3:00 p.m. ET: Kentucky Wildcats (26-6) vs Tennessee Volunteers (24-7)
Spread: Kentucky -2
Total: 138
The #9 Tennessee Volunteers and #5 Kentucky Wildcats play in the SEC Tournament semifinals. These teams meet for the 3rd time this season. Kentucky won the first meeting 107-79 and Tennessee won 76-63 in the last matchup on Feb. 16. Kentucky averages 80.0 points while outscoring opponents by 14.1 points per game. Kennedy Chandler is averaging 13.6 points, 4.6 assists and 2.2 steals for the Volunteers and Oscar Tshiebwe is averaging 17.1 points, 15.3 rebounds, 1.8 steals and 1.6 blocks for the Wildcats. Kentucky has the offensive firepower with 5 players averaging double figures compared to Tennessee’s two. Kentucky holds the edge on offense with 80 PPG vs 74 PPG, shooting (49% vs 43%), and rebounding with 40 RPG vs 37 RPG. Tennessee is more experienced but Kentucky is the more talented team. The Wildcats dominated the first meeting and struggled in the 2nd due to injuries but at full-strength again this team should dominate the Vols today on a neutral court.
6:00 p.m. ET: Texas Tech Red Raiders (25-8) vs Kansas Jayhawks (27-6)
Spread: Kansas -2
Total: 134.5
The #6 Kansas Jayhawks take on the #14 Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Big 12 Championship. The Jayhawks went 16-1 at home this season and the Red Raiders went 12-6 against Big 12 opponents. These teams meet for the 3rd time this season. The Red Raiders won the first matchup on Jan 8. 75-67 and the Jayhawks won 94-91 in the last matchup on Jan. 25. Ochai Agbaji led the Jayhawks with 37 points, and Bryson Williams led the Red Raiders with 33 points in that game. Agbaji is scoring 19.8 points per game with 5.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists for the Jayhawks and Bryson Williams is scoring 13.6 points per game and averaging 4.3 rebounds for the Red Raiders. Texas Tech survived a scare against Oklahoma in the semifinals on Friday, pulling out a 56-55 victory. Earlier Friday, Kansas cruised past TCU 75-62. Texas Tech ranks among the national leaders by allowing opponents just 59.9 points per game. As great as Texas Tech is on defense, the Jayhawks aren’t bad either holding opponents to only 68 points per game. The difference between these teams is primarily on the offensive end. The Jayhawks have several players that can and will score and if Texas Tech doesn’t have someone lighting it up they can struggle offensively. The Jayhawks have been playing better in recent games and should keep it rolling here.
9:00 p.m. ET: UCLA Bruins (25-6) vs Arizona Wildcats (30-3)
Spread: Arizona -1.5
Total: 143
The #2 Arizona Wildcats take on the #13 UCLA Bruins in the Pac-12 Championship game. These teams meet for the 3rd time this season. UCLA won the first matchup 75-59 on Jan. 25 and Arizona won 76-66 in the last matchup on Feb. 4. Kerr Kriisa led Arizona with 16 points, and Bernard led UCLA with 15 points. UCLA was not at full strength in the 2nd meeting and the Wildcats are expected to be without point guard Kriisa. Kriisa is shooting 35.3% from beyond the arc with 2.5 made 3-pointers per game for the Wildcats, while averaging 10.1 points and 4.9 assists. Tyger Campbell is shooting 42.2% from beyond the arc while averaging 11.4 points and 4.2 assists and Jaime Jaquez Jr. is shooting 52.9% and averaging 10.1 points over the last 10 games for UCLA. The Bruins have not played in the Pac-12 final since beating Arizona in 2014, but they head into this game having won 5 straight games and 8 of 9. The game will match the Pac-12’s top offense against a UCLA team that led the conference in scoring defense. The Bruins held Arizona to a season-low 59 points at home and haven’t allowed more than 68 points in the last 10 games. The Bruins should be ready to roll for this one and the underdog is 18-5 ATS in the last 23 meetings.