CBK Games To Watch

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jan 21, 2009

CBK Games To Watch

Clemson at UNC, Wednesday, 9 PM

If the Tar Heel faithful aren't enough motivation to top the hot Tigers, here might be a factoid for Tyler Hansbrough and company to keep in mind: If Clemson wins, the Tigers move to third place in the ACC while the Heels fall to seventh in the conference. Trevor Booker, pictured, is averaging nine rebounds a game for the Clemson.

Arizona State at Arizona, Wednesday, 9:30 PM

Not only is this a solid instate rivalry, it's a key conference games for both teams looking to get to the top of the Pac-10. James Harden, pictured, is averaging 22.1 ppg for the 4-1 Sun Devils.

Purdue at Minnesota, Thursday, 7 PM

Smarting from a loss to bottom-feeder Northwestern over the weekend, the Gophers should be ready to defend their turf against the Boilermakers -- a team that had to overcome a 15-point deficit to beat Northwestern before Minnesota's fall. Lawrence Westbrook, pictured, led the team in rebounds, points and assists in the loss.

Maryland at Duke, 12 PM Saturday

Sure, Duke is the second-ranked team in the country, while the Terrapins are losing to teams like Morgan State. But that doesn't make this any less of a completely fight-til-the-death sort of rivalry. Expect the Crazies to come out in full form and for Greivis Vasquez, pictured, and the Terps to put forward their best efforts -- last season it was the Terps who knocked off Carolina around this time.

Memphis at Tennessee, Saturday, 3:30 PM

Speaking of rivalries, the Vols most likely recall the time they beat Memphis last season to get a No. 1 ranking. This season? Memphis may not have Derrick Rose, but it does have Tyreke Evans, who is putting up 16.4 ppg and finally learning the art of the assist.

Louisville at Syracuse, Sunday, 12 PM

Samardo Samuels and company come into the Carrier Dome hoping to challenge for the top spot in the Big East -- if Marquette loses before Sunday, 'Cuse could be in the running too. Both teams have five wins, while the Orange have a loss as of Monday.