Author: Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY

The final weekend before the major conference tournaments has big implications for title races in the Big East and the Big Ten

The college basketball weekend is led by a huge Big 12 showdown between No. 1 Baylor and No. 3 Kansas, plus a Pac-12 clash between Arizona and Oregon.

Baylor ran its winning streak to 18 games to keep the No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll ahead of Gonzaga and Kansas.

Gonzaga remains No. 1 in the USA TODAY men’s basketball poll for the third consecutive week. Duke, Kansas, Baylor and Auburn round out the top five.

Gonzaga held the No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll followed by Duke, which edged up after Ohio State’s loss.

Louisville improved to 9-0 last week to stay No. 1 in the USA TODAY men’s basketball poll. Ohio State, Kansas, Maryland and Duke complete top five.

As the season winds down, Week 14 has major games that will impact the College Football Playoff, led by Ohio State-Michigan and Alabama-Auburn.

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow has emerged as the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy, winning all 21 first-place votes in the USA TODAY Network survey.

Michigan State made history by being voted No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports preseason men’s basketball poll for the first time.