March 2, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

#3 Baylor (-4.5) at West Virginia - We have two games today between teams ranked in the top six. Should be a great day for College Basketball. The first top six matchup takes us to Morgantown, where Baylor looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season. We can’t say we aren’t concerned about Baylor, as the Bears haven’t looked the same since their three week layoff. We don’t think they will lose two in a row though. They are too talented. Pick: Baylor 78 West Virginia 71

#12 Arkansas (-6.5) at South Carolina - The Razorbacks have won six games in a row to move into the top 15 of the rankings, and now faces a South Carolina team that has lost four out of its last five games. South Carolina always plays hard, but they don’t have the talent to keep up with Arkansas. Give us the Razorbacks by double digits. Pick: Arkansas 83 South Carolina 69

#4 Illinois at #2 Michigan (-7.5) - The other top six matchup takes us to Ann Arbor, where Illinois and Michigan are set to square off for the first time this season. This could be a preview for the Big Ten Championship, as we believe these are the two best teams in the conference. Michigan has won seven games in a row. We say they will make it eight in a row, but it will be close. Pick: Michigan 79 Illinois 75

Auburn at #8 Alabama (-11) - This is the second matchup this season between these two in-state rivals. The first one was a 94-90 offensive explosion won by the Crimson Tide. We think something similar will happen here. We think Alabama will win a high scoring game, but it won’t be double digits. Pick: Alabama 88 Auburn 82

#15 Texas (-11.5) at Iowa State - Iowa State has lost 14 games in a row, and is still winless in the Big 12. They are 2-18 overall. Texas has dropped two out of its past three games, and it only beat Iowa State by six the last time these two teams played. We like the Longhorns to bounce back and win this game big. Pick: Texas 81 Iowa State 62

TCU at Texas Tech (-12.5) - This is the fourth time that TCU and Texas Tech have been scheduled to play. The first three times were all cancelled due to Covid concerns, so this is the first time we will actually see these two teams on the court together. Texas Tech is still terrible against the spread, so give us the Horned Frogs to cover in this game. Pick: Texas Tech 75 TCU 67

#25 Wisconsin at #23 Purdue (-2) - Purdue has won three games in a row to get back into the top 25, and now faces a Wisconsin team trying to bounce back from a loss in its last game. This is the first matchup this season between these two teams, and we think it will go to the home team. Give us the Boilermakers to cover. Pick: Purdue 73 Wisconsin 68

NBA:

Memphis (-1) at Washington - Washington is 7-3 in their last ten games, and the reason why is their defense has gotten much better. They are still allowing 119 points per game, but the number has dropped from 121 in the last couple weeks. The Wizards best hope is that Bradley Beal doesn’t score 40 points, as they have lost eleven in a row when he doesn’t hit that benchmark. We like Washington to win this game. Pick: Washington 118 Memphis 113

Los Angeles Clippers (-4) at Boston - This is the second matchup this season between the Clippers and Celtics. The first one was won by Boston on Los Angeles’ home floor. The Clippers are looking to return the favor and earn a split of the season series. We think it will happen. Give us Los Angeles to cover the four points. Pick: Los Angeles Clippers 121 Boston 112

Atlanta at Miami (-3.5) - This line seems too low to us. The Heat have won six games in a row, including a ten point win against the Hawks in their last game. Miami has moved into fifth place in the Eastern Conference courtesy of that winning streak. They will get win number seven in a row today. Pick: Miami 114 Atlanta 106

New York (-1.5) at San Antonio - When was the last time the Knicks were a favorite over the Spurs? That is how well New York is playing right now, and we have been saying it for a month. The Knicks are looking for their fourth straight win, and the Spurs had a hard fought game against the Nets last night. We are going with the Knicks. Pick: New York 109 San Antonio 102

Denver at Milwaukee (-7) - Don’t looks now but Milwaukee has won five games in a row to move towards the top of the Eastern Conference. It is a three team race for that #1 seed between the Bucks, Nets, and 76ers. Milwaukee has been winning games every kind of way, including their last game where their defense was amazing on Paul George and Kawhi Leonard down the stretch. We can’t pick against the Bucks with the way they are playing right now. Pick: Milwaukee 120 Denver 109

Phoenix at Los Angeles Lakers (-1.5) - The Lakers have righted the ship, winning two consecutive games following their first extended losing streak of the season. Phoenix really wants to win this game, as they would tie the Lakers for the three seed in the Western Conference. We think they will get it. Give us the Suns. Pick: Phoenix 114 Los Angeles Lakers 110

Happy picking everyone!