On this episode of The Starting Five, I do a quick preview, and then get into an absolutely loaded Saturday Slate. Two games feature KenPom top 10 squads facing off, with other great supplemental games as well.

Best Bets (8-4 YTD):

Tennessee -1.5

Marquette +11.5

Gonzaga 95 Kentucky 59: 0:00-4:17

Xavier 79 Cincinnati 74: 4:18-5:32

Previews

Duke @ Michigan State 5:33-8:44

Illinois vs Tennessee: 8:45-12:44

Iowa State @ Purdue: 12:45-15:52

Louisville @ Indiana: 15:53-17:45

Marquette @ Wisconsin: 17:46-22:15

On this episode of The Starting Five, I take the opportunity to go around the country at large and give thoughts on various topics due to the lack of games. This is the place to go for all of my random musings on the sport.

South Florida 74 Utah State 61: 0:00-2:03

Preview:

Gonzaga vs Kentucky: 2:04-5:41

ACC vs SEC: 5:42-9:08

*A Sunday best bet preview where I will lose a lot of money if the KenPom line is accurate (and I don’t think it will be) because it features the team I think is the most underrated and overrated in the entire country* 9:09-10:49

The difference of this SEC vs last year: 10:50-12:17

The Dubai MTE/a warning to CBK: 12:18-19:35

Positive Mid Majors: 19:36-22:11

Bad Mid Majors: 22:12-25:37 (+Cal Baptist)

Great at half of basketball: 25:38-28:09

Buys and Sells: 28:10-32:14

On this episode of The Starting Five, I recap the final day of the ACC/SEC challenge. A weak Thursday slate leaves us light on recaps, but a good day of hoops gives plenty to breakdowns.

Best Bets Result: NC State +6.5 ❌

YTD: 8-4

Arkansas 89 Louisville 80: 0:00-4:19

Auburn 83 NC State 73: 4:20-7:55

Virginia 88 Texas 69: 7:56-9:26

Alabama 90 Clemson 84: 9:27-12:29

Vanderbilt 88 SMU 69: 12:30-13:50

ACC/SEC Challenge: 13:51-15:06

Previews

Utah State @ South Florida: 15:07-17:49

Isn’t it nice to have some good ball back? On this episode of The Starting Five, I breakdown a great day of hoops, featuring some great games from the sport’s biggest brands. I highlight those deserving, and rightfully crucify a couple of players holding their teams back from where they want to go. I also was probably too harsh on Florida.

Best Bet Recap:

Michigan State -5.5 💰

YTD: 8-3

UConn 61 Kansas 56: 0:00-4:31

Duke 67 Florida 66: 4:32-9:27

Michigan State 71 Iowa 52: 9:28-12:29

North Carolina 67 Kentucky 64: 12:30-16:02

An SEC Tangent (overrated?): 16:03-17:37

Syracuse 62 Tennessee 60: 17:38-19:49

Others: 19:50-22:32

Previews:

Louisville @ Arkansas: 22:33-24:23

NC State @ Auburn: 24:24-28:26

Best Bet: NC State +6.5

YTD Record: 8-3

Others: 28:27-31:16

Finally, some good games! After three days of nothing, this episode of The Starting Five breaks down a great Tuesday slate, headlined by a slew of blue bloods and top teams.

UConn @ Kansas: 0:00-3:41

Florida @ Duke: 3:42-6:44

Iowa @ Michigan State: 6:45-11:43

Best Bet: (7-3 YTD)

Michigan State -5.5

North Carolina @ Kentucky: 11:44-14:29

Others: 14:30-17:53

The Starting Five returns after a brief Feast Week hiatus, though nothing has been missed the last two days. With a weak Monday before a strong Tuesday ahead, I focus entirely on recaps and other storylines.

Michigan 101 Gonzaga 61: 0:00-3:47

Kansas 81 Tennessee 76: 3:48-6:15

Auburn 85 St John’s 74: 6:16-9:24

Other Wednesday games: 9:25-12:48

(Get Wes Miller out of Cincinnati)

Michigan State 74 UNC 58: 12:49-13:58

TCU 84 Florida 80: 13:59-14:53

UConn 74 Illinois 61: 14:54-18:20

Other Feast Week notes: 18:21-26:51

On this episode of The Starting Five, I try to figure out how the Players Era works (I still have no clue and think half the days I thought games were ended up being wrong). I recap a great day of games, including a thriller between Tennessee and Houston. I also win my best bet instead of losing it by 40 (much better strategy).

*Michigan vs Gonzaga is Wednesday. I can’t take even 1% responsibility for anyone missing this*

Tennessee 76 Houston 73: 0:00-5:21

Best Bet: Tennessee +3 (W): 7-3 YTD

St John’s 96 Baylor 81: 5:22-7:36

Michigan 102 Auburn 72: 7:37-10:31

Iowa 74 Ole Miss 69: 10:32-11:51

Others: 11:52-17:20

On this episode of The Starting Five, I discuss day one of the Players Era (I don’t like it). I also face the music for perhaps the worst best bet in the history of gambling (only a slight exaggeration), and briefly preview Day 2 tomorrow!

Yesterday’s Best Bet: San Diego State +7.5 (should count as two losses honestly)

YTD: 6-3

Intro/My take on the Players Era: 0:00-3:18

Iowa State 83 St. John’s 82: 3:19-5:52

Gonzaga 95 Alabama 85: 5:53-8:07

Baylor 81 Creighton 74: 8:08-10:12

Michigan 94 San Diego State 54: 10:13-12:07

Seton Hall 85 NC State 74: 12:08-14:53

Houston 78 Syracuse 74 (OT): 14:54-18:16

Tennessee vs Houston: 18:17-20:48

*Best Bet* Tennessee +3

YTD: 6-3

St John’s vs Baylor: 20:49-22:45

Michigan vs Auburn: 22:46-24:26

Roundup/Others: 24:27-27:37

On this episode of The Starting Five, I preview the Players Era. While it sucks we lose the slew of MTEs we once knew, there is still some great basketball to watch and enjoy.

*I also don’t know how this event works entirely.*

Intro: 0:00-2:26

St. John’s vs Iowa State: 2:27-5:06

Gonzaga vs Alabama: 5:07-8:00

Michigan vs San Diego State: 8:01-11:41

*Best Bet*

San Diego State +6.5 (YTD: 6-2)

Baylor vs Creighton 11:42-14:22

Houston vs Syracuse: 14:23-16:01

On this episode of The Starting Five, I touch on a pair of ranked games with big expectations and lackluster results. I also go around the country to call out a couple notable results. Finally, best bets look to get back in the win column.

BYU 98 Wisconsin 70: 0:00-4:08

Purdue 86 Texas Tech: 4:09-7:09

Roundup: 7:10-9:24

Penn State vs Providence: 9:25-12:04

Best Bet *gulp*

Providence -3.5

Record YTD: 5-2