So, what does Week 13 of the college basketball season have in store for us sports fans? Just pivotal division matchups in the Big Ten and the Big East, some tricky road encounters for leading NCAA tournament contenders, and one titanic showdown in sunny California.
Let’s take an in-depth look at all five games, and break down the key matchups in each of those contests. Meanwhile, check out our previews of the game that just missed the cut of our top five list below: Texas A&M vs. Vanderbilt.
March Madness News & Predictions
- 2016 March Madness Sleepers Predictions and Picks
- 2016 March Madness Longshots and Best Long Shots Picks and Predictions
- 2016 March Madness Preview
- 2016 NCAA March Madness Expert Picks
The Top Five College Basketball Games to Watch this Week (Feb. 4-8)
UCLA Bruins vs. USC Trojans
Where: Galen Center, Los Angeles
When: Thursday, February 4, 10:30 PM ET
Line: UCLA Bruins at USC Trojans – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: PAC12
A mouth-watering encounter is in the cards this coming Thursday as Pac-12 rivals UCLA and USC lock horns in another edition of the Battle of Los Angeles. USC stunned basketball observers everywhere with their 89-75 victory over UCLA last month, the Trojans’ first win against the Bruins in seven attempts. The Trojans are flying high at the moment, winning their last two games by an average of 10 points. The Bruins will head to this matchup with momentum as well, crushing last-place Washington State by 33 points on Sunday.
No. 10 Michigan State Spartans vs. Michigan Wolverines
Where: Crisler Center, Ann Arbor
When: Saturday, February 6, 2:00 PM ET
Line: Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Wolverines – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Michigan could really use a win against a ranked opponent right now. After losing to No. 22 Indiana by 13 points on Tuesday night, the Wolverines are looking to get back the committee’s attention with a huge victory. That may come this Saturday against arch-rivals Michigan State, which has won its last three games by a 24.7 point margin. Michigan is coming in with the conference’s fourth-best offense, averaging 76.9 points per game. The Wolverines will have their work cut out for them, however, against a Michigan State defense that’s allowing just 62.4 points per game this season, 14th in Division I.
No. 3 Villanova Wildcats vs. No. 11 Providence Friars
Where: Dunkin Donuts Center, Providence
When: Saturday, February 6, 2:30 PM ET
Line: Villanova Wildcats at Providence Friars – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: FS1
Things are going from bad to worse for No. 11 Providence as they crashed to their second defeat in the last three games with a stunning 77-70 loss to DePaul. Effort was clearly missing from the athletic Friars who were outrebounded by the Blue Demons, 48-24. They will look for a much better performance this coming Saturday when they host No. 3 Villanova.
The Wildcats will be looking for some payback after the Friars ended their 22-game conference winning streak last month. Brian Bentil was the hero for Providence in that game, scoring 31 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. He’s a major doubt, though, for Saturday’s contest as he injured his left ankle in the first half of that loss to DePaul.
No. 2 North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Where: Purcell Pavilion, South Bend
When: Saturday, February 6, 7:00 PM ET
Line: North Carolina Tar Heels at Notre Dame Fighting Irish – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Now that was a shock. North Carolina finally blemished its perfect ACC record in a stunning 71-65 road loss to Louisville on Monday. Damion Lee erupted for 24 huge points to help Louisville snap North Carolina’s 12-game winning streak. With that loss, the Tar Heels fell to 2-1 against ranked teams this season. They will look to get their season back on track when they face Notre Dame this coming Saturday. It won’t be that easy, though, as North Carolina have struggled against Notre Dame of late. The Fighting Irish have won their last two meetings against the Tar Heels, including that epic 90-82 victory in the ACC title game last March.
No. 19 Louisville Cardinals vs. Duke Blue Devils
Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham
When: Monday, February 8, 7:00 PM ET
Line: Louisville Cardinals at Duke Blue Devils – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
What in the world is happening to Duke? The defending national champion has struggled mightily out of the gate, losing four of their first nine games in the ACC this season. That poor start has resulted in Duke being unranked for the first time since the 2007 NCAA tournament. They can get their season back on track, though when they host the No. 19 Louisville Cardinals this coming Monday. The red-hot Cards have won five of their last six games, including a shock 71-65 victory over No. 2 North Carolina on Monday night.
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