February 18, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

#6 Houston (-7.5) at Wichita State - This is a matchup between the top two teams in the AAC. If Wichita State wants to make the NCAA Tournament they have to win this game. This is the second matchup between these two teams, and the Cougars got a seven point win in round one. We think this game will be close, but Houston will pull it out in the end. Pick: Houston 78 Wichita State 74

#11 Iowa at #21 Wisconsin (-2) - Iowa still has yet to beat a ranked team that isn’t Rutgers. They have another chance today when they square off with the Badgers in Madison. These are two different teams stylistically, with the Hawkeyes wanting to run and the Badgers preferring a slower pace. Whichever team will impose their style on the other will get the win. We say it will be the Badgers. Pick: Wisconsin 75 Iowa 70

#4 Ohio State (-4.5) at Penn state - We had to double check this line to make sure we read it right. The Buckeyes are only four point favorites against the Nittany Lions. This line seems way too low. We will happily take Ohio State. You can have the points. Pick: Ohio State 81 Penn State 69

Saint Mary’s at #1 Gonzaga (-20.5) - One of the best rivalries on the west coast is renewed today as the Gaels and Bulldogs square off in Spokane. Saint Mary’s has had a rough season by their lofty standards, but we think 20 points is too much in this one. Gonzaga will win by double digits, but not 20 points. Pick: Gonzaga 92 Saint Mary’s 77

Rutgers at #3 Michigan (-9) - This is the first matchup this season between the Scarlet Knights and the Wolverines. Michigan has played one game since January 22nd, and it was an eight point win over the Wisconsin Badgers. Now that they have been able to practice again and have a game under their belt, the Wolverines will be ready to roll. So we are going to roll with them. Pick: Michigan 82 Rutgers 67

#25 San Diego State (-13.5) at Fresno State - Welcome to the rankings San Diego State! The Aztecs jumped into the top 25 for the first time this year, and have won six games in a row. Fresno State likes to play at a slower pace, and we think that is the reason why they will keep the margin of victory for San Diego State below double digits. Pick: San Diego State 72 Fresno State 64

NBA:

Toronto at Milwaukee (-6) - These two teams squared off two nights ago and the Raptors got the 124-113 win over the Bucks. That was Milwaukee’s fourth loss in a row. This team is too talented to have losing streaks like this. We like Milwaukee to right the ship and get the win today. Pick: Milwaukee 119 Toronto 110

Brooklyn at Los Angeles Lakers (-2.5) - This game has lost a but of its clout as both Anthony Davis and Kevin Durant are set to miss this one. That still leaves Kyrie Irving vs LeBron James. Brooklyn still has trouble stopping anyone, and the Lakers are one of the better teams defensively in the NBA. We like Los Angeles to get the home win today. Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 117 Brooklyn 109

Miami (-1) at Sacramento - Another team that has trouble stopping anyone, the Kings have the worst defense in the NBA. Fortunately for them, they are going against a Miami team that struggles to score. Miami is one of the worst teams against the spread in the NBA this year, so Vegas thinks they will turn it around eventually. It won’t happen here. Pick: Sacramento 114 Miami 108

Happy picking everyone!