Preview Roundups
February 21, 2017
Purdue at Penn St. 6:00 PM ET
Purdue sophomore forward Caleb Swanigan has rolled off nine consecutive double-doubles and aims to lead the No. 14 Boilermakers to their sixth consecutive victory when they visit Penn State on Tuesday in Big Ten action. Swanigan tops the nation with 23 double-doubles, has scored in double digits in 18 straight games and has matched the school record for rebounds in a season (352) set by Joe Barry Carroll in 1978-79.
Auburn at Louisiana State 7:00 PM ET
Auburn has been surrendering points at an alarming rate in recent games - making it a great time to face an LSU team that has been even worse off. Auburn looks to end a three-game losing skid in an SEC contest Tuesday night against host LSU, which has dropped 13 consecutive games.
South Carolina at Florida 7:00 PM ET
In the course of a week, South Carolina’s focus has shifted from trying to claim the SEC regular-season title to hoping to avoid another late-season collapse. The Gamecocks will have another tough challenge as they try to avoid a third consecutive loss Tuesday at No. 12 Florida.
Clemson at Virginia Tech 7:00 PM ET
ESPN Bracketologist Joe Lunardi has Virginia Tech sitting fairly safe as a 10th seed in his latest NCAA Tournament release on Monday, while slumping Clemson is mentioned as “one of the first four out.” Both will try and improve upon their March Madness position when the Tigers visits the Hokies on Tuesday.
Oklahoma at Baylor 7:00 PM ET
With its chances at a Big 12 title all but squashed after a bitter 67-65 home loss to third-ranked Kansas, No. 9 Baylor will try to snap its second two-game losing streak of the month when it hosts last-place Oklahoma on Tuesday. The Bears, who squandered a six-point lead in the final three minutes of Saturday's setback against the Jayhawks, start the week in a three-way tie for second place with West Virginia and Iowa State, against whom they have upcoming matchups.
Evansville at Wichita St. 8:00 PM ET
A 10-game win streak vaulted Wichita State into the Top 25 for the first time this season as the No. 25 Shockers continue pursuit of their fourth straight Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title when they host Evansville on Tuesday. Wichita State crushed Northern Iowa 73-44 on Saturday to reach 25 wins for the eighth straight season and shares the MVC lead with Illinois State with two games to play prior to the conference tournament.
Northwestern at Illinois 8:00 PM ET
Northwestern can set a program record for the most wins in a single season when it travels to Champaign to tangle with Illinois on Tuesday. The Wildcats have won two of their last three games, including a 69-65 triumph against Rutgers on Saturday, to stay on track to earn their first NCAA Tournament berth, and look to notch their 21st victory of the campaign by avenging a disappointing 68-61 setback to the Fighting Illini on Feb. 7.
N.C. State at Georgia Tech 8:00 PM ET
North Carolina State already has announced it will move on from coach Mark Gottfried at season’s end, but it continues to struggle heading into Tuesday’s visit to Georgia Tech. The Wolfpack have lost six in a row to open February and seven straight overall, falling 81-72 on Saturday at Notre Dame to move within a half-game of the ACC cellar.
St. John's at Marquette 8:00 PM ET
All eyes will be on Markus Howard to see what he can do for an encore when Marquette battles visiting St. John's on Tuesday in a Big East game. Howard set the school's single-game scoring record for a freshman with 34 points in the Golden Eagles' 83-61 victory Saturday against Xavier.
Kentucky at Missouri 9:00 PM ET
The way Kentucky coach John Calipari talks about Missouri doesn’t seem to fit the Tigers’ record or their place near the bottom of the SEC standings. But Calipari has taken notice of the team's improved play of late and hopes his 10th-ranked Wildcats can avoid a classic trap game when they visit the Tigers on Tuesday.
Mississippi at Mississippi St. 9:00 PM ET
Mississippi State looks to snap out of a slump and deal visiting Ole Miss a major blow to its NCAA hopes when the rivals meet for an SEC battle on Tuesday night. The Bulldogs have dropped four straight contests and eight of 10 after a promising start while Ole Miss is 4-2 in its last six games and needs a strong finish to keep hopes alive for a spot in the Big Dance.
Indiana at Iowa 9:00 PM ET
Indiana's chances to make the NCAA Tournament have been dwindling by the day but it hopes to take advantage of another stumbling Big Ten team when it pays a visit to Iowa on Tuesday. Four straight losses and six in the last seven games have severely jeopardized the Hoosiers' chances to make the tourney, although an admirable effort at Minnesota the last time out has coach Tom Crean confident in a turnaround.
East Carolina at Tulane 9:00 PM ET
Tulane will look to build on its best offensive performance of season when it hosts American Athletic Conference-rival East Carolina on Tuesday. The Green Wave produced season highs in points (94), field-goal percentage (66), 3-pointers (12) and margin of victory (23 points) against last-place South Florida, while the Pirates are coming off a frustrating 61-58 loss to Central Florida.