TSR 2/11/20 CBB Picks

Other Links on Our Page!

1- Make sure to look at the latest rankings on our website. Eric joined the team for the Big Ten Power Rankings this morning.

2- Did you know we also rank the NCAA, but unlike the Top 25, we break the teams into three tiers based on conference affiliation. We have the latest sets of Great 8's on our site, posted yesterday.

3- Ever wonder how accurate we are at picking? Click on our College Basketball Pick Standings tab to find out!

4-Our guest pickers each weekend are also tracked, and they can be found on our Guest Pick Standings page.

TODAY’S GAMES

1. Purdue vs Penn State (6:30, BTN)

Nick: Purdue- It’s hard to pick against the Boilermakers in Mackey, a place that they seem to play fantastic in each night, no matter who they face. Penn State is a fantastic team, but I just can’t get the images of Mackey blowouts out of my head.

Sam: Purdue-- The Nittany Lions are so for real but it’s still tough to pick against the Boilers in Mackey. Trevion Williams has emerged as one of the best bigs in the conference.

Zach: Purdue- The roller coaster of a year continues tonight as they play the 13th ranked team in the lad. Fortunately for the Boilermakers, this game is at Mackey, and that is why they will win.

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

Nick: Maryland- The Terps are now the front-runners in the Big Ten. I don’t think they’ll let that opportunity go in a home game against Nebraska. Hoiberg’s Heroes struggle in this game.

Sam: Maryland-- Not close

Zach: Maryland- Best team in the Big Ten plays arguably the worst, this won’t even be close

3. Illinois vs Michigan State (9:00, ESPN)

Nick: Illinois- The Spartans are reeling, losing three straight games. They have struggled tremendously on the road this year, spotting teams 15+ points on a routine basis. To make matters worse, it always seems that Michigan State plays their worst game of the season when they have to make a 9:00 Tuesday night trip to Champaign...and look what we have here...

Sam: Michigan State-- I’m with Z… The Illini have dropped 2 of 3 and have lost a bit of the luster. And people fail to realize that yes, MSU has lost 3 straight, but to very good teams. Wisco and UM are both tourney teams and pair that for being on the road, those are tough. And Penn State is a damn good team. I think the Spartans bounce back.

Zach: Michigan State- Has this team dropped three in a row? Yes. Do they ever play well in Champaign? No. Will they lose? Probably. I picked the Illini when they came to East Lansing, and I felt confident in that, and well, I was very wrong. Michigan State fans need to calm down. As it is right now, this team is still really good and a lock for the NCAA tournament, and yes, that could all change really fast. This game is a huge game for the Spartans to get back on track and get some momentum going down the stretch.

4. Vanderbilt vs Kentucky (7:00, ESPN)

Nick: Kentucky- Though the Commodores upset LSU last week, they won’t do it again. A shoutout to Memorial Gym though, it is definitely high on my bucket list of places I would like to see a game.

Sam: Kentucky

Zach: Kentucky- Vanderbilt had their fun for the year, it’s over now

5. Tennessee vs Arkansas (7:00, SEC)

Nick: Arkansas- Eric Mussleman is quietly putting together a pretty solid first season in Fayettevile. The Razorbacks are 16-7, but they need to improve that 4-6 conference record to get into any legitimate bubble position. The good thing for them is that there are plenty of opportunities to get good victories, and some see a victory at Tennessee as just that.

Sam: Tennessee-- Razorbacks have been trending downward

Zach: Tennessee- Mason Jones vs Jordan Bowden is the matchup to watch in this game, and I like Bowden and the Vols at home.

6. Syracuse vs NC State (7:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Syracuse- It’s 33 days from Selection Sunday, which means it’s time for the typical late season surge for the Orange, who are currently 14-9 and 7-5 in the ACC, so that Boeheim gets into the NCAA Tournament again as an eleven seed, then follow that up with a “surprise” Sweet 16 run...On a related note, I will die on the hill that Izzo playing Ben Carter in that 2018 Second Round game was the right decision. He played tremendously in that middle zone spot, creating great shooting opportunities for our guards. If we shot any better than 17/66 from the floor or 8/37 from three, people would have applauded Izzo for seeing that the experienced player was the right decision on the floor. JJJ never seemed to understand his purpose in that role during that game, and so Tom made the right move.

Sam: NC State

Zach: Syracuse- The Orange have been playing really good basketball as of late and that will continue for this game and many to follow. At 4.5 back, they won’t win the league, but they could make some noise in the tournament and follow that up to a few wins the the NCAA. Also yes, Nick is right and everyone is just mad we lost with a future NBA star sitting on the bench. Yeah, I am too, but he made the right call.

7. Dayton vs Rhode Island (7:30, CBSSN)

Nick: Dayton- This is the biggest conference challenge for the Flyers, as the Rams are in the at-large discussion for the NCAA Tournament, and they also are only one game back in the Atlantic 10 standings. Obi Toppin continues his National Player of the Year campaign in this one, as the #6 Dayton Flyers get a big win.

Sam: Dayton-- Amped for this game. People talk about Toppin and rightfully so, but Dayton has a ton of weapons. Jalen Crutcher is a great guard who can really fill it up and defend, and Michigan transfer Ibi Watson is one of if not the best sixth man in the country.

Zach: Dayton

8. Wake Forest vs North Carolina (8:00, ACC)

Nick: North Carolina- That crushing loss on Saturday would wreck most team’s seasons, but when you’re 10-13 already, it’s already over. Thankfully, they’re playing Wake Forest in the bounceback game.

Sam: UNC

Zach: Wake Forest- What an absolute joke of a loss to Duke for UNC...I see negative aftermath coming

9. LSU vs Missouri (9:00, SEC)

Nick: LSU- This team is in a three-way tie for the SEC lead, with Auburn and Kentucky sharing the top spot. If this team wants to win back-to-back SEC titles, this is a game that you absolutely need to win. 

Sam: LSU

Zach: LSU

10. Virginia vs Notre Dame (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Virginia- The wheels falling off at Virginia in the early season was quite an over exaggeration. The Hoos are 15-7, 7-5 in the ACC and almost certainly poised for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Now are they title contenders and a #1 seed like last year? Oh not even close, but their style of play will be hard to prepare for in the quick weekend turnaround format that you see during March Madness, so they can easily be a second weekend team.

Sam: Virginia-- To be fair, UVA lost a ton of production in the form of 3 NBA players. Tony Bennett will figure it out.

Zach: Virginia- What a letdown for the Hoos and their fans this season coming off of their Natty run, they will win over a solid ND team, led by John Mooney. Plus this game is at JPJ, and well, JPJ is a dog (the arena is cool too)