A jammed Saturday and one great Sunday game highlight this weekend’s college basketball slate.
Note: There are plenty of watchable games that got left off, but added storylines make these matchups even more appealing.
Top 10 Power 6 games to watch:Â
10. #24 Iowa State (13-4, 2-2) at #19 TCU (13-4, 2-2) – Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. on ESPNU
Two Big 12 teams coming off losses, Iowa State and TCU aren’t just battling on the court, they’re battling to stay in the AP Top 25. Obviously, that doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things, but the winner does pick up a nice resume win, while the loser might start to panic with two straight losses.
9. #2 Purdue (16-2, 5-2) at Iowa (11-6, 3-3) – Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. on FS1
Zach Edey has been unstoppable lately, with back-to-back 30-point double-doubles. The Iowa Hawkeyes might be his kryptonite. In six games against Fran McCaffery coached squads, Edey’s Boilermakers are 4-2. He’s only had one 20-point game against the Hawkeyes, coming in December. Purdue won that game by 19, but Iowa’s won three straight and six of their last seven. Could the Boilermakers be on upset alert?
8. Oregon (13-4, 5-1) at Utah (13-5, 4-3) – Jan. 21 at 3 p.m. on ESPN
The only Sunday game for the second straight weekend of this article series, Oregon and Utah are looking to improve their resumes in a Pac-12 that won’t do much favors. Neither team is in jeopardy of losing a spot in the NCAA Tournament with a loss, but the winner could really help themselves in terms of bracketology. The Ducks are coming off a loss to Colorado, and could use a win to boost their NET Ranking status of 57th (as of Jan. 19).
7. #15 Oklahoma (14-3, 2-2) at Cincinnati (13-4, 2-2) – Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. on Big12/ESPN+
Cincinnati might not be ranked, but they’re sure playing like a ranked team. The Bearcats have wins at BYU and over TCU just in the past two weeks, and have another chance at a quality win. The Sooners have been dumping, losing two of three, and have yet to win a single game on the road this season. A strong non-conference record and quality of wins keep Oklahoma in good graces, but a loss here and I’m sure the doubters will come. I certainly haven’t been totally sold.
6. #17 Marquette (12-5, 3-3) at St. John’s (12-6, 4-3) – Jan. 20 at Noon on FOX
Rick Pitino missed the previous game against Seton Hall because of COVID and it showed, with the Pirates blowing out the Red Storm. Considering he’ll be back and the Johnnies are on the NCAA Tournament bubble, I can’t think of a better storyline than Pitino vs. Shaka Smart at St. John’s. The Golden Eagles could use another win to prove they still belong in the Final Four conversation. Meanwhile, St. John’s is trying to stay well within the tournament picture. This game is on ‘big’ FOX which tells you all you need to know about the magnitude of the matchup.
5. #22 Ole Miss (15-2, 2-2) at #13 Auburn (15-2, 4-0) – Jan. 20 at 8:30 p.m. on SECN
Two ranked SEC teams meet in a major game. Chris Beard’s Rebels have lost two of their first four conference games, with the most recent L to the LSU Tigers as the most concerning. This was after Ole Miss was one of the last three undefeated teams in the country. Meanwhile, Auburn still hasn’t lost in SEC play, but their toughest game was at Arkansas or at home against Texas A&M. While Tennessee and Kentucky are the true tests, a win over Ole Miss could help Auburn’s case after a semi-weak non-conference schedule didn’t really grasp the attention of many college basketball analysts. There’s a long way to go in the season, but the winner will earn some respect.
4. #9 Baylor (14-3, 3-1) at Texas (12-5, 1-3) – Jan. 20 at Noon on ESPN
After Rodney Terry called out UCF players for putting ‘horns down’ following a win over Texas, the Longhorns head coach gets the support of the home crowd against a top-10 Baylor team. I want to see how Texas responds. Baylor is talented enough to come into Austin and leave with a win, but the Longhorns could really use this dub. They’re just 1-3 in the Big 12 and if they fall to 1-4, I’m not sure how they get back up to .500 before conference tournament play in a league with virtually no easy games.
3. #18 Creighton (13-5, 4-3) at Seton Hall (13-5, 6-1) – Jan. 20 at Noon on FS1
One of the hottest teams in the country, the Seton Hall Pirates go for their sixth straight win and fourth over a ranked team in that span. Still, the AP voters probably won’t rank the Pirates, but in the words of Kadary Richmond, “that’s on them.” Creighton leads the series 11-10 since joining the Big East, so expect an even game, especially with how well SHU has been playing. The Bluejays were held to a very low total of 48 points last time out against the UConn Huskies, so I expect a bounce-back game, whether it ends in a win or not.
2. #1 UConn (16-2, 6-1) at Villanova (11-6, 4-2) – Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. on FS1
If UConn can take down Villanova on the road, I think it’s a foregone conclusion that the Huskies are the top team in the country. Obviously, that’s what the ranking says already, but you could still make a case for a few other teams. If they were to blow out Creighton and follow it up with a win at Nova, I think it’s more clear. But don’t forget, Villanova has four Quad 1 wins, despite a few bad losses. The Wildcats can play with anyone in the country, as long as they decide to do that on any given day.
1. Alabama (12-5, 4-0) at #6 Tennessee (13-4, 3-1) – Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. on ESPN2
I’m sure this isn’t everyone’s top pick, but I think it’s time to start considering Alabama as the third-best team in the SEC. Why not Auburn, you say? The Tigers have a claim, but the Crimson Tide are also 4-0 in the SEC, and 5th in the NET. They could pick up a third Quad 1 win and haven’t lost a single Q3 or Q4 game this year. Mark Sears has been First-Team All-SEC good and Aaron Estrada had one of his best games of the season last time out against Missouri. Is Bama’s hot play enough to rattle Tennessee at home? Despite four losses, I don’t think there’s any doubt Tennessee is a Final Four contender. This is the type of game that can only help both teams and we could see again down the line in the SEC Tournament later rounds.
Top 5 mid-major games to watch:
5. UC Irvine (13-5, 6-0) at UC Davis (11-7, 6-1) – Jan. 20 at 5 p.m. on ESPN+
UC Irvine has dominated the Big West over the years and can become the frontrunner once again with a road win at UC Davis. The Aggies only lost by 3 at UC Irvine, and no they get them at home. If the Anteaters can sweep the regular-season series, you might need to start watching some game tape for your bracket purposes.
4. North Texas (11-5, 4-0) at Charlotte (10-7, 4-1) – Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. on ESPN+
Only one team in the American is undefeated and it’s not Memphis or FAU. North Texas is 4-0 in conference games, but all four wins are against teams under .500 in the AAC. This game gives UNT a chance to show if they’re for real or not. Charlotte is 4-1 in conference and that includes a win over the Owls. Neither team is the favorite to win the conference, but both have first-year head coaches looking to take home a gritty win in January.
3. George Washington (14-3, 5-1) at UMass (11-6, 2-3) – Jan. 20 at Noon on ESPN+
Much like the game above, GW and UMass aren’t supposed to win the Atlantic 10, but both are dark horses to compete at the top. The Minutemen are at home and could really use this win. They’ve fallen to a losing record in A-10 play but came very close to knocking off Dayton on the road. They’re a scary team that no one wants to face, including George Washington, who with a win, can officially say they are an at-large contender.
2. Saint Mary’s (13-6, 4-0) at San Francisco (15-4, 4-0) – Jan. 20 at 10 p.m. on CBSSN
Gonzaga isn’t even the clear-cut best team in the West Coast Conference, but Saint Mary’s and San Francisco both have a case. The Gaels struggled in the non-conference, but have hit a groove winning five straight games. That’s the second-best winning streak in the WCC because the Dons have won seven in a row. If you’re on the East Coast, make a point to stay up for this game. There’s a good chance one, if not both of these teams go dancing.
1. San Diego State (15-3, 4-1) at Boise State (12-5, 3-1) – Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. on CBS
I’m so happy the Mountain West schedules afternoon games on CBS because it is truly a Power Conference this season. San Diego State is somehow not ranked but can be if they win at Boise State. Meanwhile, the Broncos are also trying to get back to the Big Dance and have done a good job lately, winning against Colorado State and at Nevada. If they can add a win over the Aztecs to the resume, those tourney chances will shoot up even more.
3 underrated games to watch:
3. #4 North Carolina (14-3, 6-0) at Boston College (11-6, 2-4) – Jan. 20 at 2:15 p.m. on CW Network
I ranked UNC first in my CBB Review rankings, but will likely move the Huskies up to number one if they can knock off Villanova. Even though I still trust UNC, road games at BC always scare me. Plus, with Quinten Post down low and bucket-getter Claudell Harris, they’re a scary underrated team. The Eagles already beat St. John’s, so don’t count them out of this one.
2. South Carolina (14-3, 2-2) at Arkansas (10-7, 1-3) – Jan. 20 at 1 p.m. on SECN
It’s now or never for Arkansas, who will fall to 1-4 in SEC play with a loss to South Carolina. Eric Musselman brought in an entire army from the transfer portal but hasn’t figured out how to make this group click. On the other side is a Gamecocks team with just three losses, but only one Quad 1 win. Funny enough, a road game at Arkansas is only Quad 2, but it could move up if the Razorbacks can start winning games. Either way, no road win in the SEC is a bad win.
1. Penn State (9-9, 3-4) at Ohio State (12-5, 2-4) – Jan. 20 at Noon on BTN
I’ve got Ohio State on upset alert, although the Buckeyes won’t be taking Penn State lightly if they’re smart. The Nittany Lions just upset Wisconsin, so they’re probably feeling good about their chances. For Ohio State, it’s a must-win to keep themselves in the NCAA Tournament picture. They’re one of my last four teams in.
Bonus pick!
1. UCLA (8-10, 3-4) at #12 Arizona (13-4, 4-2) – Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. on ESPN2
UCLA is having a historically bad season, but since the pressure on Mick Cronin has become even more real, they’ve won two straight over Washington and Arizona State. Could Arizona be next? I wouldn’t bet on it, but I would say the Bruins are playing with a chip on their shoulder and the Wildcats better be prepared.