Wednesday's schedule is highlighted two storied rivalries that each feature teams on the top four lines of my Tuesday projection, but there are four other games with serious bracket impact tonight. I'll have more on all six after the jump.
Early Evening (ET)
HD TV: Georgetown Hoyas at Syracuse Orange, ESPN/ESPN3 (7 p.m. ET)
Both the Orange and Hoyas sit on the all-Big East three line of my Tuesday bracket, but the loser is likely to drop down to line four. Syracuse seems to have recovered from its late January four-game losing streak, but is still prone to falling behind early, while Georgetown is one of the hottest teams in the country, as they've rattled off six straight. However, the Hoyas may be due for a fall, as the total margin of their last three wins is a mere eight points.
KenPom.com prediction: Orange 73-67, 66 poss.
Laptop: Florida Gators at South Carolina Gamecocks, SEC Network/ESPN3/Full Court (8 p.m. ET)
The Gators have been looking good, in their inimitably frustrating way, of late, grabbing home wins over Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Now, they have to visit Columbia, where they last won in 2008. And they also lost to South Carolina in Gainesville on January 15th.
KenPom.com prediction: Gators 67-62, 65 poss.
Alt. Ch.: Louisville Cardinals at Notre Dame Fighting Irish, ESPNU (7 p.m. ET)
The Fighting Irish are in search of their sixth win in a row, while the Cardinals, whose overall profile has some holes can pick up a second valuable road win in three tries (won at UConn in double OT, lost at Georgetown by three). Preston Knowles looks to be back for Louisville tonight after he missed the DePaul game with a hamstring injury, a piece of news boosts the Cards' prospects in South Bend considerably.
KenPom.com prediction: Irish 71-67, 66 poss.
Alt. Laptop: Nebraska Cornhuskers at Baylor Bears, Big 12 Network/Altitude/ESPN3/Full Court (8 p.m. ET)
If the Cornhuskers are going to make a late run at a bid, they'll need to win a true road game at some point. Meanwhile, I added the Bears to my Tuesday projection, but you can guarantee they won't be in next week's if they drop this one.
KenPom.com prediction: Bears 62-59, 63 poss.
Late Evening (ET)
HD TV: Texas A&M Aggies at Colorado Buffaloes, ESPNU (9 p.m. ET)
Both of these clubs are struggling at the moment--the Aggies have dropped three straight and four of five, while the Buffaloes have lost five of six. However, A&M is in decent shape (though they won't be a lock in Friday's Bubble Watch) than the Buffs, thanks to non-league wins over Temple and Washington. On the other hand, tonight's game and Saturday's against Kansas State give Colorado a pair of opportunities to grab decent wins for their resume.
KenPom.com prediction: , poss.
SD TV: North Carolina Tar Heels at Duke Blue Devils, ESPN/ESPN3/Full Court or ACC Network/theACC.com (ACC Territory) (9 p.m. ET)
First place in the ACC is--somewhat unexpectedly--on the line in the first of two meetings between the Tar Heels and Blue Devils. (The second will air in primetime on CBS on the final Saturday night of the regular season.) UNC has been playing far better since Kendall Marshall has seen more time at the point, but how well will the freshman cope with the hostile environment of Cameron Indoor Stadium? On the Duke side, will they shoot the three-ball any better than they have of late?
Note: This one gets booted to the SD TV simply because I only receive ESPNU on the HD set. (Thanks Comcast!)
KenPom.com prediction: Blue Devils 83-74, 78 poss.
For tip times and channels for the rest of a busy Wednesday night slate, 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.
Enjoy this post? Follow Blogging the Bracket on Twitter and Like the site on Facebook.