NCAA Basketball: 2021 Diamond Head Classic preview and predictions

Predictions Day 3

Northern Iowa vs South Florida – 1:30 or 3:30 PM ET

Northern Iowa’s struggles will get some relief with a matchup against South Florida. UNI has too much offensive potential for USF to keep up. They will also have the best player on the court in AJ Green.

I lean strongly towards Northern Iowa to get a win and avoid finishing last in the Diamond Head Classic.

The Pick: Northern Iowa

Hawaii vs Stanford – 1:30 or 3:30 PM ET

Hawaii will get a win over South Florida, but Stanford likely has too much size and talent inside for the Rainbow Warriors to put together back-to-back upsets.

I like Jerod Haase’s team to finish 2-1 in the event despite an opening loss to Wyoming.

The Pick: Stanford

Liberty vs Vanderbilt – 6:30 PM ET

This has the potential to be an ugly matchup with two teams that play a slow tempo and have struggled to score for long stretches this season.

Scotty Pippen Jr. vs Darius McGhee will be an excellent point guard matchup, but I lean towards Vanderbilt in a close one because of their size and athleticism in comparison with Liberty’s smaller lineup.

The Pick: Vanderbilt

BYU vs Wyoming – 8:30 PM ET

Wyoming is an excellent team that will almost certainly compete with the top teams in the Mountain West, but BYU’s balance on both ends of the floor will prove too much in the end. The Cougars are a good shooting team, solid defensively, can rebound, and do not turn the ball over.

I like BYU to win the 2021 Diamond Head Classic, making a case for their return to the AP Top 25.

CHAMPION: BYU