TSR 2/19/20 CBB Picks

Yesterday's Results (Link)

Nick 9-1 (Season: 648-305)

Sam 9-1 (Season: 667-286) Zach 7-3 (Season: 692-261) TODAY’S GAMES

1. Rutgers vs Michigan (7:00, BTN)

Nick: Rutgers- This really seems like a game that Michigan wins over the past few years, but Rutgers is undefeated at the RAC. #RACAttack until they prove me wrong.

Sam: Michigan-- Rutgers has played very poor of late, and Michigan already beat them once at MSG. If Livers is healthy, I see Michigan winning by double digits.

Zach: Rutgers- Michigan won by six points earlier at MSG, but The RAC, I believe is more than a six point difference. Rutgers stays perfect at home

2. ETSU vs Furman (7:00, ESPN+)

Nick: ETSU- This game will decide who is in the driver’s seat in the SoCon. If the Bucs win, it will go a long way on their quest for an at-large bid, which I believe they deserve at this point. Steve Forbes’ bunch gets a huge win in this game.

Sam: ETSU-- They should be in regardless of whether they win the conference tourney or not.

Zach: ETSU

3. Seton Hall vs Butler (6:30, FS1)

Nick: Seton Hall- The Pirates are feeling the pressure after the big win by Creighton last night on the road in Milwaukee. They need this victory to keep pace atop the league, and they squeak by on the shoulders of the Big East’s best player.

Sam: Seton Hall-- I just don’t think Butler is very good

Zach: Seton Hall- Big game means big performance from Myles Powell, in a much needed W for the Pirates

4. Louisville vs Syracuse (7:00, ESPN)

Nick: Louisville- The Cardinals have now lost two straight, falling to Georgia Tech and Clemson in surprising fashion. This is a dangerous game for the Ville as well, as it seems like Syracuse always kicks it into gear this time of year. I will trust that Jordan Nwora can get the job done.

Sam: Louisville-- Cards gotta bounce back somehow.

Zach: Louisville- I feel like the Cards team is a team nobody talks about anymore. They are 21-5..

5. Minnesota vs Indiana (9:00, BTN)

Nick: Minnesota- Both teams need this victory, but the Gophers need it in the worse way. They squandered a great resume boosting opportunity against Iowa on Sunday, and now they are at home against another bubble team. This is “must-win” with three weeks to play.

Sam: Minnesota

Zach: Minnesota- Daniel Oturu dominates and so do the Gophers

6.  NC State vs Duke (9:00, ESPN)

Nick: Duke- The ACC is down this season, but the Blue Devils are not. They have won seven straight games and appear to be a frontrunner for another deep tournament run. NC State on the other hand, lacks the marquee win on their resume (just 3-2 in Q1 games, with 55 UNCG as their highest ranked victory). They will not get it tonight.

Sam: Duke

Zach: Duke- As much as I wanted to pick NC State, I do not think they have the offensive firepower to score with the Blue Devils

7. Texas Tech vs Kansas State (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Texas Tech- Kansas State does not use Stockard in the way that they should, and this limits Bruce Weber’s team. All inside jokes aside, Chris Beard is an elite coach. I think that this will be the 6-10 seed that pulls off a couple of upsets to get to the Sweet 16 or beyond.

Sam: Texas Tech

Zach: Texas Tech

8. Georgetown vs Providence (8:30, FS1)

Nick: Providence- Mac McClung is a scoring machine, but Alpha Diallo is an elite player of his own accord. This was a sixteen point game earlier this year, and I don’t see it being much different.

Sam: Georgetown

Zach: Georgetown- Real question, how long has Alpha Diallo been at Providence? Seems like this is about his eighth season...

9. DePaul vs Villanova (9:00, CBSSN)

Nick: Villanova- DePaul has really fallen off of the map since they were 12-1 in the non-conference. Seven straight losses? Make it eight.

Sam: Villanova

Zach: Villanova

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

Nick: SMU- The Green Wave are building under Ron Hunter, but they aren’t there quite yet. The Mustangs are quietly 18-6 on the year and 8-4 in the AAC. They are struggling to gain steam in the metrics (SOR 56, KPI 63, NET 66, SAG 71, KenPom 75), so this is a game that they cannot lose against Q3 Tulane. 

Sam: SMU

Zach: SMU- The Mustangs lost a lot from last season, and are still having a really good one this year. At 18-6 and 1.5 games back in the AAC, they need this game to stay in the running for the league crown.