Five Reasons To Feel Hoop-ful

While finishing off the leftovers from the Super Bowl party, let's take a quick look at five college basketball games around the area this week that will have more than a few hearts thumping:

1. Charlotte at Dayton, Wednesday night: The 49ers are atop the Atlantic-10 standings but they're not awarding banners or NCAA tournament bids just yet. Bobby Lutz's team keeps finding ways to win -- that was a nice escape at Fordham last weekend to avoid a potentially nasty loss -- and a victory over the 16-6 Flyers in Dayton would be large.

2. Davidson at Appalachian State Thursday night: It's been a season of adjustment for both programs. The Wildcats are learning about life after Stephen Curry while the Mountaineers are in their first year under new/old coach Buzz Peterson. The Southern Conference tournament is getting closer and this is all about getting position for a good seed.

3. Duke at North Carolina, Wednesday night: This isn't the juiciest match-up of these old rivals but that won't matter once they get on the floor together. For the Tar Heels, it's desperation time.

4 Georgia Tech at Wake Forest, Saturday night: If the Deacons can beat Boston College at home tonight, a win over the Yellow Jackets would keep them near the ACC lead. Georgia Tech is dangerous at home but needs to show it can win on the road.

5. Maryland at Duke, Saturday afternoon: Greivis Vasquez plays his last game in Cameron Indoor Stadium. How can that not be fun?

(BONUS GAME): N.C. State at North Carolina, Saturday afternoon: Forget where they are in the ACC standings. It's the Wolfpack against the Tar Heels.