TSR 1/18/20 CBB Picks w/ Guest Picker Paul Wanless
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 next guest picker is former Cornerstone University basketball player and Caledonia Varsity Assistant Coach Paul Wanless.
Q&A w/ Paul Wanless
1. Some of our readers are unaware of your playing and coaching career, what can you tell us about that?
I played HS hoops at Battle Creek Lakeview and college ball at Cornerstone. In terms of coaching, I started at Cross Creek Charter Academy with their 8th grade team for 2 seasons. After taking my talents to Caledonia, I have coached in a variety of roles. I have coached at the varsity level (2 years as an assistant), the freshman level, the middle school level and as a coach of a Cal Thunder youth team for six seasons.
2. What drew you into coaching and teaching?
I knew I wanted to teach while working Saturday morning camps with our elementary kids back at BC Lakeview. It was so rewarding to work with the kids and see them grow each week as players. I knew then teaching and coaching was my calling.
The toughest player I've faced at any level was in high school playing in an AAU tournament in Detroit against Robert "Tractor" Traylor and his "Team Michigan" team.
4. Is there a game at the high school or collegiate level that stands out as your most memorable?
My most memorable high school game was dropping 38 points on Harper Creek, our cross town rival, and pulling out an overtime when on their floor. My most memorable college game was scoring 22 points against Hope at the Van Andel in the Fifth Third Classic.
5. You had the privilege of playing for Kim Elders at Cornerstone, who ranks 61st all time in victories in all levels of college basketball with 690 wins. What was that like?
Playing NAIA basketball was a dream come true. Kim Elders, albeit slightly before there multiple year runs, was a great coach to play for. You could tell that he was putting championship pieces in place and setting a strong foundation for the future. When we went down to #1 Bethel and knocked them off in the Bethel Tournament, you could tell that it was going to be special.
6. Do you have a favorite college basketball player, either currently or when you were growing up?
My favorite all time player growing up was Shawn Respert. Steve "Smitty" Smith was right up there too. My favorite current player is Cassius Winston. He's a role model both on and off the floor.
7. What are your thoughts on Michigan State this season, in terms of the Big Ten picture?
I feel MSU is has a high ceiling. In my opinion, it all comes down to Gabe and Aaron. You know what you're going to get from Cash and X. I think Hall and Marble are coming along nicely and the front court rotations seem to be solidifying. They need to find that 3rd scorer and it needs to come consistently from Gabe or Aaron. I feel they are the Big Ten favorite.
Saturday's Games
1-Penn State vs Ohio State
Wanless: Penn State-- The Buckeyes are reeling a bit after two players (Duane Washington Jr and Luther Muhammad) were suspended for violating team rules.
Nick: Penn State--This game was one-sided in Columbus, but that was when Ohio State was playing the best basketball in the country. Missing those two scorers Wanless mentioned above will be too much for Ohio State to overcome, as Kaleb Wesson can only score so many points.
Sam: Penn State-- Selfishly, I really hope this happens. I think nothing would be better for the B1G then to have Rutgers and Penn State both make the NCAA Tournament
Zach: Penn State- After three straight losses, the Nittany Lions get back on track with a home win. They key for any team playing Ohio State is to slow down Kaleb Wesson, and Mike Watkins will surely have his hands full
2-Villanova vs UCONN
Wanless: Villanova
Nick: Villanova--I am really surprised that the UCONN fans below me still picked Villanova. The Wildcats have lost to good teams (save for Marquette) and they are playing their best basketball as conference play starts, a pattern for Jay Wright’s bunch as of late. Crazy to think this will be a Big East battle against next year.
Sam: Villanova-- Saqiq Bey has emerged as a star for the Wildcats.
Zach: Villanova- The Wildcats are getting production from all over, having five guys averaging double figures. There was hope for UCONN after they upset Florida, but they just haven’t followed that up very well, maybe this will be another one of those games.
3-Maryland vs Purdue
Wanless: Maryland
Nick: Maryland--The XFINITY Center is one of the toughest arenas in college basketball, and this Terps team remains the biggest threat to Michigan State’s quest to win the Big Ten title. If Purdue gets this victory, we could be talking about 11 or 12 Big Ten teams in the tournament (definitely not Northwestern or Nebraska).
Sam: Maryland-- Purdue plays like a Top 5 team at home, and a NIT team on the road. After a tough loss in Madison against Wisconsin, the Terps pick up a huge win at home.
Zach: Maryland- After the complete massacre of Michigan State the Boilermakers had, this has all the makings of a complete letdown game, and it doesn’t help that the game is at the XFINITY Center
4-Arizona vs Colorado
Wanless: Colorado
Nick: Colorado--The Buffs are looking to complete the Arizona sweep, which would give them a great shot to go toe-for-toe with Oregon in the league title race until their February 13 game. I still cannot buy into Arizona, as Sean Miller’s track record at Arizona has not been strong lately.
Sam: Arizona-- The Buff’s are very good, but not a team to trust away from home. Nico Manion is one of the best point guards in the country, and he’ll help Arizona get out of its funk.
Zach: Arizona- The Wildcats have been a bit of a disappointment this season, considering all of the heralded freshman. McKinley Wright is a stud for the Buffs, but he won’t be enough at McKale
5-Georgetown vs Marquette
Wanless: Marquette
Nick: Marquette--This is a big game for a pair of teams on the cusp of the NCAA Tournament picture. When in doubt, you have to side with the country’s leading scorer in Markus Howard. He will need help though, especially on the defensive end with Theo John going against Omar Yurtseven.
Sam: Georgetown-- Mac McClung is gonna be motivated going against Markus Howard. He helps the Hoyas pick up a huge W.
Zach: Georgetown- Mac McClung and Omer Yurtseven as a collective outshine Marquette’s only player, Markus Howard
6-Duke vs Louisville
Wanless: Duke--The Blue Devils are coming off a tough road loss. Coach K will have them focused and ready to go.
Nick: Duke--The Blue Devils went on a nine game winning streak after the stunner against Stephen F Austin. I won’t be surprised to see them do the same, if not better this time. Vernon Carey and company simply just have too much talent, especially at home.
Sam: Duke-- Frankly, I really don’t think the Cards are all that good and the Blue Devils have been tremendous as of late sans the loss at Clemson earlier this week. No way the Blue Devils, coming off of a loss, lose this one at home.
Zach: Duke- At home, against the number 11 team in the country, there’s no way the Blue Devils lose this one, especially coming off a loss
7-Nebraska vs Indiana
Wanless: Indiana--Fred Hoiberg’s struggling a bit in year one in Lincoln. Indiana has too many weapons for his team to overcome.
Nick: Nebraska--Indiana has played inconsistently this season, and they are reeling after the loss to Rutgers. With home games against Michigan State and Maryland on tap next week, Indiana could be looking ahead in this game at the Vault.
Sam: Nebraska-- The Cornhuskers took IU to OT in Bloomington, and they’ve already picked off Purdue and Iowa at home. Huskers get a big win.
Zach: Indiana- I get that it’s at the Vault, but Nebraska is so bad, I can’t trust them one bit at home. Indiana has too many weapons, as it seems like someone different is putting up big numbers every game
8-Illinois vs Northwestern
Wanless: Illinois--The size of the Fighting Illini is too much for Northwestern.
Nick: Illinois--The Fighting Illini are a surprising second place in the Big Ten, tied with Rutgers. It does feel like a game Illinois will lose, but talent wise they just have such an advantage against a depleted Northwestern team.
Sam: Illinois-- I feel like this is a game Illinois will somehow find a way to lose. But, I will still pick them to win by virtue of having Ayo and being at home.
Zach: Illinois- Northwestern is struggling with injuries and just in general. Illinois at home, covering the 11.5
9-Gonzaga vs BYU
Wanless: Gonzaga--The Zags are rolling after throttling Santa Clara. Gonzaga playing high level hoops and living up to their #1 ranking.
Nick: Gonzaga--The Zags are the best team in college basketball. Another easy conference W.
Sam: Gonzaga-- With Yoeli Childs out, BYU doesn’t stand much of a chance on the road in this one.
Zach: Gonzaga- Don’t see this being much of a game at The Kennel
10-Florida vs Auburn
Wanless: Auburn
Nick: Florida--The Gators have disappointed this season, but they still have some talent on this roster. This is their chance to assert that they are still an NCAA Tournament team and a force to be reckoned with in the SEC, the worst Power 6 conference by far.
Sam: Auburn-- SEC is garbage
Zach: Auburn- Agree that the SEC is garbage, but Auburn will bounce back in a big way after the blowout loss to Alabama
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