Top Five games
5 Maryland at No. 10 Duke » The Terrapins play the team they love to hate. If only the feeling was mutual. Duke is coming off a pulsating comeback win at arch-rival UNC, capped by Austin Rivers’ 3-point dagger at the buzzer. Maryland is energized following its first true road win under Mark Turgeon as Terrell Stoglin hit nine of 11 shots in an efficient display at Clemson. (Saturday, 4 p.m., ESPN)
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4 No. 1 Kentucky at Vanderbilt » Considered by many a top-10 team in the preseason, Vandy (17-7) has been an enigma. The Commodores have a veteran trio to measure up to anyone in 6-11 center Festus Ezeli, forward Jeffery Taylor, and guard John Jenkins, but they have been inconsistent. Kentucky counters with a shot-blocking, national player of the year candidate in freshman Anthony Davis. (Saturday, 9 p.m., ESPN)
3 No. 19 Virginia at No. 5 North Carolina » This is either a good time or a terrible one to catch the Tar Heels, who are coming off Wednesday’s 85-84 loss to Duke. Will UNC be deflated or angry? The result could say a lot about the leadership of loaded, but perhaps underachieving, UNC. Virginia is 6-63 in Chapel Hill but won two years ago in coach Tony Bennett’s first crack at UNC. (Saturday, 1 p.m., Fox 5)
2 No. 6 Baylor at No. 4 Missouri » Not to pick on Sports Illustrated, but its preseason assessment of Missouri was typical of the national view. SI judged the Tigers’ No. 25 ranking and said first-year coach Frank Haith would “slow the pace.” Wrong and wrong. Missouri is No. 7 in the nation in scoring (80.5 ppg), up from No. 10 last year, and Haith has become a coach of the year candidate. (Saturday, 1:30 p.m.)
1 No. 11 Michigan State at No. ?3 Ohio State » When asked Wednesday night about how to prepare for the Buckeyes, Spartans coach Tom Izzo joked, “four-a-days.” These are the top two teams in the Big Ten. Ohio St. leads by a game and will have to play its season finale in East Lansing. Good battle inside between OSU’s Jared Sullinger and MSU’s Draymond Green. (Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN)
Area games
American at Holy Cross
When » Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where » Hart Center, Worcester, Mass.
The finish to the regular season in the Patriot League is key as seeding determines home sites in the tournament. In 21 years, No. 1 seeds have won 16 titles, No. 2 seeds have won four and No. 3 seeds have won once. Holy Cross (10-13, 4-5) is fighting for a spot in the top four and an opening-round game at home. In the first meeting at AU, the Eagles held the Crusaders without a field goal over the final 9:20 in a 67-54 victory.
Navy at Army
When » Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Where » Alumni Hall, Annapolis
TV » CBS Sports Network
After winning in Annapolis for the first time in four years, Army (10-14, 3-6) can complete its first sweep of the Mids since 1991-92. Navy (3-20, 0-9) has lost a program-record 16 straight, establishing the new standard with Wednesday’s 64-52 loss to Holy Cross despite 20 points from senior Jordan Sugars. Army is led by junior Ella Ellis (18.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg), who has reached double figures in 26 straight games.
George Washington
at Richmond
When » Saturday, 5 p.m.
Where » Robins Center, Richmond
TV » ESPNU
How will GW (8-16, 3-7) react after Wednesday’s deflating 79-72 loss at Temple? Behind Lasan Kromah (22 points), the Colonials had the Atlantic ?10 leader down by 15 points in the second half before yielding a late 18-2 run. Richmond (13-12, 4-6) has home wins over A-10 foes Temple and La Salle. Sophomore point guard Cedrick Lindsay (Gonzaga) guides the Spiders’ offense, averaging 12 points and 4.3 assists per game.
George Mason at UNC Wilmington
When » Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where » Trask Coliseum, Wilmington, N.C.
TV » MASN
Despite winning eight of its last nine and being tied for the lead in the CAA, George Mason (20-6, 12-2) is still struggling to find its way. On Wednesday at home, the Patriots cured their recent shooting woes, hitting 52.9 percent but needed a late 16-4 run to subdue lowly Hofstra 72-62. GMU had a similar performance in a 67-61 win three weeks ago over UNCW (9-15, 5-9).
– Kevin Dunleavy
