Blog

NCAA Basketball
12:00 PM EST
Rotation # 604
NC State -9 over Pitt (loss)
Pitt is a physical team that likes to get into grind out like games, but are not that great when playing teams with pure scoring.  NC State is historically really good at putting up points in bunches at home and over the course of 40 mins go on enough runs to win this game by double digits.   I don’t think Pitt has the shooting to stick around on the road.  Take NC State.

NCAA Basketball
12:00 PM EST
Rotation # 607
Providence +7.5 over Nova (win)
Going against a Jay Wright coached Nova team on the road is a cardinal sin, but this Providence team does have talent and it’s just a matter of Ed Cooley being able to motivate his players enough.  Collin Gillespie is a game time decision with a thigh bruise.  This would be a pretty big loss for Nova and even if he plays he might not be at 100%.  Nova lost a lot of talent from last year and I think Providence has a little bit of value here.  This is one of the most experienced teams in the country.  The Friars might indeed do everything they can to lose this game, but 7 points is generous.  Take Providence.

NCAA Basketball
2:00 PM EST
Rotation # 642
Indiana State -5 over Valpo (win)
Valpo will be without guard Javon Freeman-Liberty due to mono and Nick Robinson is iffy with a back injury.    Indiana State is the deeper and more talented roster who shoots the ball better.  The Sycamores have a lot of veteran leadership and will be looking for payback after dropping the first contest on the road.  This team protects the ball so well which makes them even tougher to beat at home.  Take Indiana State.

NCAA Basketball
3:45 PM EST
Rotation # 642
Auburn +6.5 over Kentucky (loss)
Auburn is an experience veteran team that is lead by a future hall of fame coach in Bruce Pearl.    The senior leadership won’t back down on the road.  The Tigers already showed they are capable of beating this team. Kentucky is well coached and has great athletes, but they still are young and as each day passes the work load for some of the younger guys is something they never experienced at the high school level.   Auburn has struggled at times this month, but with a healthy Isaac Okoro back should make this game very interesting as the dog.  This is a game in which toughness really comes into play.  The Tigers are as tough as they come.  Take Auburn.

NCAA Basketball
4:00 PM EST
Rotation # 727
UNC +4 over Syracuse (win)
UNC has owned this series and you would think this would be a perfect time for Cuse to snap that streak, but how much scoring can they get if Buddy Boeheim doesn’t play.  Roy Williams is a good enough coach to take Elijah Hughes away and make other players beat them.   This is a veteran UNC team that hit the worst streak of luck you will ever see in a season.  Cuse plays great defense with their zone coverage, UNC has the athletes to work it.  Take North Carolina.