AP Top 10 entering weekend
1.Gonzaga 16-0 Next: at.Pepperdine (1/30)
2.Baylor 16-0 Next: Auburn (1/30)
3.Villanova 11-1 Next: at.Seton Hall (1/30)
4.Michigan 13-1 Next: PPD
5.Texas 11-3 Next: 2.Baylor (2/2)
6.Houston 14-1 Next: SMU (1/30)
7.Iowa Next: Michigan State (2/2)
8.Virginia Next: at.20.Virginia Tech (1/30)
9.Alabama Next: at.24.Oklahoma (1/30)
10.Texas Tech Next: at.LSU (1/30)
Key games this weekend
9.Alabama at. 24.Oklahoma (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
Red-hot Alabama’s winning streak was almost gone at the hands of Kentucky. But again, perimeter defense is what proved to be the difference. Oklahoma is coming off wins over top ten Kansas and top ten Texas in their past two games so this one is hard to pick. But with the way both teams have been playing it is bound to be a fantastic game. Projected Score: Alabama 75, Oklahoma 71
10.Texas Tech at. LSU (Saturday, 2 PM ET, ESPN2)
Texas Tech picked up a win over top ten Texas two weeks ago and have a chance to get a top four seed in the NCAA Tournament come March. A loss to a struggling LSU team, who has lost two of its last three games, would not be good for their chances. Mac McClung, the Georgetown transfer is the difference for this Texas Tech team but watch out for Javonte Smart, Trendon Watford, and the co. Projected Score: LSU 91, Texas Tech 90
Florida at. 11.West Virginia (Saturday, 2 PM ET, ESPN)
I do not know much about either team but both are at the top of their conferences, with Florida standing at (6-3) in the SEC and West Virginia at (4-3) in the Big 12). Projected Score: West Virginia 77, Florida 65
3.Villanova at. Seton Hall (Saturday, 3 PM ET, FOX)
Jay Wright’s team’s only loss came on November 28 to Virginia Tech. Villanova’s Collin Gillespie and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl lead the Wildcats, looking for a third national championship in six seasons (2016, 2018). The Pirates, in my opinion don’t have much of a shot in this one. Projected Score: Villanova 88, Seton Hall 71
Arkansas at. Oklahoma State (Saturday, 4 PM ET, ESPN2)
Former high school teammates Cade Cunningham (Oklahoma State guard) and Moses Moody (Arkansas guard/forward) will go head to head in Stillwater on Saturday. Cunningham and Moody played on one of the best and most dominant teams in high school basketball history at Montverde Academy near Orlando, Florida in 2019-2020. But, the two will be in different jerseys on Saturday. To me, this game is going to be won by the supporting cast of either team. If Moody is not playing well, will it be his team that steps up, or if Cunningham is being contained, will it be his team that steps up? Projected Score: Oklahoma State 85, Arkansas 80
Auburn at. 2.Baylor (Saturday, 4 PM ET, ESPN)
Auburn point guard Sharife Cooper is averaging 22 points and almost 9 assists and has led his team to a 4-2 record since returning to play. Baylor is a top two team in the country and are led by a star of their own, shooting guard Jared Butler. He is averaging almost 17 points and 5 and a half assists. Either way it goes, this should be fun. Projected Score: Baylor 87, Auburn 83
8.Virginia at. 20.Virginia Tech (Saturday, 6 PM ET, ACCN)
Since struggling to begin the season, Tony Bennett’s team has gotten back to winning games. Led by guard Kihei Clark and big man Jay Huff, this Virginia team should be considered one of if not the best team in the ACC. Virginia Tech, having a win over 3.Villanova should not be taken lightly by the Cavaliers. Forward Keven Alumna leads the Hokies in scoring and is an inside threat all game long. Projected score: Virginia 72, Virginia Tech 68
15.Kansas at. 18.Tennessee (Saturday, 6 PM ET, ESPN)
Tennessee has been on and off this season but need a win here to bounce back from losses to Alabama, Florida, and Missouri in conference. Kansas lost to Oklahoma six days ago but rebounded with a low scoring win yesterday over TCU. The match up of emphasis is going to be (senior) Kansas Guard Marcus Garrett (reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year) and freshman guard Jaden Springer who came in as a prized recruit during the 2020 cycle. Projected Score: Tennessee 78, Kansas 76
1.Gonzaga at. Pepperdine (Saturday, 8 PM ET, ESPN)
This is the best Gonzaga team Mark Few has ever coached. Thus, I think Gonzaga should blow this Pepperdine team out. Projected Score: Gonzaga 95, Pepperdine 77
5.Texas at. Kentucky (Saturday, 8 PM ET, PPD)
For some reason, this BJ Boston led Kentucky team has not been nearly as good many thought it would be at the beginning of the season. Texas, however has exceeded expectations even after losses in the last two weeks to ranked Texas Tech and ranked Oklahoma. Standout guard Andrew Jones should have a phenomenal game and that is why the Longhorns should win it. Projected Score: Texas 79, Kentucky 72 (Game has since been PPD)
