Picks for 3/23/24
College Basketball
12:45 PM EST
Rotation # 802
Arizona -8.5 over Dayton (win)
Dayton had a spectacular comeback over Nevada, but they are playing on borrowed time. The first thing that sticks out is how dominant the Wildcats are on the boards. For Dayton to stay in the game, they must force turnovers, which they have been poor at this year. The Flyers exerted a lot of energy in their comeback the other night, and now, with a limited bench, they will have to face an outstanding Wildcats team. The Wildcats should be on the move all day and generate a lot of fast break points. Dayton will get into foul trouble with the NASCAR pace at which the Wildcats play. Take Arizona.
College Basketball
3:15 PM EST
Rotation # 803
Gonzaga -3.5 over Kansas (win)
Kansas is an entirely different team when Kevin McCullar is not playing. The Jayhawks barely got by Samford, and it will be tough for them to go another 40 minutes with their poor bench production. Kansas is not a good three-point shooting team and is not good at stopping it. The West Coast Conference was weaker than expected, but Mark Few is an outstanding coach ready to exploit Kansas’s weaknesses. The Bulldogs won’t allow Kansas to get extra possessions as they protect the ball well. Ryan Nembhard will be the best guard on the floor, while Graham Ike will clean up around the basket. Take Gonzaga.
College Basketball
7:10 PM EST
Rotation # 796
NC State -5.5 over Oakland (win)
After their upset win over Kentucky, Oakland starter Jack Gohlke said they were not a Cinderella team. NC State is on a storybook ride of its own, blowing through the competition in the ACC Tournament and being one of the hottest teams in hoops right now. The Wolfpack don’t mind being a Cinderella. America loves the classic underdog story, and I respect Oakland’s demanding non-conference schedule, but they play at a weak conference. The Wolfpack DJ Horne and D.J Burns will be able to get easy baskets, as Oakland could be better at blocking shots. The Wolfpack won’t turn the ball over like Kentucky and will defend the three-point line better. Take NC State.