If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Strike Point Sports (2*) #572 Take Marist (-2) over Fairfield (7 p.m., Thursday, January 3)
(2*) #579 Take UNC Greensboro (+9) over Western Carolina (7 p.m., Thursday, January 3) (2*)#583 Take Iona (+1.5) over Quinnipiac (7:30 p.m., Thursday, January 3) (2*)#543 Take Washington (+11.5) over Arizona State (8 p.m., Thursday, January 3) (2*)#599 Take SE Missouri State (+1.5) over Murray State (8 p.m., Thursday, January 3)
Oklahoma has embraced the underdog role of late, as the Sooners finished the year by winning two SU games on the road while getting points. Whether they can handle an SEC opponent is another story: The Sooners are 0-7 ATS against the SEC since 1992. Alabama failed to cover in three of its last four outside of Tuscaloosa, including an Iron Bowl loss at Auburn. However, they outgained their rivals by more than 100 yards in the loss and won the turnover battle 1-0. The reason the game slipped away was four missed field goals, including a 33-yarder.
FORECASTER: Alabama 32, Oklahoma 20
Game: St. Mary's at Gonzaga (9:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Gonzaga -7 (-110) at Bookmaker
Gonzaga has played at such a high level for well over a decade now, they are hard to even be considered as a mid-major. Gonzaga wins 20+ games like clockwork every single season, and are on their way again off to a 12-2 start. They rarely get tripped up at home, and have started the season at 8-0 here. St. Mary's has been chasing Gonzaga for several years, and while the Gaels are 10-3 to start the season, this is not the same caliber team that has been closing in on the Zags. The lack of quality wins, and questionable losses, leaves this team a bit overrated at this point of the season. Gonzaga is for real, and the line here is more reflective of better St. Mary teams over the past few years - not this year's version. Play on Gonzaga.
3-Unit Play. #523. Take Wisconsin -10.5 over Northwestern (Thursday @ 7pm est).
Wisconsin has covered this game the last 4 times these two teams have played including winning by 28 and 20. If Bo Ryan's team decided to beat Prairie View at home by 37 at home (and cover the -33 which was the 5* for us recently), then this team will certainly be focused in their first conference game of the season. After all, if not to have a let down in the game prior to conference play, then certainly when conference play starts this team will likely come in focused. Wisconsin has a legitimate shot to contend this year after winning some big games and remaining perfect on the year. The younger Coach Collins (Doug Collins son) has a decent team and they are ranked in the top 125. This team also recently lost to Depaul at home by 1 point 57-56 and note that Depaul has a top defense whereas Wisconsin has a top 20 defense. Northwestern likely will struggle to score points in this contest. Plus, it always seems like Wisconsin knows the line as all Bo Ryan teams seem to magically know the line and always have in his tenure. A benchmark for this contest could be the NC State game when Northwestern went on the road and lost by 19 points where NC State is a top 120 defense similar to Depaul as well and the Wildcats did not crack 50 points. Look for a a contest in which Northwestern falls within the 50-55 point range whereas Wisconsin gets it going in the 68-73 point range. This likely has a 15-17 point win for the Badgers this evening.
Indian Cowboy's Picks For NBA Basketball
3-Unit Play. #512. Take Utah -5.5 over Milwaukee (Thursday @ 9:05pm est).
Congrats to the Bucks! You won a ballgame! That brings Milwaukee's overall record to 7-24 overall and 4-12 on the road. After a relatively easy win over the Lakers getting up to play their opponent in Staples as regardless of which stars are in and which stars are out, the purple and gold still gets teams "up" for their contests as they play in front of the LA crowd and a few stars. With coming off a win against the Lakers, the Bucks likely regress back to the Bucks in their hopes of landing Parker or Wiggins. Utah comes off a difficult win over the Bobcats where Charlotte is a strong defensive team and likely opens up their offense a bit more today as the Bucks are not as tough defensively. After a sub par offensive performance against Charlotte, look for Utah to have success here at home. I'm not a huge fan of the -5.5 number in general, but outside of the Kings today who likely do well against Philadelphia (but Philadelphia has won back to back road games), this is likely a better situation with Milwaukee on a let down and Utah needing an offensive boost from their last contest. The Bucks are 0-4 ATS coming off a straight up win of more than 10 points and the home team is 10-2 ATS in the last 12 meetings between these two teams.
4 Unit Play. #523 Take Wisconsin Badgers -10.5 over Northwestern Wildcats (7 pm ESPN 2) Northwestern just does not have any size or depth and that has been catching up with them of late. Wisconsin has owned this series under Bo Ryan and expect more of the same on Thursday night. Hate to lay double digits on the road but the talent gap is just too large. Wisconsin has won 10 straight conference openers, while Northwestern has dropped its last seven.
4 Unit Play. #556 Take Gonzaga Bulldogs -7 over Saint Mary's Gaels (9 pm ESPN 2) These teams have given us great battles over the last decade but this year Saint Mary's does not have the athletes to match-up with Gonzaga. Gonzaga is without Gary Bell and that is why this line is under double digits but I really do not think it matters. Gonzaga beat Saint Mary's three times last year and this Gaels team is much worse. I am confident Gonzaga wins this game straight-up and we expect them to cover this number as well.
Comment