Picks for 2/28/26
College Basketball
NOON EST
Rotation # 608
UConn -13.5 over Seton Hall (loss)
UConn has been one of many top teams that have frustrated sports bettors by missing covering the spread by the slimmest of margins in so many games. Back in January, the Huskies failed to cover in their win over Seton Hall. UConn is now playing its best basketball when it matters, beating a good Villanova team and annihilating a talented St. John’s program. The Huskies will play their final home game of the year this afternoon and can’t afford to relinquish momentum heading into March. UConn has a clear size advantage over a Pirates team that is average on the road. Tarris Reed and Alex Karaban should be able to play above the rim, score in the paint, and secure rebounds for the Huskies. Take UConn.
NOON EST
Rotation # 608
UConn -13.5 over Seton Hall (loss)
UConn has been one of many top teams that have frustrated sports bettors by missing covering the spread by the slimmest of margins in so many games. Back in January, the Huskies failed to cover in their win over Seton Hall. UConn is now playing its best basketball when it matters, beating a good Villanova team and annihilating a talented St. John’s program. The Huskies will play their final home game of the year this afternoon and can’t afford to relinquish momentum heading into March. UConn has a clear size advantage over a Pirates team that is average on the road. Tarris Reed and Alex Karaban should be able to play above the rim, score in the paint, and secure rebounds for the Huskies. Take UConn.
College Basketball
NOON EST
Rotation # 614
Houston -20.5 over Colorado (win)
The Houston Cougars are having a rough time down the stretch, losers of three straight, and are in desperate need of a punching bag. Colorado is nowhere near the level of talent of Iowa State, Arizona, and Kansas. I give Tad Boyle credit for doubling his team’s win total in the BIG 12 from a season ago, but there is a massive talent gap between these programs. Kelvin Sampson is an outstanding coach and knows the importance of having his team play well heading into March. Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan, and Kingston Flemings will be too good to stop, and big men Chris Cenac and Joseph Tugler should dominate in the paint. The Cougars’ defense will allow the offense to go on the runs needed to turn this into a lopsided affair. Take Houston
NOON EST
Rotation # 614
Houston -20.5 over Colorado (win)
The Houston Cougars are having a rough time down the stretch, losers of three straight, and are in desperate need of a punching bag. Colorado is nowhere near the level of talent of Iowa State, Arizona, and Kansas. I give Tad Boyle credit for doubling his team’s win total in the BIG 12 from a season ago, but there is a massive talent gap between these programs. Kelvin Sampson is an outstanding coach and knows the importance of having his team play well heading into March. Emanuel Sharp, Milos Uzan, and Kingston Flemings will be too good to stop, and big men Chris Cenac and Joseph Tugler should dominate in the paint. The Cougars’ defense will allow the offense to go on the runs needed to turn this into a lopsided affair. Take Houston
College Basketball
2:00 PM EST
Rotation # 638
Cincinnati -9.5 over Oklahoma State (win)
Oklahoma State is a bad road team and will play its first game without Parsa Fallah, who was injured in its last contest and will miss the rest of the year. The Cowboys will have a tough time this afternoon against an outstanding defense and will lose the advantage of having a great rebounder, scorer in the paint, and someone who can get the Bearcats into foul trouble. Cincinnati’s offense has been nothing to write home about, but Wes Miller should allow Baba Miller to go off today. The Bearcats will force Oklahoma State to take lower-percentage shots. The Bearcats should have enough defensive stops to fuel their offense to win this game by double-digits. Take Cincinnati.
2:00 PM EST
Rotation # 638
Cincinnati -9.5 over Oklahoma State (win)
Oklahoma State is a bad road team and will play its first game without Parsa Fallah, who was injured in its last contest and will miss the rest of the year. The Cowboys will have a tough time this afternoon against an outstanding defense and will lose the advantage of having a great rebounder, scorer in the paint, and someone who can get the Bearcats into foul trouble. Cincinnati’s offense has been nothing to write home about, but Wes Miller should allow Baba Miller to go off today. The Bearcats will force Oklahoma State to take lower-percentage shots. The Bearcats should have enough defensive stops to fuel their offense to win this game by double-digits. Take Cincinnati.
College Basketball
8:30 PM EST
Rotation # 789
Virginia Tech +6.5 over UNC (loss)
UNC is coming off an impressive home victory against Louisville, even without the services of Caleb Wilson. I still don’t think the Tar Heels should be favorites of this size with their best shooter on the sidelines. Tobi Lawal and Amani Hansberry should play well in the paint. The Hokies are in absolute desperation mode, knowing another loss would all but eliminate them from any at-large bid. Tyler Johnson, out since December, is not on the injury list and would be a massive boost for the Hokies, helping them on defense. Look for a tight finish. Take Virginia Tech.
8:30 PM EST
Rotation # 789
Virginia Tech +6.5 over UNC (loss)
UNC is coming off an impressive home victory against Louisville, even without the services of Caleb Wilson. I still don’t think the Tar Heels should be favorites of this size with their best shooter on the sidelines. Tobi Lawal and Amani Hansberry should play well in the paint. The Hokies are in absolute desperation mode, knowing another loss would all but eliminate them from any at-large bid. Tyler Johnson, out since December, is not on the injury list and would be a massive boost for the Hokies, helping them on defense. Look for a tight finish. Take Virginia Tech.