We flip the calendar from January to February this week, and an enormous month awaits for groups throughout Division I. After a completely entertaining weekend that noticed loads of surprises — especially in the Big 12/SEC Challenge — there shall be alternatives for assertion wins, résumé-boosting wins and, effectively, just-don’t-mess-this-one-up wins.
As the headline of this piece suggests, the Big 12 continues to be head-and-shoulders above each convention, however that is not the one league value monitoring as we close to one month to go till convention match time. Behind No. 1 Purdue within the Big Ten standings is an unlikely candidate: Northwestern, which was picked thirteenth within the preseason ballot. With No. 16 Xavier taking place over the weekend, the highest of the Big East is beginning to bunch up, too. Even in a wierd yr for the ACC, North Carolina-Duke at all times delivers indirectly, form or type. Oh, and do not forget concerning the Mountain West, which might ship 4 groups dancing if the NCAA Tournament started tomorrow.
It would not, after all. But it is getting nearer.
This week’s prime games
No. 11 Baylor at No. 10 Texas (Monday, 9 p.m. on ESPN) — Another Monday, one other large test for Baylor within the rugged Big 12. One week in the past, the Bears beat then-No. 9 Kansas in Waco. This week, they’re going to take their six-game successful streak to Austin for a duel with Texas.
Baylor’s terrific offense — No. 2 within the nation in effectivity — runs on an uber-talented backcourt, large males who hit the glass arduous and terrific ball safety. Over 43% of its pictures in convention play have been 3-pointers, the best price within the league. Texas has its own lethal offense in transition, although, and the Longhorns go 9 deep. Plus, they’ve solely misplaced as soon as at dwelling this season. The backcourt battle between Baylor’s Keyonte George, Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer and Langston Love vs. Texas’ Marcus Carr, Tyrese Hunter and Arterio Morris is well worth the worth of admission alone.
No. 7 Kansas State at No. 8 Kansas (Tuesday, 8 p.m. on Big 12/ESPN+) — This one would not want an excessive amount of explaining. The final time these two groups performed, Keyontae Johnson threw down a game-winning alley-oop within the Wildcats’ 83-82 overtime victory to cap probably the greatest games of the season. With a whopping 67 mixed free throws tried, it was a battle befitting of the in-state rivalry.
The final time the Wildcats swept the Sunflower Showdown, nevertheless, was means again in 1991, and Jalen Wilson could have an enormous function in guaranteeing it stays that means. The junior has been pretty much as good as anybody within the sport not named Zach Edey with a career-high 38 factors within the final assembly. Kansas State could have to do a greater job guarding Wilson on the perimeter. Too many instances, the Wildcats obtained caught sleeping towards Wilson’s off-ball motion or closed out poorly.
If Wilson’s going to beat you with contested pictures from deep, so be it. He’s taking pictures beneath 35% from past the arc and went simply 3 for 10 within the first assembly. But you possibly can’t give him open catch-and-shoot jumpers and permit direct drives to the rim.
No. 22 San Diego State at Nevada (Tuesday, 11 p.m. on CBS Sports Network) — Two of the highest groups within the Mountain West standings do battle in Reno, with Nevada wanting to avenge its loss to San Diego State earlier in January. The Aztecs have great steadiness with 5 gamers averaging no less than eight factors in convention play. The Aztecs have a terrific backcourt in Matt Bradley, Darrion Trammell and Lamont Butler, with Adam Seiko coming off the bench (he had a career-high 25 factors in a powerful win over Utah State final week). Nevada, although, hasn’t misplaced at dwelling this season and boasts standout wins over Boise State, Utah State and New Mexico — three of the convention’s prime 4 groups — on the Lawlor Events Center. Kenan Blackshear had 68 factors over these three wins, and the Wolf Pack will want one other large one from him Tuesday night time.
No. 17 Providence at No. 16 Xavier (Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. on FS1) — This one shall be a ton of enjoyable, with each groups rating top-20 nationally in offensive effectivity. They get it completed in very alternative ways, although: Providence leads the Big East in offensive rebounding share and free throw price in convention play; Xavier leads the best way in 3-point share. Providence, in the meantime boasts the very best 3-point protection in Big East play.
Keep a watch on an interesting large man battle: Providence’s Bryce Hopkins, a Kentucky switch, leads the Big East in factors per recreation in convention play and will get to the road at will. Xavier, in the meantime, boasts a pair of expert bigs in Jack Nunge and Zach Freemantle.
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (Wednesday, 9 p.m. on ESPN 2) — Oklahoma State and Oklahoma are top-40 groups nationally in accordance to KenPom. They’re additionally seventh and tied for eighth, respectively, within the convention standings. That’s how good the Big 12 is. Grant Sherfield is coming off a 30-point explosion within the Sooners’ large win over No. 2 Alabama. Expect bedlam through the newest installment of the Bedlam Series
VCU at Saint Louis (Friday, 7 p.m. on ESPN2) — Chaifetz Arena must be buzzing on Friday night time with the Rams visiting the Billikens in a showdown between the highest two groups in a aggressive Atlantic 10. VCU owns the convention’s greatest protection and has the A10’s highest compelled turnover share. However, slowing down the A10’s best offense shall be no simple process. The Billikens are one of many nation’s most skilled groups, with Division I assists per recreation chief Yuri Collins main the best way. Javonte Perkins is beginning to discover his groove after getting back from a torn ACL and a bothersome ankle damage. He’s scored in double digits in 5 straight games.
No. 1 Purdue at No. 21 Indiana (Saturday, 4 p.m. on ESPN) — After dropping 4 of its first 5 Big Ten games, Indiana has come roaring again with 5 straight victories, 4 by double digits. Purdue, however, hasn’t had any type of inconsistency points. The Boilermakers have one loss this season — by one to Rutgers — and Zach Edey, who averages 22.1 PPG and 13 RPG, has pretty much locked up player of the year honors.
Edey’s improvement has been outstanding. He’s at all times been large. He hasn’t at all times been in a position to end each palms, use good footwork and timing to create area, or have the contact to end off performs. He leads the nation with 12 factors per recreation on submit ups, and it begins with him getting nice positioning. His right-handed hook is almost unstoppable, and if you happen to overplay there, he can go over his left shoulder. If you attempt to deny the ball, he’ll stuff you within the basket. He now faces an Indiana protection that is among the many worst in defending post-ups this season.
North Carolina at Duke (Saturday, 6:30 p.m. on ESPN) — The second of those two matchups (on March 4) is among the many 10 games we’re looking forward to in 2023, however this primary assembly must be fairly good, too. These storied applications have break up their final 40 conferences, 20-20.
Duke freshman Kyle Filipowski has been terrific regardless of accidents and uneven performances round him. He’s on tempo to be simply the fourth ACC freshman to common no less than 15 factors and 9 rebounds within the final 30 seasons, and the primary since Marvin Bagley III in 2017-18. His battle with Armando Bacot down low shall be an exciting one. Only three gamers have extra double-doubles than Bacot this season.
Plus, it is UNC-Duke. What extra do I’ve to say?
No. 12 Gonzaga at No. 18 Saint Mary’s (Saturday, 10:30 p.m. on ESPN) — Also featured in my early-January checklist, this can be a brawl between the 2 greatest groups within the West Coast Conference. The Bulldogs play quick and have one of many nation’s greatest offenses. The Gaels play sluggish and have one of many nation’s greatest defenses. Drew Timme is having one more excellent season, even when this yr’s Gonzaga crew is not Mark Few’s greatest. Saint Mary’s has 4 gamers averaging no less than a dozen factors — tied for most of any crew — in what is perhaps coach Randy Bennett’s greatest group. This shall be value staying up for.
Three NBA Draft prospects to watch
Check out the 2023 CBS Sports NBA Draft Prospect Rankings.
- It’s been a tricky yr for Villanova in Year 1 beneath Kyle Nepture after Jay Wright’s retirement, however Cam Whitmore is beginning to present what makes him such an attractive prospect. The strong-bodied small ahead scored 21 factors in a slender loss to No. 23 Providence over the weekend and has scored in double digits in 5 of his final six games whereas taking pictures over 45% from 3 throughout that stretch. The Wildcats get robust assessments at No. 14 Marquette and Creighton this week. Whitmore is fourth in our prospect rankings.
- Iowa is again on the great facet of the bubble of Jerry Palm’s Bracketology, however the Hawkeyes have work to do to keep there. That begins towards Northwestern and Illinois — each match groups presently — this week. Kris Murray has been on a tear currently, with 5 games of no less than 20 factors in January, most of any Big Ten participant. He’s fifteenth in our prospect rankings.
- Indiana’s Jalen Hood-Schifino is coming off a 24-point outing that included six 3-pointers in a win over Ohio State. That got here after he hadn’t made a single 3-pointer over his prior 4 games. Hood-Schifino leads the Hoosiers in assists, steals and turnovers, and he can run actually cold and hot. Indiana will want him scorching: The Hoosiers are at Maryland and residential towards No. 1 Purdue this week. Hood-Schifino is thirty fifth in our prospect rankings.
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