Drew Gordon
Today's Games...
1. 300,000♦ Syracuse
2. 50,000♦ Hawks
1. Syracuse- While the number on this contest begs you to take the Minutemen, that would be a mistake for many reasons. Granted, I know full well UMASS beat the Orange at the Carrier Dome once already this season, back on November 28th 107-100 as a 7'-point dog. However, this is a different Syracuse team, that's absolutely hell-bent on revenge, and playing some of their best ball of the season right now.
When I say this is a "different" Syracuse team, what I mean is they've found the right chemistry they just didn't have back in late November. It shouldn't come as too much of a shock, that it took players like freshman PG Johnny Flynn some time to adjust to the college game, but now that he has, the Orange are rolling. His 23-point, 7 assist effort against Maryland was the main reason the Orange blew the Terrapins away 88-72, and he'll be just as critcal tonight.
Now, let's talk revenge, as clearly its one of the most important factors in handicapping college hoops. Syracuse was still trying to find its identity back in November, and getting handed their first home loss of the season by UMASS is something they haven't forgotten. Just ask F Donte Green, who was quoted as saying: "The way they beat us, man, that was heartbreaking for us. So we gotta take care of it." And take care of it they will, with an all-out max-effort tonight at home.
Besides the fact the Carrier Dome is a tough place to win (just ask Georgetown, who lost there 77-70 back on February 16th), the Orange are playing like a team on a mission right now. They demolished a solid Maryland team in their Second Round match up, and are averaging 87.5 ppg on 50% shooting in their two NIT wins. Herein lies the problem for the Minutemen, as their offense has somewhat sputtered down the stretch, averaging 76 ppg over their last 5 (5 ppg below their season average), against some pretty questionable defenses. Syracuse will be jacked up tonight, and you know their defensive effort will be a hell of a lot better than in their first meeting.
Bottom line, don't be fooled by the what looks like a generous number on this contest, because the Orange are not to be underestimated in this spot. They have the home court edge, a serious revenge angle, and are playing much better ball than UMASS is playing right now. Minutemen guards Forbes and Harris are great players, but Flynn, Green, Harris, and Onuaku make up the better team in this match up.
Take Syracuse comfortably over Massachusetts as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Hawks- As the NBA season winds down, its important to check the standings for teams that must continue to win in order to stay in contention. Atlanta is a perfect example of one of those teams, as they're desperately clinging to the 8th and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, ahead of New Jersey by just 1 game. In other words, the Hawks cannot afford to screw around tonight in Chicago.
The Bulls, meanwhile, have been struggling, losing 4 of their last 5 SUATS, with 3 of those losses coming at the United Center. Above all else, their defense has been piss-poor, allowing almost 105 ppg on 45% shooting over their last 5 games. It won't get any easier tonight against a Hawks team that's been red-hot on the offensive end, scoring an impressive (especially for Atlanta) 109 ppg on 51% shooting over the same 5-game span... See what a little playoff motivation can do for a team!
Match ups are also an issue for Chicago, as the trade that sent away F/C Ben Wallace has clearly weakened their frontline defense. Problem is their about to face one of the more athletic frontcourts in the East, with Smith, Williams, and the rookie Horford all capable of winning their match ups. While Deng will score plenty of points, he'll also allow plenty, so don't go thinking he wins his match up!
We haven't even gotten to the backcourts, where the Hawks really enjoy an edge. The Bulls guards, Hughes and Hinrich, are maddeningly inconsistent, while Joe Johnson is the pillar of consistency. Also, Mike Bibby is finally starting to gel with his new teammates (20 points, 8 assists, 6 boards in his last one) and it shows with their 109 ppg average over their last 5 games!
Bottom line, we'll take the points, but I could easily see the Hawks winning this game outright. They've got one of the best motivators an NBA team can have, and that's the postseason... Hawks can taste it, but they cannot allow themselves to slip up against beatable teams like the Bulls.
Take the Hawks plus the points over the Bulls in this NBA match up.