TODAY’S GAMES

AT PITTSBURGH

Pittsburgh vs. Central Connecticut State: Pitt, playing at Mellon Arena one mile from campus, is expected to roll despite uncertainty over star point guard Brandin Knight, who is questionable because of a strained right quadriceps and sprained finger. The Panthers have been spectacular under Coach Ben Howland and are 53-0 against teams from the Northeast Conference, which produced plucky Central Connecticut State. The Blue Devils have the nation’s longest winning streak at 19 games and are led by potential NBA draft pick Corsley Edwards, a 6-foot-9, 275-pound center.

California vs. Pennsylvania: Forward Ugonna Onyekwe, who landed at Penn after wiggling out of a letter-of-intent signed with Long Beach State, was Ivy League player of the year and might be the dominant player in this game. He averages 17.5 points, 6.0 rebounds and enables the Quakers to play a decidedly un-Ivy League up-tempo style. Seven players have led Cal in scoring in the last month. Who will step up? Three-point-shooting forward Joe Shipp or slashing guard Brian Wethers? Freshmen phenoms Jamal Sampson and Amit Tamir or savvy veterans Solomon Hughes and Shantay Legans? Most fans here hope none of the above, because they eagerly anticipate a Pitt-Penn second-round matchup.