This is probably the first big weekend in college basketball. There were some good games last weekend, but this one is much better. I decided to make all sorts of picks here breaking them down in three different tiers. I picked all sorts of Top 25 games and I included a quick pick with Marquette because I am a homer. First Tier Games
9. Oklahoma State at 15. Kansas 3:00 pm CBS - First of all, I cannot believe how many good games are on in the middle of the day which is infuriating and a surefire way to find me into the bar by the mid-afternoon. I love this matchup. Marcus Smart, Le'Bryan Nash, Markel Brown can get Joel Embiid into foul trouble by attacking the rim yet I do not know if anyone can stop Embiid on Oklahoma State's team. Andrew Wiggins-Marcus Smart matchup will be must-see television. While I think Smart will get the edge in this one, I still think Kansas is playing too well right. KU 86-83
22. Pittsburgh at 2. Syracuse 3:00 pm ESPN - Naturally, the first thing I checked was how well Pittsburgh shoots the three playing against the tough 2-3 Cuse zone. Well they shoot 34 percent which is pretty average, but their star Lamar Patterson shoots over 42 percent. At some point, Syracuse hits a wall with their season, but it is not starting at home against a former Big East rival who is now an ACC rival. I think the game will be close, but Orange win this one. I am very interested to see how this is officiated too.
SYR 70-65
Indiana State at 5. Wichita State 3:00 pm ESPN2 - Sneaky good game. If there is going to be another Missouri Valley team in the NCAA Tournament, it would be Indiana State. Sycamores have won their last seven games led by Manny Arop and Jake Odum. They are a balanced attack that can compete with the Shockers yet I cannot see them pulling off the road upset. That's a little too difficult of a task for this team. WSU 78-71
Second Tier Games
Michigan at 3. Wisconsin 5:00 pm ESPN - Badgers attempt to bounce back against Michigan on Saturday. These two played a hell of a game at the Kohl Center last season, and I assume they will show Ben Brust's three at least 8,234 times. Michigan has won six straight games, but the only one quality team they have beat is Minnesota in the six-game stretch. Glenn Robinson III needs to be a factor as we saw Wisconsin struggle with guys attacking the rim. I think Sam Dekker bounces back though in this one with a big performance and leads Wisconsin to victory. A nugget that causes me concern, Michigan is 133rd in defending the three.
UW 79-67
25. Oklahoma at 12. Baylor 1:00 pm ESPN2 - Two of the top 50 scoring offenses playing in this one meaning we could have quite the game on our hands here. Both teams are also coming off a loss with the Bears loss to Texas Tech being much worse than Oklahoma's road loss to Kansas State. I feel like this is one of those games where Baylor just has to have being 1-2 in the Big 12 right now, and they will power their way through in this one. BAY 81-67
19. Louisville at UConn 8:00 pm ESPN - Another former Big East matchup taking place in primetime. UConn has been wildly inconsistent this season with some bad losses mixed in with some strong wins. Louisville bounced back after a home loss to Memphis last week. It comes down to guard play and who stays more in control, Russ Smith or Shabazz Napier, both are high-volume shooting, and if one is on, the other need not compete with him. I like Louisville to get the road win. I cannot really trust the Huskies at this point, and want to see them do it against another good team. UL 73-65
Third Tier Games
Marquette at Butler 1:00 pm CBS Sports Network - This game makes me nervous with Butler being 0-5 in Big East play. They need a win and nothing is worse than a team needing a win. Kellen Dunham makes me very nervous with how Marquette guards against the three, but I feel like they will do just enough to win. MARQ 68-67
Minnesota at 14. Iowa (Played on Sunday) 12:00 pm Big Ten Network - Golden Gophers play their third straight game against a ranked opponent. I cannot see them going on the road and winning at Hawkeye-Carver basically judging on how they close out at Michigan State.. IOWA 72-65
Tennessee at 13. Kentucky 11:00 am CBS - First half is important for Kentucky to get off on the right foot after their loss. Jerrone Maymon and Julius Randle will be an absolute war. No way the Vols go into Lexington and win. UK 75-66
8. Iowa State at Texas 3:00 pm ESPN3 - And here's your upset of the day, people are not really talking about how good the Longhorns have been and the coaching job Rick Barnes is pulling off right now. Texas gets the home win as Iowa State goes cold from three again. TEXAS 69-65
4. Michigan State at Illinois 7:00 pm Big Ten Network - We are going with a double-up on the upsets. I understand how bad Fightin' Illini looked when they played Wisconsin, but they are at home, Michigan State has been sort of on the ropes, sets up perfectly for an Illinois win. ILL 76-74
Charlie.
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