With Week 9 of men’s college basketball underway, here are Andy Katz’s top 10 games to watch.
1. Kentucky vs Alabama
How to watch: 12 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN
Kentucky is whole and ready to roll but the Tide are one of the toughest offenses to defend. They get out and run and can score at a variety of positions. This should be a highly entertaining watch.
2. Michigan State vs Nebraska
How to watch: 9 p.m. ET Friday on Peacock
The Huskers are undefeated in the Big Ten and overall and get a chance for a potential late-season tiebreaker if they can beat the Spartans in Lincoln.
3. Southern California vs Michigan
How to watch: 7 p.m. ET Friday on Peacock
The Trojans begin a three-game road trip with the hardest game. USC’s interior may get overmatched by Michigan. Still, this will be a great barometer for the Trojans in the Big Ten.
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4. Tennessee vs Arkansas
How to watch: 3 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN2
This game will have some of the top freshmen in the country and should get the SEC off and rolling. Expect a physical affair in Fayetteville.
5. UCLA at Iowa
How to watch: 6 p.m. ET Saturday on Peacock
The Bruins got off to a 2-0 start but now head on the road to a tough place to win at Iowa. Bennett Stirtz has been awesome of late, but the Bruins’ guards led by Skyy Clark are clicking.
6. Purdue at Wisconsin
How to watch: 8 p.m. ET Saturday on FOX
The Badgers desperately need to win their home games after splitting their two December games. This will be a monster test for their guards. Purdue has proven that it doesn’t get rattled on the road with its win at Alabama.
7. Louisville vs California
How to watch: 9 p.m. ET Tuesday on ACC Network
Never thought this would make the list to open the ACC but the Bears are a real contender for a top five finish with a 12-1 non-conference.
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8. North Carolina at SMU
How to watch: 2:15 p.m. ET Saturday on The CW Network
The Tar Heels are healthy and looking like a real threat to win the ACC. Meanwhile, this is a golden opportunity for the Mustangs to show if they are a contender or pretender.
9. Baylor vs TCU
How to watch: 2 p.m. ET Saturday on TNT
The Bears may be able to to debut James Nnaji in a game that is critical for the Horned Frogs to prove they can be a contender for a top half finish early in the Big 12.
10. Villanova vs Butler
How to watch: 12 p.m. ET Saturday on TNT
The Wildcats showed they are a real threat to challenge for a top three finish with the win at Seton Hall. Butler couldn’t hang at UConn, but has to hold serve at home against upper half teams to finish in that top five.
Andy Katz is an NCAA.com correspondent. Katz worked at ESPN for 18 years as a college basketball reporter, host and anchor. He’s covered every Final Four since 1992, and the sport since 1986 as a freshman at Wisconsin. He is a former president of the United States Basketball Writers Association. Katz can also be seen covering college basketball on Big Ten Network during the regular season. Follow him on Twitter at @theandykatz.
The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NCAA or its member institutions.
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