TSR 1/16/20 CBB Picks

Takeaways

1-We are down to one undefeated team left. Auburn had twelve turnovers in the first half, creating a nine point deficit. They were never able to overcome this gap in the second half, and Nate Oats gets his first statement victory in a 83-64 win over the previously undefeated Auburn Tigers. This leaves San Diego State as the lone unbeaten in college basketball.

2-Sticking in the SEC, what a finish by South Carolina! The Gamecocks shocked Kentucky with a buzzer-beating upset against the #10 Cats by Jermaine Couisnard. This is the first time that the Wildcats have lost back to back games at South Carolina since 2010, and it’s the first time since in a decade that South Carolina has defeated two top tens in the same season.

3-Seton Hall announced that they are the favorite in the Big East with a dominating win at Hinkle. The Pirates have battled through injuries all season, so the sky's the limit when this team is healthy.

Thursday Games

1-Memphis vs Cincinnati (7:00, ESPN)

Nick: Memphis—Cincinnati has been a disappointment this far in the year, and Memphis wins this one to tie Wichita State for first place.

Sam: Memphis

Zach: Memphis- Precious continues to be the best player on the court and The Cumberlands keep it close but Memphis runs away in the end

2-Arizona vs Utah (8:30, PAC12)

Nick: Arizona

Sam: Arizona

Zach: Arizona- This is a big bounce back game for the Wildcats after getting worked by Oregon State

3-Washington St vs Oregon (9:00)

Nick: Oregon—This shouldn’t even be close. The Ducks are a legit Final Four contender.

Sam: Oregon

Zach: Oregon- Payton Pritchard, that’s it

4-Arizona St vs Colorado (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Colorado—This may be the best game of the night.

Sam: Arizona State

Zach: Arizona State- Remy Martin upsets the 20th ranked Buffs at home

5-Gonzaga vs Santa Clara (11:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Gonzaga—Santa Clara is a strong team this year, but Gonzaga is elite this season. The Zags could very well be the #1 team in the country this season, where they are appropriately ranked.

Sam: Gonzaga

Zach:Gonzaga- All they gotta do is avoid an upset at Saint Mary’s, at San Francisco, and at BYU, and they are going to waltz into the tournament as the number one overall. This conference is a joke to them

6-Washington vs Oregon State (11:00)

Nick: Oregon State—Another big win for Tres Tinkle and company.

Sam: Washington

Zach:Washington- Oregon State beat Arizona handily the other night, this has all the makings of a letdown game against Isaiah Stewart

7-Milwaukee vs Detroit (8:00, ESPN+)

Nick: Milwaukee—Te’Jon Lucas and Darius Roy make a two-headed scoring attack for MKE, better than just Antoine Davis by himself.

Sam: Milwaukee

Zach:Milwaukee- Antoine Davis scores and they lose, same story different game

8-Western Kentucky vs Old Dominion (8:00, CBSSN)

Nick: Western Kentucky 

Sam: ODU

Zach:Western Kentucky 

9-Manhattan vs Quinnipiac (7:00, ESPN+)

Nick: Quinnipiac—The winner is in the driver’s seat to dethrone Iona.

Sam: Manhattan

Zach: Manhattan- This was a tough one for me, do I go with the Jaspers or Q…gotta take the home team

10-Tennessee State vs Morehead State (8:30, ESPN+)

Nick: Morehead State—Do you remember the incredible team with Kenneth Faried that took down Louisville?

Sam: Tennessee State

Zach:Tennessee State- Michael Littlejohn Jr, Muskegon, MI

Upsets

Nick-Youngstown over NKY (+8) The Penguins are a good team, and the Norse are down this year.

Zach-Louisiana over UTA (+6.0) My Mavs are riding the struggle bus hard this year and it doesn’t look to get any better