School basketball skilled picks: Predictions for Michigan vs. Purdue, extra from loaded Tuesday

Eleven of the groups ranked within the newest AP High 25 ballot will probably be in motion Tuesday, as convention title races ramp up with lower than a month remaining till Choice Sunday. The headliner of the slate will probably be a battle of Large Ten foes when No. 1 Michigan faces No. 7 Purdue in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Michigan jumped Arizona this week for the highest spot within the AP ballot for the primary time since January 2013. Nevertheless, the Wolverines’ final stint because the No. 1 staff within the nation was short-lived, as Michigan misplaced to then-No. 3 Indiana. The Wolverines dropped again to No. 3 the next week.

Not solely does Michigan face Purdue on Tuesday, however the Wolverines even have a conflict with No. 3 Duke on Saturday in the most effective weekends of hoops on the calendar this season.

No. 16 North Carolina has a key showdown towards in-state rival NC State later within the day. The Tar Heels will probably be with out star freshman Caleb Wilson for that recreation and the foreseeable future after the projected top-five choose within the 2026 NBA Draft fractured his hand.

Elsewhere within the ACC, No. 21 Louisville will look to remain sizzling towards SMU on the street. No. 22 Miami (Ohio) may also be in motion towards Massachusetts. The Redhawks are the ultimate undefeated staff remaining in Division I basketball.

Odds through DraftKings Sportsbook | All occasions ET

No. 1 Michigan at No. 7 Purdue

6:30 p.m. on Peacock: In virtually each different week, this recreation would earn the excellence of the perfect recreation of the week in faculty basketball. That is not the case right here, as this is not even Michigan’s most anticipated recreation of the schedule this week. Nonetheless, this recreation has enormous implications for the Large Ten regular-season title race. The Wolverines have a possibility to create extra separation on the prime and make it more and more troublesome for every other staff to catch them. Michigan is the perfect staff in faculty basketball. Even in a hostile setting like Mackey Area, the Wolverines do not get caught waiting for Saturday and win this recreation. Decide: Michigan -1.5

No. 16 North Carolina at North Carolina State         

7 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (strive free of charge): North Carolina continues to be determining its identification with out Wilson on the ground. Final weekend towards Pitt, UNC needed to play with out Wilson and star massive man Henri Veesaar, however was capable of come away with a 14-point win. It stays unclear if Veesaar will play on Tuesday and that will probably be a serious storyline to observe. If he cannot go, search for Jarin Stevenson to step up. He had 19 factors towards Pitt final weekend. Even when Veesaar would not play, UNC pulls off the upset towards its in-state foe. Decide: North Carolina +6.5

No. 21 Louisville at SMU     

7 p.m. on ESPN2, fuboTV (strive free of charge): With Mikel Brown Jr. again, Louisville is a unique staff. Since Brown returned to the lineup final month, the Cardinals are 6-1, with the lone loss coming towards Duke. Brown already went up towards SMU final month in his third recreation again, ending with 20 factors. I am anticipating Brown to have one other massive night time on offense. He has shot 14 of 21 from the 3-point line in his final two video games, together with going an ideal 16 of 16 from the free-throw line. Louisville wins on the street. Decide: Louisville -3.5

Georgia at Kentucky         

9 p.m. on ESPN, fuboTV (strive free of charge): Whilst we head into March, Kentucky stays one of many hardest groups to determine and undertaking long-term. The highs are excessive, and the lows are … nicely, low. As cliché because it sounds, Kentucky’s ceiling is excessive, however its ground is far and wide. Nonetheless, Kentucky ought to have the ability to take enterprise at house towards Georgia. Decide: Kentucky -6.5

No. 9 Nebraska at Iowa         

9 p.m. on Large Ten Community, fuboTV (strive free of charge): Iowa is coming off back-to-back losses towards Maryland and Purdue. Earlier than that, the Hawkeyes have been enjoying their finest basketball of the season throughout a six-game win streak. Iowa has simply two wins towards Quad 1 opponents this season and it is a massive alternative so as to add a prime 10 win to its resume. Decide: Iowa -1.5

Who will win and canopy in each faculty basketball recreation? Go to SportsLine to get picks from the mannequin that simulates every recreation 10,000 occasions and is up greater than $1,200 for $100 gamers on its top-rated unfold picks the previous six years.