TSR 11/27/19 CBB Picks

Takeaways from Tuesday's Action

1-Down goes Duke!--The Blue Devils, who were 27.5 point favorites, were knocked off at the buzzer in overtime by Stephen F Austin. This was the largest upset by a Division 1 team according to spread in fifteen seasons. This is why we love college hoops, you never know what you'll get each night!

2-Anthony Edwards may be able to lead Georgia to the NCAA Tournament by himself. Sure guys like Rayshaun Hammonds and Donnell Gresham Jr are solid players, but Anthony Edwards showed in the second half alone yesterday that he can make this Georgia team hard to beat. He almost single-handedly overcame a 28 point deficit with 33 second half points. In the always tumultuous SEC, the Bulldogs could finish in the top six with Edwards stellar play, and that could find them a spot in the NCAA Tournament come Selection Sunday.

3-A remarkable performance that you probably didn't even realize last night occured in Green Bay, Wisconsin in the Legends Classic Subregional. Colgate defeated Green Bay 99-81 behind 40 points from Jordan Burns. He hit eight of the team's nineteen threes, a school record. The Raiders gave Tennessee all they could handle in last year's NCAA Tournament, and they appear poised to return to the Big Dance this spring.

4-Dayton continues to roll at Maui. Although Georgia and Virginia Tech aren't the best major conference foes, the way in which they won those games was impressive. Anthony Grant has things rolling at his alma mater, thanks in part to Obi Toppin, an All-America candidate.

5-Trouble in Madison--The Badgers have now lost three non-conference games in November alone. Now Saint Mary's, Richmond and New Mexico are all strong teams that would play their way into the tournament, but this is still a cause for concern due to the way that they have lost. They look challenged offensively, including a 2/26 three point shooting night yesterday. Greg Gard's bunch needs to turn it around with NC State, Tennessee, and the Big Ten slate ahead.

Yesterday's Pick Results (Season Pick Standings can be found here)
Sam 9-1
Zach 9-1
Nick 7-3 Our Picks for Wednesday's Action

Game 1: Michigan State vs UCLA

Nick: Michigan State-- This, similar to yesterday’s Georgia game, has the potential to be a better resume win in March than it is in November. The Bruins are still sorting themselves out with first year coach Mick Cronin, but he has led teams to the NCAA Tournament nine straight years for a reason, and they are in the worst of the major conferences. An interesting note for MSU will be how Tom Izzo uses Marcus Bingham and Thomas Kithier. Bingham played eighteen minutes in his first start yesterday, after playing just three minutes against Va Tech. Kithier meanwhile played just five minutes yesterday after a 21 minute start against the Hokies. The Spartans need both of them to get going, so it will be interesting to see how Tom plays this.

Sam: Michigan State-- The Spartans played a great first 29 minutes against Georgia and then nearly choked away the game over the final 11. Cassius Winston seemed to be back to his normal self however, and that’s a huge plus for MSU. I’m not very impressed with the Bruins, and I think the Spartans may be able to win this one with some ease.

Zach: Michigan State- What player is gonna go off today against the Spartans at Maui? I’ve mentioned both in the two previous games, so I might as well do it again. Most obvious would be Jalen Hill, but once Michigan State recruit Tyger Campbell is gonna have himself a game. Although, the Spartans are just too much for the Bruins to handle, and today they have more ease than yesterday.

Game 2: Dayton vs Kansas

Nick: Dayton-- Sometimes in Maui, the hottest team wins the tournament (Notre Dame in 2017, Illinois in 2012). This week, that has definitely been the Flyers. Behind stellar play from Obi Toppin, this team has pushed themselves into the national spotlight as not only an NCAA Tournament team, but one that could very well be playing in the second weekend. Dayton knocks off Kansas and earns their second Maui title (2003).

Sam: Dayton-- Much like Nick said, it sometimes is all about who is the hottest team in Maui.. and that is absolutely the Flyers. I love what Anthony Grant has done with his team, and I think this is a team talented enough to knock off a team the caliber of Kansas.

Zach: Kansas- Yes, Dayton is the hottest team at Maui, but Kansas is still Kansas. Maybe the best team in college basketball, the Jayhawks find a way to get it done and win the championship here in Maui.

Game 3: Virginia Tech vs BYU

Nick: BYU

Sam: Virginia Tech

Zach: BYU

Game 4: Michigan vs Iowa State

Nick: Iowa State-- In Juwan Howard’s first game away from the Crisler Center as head coach of Michigan, things get tough quickly. The Cyclones are no joke, as they could be a team to reckon with in the Big 12 this season behind Tyrese Haliburton, a top NBA prospect. Zavier Simpson will have his work cut out for him on both ends of the court today. I think the surrounding pieces such as Rasir Bolton and George Conditt IV will be the key difference for Iowa State.

Sam: Iowa State-- The point guard matchup is fascinating in this one. Zavier Simpson is a pitbull for Michigan and is one of the best point guards in the country. But Tyrese Haliburton for the Cyclones is one of the most underrated players in the country. The lanky sophomore averages nearly 11 points per game and dishes out over 10 assists a game. He is also one of the best perimeter defenders, averaging 3.5 steals. I think he is the difference in what will be a great matchup to kick off the Battle 4 Atlantis.

Zach: Michigan- I told Nick the other day that Michigan is gonna find a way to win this loaded tournament. Why? Because that’s what they do, they always seem to find a way to win a few games they shouldn’t. This is one of them. Iowa State is loaded with unknown talent, Tyrese Haliburton, Rasir Bolton, Solomon Young, Michael Jacobson headline, but like I said, Michigan just finds a way

Game 5: Oregon vs Seton Hall

Nick: Seton Hall-- This is the best game of the day, and perhaps the best game of the weekend. It’s a shame that the Battle 4 Atlantis organizers couldn’t have stretched this to at least the second round. I think that Myles Powell and Peyton Pritchard will go back and forth all night, but I think the depth of the Pirates will prevail, with guys like Myles Cale and Sandro Mamukelashvili being the difference.

Sam: Oregon-- I have been really impressed with the Ducks thus far and I think they continue their hot start with a close win in what figures to be one heck of a game.

Zach: Oregon- Unlike Nick, I believe that Powell and Mamukelashvili aren’t enough of a difference to put the Pirates ahead in this one

Game 6: North Carolina vs Alabama

Nick: North Carolina

Sam: North Carolina

Zach: North Carolina

Game 7: Ole Miss vs Penn State

Nick: Penn State-- This is another step for Pat Chambers’ bunch to prove that they are legit. They have the win against Georgetown, as well as two quality mid-major wins over Bucknell and Yale. A win today would go a long way in showing that they could be knocking on the door for postseason play.

Sam: Ole Miss-- Breein Tyree is tremendous and I love Kermit Davis. Penn State has played well early this year but I don’t quite trust Pat Chambers’ squad.

Zach: Penn State- They prove that they are a tournament team today with a solid non conference win over a solid 4-1, almost 5-0, Mississippi team.

Game 8: Oklahoma State vs Syracuse

Nick: Syracuse--Hey look Jim Boehiem is playing away from home in non-conference! He took his team all the way to….Brooklyn. 

Sam: Syracuse

Zach: Syracuse

Game 9: Northwestern vs Pittsburgh

Nick: Northwestern--I can't imagine that the Fort Myers Tip-Off organizers were all that pleased with their teams entering the weekend, as Northwestern and Pitt both suffered ugly losses in the games leading up to this tournament. In what can only be described as an unappetizing final, I'll take Northwestern.

Sam: Pittsburgh 

Zach: Pittsburgh

Game 10: Kansas State vs Bradley

Nick: Kansas State

Sam: Kansas State

Zach: Kansas State

Upsets:

Nick: Norfolk State over Monmouth (+4)

Sam: Hartford over SMU (+19.5)

Zach: Nebraska over USF (+2)