Brad Diamond
Duquesne vs. Temple
Play: Temple -10½
Highly impressed with the Owls 76-70 solid road win at Olean this week. Just hope coach Dunphy can secure a strong motivational response by his club in this spot, i.e., with road games against LaSalle and St. Joseph’s on-deck. This is a REVENGE game for Temple after being waxed 78-66 in Pittsburgh. The Owls are 56-27-2 ATS in the A-10 and 7-0 ATS versus Duquesne at home. Opposing Dukes a horrid 4-11 ATS off a SU win.
SPORTS WAGERS
DEPAUL +10½ over Louisville
12:00 PM EST. We all saw what happened to West Virginia after its heartbreaking loss to Syracuse and a similar fate could await the Cardinals. Louisville is coming off a similar 52-51 loss to the Orange in a game that was theirs for the taking but it somehow slipped away. Louisville went scoreless for the final 3½ minutes in that contest. It's hard to bounce right back from a loss like that. It took the Mountaineers six games to recover. The Cardinals are being asked to spot 10½ road points in their first game since that difficult defeat. They did beat DePaul in Louisville in mid-January by 17. That was after a game against Providence. The dynamics for this one are so much different. The Blue Demons have nothing to lose and as a result, they'll be loosey-goosey. DePaul is a decent scoring team and if Louisville's shooting is off again, they could get upset here. The Blue Demon's stock is very low at the moment while Louisville's is high after that great defensive effort against the Orange, not to mention that was its only loss in eight games. The sell high, buy low philosophy is in full effect for this one.. Play: #510 DePaul +10½ (Risking 2.04 units to win 2).
Seton Hall +6½ over CINCINNATI
On January 31 and riding a four-game losing streak, Seton Hall went into Marquette and had them on the ropes for most of the game. They eventually lost by seven and subsequently got blown out in its next game. We can accept that as the Pirates have recovered with three straight wins, capped off by a 30-point win over the Johnnies. They're likely going to have to run the table for any chance of getting into the tournament and it has to start here. Not much separates these two, making the line for this one somewhat suspect. The Bearcats are likely going to have to run the table as well. The difference, aside from home court, is that the Pirates are in better form at the moment and they're taking back some generous weight. Upset possibility. Play: #557 Seton Hall +6½ (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).
We're also playing the following game:
AIR FORCE +4½ over San Diegi State Pinnacle
Play: #546 Air Force +4½ (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
EZWINNERS
Los Angeles Clippers -3
After being in eighth place in the West following a 101-100 overtime defeat at Dallas on January 29th, the Spurs (21-9) have won nine straight games to vault into second place in the West, one game ahead of Pacific Division leading Clippers (19-9). San Antonio had little trouble slowing down the Clippers in the first meeting between these two teams this season, a 115-90 home win on December 28th, but Griffin and Chris Paul have since had seven weeks to further develop their chemistry. This is a huge game for LA against the vetern Spurs who still need to prove they can beat good teams on the road. The young front court of "Lob City" is a tough match up for the Spurs and I look for the young Clippers to make a statement in this game. Lay the points.
CHUCK O'BRIEN
Wichita State is one the nation's hottest teams right now, and even though Davidson has 'been there-done that,' I love what coach Gregg Marshall is doing right now with the Shockers and will take a look at them as my free play today.
The Shockers beat No. 11 UNLV by 19 earlier this season, and also defeated Creighton by 21 last Saturday. I do know the Wildcats have a road win against No. 4 Kansas in Kansas City, Mo., but overall this isn't about the non-conference wins to me right now. This is more about which team has had a bit more of a trying conference schedule, and I'd have to say that's been Wichita State.
I mean, let's face it, the Wildcats are in off an 82-54 rout of Samford while the Shockers upended a respectable Missouri State team by a final of 73-58. The Missouri Valley Conference, albeit still a mid-major league, is bigger and better than the SoCon.
Wichita State has outscored opponents 78-63 this season and has been a consistent and dependable model of near-perfection from all comers of the court. And what's great about this team is it has the ability to shoot it out in an uptempo game, or D it up and play tight against physical teams. Against Missouri State Wednesday, the Shockers nailed 59.5 percent of their shots, including 11-of-19 from long-range.
Davidson has been the team with the reputation of a team that can put the ball in the basket, as it averages 79 points on 45 percent shooting. The difference in this game is the Wildcats aren't going to find it as easy to outdistance their foe. They're used to giving up points, but generally it has been a non issue with big leads, as eleven conference games have been decided by more than double digits. Wichita, however, doesn't give up big leads; it paces games.
I personally believe the Shockers are much more balanced with their ability to play defense, which Davidson doesn't have.
And while the Wildcats are mired in ATS slides of 9-22 ATS on Saturdays and 1-5 in their last six non-conference games, the Shockers are in on ATS streaks of 4-1 five games winning teams, 5-2 after an ATS win and 7-3 after a straight-up win.
Play the Shockers.
1♦ WICHITA STATE
CRAIG DAVIS
Tonight's free play is on Arkansas over Florida at home in the barn.
This one is pretty simple if you ask me. Look, I realize Florida is a very good basketball team and could make a deep run in the tournament, but they are running into a team today playing for their post-season lives... a team that is an amazing 17-1 at home.
It's funny, because if you look at their overall and conference record, you wouldn't believe they were as good as they are at home... but it's true. They've won games recently vs. LSU, Michigan, South Carolina, Vandy and Auburn were their last five home wins, and although it's not the greatest resume, they beat two ranked teams (Vandy and Michigan).
Florida has had its fair share of struggles on the road, posting just a 3-5 overall road record, including losses at Tennessee and Rutgers. They haven't had a ton of tough road games in conference because the SEC is down, but this might be the toughest game they've had on the road aside from Kentucky.
The home team is 9-1 SU and 8-2 ATS the last 10 meetings between these two and I see no reason for that not to continue. Take Arkansas at home to cover this number... even if they don't win... as your free play of the day.
3♦ ARKANSAS
JEFF BENTON
Your Saturday freebie is the Cincinnati Bearcats at home over Seton Hall.
No doubt the Hall is a dangerous team, as Seton Hall appears to be blowing hot once again, as the Pirates have followed a six game losing streak with wins in each of their last three games to improve to 18-8 for the season.
Cincinnati also stands at 18-8 for the season, as both teams are looking for the elusive invite into the Big Dance in less than a month. I am leaning towards the Bearcats to hold serve at home this afternoon, as Seton Hall has been inconsistent on the Big East road, losing four of their last five conference road games straight up, while covering only twice in those five games.
The Bearcats did win and cover the last series meeting on their home floor versus Seton Hall, and have claimed two of the three series meetings both straight up and against the spread at home versus the Pirates.
Must win for both in my mind, but only one can claim that win, and it will be Cincinnati that gets the much-needed "W" today in the Queen City.
1♦ CINCINNATI
SCOTT DELANEY
My free winner for today is on the Missouri Tigers, as they visit Reed Arena in College Station, Texas to take on the Texas A&M Aggies. And even though the jungle stripes have struggled on the road this season, I trust they're going to be able to come in here and maul the tamed-bulls today, with a balanced effort at both ends of the court.
Missouri comes in riding a six-game win streak, including this past Wednesday's rout of the Oklahoma State Cowboys, who saw the Tigers push a second-half lead to almost 35 in an 83-65 win over the Cowboys, who were the last team to beat Mizzou, back on Jan. 25.
But this past Wednesday we saw exactly what I expect today - the team's incredibly amazing team balance, as five players scored in double figures.
Today the Tigers have a chance to expose an A&M team that has struggled recently, even though it just snapped a four-game losing skid with a 47-38 road win at Texas Tech on Tuesday. But still, I mean, 48 points... really? I don't think that'll be good enough to hang with the third-ranked team in the nation.
This would be a monumental win for Missouri's senior class, as it's never won inside Reed Arena. I'm not saying it's going to be simple, but it's not difficult with the way the Tigers have been playing, either. Thus, this would be a huge boost for motivation, as they'd be able to notch a win in a rival arena the program hasn't won since 2001, plus shake some road woes.
Give me the road chalk in this one, as Missouri gets it done.
1♦ MISSOURI
MATT RIVERS
Free play on the Maryland Terrapins as the road dog at Virginia.
The Cavaliers have lost three of their last four, as Tony Bennett's club is stuck on 19 wins coming into today's tricky game against Maryland.
The Terrapins may have lost point-guard Pe'Shon Howard, but that didn't stop them from rolling a Boston College team that had been playing competitive ball last time out.
Maryland has won outright in three of the last four series meetings, and with the points today they should be golden once again.
Virginia sets the tone with their defense, so unless the Cavaliers are going to erupt for a big number today, it is going to be hard for them to pull away from the capable Terps this afternoon.
The Cavaliers are just 4-5 against the spread in Charlottesville this year, so look for Maryland plus the points to keep it closer than expected against UVa in this ACC battle.
3♦ MARYLAND
SEAN MICHAELS
Being here in Vegas I'm obviously a Runnin' Rebels follower. Now I didn't attend Tuesday's game against TCU (it was Valentine's Day after all, and I assure you I had better things to do that night that watch college hoops!), but I did watch the game later on tape. Talk about a total collapse. Up by 18, the Rebs lost 102-97 in overtime.
How do you lose a game when you shoot 53 percent from the field, hitting 48 percent of your three's? That's easy, just get hammered on the boards 46-31 like UNLV did as the Horned Frogs dominated on the offensive glass especially with 19 extra caroms. No surprise TCU held a 19-8 advantage in second chance points.
Now UNLV is faced with the prospect of heading to the Pitt in Albuquerque to take on the Lobos, who are seeking revenge for an 80-63 loss here in town back on January 21. That's one of only two losses New Mexico has suffered in its last 21 games. The other came against San Diego State and the Steve Alford's club just paid back the Aztecs for that one with a solid 77-67 road rout on Thursday night behind Drew Gordon's 17-point, 17-rebound effort.
I was at the first meeting between these two. UNLV shot lights out, hitting 52 percent from the field. The Rebels hassled New Mexico defensively all night, forcing 21 turnovers. But that was here on the strip. On the conference road, the Rebels are nothing special, losing by two at Wyoming and three at San Diego State while barely winning by two at Air Force and five at Boise, needing overtime to secure both victories.
New Mexico is playing with confidence. And the Lobos have a rotation that goes 10 deep. That's so important this late in the conference campaign. UNLV's confidence had to be shaken after Tuesday's collapse against TCU. With revenge at stake, and first place on the line, I've got to lay the five points or so with the hotter team, and that's the Lobos.
4♦ NEW MEXICO
CHRIS JORDAN
So let's get this straight, on a weekend where the top mid-majors in the country are taking a break from non-conference play for some buster event that may or may not open the eyes of the Selection Committee next month, a team like the UCLA Bruins have decided to leave Los Angeles for a non-conference game of their own.
Normally I wouldn't think anything of this.
Not if the Bruins were traveling 284 miles to Las Vegas to take on the UNLV Runnin' Rebels or something. Or maybe 135 miles south to San Diego to take on the San Diego State Aztecs
But this famed program, in the third week of February, roughly two weeks before the post-season tournament, the Bruins are traveling cross country to take on a rugged and scrappy Big East team in Manhattan.
From door-to-door, Pauley Pavilion to Madison Square Garden: 2,811 miles.
That's a jaunt. And quite frankly, it's the main reason I like the home underdog in this situation. I don't think UCLA can travel to the East coast an take on a team out of a conference I feel is much better than the Pacific 12.
The other factor is St. John's coach Steve Lavin, who used to coach UCLA is still in recovery from prostate cancer and was in attendance for practices this week with an upbeat attitude, reminding his players where his heart is now. He had just returned from here in Las Vegas and coincidentally L.A., for recruiting visits, and now his players can prove why Queens, New York is a better place to play than UCLA.
Though he'll be watching from a luxury box, his presence will be felt and I think his players will respond against what I think will be a travel-weary squad.
Take the home pup.
1♦ ST. JOHN'S
DOM CHAMBERS
For my free selection, let’s take a look at the Los Angeles Clippers to cover against the San Antonio Spurs.
There is no denying the Spurs are on a nice run. They have won 9 in a row and it was not for “Lin-sanity,” they would be the talk of the league. But the Spurs have been flying under the radar. During the nine-game winning streak, there was a nice win against Oklahoma City, but since the Spurs have gone on the road, they have beaten the likes of Toronto, Detroit and New Jersey. We are talking about the bottom feeders of the league.
Now, they head to Los Angeles and face the Clippers.
That’s going to be a tough task.
There have been times the Clippers have been erratic this season, but at home, they are solid. The Clippers are 11-3 straight up at home and 10-4 ATS. It is going to be difficult for the Spurs.
The Clippers may not have won nine in a row, but have won four of their last five games. They rallied for a win over Portland on the road. The Rose Garden is one of the more difficult venues to win on the road. The Clippers will be glad to be home. The Clippers are 4-1 straight up in their last five games and 4-0-1 ATS.
It’s going to be hard for the Spurs to keep their winning streak going.
The Spurs beat the Clippers, 115-90 on Dec. 28. In that game, Manu Ginobili scored 24 points. He just got back from his injury and is still betting back in basketball shape. Plus, back in December, the Clippers were still trying to get it together with its new pieces. They are more comfortable with Chris Paul and are playing better as a team.
Take the Clippers.
3♦ CLIPPERS
Joseph D'Amico
Ohio State vs. Michigan
Play: Ohio State -5
In their first meeting back in January, OSU shellacked Michigan, 64-49. That victory notched 6 in a row for the Buckeyes and 8 of the L10 meetings over the Wolverines. Ohio State's size advantage will be a huge problem for Michigan, once again. In the first matchup, the Buckeyes slowed down the pace. Despite superstar Jared Sullinger being slowed by early foul trouble the Forward still posted 13 points and 5 boards. Here are some #'s for you; OSU is 22-4 SU, 13-8 ATS, and 10-3 in the Conference, and are outscoring foes by an average of 18.7 PPG. Michigan is 19-7 SU, 13-9 ATS, 9-4 in Conference Play, and are beating opponents by 6.4 PPG. The one problem for Ohio State is that their defense has been tired late in the game, therefore giving up points. They still have Jared Sullinger, who is posting 17.6 PPG and 7.2 RPG. Buford and Thomas are combining for 29.5 PPG and 9.1 RPG. In MSU's 7 losses, 6 were against teams that were the favorite. After Hardaway JR. and Burke , the unit has had a very erratic offense and truly suffers from a lack in size in the paint. The Buckeyes also come into this game with something to prove after losing to MSU as an 8 1/2 pt favorite. However they did come back in their last game to win and cover over Minnesota on the road. OSU is 4-1 ATS their L5 road games, 6-2 ATS their L8 overall, and 6-2 ATS their L8 vs. the Big 10. I'm siding with Ohio State here.
Jeff Scott Sports
5 UNIT PLAY
Tulana/ UAB Over 112.5: Neither team is a run and gun team, but with the way the teams have been playing lately this OU line looks rather low. Tulane enters this game with their last 5 games averaging 130 ppg, while their road games on the year have averaged 118.2 ppg. We also note that their Conference games have averaged 126.6 ppg, while their last 4 conference road games have averaged 122.8 ppg. Now UAB's games haven't been high scoring this year, but their numbers across the board are all higher than this total. UAB's Conference games have averaged 117.5 ppg, while their last 5 overall have averaged 120.2 ppg, plus we note that their home games have averaged 126.7 ppg, while their conference home games have averaged 125 ppg, with just 1 of the 6 games putting up less than 120 points. UAB has scored just 64.9 ppg at home, but that number has increased of late as they have averaged a healthy 72.3 ppg. For much of the year Tulane has been solid at the defensive end, allowing just 59.1 ppg overall, but on the road this year they have allowed 62.6 ppg, while in their last 5 games overall they have allowed 68.2 ppg. UAB allowed just 28 points to SMU the other night, but in their previous 5 games they allowed 68.4 ppg, while in their last 3 at home they allowed 67.3 ppg. The Green Wave has had some ugly scoring games on the road and they have averaged just 55.6 ppg away, but even if they hit just that mark we should be golden. With the Way UAB has been playing defense as a hole of late, I expect the Green Wave to hit at least 59 or 60 in this one, while the Blazers should hit the 60 point mark as well. Looking at the numbers above, this game should have an OU line of at least 118 and I will take that value here with a game that should be played in the 120's.
4 UNIT PLAYS
NEW MEXICO -5.5 over UNLV: Google News Play. New Mexico is 21-4 on the year, which is a very impressive record, plus they hold a 1 game lead on UNLV in the Mountain West, yet they are unranked, while the Rebels come in ranked 11th in the country. Plus we can go the revenge rout as well as the Rebels beat new Mexico by 17 points earlier in the year. New Mexico is rolling right now as they have won 6 in a row and have scored 71.2 ppg, while holding opponents to just 50.3 ppg. Now that's domination. The Rebels have been excellent at home on they year where they have gone 11-2 and have outscored opponents by 18.7 ppg. UNLV has struggled on the road of late as they are just 2-3 on the road, since Jan. 14 with its two wins coming in overtime against Boise State and Air Force, both of which are tied for last in the conference standings. We know that both teams can score, but New mexico get a HUGE edge at the defensive end where they are ranked 9th in points allowed (57.7 ppg) and 6th in defensive FG% (37.4 %), while the Rebels are ranked 178th in points allowed (67 ppg) and 74th in defensive FG% (40.9%). UNLV has also allowed 73.9 ppg on the road, while the Lobos have allowed just 55.7 ppg at home. The Lobos are playing much better than the Rebels right now and they have the much better defense, they are at home in front of the National audience, they have revenge on their minds and they wanna show everyone that the wrong team is ranked. Just too many edges for the Rebels to overcome here. New Mexico by 10.
MAINE PK over Marist: Living in Maine I have been waiting all year to make a play involving the Black Bears and this is it. This is a great spot for Maine to pick up a win over a regular lined team. Maine has 3 wins over lined teams this year vs Brown and Rhode island on the road and eastern Illinois at home, plus they have a 9 point loss to Notre Dame on the resume, so they can play with some of these out of conference lined teams. Today they get to face a bad non-conference team as Marist comes in at 10-16 overall and a pathetic 1-12 on the road. the Red Foxes have been outscored by 15.4 ppg on the road and they have been bad at both ends of the floor in this process as they have averaged just 63.4 ppg on 38.1% shooting, while allowing 78.8 ppg on 49% shooting when they take to the road. at home this year Maine has averaged 66.9 ppg on a solid 45.7% shooting, while they have allowed 65.6 ppg on just 42% shooting. This is a Bracketbuster game and while Marist is playing better at te moment their road woes will jump up an bit them in the ass vs a Maine squad that has played pretty well out of conference this year. KEY TREND--- MARIST is 2-10 ATS when playing against a marginal losing team (Win Pct. 40% to 49%) over the last 3 seasons.
3 UNIT PLAYS
Iona/ Nevada Over 151: Iona loves to push the tempo, especially on their home floor. The Gaels are 6th in shots per game (62.3), while at home they have thrown up 66.4 shots per game. They have scored 87.8 ppg on 50.1% shooting on their home floor this year, with those games averaging 164.4 ppg. Now one could say that alot of that was due to the weak competition they play in the MAAC, and while that is true, we also note that during an early season tourney vs teams that don't usually push the pace (Purdue, W. Mich and Maryland) they had a 3 game set that averaged 171.7 ppg, plus in a home game vs St Joes right after the two teams combined for 203 points (165 in regulation). So you see this team will run with anyone and make them run as well. Nevada is not a running team by any stretch as they have shot the ball just 53 times per game (247th), but they can run if need be. In their last 2 road games vs San Jose State and Hawaii (two teams that are 109th or better in spg) they hoisted up 60 shots in both games and scored an average of 82 ppg in the process. for the year Nevada has scored 70.3 ppg on 45.2% shooting overall, while on the road they have scored 72.7 ppg on 46.4% shooting. What should hel the Wolfpack score even more is a Gaels defense that has allowed 76.4 ppg in their last 5 games overall and 76.6 ppg at home. The Wolfpack has played some good defense this year, as they have allowed 63.5 ppg overall and 66 ppg on the road, but in those two faced paced games they did allow 74.5 ppg and we have seen this year that the Gaels can score on anyone, especially at home. I expect this game in the 160's.
Kansas State/ Baylor Over 135.5: When this game came out last night i played it right away thinking that the line would move and it did as it's now up to 137 in some spots.This has been somewhat of a high scoring series the past few year, as 5 of the last 6 meetings have all seen games where 140+ points were scored, with an average of 151.8 ppg being scored over the 6 games, while in the first game this year we saw 148 points scored. Baylor has scored very well at home this year where they have averaged 78 ppg on 48.5% shooting and will be taking on a KSU team that has allowed 66 ppg on the road and 71.5 ppg in their last 2 away from home. KSU has struggled some to score of late and they do average just 65.7 ppg on the road, but they have averaged 68.4 ppg in their last 5 Big 12 road games and Baylor has allowed 68.6 ppg in their last 8 big 12 games overall. I don't see any reason why the Wildcats can't hit the Upper 60's in this one, while Baylor should be good for a game in the low to mid 70's. This game should hit 140+ with ease. KEY TRENDS--- BAYLOR is 19-5 OVER in home games after a game where they made 78% of their free throws or better since 1997, while KANSAS ST is 22-9 OVER in road games in February games since 1997.
2 UNIT PLAY
Memphis/ UTEP Over 131.5: Memphis home games have averaged 134.3 ppg, while their last 5 overall have put up 137.2 ppg. For UTEP their road games have averaged 135 ppg, while their last 5 overall have put up 134 ppg. UTEP is 25-12 OVER in a road game where the total is 130 to 139.5 since 1997, while MEMPHIS is 10-1 OVER after 2 straight games committing 11 or less turnovers over the last 3 seasons.
1 UNIT PLAY
Marquette +2.5 over CONNECTICUT: MARQUETTE is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons and 30-14 ATS (+14.6 Units) in road games off a win by 10 points or more over a conference rival since 1997. The Huskies are a different team without Calhoun. Golden Eagle win outright.
More later
David Banks
Long Beach St / Creighton Under
Saturday nights BracketBuster marathon closes shop in Omaha, NE where the Creighton Bluejays (22-5, 14-9 ATS) will look to tally a huge scalp against the Long Beach State 49ers (19-6, 12-11 ATS); ESPN2 will be on hand to broadcast the action live starting at 10:00 ET.
The current Big West Conference leading 49ers have been here before on the road and in a hostile venue. At the outset of the season, LBST took its show on the road to face the likes of Pittsburgh, San Diego State, Louisville, Kansas, and North Carolina. They even matched wits with Xavier and Kansas State on neutral courts. So to say this team is ready for what awaits them in Omaha comes as quite the understatement. One thing the 49ers do well is score the basketball (#50 at 74.1 PPG), so look to see them put some points on the board against a Creighton defense thats given up its fair share of points of late. As Casper Ware, Larry Anderson, and T.J. Robinson goes, so do the 49ers with that trio combining to score nearly 60 percent of the 49ers points. As it is, Long Beach State has gone 8-5 SU & 7-6 ATS away from the Walter Pyramid this season.
At one point in time, Creighton was everyones surefire Cinderella to make some noise in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. And why not? Doug McDermott was single-handedly destroying the opposition leading his team to win after win after win. This squad really opened pundits eyes when it toyed with each of its three Big Ten opponents (Iowa, Nebraska, Northwestern) on the non-conference slate, and then after losing a shocker to Missouri State to kick off its Missouri Valley schedule, rattled off 11 straight wins (7-4 ATS) which included avenging that loss to the Bears (66-65) in their own house. However since, the Bluejays seemed to have run out of steam falling to the likes of Northern Iowa, Evansville, and Wichita State (home) before taking their aggression out on Southern Illinois by shooting a record breaking 77.5 percent from the field. With only three games left on the regular season slate, a win over the Big West leaders would no doubt improve their March Madness resume.
LBST enters with a 12-game win streak in tow, and will also be looking to post back-to-back 20 win seasons for the first time in almost 40 years. The squad went 4-3 ATS in the seven non-conference games mentioned up above, and covered the closing number three of the five times when dogged. Theyre 4-1 ATS their L/5 out of conference as well as 6-1 ATS their L/7 on the road versus +.600 opposition. Creighton sports a moneymaking 7-1 ATS tally in its L/8 non-conference tussles, but has also gone 4-9-1 ATS the L/14 times it hosted a +.500 visitor. The under is 6-1 in Long Beach States L/7 versus +.600 teams, and also stands 7-3 in the Bluejays L/10 home games versus +.600 opposition.
Sharky Sports
Drexel / Cleveland State Under 120
This is an interesting match-up between a very defensive-minded ball club in Drexel on the road against a struggling yet immensely talented Cleveland State team. I think this will be a low-scoring affair for many reasons. First off let’s look at both offenses. Drexel is a lot more comfortable offensively at home and they tend to struggle to score efficiently on the road, only averaging 63 ppg’s away from home for the season. Cleveland State was an offense that was surging at the beginning of the year, but they have been really struggling recently after losing their star player D’Aundre Brown to a groin injury against Valparaiso. In the immediate 2 games after losing Brown, Cleveland State looked extremely stagnant and disorganized on offense, scoring season lows of 41 and 49 back to back against sub-par defenses. Surprisingly, they went on an absolute tear last game offensively scoring a season high 84 shooting 60% from the field and 47% from downtown. I think this makes a let-down very likely, especially if Brown doesn’t play again which is also likely. Therefore, I think both offenses will struggle more than usual. Now, let’s look at defenses as both of these teams are stellar defensively. Drexel really prides itself on hard-nosed man to man defense where they get out on shooters and contest (they are holding opponents to a ridiculously low 27% three point percentage). Cleveland State, especially as of late without the slashing potential of Brown, has really been relying on the three as they shoot over 1/3 of all of their field goals from downtown, and Drexel should make it tough for them to get clean looks. Cleveland State also prides itself on high-pressure defense, as they force an incredible 17.3 turnovers per game. For a team in Drexel that isn’t particularly strong with the ball, Cleveland State can rely on their active hands to get a lot of stops. Overall, I think everything points to a very low-scoring affair in this match-up