Five huge games this weekend to shape conference races, Big Dance seeding

This weekend in men’s college basketball, there are numerous match-ups that will help define conference races and seeding in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, headlined by battles in the Big Ten Conference.

The Big Ten is jockeying with the Big 12 Conference for the top spot in the country during the 2025-26 season. The Southeastern Conference, which had a historic 2024-25, isn’t far behind, and the Atlantic Coast Conference is much better this season than in other recent campaigns.

With about five weeks to go in the regular season, things are starting to heat up in leagues around the country. This weekend, the Big Ten is front and center among the nation’s tastiest encounters.

Five big-time games in men’s college hoops

No. 3 Michigan at No. 7 Michigan StateFriday, Jan. 308:00 pm EST on FOXThe in-state rivals have a Friday night showdown that is the premier affair on the weekend slate. Michigan (19-1 overall, 9-1 in Big Ten) has won five straight, while Michigan State (19-2 overall, 9-1 in Big Ten) has captured seven victories in a row. Something has to give in East Lansing, and this Big Ten bout will have massive implications on the conference crown and the top-two seed lines of the Big Dance.

No. 9 Illinois at No. 5 NebraskaSunday, Feb. 14:00 pm EST on FS1A second game involving a pair of top-10 teams in the Big Ten. Fun! Earlier this week, the Cornhuskers (20-1 overall, 9-1 in Big Ten) suffered their first setback in a narrow 75-72 loss to Michigan. Illinois (17-3 overall, 8-1 in Big Ten) has won nine consecutive games. The victor of this battle in Lincoln will remain in a tie for first place in the Big Ten with the winner of the Michigan-Michigan State contest. All four teams are in the hunt for a No. 1 or a No. 2 seed in March Madness.

No. 13 BYU at No. 14 KansasSaturday, Jan. 314:30 pm EST on ESPNThe Big 12 runs through top-ranked Arizona these days, but teams such as BYU and Kansas are trying to reside in the league’s top tier. The Cougars (17-3 overall, 5-2 in Big 12) hung tough with the Wildcats on Jan. 26 but lost by three points. The Jayhawks (15-5 overall, 5-2 in Big 12) are on a mini roll, having won four in a row, including a blowout of top-10 Iowa State. Lawrence should be rocking on Saturday afternoon.

Saint Mary’s at No. 6 GonzagaSaturday, Jan. 3110:30 EST on ESPNIf the Gaels (19-3 overall, 8-1 in WCC) can stun the Bulldogs (21-1 overall, 9-0 in WCC) in Spokane, Wash., Saint Mary’s can tie Gonzaga and Santa Clara atop the West Coast Conference standings. The Bulldogs have claimed 14 straight victories and will be tough to beat at home. Saint Mary’s appears to be comfortably in the field of 68 as a No. 9 seed, according to the Bracket Matrix Web site. Gonzaga eyes a No. 2 seed.

No. 23 Alabama at No. 19 FloridaSunday, Feb. 11:00 pm EST on ABCThe SEC isn’t quite as dominant as it was a season ago, but the conference still possesses incredible depth. The Gators (15-6 overall, 6-2 in SEC), looking to repeat as national champions, are only a half-game out of the league’s No. 1 position, while the Crimson Tide (14-6 overall, 4-3 in SEC) are more in the middle of the pack. Florida, 9-1 in Gainesville this season, is 3-3 against foes in the Associated Press top 25. Alabama sports a 2-4 record against AP top-25 opponents.