Happy Saturday, everyone! I’m currently on vacation in South Carolina, so it’s already a good day. Besides that, there’s lots of college basketball being played today, including a rivalry game between Texas Tech and Texas and four top-25 games. I’ll cover those games, as well as a few more to watch today as the road to the NCAA Tournament is getting closer and closer. Here are my picks:
Xavier (17-8) at #24 UConn (18-7) (-7)
UConn has not lost at Gampel Pavilion, and they seek revenge against Xavier for their loss in Cincinnati earlier this season. The Huskies are in front of a crowd to impress as it’s a sell-out including a five-star high school junior, two UConn commits, and former Husky James Bouknight. The Huskies need momentum going into their biggest game of the season on Tuesday. I think they win at home.
Tune into Xavier at UConn at 12 PM ET on FOX.
TCU (16-7) at #7 Baylor (21-5) (-11.5)
Baylor is 15-4 against TCU since the Horned Frogs joined the Big 12 Conference. This includes a 7-1 record in Waco as conference foes. TCU needs second-chance points to fall if they want to win this game. The Horned Frogs are #1 in offensive rebounds. With that being said, Baylor is a much better team and will win this by a comfortable margin.
Tune into TCU at Baylor at 12 PM ET on ESPN2.
#12 Illinois (18-7) (-1.5) at #19 Michigan State (18-7)
This was the hardest game I had to pick between. Illinois is hot right now: winning eight of their last 11 Big Ten road games and winning nine of their last 13 games against top 25 opponents. Michigan State has won four straight hosting Illinois, thanks to their great home-court advantage. The Spartans have also won 15 of their last 23 games overall against the Fighting Illini. Expect a hard-fought battle, but I’ll take Michigan State.
Tune into Illinois at Michigan State at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
#11 Texas Tech (20-6) at #20 Texas (19-7) (-3.5)
Both teams are top-10 when it comes to their defensive efficiency, and have similar offensive efficiency ratings. Texas leads the all-time series 88-64, but Texas Tech handled the Longhorns in the first meeting this year in Lubbock. Texas has won 22 of the last 25 meetings in Austin against the Red Raiders, which is a good sign pointing towards a win for Chris Beard’s team. Texas didn’t mix as well as I hoped in terms of how talented the team is compared to their team chemistry. In the final season at the Erwin Center, the Longhorns have a 14-1 record. This includes wins over Oklahoma, Tennessee, Iowa State, and Kansas. I think Texas gets their revenge for what happened in Lubbock.
Tune into Texas Tech at Texas at 12:30 PM ET on ABC.
#25 Alabama (17-9) at #4 Kentucky (21-5) (-7)
Even though Auburn has a better resume and is ranked higher in both polls and the SEC standings, I think Kentucky has the highest ceiling out of any SEC team. Oscar Tshiebwe could most certainly win National Player of the Year, but he’s not the only player on Kentucky that stands out. With Sahvir Wheeler and TyTy Washington, the Wildcats have a tremendous top three players. Keion Brooks found major success as he led the team in scoring when Kentucky upset Kansas at the Allen Fieldhouse. Kellan Grady must be heavily guarded when beyond the arc, as he leads the SEC in three-point percentage (43.4%). Alabama will be a tough test for John Calipari’s team, even in Lexington. Jahvon Quinerly has been impressive all season, and the team doesn’t start and end with him. It continues with Jaden Shackleford and JD Davison. The Tide have won three straight in conference play before this game, but Kentucky has been dominant in the all-time series and should win.
Tune into Alabama at Kentucky at 1 PM ET on CBS.
Notre Dame (19-7) at Wake Forest (20-7) (-6)
Wake Forest is having a great year, as Steve Forbes looks to bring the Deacs back to the NCAA Tournament. For them to do that, they need to win more games. Notre Dame is another team that is in the bubble, with NBA prospect Blake Wesley leading the way. The Fighting Irish are abysmal when it comes to the offensive rebounding, forcing turnovers on defense, and blocking shots. Wake Forest is 10th in the nation in effective field goal percentage and is 58.9% from inside the arc (3rd in the country). Notre Dame leads 8-5 in the series, but Wake Forest at home will win this game.
Tune into Notre Dame at Wake Forest at 1 PM ET on ACC Network Extra.
#2 Auburn (24-2) (-4) at Florida (16-10)
Upset alert! Auburn hasn’t won in Gainesville since 1996, which is unbelievable. 13 straight losses! I wasn’t even a thought the last time Auburn beat Florida on the road. I was going to pick Auburn, but Florida’s ability to win at home made me give the edge to the Gators. I’m expecting a big game from Colin Castleton if Florida wants to keep their streak alive against one of the best teams in the country. I can see this going either way.
Tune into Auburn at Florida at 2 PM ET on ESPN.
Oklahoma (14-12) at Iowa State (17-9) (-2)
Iowa State has been surprisingly good as well this year, with first-year head coach T.J. Otzelberger. This is the last straw for me. If Oklahoma loses this one, I think that ends their hopes for an at-large bid. Oklahoma fell off extremely hard after a solid 11-2 start. However, they beat Iowa State in Norman. Revenge time for the Cyclones. Izaiah Brockington leads the way and Iowa State dominates.
Tune into Oklahoma at Iowa State at 2 PM ET on Big 12 NOW on ESPN+.
Iowa (17-8) at #18 Ohio State (16-6) (-5.5)
Ohio State finally hosts Iowa after the game was postponed 16 days. The series is tied at 82 apiece, but the home-court advantage for the Buckeyes is the edge for me. Two very good offenses with Wooden Award-caliber players in Iowa’s Keegan Murray and Ohio State’s E.J. Liddell. Ohio State is 10-0 at home, make it 11-0 after this game.
Tune into Iowa at Ohio State at 2:30 PM ET on FOX.
#16 Tennessee (19-6) at #23 Arkansas (20-6) (-2)
Tennessee leads the series 23-21, but Arkansas has had a great home atmosphere this season. According to the ESPN BPI (Basketball Power Index), the Razorbacks have the toughest remaining schedule. Four of the final five remaining games are quad 1 opportunities. Besides UConn, Arkansas is the only team to beat Auburn. They’re the only SEC team to beat them heading into a loaded Saturday. Arkansas is 11-4 in Fayetteville against the Vols. Can Kennedy Chandler lead the way for a huge road win for Rick Barnes’s team? Or will it be JD Notae and the Razorbacks at home? I’ll take Arkansas this time.
Tune into Tennessee at Arkansas at 4 PM ET on ESPN.
Oregon (17-9) at #3 Arizona (23-2) (-13.5)
Arizona has been phenomenal this year, even under new coach Tommy Lloyd. Arizona is top 10 in offensive and defensive efficiency, and they’re slotted as a consensus one-seed. Will Richardson has been impressive for the Ducks, but Arizona should win this one, especially at home. Having College Gameday there should help the students be all riled up.
Tune into Oregon at Arizona at 10 PM ET on ESPN.
BYU (19-8) at Saint Mary’s (21-6) (-6)
Saint Mary’s hasn’t lost a home game this year since January 2021. That just means they haven’t played Gonzaga since that date. The West Coast Conference has been great compared to past years. Both BYU and Saint Mary’s are at-large bid potentials. The Gaels have lost three straight against BYU, but I think that skid gets snapped tonight.
Tune into BYU at Saint Mary’s at 10 PM ET on ESPN2.
Calhoun's Corner 