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2/2 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: The Daily Tar Heel)

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: 108-83-5

2/2 Four Point Play:

Buffalo -3

SIU Edwardsville -2.5

UNC -2

Illinois -1.5

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Buffalo -3 : Listen, I have taken Buffalo many times this year and I think they are a very competitive group.. but this play is just as much about Ball State as it is about Buffalo. Ball State is coming off of straight up beat down handed to them by Akron. K.J. Walton and several other starters missed the game due to Covid-19 protocols. There is no word if they will be back for tonight’s game in a quick turnaround, so I jumped on Buffalo at the open. This line has risen to -4.5 as of this blog, and it will reach 7 or higher if K.J. and others are out again. If you haven’t acted yet, act now..

Score Prediction: Buffalo 81 – Ball State 70

SIU Edwardsville -2.5 : We picked against the Cougars last night with our play on Austin Peay, but I expect them to come back tonight and get a home win over a struggling EIU squad. The Cougars were 18-24 from the line last night, and outrebounded Austin Peay. The also recorded more blocks and steals. I believe that these metrics will carry them to victory tonight over the Panthers.

Score Prediction: SIU Edwardsville 70 – Eastern Illinois 64

UNC -2 : These are two teams going in different directions. Yes, this is normally a spot where you take Clemson from an experienced gambling standpoint … but, no tonight. The Tar Heels are the most dominant post team in America – yes, you cannot argue me on this. Armando Bacot is leading the charge with a very impressive last three games. Now, they are also getting serviceable guard play to supplement the boys down low. Caleb Love is really finding his form, and Davis, Walton and Harris are picking up the slack as well. This team is capable of winning the ACC in it’s current form.

Score Prediction: UNC 72 – Clemson 67

Illinois -1.5 : There will be no let down tonight. The Illini have a new purpose, and it was on full display on Friday night against Iowa. This team is balanced, and can compete with anyone in the country with this mentality. The Hoosiers will be no match tonight.

Score Prediction: Illinois 77 – Indiana 65

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

2/1 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Georgia Tech Athletics)

Season Record: 106-82-5

2/1 Three Ball:

Georgia Tech +5

UMBC -2.5

Austin Peay 1H -3.5

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Georgia Tech +5 : I really love the make-up of Josh Pastner’s Yellow Jacket team this season. They have exceptional guard play, and Moses Wright can play with the best of them down low. The Jackets are getting Bubba Parham back today, and that will be a big help in an afternoon road game at Louisville. GT is coming off of a huge win over FSU, and I expect them to keep things rolling. This will be a nail biter.

Score Prediction: Louisville 69 – Georgia Tech 67

UMBC -2.5 : This is a B2B System play here. I do not believe NJIT has the ability to beat the conference leading Retrievers in back-to-back days. The Highlanders are shooting an abysmal 40% from the field this season, and they should regress back to somewhere near that number today. Brandon Horvath will have a big day for UMBC, and they will win by double digits. This feels … too… easy?

Score Prediction: UMBC 71 – NJIT 61

Austin Peay -3.5 1H : As I spoke about the other day, the Governors are just a completely different team with Jordyn Adams back in the lineup. Him and Terry Taylor could make their way into any rotation in the country. They will jump out to a quick lead this afternoon, and I would just rather get out of it early and avoid a 2nd half comeback that could challenge the spread

Score Prediction: Austin Peay 37 – SIU Edwardsville 31

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

1/28 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: The Only Colors)

Season Record: 100-77-5

1/28 Three Ball:

Rutgers -2.5

SMU -4

Austin Peay +5.5

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Rutgers -2.5 : Getting in on some RAC action tonight. The Scarlett Knights are pretty unimpressive on the road, but they are a Top 15 team when they play home games at the RAC. I will take them in this spot here against a Sparty team that has lost 3 of 5. Ron Harper Jr’s skill level travels, but the rest of the team plays much better at home. I will take them as a one possession favorite. Also, Sparty is 1-3 ATS the spread on the road (Duke stinks), and 3-9 ATS overall.

Score Prediction: Rutgers 78 – Sparty 70

SMU -4 : We should have won this match-up the other night, so we are going back to the well with the Mustangs at home. Memphis shot way above their ability in the first game, and Kendric Davis clearly got that three ball out of his hands. A lot of things went against SMU. They will let out some aggression tonight in Dallas. SMU by 10.

Score Prediction: SMU 77 – Memphis 67

Austin Peay +5.5 : This is a spot where the Governors get right. They finally have Jordyn Adams back in the lineup to pair with Terry Taylor. They had a slip-up in their last outing, but I believe this duo will fire up their team for a big time home victory over a scorching hot Belmont team. This line just screams Austin Peay to me. Not sure if they will win, but it will be a one possession ball game.

Score Prediction: Belmont 76 – Austin Peay 73

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

1/27 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Stephen F Austin University Athletics)

Season Record: 99-75-5

1/27 Three Ball:

SFA +2.5

Wisconsin -2.5

Boise State PK

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Stephen F. Austin +2.5 : I absolutely love the Lumberjacks in this spot. This is a senior laden team led by combo guard, Cameron Jackson (yes, the Duke game hero). The experience in this massive Southland match-up will be a major factor I believe. The Lumberjacks love to press, and Abilene does not have excellent guard play. Their strengths are down low. I look for the Lumberjacks to win this one on the road. I will have a money line play as well, but will take the points for picks purposes.

Score Prediction: SFA 76 – Abilene Christian 70

Wisconsin -2.5 : This play is as simple as – I do not believe Mark Turgeon can beat Greg Gard twice in one season. Maryland is scrappy, and those teams hurt the Badgers.. but, there is just no way. I’ll take the rat line bait.

Score Prediction: Wisconsin 69 – Maryland 64

Boise State PK : Boise State simply has too many ways to hurt you. They were already loaded and rolling through the season, and then they added a double digit scorer, Devonaire Doutrive, to their rotation 5 games ago. Colorado State has exceptional guard play to hang in this game. Shout out Stevens and Roddy. However, the Broncos get the W.

Score Prediction: Boise State 78 – Colorado State 73

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

1/26 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Ozarks Independent)

Season Record: 98-73-5

1/26 Three Ball:

UNC -2.5

SMU +2

Missouri State +4.5

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UNC -2.5 : I think the Tar Heels might just be ready to breakthrough. This will probably not be a 2nd weekend team no matter what, but I think they will solidify their tourney bid in the next couple of weeks. The reason? Guard play is starting to at least be existent. Caleb Love is coming off of his most impressive week as a Tar Heel – earning ACC Freshman of the Week honors. Carolina desperately needs him to score the ball, and not be a walking turnover. He just may have his swagger back. Kerwin Walton has also emerged as a knockdown three point sniper. The Heels should get it done against a thin Pitt lineup.

Score Prediction: UNC 76 – Pitt 70

SMU +2 : I really love the Mustangs. Especially, in this match-up. Memphis is very sloppy with the basketball, and the Mustangs defense will take advantage tonight. SMU has exceptional guard play that focuses on taking care of the ball. They should win the turnover battle by a decent margin. Davis, Bandoumel & McNeil have a combined 10.5/4.4 assist to turnover ratio. SMU will be without Tim Jankovich tonight, but the SMU staff can definitely coach with Penny Hardaway.

Score Prediction: SMU 74 – Memphis 70

Missouri State +4.5 : This will be Drake’s toughest test of the season, and their undefeated ATS streak will come to an end tonight. Isiaih Mosley is genuinely one of the best players in the country. He is averaging 23.5 ppg, while shooting 59% from the field, 44% from distance, and 90% from the line. His partner in crime, Gage Prim, can also score and rebound with the best of them. This will be a tight one, but the Bears will pull the upset!

Score Prediction: Missouri State 74 – Drake 72

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

1/25 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Furman Athletics)

Season Record: 96-72-5

1/25 Three Ball:

Southern Illinois +7

Furman -4.5

WVU ML -120

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Southern Illinois +7 : This team needed time off after their abysmal performances on the road at Drake. The break was for a COVID shutdown, but they have been practicing over their last few days. They will be fired up to get back on the right track in their first game in 21 days since those ass beatings. I still love to back a team that is 12th in the country in three point shooting percentage. They also shoot it 74% from the line. This game with come down to the wire, and I hope Domask can hit some late shots to steal a win for the Salukis. I will take the points though.

Score Prediction: SIU 70 – Indiana State 69

Furman -4.5 : The Paladins are another team that is hoping to bounce back. Two straight road game head scratchers for Bob Richey’s club. They will come corrected today, and will take care of a surging UNCG squad. In my opinion, Furman would cover -4.5 vs any team in the SoCon today.. so, this is not an indictment for Wes Miller’s squad. They have actually been playing well. However, Bothwell and Mounce will go for 20 each, and Furman will get back on the right track.

Score Prediction: Furman 79 – UNCG 69

WVU ML -120 : WVU can pack it in and play ugly with Texas Tech, and their advantage in the game will be from the perimeter. McBride, Sherman and McNeil can really get it going from outside, and they are exponentially better in home games. Culver is the X-Factor. A big night for him will surely lead to a Mountaineer victory. He will get help from the others mentioned above in a big home game for Bob Huggins and WVU.

Score Prediction: WVU 65 – Texas Tech 62

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

1/22 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: The Post Athens)

Season Record: 89-65-5

1/22 Three Ball:

Monmouth -4.5

Siena -4

Ohio -5.5

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Monmouth -4.5 : I really love this play. It is a feel/statistical driven play. I love when I can combine both. Stats wise, Manhattan is not even on the same planet as Monmouth offensively. The Hawks are scoring 80 ppg, and the Jaspers come in at 62 ppg. This stems from a 36% field goal percentage, and 27% 3point percentage. Woof. Monmouth is not great defensively, but they will be able to easily outscore the Jaspers on the road

Score Prediction: Monmouth 78 – Manhattan 69

Siena -4 : The Saints will move to 7-0 today. I am in love with this team. I have been backing them since their first game of the season, and they continue to produce winners for me. Pickett is a game-time decision again, but I still love Siena with/without him just like last time. If he becomes active, this spread will run to 6 or 7. I will gladly lock it in early. Manny Camper is an absolute warrior, and freshman, Colin Golson Jr., has been a very pleasant surprise in his first two collegiate games. Easy home win today.

Score Prediction: Siena 75 – St Peters 66

Ohio -5.5 : Jason. Preston. What an absolute animal this kid is. He will surely get a look in the league after upping his game even more this season. He can score, dish the ball, defend, and rebound. An all-around weapon. The Bobcats are very balanced around him as well. When healthy, they are a dangerous bunch. Ohio took care of Ball State earlier in the season by double digits, without Preston. With Preston at home, this will be another double digit win.

Score Prediction: Ohio 81 – Ball State 68

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

1/20 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: The Bona Venture)

Season Record: 86-62-5

1/20 Four Point Play:

St. Bonaventure -1.5

Bonnies/VCU over 139

Rhode Island -4.5

Clemson -1.5

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St. Bonaventure -1.5 / Over 139 : What can I say? I’m in love. I just love the way the Bonnies play the game. They have scoring from every level, and are an extremely unselfish team. Mark Schmidt is an excellent coach. VCU is on a nice stretch of form, but lost to Rhode Island by 15 in their only step-up in competition in the last two months essentially. If you have guards who take care of the ball, you can really score on VCU’s pressure. The Bonnies have a 16/10 assist/turnover ratio, which is one of the better ratios in the country. That is why I like the Bonnies in this game, and also why I like the over. Last season, St. Bonaventure reached 69 possessions in this match-up, and VCU reached 63 (while shooting 24 free throws). Jaren Holmes is scorching hot for the Bonnies, and I expect Lofton’s form to follow. These teams will run with each other, and the Bonnies will take care of business at home. (I like the spread -3 or less / and the over 140 or less .. but my official plays are all that you can hold me liable to haha)

Score Prediction: Bonnies 78 – VCU 73

Rhode Island -4.5 : Duquense is really struggling this season. They are 0-5 ATS in their last 5, and have just experienced departures from Sincere Carry and Lamar Norton Jr. to the transfer portal. Sincere Carry did so much for this team, and that is a really brutal loss midseason. The Dukes have also been without Maceo Austin due to a death in the family. He may be back today, but it is unconfirmed as of this hour. Meanwhile, Rhode Island is starting to find a bit of form coming off of a 20 point win over George Mason. I think Duquense will struggle to score with Fats and the Rams, and URI covers the number for us. (I like the spread -5 or less .. but my official play is all that you can hold me liable to haha)

Score Prediction: URI 70 – Duquesne 62

Clemson -1.5 : If you follow Big Cat over at Barstool, this is a classic Dead Cat Bounce Back game that he speaks of. Clemson was ranked #12 in the country before that brutal embarrassment UVA put on them. This was the most excited this program has been in a long time. It was a bit of a reality check, but will also drive hunger to right the wrong tonight. This is not a great spot for Georgia Tech. They are coming off of a 2+ week long shutdown due to COVID, and they are facing a Clemson team that is pissed off and hungry to bounce back. Clemson puts the clamps defensively on the Jackets and gets out to an early lead in this one. GT may make it close in the end, but we will have no problem covering. (I like the spread -3 or less .. but my official play is all that you can hold me liable to haha)

Score Prediction: Clemson 68 – Georgia Tech 62

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!

1/19 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: The Clarion-Ledger)

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!!

1/18 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Wyo4News)

Season Record: 83-58-5

1/18 Three Ball:

UNCW ML -130

Florida State +3

Wyoming -2.5

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UNCW ML : I love the guard play from the Seahawks. Towson runs a rather small lineup, and the inferior post play / rebounding of UNCW shouldn’t hurt them in this matchup. UNCW has five guards that score in double digits, and all of them can hit the three ball and make their free throws. Sims and Gadsen are exceptional. Also, you know that I love to fade teams with a negative assist/turnover ratio. That is what we have in this Towson team. I will take the Seahawks on the ML here.

Score Prediction: UNCW 75 – Towson 70

FSU +3 : As a Tar Heel supporter, I got a good look at FSU on Saturday. This team was very impressive without their 5 star freshman, Scottie Barnes. They share the ball, they defend, they make their outside shots, and their post players are really developing. Raiquon Gray is such a weapon. He is one of the most underrated players in the country based on skillset. He is 6’8 260lbs and brings the ball down the court for the Seminoles a decent amount. Not only can he handle the ball, but he can shoot and defend as well. MJ Walker is also playing himself into a First Team All-ACC type of season. I really love this kid. Last little nugget – FSU went on a 36 made free throw streak through their past two games (26-27 vs UNC). LOVE that. I am not sold on Louisville until they get Malik Williams, and I will take the three points for FSU (with/without Scottie Barnes) if you are going to give them to me.

Score Prediction: FSU 70 – Louisville 65

Wyoming -2.5: This is my favorite play on the board. I will personally have a couple of units on this one. Wyoming is just simply a better team than Air Force.. and it’s by a wide margin. They were up 14 on Saturday, and just let the game get away from them at the end. This is a B2B system play, that will not even be a sweat. Maldonado and Williams will take control early, and the Cowboys will never look back. Don’t overthink this one. Hammer it.

Score Prediction: Wyoming 75 – Air Force 63

Best of luck! Let’s snipe this one y’all!!