It may be Super Bowl Weekend, but today won’t be focusing on that highly anticipated matchup. Today will look at all the great college basketball games from today to Friday. I’m very excited for today because it includes some great rivalries including Ohio State-Michigan, USC-UCLA, and Texas-Baylor. We will also cover top-tier matchups other than those including Saint Mary’s-Gonzaga, Providence-Villanova, and Kentucky-Tennessee. Here are my picks for the week ahead:
#20 Texas (18-6) at #10 Baylor (20-4) (-6)
Texas will be facing their fifth-straight ranked opponent, going 3-1 in the previous four (at home against Tennessee, Kansas, and Iowa State). Their lone loss came at Texas Tech, one of the toughest atmospheres this season. Texas leads the series 163-94, but Baylor gets the win at home.
Tune into Texas at Baylor at 12 PM ET on ESPN2.
Arkansas (19-5) at Alabama (15-9) (-5)
Alabama is 21-8 at home against the Razorbacks, but Arkansas does lead the overall series 35-30. Arkansas has won eight of the last ten games, but Alabama’s stronger on both ends of the floor. I expect a closer one, but Alabama wins.
Tune into Arkansas at Alabama at 12 PM ET on SEC Network.
#16 Ohio State (14-6) at Michigan (13-9) (-2.5)
I get why Michigan is the favorite. They’ve won two straight and just knocked off Purdue in Ann Arbor. This will be Michigan’s toughest stretch of the season, so they look to add to their momentum with a win here. It’s a must-win for the Wolverines, but I’m not too sure it’ll be a win for Juwan Howard’s team. I’ll go safe with the Buckeyes winning on the road.
Tune into Ohio State at Michigan at 6 PM ET on ESPN.
#12 UCLA (17-4) (-2) at #21 USC (20-4)
USC may be at home for a huge rivalry game, but that doesn’t mean I think home-court advantage will magically make them win. USC is lousy when it comes to forcing turnovers (333rd in the country) and they’re abysmal when shooting free throws (64.4%, 346th in the country). Those two stats are outliers that make me think UCLA will pull off a huge road victory. UCLA is one of the best teams when it comes to not turning the ball over. Bruins win and cover.
Tune into UCLA at USC at 10 PM ET on ESPN.
#22 Saint Mary’s (20-5) at #2 Gonzaga (20-2) (-16)
A top-25 matchup where Gonzaga is a 16 point favorite?! That’s unbelievable, but that’s how Gonzaga has been for many years now. They schedule a tough non-conference slate, then they blow out most of the West Coast Conference. However, if any WCC team can beat the Zags, it’s Saint Mary’s. Gonzaga’s last home loss came in 2018, so it’s been four years and 65 games since then. Gonzaga is going to be the #1 team in the country if they beat Saint Mary’s, which shouldn’t be too much of a challenge considering the Bulldogs lead the series 75-31, with a 33-11 record in Spokane against the Gaels and 49-11 under Mark Few. I think Saint Mary’s covers, however.
Tune into Saint Mary’s at Gonzaga at 10 PM ET on ESPN2.
#20 Texas (18-6) at Oklahoma (14-10)
I love a good rivalry matchup, and Oklahoma’s home-court advantage will show on Super Tuesday. However, Texas has improved more and more as the Big 12 schedule has continued for the Longhorns. They beat the Sooners in Austin, and I think they’ll get the sweep in Norman. Oklahoma’s defense just can’t get that many stops on Texas.
Tune into Texas at Oklahoma on Tuesday at 7 PM ET on ESPN2.
#15 Villanova (18-6) at #11 Providence (20-2)
Providence is having their own version of a “dream season,” where they have risen to the top of the Big East for most of this season. They have not lost at home this season, but I think that will change once Villanova comes to town. Providence beat them at the Dunk last year, but I think Jay Wright gives the Friars a reality check.
Tune into Villanova at Providence on Tuesday at 8 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.
#5 Kentucky (20-4) at #19 Tennessee (17-6)
Kentucky, in my opinion, is the best team in the SEC. It doesn’t mean they have the best resume, that still belongs to Auburn. However, Kentucky looks more complete with every game they play. Tennessee plays really well, especially at home, but I’ll take the Wildcats with their efficient offense.
Tune into Kentucky at Tennessee on Tuesday at 9 PM ET on ESPN.
#14 Wisconsin (19-4) at Indiana (16-7)
Indiana has lost two straight, and I think they’ll end up on a three-game skid as they visit Michigan State today. I think Wisconsin is very good, led by Johnny Davis. However, I think they’re beatable. Assembly Hall has given the Hoosiers a great advantage, and for them to stay relevant for the NCAA Tournament, they have to get a win against the Badgers at home. I’ll take Trayce Jackson-Davis all day.
Tune into Wisconsin at Indiana on Tuesday at 9 PM ET on ESPN2.
#10 Baylor (20-4) at #9 Texas Tech (18-6)
Get the brooms out! I think the Red Raiders are going to sweep Baylor. Texas Tech has tremendous defense, and the United Supermarkets Arena has been a great atmosphere this season. Expect that to play a factor, but Baylor’s inability to make free throws and Texas Tech’s strong defense is what I looked at to say the Red Raiders sweep Baylor at home.
Tune into Baylor at Texas Tech on Wednesday at 9 PM ET on ESPN2/ESPN3.
Calhoun's Corner 