Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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02-06-18 | Eastern Michigan v. Kent State -3.5 | 71-67 | Loss | -110 | 23 h 13 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Kent State is 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 home games, 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games overall, and 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. Mid-American. While Eastern Michigan is 7-19 ATS in their last 26 vs. Mid-American and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Eastern Michigan is also 4-9 ATS in the last 13 meetings overall and 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Kent St. |
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02-06-18 | St. Joe's v. Davidson -10.5 | 62-91 | Win | 100 | 23 h 56 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Davidson is 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall, 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Atlantic 10, 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record, and 22-7-1 ATS in their last 30 Tuesday games. In addition, Davidson is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings at home. |
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02-04-18 | Temple -2.5 v. Tulane | 83-76 | Win | 100 | 20 h 48 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Temple off upset of Wichita State on Thursday following its well-played 85-67 romp over UConn. Hence, would “invest” on the revenge-minded Owls, who hit a season-worst 4 of 21 from deep in their 85-75 home upset loss to Tulane in the AAC opener on Dec. 28th. Owls, who subsequently covered at Houston and pulled off big upset at SMU, should even the series vs. an erratic Tulane contingent, which barely escaped in 71-69 OT win at also-ran East Carolina on Wednesday. Watch for a high-impact showing from Temple’s usually-steady 6-10 sr. F Obi Enechionyia, who canned a season-worst 1 of 9 from the field in the first clash |
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02-04-18 | Wisconsin v. Maryland -8.5 | 63-68 | Loss | -104 | 18 h 54 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Maryland is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400, 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 home games, and 7-0 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. While the home team is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings. |
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02-03-18 | Vanderbilt v. Auburn -11.5 | 81-93 | Win | 100 | 6 h 50 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Auburn has won four in a row following its only setback in conference play, a five-point loss at Alabama on Jan. 17, and opened a two-game lead in the SEC with its 79-70 win at Mississippi on Tuesday, coupled with Florida's loss to Georgia. Bryce Brown is averaging a team-high 16.6 points per game for Auburn and will look to string together back-to-back 20-point games for the first time this season. The 6-3 junior shooting guard scored 23 against Mississippi on 9-for-16 shooting from the floor. |
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02-03-18 | Nevada -11.5 v. Colorado State | 76-67 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 26 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The slope could be a bit slippery for MW leader Nevada at Moby Arena, where CSU us usually capable of plotting a trap. But not sure Rams up to it now after all-out effort fell short in OT at midweek vs. border rival Wyo. Moreover, CSU has been down its top two scorers (G Nixon with ankle, G Paige with hand) in recent games, and distractions mounting in Fort Collins with HC Larry Eustachy apparently being fitted with a noose by administrators. Would rather not touch Rams at moment, and much prefer percolating Wolf Pack, off of back-to-back 100-point eruptions (though double OT helped in recent trip to Wyoming), and all starters scoring 16 or more in Wednesday’s explosive 102-92 win over dangerous Fresno. |
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02-03-18 | Clemson -2 v. Wake Forest | 75-67 | Win | 100 | 2 h 34 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Clemson clearly demonstrated it can win a marquee game sans the services of injured 6-8 sr. F Donte Grantham in its headline-grabbing 82-78 home upset victory over North Carolina on Tuesday. And don’t expect the Tigers to suffer from any letdown after Wake Forest pulled off a 76-72 upset win over Florida State on Wednesday. But seriously doubt the Deacons can knock off nationally-ranked, defensively-stout Clemson (65.8 ppg; 41.2% from the floor; 5.6 bpg),which had seven different players nail a 3-ball vs. the Tar Heels. Look for Tigers’ clutch 6-3 jr. G Macquise Reed to take over the game in crunch time as he did for Roy Williams’ troops vs. a WF contingent, which is only 2-4 SU last 6 in Lawrence Joel Coliseum. |
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02-03-18 | Memphis -7.5 v. East Carolina | 85-88 | Loss | -105 | 2 h 31 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Memphis, which is in the hunt for a top four finish in the AAC (and first-round bye in at the upcoming conference tourney), is placing extra importance in this winnable game with juggernaut Wichita State on deck. So, more than willing to lay a short price vs. offensively challenged & often-careless ECU (65.4 ppg; ranked 331st; 311 in TO margin), which lacks much come-back ability, nailing a paltry 5.1 triples pg at a horrific 27.3% (351st). Tubby Smith’s Tigers—who’ve covered 4 straight as chalk—owns one the league’s most improved players in the AAC in sizzling 6-3 jr. G Jeremiah Martin (18.3 ppg TY; 10.3 LY), who’s surpassed the 20-point plateau in 4 of his last 5 outings. Additionally, UM’s productive 6-8 jr. F Kryon Davenport (12.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg) quickly establishes his post game vs. Pirates’ vulnerable forecourt, missing shelved 6-10 sr. F Jabari Craig (out for year with foot injury). |
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02-03-18 | Missouri State v. Loyola-Chicago -8 | 75-97 | Win | 100 | 1 h 19 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Unable to develop reliable secondary scoring options beyond do-everything 6-9 sr. F Alize Johnson (15.3 ppg & 11.5 rpg; only DD scorer on team), Missouri State’s fortunes have taken a dip since New Year’s, winning just twice SU and failing to cover a number in last eight games. Before Bears season turned south, they did win a close verdict vs. Valley front runner Loyola before Xmas. But Porter Moser’s revenge-fueled Ramblers have made much better progress since, recently on a 7-game SU win streak, and having developed admirable balance with five DD scorers, led by on-fire former Iowa State transfer G Clayton Custer (scored 20+ in last two games) |
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01-30-18 | Auburn v. Ole Miss +4.5 | 79-70 | Loss | -110 | 25 h 42 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Mississippi is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record, 36-13-2 ATS in their last 51 games following a straight up loss, and 9-4 ATS in their last 13 Tuesday games. While Auburn is 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Mississippi and 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings overall. |
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01-30-18 | Vanderbilt v. Kentucky -11.5 | 81-83 | Loss | -105 | 25 h 37 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Kentucky is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400, and 12-5 ATS in their last 17 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. While Vanderbilt is 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games overall, 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600, and 4-14 ATS in their last 18 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. |
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01-30-18 | Illinois State v. Missouri State -8 | 76-60 | Loss | -110 | 24 h 50 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Illinois State is 5-17 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up win, 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS win, and 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 road games. In addition the home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings while Illinois State is 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings, and 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings in Missouri St. |
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01-30-18 | Nebraska-Omaha v. South Dakota State -14.5 | 60-80 | Win | 100 | 24 h 45 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units South Dakota State is 11-3 ATS in their last 14 home games, 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400, 13-5 ATS in their last 18 vs. Summit, and 21-9 ATS in their last 30 games overall. |
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01-30-18 | TCU v. Oklahoma State +1.5 | 79-66 | Loss | -110 | 23 h 3 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Oklahoma State is 40-16-2 ATS in their last 58 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400, 44-20-3 ATS in their last 67 home games vs. a team with a losing road record, and 15-7-1 ATS in their last 23 Tuesday games. While TCU is 1-4 ATS in the last 5 meetings and 0-4 ATS in the last 4 meetings in Oklahoma State. |
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01-30-18 | Northern Illinois v. Central Michigan -5 | 67-81 | Win | 100 | 23 h 59 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Central Michigan is 9-3 ATS in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. While Northern Illinois is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. |
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01-30-18 | Ohio v. Bowling Green | 50-66 | Win | 100 | 23 h 54 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Ohio is 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 road games, 1-3-2 ATS in their last 6 games overall, 2-6-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. Mid-American, and 3-12-1 ATS in their last 16 Tuesday games. In addition, Ohio is 3-8 ATS in the last 11 meetings in Bowling Green. |
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01-30-18 | Rhode Island -10.5 v. Massachusetts | 85-83 | Loss | -100 | 23 h 37 m | Show | |
Rating; 2 Units URI is 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, 21-7-1 ATS in their last 29 games following a straight up win, and 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games overall. While UMASS is 17-35-2 ATS in their last 54 vs. Atlantic 10, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up loss, and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Tuesday games. |
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01-29-18 | Illinois-Chicago v. Wisc-Milwaukee -3 | 74-56 | Loss | -106 | 25 h 10 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Panthers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points and 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 Monday games. While the Flames are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 Monday games. |
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01-29-18 | Lehigh v. Holy Cross -2 | 71-67 | Loss | -110 | 24 h 19 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Crusaders are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 vs. Patriot League, 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win, and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 Monday games. While the Mountain Hawks are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall, 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 Monday games. |
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01-29-18 | Monmouth v. Rider -5 | 85-92 | Win | 100 | 24 h 15 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Rider is 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up win, 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400, and 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 games overall. While Monmouth is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games, 2-6 ATS in their last 8 Monday games, and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. |
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01-29-18 | Notre Dame v. Duke -14 | 66-88 | Win | 100 | 24 h 13 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Blue Devils are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS loss and 17-8-1 ATS in their last 26 games overall. While the Fighting Irish are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall, and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. Atlantic Coast. |
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01-29-18 | East Tennessee State v. The Citadel +18.5 | 73-71 | Win | 100 | 23 h 23 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Bulldogs are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a winning road record, 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win, and 9-3 ATS in their last 12 Monday games. While the Buccaneers are 2-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings and the underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings. |
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01-28-18 | Tulsa v. Wichita State -17 | 71-90 | Win | 100 | 2 h 54 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Shamet averages team bests of 15.0 points and 5.2 assists despite totaling only 11 points and nine assists in his last two games. Morris (12.5 points, 4.6 rebounds) is averaging 16 points over his last three games after recording 19 versus UCF as the Shockers improved to 8-0 this season when he scores 18 or more points. Senior forward Rashard Kelly (5.8 points, team-high 7.5 rebounds) will play his 127th game Sunday, moving him into 10th on the school's all-time list.The Shockers have won nine of the last 10 meetings, including a 72-69 victory on Jan. 13 behind 16 points apiece from sophomore guard Landry Shamet and senior guard Conner Frankamp. |
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01-27-18 | San Diego State v. UNLV | 78-88 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 53 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units It’s not like the old days for SDSU, whose new HC Brian Dutcher has junked Steve Fisher’s patient offense and has the Aztecs (scoring nearly 80 ppg!) running these days, reflected again in 97-point explosion at midweek vs. CSU. Better news is that recent minor injury to key G Trey Kell didn’t keep him out of Wednesday’s win over Rams, when Kell played 26 minutes. Meanwhile, UNLV not similarly progressing under cool guy HC Marvin Menzies, who has watched Rebs fail to cover a staggering ten straight games (0-9-1). |
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01-27-18 | Missouri v. Mississippi State -120 | 62-74 | Win | 100 | 8 h 51 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units For the NCAA Tournament hopefuls in the crowded middle of the SEC pack, head-to-head results likely will loom large in March. One of those potentially critical match ups comes today, when Mississippi State hosts Missouri. Missouri looked like a solid contender to return to the NCAA Tournament a few weeks ago, but it has lost two straight contests and three of its last four. The Tigers' offensive output dropped off in a 60-49 loss at Texas A&M last Saturday, and they melted down in the final 10 minutes of a 93-71 home setback against Auburn four days later. The Bulldogs have won four straight meetings with the Tigers. |
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01-27-18 | Iowa v. Nebraska -3.5 | 84-98 | Win | 100 | 8 h 48 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With coming Nebraska (RPI in low 60s) seeking to be in the conversation of the NCAA Tourney Selection Committee, willing to lay single digits vs. defensively-lax Iowa (76.4 ppg, 44.7% from the field), which hasn’t strung together back-to-back quality efforts in the Big Ten so far. Hawkeyes, who were able to efficiently run their half court attack vs. struggling, slowish Wisconsin on Tuesday, will be afforded few uncontested looks vs. defensively-sticky Huskers (68.5 ppg; 41.5% from the floor). Moreover, anticipate more formful shooting from NU’s terrific back court tandem of 6-6 jr. James Palmer Jr. & Glynn Watson Jr., who combined for 11 of 29 from the floor in their grinding 60-54 victory at improved Rutgers. Hustling Huskers 10-1-1 last 12 vs. the spread. |
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01-27-18 | Tennessee v. Iowa State +2.5 | 68-45 | Loss | -108 | 4 h 32 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Tennessee raced out to a 17-point halftime lead and held on for a 67-62 win against the Commodores. Bowden scored 19 points and tied a career high with five 3-pointers after entering the night shooting 25 percent in conference games. However, Tennessee can’t take Iowa State lightly, as the Cyclones enter having won their last five games against top-25 non-conference teams at Hilton Coliseum. |
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01-27-18 | TCU -3.5 v. Vanderbilt | 78-81 | Loss | -108 | 4 h 35 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units TCU (lofty RPI of 16) seeking to avoid any bad losses and secure a good seeding in the Big Dance. So, would favor the happening Horned Frogs, benefiting from ego-boosting 82-73 home upset win over West Virginia on Monday. Vanderbilt lives and dies from the 3-point line, but the Commodores won’t outgun high-octane, good-passing TCU (87.3 ppg; 6th nationally; 20 apg; 2nd), which cans 9.2 triples pg at a solid 40.6%. Vanderbilt's perimeter game took a hit with loss of key 6-5 wing Matthew Fisher-Davis out for the season with a shoulder injury. Plus, the Commodores ill-equipped to slow down the Horned Frogs’ highly-effective 6-11 sr. F Vladimir Brodziansky (15.4 ppg, 80% from foul line), while 6-7 sr. G Kenrich Williams (14.4 ppg; 42% from the 3-point line) is a matchup nightmare. |
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01-27-18 | Virginia +3.5 v. Duke | 65-63 | Win | 100 | 2 h 43 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Something has to give here as the irresistible force (Duke’s nation’s leading scoring offense at 91.7 ppg) meets the immovable object (Virginia’s nation’s best 51.6 ppg scoring defense). Measured vote for the ‘Hoos, as Tony Bennett’s patient style and smothering defense has routinely jammed the gearbox on the Blue Devil attack in recent years, with several lower scoring match ups. Bennett getting reliable offense from emerging soph G Kyle Guy, scoring better than 15 ppg (very good for a Bennett offense) and canning 43% beyond arc. Points should work with UVa. |
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01-27-18 | Ole Miss +6 v. Texas | 72-85 | Loss | -115 | 2 h 48 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units In this SEC-Big 12 Challenge clash, must side with dangerous Ole Miss. Though UT has done a commendable job compensating for the loss of star G Andrew Jones (leukemia), believe his absence will be exploited by a G-heavy Ole Miss squad, which has covered 3 straight as an underdog, including outright upsets over Florida and Arkansas. Rebels’ smooth 6-2 sr. G Deandre Burnett (15 ppg; 38 triples at 41%) ending his career with a bang, while emerging soph G Breein Tyree (10 ppg) has greatly improved his marksmanship, nailing 39% from the arc after only 29% from distance in SEC games a year ago. Longhorns, nailing a poor 30.5% from deep (331st), only 12-14 as home chalk since 2015-16. |
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01-24-18 | Colorado State +14 v. San Diego State | 78-97 | Loss | -105 | 25 h 33 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Rams are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up loss. While Rams are 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. In addition, the underdog is 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings and the road team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings. |
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01-24-18 | Air Force +9 v. Utah State | 49-71 | Loss | -105 | 23 h 37 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Credit Air Force HC Dave Pilipovich for scheming the Falcons into several recent competitive efforts, including a shock win at CSU last Wednesday. But maybe we shouldn’t be surprised, as the Force took a 5-game cover streak into last Saturday vs. Fresno, as Falcons getting big efforts from a variety of sources (G Trevor Lyons scored 22 in upset at Fort Collins; soph F Ryan Swan 19 in recent win at San Jose; soph F Lavelle Scottie scored 26 in near-miss vs. UNLV on Jan. 10). Meanwhile, Utah State appears headed in opposite direction, with defensive deficiencies exposed in recent 3-game MW losing streak. |
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01-24-18 | Temple +14 v. Cincinnati | 42-75 | Loss | -105 | 23 h 32 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Bearcats built upon the longest active home winning streak in the country with an emphatic 86-60 triumph over East Carolina, and look very much like a team that isn't ready to see that run come to an end. It hasn't even mattered that Cincinnati has had to play its home games at Northern Kentucky University's BB&T Arena while Fifth Third Arena undergoes extensive renovations; the Bearcats have won all 10 games played there so far this season, and have won their first three American Athletic Conference home games by an average of 26.7 points. They'll look to continue that red-hot run against an Owls team that has won two straight games, and nearly pulled off an upset in a 55-53 loss to Cincinnati back on Jan. 4. |
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01-22-18 | Michigan State v. Illinois +11.5 | 87-74 | Loss | -108 | 8 h 8 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Fighting Illini are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Monday games and 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games following a ATS loss. While the Spartans are 3-8-1 ATS in the last 12 meetings versus the Illini. |
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01-22-18 | Kansas State +5 v. Baylor | 90-83 | Win | 100 | 8 h 7 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units It would have been easy for Bruce Weber's Wildcats, who lost starting point guard Kamau Stokes indefinitely to a foot injury, to fold up after the 73-72 loss to the No. 10 Jayhawks which ended with junior guard Barry Brown missing a potential game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. But Kansas State bounced back three nights later with a 87-69 blowout of No. 6 Oklahoma and then followed that up Saturday with a 73-68 victory over 25th-ranked TCU. The Wildcats now must avoid a letdown when they travel to Waco to face a Baylor squad that is smarting and tied for the Big 12 cellar after blowing a six-point lead in the final 2:50 of a 70-67 loss at first-place Kansas on Saturday night. |
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01-20-18 | Boise State v. Nevada -6 | 68-74 | Push | 0 | 10 h 18 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Mountain West showdown between teams both on course for Big Dance (recent RPI had Nevada at 16 and Boise at 29, well within at-large range). Last season, however, a similar looking Broncos team was outclassed twice by Wolf Pack, and regional insiders believe this is a better Nevada edition, especially on stop end. Pack has more length on perimeter than any other MW entry, and can effectively tie up top Boise scorer wing Chandler Hutchison (19.6 ppg), who recently dropped 44 on San Diego State. Eric Musselman now getting consistent big efforts from 6-7 Purdue grad transfer wing Kendall Stephens, scoring 19 ppg last four after the NC State transfer Martin twins had stolen many of the early-season headlines. |
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01-20-18 | Gonzaga -19.5 v. Santa Clara | 75-60 | Loss | -112 | 8 h 10 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Herb Sendek doesn’t have the weapons on hand as he did a year ago, when inheriting bombs-away G Jared Brownridge from predecessor Kerry Keating, as well as a useful frontline scrapper in Nate Kratch. Broncos badly missing those weapons this season, and Sendek was helpless to watch on Dec. 30 at Spokane, when Zags viciously dismembered SC 101-52. Mark Few might display a bit more compassion in rematch, but Gonzaga still scoring 90 ppg, and hard to make a case for Broncos, only 3-13 vs. spread entering weekend |
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01-20-18 | Rhode Island -3.5 v. Dayton | 88-74 | Win | 100 | 1 h 25 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With streaking RI gunning for its 13th straight victory, must lay short price with A-10 front runner, double-revenger Rams, who played their best defensive game of the year in 73-51 home romp over previously-surging UMass on Wednesday. Disciplined & careful RI (+5.2 TO margin; 6th nationally) smoothly directed by blossoming 6-3 soph PG Jeff Dowtin, who has collected 91 assists & only 21 TOs. Meanwhile, Rams’ sharpshooting back court mates 6-3 sr. Jared Terrell (18 ppg; 42% from the arc) and E.C. Matthews (13.6 ppg) will exploit a sagging Dayton defense, which has allowed 80 ppg over the last 3 outings. Flyers, who’ve already suffered home defeats administered by UMass & Penn this term, will eventually succumb to a hot & profitable Ram contingent, 6-0-1 vs. spread last 7 tilts. |
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01-20-18 | LSU +2 v. Vanderbilt | 71-77 | Loss | -108 | 1 h 21 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Since uptempo, good-shooting LSU (79.8 ppg; 49.4% FGs) has actually played better on the SEC trail than in Baton Rouge, have no qualms endorsing the Bayou Bengals seeking their fourth straight road win, including upset victories at Texas A&M & Arkansas. LSU’s gifted 5-11 frosh PG Tremont Waters (16.3 ppg; 40% from distance; 102 assists) is a prime candidate for SEC Newcomer of the Year, while undervalued 6-11 sr. F Duop Reath (12.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg) will do plenty of biz in the post area vs. undersized Vanderbilt, being forced to use shortish 6-6 sr. F Jeff Roberson at the center spot. Additionally, the Bayou Bengals can afford to pack it in on the stop end, since the Commodores are only canning 32.2% from trey land (296th). Underperforming Vanderbilt is a bankroll-evaporating 1-14 vs. the spread TY! |
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01-19-18 | Illinois +5 v. Wisconsin | 50-75 | Loss | -104 | 3 h 24 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Though Illinois still seeking its first Big Ten victory, strongly recommend “taking” with a highly-combative Illini squad, which has lost 8 of its 9 games by 7 points or fewer, including three OT setbacks. Expect Illinois to shoot straighter after nailing only 3 of 18 from deep in taut 64-63 loss at improved Nebraska on Monday. Wisconsin still too overly-dependent on do-everything 6-10 jr. F Ethan Happ, who won’t outclass the Illini’s mettle tested, good-shooting 6-10 jr. F Michael Finke, who scored 16 points and hauled in 10 caroms vs. the Huskers. Plus, Illinois’ industrious 6-7 jr. F Leron Black (14.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg) will be tough matchup for the Badgers, who’re ranked a lowly 289th in FG% defense (46.2%). |
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01-19-18 | Buffalo -3.5 v. Western Michigan | 84-74 | Win | 100 | 1 h 27 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units To this point, Buffalo looking the clear class of the MAC, which some regional sources suggested once Mizzou transfer G Wes Clark (15.4 ppg) became eligible in mid-December. That gave Bulls a third heavy-duty scoring wheel behind smooth-stroking jr. G CJ Massinburg (186 ppg’40% triples) and emerging 6-8 jr. PF Nick Perkins (16 ppg), who scored 26 in recent Jan. 16 blowout of NIU. No MAC foe yet within single digits of Bulls, and WMU hard-pressed to break that trend unless sr. G Thomas Wilder (17.6 ppg) begins to get a bit more scoring help (no other Bronco scoring better than 10 ppg). |
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01-16-18 | Oklahoma -3 v. Kansas State | 69-87 | Loss | -110 | 25 h 3 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Lon Kruger returns to his old stomping grounds in Manhattan, where he was a star PG over four decades ago for Jack Hartman and once coached the Mitch Richmond-led Cats into the Elite Eight back in ‘88 (where did the time go?). Now he brings his “Jason Kidd meets Steph Curry” star frosh G Trae Young, still leading the nation in scoring AND assists, and top ten Sooners had also covered five of last six into last Saturday at TCU. Note that a lesser, pre-Trae OU covered both vs. K-State last season, including a 30-point romp at Lloyd Noble Center, as Kruger usually gets solid efforts from his charges vs. his alma mater. |
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01-16-18 | Clemson +6 v. North Carolina | 79-87 | Loss | -110 | 23 h 18 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Is this the year? Clemson might finally have a legit chance to end its 0-for-forever slump at Chapel Hill (55 losses in a row and counting!), as this looks like Brad Brownell’s best Tiger version. Older and solid in every area, balanced with five DD scorers, and augmented by inside presence of former Texas A&M transfer 6-9 PF Elijah Thomas, who is now providing needed rim protection, Clemson for once not out-manned as usually the case vs. Roy Williams’ still-evolving collection of young bigs. Until the newcomers become a bit more reliable, sr. PG Joel Berry II carrying an awfully big scoring and leadership role for Heels, especially as Pitt transfer wing Cameron Johnson (career-low 33% beyond arc) not yet providing a consistent spark to offense since return to active duty in late December. |
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01-16-18 | Akron v. Eastern Michigan -8 | 49-63 | Win | 100 | 23 h 14 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Akron’s 1st-year HC John Groce having a rough debut in the “Rubber City” with a frosh-laden squad, which had six players transfer when former mentor Keith Dambrot left for Duquesne after LY’s successful 27-9 campaign. Therefore, must “invest” in triple revenger EMU, which should totally dominate the interior with arguably the MAC’s premier inside duo of double-double machine, 6-10 jr. C James Thompson IV (15.8 ppg, 11.7 rpg)& burgeoning 6-9 jr. Elijah Minnie (Robert Morris transfer; 17.5 ppg, 6 rpg), who poured in 25 in his team’s 79-74 home win over rival Central Michigan on Tuesday. Zipless Zips rank a lowly 270th or worse in TO margin (-1.8 pg), FG% defense (45.7%) & foul shooting (66.5%). |
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01-16-18 | Wisconsin v. Purdue -15.5 | 50-78 | Win | 100 | 23 h 6 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Wisconsin’s drop-off is now officially confirmed after early Big Ten road losses at Rutgers and Nebraska, the sorts of teams the Badgers used to chew up in the Bo Ryan and early Greg Gard eras. Not this year, however, as Gard’s offense still not providing much support for 6-10 F Ethan Happ (17 ppg), who seems to be fighting opponents alone on many nights. Big and physical Purdue a tough matchup for Happ, and will force Wisconsin's other thus-far unreliable scorers to contribute. Badgers won’t keep pace with 85 ppg Boilermakers, who also shoot better than 50% from floor as soph wing Carsen Edwards (17 ppg) now one of four “teens” scorers (13 ppg or more) for Matt Painter, whose team is also a dangerous 42% beyond arc. |
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01-15-18 | Kansas v. West Virginia -4.5 | 71-66 | Loss | -110 | 25 h 52 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units KU is still dangerous and a Final Four threat as usual, but this is a different sort of Bill Self Jayhawk team, with little depth and few big men. KU relying very heavily upon work from perimeter (and its nation’s best 11 triples pg), but that might play right into the hands of WVU and its sr. G combo of Daxter Miles and Jevon Carter (leads Big 12 with nearly four steals pg), who have seen it all the past few years in rugged loop. Mounties flustered Oklahoma’s Trae Young in recent WVU win at Morgantown, and Bob Huggins’ self-described “golf scramble” offense will find somebody to get a good shot on each possession. So far, so good! |
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01-15-18 | Butler +1.5 v. Providence | 60-70 | Loss | -110 | 20 h 20 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Since Butler in a oh-so-rare three game losing skein, have faith the proud, talented Bulldogs right their ship vs. Providence squad, which has been no ball of fire at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center TY. Note, Friars already suffered home defeats vs. Minnesota & Marquette, while pulling out narrow 1 & 2-point wins over Belmont & Stony Brook. Count on Butler digging in defensively after allowing an uncharacteristic 86 ppg during the losing skein. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs’ star 6-1 soph G Kamar Baldwin (15.2 ppg) shoots straighter after nailing only 7 of 19 from the field in his team’s 84-75 setback at high-powered Creighton last Tuesday. Moreover, PC’s top big 6-8 sr. F Rodney Bullock (17 ppg, 6.8 rpg) will have no picnic in the paint area vs. Butler’s industrious 6-8 sr. F Tyler Wideman. |
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01-14-18 | Northwestern +2.5 v. Indiana | 46-66 | Loss | -110 | 21 h 31 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Since NW playing with the passion and sense of urgency that characterized LY’s Big Dance squad, would recommend the veteran Wildcats, eager to avenge LY’s taut 63-62 loss in Bloomington. IU’s somewhat-vulnerable defense (44.2% FGs; 209th) will be dissected by NW’s multi-talented 6-3 sr. floor general Bryant McIntosh (13.4 ppg; 102 assists), who collected a school-record 16 dimes in his team’s resounding 83-60 home romp over Minnesota in mid-week. Plus, look for the Wildcats’ formidable 6-8 jr. C Derek Pardon (13.4 ppg; 7 rpg; 32 blocks) to fully exploit a shorthanded Hoosier forecourt sorely missing the services of sidelined 6-10 jr. De’Ron Davis (9.6 ppg; 4.3 rpg; 22 blocks; out for year with leg injury) |
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01-13-18 | Gonzaga -13 v. San Francisco | 75-65 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 50 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Silas Melson just delivered the top scoring game of his career and the senior guard looks to post another strong outing when No. 14 Gonzaga visits San Francisco today in West Coast Conference play. Melson established career highs of 23 points and seven 3-pointers as the Bulldogs steamrolled Portland 103-57 on Thursday. The Bulldogs are rolling through the WCC and have won their first five league games by an average of 35.4 points with four of the victories coming by 30 or more points. San Francisco is coming off a 67-65 road loss to Loyola Marymount, a contest in which the Dons committed 17 turnovers. |
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01-13-18 | Kentucky -2 v. Vanderbilt | 74-67 | Win | 100 | 5 h 29 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units John Calipari knows his Kentucky basketball team remains a work in progress, but entering Saturday’s trip to Vanderbilt the coach also recognizes he is seeing signs of progress. The No. 20 Wildcats showed moxie in rallying from six points down in Tuesday’s 74-73 home victory over Texas A&M, a game in which Calipari played just eight players and relied on PJ Washington’s four points and critical steal in the final 2:28 to hold off the Aggies. While Kentucky has found a way to win three times in conference play -- albeit by a combined total of nine points -- the Commodores could not hold a 10-point lead in the second half to fall 92-84 at home to No. 23 Tennessee on Tuesday. Vanderbilt struggled at the 3-point line (3-of-11 in the second half). |
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01-13-18 | Colorado State +7 v. Wyoming | 78-73 | Win | 100 | 6 h 40 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units This intense border rivalry has had several down-to-the-wire games throughout the years. Expect more of the same for this one at Laramie, where recent upgrades by CSU make the Rams an intriguing dog. Larry Eustachy has needed half of the season to figure out the proper fits to replace his graduated core from LY’s 24-win side, but midweek win at Utah State and other improved recent efforts suggest Eustachy has found the recipe, with jr. G Prentiss Nixon (24 ppg last two) emerging as one of MW’s top scoring threats, while development of 6-11 soph C Nico Carvacho (DD scoring in four of last five) is helping to better space the floor as he now provides a legit post scoring threat. Wyoming beginning to lean awfully heavily upon wings Justin James and Hayden Dalton, as offensive flow almost solely from perimeter in recent games. |
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01-13-18 | Towson v. William & Mary -2 | 99-73 | Loss | -105 | 6 h 30 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The William & Mary Tribe are 7-0 at home this season, and 5-0 against 7-4 opponents. At home the Tribe are averaging 91.0 scoring, and holding teams to 85.2 points scored on defense. The Towson Tigers are 1-5 while on the road this season, 2-3 against conference opponents, and 10-3 against non-conference opponents. Tribe are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 home games and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win. |
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01-10-18 | Temple v. SMU -10.5 | 66-64 | Loss | -105 | 2 h 26 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Uints SMU has lost two games in a row and aims to snap that mini-skid against another scuffling team when it hosts Temple on Wednesday. The Owls have lost five in a row, including their first four games in American Athletic Conference action. SMU's non-conference slate included big victories against Arizona and USC, but the AAC season has gotten off to a disappointing start with two wins followed by a close loss to Tulane and a blowout at the hands of Cincinnati. SMU won last season's two meetings by a combined 30 points. |
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01-10-18 | Drake +5.5 v. Valparaiso | 60-77 | Loss | -106 | 2 h 10 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Welcome to the big, er, bigger, leagues, Valpo! Regional scouts suggesting that the step up from the Horizon to the Missouri Valley proving a bit much for Valpo, which has continued to struggle in its new environment even after return of top scorer G Tevonn Walker, who missed a few weeks in December with mono. Crusaders not dominating on the glass any longer at this higher level and are now getting routinely overpowered, such as when out-boarded 45-30 in last Wednesday’s loss at Bradley, dropping Valpo to 0-3 SU in new league. Meanwhile, upgraded Drake broke 3-0 in the Valley behind four-year starting G Reed Timmer, now up to a career-high 19.4 ppg. |
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01-09-18 | Ole Miss v. Auburn -11 | 70-85 | Win | 100 | 27 h 27 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units High-octane AU (87.3 ppg), which notched an impressive 94-84 upset win at talented Tennessee last Tuesday, is off to its best start since 1999-2000. Hence, must lay around 5 hoops with the defensively-tenacious Tigers (6.6 bpg 5th nationally), benefiting from heralded, fast-blossoming & versatile 6-8 frosh F Chuma Okeke, who collected 11 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists & 2 steals vs. the Vols. Defensively-inviting, weak boarding Ole Miss (75.6 ppg; 240th in rebound margin) likely to drop its 6th straight as visiting underdog in the reg.-season vs. a balanced AU squad (six players avg. 8 ppt or more), which nails a solid 77.9% from the charity stripe. Double revenge works for Bruce Pearl’s platoon. |
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01-09-18 | Wisconsin v. Nebraska -2.5 | 59-63 | Win | 100 | 27 h 5 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Progressing NU (only one win away from equaling last year’s total victories!) has circled this date following last year’s painful 70-69 OT home loss, when Wisconsin hit a 3-pointer with 0.3 on clock in regulation to send the game to overtime. Better-balanced Huskers have a strong 1-2-3 punch in 6-0 jr. G Glynn Watson Jr. (12.4 ppg; 55 assists) 6-6 jr. G James Palmer Jr. (15.2 ppg) & 6-9 jr. F Isaac Copeland (12.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg), who’ll greatly neutralize the Badgers’ premier weapon 6-0 jr. F Ethan Happ. Note, shot-swatting NU (6.3 bpg; 12th) 8-1 SU at friendly Pinnacle Banke Arena, with the only defeat coming in taut 73-72 loss to mighty Kansas in mid-December |
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01-09-18 | Texas Tech v. Oklahoma -3.5 | 65-75 | Win | 100 | 25 h 29 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units No nights off in the Big 12 this season, partly because of the rise of Chris Beard’s Texas Tech, good enough to go into Kansas on Jan. 2 and beat the Jayhawks. But slowing down Lon Kruger’s go-go OU (96 ppg!) and Steph Curry-like frosh G Trae Young (leading nation in scoring AND assists!) looks a tall order. Young also now getting fellow frosh 6-9 F Barry Manek (scored 20 or more three times in last five game thru Jan. 5; 28 vs. Oklahoma State on Jan. 3) involved on the attack end. Sooners had covered four in a row and were “over” 11-1 into last Saturday vs. West Virginia. |
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01-07-18 | Florida State +2.5 v. Miami-FL | 74-80 | Loss | -103 | 6 h 11 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Florida State looks to finish a stretch of three straight ranked teams to start the ACC season with a winning record when it travels south to take on No. 17 Miami (Fla.) tonight. The Seminoles gave No. 2 Duke all it could handle in a 100-93 road loss to open the league campaign before holding on for an 81-80 victory over 11th-ranked North Carolina at home last Wednesday. The Seminoles will test their productive offense (85.4) against Miami, which is allowing 58.9 points per game and 36.9 percent shooting overall - both in the top five in the nation. The Hurricanes were off to their best start since 2007-08 at 10-0 before dropping two of the last four, including a 64-54 loss at Georgia Tech on Wednesday, and will play their first home game since Dec. 5. Miami needs to take care of the ball better after coughing it up 15 times in a victory over Pittsburgh last Saturday and recording a season-high 18 turnovers against Georgia Tech. |
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01-07-18 | Northern Kentucky -12.5 v. Detroit | 56-54 | Loss | -100 | 19 h 60 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With Horizon League contender NKU off possible loss at Oakland on Friday, highly recommend laying fair price with the undervalued Norse, which is 9-2 vs. the spread prior to clash with Grizzlies. High-powered, unselfish NK (81.4 ppg; 18.2 apg) should light scoreboard vs. defensively-weak UD (90 ppg; 350th), in the midst of a 9-game losing skein prior to Wright State on Friday. Norse’s bruising 6-7, 250-pound C Drew McDonald (17.7 ppg, 8.1 rpg) should easily collect his 5th double-double vs. poor-boarding Titans, ranked a lowly 302nd in rebounding margin. |
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01-06-18 | Duke -12.5 v. NC State | 85-96 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 52 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Duke has the engines revved for this Tobacco Road clash vs. a wobbly NC State side that will nonetheless have Coach K’s full attention after Pack’s upset win at Cameron Indoor last season. Pack looking like it is going to be the doormat in a loaded ACC as new HC Kevin Keatts does not have the depth to keep pace with the league’s power teams, as early lopsided losses vs. Clemson and Notre Dame suggest. Blue Devils might not pump the brakes until this one is well under control, as their 95 ppg offense and do-everything 6-11 frosh Marvin Bagley III (22 ppg) gleefully extend the margin vs. bitter local foe |
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01-06-18 | Boise State -1 v. Wyoming | 78-79 | Loss | -102 | 7 h 47 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Board-crashing MW challenger BSU (+9.1 rpg; 12th nationally) has proven its “roadability” with upset victories at Oregon & UNLV in the month of December. With the Broncos’ future NBA draftee 6-7 sr. F Chandler Hutchison (17.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg; 51 assists) continuing to show why he’s a prime candidate for the league’s Player of the Year, have faith surging BSU rises to 10-1 SU last 11 (only loss at powerhouse SMU in mid-December) in Laramie, where it won handily by 15 LY. Defensively-penetrable Wyo (76 ppg; 260th)won’t get many second-chance opportunities, ranked a lowly 284th in rebound margin (-2.7). |
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01-06-18 | South Alabama +12.5 v. Texas-Arlington | 67-91 | Loss | -105 | 4 h 58 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The South Alabama Jaguars are ranked 289 for offensive field goal percentage shooting 41.2% while attempting 54.4 shots per game. The Jaguars shooting percentages include 68.0% for free throw percentage and 35.1% for three point percentage so far this season. On the road, the Jaguars are averaging 64.6 scoring, and holding teams to 73.9 points scored on defense. South Alabama is 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600, 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win, and 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. |
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01-03-18 | St Bonaventure -2.5 v. Dayton | 72-82 | Loss | -105 | 24 h 19 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units A-10 sources alerted early to potential downgrade at Dayton after loss of HC Archie Miller to Indiana and departure of almost all of LY’s key cogs, creating a daunting task for new HC Anthony Grant. Flyers played only .500 ball thru pre-league slate as Grant looks for reliable scoring options beyond returnees G Darrell Davis & F Josh Cunningham (both better than 16 ppg). Bona will never have a better chance to avenge recent series losses vs. better Dayton teams, and Mark Schmidt’s side hasn’t lost SU since high-scoring sr. G Jaylen Adams (18.2 ppg) returned from injury at the start of December. |
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01-03-18 | Ole Miss v. Georgia -5.5 | 60-71 | Win | 100 | 22 h 14 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units UGa is coming off a loss at Kentucky. Hence, a good spot to lay a fair price with the resilient Dawgs, who were 2-0 vs. spread following a pair of setbacks vs. the Wildcats a year ago, by springing upset wins at South Carolina & Alabama! So, must buck defensively vulnerable Ole Miss (76.6 ppg), which won’t get many 2nd-chance opportunities, ranked a lowly 216th in rebound margin. Moreover, ill-prepared Rebels— who’ve only played one game as visitor TY (77-58 blowout loss at Middle Tennessee State in early December), lack a post scorer who can trade blows with UGa’s future NBA draftee, 6-8 sr. F Yante Maten (20.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg), while deep-shooting 6-4 jr. PG William Jackson II (12.1 ppg; 43 of 92 from distance; 45 assists) can hit the J or find the open man with regularity. |
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12-31-17 | Georgia +11 v. Kentucky | 61-66 | Win | 100 | 24 h 56 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units A better-rounded UK team didn’t lose in three meetings vs. a lesser Georgia last season, but still couldn’t cover the number in any of those vs. the Dawgs. Mark Fox now has a veteran roster better suited to perhaps stealing one from John Calipari as U Georgia almost did in OT loss at Lexington last season, with bullish 6-8 sr. PF Yante Maten (20.2 ppg & 9.3 rpg) potentially able to neutralize Cats in paint. Fox also getting nice production from emerging soph G William Jackson (12 ppg, also a most-welcome 44% beyond arc). Note six straight “overs” for UK into Friday’s game vs. the ‘Ville. |
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12-31-17 | Georgia Southern v. South Alabama +4.5 | 67-69 | Win | 100 | 5 h 42 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Georgia Southern is 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Sunday games, and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. While South Alabama is 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600, 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games overall. |
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12-30-17 | Louisiana Tech v. Marshall -2 | 65-78 | Win | 100 | 6 h 20 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Sure, La Tech seeking to avenge 93-77 loss to MU in LY’s C-USA tourney. But, still not dissuaded from wholeheartedly endorsing frenetic-paced Herd, which nearly upset highly ranked Xavier in 81-77 defeat in the Cintas Center on Dec. 19th. G-oriented Bulldogs ill-equipped to counter-attack in the paint area vs. UM’s ultra productive 6-9 jr. F Ajdin Penava (19 ppg; 9.9 rpg; nation-leading 64 blocks), who’s transformed into a major force on both ends. Additionally, LT will be hard pressed to contain the Herds’ scorching 6-3 jr. G Jon Elmore (24 ppg), who has knack of getting to the foul line, canning a nation-best 107 of 130 FTs TY. Payback doesn’t work. |
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12-30-17 | Illinois-Chicago v. Northern Kentucky -14 | 51-86 | Win | 100 | 6 h 13 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units The Northern Kentucky Norse are 6-0 at home this season, and 1-0 against 7-5 opponents. At home the Norse are averaging 83.8 scoring, and holding teams to 58.5 points scored on defense. The Illinois-Chicago Flames are 0-6 while on the road this season, 0-1 against conference opponents, and 5-8 against non-conference opponents. On the road, the Flames are averaging 65.7 scoring, and holding teams to 80.7 points scored on defense. |
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12-30-17 | NC State v. Clemson -10 | 62-78 | Win | 100 | 3 h 26 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With NC State’s starting soph PG Markell Johnson (8.7 ppg; 6.6 apg) suspended on assault charges, must “lay it” with dangerous & profitable Clemson (11-1 SU; 7-2 vs. the spread), looking to make a statement in its ACC home opener. The Tigers’ aggressive, mixing defenses (62.5 ppg; 39.5%) will be perplexing for the Wolfpacks’ true frosh backup PG Braxton Beverly as his backcourt mate 6-3 sr. G Al Freeman (15 ppg) will be constantly hounded by CU’s deep stable of Gs. Moreover, the Tigers’ much-improved 6-8 sr. F Donte Grantham (7.3 ppg LY; 14.8 ppg TY; 38% from the arc) can score in a variety of ways, while skillful scorer/distributor 6-3 jr. Shelton Mitchell (13 ppg; 54 assists) does his thing with impunity |
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12-29-17 | Texas-Arlington -4.5 v. Coastal Carolina | 65-90 | Loss | -102 | 8 h 24 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Undoubtedly, Sun Belt contender UT Arlington’s demanding pre-conference road slate has prepared the Movin’ Mavericks well for the conference trail. So, with UTA’s impressive covers at BYU (upset Cougs 89-84!), Alabama, Northern Iowa & Creigton under its belt, won’t hesitate to lay short price vs. Coastal Carolina still learning how to “finish” close games, enduring its last five losses by a combined 16 points. UTA’s NBA prospect 6-9 sr. F Kevin Hervey (23 ppg) even more effective TY thanks to 7-0 sr. C Johnny Hamilton (Virginia Tech grad transfer; 11 ppg, 8 rpg), who should hurt the shorter Chanticleers in the paint are. |
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12-27-17 | San Diego State v. Wyoming +3.5 | 69-82 | Win | 100 | 11 h 43 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Wyoming has hit a couple of speed bumps, but remains a “tough out” in Laramie, where Cowboys had won their first 8 SU this term before running into a hot and very underrated Northern Colorado side on Dec. 19. But lengthy Wyo lineup presents a lot of problems for SDSU side that is once again having problems beyond the arc (down to just 30% triples into Gonzaga game last Thursday) for new HC Brian Dutcher as was the case the past couple of years for Dutcher’s mentor Steve Fisher. Cowboys’ 6-7 jr. wing Justin James (16.6 ppg) really heating up, scoring 20 or more in five of last six games. |
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12-27-17 | Xavier -2.5 v. Marquette | 91-87 | Win | 100 | 11 h 31 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Big East sources tell us 9th-ranked Xavier has made a checklist of all revenge games this year, with the Musketeers a perfect 3-0 SU & vs. the line in those highly-anticipated contests so far TY. So, won’t hesitate to lay a handful with the turbo-charged, potent-shooting X-Men (87.8 ppg,52.2% from the field; 4th) still seething from a rare sweep by Marquette a year ago. Without a dependable post game, offensively-oriented Eagles are overly-dependent on the G-tandem of Andrew Rowsey & Markus Howard for point production. Plus, MU will have major issues slowing the Musketeer’s future NBA high-round draftee 6-6 sr. G Trevon Bluiett (20.4 ppg; 38 triples converted at 44%), while much-improved soph distributor Quentin Goodin (7.6 ppg; 6 apg) breaks down the Eagle halfcourt “D” with regularity. |
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12-22-17 | Southern Illinois v. Nevada -12.5 | 64-86 | Win | 100 | 10 h 57 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With lots of alums in Clark County, Nevada usually gets good support for its near-annual pre-league visits to tourneys in the Las Vegas area (as is this one at the Orleans Arena). And local Wolf Pack grads and other backers have been waiting to get a look at Eric Musselman’s latest edition that has only stumbled narrowly away from Reno vs. ranked Big 12 contenders Texas Tech and TCU. SIU not in that category, and moreover the Salukis are not inclined to slow the pace, which invites disaster vs. go-go Nevada side scoring 83 ppg and hitting nearly 50% from floor (and almost 41% beyond arc). Musselman’s most-recent batch of transfers (the Martin twins from NC State, and ex-Purdue wing Kendall Stephens) all scoring in DDs alongside high-energy F Jordan Caroline (18.3 ppg & 10 rpg). |
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12-22-17 | William & Mary v. TCU -20.5 | 75-86 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 60 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Big 12 sources report unbeaten TCU not likely to lose steam once into conference play. Until then, might as well continue to ride the rampant Frogs and their smothering defense, which should completely wreck a W&M side not built to compete at this level and obliterated by 35 at Ohio State on Dec. 9. Jaime Dixon’s well-coordinated offense can also stretch floor effectively with its 42% accuracy beyond arc, not to mention all five Frog starters scoring in DDs. Note how TCU shares the ball (20 assists pg!), with heady soph PG Jaylen Fisher (6.3 apg) providing much of the top-notch service |
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12-22-17 | UL - Lafayette v. Clemson -11.5 | 60-89 | Win | 100 | 2 h 4 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With offense-minded ULL off six straight emotionally-engaged games vs. teams from the Bayou State, suggest “laying it” with defensively-sticky Clemson (62.9 ppg; 40.5% from the floor) gunning for its seventh consecutive victory before commencing ACC play on Dec. 30th. The tenacious Tigers limited SEC power South Carolina to 2 of 16 from downtown in their resounding 64-46 home victory on Tuesday. And doubt Ragin’ Cajuns can cool off CU’s hot-shooting 6-3 jr. wing Marcquise Reed (16 ppg; 40% from tripleville), who poured in 25 points vs. defense-hounding Gamecocks. |
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12-20-17 | Kansas State -8.5 v. Washington State | 68-65 | Loss | -107 | 11 h 51 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Wazzu’s early success at the Wooden Legacy at Fullerton during Thanksgiving week must seem like a dream to those in the Palouse, as the Cougs lost their three subsequent games, not coming close vs. UC Davis, Idaho, and a UTEP team that saw HC Tim Floyd retire a week or so before. Coug becoming a big 3-point crazy in recent slump, hoisting more than 30 triples pg while hitting barely 30% beyond arc. Ernie Kent’s bunch also having troubles on stop end, and figures to have its problems vs. Bruce Weber’s well-balanced K-State with its four DD scorers. Cats can balance the floor with front line scoring force in 6-10 PF Dean Wade, hitting 56% of his FG attempts. |
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12-18-17 | Texas-Arlington +9.5 v. Creighton | 81-90 | Win | 100 | 28 h 15 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Fast-moving UT Arlington fully should love a frenetic-paced track meet with go-go Creighton (90.6 ppg) exerting less energy on the stop end, allowing 75.6 ppg. Hence, must give ringing endorsement to the road-proven Mavericks, a highly-profitable 29-12 as a visiting underdog since 2013-14, including 3-0 mark TY, with spread covers at BYU, Alabama & Northern Iowa. Anticipate a redemptive performance from UTA’s star 6-9 sr. F Kevin Hervey, who had an uncharacteristic six TOs in his team’s 85-78 home upset loss in early December to Florida Gulf Coast, projected to win the Atlantic Sun Conference TY. Upset possible, even in Omaha |
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12-17-17 | Penn State -11.5 v. George Mason | 72-54 | Win | 100 | 6 h 5 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units A-10 scouts worried that this could get ugly for GMU, whose roster limitations were laid bare last Tuesday by Sun Belt Georgia Southern, which rolled to 23-point win in Fairfax. Match-ups look even worse vs. Penn State, which owns much more size and athleticism than Patriots. Nittany Lions equipped to extend margin with their five DD scorers led by 6-5 soph G Tony Carr (20 ppg), who has emerged as one of Big Ten’s premier weapons, while stifling “D” has helped result in 7-2 “under” mark to date. Nittany Lions also almost guaranteed to be fully focused after overlooking Mason a year ago in shocking 19-point loss (!) at Happy Valley |
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12-17-17 | Vanderbilt v. Arizona State -10.5 | 64-76 | Win | 100 | 4 h 60 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Arizona State is off to its best start since 1974-75 and has climbed to its highest ranking since 1981 following a 95-85 win at then-No. 2 Kansas last Sunday. The Sun Devils have scored at least 90 points in seven of their nine games. Arizona State will be the fourth top-25 opponent this season for Vanderbilt, marking the most ranked foes the Commodores have faced in non-conference play since 1988. Vanderbilt is 0-3 in its previous matchups with ranked teams. |
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12-16-17 | Arizona -15 v. New Mexico | 89-73 | Win | 100 | 27 h 40 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units After a couple of early encouraging efforts vs. lesser opposition, New Mexico has looked very much like the rebuilding situation it was supposed to be this season for new HC Paul Weir. Now the assignments becomes more challenging for the Lobos as top scorer sr. G Sam Logwood (15 ppg) has taken a leave of absence from the team. All bad news vs. an Arizona side finally back at full strength with return of soph G Rawle Alkins, who saw 22 minutes of floor time in return game last Saturday vs. Alabama. Meanwhile, ballyhooed 7-1 frosh Deandre Ayton (21 ppg & 12 rpg) more than living up to the hype. This one looks like a complete mismatch at the Pit |
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12-16-17 | Georgia -3.5 v. Massachusetts | 62-72 | Loss | -110 | 22 h 33 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units UMass still in an adjustment phase under 1st-year HC Matt McCall (former Chattanooga HC). So, must give full support to seasoned UGa (4 starters back), which has already notched a signature road win in 73-66 upset victory at Marquette in early December. Minutemen’s over-eager 6-11, 300-pound C Rashaan Holloway (disqualified twice already) likely to find himself in early foul trouble vs. the Dawgs’ solid forecourt, featuring NBA prospect 6-8 sr. F Yante Maten (18.5 ppg, 9.4 rpg). Meanwhile, UGa’s deep-shooting 6-4 jr. PG William Jackson II (13 ppg; 32 of 70 from distance; 46%) can stretch out the UMass “D’ with his deadly 3-point marksmanship. Unbalanced UMass overly-dependent on 5-11 soph G Lawane Pipkins (19 ppg), who is the sole Minuteman averaging DD-scoring |
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12-16-17 | Notre Dame -6.5 v. Indiana | 77-80 | Loss | -105 | 21 h 6 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Nice to see these two get together again and renew an old rivalry that really bubbled in the early and mid ’70s when Bob Knight and Digger Phelps were at the height of their respective powers. Current Irish HC Mike Brey will recall his Irish blowing a game vs. Hoosiers here in Indy two years ago and should have troops primed to avoid a repeat, as ND’s “smallball” featuring hard-to-cover 6-6 F Bonzie Colson (19.5 ppg) gives IU fits. Hoosiers have other defensive concerns with Irish hitting 51% from floor, and it’s still adjustment time for new IU HC Archie Miller, whose team has already lost five times and continues to look to replace several departed key cogs such as G James Blackmon, C Thomas Bryant, and & OG Aninoby, all DD scorers. Hoosiers only 32% triples, also well down from LY’s 38%. |
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12-16-17 | Northwestern -4.5 v. DePaul | 62-60 | Loss | -110 | 21 h 37 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With NW needing every pre-conference win to bolster its Big Dance portfolio, strongly recommend veteran Wildcats, who’ve regained their grittiness following a sluggish start to the 2017 campaign. DePaul will have trouble coping with NW’s balanced attack (four players avg. in DDs), smartly directed by unflappable sr. floor leader Bryant McIntosh (14 ppg, 5.8 apg). Erratic-shooting Blue Demons have difficulty playing catch-up, canning only 6.2 triples pg at 31.2%. Plus, Chris Collins’ Cats will have plenty of crowd support in Chicago land, with loyal NW fans gladly making the short 14-mile drive from Evanston. |
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12-16-17 | Oklahoma State v. Florida State -6 | 71-70 | Loss | -100 | 20 h 22 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Since quick-reloading, nationally ranked, explosive FSU (87.1 ppg) is a perfect 7-0 vs. the spread TY, must buck depth-shy OSU, now that 1st-year HC Mike Boyton recently dismissed two contributing players, 6-5 jr. wing Davon Dillard & highly-regarded 6-3 frosh G Zack Dawson. Cowboys won’t be afforded many open looks vs. defensively sticky Seminoles, permitting only 37.5% from the field, while collecting more than six bpg (15th). Additionally, FSU’s respected HC Leonard Hamilton thrilled with the dramatic evolvement of late-blooming 6-6 sr. G Brian Angola-Rodas, who has bumped his scoring avg. from 4.6 ppg LY to 12.7 TY |
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12-13-17 | Villanova -8.5 v. Temple | 87-67 | Win | 100 | 23 h 19 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units In Nova’s re-emergence into nation’s elite status, Jay Wright has not forgotten about taking care of business at home...lest any Philly area rivals believe they are making up ground on Cats. Wright has thus made sure that Nova has been at its best vs. local Big Five foes, already walloping Penn by 28 and St. Joe’s by 41 before facing LaSalle on weekend. But Wright has saved some of better recent efforts vs. area foes for Temple, which was ripped by 21 last season and has lost by DD margins the past six vs. Nova, and not closer than 15 points the last six meetings. Emergence of jr. G Phil Booth (16 ppg last four thru Dec. 8) has given Wright a reliable third scoring option beyond jr. Gs Mikal Bridges & Jalen Brunson (combining for better than 36 ppg). |
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12-09-17 | Washington State -1 v. UTEP | 69-76 | Loss | -115 | 11 h 27 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Forward Robert Franks was the lone Cougars player to score in double figures (16 points) against Idaho, and he’s pacing the squad at 19.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Malachi Flynn (16.8 points) is the only player averaging double figures, but he’s totaled 28 points over the last two contests while losing eight turnovers and committing five fouls. Overall, the Cougars are in need of some better starts as they fell behind Idaho 22-6 scarcely five minutes into Wednesday’s game and have trailed by 17 and 19 at the half, respectively, in their last two contests. The Miners dropped six straight after a season-opening win and along the way lost six-year veteran coach Tim Floyd, who abruptly announced his retirement Nov. 27 following a 66-52 defeat to Lamar. |
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12-09-17 | Marshall v. Toledo -5.5 | 93-87 | Loss | -115 | 20 h 45 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Marshall continues to show little interest in getting stops away from home, evidenced by its 114-104 setback at rebuilding Colonial rep William & Mary, its last away game on Nov. 29. Hence, eager to lay several hoops with uptempo UT, which drills 10.1 triples pg @ nearly 39%. Rockets’ hard-to-guard 6-7 wing Tre’Shaun Fletcher (18 ppg; team high 35 assists) has quickly found a home after transferring from Colorado, while improved 6-11 soph C Luke Knapke (12 ppg, 6 rpg; 16 blocks) will continue to be a force in the paint area vs. the Herds’ shorter, nondescript forecourt. Payback works for Rockets, who hit only 16 of 29 foul shots in LY’s aggravating 111-105 OT loss in Huntington. |
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12-09-17 | Western Michigan -5.5 v. Detroit | 87-79 | Win | 100 | 15 h 50 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Detroit, which has only managed to defeat talent-thin Div.II programs thus far, is still in a sieve on the stop end, permitting a whopping 92.1 ppg (349th). So, willing to lay a short price with veteran WMU, making the relatively short 140-mile bus ride to the Motor City. Broncos’ explosive, sharp-shooting 6-3 sr. G Thomas Wilder (19.2 ppg; 48% from deep) should go wild, while springy 6-5 sr. G Josh Davis (9 ppg; team high 49 rebounds) gets plenty of put-back opportunities vs. poor-boarding Titans, ranked a wretched 328th in rebound margin (-6.2 rpg). |
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12-08-17 | TCU v. Nevada +2 | 84-80 | Loss | -105 | 9 h 15 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Nevada’s unbeaten start to the season ended painfully on Tuesday at Lubbock when Wolf Pack blew late lead at Texas Tech and lost in OT. That prevented this one from becoming a battle of the unbeatens, as TCU brings 9-0 SU mark into Staples. And though Frogs have some impressive wins in past two weeks, they now face a foe that won’t at all mind playing at the faster pace that Jamie Dixon prefers. Nevada also has the size on perimeter to deal with TCU wings 6-5 Desmond Bane & 6-7 Kenrich Williams, both scoring at 14 ppg. Match-up problem for Frogs will be Pack’s high-energy 6-7 post threat Jordan Caroline (17 ppg), who should be hellbent to atone for season-low 6-point output in bitter midweek loss vs. Red Raiders. |
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12-08-17 | Colorado State v. Oregon -15 | 65-95 | Win | 100 | 12 h 57 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units U of O in a very chippy mood after its long-standing 46-home win streak was snapped in 73-70 setback to surging Boise State last Friday. So, with 6 days to stew over that painful loss, look for determined Ducks to quickly get back on track vs. defensively-soft CSU, allowing 76.4 ppg (257th). Aggressive U of O defense should help fuel transition game vs. mistake-prone Rams, ranked a lowly 303rd in TO margin. Foresee a huge performance from Ducks’ skillful sr. G Elijah Brown (New Mexico transfer; 13 ppg), who hit only 6 of 15 from the field vs. Broncos. Rams likely fall to 0-3 as a visiting underdog after this anticipated double digit loss. |
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12-08-17 | St. John's v. Arizona State -5.5 | 70-82 | Win | 100 | 10 h 48 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units This is Chris Mullin’s best team at St. John’s, but the Red Storm is still far from a finished product. Its offensive sets are often breaking down into Gs Shamorie Ponds (20.2 ppg, but only 23% triples) and Marcus LoVett (15 ppg) going rogue, with the latter’s status ? due to twisted ankle that has kept him out of last two games. More shine to the undefeated ASU ornament at moment, as go-go Sun Devils (also six straight covers) scoring at 93 ppg clip while shooting better than 53% from floor. Bobby Hurley now has some real front line scoring threats in 6-8 RS frosh OF Romello White (16 ppg & 69% from floor) & 6’10 juco De’Quon Lake (11 ppg and 79% Fgs!) to complement holdover hotshot Gs Tra Holder (22 ppg) & Shannon Evans (19 ppg). 1 |
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11-30-17 | Notre Dame +6 v. Michigan State | 63-81 | Loss | -105 | 22 h 29 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Maybe Mike Brey brings Coley O’Brien and Rocky Bleier along for moral support in East Lansing. But Brey’s “small-ball” working just fine in the early going, as LSU found out in Maui when the Fighting Irish burned the nets at 52% and drubbed the Tigers by 39. ND’s mobile 6-6 sr. PF Bonzie Colson (20.3 ppg in early going) could prove awkward for MSU bigs, especially touted 6-11 frosh Jaren Jackson, jr., who is having a devil of a time staying out of foul trouble (4 or 5 whistles in first three games) in November. Tom Izzo justifiably worried about protecting the glass (Duke 25 offensive caroms in recent Blue Devil win at Chicago) and with sloppiness (Spartans 17 TOs pg first three), not to mention recent twisted ankle suffered by star 6-7 soph wing Miles Bridges. |
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11-28-17 | Illinois +3 v. Wake Forest | 73-80 | Loss | -110 | 25 h 38 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Slow start at Wake, as the early departure to NBA of do-everything 6-10 John Collins has changed the Deacon dynamics. Yet to pick up the baton has been expected new go-to guy G Bryant Crawford, who’s taking the most shots of his career while shooting the lowest field goal percentage (34.9) in his three years. Danny Manning’s troops dropped 4 of their first 5, with two losses coming against a pair of teams (Liberty & Drake) ranked outside the top 150 on KenPom.com, (Liberty, Drake). Manning must stop this slide soon as Wake was playing its way out of the NCAA tournament pool before Thanksgiving. Meanwhile, new HC Brad Underwood already working some of his magic with the Fighting Illini, 4-0 out of the chute with handy wins over capable DePaul & Marshall, while tallying 88 ppg with five DD scorers led by emerging 6-7 jr. F Leron Black (15.5 ppg). |
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11-28-17 | Baylor v. Xavier -4.5 | 63-76 | Win | 100 | 22 h 14 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Big East challenger, high-powered & deadly gunning Xavier (94.5 ppg; 56.8% FGs) has been pining for rematch ever since stinging 76-61 setback in Waco last year, when defensively-stingy Musketeers (63.5 ppg) uncharacteristically suffered a nearly nine-minute drought without a FG. Therefore, have no qualms at all laying short price vs. BU bunch on the road for the first time facing loaded, veteran X-Men, spearheaded by future NBA draftee 6-6 sr. G Trevon Bluiett (25 ppg & 55% from arc; 6.8 rpg). Watch for a crowd pleasing, redemptive performance from Bluieitt’s complementary back court mate 6-5 sr. J.P. Macura, who hit a career-worst 2 of 16 from the field vs. the Bears. Payback is sweet at the Cintas Center. |
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11-26-17 | Texas A&M v. USC -2 | 75-59 | Loss | -115 | 11 h 26 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units In a match-up we might see again in March, A&M seeking revenge for late blown lead last November at College Station. And while Ags have done absolutely nothing wrong while surging into the national rankings after their 4-0 break from the gate, match-ups are a bit tricky vs. SC, which has the size and mobility along the front line with NBA bound 6-10 Bennie Boatwright & 6-11 Chimezie Metu to cause uncommon angst for A&M 6-10 bigs Robert Williams & Tyler Davis, who usually aren’t looking at their opponents at eye level. Trojans in midst of making a fortress out of home Galen Center and have already shown they can come out of the crucible with a W, as recent rally from 10 down to win in OT at Vandy suggests. |
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11-26-17 | Cal-Irvine v. UCLA -14.5 | 63-87 | Win | 100 | 7 h 30 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units If semi-rebuilding UC Irvine was unable to slow down Arizona State in 99-78 setback in Tempe last Sunday, doubt the Anteaters will impede a loaded, fast-paced UCLA quintet, buoyed by come-from-behind 72-70 upset win over Big Ten juggernaut Wisconsin in Kansas City on Tuesday. Bruins, who had five DD-scorers vs. Badgers, showing more toughness on the stop end, allowing a meager 5 of 22 from the arc vs Wisconsin. UCI will have no holiday defending UCLA’s dynamic 6-1 jr. G Aaron Holiday (17 ppg, nearly 6 apg),while highly-touted 6-3 G Jaylen Hands (12 ppg; 54% from 3-point line) displaying a deadly shooting eye. |
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11-25-17 | Georgetown -3 v. Richmond | 82-76 | Win | 100 | 6 h 16 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With Georgetown players quickly adapting to well-liked 1st-year HC Patrick Ewing (former Hoya A-A served as a 14-year NBA assistant), strongly recommend athletic, quick-jelling Hoyas, who should dominate glass vs. weak-boarding UR (-10.5 rpg; 330th). G’Town’s formidable 6-10, 270-pound jr. C Jessie Govan (21 ppg, 14.3 rpg) is clearly the premier “big” in this tilt. And good-shooting Hoyas (51% FGs, featuring marksman 6-7 jr. F Marcus Derrickson (14.3 ppg; 45% from arc), finds plenty of open looks vs. Spiders’ slow-rotating zone defense, permitting 51% from the field (ranked 333rd). |
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11-24-17 | East Carolina v. Rutgers -11.5 | 47-61 | Win | 100 | 20 h 56 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Undefeated RU really digging in on the stop end, allowing a nation-low 47.2 points per game (32.3% FGs;4th)!. And with the Scarlet Knights’ star 6-2 jr. G Corey Sanders (13 ppg) positively responding to HC Steve Pikiell’s criticism of his poor practice habits, eager to lay single digits vs. erratic-shooting ECU, nailing a rim-clanging 28.8% (285th) from downtown. Be sure, Pikiell will demand a razor-sharp effort vs. Pirates with high profile clash at home vs. Florida State next up on Tuesday. Plus, opportunistic RU taking good care of ball, ranking a lofty 22nd in TO margin (+6.6 pg). Pirates No. 1 weapon G B.J. Tyson (17 ppg) is constantly hounded by deeeep Knight backcourt |
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11-23-17 | Rhode Island v. Seton Hall -3.5 | 75-74 | Loss | -115 | 24 h 28 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units With RI’s terrific but injury-prone 6-5 sr. G E.C. Matthews sidelined with a wrist injury, don’t mind laying a handful of points with veteran Seton Hall, which is the only Div. 1 team with three 1,000-pt. scorers—6-4 sr. G Khadeem Carrington, 6-6 sr. F Desi Rodriquez & 6-10 sr. C Angel Delgado, who’ll be a major headache for the Rams’ rebuilding front line that graduated the highly-effective duo of 6-7 F Hassan Martin & 6-9 F Kuran Iverson. Plus, Pirates’ slimmed-down 6-2 soph G Myles Powell now more adept at driving the lane after settling too often for the 3-pointer a year ago. |
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11-20-17 | Penn State -9.5 v. Pittsburgh | 85-54 | Win | 100 | 26 h 2 m | Show | |
Rating: 2 Units Big Ten sources keeping an eye on potentially-upgraded Penn State side with almost everyone back from last season and off to quick 3-0 break from gate in new term. Solid outside-inside combo of potent 6-5 G Tony Carr (20 ppg) & 6-7 F Lamar Stevens (15 ppg) intact from last season. That’s much more than can be said for Pitt, already with losses to Navy and Montana, as Kevin Stallings tries to pick up the pieces from a massively disappointing debut season and with a nation-tying 11 newcomers as a result of 4 seniors graduating & 5 players transferring out. |