Monday! Monday! Monday! Although Christmas and New Years has past, leading to a return to work and school, college basketball has continued while producing great contests. Tonight, "Sizzling in the Spotlight's" Tyler Bennett and Peyton Wesner preview and predict the best matchups to begin the work week.

7:00 PM EST
12-1 (1-0) #17 West Virginia @ 8-5 (0-1) TCU (ESPN2)

12-1 (1-0) #17 West Virginia
Coming In:
---87-83 Win @ Kansas State
Resume Wins:
---72-50 - San Diego State
---87-73 @ Kansas State
Only Loss:
---70-54 @ #10 Virginia
Players to Watch:
#41 Devin Williams (JR)
---14.8 PPG & 8.8 RPG.
#2 Jevon Carter (SO)
---12.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.0 APG, & 2.2 SPG.
#5 Jaysean Paige (SR)
---12.3 PPG, 3.9 RPG, & 1.2 SPG.
#4 Daxter Miles Jr. (SO)
---12.0 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.7 APG, & 2.1 SPG.

8-5 (0-1) TCU
Coming In:
---69-48 Loss @ Oklahoma State
Wins Against the Missouri Valley:
---71-60 - Illinois State (Neutral)
---53-49 @ Bradley
Single-Digit Defeats:
---76-67 - South Dakota State
---66-60 - Rhode Island
---75-70 #22 SMU
Players to Watch:
#10 Vladimir Brodziansky (SO)
---13.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, & 1.2 BPG.
#3 Malique Trent (SO)
---12.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.3 APG, & 1.7 SPG.

Bennett:
The West Virginia Mountaineers, led by star forward Devin Williams, are one of the nation’s best offensive teams, and have quietly put together a stellar 12-1 start to the season. After knocking off Kansas State on the road to open Big 12 play, they turn their attention to TCU, looking to start conference play with a 2-0 record. Coach Huggins’ crew has the talent to contend atop the conference, but will need to avoid any letdowns if they want to be taken seriously. The Mountaineers cruise past the Horned Frogs, avoiding a loss that would hinder their chances in the Big 12 title hunt.
---West Virginia 89, TCU 77

Wesner:
This one is bound to get ugly! With Bob Huggins' "Press Virginia" running over opponents and taking names (they enter allowing 61.8 points per game), the West Virginia Mountaineers will have no trouble destroying an offensively weak TCU Horned Frogs. 'Offensively weak,' wow that is harsh! No, not really! Less than two weeks ago, TCU netted a measly 53 points on the road versus a freshmen filled Bradley squad! So with the following in consideration, why should we assume any more would be scored against one of the best defenses in all of Division I basketball?! Exactly, we shouldn't! Expect for the Mountaineers to have a field day on offense and defense while their "core four" of Devin Williams, Jevon Carter, Jaysean Paige, and Daxter Miles Jr. all post double-figure points.
---West Virginia 73, TCU 38

13-2 (2-0) #6 North Carolina @ 10-3 (0-1) Florida State (ESPN)

13-2 (2-0) #6 North Carolina
Coming In:
---86-78 Win - Georgia Tech
Resume Wins:
---80-69 - Northwestern
---80-70 - Kansas State
---89-81 vs #2 Maryland
---98-65 - Davidson
---89-76 - #22 UCLA
---80-69 - Clemson
Losses:
---71-67 @ Northern Iowa
---84-82 @ Texas
Players to Watch:
#11 Brice Johnson (SR)
---15.3 PPG, 9.7 RPG, & 1.0 BPG.
#5 Marcus Paige (SR)
---14.8 PPG, 2.6 RPG, & 3.6 APG.
#44 Justin Jackson (SO)
---13.2 PPG, 4.1 RPG, & 3.5 APG.
#2 Joel Berry II (SO)
---12.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 4.4 APG, & 1.4 SPG.

10-3 (0-1) Florida State
Coming In:
---84-75 Loss @ Clemson
Resume Wins:
---83-67 - DePaul
---90-66 - Mississippi State
---73-71 @ Florida
Single-Digit Defeats:
---82-77 - Hofstra (Neutral)
---78-75 @ Iowa
---84-75 @ Clemson
Players to Watch:
#4 Dwayne Bacon (FR)
---17.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, & 1.2 SPG.
#5 Malik Beasley (FR)
---17.2 PPG, 5.5 RPG, & 1.1 SPG.
#22 Xavier Rathan-Mayes (SO)
---11.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 5.7 APG, & 1.1 SPG.

Bennett:
The North Carolina Tar Heels could be in trouble against the Florida State Seminoles. Why? They don’t seem to play their best away from home, and that could spell disaster on Monday. Even though they were without Marcus Paige, the Tar Heels have already fallen to Northern Iowa on the road this season, and the Seminoles are more talented than the Panthers. Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Dwayne Bacon, and company will give North Carolina all they can handle. In the end, North Carolina’s experience will give them the edge, and Brice Johnson will lead the Tar Heels to the win.
---North Carolina 81, Florida State 72

Wesner:
Is it really possible Florida State is better at basketball than football now? Tonight we find out! Following an impressive victory in Gainesville against SEC rival Florida, the Seminoles tripped over Clemson and their zone defense. "Fab freshman" and leading scorer Dwayne Bacon was held to 10 points and 5-of-16 shooting in the conference opener and he must be reliable for at least 20 this evening. Despite the North Carolina Tar Heels having lost to Texas since "star senior" Marcus Paige returned to the starting lineup, Roy Williams' seasoned with experience squad will frustrate the young, NBA bound guards of Florida State. Even with 7'0" center Boris Bojanovsky holding down the paint for the home team, the backcourt of UNC will get him in foul trouble, ultimately making him a non-factor.   
---North Carolina 79, Florida State 74

7-6 (2-1) Canisius @ 9-4 (1-1) Monmouth (ESPN3)
***Mid-Major Spotlight Game

7-6 (2-1) Canisius
Coming In:
---92-83 Win @ Marist
Good Mid-Major Wins:
---98-89 - Lehigh
---96-86 - Monmouth
---108-96 - Louisiana-Monroe
Single-Digit Defeats:
---77-73 - St. Bonaventure
---98-96 @ Buffalo
---78-76 - Quinnipiac
---84-77 @ Kent State
Players to Watch:
#1 Malcolm McMillan (SR)
---17.8 PPG, 2.8 RPG, & 4.6 APG.
#5 Kassius Robertson (SO)
---15.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 1.9 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
#22 Phil Valenti (JR)
---15.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.2 APG, & 1.0 SPG.
#2 Jermaine Crumpton (SO)
---12.9 PPG & 4.3 RPG.

9-4 (1-1) Monmouth
Coming In:
---91-84 Loss @ Army
Resume Wins:
---84-81 @ UCLA
---70-68 - #17 Notre Dame (Neutral)
---83-73 - USC (Neutral)
---83-68 @ Georgetown
---73-67 @ Rutgers
Costly Losses:
---96-86 @ Canisius
---91-84 @ Army
Players to Watch:
#12 Justin Robinson (JR)
---20.5 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, & 2.2 SPG.
#10 Micah Seaborn (FR)
---12.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.2 APG, & 1.0 SPG.

Bennett: 
Back in December, Canisius topped the Monmouth Hawks in their first meeting of the season, 96-86. But, that was played on the Golden Griffins home floor. This time around, the Hawks will be looking for some retribution. Star guard Justin Robinson and freshman Micah Seaborn will lead the charge for the Hawks in a game they are favored to win. However, Monmouth has been up-and-down this season, winning games they should lose (Notre Dame, UCLA) and losing games they should win (Army, Canisius). This trend will continue, as Malcolm McMillan and Jalen Reynolds will lead the Golden Griffins to a season sweep of the Hawks.
---Canisius 87, Monmouth 82

Wesner:
"A dish best served cold!"

"Is it ice cream?" 

No! It is Monmouth's revenge!

Entering Buffalo, New York, coming off two big resume victories at ESPN's Wide World of Sports, Notre Dame and USC, the Monmouth Hawks were not able to overcome 22 points from Canisius Golden Griffins star Malcolm McMillian and mount a comeback on the road at Canisius exactly a month ago. On Monday night, will be a different story. With the best player in the MAAC, "jazzy junior" Justin Robinson, anything on any night is possible for King Rice's squad. Moreover, with the high probability of another loss to a conference rival putting an end to any chances of receiving an at-large bid on Selection Sunday, be prepared for Robinson, Je'lon Hornbeak, and "fab freshman" Micah Seaborn to have very good games. Granted, it is very unlikely they combine for 58 points again like in the first meeting, but the three with Chris Brady and Deon Jones will be too much for Jim Baron's Griffs.
---Monmouth 73, Canisius 67

9-5 (2-1) Siena @ 4-8 (1-2) Manhattan (ESPN3)

9-5 (2-1) Siena
Coming In:
---75-63 Win - Niagara
Very Good Mid-Majors Wins:
---76-62 - Radford
---81-68 - Hofstra
---78-70 - Albany
---73-70 - St. Bonaventure
Single-Digit Defeats:
---81-80 @ Cornell
---72-68 @ St. Peter's 
---73-64 @ Vermont
Players to Watch:
#1 Marquis Wright (JR)
---17.3 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, & 2.1 SPG.
#31 Brett Bisping (JR)
---13.5 PPG & 8.5 RPG.
#0 Javion Ogunyemi (JR)
---13.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, & 2.0 BPG.
#24 Lavon Long (JR)
---12.2 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 3.2 APG, & 1.3 SPG.

4-8 (1-2) Manhattan
Coming In:
---72-66 Win - Fairfield
Conference Wins:
---72-66 - Fairfield
Single-Digit Defeats:
---75-70 - Marist
---72-71 - Columbia
Players to Watch:
#0 Shane Richards (SR)
---17.5 PPG & 4.7 RPG.
#23 Rich Williams (JR)
---16.4 PPG, 6.9 RPG, & 1.1 SPG.

Bennett: 
The Siena Saints have thoroughly enjoyed having a healthy Brett Bisping, a healthy Imoh Silas, and a returning Javion Ogunyemi back in the lineup this season. Entering Monday, the Saints sit at 9-5 overall, and look like a team who could contend for the MAAC title down the stretch. With their balance across the lineup, the Saints will cruise past a Manhattan team who has fallen from the top after finding themselves contending for the conference title in the past couple of seasons.
---Siena 80, Manhattan 69

Wesner:
In a matchup that began both teams' MAAC schedule exactly a month ago, the Siena Saints thrashed the Manhattan Jaspers by their biggest 2015-2016 margin of defeat thus far (35). Nevertheless, Monday night will bring a closer score and competitiveness between the two. Additionally, no one should prepare for Shane Richards' right hand man, Rich Williams to be held for seven points on 3-of-10 shooting. However, considering Siena is marching in with four wins in their last five while one of their four "jazzy juniors" Brett Bisping has been scary great during the aforementioned span (15.6 PPG & 8.4 RPG), Manhattan is in for their ninth loss of the season.
---Siena 80, Manhattan 71

8:00 PM EST
7-6 (1-0) East Tennessee State @ 5-9 (1-1) North Carolina Central

7-6 (1-0) East Tennessee State
Coming In:
---82-66 Win - West Carolina
Very Good Victories:
---69-68 @ Georgia Tech
---87-81 - Eastern Kentucky
Single-Digit Defeats:
---77-76 @ Charleston Southern
---63-61 @ Tennessee Tech
---76-67 @ Tennessee
Players to Watch:
#3 Ge'Lawn Guyn (SR)
---17.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.3 APG, & 1.2 SPG.
#0 T.J. Cromer (JR)
---15.2 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 2.6 APG, & 1.2 SPG.

5-9 (1-1) North Carolina Central
Coming In:
---71-48 Loss @ Mississippi State
Division I Wins:
---86-79 - Mississippi Valley State
---70-59 - Maryland-Eastern Shore
---57-52 - Eastern Illinois
Single-Digit Defeats:
---78-77 @ LIU Brooklyn
---71-69 - Howard
---73-65 @ Houston
---68-63 - Southern
Players to Watch:
#11 Patrick Cole (JR)
---15.8 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
#0 Dante Holmes (SR)
---11.7 PPG, 4.0 RPG, & 1.2 SPG.

Bennett:
This is an underrated game featuring two mid-major programs who are expected to contend for their respective conference titles in 2015-16. The East Tennessee State Buccaneers, led by A.J. Merriweather and transfer Ge’Lawn Guyn, are expected to contend for the Southern Conference title, while Dajuan Graf and the North Carolina Central Eagles are once again contenders in the MEAC. Despite the loss of Jalen Riley from last year’s team, the Buccaneers have a strong offense, which will lead them to the win over the Eagles.
---East Tennessee State 78, North Carolina Central 71

Wesner:
Non-conference play is still going on?! Fantastic! Making one last non-Southern Conference trip to the Carolinas, the East Tennessee State Pirates are yearning to move their mark against opponents from the two states to 2-2 in addition to moving their winning streak to three games. Whereas ETSU has been impressive of late, the North Carolina Central Eagles have really never found the same mid-major prowess as past teams (it should have been expected though). Now as the result could very well depend on which dynamic duo scores the most between East Tennessee State's Ge'Lawn Guyn and T.J. Cromer and NCCU's Patrick Cole and Dante Holmes, this journalist sees the Eagles' Jeremiah Ingram and Dajuan Graf having a huge impact on the outcome of this ball game. Though, it will not be enough if the Pirates' backcourt duo produce more than 40 points (they have totaled an average of 35.3 per game in their last three).
---East Tennessee State 71, North Carolina Central 68

8:30 PM EST
4-6 (0-1) Alabama A&M @ 6-8 (1-0) Jackson State 

4-6 (0-1) Alabama A&M
Coming In:
---81-78 Loss @ Grambling State
Division I Wins:
---68-67 @ Tulane
---74-56 - Southeast Missouri State
---73-69 @ Jacksonville State
Single-Digit Defeats:
---63-61 @ Murray State
---79-70 @ Western Kentucky
---63-62 @ Ball State
---81-78 @ Grambling State
Players to Watch:
#23 Ladarius Tabb (SR)
---22.7 PPG, 7.4 RPG, & 2.0 SPG.
#35 Nicholas West (SR)
---14.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, & 1.8 APG.

6-8 (1-0) Jackson State
Coming In:
---68-61 Win - Alabama State
Division I Wins:
---78-60 @ Southern Mississippi
---69-42 - Savannah State
---89-66 - Southeastern Louisiana
---68-61 - Alabama State
Single-Digit Defeats:
---78-69 @ Arkansas State
---86-82 @ Tennessee Tech
---95-88 @ Louisiana Tech
---72-67 @ Ohio
Players to Watch:
#5 Paris Collins (SO)
---16.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 1.9 APG, & 2.1 SPG.
#1 Chace Franklin (JR)
---12.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 3.1 APG, & 1.6 SPG.

Bennett:
After opening the season with four-straight wins, Alabama A&M has fallen from grace, losing six straight games entering Monday night. Their most recent loss was an 81-78 defeat at the hands of Grambling State in their SWAC opener. As for Jackson State, they have won three of their last five games, and have started to turn things around after a 1-4 start to the year. Ladarius Tabb and Nicholas West have played well for the Bulldogs, but they need others to step up. Jackson State will receive big games from Paris Collins and Chace Franklin to lead them to a huge victory in SWAC play.
---Jackson State 76, Alabama A&M 70

Wesner:
Alabama A&M's Ladarius Tabb, learn the name ladies and gentlemen! The 6'5" guard, who is a scoring threat from anywhere (has the 13th highest points per game average in the nation) and a monster on the glass, has been phenomenal thus far in his last season in Normal, Alabama, although the team's record does not imply it. Yet as conference season is now upon us, the Bulldogs have a chance to put all their struggles behind them and build some momentum. But, maybe that is easier said than done, for normally awful Grambling State downed Alabama A&M in their conference opener. Therefore wouldn't Jackson State do the same thing. Nope! In aforementioned loss, superstar Tabb was held to 11 points on 3 for 12 shooting from the floor. That will not happen tonight! Expect for Tabb to post at least 20 points and 6 rebounds while "co-star" Nicholas West produces a double-double.
---Alabama A&M 66, Jackson State 65

9:00 PM EST
12-0 (1-0) #2 Oklahoma @ 12-1 (1-0) #1 Kansas (ESPN)
***Big Monday Spotlight Game

12-0 (1-0) #3 Oklahoma
Coming In:
---87-83 Win - #11 Iowa State
Resume Wins:
---84-78 @ Memphis
---65-48 - Wisconsin
---78-55 - #9 Villanova (Neutral)
---87-74 - Creighton
---88-60 - Washington State (Neutral)
---84-81 @ Hawaii 
---83-71 - Harvard in Championship of Diamond Head Classic (Neutral)
Players to Watch:
#24 Buddy Hield (SR)
---24.7 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.8 APG, & 1.4 SPG.
#10 Jordan Woodard (JR)
---13.9 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 3.7 APG, & 1.8 SPG.
#11 Isaiah Cousins (SR)
---13.3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, & 4.8 APG.
#00 Ryan Spangler (SR)
---11.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, & 2.2 APG.

12-1 (1-0) #1 Kansas
Coming In:
---102-74 Win - #23 Baylor
Resume Wins:
---92-73 - UCLA (Neutral)
---70-63 - #19 Vanderbilt in Championship of Maui Invitational (Neutral)
---82-67 - Oregon State
---70-57 @ San Diego State
---102-74 - #23 Baylor
Only Loss:
---79-73 - #13 Michigan State (Neutral)
Players to Watch:
#1 Wayne Selden Jr. (JR)
---15.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.2 APG, & 1.0 SPG.
#34 Perry Ellis (SR)
---15.2 PPG & 6.2 RPG.
#0 Frank Mason III (JR)
---13.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5.5 APG, & 1.8 SPG.

Bennett:
In one of the top matchups of the season, the Oklahoma Sooners will pay a visit to Allen Fieldhouse to take on the Kansas Jayhawks. This contest could go a long way in determining who takes home the Big 12 regular season crown, and will feature the top two teams in the country. Buddy Hield and Perry Ellis are the stars of the show, but both teams have a strong supporting cast that will make this must-watch TV on Monday night. Oklahoma hasn’t won in Lawrence, Kansas since 1993, and that trend will continue. Fresh off their rout of the Baylor Bears, the Kansas Jayhawks will knock off the Sooners.  
---Kansas 86, Oklahoma 80

Wesner:
The biggest obstacles of the Kansas Jayhawks in their pursuit to what would be their 12th straight Big 12 regular season championship is Buddy Hield's Oklahoma Sooners. Thus, this evening's Big Monday showdown between the two national champion contenders will supply an immediate head-to-head tiebreaker prior to them heading to Norman for a rematch on February 13. Nonetheless, let's not get ahead of ourselves! This evening, thanks to home-court advantage and very good guard play from Wayne Selden Jr. and Frank Mason III, Bill Self's squad will move to 2-0 in conference play. Without a doubt, the Sooners will receive great play from their backcourt duo of Buddy Hield and Jordan Woodard; however, the difference in this one will be Perry Ellis' play in the post against Ryan Spangler. Not that OU's Spangler is a poor player (the fact is a very good one), but playing in "The Phog" versus one of the most well-rounded bigs could be problematic for the former high school QB. "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!"
---Kansas 84, Oklahoma 80

Standings:
1. Wesner 174 pts (135-68)
2. Bennett 167 pts (129-74)

***Spotlight Games are worth two points in opposed to one.