We’ve turned the corner to February, so you know what that means. 28 days ’til March!
The Boilermakers (21-1, 10-1) have looked hot all season and get to show off their talents tonight when the Nittany Lions (14-7, 5-5) roll into town. At the moment Purdue is listed as a 10-point favorite in their home match-up despite defeating Penn State in University Park by 13-points just weeks ago. Penn State has a legitimate chance to make the NCAA tournament, with a dominant win against then-ranked #17 Illinois in Champaign on their record. They’ll play Big 10 teams for the remainder of the season, including a rematch against the Fighting Illini. Penn State will want to hang with the Boilermakers tonight if they hope to be considered for a tournament bid.
On paper, the best game tonight should come out of the Big East as the Providence Friars (17-5, 9-2) head into Cincinnati to take on the 16th-ranked Musketeers from Xavier (17-5, 9-2). These teams have the exact same record both in and out-of-conference but the Friars have been on a hot streak, winning 12 of their last 14 games including wins over Marquette and Connecticut. This is the first of two match-ups between these teams this season with the next being 4-weeks from now. Where will those teams rank then? Tonight’s game will be a strong indication of where both teams are heading.
Other games tonight will feature SEC rivals, as the #2-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (18-3, 7-1) and Florida Gators (12-9, 5-3) battle each other in Gainsville. Villanova’s (10-11, 4-6) disappointing season, despite having projected NBA lottery pick Cam Whitemore on the floor, continues on in Milwaukee as they take on the #14-ranked Marquette Golden Eagles (17-5, 9-2). Let’s have a night!
February 1, 2023
Penn State Nittany Lions @ Purdue Boilermakers (#1)
@ Mackey Complex, West Lafayette, Indiana
6:30pm CT, BTN
Penn State Nittany Lion Chicago bars: Durkin’s Tavern, A. J. Hudson’s Public House
Purdue Boilermaker Chicago bars: The Fireplace Inn, The Warehouse Bar & Pizzeria, Waterhouse Tavern And Grill
Providence Friars (#17) @ Xavier Musketeers (#16)
@ Cintas Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
6:30pm CT, FS1
Xavier Musketeer Chicago bars: Merkle’s Bar & Grill
Tennessee Volunteers (#2) @ Florida Gators
@ Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainsville, Florida
7:00pm CT, ESPN2
Tennessee Volunteer Chicago bars: Riverview Tavern & Grill / Robey Pizza
Florida Gator Chicago bars: Sully’s House Tap Room & Grill, Joe’s Bar on Weed Street
Georgia Bulldogs @ Auburn Tigers (#25)
@ Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama
7:00pm CT, SECN
Georgia Bulldog Chicago bars: Old Town Social, Highline Bar & Grill
Auburn Tiger Chicago bars: Hamburger Mary’s, Waterhouse Tavern And Grill
Villanova Wildcats @ Marquette Golden Eagles (#14)
@ Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
8:30pm CT, FS1
Marquette Golden Eagle Chicago bars: Commonwealth Tavern, Four Shadows