Saturday's Picks and Predictions

BE SURE TO JOIN OUR NBA CONTEST - IT STARTS SUNDAY - FREE TO JOIN AND FREE TO PLAY!!

(CBB) 12:00PM EST
WEST VIRGINIA +7 -120
***KNOCKOUT PUNCH OF THE DAY***
***CBB GAME OF THE WEEK***
WEST VIRGINIA ML +240
Pre-game Comment: Louisville is hot winning 8 straight while covering 7 of those 8 times! I have actually backed them a few times during this run, however, today is the day I believe they come crashing back to Earth! The formula is easy for the Mountaineers - win the battle on the boards and you win the game. Louisville possesses a strong home court advantage at 11-1 on the season but WVa has thrived on the road going 5-1 so far this year, making them a very dangerous team. WVa may also be castching the cardinals at the right time - with a huge game with UConn on deck who sits at 8-1 in conference play! Perhaps Da Ville gets caught looking ahead a little? Certainly possible! Both teams are coming off blowout wins (20 points or more) and WVa has thrived in this spot going 3-1 ATS overall including 3-0 on the road while da Ville has actually struggled in this spot going 2-4 ATS including 0-3 when playing on 2 or more days rest! My power rankings have the wrong team favored and I am not going to ignore it! WVa in an upset!


(CBB) 12:00PM EST
NOTRE DAME +12
Pre-game Comment: The Irish hobble into this game losers of 4 straight. In recent years the irish were known as a covering machine but this year the tables have turned and ND hasn't covered in 5 stright and 6 of their L7. So why am I interested in playing them today. Simple. Piutt is home and coming off an "upset" loss to in-state rival Nova. This has many believing they can't lose 2 straight and that they will bounce big off that loss. However, I feel different. ND is the perfect to team to expose Pitt's weaknesses just like Nova did. The Irish can match Pitt's physical toughness down low and also possesses the long range shooting ability to force Pitt to guard the perimeter which can create some easy buckets in the paint. Again, this a very a similar match up and the Nova game a few days back and I see a closely played game throughout and an upset wouldn't totally shock me.


(CBB) 1:00PM EST
PURDUE -12
Pre-game Comment: This goes in the category of "if it looks too good to be true it probably is". Really, at first glance the points just look took too easy especially because Purdue is a little banged up. However, I am not taking the bait! Here is the bottom line! UM has struggled on the road this year and in recent years going 11-29 in their L40. UM's defense is suspect and they are offensively-challenged which is not good when you are facing one of the best defensive teams in the nation and on the road. UM is not a team that is going to beat Purdue - only Purdue can beat Purdue today! So long as the Boilermakers take care of the ball and execute efficiently they will win convincingly! I say they do!


(CBB) 2:00PM EST
GEORGETOWN +6
Pre-game Comment: I have gone against Georgetown with success this season citing they are just an average team. However, today is the day I'm jumping back on the bandwagon! First, let's ask ourselves WHY is this line ONLY 6 - considering that Marquette is at home and riding a 10 game win streak while the Hoyas are riding a 4 game losing streak? Here is how I see it. Marquette is ranked in the top 10 but of all top 10 teams is probably the worst. I don't place much stock in their current 18-2 record because they have benefited from a relatively easy schedule so far. The fact is they are now entering the toughest part of their schedule and will struggle against teams with good post-up players - and Georgetown fits that bill. Look for the Hoyas to get back to basics and fundamentals and through an aggressive style of play fight and claw their way back into the win column!


(CBB) 6:00PM EST
BAYLOR +7
Pre-game Comment: It is tough for me to pass up these points today knowing that Baylor has covered 8 straight against Mizzou and the dog is also 7-1 ATS L8 meetings. Baylor is coming off B2B losses against Oklahoma and Texas and fell out of the top 25 as a result. Today I look for them to get back on track with a very balanced attack - all 5 starters average double digits. Despite their 17-4 overall record Mizzou has yet to impress me. And apparently they don't impress the pollsters either as they have yet to receive a top 25 ranking. My power rankings actually have the Bears as a small fave and I will not ignore it! The only reason in my opinion that this line is where it is at is because Mizzou is a perfect 13-0 at home, however, I will point out to an average to below-average schedule. I'm taking Baylor!


I will be posting more picks here throughout the day!

For the most up-to-date stats, trends, injuries, and team reports please go to our handicapping tools section!

If you have any questions about a particular match up or in general feel free to post them here and I will answer them promptly!

Let's make it a great day folks!