College Basketball Picks & Predictions – Top 25 Games | Saturday

College Basketball Takes Centre Stage: Saturday’s Top Matchups and Expert Picks

As the college football and NFL seasons pause, college basketball steps into the spotlight this Saturday, offering a compelling slate of games featuring 22 ranked teams. The action is primed to deliver, with eight ranked teams hitting the road and three highly anticipated ranked-vs-ranked matchups early in the day setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.Experts have weighed in, providing their predictions for some of the biggest contests.

Saturday’s Key Matchups and Predictions

Several games stand out as must-watch events. No. 22 UNC will face a tough road test against No. 14 Virginia, while No. 11 Illinois battles No.4 Purdue inside mackey Arena. Adding to the excitement, red-hot No. 6 Houston will clash with cross-state rival and 12th-ranked Texas Tech. These games, and others, carry meaningful weight for league standings and, ultimately, NCAA Tournament seeding.

West Virginia at No. 1 Arizona (2 p.m. ET, CBS/CBSSports.com/CBS Sports App/Paramount+ premium)

Despite a loss to Iowa State and Houston – both elite programs – West Virginia has demonstrated notable betterment since the start of 2026. Analyst Salerno predicts the Mountaineers will keep the game within a 10-point margin in the second half and cover the spread. The key, according to Salerno, will be West Virginia’s ability to slow down Arizona’s high-powered offense, currently ranked No.7 in scoring with 89.9 points per game. Pick: West Virginia +17.5

San Diego State at UNLV (4 p.m. ET,CBS/CBSSports.com/CBS Sports App/Paramount+ Premium)

San Diego state employs a defensive strategy designed to encourage opponents to take 3-pointers, a tactic that could prove problematic for UNLV, which struggles with outside shooting. “The Runnin’ Rebels prefer to attack, get fouled, and shoot free throws,” notes Cobb. If the Aztecs can limit UNLV’s transition opportunities and make enough shots themselves, they shoudl control the game’s tempo. Motivated by a recent one-point loss at Grand Canyon that ended their perfect Mountain West start,San Diego State is poised for a strong performance.Pick: San Diego State -5.5

No.19 Kansas at Kansas State (8 p.m. ET, Fox/fuboTV)

The annual Sunflower Showdown rarely disappoints, and this year’s contest is expected to be no different. Boone is predicting an upset, backing Kansas State to defeat No. 19 Kansas as a home underdog. Jerome Tang is expected to have his team fully prepared for the rivalry, and the lingering uncertainty surrounding the health of Kansas star Darryn Peterson adds another layer of intrigue. pick: kansas State +4.5

Tennessee at No. 17 Alabama (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN/fuboTV)

Alabama has been narrowly escaping defeat recently, needing a comeback to beat Oklahoma last Saturday. Boone believes this trend will continue against Tennessee, warning that the Crimson Tide is vulnerable. Tennessee, under Rick Barnes, has consistently found ways to contain Alabama’s offense and has won their last four meetings. That winning streak is projected to extend. Pick: Tennessee +4.5

no. 22 North Carolina at No. 14 Virginia (12 p.m. ET, ESPN2/fuboTV)

Despite UNC’s talent, Boone believes Virginia is a strong favorite, citing the Cavaliers’ recent road victories over Louisville and SMU and their current peak form. “UNC’s defense is just a total mess right now,” Boone stated, anticipating a potential rout in favor of Virginia.Pick: UVa -7

Maryland at No. 10 Michigan State (12 p.m. ET, CBS/CBSSports.com/CBS Sports App/Paramount+ Premium)

Maryland has faced a string of challenges recently, and Boone doesn’t foresee a turnaround on Saturday. Michigan State is expected to dominate in East Lansing, comfortably covering the spread. pick: MSU -18.5

Villanova at No. 2 UConn (12:30 p.m. ET, Fox/fuboTV)

Villanova, under first-year coach kevin Willard, has shown promise, but Boone is skeptical they can mount a serious challenge against uconn, which boasts an impressive 18-1 record. The game is expected to be a decisive victory for UConn on their home court. Pick: UConn -10.5

For comprehensive coverage and additional expert insights,including picks generated by a model simulating each game 10,000 times – a system that has yielded over $1,200 in profit for $100 bettors on its top-rated spread picks over the past six years – visit SportsLine.