Larry's Picks (2 Live)
Larry's Past Picks
Josh Hart continues to be an iron man for the Knicks, and we can expect another 40 minutes or so Monday at Golden State. OG Anunoby is out. Hart has cleared this prop total in nine of his last 12 games. The Knicks currently hold homecourt advantage for the first round of the playoffs, but only by half a game. Look for Tom Thibodeau to play Hart major minutes in this critical contest. On Feb. 29 against the Warriors, Hart played 47 minutes and racked up 39 combined points, assists and rebounds.
Duquesne beat VCU by 10 in Richmond less than two weeks ago, but Rams senior guard Max Shulga, who leads the team in scoring and assists, didn't play. He's back now and coming off a 25-point performance in the A-10 semifinals versus St. Joseph's. Look for the Rams to continue the stifling defense they've displayed in this tourney and cover the small number.
Grayson Allen is enjoying having all his star teammates available, as he draws less defensive attention. The 28-year-old guard has cleared this prop number in five of his last six games and is averaging 36.9 minutes this month. In what should be an entertaining, close matchup in Milwaukee, look for Allen to register at least 18 combined points, assists and rebounds.
Grand Canyon swept the regular-season meetings, winning by seven and six, but I see this one being tighter. The Mavericks have won eight straight behind a lethal offense. In those losses to the Lopes, the Mavericks only got 38 free-throw attempts compared to 72 for Grand Canyon.
The Wildcats own the 7th-most efficient offense, averaging 88.8 points, but in their opening Pac-12 Tournament game they displayed a stifling defense too, beating USC 70-49. Arizona swept the Ducks in the regular season, most recently winning 103-83 at home two weeks ago. Oregon comes in on a 1-9 ATS skid and has failed to cover any of its last three matchups with the Wildcats. Lay the points.
The Aggies put a lot into their Thursday win over Ole Miss, as they knew their NCAA Tournament chances hinged on a victory. Now they face a loaded and rested Kentucky team that is out to avenge a 97-92 overtime loss in College Station, Tex. The Wildcats are much improved since that loss, and they didn't have Adou Thiero in that game. Lay the points before this line climbs higher.
Michigan State picked up much-needed momentum in Thursday's 10-point win over Minnesota. Not only did the victory ensure the Spartans a spot in the NCAA Tournament, but it also showed they could get big contributions from their bench. That will prove critical Friday. Of course the Boilermakers have a big edge inside with Zach Edey, but I like the Spartans' deep backcourt, along with Malik Hall, to keep this tight. The Spartans were getting 10 points at Mackey Arena -- they lost 80-74 and covered -- and now they're getting nearly as many on a neutral site.
Utah blew out Arizona State on Wednesday, but this is a bad matchup for the Running' Utes. Leading scorer Branden Carlson is playing through an elbow injury, and the team has not adequately replaced point guard Rollie Worster (5.5 apg). Colorado is expected to get back sensational freshman Cody Williams, who has missed the past four games. Back the Buffs to win their seventh straight and cover in the process.
The Mavericks enter on a six-game winning streak, but this is no sure thing against Stephen F. Austin. The Lumberjacks advanced on a buzzer beater Wednesday and have now won four of five, the loss coming to WAC leader Grand Canyon. The Lumberjacks go nine deep, with all nine playing 12-plus minutes in the 60-57 win over Abilene Christian. Look for another game that goes down to the wire and grab the points.
The Eagles are playing for the third straight day after knocking off Miami and Clemson in impressive fashion. That run should end Thursday against rested Virginia. Boston College guard Claudell Harris Jr. played 35 and 37 minutes on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Jaeden Zackery played 31 and 35. The Eagles aren't especially deep and that should come into play in the second half. Look for UVA to lock up its spot in the NCAA Tournament with a win and cover.
Indiana has won four straight since senior guard Xavier Johnson returned to action. That has coincided with a boost in Kel'el Ware's play: the 7-foot sophomore has scored 26-plus points in three of those victories and grabbed 11-plus rebounds in all four. It will be a bonus if senior Trey Galloway returns from injury, but even if he doesn't, I like the Hoosiers to avenge their two regular-season losses to Penn State. Johnson missed those games, and he will help slow down Ace Baldwin's penetration.
Seton Hall won both regular-season meetings. But Rick Pitino missed the first one and everyone remembers the second one, the Red Storm blowing a 19-point lead and Pitino erupting afterward with harsh criticism of his players. That was a turning point for St. John's, which has won five straight since while averaging 88.4 points. In what should be a great atmosphere at the Garden, look for St. John's to keep rolling and cover.
Texas Tech is 1-11 ATS in its last 12 Big 12 Tournament games, and I like that trend to continue Thursday. The Red Raiders won the only regular-season meeting, 85-78 at home, but 7-foot senior Warren Washington played 37 minutes that night, racking up 19 points and nine rebounds. He has been out with a nagging foot injury and it's unclear if he'll play Thursday. Even if he does, there's no way he plays a full complement of minutes. That will spell trouble against a Cougars team that starts 6-11 Aly Khalifa and 6-11 Noah Waterman. Waterman missed the seven-point loss in Lubbock, Tex. The Cougars have won five of seven after Wednesday's 14-point win over Central Florida, including beating Baylor, Kansas and TCU.