Friday's Front Page Picks (Nov 9)

[Willie Bee]

Bet the Butler Bulldogs (-11) at Ball State Cardinals

Game Time: 11/09/2007 07:00 PM -
By: Bob Harvey | bobharveysports.com

In their first regular season game under head coach Brad Stevens, expect a huge effort from the Butler Bulldogs on the road at Ball State in the John E. Worthen Arena.

The Butler Bulldogs, coming off a school-record 29-7 campaign, will be playing their first regular season game under new head coach Brad Stevens, while Ball State, 9-22 last year, is facing its first contest under new head coach Billy Taylor.

Butler was tabbed as the team to beat in the Horizon League this year in a preseason poll of league coaches and media. The Bulldogs received 42 of a possible 46 first place votes in the poll. Butler brings back a veteran team boasting five seniors and three starters. Mike Green, Pete Campbell and Drew Streicher are all fifth-year seniors while Julian Betko is a sixth-year senior. A.J. Graves is in his fourth year.

Butler will be taking on an undersized Cardinals team that is also short on experience. If you're going on head-to-head competition, the Bulldogs can boast a huge advantage having beaten Ball State seven straight times. Butler is also one of the top three point shooting teams in the nation.

Even though I probably shouldn't be laying double-digit lumber this early in the season, Butler should pass this test easily.

Free Pick: Butler -11 (-110)

[Willie Bee]

Play New Mexico (-2) at Colorado

Game Time: 11/09/2007 09:00 PM -
By: Scott Rickenbach | playbook.com

In his first season at New Mexico, Steve Alford will have to make do without star Tony Danridge for a while, but that doesn't mean the Lobos aren't deep enough to cover at Colorado.

Without Tony Danridge until early January due to a broken leg, the New Mexico Lobos are missing a key piece to start the season. However, they are still the play here. Danridge, a 6-5 senior, is a very solid wing but the good news for the Lobos is that they have both depth and experience in the backcourt.

With former Iowa coach Steve Alford now leading the way, we expect big things from New Mexico this season. Alford is a big upgrade from Richie McKay and the Lobos do return their five leading scorers from last season, although Danridge is currently out as noted above.

The Colorado Buffaloes have some issues. New head coach Jeff Bzdelik is well known as a great evaluator of basketball talent. He should do well as the new head man in Colorado. However, that will take time and Bzdelik needs to get his type of players in place.

Currently Bzdelik will have to play with the hand he's been dealt and there honestly is not a lot there. Senior guard Richard Roby (6-6) is likely to be the only returning starter who starts again this season. The Buffaloes players are going to struggle early as they adapt to a different offensive style under Bzdelik. Play New Mexico minus the points for Friday.

Free Pick: New Mexico -2 (-110)

[Willie Bee]

UC-Santa Barbara (-3½) versus Northwestern State

Game Time: 11/09/2007 07:30 PM -
By: Right Angle Sports | handicapper.net

Coming off an 18-11 mark a year ago, UC-Santa Barbara is favored to take home the Big West title this season. Bet the Gauchos at home against Northwestern State.

The Gauchos are preseason favorites to win the Big West. Among four returning starters are two 1st-team all-conference players in senior wing Alex Harris and junior forward Chris Devine, both excellent players.

Point guard Justin Joyner and combo guard James Powell are also back after starting the majority of games last year as freshman. I attended their lone exhibition win and Joyner in particular looks to have advanced his game considerably in the offseason.

UCSB has also added a much needed inside presence with Weber State transfer F/C Nedim Pajevic, and JC All-American D.J. Posley adds depth on the wing and at both guard spots. Head coach Bob Williams is under pressure to win and win now.

Northwestern State enters this game shorthanded and with several lineup questions. The Demons will play this game without a true post player as starting center Jerry Moody is out due to academics and reserve center Demetrius Bell is still playing football.

Point guard Michael McConathy, expected to at least contend for a starting job, has missed both exhibitions with a strained knee ligament and is questionable for this tournament. NWSU can go 10-12 deep and is likely to do a lot of experimenting at this stage of the season. They also have the disadvantage of a long road trip from Louisiana to California.

Expect the Gauchos to take care of business with a nice win in a favorable spot here. Give the points.

Play: UC-Santa Barbara -3½ (½ unit)

[Willie Bee]

Belmont Bruins +8½ to hang with Cincinnati Bearcats

Game Time: 11/09/2007 08:00 PM -
By: LT Profits Sports Group | who2beton.com

Belmont probably has the best backcourt in the Atlantic Sun Conference, and although Cincinnati may be a step up in class, the Bearcats are hardly a powerhouse.

The Belmont Bruins get a rare chance to impress vs. a Division IA opponent when they visit the Cincinnati Bearcats tonight, and we look for the Bruins to turn a lot of heads.

Belmont went 23-10 last season, and they earned a berth in the NCAA Tournament after winning the Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament. They return both of their starting guards in Justin Hare and Andy Wicke, the best backcourt in the Atlantic Sun and a duo that can give more marquee teams like Cincinnati fits.

The Bearcats were dismal in their first year under Coach Mick Cronin, going just 11-19 overall and 2-14 inside the Big East. This team was offensively challenged most of the time, and their lack of team speed could make them vulnerable to the quick Belmont guards.

Yes, Cincinnati plays in the much stronger conference, but that will only inspire Belmont more here, and we would not be totally shocked by an outright upset.

Free Pick: Belmont +8½

[GitRDone]

UC-Santa Barbara (-3½) versus Northwestern State

Game Time: 11/09/2007 07:30 PM -
By: Right Angle Sports | handicapper.net

Coming off an 18-11 mark a year ago, UC-Santa Barbara is favored to take home the Big West title this season. Bet the Gauchos at home against Northwestern State.

The Gauchos are preseason favorites to win the Big West. Among four returning starters are two 1st-team all-conference players in senior wing Alex Harris and junior forward Chris Devine, both excellent players.

Point guard Justin Joyner and combo guard James Powell are also back after starting the majority of games last year as freshman. I attended their lone exhibition win and Joyner in particular looks to have advanced his game considerably in the offseason.

UCSB has also added a much needed inside presence with Weber State transfer F/C Nedim Pajevic, and JC All-American D.J. Posley adds depth on the wing and at both guard spots. Head coach Bob Williams is under pressure to win and win now.

Northwestern State enters this game shorthanded and with several lineup questions. The Demons will play this game without a true post player as starting center Jerry Moody is out due to academics and reserve center Demetrius Bell is still playing football.

Point guard Michael McConathy, expected to at least contend for a starting job, has missed both exhibitions with a strained knee ligament and is questionable for this tournament. NWSU can go 10-12 deep and is likely to do a lot of experimenting at this stage of the season. They also have the disadvantage of a long road trip from Louisiana to California.

Expect the Gauchos to take care of business with a nice win in a favorable spot here. Give the points.

Play: UC-Santa Barbara -3½ (½ unit)

It isn't a home game as they are playing in the Basketball Travelers Classic that is being played on Stanford's home court. However, I do like this pick.