TSR 11/28/19 CBB Picks

Takeaways from Wednesday's Action
1-Despite the loss to Kansas, it was a great trip to Maui for the Dayton Flyers. They played in one of the best finals in recent memory, and the Flyers showed that they can contend with any team in the country. With St. Mary's and Colorado still on the non-conference slate, they can get a great foundation for an at-large bid heading into Atlantic 10 play. This team should be playing in the NCAA Tournament, thanks in large part to Obi Toppin.

2-Penn State had a collapse of epic proportions on Wednesday night. They led by twenty one points before they ultimately fell to Ole Miss 74-72. This was a chance for Pat Chambers' bunch to take another step with a solid win over a major conference team, but instead it was #SOL (Same Ol' Lions for you non Detroit Lions fans out there). They have a chance to get a big win in the third place game against Syracuse though, so not all is lost.

3- In case you didn’t hear the news yesterday, the 2020-21 Michigan State Spartans will be traveling to Orlando next thanksgiving to play in the Orlando Invitational. They will be joined by Auburn, Belmont, Boise State, Gonzaga, St. Louis, Siena and Xavier. This should be a tournament that gives the Spartans multiple opportunities for victories that will enhance their tournament resume. And who wouldn’t want to spend their Thanksgiving at the most magical place on Earth?


Zach's Opinion
People hate on Dan Dakich for some of the controversial things he says (usually Michigan State fans), but I think there should be a legitimate movement to get “Big Wave” Billy Walton off of ESPN and any other network that will take him. He never actually talks about the game and goes off on tangents that are meaningless. He also strictly calls Cassius Winston by “Cash Winston”, and I’m just not feeling that. Dave Pasch was clearly getting annoyed with him and so am I. I think Robbie Hummel should be a bigger voice on ESPN, he knows his stuff.


Yesterday's Pick Results (Season Pick Standings can be found here)
Zach 7-3 and BYU (upset pick of Nebraska (+2) over South Florida also won) 
Sam 5-5
Nick 3-7 Our Picks for Thursday's Action

Game 1: Michigan vs North Carolina

Nick: North Carolina-- The Wolverines do seem to have a destiny in the weekend tournaments, but I think that Michigan will fall short on Thursday. The Tar Heels are led by Cole Anthony, who many believe will be a top five pick in next year’s NBA Draft.

Sam: Michigan-- Like Zach said in Wednesday's blog, Michigan’s probably gonna somehow win this tournament just because that’s what they do. Zavier Simpson has had a tremendous start to the season and the Tar Heels weren’t very impressive in their opening round win over Alabama. 

Zach: Michigan-- It’s what they do, they find a way to win. They did yesterday against a good Iowa State team, but it doesn’t get any easier against one of the top teams in the country, led by talented freshmen Cole Anthony and Armando Bacot.

Game 2: Gonzaga vs Oregon Winner

Nick: Gonzaga-- Between Killian Tillie and Filip Petrusev, the Zags have a strong frontcourt. This may be too much for the Ducks, who do have the advantage at guard with Payton Pritchard. It is a battle between the two best teams west of the Rocky Mountains, who both will be expected to make deep runs into March this year.

Sam: Gonzaga— I also feel that Petrusev is key to the Zags’ ability to win this game, but another guy that hasn’t been mentioned is Corey Kispert, who averages nearly 14 points per game.

Zach: Gonzaga- The Zags lost a lot from last year, but still remains one of the best teams in the country. I would put their frontcourt against any team, and this is the key difference that puts them above the Ducks.

Game 3: Iowa State vs Alabama

Nick: Iowa State

Sam: Iowa State

Zach: Iowa State

Game 4: Maryland vs Temple

Nick: Maryland

Sam: Maryland

Zach: Maryland

Game 5: Marquette vs Davidson

Nick: Marquette--Markus Howard is the biggest star for the Golden Eagles, but Theo John’s presence inside will be something to watch against a Davidson frontcourt that has some concerns. Marquette needs someone like Sacar Anim, Greg Elliott or Jamal Cain to get going if they truly want to make noise in the Big East.

Sam: Marquette-- I was very tempted to pick Davidson, but they’ve gotten off to a brutal start to the season. They’re 2-3 with losses to Auburn, Charlotte and … Wake Forest. I am pumped to watch these backcourts duel. Davidson has Kellan Grady and John Axel Gudmundsson and Marquette with Markus Howard and Kobe McEwen.

Zach: Marquette

Game 6: Memphis vs NC State

Nick: Memphis--Penny’s bunch is fantastic, and I think that they will only get better with time. This is another big game for them, as they take steps to future postseason success.

Sam: Memphis-- Precious Achiuwa is a monster, the freshman is averaging 15 points and 8.3 rebounds and those numbers will only improve with James Wiseman suspended.

Zach: NC State-- CJ Bryce and the Wolfpack get past Penny’s Tigers. Precious gets his numbers but that’s not gonna be enough

Game 7: Texas Tech vs Iowa

Nick: Texas Tech

Sam: Texas Tech

Zach:Texas Tech-- Iowa hasn’t really found their identity yet and haven’t won a game against real competition, and lost to the real team they played, a mediocre DePaul.Luka Garza is putting the team on his back and it won’t be enough to take them over the Red Raiders

Game 8: Creighton vs San Diego State

Nick: Creighton

Sam: Creighton

Zach: Creighton

Game 9: Harvard vs Texas A&M

Nick: Harvard

Sam: Harvard

Zach: Harvard

Game 10: Providence vs Long Beach State

Nick: Long Beach State

Sam: Providence

Zach: Providence

Upsets:

Nick: Long Island over North Florida (+4.5)

Sam: College of Charleston over Wake Forest (+2.5)

Zach: Cal Poly over Tennessee State (+7)- The Tigers are led by Muskegon standout Michael Littlejohn Jr. but like highschool, he will be overshadowed, this time by Junior Ballard of Cal Poly