Picks for 4/4/26
College Basketball
6:09 PM EST
Rotation # 649
Illinois -1.5 over UConn (loss)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley has two National Titles under his belt. Alex Karaban has won two titles; Solomon Ball and Jayden Ross each have one. The experience edge goes to the Huskies. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and players will all be experiencing their first Final Four. There is no doubt that having been there before is a huge advantage, but is it enough? The Illini have size and should win on the boards. We all saw Duke blow a 19-point lead in the Elite Eight, but one thing the Illini will not do is turn the ball over much, as they are one of the best teams in the nation at protecting the ball. The Huskies were happy to get their best playmaker, Silas Demary Jr., back last weekend, but he hasn’t looked like himself over the last few games when it comes to creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Just how healthy is he? The Huskies do not have the deepest bench, and they are not the best foul-shooting team. Illini guard Keaton Wagler is a special talent. David Mirkovic is a beast on the glass. The Illini played in a tougher conference and are currently number one in the nation at offensive efficiency. Both teams will play a slow, half-court style game in which the Illini should be victorious on the boards and not blow the game by limiting the Huskies’points off turnovers. The Illini should have a huge turnout today, as thousands packed the arena for last night’s open practice. Take Illinois.
6:09 PM EST
Rotation # 649
Illinois -1.5 over UConn (loss)
UConn head coach Dan Hurley has two National Titles under his belt. Alex Karaban has won two titles; Solomon Ball and Jayden Ross each have one. The experience edge goes to the Huskies. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood and players will all be experiencing their first Final Four. There is no doubt that having been there before is a huge advantage, but is it enough? The Illini have size and should win on the boards. We all saw Duke blow a 19-point lead in the Elite Eight, but one thing the Illini will not do is turn the ball over much, as they are one of the best teams in the nation at protecting the ball. The Huskies were happy to get their best playmaker, Silas Demary Jr., back last weekend, but he hasn’t looked like himself over the last few games when it comes to creating scoring opportunities for his teammates. Just how healthy is he? The Huskies do not have the deepest bench, and they are not the best foul-shooting team. Illini guard Keaton Wagler is a special talent. David Mirkovic is a beast on the glass. The Illini played in a tougher conference and are currently number one in the nation at offensive efficiency. Both teams will play a slow, half-court style game in which the Illini should be victorious on the boards and not blow the game by limiting the Huskies’points off turnovers. The Illini should have a huge turnout today, as thousands packed the arena for last night’s open practice. Take Illinois.
College Basketball
8:54 PM EST
Rotation #651
Michigan -1.5 over Arizona (win)
I believe the Wildcats are the best team in the country, but the Wolverines match up well against them. Dusty May is an outstanding coach who was once shot away from taking a mid-major Florida Atlantic team to the National Title game a few seasons ago. The Wolverines play with pace and above-the-rim with Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson. Guard Elliot Cadeau had an allergic reaction the other day, which sent him to the hospital, but he is fine and will be ready to find his open teammates with his great playmaking ability. Arizona is an outstanding program with freshman Brayden Burries and Koa Peat leading the way in scoring. Both teams will move up and down the court at a fast pace, creating many fast-break opportunities. The Wolverines are tough to shoot over as they defend the paint well. Both teams are outstanding defensively, making tonight’s game hard to predict. Both teams are well deserving of cutting down the nets on Monday. The crowd will be pro-Michigan as it’s just a few hours from campus, and their bench is a little bit better. For that, the slight edge is with the Wolverines. Take Michigan.
8:54 PM EST
Rotation #651
Michigan -1.5 over Arizona (win)
I believe the Wildcats are the best team in the country, but the Wolverines match up well against them. Dusty May is an outstanding coach who was once shot away from taking a mid-major Florida Atlantic team to the National Title game a few seasons ago. The Wolverines play with pace and above-the-rim with Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson. Guard Elliot Cadeau had an allergic reaction the other day, which sent him to the hospital, but he is fine and will be ready to find his open teammates with his great playmaking ability. Arizona is an outstanding program with freshman Brayden Burries and Koa Peat leading the way in scoring. Both teams will move up and down the court at a fast pace, creating many fast-break opportunities. The Wolverines are tough to shoot over as they defend the paint well. Both teams are outstanding defensively, making tonight’s game hard to predict. Both teams are well deserving of cutting down the nets on Monday. The crowd will be pro-Michigan as it’s just a few hours from campus, and their bench is a little bit better. For that, the slight edge is with the Wolverines. Take Michigan.