Illinois State has a 2-2 record in games decided by less than 4 points. The Panthers have gone 3-2 against MVC opponents. Northern Iowa has a 0-1 record in games decided by 3 points or fewer.
DePaul hosts Xavier after Freemantle’s 22-point game
Xavier Musketeers (9-7, 1-4 Big East) at DePaul Blue Demons (9-7, 0-5 Big East) Chicago; Saturday, 4 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Musketeers -5.5; over/under is 151.5 BOTTOM LINE: Xavier visits DePaul after Zach Freemantle scored 22 points in Xavier's 82-72 loss to the St. John's Red Storm. The Blue Demons have gone 9-2 at home.
Butler hosts Creighton on home skid
Creighton Bluejays (9-6, 2-2 Big East) at Butler Bulldogs (7-9, 0-5 Big East) Indianapolis; Saturday, 12 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bluejays -2.5; over/under is 145 BOTTOM LINE: Butler looks to end its four-game home losing streak with a win over Creighton. The Bulldogs are 5-4 on their home court.
Montana State takes on Northern Arizona following Walker’s 20-point showing
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (10-6, 1-2 Big Sky) at Montana State Bobcats (5-11, 0-3 Big Sky) Bozeman, Montana; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bobcats -7.5; over/under is 148 BOTTOM LINE: Montana State takes on Northern Arizona after Brandon Walker scored 20 points in Montana State's 83-82 loss to the Northern Colorado Bears. The Bobcats have gone 4-2 in home games.
Butler and No. 6 Kentucky host No. 14 Mississippi State
Mississippi State has a 1-0 record in one-possession games. The Wildcats are 1-1 in SEC play. Kentucky has a 1-0 record in one-possession games.
Northwestern hosts No. 16 Michigan State following Akins’ 20-point showing
Michigan State Spartans (13-2, 4-0 Big Ten) at Northwestern Wildcats (10-5, 1-3 Big Ten) Evanston, Illinois; Sunday, 12 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: No. Michigan State plays Northwestern after Jaden scored 20 points in Michigan State's 88-54 victory over the Washington Huskies.
Portland State hosts Idaho after Payne’s 23-point game
Idaho Vandals (7-9, 2-1 Big Sky) at Portland State Vikings (9-6, 1-1 Big Sky) Portland, Oregon; Saturday, 5 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Vikings -2.5; over/under is 146 BOTTOM LINE: Idaho visits Portland State after Jack Payne scored 23 points in Idaho's 80-67 win over the Sacramento State Hornets. The Vikings are 5-1 in home games.
Coppin State visits Norfolk State after Myers’ 20-point game
Coppin State Eagles (2-14, 1-1 MEAC) at Norfolk State Spartans (11-7, 2-0 MEAC) Norfolk, Virginia; Saturday, 4:30 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Spartans -20.5; over/under is 134.5 BOTTOM LINE: Norfolk State hosts Coppin State after Jalen Myers scored 20 points in Norfolk State's 73-64 victory against the Delaware State Hornets. The Spartans are 4-1 on their home court.
Pope leads Texas State against Southern Miss after 27-point outing
Texas State Bobcats (9-7, 2-2 Sun Belt) at Southern Miss Golden Eagles (7-9, 2-2 Sun Belt) Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Saturday, 3 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Bobcats -3.5; over/under is 145 BOTTOM LINE: Texas State faces Southern Miss after Tylan Pope scored 27 points in Texas State's 74-73 victory over the Troy Trojans. The Golden Eagles are 7-1 in home games.
Indiana visits Iowa after Dix’s 31-point game
Indiana Hoosiers (13-3, 4-1 Big Ten) at Iowa Hawkeyes (11-4, 2-2 Big Ten) Iowa City, Iowa; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Hawkeyes -5.5; over/under is 166.5 BOTTOM LINE: Iowa hosts Indiana after Josh Dix scored 31 points in Iowa's 97-87 overtime win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The Hawkeyes have gone 9-1 in home games.
Maryland beats No. 22 UCLA 79-61; Bruins coach Cronin ejected with 5:11 remaining
Ja'Kobi Gillespie scored 27 points and Maryland topped No. 22 UCLA 79-61 on Friday night after Bruins coach Mick Cronin was ejected with 5:11 remaining. UCLA (11-5, 2-3 Big Ten) has lost three straight, including a 19-point home defeat against Michigan on Tuesday night, after which Cronin called his team “soft” and “delusional.” On Friday, his frustration boiled over with Maryland up by nine. After Julian Reese came up with a rebound for the Terrapins (12-4, 2-3), Cronin received two quick technical fouls and was tossed, shaking hands with Maryland coach Kevin Willard on the way out.
Ard scores 16 as Mount St. Mary’s downs Manhattan 75-66
Terrell Ard Jr. scored 16 points as Mount St. Mary's beat Manhattan 75-66 on Friday night. Ard also had five rebounds and four steals for the Mountaineers (10-5, 3-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Dola Adebayo scored 13 points, shooting 4 for 10 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 6 from the free-throw line.
Crowl scores 18, Tonje adds 16; Wisconsin beats Minnesota 80-59
Steven Crowl scored 18 points and John Tonje added 16 for Wisconsin on Friday night to help the Badgers beat Minnesota 80-59 for their fourth win in a row.
Perry scores 22 as Fairfield downs Iona 68-64
Deon Perry had 22 points in Fairfield's 68-64 victory over Iona on Friday night. Perry shot 7 of 10 from the field and 6 for 6 from the free-throw line for the Stags (6-9, 2-2 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Michael Rogan scored 11 points while going 4 of 8 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and added three steals.
Steven Crowl scores 18, John Tonje adds 16; Wisconsin beats Minnesota 80-59
Steven Crowl scored 18 points and John Tonje added 16 for Wisconsin on Friday night to help the Badgers beat Minnesota 80-59 for their fourth win in a row. Kamari McGee added 15 points, including three 3-pointers, and three steals for Wisconsin (13-3, 3-2 Big Ten). The Badgers have won eight consecutive games against Minnesota and 17 of the last 19.