This week's can't-miss college games
By MATT SEVERANCE
Here is the most intriguing matchup each night this week in college basketball, with a look at the best of the weekend coming Friday.
Kansas at Oklahoma (Monday, 9 p.m., ESPN)
Oklahoma’s loss to Texas on Saturday not only denies the Sooners the top spot in the polls, the team also fell into a tie for first with Kansas atop the Big 12.
A big reason for that OU loss on Saturday was the concussion suffered by All-American Blake Griffin. He played only 11 minutes, all in the first half, after taking a blow across the nose. He finished with two points and three rebounds. An MRI taken on Sunday was clear and he reportedly was feeling better, but he’s still questionable for Monday. Needless to say, Griffin's status will affect the line significantly.
Griffin played just five minutes in the Sooners' lone game with KU last season because of a knee injury. The Jayhawks won 85-55.
Florida at LSU (Tuesday, 9 p.m., ESPN)
Rebounding could be the difference with LSU among the conference leaders and UF near the bottom. Gators freshman Allan Chaney is one of the team’s better rebounders (in limited minutes), but he remains out with a stress fracture in his left heel.
Florida beat Vanderbilt on Saturday even though star Nick Calathes was suffering from flu-like symptoms. He still managed to play 36 minutes and score 14 points, but teammates and coaches said he was sluggish.
"It's good that some of the other guys stepped up,” UF coach Billy Donovan said to the Palm Beach Post. “Better for our team that (Calathes) is not the one doing it all the time."
LSU has won eight games in a row (although the Tigers are 0-3 ATS in past three) and has just one home loss this season.
Connecticut at Marquette (Wednesday, 7 p.m., ESPN)
UConn is unbeaten on the road (5-2 ATS) and the Golden Eagles have yet to lose at home (5-5-1 ATS).
Huskies coach Jim Calhoun said after his team's closer-than-expected 64-50 win over South Florida on Saturday that he wants more from guard Craig Austrie, who has replaced the injured Jerome Dyson in the starting lineup. Austrie had seven points and four assists against the Bulls.
“Craig's much better than the way he's playing,” Calhoun said to the Connecticut Post.
Arizona State at Washington (Thursday, 11 p.m.)
The Huskies are in control of their own destiny for the Pac-10 regular-season crown after beating Southern Cal on Saturday. Win out, and Washington claims its first outright regular-season conference title since 1953 and first of any kind since 1985.
"With nothing but home games it's just all in our favor right now," UW's Justin Dentmon said to the Seattle Times.
UW has won four in a row at home and is 9-4 ATS there this season. The Huskies have covered in their past five games overall. They also beat ASU by 13 earlier this season.