Another week in school basketball, one other wild week stuffed with epic performances, unimaginable finishes and stunning upsets. College basketball by no means ceases to amaze.
This weekend’s schedule options three ranked vs. ranked matchups and 6 top-10 groups enjoying on the street. We might simply see a really completely different AP Top 25 rating on Monday. At the very least, with a number of high-stakes convention matchups, we’ll possible see some small adjustments.
As with most Saturdays throughout convention season, there are an enormous variety of video games that may possible have excessive leisure worth, however a handful of video games actually stand out.
Here are the 5 finest males’s school basketball video games to observe on a busy weekend:
What to count on: Points! Another Kentucky recreation, one other excessive scoring recreation. The Wildcats have solely performed one recreation during which neither crew scored greater than 70 factors (a 70-66 loss to Clemson). Vandyerbilt can rating the ball and the house crowd has confirmed to be sturdy and impactful when given the chance. This is a recreation that would actually be probably the most entertaining of the whole weekend and will solidify Vandy’s stature as a match crew.
Key Stat: The key for Vanderbilt shall be to cease the 3-point barrage that Kentucky is able to withstanding. The Wildcats common 10.2 3-pointers per recreation to steer the SEC, that means practically a 3rd of their factors come from behind the arc. The Commodores are a middle-of-the-pack crew that defends the 3-point line within the SEC, giving up 7.1 3-pointers per recreation. If they’ll maintain Kentucky to that quantity, it will be an enormous win. Vandy can rating with Kentucky (he averaged 82.3 per recreation), however they must be strong defensive photographs from deep.
Trends: Vanderbilt has scored in bunches this season, however its protection has been key to victories this season. In video games the place they permit fewer than 75 factors this season, the Commodores are 12-0. When they permit 75 factors or extra, they’re 3-4. On the opposite hand, when Kentucky scores 70 factors or extra, it’s 14-1. When the Wildcats fail to achieve the 70-point plateau, they’re 0-3 this season.
What to count on: One factor that each of those groups possess that basically defines them is that they’ve balanced scoring. Neither crew has a participant averaging 15 factors per recreation, however every crew has 4 gamers averaging double figures. This makes for an extremely balanced offense, with loads of ground spacing and driving the recent hand. This ought to be one other a type of video games.
Key Stat: Turnovers shall be key right here, as each groups are good at forcing turnovers. Ole Miss forces 16.2 turnovers per recreation, which leads the SEC. Missouri forces 15.2 turnovers per recreation, third-most within the SEC. Anyone who can maintain the ball and keep away from errors shall be in an ideal place to win the sport.
Trends: The Rebels have had a superb season to this point, however they may be capable of take one other step ahead when they’re energetic on the boards. This season, Ole Miss is 8-0 when out-rebounding. It’s solely 7-4 while you get a rebound. This shall be an enormous storyline as a result of Missouri has clear cracks on the glass. In video games the place the Tigers have a constructive rebounding differential, they’re 10-1, however are simply 5-3 once they fail to safe a number of rebounds. Both groups want to return again in the event that they need to take one other step ahead.
What to count on: Points! This recreation might not characteristic two of the three predominant assaults like one of many video games we highlighted final week, nevertheless it does characteristic two nice assaults. Xavier is eighth within the nation in quick break factors, scoring practically 17 per recreation within the open court docket. Meanwhile, UConn is eighth in offensive effectivity in keeping with Kenpom, however does so slightly in a different way: It’s comfortably ranked second within the nation with 19.4 assists per recreation.
Key Stat: These two groups might not take advantage of 3s, however they’re very environment friendly from deep. This season, Xavier and UConn rank second and third, respectively, in 3-point share within the Big East. This has translated effectively into general offensive success, with these two groups being the one ones within the convention to common 75 factors per recreation whereas additionally capturing 35% or higher from deep as a crew.
Trends: UConn has gained 4 straight within the sequence in opposition to Xavier, with the Musketeers’ final victory coming throughout the 2022-23 season once they swept the Huskies. Another be aware: This is the second time this season that the Musketeers will play three straight video games in opposition to AP Top 25 groups.
What to count on: This recreation shall be a rock struggle. No crew permits fewer factors per recreation than Houston (53.9). The subsequent closest crew in factors per recreation allowed is Drake (57.8). Kansas is not far behind Houston, rating sixteenth within the nation, permitting simply 63.3 factors per recreation. The first one to achieve 50 factors wins!
Key Stat: The magic quantity is 60. Since the 2015-16 season, which was Kelvin Sampson’s second with the Cougars, Houston is 114-4 when permitting fewer than 60 factors. That’s the second-most wins within the nation in that span, behind solely Virginia. The Jayhawks, nevertheless, are the alternative. Since the 2015-16 season, Kansas is 173-63 when scoring not less than 60 factors, the second-most within the nation for that stretch, behind solely Gonzaga.
Trends: Kansas is 5-2 in its final seven video games when going through an AP Top 10 crew at residence. However, in case you look again slightly additional, they’re simply 5-5 of their final 10 video games internet hosting AP prime 10 groups. History will not be so sort to Houston and that is an understatement. Since Sampson took over, they’re simply 2-6 on the street in opposition to AP Top 15 groups.
What to count on: If it is a recreation of ups and downs, Tennessee can have a tough time successful. If it is a possession-by-possession sort of recreation, with time on the clock, then Auburn might have a tough time successful. If we’re fortunate to have Johni Broome returning on this recreation for Auburn and Chaz Lanier bringing his A-game, then we’re in for a deal with. Tennessee is 13-0 when Lanier has a number of assists. Only one. When he fails to document an help, the Vols are 4-2.
Key Stat: Auburn’s offense is the story right here, and Tennessee must deliver its A-game on protection if it desires to win. Auburn is certainly one of solely two groups (Miami OH) to shoot 50% from the ground, 38% from deep and 74% from the free throw line. This offers him lots of offensive depth. The excellent news is that Tennessee can do exactly that. He at present permits simply 58.6 factors per recreation, the third-best mark within the nation. The Vols additionally maintain opponents to simply 36.3% area targets. It shall be a battle during which energy can overcome that of the opposite.
Trends: Tennessee is 5-5 of their final 10 video games in opposition to AP top-five groups, however hasn’t gained on the street in opposition to an AP top-five crew since 2008. Since 2010, Auburn is 1-5 when internet hosting an AP top-10 crew. The Tigers have additionally misplaced six straight video games in opposition to AP prime 10 SEC groups, with their final win coming in 2019 at Kentucky.
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