TSR 2/26/20 CBB Picks

YESTERDAY'S PICKS

Nick 7-3 (Season: 696-327)

Zach 7-3 (Season: 740-283)

Sam 6-4 (Season: 716-307)

TODAY’S GAMES

1. Villanova vs St. John’s (6:30, FS1)

Nick: Villanova- The Johnnies have been hurting since the injury to Mustapha Heron, and Villanova has been picking up their game as of late. The Wildcats need this win to keep pace in the three-team Big East title race.

Sam: Villanova-- Cats need this one to stay in the Big East race. I think St John’s has had a solid year one under Mike Anderson, but they aren’t ready to go win on the road against a good team.

Zach: Villanova- The Wildcats should have zero issues in this game at home

2. Penn State vs Rutgers (7:00, BTN)

Nick: Penn State- Rutgers needs a resume-boost in the worst of ways, but I don’t see it happening in State College on Wednesday. Penn State has been playing great basketball all season, and I’m not sure Rutgers has an answer for Lamar Stevens.

Sam: Penn State-- Rutgers needs to win, or else they are in serious danger of making the tourney. Unfortunately for them, it comes on the road, where they’ve won only once all year(at Nebraska). If Myeron Jones is back for PSU, I like them by double digits. If not, they still win.

Zach: Penn State- Patrick Chambers’ squad needs this game to stay at pace and to get back on track. I see a double digit win for the 16th ranked Nittany Lions

3. Minnesota vs Maryland (9:00, BTN)

Nick: Maryland- This could be the same write-up that I just posted for Rutgers. The Gophers need a win so bad, but they don’t have the horses to defeat Maryland. Daniel Oturu can match up with Jalen Smith, but Anthony Cowan and Aaron Wiggins are a backcourt duo that Minnesota will struggle to contain.

Sam: Maryland-- I’m incredibly pumped up to see Oturu vs Smith. I just don’t think Minnesota has enough offense. Outside of Carr and Oturu, Minny doesn’t have a guy you can trust to get you a bucket.

Zach: Minnesota- The Gophers are always tough at the barn, and the Terps are less than .500 on the road. In what will be a very hard fought game, the Gophers will hand Maryland a second straight loss going into a huge game Saturday

4. Marquette vs Georgetown (8:30, FS1)

Nick: Marquette- The Golden Eagles have dropped three straight, so they could use a bounce back game with the Hoyas coming into town a bit banged up. With Mac McClung limited or inactive due to injury, this team loses its most dynamic scorer. I’ll take Markus Howard and company in this game to complete the season sweep.

Sam: Marquette-- I actually think Georgetown is better without Mcclung, but not good enough to go on the road and beat the fighting Markus Howard’s.

Zach: Marquette- If Marquette can get the GOAT Red Panda to perform at halftime, they can win this game. I wonder what her record is for home teams

5. UNC Greensboro vs Furman (7:00, ESPN+)

Nick: UNCG- This is a big game in the SoCon, with the two-seed on the line, and even an outside shot at a share of the SoCon regular season title (both trail ETSU by 1 game). This game was close in Spartanburg, so I will take Wes Miller’s Spartans at home.

Sam: UNCG-- I just read a great piece on the athletic about Wes Miller. Great coach taking that program to great heights. Love the SOCON!!

Zach: UNCG- G won the matchup in Greenville, so I think they’ll win again at home. Two bid SoCon?

6.  Arkansas vs Tennessee (8:30, SEC)

Nick: Arkansas- Eric Musselman’s Razorbacks have been a consistent stronghold at home this year, with a 12-4 record. Tennessee has struggled away from home with a 3-6 true road record, so I will take #WPS for the win.

Sam: Arkansas-- I don’t know why some brackets still have the Razorbacks in, but if that’s the case, they certainly need this one. Not having Isaiah Joe has really hurt them, but I still like WPS at home.

Zach: Arkansas- The Razorbacks are still a difficult team to read, and it will be interesting to see if they get invited to the dance. This is a big game and a must win for their case

7. Florida vs LSU (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: LSU- The Tigers are a solid team this year, and they pose a threat in the SEC Tournament. This has all of the makings of a second weekend team once again, and they complete the season sweep of the Gators.

Sam: Florida-- I don’t think LSU really is all that good, so I cannot trust it on the road. Florida seems to be peaking at the right time, and Keyontae Johnson reminds me so much of PJ Tucker.

Zach: Florida- Despite the close loss to Kentucky, the Gators are playing really good ball this month and this is a really big home game for the Gators

8. UCONN vs UCF (7:00, ESPNU)

Nick: UCF- I am doubling down on my #NeverUCONN stance.

Sam: UCONN-- Danny Hurley. The carpenter

Zach: UCONN

9. Virginia Tech vs Virginia (7:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Virginia- The Cavaliers have quietly found themselves on a four-game winning streak, with a 19-7 overall record. Virginia Tech has continued to freefall after a promising Maui Invitational start. I’ll take Tony Bennett’s team as they are rounding into shape.

Sam: Virginia-- Don’t look now, but Virginia still has a chance to win the ACC. Never bet against Tony Bennett.

Zach: Virginia- This team has won close game after close game and the defending champs aren’t being talked enough for having a 19-7 record

10. South Carolina vs Georgia (6:30, SEC)

Nick: Georgia- Sometimes in college hoops, big stars win games by talent alone. In this game, I will take Anthony Edwards to earn the Bulldogs an upset, their third win in a row.

Sam: South Carolina

Zach: South Carolina