Tweet
| R and R Totals | NCAA Basketball | NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS/BRADLEY BRAVES ‑105 o136 |
-
-
-
-
-
-
Dustin Hawkins
Jan 18 '20, 6:00 PM in 38m
NCAA-B | South Florida vs UCF
Play on: OVER 122½ -116
1 Dimer on South Florida vs UCF over 122½ -116Comment
-
Mike Williams
Jan 18 '20, 7:00 PM in 1h
NCAA-B | East Tennessee State vs Western Carolina
Play on: Western Carolina +5 -109 at GTBets
1* on Western Carolina +5 -109Comment
-
Larry Ness
Jan 18 '20, 8:00 PM in 2h
NCAA-B | Virginia vs Georgia Tech
Play on: OVER 111 -110
My free play is on UVA/Ga Tech Over at 8:00 ET.
Virginia won its first-ever NCAA basketball championship last season but the Cavs opened at just No. 11 in the preseason AP poll (note: it marked the lowest preseason ranking for a defending champion since UConn opened 17th at the start of the 2014-15 season, after winning the title in April 2014). Gone from last year's champs are the team's top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). However, the Cavs opened 7-0 and were ranked 5th when they lost 69-40 at Purdue on Dec 4. However, the defending champs have lost back-to-back games for the first time since 2017, falling 60-53 at BC on Jan 7 and then 63-55 (OT) at home to Syracuse on Jan 11. The 11-4 Cavs fell out of the AP's latest top-25 poll on Monday and the lost 54-50 at No. 9 Florida State on Wednesday, committing 18 turnovers, making just 3 of 15 on three-pointers and shooting 62.5 percent from the free-throw line (5 of 8) to lose its THIRD straight game for the first time in nearly three seasons.
The now 11-5 Cavs (3-3 in the ACC) travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech, which is 8-9 overall, including 3-4 in the ACC. Josh Pastner is in his fourth season with the Yellow Jackets but after winning 21 games in his first year, Ga Tech is coming off seasons in which the team has won just 13 and 14 games. The Yellow Jackets have dropped their last FOUR home games, including a 78-74 setback on Wednesday against Notre Dame, despite shooting 67.9 percent from the floor in the second half. Ga Tech is scoring 67.9 PPG and allowing 67.9, so I guess the old Bil Parcell's line applies, "You are who your record says you are!"
This season's UVA team features an unique guard duo, the 6-8 Key (10.4 & 7.2) and 5-9 PG Clark (10.0-4.3-5.9). The team's most consistent player is 6-9 senior forward Mamadi Diakite, who leads the team in scoring (13.1) and is econd to Key in rebounding (6.8). Diakite has scored 29 points on 11-for-21 shooting from the floor over his last two games, after recording just 15 points across his previous two contests. The 7-1 Huff (8.6 & 6.1) joins Diatka up front and this "Core 4" is basically Virginia's team this season.
Speaking of a 'Core 4," the Yellow Jackets have four players all averaging 30-plus minutes. SG Devoe (16.5 & 3.8) and PG Alavarado (10.4 & 5.3 APG) run the backcourt, while the 6-9 Wright (13.8 & 8.0) and the 6-10 Banks (10.4 & 7.5) ahve done a solid job up front. Wright continues his breakout season, ranking sixth in the ACC in field goal percentage (55.1 percent). He finished with 16 points and five rebounds Wednesday, while Devoe shot 9-for-15 from the floor. Georgia Tech shot 51.7 percent from the floor against Notre Dame, the FOURTH time in the past six games it has hit at least half of its shot attempts.
Despite 18 TOs and going 3-of-15 on threes, UVA lost by just FOUR points against a team that is 9-0 at home. Virginia head coach Tony Bennett is preaching for his team to stay upbeat during the defending national champions’ three-game losing streak entering Saturday’s road contest at Georgia Tech. "Our inexperience shows at times,” Bennett told reporters postgame. “It takes courage to not get discouraged. You can’t be soft.” Looking for a 'silver lining' for the UVA offense? The Cavs may have been 3 of 15 on threes vs FSU but they were 18-of 31 (58.1%) inside the arc. Better shot-selection and fewer turnovers will help this game 'fly over' this low total. Remember, Ga Tech scores and allows 67.9 PPG.
Good luck...LarryComment
-
Ray Monohan
Jan 18 '20, 8:35 PM in 3h
NBA | Lakers vs Rockets
Play on: Rockets -2 -106 at pinnacle
Rockets -2
The LA Lakers 33-8 (22-18-1 ATS) make the trek down to Houston for this matchup vs. the Rockets 26-14 (19-21 ATS) on Saturday night. Tip-Off is at 8:30pm ET from the Toyota Center. It's the first meeting between these Western conference foes.
As is the case in most games AD is questionable to play tonight, I'm expecting him to be OUT for this one. Dwight Howard will very likely replace him if he doesn't play and he is no Anthony Davis. Rondo is also questionable to play tonight.
So far Harden and Westbrook have combined to arguably be the best backcourt tandem in the league. Combining to average 62 points, 14.7 assists, and 14 rebounds a game. Westbrook has scored 20 or more points in 15 consecutive games.
Yes I know the Lakers are the NBA's hottest road team, Yes I know LA wins shootouts, but I also know the Rockets have won 5/6 vs. the Lake show, and 17 of their last 21. and they'll have confidence to right the ship tonight on their home court.
Some trends to consider. LA Lakers are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games against Houston. Houston are 13-7 SU in their last 20 games, and are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games at home. Plus they get up for big prime time games, the Rockets are 12-1 SU in their last 13 games played on a Saturday. Houston gets an early lead at home and survives a Lakers comeback in the 4th quarter.
Play the Rockets -2.
Good Luck, Razor Ray.
Saturday 5* Free NBA PickComment
-
Ben Burns
Jan 18 '20, 8:35 PM in 3h
NBA | Lakers vs Rockets
Play on: Rockets -2½ -100 at pinnacle
Did you know that Ben Burns' free plays are now 11-1 since Christmas? Here, he gives you the winner from the Rockets/Laker game!
While I successfully played against the Rockets in their last game, an upset loss against Portland, I expect the Lakers to bring out the best in them. Houston is 6-2 ATS when playing with two day's worth of rest in between games. Note that the Rockets are also 4-1 ATS when off a double-digit loss in a game where they were favored, 6-1 ATS off a double-digit loss overall. Davis has been out since 1/7 and remains questionable, as of this writing, for LA. The Rockets are 73-52 ATS against winning teams the past 2+ years, 10-4 ATS this seasons. Consider laying the small number.Comment
-
Jimmy Boyd
Jan 18 '20, 10:00 PM in 4h
NCAA-B | San Diego vs Portland
Play on: San Diego +1 -109 at GTBets
1* NCAAB - Free Pick on San Diego Toreros +1
The Toreros are definitely worth a look here at basically a pick'em against the Pilots. This line will probably look off to a lot of people, as San Diego is riding a 5-game losing streak to open up WCC play at 0-5.
Thing is, Portland hasn't been much better, as Pilots are just 1-7 SU in their last 8 games. Portland is also a mere 3-9 ATS over their last 12.
Thing is the road team has owned this series, covering 11 of the last 14 meetings. San Diego has also got the best of the Pilots in recent matchups. Toreros have won each of the last 3 meetings, all by double-digits.
Big thing to note with Portland is the injury to Takiula Fahrensohn, who is not only one of their top outside shooters, but also one of their best defenders. He's missed the last two games with a calf injury and while listed as questionable, I don't expect him to play.
Pilots are also a good team to fade at home. Portland is 2-6 ATS last 8 at home overall and a mere 14-35-3 in their last 52 at home against a team with a losing road record. Take San Diego!Comment
-
lv wolf
smu -6
old miss +5 -120Comment
Comment