Bean's Best Bets

By Bean

Posted January 25, 2012, 3:26 pm

0 Comments

In an ongoing effort to prove once and for all who can pick basketball winners and who’s just a loser, I will be making picks along with our very own Leem0 & his lame locks to see who is the best. I consult only with the super computer that is stored inside my rather large head. Here are your winners for Wednesday:

Duke (-10.5) @ Maryland – ESPN 9:00
Duke is coming off a heartbreaking loss at home on Michael Snaer’s last second three pointer at the buzzer. Maryland is at home and the place will surely be rocking as they always bring their best for the Dookies. I think Duke bounces back and wins a close game on the road. Duke 79 Maryland 72

Minnesota @ Michigan State (-9.5) – 8:30
Tom Izzo always has Michigan State in the hunt for another trip to the Final Four. It seems like that guy gets his teams playing its very best in March. He has taken more mediocre teams to the Final Four than anybody, PERIOD. We all know what Tubby Smith brings to the table; teams that play good defense and make teams work for every point they get. Minnesota has peformed admirably despite losing its all conference big man Trevor Mbakwe. I’m not betting against Izzo at home. MSU 68 Minnesota 55.

Missouri (-8.5) @ Oklahoma State – 7:30 ESPN2
Oklahoma State is reeling having lost five of their last seven games. Missouri is up to the number two team in the nation and is off a huge road win over Baylor last Saturday. I continue to be impressed with Missouri. They lost their best big man in Laurence Bowers before the season and Ricardo Ratliffe has stepped up to fill his spot. They play four guards and are a matchup nightmare for any team. This team will be going deep into March and are a viable threat to win the National Championship. Mizzou 77 – Oklahoma State 65.

Notre Dame @ Seton Hall (-6.5) – 8:00 ESPN3
Notre Dame is coming off their big win over the #1 ranked Orange of Syracuse, while Seton Hall continues their up and down season. They knocked off both UConn and West Virginia, then followed those wins up with losses against South Florida and Villanova. The Pirates do have a couple of nice players in Herb Pope & Jordan Theodore, but can they handle Luke Harangody’s clone, Jack Cooley, and slow down the Irish. I say they can. Seton Hall 70 – Notre Dame 64.

LSU @ Mississippi State (-8.5) – 8:00 ESPN3
I can’t quite figure out Mississippi State. Every year it seems they have a fairly talented team to make a deep run in March, but then they inevitably lose in the early rounds. They boast one of the conferences best point guards in Dee Bost, and have the newcomer of the year in Arnett Moultrie. LSU is putting together a nice season and this could be a spot for them to spring an upset. Miss State is off a big time road win at Vandy and have a tough road game at Florida on Saturday. As long as Renardo Sidney doesn’t try to eat Dee Bost, I say they win at home. Miss State 70 LSU 66.

Villanova @ Louisville (-9.5) – 7:00 ESPN
Louisville continues to battle injuries, although they did get a return from Kyle Kuric in last Saturday’s win over Pittsburgh. How they continue to be ranked in the top 25 is beyond me. They are currently the 10th best team in a very average Big East. Villanova has not had the success this year that they have enjoyed in the past. But they do have some momentum with back to back wins. With this one being on the road at the Chicken Palace, I say the Dirty Birds pull this one out. Throw ya L’s up Cardinal Fans! Louisville 65 Villanova 57.