I hope you didn’t make plans for this weekend because if you did, you might have to cancel them after you see the upcoming slate of games in college hoops. Four top-10 matchups in a weekend is truly something, plus there are other notable games as teams chase at-large bids to the NCAA tournament.
Saturday, Feb. 3: No. 4 Houston at No. 8 Kansas; 4 p.m. ET on ESPN
To kick off the weekend's top-10 matchups, Houston travels to Allen Fieldhouse to take on Kansas. Houston is atop the conference standings but it's looking for a statement win. This game could be exactly that.
Jamal Shead and L.J. Cryer look like one of the best duos in the country. After a two-game skid a couple weeks ago, the Cougars look like they're possibly the best squad in the country. However, the game is a toss-up because of the home-court advantage Allen Fieldhouse brings. Plus, Kansas' Kevin McCullar and Hunter Dickinson are some of the best players in the country.
Having this matchup as a conference game is truly special and it shows the benefit of Houston joining the already strong Big 12.
Saturday, Feb. 3: No. 7 Duke at No. 3 North Carolina; 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
The greatest rivalry in college basketball returns for its 261st matchup. North Carolina will host Duke in the Dean Smith Center in Chapel Hill. While Duke had significant preseason expectations, rival North Carolina has actually been more impressive so far this season.
The Tar Heels lead the ACC standings by a healthy margin and guard R.J. Davis might be the best player in the conference. With forwards Harrison Ingram and Armando Bacot, this team is loaded with talent and it could be poised for a deep run in March.
Kyle Filipowski is the star for the Blue Devils, but he is complemented by sensational guards Tyrese Proctor and Jeremy Roach.
Saturday, Feb. 3: No. 5 Tennessee at No. 10 Kentucky; 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
Both teams are coming off losses and they're also chasing Alabama in the conference standings, which makes this game ultra-important.
Tennessee's Dalton Knecht is an SEC Player of the Year candidate and Jonas Aidoo is a very solid second option.
Kentucky's Antonio Reeves is another contender for SEC POY. Freshmen Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham have shined for the Wildcats.
Saturday, Feb. 3: No. 1 UConn at St. John’s; Noon ET on FOX
The top-ranked Huskies will travel to Madison Square Garden to take on St. John’s. While it’s considered a home game for the Red Storm, UConn fans pride themselves on filling MSG when their team plays there, so expect a heavy UConn contingent in the stands.
UConn boasts one of the most talented rosters in the country, especially since Donovan Clingan should be ready to go after dealing with injury issues. When at full strength, the Huskies might be the deepest team in the nation. St. John’s center Joel Soriano has been great, which should make for an intriguing matchup down low with Clingan.
This could force UConn to rely on guards Tristen Newton and Cam Spencer more frequently.
Saturday, Feb. 3: No. 12 Iowa State at No. 18 Baylor; 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Both of these squads are fighting for top spots in the Big 12 standings. Iowa State is red-hot with guard Tamin Lipsey leading the way. He’s one of the best bucket-getters in the conference.
Iowa State only has two conference losses so far and Baylor is right behind the Cyclones with three losses. The Bears' last loss was in a triple-overtime thriller against TCU at home.
Saturday, Feb. 3: No. 17 Utah State at San Diego State; 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX
These two teams are fighting for high NCAA tournament seeds – both are seeded as No. 6 seeds or better in my latest bracketology – and they're vying for the Mountain West title.
Utah State has only lost two games all season. Great Osobor has played up to his name – great – and he has led the Aggies to several key victories. San Diego State has a star of its own, though, as Jaedon LeDee is averaging over 20 points per game. He's a Mountain West Player of the Year hopeful.
Saturday, Feb. 3: St. Mary’s at Gonzaga; 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
St. Mary’s goes to Gonzaga to face the Bulldogs in another rivalry game this weekend. It's a vitally important game for both teams, as they occupy the top two positions in the WCC standings and they're battling for the league championship.
St. Mary’s comes in with an undefeated league record. Led by Aidan Mahaney, the Gaels look like a possible at-large NCAA tournament team after a huge turnaround from where they were just a couple of months ago.
The Zags came into the season with preseason hype like they usually do but they stumbled in non-conference play and they're currently projected to miss the tournament.
Sunday, Feb. 4: No. 2 Purdue at No. 6 Wisconsin; 1 p.m. ET on CBS
For the final top-10 matchup of the weekend, Purdue and Wisconsin meet on Sunday to round out the weekend. The top two teams in the Big Ten will clash on Wisconsin’s home floor with huge conference title implications.
The winner of the biggest Big Ten matchup so far this season will be in first place in the conference.
For visiting Purdue, Zach Edey should be a huge factor like normal, but look for Fletcher Loyer to be a major piece too. For Wisconsin, A.J. Storr and Max Klesmit are the guards to watch out for, but Steven Crowl can play a pivotal role in trying to defend and score against Edey.
Foul calls will likely be a talking point, like they normally are when discussing Purdue and Edey, but especially after the 46-to-eight free throw disparity in the Purdue-Northwestern game this week.
Elms' Essentials: Week 12
