Kansas State -4.5 @ TEXAS A&M, 2 pmPick: Kansas State -4.5
The first game I am looking on this big Saturday of College hoops is the Kansas State Wildcats (15-4) traveling to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. This is part of the “Big 12/SEC Challenge” and Kansas State is a team that just a month ago looked completely inept on offense. They flat out looked lost. But with Dean Wade returning they look like a different team. Ranking 4th in the country in defensive efficiency, defense has not been a problem for the Wildcats this year. Kansas State is arguably one of the hottest teams in college basketball, as they have won five in a row. These have come against a strong crop of in-conference opponents: West Virginia, Iowa State, Oklahoma, TCU and Texas Tech. On the other side the Aggies are in the midst of a rough year. They currently are 7-10 and coming off three straight losses. Two of those losses came at home by 19 and 23 points. I believe Kansas State is a team you just don't want to see right now as they are rounding into form. I will take the Wildcats to cover the 4.5 point spread.
Eastern Washington @ SACRAMENTO STATE 10:05 pmPick: Sacramento State -4
This is a matchup of two Big Sky teams in the basement of the conference. With this bet, I am really looking to attack Eastern Washington's inability to play on the road. The Eagles (5-13) are also just not a very good basketball team, ranking in Kenpom 310th overall out of 353 total teams in Division I basketball. Eastern Washington is 1-9 ATS on the road and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Big Sky games. They are also 9-23 in their last 32 road games overall ATS. Sacramento State is 8-8 this year, but is 2-1 in their last 3 giving them some slight momentum. They are also coming off a resounding home victory against Idaho. This won’t be the most aesthetic basketball you’ve ever watched, but I think there is an edge here for Sacramento State. I like them to keep the momentum going and cover the 4 points.