Picks for 3/13/26
College Basketball
2:30 PM EST
Rotation # 808
Illinois -9 over Wisconsin (loss)
Wisconsin won an overtime thriller in Champaign last month in a game in which the Illini did not protect the basketball. Illinois allowed an abnormal amount of second-chance points to the Badgers as well. Both teams shot the ball well from the three-point line, but in the tournament, I don’t expect teams to be as efficient on neutral sites, where games have quick turnarounds that leave little room for the body to rest. Wisconsin will most likley be without Nolan Winter again, which hurts them on the glass and allows a tall team like the Illini to get comfortable in the paint area. David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic have the potential to have a big day. Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell will look to run the offense to create the best available shot. Wisconsin is an outstanding program led by Greg Gard, who doesn’t get the national credit he deserves. The Badgers have dealt with injuries all season, but I am not sure they can win without a healthy Winter playing. The Illini should get a lot of putbacks this afternoon. Take Illinois.
2:30 PM EST
Rotation # 808
Illinois -9 over Wisconsin (loss)
Wisconsin won an overtime thriller in Champaign last month in a game in which the Illini did not protect the basketball. Illinois allowed an abnormal amount of second-chance points to the Badgers as well. Both teams shot the ball well from the three-point line, but in the tournament, I don’t expect teams to be as efficient on neutral sites, where games have quick turnarounds that leave little room for the body to rest. Wisconsin will most likley be without Nolan Winter again, which hurts them on the glass and allows a tall team like the Illini to get comfortable in the paint area. David Mirkovic and Tomislav Ivisic have the potential to have a big day. Keaton Wagler and Kylan Boswell will look to run the offense to create the best available shot. Wisconsin is an outstanding program led by Greg Gard, who doesn’t get the national credit he deserves. The Badgers have dealt with injuries all season, but I am not sure they can win without a healthy Winter playing. The Illini should get a lot of putbacks this afternoon. Take Illinois.
College Basketball
5:30 PM EST
Rotation # 834
St. John’s -8.5 over Seton Hall (win)
Both universes are separated by just 40 miles and will pack Madison Square Garden, with an electric atmosphere. St. John’s played a lot of games on this court this year, which gives them an advantage. Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway is a great defensive-minded coach, but I question the Pirates’ ability to score enough points. St. John’s will up the pace and try to put pressure on a Pirates team that likes to play slow. Neither team makes a lot of three-point shots, but St John’s really pumped out a lot of attempts yesterday, and if they do so today, it will make Seton Hall have to shoot an extremely high percentage in the paint to stay in the game. Look for the Red Storm to control the tempo. Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins should lead the offense to a double-digit win. Take St. John’s.
5:30 PM EST
Rotation # 834
St. John’s -8.5 over Seton Hall (win)
Both universes are separated by just 40 miles and will pack Madison Square Garden, with an electric atmosphere. St. John’s played a lot of games on this court this year, which gives them an advantage. Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway is a great defensive-minded coach, but I question the Pirates’ ability to score enough points. St. John’s will up the pace and try to put pressure on a Pirates team that likes to play slow. Neither team makes a lot of three-point shots, but St John’s really pumped out a lot of attempts yesterday, and if they do so today, it will make Seton Hall have to shoot an extremely high percentage in the paint to stay in the game. Look for the Red Storm to control the tempo. Zuby Ejiofor and Bryce Hopkins should lead the offense to a double-digit win. Take St. John’s.
College Basketball
6:30 PM EST
Rotation # 809
Purdue -3.5 over Nebraska (win)
The Boilermakers covered the spread last night, but anyone who bet them later in the afternoon got hosed in what looked like a deliberate tanking act. I do like how the Boilermakers stepped up on the defense end, but I am not so sure they will have as easy a time against Nebraska as they did against Northwestern. The Cornhuskers became a fan favorite this year, moving from 12th place in the BIG-10 a season ago to 2nd. Fred Hoiberg did a fine job making his team competitive. The Boilermakers won an overtime thriller in Lincoln a month ago in a game they dominated on the offensive glass. I believe senior leaders Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff will step up to that challenge again. Braden Smith is one of the best playmakers in all of college basketball, allowing his teammates to flourish. Both teams protected the ball well this year, but the Cornhuskers have been a bit more sloppy as of late. Take Purdue.
6:30 PM EST
Rotation # 809
Purdue -3.5 over Nebraska (win)
The Boilermakers covered the spread last night, but anyone who bet them later in the afternoon got hosed in what looked like a deliberate tanking act. I do like how the Boilermakers stepped up on the defense end, but I am not so sure they will have as easy a time against Nebraska as they did against Northwestern. The Cornhuskers became a fan favorite this year, moving from 12th place in the BIG-10 a season ago to 2nd. Fred Hoiberg did a fine job making his team competitive. The Boilermakers won an overtime thriller in Lincoln a month ago in a game they dominated on the offensive glass. I believe senior leaders Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff will step up to that challenge again. Braden Smith is one of the best playmakers in all of college basketball, allowing his teammates to flourish. Both teams protected the ball well this year, but the Cornhuskers have been a bit more sloppy as of late. Take Purdue.