(photo: The Athletic)
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: 61-60-1
12/1 Mega Card:
Wisconsin -3
Cincy -3
Norfolk St +3
Richmond -3
SIU -2
Sparty -4
Maryland PK
Wazzou -2
UF PK
TTU -2
UNC +3
————————————
Wisconsin -3 : Other than Keegan Murray, has anyone improved their draft stock like Johnny Davis in this young season? I believe the answer is no. Davis has been absolutely electric on both ends of the floor. Watching tape from their game without him against Providence, compared to the Maui with him, is quite eye opening. He is the difference maker. Georgia Tech brings nothing to the table outside of Devoe and Usher. I really think the Wisconsin defense will make it a struggle for the Jackets to score. Also, Crowl and Wahl should have a field day in the post.
Score Prediction: Wisconsin 69 – Georgia Tech 61
Cincy -3 : I am flushing the performance against Monmouth. It was just a poor shooting night. The guard play from this team has been exceptional in Wes Miller’s first season. They are turning the ball over only 9.6 times per game. That ranks 16th in the country. Also, I really love the way Miller is using a platoon approach in the post. Fouls are not racking up, and bodies are staying fresh. Don’t overthink this one. Getting a discount from the Monmouth game.
Score Prediction: Cincinnati 75 – Miami OH 67
Norfolk State +3 : Riding the Spartans until they don’t cover. Also, UNCW is coming off of a week where they canceled two games due to flu in the locker room. Stamina issue tonight?
Score Prediction: Norfolk State 70 – UNCW 68
Richmond -3 : A little “hungry dog runs faster” action tonight. Richmond is coming off of an impressive showing in the Bahamas with close losses to Maryland and Mississippi State. Two teams that have a real shot at dancing this year. Richmond was in both of those games until the end, and probably feel unfortunate to not come away with a win in either. Wofford, on the other hand, is coming off of a nice Power 5 win over Georgia on the road. I have a slight feeling that Richmond could want this one a little more. Also, I really believe that the loss of Messiah Jones will start to prove to be an issue for the Terriers. There is nobody on that team that will be able to guard Tyler Burton tonight. Nathan Cayo is also probably due for a big game. Spiders get a big road win tonight.
Score Prediction: Richmond 75 – Wofford 69
Southern Illinois -2 : Yes, back to my Salukis. I just simply think they are the better team in this matchup. Marcus Domask and Lance Jones are easily the best players in this game. They also have a coaching advantage in Bryan Mullins. The Salukis get to 1-0 to start their season in The Valley.
Score Prediction: Southern Illinois 64 – Evansville 59
Michigan State -4 : I am still not buying the Cardinals. It does not appear that Vegas is either. I was surprised to see this spread at 4 points after the showing from Louisville in the Bahamas. However, this will prove to be the right play. This is the first true road game for Louisville, and the Breslin Center is always rocking. Michigan State has the bodies to compete in the post & on the glass with Louisville. That is where they buttered their bread in the Bahamas. Sparty comfortably.
Score Prediction: Michigan State 74 – Louisville 64
Maryland PK : Something is broken with Storm Murphy. I am not sure what it is. This is not the PG that we saw at Wofford. The weird part is, he is reunited with Mike Young. He is the coach that developed him at Wofford. He is averaging more turnovers than assists, and is scoring 8.4 ppg. That will not be enough to get it done tonight against a rocking crowd at the Xfinity Center. The Terps will be honoring Len Bias tonight, and it has been pumped on social media basically since the season started. There will be a lot of energy in that building tonight, and I just don’ think the Hokies have the guard play right now to come in and win a road game in a hostile environment.
Score Prediction: Maryland 68 – Virginia Tech 65
Washington State -2 : Fading the Sun Devils without Marcus Bagley again. They are just a different team with/without. Also, it appears that Noah Williams will be back tonight for the Cougars. Williams, Flowers and Roberts are a lethal group of guards that you probably have not heard of yet. Enjoy watching them in this one tonight. Arizona State really struggles to defend the guard position. Wazzou from the jump.
Score Prediction: Washington State 74 – Arizona State 66
Florida PK : This one will be closer than people think, and that is why the line sits at PK. My gambling brain wants me to take OU, but i just simply cannot see them pulling this one out. This game is going to be won in the post, and UF has a significant advantage on the glass. Florida is 24th in the country in offensive rebounding, while Oklahoma comes in at 324th. If UF converts their second chances, we will be good here.
Score Prediction: Florida 70 – Oklahoma 66
Texas Tech -2 : The Red Raiders come into this game as one of the most efficient teams in the country. They are 3rd in offensive efficiency, and 9th in defensive efficiency. I am riding pure analytics on this play. Providence is a scrappy team, and always has a nice home court advantage .. but I’m rolling with the Red Raiders in a close one.
Score Prediction: Texas Tech 71 – Providence 67
UNC +3 : These two teams are built from the inside out. They always have been. It will be an absolute war on the glass tonight. However, Michigan has one glaring weakness that has come back to bite them many times this year. They are shooting 29% as a team from distance. On the other end, the Tar Heels have improved to 41% this season from the 3 point line. With better shooting and a rocking Dean Dome, I will have to side with the Tar Heels in this one.
Score Prediction: UNC 76 – Michigan 75
Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!
threepointsniper.com 