2 Expert Picks
Look who's making a move in the CAA! ...
The hot Gauchos have had this date circled for four weeks...
New Mexico does a good job creating fouls to get to the free throw line. With a short number like this, the Lobos are the better free throw shooting team. They also have an edge on the boards along with one of the best home court atmospheres in the country. Mountain West home favorites have done very well over the years and New Mexico is 12-0 SU at home.
Iowa is an impressive team with its offensive efficiency and hard-nosed defense. But the Huskies are turning things around under Danny Sprinkle. They've gotten healthier and have covered four straight. They're 4-2 in games in which they've had their big three scorers fully available. Iowa 6-7 senior Tavion Banks is dealing with an undisclosed injury but will play. If he is not effective, however, the Huskies' big men should feast on the glass. It's also not a good start time for the Hawkeyes' body clocks (10 p.m. Central time). Grab the points in a game that should go down to the wire.
Neither of these sides has offered great value this season as each looks forward to hosting a new-look Pac-12 next fall. In the meantime, however, some stirring lately from WSU, which has three impressive double-digit wins in a row, including a 104-74 blowout of a capable Portland on the weekend. Everything clicked for the Cougs, with five double-digit scorers led by ex-Texas Tech F Eemeli Yalaho with 26 points. Meanwhile, the Beavs are on a mild uptick themselves, but narrow escapes vs. struggling USD and LMU don't necessarily impress. Play Washington State
Might we be looking at a preview of the Mountain West Tourney title game next month in Las Vegas? Utah State isn't the overwhelming choice it once was, proving a bit vulnerable in recent losses to Grand Canyon and UNLV, plus a narrow escape at Colorado State, and the Utags had to grind on the weekend vs. the Aztces, surviving despite hitting only 41% from the floor and 23% beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Eric Olen's Lobos have been one of the storylines of the season in the Mountain and have yet to lose at The Pit this season, with Olen getting superb balance from four double-digit scorers led by frosh wing Jake Hall (scored 27 in Saturday's win at San Jose State). Play New Mexico
Earning the label as the Earnie Shavers of the WCC, Santa Clara's chilling KO power has resulted in a conference win margin of 20.5 ppg! Herb Sendek's squad goes a legit nine-deep and has had six different leading scorers in WCC action, with soph G Christian Hammond (16.8 ppg) having elevated to star status. Reflecting the depth and balance, G Brenton Knapper took center stage and scored a game-high 22 in the 104-73 romp past LMU last Saturday in Westchester. Granted, Dave Smart has UOP competitive this season, though the Tigers lost contact in the first meeting at Leavey Center on January 14, losing 85-69, when the Broncos' pressure defense turned around the game when forcing 21 turnovers. Play Santa Clara.
Awkward times for the Roos, saddled with a lame-duck coach (Marvin Menzies) until the end of the season and his successor (Mark Turgeon) already hired and waiting in the wings. Such situations often see existing players begin contemplating the portal earlier than they might, and that seem to have bene happening lately with Kansas City, which has dropped seven straight overall and only once been within single digits (an 8-point loss vs. Denver) since the Menzies news first broke. South Dakota is only a mid-table Summit entry but the Coyotes did whip the Roos by 16 at Vermillion on January 16 when 7-footer Cameron Fens scored 31. Note that Kansas City hasn't cracked 64 points in its last four games, either. Play South Dakota
New Mexico State is just 1-5 SU on the road on the year, with their lone victory was over the Blue Hens of Delaware near the bottom of the country in the NET rankings. LA Tech is 11-1 SU at home on the year and has one of the more efficient defenses in the country. The Bulldogs are 3rd in the country in scoring defense and holding their opponents to under 63 points, on average, at home thus far. This is certainly a fishy line with New Mexico State desperate for a win but the defensive abilities from the Bulldogs, especially at home, should be enough tonight.
Georgetown took Creighton to overtime in Omaha, losing 86-83. I like the Hoyas to get payback at home and earn their fourth straight win. Vince Iwuchukwu missed 10 games earlier this season, and his return has sparked the Hoyas. The 7-1 center is 15 of 22 from the field during the win streak, with 44 points and only three turnovers. The Blue Jays are 2-5 SU on the road and come in off two blowout losses in which they averaged just 60 points.
Florida Atlantic is another team desperate for a win, losers of three straight. The Owls may have got caught looking ahead in their last home loss against East Carolina. Tulsa is the much better overall team despite the Owls, most likely, having more success offensively at home. However, Florida Atlantic is trending towards in the bottom of the country in scoring defense and they are not playing well at the moment. The Owls are 5-5 ATS against conference opponents while Tulsa is 6-3 ATS.
A team that continues to be a top level team in Horizon League play is Wright State. They have a conference best 10 and 2 record, but this is also their third straight road game. Robert Morris may not be as talented as last year’s March Madness team, but when they face Wright State the games are typically close. Two games were decided by three points or less last year. Tail Robert Morris.
One does not typically see a team as a road favorite on a three game losing streak. Arkansas State finds themselves in this spot not only on a losing streak but losing five out of their last six. This is a play where the spread guides you on the right side, even with Coastal Carolina having won six of seven games. Tail Arkansas State.
Wright State has won three straight and 10 of 11, and the Raiders lead the Horizon. But I like the Colonials, who are 9-3 at home, to potentially pull the upset. Robert Morris has covered three straight in the series and ranks third in the conference in field-goal defense (44.7 percent). The Colonials also are the Horizon's top rebounding team, with a margin of plus 7.5 per game. Grab the points.
KenPom ranks Georgia Southern eight spots higher for this Sun Belt matchup. The hosts are 6-5 in the league and Texas State 6-6. The Eagles' best player? That would be graduate transfer guard Spudd Webb (16.2 PPG), apparently not related to the former dunk king. At home this season, Georgia Southern is 8-3 while averaging 85.6 PPG and outscoring foes by more than 14. TSU has won back-to-back games but those were at home. It has a single road win, coming at truly dreadful UL Monroe and even that was close. When playing Georgia Southern on the road, the Bobcats are 1-7 all-time.