Another Saturday, another big slate of college hoops. I'll give you my two cents on the Big 12, plus I have a couple of others I like. Here we go:
Top play: Kansas +4.5 at Oklahoma The conventional line on this game is that the Sooners get their revenge at home after losing the classic triple OT game in Lawrence. But here is what I see and why I think the Jayhawks get the W today: these teams are very subtly going in different directions. The Jayhawks have quietly won - and covered - 4 in a row. Maybe that all comes crashing down. But they controlled West Virginia beginning to end the other night. The Sooners are playing it close to the vest, and they got burned last Saturday in Manhattan. In addition, the Sooners beat Iowa State by 4 at home, beat West Virginia by 2 at home, and beat Texas on a last second 3 at home last Monday night. So they have played it close at home, and I believe today they get burned. I like KU's depth here, particularly on the inside. The Jayhawks' guards will have to step up big time, but I don't expect another 46 point outburst from Buddy Hield today. So I will take KU to cover the spread and sprinkle a bit on the ML as well.
Texas +5.5 at Iowa State Texas suffered a heartbreaker the other night as they led all the way at Oklahoma only to lose on a last second 3. Iowa State comes off their own disappointing loss at Texas Tech. The Cyclones have re-instated center Jameel McKay (the 2014-15 Big 12 Defensive POY), which they badly needed the inside presence. The emergence of Prince Ibeh in the middle has really helped Texas and given them a big presence inside. Texas has really stepped up the D, as we saw them hold an OU team averaging 85 PPG to just 63 on Monday. Texas is playing with a lot of confidence and Shaka Smart has Texas playing its best basketball at the right time. Iowa State might play today with a sense of desperation as they have already lost 2 Big 12 games at home. One way to play this game is play the Under 146.5. UT has played a lot of games to the Under lately (7 in a row if I'm counting correctly). I am not playing the side in this game, but I would certainly lean to Texas. Best play here I think is to the Under.
Oklahoma State -1 vs Kansas State Small play here for me on Oklahoma State, as they are the short favorite at home.
Baylor -9.5 vs Texas Tech No play here, but I would lean Tech to cover the spread.
West Virginia -17.5 vs TCU Mountaineers get the W, but no play here
Others:
A couple of other plays I'm playing today:
Kentucky -2 at South Carolina
Notre Dame -1 vs Louisville
I might have a couple others throughout the day. Best of luck everyone!