Top Five games 5
Maryland at Temple » There will be an early wake-up call for this matchup at the hallowed Palestra. The teams are both 12-5 overall and 2-2 in their respective leagues but are miles apart in the RPI — Temple at No. 22, Maryland at No. 93. This is a tough matchup for the Terps. The physical Owls manhandled Duke on Jan. 4. Maryland was similarly exposed by Florida State on Tuesday. (Saturday, 11?a.m., ESPNU)
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Virginia Tech at No. 15 Virginia » This is the 134th meeting in a series that began in 1915 with a 39-21 Virginia victory. Entering Thursday’s game at Georgia Tech, Tony Bennett’s Cavaliers ranked second in the nation in scoring defense (51.1 ppg) and should pose problems for Virginia Tech, which failed to win its first three ACC games despite yielding only 58, 63 and 61 points. (Sunday, 6?p.m., ESPNU)
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No. 18 Mississippi State at Vanderbilt » After winning 11 straight, Mississippi State has lost three of six, all on the road. There’s a good matchup inside with 6-foot-11 Arnett Moultrie and 6-10 Renardo Sidney of the Bulldogs battling 6-11 Festus Ezeli, whose return from suspension and a knee injury has sparked the Commodores. Vanderbilt had won seven straight entering Thursday’s game at Alabama. (Saturday, 7?p.m., ESPN2)
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No. 1 Syracuse at Notre Dame » A win here for the Irish (11-8) wouldn’t be as monumental as their 1974 upset of UCLA, which snapped the Bruins’ record 88-game winning streak. But it would be a stunner against the long, deep, loaded Orange (20-0). Still, Notre Dame has beaten two ranked Big East teams so far, contributing to the tailspins of Pittsburgh and Louisville. (Saturday, 6?p.m., ESPN)
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No. 5 Missouri at No. 3 Baylor » The Tigers (17-1) have recovered from their only loss, winning their last three. Now it’s the time for the Bears (17-1) to do the same after their 92-74 defeat Monday night at Kansas. This one should be interesting and high scoring as it matches the guard-oriented offense of Missouri against the frontcourt attack of Baylor. (Saturday, 2?p.m., ESPN)
LOCAL GAMES
Army at American
When » Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where » Bender Arena
TV » CSN
These perimeter-oriented teams start four guards each. In a win over Colgate on Wednesday, Army (9-10, 2-2) made a school-record 16 3-pointers, including eight by guard Julian Simmons. Guard Josh Herbeck has hit 20 of his last 33 3-point attempts. Jeff Jones of AU (12-7, 3-1) will coach barefoot in support of Samaritan’s Feet, which distributes shoes to needy children worldwide.
Navy at Colgate
When » Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where » Cotterell Court,
Hamilton, N.Y.
In a battle of teams on losing streaks under first-year coaches, something has to give. After a 5-5 start, Colgate (5-13, 0-4) has lost eight straight for Matt Langel. Navy (3-15, 0-4) has lost 11 in a row under Ed DeChellis. Colgate guards Pat Moore, Mitch Rolls and Mike Venezia hit a combined nine of 17 3-pointers Wednesday at Army. Navy foes have hit 23 of their last 38 shots (61 percent) from beyond the arc.
Towson at George Mason
When » Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where » Patriot Center
TV » CSN
No matchup in CAA history has been as one-sided as that between perennial doormat Towson and perennial power George Mason. Since the Tigers joined the league in 2001-02, the Patriots have won all 17 meetings. Towson (0-19, 0-7) has lost a Division-I record 38 straight games, half of them under first-year coach Pat Skerry. Led by Ryan Pearson (17.8 ppg, 8.5 rpg), George Mason (14-5, 6-1) shares first place in the CAA with Old Dominion.
Charlotte at GW
When » Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where » Smith Center
TV » MASN
Coming off its best win this season, 83-65 over Richmond on Wednesday, George Washington (7-11, 2-2) will try to make it two straight. After a rough start coming off foot surgery, Lasan Kromah has emerged, hitting 20 of his last 32 shots and grabbing 18 rebounds in his last three games. Charlotte (10-7, 2-2) is led by top scorer and rebounder Chris Braswell (14.4 ppg, 7.1 rpg), a former DeMatha star.
