I'm going to be honest with you. If you're a fan of major conference hoops, tonight's schedule isn't going to interest you at all, so you may as well close this window and head elsewhere. Sure, Michigan could beat Ohio State in Columbus or bad Tennessee could make its reappearance at Auburn tonight, but at first glance (with one very odd exception) tonight's Big Six slate isn't appetizing.
Even the Pac-10 won't help you tonight, unless you have satellite, thanks to UCLA playing (and defeating) USC last night and the bulk of the night's slate appearing only regional television only. Cal-Arizona State on FSN at 11 p.m. ET just isn't going to cut it tonight.
So, after the jump, I have several mid-major selections for tonight's TV slate, with just one slightly dicey major conference pick.
Early Evening (ET)
HD TV: Wofford Terriers at College of Charleston Cougars, ESPNU (7 p.m. ET)
The defending champion Terriers, led by seniors Noah Dahlman, Jamar Diggs, and Cameron Rundles, visit one of their main challengers for this season's crown, Andrew Goudelock and the Cougars. The winner will own at least a share of the Southern Conference lead (9-2 Chattanooga hosts a Georgia Southern team that's yet to win a conference game, also tonight).
KenPom.com prediction: Cougars 76-72, 66 poss.
Laptop: Valparaiso Crusaders at Cleveland St. Vikings, Horizon League Network (7 p.m. ET)
In the Horizon League, it's another battle for first, as the 9-2 Vikings host the 8-2 Crusaders. Cleveland State has only lost three times this season, once at West Virginia, and then at Butler and Valpo back-to-back, while the Crusaders have lost just twice in 2011, at Butler on New Year's Day and at home against Green Bay on January 23rd. This game is especially key for postseason purposes, as the Horizon awards a semifinal bye to the top two teams in the league. The winner tonight will be nearly assured of one of those.
KenPom.com prediction: Vikings 67-60, 65 poss.
Also available on HLN free streaming, the games involving the two teams immediately behind the Crusaders and Vikings: Butler at Youngstown State (link) and Loyola-Chicago at Wright State (link), which are both 7 p.m. tips. Remember, the Bulldogs only beat the Penguins by five at Hinkle in their earlier meeting. On the other hand, the Raiders crushed the Ramblers in their earlier meeting in Chicago.
Late Evening (ET)
HD TV: Murray St. Racers at Tennessee St. Tigers, ESPNU (9 p.m. ET)
The Racers are tied in the loss column with Austin Peay for the OVC lead (the Govs, who host UT Martin this evening, have one more conference win), while the Tigers are a game back of the lead. Murray State won the first meeting between these two, 64-53, on January 6th at their Regional Special Events Center.
KenPom.com prediction: , poss.
SD TV: Notre Dame Fighting Irish at DePaul Blue Demons, ESPN2 (9 p.m. ET)
The only reason this game I picked this game is that the Irish haven't played since winning at Pittsburgh back on January 24th. I'm just curious to see how rusty Notre Dame may be in the early stages of their trip to Rosemont.
KenPom.com prediction: Irish 78-64, 68 poss.
Late Night DVR Special
Option 1: Gonzaga Bulldogs at Portland Pilots, ESPN2 (11 p.m. ET)
On Saturday, the Pilots blew St. Mary's out, less than 48 hours after the Gaels got a buzzer-beater to top the Bulldogs in Spokane. Portland would love to do the same to the Zags, who are teetering on the edge of the at-large picture.
KenPom.com prediction: Bulldogs 74-72, 66 poss.
Option 2: Pacific Tigers at UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, ESPNU (11 p.m. ET)
These two are currently in a three-way tie for third in the Big West (along with Cal Poly), two games back in the loss column of idle leader Long Beach State. However, everyone in the conference has at least a game in hand on the 49ers, with the Tigers and Gauchos each having an extra pair to play.
KenPom.com prediction: Gauchos 61-60, 59 poss.
For broadcast information for the rest of Thursday's TV contests, 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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