The last Saturday of the regular college basketball season is marked by the 6 p.m. ET game between the No. 4 duke And the North Carolina. This marks legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last game off the bench after 42 seasons leading the program, and there are major implications for both teams. The Blue Devils may need a win to secure their outright ACC title, and the Tar Heels are looking for a victory to boost their NCAA Championship chances.
While the Tobacco Road competition will take a lot of oxygen within the sport, it’s just one of several major games on a slate loaded for the first weekend of March. Among other big showdowns, SEC doubles clashes on CBS, starting with the noon mile between #25 Alabama And the LSU And continue in the second match in the afternoon between No. 7 Kentucky And the Florida.
If the Wildcats win, they may be in a position to take a share of the SEC title, depending on how Auburn knight vs. South Carolina. Likewise, there will be repercussions for the league title in the Big 12 as No. 6 kansas Hosts No. 21 Texas and number 3 Baylor hosts Iowa. As post-season looms—indeed it’s already started at several conventions—college basketball is heating up, and that should be shown on Saturday.
Our experts have picks and predictions for today’s biggest games right here.
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook | All times are oriental
#25 Alabama at LSU
Featured game | LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
12 pm | CBS, CBSSports.comAnd the CBS Sports App (free) — Both teams are heading for big bids for the NCAA Championship. Both are also guaranteed to start playing in the SEC Championship in Round Two next Thursday and will be on track to take on a tough opponent in the quarter-finals. So it’s not as if this game has some huge ramifications in the league standings. But it’s a huge competition for two teams that need momentum. The advantage of indoor courts has been enormous in the SEC this season and it’s a huge factor that cannot be ignored here. Prediction: LSU 79, Alabama 72
No. 7 Kentucky in Florida
Featured game | Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats
2 m | CBS, CBSSports.comAnd the CBS Sports App (free) — Kentucky guards travel wheeler and TyTy Washington They played like their usual selves to win Ole Miss On Tuesday, in their second match after missing two matches due to injury. This is bad news for Florida, which is seeking a big win to boost its chances in the NCAA Championship. The Wildcats must complete a sweep of Gators in the rematch which will be closer. Florida beat Auburn two weeks ago at the same stadium, but expecting another disruption of this caliber from this team seems a lot. Prediction: Kentucky 76, Florida 70
Featured game | Washington State Cougars vs. Oregon Ducks
4 pm | CBS, CBSSports.comAnd the CBS Sports App (free) — Oregon plays in its own NCAA tournament and needs a win to avoid putting itself deep on the wrong side of the bubble entering next week’s Pac-12 tournament. Washington State nearly wiped out the ducks on the road on February 14, but the Cougars have struggled to outsmart quality opponents this season. Look for Oregon for a near victory. Prediction: Oregon 70 . Washington State 68
No. 21 Texas at No. 6 Kansas
Featured game | Kansas Jayhawks vs Texas Longhorns
4 pm | ESPN fuboTV (try for free)– Jayhawks are struggling, yes. Losing 10 points in a row against Baylor and TCU They made this a must in their quest for the Big 12 title. But it’s hard to see KU lose three times in a row, especially with this game coming home with the Conference title on the line. The Longhorns won their first home encounter 79-76 on February 7 by flexing their defensive muscle with a 15-7 advantage in swings. But Kuwait University did not have Remy Martin In that game, the alumni diversion point guard must help keep the Jayhawks in check in the rematch. Prediction: KS 80, Texas 60
North Carolina at No. 4 Duke
Featured game | Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels
6 pm | ESPN fuboTV (try for free)– Will Duke’s young team be overwhelmed by the historic nature of this moment and struggle to get into a rhythm amid the passion and chaos surrounding their last coach K match at home? Possibly, yes. The Blue Devils used a 31-8 start to escape North Carolina at the first meeting. Since the Duke’s 20-point win, Tar Heels have won six of the last seven. Repeating the first meeting’s quick start against a UNC team playing for a spot in the NCAA Championship wouldn’t be easy for Duke. In the end, however, the UNC defense is too porous to prevent Duke from holding back for 40 minutes. Prediction: Duke 80, North Carolina 74
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