Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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02-24-17 | Wizards v. 76ers +8 | Top | 112-120 | Win | 100 | 11 h 11 m | Show |
The set-up: The 34-21 Washington Wizards opened the season 2-8 but slowly got things turned around. They then 'sprinted' to the All Star break on an 18-3 run, taking over the top spot in the Southeast Division and climbing to the East's No. 3 seed, just two back of the Celtics. Washington gets back on te heourt tonight in Philadelphia against the 21-35 76ers. Philly's record may not look very good but when one considers this team won just TEN times all of last season, it's been quite a turnaround for this franchise. The pick: Of course, rookie center Joel Embiid (20.2 & 7.8) has been the key to the team's turnaround but he sat out the last 11 games with a knee injury. He made it through a full practice on Wednesday but has yet to be cleared and likely will sit out the next two contests. However, the 76ers closed the first half of the season going 3-2 SU and 5-0 ATS heading into the break, all without Embiid. Note that Saric averaged 20.6 points on 52.6 percent shooting in those last five games, giving a window into why the 76ers moved Ilyasova. Love the way Washington is playing and picking up Bogdanovic is "just what the doctor ordered" but the 76ers are a money-making 20-9 ATS at home. Philly is a 10* play. |
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02-24-17 | Oakland v. Green Bay | Top | 85-72 | Win | 100 | 11 h 4 m | Show |
The set-up: It's Horizon League action Friday night when the 22-7 Oakland Grizzlies visit the 17-11 Green Bay Phoenix. The Grizzlies are 12-4 in the Horizon League, one game back of first-place Valpo, while the Phoenix sit in third-place at 11-5. Oakland: The Grizzlies may be one game back of Valpo but they've beaten the Crusaders in both meetings this season, so a tie at the top would give them the league's No. 1 seed for the tourney. Oakland won its seventh straight game 101-72, this past Tuesday at home over Youngstown State, shooting an impressive 52.0% from the floor. The team knew it could never replace Kay Felder (24.4-4.3-9.3) but guards Martez Walker (17.1) and Dorsey-Walker (12.6-5.2-3.7) plus the 6-7 Hayes (15.7 & 7.9) have this year's team at 22 wins, just one shy of the 23 wins Felder led this team to last season. Green Bay: The Phoenix upset the Grizzlies back on Jan. 27th in Oakland, 80-72. Small had 16 points, while Lowe, Kanter and Jones all had 14 points. Th team's leading scorer is Cooper (13.2 & 5.2) but he had just nine points (4 of 13 shooting) in that first meeting. He's joined in double digits by fellow guards Small (10.7 & 5.2) and Jones (10.6) plus the 6-10 Kanter (10.6 & 5.7). The 6-8 Lowe chips in 6.6 & 5.1. The pick: Since that Jan. 27th loss to Green Bay, Oakland has ripped off seven straight wins and I say make it eight in a row, as the Grizzlies keep the pressure on Valpo to not slip up. Make Oakland a 10* play. |
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02-23-17 | Nuggets v. Kings +7 | Top | 100-116 | Win | 100 | 15 h 52 m | Show |
The set-up: The 24-33 Sacramento Kings begin life without DeMarcus Cousins when they return from the All Star break to host the 25-31 Denver Nuggets. Cousins was traded to New Orleans with the Kings getting Buddy Hield (sixth overall pick of the 2016 draft) and Tyreke Evans (played his first four NBA seasons in Sacramento), Langston Galloway and a 2017 first-round draft pick. Denver: The Nuggets currently hold down the eighth and final Western Conference playoff spot but five teams return from the break within 3 1/2 games of Denver, including the Kings and Pelicans. Injuries have left Denver shorthanded during parts of (most of?) February but the Nuggets were on an 11-8 run heading into the break and just may be getting healthy. Leading scorer Danilo Gallinari (17.2 points, groin injury), fellow forward Kenneth Faried (ankle) and point guard Emmanuel Mudiay (back) may return after missing the final four games before the break plus forward Wilson Chandler (illness) also should be back. Faried averages 9.9 & 8.0, Mudiay 11.8-3.5-4.2 and Chandler 15.6 & 6.7. 6-10 center Jokic (16.3 & 8.9) is quickly becoming the team's MVP, as he averaged 23.4 & 14.4 in the five games prior to the break. Speaking of the All Star break, second-year player Jamal Murray (8.9) scored 236points in the Rising Stars Challenge to earn MVP honors. Sacramento: The Kings can't replace Cousins' 27.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game but they won't miss his NBA-leading 17 technical fouls. Rudy Gay (18.7) has been lost for the season so that means PG Darren Collison leads Sacramento in scoring (13.7 PPG) and center Kosta Koufos is its leading rebounder (5.4 RPG). Cauley-Stein (5.8 & 2.7 in about 13 MPG) figures to get a heavy share of the 34 minutes per game Cousins averaged and Sacramento GM Vlade Divac has always loved Buddy Hield saying, "His work ethic is exactly what we want here." The pick: The Kings had won four straight before getting blasted 109-86 by the Warriors to close the first half and also own four straight wins over the Nuggets.The Nuggets are 10-18 SU on the road and now they come in at about a 'TD' favorite on the road?? I think not. Make Sacramento a 10* play. |
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02-23-17 | Gonzaga v. San Diego +22.5 | Top | 96-38 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 15 m | Show |
The set-up: Gonzaga stayed at No. 1 in the AP's most recent poll (released this past Monday) and is two wins away from completing a perfect 30-0 regular season. The 28-0 Bulldogs (16-0 in WCC play) will host the 12-16 San Diego Toreros Thursday night, who check in at 5-11 in league play. Tonight's winning team is hardly in doubt, with only the margin TBD! San Diego: The Toreros posted a 60-58 double-overtime victory against Santa Clara on Saturday, halting a five-game losing streak. San Diego's starting lineup does not feature a player taller than 6-7. Forwards Brett Bailey (15.9 & 7.0) and Cameron Neubauer (11.0 & 5.4) are 6-6 and 6-7, respectively. They are joined by guard Carter (15.2) but that trio doesn't get much help. Gonzaga: PG Nigel Williams-Goss (a Washington transfer) averages 16.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists, making him a near-lock for WCC player of the year honors. Up front, the 7-1 Karnowski (12.8 & 5.8), 7-0 freshman Collins (10.6 & 5.9) and the 6-9 Williams (9.9 & 5.8) should have their way with San Diego's small frontcourt. Gonzaga averages 85.4 PPG (10th) on 51.4% shooting (3rd). The pick: San Diego only averages 66.0 PPG (322nd) on 41.1% shooting (318th) and in the first meeting this year, lost 79-43. Yes, Gonzaga has ripped off 20 consecutive double-digit victories but this impost is more than just a double digit one, it's more than three 'TDs!' Take the points and make San Diego a 10* play. |
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02-22-17 | Oregon State v. Stanford -13.5 | Top | 66-79 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 28 m | Show |
The set-up: The 5-23 Oregon State Beavers and the 13-13 Stanford Cardinal have each had disappointing seasons (particularly OSU) but both enter this contest off impressive wins. OSU rallied from a 13-point second-half deficit to record their first league victory in Sunday's 68-67 upset of Utah. Meanwhile, Stanford played just once last week but made it count, taking down its biggest rival Cal, 73-68 at Maples Pavilion which handed a severe blow to Cal's at-large NCAA Tournament hopes. Oregon State: The Beavers' season all but ended when 6-8 forward Tres Tinkle (20.2-8.3) broke his wrist after six games. Oregon State opened the season by going 4-9 in non-conference play but lost its first 14 Pac 12 games, before breaking through this past Sunday. Guards Thompson scored a career-high 31 points in the win over Utah and leads the team in scoring at 16.8 PPG. Fellow guard McLaughlin (11.1 &3.1 APG) plus the 6-10 Eubanks (14.7 & 8.2) are really all the significant contributors OSU has now, without Tinkle . The pick: Johnny Dawkins was fired at Stanford after eight years, because he led the team to just one NCAA appearance. He did win two NIT titles but the Stanford faithful wanted NCAA, not NIT bids. It's ironic that in his first season as Stanford's head coach, Jerrod Haase's would love to get his team into the NIT. Stanford is 20-2 at Maples Pavilion against Oregon State since 1993 and the Beavers have yet to win on the road this year (0-11 SU getting outscored 80.8-63.0 PPG), so I'll make Stanford a 10* play. |
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02-22-17 | Providence v. Creighton -8 | Top | 68-66 | Loss | -108 | 13 h 18 m | Show |
The set-up: The 16-11 Providence Friars (6-8 in Big East play) will be on the road Wednesday night to take on the 22-5 Creighton Bluejays (9-5 in Big East). The Friars are going nowhere in the Big East (tied for 6th in a 10-team league) but own home wins the last two games over Butler and Xavier. Creighton only has slim conference title hopes (Villanova is 11-2) but the team routed Georgetown on Sunday, 87-70. The pick: Providence has won six of the eight meetings between the teams since Creighton joined the Big East prior to the start of the 2013-14 season but one of those two Creighton wins came in Providence back on Jan. 7, as the Blue Jays ended a five-game losing streak to the Friars with a 78-64 road victory. Creighton will visit No. 2 Villanova on Saturday but a loss here would take a lot of luster off that showdown. Make Creighton a 10* play. |
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02-22-17 | Duke -3.5 v. Syracuse | Top | 75-78 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 18 m | Show |
The set-up: Coach K has returned to the bench and the 22-5 Blue Devils will take a seen-game winning streak (Coach K has been on the sidelines for the last five) into tonight's game in the Carrier Dome against 16-12 Syracuse. The 10th-ranked Blue Devils are 10-4 in ACC play and the Orange just 8-7, as two of the most successful coaches in college basketball history go head-to-head. Mike Krzyzewski holds a modest 4-3 edge against Jim Boeheim Duke: The Blue Devils have climbed to within one game of ACC-leading North Carolina but none of the team's seven straight victories have come by more than 10 points. However, Duke has finally found some consistency after being derailed by injuries early in the season. The Blue Devils have used the same lineup six times during their seven-game winning streak. Grayson Allen (15.2-4.3-4.0) has settled into the PG spot and he and 6-9 senior Amile Jefferson (11.2-8.8) both continue to play through nagging injuries. Sophomore swingman Luke Kennard (20.0-5.1) has been Duke's most consistent scorer and has made a three-pointer in 30 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the ACC. Then there is 6-8 freshman Jayson Tatum (16.4-7.1), who gets better by the game. The 6-10 Harry Giles was the more heralded freshman coming in but injuries set him back "big time" and in just 16 games, he's averaging 4.8 & 4.1, playing a modest 12 minutes, on average.Syracuse: The Orange lost 71-65 at Georgia Tech on Sunday night, shooting 35.7% from the floor, including just 8 of 30 on threes. It was Syracuse's third straight loss and now the Orange draw Duke, one of the hottest team in college hoops. The 6-7 White (17.9-4.8) and the 6-9 Lydon (13.6-8.1) will hold their own up front but guards Gillon (10.6-5.4 APG) and Battle (9.8) figure to be over-matched on the perimeter. The pick: The two previous Duke-Syracuse games at the Carrier Dome sold out and set the NCAA on-campus record with crowds of 35,446, so expect a raucous crowd again tonight. Yes, Duke hasn't won by big margins in its winnings streak (just 6.4 points, on average), but a 6-7 points win here, gets the CA$H! Duke is an 8* play. |
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02-21-17 | Indiana +2.5 v. Iowa | Top | 90-96 | Loss | -115 | 20 h 47 m | Show |
The set-up: The 15-12 Indiana Hoosiers take their 5-9 Big Ten record to Iowa City to face the 14-13 Iowa Hawkeyes, who are not much better in league play at 6-8. Iowa's at-large chances are almost nil and Indiana's are heading towards nil fast, after four consecutive losses and six in the last seven games! Indiana: How the mighty have fallen. The Hoosiers opened the season as the AP's 11th-ranked team and in the Armed Forces Classic over in Honolulu back on Nov 11, took down the AP's 3rd-ranked team Kansas, 103-99 in OT. When the Hoosiers met Butler in Indianapolis on Dec 17, they were 8-1 and ranked 9th (had earlier been as high as No. 3!). However, Indiana lost to Butler and not much has gone right since, as doing the math, the Hoosiers are 7-11 since that 8-1 start.The team's recent slide has severely jeopardized its chances for an at-large bid. It's been a injury-plagued stretch but leading scorer James Blackmon Jr. (17.0 & 4.8) and 6-8 sophomore forward Juwan Morgan (7.0 & 5.3) both played well in Indiana's recent 75-74 hard-luck loss at Minnesota. Blackmon scored 22 in his third game back from a leg injury and Morgan had 14 points for his best output since returning from a foot issue last month. Junior guard Robert Johnson ranks second on the team in scoring (13.2 & 4.2) but is trending in the opposite direction while averaging 4.3 points on 4-of-24 shooting in his last three games. The 6-10 Bryant (13.1 & 7.0) is a solid contributor (although he's averaged just 8.0 PPG on 6-of-22 shooting over his last two games) but a real 'killer' was the 6-8 Anunoby (11.1 & 5.7) being lost for the season with a knee injury in mid-January. Iowa: Senior guard Peter Jok leads the Big Ten in scoring (20.4) but overall, Fran McCaffrey's team is young. Freshman forward Tyler Cook is the only Hawkeye other than Jok scoring in double digits (11.7 & 4.5), while freshman guard Jordan Bohannon tops the team in assists (4.4) and avergages 9.2 PPG. The Hawkeyes' losing streak stands at three following a 70-66 home loss to Illinois on Saturday. "Sometimes you've got to go through it, and experience it - the good, the bad," coach Fran McCaffery told reporters. "You know, if you're out of the game, what did your teammates do right? What did they do wrong?" The pick: Both teams score well, as Indiana ranks second in the Big Ten at 80.3 PPG and Iowa third at 79.9. Indiana misses Anunoby but is getting healthier and a late-season run is not hard to imagine. The Hoosiers have won five of the last six meetings overall with the Hawkeyes, including two straight in Iowa City. Make it three straight, as Indiana is an 8* play. |
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02-21-17 | Evansville v. Wichita State -19.5 | Top | 83-109 | Win | 100 | 19 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: The 14-15 Evansville Purple Aces (5-11 in MVC play) draw a tough assignment Tuesday night when they visit Wichita to take on the 25-4 Wichita State Shockers (15-1 in MVC play). A 10-game win streak has vaulted Wichita State into the AP poll for the first time this season (at No. 25), making it the sixth straight season in which the Shockers have been ranked in the AP's top-25. It matches the school record for such a streak, first set from 1960-66., Evansville: The Purple Aces were on a surprising four-game winning streak heading into Saturday but it abruptly ended when they lost at Bradley 84-72, by getting outscored 43-17 to end the game (note: Bradley is just 10-19 on the season). Senior guard Jaylon Brown (20.3) leads the MVC in scoring and free-throw percentage (86.1) but only sophomore guard Ryan Taylor (14.9) joins him in averaging double-figures on the season. The drop-off after this guard duo is severe, as no other Evansville player averages as much as 7.0 PPG and the team's best big man is the 6-8 Howard, who averages modest totals of 6.5 PPG and 5.1 RPG. Wichita State:The Shockers crushed Northern Iowa 73-44 on Saturday to reach 25 wins for the eighth straight season and shares the MVC lead with Illinois State. There are just two games to play prior to the conference tourney (Arch Madness), as Wichita St.pursues its fourth straight MVC regular-season title. The 2016-17 season was expected to be a rebuilding one with Ron Baker and Fred VanVleet (two of the greatest players school in history) gone to the NBA but that hasn't been the case. "Those guys have gotten so much better since earlier this year,'' Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall told reporters about his streaking team. "The only thing I can say to anyone who doesn't think we're an NCAA Tournament team is they don't watch enough basketball. All you have to do is watch our team." The 6-8 McDuffie leads the team in scoring (a modest 11.8 PPG) and rebounding (a modest 5.9 RPG) but that hardly tells the whole story. Wichita can score (81.5 PPG ranks 26th in the nation) and can also defend, allowing just 62.2 PPG (11th) on 37.4% shooting (3rd)! The pick: Yes, the number is high but the Shockers have won the last eight meetings with the Purple Aces by an average of 15.5 PPG, as well as 14 of the last 15 encounters at Charles Koch Arena. Wichita State has won by an average margin of 24.2 PPG during its current 10-game winning streak, featuring a lineup in which 10 players average 13 MPG and at least 4.8 PPG. Talk about balance AND depth. Lay the points and make Wichita St. a 10* play. |
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02-21-17 | Rhode Island -3 v. La Salle | Top | 67-56 | Win | 100 | 17 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: It's A-10 action tonight from Philly, as the 17-9 Rhode Island Rams take on the 14-11 La Salle Explorers at the Tom Gola Arena. (if you don't know Gola's name, you are way too young!). The Rams have won seven of 10 and are 9-5 in conference play (tied with Richmond), three games back of 12-2 VCU and Dayton. The Explorers are 8-6 in league games and come in having won six of their last eight home contests. Rhode Island: More was expected out of the Rams this year, as the Blue Ribbon Yearbook listed them at No. 25 before the season. The Rams haven't ever looked like a top-25 team this year. The starting-five is guards Matthews (14.8 & 4.2), Terrell (12.6) and Dowtin (5.6), joined up front by the 6-7 Martin (13.8 & 6.1) and the 6-9 Iverson (9.4 & 7.5). Guards Garrett (7.5) and Robinson (6.1) are the top reserves. La Salle: The Explorers top-five scorers are all listed as guards, with Robinson (18.0 & 6.3), Price (16.5 & 4.3) and Powell (13.1 & 4.2) scoring in double digits. The team gets very production from its frontcourt, as the biggest contributors are the 6-9 Henry (5.9 & 4.0) and the 6-10 Washington (5.1 & 4.1). The pick: I noted earlier that La Salle has played well at home recently. However, the Explorers are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a home underdog, while the Rams are 7-0-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings at La Salle. That makes sense, as the road team is 13-3-1 ATS in the last 17 meetings in this series. Make Rhode Island a 10* play. |
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02-20-17 | Iowa State +1.5 v. Texas Tech | Top | 82-80 | Win | 100 | 20 h 57 m | Show |
The set-up: The 17-9 Iowa State Cyclones and the 17-10 Texas Tech Red Raiders are both considered 'bubble' teams for at-large bids to the big Dance. The Cyclones are 9-5 in the Big 12, putting them in a stronger position than the Red Raiders, who check in at just 5-9 in league play (four games left for both teams in regular season play). Iowa State: The Cyclones won the first meeting between the two schools, 63-56 in Ames back on Dec. 30th. ISU comes in on a three-game winning streak, as well as four wins in the eteam's last five. That 4-1 run includes a resume-building 92-89 victory over Kansas in Lawrence and also includes wins over Oklahoma, Kansas State and TCU, all by at least eight points. “That’s when you want to play your best basketball – late in the season,” Cyclones senior guard Naz Mitrou-Long said in a news conference after scoring a game-high 25 points Saturday vs. TCU. “I definitely feel we’re starting to do that. We’re putting some complete games together.” Long (15.9 & 4.8) is one of four players (all listed as guards) who average in double figures. The others are PG Morris (16.0-4.5-6.0), Burton (14.3 & 6.7) and Thomas (11.6 & 4.1). The Cyclones can trdde points with most teams, averaging 80.7 PPG (34th). Texas Tech: Chris Beard's (of Arkansas-Little Rock fame) first season at Tech has not been a smashing success, as Saturday's hard-luck OT loss at West Va. dropped Texas Tech to 1-7 SU on the road this season. However, the Red Raiders are a 'tough out' here in Lubbock, where they are 15-2 this season, which includes last Monday’s 84-78 win over Baylor. Guard Evans (15.7) is the team's leading scorer but the team's strength is up front with a trio of 6-8 players in Smith (13.0 & 7.5), Livingston (10.6 & 3.7) and Ross (8.8 & 2.8). Texas Tech has lost three of four but two of its next three games are in Lubbock, The pick: As noted, Tech has been a strong home team but while the team owns an "inside edge" over the perimeter-oriented Cyclones, one can see by the above numbers than neither Livingston nor Ross are good rebounders. Iowa State has won six of the last eight meetings with Texas Tech and makes it SEVEN of nine, here. Iowa State is a 10* play. |
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02-20-17 | Boston College v. Florida State -19 | Top | 72-104 | Win | 100 | 18 h 57 m | Show |
The set-up: The 9-18 Boston College Eagles take their 2-12 ACC record on the road to play the 21-6 Florida State Seminoles, who are 9-5 in ACC play and currently rank 17th in the latest AP poll (new poll will be out prior to tip-off). Boston College: Head coach Jim Christian's star shown brightly at Kent State, where he averaged 22.8 wins per season in a six-year stint (two NCAA appearances). That got him the TCU job were he flopped miserably, going 56-73 in four years. He returned to the MAC with Ohio U. and won 24 and 25 games in two seasons but then it was off to BC and the results have been 'ugly.' He was 13-19 his first season, 7-25 last year ahe future, as Robinson averages 19.1-3.9-3.1 and Bowman 14.1-4.7-2.9. However, it seems highly unlikely that Christian will be around too much longer, as BC limps into Tallahassee on a 10-game losing skid. Florida State: The Seminoles have mostly been known for their defense in the Leonard Hamilton era but FSU has found an offense this season, averaging 83.6 PPG (16th). A trio of guards start, including leading scorer Bacon (16.8), PG Rathan-Mayes (10.3 & 4.7 APG) and Macon (9.1). Up front, 6-10 freshman Isaac (12.7 & 7.7), who figures to be a "one & done," is joined by the 7-1 Ojo (5.3 & 2.5). FSU returns home off a two-game road swing in which the team lost to Notre Dame and Pitt, falling from a tie atop the ACC with North Carolina. The fall has been dramatic, as the Seminoles enter this game alone in fifth-place in the top-heavy ACC. The pick: It's time to 'get well' against a Boston College team which didn't play a true road game until January and is 0-6 SU on the ACC road. FSU's road struggles are real (5-6 SU) but they are 16-0 at the Donald L. Tucker Center, going 10-3-1 ATS while outscoring lined opponents 91.6-to-70.6 PPG. Florida State has won five straight meetings with Boston College, including a 22-point decision in the first round of last season's conference tournament. Another 'three-TD' win (or more), is the expected result in this one. FSU is a 10* play. |
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02-19-17 | East v. West -6 | Top | 182-192 | Win | 100 | 19 h 50 m | Show |
The set-up: The NBA's All Star weekend concludes with tonight's East vs. West All Star game from New Orleans. Brad Stevens (East) and Steve Kerr (West) are the coaches but as they noted, coaching is not an integral part of this game (exhibition?). Kerr will have the unique opportunity to put four of his players on the court at the same time, PG Curry, SG Thompson plus forwards Durant and Green. However, as most likely know, the 'drama' will be not if Kerr chooses to play his four Warriors at the same time but whether Kerr will put OKC's Russell Westbrook on the court with Durant. I think all know the history. The pick: The West won 196-173 last year and 163-158 the year before, as Westbrook walked away with MVP honors both times. In a game loaded with stars, the West stars will shine brighter again tonight and maybe Russell will once again walk away with that 'cherished' MVP trophy. The West is an 8* play. |
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02-19-17 | Georgetown v. Creighton -6.5 | Top | 70-87 | Win | 100 | 14 h 54 m | Show |
The set-up: The 14-12 Georgetown Hoyas play at No. 20 Creighton on Sunday afternoon. The Bluejays are 21-5 overall, including 8-5 in the Big East. It's been a tough season for Georgetown and head coach John Thompson III, as the Hoyas are only 5-8 in league play. Georgetown: Thompson led Georgetown to 11 straight postseasons (eight NCAA and three NIT) to open his coaching career at the school made famous by his father but last year's 15-18 season has now been followed by this year's 14-12 record, so far. The Hoyas are led by a pair of 6-5 guards, Pryor (a Robert Morris transfer) and Peak. Pryor averages 18.3 PPG and 5.2 RPG, while Peak averages 16.6 PPG and 3.6 APG. Th 6-10 Govan and the 7-0 Hayes give Georgetown some wide bodies inside but these days, Hayes (4.3 & 4.4) is becoming less and less of factor. In contrast, Govan scored a season-high 23 point in an 80-62 home win over Marquette back on Feb. 11, which was the last time Georgetown played. Creighton: The Bluejays opened 18-1 (5-1 in Big East games) but have been a sub-.500 team since, at 3-4 (all league games). Adding insult to injury, Creighton is now playing without Maurice Watson Jr. (national-best 8.5 assists per game) after he suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-January. His loss directly coincides with the team's current 3-4 slide. However, the cupboard is hardly bare. Foster (18.0) and Thomas (12.1 & 5.6) can match up with Pryor and Peak in the backcourt plus the 7-0 Patton (13.7 & 6.3) is easily the equal of Govan and gets help from the 6-8 Huff (9.2 & 4.0). The pick: Creighton will be playing with a chip on its shoulder after losing badly at Georgetown back on Jan. 25th, 71-51! Guards Foster and Thomas combined for just 16 points on 7-of-24 shooting in that game, while allowing Pryor and Peak to get 38 points on 15 of 30 shooting. However, 7-0 freshman center Patton dominated Govan in that game, scoring 20 points and adding seven rebounds. Creighton shot 1 of 18 on threes in that contest but remember, this is a team which comes into this game shooting 52.1 percent from the floor (2nd-best in the nation), including 41.1 (5th) on threes. No way the Bluejays shoot poorly here at home, where they average 84.2 PPG. Revenge works. Make Creighton a 10* play. |
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02-19-17 | Maryland v. Wisconsin -6.5 | Top | 60-71 | Win | 100 | 11 h 24 m | Show |
The set up: Maryland joined the Big Ten before the 2014-15 season and the Terrapins currently own the top winning percentage in the conference at .793, while Wisconsin is second at .784 during teh same time frame. Maryland, Wisconsin and Purdue all entered this weekend tied at 10-3 atop the Big Ten but Purdue moved to 11-3 with Saturday's easy 80-63 win over Michigan State. Later this afternoon, either Maryland or Wisconsin will join them, with the loser of the game falling one game behind with four games left before the conference tourney. Maryland: The Terps are 22-4 overall, after following a two-game slide with solid wins over Ohio State and Northwestern. Melo Trimble (17.2-3.5-3.5) is coming off a career-high 32 points in Wednesday's win over Northwestern, shooting 12 of 17 from the floor. Trimble had an opportunity to declare for the NBA Draft after last season but in an effort to improve his stock, he returned to school. He's had a 'choppy' year at best, as he was a combined 16-for-52 (30.8%) from the floor over his previous four games prior to his outstanding effort against Northwestern. Maryland's only other double digit scorers this season are both freshman, the 6-7 Jackson (11.0 & 6.3) and guard Cowan (10.7-4.0-3.7). Wisconsin: The 21-5 Badgers enter today's game off back-to-back losses, the most recent being a 64-58 defeat at Michigan on Thursday. More bad news from that game is that The pick: Maryland owns a 6-1 record in Big Ten road games this season but I'm still not sold on the Terps. Koenig participated in shooting and drill sessions during a short practice on Friday but his status is still unclear for the Badgers against the Terps. That said, after back-to-back losses, I want no part of going against Wisconsin in this game. The Badgers are a defensive 'giant,' allowing only 60.5 PPG to ranjk 4th in the nation. They are 13-1 SU at home, holding lined opponents to just 55.8 PPG. Koenig or no Koenig, Wisconsin is a 10* play. |
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02-18-17 | St. Mary's -4.5 v. BYU | Top | 70-57 | Win | 100 | 14 h 50 m | Show |
The set-up: Saint Mary's is 23-3 (13-2 in WCC play) and ranked No. 22 in the latest AP poll. The Gaels will be in Provo tonight to take on the 19-9 (10-5 in WCC) BYU Cougars, who have lost only twice on their home court this season. The Cougars' only setback at the Marriott Center in WCC play came at the hands of Gonzaga. St. Mary's: The Gaels expect to see Gonzaga again in the WCC championship game and remembering that last year's 27-5 record was not enough to earn an NCAA at-large bid, a loss here and against Gonzaga, would leave them with at least five losses this season (trouble?). The Gaels bounced back from a loss to No. 1 Gonzaga last Saturday by routing Loyola Marymount 81-48 on Thursday night. Junior center Jock Landale recorded his 12th double-double of the season on Thursday and leads the Gaels in scoring (17.0) and rebounding (9.5), sharing the WCC lead in rebounding with the Cougars' Eric Mika. Both Naar (9.8 & 5.3 APG) and Rahon (8.7-4.1-5.8) are comfortable playing the point plus the 6-6 Hermanson (12.5) and the 6-9 Pineau (6.5 & 6.30 help out Landale up front. BYU: I noted 6-10 center Mika's rebounding skills earlier but he also has 16 double-doubles on the season, averaging 20.0 PPG. Childs, a 6-8 freshman, helps out averaging 9.4 & 8.6. A trio of guards all average in double digits, led by freshman PG Haws (14.3-3.0-3.3) plus Emery (13.3) and Bryant (10.1). BYU is 14-2 SU at home, losing to only Gonzaga and shockingly, to Utah Valley State. The pick: BYU fell at St. Mary's 81-68 back on Jan. 5. The Gaels shot 55 percent from the floor, had 21 assists on 31 FGs and outrebounded the Cougars, 37-27. The Cougars are hoping to have better answers for the Gaels' offense in the rematch but I wouldn't bet on it. St Mary's is 8-1 SU (7-3 ATS) on the road, losing to only Gonzaga. A loss to anyone else this year (other than to the Bulldogs) just may doom the team's at-large hopes. One could call this a "must-win!" St. Mary's is a 10* play. |
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02-18-17 | Michigan State +10 v. Purdue | Top | 63-80 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 56 m | Show |
The set-up: It's rare for a Tom Izzo team to be on the NCAA 'bubble' but that's the case here in 2017, as 16-10 Michigan State (8-5 in Big Ten play) visits West Lafayette to take on the 16th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers, who are 21-5 overall, including 10-3 in Big Ten play. Michigan State: The Spartans enter having won four of five and could they be finding their groove? Tuesday's 74-66 win over Ohio State moved them into a tie for fourth place with Northwestern in the Big Ten. "We're a grinder team, and I'm proud of my guys for being that way," Spartans coach Tom Izzo said after the victory over the Buckeyes. "It's a blue-collar team and I don't mind people calling me a blue-collar coach." MSU is also a young team. The 6-7 Bridges (16.2 & 8.4) is a star plus is joined by fellow freshman forward Ward (13.2 & 5.9) and PG Winston (7.2 & 5.3 APG). Senior guard Harris (11.1) is the best veteran. Purdue: The Boilermakers are now in a three-way tie for first place in the Big Ten with Maryland and Wisconsin, which has lost back-to-back games. Meanwhile, Purdue has won four in a row and nine of its last 11. Talking about stars, 6-9 sophomore forward Caleb Swanigan (18.7 & 13.0) has recorded eight consecutive double-doubles and leads the nation with 22. The 7-2 Haas (13.2 & 5.3) doesn't start but is the team's second-leading scorer. Starting alongside Swanigan up front is the 6-8 Vince Edwards (11.7 & 5.0) with that duo joined by a three-guard lineup which includes freshman Carsen Edwards (10.9) plus juniors Mathias (9.9-3.6-3.8) and Thompson (7.3). The pick: Purdue head coach Matt Painter, whose Boilermakers lost to Michigan State in the 2016 Big Ten tournament championship game in Indianapolis, is impressed with how the Spartans are playing in February. "They have made strides since we played them in January," Painter said. "They were coming off two road losses when we played them. When you go back and watch tape, it's always interesting to see what you did well, what you struggled at and how we could have been better." Yes, Purdue handled MSU the first time but still, has dropped eight of its past 10 against Michigan State, despite notching that victory last month. As for Painter, he's just 8-13 against Izzo and the the Spartans. Take the points and make Michigan State a 10* play. |
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02-18-17 | Notre Dame -5 v. NC State | Top | 81-72 | Win | 100 | 4 h 51 m | Show |
The set-up: Notre Dame (20-7 / 9-5 in ACC) returned to the AP top-25 this past Monday and Saturday afternoon will head to Raleigh to take on the 14-13 NC State Wolfpack, NC State is just 3-11 in ACC play and Thursday fired head coach Brian Gottfried, making the unusual choice of allowing him to finish the season coaching the team. Notre Dame: Mike Brey, ND's head coach, expects a better effort from the Wolfpack here than the ones that have caused the Wolfpack's six-game slide. "Throw out the record of North Carolina State given the dynamics of the program right now," Brey said. "They're going to play great. We are going to have to play fabulous to win a road game." Notre Dame came off a 24-win season that ended in the Sweet 16 and this year, opened 16-2, including 5-0 in ACC play. Doing the math, that makes the Irish only 4-5 since, all in league action. However, Notre Dame has recovered from a four-game slide to enter on a three-game winning streak. Colson, a 6-5 small forward, leads in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (10.7). He's joined in double figures by the 6-8 Beachem (15.0 & 3.9) plus guards Farrell (14.7 & 5.5 APG) and Vasturia (14.1-3.8-3.4). That quartet is basically the entire team, as no other player averages more than 5.2 PPG. NC State: Since beating Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in late January for the first time since 1995, NC State has lost six straight, with four defeats coming by 24 points or more. The Wolfpack were picked to finish 6th in the preseason but are 14th (15-team league) and have shown zero signs of life other than freshman guard Dennis Smith Jr. He averages 19.0-4.4-6.7 and is almost surely a "one-and-done" player! The Wolfpack have been a defensive sieve in their losing six-game streak, allowing 91.5 PPG. The pick: Notre Dame should have little trouble scoring on NC State, as the Wolfpack have allowed at least 84 points in each of their last six games (all losses). No reason to think that the 'troops' will rally around Gottfried as the feeling around the school has better been described as "Good Riddance!" Make Notre Dame an 8* play. |
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02-17-17 | Valparaiso +1 v. Oakland | Top | 71-82 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 13 m | Show |
The set-up: It's Horizon League action Friday night as the 21-5 Valparaiso Crusaders go on the road to take on the 19-7 Oakland Golden Grizzlies. Valpo leads the conference with an 11-2 mark and Oakland sits in second place at 9-4, although the Grizzlies won the first meeting this year at Valparaiso, 78-66! |
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02-16-17 | Celtics +1 v. Bulls | Top | 103-104 | Push | 0 | 12 h 33 m | Show |
The set-up: Two All Stars square off Thursday night as Isaiah Thomas (29.9 & 6.3 APG) leads the 37-19 Boston Celtics into Chicago to take on Jimmy Butler (24.4-6.3-4.9) and the 27-29 Bulls. Boston's PG looks to record a team-record 41st consecutive 20-point performance, as last night he scored 33 points in a 116-108 home win over Philly to match John Havlicek's franchise mark of 40 set back in 1971-72. Chicago swingman Butler, who had missed four of five games, scored 19 points and matched his season best of 12 assists in Tuesday's 105-94 victory over Toronto. Adding a little more suspense to the mix, the Celtics have been linked to Butler in trade speculation. Boston: Thomas' backcourt partner Avery Bradley (17.7 & 6.9) has been sidelined by an Achilles problem, missing 19 of Boston's last 20 games. He's out again tonight but led by Thomas' superb play, Boston has won 14 of the 19 games Bradley has missed, with the Celtics surging to a 4 1/2-game lead over Toronto in the Atlantic Division plus currently own the East's No. 2 seed, just 2 1/2 games back of the Cavs. Thomas has topped 25 points in 10 consecutive contests (averaging 33.9 PPG during that span) and has scored 35 or more on 14 occasions this season. After some early season injury issues, center Horford (14.8-6.7-5.0) and SF Crowder (14.0 & 5.7) have settled in to deliver Boston consistent efforts in support of Thomas' outstanding play. Chicago: The Bulls shook things up after missing last year's playoffs with Rose and Noah going to the Knicks and Gasol to the Spurs. However, the "new-look" Bulls (Wade and Rondo were the big additions) are sub-.500 and while they currently own the East's 7th-seed, they are uncomfortably only 1 1/2 games inside the playoff 'cut line.' Wade has averaged 19.1-5.2-3.8 and Rondo a very disappointing 6.6-5.2-6.5. Wade's wrist has kept him out of the last two games (three of the last four) and his availability for tonight's contest will be determined after Thursday's shootaround. Forward Nikola Mirotic (9.0 & 5.1) also has missed the last two contests with a back issue and appears unlikely to play on Thursday. The pick: The Bulls are barely hanging onto one of the last two playoff spots in the East plus find themselves surrounded by trade rumors involving not just Butler (the team's lone All Star) but power forward Taj Gibson and center Robin Lopez, as well. Meanwhile, the Celtics have won four straight and 11 of their last 12 games. Boston is a 10* play. |
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02-16-17 | Wisconsin v. Michigan | Top | 58-64 | Win | 100 | 11 h 32 m | Show |
The set-up: No. 11 Wisconsin was shocked at home 66-59 last Sunday by Northwestern, its first loss since Jan. 8th at Purdue. The 21-4 Badgers lead the big Ten at 10-2 and look to bounce back Thursday night in Ann Arbor, when they take on 16-9 Michigan. The Wolverines are only 6-6 in Big Ten play but have won 13 of their 16 games at Crisler Center this season
Wisconsin: The Badgers own just a half-game lead over the Boilermakers in league play, so a win here is a must. Wisconsin shot just 38 percent from the floor in the loss to Northwestern, with the 6-10 Ethan Happ and guard Bronson Koenig being the biggest offenders, as they combined to go 4-of-16. Sophomore Happ is the team's leading scorer (14.2) and rebounder (9.2), while seniors Hayes (13.6 & 5.9), a 6-8 forward, and guard Koenig (13.3), are the only other double digit scorers. Wisconsin's strength has typically been its defense and this year is no different, as the Badgers allow 60.4 PPG to rank 4th in the nation.Michigan: The Wolverines beat Indiana 75-63 on Sunday, sweeping the season series with the Hoosiers for the first time since 1994-95. Throw in the team's 86-57 drubbing of Michigan State on Feb. 7, and those back-to-back wins give Michigan hope that a second straight NCAA bid is possible. Walton (14.7-4.7-3.8) and Irvin (12.6 & 4.40 are a solid backcourt duo plus Michigan has size up front to combat Happ and Hayes, in the 6-11 Wagner (11.9 & 4.0) and the 6-10 Wilson (10.5 & 5.6). The pick: The bad news for Michigan is that Wisconsin has won seven of the last eight meetings between the two schools but the Wolverines acquitted themselves very well earlier this season, losing just 68-64 in Madison. Happ struggled against the increased defensive attention placed on him by the Wildcats in Northwestern's upset win and don't think Michigan head coach John Beilein didn't take notice. In fact, when Wisconsin beat Michigan in Madison back on Jan. 17th, Happ made just 5 of 13 shots, as Michigan easily covered as a 10 1/2-point dog.The home crowd helps Michigan to a win. make the Wolverines a 10* play. |
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02-15-17 | Lakers v. Suns -4 | Top | 101-137 | Win | 100 | 12 h 27 m | Show |
The setup: The 19-38 LA Lakers will take on the only team in the West with a worse record than themselves, when they visit the 17-39 Suns tonight in Phoenix. However, the Lakers know well that they own a 10-game losing streak in Phoenix, as the Suns' streak of success matches the franchise's longest home winning streak against the Lakers.
LA Lakers: Nineteen wins seems modest but remember, last year's 17 wins set a franchise record for futility. LA is led by its backcourt which includes starters Russell (14.0 & 4.7 APG) and Young (14.0) plus leading scorer Williams (18.5) and Clarkson (13.6) coming off the bench. Luke Walton shook up his lineup by benching starting center Timofey Mozgov (7.4 & 4.9) and forward Luol Deng (7.7 & 5.4), inserting Tarik Black (6.1 & 5.5) in the middle and rookie Brandon Ingram (8.1 & 4.1) in Deng's spot in Friday's 122-114 at Milwaukee. That was the case again last night but LA scored just 96 points in a one-point home loss to the Kings. What's the next move? Maybe Walton will check with Magic? Phoenix: The Suns have dropped 10 of their past 12 games but do own a coveted young backcourt in Bledsoe (21.5-4.9-6.1) and Booker (21.1). Bledsoe scored 37 points in Monday's 110-108 loss to New Orleans Pelicans for his 11th 30-point outing of the campaign. He has scored in double digits in a career-best 42 consecutive games, the longest streak by a Phoenix player since Amar'e Stoudemire (51) in 2009-10. His 20-year-old-backcourt partner Booker has reached 20 points in 19 of his last 21, including 16 straight from Jan. 3 through Feb, 4. The pick: The Lakers allow 110.3 PPG to rank 27th and the Suns allow 112.6 PPG to rank 29th, so don't expect a defensive contest. However, 10 straight wins here at home over the Lakers is nothing to sneeze at and why would I want to step in front of that, considering all teh issues LA is dealing with in the front office? The Suns are a 10* play. |
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02-15-17 | Duke +5.5 v. Virginia | Top | 65-55 | Win | 100 | 12 h 20 m | Show |
The set-up: The 20-5 Duke Blue Devils jumped from 18 to 12 in Monday's AP poll and head to Charlottesville 8-4 in ACC play where the 14th-ranked 18-6 Virginia Cavaliers await, also 8-4 in league play. The ACC race is tightening at the top and now, every game carries added importance Duke: The Blue Devils have won five in a row, including their last two road games, at Wake Forest and Notre Dame. Coach K is back on the sidelines and Duke is beginning to look like the team that was ranked No. 1 in the preseason before a rash of injuries led to some unexpected struggles. The team owns an outstanding mix of veterans and dynamic freshmen. Sophomore Luke Kennard (20.0 & 5.1) leads the team in scoring and has hit 45.9 percent from three-point range. Junior Grayson Allen (15.9-4.4-4.0) has flourished in the primary PG role (plus has stayed out of trouble, lately) while 6-9 senior Jefferson (11.3 & 9.10 has been healthy all season. The emergence of 6-8 freshman Jayson Tatum (15.6 & 7.0) alongside Jefferson in the frontcourt has made the Blue Devils a more complete team and what happens if the 6-10 freshman Harry Giles (5.0 & 4.4 in 14 games) ever finds his game? Virginia: The Cavaliers win with defense, leading the nation in holding opponents to 55.1 PPG. The team's grinding style of play doesn't allow for too much scoring (69.3 PPG ranks 271st), led by PG London Perrantes (12.6 & 3.9 APG) and he has upped his production to 15.7 PPG in ACC play. Fellow guards Marial Shayok (9.7) and Devon Hall (8.5 & 4.4) also have averaged double digits in points during league play. The 6-7 Isaiah Wilkins (7.6 & 6.3) leads the team in rebounds, blocks and steals. The pick: The saying goes that a good defense beats a good offense but I'm not convinced Virginia can slow Duke enough (Blue Devils average 81.9 PPG on 48.2% shooting) or score enough themselves in this contest. Duke has beaten Virginia in three consecutive regular-season matchups and I say make it four straight, here. Duke is a 10* play. |
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02-15-17 | Tulane v. SMU -23 | Top | 75-80 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 20 m | Show |
The set-up: SMU moved to 22-4 (12-1 in AAC play) with its 60-51 home win over Cincinnati this past Sunday. The Mustangs also jumped from 25 to 19 in Monday's latest AP poll. They now get set to host the 4-20 Tulane Green Wave (1-11 in AAC play). Talk about teams heading in opposite directions? I guess SMU just needs to avoid a let down! Tulane: The Green Wave enter on an eight-game losing streak and are a poor defensive team, allowing 78.9 PPG (313th) on 48.1% shooting (338th). A trio of guards score in double digits, led by Reynolds at 15.9. He adds 6.6 RPG and fellow guards Harris (10.3) and Frazier (10.2) just reach double digits in scoring. It's not a good thing when head coach Mike Dunleavy admitted to reporters after the team's most recent loss (91-62 at home to Houston), "We took a real step back. For the first 14 minutes we were doing what we needed to do but then we just caved."SMU: Speaking of head coaches, what a great job Tim Jankovich has done in Dallas, taking over for the controversial Larry Brown. The Mustangs went 4-3 in November but are 18-1 since, entering on an eight-game winning streak. The lone loss in that span is a two-point defeat at Cincinnati, which the team avenged this past Sunday. Junior forward Semi Ojeleye was named the AAC Player of the Week after averaging 24 points and seven rebounds in the wins against Temple (66-50) and Cincinnati. The 6-7 Ojeleye (18.2 & 6.1) has scored in double figures 25 times this season while senior guard Brown (12.0) is closing in on 1,000 career points, while averaging 7.0 RPG this season. PG Milton (13.6-4.1-4.4) and the 6-8 Moore (11.2 & 8.0) are also major contributors.The pick: SMU wins with defense, ranking 3rd in points allowed (58.0 PPG) and seventh in opponents' FG percentage (38.4%). Tulane is over-matched here and SMU has won all 15 home games this season (9-1 ATS and has outscored lined opponents 76.1-to-55.0 PPG), extending its home winning streak to 19 in a row, Big number to cover but make SMU an 8* play. |
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02-15-17 | Maryland v. Northwestern -2 | Top | 74-64 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 20 m | Show |
The set-up: No. 19 Maryland will take its 21-4 record (9-3 in the Big Ten) into Evanston tonight to face the 19-6 Northwestern Wilcats (8-4 in Big Ten play). Northwestern is courting history, as the Wildcats are the only Power-5 school to have not made an NCAA appearance but after upsetting Wisconsin 65-59 on the road, Northwestern is clearly set to end that drought come Selection Sunday 2017. |
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02-14-17 | Boise State +1.5 v. New Mexico | Top | 73-78 | Loss | -108 | 20 h 18 m | Show |
The set-up: The 16-7 Boise State Broncos own a half-game in lead over the CSU Rams in the MWC (9-3 to 9-4) and Tuesday will be in Albuquerque to take on the 15-10 New Mexico Lobos, who are 8-5 in league play. |
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02-14-17 | Colorado State v. Wyoming -1 | Top | 78-73 | Loss | -110 | 19 h 7 m | Show |
The set-up: The 17-9 Colorado State Rams will travel to Arena-Auditorium in Laramie on Thursday to take on the 16-10 Wyoming Cowboys. The Rams are 9-4 in MWC play, just a half-game back of first-place Boise State, while the Cowboys check in at just 6-7 in league action. Colorado: The Rams come in on a roll, having won six of their last seven, losing only a three-point decision at home to Boise St. in that stretch. Guards Clavell (18.6 & 6.4), Nixon (12.2) and Paige (9.3) provide an excellent perimeter trio, while the 6-8 Omogbo (14.1 & 10.6) takes care of the frontcourt. Wyoming: The Cowboys come in 2-3 in their last five games, falling to Boise State, San Diego State and Utah State while beating Air Force and Fresno State in that span. Guard James (14.8 & 4.7) leads in scoring but gets contributions from three other perimeter players, McManamen (12.0), Gorski (8.7) and Adams (7.0). The 6-8 Dalton (12.7 & 8.8) is the team's second-leading scorer and best rebounder but comes off the bench. The starters up front are the 6-9 Herndon (10.7 & 6.1) and the 6-10 Naughton (5.2 & 3.4). The pick: The Rams have had the better season (surely in MWC play) but I'm not convinced they are the better team. My 8* play is on Wyoming. |
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02-14-17 | Raptors v. Bulls +7 | Top | 94-105 | Win | 100 | 18 h 14 m | Show |
The set-up: The 32-23 Toronto Raptors head to Chicago having lost 10 of their last 14 games. Meanwhile, the Bulls return home off a 2-4 road trip in which they lost the final three games by an average of 25.7 PPG. The final loss of that trip, 117-89 at Minnesota on Sunday, leaves them at 26-29 and with the East No. 7 seed. However, the Bulls are just 1 1/2 games inside the playoff 'cut line!' |
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02-13-17 | West Virginia v. Kansas -5 | Top | 80-84 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 2 m | Show |
The set-up: The 20-5 (8-4 in Big 12) West Virginia Mountaineers will venture into Lawrence, Kansas Monday night and waiting for them will be the 3rd-ranked Jayhawks (23-3 / 10-2 Big 12), who will well-remember the 85-69 whopping that West Virginia handed them back on Jan. 24th in Morgantown. Kansas: The Jayhawks survived a trip to Lubbock on Saturday, escaping with an 80-79 win. Frank Mason III (20.1-4.3-4.9) played through an illness but made just 4 of 13 shots, while scoring only 12 points, He logged a season-low 26 minutes before fouling out with 3:05 remaining but the fact that Kansas survived in "crunch time" without him, can only be good news for the Jayhawks down the road. Mason is a national player-of-the-year candidate but 6-8 freshman Josh Jackson (16.6 & 7.0) is rapidly becoming a star. He scored a career-high 31 points on Saturday, including the game-winning free throw! Kansas averages 83.5 PPG (18th), with increased production at home, where the Jayhawks average 88.2 PPG. |
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02-13-17 | 76ers v. Hornets -8 | Top | 105-99 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 3 m | Show |
The set-up: The 20-34 Philadelphia 76ers' have a logjam at the center position, although the best of the bunch, Joel Embiid, has a more serious injury than originally thought. Then there is Jahil Okafor, who was held out of Philly's last game, as the team was contemplating a trade. The 76ers head to Charlotte to take on the 24-30 Hornets, who just made a move of their own at the center spot, trading away Roy Hibbert and Spencer Hawes to Milwaukee in exchange for Miles Plumlee (you tell me why?).
Philadelphia: The biggest recent news out of Philly is not that team team has reached the 20-win mark for the first time since the 2012-13 season but that GM Bryan Colangelo revealed on Saturday that Embiid (20.2 & 7.8) is dealing with a small meniscus tear in addition to the bone bruise that has kept him out of the lineup since Jan. 27. "The MRI revealed obviously, what we thought it to be: a bone bruise," Colangelo told reporters. "There was also the recognition that there was a very minor meniscal tear. But it was not thought to be acute, and it was not thought to be the source of the pain, inflammation or symptoms. That is the case." Embiid is unlikely to see action until after the All-Star break, at the earliest.Okafor was held out Saturday (trade?), leaving Nerlens Noel and Richaun Holmes to hold down the center spot. However, the 76ers ended Miami's 13-game winning streak with a 117-109 victory, on the heels of pulling out a 112-111 win at Orlando on Thursday. Charlotte: The Hornets have lost nine of their last 10 and the team's promising 8-3 start to the 2016-17 season is a distant memory. All that said, despite going 4-14 since a Jan. 4 win over Oklahoma City, the Hornets trail eighth-place Detroit by only a single game in the Eastern Conference standings. Kemba Walker (22.3-4.1-5.4) is headed to his first All Star game but is in the midst of a shooting slump, connecting on only 28.4 percent from the floor in Charlotte's five February games. Backcourt partner Nicolas Batum (15.1-7.2-6.1) has tried to pick up the slack with 25 points and eight assists on Saturday. However, he had nothing good to say about the team's performance after the contest. "We’ve just got to go out there and compete and win games, that’s it," Batum told reporters. "Every meeting we talk about it, we know how to do it, it’s our job. Our job is to go out there and win games, compete and make our fans proud and make the city proud. That’s what we’ve got to do. ... We can’t keep losing games and say OK we’re going to be fine." Batum is right. The Hornets are not greater than the sum of their parts. The pick: The 76ers roll into Charlotte off back-to-back wins but without their best player and with trade rumors swirling. As for the Hornets, despite the team's poor play in 2017, a playoff spot is still there for the taking. The 76ers won 102-93 over the Hornets back on Jan. 13 in Philly but that victory snapped a six-game losing streak for t Shes in this series. Hornets repay the favor here at home. Charlotte is a 10* play. |
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02-13-17 | Baylor v. Texas Tech +2.5 | Top | 78-84 | Win | 100 | 10 h 58 m | Show |
The set-up: No. 6 Baylor is 22-3 overall, including 9-3 in the Big 12 after two wins last week (Baylor was 0-2 the previous week). The Bears travel to Lubbock, Tx. Monday night to take on 16-9 Texas Tech, which is just 4-8 in Big 2 play.Baylor: Expectations were low for Baylor thsisseason, after losing players like SF Prince (15.9 & 6.1), PF Gathers (11.2 & 9.0) and PG Medford (8.9 & 6.5 APG), but the team's 22-3 record is the a school-best through 25 games. This year's frontcourt is led by the 6-10 Motley (16.9 & 9.7), the 7-0 Lual-Acuil (9.3 & 7.0) and the 6-8 Maston (7.0 & 4.0). Miami transfer Lecomte (12.6 & 4.2 APG) has replaced Medford at the point, joined in the backcourt by Freeman (9.1) and Wainwright (5.5 & 4.9), who comes of the bench. Freeman has missed the last two games due to a violation of team policy but sophomore King McClure connected on 5-of-6 shots and scored 13 points as his replacement in the starting lineup against the Horned Frogs on Saturday, as Baylor cruised to a 70-52 win. The Bears are an outstanding defensive team, holding opponents to 61.4 PPG (8th) on 38.7% shooting (12th)threTexas Tech: Jamie Dixon (of Pitt fame) returned to his alma mater and the Red Raiders opened the season 11-1. However, they have dropped five of their last six conference games (after a 3-3 start) with the only win coming 77-69 over last place Oklahoma, 77-69. Guard Evans leads the team in scoring (14.9) and three-point shooting (46.1 percent), joined by a pair of 6-8 forwards in double digits, Smith (13.3 & 7.9) and Livingston (11.0 & 3.8). Note that four Tech starters are shooting 40 percent or better beyond the arc. Defense is hardly an afterthought, as Texas Tech holds opponents to 65.8 PPG, ranking 46th in the nation.
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02-12-17 | Pistons v. Raptors -6.5 | Top | 102-101 | Loss | -110 | 26 h 54 m | Show |
The set-up: The 25-29 Detroit Pistons are in Canada tonight to take on the 32-22 Toronto Raptors. The Pistons are off a 103-92 Friday home loss to the Spurs, after having started to trend in the right direction with four wins in the team's previous five games. In contrast, not much has gone right for the Raptors, who enter this contest off a 112-109 Wednesday loss at Minnesota, the team's ninth in its last 13 games. |
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02-12-17 | Temple +6 v. Memphis | Top | 74-62 | Win | 100 | 13 h 21 m | Show |
The set-up: It's AAC action on Sunday from Memphis, as the 13-12 Temple Owls take on the 18-7 Memphis Tigers. Temple is struggling at 4-8 in league play while Memphis, in Tubby Smith's first season behind the bench at yet another school, is 8-4 and sitting right behind 9-4 Houston (Cincy leads at 11-0 and SMU is 11-1).Temple: It hasn't been a good season for the Owls, who average a modest 70.9 PPG (245th) on 42.3% shooting (284th). Guards Alston (14.0 & 4.0 APG) and Dingle (12.5), plus the 6-10 Enechionyia (13.4 & 6.2) are double digit scorers but not one of that trio shoots better better than 41.4% from the floor. Holding opponents to 71.4 PPG does not get it done when one averages less than 71 points!Memphis: The Tigers were coming off years of just 18 and 19 wins (last year's team was only 8-10 in AAC play), so Tubby, like he has so often, has yet another program headed in the right direction. He's closing in on a 20-win campaign with six regular season games, the AAC tourney and a postseason tourney bid (somewhere?), still remaining. The Tigers are led by the brotherly tandem of Dedric (6-9) and K.J. (6-7) Lawson. Dedric averages 19.5 & 10.1 and K.J. 12.6 & 8.5. Guard Crawford (14.0) rounds out he team's double digit scorers.
The pick: Memphis has 18 overall wins (and a few quality ones) but most still have them on the outside looking in on the NCAA at-large 'map.' A win won't help but a loss would certainly hurt. Memphis should well-remember losing 77-66 at Temple back on Jan 25th but the problem is that despite a 13-2 SU home record, Memphis is just 4-6 ATS in lined home games. Memphis comes in just 1-5 ATS its last six when favored and despite Temple covering at home against Memphis back on Jan 25th, the road team has covered in seven of the last 10 meetings between these two schools. Temple is a 10* play. |
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02-11-17 | Heat v. 76ers +3.5 | Top | 109-117 | Win | 100 | 13 h 40 m | Show |
The set-up: The 24-30 Miami Heat will go for the team's 14th consecutive win tonight in Philadelphia, up against the 19-34 76ers. A win would match the second-longest winning streak in Miami franchise history. The 76ers had lost seven of eight before a 112-111 victory over Orlando on Thursday but will once again play without star Joel Embiid (20.2 & 7.8), who has missed eight straight games with a knee injury.Miami: What an improbable run it has been for the Heat. Miami lost at Milwaukee back on Jan. 13th, the team's 10th loss in its previous 11 games and stood at 11-30. Thirteen straight victories have followed and the team which was once a "lottery lock," is now within a game of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Miami won seven straight games decided by single digits and is 5-0 on the road during the winning streak. PG Dragic (20.0 & 6.5 APG) and center Whiteside (16.9 & 13.9) are the two stars but six others average in double digits. However, Winslow (10.9 & 5.2) is out for the season, Richardson's (11.2) sprained left foot continues to keep him sidelined and Waiters (15.5) has missed the last two games with a sprained ankle (unclear if he will play here).
Philadelphia: T.J. McConnell (5.9 & 6.0 APG) was the hero Thursday (winning bucket in the final seconds) but rookie forward Dario Saric (10.3 & 5.7) is also becoming more and more involved, as the team awaits Embiid's return. He's scored at least 20 points in consecutive games for the first time in his young career in Philly's last two games and has averaged 15.5 PPG his last 11 contests. PF Ilyasova (15.3 & 5.9) has been terrific all season and McConnell has become a team leader, averaging 8.9 PPG and 7.9 APG the last 12 games. The pick: The Heat just keep winning but as noted above, they also are dealing with a number of key injuries. The 76ers were off last night while the Heat travel from Brooklyn, setting up a very live home dog. Make Philly a 10* play. |
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02-11-17 | Florida State +1.5 v. Notre Dame | Top | 72-84 | Loss | -103 | 11 h 6 m | Show |
The set-up: The 21-4 Florida State Seminoles are ranked 14th in the latest AP poll, while the 18-7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish just fell out of the top-25 (had been No. 20). The schools meet for the second time this season Saturday at South Bend, with FSU winning the first time around 83-80 in Tallahassee. |
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02-11-17 | Ohio State +7.5 v. Maryland | Top | 77-86 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 2 m | Show |
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02-11-17 | Marquette +2.5 v. Georgetown | Top | 62-80 | Loss | -110 | 5 h 2 m | Show |
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02-10-17 | Monmouth v. Manhattan +9.5 | Top | 62-58 | Win | 100 | 14 h 42 m | Show |
The set-up: The 20-5 Monmouth Hawks have followed last year's strong season (Hawks finished with 28 wins) with another one here in 2016-17. They lead the MAAC at 12-2 and travel to NYC Frday night to take on the 9-16 Manhattan Jaspers, who at 4-10, sit 10th in the 11-team MAAC. |
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02-10-17 | Spurs -4.5 v. Pistons | Top | 103-92 | Win | 100 | 12 h 18 m | Show |
The set-up: The 40-12 San Antonio Spurs are in the midst of their annual annual "Rodeo Road Trip," which this year takes them on an eight-game trek. They lost at Memphis on Monday on the first leg of the journey, then bounced back with a 111-103 victory at Philadelphia on Wednesday. The 25-28 Detroit Pistons come in off lopsided home wins over the 76ers and the Lakers but will not be able to get away with making just 9 of 38 or 23.7% of their triples (as they did in those two wins) against the Spurs and expect to win. San Antonio: SF Kawhi Leonard (25.5 & 5.9) sat out the Spurs' loss at Memphis due to a quadriceps injury but returned at Philadelphia to score 32 points. He has now scored in double digits in 81 consecutive games, the longest streak by a San Antonio player since Tim Duncan had a 91-game stretch over 2002-03." Leonard stands out as the team's best player these days, although PF Aldridge (17.4 & 7.9) is a solid No. 2. Then there is that San Antonio depth, with seven players chipping in between 6.5 and 11.7 PPG. It must be noted that Gasol (11.7 & 7.9) is the biggest contributor of that group and is currently sidelined after undergoing surgery to fix the fourth metacarpal in his left hand. He hasn't played since Jan. 17 (is expected to be back in late-Feb.) but the team is 8-3 in the 11 games he's missed. As expected, the 7-0 Dedmon is getting more time and in three of his last four games (averaging 25 minutes per in those contests), he's topped double digits in rebounds. Detroit: The Pistons are back to playing well at home, with seven wins in their last eight contests at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Center Andre Drummond (14.8 & 13.8) posted his 34th double-double of season in Wednesday's win over the Lakers with 24 points, 17 rebounds, four blocked shots and three steals. Harris (16.4 & 5.1) and Morris (14.2 & 4.5) start in the frontcourt with Drummond, while PG Jackson (15.6 & 5.6 APG) and Pope (14.2) are the starting guards. The 6-10 Leuer (11.1 & 5.7( is a part-time starter and makes it six double digit scorers for Detroit, plus backup PG Ish Smith (8.2 & 5.0 APG) is a quality contributor. The pick: Despite some recent problems, the Pistons still rank 5th in points allowed (101.9 per) but they are not quite in San Antonio's class, as the Spurs allow 98.8 PPG (2nd) on 44.2% shooting (4th). Note that Detroit ranks 20th in opponents' FG percentage. The Spurs are 21-6 SU on the road this year and have won four straight in the series, including 109-99 and 104-87 wins in their last two visits to Detroit. Make San Antonio a 10* play. |
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02-10-17 | Akron v. Eastern Michigan | Top | 87-76 | Win | 100 | 12 h 42 m | Show |
The set-up: The Akron Zips are 20-4 overall and are easily the MAC's top team, leading the East with a 10-1 record (note: no other MAC team is better than 6-5 in league play, in either the East or West divisions). The Zips travel to Ypsilanti, Mi. Friday night to face the Eastern Michigan Eagles, who check in at 13-11 overall, including 5-6 in the West. Akron: The Zips had a 12-game winning streak snapped 85-70 at Ohio U on Saturday (Feb. 4th) and then just barely edged Ball State 65-63 at home this past Tuesday (as a nine-point choice). However, as noted above, Akron is the class of the MAC, led by a pair of 6-10 players in Johnson (16.6 & 7.4) and Cheatham (11.7 & 7.8), who are joined by a quartet of guards all averaging between 7.8 and 9.4 PPG. The Zips shoot well (47.7% which ranks 41st) but hardly dominate foes, averaging 78.6 PPG while allowing 70.5. Eastern Michigan: The Eagles have one 6-10 player in Thompson (14.2 & 10.8) but not two, like Akron. They do however, more than match Akron on the perimeter with four guards scoring in double digits. Mangum (15.6) leads the group, followed by Lee (13.1), Toney (10.4) and Bond (10.0). EMU scores about the same as Akron at 78.5 PPG and allows a similar amount of points as well (71.6). The pick: While the team's look similar "on paper," take a second look at their respective records. At this price, make Akron an 8* play. |
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02-09-17 | Oregon +5 v. UCLA | Top | 79-82 | Win | 100 | 13 h 14 m | Show |
The set-up: The first time this season UCLA and Oregon met was back on Dec. 28th in Eugene, the Pac 12 opener for both schools. The Bruins were 13-0 and ranked No. 2 in the AP poll and the Ducks were 11-2 and ranked 21st. Oregon won that game 89-87 and as the teams get set for the rematch at Pauley Pavilion, both are 21- 3 with Oregon ranked 5th and UCLA 10th. However, the Ducks are 10-1 (Arizona is 11-1) while the Bruins are 8-3, a half-game back of 9-3 Cal for fourth in the league. UCLA: The Bruins ranks second in the nation in scoring at 92.9 PPG and are No. 1 in FG percentage at 53.5%. They have six players scoring in double figures, led by freshman forward TJ Leaf at 17.1 PPG along with a team-high 8.9 RPG. Senior guard Bryce Alford is averaging 16.4 PPG but most feel that 6-6 freshman PG Ball (15.1-5.8-7.8) is the team's MVP. Guards Hamilton (14.7) and Holiday (13.4) plus the 7-0 Welsh (10.4 & 8.3) round out the double digit scorers. The pick: Brooks made a three-pointer in the final seconds to win the first meeting, finishing with 23 points and a season-high nine rebounds. UCLA is playing with revenge but Oregon may be just "too good." T.J. Leaf is considered a first-round NBA draft pick but he needs to step up in situations like this. So far, that hasn't been the case as against Jordan Bell of Oregon, Lauri Markkanen of Arizona and Chimezie Metu of USC (UCLA's three losses), he's been neutralized, averaging just 11.1 PPG and a pathetic 3.3 RPG. UCLA allows 76.5 PPG, almost two 'TDs' more than Oregon, which allows 63.5. Make Oregon a 10* play. |
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02-09-17 | Jazz v. Mavs +3.5 | Top | 105-112 | Win | 100 | 12 h 50 m | Show |
complete analysis soon |
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02-09-17 | The Citadel +20.5 v. East Tennessee State | Top | 69-90 | Loss | -105 | 10 h 15 m | Show |
complete analysis soon |
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02-08-17 | Iowa +7.5 v. Minnesota | Top | 89-101 | Loss | -110 | 21 h 47 m | Show |
The set-up: The 14-10 Iowa Hawkeyes have won three straight Big Ten games to reach 6-5 in conference play and now head to 16-7 Minnesota. The Gophers haven't been very 'golden' as of late, as Saturday's win over Illinois snapped a five-game losing streak and leaves them at just 4-6 in Big Ten action.
Iowa: The first two of Iowa's wins in its three-game streak came with its best player sidelined. 6-6 guard Jok (20.6 & 5.8) sat out wins over Ohio State and Rutgers with a back injury but played 30 minutes in an 81-70 win over Nebraska, scoring 12 points while adding five rebounds and five assists. Stepping up big time in his absence has been freshman PG Bohannon (9.4 & 4.5 APG), who has averaged 14.7 PPG in Iowa's three-game streak. The 6-9 Cook (11.9 & 4.8) is the only other Iowa player averaging double digits, but Bohannon leads a group of seven players contributing from 4.7-to-9.4 PPG. Notables in that group are 6-8 freshman Pernsl (9.1 & 4.9) and 6-7 sophomore Baer (6.7 & 6.2). Minnesota. The Gophers won the NIT in Richard Pitino's first season at Minnesota (25-13) in 2013-14 but followed with just an 18-15 record the following year (6-12 in Bg Ten play) and then last season's 'nightmare,' with the Gophers going 8-23, including 2-16 in the Big Ten. Those struggles seemed behind them when Minnesota opened 15-2 this season (3-1 in Big Ten) but then five straight Big Ten losses (before Saturday's win), has tGophers in trouble. Pitino does have a very balanced team, with four guards averaging in double digits (Mason at 14.0 PPG and 5.3 APG leads the group) plus a solid trio up front in the 6-6 Murphy (9.4 & 7.3), the 6-10 Lynch (8.8 & 6.1) and the 6-9 Curry (5.6 & 4.7). However, the team is just not 'clicking!' The pick: Pitino hardly owns an edge over Iowa's Fran McCaffrey, who led Siena to three straight NCAA appearances before taking over in Iowa for the 2010-11 season. He got off to a rough start but has led the Hawkeyes to four straight 20-win seasons and into the "Big Dance" in each of the last three seasons. Iowa is starting to 'smell' an at-large berth again this year and slumping Minnesota won't derail them down in this one. I like teh Hawkeyes SU in this one so with all therse points, make Iowa a 10* play. |
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02-08-17 | Clippers -1 v. Knicks | Top | 119-115 | Win | 100 | 20 h 47 m | Show |
The set-up: The 31-21 LA Clippers have seen Blake Griffin (21.6 & 8.8) return but they are just 1-5 since he got back on the court, despite Griffin averaging 23.5 & 8.3. Of course, PG Chris Paul (17.5-5.3-9.7) remains out after he had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb. He is expected to be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks, returning sometime around mid-March (hopefully). The Clippers will be in MSG to take on the 22-31 Knicks, who seem listless (that's being kind), while rumors regarding a Carmelo to Cleveland trade (or to any team for that matter), continue to swirl. LA Clippers: In fact, the Clippers are one of a few teams that have been mentioned in the trade rumors surrounding Anthony and sure look like they could use another player. The Clippers are now 2-7 since Paul was sidelined, dropping them to 4-12 without Paul in the lineup on the season. Head coach Doc Rivers is not one to panic and even after a 118-109 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Monday, he points out that Griffin posted his fifth career triple-double, and first of the season, with 26 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high-tying 11 assists in that loss. NY Knicks: There's not much to say about the Knicks these days. Then again, head coach Jeff Hornacek seemingly has seen enough, after the Knicks lost at home to the pathetic Lakers, 121-107 on Monday. "You have to play for some pride," Hornacek said. "If you come out there and just play basketball, you're on the wrong level. These teams come in -- it's New York. You don't match their effort and energy, you're not going to win. Right from the start, the Lakers out-hustled us. They got offensive rebounds, got long balls that bounded around the free-throw line. They got them all."
The pick: The Clippers are struggling but it's hard to make the case the Knicks even care.The Clippers have won their last eight meetings with the Knicks, including four straight here in MSG. What changes tonight? Nothing. Make LA a 10* play. |
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02-07-17 | Michigan State +3.5 v. Michigan | Top | 57-86 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 59 m | Show |
The set-up: After losing three in a row, Michigan State has posted back to back wins. One of them was at Michigan's expense. The in-state rivals now have their rematch tonight in Ann Arbor. The Wolverines have dropped two in a row. Saturday saw them lose as home favorites to their other rival, Ohio State. Michigan State: The Spartans were off this weekend, which I feel gives them a slight edge heading into this rematch. After beating Michigan two Sundays ago, Tom Izzo's troops stormed into Nebraska and won 72-61. Izzo is now 11-3 ATS his last 14 games in February. Michigan: The Wolverines have not shot well the last two games, making only 33% and 37% of their shots against Michigan State and Ohio State, respectively. Though they sport the same 14-9 SU record as MSU, Michigan's NCAA Tournament resume is not as strong. Also not strong is the team's rebounding. They rank a woeful 346th nationally in that category. The pick: I'm surprised Michigan State isn't getting more respect here, given they are the more rested side, not to mention were victorious in the first meeting as well. Look for Michigan's rebounding to be a big problem here and Sparty comes in and "steals" one in Ann Arbor. Make Michigan State an 8* play |
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02-07-17 | Blazers v. Mavs | Top | 114-113 | Win | 100 | 13 h 36 m | Show |
The set-up: The 22-30 Portland Trail Blazers will be in Dallas tonight to take on the 20-31 Dallas Mavericks. Both teams are chasing Denver, which at 23-28, currently owns the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. Portland: The Blazers come into this game having lost two straight, 108-104 at home to the Mavs this past Friday and then 105-99 at OKC on Super Bowl Sunday. The loss to the Thunder was typical, as the Blazers have all too often failed to win tightly contested games (Portland is just 9-14 this season in games that are within three points in the final three minutes!). The Blazers do own one the NBA's best backcourts in PG Lillard (26.0-4.8-5.8) and SG McCollum (23.4) but consistent production from the rest of the lineup has been an issue.Dallas: The Mavs lost 110-87 last night in Denver but had won four straight and six of seven, prior to that. Recently, the insertion of PG Yogi Ferrell, an undrafted FA signed to a 10-day contract, into the starting lineup has sparked Dallas. Monday's game was Ferrell's fifth consecutive start (team is 4-1), as starting PG Deron Williams is out with a toe sprain. He had 15 points and five assists against the Nuggets and is averaging 17.2 PPG and 5.0 APG since joining Dallas. Ferrell had 32 points and nine three-pointers in Dallas' 108-104 victory in Portland on Friday. The owrd is that the Mavericks plan to sign him to a two-year contract. The pick: The Mavs are playing better ball than the Blazers recently (have won nine of 13) but are playing on back-to-back nights while the Blazers are looking for a some "instant revenge" from their Friday home loss to this team. I'm taking the points and making Portland a 10* play. |
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02-07-17 | Florida -5.5 v. Georgia | Top | 72-60 | Win | 100 | 11 h 59 m | Show |
Rogers' complete analysis by 12 pm et |
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02-07-17 | Maryland -2.5 v. Penn State | Top | 64-70 | Loss | -115 | 10 h 60 m | Show |
The set-up: Maryland comes in ranked at #21/#22 (AP/USA Today) in the latest polls. They are off just their third loss of the season, which came Saturday by a single point, at home to Purdue. They'll look to bounce back tonight in Happy Valley. Penn State has dropped five of its last six and is not considered a factor in the Big 10 race. Maryland: Those into "advanced stats" aren't big fans of the Terrapins, but this team doesn't seen too bothered by that. They'd not only won seven straight times before the loss to Purdue, they were a perfect 7-0 ATS in those games as well! Two of their three losses have come by a total of three points. The Terps are 2-0 ATS off a loss this year. Can they make it 3 for 3 here? Penn State: The Nittany Lions are also off a close loss on Saturday, although theirs came at home to Rutgers, which is hardly an inspirational sign. It was not a good week in State College as last Wednesday saw PSU lose a triple overtime game at Indiana. While there have been signs of competitiveness, we should also probably take note of recent losses to Purdue (by 25) and Wisconsin (by 27). The pick: Maryland has gone a perfect 6-0 ATS on the road this year and I see no reason to buck that trend against an inferior opponent. They are also 9-0-1 ATS as an underdog. While not getting points in this situation, the line is low enough where it shouldn't be a factor. Make Maryland an 8* play. |
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02-06-17 | Thunder v. Pacers -4.5 | Top | 90-93 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 1 m | Show |
The set-up: The 30-22 OKC Thunder are coming off a 105-99 home win over the Blazers on Super Bowl Sunday and tonight travel to Bankers Life Fieldhouse to face the 28-22 Indiana Pacers, who enter the game on a six-game winning streak after their 105-84 home win over the Pistons on Saturday.
Oklahoma City: Westbrook had 42 points in Suteday's win but no triple-double (just four rebounds and eight assists). OKC did get an excellent effort from Oladipo, who had 23 points and added 13 rebounds. However, the eam's other three starters combined for just 23 points, including 7 & 13 from Adams (12.1 & 7.9), who won't have Kanter (14.4 & 7.6) around for about two months. This is OKC's real issue, it's hard to compete with the NBA's elite with essentially a "one man team!" Outside of Westbrook (31.0-10.4-10.3), Oladipo (16.1) and the team's two-headed center duo (when Kanter is healthy), no other Thunder player averages as much as 7.0 PPG. Indiana: The Pacers will be seeking their seventh straight win, something they have not done in nearly two years! Indiana has a "main guy" like OKC in Paul George (22.6-6.1-3.3) but during the team's recent 13-4 overall run, the Pacers have been getting contributions from a multitude of players. PG Teague (15.7 & 8.2 APG) and center Turner (15.6 & 7.3) are an excellent outside-inside tandem plus five others contribute between 7.8 and 11.5 PPG. The pick: The bad news for Indiana is that the Pacers are just 3-7 in the second night of back-to-back games but the good news is that they have won their last two such games and OKC comes in 3-7 in the second half of back-to-back sets. I had taking OKC over Portland on Sunday and note that the are now 14-2 SU at home vs. Western Conference foes but they are just 11-9 in all venues against East teams so far this season. As for the Pacers, they are 19-6 SU at home and the price is right here to make Indiana a 10* play. |
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02-06-17 | Holy Cross +10.5 v. Bucknell | Top | 68-82 | Loss | -108 | 10 h 59 m | Show |
The set-up: It's Patriot League action Monday night from Lewisburg, Pa. as 18-6 Bucknell hosts 12-12 Holy Cross. The Crusaders are just 6-5 in conference play while the Bison sit in first place with a 10-1 mark. Holy Cross: The Crusaders did end a two-game losing streak the last time out, beating Colgtae 56-50. The 6-7 Malachi Alexander leads the Crusaders with 14.3 PPG (adds 5.2 rebounds), while guard Champion (12.0) and 6-6 SF Charles (10.0-3.5-3.4) round out the team's double digit scorers. Holy Cross averages just 60.6 PPG, ranking way down the list of Division I teams at 348th. Bucknell: The Bison enter on a six-game winning streak. Guards Thomas (15.3 & 6.7), Mackenzie (11.1) and Brown (10.5 & 4.9 APG) are joined in double figures by 6-9 center, Nana Foulland (14.9 & 7.8). Bucknell is not a high scoring team but averages a respectable 74.7 PPG and shoots it well, connecting on 48.0 percent, which ranks 37th.
The pick: Bucknell is the far superior team but here's the catch. Bucknell is 1-4 ATS its last five home games and 2-6 ATS at home against a team with a losing road record. Meanwhile, Holy Cross has covered its last six Patriot League games. Make Holy Cross a 10* play. |
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02-06-17 | Louisville +5.5 v. Virginia | Top | 55-71 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 55 m | Show |
The set-up: There will be a new AP poll later on Monday afternoon but using the current rankings, No. 6 Louisville (19-4 / 7-3 ACC) will visit Charlottesville, Va. to take on No.9 Virginia (17-5 / 7-3 ACC). The Cardinals have beaten the Cavaliers just once in five meetings since joining the conference, as the two top-10 schools square off in this Big Monday matchup on ESPN.
Louisville: The schools opened conference play against each other back on Dec 28, with the Cavs winning 61-53 at Louisville, a game in which Virginia once led by as many as 15 points."You have to make shots against Virginia. They take away all of the sets that you run," Louisville head coach Rick Pitino said. "Virginia is one of the best defensive teams in the nation, but what makes them special is how they execute on offense." Louisville guards Mitchell (15.0 & 4.9) and Snider (12.1 & 4.0 APG) are the top-two scorers but Louisville has a solid frontcourt, as well. The 6-7 Adel (11.1 & 4.3) is the best scorer but Pitino's got some good size up front with the 6-9 Johnson (8.2 & 6.5) and the 6-10 Mathiang (7.1 & 6.2). However, Louisville is currently without PG Quentin Snider and his backup Tony Hicks (4.6 PPG). Pitino always preaches defense and this year's team allows a modest 62.3 PPG (12th) on 37.8% shooting (4th). Virginia: However, when it comes to defense, Virginia allows the fewest points of any team in the nation, at 54.0 PPG. PG Perrantes (11.9-3.0-4.) is the team's only double digit scorer but nine players get 11-plus minutes per game, averaging between 3.5 and 9.8 PPG. Guard Shayok (9.8) is the best scorer of that group and the 6-7 Wilkins, the best rebounder at 7.5 per game (adds 5.9 PPG). The Cavs lost 66-62 to Syracuse on Saturday but note that the Virginia bench outscored the team's starters, as the reserves totaled 33 of the team's 62 points. The pick: I realize that Louisville is just 1-4 against Virginia since joining the ACC and that the Cards have yet to break the 60-point mark in any game against the Cavaliers. However, while Virginia enters this game off a loss at the buzzer against Villanova and then blew a 12-point halftime lead in a four-point Saturday loss at Syracuse (sandwiched in between was a win over Va. Tech), Louisville has won its last three by margins of 55 (at Pittsburgh), 25 (vs. North Carolina State) and 23 (at Boston College), while averaging a whopping 93.7 PPG! Make Louisville an 8* play as the Cards 'stop the bleeding' with a win at UVA. |
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02-05-17 | Colorado v. California -6 | Top | 66-77 | Win | 100 | 17 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: Colorado (13-10 . 3-7 Pac 12) opened Pac 12 play 0-7 but has won three in a row, as it visits Berkeley on Sunday afternoon to take on the 16-6 Cal Bears (7-3 in Pac 12 play). Colorado: Tad Boyle entered this season at Colorado (his sixth), having won 20-plus games in four of his first five years with the Buffs. He had led Colorado to an NCAA berth in each of his 20-win seasons, including last year's team which finished with 22 victories. However, the Buffs lost four starters from that club and Colorado was pretty much an afterthought after it opened 0-7 in conference play, to fall to 10-10. However, the Buffs beat Oregon State and then-No. 10 Oregon at home last weekend, followed by Thursday's win at Stanford and all of a sudden, there are whispers that the Buffs are a team "no one wants to face!" eteam is led by three "big guards," the 6-5 White (16.4 & 4.3), the 6-7 Johnson (15.2 & 6.1) and the 6-6 King (11.4 & 7.0).California: Cuonzo Martin has a talented but somewhat inconsistent team in Cal, led by the 6-11 Rabb, who averages 15.5 & 10.9. Swingman Bird has battled injuries for much of his career and before this season, has not come anywhere near reaching the potential he arrived with as a freshman. Bird (now a senior) has averaged 19.0 PPG over his last four (the last three have been Cal wins) and on the season, he's scoring at a clip of 14.8 PPG, while adding 4.7 RPG. Freshman PG Charlie Moore (14.0 & 3.6 APG) gives the team three double digit scorers but Martin would love more regular contributions from guard Mullins (9.2) and the 7-0 Okoroh (5.6 & 6.4). The pick: Maybe we should have seen Colorado's turnaround coming, as the Buffs lost four of their first seven Pac-12 games by just three points or fewer. Still, winning here at Cal is a tough assignment, as the Bears rank 19th in both points allowed (63.0 PPG) and opponents' FG percentage (39.5%). The Bears are 13-2 SU at home where they allowing just 59.9 PPG and a check of the Cal record book reveals that the Bears are 11-0 against the Buffaloes in Berkeley. Cal is a 10* play. |
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02-05-17 | Blazers v. Thunder -4 | Top | 99-105 | Win | 100 | 15 h 13 m | Show |
The set-up: The 22-29 Portland Trail Blazers travel to Oklahoma City on the afternoon of the Super Bowl to take on the 29-22 Thunder. Portland is in the midst of a six-team 'battle' for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West, with those teams all within 3 1/2 games of each other. The Thunder trail the Jazz by three games in the Northwest Division and although they own the 7th seed overall, are safely a full six games up on the Nuggets, who currently own the No. 8 seed.
Portland: The Blazers are currently just a half-game behind the Nuggets and 1 1/2 games up on the 10th-seeded Mavs. Portland ranks eighth in scoring at 107.7 PPG, led by the dynamic backcourt duo of Lillard (25.9-4.8-5.8) and McCollum (23.5-3.6-3.7). However, the drop-off behind those two is significant, with a group of four players adding between 9.7 and 11.0 PPG. Center Mason Plumlee tops that group and is also the team's leading rebounder at 8.0 per game. Defense has been the team's Achilles' heel, ranking 26th by allowing 109.9 PPG. Oklahoma City: Everyone around the NBA knew that with K.D. off to Oakland, it would be the "Russell Westbrook Show" in OKC this season. He delivered his 25th triple-double in Friday's 114-102 win over the Grizzlies (38-13-12), as he continues his quest to average a triple-double on the season, ala the Big O. Westbrook is currently averaging 30.8-10.5-10.3, which all are team-highs (also leads OKC in steals at 1.6 per game). However, he just doesn't get enough help regularly, with Oladipo (15.9) the only other consistent scorer outside of the team's two-headed center duo of Adams (12.2 & 7.8) and Kanter (14.4 & 6.7). However, with his self-inflicted fractured right forearm back on Jan. 26th, Kanter took that equation off the table (he's expected be sidelined for up to two months). The pick: Defense has not been an OKC strength this season but they held to Grizzlies to just one basket in the final 3 1/2 minutes of Friday's game, turning a three-point deficit into a 12-point win by closing on a 15-0 run! Friday's win ended a three-game slide for OKC and the Thunder get a Portland team here playing its first road contest since Jan. 21. Portland is just 7-15 against winning opponents and will likely want to get this game out of the way quickly, to watch the Super Bowl. Make OKC a 10* play. |
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02-04-17 | Hornets +9 v. Jazz | Top | 98-105 | Win | 100 | 12 h 14 m | Show |
The set-up: The 23-27 Charlotte Hornets wrap up a three-game road trip tonight in Salt Lake City, taking on the 31-19 Utah Jazz. The Hornets have dropped the first two games of their trip (at Portland and Golden State) and hope to snap a six-game overall slide. For the Jazz, they are looking to wrap up a four-game homestand at 3-1, after beating the Bucks 104-88 on Wednesday. Charlotte: The Hornets got off to a solid start early in the season (opened 8-3) but that seems like a long time ago now, as Charlotte has dropped 13 of its last 17 games, overall. The Hornets just acquired center Miles Plumlee from the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday, in exchange for centers Spencer Hawes and Roy Hibbert. I'm not sure how that makes much of a difference and why would they want the four-year, $50 million contract he signed last summer? Plumlee has played in just 32 games, averaging 2.6 & 1.7 in just under 10 minutes of playing time.Utah: Center Rudy Gobert (13.1 & 12.6) had a 26-point, 15-rebound effort in Utah's Wednesday win over the Bucks, for his 33rd double-double of the season. He felt as if he had done enough to make the All Star team but the Jazz will send only SF Hayward (21.8-5.7-3.5) to New Orleans on Feb. 19th. The Jazz own the NBA's stingiest defense, allowing a league-low 95.3 PPG, while holding opponents to just 43.5% from the floor (also ranks 1st). The pick: The Jazz have made a real name for themselves this season but along with that comes 'heavier' prices. The Hornets own an outstanding backcourt duo in Walker (22.9 & 5.5 APG) and Batum (14.9-7.3-6.0 plus own a host of credible role players. The Hornets are still "right in" the battle for that final playoff spot in the East. Take the points and make Charlotte a 10* play. |
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02-04-17 | Montana State v. Montana -6 | Top | 84-90 | Push | 0 | 12 h 6 m | Show |
The set-up: Montana Stae is just 11-12 on the season but visits in-state rival Montana tonight, on a five-game winning streak. The Grizzlies are 10-13 on the season, including 5-5 in Big Sky action.
Montana State: The Bobcats' winning streak (over Northern Colorado, Sacramento State, Portland State, Idaho and Eastern Washington) has them at 6-4 in league play. A quartet of guards have led the way, topped by the 6-4 Hall (23.3 & 5.5). He's joined by freshman Frey (12.9) plus Green 10.1 & 4.1) and Everett (9.6 & 4.0). Montana State averages 80.3 PPG but allows almost as many, giving up 79.3 PPG. Montana: In stark contrast to the Bobcats, the Grizzlies are mired in a four-game losing streak, falling to Portland State, Sacramento State, Eastern Washington and Idaho. The Grizzlies have a trio of guards leading the way in Rorie (17.3), Oguine (11.4 & 6.3) and Wright (11.1) but three more players contribute between 7.3 and 8.1 PPG, including the team's best rebounder, the 6-8 Krslovic (6.8 RPG). The pick: Montana has not only lost its last four but it's failed to cover its last five. However, Montana State is just 2-7 SU on the road and there is a reason the home-standing Grizzlies are the small favorite. Lay the points and make Montana a 10* play. |
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02-04-17 | Kentucky +2 v. Florida | Top | 66-88 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 27 m | Show |
The set-up: No. 8 Kentucky heads to Gainesville 18-4, including 8-1 in SEC play to take on the the 17-5 Florida Gators (ranked 24th), who can tie the Wildcats for first-place in the SEC with a win (Gators are 7-2). Kentucky: The Wildcats were beaten 79-73 last Saturday at home by Kansas, after having lost earlier in the week at Tennessee. Kentucky then needed OT to get past a mediocre Georgia team 90-81 on Tuesday. The victory allowed the Wildcats to avoid the first three-game losing streak of the coach John Calipari era. However, Coach Cal has to be at least a little worried about his team's recent play. Freshman point guard De'Aaron Fox (15.9-4.4-5.7) sat out the Georgia game with the flu but is expected back here. He joins fellow freshman Monk (22.4) in the backcourt and that dynamic duo is joined on the perimeter by sophomore guard Briscoe (14.4 & 5.2), who is considered a veteran in the Calipari era. The team's best frontcourt player is another freshman (surprise!), the 6-10 Adebayo (13.2 & 6.8). Kentucky averages 91.3 PPG (3rd) on 49.1% shooting (15th). Florida: The Gators just routed Missouri 93-54 on Thursday, giving them three straight wins in which they've averaged 94.3 PPG and won by a combined 106 points! That comes after Florida had lost back-to-back games, 57-53 at South Carolina and 68-66 at home to Vandy (?). Junior guard Chris Chiozza (5.3-2.8-3.8 assists) came out of nowhere to recording the fourth triple-double in school history with 12 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in the Missouri game. On the season, it's been PG Hill (9.4 & 4.9 APG) surrounded by sophomore Allen (13.6) and senior transfer Barry (12.8) on the perimeter plus the 6-8 Robinson (11.8 & 5.7) and the 6-11 Egbunu (7.6 & 6.6) up front. Even with its recent scoring surge (see above), the Gators can't match Kentucky's firepower, as the Gators average 79.3 PPG on the season, a dozen points less than the Wildcats. However, the Gators are a very good defensive team, holding opponents to 65.6 PPG. The pick: Here's the rub. No opponent has reached its scoring average in regulation against the Gators this season, with only Georgia doing so in Florida's 80-76 overtime victory back on Jan. 14. However, Kentucky has won the last five meetings (by an average of 13.4 points PPG) and off three so-so efforts in a row, won't miss this opportunity to open a two-game lead over teh Gatiors in the SEC race. At this price, make Kentucky a 10* play. |
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02-04-17 | Miami (Fla) -2.5 v. NC State | Top | 84-79 | Win | 100 | 6 h 7 m | Show |
The set-up: The 14-7 Miami Hurricanes are on Tobacco Road this afternoon for a game in Raleigh against the 14-9 NC State Wolfpack. The 'Canes are 4-5 in ACC play and the Wolfpack a very disappointing 3-7. Miami-Fla: The Hurricanes won 27 games last year and reached the Sweet 16. However, the core of that team is gone in SG McClellan (16.3), PG Rodrigues (12.6 & 4.5 APG) and center Jekiri (7.6 & 8.6). This year's team has a so-so frontcourt but a solid trio of guards in Reed (15.3), Newton (15.3) and Brown (12.3), who is also an excellent rebounder (6.7). The 6-8 Murphy leads the team in rebounding (8.0) but outside of the above-mentioned guards, no player averages as much as 7.0 PPG. Miami had beaten then-No. 9 North Carolina in its previous game (Saturday) but fell to No. 15 Florida State 75-57 on Wednesday. Miami prides itself on its defense but after taking a 34-31 halftime lead against the Seminoles, allowed FSU to shoot 60 percent over the final 20 minutes to pull away for the 18-point win. The pick: NC State averages 81.3 PPG (31st) and hereat PNC Arena, ups that to 86.7 PPG but the Wolfpack are a poor defensive team. Miami holds oppponents to just 63.3 PPG (22nd) on 40.2% shootig (31st) and that defense will be the key to victory here. Make Miami an 8* play. |
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02-04-17 | Seton Hall +3 v. Georgetown | Top | 68-66 | Win | 100 | 3 h 8 m | Show |
The set-up: The 13-8 Seton Hall Pirates are in Washington D.C. to take on the 13-10 Georgetown Hoyas. Seton Hall is only 3-6 in Big East play and has yet to win a conference road game (0-5). The Hoyas are a modest 4-6 in the Big East but come in playing their best basketball of the year with recent wins over then No. 16 Creighton and then-No. 11 Butler. Seton Hall: The Pirates won 25 games and went to the NCAA tourney last year and only lost one starter, although NBA draft choice Whitehead (18.2 & 5.1 APG) was th team's best player. Guard Khadeen Carrington (16.6 PPG) is this year's leading scorer but little has gone right for him lately. His numbers speak volumes, as he's 0-for-15 from three-point range the last two games and just 4 of 31 (12.9%) the last five games (Seton Hall is 1-4). Three others join him in double figures, the 6-6 Rodriguez (16.0 & 5.1), the 6-10 Delgado (14.5 & 12.9) and freshman guard Powell (11.0). Georgetown: The Hoyas followed upsets of Creighton and Xavier by edging DePaul 76-73 this past Tuesday, giving the team a three-game winning streak heading into this contest. Georgetown survived against the Blue Demons with 7-0 senior center Bradley Hayes (4.7 & 4.9) sitting out after he injured his right foot in pregame warmups. 6-10 sophomore Jessie Govan (9.9 & 5.1) may see more time again today, if Hayes is not able to play. The Hoyas' bread-and-butter players are a pair of veteran 6-5 guards, senior Pryor (18.4 & 4.8) and junior Peak (16.2 & 4.0).
The pick: Seton Hall comes in struggling but has most of its key players back from last year's NCAA team. The Pirates went right down to the wire in its 72-70 loss at Xavier (despite leading scorer Carrington shooting 3 of 13, including 0-8 from three) and comes in 13-6 ATS in their last 19 road games. Meanwhile, the Hoyas are just 5-12 ATS in their last 17 home games and only 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games vs. Big East opponents.Take the points and make Seton Hall an 8* play. |
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02-03-17 | Wolves +4.5 v. Pistons | Top | 108-116 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 53 m | Show |
The set-up: The 19-30 Minnesota Timberwolves have played much better as of late, although one couldn't prove it by their 125-97 loss at Cleveland on Wednesday. They now look to earn win No. 20 on the season with a visit to Detroit, where they will take on the 22-27 Pistons. Minnesota: The Timberwolves were a trendy pick as a playoff team in the Western Conference at the start of this season, with Tom Thibodeau hired over the summer to guide the young roster. Minnesota started very poorly but was recently beginning to turn things around before getting smoked by the Cavaliers this past Wednesday. "I thought the first half we played well enough where we’d have a chance to win," Thibodeau told reporters after his team went into the break down just 63-60. "But I also knew in the third quarter they’d come out and bring it. And then we didn’t respond." Minnesota can't let that 28-point loss kill their mojo, as they had gone 8-3 prior to Wednesday's loss. PG Ricky Rubio is supposedly on the trade block but the veteran has recently been making himself indispensable, as he delivered a double-double with 14 points and 13 assists in 38 minutes on Wednesday, his sixth double-double in the last 11 games. Rubio's increased scoring is taking some of the focus away from fellow guard Zach LaVine (18.9), who went 4-of-18 from the floor on Wednesday and has scored in single digits in three of the last seven games. Detroit: The Pistons were expected to take a step forward this season as well but Detroit is struggling to find any consistency. The Pistons snapped a three-game slide with one of their more impressive victories on Wednesday (a 118-98 rout of New Orleans), which began a stretch of five of six at home (Pistons are 13-10 SU & 12-11 ATS this season). The Pistons have six double digit scorers, including the starting backcourt of Jackson (16.6 & 5.4 APG) and Pope (14.9). The team's leading scorer is forward Harris (16.7 & 5.1), joined by center Drummond (14.6 & 13.7) plus forwards Morris (13.6 & 4.4) and Leuer (10.6 & 5.8).
The pick: While LaVine has struggled lately for Minnesota, the other two members of the team's "Big 3" have have had no such problems. Center Towns (23.0 & 11.9) and SF Wiggins (22.1 & 4.2) are the envy of most teams. However, Towns has not beaten the Pistons in his short NBA career in large part because Pistons center Andre Drummond has won the matchup of the talented young big men. The Pistons have defeated Minnesota in their last three meetings with Drummond averaging 22 points and 17 rebounds, while Towns has posted averages of 18 points and 9.3 rebounds in those games. I expect that to change here and will make Minnesota an 8* play. |
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02-03-17 | Pennsylvania v. Harvard -6 | Top | 59-69 | Win | 100 | 10 h 26 m | Show |
The set-up: It's Ivy League action tonight from Lavietes Pavilion in Boston, as the 7-9 Penn Quakers visit the 11-6 Harvard Crimson. The Quakers are off to an 0-3 start in Ivy League play while the Crimson are 3-1, after suffering their first Ivy League loss in its last game, 65-62 at Columbia this past Saturday. Penn: The Quakers ended a four-game slide the last time out, winning 77-74 at La Salle (Jan. 25) in a non-conference game. Leading the way for Penn this season is 6-8 freshman AJ Brodeur who averages 15.3 & 6.9 RPG. Guard Howard is the team's best rebounder (7.0) and also its only other double digit scorer, at 12.8 PPG. Penn won 22 games last season (12-2 Ivy record was good enough for 2nd-place) but even with all five starters returning, not much has gone right so far in the 2016-17 season.
Harvard: The Crimson fell off last year, going just 14-16 (6-8 Ivy) but have rebounded this season. Freshman guard Aiken (13.3) has joined PG Chambers (8.3 & 6.2 APG) in the backcourt, as Chambers is back after missing all of last season with an ACL injury. The 6-7 Towns (11.2 & 4.1) is Harvard's best frontcourt player. Harvard did lose its last game but has won 10 of its last 12. The pick: Prior to last season's sub-.500 year, Tommy Amaker had led the Crimson to six straight 20-win seasons, five straight straight Ivy regular season titles and four straight NCAA berths. This year's team could (should?) win the Ivy this season and will have little trouble here with underachieving Penn. Make Harvard a 10* play. |
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02-02-17 | Warriors -8 v. Clippers | Top | 133-120 | Win | 100 | 14 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: The 42-7 Golden State Warriors own the league's best record, as well as the best road mark (20-4) of any team, as well. They will visit Staples Center tonight to take on the 31-18 LA Clippers, a team playing without PG Chris Paul (17.5-5.3-9.7). However, PF Blake Griffin (21.1-8.7-4.7) has returned to play in the team's three last games, adding 29 & 8 in Wednesday's win in Phoenix (LA had lost the first two games of Blake's return).
Golden State: The Warriors rolled to a 126-111 win over the Charlotte Hornets last night, as Steph Curry (25.3-4.3-6.2) scored 39 points, hitting 11 of 15 from three-point range, and Klay Thompson (21.3) added 29. K.D. (26.1-8.4-4.8) added a modest 18 points (plus eight rebounds and eight assist), while Green (10.4-8.4-7.40 had a typical night (8-10-5). The Warriors own the league's best FG percentage (50.1%) plus defend better than anyone, holding opponents to a league-low 43.4% (quite a daily double). LA Clippers:Last night's win in Phoenix capped a 2-3 five-game road swing in which the Clippers went 2-3. LA continues to play without Paul, who has missed six games since undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb on Jan. 18 (team is 2-4). Paul is not expected to return for another four to six weeks. It was good news that Griffin tied his season-high with 29 points, especially since center DeAndre Jordan (12.3 & 13.8) was ejected in the third-quarter for a flagrant-2 foul. "This is the best Blake we've seen (since his return) by far,"head coach Doc Rivers said. "He played in gears. He knew when to go, and he knew when not to go." Said Griffin, "I was proud how we stuck with it. With DJ going out and (Phoenix guard Eric Bledsoe) having a fantastic game, I was proud of the way we stayed with it and dug it out at the end." The pick: Here's the bottom line. The Clippers haven't defeated the Warriors since recording a 100-86 decision back on Christmas Day in 2014. Since then, it's been nothing but misery for them, as the Warriors own eight straight wins over the Clippers, including the past four meetings at Staples. Golden State has an average margin of victory of more than 13 points in the past eight contests against the Clippers, averaging 117.5 PPG and shooting 49.9 percent during that stretch. Golden State rolled to a 144-98 romp at Oracle Arena in the teams' most recent meeting, this past Saturday. The Warriors shot 62 percent from the floor and made 17 three-pointers, with Curry scoring 43 points (in three quarters!). It was the most points allowed by the Clippers this season. The Warriors have won 11 of their last 12 contests overall and they are 8-1 against division opponents this season. Make Golden State an 8* play. |
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02-02-17 | Utah v. California -3 | Top | 75-77 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 6 m | Show |
The set-up: The 15-6 (6-3 Pac 12) Utah Utes will visit the Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, as the 15-6 (6-3 Pac 12) Cal Golden Bears play host. The Utes opened last season’s Pac-12 schedule with road losses to Stanford and California, so are sure hoping for a more enjoyable visit to the Bay Area this weekend (will play at Stanford on Saturday). The Bears beat rival Stanford 66-55 last Sunday, for their fifth victory in their last six games.
Utah: The Utes have won three of their last four games to move into a three-way tie for third place in the Pac-12, as they prepare to visit Cal on Thursday. Utah struggled with Oregon’s size in last week’s 73-67 loss to Oregon but bounced back with a strong effort against Oregon State in an 86-78 win.Utah is an outstanding shooting team (51.8% ranks third), which scores 81.1 PPG (33rd). The 6-9 Kuzma (15.6 & 10.1) and the 6-8 Collette (14.3 & 5.10 are the team's top-two scorers but a quartet of guards are solid contibutors. The group is led by Bonam (13.2), along with Daniels (11.4 & 4.6(), Barefield (10.6) and Zamora (8.8). California: Playing for the first time in eight days, Ivan Rabb overcame a slow start to finish with 25 points and 13 rebounds (his 10th double-double this season) plus the Bears received 17 points from senior wing Jabari Bird and shot 64.7 percent in the second half of last Sunday’s win over Stanford. Freshman PG Charlie Moore (14.0 & 3.4 APG) recorded a career-high eight assists for the Bears, who are 15th in the nation in scoring defense at 62.4 PPG but have battled with inconsistent play for much of the season. The 6-11 Rabb (15.6 & 10.7) and Bird (14.1 & 4.5) combined for 42 of the team’s 66 points in the win over Stanford but the Bears need more scoring from players such as guard Grant Mullins (9.2), who was held to six points in 37 minutes against the Cardinal. The pick: Utah has won five of the last six meetings between the two schools, including an 82-78 overtime victory in last season’s Pac-12 tournament. However, the Bears are 12-2 SU at home, where opponents are averaging only 58.9 PPG. Make Cal an 8* play. |
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02-02-17 | Northeastern v. William & Mary -4 | Top | 69-94 | Win | 100 | 10 h 7 m | Show |
The set-up: It's CAA action Thursday night from Kaplan Arena in Williamsburg, as the William and Mary Tribe play host to the Northeastern Huskies. Both teams are 6-4 in league play, making this an important contest for each team. Northeastern: It may be even more important for the Huskies, as they enter having had lost four in a row at Towson, Delaware, Hofstra and home to Elon, before beating Towson 69-62 at home in their last game. Leading the way for Northeastern in scoring this year is guard TJ Williams with 21.5 PPG (he adds 4.8 RPG and 5.2 APG). The team's only other double digit scorer is 6-8 forward Murphy (14. 4 & 5.7), although forward Miller (9.5 & 5.1) and guard Begley (9.5) just miss.William and Mary: The Tribe lost three of four games in mid-January but have won three in a row versus Delaware, UNC Wilmington and Drexel. Those three straight wins (all at home) give the Tribe six wins in their last eight, Guard Daniel Dixon is averaging 17.6 PPG to lead the way and is paired with PG Cohn (6.5 & 5.0 APG) in the backcourt. William and Mary has excellent depth up front with the 6-7 Prewitt (14.8 & 5.9), the 6-9 Whitman (10.7 & 5.8), the 6-6 Malinowski (7.3 & 3.6) and the 6-9 Knight (7.0 & 4.3). The pick: Those three straight home wins makes William and Mary 10-0 SU at home this season and why go against them here? William & Mary is a 10* play. |
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02-01-17 | Baylor v. Kansas -6 | Top | 68-73 | Loss | -115 | 13 h 28 m | Show |
The set-up: The 20-1 Baylor Bears are ranked No. 2 in the latest AP poll and the 19-2 Kansas Jayhawks are No. 3. The two schools are tied atop the Big 12 at 7-1 and meet tonight in Lawrence, Kansas for the first time this season (will play again in Waco, Tx. on Feb. 18th). Baylor: The Bears came into the season un-ranked, after losing leading scorer Prince (15.9 & 6.1), rebounding 'machine' Gathers (11.2 & 9.0) and PG Medford (8.9 & 6.5 APG). Baylor surprised all by opening 15-0 and earned the school's first-ever No. 1 ranking in the AP poll on Jan. 9. However, on Jan. 10, the Bears got routed at West Va, 89-68. Baylor hasn't folded though (five straights wins since the loss in Morgantown) and now gets this showdown with Kansas. Baylor has a strong frontcourt with the 6-10 Motley (16.2 & 9.6), the 7-0 Lual-Acuil (10.2 & 7.2) and the 6-8 Maston (7.2 & 4.1). Lecomte, a Miami transfer, plays the point and averages 12.3 PPG and 4.4 APG plus has a soild backcourt partner in Freeman (10.2). Defense is a Baylor staple, as the Bears are allowing just 61.1 PPG (7th) on 38.3% (9th) shooting. Kansas: The Jayhawks know what it's like to lose at West Va. as well (85-69 on Jan. 24th) but rebounded with an impressive 79-73 win at Kentucky on Saturday (as a 7-point dog!). Kansas is a perimeter-oriented team, led by guards Mason (19.9-4.3-5.1), Graham (13.6) and Mykhailiuk 10.6), as well as 6-8 freshman swingman Jackson (15.7 & 6.7). 6-9 sophomore Carlton Bragg Jr. (6.1 & 4.8 rebounds) has been suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules and being charged with drug possession, which really leaves the 6-10 Lucas (7.6 & 7.8) as the only big body who can match up with Motley, Lual-Acuil Jr. and Maston. Baylor plays greta D but Kansas averages 84.3 PPG (89.6 at home), shooting 49.8% (9th), including 41.2% on threes (8th).
The pick: Bottom line is, all the numbers favor Kansas, which has won 53 straight games at home, including 50 at Allen Fieldhouse, and is 14-0 all-time at home against Baylor. Meanwhile, the Bears are 0-17 all-time against teams ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in either the AP or coaches poll. As for Kansas under head coach Bill Self, the Jayhawks are 7-0 when facing an AP top-five team at home. What else? Make Kansas a 10* play. |
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01-31-17 | Boise State +1.5 v. Colorado State | Top | 79-76 | Win | 100 | 11 h 3 m | Show |
The set-up: It's a Tuesday night MWC matchup as the13-7 Boise State Broncos take on the 14-8 Colorado State Rams in hoops. Both are 6-3 in league play, leaving them one game back of MWC-leader Nevada (7-2). Yes, it's an important game but the MWC is a weak league this year and it's likely only the MWC tourney winner will be 'dancing' come mid-March (only Nevada has slim at-large hopes). Boise State: The Broncos are searching for some consistency after going 3-3 over their last six games. Forward Webb (15.8 & 9.1) left school early plus starting guards Drmic (13.4) and Thompson (11.9 & 3.4 APG) graduated. The 6-7 Hutchinson (17.7 & 8.6) is listed as a guard and the team's only other double digit scorer is fellow guard Austin (11.2). Colorado State: The Rams enter this contest off three straight league wins, which has vaulted them into a tie with Boise for second-place. The Rams are coming off an 18-16 (8-10 MWC) season but lost four starters. The good news is that guard Clavell (20.8 & 6.9 in 10 games last season), is finally injury-free. He got back on the court on Dec. 10 and after scoring 37 in Saturday's 78-77 win at SD State, is averaging 18.5 & 6.5. Fellow guard Nixon averages 12.6 PPG and the 6-10 Omogbo adds 13.7 & 10.6.The pick: The Rams are flying high off that win at SD State but Boise State is 4-1-1 ATS its last six road games. I'm Make the Broncos an 8* play. |
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01-31-17 | Thunder +8.5 v. Spurs | Top | 94-108 | Loss | -107 | 11 h 40 m | Show |
The set-up: The 28-20 OKC Thunder find themselves 1 1/2 games back of the Utah Jazz in the Northwest and in a battle with the 29-21 Grizzlies for the West's No. 6 seed. As for the 36-11 Spurs, they lead the Rockets by three games in the Southwest but like the rest of the NBA, trail the 41-7 Warriors for the best record in the West (or in the entire NBA, for that matter). Oklahoma City: Russell Westbrook is averaging 30.8 points, 10.8 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game, in his quest to become the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double over an entire season. "He's a great player, and we have try our best to limit his touches and his catches and looks," said San Antonio guard Danny Green, who likely will get the defensive assignment on Tuesday. "We need to try to make one of their other players beat us." OKC's problem all season i has been production outside of Westbrook and now Enes Kanter (14.4 & 6.7) could miss two months after breaking his right forearm by punching a chair during a timeout in a win over Dallas on Friday. San Antonio: The Spurs come into this game off losses at New Orleans and at home to Mavs (??), having lost back-to-back games for the first time since falling to the LA Clippers on Nov. 5 and to the Houston Rockets on Nov. 9. The 105-101 Sunday loss to Dallas was San Antonio's sixth loss to a team with a sub-.500 record. The Spurs have lost only five times to opponents with winning records. The loss to the Mavs didn't sit well with All-Star small forward Kawhi Leonard (25.4 & 5.7). "It doesn't matter who we lose to," Leonard told reporters. "It's always tough losing. We want to win every game. We've got another one coming up and we have to be prepared. We have to go in with the same mentality -- play defense first and let the offense come."
The pick: The Spurs and Thunder will meet for the first time this season, with the last "get together" being when the teams faced off in the 2016 playoffs, where the Thunder beat the Spurs twice in San Antonio to capture that Western Conference semifinal series (of course, KD was on OKC then!). However, it's hard to ignore that after matching the league record with a 40-1 SU home mark last season, the Spurs are "just" 16-6 SU at home this season, going 12-10 ATS. Take the points and make OKC a 10* play. |
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01-31-17 | Ohio v. Western Michigan +2 | Top | 85-90 | Win | 100 | 8 h 54 m | Show |
The set-up: The 13-6 Ohio Bobcats will travel to University Arena to take on the 6-14 Western Michigan Broncos Tuesday night in MAC hoops play. The Bobcats are 5-3 (2nd in the East), while the Broncos are 2-6 in league play, leaving them in last-place in the West (this is NOT football!).
Ohio: Saul Phillips is in his third season in Athens and after winning just 10 games in his first year, was looking to build on last year's 23-win campaign with four starters back for this season. The Bobcats are 13-6 but Ohio just lost its best player, the 6-9 Campbell (16.4 & 8.9) for the season due to a foot injury (Jan. 19). The 6-8 Kaminsky (12.8) is a decent scorer but averages a woeful 2.8 RPG. That leaves the team with the 6-8 Carter (7.1 & 5.2) as its best rebounder. PG Simmons (13.3 & 7.0 APG) and Dartis (12.8) form a quality backcourt duo but without Campbell???? Western Michigan: The Broncos are not a very good team but can match Ohio in the backcourt with Wilder (17.7 & 4.0) and Haymond (14.0 & 4.4). WMU has size at the center position, as the 7-0 Dugan (6.0 & 5.4) and the 6-10 LaMont (7.8 & 4.4) share time. Throw in 6-8 PF Johnson (8.0 & 5.4) and the Broncos just may be OK. The pick: Yes, the Bobcats have won both road games since Campbell was lost for the season but I'm backing the home dog here to 'bark' loudly. Make Western Michigan a 10* play. |
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01-30-17 | Grizzlies -3.5 v. Suns | Top | 115-96 | Win | 100 | 14 h 24 m | Show |
The set-up: The 28-21 Memphis Grizzlies will make the third stop on their current six-game road trip Monday night in Phoenix, to face the 15-32 Suns. Memphis will try to make it back-to-back triumphs in tonight's game, something it has done just once this month. the Grizzlies haven't won as many as three in a row since a six-game winning streak to open December. The Suns come the losers of three in a row, as defensed continue sto be an issue. The Suns rank 29th in points allowed (112.0 PPG) and have not held an opponent under 100 points in any of their last 10 contests. Memphis: The Grizzlies could not stop Damian Lillard in the fourth quarter of a 112-109 loss at Portland (Friday) to begin the trip but were able to win 102-95 in Utah on Saturday, aaginst the up-and-coming Jazz. PF Zach Randolph (14.1 & 8.4) has a season-high 28 points and added nine rebounds. "He was really disappointed with the loss the night before," Grizzlies head coach David Fizdale told reporters of Randolph. "He really wanted that game in Portland. I saw it on his face after the game and the things he said after the game. He was really upset. I expected him to come out and play really well (Saturday)." Randolph, center Marc Gasol (20.8 & 6.1) and PG Mike Conley (18.7-3.8-6.2) combined to score 69 points on 28-of-46 shooting in the win at Utah. "We really did a good job of moving the basketball tonight," Conley told reporters. "Really playing off one another, especially when one guy has it going. We didn’t go away from that. (Randolph) had so many opportunities down low early and just kept trying to exploit that as long as we could, and when they took that away we went to Marc and when they took that away we went to me. We were just trying to go down the line and find different areas to try and attack them." Phoenix: PG Bledsoe (21.4-5.0-6.3) scored a career-high 41 points on Saturday against Denver (besting his previous best of 40 set six days earlier) and is averaging 31.8 points in the last four contests. His backcourt mate, second-year Devin Booker (20.8) of Kentucky, is thriving on the offensive end as well and added points. He has now scored at least 20 points in each of his last 12 contests, averaging 26.7 PPG in that span. Let's also not forget center Tyson Chandler, who earlier this month broke the Phoenix franchise record with seven consecutive games with 15 or more rebounds. His current average (12.2) is his highest in 10 years and is well above the full-season record for a 16th-year NBA player. That mark is held by Moses Malone at 10.0 per game. The pick: One has to love the guard combo of Bledsoe and Booker plus Chandler's numbers speak for themselves but "oh those defensive woes." Phoenix surrendered an average of 125.0 PPG in back-to-back losses to the Denver Nuggets in the team's last two games, Thursday in Denver and back at home on Saturday. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies rank 3rd in the NBA in points allowed ((99.6), opponents' FG percentage (43.7) and opponents' three-point shooting (34.1). Make Memphis an 8* play. |
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01-30-17 | Drexel v. William & Mary -10.5 | Top | 85-108 | Win | 100 | 11 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: It's make-up game tonight in the CAA, as the 8-14 Drexel Dragons visit the 11-9 William and Mary Tribe. Drexel is just 2-7 in CAA play, while William and Mary is 5-4.
Drexel: The Dragons limp in having lost six of their last eight games. However, coming off a 6-25 season (3-15 ibn CAA), the team's eight wins shows improvement. The 6-7 Rodney Williams (16.1 & 6.6) is the team's best player, while four guards give Drexel excellent depth on the perimeter. PG Lee (13.5 & 5.0 APG) leads the way along with fellow guards Mojica (11.2 & 6.0), Overton (10.0) and Jonsson (9.2). Up front, the 6-9 Bah (2.9 & 2.5) starts but the 6-8 Austin Williams (6.9 & 7.0) is a bigger contributor off the bench. William and Mary: In contrast to Drexel, the Tribe come in having won five of their last seven games. Guard Daniel Dixon is averaging 16.9 PPG to lead the way and is paired with PG Cohn (6.4 & 4.9 APG) in the backcourt. While Drexel owns a deeper perimeter group, William and Mary should dominate inside, with the 6-7 Prewitt (14.3 & 5.8), the 6-9 Whitman (7.4 & 3.6), the 6-6 Malinowski (7.4 & 3.6) and the 6-9 Knight (7.0 & 4.4). The pick: Drexel hardly enters this game in good form and has allowed 80.8 PPG in lined road games. That does not bode well vs. a William and Mary team playing its best ball of the season and comes in a perfect 9-0 SU at home on the season. Make William and Mary a 10* play. |
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01-30-17 | Kings v. 76ers +2 | Top | 119-122 | Win | 100 | 5 h 20 m | Show |
The set-up: The 17-29 Sacramento Kings continue the team's eight-game road trip with a stop Monday night in Philadelphia, to take on the 19-28 76ers for a game rescheduled from its original date (Nov. 30), when condensation on the floor at the Wells Fargo Center made for an unsafe environment. The teams own similar records but while the 76ers rank 14th of 15 teams in the East and are five games out of the final playoff spot, the Kings are 10th in the West, just 2 1/2 games out of that final playoff spot. Sacramento: The Kings have won three of their last four, improving to 3-3 on their road trip which ends Tuesday in Houston. "Guys have been great lately," star forward DeMarcus Cousins told reporters after posting 35 points and 18 rebounds in Saturday's 109-106 win at Charlotte. "They are believing. Their confidence is high, which we need, and we're just on the right path and we feel it." The Kings recently lost the team's second-leading scorer, Rudy Gay (18.7), to a season ending injury so it was good news that four other players scored at least 13 points in Saturday's win. Cousins (28.1 & 10.5) was sure pleased to get the support. "We are realizing what is going to win us games and it's not iso(lation) basketball," he told reporters. "When we are making the defense work and getting the best shot for the team and just finding the open man, we are realizing that is working for us." Darren Collison (13.1 & 4.2 APG) led that quartet with 17 points and he is averaging 22.0 PPG on 59.5 percent shooting in the last three games.
Philadelphia: The 76ers won 10 of 13 games from Dec. 30 through Jan. 25 but lost 123-118 at home to teh Rockets and Sunday lost 121-108 in Chicago, the team's 12th straight defeat against the Bulls. Joel Embiid (knee) has missed four of the last five games, including not even making the trip to Chicago. However, the 76ers hope to have their star center back in the lineup when then they host the Kings. Embiid leads the team in scoring (20.2), rebounding (7.8) and blocked shots (2.45). Sixers backup center Jahlil Okafor (11.2 & 4.8) dressed but did not play Sunday against Chicago. He has been held out of 10 of the last 14 games, most recently because of a sore right knee. However, all five starters for Philadelphia scored at least 12 points in Sunday's loss, led by Ersan Ilyasova's 31. He's averaging 15.5 & 6.1 on the season. PG McConnell (5.6 & 6.0 APG) continued his impressive play with12 assists, giving him an average of 10.8 over the past five games. |
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01-29-17 | Warriors -8.5 v. Blazers | Top | 113-111 | Loss | -102 | 10 h 12 m | Show |
The set-up: The 21-27 Portland Trail Blazers are in the middle of a five-game homestand and after Friday' 112-109 win over Memphis, have strung together three straight wins for the first time since Nov. 30-Dec. 5. However, the issue the Blazers face rtonight is that the Golden Stae warriors are coming to the Moda center with the league's best overall record (40-7), the league's best road record (19-4) and with the NBA's highest scoring offense (118.1 PPG), not to mention ranking No. 1 in the NBA in defensive efficiency (rank 1st in FG percentage against at 43.2%). Golden State: The Warriors hosted the Clippers last night and won, 144-98! "It's going great," Golden State head coach Steve Kerr told the Portland Tribune. "The record is good, but more importantly, we're making really good strides, improving all the time." Kerr added, "The first month of the season, we weren't close to that. Over the last month, we've really gotten better at that end. That's a great sign considering what we lost personnel-wise over the summer. Our defense has changed quite a bit. We had a couple of dominant centers in (Andrew) Bogut and (Festus) Ezeli. We don't get the shot-blocking from the center position now, but we get solid play from Zaza (Pachulia) and David West. We play a little faster defensively with (Kevin Durant) and Draymond (Green) and Klay (Thompson) and Andre (Iguodala), wings who do a lot of switching. It's been great to see the guys coming around and clicking together." OK Steve, we get it. Life is good when a coach can trot out Durant (26.1-8.3-4.7), Curry (25.0-4.3-6.1), Thompson (21.0) and Green (10.5-8.4-7.5). Portland: Damian Lillard (26.3-4.8-5.8) is the only player among the league's top dozen scorers not to make the All Star game and scored 15 of his 33 points in the final 6:25 against the Grizzlies. Lillard featured 13 straight Blazer points in a span of 2:40, giving Portland a 106-101 lead with 3:45 to play. "Dame carried us," Portland head coach Terry Stotts said. "It was good to see him have a stretch like that. He hasn't had one of those in a while. It was good to see the ball go through and have him carry the team like that. We don't win the game if he doesn't carry us offensively." Lillard's backcourt partner is McCollum (23.4), giving Portland's the league's second-highest scoring duo. However, the Blazers can't quite match up with the rest of the Warriors' lineup (like everyone else, we should note).
The pick: Curry showed no ill effects of a quad injury by piling up 43 points in just three quarters of action in last night's rout of the Clippers.The 144-point total is the second-highest of the season for Golden State. The Warriors have won the first three meetings this season against Portland and five straight overall, by an average of 25.3 points. The Warriors were able to rest their starters down the stretch in last night's rout of Clippers, so what changes here? Nothing. The Warriors are a 10* play. |
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01-29-17 | 76ers +6.5 v. Bulls | Top | 108-121 | Loss | -108 | 11 h 41 m | Show |
The set-up: The "new-look" Bulls were supposed to be better than last year when the team's 42-40 record missed the playoffs. However, they check in at 23-25 as they get set to host the 76ers, who after years of frustration, are beginning to show signs that "the Process" is working. Philly comes to Chicago 17-28 but having won 10 of their last 14 games.
Philadelphia: The 76ers won just 10 games last season, 18 the year before that and just 19 three seasons ago. The main man in the team's resurgence is Joel Embiid, who after missing the previous two seasons with foot issues, has averaged 20.2 PPG (on 46.6% shooting), 7.8 RPG and 2.45 BPG. Embiid's minutes have been carefully monitored and he didn't make this trip to the United Center, as he rests a sore knee. Forward Ersan Ilyasova (15.1 & 6.) has also been a key acquisition, who just had a streak of 25 straight games scoring in double figures end Friday night in Philly's 123-118 home loss against the Rockets. While those two have been the team's best performers all season, Philly's current 10-4 run began o back on Dec. 30th, when T.J. McConnell was promoted to starting PG. McConnell nearly had his fourth straight game with double-digit assists against the Rockets, with eight. He is averaging 10.5 assists over the past four games and produced 13 points - his best total this month - in the loss to the Rockets. "T.J. has been excellent," Embiid told the team's website. "I thought the past 10 games, 13 games, I think he's been our MVP just pushing the ball up the court, just sharing the ball. That's what point guards do, and I think he's been excellent." Chicago: The Bulls currently own the eighth and final playoff spot in the East but in losing their last two, have begun to criticize each other via post-game interviews and social media accounts. After watching a 10-point lead with three minutes left in the fourth quarter slip away against the Hawks, Wade and Butler went off on their young teammates in pos-tgame interview sessions. Rajon Rondo then fired back Thursday on his Instagram account, writing pointed words likely intended to criticize Wade and Butler. Following a team meeting Friday that essentially replaced the morning shootaround, the Bulls lost 100-88 at home to the Miami Heat that night and turned in another lackluster effort. Butler (24.4-6.5-4.7) and Wade (19.7-4.3-3.7) were benched to start the game, a punishment for their comments, and neither played all that well. Wade had 15 points but Butler was held to a season-low three points on 1-of-13 shooting. The pick: Obviously, I'd prefer the 76ers to have had Embiid for this one but Philly's playing with confidence while the Bulls are riddled with in-fighting and several players criticizing one another. Take the points with Philly and make them an 8* play. |
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01-29-17 | Indiana +6.5 v. Northwestern | Top | 55-68 | Loss | -105 | 10 h 4 m | Show |
The set-up: Indiana opened its season by upsetting Kansas in OT and after a 3-0 start, found themselves ranked No. 3 in the nation. However, the Hoosiers did stay near the top of the polls for long, as they are currently 14-7 overall and just 4-4 in Big Ten play. Meanwhile, after getting off to a 1-2 start in Big Ten play, Northwestern has reeled off five straight wins to close to within one game lead of the conference lead at 6-2. The Wildcats are 17-4 overall and the lone school from a Power-5 conference to have never made an NCAA tourney appearance, just may be 'dancing' come March of 2017! Indiana: The Hoosiers brought a 10-2 mark into their Dec. 28 Big Ten opener but have since gone 4-5 and adding insult to injury, lost forward Anunoby (11.1 & 5.4) to a season-ending knee injury on Jan. 18 Guard James Blackmon Jr. leads the team at 17.6 PPG but had only four points against Michigan on Wednesday, snapping a 22-game double-digit scoring streak. Again, adding insult to injury, he sustained an injury to his lower left leg and is without a timetable for return. Guard Robert Johnson (14.0 & 4.4) and 6-10 center Thomas Bryant (11.9 & 6.7) also are averaging double figures, with Bryant leading the team in rebounding.Northwestern: The Wildcats' 73-61 win over Nebraska on Thursday gave the program five straight Big Ten victories for the first time since 1966. The Wildcats’ 6-2 conference mark is also the program’s best Big Ten start since 1943-44. Leading scorer Scottie Lindsey (15.6 points) was hampered by back spasms on Thursday and finished with only five points, his first game with single digits this season. However, center Dererk Pardon (19 points and a career-high 22 rebounds) and Law (20 points) more than picked up the slack. The 6-7 Law (14.3 & 5.7) and PG Bryant McIntosh (12.4 & 5.6 APG) also are averaging double digits on the season, while center Pardon checks in at 8.7 & 8.7. However, it’s been the Wildcats’ defensive prowess that has been more impressive as they rank second in the Big Ten in points allowed (64.1) while leading the league in field-goal percentage defense (38.6). |
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01-29-17 | Xavier -6.5 v. St. John's | Top | 82-77 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: Xavier is 14-6 (4-3 in Big East) and St. John's just 10-12 (4-5 Big East) but while the Musketeers are ranked 24th, the Red Storm may actually be playing a little better at the moment.
Xavier: Trevon Bluiett scored a career-high 40 points on 12 of 15 from the floor, including 9 of 11 from beyond the arc, in an 86-78 loss at No. 19 Cincinnati on Thursday, as Xavier lost for the fourth time in its last five games (Musketeers will not be in Monday's new AP poll). Bluiett tied the school record for threes in a game and his 40 points were the second-most ever against Cincinnati, one shy of Dell Curry's total for Virginia Tech in 1985-86. The 6-foot-5 junior guard leads Xavier averaging 18.4 PPG (adds 5.7 RPG) and has hit a team-high 51 three-pointers. Sophomore PG Edmond Sumner (14.9-4.4-4.9) and fellow guard Macura (14.4 & 4.3) give Xavier an excellent perimeter group but the team gets little from its frontcourt. St. John's: The Red Storm are off to their best record at the midway point of conference play since the 2012-13 season. Head coach Chris Mullin's squad recorded an impressive 91-86 win at Providence on Jan. 25 in which freshman Marcus LoVett scored a game-high 26 points on 10 of 15 shooting, while fellow frosh Shamorie Ponds added 22 points, highlighted by a 4-for-5 effort from long distance. Like Xavier, St. John's is a perimeter-based team, with its top-five scorers being guards. LoVett leads with 17.2 PPG, Ponds is next at 17.0 (also 4.9 RPG) and the team's third double digit scorer is Ahmed at 12.7 PPG and 5.5 RPG. The pick: Xavier claimed a 97-82 victory when these schools met back on Jan. 7 at Cintas Center, part of a six-game winning streak. However, as noted above, Xavier has now dropped four of five. Still, Xavier is the much better team and it needs to 'stop the bleeding' That happens here at MSG. Xavier is an 8* play. |
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01-28-17 | Grizzlies +7 v. Jazz | Top | 102-95 | Win | 100 | 13 h 49 m | Show |
The set-up: The 27-21 Memphis Grizzlies will be in Salt Lake City to face the 30-18 Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies are 10 games out in the Southwest and the Jazz lead the Northwest by 1 1/2 games. The Jazz currently own the West's no. 5 seed and while the Grizzlies are 7th, they are well inside the playoff 'cut line,' six games clear of the 9th-place Blazers. Memphis: Center Marc Gasol (20.8-6.1-4.2) is headed to the All Star game and comes in averaging 31 points over hios last six games, including scoring 32 twice and 42 points in his last three. PF Zach Randolph (13.8 & 8.3) asked for increased playing time and he's had sixth double-doubles in January and has averaged 14.9 & 9.9 this month. PG Conley (18.6 & 6.3 APG) is averaging career highs in both points and assists but failed to make the All Star game. He s the team's only other double digit scorer. Defense is still a staple for Memphis, which ranks third in points allowed (99.7), defensive shooting percentage (43.7) and three-point percentage (34.0). Utah: The Jazz saw Gordon Hayward earn an All Star bid, Utah's first in six seasons, Utah has an NBA All-Star on the roster. Hayward is in the midst of the best season of his seven-year career and is averaging 21.8 points (along with 5.7 RPG and 3.4 APG) after scoring 24 in Thursday's 96-88 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The 26-year-old's emergence as a big-time player is another prime reason why Utah is one of just six NBA teams to reach 30 victories. Center Rudy Gobert (12.8 & 12.6) has also played a vital role in Utah's rise this season but did not earn an NBA All-Star selection. He was snubbed despite leading the league in total blocks (124), blocks per game (2.6) and points per shot (1.87). He also ranks second in field goal percentage (66.1). Utah ranks 1st in points allowed (95.4) and second in FG percentage (43.3). The pick:I like what I see with the Jazz but the Grizzlies have won two of the previous three games this season, most recently beating the Jazz 88-79 on Jan. 8 behind 19 points and nine assists from Conley. Utah has often been under-priced this season but not here, in a meeting of excellent defensive teams. Take the points and make Memphis a 10* play. |
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01-28-17 | Baylor v. Ole Miss +7 | Top | 78-75 | Win | 100 | 10 h 42 m | Show |
The set-up: Baylor came into the season un-ranked, after losing leading scorer Prince (15.9 & 6.1), rebounding 'machine' Gathers (11.2 & 9.0) and PG Medford (8.9 & 6.5 APG). However, the Bears opened 15-0 and earned the school's first-ever No. 1 ranking in the AP poll on Jan. 9. However, on Jan. 10, the Bears got routed at West Va, 89-68. Baylor hasn't folded though and sits at 19-1 (No.5) as it gets sets to take on 12-8 (3-5 in SEC play) Ole Miss in Oxford.
Baylor: Baylor has a strong frontcourt with the 6-10 Motley (16.2 & 9.6), the 7-0 Lual-Acuil (9.8 & 7.2) and the 6-8 Maston (7.6 & 4.7). Lecomte, a Miami transfer, plays the point and averages 12.1 PPG and 4.5 APG and has a soild backcourt partner in Freeman (10.7). Defense is a Baylor staple, as the Bears are allowing just 60.4 PPG (5th) on 38.2% (8th) shooting. Baylor's 7-1 Big 12 record has them tied atop the standings with perennial frontrunner Kansas. Ole Miss: The Rebels lost four of their first five games in SEC action and most recently dropped a home game 80-76 versus Texas A&M on Wednesday, snapping a two-game SEC winning streak. Junior guard Deandre Burnett leads the team in scoring (17.7) and ranks fourth in the SEC in free throw shooting (88.1 percent) while sophomore guard Terence Davis (12.8 points) had a team-high 19 points, including a career-high five three-pointers, in the loss to Texas A&M. Sebastian Saiz, a 6-9 senior forward, is second on the team in scoring (15.6) while also grabbing an SEC-leading 11.3 rebounds per game. The pick: The Bears are 3-0 in Big 12/SEC Challenge games, having posted victories over Kentucky, Vanderbilt and Georgia. "The last three years (the Big 12 has) been the best conference, RPI-wise," Baylor coach Scott Drew said. "Right now, we're not at the top and hopefully this challenge can help with that." However, Baylor is No. 1 in the nation in RPI and is tied with Florida State for the most wins against top-50 RPI teams (nine). That said, this is a lot of poinst to lay on the road. Baylor's won four straight sine losing at West Va. but has averaged just 69.5 PPG in those wins. Take the points and make Ole Miss a 10* play. |
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01-28-17 | Duke -4.5 v. Wake Forest | Top | 85-83 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 32 m | Show |
The set-up: Coach K has been relegated to watching Duke from afar since having back surgery early this month and can't possibly have liked what he's seen. He has reportedly has banned players from the locker room and from wearing team apparel “until they start living up to the standards of the Duke program.” No. 17 Duke (15-5, 3-4 in ACC play) will be in Winston-Salem this afternoon to take on Wake Forest, which is 12-8 overall, 3-5 in ACC play. Duke: The Blue Devils lost 84-82 at home to North Carolina State this past Tuesday, dropped them to below .500 in ACC play. Duke has lost three of its last four and is 2-3 under acting coach Jeff Capel. The Blue Devils have yet to win a true road game this season, losing at Virginia Tech, Florida State and Louisville by an average of 13 points. The team's struggles are hard to isolate, considering Duke has five double digit scorers and a wealth of talent. The backcourt consists of Kennard (19.8 & 5.5), Allen (15.1 & 4.4), Jackson (10.8) and Jones (8.6). Up front, the 6-8 Tatum (16.5 & 6.8) is a freshman and the 6-9 Jefferson (12.7 & 9.9) a senior. Then there is teh 6-10 Giles, the super-frosh who is rounding into shape after an early injury. He's played in just nine games, averaging 5.4 & 5.0 getting about 13 minutes of playing time. Wake Forest: Danny Manning's tenure at Wake has not gotten off to a robust start, as Wake won 13 times in his first season and 11 times last year (7-29 combined, in ACC play). I guess the team's 12-8 record so far this season (3-5 in ACC play) has to be considered a move in the right direction. For sure, the Demon Deacons are an excellent offensive team, averaging 81.4 PPG (32nd) and that includes them scoring 87.9 PPG on 50 percent shooting at home. A pair of 6-10 players are the keys up front, Collins (17.0 & 9.0) and Mitoglou (10.2 & 6.4) plus guards Crawford (14.6 & 5.9 APG) and Woods (12.9 & 4.4) are a quality backcourt duo.The pick: Wake's improving but catch Duke off that home loss to NC State and the Blue Devils will be none too happy. It hardly inspires confidence for Wake Forest that the Demon Deacons have lost nine straight home games against ranked opponents since posting an 82-72 victory over No. 5 Duke back on March 5, 2014. Make Duke a 10* play. |
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01-28-17 | Florida State -3 v. Syracuse | Top | 72-82 | Loss | -105 | 4 h 43 m | Show |
The set-up: The Florida State Seminoles were coming off seasons of 17 and 20 wins and were un-ranked in either preseason poll, although The Blue Ribbon Yearbook had them at No. 20. The No. 6 Seminoles have been a big surprise at 18-3 (6-2 in ACC play) but are coming off their worst performance of the season, a shocking 78-56 loss at un-ranked Georgia Tech. Speaking of things not going right, 12-9 (4-4 in ACC play) Syracuse is off to its worst start in coach Jim Boeheim's 41-year tenure!
Syracuse: The Orange may be off to the worst start to a season in Boieheim's 41-year career but one couldn't tell it by the team's play here at the Carrier Dome. Syracuse is 0-7 in games away from the Dome this season (outscored by an average of 13.3 points) but in 14 home games, the Orange are 12-2 while outscoring opponents by 18.1 PPG. The Orange improved to 4-0 at home in conference play after rallying from an eight-point deficit midway through the second half to defeat Wake Forest 81-76 on Tuesday. The 6-7 Andrew White scored a game-high 27 points against the Demon Deacons and the graduate transfer leads the team at 16.3 PPG. He's joined on the perimeter by Battle (10.2) and PG Gillon (8.3 & 4.9 APG). The 6-9 Lydon (14.2 & 7.8) is Syracuse's best frontcourt player.
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01-27-17 | Dayton +4 v. VCU | Top | 68-73 | Loss | -107 | 13 h 45 m | Show |
The set-up: Friday night features a quality A-10 matchup with the 15-4 Dayton Flyers (6-1 in A-10 play) visiting the 15-5 VCU Rams (5-2 in A-10 play). Both schools are off 25-win seasons last year, as well as appearing in the Big Dance. Dayton: The Flyers made it three straight wins with a 67-46 blowout win of Saint Louis in their last game. PG Scoochie Smith led the way with 19 points, making six of nine shots, including five threes. Smith averages 13.9 PPG and 3.6 APG and pairs with the team's leading scorer, Charles Cooke (17.8 & 5.4), to give Dayton an impressive backcourt. Cooke had 15 points to go along with game-high totals ofnine rebounds and six assists in the win over St. Louis. The 6-6 Kendall Pollard (12.0 & 8.8) chipped in nine points and three blocks. VCU: The Rams ended a two-game slide with an easy 90-52 win over La Salle in their last outing. The 6-7 Justin Tillman (11.6 & 7.6) led the team with 16 points on 7 of 10 shooting from the floor, while falling just one rebound shy of the double-double. Guard JeQuan Lewis had 15 points and leads the team with an average of 14.8 PPG on the season., A trio of guards join him on the perimeter in Williams (8.8), Doughty (8.7) and Brooks (6.0). The 6-7 Alie-Cox (9.8 & 4.1) joins Tillman up front but the Rams miss last year's leading scorer Melvin Johnson (17.7), as well as fellow guard Billbury (11.1).The pick: The Rams have built quite a program, as the school has won 24-plus games for 10 consecutive seasons, which spans three head coaches. However, this hardly looks like a vintage VCU team and the Rams have so far avoided the top-echelon of A-10 teams. That's not the case here. Make Dayton a 10* play. |
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01-27-17 | Kings v. Pacers -4 | Top | 111-115 | Push | 0 | 11 h 51 m | Show |
The set-up: The 18-27 Sacramento Kings continue an eight-game road trip Friday night when they take on the 23-22 Indiana Pacers. The Kings stumbled badly by going 1-6 during their recent seven-game homestand but are 2-2 so far on their current trip, having won back-to-back games after the team's stunning 116-112 overtime win against the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Indiana's standout SF Paul George was selected to his fourth All-Star game and then celebrated with a 32-point outing last night, as the Pacers picked up a 109-103 road victory at Minnesota last night, snapping a three-game losing streak. Sacramento: DeMarcus Cousins (28.2 & 10.2) was named to his third straight All-Star contest Thursday and his career-best 28.2 PPG average ranks fifth in the NBA. Cousins has notched 10 consecutive double-doubles and has 25 on the season. However, the team's second-leading scorer, Rudy Gay (18.7), has been lost for the season, leaving the Kings with just one other double digit scorer in Collison (12.6). Sacramento has been a model of inconsistency this season, with the team's back-to-back wins following a stretch when the Kings had lost eight of nine.
Indiana: The Pacers know what inconsistency is all about as well, after snapping their three-game slide last night, which followed the team having won seven of eight. George carried the Pacers to a much-needed victory last night and head coach Nate McMillan added, "As Paul goes, it seems like the team goes. Not only did he do a solid job on the defensive end of the floor, I thought offensively he got a good rhythm and was knocking down some big shots for us." Joining George as solid contributors this season are 6-11 second-year PF Myles Turner (15.9 & 7.5) and PG Jeff Teague (15.6-4.2-8.1), who the Pacers acquired in an off-season trade from Atlanta. The pick: Indiana is 23-22 on the season but one thing which has been fairly consistent has been the team's play here at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. While the Pacers are 7-16 SU on the road, they are 16-6 SU at home. Yes, it's a back-to-back situation for Indiana but they catch the inconsistent Kings off their Wednesday upset of the Cavs. The Pacers just won in Sacramento (106-100 on Jan 18) and this time around a win should come more easily. Make Indiana at 10* play. |
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01-27-17 | Harvard -6 v. Cornell | Top | 77-71 | Push | 0 | 10 h 36 m | Show |
The set-up: It's Ivy League action tonight from Ithaca, N.Y. when Harvard (10-5 / 2-0 Ivy) visits Cornell (5-12 / 1-1 Ivy). Harvard dominated the Ivy League from 2010-11 through 2014-15, winning five Ivy titles with four NCAA appearances while averaging 23.6 wins per season. It was in that 2010-11 season that Bill Courtney took over at Cornell for Steve Donahue. All Donahue had done the previous three seasons was go 72-21 (28-4 in Ivy League play), win three Ivy titles and lead the Big Red to three NCAA touneys, including a Sweet 16 appearance. Courtney's timing was not good and after six seasons (60-113 / 27-57 in Ivy), his contarc was not renewed after last season.
Harvard: The Crimson fell off last year, going just 14-16 (6-8 Ivy) but have rebounded this season. Freshman guard Aiken (13.3) has joined PG Chambers (8.9 & APG) in the backcourt, as Chambers is back after missing all of last season with an ACL injury. The 6-7 Towns (11.7 & 6.) is Harvard's best frontcourt player. Harvard comes in off four straight wins and nine in its last 10. Cornell: Taking over as head coach is Brian Earl, a former player and assistant coach at Princeton. The Big Red return all five starters from last season's 10-18 (3-11 Ivy) team. Morgan (18.3 & 5.0) and Hatter (12.4) form an excellent backcourt while the 6-9 Getting (12.4 & 5.8) is the team's top frontcourt performer. The pick: It looks as if Harvard will contend for the Ivy title this year while Cornell will be an also-ran. I noted earlier that Harvard comes in having won nine of 10 but let me add that the tam is 6-0 ATS in that run. Cornell lost its lone home game in league play to Columbia and can't be expected to do any better here against a superior Harvard team. Make Harvard a 10* play. |
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01-26-17 | UTEP +9 v. Western Kentucky | Top | 62-65 | Win | 100 | 8 h 45 m | Show |
The set-up: The 9-11 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers will host the 5-13 UTEP Miners on Thursday action. Despite UTEP's poor overall record, the Miners are 3-3 in league play, while the Hilltoppers check in at 3-4. UTEP: The Miners come in on a three-game winning streak (all in league games). Guard Omega Harris leads Miners averaging 17.5 PPG and is joined in teh backcourt by Dominic Artis, who is averaging 14.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists. The 7-1 Matt Willms adds 10.0 & 5.3 and the Paul Thomas, 7.1 & 6.1. UTEP's three-game winning streak has come at home, winning back-to-back one-point OT games, before routing UTSA 59-39, as the Roadrunners shot 24.1 percent, including 2 of 22 on threes. Good defense or just poor shooting? Western Kentucky: The Hilltoppers are led by Johnson & Johnson (not related). Guard Que Johnson leads the Hilltoppers averaging 14.7 PPG (adds 5.1 RPG), while the 6-7 Justin Johnson is averaging 13.4 PPG and a team-best 8.1 RPG. Guard Pancake Thomas is the team's third double digit scorer at 13.0 PPG. Western Kentucky is 6-1 at home but that 3-4 C-USA record is troubling.The pick: Yes, UTEP is 0-5 SU on the road but note that Western Ky is 0-4 ATS as a home favorite this year. UTEP's Tim Floyd is a proven coach and his Miners have won an average of 21.3 games the last three seasons. The team is starting to get its act together and against this quality of opponent, UTEP plus the points is the play (8*). |
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01-26-17 | Nebraska +8.5 v. Northwestern | Top | 61-73 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 44 m | Show |
The set-up: Is this finally the year that Northwestern goes 'dancing?' It's the only school from a Power-5 conference to have never appeared in the NCAA tourney. However, the NCAA Tournament buzz is building, as the Wildcats have won four ina row to reach 16-4, including 5-2 in Big Ten play. Northwesterm will host 9-10 (3-4 in Big Ten play) Thursday night. Nebraska: The Cornhuskers knew they would lose swingman and leading scorer Shields (16.8) this year but when Andrew White (16.6) decide to play his final season at Syracuse, as a graduate transfer, Tim Miles’ team took a big hit. Miles got Nebraska to the NCAA tourney in his second season at the school but these last two years, Nebraska has won just 13 and 16 games. Four-year starter. 6-4 combo guard Tai Webster (18.1-4.9-3.9) is the team's best player. Fellow guard Glynn Watson Jr. ranks second on the team in scoring (14.6) but the only other player in double digits is the 6-7 Morrow (10.1 & 7.9) but he's missed the last three games witha foot injury. Nebraska scores 71.5 PPG and allows 70.9, making its 9-10 record seem just about right. Northwestern: The Wildcats are on their first four-game run in Big Ten play in two years and a victory here would give them their first five-game run since 1965-66. "This team, history doesn't define us," guard Scottie Lindsey (16.0 & 4.3) told reporters after scoring 21 points against the Buckeyes on Sunday, the school's first victory at Ohio State in 40 years! "The past things that have happened with this program, it doesn't really matter to this team. We push through that type of stuff." PG Bryant McIntosh (12.6 & APG) chipped in 17 points at Ohio State. Swingman Sanjay Lumpkin (6.4 & 7.0) hauled in 11 rebounds and is averaging seven a game while the team's top player on the glass - center Dererk Pardon (7.5) - grabbed eight along with handing out a career-high four assists. 6-7 Forward Vic Law (14.0 & 5.8) had 15 points in the win over Nebraska and has reached double digits in eight consecutive contests.
The pick: Northwestern can say all it wants that the past is in the past but I expect this team to have its problems down the stretch, at least when favored by as many points as the Wildcats are here. Remember, Nebraska won SU at Indiana as a two-TD underdog and its four-game losing streak has come by a combined 16 points. Take the points and make Nebraska a 10* play. |
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01-25-17 | Washington +3.5 v. Arizona State | Top | 75-86 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 44 m | Show |
The set-up: Two sub-.500 teams square off tonight in Pac-12 play, as the 9-10 Washington Huskies (2-5 in the Pac-12) are in Tempe to take on the 9-11 Arizona State Sun Devils, who are also 2-5 in conference action. Washington: The Huskies lost their top-three players from last year's 19-15 team. Guard Andrews (20.9-5.7-4.9) graduated plus freshman guard Murray (16.1-6.0-4.6) and fellow freshman, the 6-10 Chriss (13.7 & 5.4), were both NBA 1st-round picks! It may say something about Romar's coaching that Washington didn't do better last season with those three players? Freshman guard Markelle Fultz figures to be a top-five pick in the next NBA Draft, as he's averaging a league-high 23.4 PPG and 6.1 APG while shooting 49.2 percent. He's averaged 33.7 points over his last three games but the dynamic point guard hasn’t been able to stop his team's descent into the bottom of the Pac-12 standings, receiving very little support from his teammates during conference play The Huskies have lost three of their last four games. Guard Crisp (13.9) and the 6-8 Dickerson (10.7 & 8.1) join Fultz in double figures but teh 6-9 Dime (5.5 & 5.9) has been a disappointment and is expected to miss four-to-five weeks of action as he suffered a broken right pinkie finger. Arizona State: The Sun Devils head into this game seeking to end a four-game losing streak, as Bobby Hurley's second season at ASU (team was 15-17 last year), isn't going any better than his first. Guard Torian Graham averages a team-high 18.8 PPG. 6-8 forward Obinna Oleka continued to be a double-double machine with 17 points and 14 rebounds in the team's recent loss to the Trojans and averages 13.6 & 10.6 on the season. Promising freshmen forwards Ramon Vila and Jethro Tshisumpa have seen a bump in playing time during league play, plus guards Holder (17.0) and Evans (15.0 & 4.5 APG) give ASU four double digit scorers.
The pick: ASU can score (81.4 PPG) but the Sun Devils allow 83.8 PPG (342nd) on 48.7% shooting (340th). I don't think much of Romar's coaching ability (not alone in that regard) but he does own a 23-6 career record against Arizona State. Make Washington a 10* play. |
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01-25-17 | Knicks v. Mavs -2.5 | Top | 95-103 | Win | 100 | 11 h 21 m | Show |
The set-up: The 20-26 New York Knicks are in Dallas on Wednesday night to face the 15-29 Mavericks. The Mavericks just routed the Lakers by 49 points last Sunday, simultaneously setting a Dallas franchise record for the largest margin of victory and worst loss ever by the Lakers. The Mavs haven't played since while the Knicks come in after almost blowing another late lead Monday at Indiana. New York had lost three games by a total of six points in the previous week and squandered a 17-point lead against the Pacers, before Carmelo Anthony knocked down a go-ahead jumper and the defense held in the final seconds of a 109-103 triumph over the Pacers. NY Knicks: "It's a great feeling," Anthony told reporters after the game. "We should be proud of ourselves the way we were able to bounce back, come on the road and get a big win like this. Be up 17 and let them come back, but we sustained that lead, and to pull this one out on the road was big for us." However, New York is only 4-13 over its last 17 games and eight of those losses have come by seven or fewer points. "This a tough stretch for us with these close losses," Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters. "We were three over .500 at one point, and then we hit this stretch. Got some bad breaks, but you have to make your own breaks sometimes." Anthony (22.6 & 6.0), Porzingis (18.9 & 7.1) and Rose (18.1-4.0-4.5) can be counted on for New York but there's not much to speak of after that trio.Dallas: The Mavericks have won of four of their last six games and are coming off their best performance of the season in crushing the Lakers. "You know, that was a good feeling," Dallas shooting guard Wesley Matthews told reporters. "We came out and we played with the right mentality, the right demeanor, and shots were falling. And most importantly, we were playing good defense. Everybody contributed, and that was good to see." Dallas had seven players in double figures in the 122-73 blowout and ironically, the team's leading scorer Harrison Barnes (20.1) was the only first starter who failed to reach at least 10 points. The pick: The Mavericks are just 15-29 but they are 9-9 over their last 18. split their last 18 games overall. "Right now we are in a spot where we have to dig ourselves out a hole that we dug ourselves in earlier in the season," PG Deron Williams said. "We have to be more aggressive on both sides of the floor and get some more wins." They are hoping momentum from Sunday carries over into the finale of a three-game homestand in this one and I'm 'biting.' Make Dallas a 10* play |
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01-25-17 | SMU v. UCF +4.5 | Top | 65-60 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 44 m | Show |
The set-up: SMU is 17-4 (7-1 in AAC play) after winning 13 of its last 14 games. The Mustangs look to keep their hot streak going when they take to the road in a league game at 14-5 UCF (5-2 in AAC play). SMU: Cincinnati is unbeaten in AAC play, leaving the Mustangs a game behind. Tim Jankovich has taken over for Larry Brown in Dallas and will send out a starting a lineup of players between 6-6 and 6-8. All three guards are 6-6, led by PG Milton (13.2-4.2-4.3), joined by backcourt partners Brown (11.3 & 6.8) and Foster (9.6 & 5.1). The 6-7 Ojeleye (17.8 & 7.0) and the 6-8 Moore (11.8 & 7.8) start up front. The Mustangs have held their last 14 opponents to 66 points or less and now rank 4th in the nation, allowing an averaage of 59.4 PPG.
UCF: While the Mustangs have excellent size overall, they own no player like UCF's 7-6 sophomore center Tacko Fall, the league’s top rebounder at 10.5 per game. Fall has been outstanding this season, shooting a league-best 78.5 percent while scoring 13.3 PPG. Johnny Dawkins was shown the door after eight seasons as Stanford's head coach. The former Duke star led Stanford to two NIT titles but just two short-lived NCAA appearances. After going 15-15 (8-10 in the Pac 12) last season, the Cardinal faithful said "enough." Dawkins was quickly hired at UCF and a team which was just 12-18 last season, is 14-5. Joining Fall are a trio of guards are led Taylor (16.0), Williams (15.9 & 5.1) and Efianayi (10.8 & 5.2) Redshirt junior forward A.J. Davis (6-8), who led the Knights in scoring last season (just 12.0 PPG), has averaged 10.3 points in the last three games after struggling with his shot since returning from a preseason hand injury. He's up to 7.5 PPG and 7.7 RPG. Defense has been the team's "calling card," allowing 59.2 PPG (3rd) on 34.5% shooting (1st in the nation!). The pick: SMU ranks third in the nation in rebounding margin (plus-11.7) but UCF is second, at plus-12.3. SMU allows 59.4 PPG but UCF tops that as well, allowing 59.2 per (plus ranks 1st in defensive FG percentage!). SMU is on quite a roll but UCF is 10-1 SU at home, where its allowing only 55.8 PPG. Make the home dog an 8* play. |
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01-24-17 | Utah State v. New Mexico -8.5 | Top | 61-74 | Win | 100 | 14 h 4 m | Show |
The set-up: The 8-10 Utah State Aggies visit "The Pit" in Albuquerque for a game against the 12-8 New Mexico Lobos. Utah State is 2-5 in MWC (tied with two other schools for the league's worst record), while the Lobos check in at 5-3, just a half-game back of 5-2 Nevada and Boise State. Utah State: The Aggies come into this game having lost three in a row after a 64-56 loss to visiting Colorado on Saturday, as a 3 1/2-point favorite. 6-9 Guard Jalen Moore was top scorer for the Aggies with 14 points, which is nothing new. Nor was freshman guard McEwen's 13 points. Moore (17.1 & 4.8) and McEwen (14.5 & 4.8) are the team's lone double digit scorers. Utah State scores 72.7 PPG and allows 71.9, so its 8-10 record seems about right. New Mexico: Craig Neal is in his fourth season as New Mexico's head coach and the Lobos have a long history of good teams. He took over when Steve Alford bolted for UCLA and won 27 games his first season, as he inherited four starters. The going has been tougherr since, winning 15 and 17 games the last two seasons. The Lobos returned their top-two players from last year and guard Brown (18.2 & 4.8) and the 6-8 Williams (18.1 & 7.2) have pretty much duplicated their numbers from last season. The Lobos have won three in a row, so maybe thet are beginning to find themselves. The pick: New Mexico is 8-2 SU at home but just 1-6 ATS. That said, the Aggies are only 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games, overall. Make New Mexico a 10* play. |
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01-24-17 | Wolves +1.5 v. Suns | Top | 112-111 | Win | 100 | 12 h 10 m | Show |
The set-up: The 16-28 Minnesota Timberwolves will be in Phoenix on Tuesday at Talking Stick Resort Arena, looking to complete their first season sweep of the 15-29 Suns in 13 years. Minnesota: Almost all expected the T-wolves to show marked improvement this season but that hasn't been the case. However, the Timberwolves were just 11-22 on New Year's Day, and have looked better lately, going 5-6 since. In fact, they will take a two-game winning streak into tonight's contest, looking to duplicate a three-game run they recorded earlier this month. Minnesota got a boost from an unlikely source in Sunday's 111-108 home win over Denver, when rookie guard Kris Dunn got a rare start and scored a season-high-tying 10 points, nine assists and also grabbed a season-best eight rebounds. Dunn, the No. 5 pick of the 2016 draft, was starting in place of Ricky Rubio (7.7 & 7.9 APG), who left the club over the weekend following the death of his grandmother. The veteran point guard is expected to return for Tuesday's game. Center Karl-Anthony Towns led the way against the Nuggets with a game-high 32 points which is no surprise, as he leads the team in scoring (22.5) and rebounding (12.0). Wiggins (21.8 & 4.2) and LaVine (19.4) join Towns to give Minnesota a trio of young stars, the envy of most teams. Phoenix: Speaking of young stars, the Suns' 20-year-old Devin Booker has shown brightly recently with nine straight games of 20-plus points (27.4 PPG), including back-to-back 39 point efforts in games in Mexico City (one against the Spurs!). He's averaging 20.5 PPG on the season, paired in the starting backcourt with Bledose (20.9-5.1-6.2) to form quite the dynamic duo (Bledsoe is averaging 24.2 points and 8.3 assists over the last nine games, coinciding with Booker's heroics). Center Tyson Chandler broke a 48-year-old franchise record in Saturday's 107-105 win at New York, recording his seventh consecutive game with 15 or more rebounds. He had only nine rebounds in Sunday's 115-103 win at Toronto but scored 16 points (he averages a modest 8.5 PPG on the season).
The pick: The Suns are on a 5-4 run, a big deal for a team that's 14 games under .500 but the Timberwolves beat the Suns 98-85 in Phoenix in November and repeated the result in a 115-108 victory in Minneapolis on Dec. 19th. I'm not ready to give up on Minnesota's playoff chances just yet, as the T-wolves are just 2 1/2 games back of the eighth spot with just less than a half-season remaining. For Minnesota to catch Denver (or any of the handful of teams slightly ahead of them at the moment), winning on the road against a team like the Suns is a must. Make Minnesota a 10* play. |
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01-23-17 | Thunder +6 v. Jazz | Top | 97-95 | Win | 100 | 14 h 50 m | Show |
The set-up: the 25-19 OKC Thunder find themselves trailing the Utah Jazz by 3 1/2 games in the Northwest Division and also own just the West's No. 6 seed, tied with Memphis. The Thunder have a chance to make up some ground Monday night when they travel to Salt Lake City to face the 29-16 Utah Jazz. |
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01-23-17 | Troy State +3.5 v. Arkansas-Little Rock | Top | 78-69 | Win | 100 | 12 h 4 m | Show |
The set-up: It's the Troy Trojans and Little Rock Trojans squaring off Monday night in Sun Belt action. Troy is 10-10 (2-4 in Sun Belt play) and Little Rock 12-7 (3-3). Troy: The Trojans can score, averaging 80.6 PPG (43rd). The 6-6 Varnado (15.3 & 6.7) is the team's best player, helped out up front by the 6-8 Davis (8.4 & 4.8) and the 6-6 Walker (7.8 & 6.6). The team also owns a solid perimeter group, led by Person (14.2), Hollimon (11.5) and PG Baker (9.2 & 3.2 APG). Little Rock: Chris Beard led Little Rock to a 30-win season last year, including an upset of Purdue in the NCAA's first round. However, he was a "one and done" coach, fleeing for Texas Tech. These Trojans could really use a win, after losing five of their last eight games. Guard Marcus Johnson Jr. leads the team with 14.3 PPG but the team's strength is a frontcourt led by the 6-6 Jackson (10.6 & 4.7), the 6-11 Shoshi (10.3 & 7.8) and SF Hill (9.5 & 5.2).
The pick: Little Rock may be 7-3 SU at home while Troy is just 2-8 on the road but since winning 65-63 at Hawaii back on Nov. 25, Troy has covered all seven of its true road games plus won neutral-site games in Las Vegas just before Christmas. Take the points and make Troy a 10* play. |
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01-22-17 | UCF +6 v. Memphis | Top | 65-70 | Win | 100 | 8 h 14 m | Show |
The set-up: UCF will take a 14-4 record (5-1 in AAC play) into its Sunday game at Memphis. The Tigers are 14-5, including 4-2 in conference play. UCF: Johnny Dawkins was shown the door after eight seasons as Stanford's head coach. The former Duke star led Stanford to two NIT titles but just two short-lived NCAA appearances. After going 15-15 (8-10 in the Pac 12) last season, the Cardinal faithful said "enough." Dawkins was quickly hired at UCF and a team which was just 12-18 last season, is 14-4. A trio of guards are led by Williams (16.3 & 5.1), who has just taken over the scoring lead from Taylor (16.0), after exploding for 38 points in his last game. Efianayi (10.9 & 5.3) is the 'third wheel' plus no one can ignore the 7-6 Fall, averaging 13.1 & 10.3 (43 blocks)! Also, there is redshirt junior forward A.J. Davis (6-8), who led the Knights in scoring last season (just 12.0 PPG). He has averaged 12.5 points in the last two games after struggling with his shot since returning from a preseason hand injury. He's up to 7.6 PPG and 7.8 RPG. Defense has been the team's "calling card," allowing 58.6 PPG (3rd) on 34.1% shooting (1st in the nation!). Memphis: The Tigers have a new coach as well but an 'old' name, in Tubby Smith. Smith's coaching chops cannot be challenged and he has a unique lineup, led by a set of Magic Johnson-like twins. Dedric Lawson is 6-9 (20.1-10.5-3.8) and his brother K.J. is 6-7 while averaging 12.9-8.3-3.3. Two more typical guards are Crawford (15.4 & 5.2) and Martin, who plays the point (9.6 & 4.5 APG, along with a team-high 39 steals). The Tigers rank No. 20 in Division I in assists per game (17.3) and are the highest-scoring team in the AAC at 78.4 PPG.
The pick: Memphis swept last season's series between the teams by a combined 38 points but that was then and this is now. Dealing with UCF's huge front line will be an issue for Memphis and trying to cover a number at home, against a team allowing less than 60 PPG is asking a lot (too much?). UCF is a 10* play. |
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01-22-17 | Siena v. Manhattan +1.5 | Top | 81-68 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 13 m | Show |
The set up: The 8-12 Siena Saints will travel to Draddy Gymnasium to take on the 7-13 Manhattan Jaspers this Sunday afternoon MAAC play. Siena is one of five schools with a 5-4 conference record, while the Jaspers are 2-7, last in an 11-team league. Siena: The Saints saw their four-game winning streak snapped in a 77-65 loss this past Thursday at St. Peter's. Siena played without its leading scorer Marquis Wright (14.5-4.1-4.3), who was suspended for the game due to an altercation during the team's previous game, a 78-68 home win over Rider. Siena fell behind St Peter's at the half by 11 and couldn't get back in it. However, Wright is eligible to play here and with him back, Siena features four double digit scorers. Wright is joined by fellow guard Long (12.0) plus big men Ogunyemi (13.2 & 5.9 and Bisping (12.4 & 9.2). Guard Clareth (12.4) would give them five double digit scorers but he's out for "personal reasons." Manhattan: The Jaspers took a 34-33 halftime lead in their last game with Monmouth but never recovered from 10-0 Hawks which left them down, 43-34. It was second straight loss for a team (five of its last seven) mired in last-place in the MAAC at 2-7. The duo of guard Turner (16.8 & 3.4 APG) and forward Waterman (14.1 & 6.8) are Manhattan's lone double digit scorers.The pick: Siena was expected to be one of the MAAC favorties coming into this season but the Saints have underachieved. They currently rank 241st in scoring (71.1 PPG) and 214th in points allowed (73.2). That's hardly the resume for a road favorite. Take the home dog and make Manhattan a 10* play. |
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01-21-17 | LSU v. Arkansas -13 | Top | 86-99 | Push | 0 | 12 h 22 m | Show |
The set-up: LSU is 9-8 to open the season but just 1-5 in SEC play, as it visits Arkansas to take on the 14-4 Razorbacks, who are a modest 3-3 in SEC play. LSU: The Tigers lost not just Ben Simmons (19.2-11.8-4.8) from last year's team but also quality guards Hornsby (13.1) and Quarteman (11.2). Blakeney (16.8) is the team's best plaer and fellow guard Sampson is averaging 10.6 PPG. The 6-10 Reath (13.6 & 6.1) is having a solid sophomore season but LSU allows 78.4 PPG, which ranks 300th in the nation. Arkansas: Poor defensive play is not good when facing the Razorbacks, who average 81.1 PPG (37th). The Razorbacks also rank second in the SEC and 20th in the nation in free-throw percentage (76.0). Five guards see significant time, led by Macon (14.0) and Hannahs (13.9). Three others average between 6.1 and 10.0 PPG, with the 6-10 Kingsley (11.7 & 8.1) providing an inside presence.
The pick: The Razorbacks pulled out a 62-60 road win over Texas A&M on Tuesday to improve to 4-0 this season in games decided by four points or fewer. "We were fortunate to come out with a win," Arkansas head coach Mike Anderson told reporters afterward. "We know wins on the road are few and far between." Expect more of a margin here against LSU, which limps in on a four-game slide.It's not good news for LSU that Blakeney is playing through an ankle injury in the loss to Auburn. LSU has allowed 86.5 PPG in its six SEC games and that makes the high-scoring Razorbacks a 10* play. |
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01-21-17 | Bucks v. Heat -1.5 | Top | 97-109 | Win | 100 | 11 h 26 m | Show |
The set-up: The Milwaukee Bucks were routed 112-96 in Orlando last night and limp into Miami on a four-game slide and an overall record of 20-22. However, the Heat are suffering through one of the worst seasons in franchise history at 13-30.
Milwaukee: Giannis Antetokounmpo is a 22-year-old 6-11 multi-positional athlete known as "The Greek Freak." He was named an All-Star on Thursday, Milwaukees' first in 31 years and he joins only five other Bucks All-Star starters in franchise history: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Bobby Dandridge, Brian Winters, Sidney Moncrief and Marques Johnson. He modest totals (for him) of 17 points, 14 rebounds and five assists, as the Bucks fell for the fourth straight time. Atetokounmpo (23.5-8.8-5.6) got a well-deserved starting spot for the All Star game but the Bucks' trouble has been that other than Jabari Parker (20.5 & 5.9), Antetokounmpo has had little help. Center Monroe (10.6 & 6.8) is doing a disappearing act so far this season and the team really misses Khris Middleton, who had surgery to repair a torn hamstring and is not expected to make his season debut until the middle of February (he led Milwaukee in scoring last year at 18.4 PPG). Miami: The Heat's poor record hurts the All Star candidacy of their two best players. PG Goran Dragic averages 19.4 PPG and 6.3 APG plus center Hassan Whiteside is having a career year, averaging 17.3 PPG and leading the league in rebounds (14.2). He is also averaging 2.1 blocks, which is tied for fifth in the league. Miami actually has six other players averaging in double figures, although Winslow was recently lost for the season with a shoulder injury. The pick: "We just have to find our way out of this slump," Parker said after Milwaukee's loss on Friday. "We'll find our way out of it. We need more enthusiasm. After the first quarter, we didn't have any momentum. We need to move on and win the next game." That sounds good but the Bucks are struggling. Meanwhile, Miami has shown some signs of life this week by beating the Houston Rockets 109-103 and the Dallas Mavericks 99-95 here at home. Let's also note that in two games against Miami this season, Antetokounmpo is averaging just 16.0 points. In 12 career games against Miami, his numbers are even more modest at 14.2 PPG. Miami is a 10* play. |
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01-21-17 | Syracuse +8.5 v. Notre Dame | Top | 66-84 | Loss | -110 | 4 h 53 m | Show |
The set-up: The 11-8 (3-3 in ACC) Syracuse Orange will be in South Bend to take on the 16-3 (5-1 ACC) Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who are ranked 15th in the nation. Notre Dame is off its first ACC loss of the season, losing 83-80 Wednesday at No. 12 Florida State, which ended a seven-game overall winning streak. Meanwhile, the Orange remained win-less in six games away from home this season, losing 85-68 on Monday at No. 9 North Carolina. Syracuse: The Orange were a surprise Final Four team last season (actually, most were surprised the Orange even made the NCAA field!) but it seems unlikely Syracuse will get an at-large bid this season. We are almost 20 games into the current season and Syracuse is still looking for its first win away from home this season. Syracuse's loss at North Carolina makes them 0-6 in road or neutral-court games this season, The 6-7 White, a Nebraska transfer, leads the team in scoring at 15.8 PPG and 6-9 sophomore Lydon is the team's top rebounder at 7.6 per game. Lydon is also the team's only other double digit scorer, averaging 13.7 PPG. However, freshman guard Tyus Battle (9.9) appears to be hitting his stride. He has scored at least 13 in each of the past for games games, including a career-high 21 against Boston College last Saturday, after reaching double digits in points in just three of the first 15 games. He has seven steals against only two turnovers the past two games. Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish have to be thrilled to be back home, after a three-game ACC road swing that included five charter flights and nearly 4,000 air miles over nine days. Notre Dame plays at home for the first time in two weeks.The Irish won 24 games last year, before losing in the Elite 8 and has a starting-five that includes two seniors and three juniors. PG Jackson (15.8 & 4.7 APG) and center Auguste (14.0 & 10.7) are missed from last year's team but four of five starters this year average 13.9 PPG or more. SF Colson leads in scoring (15.5) and rebounding (10.7) and is joined up front by the 6-8 Beachem (13.9 & 3.9) and the 6-10 Geben (4.2 & 4.7). SG Vasturia (15.2) and PG Farrell (14.2 & 5.5 APG) make up a terrific backcourt. The Irish are one of the nation's most efficient offensive teams, scoring 81.1 PPG on 47.0 percent shooting (including on 40.9% threes which ranks 11th) and 82.4% from the FT line to rank 1st.
The pick: Notre Dame lost at FSU, despite making 15 of 21 threes. According to College Basketball Reference, Notre Dame is the 19th team since 2010-11 to make 15 or more 3-pointers while shooting over 70 percent from the field — and the first to lose. The problem against FSU was turnovers, as Notre Dame committed a season-high 18! The Fighting Irish had entered the game averaging the second-fewest in the nation at 9.4 per game. Now here's the rub. Notre Dame seniors V.J. Beachem and Steve Vasturia have seen and done a lot in their collegiate careers but they've yet to beat Syracuse and are 0-3 against the Orange, who have won seven of the last eight in the series. Notre Dame is averaging 81.1 PPG but hasn't reached 80 against Syracuse since getting 87 in a seven-point loss way back in 2008. Boeheim's zone has caused nightmares for Notre Dame, as Syracuse has won the past four meetings. Upset alert? Take the points and Syracuse an 8* play. |
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01-20-17 | Bucks v. Magic +3.5 | Top | 96-112 | Win | 100 | 10 h 59 m | Show |
The set-up: The 20-21 Milwaukee Bucks are in Orlando tonight to take on the 17-27 Magic. The Bucks are celebrating the fact that Giannis Antetokounmpo was just named an Eastern Conference All-Star starter, while the Magic have lost nine of their past 11 games, as a season that started out with promise has quickly fallen apart.
Milwaukee: Antetokounmpo got a well-deserved starting spot for the All Star game. He scored 32 points with 11 rebounds, making 13 of 20 field goals, in the Bucks' 111-92 loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday. He's averaging 23.6 PPG (on 53.8 percent shooting) with 8.7 RPG and 5.6 APG (leads Milwaukee in all four categories). The Bucks' trouble has been that other than Jabari Parker (20.4 & 5.9), Antetokounmpo has had little help. Center Monroe (10.7 & 6.8) is doing a disappearing act so far this season and the team really misses Khris Middleton, who had surgery to repair a torn hamstring and is not expected to make his season debut until the middle of February (he led Milwaukee in scoring last yera at 18.4 PPG). Orlando: The Magic now sit at 17-27 and are beginning to lose contact with the 'playoff pack.' First-year Orlando coach Frank Vogel preaches discipline on the defensive end and ball movement on the offensive end, but the players are not buying 100 percent into the system. "We don't play the right way," center Nikola Vucevic told the Orlando Sentinel after the Magic's 118-98 loss at New Orleans. "We can play as hard as we want -- as long as we keep playing like this, this is how it's going to be. It's hard for certain guys to keep giving effort when you don't do the right things out there. We take bad shots. We play selfish. It's embarrassing. We've been losing to everybody by 20. It's bad, man." Three of the last six games have fit the description from Vucevic, lifeless efforts where the Magic were blown out and beaten pretty handily. The pick: Orlando was 1-5 on its just-completed six-game road trip, while allowing an average of 113.7 PPG but hopes a return home will help. The Magic open a three-game homestand on Friday against Milwaukee, who comes in on a three-game slide of its own. The Bucks have taken the first two meetings this season, including a 104-96 victory at Orlando on Nov. 27, but I expect a strong bounce-back from the Magic in this one. Orlando is an 8* play. |
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01-20-17 | Oakland -1.5 v. Northern Kentucky | Top | 79-70 | Win | 100 | 10 h 53 m | Show |
The set-up: The 14-5 (4-2 in Horizon League) Oakland Golden Grizzlies are coming off a 76-65 home loss to Cleveland State this past Monday, the team's second in a row, both at home. The 12-7 (3-3 in Horizon League) Northern Kentucky Norse also lost a second straight game in their last outing, 68-58 back on Jan. 12 at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The two meet tonight at BB&T Arena in Highland Heights, Ky.
Oakland: Oakland won 23 games last year before losing in the championship game of the first-ever Vegas 16 postseason tourney. The Grizzlies knew replacing PG Felder (24.4-4.3-9.3) would be impossible plus the team also lost 6-9 center Gibson (11.3 & 6.2). However, Oakland was cruising at 14-3 before two straight losses. The guard tandem of Walker (17.0) and Dorsey-Walker (1.1-4.8-3.6) has been very good plus the 6-7 Hayes (15.1 & 6.9) has played well up front. Northern Kentucky: The Norse won just nine games last season (5-13 in Horizon play), so the team's 12-7 start has been nice. The 6-7 McDonald leads in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (8.2) and is joined by three other double digit scorers. Guards Holland (14.3 & 3.8 APG) and Murray (10.3) plus SF Williams (10.8 & 6.1). The pick: Oakland is coming off surprising back to back home loses to Detroit and Cleveland State. Yes, Northern Kentucky is a solid team that has played well at home this season but Oakland is better than it has shown these last two games and I expect them to bounce back here. Make Oakland a 10* play. |
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01-19-17 | Wolves v. Clippers -2 | Top | 104-101 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 57 m | Show |
The set-up: The underachieving 14-28 Minnesota Timberwolves will visit Staples Center Thursday night (second half of ESPN doubleheader) to take on the 29-14 LA Clippers, who currently won the NBA's longest active winning streak, at seven. However, the major story-line will be that the PG Chris Paul has now joined Blake Griffin on the sidelines due to injury (more later).
Minnesota: As for the Timberwolves, it seems as if this year's team just isn't going to jell under Tom Thibodeau, the former Chicago head coach. The Timberwolves were expected to be one of the up-and-coming clubs this season with their array of young talent and the addition of the defensive-minded Thibodeau but instead, the team has struggled playing .333 basketball! This, despite the presence of Towns (22.0 & 12.0), Wiggins (21.6 & 4.3) and LaVine (20.1). Inconsistency has plagued them, as they are tied with the Lakers (21st) in turnovers. LA Clippers: The Clippers lost Blake Griffin 41.2-8.8-4.7) after their Dec. 18 loss at Washington to right knee surgery and after winning two straight, lost six in a row. However, LA has since won seven in a row (), averaging 109.4 PPG. However, PG Chris Paul (17.5-5.3-9.7-2.3 SPG) is expected to miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on Wednesday to repair a torn ligament in his left thumb suffered while trying to defend Oklahoma City star Russell Westbrook in a 120-98 win over the Thunder on Monday. Head coach Doc Rivers, in typical coach-speak, said other players must step up. "We still have new guys -- Alan (Anderson) is new and Raymond (Felton) is new and Mo (Speights) and Brandon (Bass) -- this is a good opportunity for them to learn how to execute together," Rivers told the Los Angeles Times. "When everyone is back, when you get Chris and Blake back, if this group can execute, and then you put those two guys back on the floor, I think it makes us better in the long run. This is not the way you want to do it, but this is the way it's been presented." The pick: It seems hard to believe that the Clippers will be able to "maintain" with both Griffin and Paul (Clippers went 2-5 without Paul during his last absence) on the sidelines but in this first game without both, I expect emotion to carry them over a Minnesota team which just can't seem to "get it right!' The T-wolves own just five road wins In 20 games), allowing 106.9 PPG and with the pointspread 'deflated,' LA is a 10* play. |
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01-19-17 | Pepperdine +19 v. BYU | Top | 70-99 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 17 m | Show |
The set-up: The 13-6 BYU Cougars will host the 5-13 Pepperdine Waves in WCC action tonight in college hoops. The Cougars are coming off an 88-75 loss at San Diego and are 4-2 in conference play, while the Waves come in on a three-game slide, falling to 1-5 in conference play. Pepperdine: The Waves can't match BYU's size up front and are led by the backcourt duo of Murray (20.1 & 5.6) and Major (11.2 & 4.1 APG), teaming with the 6-7 Reyes (15.0 & 7.7) in the frontcourt. However, with this pointspread, the Waves don't need to win to grab the cash. BYU: The Cougars have a deep backcourt with Emery (15.1), Haws (13.5) and PG Rose (5.9-5.2-5.3) plus even with the loss of the 6-8 Davis (8.8 & 4.0) for the season up front, still have the 6-10 Mika (20.5 & 9.5) and the 6-8 Childs (8.5 & 7.5).
The pick: Again, this is not about which team earns the win, it's about the margin of victory for BYU. The Cougars have no reason to feel threatened by the Waves and note that the underdog has covered in each of the last seven meetings in this series. Make it EIGHT in a row for the 'dog, as Pepperdine is a 10* play. |