This is March. While the names on the schedule aren’t high profile – the matchups are. Regular season conference championships are being clinched this week, and more in the coming days. Last night, we saw Eastern Washington do it for the second consecutive year. Dayton travels to Loyola as the top gets spicy in the Atlantic 10, and Utah State looks to maintain their share of the Mountain West. Here are the College Basketball picks for March 1st.
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College Basketball Picks March 1st
Dayton at Loyola Chicago (+1) (O/U 136.5)
A very interesting spot as these teams look to eliminate the other on their quest to a conference championship. The Ramblers have done well at home but don’t defend the three well. Dayton has had their struggles on the road but shot the three-ball well.
Dayton has emerged on the national scene with DaRon Holmes at the centerpiece of the offense. Loyola has a counter to DaRon Holmes. A freshman, Miles Rubin matches Holmes in height but certainly not in size. The concern with a freshman counterpunch to the superstar is the emotion of the game.
This is a home game for Loyola-Chicago, and the freshman will have the task of at least attempting defensive duties on the Player of the Year candidate. That can’t be my selling point betting against this Flyers offense.
They can work through Holmes and shoot around him. Miles Rubin picked up 4 fouls in 6 minutes in his last game. Something he has struggled with all year.
The home court has to be considered; however, the Ramblers have been snacking on weaker competition all season.
The Pick: Dayton -1
Air Force at Utah State (-16) (O/U 139)
Air Force has just two conference wins, including a shocking win in New Mexico not too long ago. However, just being competitive is a win for them. Their defense isn’t good enough.
It comes down to the athletes on the floor. Air Force doesn’t have the athleticism to compete consistently—a fatal combination of being a service academy in the transfer portal.
Utah State should be able to work this team inside. If the Aggies are able to limit the number of shots the Falcons take from deep, then this line should be covered in the first half.
Not sure that there’s a win left on the schedule for Air Force. The Aggies need to maintain momentum as they have conference championship aspirations and March Madness to prepare for.
Nothing drastic has changed since the Aggies beat them by 28 on the road. Utah State made 4 three-pointers as a team, and Great Osobor had 32 points. That formula will be used again.
The Pick: Utah State -16