We are ready for an important weekend in college basketball, so it’s time to prepare and prepare properly. We achieved Ohio State No. 21 in Illinois No. 14 and Michigan No. 7 in Minnesota No. 23 in two battles that can give us clarity in the Big Ten. We got 2nd Baylor at 15th Texas Tech, with the Red Raiders coming out of a monumental victory and looking to give the Bears their first loss of the season.
There is no shortage of stories in the midst of a weekend full of striking clashes.
Here are our expert picks for the coming weekend.
No. 21 Ohio State at No. 14 Illinois
When: 12h | Where: State Farm Center in Champaign, Illinois
TV: Fox | Live broadcast: fuboTV (try for free)
Illinois is about to recover at home on Saturday. After each of his last three defeats this season, he averaged almost 20 points in the next game. So, coming from a home loss to Maryland last weekend, I hope Illini is in a great position. They have an attack in the top 10, led by Ayo Dosunmu and Kofi Cockburn, built to capitalize on an efficient score, facing a defense from the Buckeyes who have been fighting this season, especially on the post. Each of Illini’s stars presents worrying confrontations for OSU, so I’m on the side of star power and setting the boundaries. Prediction: Illinois 75, Ohio State 68 – Kyle Boone
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When: 13:30 | Where: Dee Glenn Smith Spectrum in Logan, Utah
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (free)
OTT: CBS Sports app (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast)
TDefense never falls, and Utah’s defense seems to be the best in Mountain West so far. As long as Queta stays out of trouble, the Aggies must be able to handle business at home against this San Diego state mercurial team. The Aztecs showed flashes of brilliance, but were too inconsistent to bet, especially with Mitchell’s status uncertain. Prediction: Utah State 64 San Diego State 56. – David Cobb
No. 7 Michigan at No. 23 Minnesota
When: 14h | Where: Williams Arena in Minneapolis
TV: ESPN2 | Live broadcast: fuboTV (try for free)
How will Michigan match Minnesota? Look no further than a week ago, when the two teams played and the Wolverines crushed the Golden Gophers 82-57. UM’s freshman, Hunter Dickinson, performed monstrously in the post and succeeded in limiting Liam Robbins at the defensive end of the court. I wouldn’t bet on another big explosion – Minnesota certainly found out a few things and won’t be home as it was on the road in the last game – but I feel good projecting another cozy win in Michigan. This team is firing on all cylinders now. Prediction: Michigan 80, Minnesota 67 – Kyle Boone
No. 2 Baylor at No. 15 Texas Tech
When: 16h | Where: United Supermarkets in Lubbock, Texas
TV: ESPN | Live broadcast: fuboTV (try for free)
Texas Tech has been coming on strong lately, with league wins in two of the last three games, including an unexpected victory this week over a team in the top 10 in Texas. But Baylor, even on the road, is just a team I can’t choose against right now. He leads the sport by scoring margin in 11 games and, whether at home or on the road, has won each of his conference games by a double-digit difference. This one may be closer than the previous games – their last four league matches have a combined record of 5-16 in the big 12 game – but I like the Bears to win and feel good putting the points. Forecast: Baylor 75, Texas Tech 70 – Kyle Boone
When: 18h | Where: Littlejohn Coliseum in Clemson, South Carolina
TV: ESPN | Live broadcast: fuboTV (try for free)
Clemson is enjoying a tremendous season, but it is impossible for me to ignore the recent history of the series between these two shows. Virginia is not only winning the series lately, with wins in each of the last 10 clashes, but she has done so dominantly. It kept the Tigers with just 44 points last season and 43 points the previous season, as the UVA defense proved to be a stifling force. This Clemson team is indeed more talented than the previous iterations and, in this confrontation, it really boasts the best defense – occupying the first place in KenPom – but I am still walking with Tony Bennett and Co., even on a difficult local road. Prediction: Virginia 61, Clemson 57 – Kyle Boone
Most recent odds:
Louisville Cardinals -3
When: 20h | Where: Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida
TV: ACC network | Live broadcast: fuboTV (try for free)
Louisville is one of the sport’s best kept secrets at the moment, and with an overall record of 9-1, this team shows no signs of slowing down. Cardinals star Carlik Jones remains a revelation and second year guard David Johnson looks like the role of a lottery pick, as the two led his team to a perfect 4-0 ACC record. Coming out of a great victory over Wake, they are in a good position to continue playing against a team from Miami that lost four of the last five and just lost to Boston College by 22 points. Prediction: Louisville 70, Miami 64 – Kyle Boone
So, who wins all the college basketball games today? And which underdogs cause impressive surprises? Visit SportsLine now to get choices for each game, all from the unbiased model that simulates each game 10,000 times, and find out.