Males’s ACC-SEC Problem information: What to observe in Duke-Florida, UNC-Kentucky, extra

The 2025 ACC/SEC Males’s Problem includes a bevy of AP Prime 25 males’s school basketball groups in motion.

Tuesday night time’s showdown between No. 4 Duke and No. 15 Florida would be the first of three ranked matchups over the two-day occasion, adopted by No. 16 North Carolina at No. 18 Kentucky later that night time then No. 6 Louisville at No. 25 Arkansas on Wednesday.

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf preview six of the highest video games to observe over the subsequent 48 hours beneath.

Tuesday video games to observe

7 p.m. ET | ESPN

Syracuse had arguably the hardest draw of the Gamers Period Competition, ending 0-3 in opposition to No. 8 Houston, No. 21 Kansas and No. 10 Iowa State. This recreation will not be any simpler. Tennessee is top-20 in offensive and defensive effectivity on KenPom and is led by shifty guard Ja’Kobi Gillespie and 6-foot-10 quagmire Nate Ament, who mixed to attain 114 factors over final week’s three video games in Las Vegas. Syracuse must resolve that riddle to have an opportunity on this one.

The Orange’s offense is a piece in progress however leaning on pick-and-roll motion — certainly one of their best strengths, per Synergy Sports activities information — would assist. — Medcalf

7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN

Florida’s quest for back-to-back nationwide championships has hit a few early velocity bumps, shedding within the season opener to Arizona and struggling an upset by the hands of TCU on Thanksgiving. Duke, in the meantime, is 8-0 after beating a ranked Arkansas crew final week.

For Duke, the important thing shall be Cameron Boozer persevering with his unbelievable manufacturing in opposition to Florida’s elite frontcourt. His worst video games have come in opposition to size — “worst” being 15 factors and 12 rebounds in opposition to Texas then 18 and 11 in opposition to Kansas — and the Gators can throw loads of measurement at him. On the opposite aspect, Florida has to care for the ball. The Gators’ portal backcourt of Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee hasn’t hit its stride but, however they cannot cough it up and let Duke get out and rating in transition; the Blue Devils rating almost 18 fast-break factors per recreation, per CBB Analytics. — Borzello

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Cameron Boozer stuffs in a two-handed jam

Cameron Boozer drives to the paint and elevates for a powerful dunk for Duke.

9:30 p.m. ET | ESPN

In mid-November matchups in opposition to No. 6 Louisville and No. 7 Michigan State, Kentucky surrendered 179 mixed factors. North Carolina can also be coming off a lopsided loss to Michigan in its final exhibiting on the large stage.

Each of those groups excel offensively and defensively contained in the 3-point line, however the Wildcats will want Malachi Moreno (1.1 BPG) & Co. to stall Tar Heels star freshman Caleb Wilson (19.9 PPG, 9.9 RPG) when he assaults — the projected NBA draft lottery decide has made 68% of his pictures across the rim, per Synergy Sports activities information. — Medcalf

Wednesday video games to observe

7:15 p.m. ET | ESPN

How the trio of projected first-round NBA draft picks — Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. (sixth), plus Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. (14th) and Meleek Thomas (twenty seventh) — will determine this recreation. They do not have many weaknesses, however they must play to their strengths to assist their respective groups win.

For Brown and Thomas, which means not forcing perimeter pictures. Brown typically passes up straightforward drives to the rim for 3s (30.6%) whereas Thomas sometimes forces the identical pictures (34.5%) somewhat than depend on his explosiveness within the lane. And Acuff has been sensible however did not do sufficient to get extra pictures across the rim in final week’s loss to Duke till the second half. He’ll should get off to a sooner begin after lacking 5 of his first six pictures in opposition to the Blue Devils. — Medcalf

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Mikel Brown Jr.’s greatest Performs vs. NJIT Highlanders

Mikel Brown Jr.’s greatest Performs vs. NJIT Highlanders

7:15 p.m. ET | ESPNU

Alabama has performed some of the troublesome schedules within the nation, notching wins over No. 14 Illinois and No. 23 St. John’s whereas struggling defeats to No. 1 Purdue and No. 11 Gonzaga. However the Crimson Tide are firing on all cylinders offensively, scoring a mixed 220 factors of their ultimate two Gamers Period video games. Clemson, in the meantime, is about to see its schedule kick up one other notch with a date in opposition to BYU at Madison Sq. Backyard subsequent Tuesday.

Tempo will play a key half on this one, as Alabama likes to push the ball up the ground and convey some chaos to the sport, whereas Clemson would like to have a half-court recreation with out many turnovers. It is laborious to see the Tigers having the firepower to maintain up with Nate Oats’ crew, particularly with the best way Labaron Philon Jr. and Aden Holloway are taking part in. — Borzello

9:15 p.m. ET | ESPN

Each groups hit the highway for marquee Feast Week tournaments, with Auburn having the higher time of the 2. The Tigers had been destroyed by Michigan like each one of many Wolverines’ opponents en path to profitable final week’s Gamers Period championship, however the Tigers notched double-digit wins over Oregon and St. John’s whereas in Las Vegas. In the meantime, NC State suffered a shocking quarterfinal loss to Seton Corridor on the Maui Invitational and gave up 102 factors in a defeat to Texas.

It is easy to make the case that Will Wade’s crew wants this win greater than Steven Pearl’s group. At this level within the season, each offenses are forward of their defenses, which ought to make for a enjoyable affair. The top-to-head matchup between Darrion Williams and Keyshawn Corridor is nearly as good because it will get, whereas the distinction shall be whether or not Tahaad Pettiford’s early-season hunch is a factor of the previous. He was terrific in Las Vegas, averaging 22.3 factors over three video games and going 7-for-14 from 3 in his previous two video games. — Borzello