We’ve already reached the last Saturday of February. This season is going by so fast. Anyways, we have a great schedule of college basketball games today. Tomorrow will focus on the games upcoming next week. Conference tournaments are almost here, and teams can already clinch the #1 seed in their conference today. Here are my picks for Saturday:
#4 Purdue (24-4) (-5) at Michigan State (18-9)
Besides a little consensus criticism about their defense, Purdue is one of the best teams. They have a great home-court advantage, NBA lottery picks, size, everything. They’re not at home today. The Breslin Center is very difficult to play in as a visiting team. Purdue is ranked #1 in offensive efficiency according to KenPom, and I have a feeling they will show that off today. If Michigan State wants to win, they’ll need the home-court advantage and a great defensive performance to spoil the Boilermakers’ day. Purdue has won seven of the last ten games against the Spartans. I think they’ll add another win to make it a 25-win season at the very least for Matt Painter’s group.
Tune into Purdue at Michigan State at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
#6 Kentucky (23-5) at #18 Arkansas (22-6) (-2.5)
If I were betting on this game, I’m taking Kentucky +2.5 easily. Kentucky has one of the best-looking offenses in the country, and they have a Wooden Award caliber player in center Oscar Tshiebwe. The Razorbacks haven’t beaten Kentucky since 2014, but Arkansas could make their home record against the Wildcats 8-8 if they win today. Bud Walton Arena will be a great environment to watch a game today, but the Wildcats are winning this one.
Tune into Kentucky at Arkansas at 2 PM ET on CBS.
Seton Hall (17-9) at Xavier (17-10) (-3.5)
Xavier has lost three straight games (St. John’s, UConn, Providence), including a heartbreaker at the Dunk in triple overtime. The Musketeers are looking for some momentum heading into NYC in less than two weeks from now. With two straight road games out of the way, they should get a bounce-back win at home. They’re hungry for one.
Tune into Seton Hall at Xavier at 3:30 PM ET on FOX.
#3 Auburn (25-3) at #17 Tennessee (20-7) (-3)
Auburn is one of the best teams in the country, thanks to their tremendous defense in the paint. They also boast a top-25 offense, something the Volunteers can’t say they have. Tennessee is 48-9 at home against Auburn, with a 78-44 record overall. That is dominance. Tennessee also has a top-10 defense, with one of the best defensive guards in freshman Kennedy Chandler. Being at home is a huge factor in the SEC, so that’s why I think the Vols take down a top-3 team today.
Tune into Auburn at Tennessee at 4 PM ET on ESPN.
#9 Texas Tech (22-6) (-5) at TCU (17-9)
TCU is the nation’s top offensive rebounding team, which is something that has to lead to second-chance points for the Horned Frogs if they want to beat Texas Tech. The Red Raiders, on the other hand, are ranked #1 in KenPom’s defensive efficiency. It’s a big reason why they’re 9th in the AP Poll this week. Texas Tech has won four in a row, with an 86-52 record against TCU. I’ll take the Red Raiders in a close one.
Tune into Texas Tech at TCU at 6 PM ET on ESPN2.
#13 Wisconsin (22-5) at Rutgers (16-11) (-2.5)
Rutgers is favored after the Scarlet Knights upset Wisconsin in Madison in the first of two meetings this season. Wisconsin is looking for revenge. Johnny Davis is a serious contender for National Player of the Year, but the Big Ten is so good this year that he might not even win Big Ten Player of the Year. Rutgers has a great home-court advantage, with a 13-2 record at home this season. I don’t trust Rutgers’ offense outside of Ron Harper Jr., so that’s why I picked Wisconsin. However, I would love to see Steve Pikiell keep the Scarlet Knights in the bubble conversation.
Tune into Wisconsin at Rutgers at 6 PM ET on Big Ten Network.
#5 Kansas (23-4) at #10 Baylor (23-5) (-3)
Baylor is very good this year, led by transfer guard James Akinjo. They’re not like the National Championship team we saw last year, but they haven’t been out of the top-10 this season. Kansas is a whopping 35-7 against the Bears, with a 14-4 record in Waco. Most of the Bears’ wins came from the Scott Drew era, so that is a positive in the series history. I think Ochai Agbaji is the best player in the Big 12 this season, so he has to step up and lead Kansas once again. I also think Kansas will sweep the Bears, but it will be a lot closer this time around as it’s a road game for the Jayhawks.
Tune into Kansas at Baylor at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
Creighton (19-8) at #11 Providence (23-3) (-5)
Let’s hope there isn’t a water leak this time at the Dunkin Donuts Center. Providence has a chance to clinch their first-ever Big East regular-season title. Ever since the league formed in 1979, the Friars were never the top team. It was always Syracuse, Georgetown, Villanova, Pittsburgh, or UConn. This is the best season I’ve seen them have. Ed Cooley is a serious contender for Coach of the Year. The Friars are 17-12 against Creighton, with a 9-4 record at home. Providence has only lost once at home, against Villanova. However, they’ve come close many times. When it’s a five-point game or less down the stretch, they’ve been one of the best teams. Providence will finally win a Big East regular-season title today.
Tune into Creighton at Providence at 8:30 PM ET on FS1.
#1 Gonzaga (24-2) (-10.5) at #23 Saint Mary’s (23-6)
As much as everyone would love to see the Gaels upset Gonzaga, it’s probably not going to happen. Gonzaga has run the West Coast Conference for quite a while now, and they don’t seem to slow down ever. Chet Holmgren is one of the top prospects in this year’s NBA Draft, while Drew Timme is a lock for WCC Player of the Year and still up for National Player of the Year. The conference has been good despite Gonzaga’s dominance. Saint Mary’s has been one heck of a team at home, where they haven’t lost all season. But, when Gonzaga comes to town, you’re probably going to lose.
Tune into Gonzaga at Saint Mary’s at 10 PM ET on ESPN.
#16 USC (24-4) at Oregon (18-10) (-4.5)
Oregon upset UCLA at home, but I certainly cannot trust the Ducks this year. They have suffered losses against Cal, Arizona State (twice), and Stanford. It’s senior night, so that will bring the energy inside Matthew Knight Arena. However, with USC’s defense, I got the Trojans winning a close one in Eugene.
Tune into USC at Oregon at 10 PM ET on ESPN2.
Calhoun's Corner 