Vanderbilt (22)

The battle for Tennessee tips off at 7 ET on ESPN, and it will be a battle. The importance of this game lies within who wants to chase the Kentucky Wildcats more?  The winner will be in 2^nd place, and just a game back of the ‘Cats in the SEC.  Both teams will come in at 6-2 in the SEC and are looking to better their resume come tourney time.  The Commodores host one of the toughest atmospheres to play at in all of college basketball (the Memorial Gymnasium) and look to improve their home record to a perfect 12-0.

Purdue (6) @ Michigan State (10)

The Spartans have lost their last two games (Wisconsin and Illinois can be accredited to that) and need to get back on the right track – lucky for them; they play against Purdue at home, where they boast a 13-0 record in one of the rowdiest arenas in college basketball. Purdue’s coming in on a 5 game winning streak and will face a vulnerable Kalin Lucasless Spartan squad.  This game will be on ESPN directly after the Vols/Vandy game at 9 ET.

Wednesday:

Connecticut @ Syracuse (2)

A down-and-out Husky team is going to have their hands full against a hot and ready Syracuse squad.  UConn has lost 3 out of their last 4 and holds a pitiful 14-9 record with virtually no solid wins.  The ‘Cuse should continue to roll over Connecticut in a game that is typically a rival game. The game will be on ESPN at 7 o clock ET.

Duke (8) @ North Carolina

We all know about UNC’s downfall in college basketball and we all know that they will be lucky to be in the NIT next year.  Hell, even Duke is not nearly as strong as they usually are, year in and year out. But this is Duke @ UNC, one of the most storied rivalries in any sport and that alone should catch viewers. It’d be nice to see a fun, clean, exciting game, and with all the tradition that comes with these teams, I think it’s possible.  You can catch this game following the Big East match-up at 9 ET.

Baylor (24) @ Nebraska

Anytime you can catch a game in which LaceDarius Dunn and Tweety Carter are playing then it’s a good time, and that’s what this game is.  If the Duke/UNC game ends up being as lousy as some experts are predicting then all you have to do is change the channel to ESPN 2 to catch this Big 12 matchup.  Whether it means that much too both team – I do not know.  But I do know that the game should be fun to watch.  Thank you Baylor, for saving the nationally televised Wednesday night basketball.

Thursday:

Michigan @ Minnesota

Tubby Smith has his Golden Golphers team fired up after Blake Hoffarber’s last second shot against Penn State. Both teams are in the bottom half of the Big 12, but Minnesota is still entertaining thoughts of dancing in March and they need this win to improve above .500 for the first time since January 9^th.  And on the Michigan side, welp, you’ve still got Manny Harris and he’s always fun to watch.  The game will be on ESPN at 7 ET.

Washington @ California

The Pac-10’s two best teams square off at 9 ET on ESPN 2. The Huskies are 0-5 on the road this year and need to pick up a conference road win to stay in the hunt for the Pac-10 championship. California is coming off a win against UCLA and is fighting to stay atop the Pac-10.  Both teams are very high scoring so look for this game to be an up and down shootout.

Friday:

West Virginia (5) @ Pittsburgh (25)

West Virginia has its hands full this week with a game against Villanova, and then against Pittsburgh. The Mountaineers already defeated Pitt by 19 in their first meeting, but the Panthers are a solid 12-1 at home and have to fight to stay in the top 25 after dropping 4 of their last 6. The last meeting was a bit chippy, and this game should be no different.  It’s ESPN’s only nationally televised game at 9 ET so it should have a lot of national spot light.

Saturday:

Michigan State (10) @ Penn State

Saturday’s slew of games tips off in the morning with this Big 10 matchup at Noon ET on ESPN.  Sure, Penn State’s 0-11 in conference games and the Spartans should dominate with or without Kalin Lucas but hey, it’s a game.

Maryland @ Duke(8)

The Duke/UNC rivalry may be down this year, but the Maryland/Duke rivalry will flourish as one of the best of the week. Maryland is just a ½ game back of Duke for first place in the ACC and has an opportunity to move atop the ACC in this game.  You can bet the Cameron Crazies will be going nuts as the game tips off at 1 ET on CBS.

Tennessee (12) @ Kentucky (3)

Tennessee is stuck with one of the toughest weeks in all of college basketball, first at Vanderbilt then they drive up to Lexington to face a Wildcat team that just ousted LSU by 26 points. This rivalry is full of history (just ask Jodie Meeks who put up 54 last year) and should produce another classic SEC matchup.  You can catch this game at 9 ET on ESPN.

Other notable games:

Alabama @ Kentucky (3) – Tuesday

Illinois @ Wisconsin (11) – Tuesday

Boston College @ Wake Forrest – Tuesday

Ohio State (13) @ Indiana – Wednesday

Georgia Tech (20) @ Miami – Wednesday

Northern Iowa (19) @ Drake – Wednesday

New Mexico (15) @ UNLV – Wednesday

Virginia @ Maryland – Wednesday 

Florida State @ Clemson – Wednesday

Saint Mary’s @ Gonzaga (16) – Thursday

Louisville @ St. Johns – Thursday

Mississippi @ Mississippi State – Thursday

Harvard @ Yale – Friday

Cornell @ Princeton – Friday

Iowa State @ Kansas (1) – Saturday

Iowa @ Purdue (6) – Saturday

Nebraska @ Texas (14) – Saturday

San Diego @ Gonzaga (16) – Saturday

Georgia Tech @ Wake Forrest – Saturday

Northern Iowa @ Bradley – Saturday

New Mexico @ Utah – Saturday

Missouri @ Baylor – Saturday

Any questions? Feel free to contact me at Tyler@PeteProse.com!