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6 AROUND THE NATION
Games to watch Keep an eye on these matchups
DUKE VS.
NORTH CAROLINA
The Tar Heels are really struggling in conference play, but throw everything out the window when it comes to this rivalry. Anything can happen, and look for North Carolina to come out focused and ready to play. The Blue Devils should have enough talent and poise to pull out the victory on the road.
CONNECTICUT VS. SYRACUSE
The Huskies have been having a rough season so far, but they have enough talent to compete with anyone. Forward Wesley Johnson and the Orangemen are always tough to defeat in the Carrier Dome, but expect this game to be close.
NOTRE DAME VS. SETON HALL
ASSOCIATED PRESS
The Fighting Irish are making a push for an NCAA Tournament bid, but they can't afford to lose to Seton Hall. The Pirates aren't great, but they have played well against some quality teams. This one should be close, but Luke Harangody should make the difference.
WASHINGTON VS. CALIFORNIA Cal
No one is playing like they want to win the Pac-10 this season. The Golden Bears have already lost three league games, but they are still in first place in the Pac-10. The Huskies have struggled in conference play, but they have a chance to make a big statement on the road.
Kentucky's John Wall drives past Vanderbilt's Jermaine Beal during the second half of their game in January. The Wildcats defeated the Commodores 85-72 behind John Wall's 13 points and nine assists.
Freshman point guard John Wall has been spectacular but Kentucky has shown signs of vulnerability on several occasions this season. The Wildcats will get a tough test from the Volunteers, who have played through a lot of adversity this season. Tennessee still has a shot at
the SEC Championship, but it is really Kentucky's to lose. Coach John Calipari knows that the Volunteers cannot be taken lightly and he will have his team ready to play. Tennessee will keep it close, but Kentucky has too much young talent and should pull out the victory.
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. Michigan State 2. West Virginia
3. Gonzaga 3. Purdue
4. Tennessee 4. Ohio State
WEST SOUTH
1. Villanova 1. Kentucky
2. Georgetown 2. Duke
3. Kansas State 3. Texas
4. BYU 4. Wisconsin
After a big victory against Villanova last weekend, the Georgetown Hoyas are making a real push for a No. 2 seed. The Big East will likely earn two No. 1 seeds, while Kansas and Kentucky are both in great shape to earn the top spots in the Midwest and South regionals. Texas has been falling fast, but the Longhorns should be able to recover in time to secure at least a No. 3 seed for the tournament.
The Wave's Top 25 Wave editor Scott Toland ranks the nation's best teams
1. Kansas - The Jayhawks picked up a huge victory against Texas on Monday night to gain full control of the Big 12 Conference race.
6. **Gerogetown** - The Hoyas ran past Villanova on Saturday and proved just how good of a team they can be.
2. Syracuse - The Orangemen are on a roll, and they have a real attack at defeating Villanova and winning the Big East Conference.
11. Wisconsin - The Badgers have established themselves as a contender for the Big Ten Conference crown.
7. Duke - Coach K is getting the most out of the Blue Devils this season, and they should finish on top in the ACC.
16. Ohio State - With the return of Evan Turner, the Buckeyes will be a tough test for anyone in the NCAA Tournament.
12. Tennessee - The Volunteer are playing well headway into a big showdown at Kentucky on Wednesday.
3. Kentucky - John Wall and the Wildcats don't have the pressure of staying undefeated and should roll to the SEC championship.
21. Northern Iowa - The Panthers are starting to earn a lot more respect after startling 20-2 this season.
17. BYU The Cougars lost to UNLV on Saturday, but they could be a dangerous team in March.
8. Purdue – The Boilermakers are having a great season, but they still have a tough road to the Big Ten championship.
13. Gonzaga - The Bulldogs pulled out a nonconference victory against Memphis on Saturday.
22. Cornell  The Big Red proved they can play when they nearly knocked off Kansas in Allen Fieldhouse earlier this season.
4. Villanova - The Wildcats got blown out last week, but Jay Wright should be able to get his team back on track in a hurry.
9. Kansas State – The Wildcats have proved that they are a legitimate threat to any team on any given night.
18. Pittsburgh - The Panthers have had a lot more success so far this season than most people would have predicted.
14. New Mexico - The Lobos are starting to get some significant attention after getting off to a great start this season
2. Vanderbilt – Coach Kevin Stallings’ Commodores lost to Georgia on Saturday, and they still have to face Kentucky.
19. Butter - The Bulldogs are having another great season and should be able to claim a decent seed in the Big Dance.
5. West Virginia – Bob Huggins has his Mountaineers playing really well as they hit the home stretch of their season.
24. Mississippi The Rebels have six losses, but they have played good games against Kentucky and Tennessee.
10. Michigan State - After two losses last week, it's clear that the Spartans need Kalin Lucas to make a run in March.
15. Texas -The Longhorns are struggling, but they are still capable of defeating just about anyone when they play well.
20. Georgia Tech - The Yellow Jackets have lost several close games this season and should not be taken lightly.
THE WAVE FEBRUARY 10,2010
25. Temple - The Owls still have a good chance at winning the Atlantic-10 and making the NCAA Tournament.
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN