February 25, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

Santa Clara at #1 Gonzaga (-30) - Gonzaga is trying for its 50th home win in a row. They will get it. The only question is whether or not it will be by 30+ points. We think it will be, as the #1 team continues to dominate the WCC. Pick: Gonzaga 103 Santa Clara 68

#9 Iowa at #3 Michigan (-5) - This should be a fun game. You have the brilliance of the Michigan team against the brilliance of Luka Garza. It would be even more entertaining if Iowa could play a lick of defense. We don’t think they can, and even Garza won’t be enough for the Hawkeyes to keep up with the Wolverines. Pick: Michigan 87 Iowa 78

Nebraska at #5 Illinois (-13) - These two teams played a couple weeks ago and the Cornhuskers took the Illini to overtime. That won’t be the case today. Illinois will not look past this opponent like it did the first time these two teams met. We like Illinois to roll. Pick: Illinois 83 Nebraska 65

Western Kentucky at #12 Houston (-11.5) - Western Kentucky has won six games in a row to move into first place in Conference USA, and now they head to Houston for a late season non-conference game. This will be the best team Western Kentucky will play this season, and we like them to cover, the spread. Houston will win, but by single digits. Pick: Houston 78 Western Kentucky 70

#4 Ohio State (-4) at Michigan State - Don’t look now but Michigan State has won two games in a row to get back in the picture for the NCAA Tournament. They likely need to win this game to do that. They have already lost to Ohio State once by 17. We think another win for the Buckeyes and they will cover the four point. Pick: Ohio State 79 Michigan State 71

#19 USC at Colorado (-3) - These two teams met in the first game of conference play and the Buffalos scored a ten point over the Trojans. USC has won 12 of its 14 games since then to move to the top of the Pac 12. We like the Trojans to exact some revenge and get the win in Boulder. Pick: USC 74 Colorado 68

Boise State at #22 San Diego State (-6.5) - This is a battle between the top two teams in the Mountain West Conference. The Broncos and Aztecs square off for the first time, and they play again on Saturday. We have gone against San Diego State both times this season. Why change now? Pick: Boise State 76 San Diego State 73

NBA:

Dallas at Philadelphia (-4.5) - Dallas has won four of its last five games to get back into the picture in the Western Conference playoffs, and now they face the best team in the Eastern Conference in the 76ers. We like the way Dallas is playing right now, but we think the size of Philadelphia is going to be too much for them to overcome. Pick: Philadelphia 116 Dallas 107

Orlando at Brooklyn (-8.5) - Brooklyn has won seven games in a row, and now hosts a Magic team they have already beat once this season. The Nets won by seven in their first meeting. They will win by more than that today. Pick: Brooklyn 121 Orlando 109

Sacramento at New York (-1.5) - The Kings have dropped eight straight games, and now faces the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. You have a matchup between the worst defense in the NBA (Sacramento) and the best defense in the NBA (New York). Give us the Knicks to cover the spread in this one. Pick: New York 109 Sacramento 99

Los Angeles Clippers at Memphis (-8) - Memphis is coming off two lackluster performances in a row, but they have had two days off to work out some kinks. That extra day of rest in comparison to the Clippers is why we like the Grizzlies to cover the spread. We don’t think they will win. But they will cover. Pick: Los Angeles Clippers 113 Memphis 107

Washington at Denver (-7.5) - The Wizards came back to Earth after their five game winning streak, losing their last game to the Clippers by 19 points. Denver is coming off a big win against the Blazers. We like Bradley Beal to have a huge game and the Wizards to keep this close, but the Nuggets to pull it out in the end. Pick: Denver 124 Washington 121

New Orleans at Milwaukee (-9) - New Orleans has won three games in a row, but playing the Bucks on the second night of back to back games usually leads to a big loss. New Orleans won the last matchup between these two teams back in January, so the Bucks are looking for revenge. We think they will get it, but it will be by single digits. Pick: Milwaukee 123 New Orleans 117

Happy picking everyone!