Make-or-break games to see include ranked Arizona vs

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN Staff WriterDec 22, 2023, 09:30 AM ET Close Covers college basketball

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

A few years earlier, a Division I head coach informed ESPN that he constantly stresses over games throughout the holidays. Weird things can take place as players think of going home and seeing member of the family they have not seen in years, he said. Gamers are fatigued. They require a break. And who might blame them for considering an excellent home-cooked meal and a possibility to rest?This stretch matters, however, since every coach in the nation wishes to enter into the break with some momentum; a good win, before everyone hops onto flights or into cars and trucks, could follow groups into late December and January, the crucial period when most groups start the bulk of their conference schedules. A loss? That could remain and weigh a group down for weeks. Perhaps longer.For this weekend

, we’ve listed a handful of games with apparent ramifications, and a couple of others that include teams that long for a big win. Or any win. Last week, we completely anticipated Kentucky’s 87-83 success over North Carolina. However we had no hint Michigan State would dominate Baylor the way it did.That’s how it goes throughout the holiday. There will be happiness, mixed with some heartbreak.All odds from ESPN BET

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The preseason was guaranteeing for these groups, with both getting votes in the AP preseason poll. They appeared to be teams with NCAA tournament aspirations. But neither the Terps (losses to Davidson, UAB) nor the Bruins (loss to Cal State Northridge) are mentioned in Joe Lunardi’s newest Bracketology. They’re past the point of desperation as they entered the week with sub-100 web rankings.UCLA’s Adem Bona(12.8 PPG)has actually flirted with his ceiling but hasn’t quite reached it. And Maryland’s Jahmir Young(17.7 PPG, 4.3 APG)has 12 turnovers over the past three games(which the Terps won). A triumph for either would be a great vacation gift.Medcalf’s choice: Maryland, 70-66; Against the spread: Maryland (-3.5) Friday, 9 p.m. ET, St. Louis, FS1 On Dec. 12, 2020, Illinoishad simply come off a win at Duke when it met longtime competing Missouri. Brad Underwood’s squad, ranked 6th in the country entering the game, suffered an 81-78 loss that night to the unranked Tigers. Rivalry games are unusual like that.Today, it feels as if Dennis Gates and Missouri are a long method from the team that won 25 games a year earlier. The Tigers have lost back-to-back games to Kansas and Seton Hall, and Iowa State transfer Caleb Grill( 8.4 PPG) is out indefinitely with a wrist injury. Plus, they have a résumé-shattering loss to Jackson State.For Illinois, Terrence Shannon Jr. and Southern Illinois transfer Marcus Domask are a strong tandem, and the Illini are top 15 in adjusted protective effectiveness