Doc's Sports Picks For College Basketball
4 Unit Play. #516 Take Northeastern -6 over Hofstra (1:00 pm) This is a fade play against the Pride, who were blown out by VCU on Wednesday and now must travel into a hostile environment in Hempstead, NY. The Huskies have a solid front court full of big bodies and they should be able to do their damage down low and pull away late to win this game by double-digits.
4 Unit Play. #520 Take Florida State -8 over North Carolina State (1:30 pm ESPN Fullcourt) The Wolf Pack had been scrapping by lately and suffered a tough home loss to Georgia Tech on Wednesday. They are just 1-3 in ACC Conference play and really have trouble scoring the basketball. The Noles got on track after three straight losses against Virginia on Wednesday and will carry that momentum into Saturday by beating a much worse NC State squad.
4 Unit Play. #554 Take Purdue +1 over Wisconsin (4:00 pm ESPN) This game is the best the Big Ten has to offer this far into the season, as these squads combine for an 11-1 record. These teams are very similar, but I think Purdue has an advantage at the guard position. Purdue has dominated this series in West Lafayette and Wisconsin is well aware of their struggles. Wisconsin is not that good of team and has been winning lately based on effort. But when they have faced good teams, they have struggled to hold their own, losing to Marquette and Duke, and barely getting by Texas. This game means more to Purdue, to prove that they are an elite team that belongs in the upper class of the Big Ten. Purdue makes a statement on Saturday and we collect big in the process.
4 Unit Play. #561 Take Ole Miss +6 over Mississippi State (5:00 pm ESPN Fullcourt) The Egg Bowl basketball style takes place in Starkville, MS and we will jump at the opportunity to grab nearly a touchdown with the underdog. Chris Warren may be the best player on the floor as he can score and dish the basketball. These teams are evenly matched in if this were played in Oxford, Ole Miss would be a six point favorite. Home court does not make that much difference, as this one goes down to the wire and we collect with whoever comes out on top by a bucket.
7 Unit Play. #570 Take Iowa -5.5 over Penn State (6:00 pm Big 10 Network) College Game of the Year. This is a fade play against Penn State, who has fallen off the earth since Claxton went down with a leg injury. They have lost four straight games with three of them coming at home. The last three have been without Claxton and have been way over tonight?s posted number. One thing that also bodes well for Iowa is three point shooting, as the Lions are last in the conference in defending the arc. This has always been a staple of Coach Todd Lickliter and expect them to score at least 20 points from beyond the arc. The Lions cannot wait for this season to end and Coach DeChellis is hinting that he may not be back after saying his team lacked effort against Purdue on Wednesday. It is not all of his fault, as Claxton was a double-double guy and you just cannot replace that type of player. Iowa has also this series winning at a clip of more then 2-1. Iowa will jump on them early and Penn State will throw in the towel with another double-digit defeat.
4 Unit Play. #581 Take Washington State -2.5 over Arizona State (7:00 pm FSN) A pivotal game in the PAC-10 takes place with two teams coming off a conference loss on Thursday. Wazzou won both meetings last year and they need this victory to get back on track, as some of questioned their record based on playing a weak non-conference schedule. WSU will frustrate the Devils into turnovers and once they get the lead, they will coast to a victory with their deliberate style of offense.
4 Unit Play. #623 Take Bradley +2 over Wichita State (8:00 pm) This is another fade play against the Shockers, as we have collect big with them in recent weeks with the fade route. The Shockers are just 1-7 in the MVC Conference and have lost all four of their home games. Bradley has won three of their last four games and a win here will put them at .500 in the conference. Wichita State has nothing left to bring and we will collect again going against them with the fade.
4 Unit Play. #649 Take Hawaii +1.5 over Idaho (10:00 pm) Too bad teams do battle in Moscow, ID and we will side with the visitor, who looks to move over .500 on the season in conference play. Idaho shoot lights out from the 3-point line on Thursday and will not be able to repeat that performance. Hawaii earns a rare road victory and we collect big in the process.
4 Unit Play. #516 Take Northeastern -6 over Hofstra (1:00 pm) This is a fade play against the Pride, who were blown out by VCU on Wednesday and now must travel into a hostile environment in Hempstead, NY. The Huskies have a solid front court full of big bodies and they should be able to do their damage down low and pull away late to win this game by double-digits.
4 Unit Play. #520 Take Florida State -8 over North Carolina State (1:30 pm ESPN Fullcourt) The Wolf Pack had been scrapping by lately and suffered a tough home loss to Georgia Tech on Wednesday. They are just 1-3 in ACC Conference play and really have trouble scoring the basketball. The Noles got on track after three straight losses against Virginia on Wednesday and will carry that momentum into Saturday by beating a much worse NC State squad.
4 Unit Play. #554 Take Purdue +1 over Wisconsin (4:00 pm ESPN) This game is the best the Big Ten has to offer this far into the season, as these squads combine for an 11-1 record. These teams are very similar, but I think Purdue has an advantage at the guard position. Purdue has dominated this series in West Lafayette and Wisconsin is well aware of their struggles. Wisconsin is not that good of team and has been winning lately based on effort. But when they have faced good teams, they have struggled to hold their own, losing to Marquette and Duke, and barely getting by Texas. This game means more to Purdue, to prove that they are an elite team that belongs in the upper class of the Big Ten. Purdue makes a statement on Saturday and we collect big in the process.
4 Unit Play. #561 Take Ole Miss +6 over Mississippi State (5:00 pm ESPN Fullcourt) The Egg Bowl basketball style takes place in Starkville, MS and we will jump at the opportunity to grab nearly a touchdown with the underdog. Chris Warren may be the best player on the floor as he can score and dish the basketball. These teams are evenly matched in if this were played in Oxford, Ole Miss would be a six point favorite. Home court does not make that much difference, as this one goes down to the wire and we collect with whoever comes out on top by a bucket.
7 Unit Play. #570 Take Iowa -5.5 over Penn State (6:00 pm Big 10 Network) College Game of the Year. This is a fade play against Penn State, who has fallen off the earth since Claxton went down with a leg injury. They have lost four straight games with three of them coming at home. The last three have been without Claxton and have been way over tonight?s posted number. One thing that also bodes well for Iowa is three point shooting, as the Lions are last in the conference in defending the arc. This has always been a staple of Coach Todd Lickliter and expect them to score at least 20 points from beyond the arc. The Lions cannot wait for this season to end and Coach DeChellis is hinting that he may not be back after saying his team lacked effort against Purdue on Wednesday. It is not all of his fault, as Claxton was a double-double guy and you just cannot replace that type of player. Iowa has also this series winning at a clip of more then 2-1. Iowa will jump on them early and Penn State will throw in the towel with another double-digit defeat.
4 Unit Play. #581 Take Washington State -2.5 over Arizona State (7:00 pm FSN) A pivotal game in the PAC-10 takes place with two teams coming off a conference loss on Thursday. Wazzou won both meetings last year and they need this victory to get back on track, as some of questioned their record based on playing a weak non-conference schedule. WSU will frustrate the Devils into turnovers and once they get the lead, they will coast to a victory with their deliberate style of offense.
4 Unit Play. #623 Take Bradley +2 over Wichita State (8:00 pm) This is another fade play against the Shockers, as we have collect big with them in recent weeks with the fade route. The Shockers are just 1-7 in the MVC Conference and have lost all four of their home games. Bradley has won three of their last four games and a win here will put them at .500 in the conference. Wichita State has nothing left to bring and we will collect again going against them with the fade.
4 Unit Play. #649 Take Hawaii +1.5 over Idaho (10:00 pm) Too bad teams do battle in Moscow, ID and we will side with the visitor, who looks to move over .500 on the season in conference play. Idaho shoot lights out from the 3-point line on Thursday and will not be able to repeat that performance. Hawaii earns a rare road victory and we collect big in the process.