College Hoops Picks - January 18, 2022

I will have a winning day. I can't keep going 50%. I'm just not seeing the board clearly right now. I'm more unsure of myself than MLB teams are about Carlos Correa. I will persevere. 2022 CBB Record: 24-16

Leading Off

I hate Sister Jean. I have a legitimate grudge against a 100-year-old woman for no reason other than people like to give her more shine than the players on the team. Now, all of a sudden, Loyola-Chicago is one of the worst teams in basketball, yet I haven't heard anyone put any of the blame on her. I suspect she's partaking in some sort of heresy and this is the lord's way of punishing her. Or maybe it's the lack of talent in the program at the moment.

The explanation for the lack of success is irrelevant. The team STINKS. They turn the ball over at one of the highest rates in the league, have issues with jump shooting, and struggle on defense. They do shoot a very high percentage from inside the arc, but they'll be dealing with one of the nation's best shot-blockers in Francis Okoro. Saint Louis has way too much talent for Sister Jeans' squad of sinners to keep up with. I hate road favorites, but this one is too good to pass up. Saint Louis -5.0

Statement Game

UConn has dropped four of its last five games after looking like one of the best team's in the country. The beginning of their conference schedule was a gauntlet that was seemingly over after their matchup with Marquette, but they couldn't right the ship at home against St. John's.

If I were a UConn basketball player, I would be very afraid to piss Dan Hurley off. I have no relationship with Hurley nor do I have reason to believe I'll ever interact with him, but I'm still a little afraid of pissing him off. I'm not inside the locker room and I don't know what goes on in practice, but I am as close to sure as I can be that they won't overlook Seton Hall.

The Pirates have talent, and I'm a little worried about the Huskies' ability to handle full-court pressure after they struggled with it on Saturday, but if this UConn team has what it takes to make a run in the tournament, they win this game and they win it big. UConn -4.0

Quick Hitters

Short card tonight for me personally, but there are plenty of interesting games on the schedule. Here are a couple more brief thoughts.

- I'm done backing LSU, but five points at home against an Auburn team that turns the ball over a lot is tempting. I actually like the under there a lot as well. Edit: I talked myself into the under. Auburn/LSU under 137.5 (.5u)

- Texas A&M has blown some teams out over the past couple of weeks. I'd be inclined to take them to cover four against Florida.

- I love taking Nebraska as home underdogs. Getting six against Ohio State is tempting, but I'll stay away with injuries to Sam Griesel and Juwan Gary.

- TCU has been playing great lately and it's always tempting to take them when they're getting points. I have a hard time taking any road teams in West Virginia though. Really tough gym to play in.

- Virginia is seven-point favorites against in-state rival Virginia Tech after Tech's hot start to the season. Seven feels like a lot to me, but the Hokies have really struggled without Hunter Cattoor.

- I won't touch Arkansas or Missouri for a little bit. Fun game though.

- If Moussa Cisse plays for Oklahoma State, I'd take the Cowboys -3.0. Any more than that is tough to take with that offense, though.