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00:00Not a ton of college hoops games on this Friday, but the ones that we have, oh, are they compelling.
00:07And one on a Friday night in West Lafayette, Indiana, inside Mackey Arena, sets the tone
00:14for a weekend that will be defined by rivalries.
00:18In 49 other states, eh, maybe it's just basketball.
00:22In Indiana, it's the way of life.
00:25It's the Boilermakers and the Hoosiers tonight inside Mackey.
00:30Number 10 Purdue hosting IU.
00:33Indiana is struggling mightily.
00:35The calls for Mike Woodson's job in year number four have loudly begun.
00:40And you see a double-digit spread, now 12 1⁄2 in favor of the Boilers.
00:45Total stands at 146.
00:47And Joe, winning inside Mackey Arena is a very precarious task for anybody.
00:53But certainly in a rivalry game, Purdue swept the season series against IU a year ago.
01:00What do we expect in their first meeting in 2024-25?
01:06You're being generous, Ben.
01:07It has been more than an issue.
01:09The Hoosiers haven't won at Mackey Arena since 2013, people.
01:14And they're 4-19 against Purdue overall in that span here.
01:20So, I mean, Woodson, like you said, getting booted, Indiana.
01:24But started the season out great, right?
01:264-1 in the Big Ten.
01:27Now all of a sudden, 5-5.
01:30And yeah, it looks like they're running on fumes here.
01:35Very hard to go against Purdue at home here.
01:38They can shoot you absolutely out of that gym.
01:43And Brayden Smith, by the way, first season without Zach Eadie, I mean, he is just absolutely
01:50dominant here.
01:51And he's going to dominate the Hoosiers.
01:53I mean, you can't back him.
01:55Ben, in this arena, it has not been good.
01:58They're going the wrong way.
01:59I think Purdue, I hate to admit it, looks like a very well-oiled machine here.
02:04And Indiana looks like the wheels have fallen off.
02:07I would lay it if I'm in this game at all.
02:11That line is working to Purdue as well.
02:15When you look at the spoilers, Joe, maybe Michigan State's best competition right now
02:19in the Big Ten.
02:20The Spartans remain unbeaten.
02:22Their schedule gets more difficult starting this weekend and into the latter half of this
02:27Big Ten slate.
02:28Purdue is 8-2 in the conference.
02:30They have covered in all eight victories.
02:33In their two losses, rather uncharacteristic against Penn State and Ohio State.
02:39In the one against the Buckeyes last week as a double-digit home favorite inside, Mackey,
02:44that snapped a 26-game home winning streak in West Lafayette.
02:49For the Boilermakers.
02:51Joe, to start off Mike Woodson's tenure, Indiana won three of the first four meetings
02:56against Purdue, which was wild because Indiana had lost nine consecutive before Mike Woodson
03:04took over.
03:05But Purdue swept the season series a year ago.
03:08And Indiana at this moment, they are not playing good basketball at all.
03:14They have lost 12 or they have lost two consecutive games in four of their last five.
03:20They have been an underdog in all five of these games.
03:23An outright win against Ohio State on a Friday and a cover against Maryland at home.
03:30But they were getting a point and a half, two points at home inside Assembly Hall on
03:34Sunday.
03:36That's never a good sign.
03:37And coughed up that game in the final minute.
03:41By the way, for Indiana over in five of their last six, we could see some pace tonight and
03:47some points elsewhere.
03:49Joe, this sets the stage, as we said, for a rivalry weekend.
03:53We'll talk the Tobacco Road Showdown between North Carolina struggling as well against
03:58number two Duke tomorrow.
03:59We'll talk coach Cal's return in just a moment.
04:03But some really good games on this Friday as well.
04:065 p.m. Eastern time.
04:08Standalone game in the Ivy League.
04:10Princeton at home against Yale.
04:12The Tigers catching two and a half in New Jersey.
04:15Yale, of course, the Ivy League champs from a season ago off to a perfect 4-0 start this
04:21time around as well.
04:23I mean, you talk about a perfect spot here.
04:27You're talking about a Yale team that hasn't lost in league play yet, right?
04:314-0 in the Ivy League.
04:33And here you got Princeton at home catching points off a loss here.
04:38My goodness.
04:39This is a tough spot for Yale here, who, by the way, we all know, lost three starters
04:46from that great team a year ago.
04:48They've had some success early, but I think that ends here tonight with a very angry Princeton
04:53team at home.
04:55Well, let's talk some Big East ball as well.
04:57Butler and Georgetown in D.C.
05:00How do the boys respond after two consecutive losses?
05:04Not just two consecutive, two very bad losses.
05:08But quietly, Butler being a giant pain in the you-know-what here.
05:13Butler hits shots.
05:15They win.
05:16The Bulldogs, three and a half point road dog in D.C.
05:20Now the rest of the weekend in college basketball next.
05:22What a weekend in college basketball we have in store for you.
05:28It includes rivalries.
05:29We talked about the one in the great state of Indiana tonight between Purdue and IU.
05:34And that continues tomorrow on Tobacco Road as well.
05:39I guess you could call this a conference rivalry in the SEC, but really it's more individual
05:46as Big Blue Nation gets ready to welcome back John Calipari, making his first return
05:53to Lexington tomorrow.
05:54Spent 15 years, of course, as the head coach of Kentucky.
05:58Won a national championship in the 2011-2012 college basketball campaign.
06:04Made a Final Four in four of his first six years there.
06:08But of course, the relationship started to sour in the last half decade.
06:12Not even a Sweet 16 appearance for the Cats in Cal's final five years.
06:18You see the spread there.
06:20Kentucky's a much better basketball team than Arkansas.
06:24The Hogs have struggled in SEC play.
06:26The Cats, an 11 and a half, now 10 and a half point favorite.
06:30But you know a game is a marquee matchup when on a Friday morning you have odds for
06:36a Saturday afternoon in college hoops.
06:40Joe, we'll dive into the numbers in the matchup in just a second.
06:44What do you think Rupp Arena's welcome will be for John Calipari tomorrow?
06:50Well, I can tell you what Calipari thinks it's going to be.
06:54And he doesn't think it's going to be a pleasant one.
06:57In fact, I think he was quoted this week as saying,
07:00yeah, I fully anticipate getting booed at Rupp Arena,
07:05which is kind of crazy when you think about it, Ben, right?
07:08Like they're faulting Calipari.
07:10And listen, you know, he was the one who invented the whole one and done.
07:15Kids wanted to come to Kentucky and play for him on their way to the NBA.
07:19It started with him.
07:21So unfortunately, it hasn't worked out all that well now that he's over in Arkansas.
07:26But I think they'll be a little more forgiving
07:30with Calipari in the building here than he thinks.
07:33I think he's anticipating the worst.
07:37Yeah, and you know, it was a chaotic ending, if you will,
07:41a surprising ending for John Calipari to make the move to Fayetteville.
07:47And I think that can spurn BBN a little bit.
07:51But it kind of felt like the writing was on the wall on both sides.
07:54Kentucky, like, hey, I don't care how many lottery picks we have.
07:58We want final fours or at least a trip to the second weekend in the big dance.
08:03And Cal may be saying, hey, I've been here for a decade and a half,
08:06and I can kind of tell as well.
08:09Now to the actual basketball game.
08:12The Hogs have struggled in SEC play.
08:15Kentucky quite the opposite in year number one under Mark Pope.
08:20Kentucky has an underdog this year, now a perfect 4-0,
08:23including the huge outright victory earlier this week in Knoxville
08:28against Tennessee, catching double digits.
08:31But now they're laying double digits at home.
08:33What do you make of the spread for John Calipari's return tomorrow to Rep Arena?
08:39And by the way, let me just give you the number here quick, Ben.
08:42Calipari, for his time at Kentucky, 4-10 and 1-23 was his record.
08:48Let me repeat that.
08:504-10 wins and 1-23 losses.
08:53And he's going to get booed in this game.
08:57Hysterical.
08:58Absolutely the most unrealistic fan base in the country.
09:01And that's saying something, Dallas Cowboy fans.
09:05Listen, the problem is Arkansas is not, they're just not playing great basketball.
09:11There was going to be an adjustment period for both Mark Pope, I think, and for Calipari.
09:16I love what Kentucky did being backed into a corner during the week against number eight,
09:23Tennessee, Tuesday night, right?
09:24They had dropped two straight for the first time under Mark Pope.
09:28They were down a couple of starters there, entering a hostile environment, right?
09:34Nobody thought Kentucky, I mean, that number ballooned to double digits.
09:38It was laughable.
09:39Nobody thought Kentucky had a shot at covering, much less winning outright.
09:44And what did they do?
09:45Well, they showed me a little something in that one.
09:48So I think this line is justified here.
09:51But it's not like Arkansas is void of talent.
09:55They've got talent.
09:56They just have not been able to put it together.
09:59And they go these long stretches without being able to score.
10:03And that'll kill you here in Rupp Arena against Kentucky.
10:07If I'm playing, Ben, I'm laying in this one.
10:10It would only be Kentucky for me.
10:12Yeah, Arkansas this year, one in six straight up in SEC action,
10:18one in six against the number as well.
10:21A true underdog three times.
10:24Oh, and three ATS, not only one in six, but also one in six to the under six of seven SEC games
10:31for Cal and his Razorbacks have stayed under the total because of their offensive issues.
10:37They're better on the defensive side of the floor,
10:39but show a key matchup to pay attention to.
10:42If you want to shoot the three, the Razorbacks this year have allowed you to do so.
10:46Nearly 41% of their opponents field goal percentages from beyond the arc.
10:51And what does Mark Pope want his Kentucky team to do?
10:55Shoot the three ball.
10:56And they're great at hitting him.
10:57Kobe Brea, he was perfect against the volunteers from deep on Tuesday night.
11:03Jackson Robinson, he can hoist as well.
11:07It is justified also, in my opinion, to see this game at double digits.
11:12And I think Kentucky probably feels better about the atmosphere for Cal's return to her up
11:17than maybe John Calipari himself does for the Razorbacks.
11:21Joe, anytime you get the tobacco road rivalry between North Carolina and Duke,
11:27it is always going to be a marquee matchup.
11:296.30 p.m. Eastern time tomorrow night on a Saturday inside Cameron indoor.
11:34But number two, Duke is a lengths ahead of where North Carolina is at this moment.
11:41UNC has lost three of their last four games.
11:44And in this four-game window, the only win that Carolina has,
11:48an overtime game against the ACC's worst team in Boston College.
11:53And the Heels were a 19.5 point home favorite for that game, only winning by six.
11:59It is a rivalry in a game where weird things can happen.
12:03Is there any chance, Joe, that Duke is in danger of dropping this game in Durham?
12:10Well, no, I don't think so.
12:11But it is kind of crazy, right?
12:13It's Cooper Flagg's first taste of a little tobacco road here.
12:18And listen, I thought Duke had a tough one, maybe looking ahead a little bit, right?
12:24They, the Wake Forest game was interesting.
12:28We also saw North Carolina State give a run here.
12:32I think Hubert Davis is up against it because the only fan base that is more unrealistic
12:38with their expectations than Kentucky is North Carolina here.
12:43And it is not going well at all for this UNC team here,
12:48which is that they're not a bad team, Ben, but the expectation is ridiculous for them.
12:54It's going to be tough here for them to go on the road, down the road rather,
12:59and beat a number two Duke team that can beat you not only with their starters, Ben,
13:04but what they've got rolling off the bench, John Shire and company.
13:08Man, it's going to be a rough go for them here in this one.
13:12This is a Duke team that is perfect in ACC play.
13:15They are 10-0.
13:17They have been at least an eight-point favorite in all 10 of their conference matchups this year.
13:22They are six and four against the spread.
13:24Yes, tested by Wake Forest over the weekend and certainly as a 21-and-a-half point home
13:30favorite against the Wolfpack earlier this week on Monday night.
13:35They were trailing at the break, still won that game by double digits.
13:39The nation's longest active win streak at the D1 level make it 14 straight games.
13:44Duke Joe in their 10 ACC victories has won nine by double digits.
13:49If you're buying into North Carolina, you're buying into UNC because you think
13:53the rivalry keeps this game competitive.
13:57Outside of that, from the numbers right now, there's really nothing to have belief in with
14:01the heels.
14:02They have gone under, by the way, in nine of their 10 ACC games.
14:07What a tenure it has been for Hubert Davis so far in Chapel Hill.
14:13A national championship game appearance in his very first year taking over for Roy Williams,
14:18missing the NCAA tournament the year following despite being the preseason number one team
14:23with everybody back last year.
14:25A one seed that was ousted in the NCAA tournament before a final four run.
14:32It's interesting, right, that he's even on a hot seat with those accolades.
14:36It's crazy.
14:37That's the standard in Chapel Hill.
14:39Much more from Saturday and College Hoops next.
14:43If you've been paying attention to college basketball long enough, you know that unless
14:47it is a true marquee, marquee, marquee matchup that has all the headlines and the notoriety
14:52around the nation in college basketball, the lines really don't post until about 24
14:58hours out from tip time at the very least.
15:01So we do have those marquee matchups.
15:03Kentucky hosting Arkansas and John Calipari's return to Rupp.
15:08The Tobacco Road rivalry between Duke and North Carolina for the first time this year.
15:13But Joe, the other games that we have tomorrow on a Saturday, lines not out just yet on the
15:19FanDuel Sportsbook.
15:20You can use Ken Palm or whatever site you use projections to get a feel of what those
15:25lines in the point total might be.
15:28But, oh boy, look at what we have for a Saturday.
15:32You've got five ranked versus ranked matchups right there in front of your face.
15:37You've got a game between St. Mary's and Gonzaga in Moraga, California.
15:43That should be a top 25 tilt in quality as well.
15:47Can Michigan State stay perfect in Big 10 play, Joe?
15:51Of course, when the SEC has 10 teams ranked in the top 25, there's going to be a lot of
15:56possibility for top 25 showdowns night in, night out in that conference.
16:01And a top 10 tilt in Knoxville once again for eighth-ranked Tennessee, hoping to bounce
16:07back after the loss as a double-digit home favorite to Kentucky earlier this week.
16:14Florida's playing great basketball at the moment.
16:16A top five team in the country.
16:19We expect the Vols to be an ever-so-slight favorite in Knoxville.
16:23Tennessee, Joe, number one in the country.
16:25Last undefeated team in D1, perfect 14-0.
16:30They have now struggled from that point.
16:32They are 4-4 in SEC play.
16:36What resilience do you expect out of Rick Barnes' crew tomorrow against the Gators?
16:42Well, I got to tell you, Ben, I mean, rewind the clock.
16:44Three weeks ago, Tennessee, one of the only remaining unbeatens in the country,
16:48took a trip to Gainesville.
16:51And it was an absolute annihilation.
16:5530 points.
16:56Florida ended up crushing them, who also have been coming off a little bit of a loss
17:02and a rough stretch.
17:03But my goodness, did they turn it around.
17:06And now the Volunteers trying to return the favor and give themselves a little bit
17:11of a bounce back.
17:12But you mentioned it.
17:13They're not playing great, Ben.
17:15I think there's some serious issues with this team.
17:17They've lost three of their last four.
17:20But if we're being honest, it all started with that 73-43 loss to Florida three weeks ago.
17:29And they weren't able to come back.
17:30And I mean, give the Gators credit.
17:32At 18-2 now, 5-2, this is a team that I think they're legit.
17:39I think they're going to be a two or three seed in the bracket.
17:43I think Florida is legit in the conversation for a national championship.
17:49I do not believe the Tennessee Vols this year and this team has enough offensive wherewithal.
17:58You know, their best guy last year, Connect, is playing.
18:01Well, I don't know if he's playing.
18:02I don't think anybody's playing with the Lakers.
18:05But he's not there anymore.
18:07So they don't have that go-to person.
18:10Too much firepower for Florida.
18:12I love them tomorrow.
18:13It's unfortunate for Tennessee, but I think they're in for another loss.
18:18I think if the volunteers are going to show their moxie,
18:21you get back to what Rick Bourne's team is generally doing better than most.
18:25That's defend the crap out of the basketball.
18:27But Florida also very efficient defensively.
18:3016th best this season right now around the country.
18:34Total should be around 138, 139, something of the sort.
18:38If Tennessee keeps this game close, I think the game would have to stay under.
18:43Auburn on the road will be a slight favorite against Ole Miss and Oxford.
18:47They're an absolute wagon.
18:49Mississippi State got beat by Alabama as a slight home favorite this week in Stark Vegas
18:54against the Crimson Tide.
18:56You want some response out of Chris Jans and the Bulldogs as well.
19:00They have dropped three of their last four, much like Tennessee.
19:04Dennis Gates in Missouri playing really good basketball.
19:08How close might that game be tomorrow in Starkville?
19:12Yeah, he's another very interesting guy, right?
19:15With his team there still going with different lineups and fiddling around,
19:20but they are they're playing and nobody should be overlooking them in any way,
19:25shape or form.
19:27I think that's going to be an absolute monster game.
19:30It's also one that wouldn't shock me if it lands towards the under,
19:34maybe less points than more points.
19:37And of course, I don't know what to do with with Baylor dares these days taking on Kansas.
19:45You can't play him on the road, but you usually been able to play him at home.
19:49And Kansas is coming to town and Kansas is Jekyll and Hyde this year.
19:54Then I don't know what to make of the Jayhawks this year.
19:57I really don't.
19:58That should be about a pick them.
20:004 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN.
20:03Baylor, Kansas in Waco and then 630 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN.
20:09Duke, North Carolina, and then 9 p.m. Eastern time on ESPN.
20:15Cowles returned her up Arkansas and Kentucky.
20:19Come on, man.
20:20And then after that, we go to Moraga between St. Mary's and Gonzaga.
20:24The Gales are going to be, it would seem, based on the projected odds right now,
20:29maybe an ever so slight home favorite against the Zags.
20:33Can Michigan State stay perfect?
20:36A road trip out to the West Coast against USC should be a slight favorite.
20:42430 p.m. Eastern time.
20:44Can the Trojans bounce back?
20:45They were beat inside the Galen Center in downtown LA by UCLA earlier this week.
20:51Big one in the Big East.
20:52Top 25 tilt between Marquette and UConn.
20:55Connecticut, Joe, much like Kansas, struggling the last few days.
21:01UConn did rally to still beat DePaul by double digits.
21:05They were trailing at the break.
21:06Kansas was trailing at the break earlier this week against UCF.
21:10There's a lot that is a little bit precarious for some of the blue bloods
21:14and the standard bearers of the sport the last few years.
21:18Oh, yes, there is.
21:20Listen, it's, you know, can the Johnnies get it done against Providence at home?
21:25Interesting in Madison Square Garden here.
21:27I mean, it is a loaded slate in college hoops.
21:32And one band where, hey, listen, it's put up or shut up time, Houston and Texas Tech.
21:37Houston looks like the best team in the country,
21:40bar none right now, but can Texas Tech upend them?
21:44Houston is the top team in the country, according to Kenneth Pomeroy,
21:48with the most efficient defense.
21:49That's Calvin Sampson basketball.
21:51The Cougs unbeaten in the Big 12.
21:54But Texas Tech and Grant McCaskill have won five consecutive
21:59and their only game this year as a dog.
22:01They won outright.