Happy February! It’s a big rivalry Saturday in college basketball, with Duke-UNC, UConn-Villanova, and Baylor-Kansas. We also have an incredible amount of top 25 showdowns today. So, let’s make our picks:
#17 UConn (15-5) at #12 Villanova (16-6) (-4.5)
Villanova hasn’t lost since the 2014 NCAA Tournament against the Huskies and leads in the overall series. They’re coming off a heartbreaking loss at Marquette, who has now swept the Wildcats. UConn is coming off a tough loss at home against Creighton, where they shot poorly. A clash at the Wells Fargo Center almost seems instantly a classic, and the game hasn’t even started. I hope for the Huskies to win, but it’s tough to win big road games, especially against the Big East juggernaut. Villanova wins but doesn’t cover.
Tune into UConn at Villanova at 12 PM ET on FOX.
#18 Illinois (16-5) at Indiana (16-5)
Indiana lost in Bloomington last season, but that was without fans. With fans, they haven’t lost since 2010! Trayce Jackson-Davis is going to have to have a huge game if they want to hold off a tough Illinois team. Indiana wins at home and becomes ranked on Monday.
Tune into Illinois at Indiana at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
#20 Iowa State (16-6) at #23 Texas (16-6) (-8.5)
Why is a game as good as this one on Longhorn Network? I’ll never understand. Texas is 17-2 at home against the Cyclones and they have won 12 of the last 13 meetings in Austin. It’ll be a clash of two tough defenses, and I think Texas wins this big one.
Tune into Iowa State at Texas at 2 PM ET on Longhorn Network.
#8 Baylor (19-3) at #10 Kansas (18-3) (-2.5)
Baylor has a chance, as Kansas lost their last big home game (against Kentucky). Kansas is 17-1 all-time at the Allen Fieldhouse against Baylor. Ochai Agbaji is my pick right now to win Big 12 Player of the Year. This will be a battle of two prolific offenses, but Kansas at home is way too hard to beat.
Tune into Baylor at Kansas at 4 PM ET on ESPN/ESPN3.
#19 USC (19-3) at #7 Arizona (18-2) (-11)
Arizona dominated against UCLA at home just like UCLA did to them in Los Angeles. USC is a really good team, with Isaiah Mobley leading the way after his brother Evan’s departure to the NBA. Arizona has not lost at home, with a 12-0 record. Arizona has surprised me this year in Tommy Lloyd’s first season. The Wildcats are 10-1 in the last 11 games in Tucson. Make that 11-1 in the last 12.
Tune into USC at Arizona at 5 PM ET on FOX.
#9 Duke (18-3) (-3) at North Carolina (16-6)
As I’m watching College Gameday, the Dean Dome looks ready to rock. However, I haven’t been too impressed with the Tar Heels this season. What’s impressive is their 12-0 home record this season. This will be close, but Coach K will leave Chapel Hill for the first time with a win. I’ll be rooting for the Tar Heels, especially when they’re the underdog. However, When you have Paolo Banchero, Wendell Moore, Theo John, Duke wins in a close one.
Tune into Duke at North Carolina at 6 PM ET on ESPN.
#5 Kentucky (18-4) at Alabama (14-8) (-1.5)
I get that Alabama has been successful at home this season and is playing their third straight game against a top-5 opponent. That’s why they’re favored. They’re battle-tested. However, so is Kentucky. Oscar Tshiebwe may be the best player in college basketball and is a double-double machine. Kentucky, with their efficient offense, wins a big one on the road.
Tune into Kentucky at Alabama at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
Calhoun's Corner 