Guaranteed Pick: Larry Ness
Game: Akron at Ohio University
Prediction: Ohio University
Reason: Ohio has been an easy team to figure out all season. Stay away from the Bobcats on the road (or play AGAINST them) but play on them at home, EVERY time! Ohio has regularly struggled on the road, averaging barely 60 PPG, including a pathetic 57.9 PPG in eight MAC road games. However, the Bobcats are averaging 73 PPG in Athens, going 11-0 SU and 9-2 ATS, which includes a 6-0 SU league mark (average win coming by 10 points). The 6-8 Williams (15.5-10.0) and the 6-6 Tillman (12.4-7.1) are one of the league's best inside duos, while the 6-6 Orr (7.1) completes the starting frontcourt. Walther (11.7-3.3 APG) and Allen (4.3-4.3 APG) have both contributed at the PG spot with the steady Whittington (8.5) giving the Bobcats a solid perimeter trio. As for Akron, the Zips come in 20-8 overall and 10-4 in the MAC East (Kent is 11-3). However, the Zips know all to well that the MAC hasn't received an at-large selection to the NCAAs since 1999, as last year's 26-win team went uninvited after losing in the MAC title game to Miami-Ohio. Winning here will do the Zips little good, as their own route to the "Big Dance" will be a win in the MAC tourney (same goes for every school in the conference, save possibly Kent). Akron's best player, the 6-6 Wood (13.3-8.0), missed four games with an injury but has played in the last two, averaging 12.0 PPG and 10.5 RPG. However, that's NOT the whole story. He's shot just 7-of-23 (30.4) in his two games back, after shooting 51 percent from the floor, prior to his injury. Three 6-7 players join him in the frontcourt, Linhart (8.4-4.6), Milum (7.2-3.7) and McKnight (5.9). The starting guards are solid in Dials (12.8-4.1) and Middleton (9.7), with freshman McNees (6.2) adding depth. However, with both teams peeking ahead to the MAC tourney, which begins March 12, I'm sticking with the Bobcats here on their homecourt. Ohio almost beat the Zips in Akron (Jan 17), losing 55-54 on a tip-in with just four seconds remaining. Las Vegas Insider on Ohio U.
Jeffersonsports
NCAA HOOPS
OHIO ST.-2
E. KENTUCKY+10
SAMFORD UNDER 128
NBA
ORLANDO-9
MINNESOTA-5
AAA
NBA: Toronto Raptors at Orlando Magic - Under 209.5 -110 | Unit Value: 2
NBA: Memphis Grizzlies at Chicago Bulls - Over 207.5 -110 | Unit Value: 2
NCAAB: Eastern Michigan Eagles at Toledo Rockets - Under 125 (Heavy Hitter) Unit Value: 3
Note: The Rockets not only have a slower than average pace, they have very poor offensive efficiency, ranked #308 in this country out of 341 teams. What they do well is play good defense and that is especially true here at home. This team has failed to score into the 60's 7 of the last 8 games but they have only allowed 61 per contest in all games played here. They have a team in town tonight that actually is more slow paced than they are at #288 in the country. Eastern Michigan has not performed well on offense when they travel and are 9-4 UNDER when they do. Already this year, these two squads have played to a 114 affair, and in fact UNDER is 5-0 the last 5 meetings. This game is likely to be much like those with shooting numbers in the 90 to 105 range. The contest earlier this year saw 95 shots and both teams regularly average around that level. That is not going to produce a contest over the posted mark that we have barring much better than average shooting percentages. With the Eagles connecting on just 40% on the road and Toledo an unbelievable 38.8% regardless of where they play, we probably are not going to see much fireworks. That is going to give us what we want. Play down to 121.
NCAAB: Youngstown St Penguins at Illinois Chicago Flames - Over 137.5 (Heavy Hitter) Unit Value: 3
Note: As we move into conference tournaments, you will hear me say often how these games produce lower than usual scoring results, but that is primarily when those contests are played at neutral sites. The Horizon League does not do that in the early going so this is a totally different animal. This League has a lot of lower paced squads but the two on the court tonight in the Windy City are not two of those. Both are ranked in the Top 30% Tempo-wise with the Flames having better than average offensive efficiency and the Penguins about average. There will be plenty of shots tonight just like the two previous times they have played this year and just like everytime they play. This year's contests produced 127 and 125 shots with 158 and 148 points scored. Last year's games 179 and 144. They are the best situation to get another OVER with Youngstown not playing very good road D and the Flames shooting very well at these familiar baskets. Illinois Chicago has been an OVER Bonanza here at home at 10-5 this year and the Penguins are 8-2 OVER while traveling. Those results are because of what has been stated. There will be a lot of action tonight in Chicago and this one can be played up to 141.
NCAAB: Colorado State Rams at Utah Utes - Colorado State +17.5 (Heavy Hitter)Unit Value: 3
Note: On paper this looks like the biggest lopsided win of the year for the Utes. Colorado State is mired in it's longest losing streak in school history and things have gotten worse with the possibility of Guard Willis Gardner going down with a shoulder injury last game verses SD State. His status is not good and he is likely to sit tonight out and possibly the rest of the year. Center Ronnie Aguilar also have injury problems and will be a gametime decision. But this line is way out of line and it is because of those injuries. The Rams have 5 talented freshmen and they have been getting a lot of playing time this year, making their experience better than most 1st year players. Despite losing a lot of games, the Rams have been the kind of squad that has been able to hang around. They do have better than average ball handling skills and they are very patient with their shot selection. That has enabled them to play better basketball over the course of the last 5 times on the court and even the last game verses SD State they hung in the game with an almost cover. Tonight they are planning on a very conservative approach according to comments by HC Tim Miles as he knows they will be outmanned. Utah has problems of their own losing their last 4 games and they also have problems with injury woes. Guard Johnny Bryant may or may not be back tonight but is not expected to be near 100% and what I have learned, they probably will give him another rest and use him only if needed. They are still awaiting the return of Forward Stephen Weigh. We are going to see a lot of fresh faces tonight and the second line Ram players are just more prepared. This is a huge spread to cover for a team that has not covered in their last 5 tries and even though the Utes should come out a winner, it might well be in the single digit category. I am grabbing the large points.
Bob Veno
New Mexico Over 132
Illinois Chicago -12.5
Special K
5* Over Suns
Opinion - Southern Miss - New Mexico - Kansas St