What to Watch This Week

#2 Tennessee (24-2) at #1 Memphis (26-0) – 9 PM Saturday – Both teams stepping out of conference this late in the season for a matchup of this magnitude? This is what we call appointment TV. How will Memphis PG Derrick Rose handle the full court pressure of the Vols? Which Tennessee player will attempt to stop Chris Douglas-Roberts? Will Tennessee’s three point shooting be on? Will Memphis be able to make their free throws? Can Joey Dorsey keep his cool? Will Bruce Pearl and John Calipari kill each other? It should be a dandy.

Oklahoma (18-8) at #7 Texas (22-4) – 3:30 Saturday – The Sooners have pulled off two consecutive stunners at Texas Tech and at home against Baylor where a three point shot at the buzzer and a four point play with seven seconds left were needed. This could be a signature win for Jeff Capel if he is able to win in Austin. That won’t be easy as the Horns are streaking. One thing to watch: Nobody on Texas’ roster can guard OU PF Blake Griffin.

#18 Drake (23-3) at #8 Butler (25-2) – 5 PM Saturday – If you like three-point shooting, than this game is for you. Look for close to 60 deep balls to be hoisted here. These are the two best mid-majors this season (sorry, Xavier isn’t a mid-major).

Arizona (16-10) at #19 Washington State (21-5) – 10 PM Saturday – The Cats just lost at Washington and now sit at 6-7 in the Pac-10. This is as close to a must-win as you get. Wazzu is playing better, but they don’t match the talent of Arizona. Jerryd Bayless and company will find a way to win this one.

Maryland (17-10) at Miami FL (18-7) – Saturday 2 PM – Miami is trying to play their way back into the mix for a tournament bid after beating Duke. Maryland is trying to keep from stumbling again after the home debacle loss to Va Tech.

New Mexico (21-6) at Utah (15-9) – Saturday 2 PM – Why is this game listed? Well Steve Alford’s club is playing it’s way onto the bubble behind J.R. Giddens.

#23 Louisville (21-6) at Pittsburgh (19-7) – Sunday Noon – Pitt has Levance Fields yet, but desperately needs a win to get them back on track. The Cardinals start their brutal four game stretch to finish Big East play.

Syracuse (17-10) at #21 Notre Dame (20-5) – Sunday 2 PM – Another big chance for the Cuse to get a quality resume building win. The Irish are playing as well as anyone right now and need to keep pace with UConn, Georgetown, and Louisville for one of the coveted bye’s in the Big East Tournament.

#12 Xavier (23-4) at Dayton (17-8) – Sunday 2 PM – We said it earlier, Dayton is banged up, but has a golden opportunity to get back in the Committee’s good graces. Xavier is playing great basketball right now and we think the roll the Flyers.

Cal (15-9) at #9 Stanford (21-4) – Sunday 9 PM – Here is another team in Cal who is capable of beating anyone and could really use a big road win to put on their resume. This is a rivalry game that will be closer tan many think. Cal’s Ryan Anderson will give the Cardinal fits all night long.

#7 Texas (22-4) at #25 Kansas State (18-7) – Monday 9 PM – Here is K-State’s last chance to stay close to the top of the Big 12 with Texas and Kansas. They are much better at home than on the road and Bramlage will be rocking for this one. Here is K-State’s problem: there is a major mismatch at the guard position with A.J. Abrams and D.J. Augustin going up against the likes of Blake Young, Jacob Pullen, and Clent Stewart.

#2 Tennessee (24-2) at #16 Vanderbilt (22-4) – Tuesday 9 PM – Here is a prediction for you: If Tennessee wins Saturday, they lose this game. If they lose Saturday, they win this game. Make sense? This is a game nobody is talking about that will be terrific.

BYU (21-5) at New Mexico (21-6) – Tuesday 10 PM – BYU sits atop the MWC at 10-1, but New Mexico’s Pit is amongst the toughest places to play in the country.

#21 Notre Dame (20-5) at #23 Louisville (21-6) – Thursday 7 PM – Game two of the Cardinals brutal four game stretch. Whoever wins this one will be in the passenger’s seat next to Georgetown for the Big East regular season crown.

USC (16-9) at Arizona (16-10) – Thursday 9 PM – The battle of the two best teams with no depth and a lot of talent in their top five. No wonder they are sitting right in the middle of the Pac-10.

#17 Michigan State (21-5) at #10 Wisconsin (22-4) – Thursday 9 PM – The Spartans still haven’t proven they can beat anyone good away from home. The Badgers never lose games they aren’t supposed to. Something has got to give here right? We think Izzo’s club wakes up and steals one here.

#8 Butler (25-2) at Wright State (20-6) – Thursday 9 PM – Nobody knows it, but Raidernation has won 11 in a row and already own a win over Butler in Indy. Brad Brownell is one of the best young coaches in the game and deserves a lot of credit.

#6 UCLA (23-3) at Arizona State (16-9) - Thursday 10:30 PM– Another one of these games for the middle of the pack Pac-10 teams to jump up and grab a key win over the current leaders.