Faculty basketball will likely be ringing within the New Yr one of the best ways it is aware of how: With a loaded slate of Saturday video games that determine to be consequential for convention races throughout the nation. Within the Large 12, look no additional than Lawrence, Kansas the place No. 8 Texas travels to tackle the third-ranked Jayhawks within the Phog. Within the SEC, a gathering between No. 12 Missouri and unranked, but undefeated, Arkansas may show telling concerning the mettle of each groups.

There isn’t any scarcity of motion and to rejoice the festivities, we have got advise on which motion to soak up among the largest video games. Our panel of specialists made picks straight up and towards the unfold for Kansas-Texas, Missouri-Arkansas, LSU-Florida, and Colorado State-San Diego State, seen beneath.

Odds from William Hill Sportsbook. All instances ET.

No. 8 Texas at No. 3 Kansas

When: Midday | The place: Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, Kansas
TV: ESPN2 | Stay stream: fuboTV (Attempt at no cost) 

It is a huge one that will go a great distance in direction of deciding the Large 12 race. Kansas is hitting its stride coming into the sport, having received eight-straight after a season-opening loss to No. 1 Gonzaga. Texas, too, is seemingly discovering its groove. It misplaced a detailed tilt to Villanova on a impartial early final month however has received three-straight since — together with a formidable street win over Oklahoma State — because it enters Saturday at 7-1. The massive distinction right here will likely be KU and the way it sizes up with Texas’s protection. This Longhorns protection — particularly within the frontcourt — is lengthy, stout and fierce. In the meantime, KU’s offense — notably its backcourt — is a matchup drawback for any group. It needs to be a detailed one however I like KU sufficient on this spot to put the factors. Prediction: Kansas 74, Texas 65. — Kyle Boone

No. 12 Missouri at Arkansas

When: 12 p.m. | The place: Bud Walton Area in Fayetteville, Arkansas
TV: CBS | Stay stream:  CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App (Free)
OTT: CBS Sports activities App (Apple TV, Roku, Hearth TV, Chromecast) 

Arkansas appears like the fashionable decide after its spectacular win at Auburn. However Missouri will likely be out to show that its loss to Tennessee was nothing greater than a poor night time towards an incredible group. The Razorbacks haven’t performed a protection almost the caliber of Missouri’s, and the Tigers have confirmed they’ll end off shut video games. Prediction: Missouri 70, Arkansas 68 

When: 2 p.m. | The place: Exactech Area in Gainesville, Florida
TV: CBS | Stay stream:  CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App (Free)
OTT: CBS Sports activities App (Apple TV, Roku, Hearth TV, Chromecast) 

Florida is likely to be due for a letdown after such a powerful SEC debut vs. Vanderbilt following the 18-day layoff. LSU’s protection has been vulnerable at instances early within the season, nevertheless it took a pleasant step ahead by holding Texas A&M to only 54 factors. Prediction: LSU 78, Florida 73

When: 4 p.m. | The place: Viejas Area in San Diego
TV: CBS | Stay stream:  CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App (Free)
OTT: CBS Sports activities App (Apple TV, Roku, Hearth TV, Chromecast) 

I would love nothing greater than to go towards the grain, however San Diego State has the whole lot lined up right here to seize a convincing win. It has house courtroom benefit, an edge on protection that’s seemingly to provide the Rams suits, and shares an analogous opponent in Saint Mary’s that SDSU had zero hassle with and CSU acquired obliterated by. I am taking the Aztecs and laying the factors. They’ve far more firepower and I am unsure Colorado State can hold this one aggressive. Prediction: San Diego State 77, Colorado State 60 — Kyle Boone  

So who wins each faculty basketball recreation right this moment? And which underdogs pull off beautiful upsets? Go to SportsLine now to get picks for each recreation, all from the unbiased mannequin that simulates each recreation 10,000 instances, and discover out.