Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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02-21-19 | Oregon v. USC -2.5 | 49-66 | Win | 100 | 14 h 50 m | Show | |
My 9* Revenge Rout is on USC at 9:00 ET. Oregon was the Pac-12's preseason favorite but a regular season Pac-12 championship is no longer a realistic goal for the Ducks. Oregon is 15-10 overall, including just 6-6 in the Pac 12. The Ducks trail first-place Washington (12-1) by FIVE games with just six games remaining to go. The eighth-place Ducks travel to USC on Thursday night. The 14-12 Trojans begin the week in a three-way tie for fifth at 7-6 and are still within striking distance of a top-four finish and a key first round bye in next month's Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas. Oregon comes in off a 72-57 Civil War loss at second-place Oregon State on Saturday. Oregon still has games at home against Arizona State and at likely Pac-12-champ Washington on the agenda, as it tries to build its case for an NCAA at-large berth. However, an at-large bid is likely a stretch. Senior forward Paul White told The Oregonian on Saturday, "We have six regular-season games and then a huge part of our season, which is the (Pac-12) tournament."A top-four finish is not impossible but it won't be easy, either. Oregon lost its best player, 7-2 freshman center and likely lottery pick Bol Bol, to a left-foot injury before conference play started. Bol was leading the the team in scoring (21.0), rebounding (9.6) and blocks (2.7) while also shooting an eye-popping 52 percent from three-point range. Louis King, a 6-9 freshman forward, has helped pick up some of the slack, averaging 16.0 points in Pac-12 action which is tops for any freshman (he averages 12.3 & 5.4 RPG on the season). Junior PG Payton Pritchard (11.8-3.9-4.4) runs the team and the 6-9 White (10.5 & 3.8) is the other double digit scorer. USC comes into this contest after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 89-66 victory at California on Saturday (note: Cal is 0-13 in league play), 6-10 senior forward Bennie Boatwright leads the team in scoring (18.4) and made a USC record 10, 3-pointers on 13 attempts in the win at Cal which also tied the Pac-12 record for treys. Boatwright is averaging 21.3 points in conference play, which ranks second to Washington State's Robert Franks (22.4). He's joined up front by 6-11 junior forward Nick Rakocevic (15.5 & 9.8). Junior guard Jonah Mathews (12.7) is also averaging in double figures, while shooting 42.6 percent from three-point range. Four more guards average between 8.0 and 9.3 PPG. USC has lost its last two home games to Utah (77-70) and Colorado (69-65) but I believe that makes them even more dangerous in this one (Trojans opened the season 11-2 at the Galen Center and had won SEVEN straight at home before stumbling vs the Utes!). I doubt that USC needs "extra motivation" (a possible top-four seed should be enough) but I will note that the Trojans will be trying to avenge their worst defeat of conference play this season, an 81-60 loss on Jan 13 in Eugene. REVENGE works in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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02-21-19 | San Francisco v. BYU -4 | Top | 77-71 | Loss | -108 | 14 h 52 m | Show |
My CBB 10* Game of the Week is on BYU at 9:00 ET. No one is surprised that Gonzaga sits atop the WCC at 12-0 (25-2 Zags are currently No. 2 in the AP poll). Tonight in WCC play, the 20-6 San Francisco Dons will travel to the Marriott Center in Provo to take on the 18-10 BYU Cougars. The Dons won their third straight game this past Saturday when they edged Portland 68-63 in OT. At 8-4, San Francisco is tied for third in the WCC with St Mary's. The Cougars come in off winning their fifth in a row after defeating Loyola Marymount 70-62 this past Saturday. BYU sits 10-3 in WCC play, second to only Gonzaga. San Francisco had trouble on the offensive end in regulation against the Pilots but Dons found their offensive rhythm in the extra period and were able to pull away after taking a 63-58 lead with 2:21 left in OT. San Francisco starts guards Mineland (14.9 & 4.8), Ferrari (14.3-5.4 APG) and Ratinho (9.7), with the 7-0 Lull (8.5 & 5.3) and the 6-8 Renfro (7.2 & 5.2) up front. However, the 6-9 McCarthy comes off the bench to average 9.4 PPG and a team-high 6.5 RPG. BYU trailed by a 36-30 margin at halftime vs the Lions but was outstanding defensively in the second half and was able to pull away after a 14-0 Cougars run gave BYU a 66-58 lead with just :51 seconds left in regulation. BYU can score, averaging 80.1 PPG (39th in the nation). The 6-8 Childs leads the Cougars in scoring (21.1) and rebounding (9.6) but the biggest percentage of BYU's offense comes from the perimeter. PG Haws averages 17.5 PPG and 5.2 APG and Hardnett just misses out on double digits with 9.7 PPG, Another trio of guards combine for about 20 PPG. BYU's problem is a defense that allows 75.1 PPG (264th) BYU's Hardnett has been sidelined by a hand injury (expected to be out here) but the Cougars haven't missed a beat. BYU lost at St Mary's by 20 points back on Jan 5 but has since gone 9-2, losing badly at San Francisco and at home to Gonzaga. Since the loss to the Zags, BYU has won FIVE in row (4-1 ATS), Hard to believe the Cougars WON'T well-remember their loss at San Francisco and it's impossible to ignore the fact that the Dons are 0-7 ATS in seven WCC road games. Make that 0-8! Good luck...Larry |
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02-20-19 | North Carolina +9 v. Duke | 88-72 | Win | 100 | 14 h 54 m | Show | |
My 9* Underdog Shocker is on North Carolina at 9:00 ET. There isn't a bigger rivalry in college hoops than NC/Duke. The 2018-19 season gets its first installment of the Tobacco Road rivalry Wednesday night when 20-5 North Carolina (10-2 in the ACC) visits 23-2 Duke (11-1 in the ACC). The Blue Devils are back atop the AP poll (released Monday) and will put their NINE-game win streak on the line against the Tar Heels. As for No. 8 North Carolina, the Tar Heels can move into a tie atop the ACC standings with a victory. Not a bad set up, right? North Carolina bounced back from its home loss to then-No. 3 Virginia two games ago with the most lopsided conference road win in program history. The Tar Heels routed Wake Forest 95-57 on Saturday. "We jumped on them early," senior Kenny Williams told reporters afterward. "I think our defense was really focused and we made everything tough on them." Senior guard and leading scorer Cameron Johnson (16.3 & 5.4) had 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting, including 7-of-10 from long range. Joining Johnson in double digits on the season are freshman guard Coby White (15.7 & 4.2) and 6-8 senior forward Luke Maye (14.5 & 9.6). Williams has a bothersome knee but he adds 8.9 PPG and 3.7 APG. Chipping in up front with Maye are the 6-6 Little (9.6 & 4.4) and the 6-9 Brooks (8.2 & 6.2). Few are unaware of Duke's Fabulous freshman. 6-7 swingman Barrett averages 22.7 & 7.4. the 6-7 Wiliamson is a 'highlight reel' nightly, adding 22.4 & 9.2. Then there is 6-7 guard Reddish (13.8) and PG Jones (8.7 & 5.4 APG), who also checks in as Duke's best 'on-ball" defender. Barrett recorded the first triple-double by a Duke player in 13 years Saturday with 23 points, 11 rebounds and a season-best 10 assists in the Blue Devils' 94-78 victory over North Carolina State. This is the 149th consecutive meeting with at least one of the teams ranked and surprisingly (it was to me), Duke holds the No. 1 ranking for a matchup with the Tar Heels for the first time in 13 years! North Carolina leads the ACC in scoring at 87.5 PPG and Duke is second at 86.4. Expect a racehorse pace and Duke has on occasion, shown some defensive liabilities. Carolina is 8-1 SU on the road this year, including 6-0 SU & ATS on the ACC road. Meanwhile, Duke is 6-6 ATS in conference play, including 2-4 ATS at home. Take the big points, as Carolina vets like Johnson and Maye keep this one close against the "Fabulous Freshman." Good luck...Larry |
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02-20-19 | Stanford v. Arizona State -7 | 62-80 | Win | 100 | 14 h 57 m | Show | |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Arizona St at 9:00 ET. Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils generated national headlines by handing then-top-ranked Kansas its first loss of teh season, 80-76, back on Dec. 22. However, Arizona State has proven to be one of the most inconsistent teams in the country. 17-8 ASU is just 8-6 after its 9-2 start (record after teh Kansas win), including 8-5 in Pac-12 play. The Sun Devils will welcome 14-11 Stanford to Tempe, a team which has won five of its last six games to move into a three-way tie for fourth place in the Pac-12 at 7-6. Stanford is off an impressive 104-80 win over UCLA on Saturday, as 7-0 senior center Josh Sharma (9.4 & 6.2) had 22 points and 12 rebounds. The 6-9 Okpala (17.6 & 5.8) added 20 points and freshman guard Cormac Ryan (9.1) finished with a career-high 19 points while shooting 5-of-9 from three-point range. Good news came in the form of sophomore PG Daejon Davis (12.5 & 4.5 APG) returning after missing two games due to injury. He recorded 12 points and 11 assists in 38 minutes. Joining Davis and Ryan in the backcourt are Wills (6.2) and Sheffield (5.3). The 6-9 Da Silva (9.5 & 6.0) joins Sharma and Okpala, up front. While ASU may be an up-and-down team, that can't be said of senior forward Zylan Cheatham. The San Diego State transfer recorded his league-leading 11th double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds in last Saturday’s 98-87 win over Utah and checks in averaging 12.0 & 11.0 on the season. Freshman guard Luguentz Dort is the leading scorer at 16.4 PPG (also adds 4.5 RPG) plus two more ASU players score in double digits. PG Martin checks in at 13.0 & 5.1 APG and guard Edwards at 11.0 PPG. The 6-7 Lawrence (9.7 & 3.8) plus the White (9.2 & 5.6) are quality frontcourt players. I love the way Stanford has come on (I had them against UCLA on Saturday) but I expect ASU to avenge its 86-71 loss at Stanford back on Jan 12 in this one. The Sun Devils are 11-3 SU at home, where they average 81.9 PPG. Then again, ASU's NCAA Tournament resume includes wins over Kansas, Mississippi State and Washington but also surprising losses to Princeton, Vanderbilt and Washington State. Sun Devils DON'T need a hiccup, here. Lay it. Good luck...Larry |
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02-20-19 | Wichita State v. Tulsa -2.5 | Top | 81-60 | Loss | -111 | 14 h 60 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Crusher (AAC) is on Tulsa at 9:00 ET. Two also-rans in the AAC meet Wednesday night, as 12-12 Wichita St travels to 16-10 Tulsa. The Shockers are just 5-7 in league play, although after a disappointing 1-6 start, Wichita State reeled off four straight victories before falling 72-62 to then-No. 25 Cincinnati on Sunday. Tulsa sits 6-7 in conference play and the Golden Hurricane's only setback in their last five games is a 79-68 defeat at Wichita State on Feb 2 Dexter Dennis recorded team highs of 14 points and 13 rebounds on Sunday in the 10-point loss to the Bearcats. It was for his first career double-double and the first by a Shockers freshman in 11 years (note; Dennis averages just 7.0 & 4.5 on the season). Wichita State got encouraging contributions from its three centers, Jaime Echenique, Asbjorn Midtgaard and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler, who combined for 17 points, 25 rebounds and six blocks against Cincy. However, on the season, only the 6-11 Echenique (8.4 & 5.9) has been a somewhat consistent contributor. The 6-8 McDuffie (18.7 & 4.9) plus PG Haynes-Jones (12.4 & 2.8 APG) are Wichita State's lone double digit scorers. The Shockers average only 69.4 PPG (271st) on 40.7% shooting (331st). The Golden Hurricane needed overtime on Sunday to extend their winning streak to three games, as they posted a 77-73 road triumph over East Carolina. SIX players reached double digits in scoring, including 6-8 junior Martins Igbanu, who was 7-for-8 from the floor en route to team highs of 16 points and eight rebounds. Igbanu (12.0 & 5.5) is joined up front by the 6-7 Horne (9.9 & 4.). Tulsa's strength is a backcourt led by Jeffries (13.8 & 5.5) and PG Taplin (10.1 & 4.3 APG) plus a trio of other guards combining for just over 18 PPG. This marks the 130th all-time meeting between the two programs and the Shockers have won 11 of the last 12, including 79-68 at Wichita State on Feb 2. However, this year's Wichita St team is a woeful 1-7 SU in true road games, averaging a pathetic 59.2 PPG. Meanwhile, Tulsa is a robust 12-2 SU at home, losing only to AAC 'heavyweights' Cincinnati and Houston. Wichita St is NO 'heavyweight' this season. Good luck...Larry |
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02-19-19 | Florida State v. Clemson -1 | 77-64 | Loss | -105 | 15 h 37 m | Show | |
The 3rd play of my STP is a 9* on Clemson at 9:00 ET. It's been a heart-breaking week for Clemson, as the Tigers suffered back-to-back one-point losses on the road to Miami (Fl) 65-64 and Louisville 56-55. The going won't get any easier on Tuesday night, as 15-10 Clemson (5-7 in the ACC) hosts surging Florida State. The Seminoles know about trying to pull out of a slump. Florida State lost 80-78 to then-No. 1 Duke on Jan 12 and spiraled after that, dropping its next two games at unranked Pitt and Boston College. However, the Seminoles returned home on Jan 22 to beat Clemson 77-68. That victory sparked a SEVEN-game winning streak (note: the seven consecutive league wins matches the school record). The Seminoles come in off a -22point win over Ga Tech, in which FSU held Tech to just 47 points, the school's lowest in an ACC game since it limited Clemson to 41 back in 2014. One game after producing his first career double-double (20 points, 12 rebounds) against Wake Forest, 7-4 senior center Christ Koumadje (6.6 & 5.7) did it again against Georgia Tech with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Terance Mann (11.8 & 6.6) remains a team leader but the Seminoles continue to get strong play from a deep bench. In fact, leading scorer Mfiondu Kabengele (a 6-10 sophomore) averages a team-high 13.7 PPG (also adds 5.4), while not starting. "That's our third one this year (by one point)," Clemson head coach Brad Brownell told reporters after the Louisville game. "I'm just incredibly proud of our players. … Obviously we fought for the full 40 minutes. We defended great, about as well as you can guard them. Our kids played extremely hard." The Tigers fell short despite holding Louisville to just 19 points before intermission, the fourth time in the last 10 halves that Clemson held an opponent under 20 points and the Cardinals wound up with their lowest point total (56) and shooting percentage (35.2) of the season. Brownell continues to rely on his seniors, with guard Marcquise Reed (18.6-5.4-3.0), the 6-9 Elijah Thomas and guard Shelton Mitchell (11.8). Joining Thomas up front are the 6-7 Simms (8.8 7 4.6) and the 6-8 Skara (7.3 & 4.2). I realize FSU is on a roll but Clemson enters with an 11-2 SU home record. The Tigers are allowing just 63.8 PPG (21st) on the season and that includes allowing only 60.2 PPG in home contests. Clemson has outscored opponents 277-217 in winning its last four home games.That 15-point winning margin sounds about right, here. Good luck...Larry |
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02-19-19 | Maryland v. Iowa -1.5 | 66-65 | Loss | -115 | 14 h 38 m | Show | |
The 2nd play of my STP is an 8* on Iowa at 8:00 ET. It's a battle of ranked teams tonight in Iowa City, as No.24 Maryland (19-7 / 10-5 Big Ten) takes on No. 21 Iowa (20- / 9-5 Big Ten). Iowa looks to extend its winning streak to five in a row but the Hawkeyes have won four in a row by 'living on the edge.' Joe Wieskamp banked in a desperation three-pointer as time expired to lift the Hawkeyes past Rutgers 71-69 on Saturday, a game that followed one in which Jordan Bohannon drilled a game-winning triple in an 80-79 victory against Northwestern on Feb 10. As for Maryland, the Terps are coming off a 65-52 road loss at Michigan on Saturday. Aaron Wiggins was one of the lone bright spots on offense against the Wolverines, as the freshman guard led the Terrapins with 15 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists in the loss.PG Cowan (15.8-3.8-4.5_ leads Maryland in scoring and assist, while Wiggins is part of a trio of supporting guards (Ayala & Morsell as the others), combining for right around 25 points per game. The 6-10 Bruno Fernando (14.5 & 10.6) missed out on recording his eighth straight double-double vs Michigan, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds against the Wolverines. Fellow 6-10 forward Jalen Smith (11.8 & 6.8) added eight points but Maryland was held to 36.4 percent shooting from the floor. "It was a big shot, but we still got six Big Ten games left plus we want to play deep into the postseason," Wieskamp told reporters after his game-winner vs Rutgers. "It's been a lot of fun out there and coach (Fran McCaffery) has a lot of confidence in me." Wieskamp (11.8 & 4.8) is joined on the perimeter by Bohannon (11.4) and Moss (9.8). Up front, Iowa features the 6-9 Cook (16.3 & 8.1), the 6-11 Garza (13.5 & 4.8) and the 6-87 Baer (6.4 & 4.6). With Saturday's loss at Michigan, the Terrapins fell to 0-19 in road games against top-25 opponents under head coach Mark Turgeon. "If I had the answer I would fix it," Turgeon told reporters. "Hopefully we learn from it and do better on Tuesday." The trouble is, Maryland's road woes against ranked teams extend before Turgeon, with the Terps having dropped 27 consecutive road games against ranked opponents! Hard to see Maryland's road woes against ranked teams ending here at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where Iowa is 13-2 SU and averaging 83.3 PPG (note: Maryland is averaging 66.7 PPG in true road games). Good luck...Larry |
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02-19-19 | Nebraska v. Penn State -3 | 71-95 | Win | 100 | 13 h 38 m | Show | |
The 1st play of my STP is an 8* on Penn St at 7:00 ET. Penn State is just 9-16 overall and at 2-12 in Big Ten play, sit 14th of 14 Big Ten schools. The Nittany Lions welcome 15-11 Nebraska to Happy Valley Tuesday night and the Cornhuskers are not all that much better in league play, entering this contest 5-10. While noting the above, both schools have shown "signs of life" in February. Eight of Penn State's 10 losses during its 0-10 start in conference play took place in January. However, the Nittany Lions offered hints of their improved play with three close defeats to end that month and then finally broke through with a 59-52 victory at Northwestern on Feb 4. Penn State followed a four-point loss at Ohio State three days later with a stunning upset of then-No.6 Michigan last Tuesday, before dropping a 12-point decision at then-No. 11 Purdue on Saturday. As for the Cornhuskers, they have snapped a seven-game losing streak with home wins over Minnesota and Northwestern. The loss of Nebraska's best big man has been tough to overcome. The 6-9 Copeland (14.0 & 5.4) has not played since late January and won't return. The 6-8 Isaiah Roby (11.2 & 7.2) had 19 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, a season high-tying five blocks and two steals in the win over Northwestern. He became the first Cornhusker since Aleks Maric in 2008 to produce at least 19 points and 16 rebound in a game. Nebraska relies on a strong perimeter group led by Palmer (18.8-4.3-3.2). Glynn Watson Jr. (12.1 & 4.0) has returned to form offensively following a four-game stretch in which he totaled 15 points on 6-of-37 shooting, averaging 15.5 points while converting 13 of his 28 field-goal attempts over the last two contests (both wins). The third member of Nebraska's guard trio is Allen (8.9).. The 6-8 Lamar Stevens (19.2 & 8.0) ranks second in the conference in scoring and became only the 11th Nittany Lion to reach 1,500 career points with 18 against the Boilermakers, although he was also responsible for half of his team's 16 turnovers. He's complemented up front by the 6-9 Watkins (7.7 & 7.7). Like Nebraska, Penn St owns a trio of solid guards, Bolton (12.2), Reaves (10.0-4.4-3.1) and Dread (8.9). Of note as of late is freshman guard Bolton, who is averaging 15.4 PPG over his last five outings, topping his season scoring average each time. There is a school of thought that says a strong Nebraska finish ('Huskers face four consecutive ranked teams to end the regular season) would get them back into NCAA Tournament consideration. However, I believe that theory is flawed. I believe Nebraska is at best, headed to the NIT. The 'Husker only beat Penn St 70-64 back on Jan 10 (in Lincoln) but now face a Penn St team on the road that is playing MUCH better. The Nittany Lions look to move to 3-2 in Feb. Expect the home team to win and get the CA$H! Good luck...Larry |
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02-17-19 | Missouri State v. Loyola-Chicago -5.5 | 65-61 | Loss | -115 | 9 h 30 m | Show | |
My 9* Revenge Rout is on Loyola-Chi at 4:00 ET. It goes without saying that this is not the same Ramblers team which made an improbable run to last year's Final 4. Loyola finished last season 32-6 but had six losses (against only seven wins) this season, before Christmas. Loyola is missing two key cogs from last year's team, swingman Donte Ingram (11.0 & 6.4) & PF Aundre Jackson (11.0 & 3.2). Hence, the six losses through 13 games. However, Loyola is currently 16-10 overall, including a MVC-best 9-4. The Ramblers welcome the 14-12 Missouri State Bears to Chicago on Sunday. The Bears enter having won SIX of their last seven to get to 8-5 in MVC play (third behind Loyola and 9-5 Drake). Missouri State features a quartet of guards, surrounding the 6-8 Da Silva (14.9 & 7.0). Cook (13.2 & 4.3), Dixon (13.1), Kreklow (8.0) and PG Webster (7.6 & 5.2 APG) man the perimeter. The Bears average a modest 71.3 PPG but allow only 68.2 PPG (94th). Key returnees from Loyola's Final 4 team of a year ago are guards Townes (15.3-4.8-3.7) and Custer (11.8) plus the 6-9 Krutwig (14.3 & 7.6). An odd stat is Loyola shooting 49.3% from the floor (8th in the nation) but averaging only 66.6 PPG (317th). However, Loyola still plays great D, allowing 60.8 PPG (7th-best). Missouri State beat Loyola-Chicago 70-35 Jan 23 in Springfield, with the Ramblers shooting 34.3% overall (just 2-of-10 on threes), while getting held to just 11 points in the second half. Meanwhile, Mo St connected on 63.4% (12 of-23 threes!) in the win. Anyone think the Bears can replicate that here in Chicago? NOT likely! See above for Loyola's defensive numbers on the season and then note that the Ramblers are 11-3 SU at home, where opponents average only 59.2 PPG. Yes, REVENGE works in this one! Good luck...Larry |
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02-17-19 | Seton Hall v. Creighton -4.5 | Top | 81-75 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 36 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Creighton at 3:00 ET. Villanova (11-1) and Marquette (10-2) have separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the 10-team Big East this season. Seton Hall was picked to finish eighth in the 10-team conference by league coaches in late October but "The Hall" made more than a little 'noise' back in December with upset wins over Kentucky and Maryland, laying the groundwork for what appeared to be the beginning of the school's fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. However, the Pirates inability to win away from home during Big East play has ninth-year head coach Kevin Willard's team flirting with bubble status at 15-9 (6-6 in league play). The Pirates travel to Creighton on Sunday afternoon to take on the disappointing 13-12 Bluejays. Creighton is coming off a winless road trip in which it dropped a pair of overtime affairs, and lost all three games by seven points or fewer. Yes, the 4-8 Bluejays are in a three-way tie for last place but they are only two games out of third in the tightly packed Big East (Seton Hall and St John's are tied for third at 6-6). Seton Hall turned in its most complete performance during league play Wednesday, taking down Georgetown 90-75 triumph over Georgetown. Myles Powell (22.0) is the Big Easts second-leading scorer and posted his fifth 30-point game of the season vs the Hoyas, sinking all 10 of his free-throw attempts for the second straight contest to extend his streak at the foul line to 25 in a row. PG McKnight (10.2 & 4.0 APG) and Cale (9.7 & 4.5) start with Powell in the backcourt. Up front, it's the 6-8 Nzei (9.6 & 5.1) and the 6-10 Mamukelashvili (8.5 & 7.2). Senior forward Michael Nzei enjoyed one of his best all-around performances of the season against the Hoyas, finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds (eight on offensive end). Alexander leads the team in scoring (16.4) while five other players average between 8.2 and 12.8 PPG. The Bluejays own a deep perimeter, as Zegarowski (10.9), Ballock (10.0-4.1-3.4 & 3.6) and Mintz (9.8) join Alexander at the guard position. The 6-9 Krampelj (12.8 & 6.7) and SF Jefferson (8.2 & 5.1) have been the best frontcourt contributors. .Ty-Shon Alexander has made at least one 3-pointer in 28 straight contests, tied for the second-longest streak in school history. Junior forward Martin Krampelj is averaging 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds over his last 15 games (note: He compiled a career-high 25 points and season-best 11 rebounds in the Feb 9 meeting against the Pirates) . Seton Hall still has at-large aspirations but I believe that's 'fool's gold.' Seton Hall hopes to end a five-game road slide in this contest, as the Pirates begin a stretch in which they play three of four on the road, before wrapping up the regular season with home contests against No. 10 Marquette and No. 13 Villanova. These teams just met eight days ago (Feb 9) at the Prudential Center, with the Pirates edging the Bluejays 63-58. In this quick turnaround rematch, expect Creighton to easily get the better of Seton Hall. The Pirates have averaged only 67.2 PPG in eight true road games this season, while Creighton averages an impressive 81.5 PPG at CenturyLink Center. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
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02-16-19 | UCLA v. Stanford | Top | 80-104 | Win | 100 | 15 h 8 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Stanford at 10;00 ET. UCLA dismissed head coach Steve Alford on December 31, 2018, two days after the Bruins' ugly 73-58 loss to Liberty. It marked the first time the program ever had made a coaching change in the middle of the season. Murry Bartow (son of former UCLA coach Gene Bartow) was named interim coach for the Bruins and in his first game (at home vs Stanford), UCLA ended a four-game slide with a 92-70 win over the Cardinal. Two more wins followed but the 'honeymoon' period is over for UCLA's interim coach, as following that 3-0 start in the conference, UCLA has dropped SIX of its last nine Pac-12 games and finds itself 13-12 overall, including 6-6 in Pac-12 play. Stanford looks to avenge that earlier loss to UCLA, while hoping to continue its climb up the Pac-12 standings when the teams meet at Maples Pavilion on Saturday night. The Cardinal have won FOUR of their last five games, after Wednesday’s 79-76 home win over USC. Stanford is 13-11 overall and like UCLA, 6-6 in Pac-12 play. UCLA needed overtime to get past last-place California on Wednesday, snapping a three-game losing streak. The Bruins avoided a disastrous loss to Cal after interim coach Murry Bartow took his starters out just three minutes into the contest and replaced them with five backups – including freshman guard David Singleton, who finished with 12 points on four 3-pointers. Throughout the season, UCLA's "Core 4" have been forward Kris Wilkes (17.7 & 4.8), guards Hands (12.4-3.6-6.3) and Ali (9.7) plus freshman center Moses Brown (10.7 & 8.9). The Cardinal rallied from a 14-point deficit to post their fifth straight win over the Trojans on Wednesday, as guard Marcus Sheffield scored a season-high 16 points. Senior center Josh Sharma had 14 points and nine rebounds in the victory and is averaging 10.7 points and eight rebounds over the past seven games (8.9 & 6.0 on the season). Sharma is joined up front by 6-9 sophomore forward KZ Okpala (17.5 & 5.7) and the 6-9 Da Silva (9.6 & 5.8). PG Daejon Davis (12.6-3.1-4.2) is suffering with a head injury (questionable here), giving more "PT" to Ryan (8.5), Wills (6.0) and the aforementioned Sheffield (5.2). The Bruins are a mess (needed OT to escape vs 5-19 / 0-12 in Pac-12 Cal), while the Cardinal are finding their 'sea legs,' with FOUR wins in their last five. Stanford is 8-2 SU at home, while UCLA's only road wins have come at Cal (see above), Wash St (3-8 in Pac-12) and in OT vs Oregon (trailed by 17 in the second half and were down 76-68 with 45 seconds to go in regulation!). Don't expect any 'miracles' here by fading UCLA. Good luck...Larry |
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02-16-19 | Tennessee v. Kentucky -3.5 | Top | 69-86 | Win | 100 | 13 h 14 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Crusher (SEC) is on Kentucky at 8:00 ET. It was No. 2 Duke at No. 3 UVa last Saturday night and this Saturday night, it's No. 1 Tennessee at No. 5 Kentucky. 23-1 Tennessee owns a perfect 11-0 SEC record and takes a school-record 19-game winning streak into Lexington (only three of the contests have been decided by fewer than 10 points) but things figure to get a bit tougher down the final month of the season. The top-ranked Volunteers open a stretch in which they play three of the teams sitting directly below them in the SEC standings a total of four times over the next two weeks, beginning Saturday with this visit to No. 5 Kentucky. The 20-4 Wildcats (10-2 in SEC play) are likely still smarting from LSU's controversial tip-in at the buzzer to upend the Wildcats 73-71 on Tuesday. the loss ended Kentucky's 10-game winning streak and the defeat was also Kentucky's first in its last 17 home games, including 14 this season. The Volunteers rolled to their sixth consecutive double-digit victory with Wednesday's 85-73 win over South Carolina. Tennessee is defeating its opponents by an average of 18.1 points during its school-record, 19-game run. The 6-7 Grant Williams (19.4-7.4-3.5) is the reigning SEC player of the year and is a 2019 national player of the year candidate. He's surrounded by a plethora of perimeter players in 6-6 guard Schofield (16.7 & 6,4), PG Bone (13.2 & 6.5 APG) plus fellow guards Turner (11.7) and Bowden (11.5), There is also 6-11 center Alexander (8.5 & 6.9). As always, Coach Cal has impact freshman in guards Johnson (14.0 & 5.3) and Herro (13.0 & 4.0). However, 6-8 sophomore PJ Washington (14.4 & 8.1) and 6-8 senior transfer Travis (11.6 & 7.0) may be the keys to Kentucky's success this season. Washington has emerged as the team's primary offensive option and Tuesday marked the sixth time in his last seven outings he reached 20 points and the fourth time in the last six games he corralled at least nine rebounds. Reid Travis, who finished third in the Pac-12 in scoring (19.5 points) last season at Stanford but he has been held to fewer than 10 points in eight of 11 SEC outings. Coach Cal needs more from him! Kentucky is 90-17 all-time in Lexington against Tennessee but the Volunteers won 61-59 at Rupp Arena last season, as part of their regular-season sweep of the Wildcats. Tennessee is attempting to become the first school to win in back-to-back seasons in Lexington since Vanderbilt and Florida did it in 2005-06 and 2006-07. That's a tall order. I'm on the 'Cats, "Big Time!" Good luck...Larry |
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02-16-19 | Boise State v. San Diego State -4.5 | 65-71 | Win | 100 | 10 h 41 m | Show | |
My 9* Revenge Rout is on SD State at 7:00 ET. The 11-14 Boise State Broncos and the 15-9 San Diego State Aztecs meet in MWC action from Viejas Arena at the Aztec Bowl on Saturday evening in San Diego. Boise comes in off a 65-63 loss to Fresno State, falling to 6-6 in league play. Meanwhile, San Diego State is off a 71-60 win over Colorado State, the Aztecs' FIFTH win in their last six (SDSU is 7-4 in MWC play). Boise head coach Leon Rice has led the Broncos to 21 wins or more is SIX of his seven seasons but he's NOT getting TY's team to 21 wins. Rice lost three productive seniors from last year, including the 6-7 Chandler Hutchison ((20.0 & 7.7), who was the 22nd pick in last year's NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. This year's team is loaded on teh perimeter with four guards averaging between 10.5 and 12.9 PPG (Jessup leads the way). Two more guards chip in 6.8 & 6.1 PPG but the only size the Broncos have is the 6-11 Haney (8.4 & 4.2). PG Devin Watson (16.3 & 4.5 APG) led the Aztecs with 21 points on 8 of 14 shooting in the win over CSU, while the 6-10 Jalen McDaniels (17.1 & 8.6) added 18 points with a team-high 12 rebounds. Watson is joined by Hemsley (9.4) and Schakel (8.0) in the backcourt .The 6-6 Mitchell (10.4 & 3.3) chips in up front with McDaniels. Boise St is just 3-7 SU on the road this season and is just 6-16-1 ATS in its last 23 games against a team with a winning record. SDSU could be without Schakel (achilles) but I have to be impressed with SDSU's play at home, where the Aztecs are 11-2 SU, holding opponents to 65.5 PPG, while averaging 79.3 PPG. SDSU has some revenge on its mind from an ugly 88-64 loss in Boise back on Jan 5 plus note that the Aztecs are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 conference games. Good luck...Larry |
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02-16-19 | Memphis v. UCF -5.5 | 72-79 | Win | 100 | 11 h 22 m | Show | |
My 2nd play of Saturday's STP is an 8* on UCF at 6:00 ET. Central Florida was the preseason favorite in the AAC but the 18-5 Knights are currently 8-3 in league play, trailing 9-2 Cincy and 11-1 Houston, which is 24-1 overall and ranked 9th in the latest AP poll. A 13-point victory over South Florida on Wednesday has UCF 2 1/2 games behind first-place Houston and just a game back of second-place Cincinnati, as the Knights welcome 15-10 Memphis (7-5 in AAC) to Orlando. UCF suffered its most lopsided loss of the season at Memphis back on Jan 27 (77-57) but have won three of four since. Memphis followed up the big win over the Knights with three straight losses but the Tigers have rebounded with back-to-back victories over UConn and East Carolina. Senior guard Jeremiah Martin (17.4-4.0-4.3) had just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting in the win over UCF but is since averaging 24.8 in five games, after pouring in 31 in Wednesday's 79-69 win over the Pirates. 6-8 senior forward Kyvon Davenport is second to Martin in scoring (14.3) and leads the team in rebounding (7.0). However, he was held to a season-low three points at East Carolina. Freshman guard Harris adds 11.9 PPG but note that Hardaway likes to use his bench, as Memphis has six more players averaging between 5.3 and 8.6 PPG. 7-6 senior center Tacko Fall put up a season-high 21 points to go along with nine rebounds and five blocks in Wednesday's win. He's averaging 10.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 2.7 BPG on the season (he makes 75.6% of his FGs) and head coach Johnny Dawkins noted after the game, "He played 26 minutes; I thought it was probably the most assertive 26 minutes he's played since I've coached him here. I felt his presence throughout the entire time he was out there on the floor. That's a tribute to him." Fall is obviously important to the team's success but the team's 'backbone' is its guard duo of Senior B.J. Taylor (16.5) and junior Aubrey Dawkins (15.3 & 5.2). Expect the revenge motive to be HUGE in this one and UCF had won four straight meetings over the Tigers prior to that loss at Memphis late last month. UCF is 12-2 SU at home, allowing just 66.4 PPG. Meanwhile, the Tigers have been an awful defensive team on the road, allowing 83.9 PPG in true road games. The Knights get their revenge. Good luck...Larry |
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02-16-19 | Temple v. South Florida +1 | 70-69 | Push | 0 | 11 h 18 m | Show | |
My 3rd play of Saturday's STP is a 9* on USF at 6;00 ET. No. 9 Houston is atop the American Athletic Conference at 11-1 with just over a month remaining until Selection Sunday. Cincy is at 9-2, UCF at 8-3 and the 18-7 Temple Owls check in at 8-4. Temple knows that it has little margin for error if it hopes to reach the NCAA Tournament. The Owls pay a visit to Tampa on Saturday to face USF, which is 17-7 overall, including 7-5 in AAC play. Temple's off an eight-point home win over SMU, while USF is off a 78-65 loss at UCF. However, Temple should take note the Bulls team nearly beat the Owls in Philadelphia back on Jan 12, before ultimately dropping an 82-80 decision in overtime. It's nothing new that the Owls got the bulk of their scoring in their win over SMU from their trio of guards (59 of the team's 82 points), Shizz Alston, Quinton Rose and Nate Pierre-Louis. Alston, the team's leading scorer at PPG, registered 28 points in that contest and made multiple 3-pointers for the 16th time in his last 17 games. Rose (16.6) added 15 points and Pierre-Louis (13.9 & 6.0) added 16 points.That said, other Temple players contributed, as well. The 6-10 Ernest Aflakpui (6.2 & 7.1) grabbed 10 rebounds, the 6-7 J.P. Moorman II (5.6 & 3.7) had a career-high seven assists with nine rebounds plus guard Alani Moore (4.9) pitched in four assists and two steals off the bench. The Bulls are led offensively by guard David Collins (15.4), who enters this contest with four straight 20-point efforts while shooting nearly 57 percent from the floor over that stretch. The 6-8 Alexis Yetna is just shy of averaging a double-double on the season (12.5 & 9.9) and he also shoots 44.1 percent from the three-point line. Justin Brown (8.4) has knocked down a team-leading 45 three-pointers, including nearly 60 percent of his long-range attempts over the last five outings. Junior transfer Laquincy Rideau continues to shine at the point, averaging 13.7 points along with league highs of 5.8 assists and 3.1 steals per game. However, Rideau was awful against UCF, shooting 3-of-17 in the road loss. That said, Rideau notched 18 points, 10 assists and 10 steals against Temple last month. It was just the SIXTH points-assists-steals triple-double in Division I over the last 20 seasons! Expect South Florida to continue its climb into the top half of the American Athletic Conference with a win here. The Bulls have already won their most contests (17) since 2011-12 and have clearly left the recent past in the rear-view mirror. USF is off seasons of 10, 7, 8, 9 and 12 wins.The Bulls allow just 66.1 PPG (46th) on the season and here at home, are 13-2 SU, allowing only 63.3 PPG. Home teams gets this win. Good luck...Larry |
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02-16-19 | Baylor v. Texas Tech -7 | 61-86 | Win | 100 | 7 h 18 m | Show | |
My 1st play of Saturday's STP is an 8* on Texas Tech at 2:00 ET. No. 15 Texas Tech is surging up the Big 12 standings with five wins in its last six games. The 20-5 Red Raiders are 8-4 in league play (tied with Kansas), 1 1/2-games back of conference leading Kansas St (9-2). Texas Tech welcomes 16-8 Baylor (7-4 in Big 12) to Lubbock on a three-game winning streak in which the Red Raiders have won by an average of 23.7 PPG. Baylor beat Texas Tech at home 73-62 back on Jan 19, a victory which was part of a six-game winning streak for the Bears. However, they then lost two in a row before upending Oklahoma 59-53 at home Monday night. The Bears had allowed an average of 77 points in losses to Texas and Kansas State, before limiting the Sooners to 22 second-half points in Monday's win Junior guard Devonte Bandoo (averaging just 7.7 PPG on the season) connected on a career-high five 3-pointers, en route to 19 points. Leading scorer Makai Mason (15.6) returned from a one-game layoff to make just two of his 14 shot attempts, but the senior led the way with a career high-tying eight assists. Injuries just HAVE to be an issue for Baylor down the stretch, as the Bears lost the 6-9 Clark (14.6 & 6.2). to a season-ending knee injury on Jan 8 and senior G King McClure (9.9 & 5,4) has missed two straight games with a knee injury and is listed day-to-day. Sophomore "do-everything" guard Jarrett Culver leads Tech with 17.7 PPG (ranks third in the Big 12) plus adds 6.2 RPG and 3.6 APG. Senior guard Matt Mooney (10.8) and sophomore guard Davide Moretti (10.6) nicely complement Culver on the perimeter for Tech. Up front, the 6-10 Owens (8.3 & 5.4) and 6-8 center Odiase (4.1 & 5.3) are the biggest contributors. The Bears have had to reinvent themselves after losing sophomore big man Tristan Clark and now head coach Scott Drew doesn't know when guard King McClure will return from a knee injury. This hardly seems like the best time to visit Lubbock, with the Red Raiders seeking revenge from that January loss in Waco. Head coach Chris Beard's Red Raiders identity is unabashedly defense. The Red Raiders are first in the nation in defensive field goal percentage (36.2) and second in scoring defense (57.0). Here in Lubbock, Tech is 13-1 SU, outscoring opponents 74.6-to-52.8 PPG. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
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02-16-19 | Oklahoma v. TCU -5.5 | 71-62 | Loss | -109 | 5 h 11 m | Show | |
My 9* Eye-Opener is on TCU at 12:00 ET. Oklahoma is 15-10 overall but a woeful 3-9 in Big-12 play (ahead of only 2-9 Okla St & WVa). The Sooners visit Ft Worth on Saturday afternoon to take on the 17-7 TCU Horned Frogs, who sit 5-6 in Big 12 play. The Sooners enter on a season-high five-game losing streak, after a 59-53 setback Monday at Baylor. As for TCU, the Horned Frogs saw their 12-game conference home winning streak come to an end, as TCU was outlasted 82-77 by Kansas on Monday, its first home loss to a Big 12 opponent in over a year. Late-game execution once again was the Sooners’ downfall on Monday, as Oklahoma was held scoreless in the final two minutes. “You’ve got to play really well to have a chance, and we haven’t played enough 40 minutes of basketball,” Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger said after the defeat. “It seems like every game, we find a stretch or something that hurts us, and we’ve got to try to work through that.” The Sooners were an 'ugly' 3-for-18 from three-point range vs Baylor, setting season lows for makes and three-point percentage (16.7). 6-4 senior guard Christian James leads in scoring (15.4) and rebounding (7.0), while the 6-9 Manek (11.6 & 6.5) is the only other Sooner in double digits. However, six Oklahoma players chip in between 4.2 and 9.4 PPG. TCU lost on Monday but freshman Kendric Davis has recorded consecutive double-digit scoring performances for the first time, as he finished with 16 points while adding a career-high seven assists on Monday. He's filled in nicely for guard Fisher (12.9), who is out for the season and will transfer. Davis averages 6.5 PPG and backs up junior guard Bane (15.7 & 5.4) and senior PG Robinson (12.9 & 7.3 APG) on the perimeter. Up front, the 6-7 Noi (14.8 & 4.1) and the 6-8 Miller (10.4 & 6.5) surround 6-11 freshman center Samuel (7.3 & 7.2). TCU has way more offensive options than Oklahoma, as only James and Manek are in double digits. What's more, James is only 15 of 51 from floor (29.4%), averaging a mere 10 PPG his last five contests. The five days off between games will be much needed by the Horned Frogs, as three players set career highs in minutes played during Monday’s overtime loss, Bane (44), Davis (36) and Noi (42). Lay the points with TCU, which is 11-2 SU at home, allowing just 67.3 PPG. Good luck...Larry |
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02-15-19 | Harvard v. Princeton -1.5 | 78-69 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 48 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Princeton at 7:00 ET. 15-4 Yale sits atop the Ivy League at 5-1, with Cornell, Harvard and Princeton a game back at 4-2. Harvard (a 10-point home favorite) appeared to be in complete control with a 13 point lead at the half last Saturday but the Big Red went on a 46-27 second half run, as Cornell snapped Harvard's five-game winning streak. With Harvard's five-game homestand now in the rear-view mirror, the Crimson take to the Ivy road the next two weekends, beginning with tonight's game in Princeton against the Tigers. Princeton (also 4-2 in Ivy play) is 12-7 overall (Harvard is 11-8). The Tigers just completed four road games the last two weekends and now (in direct contrast to Harvard), will be home these next two weekends. Harvard's Bryce Aiken did not play in the Crimson's Ivy opening loss on Jan 12 to Dartmouth but he made his junior season debut on Jan 21 at Howard, 348 days to the date he went down in agony in Morningside Heights, as the Crimson suffered a rare loss to the Columbia Lions (his left knee would require offseason surgery). Aiken averaged 14.1 PPG last season and in six games this season, is averaging 19.2 PPG. The 6-9 Chris Lewis (11.9 & 4,3) and guard Bassey (10.3 & 7.3) have been stalwarts this season, although Bassey did not play in the loss to Cornell (?). Guards Juzang (9.7) and Kirkwood (9.2) plus the 6-8 Djuricic (7.3 & 4.1) round out the main contributors. Princeton's senior guard Cannady (19.8) is one of the Ivy's best backcourt players and is joined in the backcourt by fellow senior Stephens (12.6), who is also the team's leading rebounder (6.5). Freshman guard Llewellyn joined the team in December and is closing in on averaging double digits at 9.3 PPG. 6-9 center Aririguzoh averages 11.4 & 5.9. The winner here keeps it close with Yale (the Bulldogs are a big road favorite tonight at Columbia) and note that Harvard is just 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games overall plus enters this game 1-5 ATS in its last six away games (lone cover at Howard of the MEAC). Princeton had a seven-game winning streak snapped with back to back road losses last weekend and the Tigers will be happy to get back home, The Tigers won 67-66 at then-No. 17 Arizona State during their seven-game winning streak and I like them here at home vs the overrated Crimson. The price is cheap! Good luck...Larry |
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02-15-19 | Brown v. Cornell | Top | 66-70 | Win | 100 | 12 h 51 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Crusher (Ivy League) is on Cornell at 7:00 ET. The Brown Bears and the Cornell Big Red meet in Ithaca, NY for Ivy League action from the Newman Arena at Bartels Hall on Friday night. The Brown Bears beat Princeton 78-70 in its last outing and comes in 14-8 overall but just 2-4 in Ivy League play. Meanwhile, Cornell swept Dartmouth and Harvard on the Ivy road last weekend and while the Big Red are 12-10 overall, they are 4-2 in conference play (tied with Harvard and Princeton), just one-game back of first-place Yale (5-1). Desmond Cambridge led Brown in scoring as a freshman (17.3) and tops the team again this season, averaging 16.4 PPG. That said, 6-5 SF Choh (12.8), could be the team's best all-around player, leading in rebounds (8.9) and assists (3.5). Senior guard Okolie (11.0) is the the team's third double-digit scorer. Cornell's Matt Morgan has led the Ivy League in scoring in each of the last three seasons and the senior is well on his way to making if FOUR times in four years. He enters the season having scored in double digits in 51 straight games and has extended that streak to 73 in a row, this season (he's averaging 23.5 PPG and 4.5 RPG). 6-8 swingman Warren adds 10.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 3.1 APG. Jimmy Boeheim (Coach Boeheim's son) rounds out the double digit scorers at 10.6 PPG and the 6-6 Julian is the team's top rebounder at 6.5 per game (adds just a modest 4.0 PPG). "The Ancient Eight" (as the Ivy used to be called) joined the rest of the college hoops world by holding a postseason tourney a few years back but only the top-four teams get in. onA loss here by Brown (would fall to 2-5) could put the Bears' tourney hopes on 'life-support.' However, "must win" doesn't mean "will win." It's hardly good news that Brown's leading scorer (Cambridge) comes in shooting just 12 of 61 (19.7%) from the floor in his last four contests. Cornell's "road sweep" last weekend (see above) is a good sign for the Big Red, as is Cornell's recent domination of Brown (won both meetings last year). In fact, Cornell is 15-5-2 ATS in the last 22 meetings between these two schools and Brown limps in 1-9-1 ATS in its last 11 Ivy games. Go Big Red! |
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02-14-19 | BYU v. San Diego -3.5 | Top | 88-82 | Loss | -108 | 14 h 53 m | Show |
My 10* LEGEND play is on San Diego at 10:00 ET. It's live from the Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego on Thursday night, as 16-win teams BYU and San Diego square off in WCC action. The Cougars are 16-10 overall and their 8-3 league mark puts them in second -place behind only the No. 3-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs, who are 23-2 (including 10-0 in WCC play). BYU looks to build on their current 3-game winning streak, after a 69-59 win over Pacific in the team's last outing. San Diego is hoping for a little more consistency, after alternating wins and losses in each of its last four games. The Toreros lost 70-67 at Pepperdine in their last outing, failing to avenge their LONE home loss of the season (more on that, later).. The 6-8 Yoeli Childs led the Cougars with 19 points along with 13 rebounds for the double-double in BYU's win over Pacific. Guard Connor Harding (13 points) was the only other BYU player to finish in double figures. BYU can score, averaging 80.2 PPG (36th). Childs leads the Cougars in scoring (21.0) and rebounding (9.7) but the biggest percentage of BYU's offense comes from the perimeter. PG Haws averages 17.0 PPG and 5.0 APG and Hardnett just misses out on double digits with 9.7 PPG, Another trio of guards combine for about 20 PPG. bYU's problem is a defense that allows 75.4 PPG (272nd) San Diego's 6-7 Isaiah Pineiro(19.2 & 9.0) will be a excellent counter to BYU's Childs. As for the backcourt, Carter averages 16.0 PPG, Wright 13.4 & 4.0 and PG Williams 8.8 & 3.1 APG. Helping out Pineiro up front are the 6-10 Massalski (7.6 & 5.9) and the 6-8 Floresca (5.2 & 3.1). San Diego doesn't score as much as BYU, as the Toreros check in averaging 73.5 PPG but they play better D, allowing 68.0 PPG (91st) BYU owns lots of firepower but the Cougars have been betrayed by theri porous D, especially on the road. BYU is 3-7 SU in true road games this season, allowing 86.5 PPG. BYU is 3-11 ATS in their last 14 road games and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a winning record. Sure, it's slightly uncomfortable laying points with an inconsistent San Diego team but the Toreros are 11-1 SU at home (lone loss to Pepperdine) and BYU's only conference road wins have come at Pacific, Pepperdine and Portland, teams which have combined to go 8-25 in WCC play. BYU's play against higher-quality opposition has seen them lose three times by 19 or more vs WCC 'heavies' Gonzaga, USF, & Saint Mary’s. San Diego is clearly NOT in Gonzaga's class but the Toreros are on par with the latter two. San Diego easily beat BYU at Jenny Craig last year (75-62) and is BYU is 4-0 ATS in BYU's last four visits to this venue. Also note that BYU's third-leading scorer (Hardnett) is sidelined with hand injury. Make that 5-0! Good luck...Larry |
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02-13-19 | Arizona State v. Colorado -1 | Top | 73-77 | Win | 100 | 12 h 31 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Crusher (Pac 12) is on Colorado a7%) run with all CBB plays since Saturday.t 10:30 ET. The Colorado Buffs opened the season 9-3 in non-conference games but when Pac-12 play began, Colorado started 2-6. However, the Buffs have rebounded from their poor Pac-12 start to post impressive double-digit wins over Oregon and UCLA, before winning 69-65 at USC Saturday as a 5 1/2-point underdog. Suddenly, Colorado is the hottest team in the Pac-12. The 14-9 Buffaloes (5-6 in Pac-12 play) will try to build on their positive mojo Wednesday night when they host 16-7 Arizona State. The Sun Devils have won five of their last seven contests and are tied with Utah and Oregon State for second place at 7-4. That’s still a full three games in back of Washington but Arizona State is fresh off handing the Huskies their first conference setback, winning 75-63 at home Saturday night. Two days have struggling through one of their worst shooting games of the season (33.8-percent in a 91-70 home loss to Washington State), the Sun Devils shot a season-best 61.7 percent in beating Washington. Forward Romello White had 17 points to lead four Arizona State players in double figures and also was one of three Sun Devils to collect at least eight rebounds. ASU dominated the Washington 40-23 on the boards. Led by guards Luguentz Dort (16.2 points per game) and Remy Martin (13.1), five players are averaging double figures for Arizona State. Senior forward Zylan Cheatham (11.5 & 11.0) plus guard Edwards at 10.4 and the 6-7 Lawrence at 10.O are the other two. White (9.3 & 5.7, just misses. ASU leads the conference in overall scoring at 78.9 PPG (that's 52nd nationally) and average rebound margin (7.1). As for Colorado, even with its win streak, the Buffaloes haven’t gained much ground in the Pac-12 standings. They are currently part of a four-way tie for seventh place at 5-6. Only Washington State (3-8) and hapless California (0-11) are worse. That said, the Buffs have dominated defensively during their current three-game win streak, holding Oregon, UCLA and USC to a combined 39.6 shooting, including 17-of-70 from three-point range (24,3%). PG McKinley Wright leads the team with 13.0 PPG and 4.9 APG. Swingman Tyler Bey adds 12.0 PPG and a team-high 8.9 RPG. 6-10 forward Lucas Siewert (11.3 & 5.1) and guard Gatling (10.7) round out the double digit scorers. I noted Colorado's excellent defensive play earlier but the Buffs have played excellent D all season long. Colorado is third in the conference in allowing 68.8 PPG and is limiting the opposition to 30.5-percent shooting from three-point range (33rd nationally). Arizona State’s 61.7-percent shooting outing versus Washington marked its first 60-pecent showing in a Pac-12 game since 2013.DO NOT expect a repeat performance here in Boulder, where the Buffs are 8-2 SU. No real pointspread to worry about here. Good luck...Larry |
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02-13-19 | Ole Miss v. Auburn -8 | 60-55 | Loss | -112 | 12 h 29 m | Show | |
My 9* Revenge Rout is on Auburn at 8:30 ET. Ole Miss was picked to finish last in the SEC preseason media poll but the Rebels, under first-year head coach Kermit Davis, opened the season 13-2 and a near-perfect 14-1 ATS. The Rebels have cooled since that incredible start but at 16-7 (6-4 in the SEC) are making a serious bid for their first trip to the NCAA Tournament in four seasons. Ole Miss has answered a four-game losing streak with back-to-back victories and looks to complete a season sweep of the Tigers tonight in Auburn. The Tigers won NINE of their first 10 games but have gone 7-6, since. Auburn was ranked 14th at 13-3, when it lost to Kentucky, the first of a three-game skid. The Tigers snapped that three-game losing skid by winning three in a row but then blew an early 16-point lead in Saturday's 83-78 loss at LSU (currently ranked 19th). Ole Miss rode a 31-point performance from Breein Tyree to an 80-64 win at Georgia on Saturday, moving them to 6-4 in conference play, the first time it has been above .500 through 10 games in the SEC since last going to the NCAAs in 2014-15. Tyree is Ole Miss' leading scorer (18.5) and has been on a tear over the past five games, averaging 24.0 points. Backcourt mate Davis is second on the team in scoring (16.2) plus leads in rebounding (6.3) and assist (3.6). He has scored in double figures in 12 consecutive games but note that no other Rebel averages more than 9.3 PPG. Senior guard Bryce Brown (16.7) is the Auburn's leading scorer and junior PG Jared Harper (15.6) leads the SEC in assists (6.3), 6-8 sophomore forward Chuma Okeke (10.5 7 6.7) has stepped up with 6-11 junior Austin Wiley's missing four straight with a leg injury. Wiley's hardly played the last two games but still checks in at 9.6 & 5.5 on the season. Okeke has 12 points in the loss to LS( he's been in double digits on SEVEN of his last eight) plus added a season-high 14 rebounds. Auburn was CLEARLY rusty in its 82-67 Jan 9 loss at Ole Miss, as that contest followed an extended 11-day layoff. In this rematch (or should I say, "revenge" match?), expect the Tigers to be energized at Auburn Arena, where they are 12-1 SU (lone loss a two-point one vs Kentucky), outscoring opponents 87.5-to-63.8 PPG. Good luck...Larry |
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02-13-19 | Syracuse v. NC State -3 | 58-73 | Win | 100 | 8 h 5 m | Show | |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on NC Stata at 8:00 ET. It's an ACC clash Wednesday in Raleigh, as 17-7 Syracuse (8-3 in league play) visits 17-7 NC State (5-6 in league play). Syracuse bounced back from an 'ugly' 82-60 home loss to Florida State a week ago Tuesday with a 67-56 home win over Boston College on Saturday. The Wolfpack struggled through a rough stretch that saw them lose four of five — all to ranked teams — but managed to hold off the late-charging Pitt Panthers for the 79-76 road win on Saturday. Buddy Boeheim, a freshman guard averaging 13.5 minutes and 5.7 PPG, had a career-high 16 points in the win over BC. "He's helping us," Boeheim’s father and head coach Jim Boeheim told reporters after the game. "He's making shots. We need somebody to make shots out there and he's making shots." Junior guard and leading scorer Tyus Battle (17.9 points per game) once again led the Orange with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Up front, it's forwards Elijah Hughes (14.0 & 4.3) and Oshae Brissett (13.6 & 8.0). Boeheim's zone D is giving opponents fits this season (as always), as Syracuse allows just 64.0 PPG (21st on 39.4% shooting (15th). Kevin Keatts' Wolfpack like to put as many as four guards on the floor at a time and push the tempo. Swingman Torin Dorn is the team’s top scorer (13.6) and rebounder (6.6) despite being just 6-6, while C.J. Bryce (12.5 & 5.0) and PG Markell Johnson (11.1 & 4.0 APG) both shoot better than 40 percent from three-point range. Devon Daniels (9.5) and Braxton Beverly (9.8) also contribute to a talent-rich backcourt. 6-10 sophomore Funderbunk (8.5 & 4.1) is NC State's best inside player. The Wolfpack were in desperate need of a win, as their losing streak saw them drop out of the top-25 and to the bottom half of the ACC standings. They got one by competing hard at both ends of the court in the win over BC. Now, it's time to beat a quality opponent. The last time the Wolfpack played at home (Feb 2), they were held to 24 points by Virginia Tech.However, they are averaging 87.5 points over their last two games (both on the road). Despite NC State's 'nigthmare' of game vs Va Tech, the Wolfpack are 12-3 SU at home, outscoring opponents 82.9-to-64.7 PPG. Expect an easy win for NC State, here. Good luck...Larry |
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02-13-19 | SMU v. Temple -4.5 | 74-82 | Win | 100 | 11 h 2 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Temple at 7:00 ET. It's an AAC contest Wednesday night as the SMU Mustangs (4-7 in AAC play) travel to Philly to take on the 17-7 Temple Owls (7-4 in AAC play). SMU most recently lost by six points to UCF and enters this contest having lost SIX of its last seven games.As for Temple, the Owls were crushed 76-58 by Tulsa 76-58 on Saturday, as leading scorers Shizz Alston Jr., Quinton Rose and Nate Pierre-Louis combined to shoot 8-of-31 from the floor (26%). The Mustangs hope to break a four-game losing streak in tonight's game at Temple. Jimmy Whitt Jr. had a career-high 23 points for SMU against UCF but he went scoreless in five minutes against UCF. Head coach Tim Jankovich said, "He was late for practice yesterday, so that was a big part of it. And it's been hard for him to practice. Last week he didn't one time and then this two days before the game he only practiced once because he's a little dinged up. Hopefully he'll get healthy quickly." If McMurray is hurting against Temple, can guard Whitt (12.9-6.4-4.5) and the 6-8 Isiaha Mike (12.3 & 5.1) step up? Mike notched his first double-double of the season (18 points, 10 boards) against the Knights. The 6-9 Chargois (12.3 & 6.7) also averages in double digits. Temple owns a three-headed scoring attack on the perimeter in PG Shizz Alston Jr. (18.1 & 5.0 APG) plus fellow guards Quinton Rose (16.6) and Nate Pierre-Louis (13.8 & 5.9) The Owls endured a putrid effort against Tulsa, as only Alston (4-of-14) made more than two field goals and the team as a whole managed a total of five two-point baskets in the game. Rose committed seven turnovers and shot just 2-of-12 from the floor. Pierre-Louis (12 points) has scored in double figures in 12 of the last 13 games but is just 4 of 22 from three-point range in the previous seven games. Temple is still very much alive for a third-place finish in the AAC (behind Houston and Cincy) and is 9-2 SU at home. This price seems very "doable," as I expect Temple's perimeter trio (see above), to return to form. Lay the short price. Good luck...Larry |
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02-12-19 | Alabama v. Mississippi State -5.5 | 62-81 | Win | 100 | 15 h 7 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Miss St at 9:00 ET. Alabama’s 83-79 home win over then-No. 22 Mississippi State on Jan 29 helped the Crimson Tide right the ship in the SEC. 15-8 Alabama has won three of its last four games to climb into a tie for fifth place in the SEC standings at 6-4. As for the Miss St Bulldogs, they have headed in the opposite direction by losing three of their last four contests. Miss St (16-7 / 4-6) let two close home games against ranked opponents slip away last week. The Bulldogs lost 92-88 in overtime against No. 21 LSU and then pushed No. 5 Kentucky to the brink of a 71-67 defeat. Alabama is a perimeter-based team, led by freshman PG Lewis (14.3 & 3.0 APG) and sophomore guard Petty (11.7 & 4.1). That duo is joined by Mack (9.0 & 3.7) and Ingram (7.6 & 4.0). Alabama's lone inside threat is the 6-9 Hall (10.9 & 8.7). Miss St opened 12-1 but enters this contest just 4-6 in its last 10. The Bulldogs are led by one of the SEC’s most dynamic players. The 6-5 Quinndary Weatherspoon averages 17.9 PPG (5.5 RPG) and can score in numerous ways. PG Lamar Peters (12.4 & 5.7 APG) is a solid play-maker and the duo is joined by Weatherspoon's brother Nick (9.8) on the perimeter. Starting up front are the 6-11 Perry (8.7 & 6.4) and the 6-11 Aldo (5.0 & 4.8). However, the Bulldogs' best frontcourt player comes off the bench, as the 6-10 Holman averages 10.6 PPG and a team-high 7.0 RPG. Revenge should work here, as Miss St is 10-3 SU at home, while averaging 84.2 PPG. Freshman forward Reggie Perry has moved into the starting lineup in the last three games and is averaging 14.4 points and nine rebounds over his last five contests. Miss St has way more depth up front and the Bulldogs' guard trio of the Weatherspoon brothers and Peters is more than a match for Alabama's guards. Home team wins with "room to spare.!" Good luck...Larry |
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02-12-19 | Butler v. St. John's -3.5 | Top | 73-77 | Win | 100 | 15 h 48 m | Show |
My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on St John's at 8:30 ET. Marquette edged Villanova on Saturday, 66-65. The result left the Wildcats at 10-1 and moved the Golden Eagles to 9-2. Those schools are well ahead of the rest of the pack in the conference, as the Big East has five teams tied for third at 5-6 in league play. Two of that quintet of teams, which all look up at Villanova and Marquette, will meet Tuesday night when 14-10 Butler visits 17-7 St. John's. All five of those schools will need a strong stretch run if they plan on making this year's NCAA Tournament. Butler rebounded from a three-game losing streak by winning its last two contests by just a combined six points. The Bulldogs' leading scorer Kamar Baldwin had 18 points to help Butler to a 73-69 victory at Georgetown on Saturday. The junior guard leads the team in scoring (17.2) and rebounding (5.0) and is joined on the perimeter by Jorgensen (11.8) and PG Thompson (6.1 & 4.2 APG). 6-7 sophomore forward Jordan Tucker (Duke transfer) scored 14 of his 15 points prior to the break in the win at Georgetown and is now averaging 10.0 & 5.2 since becoming eligible 15 games ago. 6-6 forward McDermott adds 9.9 & 3.8 while the center duo of the 6-11 Brunk (8.1 & 4.1) and the 6-10 Fowler (5.5 & 4.0) complete Butler's major contributors. St John's is coming off a damaging 70-56 home loss to Providence on Saturday. That 56-point effort was the Red Storm's worst in Big East action since it was held to 45 in a loss at Butler last season. The absence of second-leading scorer Mustapha Heron (15.0 & 4.9) with a knee issue was a factor. Junior PG Shamorie Ponds scored 20 points and checks in at 20.7-4.6-5.3 on the season. Fellow guard Figueroa averages 14.3 PPG and a team-high 6.5 RPG plus another guard, Simon, adds 10.1-4.8-3.5. St John's doesn't have much size up front, as the 6-7 Clark (11.4 & 5.8) is the team's best frontcourt player. Butler has won seven of the last nine meetings with St John's, including 80-71 at home back on Jan 19 (Baldwin had 30 points). Yes, Butler has made the "Big Dance" in 10 of the previous 12 years but the prospects for a 2018 invite are bleak. Butler has won just two of seven road games this season (averaging only 65.7 PPG), while St John's checks in 9-3 SU at home, where the Red Storm are outscoring opponents 80.7-to-69.6 PPG. More good news comes St John's way in that Heron is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday (see above). Good luck...Larry |
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02-12-19 | Purdue v. Maryland +1 | 56-70 | Win | 100 | 13 h 42 m | Show | |
My 9* Conf Crusher (Big Ten) is on Maryland at 6:30 ET. 17-6 Purdue will be in College Park on Tuesday night to play 18-6 Maryland. The Boilermakers come in off an 81-62 win over the Cornhuskers on Saturday night, the school's EIGHTH in a row. Purdue sits 10-2 in Big Ten play, a half-game back of first-place Michigan. The Terps have had six days off since last Wednesday's 60-45 victory at Nebraska and sit 9-4 in league play, tied for fourth-place. The Boilermakers eked out a 62-60 victory in the first meeting between the two teams back on Dec 6 in West Lafayette. Preseason All-American guard Carsen Edwards scored 20 points in that first meeting, while sophomore guard Nojel Eastern's blocked Darryl Morsell's potential game-winning three-point try at the buzzer. Edwards leads the Big Ten in scoring (24.6), which also ranks seventh nationally, He's joined on the perimeter by Cline (12.7) and Eastern (7.0 & 5.3), while the 7-3 Haarms gives the Boilermakers a big inside presence, averaging 7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Four forwards combine to add about 23 points and 16 rebounds per contest. Maryland begins a stretch where it plays three consecutive top-20 ranked teams with this game vs No. 12 Purdue. The 24th-ranked Terrapins then hit the road to play at No. 6 Michigan and No. 21 Iowa,. Junior PG Anthony Cowan Jr. had 18 points and six assists in the first meeting. He leads the Maryland in scoring (16.2) and assists (4.5). He gets help in the backcourt from Ayala (8.9), Wiggins (8.3) and Morsell (8.0). 6-10 sophomore Bruno Fernando is second on the team in scoring (14.8) plus adds a team-high 10.7 RPG (ranks second in the Big Ten). 6-10 freshman forward Jalen Smith (11.8 & 7.0) is coming in off his third double-double (18 points & 11 rebounds) in the win at Nebraska. Purdue was an underachieving 9-6 in early January but an 84-80 OT win at Wisconsin on Jan 11, jump started an eight game win skein (7-1 ATS). The Boilermakers a good team but far from great. Maryland is an outstanding defensive team (64.9 PPG ranks 37th in the nation) and is 12-2 SU at home. The 6-10 Fernando has recorded a double-double in 15 games this season, including the last six in a row, leading the way for a team which leads the Big Ten and was tied for second in the nation entering the week in rebounding margin (plus-10.4). This is the first of a tough three-game stretch for the Terps (see above) and the ONLY one of the three that the Terps get at home. Expect the home team to prevail. Good luck...Larry |
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02-10-19 | Stanford v. Oregon -6 | 46-69 | Win | 100 | 12 h 46 m | Show | |
My 9* Conference Crusher (Pac-12) is on Oregon at 8:00 ET. Stanford is 12-10 (5-5 in Pac-12) and Oregon is 14-9 (also 5-5 in Pac-12). However, both schools are still alive for a top-four seed and a first-round bye in next month’s Pac-12 Tournament. Washington is running away with things at 10-1 but the winner of tonight's game will tie USC at 6-5, leaving them just one game behind 7-4 schools Ore St, Utah and Arz St, who are all tied for 2nd-place in the conference. The Cardinal look to build on one of their most complete efforts of the season, after shooting 54 percent from the floor and out-rebounding the Beavers 41-26 in Thursday’s 83-60 win at Oregon State. The Ducks bounced back from an ugly 73-51 loss at Colorado, by defeating last-place California 73-62 on Wednesday. The Cardinal have won four of their last five and with just one senior on the roster, Stanford has relied heavily on young players. 6-9 sophomore forward Oscar da Silva (10.0 & 5.7) recorded a career-high 23 points, nine rebounds and a career-high seven assists against OSU. Fellow 6-9 sophomore forward KZ Okpala ranks third in the league in scoring (17.7) while shooting 41 percent from three-point range (he adds 6.0 RPG). However, he was held to 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting against Oregon State. Stanford played much of the game without starting PG Daejon Davis (12.6-3.1-4.2), as he suffered an apparent head injury early in the second half and is listed as day-to-day. 7-0 center Josh Sharma (8.7 & 5.6) leads the Pac-12 in field-goal percentage at 67.5 percent and had 20 points along with eight rebounds in Thursday’s victory. Oregon obviously misses the 7-2 Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.6) but 6-9 freshman Louis King is thriving, averaging 11.6 & 5.1. Junior guard Payton Pritchard (11.8-4.0-3.1) snapped out of a shooting slump by recording his second career double-double with 20 points and a career-high 10 rebounds against Cal. However, Pritchard has handed over point guard duties to freshman Will Richardson (6.8), who had a season-high nine assists in Wednesday’s victory. The Ducks own an athletic frontcourt, as 6-9 senior forward Paul White (10. 7 & 3.7) and the 6-9 Wooten (6.7 & 4.5) join King (note: White has scored in double figures in NINE of the last 11 games). Don't think much of Stanford, while Oregon is still a capable home team, going 10-4 SU and winning by an average of 11 PPG. This pointspread is more than manageable. Good luck...Larry |
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02-10-19 | Georgia Tech v. Notre Dame -5.5 | 59-69 | Win | 100 | 10 h 50 m | Show | |
My 9* Revenge Rout is on Notre Dame at 6:00 ET. Two struggling ACC teams square off Sunday when 11-12 Georgia Tech (3-7 ACC) travels to South Bend to take on 12-11 Notre Dam (2-8 ACC).Wins have been difficult to come by for both schools, as the Yellow Jackets have lost FOUR straight games since knocking off Notre Dame 63-61 in Atlanta back on Jan 22, while the Fighting Irish have dropped SIX of their past seven games while The win over ND was the last time the Yellow Jackets were truly at full strength, as sophomore guard Jose Alvarado continues to battle nagging injuries while going 1-for-20 from the floor in the past two games, losses to Florida State and Clemson. “PG Alvarado (12.0-3.9-3.4) is Georgia Tech’s leading scorer and only the 6-9 Banks joins him in double digits at 10.5 PPG (plus a team-high 7.3 RPG). Ga Tech is one of the nation's lowest-scoring teams, averaging 65.8 PPG, ranking 326th! Things aren’t much better for the Fighting Irish on the offensive end. They shot a season-worst 32 percent from the floor while going 4-for-28 from three-point range in a 62-47 loss Wednesday at Miami. Notre Dame's offensive woes have been a season-long challenge, as the Irish rank 14th in the ACC and 327th nationally in field-goal percentage (40.5 percent). Standing out from the rest, 6-9 junior forward John Mooney leads the conference in rebounds and is the only ACC player to average a double-double (14.3 & 10.7), quite a jump from his 5.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game averages from a season ago. The Irish do feature two solid PGs, in junior Temple Gibbs (13.1 & 3.6 APG) and freshman Prentiss Hubb (7.5 & 3.6 APG). This game figures to be the best chance for either school to get a win in the near future. The Yellow Jackets play three of their next six games after Sunday against ranked teams: at No. 11 Virginia Tech on Tuesday, vs No. 22 Florida State on Feb 16 and at No. 3 Virginia on Feb 27. Notre Dame’s schedule is even tougher, with four of its next five opponents ranked in the top-25: at Virginia on Feb 16, vs Virginia Tech on Feb. 23, at Florida State on Feb 25 and at No. 16 Louisville on Mar 3. Ga Tech has averaged a woeful 59.7 PPG in its seven true road games this season, while Notre Dame is averaging 73.1 PPG in its 15 home contests. Throw in the "revenge angle" (ND lost by two at Ga Tech) and the Irish get the win with "room to spare." Good luck...Larry |
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02-10-19 | Connecticut v. Memphis -7 | Top | 71-78 | Push | 0 | 6 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Memphis at 2:00 ET. UConn began the season 6-1, including a win against Syracuse. It seemed as if players and fans alike were attracted to first year head coach Dan Hurley's intense attitude and aggressive play on the court. However, to put it mildly, Connecticut has had its share of ups-and-downs and comes into Sunday's game at Memphis 13-10 overall, including 4-6 in AAC play. What's more, senior guard Jalen Adams (17.0-3.8-3.) is out for the next four to six weeks, which basically means the season. Memphis also features a first-year head coach but Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway is facing NONE of the issues Hurley is dealing with. The well-liked mentor has his Tigers at 13-10 as well, including 5-5 in league play. Adams was coming off an altercation with Hurley in UConn's previous game and then played just six minutes in the team's 81-63 loss at Temple on Wednesday, before suffering a sprained MCL in his left knee. 6-9 sophomore forward Josh Carlton (8.6 & 5.9) didn't post a double-double in his first 54 games at UConn but he had 18 points and 13 rebounds against Temple for his second straight, following a 20 & 16 performance against East Carolina. Junior guard Christian Vital (14.0 & 6.0) had 18 points and 13 rebounds against the Owls, while Eric Cobb (4.0 & 4.2) added 13 points and five rebounds. He's getting extra time because Alterique Gilbert (13.0 & 3.8 APG) has missed three straight games with a shoulder injury. Memphis knows all about star guards, as the Tigers feature PG Jeremiah Martin. He made a career-high eight, three-pointers while scored a game-high 26 points against No. 25 Cincinnati on Thursday. However, it wasn't enough, as the Bearcats rallied from an 11-point deficit early in the second half for a 69-64 victory. "We didn't rebound the ball (well) in the second half and they got a couple of easy baskets," said Martin, who was coming off a career-high 41-point effort at South Florida. Martin is averaging 16.7-4.0-4.3 on the season.The 6-8 Davenport chips in 14.3 & 7.4 plus freshman guard Harris adds 12.1 PPG. Hardaway likes to use his bench and Memphis has six more player averaging between 5.5 and 8.8 PPG. UConn is an un-perfect 0-5 SU in true road games and that streak doesn't figure to end here (especially without Adams) against a Memphis team which is 11-2 SU at home, averaging a whopping 87.7 PPG. Memphis is 8-3 as a home favorite, including a PERFECT 6-0 when laying less than double digits! Good luck...Larry |
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02-09-19 | Washington v. Arizona State -1 | Top | 63-75 | Win | 100 | 13 h 0 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Arizona St at 10;00 ET. Washington returned all five starters from LY's 21-win team (NIT, not NCAA bid) but did anyone expect 12 straight wins and a 10-0 conference start, the school's best since 1952-53? Washington won at Arizona for the first time in seven years 67-60 on Thursday, despite senior forward Noah Dickerson (12.6 & 6.7) struggling with an ankle issue plus senior guard Matisse Thybulle (10.0) and senior forward Dominic Green (6.8) struggling with the flu (entire coaching staff was ill). The 19-4 Huskies (10-0 Pac 12) head to Tempe tonight to face the 15-7 Arizona State Sun Devils (6-4 in Pac-12). Arizona State is coming off its worst loss of the season, a stunning 91-70 home loss against Washington State on Thursday (ASU was favored by 15 points!) Sophomore guard Jaylen Nowell averages team highs of 16.4 points and 3.4 assists, while adding 5.4 RPG. Dickerson battled through an ankle injury to score 10 points in 26 minutes against Arizona, while Thybulle had five steals on Thursday. Washington is off to its best conference start since going 14-0 in 1952-53, boasts the stingiest defense in the Pac-12 at 64 points per game (60.4 during its winning streak) and hasn't allowed more than 70 in a conference game Head coach Bobby Hurley told the media after the Wash St loss, "There really wasn't anything overly positive that you can say. It was a pretty damaging loss for us." Senior forward Zylan Cheatham (11.6-1.1-3.5) entered the week one of 18 players nationally averaging a double-double, but only one other is also averaging at least three assists (Wisconsin's Ethan Happ). Freshman guard Luguentz Dort is the leading scorer at 16.2 PPG, with three more ASU players scoring in double digits. PG Martin checks in at 13.1 (5.1 APG), 12.4), guard Edwards at 10.3 and the 6-7 Lawrence at 10.2 & 4.0). Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils generated national headlines by handing then-top-ranked Kansas its first loss, 80-76, back on Dec. 22. However, ASU is just 6-5 its last 10. That said, off the team's embarrassing home loss to Wash St, Washington and its unbeaten Pac-12 record should bring out the VERY best in the Sun Devils. They are 10-3 SU at home, while averaging 82.5 PPG. Good luck...Larry |
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02-09-19 | Colorado v. USC -4.5 | Top | 69-65 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on USC at 10:00 ET. The Colorado Buffs opened the season 9-3 in non-conference games but when Pac-12 play began, Colorado started 2-6. However, the Buffs have rebounded from their poor Pac-12 start to post impressive double-digit wins over Oregon and UCLA in their last two outings. In the 22-point win over the Ducks on Feb 2, Colorado dominated defensively, holding Oregon to a season-low 51 points and a nine-year low 31 percent shooting from the floor. At UCLA this past Wednesday, Colorado shot 53.8 percent from the floor, including 13-of-24 from three-point range plus recorded a season-high 22 assists on 28 made baskets in an 84-73 win. The 13-9 Buffaloes (4-6 Pac-12) will try to maintain that momentum Saturday night when they visit USC. The Trojans are 13-10 overall (6-4 in Pac-12 play), after a 77-70 home loss to Utah on Wednesday night. In contrast to Colorado, USC has dropped two of its last three games following a 5-2 Pac-12 start. The Buffs received a huge boost Wednesday from junior-college transfer Shane Gatling who connected on 8-of-10 shots, including 7-of-9 three-pointers, in scoring a season-high 28 points. Sophomore swingman Tyler Bey also stayed hot with 16 points and 10 rebounds, giving him his third double-double in the last five games. Gatling (10.5) and Bey (12.4 & 9.0) are two of the four Buffaloes averaging double figures, with sophomore PG McKinley Wright leading the way (12.7 PPG) plus a team-high 5.0 APG. 6-10 forward Lucas Siewert (11.3 & 5.1 points) rounds out the main contributors. The Trojans fell behind Utah by 23 points midway through the second half and finished with a 38.0 field-goal percentage, including 9-of-26 from three-point range. “That was our worst effort in a long time,” USC head coach Andy Enfield said afterward. “I’m disappointed in our team, (but) I’ll take the blame for that.” USC has a set of "twin towers" in the 6-10 Boatwright (17.3 & 6.7) and the 6-11 Nick Rakocevic (16.0 & 9.9). Guard Jonah Mathews scored 18 points to pace the Trojans vs Utah and he tops a four-man guard rotation by averaging 12.9 PPG on the season. Porter (9.2) is back in the lineup after missing more than a month and joins Aaron (8.8 & 4.6) and PG Thornton (8.4 & 5.0 APG). I still don't trust Colorado away from Boulder and its win over erratic UCLA is not a mind-changer, as it was just the Buffs' second in their last nine Pac-12 road games. Sure, USC is a bit of an underachiever but note that the Trojans had won SEVEN straight at Galen Center before stumbling vs the Utes. USC is the play. Good luck...Larry |
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02-09-19 | Duke v. Virginia -2 | 81-71 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 13 m | Show | |
My 9* play is on Virginia at 6:00 ET. Saturday's marquee matchup is No. 2 Duke at No. 3 Virginia. Thees teams met in Durham back on Jan 189, as the Blue Devils (-3.5) edged the Cavs, 72-70. The rematch is set for Charlottesville, with Duke coming 20-2 (8-1 ACC) and Virginia at 20-1 (8-1 ACC). Duke's win over UVa jump started a six-game winning streak for the Blue Devils, with their most recent win coming in an 80-55 blowout of Boston College on Tuesday. The Cavaliers have returned to their winning ways since the loss at Duke, picking up a fourth straight victory following their 56-46 home triumph over Miami last Saturday. Duke was without PG Tre Jones in the first meeting. However, the team's best defender, has since returned to the court. Duke prevailed in that first game despite his absence, as the freshman combination of RJ Barrett and Zion Williamson proved to be too much for Virginia to overcome. Barrett scored 30 points and Williamson added 27. Barrett leads with 23.0 PPG (7.2 RPG) and Williamson checks in at 22.0 PPG plus a team-high 9.4 RPG. Cam Reddish (13.5) is the team's third double digit scorer and he scored 24 points, his most since the second game of the season, on 8-of-16 shooting to lead the Blue Devils over Boston College. Jones averages 8.4 PPG and a team-high 5.5 APG. The Cavaliers played without PG and third-leading scorer Ty Jerome (13.0-4.4-4.9) against the Hurricanes and didn't look very sharp (14 TOs and 42.3% from teh floor. Leading scorer De’Andre Hunter (14.7 & 5.1) led the way offensively against Miami with 14 on 6-of-13 shooting, while the 6-9 Mamadi Diakite (7.0 & 3.9 added 11 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Guard Kyle Guy (14.5 & 4.5) is UVa's second-best scorer. As usual, Virginia’s defense made up for its offensive miscues as the Cavaliers held the Hurricanes to 34 percent from the floor. UVa allows 52.9 PPG (1st) on 37.0% shooting (3rd), including 24.7% on threes (1st). Jerome's back is improving but his status against Duke is unknown. The Cavs were out-sized and out-quicked by the Blue Devils in the first meeting, yet lost by just two at Cameron. UVa was able to out-think Duke to stay in that game, as Duke was often flustered by the Virginia's defensive intensity. stop-end presence. Bennett's D completely shut off the perimeter in first meeting, holding Duke to only 2 of 14 from beyond arc. Here at home, where UVa is 11-0 and allowing just 49.0 PPG, the Blue Devils will be in big trouble. Cavs get their revenge. Good luck...Larry |
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02-09-19 | Louisville v. Florida State -3 | 75-80 | Win | 100 | 9 h 11 m | Show | |
My 3rd 8* play is on Florida St at 4:00 ET. No. 16 Louisville (17-6 / 8-2 in ACC) will be in Tallahassee on Saturday afternoon to take on No. 22 Florida State (17-5 / 5-4 in ACC). The Cardinals are sitting comfortably at No. 4 in the ACC standings, a half-game back of Virginia, Duke and North Carolina. They come into Saturday's meeting with Florida State winners of seven of their last eight games, the only blemish being 79-69 home loss to then-No. 9 North Carolina Saturday. However, Louisville bounced right back with a 72-64 victory Monday at then-No. 11 Virginia Tech. Then-No. 1 Duke rolled into town to take on then-No. 13 Florida State back on Jan 12 and eked out a 8-78 victory. Florida State spiraled a bit after that Duke loss, dropping its next two games at unranked Pitt and Boston College. However, the Seminoles have since righted the ship and enter this game having won four straight contests. Reserve guard Ryan McMahon (just 8.0 PPG on the season) scored 17 points on 4-of-5 shooting (all from three-point range) in 16 minutes off the bench against the Hokies, tying for the team high in scoring with junior forward Dwayne Sutton (10.9 & 7.0). Leading scorer and rebounder, the 6-7 Jordan Nwora (17.8 & 7.7). PG Cunningham (10.2 & 4.6 APG) is the only other Cardinal to average in double digits but Louisville come in averaging a healthy 78.8 PPG (57th). "Our inconsistency has kind of been our biggest obstacle," Florida State head coach Leonard Hamilton said. "But I do feel that we made a step in the right direction (against Syracuse), on the road against a good basketball team in a place that is very challenging to win. I thought our guys grew up a little bit." Senior guard Terance Mann () paced the Seminoles against the Orange with 22 points on 8-of-9 shooting while also contributing nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. Leading scorer Mfiondu Kabengele, who averages 13.2 points in just 19.7 minutes, added 18 points and eight rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting off the bench. The Seminoles shot 54.5 percent from the floor while dominating inside, outscoring the Orange 38-18 in the paint. EIGHT Florida State players are averaging between 6.2 PPG and Kabengele,'s team-high total of 13.2 (note: Kabengele doesn't even start for the Seminoles). FSU was ranked 17th in the AP's preseason poll (ranked 15th by the Blue Ribbon Yearbook) and climbed as high as No. 9 in the AP poll in early January. The last time FSU hosted a top-25 opponent in its house, it ended in heartbreak (see above vs duke). This time around, it will be a much better (happier) ending. Good luck...Larry |
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02-09-19 | Villanova v. Marquette -1.5 | 65-66 | Loss | -111 | 8 h 45 m | Show | |
My 2nd 8* play is on Marquette at 2:30 ET. Questions surrounded Villanova after the Wildcats lost back-to-back games to Penn and Kansas, as the defending champs (actually, two titles in a three-year span) sat just 8-4 in mid-December. However, 11 consecutive wins later (including a 10-0 start in the Big East), have erased all doubts that the 19-4 Wildcats are again VERY relevant (''Nova is currently ranked 14th). Marquette is also 19-4 (8-2 in the Big East) but come sin off its first home loss of the season, falling 70-69 to St. John's on Tuesday The Wildcats were led against Creighton by 6-8 freshman Saddiq Bey in their win over Creighton, as he scored a career-high 17 points for his fourth double-digit scoring effort in the last five outings. That said, bey averages just 8.2 PPG on the season (5.0 RPG). 'Nova is led by senior guard Phil Booth (18.3.7-4.) and 6-8 senior forward Eric Paschall (17.3 & 6.2). Sophomore guard Collin Gillespie (12.1) is the team's third double digit scorer. The Golden Eagles are led PG Markus Howard (24.6-4.1-4.2), who is a potential All-American. The 6-8 Sam Hauser (15.7 & 7.0 is joined by his 6-9 younger brother Joey (10.4 & 5.7). Marquette connects on 46.9 % if its FGs, including 39.5 percent from three-point range (16th). Each of its top-three scorers (see above) drain at least 40 percent of their 3-pointers. Villanova can't possibly "win-out" (right?) and this is one tough venue. Maybe Marquette got caught "looking ahead" to 'Nova against St John's but I believe that will make them even more focused here. The Golden Eagles are 14-1 SU at home, outscoring opponents 79.2-to-62.5 PPG. Home team wins. Good luck...Larry |
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02-09-19 | Auburn v. LSU -2.5 | 78-83 | Win | 100 | 7 h 10 m | Show | |
My 1st 8* play is on LSU at 2:00 ET. No. 21 LSU (18-4 / 8-1 in SEC) remained in a tie for second in the conference with No. 5 Kentucky (one game behind the No. 1 Tennessee Volunteers), after Wednesday's 92-88 OT victory at Mississippi State. Freshman forward Naz Reid scored 25 of his career high-tying 29 in the second half and OT, while sophomore guard Tremont Waters added 25 points. It's Tigers vs Tigers on Saturday, as 16-6 Auburn (5-4 in SEC) visits Baton Rogue this afternoon. Auburn defeated Florida 76-62 on Tuesday for its third straight victory, as these Tigers have clamped down defensively, allowing just 61.0 PPG in that span (Auburn is one of four teams tied for fifth at 5-4 in the SEC). Auburn's 6-11 junior center Austin Wiley (10.3 & 5.9) returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing five games with a leg injury. However, he played only five minutes as head coach Bruce Pearl told reporters he wants to keep "progressing him." Senior guard Bryce Brown (17.0) is the team's leading scorer and is averaging 19.3 points in conference games. Junior PG Jared Harper (15.4) leads the SEC in assists (6.5), while 6-8 sophomore forward Chuma Okeke has stepped up in Austin Wiley's absence, to average 10.5 & 6.4 on the season. PG Waters leads LSU in scoring (15.6) and assist (5.9 assists), while Reid adds 13.9 PPG plus a team-best 6.0 RPG. Junior guard Skylar Mays (13.1) and freshman guard Ja'vonte Smart (10.5) are the other double-figure scorers plus 6-6 freshman forward Emmitt Williams (8.0 & 5.9) provides support at both ends of the floor. Auburn has won three consecutive SEC games, 92-58 over Missouri, 84-63 over Alabama and 76-62 over Florida on Tuesday but all have come at home.The team now heads out on the road where the Tigers are 1-4 SU, while allowing 79.6 PPG. Beating the Tigers of LSU on their homecourt will be no easy task. LSU opened the season with 11 straight home wins, before losing to Arkansas last Saturday, 90-89 as a 10-point favorite. LSU enters 11-1 SU at home, outscoring opponents 86.1-to-70.7. Home team rules in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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02-09-19 | Wisconsin v. Michigan -6.5 | 52-61 | Win | 100 | 6 h 35 m | Show | |
My 9* Eye-Opener is on Michigan at 12:00 ET. From 1999 through 2017, there was not single NCAA tournament that didn't include Wisconsin. However, in the 2017-18 season, the Badgers finished 15-18 when they lost in the Big Ten quarterfinals, missing the "Big Dance" for the first time in 20 years.Things were slightly better to open this season but the Badgers sat a modest 11-6 when unbeaten and No. 2-ranked Michigan cane to town on Jan 19. Wisconsin's defense and 6-10 fifth-year senior Ethan Happ were the difference that day. The Badgers forced 16 turnovers and held the Wolverines to 40.7% shooting, while Happ racked up 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Today, it's a rematch in Ann Arbor. Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard has reintroduced the old-style, slow-paced Bo Ryan “swing” offense that is effectively dictating tempo in the school's current six-game winning streak (5-0-1 ATS)(5-0-1 vs. line) win streak. The 'sticky' Wisconsin D hasn’t allowed more than 61 points in that span (53.8 PPG allowed during the six games), after a 56-51 road victory against Minnesota on Wednesday. Happ continued his outstanding season, scoring a team-high 15 points plus grabbed 13 rebounds for his 15th double-double (the most in the Big Ten). D'Mitrik Trice (13.4), who leads the Big Ten in three-point percentage (45.2), drilled three triples, including a clutch three-pointer with under two minutes remaining to clinch the win. Backcourt mate Brad Davison (11.2) added 10 points, despite going 2-of-12 from the floor. The 6-11 Nate Reuvers (8.3 & 3.2) flirted with a triple-double, as he added nine points, eight rebounds and seven blocked shots against the Golden Gophers.Wisconsin is allowing 61.0 PPG, to rank 18th in the nation. Michigan has won of four of five games since the loss at Madison, including a 77-65 victory against Rutgers on Tuesday. The victory gives the Wolverines sole possession of first-place in the Big Ten at 10-2 (Purdue is 9-2, while Wisconsin & Mich St are 9-3). The 6-7 Ignas Brazdeikis was one of three freshmen named to the Wooden Award Late Season Top-20 Watch List. He knocked down a career-high five, three-pointers en route to 23 points in the win against Rutgers. He leads Michigan with 15.5 PPG (adds 5.5 RPG). The 7-1 Teske (8.8 & 6.3) starts up front with him, while a trio of guards man the perimeter. That group includes Poole (12.9), Matthews (12.5 & 5.3) and PG Simpson (9.2-5.3-6.0). Jordan Poole added 15 points while Zavier Simpson produced 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists on Tuesday. Teske leads the Big Ten in blocks per game (2.2) and Michigan allows 57.3 PPG, the second-best mark in college hoops. The Wolverines have won 20 straight at Crisler Arena, going 14-0 this season while outscoring opponents 72.3-to-56.1 PPG. Michigan will be primed for payback here and I have to go with that. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
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02-07-19 | Hawaii v. Long Beach State +1 | 77-70 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 7 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Long Beach St at 10:00 ET. Hawaii is 13-8 overall (4-3 in Big West) and will travel for just the school's fourth true road game when visiting Long Beach St on Thursday night. The 49ers are just 8-15 on the season, including 2-5 in Big West play. Hawaii easily handled LBSU 74-57 at home on Jan 31 but then lost this past Saturday at home to UC-Santa Barbara, 75-54. Long Beach St enters on a five-game slide but played very well on Saturday, falling just 82-80 at home to UC-Irvine (Anteaters are 20-5, including a Big West-best 8-1). Hawaii has solid a starting-five led by guards Stansberry (12.4), Stepteau (9.1) and Buggs (8.8-4.2-5.3) plus up front, it's the 6-8 Raimo (11.5 & 6.6) and the 6-9 Purchase (11.4 & 6.1). PG Booker leads Hawaii in scoring (17.9) and assist (4.7) and fellow guard Alberts (10.5) give them a solid backcourt. The 6-7 Yussef (12.0 & 6.8) is now back in the lineup and joins the 6-7 Byers (8.5 & 6.2) in the frontcourt. Long Beach has not had a good season but I liked the etam's last home effort. No reason the 49ers can't take down the so-so Rainbow Warriors in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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02-07-19 | Washington v. Arizona +1.5 | 67-60 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 4 m | Show | |
My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Arizona at 9:00 ET. Washington was not expected to be quite this good but in a 'down' year for the Pac-12, Mike Hopkins' Huskies sit 18-4 after an 11-game winning streak, which includes a PERFECT 11-0 start in league play. Meanwhile, Sean Miller's Wildcats are very disappointing 14-8 overall, including just 5-4 in conference play. Washington comes off Saturday's 69-55 victory over UCLA, leaving t Huskies 9-0 in conference play for the first time since winning their first nine Pacific Coast Conference games back in 1952-53. As for Arizona, the Wildcats fell at Arizona State 95-88 in overtime on Jan 31 for their third straight loss. Sophomore guard Jaylen Nowell averages a team-high 16.6 PPG (adds 5.4 RPG) and team-best 3.4 APG. Senior guard Matisse Thybulle (9.7 points & a conference-best 3.2 steals) is one of 15 finalists for the Naismith Trophy Defensive Player of the Year award plus Crisp (12.0) makes for an excellent perimeter trio for Washington. Senior forward Noah Dickerson chips in 12.7 PPG and a team-high 6.8 rebounds. However, he hurt his ankle in the UCLA game (had three points, six rebounds and two blocks in 14 minutes Saturday before sustaining his injury. ankle) and is expected to miss this one. Arizona knows all about missing a key player, as freshman PG Brandon Williams (12.0 PPG & team-high 3.6 APG) is out indefinitely with a knee injury. Good news came in the fact that 6-10 junior center Chase Jeter returned to the lineup Jan. 31 after missing two games with a back injury. The Duke transfer recorded seven points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes and is averaging 12.7 PPG and a club-high 7.3 rebounds. Sophomore guard Brandon Randolph averages a team-best 15.0 PPG, 11.3 more than he did as a freshman. Also regularly in the starting lineup are guard Coleman (9.1) and the 6-9 Luther (7.1 & 4.7). Here's the bottom line. Yes, Washington returned all five starters from LY's 21-win team (NIT, not NCAA bid) but 11 straight wins? How about that 9-0 conference start, the school's best since 1952-53? Washington earned a 78-75 victory Feb. 3, 2018 over Arizona last season but that win snapped an EIGHT-game losing streak in the series, falling by an average of 13.9 PPG. Yes, Arizona has been a disappointment but the Wildcats are 10-2 at home and checks in a national-best 92-5 at the McKale Center since 2013! I checked and during that run, Arizona has NEVER been a home dog (I took plus-1.5). Arizona HAS to be teh play! Good luck...Larry |
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02-07-19 | Cincinnati v. Memphis +3 | Top | 69-64 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Rivalry Rout is on Memphis at 7:00 ET. Cincinnati has won SEVEN in a row and at 19-3 (8-1 in AAC, tied for 1st with Houston), finds itself in the AP top-25 for the first time this season (Bearcats were ranked 25th in Monday's new poll). Cincy embarks on a two-game road trip that starts tonight in Memphis against the 13-9 Tigers (5-4 in AAC play) and ends at 21-1 Houston on Sunday (Cougars are currently 12th in the latest AP poll). Cincinnati held off a second-half rally from SMU for a 73-68 triumph on Saturday, extending its winning streak to seven games. Meanwhile, Memphis comes in off two straight road losses. The Bearcats lost THREE key players from last year's team. Shooting guard Evans (13.0) and the 6-8 Clark (12.9 & 8.7) were NBA draft picks plus the 6-9 Washington (11.3 & 5.3) is also gone. Cincy depends WAY too much on Jarron Cumberlandand (18.7-4.0-3.5). He's second in the AAC in scoring and has scored 23 points or more in three straight games. A trio of guards join him on the perimeter in Williams (11.0), Jenifer (8.8) and Broome (8.2). The 6-8 Scott (9.3 & 6.3) and the 6-11 Brooks (8.5 & 5.7) are Cincy's top-two frontcourt contributors. Mick Cronin-coached teams always play defense and the Bearcats come in allowing 61.5 PPG (11th). Memphis wasted a record 41-point second-half performance from senior guard Jeremiah Martin in Saturday's 84-78 loss at South Florida on Saturday. The Tigers scored just 13 in the first 20 minutes and just couldn't recover. However, head coach Penny Hardaway told reporters after the game, “I’m proud of my guys for fighting back in the second half. The first half was a nightmare. The second half was our type of basketball.” Martin leads the team in scoring (16.4) and assists (4.3), while 6-8 senior forward Kyvon Davenport adds 14.4 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Tyler Harris (12.6) is the top three-point threat (56 makes) plus senior guard Kareem Brewton Jr. adds 8.9 PPG. Memphis is nowhere near the defensive team Cincy is (Tigers allow 77.3 PPG, which ranks 301st) but here at FedEx Forum, Memphis is 11-1 SU, averaging 89.7 PPG (average margin of victory is 16-plus PPG!). This isn't exactly Cincy/Xavier in terms of a heated (hated?) rivalry but Memphis is looking to become relative again (the Pastner experience was a washout) and the Tigers would 'LOVE' to take down the Bearcats ahead of Saturday's showdown with Houston. Home dog barks LOUDLY in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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02-07-19 | Houston v. UCF +2.5 | Top | 77-68 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 2 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on UCF at 7:00 ET. Central Florida looked terrible in a 20-point loss at Memphis on Jan 27 but bounced back with a 73-67 home win last Thursday against UConn. The 16-4 Knights (6-2 in AAC play) haven't played since last Thursday and have to be excited about welcoming No. 12 Houston (21-1 / 8-1 in AAC play) to Orlando this Thursday. The Cougars also have had a week off since a 73-66 win over Temple, avenging their only loss of the season. Junior guard Armoni Brooks entered the last outing as the Cougars' leading scorer but he had an off night against Temple due to foul trouble and was held to a season-low three points. He's now second on the team in scoring (14.3)m but leads in rebounding (at 6.1) to senior guard Corey Davis Jr. (15.0), who had 24 points in the win over the Owls. Senior PG Galen Robinson Jr. sits second in the conference with 5.3 assists per game, while adding 8.1 PPG. Two more guards, Jarreau (8.0 & 3.7) and Hinton (7.7 & 4.5), round out Houston's top scorers. However, Kelvin Sampson has a trio of forwards who combine for about 20 PPG and 13 RPG. Senior guard B.J. Taylor, the conference preseason player of the year, is bidding to lead the club in scoring for the third straight season with an average of 16.9 points and the coaches' son, Aubrey Dawkins averages 15.1 PPG and 5.4 RPG. PG Allen (7.2 & 4.2 APG) makes for a nice guard trio plus 7-6 senior center Tacko Fall (9.8 points, team-high 7.1 rebounds) leads the conference with 2.8 blocks per game. He paces the AAC in field-goal shooting at 75.7 percent to help the Knights shoot a conference-best 46.8 percent. The 6-11 Smith (8.2 & 5.2) is a quality side-kick. Houston is a terrific defensive team, allowing 60.5 PPG (6th) on 36.3% shooting (2nd). UCF ranks second in the conference to Houston in field goal percentage defense (39.3) and third behind Houston and Cincinnati in scoring defense (63.9) but it's a much-improved and efficient offense that is the difference in the team this season (see above). Central Florida was the preseason favorite in the American Athletic Conference and has a GREAT chance here to make this a nip-and-tuck race to the finish by winning here. Houston and Cincy are both 8-1 but a UCF win over Houston and with some help, a Memphis home win tonight over Cincy, the Knights would be 7-2 to Houston and Cincy's 8-2 mark. UCF can't control the Cincy/Memphis outcome but the Knights can and WILL win here. Good luck...Larry |
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02-06-19 | Georgia v. Alabama -8 | 74-89 | Win | 100 | 12 h 50 m | Show | |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on Alabama at 9:00 ET. 13-8 Alabama has struggled to find consistency in SEC play, alternating wins and losses in its past seven conference games. The Crimson Tide sit 4-4 in league play, after getting routed last Saturday night at in-state rival Auburn, 84-63. Runs of 21-2 and 17-0 in the first half put Alabama in a 20-point hole at halftime in an eventual 21-point loss. Alabama returns home tonight to welcome 10-1 Georgia to Tuscaloosa. Unlike Alabama, Georgia has been consistent in SEC play. However, not in a good way. The Bulldogs have lost SEVEN of their first eight conference games under first-year coach Tom Crean, after Saturday’s 86-80 home loss to South Carolina. While Georgia's offense showed signs of promise in Saturday's loss with 80 points, the Bulldogs were torched defensively by 57 percent shooting from the floor and 69 percent shooting from three-point range by the Gamecocks. “Today, we did not guard the basketball, and we did not guard the shooter,” Crean told the media afterward. “After a while, the basket looked like Lake Michigan because it was so open. 6-9 senior forward Derek Ogbeide is averaging 14.6 points in his past three SEC games and has raised his average for the season to 10.0 PPG (also 6.0 rebounds), giving Georgia three frontcourt players averaging in double figures. 6-10 sophomore forward Rayshaun Hammonds (12.9 & 6.7) and fellow sophomore, the 6-11 Nicolas Claxton (12.7 & 9.3) are the other two. Guard Crump (10.5) joins those three frontcourt players in double digits. "They had more energy, they out-hustled us,” Alabama head coach Avery Johnson told reporters after the loss at Auburn. “We didn’t have our best game. We got off to a decent start, but they got us with their transition offense (and) obviously their 3-point shooting.” Sophomore guard John Perry scored a team-best 18 points Saturday, and in his past four SEC games is averaging 19 points per game (up to12.0 PPG on the season). Freshman guard Kira Lewis Jr. leads the Crimson Tide in scoring at 13.6 PPG. Up front, 6-9 senior forward Donta Hall is third in the SEC in rebounding at 8.9 per contest and eighth in blocked shots at two per game while averaging 11.5 PPG. Heavily-recruited freshman PG Kira Lewis (13.6 ppg) continues to display remarkable poise and self-confidence and gets better with each game. Also, senior forward Donta Hall is flirting with a double-double every game. I already noted Georgia's SEC woes (1-7 conference start) and includes going 0-4 SU & 1-3 ATS on the road, allowing 92 points or more in THREE of the four! Alabama may also just remember LY's 65-46 blowout in Athens, its worst offensive showing of the 2017-18 campaign. Alabama takes this one with "room to spare!" Good luck...Larry |
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02-06-19 | Colorado v. UCLA -5.5 | Top | 84-73 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 55 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Rout is on UCLA at 9:00 ET. UCLA dismissed head coach Steve Alford on December 31, 2018, two days after the Bruins' ugly 73-58 loss to Liberty. It marked the first time the program ever had made a coaching change in the middle of the season. Murry Bartow (son of former UCLA coach Gene Bartow) was named interim coach for the Bruins and in his first game (at home vs Stanford), UCLA ended a four-game slide with a 92-70 win over te Cardinal. Two more wins followed but the 'honeymoon' period is over for UCLA's interim coach, as following that 3-0 start in the conference, UCLA has dropped four of its last six Pac-12 games and finds itself in the middle of the pack at the midpoint of the conference season (12-10 / 5-4). The 12-9 Colorado Buffs visit Pauley Pavilion tonight, Meanwhile, Colorado comes in having dropped four of its last six and at 3-6 in the conference, is sitting above only Washington State (1-8) and California (0-9) in the standings. Surprisingly, the Buffaloes are coming off a win a lopsided 73-51 victory over visiting Oregon last Saturday. The Buffs dominated Oregon on the glass (45-32) and at the free-throw line, draining 24-of-28 attempts while the Ducks were 11-of-18. Sophomore swingman Tyler Bey led the way with a career-high 27 points on 9-of-9 shooting while pulling down 10 rebounds. Bey averages 12.2 PPG (2nd-best on te team) plus 8.9 RPG (team-leader). PG Wright leads the team in scoring (12.8) and assists (4.8) plus also averages a healthy 4.8 RPG. Fellow guards Gatling and Schwartz combine to chip in 17.6 PPG plus the 6-10 Siewert (11.6 & 5.1) is Colorado's best big man. Three of UCLA’s four Pac-12 losses have come on the road with the latest being a 69-55 decision Saturday at first-place Washington. The Bruins’ 55 points were a season low while connecting on only 4-of-15 3-point attempts and also committing 23 turnovers. Guard Kris Wilkes scored 20 of the Bruins’ 55 points and leads the team at 17.7 PPG. PG Jaylen Hands (11.7 & 6.5 APG), fellow gurad Prince Ali (10.7) and freshman center Moses Brown (11.2 & 8.8) round out UCLA's double digit scorers. Wilkes has scored in double figures in 24 straight contests (dating back to last season) and is averaging 23.3 points over his last three contests while shooting 56.3 percent during that span. Even after the 55-point effort versus Washington, the Bruins are averaging a conference-best 79.4 points in Pac-12 play, while the Buffaloes are 10th at just 69.4. The Bruins should still be highly motivated, as a possible top-4 seeding in the Pac-12 tournament would give them a bye into the quarterfinal round. UCLA should surely remember losing 68-59 at home to Colorado (as an 11 1/2-point favorite) and 80-76 in Boulder, last season. Note that prior to that, UCLA had won SEVEN of the eight matchups since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011. Revenge works here, as UCLA has won 40 of 46 games in Pauley Pavilion since the start of the 2016-17 season and Colorado is 1-6 ATS away from Boulder since Dec 1, with the only "W" coming in 68-59 win at Pac-12 doormat Cal (0-9 in league play). Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
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02-06-19 | Connecticut v. Temple -3.5 | 63-81 | Win | 100 | 9 h 48 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Temple at 6:30 ET. UConn travels to Philly with a 13-9 overall record, including 4-5 in AAC play. Connecticut has taken advantage of a soft schedule in recent weeks, having defeated Tulane (0-9), Wichita State (3-6) and East Carolina (2-7), three of the bottom four teams in the AAC (Huskies lost at 16-4 / 6-2 UCF last Thursday). However, the Huskies will face a stiffer test Wednesday at Temple. The Owls are 16-6 overall (6-3 in AAC play) and 8-2 SU on their home floor. UConn is led by the backcourt duo of senior Jalen Adams (17.7 & 4.0) and junior Christian Vital (13.8 & 5.3). The Huskies rolled over East Carolina 76-52 on Sunday but Adams was benched for most of the second half after he walked away from head coach Dan Hurley, and then the two engaged in a more animated exchange. "His game was over at that point, regardless of where the score went," Hurley told reporters. "We could have lost by 18, he was done." Adams was held scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting but the 6-11 Josh Carlton (just 8.1 & 5.5 on the season) picked up the slack with 20 points and 16 rebounds (both career highs). Temple owns a three-headed scoring attack on the perimeter in PG Shizz Alston Jr. (18.4 & 4.9 APG) plus fellow guards Quinton Rose (17.1) and Nate Pierre-Louis (13.8 & 6.0). The Owls have a chance here to make a statement as to whether they will be a player in the AAC down the stretch, or just one of the also-rans. I'm sure UConn is aching for a rematch after suffering its worst AAC loss of 2017-18 in last season's 85-57 thumping in Philly. However, UConn is 0-4 SU in true road games this season. The Owls are 8-2 SU at home this season, so this pointspread seems more that manageable, especially not knowing UConn's Adams state of mind (see above). Good luck...Larry |
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02-05-19 | Florida State v. Syracuse -2.5 | Top | 80-62 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 56 m | Show |
My 10* CBB Game of the Week is on Syracuse at 8:00 ET. The Florida State Seminoles opened the season with a 12-1 record and were ranked 9th in the AP poll when they lost 65-52 at UVa on Jan 5. That began a 1-4 stretch but the Seminoles have rebounded from a three-game losing streak to win three in a row and at 16-5 (4-4 ACC) are No. 22 in the current AP poll. Syracuse lost at home to 'neighbor' Buffalo 71-59 back on Dec 18 but the Orange have since gone 9-2 SU & ATS to check in at 16-6, including 7-2 in ACC play. The Seminoles didn't do much offensively against Georgia Tech in a 69-59 win at Ga Tech in their last game. "We've got to find a way to smooth it out where we're consistent with how we go out and perform every night out," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton told reporters. "That's kind of been a moving target for us. I'm just glad that we're back to 4-4 (in the ACC). We have to keep hopefully moving in the right direction." Only two Florida State players scored in double figures, the 6-10 Mfiondu Kabengele (13.0 & 5.0) and guard Terance Mann (11.4 & 6.6), who scored 12 points apiece. FSU finished at 34.8 percent from the floor (including 4-of-16 on threes) but held the Yellow Jackets to 28.3 percent shooting, including 3-of-21 from beyond the arc. Syracuse's leading scorer, Tyus Battle (17.5), scored 31 points against Boston College last week but in his other three games since Jan 24, he has averaged just 8.7 points on 8-of-31 shooting. On the other hand, PG Frank Howard (8.4 & 3.3 APG) is coming on of late and scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half of Saturday's win against Pittsburgh. Up front, head coach Jim Boeheim's team features forwards Elijah Hughes (14.1 & 4.4) and the Oshae Brissett (13.5 & 7.6). as always, Boeheim's zone D is giving opponents fits this season, as Syracuse allows just 63.6 PPG (20th in the nation). FSU's Kabengele averages only 19.3 minutes (fifth-most on the team) but leads the Seminoles in scoring (13.0).I'm not sure he and the 7-4 Koumadji (6.4 & 5.4) will match up all that well against Syracuse's frontcourt duo of Hughes and Brisset. The home team is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings between these two schools and note that Syracuse is allowing just 58.3 PPG in its 14 home games this season. The Orange were able to win at Duke earlier and should have little trouble shutting down FSU's mediocre offense here in the Carrier Dome. Good luck...Larry |
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02-04-19 | Penn State v. Northwestern -3.5 | Top | 59-52 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 11 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Northwestern at 7:00 ET. Penn State picked up some nice victories early in the season (the best being a 63-62 win over now 18-3 Virginia Tech) but the Nittany Lions are 0-10 in Big 12 play, after opening 2019 with EIGHT consecutive losses (2-6 ATS). Penn State (7-14, 0-10 Big Ten) visits Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston to take on Northwestern (12-9, 3-7 Big Ten) on Monday. The Wildcats look to halt a two-game losing skid when they host Penn State. Northwestern dropped a 62-46 decision at Wisconsin on Jan 26, before suffering a 70-52 setback at then-No. 21 Maryland on Jan 29 (Northwestern is 0-4 against ranked teams this season). Penn State is still winless in Big Ten play after coming up short in its upset bid of No. 17 Purdue on Thursday. The Nittany Lions rallied from a 17-point deficit to force overtime against the red-hot Boilermakers, but ended up on the wrong side of a 99-90 final. Penn St looks for its first win of 2019, as the Nittany Lions last win came back on Dec 29 against UMBC. "I know our record isn't what we expect or where we want it to be but the kids are competing and playing hard," Penn State head coach Patrick Chambers told reporters. "The ultimate goal down the stretch here in February is that they continue to progress."The 6-8 Lamar Stevens leads in scoring (18.9) and rebounding (7.7) and had a team-high 24 points and pulled down six rebounds in the loss to Purdue. Guard Rasir Bolton (10.1 & 4.7) had 18 points and is joined in the backcourt by PG Josh Reaves (10.1 & 3.6 APG) and Myles Dread (9.0). The 6-9 Watkins (8.5 & 8.6) joins Stevens up front. The 6-7 Vic Law leads Northwestern in scoring (15.3) and adds 6.6 RPG. He was limited to five points in the loss to Maryland. Anthony Gaines (6.5 & 4.4) scored 11 of his career-high 18 points in the second half and pulled down seven rebounds, but it wasn't enough as the Wildcats shot 31 percent from the floor in the loss to Maryland. 6-8 center Dererk Pardon (13.9 & 7.8) added 14 points and seven rebounds against the Terrapins to finish in double figures for the 19th time in 21 games. Ryan Taylor (11.7) joins Gaines in the backcourt, while the 6-7 Turner (8.1) joins the frontcourt plus leads the team in assists (3.3). I guess Penn St will eventually win a game but I don't expect it to be here against a Northwestern team that still has postseason hopes (albeit one of the three-lettered ones!). Penn State has lost EIGHT consecutive true road games, including all SIX this season while averaging only 62.7 PPG. Meanwhile, Northwestern is 9-3 SU at home, while holding opponents to 60.8 PPG at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The price is 'cheap' in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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02-03-19 | Xavier v. Creighton -6.5 | Top | 54-76 | Win | 100 | 6 h 1 m | Show |
My 10* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on Creighton at 1:00 ET. Xavier hasn't spent much time worrying about qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in recent years, having gone 'dancing' in 16 of the last 18 seasons but this season is shaping up much differently. The Musketeers have missed the NCAA Tournament just ONCE in the last 13 seasons and haven't finished with a losing conference record since 1982. However, both of those scenarios are in danger of becoming reality in the 2018-19 season. Xavier was the Big East's regular-season champion last season (15-3) but enter Sunday in a tie for last-place in the conference at 3-6 with Providence. The Musketeers lost for a fourth straight time Thursday at Georgetown (80-73), falling to 11-11. As for Creighton (12-9 / 3-5 Big East), the Bluejays rank second in the Big East in scoring with 82.7 PPG and are one of seven teams in the nation shooting at least 50 percent from the floor (50.1% ranks 5th) but the offense "crapped out" in an 83-67 loss at home to St. John's on Wednesday (Creighton finished with a season-worst 41.7 percent mark from the floor). "I was really disappointed," head coach Travis Steele told reporters after Xavier allowed 52 second-half points in the loss at Georgetown. "I told our guys going into the game we couldn't have the mentality to try to outscore the Hoyas. We had to have that defensive nastiness and toughness, which I didn't think we had at all in the second half." Xavier has great balance on offense, with five players scoring in double figures. Guard Scruggs (13.4 & 4.9) leads the way, followed by the 6-7 Marshall (13.3 & 7.0), PG Goodin (12.1 & 4.8 APG), the 6-9 Jones (11.0 & 7.4) and the 6-11 Hankins (10.2 & 4.9). So why is Xavier 11-11? The Bluejays had won two straight before their uncharacteristic offensive struggles vs St John's, which included a 9-of-34 showing from beyond the arc. Alexander leads the team in scoring (17.4) while four other players average between 10.0 and 11.4 PPG. The Bluejays own a deep perimeter, as Ballock (10.9 & 3.6 APG), Zegarowski (10.8) and Mintz (10.0) join Alexander at the guard position. The 6-9 Krampelj (11.4 & 6.3) and SF Jefferson (9.4 & 5,4) have been the best frontcourt contributors but Jefferson remains out with an ankle injury. No reason to think that Creighton won't bounce back from its horrible shooting effort on Wednesday, as the Bluejays not only rank 5th nationally by making 50.1% of all FGs, they also rank 4th in the nation from three-point range at 41.6%. Xavier is 1-5 SU in true road games this year, where the team is averaging just 62.8 PPG. I expect a big bounce-back effort from Creighton and Xavier will NOT be able to keep up. Good luck...Larry |
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02-02-19 | Cal-Irvine -5 v. Long Beach State | 82-80 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 17 m | Show | |
My 8* Bailout Blowout is on UC-Irvine at 10:00 ET. The UC Irvine Anteaters and Long Beach State 49ers meet Saturday in college basketball action at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach. UC-Irvine is the class of the Big West, checking in at 18-5, including 6-1 in league play. Meanwhile, Long Beach St is just 8-14, including 2-4 in conference games. The Anteaters have won seven of their last eight games but the loss came at home to LBSU, 80-70 on Jan 16. Meanwhile, the 49ers could really use a victory here, as they enter on a four-game losing streak UC-Irvine owns a solid backcourt duo in Hazzard (11.5) and Leonard (10.4) but this team is mostly about defense, as the Anteaters allow just 65.0 PPG (74th), while holding opponents to only 38.5% from the floor (8th-best in the nation). UC-Irvine is an excellent 9-2 SU in true road games and will seek revenge here (more on that later). Long Beach St has a long trip back from a Thursday night game in Hawaii, with the trip being made even longer due toan 74-57 loss. PG Booker (17.4 & 4.7 PG) and fellow guard Alberts (10.3) give LBSU a solid backcourt but the 6-7 Yussef (12.2 & 6.9) had not played since Dec 29. He returned at Hawaii but scored just THREE points. The 6-7 Byers (8.2 & 6.2) is the only other notable frontcourt contributor. While UC-Irvine clamps down on the defensive end, LBSU allows 77.4 PPG (30th)! Yes, UC-Irvine is the road team but while UCI makes the short trip up I-405 to "the Beach" and the Pyramid, LBSU had to fly back from Hawaii on Friday. "Payback" plays a big part here, as UC-Irvine's excelellent D (see above), allowed LBSU to score 80 points in that home loss at the Bren Center back on Jan 16. The Anteaters are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 road games and the road team is 9-4-1 ATS in the last 14 meetings between the two Big West rivals. Long Beach comes in on an 0-4 SU & ATS run. UC-Irvine knows how to win on the road and does just that here, with "room to spare!" Good luck...Larry |
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02-02-19 | Alabama v. Auburn -9 | Top | 63-84 | Win | 100 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
My 10* Rivalry Rout is on Auburn at 8:00 ET. Alabama/Auburn in college hoops is not quite like the "Iron Bowl" on the football field but is still carries plenty of 'weight!' 13-7 Alabama (4-3 SEC) knocked off three ranked teams last in January and now looks to start February in style with a road victory against in-state rival Auburn on Saturday night. The Crimson Tide beat now-No. 7 Kentucky on Jan 5 and then-No. 20 Ole Miss on Jan 22, before taking a double-digit lead and holding on for an 83-79 victory over 22-ranked Mississippi State on Tuesday. As for 14-6 Auburn (3-4 SEC), the Tigers won NINE of their first 10 games but have gone 5-5, since. Auburn was ranked 14th at 13-3, when it lost to Kentucky, the first of a three-game skid. The Tigers snapped that three-game losing streak by pulling away in the second half for a 92-58 victory over visiting Missouri on Wednesday, Alabama head coach Avery Johnson told reporters his team still has “malfunctions,” but continues to battle and possesses strong balance: “We had quite a few guys offensively contribute (Tuesday). When you have eight guys in the rotation with six, seven or more points, it’s kind of hard to scout where our offense is coming from.” PG Lewis leads in scoring at 13.9 PPG but his team-high 2.8 APG is VERY low for a PG. Fellow guard Petty averages 11.8 & 4.2, while four more guards chip in between 6.6 & 8.6 PPG. The 6-9 Hall (11.7 & 8.9) is 'Bama's lone big man of note. “Three (losses) in a row, that wasn’t us,” Tigers junior forward Danjel Purifoy told reporters after scoring a season-high eight points against Missouri. “We just came out tonight just trying to be ourselves and play like we normally play.” Senior guard Bryce Brown (16.8) is the team's leading scorer and tops the team in three-point makes (71). Junior PG Jared Harper (15.4) leads the SEC in assists (6.5), while 6-8 sophomore forward Chuma Okeke has stepped up in Austin Wiley's absence, to average 10.6 & 6.3 on the season. He's averaging 12.8 points over the last five contests, with the 6-11 Wiley (10.8 & 6.1) missing the last four with a leg injury. This is an important crossroads SEC contest, as Alabama has not won back-to-back games in almost a month and need to add a win here to bolster its NCAA Tournament resume. Same for Auburn, which sits under .500 in the SEC. It's been reported that the 6-11 Wiley is slated to return from injury for this rivalry game and that would be GREAT news. Even if he's not back, I'm "all over' the revenge-minded Tigers, who were knocked out of the 1st round of the SEC tourney last year in a 81-63 loss to Alabama. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
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02-02-19 | San Francisco v. St. Mary's -5 | Top | 80-86 | Win | 100 | 8 h 16 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Rout is on St Mary's at 4:00 ET. It's hardly news that 20-2 Gonzaga (No. 4 in the latest AP poll) is dominating the WCC once again with a 7-0 record. However, what is a surprise, is that the St Mary's Gaels are just 13-8 overall, including only 4-3 in league play (that leaves then tied for 4th in the WCC). The Gaels will welcome San Francisco to Moraga, Ca this afternoon The surprising Dons have won 20 and 22 games the last two seasons (lost in the CIT championship game last year) but not many predicted them to be 17-4 (5-2 in WCC play) at this point in this year's season. The Dons look to get back in the win column after a 67-64 loss at San Diego on Tuesday, which ended a three game winning streak. San Francisco appeared to be in control with an 11-point lead at the break but San Diego went on a 46-31 second half run behind a 47.8%-34.5% shooting edge and seven more makes at the FT line.San Francisco starts guards Mineland (14.9 & 5.1), Ferrari (13.7-5.5 APG) and Ratinho (9.7), with the 7-0 Lull (8.0 & 5.5) and the 6-8 Renfro (7.2 & 5.30, up front. However, the 6-9 McCarthy comes off the bench to average 10.5 PPG and a team-high 6.8 RPG. The Saint Mary’s Gaels limp in having dropped back to back contests, after an 84-77 OT loss at Pepperdine as an eight point favorite (lost at BYU 71-66 before that). The 6-8 Malik Fitts (15.7 & 7.8) kept the Gaels in the game pouring in 27 points and hauling in nine rebounds, while leading scorer Jordan Ford (21.7) had 17 points. Joining Ford in the backcourt are PG Kuhse (4.6 & 3.2 APG) and Krebs (9.0 & 4.2). 6-10 center Howard averages 9.4 & 6.0. Randy Bennett's first six seasons at St Mary's resulted in just one postseason appearance (a first round NCAA loss in 2005). However, he's led the Gaels to 11 straight postseason berths entering this season. That streak could end in 2019, as St Mary's checks in just 13-8. However, don't be too quick to eliminate the Gaels. San Francisco might be the second best team in the WCC but it will be tough to sweep the Gaels (won 76-72 at home back on Jan 3). There is plenty of pride on this St Mary's program and note that the Gaels are not just 10-2 SU at home this season but also a MONEY-MAKING 10-2 ATS (have outscored opponents 87.1-to-65.9 PPG). Revenge works, here! Good luck...Larry |
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02-02-19 | North Carolina -1.5 v. Louisville | 79-69 | Win | 100 | 6 h 35 m | Show | |
My ACC Ranked vs Ranked Showdown is an 8* on North Carolina at 2;00 ET. Louisville is on its best stretch ever in the ACC (six straight wins), although it is admittedly a sample size that includes only five seasons.However, the 15th-ranked Cardinals (16-5) are 7-1 in ACC play, tied atop the league with UVa and Duke. Coming to town on Saturday for this critical ACC showdown is No. 9 North Carolina (14-6 / 6-1 in the ACC), which was stunned by Louisville 83-62 back on Jan 12 in Chapel Hill (Tar Heels were favored by points). That romp was the first of what has become three ACC road victories by margins of more than 20 points for the Cardinals, while the Tar Heels have won four games in a row since the loss to Louisville. Fair to say this game sets up, well! Carolina comes in off crushing Georgia Tech 77-54 on Tuesday. Senior guard Cameron Johnson (leading scorer at 15.8 PPG) scored a game-high 22 on 8-of-10 shooting Tuesday, including 4-of-6 from three-point range. Freshman guard Coby White (15.2 & a team-high 4.2 APG) added 19 while hitting five from downtown, as the Tar Heels have shot 48.1 percent overall and 47.1 percent beyond the arc in their last two. Up front, 6-8 senior Maye averages 13.9 & 9.7 plus 6-6 freshman Little averages 10.5 & 4.5. North Carolina 'lights up' scoreboards, averaging 87.3 PPG (3rd-best). Louisville dominated all aspects of its win three weeks ago in handing Tar Heels their worst home loss under coach Roy Williams. Cardinals center Steven Enoch had a season-high 17 off the bench in that win, while forwards Dwayne Sutton and Jordan Nwora also chipped in with 17. That victory ignited a six-game winning streak for Louisville, with its most recent victory coming in an 82-54 blowout at Wake Forest on Wednesday. The 6-7 Nwora leads the team in scoring (18.7) and rebounding (7.8), while SF Sutton (10.2 & 6.9) and PG Cunningham (10.1 & 4.4 APG) are the only other players in double digits. However, Louisville does average 79.6 PPG, ranking 48th in the nation I have to go with the revenge motive here, as the Tar Heels are not only third in the nation in scoring (87.6 points) but second in the country in assists per game (19.8). The Tar Heels are 4-0 in ACC road games for the first time in 11 seasons and they are 6-1 overall in true road this season (winning by 15 points per), falling only at then-No. 7 Michigan. In the past five games, Louisville has encountered only one ranked team (won at home against NC State) but this contest with the Tar Heels marks the first of four straight games for Louisville against ranked teams (watch out!). First things first. NC gets its revenge right here. Good luck...Larry |
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02-02-19 | Oklahoma -2 v. West Virginia | 71-79 | Loss | -108 | 6 h 58 m | Show | |
The first 9* Eye-Opener for Saturday is on Oklahoma at 12 noon ET. Oklahoma is 15-6 overall but just 3-5 in Big-12 play, after an embarrassing 77-47 home loss on Big Monday by Baylor, when the Sooners shot a season-worst 27% from the floor. OU travels to Morgantown on Saturday for a 12 noon contest against West Va, which is just 9-12, including a woeful 1-7 in Big-12 play. “Not much from our direction, not much positive,” Oklahoma coach Lon Kruger told reporters after his team’s third loss in five games. “(The Bears) had their way on both ends of the floor. We didn’t do what we have to do to fight that off. We were way too tentative to match their physicality.” Not one Sooners player managed to hit half their field goal attempts in Monday’s setback and outside of Kristian Doolittle’s team-high 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting, the rest of the team's starters combined to go 5-for-29 from the floor and 2-for-15 from three-point range.6-4 senior gaurd Christian James leads in scoring (16.3) and rebounding (7.3), while the 6-9 Manek (11.1 & 6.7) is the only other Sooner in double digits. However, six Oklahoma players chip in between 4.1 and 8.9 PPG. “This team gets loose balls less than any team I’ve ever had,” head coach Huggins told reporters after the frustrating loss that saw a pair of technical fouls lead to the coach’s ejection late in the second half. “They offensive-rebound it less than any team I’ve ever had. When you couple that with not being very good shooters, that’s a formula for being (9-12).” It’s hard to argue with Huggins' assessment, as the Mountaineers are last in the Big 12 in field-goal percentage (42.1), field-goal percentage defense (44) and steals (5.8). What's more, the Mountaineers could be without two key performers, 6-8 forward Sagaba Konote and junior guard James Bolden. Konote leads the team in scoring (13.6) and rebounding (8.0) but is out indefinitely with a knee injury, while Bolden (12.2) missed the Iowa State loss due to an ankle injury. Expect Lon Kruger’s Oklahoma team to quickly regain its mojo against West Va's sieve-like defense, which has yielded a whopping 83 points or more in FIVE of its last 6six game. As Bob Huggins has bemoaned, “We generally take pride in being able to guard, but this group’s made me a liar.” Also not that the Mountaineers enter February ranked 328th out of 351 Division I teams with 15.8 turnovers per game. Good luck...Larry |
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02-02-19 | Memphis v. South Florida | 78-84 | Win | 100 | 6 h 57 m | Show | |
The third 9* Eye-Opener for Saturday is on USF at 12 noon ET. South Florida looks to continue its climb into the top half of the American Athletic Conference with a third straight victory when Memphis pays a visit on Saturday afternoon. The Bulls are 14-6 (4-4 in AAC play) and have already won their most contests (14) since 2011-12. USF is off seasons of 10, 7, 8, 9 and 12 wins. The Bulls have answered a three-game losing streak by beating Wichita State on Jan 22, before rolling to a 77-57 win at East Carolina last Saturday. Memphis (13-8 / 5-3 in AAC) had a big win over UCF at home last Sunday (77-57) but turned the ball over 17 times and allowed 54.5 percent shooting from the floor in a 97-79 loss at Tulsa on Wednesday (Memphis had won four of its previous five games). “First half we were going through the motions,” Tigers head coach Penny Hardaway told the Commercial Appeal after the Tulsa loss. “Second half we were like, ‘We’re about to lose, let’s play hard.’ Which is weird, but that’s how it’s happened with us on the road all year.” Senior guard Jeremiah Martin leads the team in scoring (15.1) and assists (4.3), but is just 2-of-20 from three-point range over the last four contests. 6-8 senior forward Kyvon Davenport adds 14.5 points and a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game while senior guard Kareem Brewton Jr. (9.1) is averaging 12 points in league contests. Freshman guard Tyler Harris (13.0) is the top three-point threat (55 makes). "I’m really proud of our guys,” USF coach Brian Gregory told reporters after the team's 20-point road win at ECU. “We said this was a response week. We win the game against Wichita State (54-41) and now you go on the road. Our guys wanted nothing to do with anything other than getting it done.” Junior transfer Laquincy Rideau continues to shine at the point, averaging 13.9 points along with league highs of 5.8 assists and 3.3 steals per game after recording a double-double () in the win at East Carolina. Sophomore guard David Collins leads in scoring (14.3), while 6-8 sophomore forward Alexis Yetna had 28 points and 13 rebounds at East Carolina for his 10th double-double of the season. He's averaging 13.2 PPG and leads the AAC in rebounds (10.1). These schools split a pair of games last season but the Bulls have won 11 of their 13 contests in Tampa this season, while the Tigers have struggled to a 2-7 record away from home, including going 1-4 in true road games while allowing 86.8 PPG. I'm on USF. Good luck...Larry |
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02-02-19 | Virginia Tech v. NC State -2 | 47-24 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 57 m | Show | |
The second 9* Eye-Opener for Saturday is on NC State at 12 noon ET. No. 23 North Carolina State (16-5 / 4-4 in ACC) just missed out on an upset of No. 3 Virginia on Tuesday night, wiping out a 14-point second-half deficit and then missing on a chance to force a second overtime. Markell Johnson drew a three-shot foul in the final second, but missed the first foul shot and made the final two. The Cavaliers won 66-65. The Wolfpack now welcome the ACC's other team from the Commonwealth on Saturday to PNC Arena in Raleigh, the 12th-ranked Va Tech Hokies (17-3 / 6-2 in ACC). While NC State was in a life-and-death struggle with UVa in its last contest, Va tech had no such concerns in its last outing, Wednesday night in Miami. Tech closed within a game of the conference lead (Va, Duke and Louisville are all 7-1) by taking down Miami 82-70 in Coral Gables. Sophomore Nickeil Alexander-Walker (17.9- 4.2-3.8) tied a season high with 25 points in Wednesday's win. He is one of a trio of Va Tech guards averaging in double digits. He's joined by PG Robinson (14.4 & 5.4 APG) and Hill (13.6). The 6-10 Blackshear (12.7 & 6.4) rounds out the team's double digit scorers. Robinson is the reigning ACC Player of the Week but he left Wednesday’s win at Miami with a left ankle injury and his availability for Saturday is in doubt. With 6-5 small forward P.J. Horne also out indefinitely with an injury, the Hokies could have only seven scholarship players available - and one of them has seen only two minutes of action in ACC play. Kevin Keatts' Wolfpack like to put as many as four guards on the floor at a time and push the tempo. Swingman Torin Dorn is the team’s top scorer (14.2) and rebounder (6.7) despite being just 6-6, while C.J. Bryce (12.2 points) and PG Markell Johnson (11.9 & 3.9 APG) both shoot better than 43 percent from three-point range. Devon Daniels (10.2 & 4.9) and Braxton Beverly (9.6) also contribute to a talent-rich backcourt. 6-10 sophomore Funderbunk (8.4 & 4.10 is NC State's best inside player. At this point of the season, the Hokies are playing for a double-bye in the ACC tournament and a potential top-four seed in the Big Dance. However, I don't believe this visit to Raleigh will go well, especially if Robinson is out or limited. Either way, I'm taking the Wolfpack at home, where they are 12-2 SU and outscoring opponents on average, 87.1-to-65.9 PPG. Let me note that NC State’s bench averages 32.7 points and has outscored opponents’ reserves by 322 points through 21 games. One last thing... The Wolfpack have won three straight home meetings with the Hokies. Good luck...Larry |
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02-01-19 | Brown v. Dartmouth +2 | Top | 60-58 | Push | 0 | 12 h 43 m | Show |
My 10* Ivy League Game of the Year is on Dartmouth at 7:00 ET. Brown was the Ivy League's highest scoring team last season (77.0 PPG) but the Bears finished 11-16 (4-10 in the Ivy). All five starters returned this season and Brown checks in at 12-6 overall but 0-2 in Ivy play. The Bears head to Hanover, NH Friday night for a game with Dartmouth's Big Green. Dartmouth was just 7-20 last season, including finishing last in Ivy League play at 3-11. The Big Green check in at 10-8 so far this season, after opening with a split against Harvard in the school's first two Ivy League games (Dartmouth won and covered at home and covered in the loss at Harvard). Sophomore guard Cambridge leads the team in scoring (17.9) and 6-5 SF Choh leads in rebounding (8.8) and assists (3.3), while joining Cambridge in double digits (12.7). Guards Okolue (9.6 & 3.7) and Anderson (9.2) fill out the starting backcourt, while the 6-6 Howard (8.5 & 4.5) starts up front with Choh. As for Dartmouth, the 6-7 Knight leads in scoring (15.4) and rebounding (7.6), while a trio of guards join him in double digit scoring. That group includes PG Barry (13.7-3.6-3.7) plus fellow guards Sistare (10.8 & 4.5) and Foye (10.5). The 6-8 Jackson adds 8.9 & 5.3. Brown may be a slightly better team but how does one ignore the fact that going back to the end of last season, Brown will take an 0-7 SU & ATS Ivy League run into this contest at Leede Arena, where the Big Green have fashioned a 7-1 SU home mark this season. Also note that Dartmouth is 18-6-3 ATS in its last 27 games following a loss (Big Green lost but covered at Harvard on Jan 26). Good luck...Larry |
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02-01-19 | Long Beach State v. Hawaii -8.5 | 57-74 | Win | 100 | 13 h 24 m | Show | |
My 8* Conference Crusher (Big West) is on Hawaii at 11:55 ET. The Long Beach State 49ers will travel to the Stan Sheriff Center to take on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors this Thursday night in Big West play. The 49ers are coming off an 82-71 home loss this past Saturday to UC-Santa Barbara. It marked the school's third consecutive loss and dropped them to 8-13 (2-3 in the Big West). Meanwhile, The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 12-7 (3-2 Big West) on the season, after defeating UC-Davis 80-60, this past Saturday at home.. PG Booker (17.6 & 4.8 PG) and fellow guard Alberts (10.5) give LBSU a solid backcourt but with the 6-7 Yussef (12.9 & 7.2) not playing since Dec 29, the 49ers have only the 6-7 Byers (8. 1 & 5.9) as a notable frontcourt contributor. In contrast, Hawaii has solid a starting-five led by guards Stansberry (12.6), Stepteau (9.0) and Buggs (8.9-4.5-5.3) plus up front, the 6-9 Purchase (12.0 & 6.3) and the 6-8 Raimo (11.6 & 6.6). Long Beach St is 1-9 SU on the road, allowing 82.4 PPG. Meanwhile, Hawaii is 9-3 SU and 7-2 ATS at home. Hawaii had a good shot at knocking off Big West contender UC Irvine in a 75-74 OT home loss on Wednesday, so I'm willing to lay some points with them here. Long Beach is averaging about 16 turnovers per game and as noted, over 80 PPG on the road. Lay it. Good luck...Larry |
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01-31-19 | Gonzaga v. BYU +14.5 | 93-63 | Loss | -109 | 16 h 0 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on BYU at 11:00 ET. Fourth-ranked Gonzaga looks to record its 11th consecutive victory when it visits BYU in West Coast Conference play on Thursday. The Bulldogs have won by an average of 36.2 points during their 10-game winning streak, so is this game already "been played?" Gonzaga visits Provo 19-2 (6-0 in WCC play) and a "W" would give them a 22nd straight 20-win season, as well as extend its NCAA record of consecutive conference road victories to 28. The Bulldogs are coming off a 98-39 steamrolling of Santa Clara and the 59-point margin of victory ranks third in school history (team set a program record by committing just two turnovers against Santa Clara while forcing 18 miscues and turning them into 26 points). As for BYU, the Cougars are a modest 13-9, including 5-2 in WCC play, but BYU is coming off 71-66 win over Saint Mary's in its last outing. Gonzaga owns a terrific starting-five. Senior PG Josh Perkins (11.0 & 6.6) has been a solid ball-handler all season and has committed just 40 turnovers in 21 games. He's joined by sophomore guard Zach Norvell Jr. (15.7-4.8-3.4) in the backcourt, while the 6-8 Hachimura averages a team-best 19.9 PPG (6.2 RPG). 6-8 power forward Brandon Clarke (16.3) adds a team-leading 7.7 RPG, with the 6-8 Kispert (9.1) rounding out the starting rotation. Gonzaga averages 91.4 PPG (1st) and shoots 52.4% from the floor (also No. 1 in the nation). BYU's 6-8 Yoeli Childs had 23 points and 11 rebounds for his 32nd career double-double in the win over St Mary's and leads the team in scoring (22.3) and rebounding (9.6) on the season. PG Haws (17.6 & 5.2 APG) and fellow guard Haerdnett (10.9) are the only other Cougars in double digits but BYU does average 82.0 PPG (33rd). The Cougars have won four of their past five games and also committed only two turnovers in their last outing while pressuring Saint Mary's into 15 and converting the mistakes into 17 points. Only Kansas (29) and Duke (22) have longer streaks of 20-win seasons than Gonzaga, which has also posted 30-victory campaigns in three of the past four seasons. That said, Gonzaga can win here, yet not come close to covering. BYU has been tough at home with a 10-1 record and the fans were boisterous and loud during last Thursday's 71-66 win over Saint Mary's. We should see a repeat performance, here.I'm taking the 'two TDs!' Good luck...Larry |
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01-31-19 | Connecticut v. UCF -7 | 67-73 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 50 m | Show | |
My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on UCF at 9:00 ET. Central Florida was the preseason favorite in the American Athletic Conference. However, the Knights are in bounce-back mode, after their worst loss of the season when they host UConn on Thursday. UCF had won nine of its last 10 contests before the team was routed 77-57 at Memphis on Sunday falling to 15-4 (5-2 in AAC play). As for UConn, the Huskies have won two straight after Saturday's 80-60 victory over Wichita State with the backcourt duo of junior Christian Vital (season-high 21 points) and senior Jalen Adams (19 points, 12 rebounds) leading the way. UConn visits Orlando with a 12-8 overall record, including 3-4 in AAC play. Adams leads UConn in scoring at 18.2 PPG and has averaged 22.8 in his last five games. Vital has averaged 16 points in conference games, raising his season average to 13.6, to go along with 5.6 rebounds. Sophomore PG Alterique Gilbert (13.0 & 3.8 APG) gives UConn three guards in double digits but he re-injured his left shoulder Saturday and is listed as doubtful. The 6-10 Carlton (7.8 & 4.8) and the 6-8 Polley (7.4 & 2.3) start up front. UCF was awful at Memphis, getting out-rebounded 46-28, while going 6-for-26 from three-point range. Senior guard B.J. Taylor, the conference preseason player of the year, is bidding to lead the club in scoring for the third straight season with an average of 16.7 points and teh coaches' son, Aubrey Dawkins averages 15.4 PPG and 5.4 RPG. However, Taylor had just 10 poinst at Memphis, while Dawkins was held to two points, after averaging 18.8 in his previous five games. Expect bounce-back efforts from both. PG Allen (7.6 & 4.3 APG) makes for a nice guard trio plus 7-6 senior center Tacko Fall (9.8 points, team-high 7.1 rebounds) leads the conference and was seventh nationally with 2.84 blocks per game. He paces the American in field-goal shooting at 74.8 percent to help the Knights shoot a conference-best 46.7 percent. The 6-11 Smith (8.0 & 5.3) is a quality side-kick. Throw out Sunday's loss, as UCF,is off to its best 19-game start since the 2003-04 team began 16-3. The Knights have won NINE straight at home, while UConn is 0-3 SU in true road games this season. That's not exactly news, as the Huskies were 2-9 on the road last season and 6-17 over the previous two campaigns, in true road games. Lay the points! Good luck...Larry |
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01-31-19 | Xavier v. Georgetown -3 | Top | 73-80 | Win | 100 | 13 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Georgetown at 8:00 ET. Xavier is just 11-10 overall, including 3-5 in the Big East. The Musketeers already have two more conference losses as they did in 2017-18, when the team went 15-3 in league play to win the Big East regular-season title. Xavier hasn't spent much time worrying about qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in recent years, having gone 'dancing' in 16 of the last 18 seasons but this season is shaping up much differently. In contrast, Georgetown is 13-7 overall (3-4 in the Big East), which is a nice improvement over last year's 15-15 team, which finished 5-13 in Big East Play. However, the Hoyas are in search of their first winning streak this season in Big East play. The Musketeers won the first meeting with the Hoyas 81-75 on Jan. 9, behind a double-double (23-10) from the 6-11 Zach Hankins (10.3 & 4.8). That win was followed up with another home win against Butler but Xavier has dropped three straight since, the latest an 87-82 defeat to No. 10 Marquette on Saturday. The Musketeers are greatly underachieving this season. Xavier has great balance on offense, with five players scoring in double figures. Joining Hankins are guard Scruggs (13.3 & 4.8), the 6-7 Marshall (13.2 & 7.1), PG Goodin (12.0 & 4.9 APG) and the 6-9 Jones (11.3 & 7.6). So why is Xavier 11-10? The Hoyas rode freshmen Mac McClung, James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc to a critical 89-78 win at St. John's on Sunday. McClung scored 25 points (his most in a Big East contest this season), as Hoyas accounted for the games' final 10 points! Meaningful contributions have been few and far between for Jamorko Pickett, who after a solid freshman season has been relegated to a lesser role behind this season's newcomers. The 6-8 guard supplied nine points and seven rebounds to the win over St. John's but is averaging only 5.8 & 4.5 this season. McClung (13.9) and PG Akinjo (13.4 & 5.4 APG) form a dynamic freshman backcourt duo, while the 6-7 LeBlanc (9.4 & 7.6) has supported 6-10 senior center Govan (19.8 & 8.2), up front. Xavier has dominated the series with the Hoyas with 14 wins in 18 meetings, including six straight and 10 of 12 as Big East foes.However, this is not "your father's" In fact, a loss would add more impending peril to Xavier's streak of 36 straight seasons with a .500 or better record in conference play (Xavier currently sits at 3-5 in the Big East), a mark that is five seasons longer than any other Division I program. The Musketeers are 1-4 SU in true road games, averaging only 60.8 PPG. Patrick Ewing's team puts another 'nail' in Xavier's 'coffin.' Good luck...Larry |
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01-30-19 | St. John's v. Creighton -4.5 | Top | 83-67 | Loss | -105 | 14 h 44 m | Show |
My 10* 35-Club Play is on Creighton at 8:30 ET. Expectations were high coming into the current CBB season for St. John's. The Red Storm opened with12 consecutive victories and by winning 14 of their first 15. However, as St John's gets set to open a challenging three-game road trip (No. 2 Duke and No. 10 Marquette follow), the Red Storm have lost FOUR of their last five (now 15-5 / 3-5 in Big East). The school's lone win in its last five was an 81-66 victory at home over Creighton, which is the team St John's opens its three-game road trip against on Wednesday. Creighton improved to 7-4 at home after easing to a 75-61 win over Butler this past Friday. The Bluejays welcome the Red Storm to CenturyLink Center 12-8 overall, including 3-4 in the Big East. Junior PG Shamorie Ponds has scored at least 20 points in six straight games, including a team-high 21 against Georgetown in Saturday's 89-78 loss to the Hoyas. He leads the team in scoring (20.6) and assists (5.6). Backcourt partner Mustapha Heron is averaging 18.7 points over the last three games to boost his season average to 15.4 PPG (also 5.0 RPG). Three more players average in double digits, the 6-6 Figueroa (14.6 & 6.8), the 6-7 Clark (12.4 & 5.8) and guard Simon (10.8 & 5.2). Sophomore guard Ty-Shon Alexander has been instrumental in Creighton's B2B two victories last week, making six 3-pointers and scoring 26 points in the 91-87 win at Georgetown, before adding 19 points against Butler to earn Big East player of the week honors. Alexander leads the team in scoring (17.6), after averaging only 5.7 as a freshman. The Bluejays own a deep perimeter, as Ballock (11.0 & 3.6 APG), Zegarowski (10.6) and Mintz (10.4) join Alexander at the guard position. The 6-9 Krampelj (11.3 & 6.4) and SF Jefferson (9.4 & 5,4) have been the best frontcourt contributors but Jefferson will be out with an ankle injury. St John's Jan 16 win over Creighton halted a string of six straight losses in the series but also note that the Bluejays have won all SEVEN matchups in Omaha against the Red Storm. Creighton averages 83.4 PPG (20th) on 50.5% shooting (4th), including 42.5% on threes (2nd). That's TOO much 'firepower' for the slumping Red Storm. Lay the modest impost. Good luck...Larry |
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01-30-19 | Providence v. Seton Hall -3.5 | 63-65 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 14 m | Show | |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Seton Hall at 7:00 ET. Seton Hall made more than a little 'noise' back in December with upset wins over Kentucky (now-No. 7) and Maryland (now-No. 21). However, as the 12-8 Pirates (3-5 in the Big East) welcome Big East rival Providence to the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J, the team is looking to snap a season-high four-game losing skid. The 13-7 Friars (3-4 in the Big East) have won three of their last four, after defeating both Xavier and DePaul. Alpha Diallo made all 14 of his free-throw attempts and finished with a team-high 20 points and nine rebounds in Sunday's 70-67 triumph over the Blue Demons. Diallo has been the "Alpha male" for the Friars, as the workhorse junior guard is averaging team highs in points (17.0), rebounds (8.4), assists (3.3), steals (1.8) and minutes (36.3). Freshman guard A.J. Reeves scored 11 points in as many minutes on Sunday in his return from a nine-game absence due to a foot injury. He's second on the team in averaging 13.9 PPG. Four more guards chip in between 4.1 and 9.3 PPG. 6-10 center Watson (11.2 & 5.4) is the only real 'size' the Friars own. The Hall's best player, guard Myles Powell (21.2) failed to find any rhythm to his offense and finished with just three points In the team's recent loss to Villanova. Sophomore wing Myles Cale (9.6) scored a team-high 14 points in Sunday's 80-52 shellacking by the Wildcats but PG McKnight (10.0 & 3.8 APG) finished with just five points versus Villanova. Seton Hall does have some size up front with the 6-10 Mamukelashvili (9.2 & 7.4) and the 6-8 Nzei (9.2 & 5.0). I believe Seton Hall can win the "inside game" with Mamukelashvili and Nzei plus the Hall's perimeter game is a s good as the Friars'. Seton Hall is clearly not as good as the school's upsets over Kentucky and Maryland might suggest but I expect the Pirates to be handle Providence in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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01-30-19 | Ole Miss v. Florida -5 | 86-90 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 43 m | Show | |
My 8* Conference Crusher (SEC) is on Florida at 6:30 ET. Both Ole Miss (14-5 / 4-2 in SEC) and Florida (11-8 / 3-3 SEC) are back in SEC action tonight, as the Gators welcome the Rebels to Gainesville. Both schools suffered disappointing losses this past Saturday in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge .Ole Miss lost badly at home to Iowa St (87-73), while the Gators lost 55-50 at TCU. Ole Miss was picked to finish last in the SEC preseason media poll but the Rebels, under first-year head coach Kermit Davis, opened the season 13-2, including 3-0 in SEC play (more importantly to sports bettors, Ole Miss started a remarkable 14-1 ATS). However, Ole Miss limps into Florida 1-3 SU & ATS in its last four. Mike White's Gators have been inconsistent all season and hope to avoid the school's first 3-4 start in SEC action since 1998 with a win in tonight's contest. Ole Miss' backcourt duo of junior Breein Tyree (17.3) and senior PG Terence Davis (15.8 & 3.5 APG) continues to be the biggest offensive threat for the Rebels. Tyree has had nine 20-point games this season, including a 22-point effort in the loss to Iowa State, with Davis chipping in with 16 points along with a team-high six rebounds. Fellow guards Shuler (9.5) and Hinson (9.1) also start, along with the 7-0 Olejniczak (6.6 & 3.6). The 6-8 Stevens (8.3 & 4.5) and 5-7 freshman KJ Buffen (5.9 & 4.6) come off the bench. TCU held the Gators to three points in the first 11:35 of the game to build an 18-3 lead but Florida fought back from a 16-point deficit late in the 1st half to tie the game at 36-all with 12:23 left in regulation. The Gators missed 14 of their first 15 shots but they showed fight in rallying to tie the game in the second half before falling short in the end. Senior guard KeVaughn Allen (leading scorer at 12.7 PPG) was the only Gator in double figures with 13, as freshman guard Noah Locke (11.2 PPG) was just 2-of-9 for seven points, one game after setting a career high with 27 points. PG Nembhard (7.0 & 5.9 APG) does give White a solid guard trio. The 6-9 Hayes (6.8 & 6/2) has been surrounded by a pair of 6-5 forwards in Johnson (6.3 & 5.1) and Stone (6.1 & 3.9). However, Stone is now out for the season with a knee injury. Here's the rub. Ole Miss has "come back to earth" and has averaged just 63.0 PPG in its last two games. The Rebels face an excellent Florida defense (Gators allow just 61.5 PPG, 10th-best in the nation) and is a team in an almost a "must-win" situation. Up next for Florida will be No. 7 Kentucky, Auburn and No. 1 Tennessee in its next three contests. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
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01-29-19 | Mississippi State v. Alabama -2 | Top | 79-83 | Win | 100 | 13 h 16 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on Alabama at 8:30 ET. The Mississippi State Bulldogs (15-4 / 3-3 SEC) travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide (12-7 / 3-3 SEC) tonight, as two of the three SEC teams at 3-3 meet. Miss St is ranked 22nd in the current AP poll and is coming off a 92-84 Home win over then-No. 15 Auburn. As for Alabama, the Tide stepped out of league play this past Saturday, losing 73-68 at Baylor in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Mississippi State entered last Saturday's home contest against Auburn off its worst offensive performance of the season in a 76-55 loss at Kentucky on Jan 22.. The Bulldogs had season-lows of 19 FGs made and a 31.1 shooting percentage (they made just 3-of-20 three-pointers). However, they bounced back from that result in fine fashion with a victory over Auburn on Saturday, by shooting 50.9 percent in their best offensive effort in SEC action. "We were playing as a team," senior guard Quinndary Weatherspoon told reporters after tying his season high with 27 points. "I'm excited about that and I'm excited about the win." .Weatherspoon (17.3 & 5.6) leads the team in scoring and is joined in the backcourt by PG Peters (13.0 & 5.9 APG) and by his younger brother Nick (10.3). Starting up front are the 6-10 Holman I(11.4 & 7.6) and the 6-11 Ado (5.3 & 4.9). Coming off the bench are guard Carter (9.7) and the 6-10 Perry (7.3 & 5.9). Perry is a freshman and he posted his second career double-double in Saturday's win with 10 points and 11 rebounds in just 19 minutes. Senior guard Riley Norris hit all six of his shot attempts - four from beyond the arc - en route to a season-high 16 points and the Crimson Tide also shot 50.9 percent from the floor, but they had one basket in a span of over five minutes during a difficult stretch run (Alabama finished the game 5 of 17 on threes!). The Crimson Tide entered last weekend ranked second in the SEC in rebounding margin (plus-6.7), but the Bears beat them on the boards 35-31, including a 16-9 advantage on the offensive glass. Alabama has a seven-man rotation (all with 17-plus minutes per game), with six guards averaging between 6.4 and 13.9 PPG. Freshman guard Kira Lewis Jr. leads the team in scoring (13.9) and assists (2.8). the team's lone big man of note is 6-9 senior forward Donta Hall (11.3 PPG), who ranks third in the SEC in both rebounding (8.9) and field-goal percentage (61.2). Miss State head coach Ben Howland called Saturday's victory "a really big-time win for us when you look at our drive to try to get to the NCAA Tournament this year." He's hoping the Bulldogs can continue to share the ball like they did against Auburn. Meanwhile, in talking about the loss at Baylor, Alabama head coach Avery Johnson said, "We didn't have our best game. We didn't play enough of a 40-minute game to win on the road. I thought it was the opposite of how we played our last game at home." The last home game he's referring to was last Tuesday, when Alabama routed then-No. 20 Ole Miss, 74-53. Yes, Mississippi State triumphed 67-63 in the second matchup last season with Alabama but prior to that, Alabama had won 10 of 11 previous meetings between the two schools. The Tide are 7-2 SU at home this season and the Bulldogs are averaging just 68.2 PPG in true road games this season. That WON'T get it done, here! Good luck...Larry |
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01-29-19 | Kansas +1 v. Texas | 63-73 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 44 m | Show | |
My 9* Rivalry Rout is on Kansas at 7:00 ET Kansas opened the current CBB season No. 1 in the AP's preseason poll but it's hardly been smooth sailing for head coach Bill Self's Jayhawks. 7-0 center Udoka Azubuike (13.4 & 6.8) played in just nine games and will be out the remainder of the season with a broken hand. Kansas is currently 16-4 and at 5-2 in Big-12 play, finding themselves in a three-way tie atop the conference, along with Kansas St and Baylor. The Jayhawks travel to the Frank Erwin Special Event Center in Austin on Tuesday to take on the 11-9 Texas Longhorns (3-4 in Big-12 play). Kansas enters this contest having scored just five field goals over the final 10 minutes (while shooting a season-low 36.5 percent from the floor for the game) of a 71-63 loss at Kentucky in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. As for the Longhorns,they also played a game as part of the SEC/Big-12 Challenge this past Saturday. Texas lost 98-88 at Georgia, the team's second straight defeat and its FIFTH in its last six games. Self wasn't happy about his Jayhawks' second-half struggles at Kentucky, but didn't seemed too concerned after the fact. "There were too many errors and too many naked possessions offensively where we didn't get anything out of it and our shot selection was poor," Self said afterward. "If we'd won this game, I'd be happy going home, but trust me, it doesn't mean that much, it's not going to affect us in any way, shape or form preparing for our next game." Kansas lost, despite yet another double-double (20 points and 15 rebounds) from the Dedric Lawson, who leads the team in scoring (19.5) and rebounding (11.1), proding 14 double-doubles this season. Surrounding Lawson are starters Vick (14.8 & 4.0), PG Dotson (10.8 & 3.4 APG), Grimes (8.4) and Garrett (7.5 & 3.5). The Longhorns allowed Georgia to shoot 66.7 percent from the floor, including 12-of-17 beyond the arc, in Saturday's loss. Texas wasted a career-high 19 points from freshman guard Courtney Ramey (just 6.4 PPG), who converted a career-high 7-of-15 from the floor, including a career-best 5-of-8 clip from three-point range. Texas mainstays are guards Roach (14.3 & 4.7) and Coleman (10.2) in the backcourt, plus the 6-11 Hayes (10.4 & 5.0) and the 6-9 Osetkowski (10.1 & 8.2) in the frontcourt. Hayes is a freshman who leads the Big 12 in field-goal percentage at 74.3 percent and blocked shots at 2.7 per contest. Kansas hasn't been winning "by margins" this season (just 8-12 ATS) but that won't be an issue here, with this pointspread. Even with all of this year's issues, Kansas remains in prime contention for a 15th consecutive Big 12 regular-season championship! The Jayhawks lead the all-time series with the Longhorns 32-8 and note that the road team ihas covered NINE is a row in this series. Want more? How about this? Kansas is off a Saturday loss at Kentucky, so the following applies.Since 2013-14 season, the Jayhawks are 38-3 SU following a loss, with their ,889 win percentage ranking as the best in college basketball. That's good enough for me. Good luck...Larry |
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01-28-19 | TCU v. Texas Tech -4.5 | Top | 65-84 | Win | 100 | 14 h 16 m | Show |
My 10* signature LEGEND Play is on Texas Tech at 9:00 ET. Chris Beard's Texas Tech Red Raiders won 27 games last season and made the first Elight 8 appearnance in school history (lost to eventual national champ, Villanova). Tech lost four significant contributors from that 27-win team, including leading scorer Evans (17.6) and the 6-4 Zhaire Smith (11.3 & 5.0), a 1st round pick of the 76ers. The Red Raiders opened the season unranked but opened 10-0 before losing 69-58 at Duke. At 15-1, Tech was ranked 8th when it lost at home to Kan St 58-57 on Jan 16. Two more losses followed, before the Red Raiders edged Arkansas 67-64 at home this past Saturday (Tech is currently 16-4, including 4-3 in the Big 12 and is ranked 14th, pending Monday's new poll). TCU opened the season 20th in the AP's preseason poll, coming off a 21-win season. The Horned Frogs opened 12-1 but the their 55-50 win Saturday over Florida makes them 3-3 in their last six. TCU was ranked 25th when it lost 77-68 at Kansas on Jan 9 but at 15-4 (3-3 in the Big-12), is currently unranked. Both schools return to league play tonight (after winning games in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge on Saturday), as the Horned Frogs visit Lubbock. The Horned Frogs were exceptional on defense during Saturday's 55-50 win over Florida, as TCU allowed its fewest points and recorded its lowest defensive field-goal percentage (30.6) in Jamie Dixon's 2 1/2 seasons as coach. However, despite holding the Gators to three points in the first 11:35 of the game to build an 18-3 lead, TCU allowed Florida to fight back from a 16-point deficit late in the 1st half to tie the game at 36-all with 12:23 left in regulation. 6-7 sophomore forward Kouat Noi scored 22 points and junior guard Desmond Bane added 17 against Florida. Bane leads the team in scoring (15.0 & 5.7) and Noi is second (14.7 & 4.4). PG Robinson (12.9-3.8-7.7) runs the show but TCU misses guard Fisher (12.9), who is out for the season and will transfer. The 6-8 Miller (10.5 & 6.5) is the team's rebounding leader. After losing its third straight game and scoring the fewest points since the 2014-15 season in a 58-45 loss at Kansas St on Jan 22, Texas Tech coach Chris Beard was hoping he could find more options to help the "do-everything" Jarrett Culver (18.5-6.9-3.9). Sophomore Davide Moretti answered the call Saturday, when he scored a career-high 21 points in a win over Arkansas. Moretti averaged 12.3 minutes in 37 games last season (3.5 PPG) but is averaging 10.4 points this season in 29.8 minutes (he comes in averaging 13.3 points in his last eight games). Fellow guard Matt Mooney added 12 points in the victory and is third in scoring at 10. PPG. The 6-10 Owens adds 8.0 & 5.1, while 6-8 center Odiase averages 3.8 & 4.7. Both teams play excellent defense, with TCU allowing just 66.0 PPG (42nd), However, Tech is "something special" on the defensive end, allowing 56.4 PPG (2nd) on 35.7% shooting (1st), including 26.1% on threes (3rd)! Bottom line here is that Texas Tech has been exceptional at home, posting an 11-1 record and limiting its opponents to 52.0 PPG points per game and 32.8 percent shooting (Tech is a scoring 73.3 PPG at home). Meanwhile, TCU has played only four true road games this season (1-3), averaging only 66.0 PPG. Those numbers just don't add up for the Horned Frogs. Good luck...Larry |
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01-27-19 | UCF v. Memphis -1 | Top | 57-77 | Win | 100 | 9 h 26 m | Show |
My 10* AAC Game of the Year is on Memphis at 4:00 ET. Memphis' three-game winning streak came to a halt on Thursday, as the Tigers came up short at Temple 85-76. Penny Hardaway's team must now bounce back on Sunday, when the 12-7 Tigers (4-2 in AAC play) take on American Athletic Conference preseason favorite, UCF. The Knights are 15-3 overall, including 5-1 in league play. It's crowded at the top in the AAC, with four, one-loss teams. Temple is 5-1 like UCF, while Houston and Cincy are 6-1 (all four one-loss teams are in action on Sunday, with Cincy playing at Temple and Houston visiting Tulsa). UCF has become known for its defensive prowess under head coach Johnny Dawkins and the Knights showed why in shutting down Tulane 75-50 on Wednesday. The Knights sit second in the conference in scoring at 63.0 PPG (20th nationally) and opponents' FG percentage at 38.7 (10th nationally). The offense is averaging a modest 74.5 PPG (152nd) but guards BJ Taylor (17.1) and Aubrey Dawkins (16.2), the coaches' son, are quite a duo. UCF leads the AAC in field goal percentage (47.2), while ranking third from long distance (35.2). Naturally, we can't forget the 7-6 Tacko Fall (9.9 & 7.2), who has 52 blocked shots, as well. Let's not count the Tigers out of the AAC 'hunt' just yet. However, the Tigers can't survive if they shoot as poorly as they did in the loss to Temple, when they wound up hitting just 1-of-23 three-pointers, barely extending their three-point streak to 605 straight games. "We won every category except for three-point shooting," Hardaway told reporters. "And it's hard to win like that." However, it's worth noting that Memphis still fought back from a 20-point first-half deficit to make it a two-point game late. Jeremiah Martin continued to play well since returning to point guard, as he led the way with 28 points to regain the team scoring lead (15.4 & 4.1 APG) from 6-8 forward Kyvon Davenport (14.8 & a team-high 7.5 RPG). ). Guard Harris averages 12.7 PPG, while six others play regularly, averaging between 5.7 and 9.7 PPG. Memphis boasts the conference's top scoring offense at 83.6 PPG (that's 20th nationally) and enters this almost "must-win" game with a 10-1 record at FedEx Forum, where the Tigers are averaging a whopping 90.8 PPG. UCF will be trying to win consecutive road games for the FIRST time this season and while the Knights did win at Memphis last year, it's important to note that the Knights had lost 14 in a row before last year's victory. It's "Back to the Future," as Memphis wins at home over UCF. Good luck...Larry |
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01-27-19 | Cincinnati v. Temple +3 | 72-68 | Loss | -109 | 5 h 27 m | Show | |
My 9* Eye-Opener is on Temple at 12:00 ET. Cincinnati may be 17-3 (6-1 in AAC play) but the Bearcats remain unranked this season. Cincy travels to Philadelphia on Sunday for an AAC showdown with Temple. The Owls check in at 15-4 and are 5-1 in AAC play. Cincinnati and Temple have emerged as two of the top contenders in the American Athletic Conference, along with No. 17 Houston (6-1) and UCF (5-1). All four of those one-loss schools are in action Sunday, as Houston is at Tulsa and UCF is at Memphis (Tigers are lurking at 4-2). Cincinnati has won five games in a row, including an 88-64 rout of Tulsa, its last time out. The Bearcats rely heavily on Jarron Cumberland, who leads the team in scoring at 18.1 PPG. A trio of guards join him on the perimeter in Williams (11.1), Jenifer (9.1) and Broome (8.2). The 6-8 Scott (9.5 & 6.5) and the 6-11 Brooks (8.8 & 5.8) are Cincy's top-two frontcourt contributors. Mick Cronin-coached teams always play defense and the Bearcats come in allowing 60.9 PPG (7th). Temple has won its last five league games, suffering only a surprising home loss to Ivy League foe (and Big-Five rival) Pennsylvania during that stretch. The Owls come in off an 85-76 win over Memphis, behind Quinton Rose's 26 points. Rose is averaging 17.1 PPG but before going 5-of-9 from three-point range against the Tigers, he was just 15-of-77 from beyond the arc, entering that game. PG Shizz Alston Jr. was only 2-of-13 from the floor against Memphis and is 7-of-31 over the last two games but is Temple's top scorer (18.5) and assist leader (5.2). A third guard, Nate Pierre-Louis (14.2 & 5.8), continued his solid play of late with 15 points, giving him eight straight games in which he has scored between 13 and 22 points. The frontcourt is adequate but hardly anything special, with the 6-10 Aflakpui (6.7 & 7.5), the 6-7 Perry (5.1 & 3.4) and the 6-7 Moorman (5.1 & 3.6). The Bearcats lost THREE key players from last year's team, NBA draft picks Evans (13.0), a shooting guard, and the 6-8 Clark (12.9 & 8.7). Also gone is the 6-9 Washington (11.3 & 5.3). Cincy depends WAY too much on Cumberland (he has attempted 97 more shots than anyone else on the team) and Temple's guard trio is more than a match for the Bearcats' perimeter group. Neither team has much of a frontcourt but I'll note that Temple's 6-10 center Ernest Aflakpui is averaging 13.3 points and 11.7 rebounds in the last three games. Cincinnati won both meetings with Temple last season, including a buzzer-beating win in Philadelphia, 55-53. 66.2 PPG in five road contests this season, while the Owls come in having won EIGHT of the their last nine, while going 8-1 SU at home on the season (lone loss to Penn, see above). Temple stays a lone-loss AAC team after this one. Good luck...Larry |
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01-26-19 | Loyola Marymount v. Santa Clara +1.5 | 69-61 | Loss | -107 | 12 h 48 m | Show | |
My 8* Bailout Blowout is on Santa Clara at 9:00 ET. Loyola-Marymount is 14-6 and will be on the road tonight at Santa Clara, which is 11-10. However, the Lions are just 2-4 in WCC play, while the Broncos check in a 3-4. Marymount's head coach Mike Dunlap entered his fifth year at the school this season with a 48-75 (.390) record but he was optimistic about the year, after his team played an exhibition schedule this summer in Australia. All five starters are back and this year's team is led by senior guard James Batemon (17.2-3.2-4.0) and 7-3 junior center Mattias Markusson (11.0 & 7.3). Most notably, the team's defense has been outstanding, allowing a modest 62.8 PPG (17th). As for Herb Sendek's Santa Clara Broncos, guard Eaddy (15.8) leads the team in scoring, teamed with PG Trey Wertz (13.1 & 4.8 APG). The frontcourt is led by the 6-8 Vrankic (13.1 & 6.1), 6-5 SF Justice (10.4) and the 6-7 Martin (5.8 & a team-high 8.1 RPG). Santa Clara has had problems stepping up against the upper-tier of the WCC (Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s) but the Broncos have covered spreads vs everyone else since early December and were 8-2 ATS before getting clobbered 98-39 against Gonzaga (again, a team way above Santa Clara's class!). LMUs' 12-2 non-conference record is now in teh rear-view mirror. Expect the Broncos to win handily here at home. Good luck...Larry |
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01-26-19 | Auburn v. Mississippi State | 84-92 | Win | 100 | 12 h 38 m | Show | |
My 9* Revenge Rout is on Miss St at 8:30 ET. SEC rivals Auburn (13-5) and Mississippi State (14-4) square off Saturday night in Starkville. Both schools cruised through the majority of their non-conference schedules playing every bit like the ranked teams they were for the first two months of the season. Auburn won 11 of 13 in non-conference action, while Mississippi State won 12 of its 13 non-conference contests. However, SEC play has humbled both teams, as both the Tigers and the Bulldogs are 2-3. Auburn has lost its last two games, falling at home to Kentucky 82-80 last Saturday, before losing at South Carolina 80-77 on Tuesday. The Tigers fought back from a double-digit deficit in both games to take a second-half lead before falling short in the end. Auburn overcame a 17-point deficit last Saturday against Kentucky only to lose by two and the Tigers trailed South Carolina by 10 points with about six minutes remaining, then went on a 12-0 run to take the lead with four minutes left but then didn't make any FG after that. Shooting guard Brown (16.9) is the team's leading scorer, followed by PG Harper (15.3 & 6.6 APG). However, the team's inside duo of the 6-11 Wiley (10.8 & 6.1) and the 6-8 Okele (10.1 & 6.2) is now down to one, as Wiley is out indefinitely with a leg injury (went down Jan 16 vs A&M) Mississippi State is coming off its worst offensive performance of the season in a 76-55 loss at Kentucky on Tuesday. The Bulldogs had season-lows of 19 FGs made and a 31.1 shooting percentage. They made just 3-of-20 three-pointers. Quinndary Weatherspoon (16.8 & 5.1) is the fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,685 career points and is one of five SEC players to eclipse the 20-point mark six times this season. PG Lamar Peters (12.8 & 5.7 APG) is the team's second-leading scorer. MSU has a tall and deep frontcourt, led by the 6-10 Holman (11.7 & 7.7), the 6-10 Perry (7.1 & 5.7) and the 6-11 Ado (5.1 & 5.1). Both teams are seeking to get back to .500 in conference play but I have to believe that healthy MSU stands the MUCH better chance. Auburn has won just ONE of four true road games this season, while Miss st is 9-1 SU at home, outscoring opponents 84.8-to-69.5 PPG. Throw in the fact that MSU head coach Ben Howland will surely remind his team just how it squandered a 14-point second-half lead in losing 76-68 last season at Auburn. Revenge works, here! Good luck...Larry |
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01-26-19 | UNLV v. San Diego State -5.5 | Top | 77-94 | Win | 100 | 13 h 50 m | Show |
My 10* CBB Game of the Month is on San Diego St at 8:00 ET. 11-7 UNLV is 5-1 in MWC play, as it heads to the Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl on Saturday night to take on San Diego State. the Aztecs are 10-8 (2-3 in MWC play) but own a great recent history against the Rebel. UNLV's early conference schedule has been kind (a steady diet of second-division foes), allowing the Rebels to stay close to current No. 7 Nevada. However, things start to get a bit tougher from here forward. The Aztecs are likely going nowhere this season but I will elaborate later on the school's history vs UNLV. Marvin Menzies' team could sure use the 6-7 Shakur Juiston (10.8 & 8.8) but he's lost for the season with a knee injury. Guards Clyburn (13.4 & 4.9),s Hardy (12.1) and Robotham (8.3) join the 6-9 Ntambwe (12.5 & 6.2) as team stalwarts. However, I will note that 6-5 SF Blair did come out of nowhere to score 26 point in the team's recent 75-58 win over New Mexico. Without Juiston, SDSU's 6-10 Williams (16.1 & 8.1) will be tough to contain. He's joined up front by the 6-6 Mitchell (11.4 & 3.&) plus the Aztecs own a solid three-man guard rotation. PG Watson (15.4 & 5.0 APG) leads the way, joined by Hemsley (9.1) and Schakel (8.3). SDSU is 8-2 SU at home this season, averaging 80.4 PPG. Head coach Brian Dutcher led the Aztecs to an NCAA bid and 22-11 record in his first season but that won't be repeated this season. However, series history all favors SDSU in this matchup. UNLV is just 9-27-5 ATS its last 41 road games (overall) and 14-39-4 ATS in its last 57 MWC games. More notably, the Rebels are 6-18-2 in their last 26 meetings with the Aztecs, who enter on a 15-6 ATS at their home court. SDS beat UNLV 95-56 at this venue last season, giving them three straight home wins over UNLV by a combined 87 points. Enough said! Good luck...Larry |
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01-26-19 | VCU v. Duquesne +4 | Top | 80-74 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 48 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Duquesne at 2:00 ET. Virginia Commonwealth owns a rich BKB tradition but is coming off an 18-15 season (no postseason tourneys). The Rams head to Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon 13-6 overall, including 4-2 in A-10 play. Meanwhile, the Duquesne Dukes are 14-5 overall, including 5-1 in league play. Both VCU's Mike Rhoades and Duquesne's Keith Dambrot are head coaches in their second years at their respective schools. PG Evans (13.3) leads VCU in scoring and is joined in the backcourt by SG Jenkins (11.9). Up front, the 6-6 Vann (10.9 & 4.) and the 6-7 Santos-Silva (8.9 & 6.8) are the main contributors. Let me note that Evans averages just 2.8 APG (terribly low for a starting PG) and VCU shoots an awful 29.9% on threes as a team (334th). The surging Dukes are on a five-game winning streak after beating previously unbeaten (in A-10 play) St Louis, 77-73 at home on Wednesday. Williams is a 6-6 guard and leads the team in scoring (13.2) and rebounding (7.8). His backcourt partner is Curry (12.1 & 3.9) and up front, 6-8 center Hayes (12.1 & 6.4) and 6-5 SF Weathers (9.8 & 6.1) do the most damage. You may just remember Dambrot (he was LBJ's high school coach) and in 13 seasons at Akron, won 20-plus games in each of his final 12 years. The Dukes finished tied for 10th in the A-10 (16-16 overall) last year but look at the strides being made this season. The Dukes are 11-1 at home (shot just 35.8%, including 6 of 28 on threes in that one) and I see NO reason why the Dukes should be home dogs here vs a very average VCU team (reputation?). VCU is just 2-4 SU in true road games this season, averaging a woeful 58.8 PPG. The home dog 'barks' LOUDLY in this one, Good luck...Larry |
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01-26-19 | Alabama v. Baylor -3 | 68-73 | Win | 100 | 6 h 52 m | Show | |
My 9* Eye-Opener is on Baylor at 12:00 ET. It's more of the Big-12/SEC Challenge Saturday at 12 noon ET, as 12-6 Alabama and 12-6 Baylor square off at the Ferrell Center in Waco. Alabama comes in on a very good stretch, winning 70-60 at Missouri and coming within eyelash of now No. 1 Tennessee in Knoxville (lost 71-68), before routing then-20 Ole Miss 74-53 in in its last three games. However, Baylor is similarly-surging, winning on the Big 12 road at Okla Sy=t and West Va, while also beating then-No. Texas Tech 73-62 in its last three. The 6-9 Hall (11.2 & 9.1) is the lone non-guard among 'Bama's top-six scorers. Freshman guard Lewis (13.8) leads the way, followed by sophomore Petty (12.2 & 4.4), who followed a 30-point effort at Tennessee with 15 against Ole Miss. Lewis is in a small slump, scoring just 28 points over his last three games. Hall recorded his fourth straight double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) against the Rebels, tying the team record. Baylor lost the 6-9 Clark (14.6 & 6.2). to a season-ending knee injury on Jan 8 but after a five-point loss to Kansas, has ripped off three straight wins without him. Guard Makai Mason, a graduate transfer from Yale (you don't hear that often), is averaging 15.7 PPG and scored 29 points in the win over West Virginia. He's recorded double digits in 14 of his 15 games this season (scored NINE in the lone game he did not). Guard McClure (10.7 & 5.7) plus fellow guards Kegler (8.6 & 6.1 ) and Butler (8.2) are also stepping up as of late. In particular, freshman Butler is averaging 14.3 PPG in his last four. Scott Drew's teams had won 20-plus games for nine of the previous 10 seasons but finished just 19-15 last season. Four starters are gone from that team and hence, the so-so start to this season. However, even the loss of Clark has been overcome, as of late. The Bears are an excellent defensive team, allowing just 64.3 PPG (26th) and enter this contest on a 7-1 ATS run. This game could have implications once March rolls around, so I'm taking the home team to get the "W" and cover!. Good luck...Larry |
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01-25-19 | Butler v. Creighton -2 | Top | 61-75 | Win | 100 | 13 h 19 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Creighton at 8:30 ET. Butler has gone 'dancing' in 10 of the previous 12 seasons but will need to finish strong to keep to do so again this campaign. The Bulldogs are just 12-8 (3-4 in Big East play), after losing 80-72 at home this past Tuesday to surging Villanova (Wildcats have won SEVEN in a row). Creighton is 11-8 overall, including 2-4 in Big East play. Creighton lost 84-69 at Butler back on Jan 5, beginning a streak of FOUR straight losses, marking the Bluejays' longest skid since the 1999-2000 season. However, Creighton ended its slide with a 91-87 road win at Georgetown on Monday. Butler PG Aaron Thompson (6.7 & 4.2 APG) bounced back from a scoreless, foul-plagued 16-minute effort Saturday against St. John's with club-best marks of 15 points (6-of-9 shooting) and four assists in 31 minutes versus the Wildcats but Butler still lost by eight. However, leading scorer Kamar Baldwin (17.4 & 5.6) finished with only 11 points on 5-for-14 shooting following a three-game stretch in which he averaged 21.7 points on 24-of-41 from the floor. The 6-11 Joey Brunk averaged 14.7 points and seven boards over his first three career starts but he hasn't topped eight points or six rebounds in any of his four outings since (he's averaging 8.6 & 4.4 on the season) . Creighton head coach Greg McDermott said during a postgame radio show after the Georgetown win, “They’ve come hungry, ready to practice. They’re not pointing fingers at me, I’m not pointing fingers at them, they’re not pointing fingers at each other. They’re committed to just trying to get better every day. I think when you commit to that, you have nights like (Monday) where good things happen." Sophomore guard Ty-Shon Alexander (17.5) knocked down six, three-pointers for the second time in three contests Monday, extending his consecutive games streak with at least one triple to a Big East-best 23. The Bluejays own a deep perimeter, as Ballock (10.9 & 3.6 APG), Zegarowski (10.8) and Mintz (10.3) join Alexander at the guard position. The 6-9 Krampelj (11.1 & 6.3) and SF Jefferson (9.4 & 5,4) are the best frontcourt contributors. Butler's ONLY true road win this season came at DePaul (not saying much) and that win snapped an 0-7 SU & ATS run in true road games by the Bulldogs, going back into last season. Butler is a money-burning 8-17 ATS in its last 25 road games plus is 0-5 ATS in its last five visits to Creighton. The Bluejays shoot 50.5% (4th) overall, including 43.0% on threes (2nd). Butler did get 87 points in winning at DePaul but in its first four true road games this season (all losses), averaged a woeful 59.8 PPG. Don't see any way Butler can match Creighton score-for-score (also note that the home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings between the two schools). Good luck...Larry |
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01-24-19 | Arizona State v. UCLA -1 | Top | 84-73 | Loss | -115 | 14 h 6 m | Show |
My 10* Pac-12 Game of the Week is on UCLA at 11:00 ET. UCLA dismissed coach Steve Alford on December 31, 2018, two days after the Bruins' ugly 73-58 loss to Liberty. It marked the first time the program ever had made a coaching change in the middle of the season. Murry Bartow (son of former UCLA coach Gene Bartow) was named interim coach for the Bruins and in his first game (at home vs Stanford), UCLA ended a four-game slide with a 92-70 win over te Cardinal. Two more wins followed but the 'honeymoon' period is over for UCLA interim coach Murry Bartow, as the Bruins have lost lost two in row following three straight victories. 10-8 UCLA (3-2 in the Pac -12) welcomes 13-5 Arizona St (4-2 in Pac-12) to Pauley Pavilion tonight. ASU dominated the second half in last Saturday's impressive 78-64 home victory over Oregon,as five players scored in double figures. Five ASU players are averaging in double figures on the season, with the 6-8 White just missing at 9.0 & 5.9 The double digit scorers are guard Dort (16.4 & 446), fellow guard Martin (12.3 & 4.2 APG), the 6-8 Cheatham (12.1 & 9.6), guard Edwards (10.3) and the 6-7 Lawrence (10.3 & 3.9). Freshman forward Taeshon Cherry (7.2) had 15 points on five three-pointers against Oregon and head coach Bobby Hurley said, “He has one of the best strokes I’ve seen. He's got so much upside as far as where he can take his game if he keeps developing and getting better.”ASU averages 79.1 PPG (55th in teh nation but No. 1 in the Pac-12), although the Sun Devils allow 72.4 PPG (209th). The Bruins need to bounce back from a dismal outing, after shooting 5-of-22 from three-point range and committing 20 turnovers in last Saturday's 80-67 loss to crosstown rival USC. The Bruins averaged 92 points in wins over Stanford, California and Oregon but slowed down dramatically in losses to Oregon State and USC, averaging just 66.5 points. Bartow needs more consistency from 7-1 freshman Moses Brown, who averages 11.3 points and 8.9 rebounds but was a non-factor against USC, finishing with two points in 20 minutes. UCLA's best player is sophomore guard Kris Wilkes, who is averaging 17.1 & 4.9 (he's scored in double digits in EVERY game this season!). PG Hands checks in at 11.8 PPG and 6.4 APG plus a third guard, Prince Ali, averages 10.6 PPG ( he's shooting 51 percent from the floor and 48 percent from three-point range in five Pac-12 contests). Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils generated national headlines by handing then-top-ranked Kansas its first loss, 80-76, back on Dec. 22 but ASU is just 6-5 its last 11, after opening the season 7-.0. This UCLA team has the talent and note that the Bruins were picked to finish second in the Pac-12 preseason poll. UCLA has won seven of its last nine games against Arizona State and the home team has won EIGHT of the last 10 meetings between the two schools (UCLA and has covered 15 of the last 21 meetings overall). More tech trends show that the Sun Devils are 7-17-2 ATS in their last 26 vs Pac-12 foes and are 3-10-2 ATS in their last 15 road games. UCLA has won 39 of 44 games in Pauley Pavilion since the start of the 2016-17 season and with this pointspread, a win is a cover! Good luck...Larry |
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01-24-19 | NC State v. Louisville -5.5 | 77-84 | Win | 100 | 11 h 5 m | Show | |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Louisville at 8:00 ET. A pair of ranked teams square off Thursday night at the KFC Yum! Center, as No. 21 NC State (15-3) takes on No. 23 Louisville (13-5). The Wolfpack have alternated wins and losses to begin conference play (check in at 3-2), while the Cardinals have won three straight and four of five to begin their ACC schedule (lone loss was 89-86 in OT at Pitt). NC State rebounded from a loss at Wake Forest with a 77-73 win at Notre Dame on Saturday, while Louisville cruised to its third win in a row with a 79-51 victory over shorthanded Georgia Tech on Saturday (Yellow Jackets were without three regulars, including two of their top three scorers). Defense fueled Saturday’s win over Notre Dame, as the Wolfpack held the Irish to just 7-of-28 from the three-point line and 24-of-49 overall (40.7 percent). Offensively, NC State bounced back from its worst shooting game of the season (37 percent from the floor against Wake Forest two games ago), to shoot 43.5 percent from the floor, including 36.8 percent from long range. The Wolfpack average 86.7 PPG (6th), with six players averaging between 9.0 and 14.3 PPG. 6-5 guard Dorn leads the team in scoring (14.5) and rebounding (7.1) and the lone non-guard in the team's top-six scorers is the 6-10 Funderburk (9.3 & 4.6). 6-7 sophomore forward Jordan Nwora has improved his scoring average from 5.7 as a freshman to 18.5 this season and had a game-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting against Georgia Tech while also contributing with eight rebounds, three assists and a steal. He also leads the Cardinals with 8.1 RPG. Six more Cards average between 6.6 and 10.4 PPG, with PG Cunningham being the only other double digit scorer (10.4 & 4.2 APG). 6-10 junior center Steven Enoch (9.6 & 5.2) added 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting in just 20 minutes off the bench vs Ga Tech, while 6-11 sophomore center Malik Williams (7.6 & 5.3) added 13 points in only 16 minutes. SF Sutton adds 9.9 & 6.8 plus guards McMahon (7.4) and Perry (6.6) add outstanding depth and balance. First-year Louisville coach Chris Mack (note: he led Xavier to eight NCAA berths in his nine seasons) said, "We know we're only as good as our next game. I don't think success is ever final," after the Cardinals dominated all aspects of the game against the Yellow Jackets. Louisville is ranked for the first time this season and now takes on a ranked Atlantic Coast Conference opponent at home for the first time this season (it's a big deal). NC State has been impacted by the absence of PG Markell Johnson (11.6 & 4.1 APG), who has missed the past two games since taking a hard fall on his backside in the Jan 12 home victory against Pittsburgh. "He's a guy who could play on Thursday or could play three or four weeks from now,"head coach Kevin Keatts said (that doesn't sound promising for NC St backers). This wraps up a three-game road stretch for North Carolina State and I believe the Wolfpack come up "way short" in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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01-24-19 | Michigan State v. Iowa +5 | 82-67 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 6 m | Show | |
My 8* Situational Stunner is on Iowa at 7:00 ET. No. 6 Michigan State is 17-2 (8-0 in Big Ten play) and looks to extend its winning streak to 13 in a row when it travels to face No. 19 Iowa (16-3 / 5-3) in a Big Ten matchup at Iowa City. Thursday. The Spartans have won a school-record 20 straight regular-season Big Ten contests and are coming off a 69-55 victory over No. 16 Maryland on Monday, while the Hawkeyes have won five in a row, after routing Illinois 95-71 on Sunday. Michigan State won the first matchup this season 90-68 in December, as 6-9 junior forward Nick Ward led the way with a 10-for-10 shooting effort and 26 points. Junior PG Cassius Winston is the leader for coach Tom Izzo, topping the Spartans in scoring (18.0) and assists (7.3). He's helped ease the loss of the team's third-leading scorer Joshua Langford (15.), who has missed the last six contests with an ankle injury (he is not expected to play here). Up front, MSU is 'loaded' with Ward (15.7 & 6.9), the 6-8 Tillman (8.4 & 7.4) and the 6-7 Goins (7.1 & 9.6). Goins is the team's "glue guy," exhibiting a great feel for MSU schemes on both ends of the floor. The Spartans are averaging 83.8 PPG (20th) and allowing just 66.1 PPG (49th). The Hawkeyes' top two scorers, are 6-9 forwards Tyler Cook (16.5 & 8.2) and the 6-11 Luka Garza (13.9 & 4.9). Iowa start three guards, Wieskamp (11.9 & 5.1), PG Bohannon (11.2 & 3.3 APG) and Moss (10.0). Coming off the bench are 6-6 forward Baer (6.5 & 4.6) and the 6-9 Kriener (5.6 & 2.9). Iowa can score with MSU (82.8 PPG ranks 27th) but allows about a 'TD' more defensively, at 72.2 PPG. Iowa is almost as hot as MSU (13 straight wins), going 10-1 its last 11. The Hawkeyes are an impressive 11-1 at home (averaging 85.7 PPG) and are surely looking to avenge that 90-698 loss at East Lansing in late December. Michigan State's defense, which held Iowa to 32.8 percent shooting in the first matchup, as the lack of outside shooting made it "tough going" inside for Cook and Garza, who combined for just 22 points. However, freshman Wieskamp has caught fire lately, scoring in double figures in nine of the last 10 contests, making Iowa a much more dangerous team to Big Ten foes. The 6-6 guard was perfect against Illinois on Sunday in matching his career high of 24 points, hitting 8-of-8 from the field, including 6-of-6 from three-point range. That kind of accuracy has helped open things up inside for Cook and Garza, as well as making defenders think twice about leaving him to cover Iowa's other shooters. MSU has listed PG Winston as questionable with a knee issue and his loss would be HUGE. Either way, I'm taking Iowa and hoping for some good old home cookin'. Note that Iowa ranked first in the country in free throws made (395) entering Wednesday. Maybe we'll get the Rams/Saints refs in this one? Good luck...Larry |
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01-23-19 | Missouri v. Arkansas -6 | 60-72 | Win | 100 | 14 h 36 m | Show | |
My 9* Rivalry Rout is on Arkansas at 9:00 ET. Missouri is 10-6 overall (1-3 in the SEC) and Arkansas is 10-7, including 1-4 in SEC play. Neither school in this border rivalry can really afford another loss after their respective sluggish starts to SEC play. Each team’s only SEC win came at Texas A&M. The Razorbacks opened conference play with a 73-71 road win over the Aggies back on Jan 5 but Arkansas has since lost FOUR in a row, including blowout losses at Tennessee (106-87) and Ole Miss (84-67) in its last two contests. Meanwhile, the Tigers lost their first three SEC games (all by double digits) but turned in their best defensive effort of the season in a 66-43 victory at Texas A&M on Saturday. Missouri relies on a defense that's allowing 65.2 PPG (that's 38th in the nation but also second in the SEC in scoring defense). However, on the offensive end, Missouri averages just 68.3 PPG (296th). Guards Geist (13.7-4.1-3.2) and Smith (12.0 & 5.4) form a solid backcourt duo while up front, the 6-10 Tilmon (9.9 & 5.9) and the 6-7 Puryear (8.7 & 5.2) are the team's best inside players. Missouri relies heavily on the three-pointer, shooting an SEC-best 39.2 percent from beyond the arc (that's 4th-best in the nation). The Razorbacks are one of the youngest teams in the nation but they do feature have the Preseason SEC Player of the Year in Daniel Gafford. The 6-11 sophomore is averaging 16.5 & 9.4. Arkansas features an very good guard trio in freshman Joe (14.5), sophomore Jones (14.4 & 4.9) and junior PG Harris (8.3 7 6.8 APG). This team is better than its record. The Razorbacks’ current four-game losing streak is their longest since a six-game skid to end the 2009-10 season. It ends here. This border rivalry is made more intense with former Missouri head coach Mike Anderson now leading Arkansas. The Razorbacks won't compete all that well against the SEC elite but Missouri is hardly elite. Lay it. Good luck...Larry |
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01-23-19 | Providence v. Xavier -3 | Top | 64-62 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 8 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Game of the Month is on Xavier at 6:30 ET. Xavier is just 10-7 overall, including 3-3 in the Big East. The Musketeers have already has lost as many conference games as they did in 2017-18, when the team went 15-3 in league play to win the Big East regular-season title. Xavier hasn't spent much time worrying about qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in recent years, having gone 'dancing' in 16 of the last 18 seasons. However, this season is shaping up much differently. The Musketeers are hoping a return home will get them back on track, when they host struggling Providence on Wednesday night. The 11-7 Friars are just 1-4 in Big East play, after losing 79-68 at now-No. 12 Marquette, the school's fourth loss in five games "As a leader of this group, I have to try to keep everyone’s heads up and make sure we’re looking ahead to the next game and not dwell on this loss,” Providence's leading scorer Alpha Diallo said.The 6-7 big guard averages team highs of 17.2 PPG and 8.6 RPG. It's notewiorthy that 6-10 sophomore center Nate Watson (11.1 & 5.4) is becoming a bigger force for the Friars, scoring 16 of his 21 points in the second half against Marquette to match his season-high point total set against Georgetown on Jan 12. However, AJ Reeves, a freshman guard who was averaging 14.2 PPG, has not played since going down with a foot injury on Dec 7. That leaves only Diallo and Watson in double figures. It's my belief that this Xavier team is much better than its record. While the Musketeers have great balance on offense with five players scoring in double figures. The 6-7 Marshall (13.3 & 7.4) leads the way, closely followed by guard Scruggs (12.9 & 5.0), PG Goodin (12.5 & 5.3 APG), the 6-9 Jones (10.7 & 7.4) and the 6-11 Hankins (10.5 & 4.9). Jones registered his second double-double in three games with a career-high 21 points and 12 rebounds against Villanova in Xavier's 10-point loss last Friday. I'm not sure Xavier is going to be NCAA-bound this season but the Musketeers are 9-2 SU at home (holding opponents to 69.6 PPG) and I doubt the team will forget Providence ruining Xavier's Big East tourney experience last season, knocking off the Musketeers 75-72 in OT as 7 1/2-point underdogs. Travis Steele is in his first season as Xavier's head coach but he'll remind this team about that loss, I'm sure. Providence sits in last-place in the 10-team Big East and plays the perfect foil in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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01-22-19 | Wichita State v. South Florida -2 | 41-54 | Win | 100 | 12 h 20 m | Show | |
My 9* Revenge Rout is on USF at 8:00 ET. South Florida saw its seven-game home win streak snapped Saturday as then-No. 21 Houston (now 17th) was too much for the Bulls to handle in a 69-60 loss. It was USF's third straight loss and fourth in five games but the Bulls are 12-6. Not impressed? Let me remind you that USF was 10-22 last year, following seasons of nine, eight and seven wins! The Bulls welcome fellow AAC rival Wichita St to the Yuengling Center tonight. The Shockers are just 8-9, including 1-4 in the AAC. That record is more than a little surprising, considering that Gregg Marshall's team entered the year having won 25 games or more the last NINE seasons (includes an NIT title in 2011 and seven straight NCAA bids, including a Final 4 appearance in 2013). Markis McDuffie, 6-8 senior, did the heavy lifting offensively in Marshall's 66-55 home loss to Cincinnati, scoring 21 points on 7 of-14 shooting. The problem being, the rest of his team totaled just 34 points on 38 shots. McDuffie averages 19.6 & 5.2 but only guard Haynes-Jones (13.0) joins him in double digits. The 6-11 Jaime Echenique, a JUCO transfer, leads the team in rebounding at 5.4 (averages 8.5). Brian Gregory's team won just 10 times last season but he's made great strides this season, already owning 12 wins (despite just one win in the team's last five contests). PG LaQuincy Rideauis a Gardner-Webb transfer, averages 14.3 PPG, 5.6 APG and 3.3 steals per game. He's joined in the backcourt by sophomore guard David Collins, who leads the team in scoring at 14.8 PPG. Finally free of eligibility issues, the the 6-7 Alexis Yetna checks in with 12.7 PPG and 11.2 RPG. Marshall not only lost four starters from last year's team but entered the season having lost two assistants. Witchita State is hard to beat at Charles Koch Arena but the Shockers are 0-4 SU on the road this season, going 1-3 ATS (pointspread win was plus-10 at Houston in a nine-point loss). Wichita St has been outscored on average, 78.5-to-61.5 PPG on the road. Meanwhile, USF is an impressive 10-2 SU at home (no real impost to worry about here). Let me note that the disparity in free throw attempts in Wichita State’s 66-55 home loss to Cincinnati on Saturday (35 attempts by Cincy to 7 for WSU)l ed to head coach Gregg Marshall and freshman Erik Stevenson receiving a pair of crucial technical fouls with 5:31 to play that turned a five-point deficit into an 11-point Bearcats lead. FT disparity could come to play here, as well. No American Athletic Conference team has made or attempted more free throws this season than USF (329-for-527), while no team in the AAC has made or attempted fewer than Wichita State (207-for-295). Good luck...Larry |
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01-22-19 | Villanova v. Butler -1.5 | 80-72 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 18 m | Show | |
My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Butler at 7:00 ET. All are aware that Villanova has won TWO of the last three national championships and with less than two months remaining until Selection Sunday, the Wildcats are beginning to at least partially, resemble those previous teams. Villanova lost four players off last season's national championship team to the NBA, guards Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo plus forwards Mikal Bridges and Omari Spellman. However, since suffering back-to-back losses to Penn and Kansas, the Wildcats have handily beaten UConn (an old Big East rival) and followed with five straight wins in Big East play (14-4 / 5-0 Big East). They vie for their seventh straight victory when they visit Butler on Tuesday The Bulldogs won at DePaul Jan 16 (much-needed 1st road win of the season) and then took down St John's 80-71 at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday. Butler has gone 'dancing' in 10 of the previous 12 seasons but will need to finish strong to keep to do so again this campaign (Butler is just 12-7 / 3-3 in Big East). Seniors Phil Booth (18.4 & 3.8 APG) and Eric Paschall (16.6 & 6.4) combine to average 35 points per game, while Collin Gillespie (11.4 points) has come on strong with 32 points over his last two contests. However, the trio are Villanova's only double digit scorers. Guard Booth has averaged 24.0 points in the past four games, while the 6-8 Eric Paschall has averaged 20.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in the Wildcats' five conference games. Butler coming off a quality 80-71 victory over St. John's on Saturday, as Kamar Baldwin scored a season-high 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He leads the team in scoring at 17.7 PPG (adds 5.7 RPG) and is beginning to get some solid help. George Washington transfer Paul Jorgensen joins him in the backcourt to average 12.3 PPG and PG Thompson has been solid, averaging 6.2 & 4.2 APG. Another guard, McDermott, averages 10.4 PPG. McDermott had 12 rebounds against St John's but the bigger news was that the 6-7 Tucker, the highly-touted Duke transfer, came off the bench to score a career-best 24 points. He's now averaging 10.4 & 5.5 in 10 games since becoming eligible in mid-December. Butler is looking for its THIRD straight win over Villanova in the friendly Hinkle Fieldhouse and why can't the Bulldosg get it? Butler is 9-1 SU at home this season, which is no surprise. After all, Butler entered the season having gone 53--12 at home the previous four seasons (clearly, settling into Big East play). Upset? Not really! Good luck...Larry |
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01-22-19 | Clemson v. Florida State -5.5 | Top | 68-77 | Win | 100 | 11 h 19 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Florida St at 7:00 ET. Florida State lost 80-78 to then-No. 1 Duke on Jan 12 and actually jumped from 13th to 11th in the AP poll released on Jan 14. However, after road losses this past week at Pittsburgh(75-62) and Bocton College (87-82), FSU fell out of yesterday's latest AP poll (surprisingly, FSU checked in at No. 23 in the coaches' poll). The Seminoles return home tonight to host 11-6 Clemson, which at 1-3 in the ACC, is ahead of FSU in the league standings (Seminoles are one of five teams at the bottom of the league with a 1-4 mark). Clemson comes into this contest having just snapped a three-game slide of its own, with a 72-60 home win over Georgia Tech on Wednesday. Senior guard Marcquise Reed scored a career-high 30 points on 10-of-13 shooting while recording four steals against Ga Tech, as Clemson notched its first conference victory. Reed leads the team in scoring at 19.7 PPG and adds 5.4 RPG. Senior forward Elijah Thomas is second in scoring at 13.1 per game, plus leads the Tigers with 7.7 RPG. Guard Mitchell is Clemson's only other player in double digits, averaging 11.9 PPG and a team-high 3.2 APG.Clemson averages a modest 71.5 PPG on the season (240th). FSU has yet to recover from its "close but no cigar" two-point loss at Duke. The team's malaise was evident in its last outing, when FSU led by 10 points at BC at halftime but couldn’t get second half stops, as the Eagles went on to win, 87-82. Mfiondu Kabengele, a 6-10 sophomore, leads a balanced attack with 12.6 PPG, after posting a career-high 26 at Boston College. Senior guard Terance Mann is second on the scoring list at 11.6 PPG. Then there is junior PG Trent Forest (9.9-4.9-3.6), who is averaging 14 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists over his last two contests. However, 6-8 Mike Cofer's foot injury could hurt. He had a breakout season last year (12.8 & 5.1) but has played only seven games this year. It's time for Leonard Hamilton's team to "put up or shut up." FSU was ranked 17th in the AP's preseason poll (ranked 15th by the Blue Ribbon Yearbook) and climbed as high as No. 9 in the AP poll in early January. Finding themselves as one of five teams at the bottom of the ACC at 1-4, is unacceptable. However, Clemson should play the perfect foil here, as the Tigers are playing just their fourth true road game of the season, averaging only 66.3 PPG. Meanwhile, FSU is 8-1 SU at home (lone loss being that two-pointer against Duke), outscoring opponents 82.6-to-69.7 PPG. Good luck...Larry |
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01-21-19 | Marshall v. Western Kentucky -4.5 | 59-68 | Win | 100 | 15 h 15 m | Show | |
My 9* Revenge Rout is on Western Ky at 9:00 ET. The Marshall Thundering Herd are 12-6 overall but 5-0 in C-USA, as they travel to the E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky on Monday night to take on the 9-9 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2-3 in C-USA). Marshall's current 5-game winning streak began with the team's opening of league play and includes a 70-69 home win over Wetern Ky on Jan 12. Western Ky ended a three-game skid with a 105-97 win over FIU the last time out, evening its record at 9-9 on the season. PG Jon Elmore leads Marshall in scoring (20.2) and assists (5.3), while shooting guard CJ Burks checks in at 17.9 PPG (he's had back-to-back 30-point games). The 6-9 Jannson Williams (9.2 & 4.7) tops a group of five players averaging between 5.6 and 9.2 PPG. Marshall averages 81.9 PPG (34th) but allows 81.3 points (341st). Western Ky's leading scorer is Taveion Hollingsworth (16.2 & 4.7) and h led Western Kentucky with 24 points in the win over FIU. Other regular contributors are the 6-11 Bassey (14.1 & 8.9) plus guards Savage (13.4 & 4.7) and Anderson (10.3). This contest has "revenge written all over it." The Hilltoppers were beaten 67-66 by underdog Marshall in the C-USA Tourney last season, costing Western Ky a spot in the Dance (Western Ky had won both regular season meetings). Then on Jan 12 at Huntington, West Va, the Hilltoppers blew an 11-point halftime lead, in a 70-69 loss. Marshall freshman Kinsey scored 23 points in that 70-69 win, NINE points more than had scored in any previous game this season (he enters this game averaging 8.8 PPG)! Marshall may be atop C-USA but the the Thundering Herd checks in just 3-8-1 ATS since Dec 1. REVENGE works in this one. Good luck...Larry |
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01-21-19 | Iowa State v. Kansas -5 | Top | 76-80 | Loss | -112 | 15 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on Kansas at 9:00 ET. Iowa St beat 77-60 Kansas in Ames back on Jan 5 and will now try to sweep the regular season series with the Jayhawks Monday night in Lawrence. The Cyclones lost two straight after beating Kansas but have bounced back with wins over Texas Tech and Oklahoma St. As for Kansas, the Jayhawks answered their loss to the Cyclones with three straight victories but then surrendered the final SEVEN points in Saturday's 65-64 loss at West Virginia. ISU senior Marial Shayock (19.4 & 5.2) is the Big-12's leading scorer. He had 24 points in the Jan 5 win over Kansas plus has added back-to-back 20-point games in the Cyclones' 68-64 win over Texas Tech on Wednesday and 72-59 triumph against Oklahoma State three days later. Head coach Steve Prohm has a perimeter-oriented team, as veteran guards Wiggington (11.9 & 4.4) and Babb (9.7-4.5-4.0) join freshman Horton-Tucker (11.7 & 4.4) and Haliburton (7.8-3.7-4.2) in support of Shayock. The 6-9 Jacobson (13.1 & 6.1) is ISU's only real inside threat. The Lawson brothers transferred from Memphis and were expected to make a HUGE contribution this season for Kansas. Dedric (18.9 & 10.7) has delivered but KJ, who averaged 12.3 & 8.1 for Memphis last season, is averaging only 10 MPG (2.8 & 2.4). Kansas head coach Bill Self has also lost the 7-1 Azubuike (13.4 & 6.8) for the season, so the Jayhawks' 14-year stranglehold on the Big 12's regular season title could be in jeopardy. Kansas' lone senior is Lagerald Vick and he's averaging 15.1 PPG. Fellow guards Dotson (10.9-3.4-3.1), Grimes (8.7) and Garrett (7.2 & 3.4) join Vick on the perimeter. Garrett has scored 35 points in the last two games. Four schools are atop the Big-12 at 4-2 (the other two, Kansas State and Texas Tech meet on Tuesday). While Kansas may not be as good as expected at the start of the season, the Jayhawks have still dominated the Big-12 year after year. Iowa St comes in just 6-13 ATS its last 19 on the road, while Kansas comes in 35-16-3 ATS off a loss. Don't forget, Kansas is 10-0 SU at home, averaging 82.1 PPG. Good luck...Larry |
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01-21-19 | Virginia Tech v. North Carolina -3.5 | 82-103 | Win | 100 | 13 h 18 m | Show | |
My 8* Oddsmaker's Error is on North Carolina at 7:00 ET. No. 9 Virginia Tech bounced back nicely after being routed 81-59 by No. 1 Virginia in its previous game. The Hokies shot 57 percent from the floor while holding the Demon Deacons to 37.5 percent shooting in an 87-71 win. Tech is now 15-2 (4-1 in ACC play) as it heads to Chapel Hill to take on 14-4 North Carolina (also 4-1 in the ACC), which is ranked 13th (both rankings pending the AP's latest poll, which will be released Monday afternoon). The Tar Heels were shocked 83-62 at home by Louisville on Jan 12 but have won two straight, the most recent win coming in an 85-76 victory at Miami on Saturday. Sophomore guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored a team-high 24 points in the win over Wake and is the team's top scorer at 18.2 PPG (4.3 RPG). The 6-10 Blackshear (13.4 & 5.8) checks in behind Walker, followed by guards Robinson (12.8 & 5.4 APG) and Hill (12.8). Tech plays great D (59.5 PPG ranks 5th) and it will be needed here against the high-scoring Tar Heels. The Tar Heels connected on 55% against Miami, including making 18-of-30 (60 percent) in the second half when they pulled away from a 37-37 halftime tie. Senior guard Cameron Johnson scored a game-high 22 and leads North Carolina by averaging 15.9 PPG on the season (also gets 5.7 RPG). The 6-8 Maye averages 14.4 PPG and grabs a team-high 9.9 RPG. Guards White (14.2) and Williams (8.9 & 4.0 APG) also start, as does the 6-9 Brooks (8.7 & 5.8). 6-6 freshman Little (9.9 & 4.3) is an effective sixth-man. Virginia Tech snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Tar Heels with a win in Blacksburg last season but North Carolina leads the all-time series 31-7. Keeping up with North Carolina seems like a "bridge too far" for Va Tech, which has scored just 52 (Ga Tech) and 59 (Va) points in its two ACC road games. North Carolina is averaging 87.3 PPG (5th) and again, the price looks 'cheap!' Lay it. Good luck...Larry |
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01-20-19 | Colorado v. Utah -3.5 | Top | 69-78 | Win | 100 | 11 h 49 m | Show |
My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Utah at 6:00 ET. The Colorado Buffs (10-6 / 1-3 in Pac-12) travel to Salt Lake City to play the 8-8 Utah Utes (2-2 in Pac-12) at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Colorado opened the season 8-1 but enter this contest having lost FIVE of its last seven. Utah owns a .500 overall and conference record. The Utes haven’t had a winning or losing streak longer than two games this season. The Buffaloes now face dealing with an injury to leading scorer McKinley Wright (12.9-4.9-5.3). He missed the second half of the Buffaloes’ Jan. 12 loss to Washington after suffering a shoulder injury and his immediate status is questionable at best (he only returned to practice wearing a brace late in the week) Also, senior Namon Wright is averaging 7.5 points off the bench but has missed the last three games and still wasn’t able to practice this past week. Up front, the 6-7 Bey (12.0 & 9.1) and the 6-10 Siewert (11.4 & 5.0) will be counted on to carry more of the load. Utah's 88-70 win over visiting Washington State on Jan. 12 put the brakes on a two-game slide, as the Utes recovered nicely from their season-low 53 points two nights earlier versus Washington. The freshman trio of Timmy Allen (15 & 9), Both Gach (14 & 4 assists) and Riley Battin (11-4-4) led the way in the win as the youngsters continue to show near-weekly improvement. The 6-6 Allen averages 9.9 & 4.3, the 6-7 Gach 8.1 & 2.5 and the 6-9 Battin 7.1 & 3.4. Senior PG Sedrick Barefield (15.4 & 3.8 APG) and 6-7 sophomore forward Donnie Tillman (11.3 & 5.8) are the only two players averaging double figures for Utah. Sure, Utah's season has been 'stuck in neutral' but that's a better situation than Colorado's, which has seen the team averaging 84.1 PPG in its 8-1 start, fall apart with FIVE losses in its last seven, averaging only 63.2 PPG in those five losses. Utah has outscored opponents 77.9-to-67.4 PPG at home this season and has won EIGHT of the last nine meetings with Colorado, as well as owning SIX straight wins here in Salt Lake City over the Buffs. Everything considered, the price seems 'cheap!' Good luck...Larry |
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01-19-19 | BYU v. San Francisco -6.5 | 63-82 | Win | 100 | 16 h 4 m | Show | |
My 8* CBB Bailout Blowout is on San Francisco at 11:00 ET. The BYU Cougars will travel to War Memorial Gymnasium to take on the San Francisco Dons this Saturday night in WCC action. The Cougars defeated the Pepperdine Waves 87-76 this past Thursday for their third straight win, improving to 12-8 (4-1 WCC) on the season. The Dons also won on Thursday, 53-52 at Pacific, improving to 15-3 (3-1 WCC). BYU can score, averaging 83.5 PPG (23rd), as the the 6-8 Childs leads the Cougars in scoring (22.2) and rebounding (9.8). Guards Haws (18.0& 5.2 APG) and Hardnett (10.9) check in behind him. However, BYU allows 78.2 PPG (311th). San Francisco has nice balance, with a trio of guards in Mineland (15.2 & 5.3), PG Ferrari (13.4 & 5.4 APG) and Ratinho (10.2) all in double figures. Up front, it's the 6-9 McCarthy (9.7 & 6.8), the 7-0 Lull (8.7 & 5.9) and the 6-8 Renfro (6.8 & 5.6). The Cougars check in 2-10 ATS in their last 12 road games, including going 2-6 SU & 1-7 ATS this season (allowing 91.9 PPG)! Meanwhile, the Dons, who rank 18th in points allowed (18th) on tehe season, are 9-1 SU at home. San Francisco had won 20 games just TWICE in 20 years before the arrival of current head coach Kyle Smith. Smith won 20 and 22 games his first two years at SF (lost in the CIT championship game LY) and with 15 wins already TY, is headed for a 'monster' season. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
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01-19-19 | Oregon v. Arizona State -3.5 | Top | 64-78 | Win | 100 | 15 h 36 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on Arizona St at 9:30 ET. Preseason Pac-12-favorite Oregon stumbled to a 0-2 conference start but has rebounded nicely with wins over USC at home last Sunday and at Arizona two nights ago. The Ducks are 11-6 overall (2-2 in Pac-12 play) as they travel to Tempe to take on the ASU Sun Devils (12-5 / 3-2). Oregon opened Pac-12 road play in style Thursday, holding Arizona to 54 points and snapping the Wildcats’ six-game win streak and handing the Wildcats their first league loss. Arizona State also responded in positive fashion Thursday night, bouncing back from an 85-71 road defeat at Stanford by handing visiting Oregon State its first Pac-12 loss in a 70-67 victory. Oregon head coach Dana Altman is learning to deal with the loss of 7-2 freshman Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.2), who is out for the season with a foot injury. Thursday's road win was the big news but Oregon also received a boost with the return of 6-9 sophomore forward Kenny Wooten (6.5 & 5.1), who had five points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes after missing the previous four contests with a broken jaw. Ducks senior forward Paul White said Thursday in the post-game news conference. “And I think our team has done a great job of responding.” White scored a game-high 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting Thursday and is one of two healthy Ducks averaging double figures at 10.8 PPG. Junior PG Payton Pritchard (11.5 PPG) is the other to go along with a team-leading 4.5 APG. He sealed Thursday’s win by draining a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining. Arizona State also responded in positive fashion Thursday night, bouncing back from an 85-71 road defeat at Stanford by handing visiting Oregon State its first Pac-12 loss in a 70-67 victory. The Sun Devils saw an 18-point early-second half lead trimmed to only one with 22 seconds remaining but Rob Edwards closed it out by draining a pair of free throws with 12.1 seconds to play. Edwards scored 13 points to pace five ASU players in double figures. Five ASU players are averaging in double figures on the season, with the 6-8 While averaging 9.2 & 6.0. The double digit scorers are guard Dort (16.6 & 4.6), fellow guard Martin (12.4), the 6-8 Cheatham (11.8 & 9.6), guard Edwards (10.5) and the 6-7 Lawrence (10.2 & 3.9). Oregon has won 11 of the last 12 in the series (including eight straight) but the Ducks are NOT the same without Bol Bol, despite the win Thursday at Arizona. Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils generated national headlines by handing then-top-ranked Kansas its first loss, 80-76, back on Dec. 22. ASU is just 5-5 its last 10 overall but is 8-2 SU at home, averaging 82.9 PPG. Meanwhile, Oregon is averaging a modest 57.2 PPG in its four true road games. ASU takes this with "room to spare!" Good luck...Larry |
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01-19-19 | Oregon State v. Arizona -5 | Top | 71-82 | Win | 100 | 12 h 8 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Arizona at 7:00 ET. 11-5 Oregon State will visit Tucson on Saturday to take on 13-5 Arizona. Both schools suffered theri first Pac-12 loses of teh season on Thursday (each fell to 3-1), as the Beavers lost 70-67 at Arizona State and the Wildcats lost at home to Oregon, 59-54. Oregon State's loss wasn't a surprise (Beavers were point underdogs) but Arizona's loss was. The Wildcats rarely lose at the McKale Center (more on that later) but they trailed 31-23 at halftime and finished with their second-lowest scoring output (54 points) and field-goal percentage (36.5) of the season. Oregon State also endured a rough start in Tempe, falling behind 40-22 early in the second half, before rallying to trim Arizona State’s lead to one in the eventual three-point loss. OSU's 6-8 forward Tres Tinkle (20.1-8.3-4.4) and guard Ethan Thompson (13.2 & 5.6) each scored 21 to combine for 42 of the Beavers’ 67 points Thursday. Thompson’s older brother Stephen (15.2 & 4.7) had an off night with nine points on 3-of-9 shooting, finishing with four fouls and failing to reach double figures for the first time in his last five games. “You have to give their defense credit,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said in his post-game news conference after the Oregon loss. “We were out of sorts, never could get into an offensive rhythm. Several of our guys had a tough night shooting it.” Guard Brandon Randolph leads the Wildcats in scoring at 15.7 per game, failed to reach double figures for the first time all season Thursday, finishing with five points on a 2-of-9 shooting performance. However, Center Chase Jeter, a 6-10 transfer from Duke, posted his fifth double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He isn't making anyone forget DeAndre Ayton, but he is averaging 13.3 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds. Jeter scored just 103 points in 48 games (10.3 minutes per contest) with Duke from 2015-17 before sitting out the 2017-18 season but is more than just a solid contributor this year. PG Brandon Williams rounds out the team's double-digit scorers at 11.4 PPG and 3.6 APG plus has a solid backcourt partner in Justin Coleman (8.9). The Oregon loss was a jolt but Miller has quietly molded this team into a Pac-12 contender (the league is relatively weak this year). Arizona has won 13 of the last 14 meetings in the series, with Oregon State’s only win in the span coming on Jan. 11, 2015. Sure, Arizona lost at home Thursday but how does one ignore that the Wildcats enter this contest a national-best 91-5 at the McKale Center since 2013? Good luck...Larry |
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01-19-19 | Virginia v. Duke -2 | 70-72 | Push | 0 | 12 h 32 m | Show | |
My 9* CBB No. 1 vs No. 1 is on Duke at 6:00 ET. 14-2 Duke holds the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll, at least until Monday's new poll comes out. 16-0 Virginia is ranked just 4th in the AP but the Cavaliers are ranked No. 1 in the coaches' poll, making this just the fourth No. 1 vs. No. 1 meeting in college basketball history. Not a bad setting. This is arguably the biggest game of the college basketball season to date. Let's say up front that Duke is 211-32 while holding the No. 1 ranking under Coach K. Virginia passed one of its stiffest tests of the season with ease on Tuesday night with an 81-59 win over No. 9 Virginia Tech. The Cavaliers scored 44 points on 68 percent shooting in the first half, while holding the Hokies to 22 points on 35 percent shooting. Meanwhile, Duke felt the impact of missing two key players Monday, as Syracuse able to pull off a stunning 95-91 overtime win at Cameron. The Blue Devils were without long-range shooter Cameron Reddish (flu-like symptoms) and PG Tre Jones injured his shoulder early in the first half. Virginia owns a trio of excellent guards in Guy's (15.2 & 4.,3), Hunter (14.4 & 5.2) and PG Jerome (13.2 & 4.9 APG). However, the team's lone big man is the 6-9 Diatkite, who averages 6.6 PPG and just 3.5 RPG. Defense rules at UVa, as the Cavs lead the nation in point allowed (51.7 per), while holding opponents to 37.0% shooting (4th) taht includes 25.1% on threes (1st). Syracuse used its 2-3 zone defense to force Duke into attempting outside shots and the Blue Devils obliged by launching a school-record 43 three-point attempts, making just NINE. RJ Barrett, the ACC’s leading scorer at 23.4 PPG scored 23 but was just 4-of-17 beyond the arc. The 6-7 Zion Williamson (21.2 & 9.4) scored a career-high 35 and pulled down 10 rebounds but missed a go-ahead free-throw with 16.2 seconds remaining in regulation. PG Tre Jones (8.1 & 5.7 APG left the Syracuse loss with a separated shoulder in the opening six minutes but Krzyzewski that Jones likely will be sidelined less than a month. The good news for Duke is that Reddish (13.3) has returned to practice and is expected to play. The Cavaliers have won 12 consecutive ACC road games and last year's victory at Duke snapped a 17-game skid for Virginia in that building. However, with Duke off a home loss, I just don't see the Cavs being able to win here. Virginia has won nine consecutive games against ranked opponents but that streak ends here, against a Duke team averaging a whopping 92.8 PPG at home. Good luck...Larry |
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01-19-19 | Stanford v. Washington State +1 | 78-66 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 33 m | Show | |
My 9* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on Washington St at 3:00 ET. The 8-9 Stanford Cardinal (1-4 in Pac-12 play) will travel to Pullman to take on the 8-9 Washington State Cougars (1-3 in Pac-12 play). Stanford lost its top-two players from last season, forward Travis Reid (19.5 & 87.), who is a graduate transfer at Kentucky, and guard Pickens (14.5). The Cardinal limp into this contest having lost FOUR of five, after an 80-64 loss at Washington on Thursday. As for teh Cougars, they are coming off one of their better showings of the season in Thursday’s 82-59 home win over California. The Cardinal's offense revolves around sophomore wing KZ Okpala (18.1 & 6.5), who is averaging 21.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in five conference games. Stanford needs more consistency from 6-9 sophomore forward Oscar da Silva (9.1 & 5.6) and 7-0 center Sharma (8.4 & 5.10. Guards Davis (11.9) and Ryan (10.0) join Okpala in double digits. Few players are as critical to their team’s success as Washington State senior Robert Franks, who returned to action Thursday and helped the Cougars end a six-game losing streak. The 6-9 forward missed four games with a hip contusion before recording 24 points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench against the Bears. He checks in at on the season. Five players scored in double figures in the win over Cal, including freshman forward CJ Elleby, who finished with 11 points and ranks second on the team in scoring at 15.7 PPG (also adds 6.9 RPG) PG Viont’e Daniels (7.4) has struggled since missing four games due to a concussion at the end of December, but the senior had 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting with four rebounds on Thursday. Head coach Ernie Kent has been pleased by the recent play of junior forward Jeff Pollard (just 4.2 & 2.4 on teh season). who has scored in double figures in two of his past three games. Stanford averages 15.6 turnovers per game, which leads the Pac-12 (a stat no team wants to be No. 1 at). The Cardinal come to Pullman 1-6 SU on the road, allowing 80.3 PPG. That bodes very poorly here at Beasley Coliseum, where the Cougars are a PERFECT 8-0 (7-1 ATS), while averaging 88.9 PPG. Why is this basically a pick'em? Good luck...Larry |
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01-19-19 | Tulsa v. UCF -11 | 62-64 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 13 m | Show | |
My 9* Eye-Opener is on UCF at 12 noon ET. Tulsa won 19 games last year but head coach Frank Haith still has his eyes set on a 20-win season for the Golden Hurricane. Tulsa exploded for a season-high 89 points in six-point home win over UConn on Wednesday and will take 12-6 (2-3 in AAC play) into its game today at UCF. The Golden Knights are 13-3 overall, after their 75-67 Wednesday loss at Wichita State. It was UCF's first loss in eight games and its 1st AAC loss (3-1). Haith believes his Golden Hurricane showed a mental toughness in the win over UConn, as Tulsa was coming off a 20-point loss at SMU. Senior swingman DaQuan Jeffries leads the way offensively for Tulsa, averaging 13.4 points (5.4 RPG), while 6-8 junior forward Martins Igbanu chips in 12.3 & 5.6 and PG Sterling Taplin (9.7 & 4.6 APG). They are typically the glue that holds the team together. However, the Golden Hurricane's hottest player of late has been sophomore forward Jeriah Horne, who is coming off a career-high 27-point performance against UConn and has averaged 12.8 points during league play, compared to 7.8 against non-conference foes. The Golden Knights have a dangerous guard duo in B.J. Taylor (17.2 PPG) and Aubrey Dawkins (16.3 & 5.4). Defense is usually the name of the game for coach Johnny Dawkins' team (63.9 PPG allowed ranks 27rth and 38.9 FG percentage ranks 17th) but in the loss to Wichita State, the Golden Knights allowed the Shockers to shoot 51.9 percent from the floor. The biggest problem for opposing offenses is dealing with the presence of 7-6 Tacko Fall, who averages 10.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and a league-leading 3.06 blocks (note: he is also shooting a conference-best 78.7 percent from the floor). UCF is 9-1 SU at home and is poised for a bounce-back effort from that loss at Wichita St (note that the Shockers are 78-5 the last six-plus years at Koch Arena!) and to avenge last year's 70-61 loss at Tulsa, a contest Tacko Fall missed due to injury. Tulsa has lost its two AAC road games by 20 at SMU and by 18 at Houston, averaging just 56.5 PPG. Lay the points. Good luck...Larry |
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Larry Ness NCAA-B Picks
Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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02-21-19 | Oregon v. USC -2.5 | 49-66 | Win | 100 | 14 h 50 m | Show | |
02-21-19 | San Francisco v. BYU -4 | Top | 77-71 | Loss | -108 | 14 h 52 m | Show |
02-20-19 | North Carolina +9 v. Duke | 88-72 | Win | 100 | 14 h 54 m | Show | |
02-20-19 | Stanford v. Arizona State -7 | 62-80 | Win | 100 | 14 h 57 m | Show | |
02-20-19 | Wichita State v. Tulsa -2.5 | Top | 81-60 | Loss | -111 | 14 h 60 m | Show |
02-19-19 | Florida State v. Clemson -1 | 77-64 | Loss | -105 | 15 h 37 m | Show | |
02-19-19 | Maryland v. Iowa -1.5 | 66-65 | Loss | -115 | 14 h 38 m | Show | |
02-19-19 | Nebraska v. Penn State -3 | 71-95 | Win | 100 | 13 h 38 m | Show | |
02-17-19 | Missouri State v. Loyola-Chicago -5.5 | 65-61 | Loss | -115 | 9 h 30 m | Show | |
02-17-19 | Seton Hall v. Creighton -4.5 | Top | 81-75 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 36 m | Show |
02-16-19 | UCLA v. Stanford | Top | 80-104 | Win | 100 | 15 h 8 m | Show |
02-16-19 | Tennessee v. Kentucky -3.5 | Top | 69-86 | Win | 100 | 13 h 14 m | Show |
02-16-19 | Boise State v. San Diego State -4.5 | 65-71 | Win | 100 | 10 h 41 m | Show | |
02-16-19 | Memphis v. UCF -5.5 | 72-79 | Win | 100 | 11 h 22 m | Show | |
02-16-19 | Temple v. South Florida +1 | 70-69 | Push | 0 | 11 h 18 m | Show | |
02-16-19 | Baylor v. Texas Tech -7 | 61-86 | Win | 100 | 7 h 18 m | Show | |
02-16-19 | Oklahoma v. TCU -5.5 | 71-62 | Loss | -109 | 5 h 11 m | Show | |
02-15-19 | Harvard v. Princeton -1.5 | 78-69 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 48 m | Show | |
02-15-19 | Brown v. Cornell | Top | 66-70 | Win | 100 | 12 h 51 m | Show |
02-14-19 | BYU v. San Diego -3.5 | Top | 88-82 | Loss | -108 | 14 h 53 m | Show |
02-13-19 | Arizona State v. Colorado -1 | Top | 73-77 | Win | 100 | 12 h 31 m | Show |
02-13-19 | Ole Miss v. Auburn -8 | 60-55 | Loss | -112 | 12 h 29 m | Show | |
02-13-19 | Syracuse v. NC State -3 | 58-73 | Win | 100 | 8 h 5 m | Show | |
02-13-19 | SMU v. Temple -4.5 | 74-82 | Win | 100 | 11 h 2 m | Show | |
02-12-19 | Alabama v. Mississippi State -5.5 | 62-81 | Win | 100 | 15 h 7 m | Show | |
02-12-19 | Butler v. St. John's -3.5 | Top | 73-77 | Win | 100 | 15 h 48 m | Show |
02-12-19 | Purdue v. Maryland +1 | 56-70 | Win | 100 | 13 h 42 m | Show | |
02-10-19 | Stanford v. Oregon -6 | 46-69 | Win | 100 | 12 h 46 m | Show | |
02-10-19 | Georgia Tech v. Notre Dame -5.5 | 59-69 | Win | 100 | 10 h 50 m | Show | |
02-10-19 | Connecticut v. Memphis -7 | Top | 71-78 | Push | 0 | 6 h 58 m | Show |
02-09-19 | Washington v. Arizona State -1 | Top | 63-75 | Win | 100 | 13 h 0 m | Show |
02-09-19 | Colorado v. USC -4.5 | Top | 69-65 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 58 m | Show |
02-09-19 | Duke v. Virginia -2 | 81-71 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 13 m | Show | |
02-09-19 | Louisville v. Florida State -3 | 75-80 | Win | 100 | 9 h 11 m | Show | |
02-09-19 | Villanova v. Marquette -1.5 | 65-66 | Loss | -111 | 8 h 45 m | Show | |
02-09-19 | Auburn v. LSU -2.5 | 78-83 | Win | 100 | 7 h 10 m | Show | |
02-09-19 | Wisconsin v. Michigan -6.5 | 52-61 | Win | 100 | 6 h 35 m | Show | |
02-07-19 | Hawaii v. Long Beach State +1 | 77-70 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 7 m | Show | |
02-07-19 | Washington v. Arizona +1.5 | 67-60 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 4 m | Show | |
02-07-19 | Cincinnati v. Memphis +3 | Top | 69-64 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 13 m | Show |
02-07-19 | Houston v. UCF +2.5 | Top | 77-68 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 2 m | Show |
02-06-19 | Georgia v. Alabama -8 | 74-89 | Win | 100 | 12 h 50 m | Show | |
02-06-19 | Colorado v. UCLA -5.5 | Top | 84-73 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 55 m | Show |
02-06-19 | Connecticut v. Temple -3.5 | 63-81 | Win | 100 | 9 h 48 m | Show | |
02-05-19 | Florida State v. Syracuse -2.5 | Top | 80-62 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 56 m | Show |
02-04-19 | Penn State v. Northwestern -3.5 | Top | 59-52 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 11 m | Show |
02-03-19 | Xavier v. Creighton -6.5 | Top | 54-76 | Win | 100 | 6 h 1 m | Show |
02-02-19 | Cal-Irvine -5 v. Long Beach State | 82-80 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 17 m | Show | |
02-02-19 | Alabama v. Auburn -9 | Top | 63-84 | Win | 100 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
02-02-19 | San Francisco v. St. Mary's -5 | Top | 80-86 | Win | 100 | 8 h 16 m | Show |
02-02-19 | North Carolina -1.5 v. Louisville | 79-69 | Win | 100 | 6 h 35 m | Show | |
02-02-19 | Oklahoma -2 v. West Virginia | 71-79 | Loss | -108 | 6 h 58 m | Show | |
02-02-19 | Memphis v. South Florida | 78-84 | Win | 100 | 6 h 57 m | Show | |
02-02-19 | Virginia Tech v. NC State -2 | 47-24 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 57 m | Show | |
02-01-19 | Brown v. Dartmouth +2 | Top | 60-58 | Push | 0 | 12 h 43 m | Show |
02-01-19 | Long Beach State v. Hawaii -8.5 | 57-74 | Win | 100 | 13 h 24 m | Show | |
01-31-19 | Gonzaga v. BYU +14.5 | 93-63 | Loss | -109 | 16 h 0 m | Show | |
01-31-19 | Connecticut v. UCF -7 | 67-73 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 50 m | Show | |
01-31-19 | Xavier v. Georgetown -3 | Top | 73-80 | Win | 100 | 13 h 13 m | Show |
01-30-19 | St. John's v. Creighton -4.5 | Top | 83-67 | Loss | -105 | 14 h 44 m | Show |
01-30-19 | Providence v. Seton Hall -3.5 | 63-65 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 14 m | Show | |
01-30-19 | Ole Miss v. Florida -5 | 86-90 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 43 m | Show | |
01-29-19 | Mississippi State v. Alabama -2 | Top | 79-83 | Win | 100 | 13 h 16 m | Show |
01-29-19 | Kansas +1 v. Texas | 63-73 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 44 m | Show | |
01-28-19 | TCU v. Texas Tech -4.5 | Top | 65-84 | Win | 100 | 14 h 16 m | Show |
01-27-19 | UCF v. Memphis -1 | Top | 57-77 | Win | 100 | 9 h 26 m | Show |
01-27-19 | Cincinnati v. Temple +3 | 72-68 | Loss | -109 | 5 h 27 m | Show | |
01-26-19 | Loyola Marymount v. Santa Clara +1.5 | 69-61 | Loss | -107 | 12 h 48 m | Show | |
01-26-19 | Auburn v. Mississippi State | 84-92 | Win | 100 | 12 h 38 m | Show | |
01-26-19 | UNLV v. San Diego State -5.5 | Top | 77-94 | Win | 100 | 13 h 50 m | Show |
01-26-19 | VCU v. Duquesne +4 | Top | 80-74 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 48 m | Show |
01-26-19 | Alabama v. Baylor -3 | 68-73 | Win | 100 | 6 h 52 m | Show | |
01-25-19 | Butler v. Creighton -2 | Top | 61-75 | Win | 100 | 13 h 19 m | Show |
01-24-19 | Arizona State v. UCLA -1 | Top | 84-73 | Loss | -115 | 14 h 6 m | Show |
01-24-19 | NC State v. Louisville -5.5 | 77-84 | Win | 100 | 11 h 5 m | Show | |
01-24-19 | Michigan State v. Iowa +5 | 82-67 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 6 m | Show | |
01-23-19 | Missouri v. Arkansas -6 | 60-72 | Win | 100 | 14 h 36 m | Show | |
01-23-19 | Providence v. Xavier -3 | Top | 64-62 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 8 m | Show |
01-22-19 | Wichita State v. South Florida -2 | 41-54 | Win | 100 | 12 h 20 m | Show | |
01-22-19 | Villanova v. Butler -1.5 | 80-72 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 18 m | Show | |
01-22-19 | Clemson v. Florida State -5.5 | Top | 68-77 | Win | 100 | 11 h 19 m | Show |
01-21-19 | Marshall v. Western Kentucky -4.5 | 59-68 | Win | 100 | 15 h 15 m | Show | |
01-21-19 | Iowa State v. Kansas -5 | Top | 76-80 | Loss | -112 | 15 h 13 m | Show |
01-21-19 | Virginia Tech v. North Carolina -3.5 | 82-103 | Win | 100 | 13 h 18 m | Show | |
01-20-19 | Colorado v. Utah -3.5 | Top | 69-78 | Win | 100 | 11 h 49 m | Show |
01-19-19 | BYU v. San Francisco -6.5 | 63-82 | Win | 100 | 16 h 4 m | Show | |
01-19-19 | Oregon v. Arizona State -3.5 | Top | 64-78 | Win | 100 | 15 h 36 m | Show |
01-19-19 | Oregon State v. Arizona -5 | Top | 71-82 | Win | 100 | 12 h 8 m | Show |
01-19-19 | Virginia v. Duke -2 | 70-72 | Push | 0 | 12 h 32 m | Show | |
01-19-19 | Stanford v. Washington State +1 | 78-66 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 33 m | Show | |
01-19-19 | Tulsa v. UCF -11 | 62-64 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 13 m | Show |