Scott Delaney
Ah yes, the move to Division I and right into the Western Athletic Conference. That's the story of Grand Canyon University, straight out of Phoenix, right off Camelback Road. And be careful what you think about the Antelopes, they have an awfully big financial backing, have been successful in the past when it comes to their Division II standing and have brought in some mighty big names in their respective sports to lead them into the future.
On campus, there is no bigger name than Dan Majerle, the new head coach of the basketball team, that is catching too many points in my opinion, from Loyola Marymount.
Quite frankly, I don't know what to expect from the Lions, after they endured a brutal, injury-riddled campaign last year, including all-WCC performer Anthony Ireland, who had postseason knee surgery. I admit, there is a ton of experience on this team, and Loyola is always tough come conference time, but out of the shoot, this is like a brand new team coming together for the start of the season.
As for GCU, it arrives in the WAC after successfully competing and reaching the D-II NCAA Tournament in each of the past two seasons, going 42-16.
After Majerle's troops play Loyola tonight, they'll take on host San Diego tomorrow. The Lopes didn't look too shabby last Friday in an exhibition game against UC San Diego, albeit they lost 71-63 in front of a sellout crowd of 4,410 at GCU Arena.
While Majerle said his team made too many mistakes, he also credited them for playing hard and showing improvement. GCU fought back from an early deficit to take a four-point lead in the second half, but with the score tied 63-63 at the 1:58 mark, UC San Diego closed the game on an 8-0 run.
Tonight I trust the Antelopes will keep this one tight and contend against the Lions to keep the margin in the one-digit range.
4♦ GRAND CANYON
Brad Wilton
Mountain West action tonight from Albuquerque, and my free play is the Over in Air Force taking on New Mexico.
While series numbers do show Unders contested the last two series meetings, tonight's figures to be a fireworks show, as both teams have major issues when it comes to stopping the football from ringing up touchdowns.
The Falcons have played 9 game so far, and they are allowing an average of just over 37 points per game to be scored on them. The Lobos meanwhile have put 8 games in the books, and they are allowing just over 35 points per game to be scored against them.
5 of the last 9 series meetings overall played between these conference rivals have landed Over the total, and the Wolves have gone Over the total in 6 of their 8 games played this year, while the Force has been Over in their last pair of games.
Look for a game that is played in the 30's on both sides of the ball.
Over the call in this Air Force-New Mexico contest tonight.
4♦ AIR FORCE-NEW MEXICO OVER
Brett Atkins
My free winner for tonight is in college basketball, as I like San Diego to get it done minus a cheap number against South Dakota State. The two mid-majors meet in the first round of the USD Classic at Jenny Craig Pavilion on the campus of the University of San Diego. And South Dakota State is beginning life without Nate Wolters, arguably the best player to play for the Jackrabbits.
Playing at USD is tough enough for teams like Gonzaga and St. Mary's during the West Coast Conference regular season, but for a team like South Dakota State, that is now in a rebuilding process, it'll be even tougher.
The Toreros return a solid backcourt that is stocked with experience, as two-year starters Christopher Anderson and Johnny Dee are back. Anderson ranked second in the WCC in the steals and assists departments. Dee, meanwhile, averaged 15 points per game and drained 80 treys, which ranked third in the WCC. In the frontcourt, there's Jito Kok back, and he's a shot-blocking specialist.
I think the Jackrabbits might stand a chance once Summit League play begins, I mean Jordan Dykstra is solid, an guards Brayden Carlson and Chad White can be effective. There's Florida-transfer Cody Larson, who was cleared by the NCAA to play immediately for the 'Rabbits. But all this is still a question mark for a team that depended highly on Wolters for scoring and now has to find a new identity.
Take the Toreros tonight, as they'll dominate on their home floor.
3♦ SAN DIEGO
LT Profits
Air Force vs New Mexico
Pick: New Mexico -3
The Air Force Falcons and New Mexico Lobos are almost mirror images of each other in that both teams have one-dimensional offenses that run the ball well but cannot throw a lick and both have horrendous defenses. Now, Air Force has always been among the leading rushing teams in the country with its triple option, and the Falcons are averaging 279.2 rushing yards per game on 5.1 yards per carry again this year. However, it is New Mexico that is actually third in the nation in rushing this season at 313.6 yards per game on the ground on a very hefty 6.3 yards per carry! Furthermore, Air Force did not have a win over an FBS opponent until beating Army last week, and there could be a letdown after getting that win in a battle for the Commander-in-Chief Trophy. Air Force is 3-11 ATS in its last 11 games overall.
Cal Poly SLO vs Arizona
Pick: Cal Poly SLO +16.5
The Arizona Wildcats rank sixth in the preseason, but they lost their leading scorer from their Sweet 16 team last year in Mark Lyons. The good news is that Lyons, who was a natural shooter playing point guard, is replaced by a natural point guard in Duquesne transfer T.J. McConnell, and Arizona has a nice recruiting class. The bad news is that McConnell will not give the Wildcats the scoring Lyons did and while Arizona will get better as the year goes on, its starting inexperience could hurt in the beginning. The Cal Poly Mustangs return their top three starters from a team that won 18 games for the second straight season while ranking second in the country in fewest turnovers and fourth in turnover-to-assist ratio. They also won road games at UCLA and USC the last two seasons. In fact, Cal Poly SLO is 4-1-1 ATS in its last six games vs. the Pac-12.
Joe Gavazzi
Air Force +3
In an option vs. option offensive football game, one would consider that such a clock eating affair would lead to a low scoring game. Think again. Each of these defenses allows 37 PPG with Air Force allowing 221/4.7 overland and New Mexico allowing 253/6.3 vs. the run. With two wins apiece, neither of these teams is going anywhere with those shoddy defenses. But, we can slightly favor the momentum of Air Force, who broke their 6 game losing streak, with a 42-28 home victory over Army last week. As Air Force is normally a winning team, it is understandable that they are 0-3 ATS following the Army victory. This year, you can see it as a buy sign from a team who may have reached the nadir of their discontent following a 5-16 ATS and 2-6 ATS record to begin this year. Air Force is the value side as underdog.
Harry Bondi
AIR FORCE (+3) over New Mexico
It's been a lousy year for the Fly Boys but they got a much needed victory over Army last week and we think they will carry that momentum into another win tonight. These squads are mirror images of each other offensively running the option well and rarely passing. You would think that practicing against the option every day in practice would help the defenses but both stop units are among college football's worst. Air Force has played a much tougher schedule than the Lobo's and have covered 7 of the last 9 against New Mexico. Let's follow those trends tonight as Air force fly's or more likely runs through New Mexico tonight.
AJ Atencio
Toronto +9
Indiana is 5-0 for the first time as an NBA franchise but the past couple games have been grinding; although, you wouldn't notice it from the box score. They continue to play without George Hill and the point guard will be a game time decision tonight. The Pacers are already 0-1 ATS this season when laying more than 8 points. Toronto hasn't played great ball to start the season but catches their biggest # of the young campaign. Not only did the Raptors win both meetings in Indiana last season straight up but they've covered 4 of the past 6 meetings. There's also a favorable trend in this series with the road team going 5-0 ATS the past 5 meetings. Books set this line too high and Indiana falls into a letdown spot tonight. Play the Raptors in what we expect to be a close game.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
Georgetown/ Oregon Under 131: Last year in many games I got caught up with thinking OU lines are too low and it cost me. That's odd cause I am normally an Under player. Well I will go with the Under in this one. The Hoyas were a pretty weak offensive team last year, even with Porter in there. Now they don't have him and have a few new pieces that will take some time to gel, especially on the offensive end of the floor. The Hoyas will have to rely on their tough defense and slow down game to win some games early in the year. the Ducks have some new faces as well and were a very good defensive squad last year and that should continue here. Both teams will play good defense in this game and the offenses should struggle. I look for a game in the low 120's.
2 UNIT PLAYS
Colorado +3.5 over Baylor: Baylor will still be a formidable team this year, but the loss of Jackson will really hurt them early in the year. They just won't have the same offensive punch, right out the gate. Colorado lost a star player in Andre Roberson, but they do have better depth also have Spencer Dinwiddie back, who lead the team in scoring last year. Colorado is one of the favorites to win the Pac-12, while Baylor is a middle of the pack team in the Big 12. Look for the Buffaloes to pull out the small upset.
Wisconsin/ St Johns Under 129: Not many Wisconsin games this year will have an OU line this high, because this team simply does not play many games in the upper 120s. Their style of play and they tough defense does not make for many high scoring game. I do not expect this year to be any different. The Badgers will slow the pace here and St John's will not be able to run as much as they like. The Johnnies are not an explosive team and they did play good defense last year as they led the nation in blocked shots (7.3 pg). This one will struggle to hit 120.
OC Dooley
76ers +3.5
Even though looked at as one of the league’s worst teams, Philadelphia has already made a major splash winning each of the initial 3 games of a new campaign including a stunning HOME upset versus defending champion Miami. In this particular contest the entire Sixers organization and their fans will have special interest as Cleveland big man Andrew Bynum is slated to make an appearance. Following a shocking run all the way to the 2012 Eastern Conference playoff semifinal round, Philadelphia felt that Bynum was the missing piece and they signed the former Laker to a hefty $17 million dollar contract. Due to knee problems Bynum ended up NOT starting one single game in a Philadelphia uniform which will make him the subject of severe boos this evening as he returns to a city he essentially jilted. Here is a solid 70-PERCENT SYSTEM (49-21 since 1996) which plays ON home underdogs like Philadelphia with an explosive offense that averages at least 103 points per game, when off a contest where the defense struggled by allowing the opposition to score at least 55 points in the opening half. For whatever the reason my research indicates that in the past two years Philadelphia has made investors serious money (12-3 ATS) when taking the court on a FRIDAY