Drew Gordon
Drew Gordon
Drew Gordon:
Tonight's Games...
1. 300,000♦ Virginia Tech
2. 50,000♦ California
3. 50,000♦ Utah State
1. Virginia Tech- Despite their 11-1 record and 10-1 mark ATS this season, I'm far from convinced this Kansas team is the "real deal." Instead of focusing on their record, let's examine their schedule, which will tell us a lot more about this Kansas team.
First of all, despite playing in the Big 12, they didn't face Texas, Oklahoma, or Texas Tech. And in the games they did face some real competition, Kansas, and especially QB Todd Reesing, looked very beatable. Just pop in the tape of games at Colorado, at Texas A&M, and against Missouri and you'll see a much different Jayhawks team. One that averaged a pedestrian 22 ppg over that span... Now you want them to get it done against the best defense they've seen all season?!
Second, if there's one thing Virginia Tech needed this season, it was progression from their QB position. In the early going, both Glennon and Taylor struggled with consistency and injuries among other things, but down the stretch, both players found their rythmn and it showed. Not only does their two differing styles of play make it that much tougher to gameplan, but the Hokies offense has been averaging 35 ppg over their last 3 games - a marked improvement from their seasonal average.
Finally, let's talk about the Hokies defense, which is one of the best units in the country, bar none. They've locked down countless offenses this season, including Matt Ryan and his Eagles in the ACC title game. Hokies were on fire down the stretch, winning and covering 5 straight against REAL competition. Forget about running the ball against this front 7 (allowing 59 rushing yards per game L3), while the Hokies ball-hawking secondary and agrressive pressure defense will have Reesing second-guessing himself after the first couple series.
Bottom line, Kansas gets exposed by an surging Virginia Tech team in tonight's Orange Bowl. Virginia Tech has no fear of big games, while this is Kansas first ever BCS bowl game. All in all, the Hokies defense controls the tempo, while an improved Va. Tech offense gets the job done against a relatively untested Jayhawks stop-unit.
Take Virginia Tech over Kansas as your top-rated play of the day.
2. California- There's no question this Trojans team has a lot of talent in their starting five, including Mayo, who's one of the more exciting players in college right now. But don't confuse talent with results, as despite their 9-3 record, this Trojans team has several big disadvantages in this contest.
First, the Golden Bears size will be a problem. While Jefferson and Gibson are both solid players, Jefferson is only a freshman and gets lost at times, while Gibson has seen his averages drop almost across the board in his second season. Cal's frontcourt of F Anderson and C Hardin is nasty to say the least. Both players are big and play like it, dominating the glass and protecting the painted area. Anderson has become as good a frontline player as there is in the country and will be looking to prove it against Mayo's Trojans.
Second, while USC did show some promise at South Carolina early this season, they haven't been tested in hostile territory since. I'm just not ready to trust such a young team, on the road, in rivalry game, against a more physical Cal team that's 8-1 SU at home. Say what you will about USC's neutral court cover against Memphis, but you better believe the Haas Pavilion will make for a much tougher place to play than the neutral court of Madison Square Garden.
Finally, let's not forget there's some payback is in order for the Trojans, as they beat the Bears twice last season, including a tough 76-73 loss in Berkeley January 27th of last year. Make no mistake, this is a much better Cal team this time around, dropping in about 12 points more per game than USC does this season. End result: The Bears use their size and motivational edges to protect their house and grab the cash Thursday night!
Take California over Southern California in this college hoops match up.
3. Utah State- Okay let's make a couple things clear in this match up: First and foremost, Hawaii has been terrible in general, but especially against the number, going 1-8 ATS overall this season, including 0-3 ATS away. All 4 of their wins came against cupcake opponents at home, but tonight, they face one of the hottest teams in the WAC, which also happens to be 7-0 SU & 4-0 ATS at home this season.
The Aggies have been rolling, winners 5 straight, burning up the nets averaging 81 ppg on 53% shooting (40% from 3-point). Not only that, but their defense has been downright nasty at home, allowing 59 ppg on 37% shooting over that span. They're led by sharpshooting star G Carroll, who's the ONLY player in college shooting over 50% from the field, 3-point, and free throw line. After him, the Aggies are anchored by 3 strong frontline players, and a point guard in Klara, who's got a solid 87 : 29 assist to turnover ratio.
Hawaii's problems begin on the defensive end, where they're allowing a mind-boggling 85 ppg on 59% shooting (52% from 3-point) on the road this season! Needless to say, its no surprise they can't win on the road. Also, their offense, which has some decent players, bogs down on the road as well, mainly because they find themselves scrabbling for points once their down by double digits.
Bottom line, Utah State keeps it's perfect home record intact with a lopsided win and cover against a road-weary Hawaii team in this one. Warriors have been useless on the road, while the exact opposite is true of the Aggies at home (4-0 ATS). More of the same tonight, as the Aggies romp!
Take Utah State BIG over Hawaii in this college hoops match up.
Drew Gordon
Drew Gordon:
Tonight's Games...
1. 300,000♦ Virginia Tech
2. 50,000♦ California
3. 50,000♦ Utah State
1. Virginia Tech- Despite their 11-1 record and 10-1 mark ATS this season, I'm far from convinced this Kansas team is the "real deal." Instead of focusing on their record, let's examine their schedule, which will tell us a lot more about this Kansas team.
First of all, despite playing in the Big 12, they didn't face Texas, Oklahoma, or Texas Tech. And in the games they did face some real competition, Kansas, and especially QB Todd Reesing, looked very beatable. Just pop in the tape of games at Colorado, at Texas A&M, and against Missouri and you'll see a much different Jayhawks team. One that averaged a pedestrian 22 ppg over that span... Now you want them to get it done against the best defense they've seen all season?!
Second, if there's one thing Virginia Tech needed this season, it was progression from their QB position. In the early going, both Glennon and Taylor struggled with consistency and injuries among other things, but down the stretch, both players found their rythmn and it showed. Not only does their two differing styles of play make it that much tougher to gameplan, but the Hokies offense has been averaging 35 ppg over their last 3 games - a marked improvement from their seasonal average.
Finally, let's talk about the Hokies defense, which is one of the best units in the country, bar none. They've locked down countless offenses this season, including Matt Ryan and his Eagles in the ACC title game. Hokies were on fire down the stretch, winning and covering 5 straight against REAL competition. Forget about running the ball against this front 7 (allowing 59 rushing yards per game L3), while the Hokies ball-hawking secondary and agrressive pressure defense will have Reesing second-guessing himself after the first couple series.
Bottom line, Kansas gets exposed by an surging Virginia Tech team in tonight's Orange Bowl. Virginia Tech has no fear of big games, while this is Kansas first ever BCS bowl game. All in all, the Hokies defense controls the tempo, while an improved Va. Tech offense gets the job done against a relatively untested Jayhawks stop-unit.
Take Virginia Tech over Kansas as your top-rated play of the day.
2. California- There's no question this Trojans team has a lot of talent in their starting five, including Mayo, who's one of the more exciting players in college right now. But don't confuse talent with results, as despite their 9-3 record, this Trojans team has several big disadvantages in this contest.
First, the Golden Bears size will be a problem. While Jefferson and Gibson are both solid players, Jefferson is only a freshman and gets lost at times, while Gibson has seen his averages drop almost across the board in his second season. Cal's frontcourt of F Anderson and C Hardin is nasty to say the least. Both players are big and play like it, dominating the glass and protecting the painted area. Anderson has become as good a frontline player as there is in the country and will be looking to prove it against Mayo's Trojans.
Second, while USC did show some promise at South Carolina early this season, they haven't been tested in hostile territory since. I'm just not ready to trust such a young team, on the road, in rivalry game, against a more physical Cal team that's 8-1 SU at home. Say what you will about USC's neutral court cover against Memphis, but you better believe the Haas Pavilion will make for a much tougher place to play than the neutral court of Madison Square Garden.
Finally, let's not forget there's some payback is in order for the Trojans, as they beat the Bears twice last season, including a tough 76-73 loss in Berkeley January 27th of last year. Make no mistake, this is a much better Cal team this time around, dropping in about 12 points more per game than USC does this season. End result: The Bears use their size and motivational edges to protect their house and grab the cash Thursday night!
Take California over Southern California in this college hoops match up.
3. Utah State- Okay let's make a couple things clear in this match up: First and foremost, Hawaii has been terrible in general, but especially against the number, going 1-8 ATS overall this season, including 0-3 ATS away. All 4 of their wins came against cupcake opponents at home, but tonight, they face one of the hottest teams in the WAC, which also happens to be 7-0 SU & 4-0 ATS at home this season.
The Aggies have been rolling, winners 5 straight, burning up the nets averaging 81 ppg on 53% shooting (40% from 3-point). Not only that, but their defense has been downright nasty at home, allowing 59 ppg on 37% shooting over that span. They're led by sharpshooting star G Carroll, who's the ONLY player in college shooting over 50% from the field, 3-point, and free throw line. After him, the Aggies are anchored by 3 strong frontline players, and a point guard in Klara, who's got a solid 87 : 29 assist to turnover ratio.
Hawaii's problems begin on the defensive end, where they're allowing a mind-boggling 85 ppg on 59% shooting (52% from 3-point) on the road this season! Needless to say, its no surprise they can't win on the road. Also, their offense, which has some decent players, bogs down on the road as well, mainly because they find themselves scrabbling for points once their down by double digits.
Bottom line, Utah State keeps it's perfect home record intact with a lopsided win and cover against a road-weary Hawaii team in this one. Warriors have been useless on the road, while the exact opposite is true of the Aggies at home (4-0 ATS). More of the same tonight, as the Aggies romp!
Take Utah State BIG over Hawaii in this college hoops match up.
