Rating: 2 Units

Because Cleveland State finished in a tie atop the Horizon League, is the #1 seed, and went 3-1 SU and ATS against these Mastodons during the regular season, folks will assume that the first of the five meetings between the teams in Cleveland State’s arena is destined to go the way of the favored Vikings. That could be pre-historic thinking. We’ve already detailed IFPW’s high Effective Field Goal rate when we won our ***BEST BET with them at Wisconsin-GB last week in the opening round. Despite the good shooting, they’re a little sloppy. Their points per possession is only on a par with defensive-minded Cleveland State’s. But CSU is laying the highest number they’ve had to cover all season, in the most important game.

Rating: 3 Unit CBB Mismatch of the Day

Oakland gets to restart its season at home after finishing the regular season on the road for four straight games, which included two double overtime losses. The Grizzlies now have had more than a week of rest and preparation to face a team they beat handily in two regular season meetings. In two wins over Youngstown State, Oakland’s offense was clicking, producing 1.17 and 1.20 points per possession. Point guard Jalen Moore was in full control of those outings, dishing a total of 26 assists.

Rating: 2 Units

Purdue is playing their best at the right time , winning and covering their last three games. Purdue has a rising star in freshman guard Jaden Ivey, who has totaled 40 points in those last three games while playing exceptional defense. Ivey has brought a physical and athletic preference that the Boilermakers needed. Purdue has only allowed one team to produce 1.00 points per possession or more in the last seven games. Purdue has a few long and athletic perimeter defenders including Ivey and Eric Hunter that will make things difficult for Wisconsin guard, D’Mitrik Trice.

Rating: 2 Units

Central Florida has played well against zone this season, ranking in the 74th percentile in points per possession against zone while shooting 36.7% from three-point range on the season. The Knights shot 13-of-28 against Tulsa’s zone in their first meeting this season, defeating Tulsa on the road. Tulsa has hit a low point in their season with fans starting to question Frank Haith’s job status. Tulsa could not take advantage of a recent five-game homestand, losing four of five and now have to face an improving UCF squad.

Rating: 3 Unit Big-10 Play of the Day

The 18-1 Wolverines have been darn near infallible against just about all comers. That their one loss came at Minnesota – who is 2-8 since – is pretty much the exception that proves the rule. They are 1 win away from clinching the Big Ten regular season title, with three games to play before the conference tournament. Illinois is their closest pursuer. The Illini’s star guard, Ayo Dosunmu, has been out with a broken nose. Illini head coach Brad Underwood made some recent comments about Michigan’s pause that Wolverines players may interpret as insulting. He also said, “These games mean nothing. There’s no Big Ten championship that means much. These games don’t mean much. They really don’t.” Seems like he’s more interested in pursuing a national championship, eh?

Rating: 3 Unit SEC Play of the Day

First game for Alabama since clinching the SEC regular-season title with a low-scoring win at Mississippi State. Some will expect a letdown for the home favorite. We do not. It’s an opportunity to put away the school’s archrival at home, convincingly, and not get involved in another 94-90 game like the one they played at Auburn, which was the collegiate debut of the Tigers’ freshman point guard Sharif Cooper. Cooper played well, but now the Tide knows who he is. Others know him as the kid who didn’t play in either of Auburn’s last two games. Auburn can’t play in the post-season, so many will assume they’ll go nuts here. But Alabama knows that. They’ll be ready to punch back.

Rating: 3 Unit NBA Play of the Day

Denver has several guys with nagging injuries and guys that are dealing with protocol issues. Denver lost to this team by 13 last month when the Nuggets not only lost the battle of the boards but they lost on a night when the Bucks Khris Middleton was 0 for 5 from beyond the arc. This season, Khris is shooting at 43% from distance. The Bucks got Jrue Holiday back Sunday and although he played limited minutes and the rust was evident, Milwaukee still had enough to take care of the Clippers. As usual, Giannis Antetokounmpo did a little bit of everything with 14 boards, 5 assists, 4 blocks and a steal to go along with this 36 points. Bobby Portis has found a niche with Milwaukee. On Sunday, he had 9 points, 7 boards and 3 thefts in 21 minutes. It’s a tough spot for Denver in their current shape with no rest.

Rating: 2 Units

The Jets came into last night's game complacent after four-straight victories, but that won't be the case tonight after the humbling shut-out loss. Despite the setback, note that Winnipeg is still 5-1 in its last six at home. Vancouver on the other hand is just 2-9 in its last 12 after shutting out its previous opponent and winning by three or more goals in the process.