+
AROUND THE NATION
Games to watch Keep an eye on these matchups
SOUTH CAROLINA VS. KENTUCKY
John Wall and the Wildcats will be ready for this game. The Gamecocks are the only team with a win against Kentucky this season, and the Wildcats will be looking for revenge. Wall and his team will come out firing on all cylinders to try to put South Carolina away early.
CINCINNATI VS.
WEST VIRGINIA
The Bearcats probably won't make the tournament, but they should be able to give the Mountaineers a good game. West Virginia has a great shot at a No. 2 seed, and it doesn't want to lose focus against Cincinnati. Coach Bob Huggins will have his team ready to play well at home.
KENTUCKY VS. TENNESSEE
The Volunteers gave the Wildcats a great game on the road just two weeks ago. Now Tennessee gets to host the Wildcats, who are still at the top of the SEC standings. If the Volunteers can contain John Wall, this game could come right down to the wire.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
NOTRE DAME VS GEORGETOWN
The Fighting Irish need a late-season push to make it into the NCAA Tournament, and a road win against Georgetown would give them a huge boost. The Hoyas have struggled at times this season, but they should play well enough to defeat Notre Dame.
West Virginia's Darryl Bryant, right, and Villanova's Scottie Reynolds, left, fight for a loose ball in the first half of their game in Morgantown, W.V., earlier this month. Reynolds and the Wildcats are preparing to play at Syracuse on Saturday.
VILLANOVAVS. SYRACUSE
Highly anticipated game features the Big East's top two teams
The winner of the Big East will likely be determined by this game. The Wildcats and the Orange have separated themselves from the other teams in their conference, and these teams are good enough to meet up again in the Final Four. Syracuse has the home court advantage, but both of their losses this season have come in the
Carrier Dome. Scottie Reynolds has plenty of big-game experience, while Syracuse has several players who know what it takes to win big games.The Orange's defense could give the Wildcats some trouble, but Villanova has enough shooters to beat the zone. This should be a great matchup of two very good teams.
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.
FAST MIDWEST
1. Syracuse 1. Kansas
2. Kansas State 2. Duke
3. Tennessee 3. Georgetown
4. Wisconsin 4. Vanderbilt
WEST SOUTH
1. Purdue 1. Kentucky
2. Villanova 2. West Virginia
3. Michigan State 3. Ohio State
4. Gonzaga 4. Pittsburgh
Kansas and Kentucky still look like locks for No.1 seeds, but Purdue is in a great position to get a top seed as well.The Boilermakers are playing as well as any team in the country right now and they should be able to edge out Villanova for a No.1 seed.Kansas State keeps playing well,and the Wildcats have a great shot at a No.2 seed if they have a strong finish to the regular season.
The Wave's Top 25 Wave editor Scott Toland ranks the nation's best teams
1. Kansas — The Jayhawks are really clicking after Xavier Henry and Tyshawn Taylor started to play better.
6. Duke — The Blue Devils are taking advantage of a weak ACC this season, but they are still a tough team to beat.
11. Tennessee — The Volunteers will likely finish third in the SEC, but they have a big chance to upset Kentucky this weekend.
2. Kentucky — The Wildcats survived another tough test against Vanderbilt and are in great shape to win the SEC
16. Butler  The Buildogs are looking like a tough team to seat after picking up a big win against Siena last week.
7. Kansas State — The Wildcats just keep winning as they head toward a big showdown against the Kansas Jayhawks next week.
21. Texas — The Longhams have never really gotten back on track after they were upset at Kansas State earlier this season.
12. Wisconsin — Coach Bo Ryan is getting the most out of his team this year, which is now 10-5 in Big Ten Conference play.
3. Syracuse — The Orange held off Georgetown last week, but will have to play better against Villanova this weekend.
8. West Virginia — Bob Huggins will have his Mountaineers ready to play when the Big East Tournament rolls around.
17. BVU — The Cougars are having one of their best seasons ever after starting 25-3 and rolling through conference play.
22. Texas & A&M — The Aggies have a chance to come up with a big win at home against the Texas Longhorns on Saturday
13. Gonzaga — The Bulldogs are looking for another WC title and are gearing up for another big run in the NCAA Tournament
THE MAREO — The Lobos
have won 11 straight games and
are gearing up for a big MWC
showdown with BYU this week.
4. Purdue — The Boilermakers may be the nation's hottest team after running off nine straight wins in Big Ten play.
9. **Georgetown** — The Hoyas have a lot of talent of their team, but it all depends on which team shows up on any given night.
23. Northern Iowa — The Panthers are 24-3 and are playing like the best team in the Missouri Valley Conference.
14. Michigan State — The Spartans have struggled at times this season, but Tom Izzo will have them peaking at the right time. PITT
19. Temple — The Owls needed five overtures to get past St. Joseph's last weekend, but still have only five losses this season.
5. Villanova — The Wildcats really need a big win against Syracuse after losing two straight games last week.
15. Pittsburg — The Panthers pull off a big home win against Villanova and are playing really well in Big East games.
Ohio State — Evan Tuner is making a strong case for player of the Year after showing how much better he makes his team.
24. Cornell — The Big Red will have a hard time surprising any teams after getting off to such a great start this season.
20. vanderbilt — Coach Kevin Stallings knocks his Commodores missed a big chance to upset Kentucky at home last week.
**22. bayor** — the tears could be a very dangerous team to face in the NCAA Tournament if they are firing on all cylinders.
THE WAVE FEBRUARY 24,2010
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN