WACy Saturday

[pops]

WAC 0-1

Early game goes off in Ruston today between the Wolfpack and La Tech with Nevada a 4.5 fave.

Not a lot to say in this one. LaTech, while playing good defense against Utah State on Thursday, was absolutely horrid from the field, shooting only 32% from the field. This added up to a 13 point loss even though they were tied at 37 with around 5 minutes to go. LaTech didn't score again.

Nevada, on the other hand, looked just like the team that lost to Idaho at home last Saturday in the first half at Las Cruces. Then, they decided to play. Ended up in an 8 point overtime win with Luke Babbit having a huge game.

Still too early to really get a good grip on either team, but I am making a small play on LaTech in this one. Nevada did what they needed to do on Thursday, getting a huge road win, and may coast a bit in this one.

LaTech is not as bad as they showed against USU on Thursday and I think after finally sleeping in their own beds for a few nights, settle down and grind out a close game at home.

Play: LaTech +4.5.

Back later with the late WAC games.

 

[pops]

WAC (1-1)

Utah State +1 @ New Mexico State. With LaTech choking their brains out, this actually becomes a fairly important game for both teams. Utah State cannot be happy with the split now that they have the chance to remain 1 game ahead of Nevada as seeding in the WAC tourney is going to be important in a potential 1-bid league. NMSU has more talent, USU has more skill. X factor is coaching. If NMSU comes out and drills threes early (something they couldn't do against Nevada, even though they led most of the game on Thursday), USU could be in for a long night. However, if NMSU shows their tendency to play with no heart and hangs their heads after blowing the game against the wolfpack, USU will execute them to death in a grind out victory. I am betting on the latter. Play: USU +1

Hawaii +9 @ Boise. Hawaii just isn't that great. Nash isn't getting the same type of players to the islands that Wallace did, and after getting drilled at Idaho, I don't see him getting this team up for a Boise team that tends to play well in games that don't mean anything. Wary of the back door, but...Play: Boise -9

San Jose +4.5 @ Fresneck. Two poor teams. San Jose didn't even compete at Boise, but Fresno has some horrible losses. Cleveland is a good coach, but you have no idea what team is going to show up for him. This really is a coin-flip, but I am going with the dog. Play: San Jose +4.5

pops