College basketball is in the spotlight this weekend for its first full phase of action after the NFL season concluded on Sunday. And man, it looks like there was a favorable moment.
There are midfield clashes with significant ramifications of the NCAA Tournament, major conference meetings betting on the regular season title at stake and – as usual this time of year – the very important tournament bubble to monitor as the March Madness comes focus . Some teams will play to the right, while others may see theirs explode.
It adds an extra element of intrigue as you watch the games this weekend. But, of course, the most interesting element is the action behind the action. So, to prepare you for the big day ahead, we have plays that we like, with picks up and against the spread of our team below.
When: 1 pm | Where: Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky
TV: CBS | Live broadcast: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (free)
OTT: CBS Sports app (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast)
This will be the fifth consecutive game in which I chose Kentucky on the money line, so yes, I may have a problem. But the UK attracted me. He had an advantage in the second half in three of them, but did not end the games as the clubs coached by Calipari usually do. Still, it looks like it’s about to reach a turning point, which could be a game against Auburn. Wildcats have length and talent on the court to limit the guard of Tigers Sharife Cooper, who has been their catalyst in the attack. It is impossible to stop it completely, but slowing it down – as I think they are capable of doing – may be just enough to break the four game skid. Prediction: Kentucky 71, Auburn 69. – Kyle Boone
When: 1 pm | Where: WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia
TV: ESPN + | Live broadcast: fuboTV (try for free)
Among the non-Baylor Big 12 teams, none are playing better than West Virginia. He won double digits this week over Texas Tech on Tuesday and a dozen over Kansas last Saturday, with his strokes and total display ability. The last time OU and WVU met, OU got the better of the two, but that was after exploding a big advantage at home. This time, the WVU will be more prepared and I hope it will start this game the way it ended when it beat the Sooners 51-37 in the second half of last month. Prediction: West Virginia 81, Oklahoma 75. – Kyle Boone
When: 14:30 | Where: Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan
TV: Fox | Live broadcast: fuboTV (try for free)
The hopes of the NCAA tournament for the state of Michigan are completely dashed, except for some miraculous turnaround. It has been like this for some time Still, Sparty has been competitive, with two consecutive wins over league opponents in the past week. Can he take down Iowa and his powerful attack? I have my doubts. Even so, this must be very competitive at the Breslin Center, while Tom Izzo gathers his troops for a major problem. So I like MSU coverage, but Iowa up. Prediction: Iowa 80, Michigan State 76. – Kyle Boone
When: 17h | Where: CHI Heath Center Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska
TV: Fox | Live broadcast: fuboTV (try for free)
The home court advantage has been almost nonexistent for Creighton this season, which influences my game here, because this is a perfect place for a trap for a top 5 team in a normally hostile environment. But not taking the bait. Nova is a perfectly equipped force to go blow after blow with the Bluejays in Omaha – and any team on the road, in fact. They are 4-1 ATS as road favorites this season. Prediction: Villanova 75, Creighton 70. – Kyle Boone
When: 18h | Where: John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia
TV: ESPN | Live broadcast: fuboTV (try for free)
Virginia won the last six games against North Carolina with 64, 56, 69, 71, 61 and 53 points. A lot of defense, attack – especially for UNC – at the very least. Breaking that line of maneuver was difficult for the Tar Heels. If there is a play on this, I think betting on the under is interesting. I also like UVA at home to keep your streak on Roy and company. Prediction: Virginia 61, North Carolina 58. – Kyle Boone
So, who wins all the college basketball games today? And which underdogs cause impressive surprises? Visit SportsLine now to get choices for each game, all from the unbiased model that simulates each game 10,000 times, and find out.
When: 12h | Where: Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio
TV: ESPN2 | Live broadcast: fuboTV (try for free)
Indiana needs a victory while trying to escape the bubble and get on the field. So a victory over one of the top five teams in the state of Ohio would help a lot. But it is coming from two tight wins over Iowa and Northwestern – the last of which was two overtime on Wednesday – while the state of Ohio comes from its fifth consecutive victory. These teams are not at the same level. I think the Hoosiers make a good attempt at college and get closer, but the Buckeyes have a lot of power to stumble here. Prediction: Ohio State 79, Indiana 75. – Kyle Boone