Sunday's Games to Watch
by Caleb Peiffer
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Matchup: Xavier (16-4, 4-1 Atlantic 10) at Massachusetts (13-5, 2-2), 12:00 p.m. EST
Rankings: Xavier, #9 in Pomeroy Ratings (1st of 14 in A-10); Massachusetts, #79 (6th)
Pomeroy Prediction: Xavier, 87-78 in 77 Possessions
Upset Possibility: 22%
Prospectus: A contrast in styles featuring the third-fastest team in the nation (the Minutemen) and the extremely slow-paced yet deadly efficient Musketeers.
Matchup: Duke (16-1, 4-0 ACC) at Maryland (12-7, 2-2), 6:30
Rankings: Duke, #3 in Pomeroy Ratings (1st of 12 in ACC); Maryland, #45 (4th)
Pomeroy Prediction: Duke, 80-71 in 79 Possessions
Upset Possibility: 19%
Prospectus: The Terrapins will look to go 2-0 against the conference elite after beating North Carolina in what should be that most confusing of beasts: thefast-paced defensive struggle.
Matchup: Clemson (15-4, 3-2 ACC) at Miami (14-4, 1-3), 1:00
Rankings: Clemson, #19 in Pomeroy Ratings (3rd of 12 in ACC); Miami, #51 (5th)
Pomeroy Prediction: Clemson, 75-73 in 71 Possessions
Upset Possibility: 42%
Prospectus: The reeling Hurricanes (three straight conference losses) need a big win over an excellent all-around Tigers team to get their season back on aplayoff trajectory.
Matchup: Georgia Tech (9-9, 2-3 ACC) at Virginia (11-6, 1-3), 4:30
Rankings: Georgia Tech, #68 in Pomeroy Ratings (9th of 12 in ACC); Virginia, #67 (8th)
Pomeroy Prediction: Virginia, 81-77 in 74 Possessions
Upset Possibility: 34%
Prospectus: The Yellowjackets have been one of the unluckiest teams in the nation thus far, and should have almost two more wins than they do.
Matchup: Vanderbilt (17-2, 2-2 SEC) at Florida (17-3, 4-1), 1:00
Rankings: Vanderbilt, #62 in Pomeroy Ratings (7th of 12 in SEC); Florida, #32 (3rd)
Pomeroy Prediction: Florida, 82-74 in 71 Possessions
Upset Possibility: 21%
Prospectus: The Commodores have provided a great story thus far, but with a No. 14 ranking in the AP Top 25, the team is vastly overrated. Florida'soffense, the best in the country by raw efficiency, should expose Vanderbilt's somewhat shaky defense.
Matchup: Providence (12-6, 3-3 Big East) at Syracuse (13-7, 3-4), 2:00
Rankings: Providence, #58 in Pomeroy Ratings (9th of 16 in Big East); Syracuse, #44 (8th)
Pomeroy Prediction: Syracuse, 82-76 in 73 Possessions
Upset Possibility: 28%
Prospectus: The Orange are a fast-paced team that is allergic to the three, whereas the Friars run a slower attack that favors the long ball. Both squads arestrong on the offensive glass.
Matchup: Cincinnati (9-10, 4-3 Big East) at Seton Hall (13-6, 3-3), 12:00
Rankings: Cincinnati, #98 in Pomeroy Ratings (13th of 16 in ACC); Seton Hall, #83 (11th)
Pomeroy Prediction: Seton Hall, 81-74 in 72 Possessions
Upset Possibility: 27%
Prospectus: This Big East bubble battle features another matchup between a very fast team (Pirates) and a very slow one (Bearcats).
Matchup: Western Michigan (10-8, 4-1 Mid American) at Kent State (15-4, 4-1), 2:00
Rankings: Western Michigan, #112 in Pomeroy Ratings (4th of 12 in Mid American); Kent State, #72 (1st)
Pomeroy Prediction: Kent State, 72-63 in 66 Possessions
Upset Possibility: 18%
Prospectus: The best in the West division (Broncos) takes on the best in the East (Golden Flashes) in what promises to be a grindingly slow battle.