1* Houston Cougars -14.5
Whats happening right now in Vegas with Tennessee laying it on Rutgers, is exactly the same game I think we get with Houston and Syracuse. Style points matter here, so the best talent will rise to the top with nearly 2 million dollars on the line. I hate that money has gotten this involved in college basketball, but its where its at. Cuse hasn't played anyone yet, and with their two best players being underclassmen, going up against the rabid defense of the Cougs is going to be night and day from the Monmouths and Drexels of the world.
1* Elon/Appalachian St Over 143.5
Appy St plays at a snails pace in a perfect world, but take out their loss to Ohio St, and they've gotten to 65 in every game. While Elons defense isn't acceptable (343rd), their offense is. 61st in eff FG%, and 44th in 3pt%. I think App St gets whatever they want on offense, and Elon makes enough outside shots to keep it close, in a high scoring game.
1*Central Connecticut Blue Devils -4.5
Back to this well after the massive win @ Rutgers the other night. Certainly could be a let down spot due to the Rutgers game, but they have also already won at Boston College, so now it's the expectation. This will also be their first time back in their home gym since those two wins happened, so I'd be the crowd will be there to congratulate them and jump on the band wagon. Sacred Heart just chucks 3s all game long. They don't shoot them well, for how many they shoot, but they will make a handful. The real Blue Devils may be a sleeping giant in the MAAC.
2* Yale/Akron Over 156.5
KenPom has this one being played into the 160s, and that's where I think it lands too. Akron runs. And they finish. They scored 79 on Purdue. Yale has only played one other team that plays at this type of pace, and they played along and scored 97 points. Both offenses are very efficient and neither defense kept either coach up last night. Should a be a fun game to watch.
1* Auburn Tigers -3.5
I don't think Auburn is in for a great year, with all the coaching change stuff, and roster losses, but I'm a big time fader of Dana Altman in November. His teams never seem ready early in the year, and then turn it on around Xmas. Auburn gave Houston all they could handle, and the Ducks best win is a one point win over Hawaii in their opener.
1* Alabama Crimson Tide +4.5
I think the Tide is the much more tested team having played Purdue and Illinois already. Both of those games should look very similar to what tonights game looks like. I'd take the over, but both teams playing in a foreign gym doesn't excite me at 180. Tide certainly have the athletes to defend Ike, and at the other end Labaron Philon is a problem. Bama may not win, but it'll come down to the final minute.
1* Michigan/San Diego St Under 148.5
The Aztecs are going to have to slow this down in order to stay in the game. Dutcher is a great coach, he knows this. Under Dutcher, SDSU has historically been a defensive nightmare. The jury is still out on this team, but they are coming off a double OT loss at home, and get a ranked Michigan team, so maybe they've been looking ahead to this game all along. Nothing comes easy in this one tonight in the desert.
GL everyone. Enjoy the games.
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