I'm flummoxed by La Tech only laying 2 at home against Fresno St. I saw FSU in person Saturday night...they're only dressing nine, only playing seven in the rotation and they're small. Their shooters can hit, but they're gonna get killed on the boards. La Tech is off two road conference wins, and seems to have finally found some confidence. I was drooling when I saw the game open as a pick in Vegas...I'm hoping to catch 1.5 or less. Thoughts?
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I am on Ole Miss but this is some great stuff. I like catching 6 at home in the SEC though.
I'll chime on the UNC/NCSU game...
Imo, its one to watch and avoid from a betting stand point until you see how UNC responds to the loss of their utility man and best lockdown defender in Strickland...
But, I think you get value here with a buy low UNC team who is usually a huge public backed squad. Tonight it appears that they will side w/ NCSU due to their recent string of ACC wins, UNC's national television blowout vs FSU, and the highly reported loss of Strickland...
To touch on NCSU, they are tied for first atop of the ACC, but this record is deceiving. Their wins are over Maryland, Wake Forest, Boston College and Miami in conference play. Their lone loss is to GT...All aforementioned teams were picked in the bottom half of the ACC this season...NCSU has lost to all quality opp this year with the likes of Cuse, Vandy, and Indiana...All at home. Bottom line, they have a stellar conference record so far beating up on the bottom dwellars of the weak ACC...The ACC teams NCSU has defeated have a record of 9-16 and have no better than a RPI of 127...
Imo, we see a highly motivated UNC squad coming off a confident 2nd half blowout/lockdown of VT after trailing at HT...The loss of Strickland is a huge factor as he was the primary defender of an opponents go-to players. With the loss of Strickland, UNC will add the bonus of offense with the prolific play of Hairston and Bullock. Bullock will start in place of Strickland. He has the intagibles and the scoring ability to make up for the loss of Strickland. Hairston is also an underrated defender who was recruited primarily as a 3 point sharpshooter...
As for the Marshall losing his back up PG in Strickland, UNC can cope. White will only have to play limited minutes as Marshall can average over 35 mins per game. In fact, it was over this number for last years last 9 conference games and all of the post season games...The backup PG issue shouldnt be a factor unless Marshall gets in foul trouble which he rarely does...
If UNC comes into this contest with a "come to Jesus" mentality that smart defensive play (like the play exhibited in the 2nd half vs VT) is the way to play every facet of the game, than UNC can and will win this one...The early knockout blow is key to get the crowd energized and get State to hang their heads early...
Stong lean to UNC as you rarely get UNC at such a low number at home...
Louisina Tech -2 looks like it is a few points short to me. Any thoughts on this game are much appreciated?
On a side note Creighton put up 77 in a game that was played at pretty close to a snails pace atleast for Creightons standards. Drake controlled the tempo in the game and it was pretty much a walk the ball up and run sets type of a game. So I do think you were probably on the right side of that one yesterday as you can't expect that to happen in that type of a game.
I think NC State can hang with UNC...and UCLA covering that big of a number...hmmmm
Thoughts...
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