Bold predictions in college basketball this weekend

Do we have a preview of the Final Four this weekend? We’ve got two top-5 matchups on Saturday – Michigan takes on Duke, and Arizona takes on Houston. We’re going to learn a lot about the top college basketball teams in the nation, which makes me excited to watch. Plus, there are 146 other college basketball games being played on Saturday. It’s going to be a great day, and here are some bold predictions!

Michigan beats Duke 80-68 behind 24 points from Yaxel Lendeborg

Feb 11, 2026; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Michigan Wolverines forward Yaxel Lendeborg (23) reacts after scoring against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Duke gives teams issues with their size and length at all 5 positions. Most teams are not used to dealing with this – Michigan, however, is uniquely equipped to deal with it by using Yaxel Lendeborg at the 3. I do not fear this matchup for him, and I believe this to be a statement game by Yaxel and the Wolverines.

Houston beats Arizona by 15, thanks to Kingston Fleming’s 25 points and 6 assists

We have seen what you have to do to beat Arizona. You have to control them in the paint and on the glass, and you have to hit perimeter jumpshots. This, to me, screams that it will be a Kingston Fleming game for Houston, as he is one of the sport’s premier perimeter shot creators. The absence of Koa Peat will be felt as Houston climbs back up the rankings.

Tennessee bludgeons Vanderbilt on the glass and walks away with the win

Tennessee forward Nate Ament (10) dunks the ball during an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma on Feb. 18, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Vanderbilt is another team that we have seen the formula for how to beat them. You have to out-rebound their small lineup and force their frontcourt to defend without fouling. Well, Tennessee has the highest offensive rebounding rate in the entire country. This screams of a game where Tennessee’s size and strength in the frontcourt will be able to flex its muscle, even if it isn’t able to get the same scoring production from Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament.

North Carolina gets 20 points from Zayden High and wins in the Carrier Dome

The Tar Heels did not look good at all on Tuesday night, getting the doors blown off at NC State. They are going to need some time to figure things out and gel after the injury to Caleb Wilson. Syracuse is not a strong interior defense, which should allow an opportunity for the young Zayden High (who has been starting in place of Wilson) to have a strong showing. He went for a double-double before fouling out at NC State, so the potential is there.

Texas gets a 20-point double-double from Matas Vokietaitis to beat Georgia and continue their ascent

Feb 17, 2026; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns center Matas Vokietaitis (8) makes a lay up past LSU Tigers forward Mike Nwoko (1) during the first half at Moody Center. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-Imagn Images

Over a month ago, the Texas Longhorns weren’t even being considered as a potential NCAA Tournament team. Now, they’re winners of 6 of 7 and trending towards wearing their home whites in the first round. On Saturday, they travel to Athens to take on a reeling Georgia squad that scraped for a win over Kentucky on Tuesday to save their season. If you have not watched Matas Vokietaitis, you should. He’s a 7-footer with incredible strength and physicality who has footwork much better than any man his size should. Georgia has no answer for him, and I see him getting the Dawgs’ frontcourt in foul trouble and leading the way for a Longhorn win.