TSR 12/15/19 CBB Picks

Takeaways
1-Michigan State defeated Oakland rather easily on Saturday, but there are still concerns offensively for this team. The Spartans were a very unimpressive 7/33 (21.2%) from the three-point line. They will certainly need to improve on this if they are going to be anywhere near their preseason expectations.

2-Several teams picked up statement road victories yesterday: Oregon (at Michigan), Gonzaga (at Arizona), Memphis (at Tennessee), and Liberty (at Vanderbilt) all added to their resumes in large ways with their stellar play on Saturday.

3-Don't forget about the key home victories: Rutgers absolutely dominated Seton Hall, Wake Forest upset #23 Xavier, Georgetown showed they've still got it against Syracuse, Notre Dame packed a punch against UCLA and Wichita State swept the Bedlam Rivalry by taking down Oklahoma.

4-Two videos from games you probably didn't watch yesterday: First, Jacob Printy delivered in a HUGE way for the WMU Broncos at Manhattan last night. Secondly, what on earth was Jarron Cumberland thinking in Cincinnati in their stunning lost to Colgate?

Yesterday's Pick Results (Season Pick Standings can be found here)
Nick 7-3 (upset pick of Western Michigan (+5) over Manhattan also won)
Sam 7-3
Zach 6-4

SUNDAY’S GAMES

Game 1: Oklahoma State at Houston (3:00, ESPN)

Nick: Houston--Those three guys that Zach points out below are the reason that this team could be the biggest obstacle in Memphis' pursuit of a league championship. Between the Cougs, the Tigers, Cincinnati, UCONN and Wichita, this league is going to be fantastic this year.

Sam: Houston

Zach: Houston- The three headed guard trio of Quentin Grimes, Nate Hinton, and Dejon Jarreau leads the Cougs over the Cowboys

Game 2: Wofford at North Carolina (4:00, ACC)

Nick: North Carolina-- #Snacktime just doesn't have the weapons this time around. Nathan Hoover can score, but Cole Anthony will be far too tough to stop.

Sam: North Carolina

Zach: North Carolina- Unfortunately Wofford doesn’t have Fletcher Magee, therefore they won’t win. Yes, that’s the only reason. #Snacktime

Game 3: Purdue at Nebraska (4:00, BTN)

Nick: Purdue--It appears that the Big Ten will see its first road win of the conference season in this game. The Boilermakers have played tremendous as of late, and Nebraska still cannot figure out who they are. This is going to be a long season in Lincoln, and today is no exception. Purdue BIG.

Sam: Purdue

Zach: Purdue- Although this game is at The Vault, Nebraska is so bad it doesn’t matter

Game 4: South Carolina at Clemson (5:00, ESPN2)

Nick: South Carolina--In a rivalry game in which both teams have been rather lackluster this far, I will give the edge to the Gamecocks. Frank Martin is a better coach.

Sam: Clemson---Sorry Catie...

Zach: Clemson

Game 5: Ohio State at Minnesota (6:30, BTN)

Nick: Ohio State--Even without Duane Washington Jr, the Buckeyes have scorers across the board in guys like the Wesson Brothers, DJ Carton and Luther Muhammad. This may be the best team in the country at the current moment, and they would get my #1 vote.

Sam: Ohio State

Zach: Ohio State- The Buckeyes could easily jump Kansas and become the next number one team with a win, but just as easily lose at The Barn. The Big Ten is a gauntlet this year on the road.

Game 6: Long Beach at USC (6:30, PAC12)

Nick: USC

Sam: USC

Zach: USC

Game 7: Missouri St at VCU (7:00, ESPN+)

Nick: VCU

Sam: VCU

Zach: VCU

Game 8: Norfolk St at Loyola IL (2:00, ESPN3)

Nick: Loyola

Sam: Loyola

Zach: Loyola

Game 9: Gardner Webb at Virginia Tech (1:30, ACC)

Nick: Virginia Tech

Sam: Virginia Tech

Zach: Virginia Tech- The Bulldogs let me down the other night against Kennesaw State, but my statement still stands, however, they get blown out in this one

Game 10: NC State at UNC-Greensboro (3:00, ESPN+)

Nick: UNCG--#2BidSoCon. I echo Zach's point that I love that NC State is willing to take this roadtrip to take on an in-state school.

Sam: UNCG

Zach: UNCG- I absolutely love that a big team like NC State is going to play at G

Upsets:

Nick: Coppin State (+6) over UMBC

Sam: Maine (+3) over Quinnipiac

Zach: Tennessee State (+3.5) over Fordham--Michael Littlejohn carries the Tigers to victory