Pikiell’s crew in for tough Knight vs. Wolverines
STEVE Pikiell accepted two of the most difficult jobs in college basketball (Stony Brook, Rutgers) and miraculously performed two of the best rebuilding jobs in college basketball. The only problem with creating expectations? Disappointment is inevitable.
Michigan (-2.5) over Rutgers: The best player on the floor (Hunter Dickinson) is playing his best, averaging 26 points and 13.3 rebounds over the past three games, while shooting nearly 65 percent from the field. Rutgers’ offense has no one it can rely on, as witnessed in a 58-45 home loss to Michigan last month, when the Wolverines were without second-leading scorer Jett Howard.
After losing six of their past eight games, the Scarlet Knights’ struggles away from home will create a nerve-wracking Selection Sunday.
Baylor (-4) over Iowa State: Don’t be fooled by the Cyclones’ pair of 15-point wins over the Bears, who are due to rebound after uncharacteristically cold shooting resulted in the nation’s second-most efficient attack failing to top 38 percent field goal shooting in either loss. Iowa State — 213th in the nation in true shooting percentage — is just as likely to regress after shooting better than 50 percent in the wins.
Providence (+7) over UConn: Sometimes you’ve got to zag. The Huskies earned their status as Big East Tournament favorites after winning five straight games, including an 18-point win over the Friars, who finished the regular season with a baffling 24-point home loss to Seton Hall. Still, take the free points with Ed Cooley — who only has two opening-round losses since winning the title in 2014 — Bryce Hopkins and a capable group which owns a double-digit win over the Huskies and can negate UConn’s customary rebounding edge.
Penn State (+2) over Illinois: The Nittany Lions carry momentum, confidence and the strategy that makes sense. Penn State — winners of five of their past six games and reaching bubble status with back-to-back thrilling wins — holds a pair of double-digit wins over the underachieving Illini, thanks to star Jalen Pickett and elite perimeter shooting.
Illinois, illogically, is adamant about beating Penn State at its own game, hoisting nearly as many 3-pointers in their meetings — and all season — despite ranking 333rd in the nation in shooting behind the arc.
This season: 3-0-1
2011-22 record: 319-283-9