5 Alabama at No. 20 Mississippi State » After a rough December, the Crimson Tide (13-3) have recovered nicely, winning their last five, none by fewer than 15 points. Alabama standouts Tony Mitchell and JaMychal Green will battle inside against 6-foot-11 Arnett Moultrie and enigmatic 6-10, 280-pound Renardo Sidney. The Tide won both meetings decisively last year. (Saturday, 4 p.m., Ch. 50) 4 No. 12 UNLV at No. 22 San Diego State » Conference games in the Mountain West have arrived. This one matches the league’s lone ranked teams. The Rebels (16-2) have a pair of 6-8 standouts in Chace Stanback and Mike Moser. The Aztecs (14-2) have been a pleasant surprise after losing their top four scorers. Chase Tapley (17.2 ppg) shoots 50 percent from beyond the arc. (Saturday, 4 p.m.)
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3 No. 2 Kentucky at Tennessee » Volunteers first-year coach Cuonzo Martin got his first big victory Saturday with an inspired defensive effort to upset then-No. 14 Florida. A week later, the ultimate SEC test comes in the form of the Wildcats, who start four players 6-7 or taller. The Vols handed the Wildcats their second loss in 2009-10 in Knoxville. Can they do it again? (Saturday, noon, ESPN)
2 No. 3 North Carolina at Florida State » Six losses in a 10-game stretch indicate the Seminoles (10-6) were overrated in the preseason. But Tallahassee is a tough place to play. UNC has won its last three trips by two points (2011), three (2009) and in overtime (2008). The powerful Tar Heels have won nine straight, with only one decided by fewer than 15 points. (Saturday, 2 p.m., ESPN)
1 No. 7 Indiana at No. 5 Ohio State » The Buckeyes will have revenge in mind when they host the Hoosiers, who won 74-70 when the teams met on New Year’s Eve. Ohio State has stellar players at the sport’s two most important positions. But center Jared Sullinger and point guard Aaron Craft need help. They miss the 3-point shooters who graduated from last year’s 34-3 team. (Sunday, 4:30 p.m., CBS)
— Kevin Dunleavy
LOCAL GAMES
George Washington at Harvard
When » Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where » Lavietes Pavilion, Boston
Radio » 1500 AM
After a much-needed 69-61 win over Rhode Island behind junior David Pellom (17 points, 11 rebounds), GW (6-10) tries to make it two straight. It won’t be easy against Harvard (14-2), which reached the rankings for the first time ever last month. The Crimson are led by Keith Wright (11.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and Kyle Casey (11.3 ppg, 5.9 rpg). The Colonials counter with PG Tony Taylor (13.3 ppg, 4.3 apg).
Holy Cross at American
When » Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where » Bender Arena
Radio » 1050 AM
Coming off a 71-60 loss at Lehigh in which American (10-7, 1-1) was without Troy Brewer (sprained ankle), the Eagles try to rebound. Holy Cross (8-8, 2-0) is off to a strong start in the Patriot League behind guards Devin Brown (15.8 ppg) and R.J. Evans (12.8 ppg, 3.1 apg). AU coach Jeff Jones will coach barefoot, showing support for Samaritan’s Feet, which distributes shoes to needy children worldwide.
Virginia Tech at Boston College
When » Saturday, 3 p.m.
Where » Conte Forum,
Chestnut Hill, Mass.
TV » CSN
The schedule offered Virginia Tech (11-5, 0-2) a chance for a quick start in the ACC. But losses at Wake Forest and at home to Florida State have the Hokies desperate for a win. Before its game Thursday against Clemson, the only BCS conference school with fewer wins than Boston College (5-10, 0-1) was Utah (4-11) of the Pac-12. Little wonder as the Eagles start five freshmen led by guard Patrick Heckmann (11.1 ppg).
George Mason at James Madison
When » Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where » JMU Convocation Center,
Harrisonburg, Va.
TV » CSN+
Once upon a time, James Madison was George Mason’s primary rival. But 15 wins in the last 16 games has dimmed the Patriots’ enmity. Entering Thursday’s game at VCU, guard-oriented James Madison (8-7, 1-3) led the CAA in 3-point shooting (35.1 percent) behind Wyoming transfer A.J. Davis (16.3 ppg) and Humpty Hitchens (15.5 ppg, 3.6 apg). George Mason counters with Ryan Pearson (18.2 ppg, 8.3 rpg) and Mike Morrison (9.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg).
– Kevin Dunleavy
