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Sam Federman

Rise and Shine: First January Saturday

By Sam Federman

Florida G Alijah Martin - Photo by Getty Images

Conference play is here. The first January Saturday is always once of the most special days on the calendar, because these games just mean more.


Here's a look at each conference's best game on Saturday.


For conferences that have not started league play, the overall records will be shown. For leagues that have started, league records will be shown.


SEC: Florida (13-0) at Kentucky (11-2), 11 a.m.


The Gators are one of just three undefeated teams remaining in college basketball, and all three are in the SEC. This is THE game of the day in the sport, as it's Kentucky's first big home game of the Mark Pope era against one of the most exciting teams in the country. Florida's only game against a top 50 opponent was its only game that came within single digits, a 90-84 win over North Carolina in Charlotte.


The SEC has a few other huge games, because every game in that league is right now.


Georgia (12-1) at Mississippi (11-2)

Arkansas (11-2) at Tennessee (13-0)

South Carolina (10-3) at Miss State (12-1)

Missouri (11-2) at Auburn (12-1)

Vandy (12-1) at LSU (11-2)

Oklahoma (13-0) at Alabama (11-2)

Texas (11-2) at Texas A&M (11-2)


What a slate


Big Ten: UCLA (2-0) at Nebraska (1-1), 2 p.m.


You don't just walk into Pinnacle Bank... but UCLA is going to try. There are only two Big Ten games on Saturday, as the league spreads its schedule out, but the 2-0 Bruins travelling to Lincoln to face the Diamond Head champions is very enticing.


Big 12: BYU (1-0) at Houston (1-0), 2 p.m.


Most people would probably go with Baylor/Iowa State, but BYU/Houston is an extremely fun one for me. Egor Demin against the pressure defense of the Cougars, who have yet to pick up a true quality win this season.


Big East: DePaul (0-3) at Villanova (2-1), noon


Another league with only two games on Saturday, and neither are extremely interesting. Although Villanova has been playing better ball recently.


ACC: Duke (3-0) at SMU (2-0), 2:15 p.m.


Every "biggest ACC game" will probably be Duke when they're on the road. SMU has been pretty solid to start the season, and this is one of very few chances at a needle moving win in the ACC.


Mountain West: San Diego State (1-1) at Boise State (3-0), 4 p.m.


The only game between the top tier of MWC teams on Saturday is a good one. These two always play great games.


WCC: San Francisco (3-0) at Washington State (2-0), 7 p.m.


Both of these teams have very real chances to make an at-large resume in the WCC, but that must start (continue, I guess) with a win in this game. A win over Gonzaga is probably also necessary down the road.


A-10: VCU (0-1) at Loyola (0-0), 2 p.m.


ASUN: Lipscomb (1-0) at North Florida (0-1), 2 p.m.


America East: Maine (8-7) at Bryant (6-9), 2 p.m.


AAC: Charlotte (7-7) at Rice (10-4), 2 p.m.


Big Sky: Montana (1-0) at Idaho (1-0), 5 p.m.


Big South: High Point (1-0) at UNC Asheville (0-0), 2 p.m.


Big West: UC Riverside (3-0) at UC Irvine (2-0), 10 p.m.


It's a crime that this game isn't on national TV. These are two of the three best teams in the Big West in my opinion, and are both undefeated in the league at the moment. Riverside is looking to make a statement on the road, while Irvine has a ginormous stretch with this game leading into CSUN and UC San Diego on the road, the other two teams in the top 4 of the league, next weekend.


CAA: Towson (1-0) at Charleston (1-0), 2 p.m.


These were the top two teams in the league in the preseason, and both started off with a win on Thursday.


CUSA: Middle Tennessee (1-0) at Liberty (0-1), 6 p.m.


Liberty surprisingly dropped its first league game - at home against WKU - on Thursday, and now has to face a strong MTSU team to avoid falling to 0-2.


Horizon: Youngstown State (5-0) at Purdue Fort Wayne (3-2), 7 p.m.


Ivy: Come back next week!


MAAC: Friday/Sunday


MAC: Ohio (6-6) at Central Michigan (6-6), 7 p.m.


MEAC: Delaware State (7-7) at Howard (5-9), 8 p.m.


Missouri Valley: UIC (2-1) at Belmont (1-2), 5 p.m.


NEC: Friday/Sunday


Ohio Valley: Morehead State (3-0) at Tennessee Tech (2-1), 4 p.m.


Patriot: Playing Sunday


SWAC: Southern (5-8) at Texas Southern (3-10), 6 p.m.


SoCon: Furman (1-0) at UNCG (1-0), 4 p.m.


Southland: Texas A&M Corpus Christi (1-1) at Southeastern Louisiana (0-2)


Summit: St. Thomas (1-0) at North Dakota (0-1), 2 p.m.


Sun Belt: Arkansas State (2-0) at James Madison (1-1), 4 p.m.


WAC: Seattle (5-9) at Cal Baptist (7-7), 8 p.m.








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