Baylor vs Gonzaga
*Update: This game has now been postponed due to 2 positive COVID-19 tests, including 1 player.
Two top-five teams prepare to meet on Saturday, with college basketball’s No.1 side, Gonzaga, visiting No. 2 Baylor in an early season clash. The Gonzaga outfit have zero losses on the board, and are sitting on one win. Baylor has one loss tallied, against a Ranked Team.
Gonzaga will look to Drew Timme, Corey Kispert and Joal Ayayi offensively, with the trio accounting for 64% of all Bulldogs scoring this season. Jared Butler will also be in the mix – connecting on 43.6% of the last 16 shots outside the arc in this past 3 games.
But Gonzaga will be coming up against a strong defensive side in Baylor, who will look to shut down the Bulldogs offensive line.
“I think this is the best defensive perimeter in the country.” – @JayBilas
!⃝ 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗼𝗿’𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗲#SicEm 🐻 | #TimeIsNow 🏀 pic.twitter.com/udhFGdoxbP
— Baylor Basketball (@BaylorMBB) December 3, 2020
But, the side won’t stop there – with their attacking abilities almost on-par with Gonzaga. Baylor as a team have made 11.7 3-pointers per game this season, ranking them eighth-best among Division 1 Teams.
It will be a showdown for the ages on Saturday, and Baylor look set to give Gonzaga a run for their money, especially on their home court.
College basketball pick – Baylor by 2.
Richmond vs Furman
Another college basketball game lost to COVID-19. Richmond will not play Saturday’s home opener against Furman, continuing to follow the guidance of the Virginia Department of Health. All games are postponed at this time.
College basketball pick – Game cancelled.
Ohio State vs Alabama A&M
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been on a roll since their season opener, remaining undefeated. First up, the side sniped Illinois State 94-67, then followed it up with a victory against UMass Lowell 74-64.
Most recently, the side snaked Morehead State in a 77-44 win, where E.J. Liddell took home 16 points. Justice Sueing, C.J. Walkler and Duane Washington Jr. also impressed – with 11 points apiece.
Meanwhile, Alabama have matched-up just once this season, against SAM. Jalen Johnson scored a career-high 28 points, and sophomore Cameron Tucker pipped the SAM side at the post, converting a go-ahead, three-point play, with five seconds left to help Alabama A&M put a win on the college basketball board.
We haven’t seen too much of Alabama’s game style yet this year, and Ohio have proved themselves time and time again – it’s looking like a clear-cut victory for this side tomorrow.
College basketball pick – Ohio State by 16.
Kansas vs ND State
Kansas are actually looking like a pretty strong college basketball side this year, falling to top-tier Gonzaga by only 12 points in their season opener… then going on to win every game thereafter.
The side have had a fair run at it, taking down Saint Joseph’s 72-94, Kentucky 65-62, and Washburn. North Dakota State Bison’s seem to be having a little more difficulty getting off the ground, and are on a losing streak.
Get ready for the first meeting between the Bison and Jayhawks since the 2009 NCAA Tournament. https://t.co/f6aAwLsAGT
— NDSU Basketball (@NDSUmbb) December 3, 2020
Sitting 0-3, the side fell to Nevada 62-48, Nebraska 79-57 and Creighton 69-58. ND State don’t look like they’ll put up too much fight this weekend, and Kansas look set to take this out easily.
College basketball pick – Kansas by 34.
Houston vs South Carolina
The South Carolina men’s college basketball side will take on No. 10 Houston this weekend, likely without a key veteran in tow.
PREVIEW – 4-game homestand begins Saturday vs South Carolina in Fertitta Center#ForTheCity x #GoCoogs
READ – https://t.co/n9T6tcgwOK pic.twitter.com/ECT8avx0qi
— Houston Men’s Hoops 🏀 🐾 (@UHCougarMBK) December 4, 2020
Senior Guard Seventh Woods knocked his knee in the first half of Sunday’s game against Tulsa, and has not practiced with the team since. This will be a huge gap to fill in the Gamecocks’ side, with Woods a vital cog in the machine.
The side are currently sitting 1-1, after being taken down by Liberty 78-62 in the season opener. They bounced back with a close win against Tulsa, 58-69, and will need a full squad for a chance to take out Houston (3-0).
UH has been a force to be reckoned with this season, snagging every win so far by 10 points or more. They look slated to do it again this weekend against SCU, especially with a star guard on the sidelines.
College basketball pick – Houston by 12.
Illinois vs TN-Martin
The Fighting Illini stand a fighting chance against TN-Martin this Saturday afternoon, especially considering their form as of late.
The goals haven’t changed. More opportunities are ahead for the Illini in this building. pic.twitter.com/Ube8J2pkXW
— Illinois Basketball (@IlliniMBB) December 3, 2020
The side have taken home 3 wins from 4 college basketball matchups, falling only to No. 2 side, Baylor. This losing clash was their most recent, and they’ll be bursting out of the gates for another taste of victory on Saturday.
TN-Martin have played only one match this season, against Evansville. They took home the win, 93-87, but will stand a much tougher chance against Illinois.
At the moment, considering their prime performances over the last 2 weeks, the Fighting Illini look far too strong for the TN-Martin squad.
College basketball pick – Illinois by 14.
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