With just two college football games on the Saturday sports schedule, for the first time this season, college basketball will take center stage this weekend with a loaded slate and numerous marquee non-conference matchups. The fun begins in Indianapolis Saturday afternoon when No. 17 Texas A&M takes on No. 11 Purdue in the Indy Classic on CBS.
Texas A&M’s game against Purdue won’t be the only neutral site game that draws attention. No. 2 Auburn faces Ohio State at the State Farm Center in Atlanta, and old Pac-12 foes Arizona and UCLA will renew their West Coast rivalry in Phoenix. To close the evening, No. 8 Gonzaga faces No. 8 UConn in New York.
One of the best rivalries in college basketball will write its final chapter when No. 5 Kentucky hosts Louisville. For the first time in more than 15 years, someone other than John Calipari will be on the home team’s sidelines after the former Kentucky coach left for the vacant job at Arkansas last offseason. Kentucky has won five of the last six meetings against Louisville.
Odds via SportsLine consensus | All times Eastern
No. 8 Gonzaga against n°18 UConn in New York
8 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV (Try for free) — Dan Hurley’s UConn team has looked vulnerable at times this season, but this could be an opportunity to get back on track. Gonzaga has looked elite during parts of the season, and a win over UConn would further enhance its resume and solidify itself as a top-five team. Prediction: Gonzaga -3
No. 17 Texas A&M against number 11 Purdue in Indianapolis
12:00 | CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports app And Paramount+ with Showtime (try it for free) — The magic number for Purdue is 25. The Boilermakers are 25-1 when Braden Smith and fellow guard Fletcher Loyer combine to score at least 25 points. On the other side, Texas A&M has a star guard in Wade Taylor lV. Taylor is three points away from joining Josh Carter as the only player in program history with at least 250 shots taken from beyond the arc. Purdue wins a close one. Pick: Purdue -2.5
1:00 p.m. | ESPN2, fuboTV (Try for free) — Auburn looked like the best team in the country before losing to Duke earlier this month at Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Tigers responded with a resounding win over Richmond and could challenge for top spot in the standings depending on how the rest of the weekend goes. The Buckeyes will make this game interesting and cover the spread. Prediction: Ohio State +11.5
No. 24 UCLA against. Arizona in Phoenix
3:00 p.m. | ESPN2, fuboTV (Try for free) — If you grew up a fan of Pac-12 basketball, this game is for you. Although UCLA and Arizona are not members of the same conference, the programs have agreed to maintain this rivalry through at least 2027. Arizona is off to a slow start, while UCLA has won all seven of its final games after losing to New Mexico in opening week. UCLA covers and wins outright. Prediction: UCLA +3
3:15 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Try for free) — NC State will play its first true road game of the season in one of the most hostile environments in the country. Kansas is coming off back-to-back losses after starting 7-0, but returns to Allen Fieldhouse with an opportunity to pick up a victory against a program fresh off a Final Four appearance. Kansas wins, but NC State covers. Prediction: NC State +14.5
5:15 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Try for free) — The classic phrase “throw records out the window” whenever rivals face off couldn’t be more true in this scenario. Kentucky is a double-digit favorite at home against Louisville, but this game should be close. Kentucky has looked rejuvenated under Mark Pope, while Louisville coach Pat Kelsey has brought a glimmer of hope to a once-proud program. The Wildcats should defend their home field, but the Cardinals will keep it interesting down the stretch. Pick: Louisville +12
5:30 p.m. | Fox, fuboTV (Try for free) — Illinois can create some chaos in the rankings with a win over No. 1 Tennessee. The Volunteers are off to a 9-0 start, but this will be only the second time they have played a true road game this season. Tennessee beat Louisville 77-55 last month on the road, but this is its biggest test. Illinois pulls off the surprise and wins outright. Side note: If you haven’t seen Illinois guard Kasparas Jakučionis play yet, now is the time to start. Prediction: Illinois
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