TSR 12/14/19 CBB Picks

After finals week slowed down the action in college hoops, we have a fantastic Saturday slate of games. We have rivalry games galore, as well as other prominent matchups. Take a look at the games and at our picks:

Yesterday's Pick Results (Season Pick Standings can be found here)
Nick 9-1
Sam 9-1
Zach 9-1 SATURDAY’S GAMES

Game 1: Mississippi State vs Kansas State (11:30, ESPNU)

Nick: Kansas State--The Wildcats have played better as of late, but this is another measuring stick game. On the latest #StockardWatch, I will go with 2 points for the big fella.

Sam: Mississippi State--Reggie Perry is a monster.

Zach: Mississippi State

Game 2: Oregon at Michigan (12:00, CBS)

Nick: Oregon--Yes, this seems to be a game that Michigan will win. However, I think that this Oregon team is strong and Payton Pritchard has the guard experience to handle this environment. Ducks pull out a close victory.

Sam: Michigan

Zach: Michigan- After losing two of their last three, the Wolverines bounce back in a big way in this top ten matchup 

Game 3: Michigan State vs Oakland (12:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Michigan State--The 2017 matchup at LCA was stressful, and this one will be too. Without Rocket Watts, Michigan State is lacking in guard depth. Foster Loyer will be counted on for big minutes tomorrow, and the Spartans are going to need someone to step up and carry the burden offensively behind Winston and Tillman. The Grizzlies, as always, will give MSU all they can handle despite the +17 spread.

Sam: Michigan State-- I’ve got a feeling that tomorrow is Gabe Brown’s big day.

Zach: Michigan State- This game is usually a close l one and I expect none other again

Game 4: Syracuse at Georgetown (1:00, FOX)

Nick: Syracuse--Earlier this week, I would have had Georgetown in a runaway lock. Their roster attrition has me nervous that they aren't going to be in the game and Syracuse's gimmicky defense will prevail.

Sam: Georgetown

Zach: Georgetown 

Game 5: Alabama at Penn State (2:00, BTN)

Nick: Penn State-- The Nittany Lions are HOT. They take this game handily. Also a plug for this type of matchup, it needs to happen more often. Now only if an SEC team would travel North of the Mason-Dixon line for football.....

Sam: Penn State-- This one could be quite a blowout.

Zach: Penn State

Game 6: Memphis at Tennessee (3:00, ESPN)

Nick: Memphis-- This is going to be an epic basketball game tomorrow, although it would have been so much better with James Wiseman. This is without a doubt the toughest atmosphere Penny's young bunch will have faced, but I think they will be ready to go.

Sam: Tennessee-- O/U 0.2 second handshake between Rick and Penny?

Zach: Tennessee

Game 7: UCLA at Notre Dame (3:00, ABC)

Nick: Notre Dame

Sam: Notre Dame-- Wow this is a really great game…..about forty years ago.

Zach: Notre Dame

Game 8: Seton Hall at Rutgers (4:00, BTN)

Nick: Seton Hall--No Mamukelashvili is huge, but I think that Myles Powell will be too tough for Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr to keep up with offensively.

Sam: Rutgers-- RAC Attack!

Zach: Rutgers- At the RAC and no Mamukelashvili for the Pirates, I see a big win for the Scarlet Knights 

Game 9: Utah State vs BYU (8:00)

Nick: BYU--You know what they say, "Death, Taxes and TJ Haws".

Sam: Utah State-- Neemias Queta is back for the Aggies, and he will be a key piece for them.

Zach: Utah State

Game 10: Gonzaga at Arizona (10:00, ESPN2) 

Nick: Gonzaga

Sam: Gonzaga

Zach: Arizona- Strictly because it’s at the McKale Center

Upsets:

Nick: Western Michigan over Manhattan (+5)

Sam: Tulsa over Arkansas (+12)

Zach: UT Martin over UNC Asheville (+6.5)