Streak for the Cash: March 7th

Iowa Hawkeyes vs Illinois Fighting Illini (Who will win?)

This should be an easy one right?  Vegas has the Illini as a 2-point favorite and Illinois beat the Hawkeyes earlier in the season, 65-54.  However, it isn't as easy as it looks.  Illinois ended the regular season by going 2-11 while the Hawkeyes went 5-4.  The Iowa Hawkeyes have been extremely inconsistent this year.  They have beaten teams like Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, but have lost to teams like Campbell, Nebraska, Penn State, and other mediocre teams.  In the only game, Iowa didn't have an answer for 7'1 center Meyers Leonard who scored 22 points.  Fran McCaffery is a good coach and turned around the Iowa program so I bet he has an answer for Leonard.  I like Iowa to pull of the upset.  Pick: Iowa Hawkeyes (Confidence: 2/5)

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Northwestern Wildcats (Who will win?)

This game looks decently even.  The spread for this game is only at 2.5 in favor of Northwestern.  They had two matchups in the regular season and they both each won one.  In the Big 10, Minnesota went 6-12 and Northwestern went 8-10.  Minnesota is 8-8 ATS in the Big 10, so that doesn't help much.  I believe the difference in the game will be the fact that Northwestern is battling for an NCAA Tournament bid.  The Wildcats have never been selected to participate in the Big Dance so a lot is on the line for Northwestern.  Joe Lunardi currently has them as one of the "Last Four In".  The emotions will be high for Bill Carmody's team.  Another reason I like Northwestern in this is because Minnesota had an awful finish to the season as they went 1-6.  Pick: Northwestern (Confidence: 4/5)

Texas Longhorns vs Iowa State Cyclones (Who will win?)

Don't let the fact that Texas is a 1-point spread fool you.  Iowa State should definitely win this game.  Yes, the Longhorns are playing for their NCAA Tournament lives and went 1-1 against Iowa State this year.  Even with a great effort, Iowa State is still the better team.  Iowa State won three more Big 12 games than Texas in the regular season.  In the loss to Texas in Austin, Iowa State's two best shooters, Scott Christopherson and Chris Allen combined for 2 for 14 shooting.  That isn't likely to happen again.  Alexis Wangmene, the best interior defender for Texas, is out with a wrist injury.  Expect Iowa State's star, Royce White, to have a big day.  Another reason I like Iowa State: the Cyclones are 18-8-1 ATS.  Yea, I'll take ISU in this one.  Pick: Iowa State (Confidence 4/5)