- Dec 22, 2008
- 444
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I stayed away from the early action today as many games seemed like traps like yesterday. Looks like my assessment was right. On to tonight's action.
Cal State Fullerton -2 ** (2 Units)
Attended the CSUN/Pacific game with some friends this past weekend and I can tell you it looks like the Matadors have packed it in. No team play, offense looks erratic, and they give up way too many second looks that have resulted in extra buckets. The Titans are tough to figure out not only this season, but most seasons. They are very athletic and have the potential to make a deep run in this conference tourney if they can limit their turnovers. Fullerton has the conference's best FG%, FT%, and scoring offense. I like Streeter and what he brings to the team. The key will be Aaron Thompson who is part of the Big 4 for the Titans. If he can contribute like he should, there is way too much offense for Northridge to stop. Plus this tourney is being played at the Irvine Convention Center which is 15 minutes from Fullerton. With this small of a line I will take the team that still believes they have something to play for.
SMU -2 ** (2 Units)
I think the Mustangs can be dangerous because they make you work for every possession. The slow down tempo and in your face defense gives them a chance to be competitive every single game. Their mentality is, if they are going to lose, at least they will make you earn the victory. This approach has allowed them to keep games close against the better upper tier teams in the conference which included wins against Memphis and Houston. They shoot the 3-Ball well and the interior is controlled so well by Papa Dia. Central Florida has won 6 conference games where more than half of those wins came against Rice and Tulane. The two dogs in the conference. Coach Doherty has produced the best season for the Mustangs since joining the conference. The team believes in him and I think their balanced inside/out game will be too much for the Knights.
Iowa St +9 ** (2 Units)
The Cyclones had a tough season with injuries, but in the past month have played much better. During that time period, they went 2-4, but it was the way they lost that shows the tide has changed. They lost by 5 to Okie St, then 4 to A&M, then 3 to Colorado, and then 2 to Missouri. Each game got better and with the exception of the Buffaloes, were against the top teams in the conference. Oh yeah and then what happened in the last game after each game got better??? They beat Kansas St on the road to end the regular season. The resiliency and continuing to work hard deep into the season when times have been bleak makes this team dangerous. Brackens has been great and Gilstrap has been money this year. These two should be able to contain James and Pittman. That is where Texas has weakened recently. Rebounding has been down in recent weeks for the Longhorns, which has to be a concern. Christopherson has been playing well for the Cyclones as of late and if he continues to stay hot from outside, this game could become extremely interesting. Too many points to be giving a team that has a no die attitude and is coming off a huge confidence building win on the road against the Kansas St Wildcats.
Oregon +2 ** (2 Units)
This is a game featuring two teams going in completely different directions. The Ducks have won 3 of their past 4 games where Wazzou has lost 6 of its last 7. The conference tourney has been kind to Oregon over the years and they feel they are clicking at the right time. Coach Kent is on the hot seat and the players will be gunning with their best performance tonight in hopes they can help him keep his job. The Cougars on the other hand have been terrible in every aspect of the game. Klay Thompson has been a different player during the 2nd half of the season and with no one stepping up to help out, they have been a dying duck. No pun intended. Porter has been heating up and I like the chances for Oregon to not only win tonight but possibly one more.
Good luck everyone! Let's have a great night.
Best,
Kaiser
Record:
207-170 (+62 Units)
Cal State Fullerton -2 ** (2 Units)
Attended the CSUN/Pacific game with some friends this past weekend and I can tell you it looks like the Matadors have packed it in. No team play, offense looks erratic, and they give up way too many second looks that have resulted in extra buckets. The Titans are tough to figure out not only this season, but most seasons. They are very athletic and have the potential to make a deep run in this conference tourney if they can limit their turnovers. Fullerton has the conference's best FG%, FT%, and scoring offense. I like Streeter and what he brings to the team. The key will be Aaron Thompson who is part of the Big 4 for the Titans. If he can contribute like he should, there is way too much offense for Northridge to stop. Plus this tourney is being played at the Irvine Convention Center which is 15 minutes from Fullerton. With this small of a line I will take the team that still believes they have something to play for.
SMU -2 ** (2 Units)
I think the Mustangs can be dangerous because they make you work for every possession. The slow down tempo and in your face defense gives them a chance to be competitive every single game. Their mentality is, if they are going to lose, at least they will make you earn the victory. This approach has allowed them to keep games close against the better upper tier teams in the conference which included wins against Memphis and Houston. They shoot the 3-Ball well and the interior is controlled so well by Papa Dia. Central Florida has won 6 conference games where more than half of those wins came against Rice and Tulane. The two dogs in the conference. Coach Doherty has produced the best season for the Mustangs since joining the conference. The team believes in him and I think their balanced inside/out game will be too much for the Knights.
Iowa St +9 ** (2 Units)
The Cyclones had a tough season with injuries, but in the past month have played much better. During that time period, they went 2-4, but it was the way they lost that shows the tide has changed. They lost by 5 to Okie St, then 4 to A&M, then 3 to Colorado, and then 2 to Missouri. Each game got better and with the exception of the Buffaloes, were against the top teams in the conference. Oh yeah and then what happened in the last game after each game got better??? They beat Kansas St on the road to end the regular season. The resiliency and continuing to work hard deep into the season when times have been bleak makes this team dangerous. Brackens has been great and Gilstrap has been money this year. These two should be able to contain James and Pittman. That is where Texas has weakened recently. Rebounding has been down in recent weeks for the Longhorns, which has to be a concern. Christopherson has been playing well for the Cyclones as of late and if he continues to stay hot from outside, this game could become extremely interesting. Too many points to be giving a team that has a no die attitude and is coming off a huge confidence building win on the road against the Kansas St Wildcats.
Oregon +2 ** (2 Units)
This is a game featuring two teams going in completely different directions. The Ducks have won 3 of their past 4 games where Wazzou has lost 6 of its last 7. The conference tourney has been kind to Oregon over the years and they feel they are clicking at the right time. Coach Kent is on the hot seat and the players will be gunning with their best performance tonight in hopes they can help him keep his job. The Cougars on the other hand have been terrible in every aspect of the game. Klay Thompson has been a different player during the 2nd half of the season and with no one stepping up to help out, they have been a dying duck. No pun intended. Porter has been heating up and I like the chances for Oregon to not only win tonight but possibly one more.
Good luck everyone! Let's have a great night.
Best,
Kaiser
Record:
207-170 (+62 Units)