TSR 2/2/20 CBB Picks w/ Guest Picker Nick LoMonaco

On Saturdays and Sundays for the remainder of the college basketball season, the TSR team is going to add guest pickers to our usual daily selections. They will be on the Guest Pick Standings page on the menu of our website. Our next guest picker is a former Caledonia High School player, as well as a former Alma Scots guard, Nick LoMonaco.

1. What was the most memorable game that you played in throughout your career at Alma? 

None of the games I played in were all that memorable, but one that stood out for the program was a home game vs Hope during the 2016 run. Hope was tremendous that year and it had been around 15 years since Alma had beaten Hope. It was a tight game down to the end when Alma was able to pull it out. The energy in the gym was great with a strong crowd from both teams.

2. You were a part of the basketball program during Alma's 2016 Elite 8 run. What was that like? 

It was great and super exciting. It had never been done before so every game that the team moved on, the stakes got even higher which amped people up even more. The whole college and student body really got behind the team and supported them throughout the whole season.

3. Who was your biggest rival in the MIAA?

Albion historically has been, but Hope and Calvin are always big for basketball. Their tradition, success, and tough arenas always make their games the easiest to get excited about.

4. What was your favorite road environment to play in? 

Hope College, although Calvin University is close. Always a lot of people and great energy.

5. The regular season is a two-team race, but who wins the MIAA Tournament this year?

Alma College, senior-led team with great young talent and a hungry coaching staff.

6. Let's backtrack to high school. What was your most memorable game at Caledonia? 

Home game vs South Christian my junior year. Great crowd, crosstown rivalry and a tight game down to the wire that we ended up winning at the end.

7. Who was the best player that you faced during your career? 

It's a toss up between Drake Harris and Xavier Tillman. Both were fantastic and unbelievably hard to guard based on their athleticism and talent.

8. What are you up to now career wise?

I work as an Investment Analyst for OAPC, a private equity firm in Grand Rapids.

9. Are you coaching or staying involved in basketball in any capacity now?

I am. Currently I coach a Cal Thunder 4th Grade boys team with my former varsity coach Todd Bloemers. It is a lot of fun and awesome seeing each kid get better every week.

10. Finally, favorite college basketball player, past or present? 

JJ Redick. Have been a fan of his since the early 2000s and always loved how he played the game. His shooting and ability to play big in big moments was incredible and continues to be today.

SUNDAY'S GAMES

1. Iowa vs Illinois (1:00, FS1)

Nick L: Iowa--Luka Garza is too much to handle for the young Illini frontcourt that is prone to foul trouble.

Nick: Illinois--This is starting to feel like a team of destiny in the Big Ten this season. A road win here would go a long way in validating that.

Sam: Illinois--Illini have already proven their worth on the road in the Big Ten this season, and it’ll mean that much more knowing they have sole possession of first place with a win

Zach: Iowa- Garza vs Cockburn down low is the matchup to watch, but I believe that the surrounding cast for Iowa is much better. The game is also at Carver-Hawkeye

2. UCLA vs Utah (3:00)

Nick L: Utah--The recent departure of Shareef O’Neal will hurt the Bruins.

Nick: Utah--Mick Cronin’s bunch is riding the struggle bus this season. As Dorothy once said, “I have a feeling this isn’t Cincinnati anymore..”

Sam: Utah

Zach: UCLA- Shareef O’Neal departing has no effect on the game, other than having to play the next man up. He averaged 2.2 points in 10.2 minutes, and this game is at Pauley which helps more than hurts. 

3. St. John’s vs Georgetown (1:00, CBS)

Nick L: St. John’s--The bright lights of Madison Square Garden are too much for the young Hoyas.

Nick: Georgetown--Mac McClung is the star for Georgetown, and he gives the fans a preview of his ability to play ball in the MSG with the Big East Tournament about a month away.

Sam: St John’s--This team has played better over the last six games, save for the tough game against Villanova. The Red Storm are due for a win, and here it is.

Zach: Georgetown- Mac McClung and Omer Yurtseven overmatch the Red Storm at MSG

4. Pittsburgh vs Miami FL (12:00, ACC)

Nick L: Pittsburgh

Nick: Miami FL--Jeff Capel will still be rattled after the “hostile words” that the Duke student section unleashed on him this past week, that prompted an epic Coach K explosion.

Sam: Pittsburgh

Zach: Pittsburgh

5. Milwaukee vs Northern Kentucky (2:00, ESPN+)

Nick L: Milwaukee

Nick: Milwaukee--This is a big chance for both teams in the hunt for a good seed in the Horizon League Tournament. Te’Jon Lucas has the Big Ten experience, and it shows in this victory.

Sam: Northern Kentucky--The Norse take down the Panthers.

Zach: Northern Kentucky

6. Duquesne vs La Salle (2:00, ESPN+)

Nick L: La Salle

Nick: Duquesne--A shoutout to Duquesne assistant coach Charles Thomas’ son Carter and the Caledonia boys basketball team. Phil Visser’s bunch is on a four-game winning streak, the program’s longest since 2011-12. As a proud alum, Go Scots.

Sam: Duquesne

Zach: Duquesne

7. Omaha vs South Dakota (1:00, ESPN3)

Nick L: Omaha

Nick: Omaha--Shoutout to Donald and Taylor, my favorite Nebraskans. Go Mavs. On a side note, I wish that they were still in the same hockey conference as Michigan State. Long live the CCHA.

Sam: South Dakota--The southern of the two Dakotas’ flagship state school gets the victory.

Zach: South Dakota- Tyler Hagedorn is averaging 19 points and 7 rebounds this season and he is enough to push the Coyotes over the Mavericks

8. Monmouth vs Rider (1:00, ESPN+)

Nick L: Rider

Nick: Monmouth--The Bench Mob lives on.

Sam: Monmouth--I loved that bench mob, that team got squeezed out of the NCAA Tournament.

Zach: Monmouth

9. Green Bay vs Wright State (2:00, ESPN+)

Nick L: Wright State--The Green Bay players, coaches and fans will be too busy thinking about what could have been their Super Bowl Sunday to stay checked in against the hot Wright State team.

Nick: Wright State--Nick is on it, Wright State is a fantastic basketball team. Raiders big.

Sam: Wright State

Zach: Wright State- I like what LoMonaco said

10. Super Bowl 54--Chiefs vs 49ers (6:30, FOX)

Nick L: Chiefs--Patrick Mahomes and the air attack of the Chiefs will put up too many points for the 49ers to keep pace.

Nick: Chiefs--Did you know that the 49ers have the best Super Bowl winning percentage for any team that has played in at least two Super Bowls (83.3%)? This number will lower as the Chiefs have the most dynamic offense in recent memory. Get Andy Reid his Super Bowl.

Sam: 49ers--I really want the Chiefs to win, but for whatever reason, I really can’t see it happening. The defense and run game of San Francisco gets it done. That being said, nothing would warm my heart more than to see Andy Reid hosting the Lombardi Trophy. 

Zach: Chiefs- I am just gonna claim credit for calling Patrick Mahomes’ greatness before he became what he is now. Ask Eric or Nick, they know….