(photo: FIU Sports)
I will do my best to provide *at least* 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! 20/21 Season: 58%
Season Record: 23-22-1
11/19 Starting Five:
NMSU -3
Clem / Bonnies o123
IPFW +12
Ohio +12
FIU -3
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NMSU -3 : Hoping you saw this pick when I put it out. I missed the golden number of -2, but it has ran all the way to -5.5. As I mentioned in my tweet, I would only play to -4. -5 is right were I would have this capped. New Mexico State was very impressive in their tournament opening win over Davidson. This team always competes on the defensive end and has high energy on both sides of the court, but yesterday they were also shooting the ball exceptionally well. If this team stays hot from distance, they are going to be a serious problem. Utah State will really struggle with their physicality and energy, and the Aggies will march on to the title game.
Score Prediction: New Mexico 70 – Utah State 64
Clem / Bonnies o123 : This number sits here due to two elite defenses. However, I think that both offenses bring challenging weapons to exploit these defenses just enough to get us over this edge. As you saw yesterday, the Bonnies struggle to defend the three point line at times. Boise State was able to hang around in that game due to their shooting. Clemson was 11-21 from distance yesterday against Temple, and are shooting 48% on the season. On the other end, Clemson is really challenged with size in their backcourt. The Bonnies backcourt is taller than most, and really love to play strong and physical through the lane and in the post. I think both teams can figure out a way to score points today. Also, both teams will have a nice sized crowd down in Charleston. Hopefully, feeding off of momentum will get more shots to drop. This one should be entertaining!
Score Prediction: Bonnies 65 – Clemson 64
IPFW +12 : This number opened too high at +12. Glad we got it where we did. Down to +10.5 now. Fort Wayne has the pieces to battle in this game. Pipkins and Godfrey are two senior guards that know how to score timely buckets, or get to the line, when a game looks like it could get blown open. I love having high basketball IQ guards when taking a big underdog. As you know, I have been high on Minnesota this season so this may come as a shock. However, the Mastadons are the play here. 53% from the field. 76% from the stripe. 49% from distance. Give me that and + double digit points all day.
Score Prediction: Minnesota 74 – IPFW 66
Ohio +12 : I am very high on UK this year, and I am a little scared to take this one .. but it fits my numbers. I had this at UK -9.5. The key for Ohio will be to get Big Oscar into foul trouble as quickly as possible. The entire makeup of the Wildcats changes with him on the bench. Carter and Vander Plas are seasoned veterans that could get this done with their post-moves and pump fakes around the rim. Oscar loves to block shots, so he is always susceptible to fouls. I also love the way Mark Sears has taken over the reigns from Jason Preston this season. He looks like he will be a star in the MAC for years to come. My least favorite of the five, but think we get a close cover here with a seasoned & feisty Bobcat group.
Score Prediction: UK 77 – Ohio 68
FIU -3 : Looks like we will get some CLV here as well. I see the line now at -4.5 at the time of writing this. Play of the day for me. I do not see a world in which Green Bay can run & score with FIU. FIU always baits teams into getting up and down with them, as you saw last night in their game against Ball State. They are athletic at the rim and can fire from range. Green Bay is shooting 27% from distance, and are replacing the majority of their scoring from last season. Easy victory for the Panthers.
Score Prediction: FIU 73 – Green Bay 64
Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!
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