Championship Week Viewing Guide: Friday, March 14, 2014

All TV info is courtesy Matt's College Sports on TV site. He has many more games listed, particularly ones broadcast only on local channels and in-house cable sports/local interest channels that are not widely available nationwide. You'll also want to check out his listings for information on which conference regional matchups and CSN, FSN, and Root Sports contests (all games listed in these posts marked with an *) are available on which affiliates.

All times are Eastern.

American Semifinals

Both games on ESPN2

No. 6 Houston Cougars (17-15, 8-10) vs. No. 2 Louisville Cardinals (27-5, 15-3), 7 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Cardinals 84-67
No. 4 Connecticut Huskies (25-7, 12-6) vs. No. 1 Cincinnati Bearcats (26-5, 15-3), approx. 9:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Huskies 60-59

While the Cougars stunned SMU Mustangs on Thursday, they'll be hard pressed to repeat that feat against a Cardinal team that obliterated Rutgers Scarlet Knights afterward. Game two features a Bearcat squad that struggled mightily against Central Florida Knights taking on not the hosts, Memphis Tigers, but UConn, who smoked the Tigers in Thursday's nightcap. It's the rubber match between the two, with each winning a close one at home during the regular season.

Atlantic 10 Quarterfinals

All games on NBCSN

No. 9 St. Bonaventure Bonnies (17-14, 6-10) vs. No. 1 Saint Louis Billikens (26-5, 13-3), 12 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Billikens 71-67
No. 5 Dayton Flyers (23-9, 10-6) vs. No. 4 St. Joseph's Hawks (21-9, 11-5), approx. 2:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Flyers 70-69
No. 7 Richmond Spiders (19-13, 8-8) vs. No. 2 VCU Rams (24-7, 12-4), 6:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Rams 68-61
No. 6 UMass Minutemen (24-7, 10-6) vs. No. 3 George Washington Colonials (23-7, 11-5), approx. 9 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Colonials 73-72

One of the biggest bubble games of the day will in Brooklyn where the Hawks will look to ground the Flyers for the third time this season. In the night session, VCU will attempt to defeat its city rival for a third time, while GW will look to avenge a six-point home loss to the Minutemen.

ACC Quarterfinals

All games on ACC Network

No. 9 Florida State Seminoles (19-12, 9-9) vs. No. 1 Virginia Cavaliers (25-6, 16-2), 12 p.m. (ESPN2)
KenPom predicted score: Cavaliers 66-60
No. 5 Pittsburgh Panthers (23-8, 11-7) vs. No. 4 North Carolina Tar Heels (23-8, 13-5), approx. 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
KenPom predicted score: Panthers 71-70
No. 7 N.C. State Wolfpack (20-12, 9-9) vs. No. 2 Syracuse Orange (27-4, 14-4), 7 p.m. (ESPN)
KenPom predicted score: Orange 69-62
No. 6 Clemson Tigers (20-11, 10-8) vs. No. 3 Duke Blue Devils (24-7, 13-5), approx. 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
KenPom predicted score: Blue Devils 67-61

The Cavaliers are probably thankful that they avoid a second game against Maryland Terrapins in the span of a week, though the Seminoles will certainly be aiming for a win after yesterday's bubble carnage. The Panthers could also use a late quality win over a UNC team that's in play for a three or four seed. In the night session, the Wolfpack and Tigers can both improve their bubble positions with wins over the Orange and Blue Devils, respectively. An upset would prevent a highly-anticipated third meeting between Syracuse and Duke.

Big 12 Semifinals

Both games on ESPNU/Big 12 Network

No. 4 Iowa State Cyclones (24-7, 11-7) vs. No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks (24-8, 14-4), 7 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Jayhawks 83-76
No. 7 Baylor Bears (23-10, 9-9) vs. No. 3 Texas Longhorns (23-9, 11-7), approx. 9:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Bears 70-69

In the first semifinal, the Cyclones will hope that their third meeting of the season with Kansas will be the charm, though the crowd will most certainly be behind the Jayhawks. It's a similar story for Baylor, who was swept by Texas during the regular season.

Big East Semifinals

Both games on FS1

No. 9 Seton Hall Pirates (17-16, 6-12) vs. No. 4 Providence Friars (21-11, 10-8), 7 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Friars 70-67
No. 3 Xavier Musketeers (20-11, 10-8) vs. No. 2 Creighton Bluejays (25-6, 14-4), approx. 9:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Bluejays 77-71

The Friars took a nice step toward the field of 68 by defeating St. John's Red Storm on Thursday, but a loss to potential bid theif Seton Hall would undo much of that good work.

Big Sky Semifinals

Both games on WatchBigSky.com

No. 5 Portland State Vikings (17-13, 11-9) vs. No. 2 North Dakota (16-15, 12-8), 6:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: N.D. 77-76
No. 6 Northern Colorado Bears (19-12, 11-9) at No. 1 Weber StateWildcats (17-11, 14-6), approx. 9 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Wildcats 74-68

Yet another conference tournament, yet another pair of meetings where the teams split during the regular season, with each claiming a victory at home. That bodes well for the host Wildcats, who picked up a 14-point win over the Bears on February 8th.

Big Ten Quarterfinals

No. 9 Illinois Fighting Illini (19-13, 7-11) vs. No. 1 Michigan Wolverines (23-7, 15-3), 12 p.m. (ESPN)
KenPom predicted score: Wolverines 65-60
No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (24-8, 10-8) vs. No. 4 Nebraska Cornhuskers (19-11, 11-7), approx. 2:30 p.m. (ESPN)
KenPom predicted score: Buckeyes 63-60
No. 7 Minnesota Golden Gophers (20-12, 8-10) vs. No. 2 Wisconsin Badgers (25-6, 12-6), 6:30 p.m. (BTN)
KenPom predicted score: Badgers 71-66
No. 11 Northwestern Wildcats (14-18, 6-12) vs. No. 3 Michigan State Spartans (23-8, 12-6), approx. 9 p.m. (BTN)
KenPom predicted score: Spartans 64-55

In the afternoon session, the Illini probably need to win the auto bid to qualify at this point, but an upset win over the Wolverines would put them back on the board. Meanwhile, a Husker win over a Buckeye squad that struggled mightily with Purdue Boilermakers would almost certainly put Nebraska into the Round of 64. In the night session, Minnesota could use a win over Wisconsin to bolster its selection sheet, while Michigan State is thankful Northwestern knocked off Iowa Hawkeyes late on Thursday.

Big West Semifinals

No. 7 Cal Poly Mustangs (11-19, 6-10) vs. No. 1 UC Irvine Anteaters (23-10, 13-3), 9:30 p.m. (ESPN3/2 a.m. ET ESPNU delayed)
KenPom predicted score: Anteaters 60-54
No. 5 Cal State Northridge Matadors (16-17, 7-9) vs. No. 3 Long Beach State 49ers (15-16, 10-6), approx. 12 a.m. ET (ESPNU)
KenPom predicted score: 49ers 77-72

The Big West reseeds its tournament, like the Big Sky, so UC Irvine gets to play a Cal Poly team it defeated twice tonight, though the Anteaters only beat the Mustangs by seven at home on March 1st. Meanwhile, Long Beach State will look to avenge an eight-point defeat Northridge handed it last Thursday, a result that split the pair's season series.

C-USA Semifinals

Both games on CBS SN

No. 3 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (24-8, 13-3) vs. No. 2 Tulsa Golden Hurricane (19-12, 13-3), 4 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Blue Raiders 64-63
No. 4 Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (27-5, 13-3) vs. No. 1 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (26-6, 13-3), approx. 6:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Bulldogs 71-69

The top four, all tied at the top of the regular season standings, all made the semifinals. The Golden Hurricane defeated the Blue Raiders by five in their lone meeting of the season, back on January 23rd in Tulsa. The top-seeded Bulldogs, meanwhile, fell by nine in Hattiesburg in their only meeting with the Golden Eagles.

MAC Semifinals

Both games on TWCS/ESPN3

No. 4 Akron Zips (21-11, 12-6) vs. No. 1 Western Michigan Broncos (21-9, 14-4), 6:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Broncos 68-67
No. 6 Eastern Michigan Eagles (21-13, 10-8) vs. No. 2 Toledo Rockets (26-5, 14-4), approx. 9 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Rockets 71-70

Western Michigan defeated Akron by three in Kalamazoo in the pair's only regular season meeting, while Toledo closed its regular season by defeating Eastern Michigan by 11, a result that split the pair's season series. The Eagles won by 21 in Ypsilanti, however.

MEAC Semifinals

Both games streaming on MEACSports.com

No. 4 Norfolk State Spartans (19-13, 11-5) vs. No. 1 N.C. Central Eagles (26-5, 15-1), 6 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Eagles 70-62
No. 3 Morgan State Bears (14-15, 11-5) vs. No. 7 Coppin State Eagles (12-19, 7-9), approx. 8:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Bears 75-71

While N.C. Central will be heavily favored in its semifinal, expect a close one between the Baltimore-area rivals in game two, even if the Eagles won both regular season meetings, played over a nine-day span in February.

Mountain West Semifinals

Both games on CBS SN

No. 4 UNLV Runnin' Rebels (20-12, 10-8) vs. No. 1 San Diego State Aztecs (28-3, 16-2), 9 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Aztecs 66-63
No. Boise State Broncos (21-12, 9-9) vs. No. 2 New Mexico Lobos (25-6, 15-3), approx. 11:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Lobos 73-68

Nine nights ago, the Aztecs completed a season sweep of the Runnin' Rebels with a nine-point win at the Thomas & Mack. UNLV will need to flip that result to have any chance at qualification. In the nightcap, the Broncos and Lobos play a rubber match, as each won on its own floor during the regular season.

Pac-12 Semifinals

No. 5 Colorado Buffaloes (22-10, 10-8) vs. No. 1 Arizona Wildcats (29-3, 15-3), 9 p.m. (Pac-12 Network)
KenPom predicted score: Wildcats 68-57
No. 6 Stanford Cardinal (21-11, 10-8) vs. No. 2 UCLA Bruins (24-8, 12-6), approx. 11:30 p.m. (FS1)
KenPom predicted score: Bruins 76-75

On Thursday afternoon, the Buffaloes all but ended California Golden Bears 's hopes, while the Wildcats did the same to Utah Utes in far more convincing fashion. Arizona handled Colorado in a pair of meetings this season, but the Buffs seem to be playing with more confidence right now. In the nightcap, Stanford will look to defeat UCLA for the second straight time, though the Bruins won the pair's first meeting at Pauley back on January 23rd.

SEC Quarterfinals

No. 8 Missouri Tigers (22-10, 9-9) vs. No. 1 Florida Gators (29-2, 18-0), 1 p.m. (ESPNU)
KenPom predicted score: Gators 73-63
No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks (14-19, 5-13) vs. No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers (20-11, 11-7), approx. 3:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
KenPom predicted score: Volunteers 73-63
No. 7 LSU Tigers (19-12, 9-9) vs. No. 2 Kentucky Wildcats (22-9, 12-6), 7:30 p.m. (SEC TV/ESPN3)
KenPom predicted score: Wildcats 76-71
No. 6 Mississippi Rebels (19-13, 9-9) vs. No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs (18-12, 12-6), approx. 10 p.m. (SEC TV/ESPN3)
KenPom predicted score: Bulldogs 71-70

A Mizzou win over the nation's top-ranked team would certainly boost the Tigers' case at this late stage, while the Volunteers no longer have to worry about an elimination game against Arkansas Razorbacks, thanks to the Gamecocks' upset win on Thursday afternoon. In the night session, LSU will attempt to defeat Kentucky for the second time, in front of a pro-Wildcat crowd and Georgia will hope its fans can push it to a second win over Ole Miss.

Southland Semifinals

Both games on ESPN3

No. 4 Northwestern State Demons (17-13, 12-6) vs. No. 1 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (29-2, 18-0), 6 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Lumberjacks 84-76
No. 3 Sam Houston State Bearkats (21-9, 13-5) vs. No. 2 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders (17-14, 14-4), approx. 8:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Bearkats 68-66

While the Lumberjacks finished the Southland season undefeated, they were pushed by the Demons at home back on February 22nd, only winning by two. Meanwhile, the Bearkats defeated the Islanders by four in their lone meeting of the regular season.

SWAC Semifinals

No. 3 Alabama State Hornets (19-11, 12-6) vs. No. 2 Texas Southern Tigers (17-14, 12-6), 3:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Tigers 78-72
No. 8 Prairie View Panthers (10-22, 6-12) vs. No. 5 Alabama A&M Bulldogs (14-15, 10-8), 9:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Bulldogs 67-65

The SWAC won't have to worry about any tiebreakers, as all four semifinalists are eligible for the NCAAs. The favorite in Saturday's final will come from game one, as the pair split their regular season meetings, though the Hornets needed OT to defeat the Tigers at home. On the other hand, the Bulldogs claimed a pair of relatively easy wins over the Panthers.

Sun Belt Quarterfinals

Both games on Sun Belt TV/CST/CSS/TWCS Texas/ESPN3

No. 5. Arkansas Little Rock Trojans (15-16, 9-9) vs. No. 4 Arkansas State Red Wolves (18-12, 10-8), 7 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Red Wolves 75-71
No. 6 Texas-Arlington Mavericks (15-16, 9-9) vs. No. 3 Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns (20-11, 11-7), approx. 9:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Ragin Cajuns 84-78

UALR split its meetings with its in-state rival, losing by 28 in Jonesboro before winning by seven at home in the penultimate game of the regular season. On the other hand, ULL swept UTA during the Sun Belt campaign.

WAC Semifinals

Both games on WACSports.tv

No. 5 Idaho Vandals (15-17, 7-9) vs. No. 1 Utah Valley Wolverines (20-10, 13-3), 9 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Wolverines 70-67
No. 6 Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (13-18, 5-11) vs. No. 2 New Mexico State Aggies (24-9. 12-4), approx. 11:30 p.m.
KenPom predicted score: Aggies 75-65

The Wolverines and Vandals played a pair of close regular season games, though UVU took both. The most recent was an 89-88 victory in Orem. In the nightcap, the Aggies also struggled with their opposition at home, only defeating the Roadrunners by three in Las Cruces, though NMSU picked up a dominant win in Bakersfield.

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