Scores will be settled and the flames of rivalry will be fanned today in college basketball. UNC and Duke renew one of the most intense rivalries in sport, John Calipari returns to Kentucky, and Arizona and Arizona State meet up in Tempe. Today’s slate and this weekend as a whole would not be as stacked as it is without mid-major showdowns, though. Here’s what to watch this weekend.
Saturday lunchtime: Maine Black Bears (14-8, 6-1 America East) @ Vermont Catamounts (11-11, 4-3 America East)
With conference foe Bryant showing no signs of stopping, it is all the more important Maine (KenPom 183) keeps its own win streak going. The Black Bears have won six in a row and put up a +96 point differential over that stretch. They’re led in scoring by AJ Lopez, who averaged 19.6 points per game in January. He’s gotten hot at the right time, can he and Maine keep it going into February?
Vermont (KP 269) is nowhere near the dominant force people have come to know it as. The three-time defending champion has sputtered out of the gate, dropping consecutive games to UMBC and Binghamton. The Catamounts are led in many rebounds, assists, and steals by reigning tournament Most Outstanding Player Shamir Bogues. He and others will need to step up offensively. Vermont has the 339th-best offense in Division I, per KenPom. Will the champs step up?
When and where: 2 p.m. EST on ESPN+
Saturday mid-afternoon: South Carolina State Bulldogs (9-11, 3-2 MEAC) @ Norfolk State Spartans (14-8, 4-1 MEAC)
This will be a great reality check for South Carolina State (KP 237). This team has come close to some huge wins but has always fallen short. The Bulldogs lost to then-ranked Xavier by three, Furman by four, Georgia by seven, and Samford by seven. There isn’t a standout scorer on the team, but that speaks more than anything to the team’s ability to get a good scoring night out of anyone.
This conference runs through the Spartans (KP 167). Norfolk State has some sneaky good wins against High Point, James Madison, and UC Davis. The Spartans have a stud and his name is Brian Moore Jr. The Harlem native is averaging 19.0 points per game, the best of the conference. If Norfolk State makes the NCAA tournament, much less pulls off another shocking upset, it’s most likely due to his heroics.
When and where: 4:30 p.m. on ESPN+
Saturday evening: Utah Valley Wolverines (15-6, 7-0 WAC) @ Grand Canyon Lopes (16-5, 6-1 WAC)
This game looks like a WAC championship preview. Never Made The Tourney Club member Utah Valley (KP 134) is on quite a roll. The Wolverines have won ten in a row and 11 of the last 12. This may be the year for the Wolverines and Dominick Nelson will be the one to make sure of it. He averaged 19 points per game last month and dropped 21 on Grand Canyon when they met in Orem.
The mid-major darlings of last year have not lost much of a step. Tyon Grant-Foster and Grand Canyon (KP 91) look to be a threat once again. Aside from the aforementioned loss to Utah Valley, the Lopes have locked down the WAC. Over the last ten games, the Lopes have allowed just 65.7 points per game. Utah Valley won once, but they’ll have to earn this one in Phoenix.
When and where: 8 p.m. on ESPN+
Saturday nightcap: New Mexico Lobos (17-4, 9-1 Mountain West) @ Utah State Aggies (19-2, 9-1 Mountain West)
Returning to the Weekend Desserts from last week, New Mexico (KP 49) finds itself in the biggest conference matchup of the season in the Mountain West. They earned a hard-fought win in Las Vegas last Saturday, can they do it again in Logan, Utah?
The Lobos face the presumed autobid winner: Utah State (KP 43). The Aggies have one of the best records in all of college basketball and wins over Saint Mary’s, Iowa, and San Diego State. Not much else needs to be said about them, they look like a strong dark horse in March. The two-headed monster of Ian Martinez (16.7/3.1/3.0) and Mason Falslev (15.2/6.2/3.8) has carved up all comers. Have this game on one screen and Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary’s on the other.
When and where: 9:30 p.m. on FS1
Sunday lunchtime: Furman Paladins (17-5, 5-4 SoCon) @ ETSU Buccaneers (12-10, 5-4 SoCon)
Furman (KP 159) has not had the start to 2025 anyone would have predicted. The Southern Conference is the wild, wild East this year. In the span of a month, Furman has lost to Wofford at home by 19 and to VMI by nine, but beaten Samford. PJay Smith Jr. has kept up the good work. This is a critical juncture for Furman.
This game is just as important for East Tennessee State (KP 133). Don’t let the 12-10 record fool you, this Buccaneers team can turn into a wagon at will. ETSU is the only other SoCon team to have beaten Samford this year, but has also proven to be streaky. If ETSU wins, it will most likely be thanks to the scoring of Quimari Peterson (18.5 PPG), Jaden Seymour (17.3 PPG, 7.3 rebounds per game), and John Buggs III (11.5 PPG).
When and where: 2 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
Sunday mid-afternoon: Bradley Braves (18-4, 9-2 MVC) @ Northern Iowa Panthers (13-9, 7-4 MVC)
The Bradley Braves (KP 92), regulars to this series, just had their bubble burst by Illinois-Chicago. If they lose this game, it may turn to situation critical in Peoria. Bradley needs a strong February. Last season, the Braves entered the month 8-3 in conference play and stalled out to a 13-7 finish in conference play.
Northern Iowa (KP 107) will not make it easy for Bradley. The Panthers will be motivated to bounce back after a 14-point loss to Drake. Senior guard Tytan Anderson (14.7/6.4/2.5) leads the team in both scoring and rebounds per game, but if he hits a three-pointer, it’s a sign of success. Northern Iowa is 4-1 in games he makes a three and 3-4 in games he doesn’t attempt a three.
When and where: 4 p.m. on ESPN2/ESPN+