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6 AROUND THE NATION
Games to watch Keep an eye on these matchups
CONNECTICUT VS. NOTRE DAME
The Huskies have really been playing well after coach Jim Calboun returned to the sidelines. Although they are 17-11, they have the talent to play with anyone, but they can't afford to lose on the road to a Notre Dame team that is also on the bubble.
PURDUE VS.
PENN STATE
The Boilermakers' prospects for a No.1 seed look a lot different after losing forward Robbie Hummel for the season. They still have a chance to win the Big Ten, but they know it will be tough without their best player. Saturday's matchup against Penn State is a must-win road game.
SYRACUSEVS.
LOUISVILLE
The Orange rolled past Villanova last weekend, but they still have some unfinished business to take care of with the Cardinals. Louisville upset Syracuse earlier this season, and the Orange are ready to get revenge to finish the Big East regular season.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NORTH CAROLINA VS.DUKE
This rivalry doesn't mean nearly as much this years as it has in years past, but anything can happen when the Tar Heels face the Blue Devils. North Carolina will probably not make the NCAA Tournament, but a win at Cameron Indoor Stadium could make its season.
West Virginia's Da'Sean Butler, center, is guarded by Darnell Wilks in the first half of their game against Cincinnati on Saturday. Butler and the Mountaineers are preparing for a big matchup with Villanova this weekend.
WEST VIRGINIA VS VILLANOVA
Mountaineers go for a big win against struggling Wildcats
The Wildcats have been struggling lately in the tough Big East, but they are still capable of playing with the best teams in the country. West Virginia has been inconsistent this season, but the Mountaineers will be ready to play at Villanova. Both teams are fighting for the No.2 seed in the Big
East Tournament, and West Virginia would like nothing more than to spoil Villanova senior point guard Scottie Reynolds' final game at home. The Wildcats will have to contain West Virginia forwards Da'Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks to pull out a big win against the Mountaineers.
THE WAVES 2010 NCAA TOURNAMENT PROJECTIONS
The 2010 NCAA Tournament is just a few weeks away, and it's never too early to start thinking about which teams will earn this year's top seeds. The Wave editor Scott Toland projects the top four seeds in each regional.
EAST MIDWEST
1. Syracuse 1. Kansas
2. Ohio State 2. Purdue
3. Tennessee 3. Georgetown
4. Michigan State 4. Gonzaga
WEST SOUTH
1. Duke 1. Kentucky
2. Kansas State 2. West Virginia
3. Villanova 3. New Mexico
4. Vanderbilt 4. Pittsburgh
The Kansas State Wildcats are really close to earning a No.1 seed,but they likely will not advance far enough in the Big 12 Tournament to secure a top spot. Syracuse is making a real push for the No.1 overall seed, while Kansas is still in line to be sent to the Midwest Regional. Villanova could be a very dangerous No.3 seed,while Pittsburgh could make some noise as a No.4 seed.
The Wave's Top 25 Wave editor Scott Toland ranks the nation's best teams
as of Monday, March 1
1. Kansas — The Jayhawks stumbled on the road, but they should bounce back against Kansas State.
6. Kansas State — The Wildcats are trying to make a big statement against the Jayhawks tonight.
2. Syracuse — The Orange really showed what they could do in a big win at home against Villanova.
11. Tennessee — The Volunteers picked up a huge win at home against the Kentucky Wildcats last weekend.
7. Villanova — The Wildcats have been struggling lately, but they will be tough to beat in the Big Dance.
16. Butter  The Buildings are looking good as they head into postseason play after posting a perfect Horizon League record.
3. Kentucky — The Wildcats showed their inexperience on the road against Tennessee last weekend.
12. Gonzaga — The Bulldogs will have a hard time sneaking up on anyone in this year's tournament.
B. West Virginia — The Mountaineers will be ready to play when they travel to Villanova this weekend.
17. Temple — The Owls are 25 after defeat the La Salle Explorers and are in line to win the Atlantic-10 Conference.
11. Northern Iowa — The Panthers could do a good job representing the MVC in the NCAA Tournament.
13. New Mexico — The Lobos held on for a big win against a very good BYU team on Saturday.
22. Baylor — The Bears are a solid team that could provide matchup problems in the postseason.
18. BYU — The Cougars came up just short against New Mexico on the road on Saturday.
9. Georgetown — The Hoyas have eight losses, but they are capable of playing with anyone.
4. Duke — Coach K is getting the most out of his Blue Devils as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament.
14. Michigan State — Kalin Lucas is back, and the Spartans are ready for a big game at Purdue. FITT
23. Cornell — The Big Red should win the lvle League and be in line for a decent seed in the Big Dance this season.
19. Vanderbilt - Center AU
Ogliky and the Commodores could be tough to beat in the NCAA Tournament.
5. Purdue — The Boilermakers are trying to keep winning after losing star forward Robbie Hummel to an injury.
24. Richmond —The Spiders got knocked off by Xavier last week, but they are still a quality Atlantic-10 team
10. Ohio State — Star forward Evan Turner has been doing all it for the Buckeyes in Big Ten Conference play.
15. Pittsburgh — The Panthers are in a good position to quietly make a big run in the NCAA Tournament.
20. Texas A&M — The Aggies swept their regular season series with Texas by defeating the Longhorns on Saturday.
25. Texas — The Longhorses have really struggled in the past few weeks, but they still have plenty of talent.
THE WAVE MARCH 3,2010
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN