College basketball weekend preview: Five best games to watch Saturday highlights an exciting lineup that promises thrilling finishes, unexpected upsets, and standout performances.
This weekend’s action includes four matchups featuring ranked teams and three top-five squads competing away from home. Consequently, fans might witness a shift in the rankings, potentially introducing a new No. 1 or reshaping the top five in Monday’s AP Top 25.
Basketball enthusiasts can expect a feast of high-stakes games on Saturday, with some contests standing out above the rest.
Here are the five must-see men’s college basketball games lined up for a thrilling weekend:
What to expect: Efficiency is key. Both Ole Miss and Mississippi State aim to minimize mistakes and avoid giving easy scoring chances to their rivals. Ole Miss boasts the lowest turnover rate in the SEC at 9.1 per game, ranking fourth nationally. Mississippi State also excels in ball control, averaging just 9.8 turnovers.
Conversely, both squads excel at forcing turnovers, with Ole Miss and Mississippi State ranking third and fourth in steals per game within the SEC, respectively. This week, they will need to find alternative ways to create extra possessions.
For Ole Miss, rebounding is crucial—even a modest effort can lead to victory. In their 15 wins, the Rebels have managed to keep the rebounding margin within 10 boards. In contrast, they have been outrebounded by 11 in both of their losses. Controlling the boards could pave their way to success.
Trends: Since the 2002-03 season, Ole Miss has struggled against Mississippi State on the road, with a record of 5-17. When the Bulldogs are ranked, Ole Miss holds a 2-7 record, including 1-3 at home.
Purdue’s early performance is another point of interest. When the Boilermakers falter, they face significant challenges; three of their four losses this season have been by at least 10 points, with two losses by 18 points each.
Trends: Purdue has achieved remarkable success, winning 22 consecutive games when committing fewer turnovers than their opponents. Since last season, they are 19-1 when recording single-digit turnovers, with their only loss occurring in the National Championship Game against UConn.
What to expect: UConn has outperformed Creighton offensively this season, which is unexpected given Creighton’s reputation for a potent offense. Both teams excel at passing, with UConn leading the Big East in assists per game (19.5) and Creighton tied for third (16.9). Fans can anticipate a fluid offensive game.
Key stat: UConn has not lost at home when leading at halftime since 2021, boasting a 49-0 record and winning by an average of 25.2 points in those games. In contrast, Creighton has struggled when trailing at halftime on the road, holding a 0-3 record this season and a 2-13 mark since 2021.
Trends: The Huskies have bounced back after three early-season losses, winning nine of their last ten games. UConn is currently on a 28-game home winning streak, tied for the second-longest active streak in the nation.
Creighton, meanwhile, has a mixed record, going 5-3 in their last eight after upsetting then-No. 1 Kansas. Historically, Creighton has fared well against UConn, with a 7-2 record. Bluejays coach Greg McDermott has a slight edge over UConn’s Dan Hurley, holding a 7-3 lifetime record against him. This matchup presents a classic “something’s gotta give” scenario.
What to expect: Expect a defensive showdown! Both teams emphasize rim protection, adhering to the philosophy of “No easy baskets.” Auburn leads the SEC with an average of 7.18 blocks per game, while Georgia follows closely with 5.65 blocks.
Trends: Georgia is one of only six teams this season to achieve multiple home victories against AP-ranked opponents, having defeated both Kentucky and Oklahoma. However, they have struggled against Auburn, holding a 3-11 record in their last 14 encounters, including 1-5 in the last six. The Tigers have had impressive moments but have also faced challenges against unranked teams on the road, with an 11-10 record since the 2022-23 season.
Trends: Kentucky has gone 6-4 against Alabama in their last ten matchups. Prior to this stretch, Kentucky dominated with nine wins in a row and 20 victories out of 24 meetings.
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