Weekend preview: The final games of the regular season to watch
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Myron Medcalf, ESPN Staff Writer
After Caitlin Clark broke Pistol Pete Maravich’s career scoring record March 3, a conversation about the state of the men’s game commenced on social media. It’s no secret Clark is one of the biggest basketball stars in the country right now, at any level, professional or amateur. But some of the proponents of the men’s game felt the need to promote its biggest stars during that dialogue and advocate for its top storylines.
Yes, there are incredible storylines in men’s college basketball. Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham are a fabulous freshman duo that could lead Kentucky to the Final Four. The best player in America might be a young man who transferred to Tennessee from Northern Colorado (Dalton Knecht) of all places. UConn is chasing back-to-back national championships. And we even have a 7-foot-4 star who could capture the Wooden Award (Zach Edey). Again.
For years, however, some of the top stars in the women’s game did not receive the attention they deserved — the attention they are enjoying this season. Equally important, the women’s game has spent decades facing comparisons to the men’s. But the moment a generational superstar arrives and becomes a household name, a bunch of supporters for men’s college basketball get their feelings hurt? Nonsense.
Clark and her peers have earned this moment. They have a fabulous game and a multitude of reasons to watch. Dawn Staley coaches South Carolina every night like her job is on the line. Cameron Brink is a double-double machine for Stanford. Half of UConn‘s team is injured but Paige Bueckers is carrying the load. Kim Mulkey, her jackets, Angel Reese and LSU will be in the mix in the NCAA tournament, too. And Clark could help women’s college basketball shatter every attendance and viewership record in NCAA tournament history.
As the postseason approaches, let’s hope the men’s game can follow the women’s lead.
All odds from ESPN Bet.
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN
Last month, Kansas ran Houston out of Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks led by 15 at halftime as the Cougars looked vulnerable. After the game, a conversation about Houston’s ability to compete against the top teams in the country commenced. But a lot has changed since then. The Cougars haven’t lost a game, and they’re the No. 1 team in America in the AP poll and every reputable metric. Jamal Shead is playing like an All-American. They’ve also committed turnovers on fewer than 12% of their possessions. Plus, they’re top-10 in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency in that stretch.
Kansas? Well, Bill Self’s squad is 4-4 in its past eight games and 2-6 on the road in league play. Kevin McCullar Jr.’s knee injury and limited availability have played a role in that slide, but he’s back and ready to guide his team in the NCAA tournament. Kansas is healthy again and, despite its limited depth, a greater threat to its future opponents.
Medcalf’s pick: Houston, 72-69; Against the spread: Unavailable at time of publication
Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, CBS
Kentucky freshman Rob Dillingham recently moved to No. 3 in ESPN’s 2024 mock draft. His teammate Reed Sheppard jumped to No. 5. They weren’t the only climbers. Tennessee’s Dalton Knecht has also claimed a spot in the top 15, which means the NBA scouts and executives will certainly travel to Knoxville to watch this game.
The stakes matter, to a degree. The SEC title race is a wrap — Tennessee clinched the regular-season title outright with its victory Wednesday night over South Carolina — and both teams are locked into high seeds in the NCAA tournament.
For the Wildcats, defeating the Vols, who look like a Final Four team, would boost their confidence. It might be a challenge: They entered the week connecting on 57.5% of their shots inside the arc and 42.3% of their 3-point attempts since their first meeting in Rupp Arena earlier in the season. But that was a game in which they surrendered 103 points, and their defense is still a work in progress.
Medcalf’s pick: Tennessee, 85-82; Against the spread: Unavailable at time of publication
Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
This is one of the greatest rivalries in sports. With Roy Williams and Mike Krzyzewski gone, it has entered a new phase under Hubert Davis and Jon Scheyer at North Carolina and Duke, respectively. With a victory Saturday, Scheyer would have a 3-1 edge over Davis in the series.
Although Duke lost the first matchup between the two teams this season, it has ranked as the No. 3 team in America since that night, per barttorvik.com, with top-25 marks in adjusted offensive and defensive efficiency. Duke has also found balance: Four different players have led the Blue Devils in scoring in the past five weeks.
Meanwhile, UNC’s offense (39th since that game) has struggled to sustain its earlier success. Harrison Ingram, who finished 5-for-9 from the 3-point line in the first meeting, is 11-for-38 (29%) from beyond the arc since Feb. 3.
Duke would share the ACC crown with UNC with a win. North Carolina would win the title outright with a victory. Get your popcorn ready.
Medcalf’s pick: Duke, 83-81; Against the spread: Unavailable at time of publication
Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET, CBSSN
If “Power 5” conferences are defined by number of NCAA tournament teams they produce, the Mountain West has made its case for the moniker this season. Joe Lunardi’s latest Bracketology had six slots for the Mountain West, more than the ACC or Big East. It’s as many bids as the Pac-12, American and WCC — combined.
And that number could change depending on what happens in this matchup. New Mexico has spent the week in the “last four in” category, though defeating Utah State — which can seal the Mountain West crown with a win here and increase Danny Sprinkle’s odds in the national coach of the year race — would be significant. Since Feb. 1, Richard Pitino’s team is ranked 122nd in adjusted defensive efficiency. Still, Nelly Junior Joseph (26 points) could always step up, like he did when he led the Lobos to a 99-86 win in the first matchup between these two teams in January. If he does, he could solidify his squad’s at-large hopes.
Medcalf’s pick: Utah State, 82-78; Against the spread: Unavailable at time of publication
SEASON TOTALS
Medcalf’s picks straight up: 37-26
Against the spread: 32-31
