College Hoops Betting News and Notes
By Steve Merril
Covers.com
ACC
Miami is finally starting to resemble the team that had high expectations coming into this season. The Hurricanes had to play their first nine games of this season without their best player, Reggie Johnson, who was recovering from knee surgery. Miami was also without DeQuan Jones for their first eleven games, after he was suspended indefinitely on accusations of receiving improper benefits.
But Jones’ eligibility has been restored by the university and now the Hurricanes can possibly live up to their preseason hype with Johnson and Jones both back on the court.
“I never really showed my frustration or my sadness, but it was tearing me up inside, sitting on the sidelines and not being able to help my team,” Jones told reporters.
Miami plays North Carolina Tuesday and faces Clemson next weekend.
Big Ten
Michigan State has been playing all season without an integral part of their team. Delvon Roe, who decided in late-September to not play his senior season because of a recurring right knee injury, is still a key member of the Spartans even though he is not on the court.
“I watch every minute of every game,” Roe said. “I haven’t missed a game yet. I really wanted to make sure that if I’m around, I’m around after practice or in the locker rooms, making sure they do the things they need to do to win that Big Ten title.”
Draymond Green added this about his close friend, “He’s still around all the time and still our brother, still a Spartan for life.”
Michigan State hosts Iowa Tuesday before visiting Northwestern on the weekend.
Big 12
Oklahoma State has had a rash of injuries that has translated into some bad play. And because of that, head coach Travis Ford had to change the starting lineup.
Redshirt freshman guard Brian Williams, who was struggling to crack the rotation, was inserted in Ford’s new lineup. Since that time, Williams has flourished for the Cowboys.
“Earlier in the year when he wasn't playing, I was agonizing over figuring out how to get him minutes,” Ford told the media. “Things have a strange way of working themselves out; he is a guy who can do so many different things to help us. I am very high on Brian Williams. I have been for a long time. I think he has just scratched the surface of what he is going to be able to do.”
Oklahoma State visits Waco, Texas to take on the Baylor Bears Saturday.
Big East
Seton Hall is off to a terrific start this season. The Pirates are No. 2 in the RPI as they’ve played the fifth-best schedule. They are also on the verge of cracking the Top 25.
A big reason for their success has been the health of Herb Pope, who is averaging 17.9 points and 10.7 rebounds per game. Pope collapsed last April from an anomalous right coronary artery in his heart. But after corrective surgery, doctors say Pope’s heart is completely healed and healthy.
“I'm blessed,'” he said simply. “I'm still here.”
Pope also survived four gunshot wounds while in high school.
Seton Hall faces DePaul Tuesday and then takes on South Florida on the road Friday.
Pac-12
Arizona State has been playing games without three key players. Starters Keala King (13.7 ppg) and Kyle Cain (8.5 ppg), along with reserve guard Chris Colvin (5.4 ppg), have been suspended for "unacceptable conduct" and did not make a recent road trip to Los Angeles.
Their status will be revisited over the next week. Their suspensions leave the Sun Devils with just six scholarship players. This was Colvin’s second suspension in less than a month. He missed games in the past for what head coach Herb Sendek called "conduct detrimental to any team."
The Sun Devils host Oregon Thursday and Oregon State Saturday.
SEC
Louisiana State is limping into conference play without one of their more promising players. Starting freshman forward Johnny O'Bryant III will miss several games after suffering a broken bone in his left non-shooting hand while grabbing a rebound in practice.
“He will be out indefinitely,” LSU coach Trent Johnson told reporters. “I really feel for Johnny. He was really starting to practice and really starting to play better.”
O'Bryant, a McDonald's All-American, was averaging 7.9 points and 6.2 rebounds a game.
“We just have to continue to grind,” Johnson said. “Someone else is going to have to step up. We have to continue to do what we do best - defend and rebound. I fully expect these guys to respond.”
The Tigers are on the road this week, at Alabama Wednesday and at Arkansas Saturday.