Our free College Basketball picks are out for Friday, March 11th, 2022! Make sure you check our expert College Basketball picks before the action kicks off.
Look below to find our free College Basketball picks for the best games on today’s schedule!
Indiana vs #16 Illinois – 11:30am ET
Indiana ended Michigan’s Cinderella run to get here and start one of their own. Now they will meet the 16th ranked Illinois Fighting Illini in this Big Ten quarterfinals matchup on Friday morning. Illinois won the only matchup between these two in the regular season.
Marko Nadin
The Illinois Fighting Illini shared the regular-season Big Ten first place with a 22-8 record as they won the last three games against Michigan, Penn State, and Iowa. Illinois is the defending Big Ten champion as they won last year against Ohio State in overtime. They start this season’s tournament journey against Indiana, against whom the Fighting Illini have won the last 4 games. Illinois is a 5-point favorite going into this one. They have covered the spread only twice in the last 7 games against teams with a winning record.
The Indiana Hoosiers finished the regular season 9th in ht eBig Ten with a 19-12 record. They are coming into the quarterfinal match against Illinois after a 74-69 win over the Michigan Wolverines. They will have home-court advantage since this game is played in Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Indiana is ranked 15th in the nation allowing only 39% shooting from the field to its opponents. The Hoosiers have covered the spread in 4 of the last 5 games overall and 4 of the last 5 games played on a neutral field.
Marko’s College Basketball Pick: Illinois (-215)
Tony Battalio
The Indiana Hoosiers used a furious comeback to end the Wolverines’ disappointing season. Now they head into this quarterfinals matchup needing another win to keep their own NCAA tournament hopes alive. They have a record of 19-12 on the season. The Hoosiers are sitting on the bubble at the moment and with a loss, their bubble will likely burst. This once iconic program has gotten nowhere close to where they were back in the glory days of the program under coach Bobby Knight. But it’s been proven time and time again that miracles can happen, and if they get hot this team is very capable of making a run deep into March.
Illinois 🆚 Indiana
🏀 Big Ten Tournament
📍 Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, IN)
📅 Tomorrow
🕥 10:30 AM CT
📺 @BigTenNetwork#Illini | #EveryDayGuys pic.twitter.com/Nku509VTTN— Illinois Basketball (@IlliniMBB) March 10, 2022
The Illinois Fighting Illini are coming into this game with a record of 22-8 on the season. They are currently ranked 16th in the nation at the moment. While they are already virtually locked into the NCAA tournament, a win in this game will improve their seeding chances as they get deeper into the Big Ten conference tournament. Led by Kofi Cockburn this team is more than capable of making a long run in the tournament and making it to the second weekend of the tournament seems almost guaranteed. As for the result of this game, I have Illinois getting the win over Indiana.
Tony’s College Basketball Pick: Illinois (-215)
Noah Dunlap
After coming back from being down 17 with just over 13 minutes left to Michigan, the Indiana Hoosiers used a 28-4 run to stage a massive comeback and get the win, pushing Michigan deeper onto the bubble, and potentially bursting their bubble. Now the Hoosiers get the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Big Ten quarterfinals, and I think they’re certain to have their hands full.
Illinois comes in as a borderline top-15 team this year, and that’s been a bit of a disappointment, as they had hopes of being a one-seed coming into the year. The Illini do have the potential player of the year on their roster, in Kofi Cockburn, and I think he proves to be the difference-maker in this one. Give me Illinois in a tight one, as they look to improve their tournament seeding.
Noah’s College Basketball Pick: Illinois (-215)
Texas A&M vs #4 Auburn – 12pm ET
The Texas A&M Aggies knocked off the Florida Gators in overtime to get here. The Auburn Tigers will be playing their first game in almost a week. This game could potentially be another upset of a top team. As both teams can use a win in this game.
Marko Nadin
The Auburn Tigers are going to the SEC tournament after finishing the regular season on top of the conference with a 27-4 record. They had a 19-game winning streak at one point during the season but finished it losing 2 of the last five games against Florida and Tennessee. The Tigers are ranked 24th in the nation scoring 79.3 points per game and 7th allowing 38.3% from the field. The Tigers are 9.5-point favorites in this game. They have covered the spread in 4 of the last 5 games on the neutral field but only once in the last 6 games overall.
The Texas A&M Aggies finished the regular season fifth in the SEC with a 21-11 record. They are coming into the quarterfinal game after defeating Florida 83-80 in overtime. Previously, they finished the regular season with 4 consecutive wins. Texas A&M has won 7 of the last 10 games against Auburn. The Aggies have covered the spread in 9 of the last 12 games against teams that have a winning record over 60% and have done so in the last 5 games overall but at the same time in none of the last 5 Friday games.
Marko’s College Basketball Pick: Auburn (-450)
Tony Battalio
The Texas A&M Aggies needed a buzzer-beating three to get the job done. But in March getting the job done when it matters, is all that matters. As of now, they come into this game with a record of 21-11 on the season. While they are likely already going to get an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, a win over Auburn would do all but make it official as A&M would be knocking off one of the best teams in the nation. A&M and Auburn have met once this season and the outcome was a double-digit Auburn Tigers victory, so A&M will look to put up more of a fight in this game.
𝐒𝐄𝐂 𝐐𝐔𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋𝐒
Friday | vs Auburn | 11 a.m. CT
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/wmUFYmN3CM— Texas A&M Basketball (@aggiembk) March 11, 2022
The Auburn Tigers come into this game with their NCAA tournament spot already secured, regardless of what happens in this game. The most Auburn has to lose is a potential number one seed in the big dance, so a win would be better for multiple reasons. Auburn is currently ranked 4th in the country and they have a record of 27-4 on the season. They will be hoping that rust isn’t an issue as this will be their first game of the SEC tournament. However, as for the result of this game, I don’t see it being a problem as I have the Auburn Tigers getting the win in this game.
Tony’s College Basketball Pick: Auburn (-450)
Noah Dunlap
Texas A&M managed to pull off what, to quite a few people was in an upset at the SEC tournament, as they took down Florida, but now things are set to get quite a bit tougher for them, as they get the Auburn Tigers up next. A&M started the year at 12-0, and looked like a surprise contender, but then hit free-fall mode in Conference play, and are now trying to put together a good showing to lock up, for sure, a tournament bid.
Auburn comes into the SEC tournament as a hopeful one seed, though their struggles down the stretch out that at risk. However, with Baylor falling already in the Big-12 tournament, that’s opened the door for the Tigers to get a secure a one seed, and with potential number one pick Jabari Smith on the floor, I think they get the win in this one with ease, as they cruise into the SEC semis.
Noah’s College Basketball Pick: Auburn (-450)
Mississippi State vs #9 Tennessee – 6pm ET
Mississippi State beat the Gamecocks of South Carolina and their prize is getting to face the red hot Tennessee Volunteers. With a win, Tennessee can continue their match to a number one seed, while Mississippi State needs a win to keep their tournament hopes alive.
Marko Nadin
The Tennessee Volunteers finished the regular season second in the SEC with a 23-7 record. They finished the season winning 9 of the last 10 games, losing only to Arkansas in that span. Tennessee has been dominating Mississippi State lately, winning 8 of the last 10 games including a 72-63 road win in January. Tennessee is a 6.5-point favorite going into this one. They have covered the spread in 12 of the last 16 games coming from at the spread loss but only once in the last 5 games on a neutral field.
The Mississippi State Bulldogs finished 10th in the SEC with an 18-14 record. They finished the regular season dropping 3 of the last 5 games but managed to defeat the South Carolina Gamecocks 73-51 in the first round of the SEC tournament. The Gamecocks are among the five worst teams in the nation shooting only 29.3% from the three-point line. They have covered the spread in only 9 of the last 30 games following a straight-up win of more than 20 points and only once in the last 6 games overall.
Marko’s College Basketball Pick: Tennessee (-300)
Tony Battalio
Mississippi State stormed past the South Carolina Gamecocks on Thursday. The victory brought their record on the season to 18-14. However, their work is not done yet as they will have to keep winning games if they want to make the NCAA tournament this season. With a loss, they will be sent home for the year and will likely end up playing in the NIT rather than competing for a national championship. Mississippi State and Tennessee have met once this season and it was the Volunteers who came away with the win on the road in Starkville.
The matchup is set.
PREVIEW » https://t.co/7dfHfK1NUZ pic.twitter.com/fqkLDuSZ57
— Tennessee Basketball (@Vol_Hoops) March 11, 2022
The previously mentioned Tennessee Volunteers are coming into this game ranked inside the top ten of the country at number nine in the nation. They have already secured their spot in the NCAA tournament as far as I’m concerned but if they can manage to win the SEC conference tournament they will have a legitimate shot at a number one seed. Tennessee comes into this game with a record of 23-7 on the season. As for the result of this game, I have the Tennessee Volunteers getting the victory over Mississippi State and ending the Bulldogs’ tournament hopes.
Tony’s College Basketball Pick: Tennessee (-300)
Noah Dunlap
Mississippi State used a massive second half yesterday to cruise past South Carolina, and they now set their sights on Tennessee in the SEC quarters. The Bulldogs have been led by Iverson Molinar all year long, but he’s about to meet his match as he runs up against Kennedy Chandler, John Fullerton, and Santiago Vescovi.
MSU has struggled all year long, and they’re going to have to find a way to win the SEC tournament if they want to make the Big Dance, but that won’t be happening, as their year comes to an end in this one. The Volunteers just have too much talent, and with them being a top-10 team, they’re looking to try to climb to a 2-seed in the NCAA tournament. A win here is a good start, and that’s exactly what they get. Give me Tennessee with ease.
Noah’s College Basketball Pick: Tennessee (-300)
Vanderbilt vs #5 Kentucky – 8pm ET
Vanderbilt won their first two SEC conference tournament games and likely ended Alabama’s tournament hopes in the process. Now they will look to keep themselves alive when they play the fifth-ranked Kentucky Wildcats. Meanwhile, Kentucky will be looking to continue its quest for a number one seed.
Marko Nadin
The Kentucky Wildcats finished the season second in the SEC with a 25-6 record and a perfect 18-0 at home. They have won 4 of the last 5 games, most recently 71-63 against Florida. Kentucky is among the top 13 teams in the nation in points per game, 80.1, field goals percentage, 48.9%, and rebounds per game with 36.9. They have won the last 12 games against Vanderbilt and are going into this one as a huge favorite as well. This season they defeated the Commodores twice, by 7 and 12 points.
The Vanderbilt Commodores finished the season 11th in the SEC with a 17-15 record. They made it to the conference quarterfinals with two impressive wins, first 86-51 against Georgia and then 82-76 against the last year’s SEC champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide. Scottie Pippen Jr., the son of the Chicago Bulls legend is leading the team with 20.3 points per game. Vanderbilt will not be able to count on their backup point guard Rodney Chatman who is averaging 7.8 points per game
Marko’s College Basketball Pick: Kentucky (-710)
Tony Battalio
The Vanderbilt Commodores are looking like a potential Cinderella team at the moment. They have beaten Georgia and Alabama in back-to-back nights. They will bring their three-game winning streak and 17-15 record into this one looking for their third straight win in three straight nights as they look to get into the NCAA tournament. Vanderbilt will almost certainly have to win the entire conference tournament and earn the automatic bid to get into the big dance as their near .500 record just won’t be enough to get the job done.
Kentucky-Vanderbilt.#SECTourney Friday night. pic.twitter.com/VSxv5jfaGn
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) March 11, 2022
The Kentucky Wildcats, like usual, is in the hunt for a national championship under head coach John Calipari. Kentucky comes into this game ranked fifth in the nation and on the outside looking in for a possible number one seed. After Baylor’s loss to Oklahoma on Thursday, if the Wildcats themselves can avoid being upset they will likely secure a number one seed in March Madness. The Wildcats haven’t won an SEC conference tournament title since 2018, which was the end of a four-year straight run of titles. As for the result of this game, I have the Wildcats getting the win as the clock strikes midnight on Vandy.
Tony’s College Basketball Pick: Kentucky (-710)
Noah Dunlap
Vanderbilt has won multiple games in the SEC tournament for the first time since 2017, and that now has them in the quarterfinals, set to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. After an extremely disappointing showing for virtually the entire year, the Commodores are at least giving their fans a bit of a run to close out the year, though I think their season comes to a close in this one, as they simply don’t have enough to take down a Kentucky team that is looking to try to sneak into the conversation to be a one-seed in the NCAA tournament.
Kentucky comes in ranked at number five and has been consistent all year, apart from a minor few slip-ups. The reason I think they run away with this particular matchup is that Vandy simply doesn’t have anyone that can stop Oscar Tshiebwe down low. He’s averaging an easy double-double on the year, and he won’t disappoint in this one. Look for Tshiebwe to go for 20 and 15, and lead his Wildcats on to the semis. Kentucky takes care of business in a potential blowout.
Noah’s College Basketball Pick: Kentucky (-710)
Penn State vs #9 Purdue – 9pm ET
The Nittany Lions knocked off the Buckeyes in the second round to reach the quarterfinals. Meanwhile, Purdue will be playing their first game in the Big Ten conference tournament this season. As both teams could use a win in this one.
Marko Nadin
The Purdue Boilermakers are having one of the best seasons in the past decade as they finished third in the Big Ten with a 25-6 record. However, they have played very well lately as they have lost 2 of the last 3 games to Michigan State and Wisconsin, both of them by a 3 points margin. The Boilermakers are an excellent shooting team as they are ranked third in field goal percentage with 49.7 and three-point percentage with 39.3%. They have won the last 3 and 17 of the last 20 games against Penn State.
The Penn State Nittany Lions finished the regular season 10th in the conference with a 14-16 record. After finishing the regular season with three straight losses, they won the last two games against Minnesota and last year’s conference finalists Ohio State to make it to the quarterfinals. Penn State plays a slow tempo basketball scoring 65 and allowing 64 points per game which will not go well against Purdue.
Marko’s College Basketball Pick: Purdue (-430)
Tony Battalio
The Penn State Nittany Lions are coming into this game off of a top 25 upset on Thursday night over the Buckeyes of Ohio State. Which marks the second straight tournament that Ohio State has lost in the first round to an inferior opponent after being upset by Oral Roberts in the first round of the NCAA tournament last year. Now Penn State comes into this game with a record of 14-16 on the season. They will need to continue winning if they want to take part in the NCAA Tournament this season. Only time will tell if they grab another top 25 upset in this one.
Boilers 🆚 Nittany Lions.
Primetime Friday in Indy. pic.twitter.com/FIVy9JAoy7
— Purdue Mens Basketball (@BoilerBall) March 11, 2022
The Purdue Boilermakers come into this game with a record of 25-6 on the season. They are currently ranked ninth in the nation at the moment. They are already going to be a part of the NCAA tournament regardless of the result of this game. However, with a victory, they could keep their hopes for a number one seed in the NCAA tournament alive. Purdue has been inconsistent at times and can be very vulnerable to an upset in this one. However, I don’t see it happening as I have Purdue getting the win in this game.
Tony’s College Basketball Pick: Purdue (-430)
Noah Dunlap
To wrap up the Big Ten quarterfinals, we get the Penn State Nittany Lions to take on the Purdue Boilermakers. Penn State managed to pull off the upset in the last round, as they snuck by the fading Ohio State Buckeyes, but the question is whether or not they can pull off back-to-back ranked upsets, and I think the answer is no. They’ve struggled all year long, as they’re only 14-16 on the year, and their only hope for postseason play is to win the conference tournament. They won’t get there though, as I think a Purdue team that, while struggling just a bit down the stretch, has too much talent than to slip up here. The Boilermakers were a lot of people’s title favorites early in the year, and while that hype has faded a bit, they’re still an elite team in college basketball. Jaden Ivey leads the way for Purdue, and they get by this Penn State team and advance to the Big Ten semis, though I think it does come closer than expected.
Noah’s College Basketball Pick: Purdue (-430)
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*Odds and spreads correct at time of publication, courtesy of FanDuel.
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