The final Saturday of the regular college basketball season is marked by the 6 pm ET game between No. 4 Duke and North Carolina. This marks legendary Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s last game on the bench after 42 seasons at the helm of the program, and there are major implications for both teams. The Blue Devils may need a win to clinch the ACC outright title, and the Tar Heels are looking for a win to boost their NCAA Championship chances.
While the Ruta del Tabaco competition will require plenty of oxygen within the sport, it is just one of several big games on a loaded slate for the first weekend of March. Among other great matchups, the SEC doubles matchups on CBS, beginning with the noon mile between #25 Alabama AND LSU and continuing in the second matchup of the afternoon between No. 7 Kentucky AND Florida.
If the Wildcats win, they may be in position to take a piece of the SEC title, depending on how Chestnut Knight against South Carolina. Likewise, there will be repercussions for the Big 12 league title as No. 6 Kansas Hosts No. 21 Texas and No. 3 Baylor Hosts Iowa. is heating up, and that should show on Saturday.
Our experts have picks and predictions for today’s biggest games here.
Odds via Caesars Sportsbook | All times are oriental
#25 Alabama at LSU
featured game | LSU Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
12:00 | CBS, CBSSports.com, and the CBS Sports app (free) — Both teams are heading for big bids for the NCAA Championship. Both are also guaranteed to start play in the SEC Championship in Round Two next Thursday and will be on course to face a tough opponent in the quarterfinals. So it’s not like this game has any big ramifications for the league standings. But it’s a great competition for two teams that need momentum. The advantage of indoor courts has been huge in the SEC this season and it’s a huge factor that can’t be ignored here. Prediction: LSU 79, Alabama 72
No. 7 Kentucky en Florida
featured game | Florida Gators vs Kentucky Wildcats
2m | CBS, CBSSports.com, and the CBS Sports app (free) — kentucky guards travel wheelie and tyty Washington They played as usual to win be a beauty queen on Tuesday, in their second game since missing two games due to injury. This is bad news for Florida, which is looking for a big win to boost its NCAA Championship chances. The Wildcats must complete a sweep of the Gators in the most closely contested rematch. Florida beat Auburn two weeks ago in the same ballpark, but expecting another stoppage of this caliber from this team sounds like a lot. Prediction: Kentucky 76, Florida 70
featured game | Washington State Cougars vs. Oregon Ducks
16:00 | CBS, CBSSports.com, and the CBS Sports app (free) — Oregon plays in its own NCAA tournament and needs a win to avoid getting on the wrong side of the bubble entering next week’s Pac-12 tournament. Washington State nearly eliminated the Ducks on the road on Feb. 14, but the Cougars have struggled to outwit quality opponents this season. Look to Oregon for a close victory. Prediction: Oregon 70. Washington State 68
No. 21 Texas en No. 6 Kansas
featured game | Kansas Jayhawks vs Texas Longhorns
16:00 | ESPN fuboTV (free trial)– Jayhawks are struggling, yes. Losing 10 points in a row against Baylor and TCU made this a necessity in their quest for the Big 12 title. But it’s hard to watch KU lose three times in a row, especially with this game coming home with the Conference title on the line. The Longhorns won their first home game 79-76 on Feb. 7 showing their defensive muscle with a 15-7 swing advantage. But Kuwait University didn’t have Remy Martin. In that game, the alumni deflection point guard should help hold off the Jayhawks in the rematch. Prediction: KS 80, Texas 60
North Carolina at No. 4 Duke
featured game | Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels
18:00 | ESPN fuboTV (free trial)– Will the young Duke team be overwhelmed by the historic nature of this moment and struggle to get into a rhythm amid the passion and chaos that surrounded their last Coach K game at home? Possibly yes. The Blue Devils used a 31-8 start to get away from North Carolina in the first meeting. Since Duke’s 20-point victory, the Tar Heels have won six of the last seven. Repeating the fast start of Game 1 against a UNC team playing for an NCAA Championship berth would not be easy for Duke. In the end, though, the UNC defense is too porous to keep Duke from holding off for 40 minutes. Prediction: Duke 80, North Carolina 74
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