Duke, Michigan headline college basketball weekend schedule of games to watch

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Duke, Michigan headline college basketball weekend schedule of games to watch

Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Fri, Jan 9, 2026 ·

4 min read

No. 11 Nebraska at Indiana

Time/TV:Saturday, noon ET, BTN

If Marty MCFly's DeLorean had just delivered you from the mid-1980's to Blloomington's Assembly Hall on this day, you'd undoubtedly be shocked to learn that it is the visiting Cornhuskers, not known historically for achievements on the hardwood, that enters this contest undefeated and flirting with a top-10 ranking. The Hoosiers have been up and down so far this season but are nevertheless dangerous at this storied venue. Nebraska's roster doesn't feature many household names, but the action at both ends of the floor usually goes through Dutch big man Rienk Mast . Indiana will look to Tucker DeVries to match his interior production and hope shooting guard Lamar Wilkerson has a good day at the arc.

No. 22 Tennessee at Florida

Time/TV:Saturday, noon ET, ESPN

The defending NCAA champion Gators ran into a few speedbumps in the 2025 portion of this season. But they knocked off a ranked Georgia squad earlier this week and now look to claim another top-25 victory as the Volunteers come to Gainesville. Tennessee has also battled inconsistency with many new pieces in its lineup, but new arrivals Ja'Kobi Gillespie and Nate Ament have been dominant in stretches. The Gators' new-look backcourt has struggled, but Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon are hard to keep out of the paint.

Wisconsin at No. 1 Michigan

Time/TV:Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

After a string of impressive blowout victories, perhaps Tuesday night's narrow escape at Penn State was just the wakeup call the Wolverines needed as they approach the meat of their Big Ten slate. They're happy to be back at home regardless to take on the Badgers . Wisconsin has no appreciably bad losses on its 10-5 ledger but could use some quality wins just the same. Well-traveled Nick Boyd has joined holdover John Blackwell in Madison to give Wisconsin a high-scoring backcourt. They'll have to be on target to avoid having to challenge Michigan's formidable array of rim protectors. Elliot Cadeau has been the facilitator Michigan needed for its system, and any points he provides are a bonus.

No. 25 SMU at No. 6 Duke

Time/TV:Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN

The Blue Devils snapped out of a recent defensive funk earlier this week just in time to clamp down on Louisville in the second half to pick up a key ACC road win. They return home to face the just-ranked Mustangs, whose first action with a number in front of their name didn't go so well Wednesday night in a loss at Clemson. SMU's Kevin 'Boopie' Miller and Jaron Pierre make extensive use of the three-point arc while Samet Yigitoglu anchors the interior. Duke's Cameron Boozer won't be afraid to challenge in the lane, but any scoring help he gets from guards Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster will be welcome.

No. 16 Illinois at No. 19 Iowa

Time/TV:Sunday, noon ET, Fox

We return to the Big Ten for the Sunday headliner. The Hawkeyes saw their comeback bid at Minnesota fall short in their most-recent outing, and they now hope to take advantage of their own home court against the Fighting Illini. Though Illinois often features a lineup heavy on Eastern Europeans, it's the domestic guard tandem of Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell that make the operation work. Iowa's Bennett Stirtz has adjusted quickly to life in the Big Ten, but he could use more shooting help from backcourt mate Tavion Banks.