2021-2022 cbhsports College Basketball Weekend Preview (2/25-2/27)

Image Courtesy: The Boston Globe

AP Top 6
1.Gonzaga 24-2 (13-0)
2.Arizona 25-2 (15-1)
3.Auburn 25-3 (13-2)
4.Purdue 24-4 (13-4)
5.Kansas 23-4 (12-2)
6.Kentucky 23-5 (12-3)

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
4.Purdue at. Michigan State (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
Purdue faces a well-coached Michigan State team that has not been successful much of late (2-4 this month). Purdue should use star guard Jaden Ivey (17 points, 5 rebounds per game) and its tough front court to defeat the Spartans. Projected Score: Purdue 77, Michigan State 68
6.Kentucky at. 18.Arkansas (Saturday, 2 PM ET, CBS)
As an Arkansa fan that will be in attendance, there is little to say about this game. The recent play of 2021 March Madness star Devo Davis and big man Jaylin Williams has led the hogs to wins in twelve out of their last thirteen games including then number one Auburn, a tough Tennessee team, and then number twelve ranked LSU. Kentucky boasts likely national player of the year Oscar Tshiebwe who has only had two games with less than ten rebounds as well as phenomenal guards Sahvir Wheeler and Tyty Washington. Projected Score: Kentucky 85, Arkansas 80
3.Auburn at. 17.Tennessee (Saturday, 4 PM ET, ESPN)
Auburn and Tennessee suffered losses last Saturday, so a rebound week is needed for both squads. Freshman sensation Kennedy Chandler and senior Santiago Vescovi look to give Auburn its second loss in three games. Potential top pick in the NBA Draft Jabari Smith needs a big game for Auburn to go into Knoxville and get a win. Projected Score: Auburn 76, Tennessee 71
5.Kansas at. 10.Baylor (Saturday, 8 PM ET, ESPN)
Kansas and Baylor square off in the second of two match ups this season. The Jayhawks demolished the Bears back on February 5 with many of Baylor’s top players out. If Kansas led by Ochai Agbaji (20.2 points, 5.2 rebounds per game) can win in Waco over James Akinjo (13 points, 6 assists per game), Adam Flagler (14 points, 3 assists pe game), then they will be one seed material to me. Projected Score: Baylor 82, Kansas 81
1.Gonzaga at. 23.Saint Mary’s (Saturday, 10 PM ET, ESPN)
The top two teams in the West Coast battle for the second time this season. The Zags defeated the Gaels 66-53 over a week ago and need potential top pick in the NBA Draft Chet Holmgren and experienced senior big Drew Timme to have big games to pick up another win in conference by double digits. The Gaels win would likely give Arizona a chance to be seen as many as the projected number one overall seed in the tournament, but many think it would take two losses for the Zags to be removed from the top line. Projected Score: Gonzaga 80, Saint Mary’s 69