Picks for Best Games on Saturday, January 5th
Today is going to be a full slate of games as this is really the first weekend with conference play, as a result there are lots of games to track and a ton of picks to be made. No game stands out as a blockbuster game but there are multiple Top-25 teams on the road,
Michigan State at Ohio State
Noon ET on FOX
Line: Michigan State -3
Pick: Ohio State
Against the Spread: Ohio State
Final Score Prediction: Ohio State 67 Michigan State 64
Why this pick? I don’t think either team wins this one by more than 7, so I think it is probably smart to take the points and I may as well take Ohio State in the process.
Syracuse at Notre Dame
Noon ET on the ACC Network
Line: Syracuse -2
Pick: Syracuse
Against the Spread: Syracuse
Final Score Prediction: Syracuse 67 Notre Dame 61
Why this pick? Both teams haven’t been good, Notre Dame has had about a billion injuries this year, Syracuse doesn’t run good offense. I’ll take Syracuse but I’m not sure they win.
Creighton at Butler
Noon ET on Fox Sports 1
Line: Butler -3
Pick: Creighton
Against the Spread: Creighton
Final Score Prediction: Creighton 78 Butler 67
Why this pick? Yes Butler is actually favored in this game, I would have taken Creighton if they were favored by three.
North Carolina at Pittsburgh
Noon ET on the ACC Network
Line: North Carolina -8.5
Pick: North Carolina
Against the Spread: North Carolina
Final Score Prediction: North Carolina 99 Pittsburgh 76
Why this pick? I’ve liked what I have seen out of Pittsburgh this year, I’ve been disappointed by North Carolina this year, that being said it is pretty clear which team is better.
Kentucky at Alabama
1 PM ET on ESPN
Line: Kentucky -4
Pick: Kentucky
Against the Spread: Kentucky
Final Score Prediction: Kentucky 76 Alabama 64
Why this pick? Kentucky appears to be on a roll of late, I think that continues as they roll Alabama.
St. John’s at Georgetown
1 PM ET on CBS
Line: St. John’s -1.5
Pick: St. John’s
Against the Spread: St. John’s
Final Score Prediction: St. John’s 87 Georgetown 79
Why this pick? I get that this could be a tough environment for the Red Storm to play in but their past two games have shown that they are really good, I think they continue to play well as they win this game on the road.
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
2 PM ET on ESPN3
Line: Oklahoma -11
Pick: Oklahoma
Against the Spread: Oklahoma State
Final Score Prediction: Oklahoma 73 Oklahoma State 66
Why this pick? This rivalry is always close, Oklahoma has kept games close against worse teams than Oklahoma State already this year, I will take Oklahoma to win but Oklahoma State to cover.
Villanova at Providence
2 PM ET on FOX
Line: Villanova -3
Pick: Villanova
Against the Spread: Villanova
Final Score Prediction: Villanova 78 Providence 65
Why this pick? The Friars have already lost at home against teams like Umass and Creighton, losing to Villanova by more than 3 shouldn’t be an issue.
Kansas State at Texas Tech
2 PM ET on ESPNU
Line: Texas Tech -11
Pick: Texas Tech
Against the Spread: Texas Tech
Final Score Prediction: Texas Tech 57 Kansas State 34
Why this pick? This game is going to be ugly, so shield your eyes and maybe watch another game. As for the result of the game, Texas Tech should roll to a blowout win over an injured Kansas State team.
Florida State at Virginia
3 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Virginia -8
Pick: Virginia
Against the Spread: Virginia
Final Score Prediction: Virginia 67 Florida State 55
Why this pick? This one should be close but the killer trio of Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome, and De’Andre Hunter should lift Virginia to a comfortable win.
Kansas at Iowa State
5 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Iowa State -1
Pick: Kansas
Against the Spread: Kansas
Final Score Prediction: Kansas 74 Iowa State 70
Why this pick? Kansas has struggled of late but they have a history of winning close games in Big 12 play, I will act on that history and pick the Jayhawks to pick up a road win at Iowa State.
Clemson at Duke
8 PM ET on ESPN
Line: Duke -16
Pick: Duke
Against the Spread: Clemson
Final Score Prediction: Duke 76 Clemson 65
Why this pick? Duke will win this one comfortably but I think Clemson will at least keep this one close.
West Virginia at Texas
9 PM ET on ESPN2
Line: Texas -7
Pick: Texas
Against the Spread: West Virginia
Final Score Prediction: Texas 70 West Virginia 67
Why this pick? Texas has had a tendency to keep games close, especially at home. I think Texas wins but West Virginia closed.
Yesterday’s Picks: 1-1
Year to date: 162-122-11