Tailed you on that one. 
-
Comment -
Record: 7-9 (-2.43)
Yeah I was a bit unlucky yesterday on two of my 2nd half plays. That Butler won goes over by two points. In the NBA, I had one go over by a point. My goal today is to get to .500 damn it.
Comment -
PLAY #17: [2nd Half] Georgia Tech -2.5 (-115)
Jackets played a poor first half and were shut down by the Dayton defense. Not expecting Tech to allow Dayton as much freedom at the 3 point line. Tech MUST make some FTs to keep this game closer. It would be a 4-5 pt. game if they were shooting worth a crap from the FT line, just 6 of 13 in the 1st half. Also need to cut turnovers down.Comment -
Record: 8-9 (-1.43)
PLAY #18: PENN STATE -11.5 (-110)
Penn State may not be the same squad as last season, but Talor Battle alone has them off to a solid start. Battle is putting up 17.5 ppg through the first two and the Nittany Lions as a team are averaging 75. That may be a bit of a surprise considering the players who are gone from last season, but Penn State has solid point production from Jeff Brooks. Babb & Frazier led the 3 point parade last time out, combining for 9 makes. Considering Battle only had 8 points in the last game, a 19 point win over Robert Morris, you'd have to like PSU in this spot. UNC-Wilmington as was the case last year appears to be a wreck defensively, allowing 49% shooting so far. They come in having blown a 9 point half-time lead to G.Washington, being outscored by 14 in the 2nd half. They are shooting under 40% as a team.Comment -
PLAY #19: [1st Half] INDIANA/MISSISSIPPI OVER 69 (-110)
Penn State sucks!Comment -
Record: 9-10 (-1.53)
PLAY #20: RIDER +5 (-105)
I'll bit here. Rider may be the "small school" in this match-up, but they have the major talent compared to Virginia. Ryan Thompson should be the best player on the court as the Rider stud scored 19 last time out when the Broncos beat Lehigh. He had 16 in their upset of ranked Mississippi State. Rider though has plenty of help for Thompson, including Novar Gadson down low. He lead the club in points and rebounds with 20 ppg and about 9 rpg. Rider is shooting nearly 50% from the floor in their 1st two games and their D has been steady, allowing just under 42% from the floor. Virginia struggled against S.Florida after beating Longwood in their opener. UVA provided little D, allowing the Bulls to shoot over 50%. They shot just 32% themselves. They were 2 for 12 from distance after a respectable 6 of 14 against Longwood. If Virginia wasn't in a power conference, they'd likely be an underdog here even at home. Rider is still seeking respect in the MAAC, sitting just behind Siena talent-wise an probably neck and neck with Niagara. Even though this may be a down year for UVA, a Rider win here would boost their confidence and it's not unlikely. In any case, getting plus 5 here seems very nice.Comment -
Record: 9-11 (-2.58)
Brutal.
Comment -
Brutal indeed!
I want to try South Carolina for redemption!Comment -
PLAY #21: [2nd Half] LaSalle/S.Carolina OVER 81.5 (-110)
Factor in the 7 points only in the first five minutes, then 67 in the next 15 and these two teams could fly past this total in the 2nd half. Need fouls to help get to the FT line, something both did well in their earlier games. Both shooting decently.
Comment -
Record: 9-12 (-3.68)
I am awful. Yay.
Comment -
PLAY #22: [2nd Half] DePaul/Northern Iowa UNDER 68 (-110)
Jump shooting teams here with DePaul not attempting a FT and N.Iowa getting 8 attempts. DePaul has hoisted up quite a few shots (33), but failed to connect on many of them (12 makes). N.Iowa buried 7/11 from 3. 11 of their 21 shots coming from distance. They play that half court set well and should continue to grind it. If DePaul can tighten it up a tad, then this should stay low scoring.Comment -
PLAY #23: [1st Half] E.Carolina/Tennessee OVER 64.5 (-110)
This could be a bad line as the game total is 160? In any case, the Vols should push the tempo here against an over-matched ECU squad. Tennessee has been shooting well through just two against a couple cupcakes, but ECU has been more than giving, yielding over 81 ppg. Wake Forest crushed them in a 1st half that saw 74 points. In losing to Campbell last time out, they worked a 73 point 1st half. So long as Tennessee wreaks havoc with some pressure - which means ECU needs to make some shorts - this seems a good shot.
Comment -
Record: 11-12 (-1.68)
Well geeze 2-0 today and within a win of .500. This next pick oughta be a good fade whatever it winds up being.
Comment -
PLAY #24: [2nd Half] AKRON -3 (-115)
Miserable first half for the Zips. Ridiculous 1st half for the Wolfpack. If NC State shoots 65%, well then they deserve to win by 20+. They lead 43-21. Akron shot just over 32% from the floor. They are not a great shooting squad, but this is an NCAA tournament team from a year ago with a lot of pieces back in place. Has to start with defense. If Akron plays some, they can give themselves a chance to make a run.Comment -
PLAY #25: [1st Half] California/Ohio State OVER 69.5 (-105)
Buckeyes need a quick start. Cal's D could be the elixir to help them recover from last night's bad start vs. UNC. OSU's fast finish shows the offense they can have when they're on. Even without Robertson, Cal can score in bunches with its guards.Comment -
Record: 11-14 (-3.88)
****ing clockwork. Win 2. Lose 2. Can't get to .500.
PLAY #26: Central Florida +5 (-109)
UCF's roster is mostly returness from a very young team last season. The Golden Knights have started off 2-0 with wins over UMASS & Howard. Auburn is 1-1 after falling on the road by double digits to Missouri State. Auburn's offense early on has not been great, shooting under 40% while UCF has been a bit more consistent. That consistency coupled with two solid defenses should lead to a close contest and hopefully one that UCF can stay competitive and close.Comment -
PLAY #27: Brown +16 (-105)
I know Brown is Ivy League & St.John's is Big East, but the Johnnies simply are not that good. Brown returns three double-digit scorers from a season ago. They haven't looked particularly good, losing by 20+ & 14 points to Rhode Island & Virginia Tech. This may be a fade of St.John's as much as anything. They beat LIU by 13 and then held off a good St.Bonavenure team by a point. Still, the Johnnies just aren't special to me. Prove me wrong or I get some cashola.Comment -
PLAY #28: OLE MISS +105
Fairly even match-up, but I like the shooting & tempo that Ole Miss is likely to dictate in this one. If they make their shots, their pressure D could make the differenceComment -
PLAY #29: [2nd Half] PROVIDENCE +5 (-120)
Poor shooting by PC & 'Bama, especially Bama. I liked Providence to have a shot to win this straight up tonight and +5 would have them losing by one at worst. They lead 37-33 at the half. If all is equal, I like PC to hang on here - but be warned I trended toward a couple wins again, so losses may be imminent.Comment -
PLAY #30: South Carolina -4.5 (-107)
Team unbeatens with South Florida in South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks. Both can consider this their best test to date and I think it will show more-so for South Florida as the Bulls are likely to be in the Big East cellar. South Carolina meanwhile is expected to contend in the SEC and possibly push for a NCAA bid or at the least, NIT. Devan Downey is stil the man for the 'Cocks, but Dominique Archie is the leading scorer so far with 50 points in the first three games. Both have solid defensive numbers, but I think SC is the superior talent in this one. If they can dictate tempo, they should control this game. If USF is able to slow it down, then the Bulls will keep it close.Comment -
PLAY #31: [2nd Half] BYU -2.5 (-115)
Coogs up by 10 with both teams shooting over 50%. BYU is still the better quality here and if their D begins to clamp down, they can push this lead out further. Hit it or quit it.
Comment -
Record: 15-16 (-2.10)
6-4 today, that is alright with me. Still searching for the elusive .500. That is the goal by the end of the weekend, get to .500 or better.
Comment -
You'll get over the 500 hump today Eagles, good luck bud.Comment -
PLAY #32: NORTH TEXAS +14 (-105)
These two teams met last season at Stillwater with the Cowboys winning 100-88. UNT brings back all five starters from last season + Arizona State transfer George Odufowa who is averaging a double-double in just two games. Okie State features three returning starters and some fresh faces + transfers. James Anderson is the stud, coming off a career best 30 point game. The Mean Green got a taste of the Cowboys last year and one would hope that experience helps them this time around. UNT is seeking another 20 win season and a potential NCAA birth out of the Sun Belt as one of the favorites in the West Division. Being competitive today would give them a boost of early confidence.
Comment -
Record: 15-16-1 (-2.10)
Push, 82-68 Oklahoma State wins. Had a chance to go either way as UNT had the game in single digits for a large portion of the 2nd half, but then it got extended to double digits late. Better than losing!
Comment -
PLAY #33: [2nd Half] USC -5 (-110)
This one is 33-25 USC over Loyola (MT) at the half. The stats show it should be much more lopsided with the Lions shooting just 33% and USC hitting 50%. Loyola has stayed in it with more FTs than USC. Still after Loyola got up to an early 16-8 lead, USC went on a big run and tied it at 21. Then ran out 12-4 to end the half. If they remain hot shooting the rock. play solid D & Dwight Lewis wakes up (just 4 pts), the Trojans could cruise in the 2nd half & stretch this lead out into the teens.
Comment -
Record: 15-17-1 (-3.20)
USC completely unraveled. Chalk up the loss, another step backwards.
Comment -
i have 4 winning days and go up over my goal... and today i give back everything i won yesterday and possible then some. was over 1300 and now back to 800Comment -
PLAY #34: [1st Half] Valpo/Michigan State OVER 67 (-110)
Valpo's D is not great as they gave up 88 to UNC and 88 to Ball State in 2 of their three games thus far. Michigan State should want to get off to a quicker start than they have to this point. Looking for them to pound it into the paint. They'll need to convert FTs to help this out, something they have not done well so far. Valpo CAN score and will need a solid start to avoid taking bad shots the rest of the half.
Comment -
PLAY #35: DAYTON PK (-105)
I would say this line is a total lack of respect for a quality Dayton club, but I think it's more just that the linesmakers/public are in lust with Kansas State for some reason. K-State was a favorite against Ole Miss last time at the tip & the Rebels won by 12. Now, you put Dayton into the mix, the Flyers squad that played #5 Villanova to a 6 point game & beat a solid Georgia Tech club by 4. and make this a toss-up? Don't get it, but I'll take it. K-State does play good defense and that will keep this tight, but if Dayton is the team that many think they are, this is a must-win game.
Comment -
Record: 16-17-1 (-2.20)
Alright good start today. Today today today .. I I I .... say say say ... goodbye goodbye goodbye to being under .500 damn it.
Comment -
PLAY #36: [1st Half] UNC-Wilmington +5.5 (-110)
Wilmington may be a bit better than some think this season in the Colonial as they have been competitive in their first 4 games, despite a 1-3 mark. They played Miami tough in their last game, which came on the heels of pummeling Penn State. South Florida has been a surprise early start at 3-1 in my books, but they are not an overly explosive bunch. To me, if UNC-Wilmington (5 returning starters) hits their outside shots early, then they keep this game close for awhile.
Comment -
Good luck EaglesPhanComment -
PLAY #37: South Carolina/Miami, FL. OVER 140 (-105)
Hoping this one is maybe 10 points shy of where it should be based on the lower scoring both teams had in their last games. Still, 140 in a game involving up-tempo South Carolina is always a good shot to take the OVER. Both teams have been good defensively, but both also have the offensive squads to put up 70-80 points each. Even in a slower game vs. USF, South Carolina's total came up to 135. So against a better offensive team, I think this one can eclipse this total if pace stays in SC's favor.
Comment -
Record: 17-17-1 (-1.20)
Here we come baby! Uncle Mo has come to visit my house. 37-32 South Florida ahead at the half, gotta love those half points!
Comment
