College basketball picks, schedule: Predictions for Duke vs. Clemson and more key top 25 games Saturday

Hopefully you’ve got multiple screens and streaming devices nearby, because we’re already off to a wild start to a day of immersing yourself in wall-to-wall college basketball action. From the noon ET slot to the late window, a plethora of games can rightfully compete for your attention.

Later in the afternoon, we’re expecting more fireworks and drama in both the Big Ten and the Big 12. Indiana, on a three-game skid, desperately needs to bounce back at home against a Wisconsin team as well in difficulty. Kansas State looks to assert itself as a true Big 12 contender with an important road test against TCU. Then, of course, there’s Kansas welcoming Iowa State to Allen Fieldhouse for a matchup featuring two teams undefeated in league play.

Drama, drama, drama.

Before action, our team put their heads together to make picks for every important play both straight up and against the spread.

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook | All Eastern Times

Featured Game | Clemson Tigers vs. Duke Blue Devils

5 pm | ACC Network, fuboTV (Free Trial) – Jeremy Roach’s injury has hampered an already struggling Duke team and cost them some growth and momentum as the new core develops. And outside of Kyle Filipowski, Duke’s five young stars have been a bit of a hit. But Dariq Whitehead is coming on strong, Filipowski is playing at a high level, and Ryan Young (!) is getting significant minutes right now for a team that I think can pull off this upset road. Roach isn’t expected to be there, but Tyrese Proctor could get the job done. Choice: Duke +1 (Boone)

Kentucky at no. 5 Tennessee

Featured Game | Tennessee Volunteers vs Kentucky Wildcats

12 noon | ESPN, fuboTV (Free Trial) — Every time it feels like Kentucky has reached a new high this season, it surprises by falling another rung down the ladder and finding a new low. But a road loss here would not qualify. Tennessee is a heavy favorite and expected to win by double digits behind its No. 1 defense. 1 ranked. Expect it to be a little closer than that as Kentucky fights for its life, but the Vols in this straight up spot are the game. Prediction: UK +14 (Boone)

No. 18 Wisconsin at Indiana

Featured Game | Indiana Hoosiers vs. Wisconsin Badgers

1:00 PM ET | CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free) — Indiana is in defensive mode as it deals with injuries to veteran players Xavier Johnson and Race Thompson. The Hoosiers have allowed three Big Ten opponents to exceed 80 points and lost all three games. Wisconsin is dealing with its own injury problem as leading scorer Tyler Wahl rehabs an ankle injury. But the Badgers have enough firepower elsewhere on the roster to keep this close and maybe even steal a win on the road. Pick: Wisconsin +4.5 (Cobb)

11 Kansas State at No. 17 TCU

Featured Game | TCU Horned Frogs vs. Kansas State Wildcats

2 pm | ESPN2, fuboTV (Free trial) — TCU has lost two straight by a combined six points in the Big 12, while K-State is 15-1 and picking up steam as a legitimate contender. But I’m going to lean the other way at the last minute and take TCU here. The Horned Frogs are playing well despite recent setbacks behind Mike Miles Jr., Emanuel Miller and Damion Baugh. Pick: TCU -3.5 (Boone)

14 Iowa State at no. 2 Kansas

Featured Game | Kansas Jayhawks vs. Iowa State Cyclones

4 pm | ESPN+ – Kansas has looked completely dead in the water twice this season at home before reviving and winning in front of the Jayhawks faithful. Picking against them at home seems silly, but this season they’ve let teams keep things close at home in league play, and this ISU team is equipped inside and out to keep that trend moving with a blanket of spread. Pick: ISU +8 (Boone)

Who will win and cover in every college basketball game? Visit SportsLine to get picks from the model that simulates each game 10,000 times and has grown more than $1,200 for $100 players on its top-rated spread picks over the past six years.