Starting today at 11 AM ET, the men’s college basketball season begins, with the best matchup of the evening tipping at 11:30 PM ET (what the hell are we doing having Gonzaga vs. Baylor start after most of the country goes to sleep). I will preview my favorite games of the evening and give two National Champion picks + a Final Four prediction.
(1) Texas A&M (-4.5) vs. UCF – 7 PM ET
Texas A&M returns Wade Taylor IV, who may lead the country in scoring. Manny Obaseki, Solomon Washington, and Henry Coleman are returning pieces. I love the additions of Pharrel Payne and Zhuric Phelps to an uber-athletic A&M squad. UCF has high school sensations Mikey Williams and Dior Johnson on their roster, along with Keyshawn Hall (GMU and UNLV transfer). I think UCF should improve over the season, but give me A&M to win by double digits as their experience and chemistry should get them through UCF in Orlando.
(2) Texas v. Ohio State (+2.5) – 10 PM ET
Ohio State was one of the hottest teams in February and March after Jake Diebler got the job. They add Aaron Bradshaw, Micah Parrish and Meechie Johnson (welcome back) to a decently loaded roster. Texas has a lot of production to replace and returns only 1 of their 5 starters from last year, Kadin Shedrick. I will fade their lack of returning production and take Ohio State in an upset win.
(3) Gonzaga (-6.5) v. Baylor – 11:30 PM ET
Tough draw for Baylor out of the gates, traveling to Spokane to face Gonzaga at 11:30 PM ET. What are we doing scheduling this game so late, so bad to hide most of the country from watching at midnight on a Monday night. Baylor has a lot of new pieces like Jeremy Roach, VJ Edgecombe, and Norchad Omier, while Gonzaga returns almost all of their production from 2024. I think this could be Gonzaga’s best team in many years, possibly a Final Four contender. Gonzaga wins by double digits.
(4) Saint Louis (+1.5) v. Santa Clara – 3 PM ET
Saint Louis returns Gibson Jimerson, Larry Hughes II, and Kellen Thames while adding Indiana State products Robbie Avila and Isaiah Swope. I love Saint Louis in this spot and think they can win versus Santa Clara, who does have a potential NBA player in Adama Bal (Arizona Transfer). The Josh Schertz era opens up with a win for the Billikens.
FINAL FOUR + NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTIONS
(1) CHAMPION: Gonzaga (+1700 to Win NCAA Championship)
(2) FINALIST: Kansas (+850 to Win NCAA Championship)
(3) Duke
(4) Texas A&M
