TheSpread.com

Still Need Wins

Clemson coach Oliver Purnell believes his team has done enough to secure its first NCAA tournament berth since 1998. Another big road victory certainly wouldn't hurt, though.

The 24th-ranked Tigers look to remain in sole possession of third place in the ACC, and may have second-leading scorer Cliff Hammonds in the lineup when they visit Georgia Tech on Thursday.

Trying to Earn it Outright

This is the month that counts in college basketball and fittingly, there's a lot on the line when No. 3 UCLA hosts seventh-ranked Stanford on Thursday night.

A victory by the Bruins (26-3, 14-2) would earn them the Pac-10 title outright for the third consecutive season and bolster their case for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Complete Performance

For most of Duke's last game, it looked like coach Mike Krzyzewski would have to wait four more days to get his next milestone win. Then the legendary coach turned over the huddle to his players.

After Krzyzewski's unorthodox approach led to a late comeback and his 800th career victory, the sixth-ranked Blue Devils look for a more complete performance as they visit Virginia on Wednesday.

A Little Desperate

After last week's No. 1 ranking proved to be just a temporary reward, Tennessee hopes this week ends with something more permanent: its first outright SEC title in 41 years.

The fourth-ranked Volunteers can clinch at least a share of the league title with a win on Wednesday at Florida, the reigning SEC and national champions who are now desperate to improve their chances of making the NCAA tournament.

Finish on a High Note

Memphis already has clinched its third straight Conference USA regular-season title, but surely would like to finish it off in emphatic fashion again.

The second-ranked Tigers look to move within one win of a second consecutive perfect regular season in conference play when they visit SMU on Wednesday night.