The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

GIMME FIVE

- By Charles Bennett

No. 1 Indiana (9-0) vs. Butler (7-2), 2 p.m., CBS: This matchup comes in the first game of the Close the Gap Crossroads Classic at Bankers’Life Fieldhouse in Indianapol­is. Butler’s 7-3 start includes a victory over North Carolina in the Maui Invitation­al. The losses were to Xavier and Illinois. West Virginia (4-4) vs. No. 3 Michigan (10-0), 8 p.m., ESPN: This matchup occurs in the Brooklyn Hoops Winter Festival at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. Off to its best start since 198889, Michigan has played a solid non-conference schedule that has included victories over Kansas State, Pittsburgh and N.C. State. West Virginia has been plagued by poor (39.9 percent) shooting from the field. Kansas State (7-1) at No. 14 Gonzaga (9-1), 9 p.m., ESPN2: Gonzaga looks to rebound from a loss to Illinois, and rebound may be the key word. Kansas State ranks sixth in the nation in rebounding and has four players averaging five or more rebounds per game. The Wildcats’only loss was to Michigan. No. 6 Louisville (8-1) at Memphis (6-2), 2:30 p.m., SPSO: Louisville leads this long-time regional rivalry 52-34. The Cardinals’only loss thus far was to Duke. Memphis is 150-17 in the FedExForum since it opened in 2004. The Tigers’two losses this season were to VCU and Minnesota in a tournament in the Bahamas. Eastern Kentucky (9-0) at No. 10 Illinois (11-0), 6 p.m., Sunday ESPNU: Illinois ranks first in the nation with 10.8 made 3-pointers per game. Eastern Kentucky has held opponents to 29 percent shooting from 3-point range. The Colonels are off to their best start since the team began the 1964-65 season 10-0.

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