Faculty basketball by no means disappoints. Final week, followers stormed the court docket in Madison, Wisconsin, because the Badgers upset No. 9 Arizona. In the meantime, in Charleston, South Carolina, Florida Atlantic and Charleston handled followers to a double-overtime thriller by which Charleston made a three-pointer to win 119-116.
What does this week have in retailer? Listed here are 5 video games to look at:
No. 6 Purdue (4-0) at No. 15 Marquette (4-0) | Tuesday
Each groups are coming off huge wins. The Boilermakers took down No. 2 Alabama, whereas Marquette earned a hard-fought win at Maryland. Two nice guards spotlight this matchup. Purdue’s Braden Smith was a magician in Friday’s win, ending with 17 factors, six rebounds and 10 assists. Marquette’s Kam Jones, who’s averaging 24 factors, is an electrical scorer. If Purdue can sluggish Jones, it is going to go away Milwaukee with a win.
Prediction: It will be shut all through, however it appears foolish to doubt head coach Matt Painter and Purdue. The Boilermakers will discover a technique to win 87-81.
No. 25 Illinois (3-0) at No. 8 Alabama (3-1) | Wednesday
Illinois is an unknown early on this season, having remade its complete roster. Alabama suffered a troublesome loss at Purdue on Friday night time. Is the Illini’s extremely touted freshmen class (ranked fifteenth within the nation by 247Sports) prepared for the highlight? Wednesday night time’s recreation for the Illini is the beginning of a troublesome stretch that features video games towards No. 20 Arkansas, No. 11 Tennessee and No. 19 Wisconsin earlier than Christmas.
Prediction: Alabama is in one other class from Illinois and can win at house 84-70.
No. 13 Baylor (3-1) vs. No. 22 St. John’s (4-0) | Thursday
Rick Pitino has St. John’s nationally ranked and searching like a contender within the Massive East. Regulate RJ Luis Jr. for the Purple Storm. The 6-foot-7 guard tallied 21 factors, 11 rebounds and 7 assists in Sunday’s win over New Mexico. He will go towards Baylor’s personal 6-foot-7 drive in Norchad Omier, who averages 16 factors and 10.3 rebounds.
Prediction: The Bears have too many weapons and can win 74-64.
No. 12 Duke (3-1) at No. 17 Arizona (2-1) | Friday
That is the sport of the week. Arizona goals to get again into the win column after being upset at Wisconsin on Friday. Duke freshman Cooper Flagg leads the Blue Devils in factors (16.3), rebounds (9.5) and assists (4.0). His legend will develop if he exhibits out in a raucous McKale Middle atmosphere. Anticipate him to. His finest recreation of the younger season got here towards No. 19 Kentucky (26 factors, 11 rebounds). He is made for these moments. However so is Arizona’s Caleb Love, who’s dealing with an outdated foe in Duke after transferring from North Carolina, the place his 2022 heroics nonetheless hang-out Duke followers. Each groups are extremely prone to be Candy 16 groups.
Prediction: Duke will safe a signature win on the street 92-85.
Baha Mar Championship recreation | Friday
The winner of Baylor-St. John’s will face the winner of Virginia-Tennessee on Friday night time. Most certainly, this would be the Vols towards both a troublesome Baylor group or an up-and-coming St. John’s group. Both approach, it will be a stable technique to finish the week. Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler (14.3 factors, 7.7 rebounds) is a playmaker who will preserve both opponent on its heels.
Prediction: Tennessee ought to go away The Bahamas with a pair of wins.
