Virginia

Rivalry games bring more to the table when it comes to intensity, and that was definitely the case in the battle between #4 Missouri and #8 Kansas in Columbia on Saturday night. In a game that featured many momentum swings and neither team leading by more than eight points, it was Frank Haith's Tigers who landed the final blow. Kansas led 71-63 with 3:25 remaining but they would not score again, as Missouri finished the game on an 11-0 run to win 74-71.

NO. 18 VIRGINIA (18-3, 5-2 ACC) AT NO. 24 FLORIDA STATE (15-6, 6-1 ACC)

 

One of the consequences of conference realignment has been the ending of some of the best rivalries in college sports. With #4 Missouri (20-2, 7-2) headed to the SEC after this season Saturday night's game with #8 Kansas (18-4, 8-1) could be the last time for a while these two teams meet in Columbia. But that's a mere subplot in this one as the Tigers are looking to move into a tie for first in the Big 12 while Kansas can strengthen their grip on the top spot with a win.

Tuesday's night matchup between #9 Michigan State and Illinois wasn't a pretty affair, as neither team could establish much of a rhythm on the offensive end of the floor. Whether it was due to good defense or just an inability to make shots on a consistent basis, neither the Spartans nor the Fighting Illini had much succes on that end of the floor. But when it's all said and done what matters is the result, which was a 42-41 Illinois victory as Brandon Paul made two free throws with 45 seconds remaining.

One of the season's bigger mysteries in the Big Ten has been figuring out which Illinois (15-6, 4-4) team would show up on any given night. A big reason for that is their inconsistent nature on the offensive end of the floor, as the Illini go through bouts with poor shot selection that's gotten them in trouble at times. Despite being at home they can ill-afford to go through such issues against #10 Michigan State (17-4, 6-2), who looks every bit the Big Ten title contender few expected them to be back in October.

Marcus Denmon (G, Missouri - 18, 5, 3)

Tu Holloway (G, Xavier - 16, 3, 6)

Darius Johnson-Odom (G, Marquette, 18, 3, 3)

Kevin Jones (F, WVU - 21, 12, 1)

Mike Scott (F, Virginia - 17, 9, 2)

Jordan Taylor (G, Wisconsin - 14, 4, 4)

Tyshawn Taylor (G, Kansas - 17, 2, 5)

Other (Clark, Gibbs, Green, Hummel, Joseph, Machado, McKines, Pope, Shurna)

NO. 21 VIRGINIA (16-3, 3-2 ACC) AT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (15-6, 4-2 ACC)

 

Time/TV: 8 p.m./ESPN2

While Kentucky is the clear favorite to win the SEC, the battle beneath them should be a spirited one. #16 Mississippi State (17-4, 4-2), who has already won at Vanderbilt, could win the tiebreaker with #13 Florida (16-4, 4-1) with a win in Gainesville on Saturday afternoon. That's easier said than done as Billy Donovan's team is 10-0 at home this season, but the Bulldogs have won four of the last five meetings in this series.

Tony Bennett (Virginia)

Tom Crean (Indiana)

Mick Cronin (Cincinnati)

Steve Fisher (San Diego St)

Frank Haith (Missouri)

Fred Hoiberg (Iowa St)

Ron Hunter (Georgia St)

Steve Prohm (Murray St)

Bill Self (Kansas)

John Thompson (Georgetown)

VIRGINIA TECH (11-7, 0-4 ACC) AT NO. 17 VIRGINIA (15-2, 2-1 ACC)

 

Time/TV: 6 p.m./ESPNU