There are seven games set for today, with a doubleheader on FS1 likely drawing the most attention. Said doubleheader will include Michigan hosting Wake Forest in Detroit and a top 15 showdown between Texas Tech and Illinois. Also in action will be five other Big Ten teams versus cupcakes, scattered across the Big Ten Network and BTN+.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs #6 Michigan Wolverines
Time/TV: 6:30 PM ET FS1
Line: Michigan -12.5
Michigan is back on the court after a week off, facing Wake Forest tonight in downtown Detroit. Last time out the Wolverines ran away against Oakland with 121 points on 64% shooting and 19 of 35 from three. They’ll face a bigger test today against Wake Forest, though it should still be perfectly manageable for the Wolverines. The Demon Deacons are 2-0 after 14 and 16 point wins against American and Morehead State. While Juke Harris is leading the team with 23.5 points per game on 66.7% shooting and 44.4% from three, the team is averaging 15 turnovers while hitting only 28.6% of their shots from deep. They’ll provide more of a defensive challenge for Michigan but there isn’t enough here offensively to suggest the Wolverines get knocked off in what is essentially a home game for Michigan.
Pick: Michigan
App State Mountaineers at Ohio State Buckeyes
Time/TV: 6:30 PM ET BTN+
Ohio State hosts Appalachian State this evening on BTN+. Ohio State settled down a bit against Purdue Fort Wayne in a 94-68 win after a shootout against IU Indianapolis that ended 118-102. The Buckeyes are averaging 106 points while shooting 64.8% from the field and 48% from three. Those numbers will drop down as the season wears on but it’s still be an impressive start. Bruce Thornton is currently averaging 32 points per game with a .778/.882/.583 slash line. It might be a touch lower scoring today, but Ohio State should keep on rolling.
Pick: Ohio State
Navy Midshipmen at Penn State Nittany Lions
Time/TV: 6:30 PM ET BTN
After a road trip to New Haven the Nittany Lions will look to get to 3-o if they can knock off Navy tonight. The Midshipmen are coming in off of a 29 point home loss to Yale. Through two games Navy has been turnover prone, committing 13.5 per game, while struggling from the free throw line (71%) and three (31%). Penn State has committed only 6.5 turnovers per game and is hitting just under 51% from the field. Led by guard Kayden Mingo, who is averaging 15.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4 assists per game, the Nittany Lions should be more than capable of taking care of business tonight.
Pick: Penn State
Alcorn State Braves at Maryland Terrapins
Time/TV: 7:00 PM ET BTN+
The Terrapins will look to bounce back after a ten point home loss to Georgetown on Friday. Maryland shot 25% from the field and 4 of 21 from three on their way to their first loss of the season. They’ll have an easier time tonight against an 0-3 Alcorn State that has lost to Minnesota by 45 and Florida State by 32, placing them at 338th in the KenPom ratings. Look for Maryland to try to right the ship offensively and use Alcorn State to try to get the offense up and running before a road trip to Marquette this weekend.
Pick: Maryland
Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks at Nebraska Cornhuskers
Time/TV: 8:00 PM ET BTN+
Nebraska hosts Maryland Eastern Shore tonight as they try to improve to 3-0. The Hawks did surprise in their season opening loss to Georgia Tech, losing by 4 in overtime. They followed that up by scoring 29 points against Georgia in a 65 point loss. Not counting their sub-division win the Hawks are averaging 40.5 points per game versus D-I opponents and that includes an extra five minute period in their first game. As for Nebraska, they’ve largely rolled with 33 and 30 point wins against West Georgia and FIU. While Nebraska has struggled from the line, they’re shooting 51% from the field and 41% from three. Even if they have an off night it’s unlikely Nebraska would lose here tonight.
Pick: Nebraska
#11 Texas Tech Red Raiders at #14 Illinois Fighting Illini
Time/TV: 8:30 PM ET FS1
Line: Illinois -6.5
In the biggest game of the night that Illini are set to host the 11th ranked Texas Tech in a top 15 showdown. Illinois has scored 113 points in both games this season, though said games came against Jackson State and Florida Gulf Coast. Shooting 55.1% from the field and 41.2% from three while limiting turnovers, the Illini have had it their way on the offensive side of the ball. Texas Tech should provide a much more capable defensive opponent, though the Illini might be better positioned offensively against the Red Raiders. Texas Tech has also limited turnovers but they’re shooting 44.3% from the field and 65.2% from the line. If this game was in Lubbock their defensive prowess might be enough to pick up the win, but traveling on the road to a hostile Illinois environment will prove to be a solid challenge for Tech. If Illinois is for real this season this would be a perfect opportunity to show it in the national spotlight.
Pick: Illinois
Ball State Cardinals at #24 Wisconsin Badgers
Time/TV: 8:30 PM ET BTN
Wisconsin will look to improve to 3-0 tonight in a home game against Ball State. The Badgers rolled in their opening week with 32 and 25 point wins against Campbell and Northern Illinois. Tonight should be more of the same against a Ball State program outside of the top 200. Guards Nick Boyd and John Blackwell have been rolling, both averaging 23 points per game for a Badgers program that is shooting 50% from the field. Ball State enters at 2-0 after beating Louisiana by 11 and Mansfield by 30. Wisconsin has an obvious talent advantage and should face little challenge getting to 3-0.
Pick: Wisconsin