Last week didn’t seem like much beyond a packed Tuesday night of hoops on paper, but on the court, Auburn and Purdue were beaten at the time by unranked teams as well as multiple upsets from last Saturday. This week Saturday’s schedule is nuts featuring 4 ranked versus ranked tilts along with a variety of good matchups in the early part of the weeknight games. The conference races are being to take form with a month left of the regular season as teams begin to separate from the pack.

Check out the top sportsbook bonuses!

1.

4.6/5

FanDuel Promo Code

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days. (Up to $1,000 Bet Reset Tokens)

Open FanDuel

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

2.

4.5/5

BetMGM Promo Code

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

USA Players Welcome

Min. Deposit: $5

Open BetMGM

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

3.

4.5/5

DraftKings Promo Code

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days

USA Players Welcome

Min. Deposit: 5

Open DraftKings

Get bonus now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

4.

4.2/5

Fanatics Promo Code

10 x $100 bet match in FanCash

USA Players Welcome

Open Fanatics

Get bonus now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

5.

Caesars Promo Code

Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit

Best Alternative

Open FanDuel

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

Marquee Matchups on Saturday

#12 Illinois vs. #19 Michigan State: This Big Ten Marquee Matchup is huge when it comes to possessing in the standings. Illinois is dead-locked in a 2-way tie for 2nd place with Wisconsin. On the Sparty side, it’s basically do or die sitting at 9-5 two games out of the top spot. Michigan State has lost 3 of their last 4 and with no major talent to get them over the hump in close games of late. In their first meeting the Fighting Illini came out smoking but to Michigan State’s credit, they did make a run back in the second half coming up just 1-point short. Illinois has the momentum on their side having won 5 out of their last 8 outings and also worth mentioning Kofi Cockburn didn’t playback in January. Something tells me after losing to Penn State the Spartans will be ready to roll.

The Pick: Sparty bounces back to win a tight one decided with under a minute to play.  

#4 Kentucky vs. #25 Alabama: Alabama was able to put on the brakes to Arkansas’s 9-game winning streak with a 68-67 victory. Kentucky had put together 6 straight wins before falling to Tennessee on the road last Tuesday. Once again Ty Ty Washington turned his ankle limiting him to just 13 minutes in the loss. Alabama hung right with the Wildcats last time out but couldn’t hit a bucket to save their lives going 28% from the field and a horrendous 3 of 30 from the arc. What are the odds Bama shoots like that again and only has 1 double digit scorer? Then again what are the odds that Crimson Tide freshman center Charles Bediako can hang with the dominant force that is Kentucky big man Oscar Tshiebwe? It won’t be a walk in the park especially if no Ty Ty but the Wildcats get the job done at home.

The Pick: Defense and a boisterous home arena is enough for Kentucky to grind a win out. 

Marquee Matchup on Tuesday

#10 Villanova vs. #24 UConn: UConn continues a tough schedule facing Villanova in a highly-competitive Big East conference. Nova has 7 wins in their last 8 one included the Huskies in a well-played game. Free throws and the Wildcats hitting a couple more shots were the difference in that game. Villanova made a statement on Tuesday to get a ‘W’ on the road at piping-hot Providence. In order to win the league regular-season crown, Nova will likely have to win out. Look for UConn to be in this one late into the game but with March nearing Nova looks to be in top form.

The Pick: Villanova keeps their good mojo going with a hard-earned victory.

4.6/5

FanDuel Review

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

Bet now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

4.5/5

BetMGM Review

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

Bet now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.5/5

DraftKings Review

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days

Bet now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

Upset Special of the Week

Iowa upsets #16 Ohio State on Saturday.

Under The Radar

#16 Tennessee vs. #23 Arkansas: Tennessee has been on a tear of late beating Kentucky in the process while the Hogs try to regain their footing with a quality win after losing to Bama by a point.

Quick Hits Recap

-Memphis snapped Houston’s 37-game home winning streak in a 69-59 victory.

-That was the Tigers first victory over a Top-10 ranked opponent on the road since 2005.

-Rutgers won 4 straight games over the ranked foes including Illinois, Michigan State, Wisconsin, & Ohio State.

-Kentucky big man Oscar Tshiebwe scored 27 points while grabbing 19 rebounds good for his 19th double-double of the season in a win over Florida.

-Baylor has 9 Quadrant 1 victories but will now be without Jonathan Tchamwa Tchatchoua for the remainder of the season.

-Murray State is ranked 23rd in the country and have now won 14 games in a row.

*Note: The rankings used in this prediction article will not reflect the new Associated Press Top-25 rankings.

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio or TheGruelingTruth.ComFollow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio