In our everlong search for value we got burned last night as the Mavs came out laying more bricks than a masons' convention in Philly and went down in embarassing fashion. One respected SBR player said it looked like a trap, which it proved to be. That's OK though, today is a new day, and I have a spot for you that looks extremely sweet.
Now first off I am going to tell you that I absolutely despise making this pick. I am an advid fan of Arizona basketball. I started liking them as a teenager in the Sean Elliot/Anthony Cook days and enjoyed many years of prominence from "point guard U" as studs such as Mike Bibby, Jason Terry, Richard Jefferson, Gilbert "boom boom" (lol) Arenas, Andre Iguadala, Damon Stoudamire, just to name a few, passed through. Lute Olsen is bar none my favorite coach ever. That being said, those days are a thing of the distant past.
The transition for Zona from an elite program to an average to a little bit above average one has been painful me as it has been for other Wildcat fans. The sharp play though has nothing to do with feelings or who you want to win. It has to to with following trends and betting the best spots.
Zona lost their last two really good players last year when Chase Buddinger and Jordan Hill moved on to the NBA. Yes, Nick Wise can ball and can make some amazing plays but he is by no means an elite NCAA point guard. They have some other players who can do some things in small streaks too and Mike Miller has done a good job to make it even exciting sometimes, but they are simply in over their heads here. There are some nights where they are just going to be going up against better talent and this is one of them - and let me tell you that's something that I am not used to saying as a Wildcat fan.
Arizona State looks to likely be the Pac-10's lone representative in the NCAA Tournament this year. In two home games versus Pac-10 teams, they have won by a combined 42 points. One was a 25 point drubbing of a Washington State team that is 2nd in the Pac-10, 14-5 over all, and only lost on the road versus Gonzaga by 5. The other was a 17 point whooping of a Washington team that, though inconsistent, is considered one of the best in the Pac-10. Overall Arizona State is 11-1 at home and most of the games have not been competitive.
Now don't by any means take what I'm saying to mean that you should be betting the Sundevils to do anything impressive on the road this year, or on a neutral court for that matter. This, in my mind, is simply a team that in my mind comes out blazing at home.
If you are looking to go gray and/or bald at an early age do yourself a favor and try handicapping the Pac-10 all season this year. The conference is in a horrible place talent wise, and nothing seems real. It's a circus where it seems sometimes like any team can beat any other team on any given night. It's really a shame what has become of the conference. What a difference a few years makes, right? Look through the NBA rosters on any given night and it is disgusting how many Pac-10 players are great players now. Again though, that is the past. We live, and bet in the present tense.
Very few things are going to be consistent in the Pac-10 this year. Arizona State at home is one of them.
Let's lay 11 units on the Sundevils to do work and cover at home. Love ya Cats, but you are toast here.
As always best of luck tonight fellas.
Stevek173 Value picks as of 1/23/10: 1-1, +7 units.
Now first off I am going to tell you that I absolutely despise making this pick. I am an advid fan of Arizona basketball. I started liking them as a teenager in the Sean Elliot/Anthony Cook days and enjoyed many years of prominence from "point guard U" as studs such as Mike Bibby, Jason Terry, Richard Jefferson, Gilbert "boom boom" (lol) Arenas, Andre Iguadala, Damon Stoudamire, just to name a few, passed through. Lute Olsen is bar none my favorite coach ever. That being said, those days are a thing of the distant past.
The transition for Zona from an elite program to an average to a little bit above average one has been painful me as it has been for other Wildcat fans. The sharp play though has nothing to do with feelings or who you want to win. It has to to with following trends and betting the best spots.
Zona lost their last two really good players last year when Chase Buddinger and Jordan Hill moved on to the NBA. Yes, Nick Wise can ball and can make some amazing plays but he is by no means an elite NCAA point guard. They have some other players who can do some things in small streaks too and Mike Miller has done a good job to make it even exciting sometimes, but they are simply in over their heads here. There are some nights where they are just going to be going up against better talent and this is one of them - and let me tell you that's something that I am not used to saying as a Wildcat fan.
Arizona State looks to likely be the Pac-10's lone representative in the NCAA Tournament this year. In two home games versus Pac-10 teams, they have won by a combined 42 points. One was a 25 point drubbing of a Washington State team that is 2nd in the Pac-10, 14-5 over all, and only lost on the road versus Gonzaga by 5. The other was a 17 point whooping of a Washington team that, though inconsistent, is considered one of the best in the Pac-10. Overall Arizona State is 11-1 at home and most of the games have not been competitive.
Now don't by any means take what I'm saying to mean that you should be betting the Sundevils to do anything impressive on the road this year, or on a neutral court for that matter. This, in my mind, is simply a team that in my mind comes out blazing at home.
If you are looking to go gray and/or bald at an early age do yourself a favor and try handicapping the Pac-10 all season this year. The conference is in a horrible place talent wise, and nothing seems real. It's a circus where it seems sometimes like any team can beat any other team on any given night. It's really a shame what has become of the conference. What a difference a few years makes, right? Look through the NBA rosters on any given night and it is disgusting how many Pac-10 players are great players now. Again though, that is the past. We live, and bet in the present tense.
Very few things are going to be consistent in the Pac-10 this year. Arizona State at home is one of them.
Let's lay 11 units on the Sundevils to do work and cover at home. Love ya Cats, but you are toast here.
As always best of luck tonight fellas.
Stevek173 Value picks as of 1/23/10: 1-1, +7 units.
