Let's keep rolling out west with tonights semi-final matchups in the WAC and Big West conferences. Yesterday was a nice success going 3-0, but can never be content so let's carry this momentum over into tonight's games.
Picks:
Louisiana Tech (+2)
Long Beach State (+2)
Nevada/New Mexico State (Over 135)
Reasons:
Louisiana Tech (+2) vs. Utah State
These teams both play well at both ends of the court, but they pride themselves and win games in entirely different fashions. The Bulldogs are a defense-first team while the Aggies are a strong offensive minded team. The two meetings this year were decided by a total of 10 points with both games going to Utah State. These games were very misleading however. Louisiana Tech played uncharacteristically from their normal style in the first game turning the ball over and commiting numerous unnecessary fouls. Millsap got into foul trouble and they were forced to play behind the whole day without the main man logging his normal minutes. In the second game they were playing great Bulldog basketball causing turnovers, taking care of the ball, outrebounding their opponent, but the Aggies shot 57% from the field and 56% from 3 point range. This was absurd. They would never duplicate that feat again. Just one of those nights where everything they put up was going in. Even with their incredible shooting display, they only won by 1 point. Not trying to make excuses for the Bulldogs losses, just saying both games were poor measures of how good this Tech team is. Tonight's game will come down to rebounding, second chances, turnover battle, and defending the three point line. These are the areas that I believe define the Bulldogs. They are the best rebounding team in the WAC, especially on the offensive glass where they are so dangerous, are great at slowing down offenses, protecting the ball, and controlling the tempo of the game. As good as Nate Harris is for the Aggies, he has been contained by Millsap in both meetings. Tech needs to stop Carrol and his outside shooting. I think yesterday's game is the type of team you will see today, just even more focused at the task at hand. They held Boise State to (2 for 15) from 3 point range and created 19 turnovers. This is the game that shows just how good Tech is.
Long Beach State (+2) vs. UC Irvine
Like I mentioned yesterday, when I bet the 49ers hard, they almost disregard defense to a point and will beat you with their explosive offense. Putting up 85 points or more now for the 14th time. This team can flat out fly and will score in bunches at a time. In yesterday's thread I also mentioned how they just beat UC Irvine, the best defensive team in the Big West by 20 points on the Anteaters home court, 93-73. This team has now won 6 straight and comes into this game with so much momentum. Long Beach has shown that they can score at will. The two teams split the season series, but to explain just how explosive this team is, in their first meeting UC Irvine was up 19 points with 8 minutes left and then the 49ers went on a 36-20 run over the rest of the game. 36 points in 8 minutes against the "so called best defensive team" in the Big West. Over the year this team has matured and finally hit its groove. Just too many weapons on this team. The N2H combo is too difficult to contain. Nixon, Hodges, and Hawkins create too many problems. If you focus on one, the other will score. Not to mention Kejuan Johnson is a solid player in his right. Scoring 16 points yesterday as well. In their last meeting, UC Irvine was up 21 points, but after the 49ers outscored the the Anteaters 53-27 in the second half, this game turned into a lopsided LBSU victory. This should be a good game, but like Long Beach to stay in their zone and prevail with their superior athleticism.
Nevada/New Mexico State (Over 135)
This will be an up-tempo game with a lot of scoring. Two great offensive teams with great scorers. Fazekas and Kemp for the Wolfpack and Nelson and Ingram for New Mexico. Both meetings this year went over and I like this to continue. These teams can flat out shoot and the Aggies know they have to score alot to stay up with Nevada. With both teams coming in playing extremely well, confidence will be high on both ends. When you concentrate on Fazekas and controlling their inside game, the Wolfpack makes you pay with Kemp and Shiloh on the perimeter. They stretch you out defensively. New Mexico is tough with the combination of size and speed. They can play the inside out game quite well which they have shown against the Wolfpack. This game should have a lot of scoring. Like the over alot.
GL everyone. Let's keep rolling tonight.
Grayden
Picks:
Louisiana Tech (+2)
Long Beach State (+2)
Nevada/New Mexico State (Over 135)
Reasons:
Louisiana Tech (+2) vs. Utah State
These teams both play well at both ends of the court, but they pride themselves and win games in entirely different fashions. The Bulldogs are a defense-first team while the Aggies are a strong offensive minded team. The two meetings this year were decided by a total of 10 points with both games going to Utah State. These games were very misleading however. Louisiana Tech played uncharacteristically from their normal style in the first game turning the ball over and commiting numerous unnecessary fouls. Millsap got into foul trouble and they were forced to play behind the whole day without the main man logging his normal minutes. In the second game they were playing great Bulldog basketball causing turnovers, taking care of the ball, outrebounding their opponent, but the Aggies shot 57% from the field and 56% from 3 point range. This was absurd. They would never duplicate that feat again. Just one of those nights where everything they put up was going in. Even with their incredible shooting display, they only won by 1 point. Not trying to make excuses for the Bulldogs losses, just saying both games were poor measures of how good this Tech team is. Tonight's game will come down to rebounding, second chances, turnover battle, and defending the three point line. These are the areas that I believe define the Bulldogs. They are the best rebounding team in the WAC, especially on the offensive glass where they are so dangerous, are great at slowing down offenses, protecting the ball, and controlling the tempo of the game. As good as Nate Harris is for the Aggies, he has been contained by Millsap in both meetings. Tech needs to stop Carrol and his outside shooting. I think yesterday's game is the type of team you will see today, just even more focused at the task at hand. They held Boise State to (2 for 15) from 3 point range and created 19 turnovers. This is the game that shows just how good Tech is.
Long Beach State (+2) vs. UC Irvine
Like I mentioned yesterday, when I bet the 49ers hard, they almost disregard defense to a point and will beat you with their explosive offense. Putting up 85 points or more now for the 14th time. This team can flat out fly and will score in bunches at a time. In yesterday's thread I also mentioned how they just beat UC Irvine, the best defensive team in the Big West by 20 points on the Anteaters home court, 93-73. This team has now won 6 straight and comes into this game with so much momentum. Long Beach has shown that they can score at will. The two teams split the season series, but to explain just how explosive this team is, in their first meeting UC Irvine was up 19 points with 8 minutes left and then the 49ers went on a 36-20 run over the rest of the game. 36 points in 8 minutes against the "so called best defensive team" in the Big West. Over the year this team has matured and finally hit its groove. Just too many weapons on this team. The N2H combo is too difficult to contain. Nixon, Hodges, and Hawkins create too many problems. If you focus on one, the other will score. Not to mention Kejuan Johnson is a solid player in his right. Scoring 16 points yesterday as well. In their last meeting, UC Irvine was up 21 points, but after the 49ers outscored the the Anteaters 53-27 in the second half, this game turned into a lopsided LBSU victory. This should be a good game, but like Long Beach to stay in their zone and prevail with their superior athleticism.
Nevada/New Mexico State (Over 135)
This will be an up-tempo game with a lot of scoring. Two great offensive teams with great scorers. Fazekas and Kemp for the Wolfpack and Nelson and Ingram for New Mexico. Both meetings this year went over and I like this to continue. These teams can flat out shoot and the Aggies know they have to score alot to stay up with Nevada. With both teams coming in playing extremely well, confidence will be high on both ends. When you concentrate on Fazekas and controlling their inside game, the Wolfpack makes you pay with Kemp and Shiloh on the perimeter. They stretch you out defensively. New Mexico is tough with the combination of size and speed. They can play the inside out game quite well which they have shown against the Wolfpack. This game should have a lot of scoring. Like the over alot.
GL everyone. Let's keep rolling tonight.
Grayden
