On The Menu: Saturday, January 9, 2016

Game information courtesy Matt College Sports on TV Website, which has even more games listed and more specific info on coverage for regional sports networks and American Sports Network telecasts.

All times listed are Eastern, adjust accordingly.

American Athletic

Memphis Tigers (10-4, 1-0) at No. 23 UConn Huskies (10-4, 1-1), 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
East Carolina Pirates (8-7, 0-2) at Temple Owls (7-6, 2-1), 9 p.m. (ESPNEWS)

The only one of these two games to have any at-large picture impact is the Tigers' trip to Storrs. Last season, Memphis swept the Huskies—by four total points. Those results played a significant role in UConn's eventual NIT trip.

Atlantic 10

St. Bonaventure Bonnies (10-3, 2-0) at UMass Minutemen (8-6, 1-1), 12 p.m. (CBSSN)
No. 25 Dayton Flyers (12-2, 2-0)  at La Salle Explorers (4-8, 0-2), 2 p.m. (TWCS Ohio)
Duquesne Dukes (10-5, 0-2) at George Washington Colonials (12-3, 1-1), 8 p.m. (ASN)

While the Minutemen should challenge the Bonnies and the Flyers should be able to leave Tom Gola Arena with a win, the Colonials need to get back on track with a home win over the struggling Dukes, following Wednesday's surprise setback at Saint Louis.

ACC

Virginia Tech Hokies (10-5, 2-0) at No. 14 Duke Blue Devils (13-2, 2-0), 12 p.m. (ACC Network/ESPN3)
No. 4 Virginia Cavaliers (12-2, 1-1) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (10-5, 0-2), 2 p.m. (ACC Network/ESPN3)
No. 24 Pittsburgh Panthers (13-1, 2-0) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-4, 1-1), 4 p.m (ACC RSNs/ESPN3)
Florida State Seminoles (10-4, 0-2) at No. 12 Miami Hurricanes (12-1, 1-0) 5 p.m. (ESPN2)
No. 6 North Carolina Tar Heels (14-2, 3-0) at Syracuse Orange (10-6, 0-3), 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Don't expect the Hokies to remain among the ACC unbeatens following their trip to Cameron Indoor. The Cavaliers need to be careful to avoid a second straight road loss as they visit a Yellow Jacket team that's been a bit unlucky early in league play and could use a marquee win. The Panthers will look to win in South Bend for the second straight trip, though they actually beat the Irish last season too at the Pete. In the late afternoon start in Coral Gables, the Seminoles would love to get their first league win against their fiercest league rival, who happens to have won seven in a row. Finally, in the last tip of the night, Jim Boeheim returns from suspension with his Orange facing one of the best teams in the country, and staring an 0-4 ACC start in the face.

Big 12

Oklahoma State Cowboys (9-5, 1-1) at No. 17 West Virginia Mountaineers (13-1, 2-0), 1 p.m. (ESPNU)
Baylor Bears (11-3, 1-1) at No. 13 Iowa State Cyclones (12-2,, 1-1), 3 p.m. (ESPN)
Kansas State Wildcats (10-4, 0-2) at No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners (12-1, 1-1), 4:30 p.m. (ESPNEWS)
Texas Longhorns (9-5, 1-1) at TCU Horned Frogs (8-6, 0-2), 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
No. 1 Kansas Jayhawks (13-1, 2-0) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-2, 1-1), 9 p.m. (ESPNU)

The Cowboys and Bears will look to pick up road wins of consequence to get their NCAA hopes back on track, while the Sooners will look to bounce back from Monday's triple-OT heartbreak in Lawrence against the Wildcats. In the evening games, the Horned Frogs want their first league win in their refurbished arena, and they'd love to take it from the Longhorns, while in Lubbock, the Jayhawks must avoid a possible trap game against a Red Raider team that could use a high-profile win for its profile.

Big East

DePaul Blue Demons (6-9, 0-3) at Georgetown Hoyas (9-6, 2-1), 12 p.m. (FS1)
Creighton Bluejays (11-5, 2-1) at Seton Hall Pirates (12-3, 2-1), 2 p.m. (FS1)
St. John's Red Storm (7-9, 0-3) at Marquette Golden Eagles (11-4, 1-2), 2 p.m. (FSN)

If their game against the Blue Demons were scheduled for November or December (or March), I'd be worried about the Hoyas picking up a bad home loss, but not so much on January 9th. The Bluejays and Pirates is an intriguing matchup of likely bubble teams in Newark, while the Golden Eagles' bid chances would take a serious hit with a home loss to the Red Storm.

Big Ten

No. 3 Maryland Terrapins (14-1, 3-0) at Wisconsin Badgers (9-7, 1-2), 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Northwestern Wildcats (13-3, 1-2) at Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-9, 0-3), 2:30 p.m. (BTN)
Nebraska Cornhuskers (8-8, 0-3) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (6-10, 0-3), 5 p.m. (ESPNU)

With Huskers-Scarlet Knights a game for masochists and the Wildcats tasked with a winnable road game in Minneapolis, the early game is the most intriguing ... and with the Badgers struggling, it would be a significant surprise if the Terrapins left Madison with a loss.

Pac-12

Washington Huskies (10-4, 2-0) at Washington State Cougars (9-5, 1-1), 3 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National and Washington)
Arizona State Sun Devils (10-5, 0-2) at UCLA Bruins (10-6, 1-2), 5 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Arizona, and L.A.)
No. 7 Arizona Wildcats (13-2, 1-1) at USC Trojans (13-3, 2-1), 7 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Arizona, L.A.)
California Golden Bears (12-4, 2-1) at Oregon State Beavers (10-3, 2-1), 9:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Bay Area, Oregon)

Hopefully you have Pac-12 Networks, or you'll be missing every single one of the conference's four games scheduled for the day. In the opener, the Huskies will look to put forth more effort in Pullman than UCLA did last Sunday evening, so they can remain in first place all by themselves. Speaking of the Bruins, can they follow Thursday's miracle victory with a more consistent, 40-minute performance against a Sun Devil team that will be hungry for a win? On the flip side, the Wildcats will travel across town looking to rebound from having at least OT snatched from them at the buzzer against a Trojan squad that is yet another in need of a marquee win for a fairly decent profile. In the nightcap, the Golden Bears and Beavers both need victories after disappointing starts to the week, but only one can actually earn one.

SEC

No. 21 Texas A&M Aggies (12-2, 2-0) at Tennessee Volunteers (8-6, 1-1), 1 p.m. (SEC Network)
LSU Tigers (9-5, 2-0) at Florida Gators (9-5, 1-1), 1:30 p.m. (CBS)
Vanderbilt Commodores (8-6, 0-2) at No. 22 South Carolina Gamecocks (14-0, 1-0), 3 p.m. (ESPNU)
Mississippi State Bulldogs (7-6, 0-1) at Arkansas Razorbacks (7-7, 1-1), 3:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats (11-3, 1-1) at Alabama Crimson Tide (9-4, 0-1), 6 p.m. (SEC Network)
Georgia Bulldogs (8-4, 1-1) at Ole Miss Rebels (11-3, 1-1), 8:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Auburn Tigers (7-6, 1-1) at Missouri Tigers (7-7, 0-1), 9 p.m. (ESPN2)

For starters, the Aggies had better hope the Vols got their hot shooting for the week out of their systems during Wednesday's win over Florida. Otherwise, A&M could be in for more than it bargained for. The Gators, meanwhile, will now have to figure out a way to stop Ben Simmons, Tim Quarterman, and company. In Columbia, the Commodores can get their campaign back on track by handing the Gamecocks their first loss, while in Tuscaloosa, the Tide can make a statement by taking advantage of a Wildcat squad that's struggling a bit. The Bulldogs trip to the Rebels' new digs is a definite bubble battle, something that can't be said for Miss. State's trip to Fayetteville and the battle of Tigers in Columbia, Mo.

Elsewhere

Albany Great Danes (12-4, 1-0) at Vermont Catamounts (9-7, 1-0), 12 p.m. (ESPN3)

While Stony Brook will have something to say about the America East championship race, this is a potential conference final preview in game two of the league schedule.

UTEP Miners (10-6, 2-1) at UAB Blazers (12-3, 2-0), 2 p.m. (CBSSN)

The Miners will look to follow their loss at Middle Tennessee with a win not far from where the Conference USA title will be determined on Selection Eve.

Illinois State Redbirds (9-7, 3-0) at Indiana State Sycamores (8-7, 2-1), 2 p.m. (FS Midwest/CSN Chicago/ESPN3)
Wichita State Shockers (9-5, 3-0) at Southern Illinois Salukis (14-2, 3-0), 4 p.m. (CBSSN)
Bradley Braves (2-14, 0-3) at Evansville Purple Aces (13-3, 2-1), 4 p.m. (ESPN3)

While the Purple Aces should be able to remain at least a game out of first in the Missouri Valley, the Salukis can establish themselves as legitimate contenders by topping the Shockers in Carbondale. Meanwhile, the Redbirds will look to pick up a win in Terre Haute to keep at least a share of first.

Dartmouth Big Green (4-8) at Harvard Crimson (6-8), 2 p.m. (NESN)
Princeton Tigers (9-4) at Penn Quakers (6-7), 4:30 p.m. (FS1)

The Ivy season begins with the Crimson playing the first of two consecutive conference games against their travel partner and a national TV game for the greatest arena in all of college hoops.

Central Michigan Chippewas (7-7, 0-1) at Bowling Green Falcons (10-4, 1-0), 2 p.m. (ESPN3)
Eastern Michigan Eagles (9-5, 1-0) at Northern Illinois Huskies (12-2, 1-0), 8:30 p.m. (ESPN3)

The MAC preseason favorite Chippewas will need to win on the road to avoid an 0-2 start, while the Huskies can further establish themselves as a contender with a home win over the talented Eagles.

Quinnipiac Bobcats (5-8, 2-2) at Monmouth Hawks (10-4, 2-1), 2 p.m. (ESPN3)

Next year's MAAC rep in the Advocare Invitational visits this year's.

Saintt Mary's Gaels (14-1, 5-0) at Pepperdine Waves (9-6, 2-2), 4 p.m. (TheW.tv)
Portland Pilots (8-9, 2-2) at Gonzaga Bulldogs (12-3, 4-0), 8 p.m. (KHQ/ESPN3)
San Francisco Dons (9-6, 3-2) at BYU Cougars (11-5, 2-1), 9 p.m. (BYU TV)

The Gaels will look to remain at least a half-game up on the Bulldogs, who will be challenged by their travel partner. In Provo, the Cougars' goal is to keep winning to get back in the WCC race.

USC Upstate Spartans (6-11) at NJIT Highlanders (9-7), 4 p.m. (ESPN3)

The Atlantic Sun opener is the Highlanders' first ever conference game in Division I.

Northeastern Huskies (11-5, 3-0) at William & Mary Tribe (10-4, 2-1), 4 p.m. (CAA.tv)

It's a rematch of last season's CAA title game, won by the Huskies—both squads hope this is a preview as well.

Fresno State Bulldogs (11-5, 2-1) at Boise State Broncos (11-4, 2-0), 6 p.m. (ROOT Sports)
UNLV Runnin' Rebels (9-6, 0-2) at Wyoming Cowboys (8-8, 1-2), 6 p.m. (CBSSN)
Utah State Aggies (9-5, 1-2) at New Mexico Lobos (9-6, 2-0), 6 p.m. (ESPN3)

The Broncos and Lobos both host squads that want to be counted as Mountain West contenders, while the Runnin' Rebels travel to Laramie, where they last won in 2013.

Viewing Picks

Curated by window for your maximum viewing enjoyment.

Early Afternoon Tips

St. Bonaventure at UMass, 12 p.m. (CBSSN)
Maryland at Wisconsin, 1 p.m. (ESPN)
Virginia Tech at Duke, 12 p.m. (ACC Network/ESPN3)
Oklahoma State at West Virginia, 1 p.m. (ESPNU)
Albany at Vermont, 12 p.m. (ESPN3)
Texas A&M at Tennessee, 1 p.m. (SEC Network)
DePaul at Georgetown, 12 p.m. (FS1)

Mid-Afternoon Tips

Baylor at Iowa State, 3 p.m. (ESPN2)
LSU at Florida, 1:30 p.m. (CBS)
Vanderbilt at South Carolina, 3 p.m. (ESPNU)
Creighton at Seton Hall, 2 p.m. (FS1)
UTEP at UAB, 2 p.m. (CBSSN)
Virginia at Georgia Tech, 2 p.m. (ACC Network/ESPN3)
Washington at Washington State, 3 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National and Washington)
St. John's at Marquette, 2 p.m. (FSN)
Northwestern at Minnesota, 2:30 p.m. (BTN)
Central Michigan at Bowling Green, 2 p.m. (ESPN3)
Illinois State at Indiana State, 2 p.m. (FS Midwest/CSN Chicago/ESPN3)
Quinnipiac at Monmouth, 2 p.m. (ESPN3)
Dartmouth at Harvard, 2 p.m. (NESN)
Dayton at La Salle, 2 p.m. (TWCS Ohio)

Late Afternoon Tips

Arizona State at UCLA, 5 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Arizona, and L.A.)
Florida State at Miami, 5 p.m. (ESPN2)
Wichita State at Southern Illinois, 4 p.m. (CBSSN)
Pittsburgh at Notre Dame, 4 p.m (ACC RSNs/ESPN3)
Kansas State at Oklahoma, 4:30 p.m. (ESPNEWS)
Northeastern at William & Mary, 4 p.m. (CAA.tv)
Saint Mary's at Pepperdine, 4 p.m. (TheW.tv)
USC Upstate at NJIT, 4 p.m. (ESPN3)
Princeton at Penn, 4:30 p.m. (FS1)
Mississippi State at Arkansas, 3:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Nebraska at Rutgers, 5 p.m. (ESPNU)
Bradley at Evansville, 4 p.m. (ESPN3)

Early Evening Tips

Arizona at USC, 7 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Arizona, L.A.)
Kentucky at Alabama, 6 p.m. (SEC Network)
Memphis at UConn, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Fresno State at Boise State, 6 p.m. (ROOT Sports)
Texas at TCU, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Utah State at New Mexico, 6 p.m. (ESPN3)
UNLV at Wyoming, 6 p.m. (CBSSN)

Late Evening Tips

North Carolina at Syracuse, 8 p.m. (ESPN)
Kansas at Texas Tech, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)
California at Oregon State, 9:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Bay Area, Oregon)
Georgia at Ole Miss, 8:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Eastern Michigan at Northern Illinois, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN3)
Duquesne at George Washington, 8 p.m. (ASN)
Portland at Gonzaga, 8 p.m. (KHQ/ESPN3)
San Francisco at BYU, 9 p.m. (BYU TV)
East Carolina at Temple, 9 p.m. (ESPNEWS)
Auburn at Missouri, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)

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