MISSOURI +4
This line is already to 3.5 now at Pinnacle. Mizzou and Texas Tech are going in opposite directions. Texas Tech is fading fast after their favorable schedule early, this is pretty much a must win in my opinion for them. Yeah they have 19 wins but they have also played a lot of games compared to most teams in the country. Missouri has won six straight games and I see that going to 7.
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 07:43 PM.]
This line is already to 3.5 now at Pinnacle. Mizzou and Texas Tech are going in opposite directions. Texas Tech is fading fast after their favorable schedule early, this is pretty much a must win in my opinion for them. Yeah they have 19 wins but they have also played a lot of games compared to most teams in the country. Missouri has won six straight games and I see that going to 7.
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 07:43 PM.]
NORTHWESTERN pk
I haven't liked a game this much in a long time. Where do I start with Iowa? Do I start with they only have 7 scholarship players? Do I mention that they have lost 4 of their top 9 players this year? Should I say that they pretty much only play 5 players and they have been getting so lucky with fouls lately it has been driving me nuts. I swear they are going to get in foul trouble sometime.
But even if they don't get into foul trouble Northwestern is the much better team and its on their homecourt. Northwestern is currently 5-1 SU and 5-1 ATS at home this year. They defeated Wisconsin by 18, Illinois by 10, Penn St by 13, Minnesota by 14, and Indiana by 4, their only loss was to Michigan St by 12. Northwestern is currently 12-13 with 2 home games left, 2 wins and they might just get an NIT bid. This is huge for Northwestern, I expect them to win both of these games.
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 07:59 PM.]
I haven't liked a game this much in a long time. Where do I start with Iowa? Do I start with they only have 7 scholarship players? Do I mention that they have lost 4 of their top 9 players this year? Should I say that they pretty much only play 5 players and they have been getting so lucky with fouls lately it has been driving me nuts. I swear they are going to get in foul trouble sometime.
But even if they don't get into foul trouble Northwestern is the much better team and its on their homecourt. Northwestern is currently 5-1 SU and 5-1 ATS at home this year. They defeated Wisconsin by 18, Illinois by 10, Penn St by 13, Minnesota by 14, and Indiana by 4, their only loss was to Michigan St by 12. Northwestern is currently 12-13 with 2 home games left, 2 wins and they might just get an NIT bid. This is huge for Northwestern, I expect them to win both of these games.
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 07:59 PM.]
ILLINOIS -2
Earlier this year Purdue pulled the huge upset as a 9 point dog as they won outright at Illinois by 4. That was a different Illini team that night. It took a while for this team to come together under Bruce Weber but it looks as they finally have. This team will make noise in march, and they are final 4 contenders next year.
Now Illinois gets to return the favor. Illinois punished Iowa on the road last week as 2 point favs winning by 19 in very impressive fashion. Purdue hasn't been great at home this year where they have losses as 12.5 and 12 point favs to Northwestern and Ohio St respectively.
Purdue does need this game for their tourney lives, but Illinois needs it for the Big 10 championship and Illinois is the much better team right now. Remember this is not the same Purdue team that beat Duke and Seton Hall. That team had a 6'10 PF names Chris Booker this one does not.
Purdue also has some player concerns as Kiefer has been battling injury as has Kartelo who also got arrested last week, I don't know his status, if he is out this play is even stronger.
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 08:12 PM.]
Earlier this year Purdue pulled the huge upset as a 9 point dog as they won outright at Illinois by 4. That was a different Illini team that night. It took a while for this team to come together under Bruce Weber but it looks as they finally have. This team will make noise in march, and they are final 4 contenders next year.
Now Illinois gets to return the favor. Illinois punished Iowa on the road last week as 2 point favs winning by 19 in very impressive fashion. Purdue hasn't been great at home this year where they have losses as 12.5 and 12 point favs to Northwestern and Ohio St respectively.
Purdue does need this game for their tourney lives, but Illinois needs it for the Big 10 championship and Illinois is the much better team right now. Remember this is not the same Purdue team that beat Duke and Seton Hall. That team had a 6'10 PF names Chris Booker this one does not.
Purdue also has some player concerns as Kiefer has been battling injury as has Kartelo who also got arrested last week, I don't know his status, if he is out this play is even stronger.
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 08:12 PM.]
INDIANA -1
This may appear a strange play to some of you but the fact is Indiana matches up with Michigan better than anyone else in the conference. Indiana gets dominated inside by teams who have guys who can score inside. Michigan relies on 3 players for their bulk of scoring, Bernard Robinson(who is very very underrated), Lester Abram, and Daniel Horton. Indiana can counter all 3 of these players. Sims has been improving offensively and he has the capabilty to dominate Indiana(but doubt he will), but Brown does not, and Indiana will have a new starting lineup in place for this game.
Patrick Ewing will get the start coming off his 8 pt 12 rebound performance in 25 minutes last time out, when this guy gets extended minutes, he finds himself in double digit rebounds. He is already one of the best rebounders I have ever seen, this guy will average a load the next 3 years if he earns the playing time. He is very raw offensively, and defensively(position wise). But he is a tremendous rebounder and shot blocker. The story of the game will come down to will Patrick Ewing and George Leach stay out of foul trouble, if they do IU will win, if not then it is going to be very difficult for the Hoosiers.
Bracey Wright has been in a monster slump lately, and I mean monster, he is due to come out of this sometime and this could be the night.
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 08:37 PM.]
This may appear a strange play to some of you but the fact is Indiana matches up with Michigan better than anyone else in the conference. Indiana gets dominated inside by teams who have guys who can score inside. Michigan relies on 3 players for their bulk of scoring, Bernard Robinson(who is very very underrated), Lester Abram, and Daniel Horton. Indiana can counter all 3 of these players. Sims has been improving offensively and he has the capabilty to dominate Indiana(but doubt he will), but Brown does not, and Indiana will have a new starting lineup in place for this game.
Patrick Ewing will get the start coming off his 8 pt 12 rebound performance in 25 minutes last time out, when this guy gets extended minutes, he finds himself in double digit rebounds. He is already one of the best rebounders I have ever seen, this guy will average a load the next 3 years if he earns the playing time. He is very raw offensively, and defensively(position wise). But he is a tremendous rebounder and shot blocker. The story of the game will come down to will Patrick Ewing and George Leach stay out of foul trouble, if they do IU will win, if not then it is going to be very difficult for the Hoosiers.
Bracey Wright has been in a monster slump lately, and I mean monster, he is due to come out of this sometime and this could be the night.
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 08:37 PM.]
NC STATE -7
Maryland is fighting for their tourney lives, I for one hope they don't make it so I can hear Dick Vitale bitch, he will say how Maryland would win the big 10 which is complete BS. Here is a key stat for this game, Maryland is one of the worst 2 or 3 teams in the entire NATION shooting free throws. They shoot frickin 60.7%. Do you realize how bad that is? Let me tell you, every team I have ever been on since sixth grade shot a better percentage, most in the high 60s and then varsity shot in the 70s. On the other hand, NC State shoots one of the best percentages in the nation, maybe the best, I can't remember, but they shoot 79% which is tremendous and will help you win a lot of games. This is a huge difference in this game.
Maryland is 2-5 SU and ATS on the road in the ACC season, they are 0-5 SU and 0-5 ATS as Road Underdogs. They lost to 23 at Duke, 11 at North Carolina, 8 at Wake Forest, 10 at Georgia Tech, and 4 at Florida St.
NC State has been very solid at home where they just lost their last time out for the first time all year. They should be ready to go in this one.
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 08:24 PM.]
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 10:44 PM.]
Maryland is fighting for their tourney lives, I for one hope they don't make it so I can hear Dick Vitale bitch, he will say how Maryland would win the big 10 which is complete BS. Here is a key stat for this game, Maryland is one of the worst 2 or 3 teams in the entire NATION shooting free throws. They shoot frickin 60.7%. Do you realize how bad that is? Let me tell you, every team I have ever been on since sixth grade shot a better percentage, most in the high 60s and then varsity shot in the 70s. On the other hand, NC State shoots one of the best percentages in the nation, maybe the best, I can't remember, but they shoot 79% which is tremendous and will help you win a lot of games. This is a huge difference in this game.
Maryland is 2-5 SU and ATS on the road in the ACC season, they are 0-5 SU and 0-5 ATS as Road Underdogs. They lost to 23 at Duke, 11 at North Carolina, 8 at Wake Forest, 10 at Georgia Tech, and 4 at Florida St.
NC State has been very solid at home where they just lost their last time out for the first time all year. They should be ready to go in this one.
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 08:24 PM.]
[This message was edited by Matt24 on March 02, 2004 at 10:44 PM.]
Looks like a good card for tomorrow Matt .... especially like your Northwestern, NC State and Missouri plays, not so sure about your Hoosiers though?? .... also the Illini should be motivated knowing they can win the conference with a victory tomorrow, right?? .... IMO you might want to take a look at Kansas -8 tomorrow (another senior night although not many seniors really to speak of for my Jayhawks) .... Nebraska has been pretty solid lately in roadie conference games, but the Phog will overtake them in Allen Field House!! Good luck tomorrow with your plays.
I did like Kansas at first glance, but thought they had an injury? Yeah IU is an odd play the way they have been playing, but they matchup better with Mich than most teams especially teams like OSU/Minny(who rely completely on the frontcourt) plus Ewing will make them a factor, with him last game they killed NWestern on the boards, they just didn't hit shots. Good luck
Yeah, KU will be without 6'10" freshman C/F David Padgett tomorrow, however still think they get it done after getting back on track Sunday vs. Oklahoma .... this will force coach Self to play Jeff Graves most of the game (if he doesn't get in foul trouble) and IMO he will respond with a big game on his senior night .... the more I look at Northwestern really like that one alot .... gl
Good luck Chico in whatever you choose, I hope you aren't kicking yourself tomorrow whatever you do. I do rate Northwestern very very strong, but definately no sure thing. I actually feel this is my strongest card of the year. I have loved cards before and watched the losers roll in though, I'm real anxious for these games tomorrow.
