/https%3A%2F%2Fgreatestshot.com%2Fapp%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F02%2FUSATSI_25283249-scaled.jpg)
March is finally here, and the first day brings us a jam-packed college basketball slate. Teams are jockeying for positions in the upcoming conference tournaments to ensure a spot in the Big Dance. Let’s go over some of the biggest games on Saturday’s lineup, and identify some key matchups that could have massive implications for seeding purposes:
#1 Auburn (25-2) @ #17 Kentucky (19-9) (1 PM EST/10 AM PST)
The No. 1 ranked Auburn Tigers will travel to Rupp Arena for their only regular season matchup against the No. 17 Kentucky Wildcats. Kentucky defeated Auburn last year, but it’s a much-different looking Wildcat team while the Tigers have plenty of familiar faces. Auburn enters Saturday’s showdown having won 19 of its last 20 games. The Wildcats are 5-6 over their last 11, and narrowly escaped with at Oklahoma their last time out. Kentucky guard Otega Oweh converted on a game-winning layup against the Sooners and has scored over 20 points in three of the last four.
Though the Wildcats have already collected nine losses, their resume of wins is elite. They’ve already beaten No. 2 Duke, No. 3 Florida, and No. 5 Tennessee (twice). A win over Auburn here would give Kentucky confidence that no matter what bracket they’re placed in for the NCAA Tournament, they’ve likely already beaten the No. 1 seed in their region.
#6 Alabama (23-5) @ #5 Tennessee (23-5) (4 PM EST/1 PM PST)
This matchup could determine the final No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Vols have responded well since their 75-64 defeat to Kentucky back on Feb. 11. They’ve rattled off three in a row, including a convincing road win over No. 12 Texas A&M. Tennessee guard Chaz Lanier scored a season-high 30 points in the win and made eight three-pointers. Rick Barnes’ team hangs its hat on the defensive end. If Lanier can keep this up offensively, they’re a tough team to beat.
For ‘Bama, this game begins a three-game stretch that could ultimately determine their NCAA Tournament fate. Over the final week of the regular season, the Crimson Tide take on No. 5 Tennessee, No. 3 Florida, and No. 1 Auburn. A three-game winning streak is likely enough to secure the No. 1 overall seed when the bracket releases on Mar. 16.
#12 Texas A&M (20-8) @ #3 Florida (24-4) (8:30 PM EST/5:30 PM PST)
Late-game execution cost them against Vanderbilt on Wednesday, and they shot 5-for-30 (Wade Taylor IV was 0-for-9) from three in a loss to Tennessee last week. Taylor desperately needs to get back on track. He’s never been an efficient scorer, but he’s been awful since conference play began (33.1 FG%, 31.1 3PT%). A loss for the Gators could potentially knock them out of contention for a No. 1 seed.
#22 Arizona (19-9) @ #9 Iowa State (21-7) (9:00 PM EST/6:00 PM PST)
With the SEC matchups out of the way, the Big 12 comes into focus late Saturday. Two of the conference’s five ranked squads take on one another at the Hilton Coliseum. It was absolute pandemonium the last time these two teams faced off. Arizona guard Caleb Love nailed a half-court shot at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime. The hosting Wildcats outscored the Cyclones 15-4 in the extra frame to clinch a dramatic win.
Going into this matchup, both teams aren’t playing their best ball. Iowa State has lost two in a row, including a deflating defeat to the 14-14 Oklahoma State Cowboys, and are 4-5 over their last 9 games. Arizona had dropped three of four before getting back into the win column with a victory over Utah on Wednesday. The Cyclones have been exceptional at home this year with a 13-1 record. Houston has already locked up the No. 1 seed in the Big 12 Conference Tournament, but the winner in this one would be the favorite to secure the No. 2 seed.
