The opening week of faculty basketball is within the books, and what every week it was. No. 6 Gonzaga blew out No. 8 Baylor, No. 11 Auburn grounded its flight as a result of a participant scuffle onboard and the Massive East struggled out the gate.
The Champions Basic highlights the second week of the season. Listed here are the 5 greatest video games from Nov. 11 to 17, plus predictions.
Michigan State vs. No. 1 Kansas | Tuesday
The Champions Basic is the true sign that faculty basketball has returned. The Spartans and top-ranked Jayhawks face off in Atlanta, with KU having received the final three conferences. Michigan State could have an opportunity if it will possibly cease an previous foe in former Michigan star Hunter Dickinson. In six profession conferences towards MSU, Dickinson has averaged 19.3 factors and seven.6 rebounds. Kansas performed two wildly totally different halves in Friday’s win over No. 9 North Carolina. After blowing a 20-point lead, KU prevailed. Which staff exhibits up on Tuesday?
Prediction: Kansas takes care of enterprise, leaning closely on Dickinson for an 83-68 win.
No. 7 Duke vs. No. 23 Kentucky | Tuesday
Any time these two hyperlink up, it is well worth the watch. New head coach Mark Pope had Kentucky’s offense wanting like a well-oiled machine final week, averaging 101.5 factors per recreation. Duke’s offense is not far behind at 98 factors per recreation. Tuesday is Duke’s stud freshman Cooper Flagg’s first primetime introduction to the world. He is lived as much as the billing to this point, averaging 14 factors, 9 rebounds and 4 assists per recreation. Kentucky’s dogged protection will create issues.
Prediction: Kentucky makes use of its crisp ball motion on the offensive finish and its veteran roster to shock the Blue Devils, 90-81.
No. 2 Alabama at No. 14 Purdue | Friday
Purdue is not what it was final yr with out Zach Edey, however Mackey Area is without doubt one of the hardest locations to play within the nation. In a world the place Energy 4 faculties sometimes play impartial website video games, it is a ravishing factor to see a marquee matchup on campus. Watch the purpose guards on this one. Purdue’s Braden Smith and Alabama’s Mark Sears are two of the most effective within the nation. Sears is extra of a scorer (19 factors per recreation), whereas Smith is a pass-first guard (11 assists per recreation).
Prediction: Mackey is a tricky place to play, however Alabama is elite. The Tide go away with a hard-fought 81-76 win.
Loyola Chicago at Princeton | Friday
Give some like to the little guys. Loyola was the Atlantic-10 common season champion final yr and received votes to win the title this yr. Princeton received the Ivy League final season and acquired all but one vote to repeat. Control Princeton’s Caden Pierce. Final yr’s Ivy League Participant of the 12 months is averaging 17.5 factors and 7 rebounds per recreation. Loyola must discover a solution for him.
Prediction: Pierce places collectively an enormous recreation to guide Princeton to a 75-62 win.
Ohio State at No. 13 Texas A&M | Friday
The Buckeyes upset No. 19 Texas to open the season due to a three-point capturing barrage. Ohio State knocked down 14 threes in its win. A&M must defend the lengthy ball higher than Texas did, however the Aggies additionally want Wade Taylor IV to search out his stroke. He’s averaging 11.5 factors per recreation and capturing simply 36% from the sphere. If he turns in one other lackluster exhibiting, it will likely be one other assertion win for Ohio State.
Prediction: Issues could possibly be totally different Friday night time, however from what we have seen to this point, it seems the Buckeyes are primed for one more large win, 77-70.
