FERRINGO
7-Unit Play. Take #736 Boise State (-2.5) over Nevada (9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14)
I?ve had my eye on this one for a couple weeks. Boise State dominated the second half in Reno just a few short weeks ago - a surprisingly easy victory over a Nevada team that?s tough at home. So after a 15-point road victory I think Boise could even top that number tonight playing on their home court, where they are even better. Boise already has a win over BYU in Idaho and is taking on a Nevada team whose experience I?ve questioned from Day 1. Nevada has one player ? Marcellus Kemp. Boise knows this. If they focus their defense on him, or if he gets into foul trouble, or if he?s just having a bad night, then this one could be a double-digit win. Boise scores more, has a better margin of victory, shoots a higher percentage, and is facing a team whose numbers (naturally) dip considerably on the road. I think we?ve found a strong spot here and I think Boise takes care of business.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #739 Georgia Tech (+8.5) over Clemson (9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14)
Letdowns are kind of the theme of my picks today. We went against Clemson after their last heartbreaking overtime loss to North Carolina and cashed, so we?re going back to that mode of thought. Georgia Tech has been scrappy on the road this season ? as opposed to their past road play ? and I think they can make enough shots to take down a Clemson team that has to be looking past them.
2-Unit Play. Take #729 South Alabama (-6) over Middle Tennessee (8:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14)
Middle Tennessee is on a nice little 4-1 SU and ATS rush, but its been doing so against the weaker sisters of the Sun Belt. USA has been a much better road team than folks are giving them credit for (8-1 ATS this year) and I think MTSU has to beat them in order to get the cover here. I don?t think they will, so we?ll back the far superior team. USA?s last six road wins have come by an average of 10.2 points so hopefully they can just have an ?average? night.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #709 Drexel (+12) over Old Dominion (7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14)
Letdown. Old Dominion played a peak game over the weekend in a win over George Mason and I don?t think they will have back-to-back light?s out nights. The crowd won?t be as rowdy, the energy won?t be as electric and the play won?t be as sharp. Drexel is awful. But they have some physical talent and they have the best player on the floor. ODU should get a win, but don?t be surprised if they let the Dragons back in the game in the last 10 minutes for our cover.
2-Unit Play. Take #713 Illinois-Chicago (-3) over Detroit (7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14)
Detroit stinks. UI-C is one of the hottest 3-point shooting teams in the country right now and they could bury the Titans with a barrage from the outside. Not really much more to say. I just think Detroit is awful.
2-Unit Play. Take #718 North Texas (-9) over Denver (8 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14)
When Denver loses, they lose big. North Texas was a juggernaut at home early in the season and I think they rekindle some of that magic. Denver?s Princeton offense is much more effective at home where they are a better shooting team and the have the home crowd to build them up. The Pioneers are the worst road team in the country, going winless to this point of the season with numerous blowout losses. As long as the Mean Green come out with an edge and come out in attack mode they should run Denver right out of the gym.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #734 Oregon (-7) over Washington (8:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14)
Washington is awful. I have a litany of reasons why they were lucky to beat UCLA, but the bottom line is that I?m looking for a letdown out of the Huskies after their big win. This is a huge game for the Ducks if they have any postseason aspirations, and this is one of the Pac-10?s more angry hoops rivalries. I don?t think the Huskies defend well enough to shut down the Ducks? perimeter attack and with a boost from the home faithful I see Oregon getting a double-digit win.
3-Unit Play. Take #762 Charleston (-3) over Chattanooga (7 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 14)
The Cougars are going to bounce back after their embarrassing loss to rival Davidson over the weekend. That was their worst performance of the season and that they take out their frustrations on a team that?s dropped its last four road games.
