3.5 Units
Creighton -3 -110
Very surprised at such the short number. Have been looking at this game for a while and was expecting more like 6 or 7. Will gladly lay the 3. The Qwest Center gives Creighton one of the best home court advantages in the land. They have a loyal following in Omaha. The strong fan support was never more evident than their line exhibition game that drew more than 15,000 fans. Shit, i'm a Syracuse season ticket holder, and we draw 30,000 plus for some Big East games, and never ever less than 20,000, but we only draw 12 - 15,000 for exhibition games. Anyways, the Blue Jays are virtually unbeatable at home. They have a tough time scheduling high majors to come to their place, but when they do they get their money's worth. This should be the case Sunday.
For a valley team, Creighton is surprisingly athletic. P'Allen Stinnett, last years Valley freshman of the year, and my pick for Valley player of the year this season is the most athletic of the bunch. Their athleticism will allow them to compete against bigger schools, but still have that fundamental small school approach. For a November game this could have an impact come March. New Mexico should be a contender in the Mountain West, and to get a win on their resume against what should be a very good team could go a long way.
Creighton returns a talented, experienced bunch. They lost 2 starters, but arguably their best player Stinnett was the 6th man this year. They also added Justin Carter, a talented JUCO transfer, who will give them a physical presence. I'm looking for Kenny Lawson Jr to develop from his freshman, and give them a solid post presence. With Lawson, and Millard down low it gives the Jays balance to go along with their strong back court.
I expect an electric atmosphere at the Qwest tomorrow. Besides being opening night they get a shot at a big name school and expect them to take full advantage of it. I don't see how they will let this one slip away.
Creighton -3 -110
Very surprised at such the short number. Have been looking at this game for a while and was expecting more like 6 or 7. Will gladly lay the 3. The Qwest Center gives Creighton one of the best home court advantages in the land. They have a loyal following in Omaha. The strong fan support was never more evident than their line exhibition game that drew more than 15,000 fans. Shit, i'm a Syracuse season ticket holder, and we draw 30,000 plus for some Big East games, and never ever less than 20,000, but we only draw 12 - 15,000 for exhibition games. Anyways, the Blue Jays are virtually unbeatable at home. They have a tough time scheduling high majors to come to their place, but when they do they get their money's worth. This should be the case Sunday.
For a valley team, Creighton is surprisingly athletic. P'Allen Stinnett, last years Valley freshman of the year, and my pick for Valley player of the year this season is the most athletic of the bunch. Their athleticism will allow them to compete against bigger schools, but still have that fundamental small school approach. For a November game this could have an impact come March. New Mexico should be a contender in the Mountain West, and to get a win on their resume against what should be a very good team could go a long way.
Creighton returns a talented, experienced bunch. They lost 2 starters, but arguably their best player Stinnett was the 6th man this year. They also added Justin Carter, a talented JUCO transfer, who will give them a physical presence. I'm looking for Kenny Lawson Jr to develop from his freshman, and give them a solid post presence. With Lawson, and Millard down low it gives the Jays balance to go along with their strong back court.
I expect an electric atmosphere at the Qwest tomorrow. Besides being opening night they get a shot at a big name school and expect them to take full advantage of it. I don't see how they will let this one slip away.
Now I really really hate playing road favorites, especially road favorites laying more than 2, but I passed on UALR their first game and it won't happen again. I have my eye on this team. They return all 5 starters from a very strong team. The way they play are the teams I love to back. Their long, athletic, and play defense. Nothing you can ask more when backing a team that no matter how bad their offense is you know their defense will always keep them in it. I wanted to play them against Cal Poly, but laid off b/c of the points, so they went on and beat them by 40. Very disappointed I didn't trust myself there and play them, but I feel I have just as good as shot today, if not better. IMO Cal Poly is a better team than pepperdine, it's just odds makers making an adjustment on this UALR team. I still don't think the adjustment will be enough. UALR is experienced, and showed by their last outing they are focused out on the west coast. Pepperdine should be awful again this season. They have nobody. New coach, new players, everything. Their arent much expectations out there and I expect a focused UALR team to take care of them early and often
I usually like to play on the Husker's at home, but not today. San Jose St. has all 5 starters back, and are expected to make some noise in the WAC this season. They return a strong frontcourt with 2 potential all league players in Chris Oakes, and CJ Webster. They also added sophmore transfer drain Oliver. If you recall he played at Washington a few years ago after being highly recruited out of high school. I recall him from Washington. He is a long, athletic, talented player who should come right in and add to a veteran team. This team has played together for a few years now. That should help them on the road. There is nothing like familiarity with your teammates to help you succeed on the road. Anyone who played basketball at a high level is familiar with this.
As for Nebraka I expect them to struggle early. They lost a 4 year starter and best player in the Alexis Maric. He was the center point of their offense for the last 4 seasons. Their whole offense ran through them, so early it may be tough trying to find a new identity. It won't help running into such a strong front court as the Spartans with that big void in their lineup. I expect San Jose to own the glass and put a scare into the Huskers.
today is evidence enough the value of being prepared and ready to hit openers.
ex.
I got Creighton in -2.5 now -4.5
I got UALR -4.5 now -6
I got San Jose St +14.5 now 12.5
feel real good about the line movement. So far this year it looks like all line movement of 2 points or more is hitting at a very high rate
ex.
I got Creighton in -2.5 now -4.5
I got UALR -4.5 now -6
I got San Jose St +14.5 now 12.5
feel real good about the line movement. So far this year it looks like all line movement of 2 points or more is hitting at a very high rate
1 Unit
Wisc Milw +4.5 -110
Think is a very good spot to play the Panthers. While everyone else is worn down for playing 3 consecutive days the Panthers get a boost by getting their best player Avery Smith back from suspension. They had an emotional come from behind win yesterday over UC Davis where they were basically down and out. That win coupled with the return of Smith should provide enough energy to go along with some great momentum to take down Iowa St at home. The Cyclones are not a good team. They have been outrebounded in both games against inferior opponents. They can't think they can match up with a talented Wisc Milw back court that IMO is clearly better than that of the Cyclones. I think the addition of Smith will be enough to help Milw steal a win
**Note win or lose just units will be counted on record for all 1 unit plays
Wisc Milw +4.5 -110
Think is a very good spot to play the Panthers. While everyone else is worn down for playing 3 consecutive days the Panthers get a boost by getting their best player Avery Smith back from suspension. They had an emotional come from behind win yesterday over UC Davis where they were basically down and out. That win coupled with the return of Smith should provide enough energy to go along with some great momentum to take down Iowa St at home. The Cyclones are not a good team. They have been outrebounded in both games against inferior opponents. They can't think they can match up with a talented Wisc Milw back court that IMO is clearly better than that of the Cyclones. I think the addition of Smith will be enough to help Milw steal a win
**Note win or lose just units will be counted on record for all 1 unit plays
i am very high on the Lobo's as well. I feel Creighton is surprisingly athletic. Stinnett isn't going to be inferior athletically to anyone, and juco transfer Justin Carter is a good athlete. Lawson is pretty good on his feet for a big man as well. I think this Blue Jay squad is going to be very solid from the get go. Plus getting New Mexico's freshman in their first ever road game in a hostile enviornment hopefully will neutralize some of their talent. This should be another great game to watch, but i gotta head up to the dome and watch my Orange.
bol today
