College Hoops Picks - December 20, 2022

What's up, everyone? Back for the first time in a couple of weeks with some college basketball knowledge. We're in a bit of a lull in the season with most students off campus for the holidays. I'm in the holiday spirit, so my gift to you is free winners to help you fund your holiday shopping. Feel free to mail me a Coors Light if you tail and win. 2022 CBB Record: 14-3

First up, Mississippi State and Drake take the court at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Nebraska. Whoever sent these two teams to Nebraska for a neutral site game right before Christmas should be fired. Drake playing in Nebraska? What a time to be alive. I'm sure neither team wants to be there, but at least most of these sponsored MTEs come with a care package. I have a lot of thoughts about these events and their place in college basketball but honestly, nevermind.

On to the game. Mississippi State is one of the best defensive teams in the country. They're 7th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency per KenPom and rank in the top 15 in both three-point defense and forcing turnovers. They are likely without Shakeel Moore, one of their more disruptive players on that end of the court, but the defense should still be rock solid. Chris Jan's team has some of the longest possessions in the country and will grind the game to a halt at times. They've already played multiple games in the 50s.

Drake will likely have to take some stuff shots and don't shoot a great percentage, especially from three. They take care of the ball and should be able to limit fast break points, but they probably won't be able to do too much offensively. I like Mississippi State to cover the spread, but they've had a few too many offensive stinkers for me to pull the trigger. It's a neutral site game in Nebraska at 5 PM on a Tuesday. Give me the under. Mississippi State/Drake under 130.0

The game in Miami is also really interesting, but I'm staying away until I have a little more info. Reece Beekman is coming off a hamstring injury and clearly wasn't 100 percent against Houston this weekend. He played through it and should be improved, but it's tough to say how effective he'll be. Coming off a tough loss, I like Tony Bennett's squad to bounce back and get the win, but with the uncertainty around Beekman and it being the Cavaliers' first true road game, I'll stay away. Still the best game on the slate.

Elsewhere, I'm interested to see if Wake Forest can hold their own with Duke in town. I lean Duke, but it's a young team playing its first true home game. Seven points is a sizeable spread, but Jeremy Roach should be able to provide some veteran leadership on the road.

As I said in the intro, we're about to hit a bit of a lull. I'll be back with plenty more picks after the new year. Conference play doesn't stand a chance.