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NCAA Basketball: Picks for Day 15 of the 2024-25 season


After a great weekend of hoops, Monday brings a few games that have some upset potential. It also pits some good mid majors against good power 5 teams. There may be some games that are a lot closer than we think tonight.

Nov 15, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Ryan Nembhard (0) waves to the crowd after a game against the UMass Lowell River Hawks at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Nov 15, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Ryan Nembhard (0) waves to the crowd after a game against the UMass Lowell River Hawks at McCarthey Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images | James Snook-Imagn Images

The nation learned a lot about some teams yesterday. St. John’s is legit after they beat a very good New Mexico team by double digits. Saint Mary’s is good again after they beat a good Nebraska team by 3 points. That game was fantastic, and even though the Huskers lost, they will still be a formidable opponent in the Big Ten. Boise State beat Clemson in Boise. The Broncos are good again and will probably make the tournament easily again this year.  Mississippi State beat Utah in another fantastic game. Those are two teams who will also be great again this year. Finally, California beat USC. USC was already going to struggle in the Big Ten. Losing at home to Cal is not going to help them. The Bears have already looked much improved this year.

Yesterday, I went 23-11 in my picks. That brings my 14-day total to 475-128 overall. The weekend brought us all fantastic games up and down the schedule, and the Monday before feast week is going to bring us some great games as well. There is a ranked team who is going to be on upset watch today. Otherwise, there are some other pesky mid-majors who can give a power team a game. Picks for day 15, November 18, 2024, are below.

Michigan over Miami Ohio

Bryant over Delaware

McNeese over North Texas

Howard over FIU

NC State over Colgate

High Point over American

George Washington over NJIT

Pitt over VMI

North Florida over UNC Asheville

Wichita State over Monmouth

Louisiana Monroe over Southeastern Louisiana

Iowa State over IU Indianapolis

Arkansas over Pacific

Southern Illinois over North Dakota State

Texas Tech over Pine Bluff

Wisconsin over UT Rio Grande Valley

SMU over Prairie View

Auburn over North Alabama

Utah State over Montana

Washington State over Northern Colorado

Gonzaga over San Diego State

Idaho State over Fullerton

There are some games to keep an eye out for today. Gonzaga should still beat San Diego State, but that game is a true road game for the Bulldogs, and San Diego State is more than capable of beating Gonzaga at home. Montana and Utah State is a fun game because of Money Williams for Montana. He can go for 30 plus whenever he wants, and when he does that, he can change games. Utah State is one to keep an eye on. The Auburn and North Alabama game may be very high-scoring. The Lions can score with anyone, and they can keep that game close for a while. Enjoy the hoops.