College Hoops Saturday
The Georgia Bulldogs look to keep the SEC on notice as they host the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday.
Well, after going (0-3) last night the only place to go is up from here. First o-for night for us knocking us down to a disappointing 49% this season. We have a full day of college basketball so let’s not waste any time!
Miami Hurricanes (+5.5) vs. Duke Blue Devils; total 148.5; 11:00am ct
The Hurricanes are hosted by the Duke Blue Devils in Cameron Indoor on Saturday. This season Duke has struggled without starting guard Jeremy Roach. Losing three ACC games to more athletic teams and almost dropping one to Pitt. Miami has a very solid offense that has played well and covered in Cameron Indoor its last two outings. I like the ‘Canes to keep this one close and push for the outright victory. This is with Roach NOT playing.
Dayton Flyers (-8.5) vs. George Washington Colonials; total 139; 11:30am ct
After being defeated in the last seconds against a hungry VCU squad the Dayton Flyers are determined to make their way back to 1st place in the Atlantic-10. Tuesday they defeated Davidson by 7 points and the spread was 11. George Washington defeated George Mason on the road Monday as 9 point underdogs. I’ll repeat, 9 point underdogs to George Mason. Now, they are 8.5 dogs to Dayton? I know they are at home but I do not understand this spread! I’ll take my chances with Anthony Grant’s Flyers.
#8 TCU Horned Frogs (+7) vs. #1 Kansas Jayhawks; total 145.5; 12:00pm ct
A huge Big 12 game. You gotta lace um up every night in this league. TCU has not had very much success in Lawrence, Kansas regarding upset wins but they do keep games close. TCU has guards that love to dictate the pace and they do not tire. Eddie Lampkin won’t have any fear playing in the Allen Fieldhouse paint. The spread against Iowa State was also 7 so the number is consistent but 2 or 3 points too many here as it was against the Cyclones.
Vanderbilt Commodores vs. Georgia Bulldogs (-3); total 142.5; 12:00pm ct
We go back to our Georgia Bulldogs who have been cashing for us in short number spots like this. Vandy is coming off of a tough home game against Alabama. Their best player and leading scorer Liam Robbins is out indefinitely. Don’t look now but the Bulldogs from Athens are 3rd in the SEC and their revenge tour keeps on rolling against Vandy.
UMASS Minutemen vs. St. Joseph’s Hawks (-2); total 148.5; 12:00pm ct
We loss on Monday to the St. Joe’s Hawks as we had LaSalle but something was learned in that loss. St. Joe’s plays hard nosed defense for 40 minutes. They get in your face and turn their defense to offense. I like Joe’s here with this short number. I do not expect them to have another season best shooting the 3 but instead win with their defense. St. Joe’s is also 7-1 straight up its last 8 at home vs. UMASS and 6-1 its last 7 at home this year.
North Carolina State Wolf Pack vs. North Carolina Tar Heels (-5.5); total 153.5; 4:00pm
NC State travels down the road to Chapel Hill to take on the Tar Heels. Historically NC State has not faired very well in this matchup on the road. This is a must win game for UNC to jump ahead of NCST in the ACC standings. NCST stuggles on the road and I expect more of that come Saturday. I’m laying it with the Tar Heels and their defense in the Dean Dome.
Virginia Tech Hokies vs. #15 Clemson Tigers (-1.5); total 141.5; 5:00pm ct
The Hokies are ice cold losing 6 in a row. Clemson is coming off a loss to Wake Forest on the road but have been hot and currently lead the ACC. I expect the Clemson home undefeated streak to continue. I don’t really understand this line and I don’t think it is some kind of trap. Chase Hunter is questionable but I’m still riding with our Tigers.
Washington Huskies (+8) vs. Utah Utes; total 139.5; 7:00pm ct
In this Pac 12 matchup we look again to the Washington Huskies getting a disrespectful number. Utah is a strong home team but U Dub has had their number recently playing home or away. This line should be closer to 4 due to the Utes home court advantage. The Huskies beat up on Colorado in Boulder so the altitude shouldn’t be an issue. This number is too high and the Huskies are hitting their stride.
USC Trojans vs. #19 Arizona State Sun Devils (-3); total 138; 9:00pm ct
The USC offense cannot be trusted especially against ASU at home in a night game. The Sun Devils are coming off a loss to UCLA and will be looking for vengeance to keep pace atop the Pac 12 standing especially if Arizona beats the Bruins today. This number is far too short considering the Trojans anemic offense and lack of interior size.
Other games to watch for:
Ole Miss Rebels vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (-9)
With the spread under 10 points I lean Arkansas here mostly because of the way they played at Missouri. They lost but that Razorback spark was back before they had 4 players foul out and blew the game. Ole Miss is coming off of a win vs. South Carolina but have struggled with the top SEC squads.
UCF Knights (-4.5) vs. South Florida Bulls
We have a situational spot here. UCF’s next game is Wednesday vs. the Houston Cougars. USF has beaten UCF last two times they have been the home team. Will Saturday have more of the same for the Bulls? Senior guard Tyler Harris is a problem for defenses. I lean USF here.
#4 UCLA Bruins vs. #17 Arizona Wildcats (-1)
UCLA was in a dog fight Thursday against Arizona State but kept the Sun Devils under 66 points to take home the victory. U of A played USC in what I felt was the Wildcats best game since they were in Maui. If that same team shows up playing inside out basketball I expect the Wildcats to win. UCLA has plenty of experience and tough defense. Something Arizona does not like - teams that fight back. It’s their kryptonite. This game is a pass for me because I don’t know how much that game against ASU took out of UCLA. Arizona will be the fresher team. I lean with the home team for that reason but will sit back and enjoy.
#21 Virginia Cavaliers (-2.5) vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
A good ole defense vs. offense matchup Saturday in Winston-Salem, NC. Cavaliers have the 6th best scoring defense in the country while Wake Forest has the 54th best offense. Huge game for the Demon Deacons but with the strong Virginia defense its a pass for me. I lean Wake.
#7 Iowa State Cyclones (-1) vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys
This spread screams upset in Stillwater. After watching their game against Oklahoma I think that the Cowboys have figured it out. They just needed some time. If the Cowboys can chase the Cyclones off of the 3PT, which is no easy task. OSU is 16th in the country defending 3PT shots so it is very possible they do. I really love Oklahoma State’s defense and the energy they play with at home. I heavily lean OSU in this one.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. #13 Kansas State Wildcats (-4.5)
The Red Raiders have been struggling and are still winless in the Big 12. K-State is coming off a huge home win against Kansas so will they be sleep walking in this one? Tech is on a 6 game losing streak and has only covered 1 game during that span. They are also 0-5 ATS against Kansas State. Tech is due but will they cash in against one of the best teams in the nation? It’s doubtful. With the number over 4 its a pass for me but I think Kansas State wins this one running away. Tech has no offense and barely any defense and now are on the road in the Octagon of Doom.
DePaul Blue Demons vs. #14 Providence Friars (-9.5)
Providence has been great at home but now they have loss 2 in a row in Big East. DePaul is coming off a big upset against Xavier. You would think the Friars win this one running away but not so fast. Providence seems to dominate DePaul on the road but struggle at home. 9.5 is a lot of points but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Friars dominate. Too many points so its a pass for me.
Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (-3.5)
Ohio State is on a 5 game losing streak. Iowa is on a 4 game winning streak. The Hawkeyes have also won the last two games on the road at Ohio State. Iowa didn’t play earlier this week due to Northwestern’s covid issues. Absolutely no reason to take the Buckeyes unless you think they magically bounce back. 3.5 is a lot of points here.
#23 Texas A&M Aggies vs. Kentucky Wildcats (-5.5)
This will be a tough matchup in the paint. The Aggies vs. Oscar Tshiebwe. Aggies won’t be afraid but Kentucky is healthy and looking like a new team. Interesting spread but UK is still such an unknown I can’t lay the points here. If you like the Aggies I would wait because I can see this number rise.
#11 Marquette Golden Eagles (-2) vs. Seton Hall Pirates
Marquette is as hot as any team in the country right now and Shaheen Holloway’s Seton Hall Pirates are starting to hit their stride. Seton Hall coming off a big home win against UCONN has another battle on their hands with Marquette coming to town. The Golden Eagles can shoot, run and play tough defense. The Pirates struggled to defend the 3PT line against UCONN but played great pressure defense forcing 18 turnovers. I don’t feel comfortable taking Seton Hall in this matchup because of their 3PT defense. Its a pass for me.
Baylor Bears (-2.5) vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Both teams are in the middle of the Big 12 pack but the Baylor Bears are on a 3 game winning streak. I can’t say enough about Baylor’s freshman from Lewisville, Texas Keyonte George. He’s a top 10 pick in the NBA draft and that’s being conservative. The Bears have Kansas on deck so this may be a look ahead spot for Baylor. Another “rat trap” game with a 2.5 line. I lean Baylor but beware of the look ahead spot. OU’s Grant Sherfield has been on a tear lately averaging 17.5 PPG.
#2 Alabama Crimson Tide (-5.5) vs. Missouri Tigers
One of the best teams in the country takes its game on the road again, this time against Mizzou. Missouri struggled with Arkansas this week until 4 Razorbacks fouled out. The Tigers defense and free throw shooting lead them to a victory. I worry about the Mizzou defense in this game. Arkansas didn’t have any trouble getting buckets on them and Bama will probably have less. I lean Bama on the road because I don’t think the Mizzou home court advantage will be enough. Is Bama due for a loss?
#5 Texas Longhorns vs. West Virginia Mountaineers (-1)
West Virginia finally got its first Big 12 win at home vs. TCU this week. Longhorns are coming off a loss to Iowa State on the road. This is a toss up. Which UT offense shows up? Will this be a shootout or defensive battle? This coin toss game is a pass for me although I would side with UT here based on recent history. Texas has had worse teams come into Morgantown and win.
Oregon Ducks (-3) vs. Stanford Cardinal
The Cardinal finally played up to its potential against Oregon State this week. They played great half court trap defense. Oregon doesn’t have a great offense like in years past. The 3PT were falling as well. I lean heavily to Stanford. We’ll call this the Saturday get out game if it’s needed. I like the energy Stanford played with turning its defense into offense. Cardinal.
