The Indiana Hoosiers (15-7, 6-5 Big Ten) close out their two-game West Coast road trip with a visit to Galen Center to take on the USC Trojans (16-6, 5-6) on Tuesday night.

The Trojans have struggled in conference play, but are coming off a 78-75 win over Rutgers on Saturday. While the Hoosiers outlasted the UCLA Bruins in a 98-97 double overtime thriller for a much-needed win to stay on the bubble for March Madness.

The two teams are just one game apart in the Big Ten standings; Indiana currently sits in ninth place while USC is just outside the top ten at 11th place.

Here is everything you need to know about how to watch Tuesday night's matchup between the Trojans and Hoosiers:

How to watch USC vs. Indiana: TV channel, live stream

The USC Trojans will host the Indiana Hoosiers on Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. local time (10 p.m. ET) on Peacock. The game will be played at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, California.

• Start time: 7 p.m. PT (10 p.m. ET)
• Location: Galen Center (Los Angeles, California)
• TV Channel: Not available
• Radio: ESPN 710LA, The Varsity Network
• Live Stream: Peacock

USC Trojans 2025-26 season stats leaders

Here are the USC statistical leaders through Feb. 2.

• Points: Rodney Rice, 20.3
• Rebounds: Jacob Cofie, 7.4
• Assists: Chad Baker-Mazara, 3.0
• Field Goal Percentage: Gabe Dynes, 83.7%
• Blocks: Jacob Cofie, 1.7
• Steals: Kam Woods, 1.7

Indiana Hoosiers 2025-26 season stats leaders

Here are the Indiana Hoosiers statistical leaders through Feb. 2.

• Points: Lamar Wilkerson, 19.6
• Rebounds: Tucker DeVries, 5.5
• Assists: Conor Enright, 4.4
• Field Goal Percentage: Sam Alexis, 65.2%
• Blocks: Sam Alexis, 1.1
• Steals: Tayton Conerway, 1.4

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USC Trojans host Indiana Hoosiers preview, how to watch, tv, stream

Defending national champion Florida and runner-up Houston are climbing in USA TODAY Sports’ latest men’s basketball bracketology update.

After a sluggish start that included non-conference losses to Arizona, TCU, Duke and Connecticut, the Gators have moved to a No. 3 seed and within a half-game of first place in the SEC.

Florida has lost just twice in nearly two months and now has a combined 10 Quad 1 and 2 wins. On Sunday, the Gators shot 51.3% from the field and had a plus-16 turnover margin in a 100-77 win against Alabama.

Meanwhile, Houston steps up to the No. 2 line after rebounding from a road loss to Texas Tech with wins against TCU and Cincinnati.

After playing just four true away games to date, the Cougars are set to face a daunting Big 12 road slate down the stretch, including dates at Brigham Young, Iowa State and Kansas.

Notable fallers in the bracket include No. 3 seed Nebraska, which has recently lost high-profile conference games against Michigan and Illinois, and No. 6 seed Arkansas, which drops a line after losing at home to Kentucky.

March Madness bracketology projection for NCAA Tournament

March Madness Last four in

UCLA, New Mexico, Ohio State, Santa Clara.

March Madness First four out

Miami (Fla.), Virginia Tech, Seton Hall, Missouri.

NCAA tournament bids conference breakdown

Multi-bid leagues: Big Ten (11), SEC (10), ACC (7) Big 12 (7), Big East (3), Mountain West (3), West Coast (3).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: March Madness bracketology: Houston, Florida top tournament projection

Though a team from outside of men’s college basketball’s five biggest conferences hasn’t won a national championship since UConn in 2014 — and even that feels like a bit of a technicality for a school that was one year removed from being in the Big East — several teams from those leagues have made their presence felt nationally this season.

As has been the case for much of this century, Gonzaga’s in the middle of the discussion in the sport, with a 22-1 record and a No. 5 ranking in the latest USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.  No. 20 Saint Louis has been equally impressive, with only a one-point loss to Stanford in late November separating coach Josh Schertz’s team from perfection. No. 24 Miami (Ohio) is one of only two undefeated teams remaining at the Division I level, along with No. 1 Arizona,

They’re hardly alone, either. In a sport that longs for Cinderellas, there are plenty of viable contenders outside the five largest conferences as the sport’s calendar turns to February.

REQUIRED READING: How Miami Ohio became college basketball's most unlikely undefeated team

How do these teams measure up?

Here’s a look at the latest power rankings of men’s basketball teams from outside the sport’s five majors leagues (the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East and SEC):

College basketball mid-major power rankings

1. Gonzaga (22-1)

In the latest installment of one of the sport’s best rivalries, the Bulldogs knocked off visiting Saint Mary’s 73-65 on January 30 behind 30 points from Graham Ike. The two sides will meet again on February 28 in Moraga, California. With Gonzaga off to the Pac-12 next season, let’s hope it finds a way to match up against the Gaels sooner rather than later.

Graham Ike for Gonzaga Basketball is taking over this game pic.twitter.com/7s3ZlXfqqe

— The cfb lliason (@realfbllliason) February 1, 2026

2. Saint Louis (21-1)

The Billikens needed a 3-pointer from Robbie Avila with three seconds remaining to get past George Washington, but they looked much sharper in a 102-71 drubbing of Dayton three nights later. After the win, Schertz was at a campus bar serving and knocking back blue-colored shots with a bunch of patrons soaking in Saint Louis’ best season in at least a decade.

Josh Schertz’ Friday night:

1. Best Dayton

2. Rip shots at the bar

Legend. pic.twitter.com/mjY1DQxhzv

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) January 31, 2026

3. Miami-Ohio (22-0)

Coach Travis Steele’s team keeps on winning, with a narrow victory over UMass followed up by a 24-point rout of Northern Illinois. The win against the Huskies was played in front of 10,640 fans, the largest crowd ever at 57-year-old Millett Hall, the RedHawks’ home arena.

4. Utah State (18-3)

Since dropping back-to-back games to UNLV and Grand Canyon, the Aggies have won three in a row. The last of those victories came last Saturday against San Diego State, with forward Karson Templin coming off the bench for 18 points, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks.

5. Santa Clara (19-5)

The Broncos have won 10 of their past 11 after a 9-4 start to the season, a run punctuated last Saturday with a 104-73 victory at Loyola Marymount. Senior guard Brenton Knapper had 22 points and five steals in the victory.

6. Saint Mary’s (19-4)

Even in a heated rivalry, there’s no shame in losing on the road to Gonzaga, especially for a Gaels team that has the chance to stack up some wins over the next few weeks before wrapping up the regular season with home games against Gonzaga and Santa Clara.

REQUIRED READING: Mid-major basketball coaches who could be next in line for big-time jobs

7. New Mexico (18-4)

In a college basketball season dominated by superstar freshmen, the Lobos have a talented newcomer of their own. Freshman big man Tomislav Buljan has recorded a double-double in each of his team’s past five games, a stretch in which he’s averaging 15.6 points and 12 rebounds per game while shooting 58.5% from the field.

8. San Diego State (15-6)

The Aztecs have dropped two of their past four games after starting the season 13-4. It should only be so much of a cause for concern. The losses both came on the road and were decided by a combined six points against two of the Mountain West’s best teams (Utah State and Grand Canyon).

9. George Mason (20-2)

Guard Kory Mincy has been on fire of late for the Patriots, averaging 20 points per game over his team’s past three contests. In those games, he has made 10 of his 21 3-point attempts (47.6%).

George Mason guard Kory Mincy (@KoryMincy3) had himself a strong game in a win over St Bonaventure finishing with 22 points on 9-15 FG. Has led the Patriots to a 20-2 season so far 👀 pic.twitter.com/r9oeWcIQNl

— Rising Ballers Network (@dylan_lutey) February 1, 2026

10. Akron (18-4)

The Zips got within two wins of their fifth-straight 20-win season in style. In a 17-point victory against rival Kent State, Akron got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Tavari Johnson while the Golden Flashes misfired on all but one of their 23 attempts from 3.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College basketball Mid-major top teams Gonzaga, Saint Louis, Miami Ohio

The No. 14 Kansas Jayhawks travel to face the No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders, with the winner moving into a tie for third in the Big 12. 

Kansas will be the fifth in a stretch of six straight Quad I games for Tech, while the Jayhawks are playing their fifth Quad I in seven.

The Jayhawks’ defense and superior depth are why my Kansas at Texas Tech predictions and college basketball picks include Kansas covering as a road dog on Monday, February 2.

Kansas vs Texas Tech prediction

Kansas vs Texas Tech best bet: Kansas +4.5 (-105)

It’s tempting to take the Kansas Jayhawks straight up. The +175 moneyline means you’re getting the payout of a 36% win probability. Analytics sites calculate the Jayhawks’ true win probability as about 20% higher (more than seven percentage points) than that. Still, we’ll play it safe and take the points.

The Jayhawks just blew BYU out, shutting down Big 12 scoring leader and potential No. 1 NBA Draft pick AJ Dybantsa. Faced with Kansas coach Bill Self’s matchups, Dybantsa took just two shots in the first 12 minutes, had the longest scoreless stretch of his college career, and finished more than six points below his season average.

Now Kansas gets to try to do the same to the No. 3 scorer in the league, Texas Tech Red Raiders forward JT Toppin.

The Jayhawks are expected to have the explosive Darryn Peterson back, who has looked great but has battled cramping all season, and it kept him out of the second half against BYU. 

Freshman Bryson Tiller stepped up for Peterson, scoring 21 with seven rebounds. It gives the deep Jayhawks another option, which should pay off against a Texas Tech team that only goes six deep.

Kansas gets an average of 16 points and 65 minutes a night from its bench, compared to less than points and 41 minutes from Tech’s bench. Especially at the tail end of a grueling stretch of games, that additional depth should pay off.

Kansas vs Texas Tech same-game parlay

This should be a half-court game. Texas Tech ranks No. 208 in fast-break points, and neither team forces turnovers. Both teams rank in the high 100s in tempo. Tech also doesn’t get to the line much, ranking No. 256 in fouls drawn.

That all adds up to low scores, and Kansas has gone Under in four of its last five games.  

Toppin has made more than half his shots in eight straight games and topped 20 points in five straight. However, Kansas is No. 10 in 2-point shooting defense, No. 13 from three, and No. 2 in defending without fouling.

The Jayhawks suffocated Dybantsa in their last game and held the Big 12’s No. 2-scorer, PJ Haggerty, to 5 of 15 shooting from two in the game before that. Toppin will be wearing the bullseye tonight.

Kansas vs Texas Tech SGP

• Kansas +4.5
• Under 154.5
• JT Toppin Under 22.5 points

Our beyond the arc SGP: Mr. Anderson Strikes

While Kansas focused on Dybantsa, BYU’s Richie Saunders poured in 33 points for the Cougars. When the Jayhawks shut Haggerty down inside, Andrej Kostic came off the bench to hit four 3-pointers. The Jayhawks allow a secondary option to get theirs, usually from outside, while they take away a team’s best guy. That could mean a big night for Tech point guard Christian Anderson.

Kansas vs Texas Tech SGP

• Kansas +4.5
• Under 154.5
• JT Toppin Under 22.5 points
• Christian Anderson Over 18.5 points

Kansas vs Texas Tech odds

• Spread: Kansas +4.5 (-110) | Texas Tech -4.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Kansas +175 | Texas Tech -210
• Over/Under: Over 154.5 (-110) | Under 154.5 (-110)

Kansas vs Texas Tech betting trend to know

Kansas has hit the Game Total Under in 19 of its last 34 games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Kansas vs. Texas Tech.

How to watch Kansas vs Texas Tech

Kansas vs Texas Tech key injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

Former Auburn coach Bruce Pearl said the NCAA should consider levying harsh consequences against Alabama for its role in Charles Bediako joining the team midseason.

Bediako, a two-year starter at Alabama from 2021-23, was in the midst of his third G-League season before being granted a temporary restraining order to return to college for the remainder of the campaign.

REQUIRED READING: Alabama's Charles Bediako can keep playing. He can thank Mother Nature

Pearl said the NCAA should consider banning Alabama from the NCAA tournament this year for allowing Bediako to return to the school years later.

“I think they should consider it,” Pearl said in an interview with OutKick on Saturday, Jan. 31. “I think it’s something that should be talked about. … So, the NCAA, Alabama went ‘Hey, we want to get Bediako eligible. We think there’s some argument that he’s getting treated differently as an American that played professionally vs. European kids.’ It’s a good argument to have but the NCAA said no.

"They said, ‘No, he’s not eligible. You guys are part of the SEC, you’re part of the NCAA. You guys choose to be here. Therefore, you choose to play by our rules.’ And so, when we don’t like the ruling, what do we do? We go to court and get an injunction.”

Bediako's temporary restraining order states the NCAA can't impose sanctions or bans to Alabama as a result of Bediako being allowed to play. In other words, the NCAA can't consider banning the Crimson Tide from the NCAA Tournament.

Bediako has been a huge boost to Alabama's frontcourt already. He scored 13 and 14 points, respectively, in his first two games this season against Tennessee and Missouri. ESPN's Seth Greenberg even called the Crimson Tide a national championship contender with Bediako in the fold.

Regardless, it's a harsh statement from Pearl, who retired from coaching ahead of the 2025-26 college basketball season. Pearl coached Auburn from 2014-25 and, prior to coaching the Tigers, led Tennessee from 2005-11. His son, Steven Pearl, is in his first season as head coach at Auburn after taking over for his dad.

Pearl led Auburn to two Final Four appearances in 2019 and 2025 and accumulated a 244-123 record in 11 seasons.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bruce Pearl says NCAA should consider banning Alabama from postseason

Tennessee basketball committed 15 turnovers in its 77-69 win over Auburn on Saturday, Jan. 31, and Volunteers coach Rick Barnes broke out jokes about the performance in his postgame news conference.

Barnes joked his players might've been betting on the game, based on some of their passes late in the game.

"I mean at the end of the game, some of the passes that we throw, I don't know what to say other than sometimes I wonder if my guys are betting on games," the 11th-year Tennessee coach said. "I shouldn't say that, but ... erase that. I'm just wondering what's happening. I mean because I know that we're too good of players to do that."

REQUIRED READING: March Madness bracketology: Big Ten leads NCAA basketball projection, but one team is slipping

This was an all-timer by Rick Barnes 😂

I asked him about the team’s heightened focus and it ends with him talking about certain questionable bad passes.

“Sometimes I wonder if my guys are betting on games.” pic.twitter.com/1Q5Au3008b

— Paige Dauer (@PaigeDauerFDP) February 1, 2026

The 71-year-old coach was clearly joking, but it's a punchline amid an odd time in college basketball: Twenty men were recently charged in a point-shaving scheme involving 39 players and 17 teams across the sport, where players were earning money for fixing outcomes in games.

Each of the Vols' starting five players on Jan. 31 committed at least one turnover, with DeWayne Brown II committing the fewest (one).

Barnes and the Vols (15-6, 5-3 SEC) won their third consecutive game on Jan. 31, taking down Alabama, Georgia and Auburn, in order. True freshman forward Nate Ament has been a bright spot during the win streak, with 29, 19 and 22 points, respectively, in the wins.

Tennessee appeared in the Elite Eight in back-to-back tournaments in 2024 and 2025, and is looking to make another run in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

To reach that stage again, Barnes might look to his players to start making better passing decisions.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rick Barnes jokes Tennessee players betting on games after 15 turnovers

As if an SEC game between Alabama and defending national champion Florida needed any more heat, the two coaches found it.

The Tide and Gators are both ranked and looking to move up in the league standings, but a new addition to the Bama roster has Florida coach Todd Golden calling foul. Alabama’s Nate Oats isn’t backing down. 

There’s bulletin board material aplenty, so expect a war. My Alabama vs. Florida predictions and college basketball picks call for the Tide to cover as a road dog.

Alabama vs Florida prediction

Alabama vs Florida best bet: Alabama +8.5 (-110)

Seven-footer Charles Bediako played for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2021 to 2023. He was in the same recruiting class as Chet Holmgren and Paolo Banchero. For the last three seasons, he’s played as a pro in the G League. Earlier this month, Nate Oats added him back to the Alabama roster, and he’s played in two games for the Tide. 

Florida Gators coach Todd Golden said Oats “finagled” to add the 23-year-old Bediako to the team, accusing Alabama of finding a judge who was a team booster to approve the deal. Then the Florida coach promised, “We’re going to beat them anyway.”

Florida is No. 2 in the country in both offensive and defensive rebounding rates, while Bama was looking to improve its positions: No. 126 on offensive rate, No. 298 on defense.

It’s not clear that Bediako’s presence has paid immediate dividends. Alabama has split the two games he played, both straight up and ATS. They posted their lowest offensive rebounding rate since Dec. 13 with the seven-footer in the lineup, although the team was without leading rebounder Amari Allen for that game. He’s expected back on Sunday. 

The presence of both Allen and Bediako should help Alabama on the boards, and Oats is a master motivator who has all the bulletin board material he needs to have his team fired up.

Alabama vs Florida same-game parlay

This will be a fast-paced game. Alabama is No. 7 in the country in tempo, and Florida is in the 60s. Eight of the Tide’s last 10 games have had totals in the 170s. However, they’ve only gone Over in four of the last seven games with totals that high.

This matches Florida’s highest total in its last 10, and the Gators have gone Under in three straight. The two teams have gone Over in their last nine head-to-head games, but not many players remain from those past games.

Alex Condon has struggled recently. He’s made just 10 of 32 shots over the last four games and just one of his last 15 threes. He’s averaging 13.3 points per game on the season, but that falls to 11.6 in SEC play and 7.0 over his last three. The Alabama defense is not the time for a slumping scorer to try to get well.

Alabama vs Florida SGP

• Alabama +8.5
• Under 175.5
• Alex Condon Under 12.5 points

Alabama vs Florida odds

• Spread: Alabama +7.5 (-110) | Florida -7.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Alabama +270 | Florida -340
• Over/Under: Over 175.5 (-110) | Under 175.5 (-110)

Alabama vs Florida betting trend to know

Florida has won 32 of its last 40 games dating back to last season. Find more college basketball betting trends for Alabama vs. Florida.

How to watch Alabama vs Florida

Alabama vs Florida key injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here

The Saint Mary's Gaels face off against the No. 6 Gonzaga Bulldogs in college basketball action tonight.

These schools have been the cream of the crop in the West Coast Conference for years, and my Saint Mary's vs. Gonzaga predictions are betting on the road dogs to put up a fight.

Here are my best free college basketball picks for this clash on Saturday, January 31.

Saint Mary's vs Gonzaga prediction

Saint Mary's vs Gonzaga best bet: Saint Mary's +9 (-110)

Although the Gonzaga Bulldogs have won 14 straight games, they are just 1-5 against the spread in their last six home contests. Gonzaga has dominated the West Coast Conference for decades, but the Saint Mary’s Gaels have matched them over the past few years.

The Gaels are 4-2 SU and ATS in the last six meetings, including a pair of upset wins in Spokane. They defend extremely well, control the glass, and convert from the line at the highest clip in the country. 

Gonzaga will also be without Braden Huff (17.8 ppg), and leading scorer Graham Ike could be limited after missing two weeks with a sprained ankle.

Saint Mary's vs Gonzaga same-game parlay

I expect the Gaels’ defense to contain a banged-up Bulldogs' frontcourt, making a parlay of the Under with Saint Mary’s +9 a smart play. 

The Under has hit in the last seven meetings between these teams, while Gonzaga is just 1-6 O/U in its last seven games overall.

Saint Mary's vs Gonzaga SGP

• Saint Mary's +9
• Under 145
• Gonzaga moneyline

Our beyond the arc SGP: Gonzaga Grinds Out Win

Let's add the Gonzaga first-half moneyline to bring this parlay up to +925. 

Saint Mary's vs Gonzaga SGP

• Saint Mary's +9
• Under 145
• Gonzaga 1H moneyline
• Gonzaga moneyline

Saint Mary's vs Gonzaga odds

• Spread: Saint Mary's +9 (-110) | Gonzaga -9 (-110)
• Moneyline: Saint Mary's +350 | Gonzaga -450
• Over/Under: Over 145 (-110) | Under 145 (-110)

Saint Mary's vs Gonzaga betting trend to know

The Under is 6-1 in Gonzaga's last seven games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Saint Mary's vs. Gonzaga.

How to watch Saint Mary's vs Gonzaga

Saint Mary's vs Gonzaga key injuries

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here