Another week of college basketball games has come and gone. And we are still about another week away from getting to the true beginning of conference play where matchups get juicy. In the meantime, here are the games you should be watching that may have implications for March.
Week 7 College Basketball Games
- Auburn vs USC: Dec. 18, 5:30 PM ET
- Virginia vs Miami: Dec. 20, 8:30 PM ET
- Florida vs Oklahoma: Dec. 20, 9:30 PM ET
- St. John’s vs Villanova: Dec. 21, 6:30 PM ET
- TCU vs Utah: Dec. 21, 9:00 PM ET
- Illinois vs Missouri: Dec. 22, 9:00 PM ET
How To Watch These College Basketball Games
Auburn vs. USC
- When: Sunday, December 18, 2022
- Start Time: 5:30 PM ET
- Location: Galen Center – Los Angeles, California
- How to watch: ESPN
Auburn vs USC Preview
The Auburn Tigers were one of the last remaining teams to stay undefeated until a tough game against Memphis in Atlanta. They are still 9-1 and ranked, but face a USC team that has gone a bit under the radar. They took an inexplicable to Florida Gulf Coast to start the season and lost to Tennessee in overtime as well as a close game against Wisconsin.
However, USC should be a top-3 PAC12 team while the Tigers are looking like a top tier SEC team themselves. This is a huge opportunity for Auburn as it has not played another Power 5 conference team and this is a great opportunity for USC to prove that it will be the class of the PAC12 and not look good because the rest of its conference doesn’t.
Virginia vs. Miami
- When: Tuesday, December 20, 2022
- Start Time: 8:30 PM ET
- Location: Watsco Center – Coral Gables, Florida
- How to watch: ACC Network
Virginia vs Miami Preview
This is a key early-season ACC matchup for both teams. Virginia has already beaten the likes of Illinois, Michigan, and Baylor to get its season started on the right track. Miami has already won two conference games and beaten Rutgers in the non-conference. Both teams share the ball equally well (just about 15.5 assists per game for both teams), but it will come down to who can get more stops and turnovers.
Both teams average over 70 points in scoring per game, but Virginia is allowing only about 58 points per game from its opponents. The shooting from Isaiah Wong, Jordan Miller, and Norchad Omier will have to superb in order to win this game and defeat that vaunted UVA pack line defense. For Virginia, the X-Factor will undoubtedly be Kadin Shedrick with some help from Reece Beekman as he is one of the best defenders in the conference.
Florida vs. Oklahoma
- When: Tuesday, December 20, 2022
- Start Time: 9:30 PM ET
- Location: Spectrum Center – Charlotte, North Carolina
- How to watch: ESPN2
Florida vs Oklahoma Preview
This is not necessarily a game between two great teams right now. But it will be a barometer of how good the middle of each of these teams’ respective conferences could be this season. This is also part of the Jumpman Invitational put on by Jordan Brand. This game is likely to come down to whether or not Oklahoma’s defense will limit Florida’s three-point shooting and whether or not Florida will play defense at all.
In Florida’s seven wins, they have not been held under 76 points. But in losses, they have been held in the 50s. If Oklahoma can make this a rock fight and force the Gators into some bad shots, they have a good chance of going back west with a nice win out of the conference. Meanwhile, first-year Gator head coach, Todd Golden, is hoping to build some momentum heading into SEC play after a romping of Ohio in Tampa last week.
St. John’s vs. Villanova
- When: Wednesday, December 21, 2022
- Start Time: 6:30 PM ET
- Location: Finneran Pavilion – Villanova, Pennsylvania
- How to watch:
St. John’s vs Villanova Preview
While this doesn’t look like the kind of game that belongs on this list — thanks to Villanova struggling early on in the season — the Wildcats have been surging ever since Cam Whitmore entered the lineup. The potential top-10 pick missed time because of wrist surgery late in the offseason. He’s back and he has been the difference for this team as it’s won its last three games.
St. John’s has only suffered one loss at the hands of Iowa State with wins against Nebraska, Syracuse, and Temple. This will be the Red Storm’s next best opportunity at a resume-building win this season. But if Whitmore keeps playing like he has off the bench, this could be a potential blowout.
TCU vs. Utah
- When: Wednesday, December 21, 2022
- Start Time: 9:00 PM ET
- Location: Vivint Arena -Salt Lake City, Utah
- How to watch:
TCU vs Utah Preview
There were plenty of people who thought that Utah might be near the bottom of the PAC12 this season, but the Utes have already knocked off Arizona and Washington State to start 2-0 in conference play. TCU has gotten off to a solid start and has even beaten Iowa while the Hawkeyes were ranked. This should be a good test for both teams and an opportunity to impress the selection committee comes March.
If Utah can keep its hot start going and continue to rebound the ball well, there’s a strong chance to win this game. The Utes allow a shade under 60 points a game and manage to score 76 a game. However, they will be contending with dynamic guard and Horned Frog, Mike Miles. He’s averaging over 18 points a game while making almost half of his shots.
Illinois vs. Missouri
- When: Thursday, December 22, 2022
- Start Time: 9:00 PM ET
- Location: Enterprise Center – St. Louis, Missouri
- How to watch: SEC Network
Illinois vs Missouri Preview
This will be Missouri’s second big test of the year after getting whacked by Kansas last week. This will also give us an idea of whether or not the Tigers will be a legitimate SEC contender or if they have benefitted from a soft schedule to start the season. Illinois could be entering a trap game in this one as well before playing a cupcake and getting into Big Ten play.
This should be an opportunity for Illinois big man Coleman Hawkins to show how good he can be and maybe even get a little draft hype. If Illinois wins this game, it will also be thanks to the defense since Missouri is averaging 90 points a game. There is no way the Illini can win this if they try to keep pace on the offensive end as they just aren’t built for that.
Which college basketball games are you looking forward to most?