| Are you ready for some basketball? Maybe that phrase doesn’t have the same ring to it in a Hank Williams song, but it does set the tone for the glorious day ahead. I’ve been on this beat for quite a while (no, I’m not going to add up the years), but I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a regular season Saturday quite like this. At least, not during non-conference play. But everywhere you look today, you’re going to see big-time clashes and meetings between bitter rivals. Xavier-Cincinnati. Louisville-Kentucky. Gonzaga-UConn. Alabama-Creighton. I’d tell you to call in sick for work, but unless you do your business on a Saturday, you don’t even need to do that. You only need one couch, but you’re going to need multiple screens to follow all the action. In honor of this illustrious occasion, I have stepped up my own game and picked 10 games against the spread instead of my usual five. (Are you ready for some winners?) Today’s slate comes at the end of yet another fun week here at Hoops HQ. You’re going to see some great action today, but I doubt you’ll see another individual performance as significant as the one Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo turned in Thursday night against UConn. That game was yet another reminder that the women’s game is healthy, compelling and full of shooting stars. Beginning next week, the college basketball calendar will slow down as we head for the holidays and draw 2024 to a close. So let’s enjoy the day and all the hoops. There are many more games to come and stories to read at Hoops HQ. Thanks for being on our squad. Let’s run! —Seth | 