Larry's Picks (4 Live)
Oklahoma State has been a terrific home team. ...
Larry's Past Picks
Ja Morant is out, so Desmond Bane's usage should spike again versus Sacramento. It's a dream matchup, too, as the Kings rank 19th in defensive rating and allow an NBA-high 38.3 percent on 3-pointers. We have a game total of 237 with a fast pace expected. Look for Bane to play around 35 minutes and clear this prop total.
With Deandre Ayton (quad strain) still out, Donovan Clingan has started 13 straight games. He has played 34 and 32 minutes in his last two contests, and has cleared this prop total in four straight. The Raptors give up the sixth-most rebounds and second-most assists to opposing centers. In the 14 games in which Clingan played at least 22 minutes, he went Over this number 12 times.
The Tigers swept the regular-season series but they haven't exactly been dominant in this tournament, and they won't have senior guard Tyrese Hunter. Yaxel Lendeborg continues to shoot up NBA Draft boards, and he's eager to make amends for a pair of subpar performances versus Memphis. Back Andy Kennedy's team to at least take this to the wire, if not win outright.
Grand Canyon is clearly the more talented team, but Utah Valley has uncommon chemistry and a legit defense. In conference play, the Wolverines have allowed a league-low 40.1 percent shooting. They're comparable to Grand Canyon in rebounding margin. These teams split in the regular season, each winning at home. I wouldn't play this at less than 5 (there were 5.5s available for a little while). Utah Valley has won 10 straight and No. 11 would send it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time. Even if they don't make history, I like the Wolverines to claw and scratch and keep this tight.
Utah Valley swept the season series and enters on a nine-game tear (5-3-1 ATS). The Wolverines are on a collision course with Grand Canyon for the WAC championship. While the last four meetings with Seattle have been decided by six or fewer points, Utah Valley had an extra day of rest. The Pilots were extremely fortunate to cover -5.5 against Abilene Christian in the quarterfinals, winning 69-63 as the Wildcats went 1 of 18 from deep. The Wolverines controlled the glass in both meetings and that will give them extra opportunities Friday.
Illinois is a much different team than the one that got hammered by Maryland 91-70 during the regular season. But aside from Michigan State, the Terps are the Big Ten’s most complete team. They match up well with the Illini and should advance. Back the rested Terps at this small number.
Loyola Chicago ranks 316th in Haslametrics' away-from-home metric. The Ramblers face a hot Billikens team in the second round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament. On March 1, Saint Louis destroyed visiting Loyola, 98-67. While the fourth-seeded Rambers have won seven of eight and own a big rest advantage, the fifth-seeded Billikens have more firepower, led by Robbie Avila, GIbson Jimerson and Isaiah Swope. In addition, true freshman Amari McCottry is emerging, scoring in double digits three times in the past six games. In Thursday's 83-75 win over Davidson, McCottry went 5 for 5 for 15 points.
The Bulls are dealing with multiple backcourt injuries, providing opportunity for Kevin Huerter. He's averaged 8.75 3-point attempts in his last eight games, clearing this prop total all but once. The Nets allow the sixth-best 3-point percentage (36.8).
San Diego State has won 17 straight Mountain West Tournament quarterfinals, and the Aztecs swept the regular-season series. Brian Dutcher's team knows how to defend Boise State point guard Alvaro Cardenas (12.0 ppg, 6.9 apg). In eight career games against SDSU, Cardenas has shot 31.8 percent. This should be a tight game and I took the points.
The Longhorns are still playing for an NCAA Tournament berth, and I like them to take this bitter rivalry game to the wire. Tramon Mark has stepped up the past three games, lending critical support to 2025 lottery pick Tre Johnson. The Aggies are better defensively and should prevail, but they're prone to offensive slumps. Grab the points.
Senior-laden Wichita State was out of rhythm on Senior Day, losing 73-63 to Tulsa. I like the Shockers to bounce back here against South Florida. The Shockers closed the season on a 7-3 SU run and could be this season's version of Temple, which won four games In the AAC Tournament last year. In the most recent meeting with South Florida, a 75-70 road win, Wichita State dominated the glass 42-22 and overcame unusually hot shooting by the Bulls (52.2 percent). Wichita State has a much higher ceiling -- the Shockers handed Memphis its only loss since mid-January -- and should get off to a strong tourney start.