Thursday's Picks: Notre Dame vs. Louisville; Some A-10 teams; Michigan State/Ron Burgundy vs. Wisconsin; USC vs. Arizona

Because the best way to feign actual knowledge on a subject is an accurate prediction, I introduce The Picks. Every weekday, Monday-Thursday (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!

I'll also be occasionally picking against one of my roommates, Craig, so we can have a rational method of settling all disputes involving rent, household matters, etc.

I've been mad busy lately and wasn't going to do picks tonight, but then I saw how good three of the games are and had to weigh in. Plus I actually get a chance to pick a Pac-10 game, which is like finding a white whale. So let's bang these out.

Last night: Went 1-2 with Duke and Kansas not covering against pretty shitty opponents and Marquette drubbing DePaul for my lone win because I get every Big East game right always.

Notre Dame at Louisville (-8)- Really great and outstanding match-up. Vegas looks to finally be buying into the Cardinals with a line that high (wonder what they were waiting for). The Irish rely way too much on three, mainly because they have so many white players. Louisville is 15th in the country in three-point defense. As much as Louisville's athleticism should cause fits for Notre Dame, I just don't see this game not being close. I'll take ND, hate myself and expect a late, meaningless basket to either win it or lose it for me.
The Pick: Notre Dame

St. Louis at St. Joseph's (-12)- Battle of two extremely ugly coaches, but at least one keeps his pants on. It's a must-win for the Hawks and if they push the tempo to "slothlike," it should totally through St. Louis, which is used to playing a "glacierlike" tempo, off its game. DO NOT WATCH THIS GAME.
The Pick: St. Joseph's

Michigan State at Wisconsin (-5.5)- The Spartans haven't beaten a good team in over a month but somehow, if they win tonight, will be considered for a No. 3 or 4 seed. Such is the Year of Mediocrity. The home team has won the last eight in this series and it should continue. The Badgers play great perimeter defense and when Kalin Lucas and Drew Neitzel can't score or create, the Spartans offense becomes Northwesternian. Even if they can find some open shots, this year's Spartans team doesn't make nearly enough to challenge the Badgers at home.
The Pick: Wisconsin

USC at Arizona (-5.5)- What the hell is going on? A Pac-10 game on ESPN? Did they let Fox Sports Net borrow Mike and Mike for a week or something in order to get this? (If so, FSN got ripped off.) Whatever happened, I am happy to get an actual live game from the best conference in the country instead of the weird tape delays and picked-up-already-in-progress games Comcast airs at odd hours of the night. Anyway, the match-up between Jerryd Bayless and OJ Mayo should be spectacular. In the first meeting, Mayo played much better but Arizona won. Both teams are safely in the tournament but a win for either could be crucial in seeding. The defense played in this game will be among the best you see this season, even though both teams don't force a lot of turnovers. The key match-up should be down low with Jordan Hill trying to stay out of foul trouble going against Taj Gibson and Davon Jefferson. Honestly, this game will be a slugfest and probably be decided on how tight the refs are calling it. Look for a one-possession game. I'm excited in my pants for this one.
/alienates readership
The Pick: USC

Last night's record: 1-2
JTom's overall record: 47-35-4

ACC: 5-9
Big 12: 6-8-2
Big East: 14-5-1
Big Ten: 7-5
SEC: 5-3
Missouri Valley: 2-0
West Coast: 5-1
Big West: 0-1
CAA: 0-1
Horizon: 0-0-1
A-10: 1-2
SoCon: 1-0
Non-Conf: 1-0

Craig's record: 15-17-2