San Dog-ego

San Diego +13.5: Revenge spot here for the Toreros who had really their only bad conference game a few weeks ago, losing at Clara by 28. Diego battled Gonzaga (with Huff) to the wire in a 6-point loss and have otherwise held serve at home in conference play, while battling some solid teams hard on the road. Clara is obviously the better team, but coming off their upset over St. Mary's and the revenge and homecourt angles, I think the Toreros keep this one close. 0.75 units.

RM......

George Mason -1.5: Does not compute. At all. Which worries me, but I will bite. 0.5 units.

Good luck rangersmets 

Mason riding a 9-game winning streak (6 in conference) with only one loss all season (at Va Tech). They did stagger a bit to beat Rhode Island 61-50 at home, but Rhode Isl is one of those teams that seem to play better on the road. At home, they have already lost to the likes of Loyola-Chi and LaSalle. At any rate, I will keep drinking the GM kool-aid.

Still mulling this Murray State -1.5 at Northern Iowa game over. NI has just gone into freefall without Tristan Smith, losing 6 straight after starting 4-0. They simply cannot score enough to have a chance to win, and Murray State -- coming off their first loss in conference play -- can score with the best of them. NI can definitely play defence and if they get Smith back, I think that does change things today, which is obviously not a good day to be travelling (no pun intended). Still 3 hours until gametime, so will make a call in the next few hours but right now leaning Murray State.

Best of luck 

Jackson State +8.5: After playing an absolute gauntlet of a non-conf schedule (Illinois, Auburn Louisville, Arkansas, Houston!!!), the Tigers are 4-1 to start SWAC play. Tigers are led by fourth-year PG Daeshun Ruffin, who many will remember played 2 seasons with Ole Miss. Ruffin may well be too good for this league, piling up 21.6 PPG and 5.5 APG. Now of course those numbers have exploded in conference play, where he is averaging around 28 PPG. He also had 16 assists in their recent win over Texas Southern. Now, Cookman is a very good team and many believe the team to beat in the SWAC. But I think Ruffin and the Tigers keep this one close against Reggie's squad and have an outside shot at the outright win. 0.75 units.

Going to take the shot with Murray State on a small 0.5 unit play. I think Northern Iowa is going to be real desperate here, and let's not forget they are returning over 60 per cent of their roster that went 12-4 in conference play last year.

gl wll be on it

One last small play:

Boise State -23.5: I have been profiting nicely from fading Air Force all season and I think they are really in over their heads here. Boise is healthy again with Buchanan back and Air Force is without one of their precious few reliable scorers in wing Caleb Walker. You always worry a team like Boise might take their foot off the gas against these scrubs, but we'll give it a shot regardless. 0.5 units.

Dismal 2-3 on posted plays, and let's be honest, that was a fortunate backdoor cover with San Diego.

Not sure what happened with George Mason, but guess I got suckered with the short line. Jackson State was awful. As feared, Northern Iowa was desperate for a win and playing at home. At least Air Force is old reliable for fade material. They are just really great, brave men who are not so good at basketball.

Thanks again to Floridaman and Damon for the under plays that saved me from a losing day $$$ wise.

Saturdays can be brutal.

Yes… the Air Force men may not be good hoopers…. But 98%…….. ARE…. Great men.     

gl today