College Basketball Picks Week 7 – Duke vs Texas Tech and more!

Note: I’ve decided to use the KenPom Top 25 just because I find it much more accurate than the AP, plus, its updated daily

These picks will be updated every day.

Monday, 12/17

Arizona State (8-1) @ Vanderbilt (6-2) – 7 PM ET, SEC Network

Prediction: Arizona State

Tuesday, 12/18

Buffalo (10-0) @ Syracuse (7-3) – 8 PM ET, ESPN2

Prediction: Buffalo

Creighton (7-3) @ Oklahoma (9-1) – 9 PM ET, ESPNU

Prediction: Oklahoma

Wednesday, 12/19

#12Auburn (9-1) @ #21NC State (9-1) – 7 PM ET, ESPN2

A toss-up matchup between two KenPom top-25 teams is the appetizer before the entre of Duke-Texas Tech that we’ll get on Thursday. I really have liked NC State so far this year, they play offense better than pretty much any team in the country, they force turnovers, and while they’ve played the fourth-easiest schedule in the nation so far, there are some good wins in there like Vanderbilt and Penn State on neutral courts. The only top 40 team the Wolfpack have faced this year was Wisconsin, and they lost that one by four on the road. However, especially on the road, I cannot put my faith in Auburn right now. The Tigers were already taken to overtime this year by KenPom #69 Xavier, but on Saturday they were lucky to escape with an overtime win over #174 UAB. I think the Tigers have a propensity to jack up threes at times on offense and I think they lose to an ACC team away from home again.

Prediction: NC State

Wofford (9-3) @ #19Mississippi State (9-1) – 8 PM ET, ESPN3

Prediction: Mississippi State

UCLA (7-3) @ Cincinnati (9-2) – 9 PM ET, ESPN2

Prediction: Cincinnati

Thursday, 12/20

#10Texas Tech (10-0) vs #1 Duke (10-1) in New York, NY – 7 PM ET, ESPN2

Duke has far and away been the best team in the country so far this season, but they will face one of their biggest tests yet as the meet an undefeated Texas Tech team that has flown under the national radar. The Red Raiders are 10-0 on the year and currently boast the #1 most efficient defense in the country, but it is hard to trust them, as TTU has faced the 347th toughest schedule in the country (of 353) so far. Texas Tech has played just one top 100 team all year (Nebraska) and while they controlled that one from start to finish, I’m not going to bet on them to beat Duke off of a one-game sample size. The Blue Devils boast the #2 offense and #5 defense in the nation, they shoot well, rebound well, and take care of the ball. They have two potential first-team All Americans in RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson and have faced five top-100 teams this year (and #102!). I think the Blue Devils hang 80 on TTU and walk away with a convincing victory

Prediction: Duke

Utah State (9-2) @ Houston (10-0) – 8 PM ET, ESPN3

Prediction: Houston

Friday, 12/21

UC Irvine (11-2) @ Butler (8-3) – 6:30 PM ET, FS1

Prediction: Butler

Oregon (8-3) @ Baylor (6-4) – 7 PM ET, ESPN2

Prediction: Oregon

#24Buffalo (11-0) @ Marquette (9-2) – 8:30 PM ET, FS1

Prediction: Buffalo

Providence (9-3) @ Texas (7-3) – 9 PM ET, ESPN2

Prediction: Texas
ATS Pick: Texas -8.5

Oklahoma (10-1) @ Northwestern (8-3) – 9 PM ET, BTN

Prediction: Northwestern

Penn State (6-5) @ Alabama (7-3) – 9 PM ET, SEC Network

Prediction: Alabama

Saturday, 12/22

#16Kentucky (8-2) vs #6North Carolina (8-2) in Chicago, IL – 5:15 PM ET, CBS

Kentucky has been one of the most intriguing teams in the country this year. The Wildcats look great on paper, but haven’t performed. They have exactly zero wins vs KenPom top-95 teams. UK has played just two this year, losing to #61 Seton Hall in overtime and getting blown out by Duke to start the year. Needless to say, I’m picking North Carolina in this game, but I’m interested in seeing if Kentucky can keep in interesting. UNC plays at one of the fastest tempos in the nation, and they are coming fresh off of a double-digit win against Gonzaga in what was one of the most impressive performances this year. Give me the Tar Heels to pull off another double-digit win over a big name school.

Prediction: North Carolina

UConn (9-3) vs #21Villanova (8-4) in New York, NY – 12:30 PM ET, CBS