POINTWISE
CAL-POLY SLO RATING: 4
ARIZONA RATING: 5
Mighty Quinn
Xavier -11.5
Gator's NBA/CBB 70% Report
Thursday: Play On CBB road favorites of 10 or more points with a team who has a >=+8 points per game differential against a team that has a <=-8 points per game differential after 15 or more games, after allowing 30 points or less in the first half in 2 straight games. 24-3 ATS since 1997 PLAY: Davidson -24
Scott Spreitzer
Washington State Cougars at Arizona Wildcats
I'm playing Washington State on Thursday night. Tucson, Arizona is one of the toughest places to try and steal a win in college baskets. But Wazzu's discipline is exactly what's needed if you plan on up-ending the 'Cats at home. Arizona is trying to make the change to a more defensive-minded, physical brand of play under Kevin O'Neill. But by doing so, they're playing right into the hands of Cougar coach Tony Bennett. The Cougars are allowing just over 52 PPG. They have held all but two of their opponents UNDER 65 points. While Arizona continues to attempt to change their spots with Lute Olson on the back-burner, Wazzu is primed to come in a grab the road win. Look for the Cougars to shut down the Wildcats.
Greg Daraban
521 Cleveland St (14-5) at 522 Wisconsin GB (9-8)
The Vikings of Cleveland St are 7-0 in Horizon League play.
Tonight they visit the Fighting Phoenix. Wisconsin Green Bay
is just 3-4 in league play, but they are at home tonight.
Mike Schachtner 18.2 and Ryan Tillema 11.9 lead
the way for Green Bay. This will be a game
the host knocks off the visitor
Take Wisconsin Green Bay.
DAVE COKIN comp
Washington State-Arizona should be one of the evening's best games, but in the end I like the discipline of the Cougars to be the deciding factor. Washington State plays every game with supreme confidence, and they've become far more than just a team that outworks its opponents. Arizona is probably more athletic, but I've seen this team look confused at times as they adjust to a new coaching style with Kevin O'Neil sitting in for Lute Olson. Wazzou has given 'Zona fits on this court, covering nine of the last ten visits. Now they're the better team and I expect them to notch the outright win tonight
JIM FEIST comp
A couple of weak defensive teams meet. Indiana allows 105 ppg, second most in the league, while the Bucks allow 47% shooting by opponents, second worst. This is a difficult scheduling spot for Indiana, their third game in four nights and the second of a back-to-back road spot. Tired legs means bad defense. The Pacers are on a 4-1-1 run over the total, the Bucks are on a 3-0 over run. Don't look for any defense, play the Pacers/Bucks over the total!
Cappers Access
Virginia Tech
Northwestern
Joe Wiz
Troy State -3
Scott Spreitzer
25* Boise St
ARMVIN SPORTS
CBB
ARKANSAS STATE -4.5
VALPARAISO -9.5
MID TENNESSEE STATE 4.5
ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK 2.5
WASHINGTON STATE 1.5
NHL
OTTAWA -130
BUFFALO 140
BUFFALO at DALLAS Over 5.5
Sports Gambling Hotline
We say take the Hokies plus the points in their big ACC showdown with the Blue Devils.Duke is rolling strong at 15-1, and they have covered the spread in their last 3 wins, but for the year, Coach K's troups are just 2-5 against the spread on the road. Duke's last road game was a bit misleading, as Florida State had them in their sights,but collapsed down the stretch losing by 13.Don't expect that to happen tonight with Virginia Tech, as the Gobblers are undefeated at home this year at 7-0, and they are coming back home to play this ACC battle after 2 in a row on the conference highway.Last January the Hokies were able to go into Cameron Indoor as the 8-point underdog, and leave with an outright win in overtime. While the Dookies would love to exact a little revenge, this is a tough venue for the Blue Devils to get on top of this road impost.Play on the Hokes plus the points.
3* VIRGINIA TECH
MATT RIVERS comp
For Thursday take Washington State
Even without their head coach in Lute Olson Arizona is a talented team led by Chase Budinger, Jerryd Bayless and a few others but these guys have not shown me enough to make me believe they can beat what is turning out to be a borderline great Washington State team.All the Cougars seem to do is impress game after game. In the one game they looked mediocre at UCLA Derrick Low, Robbie Cowgill, Taylor Rochestie, Kyle Weaver, Arron Baynes and the fellas went on a furious late run and not only almost covered but almost shocked the world after being down 20 early on against a great UCLA group. This team can shoot the lights out and, as usual, are as disciplined as any team with that patient offense that will lull you to sleep and play defense with the best of them.The Wildcats have played a tough schedule and are a good team but they are no longer anything more than good. This is one of the most underachieving college programs over the past 15 or so years as they have had so much pro talent it's not even funny.At some point Washington State will run out of gas a little on the highway as they have already won hard fought contests at Baylor, Washington, Gonzaga and USC but I don't see this being that time.
TONY WESTON comp
We stay in the ACC where Duke plays at Virginia Tech in what should be an entertaining game for about a half. Duke, in many peoples? minds, is the best team in the country, sitting at 15-1 SU. The Blue Devils have done a good job of dominating opponents this season winning by an average score of 85-64.1.
Virginia Tech, on the other hand, has lost three of its last four lined games and is only 3-2 ATS at home this year. Also, over their L5 games the Hokies have scored an average of 67 points per game, 14 less than the Blue Devils? 81 per in that stretch.
Duke will continue to dominate and throttle Virginia Tech by at least 15.
Take the Blue Devils
4* DUKE (1* to 5* Scale)
Marc Lawrence
Game: New Jersey Nets at Golden State Warriors Jan 24 2008 10:35PM
Prediction: New Jersey Nets
Reason: Play On: New Jersey
Note: Nets invade Golden State in the midst of a West Coast road swing knowing they are 12-4 ATS on this floor. Better yet, New Jersey is 12-1 ATS as a dog in this series. No surprise to see the Nets snap their losing way here today.
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers Jan 24 2008 7:05PM
Prediction: over
Reason: The Penguins have played the under more often than not this season but tonight expect them to play over the total. The Flyers have played over the total in their last 7 games. The Flyers have also played the over in 4 straight home games. Their last 7 games vs. Eastern Conference team's have played the over. The over is 7-0 in Pittsburgh's last 7 trips to Philadelphia. The over is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings overall between the clubs. Play the over.
Karl Garrett
The Nets losing streak is currently at 6 straight, and their last pair of losses have been absolute embarrassments, as they have lost by 24 at Phoenix on Sunday, and 34 at Sacramento on Monday!The G-Man expects the Nets to save a little face tonight on TNT, and keep this game against the Warriors close at least.Golden State isn't exactly tearing it up right now, as Nelly's team may be on a 5-2 straight up run, BUT the Warriors are just 2-6 against the spread their last 8 home games, and just 3-7 against the spread their last 10 games when installed as the favorite.New Jersey did win the season's first meeting in December at home, and the Nets are 8-2 straight up - 9-1 against the spread the last 10 times these teams have faced one another.I am grabbing the points and looking for a close game tonight in Oakland.
2* NEW JERSEY
WINNING POINTS
NCAAB
Butler* over Loyola-Chicago by 25
Providence* over Seton Hall by 9
**PREFERRED
Virginia Tech* over Duke by 4
VIRGINIA TECH, 73-69.
Florida Atlantic* over Denver by 9
Utah State over Louisiana Tech* by 10
Arkansas State* over Florida International by 1
ARKANSAS STATE, 74-73.
Xavier* over Dayton by 17
Wisconsin-GB* over Cleveland State by 6
Wisconsin-Milwaukee* over Youngstown State by 9
WISCONSIN-MIL, 70-61.
Valparaiso* over Illinois-Chicago by 12
VALPARAISO, 83-71.
South Alabama* over UL-Lafayette by 14
USC over Oregon State* by 8
UL-Monroe* over Middle Tennessee by 6
Troy* over Arkansas-LR by 8
Arizona* over Washington State by 1
Arizona State* over Washington by 7
Boise State* over Hawaii by 16
BOISE STATE, 84-68.
New Mexico State* over Nevada by 5
Michigan State over Northwestern* by 12
San Jose State over Idaho* by 1
Cal-Santa Barbara* over Pacific by 12
CAL-SANTA BARBARA, 78-66.
Cal Poly-SLO* over Cal-Davis by 9
Oregon* over UCLA by 1
OREGON, 74-73.
NBA
San Antonio over *Miami by 9
SAN ANTONIO 92-83.
*Milwaukee over Indiana by 5
MILWAUKEE 110-105.
*Golden State over New Jersey by 13
GOLDEN STATE 117-104.
SPORTS MEMO
NBA
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24
SAN ANTONIO over *MIAMI by 5
Taking part in back-to-back nationally televised games might remove some of the heat of the moment for the Spurs, but that shouldnt disguise the fact that San Antonio remains on the opposite end of the NBA spectrum from hapless Miami. Dont expect a blowout victory after all, home-and-road back-to-backs are tough for any squad and the Heat will have some extra jump in their sneakers due to being on TNT, but make no mistake itll take more than simple fatigue for Miami to defeat San Antonio.
SAN ANTONIO 94-89
RECOMMENDED
*MILWAUKEE over INDIANA by 13
While the wins remain tough to come by for the Milwaukee Bucks, they arent skidding
as poorly as they were towards the end of December. Coach Larry Krystkowiak has madea concerted effort to run more plays for Andrew Bogut and he has responded with averages of 18.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in the new year numbers more befitting of a #1 overall pick than the 11.2/8.1/2.6 he had averaged up to this point in his career. The Pacers are in the midst of a four-game road trip and played last night inChicago gimpy Jermaine ONeal will have his hands full with Bogut tonight, if he even suits up.
MILWAUKEE 114-101
*GOLDEN STATE over NEW JERSEY by 11
Nothing will take the wind out of an Eastern Conference teams sails quite like a prolonged West Coast road trip. Jason Kidd returns to his hometown, but hes likely in for a rude awakening.The Nets are playing their fourth game in six days, with two more road contests to go.The record is going to take a hit before they return to the Meadowlands, but nothing will hurt as bad as getting embarrassed in front of your boyhood crowd.
GOLDEN STATE 118-107
SPORTS MEMO
NCAAB
*BUTLER over LOYOLA CHICAGO by 19
*PROVIDENCE over SETON HALL by 9
DUKE over *VIRGINIA TECH by 7
Appears a mismatch, but Hokies can and will beat you up physically . . . and its not like Dukies arent tough, but standing toe to toe and slugging it out isnt a perimeter teams game. Likely to come out closer than it might appear, on the surface. DUKE, 84-77.
*FLORIDA ATLANTIC over DENVER by 13
Loss of leading scorer David Kummer for Denver will be felt sooner, rather than later, especially on the road.
FLORIDA ATLANTIC, 70-57
UTAH STATE over *LOUISIANA TECH by 12
*ARKANSAS STATE over FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL by 5
*XAVIER over DAYTON by 10
Off two road struggles against lesser lights, Musketeers circling back to top effort against A-10 Flavor of the Month which might be overrated, just a tad.
XAVIER, 74-64
*WISCONSIN GREEN BAY over CLEVELAND STATE by 6
Wow. Vikings staved off mighty Butler, in a screaming finish . . . then neatly repelled Valpo.Thats one fine weeks work, in the Horizon. What will they do for an encore? We figger theyll take a big fat flop in Titletown, and WGB will be a cheap lay, off current form. Gifts always accepted, here.
WISCONSIN GREEN BAY, 71-65
*WISCONSIN MILWAUKEE over YOUNGSTOWN STATE by 8
*VALPARAISO over ILLINOIS CHICAGO by 11
*SOUTH ALABAMA over UL-LAFAYETTE by 14
USC over *OREGON STATE by 8
Five days have passed since Trojans put up huge effort against hated Bruins, so reluctant to get involved, but difficult to step in and take advantage with forlorn Beavers, who cant hit the ocean from the beach.
USC, 81-73
*UL - MONROE over MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE by 1
Why the Sun Belts a jungle, unless you?re local: Chapter 38,345: Previously MIA againstArkansas Little Rock, Warhawks leading scorer Tony Hooper miraculously materializes against Florida International and leads the troops to an upset win. An inside-the-insiders conference, for sure.
UL MONROE, 68-67
ARKANSAS LITTLE ROCK over *TROY by 4
RECOMMENDED
*ARIZONA over WASHINGTON STATE by 8
Pure Talent, vs. Systematic Intensity. Coogs cannot be sneezed at, but when we wrap this 07-08 season up, suspect Wazzu will be remembered for its remarkable early run and its subsequent inability to go deep in March. Wildcats got off erratically, and had injury issues (still do!), but flashy PG Jerryd Bayless is back, and so long as Bayless remains healthy and functioning, Zona clearly has its best days ahead of it. Remember the eternalhomily when much is expected of Arizona, look out . . . but when the Cats are flyingunder the radar, foes had best be wary.
ARIZONA, 73-65
*ARIZONA STATE over WASHINGTON by 7
Put the effort at The Farm aside. Young Sun Devils were due to take a breather, and did so,essentially taking the second half off., as we figured. But full body of work fully confirms the job Herb Sendeks done with this maturing outfit. Home/road dichotomy doesnt suggest this will be red-letter day for the Huskies.
ARIZONA STATE, 70-63
*BOISE STATE over HAWAII by 8
Hawaii tries hard, and theyve been surprisingly-decent on road this campaign, though thisis one tough trip, especially for those used to warmer climes.
BOISE STATE, 74-66
*NEW MEXICO STATE over NEVADA by 3
MICHIGAN STATE over *NORTHWESTERN by 14
SAN JOSE STATE over *IDAHO by 3
*CAL SANTA BARBARA over PACIFIC by 7
*CAL POLY SLO over UC DAVIS by 3
Have little use for this phlegmatic outfit as favorites. CAL POLY SLO, only 64-61.
UCLA over *OREGON by 7
Comps
RAZOR SHARP
NEVADA +4.5
TV HOTLINE
XAVIER -11
The Fall Miracle
New Mexico State -4
USA Sports Consulting
Northwestern +10.5
TRACE ADAMS
Northwestern Wildcats
THE VEGAS STEAMLINE
Troy -2.5 over Arkansas-Little Rock
#1 SPORTS
VIRGINIA TECH + 8 1/2
TOTALS 4 U
OREGON DUCKS + 3 1/2
FAT JACK SPORTS
San Jose State +1
NICK JONES
Virginia Tech +8 -110
RED ZONE SPORTS
WISCONSIN-GB
TOPLINE SPORTS
WASHINGTON STATE
WINNERS EDGE
NBA
New Jersey +9 1 unit
CBB
Oregon + 3.5 2 units
Troy + 2 2 units
Northwestern +10 3 units
BURNS
1st half GOY--------------------Devils
Pers Fave-----------------------Wisc-GB
Roast---------------------------Oregon
TNT Blowout---------------------Heat
TNT total GOM-------------------Over Heat/Spurs