Allstar's Friday College Basketball Selections

Allstar · Mar 12, 2004

Here are today's selections:

5 Units Georgia Tech +1.5 (SU WINNER 42-39) +5.00 UNITS

ACC tourney and it will be North Carolina's run-and-gun offense (83 ppg) against Georgia Tech's tough defense (38% shooting allowed, 66 ppg given up). North Carolina (18-9 SU, 14-11 ATS) has a big man up front in 6'-9" sophomore Sean May (15 ppg, 10 rpg) and great scoring options in 6'-3" sophomore Rashad McCants (19.9 ppg) 6'-0" Raymond Felton (7.3 assists pg). The Tar Heels are just 4-7 SU, 4-6 ATS on the road where they score and allow 75 ppg. Georgia Tech (22-8 SU, 17-12 ATS) has been much better on the road (8-5 SU/ATS) where they outscore opponents by a 77-71 average. G-Tech has great depth with 7'-1" junior Luke Schenscher and 6'-6" junior Isma'il Muhammad up front, and B.J. Elder (16 ppg) and 6'-3" sophomore Jarrett Jack (12 ppg, 5 rpg, 5.9 apg) running the backcourt. Jack is a hustler, leading the team in assists and is second in rebounding! G-Tech lost 103-88 at North Carolina, and beat the Tar Heels 88-77 at home in the rematch. This one should be closer than the previous two.

Allstar

[This message was edited by Allstar on March 12, 2004 at 03:48 PM.]

Allstar · Mar 12, 2004

7 Units Duke -15 (LOST 84-74) -7.56 UNITS

Virginia has won 5 of 7 and rides a 6-2 ATS run into this game. The Virginia Cavaliers (17-11) have 6'-0" senior guard Todd Billet (10 ppg, 3.2 apg) running the break while 6’-9” junior Elton Brown (15 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and 6’-5” junior Devin Smith work the boards. They had to come from behind to win in OT yesterday over a bad Clemson team. Now their reward is to get smacked by Duke. And do you think Duke (25-4) has enough depth? This team has tons of it, with 6-4 J.J. Redick (16.6 ppg), 6-3 junior Daniel Ewing (12 ppg) and senior Chris Duhon (6 assist pg). And that's just the backcourt! 6'-8" freshman Luol Deng (14.7 ppg) teams with 6'-9", 255-lb Shelden Williams (8 rebounds pg) and 6-10 sophomore Shavlik Randolph to anchor a tall front line. Most impressive is that Duke is scoring 81 ppg going 8-2 SU/6-4 ATS on the road where they average 78 ppg. Duke flattened Virginia in two meetings this season, and will make it three in a row here without breaking a sweat.

Allstar

[This message was edited by Allstar on March 12, 2004 at 03:49 PM.]

Allstar · Mar 12, 2004

7 Units Kentucky -8 (WON 69-60) +7.00 UNITS

Kentucky is well rested while their opponent had to play yesterday. And their opponent played very well yesterday, as Georgia used the home fans to help them top Auburn. Georgia (16-12 SU, 14-10 ATS) has 6'-3" G Rashad Wright (14 ppg) on the break, while 6'-7" senior Damien Wilkens (12 ppg) and 6'-7" F Chris Daniels (8 rpg) work the boards. Georgia has stunned Kentucky this season, winning both games as +17 and +6 dogs! But making it three in a row will be very difficult. Kentucky (23-4 Su, 13-11) and Coach Tubby Smith love tough defense. The Wildcats allow 39% shooting and 62 ppg. How about 13-7 UNDER the total this season! The Wildcats have a monster front line (47% shooting) and rebounding team because of a front line of 6'-7" junior Chuck Hayes (8 rebounds pg) and 6'-9" senior Erik Daniels. The tall frontcourt allows 6'-3" senior Gerald Fitch (15 ppg) and senior playmaker Cliff Hawkins to strut their stuff in the backcourt. The deep Wildcats are 10-2 SU/7-5 ATS on the road! During the season, Georgia actually swept Kentucky, winning a 65-57 upset at Kentucky as a +17 dog and winning at home, 74-68. Certainly a double-revenge spot for Kentucky, and they are rested.

Allstar

[This message was edited by Allstar on March 12, 2004 at 03:32 PM.]

Allstar · Mar 12, 2004

5 Units South Carolina -3.5 (WON 85-64) +5.00 UNITS

SEC QuarterFinals from the Georgia Dome. LSU is rested here, but while the Tigers (18-9) have had a fine season, they won't be lasting long in the tourney. That's because LSU's best player, 6'-9" F Jaime Lloreda (17 ppg, 11 rpg), is out for the season with a knee injury. That's why LSU is 1-5 SU/ATS the last six games. That puts a lot of pressure on their next best player, 6'-8" freshmen Brandon Bass (12 ppg, 7 rpg). LSU also averages just 60 ppg on the road where they are 5-6 SU, 5-5 ATS. They will struggle to score mightily herer, as South Carolina is a sensational defensive team allowing 39% shooting and 61 ppg. South Carolina (22-9 SU) has lost 7 of 11 after starting the season 18-2. But they hammered pitiful Arkansas yesterday. South Carolina has 6'-7" Carlos Powell (12 ppg, 6 rpg) and 6'-2" senior Mike Boynton playing a stifling defense. Back in January, South Caroline beat LSU 61-55, and should win another low scoring game here.

Allstar

[This message was edited by Allstar on March 13, 2004 at 11:20 AM.]

Allstar · Mar 12, 2004

5 Units Colorado +2.5 (LOST 69-79) -5.25 UNITS

Playtime is over, let the real season begin. A great matchup in store for the opening round of Big-XII play. Bobbu Knight's Red Raiders finished the season on a roll winning their last two games over Missouri and Iowa State 72-58 this past weekend. Ronald Ross scored 23 points as Tech's win was the result of hot shooting. The team hit on 28 of 55 from the field or 51 percent. Leading scorer Andre Emmett added just 9. In their last regular season game, Colorado's David Harrison scored 24 points on 10-of-12 shooting and Michel Morandais added 23, leading Colorado to a 78-75 victory over Nebraska. Michael Morandais added 23. Texas Tech goes with a three guard offense with Emmett the focal point for scoring. Colorado has the big feller', David Harrison who continues to have good games, and some less than impactful games. Colorado held at home in the only meeting this year. With a neutral court expect a competitive matchup here with the big guy making the difference.

Allstar

[This message was edited by Allstar on March 13, 2004 at 11:22 AM.]

Allstar · Mar 12, 2004

7 Units Western Michigan -9 (WON 87-77) +7.00 UNITS

MAC battle from Gund Arena in Cleveland. Mighty Western Michigan (24-4) takes on Toledo. Western Michigan has a huge edge in the frontcourt this game and plays awesome defense, allowing 42% shooting and 65 ppg, while shooting 47% as a team. The Western Michigan Broncos (24-4 SU, 19-7 ATS) have a great frontcourt and outscores teams by a 74-69 average on the road where they are 9-4 SU/8-4 ATS! They are led by a great front line in 6’-7” senior center Anthony Kann (12 ppg, 7 rpg) and 6’-8” senior Mike Williams (18 ppg, 54% FGs, 7 rpg). 6’-3” sophomore Ben Reed (16.6 ppg) and 6’-4” senior Reggie Berry round out this tall, deep team. Toledo outscores teams by a 76-74 average, but allows opponents 45% shooting, so Western Michigan has the superior defense in this matchup. The Toledo Rockets (20-9 SU, 13-13 ATS) have a quick backcourt, anchored by 6’-3” junior Keith Triplett (19 points, 5 rebounds per game, 41% 3-point FGs) and 6’-3” freshman Justin Ingram (10 ppg, 3.5 apg), plus 6’-6” sophomore scorer Sammy Villegas (13 ppg). Toledo is 9-8 SU, 10-4 ATS on the road. Toledo will have to beat hot shooting from downtown, because Western Michigan will control the boards with its strong front line.

Good Luck Today,

Allstar

[This message was edited by Allstar on March 13, 2004 at 11:20 AM.]