With the calendar formally moved to 2025, we’re one month nearer to Selection Sunday and, in the end, March Madness!
March Madness is the top of faculty basketball, however the video games main as much as it are additionally extremely vital, and this weekend’s schedule is a mind-blowing one in itself with two ranked vs. ranked matchups and 7 top-10 groups enjoying on the street . That means this weekend may very well be ripe for upsets and result in a sea change in Monday’s AP Top 25 ballot.
But with 144 Division I males’s faculty basketball video games to be performed on Saturday, followers should prioritize those who can’t be missed.
Here are the 5 greatest males’s faculty basketball video games on a weekend full of anticipation:
5. No. 3 Iowa State TO Texas Tech (2 p.m. ET Saturday)
Player to look at: Texas Tech junior ahead Darrion Williams
Williams can do all the things on the sector, actually. He is considered one of solely two gamers within the nation averaging at the very least 16 factors, 5 rebounds and 5 assists per sport with at the very least 5 video games performed. More importantly, the Red Raiders go like him. The group is 10-0 when taking pictures at the very least 40% from the sector and 1-3 when not.
Key Stat: Iowa State is considered one of solely two groups within the nation to be ranked within the high 10 in each offensive (sixth) and defensive (ninth) effectivity in KenPom, with Duke (seventh and first, respectively) the opposite. That protection shall be examined with the Red Raiders rating eighth in offensive effectivity in KenPom and averaging 90 factors per sport at house this season.
Trends: Iowa State has been among the many greatest applications within the nation the previous three years, however that stretch would not rely the group’s play in Lubbock. The Cyclones have not received on the street as a ranked group in opposition to Tech since 2014, going 0-4 in that stretch. That stated, they have been solely outscored by a median of 5.8 factors per sport, so it was removed from the dominance of the Red Raiders.
On the opposite hand, Texas Tech is 6-1 of their final seven house video games in opposition to ranked groups, successful a median of 9 factors in these matchups.
4. No. 8 Florida TO Arkansas (4 p.m. ET Saturday)
Player to look at: Florida senior guard Walter Clayton Jr.
One of probably the most underrated guards within the nation, Clayton is a scoring machine. He is considered one of solely three gamers in an influence convention to attain 25 factors or extra in at the very least 5 video games this yr. The actual key for the dynamite guard, nevertheless, is ball dealing with. The Gators are 14-0 this season when Clayton has fewer than 5 turnovers.
Key Stat: Florida has been dominant offensively this season, and that is an understatement. The Gators rank eighth within the nation in scoring, averaging 87.3 factors per sport, and are considered one of solely two groups within the nation to common 85 factors and 45 rebounds per sport (Illinois). That might pose an issue for the Razorbacks, who rank eightieth within the nation in rebounds per sport.
Trends: Arkansas has misplaced three of its final 4 house video games in opposition to top-10 groups after reeling off three straight victories earlier than that. In the group’s final seven house conferences in opposition to ranked opponents, the Razorbacks are 1-6, with their solely win coming outdoors of SEC play.
3. No. 1 Tennessee TO Texas (6 p.m. ET Saturday)
Player to look at: Tennessee senior guard Chaz Lanier
Lanier has been a dynamo for the Vols this season, placing up 19.6 factors per sport. He is a deadly outdoors shooter, averaging 3.8 3-pointers per sport, probably the most amongst energy convention gamers this season. The Vols are 13-0 this yr when Lanier hits a number of 3-pointers and 1-1 when he would not.
Key Stat: Both groups like to begin quick. Tennessee is 13-0 when main at halftime, whereas Texas is 11-0 when main at halftime.
Trends: Interestingly, Texas lately did a complete 180 when enjoying ranked groups at house. From the 2022 season by January of final season, the group went 7-0 in opposition to ranked groups at house, successful by 15 or extra in three of these seven video games. However, since February of final season, the group has misplaced every of its final 4 video games by greater than six factors per sport.
2. No. 5 Alabama TO No. 10 Texas A&M (8 p.m. ET Saturday)
Player to look at: Alabama senior guard Mark Sears
A favourite for the Wooden Award earlier this yr, Sears has finished nothing to alter anybody’s thoughts. He is considered one of solely 4 energy convention gamers to common 18.5 factors and supply 4 or extra assists per sport. The senior guard has scored 20 or extra factors in 9 video games this season, together with 5 or extra assists in six of these video games.
Key Stat: This is a battle between two of the most effective groups within the nation, however extra importantly, these two groups have 4 wins every in opposition to AP-ranked groups, tied for probably the most within the nation. They play their greatest in opposition to the most effective. Something has to present.
Trends: Alabama is simply 1-6 in its final seven video games in opposition to the Aggies on the street, relationship again to the 2002-03 season. Despite this, the final 5 video games in College Station have been averaged at simply 4.2 factors per sport. It’s going to be a detailed battle, so prepare for a slugfest.
1. No. 6Kentucky TO No. 14 Mississippi State (8:30 p.m. ET Saturday)
Player to look at: Kentucky senior guard Koby Brea
Brea placed on a present final Saturday when Kentucky hosted Florida, hitting seven of 9 3-pointers and serving to the Wildcats to a hard-fought victory. The 6-foot-7 taking pictures switch from Dayton is hitting a scorching 49.5 p.c taking pictures from deep.
Key Stat: Both groups love to attain the rock. Kentucky has scored 90 or extra factors on 9 events this season, whereas Mississippi State has reached that mark in 4 video games. The Wildcats have the ninth-best offensive ranking within the nation, in line with KenPom (122.6), whereas Mississippi State has the Seventeenth-best offensive ranking (119.6). The first one to cease wins!
Trends: This has the makings of one of many largest fights of the day… except you consider in developments or historical past. Since 2002-03, Kentucky is 19-0 as a ranked group in opposition to Mississippi State, together with 8-0 on the street in opposition to the Bulldogs.
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