Monday's Shots

[Riviman]

Oklahoma +3...I know they have hardly played on the road this year but they are scoring a ton of points and playing great. Only loss was a early season loss to Mich St and I am not sure if that was at Mich St. or in a early Tourney. Conn. has been suspect , living more on reputation then how they actually are. Have not looked good at home either and they are coming off a tough big conference win against Miami Sat. night . Love the Sooners here.

Butler -7.. Think these teams are in different classes.Butler coming off a reality check loss at home against Wright St and and have won at some tough places on the road such as Indiana , Ball St and Purdue .Cleveland St plays a lower eschalon of teams and are just average against them. Rechecking to see if Butler has any injuries but have not seen anything yet. Think this is a huge mismatch.

East Mich +10.5.. This is my no handicaprule. I do not even look at any stats, trends ..nothing. I just bet against Akron, especially as a favorite. Has been very good to me so far.

 

[Riviman]

Gonzaga P...Almost forgot this one was late tonight. New Mexico has played less then nobodies. They have only played 3 solid division 1 teams(I guess you can no longer call WVU solid)nevertheless, they lost to all 3 of them(WVU,CAL,Stanford).Gonzaga has played a tough schedule so far, alot of it away from home and have been impressive from what I've seen.I think one of the keys to an advantage amongst college teams is a great point guard,, and besides Jason Williams, I believe Dan Dickau could be the next best in the country. He does it all and comes up big in crunch time. Gonzaga also has 3 solid low post players in Gourde, Violette , and Turief, they can all hit the boards. Few is a excellant coachas well.

 

[NJO]

I really like the Zags play here, also.

They are the better team, perhaps far better, going to a home court whose value is overrated and playing a team I'm not impressed with.

All signs point to the Zags here -- I'm with you.

 

[Innavation]

If New Mexico is overated--then why is the line at Pick----wouldn't it be at 2 or 3---Like yesterday's games in the Pac 10---Stanford-3, etc.. I have been talking about Dickau weeks ago--he is a great point-guard---he stepped up in the tournament last year--but this is a Confrence game and i believe at home--New Mexico has a slight edge.

 

[pipeville]

Guys,
This is not a conference game. New Mexico in Mountain West Conference while Gonzaga is in the West Coast Conference. This is just another example of Gonzaga (at St. Joe's New Year's Eve) traveling the globe and playing solid opponents to build the profile of the program so that even if they get upset in conference tournament, they could still secure an NCAA bid.
Pipeville

 

[BIG GAME HUNTER]

Just to let you guys know, here a couple of things ::
Gonzaga is by far the better team, but playing in the pit is not easy.
It is actually one of the toughest places to play in the country and that is from experience. I have been to numerous games their and that is why is a pickem game.
You shouldnt have to worry though new mexico has not been the same since kenny thomas was there.
Take Gonzaga as they will win by about ten points.

 

[pipeville]

I tend to agree that Gonzaga should win. The Pit has not been the nasty place to play that it once was and is mostly living on reputation. And as a New York guy who used to follow St. John's basketball, I'm not impressed with Fran Fraschilla. He's a great recruiter but not a great bench coach. I like Gonzaga because they have:
1) A solid point guard which you need to win on the road and stabilize a team when the other team goes on a run and the crowd gets into it.
2) A solid coach in Mark Few
3) A sniper in Blake Stepp (although he has been slowed a step, no bad pun intended, by a lingering knee injury)
4) Solid down low play. It seems like every year they have a white guy who?s way more athletic than he looks and can score effectively. This year it's Zach Gourde, last year it was Casey Calvary. And I can't remember the guy who it was before that.

I think a rested Gonzaga gets the job done here, given the fact they?ve played in hostile environments and played numerous good teams in early season games and are accustomed to playing close games down the stretch.
Good luck to all.
Pipeville

 

[Riviman]

Pipeville,
Your reasonings for Gonzaga are pretty much the same reason I stated at the top. I like them very much tonight. I agree with you on Franchilla as well, I am originally from Queens , still am a big St. Johnnies fan.I think if we are patient, Jarvis will turn the program around.Used to hang out on Union Tpke at the bars when Mullin was hangin there as well.

 

[pipeville]

Riviman,
I was in college at the time Mullin was tearing it up in NYC along with Bill Wennington and Walter ?The Truth? Berry. Unfortunately, it wasn't at St. John's but rather Fordham. One of my roommates went to high school with Mullin at Xaverian in Brooklyn and said he wasn't the sharpest pencil in the box. But boy could he shoot and pass in those days.
Pipeville

 

[statman]

Just supporting your comments about the pit. I measure home courts each year, and New Mexico has averaged a home court of 5 over the last 4 years (4 is average). It's been three years since the 7/8 pint home court they used to enjoy.

 

[Riviman]

How bad is this Akron team. I will continue to bet against regardless of opponent or spread until they cover 2 in a row, which I don't feel is possible.

 

[BrandonC21]

Rivi- I think our Division 3 Womens team could hang with Akron.. I'll be right there with you against them.. Best of luck to us..

 

[Riviman]

Really impressed with Dickau's performance. He really lives up to his billing. He played hard the entire game and controlled the game as well, game was played at his tempo. Kept the team composed through all the pressure and the crowd. Good looking kid, Iwonder if he could bwe another Jason Kidd!!?

 

[bamafan]

Way to go riviman 4-0. Those nights feel good. Good Luck in the future. Went 7-2 tonight myself and still barely came out on the winning side. (Hate that shit) anyway Good Job!!!!
Roll Tide, Bamafan

 

[gridman]

Terrific job Rman. Also went 4-0 with your picks. $$$$
Keep up your great picks.
GM