We’re going into one of the most exciting Saturdays in sports so far this season. From Duke-North Carolina to Nets-76ers, we have a great day of basketball. Here are my selections for this week’s edition:
NCAA Basketball:
Seton Hall (10-8) at UConn (8-3) (-1.5)
The Huskies resume their season once again against a team they haven’t played against since 2013. Dan Hurley played at Seton Hall, playing against UConn studs such as Donyell Marshall and Ray Allen. UConn is without star James Bouknight and Akok Akok, but freshman Andre Jackson is back and could have an impact. Their biggest problem would be defending Sandro Mamukelashvili, but if they can contain him, they have an easy path to a win.
Tune into Seton Hall at UConn at 12 PM ET on FOX.
#10 Alabama (15-4) (-2.5) at #18 Missouri (12-3)
I think Alabama wins a huge road game, but Missouri guard Xavier Pinson could keep Missouri in this game, as he is one of the best players in the SEC if not the best.
Tune into Alabama at Missouri at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
#23 Kansas (12-6) at #17 West Virginia (12-5) (-2)
Kansas has won the last five matchups against the Mountaineers, but Kansas is significantly weaker this season and I was surprised they were still ranked on Monday. Something to watch specifically is West Virginia’s offense against Kansas’s defense, which is the more exciting part to look out for.
Tune into Kansas at West Virginia at 2 PM ET on CBS.
St. Bonaventure (9-1) at Saint Louis (7-3) (-2.5)
The Bonnies have lost the last two times these teams met, but they have dominated the Billikens in the past and this could be a huge Atlantic 10 win for St. Bonaventure. I have never been sold on Saint Louis and I do like what Jaren Holmes and the Bonnies are doing right now.
Tune into St. Bonaventure at Saint Louis at 2 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.
St. John’s (12-7) at Providence (9-9) (-1)
St. John’s is the hottest team in the Big East right now on a five-game winning streak, with wins over UConn and Villanova. Julian Champagnie and Posh Alexander are really good and the Friars need to watch out for them, as those two were the reason they beat UConn and Villanova.
Tune into St. John’s at Providence at 2 PM ET on Fox Sports 1.
Syracuse (10-5) at Clemson (11-5) (-2.5)
The key thing to watch in this game is when Syracuse faces Clemson’s defense. If the Tigers can create turnovers and get fast break points, since their offense isn’t very good, I don’t see them losing.
Tune into Syracuse at Clemson at 2 PM ET on ACC Network.
#19 Wisconsin (14-5) at #12 Illinois (12-5) (-4)
Wisconsin has a history of winning games against the Fighting Illini. They’re 16-4 all-time against Illinois, but I think both games will end up in home wins in this series. Wisconsin has a great defense going up against a tough Illinois offense. The Badgers would have to be excellent on defense to earn themselves a win, but I think that’s going to be too difficult to do today. Game of the day.
Tune into Wisconsin at Illinois at 2:30 PM ET on FOX.
#6 Texas (11-4) (-2.5) at Oklahoma State (11-5)
The Longhorns have won three of the past four matchups between the two schools and with how talented their team is, I’ll take Texas with confidence.
Tune into Texas at Oklahoma State at 3 PM ET on ABC.
Northwestern (6-9) at #24 Purdue (12-7) (-7.5)
Purdue has won the past seven games these teams played against each other and I think the Boilermakers will make it eight in a row today. Purdue recently lost to Maryland, so I think they’re looking to bounce back against the Wildcats who are at the bottom half of a stacked Big Ten Conference.
Tune into Northwestern at Purdue at 4:30 PM ET on Big Ten Network.
#15 Creighton (13-5) (-4.5) at Marquette (9-9)
Marquette pulled off a huge upset win over the Bluejays earlier this season, but Creighton is coming off of a bad loss to Georgetown and they’re seeking a revenge win over the Golden Eagles.
Tune into Creighton at Marquette at 5 PM ET on FOX.
North Carolina (11-6) at Duke (7-6) (-3.5)
Ah, my favorite rivalry in college basketball. North Carolina has lost the past three matchups between these rivals, but I think North Carolina is a better and more experienced team this season and will get a huge win over their archrival. I think second-chance points are going to be key for the Tar Heels to win, as they’re ranked second on offensive rebounding percentage, per KenPom. This is the least exciting Duke-UNC matchup I’ve ever seen.
Tune into North Carolina at Duke at 6 PM ET on ESPN.
#11 Tennessee (12-4) (-3.5) at Kentucky (5-11)
This is a no-brainer. Tennessee is the better team in every way and they’ve won three of the last four games against the Wildcats. This would be loss number 12 for John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats.
Tune into Tennessee at Kentucky at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
Arizona (13-5) at Colorado (13-5) (-5)
Colorado hasn’t had its history of beating Arizona, but having McKinley Wright is a game-changer for the Buffaloes.
Tune into Arizona at Colorado at 8 PM ET on Fox Sports 1.
#21 UCLA (13-3) at USC (14-3) (-3)
The best rivalry in the Pac-12 is UCLA-USC without a doubt. Evan Mobley is projected to be a lottery pick and the talent on that Trojans team is why I would pick them to win. UCLA, however, has a better-coached team.
Tune into UCLA at USC at 10 PM ET on ESPN.
NBA:
Trail Blazers (12-9) (-1) at Knicks (10-13)
Damian Lillard is day-to-day, but the Trail Blazers have talent with or without Lillard, so I’ll take Portland.
Tune into Trail Blazers at Knicks at 1 PM ET on NBA League Pass (Local TV: MSG, NBC Sports Northwest).
Nuggets (12-9) (-3.5) at Kings (10-11)
The Kings earned a tough win against the Celtics earlier this week, but I don’t think they are going to have an answer for possible MVP candidate Nikola Jokic. Jamal Murray is day-to-day.
Tune into Nuggets at Kings at 5 PM ET on NBA TV (Local TV: NBC Sports California, Altitude TV).
Bulls (8-13) (-1) at Magic (9-14)
Otto Porter Jr. and Lauri Markkanen are day-to-day for the Bulls, so Zach Lavine might need to put his team on his back to come out with a win. I don’t like a team that’s just a one-man show, so I’ll take the Magic.
Tune into Bulls at Magic at 7 PM ET on NBA League Pass (Local TV: Fox Sports Florida, NBC Sports Chicago).
Nets (14-10) at 76ers (16-7) (-3)
Kevin Durant is day-to-day due to COVID-19 and the Nets loss last night that showed that they do indeed need him back soon. On the other hand, Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Seth Curry are all day-to-day and I can’t risk picking Philly.
Tune into Nets at 76ers at 8 PM ET on NBA League Pass (Local TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia, YES Network).
Raptors (10-12) (-4.5) at Hawks (10-12)
With Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, Bogdan Bogdanovic, Onyeka Okongwu, and DeAndre Hunter all on the injury list, I can’t see them possibly surviving against a streaking Toronto Raptors team.
Tune into Raptors at Hawks at 8 PM ET on NBA League Pass (Local TV: Fox Sports Southeast-Atlanta, TSN).
Bucks (14-8) (-10.5) at Cavaliers (10-13)
The Bucks are healthy and the Cavs will be without Kevin Love and Larry Nance Jr. This should be an easy win for Milwaukee.
Tune into Bucks at Cavaliers at 8 PM ET on NBA League Pass (Local TV: Fox Sports Ohio, Fox Sports Wisconsin).
Spurs (12-10) (-1) at Rockets (11-10)
With John Wall and Christian Wood, the Rockets’ two best players, day-to-day, I’ll take the Spurs, but watch out for Houston, they’ve won four out of their last five games.
Tune into Spurs at Rockets at 8 PM ET on NBA League Pass (Local TV: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, Fox Sports Southwest-San Antonio).
Timberwolves (6-16) at Thunder (9-12) (-1)
Both teams aren’t very good, but with Karl-Anthony Towns, the best player for Minnesota, out tonight, the Timberwolves will be the worse team.
Tune into Timberwolves at Thunder at 8 PM ET on NBA League Pass (Local TV: Fox Sports Oklahoma, Fox Sports North).
Warriors (12-10) at Mavericks (9-14) (-4)
I have no idea why the Mavericks are the favorite, but this would be an easy bet for me. The Warriors blew out the Mavericks last time they met, behind Kelly Oubre Jr.’s 40-point performance, and I think Warriors win by 10, even though they’re facing Luka Doncic.
Tune into Warriors at Mavericks at 8:30 PM ET on ABC.
Grizzlies (9-8) at Pelicans (9-12) (-1.5)
With Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson, the Pelicans shouldn’t lose to the Grizzlies. Watch out for Ja Morant and Jonas Valanciunas though, but they should be fine.
Tune into Grizzlies at Pelicans at 9 PM ET on NBA League Pass (Local TV: Fox Sports New Orleans, Fox Sports Southeast-Memphis).
Pistons (5-17) at Lakers (17-6) (-14)
The Lakers are one of the NBA’s best teams and the Pistons are the opposite. I would watch out for Jerami Grant because he has killed it against some tough teams this season.
Tune into Pistons at Lakers at 10 PM ET on NBA League Pass (Local TV: Spectrum Sports Network, Fox Sports Detroit).
Calhoun's Corner 