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College Hoops Viewing Guide: December 23, 2013

Before the college basketball world takes Christmas Eve off, the Las Vegas Classic will conclude and the finalists in the Diamond Head Classic will be determined.

Marco Garcia-USA TODAY Sports

All TV info is courtesy Matt's College Sports on TV site. He has many more games listed, and you'll also want to check out his listings for information on which ACC and SEC regional contests and CSN, FSN, and Root Sports games (all games listed in these posts marked with an *) are available on which affiliates.

All times are Eastern.

Las Vegas Classic Hosts' Finals

(both games on CBS SN)
Championship: Mississippi State Bulldogs (9-2) vs. UNLV Runnin' Rebels (7-4), approx. 10:30 p.m.
Consolation: South Florida Bulls (8-3) vs. Santa Clara Broncos (6-6), 8 p.m.
Might Mississippi State be in position to surprise in the SEC? Beating UNLV in its backyard would be a nice boost, not only for the Bulldogs, but for its beleaguered conference as a whole. The question is whether MSU can score enough against an improving Rebel defense. In the consolation game, USF will look to avoid an 0-2 trip West against a Santa Clara team that's looking to end a disappointing non-conference run on a high.

Las Vegas Classic Visitors' Finals

Championship: Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (6-6) vs. Radford Highlanders (7-4), approx. 5 p.m. ET
Consolation: Florida A&M Rattlers (2-10) vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers (2-11), 2:30 p.m. ET
Neither of these two games will be televised, which is a shame, because the visitors' championship should at least be competitive.

Diamond Head Classic Semifinals

Iowa State Cyclones (9-0) vs. Akron Zips (6-2) , approx. 5 p.m. (ESPNU)
South Carolina Gamecocks (3-5) vs. Boise State Broncos (9-2), 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
Last night, Iowa State had no trouble with George Mason, while Akron pulled away from Oregon State, who struggled after center Angus Brandt left the game with a knee injury. The Cyclones will want to guard the perimeter this afternoon, as the Zips used some hot three-point shooting to build their lead on Sunday. In the second semifinal, the anticipated St. Mary's-Boise State rematch almost materialized -- in the consolation bracket. South Carolina used a surprisingly efficient offense to stun previously unbeaten St. Mary's, while Boise State needed a late Anthony Drmic three to defeat the hosts. If the Broncos are as successful from beyond the arc as they were on Sunday (50%), they should be in great shape against a Gamecock team that will give them chances out there. St. Mary's made just 7 of its 19 attempts in Sunday's loss.

Diamond Head Classic Consolation

George Mason Patriots (5-5) vs. Oregon State Beavers (6-3), 2:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
St. Mary's Gaels (9-1) at Hawai `i Rainbow Warriors (7-3), approx. 11:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
In game one, the Patriots will look to snap a three-game losing streak against a Beaver team that will probably not have the services of its injured center. The nightcap sees the Gaels looking to bounce back from their first loss of the year in front of the hostile home crowd. Note that the hosts have failed to make the semifinals since the first Diamond Head Classic back in 2009.

There will be no TV preview post tomorrow, but I'll be back on Christmas day with the schedule for the final day in Honolulu.

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