| PLAYERS TO WATCH |
| Joey Rodriguez |
| The standout VCU guard hit just four of 21 shots in consecutive home losses to Old Dominion and George Mason, putting the Rams (20-8) back on the NCAA tournament bubble. On Saturday VCU can boost its resume with an ESPN BracketBuster win at Wichita State (22-5). (Fri., 7 p.m., ESPN2) |
| Jamal Coombs-McDaniel |
| After scoring 45 points in 10 Big East games, the 6-foot-7 Connecticut sophomore has scored 48 in his last two, wins over Providence and Georgetown. On a rare Friday night game, the No. 13 Huskies travel to No. 16 Louisville with payback the theme after the Cardinals’ 79-78 win in Storrs three weeks ago. (Fri., 9 p.m., ESPN) |
| Dwight Hardy |
| The St. John’s guard has averaged 27.8 points in his last four games, including key wins over UConn, Cincinnati and Marquette. On Saturday, he and the Red Storm try to take down visiting No. 4 Pittsburgh. St. John’s has toppled four teams ranked in the top 15 this year, all at Madison Square Garden. (Sat., noon, ESPN) |
| Derrick Williams |
| The 6-8 sophomore for No. 12 Arizona has hit 25 of 36 shots from 3-point range and ranks second in the Pac 10 in scoring (19.2 ppg). The Wildcats have a tough league matchup with Washington and G Isaiah Thomas, who dealt them a 17-point loss on Jan. 20. (Sat., 6 p.m., ESPN) |
| Mickey McConnell |
| The senior guard, who averages 16.9 points and 6.2 rebounds a game, leads St. Mary’s (22-5) in an intriguing ESPN BracketBuster matchup with visiting Utah State (24-3). The Gaels look to rebound from their shocking loss Wednesday night at San Diego (6-21). (Sat., 9 p.m., ESPN2) |
LOCAL GAMES
Army at Navy
When » Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Recommended Stories
Where » Alumni Hall, Annapolis, Md.
TV/Radio » CBS College Sports/1430 AM
This is a hotly contested rivalry in basketball, too. Army (11-15, 3-8) is in familiar position — last place in the Patriot League — but the Black Knights always find a way to even the score with the Midshipmen. These teams have split every year since 2002-03, a bad omen for Navy (9-18, 4-7), which won the first meeting at West Point 85-81 behind G Jordan Sugars (25 points). The game is sold out.
Va. Tech at Virginia
When » Saturday, 1 p.m.
Where » John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, Va.
TV/Radio » ACC Network (FOX DC)/570 AM
Virginia Tech (17-7, 7-4) has moved into solid position in its quest for an elusive NCAA berth. Virginia (12-13, 3-8) won the first meeting 57-54 on Dec. 5, but the fortunes of the teams have diverged. Virginia F Mike Scott (ankle), who had 21 points and 13 rebounds in the first meeting, is down for the season, and the Cavaliers have lost 10 of their last 14. Virginia Tech has gone 13-3 since the loss to Virginia.
GW at La Salle
When » Saturday, 7 p.m.
Where » Tom Gola Arena, Philadelphia
TV/Radio » CBS College Sports/1500, 820 AM
George Washington (13-12, 6-5) won the first meeting 72-67 as junior G Tony Taylor scored a career-high 28 points. GW is coming off a 59-51 win at UMass on Sunday in which freshman Nemanja Mikic scored 20 points. La Salle (12-14, 4-7) has lost three of its last four despite the solid inside work of 6-foot-10 sophomore Aaric Murray (15.4 ppg, 7.7 rpg) and 6-8 senior Jerrell Williams (13.5 ppg, 7.7 rpg).
Fla. A&M at Howard
When » Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where » Burr Gymnasium
In the first meeting, FAMU (11-15, 6-6) earned an ugly 45-38 win in which it shot 29.5 percent and committed 15 turnovers, mainly because Howard (21.4 percent, 16 turnovers) was even worse. The Bison (5-20, 3-9) are coming off a 76-68 loss at Norfolk State in which 6-10 freshman Alphonso Leary scored a career-high 17 points in his hometown.
