College basketball expert picks for Saturday’s loaded Top 25 slate
The most jam-packed Saturday slate of the faculty basketball season is imminently upon us. On the docket, we now have twenty groups ranked in motion all through the day, headlined by a large Big 12 showdown between No. 2 Houston and No. 4 Arizonaand a uncommon nonconference deal with between No. 1 Michigan and No. 3 duke.
Conference races will take additional form as the large video games play out, however extra illuminating would be the type of the game’s prime title contenders. Rarely can we get tilts between highly-ranked groups, however we get No. 2 vs. No. 4 and No. 1 vs. No. 3 tipping off within the span of some hours.
We additionally get No. 10 Illinois vs. UCLA in a pivotal Big Ten showdown, No. 6 Iowa State at No. 23 BYU in a significant Big 12 matchup, and the Darryn Peterson-led Kansas Jayhawks welcoming Cincinnati to Lawrence, Kansas.
Kansas’ Bill Self gets candid on Darryn Peterson ‘checking out’: What’s right, what’s ‘false’, what’s next
Isaac Trotter
Our workforce of specialists has picks under straight up and in opposition to the unfold for all of the day’s largest video games.
Odds by way of DraftKings Sportsbook | All instances ET
Cincinnati at No. 8 Kansas
1 pm on CBS,, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App, Paramount+ Premium: KU is 6-3 in opposition to the unfold at dwelling this season and enjoying its greatest basketball — apart from a confounding no-show loss at Iowa State final Saturday — for many of the final month. I’m laying the factors on the Jayhawks with this choose. The Darryn Peterson noise has reached deafening levels in latest days after yet one more early exit, and I believe he will likely be out to show he is the unquestioned No. 1 prospect in this year’s NBA Draft class. Pick: KU -11.5 (Boone)
No. 4 Arizona at No. 2 Houston
3pm on ABC, fuboTV (attempt for free): It’s onerous to ascertain a world through which Arizona goes from zero losses to 3 within the brief span of lower than two weeks. But that is a actuality I’m choosing right here. It’s a troublesome activity to face this Houston workforce wherever, a lot much less at dwelling, and far much less with out the companies of (*25*). Tommy Lloyd’s workforce is able to retaining this shut, however the Coogs have too many weapons. Pick: Houston -5.5 (Boone)
No. 1 Michigan vs. No. 3 Duke
6:30 pm on ESPN, fuboTV (attempt for free): A take I consider in that might very effectively age poorly: This Michigan line is simply too low. I’d have guessed this might be Michigan -6 or -7. It leads school hoops in scoring margin, has the No. 1 protection in adjusted effectivity at KenPom and is, a minimum of on paper, terrifically geared up to match what Duke does greatest. I’m laying the factors with the Wolverines. Pick: Michigan -2.5 (Boone)
No. 10 Illinois at UCLA
9pm on Fox, fuboTV (attempt for free): Things have gone sideways for UCLA in a rush after a swing as much as Michigan this week resulted in two losses to Michigan and Michigan State by 30 and 23 factors, respectively. Mick Cronin could have his Bruins enjoying for delight, if nothing else, as they return dwelling to face Illinois. that will likely be sufficient stays to be seen — I believe Illinois wins this one, say, 75-70 — however the Bruins handle to place up a good displaying in a loss. Pick: UCLA +6.5 (Boone)
No. 6 Iowa State at No. 23 BYU
10:30 pm on ESPN, fuboTV (attempt for free): It’s powerful to be ok with BYU proper now after it misplaced sharpshooter Richie Saunders to a season-ending ACL harm. So I’m going with my intestine right here with Iowa State to snag a street win. This Cyclones workforce is harmful defensively and enjoying with a full head of steam after choosing up wins over Kansas and Houston within the final week. A shorthanded Cougars workforce can nonetheless put up a struggle, however I do not assume they’ve the horses to get it completed vs. this ISU workforce. Pick: ISU -3.5 (Boone)
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