WAC and Big West Thurs

[CogentSage]

WAC and Big West

The WAC has been a good conference this year and this year's tournament should provide for some great games. The Big West has a couple good teams that can scrap and are extremely athletic.

Picks:
Louisiana Tech (-7)

Reasons:

Louisiana Tech vs. Boise St.
The Broncos are coming into this game 2-5 in their last 7 and lost both meetings this year to the Bulldogs. This includes their last game before the tournament in which they needed overtime to beat doormat Idaho. Couple this with a team that just beat Hawaii on their court, which up to that point they had been undefeated in conference play. This is a Bulldog team that is hungry, and is led by Millsap who in my opinion is just as good as Fazekas from Nevada. The Bulldogs have the best defense in the WAC and know a strong showing will get them into the NCAA tournament. My only concern is: Louisiana Tech sometimes lets teams stick around too long. I don't see this being the case today. In the two games this year, the Bulldogs outrebounded the Broncos 83-48 and a huge difference is Tech's bench. They are deep and play such great D. I really like Tech today and think they will confuse Coby Karl and the Broncos.

More to come, but wanted to get this game in for you guy. GL


Grayden

 

[bake2252]

thanks. always like your out west input. Your usually right on.

 

[CogentSage]

Two others I will be betting hard on

New Mexico St (-1)
Long Beach State (-1)


Reasons:
Hawaii vs. New Mexico State (-1)

These two teams have played each other tough this year with both squeezing out victories on their home courts. Both playing exceptional basketball. New Mexico State is 7-1 in their last eight and Hawaii is 7-2 in their last nine. Both however are coming off losses. With this game and the tournament being played in Nevada this year and away from the island I see this being a huge problem for the Warriors. Not only does Hawaii play poor away from Stan Sheriff, but they were delivered a huge blow when Ahmet Gueye got hurt and is out for the rest of the season. This was the guy that made them a formidable team and took pressure off of Sensley. This poses a huge problem, a 6'8 problem. That is a big athletic body to try to fill. I just dont see how the Warriors will be able to compete on such a high level against a dangerous Aggies team. Nelson and Ingram have been such a tough combination of size and speed and their inside outside game has been outstanding. Then if you ever figure that combo out, then you have to remember about Mitchell, who is deadly from outside. Too many weapons on NMSU against a depleted Hawaii team makes this such a strong play. Food for thought, Hawaii had not lost at home this entire year in conference play until the last game of the year against Louisiana Tech, and that was the first game Hawaii played without Gueye. Coincidence ..... I don't think so. I am all over the Aggies.


Cal State Fullerton vs. Long Beach State (-1)

This is a game I really like as well. Long Beach keeps amazing me, because they do not play great defense, but their offense is just so explosive. In this conference that just might be enough. They even showed in their last game againt the best defensive team in the Big West, UC Irvine, that their offense is no match for any team in the conference. Beating UC Irvine by 20 points on the Anteaters home floor, 93-73. The 49ers have put up 85 or more points in 13 games this year and 100 points 3 times which includes a 108 point game against Manhattan. With 5 straight victories going into tournament play, I really like Long Beach to make some noise. This is such a balanced attack as well with their starting 5 all averaging at least 10 ppg. The N2H as they call it in the Big West is so dangerous. Nixon, Hodges, and Hawkins. These 3 lead the way. Fullerton just played less than 24 hours ago, has had a weak schedule outside of conference play, and before the conference tournament started they played South Dakota State and UC Davis. Two poor teams with a combined 17-40 record. Not games you want to warm up to before you play a team like Long Beach. All 49ers

 

[CogentSage]

Louisiana Tech started my day off great. Had them on a card by themselves as well as a parlay with San Diego State, which also hit. So got a nice little cushion headed into this evening. Like I said earlier, Louisiana Tech lets teams stick around too long, which was the case today up until the 6 and half minute mark. They finally got serious and played solid down the stretch to pull away. Millsap had another great game with 19 points and 17 boards for the junior's 66th double double in his career. Tonight got the Aggies and 49ers big as stated above. GL to everyone.

 

[CogentSage]

Well thursday was a great day. I got the trifecta. New Mexico State won by one point. I am so glad I waited later in the evening to place that bet with the line moving from the opening of New Mexico St (-1) to the evening's line of (+1). This game surprised me. I thought without Gueye and being away from Stan Sheriff this game would not of been so close. But that is tourney ball. These teams played each other so tough this year. The three games were decided by a total of 9 points. Thursday went well for me as I hope the ones with me did well too. Louisiana Tech, Long Beach, and New Mexico all covering was a good start going into friday. I will be posting my plays for tomorrow's WAC and Big West games. Let's keep rolling out west.