Spotlight games
College Basketball Insider: Spotlight games, teams to watch, player to watch
January 11, 2019 at 3:00AM
No. 1 Duke at No. 13 Florida State
1 p.m. Saturday, ESPN
Can Zion Williamson and his fellow Blue Devils Fab Four freshmen handle themselves in a hostile environment on the road? The Seminoles will be motivated to bounce back from a loss to Virginia.
No. 8 Texas Tech vs. Texas
1 p.m. Saturday, Longhorn Net.
The winner won't get bragging rights like the longstanding Chancellor's Spurs trophy game in football between the two programs, but the Longhorns need this victory to get back into NCAA tourney contention.
TRENDS to watch
Trending up: Michigan State is beginning to resemble a national title contender. The Spartans extended a nine-game winning streak after clobbering Purdue, while holding Carsen Edwards (25.5 points per game) to 11. They've won three in a row without starter Joshua Langford (ankle).
Trending down: Nebraska was clearly in better shape résumé-wise than last year following nonconference play, but the Cornhuskers are going to need some signature Big Ten victories. The good news is the Huskers' two consecutive losses were close and on the road, to Maryland and Iowa.
player to watch
Cassius Winston, Point guard, Michigan State
The 6-foot junior from Detroit jumped ahead as arguably the frontrunner for Big Ten Player of the Year with his recent stretch. Winston is averaging 21.2 points and 7.3 assists in his past six games, which included four games with 23 points or more.
about the writer
Colleges
Chip Scoggins
Football Across Minnesota: Twice as many defenders? Not a problem for this freshman
De’Marion Brown isn’t just new to Gustavus, he’s new to 11-player football. He’s showing early signs that adjusting isn’t much of an issue.
