Picks for 1/27/24
College Basketball
12:00 PM EST
Rotation # 611
Boston College -2.5 over Notre Dame (win)
Notre Dame is a program trying to rebuild and not be the laughingstock of ACC basketball. The Irish are a young team with a new coach who moves the ball at a snail’s pace on offense. Boston College guard Jaeden Zackery had more starts combined than the entire Irish team coming into the season. Boston College used to be a punching bag for Notre Dame, but it beat them twice last year and only widened the talent gap a year later. The Eagles have numerous players with more combined points than they all started five for the Irish at the beginning of the year. The Eagles have a good balance of guard play with Zackery and Harris, and Post and McGlockton are good forwards. Take Boston College.
1:30 PM EST
Rotation # 627
Kansas +4.5 over Iowa State (win)
Iowa State is a sports gambler favorite this season, as they have a good record against the spread. The Cyclones are a good home team but have a weak schedule. The Cyclones have big wins and are no pushover, but KU getting points is a value. Iowa State has a great defense, but much of it is due to their weak non-conference schedule. Kansas has good guard play from Dajuan Harris and Kevin McCullar, and big me Hunter Dickinson and KJ Adams clean up on the boards. The Jayhawks are no stranger to playing against good defensive teams. Bill Self is one of the best coaches in the game and will have his team ready for today’s challenge. Take Kansas.
3:00 PM EST
Rotation # 671
Villanova +1.5 over Butler (loss)
Villanova coach Kyle Neptune has done a decent job since Jay Wright retired and has the luxury of still having a few players that Wright recruited. The Wildcats hit a home run in the transfer portal as TJ Bamba, Tyler Burton, and Hakim Hart have been outstanding. Butler cleaned house outside of center Jalen Thomas as coach Thad Matta is getting the guys he wants in his second year as head coach, but success doesn’t happen overnight. Villanova had a challenging schedule at the start of the year to prepare them for down the stretch. The Wildcats have lost three straight to better competition and are looking to get back in the win column with a big road victory. Take Villanova.