College basketball is fully immersed in conference play Jan. 13 is full of must-watch games, plus a Sunday clash between top teams in the AAC.
Top 10 Power 6 games to watch:
10. #18 BYU (12-3, 0-2) at UCF (10-4, 1-1) – Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. on Big12/ESPN+
How will we know UCF’s upset win over Kansas is for real? They play their second straight ranked Big 12 opponent in the BYU Cougars. Both new members of the conference are looking to make good early impressions. So far, BYU has gone 0-for-2, falling at home to Cincinnati and on the road to Baylor. Meanwhile, the Knights are hoping their momentum from taking down the mighty Jayhawks can carry over to the weekend.
9. #6 Kentucky (12-2, 2-0) at Texas A&M (9-6, 0-2) – Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. on ESPN
Texas A&M has a beautiful opportunity on Saturday afternoon to re-enter the conversation of why they belong in the top tier of SEC basketball. The Aggies came into the season with unbelievable expectations, ranked 15th in the preseason AP Poll and a high of 12th in the country in late November. After a 5-0 start, they’re a very concerning 4-6, with a home loss to LSU as the most concerning. However, as one of the most experienced groups in college basketball, Texas A&M could use that to their advantage against a Kentucky team with the exact opposite makeup. The Wildcats edged out a win in a tough road environment at Florida last weekend, so they’ll look to keep that going into this Saturday.
8. Syracuse (11-4, 2-2) at #7 North Carolina (12-3, 4-0) – Jan. 13 at Noon on ESPN
Can Syracuse finally come through and win a big game? The Orange are playing at North Carolina, who has had their number ever since joining the ACC. The Tar Heels lead the series 12-4 all-time and have won 12 of the last 14 meetings. But this year, UNC has struggled against some of the better competition they’ve faced. Meanwhile, SU is just 1-4 in Quad 1 games. This game can either officially put Syracuse on the map, or prove why UNC is a title contender.
7. Alabama (10-5, 2-0) at Mississippi State (12-3, 1-1) – Jan. 13 at 8:30 p.m. on SECN
Two teams looking to rise in the SEC Basketball Power Rankings, Alabama and Mississippi State is a great game for a lot of reasons. The Crimson Tide played below expectations in a difficult non-conference slate, but are undefeated in the SEC early on. They’re also on a 4-game winning streak and Mark Sears has been playing out of his mind, averaging 26 PPG in the Tide’s two SEC games. Meanwhile, Mississippi State star Tolu Smith returned to the lineup on New Year’s Eve and his presence is already showing. His 23 points and 4 rebounds were crucial in the Bulldogs’ upset over #5 Tennessee earlier in the week. Both teams are hot, and one will be even hotter after this game.
6. Seton Hall (11-5, 4-1) at Butler (11-5, 2-3) – Jan. 13 at Noon on FS1
Both Seton Hall and Butler are coming off wins over Marquette in some of their most recent games. The Pirates seem to be in great standing as far as the NCAA Tournament goes, and the Bulldogs are also right on the bubble, looking for a few more quality wins to help their case. This isn’t a must-win for either team, but rather a chance to solidify each of their resumes. Seton Hall allows less than 70 PPG while Butler averages over 80 PPG. Which one will break? The answer will be inside Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday at Noon.
5. Cincinnati (12-3, 1-1) at #14 Baylor (13-2, 2-0) – Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. on ESPN
How will the Bearcats respond after a brutal loss to Texas at home? Max Abmas did what he does best and added another game-winner to his tremendous highlight reel. But fret not, Cincinnati! You were that close to earning your second win over a ranked opponent in as many tries. And the tough start to Big 12 play doesn’t end there! The Bearcats are at Baylor on Saturday night, to face a Bears team that has won four straight coming off a win against BYU. Both teams hold wins over the Cougars as a common denominator, but the Bears are looking to add to their win total and vault into the top 10 of the rankings.
4. St. John’s (12-4, 4-1) at #22 Creighton (12-4, 3-2) – Jan. 13 at 1 p.m. on FOX
The Rick Pitino experience is looking like a good one, with St. John’s tied for the lead in the Big East standings and catching steam. Creighton is also playing some better basketball and is at home in one of the toughest places to steal a win. This game is on “big” FOX and if that doesn’t tell you how important it is, I don’t know what will. Big East basketball always seems to deliver and something tells me Pitino and Greg McDermott will have some fun battles over the next few years.
3. #2 Houston (14-1, 1-1) at TCU (12-3, 1-1) – Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. on ESPN
TCU is one bad call away from being 13-2 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12. The Horned Frogs seemed to have Kansas beat on the road, which is practically impossible and took out that built-up anger on Oklahoma. Now, Jaime Dixon’s squad can really show what they’re made of, hosting a Houston team coming off a loss of their own to Iowa State. A TCU team that couldn’t buy a three-pointer last year is shooting close to 33% from distance this season. The Cougars have the second-best three-point defense in the country (26.1%), which could be what they need to take down the fiesty Horned Frogs.
2. Northwestern (12-3, 3-1) at #15 Wisconsin (12-3, 4-0) – Jan. 13 at Noon on BTN
There’s too much star power in this game for it to be on the Big Ten Network. The best backcourt in the Big Ten belongs to Northwestern. Boo Buie has been a household name in college basketball for a few years, but now he’s got a whole arsenal of sidekicks. Buie, Ty Berry, and Ryan Langborg combine for over 40 PPG, 9+ APG, and about 10 RPG. That isn’t even counting second-leading scorer and leading rebounder Brooks Barnhizer, who is listed as a guard but can do so much more. How will that hold up against Wisconsin? The Badgers had one of the top returning bunches in the country and that chemistry is paying off with a 4-0 record in the Big Ten and inching closer to a top 25 ranking. Both teams belong in the conversation of the top three or four teams in the conference.
1. #9 Oklahoma (13-2, 1-1) at #3 Kansas (13-2, 1-1) – Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. on Big12/ESPN+
If you weren’t annoyed at the NW-Wisc. game being on the BTN, this will tick you off. A top-10 matchup between Oklahoma and Kansas is on… wait for it… the Big 12 Network/ESPN+! I’ve about had it with that, but alas, loyal Sooners, Jayhawks, and college basketball fans will still tune in to this battle. Are the Sooners for real? Is Kansas Final Four material? Those questions are at stake in the only meeting of the day between two ranked teams. Both lost earlier in the week, so one team will enter next week on a two-game losing streak and a record under .500 in conference play.
Top 5 mid-major games to watch:
5. App State (12-4, 3-1) at James Madison (15-1, 3-1) – Jan. 13 at 4 p.m. on ESPN+
James Madison has been this year’s mid-major darling, but App State isn’t too far behind in terms of the top teams in the Sun Belt. While the Dukes took down heavyweight Michigan State to start the season, the Mountaineers bested Auburn, which is easily a better win at this point in the season. Oddly enough, that game was at App State, but it shouldn’t take away from anything. These teams will go back and forth all season at the top of the conference. They play twice in the next two weeks, but this is the first meeting and will set the tone for that game, and a potential meeting in the Sun Belt Tournament.
4. Belmont (11-5, 4-1) at Indiana State (13-3, 4-1) – Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. on ESPN+
One of two fantastic games in the Missouri Valley Conference this week, Belmont already took down Drake, proving they belong now. Now, they get Indiana State and big man Robbie Avila, who has quickly become a fan favorite. Belmont has also already played Southern Illinois, so this game completes a gauntlet of a welcoming to the MVC. The Sycamores haven’t lost at home this season though, and can help their at-large chances with a win over the Bruins.
3. Saint Mary’s (12-6, 3-0) at Santa Clara (12-6, 3-0) – Jan. 13 at 7 p.m. on ESPN+
Santa Clara’s win over Gonzaga truly makes the WCC as tight of a four-team race as ever before. The Broncos, Saint Mary’s Gaels, San Francisco Dons, and Gonzaga Bulldogs all have 11-13 wins and neither looks too much better than the other. Of course, the Gaels came into the season with fairly high expectations, and although their non-conference results left a lot to be desired, they haven’t lost in West Coast Conference play yet. Both teams are on winning streaks, so the winner of this game could be the favorite to win the league at this point in time.
2. Drake (13-3, 4-1) at Southern Illinois (12-4, 4-1) – Jan. 13 at 8 p.m. on ESPN2
The top two players in the Missouri Valley play for Drake and Southern Illinois. Tucker DeVries is a name you may have heard of before because he’s got career averages of 16.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.1 SPG in three seasons with the Bulldogs. Since the mid-major superstar arrived in Des Moines, Drake is 65-22. That domination, but competition in the MVC isn’t light. Southern Illinois is led by Xavier Johnson, who is posting 24.1 PPG, 6.2 APG, 3.9 RPG, and 1.6 SPG. He also shoots 44.0% from deep and is truly one of the top offensive threats in the country. This game is on ESPN2 for good reason. It’s arguably better than a handful of the Power 6 games listed above if you enjoy watching stars.
1. #19 San Diego State (14-2, 3-0) at New Mexico (13-3, 1-2) – Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. on CBS
Arguably a power conference in its own right, the Mountain West seems to have a great game just about every week. This Saturday, it’s the Aztecs and the Lobos, win New Mexico looking to stop from spiraling downhill. They’ve been a popular underrated Final Four pick by myself and many others, but their at-large tournament chances could be better. A home win over San Diego State would improve those chances, as the Aztecs clearly haven’t gone away after last year’s trip to the National Championship. Jaedon LeDee is one of the toughest players to guard in college basketball and is making a case that this year’s Aztecs are even better than last year’s version.
3 underrated games to watch:
3. UAB (10-5, 2-0) at #24 FAU (12-4, 2-1) – Jan. 14 at Noon on ESPN+
The lone game to watch on Sunday, a hot UAB team plays at a shaky FAU team in an AAC battle. The Blazers have won six straight and I highlighted them as a team you need to buy stock in now. Could this be their true coming-out party? FAU is at home, but the Owls have already lost their once and are 2-2 in their last four contests.
2. #20 Utah State (15-1, 3-0) at UNLV (8-6, 1-1) – Jan. 13 at 3 p.m. on CBSSN
Utah State is the hottest team in the MWC, and in college basketball, having won 14 games in a row. But UNLV has been the sneakiest team in the conference, with a 6-1 home record that includes wins over New Mexico and Akron. The Rebels also knocked off Creighton on a neutral site. They seem to play well against the best competition and have a chance to earn another big win over the Aggies. If Utah State wins, consider them a top-15 team next week.
1. Xavier (7-8, 1-3) at Providence (11-5, 2-3) – Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. on FS1
Two Big East teams battling injuries to their star big men, Xavier and Providence have been playing good ball despite their losses. This game means a lot for Providence, who are still very much in the NCAA Tournament discussion. I’ll call this a must-win for a Friars team quickly sliding down the slide and nearing the bubble, but not nearly out of the picture yet.
Bonus pick!
1. Georgia Tech (8-7, 1-3) at #11 Duke (12-3, 3-1) – Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. on ACCN
Duke already lost to Georgia Tech away from home, so who’s saying they can’t lose inside Cameron Indoor Stadium? The odds of that are pretty low, considering how much the Yellow Jackets have fallen off. After taking down Duke and Mississippi State in back-to-back games, G Tech is 4-5, losing four straight. But they still have Miles Kelly, who can take over at any point. Of course, Duke has Kyle Filipowski, Jeremy Roach, Mark Mitchell, etc., but based on past results, I’m not looking away from this one!