27-17, +2.20
Leans: (21-21)
I’ve been busy, so no time for full analysis. Taking a crooked shot at tonight’s card.
2* Denver +7
1* Denver ML +250
Home pup in a spot where the same five starters look to exact revenge on a 30 point whoopin’ last year in what should be their biggest home game in recent years, against a team who hasn’t gone on the road yet, a team going into the altitude that depends on shooting, and a team who hasn’t played a game in over a week, also noting their inability to defend the three point shot last year, which will more than likely tell the story of tonight’s matchup. I don’t care if it loses or not, this is just a spot that I will never avoid, ever.
2* George Washington +4.5
1* George Washington ML +175
I’m taking a chance on George Washington’s defense being the key ingredient to a win over Bowling Green, who hasn’t seen any sort of defense thus far in this tournament. A little scared of the b2b, but both teams are in this spot. Here is the key with Bowling Green, they shoot quite a few two-pointers and rarely look for the outside shot. This is also important noting they don’t really have a post presence on the inside that can score. This pretty much gives the pressure defense of George Washington the edge as they defend everything inside of the three-point line extremely well. Prior to this year, new head coach Lonergan was at or near the top of college basketball for five of his six years at Vermont, and thus far this year, it’s looking like this will be another of those successful stints. Force Bowling Green to get in their offensive set, and either a) take the long shot which they hate doing, or b) force a turnover. Yes, the game is at Bowling Green, but can’t avoid athleticism and coaching disparity.
2* Alaska Anchorage +13
1* Alaska Anchorage ML +700
This team is top 25 in Division II, and well deserved. Murray State’s got the travel, and in a letdown spot. Defense isn’t all that great in comparison to past years, and the offense isn’t really going to blow anybody away. AA always has played a tough D-1 schedule, and they’ve beaten SIU (the year they went to the tourney), Wake Forest, Missouri, Texas, and they flat pasted Ball State last year, which is eerily similar in makeup to Murray State here this year. Ohio Valley talent isn’t that far off from Division II, trust me.
Lean: South Dakota State +1
Lean: Illinois State/Illinois Under 125.5
Lean: Oklahoma State +1.5
Lean: Western Michigan +14.5
Have a good Holiday.
GL