College basketball will take center stage Saturday for the first time in a while. No college football. No NFL. Just a day loaded with college hoops. And the slate is primed to deliver in its big moment.

On tap Saturday, 22 ranked teams are in action – with eight traveling on the road – and there are also three ranked vs. ranked matchups early in the afternoon to help set the table. Notably, we're watching: No. 22 UNC plays away at No. 14 Virginia, No. 11 Illinois matches up against No. 4 Purdue at Mackey Arena, and the soaring No. 6 Houston faces local rival and No. 12 Texas Tech.

We’ll be keeping an eye on all the significant developments across the country in key conference actions with implications for league play and, ultimately, NCAA Tournament seeding.

Our panel of experts has provided their picks for some of the most crucial games scheduled for Saturday below, both straight up and against the spread.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook | All times ET

No. 19 Kansas at Kansas State

8 p.m. on Fox, fuboTV (try for free): Rarely does the Sunflower Showdown disappoint – and Saturday I anticipate it will not. My big upset pick is K-State, a home underdog, taking down No. 19 Kansas. Jerome Tang will have his team ready for the challenge, and KU star Darryn Peterson’s injury status will be an X-factor. Pick: Kansas State +4.5 – Boone

Tennessee at No. 17 Alabama

8:30 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (try for free): Alabama has been playing with fire lately – they had to overcome a double-digit deficit to edge Oklahoma last Saturday – and they might get burned by Tennessee if they aren’t careful. Coach Rick Barnes’s team has previously managed to slow Alabama’s offense and has won the last four matchups. That streak continues on Saturday. Pick: Tennessee +4.5 – Boone

No. 22 North Carolina at No. 14 Virginia

12 p.m. on ESPN2, fuboTV (try for free): I find it hard to believe that UNC can handle this spread — their defense is currently very shaky. Meanwhile, Virginia is on a high after road victories against Louisville and SMU, possibly at their best this season. I predict a substantial win for the Cavaliers. Pick: UVa -7 – Boone

Maryland at No. 10 Michigan State

12 p.m. on CBS: Maryland has faced many challenges lately. I do not expect this to improve against Michigan State, which should be able to exploit them. The Spartans are likely to cover this spread comfortably. Pick: MSU -18.5 – Boone

Villanova at No. 2 UConn

12:30 p.m. on Fox: Villanova has shown promise under first-year coach Kevin Willard but I doubt they can keep up with UConn, who presently sit at 18-1 overall. UConn wins decisively in Hartford. Pick: UConn -10.5 – Boone

West Virginia at No. 1 Arizona

2 p.m. on CBS: West Virginia has found its footing lately, only dropping games to top teams Iowa State and Houston. If they can manage to slow down Arizona’s impressive offense, they’ll be in a good position. Pick: West Virginia +17.5 – Salerno

San Diego State at UNLV

4 p.m. on CBS: San Diego State employs a defensive style that invites opponents to shoot from long range, which is a weakness for UNLV, as they rarely shoot from the perimeter. If the Aztecs can effectively manage the game’s pace and respond to their previous 1-point loss, redemption will be within reach. Pick: San Diego State -5.5 – Cobb

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