thinks not exactly hot right now. 2-4 on thursday after two dogs ahead in the second half lose in overtime and transform a winning slate into a loser. sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes the bear eats you. six early plays:
rhode isl +12: local line provides too good a number to pass on what should be a spectacle game and hardfought contest. would play any dd line.
ecu -9-: have laid off the pirates at home for the most part this year. but this looks like a good spot. pirates still fighting for the final c-usa tourney spot and have to have this game to contend. this is also senior day for a pretty significant and well-liked senior class - coach herrion's first recruiting class for c-usa play. five seniors, including the popular bing, mikulas and willey, anchor ecu, and i expect a good turnout today to mark the end of their pirate careers. south fla a troubled program this year and losers of 13 straight c-usa road games, have nothing to play for, being elimiated from tourney possibilities for all practical purposes. pirates have a nice homecourt edge and have had a week off to get ready for this one.
mem +8 and over 134-: 63 is the magic number for memphis; they're 19-2-3 over this number this season. i expect a higher scoring game today than the first meeting based upon thisarticle from the local papers:
The biggest difference between this game and the Feb. 4 affair the Tigers won, 62-58, is that Louisville will have sophomore standouts Francisco Garcia and Taquan Dean available, though the latter is still limping along with a pulled groin.
With that duo, as well as reserve center Nouha Diakite, watching the previous meeting from back home on ESPN2, the Cards abandoned their trademark press and caused Memphis problems by milking the shot clock and slowing things down.
Even so, Pitino promised that Louisville won't operate in that manner again and will instead look very much like a team he would coach when it takes the court following Senior Day festivities. Which, by the way, is perfectly fine with John Calipari, whose Tigers have flourished in up-and-down affairs this season.
"If they want to get us in a running game like Charlotte and Marquette did, I'm fine with that," the fourth-year Memphis coach said, eluding to a pair of fast-paced victories by a total of 40 points. "If they want to do that, well, then OK."
arizona -14-: stoudamire returns from suspension for the 'cats in this must-win game. wash st's record in the arizona swing is horrendous; can't see them turning in two good showings in a row.
ark +5: no-brainer in miy mind. with their huge homecourt advantage, razorbacks are 5-1 in fayetteville vs the gators in this series, most of those wins were against much better florida teams than this one.
caveat emptor. back later with late plays.
rhode isl +12: local line provides too good a number to pass on what should be a spectacle game and hardfought contest. would play any dd line.
ecu -9-: have laid off the pirates at home for the most part this year. but this looks like a good spot. pirates still fighting for the final c-usa tourney spot and have to have this game to contend. this is also senior day for a pretty significant and well-liked senior class - coach herrion's first recruiting class for c-usa play. five seniors, including the popular bing, mikulas and willey, anchor ecu, and i expect a good turnout today to mark the end of their pirate careers. south fla a troubled program this year and losers of 13 straight c-usa road games, have nothing to play for, being elimiated from tourney possibilities for all practical purposes. pirates have a nice homecourt edge and have had a week off to get ready for this one.
mem +8 and over 134-: 63 is the magic number for memphis; they're 19-2-3 over this number this season. i expect a higher scoring game today than the first meeting based upon thisarticle from the local papers:
The biggest difference between this game and the Feb. 4 affair the Tigers won, 62-58, is that Louisville will have sophomore standouts Francisco Garcia and Taquan Dean available, though the latter is still limping along with a pulled groin.
With that duo, as well as reserve center Nouha Diakite, watching the previous meeting from back home on ESPN2, the Cards abandoned their trademark press and caused Memphis problems by milking the shot clock and slowing things down.
Even so, Pitino promised that Louisville won't operate in that manner again and will instead look very much like a team he would coach when it takes the court following Senior Day festivities. Which, by the way, is perfectly fine with John Calipari, whose Tigers have flourished in up-and-down affairs this season.
"If they want to get us in a running game like Charlotte and Marquette did, I'm fine with that," the fourth-year Memphis coach said, eluding to a pair of fast-paced victories by a total of 40 points. "If they want to do that, well, then OK."
arizona -14-: stoudamire returns from suspension for the 'cats in this must-win game. wash st's record in the arizona swing is horrendous; can't see them turning in two good showings in a row.
ark +5: no-brainer in miy mind. with their huge homecourt advantage, razorbacks are 5-1 in fayetteville vs the gators in this series, most of those wins were against much better florida teams than this one.
caveat emptor. back later with late plays.
