Today marks the last Saturday of the college basketball regular season. I plan on taking a break from my Saturday Selections until the college football season comes back. I enjoyed making predictions and there’s a lot more to come that isn’t just predictions. Also, congratulations to the Liberty Flames on clinching the Atlantic Sun automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Liberty could be one of those upset picks I choose on March 14. Anyways, here are my final picks of the first season of Saturday Selections. By the way, I’ll make my last Sunday Selections of the season tomorrow to wrap up the college basketball regular season.
Georgetown (9-11) at UConn (13-6) (-9.5)
UConn-Georgetown is one of my favorite rivalries from the old Big East. I remember a rerun of Allen vs. Allen in 1996 since I wasn’t alive back then. UConn blew out the Hoyas in Washington, D.C., and I expect Georgetown to come out with a different gameplan than last time. Overall, UConn should win and come into the Big East Tournament white-hot if they finish the regular season with a win.
Tune into Georgetown at UConn at 12 PM ET on CBS.
#11 Florida State (15-4) (-6) at Notre Dame (9-14)
I do hope Notre Dame basketball can start winning again. It was fun to watch them in the Big East when they were a top 20 team almost every year (or that’s how I remember it). However, Florida State is one of the best in the ACC, and I don’t see Leonard Hamilton giving this game up.
Tune into Florida State at Notre Dame at 12 PM ET on ESPN2.
South Carolina (6-13) at Kentucky (8-15) (-8)
I’ve never seen Kentucky this bad, but I don’t see Senior Day getting spoiled by the Gamecocks. I wish Olivier Sarr had a better senior year.
Tune into South Carolina at Kentucky at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
Rutgers (13-10) (-3.5) at Minnesota (13-13)
Minnesota fell off after not even winning a single road game during the regular season. That sounds pretty familiar to UConn in the American Athletic Conference. However, they’re 13-3 at home and lead the series against Rutgers. I’ll take the Gophers, which would be a bad loss for Steve Pikiell and the Scarlet Knights.
Tune into Rutgers at Minnesota at 12 PM ET on FOX.
#17 Oklahoma State (17-7) at #6 West Virginia (18-7) (-9.5)
Oklahoma State has lost three straight games to the Mountaineers, and I think you can say four straight after this game. Both teams are talented, but Derek Culver and Deuce McBride have been very impressive, so I don’t see a ruined Senior Day for the seniors on the team.
Tune into Oklahoma State at West Virginia at 2 PM ET on ESPN2.
Indiana (12-13) at #23 Purdue (17-8) (-6.5)
I love the rivalries between the Indiana teams. Purdue has been dominant against the Hoosiers, winning 8 straight. Purdue is coming in with a four-game winning streak and a 10-1 record at home. This doesn’t mean well for Indiana, a team that isn’t strong on the road and will be coming into Mackey Arena on a four-game losing streak.
Tune into Indiana at Purdue at 2 PM ET on ESPN.
#10 Villanova (16-4) (-4.5) at Providence (12-12)
Losing Collin Gillespie hurts Villanova a lot, but they’re still a very strong team in the Big East, with Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Jermaine Samuels. Providence has lost 6 of the last 7 against the Wildcats, which means I will take the regular-season champions in this one.
Tune into Villanova at Providence at 2:30 PM ET on FOX.
LSU (15-8) at Missouri (15-7) (-2)
This could be one of the best games of the day. Both teams have the talent but have been struggling recently. I still like Xavier Pinson and Cam Thomas, and I think whoever gets the best of that matchup will go home victorious. However, Missouri has lost five straight against LSU. So I’ll be taking the Tigers, LSU Tigers.
Tune into LSU at Missouri at 3 PM ET on SEC Network.
#4 Illinois (19-6) at #7 Ohio State (18-7) (-2)
Both teams are extremely talented. I can give Ohio State the benefit of the doubt that it is their Senior Day. However, if Ayo Dosunmu plays, Illinois will win this game. But if he doesn’t, I would give this to the Buckeyes. Illinois hasn’t been the strongest against Ohio State in recent years, and the Buckeyes need to break that three-game losing streak. It’s up to whether Dosunmu plays or not.
Tune into Illinois at Ohio State at 4 PM ET on ESPN.
USC (20-6) (-2) at UCLA (17-7)
UCLA puts their 11-0 record at home on the line when they face Evan Mobley and arch-rival USC. USC got the best of the Bruins earlier this season, but I think Mick Cronin will get his revenge on the Trojans. This would be the perfect time to get the win, as USC has lost 2 of the last 3 games.
Tune into USC at UCLA at 4 PM ET on CBS.
#21 Virginia (16-6) (-2) at Louisville (13-5)
Virginia has lost three of the last four games, which is a setback for the Cavaliers. However, they have dominated Louisville in the past years, despite losing to the Cardinals last year at the KFC Yum! Center. I’ll take the senior class of Sam Hauser, Jay Huff, and Tomas Woldetensae (I hope I spelled that right) to get the win. Virginia looks to make a run in the ACC Tournament next week.
Tune into Virginia at Louisville at 4 PM ET on ESPN2.
Duke (11-10) at North Carolina (15-9) (-2.5)
The greatest rivalry in all of college sports will be the main event tonight, as North Carolina aims to sweep the Blue Devils. Garrison Brooks will be honored since it is Senior Night and I hope he puts on a show for his last game at the Dean Dome (unless they make the NIT). It will be a classic, as always.
Tune into Duke at North Carolina at 6 PM ET on ESPN.
Saint Louis (14-5) (-2) vs. St. Bonaventure (14-4)
I consider this the best matchup of the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Jordan Goodwin (14.7 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 44.2 FG%, 1.7 SPG) is arguably the best player in the conference. The Billikens have won the past three matchups against the Bonnies, and I think I can say the past four after tonight.
Tune into Saint Louis at St. Bonaventure at 6 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.
Seton Hall (13-11) (-1) at St. John’s (15-10)
This is a must-win game for both teams, but it’s more important for Seton Hall. The Pirates are right on the bubble, and there is a lot at stake with this game. Sandro Mamukelashvili is a possible Big East Player of the Year candidate, and he needs to step it up and get this win for Seton Hall.
Tune into Seton Hall at St. John’s at 7 PM ET on Fox Sports 1.
Morehead State (22-7) vs. Belmont (26-3) (-6.5)
An automatic bid is on the line for both teams. Belmont came into the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament as the favorite, and they meet Morehead State in the Championship. The Bruins will have to watch out for Johni Broome, who is one of the best players in the OVC. Belmont looks to go back-to-back after winning the Ohio Valley last year. I think it will happen.
Tune into Morehead State at Belmont at 8 PM ET on ESPN2.
Xavier (13-6) at Marquette (12-13) (-2)
It’s surprising to me that Marquette is the favorite. Xavier is aiming to make the NCAA Tournament, and a loss here could cost them. Marquette has a losing record at home, so this could be a chance for the Musketeers to end the season off on the right foot. Marquette isn’t to be messed around with, though.
Tune into Xavier at Marquette at 9 PM ET on Fox Sports 1.
Calhoun's Corner 