On The Menu: Thursday, February 11, 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.

ACC

Florida State Seminoles (16-7, 6-5) at Syracuse Orange (16-8, 6-5), 7 p.m. (ESPN)

The ACC schedule makers must have known something by scheduling the Seminoles and Orange for a home-and-home. (The two will play again to close the regular season, just as they did two years ago, on March 5th.) Syracuse's aim tonight will be to close out a perfect four-game homestand. A loss wouldn't doom either team.

Big Ten

No. 4 Iowa Hawkeyes (19-4, 10-1) at Indiana Hoosiers (19-5, 9-2), 9 p.m. (ESPN)

For a time, it appeared as if both of these teams would enter this one with a perfect conference record. But then the Hoosiers lost at Wisconsin (and subsquently at Penn State) and the Hawkeyes fell at Maryland two weeks ago. The two will meet again in Iowa City on March 1st, but tonight Indiana will attempt to disrupt Iowa's high-octane offense at Assembly Hall.

Pac-12

No. 11 Oregon Ducks (20-4, 9-2) at California Golden Bears (15-8, 5-5), 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
Oregon State Beavers (14-8, 5-6) at Stanford Cardinal (11-10, 4-6), 11 p.m. (ESPNU)
Washington State Cougars (9-14, 1-10) at Colorado Buffaloes (17-7, 6-5), 10 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Rocky Mountain, Washington)

Naturally, the Buffaloes are expected to dispose of the visiting Cougars easily in Boulder, but the other two games are trickier. The Ducks only managed to defeat the Golden Bears by three in Eugene back on January 6th, and Cal hasn't lost a home game all season. Meanwhile, the Cardinal, who have fallen out of the picture thanks to three straight losses, can complete a sweep of the Beavers, having toppled them in Corvallis, also on January 6th. Given Oregon State's precarious position, they'll want to earn a split.

American Athletic

UConn Huskies (17-6, 7-3) at Temple Owls (14-8, 8-3), 7 p.m. (ESPN2)

The winner will claim the AAC's auto bid in tomorrow's bubble post and find itself, somewhat surprisingly, tied with ineligible SMU for the actual conference lead. The Owls can sweep the season series, thanks to their 55-53 win on January 5th in Hartford.

Atlantic 10

VCU Rams (17-6, 9-1) at UMass Minutemen (9-13, 2-8), 7 p.m. (ESPNU)

A win for the Rams will keep them tied at the top of the A 10 with Dayton.

Elsewhere

Radford Highlanders (13-11, 6-6) at UNC Asheville Bulldogs (17-8, 10-3), 9 p.m. (ESPNU)

Most likely, you last saw the Highlanders defeat Georgetown on the season's first Saturday. Since then, they've been average and find themselves three losses behind the Big South-leading Bulldogs heading into tonight's game. However, Radford defeated UNCA 91-86 on January 14th.

Hofstra Pride (16-8, 8-4) at William & Mary Tribe (17-6, 9-3), 7 p.m. (CAA.tv)
Elon Phoenix (14-11, 5-7) at UNC Wilmington Seahawks (18-5, 10-2), 7 p.m. (CAA.tv)

The CAA leaders should pick up a home win, while the Pride and Tribe will meet in Williamsburg aiming to not fall further behind. Hofstra defeated William & Mary by 28 on January 24th.

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (17-6, 9-2) at Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (17-6, 6-4), 9 p.m. (ASN)

Speaking of staying in the conference title hunt, the Blue Raiders face one of their toughest road trips right when they're a game behind UAB for the C-USA lead.

Illinois State Redbirds (19-6, 8-4) at Evansville Purple Aces (14-11, 8-4), 9 p.m. (CBSSN)

The winner will be all alone in second in the Missouri Valley, though it's possible they'll meet for a third time in the Arch Madness semifinals. The Purple Aces took down the Redbirds by 11 on January 15th in Normal.

Gonzaga Bulldogs (19-5, 11-2) at Portland Pilots (11-15, 5-8), 11 p.m. (ESPNU)
Pepperdine Waves (14-10, 7-6) at Saint Mary's Gaels (19-3, 10-2), 11 p.m. (CSN Bay Area/ROOT Sports Rocky Mtn.)

On Saturday, Gonzaga visits SMU in a vital game for its at-large hopes. But they can't overlook tonight's game in Portland, where a loss might further damage those same chances. As for the Gaels, they can at worst tie the Bulldogs for first by claiming a pair of home wins this weekend.

Viewing Picks

Early Evening Tips

Florida State at Syracuse, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
UConn at Temple, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
VCU at UMass, 7 p.m. (ESPNU)
Hofstra at William & Mary, 7 p.m. (CAA.tv)
Elon at UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m. (CAA.tv)

Mid-Evening Tips

Iowa at Indiana, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Oregon at California, 9 p.m. (ESPN2)
Illinois State at Evansville, 9 p.m. (CBSSN)
Middle Tennessee at Louisiana Tech, 9 p.m. (ASN)
Radford at UNC Asheville, 9 p.m. (ESPNU)

Late Evening Tips

Oregon State at Stanford, 11 p.m. (ESPNU)
Gonzaga at Portland, 11 p.m. (ESPNU)
Pepperdine at Saint Mary's, 11 p.m. (CSN Bay Area/ROOT Sports Rocky Mtn.)
Washington State at Colorado, 10 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Rocky Mountain, Washington)

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