CBB Picks: Ranked on the Road - Always Dangerous

Since college football and basically National Football League is done, we have been making picks for college basketball. Let's have some fun with it and see what happens. I should probably record my record, but I will say this is the hardest sport to pick without question.

FIRST TIER  
17. Duke at 2. Syracuse 5:30 pm ESPN -This should be an electric atmosphere. 35 to 36,000 people are expected to be at this basketball game. That's crazy to think about honestly.  Duke rounded themselves back in the form in the last couple weeks with Rodney Hood playing like a manbeast, Andre Dawkins finding his three stroke again and oh yeah, Jabari Parker is not bad either. Syracuse just keeps winning games with the combination of C.J. Fair and Tyler Ennis. This is a tough game to predict with Duke's ability to shoot lights out against the patented 2-3 zone, and Blue Devils lack of defensive prowess. I cannot bet against the Cuse in the dome, but man, it will be close. SYR 73-71

6. Kansas at 25. Texas 3:00 pm ESPN - Remember when this game used to mean the world to the Big 12? This might be the most anticipated one in awhile. Kansas seems like the best team in the country right now, and Andrew Wiggins' big performance did not go unnoticed Wednesday against Iowa State. I guess no one is talking about Texas because they are Texas, they are supposed to be good. Isiah Taylor had 27 points in their win against Baylor and it will be interesting to see what the encore will be like this Saturday. I think Texas is good enough to beat above-average teams, but they are not beating great teams. It is a close game, but Kansas takes control late with another strong performance from Wiggins and Naadir Tharpe. KU 81-75

Virginia at 18. Pittsburgh (Played on Sunday) 12:30 pm ESPNU - Some of you might not realize both of these teams are near the top of the ACC right now especially Virginia with only one ACC loss and honestly deserving of a ranking. They head up to Pittsburgh in what could be a rock fight. Both teams are strong defensively meaning first to 55 could win this game. I like Pittsburgh though. Lamar Patterson can become a problem if he gets going from deep, and Panthers usually do not lose two straight at the Oakland Zoo.
PITT 57-51

11. Kentucky at Missouri 12:00 pm CBS - I could not believe Kentucky is ranked eleventh. They did not look that good against LSU. Somehow I watched the whole game, and their effort was horrible. You want to believe this team will respond in a major way in a national televised game and blow out Missouri yet it is not a given. Willie Cauley-Stein and Andrew Harrison need to step up in this one. Both have drifted in and out from being bad to good players all season. For Missouri, they need this win with three losses already in the SEC and a win against Kentucky could help their resume in major way. Jabari Brown and Jordan Clarkson are probably the most unheralded one-two punch in college basketball. It is a must-win and Kentucky's first visit to Columbia as an SEC foe. Lock it up, Mizzou. MIZZ 83-75

SECOND TIER
1. Arizona at California 9:30 pm Pac-12 Network - In their first test in awhile, Arizona showed great grit on Wednesday night holding Stanford's offense to barely any points in the last nine minutes as they came back from the dead. Nick Johnson is a Player of the Year front-runner if he played at Duke. He is so damn good, and can take control of any game. They head to Berkeley where Cal suffered three straight losses including a heartbreaker to Arizona State on Thursday night in overtime. How does a team respond to losing when number one is in town? I am going out on a limb and saying very well. Justin Cobbs has a big night, and the Bears stun number one. CAL 64-60

10. Michigan at Indiana (Played Sunday) 12:00 pm CBS - Since their win against Wisconsin, Indiana dropped their last three of four games. It does not appear the Hoosiers are even close to the bubble right now as they are near the bottom of the B1G standings. This all being said, they NEED this win badly which is always dangerous for the ranked team. Michigan is a complete fire beast right now. I cannot see how they would let an inconsistent Hoosiers team beat them honestly. Even though college basketball is weird sometimes, there is no way this happens on Sunday. MICH 78-63

22. UMass at St. Joesph's 5:00 pm CBS Sports Network - It looks like UMass streak of good fortune is starting to come apart. They have lost three of two of their last three including this week to St. Bonaventure. These two teams met early this season with the Minuteman getting a four-point victory.  Chaz Williams took over late for UMass as they trailed nine with six minutes left to play in the game. This Hawks team knows how to beat this team, they just did not close last time. They will play a full 40 at home and win this game.
ST JOES 69-63

23. Oklahoma at 16. Iowa State 3:00 pm ESPN3 - I feel like these rankings should be reversed. Oklahoma scored another big win this week as they took care of rival Oklahoma State at home with a big performance from Ryan Spangler whom had 15 points and 17 rebounds. Iowa State fallen in four of their last five games including a loss to the Sooners, the second team they are facing twice already this conference season. In game one, Iowa State gave up 22 second-chance points and only had two of their own. That will not win games. Everything in my bones says 'Take the hot team against the struggling team', but then there is a Hilton Magic meaning Iowa State is the pick. ISU 75-69

THIRD TIER 
24. Ohio State at 14. Wisconsin 11:00 am ESPN - Could this be the worst ranked game of the season thus far? Both teams are in complete flux. In one corner, Ohio State has lost five of their last six games while in the other corner, Wisconsin fallen in four of their last five. Who can tame their dumpster fire more? I am going with Wisconsin. Sam Dekker seems like he is ready to have about a 25-14 performance on Saturday, and I think Traevon Jackson can keep his composure against Aaron Craft's style. UW 73-66

22. Memphis at SMU 1:00 pm CBS Sports Network - Would like to send out a 'Been There Bro' to SMU and their fanbase as they looked ahead when traveling to the Sun Dome against South Florida and lost ending their five-game winning streak. Memphis has won four straight, but not really beaten anyone in the process although Joe Jackson is playing pretty well. I like the Mustangs in this one. They need the win, and Memphis is due for a good ole brain fart of a game. SMU 76-67

Baylor at 8. Oklahoma State 1:00 pm ESPN - Man, Baylor. They are 1-5 for the season including a home loss to West Virginia this week and now head to Stillwater with a pissed off Cowboys team. In my best 'Taken' Liam Neeson voice, 'Good luck.'  OSU 79-64

Charlie.