Florida: Sophomore guard KeVaughn Allen leads Florida's balanced attack by averaging 14.1PPG. He is one of three Gators averaging in double figures, along with 6-6 junior forward Devin Robinson is averaging (12.6 & 5.5) and senior guard Canyon Berry (11.6), a graduate transfer from Charleston. Barry is coming off his best performance of the season, scoring 20 points in Florida's 70-63 win over Ole Miss. Florida didn't play a complete game against the Rebels, as they let a  20-point lead midway through the second half slip away and were forced to hold on down the stretch.

The pick: However, the Gators should be primed for this one, as Florida's blowout loss at the hands of Tennessee last year was one of the low points of Gators coach Mike White's first season. After the Gators lost last season's meeting by 14, coach Mike White told reporters, "Tennessee, wow. They just whipped us. They destroyed us. They were better in every facet of the game." The Gators will wear all black uniforms for the first time in nearly seven years, as Florida prepares for the first "O'Dome blackout" in the newly renovated O'Connell Center. That all sounds good but I believe the Gators are overrated and that this is way too many points. Make Tennessee a 10* play.

The set-up: The 10-4 Charleston Cougars will visit Delaware to take on the 7-7 Blue Hens in CAA play on Monday, The Cougars have opened 1-0 in CAA play while Delaware is 0-1.

NOTE: THIS PLAY IS ON NORTHERN IOWA!

The set-up: Northern Iowa is just 5-7 overall (0-1 in MVC play with a 68-64 home loss to Missouri St.) as it opens 2017 with a road game in league play at 9-5 Evansville, which also began its conference play with a loss, 62-50 at Illinois State Northern Iowa: The Panthers are off 31- and 23-win seasons, last year upsetting Texas in a first round NCAA game. However, three key players are gone from that squad, a perimeter trio consisting of Washpun (14.2-4.1-5.3), Bohannon (11.5 & 4.1) and Jesperson (10.8 & 4.0).  So far this season, senior guard Morgan (17.6 & 7.3) has carried the load, with four players averaging between 7.0 and 9.5 PPG. The Panthers just haven't scored much, averaging 64.1 PPG (336th) on 40.1 percent shooting (321st). Evansville: Purple Aces won 25 games last season but gone are D.J. Balintine (20.5 PPG) and tyhe 6-10 Mockevicius (15.7 & 14.0), both who may just be MVC hall-of-famers. However, Evansville has looked strong in the early going with a solid 9-5 record, although a 62-50 loss at Illinois State in their conference opener snapped a seven game winning streak. Guards Brown (21.2 & 4.4) and Taylor (15.6) lead the way but the team could really use the 6-7 Wiley (8.7 & 4.6), who is sidelined now with a groin injury. Evansville, despite a much better record, doesn't much better than Northern Iowa, at 69.7 PPG. The pick: Evansville is 8-0 SU at home but I tend to always be a believer in the Northern Iowa Panthers and despite the slow start, I'll stick with them here. Northern Iowa is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 road games and I'll make Northern Iowa a 10* play on Jan. 1.

The pick: The Dons have played much better so far but under new head coach Herb Sendek (of NC State & Arizona St. fame), the Broncos may just be the better team.  Santa Clara is an 8* play.

The pick: Cal beat Arizona 74-73 in Berkeley last season when the Wildcats were ranked No. 12 and as head coach Cuonzo Martin says, "Anytime you play at home, it gives you a level of confidence. But Arizona, they've been in hostile atmospheres and tough environments. I don't think they'll be fazed by the stage." However, as noted, this will be only Arizona's second true road game this season, while Cal is 8-1 at home, outscoring opponents 73.9-to-58.2 PPG. Make Cal a 10* play.

Denver: A return to full health and a lineup change has been two keys to Denver's recent turnaround. Guard Gary Harris missed 16 games with a foot injury but his insertion into the starting lineup is making a difference (he's scored in double digits in six of Denver's last seven games) and so has the 6-10 Nikola Jokic. In fact, Jokic may be the biggest reason for Denver resurgence, as he's shooting 67 percent since returning from a left wrist sprain Dec. 7 and he has been the Nuggets' do-everything player. Denver is averaging 113.9 points over its last seven games and boasts six players averaging double figures in scoring, including power forward Nikola Jokic (12.0), who owns six double-doubles in his past 11 contests. SFs Gallinari (16.9) and  Chandler (16.4 & 7.0) are the team's best scorers, with guard Barton (14.2) close behind.

The pick: The Nuggets seem to be jelling but this is a pretty 'hefty' pointspread. The 76ers don't often win on te hed (or anywhere for that matter) but in their last visit to Denver (March 23rd of last season), they led the Nuggets by two before Emmanuel Mudiay hit an improbable shot near half-court at the buzzer, as the Nuggets walked off the floor with a 104-103 victory. I'm taking the big points and making Philly a 10* play.

The set-up: The 3-10 Norfolk State Spartans and the 5-7 Bowling Green Falcons meet Friday afternoon in a non-conference matchup at the Stroh Center. Both schools will begin league play after the 1st of the new year.

Norfolk State: The Spartans likely can't wait to begin MEAC play, after going 12-4 last season. The team has won 73 percent of its league games in head coach Robert Jones' first three seasons, continuing the team's winning tradition. The Spartans have gone .500 or better for 18 consecutive seasons in MEAC action (8th-longest streak in the nation) and last year's team played in a postseason tourney for the fifth straight time. However, Norfolk has had to replace a trio of guards who all scored in double digits and accounted for 54 percent of the team's points, while making 170 of the team's 242 three-pointers. Wade is pretty much a "one-man show" this year, averaging 19.5 PPG and 5.8 RPG., although four others score between 7.0 and 9.9 PPG. Putting points on the board has been a chore in non-conference play, as the Spartans average just 65.3 PPG (322nd) on 40.5 percent shooting (317th).

Bowling Green: Louis Orr's seven-year run at the school ended in 2014-15 season and then Chris Jans' tenure ended abruptly (after a 21-win season) due to some off-court misbehavior. The Falcons were 16-18 in Michael Huger's first season and he believes this year's team will compete much better. The Falcons did lose their top player from last year in Parker (14.0 & 5.1) plus PG Joseph but returned a trio of senior guards in Alcegaire (13.1), Denny (12.4 & 5.7) and Ali (6.4 & 5.6 APG). BG will also own the best big man in today's game, the 6-10 Wiggins (8.9 & 7.2).

The pick: Bowling Green plays its best ball at home and has played decent defense at home so far, allowing just 40.1 percent shooting on its home court. The should match up well against the Spartans, who just can't seem to get anything going offensively this season. Norfolk St. is 0-7 in true road games so far and will enter this contest on a 10-game road losing streak. Make it 11 in a row and lay the points with the Falcons, as Bowling Green is an 8* play.

The set-up: Long Beach State is back out on the road and will visit 7-5 Eastern Michigan in a Thursday afternoon contest. As per usual, Don Monson had his 49ers play one of the nation's toughest non-conference slates and Long Beach is 5-10, as it plays its final non-conference game, here.

Long Beach State: The 49ers were 20-15 last year (12-4 in Big West play) and returned a  solid group of veterans, although the team's best player, the 6-6 Faust (17.4 & 6.1), is gone. Guard Payne is the team's top scorer at 14.5 PPG and 5-7 PG Bibbins (10.5-3.8-4.1) still runs the offense. The 6-7 Levin (12.1 & 6.3) is the team's top frontcourt player and after a tough non-conference slate, the 49ers should be anxious for Big West play to begin.

Eastern Michigan: won 19 games last year and four of five starters are back. It's a perimeter-based team, led by Mangum (17.4) and Lee (16.7) but the Eagles also easily own the best big man in this game, the 6-10 Thompson (14.5 & 11.5). The 6-7 Bond (9.9 & 3.3 APG) is a big guard and fellow Toney (9.8) round out the major perimeter contributors.

The pick: EMU is 5-0 SU at home and long Beach State 0-9 on the road. However, the 49ers have played at (among others) Wichita St, North Carolina, Louisville, UCLA, Washington, Kansas and Texas (are you kidding?). I'm not convinced that EMU is the better team and in its toughest road test (at Syracuse), the Eagles lost 105-57! Long Beach State's Bibbins is being bohered by an ankle issue but Blackwell (5.5) and freshman Jackson (5.1) could get more minutes if needed. For Eastern Michigan, the 6-10 Thompson is questionable for undisclosed reasons and would be a bigger loss. Either way, Long Beach State is a 8* play.

The pick: The Gophers lost by eight points on this floor in last season’s Big Ten opener, when Michigan State was ranked No. 1 and Minnesota was on its way to losing its first 13 Big Ten games. The shoe seems to be on the other foot now, with Minnesota 12-1 and MSU unranked at just 8-5 plus without its best player. However, Izzo continues to tinker with his team's lineup and he may continue to do so until Bridges returns and beyond. Izzo has used 10 different players in his starting lineup in the first 13 games as he continues to try to find the right combination to get the Spartans playing their best. Based on "past history," he seems to find a way. Izzo plus points against "little Ricky?" Make Michigan State a 10* play.

The pick: The Pacers are just 4-11 SU & ATS on the road but this Chicago team is in a funk, going 1-7 its last eight ATS. No reason to lay any amount of points with the Bulls these days. Indiana is an 8* play.

incorrectly entered pick

The pick: Thibodeau is a proven and has that wonderful young trio but something just isn't right. Lay the points and make OKC a 10* play.

The pick: Neither team played well in the first meeting but Tulsa was able to earn the comeback win despite Wheeler shooting 3 of 9 and Birt, 1 of 10. In the rematch, expect Tulsa to win much more easily plus we're getting points! Tulsa is a 10* play.

The pick: The Knicks will be primed to win here and they are 11-4 SU & ATS at home this year. However, Celtics are a money-making 12-5-1 ATS on the road and have matched up well in this series lately, have won seven of the last eight meetings and three of the past four in Madison Square Garden. Make Boston an 8* play.

NOT A PLAY....ENTERED ACCIDENTALLY!

The set-up: the Diamond Head Classic from Honolulu, Hawaii opens Thursday with four first round games. The first of the four will be the 4-5 Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks taking on the 5-4 Tulsa Golden Hurricane. Stephen F. Austin: The Lumberjacks have won the last three Southland Conference titles, advancing to the Big Dance each year under head coach Brad Underwood. Twice, the Lumberjacks won their first-round game in the NCAAs, including last year’s upset of third-seeded West Va. Underwood was an amazing 89-14 these last three seasons and used that resume to get the job at Oklahoma State, which fired Travis Ford. Taking over is Kyle Keller, who has just wrapped up his fifth season as an assistant coach on head coach Billy Kennedy’s staff at Texas A&M, bringing his grand total of coaching experience to an even 25 years at locations also including Kansas, Oklahoma State, Louisiana Tech and Texas-San Antonio. It’s been tough going so far this season (4-5 start), as all three double digit scorers from last year’s team are gone, led by Walkup, who averaged 18.1 PPG and 6.9 RPG. Five players are averaging between 9.2 and 13.8 PPG this season, led by guard Canete (13.8) plus forwards Holyfield (12.6 & 7.7) and Gilmore (10.8 & 6.6). Tulsa: The Golden Hurricane won 20 games last year and lost in the NCAA’s First Four. However, four of five starters are gone, including the team's two best players, starting guards Woodard (15.4 & 5.3) and Harrison (15.1-5.5-4.1). Guard Birt is the lone returning starter but after averaging 12.0 PPG last season, he’s scoring a more modest 8.7 PPG to open this season. Guard Wheeler is a JUCO transfer and leads the team with 13.4 PPG and another newcomer, Etou (a 6-7 Rutgers transfer), is averaging 11.3 & 7.0. The pick: Both of these schools made the Big dance last season and in the early going, each is trying to find their identity. No reason not to take the points in this one, as Stephen F. Austin has the more balanced lineup and one gets the feeling that Tulsa is lacking overall direction early on. Stephen F. Austin is an 8* play.

analysis posted shortly

full analysis by 12 pm et Tuesday

The set-up: The 12-8 Boston Celtics are in Houston tonight up against the 13-7 Rockets. Both teams come in playing well, as Boston has won six of eight and are two games into a stretch of eight of 10 on the road. Speaking of the road, Houston has played a league-high 14 road games thus far, after completing its second five-game road trip of the season with a sparkling 4-1 record. Boston: The Celtics barely squeaked past the Philadelphia 76ers 107-106 to begin their road trip Saturday night behind another stellar performance from PG Isaiah Thomas, whose 37-point effort marked his fifth 30-point game this season. Thomas is averaging 26.3 PPG and 6.3 APG. Avery Bradley (17.7) supported Thomas' effort with 20 points of his own and he hauled in nine rebounds for the second straight game to bump his season average to 7.9, five more than his career mark. Free-agent center Al Horford (14.9-6.5-4.6) is back on the court and has now played in 10 games (Celtics are 7-3). He has averaged 16.7 points in seven wins and 10.7 in three losses. Houston: The Rockets capped their five-game road trip with an impressive 132-127 (2-OT) win at Golden St. on Thursday, followed by a 128-110 win at Denver the very next night. Seven players scored in double figures and Houston was 17-of-37 from three-point range at Denver, hitting their league-leading average in long-range attempts and bumping their percentage to 37.8, good for fifth in the NBA through Saturday. Houston ranks second with 114.4 PPG on 46.6% shooting (3rd). Harden (28.3-7.6-11.8) leads the way but four others are contributing between 12.1 and 16.4 PPG. Also, the return of Patrick Beverley (7.0-4.4-3.9), the team's best defensive player on the perimeter, has been huge. Houston is 7-2 in the games he’s started. The pick: The Celtics have beaten Western Conference foes the likes of the Mavs (4-15) and T-wolves (6-14) but are 0-5 SU & ATS against the other five Western Conference opponents they’ve faced. Boston is stepping way up in class here and Houston is a 10* play.

The set-up: UConn is off to a disappointing 3-4 start, considering the Huskies were ranked 18th in the AP’s preseason poll. Syracuse was ranked 19th in the preseason and currently sits 22nd at 5-2 but that will change before tip-off with a new poll being released Monday afternoon. The Orange fell way short in Madison mid-week against the Badgers, as Wisconsin won 77-60. As members of the Big East Conference, the Syracuse Orange and Connecticut Huskies played some of the most memorable games in college basketball history at Madison Square Garden. However, as they return to the Garden tonight, the two schools will be more concerned with finding their respective identities. UConn: The Huskies are down to eight scholarship players because of season-ending injuries to freshman PG Alterique Gilbert (shoulder), freshman forward Mamadou Diarra (knee) and sophomore swingman Terry Larrier (knee). Larrier was averaging 13.5 PPG and Gilbert 10.3 PPG. Sophomore guard Adams (18.0-5.0-5.4) has made big strides from last year (7.3 PPG) and Rodney Short (11.3 & 4.1) has proven to be a reliable double digit score, now in his third season after transferring from NC State. UConn keeps hoping 7-0 center Amida Brimah will have a breakout season but it’s his senior year and his current 7.0 & 5.1 numbers say, it’s just more of the same. Syracuse: The Orange led by as many as 24 in the second half against North Florida before the Ospreys got within five in an eventual 77-71 decision. Fifth-year transfer Andrew White III scored a season-high 26 points to raise his average to a team-best 17.0 PPG. However, that win did little to erase the bad taste left in Syracuse’s mouth by its 77-60 loss at Madison. Wisconsin broke open a close game at the half to by outscoring Syracuse 34-21 after intermission. White shot just 5 of 15 and Syracuse really doesn’t have another “go-to” scorer, as only the 6-9 Lydon (10.3 & 7.1) joins him in double digits. The pick: The Orange and Huskies produced some Madison Square Garden classics such as Syracuse's 127-117 victory in six overtimes in 2009 or UConn's 76-71 overtime win in 2010 when Kemba Walker had 33 points and 12 rebounds. That was then and this is now but it's still Connecticut-Syracuse at the Garden! Taking the points is the bet. Make UConn an 8* play.

The set up: Both teams are off wins here as the Pistons beat the Hawks 121-85 and the Magic beat the Sixers 105-88. While it was only the second win in the past seven games for Orlando, Detroit has won three in a row and five of its last six. The Pistons took the season's first meeting 108-82, here in Detroit, but were scant four-point favorites in that one.

Orlando: The Magic are 8-12 on the season, 7-12 against the spread. This despite them averaging only 93.0 points per game, which is the second fewest in the entire NBA, ahead of only Dallas. While it was "only" Philadelphia, Friday marked perhaps one of the finer efforts of the season from this team as six players scored in double figures, led by Aaron Gordon's 20 points. They made 13 of 23 three-pointers for the game.

Detroit: The Pistons are averaging 118 points per game in this three-game win streak of theirs and just beat the Hawks by 36 points. This team managed to sneak into the playoffs as an eight-seed last year and expectations are higher for Stan Van Gundy now. Playing without point guard Reggie Jackson, it was a bit of a slow start. But all Pistons now seem to be firing, so to speak, at least offensively. Jackson could play for the first time tonight.

The pick: As hot as Detroit has been, I can't possibly envision them playing as well as they did against Atlanta. Nor do I see this hot shooting continuing. Orlando might not be much offensively, but defensively they "come to play" more often than not. Just one time in the last 10 games have they allowed 100 points. That makes taking the points attractive in this situation. Orlando is a 10* play

The set-up: Akron will take its 6-1 record to Creighton for a meeting with the 10th-ranked Blue Jays, who check in at 7-0. Akron comes in with six consecutive victories since losing its season opener Nov. 12 to Youngstown State. Greg McDermott has averaged 23.5 wins per season in his six prior years at Creighton and this year’s team looks like it’s back to NCAA tourney status, after a two-year drought. Akron: Isaiah Johnson, a 6-10 senior center, leads the Zips in scoring (17.3 points), rebounding (6.5), assists (3.0) and steals (1.0). He was named the Savannah Invitational MVP. Johnson is joined up front by the 6-10 Cheatham (8.3 & 6.3) plus the Zips own a deep perimeter group. Jackson (10.4) and Robotham (10.1) are just barely in double digits plus three other backcourt player average just aboy 22 PPG. Akron averages 80.1 PPG and allows 62.7 but will be severely tested here by the Blue Jays. Creighton: The Bluejays average 92.0 PPG (6th) on 54.0 percent shooting (2nd), which includes 46.5% on threes, tops in the nation! Creighton has a 7-0 redshirt freshman center in Justin Patton (13.0 & 6.4) and just how will he fare against Akron senior Isaiah Johnson? The Bluejays have excellent depth on the perimeter, led by Foster (18.3), Thomas (14.4) and PG Watson (11.7 & 8.4 APG). Foster has been a YUGE plus for the Bluejays offense after sitting out last season as a transfer from Kansas State. Justin Patton is tied for the Division I lead in field-goal percentage at 80 percent and three regular contributors, Khyri Thomas, Maurice Watson Jr. and Isaiah Zierden (4.4 PPG) all shoot at least 50 percent beyond the arc. The pick: Akron is a quality team but winning here at CenturyLink Center is a little too much to ask. So is covering the number. Lay the points and make Creighton a 10* play. 

The set-up: The 5-13 Brooklyn Nets and 9-8 Milwaukee Bucks meet at the Bradley Center Saturday afternoon, less than 48 hours after the Bucks won 111-93 over the Nets at Barclays Center. As the two teams meet to play the back end of a home-and-home series Saturday afternoon, Milwaukee has won 13 of the last 17 meetings (dating back to Jan. 9, 2013), including the first two meetings of this season's series. Brooklyn: The Nets committed 17 turnovers in Thursday’s loss to Milwaukee, continuing a season-long problem for Kenny Atkinson’s team, the Nets first-year head coach The Nets are third in the league in turnovers this season, averaging 16.5 per game. The Nets had just suffered a big letdown after a double-overtime triumph over the Los Angeles Clippers in the previous game and Atkinson bemoaned Brooklyn's inability to put points on the board. "We couldn't pierce their defense," Atkinson told reporters. "They kept us in front and they would switch and keep you on the perimeter. ... They were tough to score against (Thursday)." The Nets are averaging 105.4 PPG which ranks 10th but it comes with some p[oor shooting. Brooklyn ranks 24th if FG percentage (43.5%), including 25th on threes (33.0%). The defense is a ‘nightmare,’ ranking last in points allowed (114.3 per) and second-to-last in opponents FG percentage (47.1%). Milwaukee: The Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo had 23 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, four steals and two blocks in 30 minutes on Thursday, before taking a seat for the fourth quarter. The small forward is having a superb season, averaging 22.8-8.5-6.1 but only Jabari Parker (18.8 & 5.8) also scores in double digits for Milwaukee. However, Milwaukee does have a deep bench and against teams like this, it makes a difference. The pick: The problem here for Milwaukee is the big pointspread ,as the Bucks are only outscoring teams at home by about five points per game. In this quick turnaround, I’m “all over” the Nets to bounce back with a strong effort. Upset alert? Take the points and make the Nets an 8* play.

The set-up: The Northern Iowa Panthers have been one of the country's top mid-major programs annually and enter this game just 3-3 but two of those losses have come at the hands of 7th-ranked Xavier, which is 7-0. Wyoming has a new head coach in Allen Edwards, who took over after Larry Shyatt resigned last season. The Cowboys have opened 4-2, including 3-0 SU (2-0 ATS) at home. Northern Iowa:  The Panthers are off a 23-win season, which ended with a second round loss in the NCAAs. The team’s best player, guard Washpun (14.2-4.1-5.3) has moved on, as did guard Bohanon (11.5 & 4.1) and the 6-6 Jesperson (11.3 & 5.3). However, veteran guard Morgan (14.7 & 7.5) returns, along with the 6-7 Carlson (11.2) and the 6-9 Koch (9.8). Guard Jordan Ashton (7.5) has made an immediate contribution, after transferring from Iowa State, plus guard Halderman adds 8.5 PPG. UNI doesn’t score much (63.3 PPG) but it also doesn’t allow much, either (58.7 PPG ranks 11th). Wyoming: The Cowboys only lost one starter from last year’s team but it was a big loss, as Josh Adams averaged 24.3 PPG (3rd-best in the nation) as was voted MWC player-of-the-year. Justin James, a 6-7 guard, leads in scoring (17.7 PPG) and is joined on the perimeter by McManamen (14.5) and Aka-Gorski (8.2). Wyoming owns three frontcourt players of note in the 6-9 Herndon (10.2 & 6.5), the 6-8 Dalton (8.2 & 6.8) an the 6-10 Naughton (6.3 & 4.5). The pick: Wyoming may be 3-0 at home to open the young season but Northern Iowa is a road-tested team which plays excellent defense and the MVC is a much better (and deeper) league than the MWC. Northern Iowa is a 10* play.

The set-up: Chris Mullins’ first season at his alma mater was one to forget, as St John’s went 8-24 (1-17 in Big East play), ending the season by losing 22 of its final 23 games. The Red Storm opened 2-0 this season but enter this game on a five-game slide, after losing 79-72 to lowly Delaware State at home last Tuesday. St John’s will look to end their skid tonight when they visit 1-6 Tulane. Tulane is coached by another former NBA guard-turned coach in Mike Dunleavy, who is also trying to resurrect a program that finished last in its conference last season, going 3-15 in the AAC, as well as 12-22 overall. St John’s: Freshmen guards Marcus LoVett (18.9-4.4-3.3) and Shamorie Ponds (15.3 & 6.1) lead the Red Storm in scoring but the talented backcourt duo haven’t yet learned the phrase, “play well with others.” St John’s enters this game tied for 246th in the nation in assists at 12.7 per game through Wednesday's games. Tulane: The Green Wave have only played one home game so far in their 1-6 start and did dominate Southeastern Louisiana, 93-76. Guard Kain Harris (12.7) had a career-high 19 points in that Nov. 14 win and is joined in double figures on the season by  6-7 slasher Cameron Reynolds (16.4 & 6.3) and senior guard Malik Morgan (10.4 & 5.6). HoweverTulane ranks 309th in allowing 80.4 PPG and winning too often should not be expected for Mike Dunleavy’s team this season. The pick: Tulane did win its lone home game but with all of St John’s woes, the Red Strom are leaps and bounds better than Southeastern Louisiana. In fact, St. John's opened the season with blowout wins over Bethune-Cookman and Binghamton plus showed plenty of promise in six-point losses against Minnesota and VCU. This is one St John’s can win and I’ll make them an 8* play.

The set-up: The 7-12 Orlando Magic lost 95-94 at Memphis last night, the team's fifth defeat in its last six games. They will look to break out of their slump tonight at Philadelphia. The 76ers are just 4-14 overall (4-8 at home) but come in well-rested, having not played since a 122-95 loss in Toronto this past Monday night. Orlando: The Magic were outscored 24-10 down the stretch by the Grizzlies, who erased an 84-71 deficit. "Everything about this loss is disappointing," head coach Frank Vogel told the Orlando Sentinel. The Magic had now lost  four straight, three of those at home to sub-.500 teams, before winning Tuesday night in San Antonio. However, any momentum thy had from beating the Spurs is gone, after their collapse against Memphis. "It hurts, man," Magic guard/forward Evan Fournier told the Sentinel. "Hurts bad. They just played more aggressive than us the last five minutes. That's how they got back into the game." Fournier (17.9 PPG) has scored at least 25 points in three of the last five games. Center Nikola Vucevic (12.4 & 11.6) is beginning to get his game together after a slow start, averaging 17 points and 13.4 rebounds over the last five games while posting seven double-doubles in the past eight contests. PG Elfrid Payton (10.5-5.3 APG) had strung three solid games together, making 17-of-30 from the floor before scoring three on 1-of-8 shooting Thursday. Ibaka (14.4 & 6.8) makes it four Orlando players averaging in double digits. Philadelphia: The 76ers saw Wednesday's scheduled home game against Sacramento postponed because of moisture on the Wells Fargo Center floor. However, the team got some good news, as it was announced that rookie center Joel Embiid's minutes restriction was being increased from 24 to 28 per game. Embiid, the third overall pick in the 2014 draft, missed two seasons while recovering from a pair of foot surgeries.  He leads the Sixers (and all NBA rookies) in scoring (18.2), rebounding (7.8), blocked shots (2.4) and three-point percentage (.500). Nerlens Noel, who has yet to play this season following minor knee surgery in October, practiced on Wednesday with the Delaware 87ers, Philadelphia's NBA Development League team, then went through drills with the Sixers on Thursday. Philly needs more help, as veteran forward Ersan Ilyasova (13.0) is the only other player scoring more than 11 per game. The pick: It’s not a good sign to blow a lead like the Magic did last night but at this points, Orlando is the better team than Philadelphia and at this price, a win by Orlando ensures a cover. Orlando is a 10* play.

The set-up: Two Pittsburgh-area schools hook up tonight at PPG Paints Arena in The City Game, as 3-5 Duquesne will take on 6-1 Pittsburgh. The Panthers have lost just once (76-67 to SMU at MSG) and are coming off their biggest win of the season, 73-59 at Maryland on Tuesday in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Meanwhile, the Duquesne Dukes are coming off an 81-72 home loss to UMBC on Wednesday and have set a school record with eight games in November, Duquesne: The Dukes were 17-17 last season and lost their 1-2 backcourt duo of Mason (18.4-3.1-4.5) and Colter (17.9-3.6-4.6). Four of the Dukes' top-five scorers tis year are first-year players, led by 6-2 sophomore Tarin Smith, a Nebraska transfer who averages 11.0-3.1-3.6. Guard Emile Blackman (10.1 PPG) is a graduate transfer from Niagara, while 6-8 Isiaha Mike (9.6 & 5.0) and fellow freshman Mike Lewis II (9.6), a 6-1 guard, are next. Pittsburgh: Jamie Dixon led the Panthers to a 328-123 (.727) record in 13 seasons which included 11 NCAA bids, a CBI championship in 2012 and two, 31-wins season but he’s now at TCU (his alma mater). Longtime Vandy head coach, Kevin Stallings (332-220 record in 17 seasons, including seven NCAA berths), has taken over at Pitt. 6-9 senior Michael Young (23.6 & 8.3) became the first player since Vonteego Cummings (1997-98) to score at least 20 points in five straight games, scoring 25 in the win vs. Maryland. He is joined up front by the 6-7 Artis (19.7-5.4-3.7) and the 6-8 Jeter (5.9 & 7.4). All three are seniors, as is guard Jones (6.6-3.3-3.1), t while 6-8 sophomore Johnson (11.1 & 3.7) joins Young and Artis in double digits. The pick: This series dates back to 1932, with Pittsburgh leading 53-31, which includes 15 straight wins by Pitt over city-rival Duquesne. However, the Dukes do catch Pittsburgh off its huge win over Maryland, which had hopes of starting 8-0 for the first time since 2006-07. the Panthers shot 67 percent while building a 21-point halftime lea, en route to a 73-59 victory, Maryland’s worst loss since 2011. Can you say “let down?” Duquesne is an 8* play. 

The set-up: The 11-7 Houston Rockets visit Oracle Arena in an attempt to snap the 16-2 Golden State Warriors’ 12-game winning streak. The Rockets and Warriors could be shooting for a record of most three-pointers made in a game. The Rockets enter this contest having made at least 10 three-pointers in 17 straight games. lifting them into a tie with Cleveland for the team lead at 13.8 made three-pointers per game. The Warriors owned the NBA perimeter last year and along the way, combined with Mavericks to set an NBA record for most three-pointers made in a game (39) back on March 25, 2016 (GSt. had 21 & Dal. 18). Could that record be in jeopardy in this one? Houston: The Rockets have increased their three-point attempts from 30.9 per game to 36.6 and their percentage of success from 34.7 to 37.8, under first-year head coach Mike D’Antoni. The team has embraced D'Antoni,’s up-tempo style, with James Harden (55), Eric Gordon (55) and Trevor Ariza (52) all ranking among the top-10 this season in three-pointers made, while Ryan Anderson (45) isn't far outside the group. Gordon, who is shooting more often from downtown (7.9 attempts per game, up from 6.5), Ariza, who has connected on a career-best 39.7 percent so far this season and Anderson is a 42.2 percent career three-point shooter who was signed to a four-year, $80 million deal in July. Of course there is Harden, who checks in with a line of 28.7-7.2-11.9. Golden State: The Warriors have opened the season a bit cold from beyond the arc, at least for them.They have attempted the same number as last season (31.6 per game) but their percentage of success has fallen from a league-best 41.6 percent to 38.4. Klay Thompson is a career 41.7-percent shooter on threes but has made only 36.5 percent this season. However, he began the season 11-for-53 (20.8 percent) through seven games but has since made 39 of 84 (46.4 percent) in his last 11 outings (all Golden St. wins). Durant (27.1-8.4-4.7) and Curry (26.6-4.1-5.9) are the highest scoring pair of teammates in the league, Thompson has his average up to 20.7 PPG and in Green (10.1-7.0-8.1), the Warriors own one of the NBA’s most complete and efficient players. The pick: Golden State took all three regular-season meetings in 2015-16 by an average of 12.3 PPG and the teams meet here for the first time since the Warriors beat the Rockets in five games in the opening round of last year’s playoffs. The Rockets come to Oakland from Salt Lake City, where on Tuesday night they allowed the Jazz, a team averaging 98.7 PPG on the season (to rank 25th), to score 120 points on 55.4 percent shooting. It’s scary to think how many points the well-rested Warriors (last played Monday) will score, as they check in as the NBA’s highest scoring team (117.6 PPG) and its best shooting team (50.2 percent). Golden State is a 10* play. 

The set-up: The 5-1 Cincinnati Bearcats will visit No. 19 Iowa State (also 5-1) on Thursday night in Ames. Both schools have lost to a ranked opponent, with Cincinnati's coming 76-71 at hands of Rhode Island (at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut), while Iowa State's fell just this past Sunday against No. 8 Gonzaga 73-71 in the AdvoCare Invitational championship game in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Cincinnati: Mick Cronin’s teams always play outstanding defense and this year’s Cincinnati team is allowing only 59.2 PPG (17th) on 38.2 percent shooting (39th). 6-6 sophomore swingman Jacob Evans leads Cincinnati in scoring at 17.8 PPG (4.7 RPG) and 6-9 junior forward Kyle Washington is averaging 16.8 & 9.3. PG Caupain (9.5-4.7-4.8) needs just three points to become the school's 50th 1,000-point scorer. The Bearcats are disappointed so far in the 6-8 Clark, who was a Preseason All-American Athletic Conference selection. He averaged 10.4 & 8.8 last year but is down to 7.3 & 5.7 this year plus an ankle injury limited him to just six minutes in the team's last game (listed as questionable for this one). Iowa State: The Cyclones return to the Hilton Coliseum looking to get back on the winning track, after rallying from an 18-point deficit in the second half to nearly pull off an upset over Gonzaga. Iowa State is one of the most prolific scoring teams in the country with an average of 88.8 PPG (12th) but it’s no slouch at the defensive end, allowing a modest 64.8 PPG (62nd). Head coach Steve Prohm's team features five senior starters, four of whom have a double-digit scoring averages. PG Morris (16.0-5.2-6.8) leads the way, followed by three more players, all 6-5 or shorter. Long is averaging 15.2 & 6.8, Burton 14.0 & 8.5 and Thomas 11.5 & 4.3. The fifth starter is 6-8 senior Holden, averaging 6.5 & 3.8. The pick: Both Cronin and Prohm coached at Murray State, using that perennial OVC power as a stepping stone to bigger things. These schools met last December with then-No. 22 Cincinnati losing 81-79 to then-No. 11 Iowa State at the Bearcats' Fifth Third Arena. However, this game is in Ames and will be played in an arena described as possessing  “Hilton Magic” by the Des Moines Register back in 1989. The 14,384-seat arena includes seats just a few feet from the court and players from opposing teams, and also the home team, have said that the floor has shaken because of the noisy crowd. “Hilton Magic, as they call it,” junior forward Kyle Washington said, smiling. “I’m excited. We’re all gonna have fun with it. Right now we just need to get a win versus a real team, so we can keep on moving forward and building momentum.” Iowa State has won 37 consecutive non-league home games, an active streak ranking only behind that of Duke (129) and Wichita State (41). Iowa State is an 8* play.

The set-up: 4-2 Monmouth will visit 1-4 Quinnipiac as the two MAAC schools open conference play. Monmouth: Four starters return from last year's 28-8 team, including reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Player of the Year, the 5-8 Justin Robinson (19.3-3.8-3.7 LY). He has scored in double figures in 58 of his last 64 games, opening this season averaging 13.7-3.0-5.2 in the team’s 4-2 start. As for the other three returning starters, two are also averaging in double digits, led by 6-10 senior center Brady (12.0 & 6.7) and guard Seaborn (13.0). Fellow guard and returning starter Hornbeak checks in at 8.3 & 4.8. It should come as no surprise that Monmouth was selected to finish first in the league this season in a poll of the league's coaches. Quinnipiac: The Bobcats opened 0-4 on the season before winning its last game but overall, had an impressive performance at the AdvoCare Invitational last week.  Quinnipiac began with an 82-62 loss to then-No. 11 Gonzaga, but battled the Bulldogs evenly for much of the contest, trailing by just five at one point in the second half. Quinnipiac then jumped out to a 20-10 lead on Seton Hall on Day 2 and was within two points at 62-60 with just under 10 minutes left before falling 90-79. The final day, Quinnipiac came away with the win, defeating Indiana State 80-77 in a game that came right down to the final shot. The Bobcats led by eight with 3:30 to go but the Sycamores rallied and took a one-point lead with 44 seconds left. Chaise Daniels answered with a big basket 20 seconds later, and Quinnipiac earned a key stop, with Daniel Harris making two foul shots. Quinnipiac is coming off a 9-21 season but returns four starters. Freshman guard Kiss currently leads the team in scoring at 12.4 PPG but three returnees are right behind him. Guards Oliver (11.2-4.6-3.2) and Harris (10.8 & 3.8) plus the 6-9 Daniels (12.0 & 6.6). Also, freshman Dixon averages 10.0 PPG and the 6-6 sophomore Bundu 8.3 & 5.8  The pick: I had Quinnipiac in its win over Indiana St, as it won outright as a 10-point underdog and I’ll take them here as a home dog. Quinnipiac ia a 10* play. 

The set-up: The 9-9 Indiana Pacers capped a four-game homestand by scoring 118 points in a rout of the Nets and then shocked the Clippers 91-70 in a defensive gem (Clippers were held to 31.4% shooting, including 4 of 24 on threes). They now open a five-game road trip in Portland, which won’t end until Dec. 9 in Dallas. The 9-10 Portland Trail Blazers will be taking the court off a 130-114 drubbing by the Houston Rockets on Sunday. Indiana:  The Pacers’ back-to-back recent home wins were achieved without the services of star forward Paul George (20.8-6.9-3.5), who has missed six of the past seven games and will also sit out Wednesday's contest with ankle and back injuries. The two wins were encouraging to veterans like PG Jeff Teague (14.7  & 7.6 APG) and backup center Al Jefferson (7.0 & 4.4). "For us to be shorthanded and they had their full team, we go out there and do what we did (Sunday), that shows a lot," Jefferson told reporters. "Like I told my teammates, we showed we can do it now, so we can't take a step back. We've got to keep going." Portland: The Rockets scorched the Blazers with 56.1 percent shooting, including 47.2 percent (17 for 36) from three-point range. Portland owns the worst defensive efficiency rating in the NBA (109.80) and is giving up more points (113.7) than any team in the league other than Brooklyn (114.0). The Blazers are tired of talking about getting better at the defensive end. "We keep preaching it, but it's getting old," guard Allen Crabbe said. "At some point, it has to click. We keep telling ourselves we have to get better, but at some point, we have to get it going." Lillard (28.2) and McCollum (22.3) are the second-highest scoring duo in the NBA (next to Durant and Curry) but the team must improve defensively. The pick: The Blazers are one of the better offensive teams in the NBA (rank 3rd at 109.7 PPG) but they have trouble stopping anybody. Cleveland blitzed them for 137 points, Golden State for 127, Houston for 126 and 130, even Phoenix for 121. "We talked about not taking steps back," head coach Nate McMillan said. "We've played some good games, and then you can't recognize the team the next game. We need to build some momentum at this point in the season." I’m not buying into that and I’m taking the points and making the Pacers an 8* play.

complete analysis

The set-up: The IUPUI basketball team will look to break a two-game skid on Wednesday night, when the when the 2-4 Jaguars face 2-2 Illinois State in Normal, Illinois. IUPUI: Head coach Jason Gardner has 10 new faces on this year’s roster but the Jaguars returned their top-two scorers from last year in guard Combs and the 6-7 O’Leary. PG Combs leads the team in  scoring at 16.8 PPG (adds 3.5 APG) and O'Leary checks in averaging 12.5 & 7.5. Joining them in double figures is one of those new faces, guard Patterson (10.5), a Syracuse transfer. IUPUI, of the Summit League, leads the conference by limiting foes to just 29.9 percent from three-point range and also leads the league in assists at 15.7 per game (three players, Combs, O'Leary and Kellon Thomas, all average better than three per game). Illinois St: All five of Illinois State's starting lineup average in double-digits, led by 6-8 senior Deontae Hawkins (16.8  & 8.0) and 6-7 junior MiKyle McIntosh (14.3 & 7.3). PG Paris Lee adds 12.8 PPG and a team-best 5.5 APG. The Redbirds shoot 39 percent from three-point range and are outrebounding foes by nearly two caroms per game. The pick: IUPUI capped the four-game 2K Classic with a 2-2 record, losing road games at Michigan and Marquette but winning the Indianapolis sub-regional of the event, capturing home victories over Howard (77-55) and Eastern Michigan (83-71). IUPUI has yet to win on the road (0-4) but this year’s team has way more depth than last year’s unit and while Illinois St is the more complete team, laying double digits is asking too much. IUPUI is a 10* play.

The set-up: The Charlotte Hornets followed up a season-worst four-skid (Nov. 19-25) with consecutive victories, 107-102 at home against the Knicks and 104-85 at Memphis to get them to 10-7 on the season. The Pistons come to Charlotte on Tuesday 8-10 overall but struggling badly on the road in the early going at 1-8 SU & ATS. Detroit: The Pistons have relied on a balanced approach this season, with six players averaging in double figures. Harris tops the list at 16.4 PPG, while center Andre Drummond is averaging 14.6 points and 13.4 rebounds. That “group of six” doesn’t include PG Reggie Jackson, although he is getting closer to a return from a knee issue. He participated in Monday's practice and it was Jackson's first 5-on-5 practice since receiving injections of platelet-rich plasma more than a month ago to help promote healing. "I've seen him for a couple weeks — he looks fine playing," head coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Stamina is going to be an issue. I don't think he can play 33 minutes a game right now. Whenever they tell me he's ready to go, and he tells me he's ready to go in his mind, then he'll go." Charlotte: The Hornets’ 19-point victory in Memphis represented the team’s second-largest winning margin of the campaign and the 85 points allowed was their fewest of the season. Elevens are currently wild for Charlotte, which ranks 11th in both points scored (107.2) and points allowed (102.3). Standout guard Kemba Walker (24.3-4.2-4.9) has 14, 20-point outings this season and is joined by five more double digit scorers, plus forwards Williams (9.9) and Kidd-Gilchrist (9.3) just miss that plateau. The pick: As noted above, road games have been a big issue for the Pistons this season and with three road games in the next four days, they must figure out quickly how to collect wins away from The Palace of Auburn Hills. Detroit ranks second overall in the NBA in points allowed (97.1 PPG) but on the road Detroit has allowed 105.0 PPG, one of the mains reasons it’s 1-8 SU & ATS. Meanwhile, Charlotte is 4-2  as a home favorite this year and should have little trouble covering this modest number. The Hornets are a 10* play. 

The set-up: George Washington started the season 3-0 but has lost three straight despite holding a lead in each game. The Colonials look to get back to their winning ways as they hit the road for the team's first true road game of the season, taking on Harvard Tuesday in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Crimson are just 1-3 with their only win coming over Fisher College, while losing to Stanford, Holy Cross and UMass. George Washington: GW won the NIT last season but gone are guards Garino (14.1 & 4.2) and McDonald (8.8-5.4-3.1) plus the 6-10 Larsen (12.3  & 8.3). The 6-9 Cavanaugh was the team's best player last year and he’s back, averaging a team-leading 18.2 PPG and 8.2 RPG. He’s joined up front by the 6-9 Watanabe (13.4 & 5.2) but this duo is GW’s only double digit scorers. A bigger issue is that Watanabe missed Saturday’s loss to Penn St with a leg injury and is questionable for this one. Harvard: Head coach Tommy Amaker is in his 10th season with Harvard and after six straight 20-plus win seasons and four straight NCAA appearances, Harvard was just 14-16 last year, including 4th in the Ivy League at 6-8. He has a roster that includes seven freshmen and six sophomores this season but one of those newcomers, 6-7 freshman forward Seth Towns, leads the team in scoring (11.8 PPG), while fellow Henry Welsh (at 6-10), is averaging a team-best 7.0 RPG (adds 8.3 PPG). A third freshman, guard Aiken, is averaging 9.7 PPG while the top-two returning players are senior guard Chambers (8.7 & 5.0) and sophomore guard Johnson (8.8). The pick: A year ago, GW captured the NIT championship in March for its first-ever national postseason championship in basketball but this year’s team is not in that class, especially if Watanabe  misses. Harvard has gone 92-56 in non-conference play under head coach Tommy Amaker. The Crimson defeated Boston College in six straight seasons from 2009-2014 and has also topped Auburn, California, Cincinnati, Colorado, Florida State, Michigan, TCU and Utah in Amaker’s tenure. Make Harvard an 8* play in this one.

The set-up: Davidson and Mercer both have spent time as NCAA Tournament darlings in recent seasons, although that spotlight has focused longer and brighter on Davidson. The two teams meet for the second straight year aon Tuesday at Hawkins Arena on Mercer’s campus.The Wildcats beat the Bears 77-71 last year at Belk Arena, Davidson’s home court. Davidson: The Wildcats are 4-1 and come off three straight wins, downing Missouri, Arizona State and Charlotte as they prepare for their first true road game with the Bears. The Wildcats have been good for some time under head coach Bob McKillop, who has won 520 games with the program since taking over for the 1989-90 season, during which the Wildcats have made eight NCAA trips. This year’s team is led by the trio of senior guard Jack Gibbs (21.0 PPG), 6-7 junior forward Peyton Aldridge (19.8 & 7.6) and junior guard Jordan Watkins, (10.0 PPG). The Wildcats are averaging 76.2 PPG while allowing 68.2 and their lone loss came to Clemson. Mercer: The Bears are 4-2 after losing by a basket to Akron in the championship game of the inaugural Savannah Invitational on Saturday. “It’s a great test. Our schedule this year is amazing in itself and who we’ve already played, we’ve had great opponents, and Davidson is another one of those top-tier programs, top 50 in the country right now in RPI,” Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman said. “So we understand coming in what they bring, what they’re able to do, and if we can match that and do the things that we know we can do, we will have a great chance against them. They’re really good.” Mercer guard Holland (20.2 PPG) can match Davidson’s Gibbs but the 6-6 Jelks (8.2 & 5.5) is no match for Davidson’s 6-7 Peyton Aldridge. The pick: the cream rise to the top in this one, even on the road. Davidson is a 10* play.

The set-up: Danny Manning’s first two seasons at Wake were a bust, as the Demon Deacons went 13-19 and 11-19. Two key players are gone from last year’s squad in the 6-9 Devin Thomas (15.6 & 10.2) and guard Miller-McIntyre (9.5-4.5-4.0) but Manning saw potential in this year’s group. So far he’s been right, as Wake is 5-1, losing to only Villanova, the defending champs who are loaded again this year. Former Duke player and assistant coach Chris Collins led Northwestern to a school record 20 wins last season (but still no “Big Dance” appearance) and the Wildcats have opened 3-2 this year. Wake Forest: Sophomore Keyshawn Woods is a welcome addition (Charlotte transfer), scoring 13.7 PPG and adding 4.2 RPG. He joins PG Crawford, who is averaging 13.8 PPG and a team-leading 6.3 APG.Two returning big men have shown excellent promise already, as 6-10 sophomore Collins has averaged 18.8 & 8.5 plus 6-10 junior Mitoglou has added 10.0 & 6.7. Northwestern: Manning knows that the Wildcats won't be pushovers in this first-ever meeting with the Demon Deacons. Tre Demps (15.7) is gone from last year’s Northwestern team, as is the 7-0 Olah (11.4 & 5.6) but the 6-7 Law (17.8 & 5.0) and guard Lindsey (15.3 & 5.0) have combined to increase their scoring by 19.8 points per game over last season .PG McIntosh returns and he’s added 12.7 PPG and 5.0 APG. Helping to make up for the loss of Olah is the 6-8 Pardon, averaging 7.7 & 7.3. The pick: Northwestern is just 3-2 but the Wildcats own a win over No. 21 Texas and narrow losses to Butler and Notre Dame, by a total of six points! Northwestern is 3-0 SU at home, outscoring opponents 88.7 to 67.0 PPG. The Wildcats are an 8* play.

The set-up: The 10-8 OKC Thunder come to Madison Square Garden Monday night to take on the 8-8 NY Knicks.Oklahoma City comes in after a 106-88 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday when Westbrook posted 17 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists for his second consecutive triple-double and seventh this season. It was also his 44th career triple-double, which ties him with Cleveland's LeBron James. The Knicks had a three-game winning streak snapped Saturday night in Charlotte, falling 107-102 to the Hornets but New York enters this game on a six-game winning streak in MSG. Oklahoma City:  Westbrook is humming along in his ninth season with the Thunder, averaging 31.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 11.1 assist and has at least a few remembering the Big O averaging a triple-double for the entire season back in 1961-62 (30.8-12.5-11.4). However, OKC is far from a complete team with Oladipo (17.3) being its second-best scorer wit that guard duo joining OKC’s two-headed center combo of Kanter (11.9 & 5.8) and Adams (10.7 & 7.8) as the team's core. OKC allows 105.4 PPG (20th) and checks in 8-10 ATS, a reverse of its SU record. NY Knicks: The Knocks are 7-2 SU & ATS at home and come in on a six-game home winning streak. Its top-two scorers are Anthony and Porzingis, who both have played noticeably better at home than on the road. Anthony is averaging 24.4 PPG at home while slumping to 21.1 on the road. Porzingis is suffering through the same inconsistency while averaging 22 points on 51.4 percent shooting at home and 19.6 PPG on 45.9 percent shooting on the road. The team’s new PG, Derrick Rose, is the Knicks’ third double digit scorer at 15.9 PPG (also 4.2 RPG and 5.0 APG). The pick: New York has played well at home but its overall defense is worst than OKC’s, allowing 106.3 PPG (20th) and the Knicks can’t ‘bang’ on the boards up against Kanter and Adams. New York's other big offseason acquisition, center Joakim Noah, who played with Rose in Chicago, has struggled. He missed two games with flu-like symptoms but since his return against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, Noah hasn't provided much offense with six points to back-to-back games against the Hornets. Noah has scored in double-figures only once this season and checks in averaging 4.1 PPG for the season. At the PG spot, I love Westbrook over Rose. OKC is a 10* play. 

The set-up: The 14th-ranked UCLA Bruins are 6-0 and will get a chance to win a tournament named after the program's patriarch when they meet 4-1 Texas A&M in the championship game of the Wooden Legacy tournament Sunday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Ca. UCLA has reached the championship game with a 99-77 win over Portland and an 82-71 win over Nebraska. Texas A&M’s only loss this season was a two-pointer to USC but the aggies have rebounded to win won two in a row since, beating Cal State Northridge 95-73 and then stormed back from a 17-point second-half deficit to edge Virginia Tech 68-65. Texas A&M: The Aggies won 28 games last year, advancing to the Sweet 16 but lost their three best players from that team. Gone are the team's top-two scorers, House (15.6 & 4.8) and Jones (15.3 & 7.2), two 6-7 players who were tough to defend. Also lost was PG Caruso (8.1 & 5.0 APG), the team-leader. Three players who contributed last year are back and the 6-9 Hogg (15.6 & 6.2), the 6-10 Davis (12.2 & 7.2) and guard Gilder (11.2-4.6-5.2) are A&M’s top-three scorers so far. The Aggies have also have benefited from a strong start to the season by 6-9 freshman Robert Williams (10.2 & 6.4) and J.C. Hampton (4.8 PPG), a senior graduate transfer from Lipscomb, is staring in the backcourt alongside of Gilder. UCLA: Steve Alford needs a “breakout season” in Westwood, as his first three seasons at UCLA have gone in the wrong direction. He won 28 games his first season, 22 in his second and then came last year’s 15-17 ‘nightmare.’ Two outstanding freshman have led the turnaround, the 6-10 Leaf (17.8 & 8.8) and the “do-everything” 6-6 Ball (16.0-5.3-9.0). That duo has joined senior guards Alford (17.7) and Hamilton (16.7 & 4.2 APG) plus sophomore guard Holiday (13.0-4.-4.2) and the 7-0 junior Welsh (11.3 & 9.7) to give UCLA six, double digit scorers. No wonder UCLA is second in the nation in scoring at 100.7 PPG and its FG percentage leads all Division I schools (55.8 percent). The pick: UCLA coach Steve Alford was asked what it will mean to his team to play in the championship game of the Wooden tournament."It means a lot for different reasons," he said. "Coach Wooden's name is on it, and what he means to our institution and his legacy of creating excellence both in the classroom and on the basketball court, that is something our guys take seriously. Secondly, we have talked this as a team, and it's our first chance to win a championship. It doesn't mean that you'll have postseason success, but the Final Four teams last year all won an exempt tournament. If that is a goal of ours, as it is, we want to take those steps towards trying to get to that point. Knowing that this championship could have Coach Wooden's name on it is an extra bonus." The A&M football team upended the then-16th Bruins to open the 2016 season, a loss the football team never recovered from. Maybe the basketball team can serve up a little cross-sport revenge? That’s my bet, as I make UCLA a 10* play.

The set-up: Rick Adelman led the Kings to the postseason in all eight of his seasons coaching Sacramento but was fired after the 2005-06 season. The Kings haven’t made the playoffs since, entering this season on a 10-year playoff drought (just three times in that stretch has the team even won as many as 30 games!). Sacramento is currently 6-10, after the Rockets made 21 three-pointers in a 117-104 victory in Sacranto on Friday. The downward spiral of the Brooklyn Nets reached six straight losses on Friday in a 118-97 loss at Indiana. The Nets host the Kings on Sunday at 4-11 (7-7-1 ATS), including 3-4 SU at home (4-3 ATS). Sacramento: The Kings had posted impressive wins over Toronto and Oklahoma City before Friday's letdown and first-year head coach Dave Joerger sees improvement. "We're getting better," Joerger told reporters. "We've played some good teams. We've played better as of late. ... We're starting to find a nice mix of chemistry between guys that are playing together at different times." Center DeMarcus Cousins (27.8 & 9.8) remains the star and he turned in a remarkable stat line on Friday with a career-high five made three-pointers and five blocks to go with 32 points and nine rebounds. However, second-year center Willie Cauley-Stein (4.9 & 1.8 in about 12 1/2 MPG) is drifting out of the rotation and did not see the court in either of the last two games (Stein averaged 7.0 & 5.3 last year in about 21 minutes of PT). Brooklyn: the Nets are still learning to play with the pace and style new head coach Kenny Atkinson prefers on the offensive end and the defensive end remains a work in progress. The Nets are hoisting more three-pointers than ever before and from all positions. However, the Nets rank a modest 13th in scoring at 104.9 PPG and the team ranks 26th in three-point shooting at 32.5 percent. As for the team’s defense, well let’s just pardon the pun. Brooklyn allows the most points of any team in the league (113.5 PPG) and opponents are shooting 47.2 percent against them, the second-worst mark in the NBA. The pick: I am well aware that the Kings entered this season 51-146 (.259) SU on the road the last five seasons but the bottom line is, the Kings have to win some games away from home and the Nets should play the perfect foil. Sacramento is an 8* play.

The set-up: The 7-10-2 Arizona Coyotes are currently 14th and last in the Western Conference, which shouldn’t be too much of a surprise for a franchise that hasn’t been to the playoffs in four straight seasons. Frankly, the Coyotes prospects of ending that streak this season don't appear promising, at least so far. Arizona visits Edmonton, which has been a huge surprise in the 206-17 season, to-date. The Oilers won the Stanley Cup back in 2005-06 but haven’t made the postseason since, a run of 10 consecutive playoff-less seasons. Edmonton has averaged just 28 wins per year the last three seasons, averaging just barely over 66 points per season, as well. However, at 12-8-2, the Oilers currently sit atop the Pacific Division. Arizona: Many of Arizona’s early woes can be attributed to the fact that the team's No. 1 goalie, Mike Smith, was sidelined early on with an injury. His back-up, Louis Domingue, has played in 14 games, going 4-8-1 with a 3.21 GAA. Smith is back healthy now and is 3-1-1 with a 2.96 GAA and .911 save percentage. Domingue is now the one hurt with a lower body injury, which has landed him on injured reserve. Justin Peters will serve as the backup. Smith was in goal Friday night when Arizona beat Edmonton at home, 3-2 in a shootout. Edmonton: Oilers captain Connor McDavid recorded his first NHL hat trick earlier this month to start a scoring tear. With a goal against the Coyotes on Friday, McDavid has five goals and four assists in a four-game points streak and leads the league with 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists). Also making noise lately are Leon Draisaitl (three goals, three assists) and Milan Lucic (one goal, five assists) each have six points, while Jordan Eberle (two goals, two assists), Oscar Klefbom (two goals, two assists) and rookie Jesse Puljujarvi (four assists) each have four points. The Oilers tweeted Saturday that Cam Talbot will start in goal. Talbot is 11-7-2 with a 2.47 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage and three shutouts. The pick: Edmonton is easily the better team so far this season but Friday’s win by the Coyotes over the Oilers can’t be considered a fluke. That’s an understatement. Since dropping a 4-3 decision in regulation back on Jan. 25, 2011, the Coyotes are 20-0-4 against the Oilers. Arizona's point streak is the longest by one team against a single opponent since the Oilers' 24-game run against the Vancouver Canucks from 1985-88. Edmonton is 5-4-0 at home but 0-4-0 when scoring fewer than three goals per game and faces Mike Smith, who improved to 14-1-1 lifetime against Edmonton with Friday’s triumph. Meanwhile, Talbot’s given up nine goals while going 0-2-1 over his last three starts versus Arizona. I’ll take Arizona plus the 1 1/2 goals and make it an 8* play.

The set-up; Both the Warriors and Timberwolves played last night, Golden State winning 109-85 at Staples Center over the Lakers with Minnesota rallying from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit at Phoenix to overtake the Suns 98-85. "Our best fourth quarter of the year," gushed Timberwolves head coach Tom Thibodeau afterward. "Things weren't going well in that game, but the fight was there and we just kept working the game and the game turned." As for the Warriors, it was just “another day at the office,” as Golden State won its 10th consecutive game. Minnesota: In Wiggins (24.0), Towns (21.3 & 9.4) and LaVine (18.6) the T-wolves own an impressive trio of their own but last night’s comeback may have extracted a toll on the Timberwolves. Wiggins wound up playing 41 of the 48 minutes and three other starters, including Towns, played at least 35. that figures to leave Minnesota in less-than-ideal shape Saturday night on the second night of a back-to-back. The youthful Timberwolves have responded well to the adversity of the NBA schedule this season, winning on the back half of a consecutive-nights sequence both times they have encountered it. However, neither of those wins have come at the expense of a team like the Warriors. Golden State: Durant (27.1-7.9-4.8), Curry (26.3 & 6.1 APG), Thompson (20.6) and Green (10.5-9.0-6.() give the Warriors an incredible “Core Four,” a group which is averaging 84.5 PPG. That group contributed 83 points last night, although none played more than 36 minutes. That said, the Warriors may have an incentive when they take the court Saturday and that is to “play better!” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr insisted to reporters afterward that  "It was one of the worst basketball games I've seen in my life. We were awful, and they were awful. The people who bought tickets should get their money back, honestly." The pick: The Timberwolves won the most recent meeting with the Warriors, handing Golden State one of its nine losses last season, 124-117 in overtime on April 5 in Minnesota. However, the Warriors had won seven straight and 14 of 15 over Minnesota before that April matchup and they come into this one clicking on all cylinders while looking to win an 11th straight game. The Warriors have notched eight double-digit victories during their 10-game winning streak, won their last three games by an average of 34.7 PPG and have won their last five home games by an average of 20.6 PPG. Golden State is an 8* play.