FERRINGO
3.5-Unit Play. Take #740 Eastern Michigan (-2) over Ball State (12:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 12)
We?re going with experience, with the best player on the court (Carlos Medlock) and against Ball State. Eastern Michigan is better than the record indicates and I think they will run Ball State out of the gym today. They have own four of five meetings dating back to January of last year, taking those four by an average of seven points. I am moderately concerned about the status of Justin Dobbins, but EMU played without him for most of the game in the last meeting with Ball State and won by 11.
3-Unit Play. Take #732 Dayton (-5.5) over St. Louis (Noon, Wednesday, March 12)
It?s all about Brian Roberts here. Dayton is a solid team; they were ranked in the Top 25 for the early part of the season. But injuries and a grueling conference schedule have set them back. But this team is a live dog in regards to winning the A-10 Tournament. They have won three straight and are facing a Billikens team that has lost by 20 to St. Bonaventure, 27 to Duquesne, and hasn?t played well on the road at all this year.
4-Unit Play. Take #742 Central Michigan (-6) over Northern Illinois (3 p.m., Wednesday, March 12)
The Chippewas are as flaky as they come. But they have four seniors in their main rotation, including do-it-all guard Giordan Watson. The Huskies will be playing hard, and with heart, to represent for the tragedy that occurred on its campus. But they just don?t have the horses and I think a lot of people are ready for the season to be over. CMU has covered six straight and won four straight in this series. They are also 5-2-1 ATS in conference games recently.
5-Unit Play. Take #737 Rhode Island (-1.5) over Charlotte (8:50 p.m., Wednesday, March 12)
I just think Rhode Island is better than they have played. They have been awful recently ? both SU and ATS ? but I am banking on a tournaround. They played too well for the first half of the season to just roll over and die in the first round of the A-10 Tournament. Charlotte is tough, but they are young. We?ll back senior Will Daniels and look for a strong performance out of Jimmy Baron today as Rhode Island is able to hold off the young 49ers.
3-Unit Play. Take #760 Cal Poly SLO (-3.5) over Cal-Riverside (11:20 p.m., Wednesday, March 12)
These two teams split the season series, but Riverside?s win came at home against a Poly team that lost its two top scorers that morning. Poly has won seven of eight in this series (although most of the time they?ve played a s a dog) and is 13-3-1 ATS as a favorite. They are also 8-0-1 ATS after a blowout loss of 20 or more points. So while this game should be about as ugly as they come I like Poly to win the season series and cover in the process.
3-Unit Play. Take #768 Sacred Heart (-2) over Mount St. Mary?s (7 p.m., Wednesday, March 12)
Home court advantage. We?ve already seen it play out several times over the past few days that the team playing on its home floor has a tremendous advantage when it comes to closing out a conference tournament. Well, Sacred Heart should prepare for a court-storming. This team has all kinds of size, including three players at 6-7 or above, and they have experience in the backcourt. SHS swept the season series and had the talent to play Providence and Boston College to a five-point game. They get the nod and take the NEC.
3.5-Unit Play. Take California (-2) over Washington (9 p.m., Wednesday, March 12)
Washington?s Jon Brockman suffered a severely sprained ankle against Washington State over the weekend and is doubtful to play in this one. I know he?s a horse and he may suit up anyway, but if Brockman is limited that puts a gaping hole in the heart of the Huskies. Cal is a shaky club. You would think they would have a lot of confidence after two tough losses to their main rivals. But they could just as easily come out flat against an inferior opponent. I?m betting the former. And if UW is playing without its rock in the center then Cal can win this one big ? as long as the Bears defend the perimeter.
1.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #729 Seton Hall (+15.5) over Marquette (9:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 12) and #750 Take UTEP (-5.5) over SMU (3:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 12)
Seton Hall (along with Providence) are my two potential upset picks for today in the Big East Tournament. Seton Hall matches up with Marquette well - neither has much post presence and they are both guard-oriented - and the Pirates played the Golden Eagles tough at Marquette earlier in the season. UTEP should smash SMU today. They have a much more talented backcourt and don't have to worry about beating the Stangs for a third time thanks to a fluky loss at SMU. The Mustangs have been non-competitive on the road this season in conference play and I think UTEP (along with Southern Miss) is set up for a blowout win today to cement their place as tournament sleeper.
That's it for today. Good luck.
