Weekend preview: Parity? Everybody’s chasing UConn and Purdue

That is often the time inside the faculty basketball season when the phrase parity is regularly used.

As March approaches and a set of imperfect groups goal to hit their strides earlier than the postseason, it typically seems as if there’s a crowd of fine groups on the high however not essentially a staff that has separated itself. Whereas the quite a few losses by high 10 groups in highway video games towards unranked opponents this season have supported the case for parity, they don’t inform the total story.

The story of school basketball in the present day? A pack of groups are chasing UConn and Purdue, two squads which have distanced themselves from the sphere. These two are inching towards greatness.

So the query isn’t which staff will emerge in March, however can any squad cease Purdue and UConn, or are they destined to battle one another within the nationwide title sport? The Boilermakers have Zach Edey, who will possible win a second consecutive Picket Award, and wins over Gonzaga, Tennessee, Marquette, Illinois, Alabama and Arizona. UConn hasn’t misplaced a sport since Dec. 20.

The Huskies and Boilermakers aren’t in that parity group. They have been probably the most dominant forces within the sport. Will anybody catch them?

All odds from ESPN BET.

Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN

After the 75-63 residence win over Ole Miss, John Calipari stated his Kentucky staff is constructed for the postseason, citing all of its strengths: an elite offensive crew (No. 7 in adjusted offensive effectivity on KenPom), a low turnover charge and NBA-level expertise who can shortly shift a sport.

He is proper. However NCAA event historical past suggests a staff that struggles to this diploma defensively (107th in adjusted defensive effectivity on KenPom) may not fare nicely within the postseason. Three of the Closing 4 groups a 12 months in the past had been high 35 in defensive effectivity on Choice Sunday, the outlier being a Miami staff that was 132nd however with a top-15 offense.

Kentucky must beat proficient groups to succeed in its purpose. That features Johni Broome (16.0 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 2.4 BPG) and the Tigers, who can match Kentucky’s offensive output (18 video games with 80 or extra factors) and have not misplaced a house sport this season.

Medcalf’s choose: Auburn 88-83; Towards the unfold: Unavailable at time of publication

Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, Fox

With Tyler Kolek and Oso Ighodaro on the ground collectively, Marquette has produced 110.4 factors per 100 possessions and held its opponents to 94.7 factors per 100 possessions, in line with EvanMiya.com. Kolek, who gained Huge East participant of the 12 months honors final season, is averaging 16.1 PPG, 7.4 APG, 1.7 SPG and 41% taking pictures from past the arc — that is even higher than he did a 12 months in the past. Marquette hasn’t misplaced since Jan. 10 on this battle between the highest groups within the Huge East standings.

However we have reached a degree within the season, once more, the place UConn appears to be like like a staff that may not lose. Critically. The Huskies (59.2% contained in the arc) are on a 13-game successful streak, seven of these victories coming by double digits. Final 12 months, the Huskies did not hit their stride till mid-February. However they’re forward of schedule and higher than that squad in a number of metrics. And, Tristen Newton (15.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 5.8 APG) appears to be like like an All-American.

Medcalf’s choose: UConn 77-72; Towards the unfold: Unavailable at time of publication

Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, ESPN

At this level, the Huge 12 title has turn into a fading dream for a Kansas squad that is misplaced 5 of its previous six highway video games and nonetheless has three extra (together with at Baylor and Houston) on its convention slate. This is similar Kansas staff that is hoping to safe a high seed within the NCAA event.

However all of that is secondary to the staff’s ongoing damage issues. Kevin McCullar Jr. (19.5 PPG) has missed back-to-back video games as a result of a knee damage and Dajuan Harris Jr. is enjoying by means of an ankle damage he suffered final weekend towards Baylor.

Will Kansas limp into the NCAA event? Will the highway woes proceed in Norman? Possibly, possibly not.

Medcalf’s choose: Kansas 72-68; Towards the unfold: Unavailable at time of publication

Saturday, midday ET, ESPN

When Florida Atlantic’s high contributors returned for an additional season after a blinding Closing 4 journey, faculty basketball had one other fairy-tale to comply with. Seems this season has been extra like a turbulent sitcom for Johnell Davis (18.6 PPG, 47% from past the arc) & Co., who declare a win over Arizona however losses to Bryant, Florida Gulf Coast, Charlotte and UAB.

South Florida, which was picked to complete ninth within the league’s preseason ballot, is the actual story within the American Athletic Convention. First-year coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who led Kennesaw State to the NCAA event final 12 months, entered the week with the first-place staff within the AAC — the staff second-place FAU has to catch. Chris Youngblood (15.0 PPG) leads a squad that is made 39% of its 3-point makes an attempt in league play.

Medcalf’s choose: Florida Atlantic 77-71; Towards the unfold: Unavailable at time of publication

SEASON TOTALS

Medcalf’s picks straight up: 30-21

Towards the unfold: 25-26