Monday, January 31, 2022

Basketball Predictions - 31 Jan

Upset picks are in italics.

NCAA

Colgate at Lafayette - Raiders by 5

(9) Duke at Notre Dame - Blue Devils by 2.5

Kansas City at Western Illinois - Leathernecks by 8

Michigan Dearborn at Detroit Mercy - Titans by 26.5

Liberty at Kennesaw State - Owls by 1

Hartford at Maine - Hawks by 0.5

Albany at Vermont - Catamounts by 18

Northern Arizona at Southern Utah - Thunderbirds by 14.5

Drexel at UNC Wilmington - Seahawks by 2

Holy Cross at Boston U - Terriers by 19

Morehead State at Tennessee Tech - Golden Eagles by 0.5

SIU Edwardsville at Austin Peay - Governors by 5

Wofford at Mercer - Terriers by 2

Iowa at Penn State - Hawkeyes by 1

Howard at South Carolina State - Bison by 3.5

Morgan State at Maryland-Eastern Shore - Hawks by 9.5

Coppin State at Delaware State - Eagles by 7.5

South Dakota State at North Dakota - Jackrabbits by 13.5

Bethune-Cookman at Alabama A&M - Bulldogs by 5.5

Colorado State at Wyoming - Cowboys by 7

Southern at Jackson State - Tigers by 0.5

Grambling at Alcorn State - Braves by 10.5

West Virginia at (4) Baylor - Bears by 16

Eastern Washington at Weber State - Wildcats by 9.5

Norfolk State at NC Central - Eagles by 1

Florida A&M at Alabama State - Hornets by 5.5

Pacific at Santa Clara - Broncos by 18.5

TCU at Oklahoma - Sooners by 7.5

New Mexico at San Diego State - Aztecs by 14.5

Northern Colorado at Portland State - Vikings by 1.5


NBA

New Orleans at Cleveland - Cavaliers by 9.5

LA Clippers at Indiana - Pacers by 1

Memphis at Philadelphia - 76ers by 0.5

Miami at Boston - Celtics by 0.5

Sacramento at New York - Knicks by 5

Toronto at Atlanta - Hawks by 1

Golden State at Houston - Warriors by 13

Portland at Oklahoma City - Trail Blazers by 1.5


Results

NCAA: 19-6 (.760) 2849-1023 overall (.736)

Upsets: 2-1 (.667) 252-393 overall (.391)

NBA: 3-5 (.375) 450-297 overall (.602)

Upsets: 0-1 (.000) 46-99 overall (.317)

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Basketball Predictions - 30 Jan

Upset picks are in italics.

NCAA

Cornell at Brown - Bears by 6

(16) Ohio State at (6) Purdue - Boilermakers by 11.5

Cincinnati at East Carolina - Bearcats by 1

Purdue Fort Wayne at Wright State - Raiders by 6.5

Cleveland State at Northern Kentucky - Norse by 2.5

Fordham at George Washington - Colonials by 0.5

(22) Marquette at (17) Providence - Friars by 5

Minnesota at (11) Wisconsin - Badgers by 10.5

Central Connecticut at Fairleigh Dickinson - Knights by 4

Long Island at Bryant - Bulldogs by 6.5

Saint Peter's at Iona - Gaels by 13.5

Delaware State at Morgan State - Bears by 15

Wagner at St. Francis (BKN) - Seahawks by 9.5

Loyola Chicago at Drake - Ramblers by 0.5

Indiana State at Bradley - Braves by 11

George Mason at UMass - Minutemen by 0.5

Quinnipiac at Siena - Saints by 3

Marist at Manhattan - Jaspers by 0.5

Niagara at Monmouth - Hawks by 12

Canisius at Rider - Broncs by 4.5

Pittsburgh at Boston College - Eagles by 7.5

Valparaiso at Southern Illinois - Salukis by 8.5

Loyola (MD) at Bucknell - Greyhounds by 2

New Orleans at McNeese - Cowboys by 4.5

Colorado at Washington State - Cougars by 9


NBA

LA Lakers at Atlanta - Hawks by 4

LA Clippers at Charlotte - Hornets by 3.5

Portland at Chicago - Bulls by 5

Cleveland at Detroit - Cavaliers by 11

Dallas at Orlando - Mavericks by 8

Denver at Milwaukee - Bucks by 4

San Antonio at Phoenix - Suns by 9.5

Utah at Minnesota - Jazz by 3


Results

NCAA: 88-46 (.657) 2830-1017 overall (.736)

Upsets: 9-12 (.429) 250-392 overall (.389)

NBA: 5-1 (.833) 447-292 overall (.605)

Upsets: 46-98 overall (.319)

Saturday, January 29, 2022

NBA All-Star Teams

The NBA just announced the starters for this year's All-Star teams, and they were pretty good overall, though there was one very notable outlier, Andrew Wiggins being named a starter for the West. The Western Conference is the weakest it has ever been at forward, but have far too many guards who deserve to make the team. Below I've listed the players I feel should be All-Star starters and reserves in each conference, as well as several potential players that should be considered as injury replacements if needed, with actual starters marked with an asterisk.

Eastern Conference

Starters

F - Giannis Antetokounmpo - MIL *

F - DeMar DeRozan - CHI *

C - Joel Embiid - PHI *

G - Trae Young - ATL *

G - James Harden - BKN

Reserves

F - Kevin Durant - BKN *

F - Zach LaVine - CHI

C - Domantas Sabonis - IND

G - Darius Garland - CLE

G - LaMelo Ball - CHA

F - Jimmy Butler - MIA

F - Jayson Tatum - BOS

Injury Replacements

G - Bradley Beal - WAS

C - Jarrett Allen - CLE

G - Jrue Holiday - MIL

F - Khris Middleton - MIL

F - Kevin Love - CLE


Western Conference

Starters

F - LeBron James - LAL *

F - Draymond Green - GSW

C - Nikola Jokic - DEN *

G - Chris Paul - PHX

G - Stephen Curry - GSW *

Reserves

G - Ja Morant - MEM *

G - Dejounte Murray - SAS

C - Rudy Gobert - UTA

C - Karl-Anthony Towns - MIN

F - Jaren Jackson Jr - MEM

G - Luka Doncic - DAL

G - Devin Booker - PHX

Injury Replacements

G - Donovan Mitchell - UTA

G - Russell Westbrook - LAL

C - JaVale McGee - PHX

F - Paul George - LAC

F - Brandon Ingram - NOP


All-Time Player Rank Updates

Chris Paul has passed Oscar Robertson to move up to #19

James Harden has passed Dirk Nowitzki to move up to #26

Giannis Antetokounmpo has passed George Gervin to move up to #53

Kyrie Irving has passed Alonzo Mourning to move up to #79

Nikola Jokic has passed LaMarcus Aldridge, Mel Daniels, and Andre Miller to move up to #96

LaMarcus Aldridge has passed Mel Daniels to stay at #98



Basketball Predictions - 29 Jan

Upset picks are in italics.

NCAA

(9) Duke at Louisville - Blue Devils by 5

(19) LSU at TCU - Tigers by 2.5

La Salle at (25) Davidson - Wildcats by 20.5

Wichita State at Tulane - Green Wave by 4

Georgetown at Butler - Bulldogs by 7.5

Miami at Georgia Tech - Hurricanes by 1

Michigan at (10) Michigan State - Spartans by 8.5

Lafayette at Army - Black Knights by 9.5

Arkansas State at Coastal Carolina - Chanticleers by 6

East Tennessee State at VMI - Keydets by 9

Chattanooga at Citadel - Mocs by 6

Oklahoma at (1) Auburn - Tigers by 13

(21) Xavier at Creighton - Bluejays by 2

Missouri at (23) Iowa State - Cyclones by 16

American at Navy - Midshipmen by 19

FAU at UTSA - Owls by 5

High Point at Campbell - Camels by 9.5

NC State at North Carolina - Tar Heels by 12

Dartmouth at Columbia - Big Green by 3.5

UMBC at Binghamton - Bearcats by 4

Maine at Vermont - Catamounts by 26

Milwaukee at Youngstown State - Penguins by 10

Illinois State at Northern Iowa - Panthers by 11.5

Saint Louis at Duquesne - Billikens by 4.5

Saint Joseph's at St. Bonaventure - Bonnies by 9.5

Samford at Western Carolina - Catamounts by 3

Drexel at Towson - Tigers by 11.5

West Virginia at Arkansas - Razorbacks by 8.5

Arizona State at (3) Arizona - Wildcats by 25.5

Indiana at Maryland - Terrapins by 1.5

Temple at SMU - Mustangs by 13.5

UT Martin at Belmont - Bruins by 21.5

Rice at Southern Miss - Owls by 3.5

Middle Tennessee at Western Kentucky - Hilltoppers by 3.5

Dixie State at Chicago State - Trailblazers by 0.5

Winthrop at Longwood - Lancers by 7.5

Virginia Tech at Florida State - Seminoles by 3

UIC at Oakland - Golden Grizzlies by 17.5

Georgia State at UL Monroe - Warhawks by 4.5

St. Thomas at Western Illinois - Leathernecks by 7.5

North Dakota State at South Dakota State - Jackrabbits by 12.5

Miami (OH) at Eastern Michigan - Eagles by 2.5

Western Michigan at Ball State - Cardinals by 13.5

(4) Baylor at Alabama - Crimson Tide by 0.5

Norfolk State at South Carolina State - Spartans by 3.5

Howard at NC Central - Eagles by 3

Long Beach State at UC Davis - Aggies by 2

Southern at Alcorn State - Braves by 3.5

Maryland-Eastern Shore at Coppin State - Eagles by 6.5

Delaware State at Morgan State - Bears by 15

North Texas at Louisiana Tech - Bulldogs by 5

Portland State at Northern Arizona - Lumberjacks by 6

Kansas State at Ole Miss - Rebels by 1

Texas A&M-CC at Northwestern State - Islanders by 2

Sam Houston at Seattle - Redhawks by 8.5

Abilene Christian at Lamar - Wildcats by 7.5

UNC Asheville at Presbyterian - Blue Hose by 3

South Carolina Upstate at North Carolina A&T - Aggies by 6

Eastern Kentucky at Stetson - Colonels by 0.5

Little Rock at Appalachian State - Mountaineers by 15

VCU at Richmond - Spiders by 3

Oral Roberts at Denver - Golden Eagles by 5.5

Northeastern at Charleston - Cougars by 10.5

Elon at William & Mary - Tribe by 1.5

Delaware at James Madison - Dukes by 2

Central Michigan at Northern Illinois - Huskies by 10.5

Oklahoma State at Florida - Gators by 7.5

St. John's at (14) Villanova - Wildcats by 17.5

(24) Illinois at Northwestern - Illini by 0.5

Tennessee State at Eastern Illinois - Tigers by 4

Radford at Gardner-Webb - Bulldogs by 14

Utah at Washington - Huskies by 3.5

Arkansas Pine Bluff at Mississippi Valley State - Delta Devils by 3

Incarnate Word at SE Louisiana - Lions by 13.5

SIU Edwardsville at SE Missouri State - Redhawks by 2.5

Morehead State at Murray State - Racers by 13.5

Grambling at Jackson State - JSU Tigers by 10

Florida A&M at Alabama A&M - Bulldogs by 4.5

St. Francis (PA) at Mount St. Mary's - Mountaineers by 7.5

Lipscomb at North Florida - Ospreys by 6

UT Arlington at Texas State - Bobcats by 9

North Dakota at South Dakota - Coyotes by 14.5

Kent State at Bowling Green - Falcons by 5

Hampton at Charleston Southern - Buccaneers by 2.5

North Alabama at Kennesaw State - Owls by 8.5

(12) Kentucky at (5) Kansas - Jayhawks by 6

Mississippi State at (13) Texas Tech - Red Raiders by 9.5

Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M - Tigers by 2.5

Idaho at Montana State - Bobcats by 17.5

Virginia at Notre Dame - Irish by 7.5

Yale at Princeton - Tigers by 6

Central Arkansas at Jacksonville - Dolphins by 13.5

Furman at Mercer - Paladins by 3

Georgia at Vanderbilt - Commodores by 13.5

(20) UConn at DePaul - Huskies by 3.5

Rutgers at Nebraska - Cornhuskers by 0.5

California at (15) USC - Trojans by 16

UAB at Marshall - Blazers by 6.5

Charlotte at Old Dominion - Monarchs by 5.5

San Diego at Loyola Marymount - Lions by 3.5

Santa Clara at San Francisco - Dons by 8.5

Albany at NJIT - Highlanders by 3

Jacksonville State at Liberty - Flames by 5.5

Bellarmine at Florida Gulf Coast - Eagles by 4.5

Green Bay at Robert Morris - Colonials by 8

South Alabama at Troy - Trojans by 3.5

UNC Greensboro at Wofford - Terriers by 10.5

Hofstra at UNC Wilmington - Pride by 2.5

(7) Houston at UCF - Cougars by 4.5

(18) Tennessee at Texas - Longhorns by 4

Bethune-Cookman at Alabama State - Hornets by 8

South Florida at Tulsa - Golden Hurricane by 7.5

CSU Fullerton at UC Riverside - Highlanders by 4.5

Idaho State at Northern Colorado - Bears by 16.5

Nicholls at Houston Baptist - Colonels by 3.5

Tarleton at UT Rio Grande Valley - Vaqueros by 3

Pepperdine at Saint Mary's - Gaels by 23.5

Wake Forest at Syracuse - Demon Deacons by 0.5

Georgia Southern at Louisiana - Ragin Cajuns by 6

Evansville at Missouri State - Bears by 22

Kansas City at Omaha - Roos by 3.5

Austin Peay at Tennessee Tech - Golden Eagles by 8.5

South Carolina at Texas A&M - Aggies by 10.5

Portland at (2) Gonzaga - Bulldogs by 28.5

Cal Poly at UC Irvine - Anteaters by 15

FIU at UTEP - Miners by 8

Eastern Washington at Montana - Grizzlies by 7.5

Grand Canyon at New Mexico State - Aggies by 6.5

Stanford at (7) UCLA - Bruins by 16

BYU at Pacific - Cougars by 11.5

Oregon State at Oregon - Ducks by 14.5

CSU Bakersfield at UC San Diego - Tritons by 4.5

Weber State at Sacramento State - Wildcats by 4.5

Stephen F Austin at Cal Baptist - Lancers by 4

Utah State at Nevada - Aggies by 0.5

UC Santa Barbara at Hawaii - Warriors by 6.5


NBA

Boston at New Orleans - Celtics by 4

Indiana at Dallas - Mavericks by 5

Sacramento at Philadelphia - 76ers by 8.5

Toronto at Miami - Heat by 4.5

Washington at Memphis - Grizzlies by 6.5

Brooklyn at Golden State - Warriors by 7.5


Results

NCAA: 12-6 (.667) 2742-971 overall (.738)

Upsets: 3-1 (.750) 241-380 overall (.388)

NBA: 8-3 (.727) 442-291 overall (.603)

Upsets: 0-2 (.000) 46-98 overall (.319)



Friday, January 28, 2022

NCAA Bracket Prediction - 28 Jan

Once again, the teams at the top of the bracket haven't changed, but UCLA made a nice move up to a #3 seed after knocking off Arizona earlier this week. Miami and Wyoming jumped back into the field after falling out in my last bracket, and Mississippi State is making their first appearance of the season. Here is my full current bracket, with rising teams in green, falling teams in red, new teams in italics, and projected conference champs in bold:

 

WEST

 

 

MIDWEST

1

Gonzaga

 

1

Kansas

16

UC Irvine

 

16

Navy

8

Iowa

 

8

Saint Mary’s

9

Oklahoma

 

9

Murray State

5

Xavier

 

5

Ohio State

12

Michigan/Miami

 

12

Iona

4

Kentucky

 

4

Tennessee

13

Vermont

 

13

South Dakota State

6

Providence

 

6

Connecticut

11

West Virginia

 

11

San Diego State

3

Houston

 

3

UCLA

14

New Mexico State

 

14

Wagner

7

Colorado State

 

7

Texas

10

Arkansas

 

10

Boise State

2

Purdue

 

2

Wisconsin

15

Weber State

 

15

South Alabama

 

SOUTH

 

 

EAST

1

Baylor

 

1

Auburn

16

Longwood/Norfolk State

 

16

Texas Southern/Nicholls

8

Loyola Chicago

 

8

Wake Forest

9

Indiana

 

9

Seton Hall

5

Alabama

 

5

Illinois

12

UAB

 

12

Wyoming/Mississippi State

4

Duke

 

4

Texas Tech

13

Chattanooga

 

13

Toledo

6

Marquette

 

6

Iowa State

11

TCU

 

11

San Francisco

3

LSU

 

3

Michigan State

14

Oakland

 

14

Towson

7

BYU

 

7

USC

10

Davidson

 

10

North Carolina

2

Arizona

 

2

Villanova

15

Princeton

 

15

Liberty

Last Four Byes

West Virginia

San Francisco

San Diego State

TCU

Last Four In

Wyoming

Mississippi State

Michigan

Miami

First Four Out

Creighton

Florida State

Oregon

Florida

Next Four Out

Texas A&M

Belmont

SMU

VCU


Teams by Conference

Big 12 - 8

Big 10 - 8

SEC - 7

Big East - 6

ACC - 4

WCC - 4

MWC - 4

Pac 12 - 3


Basketball Predictions - 28 Jan

Upset picks are in italics.

NCAA

Colgate at Boston U - Terriers by 3

Lehigh at Holy Cross - Crusaders by 0.5

Penn at Harvard - Crimson by 5.5

Stony Brook at New Hampshire - Wildcats by 6

Wyoming at Air Force - Cowboys by 6

Purdue Fort Wayne at Northern Kentucky - Norse by 4.5

Rhode Island at Dayton - Flyers by 8.5

Canisius at Monmouth - Hawks by 18

Fairfield at Rider - Stags by 1

Manhattan at Saint Peter's - Peacocks by 9.5

Niagara at Siena - Saints by 0.5

Ohio at Buffalo - Bulls by 6

Akron at Toledo - Rockets by 13.5

Marist at Quinnipiac - Bobcats by 2

Cleveland State at Wright State - Raiders by 5.5

UNLV at Colorado State - Rams by 13.5

San Jose State at New Mexico - Lobos by 11

Boise State at Fresno State - Bulldogs by 3.5


NBA

Detroit at Orlando - Magic by 2.5

Boston at Atlanta - Celtics by 1

LA Lakers at Charlotte - Hornets by 4.5

Denver at New Orleans - Nuggets by 2.5

LA Clippers at Miami - Heat by 6.5

Portland at Houston - Trail Blazers by 3.5

Utah at Memphis - Jazz by 1.5

Indiana at Oklahoma City - Pacers by 3.5

Chicago at San Antonio - Bulls by 0.5

Minnesota at Phoenix - Suns by 8

New York at Milwaukee - Bucks by 5.5


Results

NCAA: 44-25 (.638) 2730-965 overall (.739)

Upsets: 5-11 (.313) 238-379 overall (.386)

NBA: 2-0 (1.000) 434-288 overall (.601)

Upsets: 46-96 overall (.324)

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Basketball Predictions - 27 Jan

Upset picks are in italics.

NCAA

(11) Wisconsin at Nebraska - Badgers by 6

Eastern Kentucky at Florida Gulf Coast - Eagles by 7

Arkansas State at Appalachian State - Mountaineers by 6

Middle Tennessee at Marshall - Blue Raiders by 1

St. Francis (PA) at Wagner - Seahawks by 18.5

St. Francis (BKN) at Sacred Heart - Pioneers by 7.5

Mt. St. Mary's at Fairleigh Dickinson - Mountaineers by 1

Long Island at Central Connecticut - Sharks by 3.5

Merrimack at Bryant - Bulldogs by 13.5

Gardner-Webb at UNC Asheville - UNCA Bulldogs by 5.5

North Alabama at Liberty - Flames by 13

Lipscomb at Jacksonville - Dolphins by 11

UIC at Detroit Mercy - Titans by 11.5

Milwaukee at Robert Morris - Colonials by 5

Green Bay at Youngstown State - Penguins by 11.5

Little Rock at Coastal Carolina - Chanticleers by 15

Drexel at James Madison - Dukes by 4

Hofstra at Charleston - Cougars by 0.5

Northeastern at UNC Wilmington - Seahawks by 9

Delaware at Towson - Tigers by 11

William & Mary at Elon - Phoenix by 10.5

Murray State at Tennessee Tech - Racers by 6

Rice at Louisiana Tech - Bulldogs by 10.5

Bellarmine at Stetson - Knights by 0.5

Jacksonville State at Kennesaw State - Owls by 2.5

Georgia Southern at UL Monroe - Warhawks by 4

(16) Ohio State at Minnesota - Gophers by 2.5

Ball State at Northern Illinois - Huskies by 4.5

Loyola Chicago at Southern Illinois - Ramblers by 2.5

FIU at UTSA - Golden Panthers by 2.5

North Texas at Southern Miss - Mean Green by 9.5

Weber State at Northern Colorado - Bears by 2.5

New Orleans at Houston Baptist - Huskies by 1

Utah Valley at Chicago State - Wolverines by 9.5

Central Arkansas at North Florida - Ospreys by 8.5

Texas State at UT Arlington - Mavericks by 1

Troy at South Alabama - Jaguars by 7

Georgia State at Louisiana - Ragin Cajuns by 9.5

Oral Roberts at Omaha - Golden Eagles by 9.5

North Dakota State at South Dakota - Coyotes by 3.5

North Dakota at South Dakota State - Jackrabbits by 25

Tennessee State at SIU Edwardsville - Cougars by 9

Belmont at Austin Peay - Bruins by 8

Incarnate Word at Northwestern State - Demons by 10

Nicholls at McNeese - Cowboys by 3

(6) Purdue at Iowa - Hawkeyes by 3

California at (7) UCLA - Bruins by 19.5

East Carolina at Memphis - Tigers by 14

CSU Fullerton at UC Davis - Aggies by 2

Morehead State at SE Missouri State - Eagles by 3.5

Eastern Illinois at UT Martin - Skyhawks by 17

UAB at Western Kentucky - Blazers by 1

FAU at UTEP - Miners by 5

Idaho at Montana - Grizzlies by 16

Eastern Washington at Montana State - Bobcats by 9.5

Texas A&M-CC at SE Louisiana - Lions by 3.5

Kansas City at Denver - Pioneers by 2

CSU Bakersfield at UC Irvine - Anteaters by 12.5

Cal Poly at UC San Diego - Tritons by 10

Long Beach State at UC Riverside - Highlanders by 9

Southern Utah at Portland State - Thunderbirds by 1.5

Idaho State at Sacramento State - Hornets by 12.5

Pacific at Portland - Pilots by 11.5

Saint Mary's at San Francisco - Dons by 4

Pepperdine at San Diego - Toreros by 13

Loyola Marymount at (2) Gonzaga - Bulldogs by 26

Stanford at (15) USC - Trojans by 13.5

Colorado at Washington - Huskies by 0.5

BYU at Santa Clara - Broncos by 2

CSU Northridge at Hawaii - Warriors by 18.5


NBA

LA Lakers at Philadelphia - 76ers by 5.5

Minnesota at Golden State - Warriors by 8


Results

NCAA: 37-16 (.698) 2686-940 overall (.741)

Upsets: 3-6 (.333) 233-368 overall (.388)

NBA: 7-3 (.700) 432-288 overall (.600)

Upsets: 2-3 (.400) 46-96 overall (.324)