Category: PAC-12

Iowa vs Oregon Prediction, Game Preview: NCAA Tournament Second Round

NCAA Tournament Second Round: (2) Iowa (22-8) vs (7) Oregon (20-6) prediction and college basketball game preview.

NCAA Tournament Second Round: (2) Iowa (22-8) vs (7) Oregon (20-6) prediction and college basketball game preview.

Iowa vs Oregon Broadcast

Date: Monday, March 22
Game Time: 12:10 pm ET
Venue: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Network: CBS

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Iowa vs Oregon Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Oregon Will Win

To spin a bad situation into a mini-positive, Oregon is at least rested.

It wasn’t a plus to get knocked out of the Pac-12 Tournament by rival Oregon State, and it certainly wasn’t okay to not play VCU in the first round of the NCAA Tournament after the Rams had to sit out with COVID issues. However, the Ducks will be well rested and healed after not playing for ten days.

Considering the way they play, being able to fly up and down the court with the extra strength in their legs might mean everything.

This is a very fun, very dangerous team that attacks the ball defensively and hits everything on the other end. No. 1 in the Pac-12 in field goal percentage and outstanding from three, the team has the parts to keep up with the high-powered Hawkeye offense.

There might not be stars among the bulk for the front line, but Oregon has a few massive bodies to at least pound on Luka Garza a bit.

– 2021 NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions

Why Iowa Will Win

Garza is a machine, but he’s hardly alone.

He came up with 24 in the 86-74 win over Grand Canyon, but this is a balanced offensive team that leads the nation in assists, doesn’t turn the ball over, and isn’t going to give Oregon the easy points it feasts off of.

The defense has been better over the second half of the season, but the team relies on the offense that’s phenomenal from the outside – it made 46% of its three point shots against the Antelopes – Garza was Garza inside, and now Oregon will have to deal with it all.

The Ducks are just okay on the defensive boards, they don’t get to the line enough, and …

What’s Going To Happen

Don’t just assume what the Big Ten and Pac-12 are respectively doing in this tournament will hold.

Every team and every game are their own thing, one conference games aren’t predictive of anything, and …

There is a read the room factor here.

No, the Big Ten wasn’t overrated and overloved, but it’s certainly not doing a whole lot of big things in this NCAA thing.

The Pac-12 is looking great so far, it’s showing off the offensive ability to hang with just about everyone, and Oregon has the attack and ability to be the best of the bunch as the tournament goes on.

Expect a shootout, expect major mood and momentum swings, and expect Oregon to survive a slew of missed late free throws to move on.

Follow us @ColFootballNews

Iowa vs Oregon Prediction, Line

Oregon 82, Iowa 79
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Iowa -5, o/u: 147
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 4.5

5: 12 tubs of ice creak even though Tasha is still cutting the veggies for dinner in the Scoop, There It Is ad
1: The really, really, really, really creepy Coke ads

– Oops & Helmets: 25 Worst Football & Basketball Schools 2020-2021

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Kansas vs USC Prediction, Game Preview: NCAA Tournament Second Round

NCAA Tournament Second Round: (3) Kansas (23-7) vs (6) USC (21-8) prediction and college basketball game preview.

NCAA Tournament Second Round: (3) Kansas (23-7) vs (6) USC (21-8) prediction and college basketball game preview.

Kansas vs USC Broadcast

Date: Monday, March 22
Game Time: COMING
Venue: COMING
Network: COMING

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Kansas vs USC Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why USC Will Win

The USC defense clamped down when it had to.

It might have taken a bit – Drake was strong in the first half of the 72-56 loss – but just as things started to get a bit tense, it was all about the great Trojan D in the second half. The Bulldogs only hit 29% from the field and struggled from three.

USC is brilliant at moving the ball around and being patient – it came up with 20 assists in the first round – and it kept getting to the rim and coming up with easy baskets as the game went on.

Kansas had a massive issue with Eastern Washington inside and out allowing the Eagles to hit 50% of their shots. USC has made 47% or more of their shots in each of their last five games – it’s what it’s averaging on the season.

– 2021 NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions

Why Kansas Will Win

David McCormack looked just fine.

The team’s COVID issues from the Big 12 Tournament included missing McCormack, who came back roaring in a tough 25 minutes, coming up with 22 points and nine rebounds in the 93-84 win.

It looked a played like a team that’s a bit rusty – it hadn’t played in well over a week and went through a whole lot just to get here.

The defense is outstanding enough to not worry much about the USC offensive style – it’s a better D than it showed against Eastern Washington – and it has just enough of a burst to open things up a bit.

It’s not that the Trojans can’t or won’t run, but they’d rather not make this a track meet. Kansas will make at least 45% from the field and it’ll alway be physical, but …

What’s Going To Happen

USC’s controlled style should work.

The Trojans are nothing flashy, and you’ll never feel comfortable picking them to win, but they’re great on the boards, wonderful on the free throw line, and they’ll be ultra-efficient with their possessions.

They’ve got the size, the defense on the perimeter, and the team to handle what Kansas brings.

Follow us @ColFootballNews

Kansas vs USC Prediction, Line

USC 72, Kansas 69
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: USC -1, o/u: 135
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 4

5: 12 tubs of ice creak even though Tasha is still cutting the veggies for dinner in the Scoop, There It Is ad
1: The really, really, really, really creepy Coke ads

– Oops & Helmets: 25 Worst Football & Basketball Schools 2020-2021

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Florida State vs Colorado Prediction, Game Preview: NCAA Tournament Second Round

NCAA Tournament Second Round: (4) Florida State (17-6) vs (5) Colorado (23-6) prediction and college basketball game preview.

NCAA Tournament Second Round: (4) Florida State (17-6) vs (5) Colorado (23-6) prediction and college basketball game preview.

Florida State vs Colorado Broadcast

Date: Monday, March 22
Game Time: COMING
Venue: COMING
Network: COMING

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Florida State vs Colorado Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Colorado Will Win

The Buffs are on fire from three.

They couldn’t miss in the 96-73 win over Georgetown, bombing away with 16-of-25 from three on a 61% overall shooting day. How hot were they? Throw in the 12-of-14 day from the free throw line, and it always seemed like the ball ways going in the basket.

Obviously this is a fantastic shooting team, it’s outstanding on the free throw line, and the defense is solid enough to give the Seminoles a few problems. FSU had a hard time putting away UNC Greensboro until the final few minutes, mostly because it couldn’t hit a three.

No, really. The Noles were 0-9 from the outside. It was an aberration, but the Buffs are decent at guarding the three. They’re better at getting the rebound and ending the possession, and …

– 2021 NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions

Why Florida State Will Win

Colorado hasn’t been a rock at guarding the three lately.

The Georgetown game was weird from jump – the Hoyas still hit 33% on the outside – but Oregon State and USC were terrific from three in the Pac-12 Tournament against the Buff D.

The Noles are ultra-athletic, they get production from everywhere, and there outstanding at attacking the glass. They might have misfired over and over again from three in the first round, but they got to the rim over and over again.

And they’re going to make threes.

FSU led the ACC in three point percentage, they score in bunches, and they’re great at keeping streaking teams from going on big runs. As long as the energy is there – it took a while to wake up, and there was a strange lull against UNCG, Colorado will have to work to keep up.

What’s Going To Happen

The honor of the ACC is all on Florida State after a disastrous first round for the conference.

Colorado has been outstanding over the last month – and the Pac-12 certainly showed so far how good it is – and Florida State just hasn’t been that great for a while. It lost three of its last six games, it wasn’t great against North Carolina in the ACC Tournament, and it wasn’t anything fabulous in the first round in this.

The Colorado energy will be there from the start in a three point shooting contest.

Follow us @ColFootballNews

Florida State vs Colorado Prediction, Line

Colorado 73, Florida State 70
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Florida State -1, o/u: 138.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 4

5: 12 tubs of ice creak even though Tasha is still cutting the veggies for dinner in the Scoop, There It Is ad
1: The really, really, really, really creepy Coke ads

– Oops & Helmets: 25 Worst Football & Basketball Schools 2020-2021

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Tennessee vs Oregon State Prediction, Game Preview: NCAA Tournament First Round

NCAA Tournament First Round: (5) Tennessee (18-8) vs (12) Oregon State (17-12) prediction and college basketball game preview.

NCAA Tournament First Round: (5) Tennessee (18-8) vs (12) Oregon State (17-12) prediction and college basketball game preview.

Tennessee vs Oregon State Broadcast

Date: Friday, March 19
Game Time: 4:30 pm ET
Venue: Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis, IN
Network: TBS

[jwplayer mxujxi71]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Tennessee vs Oregon State Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Oregon State Will Win

The Beavers might have been rocked by Oregon in early March, but that was in over the last several weeks with a 6-1 run and a Pac-12 Championship to get into the fun.

The scoring switch flipped on, with the team scoring more consistently over the streak and doing a better job from the field, hitting 50% or better three of the last five games and getting to 45% or better as a given, especially because the threes are popping.

After going 0-for-10 from three against Cal, the Beavers have been unstoppable from the outside against everyone except in that big loss to Oregon. It’s a strong team from three, the defense was the best in the Pac-12 at guarding from the outside, and it’s a strong free throw shooting team in the clutch.

– 2021 NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions

Why Tennessee Will Win

Will we get good Tennessee or bad Tennessee?

This team was way, way too inconsistent throughout the season to assume a big run is coming, but when it’s on, it’s got the talent and the upside to make some noise.

There aren’t a ton of turnovers, the defense forces a slew of mistakes, and the defense was No. 1 in the SEC in points allowed per game. Teams are shooting under 40% against the Vols on the year with a good inside presence, lots of blocks, and burst and passing to capitalize on the takeaways.

What’s Going To Happen

Tennessee has big problems against teams that can rebound well, and that’s not Oregon State.

The Beavers have the defense to make the Vols go cold for long stretches, but  there are way too many fouls, not enough takeaways, and there’s just enough missing to go cold for a few stretches.

Tennessee is a wee bit of a momentum team. As long as it’s on early with a few makes, it’ll get by.

– College Basketball Experts Picks For Tennessee vs Oregon State

Tennessee vs Oregon State Prediction, Line

Tennessee 76, Oregon State 67
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Tennessee -7.5, o/u: 131.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3

5: Getting the NCAA Tournament back
1: One Shining Moment

– Oops & Helmets: 25 Worst Football & Basketball Schools 2020-2021

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

USC vs Drake Prediction, Game Preview: NCAA Tournament First Round

NCAA Tournament First Round: (6) USC (22-7) vs (11) Drake (26-4) prediction and college basketball game preview.

NCAA Tournament First Round: (6) USC (22-7) vs (11) Drake (26-4) prediction and college basketball game preview.

USC vs Drake Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 20
Game Time: 4:30 pm ET
Venue: Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Network: TNT

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

USC vs Drake Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Drake Will Win

Drake couldn’t seem to do anything quite right early against Wichita State, and it couldn’t seem to close when it had everything going its way late, but 53-52 – it won and it gets to move on.

Call it the first game, First Four jitters.

This is a great rebounding team that battled hard enough on the glass to get the key boards in the second half, and it’s usually a whole lot better from the field – it normally makes 49% of its shots and only hit 38% – than it showed.

It can go up-tempo, but it’s not a team that’s going to be afraid of slowing things down the way USC likes it.

The Trojans turn it over a ton, they aren’t great at guarding the three, and they’re miserable on the free throw line, but …

– 2021 NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions

Why USC Will Win

They get to the line over and over and over again. They might miss a bunch of them, but they’ll get there against a Drake defense that will get hit for at least 16 fouls.

Wichita State was able to hit the boards hard enough to get by, couldn’t hit a three to save its season, missed half of its free throws – and it still had a shot at the buzzer with a chance to win.

USC might have struggled over the last few weeks of the season, but the defense was still solid, the rebounding and blocks are still there, and it’s got a suffocating style that keeps the pressure on all game long.

– College Basketball Experts Picks For USC vs Drake

What’s Going To Happen

When it comes to USC, think a better Wichita State. Both teams are active, both play a tough defense that make it hard to get anything consistently going, and both don’t have major turnover issues.

Drake will give the Trojans all they can handle, though.

It’ll seem like USC is always on the line, it’ll own the interior, and it’ll be a drip, drip, drip with the score starting get away from the Bulldogs late in the second half.

USC will never be able to get comfortable, but it’ll get the defensive stops it needs in the final two minutes to get out alive.

USC vs Drake Prediction, Line

USC 68, Drake 63
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: USC -6.5, o/u: 139.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3

5: Getting the NCAA Tournament back
1: One Shining Moment

– Oops & Helmets: 25 Worst Football & Basketball Schools 2020-2021

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Oregon vs VCU Prediction, Game Preview: NCAA Tournament First Round

NCAA Tournament First Round: (7) Oregon (20-6) vs (10) VCU (19-7) prediction and college basketball game preview.

NCAA Tournament First Round: (7) Oregon (20-6) vs (10) VCU (19-7) prediction and college basketball game preview.

Oregon vs VCU Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 20
Game Time: 9:57 pm ET
Venue: Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis, IN
Network: TNT

[jwplayer mxujxi71]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Oregon vs VCU Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why VCU Will Win

VCU is a smallish, aggressive team that comes up with a ton of blocked shots despite its lack of height. It comes up with a ton of steals, frustrating offenses while holding them to around 65 points.

To beat Oregon you have to be able to guard from three, and the Rams have one of the best defenses in the country at slowing teams down from the outside.

And that’s it. That’s everything. VCU can score, but it’s not necessarily a high-powered offensive juggernaut. It might be active and dangerous on both ends, but it doesn’t come up with a slew of rebounds.

VCU is 3-5 this season when it allows teams to make 34% or more of their threes, and they’re 16-2 when teams can’t hit that mark.

However …

– 2021 NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions

Why Oregon Will Win

Oregon averages 38% a game from three and got there 15 times among its 26 games. How did it do when it was able to get that 38%?

14-1. 34%? 15-2.

That’s not to say VCU can’t grind this game down a bit and make it a bit of a defensive fight, but Oregon is going to do more than shoot from the outside. It’s almost as good as the Rams are at generating steals, and they do it without committing all of the fouls they do.

This isn’t a great shooting Duck team form the free throw line, but it’s not bad. It’ll at least equal the VCU advantage on the line – the Rams are 6% better at shooting free throws – but shooting more of them.

– College Basketball Experts Picks For Oregon vs VCU

What’s Going To Happen

Oregon will be on its game just enough.

Sorry to keep hammering the idea of Duck three pointers, but again, that’s almost everything. They made 65% of them against Oregon State in a blowout win, and five days later lost to the Beavers in the Pac-12 Tournament when it couldn’t hit a thing from the outside.

VCU will keep the game from getting out of hand, but Oregon will make the key shots needed to move on.

Oregon vs VCU Prediction, Line

Oregon 73, VCU 67
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Oregon -5.5, o/u: 137
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Getting the NCAA Tournament back
1: One Shining Moment

– Oops & Helmets: 25 Worst Football & Basketball Schools 2020-2021

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Colorado vs Georgetown Prediction, Game Preview: NCAA Tournament First Round

NCAA Tournament First Round: (5) Colorado (22-8) vs (12) Georgetown (13-12) prediction and college basketball game preview.

NCAA Tournament First Round: (5) Colorado (22-8) vs (12) Georgetown (13-12) prediction and college basketball game preview.

Colorado vs Georgetown Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 20
Game Time: 12:15 pm ET
Venue: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Network: CBS

[jwplayer mxujxi71]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Colorado vs Georgetown Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Georgetown Will Win

Was that a fluke or was it a case of a team rising up and rocking at the right time?

The Hoyas were miserable during the middle of the season – going on an ugly 2-7 run – but everything started to kick in late in February. A 6-1 finish with a Big East championship was enough to launch Patrick Ewing’s team into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.

It’s a Ewing-coached Georgetown team, so of course it’s amazing on the boards. It’s a big team that dominates the glass on both ends. The shooting inside is good enough, and when the gunners are on from the outside, it’s a deadly mix.

Colorado doesn’t have the inside presence to hang if the Hoyas start banging with its size up front, but …

– 2021 NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions

Why Colorado Will Win

This is a painfully inconsistent three-point shooting Georgetown team.

Colorado didn’t have too many problems slowing down the three – it led the Pac-12 in made threes – with even the bombers in the conference struggling from the outside. The Buffs split their games with Oregon and went 2-1 against Cal – three pointers weren’t the issue.

Georgetown doesn’t have to hit threes to win, but it’s 5-9 when making fewer than 40% of its threes, and Colorado only allowed teams to connect on 40% or more seven times in 30 games.

The Buffs are fantastic on the foul line, they don’t turn the ball over, and they’re a whole lot steadier and consistent.

– College Basketball Experts Picks For Colorado vs Georgetown

What’s Going To Happen

Georgetown will be the fun and sentimental choice to root for because of Ewing and the history of the program, but Colorado is a whole lot steadier.

The Buffs will get enough from the defense to make up for a few problems here and there on the boards. They’ll give up enough second chance points to matter, but they’ll make up for it with a several points in transition off of Hoya mistakes.

Colorado vs Georgetown Prediction, Line

Colorado 70, Georgetown 66
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Colorado -5.5, o/u: 136.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: Getting the NCAA Tournament back
1: One Shining Moment

– Oops & Helmets: 25 Worst Football & Basketball Schools 2020-2021

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Michigan State vs UCLA Prediction, Game Preview: NCAA Tournament First Four

NCAA Tournament First Four: (11) Michigan State Spartans (15-12) vs (11) UCLA Bruins (17-9) prediction and college basketball game preview.

NCAA Tournament First Four: (11) Michigan State Spartans (15-12) vs (11) UCLA Bruins (17-9) prediction and college basketball game preview.

Michigan State vs UCLA Broadcast

Date: Wednesday, March 17
Game Time: COMING
Venue: Mackey Arena,West Lafayette, IN or Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall, Bloomington, IN
Network: TBS or truTV

[jwplayer mxujxi71]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Michigan State vs UCLA Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Michigan State Will Win

It took a while to get there, but the Spartans figured it out.

They struggled in the middle of the season when the shooting was erratic, the defense wasn’t anything special, and there was loss after loss after loss when the team just couldn’t seem to catch a break.

And then came the finishing kick.

There was a clunker against Maryland, but there was also a win over Michigan. And Illinois. And Ohio State. Okay, there was another loss to Maryland in the Big Ten Tournament, but the D got a little tighter over the last month and – to be murky about it – there seemed to be a little more fight.

The defense was among the best in the Big Ten against the three, the rebounding was solid, and there was more of an inside presence with more blocked shots.

On the flip side, UCLA closed with a thud, losing its final four games and seven of its last 12. However …

Why UCLA Will Win

The first round loss to Oregon State in the Pac-12 Tournament doesn’t seem quite so bad now – the Beavers won the thing.

The other three losses were to USC by one and on the road at Colorado and Oregon. A good team should’ve won one of those, but there’s no shame in dropping those four.

Even though the team have problems late, the shooting wasn’t bad. It managed to hit half of its shots over the last seven games, it wasn’t bad from three, and it did a decent job on the boards.

This might not be the most aggressive D, but Michigan State is a giveaway machine – the Bruins should generate enough easy points to matter.

What’s Going To Happen

Michigan State might have had a rough year, but that’s partially because the Big Ten was really, really good.

However, this is a badly flawed team. It might have been able to rise up and beat a few superstars over the last few weeks, but it’s painfully inconsistent from the outside, it doesn’t force takeaways, and it already has eight fouls just getting off the bus.

There’s nothing sexy about this UCLA team, but it shoots well from the field and it can hang enough on the boards to not have a problem against the tough Spartans.

Michigan State vs UCLA Prediction, Line

UCLA 69, Michigan State 65
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: UCLA -1, o/u: 136.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

Must See Rating: 3

5: Getting the NCAA Tournament back
1: One Shining Moment

– Oops & Helmets: 25 Worst Football & Basketball Schools 2020-2021

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

USC vs Colorado Prediction, Game Preview: Pac-12 Tournament

Pac-12 Tournament: USC Trojans vs Colorado Buffaloes prediction and college basketball game preview.

Pac-12 Tournament: USC Trojans vs Colorado Buffaloes prediction and college basketball game preview.

USC vs Colorado Broadcast

Date: Friday, March 13
Game Time: 11:30 pm ET
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Network: ESPN

[jwplayer 1X1mMRib]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

USC (22-6) vs Colorado (21-7) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Colorado Will Win

Does USC have any legs left?

It had to fight through a double-overtime thrilling over Utah, winning 91-85 with plenty of big runs and a whole lot of emotion and energy on both ends to get by.

Enter Colorado, who’s able to play a fast style when it needs to, but its better at clamping down defensively and getting nasty and tough on the boards at both ends. That came through in the 80-62 win over the Trojans a few weeks ago, and also in a ten-point win in late December.

The Buffs got pushed way too hard by a bad Cal team in a 61-58 win in the Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals, but when the defense had to come through, it did.

However …

Why USC Will Win

Colorado couldn’t make a thing from three against the Bears and it struggled from the field.

The Buffs didn’t have to expend the same sort of energy or fight, but it wasn’t able to rest for a moment in a game that should’ve been far more relaxing and fun.

Yes, Colorado was able to win in the first two meetings with its offense, and it’s not like the Utah win was a defensive slugfest, but the Trojans have the D, they have the ability make big things happen on the board, and they generally do both things better than Colorado. But …

What’s Going To Happen

Something is missing.

USC should be a whole lot stronger considering its defensive chops and its ability to lock down and force teams to go dead cold for long stretches. However, the scoring punch isn’t there on a regular basis, and teams are doing too well from three lately to shoot over this D.

Colorado might not have been great against Cal, but it’s got the ability to play the type of defensive low-scoring games that USC thrives in.

Be shocked if this isn’t close and stunned if it doesn’t come down to the final 90 seconds. Colorado leads the nation in free throw percentage, and USC is one of the worst teams in the country at the line.

USC vs Colorado Prediction, Line

Colorado 67, USC 64
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
ATS Confidence out of 5: COMING

Must See Rating: 3.5

5: The other 17 holes at the TPC
1: The focus on the TPC 17th

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Oregon vs Oregon State Prediction, Game Preview: Pac-12 Tournament

Pac-12 Tournament: Oregon Ducks vs Oregon State Beavers prediction and college basketball game preview.

Pac-12 Tournament: Oregon Ducks vs Oregon State Beavers prediction and college basketball game preview.

Oregon vs Oregon State Broadcast

Date: Friday, March 12
Game Time: 8:30 ET
Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Network: Pac-12 Network

[jwplayer 1X1mMRib]

– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Oregon (20-5) vs Oregon State (15-12) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM

Why Oregon State Will Win

Yeah, the Beavers lost to Oregon in the last game of the regular season, but they won 75-64 in Eugene back in late January by nailing 22-of-24 free throws and getting a bad shooting day from the Ducks.

But that’s what Oregon State does. It might not be a high-powered shooting team, but it’s just that good at stopping teams from three and on the other side it’s fantastic at moving the ball around.

It took a massive comeback and overtime to do it, but they beat UCLA in the Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinal by hitting from three, stopping the Bruins from the outside, and nailing their free throws.

However …

Why Oregon Will Win

The Oregon State three point defense doesn’t always work. It might be good at keeping everyone to around 30%, but Oregon couldn’t seem to miss in the 80-67 win in Corvallis a few days ago.

The best three-point shooting team in the Pac-12 nailed a season-high 15 against the Beavers, and that was coming off a hot shooting day against UCLA coming off big days against Arizona and Cal.

On Thursday, the Ducks hit 56% from three to win 91-73 in an easy rout. Oregon State might be playing well overall, but if Oregon gets going, that’s it. The Beavers can’t keep up.

What’s Going To Happen

The Beavers won’t keep up.

This is a fun Oregon State team that can all of a sudden start to make a whole lot of noise for the NCAAs if it can pull this off, but it’s just not consistent enough from three to do this.

Yeah, it nailed 40% from three against UCLA, but it’s been painful at times over the last few games including an 0-for-10 performance from the outside against Cal and hitting 4-of-17 against the Ducks.

Oregon won’t hit 65% from three this time around, but it’ll make enough to move on.

Oregon vs Oregon State Prediction, Line

Oregon 79, Oregon State 69
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Oregon -9, o/u: 139
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5

Must See Rating: 3

5: The other 17 holes at the TPC
1: The focus on the TPC 17th

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]