Appalachian State vs Merrimack Prediction & Picks: College Basketball 11/1-2

Ryan laid the points with Merrimack, and Sean and Colby took them with Appalachian State. The guys split on this early game, which tips Monday, November 2 at 3:00 AM PT / 6:00 AM ET in Rock Hill, SC. Merrimack was a 4-point favorite when the guys taped on October 29. Here is how the argument went on the College Basketball Picks: Sunday 11/1 & Monday 11/2 episode.

Appalachian State vs Merrimack Odds

Merrimack was the favorite at -4 over Appalachian State when the guys taped on October 29. Appalachian State was the +4 underdog.

Our Picks

Ryan Kramer (@KramerCentric): Merrimack -4
Sean Green (@SeanTGreen): Appalachian State +4
Colby Dant (@thecolbyd): Appalachian State +4

Ryan went first. He crossed Appalachian State off the list because it is a football program, and he did not think the players care much about basketball in early November. His call was to lay it with Merrimack. The guys noted that the tip is at 6:00 AM ET, and that nobody knows what the crowd will look like at that hour.

From there the talk turned to the coaches. The guys said Merrimack’s coach comes up in conversation for running one of the best zones in the country, and that he is coming off his best year. They said Appalachian State’s coach is a really good one too, one of the better coaches in the Sun Belt. They pointed out that Appalachian State made the tournament a couple of years back.

The case for Appalachian State was the roster. The guys liked that it is senior guard heavy, with five guards who have played a lot of college basketball. They also said it has real height, with a 7’2″ player and a seven-footer. Merrimack is a veteran team too. The guys said five good players return and a top-100 prospect joined as a grad transfer.

Sean and Colby took the four with Appalachian State. The guys had fun with the hour and the crowd, joking about who would stay up to watch. Ryan finished by laying it with Merrimack and calling the other two idiots for taking Appalachian State.

Hear the full breakdown on the College Basketball Picks: Sunday 11/1 & Monday 11/2 episode, or listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Watch every game on YouTube, and download the SGPN app at sg.pn/links. See all our College Basketball Picks.