[Snowball]

St. Mary's -7 @ San Diego and California -6 @ Oregon State.

California -6: Cali will continue to strengthen its resume tonight with a convincing road win @ Oregon St. See info below. With Gutierrez at 100% and Randle staying hot, I can see them handily outscoring Oregon St lackluster offense.
Cali has high focus and has eliminated mistakes. They boast very high RPI and are very serious about making headway in the Dance. As far as an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament is concerned, the Bears RPI separates them from the Pac-10 pack, thanks to robust strength-of-schedule rating that was the result of non-conference losses to Kansas, Syracuse, Ohio State and New Mexico. Road losses at Arizona and USC knocked them into a four-way tie for first place, but the Bears responded with a 72-58 win at UCLA, then a home sweep of the Washington schools, giving them sole possession of first place entering the final three weeks of the regular season.
The Golden Bears got the victory they badly wanted and avoided the upset defeat they could not afford, so they remain alone in first place in the Pac-10.
Cal (17-8, 9-4) avenged its worst loss of the conference season, shredding Washington's defense in a 93-81 victory. Then the Bears rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit, outscoring Washington State 15-0 over the final four minutes in an 86-70 win.
Senior guard Jerome Randle exorcised demons in the win over UW, scoring 33 points a month after suffering his worst game of the season in Seattle. Randle shot 2-for-9 with eight turnovers in the Bears' 84-69 loss at UW.
"I had this game on my schedule," Randle said. "I just wanted to come out and be aggressive for my teammates. I think my teammates feed off of that."
Fellow senior Jamal Boykin said he was inspired by Randle's play. "You can't knock this man down," he said.
Same could be said for sophomore guard Jorge Gutierrez, now mostly recovered from a knee injury that knocked him out of six games in January. Put in the starting lineup for the Washington game, the Bears' defensive specialist totaled 25 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals in the two wins.
"This is what he does every day -- in practice or in the game," Randle said of Gutierrez's ferocity and energy. "He changes the game every time he's on the floor."
"He's a tough sucker, boy," added coach Mike Montgomery. "Once he locks into you, it's kind of like a personal war for him. Somebody says something to him, and he don't forget it. ... He gets after it."

St. Mary's -7: Returning back to Cali although still "on the road" playing in San Diego, Mary's is coming off a dissapointing overtime loss to Portland. Yet Portland obviously is head & shoulders above San Diego. Mary's will probably have to beat Gonzaga in West Coast Conf. tournament if they want a Dance ticket guarantee, but because there is still an outside chance, expect them to toast SD tonight.
San Diego is at a big disadvantage in experience if it continues its youth movement. The four freshmen getting playing time may be good players eventually, but they are making mistakes at this stage. The continuity of the team has been affected by the recent changes, and the rotation is unsettled late in the season. Winning has not become as big a priority as getting experience for young players, and that is a recipe for a long losing streak.
Any casual observer of St. Mary's basketball can literally smell a 75/80 pt. performance by the Gaels tonight.

Ways to Play:

Both ATS is ok. Obviously both can cover, and if at least one does, you lose the juice. No big deal. However, because I am so confident both these teams will win ML tonight:
1. California ML (-260)/ St. Mary's -7 parlay pays 1.64 -1
2. St. Mary's ML (-310) / California -6 parlay pays 1.52 -1
so if one covers ATS and the other only wins ML, you still make money.
3. California -6 / St. Mary's -7 parlay your standard 2.64-1
4. California ML/St. Mary's ML parlay pays .83-1. So you add one or two other large ML favorites here to bring the payout just over 1-1. Portland(-600), Austin Peay (-600) for example.
5. IF bet setup with Cali first at 10:30 to IF St. Mary's at 11:00

you guys can figure out the arrangements.
BOL ALL. Time to configure my own.

[linedrivr]

nice writeups. BOL tonight.

[No coincidences]

Why is St. Mary's only favored by 7? Why is everyone and their dog on St. Mary's, yet the # is sticking? Seems too good to be true.

[steviec413]

love these picks

[teecee]

I looked over some stats and decided it was best to just move on to some other games that met my criteria for a play.

[DolphinSpurs]

Why is St. Mary's only favored by 7? Why is everyone and their dog on St. Mary's, yet the # is sticking? Seems too good to be true.

[Wolf40]

Why is St. Mary's only favored by 7? Why is everyone and their dog on St. Mary's, yet the # is sticking? Seems too good to be true.

thinking same thing but I don't think I can let that sway me away... going to put a decent play on St. Mary's

[Wilforth]

BOL Snowball. Excellent picks.

[eviltsi]

Same shit here. Although Cal barely beating Oregon St at home last month worries me a little, I`ll probablyl play it small. The Pac 10 sucks, but Cal still has the same team as last year. And Christopher could throw a boulder in a thimble, guy is cash!!
St. Marys is an easy pick here, Omar is atop the best players in the WCC behind Bouldin. Guy is a beast, which opens up the 3pt arch for the rest of my Canadian and Australian friends. Lil flip
gl

[Snowball]

Gutierrez basically DNP in that tight home win vs Oregon St on Jan 23. (65-61)
He played 4 minutes.
http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-bas...10/osucal.html

[Wolf40]

St. Mary's -7 @ San Diego and California -6 @ Oregon State.

California -6: Cali will continue to strengthen its resume tonight with a convincing road win @ Oregon St. See info below. With Gutierrez at 100% and Randle staying hot, I can see them handily outscoring Oregon St lackluster offense.
Cali has high focus and has eliminated mistakes. They boast very high RPI and are very serious about making headway in the Dance. As far as an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament is concerned, the Bears RPI separates them from the Pac-10 pack, thanks to robust strength-of-schedule rating that was the result of non-conference losses to Kansas, Syracuse, Ohio State and New Mexico. Road losses at Arizona and USC knocked them into a four-way tie for first place, but the Bears responded with a 72-58 win at UCLA, then a home sweep of the Washington schools, giving them sole possession of first place entering the final three weeks of the regular season.
The Golden Bears got the victory they badly wanted and avoided the upset defeat they could not afford, so they remain alone in first place in the Pac-10.
Cal (17-8, 9-4) avenged its worst loss of the conference season, shredding Washington's defense in a 93-81 victory. Then the Bears rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit, outscoring Washington State 15-0 over the final four minutes in an 86-70 win.
Senior guard Jerome Randle exorcised demons in the win over UW, scoring 33 points a month after suffering his worst game of the season in Seattle. Randle shot 2-for-9 with eight turnovers in the Bears' 84-69 loss at UW.
"I had this game on my schedule," Randle said. "I just wanted to come out and be aggressive for my teammates. I think my teammates feed off of that."
Fellow senior Jamal Boykin said he was inspired by Randle's play. "You can't knock this man down," he said.
Same could be said for sophomore guard Jorge Gutierrez, now mostly recovered from a knee injury that knocked him out of six games in January. Put in the starting lineup for the Washington game, the Bears' defensive specialist totaled 25 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and four steals in the two wins.
"This is what he does every day -- in practice or in the game," Randle said of Gutierrez's ferocity and energy. "He changes the game every time he's on the floor."
"He's a tough sucker, boy," added coach Mike Montgomery. "Once he locks into you, it's kind of like a personal war for him. Somebody says something to him, and he don't forget it. ... He gets after it."

St. Mary's -7: Returning back to Cali although still "on the road" playing in San Diego, Mary's is coming off a dissapointing overtime loss to Portland. Yet Portland obviously is head & shoulders above San Diego. Mary's will probably have to beat Gonzaga in West Coast Conf. tournament if they want a Dance ticket guarantee, but because there is still an outside chance, expect them to toast SD tonight.
San Diego is at a big disadvantage in experience if it continues its youth movement. The four freshmen getting playing time may be good players eventually, but they are making mistakes at this stage. The continuity of the team has been affected by the recent changes, and the rotation is unsettled late in the season. Winning has not become as big a priority as getting experience for young players, and that is a recipe for a long losing streak.
Any casual observer of St. Mary's basketball can literally smell a 75/80 pt. performance by the Gaels tonight.

Ways to Play:

Both ATS is ok. Obviously both can cover, and if at least one does, you lose the juice. No big deal. However, because I am so confident both these teams will win ML tonight:
1. California ML (-260)/ St. Mary's -7 parlay pays 1.64 -1
2. St. Mary's ML (-310) / California -6 parlay pays 1.52 -1
so if one covers ATS and the other only wins ML, you still make money.
3. California -6 / St. Mary's -7 parlay your standard 2.64-1
4. California ML/St. Mary's ML parlay pays .83-1. So you add one or two other large ML favorites here to bring the payout just over 1-1. Portland(-600), Austin Peay (-600) for example.
5. IF bet setup with Cali first at 10:30 to IF St. Mary's at 11:00

you guys can figure out the arrangements.
BOL ALL. Time to configure my own.

This is great snowball... thanks for the Tips on plays and great write-ups!
Congrats on your Cal Poly hit last night, Great call!!!

[UNCGQ]

If I have a good first 2/3 of the evening I'll get on these.

[mann2chc]

for some strange reason, i think that oregon st will cover at home tonite... they suck but theyre the type of team that sucks but can get a team off of its game plan, depending on how patient that team is... i think of driving behind the old lady on a one lane street and theres no cars in front of her

[Snowball]

Gaels -8.5 at many books
this could see 9 before tipoff 11pm

GO GAELS !

http://www.sbrodds.com/

[RJ89]

I hate the card today but I agree completely about California. They are also going to be motivated because they are still fighting to get a better position to get in the tournament. They are clearly the class of the Pac-Ten and should be favored by even more points. I think one of the reasons Oregon St. is only the underdog by 6 is that they have a great ATS record so far, but these things tend to even themselves out over time, so that's another reason to like Cali.

[whatsgood5]

Very nice write-ups, I'm on Cal minus the points as well, GL

[whatsgood5]

I do like St. Mary's as well, but decided not to play them

[ebbearsfb1]

also it seems like cal is starting to heat up now and play like the ranked team they were suppose to be to start the year

[Spaniard22]

I'm All in with ya Snow on St Mary's -8.5. Let it Ride Baby..No Balls No Glory!!

[iMxth3xbossx5000]

I got St.Mary's at -7 when the line opened up. Nobody in their right minds who actually knows anything about these two teams would ever pick San Diego over St.Mary's. How the fuk is the line only -7 anyway? Mary's should blow San Diego out by at least 20+.

[Snowball]

I'm All in with ya Snow on St Mary's -8.5. Let it Ride Baby..No Balls No Glory!!

Spaniard, I just bet Cali 2 half -6.

HT Score 39-36 Oregon St lead.

Mary's dominating.

[southpaw74]

Cal was a no show...sad when these college kids flush our money down the toilet isn't it We can't even enjoy a close call when favorites get crushed outright. hopefully st mary's salvages a little...

[Snowball]

yea, southpaw. Cal was pitiful. Looks like a 1-1 on the thread tonight.
Mary's is up 13 with 4 to go. Nice.
ok I watched the Cal game. They are not mature enough and don't really have their heads together enough to go far. Oregon St crowd was in the game big time. All the jeering and taunting definitely got into their heads. I did think some of the calls were off, but that was not the main thing at all.. just Cal.. they are a bit milquetoast.
I will not touch Cal the rest of the year. They are dead to me.
Mary's 59-46 3:30
Celtics

[Snowball]

oh and southpaw don't forget Cal-Poly Saturday night 1am @ Hawaii bud
haven't looked at tomorrow's card yet but hopefully my Friday night play streak stays alive.

thanks to St. Mary's for covering like a vet team.
Final: 61-49

Cali: boo/hiss. Oregon St fans said it best "you got slaughtered" ba ba ba baba

[Skaramouche]

nice call man. i am glad no idiots tried to foul in the end and ruin the cover.