College Basketball Viewing Guide: The Jimmy V Classic headlines the night
Make sure to check out The Field of 68 After Dark tonight immediately after Florida-UConn ends to get a full recap of tonight’s games.
6:30 pm: Villanova at No. 2 Michigan, FS1
- BetMGM Line: Michigan -17.5
- BetMGM Total: 150.5
- KenPom: Michigan 81, Villanova 66
Villanova has gotten off to an impressive start to the season, winning seven straight after losing on the opening night of the season to BYU in Las Vegas. But none of those wins have come against opponents that are really all that notable — the best of the bunch is probably Duquesne, and the Wildcats beat them by 10. Michigan has put up 100 points in three straight games. They have won their last four by an average of 37.8 points. All four came against high major competition. Duke Brennan has been one of the better bigs in college basketball this season. He’s going to have to earn his NIL tonight.
6:30 p.m.: Clemson vs. No. 10 BYU (MSG), ESPN
- BetMGM Line: BYU -6.5
- BetMGM Total: 150.5
- KenPom: BYU 79, Clemson 74
The opener of the Jimmy V Classic pits Brad Brownell’s Clemson team against BYU’s three head monster of AJ Dybantsa, Richie Saunders and Robert Wright. The Tigers are a tough, scrappy crew that will control tempo and be well prepared to deal with what BYU is going to run offensively. The Tigers will have to keep this game in the 60s to have a chance to win.
7:00 p.m.: NC Central at Kentucky, SEC Network
- BetMGM Line: Kentucky -46.5
- BetMGM Total: 147.5
- KenPom: Kentucky 87, NC Central 56
Is NC Central walking into a buzz saw? The story of college basketball the last five days has been Kentucky’s capitulation against Gonzaga on Friday night. Will the Wildcats take out all of their frustration on Levelle Moton’s team?
7:30 p.m.: No. 13 Illinois at Ohio State, Peacock
- BetMGM Line: Illinois -3.5
- BetMGM Total: 160.5
- KenPom: Illinois 79, Ohio State 77
The Illini look like one of the sneaky title contenders this season, and they will kick off Big Ten play with a trip to Ohio State, who is 7-1 on the season and one possession away from being undefeated. The Buckeyes are tough and talented, the question is whether or not anyone in Columbus has noticed basketball season started.
8:30 p.m.: Penn State at Indiana, BTN
- BetMGM Line: Indiana -15.5
- BetMGM Total: 154.5
- KenPom: Indiana 81, Penn State 70
Indiana is coming home to face one of the teams picked at the bottom of the Big Ten after losing a pair of games last week, including their Big Ten opener at Minnesota. This has to be a get right spot for Darian DeVries crew.
9:00 p.m.: No. 18 Florida at No. 5 UConn, ESPN
- BetMGM Line: UConn -5.5
- BetMGM Total: 148.5
- KenPom: UConn 75, Florida 71
The most interesting matchup of the night, as the reigning champions take on the team that very nearly took them out in the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year. The key to this matchup is going to be the healthy of Tarris Reed. If he plays, and it looks like that is the direction it is trending right now, then the Huskies are going to have enough size and frontcourt depth to deal with Florida’s monsters. Is this the game where Xaivian Lee finds a way to start making some shots?
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