The Utah Valley Wolverines and the Cornell Big Red meet Monday in college basketball action from Flagler Gymnasium. Utah Valley enters this matchup at 3-1 overall. The Wolverines took out Southern Miss in their last outing. As for Cornell, they’re 4-1 this year following a win over CSU Fullerton on Sunday. Check back all season long for free college basketball picks at Sports Chat Place.
Utah Valley Wolverines
The Wolverines posted an 81-73 win over Carroll MT in their opener this year, then eked out a 79-73 victory over Sam Houston in overtime for game two. Utah Valley then took their first loss to Charlotte 62-45, shooting just 34 percent from the field in that one. In Sunday’s matchup the Wolverines were able to bounce back with a win over Southern Miss, though.
In the Southern Miss game, Utah Valley held a 34-30 edge at the break and posted 33 more points in the second for a tight 67-65 win. Leading team scorer Tanner Toolson came up with 22 points, 10 rebounds and three steals in the winning effort. Jaden McClanahan added 12 points with four rebounds.
Cornell Big Red
Over on the Big Red’s side, their only blemish so far this year was a 90-83 loss to George Mason last Wednesday. Cornell gave up 50 percent shooting from the field in that loss, with a 37-31 deficit in rebounding. Otherwise the Big Red beat Lehigh, SUNY Morrisville and Fordham in their first four games.
Cornell got back into the win column on Sunday versus CSU Fullerton. The Big Red were ahead 43-31 at the break and scored 45 more from there in an 88-70 win. Leading the scoring for Cornell was Cooper Noard with 18 points and three rebounds.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably stay with Cornell. The Big Red have been scoring well so far this year, and should put up another pretty good total on Monday. Cornell has hit 73 or more points in all five games so far—trouble is, they’ve also given up 70 or more points in all five games as well. In Sunday’s matchup the Big Red had a nice offensive game, and four different players finished in double-figures.
As for Utah Valley, they’re coming off a pretty good effort versus Southern Miss, hitting 47.2 percent from the field and owning the rebounding edge 39-29. The Wolverines are going to have to hit the gas in order to keep a cover pace on offense though, and I don’t think they’ll quite get there.
