College basketball is nearing March, the best time of the year. However, there’s still plenty of tough conference matchups over the next couple weeks (and this weekend) that are sure to bring some surprises. On this weekend’s edition of What to Watch, we give you a game of the weekend that you can’t miss, a player to watch, we put a team on upset alert, and pick the best line of the weekend to help you win some cash.
GAME OF THE WEEKEND –
Doug Wattley: #10 Texas Tech @ TCU (Feb. 4th) — The Horned Frogs have performed admirably since the loss of sophomore guard Jaylen Fisher to injury and they’ll look to pick up another key conference victory against a ranked opponent. TCU beat the last ranked opponent they played at home (#15 West Virginia).
Chase Swaringen: Kansas State @ #15 West Virginia (Feb. 4th) — West Virginia will come into this game as a favorite but don’t let that surprise you. Bruce Weber’s Wildcats are tied for fourth in the Big 12 and actually have the same record as their opponent for this game (16-6). West Virginia will have the clear home court advantage but the Mountaineers have lost five of their last six games and are beginning to fall apart at a very bad time.
Ryan Larsen: Alabama @ #23 Florida (Feb. 4th) — Avery Johnson brings a team loaded with talent to Gainesville this weekend. Collin Sexton showed he could go head-to-head with the best guards in the game when he led the Crimson Tide to a win over Trae Young’s Oklahoma team last week. However, finding consistent performances from this young squad is proving difficult. Florida will be happy to be home following a tough road loss to Georgia. The Gators should come away with this one if they are at the top of their game.
PLAYER TO WATCH –
Doug Wattley: Mo Bamba, Center, Texas — Bamba will have to carry a heavy load on his shoulders come Saturday. Not only will he be tasked with trying to alter the shot of Trae Young on drives but he will also have to battle inside with Khadeem Lattin who is one of the better shot blockers and offensive rebounders in the country. If Texas is going to pull off the upset, Bamba will have to have a monster night.
Chase Swaringen: Grayson Allen, Guard, Duke — Allen is only averaging 10.2 points per game in his last eight games, well below his season scoring average of 14.8 points per game. In a road matchup against a less-than-stellar St. John’s team, Allen has a chance to get himself back on track for the end of the season. I wouldn’t be shocked if Allen goes off for 25+ in this game.
Ryan Larsen: Theo Pinson, Forward, North Carolina — Pinson suffered a shoulder strain in the Tar Heels’ last game against Clemson, but is expected to play on Saturday. North Carolina enters the matchup against Pittsburgh on a three game losing streak and having Pinson back in the lineup will be crucial moving forward.
UPSET ALERT –
Doug Wattley: #12 Oklahoma @ Texas (Feb. 4th) — The Sooners have lost three of their last five games and have struggled in road games this season. Trae Young is the best point guard in college basketball but Mo Bamba and company are a tough team and have shown they are capable of beating ranked opponents at home (Texas Tech, TCU). The Longhorns are also searching for another quality win to put on their tournament resume and a win over the Sooners would look very nice in March.
Chase Swaringen: #13 Saint Mary’s @ San Diego (Feb. 4th) — The Gaels have steamrolled through the West Coast Conference to this point. They are 11-0 in conference play so far and Jock Landale is playing out of his mind. Their matchup against San Diego on Saturday is no easy task though. The Toreros are 15-8 and given that this is one of their only games against ranked opponents, there’s sure to be a large crowd. It would be a tall order for San Diego to steal one here but this definitely isn’t a game to write off.
Ryan Larsen: #21 Kentucky @ Missouri (Feb. 4th) — Kentucky have found themselves in the last few games. Their young talent seems more comfortable playing on a big stage and have really started to play the positionless basketball that head coach John Calipari has spoken about many times. Unfortunately, the Wildcats find themselves in a matchup with a Missouri team in desperate need of a conference win. Missouri has some talent themselves and a big win against a ranked team would do wonders for their currently bleak tournament resume.
EASY MONEY – (2-0 ATS)
Doug Wattley: Kentucky (+1.5) vs. Missouri — Missouri needs a win badly, but the Wildcats have hit their stride and have a good chance of picking up a rare road victory. Take Kentucky.
Chase Swaringen: Virginia (-5.5) vs. Syracuse — A win at the Carrier Dome is always tough to come by but Virginia is the best team in the country right now and should cover the spread rather easily here. Take Virginia.
Ryan Larsen: Butler (-13.5) vs. DePaul — The Blue Demons have shown improvement in Dave Leitao’s first year as head coach but Hinkle Fieldhouse is a deathtrap to opponents and DePaul is just not a very good basketball team right now. Take Butler.