Don Anthony
Kansas at Iowa St
Play: Iowa St +3
Trap line of the day. Basically anything less than -3 essentially is a pick em game. So the mighty Kansas Jayhawks, who are 16-1 and ranked #2 in the country, are pickem to an 11-5 team? Like I've said 1000 times, Vegas isn't stupid, they don't give away money. It looks WAY too easy to lay the chalk and the public is going to LOVE the Jayhawks here.
If you look closer, Kansas is consistently getting over valued. They are 1-5 ATS their last 6 games overall and they are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 meetings against Iowa State. Wouldn't be shocked to see Kansas go down tonight along with the betting public.
Bruce Marshall
Providence at Georgetown
Pick: Georgetown
Must be careful about placing too much trust in underachieving Georgetown (just 5-10 vs. line they Jan. 13). But Providence's steep descent appears like more than a blip on the radar screen, as the Friars are losing ground fast, with losses in 5 of 6 and spread setbacks in 6 of 7 after blowing a late lead last Tuesday at DePaul. Coach Ed Cooley not getting much production from his bench, and top scorer F Rodney Bullock (17.2 ppg) not able to carry the scoring burden, with several recent stinkers such as 3 for 13 from the floor vs. Creighton and 1 for 11 FGs vs. Xavier; both games, not surprisingly, Providence losses. Recent production of 6-7 Hoya soph F Marcus Derrickson (DD scoring last six prior to UConn on Saturday) giving JT III some hope.
Tennis Insiders
Omar Jasika vs. David Ferrer
Pick: Omar Jasika
Omar Jasika won the Australian Wildcard Playoff, earning his place in his home major for the second straight year. He defeated Ilya Marchenko in the first round in 2016, before giving Tsonga a scare in the first set (5-7) of a straight sets defeat. His progression has continued throughout the past season, and he looks ready to give an againg David Ferrer a huge first round test. This match will be played around 17.00 local time on HiSense Arena (3rd largest court), known for it's huge atmosphere and fantastic battles throughout the years. Jasika has nothing to lose and if he brings his aggressive mindest he can cause the Spaniard problems. Ferrer has already tasted defeat in the early rounds twice this season, losing to Jordan Thompson in Brisbane & Robin Haase in Auckland. Ferrer has lost three of his last four matches as a -333 or larger favorite, and 6 of his last 9 overall. Jasika was a finalist in the Happy Valley Challenger, and brings some nice momentum into this tie. Expect the young, confident Aussie to give his 35 year old opponent a major challenge.