Okay, here is my first card of the season. 6 plays. I will have a lot of units in play tomorrow night and don't want to let off any of these games. I feel strongly about this card. We'll see where this takes me. Good luck to all.
1. Pittsburgh (-2) over DEPAUL (5 units)
DePaul finally starting to live up to some of their expectations, but I really don't understand this line. I realize Pitt is less formidable on the road, but they are just too much for this DePaul team to handle. I know this has "public" written all over it - but cap the game as you see it. And this is one of those spots!! This line will definitely move, IMO.
2. Duke (+3-1/2) over GEORGIA TECH (4 units)
I know that Duke sucks, but Georgia Tech isn't exactly the cream of the crop either. When it's all said and done, I still think Duke is a better team than Georgia Tech, so going with that approach here. Also, this is a case where I believe too much emphasis is placed on a team's last performance.
3. Louisville (-4) over SOUTH FLORIDA (2 units)
This Louisville team sucks, and USF plays Big East foes tough at the Sun Dome, but with the team he has this year, Pitino knows they have to win the games they should win (or at least could win). This is one of those games, so using that angle here.
4. ILLINOIS (-8) over Iowa (5 units)
Don't put too much emphasis on that Hawkeyes win over MSU. This young team will really, really struggle on the road this year. I do realize that Illinois is down this year and is not a very good b-ball team. But I can tell you this much - Iowa has absolutely NO CHANCE of going to Assembly Hall and getting a W. In fact, I don't even think they will be competitive. Illinois has to stress defense this year and an offensively challenged team like Iowa will struggle for baskets. I'm very, very confident in Illinois.
5. MICHIGAN STATE (-13) over Northwestern (5 units)
Well, I really hate laying this many points with a bad MSU team against a NW team with their style of play. That being said, I really don't want to be Bill Carmody in this spot, having to face an Izzo squad coming off 2 straight losses in which they got their heads handed to them. MSU will be looking to pound these guys. Also, if you've noticed, NW is getting pounded in Big 10 play, like they do every year because these coaches have to face this offense once or twice each year. So, they are already somewhat familiar with this NW team. I can see a 65-45 type game, so I'm going to play MSU.
6. Syracuse (-6-1/2) over RUTGERS (3 units)
Well, before that Cincy game, I thought Rutgers may be the worst team in the Big East. But now that honor goes to the Bearcats. Regardless, if Syracuse can't beat these guys by more than 6-1/2, so be it. I realize that historically, Rutgers is a tough team to beat at the RAC, but this year's team is god awful. I am very confident here, but going to keep it at 3 units.
1. Pittsburgh (-2) over DEPAUL (5 units)
DePaul finally starting to live up to some of their expectations, but I really don't understand this line. I realize Pitt is less formidable on the road, but they are just too much for this DePaul team to handle. I know this has "public" written all over it - but cap the game as you see it. And this is one of those spots!! This line will definitely move, IMO.
2. Duke (+3-1/2) over GEORGIA TECH (4 units)
I know that Duke sucks, but Georgia Tech isn't exactly the cream of the crop either. When it's all said and done, I still think Duke is a better team than Georgia Tech, so going with that approach here. Also, this is a case where I believe too much emphasis is placed on a team's last performance.
3. Louisville (-4) over SOUTH FLORIDA (2 units)
This Louisville team sucks, and USF plays Big East foes tough at the Sun Dome, but with the team he has this year, Pitino knows they have to win the games they should win (or at least could win). This is one of those games, so using that angle here.
4. ILLINOIS (-8) over Iowa (5 units)
Don't put too much emphasis on that Hawkeyes win over MSU. This young team will really, really struggle on the road this year. I do realize that Illinois is down this year and is not a very good b-ball team. But I can tell you this much - Iowa has absolutely NO CHANCE of going to Assembly Hall and getting a W. In fact, I don't even think they will be competitive. Illinois has to stress defense this year and an offensively challenged team like Iowa will struggle for baskets. I'm very, very confident in Illinois.
5. MICHIGAN STATE (-13) over Northwestern (5 units)
Well, I really hate laying this many points with a bad MSU team against a NW team with their style of play. That being said, I really don't want to be Bill Carmody in this spot, having to face an Izzo squad coming off 2 straight losses in which they got their heads handed to them. MSU will be looking to pound these guys. Also, if you've noticed, NW is getting pounded in Big 10 play, like they do every year because these coaches have to face this offense once or twice each year. So, they are already somewhat familiar with this NW team. I can see a 65-45 type game, so I'm going to play MSU.
6. Syracuse (-6-1/2) over RUTGERS (3 units)
Well, before that Cincy game, I thought Rutgers may be the worst team in the Big East. But now that honor goes to the Bearcats. Regardless, if Syracuse can't beat these guys by more than 6-1/2, so be it. I realize that historically, Rutgers is a tough team to beat at the RAC, but this year's team is god awful. I am very confident here, but going to keep it at 3 units.
