Two Hardwood Televised Tilts

Today on the ESPN family of networks, two of the remaining four unbeaten teams in college basketball will lace’em up in trying to keep their noticeable fast starts intact. Fourth ranked Purdue continues their Big Ten schedule hosting Minnesota, while No. 2 Texas rekindles an old Southwest Conference rivalry with Arkansas.

Texas at Arkansas ESPN2

After defeating a number of notable teams in November and December, highly ranked Texas (13-0, 8-1 ATS) will try to keep the train rolling against Arkansas (7-7, 2-5 ATS). The Longhorns have only had one true road game at Rice, making this their first stop outside of the Lone Star State and a large crowd of Hogs fans is expected at Bud Walton Arena for these former conference rivals. Texas has comfortably lived up to all the preseason accolades and Damion Jones leads a roster of tremendously talented players. This comment might be the best way to describe Texas - "I think if we play to our potential, we can beat everybody we play," coach Rick Barnes said. The Horns are 8-1 ATS after leading their last two games by 10 or more points at the half over the last three seasons.

The start of the Arkansas season has been marred by two distinct aspects, injuries and suspensions. Sophomore guard Rotnei Clarke has been a scoring machine, but has missed time with knee tendinitis. Four players on scholarship have suspended for disciplinary reasons not all have returned to active roster. Coach John Pelphrey squad is going to have to shoot lights out just to compete with Texas and the Razorbacks are 8-17 ATS as an underdog in last 25 tries.

Bookmaker.com has Texas as 15.5-point favorite, with total of 149. The Longhorns convert 49.3 percent of their shots this season and Arkansas is 20-38 ATS versus shooting teams making 48 percent or more of their attempts.

Minnesota at Purdue 7:00E ESPN

In case you missed it, what an impressive performance by Purdue (13-0, 7-6 ATS) on New Year’s Day, whipping previously unbeaten West Virginia 77-62. The Boilermakers have been spotty on offense all season, however against the Mountaineers; they were spot on in hitting 50 percent of their shots and proved just how lethal they can be when their entire game comes together. “Once we get things clicking on offense, we’re very dangerous,” Center JaJuan Johnson said. Purdue is 16-4 ATS at home when playing against a team with a winning record over the last three seasons.

Minnesota (11-3, 8-5 ATS) arrives in West Lafayette, riding a seven-game winning streak that includes two conference wins over Penn state and Iowa. The Golden Gophers are led by senior guard Lawrence Westbrook, averaging a team-high 13.8 points. Minnesota will be without the services of center Ralph Sampson III, who is still nursing an ankle that forced him to miss previous game. Coach Tubby Smith is hoping Blake Hoffarber continues his sharp, averaging over 18 points a game during this win streak.

The Gophers are receiving eight points at Mackey Arena and are 8-20 ATS as an underdog over the last three seasons. Purdue has been outstanding in protecting the ball, but like most teams can’t be letter perfect every encounter and are 3-11 ATS after four straight games committing 14 or less turnovers.

Purdue goes for its 500th win at Mackey Arena (499-114) off to its best start in 16 years.