Category: College Basketball

Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

Because I did not have enough time to write out this post, click this link to watch the video where I give my thoughts and predict each game upcoming in the next couple of weeks. My projected final score will be listed under each game as always.

*Rankings are based on this week’s AP Top 25*

Saturday, November 8
15.Alabama (1-0) @ 5.St. John’s (1-0)
12 PM ET, FS1

Projected Score: St. John’s 87, Alabama 81

14.Arkansas (1-0) @ 22.Michigan State (1-0)
7 PM ET, FOX

Projected Score: Arkansas 83, Michigan State 79

Sunday, November 9
Indiana (1-0) vs. Marquette (2-0) (Chicago)
1 PM ET, ESPN

Projected Score: Indiana 81, Marquette 77

Tuesday, November 11
9.Kentucky (2-0) @ 11.Louisville (2-0)
8 PM ET, ESPN

Projected Score: Louisville 87, Kentucky 83

10.Texas Tech (2-0) @ 17.Illinois (2-0)
8:30 PM ET, FS1

Projected Score: Texas Tech 84, Illinois 76

23.Creighton (1-0) @ 21.Gonzaga (1-0)
10 PM ET, ESPN

Projected Score: Gonzaga 82, Creighton 80

Thursday, November 13
1.Purdue (2-0) @ 15.Alabama (1-0)
7 PM ET, ESPN2

Projected Score: Purdue 85, Alabama 81

Friday, November 14
13.Arizona (2-0) vs. 12.UCLA (2-0) (Inglewood)
10 PM ET, Peacock

Projected Score: Arizona 85, UCLA 78

Saturday, November 15
8.BYU (1-0) vs. 4.UConn (2-0) (Boston)
7 PM ET, FOX

Projected Score: UConn 81, BYU 79

Sunday, November 16
2.Houston (1-0) vs. 20.Auburn (2-0) (Birmingham; The Battleground 2K25)
3 PM ET, ESPN

Projected Score: Houston 79, Auburn 71

Tuesday, November 18
9.Kentucky (2-0) vs. 22.Michigan State (1-0) (New York City; Champions Classic)
6:30 PM ET, ESPN

Projected Score: Kentucky 88, Michigan State 79

6.Duke (1-0) vs. 19.Kansas (1-1) (New York City; Champions Classic)
9 PM ET, ESPN

Projected Score: Duke 89, Kansas 85

Wednesday, November 19
13.Arizona (2-0) @ 4.UConn (2-0)
7 PM ET, FS1

Projected Score: Arizona 84, UConn 83

15.Alabama (1-0) vs. 17.Illinois (2-0) (Chicago)
9 PM ET, FS1

Projected Score: Alabama 90, Illinois 79

Image Courtesy: Southwest Times Record

As the calendar flips toward November and the crowds begin to fill Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, a sense of renewed optimism surrounds the Arkansas Razorbacks men’s basketball program. Under the direction of John Calipari in his second year at the helm, the Hogs enter the 2025-2026 season promise and building momentum. Last season’s run to the Sweet Sixteen laid the foundation. 

What makes this year particularly intriguing is the blend of returning experience and flashy youth. With core contributors like DJ Wagner, Karter Knox, Trevon Brazile, and Billy Richmond coming back, the squad boasts one of the highest returning-minutes totals in the entire conference. Meanwhile, heralded freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas, along with frontcourt transfers Nick Pringle and Malique Ewin, are poised to make an immediate impact.

Yet, the road ahead doesn’t come without its questions. The SEC continues to reinvent itself with talent, and Arkansas will need to navigate remade rivalries, grueling road tests, and the inherent pressure that comes with high expectations.

As the Razorbacks start the 2025–26 season, they’re ready to take the next step from reloading to another deep NCAA Tournament run behind success in non-conference and SEC play. The pieces are in place. The stage is set. Now the job is execution.

Projected Rotation

Starters
Darius Acuff Jr., Guard (Freshman)
DJ Wagner, Guard (Junior)
Karter Knox, Wing (Sophomore)
Trevon Brazile, Forward (Senior)
Nick Pringle, Center (Grad Senior)

Bench
Meleek Thomas, Guard (Freshman)
Billy Richmond, Wing (Sophomore)
Malique Ewin, Forward (Senior)
Isaiah Sealey, Wing (Freshman)
Jaden Karuletwa, Guard (Sophomore)
Elmir Dzafic, Center (Freshman)
Karim Rtail, Forward (Freshman)
Paulo Semedo, Forward (Freshman)
Ayden Kelly, Guard (Sophomore)
Amere Brown, Guard (Freshman)

2025 Class (via 247sports composite)
10.Meleek Thomas (#2SG) Pittsburgh, PA (Overtime Elite – City Reapers)
12.Darius Acuff (#2PG) Detroit, MI (IMG Academy)
75.Isaiah Sealey (#18SF) Springdale, AR (Springdale)
Paulo Semedo (C) Orlando, FL (West Oaks Academy)
Elmir Dzafic (C) Tuzla, BiH (KK Bosnai)
Karim Rtail (PF) Beirut, LB (Neptūnas-Akvaservis)
Amere Brown (PG) Pittsburgh, PA (Woodland Hills)

Transfer Additions (via 247sports)
105.Malique Ewin, Center (Senior) Former School: Florida State
127.Nick Pringle, Center (Graduate Senior) Former School: South Carolina

Schedule Projections (All tip-off times are central standard time) Rankings below are based on the 2025-2026 Pre-Season AP Poll)
Oct. 24 Cincinnati (Exhibition; CareSource Invitational) (7 PM, SECN+)
Oct. 27 @ Memphis (Exhibition; Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic) (8 PM, ESPNU)
Nov. 3 Southern (6 PM, SECN)
Nov. 8 @ 22.Michigan State (6 PM, FOX)
Nov. 11 Central Arkansas (7 PM, SECN+)
Nov. 14 Samford (7 PM, SECN+)
Nov. 18 Winthrop (7 PM, SECN+)
Nov. 21 Jackson State (7 PM, SECN+)
Nov. 27 6.Duke (Chicago; CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic) (7 PM, CBS)
Dec. 3 11.Louisville (ACC/SEC Challenge) (6 PM, ESPN)
Dec. 6 Fresno State (North Little Rock) (3 PM, SECN+)
Dec. 13 10.Texas Tech (Dallas; Revocruit Rematch) (11 AM, ESPN2)
Dec. 16 Queens (8 PM, SECN)
Dec. 20 2.Houston (Newark; Never Forget Tribute Classic) (4:30 PM, SECN)
Dec. 29 James Madison (7 PM, SECN+)
Jan. 3 18.Tennessee (2 PM, ESPN2)
Jan. 7 @ Ole Miss (8 PM, SECN)
Jan. 10 @ 20.Auburn (5 PM, ESPN/2)
Jan. 14 South Carolina (8 PM, SECN)
Jan. 17 @ Georgia (3 PM, ESPN/2/U)
Jan. 20 Vanderbilt (8 PM, ESPN/2/U)
Jan. 24 LSU (7:30 PM, SECN)
Jan. 27 @ Oklahoma (6 PM, ESPN/2)
Jan. 31 9.Kentucky (5:30 PM, ESPN)
Feb. 7 @ Mississippi State (11 AM, ESPN/2)
Feb. 10 @ LSU (8 PM, SECN)
Feb. 14 20.Auburn (7:30 PM, ESPN/2)
Feb. 18 @ 15.Alabama (6 PM, ESPN/2/U)
Feb. 21 Missouri (3/3:30 PM, ESPN/2)
Feb. 25 Texas A&M (8 PM, ESPN/2/U)
Feb. 28 @ 3.Florida (7:30 PM, ESPN/2)
March 4 Texas (6 PM, ESPN/2/U)
March 7 @ Missouri (11 AM, ESPN/2/U)
March 11-15 SEC Tournament (SECN/ESPN)

After two exhibition victories over Cincinnati and Memphis, Arkansas opens the regular season at Bud Walton Arena against the Southern Jaguars. The Razorbacks are at home four more times against mid-major competition in November with matchups against Central Arkansas, Samford, Winthrop, and Jackson State. They should be able to win all five of those games.

After their date with Southern, the Razorbacks travel to East Lansing to face their first of five non-conference games against pre-season AP Top 25 teams, No. 22 Michigan State. Arkansas expects to face the ACC’s top two teams when they play at the CBS Sports Classic against No. 6 Duke in Chicago on Thanksgiving and the ACC/SEC Challenge battle a week later against No. 11 Louisville.

A 2-1 record against the Spartans, Blue Devils, and Cardinals is important for Arkansas to go into their trip to North Little Rock on a positive note. The Razorbacks must not look ahead to Texas Tech when they face Fresno State Bulldogs at Simmons Bank Arena in early December.

Arkansas heads to face a Big 12 opponent in Dallas at American Airlines Arena for the second consecutive season. Last November, the Razorbacks fell to Baylor by a score of 72-67. This season, they attempt to avenge their Sweet 16 loss to No. 10 Texas Tech.

A win versus the Red Raiders would help them gain momentum in a midweek matchup against Queens in Fayetteville. A week after facing the Red Raiders, Arkansas travels to face pre-season No. 2 Houston in Newark. After facing two of the ACC’s top squads, the Razorbacks will face the Big 12’s elite back to back Saturdays during the holiday season. A 1-1 record against those two squads is realistic for this year’s squad.

In January, Arkansas begins SEC play. Last season, the Razorbacks began with three losses to open against Tennessee, Ole Miss, and Florida. First, Arkansas welcomes No. 18 Tennessee to Bud Walton Arena before a road trip to Oxford and Auburn to face the Rebels and Tigers.

The Razorbacks should survive this stretch with at least a win because Ole Miss’ only notable returner is forward Malik Dia (who dominated Arkansas in their two meetings last season) surrounded by transfers and Bruce Pearl handed the keys to his son Steven Pearl to be the new Auburn head coach.

Arkansas’ next three games proves the SEC has serious depth. The Razorbacks face South Carolina (picked to finished 16th in the SEC by the media), Georgia (picked 14th), and Vanderbilt (picked 11th). Georgia and Vanderbilt were among the record-breaking 14 SEC teams in the NCAA Tournament last season and South Carolina dominated the Razorbacks last February in Columbia.

Annual rival LSU comes to town on Jan. 24. The Tigers are improved from last season but Arkansas will protect their home court.

Next, the Razorbacks make their first trip to Norman to play Oklahoma on the hardwood since Dec. 10, 2011 when the Sooners beat the Razorbacks. Last season, Oklahoma came to Fayetteville and won. This season, Arkansas will attempt to avenge the loss.

To end January, Arkansas will face John Calipari’s former team, the No. 9 Kentucky Wildcats. for a second time with him as their head coach. Last season, Arkansas won its second SEC game of the season against the Wildcats on Feb. 1. This season, I hope Arkansas has already won five or more conference games before they welcome Mark Pope’s team to Bud Walton Arena.

To begin the month of February, Arkansas gets their midweek bye before a two-game roadtrip. The Razorbacks head to Starkville and Baton Rouge in what could be back to back trap games if they beat Kentucky. They will be looking for their first wins in Starkville since Feb. 21, 2015 and in Baton Rouge since Jan. 15, 2022.

On Valentine’s Day, the hogs will get their second look at No. 20 Auburn, this time back home in Fayetteville. Clinching at least a split season series against the Tigers, especially with a new head coach, will be important to Arkansas’ success in potentially clinching an SEC regular season title and a top four seed in the NCAA Tournament.

In recent years, the Razorbacks follow up hosting Auburn with a trip to Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, another house of horrors in recent seasons. Arkansas has not won at No. 15 Alabama since Feb. 1, 2020, in Eric Musselman’s first season as head coach. Following up back to back wins against the Tigers and Crimson Tide would be huge for a team that has not had a bunch of success in the regular season before deep NCAA Tournament runs.

Up next is the first of two meetings with Missouri, whom the Razorbacks will face twice in the final two weeks of the season. Last year, Arkansas beat the Tigers at Bud Walton Arena in late February — a month after suffering a blowout loss in Columbia. This time, the Razorbacks hope to defend their home court before making the return trip a few weeks later.

Arkansas continues their home stand against Texas A&M a team they played twice in the regular season before Oklahoma and Texas joined the league. Last season, the Razorbacks matched up with the Aggies just once for the first time since they joined the league and they fell on the road. They will look for payback when a new-look A&M team comes in under former Samford head coach Bucky McMillan.

To end February, Arkansas faces former guard Boogie Fland on the road in what should be a raucous No. 3 Florida crowd at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. There is no doubt the reigning national champions are talented, but John Calipari’s team can definitely go on the road and get a season-defining win like Eric Musselman’s team did on Feb. 22, 2022 in Gainesville.

Arkansas makes a trip to Columbia for their second game against Missouri in the SEC’s new “rivalry weekend” to end the regular season. A win for the Razorbacks over the Tigers could help them clinch the SEC regular season championship or a top seed in the SEC Tournament if it is not attainable.

The SEC Tournament in Nashville is Arkansas’ final trip before a potential NCAA Tournament run. The Razorbacks’ goals of reaching their first Final Four since 1995 and winning their first national championship since 1994 remain within reach as Coach John Calipari enters his second season on the Hill.

Final Record Projection: 23-8 (12-6) SEC

Image Courtesy: ESPN

Secret scrimmages and exhibitions have been going on for a few weeks on the hardwood, but now it is time to start the college basketball regular season!!

After last season ended, many veterans that college basketball fans love moved onto professional basketball or bigger and better adventures as did some young phenoms. So, this year college basketball has many new faces. Whether they are incoming freshmen or star transfer portal additions, they are going to make big impacts for their teams.

So, let us enjoy potentially the last season of normalcy in March with a 68-team NCAA Tournament field. If they expand the tournament, fine. But, if this is it, do not let anyone disturb you from watching college basketball from November to April.

Enjoy the ride.

*All statistics come from College Basketball Reference.*

Conference Projections:

ACC
1.Duke Blue Devils
2.Louisville Cardinals
3.North Carolina State Wolfpack
4.Virginia Cavaliers
5.North Carolina Tar Heels
6.SMU Mustangs
7.Clemson Tigers
8.Syracuse Orange
9.Notre Dame Fighting Irish
10.Miami Hurricanes
11.Virginia Tech Hokies
12.Pittsburgh Panthers
13.Georgia Tech Yellowjackets
14.Wake Forest Demon Deacons
15.Florida State Seminoles
16.California Golden Bears
17.Boston College Eagles
18.Stanford Cardinal

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Florida @ Duke (Dec. 2; ACC/SEC Challenge)
2.Arkansas vs. Duke (Nov. 27; Chicago)
3.Kentucky @ Louisville (Nov. 11)
4.Louisville @ Arkansas (Dec. 3; ACC/SEC Challenge)
5.Michigan vs. Duke (Feb. 21; Washington DC)

Best Conference Games
1.Duke vs. Louisville (Jan. 6/7, Jan. 26)
2.Duke vs. North Carolina (Feb. 7, March 7)
3.Duke @ NC State (March 2)
4.Virginia @ Duke (Feb. 28)
5.NC State @ Louisville (Feb. 9)

Awards
Player of the Year: Darrion Williams, Forward, NC State (Junior)
2024-2025 Stats: 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals (@ Texas Tech)
Defensive Player of the Year: Seth Trimble, Guard, North Carolina (Senior)
2024-2025 Stats: 11.6 points, 5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.4 steals
Newcomer of the Year: Cameron Boozer, Forward, Duke (Freshman) / Mikel Brown, Guard, Louisville (Freshman)
2024-2025 Stats: N/A (Both in high school)
Coach of the Year: Ryan Odom, Virginia

Conference Tournament Champion: Duke

Big 12
1.Houston Cougars
2.Texas Tech Red Raiders
3.BYU Cougars
4.Iowa State Cyclones
5.Arizona Wildcats
6.Kansas Jayhawks
7.Baylor Bears
8.TCU Horned Frogs
9.Kansas State Wildcats
10.Cincinnati Bearcats
11.Oklahoma State Cowboys
12.Utah Utes
13.Colorado Buffaloes
14.West Virginia Mountaineers
15.UCF Golden Knights
16.Arizona State Sun Devils

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Houston vs. Tennessee (Nov. 25; Players Era Men’s Championship)
2.Duke vs. Kansas (Nov. 18; New York City; Champions Classic)
3.Arizona @ UConn (Nov. 19)
4.Creighton vs. Iowa State (Nov. 25; Players Era Men’s Championship)
5.Kansas @ North Carolina (Nov. 14)

Best Conference Games
1.Houston vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 4, Jan. 25)
2.BYU vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 17, March 7)
3.Houston @ Iowa State (Feb. 16)
4.Arizona vs. Kansas (Feb. 9, Feb. 28)
5.Iowa State vs. Kansas (Jan. 13, Feb. 14)

Awards
Player of the Year: JT Toppin, Center, Texas Tech (Junior)
2024-2025 Stats: 18.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.1 steals
Defensive Player of the Year: Joseph Tugler, Forward, Houston (Junior)
2024-2025 Stats: 5.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1 steal
Newcomer of the Year: AJ Dybantasa, Forward, BYU (Freshman) / Darryn Peterson, Guard, Kansas (Freshman)
2024-2025 Stats: N/A (Both in high school)
Coach of the Year: Kevin Young, BYU

Conference Tournament Champion: BYU

Big East
1.St. John’s Red Storm
2.UConn Huskies
3.Creighton Blue Jays
4.Marquette Golden Eagles
5.Providence Friars
6.Villanova Wildcats
7.Georgetown Hoyas
8.Butler Bulldogs
9.DePaul Blue Demons
10.Xavier Musketeers
11.Seton Hall Pirates

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Kentucky vs. St. John’s (Dec. 20; Atlanta; CBS Sports Classic)
2.Arizona @ UConn (Nov. 19)
3.Creighton vs. Iowa State (Nov. 25; Players Era Men’s Championship)
4.Baylor vs. St. John’s (Nov. 25; Players Era Men’s Championship)
5.Texas @ UConn (Dec. 12)

Best Conference Games
1.UConn vs. St. John’s (Feb. 6, Feb. 25)
2.Creighton vs. UConn (Jan. 31, Feb. 18)
3.Creighton vs. St. John’s (Jan. 10, Feb. 21)
4.Marquette vs. St. John’s (Jan. 10, Feb. 18)
5.UConn vs. Marquette (Jan. 4, March 7)
Creighton vs. Marquette (Dec. 20, Jan. 27)

Awards
Player of the Year: Zuby Ejiofor, Forward, St. John’s (Senior)
2024-2025 Stats: 14.7 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.1 blocks
Defensive Player of the Year: Zuby Ejiofor, Forward, St. John’s (Senior)
2024-2025 Stats: See Above
Newcomer of the Year: Silas Demary Jr., Guard, UConn (Junior)
2024-2025 Stats: 17.1 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.2 steals
Coach of the Year: Greg McDermott, Creighton

Conference Tournament Champion: UConn

Big Ten
1.Purdue Boilermakers
2.Michigan Wolverines
3.UCLA Bruins
4.Illinois Fighting Illini
5.Oregon Ducks
6.Wisconsin Badgers
7.Michigan State Spartans
8.Indiana Hoosiers
9.Ohio State Buckeyes
10.Iowa Hawkeyes
11.USC Trojans
12.Washington Huskies
13.Maryland Terrapins
14.Nebraska Cornhuskers
15.Northwestern Wildcats
16.Minnesota Golden Gophers
17.Rutgers Scarlet Knights
18.Penn State Nittany Lions

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Michigan vs. Duke (Feb. 21; Washington DC)
2.Purdue @ Alabama (Nov. 13)
3.Auburn vs. Michigan (Nov. 25; Players Era Men’s Championship)
4.Auburn vs. Purdue (Dec. 20; Indianapolis; Indy Classic)
5.UCLA vs. Gonzaga (Dec. 13; Seattle)

Best Conference Games
1.Michigan @ Purdue (Feb. 17)
2.Purdue @ UCLA (Jan. 20)
3.Michigan vs. Michigan State (Jan. 30, March 8)
4.Wisconsin @ Illinois (Feb. 10)
5.UCLA @ Michigan (Feb. 14)

Awards
Player of the Year: Braden Smith, Guard, Purdue (Senior)
2024-2025 Stats: 15.8 points, 8.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.2 steals
Defensive Player of the Year: Yaxel Lendeborg, Forward, Michigan (Grad. Senior)
2024-2025 Stats: 17.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.8 blocks, 1.7 steals (@ UAB)
Newcomer of the Year: Donovan Dent, Guard, UCLA (Senior) / Yaxel Lendeborg, Forward, Michigan (Grad. Senior)
2024-2025 Stats: 2o.4 points, 6.4 assists, 1.6 steals, 1 block
Coach of the Year: Dusty May, Michigan

Conference Tournament Champion: Illinois

SEC
1.Florida Gators
2.Kentucky Wildcats
3.Arkansas Razorbacks
4.Tennessee Volunteers
5.Alabama Crimson Tide
6.Auburn Tigers
7.Ole Miss Rebels
8.Texas Longhorns
9.Mississippi State Bulldogs
10.Missouri Tigers
11.Texas A&M Aggies
12.Oklahoma Sooners
13.Vanderbilt Commodores
14.Georgia Bulldogs
15.LSU Tigers
16.South Carolina Gamecocks

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Florida @ Duke (Dec. 2; ACC/SEC Challenge)
2.Arkansas vs. Duke (Nov. 27; Chicago)
3.Kentucky vs. St. John’s (Dec. 20; Atlanta; CBS Sports Classic)
4.Kentucky @ Louisville (Nov. 11)
5.Houston vs. Tennessee (Nov. 25; Players Era Men’s Championship)

Best Conference Games
1.Florida vs. Kentucky (Feb. 14, March 7)
2.Kentucky @ Arkansas (Jan. 31)
3.Alabama vs. Auburn (Feb. 7, March 7)
4.Auburn @ Florida (Jan. 24)
5.Arkansas @ Florida (Feb. 28)

Awards
Player of the Year: Otega Oweh, Guard, Kentucky (Senior)
2024-2025 Stats: 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 steals
Defensive Player of the Year: Rueben Chinyelu, Center
2024-2025 Stats: 6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.1 steals per game
Newcomer of the Year: Darius Acuff, Guard, Arkansas (Freshman)
2024-2025 Stats: N/A (In high school)
Coach of the Year: Rick Barnes, Tennessee

Conference Tournament Champion: Alabama

Best Non-Power 5 Teams
1.Gonzaga
2.San Diego State
3.VCU
4.Saint Mary’s
5.Memphis

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Gonzaga vs. Kentucky (December 5; Nashville)
2.Michigan vs. San Diego State (Nov. 24; Players Era Men’s Championship)
3.UCLA vs. Gonzaga (Dec. 13; Seattle)
4.Memphis vs. Purdue (Nov. 20; Baha Mar Championship)
5.VCU @ NC State (Nov. 17)

Best Conference Games
1.Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s (Jan. 31, Feb. 28)
2.San Diego State vs. Utah State (Jan. 31, Feb. 25)
3.Saint Louis vs. VCU (Jan. 7, Feb. 20)
4.Memphis vs. South Florida (Feb. 19, March 5)
5.Dayton vs. VCU (Feb. 6, March 6)

Awards (Picking the best from every team above)
MVP: Graham Ike, Forward, Gonzaga (Redshirt Senior)
2024-2025 Stats: 17.3 points and 7.3 rebounds
Defensive Player of the Year: Magoon Gwath, Forward, San Diego State (Sophomore)
2024-2025 Stats: 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.2 blocks
Newcomer of the Year: Keonte Jones, Forward, Dayton (Graduate)
2024-2025 Stats: 13.1 points, 9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.3 blocks
Coach of the Year: Brian Dutcher, San Diego State

Conference Tournament Champions: Memphis (American), VCU (Atlantic-10), San Diego State (Mountain West), Gonzaga (West Coast)

National Preview:

Best Non-Conference Games
1.Florida @ Duke (Dec. 2; ACC/SEC Challenge)
2.Arkansas vs. Duke (Nov. 27; Chicago)
3.Kentucky vs. St. John’s (Dec. 20; Atlanta; CBS Sports Classic)
4.Kentucky @ Louisville (Nov. 11)
5.Houston vs. Tennessee (Nov. 25; Players Era Men’s Championship)

Best Conference Games
1.UConn vs. St. John’s (Feb. 6, Feb. 25)
2.Florida vs. Kentucky (Feb. 14, March 7)
3.Houston vs. Texas Tech (Jan. 4, Jan. 25)
4.Duke vs. Louisville (Jan. 6/7, Jan. 26)
5.Kentucky @ Arkansas (Jan. 31)

My Top 32 Overall Teams:
1.Purdue
2.Houston
3.St. John’s
4.Florida
5.Duke
6.UConn
7.Texas Tech
8.Michigan
9.Kentucky
10.Louisville
11.BYU
12.Arkansas
13.UCLA
14.Iowa State
15.Tennessee
16.Arizona
17.Alabama
18.Illinois
19.Oregon
20.Creighton
21.Auburn
22.NC State
23.Wisconsin
24.Gonzaga
25.Virginia
26.Michigan State
27.North Carolina
28.Kansas
29.Iowa
30.Vanderbilt
31.San Diego State
32.Ole Miss

Bracketology:

Midwest (Chicago)
1.Purdue
2.UConn
3.Kentucky
4.Iowa State
5.Alabama
6.Wisconsin
7.North Carolina
8.Vanderbilt

West (San Jose)
1.Florida
2.Texas Tech
3.Arkansas
4.UCLA
5.Creighton
6.Gonzaga
7.Michigan State
8.San Diego State

South (Houston)
1.Houston
2.Michigan
3.Louisville
4.Tennessee
5.Oregon
6.Auburn
7.Virginia
8.Iowa

East (Washington DC)
1.St. John’s
2.Duke
3.BYU
4.Arizona
5.Illinois
6.NC State
7.Kansas
8.Ole Miss

National Player of the Year: Braden Smith, Guard, Purdue (Senior)
National Champion: Houston Cougars

Image Courtesy: Ethan Doan

Year 2 of the John Calipari era is here at Arkansas. The Razorbacks face an impressive 22 teams that won 20 games last season including 18 that made the NCAA Tournament, and nine conference champions.

Arkansas will face all eight teams in the 2025 NCAA Elite Eight. Half of those games will be in non-conference play including a trip to Michigan State (Nov. 8), against Duke in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 27), a game versus Texas Tech in Dallas (Dec. 13), and against Houston in Newark, N.J. (Dec. 20).

Before the season starts, the Razorbacks will return to Hot Springs for the Razorback Tip-Off Scrimmage on Oct. 12. Twelve days later, the Hogs will host Cincinnati in an exhibition on Oct. 24. The final exhibition game will be at Memphis for the Hoops for St. Jude Tip Off Classic, presented by Bad Boy Mowers. The game will be played in the FedEx Forum on Oct. 27.

Razorback basketball tips off the regular season against Southern on Nov. 3 in the friendly confines of Bud Walton Arena. After traveling to East Lansing to face Michigan State, Arkansas will get four more games in a row at home against Central Arkansas (Nov. 11), Samford (Nov. 14), Winthrop (Nov. 18), and Jackson State (Nov. 21).

The hogs will host four more games in the state of Arkansas in December. First, the Razorbacks will face Louisville on Dec. 3 as part of the third annual ACC/SEC Challenge. Then, they will head to North Little Rock to face Fresno State in their annual trip to Simmons Bank Arena (Dec. 6). Arkansas will host Queens on Dec. 16 before wrapping up non-conference play at home against James Madison (Dec. 29).

2025-2026 Arkansas Basketball Non-Conference Schedule
Oct. 24 Cincinnati (Exhibition)
Oct. 27 @ Memphis (Exhibition; Hoops for St. Jude)
Nov. 3 Southern
Nov. 8 @ Michigan State
Nov. 11 Central Arkansas
Nov. 14 Samford
Nov. 18 Winthrop
Nov. 21 Jackson State
Nov. 27 Duke (Chicago; CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic)
Dec. 3 Louisville (ACC/SEC Challenge)
Dec. 6 Fresno State (North Little Rock)
Dec. 13 Texas Tech (Dallas; Revocruit Rematch)
Dec. 16 Queens
Dec. 20 Houston (Newark; Never Forget Tribute Classic)
Dec. 29 James Madison

Arkansas’ 2026 SEC schedule was previously announced on Aug. 6.

Image Courtesy: Sports Media Watch

The NCAA Tournament is staying at 68 teams—for now. After months of discussion, the NCAA men’s and women’s Division I basketball committees announced Monday that they will not recommend expansion ahead of the 2026 edition of March Madness.

According to The Athletic, the NCAA’s senior vice president of basketball stated, “Expanding the tournament fields is no longer being contemplated for the 2026 men’s and women’s basketball championships.” He added that discussions about expanding to “72 or 76 teams” will continue, with further conversations expected ahead of the 2027 NCAA Tournament.

While many power-conference commissioners and coaches have supported expanding the field, most of the media and numerous coaches—including Arkansas’ John Calipari—oppose expansion, arguing that the current format is already ideal. Personally, the NCAA Tournament is my favorite postseason event to watch. In fact, I even wrote an essay for my Composition I class in May arguing against expansion.

The recent expansion talk began in January 2023, when the NCAA’s Transformation Committee recommended increased “access” to postseason play in any sport sponsored by over 200 Division I schools. However, the committee’s proposed threshold—25 percent of teams—would have expanded March Madness to over 91 teams, given that 363 schools currently compete in Division I men’s basketball. That number was widely seen as excessive, but in the current era of conference realignment, top conference commissioners are pushing for more of their teams to be included.

I’m glad the committee chose not to recommend expansion beyond 68 teams for 2026. Teams that don’t deserve to make the NCAA Tournament should not be allowed in, and if the field expands to 72 or 76, that’s exactly what will happen—watering down March Madness for me and many other college basketball diehards.

The 2025–26 college basketball regular season begins on Monday, November 3, with many exhibition games starting in mid-October. Selection Sunday will be held on March 15, followed by the best three weeks of the spring, as the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament concludes with the Final Four and National Championship on April 4 and 6 in Indianapolis.

Image Courtesy: New York Post

Arkansas basketball will begin its 2025–2026 campaign in just 112 short days. The media got its first glimpse of a summer practice last Wednesday. After the session wrapped up, John Calipari and a select group of players—guards DJ Wagner and Meleek Thomas, and forwards Trevon Brazile and Nick Pringle—spoke to the media.

Calipari said, “I like where we are… it’s July 7th.“ That’s a promising sign for Arkansas fans.

Below is a look at the projected rotation, the incoming freshman and transfer classes, players who have exited the program through graduation, the pros, or the transfer portal, as well as the updated schedule and other key offseason developments.

So, here’s everything you might have missed from Fayetteville since Arkansas’ exit from the NCAA Tournament in March.

Projected Rotation

Starters
Darius Acuff, Guard (Freshman)
DJ Wagner, Guard (Junior)
Karter Knox, Forward (Sophomore)
Trevon Brazile, Forward (Senior)
Malique Ewin, Center (Senior)

Bench
Meleek Thomas, Guard (Freshman)
Billy Richmond, Forward (Sophomore)
Nick Pringle, Center (Grad Senior)
Isaiah Sealey, Forward (Freshman)
Paulo Semedo, Center (Freshman)
Karim Rtail, Forward (Freshman)
Elmir Dzafic, Center (Freshman)
Jaden Karuletwa, Guard (Sophomore)
Ayden Kelly, Guard (Sophomore)
Amere Brown, Guard (Freshman)

2025 Class (via 247sports composite)
10.Meleek Thomas (#2SG) Pittsburgh, PA (Overtime Elite – City Reapers)
12.Darius Acuff (#2PG) Detroit, MI (IMG Academy)
75.Isaiah Sealey (#18SF) Springdale, AR (Springdale)
Paulo Semedo (C) Orlando, FL (West Oaks Academy)
Elmir Dzafic (C) Tuzla, BiH (KK Bosnai)
Karim Rtail (PF) Beirut, LB (Neptūnas-Akvaservis)
Amere Brown (PG) Pittsburgh, PA (Woodland Hills)

Transfer Additions (via 247sports)
105.Malique Ewin, Center (Senior) Former School: Florida State
127.Nick Pringle, Center (Graduate Senior) Former School: South Carolina

Transfers Out
Zvonimir Ivisic, Center (Junior) New School: Illinois
Melo Sanchez, Guard (Sophomore) New School: TBA
Casmir Chavis, Guard (Freshman) New School: UT-Arlington
Boogie Fland, Guard (Sophomore) New School: Florida

Graduated or Going Pro
Jonas Aidoo, Forward/Center
Johnell Davis, Guard
Adou Thiero, Forward

2025-2026 Schedule (As it looks right now)
TBA @ Memphis (Exhibition; Fred Smith Classic)
TBA Baylor
TBA @ Michigan State
11/3 Southern
11/11 Central Arkansas
11/27 Duke (Chicago)
12/3 Louisville (ACC/SEC Challenge)
12/13 Texas Tech (Dallas)
12/16 Mount St. Mary’s
12/20 Houston (Brooklyn)
TBA Auburn
TBA Kentucky
TBA LSU
TBA Missouri
TBA South Carolina
TBA Tennessee
TBA Texas
TBA Texas A&M
TBA Vanderbilt
TBA @ Alabama
TBA @ Auburn
TBA @ Florida
TBA @ Georgia
TBA @ LSU
TBA @ Ole Miss
TBA @ Mississippi State
TBA @ Missouri
TBA @ Oklahoma

On the Razorback Sports Network postgame show following Arkansas’ dominant mid-December win over UCA in North Little Rock, John Calipari announced that the Razorbacks will play in Chicago on Thanksgiving Day 2025. He also stated that Baylor will make a return trip to face Arkansas at Bud Walton Arena and that the Razorbacks will host a game in the ACC/SEC Challenge next season. Then, on March 6, it was officially announced that Arkansas will face Duke at the United Center on Thanksgiving Day in primetime.

On March 11, CBS college basketball reporter Jon Rothstein reported that Boston Celtics Director of Scouting Remy Cofield was leaving the NBA to become the general manager of the Arkansas athletic department.

On June 7, Team B Media CEO Josh Bertaccini reported that “[John] Calipari confirms Arkansas will go back to New York to play Houston.” It was later confirmed that the Razorbacks will face the Cougars on December 20 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

On June 11, Jon Rothstein reported that matchups for the 2025 ACC/SEC Challenge had been finalized. The following day, the Arkansas men’s basketball social media team confirmed that the Razorbacks will host Louisville on December 3 inside Bud Walton Arena.

On June 14, Bertaccini also reported that Calipari announced two additional games: a road matchup against Michigan State in East Lansing and a neutral-site game in Dallas against an opponent yet to be announced (Arkansas faced Baylor there last season). The Razorbacks will host Michigan State in Fayetteville the following season as part of a home-and-home series. On June 19, John Calipari announced that the Razorbacks will face Texas Tech in Dallas (later confirmed that it will be on December 13). It will be a rematch of last season’s heartbreaking Elite 8 loss to the Red Raiders.

On June 18, Arkansas’ SEC opponents for the upcoming season were announced. The Razorbacks will play home-and-home series with permanent rivals LSU and Missouri, as well as a rotating home-and-home against Auburn. They will host Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt, and will go on the road to face Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Oklahoma.

With the 36th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Lakers selected Razorback forward Adou Thiero. He became the first Razorback to be drafted under Coach John Calipari since they both arrived at Arkansas following their departure from the University of Kentucky over a year ago.

Before the action began in the NBA Summer League, the Los Angeles Lakers announced that Adou Thiero would not participate due to a left knee injury he sustained back in February. Thiero’s teammate, guard Johnell Davis, joined the Orlando Magic for Summer League play.

On July 7, HawgBeat’s Jackson Collier reported that Arkansas will face Southern on November 3 and Central Arkansas on November 11 in early nonconference play inside the friendly confines of Bud Walton Arena. The Razorbacks crushed the Bears 82–57 last season in North Little Rock at Simmons Bank Arena and have not faced the Jaguars since defeating them 79–44 during the 2020 season.

During John Calipari’s post-summer practice interview, he discussed Arkansas’ upcoming exhibition matchup against Memphis, which will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Hitmen Hoops first reported the potential matchup between the Razorbacks and Calipari’s former team, where they plan to honor several of his former players from his time with the Tigers. Calipari also mentioned that they hope to honor the late FedEx founder, Frederick Smith, by naming the game the Fred Smith Classic. The date for the exhibition is still to be determined.

On July 11, college hoops analyst Rocco Miller reported that Arkansas will host Mount St. Mary’s on December 16 at Bud Walton Arena.

Image Courtesy: VICE

After the great success of the new college football video game, EA Sports has announced the return of its college basketball video game for the first time since 2009. The company teased the new release in a social media post on Monday.

According to The Athletic, “The announcement came right as Extra Points reported on the game’s impending return, based on documents obtained by the newsletter that noted the Collegiate Licensing Company had recommended accepting EA Sports’ bid over other game developers.”

Extra Points reporter Matt Brown stated that the target release date is 2028 and will include both men’s and women’s teams.

The NIL model for athletes will be similar to that of the football game, utilizing OneTeam Partners. EA is expected to include features similar to those in the college football game, such as Dynasty Mode, Road to Glory, and Ultimate Team.

The decision to revive the college basketball franchise came after EA Sports College Football 25 became the highest-grossing sports video game ever in total revenue. While the release may still be three years away, I hope the EA development team takes all the time they need to create a game that college basketball fans will appreciate just as much as college football fans embraced the new football title last summer.

Image Courtesy: The Courier-Journal

The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) has clearly fallen behind the Big Ten and the Southeastern Conference (SEC), particularly in the lifeblood of its league—college basketball. This decline has been especially evident with only a few teams making the NCAA Tournament: Duke, Clemson, Louisville, and North Carolina.

Back in January, former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski addressed the issue on his weekly radio show. “Our conference has been a great one—I think it needs to get better,” Coach K said.

“I’d like to see the ACC and the Big East talk and form a mega basketball conference,” he continued. “Imagine if we had the Big East.” St. John’s head coach Rick Pitino agreed with his longtime friend’s sentiments.

After the Huskies won their opening game of the 2025 NCAA Tournament in ACC territory—Raleigh—UConn head coach Dan Hurley, who led his team to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024, revealed that he had spoken with Coach K about making such a move happen. Hurley also expressed interest in renewing matchups with the Huskies’ former conference rivals—Boston College, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse—in any capacity possible.

The legitimacy of this potential move is real. Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman told Ourland: “When you’ve got two Hall of Famers opining about not only the history of college basketball but the future of college basketball, you have to listen. I take very seriously any idea around the future of college basketball—what it means for the Big East and what the Big East should be doing.”

However, such a move may not happen anytime soon. The Big East is under contract with its media rights deal through 2031, while the ACC is locked in through 2036. For any merger or realignment to take place, those contracts would need to be renegotiated—a process that could take years. Even if revised deals were agreed upon, the issue of media rights revenue distribution would remain a significant hurdle.

So, what could a future league look like with the 18 current ACC schools (outside of California, SMU, and Stanford) and the 11 current Big East schools? Don’t take this too seriously—this is purely speculative and may never actually happen.

Potential division alignment:

Central
Butler
Creighton
DePaul
Louisville
Marquette
Notre Dame
Pittsburgh
Xavier

East
Boston College
Connecticut
Georgetown
Providence
Seton Hall
St. John’s
Syracuse
Villanova

South
Clemson
Duke
Florida State
Georgia Tech
Miami
North Carolina
NC State
Virginia
Virginia Tech
Wake Forest

Image Courtesy: The Fayetteville Observer

Saturday, April 5
1.Auburn (27-4) vs. 1.Florida (27-4)
The Alamodome (San Antonio)
6:09 PM ET, CBS
The first Final Four with all one seeds since 2008 tips off with a match up between two old rivals down south. Back on February 8th, Florida became the first team in the SEC to beat Auburn. The Gators beat the Tigers 90-81 on the road at Neville Arena. After that loss, Auburn still won the regular season crown in the league but did not play as well as they were back in November, December, and most of January. They picked it up with better performances in the south regional in Atlanta with potential national player of the year Johni Broome (47 points and 30 rebounds) and guards Tahaad Pettiford (30 points) and Denver Jones (28 points) performing well over the last two games in wins over Michigan and Michigan State. The aforementioned Broome exited Sunday’s Elite Eight match up against the Spartans with an injury before returning to the game after his x-rays were negative. He did not practice on Tuesday and Wednesday but returned to practice on Thursday. On the other hand, Florida had to go on a big run to beat three seed Texas Tech to advance to the Final Four. Gator guard Walter Clayton has exploded during the NCAA Tournament scoring 23 points against UConn in the Round of 32 and 30 against the Red Raiders in Elite Eight. Throughout the tournament the Gators have not been as consistent overall as they were to finish the regular season and when they won the SEC Tournament Championship. Clayton will need not only his backcourt mates like Alijah Martin, Will Richard, and Denzel Aberdeen but also Alex Condon, Rueben Chinyelu, Thomas Waugh, and Micah Handlogten in the front court. All of these guys have been great at some point during the season but beating the nation’s top overall seed twice in a season is no easy task. Auburn is playing better basketball than Florida right now but if Broome is limited with his injury, the Tigers will have to rely more on their other veteran big man Dylan Cardwell. A Tiger win could set up an ACC/SEC Challenge rematch if the Blue Devils are also able to come out victorious on Saturday. An SEC battle with Todd Golden facing his old boss Bruce Pearl with a national championship appearance on the line. Projected Score: Auburn 85, Florida 80

1.Duke (28-3) vs. 1.Houston (27-4)
The Alamodome (San Antonio)
8:49 PM ET, CBS
Duke has been the best team in the NCAA Tournament but do not look past Houston’s run either. Both teams dominated their leagues during the regular season with both squads losing only one conference game each. Duke’s Jon Scheyer built an almost perfect NBA-like roster around likely top pick in this summer’s NBA Draft, freshman forward Cooper Flagg. Fellow freshmen Kon Knueppel (who will likely join him as a lottery pick this summer), Khaman Maluach, and Caleb Foster. It was really Scheyer’s ability to add veterans this past off-season that have been at this stage before like former Purdue forward Mason Gillis, who played in the national championship last season with the Boilermakers to help lead this team driven by freshmen. Houston is certainly known for its defense and the Cougars turned in a dominant defensive performance against Tennessee in the Elite Eight, holding the Volunteers to just 15 first half points. Even though the game became close in the second half, guard Emanuel Sharp answered almost every one of Tennessee’s runs with a three pointer, scoring 16 points in the victory. Kelvin Sampson’s team will also need leading scorer LJ Cryer a terrific as well as forward J’Wan Roberts to be fantastic against Duke defense. In addition, the balance of Houston will have to match the balance of Duke. Whether it is fellow bigs Joseph Tuggler and Ja’Vier or guards Milos Uzan and Mylik Wilson, they will have to match what Duke does. The Cougars are capable of winning the game because they have been the best defensive team in their country but it will be their offense that will be their letdown against this Duke team that has a defense that is probably the second best left in this Final Four field. Projected Score: Duke 77, Houston 72

National Championship Game Projection
Monday, April 7
1.Duke over 1.Auburn
8:50 PM ET, CBS
1.Duke over 1.Auburn
In a rematch of the ACC/SEC Challenge, the Blue Devils sweep the Tigers.

Image Courtesy: WEGL 91.1 FM

Here are my region by region preview for the 2025 NCAA Basketball Tournament:
South
East
Midwest
West, Final Four, and National Championship

The bracket:

South (Atlanta)

Lexington (March 20, 22)
1.Auburn 28-5 (15-3) SEC
16.Alabama State 19-15 (12-6) SWAC/St. Francis (PA) 16-17 (8-8) NEC 

8.Louisville 27-7 (18-2) ACC 
9.Creighton 24-10 (15-5) Big East  

Denver (March 20, 22)
5.Michigan 25-9 (14-6) Big Ten 
12.UC-San Diego 30-4 (18-2) Big West 

4.Texas A&M 22-10 (11-7) SEC
13.Yale 22-7 (13-1) Ivy League 

Milwaukee (March 21, 23)
6.Ole Miss
11.San Diego State/North Carolina

3.Iowa State 24-9 (13-7) Big 12   
14.Lipscomb 25-9 (14-4) ASUN 

Cleveland (March 21, 23)
7.Marquette 23-10 (13-7) Big East
10.New Mexico 25-7 (17-3) MWC

2.Michigan State 27-6 (17-3) Big Ten
15.Bryant 23-11 (14-2) America East

West (San Francisco)

Raleigh (March 21, 23)
1.Florida 30-4 (14-4) SEC
16.Norfolk State 24-10 (11-3) MEAC

8.UConn 23-10 (12-8) Big East
9.Oklahoma 20-13 (6-12) SEC

Seattle (March 21, 23)
5.Memphis 29-5 (18-2) American
12.Colorado State 25-9 (16-4) MWC 

4.Maryland 25-8 (14-6) Big Ten
13.Grand Canyon 26-7 (13-3) WAC 

Wichita (March 20, 22)
6.Missouri 22-11 (10-8) SEC
11.Drake 30-3 (17-3) MVC

3.Texas Tech 25-8 (15-5) Big 12
14.UNC-Wilmington 24-7 (14-4) CAA

Providence (March 20, 22)
7.Kansas 21-12 (11-9) Big 12
10.Arkansas 20-13 (8-10) SEC

2.St. John’s 30-4 (18-2) Big East
15.Omaha 22-12 (13-3) Summit

East (Newark)

Raleigh (March 21, 23)
1.Duke 31-3 (19-1) ACC
16.American 21-12 (13-5) Patriot/Mount St. Mary’s 23-12 (12-8) MAAC

8.Mississippi State 21-12 (8-10) SEC
9.Baylor 19-14 (10-10) Big 12

Seattle (March 21, 23)
5.Oregon 24-9 (12-8) Big Ten
12.Liberty 28-6 (13-5) C-USA

4.Arizona 22-11 (14-6) Big 12
13.Akron 28-6 (17-1) MAC

Denver (March 20, 22)
6.BYU 24-9 (14-6) Big 12
11.VCU 28-6 (15-3) Atlantic 10

3.Wisconsin 26-9 (13-7) Big Ten
14.Montana 25-9 (15-3) Big Sky

Cleveland (March 21, 23)
7.Saint Mary’s 28-5 (17-1) WCC
10.Vanderbilt 20-12 (8-10) SEC

2.Alabama 25-8 (13-5) SEC
15.Robert Morris 26-8 (15-5) Horizon League 

Midwest (Indianapolis)

Wichita (March 20, 22)
1.Houston 30-4 (19-1) Big 12
16.SIU-Edwardsville 22-11 (13-7) OVC

8.Gonzaga 25-8 (14-4) WCC
9.Georgia 20-12 (8-10) SEC

Providence (March 20, 22)
5.Clemson 27-6 (18-2) ACC
12.McNeese 27-6 (19-1) Southland

4.Purdue 22-11 (13-7) Big Ten
13.High Point 29-5 (16-2) Big South 

Milwaukee (March 21, 23)
6.Illinois 21-12 Big Ten
11.Texas 19-15 (6-12) SEC/Xavier 21-11 (13-7) Big East

3.Kentucky 22-11 (10-8) SEC
14.Troy 23-10 (13-5) Sun Belt

Lexington (March 20, 22)
7.UCLA 22-10 (13-7) Big Ten
10.Utah State 26-7 (15-5) Mountain West

2.Tennessee 27-7 (12-6) SEC
15.Wofford 19-15 (10-8) Southern

Image Courtesy: freep.com

Click the each of the links below to watch the preview I made for each Power 5 conference tournament, hyperlinked to its conference name.

ACC (Charlotte)
Bracket

Big 12 (Kansas City)
Bracket

Big East (New York City)
Bracket

Big Ten (Indianapolis)
Bracket

SEC (Nashville)
Bracket

Image Courtesy: The Auburn Plainsman

AP Top 10
1.Auburn 27-3 (15-2) SEC Next Up: 7.Alabama (23-7) (Saturday, 2:30 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Duke 27-3 (18-1) ACC Next Up: @ North Carolina (20-11) (Saturday, 6:30 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Houston 26-4 (18-1) Big 12 Next Up: @ Baylor (18-12) (Saturday, 10 PM ET, ESPN)
4.Tennessee 24-6 (11-6) SEC Next Up: South Carolina (12-18) (Saturday, 2 PM ET, SECN)
5.Florida 26-4 (13-4) SEC Next Up: Ole Miss (21-9) (Saturday, 6 PM ET, SECN)
6.St. John’s 26-4 (17-2) Big East Next Up: @ 20.Marquette (22-8) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
7.Alabama 23-7 (12-5) SEC Next Up: @ 1.Auburn (27-3) (Saturday, 2:30 PM ET, ESPN)
8.Michigan State 25-5 (16-3) Big Ten Next Up: 17.Michigan (22-8) (Sunday, 12 PM ET, CBS)
9.Texas Tech Big 12 Next Up: @ Arizona State (13-17) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, ESPNU)
10.Iowa State 22-8 (12-7) Big 12 Next Up: @ Kansas State (15-15) (Saturday, 1:30 PM ET, CBS)

Friday, March 7
18.Purdue (22-9) @ Illinois (19-11)
8 PM ET, FOX
Purdue comes into Champagne playing great basketball with wins last Friday night against UCLA and scoring 100 points against Rutgers on Tuesday night. Illinois was blown out by Duke on February 22nd but since have taken care of Iowa and then 15.Michigan by 20 points. If the Fighting Illini can defeat the Boilermakers at home to finish out their regular season, they will feel confident about landing at least a six seed on Selection Sunday entering the Big Ten Tournament. Purdue dropped four games in a row before its recent winning streak and they will need guard Fletcher Loyer to continue his consistent play to support stars Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn. Smith, Kaufman-Renn, and Loyer combined for 62 points in the win over the Scarlet Knights. Similarly to the Boilermakers, Illinois had three prominent scorers in their last victory. Guards Tre White, Kasparas Jakucionis, and Kylan Boswell’s combined 55 points lifted them over the Wolverines. Those three will have to all turn in similar performances if they want to protect home court, beat Purdue, and get a better seed in Indianapolis at next week’s Big Ten Tournament. Projected Score: Purdue 82, Illinois 79

Saturday, March 8
19.Kentucky (20-10) @ 15.Missouri (21-9)
12 PM ET, ESPN
Missouri hosts Kentucky coming off of a Wednesday loss to rival Oklahoma. A win for the Tigers could put them in position to lock up the five seed at the SEC Tournament in Nashville next week but a loss could do the same for Kentucky as it would give the Wildcats a win and the two teams matching conference records at 10-8. Missouri must defend at a higher level after giving up 90+ points in four of its previous five games. Without the steadying force of guard Jaxson Robinson offensively for Kentucky, it might be the perfect opportunity of Dennis Gates’ team to turn in a better performance on that side of the basketball. Guards Caleb Grill, Mark Mitchell, and Tony Perkins can light it up on offense but they will have to go through one of the nation’s top point guards, Lamont Butler. Butler, will have to lead the ‘Cats on the road with fellow guard Otega Oweh, playing his best basketball of the season, sharpshooter Kobe Brea, and forward Amari Williams, who is capable of turning in big performances in big games. If Kentucky can consistently make outside shots on the road, they can stay in the game, but Missouri needs to win this game and I believe they will. Projected Score: Missouri 92, Kentucky 85

6.St. John’s (26-4) @ 20.Marquette (22-8)
12 PM ET, FOX
Marquette fell to UConn on the road and outside of the top three in the Big East entering the final weekend of the regular season. Protecting home floor against the Big East regular season champion St. John’s will be difficult but a win over the Red Storm. A Huskies’ loss to Seton Hall at home, however unlikely that may be, would send Marquette to be the three seed in the Big East Tournament next week at Madison Square Garden. However, even if UConn does not lose and Marquette still finds a way to beat the Johnnies, it would be a huge win that would put them in consideration for a protected seed on one of the top four lines with a few more wins next week in New York City. Rick Pitino’s team does not rely too much on perimeter shooting instead attacking the ball inside and playing tough on defense. His three leading scorers, guard RJ Luis (17.8 points and 7 reboundsper game), forward Zuby Ejiofor (14 points and 8 rebounds), guard Kadary Richmond (13 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists) make the team go. Marquette will need someone outside of potential All-American guard Kam Jones (18.5 points and 6 assists). Guards Stevie Mitchell (11 points) and Chase Ross (10.6 points) must support Jones if they want to enter postseason play with a victory. Projected Score: St. John’s 83, Marquette 80

7.Alabama (23-7) @ 1.Auburn (27-3)
2:30 PM ET, ESPN
Alabama heads to the Plains to face SEC regular season champion Auburn in a rematch from their number one-number two battle, a few weeks ago. Both teams enter Saturday afternoon’s season finale off of losses. Auburn did not sleep walk into College Station on Tuesday night but after beating Kentucky on Saturday to clinch the SEC title, Texas A&M needed a win and they got it on their senior night over the Tigers. Alabama fell to Florida at home in a top five battle on Wednesday and to avoid their eighth loss before the SEC Tournament, they must avoid getting swept by Auburn. The Tigers should be more focused than they were on Tuesday night. Likely national player of the year Johni Broome needs to turn in a terrific performance because without veteran guard Denver Jones help to score, defend, and lead due to injury, Broome will need freshman guard Tahaad Pettiford to step up next to veterans Miles Kelly and Chad Baker-Mazara on the wings and Dylan Cardwell and Chris Moore inside the paint. If Auburn’s efficient offense can get going, Alabama guard Mark Sears will have to continue his hot shooting performances and set his teammates up with good passes for assists. The Crimson Tide’s Grant Nelson, Labaron Philon, Latrell Wrightsell, Chris Youngblood, and Jarin Stevenson must all turn in quality performances against an Auburn team that has lost just twice in one of the most difficult conference seasons of all-time. Auburn will get its third consecutive win over Alabama on Saturday. Projected Score: Auburn 95, Alabama 90

Ole Miss (21-9) @ 5.Florida (26-4)
6 PM ET, SECN
Since losing three in a row to Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, and Auburn, Ole Miss has bounced back and beaten Oklahoma and 4.Tennessee to begin the month of March. That’s a pretty good start for Chris Beard’s team as they head on the road to face another AP top 5 team, the Florida Gators. The Gators, as I mentioned in the Alabama-Auburn preview earlier in this post, defeated 7.Alabama on the road on Wednesday. Likely All-American guard Walter Clayton Jr. has been terrific this season, averaging 17 points and dishing out 4 assists a game headlines a group in the backcourt that has been one of the best in the country this season for Todd Golden. Joining Clayton Jr. is Alijah Martin and Will Richard, who can both score and bring tremendous effort on the defensive side too. Denzel Aberdeen has been a great backup for Clayton Jr. while Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, and Rueben Chinyelu make up their front court. Condon was terrific against the Crimson Tide, scoring 27 points and 10 rebounds. Ole Miss’ awesome home environment and forward Jaemyn Brakefield (19 points in the victory over Tennessee) got the game winning rebound in overtime off of a Sean Pedulla miss and put it in for a win that could put the Rebels on track to move back up the seed list. Pedulla leads Ole Miss at scoring at almost 15 points a contest while Malik Dia, Dre Davis and the aforementioned Brakefield serve as defensive stoppers for Beard that are tough offensive players. Ole Miss can keep this game close but Florida, at this point in the season, seems like the SEC team that is best fit to win games deep in March and into April this postseason. Projected Score: Florida 87, Ole Miss 80

2.Duke (27-3) @ North Carolina (20-11)
6:30 PM ET, ESPN
Duke has been the best team in a weak ACC all season and has been dominant of late especially. The second ranked Blue Devils, one of only two teams that have beaten 1.Auburn so far this season, have won their last seven games by an average of 32 points since their last loss to Clemson on the road at Littlejohn Coliseum. In their last game against Wake Forest, freshman forward Cooper Flagg scored 28 points and dished out 7 assists in the 33 point victory over the Demon Deacons. Junior guard Tyrese Proctor has established himself as a leader and a defensive presence on the perimeter while freshmen Kon Knueppel and center Khaman Maluach have supported Flagg and Proctor as the third and fourth options offensively. The way Duke has been playing, this game has an eerily similar feeling to the closeout game between the Blue Devils and Tar Heels in 2022. The only two differences are that Coach K is not the head coach of Duke and the game is not in Cameron Indoor Stadium, instead in the Dean Dome in Chapel Hill. Duke is in line to be a number one seed and North Carolina is squarely on the bubble. North Carolina’s win in that game won March 4, 2022 propelled the Tar Heels into the NCAA Tournament as an eight seed, and they won the third match up with the Blue Devils in the Final Four semifinal in New Orleans, ending Coach K’s career. North Carolina does not have program stalwart Armando Bacot, sharpshooting forward Brady Manek, and Caleb Love on the roster any more but still have senior guard RJ Davis, who was an All-American last season but has not played near that level consistently this season. The Tar Heels beat Virginia Tech on Tuesday, 91-59. Freshman guard Ian Jackson scored 19 points in the victory. For North Carolina to avenge their February loss to Duke, Jackson will have to be an elite scorer. Junior guard Seth Trimble added 17 points. With the lack of an inside presence like Armando Bacot, Trimble will have to continue playing big for the Tar Heels. If Jackson and Trimble continue their hot play combined with the improved play of Jae’Lyn Withers, Drake Powell, and Ven-Allen Lubin there is a chance that Hubert Davis’ team can win on senior day in Chapel Hill. Projected Score: Duke 90, North Carolina 80

Sunday, March 9
17.Michigan (22-8) @ 8.Michigan State (25-5)
12 PM ET, CBS
Michigan State locked up the Big Ten regular season championship after Thursday night’s win at Iowa. The Spartans did not play their best basketball but played well enough to win. Tom Izzo’s team does go through spurts without scoring but when they need a basket, they rely on guards Jaden Akins (13 points) and Jase Richardson (11 points) to score. The Spartans look to sweep the Wolverines after defeating them in Ann Arbor in late February. Michigan’s struggles in their last two games against Illinois at home and Maryland on the road are the amount of turnovers they have. The Wolverines had a combined 27 turnovers in those two losses and to beat the Spartans on their home floor, they will have to avoid turning it over. The combination of bigs Vlad Goldin (16.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) and Danny Wolf (12.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) make them go. But, it will be up to Wolf (a point-center) and lead guard Tre Donaldson (12 points and 4 assists) to make the right passes and not turn the ball over which could lead to points for the Spartans. The battle for the state of Michigan should be a great Big Ten basketball game to finish out the regular season. Projected Score: Michigan State 81, Michigan 77

Image Courtesy: Gators Wire

AP Top 10
1.Auburn 19-1 (7-0) SEC Next Up: @ 23.Ole Miss (16-5) (Saturday, 2 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Duke 18-2 (10-0) ACC Next Up: North Carolina (13-9) (Saturday, 6:30 PM ET, ESPN)
3.Iowa State 17-3 (7-2) Big 12 Next Up: Kansas State (9-11) (Saturday, 2 PM ET, ESPN2)
4.Alabama 18-3 (7-1) SEC Next Up: Georgia (15-6) (Saturday, 4 PM ET, ESPN2)
5.Florida 18-2 (5-2) SEC Next Up: @ 8.Tennessee (17-4) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
6.Houston 17-3 (9-0) Big 12 Next Up: 22.Texas Tech (16-4) (Saturday, 6 PM ET, ESPN2)
7.Michigan State 18-2 (9-0) Big Ten Next Up: @ USC (12-8) (Saturday, 4:30 PM ET, Peacock)
8.Tennessee 17-4 (4-4) SEC Next Up: 5.Florida (18-2) (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
9.Marquette 18-3 (9-1) Big East Next Up: 25.Connecticut (15-6) (Saturday, 8 PM ET, FOX)
10.Purdue 16-5 (8-2) Big Ten Next Up: Indiana (14-7) (Friday, 8 PM ET, FOX)

Friday, January 31
Indiana (14-7) @ 10.Purdue (16-5)
8 PM ET, FOX
Indiana’s trip to Purdue begins a rivalry weekend of sorts with Kansas/Baylor, North Carolina/Duke, John Calipari’s return to Lexington to face Kentucky for the first time as Arkansas’ head coach, and Gonzaga/Saint Mary’s upcoming on Saturday as well. The weekend also includes old SEC rivals Florida/Tennessee and Auburn/Ole Miss matching up as well. Indiana’s trip to West Lafayette will be a difficult one. Junior guard Braden Smith has been playing at an All-Big Ten level, scoring over 15 points, dishing out almost 9 assists, and stealing the ball twice a game. As has the Boilermakers’ leading scorer, big man Trey Kaufman-Renn, who has replaced back to back national player of the year Zach Edey with 18 points and 6 rebounds a game. Arizona transfer Oumar Ballo will be Kaufman-Renn’s challenge up front, leading Indiana in scoring with 14.5 points and in rebounds at 10.2 a contest. Ballo is joined by three others averaging double digit points per game including forward Malik Reneau (13.1), forward Mackenzie Mgbako (12.5), and guard Myles Rice (12.1). All four of those guys must be on top of their games if they want to go on the road to one of the most difficult places to play in the country and beat their arch rival. Projected Score: Purdue 82, Indiana 70

Saturday, February 1
5.Florida (18-2) @ 8.Tennessee (17-4)
12 PM ET, ESPN
Tennessee comes into Saturday afternoon’s game against Florida losers of three out of their last four games and their last two against AP top 12 opponents. Coach Rick Barnes’ team also fell to Florida by thirty points on the road in Gainesville back on January 7. A common factor in the Volunteers’ losses is their inability to make perimeter shots consistently. Especially star Chaz Lanier, the former North Florida Osprey guard, who scored under his season average of 17 points with outbursts of just 10 and 15 points against 1.Auburn and 12.Kentucky the last two times out and posted three point percentages of 33% and 30% in those games. After falling to 4-4 in SEC play with the loss to the Wildcats at home on Tuesday night, the Volunteers continue their home stand with a chance to avenge their loss to the Gators. The Volunteers’ chances will be heavily reliant on the aforementioned Lanier and senior guard Zakai Ziegler (10 points, 2 steals, and 1 assist in their first game against Florida). Ziegler’s big game experience and 7-3 assist to turnover ratio this season serves them well in games like these, especially against Todd Golden’s terrific trio of guards. Walter Clayton Jr. is the obvious star out of the three, putting up almost 18 points and 4 assists game. Clayton Jr. scored just 7 points in his team’s blowout of Tennessee a few weeks ago. Florida Atlantic transfer Alijah Martin is not far behind his fellow backcourt mate in scoring putting up over 16 points a game and just above that number with 18 points against the Vols the first time. Finishing the trifecta on the perimeter is Will Richard who combined with Martin makes one of the best defensive duos on the perimeter in the country, as they combine to average almost four steals a game. Forwards Alex Condon posted an incredible stat line of 12 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks against the Volunteers, too. So, if the Gators do the same thing they did last time they played Tennessee, watch out. I do think some things will be different with the game being in Knoxville but Kentucky just beat the Volunteers on their home court so why can’t the Gators? After crushing Georgia their last time out, I think Florida continues their season with a close win over Tennessee. Projected Score: Florida 81, Tennessee 77

20.Missouri (16-4) @ 14.Mississippi State (16-5)
1 PM ET, SECN
Mississippi State missed multiple opportunities to beat 4.Alabama on Wednesday night in Starkville but a second game in “The Dude” should help them bounce back against a quality Missouri team. Both the Bulldogs and the Tigers have flown under the radar in the loaded SEC but both teams have big wins to this point in the season to prove their worth. Mississippi State defeated then 18.Pittsburgh in the ACC/SEC Challenge before beating then 21.Memphis on the road in December. Missouri upset rival and then top ranked Kansas in December and then 5.Florida after conference play opened in January. The teams facing off in this one have underrated coaches in Mississippi State’s Chris Jans and Missouri’s Dennis Gates. Jans led the Bulldogs to an NCAA Tournament bid last season while Gates’ team struggled to not win an SEC game in 19 attempts through the SEC Tournament in Nashville. But, Gates’ team has been much better this season with five conference wins already on the season. The Tigers come in tied for third in the SEC with Florida (and have the tiebreaker with the aforementioned head to head win over the Gators) while Mississippi State is tied for tenth with 8.Tennessee at 4-4 in league play. For the players on the court for both of these teams, Mississippi State’s Josh Hubbard headlines the stars of this game. Hubbard put up a career high 38 points in their loss to the Crimson Tide this week. Going up against Hubbard fr0m the guard position is Tamar Bates who scores 13.3 points shooting an efficient 51.7% and 94.6% from the free throw line. Hubbard is joined by forwards KeShawn Murphy and Cam Matthews while Bates’ help will come from Anthony Robinson and former South Carolina big man Josh Gray. In what should be a phenomenal game in Starkville, Mississippi State needs a bounce back win and they will get it. Projected Score: Mississippi State 87, Missouri 85

1.Auburn (19-1) @ 23.Ole Miss (16-5)
2 PM ET, ESPN
Auburn has been the nation’s top team for the entire season. Through seven games in SEC play, the Tigers are undefeated in maybe the best version of the league ever. They boast the frontrunner for national player Johni Broome, who came back from injury against then 8.Tennessee last Saturday and played well in the victory. That did not compare to his performance on Wednesday night in their win over LSU. Broome put up 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Bruce Pearl’s roster also includes Dylan Cardwell who helps Broome in the paint, guard Chad Baker-Mazara, guard Miles Kelly, and guard Tahaad Pettiford. The Tigers will get yet another test in the SEC when they travel on the road to face Ole Miss, who comes off of a home win against Texas on Wednesday. Former Virginia Tech guard Sean Pedulla leads the way for the Rebels in scoring at 14.5 points a game while fellow backcourt mates Jaylen Murray, Matthew Murrell, and Dre Davis help him outside. For Chris Beard’s team inside in the paint, forwards Malik Did and Jaemyn Brakefield remind me of his previous teams years ago at Texas Tech. Beard has constructed a team similar to Pearl’s at Auburn with depth on the perimeter and in the paint. It may not be to the level of the Tigers just yet but we will see on Saturday afternoon this measuring stick game for the Rebels as they look to build on their 5-3 record in league play. Projected Score: Auburn 85, Ole Miss 77

11.Kansas (15-5) @ Baylor (13-7)
4 PM ET, ESPN
Kansas and Baylor normally square off on the same day, leading up to the North Carolina-Duke rivalry game in early February. Kansas and Baylor have been the standard bearers in the Big 12, two of the winningest programs in the league and in the country, with the Bears winning a national title in 2021 and the Jayhawks following suite in 2022. Since, Kansas and Baylor have not been as good but they have made the NCAA Tournament and won a few games in March. Kansas had multiple six point leads in regulation against Houston and again in the first overtime before they lost to Houston at home last Saturday night. The Jayhawks bounced back with a win over UCF but a road trip to Waco is normally not as easy. The Bears fell to BYU on Tuesday in Provo, falling closer and closer to the bubble with a 13-7 (5-4) record in Big 12 play. A win against the Jayhawks could change their fortunes. Former Miami forward Norchad Omier leads the way for Baylor, scoring over 15 points and 10 rebounds a game. Freshman phenoms VJ Edgecomb, Rob Wright, and veteran Duke transfer Jeremy Roach make up what would be a dangerous eight or nine seed in the NCAA Tournament if Scott Drew’s team can win games down the stretch this season and make it there. In their way will be veteran big man Hunter Dickinson (16.3 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks) South Dakota State transfer and Lawrence native Zeke Mayo (15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 3 assists), and veteran point guard Dajuan Harris (9.6 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.4 steals) know how to win big games like this. Kansas needs a win like this on the road against a rival and Bill Self’s team should get it. Projected Score: Kansas 83, Baylor 79

22.Texas Tech (16-4) @ 6.Houston (17-3)
6 PM ET, ESPN2
Texas Tech’s improvement in year 2 under head coach Grant McCasland has been noticeable with their rise into the AP top 25 and their 16-4 overall record and their 7-2 conference record, good enough tied for third in the Big 12 with 3.Iowa State, who they fell to in overtime a few weeks ago. A win for the Red Raiders would be huge with Kelvin Sampson’s Cougars undefeated in Big 12 play after a dominant performance against West Virginia, 63-49 putting an exclamation point on their win against Kansas on the road in Lawrence last Saturday night in double overtime. Texas Tech will need to play well on the road to beat Houston with quality play from JT Toppin, Elijah Hawkins, and the entire Red Raiders roster. On the other side, their defense will have to worry about an improved offense headed by LJ Cryer, Emanuel Sharp, J’Won Roberts, and Milos Uzan. Houston always has one of the better defense in the country as well. Like when Ole Miss hosts Auburn, Texas Tech’s trip to Houston will be a measuring stick game for Grant McCasland’s team when they face the Cougars on Saturday night. Projected Score: Houston 84, Texas Tech 75

North Carolina (13-9) @ 2.Duke (18-2)
6:30 PM ET, ESPN
North Carolina swept Duke last season the way to an ACC regular season title in Hubert Davis’ third season as head coach. Times have quickly changed as ESPN’s College GameDay comes to town again for the Tar Heels’ ten mile trip to Durham to face the Blue Devils. Many think Duke has their best chance to win a national championship since the 2021-2022 team that fell to the Tar Heels in the Final Four in Coach K’s final game ever. Led by the eighteen year old presumptive number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft Cooper Flagg, the Blue Devils are favored to run through the ACC, build on their 10-0 record so far in league play, and sweep the Tar Heels like they did two seasons ago in 2023. Joining Flagg (20 points and 8 rebounds per game) is fellow freshmen Kon Knueppel (13 points), Khaman Maluach (8 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block), and veteran Australian guard Tyrese Proctor (10 points and 2 assists). Proctor has stepped into the lead guard role that Jeremy Roach left behind when he left for Baylor as has Flagg, who has come over to be a point forward at times during Duke’s success this season. Jon Scheyer’s team also has the experience of former Purdue forward Mason Gillis, who played in the national championship game with the Boilermakers last April. There is still one guy that played in the 2022 national championship game for Hubert Davis, whose job has been called for by many with his team’s lack of success in the weak ACC this season. Veteran guard RJ Davis is the name from the team that just fell short of a national title, scoring almost 18 points, 4 assists, and grabbing over one steal a game. Davis has not been the efficient All-American he was last season but he has been much better since the start of ACC play. He will need help from star freshman Ian Jackson (14 points) and Seth Trimble (12 points) on the perimeter and hope forward Jalen Washington (7 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 block) is healthy for their short road trip after missing Tuesday’s loss to Pittsburgh with an injury because without him Ven-Allen Lubin (6.1 points and 4.8 rebounds). North Carolina may keep it close in the first half, but Saturday night’s game between two old rivals on the “Tobacco Road” has “Blue Devil blowout”= written all over it. Projected Score: Duke 88, North Carolina 72

25.Connecticut (15-6) @ 9.Marquette (18-3)
8 PM ET, FOX
Dan Hurley’s UConn team has not been the same team it was when it won the last two NCAA Tournament National Championships. The Huskies face the team that has challenged them the most in the Big East, Shaka Smart’s Marquette Golden Eagles. They are 7-3 in league play and alone in fourth place in the Big East, two games back of 9.Marquette and 15.St. John’s at 9-1. Hurley’s Huskies have been without star freshman wing Liam McNeely since he sprained his ankle on New Year’s Day against DePaul. They played DePaul another time since McNeely’s injury and he remained out. If he does not play on this road trip to Milwaukee, UConn will need will need veteran forward Alex Karaban and veteran guard Hassan Diarra to lead the way against the Golden Eagles. Marquette’s Kam Jones has played at an All-American level scoring almost 19 points and dishing out over 6 assists per game. It will be up to Jones’ supporting cast including David Joplin and Stevie Mitchell to protect home court against the Huskies. A loss for UConn against Marquette puts them at a tough spot when it comes to their shot at a protected top four seed in March. The Huskies would have to win out for that fate at that point. Projected Score: Marquette 83, Connecticut 77

Gonzaga (16-6) @ Saint Mary’s (19-3)
11 PM ET, ESPN
Randy Bennett’s Saint Mary’s team again is pacing the West Coast Conference even without leaders on last year’s team like guard Aidan Mahaney (now at UConn) and forward Joshua Jefferson (now at Iowa State). Their first of two matchups against Gonzaga is huge for the Gaels with the first meeting being at home in Moraga. The Bulldogs started the season out well but faltered with losses in the Battle 4 Atlantis to West Virginia, in December to then 4.Kentucky, 18.UConn, 22.UCLA, and in conference to Oregon State and Santa Clara. The Gaels remain undefeated in West Coast Conference play and need to continue their winning ways against Gonzaga to make sure they keep a few game lead over the Bulldogs, which currently sits at a two game lead (9-0 to 7-2 entering Saturday night’s matchup). Without Mahaney and Jefferson, guard Augustas Marciulionis leads the way scoring almost 14 points and moving the ball, averaging almost 6 assists per contest. Joining Marciulionis, is Paullius Murauskas who almost matches him with 13 points and 9 rebounds a game. The biggest challenge in this game for the Gaels will be against Gonzaga’s length on the perimeter Mark Few’s team has not had in a while. Arkansas transfer Khalif Battle (12.7 points) joined veteran point guard Ryan Nembhard (11 points and 10 assists), guard Nolan Hickman (11 points) and sharpshooter Dusty Stromer (6 points). Inside for the Zags is the team’s leading scorer Graham Ike (17 points and 7 rebounds), Braden Huff (11 points), and Ben Gregg (11 points). The two games of the year in the West Coast Conference are always the two match ups between these two rivals and Saturday night’s edition in Moraga should not disappoint. Projected Score: Gonzaga 87, Saint Mary’s 85