Choice Sunday is simply over 4 weeks away, and Saturday’s slate in faculty basketball might go a great distance towards figuring out how the bracket shakes out. The day is headlined by one of many largest regular-season faculty basketball video games in latest reminiscence with No. 1 Auburn touring on the highway towards in-state rival No. 2 Alabama.
Auburn checked in at No. 1 within the AP High 25 ballot earlier this week, whereas Alabama obtained the nod because the top-ranked crew within the Coaches Ballot. The final time a matchup like this occurred between convention foes was throughout the 2015-16 season when No. 1 Kansas defeated No. 2 Oklahoma 109-106 at Allen Fieldhouse.
Faculty basketball’s model of the Iron Bowl will be the marquee matchup of the weekend, however there are many different intriguing video games on the slate. The enjoyable begins when No. 7 Purdue hosts No. 16 Wisconsin on CBS in a recreation that would have Massive Ten common season title implications.
No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 2 Alabama is massive for school basketball, however big for rabid Tiger and Crimson Tide followers
John Talty
Talking of standard season convention championship implications, one of many largest video games within the Massive 12 will go down when No. 13 Arizona hosts No. 6 Houston. The Cougars sit on the prime of the standings with a 12-1 mark, whereas Arizona is 11-2.
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No. 16 Wisconsin at No. 7 Purdue
1 p.m. | CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App and Paramount+ with Showtime (strive it free) — That is the one scheduled assembly between the Massive Ten foes this season, and it’ll go a great distance towards deciding an everyday season convention champion. Purdue’s Braden Smith has an argument as one of the best guard within the nation, and a giant recreation for him would be the key to bouncing again from a loss to Michigan earlier this week. Search for Purdue to make a press release at house in entrance of a rowdy Mackey Enviornment crowd. Choose: Purdue -5.5 — Cameron Salerno
No. 6 Houston at No. 13 Arizona
2 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Attempt free of charge) — Arizona’s resurgence throughout Massive 12 play has been one of many extra underrated storylines in faculty basketball. The Wildcats noticed their six-game win streak snapped earlier this week towards Kansas State on the highway however are nonetheless in prime place to win the Massive 12 common season title of their first season as a member of the convention. Nonetheless, they’re dealing with one of many nation’s most underrated groups in Houston. The Cougars are robust as nails on the defensive finish, and that ought to propel them to a win on the highway. Prediction: Houston -5 — Salerno
No. 1 Auburn at No. 2 Alabama
4 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Attempt free of charge) — Auburn has the sport’s greatest participant in Johni Broome. The Nationwide Participant of the Yr candidate is averaging a double-double and is an unstoppable power on the inside. He and fellow massive man Dylan Cardwell mix to comprise one of the best duo of rim protectors in faculty basketball. They’ll make getting clear seems across the basket troublesome for the Crimson Tide, who might then change into overly reliant on the skin shot. The issue is that Auburn boasts one of the best 3-point protection within the SEC, as league opponents are taking pictures simply 28.8% from past the arc towards the Tigers. Choose: Auburn +1.5 — David Cobb
6 p.m. | ESPN2, fuboTV (Attempt free of charge) — The primary matchup between the in-state rivals was field workplace. Mississippi State pulled off a dramatic win towards Ole Miss in additional time behind a giant efficiency from Riley Kugel. If this recreation is like the primary, followers are in for a deal with. Mississippi State covers and wins outright on the highway. Prediction: Mississippi State +5.5 — Salerno
8 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Attempt free of charge) — Kentucky is coming off one of many largest wins of its season at house over Tennessee. Since dropping 4 of its final 5 video games in SEC play, Kentucky has now gained back-to-back video games over South Carolina and Tennessee. Texas is coming into the hazard zone of its season and a Quad 1 victory could be an enormous enhance to its résumé. Although Kentucky could also be shorthanded, the Wildcats cowl and win outright on the highway. Prediction: Kentucky +1.5 — Salerno
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 instances and is up greater than $1,200 for $100 gamers on its top-rated unfold picks the previous six years.