Thursday play...

38-21 (+16.9 UNITS)

4-2 yesterday (+1.8 UNITS)

LaSalle -5.5 (1 UNIT) - Grabbed this last night and it has since moved to 6.5. LaSalle is coming off a loss at Bucknell that ended their 5 game winning streak. This is only their 2nd home game since November 20th. LaSalle is a pretty efficient offensive team (41st) and they do a great job of taking care of the ball (16th in turnover%). This is a 3PT reliant offensive team that ranks 64th in the % of points they get from 3PT line. They are 303rd in the % of points from 2PT line. They do a pretty good job of getting to the line and they convert when they get there (47th in FT%). Those stats fit nicely against Iona's defense who is 272nd in 3PT defense and 272nd in FTA/FGA defense.

This LaSalle team ranks 344th in bench minutes and now tonight they face a fast tempo team in Iona (14th in tempo). Having a short bench playing a fast tempo team doesn't sound like a smart play? Well this Iona team plays fast but they aren't very deep either but they need the tempo to create points. Now Iona goes on the road to face a much slower paced team in LaSalle. The first thing I notice about Iona is their reliance on the 3PT shot. They are 19th in the % of points they get from behind the arc. On the other side they are only 304th in 2PT% point. Unlike LaSalle they don't get to the line often. They are 309th in FTA/FGA (LaSalle is 152nd). Iona does a great job of taking care of the ball but LaSalle isn't reliant of turning their opponent over. They foul very little and do a great job of limiting their opponent from behind the 3PT line (only 17.3% of the points they give up come from 3PT). LaSalle is very giving plenty inside the arc (65.5% of the points they give up come from 2PT range). That ranks 1st (or last depending on how you look at it) but Iona doesn't attack the rim or get much from the inside so this doesn't look like a problem tonight. Iona's offensive strengths match LaSalle's defensive strengths.

I don't see a rebounding edge that jumps out at me but Iona does a poor job of rebounding missed shots on the defensive end (this is because of their desire to get out in transition). LaSalle does a poor job of offensive rebounding which has more to do with their desire to get back on defense. LaSalle does a solid job of rebounding missed shots on the defensive end but Iona crashes the offensive glass pretty well. Again this stat fits their gameplans.

I don't see Iona getting very many easy buckets in transition against this LaSalle defense which means they will be reliant on the 3PT shot and I like to play AGAINST jump shooting teams on the raod as I have stated on here many times. LaSalle needs to clean up the missed shots and they should be able to frustrate Iona. LaSalle isn't going to get much inside the 3PT line either but their ability to get to the line and convert and hopefully shoot better than Iona from deep makes this a play for me. Bucknell is a solid team but LaSalle got off to a poor start in that game and allowed Bucknell to shoot 50%. I look for LaSalle to come out with great effort on the defensive end and control the tempo of the game. This is the best team that Iona has faced this year and I look for LaSalle take away what Iona does well.

Idaho +12.5 (1 UNIT) - Spent quite a bit of time on this game last night and decided to hold off with a lean to Idaho. I think the Vandals score but that defense is a worry spot. Boise was great in their last game against LSU and very impressive rebounding the basketball. I actually think the Vandals can hold their own on the glass here. I also think the Vandals will take care of the ball much better than LSU did against Boise. The bottom line is I think we get a great effort from Idaho in this rivalry type game. Effort is usually reflected in how a team plays defense and rebounds. Boise will get their open looks but if Idaho can take care of missed shots on the defensive end and continue to do what they do offensively then I think we have a great shot to cover here. Idaho is a veteran club and with a 3 game losing streak to Boise I feel good about what kind of effort we get from them tonight.

Quote Originally Posted by Getty3:

Good Luck. You have a sharp eye for these games. 

Thanks a lot! Looking forward to conference play though where things are a little more predictable.

Quote Originally Posted by Pasteur:

With you on Idaho.  I love getting points in these rivalry games, regardless of what the game looks like on paper 

Yeah that plays a big role with me on this play as well. I do wonder if we catch Boise in a flat spot after their big win over a previously unbeaten power conference school? We may get a sluggish start and that would help this play tremendously.

LaSalle -5.5 (1 UNIT)

Idaho +12.5 (1 UNIT)

2-0 on the night...I played Portland St as well but had no internet where I was at and couldn't get it posted. I won't count it on the record.