Florida -5They are 9-1 against Ole Miss in their last 10 meetings. The sole loss was by 2 points. UF is one of the highest scoring teams in the country at 82+ per game. They also lead the nation in 3 points made per game. Ole Miss doesn't have a reliable offense, and both teams play solid D giving up around 65 points per game. A lot of people will point to UF's 1-4 road record and fade them. However, the Gators lost to Syracuse and Ohio State (2 top 5 teams) in 2 of those losses in games that were close and competitive. Another was a double overtime loss to Rutgers. Tennessee was the sole loss that was by double digits and that was a UT team that has been playing very inspired basketball at home lately (even in losses). Point is, UF is tested and has a huge advantage in firepower in this matchup. The Rebels have been winning at home by keeping all of their opponents under 70 points, and I feel this feat will be near impossible considering the Gators have scored 70 in 11 of their last 12 games (with the UT stinker being the exception). UF is riding 3 straight DD victories, while Ole Miss barely squeaked out a win against offensively challenged UGA.
Valparaiso +1The Crusaders are 14-7 and take on a 7-12 Wisc-GB team. They are 7-2 in conference while WGB is 3-6. Valparaiso has won 6 of 7 games while WGB has lost 6 of 7. Valparaiso won by 3 in a shootout earlier this season. However, in more recent play, they haven't even allowed opponents to score 70 in 4 straight games. They have won 4 in a row with their most recent 2 coming on the road. Valparaiso is shooting a full 8% better from the field than WGB. The reason WGB is favored is because they kept it close the first time and Valpo is without Harris and his 10 points and 3 assists will be missed, but they have other players who can fill in (especially against a lesser team). In a game of numbers and pure talent, Valparaiso should definitely be the play. Whether it works out remains to be seen.
Washington 1st half -4ASU is probably going to be without their best player for this one. Also, they recently kicked off another one of their best players. Thus, essentially, they are starting 2 players tonight that that would have been reserves otherwise. This means depth should be an issue going forward and the talent level in their starting lineup should be a drop-off from where it was in their already unimpressive 2011-2012 campaign. Washington is the more talented team by far, and they have won 4 of 5 with the blemish being a 3 point loss at California in a game where their key reserve player was a woeful 0-9 from the field, including 0-6 from downtown. Meanwhile, ASU has lost 4 of 5, including double digit losses to powerhouses such as Utah and Colorado. I think Washington jumps on them early.
Montana +1.5A 13-6 team goes on the road to face a 9-11 team. Montana has won 8 of 9, with the loss being to conference leader Weber State. Meanwhile, EWU has lost 3 in a row. Also, Montana beat them by 8 earlier this year at home. The reason the Grizzlies are underdogs is because their best player is listed as having a calf injury.
I am unsure whether he (Cherry) is going to play or not and if anyone has info on this please let me know. Regardless, this team is rolling right now and good teams can still often find ways to win without their star players, especially against struggling teams.
LA Clippers -3.5I saw the Lakers game yesterday and I personally just feel like the Clippers are going to come out pissed after the sour way that game ended. CP3 should take Conley to school, gimpy or not. Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan no excuse not to dominate the Griz down low when they don't have Randolph. Marc Gasol is good, but shouldn't be good enough to give the Griz an edge. Speights is just plain streaky and hasn't been playing as well as he did earlier this year. To give the Griz credit, they have won 7 of 8 games. However, they have been playing bad competition. That 1 loss was to Portland. Only 2 of the 7 wins were against playoff contenders, and the other 2 were against the Bulls and Knicks. In the Bulls game, D-Rose didn't play. In the Knicks, Carmelo basically sat out the second half due to an ankle injury. Meanwhile, the Clips have played a relatively difficult schedule and now should have CP3 back for a while.
BOL to everyone. If anyone has info on that Montana game please let me know. Feel free to post questions/comments.