The Matchup 2/16/11

Today is a loaded sports day with perhaps the most intriguing Champions League game yet this year, and some big time college basketball games. Oh yeah, and the release of the SI Swimsuit Issue!

Champions League

FC Barcelona @ Arsenal - Fox Soccer Channel 2:45 p.m.
The last time these two teams played in the Quarterfinals of the Champions League last year Lionel Messi, the FIFA World Player of the year, scored 4 goals in Barça's defeat of Arsenal. This year they square off in the round of 16 in a match between two of Europe's most prestigious squads.

College Basketball

#10 Wisconsin @ #11 Purdue - Big Ten Network 6:30 p.m.
Wisconsin will be looking to take the momentum from it's win over former #1 Ohio State on Saturday into this game. These two teams have nearly identical records (19-5 & 20-5 respectively, while both sit at 9-3 in the Big Ten). While Wisconsin has been dominant at home, only losing one game there this year, they have only won two times in the past 38 years at Purdue.

#16 Louisville @ Cincinnati - ESPN 7 p.m.
These two rivals always play tough physical, usually low-scoring, games against each other. Expect this game to be no different as Cincinnati tries to improve its tournament resume. Louisville will look to take revenge for the ouster the Bearcats put on them in the Big East tournament last year.

#9 Georgetown @ #12 Connecticut - Big East Network 7 p.m.
Georgetown has reeled off 8 wins in a row while climbing to 3rd in the conference. UConn is only 7-5 in conference while ranked 12th which speaks to how strong the Big East is.

#18 Vanderbilt @ Georgia - ESPNU 7 p.m.
These two are tied for 2nd in the SEC East behind Florida. Vanderbilt has lost all three of its road games against SEC East teams, losing to Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida by a combined 15 points. Vanderbilt won the last meeting in Nashville by 7 points.

NBA

Atlanta @ New York - SportSouth 7:30 p.m.
The Knicks have suffered two nine-point losses to Atlanta and the last meeting featured a fight heading into Wednesday night's game at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks have faded since their fast start, meanwhile the Hawks look to stay ahead of Orlando for 4th in the East.

Bonnaroo lineup analysis coming tonight...