Fight of the bigs: Do not miss out on Hunter Dickinson vs

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN Personnel WriterDec 1, 2023, 09:00 AM ET Close Covers college basketball

• Joined ESPN.com in 2011
• Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

Call, image and similarity (NIL) guidelines aren’t perfect.You might make the

case that regulation may be necessary in the future. However NIL chances have likewise improved college basketball by enabling talented players to go back to school and make the best decisions for their futures.In a various world, Hunter Dickinson and Donovan Clingan may have gotten in the NBA draft after strong seasons a year back. Instead, both returned. And now, UConn and Kansas will play among the biggest nonconference matchups over the last few years, when the Huskies take a trip to face the Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse on Friday.Marquette’s Oso Ighodaro continues to enhance his draft stock with an impressive start to his 2023-24 season.And with USC, which will face Gonzaga in Las Vegas this weekend, Isaiah Collier, the top freshman in the 2023 recruiting class

, per ESPN, will be the star on the Strip in this fight. Without NIL opportunities, he may have chosen the Overtime Elite or G League path. Rather, he remains in Los Angeles, making great money and leading Andy Enfield’s squad.Sure, NIL has its obstacles and the concerns stand. But the benefits shouldn’t be ignored.Here’s why you must view all of these players this weekend.All odds from ESPN BET No. 4 UConn(7-0)at No. 5 Kansas(6-1)Friday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2 Editor’s Picks 2 Associated The most impressive aspect of the prolonged success for the group that has established an NCAA record with 24 successive nonconference wins by double

digits is that the Huskies have done part of this without Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins

, two crucial players

in last year’s national title run. This season’s group which extended and broke the record is different. In a wide range of metrics– adjusted defensive performance and shooting percentage inside the arc (65.9 %, No. 1 in the nation )– they’re even much better than their nationwide title-winning predecessors.Kansas has actually likewise found a new identity with Hunter Dickinson, who is leading an offending unit that has actually connected on 38.2 % of its 3-point efforts and 59.8%of its shots inside the arc. Dickinson and the top-10 Jayhawks defense will need to keep Donovan Clingan and Samson Johnson at bay in the paint.

But Connecticut has the big bodies to provide Dickinson problem for 40 minutes.Kansas is always a major obstacle in the house. And UConn has not yet been pushed by a team that might expose its obstacles from the perimeter(30.9% from the 3-point line). Still, here’s one more thing to think about: The Huskies might be the best team in America, regardless of the venue.Medcalf’s choice: UConn, 80-76. Versus the spread: UConn(+2.5

) Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, FOX The only acne on Marquette’s record is its three-point loss against No. 1 Purdue in the Maui Invitational last week. But the Golden Eagles have actually otherwise looked like a Last 4 team in wins over Illinois, Kansas and UCLA. Wisconsin currently has a set of double-digit losses to Tennessee and Providence. The Badgers also can’t match the trio of

Tyler Kolek, Kam

Jones and Oso Ighodaro, although AJ Storr leads a squad with four players who are averaging double figures. So, if this seems such an inequality, why even examine it? Due To The Fact That Wisconsin– 306th in adjusted tempo on KenPom– has actually historically been an issue for Shaka Smart, who is 0-2 against his group’s in-state rivals. And you can’t pass up this in-state competition game.Medcalf’s pick: Marquette, 75-69. Against the spread: Odds presently unavailable USC(4-2)vs. No. 11 Gonzaga (5-1 )MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas Saturday, 10 p.m. ET, ESPN While the schedule for Bronny James’return is unidentified– he is back with the group and going through pregame warmups however it has yet to be announced when he’ll check into a game– the most decorated freshman at USC has been exceptional. Isaiah Collier is balancing 18.2 PPG and linking on 41 %of his 3-point attempts. But his turnovers continue to pester him and his group. His 6 turnovers in a 72-70 loss to

Oklahoma last Friday brought his season overall to 32 in just 6 games.But the Zags have their own concerns

. Mark Couple of has actually commanded a few of the top offensive units in America throughout his career, but this team’s 30.7%clip from the 3-point line is among the worst of his time with the program.This is a battle between 2 programs searching for chemistry, under the bright lights of Vegas.Medcalf’s choice: Gonzaga, 78-73. Against the spread: Chances currently not available SEASON OVERALLS Medcalf’s picks directly: 9-2 Versus the spread: 6-5