In college sports, the most glorious day of the week is Saturday. No one has class, everyone is going to the games, and the calibers of the contests are very high. I am here to bring you a preview of Super Saturday and put the biggest games under three categories: Upset potentials (games with top teams who should win against underdogs hoping to grab a victory), bubble bursters (games involving teams that desperately need a win to keep their postseason hopes alive), and top matchups (games between to very good teams).
Top Matchups
#3 Ohio St. vs. #20 Wisconsin: The Buckeyes face a huge road test in the red hot Badgers. If Ohio St. wins, they could be considered a #1 seed. If Wisconsin wins, they would be firmly planted as a #3 seed.
#8 Kansas vs. #4 Missouri: These two top squads are not only battling for a #1 seed, but the Big 12 championship as well.
Vanderbilt vs. #11 Florida: Despite the ranking, both these teams are evenly matched in this battle for second in the SEC.
#18 Virginia vs. #24 Florida St.: The Cavaliers started off the season on a tear, but now it’s the Seminoles who look to be unstoppable. The winner of this can contend for the ACC title with Duke and UNC.
Bubble Bursters
#15 Marquette vs. Notre Dame: The Irish must build off of their recent success to continue to prove themselves tournament worthy. A win over Marquette would be huge.
#20 Indiana vs. Purdue: The Hoosiers are in a free fall and desperately need a win, but the Boilermakers need one even more to send Robbie Hummel to the dance.
Seton Hall vs. Connecticut: The Pirates have lost five straight and the Huskies have lost four straight. Something’s got to give in this rematch from earlier this season.
La Salle vs. St. Joseph’s: The Explorers want to hold onto the A-10 lead while St. Joe’s would like to add to their quietly impressive resume.
N. C. State vs. Wake Forest: Without a good win, the Wolfpack must continue to beat everyone in their path.
Xavier vs. Memphis: Both previously ranked teams have fallen from grace, so will a win against the other really be a resume booster?
Arkansas vs. LSU: The Razorbacks try to keep their slim hopes for March alive.
Arizona vs. Stanford: Now revived after a win over California, Arizona makes a push for the tournament, which is the same thing the Cardinal is trying to do.
UCF vs. SMU: UCF needs a win and the Mustangs need the season to end.
New Mexico vs. Boise St.: The Broncos have given good teams a scare; will they finally knock one off in the form of the Lobos?
Kansas St. vs. Texas A&M: The Wildcats are falling fast, so they can’t lose to the Aggies.
Arizona St. vs. California: This is a good bounce back game for the Golden Bears, who suddenly see themselves on the outside looking in.
Air Force vs. Colorado St.: The Rams have great computer numbers, but they need more wins to be taken seriously.
Dayton vs. St. Louis: The Flyers are flirting with disaster while the Billikens are surging. Both of these teams could be one of the last four in or first four out.
Old Dominion vs. George Mason: Now out of first in the CAA, the Patriots try to fend off the gritty Monarchs.
Iowa St. vs. Oklahoma: The Sooners’ chances for March are just about dead, but that won’t stop them from spoiling it for the Cyclones.
Drexel vs. Towson: A real contender in the CAA, the Dragons should roll over lowly Towson.
Massachusetts vs. George Washington: Massachusetts needs this game as a pick me up.
Texas Tech vs. Texas:The Longhorns have a shot at the big dance, but they must take care of the Red Raiders first.
DePaul vs. Cincinnati:The Bearcats’ resume doesn’t look that great, so they must beat the Demon Deacons.
Iona vs. Manhattan: The top two teams in the MAAC square off. Can Manhattan ruin it for the tournament bound Gaels?
Northeastern vs. VCU: The Rams are now in first in the CAA and should want to keep it that way.
Marshall vs. Tulsa: The losing streak hurt Marshall, but there is still time to make amends.
Ole Miss vs. Alabama: Both of these SEC teams are on the bubble, but the Tide is in better shape.
Wright St. vs. Valparaiso: The Crusaders are quietly making a run in the Horizon League.
Oregon vs. Colorado: Both Pac-12 teams need a win after tough losses the other night.
BYU vs. Portland: The last thing the Cougars can afford to do is slip up against Portland after beating Gonzaga.
Upset Potentials
#1 Kentucky vs. South Carolina: The top ranked Wildcats should have no problem with the Gamecocks, but a loss here would be devastating.
#2 Syracuse vs. St. John’s: The Johnnies are at home, playing better, and have won two of three; can they topple the Orange?
#6 Baylor vs. Oklahoma St.: The Bears should have this one in the bag, but they don’t want to end up like Missouri.
#6 North Carolina vs. Maryland: The Tar Heels seem to have righted the ship, but a road contest with the Terps looks dangerous.
#9 Murray St. vs. Tenn-Martin: After a close call against SE Missouri St., the Racers look for win number 23 against the Skyhawks.
#12 Creighton vs. Northern Iowa: In a battle of overachiever against underachiever, the Blue Jays look to keep their national credibility intact.
#13 UNLV vs. Wyoming: The last three times they’ve been on the road, the Runnin’ Rebels have either been forced to overtime or lost. Watch out; the Cowboys are sneaky good.
South Florida vs. #14 Georgetown: Despite their success in the Big East, no one is taking the Bulls seriously; they will if they beat the Hoyas.
TCU vs. #17 San Diego St.: The Horned Frogs beat Virginia earlier this season; are the Aztecs an upset target?
Auburn vs. #19 Mississippi St.: The Bulldogs have looked good all year, so they can’t afford to slip up now against the Tigers.
Columbia vs. #23 Harvard: Harvard is playing the night before as well, but they shouldn’t have trouble dispatching their Ivy League foe.
Rutgers vs. #25 Louisville: Maybe the Cardinals have gotten back on track, but the Scarlett Knights always seem primed for an upset.
Temple vs. Rhode Island:The Owls seem to be a lock for the tournament if they win all of the games they should win. This is one of them.
Middle Tennessee vs. Denver: The Blue Raiders have dominated the Sun Belt this year, but Denver (wins over Southern Miss and St. Mary’s) seems like a trap game.
Gonzaga vs. Pepperdine: The Zags need to get back on track after losing to BYU. A spoonful of pepper should make the medicine go down.
Indiana St. vs. Wichita St.: The Shockers have proven to be one of the best mid major teams in the country, so they don’t want to dispel that notion.
USC vs. Washington: The Huskies are now in control of the Pac-12; they must keep it that way.
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