Posted:
#1
Sides: 0-0, +0.00
Totals: 0-0, +0.00
DNP: 0-0
Pre-Conference Format: All plays rated on one to three unit scale. Leans are simply leans and for tracking purposes only for future reference and are not bet. I will refer to these as DNP.
Conference Format: Same as above but plays rated on one to five unit scale, meaning in-conference ballgames.
Rules: No Illinois Bets, No Weekend Bets Early in Season
Will try to post as much insight into everything as possible on a daily basis, same thread for the month. Will start with previous day’s results and thoughts before jumping into the current card.
Monday 11/8 Notes: Really odd game starting out the season with Pitt/Rhode Island. Pitt’s slow tempo (towards the bottom last year I believe) and Rhode Island’s hectic get up and down as fast as you can style of play. Which one prevails? Both teams return quite a few starters, and I fully expect Pitt’s tempo to rise this year (as opposed to last) as the youngster’s get more and more experience. It’s pretty rare you see some good squads meet this early in the season. While Pitt has enjoyed success at home where they are 75-1 under Dixon, Rhode Island has thrived on these spots on the road. They won at Virginia Tech, hit a game winner against Oklahoma State, and also beat Dayton and their 30 game home winning streak on a three-pointer at the buzzer. It appears they like the challenge of a hostile environment. Both teams are a bit light, Pitt having four players miss practice time within the last week but are expected to play, and they lost Nasir Robinson who started every game last year. Rhode Island will be missing the services of wingman Wilson and bigman Outerbridge who were expected to contend for starting spots. Rhode Island still has depth, and three starters returning and the health of Martell (one of those starters from last year) is unknown. He’s set to play, but he has not played in the previous two exhibition. Aside from matchups, I’d say the key mark in this game relies solely on the shooting percentage of Rhode Island. Normally, the first few games of the year are rough on both squads. But when you run a fast paced offense and get up and down against a Pitt squad that controls the boards, you have to capitalize. Tough to gauge whats going to happen this game, probably best to stay away. If Rhode Island can figure out a rotation and keep guys healthy, they’re a legitimate top 40 club. I have no interest in Seattle but from what I have read and followed, they are playing a MUCH faster pace this year and it’s showed in the exhibition. Maryland isn’t afraid to get up and down either. Another note on Seattle – Fly across country to play Maryland, Fly back to Seattle for one day of practice, Fly to San Fran for a game, Fly back with one day of prep for home opener Cal Poly on Sunday, two days of prep for Oregon State Wednesday, Fly to UC Irvine to continue this weird style of tournament. ROUGH, ROUGH, first 10 days. Illinois returns everyone that meant something, brings in an exciting and top recruiting class, and looks like absolutely terrible in it’s two exhibition games this year. They haven’t found their identity. A lot of it is Bruce Weber trying to figure out a rotation and trying to get everyone minutes in those exhibitions so I will be eager to see what they do tonight. UC Irvine brings some experience back, but with the cross-country trip, and a new coaching staff, you just don’t know what you’re going to get this early. They lost by 40+ in a similar setting last year at Texas. I have no interest in any game involving Navy basketball.
DNP: None
Bets: None
Will be a slow start to the year. Wednesday Thoughts to come…
GL
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