Let's pick and choose the best spots from a small number of
college basketball games on what is the most holy of holy days.
With the Super Bowl set to kick off later in the day,
schedule-makers have given us some solid NCAA basketball matchups to look at
leading up to the big game.
Only 10 games are on tap today and the last one begins at
3:30 PM EST. Here are my favorite NCAA basketball picks of the bunch.
Providence (13-10 SU, 8-9 ATS) vs. West Virginia (15-8
SU, 12-8 ATS)
Tipoff at 12:00 PM EST
The earliest game of the day is West Virginia's road
encounter with Providence. The Mountaineers hold 5.5-point chalk at the
sportsbooks but have failed to cover in three consecutive games as the favored
team.
Following a three-game losing streak, you know Bob Huggins'
gang will be in desperation mode today. Kevin Jones has been outstanding
despite his team's poor run, scoring at least 20 points in eight straight, and
I see him and his teammates taking it to Providence from the get-go.
West Virginia has won seven straight in the series and has
gone 6-1 ATS in those games to boot. I expect the Mountaineers to come out
fired up to finally get on the winning side again and the Friars won't have an
answer.
PICK: West Virginia Mountaineers -5.5
Pittsburgh (14-9 SU, 8-10 ATS) vs. Villanova (10-12 SU,
6-13 ATS)
Tipoff at 2:00 PM EST
Okay, I know the Panthers are on the up-and-up again, but I
don't believe they should be favored by this many against Villanova.
Pittsburgh has awaken from their mid-season slump, winning
three in a row while covering the spread in four of their last five. The return
of Tray Woodall has immensely helped the team on both ends of the court.
You'll look at Villanova's record and shake your head, and
yes it's true the Wildcats have underachieved. But a lot of their losses have
been close and Maalik Wayns (24.6 PPG over his last five) has been playing
lights out. Assuming 'Nova plays a little better defensively, I see no reason
why they can't stay within nine today.
PICK: Villanova Wildcats +8.5
Fairfield (12-10 SU, 6-12-1 ATS) vs. Siena (10-12 SU,
7-8-3 ATS)
Tipoff at 3:30 PM EST
Siena has been completely decimated by injuries and
eligibility issues this season, but I still like the value we're getting from
oddsmakers here.
Earlier in the season the Saints won 73-60 at home over
Fairfield to cash as 6.5-point underdogs. Despite 27 points from Desmond Wade,
Siena emerged victorious behind a tremendous all-around team effort. Five
different players scored in double figures for the Saints in that win.
So even though this is a revenge spot for the Stags, I'm
taking the road dogs instead. O.D. Anosike, who's averaging 15.2 PPG and 12.9
RPG on the year, has been the catalyst for a shorthanded but spirited rotation
and I don't think Siena goes down without a fight today.
PICK: Siena Saints +11.5