Today's NCAAB Games

Duke's basketball program continues to reload with elite recruits year after year. The Blue Devils are off to another strong start, with their freshman class living up to the hype. Jon Scheyer has this team playing connected basketball on both ends, and they're beginning to look like a Final Four contender.

Georgia Tech is in the midst of a rebuild under their coaching staff. The Yellow Jackets have some talented pieces but lack the depth and experience to compete with elite programs. Home court at McCamish Pavilion will provide energy, but the talent gap is significant.

ACC play is heating up, and this is a chance for Duke to make a statement on the road. The Blue Devils have been dominant against lesser competition, but road games in conference play are never easy. Georgia Tech will bring energy and try to make this uncomfortable for Duke early.

What to Watch

Duke's athleticism and depth should overwhelm Georgia Tech over 40 minutes. The Blue Devils can attack in transition and on the boards, which should create second-chance opportunities. For Georgia Tech, it's about competing, developing, and maybe catching Duke on an off night.

Allen Fieldhouse is one of the most intimidating environments in college basketball, and Kansas uses it to their advantage. The Jayhawks under Bill Self are always among the nation's elite, with a deep roster and championship pedigree. This team knows how to win in March, and they're building toward another deep run.

NC State is coming off their magical run to the Final Four last season that captured the hearts of college basketball fans everywhere. The Wolfpack have lost some key pieces but retain the fighting spirit that made them dangerous. This is a team that never quits and believes in themselves.

This non-conference matchup is a chance for both programs to measure themselves against elite competition. Kansas will look to impose their will with size and physicality, while NC State will try to muck things up and keep the game in the 60s.

What to Watch

Pace will be critical. Kansas wants to run and use their depth, while NC State wants to slow things down and make every possession count. If the Jayhawks can push tempo in transition, their athleticism should take over. NC State needs their perimeter defense to force tough shots and keep this competitive.

The back-to-back national champions are looking to make it three in a row. UConn under Dan Hurley has become the gold standard of college basketball, with a program that develops players and competes for championships annually. They've reloaded after losing key contributors to the NBA, but the culture remains elite.

Marquette has been one of the Big East's best stories under Shaka Smart. The Golden Eagles play with passion and toughness, and Fiserv Forum is a difficult place for opponents to play. This is a program on the rise, with legitimate conference championship aspirations.

Big East basketball at its finest. Two teams that play hard, coach well, and compete at a high level. This game will be physical, emotional, and decided in the final minutes. Neither team will back down.

What to Watch

UConn's depth and defensive versatility will be tested. Marquette can score in bunches and will try to turn this into a track meet. The Huskies prefer to grind teams down with their physicality and force opponents into tough shots. Whichever team dictates the tempo will likely win.

Iowa State is off to one of the best starts in program history, sitting at 11-0 and ranked #4 in the nation. The Cyclones have been dominant on both ends of the floor, with a suffocating defense that forces turnovers and disrupts offensive rhythm. TJ Otzelberger has built something special in Ames, and this team has legitimate Final Four aspirations.

Eastern Illinois comes in at 2-8, a significant mismatch on paper. The Panthers are in a rebuilding phase and simply don't have the athletes or depth to compete with a top-five program. This is the kind of game where Iowa State should be able to empty the bench and get everyone minutes.

Hilton Coliseum will be rocking as always, and the Cyclones faithful expect nothing less than a blowout. Iowa State's pressing defense should create easy transition opportunities all afternoon, and the Panthers will struggle to get clean looks against this length.

What to Watch

Iowa State's starters likely won't play more than 25 minutes each in this one. The focus should be on the Cyclones' young players getting valuable experience and staying sharp heading into Big 12 play. For Eastern Illinois, it's about competing hard and not getting embarrassed.

This is the game of the day in college basketball. #2 Arizona travels to Birmingham for a neutral-site showdown with #12 Alabama that could have serious March implications. The Wildcats are undefeated and playing at an elite level, with Tommy Lloyd's offense humming and the defense finally matching the offensive firepower.

Alabama under Nate Oats plays a frenetic pace that can overwhelm opponents. The Crimson Tide want to push tempo, launch threes, and create chaos. Their athleticism is off the charts, and when they're hitting from deep, they can beat anyone in the country. Playing in Birmingham essentially gives them a home crowd advantage.

This game is a measuring stick for both programs. Arizona needs quality wins for seeding purposes, and knocking off a top-15 team in a hostile environment would be a statement. Alabama wants to prove they belong in the national title conversation despite their losses earlier in the season.

What to Watch

Tempo will decide this game. Arizona prefers a methodical half-court offense where they can exploit mismatches, while Alabama wants to run and gun. The Wildcats need to control the boards and limit second chances to keep Alabama from getting extra possessions. Whoever wins the rebounding battle likely wins the game.

Nebraska basketball is relevant again, and it's not a fluke. The Cornhuskers just hammered Wisconsin by 30 points and are riding their best start in program history at 10-0. Fred Hoiberg finally has the pieces to compete in the Big Ten, and Nebraska cracked the AP Top 25 for the first time since 2018-19. The players believe, the fans are energized, and this team has swagger.

Illinois is a perennial Big Ten contender with the athletes and coaching to make noise in March. The Fighting Illini play physical, defend at a high level, and have multiple scoring options. State Farm Center is one of the toughest road environments in the conference, and the Orange Krush will make life difficult for Nebraska.

This is a statement game for Nebraska. Beating a ranked Illinois team on the road would validate everything the Cornhuskers have accomplished so far. For Illinois, it's about protecting home court and sending a message that they're still the class of the Big Ten.

What to Watch

Nebraska's three-point shooting has been elite this season, but can they replicate that against Illinois' length on the perimeter? The Fighting Illini will try to take away the arc and force Nebraska into mid-range shots they don't want. The Huskers need their guards to make plays under pressure.

Two blue bloods meet in Seattle for a late-night showcase. UCLA is back in the Top 25 and finding their identity under Mick Cronin. The Bruins have the pieces to make a deep run in March, with experienced guards and improving depth. Playing essentially a road game in Seattle will test their mettle.

Gonzaga under Mark Few just keeps winning. The Bulldogs are ranked #8 and playing their typical brand of efficient, beautiful basketball. Their offense generates open looks through ball movement and player movement, and when Gonzaga gets rolling, they're almost impossible to stop. Seattle is basically home court for the Zags.

This matchup has the feel of a March Madness game - two storied programs with passionate fanbases meeting on a neutral floor. The winner gets a signature non-conference win that will boost their tournament resume. The loser will need to recover quickly as conference play approaches.

What to Watch

UCLA's defense against Gonzaga's motion offense is the key matchup. The Bruins want to muck things up and make this an ugly, physical game in the 60s. Gonzaga wants to play free-flowing basketball in the 80s. If UCLA can't disrupt Gonzaga's rhythm early, this could get away from them.

Texas A&M continues their non-conference slate with a home game against Jacksonville. The Aggies have been one of the surprises of the SEC this season, playing hard-nosed defense and getting contributions from throughout the roster. Buzz Williams has this program trending upward, and SEC play is right around the corner.

Jacksonville is a mid-major program looking to test themselves against power conference competition. The Dolphins have had moments this season but lack the overall talent to compete with the Aggies. This is a classic guarantee game where Texas A&M should control things from start to finish.

Reed Arena has become a difficult place for opponents to play. The Aggies feed off their home crowd's energy, and the 12th Man translates to basketball season as well. Texas A&M should use this game to fine-tune their rotation before the gauntlet of SEC play begins.

What to Watch

Texas A&M's defense should dominate this game. The Aggies force turnovers at an elite rate and convert those into easy transition buckets. Jacksonville will struggle to get into their half-court sets, and the game could get out of hand early. Watch for A&M's bench players to get extended run.