With solely two faculty soccer video games on the Saturday sports activities schedule, for the primary time this season, faculty basketball will take middle stage this weekend with a loaded slate and loads of marquee nonconference matchups. The enjoyable begins in Indianapolis on Saturday afternoon when No. 17 Texas A&M faces No. 11 Purdue within the Indy Traditional on CBS.
Texas A&M’s matchup in opposition to Purdue will not be the one impartial website recreation that attracts eyeballs. No. 2 Auburn faces Ohio State at State Farm Middle in Atlanta, and outdated Pac-12 foes Arizona and UCLA will renew their West Coast rivalry in Phoenix. To shut out the night time, No. 8 Gonzaga faces No. 8 UConn in New York.
Among the finest rivalries in faculty basketball will write its newest chapter when No. 5 Kentucky hosts Louisville. For the primary time in over 15 years, somebody aside from John Calipari shall be roaming the sidelines for the house crew after the previous Kentucky coach left for the vacant job at Arkansas this previous offseason. Kentucky has received 5 of the final six conferences in opposition to Louisville.
Odds by way of SportsLine consensus | All occasions Jap
No. 8 Gonzaga vs. No. 18 UConn in New York
8 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV (Strive at no cost) — Dan Hurley’s UConn squad has regarded weak at occasions this season, however this might be an opportunity to get again on monitor. Gonzaga has regarded elite throughout elements of the season, and a win over UConn would additional enhance its résumé and solidify itself as a top-five crew. Prediction: Gonzaga -3
No. 17 Texas A&M vs. No. 11 Purdue in Indianapolis
12 p.m. | CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App and Paramount+ with Showtime (strive it free) — The magic quantity for Purdue is 25. The Boilermakers are 25-1 when Braden Smith and fellow guard Fletcher Loyer mix to attain at the least 25 factors. On the opposite aspect, Texas A&M has a star guard in Wade Taylor lV. Taylor is one 3-pointer away from becoming a member of Josh Carter as the one participant in program historical past with at the least 250 pictures constructed from past the arc. Purdue wins a detailed one. Decide: Purdue -2.5
1 p.m. | ESPN2, fuboTV (Strive at no cost) — Auburn regarded like one of the best crew within the nation earlier than dropping to Duke earlier this month at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Tigers responded with a blowout win over Richmond and will problem for the No. 1 spot within the rankings relying on how the remainder of the weekend shakes out. The Buckeyes will make this recreation fascinating and canopy the unfold. Prediction: Ohio State +11.5
No. 24 UCLA vs. Arizona in Phoenix
3 p.m. | ESPN2, fuboTV (Strive at no cost) — In case you grew up a fan of Pac-12 basketball, this recreation is for you. Though UCLA and Arizona aren’t members of the identical convention, the applications have agreed to maintain this rivalry going till at the least 2027. Arizona is off to a sluggish begin, whereas UCLA has received its final seven video games after dropping to New Mexico within the opening week. UCLA covers and wins outright. Prediction: UCLA +3
3:15 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Strive at no cost) — NC State will play its first true highway recreation of the season in one of the vital hostile environments within the nation. Kansas is coming off back-to-back losses after beginning 7-0 however returns to Allen Fieldhouse with a chance to choose up a win in opposition to a program recent off an look within the Closing 4. Kansas wins, however NC State covers. Prediction: NC State +14.5
5:15 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Strive at no cost) — The traditional “throw the information out the window” line every time rivals face off could not be more true on this state of affairs. Kentucky is a double-digit favourite at dwelling over Louisville, however this recreation needs to be shut. Kentucky has regarded rejuvenated beneath Mark Pope, whereas Louisville coach Pat Kelsey has introduced a glimmer of hope right into a as soon as proud program. The Wildcats ought to defend dwelling courtroom, however the Cardinals will maintain it fascinating down the stretch. Decide: Louisville +12
5:30 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV (Strive at no cost) — Illinois can create some chaos within the rankings with a win over No. 1 Tennessee. The Volunteers are off to a 9-0 begin, however this can mark solely the second time they’ve performed a real highway recreation this season. Tennessee defeated Louisville 77-55 final month on the highway, however that is its greatest take a look at. Illinois pulls off the upset and wins outright. Aspect observe: If you have not watched Illinois guard Kasparas Jakučionis play but, that is the time to start out. Prediction: Illinois
Who will win and canopy in each faculty basketball recreation? Go to SportsLine to get picks from the mannequin that simulates every recreation 10,000 occasions and is up greater than $1,200 for $100 gamers on its top-rated unfold picks the previous six years.