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College Basketball Watchability Rankings: 5 games to watch in Week 7

By Nathaniel Reeves

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 09: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats directs his team during the Citi Hoops Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 09: Head coach John Calipari of the Kentucky Wildcats directs his team during the Citi Hoops Classic at Madison Square Garden on December 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 06: Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the Western Carolina Catamounts during their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 6, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 104-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – DECEMBER 06: Luke Maye #32 of the North Carolina Tar Heels against the Western Carolina Catamounts during their game at the Dean Smith Center on December 6, 2017 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 104-61. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

North Carolina vs. Ohio State, Saturday 1:30 p.m. ET

First-year head coach Chris Holtmann will have a chance to earn a major resume-boosting win against a North Carolina team that looks capable of defending its national title on Saturday in New Orleans.

After the shocking decision to fire Thad Matta during the offseason, the Buckeyes are off to a 9-3 start in the inaugural campaign under Holtmann. Ohio State enters the week on a four-game winning streak, including a road triumph over Wisconsin and comeback victory against archrival Michigan to start off Big Ten play.

The Tar Heels are quietly up to No. 5 in the AP Poll with a record of 10-1 despite losing multiple key pieces from the roster that cut down the nets last April. Since being obliterated by Michigan State back on Nov. 26, North Carolina has reeled off five straight wins, including the impressive road victory at Tennessee on Sunday.

Junior forward Keita Bates-Diop is showing major improvement in the early going to lead the Buckeyes with 18.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. One year after hitting the legendary NCAA Tournament shot against Kentucky, former walk-on Luke Maye has emerged as an unlikely star for the Tar Heels, piling up 19.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest.

Ohio State looks destined to be on the bubble for much of the season, so picking up a top-5 victory could be a difference-maker on Selection Sunday.