By Ryan Coleman

I’m back! And it’s March! Hoorah! Life is good and let us sing. Okay, now back to the betting. Conference tournaments start today but there are still a lot of conferences trying to figure out their seeding and I am here to give you the bets for today. So let’s get to it.

Michigan State at Penn State
6:00 pm central, ESPN
Line: Michigan State -1.0

The Pick: Penn State +1.0

This is tough because Michigan State has been pretty solid of late and Penn State has slowed down some after winning eight straight conference games. But the Nittany Lions have proven they can beat this Sparty team and now they return home, where they have been very good this season. Penn State doesn’t turn it over much and MSU doesn’t force many so they will have a lot of opportunities to score. The Nittany Lions’ defense, especially inside the arc, is dominant and I see them slowing down the Green Machine and taking this one in one of the best games of the year.

Maryland at Rutgers
6:00 pm central, Big Ten Network
Line: Rutgers -1.5

The Pick: Maryland +1.5

Another tough choice but Rutgers depends way too much on their interior scoring for me to pick them. Maryland can spread the ball and find more ways to score and their 17th ranked interior defense will suffocate Rutgers who depends on 60% of their points from inside the arc but still only rank 134th when it comes to 2p%. Maryland won a tough game with the Scarlet Knights earlier this season. and I trust them to do it again tonight.

Purdue at Iowa
8:00 pm central, Big Ten Network
Line: Iowa -5.5

The Pick: Iowa -5.5

Big Ten galore I guess, but these are really some good games. I understand that Purdue curb stomped Iowa last game but this Boilermaker team is incredibly polar and they have really come off the rails since that game, with the only team they beat since being Indiana. This Hawkeye team I believe in and especially considering they have not lost a conference game at home this season. This line seems a little big, sure, but I sense it more so as “Vegas knows” rather than a Purdue cover and loss. Let’s go Hawkeyes! 

West Virginia at Iowa State
8:00 pm central, ESPNU
Line: West Virginia -5.0

The Pick: West Virginia -5.0

Now I understand that this Mountaineer team has really hit the wall, losing six of their last seven games but they match up quite well. West Virginia isn’t the most efficient offensive team but one thing they are incredible at is offensive rebounding, something Iowa State is terrible at defending. This Cyclone team has not really been the same with Haliburton sidelined and I can’t imagine them putting up many points against Press Virginia. I’m taking a risk here for sure but give me all the West Virginia love!

Tennessee at Kentucky
8:00 pm central, ESPN
Line: Kentucky -9.0

The Pick: Tennessee +9.0

Since they lost to Auburn the Wildcats have been pretty legit, winning eight straight games which makes me feel as if they are due for their classic collapse. The Volunteers are a dominant team down low where Kentucky thrives and Kentucky scored 22 points off free throws last game which shouldn’t be the same case. The Volunteers are actually better on the road than Kentucky is at Rupp. I don’t fully expect Tennessee to win here but I absolutely seeing them cover.

Other Picks:

• SFA at Abilene Christian: Under 142
• Marquette (-4.0) at DePaul: Marquette -4.0
• Duquesne at VCU (-4.5): VCU -4.5

Season Total: 215-173-8