Is college basketball finally seeing the top teams restore order? It seemed like teams in the AP top 15 were getting knocked off almost every night, but in the last week, the top 15 teams only lost five games – and four of those five losses came to teams with similar rankings. The only exception was Kansas’ home debacle against BYU. Tennessee is trending upward right now, winning at home against Auburn, which involved solving the SEC’s best defense other than Tennessee’s, and winning at Alabama, who boasts the nation’s best offense. Going into the last weekend of the 2023-24 college basketball regular season, we have some College Basketball Lines and analysis about the top 25 teams’ upcoming matchups.
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Boise State Rams at #21 San Diego State Aztecs
Friday, March 8
10:00 pm ET, FS1
Jaedon LeDee is putting up 23.7 points and 7.3 boards per game over his last six games, shooting 63.9% overall from the floor. Aztecs to win.
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Arkansas Razorbacks at #16 Alabama Crimson Tide
Saturday, March 9
12:00 pm ET, ESPN
Nick Pringle has bumped up his scoring, hitting double figures in points in five of six games. He crashed the offensive glass hard against Tennessee, making life much harder for the Volunteers. Tide to win and cover.
#6 Iowa State Cyclones at Kansas State Wildcats
Saturday, March 9
2:00 pm ET, ESPN2
Kansas State is a notoriously difficult gym for opposing teams. Iowa State just held off a suddenly chippy BYU team at home by five – the same BYU team that just won at Kansas and at TCU. This is a team with a strong system, and this is the time of year when systems deliver. Cyclones to win.
#10 Creighton Bluejays at Villanova Wildcats
Saturday, March 9
2:30 pm ET, FOX
Baylor Scheierman was electric in Saturday’s win over Marquette, with 26 points, 16 boards and four assists. Over the last month of the season, he has 26 or more points in four of nine games, averaging 20.1 points per contest. Ryan Kalkbrenner is still the manager of the paint. With no midweek game, they should be rested for this weekend’s showdown in Philadelphia. Bluejays to win.
#17 South Carolina Gamecocks at Mississippi State Bulldogs
Saturday, March 9
2:30 pm ET, ESPN SEC Network
The Gamecocks won at Texas A&M but looked headed to a loss against Florida. Switching to a tricky 1-3-1 zone, though, confused the Gators and let the Gamecocks back in the game. They trailed Tennessee by just a game before taking that home loss to the Volunteers. They won’t have any problem taking out some frustrations on the Bulldogs. Gamecocks to win and cover.
#14 Kansas Jayhawks at #1 Houston Cougars
Saturday, March 9
4:00 pm ET, ESPN
Houston has “only” won their last four games by single digits, including Jamal Shead’s miraculous winner to stop Oklahoma in overtime. That game also saw Houston’s worst defensive showing since 2021, when Baylor torched the Cougars’ defense in the Final Four. Houston’s big men can get into foul trouble, and their perimeter defense can be soft – the Sooners hit a dozen three-balls in their near-upset. Did Kansas avenge their earlier loss to K-State? Um, yes, by 22 points. The problem they have is a lack of three-point shooting; they are dead last in the Big 12 in three-point attempt rate and percentage of points from three-balls. They rank 11th in the Big 12 in three-point shooting percentage in conference games. Kevin McCullar Jr and Johnny Furphy are the only players who have made at least 24 three-balls. That will eventually be a problem. Cougars to win and cover.
#15 Kentucky Wildcats at #4 Tennessee Volunteers
Saturday, March 9
4:00 pm ET, CBS
The Volunteers went to South Carolina on Wednesday and won, and Jonas Aidoo has scored 11 or more points in sxi of his last seven games. He’s been absolutely controlling the offensive glass. John Calipari continues to trust his freshmen, and they closed out that Saturday victory over Arkansas. Justin Edwards is terrific in the paint on both ends, and Zvonimir Ivisic dropped 18 on Alabama and went 12-9 against Arkansas. Tennessee to win and cover.
#8 Marquette Golden Eagles at Xavier Musketeers
Saturday, March 9
5:00 pm ET, FOX
Around the midpoint of the season, the Golden Eagles switched from being a defensively stifling team to an offensively dominant team. Sean Jones went down after 16 games and has not returned to the floor. Either way, this trip to Cincinnati should keep the Golden Eagles streaking. Golden Eagles to win.
#11 Baylor Bears at Texas Tech Red Raiders
Saturday, March 9
6:00 pm ET, ESPN2
RayJ Dennis put the team on his back as the Bears beat Kansas last Saturday, finishing with 19 points and 10 assists. In Baylor wins, he puts up 14.2 points, 6.5 assists, 3.0 turnovers, and 45.2% shooting from distance. When they lose, he drops to 11.4 points, 23.1% shooting from distance, and jumps to 4.5 turnovers per game. Lubbock isn’t an easy place to win, though. Red Raiders to cover.
#7 North Carolina Tar Heels at #9 Duke Blue Devils
Saturday, March 9
6:30 pm ET, ESPN
Could the Tar Heels end up snagging a 1-seed? They don’t have the numbers that Tennessee and Arizona have, but they have beaten Tennessee, and all of their losses have come in Quads 1 and 2. Duke looks to avenge their earlier loss at North Carolina on February 3. Since that setback, they lead the ACC in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. They are also second in th enation in adjusted efficiency margin according to BartTorvik.com. Their three-point percentage is edging toward 40% while their opponents aren’t making 27% of their shots from distance. Duke to win.
Georgia Bulldogs at #13 Auburn Tigers
Saturday, March 9
6:30 pm ET, ESPN SEC Network
Auburn went to Missouri and dropped 101 points on the hosts on Tuesday, thanks in large part to the return of Jaylin Williams. He returned from injury to drop a dozen on Tennessee of the bench and followed that up with 10 points, three assists and a pair of blocks in a win over Mississippi State. Tigers to win and cover.
#2 Connecticut Huskies at Providence Friars
Saturday, March 9
8:00 pm ET, FOX
Remember that the Huskies were picked to finish third in the Big East in the preseason poll. No Huskies were voted to the preseason All-Big East team. Yes, they’re the reigning national champions, but this has been an impressive season. Can they go win in a tough Providence gym? Yes. Huskies to win.
#5 Arizona Wildcats at USC Trojans
Saturday, March 9
10:00 pm ET, ESPN
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Wisconsin Badgers at #3 Purdue Boilermakers
Sunday, March 10
12:30 pm ET, FOX
Is Purdue’s defense leaking? They have allowed over one point per possession in five games in a row and at least 1.11 in four of those games. On the good news side, Fletcher Loyer knocked down four three-balls in Purdue’s win over Michigan State last weekend, totaling 15 points on the night. That came after five straight single-digit performances. Purdue to win and cover.
#12 Illinois Fighting Illini at Iowa Hawkeyes
Sunday, March 10
7:00 pm ET, FS1
Illinois got a shot at Purdue at home on Tuesday but couldn’t get over the hump. Even so, Terrence Shannon Jr and Marcus Domask make for a powerful offensive duo. Shannon has 23 or more points in six of his last eight games, and Domask dropped 31 on Wisconsin in their last meeting. Iowa likes to slow the game down, but the Illini should be ready. Illini to cover.
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Tyrell Ward had the game-winning basket for the LSU Tigers on Wednesday night, as his 17-point performance was punctuated with a short floater just before the buzzer that beat Kentucky, 75-74. That made it two straight comeback wins over ranked teams for the Tigers. The LSU fans poured onto the floor in a celebration that would end up costing the school a $100,000 fine. Jalen Reed and Jordan Wright each chipped in 13 as LSU (14-12, 6-7 SEC) turned a 15-point deficit into a win. That followed a comeback from 16 points down in the second half in a Saturday win at then-#11 South Carolina. Check out this week’s AP Top 25 pool from men’s college basketball as well as a sports betting preview for the weekend.
| Rank | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | UConn Huskies | 24-2 |
| 2 | Houston Cougars | 22-3 |
| 3 | Purdue Boilermakers | 23-3 |
| 4 | Arizona Wildcats | 20-5 |
| 5 | Tennessee Volunteers | 19-6 |
| 6 | Iowa State Cyclones | 20-5 |
| 7 | Marquette Golden Eagles | 19-6 |
| 8 | Duke Blue Devils | 20-5 |
| 9 | Kansas Jayhawks | 20-6 |
| 10 | North Carolina Tar Heels | 20-6 |
| 11 | Baylor Bears | 19-6 |
| 12 | Illinois Fighting Illini | 19-6 |
| 13 | Alabama Crimson Tide | 18-7 |
| 14 | Auburn Tigers | 20-6 |
| 15 | Creighton Bluejays | 19-7 |
| 16 | Dayton Flyers | 21-4 |
| 17 | Kentucky Wildcats | 18-7 |
| 18 | Saint Mary’s Gaels | 21-6 |
| 19 | San Diego State Aztecs | 20-6 |
| 20 | South Carolina Gamecocks | 21-5 |
| 21 | Washington State Cougars | 20-6 |
| 22 | Colorado State Rams | 20-6 |
| 23 | Texas Tech Red Raiders | 18-7 |
| 24 | Florida Gators | 18-7 |
| 25 | BYU Cougars | 18-7 |
College Basketball Lines #2 Houston Cougars at #11 Baylor Bears
Saturday, February 24
12:00 pm ET, CBS
Baylor lost by seven at #25 BYU on Tuesday and now has to face a Houston Cougars team that has shaken off some early yips in Big 12 play to become the steamroller in the conference. Can the Bears’ stellar shooting outweigh the length and interior game that the Cougars bring? Houston to win.
Vanderbilt Commodores at #24 Florida Gators
Saturday, February 24
1:00 pm ET, SEC ESPN Network
Vanderbilt has one of the more unusual home basketball arenas, making it hard in visiting opponents, but the Commodores are underperforming this season in the cage. Florida has designs on surprising some people with a deep March Madness run, and the Commodores should be their next big win. Florida to win and cover.
College Basketball Lines Washington Huskies at #4 Arizona Wildcats
Saturday, February 24
2:00 pm ET, CBS
Arizona should have plenty of motivation after the tournament selection committee indicated they were far behind the three teams ahead of them in the poll. Can they continue an anger tour that started with a 45-point rout of Arizona State? Arizona to win and cover.
West Virginia Mountaineers at #6 Iowa State Cyclones
Saturday, February 24
2:00 pm ET, ESPN2
Iowa State finally got some love in the AP Top 25, but they’re used to the pressure of Big 12 play. These aren’t the Press Virginia Mountaineers that Bob Huggins used to parade around the nation. Iowa State to win and cover.
College Basketball Lines #8 Duke Blue Devils at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Saturday, February 24
2:00 pm ET, ESPN
Wake Forest is a tough place to win, and the Demon Deacons may be ready to turn the tables on a Blue Devils team that has been hot lately. Wake Forest to cover.
#25 BYU Cougars at Kansas State Wildcats
Saturday, February 24
2:00 pm ET, ESPN+
BYU has more than held their own in their first Big 12 season, but few road environments in this conference can match the chaos of Manhattan. Kansas State to cover.
Iowa Hawkeyes at #12 Illinois Fighting Illini
Saturday, February 24
2:15 pm ET, Big Ten Network
Terrence Shannon Jr has returned from his suspension, and the Fighting Illini have been scoring in bunches since he came back. Iowa has a nifty defense but lacks the interior size and the perimeter quickness to keep up. Illinois to win and cover.
#20 South Carolina Gamecocks at Ole Miss Rebels
Saturday, February 24
3:30 pm ET, SEC ESPN Network
I see South Carolina bouncing back from a tough, tough week as they head west to take on one of the SEC’s basement dwellers. Gamecocks to win and cover.
College Basketball Lines #10 North Carolina Tar Heels at Virginia Cavaliers
Saturday, February 24
4:00 pm ET, ESPN
Get ready for a slow, grinding game as the Cavaliers bring their trademark defense and stultifying offense into this home game. Take the under.
#13 Alabama Crimson Tide at #17 Kentucky Wildcats
Saturday, February 24
4:00 pm ET, CBS
Which Kentucky team will show up? The one that figured out how to play shutdown defense? Or the one that blew that big lead at LSU? Alabama to cover.
Texas Longhorns at #9 Kansas Jayhawks
Saturday, February 24
6:00 pm ET, ESPN
Kansas is feeling the heat from Houston as the Jayhawks’ string of Big 12 titles is on the line. Don’t expect the Longhorns to mount much resistance. Kansas to win and cover.
#14 Auburn Tigers at Georgia Bulldogs
Saturday, February 24
6:00 pm ET, SEC ESPN Network
Auburn just took a tough overtime loss against Alabama, and I expect them to work out their frustrations in Athens. Auburn to win and cover.
Villanova Wildcats at #1 UConn Huskies
Saturday, February 24
8:00 pm ET, FOX
UConn lost at Creighton, extending a streak of road losses to ranked teams that extends, somehow, all the way back to 2014. These aren’t Jay Wright’s Villanova Wildcats. UConn to win and cover.
Texas A&M Aggies at #5 Tennessee Volunteers
Saturday, February 24
8:00 pm ET, ESPN
The Volunteers look to button up their resume for a 2-seed in March Madness, and maybe a 1-seed if Arizona falters. Tennessee to win and cover.
College Basketball Lines #21 Washington State Cougars at Arizona State Sun Devils
Saturday, February 24
8:00 pm ET, ESPN2
Arizona State is a tough place to play, even if the Sun Devils’ talent is a little low this year. Arizona State to cover.
#22 Colorado State Rams at Nevada-Las Vegas Runnin’ Rebels
Saturday, February 24
8:00 pm ET, CBS Sports
Can CSU actually win the Mountain West? Passing a tough road test like this will be an important step. Colorado State to cover.
University of San Diego Toreros at #18 St. Mary’s (CA) Gaels
Saturday, February 24
10:00 pm ET, ESPNU
Can you believe that the Gaels are the class of the West Coast Conference? With Gonzaga on the decline, it’s the Gaels’ time. St. Mary’s to win and cover.
College Basketball Lines #19 San Diego State Aztecs at Fresno State Bulldogs
Saturday, February 24
10:00 pm ET, CBS Sports
San Diego State is rounding back into form approaching conference tournament time, and the Bulldogs are squarely focused on next year. San Diego State to win and cover.
#15 Creighton Bluejays at St. John’s Red Storm
Sunday, February 25
12:00 pm ET, CBS
Rick Pitino unloaded on his St. John’s team after an embarrassing weekend exgtended the Red Storm’s losing streak. Will they rise up against Creighton? St. John’s to cover.
#3 Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Wolverines
Sunday, February 25
2:00 pm ET, CBS
Michigan is dead last in the Big Ten, while Purdue is looking to continue bouncing back from their loss at unranked Ohio State. They drilled Rutgers at home by 28, and the Wolverines should be their next victim. Purdue to win and cover.
Xavier Musketeers at #7 Marquette Golden Eagles
Sunday, February 25
5:00 pm ET, FS1
Marquette is still rounding back into form after taking an ugly beating at the hands of UConn. At this point, Xavier is on the NIT bubble, at best. Marquette to win and cover.
