Previewing the top 10 college basketball games this weekend

Setting up the top 10 games this weekend in order of watchability. All times Eastern.

1.) No. 13 Baylor at No. 12 West Virginia

Saturday, 8 p.m., ESPN2

• About the Bears (17-5, 6-3): Baylor has five losses but they've all been against some of the best teams in the country — Oregon, Texas A&M, Kansas, Oklahoma and most recently, Texas on Monday. This team has an impressive frontcourt, spearheaded by Taurean Prince and Rico Gathers. That pair, along with Jonathan Motley (10.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg) help Baylor rank 12th nationally in rebounding margin (9.6). But it’s the guard play that seemingly doesn’t get enough credit. Al Freeman (11.8 ppg) and Lester Medford (9.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 2.0 spg) help the Bears rank second nationally in assists per game (29.9) and seventh in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.59). 
• About the Mountaineers (18-4, 7-2): From a profile standpoint, West Virginia has a great look. As far as what type of basketball the Mountaineers are playing, it's been pretty inconsistent. Bob Huggins’ group looked awful in a 17-point road loss to Florida for the Big 12-SEC Challenge but followed that up with an impressive road victory at Iowa State on Tuesday. WVU unsurprisingly leads the nation in steals, with 10.6 per game. That’s thanks to a smothering full-court press that makes it difficult for opponents to establish any offensive rhythm. This team creates offense with its defense, obviously. In the halfcourt sets, there’s still a lot of work to be done. Jevon Carter hasn’t reached double digits in six games and his lack of offense has played a role in three losses in six games. 
• Star Watch: Baylor forward Taurean Prince (15.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg) and forward Rico Gathers (13.0 ppg, 10.4 rpg). West Virginia guard Jaysean Paige (14.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg) and forward Devin Williams (13.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg).     
• The pick: Baylor. These teams have near identical records and as great as Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa State have been, one of these teams very well could surprisingly win the league outright. 

2. No. 4 Villanova at No. 11 Providence

Saturday, 2:30 p.m., Fox Sports 1

• About the Wildcats (19-3, 9-1): Villanova, out front in the Big East, has a case for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Wildcats’ three losses all came against top-tier teams — falling to Oklahoma, Virginia and Providence. This is an excellent defensive team. ‘Nova ranks seventh nationally in scoring defense, allowing 61.1 points a game, and 11th in field goal percentage defense, limiting opponents to 38.2% shooting from the floor. The team also sports a balanced offense, with nearly five players averaging double figures. The freshmen on this team blend in nicely with an experienced core, as both guard Jalen Brunson (10.3 ppg) and forward Mikal Bridges (7.3 ppg) have found their roles. 
• About the Friars (18-5, 6-4): For as much love as future NBAer Kris Dunn has gotten, Ben Bentil is just as deserving for waves of attention. Bentil and fellow sophomore Rodney Bullock (12.3 ppg, 7.2 rpg) have blossomed as sophomores to provide Dunn a necessary supporting cast. Dunn and Bentil, in particular, give coach Ed Cooley a Big East title-contending team and perhaps even a Final Four-caliber team. Outside of those three, the offense isn’t exactly high-octane; no other player average more than seven points a game. And the Friars rank 249th nationally in field goal percentage (42.6%). That all could be an issue if Bentil, who's day-to-day with an ankle injury, doesn't play. 
• Star Watch: Villanova guard Josh Hart (15.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg) and guard Ryan Arcidiacono (12.4 ppg, 4.0 apg). Providence forward Bentil (29.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg) and guard Dunn (17.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 6.9 apg). 
• The pick: Villanova. In the first matchup between these two teams, coach Jay Wright’s game plan of stopping Dunn worked. Kind of. The All-American had 13 points and 14 assists, while teammate Ben Bentil, who had 31 points in the first showdown, was the one the Wildcats couldn’t stop. Providence stole that one on the road in overtime. Now it’s ‘Nova’s turn to steal it back. 

3.) No. 16 Purdue at No. 3 Maryland

Saturday, 4 p.m., ESPN

• About the Boilermakers (19-4, 7-3): When A.J. Hammons plays up to his ability, as he did in a 32-point, 11-rebound, four-block performance against Nebraska on Jan. 30, Purdue is an extremely tough team to beat. When he doesn’t, Purdue loses — to Iowa twice and at basement team Illinois to be exact. The seven-footer helps the Boilermakers rank second nationally in rebounding margin (12.3) and eighth in field goal percentage defense (38.1%). A key for this team is freshman Caleb Swanigan (9.9 ppg, 9.0 rpg), who’s recovering from an ankle injury. Purdue tends to play sloppy and it often shoots the team in the foot; the Boilermakers rank 301st nationally in turnover margin (-2.0).
• About the Terrapins (20-3, 9-2): The Terrapins finally notched a signature win on Jan. 28, beating then-unbeaten Iowa. The Big Ten title is completely in Maryland’s grasp, it’ just a matter of playing its best brand of basketball. On paper, this is the most complete starting lineup in the country. In the Iowa victory, Duke transfer Rasheed Sulaimon came up big with 17 points and five assists. All five starters have the ability to lead the way offensively and more importantly, coach Mark Turgeon has a nice mix of veterans and up-and-coming talent. Freshman big man Diamond Stone continues to improve, nearly notching a triple double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and a whopping eight blocks in Maryland's win at Nebraska. 
• Star Watch: Purdue center Hammons (14.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg) and forward Vince Edwards (10.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg). Maryland guard Melo Trimble (14.8 ppg, 5.3 apg) and forward Stone (13.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg). 
• The pick: Maryland. Records aside, these are arguably the two best teams in the Big Ten. And both teams have the ability to go far in March. But both have been known to falter and not play up to their potential. Georgia Tech transfer Carter (12.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg) has been an X-Factor for Maryland and he and Stone will have to limit Hammons for the ‘Terp to come out on top. 

4.) No. 1 North Carolina at Notre Dame

Saturday, 7 p.m., ESPN

• About the Tar Heels (19-3, 8-1): North Carolina had won 12 games in a row before suffering its first ACC loss at Louisville on Monday. But there's no mistaking this team's merit as one of the best teams in the country. This is an elite offense, as UNC ranks eighth nationally in scoring with 84.9 points a game. The Tar Heels also take care of the ball well, ranking second in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.71). North Carolina’s weakness? Behind the three-point arc. They rank 318th in made three-point field goals with 5.3 per game and shoot just 30% from three. If Marcus Paige isn’t shooting well from the outside, it’s not a pretty shot chart. 
• About the Irish (15-7, 6-4): Every time Notre Dame seems to get a gust of momentum this season, it suffers a setback. As a whole, its NCAA profile features two glaring losses — to Monmouth and Alabama. But the Irish still find themselves near the top of the ACC standings and have a legitimate chance of climbing the projection boards in February and March. Demetrius Jackson is having a fine season and is one of the best point guards in the country. And sophomore Bonzie Colson has shown flashes of superstardom, most notably in the Irish’s win against Duke on Jan. 16 when he had 31 points and 11 rebounds.     
• Star Watch: North Carolina forward Brice Johnson (16.7 ppg, 10.2 rpg) and guard Paige (12.4 ppg, 3.9 apg). Notre Dame guard Jackson (16.0 ppg, 5.2 apg) and forward Zach Auguste (13.9, 10.1 rpg). 
• The pick: North Carolina. Ever since a 30-point outing on Jan. 4, electric guard Paige has been not-so-electric. He’s averaging six points a game and shooting 21% from the floor in the past six games. His teammates have been carrying the load, but he’ll have to play at a high level for UNC to beat Notre Dame on the road. 

5.) Florida at No. 19 Kentucky

Saturday, 4 p.m., CBS

• About the Gators (15-7, 6-3): Following a gut-wrenching one-point loss at Vanderbilt, Florida bounced back to tally the résumé-boosting win it needed. The Gators wiped out West Virginia by 17 points in the Big 12-SEC Challenge and that game illustrated the team’s potential heading into February. Florida has seven losses, but none are that glaring. First-year coach Michael White inherited enough talent from Billy Donovan to turn this Florida team into an NCAA tournament team. But just how good can the Gators be? They’re not completely out of a fairly wide-open SEC race and they’ll be dangerous in the 5-8 seed range in the Big Dance. White utilizes a relatively deep lineup, and the youngsters — freshman guard KeVaughn Allen and sophomore forward John Egbunu — show major promise for the future. 
• About the Wildcats (16-6, 6-3): Kentucky pushed Kansas to the brink at Allen Fieldhouse before narrowly falling in overtime. It showed the Wildcats’ improvement since a setback loss at Auburn in mid-January. That was technically a good win. Their loss on Tuesday at Tennessee, however, was not. Now it's up to this group to get the momentum back. Freshman guard Jamal Murray has been a consistent offensive force for John Calipari, while fellow freshman Isaiah Briscoe complements him in a starting lineup filled with more experienced players. Kentucky isn’t the best outside shooting team, ranking 278th in three-point field goal percentage (32%) so the better Murray and Briscoe shoot, the better UK usually is. 
• Star Watch: Florida forward Dorian Finney-Smith (15.1 ppg, 8.2 rpg) and guard Allen (11.8 ppg). Kentucky guard Murray (17.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and Ulis (16.2 ppg, 6.1 apg).  
• The pick: Kentucky. Both of these teams are improving at a rapid rate. The Wildcats are just better overall, if they play up to their ability. Containing Tyler Ulis (26 points, eight assists, three steals in the loss to Kansas) will be the key for Florida. White has a plethora of guards — Kasey Hill and Chris Chiozza to name a few — who could stop him. How well they handle Ulis will determine the game’s tempo…and outcome. 

6.) Utah at Oregon

Sunday, 4 p.m., ESPN2

7.) Michigan State at Michigan

Saturday, 2 p.m., CBS

8.) Oklahoma at Kansas State

Saturday, 6 p.m., ESPNU

9.) N.C. State at Duke

Saturday, 2 p.m., ESPN

10.) South Carolina at Texas A&M

Saturday, 4 p.m., ESPNU

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