NBA DRAFT WATCH: GAMES TO WATCH (TUE. 02. 01. 22.)

7:00 (CBS SP): *86* ST. BONAVENTURE (-3) vs *53* DAVIDSON

ST. BONAVENTURE: (12-5, 4-2) Players 2 Watch (#0 Kyle Lofton, Sr Guard; #21 Osun Osuniyi, Sr Big; #5 Jaren Holmes, Sr Wing)

ST BONAVENTURE EXPECTED ROTATION

Jaren Holmes 

Kyle Lofton

Dominick Welsh

Jalen Adaway

Osun Osunniyi

Abdoul Karim Coulibaly 

Quadry Adams

Linton Brown

Beginning the season ranked in numerous preseason polls coming off winning the A-10 Tournament Championship in 2021 and returning the a core of seniors who developed together during the last few years. Following winning the Charleston Classic (in-season tournament in November) where they defeated a trio of quality opponents including Boise State, Clemson, and currently ranked in the LIVE 25, #21 Marquette which brought their record to then 5-0, the Bonnies have since played to a 7-5 record while dealing with a two week hiatus entering 2022 due to health and safety measures. Having alternated wins and losses in their last 5 games, they'll have an opportunity against a very good program in Davidson to put together back-to-back wins following their win Saturday against St. Joseph's (80-69). In that game St. Bonaventure was led by Jalen Adaway and Jaren Holmes, who put up 22 and 20 points, respectively. Kyle Lofton and Dominic Welch both added 13, while Osun Osunniyi nearly nabbed a double-double coming away with 8 points and 10 rebounds, adding an assist, block, and steal a piece. Relying predominantly on their starting unit, regularly referred to as the 'Iron 5', each of their starters average at least 30 minutes and 10 points per game, while all but big Osun Osunniyi play 35 minutes plus on a regular basis. He and Lofton, each 4-year starters, both went to and won a prep national championship at Putnam Science Academy, are considered amongst the best at their position in all of college basketball. 

DAVIDSON: (17-3, 7-1); Players 2 Watch (#1 Hyunjung Lee, Jr Wing; #35 Luka Brajkovic, Sr Big; #0 Foster Loyer, Jr Guard)

DAVIDSON EXPECTED ROTATION

Foster Loyer

Michael Jones

Luka Brajkovic

Hyunjung Lee

Sam Mennenga

Nelson Boachie-Yiadom

Desmond Watson

Emory Lanier

Winners of 15 straight going back to the month of November, Davidson took a tough defeat at the hands of VCU (70-68) last Wednesday, on their home court. They were able to resume their winning ways and protect home court on Saturday when the won 77-69 against La Salle. In the win they were led in scoring by Luka Brajkovic with 22 points, while Foster Loyer and Hyunjung Lee each came away with 14 points. A four-year starter for the Wildcats, Brajkovic is having the best season of his college career, providing a palatable scoring option both inside and outside the paint, while also protecting the rim. Lee is a wing with solid size and scoring/shooting ability and Loyer is a former top 100 recruit in the country who began his career under Tom Izzo at Michigan State, while now emerging under Bob McKillop at Davidson. They're joined in the starting lineup by Michael Jones whose a dangerous shooter, while Sam Mennenga provides a physical element in the front-court as a capable rebounder and finisher on offense. In a quest to win the A-10 and reach March Madness, tonight should prove to be one of their biggest test against a capable opponent who won the conference championship last season and reached the Big Dance.

PICK: ST. BONAVENTURE OVER DAVIDSON

7:00 (ESPN): IOWA STATE vs KANSAS (-2.5)

IOWA STATE: (16-5, 3-5); Players 2 Watch (#1 Izaiah Brockington, Sr Wing; #11 Tyrese Hunter, Fr Guard; #22 Gabe Kalscheur)

IOWA STATE EXPECTED ROTATION

Izaiah Brockington 

Tyrese Hunter

Gabe Kalscheur

Tristan Enaruna 

Robert Jones

George Conditt IV 

Caleb Grill

Aljaz Kunc

Iowa State started the season 12-0 before losing their first game of the season on New Year's Day against Baylor (77-72) in a very competitive tournament-type game. Since then they've gone .500 (4-4), though they enter tonight on a 2-game winning streak having beat Oklahoma State (84-81, OT) and Missouri (67-50) last week. On Saturday in their win against Missouri, the Cyclones were led by back-court members Izaiah Brockington (15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal) and Tyrese Hunter (14 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals). Off the bench Aljaz Kunc sunk 3/5 from 3, scoring 11 points, while Caleb Grill added 2 made 3's as well. Brockington has been the best player for Iowa State this season, having transferred from Penn State, by way of St. Bonaventure (coincidentally), where he played his freshman year of 2017-2018. Hunter has been holding it down for the Cyclones as just a true freshman, having come to Iowa State following him being a top 50 recruit in the country last year. Trisitan Enaruna has a unique 6'8 profile, having came to Iowa State as a prized recruit, having some offensive ability and tools, but being a plus on the end of the floor. 

KANSAS: (17-3, 6-1); Players 2 Watch (#30 Ochai Agbaji, Sr Wing; #2 Christian Braun, Jr Wing; #11 Remy Martin, Sr Guard)

KANSAS EXPECTED ROTATION

Ochai Agbaji 

Christian Braun

Jalen Wilson

Dajuan Harris

David McCormack

Remy Martin

Mitch Lightfoot

KJ Adams Jr

Kansas will enter tonight's matchup fresh off a loss to Kentucky, Saturday at home, in what was a highly anticipated matchup that the Jayhawks didn't play like they deserved to win. Having been taken to the wire earlier in the week by a tremendously tough Texas Tech team in double overtime, they seemed to lack enough energy to win a game against another top 10 opponent in the Wildcats. Still sitting a top the Big 12 standings, Kansas remains in line to win another regular season conference title while possibly procuring a top seed in the 'Big Dance'. Though they field a fine team from top to bottom with a number of talented players and projectable NBA prospects, there is no question their 'main man' is Ochai Abaji who has performed like a possible National Player of the Year candidate and potential lottery pick. Kansas very well could of endured two losses last week if it wasn't for the amazing effort Abaji put forth for their win against Texas Tech. He'll hope to get back to that caliber performance after he was held in check to a degree by Kentucky, shooting 4/14 from the field and scoring 13 points. Even with that being said, Kansas has enough talent elsewehere on the roster to rely on the cumulative contributions from Braun, whose developed into a potential first round NBA Draft pick, and others such as Remy Martin, David McCormack, Jalen Wilson, and DaJuan Harris, who are each capable of scoring double-digits on any given night. They remain one of the best teams in the country, regardless of whose doing the scoring, due to their steadily effective defensive effort and energy that remains a staple when playing for coach Bill Self. 

PICK: KANSAS OVER IOWA STATE

9:00 (ESPN): AUBURN (-9) vs ALABAMA

AUBURN: (20-1, 8-0); Players 2 Watch (#10 Jabari Smith, Fr Forward; #15 Walker Kessler, So Big; #1 KD Johnson, So Guard)

AUBURN EXPECTED ROTATION

Walker Kessler

Jabari Smith

Allen Flanigan

KD Johnson

Zep Jasper

Wendell Green

Devan Cambridge

Jaylin Williams

Auburn enters their anticipated matchup against their in-state rival, Alabama, as the top team in college basketball currently, ranked #1 in the LIVE 25 for now the second straight week. They're fresh off a convincing 86-68 win Saturday against a good Oklahoma team, in a game that was a part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Tigers received tremendous contribution from their two main front-court player and two of the best players in college basketball having Jabari Smith deliver 23 points, 12 rebounds, 1 block, and 2 steals, while Walker Kessler put up 21 points, 9 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 1 steal, finishing with a plus 24 and 25, respectively, when they were on the floor. Starting in the backcourt, KD Johnson (13 points, 2 assists, 1 steal) and Zep Jasper (9 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals) put forth positive performances in keeping the offense operating efficiently and applying pressure on the perimeter defensively; while wing Allen Flanigan had a modest shooting game, but certainly played a pivotal part in the victory, finishing with 3 rebounds, a game-high 4 assists, and totaling +24 when on the floor for Auburn in 24 minutes. They'll look to receive another well-balanced effort from their starting unit, that is often accentuated by another quality cast of characters that add depth off the bench in Wendell Green, Devan Cambridge, Jaylin Williams, and Dylan Cardwell as they take on an Alabama team that features both enough depth and talent to compete at a high-level, having just defeated a top 10 team and reigning national champion, Baylor.

ALABAMA: (14-7, 4-4); Players 2 Watch (#5 Jaden Shackelford, Jr Wing; #13 Jahvon Quinerly, Jr Guard; #3 JD Davison, Fr Guard)

ALABAMA EXPECTED ROTATION

Jaden Shackleford

Jahvon Quinerly

Keon Ellis

Juwan Gary

Charles Bediako

JD Davison

James Rojas

Noah Gurley

Fresh off a win against the defending champs in college basketball, beating Baylor, the Crimson Tide enter their matchup against the #1 ranked Auburn Tigers and their in-state rival with confidence and momentum. For Alabama it was another win against a team assuredly bound for the tournament come March, having defeated teams Miami (FL), Gonzaga, Houston, Tennessee, and LSU. However it was a win that was more of a necessity than a luxury following a loss earlier in the week when they were dealt a defeat at the hands of Georgia, who are 6-15 and 1-7 in the SEC, currently residing in last place in the conference. Coach Nate Oats will lead his team from Tuscaloosa east to Auburn to take on the Tigers for bragging rights for the state of Alabama and in a game that could catapult Alabama's tournament resume all the more. In the win they were led by their backcourt of Jahvon Quinerly (20 points, 2 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals) and Jaden Shackleford (19 points, 9 rebonds, 5 assists, 3 steals), with Juwan Gary (15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 blocks), JD Davison (14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists 1 block 2 steals), and Keon Ellis (11 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 6/7 free throws) also came up with quality contributions. Though they will be the underdog, they have enough legitimate talent to take down any team, as illustrated in the win on Saturday. Davison is a dynamic freshman guard with electrifying athleticism whose basketball awareness and IQ is growing by the game. He is projected to be a likely lottery pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, should he elect to declare. Quinerly and Shackleford are also legitimate prospects who could potentially be selected in the upcoming NBA Draft, while Ellis also displays different attributes that would allow him to be a positive role player at the next level. 

PICK: AUBURN OVER ALABAMA

9:00 (ESPN2): TEXAS TECH (-4) vs TEXAS

TEXAS TECH: (16-5, 5-3); Players 2 Watch (#11 Bryson Williams, Sr Forward; #0 Kevin Obanor, Sr Forward; #1 Terrence Shannon, Jr Wing)

TEXAS TECH EXPECTED ROTATION

Kevin McCullar

Adonis Arms

Keivn Obanor 

Byrson Williams

Davion Warren 

Terrence Shannon Jr

Mylik Wilson

Marcus Santos-Wilson

Last Monday Texas Tech took a then ranked #3 Kansas team to double-overtime, on the road, before losing 94-91. A win could've potentially propelled the Red Raiders into the top 10 of the LIVE 25 this week, yet they were able to resume their winning ways when they defeated Mississippi State, 76-50, on Saturday a part of the Big 12/SEC Challenge and remain ranked at respectable #16. They were without the talents of NBA-bound Terrence Shannon, who has missed 11 of 21 games for Texas Tech this season dealing with injury, including back spasms most recently. He'll be a game-time decision for tonight's matchup against Texas and his former head coach Chris Beard, who left Texas Tech last season to assume the position in Austin. In his absence the Red Raiders received considerable contributions Adonis Arms, Kevin Obanor, Mylik Wilson, and Bryson Williams. Williams is an accomplished and experienced player with a potential professional future, now in his final season of eligibility after having competed previously at Fresno State and UTEP, most recently. Arms entered the lineup in the absence of Shannon and is also an experienced and well-traveled player as a graduate transfer who previously spent time at the JUCO level and at Winthrop the past two seasons. McCullar has started 40+ games during his career at Texas Tech, now in his third season, and is averaging double-digits points, after having established himself on the defensive end the first couple seasons. Kevin Obanor, similar to Bryson Williams, is also an experienced player at the college level having had much success at Oral Roberts prior to this season, who he helped go on a run to the Sweet 16 last year. Another transfer in Davion Warren rounds out the starting lineup, having had been at Hampton, where he was an All-Big South performer last season before arriving at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders will have the benefit of being in front of their home crown in Lubbock against their in-state rival Texas Longhorns, ranked #19 in the LIVE 25.

TEXAS: (16-5, 5-3) Players 2 Watch (#0 Timmy Allen, Sr Wing; #2 Marcus Carr, Sr Guard; #3 Courtney Ramey, Sr Guard)

TEXAS EXPECTED ROTATION

Courtney Ramey

Marcus Carr

Timmy Allen

Tre Mitchell

Christian Bishop

Brock Cunningham 

Andrew Jones

Devin Askew

Having competed in the Big 12/SEC Challenge this past weekend, like the teams mentioned above, the Longhorns were able to come away with a hard-fought, defensive dominated 52-51 win against former Texas coach Rick Barnes. They were led in scoring by Courtney Ramey, who was their sole player to score in double-digits during the win over Texas. Despite the limited offensive output the Longhorns were able to be efficient, at the least, shooting 54.1 (20/37) from the field and 43.8 (7/16) from 3, though an improved performance from the free-throw line (5/12) could've resulted in a more comfortable margin of victory. Their defensive performance balanced the offensive output as they limited Tennessee 35.8 (19/53) shooting from the field, 27.8 (5/18) from 3-point, and only 7 assists against 8 turnovers. Texas is led in scoring by transfers Timmy Allen (11.5 points), who came from Utah, and Marcus Carr (11.0 points), who arrived from Minnesota, after having began his career at Pitt. 6th year senior and cancer survivor Andrew Jones is a poised and steady presence on the floor, while Brock Cunningham is an unselfish teammate, that is a very effective and efficient player in whatever amount of minutes he sees off the bench. Transfers Tre Mitchell from UMASS, Christian Bishop from Creighton, and Devin Askew from Kentucky, each add to the depth, experience, and positive productivity for this Texas team that is a legitimate contender for the Final Four come early April.

PICK: TEXAS TECH OVER TEXAS