March Madness is right around the corner, which means teams are wrapping up their conference schedules. A lot of Senior Nights will be had this week and, usually teams get caught looking ahead to March, forgetting about these last few remaining games. I anticipate some upsets this week.
The Syracuse Orangemen (18-9, 7-7 Atlantic Coast Conference) have a tough schedule this week as they face two teams starting the week within the top 10 AP rankings; the North Carolina Tar Heels (21-7, 10-5 ACC) and Duke Blue Devils (22-5, 10-4 ACC). Syracuse could be a bubble team if they can’t pick up a win in one of these two games.
The game of the week looks to be Saturday afternoon, when the Kansas Jayhawks (22-6, 11-4 Big 12 Conference) visit Texas to take on the Red Raiders of Texas Tech (22-5, 10-4 Big 12).
NCAA Basketball in Chicago: Feb 20-24
Tuesday, February 20
Creighton Bluejays at Butler Bulldogs
@ Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch: FS1, 6p CT
Creighton Bluejay bars: Sully’s House Tap Room & Grill
Butler Bulldog bars: Gaslight Bar & Grille
#21 West Virginia Mountaineers at Baylor Bears
@ Ferrell Center, Waco, Texas
Watch: ESPN2, 6p CT
West Virginia Mountaineer bars: Old Town Pour House, Theory Sports Div Lounge
Wednesday, February 21
#15 Clemson Tigers at Virginia Tech Hokies
@ Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Virginia
Watch: ACC Network Extra, 6p CT
Virginia Tech Hokie bars: Riverview Tavern & Grill / Robey Pizza, Kincade’s, Crossroads Public House
#10 North Carolina Tar Heels at Syracuse Orangemen
@ Carrier Dome, Syracuse, New York
Watch: ESPN, 6p CT
North Carolina Tar Heel bars: Tobacco Road, Gamekeepers
Syracuse Orangemen bars: Crossroads Public House, Gamekeepers
Florida Gators at #19 Tennessee Volunteers
@ Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, Tennessee
Watch: ESPN2, 8p CT
Florida Gator bars: Sully’s House Tap Room & Grill, Joe’s Bar on Weed Street
Tennessee Volunteer bars: Riverview Tavern & Grill / Robey Pizza
Saturday, February 24
#3 Villanova Wildcats at Creighton Bluejays
@ CenturyLink Center Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska
Watch: FOX, 1:30p CT
Villanova Wildcat bars: Derby
Creighton Bluejay bars: Sully’s House Tap Room & Grill
#8 Kansas Jayhawks at #6 Texas Tech Red Raiders
@ United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, Texas
Watch: ESPN, 3:15p CT
Kansas Jayhawk bars: Toon’s Bar & Grill, Theory Sports Div Lounge, Lottie’s Pub, Kincade’s
Texas Tech Red Raider bars: Kelsey’s
Syracuse Orangemen at #5 Duke Blue Devils
@ Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, North Carolina
Watch: ESPN, 5p CT
Syracuse Orangemen bars: Crossroads Public House, Gamekeepers