Duke, North Carolina look for redemption this week in must-watch games
Sure, college football and the NFL will take spotlight this week. However college basketball will feature an impressive slate of games, too– consisting of the final run of the ACC/Big 10 Obstacle on the ESPN household of networks.Don’t know what to
enjoy? No worries. We’ll assist you determine the 4 games you can’t miss today, and even use a couple of predictions, too.Wednesday, 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN (ACC/Big Ten Challenge)
2 Related Coach K isn’t strolling through that door, folks. Which’s
fine with Jon Scheyer, who comprehends the analysis he faces as the follower to the game’s all-time winningest coach. But losses to Kansas at the Champions Classic and Purdue at the Phil Knight Tradition event over Thanksgiving weekend showcased the growing discomforts of a Duke group that hasn’t been healthy most of the season, and has actually just connected on 29%of its 3-point attempts– one of the worst marks in America. This week, heaven Devils face an Ohio State group that scored 80 points in a win over Texas Tech (19th in adjusted defensive effectiveness on KenPom)recently. Freshman Brice Sensabaugh( 15.8 PPG, 46.2 % from 3)is one of 5 Buckeyes balancing at least 9.2 PPG.Prediction: Duke 73, Ohio State 69 Wednesday, 9:15 p.m. ET, ESPN (ACC/Big Ten Challenge) Entering this season, it was simple to see the possible pitfalls in
North Carolina’s late-November/early-December schedule. But the former No. 1 squad will fly to Bloomington, Indiana, desperate to land a quality non-conference win following losses to both Iowa State and Alabama(4 overtimes!)after almost dropping a game to Portland at the Phil Knight Invitational. Hoosiers star Trayce Jackson-Davis (18.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG)appears like the All-American he was predicted to be entering 2022-23, and leads a team that’s shot 38.3 % from 3 thus far. For a UNC team that also has upcoming matches against Virginia Tech, Ohio State and Michigan before Christmas, the preseason hype about its national title hopes might vaporize prior to New Year’s if it doesn’t discover some momentum soon.Prediction: North Carolina 77, Indiana 74 play 0:22 Brice Sensabaugh knocks down the triple Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN Chris Beard drew previous Iowa State standout Tyrese Hunter to Austin after
numerous Power 5 schools had pursued him last summer. And
the addition has changed the program. With Hunter on the floor this season, the unbeaten Longhorns have, per hooplens.com, made 67%of their shots inside the arc and held their challengers to just 60 points per 100 ownerships.(For comparison, the Milwaukee Bucks, who have the top defense in the NBA, have actually held their opponents to 106.5 points per 100 belongings this season.) But, Creighton is stacked with skill– Ryan Kalkbrenner (16.1 PPG )is one of 5 Bluejays averaging at least 12.0 PPG– and is top-20 nationally in turnover rate.Prediction: Texas 75, Creighton 70 Thursday, 8 p.m. ET, Peacock Television Both of these groups have a lot to provide– And a few things to resolve. Five-star hire Keyonte George (14.8 PPG, 5.0 APG)has been key for a Baylor team ranked 2nd in adjusted offending
performance on KenPom. But the Bears have
likewise surrendered 70 or more points in
their very first 6 games, including their 86-79 loss to Virginia in the Continental Tire Difficulty. For Gonzaga, Drew Timme(20.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 3.1 APG)is chasing the Wood Award again as the leader of a team with Last 4 goals. However, the Zags’losses to Purdue and Texas recommend the group needs its guard play to substantially improve to compete with the very best teams in America.Prediction: Baylor 80, Gonzaga 78