Iowa, Michigan battle in Big Ten tournament, Virginia takes on Louisville

Here is what you need to know in college basketball for Thursday, March 1:

1. Northwestern vs. Penn State, Big Ten tournament, 6:30 p.m., BTN, Madison Square Garden: Penn State is still down one critical big with Mike Watkins out with a knee injury. The Nittany Lions must beat Northwestern to get a third shot against Ohio State. And they probably need to knock off the Buckeyes to have a chance at an at-large berth. Lose to Northwestern and the Nittany Lions are likely destined for the NIT.

We made it to The Big
It's #B1GTourney time for us tomorrow night at 6:30pm at the @TheGarden #ClimbWithUs pic.twitter.com/H0F7Cy89Dh

— Penn State Men’s Basketball (@PennStateMBB) February 28, 2018

2. Iowa vs. Michigan, Big Ten tournament, 2:30 p.m., BTN, Madison Square Garden: The Hawkeyes are playing with house money. They have nothing to lose anymore. Michigan could win the Big Ten tournament and climb onto a possible top four line with a run in New York. The winner gets a chance to knock off top-seed Michigan State. This has a chance to be the best game of the day at Madison Square Garden.

The Wolverines departed Ann Arbor & arrived in NYC for the #B1GatMSG

MSTV's @EdUofM was able to grab captain @theprophet_5 and discuss the task ahead. #GoBlue

Watch pic.twitter.com/bcIO9TMeZA

— Michigan Men's Basketball (@umichbball) March 1, 2018

3. Western Kentucky at Middle Tennessee State, 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network: The Blue Raiders are going for the season sweep of the Hilltoppers and the Conference USA title. Lose and the two teams will be tied for the title with one game remaining. Middle Tennessee State can ill afford to lose a home game as it attempts to earn a bid without having to win the conference tournament.

No. 24 #BlueRaiders vs. the Hilltoppers.

Tomorrow at 7 PM.

Turn the Murphy Center . pic.twitter.com/Gwej15tM7O

— MT Basketball (@MT_MBB) February 28, 2018

4. Virginia at Louisville, 8 p.m., ACC Network: The Cardinals ended a two-game slide with a win at Virginia Tech. If the Cards were to take out Virginia at home that would essentially quiet any chatter about Louisville being on the bubble. Virginia has already won the ACC regular season and the top seed in the tournament next week. A No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament is almost a lock, as well. So the pressure in this game is all on Louisville.

Cardinals Host No. 1 Virginia on Thursday Night for Senior Night

Out for the Seniors!!

Game Preview https://t.co/WKfiKf81h2 pic.twitter.com/E2FMzR2pP7

— Louisville Basketball (@LouisvilleMBB) February 28, 2018

5. Stanford at Arizona, 10 p.m., FS1: The Wildcats will be without Sean Miller coaching and Allonzo Trier playing, unless something changes in the next few hours. Arizona is coming off a loss at Oregon and is holding onto a one-game lead over USC with two left to play (one for USC, which plays host to UCLA). How will Arizona respond? What will the crowd be like? What kind of sense of urgency will the Wildcats play with against a spirited Stanford team that is only two games out of first.

Good things come to those who work.

Solid wins against the Cougs and Huskies. Now, we attack the road trip.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/KXutO1hd2b

— Stanford Men's Basketball (@StanfordMBB) February 28, 2018