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Mid-Major matchups to watch this weekend: Dec. 17 & 18

We’re got more mid-major’s looking for power-5 upsets, a father and son matchup and a few battles between ‘Other Top 25’ programs

NCAA Basketball: New Mexico at Air Force
Who will prevail as Richard Pitino’s New Mexico gets set to host Rick Pitino’s Iona?
Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday’s Slate:

No. 25 Miami vs. Saint Francis (PA) - noon ET, ACC Network

The Red Flash will get its third power-5 opponent of the season as it travels to take on the Hurricanes, who will be tasked with handling the nation’s fourth-most officiant offensive player in Josh Cohen.

No. 4 Alabama vs. No. 15 Gonzaga - 1 p.m. ET, CBS

While still barely a mid-major program… The Bulldogs will face their sixth ranked opponent of the season with the 9-1 Crimson Tide, who is coming off two consecutive mid-major wins over former No. 1 Houston and Memphis.

Duquesne vs. Indiana State - 2 p.m. ET, ESPN+

After picking up a win over DePaul, the 8-3 Dukes will welcome in the top squad from the Missouri Valley Conference in the 9-2 Sycamores, coming off of six wins in their last seven matchups.

No. 2 Virginia vs. No. 5 Houston - 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2

After suffering their first loss of the season to Alabama just last week, the Cougars will travel to Charlottesville, Va., for a matchup against another top contender in the Cavaliers.

UMass vs. North Texas - 3 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Perhaps our most exciting mid-major vs. mid-major matchup of the weekend featuring two squads ranked in The Other Top 25. Ths 8-2 Minutemen will host the 8-2 Mean Green in what should be an interesting contrast of uptempo vs. slow basketball.

Rice vs. Northwestern State - 3 p.m. ET, C-USA TV

Having taken Texas to the brink at the Moody Center on Monday, the Owls will get a shot at a top mid-major program in the Demons, led by DeMarcus Sharp.

No. 17 Mississippi State vs. Nicholls State - 3 p.m. ET, SEC Network

Coming off back-to-back wins and a 1-0 start to Southland play, the Colonels will get their second ranked opponent of the season in the undefeated Bulldogs.

Syracuse vs. Cornell - 3 p.m. ET, ACC Network

A high scoring Big Red offense, averaging the 11th most points per game in the nation, will travel to take on Syracuse who’ve been something of a mid-major punching bag this season with losses to Colgate and Bryant.

Marshall vs. Toledo - 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Another matchup of The Other Top 25 programs as the 9-2 Thundering Herd will battle with the 7-3 Rockets coming off of back-to-back wins.

St. Joseph’s vs. Villanova - 4 p.m. ET, CBS Sports

The Holy War of Philadelphia makes its annual return. While St. Joe’s is struggling so far, this might be their best chance at defeating the Wildcats in recent memory.

Hampton vs. Norfolk State - 4 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Kickoff of the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge hosted by Chris Paul with the Pirates coming off two wins from their last three and the Spartans representing the MEAC as last year’s NCAA Tournament bid.

No. 18 Illinois vs. Alabama A&M - 4 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

It’s been a tough start to the season for the 4-6 Bulldogs who’ve played some pretty solid mid-major talent but now they’ll face their first power-5 and nationally ranked opponent in the Illini.

No. 24 Virginia Tech vs. Grambling State - 4 p.m. ET, ESPN+

After beating Vanderbilt, the Tigers will look to make it back-to-back power-5 wins as they travel to face the Hokies.

No. 10 Arkansas vs. Bradley - 4 p.m. ET

For our third consecutive ranked game in the 4 p.m. slot, the 7-3 Braves will have to try and defeat the Razorbacks who’ve had no trouble with mid-major competition so far this season.

UNLV vs. San Francisco - 5 p.m. ET, Mountain West Network

The Rebels undefeated streak is on the line against the 8-3 Dons, who are considered a top mid-major program and a contender in the WCC.

No. 1 Purdue vs. Davidson - 6:15 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network

Foster Loyer vs. Fletcher Loyer - let’s see who prevails.

Texas Southern vs. North Carolina A&T - 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Game two of the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge hosted by Chris Paul pins the Tigers against an Aggies team with three wins from their last four.

Memphis vs. Texas A&M - 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Having defeated Vanderbilt, Nebraska, Ole Miss and Auburn, the Tigers will get a chance to earn another power-5 win against a the up and down Aggies.

Grand Canyon vs. Pepperdine - 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Can one of the nation’s most officiant guards in Maxwell Lewis get it done for the Waves at the rowdy GCU Arena?

Saint Louis vs. Drake - 8 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Two mid-major’s that started the season with high hopes but have somewhat underwhelmed over the past two weeks will both get a chance to rebound as the Billikens host the Bulldogs.

Sunday’s Showdowns:

UNC Wilmington vs. High Point - 2 p.m. ET, FloHoops

The Seahawks will look to keep their undefeated streak against mid-majors alive as they welcome in an 8-2 Panthers squad with a few quality wins on their resume.

Chattanooga vs. Belmont - 2 p.m. ET, ESPN+

Jake Stephens, need I say anymore? He’ll have to get it done against a competitive Bruins side sitting 6-5 to start the season.

North Carolina A&T vs. Norfolk State - 2 p.m. ET, ESPNU

Day two and game three of the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge hosted by Chris Paul will see the Aggies and the Spartans do battle.

Boise State vs. Oakland - 4 p.m. ET, Mountain West Network

The 9-2 Broncos on an eight-game win streak will be faced with a struggling but always well coached Oakland program led by Gregg Kampe.

Hampton vs. Texas Southern - 4:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU

The final matchup of the Boost Mobile HBCU Challenge hosted by Chris Paul will see two recent NCAA Tournament representatives in The Pirates and the Tigers matchup.

Colorado vs. Northern Colorado - 5 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

After defeating Colorado State last week, the Bears will have a chance to be crowned Kings of Colorado as they face a struggling Buffaloes squad, who’s 0-2 to start Pac-12 play.

No. 21 TCU vs. Mississippi Valley State - 6 p.m. ET, ESPN+

After (mistakenly) receiving a few votes in this weeks AP Poll, the 1-9 Delta Devils will get their second ranked opponent of the season as they matchup against a Horned Frogs squad that already has a mid-major upset on the resume.

New Mexico vs. Iona - 6:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1

Father vs. Son with Rick Pitino and Richard Pitino matching up as the undefeated Lobos and the 7-2 Gaels, coming off five consecutive victories, are set to meet up in Albuquerque.

Saint Mary’s vs. Colorado State - 8 p.m. ET, WCC Network

Having secured wins over nationally ranked San Diego State and New Mexico State, the Gaels have an opportunity to keep rolling but will need to find a win against a 7-4 Rams program.