Trent Reinsmith
The big news in NCAA basketball this week was the first losses of the season for the Baylor Bears and the USC Trojans.
Baylor, the No. 1 team, according to the AP rankings, fell to the No. 19 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders. Meanwhile, USC, who is ranked at No. 5, lost to an unranked Stanford club.
Baylor, the defending national champions, look to bounce back from that loss, their first in 21 games — a streak that dates back to last season — against Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Before we look at some of the most important NCAAB games on Saturday, January 15, check out the best sites for March Madness 2022 betting. Also, be sure to dig into out our NCAA College Basketball betting page for tips and advice on how to wager on NCAAB games.
Tennessee vs. Kentucky
Date & Location: Saturday, January 15 @ Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN
The Tennessee Volunteers are in Lexington on Saturday for a matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats. According to the AP Top 25, Kentucky is the No. 18 team in college basketball, while Tennessee checks in at No. 22.
Kentucky is on a two-game winning streak, with victories over unranked Vanderbilt and Georgia coming after a 65-60 loss to LSU, who were No. 21 when the teams faced off on January 4. Tennessee has alternated wins and losses over their past four games. The losses came to ranked teams, Alabama (No. 19) and LSU (No. 21). Tennessee triumphed over the unranked Ole Miss and South Carolina.
Kentucky has the 16th best offense in D1, averaging 82.6 points per game, while Tennessee’s offense averages 75.3 points. Kentucky is also solid on defense. The Wildcats hold their opponents, on average, to 62.1 points per game. The Volunteers are slightly better on defense; they limit opponents to 60.7 points.
Kentucky is the better all-around team here and should walk away with the victory over Tennessee.
Pick: Kentucky to win
Oklahoma State vs. Baylor
Date & Location: Saturday, January 15 @ Ferrell Center in Waco, TX
Time: 5:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ESPN
The question of when the Baylor Bears, who are the reigning national champs, would lose was answered on Tuesday when the team dropped its first game of the season. Baylor lost 65-62 to the No. 19 ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Bears, who are 15-1, look to bounce back when they face the unranked Oklahoma State Cowboys, who are 8-6. The Cowboys enter the game on a 2-5 run after opening the year with a 6-1 run record. Oklahoma State is coming off a 70-60 loss to West Virginia. Prior to that loss, OU beat the No. 14 ranked Texas Longhorns 64-51.
Expect an inspired effort from Baylor and a trip back to the win column in this matchup.
Pick: Baylor to win
North Carolina State vs. Duke
Date & Location: Saturday, January 15 @ Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, NC
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
How to Watch: ABC
Dereon Seabron is one of the highest scoring players this year. The NC State guard averages 19.8 points per game, while contributing 9.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists. Seabron recently went off for 27 points against Louisville and 32 points opposite Florida State. The Wolfpack lost both those games. With that, Duke‘s defense, which allows just 64.7 points per game, can focus on Seabron and effectively shut down most of North Carolina’s offense.
On the offensive side of the game. Duke is the ninth highest scoring team among D1 offenses with an average of 82.8 points per game.
This is a favorable matchup for Duke, who is the No. 8 ranked team.
Pick: Duke to win
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