ACC, Big 12 and Pac-12 fights highlight this weekend’s schedule
As conference play in the 2022-23 guys’s college basketball season continues, we’re seeing some clear separation at the top of lots of leagues. Others see numerous teams battling for the top quote (see: the Huge 12). Every game matters for the tournament selection committee.Some of this weekend’s key matches are a possibility for some groups to try to get back into a rhythm. Some are a chance to extend current winning streaks. And some aren’t make-or-break, however simply guaranteed to be enjoyable. Here’s what to see, and why.
12 p.m. ET, Saturday, ESPN Editor’s Picks 2 Related Why this game matters: Duke has a 3-5 record versus Quad 1 teams, a top-30 internet ranking and strong quality wins (Xavier, Iowa, Ohio State). But a 3-3 mark in its last 6 games and Jeremy Roach’s toe injury– he’s missed the last 3 games– indicates this Blue Devils team has to prevent a rocky stretch to feel great about protecting a solid seed on Selection Sunday. A win versus Miami at Cameron Indoor Arena (heaven Devils are 9-0 in the house this season) in a rough first season for new coach Jon Scheyer matters.Impact player: Isaiah Wong(16.7 PPG, 4.5 RPG 1.6 SPG) has been a star for a Hurricanes team competing for the ACC crown. With Wong on the floor, Miami (10th in adjusted offending effectiveness on KenPom)has made 57.3%of its shots inside the arc this season. play 0:17 Isaiah Wong nails deep 3-pointer from downtown Isaiah Wong
nails deep 3-pointer from downtown
Stat to understand: Only Louisville has a higher turnover rate in ACC play than Duke(20.2%), which has dedicated a turnover in every 5 ownerships hence far.Score prediction: Duke 73, Miami 69 1 p.m. ET, Saturday, CBSplay
0:17
Jalen Wilson reaches career-high 36 points with 3-pointer
Kansas’ Jalen Wilson hits a brand-new profession high in points with a 3-pointer against Kansas State in overtime.Why this game matters: The Jayhawks got in the weekend in a three-way tie for top place (with Iowa State and Kansas State )in the Huge 12, but a TCU team that’s 1-3 in its last four games is going for a top-four seed in the NCAA competition. A road win would be a momentous addition to the Horned Frogs’ résumé, however another loss might extend the ongoing slide that may eventually send them to the NCAA tournament bubble.Impact player: Before the 2022-23 season, Costs Self challenged Jalen Wilson to play like an All-American. Wilson has actually responded, with numbers– 20.8 PPG, 8.9 RPG– that have made him a true Wood Award contender. After scoring a career-high 38 points in his group’s 83-82 loss at Kansas State on Tuesday, he may be the only player in the country who can catch Zach Edey in the national player of the year race.Stat to know: In Big 12 play, TCU is No. 2 with a 54.8%mark inside the arc, but last in the conference
with a 24.7%mark from the 3-point line.Score forecast: Kansas 84, TCU 74
2 p.m. ET, Saturday, ESPN
play 0:16 Cason Wallace raises for effective flush Cason Wallace elevates
for a remarkable slam dunk against Georgia.Why this game matters: The Aggies are connected with Alabama for top place in the conference. They and the Wildcats, however, were listed in Joe Lunardi’s “very first 4 out” category in the current bracketology. Every game matters right now for both.Impact player: Cason Wallace, a predicted first-round pick in this summer season’s NBA draft, per ESPN, has been essential in Kentucky’s recent protective turn-around. Its last two challengers, Tennessee and Georgia, both stopped working to go beyond 100 points per 100 possessions. With Wallace on the floor in those two games, the two groups linked on simply 29%of their 3-point attempts, per hooplens.com.Stat to understand: Texas A&M has won five of the games in its seven-game winning streak by double digits. Score forecast: Kentucky 78, Texas A&M 70 No. 5 UCLA Bruins (17-2, 8-0 Pac 12)
at No. 11 Arizona Wildcats (16-3, 5-3 Pac-12)2 p.m. ET, Saturday, ABC play
0:17
Jaime Jaquez Jr. elevates for big-time block
Why this game matters: This might not be the make-or-break game in the Pac-12 championship race, because UCLA is so far ahead. But the winner of this game– UCLA is 5th and Arizona is 15th in the internet rankings– will improve its shot at completing for a top-two seed in the NCAA tournament.Impact player: Jaime Jaquez Jr.(16.7 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.5 APG, 1.7 SPG )has assisted the Bruins jump ahead of the pack in league action. He’s made 58%of his chance ats the rim and 49.5% of his jump shots inside the arc, per hoop-math. com.Stat to understand: UCLA is one of just two groups(Alabama Crimson Tide is the other)that are unbeaten in your home and on the roadway. The Bruins’ just 2 losses this season– versus Illinois and Baylor– took place at a neutral site.Score forecast: UCLA 82, Arizona 78