A lot of in-state matchups spice up the college basketball calendar this week in Ohio.
The most notable has Cincinnati (7-1) hosting crosstown rival Xavier (5-3) Saturday at 2 p.m. (ESPN 2). This has been one of the most bitter, physical and hotly contested rivalries in the state and is usually good for some TV highlights, or lowlights.
Prior to that, the Musketeers also have an in-state matchup against resurgent Ohio University (5-2) Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. (FS1). The Bobcats could be on the positive side of the proverbial ‘trap’ game with Xavier looking past OU to Cincinnati. The Bobcats are coming off an impressive 101-84 victory over Marshall when for the first time this season they were strong behind the 3-point arc (9 of 17).
Cleveland State (2-7) has an in-state matchup Wednesday 7:30 p.m. at home against disappointing Bowling Green (4-4), a veteran-laden team that has yet to win a game on the road.
The other in-state matchup will be Kent State (7-1) Saturday at 4 p.m. playing host to Wright State (4-4), a team that has defeated the Golden Flashes each of the last two seasons. KSU has won five straight.
WSU is home Wednesday against the Miami RedHawks (4-4).
While Akron is not in-state matchup this week, head coach John Groce will be looking for victory 201 on the road at Purdue-Fort Wayne on Wednesday.
Oho State (7-1) does not have an in-state game this week. It is at Illinois on Wednesday at 7 p.m. (BTN) and the Buckeyes play host to Bucknell at noon Saturday (BTN)
Local college basketball schedule this week:
Akron (6-2) – Wednesday at Fort Wayne, 7 p.m.
Cleveland State (2-7) – Wednesday vs. Bowling Green, 7 p.m.; Sunday vs. Notre Dame College, 2 p.m.
Kent State (7-1) – Saturday vs. Wright State, 4 p.m.
