Coming into the third week of the young College Basketball season, our record stands at 3-2. In this edition of Hoops Picks, we look at four of the best matchups of the conference challenge schedule. This being my favorite week of College Basketball until March Madness, I’m very excited for the next couple days. Let’s dive in and see what picks are going to fill your pocket.

Creighton versus Kansas Over 149.5

Our first matchup is a part of the Big East- Big 12 Battle. The #8 Creighton Jays travel to Lawrence to take on the #5 Kansas Jayhawks. Creighton comes into this game 3-0 on the season and might be getting to play Kansas at the perfect time. The Jayhawks are 4-1 but they could easily be 2-3 right now. Kansas got away with a scare on Saturday, squeaking out a win against North Dakota St. The one thing about Kansas, when they aren’t playing their best basketball, they are still putting up points. Bill Self and his Jayhawks are averaging 80.6 points a game and are 2-2 on the over this season. Creighton on the hand is averaging even more points with 85.3 points a game and 2-1 on the over.

This is going to be a very high paced, high scoring game. Take the points for the first Hoops Pick.

North Carolina versus Iowa Over 158.5

Before you say anything, I know this point total looks impossible for a College Basketball game. But this isn’t a normal College Basketball game. In the first game of the Big 10-ACC Challenge, the #16 North Carolina Tarheels take on Luka Garza and the #3 Iowa Hawkeyes. To be honest, no matter who Iowa is playing, until they prove me they can be inconsistent on offense and better on defense, I’m going to take the over. Iowa through three games is on the verge of averaging 100 points a game with them averaging 99.7. Not surprising they’re 3-0 on the over for the season. I know that’s against three non-power five schools but I just don’t see this offense slowing down. Especially when #55 in on the court. Luka Garza is averaging 34 points a game while shooting 76% from the field. That is ridiculous. The only thing that scares me is that North Carolina is 0-4 on the over for the year. But, the Tarheels average 72.8 points a game which isn’t bad.

I’m going to have to go with the overpowering Hawkeyes offense and hope that North Carolina is due. Iowa is going to push the ball and score points with arguably the best scorer in the nation. For the second Hoops Pick, take the over in Iowa City.

Ohio State (-5.5) versus Notre Dame

In this Big 10-ACC Challenge, the #22 Ohio State Buckeyes take on the unranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Buckeyes are off to a 3-0 start, 2-1 against the spread and look great. Since Chris Holtmann took over in 2017, the Buckeyes haven’t had a losing record, and I don’t see it happening this year. Notre Dame on the other hand is 1-1 on the season and have failed to cover in both meetings. I don’t think Notre Dame has found their identity yet and I don’t see it happening tonight.

Look for the transfer from Cal, junior, Justice Sueing who’s averaging 15 points and 5.7 rebound per game, to be on everyone’s radar after tonight. With this Hoops Pick take the Buckeyes.

Illinois (+3.5) versus Duke

In our final hoops pick, we look at arguably the best matchup of the week. The #6 Illini travel to Cameron Indoor to take on the #10 Duke Blue Devils. This game is going to come down to one big factor for each team. For Illinois, can Kofi Cockburn stay out of foul trouble. Illinois knows they are going to get production out of Ayo Dosunmu, who’s averaging 23.8 points and 6.3 assists per game. But when Cockburn was off the court, that’s when everything went down hill when they faced off against Baylor. On Duke’s end, is playing in Cameron Indoor an advantage right now, without the fans? So far, it doesn’t look like it at all. As they got dominated by Michigan State last week,

I don’t see much of a difference in this game. Illinois is arguably better than Michigan State and this is the same line that the Spartans had. I think no fans hurts Duke the most out of any team in the nation. Take Illinois in Durham.

The odds are via Draft Kings and are subject to change.

To see more picks and College Basketball coverage follow me @kscott3392 on Twitter and visit Belly Up Fantasy Sports.