Ball State @ Ohio - Early game and I'll gladly take the points in a game where the dog traditionally does well and Ball State typically does well vs. Ohio. Both teams are 4-2 in the MAC and line seems a little generous as I would have it closer to 7.
Ball & Chain State +9 for 3*
St. John's @ Duke - Blue Devils coming off a lucky cover vs. Maryland, but St. John's typically plays well in this rivalry and they're coming off their best game of the season in a blowout of the Mountaineers. Think they'll hang within the large number and if they play like they did Wednesday, will keep the game within single digits.
St. John's +18 for 3*
Marquette @ Villanova - Marquette has been on a nice run ATS recently (believe 6-1 ATS their last 7) and feel they'll take care of a Villanova team that has been playing much better recently, but still isn't very good. Jay Wright is going to have a tough time getting his team invited to any post season tourney and just don't see them beating the #18 team in the country. One concern is I would have Marquette a bigger favorite than 2.5.
Marquette -2 (-120) for 3*
Texas @ Baylor - Tough game to handicap as Baylor looked really good their last game against OU. However, Texas normally does well vs. Baylor and this is a much bigger game for Texas as they're on the bubble and need a big win. Still concerned as Texas hasn't done well away from home, but Baylor is a little soft and Tobango matches up fairly well vs. Pierre Jackson. Barnes is also smart enough to keep his team within shouting distance. If J'Covan Brown can quit trying to be Lacdarius Dunn (Brown something like 18 of 70 from the field his past 3 games!), I like the Horns chances to at least cover and maybe win SU.
Texas +8 for 3*
West Virginia @ Syracuse - How could anyone back WVU after their performance on Wednesday @ St. John's where they got buried? IMHO, they likely got caught looking ahead to this huge game. Think Huggins has his team ready and they'll keep this game tight. I can only imagine the tongue lashings they received after their pathetic performance @ St. John's and think you'll see WVU come ready to play Saturday.
West Vagina +11 for 3*
Texas Tech @ Missouri - Huge spread for the Tigers, but they're very solid at home and facing arguably the worst team from a BCS conference (well Utah & USC are also downright pathetic, but Utah somehow has 2 Pac 10 wins). Texas Tech has yet to reach 60 points in a Big 12 conference game and think they get walloped vs. a pissed off MU team by something like 85-53. TT has already lost by 22 at home to Kansas State and 35 at home to KU. Life won't get easier vs. the #2 team in the country coming off a brutal loss. Ratliff continues to lead the country in FG% and was at something like 77% before going 10 of 17 from the field last game. MU's guards should have plenty of open shots as well vs. a really piss poor TT team which might quite if they start getting stomped early.
Missouri -24.5 for 3*
Kansas @ Iowa State - Was really hoping this line would be higher considering KU was a 15 point favorite vs. Iowa State just a couple weeks ago at home (was thinking 7 or even 8 points). Still, huge game for the Cyclones trying to get on the right side of the bubble and they matchup well vs. KU (White can hang with Thomas Robinson and Babb can guard Tyshawn Taylor). Withey will be a difference maker for KU at the center position as he's a shot blocking machine (might be best shot blocker other than Davis for Kentucky), but I feel Christopherson-sp? & Chris Allen make enough treys to keep Iowa State close throughout and maybe pull off the SU victory. Hilton Magic might be in rare form tomorrow. ISU likely would have beaten MU, but Tigers played out of their minds. Not sure KU will do the same especially if they look anything like the team which faced the Aggies this past Monday.
Iowa State +6 for 5* (Only BIG early play)
I will see how the early plays do before playing anything else. Really need a huge Saturday. Been cold this week so it's time to get hot! Feel free to fade away as I have been struggling a bit (losing days Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday this past week).
GLTA:00hour
Ball & Chain State +9 for 3*
St. John's @ Duke - Blue Devils coming off a lucky cover vs. Maryland, but St. John's typically plays well in this rivalry and they're coming off their best game of the season in a blowout of the Mountaineers. Think they'll hang within the large number and if they play like they did Wednesday, will keep the game within single digits.
St. John's +18 for 3*
Marquette @ Villanova - Marquette has been on a nice run ATS recently (believe 6-1 ATS their last 7) and feel they'll take care of a Villanova team that has been playing much better recently, but still isn't very good. Jay Wright is going to have a tough time getting his team invited to any post season tourney and just don't see them beating the #18 team in the country. One concern is I would have Marquette a bigger favorite than 2.5.
Marquette -2 (-120) for 3*
Texas @ Baylor - Tough game to handicap as Baylor looked really good their last game against OU. However, Texas normally does well vs. Baylor and this is a much bigger game for Texas as they're on the bubble and need a big win. Still concerned as Texas hasn't done well away from home, but Baylor is a little soft and Tobango matches up fairly well vs. Pierre Jackson. Barnes is also smart enough to keep his team within shouting distance. If J'Covan Brown can quit trying to be Lacdarius Dunn (Brown something like 18 of 70 from the field his past 3 games!), I like the Horns chances to at least cover and maybe win SU.
Texas +8 for 3*
West Virginia @ Syracuse - How could anyone back WVU after their performance on Wednesday @ St. John's where they got buried? IMHO, they likely got caught looking ahead to this huge game. Think Huggins has his team ready and they'll keep this game tight. I can only imagine the tongue lashings they received after their pathetic performance @ St. John's and think you'll see WVU come ready to play Saturday.
West Vagina +11 for 3*
Texas Tech @ Missouri - Huge spread for the Tigers, but they're very solid at home and facing arguably the worst team from a BCS conference (well Utah & USC are also downright pathetic, but Utah somehow has 2 Pac 10 wins). Texas Tech has yet to reach 60 points in a Big 12 conference game and think they get walloped vs. a pissed off MU team by something like 85-53. TT has already lost by 22 at home to Kansas State and 35 at home to KU. Life won't get easier vs. the #2 team in the country coming off a brutal loss. Ratliff continues to lead the country in FG% and was at something like 77% before going 10 of 17 from the field last game. MU's guards should have plenty of open shots as well vs. a really piss poor TT team which might quite if they start getting stomped early.
Missouri -24.5 for 3*
Kansas @ Iowa State - Was really hoping this line would be higher considering KU was a 15 point favorite vs. Iowa State just a couple weeks ago at home (was thinking 7 or even 8 points). Still, huge game for the Cyclones trying to get on the right side of the bubble and they matchup well vs. KU (White can hang with Thomas Robinson and Babb can guard Tyshawn Taylor). Withey will be a difference maker for KU at the center position as he's a shot blocking machine (might be best shot blocker other than Davis for Kentucky), but I feel Christopherson-sp? & Chris Allen make enough treys to keep Iowa State close throughout and maybe pull off the SU victory. Hilton Magic might be in rare form tomorrow. ISU likely would have beaten MU, but Tigers played out of their minds. Not sure KU will do the same especially if they look anything like the team which faced the Aggies this past Monday.
Iowa State +6 for 5* (Only BIG early play)
I will see how the early plays do before playing anything else. Really need a huge Saturday. Been cold this week so it's time to get hot! Feel free to fade away as I have been struggling a bit (losing days Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday this past week).
GLTA:00hour
