TSR 1/30/20 CBB Picks

TODAY’S GAMES

1. Illinois vs Minnesota (7:30, FS1)

Nick: Minnesota—Minnesota needs this win, and Oturu uses his experience to work past Kofi Cockburn. Spartans everywhere rejoice!

Sam: Illinois-- Love the matchup of Kofi and Oturu down low.This is one the Gophers could really use, but the Illini are on fire, so I can’t pick against them at home.

Zach: Illinois- Great matchup down low. Illinois at home

2. Maryland vs Iowa (8:30, BTN)

Nick: Iowa—Doubling down on Big Ten road teams, I think that Luka Garza bullies Jalen Smith down low, and the guards contain Anthony Cowan enough for Fran’s boys to pull it out.

Sam: Maryland-- I was very tempted to pick Iowa here

Zach: Maryland- Garza will get his own but I like the Terps in every other matchup on the floor

3. Washington vs Arizona (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Arizona—Eventually they have to win their first conference game on the road. That night is tonight.

Sam: Washington-- The Huskies have been falling apart, but Arizona has really struggled away from the Mckale center.

Zach: Arizona- The Wildcats are still a pretty solid team even though they haven’t reached expectations this season

4. UCLA vs Colorado (11:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Colorado

Sam: Colorado

Zach: Colorado

5. Stanford vs Oregon State (11:00, PAC12)

Nick: Stanford—Underrated matchup most people won’t see, thanks to Pac12 network.

Sam: Stanford

Zach: Stanford

6. BYU vs Pepperdine (8:30, CBSSN)

Nick: BYU—Cougars need this win to keep their at-large hopes alive, which surprisingly do exist with their high KenPom ranking.

Sam: BYU

Zach: BYU

7. Santa Clara vs Gonzaga (10:30, CBSSN)

Nick: Gonzaga—In a year where the WCC’s teams below the top 3 have improved, it won’t show as much because the Zags are that much better too. Blowout on the road.

Sam: Gonzaga

Zach: Gonzaga

8. Tennessee Tech vs Belmont (8:00, ESPNU)

Nick: Belmont—Long live Rick Byrd (I know he retired).

Sam: Belmont

Zach: Belmont

9. California vs Oregon (9:00, PAC12)

Nick: Oregon—Payton Pritchard.

Sam: Oregon

Zach: Oregon

10. Presbyterian vs South Carolina Upstate (7:00, ESPNU)

Nick: USC Upstate—Spartans over the Blue Hose, which may be one of the weirdest nicknames in hoops.

Sam: Presbyterian

Zach: Presbyterian