Key Men’s Basketball Games this Weekend 2/11 – 2/12
Connecticut at Syracuse
In recent history, this has been one of the best matchups throughout the nation, not just the Big East. Just a few years ago, these two schools went into six overtimes to decide the outcome of a game (Syracuse won). With Connecticut struggling, they need a positive showing in this game to get back on track. After starting 12-1, they have lost seven of 10 games. They got a win last Saturday against Seton Hall, but got blown out at Louisville on Monday.
Coach Jim Calhoun is taking a medical leave of absence for a spinal condition. Over the last four seasons, he has taken time off from coaching to heal, be it from cancer treatment or otherwise. This team seems to be missing a spark without him on the sideline. Syracuse meanwhile, has bounced back from their road loss to Notre Dame. They have a huge test themselves against rival Georgetown on Wednesday before they even get to Connecticut, but they have a shot at entering that game with only one loss. This is the first matchup between the two, and they face each other again five games from now. UConn has a tough out on the road. They need it.
Michigan State at Ohio State
Michigan State exacted revenge against rival Michigan on Sunday, 64-54, to gain sole possession of second place in the Big 10. This matchup against Ohio State will be for a share of first place. It doesn’t get any bigger for Michigan State. They would position themselves nicely for a stretch run late in the conference season. Despite Draymond Green’s injury last week, he still lit up the Wolverines for 14 points and 16 rebounds. He will need to continue that pace against the Buckeyes for his squad to win in Columbus.
Ohio State took care of business on the road against an always difficult Wisconsin team. Jared Sullinger was a beast down low, racking up 24 points and 10 rebounds. They outshot the Badgers 16-3 from the foul line. The Buckeyes make it to the free throw line often, but they only shoot 69% from there. It will be up to Michigan State to keep them from scoring free points. Ohio State is undefeated at home this season. Can the Spartans be the first to upset the Buckeyes at home? Either way, these two square off again in the final game of the season.
Baylor at Missouri
This is Act II of the matchup of the Big 12 leaders. Missouri won Act I by a single point. The Tigers hold a mere half-game lead on the Bears. This should be just as much of a dogfight as the last matchup. Baylor once again has a Kansas-Missouri back-to-back slate this week. They had the same stretch in January and came out of it 0-2. Both of those games account for their only two losses. Scott Drew’s team would love to settle the score. The Bears have to travel to Columbia, but this matchup has proven that home court may not necessarily mean anything. Both have been just as good on the road as at home. Baylor still shoots the ball at a high clip (48.6 percent). Perry Jones III and Quincy Acy control the boards (both average seven or more rebounds per game).
Missouri will not want to blemish their undefeated home record this season. The veteran squad is constantly facing big tests, and it is passing with flying colors. However in their last three games they have only won by a total of seven points. As the season wears on it gets more and more difficult to continue to dominate. Missouri is finding that out. They need to not fall asleep against Baylor or they will be sorry. The Tigers score over 80 points a game so Baylor needs to stay awake, too.
Virginia at North Carolina
The way these two teams have been playing in the ACC, it seems that this would be a close game. North Carolina is tied for first in the league, and Virginia is in fifth, only two games back. This is the definition of a swing game. Virginia lost a tough game against Florida State last weekend, 58-55. North Carolina beat Maryland last weekend in a closer game than the 83-74 result would indicate. The issue for Virginia is that North Carolina is on a roll right now. They’ve won five straight since that abysmal performance against Florida State. Even despite that 30-point loss, UNC still ranks first in points per game and rebounds per game in the entire country. They are loaded with talented shooters, speedy guards, and athletic big men. Together, Jon Henson and Tyler Zeller average almost 20 rebounds per game. Virginia does not have the same interior talent to match that production.
The issue for North Carolina is that Virginia is one of the better defensive teams in the country. If there was a team that could slow the Tar Heels down, it would be the Cavaliers. They’ve only allowed teams to score over 60 points three times this season. The other problem for Carolina is that leading up to this game, they face Duke on Wednesday. In what is arguably the best rivalry matchup in the sport, Duke and Carolina lay it all on the line. The tank might be empty for the Heels come Saturday. Virginia can take advantage of a fatigued North Carolina team and try and steal one on the road. The Smith Center is never easy to play in, but Virginia has lost by no more than three points in any game this season. Expect a good fight.
