Sunday Top Play
Two years ago, I would have never picked against SIU on its home floor. The Salukis were benefactors of perhaps the best home court advantage in the nation, keyword being were. Teams wouldn't even think about scheduling a non-conference schedule game against Southern Illinois because of how rowdy SIU Arena would get. However, this so-called "rowdyness" was predicated on having a good basketball team to get amped about, something the Salukis haven't fielded in a while. That said, the high electricity is remarkably lower in Carbondale because this year's team (like last year's) is mediocre. The talent is definitely there, but Chris Lowery's bunch is not playing the patented hard-nosed SIU defense of years past and the Salukis have had a rough time this season defending their house, having already lost four games in front of their home fans. Granted, getting clobbered against UCLA is a given, but losing to Charlotte, Northern Iowa and St. Mary's -- all at home -- forget about it. Mark this one up as a rebuilding year, take the lumps and come back with a venegeance next season. That's all they can do. Drake on the other hand, hasn't lost any steam from last year's Missouri Valley Conference championship season and run to the NCAA tournament. Captain point guard Adam Emmenecker has since graduated, but the Bulldogs still have lots of offensive firepower with Josh Young, Bucky Cox and Josh Parker, all of whom are shooting over 40 percent from deep. Cox (9 rebounds per game) also holds down the fort on the glass, where the Bulldogs hold a definite advantage tonight with their size advantage. Drake even wins the ever-important three-point battle, with the Dogs averaging 9 triples per contest. I don't care about Southern Illinois' 18-1 mark in their last 19 games against Drake. This battle isn't taking place in the past. It's about the present; about who's the best team right now. And that team, my friends, is the Bulldogs. Buy the points and celebrate with an outright win.
PICK: Drake (+3) - 35 units
Two years ago, I would have never picked against SIU on its home floor. The Salukis were benefactors of perhaps the best home court advantage in the nation, keyword being were. Teams wouldn't even think about scheduling a non-conference schedule game against Southern Illinois because of how rowdy SIU Arena would get. However, this so-called "rowdyness" was predicated on having a good basketball team to get amped about, something the Salukis haven't fielded in a while. That said, the high electricity is remarkably lower in Carbondale because this year's team (like last year's) is mediocre. The talent is definitely there, but Chris Lowery's bunch is not playing the patented hard-nosed SIU defense of years past and the Salukis have had a rough time this season defending their house, having already lost four games in front of their home fans. Granted, getting clobbered against UCLA is a given, but losing to Charlotte, Northern Iowa and St. Mary's -- all at home -- forget about it. Mark this one up as a rebuilding year, take the lumps and come back with a venegeance next season. That's all they can do. Drake on the other hand, hasn't lost any steam from last year's Missouri Valley Conference championship season and run to the NCAA tournament. Captain point guard Adam Emmenecker has since graduated, but the Bulldogs still have lots of offensive firepower with Josh Young, Bucky Cox and Josh Parker, all of whom are shooting over 40 percent from deep. Cox (9 rebounds per game) also holds down the fort on the glass, where the Bulldogs hold a definite advantage tonight with their size advantage. Drake even wins the ever-important three-point battle, with the Dogs averaging 9 triples per contest. I don't care about Southern Illinois' 18-1 mark in their last 19 games against Drake. This battle isn't taking place in the past. It's about the present; about who's the best team right now. And that team, my friends, is the Bulldogs. Buy the points and celebrate with an outright win.
PICK: Drake (+3) - 35 units
I don't want to force any games head its very tempting my lean is on ASU. Cal just has absolutely nothing in the paint if the 3 ball doesn't drop they lose big. Lets see how the first half of Drake and Southern Illinois go then maybe I will add a small play right before gametime.
