As a college basketball fan, you don't have to take the week off simply because the Wisconsin Badgers aren't playing until Saturday. This week is chock-full of some really fantastic matchups both inside and outside the Big Ten. While you wait for Wisconsin basketball to take on No. 7 Purdue on Saturday, here are some of the other great games you can watch.
Top 5 games of the week (besides Wisconsin vs. Purdue)
5. UCLA vs. Illinois - Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 7pm CT
UCLA has won seven games in a row, including against Wisconsin, Michigan State, and a ranked Oregon. They are still not ranked, but now they have to take on Illinois. This is going to be a big one for both programs. The Bruins want to keep things rocking; the Fighting Illini are working to get things back on the right track.
4. No. 5 Tennessee vs. No. 15 Kentucky - Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6pm CT
Ranked versus ranked rivalry game? Yes, please. This is going to be a fun one. Last time these two met, Kentucky beat Tennessee but now that it's back home at Rupp Arena and the Wildcats are without their best player in Jaxson Robinson, will the Volunteers return the favor?
3. No. 7 Purdue vs. No. 20 Michigan - Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6pm CT
For Wisconsin fans, they get to see Purdue a few days before their matchup. Here is a little preview, if you will. You know who else will be watching this game: Greg Gard and the staff.
2. No. 6 Houston vs. No. 13 Arizona - Saturday, Feb. 15 at 1pm CT
Arizona is one of the teams that Wisconsin fans should always be keeping an eye on because that is still the best win on the resume. The better the Wildcats do, the better Wisconsin's resume looks. Since they aren't a conference rival, let them go ham on other teams. Besides that, this is a great matchup and will be a fun watch.
1. No. 1 Auburn vs. No. 2 Alabama - Saturday, Feb. 15 at 3pm CT
Anytime you can have a No.1 versus a No. 2 in a game, it's a must-watch. This happens to also be a rivalry game and that's going to create an intensity that makes college basketball special.
Other games of interest for Wisconsin Fans
Most of the pivotal Big Ten games for Wisconsin are listed above but there are a couple more that matter:
Indiana vs. No. 11 Michigan State - Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 8pm CT
This game should be a Sparty blowout, but if Indiana can somehow pull it off, that would help Wisconsin in the Big Ten standings.
No. 25 Maryland vs. Nebraska - Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7:30pm CT
Maryland is currently right behind the Badgers in the Big Ten standings, while Nebraska is charging up on their own right. This is a game that could have some Big Ten tournament seeding implications that ultimately affect Wisconsin, especially with Maryland holding the win over the Badgers.
Indiana vs. UCLA - Friday, Feb. 14 at 5pm CT
Similar to the other Indiana game above. If the Hoosiers can pull it off, that'll help Wisconsin a ton in the standings and Big Ten tournament seeding.
No. 11 Michigan State vs. Illinois - Saturday, Feb. 15 at 7pm CT
Can both teams lose? That would be great.