Saturday NCAAB Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their College Basketball picks and predictions for Saturday, February 28.
Georgia Tech at North Carolina, 12:00PM ET
Its margin of error atop the ACC reduced after a surprising loss, North Carolina looks to bounce back with a 12th consecutive home victory over Georgia Tech at the Smith Center on Saturday.
The fourth-ranked Tar Heels (24-3, 10-3) have had a week to stew since blowing a 16-point second-half lead in an 88-85 overtime loss to Maryland on Feb. 21 that snapped a 10-game winning streak. Their lead in the conference was reduced to one game after archrival Duke defeated the Terrapins at Maryland on Wednesday, and the players are ready to start the stretch run leading into the ACC tournament.
NCAA Free Pick: Over – View Game Matchup | Best Line: O/U O/U 163 Sportsbook.com
Cleveland State at Butler, 12:00PM ET
Butler would probably prefer to avoid the late-game drama from this season’s first matchup with Cleveland State. But the Bulldogs may need a 40-minute effort in their regular-season finale as they host a Vikings team that’s still fighting for a No. 3 seed in the Horizon League conference tournament.
Butler looks to clinch the No. 1 seed in next week’s conference tournament as it tries to end Cleveland State’s eight-game league winning streak Saturday afternoon at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
The 24th-ranked Bulldogs (24-4, 14-3) have won three in a row against the Vikings, including a 50-48 victory Dec. 4 when sophomore guard Zach Hahn hit a last-second 3-pointer.
Butler clinched a share of its third consecutive regular-season Horizon League championship Thursday with a 78-57 win over Youngstown State. The Bulldogs could have won the title outright, but Wisconsin-Green Bay defeated Detroit. If the Phoenix fall at Wright State on Saturday night, Butler still clinches the conference tournament’s top seed if it falls against Cleveland State.
NCAA Free Pick: Butler – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -7 Sportsbook.com
LSU at Kentucky, 4:00PM ET
In just his first season, coach Trent Johnson has given LSU some much-needed confidence. The Tigers have been particularly desperate for some moxie heading into games at Rupp Arena.
With a chance to clinch the SEC title, the 18th-ranked Tigers look to win on the road against Kentucky for the first time in over 20 years Saturday.
LSU (24-4, 12-1) had gone through consecutive losing seasons in the SEC before Johnson took over in April. Now, the Tigers have won nine straight and are a victory away from securing their first outright conference title since 2005-06.
NCAA Free Pick: Providence – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -4.5 Sportsbook.com
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Posted: 2/28/09 9:50AM ET
