TSR 3/12/20 CBB Picks

TAKEAWAYS

1-It’s an extremely weird time in college basketball, with the coronavirus looming. It feels like any minute, the season could be taken away from us. Let us enjoy it while we have it.

2-Steve Hawkins out at WMU. This was not highly covered nationally, but it resonates largely in our circle. Hawk led the team to two NCAA tournaments, and had won nearly 300 games in Kalamazoo. It will be interesting to see who they hire, with Saddi Washington (WMU alum, Michigan Assistant) and Andy Bronkema (Ferris State head coach) emerging as early candidates.

TODAY’S GAMES

1. B1G R2: Michigan vs Rutgers

Nick: Michigan- The Wolverines can’t possibly beat these guys three times in one year right? Wrong. Rutgers struggles away from the RAC, and Michigan has exceeded their expectations in the Big Ten Tournament in recent years.

Sam: Michigan-- While the Wolverines are not coming into this tournament hot like they have in the years they’ve won it, I still think they handle Rutgers with some ease.

Zach: Michigan- The Wolverines are an elite Big Ten Tournament team. They have already beat this team on a neutral court, and now with the fans that have carried Rutgers to a first class home court advantage no longer in attendance, Michigan will win handily

2. B1G R2: Iowa vs Minnesota

Nick: Iowa- We are treated to the Luka Garza vs Daniel Oturu battle one more time this year, and I am eating up every second of this. Garza should be a legitimate candidate for National Player of the Year, as he is the only reason that this team is positioned for an NCAA Tournament run. 

Sam: Iowa-- Oturu vs Garza will be great. If guys like Carr and Kalsher can make shots for the Gophers, they have a shot to win this game. Cause, well, we all know how good(or not) Fran Mccaffery teams are in March.

Zach: Iowa- Iowa won the first game big, and close the next between these two teams. Big Ten Player of the Year Luka Garza has carried this team all season, and will continue to do so for games to come

3. B1G R2: Ohio State vs Purdue

Nick: Ohio State- Outside of the loss on Sunday in East Lansing, the Buckeyes have been a fantastic team the past few weeks. The Buckeyes keep their hot play rolling, as Kaleb Wesson can line up with Purdue’s frontcourt, and I like Ohio State’s backcourt more than Purdue’s (though Stefanovic is my favorite guard of all in this game).

Sam: Ohio State-- This game isn’t at Mackey arena.

Zach: Ohio State- The Buckeyes won big in the lone matchup this season, and they have been playing their best basketball since the start of the season lately, and are poised for a run in their tournaments led by Kaleb Wesson

4. B1G R2: Penn State vs Indiana

Nick: Indiana- The Hoosiers are flying high after realizing that they do not have the Coronavirus, as the Fred Hoiberg scare was real last night. Rejuvenated that this tournament is still being played, and the fact that they can still participate, Justin Smith and Co. come up with a HUGE win.

Sam: Indiana-- Penn State is a lucky 3 pointer away from being on a 5 game losing streak coming into this. The Nittany Lions will make the tournament, but they sure will limp into it.

Zach: Indiana- Penn State is locked in the tournament and Indiana really needs this win to boost their stock, as they are in Joe Lunardi’s Last Four In

5. B12 R2: Texas vs Texas Tech

Nick: Texas Tech- I really don’t think Shaka Smart’s team is any good this year (Sorry Devon), and the fact that they are on the bubble bothers me. They are the perfect example of a team that remains in the conversation because they are in a power conference. The dream ends here with a loss to Tech.

Sam: Texas-- Nick likes to leave out the fact that less than 2 weeks ago Shaka’s team went into Lubbock and knocked off TT. Horns get a massive win.

Zach: Texas- Like Indiana, Texas is in the Last Four In, according to Joe Lunardi, and they are going to play like they need this game.

6.  BE R2: Butler vs Providence

Nick: Providence- The Friars are surging as of late, and they keep this rolling. Alpha Diallo adds to his legacy in the Black and White, with a marquee performance at MSG.

Sam: Providence-- Ed Cooley. Top 15 coach

Zach: Butler- The Friars are super hot, on a six game winning streak. The Bulldogs and Friars have split this year, each winning on each others home court. On a neutral court though, I believe Butler is the better team.

7. B12 R2: West Virginia vs Oklahoma

Nick: West Virginia- I really don’t know why I think they will win this game, maybe it’s because I saw John Belien on TV tonight and thought about his teams with Patrick Belien, Kevin Pittsnoggle and company? Maybe it’s because I’m not a huge believer in Oklahoma? Who knows.

Sam: West Virginia-- Shocked it’s not on ESPN+

Zach: West Virginia- Oklahoma has beat West Virginia in both meetings this season, but I am still not a believer in this team and that is why I am still taking the Mountaineers

8. BE R2: Marquette vs Seton Hall

Nick: Seton Hall- What happens when the two best scorers in the Big East face off in the tournament? We saw this last year, when a scuffle highlighted what was an electric game. Marquette’s supporting cast has been the issue this year, and I think it happens to be their downfall once again tonight. 

Sam:  Seton Hall-- Limping into the tourney? WOJO SPECIAL

Zach: Seton Hall- Does Marquette need this game to solidify their invite to the dance? Yes. However, as we all know, Marquette is not much outside of Markus Howard

9. ACC QF: Duke vs North Carolina State

Nick: Duke- The Blue Devils got their revenge in Cameron after their embarassing game in Raleigh. In the rubber match, Duke will go on their march to the title in the ACC Tournament, because that’s what Coach K does. NC State more than likely clinched their bid to the Tournament by avoiding the bad loss against Pitt yesterday.

Sam: Duke-- I’ll go ahead and echo what Z said

Zach: Duke- I am not sure there has been a better four seed in a conference tournament ever

10. SEC R2: Tennessee vs Alabama

Nick: Alabama- I love Nate Oats, and I wish him nothing but success in Tuscaloosa. I think that he builds some momentum with a nice win in the SEC Tournament against the Volunteers, which will advance him to the quarterfinals of the tournament. He is a proven winner (Romulus High School, Buffalo) that will get the job done shortly.

Sam: Tennessee

Zach: Tennessee