So it's day number two without a computer so I'm sneaking my minutes on a borrowed Mac to get this done for you readers. Did anyone noticed I changed the headline? Anyway, today's got more games on the NC-Double-Eh tip and they are huge! Devoe Joseph looking to lead teh Gophers over Xavier, Gonzaga looking to get past Florida State and MoJo and Kris Jo locking horns in the night cap. Find out who else is playing today right here ...
As always, we have highlighted the games you need to watch today below. All the featured Canadians will be in big games so be sure to tune in.
NCAA
12:25pm (11) Minnesota vs. (6) Xavier - this is a game you people will need to watch if you're home. The Gophers are riding a pretty good high having been playing better ball as of January all the way into the Big Ten Championship game. Coincidentally, the team's better play seems to have come around the time that Pickering, ON's Devoe Joseph was inserted into the starting lineup. I'm not going to say that it's because of him, but it's a little hard not to attribute part of the success to that move by Tubby Smith. Today he'll go up against an always tough Xavier defense. After having a great run in the conference tournament last weekend, expect Joseph to carry that momentum over to this game and possibly beyond. And remember to check in with our colleagues at The Daily Gopher for the live game thread here.
12:30pm (12) Cornell vs. (5) Temple
7:10pm (9) Florida State vs. (8) Gonzaga - the Zags are a good team for sure but they have played like the Raptors this season. As our SB Nation colleagues at The Slipper Still Fits have mentioned in throughout the season, it's like the Zags have played half awake half the time while dominating their opponents the other half. This is not the time to for that split personality. They have played down to their opponents and lost and this Florida State team is pretty good. They will need to have all pistons firing in this game to win it, Look for big contributions from Rob Sacre and the bombs being dropped by Bol Kong from deep in this one. Also note that Manny Arop will not being playing due to a broken foot suffered in the semi finals of the WCC Conference Tournament. And check out our boys on the west coast for the live game thread here.
7:20pm (12) New Mexico State vs. (5) Michigan
9:30pm (16) Vermont vs. (1) Syracuse - in what will probably be a blow out for the 'Cuse, there is an interesting sub text going on in this game. The Brothers Joseph will be facing one another for the first and last time as college players. This will be a heated battle for bragging rights at home for sure but it's not the only story of the game. With starting big man Arinze Onuaku out for this game with the leg injury, the Orange will be a little smaller than usual which may be a bonus for the Catamounts who play a version of small ball. And let's not forget the young Andy Rautins who, whether his team wins or loses today, if he has a great game could boost himself into an NBA draft slot. There is a lot riding on this game for sure on many levels so expect this one to be tight. If Syracuse doesn't put this away by the ten minute mark of the first half, then this could be a coin toss for the winning at the end. Check out our peeps at the SB Nation Syracuse blog right here at game time.