THE GOLD SHEET’S COLLEGE FORECAST
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 6
PROVIDENCE over South Carolina by 5 to 7—(at Wachovia Ctr.) 06-DNP CABLE TV—ESPN
WRIGHT ST. over Valparaiso by 4 to 6—06-DNP
TEMPLE over Towson by 10 to 13—06-Tem -1 75-70
Butler 67 - DETROIT 51—Although recent 4-game win streak temporarily buoyed hopes, all indicators are that Detroit program will continue recent down cycle (3 straight losing seasons), especially with star G Cotton having quit team in November and Titans still looking for effective replacement for graduated C Covile in paint. Besides, Perry Watson’s defensive tricks no mystery to seasoned, savvy Butler bunch led by heady sr. Gs Graves & Green. Remember, Bulldogs won and covered both meetings handily LY, and have dealt vs. far tougher than this in early going (won Alaska Shootout, whipped Ohio State at Hinkle Fieldhouse). 06-But -4 68-58, BUT -13' 56-36
CONNECTICUT over Northeastern by 19 to 23—06-CONN -23 81-53
ILL.-CHICAGO over Wis.-Milwaukee by 4 to 6—06-UWM +2' 76-65, UIC -7 72-59
LOYOLA-CHICAGO over Wis.-Green Bay by 1 to 2—06-LOY -9' 71-52, Loy +2' 69-52
VILLANOVA 89 - Lsu 72—With LSU’s star F Mitchell (14 ppg, 6 rpg LY) out with injury for 6-8 weeks, must buck defensively-suspect Tigers (allowing 85 ppg vs. major foes) ill-equipped to slow down ‘Nova squad that can score in a variety of ways. Wildcats super-soph G Reynolds (16 ppg) has added backcourt help in ‘07 with remarkably mature frosh G Fisher(12 ppg). And now that ‘Nova’s skillfl 6-7 F Clark has regained heath (13 ppg, 7 rpg) after limited by nagging knee injury LY, defense-pressuring Cats win by margin. (at Wachovia Ctr.) 06-DNP CABLE TV—ESPN