Big 12/SEC showdowns highlight college hoops weekend
Although it’s still a couple of months away, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament appears as though it will be the most wide open in recent memory.
This weekend’s made-for-TV Big 12/ Southeastern Conference challenge series provides several teams the opportunity to pick up a quality “W” and boost their profiles.
Those matchups as well as a couple of other key conference tilts highlight this weekend’s Starting Five.
No. 2 Baylor at Florida
Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Bears, who can already boast one of the best non-conference resumes, have a chance to claim another valuable road victory. The Gators haven’t quite lived up to their preseason top-10 billing but have shown signs of rounding into form in recent weeks, Tuesday night’s road loss at LSU notwithstanding. Baylor has been able to count on its excellent defense on nights when its shots aren’t falling. That should again serve the Bears well against the Gators’ athletic but inexperienced backcourt that can still struggle with turnovers at times.
No. 14 Kentucky at No. 18 Texas Tech
Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Wildcats have been, to paraphrase a certain quotable film character, like a box of chocolates this season. You never know what you’re going to get. At their best they can beat anybody, but they’ve had difficulty playing with the lead, resulting in some puzzling collapses. The Red Raiders have also been unpredictable, though paradoxically that was somewhat expected with so many players in unfamiliar roles. The biggest challenge for the smaller Texas Tech lineup will be keeping up with UK’s deeper front court on the boards.
Tennessee at No. 3 Kansas
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Jayhawks take the court for the first time since Tuesday’s ugly incident in the win against Kansas State. The most significant development was the suspension of Silvio De Sousa, whose regular season is effectively over with a 12-game suspension. He wasn’t a major contributor but had appeared in every
KU game thus far averaging 8.4 minutes, 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds. The two-game absence of David McCormack (7.5 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game) could be more keenly felt. The young Vols, meanwhile, are at best on the periphery of the NCAA tournament picture but could change that if they can find a way to win in Allen Fieldhouse.
No. 11 Villanova at Providence
Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
It hasn’t always been easy, but Villanova has for the most part found ways to win its share of close contests. The Wildcats now take to the road in need of another victory to stay within a game of sizzling-hot Seton Hall in the Big East standings. The Friars, who slid to 11-9 overall with Tuesday night’s loss to the aforementioned Pirates, didn’t help themselves with some bad pre-conference results and are running out of chances to play their way back to the right side of the bubble.
No. 17 Maryland at Indiana
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
Road wins in the extremely competitive Big Ten have been scarce to say the least. The Terrapins finally broke through for their first true road victory of the season Tuesday at Northwestern. Floor leader Anthony Cowan and Co. will try for another in the Sunday spotlight, but Assembly Hall is always a difficult venue. Hoosiers fans have been pleased with the performance of freshman big man Trayce Jackson-Davis, and IU gets better results when it’s able to get the ball into the post.