TSR 2/3/20 CBB Picks

WEEKEND RECAP
1-A shoutout to our two guest pickers for their efforts this weekend. In case you missed it, David Kool and Nick LoMonaco stepped in and answered some questions and predicted winners of games. The season long Guest Pick Standings for all guest pickers can be found here.

2-It was a huge weekend in the Big Ten, as both Michigan State and Illinois fell victim on the road. This race has gotten even more interesting now, as there are seven teams within two games of first place with 9 games to play. This will be an epic five weeks of hoops in America's best conference.

3-The Big East is also a lot more exciting now, with Seton Hall's defeat against Xavier. This three-team race (Seton Hall, Villanova and Creighton) will come down to this Saturday's game between Seton Hall and Villanova, and the two games left between Seton Hall and Creighton.

TODAY’S GAMES

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

Nick: Florida State- This UNC team is playing better as of late, but Florida State is a truly great team in the ACC this year.

Sam: Florida State- Cole Anthony is back, but it doesn't matter. Noles are damn good.

Zach: Florida State- Preseason, most thing the two teams would be flipped at this point in the season. Well here we are with Florida State at #5 and UNC at an abysmal 10-11. Even with Cole Anthony back, the Noles are the superior team

2. North Carolina Central vs Norfolk State (7:00, ESPNU)

Nick: Norfolk State--These Spartans actually know how to win a road game...

Sam: Norfolk State 

Zach: North Carolina Central

3. Bucknell vs Lafayette (7:00, CBSSN)

Nick: Lafayette--Usually, the Bison are a front runner in the Patriot League. This year, they are three games back of first and three games ahead of 8th place. Stuck in limbo, Bucknell loses this one.

Sam: Bucknell

Zach: Bucknell

4. Kansas State vs Baylor (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Baylor- The Octagon of Doom is a tough place to play, but the Wildcats are a far way behind the Bears in terms of talent. Closer game than expected (Vegas has the line at 7), but Baylor wins.

Sam: Baylor- Big Monday used to be great, but now the Big 12 isn't a great league.

Zach: Baylor- The fact that this game is in Manhattan may have an impact, but not enough to knock off the top ranked Bears

5. Kansas vs Texas (9:00, ESPN)

Nick: Kansas- The Jayhawks and the Baylor Bears are great teams in the Big 12. The rest of this league is BRUTAL, and the seat gets hotter for Shaka.

Sam: Kansas- Does Shaka Smart even make it to the end of the season?

Zach: Kansas- I have said this numerous times, but I truly believe Kansas is the best team in college basketball, and with one of the best home court advantages in the land, Kansas has no problem with Texas.

6. Northern Arizona vs Eastern Washington (8:00)

Nick: Eastern Washington- The Eagles and the Montana Grizzlies are tied for the Big Sky lead. EWU keeps pace for first place with this big road victory against the Lumberjacks.

Sam: Northern Arizona

Zach: Northern Arizona

7. Sacramento State vs Idaho (9:00)

Nick: Sacramento State--Even if this game was in the Kibbie Dome, the Hornets would still best the Vandals.

Sam: Sacramento State

Zach: Sacramento State

8. Alabama State vs Texas Southern (8:30)

Nick: Texas Southern- The former home of Mike Davis, remember when these guys beat MSU?! The Tigers are going to keep their lead in the SWAC.

Sam: Texas Southern

Zach: Texas Southern

9. Mississippi Valley State vs Grambling State (8:30)

Nick: Grambling--MVSU is KenPom's 350th ranked team out of 353. Grambling evens their record to 11-11, their latest .500 record in a long time.

Sam: Grambling State

Zach: Grambling State- It has been quite a turnaround from their five season streak of single digit win seasons

10. North Carolina A&T vs South Carolina State (7:30)

Nick: North Carolina A&T- The Aggies are 7-1 in the MEAC, a half game ahead of Norfolk State. The home of Bears legend Tarik Cohen, NCA&T gets the victory at home against a 9-11 SCSU team.

Sam: South Carolina State

Zach: North Carolina A&T