Michael Cannon
Wednesday
20 Dime
PITT
Take Pitt as the small road chalk tonight over South Florida.
Much has been made of the Panthers injuries this year, losing starting forward Mike Cook and starting point guard Levance Fields. Although those two played a big part in Pitt's success, the Panthers have a deep bench that can compensate for those losses.
Take their last game against Villanova, where Pitt hadn't won in years and found themselves as a 5 point dog. Despite 22 turnovers, Pitt had the ball on the last possession with a chance to win.
They ended up losing by one, but the fact they had a chance to win it on their last possession, despite the sloppy play, showed me that this team can and still will play great defense which will allow them to stay in every game.
South Florida doesn't have an answer for this athletic Pitt team, despite its injuries. Freshman Dajuan Blair has been one of the best newcomers to the conference and routinely puts up double-doubles. Coach Jamie Dixon's decision to open up the Pitt offense has allowed the athletic Sam Young to blossom this year. Freshman Gilbert Brown took over Cook's spot in the lineup and brings some mad hops to the floor.
There's no way Pitt is going to open the season with consecutive conference losses. They are an athletic team that wants to run on offense, yet maintains the discipline to play great defense.
Lay the points with Pitt as they grab a six-point road win and cover.
10 Dime
DUKE
Lay the points with Duke tonight when they travel to take on Temple.
Duke is trying to regroup before their ACC season starts, but coach Mike Krzyzewski was not happy with his team's latest effort. The Blue Devils beat Cornell 81-67 on Sunday, but Coach K was not happy with several miscues in the win.
He felt his team wasn't aggressive enough on loose balls, and wasn't discussing its mistakes.
When trying to correct its mistakes back at practice on Monday, starting center Brian Zoubek broke his left foot. His injury is a big blow, but Duke remains one of the deeper teams in the country. They have four players with double-digit scoring averages.
Temple, on the other hand, is pretty much a one man show with Dionte Christmas, who is tied for the Atlantic 10 scoring lead with 20.9 points per game.
Duke will be able to limit his shots, forcing his teammates to pick up the scoring slack.
When they're not, Duke will turn their transition game into quality scoring chances and slowly pull away.
The Blue Devils have won seven straight against Temple, including last January's 73-55 win.
Take Duke minus the points as they grab the road win and cover.
5 Dime
BUCKS
Take the Bucks as the home chalk tonight over the Heat.
Miami is playing its third road game in four days and fourth in six days. They are banged up and Shaquille O'Neal is doubtful for tonight's game with a thigh injury. Jason Williams is also among the walking wounded with a bad knee.
O'Neal and Williams are two of the league's worst defenders at their respective positions. The Heat are even more immobile when saddled by injuries.
Take the Bucks as the home chalk as they grab the home win and cover tonight.
Wednesday
20 Dime
PITT
Take Pitt as the small road chalk tonight over South Florida.
Much has been made of the Panthers injuries this year, losing starting forward Mike Cook and starting point guard Levance Fields. Although those two played a big part in Pitt's success, the Panthers have a deep bench that can compensate for those losses.
Take their last game against Villanova, where Pitt hadn't won in years and found themselves as a 5 point dog. Despite 22 turnovers, Pitt had the ball on the last possession with a chance to win.
They ended up losing by one, but the fact they had a chance to win it on their last possession, despite the sloppy play, showed me that this team can and still will play great defense which will allow them to stay in every game.
South Florida doesn't have an answer for this athletic Pitt team, despite its injuries. Freshman Dajuan Blair has been one of the best newcomers to the conference and routinely puts up double-doubles. Coach Jamie Dixon's decision to open up the Pitt offense has allowed the athletic Sam Young to blossom this year. Freshman Gilbert Brown took over Cook's spot in the lineup and brings some mad hops to the floor.
There's no way Pitt is going to open the season with consecutive conference losses. They are an athletic team that wants to run on offense, yet maintains the discipline to play great defense.
Lay the points with Pitt as they grab a six-point road win and cover.
10 Dime
DUKE
Lay the points with Duke tonight when they travel to take on Temple.
Duke is trying to regroup before their ACC season starts, but coach Mike Krzyzewski was not happy with his team's latest effort. The Blue Devils beat Cornell 81-67 on Sunday, but Coach K was not happy with several miscues in the win.
He felt his team wasn't aggressive enough on loose balls, and wasn't discussing its mistakes.
When trying to correct its mistakes back at practice on Monday, starting center Brian Zoubek broke his left foot. His injury is a big blow, but Duke remains one of the deeper teams in the country. They have four players with double-digit scoring averages.
Temple, on the other hand, is pretty much a one man show with Dionte Christmas, who is tied for the Atlantic 10 scoring lead with 20.9 points per game.
Duke will be able to limit his shots, forcing his teammates to pick up the scoring slack.
When they're not, Duke will turn their transition game into quality scoring chances and slowly pull away.
The Blue Devils have won seven straight against Temple, including last January's 73-55 win.
Take Duke minus the points as they grab the road win and cover.
5 Dime
BUCKS
Take the Bucks as the home chalk tonight over the Heat.
Miami is playing its third road game in four days and fourth in six days. They are banged up and Shaquille O'Neal is doubtful for tonight's game with a thigh injury. Jason Williams is also among the walking wounded with a bad knee.
O'Neal and Williams are two of the league's worst defenders at their respective positions. The Heat are even more immobile when saddled by injuries.
Take the Bucks as the home chalk as they grab the home win and cover tonight.
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