With the college basketball season in full swing, B5Q highlights the top games to watch each day upcoming. At roughly the half-way mark in the season, teams are either starting to define themselves as contenders for the NCAA tournament or are faltering as conference play heats up.

Thursday, January 9

Early TV window

No. 21 Memphis Tigers (12-2) at No. 23 Wichita State Shockers (13-1) at 6 p.m. CST on ESPN2

Two of the top teams in the American Athletic Conference tip-off in Wichita, as the Shockers look to stay dominant. Memphis had one of the best recruiting classes in program history, but that took a hit with James Wiseman leaving the program.

Purdue Boilermakers (9-6) at No. 19 Michigan Wolverines (10-4) at 6 p.m. CST on FS1

After both teams started out the season strong, they have each hit some speed bumps in conference play. With home teams holding a strong advantage in Big Ten play so far, Michigan will look to bounce-back with a big win.

Late TV window

No. 24 Arizona Wildcats (11-3) at No. 9 Oregon Ducks (12-3) at 8 p.m. CST on ESPN

Payton Pritchard is one of the point guards in the country, is his play going to be enough to lead the Ducks over Arizona?

Minnesota Gophers (8-6) at No. 8 Michigan State Spartans (12-3) at 8 p.m. CST on ESPN2

Michigan State is the cream of the crop in the Big Ten so far. Minnesota has been fairly middling. With this game taking place in East Lansing, Michigan State is the clear favorite in this one.

Friday, January 10

No. 12 Maryland Terrapins (13-2) at Iowa Hawkeyes (10-5) at 6 p.m. CST on FS1

Iowa has struggled in conference play so far. Maryland has been one of the better teams in the country. Which way this game will break is anyones guess.

No. 6 Butler Bulldogs (14-1) at Providence Friars (10-6) at 8 p.m. CST on FS1

All-name team member Alpha Diallo leads the Friars in most statistical categories, but Butler has a strong duo in Kamar Baldwin and Sean McDermott. This game features the top two teams in the Big East so far, and should be a fun one.

Saturday, January 11

Morning games/early afternoon

No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-4) at Indiana Hoosiers (11-3) at 11 a.m. CST on FOX

Much like Iowa, both Ohio State and Indiana have struggled a bit since Big Ten play started. Both teams will look to get back on the winning track on Saturday morning.

Afternoon games

No. 4 Baylor Bears (12-1) at No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks (11-2) at 12 p.m. CST on CBS

This the headliner for the day. Both teams come in at the top of the heap in the Big-12. With some explosive athletes representing each side here, this is likely the best game to watch.

No. 13 Louisville Cardinals (12-3) at Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-4) at 1 p.m. CST on ESPN

Notre Dame is looking to get back to .500 in conference, while Louisville is a dark horse title contender. In a game that could help shape the ACC, will it be a Cardinal or Irish victory?

Wisconsin Badgers (9-6) at No. 20 Penn State Nittany Lions (12-3) at 1:15 p.m. CST on BTN

Pat Chambers sounded like a very confident coach at Big Ten Media Days back in the fall. He had good reason, as Lamar Stevens is one of the best players in the conference. Wisconsin had rebounded nicely from a tough start before a setback against Illinois. Saturday represents another big opportunity for Greg Gard and company.

Evening games

No. 22 Texas Tech Red Raiders (10-4) at No. 17 West Virginia Mountaineers (12-2) at 5 p.m. CST on ESPN2

After a deep run in the 2019 NCAA tournament, Texas Tech has continued to play well in 2020. This game will likely be fast paced and a good watch if you are hankering for some Big-12 basketball.

Others to monitor: Georgia at Auburn (5 p.m. on ESPN), Arizona State at Oregon (9:30 p.m. on Pac-12)

Sunday, January 12

No. 8 Michigan State (12-3) at Purdue (9-6) at 11 a.m. CST on CBS

Can Purdue knock off Michigan State at home? Mackey Arena is one of the tougher venues in the Big ten, and it should be rocking for a weekend game.

No. 19 Michigan (10-4) at Minnesota (8-6) at 12 p.m. CST on BTN

With the NFL playoff games going on this game will likely not see as much attention as usual, but nonetheless, Minnesota has a major opportunity in conference play to get a big win. Michigan has been a nice surprise in year one of Juwan Howard’s tenure, can they keep it going?

No. 24 Arizona (11-3) at Oregon State Beavers (11-3) at 9 p.m. CST on FS1

Oregon State has played well this season, something very few likely saw coming. With perennial contender Arizona coming to town, can the Beavers show they are for real?

Monday, January 13

Seriously!?! Watch the College Football National Championship game. Don’t waste your time on some low-level basketball games. The slate is not great.

Tuesday, January 14

Early TV window

No. 2 Duke Blue Devils (13-1) at Clemson Tigers (7-7) at 6 p.m. CST on ESPN

Duke still reigns supreme in the ACC. While Clemson has not been anything special this season, road tilts can be difficult in conference play.

Other games to monitor: VCU at No. 15 Dayton (7 p.m.), Louisville at Pittsburgh (6 p.m.).

Late TV window

No. 12 Maryland (13-2) at Wisconsin (9-6) at 8 p.m. CST on ESPN

Wisconsin will have another great opportunity to bolster their postseason resume at home against Maryland. The Terrapins have one of the best collection of talent in the country, can Wisconsin shut them down?

Other games to monitor: Depaul at No. 16 Villanova (7:30 p.m.), No. 3 Kansas at Oklahoma (8 p.m.), TCU at No. 17 West Virginia (8 p.m.).

Wednesday, January 15

Early TV window

No. 18 Virginia Cavaliers (11-3) at No. 10 Florida State Seminoles (13-2) at 6 p.m. CST on ESPN2

The defending champions go on the road against the Seminoles who are chock full of athletes. Florida State has been doing a nice job the past few seasons, can they break through this season?

Indiana (11-3) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights (12-3) at 6 p.m. CST on BTN

Rutgers has been one of the most surprising teams in the conference this season. After taking down the Badgers, they have also beaten Seton Hall, Penn State, and Nebraska. This is actually a very good Big Ten game.

Late TV window

No. 5 Auburn Tigers (13-0) at Alabama Crimson Tide (7-6) at 8 p.m. CST on ESPN2

The SEC is very top heavy this season. Auburn is one of the better teams in the conference, and in the country abroad under Bruce Pearl. Alabama has not been anything special this season, but rivalry games can be tricky.

No. 20 Penn State (12-3) at Minnesota (8-6) at 8 p.m. CST on BTN

Penn State is relevant! Can Minnesota steal some of their momentum, or will the Nittany Lions keep it going?