College Hoops Viewing Guide For Saturday, December 3, 2016

This list of games is not exhaustive by design. For a full schedule and more specific information about coverage—particularly for ACC RSN, ASN, CSN, and FSN games—visit Matt’s College Sports on TV Website.

If you’re only able to listen to tonight, check out TuneIn’s college basketball lineup.

All times are Eastern, adjust accordingly.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-2) at Richmond Spiders (4-3), 12 p.m. (ESPNU)

These two have established a nice little rivalry amongst themselves, with the Spiders winning by nine in Winston-Salem last November. That victory snapped a two-game Demon Deacon win streak in the series.

No. 11 UCLA Bruins (8-0) at No. 1 Kentucky Wildcats (7-0), 12:30 p.m. (CBS)

The Bruins stunned the nation by defeating the Wildcats by 10 at Pauley in what was a very down year for Steve Alford’s club. Lonzo Ball, Bryce Alford, and company now head east with the aim of repeating the feat against another loaded UK squad.

Saint Joseph’s Hawks (3-3) at No. 2 Villanova Wildcats (7-0), 1 p.m. (CBSSN)

Both squads opened their Big Five slates at midweek—the Wildcats routed Penn at the Palestra on Tuesday night, while the Hawks dropped a close one to Temple at Hagan 24 hours later. Nova won last season’s meeting by 14.

Oklahoma Sooners (5-1) at No. 17 Wisconsin Badgers (6-2), 1 p.m. (BTN)

The Sooners wrecked the Badgers by 17 in Norman on November 29th. Things eventually worked out for both squads. But with much of its Final Four roster departed, OU will be challenged to leave Madison with a win.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-2) at Tennessee Volunteers (2-3), 1 p.m. (SEC Network+)

Memphis Tigers (6-1) at Ole Miss Rebels (5-2), 1 p.m. (SEC Network+)

New Tech head coach Josh Pastner and his replacement at Memphis, Tubby Smith, each face regional SEC rivals.

UCF Knights (5-1) at Massachusetts Minutemen (5-1), 1 p.m (Atlantic10.com)

The Knights won a 67-63 game in Orlando last December, but both squads look significantly improved a year later.

No. 25 West Virginia Mountaineers (5-1) at No. 6 Virginia Cavaliers (7-0), 2 p.m. (ESPNU)

In last year’s Jimmy V Classic, the Cavaliers had a relatively easy time of it against the Mountaineers, prevailing by a 70-54 count. Expect lots of defense, particularly as WVU forced 40 Manhattan turnovers on Monday night.

Winthrop Eagles (4-2) at Dayton Flyers (4-2), 2 p.m. (FS Ohio/FCS Atlantic)

The Big South favorites have already won at Illinois (and lost to New Hampshire at home), so they’ll give the Flyers a game.

HoopHall Miami ‘16

With Wofford struggling, the early game in Miami is more intriguing than the Terriers’ virtual road game against Miami. Illinois will aim to build on their Tuesday victory over N.C. State by snapping VCU’s three-game winning streak.

Stanford Cardinal (6-2) at No. 4 Kansas Jayhawks (6-1), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)

New Cardinal coach Jerod Haase takes his squad to his alma mater, where they’ll need to up their game, particularly on offense, to pull off a stunner.

No. 7 Xavier Musketeers (7-0) at No. 9 Baylor Bears (7-0), 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)

These two last met in the 2012 Sweet Sixteen (a game won by the Bears), and given how both have started the season, this showdown could be a March preview. I’m most curious to see if the Musketeers has an answer for Johnathan Motley.

Penn Quakers (2-3) at Temple Owls (5-2), 4 p.m. (ASN/ESPN3)

Fran Dunphy last lost to his former Big Five employer in 2006, during his first season in charge at TU.

No. 21 Rhode Island Rams (5-2) at Providence Friars (5-2), 4:30 p.m. (FSN)

The Friars only defeated the E.C. Matthews-less Rams by two in Kingston last season. With him back and Ben Bentil and Kris Dunn gone, URI definitely has the talent advantage this season.

Boston University Terriers (4-3) at North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-2), 4:30 p.m. (ACC RSNs/ESPN3)

This Saturday’s game against the Terriers and next’s against surprising Tennessee State look to be the Wolfpack’s biggest tests remaining before ACC play.

Wichita State Shockers (6-2) at Colorado State Rams (6-1) (MVC/MW Challenge), 5 p.m. (CBSSN)

This one has sudden at-large implications, as the Rams, victorious at Colorado on Wednesday, look improved, while the Shockers’ 1-2 trip to the Battle 4 Atlantis offered both hope and disappointment.

HoopHall LA ‘16

While the Gonzaga-Arizona game was always going to be the headliner—particularly after the Wildcats swept a tense home-and-home over the past two seasons, the conclusion of the doubleheader now has added importance. USC has already defeated Texas A&M and SMU in its surprising 7-0 start, while BYU could use a quality win, particularly after losing to both Valparaiso and Utah Valley last week.

Northern Iowa Panthers (3-3) at Wyoming Cowboys (4-2) (MVC/MW Challenge), 6 p.m. (MWN)

The trip to Laramie has added importance for UNI, who have dropped three in a row—two to Xavier and one to George Mason.

DePaul Blue Demons (4-1) at Northwestern Wildcats (5-2), 7 p.m. (BTN)

Last season, the pair renewed their series after a year’s break. The Wildcats needed overtime to topple the Blue Demons 78-70. If Northwestern wants to be considered an NCAA contender, it can’t drop this one at home.

Akron Zips (6-1) at No. 10 Creighton Bluejays (7-0), 8 p.m. (FS2)

Buffalo did a decent job of slowing the Bluejays down on Tuesday ... for a half. Tonight, the Bulls’ league rivals (and presumptive favorites) will have their turn.

Vanderbilt Commodores (4-3) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-1) at Sioux Falls, S.D., 8 p.m. (ESPN3)

For the second season in a row, the Golden Gophers will face a struggling power conference squad at the Sanford Pentagon. Last December, the Golden Gophers lost to Oklahoma State by two.

Auburn Tigers (5-1) at UAB Blazers (4-3), 8:30 p.m. (BeIN Sports)

This will be the first-ever college basketball game on BeIN. Last season, the Tigers defeated the Blazers by a 75-74 count in a thrilling season opener.

Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-1) at Maryland Terrapins (7-1), 9 p.m. (BTN)

When this game was scheduled during the offseason, it looked merely like a curiosity. Now, with the Cowboys playing decently under Brad Underwood and the Terps coming off a home loss to Pitt, there’s greater intrigue.

Colorado Buffaloes (5-2) at Portland Pilots (4-2), 10 p.m. (TheW.tv)

Last season, the Buffaloes blew out the Pilots in Boulder. They’ll look to repeat that performance as they attempt to rebound from Wednesday’s subpar home effort against CSU.

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