NCAA Basketball: SDSU’s first loss, top teams, and other key questions
3. Which matchups in the Big 12/SEC Challenge are you most looking forward to?
Brown
I’m really interested in LSU/Texas, Tennessee/Kansas, and Kentucky/Texas Tech. I like LSU to beat Texas, Kansas beats Tennessee and the last matchup is a tossup for me, but I think Texas Tech pulls it out. LSU is on a roll right now and I don’t think Texas has the kind of talent to put up big numbers on them. I don’t see Tennessee coming into Allen Fieldhouse and getting an upset. I think Devon Dotson and Udoka Azubuike are going to have big games against the Volunteers. Kentucky and Texas Tech hopefully will come down to the wire and the Red Raiders escape by five points or less.
Andreatta
Obviously really looking forward to Texas Tech and Kentucky and Florida Baylor but LSU and Texas for me is very intriguing. LSU is starting to get it together, Skylar Mays and Ja’vonte Smart have been really impressive. I was a little surprised the Tigers didn’t find themselves ranked in this week’s AP poll. They were 27th with votes and two wins this week should see them enter the top 25 no question.
Rauf
I’m looking forward to the two biggest ones because I’m obvious, but those are also the biggest games for a reason. Texas Tech has an excellent chance to pick up their first real signature win of the season against a good, but flawed, Kentucky team. If the Red Raiders are going to progress to the point we think they can get to under Chris Beard, it will start with a win in that game. Baylor-Florida will be a lot of fun, too, as you’ll have the nation’s No. 1 going up against an extremely talented Gators team that has underperformed. Yet, if you want to wipe the stink off your season, beating No. 1 at home is a great way to turn the tide back in your favor.
Travis
Well the one I’m most excited for is obviously Alabama/Kansas State since I’m a student at Alabama and I think Alabama is a LOT better than their record indicates with five of their seven losses being single-digits including a double-ot loss to Florida, a one-point loss to Penn and a two-point loss to Penn State. In addition to this obviously, Kentucky-Texas Tech will be a great game, Iowa State-Auburn will be better than people think as Auburn could very possibly lose this game and lastly Baylor-Florida, Florida needs this game and they might come out on fire.
Hope
There are three matchups that I will be watching closely this weekend. Perhaps the most underrated matchup will be the game between TCU and Arkansas, two teams that probably aren’t conference championship contenders but have looked decent so far this season. With two large guards in Desmond Bane and Mason Jones go head to head is sure to be a treat. I am also looking forward to Kentucky taking on Texas Tech and Baylor playing Florida, in matchups that pit each team’s conference championship favorite against the other conferences’ most underwhelming team. Florida and Texas Tech will both be playing at home. which could provide those teams with a strong opportunity to get themselves more firmly into the NCAA Tournament conversation.