College Basketball Picks Nov. 9
The following article contains information that is not representative of the opinions of CommRadio. It solely expresses the opinions of Austin Groft.
This is November. Today marks the start of the 2021-22 basketball season and the hype could not be greater. College basketball is back with over 100 division one games being played across the nation with 22 ranked teams playing. Let’s have a great start to the season.
No. 10 Kentucky vs No. 9 Duke (-1), 9:30 p.m.
Who doesn’t love the champions classic? The top college basketball programs battle it out every year to start the season with the first top ten matchup this season being the Duke Blue Devils and Michigan State Spartans.
This is Coach K’s last dance. The experience returning and the three five-star prospects, a great blend that will give Duke success this season. Paola Banchero. Remember the name.
He could very easily be the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NBA draft and Kentucky will have no one to stop him.
Duke wins this game by double digits.
The Pick: Duke -1
No. 3 Kansas (-4.5) vs Michigan State, 7 p.m.
Kansas is without Jalen Wilson, which is why this line is so small. Despite him being out it shouldn’t be an issue for Kansas to win this game.
This is a Michigan State team who finished 9-11 in the Big Ten being 9-19 against the spread last season. Kansas just has more talent and depth as a collective group.
Remy Martin makes a statement in the season opener.
The Pick: Kansas -4.5
Belmont (-3) at Ohio
This might be the best game on opening night except for the champions’ classic games. Belmont returns 97% of its offensive production minutes from last season.
This includes All-OVC players Grayson Murphy and Nick Muszynski. They will be highly motivated after just missing out on March Madness last season.
Ohio is also without star point guard Jason Preston who went to the NBA.
The Pick: Belmont -3
Saint Peters vs VCU (-9) 6 p.m.
Out of all the Mid-Major schools, Saint Peter’s has been creating a lot of buzz.
They return all five starters from last season including 2021-22 MAAC preseason player of the year KC Ndefo. VCU has been hit with an injury plague.
Jarren McAllister and Jamir Watkins both tore their ACL’s and Adrian Baldwin will not be back until January.
Saint Peter’s defense will be the reason they cover in this matchup.
The Pick: Saint Peters +9
Eastern Michigan at Indiana (-24)
It is a new era for the Hoosiers. Coach Mike Woodson who played under Bobby Knight will look to turn things around.
They have Trayce Jackson-Davis back in the lineup alongside two talented transfers Xavier Johnson (Pitt) and Miller Kopp (Northwestern).
Eastern Michigan lost four of their five starters from a team that went 3-11 in MAC play.
Indiana runs away with this one easily.
The Pick: Indiana -24
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Austin Groft is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email him at atg5271@psu.edu.
