Sports Monitor
MATCHUP: San Antonio Spurs (21-8) at Denver Nuggets (18-12)
WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, January 3rd 9pm EST
THE LINE:
San Antonio is -2 and the total is 199 points
TRENDS: The under is 7-2 in San Antonio's last nine games. Theunder is 15-7 in San Antonio's last 22 road games. Theunder is 23-5 in the last 28 meetings between these clubs.
GAME SUMMARY: The San Antonio Spurs own the best defense in the WesternConference, but injuries to some of their key players havecaused their play on the other end of the court to be less consistent.
SPORTS MONITOR
PREDICTION: San Antonio and Denver under the total
Drew Gordon:
1. 300,000* Virginia Tech
2. 50,000* California
3. 50,000* Utah State
1. Virginia Tech- Despite their 11-1 record and 10-1 mark ATS this season, I'm far from convinced this Kansas team is the "real deal." Instead of focusing on their record, let's examine their schedule, which will tell us a lot more about this Kansas team.
First of all, despite playing in the Big 12, they didn't face Texas, Oklahoma, or Texas Tech. And in the games they did face some real competition, Kansas, and especially QB Todd Reesing, looked very beatable. Just pop in the tape of games at Colorado, at Texas A&M, and against Missouri and you'll see a much different Jayhawks team. One that averaged a pedestrian 22 ppg over that span... Now you want them to get it done against the best defense they've seen all season?!
Second, if there's one thing Virginia Tech needed this season, it was progression from their QB position. In the early going, both Glennon and Taylor struggled with consistency and injuries among other things, but down the stretch, both players found their rythmn and it showed. Not only does their two differing styles of play make it that much tougher to gameplan, but the Hokies offense has been averaging 35 ppg over their last 3 games - a marked improvement from their seasonal average.
Finally, let's talk about the Hokies defense, which is one of the best units in the country, bar none. They've locked down countless offenses this season, including Matt Ryan and his Eagles in the ACC title game. Hokies were on fire down the stretch, winning and covering 5 straight against REAL competition. Forget about running the ball against this front 7 (allowing 59 rushing yards per game L3), while the Hokies ball-hawking secondary and agrressive pressure defense will have Reesing second-guessing himself after the first couple series.
Bottom line, Kansas gets exposed by an surging Virginia Tech team in tonight's Orange Bowl. Virginia Tech has no fear of big games, while this is Kansas first ever BCS bowl game. All in all, the Hokies defense controls the tempo, while an improved Va. Tech offense gets the job done against a relatively untested Jayhawks stop-unit.
Take Virginia Tech over Kansas as your top-rated play of the day.
2. California- There's no question this Trojans team has a lot of talent in their starting five, including Mayo, who's one of the more exciting players in college right now. But don't confuse talent with results, as despite their 9-3 record, this Trojans team has several big disadvantages in this contest.
First, the Golden Bears size will be a problem. While Jefferson and Gibson are both solid players, Jefferson is only a freshman and gets lost at times, while Gibson has seen his averages drop almost across the board in his second season. Cal's frontcourt of F Anderson and C Hardin is nasty to say the least. Both players are big and play like it, dominating the glass and protecting the painted area. Anderson has become as good a frontline player as there is in the country and will be looking to prove it against Mayo's Trojans.
Second, while USC did show some promise at South Carolina early this season, they haven't been tested in hostile territory since. I'm just not ready to trust such a young team, on the road, in rivalry game, against a more physical Cal team that's 8-1 SU at home. Say what you will about USC's neutral court cover against Memphis, but you better believe the Haas Pavilion will make for a much tougher place to play than the neutral court of Madison Square Garden.
Finally, let's not forget there's some payback is in order for the Trojans, as they beat the Bears twice last season, including a tough 76-73 loss in Berkeley January 27th of last year. Make no mistake, this is a much better Cal team this time around, dropping in about 12 points more per game than USC does this season. End result: The Bears use their size and motivational edges to protect their house and grab the cash Thursday night!
Take California over Southern California in this college hoops match up.
3. Utah State- Okay let's make a couple things clear in this match up: First and foremost, Hawaii has been terrible in general, but especially against the number, going 1-8 ATS overall this season, including 0-3 ATS away. All 4 of their wins came against cupcake opponents at home, but tonight, they face one of the hottest teams in the WAC, which also happens to be 7-0 SU & 4-0 ATS at home this season.
The Aggies have been rolling, winners 5 straight, burning up the nets averaging 81 ppg on 53% shooting (40% from 3-point). Not only that, but their defense has been downright nasty at home, allowing 59 ppg on 37% shooting over that span. They're led by sharpshooting star G Carroll, who's the ONLY player in college shooting over 50% from the field, 3-point, and free throw line. After him, the Aggies are anchored by 3 strong frontline players, and a point guard in Klara, who's got a solid 87 : 29 assist to turnover ratio.
Hawaii's problems begin on the defensive end, where they're allowing a mind-boggling 85 ppg on 59% shooting (52% from 3-point) on the road this season! Needless to say, its no surprise they can't win on the road. Also, their offense, which has some decent players, bogs down on the road as well, mainly because they find themselves scrabbling for points once their down by double digits.
Bottom line, Utah State keeps it's perfect home record intact with a lopsided win and cover against a road-weary Hawaii team in this one. Warriors have been useless on the road, while the exact opposite is true of the Aggies at home (4-0 ATS). More of the same tonight, as the Aggies romp!
Take Utah State BIG over Hawaii in this college hoops match up.
THE GOLD SHEET
ORANGE BOWL
KANSAS (11-1) vs. VIRGINIA TECH (11-2)
Thursday, January 3 Night at Miami, FL (Grass Field)
TEAM GP SUR PSR PF PA YR YP T-R-P YR YP T-R-P TO DIFF OPR
Kansas 11 10-110-1 43 17 195 295 61-25-32 103 238 24-7-16 +19 8.0 13.6
Virg. Tech 12 10-2 7-4 28 17 134 203 40-19-15 93 203 24-13-9 +10 6.0 9.8
*Virginia Tech 27 - Kansas 19—The “strength of schedule” argument is hardly
a foolproof one, especially as it relates to successful teams having faced a lessthan-
demanding slate. It doesn’t necessarily mean that squad can’t meet a
serious challenge when presented. How, then, should we evaluate Kansas, a
revelation in winning its first 11 games (and covering the first ten vs. the
number), but undoubtedly the beneficiary of a woeful non-conference schedule
and fortuitous Big XII fixture list that avoided all of the heavyweights (namely
Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech) from the southern half of the loop?
As it relates to this bowl matchup vs. Virginia Tech, we believe more might
be learned from the Jayhawks’ November 24 loss vs. Missouri, when KU was
outclassed for much of the night before a belated late rally vs. the Tigers’
prevent defense made the final score look a bit more respectable. Not to
mention the fundamental challenge presented by the Hokies, whose defensive
presence is far more menacing than any the Jayhawks were forced to confront
during the regular season.
And how the KU attack fares vs. a typically disruptive Bud Foster Hokie “D”
is paramount to any analysis of this matchup. Although Jayhawk soph QB Todd
Reesing (32 TDP vs. only 6 picks!) was certainly marvelous in ‘07, it’s worth
noting that he and the potent KU attack didn’t post big numbers vs. the moredemanding
tests on the schedule. The Jayhawks scored only 19 points at both
Colorado & Texas A&M; Reesing netted less than 200 passing yards vs. both
the Buffs and Aggies; KU’s usually-robust infantry gained only 42 rushing yards
in that Big XII North showdown vs. Mizzou.
Indeed, we are a bit more impressed with what VT has accomplished,
especially down the stretch when the Hokies were definitely one of the nation’s
hottest teams, winning and covering their last 5, and 7 of their last 8, avenging
their only defeat in that span by beating BC in ACC title game. VT’s offense,
which struggled in September and much of October, began to jell as its young
OL matured and sr. QB Sean Glennon returned to the lineup following an earlyseason
stint on the bench. And HC Frank Beamer seems to have found the
proper balance by rotating Glennon and more-elusive true frosh Tyrod Taylor at
QB, creating a awkward change-of-pace for opposing defenses. Hard as it is to
imagine anything being too big a bite for Jayhawk HC Mark Mangino to swallow,
the combo of VT’s harassing “D” and now-capable Hokie “O” will cause the KU
coach lots of indigestion.
(DNP...SR: FIRST MEETING)
WINNING POINTS
ORANGE BOWL
VIRGINIA TECH over KANSAS by 7
OK, it is way too easy of a reference to Dorothy looking wide-eyed and saying“We’re not in Kansas anymore”, but that really is a proper way to start this one.While Mark Mangino’s team was one of the truly great stories in college footballthis season, the Jayhawks have had one of the easiest schedule rides ever for a teamto get to a BCS bowl. Now they have to do all of their prep for this game after suffering their first loss of the season, which can create some confidence issues, and the big-time spotlight is also thrown on a team that has precious little experiencein such settings. They have only been to two previous bowls in Mangino’s six seasons,and in the only underdog appearance for rocked by 30 vs. N. C. State fouryears ago. Now they are in against the real thing both in terms of talent and experience.Virginia Tech was just a late rally by Matt Ryan and Boston College of havinggone 12-1, and the Hokies had to earn their way, facing the likes of LSU,Clemson, Georgia Tech and Virginia on the road, and then handling BostonCollege in a rematch on a neutral field to earn this trip. They bring more speed andaggressiveness on defense than Todd Reesing faced in what was a soft Big 12 thisseason, and if he is a half step late with the ball it can mean the kind of game-turningmistakes that Tech has made a routine part of the game under Frank Beamer,with this saosn no different – the defense and special teams directly scored sixtouchdowns. And with Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor both healthy, there is theopportunity to throw entirely different looks at a Jayhawk defense that in realitymay be nothing special.
VIRGINIA TECH 29-22.
SPORTS MEMO
Virginia Tech -3 (-120) vs. Kansas O/U 54 Recommendation: Virginia Tech
What a season it has been for the Kansas Jayhawks. Predicted to finish
fifth or sixth in the Big 12 North by most, this team exceeded expectations
and was ranked No. 1 in the nation late in the season. A closer look
though potentially exposes this team as a fraudulent upper echelon
team. Buoyed by a ridiculously soft non-conference schedule, believers
did not come around until the Jayhawks defeated Kansas State, Colorado
and Texas A&M on the road in the month of October. Those three
wins would prove to be the Jayhawks’ biggest accomplishment. Until
the season finale meeting for a division championship against Missouri,
Kansas had remained unbeaten and talks of a National Title were increasing.
Kansas played from behind as Missouri dominated the game,
limiting KU to fewer than 50 rushing yards while holding an overall yardage
advantage of 519-391. Looking back over the season we can see that
Kansas played one of the softest schedules in the country. They did not
have to face either Oklahoma or Texas and the non conference slate
consisted of four home games against weak competition. Virginia Tech
will be the toughest defense the Jayhawks have faced. The Hokies held
good opposition with solid running games like Clemson, Virginia and
Miami to fewer than 3.0 yards per carry. In half their games this season
the VT defense held the opposition to 2 or less yards per rush. This is
a huge advantage. While Kansas also had success defensively, it was
not nearly as dominant and the overall success was more a product of
the lack of quality competition. Virginia Tech was not only a defensive
stalwart this season as the offense improved each week. After early
season struggles and non-descript offensive play over the first quarter
of the season, the Hokies won seven of eight and were a fluky rain
soaked comeback away from playing for a National Title. They scored
30-plus points in six of those victories and 40-plus in four of the wins.
Quarterbacks Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor provided multiple looks
and styles making it extremely difficult for defenses to have success.
Combined the tandem threw/rushed for 23 touchdowns while throwing
just five interceptions. Glennon especially performed well down the
stretch, throwing just one interception over the last 10 games. Statistically
these numbers pale in comparison to Kansas quarterback Todd
Reesing who threw for 3,259 yards and 32 touchdowns. While Reesing
was quite impressive the bulk of those numbers came against inferior
competition. In their toughest games Kansas relied more heavily on the
running game and defense. On the road or in neutral site games against
solid defenses (Colorado, Texas A&M, Kansas State and Missouri) Kansas
averaged 24 points per game. In their other eight games they averaged
55 points per game. Part of the reason for the big numbers was
a huge +19 turnover margin. Virginia Tech is not likely to be victimized
by this offense because they do not turn the ball over and they too
dominate the turnover margin. This game is simple as Virginia Tech
has the better defense and offense and a significant edge in special
teams as well. With a short price and a better more battle tested team,
we’ll lay the number as Virginia Tech gets the win and spread cover
POINTWISE
VIRGINIA TECH (11-2) vs KANSAS (11-1)
AOPR AVS FDS RUSH PASS TRN EDGE TO:
Va Tech ....... 44.2 .. 29-15 .. 16-14 .. 134- 86 ... 199-207.. +13 . Va Tech
Kansas ....... 38.7 .. 44-16 .. 22-18 .. 197- 91 ... 294-227.. +19 . by 3.7 Pts
ANALYSIS
This could be a classic. For the 15th straight year, the Hokies of Virginia Tech
are going bowling. Under head coach Frank Beamer, they have been noted
for their stellar defenses, & superior special teams play. And this season has
been no exception, as Tech ranks 5th, 2nd, & 5th in rushing, total, & scoring
"D", while recording 43 sacks, & 21 interceptions (3rd & 5th best in the land,
respectively). In its ACC title win over Boston College, Tech blocked 2 kicks,
intercepted 2 passes, & held BC to 3.4 ypr. Offensively, it is another matter,
as the Hokies rank 99th in total "O" (81st in rushing, 85th in passing). Ore has
been their "go-to" back, toting the pig for >2,000 the past couple of years, but
for just 4.2 ypr. Glennon is the head chucker in Beamer's duo QB system, as
he & Taylor have a combined 2,552 yds, 16 TDs, & just 5 INTs. A check at the
above stats again show Tech with a huge edge in TOs. But perusing that
column also shows that their opponents here, the Jayhawks of Kansas, have
taken a back seat to no other team in the nation in that department, tying with
Florida Atlantic as the best in the land in that important stat: +19. At year's
end, the Jays ranked 13th in the nation in total defense, 7th vs the run, & 3rd
in scoring. But it has been that KU "O" (#2 in scoring), led by QB Reesing,
which made weekly headlines, eventually vaulting the Jays to the 2nd spot in
the nation, with 11-0 SU & 10-0 ATS records. They had a shot at the first-ever
team with an 11-0 ATS mark, but came up short in their match with potent
Missouri. However, they definitely deserve this spot. The underdog has gone
5-1 ATS in Hokie bowl games since '01, & this one makes it 6-of-7. Kansas!
PROPHECY: KANSAS 27 - Virginia Tech 20 RATING: 3
Totals 4 U
Kansas (11-1, 7-1 Big 12, #8 BCS) gave the BCS Committee, who clearly wasn’t excited about them getting into their 2008 Championship Game, an early Christmas present when they came up short in the Big Championship with a 28-36 loss to Missouri and this is Coach Manginio’s (36-36 in 6th year in Lawrence) squad’s opportunity to prove the pollsters wrong. The Jayhawks’ explosive offense is one of the best in the nation, but it’s the defense of Coordinator Bill Young that makes the Crimson and Blue a complete contender. Just 192 points were allowed all season (16.0 points per game) by a crew that didn’t miss a single start due to injury all season while holding opponents to 91.4 rush yards (at 3.1 yards per carry and just 7 rush TD) and 226.8 pass yards (at 5.5 yards per attempt). The Job of the foursome up front hasn’t simply been to rush the pocket blindly (only 21 sacks) but to control the line of scrimmage with gap discipline and get their hands up at the quarterback’s release. Linemen 6’4” 240 junior LDE Russell Brorsen (32 T, 3 TFL, INT), 6’1” 285 senior RDT James McClinton (38 T, 11 TFL, 2 ½ S, INT), and 6’3” 250 junior RDE John Larsen (39 T, 11 TFL, 1 ½ S, 2 INT) each have recorded picks this season due to this approach and a ton of tipped balls have been the source of Kansas’s 20 team interceptions in 2007. Former Ohio State linebacker, Steve Tovar, coaches a superb crew in the middle with 6’3” 22 junior James Holt (91 T, 12 TFL, S), 6’1” 235 junior Joe Mortensen (98 T, 14 TFL, 2 S), and 6’5” 255 Mike Rivera (84 T, 9 ½ TFL, 2 S, INT) making the big hits created by the gap control up front. Jahawk corners 6’2” 205 junior Aquib Talib (61 T, 3 ½ TFL, 4 INT) and 6’0” 180 freshman Chris Harris (61 T, ½ TFL, INT) are both big in stature while 6’1” 205 sophomore FS Darrell Stuckey (66 T, 2 TFL, 2 INT) has a good nose for the ball.
Kansas’s offense piled up the points in bunches (44.3 per game) with 5’11” 200 sophomore QB Todd Reesing (256 of 409 for 3259 yards, 32 TD, 6 INT) at the trigger who found 8 different receivers in the end zone in 2007. The size 6’4” senior WR Marcus Henry (52 for 994 and 9 TD), 6’3” senior TE Derek Fine (44 for 380 and 4 TD), 6’0” junior WR Dexton Fields (56 for 733 and 6 TD), and 6’3” freshman WR Dezmon Briscoe (41 for 476 and 7 TD) has helped the diminutive Reesing to find his mark while experience (1 senior and 4 juniors) and continuity (59 of 60 possible starts) by the Jayhawk offensive line (6’4 ½” and 301 pounds per man) have given him time to pick up 8.1 yards per pass attempt and 294.5 yards through the air per contest. Coach Manginio’s rushing game – like himself - doesn’t waste much time juking and jiving. The Thunder and Lightning tandem of 6’0” 235 senior Brandon McAnderson (175 for 1050 and 16 TD) and 5’10” 190 sophomore Jake Sharp (138 for 788 and 7 TD) have surrendered total losses of just 28 yards in 313 carries while pacing a unit the has racked up196.6 yards on the ground per game to go with 29 rushing touchdowns. Keep your eye out for sophomore backup quarterback Kerry Meier, who has caught 20 passes and rushes 15 times this season, and the return tandem of Marcus Herford (30.0 per kick return and 2 TD) and Raim Pendleton (12.1 per punt return and TD).
Virginia Tech (11-2, 8-1 ACC, #3 BCS) may have stumbled out of the gate with an unimpressive 17-7 home win over East Carolina and a crushing 7-48 loss at LSU but no team in the nation was excited about facing them the last 5 weeks when the ran off wins against Georgia Tech, Florida Sate, Miami, Virginia, and Boston College by an average of 19.8 points per contest. The Hokie offense is a balanced attack led by thrower 6’4” 225 junior QB Sean Glennon (130 of 207 for 1636 yards, 11 TD, 3 INT) and rusher 6’1” 220 freshman QB Tyrod Taylor (71 of 131 for 916 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT passing and 97 for 431 yards and 6 TD rushing). Glennon has made the last 6 starts but you will be sure to see plenty of both in Miami. For a crew that traditionally hasn’t done much downfield, Coach Frank Beamer (156-82-2 in 21st year in Blacksburg) has some decent talent at wideout this year with 6’1” 220 senior Josh Morgan (43 for 522 and 5 TD), 6’4” 214 senior Justin Harper (37 for 571 and 4 TD), 5’10” 180 senior Eddie Royal (32 for 485 and 4 TD), and 5’11” 190 senior Josh Hyman (25 for 339 and TD) giving defenses plenty to thing about besides stacking the box against the Tech rush. The Hokie offensive line is huge at 6’4 ½” and better than 320 pounds per man but have struggled all season both in pass protection (49 sacks allowed in 13 games) and run blocking (3.4 yards per rush). Frankly, the running back pair of 5’11” 205 junior Brandon Ore (244 for 876 and 8 TD) and 5’9” 205 sophomore Kenny Lewis Jr. (53 for 183 and 4 TD) are good enough to pile up big numbers but just have found little daylight, especially along the right side of 6’4” 310 sophomore RG Sergio Render and 6’5” 312 sophomore RT Ed Wang. By the numbers the Hokies have racked up 29.3 points of offense per game on 133.5 yards rushing and 198.8 yards passing per contest.
As sub-par as Virginia Tech has been at rushing the ball, Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster’s boys have been even better at stopping it. 6’5” 267 senior LDE Chris Ellis (49 T, 9 TFL, 8 ½ S, INT), 6’2” 293 senior LDT Carlton Powell (36 T, 6 TFL, 2 ½ S), 6’4” 290 senior RDT Barry Booker (43 T, 10 ½ TFL, 4 S), and 6’2” 256 junior RDE Orion Martin (51 T, 8 ½ TFL, 4 ½ S) are brutal to run against up the middle, allowing just 86.0 yards per game on the ground at 2.8 yards per carry in 2007. Behind the front wall, senior backers 6’0” 238 Vince Hall (92 T, 6 ½ TFL, 3 ½ S, INT) and 6’2” 236 Xavier Adibi (108 T, 12 TFL, 3 S, 2 INT) are blazers to the ball, often capping off plays broken by the boys up front with highlight reel hits. As strong as the Virginia Tech font 7 has been, the defensive backfield, coached by ’96 alum Torrian Gray, has been its equal with 207.3 pass yards allowed per game. Junior cornerbacks 5’10” 200 Brandon Flowers (79 T, 7 TFL) and 6’0” 203 Victor “Macho” Harris (34 T) have each snagged 5 interceptions this season while Harris is credited with an astounding 11 pass breakups. You’ll see both these kids playing on Sundays. 43 sacks and 21 interceptions are big parts of why the Hokies have allowed just 15.5 points per game this campaign and since you asked…yes, the legendary Frank Beamer special teams units blocked 4 more kicks this year.
Free winner from Totals 4 U: Although the Jayhawks and the Hokies are left on the outside looking in at the National Championship, this may be the best match up of the season. The crews of Mark Mangino and Frank Beamer each play with all kinds of heart and intensity, plus when would you ever get to see these clubs face off outside of bowl play? We don't expect this one to be easy by any stretch, but we'll give the nod to the arm of Todd Reesing and against the offensive line of Tech. Take Kansas + 3 1/2 and enjoy the game!
Ferringo
3-Unit Play. Take #509 Connecticut (-2.5) over Seton Hall
I think that the Huskies got some of their road mojo back last week with a nice win at Central Florida. You can’t underestimate how big a win like that can be for the psyche of this team. They have the backcourt to keep up with the Pirates and I think they should absolutely dominate the interior against an undersized team. Seton Hall can score, but they can’t defend. UConn can, and I think that makes the difference in a hard-fought Big East tilt.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #579 Northern Arizona (-1.5) over Eastern Washington
Eastern Washington is one of the worst teams in the Big Sky and Northern Arizona has been performing well in conference play recently. The Jacks are 13-3 as a small favorite and the Eagles are 6-13 ATS as a dog. EWU has a very, very difficult time scoring or defending and I think that NAU has the two best players on the court.
1.5-Unit Play. Take #563 Niagara (-2.5) over Iona
Wait, this is the same Iona team that didn’t win a game until February last year, right? I know that Niagara is shaky – especially on the road – but they have far more talent than the Gaels and they should blow their doors off. But even if we get a half-hearted effort out the Eagles that should be enough to put away a conference bottom feeder.
1.5-Unit Play. Take #571 Austin Peay (-4) over Tennessee-Martin
We’ll take the more experienced and balanced team here in a game featuring clubs that don’t play any defense. UT-Martin doesn’t have the strength inside to really exploit Austin Peay’s weakness and if it comes down to perimeter play I think the Govs have the steadier hands. Austin Peay is 6-2-1 ATS as a road favorite and 31-11-2 as a favorite of less than 6.5. They close out close games with their free throw shooting and I think they score a nice OVC road win tonight.
MADDUX
Kansas & Va Tech Under 52
Red Zone Sports
CBB Wisky Green Bay
King Creole
Thursday night
3 CLEVELAND STATE VIKINGS minus the points vs Loyola-Chicago
3 WISCONSIN-GREEN BAY PHOENIX minus the points vs Detroit University
3*** CAL-SANTA BARBARA GAUCHOS minus the points vs Long Beach State
We'll play three sizeable favorites tonight in College Hoops. And all three have DOUBLE-Revenge going for them from last season. Plus, we get the added benefit of playing against three 'dregs' in their respective conferences in Loyola-Chicago, Detroit, and Long Beach State. So big-time BLOWOUTS are in the cards tonight.
So far in the 2007/2008 College Basketball season, teams playing with DOUBLE-REVENGE from last year are a profitable 15-8 ATS. But we can do much better than 65% ATS. We'll focus on the most favorable situations... and there ARE some PERFECT ones. Within our 15-8 ATS 'set', we note that HOME teams playing with DOUBLE-Revenge are 8-1 ATS (89%). And there are SIX of 'em going tonight (CLEVE ST / WISC GB / CAL SANTA BARB / LA TECH / ARIZ ST / and CALIFORNIA). If our home team is taking on an opponent playing off a SU loss, the results improve to a PERFECT 4-0 ATS (CLEVELAND ST / WISCONSIN GB / CAL SANTA BARB / LA TECH). We'll remove the Louisiana Tech from our list becuase they are pretty much the WORST team in the WAC Conference. We also note that Home FAVS in this situation are a PERFECT 3-0 ATS. So we will settle on our BIG three for tonight.... which are CLEVELAND STATE, WISCONSIN GREEN BAY, and CAL SANTA BARBARA.
Toby Scott
3* VT
Bob Akmens
10* Kansas
10*..Isles -150
10*..Boston -120
Matt Moore's Pick Pack
Play: Stanford +3
Play: DePaul +4
WAYNE ALLEN ROOT
Chairman - U Conn
Millionaire - Kansas
Insider Circle - Arizona St
JIMMY PRICES CBB SELECTIONS
Virginia +9.5
USC +2
JIMMY PRICES NBA SELECTIONS
PASS THURSDAY
JIMMY PRICE CFB
KANSAS UNDER 51.5
NICK PATRICK NBA SELECTIONS
SPURS +1.5
NICK PATRICK CFB
DOUBLE PLAY KANSAS +3
NICK PATRICK CBB
FURMAN PICKEM
CAL POLY +1.5
Pointspread Pros
Seattle Supersonics @ Phoenix Suns
Pick: 5 units (Play of the Day) TOTAL: Under 216.5
This pick comes from our NBA computer simulation which plays out the game thousands of times. It strongly suggests the UNDER here. Other Recommended Plays: Portland +3
Seabass Hockey
10* Wash/Bos Over
ChicagoSportsConnection
CSC NCAAB..... ILLINOIS-CHICAGO -4.5 @ Youngstown St
Will ride ILL-CHIC for another one.Y.ST. should not be able to keep up with The Flamespotent offense.Y.ST. has made 39% or less FG attempts in 5 of theirL6 games.
CS NORTHRIDGE (pickem) @ Cal Poly
Same type of play....POLY has made 35% or less FGattempts in 5 of their L7 games.67% of public on POLY and # moving the other way.
ORANGE BOWL....UNDER 52...Kansas/ VTech
ATS Lock Club
4 V.Tech
4 Utah St.
4 Stanford
3 Ari. St.
ATS Financial
3 Under V.Tech
3 Xavier
3 Marquette
3 Denver Nuggets