With Week 7 of men’s college basketball underway, here are Andy Katz’s top 10 games to watch.
1. Houston vs. Arkansas
How to watch: Newark, 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday on CBS
This game should be an absolute battle. Arkansas is playing some of its best basketball while Houston needs to pluck off a high-profile win
2. St. John’s vs. Kentucky
How to watch: Atlanta, 12:30 p.m. ET Saturday on CBS
Rick Pitino will take the Red Storm against his former school in desperate need of a road win. The Wildcats are finally defending, which will be a challenge for the erratic shooting Red Storm.
3. Auburn vs. Purdue
How to watch: Indianapolis, 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday on Peacock
The Tigers have the athletes up front to give the Boilermakers issues. But they may not have an answer for Braden Smith.
📊: See the latest men’s basketball NET rankings
4. Duke vs. Texas Tech
How to watch: New York, 8 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN
The Red Raiders need a high-profile Quad 1 win. But this game is at Cameron North. Scouts will love the Cameron Boozer-JT Toppin matchup.
5. Louisville at Tennessee
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET Tuesday on ESPN
This game matches two of the game’s top freshmen, although they don’t play the same position. Playmaker Mikel Brown Jr., will be a tough cover for the Vols. Nate Ament could be for Louisville up front, but guarding Ja’Kobi Gillespie may be the bigger issue for the Cardinals.
6. Ohio State vs. North Carolina
How to watch: Atlanta, 3 p.m. ET Saturday on CBS/Paramount+
The Buckeyes have found ways to win late. And Bruce Thornton will dictate the game late for Ohio State. Caleb Wilson continues to be the headline star for the Tar Heels and a tough player to defend for every opposing team.
7. Butler at UConn
How to watch: 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday on Peacock:
The Bulldogs survived Providence in double overtime to open the Big East, but can they duplicate the offensive output at UConn? This will be a pretender-or-contender type of game for Butler.
❄️ WINTER THRILLER: Big East play opens with double-overtime drama
8. Arizona State at UCLA
How to watch: 10:30 p.m. ET Wednesday on FS1
The Sun Devils came back from 19 down to beat Santa Clara. UCLA is coming off a loss to Gonzaga in Seattle. The Moe Odum-Donovan Dent matchup should be highly entertaining.
9. Oregon vs. Gonzaga
How to watch: Portland, 6 p.m. ET Sunday on Peacock
The Ducks are getting healthy, and this is their last chance to get a Quad 1 win before the Big Ten resumes. The Zags are coming off the win over the Bruins. Nate Bittle will have his hands full with Graham Ike.
10. Wisconsin vs. Villanova
How to watch: Milwaukee, 8 p.m. ET Friday on ESPN
The Wildcats couldn’t hang with Michigan. This will be another tough Big Ten assignment. The Badgers will need to ensure they can continue to get the shots they want against a stingy defense.
