For those of you that can read. NBA and college games tonight

Buffalo
Miami Oh -9½
MAC tournament: Buffalo was terrible last season (4-24 overall, 2-16 in the MAC) but they are much improved with a couple of newcomers. Buffalo is 12-17 overall and 13-10 ATS. They are still short on height and depth, but 6’-6” forward Darcel Williams is leading the team with 15 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. 6’-3” guard Louis Campbell chips in 13 points, 4 boards per game, while 6’-5” senior Robert Brown averages 9 points/4 boards per game. Buffalo is averaging 67 points per game and is 5-11 SU on the road (6-6 ATS). Buffalo enters the tourney on a 3-9 SU/2-8 ATS run. Miami of Ohio is led by 6’-8” senior Alex Shorts: over 13 points, 5 rebounds per game. 6’-5” sophomore Julius Johnson is chipping in 10 points per game and is a 44% shooter/42% from three-point land and Danny Horace leads the team with over 6 rebounds per game. Miami is 12-17 SU and 11-16 ATS. They are a strong 8-3 SU/5-6 ATS at home. In a wild 100-94 double OT win at Central Michigan, Shorts had 22 points and Horace had 11 points, 14 rebounds; and Davis had 20 points in a 50-48 win over Akron. Davis had 25 points in a 79-55 rout of Ohio, but they carry a 1-5 SU/ATS run into the tourney. Miami had little trouble with Buffalo this season, winning 68-58 and 66-52. The home team should be able to bounce out of the slump.
Projected Score: Miami Oh 70, Buffalo 58
Injury Report

Akron
W Michigan -10
The Akron Zips are struggling at 9-20 SU and 10-14 ATS. After going 4-0 SU/ATS with some impressive upsets, Akron is on an 1-7 SU/2-5 ATS run. The upset wins were over Bowling Green (as a +8) and at Ohio as a +12 dog, but they have gone back to playing poorly. Rebounding is a weakness and they are averaging 69 points per game and shoot 44%. The guard play is solid with Rashon Brown (16 points per game, 42% from 3-point land) and 6’-3” junior Emmanuel Smith (8 ppg). 6’-8” Andy Hipsher is a skinny sophomore and has stepped forward averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds per game. Akron had a tough 94-89 OT loss at home to Western Michigan despite Brown’s 32 points and an 83-76 loss at a bad Eastern Michigan club and a terrible 30-point loss at Bowling Green! 17-12 SU/16-9 ATS Western Michigan is led by 6’-7” senior Steve Reynolds (17 points and 4 rebounds per game). 6’-7” junior Taylor Bro is a good role player on the boards (5 rebounds per game), as is 6’-7” sophomore Anthony Kann (6 rpg). 6’-3” Ben Reed has been a pleasant surprise and chips in 14 points/6 rebounds per game, while 6’-1” junior point guard Robby Collum averages 15 points per game. Western Michigan is one of the hottest teams in the MAC winning 7 of 8 games and carrying a 5-1 ATS run into the tourney. On top of all that, they have the home court for this game.
Projected Score: W Michigan 75, Akron 57
Injury Report

Cent Michigan
Ohio -10
Central Michigan gets it done at home (7-6 SU, 5-6 ATS) but falls apart on the road (1-12 SU/1-10 ATS). The Chippewas are 6-16 ATS on the season and led by dynamic 6’-2” sparkplug senior guard Dave Webber (18 points per game). 7-foot sophomore Chris Kaman (12 points, 8 rebounds per game, 64% shooter) teams with Webber to form a strong one-two punch. They are not a strong defensive team and give up 76 points per game on the road, allowing teams to shoot 46%. They lost at home 93-91 in OT to Northern Illinois as a 9-point favorite and lost at home to Kent State by 30 points! They had a 69-57 loss at Buffalo and are on a 2-8 ATS run. The 16-9 Ohio Bobcats have a solid junior in Brandon Hunter. The 6’-8”, 270-lb Hunter leads the team with 18 points and 9 rebounds per game. 6’-8” senior Patrick Flomo pulled down over 4 boards per game and is a good shot b*er. 6’-5” Sonny Johnson is averaging 16 points per game, and 6’-6” Steve Esterkamp is averaging 13 points, 4 boards per game. Ohio is a good rebounding team, shoots 49% from the field and is 17-10 SU, 13-9 ATS (an impressive 8-5 SU/6-6 ATS on the road). Ohio brings a 4-2 SU/4-1-1 ATS run into the tourney and should get the win here.
Projected Score: Ohio 82, Cent Michigan 74
Injury Report

E Michigan
Toledo -15
A red-hot team (Toledo) takes on an ice-cold club (Eastern Michigan). The Eastern Michigan Eagles were the worst team in the MAC last season at 3-25 overall and they are 6-23 this season (8-15 ATS). Sophomore guard Ricky Cottrill is leading the team with 20 points per game and 6’-8” forward Steve Pettyjohn is averaging 11 points/7 rebounds per game, while 6’-9” Ryan Prillman has been a welcome addition and is grabbing 5 boards per game. Eastern Michigan is 6-21 SU and 7-14 ATS and shoot 42% as a team and 68% from the line (67 points per game). The Eagles are the worst defensive team in the MAC allowing clubs to shoot 47% and on a 5-10-1 ATS run losing 14 of their last 15 games. Yuck. The 14-13 Toledo Rockets are a guard-oriented team led by MAC Freshman of the Year Terry Reynolds. The 5’-9” sophomore averages 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game. His partner in the backcourt is 6’-1” junior Nick Moore, who is second on the team in scoring (14.5 ppg). The frontcourt is thin and 6’-7” Ricardo Thomas pulls down 5 rebounds per game and is second in assists at 2.6 apg, which shows how much this team lives on the outside shot (43% from the field, 66% from the line and 36% from long range, 66 points per game). Toledo is 14-13 overall, 10-14 ATS. They bring a 5 game win streak into the tourney which included upset wins over Ohio and Bowling Green. Toledo went 2-0 SU/1-1 ATS against E-Michigan, winning 85-60 and 74-68.
Projected Score: Toledo 83, E Michigan 68
Injury Report

No Illinois
Marshall -8½
Northern Illinois is 12-15 SU, 12-10 ATS. They are a hard team to figure out, as they nearly pulled off huge upsets of South Florida (losing 79-74) and Marshall (losing 79-76) as a +14 dog in each game. Yet, they were flattened 86-69 at Illinois-Chicago, and are coming off a 5-23 season. 6’-6” senior Leon Rodgers averages 20 points and 8 rebounds per game, while shooting 51% from the field, 6’-4” sophomore guard PJ Smith chips in 12 points and 4 rebounds per game and 6’-6” sophomore Marcus Smallwood is a good role player (12 ppg, 6 rpg). They’re on a 2-4 SU/2-3 ATS run. Marshall boasts two of the MACs top two players in 6’-9” Tamar Slay (18 points, 7 rebounds, 41% shooter from three-point land), while 6’-10” J.R. VanHoose chips in 14 points, and 10 boards per game. 6’-8” senior Latece Williams averages 12 points and 6 rebounds per game. Temple transfer Ronald Blackshear, a 6-‘5” sophomore, has just been activated (19 ppg) and 6’-7” senior William Butler is back after a back injury giving this team plenty of depth and trees in the paint. Marshall can rebound with anyone in the MAC, but their defense is terrible. They should be better at 14-14 SU and only 9-13 ATS (8-4 SU/5-4 ATS at home, 4-9 SU/2-8 ATS on the road). Marshall appeared to lie down in an 87-62 blowout loss at Buffalo, but on Saturday, Blackshear had 44 points, 7 rebounds in a 104-87 win over Akron. These teams met once and Marshall won 79-76 at home as a 14-point favorite. This should be a shootout and NI should keep it fairly close.
Projected Score: Marshall 80, No Illinois 77
Injury Report

Va Common 130
NC Wilmington -2½
Colonial Athletic Association championship game from Richmond, Virginia. The 21-10 Virginia-Commonwealth Rams have a rebounding edge in 6’-10”, 250-lb senior center L.F. Likcholitov (7.8 rpg). He sets the table for 6’-4” junior Willie Taylor who leads the team with 17.8 points per game. 6’-2” guard Antoine Willie is averaging 13 points per game and guard Domonic Jones chips in 16 ppg, 5 rpg. This team is 21-10 SU, 15-10 ATS. The Rams are tough away from home (6-8 SU, 6-5 ATS) and a good free throw shooting team at 68%. VA-Commonwealth is the best defensive team in the CAA, holding teams to 37% shooting and on a 11-4 SU/10-3-1 ATS run. The had a close 58-54 win over Old Dominion on Saturday, then beat Hofstra 70-54 yesterday. The 21-9 NC Wilmington Seahawks get it done with defense, allowing teams to shoot 40%. 6’-6” senior Ed Williams crashes the boards (9 points/6 rebounds per game) while 6’-3” junior shooting guard Brett Blizzard leads the team with 17 points and 3 assists per game. Blizzard is bombing away at 37% from three-point land and 6’-8” junior Craig Callahan chips in 12 point, 5 boards per game. The Seahawks are 17-11 ATS and have won 17 of 21 games (an 8-2 SU/7-3 ATS run). NC Wilmington smashed James Madison on Saturday 70-57 and the 'D' shut down Delaware yesterday, 69-54. Don't look for a lot of points here, as VCU was the best defensive team in the CAA (37% shooting allowed) while NC Wilington was third (40% allowed).
Projected Score: NC Wilmington 53, Va Common 50
Injury Report

Ark Little Rock
UL Lafayette -1½
Sun Belt Conference tournament continues here in New Orleans. The Louisiana-Lafayette Leopards won the Sun Belt West division and are a great example of a team coming togther late in the season. Lafayette is 19-9 SU/11-12 ATS but has been on a tear since late-December, going 14-4 SU and they're on a 12-5 ATS run. Louisiana-Lafayette is led by 6’-6” junior Anthony Johnson: 15 points, 7 rebounds per game and 6’-10”, 240-lb freshman Michael Southall (averaging 13 points, over 7 boards per game). 6’-5” sophomore Brad Boyd is dishing out 3.7 assists per game and is a solid role player along with 6’-6” senior Daryl Robins (8 ppg, 4 rpg). Lafayette is not strong defensively, giving up 69 points per game away from home. The emergence of the big freshman Southhall has coincided with the rise of Lafayette. Arkansas-Little Rock went 18-11 last year and is 18-11 SU, 12-8 ATS this season. 6’-3” sophomore guard Nick Zachery leads the team with 16.3 points and 3.8 assists per game while shooting 41% from the three-point line. 6’-10” sophomore Jake Yancey doesn’t score much but pulls down 5 rebounds per game and Danny McCall grabs 4 boards per game. Little-Rock shoots 47% as a team, 71% from the line and averages 75 points per game. Little-Rock is an impressive 7-8 SU/9-4 ATS away from home and beat New Orleans last night, 71-67, to advance to this game. These teams met on 2/16 at Lafayette and LL got the win in a close game, 61-58. This should be another dogfight.
Projected Score: Ark Little Rock 72, UL Lafayette 69
Injury Report

New Mexico St
W Kentucky -8
Sun Belt conference tournament continues with New Mexico State having the honor of getting pounded by the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers here. Western Kentucky is not just the most talented team in the Sun Belt, but they are 26-3 on the season and ranked 23rd in the nation. 7’-1”, 285-lb center Chris Marcus leads the way (15 points and 9 rebounds, 3 b*s per game) and you will see him in the NBA someday soon. 6’-8” junior David Boyden is averaging 11 points, 6 rebounds per game and the backcourt is strong with 6’-1” Derek Robinson (10 points, 4 assists, 5 rebounds per game), 6’-4” junior swingman Filip Videnov, and 6’-1” freshman Patrick Sparks (9 points, 3 assists per game). Western Kentucky shoots 70% from the free throw line and is an impressive 11-3 SU/7-7 ATS on the road. They got here by pounding North Texas on Saturday, 82-68, as Marcus had 14 points, 11 boards in 22 minutes while helping to hold North Texas to only 34% shooting. Notice that in the game, Western Kentucky hit 27-33 free throws (81%)! New Mexico State is 20-11 SU, but they have been terrible to wager on with a poor 7-16 ATS record. They have a talented returning “Big Three” in 6’-4” senior guard Eric Channing (15 points per game), 6’-8” sophomore James Moore (14 points, 6 rebounds per game) and 6’-5” junior Brandon Mason (14.8 points per game). 6’-10” JC transfer Chris Jackson is a key contributor with a team-leading 8.7 rebounds per game. But New Mexico State has been poor away from home this season at 6-7 SU/2-8 ATS. They have won 9 of 10 games, but are on a 6-9 ATS run. NM-State had to play last night, beating Middle Tenneessee State 63-48. These teams met once this season and Hilltoppers beat New Mexico State 83-67 where Videnov led the team with 19 points, outshooting them 53-43%. This game looks to be a similar outcome.
Projected Score: W Kentucky 77, New Mexico St 54
Injury Report

Creighton 144
So Illinois -1½
Missouri Valley Conference championship finds the #1 seeded Southern Illinois Salukis (26-6 SU, 20-9 ATS) taking on #2 seeded Creighton (21-8 SU). The Southern Illinois Salukis are the class of the MVC and led by 6’-2” junior Kent Williams (16 points per game), and two role players have been crashing the boards. 6’-8” junior Jermaine Dearman averages 11 points, 8 rebounds per game, while 6’-6” center Rolan Roberts chips in over 14 points/7 rebounds per game. 6’-3” guard Darren Brooks is chipping in 10 points/4 rebounds per game. These kids are tough (10-5 SU/ATS away from home this season) and the best defensive team in the MVC allowing teams to shoot 40%. They got here by pounding Bradley 66-44 on Saturday, leading 33-15 at the half, and routing SW Missouri State 86-63 yesterday (2-0 SU/ATS run in the tourney). Creighton (21-8 SU/11-15 ATS) is led by 6’-7” junior Kyle Korver (15 points, 3.2 assists and 5 rebounds per game) and 6’3” junior Terrell Taylor chips (11 ppg). 6’-8” forward Brody Deren chips in 10 points/5 rebounds per game while 6’-10” sophomore Joe Dabbert is a good role player and is averaging 5 boards per contest. Creighton is also 2-0 SU/ATS in the tourney, whipping Northern Iowa on Saturday, 80-65, and Illinois State yesterday, 90-63. Southern Illinois won both games against Creighton this season, but they were great games, winning 79-77 at Creighton as a +3 dog and at home 65-62 as a 5-point favorite. With so much at stake, look for a low scoring, defensive duel and Southern Illinois has the depth to make it a 3-0 sweep this year against the Blue Jays.
Projected Score: So Illinois 66, Creighton 59
Injury Report

Gonzaga -4½
Pepperdine 156½
West Coast Conference championship game and it should be a dandy. #2 seeded Gonzaga and #1 seeded Pepperdine were the two best teams in the WCC and split games against each other this season. Pepperdine won 88-79 at home as a 3-point home dog, while Gonzaga won 91-78 at home as a 9-point favorite. Gonzaga is running-and-gunning as usual, averaging 81 ppg while winning 25 of 26 games. The backcourt is strong with 6’-0” Dan Dickau (20 ppg, 5 apg) and 6’-4” Blake Stepp (4 apg). Two big guys are solid in the paint in 6’-8”, 249-lb junior Zach Gourde (13 ppg, 7 rpg) and 6’-8” sophomore Cory Violette (12 points, 8 rebounds per game). Gonzaga has few weaknesses on offense, as they shoot 48% from the field, 73% from the charity stripe and 40% from three-point land. They are 27-3 SU, 16-11 ATS (10-2 SU/7-4 ATS on the road.) Pepperdine is led by 6’-5” freshman Terrance Johnson and he's averaging 14 points, 4 rebounds per game, while 6’-6” Jimmy Miggins has been a great addition (15 ppg, 7.7 rpg). They are a strong offensive team at 71% from the line, 36% from long range while averaging 81 points per game. Pepperdine is 22-7 SU and on a 17-1 SU/11-6 ATS run. Folks might be quick to jump on the OVER with two teams that both average 81 points per game, but the defense often is the key to big games, and two years ago when they met in the WCC tourney, Gonzaga won 69-65 in overtime , so look for a lower scoring game than you might expect.
Projected Score: Gonzaga 76, Pepperdine 67

Siena -2½
Niagara 144
This season’s MAAC Tournament has been the very definition of March Madness, as upsets have been the rule, rather than the exception over the weekend. On Monday two unlikely squads, fourth-seeded Niagara and seventh-seeded Siena, square off for the right to play in the NCAA Tournament. Niagara ended Canisius’ Cinderella run by beating them, 70-60 on Sunday. Niagara got 21 points from Tremmel Darden and 17 points and 19 rebounds from James Reaves in the win. The Purple Eagles are now 18-13 on the season, and are 10-2 straight up since January 24th. The split the two regular season meetings with Siena this season, beating the Saints at home in the second game, but losing on the road earlier in the season. Siena is coming off an 83-63 beating of Fairfield on Sunday, avenging two earlier losses. This is their fourth straight day with a game and they are playing a team that is on top of their game right now. Take Niagara to move on to the Big Dance.
Projected Score: Niagara 74, Siena 56

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BOS Celtics 186
PHI 76ers -4½
Boston has gone belly-up. The Celtics have lost fourn in a row and are on a 2-6 SU/ATS run, which coincides with their "big trade", so perhaps it's taking time for the newcomers to fit in. Boston has lost three straight games as a favorite to Houston, Milwaukee and Charlotte, the latter two at home. Boston lost to the Hornets 100-87 as Paul Pierce scored 20 points, and Antoine Walker had 16 points and nine rebounds. The Celtics have lost four consecutive games since trading Joe Johnson, Milt Palacio and this year's first-round pick to Phoenix for Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers. "It's definitely disappointing," said Delk, who had four points and four rebounds in 24 minutes. "To come in to a team that wants you, you've got to find a way to fit in. We've got a tough situation right now." Philly is 4-2 SU/3-3 ATS the last 6 games and had big home wins (and covers) over Miami and New Jersey. The 76ers look primed to repeat as East champs, but the Celts have enough talent to keep this one close and it's always a big rivalry game for both sides.
Projected Score: PHI 76ers 92, BOS Celtics 90
Injury Report

MEM Grizzlies 181½
ATL Hawks -9
Memphis is a mess, having gone 2-12 SU/6-8 ATS the last 14 games. They have lost 6 in a row and are on a 1-4 ATS run. Memphis is the only team in the NBA that has not won 10 home games and they concluded their three-game road trip with Friday's 96-83 loss at Denver. During this slide, which is the fourth that has been five games or more, the average margin of defeat has been 15.8 points. The Hawks have a winning spread record at home (14-12 ATS) and are on a 3-1 ATS run. Atlanta is playing decent defense of late and is off a nice win over Cleveland. They can thank Toni Kukoc. Scoring 10 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, Kukoc led the Hawks back from a dismal start for an 84-81 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday night. Note that the Hawks have gone UNDER the total in 7 of 8 games, so that's the way to play this one.
Projected Score: ATL Hawks 81, MEM Grizzlies 72
Injury Report

DEN Nuggets 193
UTH Jazz -13
Things are so bad for Denver these days that ANY game seems to be a bad spot, but this one is really a bad spot. Denver is 1-6 SU/2-5 ATS the last 7 games. They only good news is that All-Star forward Antonio McDyess was on the court for the first time this season March 1 against the Grizzlies -- a 96-83 Nuggets' win. "Overall, I felt like I ran a race," said McDyess, who had seven points and three rebounds. "I got tired and then I got a second wind." McDyess had been sidelined since undergoing surgery to repair a partially torn patella tendon in his left knee on Oct. 12. It was the first major injury for McDyess, who also underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from his right knee. In McDyess' absense, the Nuggets went 16-38. Utah is on a 7-2 SU/ATS run, though they've dropped two of three games. But those two losses were to heavyweights Sacramento and Minnesota. Utah should bounce back with some pride and pour it on here.
Projected Score: UTH Jazz 111, DEN Nuggets 93
Injury Report

SAC Kings 200½
POR Trail Blazers -2½
The King is dead? No, but the Kings certainly are slumping. Sacramento is on a 3-3 SU/2-4 ATS run which included a rare home loss to Seattle. In fact, the Kings have been vulnerable on the road this season at 13-13 SU/11-15 ATS. Meanwhile, the Blazers are playing great ball (a 9-0 SU/7-2 ATS run!) and are off a hat-tossing win. Damon Stoudamire hit a 3-pointer with two-tenths of a second left in overtime as Portland extended its winning streak to a season-high nine games with a wild 104-103 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night. The Blazers thought they had a 95-94 lead with 6.3 seconds left in regulation after Scottie Pippen hit an apparent 3-pointer. But as Portland celebrated, replays showed Pippen's right foot was on the 3-point line. Officials Dick Bavetta, Tim Donaghy and Kevin Fehr huddled and changed the shot to a 2. Stoudamire, who had 24 points and five assists, hit both of his 3-point attempts in overtime. His first one made it 99-98 with 1:13 remaining, and Ruben Patterson followed Stoudamire's miss with a dunk on the next possession to make it 101-98. The law of averages says Portland's due for a loss and this is a good spot, as Sacramento matches up well and Portland will be a bit spent emotionally.
Projected Score: SAC Kings 107, POR Trail Blazers 104

Nss-college & Nba Write-ups Monday