Big Games of the Weekend 2/25 – 2/26
Missouri at Kansas
You get the feeling that these two teams might be in the mix late in the tournament? It’s certainly probable. Both of these monsters of the Big 12 have had great seasons. Combined they only have eight losses (including Missouri’s loss on Tuesday to Kansas State). Though the Tigers have two less losses than Kansas, the Jayhawks have a half game lead on the Tigers in the conference. That slim margin makes this game all the more meaningful for both. The winner will be in prime position to lock up the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. There is so much talent on both sides, either one has a shot to win. The Tigers are second in the nation in field goal percentage at 50.3%. Kansas is not far behind at 48.6%. The Jayhawks lost a tough one to Missouri earlier this month in Columbia, 74-71. They would love to exact revenge at home. They’ve won 14 of 15 at Phog Allen Fieldhouse this year.
George Mason at VCU
This is a huge one in the CAA. These are the two Colonial teams that have made dream runs to the final four in the last decade. George Mason did it in 2006 and VCU did it last year. Both are now nationally recognized because of their success in the NCAA tournament. This game will have something to say about CAA tournament seeding as well. If Drexel loses, the implications become even greater. VCU is 13-3 in conference and Mason is 14-2. There will be a logjam at the top of the standings if VCU wins. George Mason boasts Ryan Pearson, likely the conference player of the year. He’s a machine with 17.8 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. VCU counters with a tough defense. They hold opponents to under 60 points per contest. Mason has only lost two of their last 18 games. VCU has won 12 of 13. Their lone loss? Last week to George Mason. This is the last game of the year for both. It’ll be electric.
Wisconsin at Ohio State
This game is especially important for Ohio State, so they can keep pace with Michigan State atop the Big Ten. They currently sit just a half game behind. Wisconsin sits at fourth and will boost their tournament seed with a win against a top 10 team. Both of these squads have been a little shaky of late. The competition they’ve faced has been good. They just haven’t been consistent in their last few games. Both have lost two of their last four. Ohio State bounced back nicely with a dismantling of Illinois on Tuesday night. Wisconsin looks to avenge a loss against Iowa at home before they face the Buckeyes. This is a rematch of an earlier game Ohio State won in Madison. It’ll be a battle of attrition. Ohio State is the second best scoring team in the conference at 74.9 points per game. Wisconsin is the best team in the land at preventing points. They hold teams to 51.1 points per game. Something will have to give this Sunday.
