Welcome to one of, if not the biggest Saturday of the year! We’re going to see massive bubble results, protected seeds battling, and so much more! Your guide to today will follow.
First, Friday delivered! We saw Wisconsin beat Michigan State, moving MSU to a 4 while Wisconsin moves to a 7. Miami (OH) moves to 25-0! More to follow shortly on the RedHawks! Finally, Saint Louis took care of Loyola Chicago.
Saturday:
Noon – 1:45 ET Tip-offs
Clemson @ Duke | Noon, ESPN
Massive implications in Durham today! Duke is a 1 seed. Clemson is a 7 currently, and a loss here could quickly push them to an 8. A win would propel them into the crowded 6 seed line.
TCU @ Oklahoma State | Noon, ESPN2
Oklahoma State is favored by 1.5 in this key bubble battle today! TCU , with a win, likely moves into the field. Oklahoma State, with a win, would jump into the first 4 out at this time.
Cal @ Boston College | Noon, ACCN
California is on life support; Boston College could end those hopes today. Cal is favored by 3.5.
Samford @ East Tennessee State | Noon, ESPNU
This is a key SoCon battle for ETSU! They’re favored by 6.5.
UCLA @ Michigan | 12:45, CBS
Michigan is favored by 15.5. This matchup is a huge opportunity for the Bruins who are looking to pick up a monumental win. However, Michigan is looking to keep themselves on the 1 line!
Kansas @ Iowa State | 1:00, ABC
This matchup is monumental, and one of the biggest games of the year! Iowa State is favored by 7.5 right now, and Hilton has a huge advantage! Winner is a 2 seed. Loser likely slips to the 3 line.
Northwestern @ Nebraska | 1:00, BTN
I am very curious to see how Nebraska does today. The Huskers are favored by 13.5 and I expect them to dominate here. Nebraska is a 2/3 right now.
St. John’s @ Providence | 1:00, TNT
Bryce Hopkins’ return to the AMP! Plus, a revenge opportunity for St. John’s after a really ugly loss to Providence earlier this year at MSG. SJU is favored by 7.5. SJU is a 5 right now.
Texas A&M @ Vanderbilt | 1:00, SECN
A&M has quickly fallen to the bubble. They’re now a 10 seed currently. Vanderbilt is a 4 seed. Vandy is favored by 6.5 in what is a monumental matchup for both. Vandy is fighting for a projected seed.
2:00-3:45 PM ET Tip-offs:
Pitt @ UNC | 2:00, ESPN
UNC’s first matchup after losing Wilson indefinitely is here! Getting a home matchup with Pitt is a good get-right game and should be an opportunity for the team to adjust. UNC is favored by 11.5. The Tar Heels are a 5.
Florida State @ Virginia Tech | 2:00, ACCN
Another landmine for a bubble team today! The Hokies are are favored by 5.5 at this time. VT is now barely in the field at this time. A loss here would push them several spots out.
SMU @ Syracuse | 2:00, The CW Network
This is an extremely difficult matchup for SMU, who is a 9 seed at this time. They’re favored by 2.5 on the road. Syracuse has battled tough with teams in Syracuse.
North Dakota State @ North Dakota | 2:00, CBSSN
The battle for North Dakota is here! The Bison are favored by 4.5. This is a key battle in the Summit regular season!
Liberty @ UTEP | 2:00, ESPN2
I love that this is getting an audience on ESPN2 today. Liberty is favored by 7.5 and is looking to get to 14-0 in CUSA play!
Villanova @ Creighton | 2:30, FOX
Nova is favored by 3.5 here. They’re currently projecting as an 8 seed. A loss here would push them towards the 10 line. Creighton is OUT.
Kentucky @ Florida | 3:00, ABC
Florida being favored by 13.5 here feels like a ton, however, UF is pushing towards the 2 line at this time. Kentucky is a 6 seed at the present, but a win at the Swamp could vault them up towards the 4 line. A bad loss here could very well push them to a 7.
NJIT @ Maine | 3:00, ESPN+
NJIT is leading the America East right now at 9-2 in conference. NJIT is favored by 3.5 at the present in Maine and this is a tough one to win in Orono.
Georgia @ Oklahoma | 3:30, SECN
Oklahoma is favored by a slim 1.5 at home today. A UGA loss here would vault them down to the 11 line. A win would keep them right on track as a 10 seed.
Tennessee State @ Morehead State | 3:30, ESPN+
The OVC is a beautiful mess right now. This game helps exemplify this. TNST is favored by 1.5 in Morehead.
4:00-5:45 PM ET Tip-Off:
Kansas State @ Houston | 4:00, Peacock
This matchup is going to be tough for a Kansas State team who is beaten down and starting to really crack. Houston is pushing towards the 1 line!
Colorado @ BYU | 4:00, FS1
BYU needs to pass the eye test today. They’re favored by 15.5 and they should cover that. This is a great get-right opportunity.
Louisville @ Baylor | 4:00, ESPN | Neutral site in Fort Worth
Louisville comes into this one favored by 6.5. I will add that I love that they’re doing this tonight and more teams should take advantage of non-conference opportunities like this! Louisville is a 6, while Baylor is on life support!
Miami (fl) @ NC State | 4:00, ESPN2
BUBBLE BATTLE! The Canes are in an interesting spot at this point. I might be a little lower than the consensus on them at a 11. However, NC State is a 7 seed right now and rising quickly. NCSU is a 5.5 point favorite!
Hofstra @ UNCW | 4:00, CBSSN
This is a key CAA matchup. UNCW is a 2.5 point favorite! Trask will be rocking.
App State @ James Madison | 4:00, ESPN+
This Sun Belt battle is key. App State is favored by 1.5 currently and they are leading the crowded Sun Belt
Portland State @ Northern Colorado | 4:00, ESPN+
This is a huge opportunity for Portland State tonight. Road games are tough in the Big Sky, however, they’re favored by 3.5 and are 11-1 in the Big Sky.
Lipscomb @ Queens | 4:00, ESPN+
Both teams are 9-4 in conference play at this time. This matchup promises to be a toss-up with Queens favored by just 1.5.
UT Martin @ SIU Edwardsville | 4:30, ESPN+
This is a battle for first place in the OVC! If SIUE wins, this conference is going to have a 3 way tie atop the board! UT Martin is favored by 1.5 at this time.
SEMO @ Lindenwood | 4:30, ESPN+
These two teams are 10-5 and as I mentioned above and the winner could find themselves as the AQ on Monday! Lindenwood is favored by 4.5.
Purdue @ Iowa | 5:00, FOX
Purdue is favored by just 2.5 at this time. This is going to be a raucous environment Purdue is a 2 seed right now, Iowa is a 9. This is going to be a great matchup! Iowa would be very close to a lock into the field with a win here.
6:00-7:45 PM ET Tip-Off
Cornell @ Penn | 6:00, ESPN+
This matchup is going to help shape the conference race. The winner will move to 6-4 while the loser falls to .500 at 5-5. Massive tournament implications!
LSU @ Tennessee | 6:00, SECN
Tennessee is favored by 14.5 coming into this one in Knoxville. Tennessee is a 5 seed right now. A loss moves them to the 6. A win keeps them stable.
West Virginia @ UCF | 6:00, FS1
UCF is favored by 3.5 and playing in Orlando is tough for everyone! WVU is barely on the fringe, but will be moving right to the edge of the field if they win this one!
Texas Tech @ Arizona | 6:30, ESPN
How does Arizona handle their loss earlier this week?! This battle is key for both teams a s they look to move up the seed line. For Arizona, a loss would move them down to the 2nd overall seed, while a win keeps them.1 overall. Texas Tech is looking to move to a 3.
Yale @ Harvard | 6:30, ESPNU
Yale and Harvard battling feels right in the Ivy League! The winner moves to 8-2, while the loser drops to 7-3. Yale is favored by 4.5.
8:00 ET and Later TIp-Off:
Georgetown @ Uconn | 8:00, Peacock
The Huskies should dominate this one. They’re favored by 16.5 here. A loss moves them to the 2 line, a win keeps them barely on the 1 line battling with Houston.
Virginia vs. Ohio State | 8:00, FOX | Nashville!
I love this game so much. Neutral site matchups in February are elite! UVA is a 5, while Ohio State is my last team in! With an OSU win here, they would likely jump over the last 4 teams in. A loss and they fall out.
Memphis @ Utah State | 8:00, CBSSN
Another awesome non-conference game! I love that these matchups keep popping up. However, Memphis isn’t a tournament team. Utah State just win this. Utah State is a 7 seed currently. A loss here would drop them a full seed line.
Hawaii @ Cal State Northridge | 8:00, ESPN+
This is a key Big West battle. Hawaii is currently the AQ, while CSUN is 8-5 and a tough squad! Hawaii is favored by 8.5.
Auburn @ Arkansas | 8:30, ESPN
Arkansas is favored by 8.5 in this matchup. I expect it to be a close battle! Arkansas is a projected 6 seed, Auburn is an 8 currently. Arkansas moves to a 5 with a win, Auburn would move up to a 7 if victorious.
South Carolina @ Alabama | 8:30, SECN
How does Alabama do without Bediako? Much like UNC, they get what should be an easy matchup to help push them in the right direction! They’re a 5 currently and favored by 7.5.
Texas @ Missouri | 8:30, ESPN2
This is the biggest bubble battle of the day! Winner is in the field, loser is OUT. Missouri is favored by 1.5.
Montana State @ Montana | 9:00, ESPN+
The battle for Montana takes on a whole new meaning this evening! Winner moves to 9-4 in the Big Sky, while the loser will fall to 8-5. Montana is favored by 1.5.
Cal Baptist @ Utah Tech | 9:00, ESPN+
The winner here is the AQ for the WAC currently. Montana is favored by 1.5.
Nevada @ San Diego State | 10:00, CBSSN
Nevada is on life support and a loss would end them. San Diego State is barely out, but would likely move in with a win here. They’re favored by 8.5.
Gonzaga @ Santa Clara | 10:30, ESPN
Gonzaga is a 3 seed currently, while Santa Clara is a 11. A loss will move SCU out, while a win would put them in an amazing spot. Gonzaga is favored by 4.5 in the biggest game in Leavey Center’s recent years!
Saint Mary’s @ Pacific | 10:30, ESPN2
This matchup is key for SMC as they move to make the field. They’re favored by 8.5.
