Nico Mannion can win you money before he goes and makes real money

Don’t look now, but the Internet’s Favorite College Basketball Selection Column is on a heater. We’re 9-1 this week, would like to congratulate Markus Howard for that meaningless three late in the Marquette-Villanova game last night to give himself the Big East scoring record, but we didn’t even need it, and we might be onto something here. Let’s see if we can keep it going:

Iowa +3 vs. Indiana

In the impossible B1G this year, Indiana has dropped four conference games in a row. This would normally be cause for major concern, but all four teams are possibly going to be protected seeds in the NCAA Tournament. And they’re playing another one tonight in Iowa.

Luka Garza is college basketball’s third-most-valuable human by KenPom, and he leads the nation’s third-most efficient adjusted offense. He also draws 6.5 fouls per 40, which means IU either matches up with Joey Brunk (can’t score) or De’Ron Davis (can’t score). Three is just too many here for teams trending in opposite directions.

Arizona -10 at Cal

Arizona gave away their last game vs. UCLA, one where they had better players and a lead, and just got out fought by the Bruins. That doesn’t happen often, and it likely won’t happen twice in a row.

Nico Mannion has about seven weeks left before he gets paid to play basketball (as opposed to now at Arizona where of course he gets paid but isn’t declaring the income), and he does it as well on the road as he does at home. The Golden Bears have no one to match up with him, and this should be a pasting.

Matt Bradley is a nice piece for Cal, but he just doesn’t have enough help to get stops against a team as efficient and athletic as the Wildcats. This gets ugly.

Colorado vs. Oregon Under 138

For all the reasons listed here in our What To Bet breakdown today.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN) or 1-800-522-4700 (NH). NH/NJ/WV/IN/PA only. 21+ (18+ NH). Eligibility Restrictions Apply. See website for details.