Friday the 13th is college basketball opening day! I seriously cannot wait until tipoff.
I've already done hours of research on top of my extensive recruiting knowledge which is crucial to early season betting in NCAAB.
I capped the big time Friday games below, with the team I lean towards given the estimated range of spread. Lines will be released Thursday, and discussion of the games prior to spreads being released will provide unbiased edges.
Without further ado:
SFA 51 - Baylor 67 (2014 result)
Baylor returns the beastly Gathers & Prince for a formidable front court, but lost PG Cherry & O'neale who scored 19/14/5 in '14 matchup - the duo avg'd 21 ppg combined during the season.
SFA was top of the country in assists, & 3pts, return key players Walkup, Pinkney, Johnson
SFA +12-15
McNeese 72 - LSU 83 ('14 result)
LSU returns Gray, Quarterman, Bridgewater, all did well last year in this matchup & guard Hornsby. They add big time recruit Blakeney and the #1 freshman in the country Ben Simmons.
McNeese lost its top two scorers ~30ppg
LSU -24-27
UNC - Temple
No Marcus Paige, as he's out the first month due to injury. Paige is clutch in 2nd half and great at getting to the line, which pads leads.
Temple's snub from ncaa tourney should be extra motivation but the owls are very freshmen reliant now
Temple +12-16
N Colo - Kansas
N Colo lost top 3 scorers & rebounders
KU playing together all summer as the Gold Medal winning US Team. Even if Cheik Diallo (best freshman in the country IMO) doesn't get cleared by ncaa to play Friday, this should be a bloodbath.
KU-27-33
Pitt - Gonzaga
Pitt returns scoring from forwards but no guardplay - lost 2 starting guards. Only size at center is juco transfer 300 pounder who will get eaten up by Karnowski. Wiljter and Sabonis have the talent to score inside and out. Should be a high scoring affair over in Japan.
Zaga -7-10
E Carolina - Grambling State
The worst team in the country last year has 10 new players and a coach who's been there for a year - as opposed to a week. Grambling State could remain 'underrated' for a little while, inflating spreads against them.
G St + 18
N Fla - Illinois
UNF returns 4 starters & top 3 reserves from the A-Sun champ team from last season. Can compete with Illinois in shooting from behind the arc, and 6'11" Banks can hold his own against Charlotte transfer Thorne. Illini lost their identity down low with Egwu, along with guards Cosby, Starks, and leading scorer Ray Rice.
UNF +6-7
I've already done hours of research on top of my extensive recruiting knowledge which is crucial to early season betting in NCAAB.
I capped the big time Friday games below, with the team I lean towards given the estimated range of spread. Lines will be released Thursday, and discussion of the games prior to spreads being released will provide unbiased edges.
Without further ado:
SFA 51 - Baylor 67 (2014 result)
Baylor returns the beastly Gathers & Prince for a formidable front court, but lost PG Cherry & O'neale who scored 19/14/5 in '14 matchup - the duo avg'd 21 ppg combined during the season.
SFA was top of the country in assists, & 3pts, return key players Walkup, Pinkney, Johnson
SFA +12-15
McNeese 72 - LSU 83 ('14 result)
LSU returns Gray, Quarterman, Bridgewater, all did well last year in this matchup & guard Hornsby. They add big time recruit Blakeney and the #1 freshman in the country Ben Simmons.
McNeese lost its top two scorers ~30ppg
LSU -24-27
UNC - Temple
No Marcus Paige, as he's out the first month due to injury. Paige is clutch in 2nd half and great at getting to the line, which pads leads.
Temple's snub from ncaa tourney should be extra motivation but the owls are very freshmen reliant now
Temple +12-16
N Colo - Kansas
N Colo lost top 3 scorers & rebounders
KU playing together all summer as the Gold Medal winning US Team. Even if Cheik Diallo (best freshman in the country IMO) doesn't get cleared by ncaa to play Friday, this should be a bloodbath.
KU-27-33
Pitt - Gonzaga
Pitt returns scoring from forwards but no guardplay - lost 2 starting guards. Only size at center is juco transfer 300 pounder who will get eaten up by Karnowski. Wiljter and Sabonis have the talent to score inside and out. Should be a high scoring affair over in Japan.
Zaga -7-10
E Carolina - Grambling State
The worst team in the country last year has 10 new players and a coach who's been there for a year - as opposed to a week. Grambling State could remain 'underrated' for a little while, inflating spreads against them.
G St + 18
N Fla - Illinois
UNF returns 4 starters & top 3 reserves from the A-Sun champ team from last season. Can compete with Illinois in shooting from behind the arc, and 6'11" Banks can hold his own against Charlotte transfer Thorne. Illini lost their identity down low with Egwu, along with guards Cosby, Starks, and leading scorer Ray Rice.
UNF +6-7