5 No. 19 Virginia at N.C. State » This is a good time for the Cavaliers to face the Wolfpack. N.C. State will be less than 48 hours removed from an emotional game at North Carolina on Thursday night, while Virginia has a much less stressful test at home against Boston College. Joe Harris scored 19 points last year as the Cavaliers won their third straight against the Wolfpack. (Saturday, 8 p.m., ESPN2) 4 No. 1 Kentucky at LSU » This is LSU’s third straight game against a ranked SEC foe. If only the Tigers could match the atmosphere the football team generates at Death Valley. There’s an interesting matchup at point guard as LSU freshman Anthony Hickey, a Hopkinsville, Ky., native who failed to attract attention from Wildcats coach John Calipari, goes against Kentucky freshman Marquis Teague. (Saturday, 4 p.m., Ch. 50)
3 No. 21 St. Mary’s at Brigham Young » The competition was supposed to be easier for BYU after its move from the Mountain West to the West Coast Conference, which came at a good time with the graduation of Jimmer Fredette. But the Mustangs lost their league opener to St. Mary’s 98-82 and seek paypack against the first-place Gaels, who played at Loyola Marymount on Thursday night. (Saturday, 9 p.m., ESPNU)
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2 No. 18 Mississippi State at No. 14 Florida » The two best teams in the SEC not named Kentucky have strong players inside and out. Gators center Patric Young and point guard Erving Walker battle their respective Bulldogs counterparts Arnett Moultrie and Dee Bost, who scored 24 points last year in a win over Florida. Mississippi State has won four of the last five meetings. (Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Ch. 50)
1 No. 20 Michigan at No. 4 Ohio State » If it’s not the best conference, the Big Ten is at least the most balanced. The Wolverines (16-5, 6-2) and Buckeyes (18-3, 6-2) are tied with Michigan State (17-4, 6-2) for first place. After losing three straight on the road, the Tim Hardaway Jr.-led Wolverines showed they could beat a quality opponent on the road Tuesday at Purdue. (Sunday, 1 p.m., CBS)
– Kevin Dunleavy
LOCAL GAMES
George Washington at Fordham
When » Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where » Rose Hill Gym, New York
Radio » 1500 AM
In the balanced Atlantic 10, there are 11 teams within a game of first place, including GW (8-12, 3-3). Saturday is an opportunity for the Colonials against perennial doormat Fordham (8-11, 1-5), which earned back-to-back quality wins over Georgia Tech and Harvard less than a month ago. Fordham junior Chris Gaston (15.7 ppg, 10.6 rpg) should have opportunities to score against GW’s less-than-imposing frontcourt.
American at Lafayette
When » Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where » Kirby Arena, Easton, Pa.
Despite beating Lafayette in 14 of the last 15 meetings, this is a grudge match for AU. The one loss came last year at home in the Patriot League semifinals as Jim Mower hit a 3-pointer with less than a second left in the second overtime for a 73-71 win. AU (13-8, 4-2) is tied with Lafayette (9-12, 4-2) for second place in the conference. Behind Mower (14.4 ppg), the Leopards lead the league with 9.2 3-pointers per game.
James Madison at George Mason
When » Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where » Patriot Center
TV » CSN
After losing to James Madison at Patriot Center in 2003, George Mason has beaten the Dukes eight straight times at home. Their ragtag meeting two weeks ago in Harrisonburg included 63 fouls, matching the CAA single-game record in an 89-83 George Mason victory. George Mason (17-5, 9-1) holds first place in the conference behind senior forward Ryan Pearson (17.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg). James Madison (9-11, 2-7) has lost four of its last five.
Bucknell at Navy
When » Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where » Alumni Hall, Annapolis
Radio » 1500 AM
Entering Thursday’s game at Lehigh, Navy had lost 12 straight games and was threatening the school record of 15, established in 1988-89. This will be a tough test as defending Patriot League champion Bucknell (16-6, 6-0) has a two game lead in the conference behind 6-foot-11 junior Mike Muscala (15.8 ppg, 9.4 rpg). Navy has had a tough-luck season, losing 10 games by single-digit margins and another in overtime.
– Kevin Dunleavy
