What to watch for in Michigan State-Michigan, Seton Hall-UConn, more on FOX

With just three weekends of conference play left, college basketball has hit a crucial time of year. 

From bubble watch to teams trying to bolster their résumé and others looking to put one last run together, this weekend will bring a wide range of storylines across the country.

A four-game slate airs Saturday on FOX, highlighted by a rematch of a Big East thriller, the women’s college basketball national leading scorer, some outstanding home-court advantages and an emotional renewal of a rivalry.

Here’s a breakdown of Saturday’s slate and what to watch for.

Seton Hall at No. 20 UConn – Noon ET, Gampel Pavilion

This is a rematch of an epic game played 31 days ago, when the Pirates rallied from 17 points down to stun the Huskies, 67-66, on a KC Ndefo game-winner.

KC Nedfo makes UNBELIEVABLE and-1 layup for a Seton Hall comeback

Seton Hall’s KC Ndefo made an and-1 layup during the final seconds the game to defeat UConn, 67-66.

The circumstances of the rematch will be very different as the Huskies seek revenge inside Gampel Pavilion, where they have lost just once all year. Additionally, Dan Hurley and Kimani Young, who missed the first meeting between the two teams due to COVID-19, will be back on the sidelines for this one. 

This is a crucial game in the Big East standings, with the top-five teams receiving a first-round bye in the conference tournament. Seton Hall is 9-7 in the league, while UConn sits in sixth place at 8-7.

For Connecticut, which owns six Quad 1 wins on the season and holds a NET ranking of 8, the home stretch is about regaining the momentum and rhythm that led to a 14-0 start this season. Last week, the Huskies looked great in a win over Marquette before falling just short of Creighton in Omaha, 56-53. Hurley’s team has won three of four and is playing better behind Adama Sanogo and Jordan Hawkins. 

On the other side, Seton Hall is squarely on the bubble and sitting in Mike Decourcy’s “Next Four Out” of his NCAA Tournament projections. While a trip to Gampel is a daunting task, it does present the Pirates with a massive opportunity to make a statement to the selection committee and get on the right side of the bubble. 

Shaheen Holloway’s team has the Huskies followed by a home game against Xavier on Friday. It is a must for Seton Hall to get one of the next two games to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation. That won’t be easy, but Holloway’s…