NBA Draft Watch: Six College Basketball Games to Watch Saturday, February 9th Including Preview/Prospects of Note

Zion Williamson, Duke rises high in the air to block the shot ofDe'Andre Hunter, Virginia
(Photo Credit: Rob Kinnan/USA Today Sports)

During a week which has seen some of the top teams and prospects in play already, the arrival of another Saturday on the college basketball schedule means more meaningful matchups for fans to focus in on.

This is a pertinent time of the season for both programs and players alike with less than a month before March Madness arrives, as the in-conference schedule continues to draw down to it's last few games of the year and opportunities for prospects to pick up steam heading into their conference and potential NCAA tournaments are limited.

Last weekend's slate of games across the landscape of college basketball allowed for a canvass to showcase more than a few highly anticipated matchups between high-ranked, quality teams.

Although this Saturday hasn't yielded the same type of anticipation across the country, don't be fooled for there are a number of games for fans of specific college teams and those who have an involved interest in the prospects who'll soon be seen playing at the next level to turn their attention to throughout the day.

Down below you may aim your attention to a handful of the appealing matchups on this Saturday in college basketball and the prospects playing in each game that are destined for an opportunity in the NBA.

• #19 Wisconsin at #7 Michigan, 12 PM EST (FOX)

Michigan will look to avenge one of its two losses on the season as Wisconsin travels to Ann Arbor, trying to sweep the season series against the Wolverines. Coming off a win at Rutgers, Tuesday, 77-65, Michigan stands 21-2 on the season and currently is first in the Big Ten standings with a 10-2 record in conference. 

Hoping to relish their opportunity as road warriors, Wisconsin is currently in the midst of a six-game winning streak that began on January 19th, with their victory over a then-undefeated Michigan. The Badgers are 17-6 overall and are currently tied for third in the Big Ten with a 9-3 record against conference opponents. 

• Ethan Happ, Wisconsin: One of the premier post players in the country, the 6'10, 237-pound Happ plays with patience and is equally capable of making a precise pass or scoring with efficiency near the basket. He had an outstanding performance in the win over Michigan last month, going for 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists against just 1 turnover.
• D'Mitrik Trice, Wisconsin: An absolute sharpshooter, Trice is a threat to shoot anytime he has the ball in his hands out on the perimeter, whether off the dribble or as a spot-up option. The 6'0 redshirt sophomore guard is more apt and efficient from outside the 3-point line than when stepping inside the arc.  
• Ignas Brazdeikis, Michigan: A lefty freshman from Canada, Brazdeikis has emerged on the college basketball scene in America, effectively shifting between a slasher and shooter who can stretch the floor. The high-hustle, versatile 6'7 forward will look to have a better performance than his previous outing against Wisconsin having been held scoreless — just his third time not reaching double-digits this season — as he is averaging 15.5 ppg.
• Jordan Poole, Michigan: A 6'5, 195-pound wing, Poole has emerged as a smooth scoring option for the balanced Michigan team. The sophomore can sink a shot off the swing or dribble into his own look from deep, while also having the ability to step inside the arc and create his own shot from mid-range or get to the basket for 2. 
• Charles Matthews, Michigan: Picking up off a solid first season with Michigan last year, the transfer from Kentucky has continued his winning style of play in the 2018-2019 season. At 6'6, 205 pounds, Matthews is effective in applying his lean strength and athleticism on strong, slashing drives to the basket and is also a committed and capable defender on the wing.
• Zavier Simpson, Michigan: One of the best floor generals in the country, Simpson is the catalyst for the Wolverines' team. The 6'0, 190-pound junior point guard plays with a palpable poise and is a playmaker who gets everyone on the floor involved, while also finding ways to score himself. Specifically showcasing a unique running hook shot he effectively enacts on drives to the basket. 
• Jon Teske, Michigan: A prodigious presence in the paint at 7'1, 260 pounds, Teske is an aware defender as he moves his feet well enough to remain engaged with the rest of the defense and protects the rim with rigor. Offensively, the junior center is effectively deployed as both a pick and pop or pick and roll option, with a soft touch and enough strength to score in either scenario.  

• #5 Kentucky at Mississippi State, 1 PM EST (CBS)

Following a tough 92-88 loss in overtime against #21 LSU on Wednesday night, Mississippi State has the opportunity for a win against another ranked opponent at home, this time against #5 Kentucky. The Bulldogs bring to the game an overall record of 16-6 and 4-5 in the SEC. 

One of the hottest teams in the country, Kentucky is on an upward trajectory with a current nine-game winning streak, having defeated South Carolina by a score of 76-48 on Tuesday. The Wildcats are tied for second in the SEC with an in-conference record of 8-1 and are 19-3 during the 2018-2019 season. 

• Keldon Johnson, Kentucky: One of the most consistent freshman, if not entire players in the country, Keldon Johnson has performed like a veteran in his first season at the college level. The 6'6, 211-pound wing plays with a steady effort and consistent effectiveness that has him poised as a projected lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Averaging 14 ppg, Johnson has the athleticism to flourish in transition and has shown he is a capable scorer at all three levels of the floor in college. 
• PJ Washington, Kentucky: A 6'8, 228-pound forward PJ Washington has become a persistent physical presence in the post for the Wildcats while also extending his game beyond the paint. Averaging 13.8 ppg and 8.3 rpg, the strapping sophomore is a double-double threat each time he takes the floor and is starting to spread the court, sinking 41 percent of his shots from outside the 3-point line.
• Tyler Herro, Kentucky: Having come to Kentucky as a noted shooter, Herro has shown he has the awareness and ability to apply other aspects of his game to his advantage. The 6'5, 195-pound freshman still is a threat from deep, though he displays the willingness to step in and sink a shot from mid-range and the ability to get to the basket in seeking high percentage attempts. He also is an adequate defensive player, who can effectively operate as an on or off-ball defender. 
• Ashton Hagans, Kentucky: Since assuming the reigns of the starting point guard spot in early December, Hagans has had a large role in contributing to the current Kentucky hot streak. Since his insertion to the starting 5, the 6'3 freshman has brought a balance in attacking the basket, effectively bouncing between a scorer and distributor. Moreover, it has been his dogged defensive pressure which has rounded out his profile as a potential pick in the upcoming draft.
• Reid Travis, Kentucky: A rare senior playing for Kentucky, Travis has established himself as an equally effective option in the frontcourt alongside PJ Washington. The grad transfer from Stanford is a strong 6'8, 238 pounds whose strength and sound timing in the paint make it difficult for opponents to keep him off the glass or prevent him from scoring near the basket.
• Nick Richards, Kentucky: Despite playing modest minutes, resulting in modest stats, Richards remains the best rim protector for the Wildcats. With above-average athleticism at 6'11, 244 pounds the sophomore center is a still developing, raw big whose attributes outweigh his accumulation of numbers. He constantly brings high-effort while on the floor, providing Kentucky depth off the bench as a big man that most teams can't match.
• Aric Holman, Mississippi State: One of the most versatile prospects eligible in the upcoming NBA Draft, Holman's flexibility to factor in different areas as a defender is a boost to Mississippi State. The 6'10, 225-pound senior has the length and athleticism to be an effective option both on the perimeter and near the basket — as an on-ball defender on the wing and in the post — while also having the awareness to apply his ability in weak side help for blocks and timely deflections.  
• Quinndary Weatherspoon, Mississippi State: A seasoned senior scorer, Weatherspoon can put the ball in the basket in various ways. The 6'4, 205-pound combo guard knows when to pick and choose his drives to the basket, where he is effective in converting on contested opportunities near the rim. He also can calmly create his own shot off the dribble and sink a shot from mid-range or relish an in rhythm three off a feed from a teammate.
• Reggie Perry, Mississippi State: Inserted into the starting lineup the last two games, Perry has put up back-to-back double-doubles averaging 20 points and 10.5 rebounds. The solid 6'10, 245-pound freshman has displayed demonstrations of dominance in the paint, drawing fouls to the tune of 25 free throw attempts in the two-game stretch, as opponents have been unable to stop his combination of skill and strength around the basket. 

• TCU at #17 Iowa State, 2 PM EST (ESPNU)

Bouncing back from consecutive losses to in-state opponents in Texas Tech and Baylor, TCU defeated Oklahoma State in a close 70-68 victory on Wednesday. The win improved their record to 4-5 in the Big 12 and 16-6 during the entire season. The Horned Frogs will hope to take down Iowa State on the road, who is in the fight for first place in the Big 12 at 7-3. 

Having narrowly defeated Oklahoma by a score of 75-74 on Monday, the Cyclones are on a four-game winning streak and have an overall record of 18-5 on the season. 

• Kouat Noi, TCU: One of the fastest rising prospects in college basketball, Noi has shown he can score in bunches since being inserted in the starting lineup. With a range that extends out past the NBA 3-point line, the 6'7, 205-pound forward can also find his form from mid-range and has the awareness and athletic ability to flash to the basket as an effective slasher from the wing. 
• Desmond Bane, TCU: A hard-charging, downhill wing, Bane often brings pain to the rim when given a free path to the basket and has the strength to finish strong through contested driving attempts in the paint. Additionally, the 6'5, 215-pound junior is just as capable in draining a look from mid-range as he is in stretching the defense with his ability to sink shots out past the 3-point line. 
• Alex Robinson, TCU: The all-time leader in assists at TCU, Robinson is a poised playmaker at the point guard position, whose vision accentuates his high-level passing ability. Not just relegated to getting his teammates involved, the 6'1, 180-pound senior has the crafty ball-handling to create his own shot at times, making the defense pay when they try to overplay him setting up other players on the floor.
• Marial Shayok, Iowa State: Few players in the country can match the experience and thoroughness as a scorer as Marial Shayok. The 6'6, 198-pound senior wing can capably execute one-dribble pull-up jump shots, size up a defender and take him off the dribble to drive to the basket, or successfully show his range out past the 3-point line on catch and shoot opportunities. 
• Talen Horton-Tucker, Iowa State: One of the more unique players in the country, Horton-Tucker has the size and skill at 6'4, 233 pounds to effectively play out on the perimeter and in the painted area. The freshman from Chicago is a playmaker who can both find teammates or fend for himself with the ability to operate effectively as a point-forward, out on the wing, or from the post. 
• Lindell Wigginton, Iowa State: A combo guard from Canada, Wigginton has settled in nicely into his role as the 6th man for the Cyclones since returning from his injury at the beginning of the season. Capable of using his quick feet and handle to navigate his way to propel himself to the basket or create space for a jump shot, the 6'2, 189-pound sophomore can put points on the board in a hurry once he enters the game.
• Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State: A long, linky guard at 6'5, 172 pounds Haliburton emerged in the absence of Wigginton, playing positively enough to remain in the starting lineup upon his return.  Successfully switching between playing on the ball or off the ball, the skilled freshman has proficient passing ability and a steady shot from deep to keep the defense honest when he is on the floor. 

• #14 Villanova at #10 Marquette, 2:30 PM EST (FOX)

The two top teams in the Big East will square off as first-place, Villanova will go on the road looking to protect their undefeated in conference record against second-place, Marquette. 

Coming off a close 70-69 loss to St. John's in its most recent game, the Golden Eagles will wish to protect their home floor, as they enter today 19-4 on the season and stand 8-2 in Big East play.

The Wildcats of Villanova are also 19-4 thus far, but enter the game with a 10-0 record against the Big East and currently are on an 11 game winning streak. 

• Eric Paschall, Villanova: A powerful 6'8, 255 pounds, Paschall is a versatile and invaluable player for Villanova by what he brings to the reigning National Championship team. Not just making his presence felt in the paint with offensive rebounds and from the post, the senior forward is a formidable face-up option who has the quickness and force to take most opposing players off the dribble and finish at the basket. He also has to be checked out past the 3-point line as a reputable trailer and pick and pop player.
• Phil Booth, Villanova: One of the most improved players in the country, Booth has assumed the role of Villanova players in recent past (Josh Hart, Dante DiVincenzo) as the well-rounded wing player to push the current national championship hopes of the Wildcats. Scoring nearly an equal amount of 2-point and 3-point shots, while also getting to the free throw line multiple times each game, the 6'3 senior can get to the basket, pull up for an in-between look, or space the floor and force the defense to extend its pressure.
• Markus Howard, Marquette: Ranking amongst the top scorers in the country Howard is more than just a shooter, though that is a significant strength of his game. With the skill to pull up off the dribble out to 30 feet away from the basket, the 5'11 point guard can also successfully craft his way inside the arc to score the ball. Having had some of the highest single-game scoring outputs in college basketball this season, he is a legitimate threat to light it up at any time and from anywhere he steps on the floor. 
• Sam Hauser, Marquette: A floor spacer at 6'8, 225 pounds, Hauser is one of the best pure shooters in the country who is tough for the defense to keep track of as he effectively floats between spotting up on the perimeter and working a lethal pick and pop action along with Howard. The junior forward is shooting 40 percent on 3-point shots, while sinking 90 percent of his free throws, averaging 15.7 ppg.  
• Joey Hauser, Marquette: Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Sam, Joey has become a deadeye shooter in his first season playing at the college level. The redshirt freshman has not only shot the ball superbly out past the 3-point line (47.1 percent) but has shown a soft touch as a face-up option from inside the arc as well. Standing 6'9, 225-pounds the younger Hauser has had defenses scrambling over who to closeout to when on the floor with his brother and Howard. 

• #2 Duke at #3 Virginia, 6 PM EST (ESPN)

In a rematch of a matchup on January 19th, won by Duke at home, 72-70, the two best teams in the ACC will take to task against one another as the contest this time moves to Virginia. 

On a six-game winning streak that began with the victory against the Cavaliers, the Blue Devils enter tonight's contest at 20-2, with an 8-1 record in ACC play as they are currently first in the conference. They have won each of their last three games by 20+ points, including an 80-55 result over Boston College in their most recent game.

Virginia will look to assume control of the conference as they are also 8-1 in the ACC, though their earlier loss to Duke leaves them behind in the tiebreaker. Standing at 20-1 on the season, the Cavaliers sole defeat remains to the Blue Devils as they look to avenge their only loss on the season. 

• Zion Williamson, Duke: What can't Zion Williamson do? The 6'7, 285-pound phenom has wowed the collective basketball world with his high-flying highlight reel plays on both ends of the floor with gravity-defying dunks and boisterous blocks. Yet it's everything else he does that has him on track to complete the most efficient season in college basketball history, to-date. The surefire first overall pick has surfaced all over the court in counting outstanding outings nearly every time he's stepped on the floor. 
• RJ Barrett, Duke: One of the most aggressive scorers in college basketball, Barrett has been impressive in his own individual right. The 6'7 Canadian kid could put his head down and drive to the basket with determination, but also attacks the defenders with pull-up mid-range shots and will keep the opponents on its toes with the occasional 3-point shot. 
• Cam Reddish, Duke: Reddish remains one of the more talented players in the country, even as he's suffered in struggling to consistently put forth the type of stats that are indicative of his individual ability. Despite his shot being inaccurate at times, the 6'8, 212-pound wing can step into a look from the outside at any time or smoothly set himself up by creating his own shot. 
• Tre Jones, Duke: Already establishing himself as one of the prime point guards in the country, Jones controls the convoy with his ability as a true floor general. Whether it is his precise passes that allow the talented trio above to take off and convert in transition or his tenacious on-ball defensive pressure that lead to turnovers by the opponent, the 6'2 freshman often facilitates positive plays when he is on the court.
• Marques Bolden, Duke: Though he isn't often mentioned, in deference to the four freshmen in the starting lineup, Bolden provides a positive presence in the paint for the Blue Devils. The 6'11, 250-pound junior has the defensive awareness and agility to be a physical rim protector and is strong and skilled enough to score the ball with efficiency from the paint on offense.
• De'Andre Hunter, Virginia: At 6'7, 225 pounds Hunter has plenty of physical attributes which he uses to effectively on each side of the floor to be one of the best two-way players in the country. With quick feet and discipline on defense, he can keep guys in front of him on the perimeter and also play in the post. On offense, the redshirt sophomore has had flashes as face-up forward, slashing to the basket with strength from the wing, and has honed his ability as a shooter from the 3-point mark. 
• Ty Jerome, Virginia: At 6'5, 195 pounds Jerome has the size and shooting ability of an off-guard with the poise and playmaking ability of a point guard. As the primary ball-handler and playmaker for Virginia, he often is the one setting up his teammates for open looks but is equally effective in taking great advantage of any space given to him as a shooter from deep.
• Kyle Guy, Virginia: Few players in the country have as pure a jump-shot as Guy, who can fill it up from deep with a quick release. Always ready to catch and shoot, the 6'2, 175-pound guard complements Jerome effectively in the Cavalier backcourt and is consistently moving without the ball to keep the defense honest in having to keep notice of him at all times. 

• Washington at Arizona State, 10 PM EST (ESPN)

In one of the final games to tip-off during the Saturday schedule of college basketball, Arizona State defeated Washington 75-63, in a PAC-12 Conference contest. Both teams combined for 41 turnovers on the evening as the Sun Devils of Arizona State took control of the game with the disparity in the efficiency of field goal percentage (Arizona St. 61.7%, Washington 36.8%) and outrebounded the Huskies 40-23. 

With the win, Arizona State improved to 16-7 on the season, while having a 7-4 record in PAC-12 play. Washington remains one win short of their 20th victory on the season, now standing at 19-5, while suffering the first loss against an in-conference opponent, arriving at 10-1.

• Matisse Thybulle, Washington: A 6'5, 200-pound senior wing Thybulle grappled with getting his shots to go, finishing with 3 points on 1-6 from the floor (1-5 on 3-pointers). Despite his difficulty in shooting the ball, Thybulle was active as usual in accumulating 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. His dedicated effort to doing whatever is needed defensively helped force a number of the 24 turnovers Arizona State totaled. 
• Jaylen Nowell, Washington: Receiving plenty of attention from the Arizona State defense, Nowell had a tough time in creating his own shot as he usually is able to. Still, the 6'4, 200-pound combo guard was able to score 15 points stepping into and sinking a few 3-point attempts (3-6) off feeds from his teammates, grabbing an offensive rebound off his own miss to go back up for a layup, and sinking both free throws in his only trip to the line.
• Zylan Cheatham, Arizona State: Flashing the value of his versatility in the victory for Arizona State, Cheatham collected 9 rebounds, 7 assists (6 turnovers), 2 steals, and 2 blocks on the evening. The 6'8, 220-pound senior forward scored 9 points (shooting 4-7 from the floor), with three of his made baskets being dunks that brought the crowd to a craze, including catching an alley-oop lob in transition, and another two-handed finish to effectively seal the deal — putting the score at 75-63 with 31 seconds left to play.
• Luguentz Dort, Arizona State: Luguentz Dort had a well-rounded performance on the evening in helping lead the Sun Devils squad to victory. Applying pressure defensively out on the perimeter Dort came away with 3 steals and also added a block on a drive to the basket by Jaylen Nowell. The 6'4, 215-pound combo guard offered a variety of plays on offense, converting a couple of his own rebounds into second-chance points and lofting a couple lobs to teammates for timely assists. He finished with 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists.