How to root for Villanova Basketball all Saturday long

The Villanova Wildcats will be on the road at the Seton Hall Pirates today at Noon EST on FOX, and much of Nova Nation will be out in New Jersey to cheer on our team. But why stop there? Here are 10 games (plus a few more) to keep an eye on as you flip through the channels to catch all the college basketball action today.

Auburn Tigers at #5 Tennessee Volunteers, Noon EST

Root For: Tennessee | Nova Impact: Small | KenPom: Tennessee -1 | TV: ESPN

An Auburn win would benefit the teams on Nova’s schedule the most, but the Tigers and the Wildcats are currently in close competition on the seeding line. A win over a potential #1 Seed like Tennessee would be tough for Nova to compete with, so it’s better if Auburn doesn’t win this one. Go Vols!

#14 Florida State Seminoles at Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Noon EST

Root For: FSU | Nova Impact: Medium | KenPom: FSU -12 | TV: ACCNE

It’s a stretch that Villanova would catch the Seminoles for a possible 4 Seed in the tournament, so the Wildcats are better off having their win over Florida State look as good as possible. Wake Forest just gave Duke a scare on the road, and now they get FSU at home. Let’s hope they don’t stumble in the regular season finale. Go Noles!

Florida Gators at #6 Kentucky Wildcats, 2:00 EST

Root For: Florida | Nova Impact: Small | KenPom: Kentucky -10 | TV: CBS

After a few weeks of asking you to root for Kentucky, I release you from your burden! Not only would a Florida win benefit more of Nova’s schedule, but you get the added bonus of a Kentucky loss. Go Gators!

Baylor Bears at #13 Kansas Jayhawks, 2:00 EST

Root For: Kansas | Nova Impact: Medium | KenPom: Kansas -7 | TV: ESPN

The combination of being on Nova’s schedule and playing three other games against Nova’s opponents makes this one a no brainier. Plus, Kansas seems to be one of the more vulnerable high seeds. I don’t think Nova Nation would mind another crack at them in the tournament.

Georgetown Hoyas at #16 Marquette Golden Eagles, 2:30 EST

Root For: Georgetown | Nova Impact: HUGE | KenPom: Marquette -11 | TV: FOX

Obviously if Nova should lose at Seton Hall, a Georgetown win would still clinch the Big East Championship outright for the Wildcats. But on top of that, if the Hoyas win then Villanova’s games against them each jump up a quadrant on their NCAA Tournament resume. Go Hoy-(bleh)!

#11 Purdue Boilermakers at Northwestern Wildcats, 2:30 EST

Root For: Northwestern | Nova Impact: Small | KenPom: Purdue -7 | TV: BTN

Purdue’s playing for a Big Ten title, so a Northwestern upset even at home is unlikely. That said, a Northwestern win would have a significantly better impact on Nova’s resume. Purdue’s probably too far ahead in the seeding for Nova to catch them, but it’s March so every little bit helps. Go Cats!

Louisville Cardinals at #2 Virginia Cavaliers, 4:00 EST

Root For: Louisville | Nova Impact: Small | KenPom: Virginia -14 | TV: ESPN

As much as I actually do like rooting for Virginia, a Louisville win is more helpful to the Wildcats. Chris Mack and company played against Marquette and Seton Hall this year, and of course they had FSU on their ACC slate. Say it with me, Go Cards!

#25 UCF Knights at Temple Owls, 4:00 EST

Root For: Temple | Nova Impact: Medium | KenPom: UCF -1 | TV: ESPN2

It’s Fran Dumphy’s final game in Philadelphia, and he’s got the whole family and most of college basketball pulling for him. Not only would the win help Temple get off the bubble, it would be a great boost to Nova’s resume. Go Owls!

St. John’s Red Storm at Xavier Musketeers, 5:00 EST

Root For: St. John’s | Nova Impact: HUGE | KenPom: Xavier -3 | TV: FOX

If Seton Hall wins and Marquette breaks their losing streak, St. John’s is Villanova’s last chance at the #1 Seed in the Big East Tournament. The added benefit there is that it also locks the Red Storm into the #3 Seed, so Nova wouldn’t have to face them or Marquette until the finals. Go Johnnies!

#7 Michigan Wolverines at #9 Michigan State Spartans, 8:00 EST

Root For: Michigan | Nova Impact: Medium | KenPom: MSU -4 | TV: ESPN

Yes, Michigan did give Villanova one of the worst home losses in school history. But what can you expect after we beat them when it mattered in the National Championship game? Either way, a Michigan win helps Nova’s resume and that’s all that matters anymore. Go Blue!

Other Teams To Root For

#22 Wofford over VMI, Noon EST on ESPN+

Providence over Butler, Noon EST

#8 Texas Tech over Iowa State, 2:00 EST on ESPNN

Oklahoma State over West Virginia, 4:00 EST on ESPNN

La Salle over Fordham, 4:00 EST on ESPN+

#4 Duke over #3 UNC, 6:00 EST on ESPN

Oklahoma over #18 Kansas State, 6:00 EST on ESPN2

Penn over Brown, 6:00 EST on ESPN+

Quinnipiac over Monmouth, 7:00 EST on ESPN3

Creighton over DePaul, 8:00 EST on FS1

#10 LSU over Vanderbilt, 8:30 EST on SECN

Furman over Mercer, 8:30 EST on ESPN+

San Diego State over #17 Nevada, 10:30 EST on CBSSN