Preview and Picks for the Weekend Headlined By Kansas/Kentucky

We all know about the ACC/Big 10 Challenge, which takes place in the first month of the season. However, this weekend we get to step out of conference play for the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, because why the hell not?

It’s the third SEC/Big 12 Challenge, with the Big 12 winning the previous two. We’ve gotten a couple nice matchups the last two years with No. 20 Baylor vs No. 3 Kentucky at Jerry’s World in 2014 along with No. 13 Kansas at No. 19 Florida. Last year we had No. 6 Texas (yeah, remember when they were No. 6? Rick Barnes, homies) at No. 1 Kentucky.

This year we have Iowa State at Texas A&M, Oklahoma at LSU and the headliner being Kentucky at Kansas. So, we’ll break down those three games along with Virginia at Louisville as four best games of the weekend.

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No. 11 Virginia at No. 16 Louisville – 1 pm, CBS

If you like defense, this is the game that you need to watch. You have two different defensive philosophies between the two teams. Louisville wants to press, get in your shorts and trap the shit out of you. Virginia plays the notorious pack line defense, which is all about sagging into the paint to prevent penetration off the dribble. Both teams do shoot the 3 above average in the country, which could show here with open looks off the pack line defense and traps. The biggest thing here is this game being played at Louisville. Virginia is simply not a good team when they aren’t playing at home. The Cavaliers are 2-4 on the road, with one of the wins being that bullshit game-winning 3 against Wake Forest. The matchup to watch here is Malcolm Brogdon vs Damion Lee. They are built practically the same, with Lee just being an inch taller and expect to see them matched up against each other quite a bit. Lee can hurt Virginia, shooting 38 percent from 3 and the fact he can get to the rim pretty easily.

The Pick: Louisville by 7

No. 14 Iowa State at No. 5 Texas A&M – 2 pm, ESPN

Another game where this is completely dictated by where the game is being played. It feels like a let down game for Iowa State, coming off wins against Oklahoma and Kansas the last two weeks. A&M is coming off a loss at Arkansas, which a lot of people felt coming. The point guard battle here is going to be absolutely fantastic to watch between Monte Morris and Alex Caruso. Morris has become the go-to guy for Iowa State, not only just setting up teammates and not turning the ball over, but finding his own shot, averaging 15.5 a game. Caruso is a player the casual fan might not know. He’s been in college for about 30 years and does a little bit of everything for the Aggies. He’s also a tremendous defender, grabbing over 2 steals a game and draws a charge or two a game because he’s gritty. I expect Morris to get his, but look for him to be slowed down a little with Caruso making him defer to others. The other individual matchup to watch is Georges Niang vs Jalen Jones, two guys who play the stretch four position. Both are the leading scorers for their respective teams and are nearly identical players. Look for Jones to go after Niang defensively, trying to isolate him on the wing and attack the rim.

The Pick : Texas A&M by 2

No. 1 Oklahoma at LSU – 5 pm, ESPN

Look, there’s really only one thing to talk about in this matchup. You have Ben Simmons, the most talented player in college hoops and the guy you pick to build a team around vs Buddy Hield, the most entertaining player in college hoops and the favorite to win National Player of the Year. Oklahoma has quickly turned into the Golden State Warriors of the college hoops. I don’t mean this in being the favorite to win it all, but more in the makeup of the team and tempo. They have three guards who can all shoot the ball and a stretch four in Ryan Spangler. On top of that, their offense has been so damn good people forget they are also dominant defensive teams. The Sooners are shooting 47 percent from deep as a team. That’s easily the best in the country. They like to get the ball and run, with the average offensive possession being just under 16 seconds. LSU on the other hand is average at guarding the three, but wants to play quick as well. If this gets into an up and down game, Oklahoma will be grinning from ear to ear.

The Pick: Oklahoma by 9

No. 20 Kentucky at No. 4 Kansas – 7 pm, ESPN

This seems like a perfect spot for Kentucky to steal a win. Kansas has struggled as of late, losing three of the last five and not looking particularly good in the win against Texas. Kentucky on the other hand has steamrolled Vanderbilt and Missouri in its last two games after being written off after the ugly loss at Auburn. However, Kansas has owned Kentucky in Phog Allen the last two times they played there. In 1989 the Jayhawks scored 150 points and in 2006 they won 73-46. There’s no doubt Kansas will be up for this game as it’s a game between the two best programs in college basketball. The thing to watch here is Kansas’s three-point shooting. They are the sixth best team in the country, shooting the ball at 42 percent, thanks to the three guard lineup and bringing Brannen Greene off the bench. Kentucky has defended the 3 as well as anyone in the country the last two weeks. Both teams use a three-guard lineup, but the matchup to watch is whoever is on Perry Ellis. With the change to Derek Willis in the starting lineup for Kentucky, it takes away a strong defender in Marcus Lee. It’s hard to imagine Willis sticking with Ellis and the way he has rebounded lately, I’d put Willis on Landen Lucas and dare Kansas to beat you that way. Poythress is talented enough defensively and quick enough to stick with Ellis on the wing as he stretches the floor. The depth of the front court for Kansas is too much as is playing on the road. It will be close, but Kansas will pull away.

The Pick: Kansas by 11