TSR 3/11/20 CBB Picks

Big Ten Basketball Power Rankings and Accolades
The Big Ten regular season is over, and the TSR team has released its final Big Ten Power Rankings of the season. We also voted on and awarded our Big Ten accolades. Check these all out here, as we made our selections for the following: First Team, Second Team, Freshman Team, Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year and Coach of the Year.

Auto-Bids Clinched

Atlantic Sun: Liberty
Big South: Winthrop
Colonial: Hofstra
Horizon: Northern Kentucky
Missouri Valley: Bradley
Mountain West: Utah State
Northeast: Robert Morris
Ohio Valley: Belmont

Southern: East Tennessee State Summit: North Dakota State

West Coast: Gonzaga


TODAY'S PICKS
1. Patriot League Championship: Colgate vs Boston (7:30, CBSSN)

Nick: Colgate- The Raiders have been a dominant team in the Patriot League this season, and they will finish the job for the second straight season. Behind Rapolas Ivanauskas, they will be a tough out for whoever they draw in the first round, just ask Tennessee.

Sam: Colgate-- Scary team who really gave Tennessee a run last season

Zach: Colgate- Watch them play Cincinnati again in the tournament...

2. B1G R1: Minnesota vs Northwestern (6:00, BTN)

Nick: Northwestern- The Wildcats are playing great basketball lately, having won big over Penn State and recently on the road at Nebraska. Minnesota meanwhile, has had it season fall apart, save for the recent blowout over Nebraska. Wow Nebraska is bad, more on that later though. The Wildcats score the first upset of the tournament.

Sam: Minnesota-- Nick conveniently leaves out that both Penn State has fallen apart, and that Minnesota won by 20 in Evanston in February. Daniel Oturu will dominate down low, and lead the Gophers to a win in the first game of what looks to be the best Big Ten tournament in years.

Zach: Minnesota- Just because they won a game over Penn State, doesn’t mean they are playing good basketball. This Northwestern team is so bad

3. B1G R1: Indiana vs Nebraska (8:30, BTN)

Nick: Indiana- I would love to pick Nebraska and their roster that now features two members of the Huskers’ football team. While I will pick Huskers quarterback Noah Vedral, who threw for 418 yards last season, to hit a three-pointer, it will come amidst a horrendous blowout.

Sam: Indiana-- Nebraska is bad

Zach: Indiana- One of these teams is having two football players suiting up, I think we know who is gonna win just based off that

4. BE R1: Georgetown vs St. Johns (7:00, FS1)

Nick: St John’s- This is a matchup between two teams in the Big East that have scored some sizeable upsets, but also some frustrating losses. I will take the Red Storm playing on one of their home courts.

Sam: St John’s-- Not many people liked or even understood the Mike Anderson hire, but he’s really done a solid job in year one. He’s got scorers who if they get hot, can make the Johnnies scary.

Zach: Georgetown- This team has dealt with injuries all season, but they can find a way to win a game or two in this tournament

5. BE R1: DePaul vs Xavier (9:30, FS1)

Nick: Xavier- Talk about a horrible team, the Blue Demons are awful. They were such a fun and trendy team in the non-conference, but they have struggled immensely since. Musketeers avoid the landmine loss and keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive.

Sam: Xavier-- I love this DePaul mess so much because I literally called it… they need at least 2 wins in the Big East tournament just to be eligible for the NIT

Zach: Xavier- Wow have the Blue Demons had a complete 180 on their season, they started off super hot and look where we are at now. Luckily for them, they only have one game left

6.  ACC R2: Boston College vs Notre Dame (7:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Notre Dame- John Mooney is a good enough player to help the Irish advance a round or two in this tournament, and you will see that on full display Wednesday night against BC. This is a great senior class for the Irish, with TJ Gibbs and Rex Plueger additional members, so it is too bad that they lost so much the last couple of years.

Sam: Notre Dame-- Irish may have to win the whole thing, or come very close to doing so, to make the tournament.

Zach: Notre Dame

7. Pac12 R1: Arizona vs Washington (5:30, PAC12)

Nick: Washington- I am so far behind in the standings, and it always seems like there is a big first round upset in the Pac12, so let’s go with the Huskies! A team with Isaiah Stewart and Quade Green that already beat Arizona? Why not!

Sam: Washington-- Washington just won at Arizona and I cannot stand the Wildcats. Good enough for me

Zach: Arizona- Washington did beat the Wildcats just a few days ago, but I do not see that happening again. The freshman on this Arizona team can take them far, not only in this tournament, but the NCAA. 

8. SEC R1: Vanderbilt vs Arkansas (9:00, SEC)

Nick: Arkansas- Eric Musselman’s bunch is on the bubble, and they need to avoid this landmine loss against the Commodores. While I think that they have to beat South Carolina and probably LSU as well to give themselves a sure chance at an at-large, this loss would be devastating.

Sam: Arkansas-- I’m not sure the Razorbacks are really even on the bubble, Nick. According to Joey brackets, they aren’t even among the “Next 4 out” group.

Zach: Arkansas- Mason Jones can carry this team, he has and will continue to do so

9. ACC R2: Syracuse v North Carolina (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: North Carolina- The Tar Heels have the talent to win this tournament. They have played well enough the last month or so to show that they can win this tournament. Their inconsistency however is the reason that they’re the 14 seed. I’ll take the Heels to win once again, just so they get to a point where things are interesting in the ACC Tournament.

Sam: North Carolina-- Tar Heels did it right last night. They blew out VT, and were able to not tax their stars with minutes. UNC just won in the carrier dome, and I think they beat the Cuse again

Zach: North Carolina- The Tar Heels worked Syracuse in their one meeting this season at the Carrier Dome. So on a neutral court, in an arena that geographically benefits UNC, I see the same result

10. B12 R1: Oklahoma State vs Iowa State (7:00, ESPNU)

Nick: Iowa State- I’ll take the Cyclones for the same reason I took the Huskies. I am behind in the standings, and this game is a relative toss-up. Imagine how differently this season would have gone with Tyrese Haliburton...

Sam: Oklahoma State-- The Big Ten and Big East are hands down the best leagues this season.

Zach: Oklahoma State- Up and down, up and down for Iowa State all season. Would I be surprised if they won? No. Will I be surprised if they lose? No