Oregon Ducks #643 over USC Trojans: On 02/22 Usc beat Org 72-58 at home as a 3.5 favorite. That was than this is now. That was the last regular season loss for Org. In that game Org got down 17-0 and simply could not recover. Both teams are off dominating wins. USC took care of Kansas while Org beat Iowa. 3 factors in this match up providing us with value. Yes USC will probably win the battle of the boards they do have a height length adv. However Org is a very good group team rebounding wise as well. The advs for Org their backcourt is much stronger.
Oklahoma Sooners #766 over Missouri Tigers: Both these teams peaked around mid-season and have been struggling ever since. The re-set will be good for both teams. The key matchup is Smith for Mizz very good especially on the defensive side vs. Reaves for Okl who does everything for that team. 3 keys to establish value with Okl with at this line virtually win outright and you cash. Okl takes better care of the ball Mizz is sloppy and turnover prone. Mizz is consistently giving up 70+ points struggling to get stops.
Oregon Ducks #724 over Seton Hall Pirates: This game will be played at neutral site at Atlantis. It is still very early but Org has played the 83rd ranked SOS S.Hall is 239th. Org likes to play slow and will try and turn this into a half court game. They have a balanced offense with strong guard play while S. Hall is very dependent on Powell. I have this game at 2.5 giving us excellent value.
Vermont Catamounts #307469 vs ST Johns Red Storm: Both teams are 3-0 but St Johns have played 3 cupcakes and that simply has them over valued in this game. I priced this at pick-em.
Northeastern Huskies #757 over Massachusetts Minutemen: Mass at best will be a work in progress this year. They were not very good last year. They have lost leading scorer Pipkins to Prov and Mitchell is out with a broken hand. The lower line is partly that Mass is off to a 2-0 start but that was against weak competition. Tonight even at home they take a step up. N.Eastern is also 2-0 led by stud Roland this is a disciplined well coached team that should take steps forward again this year. I have this game at 4.0 giving us excellent value.
Pepperdine Waves #675 over California Golden Bears: Cal had such a bad season last year they had to fire their coach. They are not expected to do much this year either as forecasted to finish last in the Pac 12. Conversely the future for Pepp in now and optimistic. They return their big 3 starters from last year. I have this game at 3.5 giving us excellent value.
Virginia Cavaliers #812 over Texas Tech Red Raiders: First to state the obvious this will be a nails on the chalk board slow pace defensive battle. Two team’s very similar styles rely on their defense. For Virg the redemption is not over after last years embarrassing loss they have one final step. Tex Tech deserves to be here no doubt but it was not projected they would. I expect like Virg they will need 1 year to finish the job. They are definitely not a 1 hit wonder with an excellent coach.
Michigan State Spartans #802 over Texas Tech Red Raiders: This obviously shapes up to be a defensive battle. Both teams will get stops. So the question becomes which team will execute better offensively. Tex Tech has Culver and he is special but they lack other options. Mich St. has more players to rely on who can score. Give Izzo time to prepare and he will have a game plan for Culver forcing others on Tex Tech to try and beat him. Mich St is the better rebounding team. I do expect this game to be close down the stretch so with Mich St.
Kentucky Wildcats #694 over Auburn Tigers: Aub stock too high bafter beating UNC and Kansas. They will be without arguably their best player Okele. Meanwhile Kent got back Washington in their last game vs. Houst. Kent has beaten Aub twice already this year and the markets do not believe they can do it a third time. I disagree Kent is simply the better more rounded team.
Virginia Cavaliers #682 over Purdue Boilermakers: The adage of defense wins championships here we are with Virg. Virg obviously plays tenacious defense. They have depth they are physical and wear opponents down. Pur has had an excellent run in fact their tournament results have this line lower than it should be. Virg has not covered spreads however all that has done is give us value for tonight. Look for Virg to score enough to cover this spread.