VCU really needs this win against UCLA. The Rams don’t have much else on their schedule that can be considered a quality victory outside of conference play. They do get Richmond, but will the Spiders be good enough to be a marquee win for this team? It will be interesting to see if Joey Rodriguez, who reinjured his ankled on Wednesday, will be available. He could really have a day against a backcourt that is not as athletic as Tennessee’s. For the Bruins, this is a chance to avoid embarrassment. This program has fallen a long way from the one that made three straight Final Fours. Beating VCU would be a good win, which is not a good sign for the Bruin program.

Villanova and Tennessee, which tips of at the awkward time of 5 pm, is the marquee matchup. The Wildcats actually match up well with the Vols. They have a backcourt that is just as athletic as Tennessee’s (although the Vols are a bit bigger), they can play with size on the perimeter, and they have a couple of big bodies in the paint. As I see it, the key to the game will be in the paint. Which frontcourt will assert themselves? Who wins an intriguing matchup between Brian Williams and Mouph Yarou? I am also interested to see who rises to the occasion. Will Corey Fisher find his shooting touch? Will Scotty Hopson attack the basket or settle for jumpers? This will be a fun one to watch.

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