::Sunday:: 1/5 (209-209-7 YTD)

9-8-1.  It's not a loss. 

Penn St -8

No Reneau for IU, who is by far their best offensive player.  Penn Sts only home game at the Palestra this year, so the place should be going bananas.  Penn St by double digits and I don't think its even a sweat. 

Loyola MD -1.5

Lehigh has a lull spot here I think.  They just beat Bucknell in OT on Thursday, and now hit the road to a team that is desperate for a win, who haven't played on their home floor since before Xmas.  Also, Lehigh has to stay on the road next, @ Colgate, which could prove to be a match up of the top teams in the Patriot at the end of the year. 

Canisius +11

My biggest concern is the Griffs come out showing some rust after having two weeks off for the holidays.  But if any team could use a reset, its an 0-13 team headed into conference play.  They also played a top 100 non-con schedule, so probably a tiny bit better than their record would suggest.  Sacred Heart probably shouldn't be a double digit fav to anyone right now anyway, as they haven't won against a DI opponent in over a month. 

Rider -2

Another team coming off a long break, but again, the break came at right time.  The Broncs have lost 7 straight, but now get a fresh slate, and need to get in the W column in conference.  Manhattan just played on Friday, and lost a heartbreaker in double OT @ Siena.  Now have to go play a desperate team in their gym.  Rider being a fav in this one should be pretty telling.

Marist -1.5

In a one possession lined game, I'll almost always take the home team, especially one that is used to winning.  Their schedule hasn't been tough by any means, but learning how to win can't be understated. Both teams sit top the MAAC at the moment @ 3-0 along with Merrimack, so it should be a pretty spirited effort from both teams.  Two contrasting styles as far as tempo goes, and the home team usually is able to control that more with the crowd, so give me Marist in a rock fight. 

Holy Cross +7

American hasn't won a game in a month, and just lost @ Navy by 20+.  Holy Cross on the other hand is feeling pretty good about things, as winners of 4 straight.  Two teams headed in different directions.  According to KenPom, American has dropped nearly 40 spots in the power rankings since the beginning of the year, while HC has jumped 40 spots.  Almost scary that I'm getting so many points here. 

I'll be back for later tips in a bit.  GL everyone

GL today STL 

STLTH......

Illinois/Washington Over 154

I expect a little regression from Illinois offense off the 109 pt showing @ Oregon, but the pace will still be there, and this offense is very very good.  The European guys can really play, and Boswell has been a huge addition at the PG spot.  I think ILL still gets to the mid 80s so Wash only needs to get to 70 for this to hit. 

Oregon -4.5

I just think the Ducks get a response win here at home after getting their dicks blown off by the Illini.  They hit the road after this, so definitely need a win before a Big 10 road trip. Maryland on the second game of a looonnnggg road trip, just doesn't seem like much of a get up spot.  They've got a 10ish hour flight to look forward to afterwards. 

UCF +5

Kansas is 0-2 SU on the road, so getting points here is nice.  UCF has already beaten A&M and Texas Tech who I'd compare to KU, and UCF has always played well in their own gym.  KU just got beat on their home floor, so would expect them to be fairly sharp today, but their road woes worry me, and UCF getting points on their home floor is enough for me to pull this trigger.

Memphis -8

North Texas' defense is very good, but so is Memphis', and its the Tigers offense that separates these two for me.  Haggerty and Dainja are quite the duo and they are wayyy to athletic for UNT to keep up with, especially on the road. Their offense just has too many gaps in scoring, while Memphis has a couple guys to get a bucket to end a drought. 

GL Everyone.  And thanks to Penn St for coming out of the locker room at the half. 

Thanks for the post