2* IU-Indy/Ohio St Over 168.5
The Buckeyes return three guys that turned in double digit scoring averages last year, and added a fourth from Santa Clara in Christoph Tilly, who also bring size at 7'0", and Coach Diebler has given him Danny Wolff comparisons. But the real reason I'm on the over is whats happening in Indy. They bring in Ben Howlett from DII West Liberty in West Virginia. The pace his teams play at, isn't like many you see in DI. They press the ENTIRE game, and when they get a defensive board, they are running. They scored over 100 points on 19 different occasions last year, and I think their style lends to Ohio St getting to 100, leaving Indy only needing 70 to cash.
1* Arizona/Florida Over 163.5
The stars will be out for this blockbuster on opening night in Vegas. Two offensive powerhouses, with great tempo, and outside shooting. The pace will certainly be there, Florida went well over this number in their expo vs Illinois, and while Arizona played a slow paced St Marys team, they were still able to score in the 80s. Both offenses could very well come out flat, but I'm not banking on it. Should be a very entertaining game this evening.
1* Akron -8.5
Last year the Zips kinda changed up the philosophy and went to a fast paced offense, and in your face defense, and it paid big time dividends for John Groce and company. They return the straw that stirs the drink in Tavari Johnson, and everyone else should fall into place. JMU is starting over from the top, and with the depth of Akron, its too much to ask of them to stay within double digits in a tough place to play, as a new unit.
1* Colgate +22.5
Colgate didn't win the Patriot League last year from the first time in what seems like forever, but I like that as motivation for the guys that return this year. Colgate is a winning program, with proud mid major tradition, and Izzo teams, for whatever reason, don't seem to start figuring things out until conference play starts. Hoping for a sleepy Spartan team, that lost its heartbeat in Tre Holloway to the portal. Coen Carr is an athletic freak, and Jaxon Kohler is a large body that is going to have be great for Izzo later in the year, but 22.5 to open the season is too many in my opinion.
1* St. Peters/Seton Hall Under 128.5
124,129, 110 are the totals of the last three times these two have met. Two of the slowest paced offenses in the country a year ago, and should be again this year. Both teams focus on playing defense first, and that with the pace, should give a real fighters chance at this number.
Good luck today everyone!!
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