The last regular season Saturday of the season. It is quite the hybrid of a day, with some conferences in the heart of their tournaments for automatic bids and other conferences going through formalities until the bracket comes out. Let’s take a look at a Saturday slate that is not for casual viewers, as circumstances have changed around the landscape of college basketball. Here are the College Basketball Picks for March 9th.
CHECK OUT THE SPORTS GAMBLING PODCAST’S DAILY BEST BETS
College Basketball Picks for March 9th
Creighton at Villanova (+1.5) (O/U 137)
What is there not to like about this spot? The Villanova Wildcats were counted out in January and find themselves squarely on the bubble for the Big Dance. We have a hot Villanova team playing at home on Senior Night.
Trying to determine whether or not the team will get up for the situation isn’t what we’re going to do, but the spot makes sense from an outsider’s perspective.
Backing the home team in the Big East matchup to secure the outright win. Creighton has shown that they are beatable at times when their threes don’t go in. Villanova has enough defense to create trouble and offense to match the energy.
Expect a slower game as neither team turns the ball over, while Villanova would rather work the shot clock than run with the BlueJays.
Justin Moore has come on as of late, and Villanova has been waiting for him to regain form for two years. The super senior has a chance to put a stamp on the Wildcats season and his career with a win at home vs Creighton.
The Pick: Villanova +1.5 (+100 ML)
Arizona at USC (+7.5) (O/U 159.5)
This line opened closer to 10 and has since been bet down to 7.5. Even following line movement alone would be a wise strategy. Arizona has locked up the Pac-12 Title.
It wouldn’t be smart to try to identify the motivation of these student-athletes. However, USC has been playing its best basketball of the season and needs all the momentum it can get heading into the Pac-12 tournament.
The Trojans have proved to be a tough out when they are healthy this season, but that’s been few and far between. The Trojans are 9-4 on the season when their projected starting lineup is healthy. It’s a respectable split and one of the hotter teams.
The Trojans are 4-2 in their last six games. USC has taken those two losses down to the last second. It’s too little too late unless they can make a run in the Pac-12 tournament, and don’t count them out.
Arizona has rounded into form. The Wildcats needed to hold off Washington State for the Pac-12 title and got some help from the rest of the conference. Expect USC’s seniors to take full advantage of the spot tonight.
Boogie Ellis, Joshua Morgan, and DJ Rodman highlight the seniors, but this team will lose more than that.
The Pick: USC+7.5 (+260 ML)
