(photo: The Clarion-Ledger)
I will do my best to provide a daily three ball of picks for all of you snipers out there. The goal is a 2-1 night, with some 3-0’s sprinkled occasionally. I recommend you play them individually .. however, never be scared of a little three ball parlay!
Season Record: 85-59-5
1/19 Four Point Play:
Buffalo +5
Mississippi State -1
Colorado State +8
LSU +2
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Buffalo +5 : Really thought we would see a line of -2.5 or -3 in Kent State’s favor. I probably would’ve stayed away at that point because I see this as a one possession game either way, but I will gladly take 5 points. Buffalo has a quartet of scorers that I love to back as underdogs. Williams, Graves, Mballa and Segu can all go for 20 on a given day, and they are almost all in double figures every game. Mballa will have to do a really nice job defensively on Pippen to keep us in this one, but I feel like he will be up to the challenge. He is athletic enough to cause a few issues for Pippen. Buffalo loses a tight one here, but we cover.
Score Prediction: Kent State 81 – Buffalo 78
Mississippi State -1 : I love this play. This will be a fun rivalry showdown. It will be a defensive battle at times, but the perimeter scoring of Iverson Molinar and DJ Stewart will be too much for the Rebels to handle on the road. The coaching matchup also is not close in my opinion. Ben Howland will coach circles around Kermit. If Romelo White or KJ Buffen get in foul trouble, this could be a very comfortable win for Hail State. Also, in a year where it might not matter as much – Ole Miss is still 1-3 on the road this season.
Score Prediction: Mississippi State 70 – Ole Miss 64
Colorado State +8 : This will be a major showdown in the Mountain West. Colorado State coming in at 7-1 in conference, and Utah State coming in at 8-0. The college basketball world is starting to pump the tires for Utah State a bit, but I have not forgotten the Bad Boy Mowers Classic. The issues from those early games will come back to haunt Utah State tonight. The main issue – guard play. Utah State has gone on a nice run since the early tournament, but they have not played any real competition other than San Diego State (and we know their struggles offensively). Utah State didn’t need exceptional scoring from the guard position in those two games. However, David Roddy and Isaiah Stevens can really fill it up as a guard tandem for Colorado State. Kendle Moore has been impressive as well – scoring 11.1 ppg and shooting 46.6% from distance. This guard play will keep Colorado State in the game against inferior guard play from Utah State, and they could even sneak out a win.
Score Prediction: Utah State 70 – Colorado State 68
LSU +2 : My obsession with this team has not stopped. I really like them in this spot tonight. Alabama is arguably the hottest team in America, but coming into Baton Rouge will be a very tough test. The main reason? No Jordan Bruner. This will allow Darius Days and Trendon Watford to spend more time on Herb Jones. Herb is the catalyst for this Alabama team, and you will give yourself a chance if you neutralize him. LSU has the shooters to keep up with Petty and Shackleford for Bama, and I believe they will pull out a late win at home tonight. As I have stated before, this is a sleeper Sweet 16 team for me. All aboard the Cam Thomas train.
Score Prediction: LSU 80 – Alabama 76
Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!
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