FERRINGO
1-Unit Play. Take #526 Syracuse (-4) over Villanova (Noon, Saturday, Jan. 19)
The Orange are going to either win this game by eight or ten points or they are going to lose outright. I?m expecting the former. I think it?s an indicator that the unranked team is the solid favorite over the Top 25 team and Nova is 0-5 ATS in its last five conference games. The Wildcats are young and I think they may have some trouble in the Dome today. It can be a daunting place if you?ve never played there before, and if SU can keep Scottie Reynolds under 30 I think they?re in good shape.
4-Unit Play. Take #646 Wisconsin-Green Bay (-5.5) over Wisconsin-Milwaukee (8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
The Phoenix are so much better than UW-M that it?s disgusting. Green Bay is coming out the toughest part of its schedule, with games at Michigan State, at Butler, and at Valpo dotting their slate over the past three weeks. They are now healthy and home, and after a spirited week of practice I think they are going to dominate their rivals. The home team is 10-3 ATS in the last 13 meetings, the Panthers are 1-4 ATS in their last five trips to Green Bay and the Phoenix are 5-2 ATS at home.
3-Unit Play. Take #585 Clemson (+9) over Duke (6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
Way too many points for a Tigers team that should?ve beaten the Blue Devils each of the past two years. Clemson has played with some of the better teams in the nation this year and I don?t think they will be at all intimidated by Cameron Indoor. Again, this is a game I think they can win so we will take all of the value with the points.
3-Unit Play. Take #571 Texas A&M (-1) over Kansas State (4 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
Short number on the better team. Yes, the Aggies got caught at Texas Tech earlier this week. But I think they matchup very well with KSU because they can counter their bigs with equally talented big men. The key here is the guard play and I think A&M has a clear advantage.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #642 Missouri (+8) over Kansas (8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
The Jayhawks always, always, always struggle at Missouri. I circled this game at the start of the season as one of only three or four that the Jayhawks actually have a chance to lose. They have been playing out of their heads lately and while I do think they are one of the best five teams in the nation I also think they?re susceptible to a close test by a talented Tigers squad. Kansas is 2-5-1 ATS at Missouri and the underdog is 8-3-2 ATS in the last 13 meetings.
2-Unit Play. Take #588 Nebraska (-2.5) over Baylor (6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
The Huskers are due for a decent shooting performance and I think they get it tonight against a steady Baylor squad. Nebraska shot down Oregon earlier in the season, so they are capable, and they are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Lincoln. The home team is 6-1 ATS in this series and the favorite has won and covered seven straight. Baylor hasn?t been on the road in a month and I think they start slowly tonight.
2-Unit Play. Take #599 Central Florida (-3) over East Carolina (7 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
The Knights have a huge size advantage here and have already been able to dispatch quality C-USA teams like Southern Miss and Tulsa. East Carolina is 8-23-2 ATS in conference play and 5-11-1 ATS at home, while UCF is 4-1 ATS in this series and 7-3 ATS on the road. I think Central Florida continues their solid play and get another W.
2-Unit Play. Take #633 Illinois State (+5) over Drake (8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
The Redbirds were my pick to win the conference this year and I?m sticking with them in their biggest game to date. Drake is fantastic at home, but they are still without Josh Young, their leading scorer. The Redbirds have won at Wichita State and at Creighton so they understand winning on the road. I think they have a great shot to win this game outright so we will take the points.
2-Unit Play. Take #615 Valparaiso (+2) over Cleveland State (7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
It?s not stubbornness ? the number suggest that CSU is not going to continue playing at the level they have been. They are set up in a letdown spot after the Butler game and they are now matched up with a Valpo team that has been solid on the road and is a team that CSU is not familiar with. The Crusaders are on an 8-3-1 ATS run and are 5-1-1 ATS on the road.
2-Unit Play. Take #637 George Mason (-3.5) over James Madison (8 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
James Madison is going to be without two starters, including star forward Juwann James, today when these two solid CAA clubs matchup. James may suit up, but he has a sprained knee and won?t be anywhere near 100 percent. Mason has been awful on the road but I still have a lot of confidence in this team. I think they put up a strong showing and hold off the upstart, undermanned, Dukes.
1-Unit Play. Take #659 Southern Mississippi (+22) over Memphis (9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
1-Unit Play. Take #623 St. Joseph?s (-13.5) over Penn (7:30 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)
1-Unit Play. Take #661 Louisiana Tech (+20.5) over New Mexico State (9 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 19)