(photo: Stadium)
I will do my best to provide *at least* a daily group of 3-5 picks for all of you snipers out there. The goal is a 2-1 (3-2) night. I recommend you play them individually .. however, never be scared of a little sniper parlay! 20/21 Season: 58%
Season Record: 162-159-12
1/18 Card:
Kansas -3
Bonnies +2
Iona -2
VCU -2
Duke -5
Northwestern +3
Syracuse -3
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Kansas -3 : The Tanner Groves Revenge Game! This silky smooth stretch forward will not be catching the Jayhawks off guard tonight. Groves lit Kansas up for 35 last season in the NCAA tournament while playing for Eastern Washington. The Eagles led for the majority of that game, but Kansas was able to pull it out in the end. That is not a game that KU could possibly forget. Bill Self definitely has been showing tape of that to his team prior to tonight’s matchup. They will be challenged to shut him down, and I think they have the tools to do so. Also, it is worth noting that McCormick got the better on Groves on the glass. Lastly, Braun & Agbaji live off of hostile road crowds, and should lead us to victory tonight in this rivalry game.
Score Prediction: Kansas 75 – OU 68
St. Bonaventure +2 : Not a huge matchup edge, but if you are going to give me points on the Bonnies Redemption Tour.. then gosh almighty (miss you Roy) I’ll take the points. Bonaventure absolutely waxed the 2nd best team in the league, VCU, last time out, and I think they can carry that momentum into tonight. Dayton always has a rocking home crowd, but the senior lead Bonnies won’t be phased. Close one, but St. Bonaventure gets a huge road W to add to the resume.
Score Prediction: St. Bonaventure 69 – Dayton 65
Iona -2 : Monmouth has been absolutely pathetic returning from their Covid pause. The pauses have affected teams in different ways, but the Hawks have been a case of steep decline. An 84-48 loss at Marist is just horrific. Iona is not the team you want to “get right” against. I really think that the edge will be won downlow in the Nelly Junior Joseph vs Walker Miller matchup. Miller is at a significant athletic disadvantage, and he has not face anyone like Nelly to start this season. Early foul trouble for Miller could lead to a big Iona edge on the glass. I believe the Gaels come in and steal an important road win.
Score Prediction: Iona 76 – Monmouth 69
VCU -2 : Defense, defense, defense. The Rams will bring their high pressure defense right into the mouth of Davidson’s jump shooting offense. VCU ranks 2nd in the country in defensive efficiency. That, paired with a rocking home crowd, should be enough to unsettle a Davidson team that does not like to be pressured. Loyer, Jones and Brajkovic will really struggle with the supreme athletic advantage that VCU has over them. Also, I just really like VCU to get what they want on the offensive end. As good as VCU is on the defensive end, Davidson is just as bad. 197th in defensive efficiency. VCU reminds people that they are here to stay in the race for the A-10 Title tonight.
Score Prediction: VCU 70 – Davidson 65
Duke -5 : Best Bet of the night. While we know Duke has struggled a bit in Tallahassee, the talent gap has not been this wide between the two sides in quite some time. Also, FSU is weirdly inept in the post this season. You usually think of length and physicality with Leonard Hamilton’s teams, but they are really struggling on the glass this season. They are allowing their opponents offensive rebounds on 28.4% of their possessions. That ranks 251st worst in the country. Duke gets an offensive rebound on 30.4% of their possessions. This is a terrible matchup for FSU. To make matters worse, Leonard Hamilton has said he “doubts very seriously” that Malik Osbourne plays tonight, per Josh Graham. If that is the case, the Noles are without their leading rebounder and 2nd leading scorer. I am usually not a fan of backing Duke on the road, and that is probably why the number is where it is.. but if you look deeper, this a great spot for the Dookies.
Score Prediction: Duke 78 – Florida State 68
Northwestern +3 : Trap spot for the Badgers. Are they better than projected? Yes. Is Johnny Davis the Player of the Year so far? Yes. Are they the 8th best team in the country? I say no. We faded them on the road last time out and had Maryland PK. The Badgers stole it away at the end and won by a point. We won’t let them do it tonight! Thank you Vegas for giving me three. Obviously, Wisconsin is not the same team outside of the Kohl Center. I know Pete Nance is questionable to play tonight, but I just have a feeling he suits up in a crucial game for the Wildcats. He is a matchup NIGHTMARE for the Badgers if he does indeed go. He is too tall for Wahl, and too athletic for Crowl. I really love this edge if he plays. Lastly, the Wildcats are coming into this game feeling great after a breakout performance in East Lansing. I think they keep the good vibes rolling tonight with a massive home upset.
Score Prediction: Northwestern 70 – Wisconsin 68
Syracuse -3 : It has made me a sucker, but I refuse to believe this Syracuse team is as bad as their results are. They desperately need this win tonight in the Carrier Dome, and I think they get it done. Gut feel on this one.
Score Prediction: Syracuse 73 – Clemson 68
Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!
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