SERVICE PLAYS FOR SAT. 2/23
- Thread starter GIANTS007
- Start date
POINTWISE
DEPAUL over Seton Hall (Sat) RATING: 2
INDIANA over Northwestern (Sat) RATING: 3
MEMPHIS over Tennessee (Sat) RATING: 5
DEPAUL over Seton Hall (Sat) RATING: 2
INDIANA over Northwestern (Sat) RATING: 3
MEMPHIS over Tennessee (Sat) RATING: 5
WINNING POINTS
***BEST BET****
*Miami over Philadelphia by 8
Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marion give the Heat some added respectability. The 76ers
can?t match either of those two players. The All-Star break gives Pat Riley a desperate
chance to get his team regrouped. There?s a chance Miami could get back its best
rebounder, Udonis Haslem. We like the 76ers much more when in an underdog role.
MIAMI 98-90
***BEST BET****
Michigan State* over Iowa by 24
Izzo stood around and watched his team lose at death-march tempo at Iowa, failing to
get out of the 30s. He has himself, the assistant coaches, and the kids to kick around
in advance of this re-hook, on his home floor, and if his Spartans with the 52.8%
Effective Field Goal percentage (2s and 3s) don?t seek to maximize the possession
count on their home floor against Iowa?s perimeter pass-happy long-distance shooters,
then he oughta give back his national championship, give Michigan back theirs, and
put himself into those practices with the helmets and shoulder pads. MICHIGAN
STATE, 75-51.
***BEST BET****
DePaul over Seton Hall* by 9
Don?t go into a game against Jerry Wainwright with a sophomore guard as your sixth
man, and nothing but a bunch of forwards to send in there after him. That?s what
slumping Seton Hall?s Bobby Gonzalez is down to at the moment, now four games
into the season-ending injury to guard Paul Gause (2.8 steals per game). DePaul ain?t
much, but Wainwright committed to a faster tempo early in the season (they are at
69.5 vs. 63.1 last year) and is playing 10 kids at least 10 minutes per game. Eventually,
you run into a situation where the full speed mistakes you were making start disappearing
vs. a certain type of opponent. Seton Hall can?t afford to keep playing the way
they?ve been playing (72 possessions per game, top 25 in national pace), but if they do
anything differently, they won?t necessarily be doing it any better. Both need a win to
stay within the Big East Tournament net, but one side has more hands on deck to
make the haul. DEPAUL, 79-70
***BEST BET****
Ohio* over George Mason by 14
Unless there are CAA referees on the floor, George Mason?s Will Thomas could finally
be ticketed for the foul trouble he eludes in conference play. Given that Ohio?s two
leading scorers are forwards, Thomas will have to play some defense. Or, not. NCWilmington,
with two double-digit scoring forwards, has beaten George Mason twice
this season, so there you go. OHIO, 77-63.
***BEST BET****
*Miami over Philadelphia by 8
Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marion give the Heat some added respectability. The 76ers
can?t match either of those two players. The All-Star break gives Pat Riley a desperate
chance to get his team regrouped. There?s a chance Miami could get back its best
rebounder, Udonis Haslem. We like the 76ers much more when in an underdog role.
MIAMI 98-90
***BEST BET****
Michigan State* over Iowa by 24
Izzo stood around and watched his team lose at death-march tempo at Iowa, failing to
get out of the 30s. He has himself, the assistant coaches, and the kids to kick around
in advance of this re-hook, on his home floor, and if his Spartans with the 52.8%
Effective Field Goal percentage (2s and 3s) don?t seek to maximize the possession
count on their home floor against Iowa?s perimeter pass-happy long-distance shooters,
then he oughta give back his national championship, give Michigan back theirs, and
put himself into those practices with the helmets and shoulder pads. MICHIGAN
STATE, 75-51.
***BEST BET****
DePaul over Seton Hall* by 9
Don?t go into a game against Jerry Wainwright with a sophomore guard as your sixth
man, and nothing but a bunch of forwards to send in there after him. That?s what
slumping Seton Hall?s Bobby Gonzalez is down to at the moment, now four games
into the season-ending injury to guard Paul Gause (2.8 steals per game). DePaul ain?t
much, but Wainwright committed to a faster tempo early in the season (they are at
69.5 vs. 63.1 last year) and is playing 10 kids at least 10 minutes per game. Eventually,
you run into a situation where the full speed mistakes you were making start disappearing
vs. a certain type of opponent. Seton Hall can?t afford to keep playing the way
they?ve been playing (72 possessions per game, top 25 in national pace), but if they do
anything differently, they won?t necessarily be doing it any better. Both need a win to
stay within the Big East Tournament net, but one side has more hands on deck to
make the haul. DEPAUL, 79-70
***BEST BET****
Ohio* over George Mason by 14
Unless there are CAA referees on the floor, George Mason?s Will Thomas could finally
be ticketed for the foul trouble he eludes in conference play. Given that Ohio?s two
leading scorers are forwards, Thomas will have to play some defense. Or, not. NCWilmington,
with two double-digit scoring forwards, has beaten George Mason twice
this season, so there you go. OHIO, 77-63.
CTO
*NC WILMINGTON over Vermont (Bracket Buster Game)...Wilmington (17-10 prior to a Feb. 20 game vs. Georgia State) is one of those teams that can truly boost its postseason hopes with a Bracket Buster victory. Vermont (NIT LY; NCAAs 3 years ago) is a worthy enough foe, but with some defensive shortcomings. So the Catamounts could be the perfect foil for the Seahawks, whose offense is now excellently balanced (four DD scorers), with 6-10 sr. bruiser Kuljanin in the middle, clutch F Hendley on the opposite side, sr. Gs Fountain & T.J. Carter outside, and 5-11 frosh marksman Tomko raising eyebrows with his deadly, confident shooting.
*NC WILMINGTON 86 - Vermont 62 RATING - 11
LSU over Ole Miss...What a difference a few weeks can make! Not long ago, Ole Miss seemed cruising toward an NCAA berth, and things were going so bad at LSU that HC John Brady was fired. But Rebs have been in freefall since, while Tigers have suddenly responded to interim HC Butch Pierre, coming close to upsetting Tennessee and beating Florida thanks in large part to 6-10 frosh Anthony Randolph, who is dominating proceedings in recent outings. Wheels have come off at Ole Miss, which hasn?t won on SEC road (0-5 SU), with production of frosh PG Warren & C Curtis dipping alarmingly.
*LSU 73 - Ole Miss 63 RATING - 10
*NEW MEXICO STATE over Long Beach State (Bracket Buster Game)...With injuries and suspensions having depleted roster to the point that Long Beach now reduced to Fresno State transfer G Morris (21.2 ppg; only DD scorer on team) and little else, can?t see limited 49ers staying within earshot of potent NMSU bunch that should be well-rested (9 prep days!) for this Bracket Buster. Balance-wise, Aggies quite the opposite of Beach, with six (!) scoring in DDs, and NMSU offense on fire in current 4-game win streak, scoring 89 ppg. Firepower, depth, and homecourt edges signal NMSU blowout.
*NEW MEXICO STATE 94 - Long Beach State 63 RATING - 10
*NC WILMINGTON over Vermont (Bracket Buster Game)...Wilmington (17-10 prior to a Feb. 20 game vs. Georgia State) is one of those teams that can truly boost its postseason hopes with a Bracket Buster victory. Vermont (NIT LY; NCAAs 3 years ago) is a worthy enough foe, but with some defensive shortcomings. So the Catamounts could be the perfect foil for the Seahawks, whose offense is now excellently balanced (four DD scorers), with 6-10 sr. bruiser Kuljanin in the middle, clutch F Hendley on the opposite side, sr. Gs Fountain & T.J. Carter outside, and 5-11 frosh marksman Tomko raising eyebrows with his deadly, confident shooting.
*NC WILMINGTON 86 - Vermont 62 RATING - 11
LSU over Ole Miss...What a difference a few weeks can make! Not long ago, Ole Miss seemed cruising toward an NCAA berth, and things were going so bad at LSU that HC John Brady was fired. But Rebs have been in freefall since, while Tigers have suddenly responded to interim HC Butch Pierre, coming close to upsetting Tennessee and beating Florida thanks in large part to 6-10 frosh Anthony Randolph, who is dominating proceedings in recent outings. Wheels have come off at Ole Miss, which hasn?t won on SEC road (0-5 SU), with production of frosh PG Warren & C Curtis dipping alarmingly.
*LSU 73 - Ole Miss 63 RATING - 10
*NEW MEXICO STATE over Long Beach State (Bracket Buster Game)...With injuries and suspensions having depleted roster to the point that Long Beach now reduced to Fresno State transfer G Morris (21.2 ppg; only DD scorer on team) and little else, can?t see limited 49ers staying within earshot of potent NMSU bunch that should be well-rested (9 prep days!) for this Bracket Buster. Balance-wise, Aggies quite the opposite of Beach, with six (!) scoring in DDs, and NMSU offense on fire in current 4-game win streak, scoring 89 ppg. Firepower, depth, and homecourt edges signal NMSU blowout.
*NEW MEXICO STATE 94 - Long Beach State 63 RATING - 10
DONNIE BLACK (2/23)
Iowa at Michigan State
Recommendation: Michigan State
Michigan State will undoubtedly be gunning for revenge this
week as they return home for a two game stand. The road weary
Spartans have lost three of four heading into the new week after
dropping an inexcusable game at short handed Penn State, falling
short in a come back effort at Purdue, and getting blown out
at Indiana over the weekend. Their first opportunity at redemption
comes midweek against Penn State, but the one I think the
Spartans really want is this weekend against Iowa. Look for the
Penn State game to serve as a tune up for the Hawkeyes, and
look for a blowout victory for team Izzo. You?ll recall the first
meeting in Iowa City in mid January when Michigan State failed
to score 20 points in either half, losing in perhaps the worst
effort during coach Izzo?s tenure. Iowa limited MSU to 16-52
shooting from the floor, 3-12 from distance, while winning the
turnover battle by 10 (18 to 8). The shell-shocked Spartans shot
just four free throws and made just one compared to Iowa?s
16-of-29 effort, showing no aggressiveness whatsoever. Drew
Neitzel was limited to just 22 points combined in the losses at
Iowa, Penn State and Purdue but did show some life at Indiana
dropping 21. He has averaged 17 points per game over his last
four home games and should find some operating room in this
revenge spot. Also look for big days from Raymar Morgan and
Kalin Lucas as the Spartans will push tempo and dictate pace.
Lay what figures to be double digits as this projects as a rout
Iowa at Michigan State
Recommendation: Michigan State
Michigan State will undoubtedly be gunning for revenge this
week as they return home for a two game stand. The road weary
Spartans have lost three of four heading into the new week after
dropping an inexcusable game at short handed Penn State, falling
short in a come back effort at Purdue, and getting blown out
at Indiana over the weekend. Their first opportunity at redemption
comes midweek against Penn State, but the one I think the
Spartans really want is this weekend against Iowa. Look for the
Penn State game to serve as a tune up for the Hawkeyes, and
look for a blowout victory for team Izzo. You?ll recall the first
meeting in Iowa City in mid January when Michigan State failed
to score 20 points in either half, losing in perhaps the worst
effort during coach Izzo?s tenure. Iowa limited MSU to 16-52
shooting from the floor, 3-12 from distance, while winning the
turnover battle by 10 (18 to 8). The shell-shocked Spartans shot
just four free throws and made just one compared to Iowa?s
16-of-29 effort, showing no aggressiveness whatsoever. Drew
Neitzel was limited to just 22 points combined in the losses at
Iowa, Penn State and Purdue but did show some life at Indiana
dropping 21. He has averaged 17 points per game over his last
four home games and should find some operating room in this
revenge spot. Also look for big days from Raymar Morgan and
Kalin Lucas as the Spartans will push tempo and dictate pace.
Lay what figures to be double digits as this projects as a rout
BRENT CROW (2/23)
Arkansas at Kentucky
Recommendation: Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats have become one of the better stories in
the SEC this year, rallying from an embarrassing start to become
one of the top teams in the conference. Kentucky is 7-3 in league
play and should improve to 8-3 with a win over Georgia this week
to set up a battle with Arkansas on Saturday night. Not many people
would have expected the Wildcats to be in this position after
losing to the likes of Gardner Webb, UAB and San Diego at home,
but Billy Gillispie has done a nice job keeping his players focused
after the tough start. Kentucky has also gotten healthier, even
though they still have some nagging injuries, at least their top
five players are on the court for most games now. The Cats are
a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS at home in league play, and they face
an Arkansas team that has struggled away from home. Arkansas
is just 2-3 on the road in the SEC, with their wins coming against
lowly LSU and Auburn. The Hogs have never really played to
their potential this season under first year coach John Pelphrey,
who had five returning starters to work with. One key for Arkansas
has been the sophomore slump of guard Patrick Beverly.
He has not improved on his outstanding freshman season and
averages just 11 ppg on the road in SEC play. Kentucky matches
up well on the perimeter with Beverly and the Arkansas guards
and should keep this home SEC record perfect with a win today
Arkansas at Kentucky
Recommendation: Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats have become one of the better stories in
the SEC this year, rallying from an embarrassing start to become
one of the top teams in the conference. Kentucky is 7-3 in league
play and should improve to 8-3 with a win over Georgia this week
to set up a battle with Arkansas on Saturday night. Not many people
would have expected the Wildcats to be in this position after
losing to the likes of Gardner Webb, UAB and San Diego at home,
but Billy Gillispie has done a nice job keeping his players focused
after the tough start. Kentucky has also gotten healthier, even
though they still have some nagging injuries, at least their top
five players are on the court for most games now. The Cats are
a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS at home in league play, and they face
an Arkansas team that has struggled away from home. Arkansas
is just 2-3 on the road in the SEC, with their wins coming against
lowly LSU and Auburn. The Hogs have never really played to
their potential this season under first year coach John Pelphrey,
who had five returning starters to work with. One key for Arkansas
has been the sophomore slump of guard Patrick Beverly.
He has not improved on his outstanding freshman season and
averages just 11 ppg on the road in SEC play. Kentucky matches
up well on the perimeter with Beverly and the Arkansas guards
and should keep this home SEC record perfect with a win today
TEDDY COVERS (2/23)
Colorado at Missouri
Recommendation: Colorado
Colorado is a bottom feeder in the Big 12, sitting in last place in
the conference with only three weeks remaining in the regular
season. But don?t confuse the Buffaloes with most bottom feeders
around the nation ? this team hasn?t quit on their coach or
their season, showing dramatic signs of improvement in recent
weeks. This should be no surprise to those who have followed the
career of first year head coach Jeff Bzdelik, the coach who engineered
the amazing turnaround at Air Force earlier this decade.
Bzdelik?s team has hung tough with some elite level squads in
recent weeks, including a tight two point loss as 17.5 point road
underdogs at Texas, a one-point loss as ten point underdogs at
Oklahoma State and a pointspread cover in the game against top
notch Kansas this past weekend. The Buffaloes have covered four
straight and eight of their last ten, but they?ve retained their pointspread
value, winning only two of those games in outright fashion.
Missouri, on the other hand, is struggling down the stretch.
They?ve lost three of their last four at home in outright fashion,
including an ugly loss as a favorite against another bottom feeder,
Nebraska. In the first meeting between these two schools, Colorado
blew a 13-point lead in the final ten minutes of the game in
a four point spread covering loss to the Tigers. No surprise here
if this game comes down to the wire as well ? the Tigers will be
hard pressed to win this game at all, let alone finding a way to
win this game by a big enough margin to cover this pointspread.
Colorado at Missouri
Recommendation: Colorado
Colorado is a bottom feeder in the Big 12, sitting in last place in
the conference with only three weeks remaining in the regular
season. But don?t confuse the Buffaloes with most bottom feeders
around the nation ? this team hasn?t quit on their coach or
their season, showing dramatic signs of improvement in recent
weeks. This should be no surprise to those who have followed the
career of first year head coach Jeff Bzdelik, the coach who engineered
the amazing turnaround at Air Force earlier this decade.
Bzdelik?s team has hung tough with some elite level squads in
recent weeks, including a tight two point loss as 17.5 point road
underdogs at Texas, a one-point loss as ten point underdogs at
Oklahoma State and a pointspread cover in the game against top
notch Kansas this past weekend. The Buffaloes have covered four
straight and eight of their last ten, but they?ve retained their pointspread
value, winning only two of those games in outright fashion.
Missouri, on the other hand, is struggling down the stretch.
They?ve lost three of their last four at home in outright fashion,
including an ugly loss as a favorite against another bottom feeder,
Nebraska. In the first meeting between these two schools, Colorado
blew a 13-point lead in the final ten minutes of the game in
a four point spread covering loss to the Tigers. No surprise here
if this game comes down to the wire as well ? the Tigers will be
hard pressed to win this game at all, let alone finding a way to
win this game by a big enough margin to cover this pointspread.
MARTY OTTO (2/23)
Arkansas at Kentucky
Recommendation: Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats were absolutely embarrassed by Vanderbilt
two weeks ago in a 93-52 beat-down in Nashville. It was the type of
result maybe some had come to expect from a team that earlier in
the year lost to Gardner Webb. But Billy Gillispie?s team has come a
long way to post a modest 13-10 overall record with a solid 7-3 mark
in SEC play. The Wildcats showed some real grit in coming back to
beat LSU over the weekend and have a winnable game midweek
against Georgia at home before welcoming Arkansas. While many
analysts had counted UK out of the race for the big dance, with the
third best overall record in the SEC regardless of division, and with
a schedule the could potentially produce a 5-1 finish to the season,
I think they are still very much alive. Think about it, UK could finish
with 18 wins and a conference mark of 12-4, no committee member
would deny that resume. So this game becomes a must win. I like the
Cats at home against an Arkansas team that is 1-5 ATS overall away
from home and has their only conference road wins over bottom
feeders Auburn and LSU. A pressing, perimeter oriented team like
the Razorbacks should be a nice matchup for UK as they can stick
the likes of Joe Crawford, Ramel Bradley and the long G/F Perry
Stevenson on shooters while allowing Patrick Patterson to control
the boards inside. I?ll call for Kentucky to push their record to 6-0
SU and ATS at home in SEC by the time Saturday is over. Take UK
Arkansas at Kentucky
Recommendation: Kentucky
The Kentucky Wildcats were absolutely embarrassed by Vanderbilt
two weeks ago in a 93-52 beat-down in Nashville. It was the type of
result maybe some had come to expect from a team that earlier in
the year lost to Gardner Webb. But Billy Gillispie?s team has come a
long way to post a modest 13-10 overall record with a solid 7-3 mark
in SEC play. The Wildcats showed some real grit in coming back to
beat LSU over the weekend and have a winnable game midweek
against Georgia at home before welcoming Arkansas. While many
analysts had counted UK out of the race for the big dance, with the
third best overall record in the SEC regardless of division, and with
a schedule the could potentially produce a 5-1 finish to the season,
I think they are still very much alive. Think about it, UK could finish
with 18 wins and a conference mark of 12-4, no committee member
would deny that resume. So this game becomes a must win. I like the
Cats at home against an Arkansas team that is 1-5 ATS overall away
from home and has their only conference road wins over bottom
feeders Auburn and LSU. A pressing, perimeter oriented team like
the Razorbacks should be a nice matchup for UK as they can stick
the likes of Joe Crawford, Ramel Bradley and the long G/F Perry
Stevenson on shooters while allowing Patrick Patterson to control
the boards inside. I?ll call for Kentucky to push their record to 6-0
SU and ATS at home in SEC by the time Saturday is over. Take UK
ROB VENO (2/23)
New Orleans at San Antonio
Recommendation: San Antonio
Spurs showed solid signs of adjusting to life without star point guard
Tony Parker by closing out their pre-all star break east coast road
swing with back-to-back wins over Cleveland and Toronto. Overall,
San Antonio went 5-1 straight and 4-2 against the spread on the trip
and expect that run to carry over and motivate the defending champs
right out of the post all-star gate. The Spurs? soft schedule to open
this week (home vs. Charlotte and at Minnesota) figures to add a pair
of wins to their current streak and allow them to be fresh for this ultimate
revenge spot. San Antonio was embarrassed right here on their
home floor 102-78 by this New Orleans squad less than a month ago
so be assured that this is a contest the Spurs have circled. Combine
that motive with the 10-team fight for survival that the NBA western
conference playoffs have become and you have the ingredients for the
fifth place Spurs to give their ?A? effort here. Unlike San Antonio?s soft
scheduling prior to this contest, New Orleans is in their third game in
four nights with Dallas and Houston being the previous two opponents.
With games now likely to take on much larger meaning and sense of
urgency, look for the Hornets to enter this one a bit fatigued after
tangling with the other strong Texas contingents. Anticipate Spurs
forward tandem of Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowen to atone for 54-17
beating they were handed by Hornets counterparts David West and
Peja Stojakovic while defensive-minded point guard Jacque Vaughn
hounds Chris Paul all night. San Antonio retaliates and responds to
the January 26th fiasco by posting a solid revenge win and cover.
New Orleans at San Antonio
Recommendation: San Antonio
Spurs showed solid signs of adjusting to life without star point guard
Tony Parker by closing out their pre-all star break east coast road
swing with back-to-back wins over Cleveland and Toronto. Overall,
San Antonio went 5-1 straight and 4-2 against the spread on the trip
and expect that run to carry over and motivate the defending champs
right out of the post all-star gate. The Spurs? soft schedule to open
this week (home vs. Charlotte and at Minnesota) figures to add a pair
of wins to their current streak and allow them to be fresh for this ultimate
revenge spot. San Antonio was embarrassed right here on their
home floor 102-78 by this New Orleans squad less than a month ago
so be assured that this is a contest the Spurs have circled. Combine
that motive with the 10-team fight for survival that the NBA western
conference playoffs have become and you have the ingredients for the
fifth place Spurs to give their ?A? effort here. Unlike San Antonio?s soft
scheduling prior to this contest, New Orleans is in their third game in
four nights with Dallas and Houston being the previous two opponents.
With games now likely to take on much larger meaning and sense of
urgency, look for the Hornets to enter this one a bit fatigued after
tangling with the other strong Texas contingents. Anticipate Spurs
forward tandem of Tim Duncan and Bruce Bowen to atone for 54-17
beating they were handed by Hornets counterparts David West and
Peja Stojakovic while defensive-minded point guard Jacque Vaughn
hounds Chris Paul all night. San Antonio retaliates and responds to
the January 26th fiasco by posting a solid revenge win and cover.
TIM TRUSHEL (2/23)
Philadelphia at Miami
Recommendation: Over
The 76ers will be playing in a tough back-to-back situation as
they face Orlando and Miami on consecutive nights. With the addition
of Shawn Marion to the line-up, Pat Riley has been quoted
as saying that he?d like to see the Heat play a more up-tempo
style. True to form, the Heat have been a little more offensive
oriented since the trade eclipsing the 92 mark in all three games
while averaging 99.7 points per game. The conversion is still a
work in progress but it did lead to a little bit more up-tempo offense
resulting in the Heat, the NBA?s lowest scoring team, to
score 100 or more points for the first time in 21 games. With the
break we?d expect the Heat to devote a lot of practice time into
the offense with just one game scheduled before this Saturday
game. Meanwhile Philadelphia will be playing the second of a
back-to-back games and in its last five games in this situation
they have gone over the total in all five while averaging 208 total
points. On its own, Philadelphia has averaged 101 points scored
in its last seven in this situation of no rest. In the first two meetings
this season the Sixers had the situational advantage as they
caught Miami on back-to-backs. Revenge will be sweet for the
Heat as they push the tempo and send this one over the total
Philadelphia at Miami
Recommendation: Over
The 76ers will be playing in a tough back-to-back situation as
they face Orlando and Miami on consecutive nights. With the addition
of Shawn Marion to the line-up, Pat Riley has been quoted
as saying that he?d like to see the Heat play a more up-tempo
style. True to form, the Heat have been a little more offensive
oriented since the trade eclipsing the 92 mark in all three games
while averaging 99.7 points per game. The conversion is still a
work in progress but it did lead to a little bit more up-tempo offense
resulting in the Heat, the NBA?s lowest scoring team, to
score 100 or more points for the first time in 21 games. With the
break we?d expect the Heat to devote a lot of practice time into
the offense with just one game scheduled before this Saturday
game. Meanwhile Philadelphia will be playing the second of a
back-to-back games and in its last five games in this situation
they have gone over the total in all five while averaging 208 total
points. On its own, Philadelphia has averaged 101 points scored
in its last seven in this situation of no rest. In the first two meetings
this season the Sixers had the situational advantage as they
caught Miami on back-to-backs. Revenge will be sweet for the
Heat as they push the tempo and send this one over the total
JARED KLEIN (2/23)
Dallas at Nashville
Recommendation: Nashville
The Nashville Predators seemed to have rebounded off their
worst game of the season last Thursday night against the Chicago
Blackhawks. The Predators could do nothing right on that
night as they lost 6-1. ?Things had been going pretty well for us,?
Predators forward Jason Arnott was quoted as saying. ?This
was one bad game. Usually we are able to recover, but we came
out flat. We have to get back to the basics. We can?t dwell on
this game.? Both the players and coaches alike were not happy
and the Predators were able to rebound after that rough game
with a huge home win over the St. Louis Blues. On Saturday,
the Predators have solid value going against the Dallas Stars
who will be playing in the second half of back-to-back games
and their third game in four nights. Very quietly Nashville is
moving up the standings in the Western Conference and they
also have the second-best home record in the NHL at 19-12. The
Predators will also get a big boost from Jordin Tootoo, who is
expected to return to the lineup this week. Tootoo is a highenergy
player that led the team in penalty minutes before suffering
a hip flexor. We?ve seen teams be able to take advantage
of opponents that are playing in back-to-back games all season
long and I expect Nashville to do the same thing Saturday in
front of a sold out Sommet Center. Take Nashville this weekend.
Dallas at Nashville
Recommendation: Nashville
The Nashville Predators seemed to have rebounded off their
worst game of the season last Thursday night against the Chicago
Blackhawks. The Predators could do nothing right on that
night as they lost 6-1. ?Things had been going pretty well for us,?
Predators forward Jason Arnott was quoted as saying. ?This
was one bad game. Usually we are able to recover, but we came
out flat. We have to get back to the basics. We can?t dwell on
this game.? Both the players and coaches alike were not happy
and the Predators were able to rebound after that rough game
with a huge home win over the St. Louis Blues. On Saturday,
the Predators have solid value going against the Dallas Stars
who will be playing in the second half of back-to-back games
and their third game in four nights. Very quietly Nashville is
moving up the standings in the Western Conference and they
also have the second-best home record in the NHL at 19-12. The
Predators will also get a big boost from Jordin Tootoo, who is
expected to return to the lineup this week. Tootoo is a highenergy
player that led the team in penalty minutes before suffering
a hip flexor. We?ve seen teams be able to take advantage
of opponents that are playing in back-to-back games all season
long and I expect Nashville to do the same thing Saturday in
front of a sold out Sommet Center. Take Nashville this weekend.
THE GOLD SHEET
L.A. LAKERS by 21 over L.A. Clippers (Saturday, February 22)
RICHMOND by 11 over George Washington (Sat., Feb. 23 Day)
MICHIGAN STATE by 28 over Iowa (Saturday, Feb. 23)
MIAMI-OHIO by 10 over Valparaiso (Saturday, Feb. 23)
L.A. LAKERS by 21 over L.A. Clippers (Saturday, February 22)
RICHMOND by 11 over George Washington (Sat., Feb. 23 Day)
MICHIGAN STATE by 28 over Iowa (Saturday, Feb. 23)
MIAMI-OHIO by 10 over Valparaiso (Saturday, Feb. 23)
THE SPORTS REPORTER
BEST BET
*KENTUCKY over ARKANSAS by 9
Given their somnambulant, slipshod start and the fact that there remains a clearcut statistical
gap between Kentucky and the conference?s top six, ?Cats essentially need to win the
SEC tournament to make the Dance, and Billy Gillispie needs to focus on the precise coaching
course which will lead him from Point A (today) to the neighborhood of the promised
land/Point B. But an explosion here could propel the ?Cats forward, in a big way. Meanwhile,
fatally-flawed Hogs are likely in like Flynn. Yes, there?s no justice ? but you knew that! KENTUCKY,
81-72.
BEST BET
*SAN ANTONIO over NEW ORLEANS by 15
The Spurs must remember their 24-point loss to the Hornets in late January ? after all,
it?s difficult to forget such losses, especially for a championship squad who had all their
players healthy for the game. Now it?s time for them to exact some revenge, and are in
great position to do so as they host a New Orleans team that played last night and could
be a little overconfident about the first result, which the Spurs no doubt have gone to
school on. SAN ANTONIO 96-79
BEST BET
*KENTUCKY over ARKANSAS by 9
Given their somnambulant, slipshod start and the fact that there remains a clearcut statistical
gap between Kentucky and the conference?s top six, ?Cats essentially need to win the
SEC tournament to make the Dance, and Billy Gillispie needs to focus on the precise coaching
course which will lead him from Point A (today) to the neighborhood of the promised
land/Point B. But an explosion here could propel the ?Cats forward, in a big way. Meanwhile,
fatally-flawed Hogs are likely in like Flynn. Yes, there?s no justice ? but you knew that! KENTUCKY,
81-72.
BEST BET
*SAN ANTONIO over NEW ORLEANS by 15
The Spurs must remember their 24-point loss to the Hornets in late January ? after all,
it?s difficult to forget such losses, especially for a championship squad who had all their
players healthy for the game. Now it?s time for them to exact some revenge, and are in
great position to do so as they host a New Orleans team that played last night and could
be a little overconfident about the first result, which the Spurs no doubt have gone to
school on. SAN ANTONIO 96-79
Tom Hatfield from Razor Sharp Sports
COMP PLAY
Take the TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS over the Memphis Tigers
COMP PLAY
Take the TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS over the Memphis Tigers
BRANDON LANG
SATURDAY
15 Dime: Tennessee
15 Dime: Oral Roberts
15 Dime: Boise State
5 Dime: Richmond
5 Dime: Bradley
5 Dime: Oklahoma State
Free Pick - VCU and Kent State
SATURDAY
15 Dime: Tennessee
15 Dime: Oral Roberts
15 Dime: Boise State
5 Dime: Richmond
5 Dime: Bradley
5 Dime: Oklahoma State
Free Pick - VCU and Kent State
Deano's Free B
Deano's Free B
Josh Dean
***30 Dimes out today***
Record: 70-57 OA-- -- >34-28-2 NBA<
Top Picks: 25-17-2
15* Miami
---------------------------
10* Washington -4.5
5* Texas -9
Free B: Denver -3.5 (GOW)
Deano's Free B
Josh Dean
***30 Dimes out today***
Record: 70-57 OA-- -- >34-28-2 NBA<
Top Picks: 25-17-2
15* Miami
---------------------------
10* Washington -4.5
5* Texas -9
Free B: Denver -3.5 (GOW)
