College Basketball Weekend Watchlist: Week Four

As we look into the weekend, there are games aplenty with one ranked teams. But there is only two ranked matchups during the three-day period, both of which are on Friday. 

First is a rematch of the 2021 National Championship game, Gonzaga vs Baylor. Mark Few and Scott Drew will face off for the sixth time in their careers as the head coaches of Gonzaga and Baylor. Few is up 5-1, however the one loss was in that 2021 title game, so Drew is probably happy to have that one over the other five games. 

The other ranked matchup is the first Big Ten conference game of the season, Illinois at Maryland. While Illinois was ranked in the preseason, Maryland was not. First year head coach Kevin Willard has his team at 7-0, with seven double-digit victories, after beating Louisville on Tuesday. Illinois is at 6-1 with a lone nine-point loss against Virginia who is now top three in the country. Terrence Shannon has been an early All-America candidate, as he’s averaging 19.9 points & 6.3 rebounds and shooting 49.4% from the field. 

Here is a little more about those matchups, along with some others for the weekend. Here is this week’s college basketball weekend watchlist. 

No. 14 Gonzaga vs No. 6 Baylor | Friday Dec. 2, 8:00 pm ET 

The Zags aren’t off to the start they’d like to be, losing to Texas and Purdue by a combined 37 points. They do have solid wins over Michigan State and Xavier, but beating Baylor would be huge for the team. That feat is very much possible for the Zags, as Baylor just lost by 26 to Marquette on Tuesday. The Bears look vulnerable as ever right now on the defensive side. They are ranked No. 72 in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom, after finishing No. 13 in AdjDE last season, No. 22 in 2021, and No. 4 in 2020. However, Baylors terrific three-guard lineup vs Gonzaga’s front court of Drew Timme and Julian Strawther will make for an interesting matchup. 

No. 22 Maryland vs. No. 16 Illinois | Friday Dec. 2, 9:00 pm ET | BTN 

Donta Scott has been great for Maryland, averaging 15.9 points per game after an 18-point performance against Louisville on Tuesday. Terrapins Jahmir Young, Julian Reese, and Hakim Hart are all also averaging at least 13.3 points each, making Maryland’s top four scorers average 56.8 points total. Illinois has power conference wins over UCLA and most recently Syracuse. The Illini have a top 10 defense in KenPom and are averaging 84.3 points per game. Dain Dainja and Jayden Epps are averaging double-digits alongside Shannon. 

No. 1 Houston vs Saint Mary’s | Saturday Dec. 3, 9:30 pm ET | ESPN2 

Saint Mary’s lost leading scorers Matthias Tass and Tommy Kuhse from last season, but returned Alex Ducas and Mitchell Saxen who are averaging 14.5 points a piece, and four-star freshmen Aidan Mahoney who is averaging 12.9 points. The Gaels have their second ranked opponent next Saturday against San Diego State. Houston, now the No. 1 team in the country, is 7-0 and has the No. 2 defense in KenPom. Marcus Sasser is amazing, and Jarace Walker has been a great addition to the team as the freshman is averaging 10.3 points and 7.0 rebounds a game. 

No. 19 Kentucky vs Michigan | Sunday Dec. 4, 1:00 pm ET | ABC 

Originally scheduled for Dec. 2020, but postponed due to COVID-19, Kentucky vs. Michigan in London is finally happening on Sunday. Michigan does not currently have a win vs a power five opponent, losing its two P5 matchups against Arizona St and Virginia. Kentucky is in the same exact boat, losing to Michigan State as its only P5 opponent, as well as a double-digit loss to Gonzaga. This game is all about the matchup of star bigs Hunter Dickinson and Oscar Tshiebwe. However, look out for freshmen Cason Wallace and Jett Howard to be some of the more important players in the game. 

No. 18 North Carolina vs Virginia Tech | Sunday Dec. 4, 3:00 pm ET | ACCN 

Virginia Tech is off to a 7-1 start, with a lone two-point road loss to Charleston, who’s only loss is to North Carolina. The Hokies have four double-digit averaging scorers including Sean Pedulla who is averaging 17.1 points a game. North Carolina is on a three-game losing streak, losing to Iowa State and Alabama in the PK 85, and they just lost to Indiana by 12 on the road. The defense has been concerning to say the least, ranking just No. 50 In KenPom. If The Tar Heels lose to the Hokies on Sunday, it might be time to hit the panic button.

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