TSR 2/25/20 CBB Picks

YESTERDAY'S PICKS

Sam 8-2 (Record: 710-303) Zach 8-2 (Record: 733-280) Nick 6-4 (Record: 689-324) TODAY’S GAMES

1. Michigan State vs Iowa (7:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Michigan State- This is a big game for both teams, as they are in contention for a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament. With this being the lone matchup this season, the tiebreaker implications could be huge as well. The interior battle for Michigan State against Luka Garza will be tough, but Xavier Tillman and company have shown they can be successful thus far. In the backcourt, Cassius Winston is the best player on the floor. The “X-Factors” of Gabe Brown and Aaron Henry will need to step up once again to ensure victory.

Sam: Michigan State--Quite simply, Iowa isn’t very good at defense or playing on the road. I think MSU showed they can have other guys step up in that victory over Nebraska, and I think Gabe Brown will again. If CJ Frederick is still out for Iowa, that will make this very tough. Luka Garza will certainly get his, but I also think Tillman is a tremendous low post defender. Spartans get it done at home.

Zach: Michigan State- If Michigan State can get the production from Gabe Brown and Kyle Ahrens that they got in the Nebraska game, then there is no reason that they can’t make a deep run. Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Like noted above, this game is very important in Big Ten tournament implications and in the race for the league crown, as these two teams as well as three others are two games back of the leader. Luka Garza is a tough matchup for everyone, but Xavier Tillman might be the next best big man in a league that is filled with them. This will be a great interior matchup that may decide the game itself.

2. Texas A&M vs Kentucky (7:00, ESPN)

Nick: Kentucky- The Wildcats are surging, winning their last six games. The play of Immanuel Quickley as of late has shown the true heights that this team can reach.

Sam: Kentucky-- Wildcats are gonna run through this awful conference.

Zach: Kentucky

3. Wake Forest vs Duke (7:00, ACC)

Nick: Duke- Danny Manning has pulled off miracles (1988 National Championship), but even he won’t be able to lift them to victory over Duke. The Blue Devils are simply too good.

Sam: Duke

Zach: Duke

4. Baylor vs Kansas State (8:00, ESPN+)

Nick: Baylor- The Bears will be hungry after losing to the other Sunflower State team at home on Saturday. They will not let it happen twice in a row, as K State is simply not good.

Sam: Baylor

Zach: Baylor

5. Xavier vs DePaul (7:00, CBSSN)

Nick: Xavier- DePaul finally got off the losing skid on Saturday, but it will be short lived. With the Musketeers on the extreme fringe of the NCAA Tournament bubble, they will get this victory. DePaul was a fun story in the non-conference slate, much like Rutgers is trying to become as of late...

Sam: Xavier-- Pantelis Xidias better be ready to shave his head(link that tweet here)

Zach: Xavier- Remember when DePaul was 12-1, yeah they are now 14-13

6.  Oklahoma vs Texas Tech (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Texas Tech- The Red Raiders are on a two-game winning streak, and they will try to assert themselves as the true third team in this league. Chris Beard has his team playing well at this point in the season once again.

Sam: Texas Tech-- Oklahoma is squarely on the bubble and definitely needs this one, but I don’t see Chris Beard’s squad dropping this one.

Zach: Texas Tech- The Red Raiders have won five of their last six and are back in the Top 25. Chris Beard is having his team playing great basketball in the end of the season, and that is what you want.

7. Auburn vs Ole Miss (7:00, SEC)

Nick: Auburn- The Tigers are still an overlooked 23-4 team, but they have another shot at Kentucky this weekend. Assuming they don’t look past Kermit Davis’ Rebels, they will move to 16-0 at home with the biggest test set to arrive.

Sam: Auburn-- Auburn lost at Georgia last week, which isn’t a very good thing. Regardless, they are still far and away the second best team in the conference.

Zach: Auburn- The Tigers need this game to remain in contention for the SEC, and they are just the better team, flat out.

8. North Carolina vs NC State (9:00, ESPN)

Nick: North Carolina- The Wolfpack lost to UNC when they were playing at home, is it possible that the Tar Heels are still better than NC State in a down year? 

Sam: North Carolina State-- Like I said last week, UNC is certainly following the saying I made up: “Bad teams just find ways to lose games.”

Zach: North Carolina- UNC has got to win some games down the stretch, right?

9. SMU vs Memphis (9:00, CBSSN)

Nick: Memphis- The Tigers are coming off an emotional win against Houston on Saturday, their second in a row. A 19-8 team that is hanging on by a thread to any hope to make the NCAA Tournament, this is a road win that they need. A Quad 2 road victory could boost the resume, but the Quad 2 loss may hurt it even more.

Sam: SMU-- Penny wanted all the smoke, and now they’re getting it. I just don’t think Memphis is good enough to win this game, especially away from home.

Zach: SMU- Kendric Davis is having a real breakout season for the Mustangs, and Moody Coliseum is a great venue

10. Bowling Green vs Akron (7:00, ESPN+)

Nick: Bowling Green- The last time these two played, it was a blowout win for the Zips. I find it hard to believe that they complete the season sweep, especially with the recent play of Justin Turner, a phenomenal basketball player out of Detroit. 

Sam: Akron-- Anyone remember the John Groce era at Illinois? Yeah, he coaches Akron now.

Zach: Akron