On The Menu: Sunday, February 28, 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

No. 15 Duke Blue Devils (21-7, 10-5) at Pittsburgh Panthers (19-8, 8-7), 2 p.m. (CBS)
Virginia Tech Hokies (15-13, 7-8) at Wake Forest Demon Deacons (11-17, 2-14), 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

The Panthers have moved toward the bubble, thanks to a surprising lack of quality wins. Pitt can win just its second game of the season over a Top 50 opponent by handing the Blue Devils their second loss in three games. A defeat would all but knock the Blue Devils from the ACC title race, as they'd be two games behind North Carolina and Miami with two left, though the second is against the Tar Heels in Durham.

Big East

No. 5 Xavier Musketeers (25-3, 13-3) at Seton Hall Pirates (20-7, 10-5), 12:30 p.m. (FS1)
St. John's Red Storm (8-21, 1-15) at Creighton Bluejays (17-11, 8-7), 2:30 p.m. (FS1)

The Pirates helped their case out by slamming Providence on Thursday, but topping the Musketeers would move Seton Hall closer to safety. Meanwhile, Xavier needs to win to keep up with its competition in the race for a top seed—they defeated the Hall by eight in Cincinnati back on January 23rd.

Later, the Bluejays need to snap a two-game skid before they hit the road for their final two, against Providence and Xavier. A pair of surprising away wins would boost the Bluejays, but a loss to the Red Storm might ruin their hopes before they get the chance.

Big Ten

Penn State Nittany Lions (15-13, 6-9) at No. 6 Michigan State Spartans (23-5, 10-5), 12 p.m. (BTN)
No. 8 Iowa Hawkeyes (20-7, 11-4) at Ohio State Buckeyes (18-11, 10-6), 4 p.m. (CBS)
Michigan Wolverines (20-9, 10-6) at Wisconsin Badgers (18-10, 10-5), 6 p.m. (BTN)
Minnesota Golden Gophers (8-19, 2-13) at Illinois Fighting Illini (12-16, 4-11), 8 p.m. (BTN)

The first three Big Ten matchups of the day are all crucial for different reasons. A Spartan sweep will keep them in the hunt for a spot on the No. 1 line. The Hawkeyes need to get back on track quickly to stay within range of spending the first weekend of the NCAAs in Des Moines, but the Buckeyes need quality wins as time is running out on their at-large hopes. In the first game of the evening doubleheader, a win in Madison over a Badger squad that's increasingly safe would do wonders for the Wolverines' questionable profile.

Pac-12

Arizona State Sun Devils (14-14, 4-11) at Colorado Buffaloes (20-9, 9-7), 4:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Rocky Mountain, Arizona)
Washington State Cougars (9-19, 1-15) at Oregon State Beavers (16-10, 7-8), 6:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Washington, Oregon)
USC Trojans (19-9, 8-7) at California Golden Bears (20-8, 10-5), 8 p.m. (FS1)
Washington Huskies (16-12, 8-8) at No. 13 Oregon Ducks (22-6, 11-4), 8:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

In the two early Pac-12 tips, it would be a shock if either the Buffaloes or Beavers struggled, especially for the former with the way the Sun Devils struggled against Utah on Thursday. Later, the Trojans will be hard pressed to end their two-game losing streak, as the Golden Bears are nearly impossible to beat at home. With a win and an Oregon loss, Cal could find itself in a three-way tie (in the loss column) at the top. That's unlikely, however, as the Ducks host a Huskies team that last won on the road exactly a month ago.

American Athletic

Houston Cougars (20-8, 10-6) at Connecticut Huskies (20-8, 10-5), 1 p.m. (CBSSN)
Tulane Green Wave (10-18, 3-12) at No. 24 SMU Mustangs (23-4, 11-4), 3 p.m. (CBSSN)
Tulsa Golden Hurricane (19-9, 11-5) at Memphis Tigers (15-13, 6-9), 4 p.m. (ESPNU)

The Mustangs should tie Temple Owls for the American lead this afternoon, while UConn and Tulsa might find their attempts to stay a loss back a bit more difficult. The Golden Hurricane, in particular, need to avoid a loss in their only regular season meeting against the struggling Tigers.

Atlantic 10

Saint Louis Billikens (10-17, 5-10) at Saint Joseph's Hawks (23-5, 12-3), 1 p.m. (ASN)

It would be a surprise if the Hawks and VCU weren't tied for the Atlantic 10 lead at around 3 Eastern. While Saint Louis has won two games on the road in league play, UMass and George Mason aren't quite on Saint Joe's level.

Elsewhere

Valparaiso Crusaders (25-5, 15-2) at Green Bay Phoenix (19-11, 11-6), 3 p.m. (ESPN3)

This is a possible Horizon semifinal preview, as the Crusaders have locked up the top seed and the Phoenix will finish fourth. Valpo topped the Phoenix by 15 at the ARC on January 16th.

Niagara Purple Eagles (7-23, 5-14) at Monmouth Hawks (24-6, 16-3), 5 p.m. (ESPN3)

While the Hawks will be the top seed in the MAAC Tournament, a home loss to a Purple Eagles they defeated in Lewiston by 14 way back on December 6th might end their at-large hopes.

Viewing Picks

Afternoon Tips

Duke at Pittsburgh, 2 p.m. (CBS)
Xavier at Seton Hall, 12:30 p.m. (FS1)
Iowa at Ohio State, 4 p.m. (CBS)
Tulsa at Memphis, 4 p.m. (ESPNU)
Houston at UConn, 1 p.m. (CBSSN)
Penn State at Michigan State, 12 p.m. (BTN)
Saint Louis at Saint Joseph's, 1 p.m. (ASN)
Arizona State at Colorado, 4:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Rocky Mountain, Arizona)
Valparaiso at Green Bay, 3 p.m. (ESPN3)
St. John's at Creighton, 2:30 p.m. (FS1)
Tulane at SMU, 3 p.m. (CBSSN)

Evening Tips

Michigan at Wisconsin, 6 p.m. (BTN)
USC at California, 8 p.m. (FS1)
Washington at Oregon, 8:30 p.m. (ESPNU)
Niagara at Monmouth, 5 p.m. (ESPN3)
Washington State at Oregon State, 6:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks National, Washington, Oregon)
Minnesota at Illinois, 8 p.m. (BTN)
Virginia Tech at Wake Forest, 6:30 p.m. (ESPNU)

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