NCAA Basketball Saturday on CBS: Big East Action Picks

The Big East is full of great teams, so much so that solid teams that would be at the top of the charts in almost any league in the country are having a tough time plodding through their conference schedule and thus aren’t even ranked. A team like that is Louisville. The Cardinals have beaten some very good teams, and have played tight with some of the best in the land this season. They have a chance to put a big win on their resume as they build toward a higher seed. But Syracuse looks to hold tight to #1. In Villanova, the Wildcats host a Mountaineers team coming off a big win over Georgetown earlier this week. The Wildcats have struggled a bit, but could get right back on track with a win over the #8 team in the land. It’s getting tough in the Big East right now.

West Virginia Mountaineers @ Villanova Wildcats (-3) (12:00pm ET, 3-6 – CBS): The Mountaineers may have beaten up on the Hoyas last time out, but that was the last real “good” team they’ve beaten in just under a month. They were 3-3 after beating Pitt on February 2nd, with losses to each ranked team they played, and UConn, and wins over Cincinnati, Seton Hall, and Providence. The Wildcats have struggle of late as well, losing to Syracuse in a blowout, Pittsburgh, and UConn. The Cats won at WVU last time out – and I like them to win again here. Tough game to call, but I have to go with the home Cats.

Syracuse Orange (+1) @ Louisville Cardinals (2:00pm ET, 3-6 – ESPN): I like the Cardinals, I think they are more deserving of a ranking then most of the bottom 5 teams in the AP Top 25, but that doesn’t mean I think they are a favorite to beat the Orange. Syracuse plays damn well on the road, as they are currently undefeated playing away from home this season. Syracuse has everything you need to be successful, and I hardly think they’ll lose two in a row to Louisville. Last time out, the ‘Cuse couldn’t score, but a team like that going for redemption, I have to take them anywhere close to even.