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1/25 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Furman Athletics)

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: 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!!

1/17 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Virginia Tech Athletics)

Season Record: 82-56-5

1/17 Three Ball:

Northern Iowa +11

Lafayette +2

Virginia Tech -6

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Northern Iowa +11 : Using the back-to-back system play here. Northern Iowa lost by 15 to Loyola Chi yesterday, but I expect them to keep it within 10 points today. If you look at the match-up from yesterday, you will see a glaring stat mismatch. Turnovers were 18-5 in Loyola’s favor. With both teams averaging 12ish turnovers per game on the season, I expect that to even out today. Ben Jacobson is a good coach and will have that cleaned up. UNI actually outrebounded Loyola on the offensive glass as well. I like having that stat with me on this B2B system play.

Score Prediction: Loyola 71 – UNI 64

Lafayette +2 : Yes, I am going against my system here. However, there is reason for it. This is the first weekend of hoops for Loyola MD, and I am thinking they will get a bit of sea legs late in the game today. This is Lafayette’s third B2B series, and they are accustomed to the quick turnaround by now. Also, you know I love an underdog that can shoot the basketball. Lafayette is shooting 41% from distance, and 83% from the line. Lafayette sweeps the weekend.

Score Prediction: Lafayette 78 – Loyola MD 73

Virginia Tech -6: Mike Young’s Hokies are rolling, and they will not stop today against a banged up, and inferior, Wake Forest team. Look for Keve Aluma to go for 20 and 10, and the Hokies to win by double digits. No need to write an extra long excerpt here. Really love this play.

Score Prediction: Virginia Tech 75 – Wake Forest 63

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

1/15 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Siena College Athletics)

Season Record: 77-52-5

1/15 Three Ball:

UTEP +6

Siena -6

Bonnies tto 71.5

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UTEP +6 : I love the value that we are getting here. I personally believe this is a toss-up game, and will be decided in the last minute. I will take one of the teams getting 6 in this spot. Bryson Williams is an absolute animal, and I love riding with him. He is averaging close to 16 and 8 this season, and shooting it 80% from the line. This team also just doesn’t turn the ball over. Only averaging 10 per game. Boum and Bieniemy will pitch in to help Williams, and the Miners just may win this one.

Score Prediction: UTEP 73 – North Texas 71

Siena -6 : We are locking this in before news on Jalen Pickett. I love Siena in this spot even without Pickett, but this is an absolute lock if he is active. He is a game-time decision with a hamstring. Manny Camper and the squad will still take care of a Rider team that is 310th out of 345 teams in the country in defensive efficiency. Really love this play.

Score Prediction: Siena 75 – Rider 63

St. Bonaventure tto 71.5: The Bonnies are just simply better than Duquesne. Instead of laying the -8.5, I will take the TTO. There are currently 5 Bonnies that are averaging double figures, and any of them can go off for 20 in a night. They have eclipsed this number in every home game this season, and they will do it again tonight.

Score Prediction: St. Bonaventure 77 – Duquesne 67

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

1/14 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Trifecta Sports)

Season Record: 76-50-5

1/14 Three Ball:

Bryant -4

Samford +7

BYU +2

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Bryant -4 : This line was simply too low at the open. Glad we grabbed it early. I see that it is -6 now in most places, and will probably touch -7.5 to -8. Bryant is simply too much to handle for SFPA on the offensive side of the ball. They are averaging 91.4 ppg, and are #12 in the country in true shooting percentage. SFPA’s freshmen are making up 46% of their minutes this season. The veteran Bryant squad will win this match-up by double digits.

Score Prediction: Bryant 84 – SFPA 72

Samford +7 : Christian Guess means so much to this team. In his first game back from injury against Chattanooga, Guess had a 13 &13 performance. UNCG is a scrappy defense that will cause some issues for Samford, but I expect Guess and Gordon to keep the Bulldogs in this game until the very end. You know what? I will predict the upset here. You love an underdog that can shoot threes well, shoot free throws well, and share the ball well. Samford checks all three of these boxes.

Score Prediction: Samford 78 – UNCG 75

BYU +2: The wrong team is favored here. BYU plays St. Mary’s game, and plays it better. Also, the recent emergence of Matt Haarms is a very welcomed sign for the Cougars. Double digits in his last 4. Keep an eye out for Brandon Everette. He went for 30 points recently, and I think you see a big game from him tonight. Barcello will be a nuisance to Kuhse, and BYU gets a nice road win to add to the resume.

Score Prediction: BYU 69 – St Mary’s 65

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

1/13 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: AU Athletics)

Season Record: 73-50-5

1/13 Three Ball:

St. Bonaventure -11

Auburn +2

UMass +4

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St. Bonaventure -11 : There is a major talent gap in this match-up. The Bonnies have some of the best guard play in the country, compared to probably the worst over at Fordham. Jaren Holmes is coming off of a 38 point performance, and Fordham is averaging 49 ppg as a team. There is also not a soul on the Rams that can guard Osunniyi in the post. They have to pray for early foul trouble. I just don’t see how Fordham keeps this within 15 points. The Bonnies will have some early afternoon fun today.

Score Prediction: St. Bonaventure 77 – Fordham 57

Auburn +2 : Sharife Cooper is just what the doctor ordered for Bruce Pearl’s squad. The 5 star freshman made his collegiate debut in Auburn’s last outing against Alabama. He led the team with 26 points, and also added 9 assists. A true weapon of a point guard. Auburn is also getting freshman Justin Powell back from injury tonight. The Tigers now have Cooper, Powell and Flanigan together in the backcourt for the first time this season. With the emergence of J.T. Thor, I think this will be a breakout performance for Auburn. They win this one outright. War Damn.

Score Prediction: Auburn 84 – UGA 80

UMass +4: The battles between these two teams were wars last season. Both were narrow defeats for the Minutemen. However, a lot of the production from the URI team in those games is not with them this season. UMass has returned every major contributor, including Tre Mitchell. Tre went for 34 & 30 against them last season in the post. I expect another big game for him today, and the UMass press to force some Rhode Island turnovers. UMass may win this one.

Score Prediction: UMass 75 – Rhode Island 70

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

1/12 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Syracuse University Athletics)

Season Record: 70-47-5

1/12 Three Ball:

Buffalo -8 & Western Michigan ttu 69.5

Wisconsin +4 / tto 64.5

Syracuse +4

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Buffalo -8 & Western Michigan ttu 69.5: Western Michigan is one of the worst offenses in the country. They are 280th in offensive efficiency, and average 62.4 points per game. Another bonus, they are 300th in pace. Buffalo does like to run, but the Broncos love to muck up the game for their opponents and slow it down. With this slow pace and woeful offense, I think Western Michigan is at 69 points or less in this game. They have not eclipsed the 70 point mark this season, so we will bet that streak continues. On the other end, I don’t see how Western Michigan keeps Buffalo from eclipsing 75 points. I will try to hit on both ends here!

Score Prediction: Buffalo 79 – Western Michigan 65

Wisconsin +4 & tto 64.5 : Michigan is the hottest team in the country. No doubt about it. However, we have to be honest with ourselves. This is not a team of Gonzaga or Baylor caliber. They will drop games this season. This is a spot where I think that it can happen. A senior led Badger team will not be timid entering the home of a 10-0 scorching hot team. However, they will be amped up to make a statement. Michigan’s heater has been largely helped by the addition of Hunter Dickinson in the post. I predict that Potter and Reuvers get him in early foul trouble, and Michigan is playing catch-up to start the 2H. This will be a one possession game in the end, but I believe the Badgers squeak this out. Also, Wisconsin’s season low in points is 64 against a Maryland team that plays at the speed of a turtle (ha..ha). They will go over their tto against a Michigan team that operates in a smooth efficient pace.

Score Prediction: Wisconsin 70 – Michigan 68

Syracuse +4: This may be the favorite play on the board even though I have two plays on the others. Probably not the most intelligent way to gamble.. but, I digress. I believe that the Syracuse defense is a nightmare for this currently constructed Heels roster. The Orange will be playing their normal 2-3 pack-line defense, and the Tar Heels simply cannot shoot the basketball. Caleb Love may knock a backboard down in the near future. Syracuse beat Carolina 81-53 in their last matchup of the season last year, and I believe they will get another W today. Boeheim, Girard, Guerrier, and Griffin will make their fair share of threes, and Carolina will not be able to catchup with just post points.

Score Prediction: Syracuse 75 – UNC 70

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