NCAAB December 7 Previews

Marquette has been absolutely rolling this season, and Shaka Smart has this program playing some of the best basketball in the country. The Golden Eagles are 9-1 and ranked in the top 10 nationally, with an offense that can score in bunches and a defense that's far more active than people give them credit for. Providence comes in at 6-4, a solid but unspectacular start for Kim English in his second season. The Friars have talent, but can they keep pace with Marquette's tempo?

Here's what I love about Marquette - they don't just beat you, they demoralize you. They push the pace, force turnovers, and before you know it, you're down 15 and wondering what happened. Providence has struggled against elite competition this year, and the Fiserv Forum is going to be absolutely rocking. The crowd factor in Milwaukee is real, and the Golden Eagles feed off that energy. Their guards are going to attack relentlessly, and Providence's perimeter defense has been shaky at best.

This feels like a comfortable Marquette win to me. The Golden Eagles have too many weapons, play too fast, and have the home-court advantage. Providence will compete for stretches, but Marquette should pull away in the second half. The spread might be a touch high, but I'd still lean toward the home team covering. This is a statement game for Marquette heading into Big East play.

The Crosstown Showdown is always special, and this year's edition has some real juice. UCLA is 8-2 and playing solid basketball under Mick Cronin, while USC is 7-3 and looking to prove they belong in the conversation with the LA elite. Pauley Pavilion is going to be electric, and in rivalry games like this, records go out the window. Both teams are going to bring maximum intensity, and that's what makes this matchup so compelling.

UCLA's defense has been the story of their season - they're holding opponents to under 65 points per game and making teams work for every single bucket. Cronin's system is all about grinding you down, controlling pace, and winning the possession battle. USC has more offensive firepower but can get sloppy with the ball. Eric Musselman is in his first year with the Trojans, and while he's got talent, the chemistry is still developing. That's a concern in a game where emotions run high.

I'm leaning toward the under in this one. Both teams play slow, deliberate basketball, and rivalry games tend to get physical and low-scoring. UCLA has the home-court advantage and the defensive identity to grind this one out. USC will hang around because they've got pride and talent, but expect the Bruins to find a way late. Cronin in rivalry games at home is a solid bet.

Hinkle Fieldhouse is one of the most iconic venues in college basketball, and Butler always plays their best at home. The Bulldogs are 5-5, a disappointing start for a program with championship aspirations, but they've shown flashes of what they can be when clicking. Villanova comes in at 6-4, also searching for consistency after the departure of some key pieces from last year's squad. This is a Big East battle where both teams desperately need a win.

Kyle Neptune has Villanova playing harder than they have in years, but the offensive efficiency just isn't there yet. The Wildcats struggle to score in the half-court when things get tight, and that's a problem against Butler's pack-line defense. The Bulldogs want to slow things down, limit possessions, and make this a grind-it-out affair. If they can keep the score in the 60s, they've got a real shot at pulling the upset.

This one is going to be ugly. Both teams are going to struggle offensively, and the pace is going to be glacial. I love the under here - neither team shoots the three well enough to have a track meet, and both defenses are built to limit easy looks. As for the spread, I think it's close to a coin flip. Villanova has more pedigree, but Butler at home in a rock fight is dangerous. Give me the Bulldogs to keep this close, maybe even win outright.

Indiana has been a pleasant surprise this season, racing out to an 8-2 start with a roster that's finally gelling under Mike Woodson. The Hoosiers have shooters, they've got size, and they're playing with a confidence that was missing last year. Nebraska is 6-4 at home in Pinnacle Bank Arena, where they've been tough to beat historically. Fred Hoiberg needs this win to build momentum heading into Big Ten play, and his team is capable of making shots when they get hot.

Here's the concern for Nebraska - they don't have an answer for Indiana's frontcourt. The Hoosiers have multiple guys who can score inside and grab offensive rebounds, and that's going to be a problem for a Cornhuskers team that lacks depth in the paint. Hoiberg wants to run and gun, but if Indiana controls the glass, they'll control the game. Nebraska needs to be perfect from three to stay in this, and that's a lot to ask on the road.

I think Indiana covers here. The Hoosiers are the more talented team, and while Pinnacle Bank Arena is a tough environment, they've got the size and experience to handle it. Nebraska will make a run because they shoot the three well at home, but Indiana's ability to score inside and on the glass should be the difference. Expect a competitive first half before Indiana pulls away late.