The 10 best games of an all-time college basketball weekend

Got plans this weekend? Cancel ’em. Using the one-week NFL break to its advantage before the Super Bowl next Sunday, college basketball is taking over the world with a slate of games worth drooling over.

Five ranked matchups overall with four inside the top 10, some of the best conference rivalries in the sport. Among them? You guessed it, the Cats vs Vols inside Rupp Arena on Saturday.

KSR highlights the best of the best this weekend and why you should care. Take a look:

1. No. 4 Houston at No. 9 Kansas — Saturday, 4 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Cougars have the No. 1 scoring defense in college basketball while the Jayhawks have lost three of eight to open Big 12 play and are looking for a statement win. And this one is in Lawrence, Allen Fieldhouse being one of the nation’s toughest places to play. Both teams are seen as title contenders and this series — they also play March 9 — will determine the Big 12 champion.

2. No. 7 Duke at No. 3 North Carolina — Saturday, 6:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

At its peak, Kentucky vs. Louisville is the best rivalry in college basketball. Until the Cardinals get their act together, nothing is better today than Blue Devils vs. Tar Heels. UNC won ten straight before overlooking Georgia Tech while Duke has won 11 of 12. The Dean Dome will be electric.

3. No. 5 Tennessee at No. 10 Kentucky — Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Both teams are coming off losses with a lot to play for as players in the SEC race. All eyes are on Dalton Knecht vs. Antonio Reeves, two top contenders for SEC Player of the Year and among the best offensive weapons in college basketball. It’s a heavyweight battle of conference rivals.

4. No. 2 Purdue at No. 6 Wisconsin — Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS)

The Big Ten showdown lost some juice when the Badgers choked away a 19-point lead at Nebraska earlier in the week, but it’s still the highest-ranked matchup of the weekend for a reason. The winner will likely decide the league champion in what should be a high-powered offensive battle.

5. No. 11 Iowa State at No. 18 Baylor — Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

All eyes are on Kansas vs. Houston, but this one isn’t too far behind in the Big 12 race. The Cyclones are just a half-game back from the conference lead while the Bears are looking for a statement win after losing three of four, all within two scores. Baylor will have the homecourt advantage in Waco and is hungry for this one.

6. No. 1 UConn at St. John’s — Saturday, 12 p.m. ET (FOX)

It’s the defending national champions vs. Rick Pitino in Madison Square Garden. St. John’s is fighting for its NCAA Tournament life after losing three of four while UConn is looking for its tenth straight win as the best team in college basketball. Can Slick Rick pull off the upset?

7. No. 16 Auburn at Ole Miss — Saturday, 6 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

It’s the contenders or pretenders bowl in the SEC. They’ve both looked like world-beaters against lesser competition, but have gotten exposed at various points. The Tigers blew out the Rebels 82-59 on Jan. 20, but Bruce Pearl’s group has lost two of three since then and remain 0-4 in Quad 1 games. This one in Oxford is important for both sides.

8. Saint Mary’s at Gonzaga — Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Neither team is ranked, but they’re both top-26 teams in the NET and longtime West Coast Conference rivals. One will likely win the league while the other must earn an at-large bid, this game going a long way for the latter result. It’s the ultimate nightcap to close out an all-time day of hoops.

9. Texas at No. 25 TCU — Saturday, 2 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

The Longhorns lost to anyone with a pulse early in the season, losing both Quad 1 matchups through the start of the new year with just one Quad 2 win — nothing but Quad 3s and 4s when starting 11-2. They’re 3-5 since then, though all three have been Quad 1 victories. Currently No. 39 in the NET, it’s hard to get a great read on Rodney Terry’s team and his coaching abilities overall. TCU has no bad losses and back-to-back Quad 1 wins vs. Texas Tech and at Baylor. The Horned Frogs are a sneaky Big 12 contender.

10. Mississippi State at No. 24 Alabama — Saturday, 8:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)

Despite starting 6-5, the Tide are rolling and the NET loves them at No. 7. The Bulldogs took an early Quad 4 loss to Southern, but have nothing but Quad 1 losses from there with a pair of wins vs. Tennessee and Auburn. Something to watch: MSU is 0-5 in true road games, but 14-2 at home and on neutral floors. This one being in Tuscaloosa doesn’t help.