As March Madness approaches, sports fans of all kinds are gearing up for an action-packed weekend of college basketball. We’re here to guide you through the best games to watch, highlighting five matchups in men’s college basketball that promise to be thrilling.
If you haven’t already marked your calendar, we’ve got you covered with our top picks for the weekend following the Super Bowl. Whether you’re a casual observer or a die-hard fan, these games are sure to capture your attention.
1. No. 2 Auburn at No. 1 Alabama
Date/Time: Saturday at 4 p.m. ET on ESPN
In a historic clash between two fierce rivals, Auburn and Alabama face off in what is arguably the most anticipated basketball matchup between these schools. Both teams are coming off midweek victories, setting the stage for an intense battle on the court. With high-scoring offenses and strong defenses, this game is bound to be a nail-biter. Keep an eye on key matchups like Chad Baker-Mazara vs. Mark Sears and Grant Nelson vs. Johni Broome.
2. No. 6 Houston at No. 13 Arizona
Date/Time: Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN
The Big 12 showdown between Houston and Arizona promises to be a thrilling contest with the conference lead at stake. Despite recent setbacks, Arizona looks to bounce back against a formidable Houston team that has been on a winning streak. Both teams excel at guarding the perimeter, so expect a close battle with players like Milos Uzan and Caleb Love making crucial plays.
3. No. 15 Wisconsin at No. 7 Purdue
Date/Time: Saturday at 1 p.m. ET on CBS
In a Big Ten matchup featuring two strong teams, Wisconsin takes on Purdue in a game that could impact NCAA tournament seeding. Purdue aims to rebound from a tough loss, while Wisconsin rides a winning streak into Mackey Arena. Three-point shooting will be a key factor, as both teams rely on long-range shots to score. With sharpshooters on both sides, expect a high-scoring and competitive game.
Stay tuned for these exciting matchups and more as college basketball heats up this weekend!
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In a potential showdown between the Wisconsin Badgers and the Purdue Boilermakers, Steven Crowl is set to play a crucial role on the boards to keep up with Trey Kaufman-Renn’s performance. The game between No. 11 Michigan State and Illinois is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on Fox. Both teams are in need of a positive outcome, with the Spartans starting strong in the league at 9-0 but dropping three of their last four games. On the other hand, the Fighting Illini have been struggling with consistency throughout the season, showing the ability to secure dominant victories or suffer unexpected losses. Illinois has faced challenges due to various illnesses and injuries, but they may have all key players available if guard Tre White returns after missing time due to illness. Michigan State’s depth remains a significant strength, with 10 players averaging at least 15 minutes and five points per game. The team’s offense thrives when Jeremy Fears leads the playmaking with an average of 6.0 assists per game.
Another exciting matchup to watch is between No. 21 Creighton and No. 8 St. John’s, airing on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on FS1. This crucial Big East battle will take place at Madison Square Garden. While both teams entered the week as top contenders, their recent streaks were broken on Wednesday. St. John’s suffered rare defensive lapses in a close loss to Villanova, while Creighton faced the challenge of dealing with a fully healthy Liam McNeeley from Connecticut. In their previous encounter on New Year’s Eve, Creighton secured a narrow victory over St. John’s, but the 57-56 scoreline was indicative of the Red Storm’s competitive style of play. Creighton’s guard Steven Ashworth will need to be cautious with the ball against St. John’s strong defensive pressure. The Red Storm excel at scoring points from second-chance opportunities, although they might face a tougher challenge against Creighton’s experienced center, Ryan Kalkbrenner.
For more college basketball game insights, check out the original article on USA TODAY: “College basketball games to watch: Alabama-Auburn leads weekend.”
