TSR 2/8/20 CBB Picks w/ Guest Picker Tony Garcia
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 Michigan State alum, that has had work featured in MLive, The Detroit Free Press, and many others, Tony Garcia.
1. As a member of the media, was there a reporting story/moment in your college basketball/football days that was your favorite?
I'd say three moments were a tie for me as far as "favorite". First, when I freelanced for the Detroit Free Press, covering a game against Air Force. The Freep is one of the most prestigious papers in the Midwest and to be trusted with that sort of responsibility meant a lot to me who was 21 at the time. Second, I went to Columbus in 2015 when the Spartans shocked the Buckeyes 17-14 on a field goal by Michael Geiger as time expired. That stands out because it was my first road game I ever traveled to and it was such a high profile game. The other would be the 2015 Big Ten Championship. That day will always stick with me because I was on the field as it ended and interviewed players and coaches almost literally as the confetti was falling. It was always a dream of mine to cover major sporting events and that was one of my first "I've made it" moments. Now, I don't know if that's true, but it felt like it at the time.
2. You worked at the Jackson Citizen Patriot. What was the most memorable game/moment that you covered there?
Covered too many games to recall in high school. I'd say one that stuck with me was when Jackson played Brandon Johns' East Lansing team in Jackson on a Friday night. The gym was standing room only and Jackson made a run to get to within 62-59 in the final 30 seconds. Jackson had the ball and was going to try and tie it, but Johns stole the ball in the back court, did a spin move and slammed home the game-sealing dunk as part of a night where he finished with like 35 points. That was a fun one.
3. Are you currently putting out any sort of sports work (podcast/articles/etc.) while you're still in school?
I have a sports podcast with three of my colleagues at Northwestern called 'This Is A Sports Podcast'. They're all extremely knowledgeable about sports and we like to joke around and have some fun too. I recommend a listen for anyone interested.
4. MSU basketball has lost two straight, what is this team's outlook going forward?
Michigan State's basketball outlook, honestly, is blurry for this season. Cassius Winston is being asked to do too much. He can do pretty much everything, but no player can win by himself. Cassius was at his best last year when he was the best player on the court, but could feed capable shooters in McQuaid and Goins, as well as run the pick-and-roll with Tillman. Right now, Cassius has to do everything for this team. Tillman has the yips around the rim and that doesn't help, Aaron Henry has lost all his confidence. Also at the wing, Gabe Brown has gone cold as of late and Rocket Watts has shown flashes, but turns the ball over too much and it's hard to rely on him for anything consistent. Additionally at the 4, Malik Hall doesn't have enough experience, Thomas Kithier not being quite athletic enough at this stage and Marcus Bingham isn't in great condition. Even with all of that said, March is around the corner and Izzo always finds a way. So the outlook today isn't great, this team probably won't win an outright Big Ten title, but a share is still a possibility and if they can get a top-3 seed (something that's actually in question at this moment) they can still make a very deep run in the NCAA tournament in this wide open field.
5. Is there a player outside of Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman that you think is the key to Michigan State's success this year?
The key player outside of the big two is Rocket Watts. Aaron Henry needs to be the guy, but right now he's just not doing that. Watts can tip the scales athletically and can beat people one-on-one like few others on this team. If Watts can be more consistent at the 2, that can open things up for Henry at the 3 and create a domino effect.
6. Let's talk MSU football. Who do you think is the football coach in East Lansing when the Spartans play Northwestern in the season opener? (Feel free to list multiple options if you're torn between some)
Whooo boy, this coaching search still has me stumped. The obvious answer (and Vegas favorite) is Luke Fickell. He has the obvious OSU/Cincinnati ties, was a DC for a championship team and so on. I don't think Narduzzi is the fit, for lots of reasons, but we will just say no with him. Pat Shurmur would be a bad option and Robert Saleh isn't realistic. I'd actually be slightly intrigued with Chris Creighton from EMU or Dave Clawson from Wake Forest. But in the end, I'll go vanilla and also the man who would be the biggest win (on paper) for MSU and say it's Fickell.
7. In terms of playing sports, how was your career? Did you play any sports in high school?
I played baseball in high school at Ann Arbor Pioneer. Didn't get almost any playing time, our program won the Division I state championship my junior year and then went 35-3 our senior year before we were upset in the regionals. Our entire infield played ball in college including our shortstop Travis Maezes at Michigan, who as a junior in college was a preseason All-American. So there was lots of competition there and I wasn't near that level.
8. Was there a media member that had the most impact on your career thus far?
I'd say there's a few media members who impacted my career most to this day. Dan Kilibridge, because I job shadowed him the first week I switched to journalism, went to a press conference and practice and got hooked after that. Then, helping Joe Rexrode with the Free Press like I mentioned earlier because he was always the most respected media member covering MSU. And then my boss, Jeff Bleiler, at MLive. He was more of an editor by the time I got there, but a former media member and he helped me grow more than anybody without question.
9. How has your time at Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism been thus far?
My time at Northwestern has been great. It's a very rigorous program, but I'm transitioning toward the world of broadcast, it's given me the chance to call some games for BTN+ and taught me countless skills I didn't have prior to starting.
10. What's the biggest thing that you have planned journalism wise in the near future?
SATURDAY’S GAMES
1. Michigan vs Michigan State (12:00, FOX)
Tony: Both teams come in limping somewhat, with MSU losing two in a row and Michigan having lost five of its past seven. A huge question mark here is Isaiah Livers. Livers is Michigan's best player and would be a matchup problem for MSU who would have to put Aaron Henry on him as a 4 and play small ball. But Livers has played just once in 2020 (against Illinois) and left that contest hurt. Still, he's questionable for this matchup. Michigan has lost three in a row at home so you could almost say the Wolverines are due. On the flip side, MSU hasn't been good on the road in months. Like at all. Outside of a win over Minnesota -- a team the Spartans match up very well against -- MSU has lost at Wisconsin, Indiana and Purdue since 2020 began. Each of those three teams is in the same echelon as Michigan. The only reason to pick MSU is because of what this matchup means and Cassius Winston's continuous domination over Zavier Simpson -- a tremendous player in his own right. He was suspended for one game last week but is back and will be fully involved. There's so many good reasons to pick both teams, but I have to just go with the team that has more talent, even if that hasn't always shown up on the road. Make it MSU 72, Michigan 68
Nick: Michigan State- This is a huge game for Michigan, with their back remaining against the wall in the pursuit of an at-large bid. While Isaiah Livers has stressed he will try to play, I think that he will still be hampered by this injury. Jeff Jackson...I mean Xavier Simpson, has been the star of this show, but he will be going up against Cassius Winston, the best guard in the Big Ten. Michigan State’s point guard advantage will give them the victory in this game, because there are question marks at the 4, with inconsistent play of Kithier, Bingham and Malik Hall. I expect Tom Izzo’s bunch to be hungry after two defeats in which they had the opportunity to win despite making a plethora of mistakes along the way. Assuming Michigan State can avoid the giant deficit that has burdened them in their three road losses this year, I like the Spartans to make it five in a row in this series.
Sam: Michigan-- Huge game for both teams, probably biggest for Michigan. The Spartans are notorious for really struggling in late January/early February. This season is no different, as they’ve dropped 2 in a row. Despite losing to OSU Tuesday, Michigan has been playing much better basketball of late. With Livers likely returning, I think someone like Eli Brooks or Franz Wagner gets hot from deep and has a huge game propelling UM to a massive win.
Zach: Michigan State- The Spartans are on a bit of a losing streak right now, but this is the perfect game to get them back on track. If Isaiah Livers returns, that will definitely give Michigan the boost they were missing in the matchup earlier at Breslin. It will be interesting to see how Jeff Jackson, I mean Zavier Simpson’s drama will change his game. Cassius Winston is still better either way, and he is the reason they will continue the win streak against Michigan.
2. Iowa vs Nebraska (6:00, BTN)
Tony: Iowa comes off of a blowout loss on the road at Purdue, but man Nebraska is just not good this year under Fred Hoiberg. Iowa seems to be a real threat with Garza playing at an All-American level, Joe Weiskamp is versatile and CJ Fredrick is a 3-point assassin. Let’s go Iowa 83, Nebraska 69
Nick: Iowa- Luka Garza is the player of the year in the Big Ten so far, and he is a few more Iowa victories away from being a legitimate contender for National Player of the Year. At 23.3 points per game and 10 rebounds per game, this walking double-double dominates a depleted Nebraska front court. Mayor Fred’s team is not ready for this game on the road.
Sam: Iowa-- Nebraska is just awful. Yes, Luka Garza is very good, but I truly think people are sleeping on CJ Frederick. The Redshirt frosh has been sneakily really really good this season.
Zach: Iowa- Luka Garza good. Nebraska bad. And bad might be a nice thing to say to this Cornhuskers basketball team. They will continue their woes in the league, and especially on the road, as they haven’t won a game all season outside of Lincoln
3. Penn State vs Minnesota (4:00, BTN)
Tony: Penn State
Nick: Penn State- The Nittany Lions are hot, and they have a defensive answer for Daniel Oturu in Mike Watkins. The advantage that they have in Lamar Stevens against Gabe Kalscheur will go a long way in this game. Pat Chambers should be in the running for the National Coach of the Year, although Brad Underwood or Steve Pikiell could beat him for the Big Ten honors.
Sam: Penn State-- I’m really just intrigued to see the postgame handshake lines… If some remember back to Minnesota’s win over PSU at the barn, Daniel Oturu and Lamar Stevens really got into it.
Zach: Penn State- The Nittany Lions continue their hot play, keeping it going from the road win against Michigan State. The five game winning streak will grow to six in this big Big Ten matchup
4. Indiana vs Purdue (2:00, ESPN)
Tony: Two teams that aren't good and nobody can really change my mind about that. Purdue is a completely different team at home and is the better of these two. The only reason I'm considering Indiana is because of the home number Big Ten teams have posted this year. Both teams sit near the NCAA bubble, but I think Trevion Williams, Isaac Harms and co. find a way to get a win in Bloomington. Lets go Purdue 69, Indiana 61
Nick: Indiana- The Boilermakers DOMINATED Iowa at home this past week, it was a truly amazing performance. They have struggled however, when the team plays away from Mackey Arena. With this game being in Assembly Hall, I like the Hoosiers to get the victory.
Sam: Purdue-- I just feel like Indiana hasn’t beaten Purdue in literally forever. The massive win over Iowa earlier this week certainly will give the Boilers a lot of confidence heading into this one.
Zach: Indiana- After barely getting past Northwestern and then obliterating Iowa, Purdue is maybe the most interesting team in the Big Ten. I have quite yet to figure out who they exactly are, and this late in the season, that is not a good place to be at. Coming from an outsider of the state, I do not completely get the hype of the rivalry, other than they usually play in the last week of the football season for bowl eligibility. Is it bigger than Michigan State/Michigan?
5. Auburn vs LSU (12:00, ESPN)
Tony: Auburn
Nick: The Tigers are going to win this game. LSU is limping into this after that shocking upset against Vanderbilt, while Auburn is once again an elite basketball team, having proven that with a victory over Kentucky last year. Bruce Pearl truly has something special at Auburn, and the Tigers get a share of the SEC lead with a victory over LSU.
Sam: Auburn-- I don’t trust any team who loses to Vanderbilt...
Zach: Auburn- LSU is coming off of a loss to Vanderbilt...between that and the fact they are playing at Auburn, I hope nobody up here picks them. They have a good team,, but come on, Vanderbilt- consistently the worst team in the overrated SEC.
6. Tennessee vs Kentucky (1:00, CBS)
Tony: Tennessee
Nick: Kentucky- This intense rivalry is the best in the SEC. The Volunteers have own five straight in their home arena, but I think that Tennessee is struggling this year. Kentucky has had some stunning losses of their own in 2019-20, but the talent on their team is supreme compared to the Vols. Coach Cal’s bunch gets the victory.
Sam: Kentucky
Zach: Tennessee- The Vols have had a bit of a struggle to their season after the last few years of major success, but the Wildcats haven’t won at UT-Knoxville Branch in five years, make it six.
7. Villanova vs Seton Hall (2:30, FOX)
Tony: Probably the most enticing matchup of the day. Villanova was just on the wrong-end of a buzzer beater at the hands of Butler and its reward is playing Seton Hall. Villanova has now lost two straight and if it wants any chance of winning the Big East, it's going to have to beat Seton Hall who currently sits two games up. For Seton Hall, we all know about Myles Powell, but Quincy McKnight moves the ball well for them and they have length and size inside in 7-foot-2 Romaro Gill and 6-foot-11 Sandro Mamukelashvili. But sometimes the hungry dog runs faster. Collin Gelespie and Saddiq Bey are a one-two scoring threat like few have in that league and the Finneran Pavilion will be on one on Saturday. Let’s go Villanova 74, Seton Hall 68
Nick: This is a fantastic game that will go a long way in determining the Big East regular season champion. These two teams play each other twice during the remainder of this season, and with the Pirates owning a two-game lead in the standings, Villanova needs this game tremendously. I think that Myles Powell is the best player in the Big East, and he is having an All-American campaign thus far. He cements his legacy by taking the Pirates one step further to their first conference title since 1993.
Sam: Villanova-- I am very interested to see the matchup down low. Jeremiah Robinson Earl is a tremendous stretch 5 for the Wildcats and will look to take the best shot blocker in the country, Romaro Gill, away from the hoop and take him off the dribble. I think Sadiq Bey makes some big plays down the stretch and Villanova wins it.
Zach: Villanova- Battle of the top two teams in the Big East, and maybe Seton Hall’s biggest game of the season so far, as they are already two games up on the Wildcats. I like the home team, with five guys averaging double digits, led by Collin Gillespie
8. North Carolina vs Duke (6:00, ESPN)
Tony: Man, talk about a game that's lost its luster. North Carolina is a bad basketball team this season, but they're still competitive. The Tar Heels are 2-7 in their past nine but five of those have been by eight points or fewer and three were by three points or fewer. They say in rivalry games throw the records out the window, but don't do that this time. Vernon Carey is one of the best freshman in the country, Tre Jones is a lockdown defender as a point guard and has expanded his offensive repertoire this year, and they have four players shooting better than 40 percent from long range. That won't last all year, but it won't end this weekend. Let’s go Duke 78, North Carolina 67
Nick: Duke- The matchup in this one is almost as bad as the practice uniforms that we will see them both wearing. Todd Bloemers, my high school coach, designed cooler practice jerseys than these ones too! Vernon Carey has lived up to his billing as an elite recruit, and he is someone that may go down as the biggest recruiting miss for Michigan State, given the void he could have filled on that team. He delivers a big win in his first edition of the most overrated rivalry in college basketball.
Sam: Duke-- Jerseys are sick.
Zach: Duke- In North Carolina’s worst season in a really long time, Duke will absolutely embarrass them at the Dean Dome. Cool jerseys though.
9. St. Mary's vs Gonzaga (10:00, ESPN)
Tony: Gonzaga
Nick: Gonzaga- The Bulldogs are my pick as the #1 team in the country this season. They are the typical Gonzaga team, but they have even more talent than usual. In what is a loaded WCC, they will clinch the league title unofficially with a statement win in Moraga.
Sam: Gonzaga
Zach: Gonzaga- The Zags can basically clinch the league with this win, barring any upsets, as they are three games up on the next place teams, Saint Mary’s and BYU
10. Louisville vs Virginia (4:00, ESPN)
Tony: Louisville
Nick: Virginia- The Cavaliers are a solid team this year, with elite defense. While their offensive struggles are most prevalent than in past years, which is shocking because they always fail to put the biscuit in the basket at a high mark, they really can defend. With everyone counting them out, Tony Bennett delivers a big win.
Sam: Louisville-- Virginia literally cannot score.
Zach: Louisville- Virginia is not being talked about enough at all, they have put up a 15-6 record so far this season after losing all the key guys they did from last year’s National Championship team. The Cards though, are too good, especially at the Yum! Center, where they’ve only dropped one game this season, to the now Number 8 Seminoles
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