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One of the more important games of the day doesn't involve a ranked team, but because of the inconsistent nature of both teams they find themselves in need of a victory. Michigan State (14-11, 6-7) hosts Illinois (17-9, 7-6) in an important contest both teams need in regards to their NCAA Tournament hopes. Tom Izzo's had to deal with maddening inconsistency from some of the players expected to be leaders, not to mention the dismissal of backup point guard Korie Lucious that's sapped them of their depth at the point.

The weekly 2011 Bracketology field is based on how the tourney projects as of now. The field below is not necessarily who I think deserves to be in, but simply a prediction of what the committee would do as things stand. In late February, I release Bracketology updates more frequently as the season approaches crunch time.

 

Conference play is in full swing on the second Saturday in January, but the biggest game is of the non-conference variety as #9 Connecticut (11-2) hits the road to take on #12 Texas (12-2) in their first meeting since the 2003 NCAA Tournament. The Longhorns, then led by point guard T.J. Ford, won that Sweet 16 matchup in San Antonio on their way to the Final Four and while they don't have a point guard in the mold of Ford they've got plenty of talent. At the top of that list would be sophomore wing Jordan Hamilton, who leads the Longhorns in scoring with an average of 19.6 points per game.

Overall Rank: #64

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Big 12 Conference (22-10, 9-7)

 

Player of the Year Evan Turner and super-freshman John Wall highlight CollegeHoops.net's 2010 All-America teams. Turner averaged 19.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg, and 5.8 apg while helping Ohio St finish tied atop the Big Ten standings. Wall averaged 16.8 ppg and 6.2 apg, helping lead Kentucky to an impressive 29-2 record and an SEC title. They are joined on the First Team by Wall's teammate DeMarcus Cousins, Villanova leader Scottie Reynolds, and Big 12 Player of the Year James Anderson.

Baylor

Kansas

Kansas St

Missouri

Oklahoma St

Texas

Texas A&M

Other (Colorado, Iowa St, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas Tech)

The BracketBusters Saturday recap can be found here.

It wasn't the prettiest game and the rising emotions on the floor likely had something to do with it. But when the game between Kentucky and Vanderbilt came down to crunch time it was the younger squad that made the winning plays in a hostile environment.

Cole Aldrich (Kansas - 11.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 3.6 bpg)

James Anderson (Oklahoma St - 22.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Sherron Collins (Kansas - 15.5 ppg, 4.1 apg)

Damion James (Texas - 18 ppg, 11 rpg)

Jacob Pullen (Kansas St - 19 ppg, 3.5 apg)

Donald Sloan (Texas A&M - 18.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg)