TSR 3/5/20 CBB Picks

TAKEAWAYS

1-It was a wild night of action in the NEC Tournament. In the first round of the 8-team tournament, three of the four games went down to the final seconds. LIU and Sacred Heart both advanced by last-second baskets, while Robert Morris advanced after a defensive stand. This league was competitive all season, as these teams spent all season behind Merrimack (ineligible for tournament) for seeding, so you should expect a great next two rounds of the tournament.

2-In the Mountain West Tournament, Wyoming made history by being the first 11 seed to win a tournament game ever when they upset Colorado State. Earlier in the day, Air Force as the #9 seed took down Fresno State. We finally saw some shake-ups in this league after a 12-0 day for favorites on Tuesday, can they do it again tomorrow?

3-The power conference races are going down to the wire (save for the SEC).

In the ACC, Florida State escaped at the buzzer against Notre Dame, and Virginia held on against Miami to keep that a four-team race entering the weekend (Louisville and FSU have a game lead over Duke and Virginia).

In the Big Ten, Wisconsin got through an ugly game against Northwestern for their 13th conference win. The Badgers are now tied with Michigan State and Maryland (with Illinois a half-game back). 

After Villanova took down Seton Hall, the Wildcats and Creighton are still in the thick of the title race in the Big East. Seton Hall holds a one game lead over both teams, but they have to travel to Creighton on Saturday, with Villanova travelling to Georgetown. 

In the Big 12, Kansas clinched at least a share of the crown, but Baylor still has an outside shot at a share. Kansas has a one-game lead over the Bears, but they travel to Texas Tech, while Baylor visits West Virginia.

In the Pac 12, it’s a three-team race. UCLA has won seven straight on their way to first place with a 12-5 league record, and their lone game remaining is a road trip to USC. Oregon is 11-5 in league play, and this weekend they host California and Stanford. Finally, Arizona State is 10-6 in conference play, and they host Washington and Washington State in their final weekend.

TODAY’S GAMES

1. Michigan vs Nebraska (6:30, FS1)

Nick: Michigan- The Wolverines have been struggling as of late, losing their last two games. This is the perfect opportunity for them to bounce back and figure out some issues before the postseason. If they lose this game, they travel to Maryland on Sunday, which means they more than likely would enter the B1G Tournament on a four-game skid.

Sam: Michigan-- Nebraska is awful, and there’s no way Zavier Simpson loses his last game at home.

Zach:  Michigan- The Wolverines are in the tournament, but frankly, they really need this win. Not only can they build on a game like this, they have lost two in a row, and have a trip to College Park this weekend. It is fortunate that they play a crummy team like Nebraska to get things back on track

2. Ohio State vs Illinois (7:00, ESPN)

Nick: Ohio State- The Buckeyes are hot, with three straight wins. They look to be hitting their stride in recent wins over Maryland and Michigan, looking every bit as dominant as they were in the non-conference portion of the schedule. They are at home on senior day, and I think they put Illinois’ Big Ten title dreams on thin ice heading into the weekend, as the loss takes it out of their own hands.

Sam: Ohio State-- Illinois has been hanging on in the 6 loss column but I think they pick up the 7th tonight. Cockburn vs Wesson will be a heavyweight fight down low, but give me the more experienced and better coached team (OSU) in a close one.

Zach: Ohio State- Illinois has won their last four games, but two coming against the bottom-feeders, and all four being close games. They let this one get away from them.

3. UCONN vs Houston (7:00, CBSSN)

Nick: Houston- First thing first, #NeverHurley. Even without my personal vendetta against the team, UCONN just does not match up against Houston. The Cougars are a Top 25 team, with an elite backcourt. Speaking of which, Dejon Jarreau bit someone a few weeks ago. If he was hungry, he better not visit the UCONN cafeteria, because Shabazz Napier told us that he went to bed hungry when he went there. It sounds like Shabazz didn’t learn how to use his school provided meal plan though…

Sam: Houston-- UCONN will soon be back… both in the big east and national spotlight

Zach: Houston- Glad someone finally realized how good this backcourt is...

4. Memphis vs Wichita State (9:00, ESPN)

Nick: Wichita State- The wheels are falling off in Memphis, as Penny’s team suffered another injury. DJ Jeffries will miss the remainder of the season, which all but seals the fate of this NIT-bound Tigers team. Wichita State on the other hand, is on the bubble and fighting for their tournament life. A win at the FedEx Forum will add nicely to the resume.

Sam: Memphis-- Wichita should also be NIT bound...

Zach: Memphis- The Tigers are having a season far less than the preseason expectations, but they send Isaiah Maurice out on a high note with a win on senior day

5. Liberty vs Stetson (7:00, ESPN+)

Nick: Liberty- The Flames lost to Stetson in the regular season, a 48-43 stunner on the road. In the home rematch a couple of weeks ago, Liberty took no mercy in a 77-49 beat down. I expect the Flames, 15-0 at home this season, to have a game that resembles the 28 point win again on Thursday night.

Sam: Liberty-- Scottie James is really good but I hate him

Zach: Liberty- ^

6.  Arizona State vs Washington (9:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Washington- This game looked like it could have some Pac 12 title implications back in November, but almost everyone would have thought that the Huskies would be playing for a shot at the crown. Instead, Washington has clinched the 12th seed in the conference tournament next week, and they have a shot to spoil Arizona State’s outside shot at the championship. It’s time for some #Pac12AfterDark chaos to hit the hardwood in this game.

Sam: Arizona State-- The Huskies have just fallen apart and it’s not getting much better. The UW road pick wouldn’t have anything to do with the last name of ASU’s coach would it, Nick?

Zach: Arizona State- Arizona State is a very underrated and underappreciated basketball team. This is a huge game seeding-wise for Arizona State, as they look to hold onto the three and maybe even jump Oregon

7. Oregon vs California (11:00, ESPN2)

Nick: Oregon- Payton Pritchard. The Ducks. The best team in the Pac 12. California has had a solid season under Mark Fox this year, but they will not beat the Ducks on their home floor with a shot at the conference title on the line this weekend. Pritchard is an All-American that will live up to his billing.

Sam: Oregon

Zach: Oregon- Payton Pritchard. The Ducks. Not the best team in the Pac 12. They will win easily in this game

8. Valparaiso vs Evansville (9:30, ESPN+)

Nick: Valpo- Can you believe that Evansville beat Kentucky?! The Purple Aces won that big game, and eventually moved to 3-0 in the early season. Since that point, they have lost 22 of 28 games, including all 18 Missouri Valley Conference games. The two games between these teams were extremely close, both two point affairs, but the Crusaders will complete the three-game sweep.

Sam: Valpo

Zach: Valpo- Evansville is not good whatsoever

9. North Florida vs Lipscomb (7:00, ESPN+)

Nick: North Florida- The Ospreys finished as co-champions of the Atlantic Sun, finishing 13-3 along with Liberty. This will be a fantastic rubber match, as the teams both won on their own home floor. I will take North Florida because why not take the Ospreys? Great mascot.

Sam: Lipscomb

Zach: North Florida

10. Utah State vs New Mexico (9:00, CBSSN)

Nick: Utah State- The Aggies were upset by New Mexico in the regular season finale, and that hurt their at-large chances. There is no way that they will lose to the Lobos twice in a row.

Sam: Utah State-- They’ve gotta damn near win this thing to get in

Zach: Utah State- Let’s watch our mouth Sam...