TSR 11/29/19 CBB Picks

Takeaways from Thursday's Action

1-The NFL is always going to be the king of Turkey Day, but there is some fantastic college basketball on Thanksgiving. We were treated to phenomenal games like Oregon vs Gonzaga, Marquette vs Davidson, Long Beach State vs Providence and North Carolina vs Michigan. Feast Week is still great on the day of feasting.

2-Michigan is playing as well as anyone in the nation. For yet another year, the Wolverines were once again underrated to start the season. Despite winning by only 11, the Wolverines absolutely dominated North Carolina on Thanksgiving Day. The most impressive part of the victory was that Zavier Simpson, easily their best and most important player, played only 17 minutes due to foul trouble, eventually fouling out late in the game. As much as it may hurt Michigan State fans to hear this, Juwan Howard has Michigan firing on all cylinders right now. 3-Iowa with a marquee victory over the 2019 National Runner-Up Texas Tech Red Raiders out in Las Vegas. Led by twenty points by Jordan Bohannon, the Hawkeyes earned an eleven point win. After averaging twelve points per game last year, he was coming off an injury to begin this season, resulting in a slow start. This win shows that they can live up to their preseason expectations when the entire bunch is healthy. Yesterday's Pick Results (Season Pick Standings can be found here)
Nick 7-3
Sam 7-3
Zach 6-4 Big Ten Power Rankings Big E is back to join us for this week's Big Ten Power Rankings. After an interesting Feast Week, things have changed tremendously in the rankings, including a new number one. Check it out. Our Picks for Thursday's Action

Game 1: Maryland vs Harvard

Nick: Maryland-- This Harvard team has some talent to make this game very interesting, but I think that Anthony Cowan will show why he’s the best player at this tournament.

Sam: Maryland-- Anthony Cowan absolutely exploded for the Terps in the quarterfinal win over Temple. The senior leader had 30 points and knocked down 4 three pointers.

Zach: Maryland- Is it possible Harvard pulls off the upset? Yes. But I don’t see it happening

Game 2: USC vs Marquette

Nick: Marquette

Sam: USC

Zach: Marquette- USC is sneaky good, but Markus Howard is coming off a 40 point game, and I have a feeling he keeps it going in this one

Game 3: St. Mary’s vs Utah State

Nick: Utah State-- I love this matchup. We need more matchups like this. Please @ADs everywhere, schedule games like this. If the big boys won’t play you, play each other.

Sam: Utah State-- Did ESPN recreate the bracket busters and not tell us!?

Zach: Saint Mary’s

Game 4: Michigan vs Gonzaga

Nick: Gonzaga-- This remarkable weekend has to end eventually right? The Zags are a legitimate Final Four contender, but the Wolverines have shown their ability to play very deep into March this weekend. This is appointment television, much like the two semifinal games were yesterday.

Sam: Michigan-- This Wolverines team is deeper than any I can think of recently. And there just seems to be someone new who will step up, as Eli Brooks went for 24 points in the win over UNC.

Zach: Michigan- I’ll say it again, Michigan just finds a way to win. Although, this will be their toughest game this weekend, not only because Gonzaga is the best team they face, but the Zags matchup really well and I don’t see Eli Brooks going off for 24 again in this one, or ever again.

Game 5: North Carolina vs Oregon

Nick: Oregon-- Payton Pritchard shows that experience matters by outplaying Cole Anthony.

Sam: Oregon-- Carolina is way too reliant on Cole Anthony. And when his shots aren’t falling who do they turn to?

Zach: Oregon- More experience, individually and as a team, as they have much better wins this season, pays off for the Ducks. 

Game 6: Seton Hall vs Iowa State

Nick: Seton Hall

Sam: Seton Hall-- Myles Powell vs Tyrese Haliburton is going to be so fun to watch.

Zach: Seton Hall

Game 7: DePaul vs Minnesota

Nick: Minnesota

Sam: DePaul

Zach: Minnesota- DePaul beat Central Michigan by 7 and Minnesota beat them by 15

Game 8: Tennessee vs Florida State

Nick: Tennessee

Sam: Tennessee

Zach:Florida State

Game 9: Ole Miss vs Oklahoma State

Nick: Oklahoma State

Sam: Ole Miss

Zach: Oklahoma State

Game 10: Purdue vs VCU

Nick: Purdue

Sam: VCU-- This Rams team is just so athletic and so deep...

Zach: Purdue

Upsets:

Nick: Denver over Fullerton (+3.5)

Sam: UMASS over Rutgers (+8.5)

Zach: Hawaii over San Francisco (+4.5)