Looking ahead to a big weekend of football and college basketball. Obviously, Sunday is reserved for the NFL but Saturday there’s plenty of hoops to see including several big conference encounters. Here’s what I’m looking at (in chronological order)

Maryland vs. Temple: Owls should win this but I think it could be interesting.
Wake Forest at BC: Another chance to win a home game and I think they will.
Rutgers at Georgetown: Rutgers seems to be capable of upsets; Hoyas have to protect home court.
Alabama at Kentucky: The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars seem unbeatable at home and that probably won’t change unless Bama goes crazy.
Purdue at Michigan State: Michigan State can’t afford to slip up at home against a tough opponent.
Xavier at Dayton: One of the best rivalries in the A10 but Dayton doesn’t win many. Proving once again they’re the best basketball fans in America, Dayton making big plans for the NCAA Tournament’s First Four, 10,000 seats already sold.
Michigan at Arkansas: Strange interconference meeting; Hogs have been really tough at home.
Missouri at Baylor: Must-see TV for me. I expect it to go down to the final shot but also be highly entertaining.
Fordham at St. Bonaventure: For A10 geeks, this is a measuring stick game for both of these teams. Is one on the way up (Fordham) and another on the way down (Bonnies)?
Central Florida at Alabama Birmingham: Jordanaires need to prove their worth on the road after beating Memphis. This won’t be easy.
Indiana State at Creighton: A chance to see two players I really like, Jake Odum of Indiana State and Doug McDermott of Creighton.
Cincinnati at West Virginia: The overachieving Bearcats won at UConn. Can they do it in Morgantown?
Florida State at Duke: Karate defense will be played in this one. I think the Seminoles can win it.
UCLA at Oregon: The Lack 12 is looking for a leader, could be one of these two.
Northeastern at Drexel: Bill Coen has done a remarkable job squeezing wins out of this NU team. This would be a really good one.
UMass at Richmond: Minutemen have to prove themselves on the road and they can win this one.
Iowa State at Texas Tech: I expect the Cyclones to win easily but I’ll tune in to check out my favorite player, Royce White.
Kent State at Akron: A key MAC game plus there’s rivalry involved.
Syracuse at Notre Dame: The Orange shouldn’t lose but ND is really tough at home.
Marshall at Southern Mississippi: This is an important CUSA matchup. Marshall has to recover from its rivalry loss to West Virginia.
Stanford at Washington: Just like UCLA-Oregon, this could go a long way in determining who will emerge in the Lack 12.
Colorado State at Wyoming: ColoState has won eight in a row; Wyoming is 11-1 at home.
Marquette at Providence: The Friars have been good at home; this would be a nice upset.
Mississippi State at Vanderbilt: Vandy looks like it’s rolling, it can affirm that with a big home win.
LIU at Wagner: Biggest game of the season in the NEC.
Old Dominion at VCU: Great CAA rivalry game. VCU was lucky to beat lowly William & Mary Thursday night.
Louisville at Pitt: Which team has declined more? I guess we’ll find out.
New Mexico at UNLV: Biggest game of the season in the Mountain West.
Long Beach State at Cal Santa Barbara: Biggest game of the season in the Big West