TSR 3/3/20 CBB Picks

TODAY’S GAMES

1. Penn State vs Michigan State (7:00, ESPN)

Nick: Michigan State- Michigan State had a fantastic week, taking down Iowa and Maryland to end February on a high note. This is another huge game for Michigan State, and I think that the momentum keeps rolling. Penn State is struggling, with only 1 one win in their past four games. The Spartans had no business losing the first matchup in East Lansing, but they dug themselves a big hole and committed some costly turnovers (plus the Cassius Winston missed free throw that stunned everyone in that arena). I think that this team is hitting their stride right now, and Rocket Watts has emerged as a true offensive weapon. It’s going to come down to getting a third scorer in every game for MSU the rest of the way, and I think they’ll find enough production Tuesday.

Sam: Michigan State-- The Spartans had their best performance of the season Saturday at Maryland, and the most impressive part was that they didn’t have to just rely on the duo of Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman. Malik Hall had 14, Rocket Watts had some massive buckets, and Thomas Kithier had some big time rebounds despite not even scoring. Penn State has struggled lately, losing 3 of 4, and I fear Lamar Stevens is starting to trek towards junior year incredibly ball dominant, low percentage shot taking Lamar Stevens. Pair that with the fact that Myeron Jones will play, but more than likely in a limited role still recovering from his injury, and I think MSU leaves Bryce Jordan with a victory.

Zach: Michigan State- This is a very similar situation for me in tonight’s game as it was in the first matchup. I was working on a Case Study for my Philosophy in Business Ethics class and only able to watch a little of the first half because Tuesday night is Fellowship of Christian Athletes night. A month later, here we are again, and that really makes me want to pick Penn State. I did say after the first Maryland game with Eric, that we were going to go on a run and beat Penn State at Penn State, and I am going to stand by that. The Spartans are really starting to click too, especially guys like Rocket Watts and Malik Hall. Also, Kyle Ahrens has realized his time is unfortunately short and it is go time, and that is just what the Spartans need to make a run 

2. Rutgers vs Maryland (7:00, BTN)

Nick: Maryland--Oh wishful thinking...I want Rutgers to win this game so badly. First, I’d love to see them make the tournament, but more importantly it would unleash chaos in the B1G standings and allow up to five other teams to get a piece of the pie that is the championship. Unfortunately, Rutgers has played really bad basketball lately, and Maryland is a solid basketball team. I’m not sure the Scarlet Knights have an answer for Jalen Smith, even if you overlook the guard advantages that Maryland also has.

Sam: Maryland-- As much as every MSU fan would like a RAC Attack! Here, it’s not going to happen. Rutgers is falling apart, and if Michigan can play nowhere near its best game and still win at the RAC with somewhat ease, Maryland can too. 

Zach: Rutgers- As much as I do think Maryland will win, and because they are the better team, I have a feeling that The RAC has a little bit more magic in it. Rutgers needs this game really badly and they may be playing for an NCAA tournament bid tonight with a win. This was a five point game in College Park, and Maryland is struggling as of late.

3. Iowa vs Purdue (9:00, BTN)

Nick: Purdue- There’s no way that Iowa gets embarrassed at home by Purdue, as 104 points may never happen again for any team in a B1G game. However, this team has the depth in the frontcourt to match up with Luka Garza and Ryan Kriener, and I like the offense punch that Sasha Stefanovic gives this team. With their back against the wall, I will take the Boilermakers to complete the season sweep.

Sam: Iowa-- The computers, for whatever reason, are in love with Purdue. Yes, they destroyed Iowa at home earlier this year, but I’m gonna go out on a limb and say Purdue won’t score 104 at Iowa. Luka Garza is on a mission to when not just Big Ten, but National Player of the Year. Hawkeyes by double digits.

Zach: Iowa- This game in West Lafayette was a complete disaster for the Hawkeyes, I see revenge coming, and a lot of it. Luka Garza is making a really strong case for National Player of the Year and this is a huge game for him and he will show out.

4. VCU vs Duquesne (7:00, CBSSN)

Nick: Duquesne- The Dukes have had a fantastic season, racking up 10 wins in conference play and 20 wins overall. Although the Siegel Center is a tough place to play, with over 150 consecutive sellouts, I like their odds to get the huge road victory. VCU has too many issues this season.

Sam: VCU-- What a disappointing season for the Rams.

Zach: VCU

5. DePaul vs Marquette (8:00, FS1)

Nick: Marquette- The Golden Eagles got into a huge hole against Seton Hall on Saturday, before a furious comeback attempt left them a few points short. The issue early in that game was the lack of support for Markus Howard (he scored their first 12 points). This team needs guys like Sacar Anim and Brendan Bailey to hit shots if they have any hope of making noise in March. They can however, use Markus Howard alone to beat DePaul.

Sam: Marquette-- I’m very curious to see what happens with Dave Leitao at Depaul. After the hot start, he was probably in line for a contract extension. But now, does he get canned? If he does, Porter Moser(who’s already in Chicago) would be a homerun hire in my opinion.

Zach: Mar(kus Howard)quette- Markus Howard is basically the entire team on offense, so why not give him the team name

6.  Kentucky vs Tennessee (9:00, ESPN)

Nick: Kentucky- The Cats are the cream of the crop in the SEC, which is taken with a grain of salt given the weakness of the league. The Vols are down this season, and Coach Cal’s bunch will get an easy victory.

Sam: Kentucky-- I despise Kentucky, but the rest of the SEC is hot garbage

Zach: Kentucky- The Wildcats get an easy home win to wrap up the season at home

7. Iowa State vs West Virginia (9:00, ESPNU)

Nick: West Virginia- The Mountaineers run into Iowa State at the perfect time. Hilton Magic used to be a real thing, but the Cyclones have five home losses this year. This is the perfect bounceback game for a team that just needs to win a game.

Sam: Iowa State-- WVU is in an absolute freefall. After beating Texas by nearly 40 a month ago, they weren’t competitive in a road loss to the Horns last Monday. And then on Saturday, a very average Oklahoma team took it to WVU for all 40 minutes in Morgantown.

Zach: West Virginia- These are two teams that I thought would be a lot better at the start of the season. West Virginia showed signs of what they can be, climbing to number 12, but since then it has been a slow downfall.

8. Oklahoma vs Texas (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Oklahoma- What really sucks about this game is that the team that wins this game is in solid standing to acquire an at-large tournament bid. Honestly, I don’t think either team deserves to play in the NCAA Tournament, especially over the smaller teams that get upset, like Liberty, ETSU, Yale or Stephen F Austin.

Sam: Texas-- Shaka Smart saving his job? Probably not. If Minnesota moves from Richard Pitino, that could be an interesting landing spot for Shaka.

Zach: Oklahoma- Texas did not play well against Oklahoma in the first game at home, so I have no faith in them on the road

9. North Carolina vs Wake Forest (7:00, ACC)

Nick: North Carolina- The Tar Heels have won two straight games, and they are playing better basketball as the regular season comes to an end. North Carolina is going to win this game, and they are going to springboard this to an ACC Tournament run.

Sam: North Carolina-- I had a conversation with Nick a couple of days ago and we came to this consensus on how the crummy ACC will end this year: With UNC winning 5 games in as many days and cutting down the nets in Greensborough 

Zach: North Carolina- Are they finally hitting their stride and playing at the potential we all thought this team could? Maybe. This game will show a lot, but will their winning ways be too late. No, because they’ll probably find a way to win a few games in the ACC tournament and find a way in, or even win the whole thing.

10. South Florida vs Cincinnati (7:00, ESPNU)

Nick: Cincinnati- This is must-win territory for the Bearcats on the bubble. USF would only be a Quad 2 loss, but one that they probably should not risk losing. At 8-6 in Quad 1/2 games (6-0 in Quad 2), they just need to rack up victories.

Sam: Cincinnati-- Need this one 

Zach: Cincinnati- A team that I thought was a for sure lock in the tournament, now is in the position to really need this win.