Drew Gordon
Drew Gordon
Drew Gordon
Today's Games...
1. 200,000♦ Miami-Florida
2. 50,000♦ Cavaliers
3. 50,000♦ Wisconsin
1. Miami-Florida- Several reasons to like the Hurricanes in this spot, but let's start with their overall play, which has been excellent thus far this season, going 14-1 SU and 8-0 ATS... You can't argue with those numbers. They're doing it with a more "team-first" attitude this season, as coach Haith has his kids, including the one time ball-hog turned team-leader Jack McClinton, buying into his system.
Besides their overall play, the 'Canes have the all-important "double-revenge" angle going for them in this one. The Eagles beat a much different Miami team twice last season, and don't think for second that they've forgotten about it. Now its payback time, as the Eagles are vulnerable, as witnessed by their 57-51 home loss to Robert Morris a week ago Monday. Sure, they destroyed Wake Forest in their last home game, but that was to be expected coming off the ugly upset loss to Robert Morris... Don't expect the same kind of energy this time around.
No question Miami's bread is buttered by its defense, which allows 60 ppg on a lockdown 38% shooting this season. Anchored by bruiser Anthony King down-low, this 'Canes defense is athletic enough to limit a solid Eagles' frontcourt. While in the backcourt, McClinton and Dews make up a blanced duo, that at the very least can contain Tyrese Rice. Rice dominated his match up against Wake Forest, but don't expect him to shoot 9 for 15 and score 32 points against this Miami defense.
Finally, as mentioned above the 'Canes have been nothing but a money-machine this season, going 8-0 ATS! They proved in their outright upset at Mississippi State that they can win on the road. However, because the Eagles crushed Wake Forest a couple days ago, there's the misperception that these two teams are about equal, but that's simply not the case. Miami is a much better team, with a much better defense, playing for payback against a Boston College team that just lost to Robert Morris at home last week!
Take Miami-Florida plus the points over Boston College as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Cavaliers- Two teams going in separate directions, as the Cavs have won 7 of their last 9 games, while the Grizzlies are tailspinning, losers of 10 of their last 12 games overall. More of the same tonight, as the Griz have no answer for Lebron in this one.
Problem with Memphis starts and ends with defense, as they're allowing a mind-boggling 108 ppg on 48% shooting over their last 5 games! Its not like Cleveland is a strong offensive team, but when Memphis gives ZERO effort on the defensive end, even the Cavs look good. Don't believe me? Pop in the tape of their last meeting in Memphis, when the Cavs won 118-96 as 2'-point favorites!
Unlike the Grizzlies, Cleveland actually cares about defense, surrendering just 91 ppg over their last 5 games. That's a problem for the Memphis backcourt, which features an inexperienced PG in Conley Jr. and a turnover-machine in Mike Miller (leads team with 105 turnovers). Hughes, Gibson, and of course Lebron are all solid defenders and quick with their hands, making for a tough match up tonight.
Finally, let's look at the numbers as the favorite in this series is 8-3 ATS over their last 11 meetings. While this is their first meeting this season, its clear Memphis is one of the worst teams in the NBA and playing like it. Expect the Cavs, and especially Lebron, to take advantage of a paper mache Grizzlies defense in a solid road win and cover tonight.
Take the Cavaliers over the Grizzlies in this NBA match up.
3. Wisconsin- Oddsmakers are clearly underestimating the Badgers in this spot, as despite being on the road, its hard to ignore the edge in overall talent Wisconsin has in this match up, especially in the frontcourt.
Its important to note that the Lions leading rebounder is G Geary Claxton, which should immediately tell you something about Penn State's frontline. He also happens to lead them in blocked shots (12), so don't expect much resistance from the Lions bigmen either. Both Butch and Landry should have a field day in this match up, as Wisconsin is at its most dangerous when they can work inside/out, opening up the defense for G Trevon Hughes.
While defensively Penn State has some convincing stats at home, clearly the better defense lies with Wisconsin, which is allowing opponents just 54 ppg on 38% shooting, against better competition no less. While you expect Claxton to score, the rest of the Lions backcourt isn't nearly as talented and will struggle against the superior perimter defense of the Badgers.
Bottom line, while Penn State is coming off its first home loss of the season, don't put too much stock in a bounce back effort against this Wisconsin team tonight. This is clearly their toughest home contest to date, and with the match up issues mentioned above, look for the Lions to get handed their second home loss of the season in this one. Butch and Landry open up it up for Hughes, while the Wisky defense takes care of the rest!
Take Wisconsin comfortably over Penn State in this Big Ten match up.
Drew Gordon
Drew Gordon
Today's Games...
1. 200,000♦ Miami-Florida
2. 50,000♦ Cavaliers
3. 50,000♦ Wisconsin
1. Miami-Florida- Several reasons to like the Hurricanes in this spot, but let's start with their overall play, which has been excellent thus far this season, going 14-1 SU and 8-0 ATS... You can't argue with those numbers. They're doing it with a more "team-first" attitude this season, as coach Haith has his kids, including the one time ball-hog turned team-leader Jack McClinton, buying into his system.
Besides their overall play, the 'Canes have the all-important "double-revenge" angle going for them in this one. The Eagles beat a much different Miami team twice last season, and don't think for second that they've forgotten about it. Now its payback time, as the Eagles are vulnerable, as witnessed by their 57-51 home loss to Robert Morris a week ago Monday. Sure, they destroyed Wake Forest in their last home game, but that was to be expected coming off the ugly upset loss to Robert Morris... Don't expect the same kind of energy this time around.
No question Miami's bread is buttered by its defense, which allows 60 ppg on a lockdown 38% shooting this season. Anchored by bruiser Anthony King down-low, this 'Canes defense is athletic enough to limit a solid Eagles' frontcourt. While in the backcourt, McClinton and Dews make up a blanced duo, that at the very least can contain Tyrese Rice. Rice dominated his match up against Wake Forest, but don't expect him to shoot 9 for 15 and score 32 points against this Miami defense.
Finally, as mentioned above the 'Canes have been nothing but a money-machine this season, going 8-0 ATS! They proved in their outright upset at Mississippi State that they can win on the road. However, because the Eagles crushed Wake Forest a couple days ago, there's the misperception that these two teams are about equal, but that's simply not the case. Miami is a much better team, with a much better defense, playing for payback against a Boston College team that just lost to Robert Morris at home last week!
Take Miami-Florida plus the points over Boston College as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Cavaliers- Two teams going in separate directions, as the Cavs have won 7 of their last 9 games, while the Grizzlies are tailspinning, losers of 10 of their last 12 games overall. More of the same tonight, as the Griz have no answer for Lebron in this one.
Problem with Memphis starts and ends with defense, as they're allowing a mind-boggling 108 ppg on 48% shooting over their last 5 games! Its not like Cleveland is a strong offensive team, but when Memphis gives ZERO effort on the defensive end, even the Cavs look good. Don't believe me? Pop in the tape of their last meeting in Memphis, when the Cavs won 118-96 as 2'-point favorites!
Unlike the Grizzlies, Cleveland actually cares about defense, surrendering just 91 ppg over their last 5 games. That's a problem for the Memphis backcourt, which features an inexperienced PG in Conley Jr. and a turnover-machine in Mike Miller (leads team with 105 turnovers). Hughes, Gibson, and of course Lebron are all solid defenders and quick with their hands, making for a tough match up tonight.
Finally, let's look at the numbers as the favorite in this series is 8-3 ATS over their last 11 meetings. While this is their first meeting this season, its clear Memphis is one of the worst teams in the NBA and playing like it. Expect the Cavs, and especially Lebron, to take advantage of a paper mache Grizzlies defense in a solid road win and cover tonight.
Take the Cavaliers over the Grizzlies in this NBA match up.
3. Wisconsin- Oddsmakers are clearly underestimating the Badgers in this spot, as despite being on the road, its hard to ignore the edge in overall talent Wisconsin has in this match up, especially in the frontcourt.
Its important to note that the Lions leading rebounder is G Geary Claxton, which should immediately tell you something about Penn State's frontline. He also happens to lead them in blocked shots (12), so don't expect much resistance from the Lions bigmen either. Both Butch and Landry should have a field day in this match up, as Wisconsin is at its most dangerous when they can work inside/out, opening up the defense for G Trevon Hughes.
While defensively Penn State has some convincing stats at home, clearly the better defense lies with Wisconsin, which is allowing opponents just 54 ppg on 38% shooting, against better competition no less. While you expect Claxton to score, the rest of the Lions backcourt isn't nearly as talented and will struggle against the superior perimter defense of the Badgers.
Bottom line, while Penn State is coming off its first home loss of the season, don't put too much stock in a bounce back effort against this Wisconsin team tonight. This is clearly their toughest home contest to date, and with the match up issues mentioned above, look for the Lions to get handed their second home loss of the season in this one. Butch and Landry open up it up for Hughes, while the Wisky defense takes care of the rest!
Take Wisconsin comfortably over Penn State in this Big Ten match up.
