Dom did a great job covering the early slate of college basketball games (check his picks out on our twitter @_pressboxsports) so I am going to highlight a few games later on in the day. The column went 1-1 last night. Bringing us to:
Overall: 9-5
Love: 2-3
Like: 4-1
Lean: 3-1
LOVE:
Wofford vs. Furman 3 p.m. CT ESPN3
This pick is based of motivation factor and home court advantage. Wofford has already clinched the regular season conference title and the #1 seed in the conference tournament in a few weeks. Meanwhile Furman has had an up and down season. They started out 12-0 with upsets over Villanova and Loyola Chicago, they even found themselves in the top 25 for a week or two. Since going 12-0 they went 4-5 to in their next nine to level their season out and since that point they are on a six game win streak.
With Wofford clinching the conference regular season title already they subconsciously don't have a lot to play for. Meanwhile Furman is fighting for their NCAA tournament lives and is going to need any good win they can get. Furman comes into this game 13-1 SU at home this season and they will look to defend that this afternoon.
Pick: Furman -1
LIKE:
Duke vs. Syracuse 5 p.m. CT ESPN
Both teams are dealing with some unfortunate incidents in this game. Duke's is on the court, Syracuse's is off the court. All thoughts and prayers to all involved in in the unfortunate incident with Coach Boeheim.
Turning our attention towards his game on the court, the Blue Devils will be without the nations best player in Zion Williamson. Duke goes as Zion goes on both ends of the court, his versatility opens things up for everyone else on the court and he is relied upon for so much. The Blue Devils obviously have a ton of talent but having to adjust in a game setting to playing without Zion will prove to be tough. Duke already comes into this game as a poor three point shooting team and going against Syracuse won't help that at all as 'Cuse ranks 34th in the nation at defending the three. Without Zion to clear up the lane and get easy baskets inside I think there is a real slow start offensively in this one as Duke try's to figure out life without Zion.
Pick: Under 143.5
Lean:
Florida State vs. North Carolina 2:45 p.m. CT CBS
Florida State has put together a nice little month, winners of 8 straight. Florida State is a team that isn't elite at any one thing but they are good to very good at everything. You know what you're going to get from a Leonard Hamilton team, some tough defense and a team that plays hard. They have some experience (8 Sophomores-Seniors in the rotation) so going into a road arena will be nothing new to these guys.
UNC is obviously coming off a huge win against Duke. Unfortunately, they are not getting much credit for that win since Zion played only 36 seconds but a win is a win. UNC runs real hot and cold and I think they could be in for a bit of a letdown today.
This pick is more about thinking FSU does enough to keep it within the 7 than it is any sort of slight against UNC. Should be a good, hard nosed fight in Chapel Hill. We'll take the points.
PICK: FSU +7
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