NCAA Basketball Predictions 2/5/18
Welcome! Here I will be predicting the top rated college basketball games of the day based off of ESPN's College Basketball Power Index's matchup quality. Teams rankings may change based off of the AP Poll's ranking being released a day after my post.
1. #15 West Virginia VS. #12 Oklahoma. 6:00 PM PT on ESPN.
We start with the only ranked matchup of the day. Trae Young will look to rebound against the Mountaineers who were able to limit him and cause multiple turnovers in the last matchup. Both the Mountaineers and Sooners are in need of a win and this should be a great game.
Matchup Quality: 96.1
Line: OU-2.0
My Prediction: Oklahoma 89, West Virginia 85
2. Syracuse VS. Louisville. 4:00 PM PT on ESPN
Another matchup between two teams in need of a win. Both Syracuse and Louisville have lost their last 2 games and will try to finish out conference play strong to set themselves up for the ACC tournament. Joe Lunardi currently has Louisville in the NCAA Tournament, but Syracuse is in need of some resume boosting wins. Currently the Orange are on Lunardi's Next Four Out list, sitting just outside the tournament.
Matchup Quality: 76.5
Line: LOU-7.1
My Prediction: Louisville 77, Syracuse 69
3. Indiana VS. Rutgers. 4:00 PM PT on BTN
Indiana and Rutgers continue the trend of teams needing a win. Indiana is on a four game losing streak, and Rutgers is on a 5 game losing streak. However, both teams performed well on Saturday as they each almost pulled off some massive upsets. Indiana gave #5 Michigan State a scare, losing 63-60, while Rutgers gave #3 Purdue a scare, losing 78-76. At this point in the season the only way either one of these teams will make the NCAA Tournament is through the automatic bid, so a win today could really help as far as seeding goes for the BIG Ten tournament and a chance at the automatic conference bid.
Matchup Quality: 70.2
Line: IND- 1.0
My Prediction: Rutgers 79, Indiana 78
4. Bucknell VS. Lehigh. 4:00 PM PT on CBSSN.
Our 4th best matchup of the day takes us to the Patriot League where Bucknell (17-8, 11-1) looks to continue their dominance in conference play against Lehigh (10-13, 5-7). Forward Zach Thomas, (21.2 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.3 APG) has lead Bucknell to an impressive 11-1 record in conference play and Bucknell currently holds a 3 game lead over 2nd place Colgate. These two teams met earlier this year with Bucknell coming out on top, 78-65.
Matchup Quality: 53.9
Line: BUCK-8.0
My Prediction: Bucknell 80, Lehigh 70
5. Southern VS. Jackson State. 6:00 PM PT on ESPNU
Jackson State currently sits tied for 2nd in the SWAC, 2 games out of 1st, and will need to finish the season out strong for a good seed in the SWAC championship and a chance to grab the SWAC automatic bid. Southern currently sits 6th in the SWAC, but a win could propel them into a three-way tie for 4th.
Mathcup Quality: 37.5
Line: JKST-2.0
My Prediction: Jackson State 64, Southern 60
