It's the final Saturday of the college hoops regular season - and what a loaded slate we have today!
Some teams are fighting for No. 1 seeds, some are just fighting to get onto the bubble, but everyone is playing for something.
Let's dive into the whole slate, which is presented by BetUS Sportsbook. Remember, BetUS will match 125 percent of your first three deposits. Take advantage now.
Memphis at Florida Atlantic: 12:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Florida Atlantic (-8)
Over/Under: 161.5
This is an interesting matchup of a team in Florida Atlantic that isn't really on the bubble, but might be if they lose - and a team in Memphis that needs a win to just get on the bubble going into conference championship week.
So yeah, a lot is on the line in Boca Saturday.
Let's start with the Owls, who have won three of their last four games. Florida Atlantic is still very well-liked by some of the metrics with them rising to 34th in the NET. KenPom also has them ranked 39th overall with their offense being top 20 in adjusted offense on KenPom at 119.5. Three players on the Owls average over double digits with Johnell Davis leading the way at 18.3 points per game and in assists at three per game. They are also averaging 82.7 points per game.
On the other hand, a mid-season swoon dropped Memphis in the computers, as they enter Saturday 70th in the NET and they are 71st overall in KenPom. To their credit, they have won four in a row, but need this win, again, to make a serious bubble case heading into the conference tournament next week. They are led by potential AAC Player of the Year David Jones, who averages 21.9 points per game, and as a team, the Tigers average close to 81.
Ultimately, Memphis needs this game and has the athletes to match Florida Atlantic, but the Owls being at home is the difference. Florida Atlantic wins, but Memphis covers in a close game.
Pick: Memphis (+8)/Florida Atlantic ML
No. 10 Creighton at Villanova: 2:30 p.m. ET, FOX
Spread: Creighton (-1)
Over/Under: 136
Villanova needs this win to feel safely in the tournament. They can do damage in the Big East Tournament next week, but a win here could almost certainly lock them into a spot in the tournament. Meanwhile, for all the talk about defending champion UConn, Creighton has won six out of their last seven games including beating both the Huskies and Marquette in the previous few weeks.
Four different Blue Jays average over double digits with three of them averaging at least 17 points or more. Baylor Scheierman leads the way with 18.5 points per game and 8.9 rebounds per game. Creighton is also a top-30 scoring team at 81.2 points per game and top-20 in assists at 17.3 per game.
Entering Saturday, the metrics are very high on Villanova as the Wildcats are both 29th in the NET and KenPom. To their credit, they have won six of seven, although did fall at Seton Hall earlier in the week. Their defense is what sets them apart with their adjusted defense being ranked at 13th on KenPom at 95.5. They are also allowing 65.5 points per game which is 22nd in all of college basketball in scoring defense. When it comes to offense Villanova has three players that average over double digits with Eric Dixon being the leader at 16 points per game.
Creighton has been on fire recently and is in line for a 3-seed in the tournament, but Villanova is desperation mode and needs this game. This is going to be a close game, but Villanova covers and wins at home and feels safer on the bubble.
Pick: Villanova ML
No. 14 Kansas at No. Houston: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN
Kansas rolled over Houston in their previous matchup when they could not miss at home, shooting 68.9% from the field in a double-digit win over the Cougars. However, since that game both teams have looked different with Houston winning eight straight since that loss, while Kansas has lost four games since.
Entering this one, there's a lot on the line for Kansas. The top four teams in the Big 12 get a bye into the quarterfinals, and right now, the Jayhawks are not trending to be one of those teams. A loss here would ensure that they will open Big 12 tournament play on Wednesday, and need to win four games in four days to get another conference title. Even worse, star Kevin McCullar is again injured and questionable for this game. He leads the Jayhawks with 19.1 points per game, and is both the Jayhawks' best scorer and defensive player.
Houston is the team that is most loved by the metrics across the board. They are first in the NET and first in KenPom. They are also the best defense in the country with an adjusted defense of 89.2 on KenPom and the top ranked scoring defense, allowing 57.3 points per game. Their offense has also been solid with the 12th ranked adjusted offense on KenPom at 121.1. And to their credit, that offense is getting better in time, as guard LJ Cryer has scored 20+ points in his last three games.
Kansas can exploit Houston’s height weakness thanks to Dickinson, but he can’t do it all alone, especially if McCullar Jr. does not play. Expect the Cougars to set the tone right away and win big at home.
Pick: Houston (-8)
No. 15 Kentucky at No. 4 Tennessee: Saturday, 4:00 p.m. ET, CBS
Spread: Tennessee (-7)
Over/Under: 167
It's Senior Day at Tennessee, and you know it will be emotional as Santiago Vescovi, Josiah Jordan-James and Dalton Knecht play their final games as members of the Orange. The Vols are red hot entering this one, with seven straight wins, while Kentucky has won six of its last even.
Kentucky's surge has paid off in the metrics with the Wildcats sitting at 20 in the NET and 18 in KenPom. The offense is what carries the Wildcats this season. They are eighth in adjusted offense on KenPom at 122.9 and they are the third ranked scoring offense in the entire country at 89.7 points per game. Five different Wildcats average over double digits scoring-wise with Antonio Reeves leading the way at 20 points per game.
Meanwhile, Tennessee clinched the regular season SEC title after beating South Carolina in their last game. The Volunteers are 5th in both the NET and KenPom. Their offense has improved this season with them being ranked 21st in adjusted offense on KenPom at 118.9. They are one of the best defenses in all of college basketball with an adjusted defense ranking of 3rd on KenPom at 90.9. They also allow 67.1 points per game on defense. Three Volunteers average over double digits with their superstar being Dalton Knecht who is averaging 20.7 points per game.
Kentucky has come on strong recently to rebound, but Tennessee is playing very well. Kentucky has struggled on defense while Tennessee’s expertise is in defense. Kentucky’s talent will keep them in this game, and this will come down to the wire, but the home crowd in Knoxville will be the difference. The Vols should win a very close game.
Pick: Kentucky (+7)
No. 7 North Carolina at No. 9 Duke: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Spread: Duke (-5)
Over/Under: 150.5
The latest matchup on Tobacco Road in college basketball’s best rivalry should be a great one. Both are also playing well with the Tar Heels winning six of their last seven games and five straight overall, while Duke has won eight of their last nine games and three in a row. The Tar Heels won the first matchup this season 93-84 at home.
Most importantly, there are ACC title implications. North Carolina has already won a share of the title and can win it outright with a win here. Meanwhile, Duke can win a share of the title with a victory at home.
And in terms of the matchup, both teams are very balanced. Duke and North Carolina are right next to each other in the NET with Duke at nine and North Carolina at 10 and in KenPom with Duke at seven and North Carolina at eight. Duke’s strength has been their balance with their offense being the seventh ranked adjusted offense in KenPom at 123.3 and the 22nd adjusted defense at 96.9. They are also top-50 in points scored at 80.2 points per game and in points allowed at 66.7 points per game. Five different players on the Blue Devils average over double digits with Kyle Filipowski being their primary scorer at 16.5 points per game.
The Tar Heels are also very balanced with the sixth-ranked adjusted defense on KenPom at 93.5 and the 25th adjusted offense at 118.1. They are also a top-25 scoring offense at 81.5 points per game. Four Tar Heels average over double digits with RJ Davis being a superstar and capable of taking over a game at 21.5 points per game. These two teams are always very evenly matched, but with the game at Duke all the momentum is on the Blue Devils’ side. This should be a close game as usual, but Duke should be able to get revenge on the Tar Heels and win and cover at home to close out the regular season.
Pick: Duke Covers/Wins
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