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Weekend Preview: Kentucky-Baylor, a trio of in-state rivalry games

Julius Randle, Cole Murray

AP photo

AP

GAME OF THE WEEKEND: No. 3 Kentucky vs. No. 20 Baylor, Fri. 10:00 p.m.

Braving the ice and sleet in Dallas, Kentucky will be squaring off with the Bears at the Jerry Dome in a game that will almost assuredly see more UK fans show up than Baylor fans. The irony is that this is a game that Baylor will actually have a shot at winning. If there is anything we know about Julius Randle at this point in his career, it’s that he can have a tendency to struggle when he is forced to go up against size and length. All Baylor has along their front line is size and length in Cory Jefferson and Isaiah Austin.

You know what else Baylor does? They play zone, which is a good way to try and slow down penetration from opposing guards and force the Wildcats into settling for threes. Aaron Harrison and James Young, Kentucky’s shooters, have been anything but consistent this season. How well the Bears handle Kentucky’s size on the defensive end will be key.

THE OTHER GAME OF THE WEEKEND: Marquette at No. 8 Wisconsin, Sat. 2:15 p.m. (all times EST)

One of the best non-conference rivalries in the country takes place this weekend, as the Golden Eagles make the trek to Madison to square off with the Badgers. Marquette has been a disappointment early on this season, as they will enter the weekend with three losses. The issue is offensively: Marquette just doesn’t have enough dynamic offensive weapons. They’re relying on Todd Mayo to be their go-to guy offensively. If Wisconsin proved anything against Virginia this year, it’s that their new desire to run the floor hasn’t affected their ability to defend when they need to. Where Marquette will have an advantage is inside. Who can guard Davante Gardner? Sam Dekker can’t. I’m not sure Frank Kaminsky can, either. Give the big fella the rock.

FIVE MORE TO KEEP AN EYE ON:


  • No. 18 UCLA at Missouri, Sat. 12:30 p.m.: Two undefeated, yet untested teams. It will be fun to see these two perimeter attacks square off, as both the Bruins and the Tigers are loaded with talented wings -- Jordan Adams, Zach LaVine, Norman Powell, Kyle Anderson vs. Jordan Clarkson, Jabari Brown, Earnest Ross.
  • BYU vs. No 21 UMass, Sat. 1:30 p.m.: This may be the most entertaining game of the weekend, as both teams love to get out and run the floor. Tyler Haws and Chaz Williams are both borderline all-americans. Eric Mika vs. Cady Lalanne up front will be fun, too.
  • No. 6 Kansas at Colorado, Sat. 3:15 p.m.: Colorado got absolutely embarrassed by Kansas in Lawrence last season. Is this their chance for revenge? They’re probably getting KU at the wrong time; I’m sure the last week of practice after the debacle that was the Battle 4 Atlantis was fun.
  • New Mexico at Cincinnati, Sat. 4:05 p.m.: The best player in the country you’re not talking about? Alex Kirk of New Mexico. Cincinnati will try to slow him down on Saturday afternoon.
  • UNLV at No. 2 Arizona, Sat. 5:15 p.m.: Do we trust UNLV this season? It’s a risky proposition, especially as they go to visit Arizona, who has been the best team in the country this year.

WHO’S ON UPSET ALERT?


  • Cal at UC-Santa Barbara, Fri. 10:00 p.m.: UC-Santa Barbara is good. Alan Williams is the truth inside, as he’s averaging 27.5 points, 10.8 boards and 3.0 blocks. Cal may not have an answer for him inside, but UCSB will have to contend with Cal’s perimeter contingent.
  • Delaware at Notre Dame, Sat. 4:00 p.m.: Devon Saddler isn’t back yet, but the combination of Davon Usher and Jarvis Threatt has kept the Blue Hens at the top of the CAA picture. They’ll have their hands full with Notre Dame’s talented guards.
  • Virginia at Green Bay, Sat. 5:00 p.m.: UVA head coach was born in Green Bay and played for Green Bay for his dad who founded the packline defense while running the show with the Pheonix. Green Bay has Kiefer Sykes and Alec Brown this season; they’re no pushover.
  • No. 17 Iowa State at Northern Iowa, Sat. 6:00 p.m.: It’s been a rough start to the season for Northern Iowa, but they’re one of the best teams in the Valley and they win games at home. Plus, the Interlude Dance!
  • No. 13 Oregon at Ole Miss, Sun. 5:00 p.m.: Oregon will be getting a test at Ole Miss on Sunday evening. This will be a good gauge for what we should expect out of the Rebels this year. They looked solid at the Barclays Center last weekend, but they dropped a game on the road against Kansas State on Thursday night. They need Marshall Henderson to not have a 4-for-18 shooting night again.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO WATCH FOR:

1) New Mexico State plays at No. 11 Gonzaga in an 11:00 p.m. on Saturday night. The Aggies should be pretty good this season and they’ll give Gonzaga a fight in Spokane. The matchup to watch: 7-foot-5 Sim Bhullar vs. 7-foot-1 Przemek Karnowski.

2) The Holy War! No. 14 Villanova takes on St. Joseph’s on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. The Hawks are down a bit this season, but this is the kind of rivalry where records get thrown out the window.

3) Maryland will play George Washington at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday in the nightcap of the BB&T Classic. The Colonials have been one of the more surprising teams in the Atlantic 10 this season, and Maryland is struggling without Seth Allen. If GW wants to take that next step, these are the games they have to win.

4) The Cornhuskers head to Omaha to take on Creighton at 6:00 p.m. Sunday in an in-state rivalry that is healthier than you might think. Nebraska is better than they have gotten credit for this year. Hop on the Tai Webster bandwagon now.

5) The Monarchs may have left the CAA, but VCU and Old Dominion are still rivals. There isn’t a lot of like between those two schools. Tip is at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. If you go, keep an eye out for our old friend Eric Angevine. He bleeds ODU blue.