Weekend preview: Can Kansas, Houston regroup this weekend after the week's losses? - ESPN

It's obvious the teams at the top of college basketball are real contenders. But just as that group of elite teams had begun to separate itself from the pack, their weaknesses were revealed.

Purdue has the best college basketball player in the country and a great supporting cast, but after Tuesday's loss at Nebraska, every Boilermakers fan wonders if Zach Edey's foul trouble will cost them a shot at a national title. Houston scored just 53 points in a loss at Iowa State on the same night. Who could score for the Cougars if L.J. Cryer and Jamal Shead have a tough night in the NCAA tournament? Kansas just lost to a UCF squad that had previously lost to… Stetson. And Tennessee surrendered more points in a loss to Mississippi State (77) than Southern scored in their win over the Bulldogs last month (60).

Arizona is rolling again, but the Wildcats surrendered 100 points in a loss at Stanford — the same Cardinal that couldn't cross 80 in a loss at USC days later. Auburn, which has a puzzling loss at Appalachian State on its résumé, has been unstoppable lately, but we don't know if the Tigers are for real until the toughest portion of their conference schedule begins next month.

Kentucky? The Wildcats look good, but the history of teams ranked outside the top 30 in adjusted defensive efficiency (the Wildcats are 44th) reaching the Final Four isn't strong. UConn, Baylor, Duke? All teams with Final Four potential. But they, like the rest of their peers, still have room to grow.

Let's see what the weekend will bring for these and other title contenders.

All odds from ESPN Bet.

Friday, 9:30 p.m. ET, BTN

During the 1957-58 season, Jerry Bush led the Cornhuskers to a win over then-No. 1 Kansas State. His grandson, Fred Hoiberg,