Monday tip-off: Spotlight's on No. 1 South Carolina at No. 2 UConn

Setting up the day in college basketball:

Best bets: Before getting to tonight's headliners on the men's side of things in the Big 12, we'd be remiss if we didn't point out there's a fairly important women's contest on the slate as No. 1 and undefeated South Carolina visits second-ranked and defending NCAA champion Connecticut (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

Both title contenders should have their stars well rested for this much-anticipated showdown, though for different reasons. The Gamecocks were off over the weekend since taking care of SEC opponent Georgia on Thursday night. Freshman PG Bianca Cuevas, who has been described as a younger version of her coach Dawn Staley, is joined by senior F Aleighsa Welch on a deep and gritty squad. Huskies' coach Geno Auriemma was not pleased with the effort exhibited by Breanna Stewart and Morgan Tuck in the early moments of UConn's game Saturday at Memphis, but their extensive time on the bench undoubtedly got their attention.

But on to the men's side and the 'Large Dozen-minus-two,' where two of the league's hotter teams come from the Sooner State. No. 21 Oklahoma has rattled off four wins a row and gets another opportunity to enhance its position at home against No. 14 Iowa State (9 p.m. ET, ESPN). Oklahoma State, meanwhile, doesn't have long to celebrate its takedown of league leader Kansas that prompted one of Saturday's rash of court rushes. That victory was the Cowboys' fourth in their last five outings, but they hit the road to No. 19 Baylor (7 p.m. ET, ESPNU), with the Bears looking to avenge a loss in Stillwater two weeks ago.

Number of the day: 12. The three-point barrage Duke rained down on Notre Dame Saturday was scary enough. But perhaps the most impressive stat from the romp by the No. 5 Blue Devils came from the backcourt tandem of Quinn Cook and Tyus Jones, who combined for 12 assists without a turnover in a devastatingly efficient performance. Duke will try to maintain its high level of play at Florida State (7 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Days until Selection Sunday: 34.