It’s senior night all across the nation in college basketball and the regular season is coming to a close. In the week before conference tournament week, there are some interesting matchups, despite the seemingly slow week on paper.
GAME OF THE WEEKEND –
Doug Wattley: #8 Kansas @ #6 Texas Tech (Feb. 24) — The Big 12 has been the most exciting conference to watch all season long and this is most likely the decisive game. If Kansas steals a win on the road against the Red Raiders, they will claim at least a share of their 14th straight conference championship (an NCAA record). Texas Tech also needs this win to stay alive in the conference championship race. If Tech wins, the Big 12 becomes even crazier.
Chase Swaringen: Kansas State @ Oklahoma (Feb. 24) — People are beginning to find out that Trae Young is indeed human and Oklahoma’s offense has taken a serious hit since. Lon Kruger’s squad has lost six straight games and desperately needs to right the ship at home against a Kansas State team that has surprised quite a few people in the Big 12 this year. The Wildcats are tied for third in the conference and are expected to make the NCAA tournament barring a major collapse. A loss here for either squad could be detrimental to their tournament dreams.
Ryan Larsen: Louisville @ Virginia Tech (Feb. 24) — While neither team is ranked, this game has huge implications for the NCAA tournament. Louisville missed back-to-back excellent chances to get a signature wins against Duke and North Carolina. Now, despite dropping their last two, the Cardinals have another shot at a solid resume-building win on the road in Blacksburg to take on Virginia Tech. The Hokies enter with consecutive wins and a recent victory against top-ranked Virginia. This game will most certainly come down to the wire.
PLAYER TO WATCH –
Chase Swaringen: Shannon Evans, Guard, Arizona State — Evans has had some solid games recently. He’s scored 20+ points in four of the last five games, and in those four games ASU is 3-1. If Evans can continue his run of fine play against Oregon State and into the conference tournament, it may be enough to propel the Sun Devils to a higher seed in the NCAA tournament.
Ryan Larsen: Dean Wade, Guard, Kansas State (part 2) — *See last weekend’s roundtable for Dean Wade part one* Wade and the Wildcats have another opportunity at a solid win when they travel to Norman to take on the Sooners. Trae Young and company have lost six games in a row and Kansas State needs some quality wins. As Dean Wade goes, so do the Wildcats.
UPSET ALERT –
Chase Swaringen: #8 Kansas @ #6 Texas Tech (Feb. 24) — Kansas has a chance to clinch a share of their 14th straight conference title and I guarantee you they won’t let it slide away without a fight. They are on the road here against a very strong Texas Tech team but this will be strictly a business trip for the Jayhawks and I think they get the upset.
Ryan Larsen: #12 Auburn @ Florida (Feb. 24) — Florida has dropped three straight games and absolutely needs a victory here to even have a chance of having their name called on Selection Sunday. Auburn hasn’t played well enough to convince anyone that they’ll slip away with an easy win here. Chris Chiozza has one more chance to prove himself at home and I expect him to have a monster game in response.
EASY MONEY – (4-4 ATS) (lines subject to change)
Doug Wattley: Seton Hall (+1.5) @ St. John’s — Take Seton Hall
Chase Swaringen: Providence (+1.5) @ Georgetown — Take Providence
Ryan Larsen: Arkansas (+5) @ Alabama — Take Arkansas