Nostradamus: Tuesday's Picks

Because the best way to feign actual knowledge on a subject is an accurate prediction, I introduce the Picks. Every weekday (hopefully) I will pick the televised games of the night, against the spread of course, and follow the results to see if I actually know something about basketball. The results should be both entertaining (for readers) and soul-crushing (for me). And if I'm wrong, I'll just do what all the TV "experts" do: never bring it up again and avoid all accountability. And since I won't be betting actual money (that often), I win every time!

Hmmm, last night didn't go so well. I mean, Stacey Dales may be an idiot, but I am a goddamn moron. I picked Georgetown, despite playing at Pitt, where the Panthers never lose and in a perfect spot for a let-down game with just 48 hours since Hibbert's bomb. Plus they refused to embrace Sharp Shootin' Roy's new role, allowing his pathetic understudies to go 3-20 from 3-point range. I'm convinced he was just teaching them a lesson. When Big Boy Roy shoots threes we win, when you nitwits do, we lose. Then in the Oklahoma-Kansas game, I picked against the most impressive team in the country (albeit -16.5), at home, and then the Sooners' best player, Blake Griffin, leaves after five minutes, becoming the envy of all his teammates. At least Gonzaga destroyed Pepperdine (they go to school in Malibu, they'll get over it).

Ohio State at Michigan State (-8)- After the affront to basketball history that was Michigan State's 36-point, Majerus-like crapfest in a loss to Iowa Saturday, it's tempting to take the points, because the Spartans sure as hell won't. But nothing cures what ails you like a home game at the Breslin Center. Tom Izzo probably whipped his team's nuts with a car antenna after Saturday and they should get 36 by half.
The Pick: Michigan State

Cincinnati at Notre Dame (-12.5)- I can't figure out if this game is on ESPN2 in select areas or just ESPNU. Either way there's no chance in hell I will watch it. Cincinnati has beaten Villanova, Syracuse and Louisville in conference play. At home. The Bearcats' lone road league game? A loss at St. John's. I'm fairly convinced all Big East teams will go 9-9 in league play this season, 9-0 at home, 9-0 on the road (Notre Dame is 11-0 at home this year, 0-2 in true road games). Take a kid away from his XBox and he loses all control over his body, I guess. Vegas knows this, so the line is pretty high. I still think the Cats are due for a stinker and the Irish, if they have a damn heart, will respond to being slain by 26 at Marquette Saturday.
The Pick: Notre Dame

Creighton at Northern Iowa (-1)- Good to see ESPN finally lock up a deal with the Missouri Valley, especially as it's having a down year. Way to strike while the iron is hot. Creighton has won the last seven in this series (5-2 ATS) and has a three-game winning streak to UNI's three-game losing streak. It's tough to win on the road in the Valley, but Creighton has two road league wins already. I'll go with the Jays because it makes so much sense, but will lose because one of those stats probably has to give. I hate my life.
The Pick: Creighton

Kentucky at Mississippi State (-9.5)- It wouldn't be an SEC match-up without two underachieving teams. Even though Mississippi State has won six straight and Kentucky knocked off unbeaten Vandy, don't get your panties in a bunch. The Cats are still 3-7-1 ATS and Mississippi State's only decent win in that streak was home vs. Missouri. Kentucky has only played two road games this season, both blowout losses, and while Ashley Judd and Co. are as, um, perky as it gets right now, actually beating someone decent at home isn't going to turn Kentucky into a road warrior.
The Pick: Mississippi State

Yesterday's Record: 1-2
Overall Record: 1-2