Larry Ness
Las Vegas Insider
No. 18 Illinois had won 10 straight home games prior to its game with Penn State on Wednesday. However, the Illini fell 38-33 to the Nittany Lions in what was the fewest combined points in a Division I game since Monmouth beat Princton back on Dec 14, 2005. It's not the first time the Illini have had trouble putting point on the boards, as Illinois lost at Minnesota back on Jan 29, 59-36. Bruce Weber's done a nice job with this year's team, considering the Illini were only 16-19 last season. Illinois enters this game 21-6 overall and 9-5 in the Big 10, which pretty much assures them on an NCAA bid. The 7-0 Tisdale has averaged 11.0-4.0 after averaging just 3.6-1.7 last year, while the 6-9 Davis has improved from averages of 2.6-1.8 to 10.6-7.8 this year. Veteran guards McCamey (11.8-4.8 APG), Meachem (10.0) and Frazier (5.4-4.8-5.3) have been very good, with Legion (4.20 and Brock (4.7) adding depth. One can't ignore the job done by Thad Matta of Ohio State, either. The Buckeyes went all the way to the championship game in 2007, losing to Florida. Then, after freshman Oden, Conley and Cook all left, Matta led the Buckeyes to an NIT title last year. Gone from that team are guard Butler (15.0-5.9 APG), forward Hunter (9.9-6.5) plus the 7-0 Koufos (14.4-6.7), who left after his freshman season. Seven games into this season, Ohio St lost the 6-5 Lighty (9.7-5.1), who had been a part of 57 wins the last two years. OSU comes in 17-7 (7-6 in the Big 10), and 'fighting' for a postseason NCAA berth. The 6-7 Turner (17.2-7.3) has been one of the league's best players, while guards Buford (11.4), Diebler (11.3) and Simmons (7.2) form a solid group. The 6-8 Lauderdale (4.9-4.0) has really not blossomed and highly-touted 7-0 freshman Mullens (9.3-5.0) has NOT lived up to expectations. However, the Buckeyes need this game much more than Illinois and one can't ignore Illinois' road play in the Big 10 since the first of the year. The Illini have lost at Michigan by 10, at Michigan St by six, at Minnesota by 23 and at Wisconsin by 13. Their wins have come at Northwestern (outscored the Wildcats 17-2 to win 60-59!) and at Indiana (1-13 in the Big 10). The Buckeyes return home where they are 13-2 on the season, off consecutive losses at Wisconsin (five points) and Northwestern (three points). There is little "margin of error" left in Ohio State's season and this game is HUGE, as the Buckeyes look to avoid their first three-game slide of the season. Ohio State has already knocked off two ranked teams this year at home, defeating then-No. 12 Purdue 80-72 in OT on Feb 3 and winning 64-58 over then-No. 19 Minnesota on Feb 7. OSU is allowing just 58.2 PPG at home, while holding opponents to 39.5% from the floor. The Illini average just 60.4 PPG,as the team's three-point shooting is just 26.9% in away games. The Buckeyes are 5-1 SU at home this year in Big 10 play and have won 26 of their last 29 conference home games and No. 18 Illinois is "in their sights" today. Las Vegas Insider on Ohio State (8*).
Daytime Dominator
Syracuse was snubbed by the NCAA tournament two years ago but last year's team was not surprised when it failed to get an NCAA bid. While Boehieim lost the 6-11 Greene (17.7-7.2) after just one season, fellow freshman, PG Flynn (17.5-6.1 APG), has returned for his sophomore year. Syracuse opened this season 16-1 but then dropped SIX of eight games before beating struggling Georgetown in OT last Saturday. It should be mentioned that Syracuse has faced SIX ranked teams during that stretch, going 1-5. As for Villanova, Jay Wright saw all five starters return from last year and the Wildcats have been in the top-25 all season. They enter this game ranked 12th with a 21-5 record (9-4 in the Big East). The 6-8 Cunningham (16.5-7.1) leads the team in scoring and rebounding, joined by the 6-6 Anderson (7.4-5.7) and the 6-7 Clark (5.1-3.9)m in the frontcourt. Scottie Reynolds (15.5-3.8 APG) is the team's backcourt leader with Fisher (11.0) and Stokes (10.1) both scoring in double digits despite coming off the bench in most games. Redding (6.7-4.9) typically starts with Reynolds and Pena (6.4-5.1) adds depth. Syracuse is not as deep as Villanova but Flynn is joined by vets Devendorf (15.6) and Rautins (10.1) to form an excellent backcourt. Harris (12.6-8.0) is just 6-4 but he's terrific rebounder at small forward, joined on the frontline by the 6-9 Onuaku (10.6-7.4) and the 6-9 Jackson (7.7-5.9). I've never been much of a fan of these 'Cats or Wright, who I believe has underachieved since coming to Villanova. The 'Cats exploded for 94 points at Providence on Feb 4 and then scored 102 vs Syracuse (in the Wachovia Center, not The Pavillion) and 102 vs Marquette (back in The Pavillion) in their next two game. However, Villanova has "returned to earth" in its last two games, losing 93-72 at West Va and struggling at home vs a mediocre Rutgers team, winning 82-72, as 16-point favorites. Syracuse is ready for some revenge after allowing 102 points on Feb 7 and is well-rested, not playing since Valentine's Day. Syracuse is 14-2 SU at home, where it averages 82.1 PPG and a win here will not only give Boeheim his 791st career win but will give 19-7 Syracuse its 20th win of the year, giving Boeheim 20 wins (or more) for the 31st time (a record!) in his career. Daytime Dominator on Syracuse (7*).
NBA Total of the Month
The Suns had no problem adjusting to life without Amare Stoudemire, as after scoring 140 and 142 points against the Clippers in Alvin Gentry's first two games as the team's head coach, the Suns (with Stoudemire sidelined) beat the Thunder on Friday night, 140-118! Is it possible the Suns can continue their offensive "rebirth" against the Celtics? The Celtics are without Kevin Garnett (16.3-8.8) who keys their defense but it's not KG alone responsible for Boston allowing 92.0 PPG (2nd to only Cleveland in points allowed). The Celtics also rank No. 1 in both opponents' FG percentage (42.5) and three-point percentage (33.8). The Suns have made 59.8 percent from the floor in their last three games, including a ridiculous 51.1 percent of their three-point attempts over the last two. My analysis for this game is "short and sweet." With KG out, I expect the suns to try and utilize Shaq more (which will slow down the pace of the game) plus Doc Rivers is fully aware his team can't 'run' with the Suns and win this one. The Celtics have allowed triple digits just 16 times this year, four of those coming in OT games. The most they've allowed in any game is 111 points (in a 119-111 win over the Warriors back on Nov 26) and I don't see the Suns coming anywhere near their recent outputs. This just in, the Celtics (even sans KG) are NOT the Clippers or Thunder. NBA Total of the Month Bos/Pho Under (9*).
Bailout Blowout
North Carolina's shocking loss at Maryland has surely given both Wake and Duke some hope of catching the Tar Heels in the ACC (NC is 10-3 with Wake and Duke at 7-4). However, the loser of this game all but gives up any chance at the regular season title. Both teams have struggled lately, as after a 16-0 start, Wake is just 4-4 since and Duke comes in having lost FOUR of six ACC games since opening the year 18-1 overall, including 5-0 in the ACC. The Dookies did beat St John's 76-69 on Thursday (to move to 21-5 overall), but who's counting? Wake's been led by two outstanding sophomores in guard Teague (20.0-3.5-3.8) and the 6-9 Johnson (13.8-7.9), joined by 6-9 freshman Aminu (13.2-8.2). Duke's three double digit scorers are the 6-8 Singler (16.3-7.9), swingman Henderson (15.6-4.8) and guard Scheyer (13.3-3.7-2.8). Both teams have excellent depth, although Wake is a little more athletic than Duke. However, let's note that when Duke lost at Wake 70-68 back on Jan 28 (Dookies were ranked No. 1 at the time), the Blue Devils were an abysmal 33.3 percent from the floor, including 4-of-22 from behind the arc. How could Duke possibly be any worse and yet on the road, fell by just two points on a last-second follow-up by Wake! It's been 13 years since Wake Forest swept a regular-season series from Duke and clearly in the Coach K era, there's been a major 'class' difference between the two programs. There's little argument that Wake has as much if not more talent that Duke this year but I'm still taking Coach K over Dino Gaudio in a revenge spot like this, with so much on the line. Wake's last win at Cameron Indoor Stadium came back on Jan 11, 1997, when the Demon Deacons won, 81-69. Tim Duncan led that Wake contingent and last I looked, Tim's in the NBA. Duke's won 10 straight home games over Wake since that time and No. 11 in a row comes tonight, "with room to spare!" Bailout Blowout on Duke (7*).
Erin Rynning
Playmaker: Arizona St.
Seabass
Steam 100* Nuggets
JEFFERSON-SPORTS
TORONTO-3.5
Nick Bogdanovich
Small St Bonaventure (+16½) over Temple
Medium Duke (-6½) over Wake Forest
Large Arizona (+7½) over Arizona State
Jim Hurley
Cashline Basketball
1*Duquesne (+2) over La Salle
2*Arizona (+7½) over Arizona State
NSA
20* Arizona +7.5
10* Xavier -17.5
10* Villanova +2.5
10* OVER 143.5
10* Michigan St -8
10* Boston +2
Seabass
50* Detroit under
50* Celts
30* Celts under
50* Xavier
20* Mich St
BookieBasherSports
Northwestern +6
The Sports Contrarian
3 Unit Knicks +3.5
3 Unit Bulls -2
ACME Sports Inc.
5 Units New York / Toronto OVER 215
Jefferson-Sports
Cavs Over 180
igz1 sports
4* Iowa Pk
CALIFORNIA SPORTS
4* DUQUESNE
3* Charlotte Bobcats
3* Seton Hall
GOLD SHEET
1* St Bonaventure
1* Syracuse
Savannah Sports
3 units Milwaukee Under 211
MALINSKY
6* Celtics Under
4* Chicago
4* St. Bonny
Steam On-Line Guaranteed Selections
9000* BIG 10 CONFERENCE BOOKIE BUSTER PLAY OF THE YEAR
Ohio St -2
Kelso
50 units Xavier
Mean Green Profit Machine
1ST HALF SPREAD: PORTLAND -8.5
New Orleans - Louisiana Lafayette UNDER 130
Bruins - Lightning UNDER 5.5
Bruins ML