After a crazy week of huge trades in the NBA and back-to-back losses by the Duke Blue Devils, it's time to get settled in for another huge weekend. It's pretty rare that in mid-February the #1 and #2 ranked teams in college basketball meet, but thanks to Bracket Busters, that's exactly what you're gonna get Saturday night. Memphis and Tennessee are the highlight of the weekend - but certainly not the only action you can get in on. In fact, the weekend is jam packed with some great games from the NBA and the NHL.
COLLEGE HOOPS: #1 VS #2
#2 Tennessee Volunteers @ #1 Memphis Tigers
Saturday, 9pm ET, ESPN
The Memphis Tigers are the only undefeated team left in college basketball and Saturday night they'll face their toughest challenge of the season so far: the #2 ranked Tennessee Volunteers. This non-conference, in-state rivalry is all a part of Bracket Buster weekend and ESPN will have it all live for you.
The Volunteers are an impressive 24-2 this season and have won eight straight games heading into the showdown in Memphis. Sophomore forward Tyler Smith is the key to the Vols attack as he leads them in both assists and rebounds while Chris Lofton leads the team in scoring.
The Tigers, led by Derrick Rose, have faced three other Top 25 teams this season (USC, Georgetown and Arizona) and have won all three by a combined 31 points. With no other Top 25 teams on their schedule this season this game could mean a perfect regular season record for the John Calipari coached Tigers.
Bet on Bracket Buster action at betED.com!
NBA: Pistons take on Shaq Diesl
Detroit Pistons @ Phoenix Suns
Sunday, 2:30pm ET, ABC
Since being traded to the Phoenix Suns last week Shaquille O'Neal has told anybody that will listen that the Suns are now a championship calibre team - they just need time to get used to each other. Well they'd better do it in a hurry because the Detroit Pistons are in town Sunday for a nationally televised showdown.
The Pistons are 39-15 overall this season and 18-10 on the road. This the first of a four game Western Conference road trip for the Pistons and they'll face some of the toughest competition in the west. After a 10 game winning streak the Pistons dropped back-to-back games to Orlando and Milwaukee before heading West.
The Suns lost their initial game with O'Neal in the line-up, but the big guy showed he's okay running the floor - even if he is 35 lbs overweight. The biggest beneficiary of O'Neal's arrival may be Amara Stoudemire who poured in 37 points against Los Angeles Wednesday. With teams no longer able to double-team him down low he may become an even bigger scoring threat than his 23.5 PPG average indicates.
Bet on the NBA at betED.com!
NHL: Ovechkin Goes for 50
New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals
Sunday 3pm ET, FSN-NY CSN-DC
Alexander Ovechkin has decided to make NHL arenas his own personal playground this season. With 48 goals already this season #8 is eight goals ahead of the next highest scorer and nearly a lock to win the Maurice Richard award. Sunday he goes up against one of the best goaltenders in the world, Martin Brodeur.
The only problem of Ovechkin is that in two games this season against Brodeur, he has yet to bulge the twine. Individual statistics aside, the game has huge playoff impications for both teams as the Devils are chasing top spot in the Eastern Conference and the Capitals are fighting for the final playoff spot available.
The Devils are hot, having won seven of their last 10 games while the Capitals are plugging along at .500 over their last ten. While the Capitals could easily finish as low as 12th in the Eastern Conference they are still in contention for the Southeast Division title as they're only 4 points behind the Carolina Hurricanes.
Bet on the NHL at betED.com!
COLLEGE HOOPS: #1 VS #2
#2 Tennessee Volunteers @ #1 Memphis Tigers
Saturday, 9pm ET, ESPN
The Memphis Tigers are the only undefeated team left in college basketball and Saturday night they'll face their toughest challenge of the season so far: the #2 ranked Tennessee Volunteers. This non-conference, in-state rivalry is all a part of Bracket Buster weekend and ESPN will have it all live for you.
The Volunteers are an impressive 24-2 this season and have won eight straight games heading into the showdown in Memphis. Sophomore forward Tyler Smith is the key to the Vols attack as he leads them in both assists and rebounds while Chris Lofton leads the team in scoring.
The Tigers, led by Derrick Rose, have faced three other Top 25 teams this season (USC, Georgetown and Arizona) and have won all three by a combined 31 points. With no other Top 25 teams on their schedule this season this game could mean a perfect regular season record for the John Calipari coached Tigers.
Bet on Bracket Buster action at betED.com!
NBA: Pistons take on Shaq Diesl
Detroit Pistons @ Phoenix Suns
Sunday, 2:30pm ET, ABC
Since being traded to the Phoenix Suns last week Shaquille O'Neal has told anybody that will listen that the Suns are now a championship calibre team - they just need time to get used to each other. Well they'd better do it in a hurry because the Detroit Pistons are in town Sunday for a nationally televised showdown.
The Pistons are 39-15 overall this season and 18-10 on the road. This the first of a four game Western Conference road trip for the Pistons and they'll face some of the toughest competition in the west. After a 10 game winning streak the Pistons dropped back-to-back games to Orlando and Milwaukee before heading West.
The Suns lost their initial game with O'Neal in the line-up, but the big guy showed he's okay running the floor - even if he is 35 lbs overweight. The biggest beneficiary of O'Neal's arrival may be Amara Stoudemire who poured in 37 points against Los Angeles Wednesday. With teams no longer able to double-team him down low he may become an even bigger scoring threat than his 23.5 PPG average indicates.
Bet on the NBA at betED.com!
NHL: Ovechkin Goes for 50
New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals
Sunday 3pm ET, FSN-NY CSN-DC
Alexander Ovechkin has decided to make NHL arenas his own personal playground this season. With 48 goals already this season #8 is eight goals ahead of the next highest scorer and nearly a lock to win the Maurice Richard award. Sunday he goes up against one of the best goaltenders in the world, Martin Brodeur.
The only problem of Ovechkin is that in two games this season against Brodeur, he has yet to bulge the twine. Individual statistics aside, the game has huge playoff impications for both teams as the Devils are chasing top spot in the Eastern Conference and the Capitals are fighting for the final playoff spot available.
The Devils are hot, having won seven of their last 10 games while the Capitals are plugging along at .500 over their last ten. While the Capitals could easily finish as low as 12th in the Eastern Conference they are still in contention for the Southeast Division title as they're only 4 points behind the Carolina Hurricanes.
Bet on the NHL at betED.com!
