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1/14 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Trifecta Sports)

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: 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!!

1/11 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Loyola Athletics)

Season Record: 68-46-5

1/11 Four Point Play:

Utah +3.5

Loyola -6

Bradley +2

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Utah +3.5: After the show that McKinley Wright and the Buffaloes put on against Oregon the other night, square betters will be itching to get a piece of them against a struggling Utah team. However, I love Utah in this spot. Utah is on a three game conference losing streak skid, but they put up an excellent fight against Oregon. They could have pulled that one out. They will use that momentum to come in and punch a Colorado team, that is feeling good about themselves, in the mouth early. I love Timmy Allen, and Jantunen seems to be coming into his own. Utah may win this one outright!

Score Prediction: Utah 72 – Colorado 70

Loyola -6 : This is a classic back-to-back conference game system play. Indiana State wins yesterday, and Loyola is laying 6 today. Beyond the B2B System, I just love this Loyola team. They were covering this number for roughly 35 minutes of the game yesterday, and Indiana State caught fire to steal it from them in the end. That will not be the case today. Krutwig and Williamson are veterans that will make sure the Ramblers get an emphatic win to get on the right track. Also, we have a drastic coaching advantage in our favor with Porter Moser. Loyola by double digits.

Score Prediction: Loyola 76 – Indiana State 65

Bradley +2: Another B2B System play. Northern Iowa has not won back-to-back games all season, and I do not think they will get that done against a solid Bradley squad. Bradley won the offensive boards yesterday, and I think that margin may be a little wider today. I expect a 20 point performance from Elijah Childs, and a Bradley win. God Bless the B2B System.

Score Prediction: Bradley 70– Northern Iowa 68

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

1/9 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: LSU Athletics)

Season Record: 62-45-4

1/9 Four Point Play:

Wofford +5

LSU +3

UCLA +4

Oregon -2

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Wofford +5: This is a big game tonight for the Terriers. They cannot start the SoCon season off as a 2-2 ball club. There will not be an automatic bid out of the conference this year, so seeding for the tournament will be important. The matchups with Greensboro are historically close battles, and the Terriers actually performed well in the first matchup the other night – leading by 8 at the half. Storm Murphy is a proven leader that will have this proud program ready to go tonight. Also, look for a big night from Tray Hollowell. He really struggled with 5 points and 4 fouls the other night. He will get right tonight.

Score Prediction: Wofford 78 – UNCG 77

LSU +3 : If you are giving me the points here, I will take them. LSU is a better team than Ole Miss, and certainly have the better coach. I personally think LSU has an outside shot at a Sweet 16 birth this season. Their four-headed monster of Cam Thomas, Ja’Vonte Smart, Trendon Watford, Darius Days is as good as any in the country. They just lack depth at times. However, you can say that Ole Miss has a similar depth problem. Cam Thomas will get going against against a defense that has struggled guarding the PG position in recent nights (Etienne – 29 points / Quinerly 24 points). LSU should win this game outright. Favorite play on the board.

Score Prediction: LSU 76 – Ole Miss 72

UCLA +4: I love getting 4 with the Bruins here. I believe this will be a one game possession either way, but do think the Bruins win outright here. I love the guard play for the Bruins in Jaquez, Juzang, Campbell and Bernard. This group really sees the game well, and loves to share the ball with each other. To add to this, they may have just blossomed a star in the post. Chris Riley is coming off of his best performance as a Bruin. 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks. If he continues to play like this, watch out for this Bruins team … even without Chris Smith.

Score Prediction: UCLA 70– Arizona 69

Oregon -2: There is too big of discrepancy on the offense ends in this game to make up for the great defense of Utah. They will limit the Ducks at times, but Duarte, Figueroa, Omoruyi and Williams Jr. will simply prove to be too much to handle for the Utes. Also, good news for Oregon …. McKinley Wright does not play for Utah. Look for the Ducks to make a run once they get Will Richardson back from injury. That will be an amazingly efficient offense, to go along with their pressure cooker defense.

Score Prediction: Oregon 71 – Utah 66

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

1/8 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Argus Leader)

Season Record: 58-44-4

1/8 Four Point Play:

Toledo -3

South Dakota -1

Youngstown State +12.5

Lipscomb +2

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Toledo -3: You definitely know by now – I am a huge fan of the Rockets. My preseason pick to win the MAC. I waited and took them live the other day against Kent State at +8.5 when this team got down big, and they stormed back to win outright. There are just too many ways to get a bucket in this lineup. Especially, from the three point line. Marreon Jackson is one of the most underrated point guards in the country, and he will take care of an Ohio team that is playing without Jason Preston at the moment.

Score Prediction: Toledo 78 – Ohio 72

South Dakota -1 : Do people still really not know about Stanley Umude? It seems like Vegas still really isn’t valuing his presence against lower tiered teams. He is averaging 22 &8, and is a really big problem for undersized / less skilled opponents. Now, you might tell me that the Coyotes are 4-5 ATS.. but, lets take a peak into the games they did not cover in. Two of them are against Drake, who is a perfect 10-0 ATS to start the season, and another against a really strong Colorado team. This shows us that they are not struggling to cover the number against opponents of similar talent. UMKC is a step below South Dakota in my opinion. They just picked up their first D1 win on Sunday, and are shooting it 59% from the line. South Dakota should take care of business in this one, and I would not be surprised to see Umude touch 30.

Score Prediction: South Dakota 69 – UMKC 64

Youngstown State +12.5: You just cannot make me believe that there is this much of a disparity between these two clubs. Wright State does have a talent advantage, but laying almost 13 points in conference just isn’t seen very often. Youngstown State has a decent roster that will keep this game within 10 points. They are getting production from Bohannon and Quisenberry as usual, but Shemar Rathan-Mayes is really impressing as a freshman. A double digit scorer, that is leading the team in assists. Don’t look for the Penguins to win this game or anything, but we will cover this number.

Score Prediction: Wright State 78– Youngstown State 69

Lipscomb +2: I feel like I am being baited here, so if there was a play you wanted to fade me on .. it may be here. However, i simply cannot lay off of Lipscomb when you are giving me points against D1 newcomers Bellarmine. The Bison have the preseason Player of the Year in the ASun – Ahsan Asadullah. That alone is a reason to think Lipscomb gets this done, but they also have a star in KJ Johnson. He impressed as a double digit scorer as a freshman last season, and looks like he is taking another step this season. Give me Lipscomb all day here (shit, this may be too obvious – insert “It’s a Trap” meme)

Score Prediction: Lipscomb 72 – Bellarmine 67

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

1/6 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Associated Press)

Season Record: 53-42-4

1/6 Three Ball:

Richmond -3

Auburn / Ole Miss over 137.5

Texas A&M +4.5

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Richmond -3: It is now or never time for the Spiders if they want an at-large bid to the tournament. They have to start racking up wins to be in that discussion. They stack up very well against this eratic URI team, and I think they get a much needed win at home. Chris Mooney knows how important this is!

Score Prediction: Richmond 76 – URI 69

Auburn / Ole Miss over 137.5 : Athletes and pace. That is what drew me to this play. Both will run, and both have jump out of the gym athletes. There should be a lot of fouls, a lot of shot opportunities, and both teams shoot a fair amount of threes. Excited about this play!

Score Prediction: Ole Miss 77 – Auburn 70

Texas A&M +4.5: As a South Carolina alum, the Gamecocks should not be laying this number to anyone in the conference at this point in the season. They started the year off slowly, and then just went through a brutal covid pause. The team was not able to practice together for weeks. They also appeared very sluggish in their first game back the other night against Florida A&M. Texas A&M covers, and could win. ML has some nice value. I’ll take the points though.

Score Prediction: South Carolina 68 – Texas A&M 67

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

1/5 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Dayton Athletics)

Season Record: 50-38-4

1/5 Three Ball:

Ohio -14

Dayton 1H -6.5 / -11.5

Longwood +2

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Ohio -14: Northern Illinois has been woeful to start this season. They have gotten out to a 1-7 record, and this has caused Mark Montgomery to lose his job. This team is lost, and they certainly will not find themselves on the road at Ohio. Jacob Preston has a fringe NBA future, and will dominate this game. Triple-double watch is on. Also, Ben Roderick has been exceptional since his return from injury. Bobcats early and often!

Score Prediction: Ohio 82 – Northern Illinois 60

Dayton -6.5 1H / -11.5 : Fordham has embarrassed themselves in the first two games of this season. Dayton is of a higher caliber than Lasalle and GW, and I expect them to jump on Fordham as well. They absolutely DOMINATE the guard match-up with Crutcher and Watson. Also, Mustapha Amzil was named A-10 Freshman of the Week after his monster debut performances. This 6’10 versatile forward is a very welcomed piece to the Flyers after the loss of Chase Johnson. Dayton should get it done on both sides here.

Score Prediction: Dayton 77 – Fordham 61

Longwood +2: Using the back-to-back system for this play. USC Upstate is simply not good enough to win back-to-back days against a conference opponent that is evenly matched. Hell, Longwood is more than likely a tad better than Upstate. Longwood squeaks out a close one on the road and they split the series.

Score Prediction: Longwood 71 – USC Upstate 67

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

1/4 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: Associated Press)

Season Record: 47-35-4

1/4 Three Ball:

Southern Illinois +11

Indiana -2.5 1H / -4.5

Oklahoma State +2.5

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Southern Illinois +11: This is a back-to-back system play with some help from a few key nuggets. The Salukis were competitive in this game until the 10 minute mark in the 2nd half, and then the wheels fell off. They scored 6 points in those final 10 minutes. That just will not happen again tonight. Also, Drake is a perfect 10-0 against the spread. If you don’t think Vegas is noticing, think again. This will be a closer affair.

Score Prediction: Drake 70 – Southern Illinois 64

Indiana -2.5 1H / -4.5 : I want both sides of this Indiana match-up with Maryland. This game is being played at Assembly Hall, and the Hoosiers have shot exponentially better in home games in the past few seasons. Morsell’s absence will hurt their three point line / on the ball defending against Durham and Franklin. He is also the heart and soul of the team as a senior leader. They will greatly miss him. As always, Jackson-Davis will eat. Hoosiers wire-wire.

Score Prediction: Indiana 72 – Maryland 65

Oklahoma State +2.5: West Virginia is just lost right now. They have showed up flat in three consecutive games, and they have gone 1-2 in that time span )with the lone win against Northeastern). To add insult to injury, Oscar Tshiebwe has left the team for the foreseeable future. Culver is a monster, but that frontcourt takes a huge hit when Oscar is unavailable. I like the Cowboys guard play to outmatch the Mountaineers in Stillwater. Also, every game means a little more to them without the opportunity for postseason play. Their record will be the only thing they will have to show for this season. The Cowboys get a nice home win over Huggie Bear.

Score Prediction: Oklahoma State 73 – WVU 70

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

12/31 Three Ball Write-Up

(photo: USC Athletics)

Season Record: 34-25-2

12/31 Three Ball:

Wisconsin -8

Michigan ML

Southern Cal -1

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Wisconsin -8: Not running and hiding from this Wisconsin team after they burned me the other night. They are too experienced and talented for me to jump ship. Also, this line should be more like -3.5 or -4. Certainly, not -8. Massive amounts of square public betters will be on the Gophers. I will ride with vegas on this one. Big nights for Potter and Reuvers, and the Badgers get a double digit victory.

Score Prediction: Wisconsin 76 – Minnesota 64

Michigan ML: Hunter Dickinson has been a pleasant surprise for Juwan Howard. The 7’1 freshman has turned into an instant double double guy for the Wolverines, and is playing about 25 minutes a game. He should eat against an undersized Maryland squad. Maryland is feeling good coming off of a big time road win at Wisconsin, and will not be as desperate as they were going into that one. Livers and Wagner will reach 20, and the Wolverines get a nice road win to improve to 8-0.

Score Prediction: Michigan 74 – Maryland 69

Southern Cal -1: This is my favorite play of the night. Evan Mobley has been an absolute STUD down low for the Trojans in his freshman season – averaging 18 and 9. His brother, Isaiah, has also been productive with an 11 and 9 season thus far. The twin towers down low will do damage against the Buffaloes, and the Trojans will experience great guard play at home from Eaddy and Peterson. I also love Chevez Goodwin off of the bench. A major sparkplug that transferred in from a great Wofford program. This team is coming off of a thrashing of a solid Santa Clara team. They continue to roll tonight!

Score Prediction: Southern Cal 76 – Colorado 68

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