If you need a break from the NFL this Sunday, there are a few compelling college basketball games of note to take a look at. Join me after the jump, where I'll open with a rundown of the games on national TV or the Internet.
Cornell at Seton Hall, 12 p.m. ET (Big East Network/ESPN3): The Pirates beat the Big Red by 16 last season, but the roster for this Cornell squad isn't quite as experienced as the 2009-10 version. However, the defending Ivy champs did begin their season with a roaring comeback win over Albany, something the Pirates couldn't accomplish, as they fell to Temple by 6 in their opener.Canisius at Syracuse, 3 p.m. ET (ESPNU): The Orange welcome the Golden Griffins to the Dome. They'll hope to have a better first half than they did in their win over Northern Iowa Friday night. Canisius also opened with a victory, topping Little 3 rival St. Bonaventure by 10 in Buffalo.
Princeton at Duke (CBE Classic), 5 p.m. ET (ESPNU): The National Champions open up their title defense against the team that could well dethrone Cornell atop the Ivy. Remember, the Blue Devils advance to Kansas City even with a (unlikely) loss.
Wright State at Indiana, 7 p.m. ET (ESPNU): Vaughn Duggins and the Raiders, who finished behind Butler in the Horizon League race last season, look to pull an early upset. Remember, the Hoosiers needed OT to dispose of D-II Ferris State in their final exhibition, though they cruised against an overmatched Florida Gulf Coast squad Friday.
Here are the other contests that will be either broadcast or streaming today
- Alabama State at Iowa State, 2 p.m. ET (MC 22/ESPN3)
- South Dakota State at Iowa, 3 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)
- Lafayette at Rider, 4 p.m. ET (Lafayette Sports/ESPN3)
- Howard at Purdue, 5 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)
- Idaho State at Arizona, 5 p.m. ET (KWBA/FS Arizona/FCS Pacific)
- Prairie View A&M at Wisconsin, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN3)
- Chicago State at DePaul, 6 p.m. ET (ESPN3)
There is also a trio of intriguing contests slated for regional telecasts that deserve a mention.
Maine at Maryland, 2 p.m. ET (CSN Washington/NESN): The Terps survived College of Charleston Wednesday, and the Black Bears, a real contender for the America East crown and their first ever NCAA berth, will look to make Gary Williams sweat some more.
IUPUI at Gonzaga (CBE Classic), 4 p.m. ET (NBC 6 Spokane/FSN Northwest): This is the first of two "regional round" home games for the Bulldogs, who opened their campaign with an easy win over Southern. Neither will be easy. The Jaguars will challenge Oakland in the Summit and will be a good test for Gonzaga before San Diego State's arrival Tuesday.
UC Santa Barbara at Oregon, 9 p.m. ET (OSN/CSN Northwest): The Ducks should be bad again this season, so the Gauchos, defending Big West champ and favorite, have a great chance at grabbing a win at Mac Court. This is the final game of a round-robin event. Oregon needed OT to beat North Dakota State (who knocked off UCSB last night) Friday. The Ducks defeated Denver--the team the Gauchos topped Friday--in a close one last night.
For broadcast info for other games that will only be aired regionally, like Bucknell at Marquette and Florida State at UNC Greensboro, visit Matt Sarz's College Sports on TV site.
Four games of note won't be televised, so you'll need to track them via the Web, Internet radio, or Twitter.
- Liberty at Notre Dame, 2 p.m. ET
- Kent State at Cleveland State, 6 p.m. ET: This one is for the championship of CSU's exempt round-robin.
- UT Pan American at Loyola-Chicago, 6:30 p.m. ET: The Ramblers will win their event with a 3-0 record if they defeat the Broncs.
- Florida Atlantic at Portland, 9 p.m. ET: These two 2-0 teams meet for the title in the Pilots' exempt tourney.
Be sure to leave your thoughts on today's games in the Comments.
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