O.C. Dooley
Pick: Pacers +9
"2 UNIT" NBA PERCENTAGE UNDERDOG (Pacers +9 at home versus Lakers in a 7:05 eastern tipoff broadcast on NBA-TV): For those of you who may not have access to the cable channel, NBA-TV every Tuesday actually allows the fans to pick which game they want to see. It comes as no shock that the sizzling hot Lakers (14-1) were the squad that got voted in by the fans as Kobe Bryant and company have ravaged the opposition so far by a whopping average of 17 points per game. But the fact of the matter is that the Indiana Pacers have WON-AND-COVERED 4 of the past 5 times they have played host against the Lakers, so anything is possible. One of the main reasons why I am siding with Indiana tonight has todo with a brutal SCHEDULE. Following this evening's contest, the Pacers go on the road SIX times in the next 7 contests. The initial pair of contests on that long road trip just happen to be against the two toughest squads (Boston, Cleveland) in the entire Eastern Conference. For those of you who have access to NBA-TV, you will get to watch Indiana's Danny Granger who very quietly has a #6 league ranking in the scoring department as the former New Mexico star is averaging an eye-opening 24 points per game. In the most recent pair of Pacer outings, Granger has poured in a 31 POINTS per pop average. My research indicates that the Lakers lead the entire NBA in "points in the paint" (48' per game) but the Pacers also have a "top ten ranking" in that category averaging nearly 43 points per contest down low near the basket. That point production is impressive when you consider the Indiana roster does not feature any quality big men. One of the Indiana players I will be keeping an eye on tonight is point guard Jarrett Jack who in three years as a Portland Blazers faced the Lakers TEN different times. I just have a feeling that the former Georgia Tech star is going to have a big night in the backcourt which is where the Pacers have been lacking in production. I will admit that Indiana was blasted in their most recent appearance on Saturday against Orlando, but they were very competitive on Friday when they recovered from a massive 14-point deficit to force an overtime session in front of the HOME fans. I will wrap this analysis up with an UNDEFEATED database angle as Indiana is a stunning 10-0 ATS the past two years after allowing 110+ points in consecutive contests. Do I hear 11-0 ATS anyone?!
Adam Meyer
3* Nets -6.5
3* T Blazers -7.5
3* W Kentucky
2* Sharks Over 5.5
Dr Bob
3 Star Selection
Central Michigan (+23) over MARQUETTE
Marquette returned their top 4 scorers from a team that I ranked 16th at the end of last season but those 4 players are being guided by new head coach Buzz Williams, who isn’t getting nearly the same results. Marquette ranks 43rd in my ratings based on this year’s games and the Golden Eagles apply to a negative 20-82-3 ATS big favorite situation that is based on their 75-89 loss to Dayton a few days ago. Central Michigan is 4-0 ATS as an underdog of 15 points or more under coach Ernie Zeigler and the Chippewas apply to a solid 117-53-2 ATS huge road underdog situation, which is a perfect 3-0 ATS when intersecting with the 20-82-3 ATS situation applying to Marquette. My ratings favor Marquette by just 22 points and using this year’s games only would favor the Golden Eagles by just 20 ½ points, so the line is more than fair. Central Michigan also gets last year’s top returning rebounder and best interior defender F Marcus Van back now that he has served his suspension. I’ll take Central Michigan in a 3-Star Best Bet at +22 points or more and for 2-Stars at +21 ½ or +21 points.
3-Stars at +22 or more, 2-Stars at +21 1/2 or +21.
2 Star Selection
Marist (+27) over MEMPHIS
Memphis coach John Calipari has never been one to run up the score on inferior teams and his Tigers are just 10-17 ATS as a favorite of 22 points or more, which is in sharp contrast to his outstanding overall spread record of 150-116-8 ATS. Calipari is even less likely to turn up the heat against first year Marist coach Chuck Martin, who was Calipari’s assistant coach the last two seasons. You might think that Memphis would be in an angry mood following their first loss of the season to Xavier, but that game was 9 days ago and Calipari is just 22-21 ATS as a favorite off a loss at Memphis (once again, much worse than his normal spread percentage). Marist applies to a 160-74-3 ATS huge road underdog situation (that angle is 4-2 ATS against Memphis) and my ratings favor the Tigers by just 24 ½ points using this year’s games for both teams. I’ll take Marist in a 2-Star Best Bet at +25 points or more.2-Stars at +25 or more.
2 Star Selection
PURDUE (-2) over Duke
Duke applies to a negative 4-19-1 ATS subset of a 26-64-1 ATS road letdown situation and the Blue Devils have a history of struggling, relatively, on the road against good teams. Duke traditionally beats up on mediocre and bad teams, but the Devils are just 32-48-1 ATS on the road against a team with a win percentage of greater than .650 when not getting at least 3 points. Purdue, meanwhile, is tough to beat at home, as they are 36-2 straight up at home the last 3 seasons (compared to 16-20 SU away from home) and 21-9 ATS. The Boilermakers have performed even better when hosting other good teams, going 11-2 ATS at home when favored by 8 points or less or getting points. My ratings favor Purdue by 2 points in this game using a standard home court advantage and by 4 points based on Purdue’s additional home court advantage over the years. I’ll take Purdue in a 2-Star Best Bet at -2 points or better.2-Stars at -2 or better.
3 Star Selection
COLORADO STATE (-4) over Nevada
Colorado State struggled last season due to injuries to their best post players, but the Rams are thriving in the post this season, as forwards Andy Ogide and Andre McFarland are combining for 30.2 points on 60% shooting while pulling down 15.3 boards per game. Leading scorer Marcus Walker is pouring in 19.2 points per game and also leading the team in assists while playing great defense (1.4 steals per game). Colorado State is 4-1 ATS and they are still underrated. Nevada, meanwhile, is an overrated team. Wolf Pack coach Mark Fox brought in a highly touted recruiting class to try to fill the huge void left by star G Marcelus Kemp (20.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.3 apg) and JaVale McGee (14.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 2.8 blocks), who left early to play professionally. However, the young recruits are undisciplined in their shot selection (Nevada is shooting just 39.2% from the field) and the loss of McGee’s defense has also hurt (Nevada is allowing 46% shooting). Nevada will probably be better at the end of the season, but they are not playing well right now and their only two victories have come against bad team Montana State and Oregon State. My ratings using this year’s games only favor Colorado State by 13 points and I still get the Rams by 10 points even if I throw out their opening game 30 point win over Montana. In addition to the line value, Colorado State applies to a 42-8 ATS home bounce-back situation. I’ll take Colorado State in a 3-Star Best Bet at -6 points or less and for 2-Stars at -6 ½ or -7 points.3-Stars at -6 or less, 2-Stars at -6 1/2 or -7.
Mike Neri
Late Service
3* Purdue -2
3* Colorado St -4.5
Bob Balfe
NBA Basketball
Pacers +9 over Lakers
NCAA Basketball
Penn +13 over Villanova
RAS
Idaho State/Washington State (Under 115.5) 1 unit
Duke/Purdue (Under 147.5) 1 unit
Executive
250 Loy Chi
250 Minn Gophers
Jeff Benton
10 dime Pacers
5 dime Wizards
5 dime Western Kentucky
Teddy June
Miami-Florida
Helmut
Houston/Middle Tenn Under
Tom Freese
10* Lakers
10* Georgia
Kelso
25 units Washington St -20 1/2
5 units Purdue -2
5 units Nets -5 1/2
4 units Minn -7 1/2
3 units Utah State -18 1/2
Alatex
Miami Florida
Andrew Powers Guaranteed Selections
LATE STEAM COLLEGE HOOPS POWER PLAY WINNER
Miami Florida -8
Steam On-Line Guaranteed Selections
6000* COLLEGE HOOPS LATE STEAMER
Illinois -1