February 20, 2021 Picks:
College Basketball:
Vanderbilt at #8 Alabama (-14) - Alabama’s last game was an offensive clinic, where they put up 115 points against Georgia. Now they face a Vanderbilt team that is the bottom of the SEC. This has all the makings of a blowout. Give us the Crimson Tide to cover the spread. Pick: Alabama 92 Vanderbilt 71
UConn at #10 Villanova (-7) - UConn has won two games in a row and is now appearing in some mock NCAA Tournament brackets. A win against Villanova would go a long way in securing a berth in the Big Dance. Villanova hasn’t looked great since they had to take a pause for Covid. We like the Huskies to get the upset here. Pick: UConn 73 Villanova 68
Kentucky at #19 Tennessee (-7.5) - This is the second matchup this season between the Wildcats and the Volunteers. Tennessee took home the victory in the first game, and we don’t see any reason why that will change today. Kentucky has the talent to compete with anyone, unfortunately they don’t have the mindset. That will be the case today. Pick: Tennessee 79 Kentucky 67
#15 Texas Tech at #23 Kansas (-1.5) - Kansas has won four games in a row, but three of those wins have come against Iowa State and Kansas State, the two worst teams in the Big 12. Now they face a real test when the Red Raiders come into Phog Allen. Kansas won the first matchup between these two teams by one point. We think it will be Texas Tech getting revenge today. Pick: Texas Tech 65 Kansas 59
#20 Missouri (-3.5) at South Carolina - Both of these teams come into this game on losing streaks. Missouri has lost its last three games, while South Carolina has dropped four in a row. Two weeks ago, Missouri was beating Alabama and was ranked in the top ten. They have struggled since then. We think they will bounce back today and send South Carolina to its fifth consecutive loss. Pick: Missouri 77 South Carolina 69
#13 West Virginia at #12 Texas (-3) - The second matchup to feature two ranked Big 12 teams, the Mountaineers and Longhorns are set to square off in Austin. The first game between these two teams was a great game, with Texas getting the two point win in Morgantown. We think West Virginia will return the favor today and will win a tight contest. Pick: West Virginia 74 Texas 71
#5 Illinois (-4.5) at Minnesota - Minnesota is a good team at home. They are the only team to knock off Michigan, and now they look to beat another top five team when Illinois comes to town. The first game between these two teams was a 92-65 throttling by the Fighting Illini. We don’t think they will win by 27 again, but we do think they will cover the 4.5 point spread. Pick: Illinois 80 Minnesota 71
#16 Florida State (-5.5) at Pittsburgh - Florida State has won two games in a row, with the last one being a 21 point win over #7 Virginia. The Seminoles are a better home team than a road team, but Pittsburgh isn’t on their level talent wise. The Seminoles will cover the spread, and will continue to keep pace with Virginia in the ACC standings. Pick: Florida State 78 Pitt 70
#9 Oklahoma (-12) at Iowa State - When are Iowa State and Kansas State going to play? That will be the only chance for either of those teams to win a game in the Big 12 this season. The Cyclones have dropped eleven games in a row, and it will be twelve after today. The only question is whether or not the Sooners will cover the spread. We think they will Pick: Oklahoma 77 Iowa State 61
#17 USC (-6) at Arizona - USC has won seven straight games to put a stranglehold on the rest of the Pac 12. This is a tough test, as Arizona is always good at home. The Trojans are winning games on the defensive end, as they allow the fewest points in the conference. That will be the case again today, as USC puts the clamps on the Wildcats and earns its eighth consecutive win. Pick: USC 75 Arizona 64
#25 San Diego State (-13.5) at Fresno State - These two teams played on Thursday and the Aztecs won 67-53 for their seventh straight win. We picked Fresno State to cover in that game and loss. We are doubling down with the Bulldogs today and say they will cover the 13.5 point spread. Pick: San Diego State 71 Fresno State 62
San Diego at #1 Gonzaga (-32) - Gonzaga has won 13 in a row over San Diego, and the margin of victory in those 13 wins has been 26 points. San Diego has only played ten games this season, and just one game in the month of February. Thirty two points is a huge spread, but it is senior night for Gonzaga. We think they cover. Pick: Gonzaga 102 San Diego 66
#7 Virginia (-2) at Duke - This line is ridiculous. People are still thinking Duke is a quality team. Duke is just 5-12 against the spread this year, so they are still over valued. The Cavaliers will be angry after getting their butts handed to them by Florida State earlier in the week. The Cavaliers will win, and it will be by double digits. Pick: Virginia 71 Duke 58
NBA:
Golden State (-2) at Charlotte - These are two similar teams in terms of statistics. One team has Stephen Curry. One team does not. When you don’t know who to pick, go with the best player. We are going with the Warriors to cover the spread against the Hornets, behind a big game from Curry. Pick: Golden State 117 Charlotte 109
Miami at Los Angeles Lakers (-3) - The Lakers have lost two out of their last three games since Anthony Davis got injured. Now they face a red hot Jimmy Butler and a Miami team that is starting to figure it out. We still think the Lakers will win, but this will be close to the point spread. Don’t be surprised if we see a push in this game. Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 109 Miami 105
Sacramento (-2) at Chicago - Sacramento has lost five games in a row, and somehow is a two point favorite against the Bulls in Chicago. The Bulls have no one on the injury report, so this line makes zero sense. Give us the Bulls to win the game, and rather comfortably. Pick: Chicago 114 Sacramento 106
Phoenix (-4) at Memphis - This is the second matchup this season between the Suns and the Grizzlies. The first one was a four point win for Memphis. The Suns are playing better basketball than the Grizzlies right now, and they will cover the four point spread. Pick: Phoenix 116 Memphis 109
Washington at Portland (-4.5) - This is the second matchup this season between the Blazers and Wizards. The first one was one by Portland 132-121, behind 32 points from Damian Lillard. Lillard is on another planet right now scoring the basketball, and will lead the Blazers to their seventh consecutive win. Pick: Portland 123 Washington 111
Happy picking everyone!