(photo: Wright State Athletics)
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: 179-179-14
Best Bet Record: 7-2
1/25 Card:
Richmond/URI o137.5
Duke -11
Wright State ML
Buffalo +5
Southern Illinois +13
Wyoming +5
Arizona -2
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Richmond/URI o137.5 : This number is too small for a multitude of reasons. Look no further than last year’s matchup. Both teams virtually brought back the same rosters this season, and played to an 80-73 finish last year. The pace was up and down, and both teams were able to get to the foul line. I certainly think they will be able to do so again today. Grant Golden has an edge on the URI post defenders when he pulls them out to the perimeter on offense, and the URI big men have an advantage backing down Golden and others with their back to the basket in the post. The defense will not be superb on either side. Also, I like both backcourts to get open looks from three. They made 14 combined threes last season, and I think we see 18+ today.
Score Prediction: Richmond 74 – URI 71
Duke -11 : Duke has just simply blown out everyone they have faced at home, outside of their blunder with Miami. With the Cameron Crazies back this season, Cameron has turned back into the formidable home fortress. No Keels you say? I say no problem in this one. Duke handled Syracuse by 20 points at home over the weekend without Keels, and I think they have a similar advantage in the post tonight against Clemson as they did with the Orange. Paolo will be a problem for PJ Hall on both sides of the court, and there is nobody on the Tigers roster than can handle Duke’s 7’er, Mark Williams. Williams has been on an absolute tear lately. 16.3ppg/8.3rpg/4bpg over his last three contests. Look for him to push 20 & 10 tonight, while mixing in some balls being swatted into orbit against an undersized Clemson team. Also, Duke just tends to pound Clemson at Cameron. *insert Zion 360 gif*
Score Prediction: Duke 76 – Clemson 60
Wright State ML : Best bet of the night. The Raiders are finally starting to shape up like the team I thought they would be in the preseason. They have won 9 of their last 10 heading into BB&T Arena tonight. The Raiders had to play a back-to-back here last season due to the Covid affected schedule, and they split the two games with the Norse. The same crop of players will be be scared heading back in there tonight. The Raiders have a massive talent edge. Tanner Holden is a legitimate NBA prospect, and he is seriously playing like it. The 6’6 guard is averaging 20.6 ppg on 50.2 FG% ; 38.1 3p% ; 82.6 FT% splits. You do not see this very often at the collegiate level. Also, Wright State has the best post player in the game as well. Grant Basile is averaging 18 & 9 on the season, with close to 2 blocks per game as well. He was the Raiders leading scorer in the win over the Norse last season, and I expect him to have a big big night tonight.
Score Prediction: Wright State 76 – Northern Kentucky 69
Buffalo +5 : The Bulls didn’t get off to the start they wanted in MAC play. However, the 0-2 start has been followed by 4 wins in a row. I like this winning streak to continue into tonight. I think the Rockets will have serious trouble defending Josh Mballa and Jeenathan Williams. JT Shumate and Setric Milner are just not athletic enough to get the job done on them. The two Bulls grabbed a combined 23 rebounds in last years matchup between the two sides. Mballa had 9 of those on the offensive glass. Buffalo’s athleticism and tenacity get them a huge road win tonight on their journey to claim a MAC title.
Score Prediction: Buffalo 78 – Toledo 74
Southern Illinois +13 : Too many points for the Ramblers to be laying against a (finally) healthy Salukis squad. Loyola has been on tilt in January. Two overtime wins, and a 10 point loss at home to Missouri State. If you are going to give me 13 points with a competent team, then I have to take them. The Salukis are shooting 36% from three as a team, and have four players that have made at least 28 threes on the season. This outside shooting should keep us relatively close in this one. Just have to avoid the one big run..
Score Prediction: Loyola Chi 68 – Southern Illinois 59
Wyoming +5 : The disrespect by Vegas continues. The correction will come. However, I will take my five points going into this one. We will ride this Cowboy train until the wheels fall off. Boise is a bit of “fools gold” right now in my opinion, and their free throw percentage will inevitably bite them in the ass soon. Hope it’s tonight!
Score Prediction: Wyoming 69 – Boise State 67
Arizona -2 : You may have seen Rothstein’s Tweet yesterday “Arizona is SECOND nationally in scoring, FIRST in assists, and FIRST in rebounds. Ridiculous. Wildcats have won 14 of 16 games by double figures.” However, if you have been following me.. you know I have been a believer in the Wildcats all year (and hold a national title ticket on them). I simply think they are the class of the Pac 12, and I welcome going into battle with them at the Pavilion tonight. UCLA was on the ropes against Colorado last time out. Juzang had to bail them out down the stretch. I certainly don’t believe they will be afforded that opportunity against one of the best teams in the country tonight. My title ticket will look even sweeter after tonight..
Score Prediction: Arizona 78 – UCLA 70
Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!
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