Oblivious to the Obvious

Having conceded the fact that this weekend belongs strictly to college basketball, with all apologies to that riveting Sox-Twins split squad down in Fort Myers, we'd like to look at the some of the better basketball games that are going to take place this weekend.  Particularly, those games that often times, do not even register on ESPN as actual games (see photo).

Sure, Nova-West Virginia should be great, Kansas-Mizzou could be special, and of course, we got a Duke-UNC, even if the Heels are about to feel the steel of a Blue Devil bounce back game.  But in all honesty, there are better games on this weekend.  Those with even more on the line, and those could even be more entertaining than a Louis-Cuse re-match (although that one could be pretty awesome, too).

Tonight, we have a battle for the regular season MAC title.  This is huge. Kent State won the first battle, and pretty easily, thanks to Justin Green's huge night (23 points, 12 rebounds).  But it's not just Greene that scores for the Golden Flashes, as 4 players are averaging double-digit points.  And with both teams sitting at 22-8 overall, and 12-3 in the conference, this game could very well determine if the MAC is sending only one or two teams to the dance next weekend.  Unless Akron can find a way to stop the Flash offense, and put some points up of their own, then they could very well be hoping that someone can do their dirty work for them prior to the MAC tournament championship.

However, tomorrow is the big day and it doesn't disappoint, as tournament hopes could be dashed or saved before the conference tournaments even begin.  In the WAC, top-seeded Utah State is taking on #2 New Mexico State.  Utah has locked up the regular season crown, but the Aggies could do themselves a serious favor in terms of momentum by knocking off the top dog before the tournament... Just like they did the first time these two played.  New Mexico State's Jahmar Young averages 21 points per game and Utah State has won 14 straight games... Just something to think about before turning up your nose.

And how about a battle for Christ in the Midwest?  Notre Dame has been on a tear lately with victories over Pitt, Georgetown, and Connecticut, and all without their ball-hogging stud to get in the way.  Marquette has looked pretty solid recently, as well, winning 9 of their last 10.  The question here is; does the loser go home?  If Notre Dame strings together 4-straight solid wins, do they then supplant UConn as the "team with too many losses, but too many good wins?" (especially if UConn loses to South Florida this weekend... which is entirely possible).  But if Notre Dame loses, and has a less than amazing run in the Big East tournament, are they on the outside looking in?  Tune in to find out in this game of "who can afford to lose the least?"

Other pretty awesome games that apparently do not factor into ESPN's calculations of what qualifiers as an actual game:

Va Tech v. Ga Tech - Yellow Jackets take to the spoiler role for all unworthy ACC teams... Which is most of them.

Noles v. Canes - Let's just all be happy this is an athletic competition rather than a spelling bee.

UTEP v. UAB - So technically this one qualifies as "a game", but it is still not on the radar and should be. But this is big C-USA doings, and UAB has got work to do since they haven't beaten anyone worth beating.

Get your dancing shoes polished, folks.