It’s an enormous day of college hoops and one that could very well give us a little clarity on who’s the best team in the country.  Yes, there are still strong cases for Purdue and Villanova regardless, and some fringe hanger-on belief for squads like Michigan State and even Arizona and the glut of Big XII squads, but if either Duke or especially Virginia on the road, show out today?  It’s hard to deny either the #1 ranking in the nation.

Duke vs. Virginia is the marquee matchup, but it is far from the only big matchup today.  The SEC/Big XII Challenge is today with a ton of fun games including Kentucky trying to steady the ship in a tough place, West Virginia, Texas A&M trying to salvage a once-promising season (they were recently ranked #5 in the NATION and I was dead-convinced they were the best team in the SEC) at Phogg Allen and Kansas, and two of the nations most exciting and talented players when freshman point guards Collin Sexton and Trae Young square off.

But to me, the more interesting element at play is the chance for the SEC to make claim as “back” versus the opportunity for the Big XII to put the “best conference in the nation” discussion firmly to bed.  Yes, the SEC has an edge in that they can avoid four of their worst teams from playing at all while the aptly named Big XII sends all ten of its teams into battle.  But even a 4-6 day would be an impressive accomplishment and earn some validation as long as the games are competitive.  The Big XII has an edge in that they get two of the SEC’s most talented teams at home in two of the toughest venues in the nation.

The pivotal matchups are Texas Tech, who is ranked #14 in the country, but just 1-3 on the road, heading to South Carolina to face a Gamecock squad that is ROLLING right now, and ranked Tennessee who visits last-place Iowa State.  Don’t be at ALL surprised if the ‘Clones win in Hilton and tilt this thing dramatically in the Big XII’s favor.

Here are my favorite wagers of the day.

 

TODAY’S FREE PICKS

Oklahoma Sooners -2.5 at Alabama Crimson Tide

Trae vs. Collin, Trae vs. Collin – yes, the two freshman point guards will both likely be cashing checks next year, but there is a little bit more to this game.  First of all, Trae Young has been WAY better this season.  Sexton might be a more prototypical “pro” but in the here and now, it ain’t even close.  But the rest of the roster?  Edge Alabama.  This is a young, talented team that has been excellent at home.  OU has struggled on the road, going just 2-3 with losses to unranked conference opponents Kansas State and Oklahoma State.  I think Alabama clips them today.

MY PICK:  ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE +2.5

 

Kentucky Wildcats at West Virginia Mountaineers -9

This one is a pure number play.  I am not as enamored with “Press Virginia” as others seem to be.  Yes, their defense can cause some havoc if you are sloppy – not exactly UK’s strength – but it can also yield some easy baskets if you have the athletes to play with them.  Kentucky, for all their flaws, isn’t ‘unathletic’.  I think they will get some transition buckets.  I think they will enjoy the pace. And I think they will play with the urgency that falling out of the Top 25 for the first time in four years provides.

I don’t think they win straight up, but getting the Cats and nearly double-digits is tough to pass up. Their worst loss was at Tennessee, an 11-point loss where things got away late, but aside from that, they’ve never failed to be competitive, even on the road.

West Virginia has lost three of their last four games and their significant offensive woes, as well as the less-than-amazing defense once the press collapses have become more evident.  I’ll take Coach Cal’s young Cats to make a nice statement with a competitive effort in a tough environment.

MY PICK:  KENTUCKY WILDCATS +9

 

Utah Utes at Arizona Wildcats -8.5

Don’t look now, but Arizona has won five straight and 13 of their last 14 games, including wins over Texas A&M, Alabama, Arizona State and a 12-point win AT Utah.  Today they host the Utes and only need to replicate their performance from a few weeks ago to earn the cover.

I think they will.  I get the “you are in love with Arizona and you are a stupid stupid-face” messages from time to time (perhaps I am paraphrasing a bit) and I understand it.  When someone digs in on a team and looks bad a few times in the process, you wonder if we have a “Dickey V and the Dooookies!” situation emerging.  We do not.  I do not give a rip about anything Arizona-related.  I do, however, like wagering on really talented basketball teams – especially when they get undervalued early (like Purdue).  I stayed on board with both, and both have paid rewards more often than not.

Talent-wise, Arizona is just light years better than the entire Pac 12.  They shouldn’t lose again this year if they can win the 2/15 game at ASU.  They will be no worse than a #2 seed in March and will likely be a Top 3 Vegas favorite to win the whole thing.

Just saying.

In the meantime, I’ll stick with the veteran savvy of Arizona plus the infusion of super-human Dwight Howard with a J, DeAndre Ayton and eat the eight points.

MY PICK:  ARIZONA WILDCATS -8.5