Every weekend, USA TODAY Sports looks at the best matchups 
Syracuse Orange forward C.J. Fair (5) shoots against Louisville Cardinals center Gorgui Dieng (10) during a game last season. The two teams meet again on Saturday. (Photo: Jamie Rhodes, USA TODAY Sports) Story Highlights - There's a smorgasbord of enticing matchups this weekend in college hoops with Louisville vs. Syracuse as the main highlight
- Missouri plays at Florida for an SEC clash, while Ohio State travels to Michigan State for a Big Ten battle
- There's also some huge mid-major wars on deck with Creighton vs. Wichita State and Butler vs. Gonzaga
Picking a mere five games to watch is getting increasingly difficult at this point in the season.
TOP 25: Rankings from latest Coaches Poll
TOP 10: Ranking the nation's best players
Realistically, there are at least 10 games to watch this Saturday. But since most of you only have one TV and one remote, here's a look at our best five games on deck:
No. 16 Missouri at No. 9 Florida | Saturday, Jan. 12, 2 p.m., ESPN2
About the Tigers (13-3): Missouri lost its footing towards the end of non-conference play, falling to UCLA in overtime and nearly getting upset by Bucknell. The Tigers have started their first season in the SEC 2-1, losing to Ole Miss last week on the road while playing without leading scorer Laurence Bowers. While the SEC is down this year, Missouri doesn't have much margin for error and games at Gainesville and Lexington are never easy. This team ranks first in the country with almost 44 rebounds per game. Big man Alex Oriakhi (10.4 points, 8.6 rebounds per game) will need to step up with Bowers out. He had 13 points in Missouri's latest win over Georgia this week.
About the Gators (13-2): In spite of a slew of injuries, Florida has looked like the best team in the SEC with a 33-point win against Georgia, a 22-point win atLSU and then a 21-point road win against a Texas A&M team that beat Kentucky. The biggest question still is if Billy Donovan's group can win tight games, as they've lost their only two close games to Arizona and Kansas State. When this team's high-octane offense is clicking, the Gators are difficult to stop. Senior guard Kenny Boynton (13.2 points per game) is having his least productive year offensively, but he's catching his stride with 28 points off eight three-pointers in a Jan. 6 rout against Yale. Injuries are also a problem for Florida.
The matchup: Missouri has lost two straight on the road, while the Florida hasn't lost at home this season. If the Gators' big men Erik Murphy (12.3 points per game) and Patric Young (11.5 points per game) can take advantage of Missouri's depleted front line, Florida could coast. If it's close, the Gators are vulnerable in close-game situations.
Our pick: Florida 
Florida and Missouri face each other in a big SEC clash on Saturday. Both teams are dealing with key injuries. (Photo: Stacy Revere, Getty Images) No. 6 Syracuse at No. 1 Louisville | Saturday, Jan. 12, 4 p.m., ESPN2
About the Orange (16-1): Syracuse responded to a non-conference hiccup—losing 83-79 to Temple—by winning six consecutive games. But with the team's third-leading scorer James Southerland (13.6 points per game) currently ineligible, questions loom on how this group will perform after a similar situation happened last season (Fab Melo's ineligibility). Brandon Triche (14.1 points per game), C.J. Fair (13.8 points per game) and Michael Carter Williams (11.9 points per game) will need to play well and have others step up in Southerland's absence. Syracuse ranks fourth in the country in rebounds, averaging more than 43 boards a night.
About the Cardinals (16-1): Louisville moved to the top spot in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll because it's won 11 straight games since losing to Duke on Nov. 24. The Cardinals' Big East slate hasn't been too difficult and they've started 4-0 with wins against Providence, Seton Hall, South Florida and UConn. Junior Russ Smith (18.9 points per game) and Peyton Siva (11.8 points, 5.6 assists per game) pace a questionable offense, while Gorgui Dieng does the dirty work (9.2 points, 10.4 rebounds per game). The team's defense continues to flourish, ranking second in the country in turnover margin.
The matchup: Both teams have had easy starts to a rigorous Big East schedule and will finally get a serious challenge in this clash between top-10 teams. While it's early, it's not ludicrous to suggest these are the two best Big East teams. This is the type of game the NCAA tournament committee will look at when determining No. 1 seeds. Carter Williams vs. Siva will make for a fun point guard duel to watch.
Our pick: Louisville
No. 10 Creighton at Wichita State | Saturday, Jan. 12, 4 p.m., ESPN2
About the Bluejays (17-1): Creighton has looked dominant in the Missouri Valley through six games but a clash against perhaps its top contender and last year's champion could pose a threat at the team sneaking in the top 10 of national polls. Doug McDermott (24 points, 7.2 rebounds per game) is a legitimate player of the year candidate, evidence by his 70 points in Creighton's last two wins against Missouri State and Northern Iowa. But the Bluejays have proven they can get it done when their best player isn't putting up big numbers, handling Drake and Illinois State on McDermott's quiet shooting nights.
TOP 10: Ranking the best mid-majors
About the Shockers (16-2): Wichita State fell out of many voters' top 25 consideration in polls after a 71-67 loss to Evansville on Sunday, but winning on the road in the Missouri Valley is tougher than it looks. If the Shockers win the MVC, Gregg Marshall's name should be up for national coach of the year. This was supposed to be a rebuilding season after four starters left from a 27-6 NCAA tournament team. Most impressively, the Shockers have gone 6-1 since losing their best player, Carl Hall, in mid-December. Hall returned in Wichita State's road win at struggling Illinois State earlier this week and played 23 minutes. Newcomers, led by junior college transfer Cleanthony Early (15.5 points per game), have all meshed.
The matchup: Despite a Wichita State hiccup against Evansville, Creighton coach Greg McDermott knows better than to overlook the Shockers, especially in a rowdy Charles Koch Arena. Having back a healthy Carl Hall is a bonus, as WSU will need to find a way to contain McDermott, which is the case for most teams.
Our pick: Creighton
No. 11 Ohio State at No. 17 Michigan State | Saturday, Jan. 12, 6 p.m., ESPN
About the Buckeyes (13-3): Ohio State finally picked up a signature win against a top team when it removed Michigan from the unbeaten ranks on Sunday. But now the Buckeyes will have to prove themselves on the road, first against a surging Michigan State team. OSU can't continue to play streaky—almost blowing a big lead against Michigan and letting a big cushion slip away in its loss to Duke. Deshaun Thomas (20.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game) continues to play like the best player in the Big Ten and defensive ball hawk Aaron Craft (8.9 points, 4.6 assists per game) continues to step up his offense.
About the Spartans (15-3): Michigan State has won four consecutive Big Ten games after dropping its conference opener to Minnesota. The problem is the Spartans haven't beaten any top-tier teams in the league yet with wins against Purdue, Iowa, Nebraska and Penn State. A win at home against OSU is essential because Michigan State faces surging Wisconsin and Indiana on the road next week. The backcourt of junior Keith Appling (13.7 points, 4.5 assists per game) and freshman Gary Harris (12.9 points per game) continues to drive MSU's offense.
The matchup: Ohio State's win against Michigan was impressive but it was also on its home floor. Winning in the Big Ten on the road will be the way to create separation in a league with five ranked teams. If MSU cannot stop Thomas on the interior and ride its home crowd, OSU could pick up its second straight resume-building win in the state of Michigan.
Our pick: Michigan State
No. 8 Gonzaga at No. 13 Butler | Saturday, Jan. 12, 9 p.m., ESPN
About the Bulldogs (17-1): Gonzaga took control of the West Coast Conference with an 83-78 victory over top challenger St. Mary's last week. The Bulldogs, winners of seven in a row since a Dec. 8 loss to Illinois, have asserted themselves as a legitimate top 10 team thanks to wins against Baylor, Kansas State and Oklahoma State. Gonzaga, ninth in the country in scoring, has many weapons that make the team difficult to defend. Kelly Olynyk (18.3 points, 6.8 rebounds per game) and Elias Harris (14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds per game) lead a balanced scoring attack.
BUTLER: Clarke feels lucky after scary injury
About the Bulldogs (15-2): Butler has won 12 straight games since a Nov. 21 loss to Illinois but its matchup against Gonzaga could be its toughest test since the 88-86 overtime win over Indiana that has defined its season. It'll be even tougher without leading scorer Rotnei Clarke (16.3 points per game), who is out for at least two games after suffering a scary shoulder injury last week against Dayton. The Bulldogs' 3-0 start in its new conference, the Atlantic 10, is impressive because of two road wins against contenders St. Joseph's and Dayton.
The matchup: This is as good of a mid-major matchup as we'll see all season. Both Bulldogs have established themselves as renowned names and removed any skepticism of being a one-trick pony after successful NCAA tournament runs. Gonzaga's size is difficult to handle, but Butler has found a way to beat bigger teams this season against Indiana and North Carolina.
Our pick: Gonzaga
Also must-see games on Saturday: Kansas at Texas (2 p.m., CBS), Arizona at Arizona State (2:30 p.m., Fox Sports), San Diego State at Wyoming (7:30 p.m.), UNLV at Colorado State (7 p.m., NBC Sports), Marquette at Cincinnati (7 p.m., ESPN).
Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2013/01/18/top-5-the-best-upcoming-college-hoops-games/1832475/
Syracuse Orange forward C.J. Fair (5) shoots against Louisville Cardinals center Gorgui Dieng (10) during a game last season. The two teams meet again on Saturday. (Photo: Jamie Rhodes, USA TODAY Sports) Picking a mere five games to watch is getting increasingly difficult at this point in the season. TOP 25: Rankings from latest Coaches Poll TOP 10: Ranking the nation's best players Realistically, there are at least 10 games to watch this Saturday. But since most of you only have one TV and one remote, here's a look at our best five games on deck: No. 16 Missouri at No. 9 Florida | Saturday, Jan. 12, 2 p.m., ESPN2 About the Tigers (13-3): Missouri lost its footing towards the end of non-conference play, falling to UCLA in overtime and nearly getting upset by Bucknell. The Tigers have started their first season in the SEC 2-1, losing to Ole Miss last week on the road while playing without leading scorer Laurence Bowers. While the SEC is down this year, Missouri doesn't have much margin for error and games at Gainesville and Lexington are never easy. This team ranks first in the country with almost 44 rebounds per game. Big man Alex Oriakhi (10.4 points, 8.6 rebounds per game) will need to step up with Bowers out. He had 13 points in Missouri's latest win over Georgia this week. About the Gators (13-2): In spite of a slew of injuries, Florida has looked like the best team in the SEC with a 33-point win against Georgia, a 22-point win atLSU and then a 21-point road win against a Texas A&M team that beat Kentucky. The biggest question still is if Billy Donovan's group can win tight games, as they've lost their only two close games to Arizona and Kansas State. When this team's high-octane offense is clicking, the Gators are difficult to stop. Senior guard Kenny Boynton (13.2 points per game) is having his least productive year offensively, but he's catching his stride with 28 points off eight three-pointers in a Jan. 6 rout against Yale. Injuries are also a problem for Florida. The matchup: Missouri has lost two straight on the road, while the Florida hasn't lost at home this season. If the Gators' big men Erik Murphy (12.3 points per game) and Patric Young (11.5 points per game) can take advantage of Missouri's depleted front line, Florida could coast. If it's close, the Gators are vulnerable in close-game situations. Our pick: Florida Florida and Missouri face each other in a big SEC clash on Saturday. Both teams are dealing with key injuries. (Photo: Stacy Revere, Getty Images) No. 6 Syracuse at No. 1 Louisville | Saturday, Jan. 12, 4 p.m., ESPN2 About the Orange (16-1): Syracuse responded to a non-conference hiccup—losing 83-79 to Temple—by winning six consecutive games. But with the team's third-leading scorer James Southerland (13.6 points per game) currently ineligible, questions loom on how this group will perform after a similar situation happened last season (Fab Melo's ineligibility). Brandon Triche (14.1 points per game), C.J. Fair (13.8 points per game) and Michael Carter Williams (11.9 points per game) will need to play well and have others step up in Southerland's absence. Syracuse ranks fourth in the country in rebounds, averaging more than 43 boards a night. About the Cardinals (16-1): Louisville moved to the top spot in the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll because it's won 11 straight games since losing to Duke on Nov. 24. The Cardinals' Big East slate hasn't been too difficult and they've started 4-0 with wins against Providence, Seton Hall, South Florida and UConn. Junior Russ Smith (18.9 points per game) and Peyton Siva (11.8 points, 5.6 assists per game) pace a questionable offense, while Gorgui Dieng does the dirty work (9.2 points, 10.4 rebounds per game). The team's defense continues to flourish, ranking second in the country in turnover margin. The matchup: Both teams have had easy starts to a rigorous Big East schedule and will finally get a serious challenge in this clash between top-10 teams. While it's early, it's not ludicrous to suggest these are the two best Big East teams. This is the type of game the NCAA tournament committee will look at when determining No. 1 seeds. Carter Williams vs. Siva will make for a fun point guard duel to watch. Our pick: Louisville No. 10 Creighton at Wichita State | Saturday, Jan. 12, 4 p.m., ESPN2 About the Bluejays (17-1): Creighton has looked dominant in the Missouri Valley through six games but a clash against perhaps its top contender and last year's champion could pose a threat at the team sneaking in the top 10 of national polls. Doug McDermott (24 points, 7.2 rebounds per game) is a legitimate player of the year candidate, evidence by his 70 points in Creighton's last two wins against Missouri State and Northern Iowa. But the Bluejays have proven they can get it done when their best player isn't putting up big numbers, handling Drake and Illinois State on McDermott's quiet shooting nights. TOP 10: Ranking the best mid-majors About the Shockers (16-2): Wichita State fell out of many voters' top 25 consideration in polls after a 71-67 loss to Evansville on Sunday, but winning on the road in the Missouri Valley is tougher than it looks. If the Shockers win the MVC, Gregg Marshall's name should be up for national coach of the year. This was supposed to be a rebuilding season after four starters left from a 27-6 NCAA tournament team. Most impressively, the Shockers have gone 6-1 since losing their best player, Carl Hall, in mid-December. Hall returned in Wichita State's road win at struggling Illinois State earlier this week and played 23 minutes. Newcomers, led by junior college transfer Cleanthony Early (15.5 points per game), have all meshed. The matchup: Despite a Wichita State hiccup against Evansville, Creighton coach Greg McDermott knows better than to overlook the Shockers, especially in a rowdy Charles Koch Arena. Having back a healthy Carl Hall is a bonus, as WSU will need to find a way to contain McDermott, which is the case for most teams. Our pick: Creighton No. 11 Ohio State at No. 17 Michigan State | Saturday, Jan. 12, 6 p.m., ESPN About the Buckeyes (13-3): Ohio State finally picked up a signature win against a top team when it removed Michigan from the unbeaten ranks on Sunday. But now the Buckeyes will have to prove themselves on the road, first against a surging Michigan State team. OSU can't continue to play streaky—almost blowing a big lead against Michigan and letting a big cushion slip away in its loss to Duke. Deshaun Thomas (20.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game) continues to play like the best player in the Big Ten and defensive ball hawk Aaron Craft (8.9 points, 4.6 assists per game) continues to step up his offense. About the Spartans (15-3): Michigan State has won four consecutive Big Ten games after dropping its conference opener to Minnesota. The problem is the Spartans haven't beaten any top-tier teams in the league yet with wins against Purdue, Iowa, Nebraska and Penn State. A win at home against OSU is essential because Michigan State faces surging Wisconsin and Indiana on the road next week. The backcourt of junior Keith Appling (13.7 points, 4.5 assists per game) and freshman Gary Harris (12.9 points per game) continues to drive MSU's offense. The matchup: Ohio State's win against Michigan was impressive but it was also on its home floor. Winning in the Big Ten on the road will be the way to create separation in a league with five ranked teams. If MSU cannot stop Thomas on the interior and ride its home crowd, OSU could pick up its second straight resume-building win in the state of Michigan. Our pick: Michigan State No. 8 Gonzaga at No. 13 Butler | Saturday, Jan. 12, 9 p.m., ESPN About the Bulldogs (17-1): Gonzaga took control of the West Coast Conference with an 83-78 victory over top challenger St. Mary's last week. The Bulldogs, winners of seven in a row since a Dec. 8 loss to Illinois, have asserted themselves as a legitimate top 10 team thanks to wins against Baylor, Kansas State and Oklahoma State. Gonzaga, ninth in the country in scoring, has many weapons that make the team difficult to defend. Kelly Olynyk (18.3 points, 6.8 rebounds per game) and Elias Harris (14.9 points, 6.8 rebounds per game) lead a balanced scoring attack. BUTLER: Clarke feels lucky after scary injury About the Bulldogs (15-2): Butler has won 12 straight games since a Nov. 21 loss to Illinois but its matchup against Gonzaga could be its toughest test since the 88-86 overtime win over Indiana that has defined its season. It'll be even tougher without leading scorer Rotnei Clarke (16.3 points per game), who is out for at least two games after suffering a scary shoulder injury last week against Dayton. The Bulldogs' 3-0 start in its new conference, the Atlantic 10, is impressive because of two road wins against contenders St. Joseph's and Dayton. The matchup: This is as good of a mid-major matchup as we'll see all season. Both Bulldogs have established themselves as renowned names and removed any skepticism of being a one-trick pony after successful NCAA tournament runs. Gonzaga's size is difficult to handle, but Butler has found a way to beat bigger teams this season against Indiana and North Carolina. Our pick: Gonzaga Also must-see games on Saturday: Kansas at Texas (2 p.m., CBS), Arizona at Arizona State (2:30 p.m., Fox Sports), San Diego State at Wyoming (7:30 p.m.), UNLV at Colorado State (7 p.m., NBC Sports), Marquette at Cincinnati (7 p.m., ESPN). Story Highlights
Source : http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaab/2013/01/18/top-5-the-best-upcoming-college-hoops-games/1832475/