The first weekend in February provides arguably the best weekend slate of the season in college basketball.
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. #8 Arizona (17-5, 8-3) at Colorado (15-7, 6-5) – Feb. 10 at 10 p.m. on ESPN
Like a lot of games this weekend, this pits one ranked team against a bubble team. If you like West Coast basketball, it’s a treat to watch. The Wildcats aren’t off the 1 seed table just yet, but the Buffaloes really need this win to prove they’re worthy of making the Big Dance. It’s the same storyline for so many games this weekend, which is what makes college basketball awesome.
9. #10 Illinois (17-5, 8-3) at Michigan State (14-9, 6-6) – Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. on CBS
A huge game for Michigan State, as the Spartans have struggled in Quad 1 games this season. Metrics show they’re safely in the field, but for the doubters, this would be a great win to have. For Illinois, it’s a chance to go into East Lansing and come away with a great road win. The Illini are playing some great basketball and this makes for a classic Big Ten weekend clash.
8. St. John’s (14-9, 6-6) at #7 Marquette (17-5, 8-3) – Feb. 10 at 6 p.m on FS1
Rick Pitino can’t go 39 minutes without Tweeting about college basketball rules & regulations, and he also can’t afford a 10th loss and dropping under .500 in Big East play. The Johnnies are still (barely) a tournament team in my book, but I wouldn’t set it in stone. Meanwhile, Marquette is playing like the Final Four team we thought they were capable of playing like. The Golden Eagles will look to fend off the Red Storm and stay in second in the conference.
7. TCU (16-6, 5-4) at #14 Iowa State (17-5, 6-3) – Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. on ESPN2
One of the best games in the Big 12, Iowa State and TCU can both get massive wins here. The Cyclones are virtually unbeatable in Ames, but Jaime Dixon’s team is 4-2 on the road, the best record of any Big 12 team. That includes a road win at Baylor, which speaks for itself. Can they add another against ISU?
6. Clemson (15-7, 5-6) at Syracuse (15-8, 6-6) – Feb. 10 at Noon on ESPN2
I was hesitant to show my Orange bias, but Joe Girard’s return to Syracuse is too much of a storyline. He ranks third in program history in threes made and gave it his all for four years on The Hill. Now, he wears a different jersey inside the Dome and it’s a massive game. Clemson just beat UNC but could use another win to keep away from the bubble. Meanwhile, Syracuse’s bubble popped after the losses to Boston College and Wake Forest, but they can come back to life with a key win over the Tigers.
5. #12 Auburn (19-4, 8-2) at Florida (15-7, 5-4) – Feb. 10 at 3:30 p.m. on SECN
Can Florida help its bubble case? The Gators have a chance to pick up a Quad 1 win against Auburn. Right now, the Gators are 1-7 in Q1 games, and I’m sure that’s not sitting well with the selection committee. They can’t let many more opportunities slip. On the flip side, Auburn continues to rise in bracketology and can cement their status as a 3 seed in this moment of time with a win.
4. #6 Tennessee (17-5, 7-2) at Texas A&M (14-8, 5-4) – Feb. 10 at 8 p.m. on ESPN
Tennessee is in play for a 1 seed but Texas A&M is looking to make a move up the brackets. The Aggies are quietly well within the field and have won two games in a row, looking to make it three. Tyrece Radford averaged 24 PPG over those two wins and is hitting his stride while Wade Taylor is in the conversation for SEC Player of the Year. The Vols have their own SEC POY hopeful in Dalton Knecht. Starpower is everywhere in this game.
3. #19 Creighton (16-7, 7-5) at Xavier (13-10, 7-5) – Feb. 10 at 12:30 p.m. on FOX
Creighton and Xavier are trending in opposite directions, and with this game happening in Cincinnati, adds even more intrigue. The Bluejays are in danger of falling outside the top five in the conference with a loss. Meanwhile, Xavier is creeping closer to being in the field of 68. A win would put the Musketeers in a position I thought was impossible just a few weeks ago. Plus, it’s a Big East clash on FOX. Not much can be better than that.
2. Gonzaga (17-6) at #17 Kentucky (16-6) – Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. on CBS
Gonzaga might not be in a Power 6 conference, but their program is worthy of it and this game’s at Kentucky, so I’m counting it under this category. Game-wise, the Bulldogs could really use a quality win after falling at home to Saint Mary’s last week. Similarly, Kentucky wants to make up for a bad week prior to this week with an added non-conference win. It’s a rare non-conference battle in February and I kind of love it.
1. #13 Baylor (17-5, 6-3) at #4 Kansas (18-5, 6-4) – Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. on ESPN
The only game this weekend between teams ranked in the top 25, Baylor and Kansas are also the two most recent national champions out of the Big 12. Scott Drew and Bill Self clash on Saturday in what’s looking like a game that could decide who winds up winning the regular season title. It’s a big jumble right now, but winning this game will give either team a massive edge, especially considering tiebreakers.
Top 5 mid-major games to watch:
5. Drexel (15-9, 8-3) at Charleston (17-7, 8-3) – Feb. 10 at 3:30 p.m.
The Dragons and Cougars are tied for the lead in the CAA, alongside UNC Wilmington. With the race to the conference championship 1 seed in full swing, a win here is extra important to get. Drexel has also lost three of their last four games so a win is crucial before they dump even more.
4. Chattanooga (16-8, 8-3) at UNC Greensboro (17-7, 8-3) – Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. on ESPN+
Much like the game above, this matchup is between two of the top teams in the SoCon. Only Samford, at 10-1, has a better conference record. The Spartans are coming off a loss to Samford, and the Mocs lost to them two games ago. This is a battle of who can come back from that loss better.
3. Cornell (17-3, 6-0) at Yale (15-6, 6-0) – Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. on ESPN+
The final two undefeated teams in the Ivy League should be an awesome battle. Yale’s won eight in a row and Cornell’s riding a seven-game winning streak. The players are book-smart but they’re also basketball-smart having not lost since Jan. 2 (Cornell to Baylor). With Princeton suffering two conference losses, the winner here has a chance to get even more separation from the Tigers and potentially not have to play them in the first round of the conference tournament.
2. Boise State (16-7, 7-3) at #22 Utah State (19-4, 7-3) – Feb. 10 at 10 p.m. on FS1
This is a massive game for both teams as the Broncos are coming off a loss and the Aggies have dropped two in a row. Boise State probably needs this win more as they’re a bit closer to the bubble, but it’s not a good point in the season to start a long losing streak. Utah State is 10-1 at home, but can Tyson Degenhart and Max Rice make that 10-2?
1. Akron (18-5) at James Madison (21-3) – Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. on ESPN2
The MAC and SunBelt have a February conference battle, which in its own right is absolutely awesome. They’re pitting corresponding teams against each other, meaning the conference leaders square off Saturday at 6 p.m. The Zips are one of the most underrated mid-major teams in college basketball and can get noticed with a win over JMU. Similarly, since their Michigan State win, James Madison has cooled off people’s radars. I’m sure a win over the Zips would help their at-large case.
3 underrated games to watch:
3. Providence (15-8, 6-6) at Butler (15-8, 6-6) – Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. on FS1
Win and get in the NCAA Tournament (for now). Both Providence and Butler are firmly on the bubble, so I’d imagine the winner gets the nod in bracketologies across the country. I currently have Providence in and Butler out, but would flip it based on who wins this game. The Big East is looking like a 6-7 bid league, but there might only be room for one of these teams and it could come down to tiebreakers.
2. #5 Houston (20-3, 7-3) at Cincinnati (15-7, 4-5) – Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. on ESPN2
Cincinnati is hanging on the bubble but a win over Houston would likely help their case. The Bearcats don’t necessarily need this win. They still have a competitive resume. But a win over the Cougars would give them one of the best wins in the country. For Houston, it’s about staying on the 1 seed line. Teams in the Big 12 are dropping like flies beating up on each other, but one team will have to get a 1 seed, right?
1. #3 North Carolina (18-5, 10-2) at Miami (15-8, 6-6) – Feb. 10 at 4 p.m. on ESPN
This is a similar situation to the game above, but with more at stake for both teams. UNC is coming off a loss to Clemson and wants to hold on to a 1 seed. Spoiler – I dropped them down to the first 2 seed after that loss. Miami, like Cincinnati, could really use a resume win like this. However, the Hurricanes are further down in the bubble talk, so this feels more like a must-win game.
Bonus pick!
1. Seton Hall (15-8, 8-4) at Villanova (12-11, 5-7) – Feb. 11 at Noon on CBSSN
I’m giving my Pirates a nod in the only worthwhile game to watch on Super Bowl Sunday. Seton Hall and Villanova have been one of the best rivalries in the Big East for the better part of the last decade and this game means a lot for both sides. The Pirates have a tournament resume but would like to keep themselves closer to being a lock rather than falling on the bubble. Meanwhile, it’s a must-win for Villanova. If the Wildcats lose this game, their at-large hopes might be dashed.