TSR 1/20/20 CBB Picks

Weekend Takeaways

1-A shoutout to our two guest pickers this weekend in Paul Wanless and Paul Nixon. It was a record setting day on Sunday, as Coach Nixon was a perfect 10-0 with his picks!

2-Speaking of undefeated marks, Rutgers remains undefeated at the RAC. They are a perfect 13-0 at the RAC this season. The teams that remain on their home slate are Nebraska, Purdue, Northwestern, Illinois, Michigan and Maryland. It could be 16-0 heading into the final three games of their home campaign. It’s also remarkable that 13 of their first 18 games have been at home. This is an NCAA Tournament team.

3-Our Big Ten Power Rankings are available for this week’s action. Who finished in the top spot? There were some major shakeups after a big week of action.

Sunday Games

1-West Virginia vs Texas (7:00, ESPNU)

Nick: West Virginia--Both teams lost to the state of Kansas this weekend, with West Virginia suffering a shocking upset against Kansas State. Mountaineers bounce back with a home win.

Sam: West Virginia-- Bob Huggins doing a tremendous job with the Mountaineers this year.

Zach: West Virginia- The Mountaineers are putting together a remarkable season compared to the preseason expectations coming off of last year. Cue Country Roads at the Coliseum 

2-Baylor vs Oklahoma (9:00, ESPN)

Nick: Baylor--This is a truly elite team, while Oklahoma has so many struggles. Jared Butler may be the biggest snub off of the Wooden Award finalist list.

Sam: Baylor-- Could very well be the best team in the nation

Zach: Baylor- I haven’t completely bought into the Bears, but they should have no problem with Oklahoma

3-Old Dominion vs Charlotte (4:00, ESPN+)

Nick: Old Dominion--All hail the Monarchs. The school produced the best pitcher in baseball the last fifteen years, Justin Verlander. Here's to hoping he returns to Detroit to close out his career now that the Astros cheating scandal may derail that franchise.

Sam: Charlotte

Zach: Old Dominion

4-Colgate vs Bucknell (7:00, CBSSN)

Nick: Colgate--The Raiders have one of the best players in any of the one-bid leagues in Rapolas Ivanauskas. Joined by Jordan Burns, this team is in first place in the Patriot League for a reason. Expect them to make noise in March, similar to last season when they took Tennessee to the brink in the first round.

Sam: Colgate

Zach: Colgate

5-Virginia vs NC State (7:00, ESPN)

Nick: NC State--Virginia has MAJOR offensive issues. The Wolfpack keep the slide going for Virginia, who have KenPom's 232nd ranked offense along with their 2nd ranked defense.

Sam: Virginia-- Can’t be too confident in this one.. The Hoos simply cannot score.

Zach: Virginia- They are winning only because it is at home, if this was flipped, NC State wins

6- Grambling vs Texas Southern 8:30

Nick: Texas Southern

Sam: Texas Southern

Zach: Grambling- I’ll be repping my shirt for this thriller

7-Portland State vs Weber State 10:00

Nick: Portland State--No Damien Lillard, no win for Weber.

Sam: Portland State

Zach: Portland State

8-Longwood vs UNC-Asheville 7:00

Nick: UNC-Asheville

Sam: UNC-Asheville

Zach: UNC-Asheville

9-Robert Morris vs Sacred Heart 5:00

Nick: Robert Morris--Michigan State ICON Braden Burke once donned the Colonials uniform!

Sam: Sacred Heart

Zach: Robert Morris

10-North Texas vs Rice 8:00

Nick: North Texas--The Mean Green are the team to beat this year in the C-USA, which would put them as the favorite for their first NCAA bid since 2010.

Sam: North Texas

Zach: North Texas