Mark Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats don’t play any more defense than John Calipari’s final team that couldn’t guard a Division II transfer last March.
No. 19 UConn hosts No. 12 St. John’s following Ball’s 25-point game
St. John's Red Storm (20-3, 11-1 Big East) at UConn Huskies (16-6, 8-3 Big East) Storrs, Connecticut; Friday, 8 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: No.
Tennessee Tech and SIU-Edwardsville face off in conference showdown
SIU-Edwardsville Cougars (16-8, 9-4 OVC) at Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (12-11, 7-5 OVC) Cookeville, Tennessee; Thursday, 8:30 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Golden Eagles -1.5; over/under is 141 BOTTOM LINE: Jaylon Johnson and Tennessee Tech host Ray'Sean Taylor and SIU-Edwardsville in OVC play. The Golden Eagles have gone 6-2 in home games.
McHenry leads Western Kentucky against Kennesaw State after 27-point game
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (14-8, 5-4 CUSA) at Kennesaw State Owls (13-9, 5-4 CUSA) Kennesaw, Georgia; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Owls -1.5; over/under is 157 BOTTOM LINE: Western Kentucky visits Kennesaw State after Don McHenry scored 27 points in Western Kentucky's 101-69 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies. The Owls are 10-1 in home games.
Newman and Louisiana Tech host Liberty
Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (16-6, 5-4 CUSA) at Liberty Flames (17-5, 5-4 CUSA) Lynchburg, Virginia; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Flames -7.5; over/under is 134 BOTTOM LINE: Louisiana Tech visits Liberty after Sean Newman Jr. scored 22 points in Louisiana Tech's 66-61 overtime win against the Sam Houston Bearkats. The Flames have gone 8-2 at home.
Saint Joseph’s (PA) hosts Swope and Saint Louis
Saint Louis Billikens (14-9, 7-3 A-10) at Saint Joseph's (PA) Hawks (13-9, 5-5 A-10) Philadelphia; Friday, 9 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Saint Louis faces Saint Joseph's (PA) after Isaiah Swope scored 20 points in Saint Louis' 73-71 win against the UMass Minutemen. The Hawks have gone 8-4 in home games.
Dayton and VCU square off in conference matchup
Dayton is eighth in the A-10 in team defense, allowing 68.9 points while holding opponents to 43.7% shooting. The Rams have gone 8-2 against A-10 opponents. VCU ranks eighth in the A-10 shooting 33.3% from 3-point range.
Cal Baptist hosts Simpson and Southern Utah
Southern Utah Thunderbirds (9-13, 1-7 WAC) at Cal Baptist Lancers (11-10, 4-3 WAC) Riverside, California; Thursday, 10 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Lancers -12.5; over/under is 144 BOTTOM LINE: Southern Utah visits Cal Baptist after Jamir Simpson scored 24 points in Southern Utah's 75-58 loss to the Tarleton State Texans. The Lancers have gone 7-4 at home.
Gonzaga hosts Loyola Marymount following Ike’s 24-point game
Loyola Marymount Lions (14-8, 6-4 WCC) at Gonzaga Bulldogs (16-7, 7-3 WCC) Spokane, Washington; Thursday, 9 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bulldogs -21.5; over/under is 153.5 BOTTOM LINE: Gonzaga hosts Loyola Marymount after Graham Ike scored 24 points in Gonzaga's 62-58 loss to the Saint Mary's Gaels. The Bulldogs are 9-1 on their home court.
East Tennessee State hosts Carter and Western Carolina
Western Carolina Catamounts (11-11, 1-6 SoCon) at East Tennessee State Buccaneers (13-9, 4-3 SoCon) Johnson City, Tennessee; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Western Carolina plays East Tennessee State after Avyonce Carter scored 21 points in Western Carolina's 71-66 loss to the Mercer Bears. The Buccaneers have gone 8-1 in home games.
Eastern Kentucky hosts Stetson after Thomas’ 26-point game
Stetson Hatters (12-10, 6-4 ASUN) at Eastern Kentucky Colonels (15-8, 5-5 ASUN) Richmond, Kentucky; Thursday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Stetson visits Eastern Kentucky after Cameron Thomas scored 26 points in Stetson's 74-70 victory over the Lipscomb Bisons. The Colonels are 8-2 on their home court.
Pryor, Sacred Heart Pioneers to visit Turco, Rider Broncs
Rider averages 18.7 turnovers per game and is 3-4 when it has fewer turnovers than its opponents. The Pioneers are 2-8 against MAAC opponents. Sacred Heart averages 15.8 turnovers per game and is 5-7 when turning the ball over less than opponents.
Dowell leads Illinois State against Drake after 22-point game
Illinois State Redbirds (14-7, 8-2 MVC) at Drake Bulldogs (13-8, 7-3 MVC) Des Moines, Iowa; Friday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Illinois State takes on Drake after Shannon Dowell scored 22 points in Illinois State's 66-55 win over the Missouri State Bears. The Bulldogs have gone 6-3 at home.
Natabou leads Florida International against Sam Houston after 24-point game
Sam Houston is seventh in the CUSA scoring 63.5 points while shooting 37.4% from the field. The Panthers have gone 5-4 against CUSA opponents. Florida International ranks fifth in the CUSA shooting 30.8% from 3-point range.
Burrows leads Syracuse against Virginia Tech after 22-point performance
Syracuse Orange (8-13, 2-8 ACC) at Virginia Tech Hokies (15-7, 6-5 ACC) Blacksburg, Virginia; Thursday, 6 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Syracuse visits Virginia Tech after Sophie Burrows scored 22 points in Syracuse's 70-67 loss to the Virginia Cavaliers. The Hokies have gone 10-3 at home.