Vermont will almost certainly go on to win the American East this season given how much veteran talent returns for this roster. Vermont has been a pesky opponent so far this year standing 6-2 overall with their only losses coming in competitive fashion on the road against Kentucky and Bucknell. The main concern we have with Vermont is they’re heading into their 4th straight true road game and that can have a wearing effect on a team.

Marquette has been testing themselves during the nonconference standing 5-3 overall with some tough defeats coming against teams like Purdue, Wichita State, and Georgia. Marquette has shown explosiveness at times on the offensive end putting up 81.5 points per game on average and it’ll be interesting to see if the Golden Eagles can take advantage of what should be a somewhat fatigued defensive opponent. Marquette has been led by Rowsey and Howard who’re each averaging over 20 points per contest. I think behind their strong home court advantage I like Marquette to take take of business and get the win and cover here and dominate in the paint and on the boards.

10* 

Florida State isn’t expected to reach near the heights they showed last season given the amount of talent that moved on and the Seminoles could even struggle getting into the Big Dance given how tough consistent wins will be to get in the ACC. 

We love what we’ve been seeing out of the Gators so far this season as Florida stands 5-1 overall with their only loss coming against the top team in the nation on a neutral site in a game that could have gone either way against Duke. Florida has been testing themselves with some of their better wins thus far coming against Stanford and Gonzaga. The Gators are one of the most entertaining teams to watch given how they push the ball in transition. Right now Florida ranks first in the nation in scoring putting up nearly 100 points per contest on average. Jalen Hudson has led the squad averaging 21.7 points per contest.

This is always a fun rivalry matchup during the nonconference when Florida and Florida State go head to head. Florida is clearly the team with a higher ceiling this season just like FSU was last year when the Noles beat the Gators in Tallahassee. We like Florida to come through behind their own home crowd today as they go on to win big!

5*

Kansas State hasn’t had the toughest slate to open the season with their only high level matchup coming in their one defeat against Arizona State. K-State lost some key pieces from last year’s tournament teams, but the Wildcats still have enough talent to be a factor in the Big 12 and perhaps make another run at the Big Dance this season. 

The Vanderbilt Commodores might stand just 3-4 overall, but this group has been testing themselves in the nonconference with defeats coming against solid opposition in Seton Hall, Virginia, USC, and on the road against Belmont. Vandy hasn’t been picking up resume wins, but they’ll get their chance today behind their home court advantage. 

Vanderbilt is better than their overall record would indicate and we believe the only reason the Commodores aren't favored by more at home today is because of the records both of these squads currently have and not purely based on the talent of each roster. We like Vandy behind their unique home court edge as they go on to get the Sunday win.

5*

Pitt is not a very good team as we played against them facing Penn St a few weeks ago but Duquesne is a very bad team. The Dukes are 2-2 but they played the #350 toughest schedule (only Georgetown played a weaker) and in their 4 games the BEST they shot was 40.7% (shooting 37.9% on the season). Duquesne has a first year head coach and he clearly has year 2 circled as he brought in 5 transfers that have to sit out but are using up scholarships. Pitt’s offense has topped 50% shooting in each of its last 3 games and that includes a solid Oklahoma St team. LY’s loss in the rival “City Game” was the first in 16 seasons for the Panthers and they get their revenge tonight!

5* 

La Salle has been going against a brutally tough schedule so far this season standing 4-3 overall with their defeats coming against opponents like Northwestern, Boston College, and Miami. In their last outing La Salle picked up a great win getting past rival Temple by a final of 87-83 in a game where the Explorers stepped up in a big way on the offensive end. It was nice seeing La Salle put up a strong offensive performance in their last outing coming off a tough 46 point showing against Miami in their prior outing and we see that positive momentum carrying over.

This has the ingredients to be a defensive battle as Towson loves to grind it out and La Salle has generally played to the tempo of their opposition so far this season. Given the tougher slate La Salle has challenged themselves against I like them to win here on Friday afternoon.

5*

New Mexico is trying to get their program back on track as they bring in a new head coach this season and it’d be a surprise to see this program down for long given how tremendous the fan support is for the Lobos program. New Mexico has gone against a tough slate to open the year and the Lobos have had some mixed results standing 2-4 overall. New Mexico was impressive in their 67-69 loss against TCU, but the Lobos have also had some less than great showings in their losses against Tennessee Tech and NMSU. The key for New Mexico to get back on track is coming back to their home court where they can rally around the support from their elite home court advantage. NM has a Big home court advantage here at The Pit and they should get a big win and cover tonight.

5* 

There is no rest for the weary Xavier Musketeers, who had three days to recover from a loss to Arizona State before hosting No. 16 Baylor on Tuesday night at Cintas Center. Three days wouldn't seem like ample time to fix the defensive issues that led to No. 21 Xavier's 102-86 loss to the Sun Devils at the Las Vegas Classic. But, it's all part of the development process for head coach Chris Mack. Xavier returns home and is coming off its first loss of the season as the defense was to blame. It led by as many as 15 points in the first half but allowed 73 points over the final 23 minutes of the game. Xavier will be out for immediate redemption and there will be added motivation as well. Xavier has won 33 straight non-conference home games and I expect them to bounce back here at home. This is the first true road game of the season for Baylor and it comes against a pissed off Xavier teams. I like Xavier by 9 or more.

10* Game of the Week 

This tournament a bit different as the team played Thursday/Friday and had Saturday off. Harvard lost to St Mary’s and then pulled the upset over St Joe’s. Fullerton was assured at least one win because after losing to Georgia that faced Sacramento St winning by 5 as a 9.5 pt HF. Now Harvard plays the easiest game in their stretch as they are well equipped with 6 players averaging 20 minutes/game and nine players averaging over 12.7 minutes/game. Look for Harvard to get the win and cover here on Sunday night.

5*

Niagara comes into this game 1-4 with 3 straight losses. They pulled an upset in their opener and while they lost the next 3 they played all 4 on the road, with an average line of +12 PPG and they have faced the #18 toughest schedule. Alabama A&M was 2-27 LY and they return only one starter this season. They are 0-4 and this is their 5th straight road game.

I expect Niagara to win and win big here on Friday afternoon.

5*

We cashed with Virginia last week as they won and cover at VCU shooting 51% and holding the Rams to 67 points. We also cashed playing against Vanderbilt in their only game away from home this season as they went to Belmont as a favorite and shot 35%. Now Vandy away from home faces the best defense in the country. Significant edge to Virginia which played here twice LY in the ACC Conference Tournament.

5*

I have Wichita St as the best team in the country and despite being down one of their 5 returning starters they are a very deep experienced team. Wichita for more tested having plated California and Marquette and they dispatched them by allowing 38% and 42% shooting. Notre Dame played Chaminade and LSU and shot 54% and 52% against them which is something they will not do against the Shockers top 10 defense. I like Wichita St here late on Wednesday night!

5* 

We roll with Idaho here because we are fans of Don Verlin and his coaching style as he led this team to 19 and 21 wins after a 13 win season 3 years ago. He is led by Sanders and Blake who have plenty of big game experience and that have been with this program for some time and given that this team faces a Santa Clara team led by Herb Sandek, who mind you has one of the worst offensive efficiencies in the country, this sets up for a nice opportunity for Idaho and the consistency they have had under Verlin's system to shine through here. 

This is a great spot for Idaho to get up for this game and they are the better talented team and with the better coach.

5*

Doc Rivers is coaching for his job tonight and I think his players will respond.  They had a team meeting yesterday and I look for a big effort tonight at Atlanta.

The Clippers lost by 20 to the Knicks on Monday and shot just 37%, got outrebounded by 17 dropping their 9th straight game.  Patrick Beverly is back at full strength and I think LA will dominate in the paint here on Wednesday night and get a win.

5*

I already have Fresno 10 points better and the situation is greatly in our favor. Prefer to back the Bulldogs were tested and are coming off a loss at Arkansas losing by 8 as a 13 point dog. Evansville has been home for all 4 games and has been a favorite in every game with 2 against non-lined opponents. They struggled to beat small school Binghamton. The other factor I like is that Fresno has 4 players averaging between 13 and 17 points meaning they withstand a cold shooter. Evansville’s Ryan Taylor is averaging 24 PPG thanks to shooting 49% (16-33) from 3-pt something tougher to do away from home especially in Mexico. I like FRESNO in this one BIG TIME!

10* 

Penn State looked downright dominant vs. Pitt on Monday, but have you seen Pitt? They are awful this year! Texas A&M only laying 5 pts here is a nice play. They've got the three best players on the floor (Robert Williams, D.J. Hogg, Tyler Davis) and should be able to romp the Nittany Lions on the boards. Only a matter of time before Texas A&M starts getting more respect nationally as I have them as a TOP 10 team this year.

5* 

Northern ended last season as a better team between these two and started this season better as well. The Huskies were only playing their second game of the season, and first away from home, yesterday and an experience Penn squad jumped on them early and they could fight back. NI has played better competition and are shooting 49.6% compared to FAU’s 39.4 while allowing 40.6%. Tough for both teams to be playing a 1:30 games but Huskies game started at 5 PM yesterday while FAU tipped off almost at 8 PM.

5* 

We really liked Penn State to take the next step in their progression this season and thus far the Nittany Lions have found success against a manageable slate standing 4-0 with all their wins coming at home. Penn State barely came through against the spread in their last outing for us taking down Columbia by a final of 79-65, but by and large the Nittany Lions have been taking care of business against their mid-major opposition. Tony Carr has been impressive out of the gate leading Penn State averaging 20 points per contest. The Pitt Panthers are picked to finish in the basement of the ACC this season and that’s not a surprise considering the rebuilding job that’s going on with this program. Pitt hasn’t looked great so far this season standing 1-2 overall with their losses coming against the likes of Navy and Montana. Penn State has looked like the clear better team out of the gate and we like the Nittany Lions to come through today on the neutral site as they go on to cover the spread.

5* 

Not sure when odds makers are going to start adjusting for how bad the Clippers are, but in no way do I want any part of them. They are going to be without their best shooting guard - Gallinari and best perimeter defender -Beverly again. The Knicks have been an overachieving team even though they are just one game above .500 Most people thought they would be a lot worse. They defend their home court very well with a 7-3 record and shouldn't have a problem here coming off two days of rest. Take the NYK at home tonight!

5* 

We feel this Boise State squad has a great chance to compete right at the top of the Mountain West this year given the Broncos have arguably the best player in their conference with Chandler Hutchison leading the way. Veteran combo player Hutchison has already gotten off to a strong start averaging 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, and Hutchison does a little bit of everything for the Broncos. Boise State stands 4-0 with great wins thus far coming in the invite against Illinois State and UTEP.

Iowa State knew they were coming into a serious rebuilding season, but I’m not sure the Cyclones foresaw these kind of struggles out of the gate. Iowa State stands 2-2 overall opening the year with back to back double digits losses against Missouri on the road and Milwaukee at home, followed by competitive wins over App State and Tulsa in this invite. 

Boise State has looked like the better team so far this season and given their veteran experience they’re going to be a tough out today for the Cyclones. We like Boise State to get us the cash here on Sunday.

5*

The La Salle Explorers are hoping to be more of a factor this year in the A-10 returning a lot of experience to a squad that went 15-15 overall a season ago. La Salle has opened the year 3-0 against a adequate slate getting past teams like Saint Peter’s, Penn, and South Alabama. La Salle hasn’t been overly impressive in their wins.

Northwestern is a talented and experience group, but the Wildcats haven’t gotten off to the kind of start they were hoping for. Northwestern opened with two less than dominant single digit wins against Loyola Maryland and Saint Peter’s, followed by a 4 point loss against a dangerous Creighton squad. Many are selling Northwestern given their slow start, but the Wildcats started looked better, especially offensively in the second half of their loss to Creighton, and that’s the kind of positive momentum this group needed to get back on track.

Northwestern has gotten off to a poor start, but that’s given us some better odds today and at home.

NW gets the call and should win by 11 or more.

5*

Pacers HC Nate McMillan said a goal of the team is to play faster and knock down 3's. I believe they'll do that at home after shooting poorly at Detroit last week. I expect the long ball to be falling tonight as they'll give a balanced attack in Indiana. I like this team at home and they have a log of depth. The Pacers have 8 players who score and average over 7 ppg which is tough to defend. I'm backing INDIANA here on Friday night.

10* NBA GAME OF THE WEEK 

We really liked the pieces Penn State was developing last year and we feel that maturation will pay off this year as the Nittany Lions should be able to make a run to the NCAA tournament, or the NIT at the very least. Penn State has been steady thus far opening 3-0 against a fairly manageable slate with their best wins thus far coming against Campbell and Montana. Penn State has a deep rotation and this group has been led by Tony Carr who’s averaging 20 points per game. Veteran guard Shep Garner is the glue guy who’ll likely step up his game come tougher matchup. Penn State has been handling their business at home thus far and there’s no reason to assume that’ll end here today against a mid-level IVY League squad. Take Penn State to continue to dominate here at home and get an easy win tonight!

5*