Am I missing something (Duke -2)

[Blackman]

Duke -2 at NC State...an NC State team that has lost three in a row and looked like a bunch of high schoolers against St John's, this just doesn't make much sense to me.

Obviously I'm overlooking something here so please let me know, there are a bunch of ACC guys here and I'd like to know the low down.

 

[gman2]

nc state is a tricky team. a lot of people are getting down on them, but i still think theyre a top 25 team when they bring their A-game.

duke has struggled mightily in that gym too, and with far better teams than this one.

if you really look at it, duke hasnt put two halves of basketball together since the beginning of december.

im in no hurry to fade coach K, but ncstate would be the place to do it, as this has not been a good venue for even good duke teams.

 

[Sun Tzu]

I like NCState there, but then again aint exactly on a hot streak

 

[Blackman]

I understand, I just can't get over how they looked vs St John's, and I think it's clouding my judgement. On that night they looked as bad as it gets, but I've had limited exposure to them overall.

Honestly I'm tempted to just take the line because I really think it will move with heavy Duke money, and a nice middle could be available tomorrow afternoon.

 

[saint]

State has been injured and in a rut, I think this is a breakout game. I will be playing state plus but will wait for joe public to drive line up in my favor. Living in this area and watching state i've realized their football teams and bball teams are the same. Erratic, they lose games they shouldn't only to turn around and win a big game. I think in their house they will win this game. Especially after the way they have played lately. Duke is not playing very well, beating mediocre princeton and temple but a little over double digits.

 

[gman2]

blackman:

if anything, i think theres great value on nc state. you play this game a month ago and youre probably looking at nc state -3 or -3.5. recent slide certainly swings the line. wolfpack have a ton of guys that can shoot the ball. thats both a blessing and a curse because ncst gets jump shot happy sometimes and sits on the perimeter and the end result is a game like st.johns. werent they like 3-28 from the field at one point? yikes. but i still vividly remember nc state pretty much dominating duke in raleigh the last two years, making all the hustle plays and knocking down all the shots. this can be a springboard game for them. they know they can beat this team.

 

[Blackman]

Thanks guys, will probably pass. I just can't put any coin down on the potential of NC State showing up here, but I do understand what you mean that they are more than capable here.

Gman you are correct NC State was 3-28 from the field in the first half at the Garden, and let me tell you the St John's defense can take no credit for shutting them down. It was once of the worst displays I've seen in recent memory. Just can't get that out of my head.

 

[FatButtSimon90]

enough about NC State...how about those Rider Broncs?

 

[Blackman]

Good win tonight for the Broncs FatButt -- hope you had some of that ML, but since when are you such a big Rider supporter? I guess you've still got some MAAC love in your bones from your time in the conference. Tell Dave Kern I said hello.

 

[FatButtSimon90]

Dave Kern is my hero!!!

He lived with me for a whole year - can't top that, now can ya?

 

[Irish]

I think that line is low because Shavlik Randolph has mononucleosis most likely out. AND This is the 1st Duke game at an opponent's home court (Duke has lost its last two visits to the RBC Center). Just adding my 2 cents, best of luck to you tonight.

Cheers
Irish

 

[Blackman]

Thanks again Irish. I've been ultra selective with my plays this year and this will be a pass now that you've all weighed in with reasons for NC State (which I greatly appreciate).

I honestly still don't see it, I'd never be comfortable laying a penny on this Wolpack team, but I do agree they have an upside and are more than capable. Will be an interesting one to watch.

 

[Cohanick]

State should be the play here. I know this was last year, but remember when those two teams played at the RBC center. Anyways, not to get too far off the point, its a tough place to play and ncstate is a good team. If they can put it together, this game will be very close. Lets let joe raise the line a bit.

GL to all

 

[Blackman]

One I will play:

Niagara +5/+160ML....Niagara's had this game circled since day one. Manhattan has been their nemesis for the past few seasons and sent them packing in the MAAC finals last season. The core of Niagra's team are three seniors, Juan Menedez, David Brooks and Alvin Cruz all playing very well right now and would like nothing more than to end their teams losing streak vs Manhattan. Think this line is a bit of an overreaction to Manhattan's dominance over Niagara as of late, because the Jaspers are just not the same team that they were last season. Should be a good one, but I really think Niagara wins here straight up.

 

[watrdogg]

Good luck today!!

 

[Blackman]

Niagara loses by 6 -- as much as I thought they were more talented they were still kept at arms length by big brother in Manhattan. The Jaspers just own Niagara and I should have respected that.