Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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01-21-22 | Heat v. Hawks -1 | Top | 108-110 | Win | 100 | 11 h 34 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Atl Hawks at 7:40 ET. The Atlanta Hawks ended a 10-game homecourt losing streak Monday with a second-half surge against the Milwaukee Bucks, and then did it again Wednesday, when an impressive second half carried them to a 134-122 win over Minnesota. However, the Hawks are just 19-25, leaving them THREE games back of the East's No. 10 seed (last team into the 'play-in' round). Visiting Atlanta tonight will be the 29-16 Miami Heat, who are in a virtual tie with the 28-15 Bulls for the East's No. 1 seed. At the moment, just 2-1/2 games separate the No. 1 seed and the No. 6 seed in the East. Miami beat the Portland Trail Blazers 104-92 on Wednesday for their second straight win and SIXTH in the last seven games. The Heat played without Tyler Herro (20.7-4.9-4.0), who entered the health and safety protocol, and Kyle Lowry (13.4 & 8.3 APG), who missed the last two games for personal reasons. Herro will miss the Atlanta game and Lowry's status is uncertain. There is good news though and that the Heat have Bam Adebayo (18.6 & 10.2) back in the lineup. He has played two games since thumb surgery had sidelined him since Nov 29, averaging 17.0 & 10.0. Adebayo had 20 points and 11 rebounds against Portland and helped offset the loss of Jimmy Butler, who was ejected after playing only 15 minutes. Swingman Butler (21.7-5.8-5.8) is Miami best player plus guards Strus (11.6) and Robinson (11.4) plus PF Tucker (8.2 & 5.6) are steady and consiotent contributors. Atlanta understands being shorthanded, as the Hawks have been without starting center Clint Capela (11.8 & 13.1) for the last six games (ankle) but have seen former No. 1 draft choice Onyeka Okongwu make big strides since he's been healthy. Okongwu didn't play until Dec 17 because of offseason shoulder surgery, but after some early tenuous performances he has become increasingly productive. He's up to 9.8 & 6.3 on the season, after averaging 13.7 PPG and 6.7 RPG in his last three games. PG Young (27.9 & 9.5 APG) is now a bonafide All Star plus PF Collins (17.2 & 8.0) just continues to put up All Star-like numbers. SG Bogdanovich (12.0 & 3.8) is out but Hunter (12.8) and Huerter (11.3) are both back in the lineup and playing well. Let's NOT forget that this Atlanta team made it all the way to the Eastern Conerence finals last season, where the Bucks ended the team's championship hopes. The Hawks have been one of the league's biggest undercahievers so far but may be starting to see a 'light at the end of the tunnel.' The Hawks make it THREE straight home wins tonight! Good luck...Larry |
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01-20-22 | USC -1.5 v. Colorado | Top | 61-58 | Win | 100 | 13 h 35 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Pac 12) is on USC at 7:30 ET. USC was 25-8 last season (made the Elite 8) but head coach Andy Enfield (who will ever forget Florida Gulf Coast!) has retooled the Trojans, after losing Evan Mobley to the NBA draft (3rd overall pick). USC opened the current season 13-0 and in the Jan 10 AP poll, was ranked No. 5. It was the school's highest ranking since also being No. 5 way back in December of 1974! However, the Trojans lost 75-69 at Stanford on Jan 11, beat Oregon St (3-13) 81-71 at home and then lost 79-69 at home against suddenly surging Oregon last Saturday. USC (14-2 / 4-2) will try to get its season back on track Thursday night in Boulder against a Colorado Buffaloes team that is quietly gone 12-4 (4-2 in the Pac 12). Tad Boyle took over at Boulder in the 2009-10 season and has led the Buffaloes to 20-plus wins EIGHT times and into the NCAA Tournament FIVE times (would have been six but the 2020 tourney was shut down because of COVID. As noted above, Enfield has retooled the Trojans this season, with GREAT success. Mobley's 6-10 older brother Isaiah leads in scoring (15.3) and rebounding (9.2) and is joined by the 6-9 Goodwin (13.0 & 7.1) and the 6-9 Agbonkpolo (7.8 & 3.5) in the frontcourt. Ellis (12.6), and Peterson (11.1 & 5.8) make for an excellent backcourt duo, plus guard Anderson (5.8) and the 6-11 Morgan (4.3 & 3.2) contribute off the bench. The Buffs have a strong starting-five, led by a huge frontline. The 6-9 Walker (13.1 & 8.5), the 6-8 Battey (12.3 & 4.5) and the 6-10 da Silva (8.8 & 3.6). The starting guards are Barthelemy (11.1) and Parquet (7.1). Guards Simpson (6.9) and Clifford (6.2 & 5.1) add depth. Boyle's success at Colorado includes an unlikely domination of USC. The Buffs have beaten the Trojans SEVEN straight times! That said, the Buffaloes have lost ALL of their first three opportunities to beat a ranked opponent and had a fourth, against Kansas on Dec 21, canceled. This game could define which direction USC's season will go. In its 13-0 start, just THREE teams topped 70 points (a high of 73) but in losing TWO of three, the Trojans have allowed 75.0 PPG. I view this contest as almost a "must-win" situation for USC. Seven straight loses to Colorado surely brings USC's 'motivation factor' on a 1-10 scale to 10! Colorado has lost 73-61 to then-No. 5 UCLA, 69-54 to then-No. 13 Tennessee and 76-55 to then No. 6 Arizona. Why will the Buffs win here vs No. 16 USC? My bet says they WON'T! Good luck...Larry |
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01-20-22 | St. Louis v. Massachusetts +3.5 | Top | 85-91 | Win | 100 | 11 h 38 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is a on UMass at 7:00 ET. Full, detailed analysis thursday morning by 10:00 ET. |
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01-20-22 | Purdue v. Indiana +3.5 | Top | 65-68 | Win | 100 | 10 h 37 m | Show |
My 9* Rivalry Rout is on Indiana at 7:00 ET. No. 4 Purdue is the highest-ranked Big Ten team but at 4-2 in league play, there are FIVE schools with better conference records than the Boilermakers' mark. Purdue heads to Bloomington tonight to take on bitter rival Indiana, which is 13-4 overall, including 4-3 in Big Ten play.
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01-19-22 | Iowa v. Rutgers +3.5 | Top | 46-48 | Win | 100 | 14 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Rutgers at 8:30 ET. Fran McCaffrey is in his 12th season at Iowa City and he's delivered seven, 20-win seasons in his first 11. Gone are consensus National Player-of-the-Year Garza (24.1 & 8.7) and Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.6) but the Hawkeyes opened 7-0, before dropping back-to-back Big Ten games to Purdue and Illinois, plus losing a third straight at Iowa St. However, the Hawkeyes have won SIX of their last seven (lone loss to now-No.8 Wisconsin). Iowa is 13-4 (3-3 in the Big Ten) and was the first team in the "others receiving votes" column of the latest AP top-25 poll. The Hawkeyes travel to Rutgers Wednesday night for a Big Ten game with the Scarlet Knights. Steve Pikiell came to Rutgers (from Stony Brook) for the 2016-17 season and his 2019-20 team won 20 games (NCAA tourney was canceled) and then got the Scarlet Knights into the "Big Dance" last season, winning a game before losing in the round of 32. The current season has been a disappointment, with Rutgers checking in at 10-6 (4-2 Big Ten). Iowa survived last Sunday at Minnesota, winning 81-71. However, after taking a 16-point lead at halftime, the Golden Gophers charged back and cut the deficit to 74-71 with 90 seconds left. Iowa survived, as Keegan Murray, the nation's leading scorer at 23.9 PPG, drained a three-pointer with 59 seconds left to help Iowa rattle off the game's final seven points. The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the team in scoring (23.9) and rebounding (8.1) while his brother Kris chips in 10.3 & 4.8. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey (10.8 & 3.8) and returning guard Bohannon adds 10.9 PPG. Guard Perkins (7.6), the 6-9 Rebraca (6.1 & 6.1), guard Toussaint (5.4 & 3.9 APG) and 6-7 freshman Sandfort (5,2) round out a deep group. Iowa is averaging 86.2 PPG, fifth-best in the nation. Rutgers has a starting lineup consisting of four guards and the 6-11 Omoruyi (11.3 & 7.7). PG Baker (11.2 & 4.3 APG) entered the season with 101 starts on his resume and 6-6 guard Harper (16.6 & 6.8) can be a 'nightmare' matchup issue for many teams. Mulcahy (7.3 & 4.1) and Mcconnell (6.9 & 5.1) are the final two starters, while the 6-6 Hyatt (5.9 & 3.3) is the 6th-man. Rutgers is a slow-paced team, averaging 69.0 PPG (17 points less than Iowa) but also allows just 65.1 PPG. Rutgers earned its badly-needed first road win of the season Saturday at Maryland. The Terrapins jumped out to a 38-27 halftime lead but the Scarlet Knights cut their turnovers and clamped down on defense for a major swing in the second half, leading to a 70-59 win. The key here is that Pikiell has made "The RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center) a brutal venue for visiting teams. Rutgers is 9-1 at home this season (beat Michigan and Purdue already) and enters 37-7 (.841) at home the last two-plus seasons. The Scarlet Knights 'rac up' another home win here! Good luck...Larry |
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01-19-22 | Wolves +2.5 v. Hawks | Top | 122-134 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 45 m | Show |
My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Min T-wolves at 7:40 ET. The Atlanta Hawks broke a five-game losing streak Monday with their 121-114 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks. However, that's only HALF of the story. The victory also broke Atlanta's 10-game home losing streak. The Hawks will try to build on the momentum gained from breaking those streaks when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. However, the Timberwolves have won two straight after a 112-110 road victory over the New York Knicks on Tuesday and they have won SIX of their last eight to creep to within one game of avoiding the play-in round of the playoffs. Atlanta has been hurt by the absence of center Clint Capela (11.3 & 13.1), who has missed five games with a sprained ankle. Without Capela, the Hawks have relied on Gorgui Dieng and Onyeka Okongwu, the team's 2020 first-round draft choice. The extra playing time seems to have benefited Okongwu (9.2 & 6.2), who didn't play until Dec 17 because of offseason shoulder surgery. Young's (27.7 & 9.4 APG) backcourt mate Bogdanovich (12.0) is out but the Hawks have Huerter (11.3) and Gallinari (10.3 & 4.2) to fill in. PF Collins (17.2 & 7.9) continues to play at an All Star level plus Hunter (12.1) finally returned on Jan 12 (had been out since Nov 12) and has averaged 15.8 PPG in his first four games back. |
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01-19-22 | Nets v. Wizards -1 | Top | 119-118 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 16 m | Show |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on the Was Wizards at 7:10 ET. If it's not ONE thing, it's ANOTHER!" The Brooklyn Nets had anticipated that a stretch of road games would give them significant minutes with their star trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving on the floor. So, what happens? Durant sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee on Saturday and will be sidelined for at least a month. The first game of "Life without Kevin Durant" didn't go so well for the Nets."For me personally, it was a big hit," Kyrie Irving said after Brooklyn's 114-107 setback to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. "You feel it energetically, the presence in the locker room. Everyone is going to feel it, but for me personally, it's like we just got back into the swing of things and here we are again. One of our guys is out for a long period of time. We've just got to face the reality, man, and move forward." The 27-16 Nets hope to get back on track Wednesday when they continue a four-game road trip against the 23-21 Washington Wizards. Washington snuck into the playoffs last season at 34-38 but lost in the 1st Round. The Wizards have been searching for an identity for some time now and MAY have found one this season. Washington welcomes the Nets to D,C, having won FOUR of five and at 23-21, That gives them the No. 8 seed but the Wizards are back healthy and I expect them to make a run at the No. 6 seed in the second half. With K.D. (29.3-7.4-5.8) sidelined, the Nets will likely lean on Harden (22.7-8.0-10.0) even more than usual plus Irving (20.0-5.5-35.0 in four games) will play in the road games. Patty Mills (13.4), SF Kessler Edwards (8.3 & 4.1) and the 6-9 Day'Ron Sharpe (6.1 & 4.3) all started in Monday's loss. Some good news was that PF/C Aldridge (13.3 & 5.6) made significant contributions for the first time in awhile, playing 22-1/2 minutes while scoring 13 points (added five rebounds). Beal (23.7-4.7-6.4) and Dinwiddie (13.7-4.5-5.8) make for a strong backcourt. Then there is the trio I like to call "Lakers-East," who have been MAJOR additions. SF Kuzma (15.7 & 8.9), PF Harrell (14.6 & 7.3), and swingman Caldwell-Pope (11.6) have really found a home on the East Coast. Undersized center, the 6-9 Gafford, is averaging 9.3 & 6.4. Here's the bottom line. While the Nets continue to battle with player issues, the Wizards are getting healthier. They were already playing well before leading scorer Bradley Beal returned in the last game. Then there is center Thomas Bryant, who scored 15 points off the bench on Monday, marking his highest total since he finished with 21 in Washington's 123-122 win over Brooklyn on Jan 3, 2021. More good news? Head coach Wes Unseld Jr. was out on COVID protocol. These teams are moving in opposite directions right now both on and off the court and I expect those trends to continue tonight, with Washington winning "with room to spare!" Good luck...Larry |
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01-18-22 | Clemson +3.5 v. Syracuse | Top | 78-91 | Loss | -100 | 9 h 29 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Clemson at 9:00 ET. Clemson is 10-7 (2-4 ACC) as it travels to play at 8-9 Syracuse (2-4 ACC) as both teams are slipping dangerously close to the bottom of the 15-team Atlantic Coast Conference standings (Pitt is 2-5, Va Tech 1-4 and Ga Tech 1-5). Clemson has lost THREE of four and Syracuse FOUR of five, dipping below .500 on the season. Brad Brownell arrived in Clemson for the 2010-11 season and after 11 years, he's led the Tigers to just four, 20-win seasons and three NCAA berths. This is his 12th season at the helm. Clemson has four players in double digits, led by the 6-10 Hall (14.5 & 5.8) and the 6-8 Tyson (11.2 & 6.1) in the frontcourt. Guards Amir-Daws (11.5), Collins (11.2 & 7.1) and Hemenway (5.3) have been starting in the backcourt lately. However, guard Honor (8.8) has started some plus the 6-8 Bohannon (4.8 & 4.1) adds support up front. The Tigers are a strong defensive team, allowing 66.5 PPG. Jim Boeheim is in his 46th season as a head coach and is coming off another Sweet 16 run in last year's "Big Dance" (The Orange finished 18-10). Boeheim's team this season goes just five-deep. His son Buddy leads the team in scoring at 18.9 PPG (adds 3.6 RPG and 3.6 APG), teamed with backcourt partner Girard (13.4 & 4.4 APG). Two key transfers have made immediate impacts. Swider, a 6-9 transfer from Villanova, is averaging 12.0 & 6.5 plus Boeheim's oldest son Jimmy (a 6-8 graduate transfer from Cornell), is adding 14.3 & 6.2 (he's now the second-leading scorer on the team, behind only his brother) The 6-11 Edwards returned up front and chips in 13.0 & 7.1. Depth has been an issue all season, plus Boeheinm's famed "2-3 zone" has allowed 75.6 PPG (320th), NINE points more than Clemson allows. I don't ever remember saying this when playing against Syracuse but look for Clemson's superior defensive play to be a difference-maker in this one against Syracuse. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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01-18-22 | Kansas v. Oklahoma +4 | Top | 67-64 | Win | 100 | 9 h 40 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on Oklahoma at 7:00 ET. Bill Self's Jayhawks finished 21-9 last season, including a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That was not what was expected of a team ranked No. 6 in the AP's preseason poll. Kansas began the current season ranked No. 3 and opened with an 87-74 win in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on the opening night of college basketball (nov 9) over Michigan St. The Jayhawks visit Norman tonight at 14-2 (3-1 Big 12) and ranked No. 7 in the latest AP poll. Porter Moser (of Loyola-Chicago fame) is in his first season at Norman and his Sooners are 12-5 (2-3 Big 12. The Jayhawks come in having won 10 of 11. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is off back-to-back losses for the first time this season, shooting just 17.1 percent from three-point range over the last two games. Kansas' 6-10 David McCormack was not happy coming off the bench to start Big 12 play. McCormack said his three-game stint with the reserve unit has given him motivation. "You always want to hear your name in the starting lineup," McCormack said. "At the same time, it is about production, whether you come off the bench or start. I guess you could say, (as Coach Bill Self) likes to say, (it) ‘lit a fire within me.' It just made me play a little bit harder, be a little bit more tenacious." McCormack returned to the starting lineup in Saturday's 85-59 win at West Virginia, with 19 points and a career-high-tying 15 rebounds. That said, he's averaging a modest 8.8 & 6.5 on the season. Kansas is led by a pair of big guards in the 6-5 Agbaji (20.6 & 4,8) and the 6-6 Braun (15.6 & 6.2). Guard Remy Martin (19.1 PPG last season), an Arizona State transfer, was named the preseason player of the year in the Big 12 but has been a HUGE disappointment, averaging 9.8 PPG (he has missed the last two games with a bone bruise in his right knee). Harris (5.0 & 3.9 APG) is the PG without Martin in the lineup and the 6-8 Wilson (7.8 & 6.2) rounds out the starting lineup. The 6-8 Lightfoot (5.2 & 3.1) and guard Coleman-Lands (5.2) get time off the bench. Kansas is a VERY efficient offensive team, averaging 81.9 PPG (13th) on 50.2% shooting (5th). Oklahoma pretty much relies on its starting-five (all get 25-plus minutes), as the 6-6 Hill (9.8 & 6.2) joins the team's leading scorer, the 6-9 Groves (13.1 & 6.0) up front The Sooners feature a trio of solid guards in Gibson (12.5), Harkless (10.2 & 4.9) and Goldwire (9.4 & 3.6 APG). Oklahoma's leading bench scorer is the 6-9 Chargois (SMU transfer), who is averaging 4.6 PPG but he missed Saturday's game due to an ankle injury and the timeline for his return is unclear. Oklahoma shoots the ball well (49.9% ranks 9th) but averages 72.4 PPG (nine less than Kansas). However, Moser really has his team 'working' on the defensive end, as the Sooners are allowing 62.1 PPG (29th). Yes, the Jayhawks have won 10 of the last 13 meetings with the Sooners, but Oklahoma has won THREE of the last four in Norman. The Sooners had responded with a win following each of their first three losses this season but couldn't continue that trend when they lost 59-58 in OT last Saturday at TCU. I'm 'barking' with this very 'live' home dog. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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01-17-22 | Wyoming v. Nevada -2 | Top | 77-67 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 33 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Game of the Month (MWC) is on Nevada at 8:00 ET. The 12-2 Wyoming Cowboys (1-0 MWC) and the 8-6 Nevada Wolf Pack (2-1 MWC) meet in MWC action from the Lawlor Events Center on Monday. Jeff Linder came from No. Colorado where he won 26 (CIT champion), 21 and 22 games in his final three years, earning him the Wyoming gig. His first team went 14-11 but this year's team is an impressive 12-2. This is Steve Alford's third season at Nevada, having gone 19-12 and 15-9 in his first two seasons. However, with all five starters returning, a strong season was anticipated. That has NOT been the case. Wyoming had its first four games of January postponed but finally got back on the court Jan 15, winning 71-69 at Utah St. The 6-9 Ike (19.7 & 8.4) and PG Maldanado (17.6-5.7-5.9) make for quite a duo. They are joined in the starting lineup by guards DuSell (10.8) and Jeffries (10.3 & 4.9) plus the 6-9 Oden (9.1 & 4.9). Defense is a team strength (63.5 PPG allowed ranks 57th) but depth is an issue. Nevada PG Sherfield (19.5-4.5-6.4) leads a starting lineup that features three guards, the 7-0 Washington (11.4 & 7.0) and the 6-7 Coleman (3.6 & 3.4). Sherfield's backcourt partners are Cambridge (16.4 & 4.6) and Blacksher (6.7 & 4.3). The 7-0 Baker comes off the bench to add 11.4 & 5.4. Wyoming beat Nevada BOTH times last season but I see that as a plus in motivation for the Wolf Pack, who really need a "W" in this one. Nevada is 3-2 SU in its last five games but 0-5 ATS. That all changes here. Wyoming went from Christmas until this past Saturday, without playing a game and now plays its second road game in three days. The "Time" and "Price" is just right for Nevada. Good luck...Larry |
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01-17-22 | Bucks v. Hawks +5.5 | Top | 114-121 | Win | 100 | 8 h 17 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Atl Hawks at 6:05 ET. Tonight's Milwaukee/Atlanta game will feature Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo (28.5 PPG ranks 3rd) and Atlanta's Trae Young (27.6 PPG ranks 4th) but also a Milwaukee team that's lost FIVE of its last seven while the Hawks have lost FIVE in a row. Antetokounmpo, a two-time league MVP, scored 30 points Saturday in a 103-96 loss to the Toronto Raptors. He has scored 30-plus points in SEVEN of his last eight games, and in the 16 games since the beginning of December, he has averaged 30.4 points and 10.7 rebounds. SF Middleton (19.1-5.5-5.3) is again having an excellent season but Milwaukee was without Jrue Holiday (18.4-4.6-6.7) for the fifth straight game because of a sore left ankle. Holiday practiced on Friday, but did not play on Saturday, and could return on Monday. However, Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer said he wasn't ready to rush Holiday back into the lineup. The good news is that both Allen (12.1) and Connaughton (10.5 & 4.6) are back from the COVID list. Center Brook Lopez has played just ONE game this season, but the 6-10 Bobby Portis (15.4 & 9.2) has really done an excellent job filling in (has played in 36 of 45 games). Atlanta has been hurt by the absence of center Clint Capela (11.3 & 13.1), who has missed four games with a sprained ankle. Without Capela, the Hawks have relied on Gorgui Dieng and Onyeka Okongwu, the team's 2020 first-round draft choice. The extra playing time seems to have benefited Okongwu (8.9 & 6.1), who didn't play until Dec 17 because of offseason shoulder surgery. Young's (27.6 & 9.3 APG) backcourt mate Bogdanovich (12.0) is out but the Hawks have Huerter (11.2) and Gallinari (10.2 & 4.2) to fill in. PF Collins (17.3 & 7.8) continues to play at an All Star level plus Hunter (11.6) finally returned on Jan 12 (had been out since Nov 12) and has averaged 14.3 PPG in his first three games back. Milwaukee is of course, the defending champs but at 27-18, curently own just the East's No. 4 seed (two games back of the No. 1 seed). As for the Hawks, their terrific playoff run last postseason seems like 'ages' ago, as they are just 17-25 and have currently lost 10 straight home games (hard to believe!). That said, my bet says 10 is ENOUGH. The Bucks are not as good as they were last year (team is averaging 111.6 PPG, down from a league-high 120.1 last season) and I'm "all over" the home dog in this one. Bow Wow! Good luck...Larry |
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01-17-22 | Utah v. Arizona State -1.5 | Top | 62-64 | Win | 100 | 6 h 20 m | Show |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Arizona St at 4:00 ET. Craig Smith is in his first season as Utah's head coach (had a great three-year run at Utah St in going 74-24) and led the Utes to wins over Abilene Christian, Sacramento State, Bethune-Cookman, Boston College and Tulsa with an average margin of victory of 19.8 points to begin the season. However, a 75-64 loss at BYU on Nov 27 set in motion a 3-9 slide that includes a 1-6 start in the Pac 12. The 8-9 Utes have lost FIVE consecutive games with their last win coming back on Dec 21 at home against Fresno State. ASU head coach Bob Hurley is in his eighth season in Tempe, and it looks as if this year's team is no better than the one that went 11-14 last season. ASU opened 2-6, then won THREE in a row but the 5-9 Sun Devils (1-3 ac 12) have a three-game losing streak since winning at Creighton back on Dec 14 (COVID cancellations and postponements haven't helped). Utah saw its best player Timmy Allen (17.2 & 6.4) transfer to Texas but key returning players from last year's team are the 7-0 Carlson and the 6-9 Battin. Guards Worster and Anthony (6.4 & 8.6) followed Smith from Utah St plus guard Jenkins came via UNLV and Gach, who started at Utah but moved on to Minnesota, returned this year to play for Smith. Checking on the above-listed players finds that Carlson (13.5 & 6.4) has played well but Battin (5.8 & 4.5) has underachieved. Guards Gach (11.0), Jenkins (10.5), Anthony (8.9 & 7.3) and Worster (7.4-4.2-3.1 have all contributed plus freshman guard Stefanovic has added 7.1 PPG. Arizona State's scoring issues have suffered because returning guard Bagley (10.8 PPG) was lost to a knee injury after just THREE games (was averaging 10.4). That leaves two double digit scorers in guard Horne (13.4) and 6-6 SF Lawrence (10.4 & 7.5). Hurley was really counting on Toledo grad transfer Jackson, who was the MAC player-of-the-year last season, averaging 18.1-6.2-5.9. However, his scoring has been cut by more than half (7.3 PPG), while adding 4.1 RPG and 3.7 APG. The other two starters are guard Muhammad (6.5) and the 6-9 Graham (5.8 & 3.2). Guard Heath (9.9 & 3.8) and the 6-9 Gaffney (4.6 & 4.5) both get time off the bench. Either Utah or Arizona State will break back into the win column Monday afternoon but even though Utah looks like the better team on paper, it's hard to ignore that the Utes have lost four conference games on the road against USC, Oregon State, Oregon and Arizona by an average of 15.8 points! It sure doesn't help that Utah is without center Brendan Carlson, who is out for two to three weeks with an abdominal injury. I'm sticking with the home team here, expecting Utah to lose again by 10-plus points on the Pac 12 road! Good luck...Larry |
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01-17-22 | Nets v. Cavs -3 | Top | 107-114 | Win | 100 | 5 h 24 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Cle Cavs at 3:10 ET. "If it's not ONE thing, it's ANOTHER!" The Brooklyn Nets had anticipated that a stretch of road games would give them significant minutes with their star trio of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving on the floor. So, what happens? Durant sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee on Saturday and will be sidelined for at least a month. The 27-15 Nets have closed within a half-game of the East's No. 1 (Bulls) but now open a four-game trip Monday afternoon without K.D. when they visit the Cleveland Cavaliers. "Guys got to step up. It's simple," Harden said. "Obviously you know how great of a player KD is and what he brings to the table each and every night consistently. So, guys got to step up and fill that role and just continue to compete." No problem, right James? The Nets have played just two games with the trio since the unvaccinated Irving is ineligible to play home games due to New York City's vaccine mandate. In the first game with the trio, Brooklyn rallied from 19 down to beat Indiana on Jan 5 and in the second game, the Nets routed the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday. The Cavs welcome the Nets to town at 26-18. That's good enough for the East's No. 6 seed and with NO team sprinting out to a great start, the Cavs find themselves just 2.5 games back of the Bulls. That's some accomplishment, as the Cavs entered this season having gone 60-159 (.274) the last three seasons, after LBJ 'flew the coop' for the second time, this time to Hollywood, instead of South Beach. The Cavs have EASILY been one of the NBA's biggest surprise this season, even though they lost Sexton (16.0 PPG) for the season to a knee injury early on and then vet PG Rubio (13.1-4.1-6.6) went down with a knee injury as well after 34 games (he's also done for the year). Monday begins a stretch in which the Nets play 12 of their next 17 on the road, but with Durant (29.3-7.4-5.8) likely sidelined for most, if not all, of the games. The Nets will likely lean on Harden (22.7-8.0-10.0) even more than usual. Harden totaled 27 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds Saturday and is averaging 27.2 points in 11 games since returning from COVID-19 protocol on Christmas. Irving (17.7-5.0-3.7 in three games) will play in the road games (we think?), while the Nets will also rely on Patty Mills (13.4), as well as rookies like guard Cam Thomas (7.7), the 6-9 Day'Ron Sharpe (5.9 & 2.2) and SF Kessler Edwards (8.0 & 4.2). The Cavs are starting a HUGE frontline with 6-10 center Allen (16.6 & 11.0) surrounded by two 6-11 players, rookie Mobley (15.0 & 8.0) and Markkanen (13.3 & 5.3). PG Graland leads the team in scoring (19.7) and assists (7.8). Rondo was just picked up to help in the backcourt (10.3-4.0-4.7 in his first three games) but he's out with an ankle injury. Former All Star Love has settled in coming off the bench and is averaging 14.0 & 7.2. Cleveland lost to Brooklyn TWICE within a week in November but is 17-9 since that time and enters on a four-game winning streak, after overcoming an 18-point deficit in an 107-102 win in Oklahoma City that capped an impressive 5-1 road trip with the only loss coming at Golden State back on Jan 9. In recent years, Cleveland did not have the talent to "avenge" losses, but this year is DIFFERENT. Rookie Evan Mobley, who missed the first two games against the Nets due to a right elbow injury, added 20 points Saturday and is averaging 17.8 points in 11 games since spending time in the protocol. PG Darius Garland scored 27 points and had a career-high 18 assists Saturday and has scored 59 points in his past two games following a three-game shooting slump. Believe it or not, Cleveland is actually inching closer in an Eastern Conference race where only 2 1/2 games separate the top six teams. The Cavs gain another 'inch' with a "W" in this one! Good luck...Larry |
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01-16-22 | Jazz -4.5 v. Nuggets | Top | 125-102 | Win | 100 | 11 h 28 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Ut Jazz at 8:10 ET. The Utah Jazz visited Denver back on Jan 5 and won 115-109, even with center Rudy Gobert in the NBA's health and safety protocols at that time. That gave them EIGHT wins in their last nine but the Jazz haven' won since, dropping FOUR in a row (also 0-4 ATS). However, with a four-day break and Gobert returning to the lineup, the 28-14 Jazz are optimistic that they can end their skid when they play at Denver on Sunday night. Nuggets will be playing their second straight home game in as many nights, after routing the Los Angeles Lakers 133-96 on Saturday night. Denver is 22-19 on the season, giving them the No. 6 seed (the last guaranteed playoff spot), as seeds 7-10 enter the "Play-In" round to determine the West's No. 7 and No. 8 seeds.
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01-15-22 | Alabama +2 v. Mississippi State | Top | 76-78 | Push | 0 | 8 h 15 m | Show |
My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Alabama at 6:00 ET. Nate Oats spent four years at Buffalo and went 59-13 in his last two, making the Big Dance each time. That allowed him the opportunity to come to Alabama and after a 16-15 first season (COVID) he led the Tide to a 26-7 record and a Sweet 16 appearance last year. Gone from that team are the 6-7 Jones (11.2 & 6.6), who was not only the SEC player-of-the-year but also the league's Defensive POY. Also gone is veteran guard Petty (12.6 & 5.2). However, the Tide have plenty of talent left. That said, after opening 7-1 SU (6-2 ATS), Alabama has gone 4-4 SU and a money-burning 1-7 ATS, after a home loss to rival Auburn on Tuesday. No. 24 Alabama is now 11-5 (2-2 SEC) and will aim to get back on track in a road contest at Mississippi State on Saturday in Starkville. The Bulldogs are coached by Ben Howland, known for his success at first Pitt and then UCLA. He came to Miss St for the 2015-16 season and after going 14-17 and 16-16 in his first two years, won 20-plus games the next three. Last year's team finished with a modest 18-15 but its late season run got them into the NIT championship game, before losing 77-64 to Memphis. Mississippi State is 11-4 (2-1 SEC) is coming off an 88-72 home victory over Georgia The loss to Auburn snapped a 17-game winning streak at home for Alabama and now the Tide need to regroup and earn a road win. Alabama did return its top-two scorers from last season and guards Shackelford and Quinerly are again leading the way. Shackelford checks in at 16.1 & 5.9 and Quinerly at 15.4 & 4.4 APG. Swingman Ellis adds 12.1 & 6.3 and the 6-6 Gary 9.2 & 4.7 plus freshman center Bediako (6.8 & 4.3) is starting. Guard Davison (8.3-4.8-4.3), the 6-6 Miles (6.8 & 3.5) and the 6-8 Gurley (7.6 & 3.6) are all contributors. The Bulldogs have five double-digit scorers but the 6-11 Smith (14.2 & 7.8) hasn't played since Dec 29. He's expected back soon. The other four are guard Molinar (17.5-3.4-4.5), the 6-9 Brooks (10.8 & 76,7), the 6-7 Jeffries (10.7 & 5.1) and guard Moore (10.5). Filling in for Smith has been the 6-9 Davis (5.8 & 3.6). Saturday is the first of two meetings this season between the Bulldogs and Tide, as they're scheduled to play again on Feb 16 in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide shouldn't lack confidence, as they went 3-0 against Mississippi State last season. The Tide rolls! Good luck...Larry |
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01-15-22 | Wake Forest +3.5 v. Virginia | Top | 63-55 | Win | 100 | 6 h 50 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Wake Forest at 4:30 ET. Steve Forbes took over at Wake Forest last season and suffered through a 6-16 (3-15 in the ACC) his first year. However, whether it has been in the JC ranks or his four-year stint at East Tenn St, Forbes has been known as 'quick-change artist.' Case in point. He took over at East Tenn St in 2015-16 and his four-year record was 130-43! His final team went 30-4 but "what might have been" in the Big Dance remains an unanswered question, as COVID shut the tournament down. Now, after a 'nightmare' first season, Forbes' Demon Deacon are 13-4 (3-3 in ACC). Tony Bennett's UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. The Cavs ended last season 18-7, after a first-round NCAA loss to 13th-seed Ohio U. Now, after a very uneven start to the current season, the Virginia Cavaliers finally appear to be picking up some traction. Virginia (10-6, 4-2 ACC) has won THREE of its last four games to take some momentum into a home game against Wake Forest on Saturday in Charlottesville. Forbes has turned things around quickly at Wake, adding Oklahoma transfer Williams and an ETSU transfer in Williamson to be his starting guards. Williams (20.7-6.7-5.0) has been spectacular and Williamson, who came with Forbes last season, is averaging 12.5 PPG. The 6-8 Mucius (9.9 & 3.6) returned up front but the 6-8 LaRavia (14.8 & 6.1) came from Indiana St, the 7-0 Walton (7.9 & 5.4) from Colorado and the 6-10 Sy (7.1 & 4.4) from Ole Miss. The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark (9.6 & 3.9 APG). Guard Beekman (7.6-3.9-4.4) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (5.9 & 5.3), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (7.4) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 12.2 PPG. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 58.4 PPG (12th). This game is the only scheduled meeting this season between the two teams. Virginia defeated Wake Forest 70-61 in the lone meeting last season, the Cavaliers' NINTH consecutive victory in the series. However, that was THEN and this is NOW. Wake's football team had a record season in 2021 and while this year's basketball team has no Tim Duncans or Chris Pauls, Wake Forest is a better team than UVA this season. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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01-15-22 | Oklahoma -1 v. TCU | Top | 58-59 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 25 m | Show |
My 10* Big 12 Game of the Month is on Oklahoma at 4:00 ET. The 12-4 (2-2 Big 12) Oklahoma Sooners are coming off a 66-52 loss to No. 21 Texas on Tuesday night where the Sooners were just 1 of 13 from behind the three-point line. Meanwhile, the 11-2 TCU Horned Frogs are looking to build some momentum after Wednesday's 60-57 win at Kansas State gave TCU its first Big 12 victory of the season (1-1). This Saturday contest in Fort Worth is critical for both teams. Porter Moser (of Loyola-Chicago fame) is in his first season at Norman, and he has the Sooners at 12-4. The 6-9 Tanner Groves, Oklahoma's leading scorer at 13.5 PPG (adds 5.7 RPG), managed just one field-goal attempt in the loss to Texas and in general, Porter Moser's team looked discombobulated from the start. "We're good and we didn't play that way," Moser said. "We didn't play as tough as we needed to and smart as we needed to. Teams are going to speed you up, but you've got to work to get catches, you've got to work to get into your stuff. You've got to respond to that stuff. That's basketball at this level against very good defenses." Oklahoma pretty much relies on its starting-five (all get 25-plus minutes), as the 6-6 Hill (9.6 & 5.8) joins Groves up front. The Sooners feature a trio of solid guards in Gibson (12.7), Harkless (10.1 & 4.9) and Goldwire (9.3 & 3.8 APG). The Sooners are an excellent defensive team, holding opponents to 62.3 PPG (36th). Jamie Dizon (of Pitt fame) returned to his alma mater back for the 2016-17 season. He led TCU to the NIT title that season, then won 21 and 23 games the following two seasons, However, he came into this season off 16-16 and 12-14 seasons. However, his team heads into this contest having won EIGHT of nine and much like Oklahoma, relies on its starting-five as well. Miller (17.8-3.7-4.8) and Baugh (9.2-4.1-4.0) are the starting guards, while forwards Miller (10.5 & 7.1) and O'Bannon (9.7 & 3.8) surround 6-11 center Lampkin (5.5 & 5.8). TCU does get a little more help from its bench, as guard Peavy adds 6.3 & 5.1 and the 6-7 Coles chips in 4.8 & 3.3. Like Oklahoma. TCU 'brings it defense' every game, allowing 62.5 PPG (39th). However, Oklahoma makes 50.6% of its FG attempts, 4th-best in the nation. The bottom line here is this. The Sooners have responded with a win following each of their first three losses this season, with two of those wins coming over ranked opponents (then-No. 12 Arkansas by 88-66 and then-No. 11 Iowa St by 79-66!). Those are two quality wins! Then there is the fact that Oklahoma has won EIGHT consecutive games against TCU. Good enough for me! Good luck...Larry |
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01-14-22 | Cavs v. Spurs +3.5 | Top | 114-109 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 52 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the SA Spurs at 8:40 ET. The San Antonio Spurs left on a seven-game road trip back on Dec 31, one that opened with a 118-105 loss at Memphis and ended on Jan 10 with a 111-96 loss at the NY Knicks. The Spurs were just 1-6 on the trip and returned home on Wednesday, only to lose 128-124 to the Rockets, who own the West's worst record at 12-31 The 15-26 Spurs hope to end a four-game losing streak when they host the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. In contrast, to the Spurs, the 24-16 Cavaliers (current No. 6 seed in the East) come to San Antonio off back-to-back road wins, 109-108 at Sacramento and a shocking 111-91 win at Utah.
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01-14-22 | VCU v. St Bonaventure -2 | Top | 53-73 | Win | 100 | 11 h 8 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Game of the Month (A-10) is on St Bonaventure at 7:30 ET. The VCU Rams will travel to the Reilly Center to take on the St. Bonaventure Bonnies this Friday night in Olean, NY for an A-10 clash. The Rams enter this contest on a seven-game winning streak, after defeating the George Washington Colonials, 84-57, this past Tuesday. VCU is 10-4 on the season, including 3-0 in the A-10. The St. Bonaventure Bonnies snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 9-3 on the season (1-0 in the A-10), after defeating the Lasalle Explorers, 80-76 (OT), this past Tuesday. Bothe schools have seen four games postponed or canceled from mid-December thru early January. Mike Rhoades has some pretty good credentials in his first four seasons in Richmond, going 80-41 with two NCAA bids. Last season's NCAA bid ended before his team was able to play its first round game with Oregon, as the VCU team had a COVID outbreak. The Rams lost Hyland (9.5 & 4.7) to the NBA and this season, have used a seven-man rotation. 6-6 senior forward Williams (11.3 & 6.0) is joined by in double digits by guard Baldwin (10.8 & 5.2 APG), who has played in just six games. However, he has played in all three January games, averaging 11.7 & 5.7 APG. Other contributors are guard Nunn (9.8), Curry (8.7) and Tsohonis (6.4) plus the 6-8 Stockard (7.3 & 3.9) and the 6-9 Ward (5.7 & 4.8) up front. VCU's strength is a defense allowing 57.1 PPG (8th). St Bonaventure is the defending Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament champions and was ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press preseason poll, the school's first ranking in the media poll since January 1971 (Can you say Bob Lanier?). However, many feel like the Bonnies have underachieved. I'm not so sure that is totally fair but it is fair to say the Bonnies have, at least so far, left something to be desired. However, this team has FIVE double digit scorers, giving them great balance. The group includes four guards and the 6-10 Osunniyi (10.1 & 7.3). The guards are Holmes (15.9-6.5-4.4), Lofton (15.9-3.8-3.8), Adams (13.5 & 7.5) and Welch (11.7 & 5.6). Recent form says VCU, which is 7-0 SU (6-1 ATS), while entering on a 9-1 ATS run the last 10 games. Meanwhile, St Bonaventure takes the floor tonight on an 0-7 ATS run. However, take note of this. The Bonnies beat the Rams twice last season, including by 16 at home and then by nine in the A-10 Tournament. This season, the Bonnies have victories over Marquette, Clemson, and Boise State, and I expect them to be prepared to play at their highest level tonight as well. I am not yet ready to concede that the well-balanced Bonnies' struggles will continue. Take St Bonaventure. Good luck...Larry |
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01-14-22 | Celtics +3.5 v. 76ers | Top | 99-111 | Loss | -101 | 6 h 9 m | Show |
My 9* Late-Breaker is on the Bos Celtics at 7:05 ET. A big criticism of the Celtics this season has been the team's over reliance on the duo of Tatum and Brown but the two All Stars have recently quieted the notion that "they can't play together!" Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 50 points and 27 rebounds in Monday's 101-98 win vs Indiana (Brown had a team-high 26 points to go along with a career-high 15 rebounds while Tatum added 24 points and 12 boards) and then in Wednesday's rematch, the duo combined for r67 points in the Celtics' 119-100 win at Indiana to complete a home-and-home series sweep of the Pacers. Brown had a game-high 34 points and Tatum chipped in 33. Tatum (25.7 & 8.4) and Brown a (24.5 & 6.6) are the team's 'Dynamic Duo' and the duo has performed like Superheros lately, combining for 50 or more points in three of their past four games and are averaging a combined 51.8 points between them over the last five. Boston is expected to be without guard Smart (11.6-4.0-5.3) for a second straight game but fellow guards Schroder (16.1 & 4.5 APG) and Richardson (10.4) are set to go. So are Horford (10.8 & 7.5) and Robert Williams (9.8 & 9.0), who are both solid big men. Philly center Joel Embiid (27.1-10.4-4.3) enters this contest having scored exactly 31 points in each of his last five games. The four-time All-Star center has been the 76ers' top point producer in 11 consecutive games, scoring fewer than 31 points just once during that stretch (23 vs Atlanta on Dec 23). PF Harris (18.4 & 7.5) is a great "No. 2 " plus the 76ers have excellent depth, despite Simmons not playing all season and with Melton (10.5) and Green (6.7) currently sidelined. PG Maxey (16.6-3.5-4.4) has had a solid season, with Curry chipping in 16.2 PPG and Korkmaz 9.3 PPG. The 6-7 Niang (9.9) and backup center Drummond (averaging 9.1 RPG in just 19 minutes), round out the main contributors. |
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01-13-22 | Indiana v. Iowa -3.5 | Top | 74-83 | Win | 100 | 14 h 42 m | Show |
My 10* Big Ten Game of the Year is on Iowa at 9:00 ET. Fran McCaffrey is in his 12th season at Iowa City and he's delivered seven, 20-win seasons in his first 11. Gone are consensus National Player-of-the-Year Garza (24.1 & 8.7) and Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.6) but the Hawkeyes opened 7-0, before dropping back-to-back Big Ten games to Purdue and Illinois, plus losing a third straight at Iowa St. The Hawkeyes then won FOUR in a row but again lost at Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes are 11-4 (1-3 in the Big Ten), as they welcome the Indiana Hoosiers to Iowa City on Thursday night. Indiana lost its final six games of last season and the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller. They then hired Mike Woodson (former Indiana player under Bob Knight) to lead the team in the 2021-22 season, Indiana opened 6-0, before losing 112-110 (2 OTs) at Syracuse. The Hossiers have also lost at Wisconsin and at Penn St, arriving at Carver-Hawkeye Arena 12-3, including 3-2 in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have used a seven-man rotation, led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (19.4 & 8.7), who is joined in the frontcourt by the 6-8 Thompson (10.7 & 7.7) and the 6-7 Kopp (7.1 & ). Xavier transfer Johnson (9.7-3.7-4.2) starts in the backcourt with Stewart (7.5), while veteran Phinisee (5.3) and freshman Bates chips in 4.9 PPG. The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the team in scoring (24.7) and rebounding (7.9) while his brother Kris comes off the bench to chip in 9.4 & 4.6. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey (11.2 & 3.6) and returning guard Bohannon adds 10.8 PPG. Perkins (7.8), 6-7 freshman Sandfort (5,8), the 6-9 Rebraca (5.9 & 5.9) and Toussaint (5.3 & 3.9) comprise a deep group. Here's the rub. Indiana averages 74.9 PPG (120th) and will have a tough time 'keeping up' with Iowa, which averages 86.7 PPG (4th). Especially when noting that Indiana is 0-3 SU on the road this season, while the Hawkeyes are 9-1 SU at home. After a 1-3 Big Ten start, Iowa really NEEDS a "W' in this one. My bet says the Hawkeyes get it "with room to spare!" Good luck...Larry |
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01-13-22 | Warriors +2.5 v. Bucks | 99-118 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 30 m | Show | |
My 10* E/W Game of the Month is on the GS Warriors at 7:35 ET. Golden State is coming off a 116-108 loss at the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night in the first contest of a four-game road trip. Golden St opened the season 18-2 but has 'cooled,' going 12-8 its last 20. However, at 30-10, the Warriors are just ONE game behind the Suns for the West's (and NBA's) best record. The Milwaukee Bucks were the NBA's best regular season team for two straight seasons but 'flopped' in the playoffs. That changed last season, when the Bucks won their second-ever NBA title, besting the Suns in the Finals (lost first two games, then won FOUR straight!). However, the Bucks are currently 26-17, giving them the East's No. 4 seed, 3.5 games back of the Bulls (East's No. 1 seed). The "big news" in San Francisco is the return of Klay Thompson. In his two games back, Thompson has averaged 15.5 points and has shot 38.5 percent (5 of 13) from deep. He is on a minutes restriction and although he has wanted to spend more time on the floor, he realizes it is a necessary step in the rehabilitation process after missing more than two seasons with injuries. "You can't just take that much time off and jump into a 40-minute ballgame," Thompson said. "At times I'll go back to the bench frustrated, but I really trust our team and our performance team to have my back." Curry (26.8-5.5-6.1) scored 27 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists to record his second triple-double of the season in Tuesday's loss at Memphis. Wiggins (18.6 & 4.4) and Poole (17.2-3.1-3.4) are back from a stay on the COVID list and have been terrific all season for Golden St. The bad news is the Green (7.9-7.6-7.4) is sidelined with a calf injury but depth is provided by Lee (8.2), Porter (8.1 & 5.1) and Payton (8.0). Center Looney (6.0 & 6.7) has quietly been a steady presence, playing in and starting all 40 games. After putting together a six-game win streak at the tail end of December that carried over into the new year, the Bucks have gone cold, losing FOUR of their last five. They are coming off a 103-99 loss to Charlotte on Monday night in the second game of a back-to-back vs the Hornets (lost first, as well). The Bucks remain without Jrue Holiday (18.4-4.6-6.7) due to an ankle injury, plus Allen (11.9) and Hill (7.1) because of the NBA's COVID protocol. Giannis Antetokounmpo (28.4-11.4-6.0) naturally leads the Bucks, while SF Middleton (19.1-5.5-5.3) is again having an excellent season. Center Brook Lopez has played just ONE game this season, but the 6-10 Bobby Portis (15.4 & 9.2) has really done an excellent job filling in (has played in 34 of 43 games). The 6-7 Jordan Nwora (9.4 & 4.1) chipped in 18 points in Milwaukee's last game and is averaging 14.8 points over his past five games while shooting 50 percent from the floor. The Bucks signed guards Langston Galloway and Jeff Dowtin to 10-day hardship contracts on Friday. The Warriors play in Chicago tomorrow, so 'life' doesn't get easier. With Curry, Wiggins and Poole (plus now Thompson), the Warriors are seen as an offensive juggernaut but the team's defense gets overlooked. Golden St leads the NBA in holding opponenst to 101.3 PPG on 42.6% shooting. That's a sweet 'daily double' and I'll back the Warriors in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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01-13-22 | Ohio State +4 v. Wisconsin | Top | 68-78 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 4 m | Show |
My 9* Marquee Classic is on Ohio St at 7:00 ET. Wisconsin (13-2, 4-1 Big Ten) has won FIVE in a row since losing 73-55 at Ohio State back on Dec 11. The now 13th-ranked Badgers moved up from No. 23 after winning 74-69 at then-third-ranked Purdue, defeating Iowa 87-78 in Madison and then holding on for a 70-69 victory at Maryland on Sunday after leading early by 21 points. Wisconsin will now welcome the 16th-ranked Ohio St Buckeyes (10-3 / 4-1 in the Big Ten) to Madison looking to avenge that Dec 11 loss (one of only two losses this season).
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01-12-22 | Nets +1.5 v. Bulls | Top | 138-112 | Win | 100 | 13 h 57 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Brk Nets at 10:10 ET. NBA teams are approaching the midway point of the 82-game schedule and the surprising Chicago Bulls lead the Brooklyn Nets by 2 1/2 games atop the Eastern Conference standings. The Chicago Bulls were 31-41 last season, missing the postseason for the FOURTH consecutive year but have reinvented themselves as a threat in the Eastern Conference behind Zach LaVine and the free agent signing of DeMar DeRozan. They also picked up center Nikola Vucevic from Orlando last season (where his talents were wasted) plus added Lonzo Ball as a free agent. The Nets lost to the Bucks in the East's semifinals last season and as all know, have dealt with the Kyrie "situation" all season. The Nets travel to Chicago in the midst of a four-games-in-six-nights crunch (as do the Bulls), hoping to avoid a series sweep by Chicago, which has won the first two meetings this season between the two teams. Durant (29.8-7.7-5.8) helped keep Brooklyn afloat with a double-double of 28 points and 10 rebounds against host Portland on Monday, but the Nets were unable to prevail, falling 114-108 for their FIFTH loss in seven games. Brooklyn was without James Harden (22.4-8.1-9.7), who is questionable for Wednesday's game with a hyperextended left knee. However, Nets head coach Steve Nash said that while Harden likely would be available against the Bulls, Brooklyn would continue to be cautious. PG Kyrie Irving, who recently returned to the Nets, did not play in either of the first two meetings with the Bulls. Irving, who chooses not to be vaccinated against COVID-19, is unable to play in New York City due to its vaccine mandate but can play on the road. He has scored 22 points in each of his first two contests this season. There were 'whispers' that the 32-year-old DeMar DeRozan was on the downside of his career, but he's been one of the best players in the NBA so far this season, averaging 26.2-5.2-4.8. He has energized the Chicago Bulls, along with LaVine (25.7-5.0-4.2), Vucevic (16.0 & 11.5) and Ball (13.1-5.5-5.1). Almost all of Chicago's key performers have missed a few games because of COVID but the team is pretty well set these days. Guard White is the most recent to return and is averaging 11.5 PPG, while SF Jones (6.5 & 3.5) has been starting with DeRozan in the frontcourt, along with true center Vucevic. Chicago routed the visiting Detroit Pistons 133-87 last night, as EIGHT Bulls scored in double figures. The Bulls notched their most lopsided win against the Pistons in the history of the rivals' 272-game series history, while matching a season high for points and made three-pointers (18) en route to its 10th win in 11 games. The Nets are on an 0-7 ATS slide but have been favored in all of those games. Brooklyn has been an underdog just FIVE times this season and after failing to cover in its first game, has won FOUR in a row when getting any number of points. The Nets are not much of a dog here but after two losses to the Bulls, the Nets will be highly motivated to gain a measure of respect with a win here, reminding the Bulls that they are "still the one" to beat in the East. Good luck...Larry |
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01-12-22 | Maryland +5.5 v. Northwestern | Top | 94-87 | Win | 100 | 9 h 10 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Maryland at 9:00 ET. There is "no crying in baseball" and there are 'no ties in college hoops', so either Maryland (8-7, 0-4 Big Ten) or Northwestern (8-5, 1-3 Big Ten) will snap a three-game losing streak when the teams meet Wednesday night in Evanston's Welsh-Ryan Arena. "I feel like we're close to turning the corner," Terrapins interim coach Danny Manning said after Maryland saw its comeback attempt fall short in a 70-69 home loss to then-No. 23 Wisconsin on Sunday. In a 95-87 loss to the then-13th-ranked Buckeyes on Sunday, Northwestern shot the ball well (47.1 percent from the floor, including 41.7 percent from three) but the Wildcats dropped their third straight, 95-87.
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01-12-22 | Utah State v. Colorado State -4.5 | Top | 72-77 | Win | 100 | 12 h 45 m | Show |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Colorado St at 8:00 ET. Full, detailed analysis Wednesday morning by 10:00 ET. |
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01-12-22 | Celtics -2.5 v. Pacers | Top | 119-100 | Win | 100 | 9 h 38 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Bos Celtics at 7:10 ET. The Celtics are just 20-21 on the season and currently hold down the No. 10 seed in the East (last of the four "Play-In" seeds). The Pacers welcome Boston to Indianapolis at 115-26, FIVE games back of the Celtics and that 10-seed. These teams just met in Boston on Monday, overcoming a 12-point deficit in the third quarter to force overtime, but ultimately came up short in a 101-98 loss.
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01-12-22 | LSU v. Florida | Top | 64-58 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 55 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Game of the Month (SEC) is on Florida at 7:00 ET. Will Wade had success at VCU (took over for Shaka Smart) and that got him the gig at LSU. His first team went 18-15 (NIT) but his teams have won 25, 21 and 19 games the last three seasons (two NCAAs, which would have been three except for COVID cancellation). LSU lost 70-55 at then-No. 11 Auburn in its conference opener but followed with consecutive home victories against then-No. 16 Kentucky (65-60) and then-No. 18 Tennessee (79-67) last week. The Tigers have faced ranked teams in each of its first three SEC games. That streak will end when the No. 12 Tigers (14-1 / 2-1 SEC) face unranked Florida (9-5 / 0-2) on Wednesday night in Gainesville. Mike White has led the Gators to four NCAA berths in the last five seasons (would have been five, except for COVID cancellation). His Gators returned six seniors or graduate transfers to start this season and Floriuda opened 6-0. However, the Gators have lost FIVE of their last eight, including the last two, 83-70 at home to then-No. 15 Alabama and 85-73 at then-No.9 Auburn. LSU lost guard Thomas (22.8), forward Watford (17.0 & 7.4) and guard Smart (16.8-5.2-4.2) to the NBA and others to the transfer portal, leaving just FOUR returning players. The 6-7 Days decided to return and he's averaging 14,3 & 7.9 and joins a strong frontcourt that includes the 6-8 Eason (16.2 & 7.6), a Cincy transfer, and 7-0 freshman Reid (8.4 & 5.3). The backcourt is led by Missouri transfer Pinson (10.9-3.1-4.7), Murray (9.1) and Gaines (8.5-3.5-3.5). The Tigers held off the Volunteers in their last game, despite losing Xavier Pinson to a knee injury. Pinson's right knee bent awkwardly during a slip, and the starting point guard had to be helped to the locker room. However, the injury was diagnosed as just an MCL sprain and bone bruise. Pinson is listed as day-to-day but is unlikely to play here. Florida is led by the 6-11 Colin Castleton (15.6 & 9.2). Returning starters are guard Tyree Appleby (10.0 & 3.6 APG) and the 6-7 Anthony Duruji (9.1 & 4.4). Myreon Jones (Penn St transfer) adds 9.9 & 3.6 plus the 6-5 Fleming Jr. (20.1 & 7.4 at Charleston Southern last season) has dealt with a groin injury but is back and averaging 10.6 PPG. Florida trailed by as many as 13 points early at then-No. 9 Auburn on Saturday, but the Gators battled back to get within one point with more than eight minutes remaining. "We were right there within striking distance after a rocky start," Gators coach Mike White said. However, Florida couldn't get over the hump in an 85-73 loss, starting 0-2 in the SEC for the first time since the 2009-10 season. This is a HUGE game for the Gators and they catch LSU off a brutally-tough three-game stretch plus the Tigers will likely be without PG Pinson. Florida is the play. Good luck...Larry |
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01-11-22 | Warriors -2 v. Grizzlies | Top | 108-116 | Loss | -104 | 10 h 57 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on the GS Warriors at 8:10 ET. The Memphis Grizzlies got a HUGE victory over the Golden St Warriors last May with a "play-in" win on the road against the Warriors, denying Golden St a playoff berth. The clubs have split this year's earlier head-to-heads, with each commanding much more attention than your average NBA regular-season contest. First, the Grizzlies duplicated their play-in victory over the Warriors last May with another overtime triumph in the second week of the regular season. Then, two days before Christmas, Golden State, which had put itself one win from a playoff berth with a victory in the 2021 regular-season finale, finally avenged the eventual bid denial with a 113-104 win. Both of this season's two meetings came in San Francisco but tonight's game between the 30-9 Warriors and the Grizzlies will be contested in Memphis. The Warriors arrive in 'Graceland' at 30-9, tied with the Suns for the West's (and NBA's) best record at 30-9 but the bigger story has to be the return of Klay Thompson. Thompson needed just 40 seconds this past Sunday against the Cleveland Cavaliers to put up his first points since the 2019 NBA Finals. The hoop brought Warriors fans to their feet, but the best was yet to come. That occurred late in the second period, when Thompson, known more for his catch-and-shoot prowess, drove by taller opponent Jarrett Allen for a resounding dunk that formally stamped his Achilles and knee as fully repaired. Thompson scored 17 points in 20 minutes, as the Warriors won. What's more, the Warriors have also gotten a significant number of players back from COVID protocols. The Warriors original "Big Three' will all be in the starting lineup, as Thompson will join Curry (26.8-5.3-6.0) and the recently returned Green (7.9-7.6-7.4). Wiggins (18.8 & 4.4) and Poole (17.4) have been terrific this season and now, after stays on the COVID list, are back. Guard Lee (8.3) is also back plus center Looney (6.0 & 6.7) has quietly been a steady presence, playing in and starting all 39 games. The Memphis Grizzlies lost 132-110 to the Hawks on Nov 26, giving them a 9-10 record. However, the Grizzlies have won 19 of 23 since, as Memphis now owns a 28-14 record, good enough for the Western Conference's No. 4 seed. The Grizzlies will take a NINE-game winning streak into tonight's game after a 127-119 Sunday win at the Lakers..Morant 24.7-5.7-6.7) is the Grizzlies' star but scored just 16 vs the Lakers (he's battled knee issues for awhile). Some bad news is Dillon Brooks (18.4) is out with an ankle injury plus center Steven Adams (7.0 & 9.0) has now joined the health and safety protocol. Adams had played in AND started, all 40 games before missing the last two games. SG Bane (17.7 & 4.5) and SF Jackson (16.4 & 5.5) have been major contibutors all season, staying injury and COVID free. The Warriors have never been healthier and now with the addition of Thhompson, seem poised for a strong run in the seaosn's second half. Yes, Mmephis has won NINE in a row but the Grizzlies are facing some injury and COVID issiues to key players. I'm "all over" the Warriors in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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01-10-22 | Cavs v. Kings +5.5 | Top | 109-108 | Win | 100 | 11 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* Late-Breaker is on the Sac Kings at 10:10 ET. The Cleveland Cavaliers were in the WRONG place at the WRONG time last night in San Francisco, as the Warriors welcomed back Klay Thompson. Thompson contributed 17-points on 7-for-18 shooting (3-for-8, on threes), as the Warriors won 96-82. Cleveland's defense was NOT the problem, holding the Warriors to 40.2 percent shooting overall and 23.8 percent on three-pointers. However, when a team scores just 82 points, it VERY rarely wins. The Cavs won SIX in a row from Dec 8-18 but have since lost SIX of nine (22-18 on the season).
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01-08-22 | St. Mary's +3.5 v. BYU | Top | 43-52 | Loss | -108 | 12 h 47 m | Show |
My 10* WCC Game of the Year is on St Mary's at 10:00 ET. The 12-3 Saint Mary’s Gaels will travel to the Marriott Center to take on the 13-3 BYU Cougars this Saturday night in WCC play. Randy Bennett took over at St Mary's in 2001-02 and had his first 20-win season (25-9) in 2004-05. Starting in the 2007-08 season and going through the 2019-20 season, his Gaels won 20-plus games for 13 consecutive years. That streak ended with a 14-10 record last season. Mark Pope is in just his third season at BYU but has delivered a 44-15 two-year mark, including 20-7 last season. BYU got off to its best start under Pope, beating four NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, Cleveland State, San Diego State, Oregon and Texas Southern. The Cougars did not begin the season ranked but moved to No. 12 (after a Nov 27 win over Utah got them to 6-0), the school's highest ranking this far into the season in 40 years. However, BYU has since lost to Utah Valley, Creighton and Vandy, to fall out of the top-25. The Gaels won their 2nd straight game and improved to 12-3 on the season after defeating the Yale Bulldogs, 87-60, on December 28th. This is the team's first game since then. Saint Mary’s is led by the 6-10 Matthias Tass (12.5 & 5.2) and the 6-7 Dan Fotu, who comes off the bench to add 10.1 & 4.3. Starting up front with Tass is the 6-8 Bowen (5.4 & 6.5). The Gaels have a nice trio of guards in Johnson (10.3), Kuhse (10.1-3.7-3.5) and Ducas (9.4 & 4.1). Saint Mary’s is averaging a modest 68.8 PPG but its defense is holding opponents to 58.1 PPG (13th). BYU lost guard Averette (11.7 PPG / 2nd-leading scorer) and the 7-3 Haarms (11.3 & 5.0) but got the unexpected return of guard Barcello (16.1-4.7-4.2 LY). He leads in scoring at 17.2 PPG and is surrounded by a 'deep' cast. Guard Lucas (10.1 & 5.0 APG) is the only other double-digit scorer, but fellow guard Johnson (8.1 & 3.4) and 6-6 forward Traore (8.0 & 7.6) are solid contributors. The 6-9 Baxter (7.6 & 3.0) was lost to an injury in early December but the 6-8 Lohner (6.6 & 6.8) and guard Knell (7.3) are part of the team's depth. I am well aware that BYU is 7-0 at home but my 'gut' says this BYU team is just a little overrated and that St Mary's Defense is more than capable of taking BYU out of its rhythm, while earning the outright win Upset alert! Good luck...Larry |
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01-08-22 | Bucks v. Hornets -1 | Top | 106-114 | Win | 100 | 10 h 5 m | Show |
My 10* Eastern Conference Game of the Month is on the Cha Hornets at 7:10 ET. The Milwaukee Bucks ran away from the Brooklyn Nets in their showdown Friday night, winning 121-109 in a rematch of their 2021 playoff series. A 38-point third quarter was among the high points for Milwaukee. The Bucks moved to 26-15 with the victory, placing them in a virtual tie with the 24-13 Nets for second in the East, as both teams trail the surprising Bulls by 2.5 games for the East's top spot. The Bucks are in Charlotte tonight to face the Hornets. Charlotte was 33-39 last season, missing the playoffs for the FIFTH consecutive season. That said, there was some optimism in Charlotte at the beginning of the season and the Hornets have played MUCH better, as they currently stand 20-19, just two games behind the East's No. 6 seed and 2.5 games back of the No. 5 seed. The Hornets have a notable performance to build off coming into this game against the Bucks, as they've been off since dominating the Detroit Pistons in Wednesday night's 140-111 victory. It was only one point off the franchise record for points in regulation. Giannis Antetokounmpo (28.0-11.4-6.0), who had missed Milwaukee's previous game because of non-COVID illness, had 31 points against Brooklyn. SF Middleton (18.6-5.3-4.9) is again having an excellent season, but PG Holiday (18.4-4.6-6.7) is currently in the league's COVID protocols. So are guards Allen (11.9) and Connaughton (11.1 & 4.7). The Bucks signed guards Langston Galloway and Jeff Dowtin to 10-day hardship contracts on Friday. Center Brook Lopez has played just ONE game this season, but Bobby Portis (15.6 & 9.0) has really done an excellent job filling in. Charlotte PG LaMelo Ball (19.3-7.3-7.8) missed some games earlier with COVID issues but it's pretty obvious that last season's rookie-of-the-year is the 'real deal!' Bridges (19.5 & 7.2) is having a 'career season' and returned to the lineup two games ago after a two-game absence. Hayward (17.2-4.8-3.7) has only missed one game plus guard Rozier (17.5) and swingman Oubre (16.6) give the Hornets FIVE players averaging 16-plus points. Oubre drained EIGHT of his nine three-pointers in the fourth quarter against Detroit, setting a franchise record for threes in a quarter. His output boosted the Hornets to a franchise-record 24 successful threes in the game. Milwaukee is averaging 112.3 PPG, but that's down from leading the NBA in scoring in each of the previous three seasons (Bucks averaged 120.1 PPG last season). The Hornet's ranks second in scoring this season at 115.5 PPG but also allow the most points (116.6 per). However, this is a tough spot for Milwaukee off its big win over Brooklyn and now head to well-rested Charlotte for not just one but TWO games (teams play again in Charlotte on Monday night). Milwaukee just eked out a 127-125 home decision against Charlotte back on Dec 1 despite LaMelo Ball's 36 points and nine assists in that game. I don't expect Milwaukee to be so fortunate tonight, with so many key contributors sidelined. Good luck...Larry |
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01-08-22 | Tennessee +2 v. LSU | Top | 67-79 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 46 m | Show |
My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Tennessee at 6:00 ET. No. 21 LSU was able to hold off No. 16 Kentucky to get its first SEC win on Tuesday night. LSU had a NINE-point lead with 2:35 remaining but Kentucky got within a point and had the ball in the final minute for the chance to take the lead. However, Xavier Pinson made consecutive steals which led to LSU baskets to complete a 65-60 victory. There is no rest for the weary, as 13-1 LSU (1-1 in the SEC) will host the No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers (10-3, 1-1) Saturday in Baton Rouge. Tennessee made three consecutive three-pointers to tie Ole Miss late in regulation, then grabbed its first lead of the night in overtime and beat the Rebels 66-60 on Wednesday night. |
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01-08-22 | Notre Dame v. Georgia Tech +1.5 | Top | 72-68 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 51 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Ga Tech at 6:00 ET. 8-5 Notre Dame (2-1 in the ACC) has won consecutive conference games against Pitt and North Carolina, while 6-7 Georgia Tech (0-3) is still trying to get in the win column in ACC play. Mike Brey is in his 27th season at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish got off to a promising 3-1 start but then lost three consecutive games. However, the Fighting Irish beat then-No. 10 Kentucky 66-62 on Dec 11 and got their season turned around. Josh Pastner (of Memphis fame) led the Ga Tech Yellow Jackets to a 17-9 record and their first ACC tourney championship since 1993 last season but after a 5-1 start to the current season, Ga Tech has lost SIX of seven to fall under .500 on the season. Notre Dame's won FOUR straight and will be coming off one of its best wins of the season, a 78-73 home victory over North Carolina. The Irish only played seven players, but FOUR of them reached double figures in scoring. Nate Laszewski led the team with 20 points and eight rebounds, followed by Blake Wesley and Dane Goodwin with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Brey's team typically goes just seven-deep. Guards Goodwin (15.1 & 5.5) and Wesley (13.7) are the top-two scorers, joined by Ryan (8.7-4.2), Hubb (7.8) and Wertz (5.0) in the backcourt. The 6-9 Atkinson (11.4 & 6.5) and the 6-10 Laszewski (8.5 & 7.2) are the best (only?) frontcourt players. Georgia Tech had a tall task in its last outing, with a road game against No. 2 Duke on Tuesday (lost 69-57). Michael Devoe scored 21 points, but as a team the Yellow Jackets shot just 21 of 64 (32.8 percent) from the floor and saw two players foul out in a game they never really had a chance to win down the stretch. Ga Tech lost ACC player of the year Wright (14 & 8.0) and PG Alvarado (15.2-3.5-4.1) from last year but this season features a guard-dominated lineup led by Devoe (21.2-5.6-5.0) and 6-7 big guard Usher (18.8 & 6.8). Sturdivant (7.5), 6-6 SF Moore (5.9 & 4.2), guard Coleman (5.9) and swingman Smith (5.4 & 3.4) are also contributors. 6-10 centers Howard averages 6.2 & 5.5 but he's doubtful with an ankle injury. It's a 'PERFECT STORM' tonight in Atlanta, as the underachieving Yellow Jackets get the better of an Irish team coming off their big win over UNC, which came at home where they are 6-0. Notre Dame gets 'stung' tonight by Ga Tech! Good luck...Larry |
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01-08-22 | Virginia +6 v. North Carolina | Top | 58-74 | Loss | -114 | 5 h 26 m | Show |
My 9* Daydream Believer is on Virginia at 1:00 ET. Tony Bennett's UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. The Cavs ended last season 18-7, after a first-round NCAA loss to 13th-seed Ohio U. However, this year's team is a modest 9-5 (but 3-1 in ACC play) as it heads to Chapel Hill to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels. Roy Wiliams retired after last season, ending his career with a first-round NCAA tournament loss and an 18-11 record with his beloved Tar Heels. Former North Carolina player Hubert Davis took over as head coach and the Tar Heels were ranked 19th in the AP's preseason poll. However, at 10-4 (2-1 in the ACC), the Tar Heels are unranked and coming off a 78-73 loss Wednesday night at Notre Dame. Virginia enters on an uptick after ACC wins on the road over Syracuse and Clemson. Tuesday's 75-65 victory was particularly satisfying, considering two weeks earlier the Cavaliers lost to Clemson by 17 points. The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark, who chips in 9.9 PPG and 4.2 APG. Guard Beekman (6.9-3.9-4.4) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.8 & 5.6), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (15.4) and rebounding (7.6) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 12.0 PPG. In Tuesday's physical game vs Clemson, Gardner (23 points) was a force as he drew eight fouls inside on the Tigers. Shedrick (eight points, six rebounds, four blocks) and reserve Francisco Caffaro (eight points) also helped the Cavaliers to a 34-22 edge on points in the paint. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 57.7 PPG (12th). North Carolina has a frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (15.7 & 10.4), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (12.4 & 5.9) and Marquette transfer Garcia (10.0 & 5.5). Sophomore guard Love (15.6-3.8-3,3) teams with freshman Davis (13.7-3.6-3.6) plus Black (4.2 & 4.9) and Walton (3.9) in the backcourt. However, Garcia exited North Carolina's game against BC with a concussion and missed the Notre Dame game and will miss again here. Speaking of that game against Notre Dame, Bacot (21 & 7 vs the Irish) questioned his team's effort afterward. "It was just flat out an embarrassing loss," he said. "It's unacceptable that we can't win these games with all the talent that we have. It's unacceptable that we're not paying attention to our coaches and just not playing Carolina basketball. |
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01-07-22 | Brown +3 v. Harvard | Top | 84-73 | Win | 100 | 11 h 49 m | Show |
My 10* Ivy League Game of the Month is on Brown at 7:00 ET. The 8-8 Brown Bears will travel to Lavietes Pavilion to take on the 8-4 Harvard Crimson this Friday night in Ivy League action. The Ivy League did not play basketball last season due to COVID, so Brown's Mike Martin enters his 10th season with the Bears and Tommy Amaker is 15th with the Crimson. Amaker has by far the better resume with seven, 20-win seasons (four NCAA berths), compared to Martin's one, 20-win season. Freshman guard Lilly (12.8) leads Brown in scoring, despite coming off the bench. The starting-five consists of 6-5 SF Choh (12.3 & 8.0), guards Wojcik (9.9), Friday (9.1) and Mitchell (4.4 & 3.9) plus the 6-9 Gainey (8.3 & 5.9). The 6-8 Owusu-Anane (6.8 & 3.7) contributes off the bench. Harvard has two excellent 6-7 players in forward Ledlum (16.7 & 9.4) and big guard Kirk (16.0 & 5.8).That duo starts along with guards Sakoat (11.4) and Tretout (8.1) plus the 6-6 Catchings (8.8 & 3.9). Brown comes in on a four-game slide, while Harvard is 7-1 at home. That begs the question, "Why is Harvard such a small favorite?" One reason could be that Harvard hasn't played since Dec 21 (NOT a positive), while Brown has played three times since Dec 27. Then there is this. Brown has consistently been undervalued in this spot by the oddsmakers, as the Bears are 6-1 ATS in their last seven vs a team with a winning percentage above .600 and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games against a team with a winning home record. Add to that, the Crimson are just 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games vs Ivy League opponents. Take the small points but expect a Brown 'upset' win! Good luck...Larry |
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01-06-22 | SMU v. Cincinnati -2 | Top | 60-77 | Win | 100 | 12 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Month (AAC) is on Cincinnati at 9:30 ET. The SMU Mustangs and Cincinnati Bearcats meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Fifth Third Arena in Cicinnati. The Mustangs look to build on their EIGHT-game winning streak (covered the last six!), while Bearcats look for a win after winning FIVE of their last seven games. SMU head coach Tim Jankovich is just two years removed from severe sanctions that SMU faced due to none other than Larry Brown (great coach but one who knows how to leave a program in the dust!). SMU won 19 games before the 2019-20 season was shut down and then went 11-6 in a season that limited this team to 17 games because of COVID. The team's 10-3 start (8-0 at home) is impressive. Returning guards Davis (21.5-4.9-5.4) and Bandoumel (10.1) are a solid duo plus a great story is the reuniting of the Weathers' twins, who last played together at Mia-O back in the 2016-17 season. The two took different paths from there but are now 'one big family' at SMU. SF Marcus is averaging 10.4 & 7.0, while guard Michael adds 8.8 & 4.8. Fellow guard Nutall chips in 9.4 & 4.3 plus the 6-10 Clark is a Baylor transfer. He was averaging 14.6 & 6.4 in the 2018-19 season before a serious knee injury forced him to the sidelines. This his last hurrah and he's adding 6.4 & 4.0 in 18 minutes. Cincinnati has a great basketball tradition (remember the Big O?) and under Bob Huggins, then Mick Cronin, it was revived. From 1992 through 2019, the Bearcats appeared in 23 NCAA tourneys. John Brannen last just ONE season after Cronin left for UCLA and Wes Miller was hired for this season. His UNC-Greensboro teams had won 20-plus games in each of the last five seasons. He inherited four guards, who make up the 'heart' of this season's 10-4 team. Davenport (2.9 & 5.1) leads the way, followed by Dejulius (12.1), Saunders (8.8) and Adams-Woods (7.2). 6-5 SF Newman (6.5 & 4.2) is a Clemson transfer, and The rest of the frontcourt has SIZE! The 6-11 Lahkin (6.2 & 5.1) returns, along with 6-9 Wake transfer Oguama (5.4 & 4.6) and 6-11 Miss St transfer Ado (3.2 & 4.9). I noted earlier that SMU was on a six0-game ATS run but the Mustangs had opened the season going 1-7 ATS. Winning at Fifth Third Arena with its great home crowd, where Cincy's trademark defense (60.6 PPG ranks 29th) always gets turned up a notch is tough. The Bearcats take this one by double digits. Good luck...Larry |
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01-06-22 | Iowa +3 v. Wisconsin | Top | 78-87 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 16 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Iowa at 9:00 ET. Wisconsin (11-2, 2-1 Big Ten) registered a huge 74-69 road win over No. 3 Purdue on Monday, behind Johnny Davis' career highs of 37 points and 14 rebounds. However, the 23rd-ranked Badgers have had little time to enjoy the win, as high-scoring Iowa Hawkeyes arrive in Madison Thursday night. 11-3 Iowa (1-2 in Big Ten) is coming off an 80-75 victory at home over Maryland on Monday, a game in which Keegan Murray, the nation's leading scorer, scored 35 points! Fran McCaffrey is in his 12th season at Iowa City and he's delivered seven, 20-win seasons is his first 11. Gone are consensus National Player-of-the-Year Garza (24.1 & 8.7) and Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.6) but the Hawkeyes opened 7-0, before dropping back-to-back Big Ten games to Purdue and Illinois. The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the team in scoring (24.5) and rebounding (8.2) while his brother Kris comes off the bench to chip in 9.2 & 4.7. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey (11.3 PPG) and returning guard Bohannon adds 10.7 PPG. Perkins (8.4), 6-7 freshman Sandfort (6.2), the 6-9 Rebraca (6.1 & 6.2) and Toussaint (5.2) comprise a deep group. Iowa comes in averaging 87.4 PPG, second-best in the nation. Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors last season but of the 14 scholarship players this season, 10 are classified as freshmen for eligibility purposes. Guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 14.5 & 4.0. The great news for Wisconsin fans is, fellow guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY) is averaging 22.3 & 7.3 this season. Also back, after limited playing time last season, are the 6-9 Wahl (8.9 & 5.0) and the 7-0 Crowl (8.5 & 4.6). Davis had career highs of 37 points and 14 rebounds in the upset of Purdue. However, as mentioned up top, there is "no rest for the weary!' It's a clash of styles (tempo), as Wisconsin holds opponents to 63.6 PPG, while Iowa averages 87.4, two 'TDs' more than Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes have won FOUR straight after dropping three in a row in early December plus have won the last FOUR meetings with Wisconsin, including a 77-62 victory last season at Madison. Upset (?) Alert. Good luck...Larry |
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01-06-22 | Ohio State +3 v. Indiana | Top | 51-67 | Loss | -103 | 10 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Rivalry Game of the Month is on Ohio St at 7:00 ET. No. 13 Ohio State is still rounding into form after a three-week layoff due to COVID-19 issues. After an 87-79 overtime win at Nebraska, the Buckeyes will face another Big Ten road test on Thursday when they face the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington, Ohio St head coach Chris Holtmann has won 25, 20, 21 and 21 games in his first four seasons in Columbus and it's hard to believe that a fifth straight 20-win season isn't in the cards this season, as the Buckeyes are 9-2 (3- in Big Ten). Indiana is led by first-year coach Mike Woodson, who took over this season, after Archie Miller was abruptly fired after Indiana closed last season with SIX straight losses. He has the Hoosiers off to a 10-3 start (1-2 in Big Ten) but is also 9-0 at home. Ohio St's 6-7 Liddell (19.6 & 7.3) is again the team's best player but scored just 10 points on 2 of 14 shooting.at Nebraska. "E.J. has got to get his legs back," Holtmann said. "So does Justin (Ahrens) and so do a couple of other guys." Ohio State was 'rescued' by getting 35 points from freshman guard Malaki Branham (8.9). Liddell is joined up front by the 6-8 Key (10.1 & 6.2 / up from 5.2 & 3.4 LY) and the 6-6 Ahrens (8.4 & 3.0). The starting backcourt is freshman Branham (7.3) and PG Wheeler (7.2 & 4.1 APG), who is a transfer from Penn St. The 6-8 Young comes off the bench to chip in 10.0 & 6.7. The Hoosiers have used a six-man rotation, led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (19.3 & 8.2) and Xavier transfer Johnson, who adds 10.0-3.8-4.2 as the team's PG. The other four contributors are the 6-8 Thompson (10.8 & 8.0), 6-7 Northwestern transfer Kupp (7.6), plus guards Stewart (7.3) and freshman Bates (5.8). Ohio State has won this season with offense, ranking fifth in the Big Ten in scoring (76.7 PPG), third in three-point field goal percentage (39.7 percent) and second in overall field goal percentage (48.9 percent). Meanwhile, Indiana is holding opponents to just 61.6% (41st) on 35.4% shooting (3rd). As already noted, Indiana is 9-0 at home and has won SEVEN of those nine games by a margin of 10 points or more. However, the Hoosiers will be facing a ranked team for just the second time this season. The first one didn't end well, as back on Dec 8, Indiana lost at No. 22 Wisconsin 64-59, blowing a 22-point first-half lead. This is a bad matchup for the Hoosiers and expect them to suffer a second straight loss to a ranked opponent. Good luck...Larry |
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01-05-22 | North Carolina v. Notre Dame +3 | Top | 73-78 | Win | 100 | 13 h 38 m | Show |
My 10* ACC Game of the Year is on Notre Dame at 9:00 ET. Roy Wiliams retired after last season, ending his career with a first-round NCAA tournament loss and an 18-11 record with his beloved Tar Heels. Former North Carolina player Hubert Davis took over as head coach and the Tar Heels were ranked 19th in the AP's preseason poll. North Carolina heads to South Bend on Wednesday night at 10-3 (2-0 ACC) but unranked. Mike Brey is in his 27th season at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish got off to a promising 3-1 start but then lost three consecutive games. However, the Fighting Irish beat then-No. 10 Kentucky 66-62 on Dec 11, sparking a 3-1 run. However, Notre Dame welcomes North Carolina to Purcell Pavilion just 7-5 (1-1 in the ACC). North Carolina has a frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (15.3 & 9.9), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (12.7 & 5.8) and Marquette transfer Garcia (10.0 & 5.5). Sophomore guard Love (15.6-3.9-3,5) teams with freshman Davis (13.3-3.6-3.5) plus Black (4.2 & 4.5) and Walton (3.9) in the backcourt. However, it should be noted that Garcia exited North Carolina's last game with a head injury after a Boston College player fell on him. He didn't practice Monday. Brey's team goes seven-deep. Guards Goodwin (14.9 & 5.6) and Wesley (13.3 are the top-two scorers, joined by Ryan (8.5-4.3), Hubb (7.8) and Wertz (5.2) in the backcourt. The 6-9 Atkinson (12.2 & 6.5) and the 6-10 Laszewski (7.6 & 7.2) are the best (only?) frontcourt players. The Tar Heels are 3-0 overall in road games this season, although their three losses have come in neutral-court games. Their true road wins are at College of Charleston, Georgia Tech and Boston College. The road has been kind to North Carolina this season, as for the third time in Atlantic Coast Conference play (2-0 so far), North Carolina will be the visitor when it takes the court Wednesday night at South Bend. However, Notre Dame is a perfect 5-0 at home, including an impressive 66-62 win over Kentucky, which CRUSHED the Tar Heels 98-69 in Las Vegas back on Dec 18. Take the points Good luck...Larry |
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01-05-22 | Syracuse +2.5 v. Miami-FL | Top | 87-88 | Win | 100 | 11 h 41 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Syracuse at 8:00 ET. Jim Boeheim is in his 46th season as a head coach and is coming off another Sweet 16 run in last year's "Big Dance" (The Orange finished 18-10). Meanwhile, Miami head coach Jim Larranaga has led the Hurricanes to six, 20-win seasons in his 10 years, to all three of the school's 25-win seasons and to two of the school's three Sweet 16 appearances. By the way, I could also throw in him leading unheralded George Mason to a Final 4 appearance back in 2006. However, the 'Canes are coming off a 10-17 season (4-15 in the ACC) last year. Meanwhile, Syracuse enteres this game in South Beach just 7-6 (1-1 in the ACC), Miami has won SEVEN straight games overall to reach 11-3 (3-0 in the ACC), ONE of four teams unbeaten in ACC play, joined by bluebloods Duke, North Carolina and Louisville. Boeheim's team is led by his son Buddy, who is averaging 19.5 PPG (adds 3.4 RPG and 3.5 APG). His backcourt partner Girard (13.1-3.2-4.6) returned at PG but two key transfers have made immediate impacts. Swider, a 6-9 transfer from Villanova, is averaging 12.5 & 6.8 plus Boeheim's oldest son Jimmy (a 6-8 graduate transfer from Cornell), is adding 14.1 & 6.1 (he's now the second-leading scorer on the team, behind only his brother) The 6-11 Edwards returns up front and chips in 11.5 & 6.4. Depth has been an issue all season, plus Boeheinm's famed "2-3 zone" has allowed 75.6 PPG (318th). Miami is led by the guard trio of McGusty (18.3 & 5.9), Wong (16.5 & 4.0) and Moore (11.1), plus Miller adds 8.5 & 5.6 off the bench. Miami hasn't gotten modest production from the 6-9 Walker (6.1 & 2.3) and the 6-10 Waardenburg (7.4 & 3.8). Tonight, Larranaga is hoping that starting center Sam Waardenburg returns after missing two straight games due to COVID protocol. Miami has scored more than 90 points in two straight league games, something no other ACC team has accomplished since 2017 and NO Hurricanes team has ever accomplished! However, since joining the ACC, Miami is just 4-6 against Syracuse and the Hurricanes have not eclipsed 70 points against the Orange in ANY of those 10 games. Expect Syracuse to bounce back from that recent home t loss to UVA, behind the "Boehem Boys" and a return to some good old 2-3 zone defense. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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01-05-22 | VCU v. Dayton -2.5 | Top | 53-52 | Loss | -116 | 10 h 33 m | Show |
My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Dayton at 7:00 ET. The VCU Rams will travel to UD Arena to take on the Dayton Flyers Wednesday night in A-10 action. VCU's Mike Rhoades has some pretty good credentials in his first four seasons in Richmond, going 80-41 with two NCAA bids. Last season's NCAA bid ended before his team was able to play its first round game with Oregon, as the VCU team had a COVID outbreak. The Rams opened just 3-4 this season but enter this contest on a four-game winning streak to reach 7-4. Anthony Grant came from Alabama to Dayton for the 2017-18 season and his second and third seasons, won 21 and 29 games, respectively. However, the Flyers were just 14-10 last year, ending the season with a loss in the first round of the NIT. |
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01-04-22 | Virginia +4 v. Clemson | Top | 75-65 | Win | 100 | 11 h 31 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Virginia at 9:00 ET. Tony Bennett's UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. The Cavs ended last season 18-7, after a first-round NCAA loss to 13th-seed Ohio U. Brad Brownell arrived in Clemson for the 2010-11 season and after 11 years, he's led the Tigers to just four, 20-win seasons and three NCAA berths. This is his 12th season at the helm. The 9-4 Clemson Tigers (1-1 ACC) will put a four-game winning streak on the line Tuesday night when the Tigers play host to longtime nemesis Virginia. The Cavs are coming off a 74-69 victory at Syracuse on Saturday night that provided some encouragement after the Cavaliers got off to their worst start of the Tony Bennett era. UVA enters this contesr ona three-game winnig streak to reach 9-5 (2-1 ACC). This marks the second meeting in two weeks between the teams. The Tigers snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Cavaliers back on Dec 22 in Charlottesville, 67-50! The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark (10.1 & 4.4 APG). Guard Beekman (6.8-3.8-4.4) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.7 & 5.5), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (14.8) and rebounding (7.8) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 11.9 PPG. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 57.2 PPG (6th). Clemson's starters have remained unchanged this season and all five are averaging 9.6 points or better. The 6-10 P.J. Hall leads the way with 14.4 PPG (adds 6.3 RPG), joined up front by the 6-8 Hunter Tyson (11.8 & 5.8), The Tigers start three guards, David Collins (11.6 & 7.2), Al-Amir Dawes (11.4) and Nick Honor (9.6). That win at Syracuse just may be a 'buy sign' for UVA and that's my bet here, as revenge works. Don't forget, before losing on Dec 22, Virginia had beaten Clemson 11 times in a row! Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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01-04-22 | Kentucky v. LSU -1.5 | Top | 60-65 | Win | 100 | 11 h 31 m | Show |
My 9* Marquee Classic is on LSU at 7:00 ET. The Kentucky men's basketball team went just 9-16 last season, but all knew that was an aberration, as the Wildcats were ranked No. 10 in the AP's preseason poll. After a loss to Duke in the Champions Classic on the opening night of the season, the Wildcats have won 11 of 12, losing only 66-62 at Notre Dame back on Dec 11. The Wildcats are 11-2 (ranked 16th) as they vistit Baton Rouge to face 12-1 LSU. The Tigers are ranked 21st, after losing their first game of the season at No. 11 Auburn 70-55 last Wednesday (team's SEC opener).
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01-04-22 | Ohio +2.5 v. Akron | Top | 69-63 | Win | 100 | 11 h 43 m | Show |
My 10* MAC Game of the Month is on Ohio U at 6:00 ET. The Ohio Bobcats and Akron Zips meet Tuesday from the James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron.The Bobcats are 10-2 (1-0) and the Zips are 8-3 (1-0). The coaching matchups offers some intrgue, as Jeff boals (who palued at OU along with Gary Trent when the Bobcats won the MAC in teh 1993-94 season), returned to coach his alma mater ttwo seaosn agao. In his secind year (2020-21), held led Ohio to a MAC conference tourney win and then an upset of UVA is the first round of the "Big Dance." Akron's John Croce was a Ohio St assistamt whem he was named Ohio's head coach back in 2008-09. In his four years in Athens, he led the Bobcats to two NCAA berths, includuing a Sweet 16 run in 2012. He left after that for Illinois but was fitred after five seasosn and has now resrfaced at AAkron. Oho returned four of five starters from last season but did lose its best player, guard Preston (15.7-7.3-7.3), who left for the NBA (1st Ohio player picked in the draft since Brandon Hunter is 2003). However, this year's starting-five is VERY good. Guard Sears (18.7 & 4.6 RPG) starts with Brown (7.5) in the backcourt. SF Roderick adds 7.2 PPG plus the 6-8 Carter (13.9 & 7.4) and the 6-8 Vander Plas (12.8 & 5.8) make for a strong frontcourt duo. Ohio does not have much of a bench. Much like Ohio, Akron relies on its starting-five. The 6-8 Ali leads in scoring at 14.5 PPG, while the 6-7 Freeman is the leading recbounder (11.2), while adding 12.7 PPG. The 7-0 Bandaugo (4.8 & 4.5) starts up front. Guard Castaneda chips in 11.1 PPG and Greg Trimble 7.2 PPG. Ohio lost at then-undefeated LSU back on Dec 1 but has since won FIVE in a row. The Bobcats only other loss this season came at Kentucky on Nov 19 (Wildcats are currently ranked 16th). Akron opened just 2-3 but the Zips have won SIX in a row (five at home) and welcome the Bobcats to Akron 6-0 at home. However, the bottom lins is that Ohio U is the better team plus we get a couple points, as well. It's hard to ignore that the underdog is 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings between these two schools. Good luck...Larry |
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01-03-22 | Grizzlies v. Nets -6.5 | Top | 118-104 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 55 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Brk Nets at 7:40 ET. The Memphis Grizzlies lost 132-110 to the Hawks on Nov 26, giving them a 9-10 record. However, the Grizzlies have won 14 of 18 since, as Memphis now owns a 23-14 record, good enough for the Western Conference's No. 4 seed, behind Golden St, Phoenix and Utah. Speaking about that trio, Memphis owns the distinction of being the only team to defeat those three heavyweights of the Western Conference this season. The Grizzlies will get a crack at another upper-echelon team Monday night when they visit the 23-11 Brooklyn Nets (East's No. 2 seed). Of note is the fact that the Nets have 'fallen short" against upper-echelon opponents all season, going a combined 0-6 against the Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Golden State and Phoenix. Ja Morant leads Memphis in scoring with 24.7 PPG (also adds 5.7 RPG and 6.6 APG). He's averaging 26.5 points in six games since returning from a 12-game absence due to a sprained knee and the NBA health and safety protocol. The Grizzlies were 10-2 in his absence, and Morant is averaging 30.5 points during their current four-game winning streak. Memphis is playing without Dillon Brooks (2nd-leading scorer at 19.3 PPG), John Konchar, Jarrett Culver and De'Anthony Melton (10.5 & 4.2), who are all in the league's health and safety protocol. However, Desmond Bane (17.2 & 4.3), Jaren Jackson Jr. (16.3 & 5.3) and center Steven Adams (7.1 & 9.1) have played in 37, 36 and 37 games, respectively. Brooklyn is looking to avoid three straight losses for the first time this season and a FOURTH straight home loss, after fourth-quarter collapses against the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers. The Nets scored five points in the final 3 1/2 minutes Thursday in a 110-102 loss to Philadelphia and were outscored 28-11 in the final 5:57 and blew a 13-point lead in Saturday's 120-116 loss to the Clippers. "I just think (giving up) 71 points in the second half is unacceptable," Nets coach Steve Nash said. "We just never really had the care factor." The Nets are on their first losing streak of the season DESPITE getting stars Kevin Durant (29.8-7.9-5.7) and James Harden (22.8-8.3-9.9) back from the NBA health and safety protocol and being close to full strength. I really respect Memphis, which has won with and WITHOUT Morant in the lineup but Brooklyn could really use an impressive win over a red-hot team like the Grizllies, after recent embarrassments. I'm laying the points. Good luck...Larry |
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01-03-22 | Hornets +2.5 v. Wizards | Top | 121-124 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 52 m | Show |
My 9* Division Game of the Month (Southeast) is on the Cha Hornets at 7:10 ET. The Charlotte Hornets were 33-39 last season, missing the playoffs for the FIFTH consecutive season. That said, there was some optimism in Charlotte at the beginning of the season and the Hornets have played MUCH better, as they currently stand 19-18 (just a half-game out of the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference). The Hornets were rolling with a three-game winning streak before a 133-99 home loss last night to Phoenix, which arrived with losses in three of its past four games. So now it's a quick turnaround, which might be a good thing considering Charlotte wasn't up to speed after a three-day layoff
The Washington Wizards snuck into the playoffs last season at 34-38 but lost in the 1st Round. The Wizards have been searching for an identity for some time now and MAY have found one this season but COVID hasn't helped. Washington has had three straight games with at least FIVE players absent because of the NBA's health and safety protocols and were without SEVEN players for their most-recent game, when they fell 120-119 on Saturday to the visiting Chicago Bulls. That gives Washington losses in FOUR of its last five home games and an 18-18 record on the season. Charlotte PG Ball (19.6-7.4-7.8) missed some games earlier with COVID issues but it's pretty obvious that last season's rookie-of-the-year is the 'real deal!' Bridges (19.5 & 7.1) is having a 'career season' and returned to the lineup last night after a two-game absence. Hayward (16.9-4.7-3.7) has only missed one game plus guard Rozier (17.3) and swingman Oubre (16.4) give the Hornets FIVE players averaging 16-plus points. PJ Washington (10.9 & 5.2) is still in COVID protocols but center Plumlee (6.6 & 7.2) is back in the lineup (he's played in 28 of the team's 37 games), doing a quietly efficient job). Guards Beal (23.6-4.6-6.4) and Dinwiddie (13.1-5.0-5.6) have been excellent in the backcourt Washington team but a trio I like to call "Lakers-East," have been MAJOR additions. PF Harrell (14.5 & 7.3), SF Kuzma (13.9 & 8.1) and swingman Caldwell-Pope (11.1) have really found a home on the East Coast. Undersized center, the 6-9 Gafford, is averaging 9.3 & 6.7. Washington welcomed Bradley Beal back from protocol in its 110-93 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday, and he responded with game-highs of 29 points and 10 assists. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope also returned from protocol on Thursday and scored 12 points in his first appearance since Dec 18. Kyle Kuzma, who missed two games due to protocol in mid-December, recorded a 25-point, 10-rebound double-double against Cleveland. However, Washington is not completely 'out of the woods,' as Montrezl Harrell, the Wizards' second-leading scorer on the season, entered protocol ahead of Washington's Dec 28 loss at Miami and hasn't played since. Unfortunately for the Wizards, Dinwiddie has just been placed in COVID protocols. Charlotte is the NBA's second-highest scoring team at 114.7 PPG and got the better of Washington 109-103 back on November 22nd in Washington and my bet says "no revenge" here, as I expect a similar final outcome this time as well. Good luck...Larry |
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01-02-22 | Drake v. Missouri State -4 | Top | 56-61 | Win | 100 | 12 h 22 m | Show |
My 10* MVC Game of the Year is on Missouri St at 8:00 ET. The Drake Bulldogs won their 4th straight game and improved to 10-4 on the season after defeating the Mount Marty Lancers, 82-53, this past Tuesday. The Bulldogs will travel to JQH Arena to take on the Missouri State Bears Sunday night in MVC action. The Bears improved to 9-5 on the season after defeating the Evangel Crusaders, 103-56, this past Thursday. You may remember Drake opening 18-0 last season, but the Bulldogs lost in the MVC tourney (Arch Madness). However, the Bulldogs still went 'dancing,' earning the first at-large built in program history (Drake finished 26-5). Drake returned all FIVE starters from that team. However, guard Penn (9.7) has been out with a foot injury (last played Dec 9) and the 6-6 Hemphill (10.2 & 4.9) is listed as questionable (undisclosed reasons). Guard DeVries (13.5 & 4.5) is the leading scorer and 6-6 forward Murphy (10.8 & 5.4) joins him as a double-digit scorer, assuming Hemphill is not back. Guards Wilkins (9.5) and Sturtz (9.4 & 6.7) plus the 6-10 Brodie (7.7 & 4.40 have each played all 14 games. Dana Ford is in his fourth season at Missouri St and led the Bears to a 17-7 record plus had all FIVE starters coming back. The 6-9 Prim (19.5) was the first-ever Missouri St player to lead the MVC in scoring and this season is averaging 14.8 PPG plus a team-high 8.4 RPG. The 6-8 Clay (7.9 & 6.4) joins him in the frontcourt. Mosley (18.1 & 4.9) leads a backcourt that also includes returning players Black (10.4), Hervey (4.4) and Sharp (5.4). The 6-8 Minnett is a Valpo grad transfer, and the swingman adds 13.0 PPG. Hervey has been a disappointment this season and Sharp remains unavailable due to a leg injury (hasn't played since nov 30). This is just Drake's second true road game (won 78-70 at Nebraska-Omaha) but the Bulldogs are 0-4 in neutral-site games. I believe the home court edge is the 'difference-maker" in this conference rivalry game. Lay the points. Good luck...Larry |
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01-02-22 | Heat v. Kings +4 | Top | 113-115 | Win | 100 | 8 h 43 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Sac Kings at 6:10 ET. Bottom line is any analysis of an upcoming NBA game MUST include "who is in or out of COVID protocol!" The Miami Heat returned to the court and beat the host Houston Rockets 120-110 on Friday night, despite missing SEVEN players due to COVID protocols. Jimmy Butler scored a season-high 37 points, Tyler Herro added 16 points and Kyle Lowry added 12. Those were the ONLY three players used by the Heat on Friday who started the season in Miami's rotation. Sacramento split two home games against the Dallas Mavericks this week, winning Wednesday on Chimezie Metu's three-pointer at the buzzer before losing Friday's rematch (112-96). In Wednesday's game, the Kings got Davion Mitchell, Alex Len and Louis King back from the COVID list. On Friday, Neemias Queta returned from COVID protocol and he was the final Kings player on the list. Shooting guard Terence Davis (9.5) missed Friday's game due to left ankle soreness but otherwise, the Kings are healthy, which is not the case for the Heat. Besides the COVID list, the Heat are also without two-time All-Star Victor Oladipo (quadriceps) and Bam Adebayo (18.7 & 10.2) due to thumb surgery, as well as role players Dewayne Dedmon (knee); Markieff Morris (neck) and KZ Okpala (wrist). Swingman Butler leads the Heat in scoring (23.3) and steals (2.1) plus averages 5.9 RPG and 5.5 APG. Lowry adds 13.8 PPG and a team-high 8.1 APG, while Herro is averaging 20.4 PPG, forming a dynamic backcourt with Lowry. Sacramento is led in scoring by lightning quick De'Aaron Fox, who is averaging 20.2 PPG, which is actually down from last season (25.2). Sacramento combo guard Tyrese Haliburton (13.6 PPG) leads the Kings in assists (6.7) and is also Sacramento's best three-point shooter (42.7 percent). 6-10 center Richaun Holmes is back after dealing with an eye injury and pulls down a team-high 8.7 RPG, while scoring 12.6 PPG. SF Harrison Barnes (17.0 & 6.2) plus SG Buddy Hield (15.2) are also major contributors. Getting Baylor rookie Mitchell (9.6 PPG) back will make up for losing Davis to that ankle injury. Most likely know that the Kings have missed the NBA playoffs for 15 consecutive seasons, but this team has way too much talent to extend that streak to 0 of 16 this season. Sacramento is currently 15-22, which gives them the West's 10th seed, the last of the four "Play In" spots. 'Baby steps' for this franchise would be a "Play In" spot but a 6-seed would sure be sweet. If the Kings can't win a game like this, then just maybe the Kings will be 'home for the playoffs' again this season. Again, 'baby steps.' I'm taking the undervalued home dog in this spot. Good luck...Larry |
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01-02-22 | UCF +3.5 v. SMU | Top | 60-72 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 7 m | Show |
My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on UCF at 2:00 ET. The UCF Knights and the SMU Mustangs meet from the Moody Coliseum on the SMU campus Sunday afternoon in an AAC contest. The Knights come into this one looking to add to an 85-71 win over Michigan on Thursday that gave them a 9-2 record (1-0 in the AAC). The Mustangs beat Tulsa in their last game, 74-69, giving them a record (1-0 in the AAC). |
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01-01-22 | Bulls v. Wizards +2.5 | Top | 120-119 | Win | 100 | 9 h 21 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on the Was Wizards at 7:10 ET. The Chicago Bulls were 31-41 last season, missing the postseason for the FOURTH consecutive year. However, the Bulls have reinvented themselves as a threat in the Eastern Conference behind Zach LaVine and the free agent signing of DeMar DeRozan. They also picked up center Nikola Vucevic from Orlando last season (where his talents were wasted) plus added Lonzo Ball as a free agent. The Bulls won their sixth straight game on Friday (108-106 at Indiana) and welcome in 2022 with a 23-10 record, tied with the Nets for the best record in the East. No, this is not April Fools Day! Washington snuck into the playoffs last season at 34-38 but lost in the 1st Round). The Wizards have been searching for an identity for some time now and MAY have found one this season. The Wizards welcome the Bulls to D.C. at 18-17.
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01-01-22 | Providence v. DePaul +1.5 | Top | 70-53 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 25 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Game of the Month (Big East) is on DePaul at 3:00 ET. Ed Cooley arrived in Providence for the 2011-12 season and led the Friars to FIVE straight NCAA tournaments from 2014-2018 but was coming off a mediocre 13-13 season last year. However, there is NOTHING mediocre about the Friars' start to the current CBB season, as 12-1 Providence (2-0 Big East) notched its SEVENTH straight win on Wednesday with a 70-65 victory over Seton Hall. Tony Stubblefield worked as an assistant under Lou Henson, Mick Cronin and recently Dana Altman, before taking the DePaul job. He took over a team that was 5-14 last season (2-13 in the Big East) and a program that in its 16 seasons since joining the Big East, had gone 57-224 (.203) in league games. However, the Blue Demons have opened 9-2 (0-1 in the Big East), after losing 63-59 Wednesday night at Butler (Hinkle Fieldhouse is one tough venue).
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12-30-21 | Michigan v. UCF +4 | Top | 71-85 | Win | 100 | 10 h 5 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on UCF at 7:00 ET. Michigan returns to the court from a lengthy layoff due to the holiday break and COVID-19 issues when it visits Central Florida for an evening tip in Orlando. The Wolverines haven't played since they routed Southern Utah 87-50 back on Dec 18, giving them a modest 7-4 record. I say modest because Michigan opened the season ranked 6th in the AP's preseason poll and has since fallen out. In fact, Michigan is the highest ranked preseason team to NOT be in the latest AP top-25 (released this past Monday). Central Florida was just 11-12 last season but returned all FIVE starters. The Golden Knights have begun 8-2 and have had a break of their own, as this will be the team's first game since Dec 22, when UCF beat North Alabama at home, 75-64. Michigan's starting-five includes 7-1 center Dickinson (15.6 & 9.1) and the 6-11 Diabate (7.6 & 5.8) up front, plus a trio of guards. Brooks (12.6) and Houstan (10.1 & 4.3) score in double digits, while PG Jones (7.4-4.4-4.1) runs the offense. The two most reliable reserves are the 6-7 Williams (6.0 & 3.4) and the 6-8 Johnson (5.6 & 2.5). Similar to Michigan, UCF has basically a seven-man rotation. It's a perimeter-heavy group with starting guards Green (14.8), PG Perry (11.7-3.8-5.2) and Mahan (8.8), while Freeman (8.1) and Adams (5.7) come off the bench. Starting up front are the 6-8 Walker (9.6 & 5.4) and the 6-11 Diong (5.4 & 5.8). I believed that Michigan was overrated from the start of the season (see above) and so far, I've been right on the money. Meanwhile, UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins recently said, "I like our team. I think we can compete against anyone. We have to keep getting better. Like most teams, we definitely are not a finished product right now. It's still early. We're one-third through our season. I think there's a lot of room for improvement in our team. I see it in them, and we have to try and get that out of them." This is a revenge game of sorts for UCF after it fell to Michigan by a score of 80-58 last season. Last year the Knights got destroyed by the Wolverines but that was THEN and this is NOW! Michigan was at home and it was unquestionably a better team then, while UCF was on the road, and it was a much worse team at the time. The Knights are seeking their fifth straight win and I believe they'll get it. Huge edge to the home team, as players and coaches hate being away for the holidays, unless playing in a tourney, which this is NOT. Upset Alert, but as always, take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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12-29-21 | Tennessee v. Alabama -2.5 | Top | 68-73 | Win | 100 | 13 h 57 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Game of the Year (SEC) is on Alabama at 9:00 ET. No. 14 Tennessee and No. 19 Alabama begin SEC play Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa, coming into this contest from totally different perspectives. The 9-2 Volunteers are coming off their best effort of the season, a 77-73 home victory on Dec 22 over then-unbeaten and sixth-ranked Arizona. As for the 9-3 the Crimson Tide, they haven't played since suffering a 79-78 upset loss in Birmingham on Dec. 21 against unranked Davidson. Alabama was ranked 14th in the AP's preseason poll, while Tennesses opened at No. 18. Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes has been a winner at every stop, with three NCAA berths at Providence, three in four years at Clemson and 16 in 17 years at Texas. This is his seventh season at Tennessee and he's led the Vols to three NCAA berths the last four years (exception was when COVID shut down the postseason). Freshman PG Kennedy Chandler leads Tennessee with averages of 14,0 points and 5.3 assists per game, while fellow guard Vescovi adds 13.3-4.5-3.2, while leading the team with 30 three-pointers. The 6-9 Fulkerson (9.9 & 6.1) and the 6-8 Nkamhoua (8.7 & 6.1) start up front. 6-6 guard Jordan-James missed a few games but is back in the starting lineup, averaging 6.6 & 5.9. Defense is a Rick Barnes specialty and his team is allowing just 59.3 PPG (20th) and coming off a defensive 'gem' in the team's win over Arizona, holding the Wildcats 17 points under their season average. Nate Oats spent four years at Buffalo and went 59-13 in his last two, making the Big Dance each time. That allowed him the opportunity to come to Alabama and after a 16-15 first season (COVID) he led the Tide to a 26-7 record and a Sweet 16 appearance last year. Gone from that team are the 6-7 Jones (11.2 & 6.6), who was not only the SEC player-of-the-year but also the league's Defensive POY. Also gone is veteran guard Petty (12.6 & 5.2). However, the Tide have plenty of talent left. Note that Alabama did return its top-two scorers from last season and guards Shackelford and Quinerly are again leading the way. Shackelford checks in at 16.8 & 6.6 and Quinerly at 14.7 & 4.4 APG. Swingman Ellis adds 12.4 & 6.5 plus freshman center Bediako (7.0 & 4.5) is starting. Davison (8.7-4.9-4.5), the 6-6 Miles (7.3) and the 6-8 Gurley (6.5 & 3.5) are all contributors. Alabama hasn't been the same since a wild 83-82 win over then-No. 14 Houston on Dec 11. Alabama was blown out 92-78 at Memphis on Dec 14 and struggled past Jacksonville State 65-59 on Dec 18, before the Tide allowed Davidson to sink 12 of 24 from three-point range in that one-point loss. "Not exactly what we wanted going into Christmas break," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said, "but I am all about a wake-up in order to pick up the defense." If Tennessee doesn't 'wake up' the Crimson Tide, Oats' team is in for a l-o-n-g season. The Tide won at Knoxville in the regular season last year and at Nashville over the Vols in the SEC tournament. Roll Tide! Good luck...Larry |
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12-29-21 | Seton Hall +1.5 v. Providence | Top | 65-70 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 42 m | Show |
My 9* Marquee Classic is on Seton Hall at 7:00 ET.
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12-29-21 | DePaul v. Butler -1.5 | Top | 59-63 | Win | 100 | 7 h 31 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Butler at 5:00 ET. DePaul and Butler have endured a number of COVID-19-related postponements of their would-be Big East Conference opener but will give things another shot Wednesday when the 7-4 Bulldogs host the 9-2 Blue Demons in Indianapolis. Butler has been idle since losing 77-48 to visiting No. 3 Purdue on Dec 18, while DePaul hasn't played since edging intracity rival Illinois-Chicago 72-66 on the road on Dec 14. The Bulldogs are coming off an 'ugly' 10-15 season. In the team's most recent game, Butler's four-game winning streak was halted by Purdue, as double-figure scoring efforts from Bryce Golden (17 points) and Jayden Taylor (11) weren't enough against the Boilermakers. "You've got to play well, and we did not," Bulldogs coach LaVall Jordan said. "They've cornered the market on elite size, and they've all gotten better and developed over time. It's hard to keep them away from the basket." The Bulldogs hope the time off can help rejuvenate a lineup that was without leading scorer Chuck Harris (11.6 & 4.0) to a non-COVID-related illness, Bryce Nze (shoulder) and Bo Hodges (knee) against Purdue. Guards Bolden (10.6), Taylor (10.3) and Thompson (6.5-3.4-4,8) are a nice trio plus the 6-9 Golden (9.2 & 4.1) and the 6-8 Groce (7.5 & 4.1) are the team's top frontcourt with the 6-7 Nze (6.3 & 5.5) sidelined. Tony Stubblefield worked as an assistant under Lou Henson, Mick Cronin and recently Dana Altman, before taking the DePaul job. He took over a team that was 5-14 last season (2-13 in the Big East) and a program that in its 16 seasons since joining the Big East, had gone 57-224 (.203) in league games. However, the Blue Demons have opened 9-2. Guard Javon Freeman-Liberty came to DePaul last season (from Valpo) and remains DePaul's key player. He's the team's leader in scoring (20.9), rebounding (8.3) and assists (3.9). Another returning guard (Jones) follows with 17.4 PPG and 8.3 RPG. The 6-8 Johnson (11.1 & 7.2) is a Minnesota transfer and the 6-7 Gebrewhit adds 8.6 & 4.1. DePaul is the better team on paper but I'm still not 'sold' on the Blue Demons. Hinkle Fieldhouse is a tough venue for visiting teams and Butler has won three straight in the series, including a 68-58 victory last season. The Butler defense (60.0 PPG allowed ranks 33rd) is the toughest unit DePaul has seen up to this point. I'm backing the home team. Good luck...Larry |
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12-28-21 | Notre Dame -3.5 v. Pittsburgh | Top | 68-67 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 51 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Notre Dame at 8:00 ET. Notre Dame got off to a promising 3-1 start but then lost three consecutive games. However, the Fighting Irish beat then-No. 10 Kentucky 66-62 on Dec 11, sparking a 3-1 run (lost to Indiana in a neutral site game on Dec 18). Non-conference play has featured its share of ups and downs for both Notre Dame and Pittsburgh. The Pitt Panthers have been ravaged by transfers, injuries and other issues over the last year. Jeff Capel has had a tough start at Pitt (40-48 in his first three years) and prepared for this season without his top three scorers from a year ago (one moved on to the NBA and two transferred to other programs). The Panthers then lost their fourth- and fifth-leading scorers from last season due to a suspension and an ACL tear, respectively. The Panthers welcome Minnesota to town for this ACC-Big Ten Challenge contest at 2-4. Pitt opened 2-0 but then lost FOUR in a row. However, Pitt welcomes Notre Dame to the Petersen Events Center at 5-7. Mike Brey is in his 27th season at Notre Dame and this year's team is short on depth, as basically just six players contribute. Guards Goodwin (15.3 & 5.5) and Wesley (13.5) are the top-two scorers, joined by Ryan (8.8-4.4) and Hubb (7.1) in the backcourt. The 6-9 Atkinson (11.8 & 6.4) and the 6-10 Laszewski (7.8 & 8.3) are the best (only?) frontcourt players. The Panthers are led by the 6-9 John Hugley (14.5 & 8.1) and 6-5 guard Femi Odukale (12.4-3.8-3.4), who matched a career high with 28 points in a 64-55 triumph Tuesday over Jacksonville. Senior guard Burton (11.1) and sophomore Jeffress adds 5.4 & 4.9. The 6-9 Gueye chips in 7.3 & 6.1. Both schools have opened 0-1 in ACC play but in different fashion. Notre Dame trailed by as many as 23 in a 16-point loss to Boston College, while Pitt fell on a last-second basket against Virginia. However, both enter off back-to-back wins, with Notre Dame scoring 85 and 83 points (note: The Fighting Irish have now scored at least 80 points in consecutive games for the first time all season). On the Pittsburgh side, the Panthers' defense has held opponents below 60 points in FIVE of the last six games. Bottom line is that Notre Dame has won FIVE of its past six matchups with Pitt and comes in off back-to-back excellent scoring outings (see above). Yes, Pitt is plauying excelelnt defense but the Panthers are pathetic on the offensive end, averaging only 60.7 PPG (ranks 341st!) on 40.6% shooting (316th). Notre Dame wins "with room to spare!" Good luck...Larry |
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12-25-21 | Warriors v. Suns -5.5 | Top | 116-107 | Loss | -110 | 24 h 55 m | Show |
My 10* Division Game of the Year (Pacific Division) is on the Pho Suns at 5:10 ET. The teams with the two best records in the NBA will collide when the 26-6 Golden State Warriors visit the 26-5 Phoenix Suns as part of the league's Christmas showcase late Saturday afternoon. The Warriors just missed the playoffs last season, after going 15-50 the season before (preceded by FIVE straight appearances in the NBA Finals). The Suns ended a 10-year postseason drought last year by going 51-21 (one game behind the Jazz for the NBA's best regular season record) and made it all the way to the NBA Finals. Unfortunately for Phoenix fans (bettors), the Suns went up 2-0 on the Bucks but then lost FOUR in a row! The Suns enter the game with the NBA's best record, while the Warriors are just a half-game back. However, the Warriors are tied with the 22-9 Jazz for the NBA's best point-differential (plus-10.4), while The Suns are third best at plus-7.8.
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12-23-21 | Fresno State v. Weber State | Top | 69-43 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 57 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Weber St at 6:00 ET. The Fresno State Bulldogs (MWC) and the Weber State Wildcats (Big Sky) meet in college hoops action from the Dee Events Center on Thursday night. Fresno State opened 5-0 but has cooled a little bit, going 4-3 since, after losing 55-50 at Utah Tuesday. Weber State opened the season 8-0 but welcomes the Bulldogs to Ogden off THREE losses in its last four, including back-to-back home losses to Utah St (Dec 15) and BYU (Dec 18). Fresno's only double digit scorer is the 7-0 Robinson, leading the team with 18.2 PPG and a team-high 8.2 RPG. A trio of guards have played in all 12 games. They are Campbell (8.8 & 3.5), Hill (8.5) and Holland (7.3 & 5.6). Guard Stroud adds 7.0 PPG and fellow guard Ballard has returned from a shin injury to play in six straight games, averaging 5.7 PPG. The Bulldogs don't score much (66.3 PPG) but are allowing only 55.9 PPG (7th). Weber St head coach Randy Rahe is in his 16th season at Ogden. He returned two key players from last season, guard Jawara, who is averaging 12.2 PPG and the 6-6 Jones, who adds 13.4 PPG and a team-high 10.4 RPG. Marquette transfer McEwen (a guard) is the team's leading scorer at 16.4 PPG, plus 6-6 Utan Valley transfer Overton is adding 11.4 & 3.6. The 6-10 Carlson (6.6 & 2.4) and was expected to get some help from 6-9 Florida transfer Bassett up front. He just became eligible in mid-Dec and came off the bench to add 12 & 13 in his first game. However, in those back-to-back losses to Utah St and BYU he played a total of just 10 minutes. Here's the rub. Fresno is 9-3 SU and an impressive 8-3 ATS but the Bulldogs are 0-3 SU on the road. Weber St has lost THREE of four but all three have come against quality teams (Utah St and BYU at home) and Washington St on the road. Weber St was 11-0 SU at home last season and opened 4-0 at home this season, before those back-to-back losses to Utah St and BYU. I expect them to bounce back here vs an 0-3 road team like Fresno St. Weber St averages 11 points more per game than Fresno St and in the end, pulls away for a comfortable win. Good luck...Larry |
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12-22-21 | Missouri State v. St. Mary's -5.5 | Top | 58-75 | Win | 100 | 10 h 54 m | Show |
My 10* Late-Breaker is on St Mary's at 10:00 ET. The Missouri State Bears will travel to University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, Ca to take on the Saint Mary’s Gaels Wednesday night in college hoops. The Bears will take a four-game winning streak into the contest, giving them an 8-4 record. The Gaels lost last Friday night 63-53 at SD State, dropping to 10-3 to start their season. Dana Ford is in his fourth season at Missouri St and led the Bears to a 17-7 record last season plus had all FIVE starters coming back. The 6-9 Prim (19.5) was the first-ever Missouri St player to lead the MVC in scoring and this season is averaging 16.2 PPG plus a team-high 8.1 RPG. Swingman Isiaih Mosley leads the Bears in scoring (17.6 PPG) plus adds 5.3 RPG. Guard Jaylen Minnett is an IUPUI transfer averaging 13.4 PPG and returning guard Ja’Monta Black adds 10.5 PPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Missouri State. The Bears are averaging a healthy 80.2 PPG (33rd) on 47.8% shooting (38th). Randy Bennett took over at St Mary's in 2001-02 and had his first 20-win season (25-9) in 2004-05. Starting in the 2007-08 season and going through the 2019-20 season, his Gaels won 20-plus games for 13 consecutive years. That streak ended with a 14-10 record last season. Saint Mary’s has been led by the 6-10 Matthias Tass (11.6 & 5.3) and the 6-7 Dan Fotu, who comes off the bench to add 11.1 & 4.4. Starting up front with Tass is the 6-8 Bowen (5.4 & 6.6). The Gaels start three guards, Kuhse (9.5), Ducas (9.2 & 4.3) and Johnson (8.8). Saint Mary’s is averaging just 66.9 PPG (280th) but its defense is holding opponents to 58.0 PPG (22nd). Missouri St has looked good at times this season but a road trip to Moraga, Ca (where?) is never a pleasant trip for any team. The Gaels have been tough to beat at home since Bennett took over and this year is no different, as they are off to a 7-0 start. The fact that Missouri St is on an 6-1 ATS run in the role of an underdog sure makes it easy for me to say, "Lay the points!"
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12-22-21 | Clemson +3.5 v. Virginia | Top | 67-50 | Win | 100 | 11 h 15 m | Show |
My 9* Conference Game of the Month (ACC) is on Clemson at 7:00 ET. Brad Brownell arrived in Clemson for the 2010-11 season and after 11 years, he's led the Tigers to just four, 20-win season and three NCAA berths. This is his 12th season at the helm and his team enters this ACC game at UVA on the three-game winning streak to reach 8-4 (0-1 start in the ACC, losing 80-75 at Miami on Dec 5). Tony Bennett's UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. The Cavs ended last season 18-7, after a first-round NCAA loss to 13th-seed Ohio U. In Clemson's five-point loss at Miami in their ACC opener, the Tigers turned the ball over 18 times. Clemson led for more than 35 minutes against the Hurricanes before being done in by a late 19-5 run by Miami. The good news is that Clemson has won THREE straight since that loss and one must note that Clemson has excellent balance, with FIVE players averaging in double figures. The 6-10 P.J. Hall leads the way with 14.7 PPG (adds 6.3 RPG), joined up front by the 6-8 Hunter Tyson (11.3 & 6.1), The Tigers start three guards, Al-Amir Dawes (11.7), David Collins (11.7 & 6.9) and Nick Honor (10.2). The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark (9.8 & 4.2 APG). Guard Beekman (6.1-3.9-4.6) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.6 & 5.4), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (15.3) and rebounding (8.3) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 11.4 PPG. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 55.2 PPG (6th). The 7-4 Cavs (1-0 in the ACC, edging Pitt at home by one point!) are jumping into the meat of their Atlantic Coast Conference schedule trying to find some continuity in what has already been an up-and-down season. The Cavs should be confident, as the Tigers have not managed to beat Virginia since January 2013, losing 11 in a row! Am I 'spitting into the wind' here by taking Clemson? It's possible but I really like Clemson's balance and I'll note that the Cavs played at James Madison back on Dec 7 with an 11-0 all-time record against their intrastate rival and LOST, 52-49 as a 4.5-point favorite. Virginia is just 3-8 ATS in its last 11 as a home favorite. Clemson says ENOUGH is ENOUGH. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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12-22-21 | Arizona +2 v. Tennessee | Top | 73-77 | Loss | -112 | 11 h 14 m | Show |
My 9* Marquee Classic is on Arizona at 7:00 ET. Sean Miller was fired after 12 seasons in Tucson and longtime Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd was hired (his first head coach gig). Lloyd learned more than a little about winning while at Gonzaga and his first Arizona team, unranked at the start of the season, has opened 11-0 and currently owns the AP's No. 6 ranking. Tennessee head coach Rick Barbnes has been a winner at every stop, with three NCAA berths at Providence, three in four years at Clemson and 16 in 17 years at Texas. This is his seventh season at Tennessee and he's led the Vols to three NCAA berths the last four years (exception was when COVID shut down the postseason). This year's team opened has opened 8-2 in his seventh season at Tennessee. The Vols opened the season at No. 18 and comes in ranked 19th. Tennessee is also efficient on offense. Through the weekend, the Volunteers ranked fourth in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.80), fifth in turnover margin (plus-7.1) and sixth in assists per game (19.3). Guards Chandler (14.6 & 5.4 APG) and Vescovi (13.1-4.4-3.4) lead the scoring, with the 6-8 Nkamhoua (9.4 & 6.0) and the 6-9 Fulkerson (8.3 & 6.2) starting up front. 6-6 guard Jordan-James missed a few games but is back in the starting lineup, averaging 5.9 & 6.0. Defense is a Rick Barnes specialty and his team is allowing just 57.9 PPG (20th). |
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12-21-21 | Delaware +6.5 v. Iona | Top | 72-83 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 36 m | Show |
My 9* Las vegas Insider is on Delaware at 7:30 ET. The Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens and the Iona Gaels meet Tuesday in a non-conference contest from UBS Arena. Both teams had COVID-shortened season a year ago but both are off to strong starts this season, as Delaware (of the CAA) is 9-3 and Ions (MAAC) is 9-2.
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12-21-21 | Marshall +3.5 v. Toledo | Top | 63-95 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 42 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Marshall at 7:00 ET. The 7-5 Marshall Thundering Herd and the 7-3 Toledo Rockets hook up tonight from Toledo's Savage Arena. Marshall looks to bounce back from a 75-60 loss to Northern Iowa last time out, while Toledo looks to rebound from a 72-69 loss at the hands of Richmond in its last game.
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12-21-21 | Fresno State v. Utah -3 | Top | 50-55 | Win | 100 | 9 h 28 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Utah at 7:00 ET. Once upon a time, Fresno St and Utah were Western Athletic Conference rivals. However, when the Bulldogs and Utes meet tonight in Salt Lake City, Fresno State is a member of the MWC and Utah is part of the Pac 12. Fresno State opened 5-0 but has cooled a little bit, going 4-2 since to enter 9-2.Utah also opened 5-0 but has lost FOUR of its last six and comes into the contest just 7-4. The 7-0 Robinson is the lone frontcourt player of note and is Fresno's ONLY double digit scorer, leading the team with 18.3 PPG and a team-high 8.1 RPG. The trio of guards who have played in all 11 games are Campbell (9.5 & 3.5), Hill (8.5 & 3.1) and Holland (7.2 & 5.3). Guard Ballard matched Robinson with 18 points in Fesno's last game and his 18 points were EIGHT more than he'd totaled in his first four games after returning from a shin injury (he's averaging 5.6 PPG in five games).. Craig Smith is in his first season as Utah's head coach (had a great three-year run at Utah St in going 74-24) but saw the team's best player Timmy Allen (17.2 & 6.4) transfer to Texas. However, key returning players from last year's team are the 7-0 Carlson and the 6-9 Battin (6.5 & 4.5). Carlson leads the team in scoring with 13.7 (adds 6.0 RPG) but has missed recently with COVID-19-related issues and likely won't return until the Utes' Dec. 30 Pac-12 game at Oregon State. Guards Wosrster (7.9 & 4.5) and Anthony (7.8 & 7.4) followed Smith from Utah St plus guard Jenkins (12,4) came via UNLV and guard Gach, who started at Utah but moved on Minnesota, returned this year to play for Smith and is second to Carlson with 13.4 PPG. Here's the rub. Fresno St is not just 9-2 SU but is also 8-2 ATS but both losses have come on the road, at Cal and San Francisco. Yes, Carlson is missed but the Utes are 5-1 at home, with the lone loss coming to rival BYU. A home meeting against a former rival should be "just what the doctor ordered," as Utah looks to head back into Pac 12 play on Dec 30 (has opened 1-1 in league play). No Carlson means a 'cheaper' price and I'm laying it! Good luck...Larry |
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12-19-21 | Kansas State v. Nebraska | Top | 67-58 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* Mid-West Crusher is on Nebraska at 6:00 ET. Kansas State and Nebraska were longtime rivals in the Big 8 and Big 12, before Nebraska left to join the Big Ten. The last meeting was Kansas State's 61-57 victory in Lincoln back on Feb 23, 2011, its fifth straight win over Nebraska. The two former conference rivals are set to renew acquaintances for the first time in nearly 11 years Sunday in Lincoln, Ne. The schools are beginning a three-game series that also calls for games in Manhattan next season and in Kansas City in 2023. The series was initially slated to begin last season before being pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wildcats head coach Bruce Weber said it was important to him to get the Cornhuskers back on the docket. "It's a great rivalry in K-State history," Weber told reporters. "I got here (in 2012) and it was sad that Nebraska is two hours away and Missouri is three hours away and we're not getting to play those guys. ... I think it's good for (college) basketball and it's good for us."
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12-18-21 | Dayton v. Ole Miss -3 | Top | 68-76 | Win | 100 | 8 h 20 m | Show |
My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Ole Miss at 6:30 ET. The Dayton Flyers opened the season 1-3 but have won SIX of their last seven, including a 74-73 upset of then-No. 4 Kansas, to reach 7-4. The Ole Miss Rebels are 7-3, as they welcome Dayton to Oxford in this con-conference affair.
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12-18-21 | North Carolina v. Kentucky -2 | 69-98 | Win | 100 | 11 h 15 m | Show | |
My 10* Blue Blood Bash is on Kentucky at 5:00 ET. Roy Williams retired after last year's disappointing 18-11 season, one which ended in a first-round 82-65 NCAA loss to Wisconsin. Hubert Davis took over and the Tar Heels were ranked 19th in the AP's preseason poll. As for Kentucky, the basketball team went just 9-16 last season, but all knew that was an aberration, as the Wildcats were ranked No. 10 in the AP's preseason poll. Two of CBB's 'bluest' Blue Bloods meet Saturday in Las Vegas from T-Mobile Arena. 8-2 North Carolina opened 3-0 but then lost to then-No. 6 Purdue and then-No. 17 Tennessee, before winning its last FIVE. Meanwhile, 7-2 Kentucky lost its season opener in MSG to Duke (Champions Classic), before winning all SEVEN games at home in Rupp Arena against modest (I'm being kind here) competition. However, the Wildcats fell 66-62 at Notre Dame last Saturday (note: Irish were just 3-4 coming in).
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12-18-21 | North Texas v. Wichita State -2.5 | Top | 62-52 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 35 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Wichita St at 4:00 ET. The North Texas Mean Green and the Wichita State Shockers face off on Saturday in college hoops at Charles Koch Arena. North Texas comes into this game with a 6-3 record overall, while Wichita State is 8-2 record. Grant McCasland took over at North Texas starting in the 2017-18 season and won 20, 210 and 20 games. However, while last year's team won just 18 games, the Mean Green won the C-USA tourney and then upset 4th-seeded Purdue in OT in the first round of the Big Dance. Over at Wichita St, Gregg Marshall was forced out at Wichita St (verbal and physical abuse of players) and Isaac Brown took over, leading the Shockers to a 16-6 season, where they lost in the NCAA's First Four.
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12-18-21 | Indiana v. Notre Dame +4 | Top | 64-56 | Loss | -107 | 8 h 32 m | Show |
My 9* Daydream Believer is on Notre Dame at 2:30 ET. The Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis has featured Butler, Indiana, Notre Dame and Purdue but those schools have chosen against renewing the contract. Ostensibly, they are creating opportunities to schedule other non-conference teams. That means the 11-year event will come to a close on Saturday. Indiana comes in 8-2 under Mike Woodson, who is in his first season coaching his alma mater. As for 4-4 Notre Dame, head coach Mike Brey is in his 27th season at South Bend.
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12-17-21 | Grizzlies v. Kings +5.5 | Top | 124-105 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* Western Conference Game of the Month is on the Sac Kings at 10:10 ET. The 18-11 Memphis Grizzlies are in Sacramento Friday night to take on the 12-17 Kings. The Grizz are wrapping up a brief two-game West Coast swing, after winning 113-103 Wednesday night in Portland. These two teams will be meeting for a second time this season (a third matchup, also in Sacramento, is just nine days away), after the Grizzlies won 128-101 at home back on Nov 28. That contest was the first game after PG Ja Morant (24.1-5.6-6.8) injured his knee. Despite playing without Morant, who sprained his left knee and later entered the league's health and safety protocols, Memphis has won FOUR in a row and nine of 10 since a disappointing 9-10 start. We all know that Sacramento hasn't made the playoffs for 15 straight seasons The Kings fired Luke Walton after a 6-11 start, ending, at least for now, his legendary 166-241 (.408) record as an NBA head coach. The Kings have shown some 'life' and progress since being led by interim head coach Alvin Gentry but Gentry tested positive for COVID-19 this week and Doug Christie stepped in for him and directed a come-from-behind 119-105 victory over the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Christie is a former Kings player and broadcaster, who was named assistant coach just this season. He was given the game ball afterward and showed his pride after the team ended a three-game losing streak. "I've done radio; I've done television. There's no other place I'd rather be than on the court with our team," Christie said. "It's joyous for me in ways I can't even explain." Dillon Brooks (18.3) is the team's leading scorer with Morant sidelined, while PF Jackson has returned healthy this season to average 16.4 & 5.3. The real surprise has been SG Bane, who is averaging 16.2 PPG, after averaging 9.2 PPG as a rookie. The addition of center Adams (7.0 & 8.8) has turned out fine, although one CAN'T convince me the Grizzlies don't miss Valanciunas and his 17.1 & 12.5 from last season! I've been saying the same thing for the last two seasons, the Kings have way more talent than their record indicates. Maybe Gentry, whom players like, can get the most out of these perennial underachievers. PG Fox (21.3 & 5.0 APG) is joined on the perimeter by fellow starter Haliburton (11.5 & 5.7 APG) and Hield (15.6 & 4.0), who seems fine coming off the bench these days. Undersized center Holmes (14.0 & 9.3) has developed into a quality big man, but he is expected to miss again here with an eye injury. SF Barnes (17.5 & 6.6) has been terrific since arriving in Sacramento a few years ago and he led the comeback Wednesday, scoring 15 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter. Congrats to the Grizz for their recent play but I believe they have played "over the heads." As for the Kings, they are in a solid recent ATS situation, having gone 7-2 ATS in their last nine as a home underdog in the +3.5 to +6.5 points range. Take those points but I'm issuing an "Upset Alert!" Good luck...Larry |
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12-17-21 | Lakers v. Wolves -2 | Top | 92-110 | Win | 100 | 11 h 53 m | Show |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on the Min T-wolves at 10:10 ET. The Los Angeles Lakers are coming off a 107-104 OT win against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, which included a game-winning three-pointer from rookie Austin Reaves. The win was LA's third in a row to get back to .500 at 16-16. They will try to win four games in a row for the FIRST time this season when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night at Minneapolis. The Timberwolves are back home after notching back-to-back road victories over the Portland Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggets. Their latest win, a 124-107 decision over Denver, tied for the team's second-highest point total this season. The two-game 'mini' winning streak ended a five-game slide, as Minnesota looks for a THIRD straight win tonight with a 13-15 record on the season. LBJ leads Los Angeles with 26.1 points per game to go along with 5.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists. Anthony Davis is next with 23.8 points and a team-high 10.2 rebounds. Both have been bothered with injuries this season and LBJ is currently dealing with an abdominal issue and Davis with a knee issue. However, they are both expected to play. However, the mood was dampened Thursday with news that the Lakers' starting backcourt of Russell Westbrook (19.6-7.8-8.4and Avery Bradley were placed into COVID-19 protocols and are not expected to play Friday. They join teammates Talen Horton-Tucker, Dwight Howard and Malik Monk in protocols. The Minnesota Timberwolves made Karl-Anthony Towns the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 and the LA Lakers made D'Angelo Russell the No. 2 pick of that same draft. Towns has been the 'centerpiece' (pardon the pun) of the T-wolves since joining the team but now Russell, who has had a nomadic career, is making a big impact with the T-wolves as Towns' teammate. Throw in swingman Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 Draft and the T-wolves own quite a trio. Towns is averaging 24.3 & 9.0, Edwards 22.1-5.8-3.6 and Russell 18.8-4.1-6.4. Yes, LA is going for a fourth straight win but the two previous wins (before Dallas), came over 5-24 Orlando and 8-19 OKC. Alos, as noted above, LA's protocol 'list' is a full one! Meanwhile, let me note that with Russell out, the T-wolves are j 0-45 but with him playing, they are 13-10. Russell should enjoy picking up a "W' against the team that drafted him. My bet says it comes "with room to spare! Good luck...Larry |
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12-17-21 | St. Mary's v. San Diego State +3.5 | Top | 53-63 | Win | 100 | 15 h 53 m | Show |
My 10* West Coast Crusher is on San Diego St at 10:00 ET. The Saint Mary’s Gaels and the San Diego State Aztecs meet tonight at Viejas Arena in San Diego. These are two high-quality programs. Randy Bennett took over at St Mary's in 2001-02 and had his first 20-win season (25-9) in 2004-05. Starting in the 2007-08 season and going through the 2019-20 season, his Gaels won 20-plus games for 13 consecutive years. That streak ended with a 14-10 record last season. Brain Dutcher was a longtime assistant under Steve Fisher (beginning in Michigan) and lasting through all of Fisher's great teams at SD St. Fisher stepped away and Dutcher took over in the 2017-18 season, going 22-11, 21-13, 30-2 and 23-5 the previous four years. Saint Mary's is coming off of an easy beat down of Cal State Stanislaus in their last game and visits San Diego with an 8-2 record. The 6-7 Fotu is coming off the bench but is the Gaels' top scorer at 12.8 PPG (adds 4.7 RPG). The 6-10 Tass (11.6 & 5.4) is the only other double-digit scorer and is joined in the starting lineup by guards Ducas (9.6 & 4.2), Kuhse (9.3), and Johnson (9.3) plus Bowen (5.6 & 6.5), the team's top rebounder. Great balance and a team that allows just 57.6 PPG (1th). The Aztecs lost forward Mitchell (15.4 & 5.6) and guard Schakel (14.4) from last season (the top-two scorers). However, Matt Bradley, who was an All Pac 12 player at Cal last season averaging 18.0 & 4.6 LY, leads SDSU with 15.0 PPG (adds 4.8 RPG). He is joined by three more guards in the starting lineup, Pulliman (10.9-3.4-3.3), Johnson (5.7 & 4.1) and Seiko (4.6) plus the 6-10 Mensah (7.4 & 7.7). Like St Mary's, SDSU also knows something about playing defense (is allowing 59.2 PPG to rank 28th). The 8-2 Gaels have only lost to 9-2 Wisconsin (neutral site) and now-No.23 Colorado St (10-0). Meanwhile, while SDSU is just 6-3, all three losses have come to quality programs, BYU (on the road), now-No. 10 USC (10-0) on a neutral court and then-No.24 Michigan on the road. The Aztecs are 5-0 at home this season and are now 59-8 SU at home in Dutcher's four-plus seasons! That and I'm getting a few points! Too good to pass up! Good luck...Larry |
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12-15-21 | Utah State v. Weber State +3.5 | Top | 95-80 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 9 m | Show |
My 10 CBB Weekly Wipeout is on Weber St at 9:00 ET.
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12-15-21 | Hornets +4 v. Spurs | Top | 131-115 | Win | 100 | 11 h 21 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Cha Hornets at 8:40 ET. The 15-14 Charlotte Hornets head to San Antion Wednesday night off a 120-96 road loss in Dallas on Monday. That was the first contest of a six-game road trip taking the Hornets to Portland, Phoenix, Utah and Denver after palying the Spurs. For San Antonio, this contest marks the final one of a five-game stretch at home. The Spurs beat the Pelicans 112-97 on Sunday, evening their record to 2-2 on the homestand. However, the Spurs check in at a disappointing 10-16 on the season. The Hornets have been shackled by COVID-19, as they played Dallas without Mason Plumlee, Jalen McDaniels, LaMelo Ball and Ish Smith because of the virus. That said, the only REAL loss there is Ball, who is having a terrific sophomore season (20.0-7.7-8.3). The good news was that Terry Rozier (17.9-3.6-3.5) returned to the team from the league's health and safety protocol in time to score 20 points in the loss to Dallas. Forwards Bridges (19.8 & 7.3) and Hayward (17,6-4.9-4.0) have each played all 29 games, as has swingman Oubre (17.0 & 4.2). Plumlee (6.8 & 7.3) had been solid at center but PJ Washington (10.6 & 5.1) has started in his place and has been more than adequate. There is talk that Plumlee may be back tonight. The Spurs have SEVEN players averaging in double digits, led by Murray (18.0-8.4-8.3). Forwards Johnson (14.5 & 6.2) and McDermott (11.1) join center Poeltl (12.4 & 9.1) up front, while Murray is joined on the perimeter by White (13.9 & 5.1 APG), Vassell (11.2) and Walker (10.6). Somehow, with this roster, 'Pop' should have a better record than 10-16. Through all its issues, the Hornets were on a FIVE-game winning ATS run prior to Monday's blowout loss in Dallas. Charlotte has a tough road ahead of them (see above) and that means getting a win here has to be pretty important. That's my call against the underachieving Spurs. Take the points. Good luck...Larry |
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12-15-21 | South Dakota State +4.5 v. Missouri State | Top | 63-75 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 11 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on South Dakota St at 7:00 ET. The 9-3 South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the 6-4 Missouri State Bears meet from the JQH Arena in Springfield, Mo on Wednesday night. The Jackrabbits are looking to build off a 77-74 win over Washington State last time out. The Bears are coming off a 69-60 win over Oral Roberts in their last game.
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12-14-21 | Arizona State +8 v. Creighton | Top | 58-57 | Win | 100 | 12 h 37 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Arizona St at 8:00 ET. The Arizona State Sun Devils and the Creighton Bluejays meet in college hoops action from the CHI Health Center Omaha on Tuesday night. Bobby Hurley, a member of "the famous Coaching Hurleys," is in his seventh season at ASU but after three straight 20-win seasons, his team fell to 11-14 (7-10 in the Pac 12) last season. The Sun Devils are off to a disappointing 4-6 start to open the current season and that's only because they come in off back-to-back wins. Creighton lost all FIVE starters from last year's 22-9 team that made a Sweet 16 appearance. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Coach McDermott but the Bluejays are 8-2. The Sun Devils have all sorts of problems 'scoring the ball,' as ASU enters averaging 64.7 PPG (309th). ASU was just 2-6 after losing 51-29 at home to Washington St on Dec 1. That loss may just have been the 'wake up call' this team needed, as ASU won 69-67 in OT at Oregon (Dec 9) and then followed with a 67-62 home win over a 7-1 Grand Canyon team on Dec 11. Arizona State's scoring issues have suffered because returning guard Bagley (10.8 PPG) was lost to a knee injury after just THREE games (was averaging 10.4). That leaves two double digit scorers in guard Horne (13.2) and the 6-6 Lawrence (11.4 & 8.5). Hurley was really counting on Toledo grad transfer Jackson, who was the MAC player-of-the-year last season, averaging 18.1-6.2-5.9. However, his scoring has been cut by more than half (8.2 PPG), while adding 4.2 RPG and 4.2 APG. The othr two starters are guard Muhammad (7.4) and the 6-9 Graham (5.6 & 3.0). Guard Heath (8.9) is the best reserve. Creighton has rebuilt quickly. The starting guards are freshman Nembhard (13.1-3.7-4.6) and O'Connell (3.4 PPG last year), who is averaging 11.3 & 5.3 this season. 7-1 center Kalkbrenner returned (5.9 & 3.5 LY) and is a 'new man,' averaging 12.4 & 6.4. The 6-7 Hawkins is a Div II transfer and chips in 14.5 & 6.5 plus 6-7 freshman Kaluma adds 8.9 & 4.5. 8-2 Creighton got off to its best start since winning its first 13 games in the 2016-17 campaign and those two losses have come to Colorado St (10-0 and now ranked No. 23) and Iowa St (10-0 and now ranked No. 11). The Bluejays are off a nice 83-71 neutral-site win over then-No. 24 BYU. However, I also remember Creighton's less-than-impressive wins against Kennesaw State (4-6) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-10) early in the year. Coach Hurley has made adjustments that have paid major dividends over the last week and I look for that progression to continue here for the hungry visiting side. As for Creighton, the Bluejays could be forgiven for 'peeking ahead' to Friday's Big East opener against No. 9 Villanova. Grab the points. Good luck...Larry |
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12-13-21 | Warriors v. Pacers +4.5 | Top | 102-100 | Win | 100 | 11 h 9 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Ind Pacers at 7:10 ET. There can be no doubt that the Warriors are back, even with Klay Thompson and last year's overall No. 2 draft pick (James Wiseman) still sidelined. Stephen Curry takes his pursuit of the NBA's all-time 3-point record on the road but much more importantly, he's been a great leader that has Golden St at 21-5, a half-game behind the 21-4 Suns for the NBA's best record. The Indiana Pacers missed the postseason with a 34-38 record last year, after playing in NINE of the previous 10. The Pacers opened 1-6 and were just 6-11 thru Nov 19. The Pacers did win three of four (reaching 9-12) but then lost FOUR in a row before ending that skid last Monday night with a 116-110 win over the Wizards. Indiana added home wins Wednesday (122-102 over the NYK) and Friday (106-93 over Dallas). Still, the Pacers are just 12-16 on the season.
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12-12-21 | Villanova +5 v. Baylor | Top | 36-57 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 27 m | Show |
My 10* Marquee Classic is on Villanova at 3:00 ET. Talk about a marquee classic! It doesn't get too much better than No. 6 Villanova and No. 2 Baylor when the two BKB powers square off today from the Ferrell Center in Waco, Tx. on Sunday afternoon. 'Nova head coach Jay Wright owns two national titles and what Baylor's head coach Scott Drew has done in his near-two-decade run in Waco, has been nothing short of miraculous. Drew's program has overcome the murder of a player, a cover up by the school's previous head coach and severe NCAA sanctions to become one of CBB's elite programs, 'putting a cherry on top' with the school's first-ever NCAA championship by routing 31-0 Gonzaga in the national championship game.
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12-12-21 | Florida State -6 v. South Carolina | Top | 65-66 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 39 m | Show |
My 9* Daydream Believer is on Florida St at 12:00 ET. Leonard Hamilton has built quite a program in Tallahassee with his FSU Seminoles but lost a 'ton' of talent from last year's team. However, the cupboard is hardly bare (more in a bit). The 5-3 Seminoles travel to Rock Hill, SC for the No Room for Racism Classic to take on South Carolina. The ever-lovable Frank Martin sure built up some goodwill by leading South Carolina to the school's only Final 4 back in 2017 but these last four seasons, the Gamecocks have gone 17-16, 16-16, 18-13 and an 'ugly' 6-14 last season. That goodwill is about ALL used up and the Gamecocks need to build on their 6-3 start.
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12-11-21 | UCLA -6 v. Marquette | 67-56 | Win | 100 | 13 h 20 m | Show | |
The 2nd play of my 3-in-1 STP is on UCLA at 9:30 ET. All remember UCLA's great run to the Final 4 last season and with a 'TON' of talent back, the Bruins have opened 7-1 (ranked No. 4), losing only to Gonzaga back on November23.The Bruins will be anxious to get back on the court, as they last played Dec 1 in a 73-61 victory over Colorado. Washington had to forfeit its Dec 5 game against the Bruins due to COVID-19 concerns. Marquette (8-2) earned a 64-63 victory against Kansas State on Wednesday night to cap off a two-game road trip and will welcome the Bruins to Fiserv Forum, where the team is 5-0. |
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12-11-21 | Warriors v. 76ers +3.5 | Top | 93-102 | Win | 100 | 10 h 45 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the Phi 76ers at 8:40 ET. There can be no doubt that the Warriors are back, even with Klay Thompson and last year's overall No. 2 draft pick (James Wiseman) still sidelined. Stephen Curry takes his pursuit of the NBA's all-time 3-point record on the road but much more importantly, he's been a great leader that has Golden St at 21-4, tied with the Suns for the NBA's best record. The 76ers earned the East's No. 1 seed last year but then fell in the second round of the playoffs, to the Hawks. The current season began and remains with Ben Simmons 'pouting' plus COVID protocols and injuries have limited the team's two-best players, Embiid and Harris. s
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12-11-21 | Jazz v. Wizards +5.5 | Top | 123-98 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 2 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Was Wizards at 7:10 ET. The Utah Jazz owned the NBA's best regular season record last season but injuries kind of derailed them in the playoffs. Utah opened the current season a modest 8-5 but enters tonight's game at Washington (final contest of a 5-game road trip) having won 10 of 12, including SIX in a row. Utah is 18-7 on the season. The Wizards snapped a three-game losing streak with a 119-116 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday and will welcome the Jazz to the Verizon Venter at 15-11 overall, including 8-3 at home. |
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12-11-21 | TCU -1 v. Texas A&M | Top | 68-64 | Win | 100 | 11 h 28 m | Show |
My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on TCU at Texas A&M at 6:30 ET. It's a showdown of two former Big 12 Conference opponents when TCU squares off against Texas A&M on Saturday in The Battleground 2K21 at the Toyota Center in Houston. Both schools have struggled the previous two seasons, as both have been hit hard by COVID. However, Jamie Dizon (of Pitt fame) and Buzz Williams (Marquette and Va Tech) have each gotten their respective teams off to 7-1 starts. The Horned Frogs' most recent outing produced a 76-62 win over Utah in a neutral site contest in Fort Worth. While the Aggies head to Houston after an 85-65 home victory over New Orleans back on Nov 30, meaning A&M has had 10 days off (I don't see that as being an advantage). Mike Miles poured in a career-high-tying 28 points and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds for TCU in its win over Utah. "Mike was tremendous early and then kept attacking as the game went on," Jamie Dixon said. "We played good defense. We reached every goal we wanted to get coming into the game as far as guarding and taking care of the basketball -- we just need to shoot it a little better." Miles leads the way with a line of 17.1-3.6-46 and the 6-7 Miller (10.6 & 7.1.) is the only other TCU player in double digits. Baugh (8.0) and Peavy (7.5) are guards, while the 6-6 O'Bannon (7.1 & 3.0), the 6-7 Coles (6.1 & 4.1) and 6-11 center Lampkin (5.1 & 4.6) contribute up front. A&M has just ONE player in double figures and that's guard Jackson (12.3). The team's second-leading scorer (9.6) and leading rebounder (5.7) is the 6-7 Coleman but he's questionable with a back issue. Williams' team is basically a perimeter-based team, as five guards chip in between 6.3 and 9.5 PPG. Other than Coleman, the team's only other big man is the 6-8 Henderson, who averages just 2.6 & 3.1 in about 17 minutes. As noted above, I don't see being off for 10 days as being beneficial to the Aggies. Both play excellent defense, as TCU allows 60.9 PPG on 38.9% shooting, while A&M allows 60.1 PPG on 38.1% shooting. It's a neutral court but the edge goes to the more talented Horned Frogs, who are the team to watch in this year's Big 12. It's worth noting that the Aggies are a poor 3-7 ATS in their last 10 neutral-site contests plus that TCU owns a significant rebound advantage (45 to 36 per night). Expect TCU to win by double digits. Good luck...Larry |
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12-11-21 | Kentucky v. Notre Dame +5 | 62-66 | Win | 100 | 9 h 6 m | Show | |
he 3rd play of my STP is an 8* on Notre Dame at 5:15 ET. The Kentucky's men's basketball team went just 9-16 last season, but all knew that was an aberration, as the Wildcats were ranked No. 10 in the AP's preseason poll. After a loss to Duke in the Champions Classic on the opening night of the season, the Wildcats were faced with a seven-game homestand at Rupp Arena against mid-major opponents. After Tuesday's 76-64 win over Southern, Kentucky wrapped it up at 7-0. Now at 7-1, the Wildcats are right where they started the season, ranked 10th. The Wildcats (7-1) will hit the road again, making the trip to South Bend to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who have struggled to a 3-4 start. All that said, this will be Notre Dame's first home game in 25 days after five games away from South Bend, while as noted above, the Wildcats haven't left the Bluegrass state since playing Duke on Nov 9. I'm taking the points. |
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12-11-21 | Drake +2 v. Clemson | 80-90 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 60 m | Show | |
The 1st play of my STP is an 8* on Drake at 2:00 ET. Drake and Clemson meet in a Holiday Hoopsgiving game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers opened the season 4-0 but entered this contest having lost FOUR of their last five games (now 5-4 on the season; Meanwhile, the Drake Bulldogs have won THREE in a row to reach 6-3. |
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12-11-21 | Arkansas v. Oklahoma | Top | 66-88 | Win | 100 | 7 h 20 m | Show |
My 9* Daydream Believer is on Oklahoma at 1:30 ET. Eric Musselman, in just his second year at Arkansas (2020-21 season), led the Razorbacks to a 25-7 year and into the Elite 8. It marked the highest winning percentage for an Arkansas team and its highest finish in the final AP poll (No. 10) since the 1995 team lost in the national championship game to UCLA. Key players are gone from that team in the 6-7 Smith (16.8 & 7.3) plus guards Moody (16.6 &5.8) and Tate (11.0) but this year's Razorbacks are unbeaten (9-0) and ranked No. 12 when they take the court this afternoon at the Bank of Oklahoma Center in Tulsa. Porter Moser (of Loyola-Chicago fame) is in his first season at Norman and he has the Sooners off to a 7-2 start. Oklahoma lost 73-70 to Utah St in the championship game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational and then in its last outing, 66-62 in overtime to Butler when the Sooners went just 1-for-9 from beyond the arc over the last eight minutes of regulation, watching an eight-point lead evaporate. Musselman returned players like SEC 6th-man of the year Notae and he leads the team with a line of 18.7-4.8-3.4. Fellow guard Davis averaged just 6.3 points per game in the Razorbacks' first six games, but he's scored 50 points in his last three and is now averaging 9.8 & 4.3. Two big men returned as well, the 6-10 Williams (7.1 & 8.7) and the 7-3 Vanover (7.1 & 3.4). Pitt transfer Toney (13.1 & 6.8) plus South Dakota transfers Lykes (12.4) and Umude (9.3 & 4.7) give Arkansas a VERY deep group of perimeter players. Moser's starting-five is VERY good, led by the 6-10 Tanner Groves (14.9 & 6.2), who gets some help up front from the 6-6 Hill (9.2 & 6.2). Then there is a trio of backcourt players led by Gibson (11.3), PG Goldwire (9.4 & 56.2) and Harkless (9.0 & 4.6). Back on Dec 1, Mike White's Florida Gators visited Norman at 6-0 (the school's best start since 2012) and the Sooners handed them their first loss of the season, 74-67. I know this game is NOT in Norman, but Tulsa is surely a favorable venue for the Sooners. The key matchup is that the Razorbacks are shooting just 28.5 percent on three-pointers this season, including only 20.6 percent their last six games (3 of 13 the last time out). Meanwhile, the Sooners have been among the nation's best in defending along the perimeter, holding teams to just 27.5 percent on three-pointers (33rd). I had Okla over Florida back on Dec 1 (part of 3-0 STP sweep) and 'believe' in the Sooners just as much here. Good luck...Larry |
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12-10-21 | Loyola-Chicago v. Vanderbilt +4.5 | Top | 69-58 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 33 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on Vanderbilt at 8:00 ET. Porter Moser left after last season to take the Oklahoma job. He spent 10 years as the Ramblers' head coach, winning 99 games his last four years, reaching the Final 4 in 2018 and the Sweet 16 last year. Drew Valentine, Moser's assistant the last four seasons, lost the 6-9 Kurtwig (MVC p-o-y) but has the Ramblers off to an 8-2 start. Jerry Stackhouse was just 20-37 in his first two seasons at Nashville but this year's team got off to a 5-1 start. However, the Commodores will be trying to break a two-game slide that includes a 12-point loss at SMU in which they squandered a 12-point halftime lead last Saturday, and a 72-68 overtime loss to visiting Temple on Tuesday in which they shot a woeful 4-for-26 (15.4 percent) from three-point range. Loyola Chicago rolled to an 88-49 win over NAIA program Roosevelt (Ill.) on Tuesday, despite the fact that starters Braden Norris (8.2 & 4.1 APG) and the 6-7 Aher Uguak (10.0 & 3.9) ppg) sat out with undisclosed injuries. Both are expected to return to face the Commodores. Guard Williamson (11.7 & 5.0) joins Norris in the backcourt, while 6-7 Princeton grad transfer Ryan Schwieger (11.2 & 3.3) and the returning 6-10 Hutson (9.1 & 2.7) join Uguak up front. Loyola always plays good defense (61.4 PPG ranks 52nd) and has scored well so far, averaging 79.9 PPG. Vandy is led by the backcourt duo of Pippen (16.5 & 4.1) and Wright (14.9 & 7.0). Stackhouse got great news when Pippen decided to pull himself out of the NBA Draft and return to Nashville but got bad news when the 7-0 Robbins (Minnesota grad transfer who averaged 11.7 & 6.6 LY), was sidelined by a foot injury with no timetable for a return. The 6-7 Stute (9.7 & 2.8), guard Lawrence (6.6 & 3.3) and the 6-10 Brown gives them some size up front but he's only averaging 4.5 & 4.1. This marks the Ramblers final non-conference game this season against a power-conference team and frankly, Loyola is the better team. However, I believe Vandy is the 'hungrier' side in this one. Vandy opened 5-1 but enters this contest off back-to-back losses and really NEEDS a win here. After Loyola, the 'Dores host Austin Peay and play at Hawaii on Dec 22. The team then has off until Jan 4, when SEC play opens. A win here and Vandy just could be 8-3 when SEC play opens. First things first. I'm taking the points but expect an OUTRIGHT win. Good luck...Larry |
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12-10-21 | Knicks +1.5 v. Raptors | Top | 87-90 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 45 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the NY Knicks at 7:40 ET. The Knicks ended a seven-year postseason drought last year by going 41-31 but lost in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks, who made it all the way to the East Conference Finals. Expectations were high in Madison Square Garden to open the season but so far, the Knicks have been a disappointment. New York snapped a three-game losing streak Tuesday night, when it didn't trail in the final three quarters of a 121-109 win over the host San Antonio Spurs; However, the Knicks fell Wednesday night 122-102 to the Indiana Pacers at Indianapolis. Toronto went 58-24 in the 2018-19 season (.707) and went onto win the franchise's lone NBA title led by Kawhi. Kawhi 'flew the coop' before the 2019-20 season but the Raptors had even a better regular season record, going 53-19 (.736). However, the Raptors couldn't replicate their postseason success. Last season, Toronto tumbled to a 27-45 record. The Raptors are just 11-14 so far this season, after they lost 110-109 at home on Wednesday to the Oklahoma City Thunder (8-16), dropping their home record to 4-9. "Just having the necessary energy at the start of the game ... that's probably the biggest thing (that was missing)," Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said abou Wednesday's loss to the Pacers. "Just our defense. They're a good team. I thought we scored, but we didn't guard." The good news for New York fans is that the Knicks are as healthy as they've been all season. SIX players are averaging in double digits, with guard Quickly (9.7) and the 6-9 Toppin (8.3 & 3.)6 coming close. The only starter not in double digits is center Robinson (6.9 & 7.7). PF Randle (19.8-9.8-5.2) is again having an All Star-like season, joined by SF Barrett (15.0 & 5.6) plus guards Fournier (12.8) and Burks (11.8). Guards Rose (12.1) and Walker (11.7) are coming off the bench. OG Anunoby has blossomed this season, averaging 20.1 & 5.5 but a hip pointer has caused him to miss FOUR straight games (don't expect him to play here). PG VanVleet (19.8-5.1-6.3) is a true All Star, as is PF Siakam (19.4 & 7.4), who is back after beginning the season injured. SG Trent (16.7) has been a valuable addition plus rookie Barnes (Florida) has been a HUGE surprise, averaging 15.2 & 8.0. However, depth is an issue right now. I referred to Anunoby at the top but PG Dragic, PF Achiuwa and center Birch are all expected to miss as well. The Knicks lost 113-104 at home to the Raptors back Nov 1 and you know what they say about paybacks? Good luck...Larry |
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12-10-21 | Mavs +2 v. Pacers | Top | 93-106 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 4 m | Show |
My 9* Late Breaker is on the Dal Mavs at 7:10 ET. The Dallas Mavs opened 9-4 but followed by losing EIGHT of 10 to fall under .500 at 11-12. Dallas capitalized on 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists from Luka Doncic, and 19 points from Kristaps Porzingis to win at Memphis 104-96 on Wednesday and get back to .500 (12-12). The Indiana Pacers missed the postseason with a 34-38 record last year, after playing in NINE of the previous 10. The Pacers opened 1-6 and were just 6-11 thru Nov 19. The Pacers did win three of four (reaching 9-12) but then lost FOUR in a row before ending that skid Monday night with a 116-110 win over the Wizards and following with a 122-102 rout of New York on Wednesday. Doncic (25.6-8.0-8.5), Porzingis (19.5 & 8.0), Hardaway (14.3 & 3.8) and Brunson (14.3-3.8-5.0) all average in double digits plus the Mavs have excellent depth when the roster is healthy. That's the case right now, so add in frontcourt players Finney-Smith (9.3 & 4.5), Kleber (7.3 & 5.3) and Powell (6.0 & 4,5) plus guard Bullock (6.0). The Pacers have All Star quality players in PG Brogdon (20.3-5.7-6.1) and PF Sabonis (18.0 & 12.0) plus a deep supporting cast. That list includes guards LaVert (14.9) and rookie Duarte (13.5 & 4.0) plus center Turner (12.9 & 7.7). Playing mostly in reserve roles, swingman Holiday (9.9) plus guards McConnell (8.4 & 4.8 APG) and Lamb (7.3) are effective contributors. However, Holiday will miss here due to health and safety protocols and McConnell to a wrist injury. Lamb (7.2), Martin (6.9) and Craig (5.2) will get some extra "PT." When healthy, the Mavs are a quality, playoff-bound team. That CAN NOT be said of the Pacers. Take Dallas. Good luck...Larry |
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12-09-21 | Grand Canyon v. Arizona State -3 | Top | 62-67 | Win | 100 | 13 h 7 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Arizona St at 9:30 ET. Former NBA star Dan Majerle took over at Grand Canyon when it moved up to Division I for the 2013-14 season. His first two teams went 15-15 and 17-15 but he then put together three straight 20-win seasons. However, after falling to 13-17 in 2019-20, he was fired. To the rescue came Bryce Drew, who led the Antelopes to a 17-7 record and the school's first WAC regular season championship, its WAC tourney championship and to the school's first-ever NCAA tourney berth. Not a bad start, The 'Lopes have opened the current season 8-1, as they head to Tempe to take on Arizona St on Thursday.
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12-09-21 | Iowa -4 v. Iowa State | Top | 53-73 | Loss | -117 | 14 h 23 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Iowa at 9:00 ET. Fran McCaffrey is in his 12th season at Iowa City and he's delivered seven, 20-win seasons is his first 11. Gone are consensus National Player-of-the-Year Garza (24.1 & 8.7) and Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.6) but the Hawkeyes opened 7-0, before dropping back-to-back Big Ten games to now-No. 1 Purdue and Illinois.The Hawkeyes travel to Ames for another contest in the Cy-Hawk rivalry. Iowa State (8-0) is seeking to match the third-best start in school history (9-0 in 2015-16). The early-season success represents quite a turnaround under first-year coach T.J. Otzelberger, who came from UNLV to take over an Iowa St team that went 2-22 last season (0-18 in the Big 12). The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the team in scoring (23.9) and rebounding (8.0) while his brother Kris comes off the bench to chip in 11.3 & 5.6. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey is averaging 12.0 PPG and returning guard Bohannon adds 9.8 PPG. 6-7 freshman Sandfort (7.1), Perkins (9.8), Toussaint (5.9 & 4.1 APG) and the 6-9 Rebraca (5.4 & 6.4) round out the main contributors. A trio of guards lead the way for Iowa St, starting with standout Izaiah Brockington, who leads the team in scoring (16.0) and rebounding (7.5). He's joined on the perimeter by Kalscheur (12.1) and Hunter (11.6 & 5.4 APG). The team's frontcourt rotation is led by the 6-8 Kunc (6.8 & 4.6) and the 6-9 Conditt (5.9 & 5.1). The Cyclones snapped a 25-game road losing streak on Saturday when they posted a 64-58 win at Creighton. Iowa St had already picked up wins this season over then-No. 9 Memphis (by 19 points), then-No. 25 Xavier (12 points) and 2021 Elite Eight team Oregon State (10 points). Now, the 17th-ranked Cyclones will try to avoid losing for the FOURTH consecutive time to Iowa, when the in-state rivals square off on Thursday night in Ames. "I've done this -- not forever -- but long enough," Otzelberger said. "I don't know that I've seen a group that has more pride in Iowa State and in their team success and cares about each other and is giving what they have every single day." That said, McCaffrey and his Hawkeyes know all about success (see above) and after back-to-back losses, NEED to get back on track before resuming Big Ten play on Jan 3. Good luck...Larry |
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12-09-21 | Jazz v. 76ers +3.5 | Top | 118-96 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 57 m | Show |
My 10* East/West Game of the Month is on the Phi 76ers at 7:10 ET. The Utah Jazz owned the NBA's best regular season record last season but injuries kind of derailed them in the playoffs. Utah opened the current season a modest 8-5 but enters tonight's game at Philly (4th contest of a 5-game road trip) having won NINE of 11, including FIVE in a row Utah is 17-7 on the season). The 76ers were the East's No. 1 seed last year but were upset in the second round of the playoffs by the red-hot Hawks. Of course, all know about the Simmons situation (hasn't played yet TY) but Philly has also been besieged with injuries and COVID-19 issues. However, Philly is back healthy and welcomes the Jazz to town on a three-game winning streak (76ers are 14-11 on the season). A HUGELY disappointing 98-97 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov 26 sparked Utah's five-game winning streak. Utah handily defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 136-104 on Wednesday in Minneapolis behind 36 points from Donovan Mitchell and 21 from Bojan Bogdanovic. Mitchell (24.7-4.1-5.0) has been effective all season and enters this contest on a four-game run of 30-plus-point performances. Jazz PG Mike Conley (12.0 & 4.5 APG) also is playing well. The 34-year-old veteran has steadily improved his shooting, as he is hitting 50.9 percent from the floor, which would be a career high, and is leading the league with a 47.6 percent success rate from three-point range. SF Bogdanovic (17.0 & 4.0), center Gobert (14.8 & 14.5) and PF O'Neale (8.0 & 5.1) complete the starting lineup. 6th-man Clarkson (14.9) leads the reserves. The best news for Philly fans is that the team is back healthy. Center Embiid (24.5-11.1-4.3) and PF Harris (19.3 & 8.3) have missed time because of COVID protocols but that's behind them. Simmons has NOT been missed, as PG Maxey (16.8 & 4.2 APG) has been very good, while Curry adds 16.2 PPG in the backcourt. Guards Milton (11.6) and Korkmaz (8.8) add depth on the perimeter, while the 6-7 Niang (10.9) and the 6-10 Drummond (6.5 & 10.0 in about 21 minutes per game) fill in nicely in the frontcourt. Both teams played last night (Philly won 110-106 at Charlotte), giving a slight edge to the home team in this one. The 76ers are a good defensive team, as evidenced by last night's victory over the highest-scoring team in the league, and while Utah center Rudy Gobert is a defensive specialist, Embiid is a matchup issue for ANY opposing center, as he's averaged 34.3 PPG in Philly's three-game winning streak. Bow Wow! Take the home dog. Good luck...Larry |
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12-08-21 | Celtics +4.5 v. Clippers | Top | 111-114 | Win | 100 | 12 h 11 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Bos Celtics at 10:40 ET. The inconsistent Los Angeles Clippers will host the equally inconsistent Boston Celtics tonight at Staples Center. The Celtics should feel 'right at home,' as they lost 117-102 to the Lakers last night, right here at Staples. The loss left them 13-12, while Clippers 'ugly' 102-90 win over the injury-depleted Blazers gives them the exact same record as Boston (also 13-2).
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12-08-21 | Michigan State -7 v. Minnesota | Top | 75-67 | Win | 100 | 11 h 6 m | Show |
My 10* Big Ten Conf "Best of the Best" is on Mich St at 9:00 ET. Tom Izzo and his Spartans started at No. 13 at the opening of the 2020-21 season and struggled in the regular season. Mich St made the NCAA tourney at 15-12 but was eliminated in a First Four game by UCLA. Michigan State began the current season unranked but enters this game at Minnesota ranked No. 19 at 7-2. Minnesota saw a 9-1 start to its 2020-21 season (No. 21 in the AP poll) fall apart by losing 14 of its final 19 games to finish 14-15. That was enough to end Richard Pitino's 8-year run at Minnesota, as Ben Jonhson took over (first head coaching gig). Johnson was hired and there was a mass exodus at Minnesota, as players transferred right and left (NONE of last year's starters are back!). However, the Gophers have been 'Golden' so far, going undefeated in non conference play (7-0) but remains unranked. The Spartans do not have a 'big gun,' as the team's leading scorer is SF Brown (12.9), who adds 4.3 RPG. 7-0 center Bingham adds 10.6 PPG and a team-high 7.6 RPG. Joining those two in the starting lineup are guards Christie (8.90 and Walker (5.8) plus 6-9 Hauser, who has disappointed averaging only 5.6 & 6.0. Bench strength comes from the 6-9 Hall (9.1 & 4.8) and the 6-9 Marble (6.4) plus guard Hoggard (6.4 & 4.2 APG). The "new-look" Golden Gophers are led by 6-7 George Wasghington transfer Battle (17.9 & 6.1) and College of Charleston transfer guard Willis (17.4-5.1-3.9). Guards Stephens (11.1 & 4.0) and Loewe (6.9) start with New Hampshire transfer Sutherlin coming off the bench to average 9.2 & 4.3 in the backcourt. Both teams are playing solid defense, as Michigan St allows 63.6 PPG and Minnesota 61.0 PPG. Talking about the conference-opener for both teams, MSU head coach Tom Izzo said, "Conference play is so much different than regular season (non-conference) play. And Minnesota, they've won some games. They won a tough, close game (against Pittsburgh) last week. Ben has done a great job with his team. They've got two guys that really, really shoot the ball." He's obviously talking about Battle and Willis. Here's the rub. The Golden Gophers have pulled out a number of close games, defeating Western Kentucky by four points, edging Princeton in double overtime, while beating 2-6 Pitt by ONE point. Minnesota led Mississippi State by as many as 14 points in its most recent game, before hanging on for a 5-point win. Michigan St has played a MUCH tougher schedule to this point, losing to now-No.8 Kansas and now-No. 2 Baylor, plus own a victory over now-No. 15 UConn. That trio is currently a combined 22-2! Which coach do you want, Izzo or Johnson? You think Izzo will remind his team that it lost at Minnesota last season 81-56! Good luck...Larry |
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12-08-21 | Marquette +2 v. Kansas State | Top | 64-63 | Win | 100 | 11 h 48 m | Show |
My 9* Situational Stunner is on Marquette at 9:00 ET. Marquette is coming off an 11-13 season and lost all FIVE starters plus added a new head coach in Shaka Smart. Smart was one of the hottest coaching commodities after leaving VCU for Texas but he was fired after six seasons with zero NCAA wins. He has Marquette off to a 7-2 start, as the team travels to Manhattan. Kansas to meet the 5-2 Kansas State Wildcats. Bruce Weber has been at it for almost 25 years (with plenty of success), but his team won just 11 games two seasons ago and last year went 9-20, including 4-1 in Big 12 play.
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12-08-21 | Knicks v. Pacers -4.5 | Top | 102-122 | Win | 100 | 10 h 2 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Ind Pacers at 7:10 ET. The Knicks ended a seven-year postseason drought last year by going 41-31 but lost in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks, who made it all the way to the East Conference Finals. Expectations were high in Madison Square Garden to open the season but so far, the Knicks have been a disappointment. New York snapped a three-game losing streak Tuesday night, when it didn't trail in the final three quarters of a 121-109 win over the host San Antonio Spurs but the "W" only got them back to .500 on the season.
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12-08-21 | Indiana +4.5 v. Wisconsin | Top | 59-64 | Loss | -115 | 12 h 9 m | Show |
My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Indiana at 7:00 ET. Indiana lost its final six games of last season and the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller and hired Mike Woodson (former Indiana player under Bob Knight) to lead the team in the 2021-22 season, Greg Gard is in his seventh season at Madison but while Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors last season, the 'landscape' was MUCH different this season. Of the 14 scholarship players this season, 10 are classified as freshmen for eligibility purposes. Both schools have opened 7-1 as the schools get set for a Big Ten game at the Kohl Center tonight. The Hoosiers have used a six-man rotation (all players averaging 22-plus MPG), led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (21.0 & 8.6), who is joined in the frontcourt by the 6-8 Thompson (10.0 & 8.9) and the 6-7 Kopp (8.9 & 3.5). Xavier transfer Johnson (10.4) starts in the backcourt with Stewart (8.6), while 6th-man Bates (a freshman) chips in 7.1 PPG. Wisconsin guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 15.9 & 4.5. The great news for Wisconsin fans is, fellow guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY) is averaging 20.1 & 5.6 this season. Also back, after limited playing time last season, are the 7-0 Crowl (9.4 & 5.3) and the 6-9 Wahl (8.8 & 4.8). Guard Hepburn (7.4) is the 5th starter, with NO other player averaging as much as 5.0 PPG. Indiana opened 6-0 but then lost 112-110 at Syracuse in two OTs but bounced back to win its Big Ten opener 68-55 over Nebraska. Wisconsin defeated three previously undefeated teams -- including a win over then-12th ranked Houston -- to win the Maui Invitational (Nov 22-24), then ground out a gutty 70-66 road win over Georgia Tech in the ACC/Big Ten challenge, before beating Marquette 89-76 in its last game. The Badgers are ranked 22nd and have won 18 consecutive games at the Kohl Center against the Hoosiers, including 80-73 last season in double overtime. Is win No. 19 in a row a 'done deal?' Not so fast. Wisconsin is allowing only 59.1 PPG but Indiana counters by allowing 63.8. Remember, that includes the 112 points the team allowed in that double-OT loss. Meanwhile. while Wisconsin averages 70.6 PPG, while Indiana scores 80.4 PPG. I'm calling for a SU win by Indiana. Good luck...Larry |
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12-07-21 | Knicks -2.5 v. Spurs | Top | 121-109 | Win | 100 | 13 h 5 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the NY Knicks at 8:40 ET. The San Antonio Spurs head home after their most successful road trip of the season to take on the NY Knicks. Monday's 108-104 loss in Phoenix last night snapped a season-best, four-game winning streak. However, the loss came after road wins over the Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors. Those wins had to give 8-14 San Antonio some needed momentum for the upcoming stretch of five games in eight days (note: the good news is, all will be played at home). In contrast, the 11-12 Knicks travel to San Antonio on the heels of a 113-99 home loss to the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. New York has now dropped three straight and four of its past five games to fall under .500 for the first time this season. "Pop" is still coaching in San Antonio but these are NOT your grandfather's Spurs. SEVEN players are in triple digits, although second-year guard Vassell (11.6 & 3.7) will not play. The starters are PG Murray (19.0-8.5-8.5) and backcourt partner White (12.7 & 5.0 APG), center Poeltl (12.3 & 9.4) plus forwards Johnson (14.8 & 6.5) and McDermott (11.2). Guard Walker (10.2) is a sometime starter but mostly comes off the bench. |
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12-07-21 | Oakland v. Bowling Green +2.5 | Top | 72-73 | Win | 100 | 11 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Bowling Green at 7:00 ET. The Oakland Golden Grizzlies and Bowling Green Falcons meet Tuesday night at the Stroh Center. Oakland checks in at 7-2, while Bowling Green is just 4-4. Oakland remains coached by Greg Kampe, who is in his 38th season (coached the team when it was a Division II school). The Grizzlies joined Division I in the 1999-2000 season and have had a number of successful seasons but the school hasn't had a 20-win season the last four years, averaging only 15.3 wins per season. BG is coached by Michael Huger, who is in his 7th season at the school. The Falcons won 22 games in the 2018-19 season and 21 the following season but is off a 14-12 season.
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Larry Ness Basketball Sides Picks
Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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01-21-22 | Heat v. Hawks -1 | Top | 108-110 | Win | 100 | 11 h 34 m | Show |
01-20-22 | USC -1.5 v. Colorado | Top | 61-58 | Win | 100 | 13 h 35 m | Show |
01-20-22 | St. Louis v. Massachusetts +3.5 | Top | 85-91 | Win | 100 | 11 h 38 m | Show |
01-20-22 | Purdue v. Indiana +3.5 | Top | 65-68 | Win | 100 | 10 h 37 m | Show |
01-19-22 | Iowa v. Rutgers +3.5 | Top | 46-48 | Win | 100 | 14 h 32 m | Show |
01-19-22 | Wolves +2.5 v. Hawks | Top | 122-134 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 45 m | Show |
01-19-22 | Nets v. Wizards -1 | Top | 119-118 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 16 m | Show |
01-18-22 | Clemson +3.5 v. Syracuse | Top | 78-91 | Loss | -100 | 9 h 29 m | Show |
01-18-22 | Kansas v. Oklahoma +4 | Top | 67-64 | Win | 100 | 9 h 40 m | Show |
01-17-22 | Wyoming v. Nevada -2 | Top | 77-67 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 33 m | Show |
01-17-22 | Bucks v. Hawks +5.5 | Top | 114-121 | Win | 100 | 8 h 17 m | Show |
01-17-22 | Utah v. Arizona State -1.5 | Top | 62-64 | Win | 100 | 6 h 20 m | Show |
01-17-22 | Nets v. Cavs -3 | Top | 107-114 | Win | 100 | 5 h 24 m | Show |
01-16-22 | Jazz -4.5 v. Nuggets | Top | 125-102 | Win | 100 | 11 h 28 m | Show |
01-15-22 | Alabama +2 v. Mississippi State | Top | 76-78 | Push | 0 | 8 h 15 m | Show |
01-15-22 | Wake Forest +3.5 v. Virginia | Top | 63-55 | Win | 100 | 6 h 50 m | Show |
01-15-22 | Oklahoma -1 v. TCU | Top | 58-59 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 25 m | Show |
01-14-22 | Cavs v. Spurs +3.5 | Top | 114-109 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 52 m | Show |
01-14-22 | VCU v. St Bonaventure -2 | Top | 53-73 | Win | 100 | 11 h 8 m | Show |
01-14-22 | Celtics +3.5 v. 76ers | Top | 99-111 | Loss | -101 | 6 h 9 m | Show |
01-13-22 | Indiana v. Iowa -3.5 | Top | 74-83 | Win | 100 | 14 h 42 m | Show |
01-13-22 | Warriors +2.5 v. Bucks | 99-118 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 30 m | Show | |
01-13-22 | Ohio State +4 v. Wisconsin | Top | 68-78 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 4 m | Show |
01-12-22 | Nets +1.5 v. Bulls | Top | 138-112 | Win | 100 | 13 h 57 m | Show |
01-12-22 | Maryland +5.5 v. Northwestern | Top | 94-87 | Win | 100 | 9 h 10 m | Show |
01-12-22 | Utah State v. Colorado State -4.5 | Top | 72-77 | Win | 100 | 12 h 45 m | Show |
01-12-22 | Celtics -2.5 v. Pacers | Top | 119-100 | Win | 100 | 9 h 38 m | Show |
01-12-22 | LSU v. Florida | Top | 64-58 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 55 m | Show |
01-11-22 | Warriors -2 v. Grizzlies | Top | 108-116 | Loss | -104 | 10 h 57 m | Show |
01-10-22 | Cavs v. Kings +5.5 | Top | 109-108 | Win | 100 | 11 h 32 m | Show |
01-08-22 | St. Mary's +3.5 v. BYU | Top | 43-52 | Loss | -108 | 12 h 47 m | Show |
01-08-22 | Bucks v. Hornets -1 | Top | 106-114 | Win | 100 | 10 h 5 m | Show |
01-08-22 | Tennessee +2 v. LSU | Top | 67-79 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 46 m | Show |
01-08-22 | Notre Dame v. Georgia Tech +1.5 | Top | 72-68 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 51 m | Show |
01-08-22 | Virginia +6 v. North Carolina | Top | 58-74 | Loss | -114 | 5 h 26 m | Show |
01-07-22 | Brown +3 v. Harvard | Top | 84-73 | Win | 100 | 11 h 49 m | Show |
01-06-22 | SMU v. Cincinnati -2 | Top | 60-77 | Win | 100 | 12 h 58 m | Show |
01-06-22 | Iowa +3 v. Wisconsin | Top | 78-87 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 16 m | Show |
01-06-22 | Ohio State +3 v. Indiana | Top | 51-67 | Loss | -103 | 10 h 13 m | Show |
01-05-22 | North Carolina v. Notre Dame +3 | Top | 73-78 | Win | 100 | 13 h 38 m | Show |
01-05-22 | Syracuse +2.5 v. Miami-FL | Top | 87-88 | Win | 100 | 11 h 41 m | Show |
01-05-22 | VCU v. Dayton -2.5 | Top | 53-52 | Loss | -116 | 10 h 33 m | Show |
01-04-22 | Virginia +4 v. Clemson | Top | 75-65 | Win | 100 | 11 h 31 m | Show |
01-04-22 | Kentucky v. LSU -1.5 | Top | 60-65 | Win | 100 | 11 h 31 m | Show |
01-04-22 | Ohio +2.5 v. Akron | Top | 69-63 | Win | 100 | 11 h 43 m | Show |
01-03-22 | Grizzlies v. Nets -6.5 | Top | 118-104 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 55 m | Show |
01-03-22 | Hornets +2.5 v. Wizards | Top | 121-124 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 52 m | Show |
01-02-22 | Drake v. Missouri State -4 | Top | 56-61 | Win | 100 | 12 h 22 m | Show |
01-02-22 | Heat v. Kings +4 | Top | 113-115 | Win | 100 | 8 h 43 m | Show |
01-02-22 | UCF +3.5 v. SMU | Top | 60-72 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 7 m | Show |
01-01-22 | Bulls v. Wizards +2.5 | Top | 120-119 | Win | 100 | 9 h 21 m | Show |
01-01-22 | Providence v. DePaul +1.5 | Top | 70-53 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 25 m | Show |
12-30-21 | Michigan v. UCF +4 | Top | 71-85 | Win | 100 | 10 h 5 m | Show |
12-29-21 | Tennessee v. Alabama -2.5 | Top | 68-73 | Win | 100 | 13 h 57 m | Show |
12-29-21 | Seton Hall +1.5 v. Providence | Top | 65-70 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 42 m | Show |
12-29-21 | DePaul v. Butler -1.5 | Top | 59-63 | Win | 100 | 7 h 31 m | Show |
12-28-21 | Notre Dame -3.5 v. Pittsburgh | Top | 68-67 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 51 m | Show |
12-25-21 | Warriors v. Suns -5.5 | Top | 116-107 | Loss | -110 | 24 h 55 m | Show |
12-23-21 | Fresno State v. Weber State | Top | 69-43 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 57 m | Show |
12-22-21 | Missouri State v. St. Mary's -5.5 | Top | 58-75 | Win | 100 | 10 h 54 m | Show |
12-22-21 | Clemson +3.5 v. Virginia | Top | 67-50 | Win | 100 | 11 h 15 m | Show |
12-22-21 | Arizona +2 v. Tennessee | Top | 73-77 | Loss | -112 | 11 h 14 m | Show |
12-21-21 | Delaware +6.5 v. Iona | Top | 72-83 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 36 m | Show |
12-21-21 | Marshall +3.5 v. Toledo | Top | 63-95 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 42 m | Show |
12-21-21 | Fresno State v. Utah -3 | Top | 50-55 | Win | 100 | 9 h 28 m | Show |
12-19-21 | Kansas State v. Nebraska | Top | 67-58 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 58 m | Show |
12-18-21 | Dayton v. Ole Miss -3 | Top | 68-76 | Win | 100 | 8 h 20 m | Show |
12-18-21 | North Carolina v. Kentucky -2 | 69-98 | Win | 100 | 11 h 15 m | Show | |
12-18-21 | North Texas v. Wichita State -2.5 | Top | 62-52 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 35 m | Show |
12-18-21 | Indiana v. Notre Dame +4 | Top | 64-56 | Loss | -107 | 8 h 32 m | Show |
12-17-21 | Grizzlies v. Kings +5.5 | Top | 124-105 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 32 m | Show |
12-17-21 | Lakers v. Wolves -2 | Top | 92-110 | Win | 100 | 11 h 53 m | Show |
12-17-21 | St. Mary's v. San Diego State +3.5 | Top | 53-63 | Win | 100 | 15 h 53 m | Show |
12-15-21 | Utah State v. Weber State +3.5 | Top | 95-80 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 9 m | Show |
12-15-21 | Hornets +4 v. Spurs | Top | 131-115 | Win | 100 | 11 h 21 m | Show |
12-15-21 | South Dakota State +4.5 v. Missouri State | Top | 63-75 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 11 m | Show |
12-14-21 | Arizona State +8 v. Creighton | Top | 58-57 | Win | 100 | 12 h 37 m | Show |
12-13-21 | Warriors v. Pacers +4.5 | Top | 102-100 | Win | 100 | 11 h 9 m | Show |
12-12-21 | Villanova +5 v. Baylor | Top | 36-57 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 27 m | Show |
12-12-21 | Florida State -6 v. South Carolina | Top | 65-66 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 39 m | Show |
12-11-21 | UCLA -6 v. Marquette | 67-56 | Win | 100 | 13 h 20 m | Show | |
12-11-21 | Warriors v. 76ers +3.5 | Top | 93-102 | Win | 100 | 10 h 45 m | Show |
12-11-21 | Jazz v. Wizards +5.5 | Top | 123-98 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 2 m | Show |
12-11-21 | TCU -1 v. Texas A&M | Top | 68-64 | Win | 100 | 11 h 28 m | Show |
12-11-21 | Kentucky v. Notre Dame +5 | 62-66 | Win | 100 | 9 h 6 m | Show | |
12-11-21 | Drake +2 v. Clemson | 80-90 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 60 m | Show | |
12-11-21 | Arkansas v. Oklahoma | Top | 66-88 | Win | 100 | 7 h 20 m | Show |
12-10-21 | Loyola-Chicago v. Vanderbilt +4.5 | Top | 69-58 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 33 m | Show |
12-10-21 | Knicks +1.5 v. Raptors | Top | 87-90 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 45 m | Show |
12-10-21 | Mavs +2 v. Pacers | Top | 93-106 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 4 m | Show |
12-09-21 | Grand Canyon v. Arizona State -3 | Top | 62-67 | Win | 100 | 13 h 7 m | Show |
12-09-21 | Iowa -4 v. Iowa State | Top | 53-73 | Loss | -117 | 14 h 23 m | Show |
12-09-21 | Jazz v. 76ers +3.5 | Top | 118-96 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 57 m | Show |
12-08-21 | Celtics +4.5 v. Clippers | Top | 111-114 | Win | 100 | 12 h 11 m | Show |
12-08-21 | Michigan State -7 v. Minnesota | Top | 75-67 | Win | 100 | 11 h 6 m | Show |
12-08-21 | Marquette +2 v. Kansas State | Top | 64-63 | Win | 100 | 11 h 48 m | Show |
12-08-21 | Knicks v. Pacers -4.5 | Top | 102-122 | Win | 100 | 10 h 2 m | Show |
12-08-21 | Indiana +4.5 v. Wisconsin | Top | 59-64 | Loss | -115 | 12 h 9 m | Show |
12-07-21 | Knicks -2.5 v. Spurs | Top | 121-109 | Win | 100 | 13 h 5 m | Show |
12-07-21 | Oakland v. Bowling Green +2.5 | Top | 72-73 | Win | 100 | 11 h 13 m | Show |