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 through which Charleston made a three-pointer to win 119-116.
What does this week have in retailer? Listed here are 5 video games to observe:
No. 6 Purdue (4-0) at No. 15 Marquette (4-0) | Tuesday
Each groups are coming off large 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 gradual Jones, it should depart Milwaukee with a win.
Prediction: It is going to be shut all through, however it appears foolish to doubt head coach Matt Painter and Purdue. The Boilermakers will discover a strategy 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 tricky loss at Purdue on Friday night time. Is the Illini’s extremely touted freshmen class (ranked 15th in the nation by 247Sports) prepared for the highlight? Wednesday night time’s sport for the Illini is the beginning of a tricky stretch that features video games in opposition to 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 dwelling 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 Crimson Storm. The 6-foot-7 guard tallied 21 factors, 11 rebounds and 7 assists in Sunday’s win over New Mexico. He will go in opposition to Baylor’s personal 6-foot-7 power 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 Heart setting. Count on him to. His greatest sport of the younger season got here in opposition to 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 previous foe in Duke after transferring from North Carolina, the place his 2022 heroics still haunt Duke followers. Each groups are extremely prone to be Candy 16 groups.
Prediction: Duke will safe a signature win on the highway 92-85.
Baha Mar Championship sport | Friday
The winner of Baylor-St. John’s will face the winner of Virginia-Tennessee on Friday night time. Most probably, this would be the Vols in opposition to both a tricky Baylor workforce or an up-and-coming St. John’s workforce. Both method, it should be a stable strategy to finish the week. Tennessee’s Zakai Zeigler (14.3 factors, 7.7 rebounds) is a playmaker who will hold both opponent on its heels.
Prediction: Tennessee ought to depart The Bahamas with a pair of wins.
