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Selection Sunday is a mere two weeks away, which means the Sunday slate isn't quite as barren as it was during the NFL playoffs. The afternoon features four key Big East matchups, a pair from the Big Ten (though you can probably skip Ohio State at Indiana), and a local rivalry from the Atlantic 10. The evening's action features a significant game in the ACC and the second installment of the basketball Apple Cup for 2011.
My viewing picks are after the jump.
Connecticut Huskies at Cincinnati Bearcats, ESPNU (12 p.m. ET)
The Bearcats likely locked up a bid when they won at Georgetown on Wednesday night, but need to be careful with their last three games, which are all against contenders. The good thing for Cincinnati is that two of them are at home including this matchup with fading UConn, who's dropped two straight. Both teams are in the race for at least a single-bye in the Big East Tournament, but a loss could knock them into Tuesday.
KenPom.com projection: Bearcats 65-61, 64 poss.
West Virginia Mountaineers at Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Big East Network/ESPN3/Full Court (12 p.m. ET)
A trip to the RAC is the Mountaineers last breather before hosting UConn and Louisville to close the regular season. West Virginia needs to start winning to stay in bye territory.
KenPom.com projection: Mountaineers 65-61, 61 poss.
Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan St. Spartans, ESPN (1 p.m. ET)
The Spartans have moved closer to safety by winning three of their last four, but they'll just about be a lock again if they can avenge Purdue's 86-76 win back on January 22nd.
KenPom.com projection: Boilermakers 69-64, 66 poss.
Xavier Musketeers at Dayton Flyers, ESPN2 (1 p.m. ET)
Dayton can get themselves back into the at-large picture if they can stun the Musketeers, who've won 13 of 14, including January 15th's five-point home triumph over the Flyers.
KenPom.com projection: Musketeers 69-66, 65 poss.
Pittsburgh Panthers at Louisville Cardinals, CBS (2 p.m. ET)
The Panthers can clinch at least a tie for the BIg East title with a victory over the Cardinals, who hope to join Pitt as one of the four Big East teams who earn direct entry to the quarterfinals.
KenPom.com projection: Panthers 68-67, 65 poss.
Providence Friars at Marquette Golden Eagles, Big East Network/ESPN3/Full Court (4 p.m. ET)
This is the first of three tricky games for the Golden Eagles to close the regular season. They can't afford to lose to either the Friars, no matter how many Marshon Brooks happens to score, or Seton Hall if they want to be the 11th team in from the Big East.
KenPom.com projection: Golden Eagles 88-75, 74 poss.
Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio St. Buckeyes, CBS (4 p.m. ET)
Even though the Hoosiers have been showing a lot of improvement lately, don't expect this one to be much closer than the Buckeyes' 18-point win in Columbus on New Year's Eve.
KenPom.com projection: Buckeyes 80-61, 65 poss.
Maryland Terrapins at North Carolina Tar Heels, FSN/Comcast SportsNet (7:45 p.m. ET)
The Terrapins finally grabbed a top 50 win when they beat Florida State at home on Wednesday night, but they can grab an even bigger one, on the road no less, if they can stun the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill. A loss in this one would hurt UNC's chances at a protected seed.
KenPom.com projection: Tar Heels 76-70, 77 poss.
Washington St. Cougars at Washington Huskies, FSN/Comcast SportsNet (10 p.m. ET)
When these two met in Pullman, the Cougars picked up an 87-80 win and moved into my Tuesday projection (until they lost at Oregon State five days later). They won't be so lucky if they sweep the Huskies, a difficult ask in the first place because of Washington's superior form at home.
KenPom.com projection: Huskies 85-72, 75 poss.
Other Viewing Options to Get You Ready for the Championship Festival
Boston U. Terriers at Vermont Catamounts, CSN New England/ESPN3/Full Court (1 p.m. ET)
St. Peter's Peacocks at Rider Broncs, MSG+/MASN/ESPN3/Full Court (1 p.m. ET)
For even more Sunday TV games, check out 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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