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NCAA Basketball: Ranking 2019-20 SEC/Big 12 Challenge games

By Brian Rauf

LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 30: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats and head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks greet each other prior to the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 30, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
LAWRENCE, KS - JANUARY 30: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats and head coach Bill Self of the Kansas Jayhawks greet each other prior to the game at Allen Fieldhouse on January 30, 2016 in Lawrence, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 27: The crowd reacts after Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes a three point basket during the second half of the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on February 27, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma State 84-80 in overtime. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 27: The crowd reacts after Davide Moretti #25 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders makes a three point basket during the second half of the game against the Oklahoma State Cowboys on February 27, 2019 at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma State 84-80 in overtime. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

2) Baylor at Florida

Florida became a preseason top 10 team following the commitment of Virginia Tech grad transfer Kerry Blackshear. Baylor will likely be ranked fairly high as well, as they bring back virtually everyone other than point guard Makai Mason from last year’s team that made the Round of 32.

Assuming both teams play up to their expectations, this matchup could be one that separates one program as a legitimate Final Four contender while raising questions about the other. Scott Drew and Mike White are both quality coaches and both have very athletic teams.

The implications this game could have nationally, coupled with the on-court talent, will make this game one you won’t want to miss.

1) Kentucky at Texas Tech

Kentucky is as much of a blueblood as it gets in college basketball. We all know that.

Texas Tech is becoming a national power under head coach Chris Beard after making the Elite Eight in 2018 and the national title game in 2019. If they want to reinforce their place among the very best programs in the country, winning this game – at home – is a must.

Both will be preseason top 10 teams, both play excellent defense, and both have NBA prospects on their rosters. Both also replenished those rosters in big ways this offseason with great recruiting classes and, in the case of Texas Tech, a couple of grad transfers as well.

You want to be the best? You win this game of old blueblood vs. a potentially new blueblood. This has the feel of a heavyweight fight.

Next. Ranking all 8 teams in 2019 Battle 4 Atlantis tournament. dark

Given the stakes in each of these games, all 10 will impact the programs involved and the national landscape. However, heavyweight matchups like Kentucky-Texas Tech, Baylor-Florida, Tennessee-Kansas, and LSU-Texas will be some of the biggest games of the season.

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