College basketball weekend preview: Five best games to watch Saturday. Last weekend brought unexpected twists in the world of college hoops, with Iowa State’s home winning streak ending against Kansas State, Kansas squandering a significant lead, and Michigan State’s run of victories coming to a halt — these upsets set the stage for an exciting Saturday ahead!
Here are the five most thrilling men’s college basketball matchups to keep an eye on this Saturday:
What to expect: Expect a fast-paced game filled with scoring! Alabama is known for its rapid style of play, often racking up 80 points or more. Meanwhile, Arkansas boasts a solid offense that tends to shine when playing at home. Historically, their last three encounters have seen an average of 167 points combined per game, a trend likely to continue.
Trends: Despite Alabama’s overall record of 7-21 on the road against Arkansas, they have triumphed in the last four matchups. Coach Nate Oats holds a 3-5 record against John Calipari since 2019. Additionally, Arkansas has performed well at home against AP top-five teams, winning three of the last four encounters.
Trends: The Texas A&M Aggies have shown resilience with a 5-2 record against AP top-25 teams, matching the most ranked wins in the program’s history, alongside the 1978-79 squad. In contrast, Missouri struggles against top-10 teams at home, with a 3-5 record in their last eight games against such opponents. They also face challenges against the Aggies, holding just a 2-8 record in their last 10 matchups.
What to expect: The Red Raiders’ defense will face a significant challenge. Texas Tech stands out as the only Big 12 team averaging 80 points while allowing fewer than 66 points per game, a feat shared by only three other teams nationwide. Arizona, the top-scoring team in the conference, presents a formidable test, averaging 82.9 points and ranking second in total rebounds.
Trends: Texas Tech rides a seven-game winning streak, while Arizona is on a five-game winning run. Historically, the Wildcats have dominated their recent matchups, winning seven of the last eight encounters. This matchup marks the first time both teams will face off as ranked opponents.
What to expect: A fierce battle in the paint! While Ryan Kalkbrenner, the standout center for Creighton, garners attention, the Bluejays excel at securing defensive rebounds, averaging a conference-best 27.7 per game. In contrast, Marquette struggles on the boards, allowing 35.8 rebounds per game, the highest in the Big East.
Key stat: Marquette leads the Big East with an impressive average of 10.2 steals per game, ranking fourth nationally. Their aggressive defense could pose problems for Creighton, which ranks second in the Big East for turnovers per game at 10.8. If the Bluejays struggle against the pressure, they may find themselves in a challenging situation.
Trends: Creighton boasts a remarkable 17-3 record in its last 20 Big East games, the best in the conference. However, after previously winning four straight against Marquette, they have lost four of the last five encounters. The Golden Eagles are on a roll, with a 12-1 record in their last 13 road games against unranked teams and a streak of 11 consecutive conference victories against unranked opponents.
What to expect: Expect a matchup filled with scoring, efficiency, and rapid play. Auburn leads the nation with a 130.5 offensive rating, while Florida ranks sixth with a 123.9 rating.
Key stat: This game promises to be high-scoring, but Florida must start strong to avoid falling behind. Auburn has yet to lose this season when leading at halftime, boasting an 18-0 record, while Florida is also undefeated at 16-0 under similar circumstances. The team leading at halftime will have a significant advantage in securing a Quadrant 1 win, crucial for their NCAA Tournament resume.
Trends: Florida has struggled at Auburn, not securing a win since 2021 and holding a 4-5 record in their last nine matchups against the Tigers. The Gators have only one victory against a No. 1-ranked AP team since 2010, which came this season against Tennessee, winning decisively 73-43. Meanwhile, Auburn has faced challenges against top-five teams, with a 4-12 record since Bruce Pearl took over in 2014-15, with their last home win against a top-five team occurring in 2019 against Tennessee.
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