Another week of school basketball is upon us and it guarantees to be full of unbelievable scores, shocking upsets and dominant performances.
This weekend’s schedule options 4 ranked vs. ranked matchups and three of the highest 5 groups taking part in on the street. As a outcome, we might simply see a brand new No. 1 or a number of new groups within the high 5 in Monday’s AP Top 25 rankings.
Fans will likely be inundated with top-notch basketball on Saturday, with some video games only a step above the others.
Here are the 5 greatest males’s faculty basketball video games on a busy weekend:
What to count on: Efficiency. Both of those groups do not need to make errors and let themselves run–eliminations for opponents. Ole Miss presently has the fewest turnovers per sport within the SEC (9.1), which can be the fourth-best common within the nation. Mississippi State additionally takes care of the ball, turning it over simply 9.8 instances per sport.
On the opposite hand, these groups adore it create turnovers, with Ole Miss rating third and Mississippi State rating fourth in steals per sport within the SEC. That most likely will not be the case this week, in order that they’ll need to create additional possessions one other manner.
Key Stat: Mississippi State has had an important yr to this point, however one key facet has been prevalent in its three losses: an lack of ability to get stops when it wants them. In their three losses this yr, the Bulldogs have allowed 87, 88 and 95 factors — the one 3 times the groups have scored 85 factors or extra. They solely allowed 80 factors or extra 4 instances (they beat Prairie View A&M, which scored 84). They must cease alongside the way in which.
For Ole Miss, it simply must bounce again – and never even that nicely, to be trustworthy! In the workforce’s 15 wins, they saved their rebounding margin inside 10 rebounds. In their two losses, the Rebels had been outscored by 11 rebounds every time. If they will in some way management the glass, they’ve a transparent path to victory.
Trends: Since 2002-03, the Rebels are simply 5-17 in opposition to the Bulldogs on the street. When the Bulldogs had been ranked, Ole Miss was simply 2-7, together with 1-3 at dwelling.
What to count on: This is prone to be a sport with environment friendly offense on either side. Neither workforce scores a lot, however they assault at their very own tempo and put up strong numbers. Both groups shot underneath 40% as a workforce in a single sport, and each groups had 15 or extra assists in additional than half of their video games.
An fascinating observe to concentrate to is Purdue’s early look. When Purdue is away, it is a actually troublesome time. In three of their 4 losses this season, they’ve given up at the very least 10 factors and two have come by 18 factors apiece.
Key Stat: The 3-point capturing will likely be one thing to keep watch over on this one. Purdue was a strong workforce from deep, making at the very least 10 3-pointers in six totally different video games. Oregon, alternatively, is not as nice, making 10 or extra 3-pointers simply twice in its first 17 video games.
Another key’s the distinction between Oregon and Purdue on the rim. After Zach Edey patrolled the important thing final yr and shot at will, Purdue has had 5 or extra blocks in a sport solely as soon as to this point. By distinction, the Ducks have had 5 such video games.
Trends: The Boilermakers have received 22 straight video games with fewer turnovers than their opponents, and are 19-1 for the reason that begin of final season once they had single-digit turnovers. The solely loss in that span: the nationwide championship sport in opposition to UConn final yr.
What to count on: UConn has been a significantly better offensive workforce than Creighton this yr, which is shocking contemplating Creighton is normally the one recognized for its high-powered offense. That stated, each of those groups are superb passing groups, with UConn main the Big East in assists per sport common (19.5) and Creighton rating third (16.9). Expect the ball to maneuver and the offense to circulation on this one.
Key Stat: Since 2021, UConn is 49-0 at dwelling when main at halftime, successful by a median of 25.2 factors per sport in these contests. Additionally, Creighton is simply 0-3 this season and simply 2-13 since 2021 when trailing on the halfway level. Creighton wants exit with depth and take management early.
Trends: After struggling three straight losses to start out the season, the Huskies are again on observe, having received 9 of their final 10 video games. UConn presently boasts a 28-game dwelling successful streak that’s the second-longest energetic streak within the nation.
On the opposite aspect, Creighton is simply 5-3 in its final eight after upsetting the No. 1 seed on the time, Kansas. However, Creighton is 7-2 all-time in opposition to the Huskies, with Bluejays coach Greg McDermott 7-3 all-time in opposition to UConn coach Dan Hurley. This is actually a case of “one thing’s gotta give.”
What to count on: It’s a block social gathering! Expect a lot of rim safety and rim racing. Both of those groups comply with the “No straightforward area targets” mantra and in consequence Auburn is first within the SEC in blocks per sport (7.18). Georgia tried 5.65 pictures per sport.
Key Stat: Auburn has essentially the most environment friendly offense within the nation with an offensive score of 131, practically seven factors greater than second-ranked Kentucky (124.1), in keeping with Kenpom. The Tigers are additionally considered one of solely three groups to rank within the high 10 in factors per sport – making fewer than 10 3-pointers per sport – becoming a member of Gonzaga and UNC Asheville. It will likely be a tall order for a gifted Georgia workforce that’s seventeenth in Kenpom defensive effectivity. The key quantity will likely be 70 factors. When the Bulldogs maintain groups to 70 factors or fewer this season, they’re 11-1. When groups rating greater than 70 factors, they’re 3-2.
Trends: Georgia is considered one of solely six groups this season to have a number of dwelling wins in opposition to AP-ranked groups, in opposition to Kentucky and Oklahoma. That stated, Georgia is 3-11 in its final 14 video games in opposition to Auburn, together with 1-5 in its final six. The Tigers have put up spectacular performances, however have additionally encountered some points in current seasons in opposition to unranked groups on the street. Since the 2022-23 season, they’re simply 11-10 on the street in opposition to unranked groups.
What to count on: Points. Many, many factors. Alabama averages 89.5 factors per sport, tied with Iowa. Next on the listing, after the faculties talked about above, is Kentucky, which scores 88.7 factors per sport. They are additionally two of solely 5 faculties to have had at the very least 4 video games this season with 100 factors or extra; Kentucky leads the nation with 5 such video games.
Key Stat: The magic quantity for Kentucky is 70. It’s 14-0 when scoring 70 factors or extra and 0-3 when failing to succeed in that quantity this season. None of those three defeats occurred at dwelling, two away and one on a impartial pitch. For the Tide, their quick tempo can generally be their downfall. When they get rushed, they usually commit extra turnovers. This season, when Alabama has fewer than 15 turnovers, it’s 12-1. When he commits 15 or extra turnovers, he is simply 2-2. Kentucky forces the third fewest turnovers per sport, in order that they should improve their defensive effort.
Trends: Kentucky is 6-4 in opposition to Alabama of their final 10 conferences. Before that, although, Big Blue was on a nine-game successful streak and 20 of 24.
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