College Basketball Picks: Top 25 Showdowns on Saturday

Our experts break down the key matchups and make predictions for the biggest games this weekend

Mar. 3, 2026 at 4:47am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The penultimate weekend of the college basketball regular season is packed with top-25 showdowns, including No. 2 Arizona hosting No. 14 Kansas, No. 4 Iowa State welcoming No. 16 Texas Tech, and No. 7 Florida taking on No. 20 Arkansas. Our experts have predictions for all the major games on Saturday's slate.

Why it matters

With March Madness right around the corner, these high-stakes conference matchups will have major implications on seeding and conference standings heading into the postseason. The outcomes could also significantly impact the NCAA Tournament resumes of the teams involved.

The details

The action tips off at noon ET with No. 1 Duke hosting No. 11 Virginia. Other key afternoon games include No. 2 Arizona vs. No. 14 Kansas and No. 4 Iowa State vs. No. 16 Texas Tech. In the evening, No. 7 Florida hosts No. 20 Arkansas in a crucial SEC clash, while No. 17 Alabama travels to face No. 22 Tennessee. The day concludes with a late-night showdown between Gonzaga and Saint Mary's to determine the WCC champion.

  • The games will be played on Saturday, February 28, 2026.
  • The first game tips off at 12 p.m. ET, with the final game of the day tipping off at 10:30 p.m. ET.

The players

Duke

The top-ranked team in the country, coming off a dominant win over Notre Dame.

Arizona

The No. 2 team in the nation, looking to avenge an earlier loss to Kansas.

Iowa State

The No. 4 team in the country, undefeated at home this season.

Florida

The No. 7 team in the country, leading the SEC standings by two games.

Gonzaga

The top team in the WCC, playing their final regular-season game as a member of the conference.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The penultimate weekend of college basketball's regular season is upon us, replete with conference-shaping showdowns in the Big 12, ACC and SEC, along with Gonzaga's final regular-season game as a member of the WCC (in a game that will determine the league's champion).”

— Kyle Boone

What’s next

With the regular season winding down, these games will have a major impact on conference standings and NCAA Tournament seeding. Fans will be eagerly awaiting the results to see how they affect the landscape of college basketball heading into March Madness.

The takeaway

Saturday's slate of top-25 matchups promises to be an exciting preview of the intensity and drama that will define the upcoming NCAA Tournament. These high-stakes conference clashes will provide valuable insight into which teams are primed for deep postseason runs.