Wednesday NCAAB Picks
Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their College Basketball picks and predictions for Wednesday, March 4.
Northwestern at Purdue, 6:30PM ET
Purdue was hoping its last two regular-season games would have Big Ten title implications. Instead, it has to wait for next weekend’s conference tournament for a chance to win a league title.
First on Wednesday night, the 19th-ranked Boilermakers look to build off their latest victory as they host Northwestern, which is trying to move closer to its first postseason berth in a decade.
Purdue’s Big Ten title chances ended Tuesday when No. 8 Michigan State defeated Indiana 64-59 to capture the conference crown outright. Had the Spartans lost, the Boilermakers (22-7, 11-5) could have earned a share of the title with a win Wednesday, coupled with a victory in Sunday’s regular-season finale at Michigan State.
NCAA Free Pick: Purdue – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -12 Sportsbook.com
Kansas at Texas Tech, 9:30PM ET
All Kansas needs is one win in its final two games to clinch its fifth consecutive Big 12 regular-season title. Facing a slumping Texas Tech team could eliminate any suspense heading into the Jayhawks’ finale.
Kansas looks for its sixth straight victory Wednesday night in Lubbock as it takes on a Red Raiders squad trying to snap a six-game slide.
The ninth-ranked Jayhawks (24-5, 13-1) extended their nation-best home winning streak to 40 with Sunday’s 90-65 victory over then-No. 11 Missouri.
After scoring a career high-tying 26 in an 87-78 win over then-No. 3 Oklahoma on Feb. 23, junior Sherron Collins scored a team-high 25 and added six assists and five rebounds Sunday as the Jayhawks avenged a 62-60 loss at Missouri on Feb. 9 – Kansas’ last defeat.
NCAA Free Pick: Texas Tech – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +10.5 Sportsbook.com
Marquette at Pittsburgh, 7:30PM ET
An injury that will sideline Dominic James for the rest of the season already slowed Marquette’s momentum heading toward the NCAA tournament, and consecutive losses to top-10 opponents hasn’t helped bring it back.
The No. 13 Golden Eagles will try to avoid a third loss in a row without James on Wednesday night at third-ranked Pittsburgh, which can keep its hopes of a Big East regular-season title alive with a 20th straight home win.
Marquette (23-6, 12-4) had a chance to become the top seed in the conference tournament when it began a brutal span of games against the three teams it trailed in the standings.
But as the Golden Eagles were engaging in a back-and-forth battle with No. 2 Connecticut on Feb. 25, James went down with a broken bone in his foot, ending the senior’s career.
NCAA Free Pick: Marquette – View Game Matchup | Best Line: +10 Sportsbook.com
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Posted: 3/4/09 12:48PM ET
