School basketball picks, schedule: Predictions, odds for North Carolina vs. Virginia and different key video games

School basketball steps into the highlight this weekend for its first full slate of motion after the NFL season concluded Sunday. And boy, it appears to have lucked into some favorable timing.

There are mid-major matchups with vital NCAA Match ramifications, main convention conferences with regular-season title stakes on the road and — as per regular this time of yr — the all-important tourney bubble to watch as March Insanity comes into focus. Some groups will play their approach onto the fitting aspect of it, whereas others may even see theirs burst.

It provides an additional ingredient of intrigue as you watch video games this weekend. However after all, probably the most attention-grabbing ingredient is the motion behind the motion. So to get you ready for the large day forward, we have performs we like with picks straight up and in opposition to the unfold from our employees under.

When: 5 p.m. | The place: CHI Heath Heart Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska
TV: Fox | Dwell stream: fuboTV (Strive without spending a dime) 

House courtroom benefit has been nearly nonexistent for Creighton this season, which does affect my play right here, as a result of this can be a good entice spot for a top-5 workforce in what is often a hostile setting. Not taking the bait although. Nova’s a power completely outfitted to go blow for blow with the Bluejays in Omaha — and any workforce on the highway, actually. They’re 4-1 ATS as highway favorites this season. Prediction: Villanova 75, Creighton 70. — Kyle Boone

When: 6 p.m. | The place: John Paul Jones Area in Charlottesville, Virginia
TV: ESPN | Dwell stream: fuboTV (Strive without spending a dime) 

Virginia has received the final six conferences in opposition to North Carolina by scoring 64, 56, 69, 71, 61 and 53 factors. A number of protection, offense — particularly for UNC — at a minimal. Breaking that packline has been powerful for the Tar Heels. If there is a play on this one, I believe betting the underneath is attention-grabbing. I additionally like UVA at house to maintain its streak over Roy and Co. rolling. Prediction: Virginia 61, North Carolina 58. — Kyle Boone

So who wins each school basketball sport as we speak? And which underdogs pull off gorgeous upsets? Go to SportsLine now to get picks for each sport, all from the unbiased mannequin that simulates each sport 10,000 occasions, and discover out.

When: 12 p.m. | The place: Worth Metropolis Area in Columbus, Ohio
TV: ESPN2 | Dwell stream: fuboTV (Strive without spending a dime) 

Indiana wants a win because it tries to play its approach off the bubble and into the sphere. So a win over a top-5 Ohio State workforce would go a protracted methods. However it’s coming off two tight wins over Iowa and Northwestern — the latter of which went to 2 overtimes on Wednesday — whereas Ohio State is coming off its fifth consecutive win. These groups aren’t in the identical tier. I believe the Hoosiers give it a great school try to get shut, however the Buckeyes have an excessive amount of juice to stumble right here. Prediction: Ohio State 79, Indiana 75. — Kyle Boone

When: 1 p.m. | The place: Rupp Area in Lexington, Kentucky
TV: CBS | Dwell stream:  CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App (Free)
OTT: CBS Sports activities App (Apple TV, Roku, Fireplace TV, Chromecast) 

This would be the fifth consecutive sport I’ve picked Kentucky on the moneyline, so sure, I may need an issue. However UK has sucked me in. It held second-half leads in three of these however simply hasn’t fairly closed video games the way in which Calipari-coached golf equipment usually do. Nonetheless, it seems like it’s due for a turning level, which a sport in opposition to Auburn may very well be. Wildcats have size and expertise within the backcourt to restrict Tigers guard Sharife Cooper, who has been their catalyst on offense. It is unimaginable to utterly cease him however slowing him — as I believe they’re able to doing — could also be simply sufficient to snap the four-game skid. Prediction: Kentucky 71, Auburn 69. — Kyle Boone

When: 1 p.m. | The place: WVU Coliseum in Morgantown, West Virginia
TV: ESPN+ | Dwell stream: fuboTV (Strive without spending a dime) 

Amongst non-Baylor Huge 12 groups, none are taking part in higher than West Virginia. It received by double figures this week over Texas Tech on Tuesday and by a dozen over Kansas final Saturday, with its shot-making and ability on full show. The final time OU and WVU met, OU received the higher of the 2, however that was after blowing an enormous lead at house. This time WVU will likely be extra ready and I anticipate it begins this sport the way in which it completed when it outscored the Sooners 51-37 within the second half final month. Prediction: West Virginia 81, Oklahoma 75. — Kyle Boone

When: 2:30 p.m. | The place: Breslin Heart in East Lansing, Michigan 
TV: Fox | Dwell stream: fuboTV (Strive without spending a dime) 

NCAA Match hopes for Michigan State are all however utterly stamped out, barring some miraculous turnaround. That has been the case for a while now. However nonetheless, Sparty has been aggressive, with two consecutive wins over league opponents within the final week. Can it topple Iowa and its mighty offense? I’ve my doubts. This could nonetheless be a lot aggressive within the Breslin Heart as Tom Izzo rallies his troops for a giant one. So I like MSU masking however Iowa straight up. Prediction: Iowa 80, Michigan State 76. — Kyle Boone