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Free College Basketball Picks Saturday 2/8/2020 and Opening Line Report


by Jason Radowitz - 2/7/2020

Trent Forrest Florida State Seminoles

Saturday's college basketball slate features Rivalry Saturday matchups that include Duke against North Carolina, Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary's, Florida State against Miami and many more. Plenty of long win streaks are at stake. Baylor's 19-game winning streak is on the line at home against Oklahoma State, but San Diego State will try to continue their undefeated season against Air Force on the road. Here are the early leans for Saturday's rivalry weekend.


Oklahoma State vs. Baylor 2/8/20 (-13.5, 131)

Baylor is on a 19-game winning streak that has bumped their record to 20-1 and undefeated in the Big 12. Oklahoma State hasn't had the season they would've liked as they're now 11-11 on the year and struggling in the Big 12 conference. At some point, Baylor's run is going to end. However, we've said that a bunch of times and still, we've been wrong. Baylor should be fine at home against Oklahoma State. Even though we saw LSU get knocked out by Vanderbilt. Vandy was home. The Big 12 won't go through that scenario in this one.

Key trends: Bears are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 Saturday games.

Early lean: Baylor, Under

Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary's (+6, 150)

Has Saint Mary's caught Gonzaga at the right time? Gonzaga has won 15 straight games but have struggled on the road recently with mediocre performances in their last two games. St. Mary's is the one team that could defeat Gonzaga in the WCC this season, and they'll have them at home. The Gaels lost to BYU on the road by two points in the final minute of the game, but St. Mary's is 11-2 at home and could become a problem for Gonzaga with timely shooting. Take St. Mary's to at least cover the spread.

Key trends: Gaels are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win.

Early lean: St. Mary's, Over

Kansas vs. TCU 2/8/20 (+9.5, 130.5)

Kansas is on a seven-game winning streak while TCU has lost four straight games. Kansas' offense will do damage against a TCU defense that hasn't been too bad this season up until these last four games. Stick with the trends and take Kansas to win another Big 12 game on the road. TCU shoots 42.8 percent while Kansas shoots 49 percent from the field.

Key trends: Jayhawks are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games.

Early lean: Kansas, Under

San Diego State vs Air Force 2/8/20 (+14, 141.5)

I say this every time. SDSU is undefeated. Now 23-0 on the season, the Aztecs will take on a pretty bad Air Force team on the road. Air Force can't defend for the life of them, while San Diego State is holding opponents to 57.7 points per game. That's why they're undefeated. You can have a bad game shooting but never have a bad game playing defense. Take SDSU to win big even on the road here.

Key trends: Aztecs are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 road games.

Early lean: San Diego State, Under

Virginia vs. Louisville 2/8/20 (-8, 114)

Louisville's offense will find ways to score against a Virginia defense that has been really good. Virginia's offense will not be able to keep up with Louisville, especially at home. Virginia has won four of their last five games, and the lone loss came against NC State by two points. Louisville, on the other hand, has won nine straight games, and the last four games have been won by double digits. I like Louisville at home here.

Key trends: Cardinals are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.

Early lean: Louisville, Over

Dayton vs. Saint Louis 2/8/20 (-14, 138.5)

Dayton is also sporting an 11-game win streak. They've dominated the A-10 night in and night out. But St. Louis is a team that can scare the top of the A-10. St. Louis is 17-6 on the year and have a three-game winning streak before dropping a home game to Duquesne, 82-68. Both teams average the same amount of points allowed per game, but Dayton averages 11 more points than St. Louis and shoots 52.5 percent from the field. Being home will only help their case. Take Dayton to pull away in the second half.

Key trends: B illikens are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.

Early lean: Dayton, Over

Duke vs. North Carolina 2/8/20 (+8, 150)

It's a rivalry! Wait, North Carolina stinks. Is it still a rivalry? Cole Anthony has not been impressive. As a matter of fact, the entire team hasn't been impressive. However, Duke almost took a road loss to Boston College. That wasn't in the cards, either. In all fairness, Duke has much more talent and plays together as a team. They're more connected and even in a hostile environment at Chapel Hill, Duke will run away with the win.

Key trends: Blue Devils are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS loss.

Early lean: Duke, Over


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Miami vs. Florida State 2/8/20 (-14.5, 144)

Miami has really struggled this season. They've lost four of their last five games and have now dropped to 11-11 on the season. The Hurricanes are in danger of falling below .500. Florida State is 19-3 and undefeated at home. Miami doesn't stand a chance. Florida State's defense will swarm Miami on their home floor. FSU allows 10 points less per game and that should be the factor in this one, along with FSU's shooting.

Key trends: Hurricanes are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

Early lean: Florida State, Under

Seton Hall vs. Villanova 2/8/20 (-2.5, 141)

This will be a heck of a matchup. Two of the top Big East teams square off in what feels like a classic game. Seton Hall rebounded after a loss to Xavier to defeat Georgetown on the road, 78-71, while Villanova has dropped two straight to Creighton and Butler. These teams match up extremely well against each other. It should be a dog fight. Seton Hall and Villanova score about 74 points per game and allow near 66 points against while both shooting 44 percent from the floor. This game will be tight. I like the home team to pull away late. Villanova knows they can't lose three in a row in Big East play. This home game will be telling for them. I think they get the job done.

Key trends: Wildcats are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.

Early lean: Villanova, Over

LSU vs. Auburn 2/8/20 (-5, 154)

LSU was just upset by Vanderbilt. Vandy hadn't won a conference game in a long, long time. It was some timely and hot shooting from Vanderbilt that helped Vandy become the first team to defeat LSU in the SEC this season. Auburn is another fantastic offensive team, especially at home. And if LSU doesn't buckle down and commit to playing defense, Auburn could run away with this one, too. Let's be fair, though, LSU has far more talent than Auburn. Auburn has been getting lucky late in games, with over time wins and all. I still like Auburn to win a close one against LSU.

Key trends: LSU Tigers are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 Saturday games.

Early lean: Auburn, Over

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