Monday, February 16, 2015

PW's College Basketball Predictions for Big Monday (February 16)

By Peyton Wesner

3:00 PM EST-ESPNU
15-9 (5-6) Miami (FL)
9-14 (1-10) Boston College

15-9 (5-6) Miami (FL)
Solid Wins:
-#8 Florida 69-67 (Road)
-Akron 79-51 in Semi-Final of Charleston Classic.
-Charlotte 77-58 in Championship of Charleston Classic.
-#24 Illinois 70-61 in ACC/Big Ten Challenge (Home)
-#4 Duke 90-74 (Road)
-NC State 65-60 (Home)
-Syracuse 66-62 (Road)
-Clemson 56-45 (Home)
"Never Shoulda Happened" Losses:
-Green Bay 68-55 (Home)
-Eastern Kentucky 72-44 (Home)
-Georgia Tech 70-50 (Home)
-Florida State 55-54 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Wake Forest 72-70 (Road)
Key Players:
---#10 Sheldon McClellan (JR)
-14.2 PPG, 5.0 RPG, & 2.0 APG.
---#13 Angel Rodriguez (JR)
-13.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, & 2.0 SPG.
---#20 Manu Lecomte (SO)
-8.3 PPG & 2.0 APG.
---#23 Tonye Jekiri (JR)
-8.0 PPG, 10.0 RPG, & 1.5 BPG.
---#5 Davon Reed (SO)
-6.6 PPG & 2.9 RPG.

9-14 (1-10) Boston College
Solid Wins:
-New Hampshire 58-50 (Home)
-New Mexico 69-65 in Consolation Semi-Final of Puerto-Rico Tip-Off.
-Providence 69-60 (Home)
-Harvard 64-57 in Overtime (Home)
-Georgia Tech 64-62 (Road)
Single-Digit Conference Losses:
-Pittsburgh 61-60 in Overtime (Home)
-Miami (FL) 60-56 (Road)
-Syracuse 69-61 (Road)
-#10 Louisville 81-72 (Home)
-#10 Notre Dame 71-63 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Syracuse 70-56 (Home)
Key Players:
---#21 Olivier Hanlan (JR)
-17.5 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.5 APG, & 1.4 SPG.
---#22 Aaron Brown (SR)
-15.0 PPG, 3.3 RPG, & 1.8 APG.
---#33 Patrick Heckmann (SR)
-8.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 2.5 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
---#1 Dimitri Batten (SR)
-7.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#24 Dennis Clifford (JR)
-6.8 PPG, 5.1 RPG, & 1.1 BPG.

Prediction:
Now it is time for the tip-off! Yesterday the Miami Hurricanes/Boston College Eagles game was postponed due to Winter Storm Neptune, which dropped over a foot of snow on the Boston area. Despite the heavy blanket of snow currently outside, today we are finally playing basketball. The Miami Hurricanes hit the College Basketball world by storm this season as they started off 8-0 with a huge win in Gainsville against the Florida Gators, who were a Final four team last year, and a victory at home against a ranked Illinois team. Then, the bad losses showed up as the team dropped games at home against Green Bay of the Horizon League and Eastern Kentucky of the Ohio Valley Conference. Eh that isn't good! In my opinion, those two losses could be the defeats that keep Miami out of the NCAA Tournament considering they are in the "First Four Out" of Joe Lunardi's latest Bracketology. Later Miami allowed the Virginia Cavaliers to escape in Overtime after the Hurricanes rallied from an eighteen-point halftime deficit, but then took out their frustration from the Virginia loss on the Duke Blue Devils by destroying them in Durham by sixteen points. Nevertheless, the losses, like a pesky cold, came back as they come into today's meeting against Boston College 1-4 in their last five. The Eagles of Boston College have their fair share of experience with losing in 2014-2015. Boston College comes into today on a five game losing streak with their one win of conference play being the only victory in their last twelve outings. BC has had some close calls though including their one point loss to Pittsburgh, who handedly defeated the North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday, and an eight point defeat at Syracuse. Although the record does not suggest it, the Eagles do have some quality talent on their team. In fact, Boston College's Olivier Hanlan and Aaron Brown are the second highest scoring duo in the ACC, only behind Louisville's Terry Rozier and Montrezl Harrell. So these two seasoned college veterans can play at a very high level, but will it be high enough to knock off Miami. Like I mentioned earlier, Miami is on the bubble and needs a win despertly becuase if they loss at Boston College, the defeat would send them directly to the NIT in my estimation. Now how will "The U" score their points? Well, the Hurricanes have their own duo of Juniors Sheldon McClellan and Angel Rodriguez who can also put the "biscuit in the basket" as easy as throwing a pebble in the Atlantic Ocean. I feel like the difference maker in this afternoon's matchup will be Miami's Tonye Jekiri. Jekiri, who currently leads the conference in rebounds per game and has already recorded four fifteen-plus rebound games this season, is a very good rim protector that I feel will keep Hanlan and other players from getting easy points at the rim. Ultimately, whoever wins could come  down to whichever team is more desperate. With that being said, what team could be more desperate to win then Boston College considering their season woes. I do feel the Eagles will hang around and give the Hurricanes all they want on Presidents Day, but with what is at stake for Miami in this game, I see Jim LarraƱaga not allowing his team to lose and having them very prepared at 3 P.M. Eastern.
---Miami 67, Boston College 62

7:00 PM EST-ESPN
17-9 (6-6) Pittsburgh
at 23-1 (11-1) 2. Virginia

17-9 (6-6) Pittsburgh
Solid Wins:
-Kansas State 70-47 in Third Place Game of Maui Invitational.
-Manhattan 65-56 (Home)
-Oakland 81-77 in Overtime (Home)
-Florida Gulf Coast 71-54 (Home)
-Florida State 73-64 (Home)
-#8 Notre Dame 76-72 (Home)
-Syracuse 83-77 (Home)
"Never Shoulda Happened" Losses:
-Hawaii 74-70 (Road)
-Virginia Tech 70-67 in Overtime (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against #12 North Carolina 89-76 (Home)
Key Players:
---#2 Michael Young (SO)
-13.3 PPG, 7.6 RPG, & 1.0 BPG.
---#1 Jamel Artis (SO)
-12.8 PPG, 5.8 RPG, & 2.2 APG.
---#0 James Robinson (JR)
-10.1 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 5.2 APG, & 1.1 SPG.
---#3 Cameron Wright (SR)
-9.4 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 3.0 APG, & 1.5 SPG.
---#12 Chris Jones (SO)
-8.9 PPG, 3.0 RPG, & 2.1 APG.
---#13 Josh Newkirk (SO)
-6.7 PPG & 3.3 RPG.

23-1 (11-1) 2. Virginia
Lunardi's Bracketology: 1 Seed
Solid Wins:
-George Washington 59-42 (Home)
-La Salle 64-56 in Semi-Final of Barclays Center Classic.
-Rutgers 45-26 in Championship of Barclays Center Classic.
-#21 Maryland 76-65 in ACC/Big Ten Challenge (Road)
-VCU 74-57 (Road)
-Cleveland State 70-54 (Home)
-Harvard 76-27 (Home)
-Davidson 83-72 (Home)
-Miami 89-80 in Double Overtime (Road)
-NC State 61-51 (Home)
-#13 Notre Dame 62-56 (Road)
-Clemson 65-42 (Home)
-#12 North Carolina 75-64 (Road)
-#9 Louisville 52-47 (Home)
-NC State 51-47 (Road)
Only Loss:
-#4 Duke 69-63 (Home)
Last Game:
-Win Against Wake Forest 61-60 (Home)
Key Players:
---#15 Malcolm Brogdon (JR)
-13.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, & 2.7 APG.
---#1 Justin Anderson (JR)* (DNP in last 2 with fractured finger injury)
-13.4 PPG, 4.3 RPG & 2.0 APG.
---#13 Anthony Gill (JR)
-11.2 PPG & 6.8 RPG.
---#10 Mike Tobey (JR)
-7.8 PPG & 5.4 RPG.
---#5 Darion Atkins (SR)
-6.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, & 1.0 BPG.

Prediction:
One statement can be made for sure about Pittsburgh at Virginia: This will be the Cavaliers stiffest test without Justin Anderson. Justin Anderson, who was making a case to be named an All-American this year, fractured his finger in Virginia's 52-47 win against Louisville. Without Virginia's star, the Cavaliers are simply a different team as he was not only a great offensive player but defensive as well. In the two games Virginia has played without Anderson, the team has averaged 56 points per game, ten points per game lower than their season average, while allowing 53.5 per game to opponents, three more than their season average. Although the sample size is small, it proves my point that without Anderson the Cavaliers are a team with a different identity. Last Saturday, the Cavaliers were nearly upset by conference bottom-feeder Wake Forest, and if it would not have been for Malcolm Brogdon's steal to clinch the win, we could be talking about Virginia this evening coming in on a one-game losing streak. Players like London Perrantes and Anthony Gill must help Brogdon in order for the streak to survive and for the media not to talk about the "Collapse of the Cavaliers" come March. While Virginia is struggling to score more than thier opponent on a gamly basis, the Pittsburgh Panthers may be hitting their stride at the right time. In Pittsburgh's game Saturday, the Panthers shot a season-high 64.9% in their best offensive effort of the season against a ranked North Carolina Tar Heels team. UNC didn't know what hit them as they were down 48-34 at halftime. Six Panthers would finish the game in double-figures with Sophomore Sheldon Jeter, who averaged 3.5 points coming, leading the way with twenty-two points on the afternoon. North Carolina was the second ranked team in Pitt's last five games to be defeated in the Petersen Events Center. Will the Panthers continue their dominance against ranked opponents, but this time away from home? Personally, I see it being very challenging for the Panthers to win away from Pittsburgh as against the three ranked opponents they played away from their home court versus, they are 0-3 with an average margin of defeat of 14.7 points per game. Do not get me wrong though, Pittsburgh has momentum and is more than capable to upset Virginia. Tonight, though, I see Virginia ending the night with only one loss as they will receive a great "stat-sheet stuffer" like performance from Brogdon.
---Virginia 57, Pittsburgh 56

7:00 PM EST-Fox Sports 1
15-10 (5-8) Seton Hall
at 23-2 (10-2) 6. Villanova

15-10 (5-8) Seton Hall
Solid Wins:
-Mercer 63-47 (Home Opener)
-Illinois State 84-80 in Championship of Paradise Jam.
-George Washington 58-54 (Home)
-Rutgers 81-54 (Home)
-South Florida 89-69 (Road)
-#15 St. John's 78-67 (Home)
-#6 Villanova 66-61 in Overtime (Home)
-Xavier 90-82 (Home)
Single-Digit Losses:
-#11 Wichita State 77-68 (Road)
-Butler 79-75 in Overtime (Home)
-DePaul 64-60 (Home)
-Marquette 57-54 (Home)
Last Game:
-Loss To Providence 69-62 (Road)
Key Players:
---#4 Sterling Gibbs (JR)
-16.9 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 3.8 APG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#15 Isaiah Whitehead (FR)
-12.3 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 3.1 APG, & 1.4 SPG.
---#2 Brandon Mobley (SR)
-9.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, & 1.2 BPG.
---#31 Angel Delgado (FR)
-9.2 PPG, 9.9 RPG, & 1.3 BPG.
---#0 Khadeen Carrington (FR)
-8.4 PPG & 2.8 RPG.

23-2 (10-2) 6. Villanova
Solid Wins:
-#14 VCU 77-53 in Semi-Final of Legends Classic.
-#19 Michigan 60-55 in Championship of Legends Classic.
-Illinois 73-59 in Jimmy V Classic.
-Temple 85-62 (Home)
-Syracuse 82-77 in Overtime (Home)
-Butler 67-55 (Home)
-#24 St. John's (Road)
-Xavier 88-75 (Home)
-#24 Georgetown 69-63 (Home)
-Providence 74-68 (Road)
Losses:
-Seton Hall 66-61 in Overtime (Road)
-Georgetown 78-58 (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against #18 Butler 68-65 (Road)
Key Players:
---#4 Darrun Hilliard II (SR)
-14.1 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.1 APG, & 1.8 SPG.
---#15 Ryan Arcidiacono (JR)
-10.0 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 3.7 APG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#3 Josh Hart (SO)
-9.9 PPG, 4.3 RPG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#22 JavVaughn Pinkston (SR)
-9.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, & 1.0 BPG.
---#23 Daniel Ochefu (JR)
-9.2 PPG, 8.3 RPG, & 1.2 BPG.
---#31 Dylan Ellis (JR)
-9.0 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.2 APG, & 1.2 SPG.

Prediction:
Do you remember when Seton Hall was undefeated and almost defeated Wichita State on the road? What about when Seton Hall defeated Villanova in overtime at home? Well, I am hear to say that there is no way that this Seton Hall Pirates team, that has lost eight games since the Villanova win, will defeat the Wildcats again to sweep the season series. Captain Sterling Gibbs mans Seton Hall, and despite him being a great leader, the boat is basically sunk. Like I previously mentioned, Seton Hall dropped their next game after the Villanova victory to Xavier in Cincinnati. Then, the Pirates rebouned in a win at Creighton, but after was when the boat started taking on water. In their next six, Seton Hall went 2-4 with two of their losses coming to Butler and two coming to DePaul. How do you get defeated by the same team that you are capable of beating, twice in a time span of two weeks? I am really unsure but that is what happend to Seton Hall! The second DePaul loss started the Pirates current losing streak that is now up to four after a defeat at the hands of the Providence Friars. The hole in the ship or problem for the team is the lack of production at the offensive end of the floor. During their current losing streak, Seton Hall has shot a combined 35.2% from the field. Is that bad? It is not good! While Gibbs has been able to produce well during the skid, Freshman big man and second leading scorer Isaiah Whitehead has played poorly. In his last four, he has shot 28.9% from the field. The team as a collective whole must shoot better to upset the Villanova Wildcats for a second time. The Villanova Wildcats are once again an NCAA Tournament Championship contender as they come into today with only two losses and five wins against ranked opponents. In their last game on Saturday, the Wildcats survived a meeting with a pesky Butler Bulldogs team in Indianapolis. With 1:24 left in the second half and Butler up 63-62, star Senior Darrun Hilliard took over the game by getting fouled on a three-pointer and making all three free throws and then draining what would be the game-winning three pointer with 1.5 seconds left. Hilliard would end the game with a season-high thirty-one points while JavVaughn Pinkston netted twelve. If Hilliard is half as hot as he was at Hinkle Fieldhouse, Seton Hall is in for a long game. Just look back at the box score, Ryan Arcidiacono and Daniel Ochefu, who average around ten points per game apiece, scored a combined two points. I do not see both of them playing poorly again especially not at home. Better get the artillery ready Seton Hall because you will need a lot of it just to hang around with the Wildcats. 
---Villanova 75, Seton Hall 60

7:00 PM EST-ESPNU
15-10 (7-6) Clemson
at 11-14 (2-11) Georgia Tech

15-10 (7-6) Clemson
Solid Wins:
-LSU 18-7 in Consolation Championship of Paradise Jam.
-High Point 62-59 (Home)
-#18 Arkansas 68-65 in Overtime (Home)
-Auburn 72-61 (Home)
-Robert Morris 64-57 (Home)
-Pittsburgh 71-62 (Road)
-Syracuse 66-53 (Home)
-NC State 68-57 (Road)
"Never Shoulda Happened" Losses:
-Winthrop 77-74 (Home)
-Gardner-Webb 72-70 in Quarterfinal of Paradise Jam.
Last Game:
-Win Against Virgina Tech 75-54 (Home)
Key Players:
---#5 Jaron Blossomgame (SO)
-13.0 PPG & 8.1 RPG.
---#15 Donte Grantham (FR)
-9.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, & 1.0 BPG.
---#12 Rod Hall (SR)
-8.7 PPG, 2.5 RPG, & 3.5 APG.
---#21 Damarcus Harrison (SR)
-8.5 PPG & 3.2 RPG.
---#35 Landry Nnoko (JR)
-7.4 PPG, 5.4 RPG, & 1.8 BPG.
---#20 Jordan Roper (JR)
-7.0 PPG & 1.8 APG.

11-14 (2-11) Georgia Tech
Solid Wins:
-Georgia 80-73 (Home)
-Rider 61-54 in Consolation Semi-Final of Orlando Classic.
-Rhode Island 64-61 in Consolation Championship of Orlando Classic.
-Northwestern 66-58 (Road)
-Vanderbilt 65-60 (Home)
-#23 Miami 70-50 (Road)
-Wake Forest 73-59 (Home)
Questionable Losses:
-USC Upstate 59-54 (Home)
-Wake Forest 76-69 (Road)
-Boston College 64-62 (Home)
-Virginia Tech 65-63 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Florida State 57-53 (Home)
Key Players:
---#3 Marcus Georges-Hunt (JR)
-13.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.8 APG, & 1.4 SPG.
---#0 Charles Mitchell (JR)
-10.1 PPG & 7.0 RPG.
---#4 Demarco Cox (SR)
-8.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, & 1.0 BPG.
---#2 Chris Bolden (JR)
-6.9 PPG & 1.8 RPG.
---#12 Quinton Stephens (SO)
-6.2 PPG & 2.9 RPG.

Prediction:
---Clemson 65, Georgia Tech 60

7:30 PM EST
13-12 (7-4) Howard
at 14-13 (7-5) Maryland-Eastern Shore

13-12 (7-4) Howard
Single-Digit Conference Wins:
-Coppin State 71-69 (Home)
-Florida A&M 59-50 (Road)
-Bethune-Cookman 45-42 (Road)
-Maryland-Eastern Shore 83-74 (Home)
Conference Losses:
-North Carolina Central 61-39 in Big Apple Classic (in Brooklyn).
-Delaware State 79-76 (Home)
-Norfolk State 72-69 (Road)
-Hampton 73-69 in Overtime (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against Coppin State 77-60 (Road)
Key Players:
---#1 James Carlton (JR)
-16.9 PPG, 7.9 RPG, & 1.1 BPG.
---#11 James Daniel (SO)
-16.1 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 2.7 APG, & 1.7 SPG.
---#33 James Miller (SO)
-12.0 PPG, 2.8 RPG, & 1.0 SPG.

14-13 (7-5) Maryland-Eastern Shore
Solid Wins:
-Mount St. Mary's 53-41 (Road)
-Fordham 72-66 (Road)
-St. Bonaventure 82-80 (Road)
-Duquesne 78-69 (Road)
-Tennessee-Martin 63-60 (Road)
-Norfolk State 82-64 (Road)
Conference Losses:
-South Carolina State 73-72 in Overtime (Home)
-Howard 83-74 (Road)
-Hampton 64-61 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Delaware State 91-85 (Home)
Key Players:
---#24 Mike Myers (SR)
-15.9 PPG, 7.3 RPG, & 1.1 SPG.
---#4 Devin Martin (JR)
-13.5 PPG & 4.2 RPG.
---#11 Devon Martin (SR)
-10.3 PPG & 3.0 RPG.
---#0 Ryan Andino (FR)
-7.5 PPG.
---#32 Dominique Elliott (JR)
-6.6 PPG & 4.3 RPG.

Prediction:
---Maryland-Eastern Shore 67, Howard 60

8:00 PM EST
18-8 (9-5) Coastal Carolina
at 19-8 (10-4) Radford

18-8 (9-5) Coastal Carolina
Solid Wins:
-UL Monroe 61-48 in Semi-Final of Battle 4 Atlantis Mainland Bracket.
-Auburn 58-54 (Road)
-High Point 83-68 (Road)
-Charleston Southern 83-74 (Home)
-UNC Asheville 68-56 (Home)
-High Point 65-60 (Home)
Conference Losses:
-Gardner-Webb 82-67 (Home)
-UNC Asheville 75-65 (Road)
-Winthrop 75-68 (Home)
-Gardner-Webb 66-64 (Road)
-Charleston Southern 83-72 (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against Liberty 96-56 (Home)
Key Players:
---#3 Josh Cameron (SR)
-12.9 PPG, 2.0 RPG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#0 Warren Gillis (SR)
-12.8 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 3.1 APG, & 1.5 SPG.
---#10 Shivaughn Wiggins (SO)
-10.5 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.4 APG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#22 Elijah Wilson (SO)
-10.3 PPG & 3.6 RPG.
---#23 Badou Diagne (JR)
-9.3 PPG, 7.7 RPG, & 1.0 BPG.

19-8 (10-4) Radford
Lunardi's Bracketology: 16 Seed
Solid Wins:
-Howard 61-52 (Home)
-Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 57-46 in Championship of Corpus Christi Coastal Classic.
-Virginia Tech 68-66 (Road)
-Siena 76-66 (Home)
-Winthrop 85-77 (Road)
-High Point 73-66 (Home)
-Charleston Southern 84-77 (Road)
-Winthrop 73-66 (Home)
-High Point 67-64 (Road)
Conference Losses:
-UNC Asheville 62-60 (Home)
-Longwood 90-79 in Double Overtime (Road)
-Gardner-Webb 88-85 in Double Overtime (Road)
-Charleston Southern 79-71 (Home)
Last Game:
-Win Against Presbyterian 62-56 (Road) 
Key Players:
---#2 Javonte Green (SR)
-14.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.6 SPG, & 1.0 BPG.
---#10 R.J. Price (SR)
-12.7 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.3 APG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#11 Ya Ya Anderson (JR)
-8.8 PPG.
---#5 Rashun Davis (JR)
-8.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 4.0 APG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#3 Cameron Jones (JR)
-8.1 PPG & 2.6 RPG.
---#55 Brandon Holcomb (JR)
-6.4 PPG, 4.7 RPG, & 1.4 BPG.

Prediction:
---Radford 72, Coastal Carolina 65

8:00 PM EST
20-4 (10-1) Stephen F. Austin
at 15-6 (7-4) Incarnate Word

20-4 (10-1) Stephen F. Austin
Solid Wins:
-Memphis 64-52 (Road)
-Long Beach State 74-45 (Home)
-Sam Houston State 79-68 (Road)
-Lamar 82-65 (Road)
-Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 61-51 (Home)
-Houston Baptist 95-59 (Home)
-Northwestern State 93-82 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 71-63 (Road)
Key Players:
---#0 Thomas Walkup (JR)
-14.7 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.2 APG, & 1.1 SPG.
---#34 Jacob Parker (SR)
-13.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.8 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
---#11 Clide Geffrard (JR)
-7.9 PPG & 3.1 RPG.
---#4 Ty Charles (FR)
-7.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, & 1.7 APG.
---#3 Jared Johnson (JR)
-7.8 PPG.

15-6 (7-4) Incarnate Word
Solid Wins:
-Princeton 79-68 (Road)
-Nebraska 74-73 (Road)
-Grand Canyon 82-80 (Road)
-UMKC 110-104 in Triple Overtime (Road)
-Lamar 78-72 (Home)
Conference Losses:
-Sam Houston State 84-78 (Road)
-Northwestern State 103-101 (Road)
-Southeast Louisiana 108-98 in Double Overtime (Home)
-Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 71-70 (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against Central Arkansas 77-67 (Road)
Key Players:
---#11 Denzel Livingston (SR)
-22.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 BPG, & 2.7 SPG.
---#0 Jontrell Walker (FR)
-16.2 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 2.2 APG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#4 Kyle Hittle (JR)
-15.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.1 APG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#5 Traylin Farris (FR)
-10.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, & 1.0 BPG.
---#2 Mitchell Badillo (JR)
-9.4 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 4.8 APG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#10 Shawn Johnson (FR)
-7.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, & 1.2 SPG.

Prediction:
---Stephen F. Austin 67, Incarnate Word 63

8:30 PM EST
12-12 (9-2) Texas Southern
at 8-17 (6-6) Jackson State 

12-12 (9-2) Texas Southern
Solid Wins:
-Lamar 71-59 (Home)
-#25 Michigan State 71-64 in Overtime (Road)
-Kansas State 58-56 (Road)
-Southern 59-58 (Road)
-Prairie View 81-77 (Road)
-Jackson State 67-54 (Home)
-Alabama State 80-65 (Home)
-Alabama A&M 68-65 in Overtime (Home)
Conference Losses:
-Arkansas Pine-Bluff 66-62 (Road)
-Prairie View 58-55 (Home)
Last Game:
-Win Against Grambling State 81-58 (Road)
Key Players:
---#3 Madarious Gibbs (SR)
-13.2 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 4.0 RPG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#2 Chris Thomas (JR)
-13.1 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
---#1 Deverell Biggs (SR)
-10.1 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.1 APG, & 1.6 SPG.
---#12 Tonnie Collier (JR)
-8.4 PPG & 2.8 RPG.
---#11 Malcolm Riley (JR)
-7.9 PPG, 5.2 RPG, & 1.0 SPG.

8-17 (6-6) Jackson State
Conference Wins:
-Alabama A&M 70-67 (Road)
-Alabama State 72-52 (Road)
-Grambling State 74-63 (Road)
-Arkansas-Pine Bluff 69-45 (Home)
-Alcorn State 64-61 (Road)
-Southern 62-52 (Road)
Conference Losses:
-Alabama State 72-52 (Road)
-Southern 60-52 (Home)
-Prairie View 70-55 (Road)
-Texas Southern 67-54 (Road)
-Mississippi Valley State 75-62 (Road)
Last Game:
-Prairie View 61-55 (Home)
Key Players:
---#10 Raeford Worsham (JR)
-12.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, & 1.4 SPG.
---#12 Kaven Bernard (JR)
-10.2 PPG & 5.1 RPG.
---#20 Javeres Brent (SO)
-8.2 PPG & 3.5 RPG.
---#2 Derrell Taylor (JR)
-7.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG, & 1.1 SPG.
---#35 Janarius Middleton (SO)
-6.2 PPG & 3.6 RPG.

Prediction:
---Texas Southern 62, Jackson State 56

9:00 PM EST-ESPN
21-4 (10-2) 8. Kansas
at 19-6 (7-5) 21. West Virginia

21-4 (10-2) 8. Kansas
Lunardi's Bracketology: 2 Seed
Solid Wins:
-Rhode Island 76-60 in Quarterfinal of Orlando Classic.
-Tennessee 82-67 in Semi-Final of Orlando Classic.
-#20 Michigan State 61-56 in Championship of Orlando Classic.
-Florida 71-65 in SEC/Big 12 Challenge (Home)
-Georgetown 75-70 (Road)
-#13 Utah 63-60 (in Kansas City)
-UNLV 76-61 (Home)
-#21 Baylor 56-55 (Road)
-#24 Oklahoma State 67-57 (Home)
-#19 Oklahoma 85-78 (Home)
-#17 Texas 75-62 (Road)
-Kansas State 68-57 (Home)
Losses:
-#1 Kentucky 72-40 in Championship Classic
-Temple 77-52 (Road)
-#11 Iowa State 86-81 (Road)
-Oklahoma State 67-62 (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against #16 Baylor 74-64 (Home)
Key Players:
---#34 Perry Ellis (JR)
-13.1 PPG & 7.0 RPG.
---#0 Frank Mason III (SO)
-12.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 4.4 APG, & 1.4 SPG.
---#1 Wayne Seldon Jr. (SO)
-10.2 PPG, 2.7 RPG, & 3.0 APG.
---#12 Kelly Oubre Jr. (FR)
-8.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#2 Cliff Alexander (FR)
-7.9 PPG, 5.6 RPG, & 1.4 BPG.
---#14 Brannen Green (SO)
-6.4 PPG & 2.3 RPG.

19-6 (7-5) 21. West Virginia
Solid Wins:
-Monmouth 64-54 (Home)
-Boston College 70-66 in Semi-Final of Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
-#17 Connecticut 78-68 in Championship of Puerto Rico Tip-Off.
-NC State 83-69 in Gotham Classic.
-Virginia Tech 82-51 (Home)
-TCU 78-67 (Road)
-#18 Oklahoma 86-65 (Home)
-Kansas State 65-59 (Road)
-Kansas State 76-72 (Home)
Conference Losses:
-#17 Iowa State 74-72 (Home)
-#20 Texas 77-50 (Road)
-#21 Oklahoma 71-52 (Roas)
-#19 Baylor 87-69 (Home)
Last Game:
-Loss Against #14 Iowa State 79-59 (Road)
Key Players:
---#3 Juwan Staten (SR)
-14.3 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 4.6 APG, & 1.1 SPG.
---#5 Devin Williams (SO)
-11.1 PPG & 8.3 RPG.
---#1 Jonathan Holton (SR)
-8.2 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.4 SPG, & 1.0 BPG.
---#2 Jevon Carter (FR)
-8.1 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.8 APG, & 1.9 SPG.
---#14 Gary Browne (SR)
-6.8 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.6 APG, & 1.2 SPG.

Prediction:
---Kansas 73, West Virginia 69

9:00 PM EST-ESPNU
10-14 (6-5) Hampton
at 7-18 (5-6) Morgan State

10-14 (6-5) Hampton
Conference Wins:
-Coppin State 71-52 (Home)
-Bethune-Cookman 58-56 (Road)
-Florida A&M 78-63 (Road)
-Maryland-Eastern Shore 64-61 (Home)
Conference Losses:
-North Carolina A&T 64-61 (Home)
-North Carolina Central 59-52 (Home)
-Savannah State 68-66 (Road)
-South Carolina State 65-56 (Road)
-Norfolk State 63-60 (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against Howard 73-69 in Overtime (Home)
Key Players:
---#23 Dwight Meikle (JR)
-12.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, & 1.3 BPG.
---#3 Quinton Chievous (SR)
-10.8 PPG & 6.3 RPG.
---#34 Reginald Johnson (JR)
-10.7 PPG, 2.7 RPG, & 1.6 BPG.
---#14 Brian Darden (JR)
-8.8 PPG.
---#11 Deron Powers (JR)
-8.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, & 1.1 SPG.

7-18 (5-6) Morgan State
Conference Wins:
-Delaware State 73-69 (Road)
-Florida A&M 75-65 (Home)
-Savannah State 67-57 (Home)
-South Carolina State 55-43 (Home)
Conference Losses:
-Maryland-Eastern Shore 78-53 (Home)
-Bethune-Cookman 65-58 (Home)
-Howard 64-48 (Road)
-Coppin State 80-67 (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against Norfolk State 73-70 (Home)
Key Players:
---#34 Cedric Blossom (JR)
-14.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, & 1.2 SPG.
---#22 Blake Bozeman (SR)
-12.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG, & 1.7 APG.
---#1 Donte Pretlow (JR)
-5.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 3.5 APG, & 1.3 SPG.
---#50 Zech Smith (SR)
-5.6 PPG, 7.4 RPG, & 1.6 BPG.

Prediction:
---Hampton 63, Morgan State 57

9:15 PM EST-Fox Sports 1
18-7 (8-4) 18. Butler
at 12-14 (3-10) Creighton

18-7 (8-4) 18. Butler
Solid Wins:
-Chatanooga 70-48 (Home)
-#5 North Carolina 74-66 in Quarterfinal of Battle 4 Atlantis.
-Georgetown 64-58 in Third Place Game of Battle 4 Atlantis.
-Indiana State 77-54 (Road)
-Northwestern 63-56 (Home)
-Tennessee-Martin 64-37 (Home)
-Belmont 67-56 (Home)
-#15 St. John's 73-69 (Road)
-Xavier 88-76 (Home)
-#21 Seton Hall 79-75 in Overtime (Road)
-#24 Seton Hall 77-57 (Home)
-St. John's 85-62 (Home)
Conference Losses:
-#6 Villanova 67-55 (Road)
-Providence 66-62 (Home)
-Georgetown 61-59 (Road)
Last Game:
-Loss To #6 Villanova 68-65 (Home)
Key Players:
---#24 Kellen Dunham (JR)
-16.8 PPG & 2.8 RPG.
---#21 Roosevelt Jones (JR)
-12.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, & 3.7 APG.
---#45 Andrew Chrabascz (SO) (Will not play, broke bone in right hand against Villanova on Saturday)
-11.7 PPG & 3.7 RPG.
---#3 Alex Barlow (SR)
-9.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 2.8 APG, & 2.3 SPG.
---#30 Kelan Martin (FR)
-7.8 PPG & 2.2 RPG.
---#31 Kameron Woods (SR)
-7.2 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 1.0 BPG, & 1.2 SPG.

12-14 (3-10) Creighton
Solid Wins:
-#18 Oklahoma 65-63 (Home)
-North Carolina Central 65-45 (Home)
-Nebraska 65-55 (Road)
-St. John's 77-74 (Home)
-Xavier 79-72 in Overtime (Road)
Single-Digit Conference Losses:
-#19 Seton Hall 68-67 (Home)
-Marquette 53-52 (Road)
-Providence 74-65 (Home)
-Butler 64-61 (Road)
Last Game:
-Win Against Marquette 77-70 (Home)
Key Players:
---#1 Austin Chatman (SR)
-10.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG, & 3.9 APG.
---#23 James Milliken (JR)
-8.4 PPG, 2.8 RPG, & 1.7 APG.
---#32 Toby Hegner (FR)
-7.7 PPG & 3.5 RPG.
---#15 Rick Kreklow (SR)
-7.7 PPG & 3.1 RPG.
---#5 Devin Brooks (SR)
-7.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, & 1.0 SPG.
---#31 Will Artino (SR)
-6.3 PPG & 4.6 RPG.

Prediction:
---Butler 64, Creighton 62

PW's Prediction Record Coming into Today: 148-55 (55-15 in the MVC)


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