The penultimate weekend of the college basketball regular season is upon us, and it’s absolutely stacked with marquee matchups.
In total on Saturday, there will be five ranked vs. ranked showdowns across the country, including No. 5 Marquette visiting No. 12 Creighton at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX and No. 14 Alabama hosting No. 4 Tennessee in a battle for first place in the SEC.
We went 6-2 last Saturday in my selections. Let’s see if we can keep the train rolling heading into the NCAA Tournament.
Tyler Kolek’s status for this game is up in the air after he suffered an oblique strain in the second half of Wednesday’s win over Providence. Kolek did not practice on Thursday, according to Shaka Smart in the report below.
This is obviously of concern for the Golden Eagles’ chances against the Jays, who have won their last three home games by a combined 62 points including an 85-66 win over then No. 1 UConn.
I like Creighton to roll to the win in Omaha.
PICK: Creighton (-3.5) to win by more than 3.5 points
I’m a little bit nervous about the Crimson Tide’s flawed defense going up against first team All-American Dalton Knecht, who’s coming off a 39-point performance in a win over No. 11 Auburn on Wednesday.
But then again, Mark Sears and Aaron Estrada at home in primetime charging the best offense in the country? Give me the home team.
The Jayhawks are not a top-10 team in my eyes and without Kevin McCullar Jr., they’re not a top 20 team for me.
He missed his fifth game of Big 12 play on Tuesday in the loss to BYU with a bone bruise on his knee. Bill Self did say Thursday that he’s not totally ruling out McCullar for Saturday’s game at Baylor.
That being said, the Jayhawks are 3-5 on the road this year.
They beat Baylor by three without McCullar just three weeks ago. I think revenge gets served in Waco.
Gonzaga is 21-6 on the year. Eighteen of those wins have come in Quadrant 3 and 4. That’s what has led to a rich debate regarding the Zags’ NCAA Tournament status.
Their streak of 24 consecutive big dance trips is in question. The basketball gods would make you see Mark Few and the Zags take down the lone unbeaten left in conference play, the Gaels, who won the WCC regular season crown with Thursday’s victory over Pepperdine.
But I like Aidan Mahaney and Augustas Marciulonis leading this balanced offense in Moraga and fully expect that crowd to be out of its collective mind.
The Zags need to find some perimeter shooting. They went just 3-for-14 in the first meeting with Saint Mary’s, a 64-62 loss at The Kennel on Feb. 3.
I think the Gaels complete the season sweep! I’m going against some history here. Give me Saint Mary’s.
PICK: Saint Mary’s (-2.5) to win by more than 2.5 points
The Gamecocks are 23-5 on the season with national coach of the year candidate Lamont Paris.
I’m torn on this one, but love the way Walter Clayton Jr., Zyon Pullin and Tyrese Samuel can score the ball. That’s a top-15 KenPom offense compared to the Gamecocks, who are 55th in the country.
Gimme the Gators!
PICK: Florida (+1.5) to lose by fewer than 1.5 points (or win outright)
The Badgers have lost six of their last eight games, and you’d have to think if there’s a point where this bad skid ends, it’s in a home Saturday slot against Illinois.
The Wolfpack lost the first meeting to the Tar Heels by 13 at home. So everything suggests UNC will roll to a dominant win. Which is exactly why I’m taking DJ Horne and NC State to put up a fight against a Carolina team that is slacking on defense lately. The Wolfpack cover.
PICK: NC State (+11.5) to lose by fewer than 11.5 points (or win outright)
Tom Izzo has had a full week to get his team ready for this game after some rough performances in losses to Ohio State and Iowa. And I do think his veteran team will be unfazed at Mackey Arena and figure out a way to keep this closer than expected.
John Fanta is a national college basketball broadcaster and writer for FOX Sports. He covers the sport in a variety of capacities, from calling games on FS1 to serving as lead host on the BIG EAST Digital Network to providing commentary on The Field of 68 Media Network. Follow him on Twitter @John_Fanta.
