Drew Gordon
Drew Gordon
Drew Gordon:
Today's Games...
1. 200,000♦ Alabama
2. 50,000♦ Southern Miss
3. 50,000♦ Jazz
1. Alabama- While its hard to believe this Florida team will play as badly as it did at Ohio State, the fact of the matter is they got exposed in that game. Ohio State's size and defense gave them fits, and tonight in Tuscaloosa, I expect too see many of the same issues arise against a solid 'Bama squad.
First of all, 'Bama has all the quality size necessary to negate the talented, but young Gators frontline. With their top-3 scorers coming from the frontcourt, including star F Richard Hendrix, there's no question underclassmen forwards Speights and Parsons will have trouble matching up. Tide forwards Gee and Riley can both hit from the outside (both shoot over 41% from beyond the arc), and will stretch this Gators defense to its limits.
Second, it may have taken some time, but it appears as though the Tide have finally found someone to confidently run their offense in PG Rico Pickett. The loss of star PG Richard Steele was no laughing matter, as he was their unquestioned floor general. But while Pickett is just a freshman, he's gotten better from game to game, posting rock-solid numbers against one of the Tide's toughest opponents in Clemson last week (12 points, 6 assists).
Finally, let's not forget that Florida handed the Tide a 76-67 loss in Gainesville in their only meeting last season. Alabama would like nothing more than to return the favor in tonight's match up, and the numbers bode well, as the home team is 7-3-1 ATS over their last 11 meetings.
Bottom line, the Tide protect their house, against a young, and road-weary Gators squad in this one. In case you haven't noticed this is not the same veteran-laden Gators team as in years past, and it'll show tonight in Tuscaloosa... Just like it did at Columbus against Ohio State. Margin won't be as big, but the result is the same, a solid win and cover for the home team Crimson Tide!
Take Alabama over Florida as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Southern Miss- Got to love the Golden Eagles in this spot against a Central Florida team which has done little on the road to prove they can hang. They failed to cover in losses at Nevada and South Florida, but even more telling was their most recent road loss - at Sam Houston State in a non-lined contest!
It wasn't just that they lost 60-58 in overtime, but the way they lost, shooting just 37% and commiting 17 turnovers against a team that they should've beaten. If they thought beating a Southland Conference team was difficult, what do you think will happen against a solid CUSA team, that also happens to be 7-1 SU at home (2-1 ATS)?!
Golden Eagles are especially dangerous at home on the offensive end, where they average 77 ppg on 46% shooting. They're led by a stable of rock-solid guards, including Jeremy Wise, who's 19 ppg paces Southern Miss. While they sacrifice frontcourt talent for backcourt depth, the Golden Eagles still have a couple decent big bodies to throw at the Knights, including 7-foot C Gijo Bain (22 blocks) and forwards Cooks and Stephens.
Finally, its hard to ignore the fact the Golden Eagles are 20-8-1 ATS over their last 29 home games. Clearly, they protect their court and once again oddsmakers are giving them far too little credit for doing so. Look for Southern Miss to add to the Knights road-woes, getting the solid home win and cover tonight Biloxi.
Take Southern Miss comfortably over Central Florida in this college hoops match up.
3. Jazz- While many remember the Pacers last meeting with the Jazz, where they crushed Utah 117-97 in Indiana, this is not the same Pacers team this time around. Since the injury to Jamaal Tinsley the Pacers have been terrible, and despite the fact he's likely back tonight, its going to take the talented guard some time to shake the rust off. Until he's back at 100%, you simply cannot trust this Pacers offense, averaging 95 ppg on 41% shooting over the 5 games he's been absent.
Also you have to consider the Pacers recent road play, which has been laughable at best, with 5 straight away losses SUATS, including to the likes of teams like Minnesota and Charlotte. Their most recent road win came at the sorry Knicks, and then preceding that one at Miami... In other words, the Pacers are happy to beat up on the doormats of the NBA, but put them against anyone that's at least average and they struggle.
Well boys, the Jazz are anything but average at home, going 12-3 SU & 9-6 ATS in Salt Lake City. True, they've had some struggles of late, but most of that came on the road (a home loss to Boston is nothing to be ashamed of). They've won two in a row at home, but are coming off an ugly ugly road loss to Portland, ensuring they'll be extremely focused in this one.
Speaking of that loss to Portland, it was one of their uglier performances on the season, including a terrible game from star F Carlos Boozer (3 of 16 for 6 points). Look for the team to bounce back as a whole tonight, as they've got the offensive firepower to bury the sputtering Pacers, averaging 106 ppg on 50% shooting at home on the season.
Bottom line, Jazz get some payback for their early season blowout loss to the Pacers in Indiana, with a lopsided home win and cover tonight at home. Even with Tinsely back, this is still a flawed Pacers team that has serious issues with consistency on the road. Utah is damn good at home, and tonight they prove it once again!
Take the Jazz BIG over the Pacers in this NBA match up.