Ryan's Picks
Pick #1 Illinois Fighting Illini
I like the Illinois Fighting Illini to beat the Maryland Terrapins, in College Park, Maryland. The Illini who are 6-0, defeated Maryland (3-2) last year in their head to head match up. Maryland was predicted in the preseason polls to finish 11th in the ACC. Illinois has the stronger defense as they rank 11th in the country in defensive efficiency, and that will carry them to the victory. Furthermore, Maryland does not have an answer on the interior for the Illini's 7'1 sophomore Meyers Leonard. Maryland does not have any quality wins, and have lost their only two games versus quality opponents (Iona and Alabama). Look for Illinois (who plays similar style as Alabama) to take care of Maryland.
Pick # 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
The number two ranked Ohio State Buckeyes host the number three ranked Duke Blue Devils in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State has too much talent, and will feed off their boisterous home crowd at Value City Arena, (where they have won 28 straight games) and defeat Mike Krzyzewski's Duke Blue Devils. Sophomore, Jared Sullinger is going to be too much on the inside for Mason and Miles Plumlee and the rest of the Blue Devils. In addition, Aaron Craft who is one of the best defensive guards in the country, should be able to slow down Austin Rivers and Seth Curry. Give me the Buckeyes for the Green.
Pick #3 Big Ten
I like the Big Ten to win more games than the ACC in the first day of the Big Ten/Acc challenge. I think that the Big Ten will win at least four of the six games that are being played. I think Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois, Northwestern, and Michigan all have good chances of winning. The most talented team in the ACC, The North Carolina Tar Heels are not playing on Tuesday. Without the ACC's top team in action, the Big Ten is clearly the superior conference.
I like the Illinois Fighting Illini to beat the Maryland Terrapins, in College Park, Maryland. The Illini who are 6-0, defeated Maryland (3-2) last year in their head to head match up. Maryland was predicted in the preseason polls to finish 11th in the ACC. Illinois has the stronger defense as they rank 11th in the country in defensive efficiency, and that will carry them to the victory. Furthermore, Maryland does not have an answer on the interior for the Illini's 7'1 sophomore Meyers Leonard. Maryland does not have any quality wins, and have lost their only two games versus quality opponents (Iona and Alabama). Look for Illinois (who plays similar style as Alabama) to take care of Maryland.
Pick # 2 Ohio State Buckeyes
The number two ranked Ohio State Buckeyes host the number three ranked Duke Blue Devils in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State has too much talent, and will feed off their boisterous home crowd at Value City Arena, (where they have won 28 straight games) and defeat Mike Krzyzewski's Duke Blue Devils. Sophomore, Jared Sullinger is going to be too much on the inside for Mason and Miles Plumlee and the rest of the Blue Devils. In addition, Aaron Craft who is one of the best defensive guards in the country, should be able to slow down Austin Rivers and Seth Curry. Give me the Buckeyes for the Green.
Pick #3 Big Ten
I like the Big Ten to win more games than the ACC in the first day of the Big Ten/Acc challenge. I think that the Big Ten will win at least four of the six games that are being played. I think Purdue, Ohio State, Illinois, Northwestern, and Michigan all have good chances of winning. The most talented team in the ACC, The North Carolina Tar Heels are not playing on Tuesday. Without the ACC's top team in action, the Big Ten is clearly the superior conference.
Christian's Picks
1. Barcelona Wins by 3+ Goals
This year, like every year, Barcelona has been pretty beastly. However, their last game was an away loss to 13th ranked Getafe and as history shows, when Barca loses, they play their next game pissed! This will absolutely be the case when they play newly promoted club Rayo Vallecano at home in Camp Nou. Rayo is an inexperienced club with their only true test this year coming in the form of an away loss to Real Madrid 6-2. Based on these general figures and seeing as how Barca is a little worse, if not even, as Real Madrid, I can see this being a complete blowout. As we all know, Barca does not hold back ever and I see them winning by at least 4 goals. If you're a Barca fan, enjoy yourself during this one.
