Hoop wagering begins tonight!

[jack straw]

For me, the basketball season begins today. . . I have a superstition (based of course on a lot of losing bets) not to mix sports. With the USC pasting of OU last night, it's on to college hoops. I've been an avid reader of madjack threads for about a year, and it's time to payback some of the great advice on this site with my own insight. I was white hot during the college bowls, so hopefully I can stay on the ride, but it usually takes me a a little bit to figure on the hoops world. We're close to tip. . . so here goes:

ND -1 at SHall. I went on a run last year with Irish games simply by playing against them at home, but on them on the road. This year, as heavy home favs, they've been miserable, but had two clutch covers in key roads games at Indiana and Michigan. Might as well stick with this game plan as conference season begins.

Illinois -15 vs Ohio State. The Illini may roll through the Big-10 a la St. Joe in the A-10 last year. Laying big numbers and just thumping people, which is something Illinois has been doing all season long. I'm not telling anyone who's played college hoops this season that they don't already know. Jump on this bandwagon. Tonight's number seems way too small.

Vandy -2 1/2 vs Alabama. I know they haven't played anyone with a pulse at home this year, but the Commodores have been rolling people, and more importantly cashing winning tickets in Nashville all season long. I will always have an urge to bet against Alabama on the road. I think we'll have a repeat of Bama's trouncing at Wisco, another team with a tremendous (that word doesn't do Wisco's home dominance justice) edge on their home court.

Nova -3 1/2 vs WVA. Taking a chance that WVA isn't as good as advertised. I looking forward to watching the game to check out the Mountaineers. Maybe their basketball team plays smarter than their football team, but since I have Nova let's hope the brain cramps and shoddy play are contagious.

St Joe -3 1/2 at Fordham. Yes, I know it is no longer the 2003-04 season, but apparently I need to learn the hard way. If St. Joe is really serious about being a player on the national scene, it can't just lose a few guys ( again, another understatment), and fall below Fordham in the A-10 pecking order.

I am also taking Bradley -2 1/2 vs SWMS, Fairfield +1 at Yale, Kent -11 vs EMU.

That's ND, Illinois, Vandy, Villanova, St. Joe, Bradley, Fairfield and Kent. All single unit plays.

Great to have action on college hoops finally. Good luck everyone let's make money all winter long!

 

[Grizape]

Good Luck Straw, I totally agree with you, now is the time to make money in college hoops. I see you playing a lot of games, really like your ND, Fairfield plays. I only play the 1 or 2 games I like the most a night personal but good luck to you on all your plays.

 

[jack straw]

Thanks grizape! Eight plays is a lot. . . call it a combination of "opening night" exuberance and wanting to bet smaller on a bunch of games compared to the one game a night/bet bigger bonanza that is the bowl season.

I take it you're a Jets fan. . . I don't need to remind you who the only team to cover against the Chargers were this year. I've been riding Marty boys all season, but was actually on the Jets that day. . .way back in September. . .when it was warm. . .and we weren't buried by an avalanche.

 

[jack straw]

Six finals have netted a 2-3-1 record. Wins with Nova and Bradley were easy, the others painful.

St Joe's :cursin: Knew I wanted the game this morning. It was 2 1/2. Just pull the trigger Jack.

Fairfield fell apart down the stretch, maybe they won't be my MAAC darkhorse.

Kent State wasn't that smart of a pick on my part.

Notre Dame. A push. Everytime I end up pushing a game I have at -1, I am reminded of the fact that I have never pushed a game with a +1 ticket in my pocket.

And the value of buying a half point or two.

Need Illinois to roll down the stretch and Vandy home court magic to pull out a winning opening night.

This is my first true, 100 percent look at a college hoops slate. Some great games tonight with some freaky results. Louisville, Pitt ought to be ashamed. . .at least UConn lost to a quality team. BC probably had the best player on the court with Smith.

Illini up 12...gotta go concentrate on the game.