Monday NCAAB Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their College Basketball picks and predictions for Monday, February 9.
West Virginia at Pittsburgh, 7:00PM ET
After another overpowering performance from its star center, it appears Pittsburgh will go as far as DeJuan Blair can carry the team.
Blair looks to continue his torrid stretch and help the sixth-ranked Panthers win their fourth consecutive game on Monday when they try to finish a season sweep of West Virginia.
Pittsburgh (21-2, 8-2 Big East) is considered a national title contender, and with the way Blair has been playing lately, it’s no surprise.
Blair scored a career-high 32 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Saturday’s 92-69 victory over DePaul. He hit 14 of 23 shots while turning in his 15th double-double to impress Blue Demons coach Jerry Wainwright.
NCAA Free Pick: Pittsburgh – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -8 Sportsbook.com
Kansas at Missouri, 9:00PM ET
Kansas never needs motivation when it faces archrival Missouri, but the Jayhawks should have some added incentive Monday.
The No. 21 Jayhawks look to move into a tie atop the Big 12 when they face the host Tigers in the teams’ 260th meeting.
Kansas (19-4, 8-0) is off to its best start in conference play since the 2004-05 season, when it won its first 10 league games. Last season, the Jayhawks, who finished 37-3 and beat Memphis in the NCAA title game, won their first five games in Big 12 play before losing at then-No. 22 Kansas State.
Coach Bill Self’s team is beginning a rough stretch in which it plays three of its next five on the road – the away games coming against Missouri (20-4, 7-2), 16-7 Kansas State and No. 2 Oklahoma, which is a half-game ahead of the Jayhawks atop the conference.
The Sooners don’t play again until Wednesday, giving Kansas a chance to move into a first-place tie with them and push third-place Missouri further down in the standings.
NCAA Free Pick: Kansas – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +4 Sportsbook.com
Bet Men’s College Basketball
Did you like this article? Subscribe to our Basketball news feed for the fastest updates delivered right to you – Click here to Subscribe
Posted: 2/9/09 1:06PM ET
