NCAA March Madness: Thursday's Conference Tournament Viewing Guide

More fun games to watch today as the action heats up around college basketball.  Below are my top few games to watch if you are a college basketball fan or want to research your NCAA Tournament bracket.

Yesterday saw 5-13 Holy Cross complete their run through the Patriot League Tournament to earn the auto-bid as the league's 9-seed.  Congrats to Bill Carmody and his Crusaders and good luck cause they are certain to be playing in Dayton early next week.  Pitt won a tight game over Syracuse to push the Orange back to the bubble, in fact they might be out.  USC took care of business handling UCLA and they appear to be safely in.

Today's suggested games...

ESPN Bracketology

CBSSports.com Bracketology

GN's Bourbon Night-Cap Game of the Day

Iowa State vs. Oklahoma

TV: ESPNU
Time: 8:00 CST
Conference: Big 12

Oklahoma is a legit Final Four contender and is certainly capable of winning the Big 12 Tourney this week.  Buddy Hield is arguably the best college basketball player and unquestionably a LOT of fun to watch.  Iowa State at one point was considered of the top teams in the country before an up and down Big 12 season that finished tied for 5th.  Georges Niang is also an incredibly college basketball player.  These teams split the regular season and there is no reason to believe that tonight's game shouldn't be one of the best of the day.

Other Games to Watch

Butler vs. Providence

TV: Fox Sports 1
Time: 1:30 CST
Conference: Big East

I made my thoughts on Kris Dunn clear a couple days ago and I'm very much looking forward to watching him play some March Madness.  Both teams appear to be pretty safe and the results of this game likely only affect seeding.  But it should be an entertaining game if you are sitting around with nothing to do on a Thursday afternoon.

Texas vs. Baylor

TV: ESPN2
Time: 11:30 CST
Conference: Big12

Both teams are in and winning just helps with seeding.  This is here because it should be a very good game.  These teams split the season series winning their games on the road.  Now they meet in Kansas City.  Both teams are currently projected to be right around a 6-seed in the NCAA Tournament.  Winning and getting up to that 5 seed is the difference between playing a team like Yale and playing a team like Gonzaga.  But that's all conjecture, for now just enjoy what should be an entertaining game.  Take a long lunch, head to a sports bar for some wings...just don't get buffalo sauce all over your khakis.

Duke vs. Notre Dame

TV: ESPN
Time: 1:00 CST
Conference: ACC

Another game of entertaining teams, contrasting styles and two teams that are safe for Selection Sunday.  Both teams are excellent on offense.  Duke ranks 3rd nationally in offensive efficiency while Notre Dame ranks 4th. Another good afternoon tilt so probably not a lot of eyeballs on it, but if you get the chance I suggest you watch this.

Honorable Mention? Xavier/Marquette at 6:00 on Fox Sports 1 and USC/Utah at 8:00 on the Pac12 network.

Hoops are heating up and it is FANTASTIC.