College GameDay: Picks for Duke at North Carolina, Saturday's biggest games

ESPN’s College GameDay is operating live from Chapel Hill on Saturday, in-front of a raucous crowd anticipating No. 9 Duke taking on North Carolina. In Mike Krzyzewski’s final game at North Carolina, Tar Heels faithful was rocking the arena.

To illustrate, the biggest game of the weekend is the most famous rivalry in all of sports — the Blue Devils traveling to take on North Carolina. College GameDay being in Chapel Hill only added to the energy, which promises to be through the roof. Moreover, the aforementioned Krzyzewski will attempt to win his final showdown on the road against the Tar Heels.

Additionally, there’s a bevy of other huge matchups throughout the sport on Saturday. First, a showdown between two of the best the Big 12 has to offer is bound to shakeup the day. No. 8 Baylor travels to Allen Fieldhouse to take on No. 10 Kansas. Both teams suffered losses in last weekend’s Big 12/SEC Challenge, and now will be looking for better luck this weekend.

Moreover, a huge game within the Pac 12 will make for an interesting one on Saturday. No. 19 USC travels to take on No. 7 Arizona. Behind forward Isaiah Mobley and his 14.7 points per game, the Trojans will be looking to upset the Wildcats.

As you can see, there are huge showdowns throughout each conference — like No. 13 Michigan State at Rutgers, No. 17 UConn and No. 12 Villanova and No. 5 Kentucky at Alabama. There’s something for everyone this weekend in college basketball.

An exciting day of college basketball is on the horizon, and ESPN’s College GameDay has us covered. Here’s all their picks and predictions for Saturday’s slate.

College GameDay: Picks for Duke at North Carolina, Saturday’s biggest games

No. 9 Duke at North Carolina: Bilas isn’t picking as he’s on the call, but Ellis and Greenberg made their voices known.

“I’m going to have to go with Duke. Paolo Banchero creates matchup issues for North Carolina,” stated Ellis, picking Duke.

“To beat Duke, you got to have guards and you got to make shots. In this building, Caleb Love shoots 45% from the three, and they got some dudes who can get in the lane. I’m going Carolina,” stated Greenberg.

No. 5 Kentucky at Alabama: “I’m going to have to go against the oddsmakers here,” stated Ellis, picking Kentucky. Bilas and Greenberg are both on Kentucky, as well.

No. 8 Baylor at No. 10 Kansas: “I think Kansas wins at home,” stated Bilas. Everyone is on the Jayhawks.

No. 19 USC at No. 7 Arizona: “Arizona plays at warped speed,” stated Greenberg. It didn’t take long for everyone to pick Arizona over USC.

No. 17 Connecticut at No. 12 Villanova: “This is an elite UConn defense. Long an athletic. .. I’m going with the Conn,” stated Greenberg. Ellis and Greenberg are in agreement on UConn, while Bilas is rocking with the Wildcats.

CGD Crew Picks:

Jay Bilas: Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona, Villanova

LaPhonso Ellis: Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona, Connecticut

Seth Greenberg: North Carolina, Kentucky, Kansas, Arizona, Connecticut