Ferringo
2.5-Unit Play. Take #526 Tennessee (-13.5) over Kentucky (Noon, Sunday, March 2)
The Wildcats just lost their do-everything, Patrick Patterson, and are now going up against a Vols team that A) has revenge for a stunning loss in Lexington earlier this year, and B) is pretty pissed about a loss at Vanderbilt after working so hard to get to No. 1. The Vols press and trap and are very reliant on turnovers. Well, Kentucky is one of the shakiest ball-handling teams in the East and I think they make at least 18 TO?s today. Those extra possessions are going to equal extra points and potentially a huge blowout. Tennessee has only played four of its last 11 at home, winning all four by 19 or more points. They?ve won their last five SEC home games by an average of 20 points per, and that was facing teams that didn?t just lose their best players for the year.
1.5-Unit Play. Take #527 Notre Dame (-4.5) over DePaul (1 p.m., Sunday, March 2)
I guess this is supposed to be some sort of trap because of the line movement, but I just don?t see it. DePaul has gotten rocked by the top tier of the Big East and is 1-5 ATS in its last six road games. The Irish are coming off a loss so I don?t anticipate a letdown here. They are simply better than a bad DePaul club that has dropped eight of nine. DePaul has lost by 12 (WVU), 20 (UL), 5 (SU), and 16 (G-Town) to the top of the BE. They are outclassed and will have no answer for Luke Harangody underneath and the N.D. shooters should take care of this one late.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #530 Michigan State (-5) over Indiana (2 p.m., Sunday, March 2)
The Spartans are 17-0 at home, where they have looked like a Top 10 teams at time. On the road is another story. But in the IzZone today they should be able to manhandle an Indiana team that has performed well against road numbers but hasn?t performed that well on the road for anyone watching. They barely escaped Northwestern with a win and that was their last road test in three weeks. Before that they beat bottom feeders Ohio State and Illinois, but were hammered at Wisconsin. Michigan State was actually leading their last meeting 10 minutes into the game, but then IU started hitting everything it could throw at the basket and pulled away for an easy win. I think the tables get turned, and without an emotional home crowd behind them the Sampson-less Hoosiers get spanked.
2.5-Unit Play. Take Fairfield (+9) over Rider (2 p.m., Sunday, March 2)
The Stags always seem to be peaking at this point of the season and I think they could jump up and bite the Broncos today on Senior Night. Fairfield just beat Rider by 12 two weeks ago in a game where both teams shot over 50 percent from the field and from 3-point land. Fairfield has won seven straight games (6-1 ATS) while Rider has endured a 2-3 SU slide while going 1-5 ATS in their last six. I think some of that may have to do with a pair of freshmen starters hitting the wall. Rider just shot 55 percent from the field and Jason Thompson put up 33 points and Rider still couldn?t cover against lowly St. Peters. I think that?s a bad sign. Fairfield will not win this game but they will stay competitive and won't beat themselves.
Also leaning heavily on LSU, Loyola, MD, Clemson and Duquesne.
