Sunday, February 28, 2021

Basketball Predictions - 28 Feb

Upset picks are in italics.

NCAA

(8) Villanova at Butler - Wildcats by 9.5

UMass Lowell at New Hampshire - Wildcats by 2.5

Memphis at Cincinnati - Tigers by 2

St. Mary's (MD) at Norfolk State - Spartans by 19.5

Florida A&M at South Carolina State - Rattlers by 8

Michigan State at Maryland - Terrapins by 6.5

Albany at Hartford - Hawks by 4.5

Boston U at Army - Black Knights by 10.5

Charlotte at UTEP - Miners by 9

FIU at Western Kentucky - Hilltoppers by 17

Montana State at Idaho - Bobcats by 9.5

(9) Iowa at (4) Ohio State - Buckeyes by 3

South Florida at (12) Houston - Cougars by 19.5

Loyola (MD) at Navy - Midshipmen by 0.5

Bucknell at American - Eagles by 2.5

Quinnipiac at Marist - Red Foxes by 4

Pittsburgh at NC State - Wolfpack by 5

North Dakota State at South Dakota - Coyotes by 3

Coppin State at Delaware State - Eagles by 4

Western Illinois at Oral Roberts - Golden Eagles by 11.5

Lafayette at Lehigh - Leopards by 3

Nevada at Utah State - Aggies by 7.5


NBA

LA Clippers at Milwaukee - Bucks by 1

Washington at Boston - Celtics by 7

New York at Detroit - Knicks by 1.5

Atlanta at Miami - Hawks by 0.5

Memphis at Houston - Grizzlies by 2

Golden State at LA Lakers - Lakers by 3.5

Phoenix at Minnesota - Suns by 10

Charlotte at Sacramento - Hornets by 2.5


Results

NCAA: 70-42 (.625) 2666-1049 overall (.718)

Upsets: 5-8 (.385) 228-304 overall (.429)

NBA: 4-3 (.571) 277-213 overall (.565)

Upsets: 1-1 (.500) 45-63 overall (.417)

Saturday, February 27, 2021

NBA Rankings - 27 Feb

The Utah Jazz widened their lead over the rest of the league over the past 2 weeks, and they are now projected to finish the season 9 games ahead of the next-best team. The hottest team lately has been Washington, who has won 6 of 7, including wins over the Lakers, Blazers, Celtics, and two against the Nuggets. The Lakers are heading in the other direction, winning only 2 of their last 7, one of which was against Minnesota, the worst team in the league, though they will probably see a nice boost once Anthony Davis is healthy again. Here are my full current rankings:

 

 

 

 

Record

Proj

 

Rank

LW

Team

Rating

W

L

W

L

Seed

1

1

Utah

-10.08

26

7

59

13

W1

2

4

LA Clippers

-5.768

24

11

50

22

W2

3

2

Milwaukee

-5.68

20

13

48

24

E1

4

6

Phoenix

-4.303

21

11

47

25

W3

5

3

LA Lakers

-3.917

23

11

47

25

W4

6

10

Brooklyn

-3.782

22

12

46

26

E2

7

5

Denver

-2.832

17

15

41

31

W5

8

7

Philadelphia

-2.623

22

11

45

27

E3

9

12

Toronto

-2.038

17

17

39

33

E4

10

9

Golden State

-1.633

19

15

40

32

W6

11

8

Indiana

-1.246

15

16

38

34

E5

12

11

Boston

-0.905

16

17

38

34

E6

13

13

Atlanta

-0.496

14

19

35

37

E7

14

17

New Orleans

-0.279

14

18

35

37

W9

15

19

New York

0.3242

16

17

35

37

E8

16

16

San Antonio

0.7356

16

12

36

36

W7

17

24

Miami

0.8339

16

17

35

37

E9

18

18

Dallas

0.8691

15

16

35

37

W10

19

14

Portland

0.9683

18

14

36

36

W8

20

21

Chicago

1.0238

15

17

33

39

 

21

20

Charlotte

1.1607

15

17

34

38

E10

22

15

Memphis

1.2085

14

15

34

38

 

23

23

Detroit

3.1548

9

24

25

47

 

24

26

Oklahoma City

3.9366

14

19

28

44

 

25

22

Houston

4.5262

11

20

24

48

 

26

25

Sacramento

4.7793

13

20

27

45

 

27

30

Washington

4.8793

12

18

26

46

 

28

28

Orlando

6.3049

13

20

23

49

 

29

27

Cleveland

6.903

12

21

23

49

 

30

29

Minnesota

6.9099

7

26

17

55

 

Playoff Picks

Play In

(7) Hawks over (8) Knicks

(9) Heat over (10) Hornets

(8) Knicks over (9) Heat

(7) Spurs over (8) Trail Blazers

(9) Pelicans over (10) Mavericks

(9) Pelicans over (8) Trail Blazers

First Round

(1) Bucks over (8) Knicks

(2) Nets over (7) Hawks

(3) 76ers over (6) Celtics

(4) Raptors over (5) Pacers

(1) Jazz over (9) Pelicans

(2) Clippers over (7) Spurs

(3) Suns over (6) Warriors

(4) Lakers over (5) Nuggets

Second Round

(1) Bucks over (4) Raptors

(2) Nets over (3) 76ers

(1) Jazz over (4) Lakers

(2) Clippers over (3) Suns

Conference Finals

(1) Bucks over (2) Nets

(1) Jazz over (2) Clippers

NBA Finals

(1) Jazz over (1) Bucks

Basketball Predictions - 27 Feb

Upset picks are in italics.

NCAA

(3) Michigan at Indiana - Wolverines by 6

(14) Texas at (18) Texas Tech - Red Raiders by 4

(25) Tennessee at Auburn - Volunteers by 1.5

Navy at Loyola (MD) - Midshipmen by 0.5

Georgetown at DePaul - Blue Demons by 1

Syracuse at Georgia Tech - Yellowjackets by 5.5

Liberty at Bellarmine - Knights by 1

Stony Brook vs. UMass Lowell - Seawolves by 1

South Carolina at Georgia - Bulldogs by 6.5

Mercer at Western Carolina - Bears by 4

Central Michigan at Ball State - Cardinals by 12.5

Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan - Eagles by 5.5

(5) Illinois at (23) Wisconsin - Badgers by 0.5

LSU at (20) Arkansas - Razorbacks by 5

North Florida at Stetson - Hatters by 7.5

Binghamton at Hartford - Hawks by 9.5

Presbyterian at Hampton - Pirates by 3

American at Bucknell - Bison by 5

Florida A&M at South Carolina State - Rattlers by 8

Washington at Arizona - Wildcats by 17

VCU at Davidson - Wildcats by 1

Miami at Clemson - Tigers by 14.5

Notre Dame at Boston College - Irish by 3

Rice at Louisiana Tech - Bulldogs by 10

North Texas at Marshall - Thundering Herd by 5.5

Buffalo at Ohio - Bobcats by 2

Portland State at Northern Colorado - Bears by 5

Montana at Idaho State - Grizzlies by 0.5

Weber State at Sacramento State - Wildcats by 6

Marquette at UConn - Huskies by 8.5

Oklahoma State at (7) Oklahoma - Sooners by 5

Boston U at Army - Black Knights by 10.5

Lipscomb at North Alabama - Bisons by 0.5

Appalachian State at Georgia Southern - Eagles by 1

Ole Miss at Vanderbilt - Rebels by 2.5

Kansas State at (10) West Virginia - Mountaineers by 21

(11) Florida State at North Carolina - Seminoles by 0.5

Wake Forest at (16) Virginia Tech - Hokies by 10.5

Boise State at (22) San Diego State - Aztecs by 6.5

Vanguard at Cal Baptist - Lancers by 23.5

USC Upstate at High Point - Panthers by 8

Lehigh at Lafayette - Leopards by 10.5

Quinnipiac at Marist - Red Foxes by 4.5

Oregon at California - Ducks by 6.5

Temple at UCF - Knights by 6.5

Air Force at Colorado State - Rams by 21.5

San Jose State at Wyoming - Cowboys by 14

SE Louisiana at Northwestern State - Demons by 5

Florida at Kentucky - Wildcats by 0.5

Belmont at Morehead State - Bruins by 1

UAB at UTSA - Blazers by 2

Pepperdine at San Diego - Waves by 2.5

UNC Greensboro at East Tennessee State - Buccaneers by 1.5

La Salle at George Mason - Patriots by 4.5

North Dakota State at South Dakota - Coyotes by 3

Kent State at Miami (OH) - Golden Flashes by 1.5

(13) Creighton at Xavier - Bluejays by 2.5

NJIT vs. Albany - Great Danes by 3.5

Western Illinois at Oral Roberts - Golden Eagles by 11.5

UT Martin at Eastern Illinois - Panthers by 10

Austin Peay at Jacksonville State - Gamecocks by 7

Coastal Carolina at Troy - Chanticleers by 3.5

Arkansas State at UT Arlington - Mavericks by 4.5

Louisiana at Little Rock - Trojans by 3

UL Monroe at Texas State - Bobcats by 10.5

FAU at Southern Miss - Owls by 1

Western Michigan at Toledo - Rockets by 20

UC Davis at Cal Poly - Aggies by 5

Stephen F Austin at Lamar - Lumberjacks by 7.5

Alcorn State at Southern - Jaguars by 8

Texas Southern at Alabama State - Tigers by 9

Prairie View A&M at Alabama A&M - Panthers by 7

(6) Alabama at Mississippi State - Crimson Tide by 5.5

Southern Illinois at (21) Loyola Chicago - Ramblers by 20

Elon at UNC Wilmington - Seahawks by 7

Northern Iowa at Illinois State - Redbirds by 4

Indiana State at Valparaiso - Sycamores by 0.5

Louisville at Duke - Blue Devils by 3.5

Omaha at Denver - Mavericks by 0.5

SE Missouri State at SIU Edwardsville - Cougars by 2.5

Abilene Christian at Central Arkansas - Wildcats by 12.5

Charlotte at UTEP - Miners by 9

TCU at Iowa State - Cyclones by 1.5

Oregon State at Stanford - Cardinal by 9

Manhattan at Siena - Saints by 13.5

Rhode Island at Duquesne - Rams by 1

Minnesota at Nebraska - Gophers by 2.5

Missouri State at Evansville - Bears by 4.5

Drake at Bradley - Bulldogs by 4

Nicholls at New Orleans - Colonels by 3

Tennessee State at Eastern Kentucky - Colonels by 15

Georgia State at South Alabama - Panthers by 0.5

Middle Tennessee at Old Dominion - Monarchs by 12

Furman at Wofford - Terriers by 1.5

UC San Diego at UC Irvine - Anteaters by 11.5

(2) Baylor at (17) Kansas - Bears by 4

(19) USC at Utah - Trojans by 5

Rider at Saint Peter's - Peacocks by 12.5

Coppin State at Delaware State - Eagles by 4

North Carolina Central at North Carolina A&T - Aggies by 5

UT Rio Grande Valley at Utah Valley - Wolverines by 1.5

New Mexico State at Tarleton - Aggies by 0.5

Houston Baptist at McNeese - Cowboys by 5

UMKC at South Dakota State - Jackrabbits by 9

Jackson State at Mississippi Valley State - Tigers by 13.5

Murray State at Tennessee Tech - Racers by 7.5

Washington State at Arizona State - Sun Devils by 3.5

Grand Canyon at Seattle - Antelopes by 4

Loyola Marymount at (1) Gonzaga - Bulldogs by 22

Saint Mary's at BYU - Cougars by 9.5

San Francisco at Pacific - Tigers by 1.5

UCLA at Colorado - Buffaloes by 7.5

UC Santa Barbara at UC Riverside - Highlanders by 1

Long Beach State at Hawaii - Warriors by 11.5

CSU Northridge at CSU Bakersfield - Roadrunners by 12.5


NBA

Cleveland at Philadelphia - 76ers by 10.5

Minnesota at Washington - Wizards by 3

New Orleans at San Antonio - Spurs by 0.5

Indiana at New York - Pacers by 0.5

Utah at Orlando - Jazz by 16

Denver at Oklahoma City - Nuggets by 6

Dallas at Brooklyn - Nets by 5.5


Results

NCAA: 28-16 (.636) 2596-1007 overall (.721)

Upsets: 1-5 (.167) 223-296 overall (.430)

NBA: 6-3 (.667) 273-210 overall (.565)

Upsets: 0-1 (.000) 44-62 overall (.415)

Friday, February 26, 2021

Basketball Predictions - 26 Feb

Upset picks are in italics.

NCAA

North Florida at Stetson - Hatters by 7.5

Rider at Saint Peter's - Peacocks by 12.5

Tulane at Cincinnati - Bearcats by 5.5

Wagner at Central Connecticut - Seahawks by 6

Long Island at Bryant - Bulldogs by 11

St. Francis (BKN) at Merrimack - Warriors by 7

Drexel at James Madison - Dukes by 4.5

Manhattan at Siena - Saints by 13.5

UL Monroe at Texas State - Bobcats by 10.5

UC Davis at Cal Poly - Aggies by 5.5

Florida Gulf Coast at Kennesaw State - Eagles by 1.5

George Washington at St. Bonaventure - Bonnies by 17.5

Omaha at Denver - Mavericks by 0.5

Appalachian State at Georgia Southern - Eagles by 1

Purdue at Penn State - Nittany Lions by 1.5

Drake at Bradley - Bulldogs by 4

Missouri State at Evansville - Bears by 4.5

Indiana State at Valparaiso - Sycamores by 0.5

Fairleigh Dickinson at Sacred Heart - Pioneers by 5

Richmond at Saint Louis - Billikens by 3.5

Arkansas State at UT Arlington - Mavericks by 4.5

Coastal Carolina at Troy - Chanticleers by 3.5

North Texas at Marshall - Thundering Herd by 5.5

Middle Tennessee at Old Dominion - Monarchs by 11.5

UAB at UTSA - Blazers by 2

Bowling Green at Akron - Zips by 5

UC San Diego at UC Irvine - Anteaters by 11.5

Montana State at Idaho - Bobcats by 11

Southern Utah at Northern Arizona - Thunderbirds by 6

Louisiana at Little Rock - Trojans by 3

Rice at Louisiana Tech - Bulldogs by 10

FAU at Southern Miss - Golden Eagles by 0.5

UT Rio Grande at Utah Valley - Wolverines by 1.5

New Mexico State at Tarleton - Texans by 3.5

UMKC at South Dakota State - Jackrabbits by 9

Southern Illinois at (21) Loyola Chicago - Ramblers by 20

Northern Iowa at Illinois State - Redbirds by 4

Nevada at Utah State - Aggies by 8

Georgia State at South Alabama - Jaguars by 0.5

Grand Canyon at Seattle - Antelopes by 4

CSU Northridge at CSU Bakersfield - Roadrunners by 12.5

Fresno State at UNLV - Rebels by 7.5

UC Santa Barbara at UC Riverside - Highlanders by 1

Long Beach State at Hawaii - Warriors by 11.5


NBA

Indiana at Boston - Celtics by 0.5

Houston at Toronto - Raptors by 7.5

Phoenix at Chicago - Suns by 4

Sacramento at Detroit - Pistons by 2.5

Utah at Miami - Jazz by 11

LA Clippers at Memphis - Clippers by 7

Atlanta at Oklahoma City - Hawks by 4.5

Charlotte at Golden State - Warriors by 3.5

Portland at LA Lakers - Lakers by 5.5


Results

NCAA: 26-14 (.650) 2568-991 overall (.722)

Upsets: 3-3 (.500) 222-291 overall (.433)

NBA: 4-2 (.667) 267-207 overall (.563)

Upsets: 44-61 overall (.419)

Thursday, February 25, 2021

Basketball Predictions - 25 Feb

Upset picks are in italics.

NCAA

Miami (OH) at Western Michigan - Redhawks by 3

Eastern Michigan at Ohio - Bobcats by 18

Central Michigan at Buffalo - Bulls by 19.5

St. Francis (BKN) at Merrimack - Warriors by 7

UT Martin at SIU Edwardsville - Cougars by 9

Santa Clara at (1) Gonzaga - Bulldogs by 28

(9) Iowa at (3) Michigan - Wolverines by 5.5

Nebraska at (5) Illinois - Illini by 18

Western Kentucky at (12) Houston - Cougars by 14

Robert Morris at Detroit Mercy - Titans by 12

Washington at Arizona State - Sun Devils by 10

Florida A&M at South Carolina State - Rattlers by 8

Mount St. Mary's at St. Francis (PA) - Red Flash by 0.5

Fairleigh Dickinson at Sacred Heart - Pioneers by 5

Long Island at Bryant - Bulldogs by 11

Wagner at Central Connecticut - Seahawks by 6

Tennessee State at Morehead State - Eagles by 15.5

Mississippi Valley State at Prairie View A&M - Panthers by 26

UIC at Youngstown State - Penguins by 6

Purdue Fort Wayne at Green Bay - Phoenix by 6.5

IUPUI at Milwaukee - Panthers by 6

UCLA at Utah - Utes by 0.5

Belmont at Eastern Kentucky - Bruins by 2.5

Weber State at Sacramento State - Wildcats by 6

Murray State at Jacksonville State - Gamecocks by 2

SE Missouri State at Eastern Illinois - Panthers by 4

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas Southern - Tigers by 14.5

Portland State at Northern Colorado - Bears by 5

(4) Ohio State at Michigan State - Buckeyes by 5.5

(19) USC at Colorado - Buffaloes by 2.5

Boise State at (22) San Diego State - Aztecs by 6

San Francisco at BYU - Cougars by 12

Oregon at Stanford - Cardinal by 2.5

Northwestern at Minnesota - Gophers by 7

Austin Peay at Tennessee Tech - Governors by 4

Loyola Marymount at Pepperdine - Waves by 3.5

Portland at San Diego - Toreros by 12.5

Montana at Idaho State - Bengals by 0.5

Oregon State at California - Bears by 0.5

Pacific at Saint Mary's - Gaels by 7.5

Washington State at Arizona - Wildcats by 9.5


NBA

Dallas at Philadelphia - 76ers by 3.5

Orlando at Brooklyn - Nets by 10

Sacramento at New York - Knicks by 4.5

LA Clippers at Memphis - Clippers by 7

Washington at Denver - Nuggets by 9.5

New Orleans at Milwaukee - Bucks by 6.5


Results

NCAA: 23-16 (.590) 2542-977 overall (.722)

Upsets: 4-0 (1.000) 219-288 overall (.432)

NBA: 4-5 (.444) 263-205 overall (.562)

Upsets: 1-2 (.333) 44-61 overall (.419)

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Basketball Predictions - 24 Feb

Upset picks are in italics.

NCAA

Kent State at Ball State - Golden Flashes by 3.5

Alabama A&M at Southern - Jaguars by 7.5

Clemson at Wake Forest - Tigers by 6

Alabama State at Alcorn State - Braves by 8

St. Bonaventure at Davidson - Wildcats by 0.5

North Carolina A&T at North Carolina Central - Eagles by 6

Mount Aloysius at Radford - Highlanders by 21

Delaware State at Norfolk State - Spartans by 15

George Washington at George Mason - Patriots by 6.5

Hampton at Longwood - Lancers by 9.5

New Mexico at Air Force - Falcons by 1.5

Dayton at Saint Joseph's - Flyers by 7

NC State at (15) Virginia - Cavaliers by 11

Duquesne at La Salle - Dukes by 1.5

Marquette at North Carolina - Tar Heels by 9.5

Holy Cross at Boston U - Terriers by 5.5

American at Loyola (MD) - Greyhounds by 6

Seton Hall at Butler - Pirates by 5.5

Temple at South Florida - Bulls by 6

South Carolina at Mississippi State - Bulldogs by 7

Citadel at Furman - Paladins by 13

Chattanooga at Mercer - Bears by 5

Western Carolina at UNC Greensboro - Spartans by 14.5

Stephen F Austin at Northwestern State - Lumberjacks by 4

Tulane at Memphis - Tigers by 12.5

Indiana at Rutgers - Scarlet Knights by 4.5

McNeese at SE Louisiana - Lions by 3

New Orleans at Texas A&M-CC - Privateers by 0.5

Houston Baptist at Nicholls - Colonels by 12.5

Lamar at Incarnate Word - IW Cardinals by 6.5

Northern Arizona at Southern Utah - Thunderbirds by 14.5

(11) Florida State at Miami - Seminoles by 10.5

Sam Houston State at Abilene Christian - Wildcats by 9

(6) Alabama at (20) Arkansas - Razorbacks by 0.5

DePaul at (13) Creighton - Bluejays by 16

(25) Tennessee at Vanderbilt - Volunteers by 5.5

Xavier at Providence - Friars by 1.5

Cincinnati at Tulsa - Golden Hurricane by 4.5

Fresno State at UNLV - Rebels by 9


NBA

Golden State at Indiana - Pacers by 1

Boston at Atlanta - Hawks by 0.5

Houston at Cleveland - Rockets by 3

Toronto at Miami - Raptors by 3.5

Minnesota at Chicago - Bulls by 6.5

Detroit at New Orleans - Pelicans by 4

San Antonio at Oklahoma City - Spurs by 3.5

Charlotte at Phoenix - Suns by 6.5

LA Lakers at Utah - Jazz by 6.5


Results

NCAA: 20-6 (.769) 2519-961 overall (.724)

Upsets: 1-0 (1.000) 215-288 overall (.427)

NBA: 6-3 (.667) 259-200 overall (.564)

Upsets: 1-1 (.500) 43-59 overall (.422)



Tuesday, February 23, 2021

NCAA Bracket Prediction - 23 Feb

With 4 straight victories, including a huge upset over Virginia, the Duke Blue Devils jumped from off the page to just inside the tournament field as Selection Sunday draws closer. Duke hasn't missed the tournament since 1996, and it looked like this year might end their streak, but they are back in the mix with a strong chance to make it once again. They knocked Stanford out of the field, but the Cardinal are still very close to making the field as well. Here is my full current bracket, with rising teams in green, falling teams in red, projected conference champs in bold, and the new team in italics:

 

WEST

 

 

SOUTH

1

Gonzaga

 

1

Baylor

16

Prairie View/Morgan State

 

16

Bryant/Texas State

8

Rutgers

 

8

San Diego State

9

North Carolina

 

9

Maryland

5

Purdue

 

5

Oklahoma

12

Belmont

 

12

Colgate

4

Creighton

 

4

Wisconsin

13

Toledo

 

13

Winthrop

6

Clemson

 

6

Missouri

11

VCU

 

11

Seton Hall

3

Villanova

 

3

Houston

14

Furman

 

14

Wright State

7

LSU

 

7

Virginia Tech

10

Louisville

 

10

UCLA

2

Illinois

 

2

Iowa

15

Vermont

 

15

Weber State

 

EAST

 

 

MIDWEST

1

Ohio State

 

1

Michigan

16

Siena

 

16

James Madison

8

Colorado

 

8

Loyola Chicago

9

Drake

 

9

Florida

5

Arkansas

 

5

Texas

12

Minnesota/Duke

 

12

Xavier/Colorado State

4

Kansas

 

4

USC

13

Marshall

 

13

UC Santa Barbara

6

Texas Tech

 

6

Tennessee

11

St. Bonaventure

 

11

Indiana

3

Florida State

 

3

Virginia

14

Liberty

 

14

Abilene Christian

7

Oklahoma State

 

7

BYU

10

Boise State

 

10

Oregon

2

Alabama

 

2

West Virginia

15

South Dakota State

 

15

Grand Canyon

Last Four Byes

Boise State

Seton Hall

Indiana

St. Bonaventure

Last Four In

Minnesota

Duke

Xavier

Colorado State

First Four Out

UConn

Wichita State

Stanford

Syracuse

Next Four Out

Richmond

Georgia Tech

SMU

Saint Louis

Teams by Conference

Big 10 - 10

Big 12 - 7

ACC - 7

SEC - 6

Pac 12 - 4

Big East - 4

MWC - 3

Atl 10 - 2

MVC - 2

WCC - 2