Big Ten, Big 12 clashes lead jam-packed weekend
A huge in-state rivalry game headlines the men’s college basketball lineup this weekend. And even though one team is coming off a loss, there will be major implications as … the nation’s No. 1 team goes on the road in what is sure to be an electric atmosphere at Assembly Hall.
Ha, you thought we were talking about Duke-North Carolina, didn’t you? Yes, that one is happening as well, and it certainly isn’t without import as both name-brand programs find themselves fighting to stay in the hunt for a top-four finish and coveted double bye in the upcoming ACC tournament.
But there are five Top 25 matchups taking place Saturday, and the primetime showdown with the Tar Heels at Duke’s Cameron Indoor Stadium (6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) is not one of them.
Oh, we’ll watch it, of course, as one never knows what’s going to happen when these archrivals meet. We further acknowledge that while neither UNC nor the Blue Devils look like Final Four contenders right now, we were saying pretty much the same thing a year ago at this time. For now though, that game is relegated to first off the bench. Here are some games to watch this weekend.
No. 1 Purdue at No. 22 Indiana
TIME/TV: Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN The Boilermakers have raced out to a comfortable lead in the Big Ten. And though the Hoosiers saw their fivegame winning streak come to an end Tuesday at Maryland, they and their home crowd will be quite geared up to give Purdue a battle. Indiana’s problem, however, is finding a consistent source of offense when opposing defenses are able to shut down Trayce Jackson-Davis. Purdue’s Zach Edey might be able to do that without help, and he’s been getting a lot more support on the offensive end of late as well.
No. 8 Kansas at No. 13 Iowa State
TIME/TV: Saturday, noon ET, ESPN Remember that three-game skid the Jayhawks were on? Yeah, neither do they. Kansas appears to have righted the ship with a road win at Kentucky and a convincing home triumph against Kansas State that avenged one of those losses. The Cyclones have dropped two in a row but have yet to lose this season at Hilton Coliseum. In addition to the usual contributions from high-scoring wingman Jalen Wilson, the Jayhawks have been getting solid production on the inside from KJ Adams. KU still doesn’t have much of a bench, however, so expect Cyclones guard Jaren Holmes to make frequent drives to the hoop in an effort to draw fouls.
No. 23 Auburn at No. 2 Tennessee
TIME/TV: Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN The Volunteers justified their ascent in the polls with an impressive performance against Texas last week, then promptly reminded everyone why the team still has its share of skeptics in a miserable shooting performance in a Wednesday loss at Florida .
Auburn, meanwhile, has been lurking and now has a chance to grab second place in the SEC standings. The Tigers aren’t the most efficient offensive team either, which might not bode well against Tennessee. But the Vols’ halfcourt sets run much more smoothly when Olivier Nkamhoua gets opportunities in the paint.