College basketball weekend previews, Jan. 28, 2011

Published January 27, 2011 5:00am ET



LOCAL GAMES

GMU at William & Mary

Players to watchRalph Sampson IIIThe 6-foot-11 junior at Minnesota, the son of former Virginia great Ralph Sampson, averages 10.8 points and 2.2 blocks a game, combining with 6-8 Trevor Mbakwe (13.4 ppg, 10.5 rpg) to form one of the most imposing duos in the Big Ten. The No. 16 Golden Gophers play at No. 12 Purdue. (Sat., 1 p.m., CBS)Rick JacksonWith three straight losses, Syracuse is reeling and will look to double-double machine Jackson (13.1 ppg, 11.8 rpg) to stop the bleeding at dangerous Marquette. The 6-9 Jackson should have little competition inside against the perimeter-oriented Golden Eagles (13-8), who upset Notre Dame earlier this season. (Sat., 3 p.m., ESPNU).Trey ThompkinsThree weeks ago, the 6-9 junior scored 25 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead Georgia to an upset of Kentucky. On Saturday in Lexington, the No. 14 Wildcats will try for payback. Kentucky needs it to avoid falling further behind Florida in the SEC East. (Sat., 4 p.m., ESPN)Jimmer FredetteThe nation is catching Jimmer Fever after his spectacular 43-point effort Wednesday night in an upset of previously undefeated No. 4 San Diego State. On Saturday, Fredette and the No. 9 Falcons face perhaps a tougher test at New Mexico (14-7) and its intimidating arena, “The Pit.” (Sat., 4 p.m., Versus)Marcus DenmonThe top scorer (17.3 ppg) at No. 11 Missouri, takes his best shot at one of the hottest teams in the nation, No. 7 Texas, which is coming off five straight decisive Big 12 victories. Rick Barnes’ Longhorns (17-3, 5-0) need to win to remain the only unbeaten team in conference play. (Sat., 9 p.m., ESPNU)

Where » Kaplan Arena, Williamsburg, Va.

When » Saturday, noon

TV » Comcast SportsNet

George Mason has a tight turnaround after playing Thursday afternoon at home against Towson. William & Mary (6-15, 2-8) has struggled this season after going 22-11 and graduating two of its top three scorers. Junior Quinn McDowell (14.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) paces the Tribe. Last year in Fairfax, William & Mary snapped George Mason’s 18-game home winning streak and beat the Patriots for just the second time in the last 14 meetings.

St. Louis at GW

Where » Smith Center

When » Saturday, 2 p.m.

TV » CBS College Sports

GW (10-10, 3-3) gave Xavier all it could handle Wednesday night, trying to end the longest home winning streak in Atlantic 10 history (36 games) before succumbing 81-74. After four straight defeats, GW tries to recover against St. Louis (7-12, 2-4), which doesn’t have a senior or a double-figures scorer. Coach Rick Majerus, who recently missed three games with a lacerated leg, rotates nine players.

Virginia at Wake Forest

Where » Lawrence Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem, N.C.

When » Saturday, 4 p.m.

TV » ACC Network

All of Wake Forest’s ACC losses have come by at least 19 points. Virginia (11-8, 2-3), which played Maryland on Thursday night, has lost to the Demon Deacons five straight times. This year’s young Wake Forest cast, however, bears little resemblance to the teams that dealt those defeats, Freshman Travis McKie is the Demon Deacons’ top scorer (13.0 ppg) and rebounder (7.5 pg).

UMES at Howard

Where » Burr Gymnasium

When » Saturday, 4 p.m.

Depleted Howard (2-17, 0-7) put up a fight against Bethune-Cookman, the first-place team in the MEAC, before falling 56-49 Monday night for their ninth straight loss. Maryland-Eastern Shore (4-15, 1-5) is led by 6-6 junior Hillary Haley (Friendly), who averages 16 points and 5.1 rebounds a game. UMES won both meetings last year by a combined three points. In one of those games, Haley scored a career-high 33 points.

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