New Year’s showcases plenty of great matchups. The last few weeks of college basketball have been volatile, with some days having more cancelled or postponed games than ones played. With NCAA having consistent cancellations and the NBA postponing or cancelling their 11th game of the season,
watch all the updating odds for basketball.
End of 2021 Recap
Heading into the New Year Baylor sits at the top of the polls at 12-o. They will have a tough time staying undefeated as they will start to play conference games this week, starting off with fellow-undefeated #8 Iowa State. Duke holds the number two spot in the poll, with their only loss coming from #13 Ohio State this year. The Blue Devils have earned their placement with impressive wins over #18 Kentucky and #4 Gonzaga.
Purdue is a curious case, they are an early favorite to win the tournament, but have lost to a 6-5 Rutgers’ team. Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey look like NBA stars in the making, but the team needs to have more consistent play. Gonzaga is the only two-loss team in the top five, falling to both #2 Duke and #19 Alabama. However, they do have impressive wins over #17 Texas, #5 UCLA, and #25 Texas Tech, as they play one of the toughest schedules.
UCLA holds the last spot in the top five, even though they have only played nine games. Their last matchup was on December, 11th. Their only loss is to #4 Gonzaga and won against #22 Villanova. The rest of the top ten ranks Kansas, USC, Iowa State, Arizona, and Michigan State respectively.
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The best New Year’s matchup is when #1 Baylor travels to #8 Iowa State, where one of these teams will earn their first loss of the season.
New Year’s Preview
#1 Baylor Bears at #8 Iowa State Cyclones
Both of these teams are entering the court undefeated. They are playing in Ames, Iowa where the crowd will make it a tough game for the Bears. Baylor is coming in with the second best NET rating after beating #22 Villanova and #10 Michigan State, as well as Virginia Commonwealth, Oregon, and Arizona State. Iowa State has a weaker NET rating of 18, as they have only won against #23 Xavier, (then ranked #9) Memphis, Creighton, and Iowa. Because of the homecourt advantage, and the fact the Bears have been flat-footed (78-70 win against Oregon), take the Cyclones with the victory on New Year’s Day.
#18 Kentucky Wildcats at #16 LSU Tigers
These two one-loss teams will battle it out in a must-watch SEC showdown. Kentucky has underwhelmed this year compared to year’s past with their light schedule and an unimpressive loss to unranked Notre Dame. LSU on the other hand has been a surprise, going undefeated before falling to #11 Auburn in their last game. The Tigers will play their second of three ranked SEC teams in a row, but expect them to get the victory at home against a middling Kentucky squad.
#24 Wisconsin Badgers at #3 Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue is looking to bounce-back after their huge upset to Rutgers, and their near-loss to North Carolina State in overtime. Wisconsin, led by Davis, is a great basketball team this year, but Purdue is more dominant. Look for the Boilermakers to prove why they are the number three ranked team in the Nation.
#22 Villanova Wildcats at #15 Seton Hall Pirates
These two northeast teams will battle it out in this Big East matchup that has the 8-4 Wildcats taking on the 9-2 Pirates. Villanova may have played the toughest schedule so far. Out of the five ranked opponents they have played, they have only won two games. Seton Hall has a two and two record against ranked teams. Choose the Pirates to get the victory with their better defense.
West Virginia Mountaineers at #17 Texas Longhorns
#17 Texas has lost to #4 Gonzaga and #15 Seton Hall, but they haven’t played anyone else of note. West Virginia beat UCONN, but also haven’t played anyone of note. These two teams will show what they have, but take Texas and their excellent defense to win.
Upset Watch
#25 Texas Tech Red Raiders at #8 Iowa State Cyclones
Florida Gators at #19 Alabama Crimson Tide
Georgetown Hoyas at #23 Xavier Musketeers
Creighton Bluejays at #22 Villanova Wildcats
Oklahoma Sooners at #1 Baylor Bears
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