🏀 College Basketball + NBA Picks Today - Wednesday, 3/19

Mount St. Mary's has been strong as an underdog, consistently covering spreads in close matchups.

Their defense allows under 66 points per game, which should help them slow down American’s balanced offense.

The low total suggests a grind-it-out type of game, favoring the underdog to keep it within one possession.

Xavier has been playing well against the spread in recent games, led by an offense averaging nearly 79 points per game.

Xavier is playing in their backyard and should have the home court advantage with fans nearby in Dayton.

Texas has been inconsistent all year, struggling in high-scoring matchups against teams with efficient offenses.

If Xavier can control the pace, their scoring depth should give them enough separation to cover.

XAV is the better shooting team – significantly better from three-point range and at the free throw line.

XAV's elite assist-to-turnover ratio and ball movement will expose TEX’s defense.

TEX plays solid defense and rebounds well.

XAV also forces more steals and plays better perimeter defense.

The Mavericks have been struggling defensively, allowing over 115 points per game. They’re running out of players.

Indiana is solid at home and should be able to take care of business here.

Pacers have a few key guys on the injury report (Siakum and Haliburton so keep an eye out!).

Houston is riding a seven-game winning streak and has one of the best defenses in the league.

Orlando struggles offensively, which could be a problem against the Rockets' defensive pressure. The Rockets can play fast or pay slow so I think they’ll be ok to take this one.

Miami is strong at home, but the Pistons have been hot. I don’t know which way to go here so I’ll stay away. I’d probably lean Detroit.

Detroit continues to struggle on the road and has a bottom-tier defense.

Minnesota is dominant at home and has a significant defensive edge. They’re also super hot on offense since Randle and Divencenzo have returned. The TWolves are looking dangerous.

New Orleans has been inconsistent, especially against top-tier teams. They’re prone to blowouts. It seems like Zion will play in this game. Trey Murphy will be out for the season now.

New York has a strong track record against San Antonio.

The Spurs are without key players and struggle to defend well. They can still score in occasional bursts.

This game is a shit show. Both teams have tons of players out and OKC is sitting three of their four best players including SGA and Jaylen Williams.

Oklahoma City has been dominant at home and plays well against subpar defenses.

76ers tend to fight well and cover these bigger spreads but I am staying away from this one.

The Thunder will likely run a lot of offense through Hartenstein with SGA out.

Utah is playing better at home, while Washington has been one of the worst road teams in the league.

The Jazz should be able to score inside and the injury list on the Wizards is massive tonight. Unfortunately, Walker Kessler is also out for Utah.

The Suns’ offense has been clicking a little bit, but I am liking how Chicago’s young talent is playing lately.

I like Chicago overall in this one — don’t trust the Suns at home and they have a few injuries to Allen, Plumlee, and Beal.

Josh Giddey might return in this one, offering a further boost to the Bulls.

Cleveland's defense and rebounding will be too much for Sacramento to handle. Even on a B2B and a loss, I think the Cavs lock down SAC for this one.

The Kings struggle against elite defenses, but they do have upside. I feel like Cleveland will show up here.

Denver has been struggling lately and I was going to take them last night at +1.5, but now it’s moved to -2. That still might be the right side as they match up well against the Lakers but they did have trouble against them last game.

Memphis is all over the place lately and both these teams do not play defense.

Portland has been pretty solid at home, but I’ll probably lean to Memphis here on a tighter than expected spread.