Yesterday was another huge Saturday in NCAA Basketball and there is going to be a ton of movement on the bubble after today. Like every big day of hoops, there were teams that helped themselves and teams that hurt themselves. Creighton won at Seton Hall in triple overtime. Nebraska used a late Keisei Tominaga three-pointer to beat Northwestern in Lincoln. Texas got a huge win over Baylor in Austin. Marquette beat Saint John’s in New York and Boise State beat San Diego State. The Aztecs have not been nearly as dominant as everyone thought.
Arkansas lost to South Carolina and the path to the tournament for the Razorbacks is almost nonexistent right now. Iowa State survived on the road at TCU and Purdue blew out Iowa in Iowa City. Seattle beat Grand Canyon. The Lopes entered that game at 17-1 on the season. North Carolina, UMass Lowell, Drexel, Eastern Kentucky, Delaware State, Dayton, Samford, McNeese, Eastern Washington, Auburn, and Saint Mary’s all enter the week undefeated in conference play.
Yesterday I went 90-54 in my picks. That brings my 74 day total to 2,118-833 overall. The Sunday slate is always slower after a huge day of games on Saturday. There are still some huge games in the power five conferences that are going to have tournament implications. Every game at this time of year matters and the games are amplified especially for bubble teams. Picks for day 75 January 21, 2024, are below.
Michigan State over Maryland
Tulane over Memphis
Illinois over Rutgers
South Florida over Wichita State
Mount St. Mary’s over Niagara
Marist over Siena
Quinnipiac over Iona
Fairfield over Manhattan
Saint Peter’s over Canisius
Sacred Heart over Wagner
Merrimack over Stonehill
Le Moyne over St Francis PA
Florida Atlantic over UTSA
Utah over Oregon
ETSU over Chattanooga
Indiana State over Murray State
Central Connecticut over Long Island
There is still a lot of quality today as you will have Michigan State against a Maryland team who is playing a lot better over the last two weeks. Illinois plays a Rutgers team that is coming off a huge win over Nebraska but is going to struggle with the pace and ability of Illinois. Utah and Oregon is the game of the day. The Ducks are one of the top teams in the Pac 12 and Utah is struggling a little bit over the last two weeks but get the Ducks at home and should lead them to a win.
Tulane and Memphis is the best mid-major game. The Green Wave has an explosive offense and could present a few matchup problems for the Tigers and Memphis has a good team but just blew a 20-point lead to South Florida at home.