::Monday:: 11/2 (1-1-0) -0.1 units

Tennessee St Tigers +10.5

Murray St couldn't stop a nose bleed last year, and had to rely on their offense to win.  Now they are going to start two freshman, and expect things to get better?  No thanks.  Tennessee St won the OVC last year, but is replacing nearly everyone that contributed, but good news is, those replacements are all older guys with lots of DI experience.  Ty Laur Johnson will run the show after coming over from San Diego, Arterio Morris is a big time scorer from Bethune Cookman, and Josh Rivera from Seton Hall.  Starting 3 seniors, a grad transfer and a Junior should give Nolan Smith some confidence to start the year. 

George Mason/UMBC Under 147.5

Since Tony Skinn took over at Mason for Kim English, they have had a bottom 50 offensive tempo, and all years but one, a top 100 defense.  Last year, not only was UMBC the 240th paced team in the country, only 10 teams made their opponents work longer on the offensive end.  With all the turnover on both rosters, I don't see UMBC getting a lot offensively, and the Patriots should be methodical on offense as they figure out everyones roles early on. 

Bowling Green Falcons +3.5

The Falcons may have lost their do everything player in Javonte Cambell, but they brough in a lot of guys that can score.  The defense may be a little suspect, Georgia St is starting over from scratch.  They have a new coach, who has never led a program, and basically a whole new roster.  I think the wrong team is favored here. 

Florida Gators -5.5

I'm gonna ride Florida a lot this year, as I think they have the best starting front court in the nation, and bigs win you ball games.  Miami had to figure out how to replace Maliek Reneau and Tre Donaldson in the offseason, and they got pretty youthful in the process.  I'll take the continuity of the Gators in a great game to tip off their year.  

6pm Central games and on later today

  BOL 

BOL!  I always love your writeups/insight.  Go Heels!

Thanks for the writeups !!  BOL

Good luck this season my friend......

@STLTarHeels

 Bol this season Stl

UMASS Minutemen +2.5

This isn't the Troy of past years.  Gone is Scott Cross who took over at Ga Tech, and now they turn to first time head coach Adam Howard.  It's pretty much all new faces for both head coaches, but I like the experience Frank Martin has himself, plus the experience of his portal gets.  Experience matters early the season, and Troy has very little of it. 

Marshall Thundering Herd -1.5

I don't know where the scoring is going to come from for Buffalo this year.  They lost over 50ppg from last years team, and didn't get a ton of scoring in the portal.  This team will be lucky to not finish in the bottom 3 of the MAC.  Marshall will have the best player on the court in Noah Otshudi, and he should be enough to differentiate these two lower tiered G6 programs. 

Northeastern Huskies +2.5

Rivalry game, with revenge.  BU won last year by 1 in OT at Northeastern.  Northeastern returns its most important player in Mike Loughnane who is the do it all PG.  That's huge to retain your lead guard this day in age.  BU on the other hand said goodbye no nearly 60% of their offensive production from a year ago.  I'll take Bill Coen and his in game coaching to win this game outright vs a BU team that won't know it's identity for a bit. 

Niagara/West Virginia Under 141.5

Ross Hodges defense has always been good.  At North Texas, and last year in his first go around in Morgantown.  They were the 18th most efficient defense last year.  That being said, Niagaras defense was absolutely horrendous coming in at 343rd in efficiency.  Good news for them is, last years Mountaineers team wasn't very good at scoring the ball, and now they put the scoring on a true freshman in Sadler.  Both teams play at a snails pace (WVU 361st, Niagara 365th last year in tempo).  I don't think Niagara will get to 60, and I feel the same about WVU getting to 80. 

St. Thomas Tommies -3.5

Someone is asleep at the wheel in Vegas.  I have this one playing out similarly to last nights Liberty/High Point game.  Just too much of a talent gap between these two.  Presbyterian does have a rim protector on defense, but Carter Bjerke can pull them from the basketball and make 3s, really freeing up the Tommie offense. 

Seton Hall/St Peters Under 133.5

All kinds of familiarity here.  If you read FloridaMans write up on this, you've heard everything I have to say.  If not, these two teams/coaches have played each other four years in a row, and none of those games got to 130.  It's going to be a slow, well defended game.

Furman Paladins -4.5

Bethune lost scoring from Aterio Morris and Doc Bradley, and while Furman lost their fair share, they reloaded in the portal.  And they have Bob Ritchie as a coach, so that's worth a whole hell of a lot to me.  He can plug and play nearly anyone in that offense.  Can they defend around the basket will remain to be seen, but I don't hink BCU has the offense to frighten the Paladins. 

UT Martin Skyhawks +6

Tulane couldn't score the ball last year, and didn't do anything in the offseason to address the problem.  The Skyhawks are kind of starting over, they return one starter, but have a few role guys back too.  They brought in more Euros, to go with the current group, and I like their size and ability to stretch the floor on offense.  They may even win his game. 

Florida AM/Florida St Over 158.5

If you remember last year, Luke Loucks said he wanted to be the fastest team in America, and in his first two games, his guys put up triple digits.  Things got tougher as the year went on, but Florida AM isn't going to stop the Noles from doing what they want.  Which is run and if you don't get a dunk, shoot a 3.  There should be a ton of possessions in this game, and hopefully a lot of foul shots too.

@STLTarHeels  BOL 

st thomas always good shooting team, lost top 3 starters, tring to get blus back, but presbyterian was a good cover team last year, lost to High Point twice once by 6 other by 2  and presbyterian has all 11 back this year   that does help a little  guys playing together could help    i think this could be close   just an opinion  but always love the tommies ..like you said experiance matters early in the year

gl

Thanks y’all. Hell of a start.

@STLTarHeels

 Very nice day!

Tailed late only played 4 but won them all.

Thank you.