Monday's Picks: Pitt vs. West Virginia; Texas Tech vs. Kansas; Santa Clara vs. Gonzaga

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.

Last Week: As we enter the last week of regular season picks, I've somehow run this thing to 50-36-4, which I hear is pretty impressive or something. In case you are wondering, I haven't made anywhere close to the amount of money I should have with a record like that, which means I'd probably prefer a much worse record so I don't feel like I've wasted the one year where I actually, you know, know shit. Anyway, last week I went 3-1 on Thursday despite barely getting the picks in before 7, finishing the week at 10-3.

Pittsburgh at West Virginia (-.5.5)- Both teams are fortunate that the Bubble is as mind-numbingly weak as it is this year (the Panthers are also fortunate that Syracuse HANDED them that fucking game Saturday... I'm so over it, by the way), but whichever team loses, it can't feel all that comfortable about its positioning. Conversely, whichever team wins locks up a tourney spot for good. About a month ago, the Panthers handed WVU its second heart-breaking one-point loss and the Mountaineers have only beaten teams at the bottom of the league since. But this Pitt defense has really struggled lately and a patient offense that thrives on taking care of the ball and waiting for open looks is probably not going to cure what ails the Panthers. West Virginia punches its imaginary ticket and heads out to celebrate with some of them there tooth-ed girls.
The Pick: West Virginia

Texas Tech at Kansas (-19.5)- This line is pretty surprising given the Red Raiders takedown of Texas on Saturday. The win moves the Jayhawks back into a tie for the Big 12 lead and, more importantly, gives them a chance to destroy Tech and prove their superiority, which is probably why the line is that high. It also might be a bit lofty because in the Raiders last home game, they lost to Texas A & M by 44 freaking points. The Jayhawks might still have a hangover from the beatdown they put on the BeasWalks Saturday so although I think they will cruise, it'll be just below the number.
The Pick: Texas Tech
Santa Clara at Gonzaga (-14.5)- After getting a huge win over St. Mary's Saturday night to regain the WCC lead, this would be a perfect spot for a let-down game against a Santa Clara squad that took the Zags to OT last time they met. The Broncos are one of the slowest teams in the country and the key to them covering will be slowing Gonzaga down in front of a crowd that could either be completely jacked up given the chance to clinch the regular season crown or extremely hungover after the win over the nemesis Gaels. Santa Clara's strength is up front with big fat person John Bryant but the Zags have a number of bodies to throw at him. It will probably come down to the aforementioned pace and the Broncos three-point shooting which is pretty bad and should be even worse against a solid Zags arc defense.
The Pick: Gonzaga

Last week's record: 10-3
JTom's overall record: 50-36-4

ACC: 5-9
Big 12: 6-8-2
Big East: 15-5-1
Big Ten: 8-5
SEC: 5-3
Pac-10: 1-0
Missouri Valley: 2-0
West Coast: 5-1
Big West: 0-1
CAA: 0-1
Horizon: 0-0-1
A-10: 1-3
SoCon: 1-0
Non-Conf: 1-0

Craig's record: 15-17-2