College basketball insider names favorite Big 12/SEC Challenge game

As the Big 12/SEC Challenge arrives, a full slate of competitive nonconference games in the middle of the conference schedule promises to bring big-time performances from the country’s best coaches, fans and players on Saturday.

CBS Sports insider Jon Rothstein wrote about the highly anticipated Big 12/SEC Challenge, naming his favorite game of the day in the process.

“Like guards?” asked Rothstein. “If so then you’ll love this game. Alabama (13-7) has been as mercurial as any team in the sport, but the quality of its guard play has never been in question. The Crimson Tide’s top four scorers — Jahvon Quinerly, Jaden Shackelford, Keon Ellis, and JD Davison — are all perimeter players. Baylor’s backcourt is no pushover.

“The Bears lost Jared Butler, Davion Mitchell, and MaCio Teague from last year’s team that won a national title, but still have one of the best guard cores in the country with James Akinjo, Adam Flagler, LJ Cryer, and Matthew Mayer. Akinjo did not play in the last game due to a lingering tailbone injury. This game may not have the same cache as Kentucky’s trip to Kansas, but it could very well be the most entertaining tilt of the Big 12/SEC Challenge.”

Entering Saturday’s game at Alabama, Baylor is 18-2 on the season. The Bears began the year 15-0, before losing to Texas Tech and Oklahoma State in back-to-back games, falling to 15-2. Baylor has since responded with wins over West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Kansas State.

Alabama is currently 13-7 on the season. The Crimson Tide followed up a three-game losing streak with a two-game winning streak, beating LSU and Missouri. But on Tuesday, Georgia beat Alabama 82-76.

Tip-off for Saturday’s game between Baylor and Alabama is set for 4 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa.

Status update on Baylor guard

Baylor guard James Akinjo is a game-time decision for Saturday’s game against Alabama, according to CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein. Akinjo took a hard fall on Jan. 11 in a loss against Texas Tech. He was able to play 23 minutes against Oklahoma State on January 15 and 30 minutes against Oklahoma on January 22, but he missed Tuesday’s game against Kansas State.

Despite playing recent games against Oklahoma State and Oklahoma after his injury, Akinjo has not looked right for Baylor. Against Oklahoma State, he had just three points and two rebounds, making just one of his eight shots from the field. Against Oklahoma, he scored just two points, connecting on one of his six attempts from the field. Akinjo also had four assists, one rebound and four steals against the Sooners.

On the season, Akinjo is averaging 31.1 minutes across 18 games, all of which he has started for Baylor. He is averaging 13.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.2 steals per game. Akinjo is also shooting 42.6% from the field and 35.1 percent from beyond the arc.

This season is Akinjo’s first at Baylor, but his fourth year of college basketball. He previously spent two years at Georgetown before playing at Arizona last season.