TSR 1/12/20 CBB Picks w/ Guest Picker Phil Visser

On Saturdays and Sundays for the remainder of the college basketball season, the TSR team is going to add guest pickers to our usual daily selections. They will be on the Guest Pick Standings page on the menu of our website. Our first Sunday guest picker of the season is Phil Visser, head coach of the Caledonia Boys Basketball team.

Q&A w/ Phil Visser

1. Some of our readers may not know that you played at Calvin College. What can you tell us about your playing career there?

I played at Calvin from 2000-2003, not playing my senior year because you have to shoot above 20% from the 3 point line to get playing time. I struggled to make shots my junior year and decided to look at my future in teaching and focus on my student teaching placement. 

2. Do you have a favorite college basketball player? 

My favorite college basketball player is probably Duncan Robinson, I loved his story of coming from D3 and then making an impact at Michigan to now having a major impact for the Miami Heat. Having played D3, I couldn't imagine a player of his caliber being on the same court and thinking about having to defend him. Shoot, we even named our son Duncan!

3. How about a college basketball memory, does a favorite come to mind?

One of my favorite memories of college basketball was being a UNLV fan during the Jerry Tarkanian era and watching them win the national championship in 1990 when I was 8 years old. I remember watching it on a spring break trip to Florida, and my brother and I loved it because we hated Duke. Needless to say, I was unaware of the scandals surrounding the program at 8 years old, I just liked watching them play the game!

3. Is there a game that you coached/played in that was most memorable to you?

- There are many games that stick in my mind in regards to both playing and coaching. My first year coaching at Caledonia (freshman team) we traveled to Greenville and ended up going into triple overtime. We had a chance to win it from the free throw line at the end of regulation, but the FT was left short, and thus we needed 3 OTs to settle it. We didn't end up leaving Greenville until about 10:15 that Tuesday night after all the teams got to play.

-The most memorable game I have played in came in high school as a senior. Although every Calvin/Hope game in college was amazing in front of 4000+ fans, the most memorable game happened in March 2000. My senior year we were 25-1, and lost in the state quarterfinals. That game was memorable, but the regional championship game is the most memorable game I have. We played against Wyoming Park at GVSU, the game was sold out, in fact they oversold the capacity and had to shut the doors because of the fire marshal saying it was too full. (Thom VanderKlay shared that fact with me last year when we played Wyoming.) It was a crazy environment where we ended up winning in front of just short of around 4500 people. Wyoming Park had a couple of really good players including K'brio Kimble (3rd all time scorer for Wyoming) that we had to stop, and we came out with a 10 point victory. 

4. Is there a college basketball coach that you try and model yourself after? Or perhaps is there a coach that you have patterned some of your philosophy after?

I have read many books written by some of the best coaches out there, and have attended clinics to get more knowledge. I think the best thing is to take a little bit from everyone, and then form your principles and coaching style. I don't know if there is one coach out there I try to model after. 

5. Who wins the Calvin and Hope game this Wednesday? The Knights are on a two game winning streak in this series, but they have a new coach this year in Bill Sall. Can they get it done at home on Wednesday?

I was debating who would win this game heading into today, but Calvin came out and dismantled Olivet at home today, so I don't see Hope coming into town Wednesday and leaving with a W now. Derrick DeVries is the key for Calvin, he makes them tick and I think he comes in ready and leads them to another victory over Hope in his senior year. I really like what Coach Mitchell is doing at Hope, he has brought in some really good talent and is a phenomenal leader and coach over there. I don't know Coach Sall well, but I think he is going to be able to recruit well in this area as well, I am hoping he can continue with the tradition of Calvin being a solid basketball school. 

6. Having coached both of us in high school, help us settle the ongoing family debate. Who is the better Tuori basketball player, Nick or Zach?

This is an entrapment question, as I can't answer this without making one of you upset.

-Nick: Lefty, and boy do I love lefties, they always look more smooth than righties. The rec specs Nick rocked were amazing as well. 

-Zach: He had a spot on the floor from the deep left wing where he was absolute money, and everyone on the team knew it. He may have the second best shot fake of anyone I have coached, Nick Lauer still holds the top spot. 

-I will say this, Nick and Zach are the epitome of what being a fantastic teammate is, both had roles where they did whatever was best for the TEAM, and I loved coaching both of you, although I did get to coach Zach for 2 years!

Sunday's Games

1-Purdue vs Michigan State (12:00, CBS)

Viss: Michigan State-- I can't go against Cassius and Xavier right now, they are both playing at a different level and the other players are starting to find their role and excel at it. 

Nick: Michigan State--The Spartans are currently two games ahead of everyone in the Big Ten standings, though they have played four league games at home. I think that this is a tough test, as Mackey Arena has dealt MSU three straight defeats. Fortunately, the Boilermakers are reeling right now with questions all over. If MSU gets off to a good start, they will win this game.

Sam: Purdue-- The Spartans always seem to struggle in Mackey, and seemingly one random guy always shoots out of his mind (hello, Raphel Davis). The Boilermakers are beyond desperate for a win, and I think with shooters like Stefanovich and the post presence of Williams, they get it done.

Zach:Michigan State- Although the game is at Mackey and Matt Haarms said he is good to go, I think the inconsistent scoring of the Boilermakers give the Spartans the edge. Oh, and a guy named Cassius Winston is a pretty good player.

2-Minnesota vs Michigan (1:00, BTN)

Viss: Michigan--Heading to the Barn is always tough, but I think Michigan still finds a way to win on the road without Livers, although UM needs Eli Brooks to score more to find success with Livers still sidelined with his injury. 

Nick: Minnesota--Another desperate team at home in the Big Ten, the Gophers get their victory in the Barn against Michigan. The matchup between Daniel Oturu and Jon Teske is the featured show, but the battles on the wing between Gabe Kalescheur and Franz Wagner will be key to whomever comes out with a victory.

Sam: Minnesota--Whoever wins the battle of Teske vs Oturu wins this game. I think the strength of Oturu will pay dividends, and some very underrated guards will give the Gophers a much needed home win.

Zach: Minnesota--Michigan lost to Michigan State by 18, Minnesota only by 16. All math. But really, I believe that the Wolverines offense goes through Teske without Livers, and Oturu will make Teske struggle. The Barn is no joke and everyone seems to struggle there. 

3-Colorado vs Utah (6:00, ESPNU)

Viss: Colorado

Nick: Colorado--The Buffs are off to a good start, with McKinley Wright IV and Tyler Bey forming a strong backcourt duo. The biggest concern for Colorado will be how much they are able to limit Timmy Allen, who has scored at least 14 points in every game this season, including eight games of 20+ points.

Sam: Colorado--The Buffs had a shocking loss last week at home to Oregon State. They don’t let that happen this week.

Zach: Colorado--Utah is averaging 78ppg and Colorado is only giving up 61ppg. The Buffs are definitely the superior team.

4-Oregon State vs Arizona (10:00, FS1)

Viss: Oregon State

Nick: Arizona--I have loved these Sunday night Pac 12 games, and this #Pac12AfterDark matchup is appointment television on Sunday if you want to watch a great battle between Tres Tinkle and Nico Mannion.

Sam: Arizona

Zach: Arizona--The freshman of Arizona will win them a lot of games this season in the Pac12, and this is one of them

5-UCONN vs Wichita State (12:00, CBSSN)

Viss: Wichita State--Gregg Marshall takes his team on the road and comes up with a win. They obviously don't sneak up on anyone anymore since their success under Marshall's leadership. Beating Memphis this past week just gives them that boost of confidence they need

Nick: Wichita State--This Shockers team is a true contender in the AAC this season. I still have not bought into this supposed UCONN revival under Danny Hurley. A quick shoutout to perhaps the most interesting duo of names amongst post backups in Asbjorn Mitgaard and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler.

Sam: UCONN--Akok Akok is one of the most athletic bigs in the country, he seems to block everything around the rim. As Zach mentions, the Huskies always seem to show up for big games. And as my guy Jon Rothstein always says “Dan Hurley. The Carpenter”. 

Zach: UCONN--Beat Florida earlier in the season, had close games with Xavier and Indiana. They seem to always show up for big games, and it helps that this one is at home. 

6-South Florida vs Memphis (4:00, ESPN2)

Viss: Memphis--Bounce back win for them on the road against a .500 team.

Nick: Memphis--The Tigers are on their biggest slide of the season, with two straight defeats. This is the perfect opportunity for them to rebound, as USF has struggled without Alexis Yetna this season. 

Sam: Memphis--Panic button will really come out if the Tigers drop their third straight

Zach: Memphis--This is going to be a close game all the way through.. Memphis has lost two straight and they will struggle on the road at USF. They pull ahead in the end because Precious Achiuwa is better than anyone else on the court. 

7-Miami FL vs Pittsburgh (6:00, ACCN)

Viss: Pittsburgh

Nick: Pittsburgh

Sam: Miami

Zach: Miami

8-UIC vs Wright State (4:12, ESPN+)

Viss: Wright State

Nick: Wright State--The Raiders are head, shoulders, knees and toes above the rest of the Horizon League. While they will lose at some point, they are the dominant team in the league.

Sam: Wright State

Zach: Wright State--Has had a few close ones recently, but still easily the best team in the league, this should be nothing but a cakewalk for the Raiders. 

9-Manhattan vs Siena (2:00, ESPN+)

Viss: Manhattan--Being honest here, just went by record as I haven't seen either of these teams play.

Nick: Siena

Sam: Siena

Zach: Manhattan--Nicknamed after Brother Jasper of Mary, who brought baseball to Manhattan and is the creator of the 7th inning stretch

10-Iona vs Niagara (1:00, ESPN+)

Viss: Iona--Go with the home team!

Nick: Iona--The climb back to the top for the 4x defending champ continues.

Sam: Iona

Zach: Iona- This team is 3-7 but they are much better than that shows.

Thanks to Viss for joining us this week to make some picks. Best of luck the remainder of the season, starting with the big game against Rockford on Tuesday!