Eleven of the groups ranked within the newest AP High 25 ballot will likely be in motion Tuesday, as convention title races ramp up with lower than a month remaining till Choice Sunday. The headliner of the slate will likely be a battle of Huge Ten foes when No. 1 Michigan faces No. 7 Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Michigan jumped Arizona this week for the highest spot within the AP ballot for the primary time since January 2013. Nevertheless, the Wolverines’ final stint because the No. 1 crew within the nation was short-lived, as Michigan misplaced to then-No. 3 Indiana. The Wolverines dropped again to No. 3 the next week.
Not solely does Michigan face Purdue on Tuesday, however the Wolverines even have a conflict with No. 3 Duke on Saturday in among the best weekends of hoops on the calendar this season.
No. 16 North Carolina has a key showdown in opposition to in-state rival NC State later within the day. The Tar Heels will likely be with out star freshman Caleb Wilson for that recreation and the foreseeable future after the projected top-five choose within the 2026 NBA Draft fractured his hand.
Elsewhere within the ACC, No. 21 Louisville will look to remain scorching in opposition to SMU on the street. No. 22 Miami (Ohio) will even be in motion in opposition to Massachusetts. The Redhawks are the ultimate undefeated crew remaining in Division I basketball.
Odds by way of DraftKings Sportsbook | All instances ET
No. 1 Michigan at No. 7 Purdue
6:30 p.m. on Peacock: In virtually each different week, this recreation would earn the excellence of the very best recreation of the week in school basketball. That is not the case right here, as this is not even Michigan’s most anticipated recreation of the schedule this week. Nonetheless, this recreation has large implications for the Huge Ten regular-season title race. The Wolverines have a chance to create extra separation on the high and make it more and more tough for some other crew to catch them. Michigan is the very best crew in school basketball. Even in a hostile surroundings like Mackey Area, the Wolverines do not get caught waiting for Saturday and win this recreation. Decide: Michigan -1.5
No. 16 North Carolina at North Carolina State
7 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (attempt at no cost): North Carolina remains to be determining its id with out Wilson on the ground. Final weekend in opposition to Pitt, UNC needed to play with out Wilson and star huge man Henri Veesaar, however was capable of come away with a 14-point win. It stays unclear if Veesaar will play on Tuesday and that will likely be a significant storyline to watch. If he cannot go, search for Jarin Stevenson to step up. He had 19 factors in opposition to Pitt final weekend. Even when Veesaar does not play, UNC pulls off the upset in opposition to its in-state foe. Decide: North Carolina +6.5
No. 21 Louisville at SMU
7 p.m. on ESPN2, fuboTV (attempt at no cost): With Mikel Brown Jr. again, Louisville is a distinct crew. Since Brown returned to the lineup final month, the Cardinals are 6-1, with the lone loss coming in opposition to Duke. Brown already went up in opposition to SMU final month in his third recreation again, ending with 20 factors. I am anticipating Brown to have one other huge night time on offense. He has shot 14 of 21 from the 3-point line in his final two video games, together with going an ideal 16 of 16 from the free-throw line. Louisville wins on the street. Decide: Louisville -3.5
Georgia at Kentucky
9 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (attempt at no cost): At the same time as we head into March, Kentucky stays one of many hardest groups to determine and undertaking long-term. The highs are excessive, and the lows are … effectively, low. As cliché because it sounds, Kentucky’s ceiling is excessive, however its flooring is in every single place. Nonetheless, Kentucky ought to have the ability to take enterprise at residence in opposition to Georgia. Decide: Kentucky -6.5
No. 9 Nebraska at Iowa
9 p.m. on Huge Ten Community, fuboTV (attempt at no cost): Iowa is coming off back-to-back losses in opposition to Maryland and Purdue. Earlier than that, the Hawkeyes had been enjoying their finest basketball of the season throughout a six-game win streak. Iowa has simply two wins in opposition to Quad 1 opponents this season and this can be a huge alternative so as to add a high 10 win to its resume. Decide: Iowa -1.5
Who will win and canopy in each school basketball recreation? Go to SportsLine to get picks from the mannequin that simulates every recreation 10,000 instances and is up greater than $1,200 for $100 gamers on its top-rated unfold picks the previous six years.
