Another “Big Monday” is upon us again. After this past weekend, tonight will have to be a wild night to be on the same level. Let’s see how we each did picking on Friday and throughout the season.
Friday’s Results:
@coach_fritz: Overall- 2-0 ATS: 1-1
@catteberry33: Overall- 2-0 ATS 1-1
Overall Season Results:
@coach_fritz: Overall- 8-4 ATS- 4-8
@catteberry33: Overall- 8-4 ATS- 3-9
Let’s get to tonight’s action. (Remember that these ranks are the rank you will see as you watch it on tv tonight)
1. #17 Texas (14-5, 3-3 Big 12) at #9 Iowa State (14-4, 4-2 Big 12) Favorite: Iowa State -5.5
Iowa State is coming off of their worst loss of the season on the road at Texas Tech. The Cyclones shot just 6 for 31 from 3-point range and will need to shoot the ball better tonight. Iowa State still has the most potent offense in the conference, so Coach Hoiberg shouldn’t have to look far to find answers on how to get his team to start playing better, but Georges Niang and co. better figure it out quickly in the gauntlet of the Big 12. Texas is coming off of a 13-point home loss to Kansas. Between Myles Turner, Cameron Ridley and Jonathan Holmes, there aren’t many teams that have Texas’ size, but they have yet to take advantage of that this season very often. They will need to tonight as they do not want to get in a track meet with the Cyclones.
@coach_fritz: Give me Iowa State to win and cover. I have not been a big believer in Texas, and I think Hoiberg will have the Cyclones ready to play. Hilton Coliseum will be rocking.
@catteberry33: I think Texas will get the outright win tonight in Ames. It will be hard for Iowa State to match-up to the Longhorns size and Niang can only do so much for this team.
2. Syracuse (14-5, 5-2 ACC) at #15 North Carolina (16-4, 6-1 ACC) Favorite: UNC -10.5
This is easily one of the better coaching match-ups that we’ve had this year. When looking at the schedule this summer, many thought Jim Boeheim vs. Roy Williams in January would have a major impact on the conference race. It still can, but not the same amount as was predicted. ‘Cuse is coming off of a tough loss to Miami in the Carrier Dome on Saturday. The Orange has gotten a ton of their points this year from the 3-point line and offensive rebounds. Rakeem Christmas may have a tough go at it tonight. UNC will be led by All-American candidate Marcus Paige. The Tar Heels have had a buffet of injuries this year but have overcome that to rise in the conference race. If Paige can attack the paint and get there consistently against the 2-3 zone, UNC will be in good shape tonight.
@coach_fritz: I will take North Carolina to win, but I believe that Syracuse will cover. Syracuse plays a zone, and UNC is not a good outside shooting team, outside of Paige. Look for the Cuse’ to keep it close until the end.
@catteberry33: Although ‘Cuse may have something to prove after their recent loss to Miami, UNC will be too much tonight. I think Marcus Paige lives in the paint tonight and UNC will cover.
3. Delaware State (10-9, 4-1 MEAC) at North Carolina Central (15-5, 7-0 MEAC) Favorite: NCCU -12.5
The MEAC conference lead will be up for grabs tonight when these two teams meet. Delaware State cannot afford a second loss and hope to stay in the conference race. Going into McDougald-McLendon Gymnasium and grabbing a win will not be easy. Amere May (Delaware State) vs Jordan Parks (NCCU) should be a great match-up to watch as they are the leading scorers for their teams. This is the only time these two teams meet all season, so this one is big for Delaware State.
@coach_fritz: NCCU will win and cover. This team can score in bunches and will probably have the best 2 players on the floor at both ends. I look for this to be a 15+ point win for the Eagles.
@catteberry33: As much as I’d love to pick the upset here, NCCU has been the class of the conference for a couple years now and it will continue tonight. Jordan Parks is a stud and will take NCCU to 8 straight conference wins. Delaware State will cover though.
4. Southern (9-12, 6-1 SWAC) at Alabama State (10-5, 6-0 SWAC) Favorite: No line-Pick ‘Em
@coach_fritz: I will take Southern to win this game. They are more of a traditional SWAC power, played a MUCH tougher non-con schedule, and almost took out the best team in the conference (Texas Southern) and lost by a point.
@catteberry33: I picked Alabama State to win the conference so I have to pick them to beat Southern here. The next two games are vital for State as Texas Southern is up next so they need at least a split between these two.
