According to the calendar, the four seasons should be equal in length. Yet, we all know better, don’t we? Winter always seems to linger the longest, regardless of the actual number of days. But fear not, my friends, for college basketball is here to keep us engaged during the coldest days.
While some of the top men’s basketball teams this season hail from schools in warmer regions, you can still catch them on TV even if it’s freezing where you are. Here is our latest edition of the Starting Five, ranking the best games to watch over the weekend. We kick off with two exciting matchups in the SEC, followed by a glimpse into the most recent NCAA tournament finalists.
**No. 5 Alabama at No. 9 Texas A&M**
Time/TV: Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Both teams have started their league play with a 2-0 record after facing tough non-conference opponents. Alabama secured a road win against South Carolina in their last game, while Texas A&M staged a comeback victory against Oklahoma. A career performance from Zhuric Phelps helped A&M overcome the absence of their leading scorer, Wade Taylor IV. The Aggies will face a defensive challenge against Alabama’s array of scoring threats and fast pace. Keep an eye on Mark Sears, Alabama’s lead guard, to see if he can elevate his three-point shooting.
**No. 7 Kentucky at No. 13 Mississippi State**
Time/TV: Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, SECN
Mark Pope’s first year in charge at Kentucky has been promising, but a road loss to Georgia cooled off their hot start. Mississippi State, on the other hand, rides an eight-game winning streak and will host Kentucky in Starkville. Both teams heavily rely on their guards for scoring, especially Josh Hubbard for the Bulldogs and Lamont Butler for the Wildcats.
**No. 10 Connecticut at Georgetown**
Time/TV: Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, Fox
Defending champions, UConn, suffered a setback against Villanova after an eight-game winning streak. They face a Georgetown team hungry for a statement win after a close loss to Marquette. UConn may be missing freshman Liam McNeeley, so they’ll look to Solo Ball to support veteran Alex Karaban. Georgetown, under Ed Cooley, has shown improvement with incoming talents like Thomas Sorber, Jayden Epps, and Malik Mack.
**Nebraska at No. 19 Purdue**
Time/TV: Sunday, noon ET, BTN
Purdue remains undefeated at home in Mackey Arena this season. While they have several key returners from last year’s title-contending team, they are adapting to life without Zach Edey’s dominating presence.
In his latest post, Trey Kaufman-Renn’s production shines on the interior for Purdue, though the team struggles when their three-point shots aren’t falling. Apart from a rough blowout against Michigan State, Nebraska has been competitive in every game, aiming for a notable road victory to enhance their credentials. Brice Williams, a sharpshooter with strong decision-making skills, poses a constant threat that the Boilermakers must always be wary of.
Moving on to the Boise State versus No. 25 Utah State matchup, scheduled for Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET on CBSSN, Utah State has navigated multiple coaching changes in recent years yet continues to find success on the court. Under the leadership of Jerrod Calhoun, the Aggies have returned to the top 25 rankings and are off to an impressive 5-0 start in the Mountain West Conference. Conversely, Leon Rice has maintained stability at Boise State since 2010, with the Broncos aiming to make a breakthrough in the NCAA Tournament. At Utah State, the seamless integration of key players like guards Mason Falslev and Ian Martinez has facilitated the team’s success. Meanwhile, Boise State boasts a seasoned lineup featuring point guard Alvaro Cardenas, who transferred from San Jose State, alongside long-time program stalwart Tyson Degenhart.
For more college basketball updates and insights, check out the original article on USA TODAY, featuring top matchups like Alabama versus Texas A&M leading the SEC showdowns.
