College Basketball: Syracuse and Pitt Top Big Monday

Tonight is a big night in College Basketball with three games between ranked teams and a tough road test for Kansas.

Pitt can end Orange run
Two teams with Final Four ambitions meet in Pittsburgh tonight as the #5 Panthers host #4 Syracuse. The Orange boast one of the few remaining unbeaten records in the country but the meat of their Big East schedule is still ahead of them. To their credit, Syracuse have looked dominant in most of their recent outings, with only three opponents coming within 6 points of them since November. Tonight however they face the #1 team in the country for assists and #2 in rebounding. On their home court that makes Pitt a dangerous foe. I like the Panthers to end Syracuse’s streak. Bet on Pittsburgh as -5.5 favorites with Sports Interaction.

Nova can win on the road
Despite their heroics in Texas, I don’t like the future for #9 Connecticut. Kemba Walker is a one-man scoring machine but he’d need to be Blake Griffin to keep the Huskies flying this high. Tonight they welcome a #7 Villanova team which has stuttered at times but appears to be peaking just as Big East play winds up. The Huskies stumbled early in conference action, losing two of their first three, but convincing wins over Rutgers and DePaul have them back on track for a trip to the dance. While I like UConn to do enough to make it to March and probably stay ranked, they don’t have the balance needed to take down the Wildcats. Bet on Villanova as +2.0 underdogs with Sports Interaction.

Tigers need to bounce back
An agonizing 91-89 road loss to #13 Texas A&M dropped #12 Missouri to 1-2 in Big 12 play. The high-scoring Tigers need to work on their defense and make home advantage count tonight as they welcome a dysfunctional #20 Kansas State. College Basketball betting fans have been frustrated by the Wildcats this season. Having been the chic pick to win the Big 12 this year, they only hold a 1-2 record in the conference. Jacob Pullen’s recent comments did little to increase faith in this program. I like Missouri to show more discipline and win as -5.5 favorites with Sports Interaction.

Kansas can squeak home
The last big game on Big Monday sees unbeaten #3 Kansas travel to Baylor. The Bears have the talent to beat the Jayhawks on their day but have yet to show the consistency of a true contender. Saturday’s loss at Iowa State did little to dispel that notion but the Jayhawks haven’t had everything their own way. Michigan, Iowa State, and Nebraska all pushed Kansas to the limit but the Jayhawks remain unbeaten, for now at least. I like them to hang on for one more night and move to 18-0. Bet on Kansas as -4.0 favorites with Sports Interaction.