Scouting: DePaul, Loyola, NIU, UIC
DePaul (8-18, 0-13) at Pittsburgh (24-2, 11-2)
When: 6 p.m. Saturday at Petersen Events Center
TV: Channel 23
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Skinny: If the Blue Demons can't handle the fourth-ranked Panthers, then they'll set a school record with their 14th loss in a row. From a psychological perspective, though, it's better to be facing Pittsburgh coming off a win at No. 1 Connecticut instead of last week's task when Louisville was coming off a record loss at Notre Dame. That led to the biggest loss (45 points) in DePaul history. On the other hand, Pittsburgh's 92-69 win over the Demons at Allstate Arena was just two weeks ago, so that's still fresh in everyone's minds. Sophomore beast DeJuan Blair had a career-high 32 points that afternoon while senior PG Levance Fields handed out 16 assists with just 1 turnover. DePaul succeeded in transition and when center Mac Koshwal (18 points, 5 assists) got the ball at the free-throw line with the option to drive or dish.
Bradley (15-12) at Loyola (14-15)
When: 3 p.m. Saturday at Gentile Center
TV: Channel 56
Radio: WLUW 88.7-FM
Skinny: The Bracketbuster concept allows the Ramblers and the Braves to meet for the seventh straight season. Bradley won last year's game 64-47 at Loyola, but the visitors lost several key players from that team. The Braves and Ramblers are similar in that they just snapped long losing streaks and are working on two-game winning streaks - and neither team shoots it well either. Theron Wilson (13.9 ppg, 7.2 rpg, .469 FG%) is the Braves' top shooter and rebounder and second-best-shooting regular. Freshman Jordan Hicks continues to shine for Loyola. He produced 12 points, 4 steals, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks in Wednesday's win over Detroit. By the way, the Titans' 41 points represented the fewest by a Loyola foe since the mighty Western Ontario conquest on Dec. 4, 1964.
Southern Illinois (11-16) at UIC (13-14)
When: 7 p.m. Saturday at UIC Pavilion
Net/radio: uicflames.com
Skinny: Not knowing the Bracketbuster boys would send his Salukis to the city for today's game, SIU coach Chris Lowery scheduled a game in December at NIU so senior point guard Bryan Mullins could play close to his Downers Grove home. Alas, Mullins can't take advantage of this second opportunity since he's essentially out for the year with a stress fracture in his right foot. Since he went out, SIU has gone 1-4 with a freshmen- and sophomore-heavy lineup. Kevin Dillard, the 2008 Illinois Mr. Basketball, leads SIU with 12.0 ppg. The Flames, meanwhile, celebrate the final home game for Josh Mayo and Scott VanderMeer. Mayo (1,642 points) needs just 10 points to pass Chuck Lambert for fourth place on UIC's all-time scoring chart, while VanderMeer long ago set the Horizon League's blocks record (268).
Northern Illinois (7-17) at Southeast Missouri State (3-24)
When: 7:45 p.m. Saturday at Show Me Center
Video: www.KFVS12.com
Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Skinny: In a strange way, this might the most eagerly anticipated BracketBuster matchup. The host Redhawks have lost 16 in a row and have an RPI of 336 (out of 343 Division I teams). Senior guard Kenard Moore leads SEMO with 18.0 ppg. The Huskies have an RPI of 329 that rose with Sunday's home win over Akron. With its 44-point output at Central Michigan on Wednesday, NIU scored its fewest points since a 53-41 loss to San Jose State on Dec. 19, 2003.