4 No. 11 UNLV at New Mexico » With six straight wins, including a big one Wednesday night at San Diego State, New Mexico (21-4) has taken the lead in the Mountain West. Its last loss came four weeks ago at UNLV 80-63. Now Steve Alford and the Lobos can avenge it. A victory here should get New Mexico into the rankings for the first time this year. (Saturday, 1 p.m., CBS)

3 No. 21 Saint Mary’s at No. ?16 Murray State » Anticipation of the marquee matchup of BracketBusters weekend has faded with Saint Mary’s (23-4) dropping two of its last three and Murray State (25-1) losing for the first time. Still it’s an alluring duel of junior point guards — Matt Dellavedova (15.7 ppg, 6.4 apg) of the Gaels and Isaiah Canaan (19.2 ppg, 3.8 apg) of the Racers. (Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPN)

2 No. 6 Ohio State at No. 17 Michigan » Last month in Columbus, the Buckeyes outrebounded the Wolverines 38-29 in a 64-49 victory. This game won’t come as easily. Michigan is 14-0 this season in Ann Arbor. Ohio State has been a recent nemesis, however, winning the last six meetings, including two that knocked Michigan out of the Big Ten tournament. (Saturday, 9 p.m., ESPN)

1 Long Beach State at Creighton » The Bluejays’ Doug McDermott is the star of this intriguing BracketBusters matchup for those who can stay up late Saturday. Thanks to an RPI of 44, bracketologists are smitten with Long Beach State (19-6) even though the impact of its two big nonconference wins (Pittsburgh, Xavier) has faded as those teams have fallen. (Saturday, 10 p.m., ESPN2)

LOCAL GAMES

Howard at Coppin State

When » Saturday, 4 p.m.

Where » Physical Ed Complex, Baltimore

A recent swoon by Norfolk State (18-9, 10-3) has several teams scrambling for first place in the MEAC, including Coppin State (13-12, 8-4), which is led by seniors Tony Gallo (17.0 ppg, 3.7 apg) and Akeem Ellis (13.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 3.8 apg). The duo combined for 51 points, hitting 19 of 22 free throws, in an 83-77 win at Howard on Jan. ?4. The Bison (7-19, 4-9) are starting five freshmen as they prepare for the MEAC tournament.

Saint Joseph’s at George Washington

When » Saturday, 4 p.m.

Where » Smith Center

TV » CSN+

Radio » 1500/820 AM

This is a potential opening-round matchup in the Atlantic 10 tournament. Saint Joseph’s (17-10, 7-5) boasts the top field goal shooting (47.2 percent) and field goal defense (39.1 percent) in the A-10. Junior Carl Jones (16.4 ppg) and sophomore Langston Galloway (15.4 ppg) rank in the top 10 in scoring, and 6-foot-9 sophomore C.J. Aiken is the nation’s No. 4 shot blocker (3.7 bpg). Well-rested GW (9-16, 4-7) is coming off a 69-67 win at Richmond that completed a season sweep of the Spiders.

American at Army

When » Saturday, 4 p.m.

Where » Christl Arena, West Point, N.Y.

AU (17-9, 8-3) is fighting for second place in the Patriot League, which would guarantee two games at home in the conference tournament barring a first-round upset. Since the conference was established in 1990-91, Army (12-14, 5-6) has never finished .500 or better overall or in league play. The Eagles have won the last four meetings, including a 67-55 victory last month at Bender Arena behind Troy Brewer’s 22 points.

Colgate at Navy

When » Saturday, 7 p.m.

Where » Alumni Hall, Annapolis

This could be the last realistic chance for Navy (3-22, 0-11) to end its program-record 18-game losing streak. The only Patriot League win for Colgate (7-19, 1-10) came over Navy four weeks ago 65-54 in overtime. The Midshipmen led the entire second half until Mitch Rolls tied it with a 3-pointer with seven seconds left. A Navy loss would clinch last place and set up a conference tournament quarterfinal match at the regular-season champion, likely Bucknell.

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