January 5, 2021 Picks:
College Basketball:
Kansas State at #18 Texas Tech (-16) - Kansas State’s only conference win is against fellow Big 12 bottom feeder Iowa State. Texas Tech will win this game but will it be enough to cover the spread? We don’t think so. The Red Raiders have played three conference games decided by a combined eight points. This won will be the biggest spread in conference season so far, but it won’t be 16. Pick: Texas Tech 77 Kansas State 65
North Carolina State vs #19 Clemson (-5) - Clemson has ranked higher than ACC blue bloods Duke and North Carolina, and that is no fluke. The Tigers are a good team who’s only loss is to fellow ranked ACC member Virginia Tech. North Carolina State also has only one loss, but that will be two after tonight. Pick: Clemson 74 North Carolina State 66
Iowa State at #4 Texas (-12) - The Longhorns just went into Phog Allen Fieldhouse and handed Kansas their worst home loss in school history. Their reward is their highest ranking in a decade, and a home game against the Cyclones. This easily could be a let down game for the Longhorns, but Shaka Smart won’t allow that. Pick: Texas 83 Iowa State 70
Missouri (-2.5) at Mississippi State - Missouri still is getting no respect from experts. After being an underdog a couple days ago to Arkansas and winning that game easily, now they find themselves only a 2.5 favorite against a Bulldogs squad. Mississippi State is coming off a double overtime loss to Kentucky, and now they are playing one of the best teams in the conference. Pick: Missouri 75 Mississippi State 68
#15 Rutgers at #23 Michigan State (-1.5) - More ranked Big Ten basketball! The Spartans and Scarlet Knights both find themselves in the top 25, and will now duel in the Breslin Center. The Spartans got their first conference win in their last game against Nebraska, and will keep riding that wave with a gritty win over Rutgers. Pick: Michigan State 78 Rutgers 70
#6 Kansas (-6) at TCU - Kansas will be pissed off coming into this game. After a historical loss to Texas, they will take out their frustrations on a TCU squad playing their first ranked foe of the season. Pick: Kansas 84 TCU 72
NBA:
Utah (-4.5) at Brooklyn - After losing Spencer Dinwiddie to a torn ACL this season, the Nets will now be without Kevin Durant as well as he has been put on the Covid restricted list. Kyrie Irving can’t do it all by himself (no matter how much he thinks he can) and Utah is a more complete team right now. Pick: Utah 108 Brooklyn 101
Los Angeles Lakers (-9) at Memphis - Two nights ago these two teams played and it was a 14 point win for the Lakers. I see more of the same happening in this game. Memphis without Ja Morant is just not talented enough to keep up with the Lakers. Pick: Los Angeles Lakers 123 Memphis 108
Minnesota at Denver (-10.5) - Another game that was a rematch of a couple days ago. Minnesota has lost four straight games, with the closest one being that 15 point game against the Nuggets. More of the same today as Murray, Jokic, and the Nuggets take this game with ease. Pick: Denver 126 Minnesota 113
San Antonio at Los Angeles Clippers (-8) - This is the day the bad Clippers will show up. Sure the Spurs have lost four in a row and will probably make it a fifth tonight, but the game will be close. Pick: Los Angeles Clippers 112 San Antonio 109
Chicago at Portland (-9.5) - Ever since that opening night game against the Rockets, the Blazers haven’t played a close game this season. That will continue today as Lilllard, McCollum, and the rest of the Blazers welcome the Bulls to the Moda Center. Chicago has beaten the Wizards twice and a Doncic-less Mavericks team. That doesn’t isnpire a lot of confidence. Pick: Portland 122 Chicago 107
Happy picking everyone!