College Hoops Thursday w/ Last Night’s Recap
Boogie Ellis and the USC Trojans take on the Arizona Wildcats tonight lookin’ to hold on to 2nd place in the Pac 12.
Back to our winning ways going (4-2-1) last night, which could have easily been 7-0 night but not complaining. It was one of those nights were the bounces went for us and against us. We are now sitting at (26-23-1) 53%. Let’s recap last night and then jump into tonight’s games!
We had a great Big East game in the Prudential Center with UCONN visiting the Seton Hall Pirates. UCONN lead for the majority of the game until the last minute of the game. I would say this was Seton Hall’s best game of the season. They fought hard the whole game and played a scrappy 2H with its defense forcing 18 turnovers. The Pirates were outsized but didn’t give um and get the outright win.
In our second game the Aggies hosted the Gators in College Station. The Reed Arena was rockin’! This was a defensive battle that stayed close the whole game. Anytime it looked like the Aggies were going to run away, Collin Castleton and the Gators clawed back into the game. The Gators shot 26% from the field and only loss by 2. The cover was blown here when the Aggies failed to inbound the ball after allowing back to back 3PT.
SMU had a much better showing offensively against Tulsa. They blew the cover not once but twice in this game. In regulation and then in OT. We finish with a push but this should have been a win for us.
The Arkansas Razorbacks traveled to Missouri to face the Tigers in what was a yellow out in the arena. Arkansas had a nice outing in what feels like ages but with extreme foul trouble they spun out of control late. Arkansas had at least 4 players foul out and Mizzou smelt blood in the water. The tigers went on a run the last 6 minutes of the game and never looked back. Mizzou was clutch from the FT line and secured the victy and cover.
Providence kept up with Marquette blow for blow until the very end in a tough Big East matchup. Providence went ice cold the last minute while they kept fouling and Marquette didn’t miss any FTs. Lose the cover by the hook. Win some, lose some.
We had Bedlam in Stillwater last night in a game that eventually went exactly how we expected. Grant Sherfield for OU played a great 1H and it made me a bit nervous. In the 2H Oklahoma State came out hotter than $2 pistol. The crowd was takin’ the roof off of the Lloyd Noble Center. The Cowboys took this one all the way to the bank sweat free.
In the late night tip with San Diego State visiting Colorado State we caught a break with this one going to OT. SDST came out slow and sloppy in the 1H giving CSU the lead for the majority of the game. In the second half the Aztecs hard nosed defense woke up when they began to press full court. Something I was expecting to see from the tip-off. The Rams struggled against the press last year so I thought they’d run it all game. Aztecs showed up and put the game away in OT securing the -4.5.
Let’s get into the games goin’ tonight!
#22 Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Michigan State Spartans (-3); total 126.5; 5:30pm ct
We are going back to the well here with Tom Izzo and Michigan State in the Breslin Center. Rutgers is red hot and a game behind Purdue in the Big 10 standings for 1st place. Michigan State is home off of back to back close game losses. This is a situation where I would like to back Tom Izzo at home with a short number. Rutgers will play hard on defense but I’m trusting the Spartans laying 3. I wouldn’t go any higher than 4 because of the way Rutgers plays hard the full 40 minutes (see Northwestern game last week). Sparty -3.
Michigan Wolverines (+2.5) vs. Maryland Terrapins; total 142.5; 6:00pm ct
Michigan has had Maryland’s number the past couple of years. The Wolverines are 5-0 against the spread in the last 5 matchups. This is a game where you think, “Maybe this is the game Maryland bounces back and they’re at home” but the Terrapin offense is so stagnant. Michigan has a decent defense and can rebound while Maryland is one of the worst rebounding teams in the country. Michigan hasn’t been perfect lately. They have competed hard every game and I am betting on that continuing. Let’s see if this road dog has any bark in it tonight. Wolverines can’t drop this game if they have dreams of dancing in March.
USC Trojans (+8) vs. #17 Arizona Wildcats; total 151.5; 8:00pm ct
The Arizona Wildcats came into the season with one of the best teams in the country but have faltered as of late. Tonight USC travels to the McKale Memorial Center to face Arizona. USC played UCLA tough on the road only losing by 2 points even though they allowed 9 3PT. Arizona will be more than happy to shoot the 3 all night against USC. The Wildcats should work the offense through Tubelis and Ballo then out to the 3PT line but Arizona plays soft. It’s what holds them back. Arizona has UCLA at home on Saturday so this is a look ahead spot. Give me the Trojans with winning on their mind tonight.
Washington Huskies (+9) vs. Colorado Buffaloes; total 141.5; 8:00pm ct
Colorado is a heavy favorite tonight at home and I cannot put my finger on the reason why. Washington has been winning and keeping games close ATS. I don’t think the altitude in Boulder is worth 5 points. These teams are pretty even except Huskies play a little bit more defense. This was the same spread when Washington played ASU so another reason the number doesn’t make sense. I’m going to trust the Huskies, their experience vs. Colorado and this inflated number to get the job done tonight.
#4 UCLA Bruins vs. #19 Arizona State Sun Devils (+5); total 134; 9:30pm ct
In tonight’s main event ASU hosts the #4 Bruins in what should be a great game! ASU will have upset on their mind to take down UCLA to be tied atop the Pac 12 standings. I don’t think UCLA will be looking ahead to Arizona on Saturday because this is a big matchup in itself. The Sun Devils are (7-2-1) ATS the last 10 against UCLA so they always so up for this matchup. Yes, I’m sure those spreads were higher than 5 but this is definitely Bobby Hurley’s best team at ASU. This Sun Devil squad plays as a team and have only gotten better after top recruit Marcus Bagley was benched for disciplinary issues. Give the the Sun Devils in what should be a wild crowd looking to take over the top of the Pac 12.
Oregon State Beavers (+11.5) vs. Stanford Cardinal; total 131.5; 10:00pm ct
The Beavers have been playing much better than the beginning of the season. They have been putting up some competitive performances at home. I liked the way the Beavers played until the final whistle against Arizona. Giving them fits constantly until forced off the court when the buzzer rang. Great coaching! Now they travel to Silicon Valley. Stanford can play solid defense but have had a horrible season thus far, which is disappointing because they have talent. No killer instincts on this Stanford team and should not be laying double digits to anyone in the Pac 12. Give me the well coached Beavers and the double digits.
Short handicaps on the other games:
#10 Purdue Boilermakers (-13.5) vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Not a fan of laying this type of number on the road. The Gophers will struggle with the size of Zach Edey, which makes me lean Purdue. Too many points for me.
Indiana Hoosiers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini (-6.5)
I lean Illinois in this game but 6.5 is too many to lay. Illinois had the same spread against Michigan State and the Spartans played them tough until the end of the game. Matthew Mayer and Terrance Shannon Jr. have been heating up lately for Illinois. The big men for Indiana will be able to hold their own defensively but I’m not sure what the offense will do on the road after struggling lately. Tricky line and not sure which Indiana team we’ll see tonight. Pass for me unless this get down to 6 or lower.
Washington State Cougars vs. Utah Utes (-3.5)
I like Utah here laying less than 4 at home off back to back road losses. You never know which Utah team is going to show up but I feel like they get back to their winning ways at home. Washington State has been surging lately, which scares me here. This could be a tight game.
