Top College Basketball Picks for Saturday, January 22 (2022)
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Syracuse vs. Duke: (Tip 12 p.m.ET)
The backcourt of Buddy Boeheim and Joseph Girardi has been a dangerous duo this season as Girardi is shooting 44%, and Boeheim is averaging 19.2 points per game. Boeheim will be tough to defend as he shoots effectively from both inside and outside the arch. The Orange will continue to fire away from three, but as seen in their last matchup against Clemson, they can also win the battle in the boards.
Forward Paolo Banchero has been on fire the last few games. The freshman has looked unguardable as of late, posting point totals of 20, 24, 21, and 20 in the previous four games and shooting 59% from the field. What makes Duke so good is they can outmatch you from anywhere on the floor with Wendell Moore and Trevor Keels on the perimeter, along with Mark Williams dominating the paint and consistently getting double-doubles.
It will be strength vs. strength as Syracuse is 25th in three-point percentage and Duke is 36th in 3-point percentage allowed. Both of these offenses are poised to go off. Look for this to be a high-scoring matchup.
Kentucky vs. Auburn (Tip 1 p.m.)
This Kentucky team is fast-paced and as exciting to watch as anybody in the country. The backcourt featuring TyTy Washington Jr.has been really hard to contain as he’s shooting over 50% on the floor, along with Kellan Grady, who’s been a sharpshooter from behind the arc at 43%. Their best asset is forward Oscar Tshiebwe on the boards as he leads the nation with 14.8. You can understand why the Wildcats have the third-highest scoring margin in the country (19.9 PPG).
Auburn has undoubtedly made their presence known as their only loss came from a double-overtime matchup against UConn in November. The key to their success during the 14-game winning streak is their ability to cause turnovers. North Carolina transfer Walker Kessler is second in the nation in blocks per game (4.2), and the Tigers are the first team to average nine steals and nine blocks in any 14-game span over the last 15 seasons.
Kentucky was able to narrowly pull off the 64-58 win over Texas A&M thanks to the Aggies going 1-for-22 from behind the arc, so they’re not coming into the game playing the sharpest. This season, the Tigers have been tough at home, with an 8-1 ATS record and a winning margin of 4.1. It’s going to be incredible to watch Tshiebwe and Kessler battle under the boards, and the winner between those two could be a factor in the outcome of this game. That’s why I believe Auburn’s turnover ability gives them the slight edge, and they’ll pull off the home win.
Baylor vs. Oklahoma: (Tip 3 p.m. ET)
On Tuesday, Baylor finally rebounded after back-to-back losses with a win over West Virginia. This isn’t the time for Baylor to let off the gas just yet as the Big 12 is proving to be tight from top to bottom. Even after Baylor lost quite a bit of talent after their 2020 title season, their replacements have proven worthy to help the Bear repeat. Guard LJ Cryer has stepped up in his sophomore season as he’s shooting nearly 50% from the floor and 47% from behind the arc, while freshman Kendall Brown is top 20 nationally in two-point percentage, effective field goal percentage, and true shooting percentage.
Oklahoma is one of the best team’s in the nation at finding quality shots. Porter Moser brought over the same style of basketball from Loyola Chicago, and it’s translating in the power conference. The Sooners like to move the ball around until they find the best opportunity to score, and it’s proven to work as they’re No. 2 in two-point shooting percentage at over 63%.
Oklahoma had trouble protecting the rim in their previous matchup this season as Baylor was +18 in rebound margin, and other than that, the stats between these teams were even. Oklahoma will be better prepared, and they get the advantage of playing in front of the home crowd. We could very well see an upset win, but lay the points with the Sooners to be safe.
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