TSR 2/24/20 CBB Picks

Weekend Recap

1-A shoutout to our two guest pickers for the weekend for a fantastic job done. Chris Castellani provided some great Tigers insight in addition with his picks. Then on Sunday, Todd Bloemers reflected on his time at Caledonia and Hope College, before giving his picks. Check out how they did, as well as all of our guest pickers, on the Guest Pick Standings page.

2-We also have our latest B1G Power Rankings. There is no longer a consensus at the top, as one of our voters went rogue. In fact, in this crazy league, there is no consensus anywhere. Check out what the four of us (Eric included) drew up for our Big Ten Power Rankings.

TODAY’S GAMES

1. Florida State vs Louisville (7:00, ESPN)

Nick: Louisville- This is the opportunity for Florida State to prove their worth as a legitimate contender in the ACC and nationally this season. It is also a game that Leonard Hamilton has repeatedly lost throughout his career. I don’t see this changing, as Jordan Nwora carries the Cards to victory on the road.

Sam: Florida State-- Noles already beat Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center, and they’ll do it again at home. The Noles are legitimately deep and can beat you with so many different guys. I think one of Devin Vassel, Trent Forrest, or MJ Walker has a huge game propelling FSU to a big win.

Zach: Florida State- This game directly impacts the ACC championship as it is a three team race between these two and Duke. Louisville is atop the standings 0.5 games ahead. I like the Noles in a real close, hard fought game. This Florida State team might be the biggest surprise in college basketball outside of the Big Ten, because well, Penn State and Rutgers

2. Texas vs West Virginia (7:00, ESPNU)

Nick: West Virginia- Shaka Smart’s last days appear to be upon us as the head coach for the Longhorns, especially if they really can obtain the interest of John Belien. Against John’s old team, the Mountaineers, this game goes horribly bad for UT-Austin.

Sam: West Virginia-- Mountaineers have really struggled, but Texas is awwful. Gotta think Luke Yaklich regrets leaving Michigan.

Zach: West Virginia- Texas bad, West Virginia good. Pretty easy pick, even with the Mountaineers on the road.

3. Illinois vs Nebraska (8:00, BTN)

Nick: Illinois- The Fighting Illini are still in the hunt for a double-bye, a remarkable turnaround from the past few seasons. I like Ayo Dosunmu as one of my contenders for my All-Big Ten first team (which we will release at the end of the regular season). He is a real difference maker for this team, although he won’t be counted on to make big plays against the Huskers tonight. 

Sam: Illinois-- For all the love Fred Hoiberg gets as a coach, I’ve been super unimpressed with the way Nebraska plays. They don’t defend very hard and run almost zero offense. They have no one to guard Kofi Cockburn, and he’ll dominate down low.

Zach: Illinois- Illinois is coming off of their biggest win of the season against Penn State, never thought I’d say that…, but this game is significantly easier for the Illini as they go against the bottom of the league

4. Kansas vs Oklahoma State (9:00, ESPN)

Nick: Kansas- Oklahoma State is having an abnormally bad season this year, and Kansas is climbing up to the top spot in the country. This has mismatch written all over it, especially since the Jayhawks are the home team.

Sam: Kansas-- Big 12= Not good besides Baylor and Kansas

Zach: Kansas- Allen Fieldhouse has been an impossible place to win this season, except for the number one team in the country….except now Kansas is going to be number one after the got their revenge of the lone home loss against Baylor this weekend

5. Gardner-Webb vs Hampton (7:00, ESPN+)

Nick: Hampton- The Pirates have two of the nation’s top ten scorers in Jermaine Marrow (24.2 PPG, 3rd nationally) and Benjamin Stanley (22.3 PPG, 8th nationally). This explosive offense should be enough to win this game for third place in the Big South standings.

Sam: Gardner Webb-- Chris Holttman!

Zach: Gardner-Webb-- The Bulldogs hold an eight point lead at the half, and look for Jose Perez to keep his hot scoring going, including the 19 of the team’s 39 in this game

6.  Mississippi Valley State vs Prairie View A&M (8:30)

Nick: Prairie View A&M- If the Delta Devils had Jerry Rice in this game, they still wouldn’t be able to keep it within the 19 point game that they played last time.

Sam: Prairie View A&M

Zach: Prairie View A&M

7. Alabama State vs Alcorn State (8:30)

Nick: Alcorn State- The Braves have had a strong season, their best since 2016-17. With enough momentum, perhaps they could play in the SWAC Championship game for their first spot in the NCAA Tournament since 2002. Or maybe they will just be able to beat the Hornets...

Sam: Alcorn State

Zach: Alabama State

8. Bethune-Cookman vs Norfolk State (7:30)

Nick: Norfolk State- Did you know that these two teams met in the 1965 NCAA Division II Tournament’s Regional 3rd Place Game, when the Spartans won 91-74? Similar result on Monday night.

Sam: Norfolk State

Zach: Bethune Cookman

9. NC Central vs Howard (7:30)

Nick: NC Central- The Eagles are back where they belong, atop the MEAC (well a half game back, but still). Howard on the other hand, is 2-25, on a fifteen game losing streak, and their only wins have come against Hampton and Regent...

Sam: NC Central

Zach: NC Central- Howard has two wins on the year...

10. Florida A&M vs South Carolina State (8:00)

Nick: Florida A&M- The Rattlers beat Iowa State this year! Surely they can handle South Carolina State, as the Bulldogs don’t play at a Big 12 level. I suppose that the Cyclones don’t play at one though either...

Sam: Florida A&M

Zach: Florida A&M