No Braden Huff for Gonzaga tomorrow and Graham Ike is currently questionable. Ike has been sidelined for 15 day and even if he does play, he may not be 100%. This is matchup that the Gaels and Randy Bennett know well. Saint Mary’s has won and covered three of the last four meetings while also winning outright five of the last seven. There’s something about Bennett's ability to game plan for the Bulldogs and make them play his style. Without Huff, and maybe Ike, the Gaels have a better chance to battle on the boards.
Michigan has the size advantage but the Spartans have the best player on the floor in Jeremy Fears. Michigan State has owned the Wolverines, seven wins and covers in the last nine meetings. Michigan has yet to cover a game in 2026, seven straight non-covers. Each team's backcourts will be the deciding factor tonight, with the edge going to the Spartans. Michigan’s Elliot Cadeau has played well but struggles with turnovers in big moments. This one should come down to who takes better care of the basketball which in this case has been the Spartans thus far in the season.
Initially was leaning Georgia, especially off a loss. However, the Volunteers just played a team similar in style, Alabama, and won on the road. The Volunteers' defense is not as dominant as in seasons past but it’s trending upwards. Texas was able to make the Bulldogs play a half-court game in the second half last game and what better team to do that again than Tennessee. This is a tough rebounding matchup for the Bulldogs as Tennessee leads the nation in offensive boards and the Bulldogs are near the bottom of the country in keeping their opponents off the offensive glass.
Arizona has four top-25 victories and the Cougars have zero, as they’re 0-2 SU against top-15 teams. On the season, BYU is 8-11 ATS and 2-4 ATS in the Big 12 play. The Cougars have struggled with turnovers in conference play and have shown they can get off the slow starts which is something you can’t do against Arizona. The Cougars really have three main players and Arizona has the defensive capability of limiting their production. The Wildcats are the deeper team, being able to be efficient on offense in many ways.
The line continues to move in UConn's favor but the Huskies have yet to cover the number in 2026, 0-5 ATS. Villanova seems undervalued here as their 5-1 SU on the road and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games against the Huskies. This should be a slower paced game with these two being familiar with one another as the under has hit in five straight meetings. Villanova is another strong defensive team that can create turnovers as the Huskies haven’t been as sharp protecting the ball. The Wildcats also have been more consistent from beyond the arc and will need to limit UConn on the offensive glass.
This is one of the highest totals between these two. The under is 4-1 in the last five meetings but why is this one so high? Akron pushes the tempo and scores in bunches, and the Bobcats have shown it can contribute offensively at home, averaging 79.1 points. Ohio’s defense will struggle slowing down the 20th best offense, currently, in the country as their opponents are shooting over 52% from the floor. With Zips averaging over 90 points per game, this total sets up for a fast-paced, high-scoring contest.
These are two teams that aren’t going to be playing very fast. Marist, surprisingly, continues to have one of the better defenses in the country, despite playing in the MAAC. The Red Foxes lean more heavily on the defensive side of the ball and Siena’s offense has been inconsistent under first year head coach Gerry McNamara. Neither team has shot the three well this season and both teams play some their best defense in their home/road splits. On the road, the Red Foxes are holding their opponents to under 68 points, on average, and Siena’s defense at home is limiting their opponents to under 67 points.
Eventually, Miami Ohio’s luck is gonna run out and hopefully this does not jinx that. However, the Redhawks did have a scare in their last game, but they’ve been finding ways to win all season. Their the better team on both ends of the ball, especially defensive. The Redhawks are also 12-4 ATS on the season and 3-0 SU on the road.
SMU is 1-2 SU in its last three and 3-3 ATS. The Mustangs are going to want to push the pace at home where they’re 11-0 SU. However, besides of Duke, the Cavaliers are one of the most fundamentally sound teams the Mustangs have faced yet. Virginia’s offense is much improved than season’s past under Ryan Odom and their team can play any style. The Cavaliers already went on a road to Louisville and took them down as the Cardinals play a similar style. Virginia will take away transitions and make this a half-court game where they have the upper hand.
The Cougars are actually 2-0 SU in conference play on their home floor, with nice wins over Oregon State and Loyola Marymount. Washington State hasn’t beaten the Bulldogs since in 2010, but Gonzaga has been sloppy of late in conference play. Three of the last four conference games have been decided within 12 points, or less. Washington State have covered nine of the last 12 against the Bulldogs. Gonzaga is the team better in every way but the Cougars can to stay within the number. Washington State must keep the Bulldogs off the glass and they’re, currently, 4th in the country in defensive rebounding. Washington State needs to protect the ball and limit the runs by the Bulldogs.
These are two teams with contrasting styles. Arkansas State wants to play an uptempo game while the Jaguars do not. South Alabama’s defense has an average possession length of 19 seconds and will make their opponents offense work as they’re holding their opponents to less than 70 points per game on the season. The Jaguars just played a team similar to Arkansas State’s tempo in Georgia Southern, winning at home by 16 points. With the Red Wolves pace, they’re susceptible to turnovers and South Alabama create them. The Jaguars need to keep Arkansas State off the offensive glass to get to 5-1 SU at home on the year.
Something is up with Baylor, three straight losses and failing to score more than 65 points in all three. The Cowboys are off a loss but return home where they’re 11-0 SU. Baylor is also winless in conference and have to deal with a Cowboys team that play with a lot of pace and create turnovers, especially at home. Oklahoma State has the depth and better big man this season to be a frisky team in the Big 12. The Cowboys also average 89 points per game and have multiple players shooting 40 percent, or better, from three.
No Mikal Brown again for Louisville tonight. The Cardinals are also dealing with another injury to Ryan Conwell, who’s good from the perimeter is probable, and Virginia should get Jacari White back, who’s been dealing with a wrist injury. The Cardinals have recently struggled without Brown, losing two of three. Virginia’s defense should be able to slow down the Cardinals and defend the perimeter. Virginia is the more fundamentally sound team, especially on defense, with strong bigs to battle on the glass.
Dug McDaniel is questionable for Memphis this afternoon. The Tigers are already struggling offensively and even if McDaniel plays, he might not be 100%, as he’s the only player on the team scoring in double figures. Memphis has played a tough non-conference schedule but the Owls are the more balanced team. Memphis only has one road win, at Rice, while Florida Atlantic is 6-1 SU at home. The Owls may not be as experienced as Memphis but they’ve been the more consistent offensive team with an edge on the glass.
South Florida will attempt to control the pace on the road as they’ll want a fast pace game. The Golden Hurricanes are 7-0 SU at home and has the more efficient offense, especially from three and the stripe. South Florida has the better defense on paper but they struggle to defend the perimeter as the Golden Hurricanes are shooting over 41% on the season. Tulsa is also shooting almost 80% from the free throw line and will need to keep the Bulls off the offensive glass.
