Monday plays. . .

[Nickelback]

Nothing set in stone yet, but with the All Star game, I was able to cap the games for tomorrow and here's what I'm looking at:

Central Michigan laying 1 over Western Michigan. . . think this is the only game that I will definitely be on. Central is just the better team as they showed at Western earlier this year and they are at home. Revenge is a factor obviously, but I just can't see it here.

Colorado State +3 over BYU. . . take a look at the stats for Colorado at home and BYU on the road. Statistical mismatch in favor of Colorado State. CSU shot 50% against Utah, a team that I feel is better defensively than BYU but hell, maybe there's stats that would prove me wrong. Either way, CSU should be able to get the win here and they need it after losing to Utah.

Utah +1 over Wyoming. . . nothing to really back up a play here. But I've seen both teams and Utah is simply the much better team. Utes also have some very impressive road wins at BYU, UNLV, and CSU.

Opinion play for now:

Oklahoma ML over Texas. . . Sooners own the Horns! Really thought I would be on Texas at first glance when the line came out, but the more I look into this, the more I think the Sooners will probably take care of Texas again with defense.

 

[TORONTO-VIGILANTE]

good luck today.

 

[ststrl]

Nickel, I am no doubt with you and well I guess everyone else on this forum about Central Mich. I also really like your Utah pick. it seems like a lot of teams in the MWC have trouble heading into Wyoming cause of the altitude. Odviously that will play NO factor in the Utah game.

So man tell me, what the hell is up with UofA. We barely escaped the Northwest with 2 W's. Defiently looking forward to seeing the L.A. schools come to McKale for an ass kicking!

 

[THE WIZZARD]

I'M LOOKING AT COL ST ALSO BUT.........I'M LOOKING AT WYOMING.

WYOMING COMING OFF THEIR 1ST HOME LOSS OF SEASON.
UTAH COMING OFF ROAD WINS......HARD TO KEEP ON
WINNING ON ROAD IN CONF PLAY.......I THINK HOME
COURT MIGHT PREVAIL IN THIS GAME.........JUST MY
OPINION. GOOD LUCK THOUGH AND GREAT DAY
YESTERDAY.


WIZZ.

 

[Nickelback]

ststrl,

Its very frustrating to watch Arizona play ball right now. Perhaps its due to my expectations that this team is championship material and I'm overrating them, but cmon. I almost played WSU huge because I knew +21 was a joke for an Arizona team that wouldn't be inspired to play well. I mean what does it take for them to play inspired basketball? First game of the season or fall behind at Kansas by double digits? Geez.

And Luke Walton is the biggest joke of all. Funny how everybody thought Walton would make a difference on this team when he was out. I don't buy it. He turns the ball over a ton and he takes it upon himself to take crutial shots when he knows he's playing horrible. Example: the Washington game. Arizona up by 5 with 3 minutes to go. . . Walton single handedly gets that game in to overtime for Washington. He took the shots on the offensive end that Frye or Stoudamire should have taken as they were the hot hands. He is playing very stupid basketball IMO and I can't see it getting any better as he is trying to improve his status in the eyes of NBA scouts as they have been horrible up to this point. If Arizona loses in the Big Dance, I predict that it will be Walton that loses it for us.

In the end, you still have to like our chances. Hell, at 3:1 odds, I feel like taking a shot, but doubt I'll play it at all. Even with Kentucky's performance over Florida, I have never seen better moments of greatness than what I saw against Western Kentucky, but especially at Kansas in the 2nd half. I think somebody on that damn teams needs to motivate our team and Gardner and Walton appear to be a little too soft spoken. Would be nice if Anderson does it as his play has improved so well over the past four years. I remember when this kid first started. . . he was sloppy and looked awkward on the court. Now he looks like a polished player that can run the court with the rest.

Apologize for the long post that most probably could care less about, but you asked me a question about Arizona and I have a lot of opinions about them. What about you ststrl?

 

[Nickelback]

Wizzard,

Understand why you are looking at Wyoming. Again, I have no factual basis for playing either side but the fact that I have seen both teams play and feel Utah is the much better team. Wyoming should have taken down BYU and now face a better team in Utah.

Will probably just stay away as CSU is the much better play.

 

[michaeljbird]

Hey Nick, I hear ya with your frustration in your Wildcat's. Look at the bright side you could be a Razorback fan and watch the pitiful display of basketball put on the floor each game. That is frustrating. We are at our all-time low. The outlook is positive though, THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN EVER BE WORSE

 

[Nickelback]

Forgot to mention that I already locked in on Central Michigan laying 1. Could see this line going up and would be shocked if Western becomes the favorite. No reason not to play this game now. Played it big, but not very big.

 

[ststrl]

Thats what i wanted to hear man, not too long at all. I feel 100% the same about my expectations. I mean I feel that if we aren't covering, not that it really matters, then we played poor. I mean I know you've heard it 101 times but everyone on our team can start for anyone else in the country. We have high expectations and often seem to play to the level of our competiton. The WKU game Cal, Oregon, Kansas(2nd half) have been our only solid performances. The further we get into the Pac-10 season (at CAL Stanford ASU) and especially the tourney, our slow starts and strong finishes won't due.
We just need to get it done the whole game. As per Walton, yeah hes overrated but he does make some nice plays. Is he as good as hyped, no but he still is a huge team leader. Even Gardner has had some let downs. Look back at the LSU and Stanford loses. He had the ball w/ 10 secs left in each w/ the opportunity to win and both times he choked. Once losing the ball out of bounds and the other blowing a shot.
We still have the most dominant team in the NCAA but just need to show more fire, and need consistency from Walton, Stoudimire, and the bench. Sorry for the :topic: but justed needed to vent.

 

[Nickelback]

About Walton, the guy was great his first three years. . . I remember him coming to the team as barely being in the top 100 recruits and thinking that he wouldn't amount to very much because all he had going for him was the Walton name. Obviously I was completely wrong. Unfortunately this year, he just hasn't played the same. Those first three years, he played smart basketball. Not sure why that has changed now unless he feels pressured since he was voted on the Pre Season All American team. Of course he has been plagued by injuries to his ankle.

Something else that neither of us has mentioned but that I have thought about:

Free throw percentage. What the hell is up with that? Cannot believe Lute could be happy with this percentage at all. Arizona used to be clutch from the foul line. Now we're lucky to hit 75%? If Arizona wants the crown, this needs to be improved dramatically as it could be one of our hopes against stronger and bigger teams.

 

[Got5onIt]

With you on Central.

 

[Ave Atlantica]

An Oklahoma defense shutting down Texas?

We've all seen that before.

 

[TLove]

Good Luck today Nickel

 

[Nickelback]

Locking in on Colorado State early at +3. . . cannot believe that consensus sites are showing 70% on BYU for this game. Absolutely ridiculous IMO if anybody takes BYU in this spot. CSU is my very big play of the day. Think the line will come down from here on out. Of course could be wrong. . . the Central line has come down a little but not on every book.

 

[RAYMOND]

LIKE THE PICKS HOPE THEY ALL WIN

 

[Nickelback]

Me too Ray. . . also like Utah with you. . . gonna wait and see how the line moves first.

 

[G Money]

Good luck tonight Nickelback

 

[Nickelback]

Going with Utah +1 average over Wyoming. . . again, this is just a gut play. Not playing it for too much because I like to rely on stats to back up my plays. But Utah is much better than Wyoming. . . might not be easy on the road, but I still feel they get it done tonight.

Might come back with a halftime play on the late game as well, but just sticking with these three sides. Think Tuesday will provide better opportunities for us.

Gl all!

 

[Nickelback]

Well, looks like the wise guys hit Wyoming and the line is now 2.5. . . I went ahead and bought half a point and played Utah +3. Wise Guys have been cold lately. Still just an average play. See everyone later tonight for the late game.

 

[Nickelback]

Well, should have put even more on Central Michigan, but that's always easy to say after the game

Tough break on CSU which leaves us at a draw on the night record wise but down a little as I played CSU for a little more than Central with Utah remaining.

I just checked some sites and realized the wise guys didn't even hit Wyoming. . . if they did, it was registered as a false move. Also, only 53% on Utah so basically half on one side half on the other. Most of the time, the overall money loses on high profile games. . . think this late game falls into it. I'm upgrading my Utah pick at +3 to a big play.

Will adjust at halftime if necessary.