Alright...the plane ride was brutal (red-eye's are not preferred, but I had no choice)
I see that Purdue not only went from -2 up to -2.5, but now is up to -3 now...not surprising at all...knew this would more than likely be a public play, but it does not matter or change anything.
Well I got -2 from all of my online books last night...going to have to settle for -3 around Vegas it appears...going to grab some breakfast here and make my rounds...by that time the lines should be out around here.
Quickly...I will try and get back in here and post some more about this game, but I did fly out here ont he spur of the moment so I do want to enjoy my time here in Vegas while I am here, and not waste it sitting by a computer chatting about a game...
I like Purdue for a few different reasons. I understand that the Gophers have had some success as of late beating the 17th ranked Wisconsin Badgers at home, as well as beating the Indiana Hoosiers at home on saturday. Both were convincing wins for the Gopher's team that was pretty much headed for the NIT tounrey for sure with their prior 3-7 run before this past week. So what has changed for the Gophers to bring their level of play up? I will tell you...they changed their defense 100%. Head Coach Tubby Smith has relied on a stubborn press and man-to-man defense during his tenure with the Gophers, but the loss of Al Nolen, the team's best perimeter defender and the Big Ten's leader in steals, made that strategy more difficult to implement. Thus, the new zone we have seen from the Gophers in the past two games. They have backed off the press and are letting teams set up their offense in the half court. They now are playing Colton Iverson, Ralph Sampson III, and Damien Johnson. It has obviously helped the Gophers here as they have played very well defensively, especially against a good Wisconsin team. But let's keep this in mind. This was the first time the Bo Ryan the Wisconsin had seen this new zone that the Gophers brought out. They went with three bigs and are making it next to impossible to score in the paint on this zone. Indiana didnt have the talent, nor the game prep time to prepare for this new defense either. Purdue now has two tapes that they can look at and learn from what the Gophers have now implemented in their defense. The zone has been there for a few games...Purdue is not going into this game dark. Not only do they have the athletes, but there is not one position that the Gophers matchup equally with Purdue at. I know with the recent victories for the Gophers that we would catch a low line here, which is great, but Purdue is going to win this game and it will cover this game. I expect a 10 point win here for sure. It might not easy at the beginning of this game, but Purdue's superior talent will shine through. They will get a better feel for what they are seeing from Minnesota as the games progresses. Again, this new zone defense with the three bigs in the middle of it, has helped, but the Gophers are the worst 3pt defending team in the Big Ten, and the Boilermakers have a lineup full of players that can light it up from outside.
I have to get going here...I will try and get back later today a few hours before tip, before I go out. Enjoy the winner guys!!!
I disagree, this game is more important for Purdue. Minny is NOT TOURNAMENT WORTHY, Purdue is and a loss to these buck toothed gophers could jeopardize a possible #1 seed. I see Purdue taking care of business. Purdue has held their own on the road all season and is too physical and deep for minny.
Kris Kramer special: Purdue -2.5 (John Locke approved)
Well guys...just stopping in to post the rest of my picks for the day and see what you guys had to say. Bets are placed, so it's on officially now.
For those of you questioning the numbers, let me say this...number only paint part of the picture...You can look at all the numbers as far as "PAST" stats as you want to help predict the future. I never said that Minnesota's team stats never matched up with Purdue's stats...In fact I said that Minnesota does not have one player on the court that can matchup with any other Purdue player on the court...You have to look at the given matchup to try and understand what is going to happen tonight. You can look at past stats from both teams and have a goofy perception either way...those numbers are availble for any average joe bettor to get his hands on. You have to dig deeper, watch the games, know the players, know the coaches, know the systems, gameplan's etc. With that being said, Purdue covers this game...the Gophers can not matchup here.
Established in 1995,
..GL to all!!!! 
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