Purdue and BYU are looking to rebound after each lost its last game. Can superstars Braden Smith and AJ Dybansta help their respective teams get back on track?
The big college basketball games this weekend will impact conference standings and NCAA Tournament seeding. There are top teams in men’s and women’s hoops going at it, and we’re here to help you prepare for the action.
Men’s Basketball
Ohio State at No. 3 Michigan (Friday 8 p.m. ET on FOX)
Key Ohio State players: Bruce Thornton (Senior, Guard), John Mobley Jr. (Sophomore, Guard) Devin Royal (Junior, Forward)
Key Michigan players: Yaxel Lendeborg (Senior, Forward), Morez Johnson Jr. (Sophomore, Forward), Elliott Cadeau (Junior, Guard)
Ohio State’s last game: 82-74 OT win vs. Minnesota
Michigan’s last game: 86-72 win vs. Indiana
What’s at stake: Ohio State ranks 35th in NET rating, and has improved its NCAA Tournament chances with recent wins over UCLA and Minnesota. A victory over third-ranked Michigan would solidify the Buckeyes’ case. The Wolverines have blown out a number of opponents, but also had close calls against much lesser teams. Dominating a middle-of-the-conference foe would instill confidence in the belief that Michigan is a national title contender. While the Ohio State-Michigan basketball matchup doesn’t reach the heights of animosity the programs’ football rivalry does, there are certainly heavy stakes for this game.
Villanova at No. 2 UConn (Saturday 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX)
Key Villanova players: Bryce Lindsay (Sophomore, Guard), Duke Brennan (Senior, Forward), Acaden Lewis (Freshman, Guard)
Key UConn players: Solo Ball (Junior, Guard), Alex Karaban (Senior, Forward), Tarris Reed Jr. (Senior, Center)
Villanova’s last game: 66-51 win vs. Georgetown
UConn last game: 64-62 win vs. Georgetown
What’s at stake: UConn has established itself as the frontrunner in the Big East. The conference, however, isn’t as strong as it has been in past seasons, so any losses could jeopardize the Huskies’ quest for a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament. They let Georgetown stick around on Saturday and Villanova is a better team than the Hoyas so UConn must stay focused. The Wildcats are arguably the second- or third-best team in a conference that could produce only three NCAA Tournament bids. A win over UConn in Gampel would help ensure Villanova is one of those teams.
No. 11 Illinois @ No. 4 Purdue (Saturday 3 p.m. ET on FOX)
Key Illinois players: Keaton Wagler (Freshman, Guard), Andrej Stojakovic (Junior, Guard), David Mirkovic (Freshman, Forward)
Key Purdue players: Braden Smith (Senior, Guard), Trey Kaufman-Renn (Senior, Forward), Oscar Cluff (Senior, Center)
Illinois’ last game: 89-70 win vs. Maryland
Purdue last game: 69-67 loss at UCLA
What’s at stake: Illinois and Purdue are tied among four teams tied for second in the Big Ten with Nebraska in sole possession of first place. With four double-byes in the Big Ten Tournament, and essentially, five teams vying for those spots, this matchup could determine if the Illini or Boilermakers are sitting there with extra rest come early March. Illinois will have to do that without star guard Kylan Boswell, who fractured his hand in practice last week. The Boilermakers are trying to bounce back from their first Big Ten loss this season, to UCLA, on Tuesday.
Utah @ No. 13 BYU (Saturday at 5:30 ET on FOX)
Key Utah players: Terrence Brown (Junior, Guard), Don McHenry (Senior, Guard), Keanu Dawes (Junior, Forward)
Key BYU players: AJ Dybansta (Freshman, Forward), Rob Wright Jr. (Sophomore, Guard), Richie Saunders (Senior, Guard)
Utah’s last game: 81-78 loss at Kansas State
BYU’s last game: 84-71 loss at No. 12 Texas Tech
What’s at stake: BYU and Utah sit on opposite sides of the Big 12 standings. BYU (12th in NET) can’t exactly help itself with a win against Utah (119th in NET, the lowest of any Big 12 school). A loss to the Utes would hurt the Cougars’ chances of being a top-four seed in the NCAA Tournament, so it’s imperative they don’t overlook them. Dybansta is looking to bounce back after his worst outing, scoring-wise, of the season — a 13-point game on 6-of-17 shooting, against No. 12 Texas Tech.
No. 19 Kansas @ Kansas State (Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on FOX)
Key Kansas players: Darryn Peterson (Freshman, Guard), Flory Bidunga (Sophomore, Forward), Tre White (Senior, Guard)
Key Kansas State players: PJ Haggerty (Junior, Guard), Abdi Bashir Jr. (Junior, Guard), Nate Johnson (Senior, Guard)
Kansas’ last game: 75-69 win at Colorado
Kansas State’s last game: 81-78 win vs Utah
What’s at stake: Kansas has built momentum with three impressive wins in a row, one of which (the Colorado game) came without head coach Bill Self, who was hospitalized with “abnormal” chest pain. While Self will return for Saturday’s game, Jayhawks’ star freshman Darryn Peterson is questionable after spraining his ankle. Peterson has already missed nine games this season, so Kansas is well-equipped to compete without him. The Wildcats have just two conference wins, and are well outside the NCAA Tournament field, but have talent — in the form of the conference’s leading scorer, PJ Haggerty — and could play spoiler to their cross-state foes.
Women’s Basketball
No. 1 UConn @ Seton Hall (Saturday at Noon ET)
Key UConn players: Sarah Strong (Sophomore, Forward), Azzi Fudd (Senior, Guard), KK Arnold (Senior, Guard)
Key Seton Hall players: Savannah Catalon (Junior, Guard), Mariana Valenzuela (Senior, Forward), Jada Eads (Sophomore, Guard)
UConn’s last game: 83-42 win at Georgetown
Seton Hall’s last game: 86-77 win vs DePaul
What’s at stake: [Note: this game was originally set to air on Sunday, but the weekend’s winter storm moved it up to Saturday.] UConn’s possibilities for this system’s seventh good season are nonetheless alive. Finishing that achievement requires specializing in every sport for what it’s. The Pirates are one of many higher opponents the Huskies play on their convention schedule. Seton Corridor is tied for second within the Massive East, and has a shot at making the NCAA Event. A win over UConn would assist solidify its possibilities.
USC @ No. 7 Michigan (Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on Massive Ten Community)
Key USC gamers: Jazzy Davidson (Freshman, Guard), Kennedy Smith (Sophomore, Guard), Kara Dunn (Senior, Guard)
Key Michigan gamers: Olivia Olson (Sophomore, Guard), Syla Swords (Sophomore, Guard), Te’Yala Delfosse (Sophomore, Ahead)
USC’s final sport: 74-68 loss at No. 13 Michigan State
Michigan’s final sport: 94-68 win vs Rutgers
What’s at stake: Within the season after shedding star JuJu Watkins, the Trojans have struggled. They’ve misplaced 5 of their final six video games, and are actually in jeopardy of lacking the NCAA Event. Grabbing a Quad 1 win towards Michigan would assist change that destiny. The Wolverines are tied for third within the Massive Ten, and want all of the wins they will get to retain the double-bye within the convention match after Monday’s loss to undefeated Vanderbilt.
No. 12 Ohio State @ No. 10 Iowa (Sunday at 2 p.m. ET)
Key Ohio State gamers: Jaloni Cambridge (Sophomore, Guard), Likelihood Grey (Senior, Guard), Kylee Kitts (Freshman, Ahead)
Key Iowa gamers: Ava Heiden (Sophomore, Guard), Hannah Stuelke (Senior, Ahead), Chazadi Wright (Sophomore, Guard)
Ohio State’s final sport: 81-67 win vs Indiana
Iowa’s final sport: 85-78 OT win at No. 15 Maryland
What’s at stake: Iowa is one among two Massive Ten groups which have but to lose a convention sport this season, whereas Ohio State has one Massive Ten loss. This matchup may assist shake out the order on the prime of the standings and decide which group has the within observe to the convention match title.
