This is strictly postseason now. The formalities have concluded, and conference tournaments have begun. We are at every stage of creating a bracket now. Tickets have been punched by automatic qualifiers, and conferences have finals today. Teams still need to stamp their season. Every game matters. Here are the College Basketball Picks for March 11th.
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College Basketball Picks March 11th
Arkansas State vs. James Madison (-5) (O/U 150)
We knew early this season that James Madison would be in the final for this conference; however, this opponent was who we thought they would have. Arkansas State used March dramatics to punch a ticket to the final and now have the opportunity to play for an automatic bid against the 30-win James Madison Dukes.
It’s a suspicious line at surface level, but Arkansas State has come alive down the stretch. They are in the position today because they earned it. They have gone 11-2 since their back-to-back losses.
In the midst of the streak was a loss to these very Dukes. Arkansas State held their own to lose by just 4 and bounced back with six straight wins after.
However, James Madison has a bit too much offense for Arkansas State to handle. The offenses on both teams rank nearly the same, but the difference is on the other side of the ball. Backing the team better on the defensive end as total possessions tend to decrease in the postseason.
The Pick: James Madison -5
San Francisco vs. Gonzaga (-9) (O/U 150.5)
The Gonzaga Bulldogs are back. It is March, and they are once again the hottest team at the conference. They may not have the same record or talent as the teams of the past, but here they are again. They aren’t
This Gonzaga team may have the results in the last month, but they certainly do not have the style points. This team has survived quite a few scares.
That’s a credit to their coach. Mark Few is no stranger to this tournament and getting a bye into the semifinal. San Francisco played the Bulldogs tough in the first meeting before the 20-point loss on the final day of February.
I fully expect Gonzaga to get most of the public love here, as it’s a blind bet for most people when they see these names. It’s the larger tournament that you look to fade Gonzaga.
I’m backing the Bulldogs here to continue to be the class of the WCC and subsequently lose in the second round of the Big Dance.
The Pick: Gonzaga -9
