As always, Carolina vs. Duke is headliner
As far as the power conference races are concerned in college basketball, the final weekend of the regular season isn’t long on drama. There are exceptions, and several matchups will draw an audience regardless of outside implications. These story lines that should generate the most interest.
GAME OF THEWEEKEND No. 14 Duke at No. 5 North Carolina, Saturday, 7: 15 p. m. CT
No added incentives are needed when these two meet, but both teams have a few nonetheless.
The Tar Heels were stymied at Virginia on Monday and still need this victory to claim the Atlantic Coast Conference regularseason title outright.
The Blue Devils are still facing health concerns but got a needed victory Tuesday against Florida State. A sweep of UNC would improve Duke’s position even more when the NCAA tournament selection committee considers their seed next week.
The Blue Devils were getting contributions from nearly everybody when they defeated the Tar Heels last month at Cameron Indoor Stadium. North Carolina coach Roy Williams is hoping for more balance and a better rebounding effort.
PLAYER TOWATCH Dererk Pardon, Northwestern
The 6- 8 forward’s catch and finish of a perfect 90- foot pass from Nathan Taphorn to beat Michigan on Wednesday might just have locked in the Wildcats’ first NCAA men’s invitation.
But Pardon and his teammates wouldn’t mind adding another quality win to the résumé. They have that opportunity to close out the regular season Sunday when they host No. 16 Purdue ( 3: 30 p. m. CT, CBS).
The Boilermakers don’t intend to make it easy for them, as a Purdue win would clinch first place and the top seed in the Big Ten tournament.
CONFERENCE TOWATCH Missouri Valley
Several league tournaments will be concluded by the time the weekend is over. A lot of fans of teams with iffy positions on the bubble will be keeping an eye on the MVC, hoping that “Arch Madness” does not occur at Scottrade Center in St. Louis.
If form holds — and such interested parties hope that it does — Sunday’s final ( 1 p. m. CT, CBS) will come down to No. 22 Wichita State and Illinois State. The Shockers and Redbirds dominated the rest of the league this year, and the runner- up should earn strong at- large consideration.
But anybody else sneaking into the championship game would be a potential bid thief, so bubble dwellers are rooting for sanity to prevail.