::Saturday:: 12/14 (157-143-6 YTD)

2-2 yesterday...Army and Merrimack both were covering for 80% of their games.  Frustrating, but thats hoops being played by kids. 

Texas AM +2

If this game was at Mackey, I'd probably be on the Boilers, but in a stadium, the noise isn't quite as bad, plus AM has the experience at guard to not be bothered by it.  I think AM brings the physicality to the guards of Purdue and make them uncomfortable.  No one gets on the offensive glass as well as the Aggies either, so a pretty large advantage there so lead to plenty of extra looks.  And although it isn't until next Saturday, Purdue does play Auburn next. 

Ohio St/Auburn Over 152.5

Two top 10 team as far as eFG% goes, and athletes all over the place.  This is another game at a "neutral" court in Atlanta, and similar to the Michigan/Arkansas game at The Garden, I think we get a show.  Both have snoozers on deck, on national tv, in a pro arena.  NBA scouts in abundance.  This game gets played in the 80s, as this one goes up and down for majority of it. 

Wichita St/DePaul Under 151.5

Up until last week, DePaul had played absolutely nobody, but now its reality time and it isn't going so hot for them.  Lost their last two against Texas Tech and Providence, and now they get a very active defense, who win run them off the 3pt line, where they LIVE. Almost half their PPG come from behind the arc.  The Shockers will not let them get open look after open look. Shockers want to keep this game in the upper 60s and I think thats where it ends.

Charlotte +1.5

This line kinda stinks, but I'm gonna lean into it.  Charlotte gets the foul line at a really high rate, and they don't turn the ball over.  Fundamentals go a long way.  And Georgia St gets the chance to go beat Auburn on their home floor next....

Xavier +8

One of the best games of the year on a annual basis.  These two schools hate each other, and has produced fireworks in the past.  Cincy has played one team in the top 100 and it was a loss to Villanova.  I have Xavier better than Nova, but not by much. Xavier is much more battle tested, and have the second most tenured team in the country, so they know how to handle the road crowd. X has won 5 straight in this series including the last two @ Cincy.

Wisconsin -5

Why this game is on a neutral is beyond me.  Great chance to have a great game at one of the best venues in sports, and they blew it.  Anyway, Butlers December is as tough as they come. They played Houston already, now get Wisconsin, next is Marquette, followed by UCONN.  They had a hiccup last time out and lost at home to North Dakota St, probably looking ahead to this one.  But now they find themselves on a losing streak, with the rest of the gauntlet ahead.  I think Butler goes winless in December and the wheels continue to wobble today.

UCLA/Arizona Under 145.5

I think its gonna take a half of basketball for these teams to really get a feel for how this game is gonna go.  UCLA is going to do their best to keep this one slow, as the Cats excel when they can get out in transition and get easy looks before having to run anything in the half court.  Cronin knows what he has to do to keep his team in this game, lets just hope he can get his guys to cooperate. 

UNC-Wilmington -4.5

For the life of me, I can't figure this line out.  Wilmington is beating opponents by a much larger margin than this line is crediting for, and Howard hasn't competed with anyone worth noting.  Probably a trap, but I can't see where the stumble comes from, so I'm gonna fall for it. 

Thats it through the 2pm central tips GL everyone

@STLTarHeels

 Thank again for your great writing.

 Outside the box  thinking can lead to inside the bookies pockets 

@STLTarHeels

good luck STL 

STLTH......

Florida/Arizona St Over 155.5

This is the second game in Atlanta, and like the first, I think we get an up and down, offensive show.  Athletes all over the place again, and two offenses that really know how to score.  Florida may have the best backcourt in the country. Defense turns into offense for Florida, so the Devils will have to keep up to stay in it.

La Salle +21

This Tar Heel team deserves to be 20+ point favs to ZERO teams right now.  Still nothing coming from inside the paint.  It's jump shot after jump shot.  No one offensive rebounds.  I could go on forever, but I won't.  Probably introducing Bellichek at halftime, so a lot of hoopla going on, and no one is focused on La Salle. Dunphey is a better coach than Hubert too.

Valparaiso -1

CMU hasn't played since Dec 5th, and haven't played a DI games since late November.  Going on the road, having not played a meaningful minute of basketball in weeks, doesn't sound like a good situation to be in. Not to mention CMU has Mississippi St and Arizona coming up next.  The old rest vs rust situation, but the spot tells me rust/low interest level for the Chips.

Kentucky -10

I wish Louisville was at 100%, cause then this would have been a game.  No Traore today either it appears, but Kentucky will be missing Kriisa and Butler as well.  Kentucky is still just wayyy to deep.  Rupp will be as rowdy as its been in years, and Kentucky smashes the Cards, as the Mark Pope fairy tale continues. 

Illinois +1

Probably the best game of the day for me.  Tennessee just recently became number 1, headed into what will be the craziest environment they've visited yet, against a team that has had this one circled since the pre season.  Jakucionis is a baller.  Tennessee has all kinds of experience, so they may handle the crowd ok, but ILL will fuel off it.  They will make tough shots.  It always happens in these spots, in this gym. 

Towson -2.5

This is 100% of an awful Duquesne team.

Gonzaga -3

Second best game of the night for me, and I'm taking experience over youth.  UCONN certainly isn't as bad as Maui would have you believe, and I think this game is close, but Zags pull away late at The Garden.

St. Marys/Boise St Under 138.5

This game will be a rock fight.  Two teams that play hard-nosed, tough defense, and methodical offense that doesn't take the first open shot.  Should be an awesome game.

Cal Poly +5

Wrong team favored in my estimaton.

Sorry for getting short at th end...ran out of time.  GL today everyone.  Awesome day of games. 

Many neutral sites today to pay for that NIL money.  Donors want to see their money working close to home.

DePaul gonna get into high 80’s or low 90’s.    Fiddle sticks.  

@Mskeets

 yep.  never stood a chance in that one.

@River_fish

@IAdecimal5

@totter

 you too sir

@TheVigPodcast

@Thinkb4ubet

 cheers!

@Ryoshiii

@D-Town

@STLTarHeels