‘Horns (primarily) down and other pivotal top matchups for the
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Myron Medcalf, ESPN Personnel WriterJan 19, 2024, 08:38 AM ET Close Covers college basketball
- Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011
- Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato
For the past year, the discussion around conference adjustment has actually been polarizing. While some think there are advantages to the changing tide in college sports, most of the discussion around realignment has been unfavorable.There are groups, nevertheless
, that because of realignment will earn opportunities to complete versus top programs and prove they belong, too. That’s the positive.Editor’s Picks 2 Related Just ask the Big
12. Newbies Houston, BYU and Cincinnati Bearcats are all in the top 30 on KenPom. And UCF, the fourth addition to the league this season, protected wins over Kansas and Texas in the previous week.They’re not alone. Florida Atlantic reached the Last Four in March, and now the Owls are in the mix to win the American Athletic Conference title in their first season in the league.It’s happening in the non-Power 5 leagues, too.
First-year head coach Chad Boudreau has actually led Western Illinois on a nine-game winning streak entering its matchup against Tennessee State on Saturday. Western Illinois could win the Ohio Valley Conference crown in its first year in the league.A year from now, the genuine turmoil will arrive when the Pac-12 separation sends out teams throughout the country. And the discussion about rivalries and custom– and the impact of realignment on those principles– will continue. However realignment has enhanced the competitive value in college basketball, too.All odds from ESPN BET.
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UCF Knights vs. Texas Longhorns: Full Highlights
UCF Knights vs. Texas Longhorns: Full Highlights
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“/ > No. 9 Baylor (14-3, 3-1 Huge 12)at Texas
(12-5, 1-3 Big 12 )Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, ESPN This game is significant for the in-state competitors. An opening was produced for Baylor in the Huge 12 race when, last week, Houston lost back-to-back games and Kansas suffered a surprising loss at UCF. An undefeated Baylor squad ascended to the top of the league standings. But a 68-64 overtime loss at Kansas State on Tuesday showed the difficulties every team in America’s leading league will face this season. Any stumble might be costly as Houston and Kansas try to climb back to the top of the standings.For Texas, every game is a must-win right now. The Elite Eight team from a year ago included powerful scorer Max Abmas (17.8 PPG). But last week’s win at Cincinnati is the only top-50 KenPom win on the Longhorns’ résumé. Their NCAA tournament hopes– they are 59th in the NET rankings– are diminishing. With 3 losses in 4 games, Texas needs to start racking up quality wins to have even a slim chance to play its method onto the bubble.Medcalf’s choice:
Baylor, 77-70; Versus the spread: Not available sometimes of publication play 2:42 The highlights that Steven Ashworth is giving Creighton Take a look at the highlights that must make fans thrilled about Steven Ashworth transferring to Creighton. No. 18 Creighton(13-5, 4-3 Big East )at Seton Hall(
13-5, 6-1 Big East) Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, FS1 When Shaheen Holloway earned his very first
head-coaching task at Saint Peter’s
in 2018, he used a viewpoint that has considering that carried him to the top of the Big East standings as the second-year head coach at Seton Hall, which is connected with UConn for top place. All of Holloway’s groups have forced turnovers on almost 20%of their opponents’belongings. It’s a consistent for his teams.Well, Creighton is 10th in the conference with turnovers on 19%of its belongings in Big East play. Trey Alexander(16.3 PPG, 4.5 APG)has dedicated 16 turnovers in his previous 5 games. But the Bluejays boast among America’s top protective units, too. And a Seton Hall group that has a hard time from the 3-point line (32.6%) and doesn’t have a genuine offensive identity beyond Kadary Richmond (16.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 4.6 APG, 2.2 SPG)attempting to make a play will need to solve that challenge.Medcalf’s pick: Seton Hall, 72-69; Against the spread: Not available sometimes of publication play 0:37 Tide rolls to win over Mizzou to remain unbeaten in SEC Five players score in double figures to lead Alabama(12-5 total, 4-0 in SEC)to a 93-75 accomplishment over visiting Missouri at Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa. Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Dalton Knecht’s breakout season continues. Last week, he was noted as a projected first-round choice in ESPN’s newest mock draft. He has made it. Knecht, the Northern Colorado transfer, has averaged 34.3 PPG in Tennessee’s past three games. As he has emerged, Tennessee has actually made progress, too. Yes, this is probably America’s best protective team, but with Knecht’s hot hand, the Vols likewise have a star and playmaker who anchors an offense that has scored 80 points or more in 10 games.However, Alabama has America’s finest offensive attack(ranked initially in adjusted offending efficiency on KenPom). It’s a disorderly, awesome screen that couple of groups have actually matched in college basketball. Mark Sears( 19.6 PPG, 48 %from beyond the arc)leads an Alabama group that shoots 3-pointers on half of its efforts and likewise makes almost 40%of those shots. This is a classic battle in between a terrific offensive group and a fantastic protective team. The winner will have the edge in a crowded race for the SEC championship.Medcalf’s pick: Tennessee, 86-80; Against the spread: Not available sometimes of publication SEASON
overalls Medcalf’s choices directly: 25-13 Versus the spread: 18-20