There's a lot on the weekend schedule, so before I get back to work on Saturday morning's bracket, I wanted to tell you about some of the games I'll be watching for Monday's edition.
Friday
Princeton @ Yale (YES, 7 EST) and Illinois-Chicago @ Butler (ESPNU, 7 EST) - Two conference leaders, one surprising, one not so much, take to the floor.
Villanova @ West Virginia (ESPN, 9 EST) - The Wildcats look to continue their assault on a top four finish in the Big East, while the Mountaineers are just trying to stay on the bubble. How will the Nova offense cope with the WVU D tonight?
Saturday
Georgetown @ Syracuse (ESPN, 12 EST) - The Hoyas can't possibly shoot as well at the Dome as they did at Verizon a few weeks back, can they? Both teams are in dire need of a win.
Northeastern @ George Mason (CSN Mid-Atlantic/CSN New England/CSS, 12 EST) - This game isn't quite as meaningful now that the Patriots lost to Delaware Thursday night. Huskies are still tied with VCU atop the standings.
Connecticut @ Seton Hall (Big East/MASN/CST/SNY, 12 EST ) - The Huskies now have to learn to live without Jerome Dyson. The real test probably comes Monday against Pitt, however.
Kentucky @ Arkansas or UCLA @ Arizona (CBS Regional, 1 EST) - Both sets of Wildcats are looking to keep winning to make the field. UCLA can't afford to be swept in the Cactus State.
Colgate @ American (ESPNU, 1 EST) - Rematch of last year's Pat League final sees the Eagles four games up on the Red Raiders in this year's race.
Minnesota @ Penn State (Big Ten, 1:30 EST) - Nittany Lions are sliding badly after making a brief appearance in my projection. A win over the Gophers would put them back on track.
Nebraska @ Missouri (Big 12 Regional/Altitude/Full Court, 1:30 EST) - With the performance of both of these teams lately, this game is a lot bigger than it looked like it would be back when the Huskers beat the Tigers in Lincoln on January 10.
Texas @ Colorado (ESPN, 2 EST) - This game is only on here because the Longhorns need to build a win streak.
VCU@ Old Dominion (CSN Mid-Atlantic/CSN New England/CSS, 2 EST) - Rams will try to pull ahead of or keep pace with Northeastern.
Vanderbilt @ Tennessee or South Carolina @ Alabama (Raycom Regional/Full Court, 3 EST) - SEC East teams look to solidify their bid cases. Remember, the Vols have a bit more to fall back outside of the league than the Gamecocks do.
Kansas @ Kansas State or Florida @ Georgia (ABC Regional/Full Court, 3:30 EST) - K-State looks to beat the Jayhawks at Bramlage for the second straight year. Gators need to recover from the heartbreak of Tuesday night.
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh (ESPN, 4 EST) - The Panthers can't be caught looking ahead to Monday night's meeting with UConn.
Purdue @ Iowa (Big Ten, 4 EST) - Another game the Boilers should be able to win without Robbie Hummel.
Davidson @ Furman (MASN, 4 EST) - After the loss to Charleston a week ago, the Wildcats are going to pop up on this list anytime they're on TV. They can't afford any further slip-ups in the league to get an at-large.
Air Force @ Utah (the mtn., 4 EST) - The Utes try to extend their lead at the top of the MWC.
Virginia Tech @ Maryland or Florida State at Wake Forest (Raycom Regional/Full Court, 4 EST) - Hokies-Terps is a huge game for both teams tourney hopes. The Demon Deacons, meanwhile, face another potential pothole.
Creighton @ Southern Illinois (ESPN2, 5 EST) - Not as big as it normally is, but the Blue Jays need to pull out a win in Carbondale to keep within shouting distance of UNI.
Stanford @ California (FSN/selected Comcast Sportsnet outlets, 5 EST ) - Mike Montgomery looks to beat the Cardinal for the first time during his short tenure in Berkeley.
Mississippi State @ Auburn (FS South/Sun Sports/Full Court, 5 EST) - The Bulldogs' faint at-large hopes mean they can't drop one to a tricky Tiger team.
Texas A&M @ Baylor (FS Southwest/Full Court, 6 EST ) - Elimination game in the Big 12.
Ole Miss @ LSU (FS South/FS Florida/Full Court, 7 EST) - The Bayou Bengals look to repeat their 32-point triumph in Oxford.
UC-Riverside @ Cal State-Northridge (Prime Ticket, 8 EST) - The Matadors lead the Big West at the moment and the surprising Highlanders are two games behind them.
Western Kentucky @ Troy (FCS Pacific, 8;30 EST) - The Hilltoppers are only out of the Friday bracket because their overall record is a game worse than Arkansas-Little Rock's.
Ohio State @ Wisconsin (ESPN, 9 EST) - The Badgers, who had dropped six straight, are now going for their fourth straight win.
St. John's @ Marquette (Big East/CST/TW Milwaukee/MASN/SNY, 9 EST) - The Golden Eagles are looking to stop a two-game slide.
Utah State @ Boise State (local TV in both the Salt Lake and Boise areas, 9 EST) - The Aggies are looking for their 20th straight win.
Wyoming @ San Diego State (the mtn., 10 EST) - The Aztecs try to keep pace with Utah, after failing to sweep the Utes on Wednesday night.
Portland @ St. Mary's (CSN California/CSN Northwest, 10 EST) - The Gaels managed to give Gonzaga a real fight last night, falling 72-70. Can they do better against the Pilots than they did in their first full game against Paddy Mills two weeks ago (an 84-66 loss)?
Gonzaga @ San Francisco (ESPNU, 11 EST) - Bulldogs look to move to 10-0 in the WCC.
Sunday
USF @ Notre Dame (Big East/Altitude/CST/MASN/SNY/Full Court, 2 EST) - Another winnable game for the Irish. If this one was at the Sun Dome, I wouldn't quite be as confident in their chances.
Temple @ Duquesne (CBS CS, 3 EST) - The Owls just clipped St. Joe's on Thursday, while the Dukes followed up their big win against Xavier by losing at Richmond Wednesday night.
Michigan @ Northwestern (Big Ten, 3 EST) - The Wildcats choked one away against Illinois Thursday night. The Wolverines are looking for the season sweep and to break a two-game losing streak.
Duke @ Boston College (FSN/selected Comcast Sportsnet outlets, 5:30 EST) - The Eagles are looking to end a two-game slide, but they can bet the Blue Devils will be in an angry mood after losing Wednesday night.
North Carolina @ Miami (FL) (FSN/selected Comcast Sportsnet outlets, 7:45 EST) - The Hurricanes have been extremely competitive lately, but have only one win to show for their last five outings. The four losses, with two in OT, have been by an average of 4 points
USC@ Arizona State (FSN/selected Comcast Sportsnet outlets, 10 EST) - The Trojans will be in a precarious place if they drop their third straight. The Sun Devils will be looking to avenge a 12-point loss back on January 15.