With this weekend’s slate of games not being quite the showcase of heavyweights that previous ones have been, analyst William Whelan focuses on the two premier showdowns that college basketball has to offer.
In Indianapolis, the No. 18 Butler Bulldogs and junior guard Kellen Dunham host No. 6 Villanova in a pivotal match up for the Big East. Each team has separated themselves from the pack in conference play, and the Wildcats hold just a one game lead in the Big East standings. Should Villanova pick up a key road win here, Whelan says they just might be on their way towards a one-seed in the NCAA Tournament. For Butler, it’s about making up for a disappointing conference season a year ago, and in style, as this win would have them tied atop the standings.
[related_post_one]
For the second weekend pick, Whelan looks at the Big 12 and a showdown between Kansas and Baylor. The classic conference rivals are three games apart in the conference standings, with the Jayhawks running the show yet again. With a win, just like Villanova, Kansas could be back in legitimate conversation for one of the top seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
Right now, the computers weigh Kansas’ resume in a very favorable light and the committee will take notice that the Jayhawks have had success in the deepest conference in the country. But to first escape Baylor, Bill Self’s group will rely heavily on Frank Mason Jr., who has been the team’s best perimeter player, to guide them past the Bears.
