Big 12, ACC and BIg East Highlight College Action Monday

Monday night college basketball has important games in a number of different conferences. The best game of the night should be the Kansas Jayhawks visiting the Kansas State Wildcats. The Jayhawks are favored by 6.5 points and need a win to remain in first place in the conference by themselves, after losing last Monday to West Virginia.

Kansas State will have a hard time keeping up with Kansas. The Wildcats have lost 7 of 8 overall and are 6-9 in Big 12 play. For the Wildcats to have any hope, they must limit turnovers and rebound well, which could be difficult due to a lack of size in the paint. Look for the Jayhawks to slash to the basket with Kelly Oubre and Frank Mason.

Kansas is simply put, far better than their in-state rivals. The 6.5 points could even be a short number as the Jayhawks have the potential to blow out the Wildcats even though they are playing on the road.

The second best Monday game features Xavier visiting St. John’s, who is favored by 1.5 points. This is a huge game for both teams as both are on the tournament bubble, with the winner having a big advantage with the NCAA selection committee. Both teams have lost 7 games in the conference and both are in fifth place.

Xavier has a weak defense and must play better to stay with St. John’s who won the first head-to-head games in Ohio earlier this season. This is a game that could fall either way it is so close. St. John’s must do all they can to take advantage of the weak defense for Xavier and exploit that all night long.

In one other game worth watching, Louisville visits Georgia Tech, with the Cardinals favored by 4.5 points. The Cardinals officially dismissed Chris Jones from the team without any further comment. Georgia Tech is much better than a 13-15 overall record suggests.

Eight of Georgia Tech’s 12 ACC losses this season were by two or fewer possessions. With his job on the line, Brian Gregory will make his team hungry for a win. Despite the difference in records, this game will be closer than most expect.

If there were a potential for an upset it would be in this game. Louisville’s players will not have 100% of their mind on the game with the Jones controversy distracting them. Add to that the Yellow Jackets are playing for their coach’s job and you have a recipe for a potential upset.