Hello,
Alright, we got an undefeated night last night at 2-0-1. Valpo and Toronto were easily, while we sort of lucked out with the Dayton push, even though they were leading the game at then half. I know I shouldn't be doing this after last week's debacle, but we are going to try six college basketball game again. I think we will do better today, and the Big 12/SEC Challenge gives us some intriguing match-ups.
NCAAB
Florida Gators -2.5 at Oklahoma Sooners
When I first saw this matchup, it reminded me of the 2009 College Football National Championship where Tim Tebow absolutely demolished Sam Bradford. Although the schools are mostly known for their outstanding football pedigree, they also have had great moments on the basketball court. Last season, the Sooners made the Final Four, while the Gators had probably the greatest run so far this century behind the efforts of Joakim Noah and Al Horford. Today, the programs are not the national championship contenders they have been in the past. However, the Gators are fairly solid and the biggest threat to Kentucky in the SEC. The Gators are rated fairly high in the Kenpom at 13, while the Sooners find themselves all the way down at 64. Iowa State won in Norman last week, and Florida is a much better team than them. I'm gonna go with the Gators today.
DePaul Blue Demons +15.5 at Creighton Blue Jays
I am currently a member at the University of DePaul Gym. It is close, convenient, and relatively cheap, so I go to a college gym. It is very nice and clean. Basically, I enjoy it and when you are as tall I am (5'11'' for those asking), you have to keep the pounds off. Anyway, last weekend I was working out at the gym during the DePaul-Butler game. I don't think you need any reminders, but Butler has been one of the best teams in the Big East ever since their inception in the conference. DePaul was up by double digits at multiple points during the first half and looked like they might pull out a victory (they didn't). The gym has ten TVs spread out across the treadmill/stationary bike/elliptical area for people to enjoy while they are working out. Guess how many of those TVs had the DePaul game on. One. One TV showing their school's basketball game. Florida State-Louisville was on three of them, English Premier League Soccer was on a couple of them (they play in a different country). I was appalled by the lack of school spirit and asked a few students what the deal was. They simply said they don't care. I guess fair enough, I have more important things to be concerned about, like this game. Creighton has been a mess since the Maurice Watson Jr. injury and have been the basketball equivalent of a sieve. DePaul has been playing teams competitively this year. Although they probably will not win this game, they should be to cover the spread. I think bookmakers are being pretty generous with this one. Take the Demons in Omaha today.
New Mexico Lobos at Nevada Wolfpack -4.5
I am not going to lie, I don't know anything about this Wolfpack team. All I know is that they are a solid Mountain West team. Also, this happened the last time they played. Honestly, I really just have issues with the New Mexico basketball program and the environment surrounding the program. Last season, the coach's son was forced to leave the program after receiving death threats online from New Mexico fans. After his son left the program, father, Craig Neal, decided to stay with the program and represent a fan base that forced his son to leave town. This year, video was caught of a New Mexico assistant coach instigating a verbal altercation with an opposing player at Colorado State. Yes, a coach was taunting a college student, what a big, strong man that coach is. New Mexico is actually playing better lately, and I do really like Elijah Brown, former Cavs Coach Mike Brown's son. Still, the bad vibes in this program will probably rear its ugly head against a superior opponent. Nevada is 67 in the Kenpom, while the Lobos are outside of the top 100. Go with the Pack in Reno.
Iowa State Cyclones -2 at Vanderbilt Commodores
You have to wonder whether Fred Hoiberg regrets leaving Iowa State for the NBA. Give the nickname "The Mayor," Hoiberg literally ran Ames. His basketball teams played fast, they made three and easy buckets around the rim, and most importantly they were good. Also, he had an incredible knack to get a big time transfer to come to Iowa State every year (DeAndre Kane, Jameel Mckay, Halice Cooke). In the NBA, he has been a given a roster that does not fit his style at all. The Bulls cannot shoot threes, their core likes to play isolation ball and run the shot clock down, and the team it in total meltdown mode on and off the court. He seems like a way better fit in the college game, but we cannot fault a man for taking on a new challenge. New coach, Steve Prohm, has just picked up where Hoiberg left the program. The team still plays the same style, and Prohm has still been able to bring in transfers at will. They are way better than this Vandy team. Iowa State is 24 in the Kenpom and Vanderbilt is 63. Homecourt obviously has an impact on college games, but I just don't see it here, Cyclones all the way today.
LaSalle Explorers at Saint Joseph's Hawks -1
I don't have too much to say about the actual game, but I do want to remind everyone that this is a Big 5 rivalry game. The Big 5 represent the five historical basketball program in Philadelphia: Villanova, LaSalle, Saint Joseph's, Penn, and Temple. Most of these games are played in the ole' Palestra, which is one of the most historic basketball buildings in the country. These teams aren't great, but Big 5 games always bring a sense of nostalgia. Also, the Hawks' mascot literally waves his arms throughout the entire course of the game. Like actually, watch the game today and pay attention to the mascot, he never stops waving his arms. What a boss! For that reason, go with the Hawks today.
Kansas Jayhawks +7.5 at Kentucky Wildcats
Here is the main attraction of the day. It is very unusual to get a top 25 inter-conference games to be happening this late in the season (fortunately we have two this weekend, Nova-Virginia tomorrow). However, the decision to put the Big 12/SEC challenge in January has provided us this opportunity. This game is going to be incredible. There is going to be a loud crowd, lots of talent on the floor, and great coaching. I know the Jayhawks just got rocked in Morgantown (which we predicted), but any time I can get 7.5 points while taking Kansas, I feel like I have to take it. To me, it is almost as close of a lock as taking the Patriots whenever they are underdogs (Always take the Patriots when they are underdogs). Kentucky is obviously good and are slightly higher in the KenPom, but I am anticipating a very close game to build into the narrative that has been built all week about these two programs. Take advantage of a rare opportunity and take the points with Kansas.
Yesterday: 2-0-1
Overall: 35-25-3 (+95 Units)
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