Indiana, Baylor, and Oklahoma State Take Center Stage on a Packed Sunday Slate

The first Saturday of the college basketball season delivered.  The top 5 team lost in a shootout. A game that might be one of the best games of the season.  The top 5 team that lost were St. John’s, and they lost in Madison Square Garden to Alabama.  Alabama played a shootout with the Red Storm, just as they do with everyone, but in this game, the Crimson Tide played some defense to hold off St. John’s.  It was good to see Alabama play some defense.

Then there was a game that looked like a football game for the majority of the contest.  Michigan State beat Arkansas in a game that was a track meet and one of the more physical games you will see this year. The Spartans won the game by making only one three-point shot, but Coen Carr and star freshman Cam Ward got to the rim with ease.  Michigan State is going to outrebound almost everyone, and the physicality was too much for Arkansas and their star freshman Darius Acuff Jr.

In the 'things that make you think' category, Boise State, which lost to Division II Hawaii Pacific at home on Monday, blew out a strong Utah Valley team in Boise.  The Broncos have an uphill climb given their disappointing loss to Hawaii Pacific, but it isn’t impossible if they can secure some good wins. Gonzaga beat Oklahoma in the night game.  Oklahoma couldn’t rebound, and they had a hard time making a three.  Gonzaga did what they always do and ran up and down the floor and buried you in transition. 

Sunday is going to be another full slate of great games.  The best games are highlighted with picks for the straight-up winners.

Indiana Hoosiers vs Marquette Golden Eagles- Two rebuilding teams look for a massive win in Chicago.

Indiana blew out Alabama A&M in its first game, but questions still surround that roster.  The Hoosiers have zero players who scored a point for the program last year.  They are coached well and possess a lot of talent, but it will come down to how well they gel when adversity strikes. Marquette is a team I don't have high expectations for, and they are in for a down year.  Marquette is going to struggle to win games in conference, but this game is one they can win.  This one is going to be a close call.

Texas A&M Aggies at Oklahoma State Aggies - SEC vs Upstart Big 12 program.

It has been a while since Oklahoma State has faced a big-time non-conference opponent that they can win against.  It would still be an upset if the Cowboys won the game, but head coach Steve Lutz has built a roster with some good talent and has gotten Stillwater excited about basketball again. That’s the first step.  Texas A&M is still adjusting to its new style of play under head coach Bucky McMillon, but if Bucky ball gets going, this one could get overwhelming for Oklahoma State, especially if they are not making shots.  Oklahoma State is going to get a huge win today.

Washington Huskies at Baylor Bears- Two new rosters battle for their first Quad 1 win.

The Huskies have one of the most improved rosters in the entire country, and head coach Danny Sprinkle has won a lot and is expected to continue winning many games at Washington.  The Huskies are a trendy pick to make the NCAA Tournament this year, and winning at Baylor would be a massive step in the right direction towards that goal.

Baylor returned no one from the NCAA Tournament team last year.  That doesn’t matter for coach Scott Drew because the Bears have one of the best freshmen in the country and experienced transfers who are going to do the heavy lifting.  Baylor is still going to be a hard out in the Big 12 and should still make the tournament fairly easily.

The rest of the picks for the remaining games are here: