NCAAB · 7 months ago

10 Biggest Must-See Matchups in College Basketball This Weekend

Grant White

Host · Writer

(17) Michigan Wolverines vs (8) Michigan State Spartans
As always, the college basketball regular season closes out with a quiet Sunday. But even with the Big Ten already locked up, basketball fans will want to tune into the Michigan/Michigan State rivalry game in East Lansing. The Wolverines are trying to enhance their tournament resume, while the Spartans are pressing for a higher seed. Michigan won't go quietly, as it looks to head into the conference tournament on a high note.

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Dayton Flyers vs VCU Rams
Low-key, the Dayton Flyers taking on the VCU Rams could end up being the game of the weekend. As implied by the -8.5 spread, VCU sits comfortably atop the A10 and is likely guaranteed an NCAA Tournament berth. However, the Dayton Flyers face a much more daunting task to get into the big dance. A win over the Rams would carry a lot of weight with the tournament committee.

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(18) Purdue Boilermakers vs Illinois Fighting Illini
The Purdue Boilermakers have stomped out the smoldering flames of their four-game losing streak, but they risk re-igniting this weekend. Purdue travels to Champaign for an intra-conference tilt versus the Illinois Fighting Illini. Illinois is priced at -4.5 chalk, undoubtedly reflecting Purdue's recent downturn. Everyone should be tuning in on Friday night regardless of the betting line.
(19) Kentucky Wildcats vs (15) Missouri Tigers
Two offensive juggernauts will go shot for shot on Saturday morning. The Missouri Tigers average the seventh-most points per game in the country, putting up 84.6 per game. Still, that's a shade off the Kentucky Wildcats' mark of 85.6. Whatever the total opens at, bettors might be quick to jump on the over in what should quickly turn into a good ol' fashioned shootout.
(6) St. John's Red Storm vs (20) Marquette Golden Eagles
The class of the Big East takes to the court in Milwaukee as the Marquette Golden Eagles host the St. John's Red Storm. St. John's has already locked up the Big East crown, and both teams are guaranteed a tournament berth. However, this is the ultimate test for Marquette. The Golden Eagles have gone 5-5 to close out the season, and this is their chance to test their mettle against a championship contender.
(7) Alabama Crimson Tide vs (1) Auburn Tigers
Over the past few years, the Alabama Crimson Tide and Auburn Tigers rivalry has lost some of its lustre. But what they've lacked on the football field, they've made up for on the basketball court. Both programs enter the final weekend of the regular season, ranked in the top seven. Moreover, anything short of the Final Four would be considered a disappointment for both programs. This is the ultimate test before Alabama and Auburn head into tournament season.
(24) Arizona Wildcats vs Kansas Jayhawks
The Kansas Jayhawks have been one of the worst teams over the past few weeks. Since February 11, Kansas has just two wins against inferior opponents, negatively impacting their Big 12 seeding. The best they can hope for is the sixth seed, but there's also a world where they could be relegated to the 11th seed with a loss. We trust that they will be at their best, making their tilt versus the Arizona Wildcats appointment viewing.
Ole Miss Rebels vs (5) Florida Gators
The Ole Miss Rebels hit a snag last weeks, expelling them from the top 25. But with two wins since then, Ole Miss is back in the top 25 conversation. A win versus the third-ranked Florida Gators on Saturday would guarantee that the Rebels re-emerge as a nationally ranked team. The Gators have slipped up recently, leaving the door open for a potential upset.
Oklahoma Sooners vs Texas Longhorns
There is so much at stake for both of these teams. The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners have been trying to prove that they're worthy of an at-large bid but can't get out of their own way. Saturday's tilt is the last chance both teams will have to bolster their regular season record, which could be the difference between which team makes it and which team is left out of the tournament.
(2) Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels
Even the most casual college basketball observer must tune into this classic rivalry game. The second-ranked Duke Blue Devils have re-established themselves as perennial contenders. Still, the North Carolina Tar Heels are trending in the opposite direction. Quad 1 wins are absent from North Carolina's resume, but there's no bigger team they could beat than the Duke Blue Devils. They may be +11.5 underdogs, but the Tar Heels have upset potential.
(17) Michigan Wolverines vs (8) Michigan State Spartans
As always, the college basketball regular season closes out with a quiet Sunday. But even with the Big Ten already locked up, basketball fans will want to tune into the Michigan/Michigan State rivalry game in East Lansing. The Wolverines are trying to enhance their tournament resume, while the Spartans are pressing for a higher seed. Michigan won't go quietly, as it looks to head into the conference tournament on a high note.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Dayton Flyers vs VCU Rams
Low-key, the Dayton Flyers taking on the VCU Rams could end up being the game of the weekend. As implied by the -8.5 spread, VCU sits comfortably atop the A10 and is likely guaranteed an NCAA Tournament berth. However, the Dayton Flyers face a much more daunting task to get into the big dance. A win over the Rams would carry a lot of weight with the tournament committee.

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10 Biggest Must-See Matchups in College Basketball This Weekend

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