Week of Jan. 28-Feb. 3

#3 Virginia @ #21 NC State

Tuesday, January 29, 7:00 p.m.

Virginia’s only slip-up this year was a tough 2-point loss to Duke in Durham, and since then they are 2-0 with a 27-point win and a 22-point win. The bottom line is they are one of the best teams in the country. NC State can be a tough place to play for opposing teams, especially when State has capable teams like they do this year. But even with a solid team, I just don’t see the Wolfpack hanging in there with Virginia, and that’s saying more about Virginia than NC State. I see this one being close until halftime, and the Cavaliers will pull away and win by 15.

Predicted Winner: Virginia

Ohio State @ #5 Michigan

Tuesday, January 29, 9:00 p.m.

This is always a big matchup, no matter the rankings of both teams. Michigan is clearly one of the best teams in the country, coming into this game with just one loss. Ohio State on the other hand, has struggled and dropped out of the top-25 ranking a few weeks ago. They are just 3-5 within the Big Ten, so they are looking to turn their season around with a big win here. And because these two schools are such big rivals, you can guarantee that Ohio State will come out to play and give Michigan their best shot. The Wolverines have looked too strong this year to slip up to their rival though, especially at home. I think Michigan wins by at least 12.

Predicted Winner: Michigan

Temple @ #17 Houston

Thursday, January 31, 7:00 p.m.

This game features two of the best teams from the American Conference in Temple and Houston. The Owls are 5-1 in conference play and tied for 2nd place. The Cougars are 6-1 and tied for 1st. So, there’s a log jam at the top of the American Conference that will shake its way out for the next month, and this game will help do that. Temple has a very strong team this year, with just four losses, each of them within ten points. They have also already beat Houston once this year at home by four points. Houston has had an even better year, losing just one game all season long—to the Owls. So, they will be looking for revenge in this one. I predict a close game, but playing in Houston I think will push the Cougars over the edge.

Predicted Winner: Houston

#13 Maryland @ Wisconsin

Friday, February 1, 9:00 p.m.

As soon as I expressed my confidence in this Maryland team in last week’s preview, the Terrapins have lost two in a row. The loss at Michigan State was expected by many people, but the loss at home to Illinois was not a good look. It will be interesting to see how much they fall when the new rankings come out tomorrow. They will also have a game against Northwestern on Tuesday to get back on track before this one. Wisconsin is a very interesting team. They are 14-6 overall and 6-3 in the Big Ten. They can lose to anybody, like they did against Western Kentucky and Minnesota, but they can also beat anybody like they proved giving Michigan its only loss on the season. The key for the Badgers is if they are able to assert their slow style of play on the game or not. When they are able to slow teams down, they win. When they can’t, they lose; it’s as simple as that. A more athletic Maryland will look to play fast, which will make this a very interesting game.

Predicted Winner: Wisconsin

#11 North Carolina @ #23 Louisville

Saturday, February 2, 2:00 p.m.

This is a revenge game for the Tar Heels after getting embarrassed at home to the Cardinals several weeks ago. That was one of the worst games I’ve seen from North Carolina in many years. Since that game they have gone 3-0 and have looked pretty good in doing so, especially in their game against a good Virginia Tech team. Louisville is also rolling, going 4-0 since their win in Chapel Hill. They have climbed into the rankings and are proving they are a much better team than people were giving them credit for. The key for Carolina will be to guard against the three point shot a lot better than they did last time. If they come out with the aggressiveness that they’ve shown in the past few games, they should get their revenge in Louisville. I just don’t see North Carolina getting swept by Louisville this year.

Predicted Winner: North Carolina

#22 Mississippi State @ #20 Ole Miss

Saturday, February 2, 3:30 p.m.

When these two teams meet up, it’s usually a lot more exciting during football season. This year, it’s an exciting matchup indoors in the winter. These two teams are having similar seasons, coming in at 5th and 6th in the SEC, a conference that is much better in basketball than it has been in recent years. The Bulldogs are coming off a bad loss against Kentucky and an 8-point win against a good Auburn team. The Rebels are coming off two straight losses, one to Alabama by 22 and Iowa State by 14. After playing really good ball, Ole Miss has struggled and are desperate to get back on track against their in-state rival. Mississippi State really needs to win this one as well, because their next two games will be against LSU and Kentucky (both ranked teams). I expect this one to be a shootout and come down to the very end. I think Mississippi State will steal one on the road here.

Predicted Winner: Mississippi State

#14 Texas Tech @ #9 Kansas

Saturday, February 2, 4:00 p.m.

Texas Tech, 4th in the Big 12, is trying to chase down Kansas who is currently tied atop the Big 12. The Red Raiders got off to a very strong start, but has struggled of recent, losing three of their last four. This is a big game for them to prove to the country they are for real and are capable of making some noise in March. Kansas will come into this game hungry, after losing to Kentucky yesterday and making a lot of people question just how good they really are. They will have to get past Texas first, on Tuesday, which won’t be easy. However, I believe they will beat Texas and go on to win this game in front of their home crowd to show the country they aren’t going anywhere outside of 1st place in the Big 12.

Predicted Winner: Kansas

Garett

College Basketball: Weekly Games to Keep an Eye On

Week of Jan. 28-Feb. 3