It's "Rematch Thursday," as every game I've spotlighted on a long evening of hoops is the reprise of an earlier conference matchup. Most of them were quite competitive, with the Florida-Georgia and St. Mary's-Gonzaga contests standing out in that list.
My viewing selections are after the jump.
Early Evening (ET)
Georgia Bulldogs at Florida Gators, ESPN2 (7 p.m. ET)
The Gators won a double OT classic in Athens, 104-91, just one of several close games between SEC East contenders this year. Currently, UF is three games up in the loss column on the Bulldogs and Vanderbilt, and they can clinch the division crown with a victory this evening. On the other hand, a Georgia win would open the race up, Chandler Parsons' return from a deep thigh bruise looks likely for the Gators, though he'll likely come off the bench.
KenPom.com projection: Gators 66-59, 62 poss.
Marquette Golden Eagles at Connecticut Huskies, ESPN (7 p.m. ET)
On January 25th, the Huskies handed the Golden Eagles their second home loss of the season, a 76-68 decision that looked like it was going to go Marquette's way until late in the game. Tonight, the Golden Eagles head to Hartford to take on a UConn team that just received its punishment from the NCAA Committee on Infractions (which should have little impact), but will be playing without coach Jim Calhoun, who is missing this game because of the death of his sister-in-law, Eileen Fucile, after a long battle with breast cancer.
KenPom.com projection: Huskies 76-70, 68 poss.
Milwaukee Panthers at Cleveland St. Vikings, Horizon League Network/TWC Sports 32 (7 p.m. ET)
This is a key contest in the Horizon race, as Cleveland State sits in first at 12-4, a game ahead of three teams, including Milwaukee. The Vikings hammered the Panthers at the old MECCA in the Horizon's early December preview window. However, Rob Jeter's team, who had won seven in a row until they lost at Buffalo in their BracketBuster game, are a completely different group to deal with now.
KenPom.com projection: Vikings 73-62, 66 poss.
Other Viewing Options
Old Dominion Monarchs at James Madison Dukes, ESPNU (7 p.m. ET)
Northeastern Huskies at George Mason Patriots, Comcast SportsNet Regional (7 p.m. ET)
The Monarchs and Patriots picked up key BracketBuster wins over the weekend, but they'll look to avoid a late season CAA loss, something VCU couldn't do last night at Drexel.
Late Evening (ET)
West Virginia Mountaineers at Pittsburgh Panthers, ESPN (9 p.m. ET)
Back on February 7th, the Panthers won in Morgantown, 71-66. Tonight, Pitt will be looking to rebound from a tough loss at St. John's on Saturday, while the Mountaineers would like to build on their home win over second place Notre Dame and separate themselves from the mid-table muddle in the Big East.
KenPom.com projection: Panthers 69-61, 61 poss.
Penn St. Nittany Lions at Northwestern Wildcats, ESPN2 (9 p.m. ET)
The Nittany Lions will be looking for a sweep, as they blasted the Wildcats in State College just 11 days ago, 65-41. This one is a must-win for Penn State, as wins will be hard to come by in their last two: a home game (and marquee win opportunity) against Ohio State on Tuesday, followed by a visit to fellow bubble team Minnesota, who the Lions barely beat at the Bryce Jordan Center.
KenPom.com projection: Wildcats 68-66, 59 poss.
Morehead St. Eagles at Murray St. Racers, ESPNU (9 p.m. ET)
The Racers lost at Morehead 75-65, but that was way back on December 4th. Since then, Murray has gone 17-3, while Morehead has won 16 and lost five. Tonight's winner will have the inside track to the OVC regular season crown, something they'll be able to clinch outright with a win on Saturday.
KenPom.com projection: Racers 62-60, 61 poss.
Late Night (ET)
Arizona Wildcats at USC Trojans, KWBA/FCS Pacific (10:30 p.m. ET)
KenPom.com projection: Wildcats 67-65, 64 poss.
Arizona St. Sun Devils at UCLA Bruins, FSN/Comcast SportsNet (11 p.m. ET)
KenPom.com projection: Bruins 69-59, 63 poss.
The Bruins needed OT to beat the Sun Devils in Tempe, in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. On that same Saturday, the Wildcats handled USC, 72-63. Neither team can afford to look ahead to their matchup at Pauley this evening. Arizona State will likely be inspired after grabbing their second Pac-10 win on Saturday, while USC would like to create problems for an Arizona team that features a slew of former Trojan recruits.
Gonzaga Bulldogs at St. Mary's, Calif. Gaels, ESPN2 (11 p.m. ET)
The Gaels stole a 73-71 win in Gonzaga back on January 27th, the final game in a three-game skid for the Bulldogs. A win for the Zags would fittingly extend St. Mary's current losing streak to three, while forcing a tie at the top of the WCC, all but ensuring both teams earn a bye to the semifinals.
KenPom.com projection: Gaels 76-70, 68 poss.
For more Thursday night 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's action in the comments, after you sign up for a free SB Nation account, of course.
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