TSR 2/12/20 CBB Picks

TAKEAWAYS

1-Penn State made a statement that they are a real contender in the Big Ten title race, as well as nationally. The Nittany Lions went into Mackey Arena, a place nearly impossible to win in, and beat the Boilermakers by 12 points. As a result, Penn State remains just one game back of Maryland for first place in the league. This team has four of their final seven games at home (Northwestern, Illinois, Rutgers, Michigan State) and they will travel to Indiana, Iowa and Northwestern as well. The fact that they get the Wildcats twice, and their toughest foes at home have to leave Penn State as a serious threat for their first ever conference championship.

2-The Michigan State Spartans got a victory at Illinois on Tuesday night, and the game felt more and more like a must-win contest as it went along. Up by as many as twenty points, Michigan State blew the lead and needed a last second slam dunk by Xavier Tillman to win 70-69. In a game that felt like held the season in the palm of its hands during the waning seconds, Michigan State got a huge win to snap a three-game slide. Rocket Watts emerged as a legitimate scoring threat, and if he can produce like that, then expect Michigan State to turn this season around.

3-Another MSU, Mississippi State, felt flat on its face on Tuesday night. A team on the NCAA bubble, the Bulldogs got out to a 31-18 lead over rival Ole Miss. They then were dominated throughout the rest of the game, losing 83-58 to Kermit Davis’ Rebels. This was a game that they more than likely needed to win, but they definitely could not afford a 25 point loss. Ben Howland’s bunch has seven winnable games left during the regular season, and at 15-9, they probably need at least five of those wins to have any at-large chance headed into the SEC Tournament.

4-San Diego State’s remarkable season continues, as the Aztecs are now 25-0. With last night’s win, the #4 ranked team in the country became the first team to win their regular season conference title outright. This team is poised to make some serious noise in March.

TODAY’S GAMES

1. Seton Hall vs Creighton (5:30, FS1)

Nick: Seton Hall- The Pirates are a fantastic basketball team, and they are inching closer to their first Big East title since 1993. Winning this game over the Blue Jays will go a long way in accomplishing that goal, and I think that Myles Powell will be able to get the job done.

Sam: Seton Hall-- Big time game in the Big East. Creighton, for as good a offensive team as they traditionally are, hit some lulls on offense in recent games. Mamu being back has been massive for the Hall, and they distance themselves some more from the field with a huge W.

Zach: Seton Hall- The Pirates, at home, led by Miles Powell, expand their lead in the Big East by another game. This would be a huge win for SH and one that is needed

2. Butler vs Xavier (6:30, CBSSN)

Nick: Butler- The Bulldogs are coming off of an embarrassing blowout against Marquette, so it’s good that they will return to Hinkle on Wednesday night. Xavier has had its own share of issues this season, though they did beat Seton Hall two weeks ago, so this should be a chance for Lavall Jordan’s team to right the ship.

Sam: Butler-- Xavier has played a lot better of late, but they still can’t consistently knock down shots.

Zach: Butler- Kamar Baldwin and Hinkle Fieldhouse, such a winning combination

3. West Virginia vs Kansas (7:00, ESPN+)

Nick: Kansas- I’ll be the one to say it first..WHY IS THIS GAME ON ESPN+? The Big 12 has the worst TV deal in college basketball’s major conferences...Jayhawks win a game many people do not see.

Sam: Kansas-- Both games between WVU and Kansas this year have been on ESPN+. That’s um… DUMB

Zach: West Virginia- Last time these two teams played, was at Allen Fieldhouse and the Jayhawks squeaked out a seven point win. West Virginia’s comeback season continues and they Cue Country Roads once again

4. Ohio State vs Rutgers (7:00, BTN)

Nick: Rutgers- This game is away from the RAC, but I don’t think Ohio State will be able to take down the Scarlet Knights. Though they may have the internal advantage with the Wessons, I don’t think Ohio State will be able to contain Geo Baker and Ron Harper Jr.

Sam: Ohio State-- I just cannot trust the Scarlet Knights away from the RAC.

Zach: Ohio State- Rutgers has offensive firepower all over the place but they are not the same team as they are when at the RAC

5. Villanova vs Marquette (8:30, FS1)

Nick: Villanova- The Golden Eagles won the first meeting by 11, but they had 25 more free throw attempts than the Wildcats. Without the benefit of the Fiserv Forum officials (though I’m sure Markus Howard will be bailed out for 8 or 10 free throws), the Wildcats get this victory. 

Sam: Villanova-- Marquette has been really good lately, but I really cannot see the Wildcats losing two straight at home. Saddiq Bey has been great this season, and he’ll propel Villanova to a victory.

Zach: Villanova- Markus Howard will score a lot of points and they will still lose, we know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two...but we’re not Farmers Insurance 

6. St John’s vs Providence (8:30, CBSSN)

Nick: Providence- The injury that takes Mustapha Herron out of St John’s lineup is the absolute dagger in this team’s season. Mike Anderson’s first year has not gone well, though Chris Mullin left him with a relatively empty cupboard.

Sam:  St John’s

Zach: St Johns

7. Northwestern vs Michigan (9:00, BTN)

Nick: Michigan- The Big Ten is the league of home team winners, other than Northwestern. The weakest home court advantage in the league will probably see a heavy dose of maize and blue throughout Welsh-Ryan Arena. Michigan is also playing better with the two-headed tandem of Simpson and Livers back, as you saw on Saturday. This team will make the NCAA Tournament if they can stay healthy and away from light poles.

Sam: Michigan- Real question is whether there’s more Michigan than Northwestern fans.

Zach: Michigan- The Wolverines need this win and they’ll get this win. Northwestern is the worst home court advantage in the B1G

8. Oklahoma vs Iowa State (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Oklahoma- If the Big 12 was going to get a fifth team in the tournament, it would be the Sooners. This fact will have Lon Kruger’s bunch focused, and they win over a struggling Cyclones team.

Sam: Oklahoma

Zach: Oklahoma- Beginning of the season I said that the Sooners would complete for the conference title. Well, I was a little off but they have put together a really nice season, with a 15-8 record

9. South Florida vs Houston (9:00, ESPNU)

Nick: Houston- Kelvin Sampson keeps things rolling. The Bulls really have missed Alexis Yetna this season, the outlook of the team totally changed when he went down.

Sam: Houston

Zach: Houston- Y’all know what I say about the Cougs by now

10. Tulane vs Temple (8:00, ESPN3)

Nick: Temple- It appears as if Coach Ron Hunter will have to walk on Lake Pontchartrain when this season ends, as he promised if Tulane finished last in the AAC. Though they have improved from the horror scene that was the Mike Dunleavy era, they are two games behind UCF, Temple and ECU. 

Sam: Tulane

Zach: Temple