TSR 1/6/20 CBB Picks

Takeaways

1-Cassius Winston and the Michigan State Spartans showed why they were #1 in the preseason in their victory over Michigan on Sunday afternoon. Behind 32 points from Winston, the Spartans are now 4-0 in league play and they maintain a 1.5 game lead in conference play. In this game, Winston showed why he is a strong candidate for Player of the Year both in the Big Ten and nationally.

2-Daniel Oturu is an absolute monster in the post for Minnesota. He dominated Northwestern on Sunday night, finishing with 19 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks. It was his ninth double-double in fourteen games for the Gophers this season.

3-Buzzer Beater of the day goes to Milwaukee’s Te’Jon Lucas. He scored 19 points in this game, with no two bigger than his layup to give the Panthers a huge league victory. MKE swept this weekend’s action to move to 2-2 in Horizon League play.

TODAY’S GAMES

Game 1: Oklahoma State vs West Virginia (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: West Virginia--This Mountaineers team is one of the best defensive teams in the country, ranking 5th in KenPom’s adjusted defense. While Gallagher-Iba is a tough place to play, I think that Bob Huggins’ bunch is proving they are a real Big 12 contender. 

Sam: West Virginia

Zach: West Virginia- Favored by one, they cover and then some

Game 2: Coastal Carolina vs UL Monroe (7:00, ESPN+)

Nick: Coastal Carolina--This is an intriguing game of clashing styles, as the Chanticleers love to push the basketball, while UL Monroe prefers a slower style of basketball. 

Sam: Coastal Carolina

Zach: Coastal Carolina

Game 3: Army vs Colgate (7:00, CBSSN)

Nick: Colgate--Although this game is in West Point, I like Rapolas Ivanauskas’ ability to score and rebound the basketball. 

Sam: Army

Zach: Colgate

Game 4: Little Rock vs Georgia Southern (7:30, ESPN+)

Nick: Little Rock

Sam: Little Rock

Zach:Little Rock

Game 5: Texas State vs Troy (8:00, ESPN+)

Nick: Texas State--The Bobcats had the toughest non-conference schedule in the Sun Belt, a large reason why they did not have a shiny non-conference record. This will prepare them for league play, including this home game against Troy.

Sam: Texas State

Zach: Texas State

Game 6: UT Arlington vs S.Alabama (8:00, ESPN+)

Nick: UT Arlington

Sam: South Alabama

Zach: UT Arlington

Game 7: Texas Southern vs Alcorn State (8:30)

Nick: Texas Southern--Alcorn State has four wins, all against non-D1 teams. This leads me to believe that the Tigers should have zero problem winning this game at home.

Sam: Texas Southern

Zach: Texas Southern

Game 8: Prairie View A&M vs Southern (9:00, ESPNU)

Nick: Prairie View A&M--The Panthers have won 18 straight home games. Make it 19, as the defending champs begin their march back to March Madness.

Sam: Prairie View A&M

Zach: Prairie View A&M

Game 9: Coppin State vs Norfolk State (7:30)

Nick: Norfolk State--This game should be a great back and forth affair between two teams that could certainly contend in the MEAC race. We will go with the Spartans in a close one.

Sam: Norfolk 

Zach: Coppin State

Game 10: North Carolina A&T vs Florida A&M (7:30)

Nick: NC A&T--The Rattlers did just beat Iowa State, but I think that that was a major fluke. North Carolina A&T defends their home turf.

Sam: Florida A&M

Zach:NC A&T

Upsets: 

Nick: South Carolina State over Morgan State (+5.5)

Sam: Alabama State over Grambling State (+8)

Zach: Howard over Bethune Cookman (+8.5)