As the calendar turns over into March, that can only mean one thing: the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. March Madness seems like it could be as wild and unpredictable as ever, as very few teams have been able to separate themselves from the rest of the pack. That’s just one of the exciting upcoming events in the sports world this week.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed this week’s schedules to identify major games in European soccer, professional hockey, professional basketball, and college basketball and determine the top 20 events in sports for the week of March 5-11.
Before we get to the Big Dance, we need to find out which teams can win their conference tournaments and get automatic bids into March Madness. Dozens of conference tournament games are crammed into next week, before we can get the first look at the official NCAA Tournament bracket on Selection Sunday.
If you’ve been slacking on watching college basketball but still want to beat everyone else in your office bracket pool, now is the time to tune in and find the Cinderella team that can upset the favorites and make you look like an expert.
The U.S. isn’t the only place to catch an exciting tournament. Europe’s best soccer clubs are facing off in the UEFA Champions League. Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid will try to finish off Paris Saint-Germain, while Tottenham and Juventus will seek to break their 2-2 tie from the first leg of their matchup.
If you prefer domestic leagues, you can watch Manchester United host Liverpool in the Premier League. Those two teams are the most decorated in English soccer history and the rivalry dates back decades.
Back in the U.S., the NHL and NBA seasons are winding down. Teams like the Dallas Stars and Anaheim Ducks are clinging to wild card spots, but they are facing big tests from some of the best teams in the league — matchups that could prove crucial by the end of the season.
There’s a real logjam in the NBA’s Western Conference behind the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, leaving squads like the San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans to battle for home court advantage in the first round. The Pelicans have gotten a huge boost from Anthony Davis, who was absolutely unstoppable in February, scoring 35 points per game and leading the Pelicans to a seven-game winning streak.
In order to determine the best games of the week, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed scheduled games and events among the most-watched sports leagues, including European soccer, NCAA men’s basketball, the NBA, and the NHL for the week of March 5-11. Games were selected based on a number of factors, including the quality of the teams playing, the presence of well-known and high-quality players in the game, how likely an event is to draw many viewers, and the history of the teams. Team histories may be based on long-standing rivalries or more recent animosity. The week is from Monday to Sunday.
Click here to see the best games of the week.
Source: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno / Getty Images
1. Real Madrid at Paris Saint-Germain
> Sport: UEFA Champions League soccer
> Date: Tuesday, March 6
> Time (ET): 2:45 p.m.
> Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
> Why it’s exciting: Defending champions face France’s best
Real Madrid have been the most dominant club in soccer over the past year or so. The team, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, are the two-time reigning UEFA Champions League winners and could capture a third straight title. Real Madrid won the first leg of their round of 16 clash with Paris Saint-Germain 3-1. The French club may need a miracle at home to win the second as star forward Neymar is out with an injury.
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Source: J Pat Carter / Getty Images
2. Houston Rockets at Oklahoma City Thunder
> Sport: NBA basketball
> Date: Tuesday, Mar. 6
> Time (ET): 8:00 p.m.
> Where to watch: TNT
> Why it’s exciting: Harden, Westbrook compete for playoff position
The Houston Rockets have looked unstoppable at times this season, and they currently own the best record in the NBA. But in their first meeting this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder beat Houston thanks to a 31-point effort from MVP Russell Westbrook on Christmas Day. It should be an entertaining duel between Westbrook and former Thunder teammate and leading NBA scorer James Harden.
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Source: Rob Carr / Getty Images
3. Washington Capitals at Anaheim Ducks
> Sport: NHL hockey
> Date: Tuesday, March 6
> Time (ET): 10:00 p.m.
> Where to watch: NBCSN
> Why it’s exciting: Ducks hunt for playoff spot
With just over a month left in the NHL regular season, every game is crucial for teams that are still fighting for a playoffs spot. The Anaheim Ducks are currently hovering right near the bottom of the wild card standings. They’ll face a big test when Alexander Ovechkin and the high-powered Washington Capitals offense comes to California.
Source: Harry How / Getty Images
4. New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Clippers
> Sport: NBA basketball
> Date: Tuesday, Mar. 6
> Time (ET): 10:30 p.m.
> Where to watch: TNT
> Why it’s exciting: Davis continues historic run
When DeMarcus Cousins ruptured his Achilles, many thought the New Orleans Pelicans’ season was over. But lately, Anthony Davis has played phenomenally well, scoring 35 points per game in February. Davis powered his team to six straight wins to close out the month, and the Pelicans are showing no sign of slowing down. The Clippers will have their hands full as they desperately need a win to compete for the playoffs.
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Source: Michael Regan / Getty Images
5. Juventus at Tottenham Hotspur
> Sport: UEFA Champions League soccer
> Date: Wednesday, March 7
> Time (ET): 2:45 p.m.
> Where to watch: Fox Sports 1
> Why it’s exciting: World class strikers face off
The first leg UEFA Champions League match between Juventus and Tottenham more than lived up to the hype, as Juve’s Gonzalo Higuain scored twice in the first 10 minutes, but the Spurs fought back to claim a 2-2 draw. Expect more goals from Higuain and Tottenham’s Harry Kane, two of the best strikers in the game.
Source: Elsa / Getty Images
6. Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers
> Sport: NHL hockey
> Date: Wednesday, March 7
> Time (ET): 8:00 p.m.
> Where to watch: NBCSN
> Why it’s exciting: Keystone State showdown
The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins are one of the most storied rivalries in hockey, no matter when they play, but the upcoming match between the two Pennsylvania hockey clubs will carry a bit of added significance. Both teams are having great seasons, and they are neck and neck in the standings. The winner will have an extra boost in the race for home ice advantage in the playoffs.
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Source: Doug Pensinger / Getty Images
7. Cleveland Cavaliers at Denver Nuggets
> Sport: NBA basketball
> Date: Wednesday Mar. 7
> Time (ET): 8:00 p.m.
> Where to watch: ESPN
> Why it’s exciting: Nuggets continue playoff push
Now that the Cleveland Cavaliers and all their new players seem to be settled in, LeBron James and company seem like a lock to get into the playoffs. That’s not the case with the Denver Nuggets, who are fighting for the eighth and final seed in the Western Conference against teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Utah Jazz. If the Nuggets want to beat the Cavs, they’ll need to rely on center Nikola Jokic. He’s one of the most versatile big men in the league, leading Denver in rebounds as well as assists.
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Source: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images
8. Toronto Raptors at Detroit Pistons
> Sport: NBA basketball
> Date: Wednesday Mar. 7
> Time (ET): 8:00 p.m.
> Where to watch: ESPN
> Why it’s exciting: Potential first round preview
While Boston and Cleveland made headlines for some splashy roster moves dating back to last season, it’s the Raptors who currently sit in first place in the Eastern Conference, largely thanks to their conference-best scoring average of 112 points per game. The Raptors will need all the offense they can get when they travel to Detroit to take on the Pistons. Detroit needs to win the game, as they sit just outside of the playoff picture in the East.
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9. Philadelphia Flyers at Boston Bruins
> Sport: NHL hockey
> Date: Thursday, March 8
> Time (ET): 7:00 p.m.
> Where to watch: TSN
> Why it’s exciting: Eastern Conference clash
After a disappointing 2017, the Philadelphia Flyers are having an impressive season. The Flyers currently sit in second place in the Metropolitan division, largely due to the impressive tandem of Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, two of the top point scorers in the NHL. They could have a tough time getting anything going against the stout defense of the Boston Bruins, which allows the fewest goals in the NHL.
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Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images
10. Boston Celtics at Minnesota Timberwolves
> Sport: NBA basketball
> Date: Thursday, March 8
> Time (ET): 8:00 p.m.
> Where to watch: TNT
> Why it’s exciting: East meets West
Though the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors have separated themselves from the pack in the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves are having an impressive season. Karl-Anthony Towns and Jimmy Butler have made the T-Wolves one of the best teams in the West. Unfortunately, Butler injured the meniscus in his right knee, so the rest of the young players in Minnesota will need to keep the team afloat ahead of the playoffs.
Source: Ronald Cortes / Getty Images
11. San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors
> Sport: NBA basketball
> Date: Thursday, Mar. 8
> Time (ET): 10:30 p.m.
> Where to watch: TNT
> Why it’s exciting: Western Conference powerhouses compete
Though the Spurs are likely to make the playoffs, it has still been a rough season in San Antonio. Two-time Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard has only played in a handful of games this season because of a quadriceps injury, and it is still unclear when, or even if, he will come back this seasons. Despite his absence, the Spurs still allow the fewest points of any team, though that will certainly be put to the test by Golden State’s Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and the rest of the team, which averages 116 points per game — the most in the NBA.
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Source: Shaun Botterill / Getty Images
12. Liverpool at Manchester United
> Sport: Premier League soccer
> Date: Saturday, March 10
> Time (ET): 7:30 a.m.
> Where to watch: NBCSN
> Why it’s exciting: Rivals compete for top four position
Manchester City seem to have the Premier League Championship wrapped up already, but there’s still plenty to play for in the league. Old rivals Manchester United and Liverpool are still jockeying for second place, and Liverpool could go in front with a win at Old Trafford. The loser could be at risk of falling out of the top four and thereby losing a bid to play in the UEFA Champions League. These two clubs, the most successful in English soccer history, always make for an exciting matchup.
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Source: J Pat Carter / Getty Images
13. San Antonio Spurs at Oklahoma City
> Sport: NBA basketball
> Date: Saturday, March 10
> Time (ET): 8:30 p.m.
> Where to watch: ABC
> Why it’s exciting: Battle for home court advantage
The NBA regular season is winding down, but the playoff seeding is anything but settled. Teams like the Spurs, Thunder, Timberwolves, Pelicans, and Trail Blazers are all bunched up behind the Golden State Warriors, so each game between these teams is hugely important in the race for for home court advantage in the first round of playoffs. The Spurs have the top scoring defense in the NBA, but they may still have a hard time stopping the Thunder’s Big Three of Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony.
Source: Al Bello / Getty Images
14. ACC Tournament Championship game
> Sport: NCAA men’s basketball
> Date: Saturday, March 10
> Time (ET): 8:30 p.m.
> Where to watch: ESPN
> Why it’s exciting: Can anyone knock off Virginia?
While we don’t know yet who will play for the ACC Championship, we do know the winner will likely be a real contender to win the NCAA Tournament. Duke could be tough to knock off now that outstanding freshman Marvin Bagley has returned from a knee injury. North Carolina clearly knows how to win in March, and they will look to be the first back-to-back NCAA Tournament winners since Florida in 2007. Perhaps the best team in the ACC is No. 1-ranked Virginia, who only has two losses all season.
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Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images
15. Boston Bruins at Chicago Blackhawks
> Sport: NHL hockey
> Date: Sunday, March 11
> Time (ET): 12:30 p.m.
> Where to watch: NBC
> Why it’s exciting: Back-to-back could get heated
The Chicago Blackhawks are having a rough year, sitting at the bottom of the Central Division and well outside of playoff contention. But they still have some fight left in them, and things could get heated in their game against the Boston Bruins. The Blackhawks and Bruins are old Original Six rivals, and they’ll play each other in two straight games: first in Boston, then Chicago. This is a rarity in the NHL, and we could see some sparks fly and any animosity from the first game spilling over into the second.
Source: Andy Lyons / Getty Images
16. SEC Tournament Championship game
> Sport: NCAA men’s basketball
> Date: Sunday, March 11
> Time (ET): 1:00 p.m.
> Where to watch: ESPN
> Why it’s exciting: Wide open race for the title
Though the SEC is known as a football conference, it is actually becoming one of the best places to watch top notch college hoops. The Southeastern Conference is projected to have eight teams in the Big Dance, and many of those teams have a shot at winning the conference tournament. Auburn and Tennessee are at the top of the conference standings, but Kentucky is always a threat in March and seems to be getting hot at the right time. Watch out for dark horse team Missouri, who could get a big boost from the return of Michael Porter Jr., a projected lottery pick. Porter hasn’t played since the first game due to a back injury, but he may be back in time for the tournament.
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Source: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images
17. AAC Tournament Championship game
> Sport: NCAA men’s basketball
> Date: Sunday, March 11
> Time (ET): 3:30 p.m.
> Where to watch: CBS
> Why it’s exciting: Three-way duel for an automatic bid
Though it isn’t one of the Power 5 conferences, the American Athletic Conference has some of the best teams in college basketball. The Cincinnati Bearcats are the 10th-ranked team in the nation largely because of their defense. They give up just 57.2 points per game, the second-fewest in the country. They’ll likely face off against Wichita State, who have wracked up at least one NCAA Tournament win each season since 2013, when they went to the Final Four.
Source: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images
18. Golden State Warriors at Minnesota Timberwolves
> Sport: NBA basketball
> Date: Sunday, March 11
> Time (ET): 3:30 p.m.
> Where to watch: ABC
> Why it’s exciting: T-Wolves look to bounce back without Butler
The Golden State Warriors have become one of the best teams in basketball on the strength of their outside shooting. The Warriors hit 39.8% of their 3-point attempts, a better percentage than any other team. Minnesota is near the bottom of the league in 3-point percentage, but they’re still one of the best shooting teams overall, largely because Taj Gibson and Karl-Anthony Towns hit a high percentage of their inside shots. Two competing styles will be on display.
Source: Drew Angerer / Getty Images
19. Selection Sunday
> Sport: NCAA men’s basketball
> Date: Sunday, March 11
> Time (ET): 6:00 p.m.
> Where to watch: TBS
> Why it’s exciting: March Madness officially begins
Selection Sunday is one of the most exciting, or nerve-wracking, days of the year for college basketball fans. After all the conference tournament games are decided, the NCAA selection committee will announced which teams get into the Big Dance. Most teams will have a good idea about their fate, but teams on the bubble will have to wait and see where they end up. Get ready to fill out those brackets!
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Source: Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
20. Dallas Stars at Pittsburgh Penguins
> Sport: NHL hockey
> Date: Sunday, March 11
> Time (ET): 7:30 p.m.
> Where to watch: NBCSN
> Why it’s exciting: Looking for playoff seeding
The Pittsburgh Penguins have won the last two Stanley Cups, so the team clearly knows what it takes to win. The Dallas Stars haven’t missed the playoffs last season, but they currently hold a wild card spot in the West. If the Stars want to prove they are a real playoff contender, they will need to show they can hang with the best teams in the NHL.
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