Men's College Basketball: Games to watch this week

We look ahead at five games to watch over the next week after a crazy stretch that saw five Top 10 teams lose to unranked opponents.

Here are some of the top men’s basketball games coming up this week:

No. 16 Utah State vs. New Mexico

• Where is Utah State at New Mexico? The Pit, Albuquerque, New Mexico
• When is Utah State at New Mexico? 10:30 PM ET, Tuesday, January 16
• Where can I watch Utah State at New Mexico? FS1

Utah State is one of the hottest teams in the country. They’ve won 15 straight going into this one. The No. 16 Aggies, who sit atop the Mountain West standings ahead of No. 19 San Diego State, are trying to reach the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four seasons.

They’re led by Great Osobor, who is averaging nearly a double-double a game and also lead the team in blocks.

They have a tricky one on Tuesday night as they travel to the Pit in Albuquerque to take on New Mexico. 

New Mexico has lost 2-of-4 and are middle of the pack in the Mountain West despite an overall 14-3 record. However, they are a perfect 9-0 at home going into this one, and that is what Utah State will have to contend with on Tuesday night.

No. 18 Creighton vs. No. 1 Connecticut

• Where is Creighton vs. Connecticut? Gampel Pavilion, Storrs, CT
• When is Creighton vs. Connecticut? 7 PM ET, Wednesday, January 17
• Where can I watch Creighton vs. Connecticut? FS1

After No. 1 Purdue, No. 2 Houston and No. 3 Kansas all fell to unranked teams this past week, fourth-ranked UConn is the new top team in the land on Monday.

The defending national champion Huskies are the fourth No. 1 team this season, after Purdue, Kansas and Arizona. Connecticut has won five straight and 8-of-9, and they are also 9-0 at home after defeating Georgetown. 

Cam Spencer leads the Huskies in scoring while Tristan Newton is close behind and leads the team in rebounds and assists.

UCONN has a big test Wednesday night when visiting and No. 18 Creighton comes to Storrs. The Blue Jays have rebounded from a tough stretch the second half of December where they lost 3-of-4 with three straight wins to start the new year coming into their home game in Omaha against St. John’s.

Baylor Scheierman leads Creighton with 18 points and eight rebounds a game.

Nevada vs. San Diego State

• Where is Nevada at San Diego State? Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA
• When is Nevada at San Diego State? 11 PM ET, Wednesday, January 17
• Where can I watch Nevada at San Diego State? CBSSN

The Aztecs, who reached the national championship game last April, had won seven straight before falling to New Mexico, 88-70 on Saturday. 

Coach Brian Dutcher is looking to lead the Aztecs to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth straight season. Jaedon LeDee leads the team in scoring and rebounds. 

Nevada is one of the hottest teams in the country. Steve Alford, now in his fifth season at the helm in Reno, led the Wolf Pack to the First Four last spring and is looking to take them further this go around.

Guards Jarod Lucas (17.6 ppg) and Kenan Blackshear (16.6 ppg, 4.7 apg, 1.4 spg) lead Nevada.

No. 9 Baylor vs. Texas

• Where is Baylor vs. Texas? Moody Center, Austin, TX
• When is Baylor vs. Texas? Noon ET, Saturday, January 20
• Where can I watch Baylor vs. Texas? ESPN

Coach Scott Drew has another strong squad down in Waco as No. 9 Baylor is 13-2 and off to a 2-0 start in Big 12 play with a win in overtime at Oklahoma State and at home over No. 18 BYU last week.

The team is looking to make its fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and is led by Ja’Kobe Walter (15.3 ppg, 4.2 rpg) who paces six Bears currently scoring in double figures.

The Longhorns have been steady of late, winning 6-of-7. Coach Rodney Terry has stabilized the program after taking over for Chris Beard early in the 2022/23 season.

He led Texas to a regional final last spring and has the talent to make a similar run this March. Oral Roberts transfer Max Abmas with 17.1 points and 4.5 assists per game, with Dylan Disu, Tyrese Hunter, Dillon Mitchell and Kadin Shedrick (team-leading 9.1 rpg) all scoring at least 11 points a game as well.

Georgia vs. No. 8 Kentucky

• Where is Georgia vs. Kentucky? Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
• When is Georgia vs. Kentucky? 6 PM ET, Saturday, January 20
• Where can I watch Georgia vs. Kentucky? SEC Network

Several solid SEC matchups are taking place next weekend, including Georgia traveling to Lexington to take on the Wildcats.

The Bulldogs had won 10 straight heading into their game at home against No. 5 Tennessee, which they dropped, 85-79. 

Third-year coach Michael White is trying to get Georgia to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. He has seven players averaging seven points or more in a balanced attack, led by guards Noah Thomasson (12.7 ppg) and Jabri Abdur-Rahim (12.3 ppg).

Eighth-ranked Kentucky is coming off shock 97-92 overtime loss at unranked Texas A&M on Saturday.

Seniors Antonio Reeves (18.6 ppg) and Tre Mitchell (13.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg) have combined with a trio of freshmen, Rob Dillingham (14.4 ppg), D.J. Wagner (12.4 ppg) and Reed Sheppard (11.9 ppg, 4.1 apg, 2.5 spg) to lead the Wildcats.