::Wednesday:: 2/11 (205-205-0 -26.9 units)

1* 167-164

2* 29-31

3* 7-8

4* 1-1

5* 1-1

The goal is eat the juice up before Champ Week.  We shall see. 

1* Iowa/Maryland Under 140

Not many play slower than Iowa, and their defense is stout.  Marylands offense is atrocious, but so is their defense.  Buzz has recently been vocal about how "disappointing" this year has been, so hopefully he gets some sort of defensive effort tonight at home.  The Terps haven't scored over 70 points since Jan. 18.  They really struggle to score.  Iowa has Purdue and Nebraska on deck, so they may not be fully engaged this evening.  I picture a 68-60 rock fight kinda game. 

1* Ole Miss Rebels +6.5

The Rebs return home from a brutal 4 game roadie that included Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt. They lost them all.  Usually Bama coming to town would be something to not really look forward to, but they have this Bediako distraction that has been hanging around now for a couple days, and I'm not sure they've really focused on the task at hand.  Wrightsell is also questionable to play, he's like a Daryn Peterson 2.0.  Chris Beard got ejected from Ole Miss' last game @ Texas, and I'd imagine that fired his guys up pretty good knowing he has their back.  Fox hole spot for the Rebs.  Gonna dust the ML a bit too. 

1* Virginia Tech Hokies +8.5

Terrible spot for Brownell and boys.  They return from the Stanford/Cal trip, have this game, and then go to Cameron Indoor.  Another spot, where I think the favored team, won't have a lot invested.  The Hokies aren't going to be confused with any sort of world beaters, but they have two bigs that get after it on the glass, and will draw fouls on the Clemson bigs. If Welling gets in trouble, I don't know where the Tigers turn. 

1* Wichita State Shockers +1.5

USF is coming off the huge home win vs Tulsa, and are now tied for the lead in the AAC. One game behind them, is the Shockers team that gets USF and Tulsa in back to back home games.  The Charles Koch Arena has been known to get rowdy in it's day, and I think this homestand will bring those days back.  USF does have revenge from an OT loss a few a weeks ago, but coming off the big win, I don't think it plays a role today.  Wichita St will slow the tempo down and force their will.  

1* Appalachian St Mountaineers -1.5

This line feels super fucking trappy, but I've diving into the stink.  App St has won 6 straight, including a drubbing of Troy on their home floor.  This team doesn't look like it can be slowed down right now.  They've beat Troy and Southern Miss (who just beat Akron) in their last two roadies, so I see no reason why Southern would bring a challenge.  They have lost 5 of 6 and dropped 4 straight at home.  They haven't played yet this year, so no revenge or familiarity.  The 'Teers defense is the real deal, and should have no problems shutting down this Eagle offense. 

1* Liberty Flames -3.5

It appears the Aggies may have given up on their season.  Losers in 5 of their last 6, traveling across the country seemingly everytime they have to play a road game.  It just has taken its toll.  The Flames offense is going to get whatever they want, whenever they want it.  Revenge is on the table, but this Aggie team isn't the same one that played back on Jan 15. 

1* Texas A&M Aggies -6.5

Aggies have dropped two straight to fall from the top of the SEC standings, but Mizzou coming to town soothes all things that ail.  The Tigers have the most undisciplined defense I've seen in a while.  They have no idea how to close out on a shooter.  AM will be pump faking and driving all night long, and Mizzou will be left to chuck 3 after 3 in hopes to stay in it.  

1* Mississippi St Bulldogs +7.5

Nate Ament is turning into maybe the best freshman in the country, but I think the he's due for a game of regression.  He's averaging like 29 ppg over his last few games.  Eventually, coaches are going to start making someone else beat them.  I think Chris Jans is the guy to do that.  He's a very defensive minded coach, and Tenn has turnover issues.  The Vols have struggled on the road as well.  Just lost at Kentucky, won by 1 at Georgia, by 6 @ Bama, lost @ Florida, and lost @ Arkansas.  They tend to go into offensive lulls, where they struggle to score, so covering 8 on the road may be too much to ask. 

1* Grand Canyon Antelopes -1.5

This is the last big home game of the year for the Lopes, so I expect Global Credit Arena to be on fire.  They just dropped a game at UNLV, so likely looking ahead to this game.  For the Lobos, the hits keep coming.  They just dropped both games on a homestand, albeit to Utah St and Boise St, but it gets no easier going to GCU.  This should be a great game, with two very good defenses.  

@STLTarHeels

Thanks STL! I love it! Maybe disagree with a few, but still gonna be fun!

TIP