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Tonight's Big Ten games might not seem to intriguing on paper, but there are some big games for some of the better teams in the conference. The Maryland Terrapins face off with the UConn Huskies in the Jimmy V Classic, and the Michigan Wolverines face the nationally ranked SMU Mustangs on the road. These are the two best games of the night, but there are still other games to pay attention to tonight.
Game of the Night: No. 2 Maryland Terrapins vs. UConn (9:30 PM ET| ESPN)
The Maryland Terrapins had one of the best games of the college basketball season so far against North Carolina. The Terps did not play very well in the first half, but Melo Trimble stepped up in a big way during the second half to make it a great game. The Terps lost that game, but they learned a lot about themselves from that contest. Watch for the Terps to play a high level of basketball against UConn in the Jimmy V Classic.
The Terps still have a lot to prove if they want to win the Big Ten, and this game could get the attention of teams around the nation if they dismantle a good Huskies' team.
The Rest
- Michigan Wolverines vs. No. 22 SMU (9:00 PM ET| ESPN2)
The Wolverines are on a four-game win streak, and this game against SMU on the road could be their biggest test so far this season. SMU is undefeated, but Michigan will be their biggest test so far. Caris LeVert has been sensational for the Wolverines this season, and Nic Moore has been great for SMU.
In the end, it might come down to how the star players on each squad play.
- Central Connecticut vs. Rutgers Scarlett Knights (6:00 PM ET| BTN)
Rutgers has arguably been the worst team in the Big Ten so far this season. They lost their two primary scorers from last season in Myles Mack and Kadeem Jack, and they certainly miss both of those players. The team has not won any games worth noting, and they are 3-5.
This game should be a win for Rutgers, but weirder things have happened.
- Penn State Nittany Lions vs. George Washington (7:00 PM ET)
The Nittany Lions have had a pretty good season so far. The team is 5-2, and even though they have not had really any noteworthy wins, the team has looked good. A game against George Washington on the road is going to be a huge test for Penn State. George Washington is arguably the best team in the Atlantic 10 and they beat nationally ranked Virginia earlier in the year.
If Penn State gets a win over George Washington; the Big Ten and the rest of the nation will certainly notice.
- Air Force vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (8:00 PM ET| BTN)
The Buckeyes have been one of the most disappointing teams in the Big Ten so far this season. Everyone knew they were going to fall off after the departures of D'Angelo Russell and Sam Thompson, but back to back losses to mid-major teams earlier in the season showed that Ohio State could have a down year. They did win their last game against VMI, so hopefully they can take some momentum from that game into their next game against Air Force.
Ohio State should win this game at home, but do not be surprised if they lose to another mid-major school. This could be a really down year for the Buckeyes.
- South Dakota State vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers (8:00 PM ET| ESPN3)
Minnesota has not been great this season. They are a very young team and they are still trying to find their groove on both ends of the floor. They are coming off a loss to South Dakota, and now they are facing a good South Dakota State team. The freshmen have not been great for the Golden Gophers so far other than Jordan Murphy, who has been great.
The freshmen need to start contributing more consistently if the Golden Gophers want to make some noise in the Big Ten. Tonight would be a good night for the freshmen to shine bright.