College Basketball On TV: February 1, 2011

The Big Ten and SEC dominate tonight's TV picks, with the ACC and America East also represented on a decent night of action. Of course, you may want to keep an eye on the weather and the news, as there could possibly be cancellations in the offing with the big winter storm that's sweeping across the country.

My six picks for the night are after the jump.

Just a note about tonight's coverage, I would have placed the SD selections for both windows on HD TV; however, since the Arlington version of Comcast doesn't carry ESPNU or Big Ten Network in HD, but I still need the converter box to pick them up, those games end up on the HD set by default. (Edit: This changes now that ESPN2 is picking up Kentucky-Ole Miss.)

Early Evening (ET)

HD TV: Purdue Boilermakers at Wisconsin Badgers, ESPN (7 p.m. ET)
The Boilermakers are mired in a three-game losing streak, and naturally, have to visit arguably the toughest building for visitors in the conference. Making matters worse, Purdue gets a week off after this one before hosting an improved Indiana squad. Thanks to Wisconsin's offensive efficiency, expect them to sneak out a key win in the protected seed race.
KenPom.com prediction: Badgers 63-59, 57 poss.

SD TV: Kentucky Wildcats at Mississippi Rebels, ESPNU/ESPN2 (7 p.m. ET)
Sure,  the Rebels have only defeated lowly LSU in SEC play, but Kentucky did drop their last road game in an SEC West arena, January 18th's contest at Alabama. So there's hope, especially if the Wildcats play like they did down the stretch in their win against Georgia on Saturday. (Note: ESPN2 is picking up this game as Baylor-Oklahoma has been postponed due to weather.)
KenPom.com prediction: Wildcats 78-68, 68 poss.

Laptop: Maine Black Bears at Boston U. Terriers, America East/CSN New England/ESPN3/Full Court (7:30 p.m. ET)
The Black Bears are currently a game up in the loss column on Vermont in the America East race, but tonight they visit Boston, home of a Terrier team that sits three games back. Maine handled BU in their earlier meeting in Orono, the conference opener for both teams.
KenPom.com prediction: Black Bears 68-66, 63 poss.

Late Evening (ET)

SD TV: Vanderbilt Commodores at Florida Gators, ESPN (9 p.m. ET)
This is a crucial game in the SEC East race, featuring two teams who have been a bit inconsistent at times. The Gators' offensive issues, particularly on the perimeter, could be a deciding factor, particularly if the defense can't shut down John Jenkins and Jeff Taylor.
KenPom.com prediction: Gators 70-67, 65 poss.

HD TV: Penn St. Nittany Lions at Illinois Fighting Illini, Big Ten Network (9 p.m. ET)
OK, Nittany Lions, you've been winning some nice games at home. It's now time to see if you can pull some upsets on the road, particularly since you've only beaten Indiana in your Big Ten travels. Tonight's challenge for Penn State: subdue the Orange Crush, who have to be getting a bit antsy after the Illini have dropped four of five, a run started in State College.
KenPom.com prediction: Fighting Illini 70-62, 61 poss.

Laptop: North Carolina Tar Heels at Boston College Eagles, ACC Network, ACC.com, and Raycom.com (ACC territory)/ESPN3 and Full Court (everywhere else) (9 p.m. ET)
There may not be a ton of defense in this one, which features a Tar Heel team that's trying to keep pace with Duke at the top of the ACC and an Eagle squad that's dropped three of four and is tumbling toward .500 in the league and a less secure place on the bubble.
KenPom.com prediction: Tar Heels 77-74, 70 poss.

For broadcast information for the rest of the Tuesday night's games, visit Matt Sarz's College Sports on TV site. Another good resource is the schedule page at BB State.

Please share your thoughts about today and tonight's action in the comments, after you sign up for a free SB Nation account, of course.

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