Hello there. I'm starting up a new feature where we at Run the Floor run down the daily games across the nation. It's as simple as it sounds. With conference play heating up, we are in store for some potentially good games. 5 ranked teams are in action. Let's take a look.
7 pm – (17) Duke at (18) Pittsburgh – ESPN
Pittsburgh – 4
The Panthers are 13-0 at home this season. That doesn't exactly say a whole lot since their best home win is over Wake Forest. They host a Duke team that hasn't exactly gotten it done on the road. Duke has only played 4 true road games. They've lost at Clemson and Notre Dame, while beating Miami and Elon. One of the biggest storylines for this game has been Pitt's softer schedule. They have 1 top 60 RPI win, over Wake. They have had a lot of trouble scoring against the better teams they have played. Pitt scored 54 against Syracuse and 43 against Cincinnati. Duke's defense doesn't offer nearly the test of those two teams but they are no pushover. This should be an interesting game to see play out.
9 pm – (8) Oklahoma State at (23) Oklahoma – ESPN
Oklahoma State – 4.5
Bedlam kicks off a tough run for both Oklahoma schools. Marcus Smart and company play at OU, host Baylor and travel to Iowa State next Monday. Oklahoma goes to Aimes this weekend. The Sooners are riding a 3 game winning steak, although over Texas Tech, Baylor and TCU who have a combined 3 conference wins. Oklahoma State rebounded from the Kansas loss with a win over West Virginia. One of the biggest takeaways from that game, outside of 360 dunks, was Marcus Smart kicking a chair. Fairly or unfairly, eyes will be on him to see how he handles himself. This is a big, big game for the schools. Both have two conference losses. They can't afford to fall off the pace of undefeated Kansas.
9 pm – (9) Villanova at Georgetown – Fox Sports 1
Villanova -5.5
The Wildcats hit the road for the second of a three game road trip against a slumping Hoyas squad. The Hoyas have lost 4 in a row, 3 by double digits. Four of their five conference losses have been by double figures. Villanova posted a nice win against Marquette on Saturday. They need a win to keep pace with fellow one loss Creighton. Georgetown, at 3-5, is trying to avoid falling into a 9th place tie with DePaul.
Other TV Games
7 – Norfolk State at Savannah State – ESPNU
Savannah State – 2
Savannah State leads the MEAC with a 5-1 record. Norfolk is half a game behind them at 5-2. The Tigers are coming off a home loss to Hampton, while the Spartans have dropped two of their last 3. That includes a loss at South Carolina State on Saturday. Savannah State has a balanced offensive attack with six players averaging at least 6 points, headlined by Deven Williams' 10. Malcolm Hawkins leads Norfolk with 16.7 points a game, 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists. Pendarvis Williams averages 15.3, 5.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals for the Spartans as well. And his name is Pendarvis.
9 pm – Colgate at Lafayette – CBS Sports Network
Lafayette -2.5
Colgate is 1-7 in the Patriot league, Lafayette 0-8. Lafayette hasn't won a game since December 17. They haven't beaten a division 1 team since December 7. Colgate has dropped a couple of tight games after getting their first win of 2014 over Army. Lafayette is one of, if not the, worst rebound teams in the nation. Dan Trist leads them with 13.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists. Colgate is led by the 14 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.3 steals of Murphy Burnatowski.
9pm – Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas Southern – ESPNU
Texas Southern -13
Texas Southern is 4-2 in the SWAC, trying to hold pace with Southern and Alabama State. UAPB is 2-4 in the league and has dropped 4 straight games. Texas Southern can't really afford a loss after giving away a game to Jackson State a week ago. Aaric Murray is worth the price of admission for this one. The former La Salle and WVU player, Murray is averaging 23 points, 8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks a game. UAPB is led by DaVon Haynes' 14.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal and 1 block per game.
The Rest of the Action
7 pm
Chaleston at William and Mary
Hofstra at Towson – both are 3-2 in the CAA
7:30 pm
NJIT at Delaware State
Howard at Bethune-Cookman
Hampton at South Carolina State – Hampton is 4-2 in the MEAC and trying to get to .500 on the season
8 pm
Morgan State at North Carolina Central – Both teams are 4-1 in the MEAC. A huge battle for the top of the standings and a potential tie with Savannah State. Big night in the MEAC.
8:30 pm
Mississippi Valley State at Prairie View A&M – PV is 4-2 in the SWAC, trying to keep pace.
9 pm
Alabama State at Southern University – The top teams in the SWAC tangle when 6-1 Southern hosts 5-1 Alabama State. Alabama State has won 4 straight.
10:05 pm
Eastern Washington at Portland State
