College Hoops Saturday

Jaelen Wilson from Desoto, Texas leads the Kansas Jayhawks into Ames to face Iowa State in what could be a battle for 1st place in the Big 12.

Welcome to the first Saturday of February. Mark it off the calendar as we get another week closer to March. Very interesting slate we have today. There are quite a few home favorites I like, which is a bit of a change of pace. Plenty of great games today from Cameron Indoor to the Octagon of Doom in Manhattan, Kansas to Gonzaga vs. St. Mary’s on the West Coast. Huge slate so let’s get after it! We should be streaming tomorrow for all the games so check us out! https://www.twitch.tv/desertdwellersports

Michigan State Spartans vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (-4); total 126.5; 11:00am ct

Tom Izzo takes his Spartans into Madison Square Garden against the Scarlet Knights. Typically the home team has dominated this series but this will be a neutral site game. The Spartans are coming off a beating by Purdue. Rutgers is tied for 2nd in the Big 10 looking for revenge after losing to the Spartans in East Lansing a couple weeks ago. Rutgers dominated the paint but it was Michigan State’s 3PT shooting that gave them the edge. The Spartans made 12 three’s compared to Rutgers’ 2. I like Rutgers here if they can limit the Spartans 3PTs and rebound the Scarlet Knights will get the cover. MSU’s weakness is its interior size, Rutgers must exploit it.

#1 Purdue Boilermakers vs. #19 Indiana Hoosiers (-1); total 139.5; 3:00pm

We have our Big 10 heavyweight matchup we’ve been waiting for with Purdue’s Zach Edey facing off with Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis. You know Jackson-Davis has had this game circled on his calendar and so has the rest of the Hoosiers team. Huge game. In Purdue’s last game junior Mason Gillis made 9 3PTs and scored 29 points. I don’t see that happening again. Indiana’s guards will match up with the Purdue freshman. Hoosiers also have the size for Edey in the paint. I like Indiana winning this game.

#11 Texas Longhorns vs. #6 Kansas State Wildcats (+1); total 149.5; 3:00pm ct

The Longhorns are in 1st place in the Big 12 and have Kansas on deck after this game. Talk about pressure. K-State scored 116 on the Longhorns in Austin earlier in the season handing them their first Big 12 loss. Do I think K-State will have the same offensive success? Probably not. Will the Texas offense show up on the road? I ask this every week. They didn’t against Tennessee last Saturday. The Longhorns shot decent but continued to shoot 3PTs that were not going in. Kansas State outplayed Kansas last week in Lawrence in the 2nd part of that game but got a bad whistle the whole game. Other than the missed layups and turnovers - K-State looked good. After beating Baylor at home and Kansas up next I don’t see a good game coming from Texas. The offense can’t be trusted on the road. And they are favored here? Nah.

Syracuse Orange Men (-2.5) vs. Boston College Eagles; total 138.5; 4:00pm

Syracuse has dominated this matchup against BC and I think it continues on Saturday. BC beat Clemson earlier in the week but Clemson went ice cold for about 10 minutes. Syracuse plays it’s 2-3 zone as we know and BC is ranked 343rd in the country in 3PT %. I really like how Syracuse has been playing lately even though they’ve gotten a couple bad bounces lately. The Orange will take care of business here. Judah Mintz is a ball player and future NBA player for ‘Cuse.

Missouri Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs (-3.5); total 139.5; 5:00pm ct

The Bulldogs will looks to use its impressive half court defense to slow down the Missouri Tigers. Mizzou loves to get out and run. They average the 6th highest PPG in the country. MSU only has 2 SEC wins but I like the way they have been playing especially at home. Mississippi State has won the past 6 meetings and I expect that trend to continue with the Bulldogs aggressive defense leading the way. I have a fever for more cowbell.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Duke Blue Devils (-3); total 144.5; 5:30pm ct

Duke has been impressive at home especially now that they have Jeremy Roach back in the lineup. Freshman Tyrese Proctor has also come on as of late. Freshman center Kyle Filipowski who is a walking double double will be able to matchup with Armando Bacot in the paint. This will be coach Jon Scheyer’s first time coaching in this rivalry and he gets to do it at home. This is an even matchup but I like the Duke freshman. They have been playing well lately at home while Carolina’s veteran team has struggled on the road.

Wyoming Cowboys vs. San Jose State Spartans (-1); total 135.5; 9:00pm ct

The SJSU Spartans are in the middle of the Mountain West pack and Wyoming is having a down year. Wyoming has defeated San Jose State 10 consecutive times. All good things must come to an end right? I think the Spartans are finally in position to get some revenge and grab a victory. The Spartans don’t turn the ball over and own the offensive glass. Two of my favorite things. I’ll take the Spartans in this late night Mountain West game with their best chance as any to knockout big brother.

Other highlighted games:

#16 Virginia Cavaliers vs. Virginia Tech Hokies (-1.5); total 129.5; 11:00am ct

We kick off the morning with an ACC rivalry game in Blacksburg, Virginia. This number screams upset and I wouldn’t run away from this situation as it paid off all week for us. This Hokies team is now healthy and have looked great since its first ACC win against Duke at home. UVA had a shaky game at Syracuse and they are back on the road in a rivalry game. I like the Hokies offense and current form. Hokies have won its last two at home vs. Virginia. I would play the ML -110 to -125.

#6 Kansas Jayhawks (-1.5) vs. #10 Iowa State Cyclones; total 136; 11:00am ct

The Kansas Jayhawks may have had its best performance this past week at home against Kansas State. Iowa State on the other hand had its worst performance of the year by blowing a 20+ point lead in Lubbock to Texas Tech. Last season this was a very important game for the Jayhawks. They were in a slump and came out and destroyed Iowa State on the road. I believed that game was the turning point in their season leading to the National Championship. Kansas has flipped its switch and is locked it. I like the Jayhawks here.

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. #7 Baylor Bears (-9.5); total 143; 12:00pm ct

The Red Raiders have Baylor next after its improbably victory this week at home against Iowa State where they came back 20+ points in the 2nd half. Yes, the refs helped them along the way but we move on. Baylor is coming off a lost to UT. Typically in this situation it’s a major let down spot for Tech and a game where the Bears will be looking to destroy its opponent. If you watched the Iowa State v. Tech game then you know Tech had no business winning that game but they made their gifted FTs and Iowa State missed theirs. Last weekend Arkansas visited Baylor and Baylor was laying 6 points now its only 9.5 vs. Texas Tech. Baylor defeated Texas Tech earlier this year in Lubbock by 7 after the Red Raiders made 12 3PTs compared to Baylor’s 11. This is a high number but I would lay it with Baylor before taking it with Texas Tech. I feel a major let down incoming but Baylor’s lack of defense is scary.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (-3) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish; total 149.5; 12:00

Wake had a tough stretch losing four games in a row to the best teams in the ACC. Now they face an ACC bottom dweller in ND. The Irish’s two ACC wins are against Louisville and Georgia Tech - the two teams below them in the ACC. The Demon Deacons will be ready for a victory and they will be facing the perfect opponent to grab it. ND has had success at home in the past but those were different Irish squads. I feel this number is too short but could also be a trap like we experience with Clemson vs. Boston College. Too good to be true.

Ole Miss Rebels vs. Vanderbilt Commadores (-4); total 138.5; 12:00pm ct

Ole Miss has had Vandy’s number in this matchup in recent years. The Commadores have the better team and should be able to put together a win here. Vanderbilt was embarrassed by Alabama this week losing by 40+ so you would think Jerry Stackhouse would get his team up and ready to go against a comparable opponent. I like Vandy here with what I think is a much better team than Ole Miss. I’m only afraid because Vandy has Tennessee on deck at home but the bad loss to Alabama should cancel that out.

Auburn Tigers vs. #1 Tennessee Volunteers (-9.5); total 134.5; 1:00pm ct

Tennessee is back in Knoxville after a loss to Florida on the road. You really don’t know which Auburn team is going to show up night in and night out. This is a big number but Tennessee beat Texas by 11 and I believe the Longhorns are much better than the Tigers. Tennessee was in a total trap game against Florida and we cashed. They should be focused on this game with no look ahead spot on deck. Too many points for me and I can’t trust Auburn on the road either.

#15 TCU Horned Frogs vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys (-4); total 138; 1:00pm

The Cowboys had a wire to wire victory in Norman, Oklahoma against the Sooners earlier this week. I think that may have been Oklahoma State’s best game of the year. TCU defeated West Virginia at home with an injured Eddie Lampkin and without Mike Miles Jr. Lampkin was visibly limping throughout the game and Miles is questionable to play in this game. OSU has Moussa Sisse back healthy as ever and he was a force in the OU game. I really like OSU in this game with the way their guards have been playing and with Sisse controlling the paint. It’s hard to play this game not knowing who is in for TCU. A spread of 4 is a bit high and the Cowboys could be a bit fat and happy in Stillwater. TCU has K-State on deck. Tough game but should be a good one.

#22 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (-3); total 152.5; 1:30pm ct

This should be a great Big 10 game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Illinois is red hot and so is Iowa. Iowa’s Rebraca should be able to handle Dain Dainja in the paint. Kris Murray and his scoring matches up with Terrance Shannon Jr. Will Iowa’s wings be able to keep Matthew Mayer off of the 3PT line? Illinois has won the last 5 games and only one of those was on the road. I like the way this Iowa team matches up with Illinois. I like Iowa here unless the game moves to -4.

Miami Hurricanes vs. Clemson Tigers (-2); total 147; 2:00pm ct

These two have not faced each other in a couple of years. Last weekend Clemson beat Florida State on the road by 1 point and then loss a couple days later on the road at Boston College. Miami played a great game at home against Virginia Tech shooting 60%. Miami isn’t the best away team and Clemson is undefeated at home this season. I like Clemson at home to bounce back and hold tight to that 1st place ACC lead. They have had two bad performances in a row and its time for a breakout. Miami has one of the best offenses in the country with NBA players on its roster but Clemson has been playing good defense. I’m not sure which Clemson team shows up Saturday so this is a pass for me. Miami’s offense is hot.

Oklahoma Sooners vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (-6); total 138.5; 7:00pm ct

The Sooners had an embarrassing Bedlam loss to Oklahoma State this week. Mountaineers are still trying to stay in the NCAA Tournament conversation. They played OU tough earlier in the year and only loss by 1 point. I can’t remember the last time WVU was laying 6 points in a Big 12 game. This is far too many points. You know Porter Moser will have the Sooners ready to play. Last time they got destroyed by TCU the game after that they beat the tar out of the Crimson Tide the #1 team in the country at the time. This is far too many points in an important Big 12 game.

Florida Gators vs. Kentucky Wildcats (-5); total 135.5; 7:30pm ct

The Gators just scored a huge home upset victory over #1 Tennessee now they travel to Rupp Arena to face the Wildcats. This game screams Kentucky especially with a spread of 5. Classic let down spot for Florida. Kentucky was able to handle A&M easily. A&M is pretty much dead even with the Gators. I lean Kentucky here because I don’t feel the Florida offense will be able to keep up.

Thanks to those that took the time to read. Follow along on our socials and good luck to us!