Community Picks: Maryland 0% vs Indiana U 0%

Wisconsin looks to close an improbable run and nab the tourney's third seed with a win in Sunday night's regular-season finale at 15th-ranked Purdue, which can steal the spot on Senior Night with some help. The Badgers (20-10, 12-5) appeared to fall out of the Big Ten race two months ago, dropping four of five games to open the conference schedule after coach Bo Ryan's sudden retirement in mid-December. Iowa's Saturday win at Michigan means Purdue (23-7, 11-6) will need a win and a Terrapins loss to clinch the fourth seed. Continue to Article

March 05, 2016 11:27:pm EST

While the Terrapins, Michigan State and Iowa all have been ranked in the top five at some point this season, Indiana (24-6, 14-3) has outdone them all in terms of conference success and consistency. The reward will be a No. 1 seed in next week's Big Ten tournament, which the Hoosiers clinched with Tuesday's 81-78 win over free-falling Iowa. Continue to Article

March 05, 2016 5:38:pm EST

There is a logjam after first-place Indiana in the upper half of the Big Ten. Michigan State, Maryland and Wisconsin are 12-5 in conference and tied for second place. The Spartans and Badgers are looking to join the Terps in locking up coveted double byes. Continue to Article

March 05, 2016 2:27:am EST

Slaying the sportsbook is a monstrous task. Some days bettors take up residence in a penthouse suite. Other times, they curl up in the nearest ditch, shirtless and toothless. In an attempt to avoid complete destitution, I will post my picks, whether profitable or penniless, through the NCAA tourney. Check out Saturday's selections below: North Carolina at Duke  – Three weeks ago, in yet another thrilling chapter in the rivalry's history, Duke, down for much of the second half at the Dean Dome, stormed back in the waning moments and stole a 1-point victory. Carolina, which inexplicably refused to feed big Brice Johnson over the final 10 minutes though he was unstoppable for much of the game, should've never surrendered the lead.  To prevent another downfall, the Heels must deliver in a couple key areas. For starters, it needs to decorate the paint. One of the better rebounding teams in the country, they have a colossal advantage inside. Duke, which ranks No. 313 in defensive rebounding percentage, is undersized and outmatched. Secondly, Roy Williams can't employ zone at any time. Duke's ridiculous range (38.9 3PT%), gashes such schemes, which was evident in Game 1. Finally, enigmatic bombers Marcus Paige and Joel Berry can ill-afford another 1-for-9 day from outside. They nail a few jumpers and it will only soften the Devils' already loose defense. Check those boxes and victory is sure to follow.  However, the above requirements are a tall task for the inconsistent Heels. Ultimately, Duke's perimeter abilities, handsome free-throw contributions, few self-inflicted wounds (14.8 off. TO%) and fevered Cameron crowd should guide it to a cover, especially if Grayson Allen is trippin'.  Prediction: Duke (+1) 77 North Carolina 75  Continue to Article

March 04, 2016 8:54:pm EST

This weekend marks the end of regular-season play in the five power conferences - Atlantic Coast, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and Southeastern - as well as the Big East, which features highly ranked Villanova and Xavier. Virginia's Malcolm Brogdon and North Carolina's Brice Johnson are the leading candidates, though Brogdon might have an edge after scoring 26 points in the Cavaliers' win last weekend against the Tar Heels. The 6-foot-5 Brogdon is a fifth-year senior and ranks among the league leaders in scoring (18.5 points) and 3-point percentage. Continue to Article

March 04, 2016 4:27:am EST