Here are your highlights for today:

• Villanova at Denver: The Wildcats have built a reputation as starting fast in conference play over the last few seasons: In 2012 and 2013, Villanova won its first four Big East games while in 2014 the team went 3-1 through its first four league dates. 2015, however, may present a different kind of situation for the 'Cats: Villanova dropped its conference opener to Marquette last weekend and will see Denver tonight and Georgetown next Saturday before hosting St. John's on April 18th. Digging out of a hole on the Big East table is difficult and the Wildcats are potentially staring at that situation as the calendar hangs on the early portion of April. The key to the Big East Tournament is avoiding the Pioneers until the championship game, and simply making the playoff -- even as the host! -- as the four-seed doesn't provide the bucket of rainbows and good feelings that Villanova has enjoyed in the recent past.
• North Carolina at Virginia: A win puts Virginia squarely in the mix for a trip to the ACC Tournament. A loss requires Virginia to beat Duke next weekend in a play-in game scenario between the Devils and Cavaliers, regardless of what Duke does against Notre Dame this weekend. There is no wiggle room for the 'Hoos at this point in the season with respect to league playoff considerations -- it's either win and make things somewhat manageable or lose and fight while bleeding from the head. The ACC is a cruel machine that crushes even the strongest steel. It's basically lacrosse's version of Truckosaurus.

Here's Friday's full schedule. Please let me know if there are errors. I'll fix/populate links to live stats and video as the day progresses (if necessary).

This is your open thread for Friday. Your weekend better include seeing Furious 7 at some point. People will be around to yak about whatever is tickling their fancy.

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