Welcome to the January 28 edition of the Rundown, where we run down that day's slate of games. Just a note, all player numbers cited are conference only. To repeat, conference numbers only.
Top 25
7 pm – (7) Michigan State at (15) Iowa – ESPN
Iowa -5.5
The teams that were swatted down by Michigan last week meet up today. Iowa was able to bounce back with a 26 point win over Northwestern, which is the cure for what ails ya in the Big 10. Unless you are Indiana. This is the biggest home game at this point of the season for the Hawkeyes. They have gone to Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State. This is a huge game between two of the best offenses and defenses in the country. It's a chance for a huge statement by Iowa while Sparty looks to right the ship and keep pace with Michigan. Two of the best in the Big 10. This should be a hell of a game.
8 pm – Loyola (IL) at (4) Wichita State – ESPN3
Wichita St -20
The 21-0 Shockers look to keep things going as they face the 8-12 Ramblers. Wichita State has won their last 4 games by 22, 20, 15 and 17. They haven't been fooling around since the Bradley game. I doubt Cleanthony Early, Fred VanVleet, Ron Baker and company will mess around much with the Ramblers. More teams should be the Ramblers by the way.
9 pm – (11) Kentucky at LSU – ESPN
Kentucky -3.5
The 5-1 Wildcats take their show on the road to Baton Rouge for a matchup with the 3-3 Tigers. Kentucky swept a 3 game home stand against the middle of the league. LSU is 2-1 at home in league play, 1-2 on the road. They have split their last 4, losing at Ole Miss and Alabama while winning at home over Vandy and Missouri. The Tigers are going to need monster games from Johnny O'Bryant and Jordan Mickey inside if they are going to have a chance. The Cats could use what Alex Poythress has brought the last couple of games to go along with Julius Randle down low.
9 pm – St John's at (20) Creighton – Fox Sports 1
Creighton -12.5
The Johnnies have won 3 straight, 2 in the league, to get out of the Big East basement. They go from Seton Hall and Butler to the top of the pecking order in Creighton. The Blue Jays are coming off a pretty impressive week where they beat down Villanova and Georgetown. They had a record crowd on Saturday. Creighton has had one conference game decided by less than 13 points, their 95-89 win over Xavier. Steve Lavin's crew has their work cut out for them against Doug McDermott, Ethan Wragge and the bunch.
Other TV Games
7 pm – Southern Methodist at South Florida – ESPNews
SMU -6.5
Larry Brown's Mustang squad rides in at 5-2 in the American. USF is 1-6. SMU's only conference losses have come to Cincinnati and Louisville. They get a much stiffer test on Saturday when they go to Memphis. USF has lost 4 in a row. They have been demolished their last two games after hanging tight with Cincinnati. SMU won the first meeting in Dallas 71-54 behind a 18 point, 10 rebound, 4 steal performance from Markus Kennedy. Shawn Williams added 16 and 7. USF shot 31%. Zach LeDay led them with 12 off the bench.
7 pm – Missouri at Arkansas – ESPNU
Arkansas -6.5
The 3-3 Tigers and 2-4 Razorbacks meet to either further muddle or help clear up some of the mess in the middle of the SEC. Missouri has alternated wins and losses in 2014. They won at home against South Carolina on Saturday. Arkansas continues to be world beaters at home, 2-1, and just not good on the road, 0-3. This one is at home. They look to ride Rashad Madden's 17 points a game, 15 of 33 from 3, while Missouri's big time scorer Jabari Brown, 22 points on 54% shooting, 21 of 38 from 3!, would like to help Missouri win. Obviously.
7 pm – West Virginia at Baylor – ESPN2
Baylor -5.5
Baylor looks to snap their 4 game slide against the Mountaineers. West Virginia has lost 4 of 5, including a tough loss at Oklahoma State on Saturday. Isaiah Austin is averaging 10.5 points, 7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks for the Bears. Juwan Staten, 19 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and Eron Harris, 16.3 points, power the attack for Bob Huggins' boys.
8 pm – Texas Tech at Kansas State – ESPN Fullcourt (also ESPN3)
Kansas St -8.5
Bruce Weber's Wildcats look to rebound from back to back losses to Texas and Iowa State against the also slumping Red Raiders. Tech has also dropped two straight, to West Virginia and Oklahoma respectively. Marcus Foster has played well for Kansas State in conference play, averaging 14.4 points on 40% shooting from 3, with 4.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Jaye Crockett is averaging 15.6 on 52% shooting with 6 boards in Big 12 action.
9 pm – Virginia at Notre Dame – ESPNU
Virginia -3.5
Virginia is off to a 6-1 start in the ACC behind Malcolm Brogdon's 15 points a game during conference play. They've taken care of business by 12, 23, 21, 12, 15 and 20 during their 6 ACC wins. On the other side, Notre Dame has lost their 5 conference games by 7, 5, 8, 2 and 7. They've dropped 5 of 6. Eric Atkins has averaged 16 points and nearly 6 assists in ACC play.
11 pm – New Mexico at Utah State – ESPNU
Utah St -3
Utah State just missed a big shot against Mountain West leader San Diego State at home over the weekend. Now the 2-5 Aggies play host to 6-1 New Mexico. The Lobos have won 3 straight after falling to UNLV. New Mexico big man Alex Kirk is day to day with a leg injury. Kendall Williams, 23, and Cameron Bairstow, 19, were able to carry the load at Colorado State. Spencer Butterfield is coming off a 19 point effort against San Diego State for Utah St.
The Rest
7 pm
High Point at Presbyterian – High Point looks to build on winning 3 of 4 as they take on the 0-6 Blue Hose.
Virginia Military at UNC Asheville – Asheville is one of three 4-2 teams in the Big South 'South' division. VMI is one of four 3-3 teams in the North. This a big swing game.
8 pm
Cleveland State at Eastern Illinois – a rare out of conference game for the 13-9 Vikings and the 7-13 Panthers.
