With the Kansas Jayhawks falling to West Virginia on Tuesday, we might see a new No. 1 team in the AP poll in its next update. Will it be Oklahoma, who gave the Jayhawks all it could handle in a recent meeting? The Sooners can’t get too excited, though, as they have to take on the dangerous Cyclones this coming Monday. That game along with four others make this week’s list of our top five best college games to watch.
Read on for a brief preview of our select five best NCAAB games to watch until Tuesday. You can also read our full breakdown of Saturday’s West Virginia vs. Oklahoma matchup.
[sc:MarchMadness ]The Top Five College Basketball Games to Watch this Week (Jan. 15-19)
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. No. 3 Maryland Terrapins
Where: Xfinity Center College Park, College Park
When: Saturday, January 16, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Maryland Terrapins – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
[sc:NCAAB240banner ]Despite their 85-60 loss to Indiana on Sunday, it’s becoming clear that the Buckeyes are finally getting it together. Ohio State began the season losing four of its first six games but thanks to a 10-2 record since, including a huge upset win over No. 4 Kentucky, the Buckeyes’ hunt for an at-large berth to the Big Dance is becoming a real possibility.
The likelihood of that happening would grow for sure if the Buckeyes manage to take down No. 3 Maryland. The Terps are coming off a 70-67 loss to Michigan, and another loss could prove detrimental to their quest for a Big Ten regular season title.
No. 6 Villanova Wildcats vs. Georgetown Hoyas
Where: Verizon Center, Washington D.C.
When: Saturday, January 16, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Villanova Wildcats vs. Georgetown Hoyas – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
No. 6 in the AP Poll and No. 1 in RPI, Villanova trudges to Washington, D.C. this Saturday to face the Hoyas, who are about to start a daunting two-game stretch on their schedule. The Wildcats extended their unbeaten streak to seven games by beating Marquette on Wednesday to remain unblemished in conference play.
Meanwhile, the Hoyas are on a two-game win streak but those victories were against Big East doormats St. John’s and DePaul. That being said, the Hoyas know how to give ranked teams a run for their money, having lost to Maryland and Duke by just six total points early this season. They also beat then-No. 14 Syracuse on December 5.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. No. 6 Duke Blue Devils
Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham
When: Saturday, January 16, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Duke Blue Devils– view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Who said Duke’s offense was unstoppable? Duke suffered its third defeat of the season on Wednesday at the hands of Clemson, who went gung-ho on the glass to slow down the Blue Devils in a 68-63 Tigers victory. Duke, which averages 39.9 rebounds per game, was outrebounded by Clemson, 34-26.
Notre Dame must have the same formula in mind heading into its game against the Blue Devils, who are third in the nation in scoring with 88.1 points per game. The Irish bounced back from a loss to No. 24 Pittsburgh on Saturday by upending Georgia Tech Wednesday to notch their second top 40 RPI win of the season.
No. 8 Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Clemson Tigers
Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville
When: Saturday, January 16, 2:00 PM ET
Line: Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs. Clemson Tigers – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
The Canes’ eight-game win streak ended on Tuesday, when they were ambushed in Charlottesville by Virginia. At least, losing to No. 13 Virginia doesn’t hit its record as hard as that defeat to Northeastern back in November.
Miami will try to pick up the pieces on the road against a dangerous Clemson team that has recorded back-to-back wins over ranked teams in No. 16 Louisville and No. 8 Duke (both at home). That’s not to mention the Tigers’ victory against Syracuse on Jan. 2. Dating back to 2012, the Hurricanes are 4-1 SU and 1-3-1 ATS in five meetings with Clemson.
No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones
Where: Hilton Coliseum, Ames
When: Monday, January 18, 9:00 PM ET
Line: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Iowa State Cyclones – view all NCAA Basketball lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
The Sooners and the Cyclones each have a game to play prior to their showdown in Ames this coming Monday, but it shouldn’t diminish the luster of this matchup between two Big 12 powerhouses.
For one, it’s going to be fun to see how Buddy Hield would fare against the Cyclones’ soft defense that’s ranked just 253rd in the nation. Hield is showing no signs of cooling down, scoring 26, 31, 46, 22, and 34 points in the past four games. Iowa State, however, also know how to score, as the Cyclones average 85.8 points.
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