Wednesday NCAA Basketball Picks: Pitt VS UConn, NC Tar Heels VS Clemson

Wednesday NCAA Basketball Picks: Kentucky took care of Florida last night, though they needed a strong final few minutes to slam the door, giving me a nice win to start the week. Lets hope that keeps going on Wednesday Night.

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Pittsburgh Panthers @ Connecticut Huskies (-6): The 15th ranked Huskies have struggled a little bit against ranked opponents, losing to Kentucky, Cincinnati, and Georgetown in the last month. But two of those games were on the road, all three losses came by 3 points or less, and one was a loss to the currently undefeated Wildcats. So listen, it’s not as bad as it seems. Plus, the Huskies are 10-0 at home this season, and have won each home contest by at least 8 points. The Huskies have covered each of their last 5 games and still the bettors are 65% in favor of Pittsburgh covering this game. Six points could make this one interesting, but I like the home team to cover here. I think UConn will be too strong for 20th ranked Pittsburgh, and the Panthers undefeated start to the Big East will come to an end.

North Carolina Tar Heels (+3) @ Clemson Tigers: What I see is a Clemson team that struggles when they lost the rebound battle and a Tar Heel team that more often than not wins the rebound battle. I’m not saying it’s all about boards, but that tells me the Tigers struggle against other bigs, and the Heels have a couple very good bigs and a handful of other guys that will give the Tigers trouble size-wise. Clemson hasn’t beaten the Tar Heels for a long time, as I know the Heels have won at least 10 in a row against the Tigers. Deon Thompson should score, but Ed Davis should have a good time eating up the glass.

Kentucky Wildcats VS Florida Gators: NCAA Basketball Preview & Prediction

The #2 ranked Kentucky Wildcats might seem like a tough team to bet against, but the books have been even with them this year, as the Cats are 7-7 ATS in during their 16 game winning streak to start the season. Don’t get it twisted, the Wildcats will lose one of these days, they play too many good teams and too many close games, but the question is, will that happen in Florida?

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Working for the Gators is the fact that the Wildcats have only played one true road game this season, a win over an out-matched Indiana ball club. The Wildcats have beat up on some teams over the last 10 games, but they barely skipped by the Heels with a 2 point win and a 3 point win over UConn was also a nail-biter. Most recently, over the last two games, they’ve gotten all they can handle from unranked Louisville and Georgia, but came out victorious in both. They didn’t win the rebound battle in either game. When they out-rebound their opponent, the score reflects it.

But the Gators don’t rebound the ball really great either. They’ve been out-boarded in 6 of their last 10 games, and I have a feeling the Wildcats will get them again on the glass. Now, 76% f the public bet likes the Wildcats to cover, and that makes sense as a small spread and an undefeated team. But the Cats should find a way to out-score the Gators, with toughness if not skill. I’ll take them, going with the public.

Kentucky Wildcats (-2) @ Florida Gators

Free NBA Basketball Picks: Friday Night Games

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Alright, a couple NBA game intrigue me tonight, including the ESPN double header. There’s not any NCAA picks getting me excited, no big match ups or anything of that nature, so I’m sticking to pro ball this time around. Good luck in your wagering!

Houston Rockets @ Philadelphia 76ers (+3) : The 76ers have been bad, they haven’t been winning games, and Allen Iverson’s return to the court, while certainly making a great story, hasn’t helped the 76ers turn it around in two games since his return. But I think they have a nice chance to make some waves against an impressive young Rockets team. Houston has played very well, but I think the 76ers match-up well with the Rockets. While normally a guy like Elton Brand has to deal with a big post, he’s actually a good size match-up with the Rockets bigs. Allen gets to deal with a guard that might be even smaller than him in Aaron Brooks. The other AI will have a nice match-up with Trevor Ariza. The 76ers are underdogs at home, and I’ll take them to pull the upset.

Golden State Warriors @ Chicago Bulls (-4): The Bulls are a solid home team, and while they have lost 9 of their last 10 games, the Warriors playing on the road are always a nice slump buster. Before beating the Nets last time they played, the Warriors had lost 4 straight and given up about 120 points per game. That should help the Bulls’ struggling offense. Do work. Is it just me or do the Bulls always suck early in the season? It’s the Jordan curse.

Portland Trailblazers (+9) @ Cleveland Cavaliers: The Blazers are hurting, most definitely, but that just means they won’t have 10 guys getting minutes. Being a little light up front shouldn’t hurt them too badly against the Cavs, and I always like the Blazers as a big dog. Cleveland doesn’t beat too many teams by double digits, seems like the Blazers are a good bet to me. LeBron James is good for a win, but 9 points?

Orlando Magic (+3) @ Phoenix Suns: I think the Magic will beat the Suns at their own game. They have just as many shooters, but they also have a big shot blocker down low, a handful of guys that rebound, and they just played a stinker in the 2nd half last night. I know it’s the second of a back to back, but I like Orlando to win this one.

Big 10 vs ACC Challenge: Wednesday NCAA Basketball Picks

I was 3-1-1 yesterday, and I’ll take that with a smile, especially because the team that handed me my lone loss just happened to be the only team I really care about in Sports. That’s right, I trotted through the first 5 games of the ACC-Big 10 Challenge and I won 3, pushed won, and lost the only game I was hoping to lose. (Maryland won and covered against the Hoosiers, Northwestern easily defeated that underdog spread by winning outright over the Wolf Pack, Virginia Tech covered easily – the Tar Heels slapped the Spartans around early and held them off late, while Wake Forrest let a first half lead get away from them as the Boilermakers fought back for a push). That was my Tuesday Night in the college hoops’ ranks.

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Illinois Fighting Illini @ Clemson Tigers (-4): Everybody likes the Tigers here, but since I can’t blame them, I’m going to go ahead and join them. The Illini have something, some bigs that can rebound and fight, but I still think Clemson has the fire to take Illinois down, plus this is the challenge, the ACC always wins the challenge.

Minnesota Golden Gophers (+2) @ Miami Hurricanes: It looks like, if you can out-rebound the Gophers, then you’ll have a pretty good chance of handing them an L. But I don’t think the ‘Canes can out-board Minnesota, so I have to take the small road dogs here.

Boston College Eagles @ Michigan Wolverines (-5.5): The Wolverines have struggled early, but I like them here. They are too athletic and will be looking to win for the first time in 3 games – I think they are certainly due, and I don’t see BC doing enough defensively to stop Michigan.

Duke Blue Devils (-3.5) @ Wisconsin Badgers: You always take Duke early. You always take Duke when they are the better team. You always take Duke in the challenge. This Blue Devil team may not be the in your face get right by you team they’ve often been, but they have some bigs that have a high effort gas pedal all the way down to the floor.

Florida State Seminoles (+7) @ Ohio State Buckeyes: The Buckeyes have only lost to one team, the Tar Heels. FSU has a loss to Florida, a Gator team that has surprised some folks. Both have a good win or two, and both can hit you with quick guards and give a little power down low – but I think FSU’s rebounding is worth a bet here as a 7 point dog. I’ll go that way.

ACC vs Big 10 Challenge: Free NCAA Basketball Picks

ACC Big 10 Challenge Tuesday Night Games

So what if I have March Madness and it’s merely December 1st, I’ve been known to get a little excited ahead of schedule – but what can I say, there’s something about college basketball that makes it just a little more pure than any other big sport in America. Maybe it’s the rivalries, or the great coaches, or the intense nature and the “there’s always a chance” fashion of college hoops. Maybe it’s the fact that some of these guys will be going heads up against NBA stars next year and holding their own. Unlike some of the other major sports, many of these kids are NBA ready. It’s far from clean, don’t get me wrong, there’s recruiting violations and such, but the game is still pure, and it’s perfect as it is. The ACC-Big 10 Challenge is one of my favorite events of the pre-conference season, and this year has some more great match-ups. Here are my Tuesday Night Predictions….

Wake Forrest Demon Deacons (+11) @ Purdue Boilermakers: The 6th rated Boilermakers are very good, no doubt, they do all the little things well, have some knock down shooters from the outside, and put up a lot of points while beating some very good teams. But athletically, the Deacons can and will play with anyone. They have one of the best players in the ACC (Aminu Al-Farouq) and the kid is coming off a  4 for 18 performance in a big loss last time out. Their best guard was 5 for 15 in that loss. These guys will play better and stick with the Boilermakers.

Northwestern Wildcats (+4.5) @ N.C. State Wolf Pack: The Wildcats are better than people think, especially in the back court. NC State has struggled with guard-centric teams, and with Michael Thompson and Jeremy Nash, the Wildcats can put pressure on NC State. NC State just isn’t as efficient offensively as they need to be. I’ll take the points.

Maryland Terrapins (-4.5) @ Indiana Hoosiers: Until the Hoosiers beat somebody noteable (sorry, no offense to the schools they’ve beaten thus far) I have to go against them against guys like Greivis Vasquez. Greivis hasn’t really caught fire yet, but the season is young, and with a couple early losses, I don’t see Maryland coasting in this game.

Michigan State Spartans (+2.5) @ North Carolina Tar Heels: I hate going against my Tar Heels, but I think this Spartan team has improved from last year’s squad, and with Ty Lawson, Hansborough, and Ellington gone I don’t think the Heels are as good. Both teams have an early season loss, and both will be good all year, I just think the Spartans will be tough for the Heels to handle athletically in the back court.

Virginia Tech Hokies (-2.5) @ Iowa Hawkeyes: I think the Hokies end up being too athletic for Iowa, too fast at guard and just better. I like them to win on the road.

NBA and NCAA Basketball Picks November 17 2009

Here are some of my hoops picks from around the NCAA and NBA tonight. ESPN is currently doing a showing of 24 hours straight college basketball, check it out!

NCAA Hoops

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Temple Owls (+9) @ Georgetown Hoyas (4:00pm ET): Everyone loves the Hoyas this year, and they are a bit older, but they basically return the same starting 5 that disappointed in the entire second half of the season last year, aside from DeJuan Summers (drafted in the 1st Round by Detroit). Big man Greg Monroe is a stud, does lots of things well, but outside of him and Chris Wright I’m not sold on the Hoyas. Temple plays a lot of close games, they’re a tough defensive team, and they have a lot of players back this time around. They lost stud guard Dionte Christmas, but without him they move the ball better, and should get a more well rounded box score. I like them to cover here.

Gonzaga Bulldogs @ Michigan State Spartans (-11) (8:00pm ET): I actually think Gonzaga is getting a little bit too much for their name here. They are solid, and might find themselves an NCAA tournament bid, but this team lost a ton with graduation a year ago. Matt Bouldin is a great college basketball player, he certainly can do it all, and the Bulldogs have some good young kids that will step in and play well as the season progresses. But this Spartans team is dominate, they basically lost a guy from last years’ super deep team that finished runner up for the NCAA Championship. They are great. They should easily win by double digits here.

NBA Hoops

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Oklahoma Thunder @ Miami Heat (-5): When the Thunder start playing better defense, they might get over the hump, but the Heat’s Haslem and O’Neal should dominate in the post tonight, and while Durant is a stud, I’ll take Wade in this one.

L.A. Clippers (+2) @ New Orleans Hornets: If you can point out where the Hornets will be better than the Clippers tonight, I’ll happily change my pick. Point guard? Nope, that Chris Paul fellow is out. Shooting guard? Not if Eric Gordon plays. Up front? As ugly as his gooey face is, I’m pretty sure Chris Kaman is a more capable scorer than 62 million dollar man, Emeka Okafor. Peja Stojakovic used to be good, but right now I’d even take Al Thorton. Al should use Peja when the Clips have the ball. Okay, I’ll give you David West, might score 25 tonight, but Marcus Camby is twice as good defensively. 25 shouldn’t be enough for the Hornets.

Chicago Bulls (+1) @ Sacramento Kings: I know Sac Town has won their last 4, but that just means their due. The Bulls are pretty solid up front, especially rebounding the basketball, and that’s what Sacremento needs as an advantage to win basketball games. Look at who they’ve beaten in their four games, Utah, Golden State, Oklahoma, and Houston – none of those teams have good defensive posts/rebounders. Well, I hate to say it, but Noah can D up opposing posts and will almost always out-rebound them. Taj Gibson has been playing well, and Brad Miller off the bench should have something for his old team. I like Chicago to get the win to open their road trip.

Free NCAA and NBA Basketball Picks: Friday Night

NCAA Hoops Picks:

Morehead State Eagles (+21) @ Kentucky Wildcats: I know Kentucky got their new coach and a bunch of prized recruits, but this Morehead State team is resilient. They return 4 starters form a year ago, and while they lost a key player in Senior, Leon Buchanan, they have some solid players that have played well against big time competition. Better yet, this team fights, they lost 2 games by more than 20 points last season. The first was just an off night in the 2nd game of the season against Vanderbilt, the 2nd was to Louisville. In the NCAA tournament last season, the Eagles lost by 20 to that same Louisville team. I expect it to take the Wildcats a few games to mesh, and while I fully expect them to win, it wouldn’t surprise me if this one is much closer than 20.

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Wright State Raiders @ Washington Huskies (-14): I just think UW’s overall size and athleticism is too much for the Raiders. It might stay close for a while, but with the way UW gambles and runs the floor, a five point lead could turn into twenty in just a few minutes. Wright State does return 4 starters from last year’s team that finished the season much better than they started. UW loses Justin Dentmon and Jon Brockman, two key cogs in the Huskies success a year ago, but Dentmon’s services will be replaced by fantastic freshman Abdul Gaddy, and Brockman’s absence will only allow the Huskies to run the floor more against lesser teams. UW is long enough to rebound at all positions. I haven’t even talked about Isiah Thomas yet – the sophomore was awesome in his first season with the Huskies, and I only expect him to be better this time around.

NBA Hoops:

Atlanta Hawks (+9) @ Boston Celtics: The first game in ESPN’s double header seems like a great bet. The Hawks are one of the better teams in the East, they play good defense, and this game has definitely turned into a rivalry after a tough playoff match-up. This game is often a close one, finishing 6 points or closer in 5 of the last 8 contests. The road team has won 8 of the last 10, Atlanta has won 3 of the last 5 in Boston. Both teams are coming off a free day. Should be a good one.

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L.A. Lakers @ Denver Nuggets (-3): Gotta like Denver tonight, they haven’t played very well lately, but get the benefit of coming off a long road trip early in the season, and getting to play at home. Whew, what a load off. L.A. didn’t have a real tough game against Phoenix last night, but they still played, and they still are missing their second best player. The Lakers have a chance, of course, they have Mr. Bryant, but I like the Nuggets’ chances. This is the late game on ESPN Friday Night Basketball.

North Carolina Central Eagles vs North Carolina Tar Heels NCAAB Pick

North Carolina Central Eagles @ North Carolina Tar Heels (-45.5): The Eagles lost 3 of their last 10 games last season by 30 or more points, and not once did they play a team half as talented as the Tar Heels. Most of the “experts” I’ve looked at like the Eagles to keep this one closer than 45, and that’s understandable, but I see a bad Eagles team that lost 3 starters from last season’s squad, including two of their best players in Jamar Briscoe and Bryan Ayala.

The Tar Heels are loaded, but they are coming off a game where they didn’t really dominate as much as people expected. 46 is a hell of a lot of points for a Tar Heel team that is less explosive than last years’ squad. But against this young and unproven in-state team, I think Carolina can lay it on pretty thick.

NCC is a 4 win team from last season, and they’re down 4 contributing seniors from a year ago. North Carolina pounds the post, and that makes it tough to score 100, but they don’t have to hit the century mark to cover here. They can finish any where in teh 90s and do it, because with Carolina’s athletes and an improved defensive look, it would surprise me if the Eagles got over 40 points. They scored in the 40s seven different times last season, most of those came against decent competition.

Take the Tar Heels, they should cover despite the astronomical spread.

NBA Free Picks: Washington vs Miami, Denver vs Chicago

These are my free NBA picks for Tuesday, November 10th. The Denver/Chicago game is scheduled on NBA TV at 8pm ET- so if you got it, you can pick it up there. Washington and Miami can be found on the Heat’s home network via Sun Sports and starts at 7:30pm ET.

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Washington Wizards @ Miami Heat (-6.5): Washington hasn’t impressed me lately. Their entire offense has been Gilbert Arenas trying to drive into traffic and/or shoot pull up jumpers. I don’t think that’s going to cut it against a Heat team that has really stepped it up defensively. It’s hard to believe that Quentin Richardson, who was traded fifty times this summer, would make such an impact on this Heat team – but he has. He guards the opponents best back-court player and has done a great job. His 3-stroke confidence is coming back, and the Heat are off to a 5-1 start, straight up and against the spread.

Miami has had 3 days off since upsetting Denver while Washington recently got slapped around in the 4th quarter buy Phoenix in a loss at home. Miami beat Washington 93-89 last time these two teams played, the 4th of November earlier this year. Washington is 2-5, SU and ATS. One things working against me is how well Washington has played over the last few years in Miami- going 7-2 ATS on the road in their last 9 games down South. Still, I’ll take the Heat to overcome that 6.5 point spread at home.

Denver Nuggets @ Chicago Bulls (+2): I love the Nuggets, but the way Chicago’s posts have been playing, I have to give the Bulls front line the advantage. Chicago’s played well lately, is undefeated at home, and Denver has really struggled in their last two games after starting the season 5-0. They’ve gotten shelled by the Heat and Hawks in back to back games. They’re currently playing their 5th game in a row on the road, and like I said, Chicago’s young and energetic team looks like a solid bet at home.

ESPN Friday Night Free NBA Basketball Picks

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Cleveland Cavaliers @ New York Knicks (+8.5) NBA Picks: The Knicks have had a history of playing good teams tough, especially in the National spotlight – I think that continues here. Basketball is weird and a close game can easily become a 10 point contest, but with Cleveland going down to the wire in a physical game with the Bulls last night, and their bench being relatively ineffective to start the season, I think they’ll have a hard time coming out and dominating the Knicks. New York definitely has that “me against the world” attitude, and with the cameras on, and ESPN at the Garden, I like New York’s chances.

Neither of these teams have been good against the spread this year, but New York hasn’t been a big underdog once this season. The Cavs have been big favorites often. I think the Knicks can keep it close with the long ball and the fast break. I don’t know if New York could stop Shaquille O’Neal and Ilgauskus, but the Cavs aren’t committed to the post game. That helps New York. LeBron James also got beat up a little last night, falling hard into the stands and rolling his ankle while going out of bounds. He’ll play, he’ll be good, but that and a back to back could take it’s toll.

San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers (-3): After getting beat up for most of the night against the Jazz on TNT Thursday Night, the Spurs get to travel up to Portland to play a late game against a pretty physically athletic Trail Blazers unit. Tim Duncan has looked old so far this season, but he’s still very good. San Antonio just doesn’t seem to have that swagger that they’ve had in the past, and I know Portland will come out ready to play against one of the NBA’s premier teams.

With the second game of a back to back, the Spurs definitely don’t have an advantage in that aspect of the game. The Blazers are playing at home, they have size and as much depth as any team in the league. I see that being a problem for San Antonio, I like the Blazers to cover the small spread to get back to .500 on the season. They’ve played better than their record insists, and that’s going to even out sooner or later, I’m guessing sooner.