2K Classic Semifinal
Madison Square Garden - New York, NY
Tip-off: Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
Line: Texas -5.5

No. 10 Texas will be in action on Thursday night in New York as it takes on Iowa in the 2K Classic.

The Longhorns (2-0 ATS) are expected to contend in the Big 12 and even make a run to a Final Four berth this season, and the 2K Classic will serve as a great test for their extremely talented, but young team. Texas showed it could handle some of the top teams in the country last season, as it defeated four Top-25 teams in two weeks. The Big 12 is more of an up-tempo brand of basketball, and the Longhorns had struggled on offense at times, but that has not been an issue so far this season, as they are scoring 85.0 PPG on 52.5% FG and 40.4% threes. The Hawkeyes (1-0 ATS) lost some talent from last season, but have shown the first two games that their offense hasn’t missed a beat with 88.5 PPG on 50.4% FG and 43.9% threes. While Texas had a lot of success against Top 25 teams last season, Iowa really struggled, going 2-6. But the 2K Classic is an opportunity to show it can play with some of the best teams in the country. These teams have met three times in the past decade, all on a neutral court, with Texas going 2-1 (SU and ATS) in those matchups. This includes an 85-60 Longhorns blowout when they last met in 2009. However, Iowa has a rare six-star betting trend in its favor, as the school is 18-1 ATS in the past three seasons after allowing 30 points or less in the first half of two straight games. But Texas benefits from this trend: Favorites off two straight double-digit home wins, with two more starters returning from last season than their opponent, in the first 10 games of the season, are 36-12 ATS (75%) in the past five seasons. The only significant injury in this game is Iowa SG Brady Ellingson, who is expected to miss at least two more weeks with a foot injury.

Which team will advance to the 2K Classic Championship? For the latest college basketball picks, check out The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks. The experts have begun the 2014-15 season with a bang, posting a collective 78% ATS mark (28-8) in Best Bets through Tuesday. All five experts are 67% ATS or better on Best Bets, led by StatFox Gary's astounding 8-1 ATS mark. StatFox Dave is 6-1 ATS, StatFox Scott and StatFox Zach are both 5-2 ATS, and StatFox Brian is 4-2 ATS to open the season.

The biggest strength of the Texas team is the ability to rebound the ball, as the Longhorns rank 14th in the country rebounding (49.0 RPG) and have a +19.0 RPG margin. One of the biggest reasons for the domination on the glass is 6-foot-11 PF Myles Turner (12.5 PPG, 6.5 RPG and 4.0 BPG). Turner, a freshman who surprisingly chose to attend Texas over Kansas, has shown the potential that made him one of the top recruits in the country last year. Despite his great height, Turner is a tremendous athlete who runs the floor like a wing player. Opposing post players can’t run with him, and he uses his great leaping ability and superior wingspan to get rebounds at the rim. C Cameron Ridley (7.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG) and PF Jonathan Holmes (12.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4-of-5 threes) team with Turner to form one of the top frontlines in college basketball. With PG Isaiah Taylor (15.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 3.5 APG, 4-of-6 threes) attacking the rim, it makes things very difficult for defenses. If they step off and contest Taylor in the lane, then it will be nearly impossible to keep Texas off the offensive glass. Taylor is really the guy that makes this team go. If he is under control and making the smart play, this team will be tough to beat.

The Hawkeyes' offense is a solid unit, ranking 22nd in the nation in assists (20.0 APG), 29th in scoring (88.5 PPG) and 34th in rebounding (46.5 RPG) with a +14.0 RPG margin. PF Aaron White (14.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5.5 APG) is a fundamental power forward who can play inside and out. That ability will for the 6-foot-9 senior will be huge against Texas. If he is able to hit some outside jumpers, that will force guys like Turner and Holmes to come away from the basket. Iowa actually has enough depth in the frontcourt to compete with Texas, as C Gabriel Olaseni (13.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 58% FG), C Adam Woodbury (8.5 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 67% FG) and 6-foot-9 PF Jarrod Uthoff (12.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG) are all physical players who can battle in the paint. SG Anthony Clemmons (11.5 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 5-of-6 threes) has emerged as another scorer in the backcourt, filling in for the departed Roy Devyn Marble. SG Josh Oglesby (5.0 PPG, 3.5 APG, 3.0 RPG) needs to snap out of a shooting funk, as he's made only 3-of-13 FG (23%) and 2-of-8 threes.