My 10* Rivalry 'MONSTER' is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET.

The Boston Celtics are clearly in a rut, as Saturday's 123-119 loss to the Phoenix Suns was their SIXTH loss in eight games. Boston is now 27-14 on the season and finds itself as the East's No. 4 seed, just 1 1/2 games back of the No. 2 seed (Miami) but also just a half-game up on the No. 6 seed (Philadelphia). Meanwhile, the Lakers have managed to survive a big absence on their end by going 4-1 in the five games that Anthony Davis (27.1 & 9.4) has missed with a back issue. LeBron James scored 31 points and three others hit the 20-point mark in Saturday's 124-115 triumph at Houston, LA's 10th win in 11 games overall. LA visits Boston at 34-8, giving them a 4 1/2-game lead in the West.

LBJ was 13-of-25 from the floor and handed out 12 assists Saturday night to help Los Angeles bounce back from a one-point home loss to Orlando three days earlier. James (25.5-7.7-10.9) leads the entire NBA in assists. Kyle Kuzma (13.2) added 23 points while starting again in place of Davis, who is expected to return soon. The Lakers start McGee (7.1 & 5.9) at center, while Howard (7.6 & 7.5) comes off the bench.LA has a bevy of backcourt players, none of whom average in double digits, but who seemingly "take turns" at making game by game impacts. Recent case in point is Caldwell-Pope (9.7), who has averaged 18.5 points over the past two games.

Boston's Saturday loss came Kemba Walker (knee) and Jaylen Brown (thumb) sidelined. Walker is averaging 22.1-4.0-4.9 and Brown 20.0 & 6.9. Both could play here (fingers crossed). Tatum (21.3 & 7.0), Hayward (16.3-6.0-4.1) and Smart (12.5 & 4.7 APG) are sure to be ready, with Smart coming off a game in which he set the franchise-record for three-pointers (has 11 vs the Suns).
Tatum is averaging 26.3 over his last four games. Theis (7.7 & 6.0) has started 36 of 37 games this season up front, while Kanter (9.1 & 8.1) comes off the bench to give Boston a more traditional center.

Obviously, Walker and Brown joining the fray would be helpful but I'm backing the Celtics here regardless, expecting the Lakers to bring out the best in whomever takes the court tonight at TD Garden for Boston. As the chant goes..."Beat LA!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Mia Heat at 5:00 ET.

The Miami Heat entered the 4th quarter of their Sunday game in San Antonio down just two points but were only able to score 18 points in a 107-102 loss. It marked the team's THIRD loss in five games but Miami has to be happy by its results so far. The Heat missed the playoffs last season by two games (39-43) but are currently 29-13, a record better than ALL teams in the East save the one which plays in Milwaukee. The Heat return to Miami on Monday to open a five-game homestand, as they welcome the struggling Sacramento Kings to AmericanAirlines Arena. The 15-27 Kings are near the bottom of the Western Conference standings and have dropped FOUR straight contests, allowing 122.8 PPG during their skid.

Sacramento does NOT lack for talent, as SEVEN players are averaging in double digits, led by an outstanding guard duo. SG Buddy Hield leads the team in scoring at 20.1 PPG (adds 5.0 RPG & 3.1 APG), while PG Fox averages 19.3-4.4-7.3. Fox has been outstanding in January, averaging 23.8 points on 51.8 percent shooting from the floor with 8.4 assists in eight game. PF Marvin Bagley III (14.2 & 6.8) is averaging 15.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in three games since returning from nearly three weeks off, but left Saturday’s game with a sore foot and is questionable.Fellow PF Bejelko (12.1 & 6.5) is also questionable with an ankle issue. SF Barnes (15.2 & 4.9), Bogdanovich (14.4) and PG Holmes (13.1 & 8.5) round out the team's double digit scorers. However, the rugged 6-10 Holmes is out for at least two weeks due to a shoulder injury. The injury 'bug' continues to plague this team.

The 6-9 Adebayo has double-doubles in two of the last three games, averaging 18.7 points along with 12.3 boards in that stretch. With the trade of Whiteside, he's thrived with more playing time, averaging 16.0-10.5-4.6 with a team-leading 24 double-doubles. The 6-7 Butler was the team's major off-season acquisition and he's delivered, averaging 20.2-7-0-6.4 but major surprises have been undrafted rookie guard Nunn (16.0) and 6-7 second-year player Robinson (11.8). Veteran PG Dragic comes off the bench and is averaging 15.5 & 4.9 APG. Leornard (6.1 & 5.0) typically starts at center, although Olynyk adds 7.4 & 4.4 off the bench. This year's first round pick was Kentucky guard Herro (13.1 & 4.3) and he's been solid, He returned Sunday after missing two games (knee), but did not score in nine minutes.

Miami's loss at San Antonio dropped then to 11-12 on the road but the Heat own the NBA's best home record at 18-1, going an impressive 14-4-1 ATS. This number seems awfully 'cheap' when one considers Sacramento was just a 9 1/2-point dog at Utah (Jan 18) plus got 12 points at Houston, nine at Philly and 10 1/2 points at the Lakers (to name just a few higher numbers). Expect Miami to roll here and the win comes "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Hou Rockets at 5:05 ET.

Oklahoma City and Houston made a blockbuster trade last off-season, one which was supposed to help the Thunder rebuild and propel the Rockets to greater things. However, that hasn't been the case. The Rockets hardly looked like a Western Conference favorite last Saturday night, losing 124-115 against the Lakers, who were playing without Anthony Davis. Houston has dropped four of its last five (three in a row) and at 26-15 is 7 1/2 games back of the top-seed Lakers. Meanwhile, OKC' s 119-106 win over Portland on Saturday improved the Thunder to 16-7 over their last 23 games and at 24-19, are the West's No. 7 seed, just THREE games back of Houston.

Former Rocket Chris Paul (16.7-5.0-6.5) traded for one-time Oklahoma City superstar Russell Westbrook last July, led the way with 30 points against the Blazers. Gilgeous-Alexander (20.0-5.8-3.1) chipped in 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in the win over the Blazers, as he and Paul helped Oklahoma City shot 51.8 percent despite playing without No. 2 scorer Danilo Galinari (19.0 & 5.6), who was rested (a common practice these days).Depth is an issue for OKC, as Backup PG Schroder (18.2-3.8-3.8) and center Adams (11.6 & 9.9) round out the Thunder's regular contributors.

The arrival of Westbrook was meant to get Houston over the hump in the West but the team reached the halfway point of the season Saturday, staring up at FIVE other teams in the conference standings.In Saturday's loss to the Lakers, Harden (37.1-6.2-7.5) had 34 points and Westbrook (25.1-7.8-7.2) ahd 35 but Houston's other three starters combined to score just 23 points on 9 of 24 shooting (37.5%). Westbrook has FOUR straight games of 30 points or more, the first Rocket other than Harden to do that since 2006-07, but the Rockets have lost THREE of those four..

Here's the rub. The Rockets ARE struggling, as the four losses in their current 1-4 swoon have come by an average 12.8 points. Harden is shooting 33.7 percent from the floor in the four defeats. It is no coincidence that Harden's struggles parallel the Rockets' woes. He had reeled off seven consecutive games of 50 percent or better shooting from the floor, averaging 36.6 points and eight assists while the Rockets won SIX of those seven contests. Since that sizzling stretch, the Rockets are 2-4 with three consecutive losses, while Harden has averaged 29.9 points and 6.8 assists on 33.6 percent shooting, including 27 percent from behind the arc. However, a visit from OKC should give Houston plenty of motivation. Harden scored 40 points in a 116-112 win over Oklahoma City at home back on Oct 28 plus expect center Capela, having a "career season" in averaging 14.4 & 14.4, to outplay Adams, who has been bothered by a knee issue. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My NFL 10* Playoff Game of the Year is on the GB Packers at 6:40 ET.

If the San Francisco 49ers can beat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, they will become only the SECOND team in NFL history to make the Super Bowl a year after losing at least 12 games.The Niners lost QB Jimmy Garoppolo for the year in Week 3 of the 2018 season and 'limped' to a 4-12 record. However, the team is now ONE win away from joining the 1999 St Louis Rams who also went 4-12 the season before reaching AND winning Super Bowl XXXIV. That said, the Packers have a pretty good story themselves, as Packers opemend teh 2019 season off back-to-back losing seasons (7-9 in 2017 and 6-9-1 in 2018), for the first time since 1990 and 1991. At the start of the current season, Green Bay playing in the NFC championship game was only slightly more far-fetched than San Francisco doing so

These teams played earlier this season in Week 12 in San Francisco. Aaron Rodgers lost a fumble on Green Bay's first possession, setting up a two-yard TD drive that gave San Francisco the lead. The Niners then broke it open with long TD passes to Deebo Samuel late in the second quarter and to George Kittle in the third quarter of a 37-8 win. Rodgers threw for just 104 yards (career-worst 3.2 YPA) and got sacked five times. The loss left Green Bay at 8-3 but the Packers would end the regular season by winning their last FIVE games, allowing just 14.2 PPG to claim the NFC's No. 2 seed. The Niners were 10-1 after that win and went 3-2 the rest of the way, holding the Seahawks inches away from a TD in the fianl seconds of Week 17, claiming the NFC's top-seed. San Francisco's defense was dominant during the team's 7-0 start (11.0 PPG) but "worse than average" during team's last nine games, allowing 25.9 PPG.

However, San Francisco's defense humbled the vikings last weekend (Saturday), holding Minnesota to 147 total yards in a 27-10 win. Jimmy G directed a scoring drive on his first playoff possession and finished 11 of 19 for 131 yards with one TD and one INT. San Francisco's running game ranked second to only Baltimore's in the regular season and controlled the game with 186 yards on the ground (just 4.0 YPA, with its longest run being 11 yards). Getting back to the San Francisco D, Minnesota was held to just seven FDs and was 2 of 13 on third downs plus 0-2 on fourth down tries. Green Bay played last Sunday and dominated Seattle in the first half, taking a 21-3 lead. The Packers led 28-10 in the late 3rd quarter but Russell Wilson NEVER gives up. Seattle cut it to 28-17 and then to 28-23, before missing a two-point try. Seattle only got the ball back ONCE after that (four plays) plus Rodgers converted two HUG third downs late, sealing the win.

These two franchises have combined for NINE Super Bowl titles and have a rich history when it comes to the playoffs. This will be their EIGHT meeting in the past 25 postseasons, three more than any other rivalry. In fact, the only other matchup to occur more often is Cowboys-Rams, which happened nine times. So here we are. I doubt anyone thinks the 49ers will rout the Packers again. Then again, maybe some do. Count me as one who DOES NOT!

Taking Jimmy G over Kirk Cousins is one thing but over Aaron Rodgers in an NFC title, while laying a TD? As of Friday afternoon, there were 7.5s galore. Rodgers had an off year, but threw for 4,002 yards (Jimmy G had 3,978) with 26 TDs and just four INTs (Jimmy G's ratio was 27-13). In the Division Round, Rodgers was 16-of-27 for 243 yards with two TDs and zero INTs (113.7 QB rating), while Jimmy G was 11-of-19 for 131 yards with one TD and one INT (74.7 rating). San Francisco's running game has better depth but Green Bay's Aaron Jones (1,084 rush yards, 474 receiving yards and 19 total TDs) will be the best RB of the field. Kittle's a terrific TE and gets the edge over the aging Jimmy Graham but the best WR on the field (by far!) is Davante Adams, who had eight catches for 180 yards (2 TDs) vs Seattle. San Francisco's D gets the edge but I don't think by much. Remember the Niners' second-half troubles and Green Bay's D finishing by allowing 14.2 PPG its final five games. Is shutting down Kirk Cousins proof it can be done to Rodgers/. Especially, when Rodgers not only has great motivation to "make up for" for his Week 12 'nightmare' plus he also has to realize his Super Bowl 'window' is closing.

One final reference to Green Bay's Week 12 loss at San Francisco. Discount that contest and know that the Packers were 8-0 SU  & ATS against EVERY other above-.500 team they faced in 2019. I'm grabbing the points and hoping we see a Super Bowl I rematch, Green Bay-Kansas City (note: I have NO play on Ten/KC on Sunday).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the SA Spurs at 3:05 ET.

The Miami Heat missed the playoffs last season by two games (39-43). However, the Heat are currently 29-12, a record better than ALL teams in the East save the one which plays in Milwaukee. Miami owns the best home record in the NBA at 18-1 but the team's 115-108 win at OKC on Friday improved them to just .500 (11-11) on the road Friday. The Heat are in San Antonio on Sunday to take on the Spurs and will then return to Miami for a five-game homestand. The 17-23 Spurs welcome Miami to San Antonio is danger of finishing with a losing record for the first time since the 1996-97 season.

Miami leaned on its offensive balance in Friday's road win, as SEVEN players scored in double figures. Rookie guard Kendrick Nunn scored a team-high 22 points on 9-of-17 shooting to reach 20 or more for the third consecutive game. This undrafted player has been a HUGE surprise, as he's averaging PPG. 6-7 swingman Butler (20.3-7.0-6.4) was the team's big off-season acquisition and he's delivered. However, MAJOR contributions have come from Nunn, the team's No. 1 pick of the 2019 draft Herro (13.4 & 4.4) and second-year player Robinson (11.8). Veteran PG Dragic has missed some games and has started just ONE of the 31 he's played, but he's averaging a healthy 15.4 PPG & 5.0 APG. SF Winslow (11.3-6.6-4.0) has played just 11 games. He's missed but Miami has continued to play well. Not to be overlooked is the 6-9 Bam Adebayo, whose opportunity to play a bigger role emerged once Whiteside was traded. After averaging 8.0 & 6.5 in his first two seasons, he's averaging 15.9-10.4-4.6 this year, with a team-leading 23 double-doubles.

The Spurs played well Wednesday in Miami but fell, 106-100. San Antonio then squandered a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter in losing a 121-120 decision to the Eastern Conference-worst Atlanta Hawks. "We were not solid down the stretch, and I think that's what's bitten us in the (rear) the whole year, where all of a sudden the game plan goes to hell," Spurs hea coach Gregg Popovich told reporters. "People should have left and asked for their money back after the first half." No wonder Pop felt that way. Atlanta had dropped 21 straight games at San Antonio before edging the Spurs on Friday. DeMar DeRozan (22.7-5.4-5.2) and Aldridge (19.1 & 7.5) have led the Spurs all season. However, FIVE more players are averaging between 9.5 and 11.8 PPG. Forbes (11.3), Murray (10.2-6.0-4.1) and Lyles (4.7 & 5.9) typically fill out the team's starting-five. PGs Mills (11.8) and White (9.5 & 3.0 APG) plus SF Gay (10.7 & 5.8) are the regular contributors off the bench.

Miami had dropped FOUR of its previous five games away from home before winning Friday at OKC and the Heat haven't swept a road trip longer than ONE game this season. San Antonio's DeRozan had 25 points against Atlanta on 9-of-18 shooting, his 13th consecutive game shooting 50 percent or better from the floor. He also had NINE assists and has now scored 20-plus points with three-plus assists in 13 straight games, as well. It's the second-longest such streak to Wilt 's 19. Spurs come up big and grab a much-needed win.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Rutgers at 1:00 ET.

Richard Pitino has had a  roller-coaster run at Minnesota, capturing the NIT (25 wins) in his first season but then falling to 18 wins and just EIGHT wins the next two seasons. The last three seasons have seen 24 and 22-win NCAA teams sandwiched around a 15-win season. Pitino opened the current season without guards Coffey (16.6) and McBrayer (8.9) plus big man Murphy (14.4 & 11.0), who gave the Minnesota program a combined 11 seasons. The Golden Gophers are just 10-7, including 4-3 in the Big Ten. Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell is in his fourth season at the school, having gone 44-54 in his first three. Coming off a a 14-17 season a year ago, Rutgers was picked 12th (of 14 schools) in the Big Ten preseason polls but at 13-4 (4-2 Big Ten), the Scarlet Knights are off to their best start since the 1996-77 season.

The Golden Gophers have won back-to-back home games over Michigan and Penn St, giving them SIX wins their last eight games to climb over .500 in conference play. Minnesota will have the two-best players on the court in the 6-10 Daniel Oturu (20.3 7 12.2) and PG Marcus Carr (16.5-5.3-7.3). Carr went 10-of-11 from the free throw line en route to a team-high 27 points and nine assists Wednesday to help the Golden Gophers improve to 9-1 at home this season in beating Penn St. Oturu continued his inspired play as well, adding 26 points and 14 rebounds to record his 11th double-double of the season.

Rutgers does not have a 'one-two punch" like Oturu and Carr but the Scarlet Knights have a very well-balanced group. Pikiel took his team to Spain in August and Rutgers went 4-0, while jelling as a unit. The "breakout star" of that trip was guard Ron Harper, who averaged 17.0 PPG on 53 percent shooting. He's currently Rutgers' leading scorer, averaging 11.8 PPG and 6.0 RPG, teaming with PG Baker (11.1 & 4.0 APG). A trio of guards (Young, McConnell and Mathis) combine to add right around 23 PPG. Up front, the 6-6 Yeboah (9.4 & 4.6) and the 6-10 Johnson (9.3 & 8.1) are the biggest contributors.

Yeboah scored a team-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds in Wednesday's 59-50 home  win against Indiana to finish in double figures for the 78th time in his career. Caleb McConnell added 10 points and six rebounds while Myles Johnson scored eight, as the Scarlet Knights held the Hoosiers to season lows in points, field goal percentage (31.7) and three-point field goal percentage (10.5). Of real importance, Geo Baker returned from a three-game injury absence (thumb) to finish with seven points, four assists and a pair of steals.

Rutgers is a PERFECT 12-0 at "the RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center), claiming wins over ranked teams Seton Hall and Penn St plus quality Big Ten programs like Wisconsin and Indiana. Minny's Daniel Oturu won’t easily establish a post game vs Rutgers' rugged 6-10, 255-pound soph Myles Johnson and Rutgers has been terrific defensively as of late, allowing 52.1 PPG over its last seven. The Gophers have not been so 'Golden' in true road games this season, going 0-5 SU. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* West Coast Crusher is on Utah St at 10:00 ET.

Utah St travels to Idaho to take on Bosie St in MWC play. No. 7 San Diego St  is 18-0, including 5-0 in league play, so all teams figure to chasing the Aztecs all season long. However, UNLV may be just 10-9 on the season but the Rebels have opened 5-1 in MWC play, leaving schools like Utah St (14-5) and Boise St (11-8) to chase them as well. Utah opened league play 2-0 but then began January with three straight MWC losses (at UNLV, home to SD St and at Air Force). The Aggies rebounded with an 80-70 win at Nevada last Saturday and at 3-3 in league play, take on Boise St tonight. The Broncos welcome Utah St to to Taco Bell Arena off THREE losses in their last four games, leaving them 3-4 in league play.

Senior guard Sam Merrill was the Mountain West player of the year last season and is again leading the Aggies by averaging 16.9-4.9-3.6. 6-7 sophomore forward Justin Bean (12.8) is the team's second-leading scorer and its top rebounder at 10.3 per game. The win at Reno was much-needed, as was the inspired play of of 7-foot sophomore Neemias Queta, who missed much of the first month of the season. He scored a season-high 19 points, just seven days after a 15-point, 14-rebound effort in the home loss to SD St. Guards Miller (10.1), Brito (8.7 & 4.6) and Porter (7.0 & 3.9 APG) join Merrill on the perimeter, while the 6-6 Anderson (10.1) gets time up front with Bean and now, Queta (he's played just seven games this season).

Boise St features a backcourt of the 6-9 Alston (19.5-5.4-3.2) and the 6-7 Jessup (14.8 & 4.2). Senior Hobbs (8.3) is a more traditional guard plus the 6-6 Kigab (14.0 & 4.3) and the 6-7 Williams (11.8 & 8.2) have proven to be solid frontcourt players. Boise St seemingly 'has the talent," but the Broncos are clearly under-achieving. In particular, Boise is suddenly having all sorts of problems on the defensive end, allowing 83 or more points in THREE of the team's last four games. I get the feeling that Utah St , which won 28 games last season, is ready for a late-run. Catching SDSU during the regular season is unlikely but there is always the MWC tourney, which the Aggies won last year by winning three games in three days. First things first. Take Utah St tonight at Boise.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "signature" 36-Club Play is on Virginia at 8:00 ET.

Virginia won its first-ever NCAA basketball championship last season but the Cavs opened at just No. 11 in the preseason AP poll (note: it marked the lowest preseason ranking for a defending champion since UConn opened 17th at the start of the 2014-15 season, after winning the title in April 2014). Gone from last year's champs are the team's top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). However, the Cavs opened 7-0 and were ranked 5th when they lost 69-40 at Purdue on Dec 4. However, the defending champs have lost back-to-back games for the first time since 2017, falling 60-53 at BC on Jan 7 and then 63-55 (OT) at home to Syracuse on Jan 11. The 11-4 Cavs fell out of the AP's latest top-25 poll on Monday and the lost 54-50 at No. 9 Florida State on Wednesday, committing 18 turnovers, making just 3 of 15 on three-pointers and shooting 62.5 percent from the free-throw line (5 of 8) to lose its THIRD straight game for the first time in nearly three seasons.

The now 11-5 Cavs (3-3 in the ACC) travel to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech, which is 8-9 overall, including 3-4 in the ACC. Josh Pastner is in his fourth season with the Yellow Jackets but after winning 21 games in his first year, Ga Tech is coming off seasons in which the team has won just 13 and 14 games. The Yellow Jackets have dropped their last FOUR home games, including a 78-74 setback on Wednesday against Notre Dame, despite shooting 67.9 percent from the floor in the second half. Ga Tech is scoring 67.9 PPG and allowing 67.9, so I guess the old Bil Parcell's line applies, "You are who your record says you are!"

This season's UVA team features an unique guard duo, the 6-8 Key (10.4 & 7.2) and 5-9 PG Clark (10.0-4.3-5.9). The team's most consistent player is 6-9 senior forward Mamadi Diakite, who leads the team in scoring (13.1) and is econd to Key in rebounding (6.8). Diakite has scored 29 points on 11-for-21 shooting from the floor over his last two games, after recording just 15 points across his previous two contests. The 7-1 Huff (8.6 & 6.1) joins Diatka up front and this "Core 4" is basically Virginia's team this season.

Speaking of a 'Core 4," the Yellow Jackets have four players all averaging 30-plus minutes. SG Devoe (16.5 & 3.8) and PG Alavarado (10.4 & 5.3 APG) run the backcourt, while the 6-9 Wright (13.8 & 8.0) and the 6-10 Banks (10.4 & 7.5) ahve done a solid job up front. Wright continues his breakout season, ranking sixth in the ACC in field goal percentage (55.1 percent). He finished with 16 points and five rebounds Wednesday, while Devoe shot 9-for-15 from the floor. Georgia Tech shot 51.7 percent from the floor against Notre Dame, the FOURTH time in the past six games it has hit at least half of its shot attempts.

Now there's the rub. Teams just DON'T shoot 50% against UVA, as in fact, they don't shoot even 35% against them! UVA ranks first in the nation by allowing opponents to shoot just 34.8%, while holding them to 49.0 PPG (also No. 1 in the nation). For all of UVa's woes vs FSU (the nation's 9th-ranked team), the Seminoles came into Wednesday's contest averaging 76.4 PPG, yet were held to just 54 points (that's three 'TDs' below their average!). Despite 18 TOs and going 3-15 on threes, UVA lost by just FOUR points against a team that is 9-0 at home. As noted, Ga Tech has lost its last FOUR home games plus Virginia has won its last FIVE matchups against Georgia Tech, holding the Yellow Jackets to 54 points or less in EACH won. Virginia head coach Tony Bennett is preaching for his team to stay upbeat during the defending national champions’ three-game losing streak entering Saturday’s road contest at Georgia Tech. "Our inexperience shows at times,” Bennett told reporters postgame. “It takes courage to not get discouraged. You can’t be soft.” Looking for a 'silver lining' for the UVA offense? The Cavs may have been 3 of 15 on threes vs FSU but they were 18-of 31 (58.1%) inside the arc. Better shot-selection and fewer turnovers and UVA wins this one HANDILY

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on the Bos Celtics at 7:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics opened the season 10-1 and were behind only Milwaukee in the East with a 25-8 mark through Jan 4. However, the Celtics have lost FIVE of seven since that time and find themselves right in the middle of FIVE teams fighting for the No. 2 thru No. 6 seeds in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks own the NBA's best record (37-6) and are SEVEN games ahead of No. 2 seed Miami but the Heat are just THREE game clear of Philly, the No. 6 seed (Boston is 27-13, 1.5 games back of Miami at No. 3). The 17-24 Phoenix Suns are far from a threat in the West and the team's "Jeykll and Hyde" personality showed this week. The Suns got off to a rough start on their three-game road trip with a 123-110 loss at Atlanta on Tuesday (Hawks are currently 10-32) but showed just how dangerous they can be in a 121-98 rout of the New York Knicks on Thursday.

Phoenix made a key change to the starting lineup on Thursday, as center Deandre Ayton (16.8 & 12.0 in 11 games this season) was elevated to the first unit and responded with a season-high 26 points and a career-best 21 rebounds. The former No. 1 overall pick had been coming off the bench behind Aron Baynes, who managed five points on 2-of-6 shooting in 15 minutes as a reserve on Thursday. PG Ricky Rubio missed Tuesday's contest due to the birth of his child but returned against New York and settled the team with 25 points and 13 assists > He's having a good season playing alongside Booker (26.2 & 6.3 APG), chipping in 13.6-4.8-9.4). The bad news from Thursday was that the Suns were also forced to start small forward Mikal Bridges in place of Kelly Oubre Jr. (18.3-5.1-6.3), who is in the concussion protocol and considered day-to-day.

The Celtics will try to take some of the fight they showed in the second half at Milwaukee on Thursday and translate it into a win on Saturday, as the Celtics open a three-game homestand. Boston trailed by as many as 27 points at Milwaukee but battled all the way back before falling 128-123 and felt good about the resiliency the team showed. "That was more Celtics basketball than we've seen in a while in the second half," coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "That was good. I was encouraged. But obviously, you can't give up 76 in the first. ... So again, I'm really encouraged by the second half, especially coming off the stretch we've come off of, to dig deep and give ourselves a chance. That was back to what we want to be." Kemba Walker scored 40 points on 14-of-23 shooting and has made all Celtic fans forget Kyrie, averaging 22.1-4.0-4.9. Jason Tatum has played very game, averaging 21.2 & 6.9., while Brown (20.0 & 6.9) and Hayward (16.0-5.9-4.0) give Boston two excellent wing players. Smart (11.3 & 4.6 APG) is the team's best defensive player and also a team-leader. The 6-8 Theis has started 31 of 35 games up front (7.6 & 6.1) and the 6-10 Kanter, a more traditional center, comes off the bench (just three starts) to add 9.2 & 8.2.

Boston has won EIGHT of its last 10 against the Suns, including a 99-85 win at Phoenix back on Nov 18. This "W" should come just as easily.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Wichita St at 4:00 ET.

Kelvin Sampson's squad lost FOUR starters from last year's 33-4 team that reached the Sweet 16. However, his Cougars were still picked to win the American Athletic Conference. Houston earned its SIXTH victory in seven games Thursday with a 71-62 triumph over SMU and travels to Wichita at 13-4 overall, including 3-1 in AAC play. That 3-1 league mark leaves them tied atop the AAC with Saturday's opponent, as well as with Memphis and Tulsa. Gregg Marshall led Winthrop to seven NCAA appearances in nine seasons and since taking over in Wichita, entered this season with a string of 10 consecutive seasons of 22 or more wins, including FOUR, 30-win seasons. In that 10-year span, the Shockers have been to seven NCAA tourneys (including a Final 4 appearance in 2013) and in three NITs (won title in 2011). Wichita State is looking to get back in the win column Saturday, when the 16th-ranked Shockers (15-2 / 3-1) host Houston. Coming off an emotional double-overtime road victory over UConn last Sunday, the Shockers seemed to be running on fumes against the Owls as they recorded a season low for points in a 65-53 loss at Temple on Wednesday. It not only wended Wichita St's nine-game win streak but the Shockers were also dealt their first true road loss after eight straight victories (it was the second-longest active streak in the country).

Houston has FIVE players averaging between 9.1 and 13.1 PPG. Leading the way has been freshman guard Caleb Mills (13.1) and sophomore guard Quentin Grimes (13.0-3.8-2.9), who started every game for Kansas last season) and was given a waiver to be able to play this season for Houston and is averaging 18.3-5.3-3.3. 6-5 sophomore guard Nate Hinton averages 12.0 PPG, as well as a team-high 9.9 RPG. The 6-7 White (10.7 & 5.7) added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the second double-double of his career vs SMU and guard Jarreau (9.1-3.6-3.3) rounds out Houston's top-five scorers. Freshman guard Marcus Sasser (6.6) and the 6-10 Harris (4.1 & 5.0) have also contributed. The Cougars have out-rebounded every one of their opponents this season, while leading the nation in rebound margin (plus11.5).

The Shockers made just 30.2 percent of their shots against the Owls, while suffering through their worst three-point shooting effort of the season (a 3-for-21 showing, including 0-for-10 in the second half). The team’s lone senior, 6-10 center Jaime Echenique, scored season highs of 20 points and 13 rebounds against Temple. The key for Wichita St has been balance, as EIGHT players post between 5.8 and 13.2 PPG. Sophomore guard Erik Stevenson is the team’s leading scorer at 13.2 PPG, while adding 5.41RPG. The other starters are guards Burton (11.4-3.8-3.7) and Etienne (9.8), along with Echenique (11.0 & 5.1) and the 6-6 Wade (8.2 & 6.2), a transfer from UTEP. Guards Sherfield (8.9) and Dennis (7.1 & 4.4) plus the 6-8 Udeze (5.8 & 3.7) provide excellent depth.

These teams met just once last season, as Houston won 79-70 at home. However, this year's Wichita St team is greatly improved from last year's squad, while Houston is good not not nearly in the class of last season's 33-win team. Gregg Marshall will coach his 200th game at Charles Koch Arena on Saturday, where he owns a 173-26 record in 13 seasons. That includes 14 straight wins since Memphis beat the Shockers 88-85 back on Feb 23 of last season. "The price is right!" Lay the modest number.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Maryland at 2:00 ET.

Purdue is coming off a 26-win season, after reaching the Elite 8 last year (lost in OT to eventual champ UVA). Purdue lost outstanding guard Edwards (24.3) from that team, as well as the team's second-leading scorer Cline (12.0), but the Boilermakers opened the season ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll. Purdue started just 4-3 but on Dec 4, got its revenge on Virginia, handing the Cavs their first loss of the current season, 69-40! However, the Boilermakers are just 10-7 on the season (3-3 in the Big Ten), despite coming off another "big win,"  routing now-No.15 Michigan State 71-42  last Sunday. The Boilermakers held the Spartans to 35.3 percent shooting en route to matching their largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent.

Maryland returned four starters from last year's 23-11 NCAA team (lost in the 2nd round) and Mark Turgeon's team was ranked 7th in the AP's preseason poll. The Terps opened 10-0 and were ranked No. 4 when they lost Dec 10 at Penn St. Now, No. 17 Maryland (13-4) looks to avoid dropping THREE straight Big Ten games for the first time in nearly three years, when it hosts Purdue on Saturday. The Terrapins lost a pair of road games to Iowa (67-49) on Jan 10 and Wisconsin (56-54) on Tuesday to fall to .500 in conference play (3-3). The 7-3 Haarms (10.4 & 5.5) teams with Williams up front, while a trio of guards round out Purdue's starting-five. Hunter (10.8-3.5-3.0), Proctor (10.2) and Stefanovic (9.80 make up a a quality group. The 6-9 Wheeler (4.4 & 5.2) offers Williams and Haarms support up front.

Maryland lost the 6-10 Fernando and his double-double average (13.6 & 10.6) but the core of last year's team is back. PG Cowan (16.2-3.8-4.0) and the 6-10 Smith (13.6 & 9.4) are the top contributors. Smith narrowly missed out on his ninth double-double of the season as he scored 18 points and pulled down nine rebounds in the loss to Wisconsin. Anthony Cowan Jr. added 16 points but missed a potential go-ahead three-pointer with less than three seconds remaining in the game. Joining that duo are guards Wiggins (10.4 & 65.8) and Ayala (8.9) plus SF Morsell (8.2 & 5.3).

Purdue's win over Mich St gave the Boilermakers their 16th consecutive Big Ten home win but this game is NOT in Mackey Arena but rather it's in Xfinity Center in College Park. I've noted all season that the Big Ten is ultra-competitive AND that the home teams have been dominant. Maryland has done its part going 10-0 SU. Maryland has won its last three home games by an average margin of 14 point and that sounds about right, here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Texas A&M at 1:00 ET.

The fiery (I'm being nice here) Frank Martin led Kansas st to FOUR 'Big Dance" appearances in his five season at Kansas St, before taking over at South Carolina in the 2012-13 season. he won just 14 games in each of his first two years with the Gamecocks, before eking out a winning season (17-16) in his third season. A 25-9 season followed in 2015-16 and then came the "breakout," as Martin led the Gamecocks to the Final 54 in 2017, finishing 26-11. However, success has not lasted, with South Carolina winning 17 and 16 games the past two seasons. Thai year's team is a modest 9-7 but the season does include two HUGE upsets, a 70-59 win Dec 22 at Virginia (the defending champs were ranked 9th at the time0 and this past Wednesday's 81-78 home win over No. 10 Kentucky.

Buzz Williams spent five seasons at Marquette, leading the Golden Eagles to five NCAA tourneys, including two Sweet 16s and an Elite 8. It was then on to Va Tech for five years, ending in three straight NCAA bids, making the Sweet 16 last year. Williams is always on the move and he took the job at Texas A&M to start this season. After a 3-1 start, the Aggies lost FOUR in a row. However, the team is starting to jell (more later), having won FIVE of seven.

South Carolina snapped its three-game losing streak on Jermaine Cousinard's three-pointer to beat the Wildcats on Wednesday, Cousinard's game-winning shot capped his career-high 26-point night in his first collegiate start, as coach Frank Martin was trying to shake things up to snap the losing streak. Guard AJ Lawson leads the Gamecocks in scoring on the season with 13.9 PPG but he's averaged just seven points in SEC play, connecting on just 12.9 percent of his shots from the floor. Cousinard is a redshirt freshman and averages 10.1 PPG, as does the 6-11 Kotsar (10.1 & 6.1). Guard Bryant is back from a knee injury and has averaged 9.4 PPG in eight games. A pair of forwards, Minaya and Frink combine to add 12.5 & 9.9 RPG.

The Aggies come into this one off a difficult overtime loss to visiting LSU on Tuesday but despite the loss, Texas A&M has been showing more consistency with its offense, The Aggies scored a season high in points against the Tigers with 85 and hit 40 percent from three-point range. The Aggies also finished with a season-low seven turnovers in the game. The offense is paced by 6-9 senior forward Josh Nebo, who leads the team in scoring (12.1), rebounding (7.9) and blocks (2.7). Freshman guard Andre Gordon (8.2) has stepped up his offensive game in conference play, averaging 13 points, and is coming off a 17-point outing in the loss to LSU. PG Flagg (11.3-4.7-2.3) joins Nebo as A&M's only double digit scorers.

Timing is everything and after winning at UVA on Dec 22, South Carolina lost THREE in a row, before Wednesday's upset of Kentucky. No reason NOT to think that the Gamecocks will be 'flat' here and it should NOT go unnoticed that the A&M is 4-0 ATS in SEC play plus is playing with "double-revenge" against an opponent that at best, is its equal. Home team wins "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Iowa at 9:00 ET.

John Beilein left Michigan to take the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers (why?), after leading the Wolverines to NINE NCAA tourneys in his 12 years (twice lost in the national championship game). Taking over is former Fab Fiver Juwan Howard, who would have to replace forward Ignas Brazdeikis (14.8 & 5.4) plus guards Jordan Poole (12.8) and Charles Matthews (12.2 & 5.0). Michigan opened the season unranked but began 7-0, after winning the Battle 4 Atlantis (Thanksgiving week). The Wolverines shocked then-No. 6 North Carolina (73-64) and  now-No. 1 Gonzaga in the championship game. When "the dust had settled," Michigan wound up No. 4 in the AP poll on Dec 4. However, the Wolverines have gone 4-5 over their last nine games and have fallen to No. 19 in the latest AP poll.

Head coach Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa back in the 2010-11 season (off three straight NCAA trips with Siena). His 2013 team was the NIT runner-up and he then led the Hawkeyes to three straight NCAAs. Iowa missed the "Big Dance" the next two years but last year's 23-win team was back in. The Hawkeyes opened 1-3 in Big Ten play but rolled over then-No. 12 Maryland 67-49 at home last Friday, before knocking down 10 three-pointers en route to a 75-62 triumph at Northwestern this past Tuesday. Iowa welcomes Michigan to Iowa City 12-5 overall, including 3-3 in the Big Ten (note: Michigan is just 2-3 in conference games).

Michigan's most recent game was last Sunday at Minnesota, when the Wolverines were outscored 11-2 in the final three minutes of a 75-67 setback. PG Xavier Simpson (12.6-4.5-8.9) produced 19 points, nine assists and six rebounds. Freshman Franz Wagner had 17 points and is now averaging 9.7 PPG. The 7-1 Jon Teske (14.3 & 7.9) and guard  Eli Brooks (10.3) each scored just nine points. More troubling is the duo shot a combined 7-of-20 from the floor against the Golden Gophers. The 6-7 Isaiah Livers (13.6) is Michigan’s second-leading scorer but he's expected to miss his FIFTH consecutive game with a groin issue, and there’s no timetable for his return (last played Dec 14)..

Iowa's 6-11 Luka Garza is averaging 22.3 & 10.4 on the season. He's played a HUGE role in the team's last two wins, as he contributed 21 points and 13 rebounds against Maryland and 27 points in 24 minutes against Northwestern. Guard Joe Wieskamp (14.5 & 6.2) is Iowa's second-leading scorer and he added 11 points, six rebounds and three assists to finish in double figures for the EIGHT straight game at Northwestern. Freshman guard C.J. Fredrick (10.4) scored 11 points and five assists vs the Wildcats, after missing the previous two games with a stress reaction in his foot. Veteran guard Bohannon (8.8) is out for the season but Connor McCaffrey (7.1 & 4.1) and Toussaint (6.8) provide Iowa with plenty depth on the perimeter. The 6-10 Kreiner (7.5 & 4.4) comes off the bench to help Garza (who needs little), up front.

Michigan defeated Iowa 103-91 in the conference opener for both schools back on Dec 6 but that victory came despite a career-high 44 points from Garza. "Big men" keep enjoying "big games" against Michigan, as Minnesota center Daniel Oturu torched the Wolverines for a career-best 30 points one game after Michigan survived a double-overtime thriller despite a career-high 36 points from Purdue power forward Trevion Williams. Michigan is 0-3 in true road games during its 4-5 run since returning from Atlantis, losing by 15 at Louisville, nine at Illinois and 18 at Michigan St. Carver-Hawkeye Arena is known for its hostile crowds and is a tough venue, as Iowa is 25-5 SU the last two seasons at home. Garza and the Hawkeyes continue Michigan's recent slide, as the Wolverines' wonderful Atlantis performance is fast becoming a distant memory!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Inter-Conference Game of the Month (East/West) is on the OKC Thunder at 8:05 ET.

The Miami Heat missed the playoffs last season by two games (39-43). However, the Heat are currently 28-12, the best record of any team in the East save the one playing in Milwaukee (Bucks are an NBA-best 37-6). Miami improved to an NBA-best 18-1 at home with a 106-100 win over the Spurs on Wednesday but the Heat will play the next two games on the road, where they've gone 10-11. First up from Miami is a visit to Oklahoma City, to take on the 23-18 Thunder. OKC had won 12 of its previous 16 games but "forgot to bring its defense" Wednesday night at home vs the Raptors. The Thunder fell into a 30-point hole in the first half and would lose, 130-121, allowing Toronto to shoot 61.2 percent from the floor. OKC currently owns the West's No. 7 seed but is FIVE clear of the conference's playoff 'cut line.'

6-7 swingman Butler (20.5-6.9-6.4) was Miami's big off-season acquisition and he's delivered. However, MAJOR contributions have come from undrafted rookie Nunn (15.9), the team's No. 1 pick of the 2019 draft Herro (13.4 & 4.4) and second-year player Robinson (11.8). Veteran PG Dragic has missed some games and has started just ONE of the 30 he's played, but he's averaging a healthy 15.6 PPG & 5.0 APG. SF Winslow (11.3-6.6-4.0) has played just 11 games. He's missed but Miami has continued to play well. Not to be overlooked is the 6-9 Bam Adebayo, whose opportunity to play a bigger role emerged once Whiteside was traded. After averaging 8.0 & 6.5 in his first two seasons, he's averaging 15.8-10.4-4.6 this year, with a  team-leading 23 double-doubles.

Oklahoma City guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander followed up his 20-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist triple-double with 21 points, six rebounds and six assists in Wednesday's loss. Gilgeous-Alexander (20.0-5.7-3.0) has scored 20 or more points in FIVE straight and seven of his last eight games and is shooting 53.8 percent from the floor in that span.He teams with perennial All Star GG Chris Paul (16.5-5.0-6.5) and backup PG Schroder (18.3-3.8-3.7) to forma 'deadly' perimeter trio.SF Gallanari (18.8 & 5.50 is a proven scorer plus Steven Adams (11.8 & 10.) remains a quality center. Adams (knee bruise) left Wednesday's game but is listed as probable.

OKC's depth (or lack thereof) is a concern but I'm going with the fact that Adams is listed as probable (injury updates have kept me off TOO many games, lately). Miami handed Philly its FIRST home loss of the current season back on  Dec 18 but have since gone just 1-4 SU on the road. On the season, the Heat are scoring 7.5 PPG fewer away from AmericanAirlines Arena. OKC is the play!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on the Phil 76ers at 7:05 ET.

The 26-16 Philadelphia 76ers improved to 19-2 at home with Wednesday's 117-106 win over the Brooklyn Nets and Friday night will welcome the 15-27 Chicago Bulls to Wells Fargo Center. The Sixers are without All-Star center Joel Embiid (23.6 & 12.4), while the Bulls had two more players go down in a 115-106 triumph over Washington on Wednesday. Rookie forward Daniel Gafford (4.8 & 2.4) went down with a dislocated thumb in the first quarter and is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks plus forward Chandler Hutchinson (5.8 ) left in the fourth quarter with a shoulder issue and is listed day-to-day.Already sidelined are center Carter (11.7 & 9.9) plus SF Porter (11.2 & 3.4), who are both hoping to return after the All Star break.

Guiding Chicago through its injuries on Wednesday was guard Zach LaVine, who scored 30 points on 12-of-21 shooting and added seven assists and seven rebounds. LaVine scored at least 30 points in four of the last five contests to raise his season average to 24.6 point s (adds 4.6 RPG and 4.0 APG). There was balance throughout the lineup with SEVEN players scoring in double figures. Thaddeus Young, a former member of the Sixers, and Tomas Satoransky added 18 points apiece. Satoransky (10.3 & 5.3 APG) has been a steady contributor but Young (9.1 & 4.6) has fallen off his best seasons.

The 76ers need someone to step up with Embiid out of the lineup and Tobias Harris (19.6 & 6.8) was that guy on Wednesday. He scored NINE of his 34 points in the final 2:20 on Wednesday to help Philadelphia hold off the Nets, finishing 14-of-20 from the floor while adding 10 rebounds. Ben Simmons went for 20 points and 11 assists for his third consecutive double-double and is carrying a heavy load, averaging 39.5 minutes in six games this month, including 40 or more in each of the last two contests. Richardson (15.4) and Horford (12.5 & 6.6) also regularly start, while head coach Brown has started PF Scott (5.8 & 3.3) but also guard Thybulle (4.6) in place of Embiid. Guard Korkmaz (8.1) and SF Ennis (6.5) should also see more minutes with Embiid sittting out.

The Sixers have struggled mightily on the road (7-14) and with SEVEN of their next 10 away from home, they should be VERY focused here AT home. The Bulls are just 3-7 in their last 10 games and have lost FIVE of their last six meetings with Philly. The pointspread 'shrinks' without Embiid and I expect the 76ers to win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* West Coast Crusher is on Washington at 11:00 ET.

Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle got great news when both 6-7 senior Tres Tinkle (his son) and junior guard Ethan Thompson decided to come back this season and play for the Beavers. Oregon State’s 10-2 start in non-conference play matched the 1989-90, 2011-12 and 2015-16 teams for the program’s best start in 35 years but the Beavers opened 1-2 in conference play, before Sunday's impressive 82-65 home win over then-No. 24 Arizona last Sunday. Mike Hopkins spent more than 20 years as an assistant to Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, before taking the job at Washington for the 2017-18 season. His first team won 21 games and an NIT berth but last year's team won 27 games and earned an NCAA bid. However, FOUR starters are gone from that team, including three NBA draft picks. That's never good but Hopkins recruited a pair of McDonald's All-Americans (big men Isaiah Stewart and Jaden McDaniels) plus added a third with the transfer of guard Quade Green from Kentucky. However, after a 10-2 start, Washington has lost FOUR of its last five games and sits tied for last place in the Pac-12 with a 1-3 record.

Oregon State get almost all of its production from its starting-five. Tinkle (19.9-6.8-3.9) and Thompson (16.8-4.2-4.7) lead the way. Tinkle is joined in the frontcourt by the 7-0 Kelley (11.2 & 5.0) and the 6-6 Hollins (6.4 & 3.8), while Reiche (9.5) starts in the backcourt with Thompson. The Beavers are one of the nation's better shooting teams (48.4% ranks 11th) and they had all five starters in double-figure scoring for the first time this season in Sunday's win over Arizona. That victory also gave OSU its first win over a top-25 team for the first time since 2016

The Huskies have struggled without starting PG Quade Green (11.6 & 5.3 APG), who has been ruled academically ineligible and is out through at least the Pac-12 tournament. Washington averaged 56.5 points while shooting 34 percent from the floor, including 21.3 percent from three-point range in last week's losses to Stanford and California. Freshman  Stewart (18.2 & 8.6) and McDaniels (13.5 & 6.4) have been as good as advertised, but Hopkins has been disappointed in the play of juniors Nahziah Carter and Hameir Wright, who scored a combined 15 points on 3-of-14 shooting in last Saturday’s 61-58 loss to Cal. However, Carter is averaging 13.2 & 5.4 on the season. Hopkins tinkered with his lineup on Saturday and started Jamal Bey (5.8) at point guard in place of Elijah Hardy, who struggled in last Thursday’s 61-55 loss to Stanford.

12-4 Oregon State is off to its best start since 1989-90 but the Beavers lost 15 straight games to the Huskies in Seattle. Washington is 39-7 SU at home under Hopkins and 'stops the bleeding' with a COMFORTABLE win here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Arizona St at 9:00 ET.

Tad Boyle took the Colorado job in 2010-11 and won 20-plus games in FIVE of his first six seasons (three NCAA appearances). However, mediocre 19-15 and 17-15 seasons followed, before Colorado went 23-13 last year. The Buffs didn't make the Big Dance last season but all FIVE starters returned and big things were expected. The Buffs opened 7-0 but lost at then-No. 2 Kansas and home to Northern Iowa their next two games. However, Boyle’s Colorado squad is hot as it heads to the state of Arizona for a pair games,  having won SIX of seven to reach 13-3 (2-1 in Pac 12).

Bobby Hurley won two national titles as Duke's PG (1991 and 1992) but was always destined to get into the 'family business,' as his father is Bob Hurley, Sr, the legendary high school coach of St Anthony's (NJ). Hurley's first job was at Buffalo and in his second season, led the Bulls to an NCAA berth. He used that as springboard to take the Arizona St job in 2015-16. However, he opened with back-to-back losing season s(15 wins each year). Hurley's 2017-18 squad snuck into the "Big Dance" as a First Four team but the Sun Devils were back 'dancing' again last season, losing in the Round of 64 to finish 23-11. However, Arizona State is off to a 1-2 start in the conference and sits a modest 10-6 overall.

Colorado has beaten then-No. 13 Dayton (78-76 in OT) and then-No. 4 Oregon (74-65) in its current stretch, which has seen them return to the top-25 at No. 20. PG McKinley Wright (13.6-5.4-5.1), swingman Tyler Bey (13.0 & 9.8) and guard D’Shawn Schwartz (11.2) are the leading scorers for the Buffs, who are averaging 82.2 points over their last six games. The 6-8 Battey (9.9 & 6.7) and the 6-7 Siewert (7.4 & 4.4) bring some 'muscle' up front. Rebounding and defense remain Colorado strengths,as the Buffs lead the Pac-12 with a plus-8.0 rebound margin and rank second in allowing 61.3 PPG (27th nationally).

PG Remy Martin (19.1-3.3-3.9) leads the way for ASU and he comes in averaging 24 points over his last four outings, including a season-high 29 in Saturday’s 78-69 loss at Oregon. Fellow guard Verge (12.8 & 3.8) and the 6-8 White (10.5 & 9.6) join Martin in double figures.Adding perimeter depth are guards perimeter from Edwards (9.3 & 3.4) and House (6.5), while the 6-8 Lawrence (5.1) and the 6-8 Cherry (4.9) join White up front.

These conference rivals opened the current season playing each other in Shanghai, China on Nov 8 (did not count as a conference game), with the Buffaloes’ winning 81-71. However, the Sun Devils played that contest without two suspended starters, center Romello White and wing Taeshon Cherry. Colorado is getting better with its turnover problems but the Buffs still have more turnovers (228) than assists (220) on the season. Colorado has dropped SIX straight in Tempe, including an 83-61 loss a season ago, and I expect them to make it SEVEN straight losses, tonight!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Game of the Month is on Memphis at 7:00 ET.

Full, detailed analysis by 9:00 ET Thursday morning.

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Mia Heat at 7:35 ET.

The Miami Heat missed the playoffs last season by two games (39-43), with losses against sub-.500 teams, notably to high-lottery entrants Phoenix, Atlanta and Chicago, didn't help. However, the Heat are currently 27-12, leaving them just a half-game behind No. 2 seed in the East, Boston (all teams are chasing the Bucks). The Heat welcome the SA Spurs to AmericanAirlines Arena on Wednesday, having lost consecutive games for the FIRST time this season. The concerning theme being, both losses came to teams with inferior records (more later). San Antonio comes to Miami with a 17-21 record and let me state at the top, the Spurs last finished with a losing season back in 1996-97!

San Antonio has won three of its past four, including a 105-104 victory at defending champion Toronto on Sunday. Former Raptor DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points and had eight rebounds in his second appearance at Toronto following his trade to San Antonio for Kawhi Leonard before the 2018-19 season. The Spurs rallied from a 13-point deficit after three quarters. DeRozan (22.4-5.3-5.0) and Aldridge (18.9 & 7.6) lead the way, with Forbes (11.4), Murray (10.3-5.8-4.1) and Lyles (4.8 & 5.7) typically filling out the team's starting-five. PGs Mills (11.4) and White (9.5 & 3.1 APG) plus SF Gay (10.9 & 5.8) are the regular contributors off the bench.

6-7 swingman Butler (20.7-7.1-6.5) was the team's big off-season acquisition and he's delivered. However, MAJOR contributions have come from undrafted rookie Nunn (15.4), the team's No. 1 of the 2019 draft Herro (13.4 & 4.4) and second-year player Robinson (11.8). Veteran PG Dragic has missed some games and has started just ONE of the 29 he's played, but he's averaging a healthy 15.6 PPG & 5.0 APG. SF Winslow (11.3-6.6-4.0) has played just 11 games. He's missed but Miami has continued to play well. Not to be overlooked is the 6-9 Bam Adebayo, whose opportunity to play a bigger role emerged once Whiteside was traded. After averaging 8.0 & 6.5 in his first two seasons, he's averaging 15.8-10.4-4.5 this year, with a  team-leading 22 double-doubles.

The Spurs have looked better lately but despite going 9-4 ATS their last 13, SA still owns one of the NBA's worst ATS records on the season, at 15-22-1. Only Detroit (14-26-1) and Portland (15-24-2) are worse. Home is where the 'heart' is and Miami is 17-1 SU, as well as 13-4-1 ATS. Lay the points, as the Heat avoid THREE straight losses in a big way.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Georgia at 7:00 ET.

A pair of 10-5 SEC teams square off Wednesday night, as the Tennessee Vols (2-1 in the SEC) visit Athens to take on the Georgia Bulldogs. Both teams lost FOUR starters from last season but Tennessee won 31 games last season (made it to the Sweet 16), while Georgia finished a woeful 11-21, including 2-16 in SEC play! Considering those facts, it's fair to say that Georgia's 10-5 start to the current season is VASTLY superior to Tennessee's similar start.

Rick Barnes lost plenty from last year's team, most notably, two-time SEC player of the year, Grant Williams. However, he was set to rebuild around veteran guards Turner and Bowden, a pair of promising freshman plus 6-9 junior Fulkerson. However, senior PG Lamonte Turner (12.3-3.5-7.1) has been lost for the season after shoulder surgery. The good news is, freshman guard Santiago Vescovi surprisingly became eligible in December and he's averaged 14.3-4.3-3.0 in three games. Veteran guards Bowden (11.8 & 4.20 and Pons (11.1 & 5.0) are both in double figures, as is the 6-9 Fulkerson (11.4 & 5.4). 6-6 freshman Jordan-Jones (8.1 & 6.0) and 6-9 freshman Nkamhoua (4.3 & 4.1) are both seeing significant playing time.

Georgia is led by 6-5 freshman guard Anthony Edwards, who ranks third in the SEC in scoring at 18.7 PPG (also adds 4.8 RPG and 3.1 APG). Fellow freshman, PG Wheeler, adds 8.4 & 5.0 APG plus senior guards Crump (7.8) and Gresham (6.7 & 5.1) give Georgia an excellent perimeter group. 6-9 junior forward/center Rayshaun Hammonds averages 13.6 points and 8.7 rebounds. Georgia's lone home loss (Bulldogs are 8-1 SU at Stegeman Coliseum) this season is at the hands of Kentucky and Tennessee is NO Kentucky. The Bulldogs have won their last five meetings at home with the Vols. Make that their last SIX!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Crusher (Big East) is on Georgetown at 7:00 ET.

Greg McDermott is in his 10th season as head coach of Creighton. He arrived in 2010-11 and led the Bluejays to a runner-up finish in the CBI. Three straight NCAA teams followed, as Creighton won 29, 28 and 27 games. His lone losing season came in 2014-15 but Creighton's won 20-plus games the last four years, with two NCAA appearances and two in the NIT. Creighton is 13-4 (2-2 in Big East) this season and Monday, entered the AP poll (at No. 25) for the first time this season. This is Patrick Ewing's third season at Georgetown and after a 15-15 'rookie' year, his Hoyas won 19 games last season but lost in the first round of the NIT. The good news entering the current season was, FOUR starters returned. Georgetown is 11-6 but 1-3 in Big East play.

Creighton opened the season starting a trio of guards and all three are scoring in double digits. Marcus Zegarowski (17.1 & 4.8 APG) and Ty-Shon Alexander (16.0 & 56.1) have led the way, while Mitch Ballock is adding 12.6 & 5.5). Joining that trio in the starting lineup are forwards Bishop (9.0 & 5.9) and Jefferson (8.4 & 5.3) while the 6-11 Jones (4.8 & 4.3) and guard Mitchell (4.3) come off the bench. Creighton has also gotten a HUGE boost now that highly touted 6-5 guard Denzel Mahoney became eligible in mid-December. He averaged 19.3 PPG for Southeast Missouri State (2nd-most on the OVC) back in 2017-18. He's played seven games and is averaging 10.6 & 3.7.

Govan averaged 17.5 & 7.5 in making the all-Big East first team and was a big loss for the Hoyas. The key returnee is 7-0 senior Yurtseven (16.5 & 9.7) and is Georgetown's best player this season. The Hoyas began the season starting three guards, Akinjo, McClung and Mosley (7.5 & 3.3) . Akinjo (13.4 & 4.4 APG) played seven games but decided to transfer.  McClung is averaging 15.9 PPG and Mosley 6.9-4.4-3.4. Joining up front to start the season were the 6-8 Pickett and the 6-7 LeBlanc. Pickett is averaging 9.4 & 6.) but like Akinjo, Leblanc (7.2 PPG) is transferring. Guards Blair (7.6) and Allen (6.9) have made up for the loss of Akinjo.

6-11 freshman center Qudus Wahab has been trying to establish himself as a regular contributor for the Hoyas and may have enjoyed a breakthrough against Villanova. He set career highs with six field goals and 13 points, only the second game in double figures in his career, in just 15 minutes of action. Wahab, Pickett and of course, Yurtseven will be key in helping the Hoyas control the boards. Georgetown's backcourt is deep and should be able to contend with Creighton's excellent perimeter trio. Creighton has dominated the series lately but the Bluejays can be had on the road. I'm calling for a Hoyas win, which will make Creighton's stay in the top-25, short-lived.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on Clemson at 8:00 ET.

Clemson is playing in the national championship game for the FOURTH time in five years and comes in as not only the defending champs but with a 29-game winning streak. However, Clemson is the No. 3 seed and will play the role of underdog when it takes on No. 1 LSU. No one could seriously argue against LSU being the No. 1 seed (and favorite). That claim was punctuated by its 63-28 rout of No. 4 Oklahoma in the semifinals (more shortly). Clemson edged No. 2 Ohio St 29-23 in the other semifinal, a game which could have gone either way.
Joe Burrow and the LSU offense 'steals' most (if not all) of the headlines but Clemson’s offense is similarly dangerous. QB Trevor Lawrence has 3,431 passing yards with 36 TDs and just eight INTs. FIVE of his INTs came in Clemson's first three games, meaning he threw just THREE over his last 11 games, while throwing 31 TDs (he has 22 TDPs and zero INTs in 180 pass attempts over his last seven games). Lawrence also has 514 rushing yards with eight TDs. RB Travis Etienne has 1,536 rushing yards / 8.0 YPA / 18 TDs) as well as 32 catches (1,932 scrimmage yards, 22 combined TDs). Etienne caught three passes for 98 yards and two TDs against Ohio St. Higgins has 56 catches (19.9 YPC / 13 TDs) and Ross 61 catches (12.9 YPC / 8 TDs). Clemson's D ranked first in the nation during the season in both scoring D (10.6 PPG) and total D (224.7 YPG). Clemson did allow Ohio St to gain 516 yards but Ohio St's 23 points were more than 25 points less that the team's nation's-best average of 48.7 PPG.

Joe Burrow was the runaway Heisman winner and entered the game against Oklahoma leading the nation's No. 1 offense (554.5 YPG), while averaging 47.8 PPG (3rd-best). All Burrow and LSU did was score 49 points in the first half against the Sooners, as Burrow threw for seven TDs (four to WR Justin Jefferson). Burrow would add a rushing TD in the second half of the 63-28 victory, finishing with 493 passing yards and eight total TDs. Burrow will enter this game completing 77.6% for 5,208 yards with 55 TDs and only six INTs. LSU’s is the first team in history with a 5,000-yard passer, a 1,000-yard rusher (Clyde Edwards-Helaire 1,304 / 6.6 YPA / 16 TDs), and two 1,000-yard receivers (Ja’Marr Chase 1,559 / 20.8 YPC / 18 TDs & Justin Jefferson 1,434 / 14.1 YPC / 18 TDs). Edwards-Helaire was nursing a hamstring injury and carried just twice for 14 yards vs Oklahoma  but he's had two weeks to get healthy. Lost in LSU's offensive 'explosion' was the fact that the team's oft-criticized defense held Oklahoma to 322 yards, far below its 554.2-yard average coming into the game.

Is LSU the "irresistible force" which can't be stopped? Clemson's offense averaged 46.5 (4th) during the season on 547.7 YPG (3rd), so don't sell it short. Then there's that Clemson D and if any unit can somewhat hold Burrow and Co. in check, it would be Clemson's.  Note that Clemson had out-gained 28 consecutive opponents before being out-gained by 99 yards by Ohio State.It's hard not to like (love?) Ed Orgeron but Clemson's Dabo Swinney reign of postseason 'terror' began with a 25-24 win over LSU in the 2012 Peach Bowl. Clemson's game-winning points came with just 1:18 to play against Ohio St and its D then sealed the win with an end zone INT with just 37 seconds to play. With that win, Swinney pushed his bowl mark to 9-2 SU and postseason ATS record to 10-1 since 2012. Throw in the fact the No. 1 seed has not won the national title in the first five years of the College Football Playoff and Clemson plus the points looks even better. In fact, top seeds have twice bowed out in the semifinals and are 0-3 in the title game. Make that 0-4. "Orange is the new Black?" How about "Clemson is the new Alabama!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* West Coast Crusher is on Oregon St at 10:00 ET.

Sean Miller began his 10th season as the Arizona head coach during the 2018–2019 season but Arizona ended the season 17−15, missing the NCAA tournament for only the SECOND time in the previous 34 seasons. Miller's 11th season at Arizona featured a top-5 recruiting class and the Wildcats were ranked No. 21 in the AP's preseason. Arizona began the week Ranked 24th in the AP but despite leading most of the way against No. 9 Oregon on Thursday night (up six points with less than two minutes to go), the Wildcats lost 74-73 in OT. Arizona visits Corvallis tonight at 11-4, including 1-1 in the Pac-12.

Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle got great news when both 6-7 senior Tres Tinkle (his son) and junior guard Ethan Thompson both decided to come back this season and play for the Beavers. Oregon State’s 10-2 start in non-conference play matched the 1989-90, 2011-12 and 2015-16 teams for the program’s best start in 35 years but the Beavers are 1-2 to open conference play, after losing 82-76 Thursday night at home to Arizona St. Oregon State looks to knock off a top-25 team for the first time since 2016 when it hosts No. 24 Arizona tonight

Arizona's freshman class includes the 6-11 Zeke Nnaji (16.2 & 8.5) plus PG Nico Mannion (14.7 & 6.1 APG) and fellow guard Josh Green (13.3 & 5.2). 6-10 senior center Chase Jeter was expected to have a big year but he's averaging fewer points (8.1) and rebounds (5.5) than last year (10.9 & 6.6). In fact, Miller benched Jeter, who went 0-for-3 with one rebound in 12 minutes, with over 13 minutes to go in regulation at Oregon. "He didn't get it done," Miller said. "We're only playing guys who are going to help us win the game, and if you're not up to the task, we're moving on to the next player. ... We went tonight with the guys we thought gave us a chance to win. And we had a chance to win." Nanji finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds in Thursday's loss, while point guard Mannion had 20 points but also committed six turnovers.

Talk about a coach being unhappy with his team's effort, see Wayne Tinkle.  He was very upset with his team's defense and focus after Arizona State, which was just 3-of-21 from three-point range in its loss to Arizona last week, shot 48.3 percent from the floor, including 8-of-16 from behind the arc. The Beavers also got outrebounded, 38-31. "For whatever reason, we didn't come out with the focus and fire, and that's my job," Tinkle said after the game. "That's my No. 1 job. Didn't happen tonight, and that's on me." Tinkle (19.9-6.9-3.7) and Thompson (16.7-4.4-4.5) finished with 22 points in Thursday's loss. Tinkle is joined in the frontcourt by the 7-0 Kelley (11.1 & 4.9) and the 6-6 Hollins (6.1 & 3.6), while Reiche (9.4) starts in the backcourt with Thompson.

Oregon State's last win over a top-25 team came back on Jan 24, 2016 against No. 21 USC, 85-70. Isn't it about time for Oregon St to break through? The Beavers were 7-0 at Gill Coliseum before losing to ASU, where they were averaging 81.3 PPG. Arizona blew its game at Oregon but got eked out the cover as a three-point dog. Here, the Wildcats are a the road favorite and prior to the Oregon game, Arizona was 0-5 ATS this season in games away from the McKale center (road or neutral). Home dog 'barks' LOUDLY in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the GB Packers at 6:40 ET.

The 13-3 Green Bay Packers rebounded from 6-9-1 season in 2018 to earn the NFC's No. 2 seed. That gave teh Pack a first round bye and now a home game against the 5th-seeded Seattle Seahawks, who got past the injury-depleted Eagles last Sunday in Philadelphia, 17-9. Seattle win last Sunday gave them an NFL-best 8-1 record on the road, as do-everything QB Russell Wilson threw for 325 yards and a TD plus added a team-high 45 on the ground. Aaron Rodgers is nearly 10 years removed from his lone Super Bowl title but the 36-year-old feels Green Bay is poised to make another run at the championship.

Wilson was te driving force behind the Seattle offense all season, as he threw for 4,110 yards with 31 TDs and just six INTs (106.3). He was backed by a strong running game for most of the season (137.5 YPG ranked 4th) but one-by-one, Seattle RBs got hurt and last Sunday, Homer and Lynch ran for just 19 yards on 17 carries. Lockett was Wilson's favorite target during the season (82 catches / 12.9 YPC / 8 Tds but Sunday it was Metcalf (58 catches / 15.5 YPC / 7 TDs), who was the star. The second-round WR set an NFL postseason rookie record with 160 yards receiving on seven catches, including a 53-yard TD in the third quarter. "It was fun and it was scary at the same time. The way the season's been going, this team, you know I didn't want this to be our last time playing football," the 22-year-old said. Seattle's defense is no longer referred to as "the Legion of Boom," as it allowed 24.9 PPG (22nd) but the D held Philly to just three FGs and 282 total yards, while getting SEVEN sacks!

Rodgers was NOT great in 2019 but he did top 4,000 yards (4,002) and had 26 TDs compared to just FOUR interceptions. RB Aaron Jones had a breakout season, rushing for 1,084 yards (4.6 YPA / 16 TDs) plus caught 49 passes for 474 yards with three TDs. WR Adams played in just 12 games but led the way with 83 catches. FIVE more players caught between 34 and 49 passes, as Jones led that group while TE Jimmy Graham had just 38 receptions in 2019 to mark his lowest total since his rookie year in 2010. The Green Bay offense was middle-of-the-pack all season, averaging 23.5 PPG (15th) on 345.5 YPG (18th). The defense more than held up its own, allowing 19.6 PPG (9th).

For all Seattle's road success this season, the Seahawks have lost EIGHT straight at Lambeau Field and are 1-9 all time in the Packers' stadium. Wilson is 0-3 as a starter at Lambeau with a passer rating of 60.4. Wilson has completed just 55 of 96 his passes (57.3%) for 604 yards with SIX interceptions and just three TDs. What's more, Seattle lost a heart-breaker at home on Dec 29 against the 49ers (could have won NFC West with a win) and then had to fly cross-country to play the Eagles in a Sunday afternoon playoff game. The Seahawks returned to the West Coast after that win and now flies to the Midwest to face Green Bay. That kind of traveling can take a toll. One more thing, the forecast calls for a kickoff temperature in the low 20s, but a potential winter storm is shaping up to arrive in the region Saturday night, bringing gusty winds and up to 10 inches of snow.NONE of this helps the Seahawks.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on Wichita St at 12:00 ET.

Gregg Marshall led Winthrop to seven NCAA appearances in nine seasons and since taking over in Wichita, entered this season with a string of 10 consecutive seasons of 22 or more wins, including FOUR, 30-win seasons. In that 10-year span, the Shockers have been to seven NCAA tourneys (including a Final 4 appearance in 2013) and in three NITs (won title in 2011). Wichita State is 14-1 (2-0 AAC) to open teh current season and travels to Hartford's XL Center ranked 23rd in the latest AP poll. The Shockers opened their Thursday game vs No. 21 Memphis with a 17-4 burst but needed to hold off the Tigers down the stretch in a 76-67 victory. Danny Hurley is in hsi second season at Stoors and his first (16-17) didn't go any better as UConn's two previous season (16 and 14 wins). The Huskies have been through an up-and-down campaign thus far but they are off a 67-61 home victory over Tulane on Wednesday, the team's first league win (UConn is 10-5 overall and 1-2 in AAC play).

The key for Wichita St has been balance, as EIGHT players post between 6.2 and 13.9 PPG. That depth was on display vs Memphis, as EIGHT different Shockers scored between six and 16 points. Sophomore guard Erik Stevenson is the team’s leading scorer at 13.9 PPG, while adding 5.4 RPG. The other starters are guards Burton (10.9-3.3-3.9) and Etienne (10.5), along with the 6-11 Echenique (9.4 & 4.9) and the 6-6 Wade (8.6 & 6.7), a transfer from UTEP. Guards Sherfield (9.3) and Dennis (6.6 & 4.3) plus the 6-8 Udeze (6.2 & 3.8) provide excellent depth.

Senior guard Christian Vital had an off night shooting Wednesday (3-for-11) but still finished with 14 points and is averaging team highs of 13.5 points and 6.9 rebounds while his 2.4 steals per game were 21st in the country entering Saturday. He's the ONLY player in double digits but FOUR players are averaging between 9.3 and 9.7 PPG. The 6-11 Calhoun (9.7 & 6.5) and the 6-7 Polley (9.5 & 3.2) play up front, with freshman Bouknight (9.3) and PG Gilbert (9.3 & 4.9 APG) joining Vital on the perimeter. The Huskies are the nation’s best team at blocking shots (7.2) and that's thanks to 6-9 redshirt freshman Akok Akok (6.7 & 6.3),  who is averaging 3.07, best in the conference and ninth-best nationally

The Huskies have struggled offensively and their 67-61 win Wednesday over Tulane marked the fourth consecutive game in which they failed to reach 70 points. Wichita State hit its low point with a 20-point road defeat to UConn last season but the Shockers have gone 28-5 since, including victories in their last eight games. Wichita St has won SEVEN straight true road games, the nation’s second-longest behind Gonzaga’s 13. Wichita St has averaged 79.6 PPG in its eight-game winning streak and its lone loss this season has been to West Va, which is now 13-2 and headed towards a top-10 ranking. UConn 'limps' in averaging 61.8 PPG over its last four games and is looking forward to next season, when it will rejoin the Big East. The Huskies will be glad to get the Shockers off their conference schedule, Blowout alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (SEC) is on Florida at 8:30 ET.

Expectations were high for Florida entering this season, as the Gators were able to get the most sought after graduate on the market in the 6-10 Kerry Blackshear. The Orlando native played at Va Tech but when Tech head coach Buzz Williams left for A&M, Balckshear decide to 'come home.' The Gators were ranked 6th in both preseason polls but Florida opened 2-2 and by Christmas, sat a hugely disappointing 7-4. Missouri is Counzo Martin's fourth 'stop' (Missouri St, Tennessee and Cal) and his first two seasons at Columbia have been been derailed by injuries to the Porter brothers. Michael Porter was the consensus No. 2 recruit in the 2017 class but missed all but TWO minutes of the 2017-18 season. He left for the NBA prior to the 2018-19 season but his brother, Jontay, did NOT follow him. Jontay had helped Missouri to 20 wins in 2017-18 and an NCAA berth. However, Jontay would miss all of last season after tearing his ACL in October.

Florida's non-conference play has been a disappointment but the Gators wrapped up that portion of that schedule with a 102-63 home rout of Long Beacgh St on Dec 28, before opening SEC play 2-0. They defeated Alabama 104-98 in double-overtime at home and then won handily 81-68 at South Carolina. Sophomore PG Andrew Nembhard (11.4 & 6.1 APG) has come up big  coming up with a career-high 25 points in the comeback win over Alabama, then followed with his first ever double-double (21 points & 10 assists) against South Carolina. Kerry Blackshear Jr. remains the team's leading scorer (14.6) and rebounder (8.7), but he played just 20 minutes against South Carolina due to foul trouble, although he still scored 11 points and pulled down five rebounds. Nembhard wasn't the only Gator to post big numbers against South Carolina, as SF Keyontae Johnson (13.4 & 6.9) registered a game-high 19 points and eight rebounds, while freshman Scottie Lewis (9.2) returned to the starting lineup and came away with 15 points and nine rebounds.Joining Newbhard and Lewis on the perimeter are Locke (9.90, Mann (5.4) and Glover (5.2).

The Tigers are just 8-6 on the season (0-2 in the SEC), despite holding opponents to just 57.7 PPG (6th-best in the nation). Missouri has held each one of its opponents to 56 points of less in its EIGHT wins. Dru Smith (11.3-4.4-4.2) and Mark Smith (11.1 & 4.7) are the team's lone double digit scorers but both have struggled in Missouri's two SEC contests, combining for just 31 points and 12 rebounds. Up front, I'm not so sure that the 6-10 Tilmon (9.0 & 4.3) matches up very well with Blackshear.

Florida was obviously rated too high at the start of the season but this team has the talent to make some 'noise' come March. Florida leads the series with Missouri 7-2, with the Gators winning FOUR straight, including a 64-60 victory last February. No revenge here for Missouri, as Florida moves to 3-0 in the SEC and Missouri to 0-3.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on the Bos Celtics at 7:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics opened the season 10-1 and were behind only Milwaukee in the East with a 25-8 mark through Jan 4. However, the Celtics have lost a season-high three straight games, as they get set to welcome the 14-25 New Orleans Pelicans to the TD Garden. Boston's slide began with a 99-94 loss at sad-sack Washington, followed by Boston getting run off its own court 129-114 by the Spurs on Wednesday. Then came Thursday's TNT 109-98 loss on the road against Philadelphia, which played without injured Joel Embiid. Zion Williamson (knee) is closing in on his NBA debut, as he was on the floor working out before last night's game at MSG vs the Knicks. The Pelicans opened a three-game road trip with a 123-111 victory vs the Knicks, the team's EIGHTH in its last 11 outings.

The Pelicans got three players from the Lakers for A.D, with none making a bigger impact than SF Ingram (25.4-6.9-4.2). Then there is Lonzo Ball (12.15.2-5.7), who recorded his second double-double in four games Friday with 15 points and 11 assists, while Josh Hart (10.9 & 5.8) produced his fourth double-double of the season, after scoring 13 and adding 10 rebounds. Holiday (19.6-4.9-6.5) was already an established player plus FA agent addition Redick (15.7) can regularly be counted on.

Kemba Walker (22.1-3.8-5.1) has made all Celtic fans forget Kyrie, while Tatum has played very game, averaging 20.8 & 6.9. Brown (20.1 & 7.0) and Hayward (16.3-6.0-4.1) give Boston two excellent wing players. Smart (11.9 & 4.6 APG) is the team's best defensive player and also a team-leader. The 6-8 Theis has started 32 of 33 games up front (7.5 & 6.0) and the 6-10 Kanter, a more traditional center, comes off the bench (just three starts) to add 8.7 & 8.2.

As Zion's return gets closer, New Orleans continues to recover from a shaky 6-22 start but while the Celtics rank second in the league in scoring defense (104.4 PPG),  the Pelicans rank 27th (116.5 PPG). The Pelicans come into Boston on an 8-0-1 ATS run but after THREE straight losses and four straight ATS home losses, the Celtics figure to be in "just the right mood" to 'lay one on,' the Pelicans. That's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My NFL 10* "signature' LEGEND Play is on the SF 49ers at 4:35 ET.

Neither the Vikings nor 49ers were in the postseason last year but are two of FOUR teams left in the NFC as the meet at Levi's Stadium on Saturday in the Divisional Round. The Vikings finished 10-6 to earn the No. 6 seed in the NFC and last Sunday, knocked the 13-3 Saints out of the playoffs with a 26-20 OT win in New Orleans. RB Dalvin Cook gained 130 yards from scrimmage (94 yards on the ground with two TDs), after missing the last two regular-season games with a shoulder injury. Kirk Cousin, with a reputation for NOT winning in prime time or against the league's better teams, passed for 242 yards without an interception. He finished with 242 yards and in OT, threw a "perfect" 43-yard pass to Adam Thielen that set up his four-yard game-winning TD pass to TE Rudolph. It was Minnesota's first road playoff win since Jan 9, 2005 (2004 season), when the Vikings beat the rival Packers at Lambeau Field in the wild-card round. The Vikings now get to play top seed San Francisco on Saturday.

The 49er were just 4-12 last season, as QB Jimmy Garoppolo was lost for the season in Week 3. However,  Garoppolo was healthy all season (more later) and the 49ers rode their defense and a 'soft' first-half schedule to open the season 8-0. The 49ers' 5-3 record in the second half was good enough for them to finish 13-3 and via tie-breakers, earn the NFC's top seed. A closer look at San Francisco' second half reveals a heart-breaking 30-27 home OT loss to Seattle (49ers had multiple chances to win), a 20-17 loss at Baltimore (which ended the season on a 14-game winning streak) and a "are you kidding me" 29-22 loss to the Falcons in Week 15 (need to see it to believe it!). Tfive wins came over Arizona, a rout of the 13-3 Packers, a "Game of the Year" 48-46 win at New Orleans, a 34-31 win over last year's NFC champs (Rams) and a thrilling 26-21 win at Seattle, avenging that OT loss and clinching the No. 1 seed. DON'T sell the 49ers short.

Kirk Cousins completed 69.1 % of. his passes this season, throwing for 3,603 yards with 26 TDs and just six INTs (career high 107.4 QB rating). Dalvin Cook (1,135 rushing yards /  4.5 YPA / 13 TDs) plus caught 53 passes for 519 yards. He's one of the league's best all-purpose backs and one only need to look at Minnesota's MNF Week 16 loss to Green Bay (Cook sat out) to see his value. Diggs led the team in receptions (63), YPC (17.9) and tied for a team-high with six TDs. Thielen was able to play in just 10 games and caught a modest 30 passes (also six TDs) and his value was on display last Sunday (when healthy), as he caught seven for 129 yards. TE Rudolph (39) and his backup Smith (36) both contributed, with Rudolph tying Diggs and Thielen with six TD catches. The Minnesota D doesn't get enough credit but it allowed just 18.9 PPG (6th-best). Just ask Brees about the Viking D, which held him to 208 yards and a QB rating of 49.6 (note: Not counting Week 2 when Brees left after five attempts, the future HOFer had QB ratings of over 100 in EIGHT of 10 starts!).

Garoppolo is 21-5 as a starter in the NFL (19-2 with the 49ers) and that's been his 'calling card." I've questioned his talent before but he's thrown for more yards than Cousins (3,978), while also completing 69.1% His 27-13 ratio is not far off Cousin's and his QB rating is 102.0. The 49ers don't have a RB in the class of Cook but the trio of Mostert, Brieda and Coleman took turns contributing throughout the season, as San Francisco's 144.1 YPG ground was second to only Baltimore all-time record of 3.296 rushing yards (206.0 YPG). TE Kittle (85 catches / 5 TDs) is the team's best pass-catcher but Samuel (57 catches / 14.1 YPC) and Sanders, are capable. Sanders caught 36 passes in 10 games (after being acquired from Denver) and remember, he averaged 85 catches for 1,200 yards and 20 TD catches from 2014-16 with the Broncos. Yes, San Francisco's D dropped off in the second half, after allowing only 11.0 PPG through its first seven games but when all the dust had settled, San Francisco ranked second in total D (281.8 YPG) and 8th in scoring at 19.4 PPG.

Kudos to Minnesota for winning at New Orleans but should we now ignore this factoid? The  Vikings visit Levi Stadium (outdoors, unlike New Orleans' dome), having gone 1-14-1 SU and 2-14 ATS their last 16 road games against a winning team in an outdoor stadium!! The San Francisco pass DS was No. 1 in allowing only 169.2 YPG, while Minnesota's downfield pass coverage has had more than just occasional  problems this season. South Carolina rookie Deebo Samuel and vet Emmanuel Sanders allow Garoppolo to look downfield more (plus use TE Kittle over the middle) and that's why the 49ers were able to average 29.2 PPG, second to again, only Baltimore. "I'm just glad Kirk can't win big games, apparently," Rudolph 'crowed' after his game-winning TD grab against the Saints. "We proved that one wrong today." My bet is that Rudolph will 'eat' those words come Saturday evening!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Penn St at 2:15 ET.

Wisconsin has been to the "Big Dance" in 20 of the last 21 seasons and while the Badgers lost the 6-10 Happ (17.3 & 10.1) and a solid guard in Iverson (6.9 & 4.5) from last season's 23-win NCAA team, the Badgers have a solid returning core. The Badgers got off to a disappointing 5-5 start but looked to be heading in the right direction in reeling off four straight wins, including a 61-57 road upset of then-No. 5 Ohio State on Jan 3. However,  Wisconsin dropped a 71-70 home decision to Illinois on Thursday, as a 4 1/2-point favorite. Penn St won the NIT back in 2018 (26 wins) but fell off badly last season, finishing 14-18 (7-13 in the Big Ten). However, the Nittany Lions returned FOUR starters and have impressed so far  this season, checking in at 12-3. Penn St entered the AP poll back on Dec 16 (at No. 23), giving the school its first top-25 ranking since March of 1996. Sounds impressive, right? It's even more so when one realizes that Penn St's previous top-25 ranking (to 1996) came back in 1954!

The Badgers saw their 15-game winning streak against Illinois come to an end on Thursday. Guard Kobe King scored a game-high 21 points on 10-of-13 shooting from the floor and the 6-10 Micah Potter narrowly missed out on a double-double (13 & 9). The 6-11 Reuvers (14.3 & 5.6) is not Happ but he's an excellent big man. He played poorly vs Illinois though, scoring just seven points . The 6-8 Ford (9.2 & 4.1) plus the Potter (6.6 & 5.2) join Reuvers up front. A quartet of guards round out Wisconsin's seven-man rotation. King (10.9) and  Trice (10.1 & 4.2) crack double digits, while  Davison (8.5 & 4.1) and Pitzl (8.0) are close behind.

No. 23 Penn St took its first loss as a ranked team this season, falling 72-61 at Rutgers on Tuesday night. The Nittany Lions were undone by a 36.1 shooting performance from the floor The 6-8 Stevens (16.1 & 6.9) and the 6-9 Watkins (11.1 & 8.8) are an excellent frontcourt duo, while Penn St has depth on the perimeter with Myeron Jones (14.3), Brockington (10.5), Dread (8.3) and Curtis Jones (7.5).

Penn St has lost SEVEN in a row to Wisconsin but this year's Badger team is vulnerable. The Big Ten has been heavily home-oriented so far and the Nittany Lions enter this contest having won 13 straight at home. Make that 14 in a row and it comes with "room to spare!"

Good luck..Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Butler at 9:00 ET.

Butler has had a 'rich' recent history on the basketball court. The Bulldogs made six NCAA trips from 1997-2007, before Brad Stevens took them to FIVE tourneys in six years, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2011. Chris Holtmann led Butler to three straight NCAA appearances from 2015-17 and LaVell Jordan followed with an NCAA berth in 2018 but the Bulldogs finished just 16-17 last season. However, Butler opened 7-0 and on Dec 2 entered the AP poll at No. 24, ending a span of 43 consecutive polls on "the outside, looking in!'This past Monday, the 14-1 Bulldogs moved to No. 6 in teh latest AP poll, the school's highest-ranking ever!

Providence is coming off an 18-16 season but returned all FIVE starters. Expectations were high for Ed Cooley's team but the Friars opened just 6-6. However, Providence has become a totally different team over the last three weeks. The Friars knocked off Texas 70-48 four days before Christmas and followed by ripping off three straight wins to open Big East play. Providence easily beat Georgetown 70-60 at home but then won 66-65 at 12-3 DePaul and 81-80 (OT) at 11-4 Marquette.

Butler's lone loss came at now-No. 4 Baylor, 53-52 back on Dec 10. Senior guard Kamar Baldwin (14.7 & 4.3) was hampered by an ankle injury this past Saturday but despite missing his first NINE shots against Creighton, he finished 20 points (all in the second half). 6-6 senior forward Sean McDermott adds 11.8 PPG (on 54.5 percent shooting) and 5.5 RPG. PG Thompson (7.1-3.7-5.3) joins Baldwin in the backcourt, while a trio of frontcourt players are 'making noise' up front with McDermott. The group includes the 6-7 Nze (9.8 & 7.1), the 6-7 Tucker (8.5 & 3.4) and the 6-9 Golden (7.9 & 3.5). The team's six-man rotation is solid but the team's overall defense has been special, allowing just 54.1 PPG (4th-best in the nation).

6-7 senior Alpha Diallo leads a balanced Seton Hall offense with 13.6 PPG. What's more, he also leads the team in rebounding (8.9) and as Cooley notes, he can defend FOUR positions. Sophomore guard David Duke scored 12 on Tuesday to boost his season average to 11.8 (he's the only other double digit scorer). However, SIX others chip in between 4.9 and 9.8 PPG. 6-9 junior center Nate Watson (9.8 & 4.2) is at the top of that group and is shooting 50.5 percent from the floor. Senior PG Luwane Pipkins (9.3 & 4.2 APG) is also worth noting. Then there is senior guard Maliek White, who averaged 17.5 points in the two one-point wins at DePaul and Marquette, NINE more than his season mark of 8.5 PPG.

Kudos to Providence's recent run but Butler's been a 'force' all season. This Butler team is battle-tested and relies on a tough defense to win games, limiting its last two conference teams -- Creighton and St. John's -- to 18 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Throw in that Butler is playing with "triple-revenge" from last season and the Bulldogs are the play..

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference G.O.Y. (Big Ten) is on Iowa at 7:00 ET.

Maryland returned four starters from last year's 23-11 NCAA team (lost in the 2nd round) and Mark Turgeon's team was ranked 7th in the AP's preseason poll. The Terps opened 10-0 and were ranked No. 4 when they lost Dec 10 at Penn St. Maryland lost its next game as well (at Seton Hall on Dec 19) but visits the Hawkeye State tonight off one of its best wins of the season. The No. 12 Terrapins (13-2) beat No. 11 Ohio St 67-55 on Tuesday to notch their first victory over a ranked opponent in 2019-20. "Those two losses kind of brought us back to ground level," Maryland guard Eric Ayala told reporters. "We needed that little punch in the mouth and I think we're back in the hunt trying to get back to our spot." As for 10-5 Iowa, the Hawkeyes are heading in the wrong direction. Iowa had won four consecutive games to climb into the national rankings at 10-3 ()No. 23). However, the Hawkeyes have dropped their first two contests of the calendar year, losing 89-86 to Penn St (in Philly) and 76-70 at Nebraska.

Maryland lost the 6-10 Fernando and his double-double average (13.6 & 10.6) but the core of last year's team is back. PG Cowan (16.7 & 4.1 APG) and the 6-10 Smith (13.3 & 9.7) are the top contributors but guards Wiggins (10.9 & 6.2) and Ayala (9.90 plus SF Morsell (8.7 & 5.3) are quality players. Maryland's only true road game was its loss at Seton Hall, although Penn St surely had teh home crowd on its side playing in Philly (not Happy Valley).

Head coach Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa back in the 2010-11 season (off three straight NCAA trips with Siena). His 2013 team was the NIT runner-up and he then led the Hawkeyes to three straight NCAAs. Iowa missed the "Big Dance" the next two years but last year's 23-win team was back in. The 6-11 Garza (22.1 & 10.7) is the team's best player but his only help up front comes from the 6-10 Kriener (7.7 & 4.3). However, Iowa's perimeter group is 'deep,' led by Wieskamp (14.0 & 5.9), Fredrick (10.3), Bohannon (8.8), Toussaint (7.5) and McCaffrey's son, Connor (7.3 & 4.0). Garza (16 & 18) recorded his ninth double of the season at Nebraska, becoming the 27th player in program history to join the 1,000-point, 500-rebound club. Joe Toussaint produced 14 points, six rebounds and four assists but freshman guard C.J. Fredrick is likely to miss his second consecutive game with a foot injury (Iowa perimeter depth will help).

Maryland is beginning a key stretch in which four of its next five games are on the road and as noted above, the Terps have played just ONE true road game this season. Carver-Hawkeye Arena is known for its hostile crowds and is a tough venue (Iowa is 24-5 SU the last two seasons at home). Coming off back-to-back losses, Iowa is in NEED of a win and is catching Maryland off its win over Ohio St. Iowa is a small home underdog but this will be NO upset.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on St Mary's at 11:00 ET.

There may come a time when people start to take note of the WCC. 16-1 Gonzaga is rthe AP's No. 1 ranked team but look at the current standings. Santa Clara is 14-2, St Mary's 14-3, Pacific 14-4 and BYU 12-4. Not bad, right? The BYU Cougars visit St Mary's on a SIX-game winning streak, while the Gaels saw their five-game winning streak end Saturday night in a 107-99 four-overtime heart-breaker at Pacific.

BYU's winning run pretty much coincides with the return from a nine-game suspension of the 6-7 Yoeli Childs. He's posted four double-doubles in his seven games, checking in at 20.9 PPG  and 10.1 RPG. The 6-7 Nixon (8.0 & 4.8) starts up front with him,  while a trio of guards join the starting lineup. All three are scoring in double digits, led by Toolson (14.6-4.9-4.2). Haws (12.3 & 4.9 APG) and Barcello (10.1) complete the trio, while Harding (7.5 & 3.5) is a solid contributor off the bench.

St Mary's owns an excellent trio of guards as well, in Ford (21.6), Krebs (10.7 & 4.0) and Kuhse (6.6 & 3.8 APG). The 6-8 Fitts (15.8 & 8.0) is the Gaels' best big man and the 6-7 Fotu (3.9 & 2.5) will need to step up, as the 6-10 Tass (6.6 & 3.60 is out for the year with a knee injury.

St Mary's head coach Randy Bennett has led the Gaels for 18 years, winning 20-plus games in each of the last 12. The Gaels are coming off a season in which they finally beat Gonzaga in the WCC championship game, earning their 7th NCAA bid under Bennett. The previous season, St Mary's 28 wins were not enough to earn them an at-large NCAA bid.St Mary's NEEDS to win games like this to have ANY chance at consideration for an at-large bid come March. Expect the Gaels to bounce-back off that 4-OT loss at Pacific with a solid home win here.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Crusher (Pac 12) is on Oregon St at 11:00 ET.

Bobby Hurley won two national titles as Duke's PG (1991 and 1992) but was always destine to get into the 'family business,' as his father is Bob Hurley, Sr, the legendary high school coach of St Anthony's (NJ). Hurley's first job was at Buffalo and in his second season, led the Bulls to an NCAA berth. He used that as springboard to take the Arizona St job in 2015-16. However, he opened with back-to-back losing season s(15 wins each year). Hurley's 2017-18 squad snuck into the "Big Dance" as a First Four team but the Sun Devils were back 'dancing' again last season, losing in the Round of 64 to finish 23-11. This year's team is 9-5 and 0-1 in Pac-12 play after a 'ugly' conference-opening 75-47 loss at Arizona on Saturday. Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle got great news when both 6-7 senior Tres Tinkle (his son) and junior guard Ethan Thompson both decided to come back this season and play for the Beavers. Oregon State’s 10-2 start in non-conference play matched the 1989-90, 2011-12 and 2015-16 teams for the program’s best start in 35 years but the Beavers lost their conference opener last Thursday, 81-69 at Utah. Oregon State then found itself trailing host Colorado 53-41 with a little more than 13 minutes remaining on Sunday, before the Beavers got back in the game using a full-court trap and outscored the Buffaloes 24-5 down the stretch for a 76-68 road win.

Taking a look at the stat sheet from the loss to Arizona reveals that the Sun Devils shot 30.5 percent from the floor, including 3-of-21 three-pointers. ASU missed 11 of 19 free-throw attempts and were outscored 50-18 in the paint and 25-9 on fast-break points. Other than that, the team played well. PG Remy Martin (18.1-3.6-3.9) and fellow guard Alonzo Verge Jr. (14.5) are the leading scorers plus get help on the perimeter from Edwatrds (8.6) and House (6.9). The team's best big men are a pair of 6-8 forwards, White (10.7 & 9.7) and Cherry (5.2 & 2.5). NEITHER player scored against Arizona. White went scoreless in 24 minutes due to limitations of an ankle injury, while Cherry played 17 scoreless minutes.

Ethan Thompson (16.4-4.6-4.6) scored a game-high 24 points in the win at Colorado. “It’s always a great feeling to get a road win in the Pac-12, just because it’s such an in-depth conference,” he said after the game. “It’s a big lift for us." Do-it-all forward Tres Tinkle (19.7-6.9-3.9) is living up to his high senior-season expectations. He's joined in the frontcourt by the 7-0 Kelley (11.1 & 4.9) and the 6-6 Hollins (6.2 & 3.5), while Reiche (9.6) starts in the backcourt with Thompson.

Can ASU bounce back from that 'nightmare' performance at Tuscon? The Sun Devils are shooting a woeful 29.3% on threes (325th) and other than White (see above), no ASU player is averaging more than 3.8 rebounds (Sun Devils who rank last in the Pac-12 in rebound margin at minus-3.1). As noted, White has a gimpy ankle and we can't be sure how effective he will be. Meanwhile, Tinkle is averaging 23.4 points and 8.6 rebounds, while shooting 55.3 percent from three-point range in the Beavers’ seven home games. OSU is 7-0 at Gill Coliseum, where the Beavers are averaging 81.3 PPG. Throw in some "double revenge" motivation from TWO, three-point losses to the Sun Devils last season, and expect the Beavers to win this one "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Wichita St at 7:00 ET.

Penny Hardaway's first season as head coach of his alma mater (Memphis) resulted in a 22-win season. The Tigers lost all FIVE starters from that team but they were replaced by what most considered the best recruiting class of the 2019-20 season. However, the 'jewel' of that class, the 7-1 James Wiseman, was the center of an NCAA investigation and after just three games (19.7 & 10.7), Wiseman was 'done.' He decide to NOT fight anymore and is currently preparing for the next NBA Draft.  Memphis lost Wiseman's final game back on Nov 12 to Oregon but the team made up almost entirely by freshmen and sophomores had won 10 in a row before suffering a 65-62 home defeat against Georgia on Saturday .The 12-2 Tigers are currently ranked 21st as they visit the Charles Koch Arena In Wichita to take on the 13-1 Shockers, who are ranked 23rd. Gregg Marshall led Winthrop to seven NCAA appearances in nine seasons and since taking over in Wichita, entered this season with a string of 10 consecutive seasons of 22 or more wins, including FOUR, 30-win seasons. In that 10-year span, the Shockers have been to seven NCAA tourneys (including a Final 4 appearance in 2013) and in three NITs (won title in 2011).

Without Wiseman, two freshman forwards have led the way. The 6-9 Achiuwa leads in scoring (14.6) and rebounding (10.2), while the 6-7 Jeffries (12.0 & 4.7) is the team's second-leading scorer. A group of FIVE guards chip in between 6.3 to 11.0 PPG. Freshman guard Quinones leads that group (11.0), while sophomores Harris (8.8) and  PG Lomax (8.6-3.8-4.7) follow closely.
Jeffries missed the Georgia game due to illness (flu) and Memphis endured a lengthy scoring drought late in the game, as the Tigers tired down the stretch. Memphis did not make a field goal for more than four minutes to close the 65-62 loss. "I hate playing five or six guys so many minutes," Memphis coach Penny Hardaway said in his postgame press conference. "Precious (Achiuwa), Boogie (Ellis), Damion (Baugh), Lester (Quinones) and (Alex Lomax) played the bulk of the minutes."

Wichita's lone loss came back in late Nov, when the Shockers lost 75-63 to West Va in the Cancun Classic championship game (note: West Va is 12-2 and ranked 17th). The Shockers have no real star but own great balance, as SIX players are averaging at least eight points. The starters are guards are Stevenson (14.1-5.5), Burton (14.5-3.8-3.9) and Etienne (10.5), along with the 6-11 Echenique ( 9.6 & 5.1) and the 6-6 Wade (8.8 & 6.8), a transfer from UTEP. Guards Sherfield (9.3) and Dennis (6.5 & 4.0) plus the 6-8 Udeze (6.2 & 3.6) provide excellent depth.

Jeffries is said to be feeling better but his roommate, freshman guard Damion Baugh (6.3 & 3.8 APG), also reportedly missed practice Monday and Tuesday because of the flu. That hardly bodes well as the Tigers take on a Wichita St team that has ripped off SEVEN straight wins since its lone loss of the season and enters 11-0 at home, so far. The Shockers are playing with "double revenge" from last season and in fact, Wichita's last home loss was to Memphis, 88-85 back on 2/23/19 (Shockers have won 13 straight at home, since). Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Game of the Month is on Texas at 9:00 ET.

Oklahoma/Texas is one of CFB's greatest rivalries and while the basketball version can not match the one on the gridiron, it's not 'chopped liver,' either. the two schools enter with identical 10-3 records, although the Sooners are 1-0 to open Big 12 play, while the Longhorns are 0-1. lON Kruger returned an excellent duo from last year's NCAA team in  the 6-7 Doolittle and the 6-9 Manek plus added an excellent guard in Austin Reaves, who transferred from Wichita St. Texas won last year's NIT but gone are big men Osetkowski (11.1 & 7.2) and Hayes (10.0 & 5.0), who was a one-and-done (8th overall pick of the 2019 draft by Atlanta). Guard Roach was suspended THREE different times in his stay at Austin but he ended his Texas career by being named the NIT's most outstanding player.

The Sooners rallied from 11 points down in the second half  to beat Kansas St 66-61 in their Big 12 opener last Saturday, as Austin Reaves scored 18 of his team-high 21 points in the final 11 minutes. Reaves was 4-for-8 from downtown on Saturday but the rest of his teammates went 1-for-15 on threes. The 6-7 Doolittle is Oklahoma's leading scorer (16.9) and rebounder (9.1). He did not play when the Sooners coasted to a 91-72 over Texas-Rio Grande Valley on  Dec 30 (reason: a "conflict of team interests" per coach Lon Kruger) but he was back on the court against teh Wildcats, adding 19 points and 12 rebounds. Manek averages 14.9 & 6.5) and added nine points, as well as nine rebounds.The Sooners commit the sixth-fewest turnovers per game in the country (10.5), while also logging the sixth-fewest fouls (13.8).

While Oklahoma was staging a big comeback to open Big 12 play 1-0, Texas lost at now-No. 4 Baylor 59-44 on Saturday, The Longhorns were limited to a season-low in points, while converting just 3-of-16 from three-point range and ONLY 5-of-15 from the free throw line. Despite some key losses form last year's NIT champs (see above), Texas has an experienced group of players back. Depth on the perimeter is a strength, led by PG Coleman (12.3-3.9-4.5 and Jones (11.3), who has returned after a battle with leukemia. That duo is supported by Ramey (10.9-4.6-3.2) and  Febres (10.2). Taking over up front for Osetkowski and Hayes are the 6-9 Sims (9.2 & 783). the 6-8 Liddell (4.8 & 3.7). Sims notched his second consecutive double-double – and third in 82 career games – as he finished with a season-best 13 points against Baylor while tying his career high with 15 rebounds.

Oklahoma is just 1-2 (0-3 ATS) on the road, while Texas is a PERFECT 7-0 at home. Texas has won all four of its home contests against Oklahoma during head coach Shaka Smart’s five-year tenure and is 18-5 all-time in Big 12 home openers. Smart wasn't hired at Austin to win the NIT and after opening 9-1 this season (now 10-3), a win here over rival Oklahoma would be a big deal. That's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on SMU at 8:00 ET.

UCF went 24-9 last season, one which included the school's first-ever NCAA win, 73-58 over VCU. The Golden Knights then almost upset the Zion-led Duke Blue Devils, falling 77-76. It was quite a season for Johnny Dawkins, who has averaged 22.3 wins in his three years in Orlando. However, gone from last year's team are guards Taylor (15.9) and Dawkins (15.6) plus the 7-54 Tacko Fall (11.1 & 7.6). UCF is 9-5 so far this season, including 0-2 to open AAC play.

Tim Jankovich won 20-plus games in four of his five seasons at Illinois St, making four NIT appearances. He was announced as SMU's Associate Head Coach and coach-in-waiting  in April of 2016 and then as head coach on July 8, 2016.. He's had to bear the the full force of NCAA sanctions due to Larry Brown's tenure but things are looking up this season. SMU  breezed through a not-so-difficult non-conference schedule and its only two losses have come to Georgetown and Georgia. SMU opened league play with an 82-64 home win over USF and now welcomes UCF to Dallas at 11-2, overall.

The 6-11 Collin Smith (13.1 & 6.4) is UCF's best player, while six guards play 19-plus minutes and contribute from 5.7 to 10.5 PPG. The best of the group are DeJesus (10.5) and Ingram (9.6), who is a graduate transfer from Alabama. Ingram is a 6-6  PG but leads the team in rebounding (7.6) and assists (4.1). Some recent good news is that redshirt freshman Dre Fuller Jr. has scored in double figures in SIX of his last eight games. He had averaged just 3.8 points up to that point but is now at 7.5 PPG on the season..

Jankovich has two guards and two forwards making most of the contributions for his SMU team this season. PG Kendric Davis (a TCU transfer) owns a line of 16.0-4.6-7.3 and is joined in the backcourt by JC transfer Tyson Jolly (15.5 & 6.5). Then there are two 6-8 forwards, Isiaha Mike (15.9 & 7.5)  and Feron Hunt (13.4 & 7.9). So far, the 6-9 Chargois, who averaged 12.4 & 6.2 last season, has under-performed (8.2 & 5.3).

The Mustangs have lost three straight against the Knights, including both contests in 2018-2019, but SMU should have little trouble with UCF in this one. UCF 'limps' in on a three-game losing streak, including its first two AAC contests, averaging only 57.7 PPG during that skid. Meanwhile, SMU is averaging 78.2 PPG on the season and is 8-1 SU at home, winning those eight games by a margin of 17.9 PPG. Blowout Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Month (East) is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

The 26-10 Miami Heat are an NBA-best 17-1 at home but the team is a modest  9-9 on the road. The Heat travel to Indianapolis on Wednesday night to take on the 23-14 Indiana Pacers, who are 15-4 this season at Bakers Life Fieldhouse. Miami averaged 114.8 points during a five-game winning streak (Dec 18-28), but then dropped a 123-105 decision at Washington, survived an 84-76 defensive battle with Toronto and then offered up little resistance in a 105-85 setback at Orlando last Friday. However, Miami bounced back with a 122-111 home win over Portland on Sunday, despite missing All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler, who was scratched due to back tightness. The Pacers finished off a two-game trip with a 115-104 win at Charlotte on Monday, playing without PG Malcolm Brogdon (back).

The Heat have been idle since beating the Portland on Sunday night and are hoping the 6-7Jimmy Butler (20.4-6.9-6.6) can go (he's listed as questionable). Even without Butler, the Heat shot 52.2 percent, including 18 of 44 on three-pointers (40.9 percent). "It doesn't matter to us who's playing or not," PG Dragic said. "We don't make excuses." Dragic has missed 10 games (26 games / one start) but is averaging 15.9 & 5.0 APG. The Heat have played the past 15 games without point forward Justise Winslow (12.4-7.1-4.3), who has a back injury. However, undrafted rookie Nunn (15.4) and Herro (13.3 & 4.7), the 13th pick in LY's draft, have made HUGE contributions. Then there is 6-9 Center Bam Adebayo, whose opportunity to play a bigger role emerged once Whiteside was traded. After averaging 8.0 & 6.5 in his first two seasons, he's averaging 15.6-10.6-4.5 this year, with a team-leading 22 double-doubles.

Indiana is still waiting for Victor Oladipo to return but the Pacers have really "held their own" in the East, as they are SIXTH in the conference and only 3 1/2 games back of Boston (current No. 2 seed). Brogdon (17.7-4.4-7.4) has been the team-leader but is again questionable. SF Warren scored a season-high 36 points on 15-of-24 shooting against the Hornets and is averaging 22 points over his last seven games to raise his season average to 18.3. The 6-11 Domantas Sabonis (17.8 & 13.0) is having a terrific season and recorded 18 points and 12 rebounds on Monday for his 29th double-double. The 6-11 Myles Turner has missed eight games due to injury but he is chipping in 12.6 & 5.8. SG Lamb (14.1) is back in the lineup after missing a couple of games (groin) plus the Pacers have similar depth to Miami, with the two Holidays (Aaron averages 10.5 and Justin 7.7 & 3.4), McDermott (9.5) and McConnell (7.0 & 5.3 APG).

The Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers had a lot of playoff history against each other from 2004 to 2014 but these teams don't resemble those squads. Miami earned a 113-112 home win over Indiana on Dec 27 but it's "Indiana's turn" tonight at Bankers Life Fieldhouse!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Rout is on Evansville at 7:00 ET.

The 10-5 Bradley Braves and the 9-6 Evansville Purple Aces meet in MVC action tonight at Evansville's Ford Center. Bradley won the MVC tourney last season, rallying from an 18-point deficit against Northern Iowa in the championship game. It was the Braves' first tourney title since 1988 and earned Bradley its first NCAA berth since 2006. Evansville is coming off an 11-21 season in head coach Walter McCarty's first season but got everyone's attention this season when teh Purple Aces upset  Kentucky 67-64 at Rupp Arena back on Nov 12, as 24 1/2-point underdogs.

Bradley returns its top-three scorers from last season. The 6-7 Childs (14.2 & 9.1) and the 6-11 Bar (7.1 & 8.0) are back 'making noise' up front, while PG Brown (13.5 & 5.1 APG) is again, running the team. He's joined in the backcourt by Kennell (12.6 & 4.4), last season's MVC 6th-man of the year, and Kingsbury (8.6 & 5.1), an LSU transfer. The 6-6 Henry (7.4 & 3.1) helps out up front. Bradley looks to rebound after a 69-64 loss at Northern Iowa in its last outing, falling to 1-1 in MVC play.

Evansville opened 3-0 but then lost three straight. The Purple Aces then won FIVE in a row but enter this contest having lost THREE of four (0-2 to open MVC play). Evansville features four double digits scorers, three of whom are new additions. The 6-8 Williams didn't qualify academically last season but leads the team this year in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (7.7).  Labinowicz came from Coastal Carolina and after sitting out last year, is producing 11.8 & 3.5. Junior guard Cunliffe sat out last year after a season at Kansas but is averaging 11.1 & 3.1 this season. Riley led Evansville in scoring  last season at 13.6 PPG and is right in the mix again this season, averaging 12.4 & 4..

Here's the rub. Bradley may be the better team but the Braves are 0-5 SU (1-4 ATS) on the road this season and their  best player, the 6-7 Childs, is out indefinitely after hand surgery. Evansville hasn’t been the same team that beat Kentucky lately, but some "double revenge" against Bradley from last season should be plenty of motivation to get a home win (avoiding an 0-3 start in MVC play) over a team that just got that bad news about Childs.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Top-25 Showdown is on Texas Tech at 9:00 ET.

Baylor head coach Scott Drew took the head coaching position at Baylor after the resignation of Dave Bliss due to scandal. Four years of sanctions later, Drew got things turned around and Baylor has had 12 straight winning seasons, making eight NCAA tourneys plus finishing as runner-up in the 2009 NIT and winning it in 2013. Baylor is 11-1 to open the 2019-20 season and Monday, saw the the latest AP poll rank the Bears No. 4, the first time in three years that Baylor's been in the top-5. Baylor's lone loss was 67-64 to Washington back on Nov 8 in Alaska. Baylor has passed just about every challenge it has been handed so far (Bears have beaten THREE ranked teams) but this contest will be its first true road game of the season.

Baylor's opponent will be 10-3 Texas Tech. The Red Raiders are not only the reigning Big 12 Conference regular-season champions but most surely should remember that Texas Tech advanced to last year's national championship game, where it lost 85-77 to Virginia, in OT! Tech opened this season 5-0 but then dropped THREE in a row. The first two came in Las Vegas to Iowa and Creighton and the third at DePaul (note: the losses to Creighton & DePaul came in OT). Tech enters this contest on a five-game winning streak.

Despite missing 18 of its first 20 field-goal attempts in the second half and shooting 31.3 percent for the game on Saturday, Baylor handily beat Texas 59-44 by grabbing a season-high 19 offensive rebounds and holding a sixth opponent under 60 points. Baylor has been greatly helped by two transfers this season, guard MaCio Teague (15.2 & 4.8), from UNC-Ashville and Davion Mitchell (9.3 & 3.3 APG) from Auburn. They've joined a deep backcourt which includes leading scorer Butler (17.3), Bandoo (8.1 & 4.4) and Vital (6.6 & 5.4). The frontcourt is more of a question, as the 6-10 Clark (14.6 & 6.3 last season before being lost for the year to an injury after just 14 games) is trying to work his way back but is averaging only 4.9 & 2.9 in eight games. He's been limited to 36 minutes in his last three, scoring just NINE points with TWO rebounds. 6-9 senior Gillespie (8.7 & 9.4) has been the team's only regular frontcourt player of note. Still, Baylor is allowing just 58.9 PPG (11th).

The Red Raiders are coming off their most lopsided margin of victory ever in a Big 12 game. Texas Tech improved to 8-0 this season in Lubbock, outscoring Oklahoma State 49-20 in the second half en route to an 85-50 victory Saturday. Freshman guard Ramsey (17.4 points & 5.3) led the team in scoring for the sixth time in the nine games he's played this season with 18 points against the Cowboys. Virginia Tech graduate transfer Chris Clarke, a 6-6 guard, is averaging 7.1 PPG but is also the team-leader in rebounding (8.9) and assists (5.8). Those two are joined on the perimeter by junior Moretti (13.2) plus two more freshman, Shannon (12.2 & 4.3) and  Edwards (10.7-4.5-3.4). 6-8 senior Holyfield (10.1 & 5.1) is Tech's best big man. The Raiders also know something about playing defense, allowing a modest 62.2 PPG (45th).

As noted above, Baylor has yet to play a true road game this season and after this one, the Bears visit No. 3 Kansas on Saturday (tough two-game trip). Baylor's No. 4 ranking will NOT survive the week! Texas Tech is 58-5 at home under fourth-year coach Chris Beard (including 23-5 during conference play) and takes a 15-game home winning streak into tonight's contest. Tech makes it 16 straight home wins, "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Arkansas St at 8:00 ET.

The Georgia State Panthers are traveling to First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro, Arkansas to face off against the Arkansas State Red Wolves for a SBC matchup. The Panthers are 10-5 overall, including 3-1 in league play, while the Red Wolves own a similar 10-5 record, which includes a 2-2 start in conference action. Georgia St  is coming off back-to-back SBC tourney titles (and NCAA appearances) but head coach Ron Hunter (three NCAA berths in eight years at the school) left for Tulane. In his place is Rob Lanier (cousin of NBA Hall-of-Famer Bob Lanier), who was just 58-70 in his four-year stint at Siena (interesting hire?). Mike Balado (former Louisville assistant) is in his third season at Arkansas St and has had little success so far, as the Red Wolves went 24-40 the previous two seasons, including 13-23 in SBC play.

The Panthers own a depe backcourt, with four guards all averaging in double digits and are getting 25-plus minutes of "PT." Allen (15.1) leads the way, followed by Williams (13.5-4.1-4.6), Roberts (13.3-4.5-3.4) and Wilson (11.3 & 4.50. Up front, it's the 6-8 Linder (5.8 & 4.3), 6-10 freshman Thomas (5.7 & 3.9) and the 6-6 Ivery (4.7 & 4.3). Georgia St averages a 'healthy' 78.9 PPG (42nd) but allows 70.3 pPG (211th).

The Red Wolves have SEVEN players getting 20-plus minutes of playing time, while chipping in between 4.9 and 11.9 PPG. Freshman PG Fields (11.9-3.3-3.2) and senior guard Kus (11.9 & 5.1) are the top scorers. Junior guard Eaton (9.70 is right behind that duo, while a pair of returning forwards, the 6-9 Matthews (8.9 & 4.2) and the 6-8 Brevard (5.6 & 6.6) have been steady role players. Joining the mix in mid-December has been 6-8 Wake Forest transfer Eggelston. He became eligible for a Dec 18 game vs ULL but played only four scoreless minutes. However, over the next four games, he's averaged 12.8 & 5.5.

This is a brutal spot for Georgia St, as the Panther will be playing their THIRD conference road game since Thursday. Arkansas St was hardly in Georgia St's class these last two season but that's NOT the case this season, as both are 10-5 (Ga St is 9-3-1 ATS and Ark St 9-4). As just noted, a THIRD straight conference road game in FIVE days is hardly a spot one would want to lay points in. The 6-8 Eggelston (Wake transfer) just may be the best player on the court tonight and I say the situation is "just right" for the home dog to 'bark' LOUDLY!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Phi 76ers at 7:05 ET.

The Philadelphia 76ers celebrated Christmas with a resounding 121-109 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, who have owned the NBA's best record for almost the entire season (Bucks are currently 32-5, 2 1/2 games better the the Lakers and FIVE games better than any team in the East). However, Philly embarked on a four-game road trip after that Christmas Day win and return home on Monday, on a four-game losing streak. Philly opened the trip with one-point losses at Orlando and Miami but followed with a 115-97 loss at Indiana and then a 10-point loss at Houston. "Losing four in a row sucks, and it doesn't feel like we're getting better," Philadelphia center Joel Embiid told reporters after a 118-108 loss at Houston on Friday. "So, it is frustrating. ... I care about winning. It's taking a toll on me. All I care about is winning. It sucks. We've got to find a way. I guess we've got to keep fighting."

With its frustrating four-game road trip finally over, Philadelphia welcomes the Oklahoma City Thunder to Wells Fargo Center on Monday. The Thunder are rebuilding after losing Durant back in 2016 to the Warriors and then Westbrook (to Houston) in last year's off-season. Paul George came in a trade form Indiana but stayed just two seasons, leaving for the Clippers last off-season (with Westbrook). These days, I'm sure OKC would have preferred to keep Oladipo and Sabonis (sent to the Pacers for George). That said, after opening 6-11, OKC enters this contest at 20-15. The Thunder are on a roll with wins in FIVE straight games and NINE of their last 10 ,after rolling over the Cleveland Cavaliers 121-106 on Saturday. Oklahoma City knocked off the San Antonio Spurs in the opener of the four-game road trip and can improve to .500 away from home with a victory on Monday.

Long-time All Star PG Chris Paul (16.34.6-4.9) came in the Westbrook trade and he's tutoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who came to OKC from LA in the George deal. Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 25.3 points over the last nine games. and leads the team with 19.9 PPG, while adding 4.6 RPG and 5.3 APG. Reserve PG Dennis Schroder is right there with his two fellow guards, producing 18.5 PPG, while coming off the bench all season (zero starts). SF Danilo Gallnari was also part of the George deal and he's averaging 18.0 & 5.5, which is no surprise (he's averaged 16.0 PPG in his first 10 NBA seasons). Center Adams is still around and is a quality big man, averaging 11.6 & 9.0. However, OKC has little depth.

Philadelphia owns one of the most talented starting-fives in the NBA with Embiid (23.6 & 12.4) surrounded up front by forwards Harris (19.5 & 6.4) and Horford (12.2 & 6.5), along with a backcourt of Simmons (14.9-7.7-8.6) and Richardson (14.8). However, getting everyone on the same page is a challenge. "We have to figure out a balance of how to (combine) all of our talents together on the floor," Harris told reporters. "I just think what helps that is if we continue to move more on the floor, continue to make plays for one another and do the little things for our teammate. That's something that we have to get better at, and that's something we have to fight through." Philly, unlike OKC, has some key reserves. Korkmaz (11 starts) is averaging 8.3 PPG, SF Ennis 6.7 & 3.5, PF Scott 5.8 & 3.2 and rookie guard Thybulle is a terrific defender, whose value is not in statistics. However, Ennis (illness) sat out Friday and is day-to-day, while Thybulle is out until mid-January with a knee issue.

Oklahoma City is one of the hottest teams in the league at the moment but Philly is a dominating 16-2 at home and NEEDS to 'stop the bleeding' from its recent four-game losing skid (ALL on the road). I expect Philly to respond in a big way. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* 36-Club Play is on Illinois at 8:00 ET.

Brad Underwood was a head coach at Stephen F Austin and Oklahoma St before being hired at Illinois back on March 18, 2017. He signed a six-year contract through 2023 worth $18 million but after two seasons in Champaign, his Fighting Illini were just 26-39 (11-27 in Big Ten play). However, Underwood returned FOUR starters from last season's team plus added 6-9 freshman center Kofi Cockburn. Illinois ran into a buzz saw Thursday night at No. 14 Michigan State, tying a season low in points and setting two others in field-goal percentage (29.3) and three-point percentage (10.7) in a 76-56 defeat. That said, Illinois sits 9-5 overall as it gets set to welcome a 9-5 Purdue team to State Farm Center.

Purdue is coming off a 26-win season, after reaching the Elite 8 last year (lost in OT to eventual champ UVA). Purdue lost outstanding guard Edwards (24.3) from that team, as well as the team's second-leading scorer Cline (12.0), but the Boilermakers opened the season ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll. Purdue started just 4-3 but on Dec 4, got its revenge on Virginia, handing the Cavs their first loss of the current season, 69-40! However, the 9-5 Boilermakers are just 4-2 since beating UVA, losing at Nebraska and in a neutral-site game to Butler, while barely 'escaping' in two-OTs in their last game, 83-78 at home over Minnesota.

7-3 center Matt Haarms scored a career-high 26 points off the bench in his second game back against the Golden Gophers, after missing two straight due to a concussion, Purdue has nice balance, as FIVE players average between 9.7 and 12.1 PPG, with Haarms leading the way (12.1 & 6.1). The rest of that group includes a trio of guards in Proctor (11.8), Hunter (11.2-3.6-3.4) and Stefanovic (8.9) plus the the 6-9 Williams (9.7 & 7.1). Williams just who missed posting his third consecutive double-double with 14 points and nine boards against Minnesota but is averaging 14 points and 10.2 rebounds over his last five outings, despite playing 24.2 minutes per game over that stretch. The 6-9 Wheeler (4.9 & 6.0) plus guards Thompson (4.5) and Eastern (3.9) also see regular minutes.

One could argue that no Big Ten team has had a more challenging start to conference play than Illinois. The Illinois opened league action by dropping a one-point decision at then-No. 3 Maryland on Dec 7 plus followed with a 71-62 home win four days later vs then-No. 5  Michigan. The Fighting Illini resumed Big Ten action Thursday but as noted above, got CRUSHED by Michigan St. Let me remind all here, that the Spartans were still 'stinging' from last season's 79-74 loss at Illinois, as a 10.5-point favorite (Illinois was in the WRONG place at the WRONG time!).

Similar to Purdue, Illinois is well-balanced with SIX players chipping in between 8.4 and 15.8 PPG. Leading that pack are returning guard Dosunma (15.8 & 3.9) plus highly-regarded 7-0 freshman Kofi Cockburn (15.2 & 9.6). Dosunma has plenty of help on the perimeter from fellow guards Feliz (11.5 & 5.1), Frazier (9.2) and Griffin (9.0), while the 6-9 Bezhanishvili adds 8.4 & 5.3 up front. Underwood recently told reporters that he likes where Illinois is going, even after his team suffered its most lopsided defeat in Big Ten play Thursday at Michigan St. I agree with him. Expect Cockburn, who dealt with foul trouble en route to his worst game of the year against the Spartans (settling for a season-low five points on 2-of-10 shooting), to 'Get in Haarm's Way,' as the Illini take down the Boilermakers with a convincing win.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Mia Heat at 6:05 ET.

Portland made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals last season but the current season has been a struggle. The Blazers opened 5-12 but then seemed to "right the ship" by winning NINE of their next 13, to reach 14-16. However, Portland followed its "mini-run" by losing FIVE in a row (also 0-5 ATS), before earning a 122-103 win at 11-24 Washington on Friday. The 15-21 Blazers currently own the No. 8 seed in the West but SIX teams are within three games of them, while Portland trails the No. 7 seed (OKC) by 5 1/2 games. The Blazers visit 25-10 Miami on Sunday, a team which is battling Boston (25-9) and Toronto (24-12) for the No. 2 seed in the East, behind the NBA-best Bucks (32-5).

The Trail Blazers managed to snap a five-game slide behind Hassan Whiteside, who had 23 points, 21 rebounds and five blocked shots in the win. Whiteside will be making his first trip back to Miami since moving to Portland in a four-team trade last July that ended a five-year stint with the Heat. Whiteside (15.7 & 13.8) has delivered double-double in 15 of his last 16 games. Still, Portland is led by the dynamic guard duo of Lillard (26.9-4.3-7.4) and McCollum (22.3-4.3-3.8) 'Melo (16.2 & 6.2) has been a pleasant surprise but Portland misses the depth provided by  center Nukic (possible return around the All Star break, PF Collins (has played just THREE games) and SG Hood (11.0), who had surgery on his Achilles tendon in early December.

Miami averaged 114.8 points during a five-game winning streak (Dec 18-28), but then dropped a 123-105 decision at Washington, survived an 84-76 defensive battle with Toronto and then offered up little resistance in a 105-85 setback at Orlando on Friday. Jimmy Butler scored 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting at Orlando but his teammates combined to go 23-for-68 from the floor (33.8%). The reserves were particularly off, with five bench players shooting a collective 26.5 percent, including 1-of-17 from three-point range. Butler (20.4-6.9-6.6) was the team's key acquisition in the off-season and he's delivered but undrafted rookie Nunn (15.5) and Herro (13.4 & 4.3), the 13th pick in LY's draft, have also made HUGE contributions. Then there is 6-9 Center Bam Adebayo, whose opportunity to play a bigger role emerged once Whiteside was traded. After averaging 8.0 & 6.5 in his first two seaosns, he's averaging 15.5 & 10.7 this year, with a  team-leading 22 double-doubles.

Miami has NOT had a good week (see above) but let's NOT forget that the Heat are an NBA-best 16-1 at home, going 12-4-1 ATS. Not sure Portland's win at the sad-sack Wizards proves much of anything and it should be pointed out that Miami won BOTH games against Portland last season, averaging 119 points. Remember, that Portland team would advance to the Western Conference final, while last year's Miami team 'sat home,' finishing 39-43. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (MWC) is on Utah St at 10:00 ET.

No. 12 San Diego State puts its perfect 14-0 record on the line Saturday against 13-3 Utah State tonight in Logan. The Aztecs are one of just two unbeatens in college hoops (No. 8 Auburn at 12-0 is the other) ans I have no doubt that they remember that Utah State earned an NCAA Tournament berth with a 64-57 win over the Aztecs in last season’s Mountain West tournament championship game.That said, winning in Logan will be a challenge.

San Diego State overcame a sluggish offensive start in its 61-52 defeat of Fresno State on Wednesday, as the Aztecs shot 33.3 percent from the floor in the first half, including just 2-of-10 from behind the 3-point line However, they recovered to shoot almost 60 percent from the floor in the second half to reach 14-0. SDSU's 14-game winning streak is the third-longest in school history.  . The Aztecs are well-balanced with SIX players getting 20-plus minutes, three guards and three frontcourt players. PG Flynn (15.5 & 5.1 APG) leads the team in scoring and assists and is joined in the starting lineup by fellow guards Schakel (10.1) and Feagin (7.3 & 3.6 APG). Two 6-10 players, Wetzell (10.7 & 7.2) and Mensah (6.9 & 6.8), plus SF Mitchell (11.1 PPG & 4.4), are the frontcourt contributors. SDSU has been known for its defense since Fisher arrived in San Diego and current head coach Brian Dutcher (he was on Fisher's staff in Michigan and SDSU), preaches the same 'sermon.' That said, the Aztecs are allowing 68.0 PPG (66th), although that's a little higher than most would think.

Senior guard Sam Merrill was the Mountain West player of the year last season and entered Wednesday’s contest at UNLV averaging 17.7 points. However, UNLV held him to 10 points on 2-of-6 shooting. Merrill(17.1-5.1-3.6) remains the team's best player but a real bright spot has been the play of 6-7 sophomore forward Justin Bean (14.2 & 11.4). He posted his 11th career double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds in the loss to the Rebels. The Aggies were outrebounded 41-29 and dominated near the basket minus 7-foot sophomore center Neemias Queta, who has been limited to four games this season due to a knee injury and is questionable for Saturday’s contest. Queta averaged 11.8 & 8.9 last season but in four games has averaged 8.8 & 5.0 this season. The 6-6 Anderson (11.5 & 4.9) is a solid frontcourt player plus Merrill gets plenty of help on the perimeter from Miller (10.2), Brito (9.0 & 4.0) and Porter (7.1 & 3.9 APG).

Here's the 'dope.' It may come as a surprise to some that San Diego St has won at least 19 games for each of the last 14 seasons and owns the NCAA's 14th-best winning percentage (.733) in that time frame. The Aztecs entered last season having made SEVEN of the last nine NCAA tourneys and played in the postseason in 12 of the previous 13 years.As noted already, teh team's 14-game winning streak is the third-longest in school history but  that streak WILL end. Tonight seems like the perfect time for that to happen. Queta sustained a knee injury playing for Portugal's FIBA U-20 team this summer and as noted, has seen limited action. I'd 'LOVE' for him to play here but won't count on it. Utah St is 8-0 SU at hone this season, after going 16-2 at Dee Glen Smith Spectrum last season. Coming off an embarrassing loss in Las Vegas, the Aggies have to be highly motivated to hand San Diego St its first loss of the season. As the famous Hawaii Five-0 line went, "Book 'em (it), Danno!."

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Wild Card Game of the Year is on the NE Patriots at 8:15 ET.

The New England Patriots jumped out to an 8-0 start but were humbled 37-20 at Baltimore in a SNF game in Week 9. The Pats managed to win FOUR of their next six games (just 3-3 ATS) and were all but penciled in for a first-round bye, as all they needed was to beat lowly Miami at home in their regular-season home finale to clinch the No. 2 seed in the AFC. However, as a 17.5-point favorite, the Pats lost 27-24 and now New England will play in the wild-card round for the first time since 2009. Coming to Foxoboro on Saturday night will be the 9-7 Tennessee Titans, who saw their season 'turn' when former Heisman-winner Marcus Mariota was benched in favor of former Miami QB Ryan Tannehill. The Titans' 16-0 loss at Denver left the team at 2-4 but Tannehill's play at QB coupled with the running of  Derrick Henry, saw Tennessee go 7-3 (6-3-1 ATS) over its final 10 games to earn the AFC's final playoff spot.

Tannehill finished the regular season completing 70.3 percent for 2,742 yards with 22 TDs and six INTs, as his QB rating of 117.5 was tops among all QBs. Rookie A.J. Brown caught 52 passes for a 20.2 YPC average with eight TDs. RB Henry topped 100 yards in FIVE of his last six games. He sat out Week 16 but returned in Week 17 to run for 211 yards with three TDs in the 35-14 win at Houston that nailed down the AFC's No. 6 seed. Henry averaged 149.3 YPG over his final five game to surpass Cleveland Nick Chubb to lead the NFL with 1,540 rushing yards (5.1 YPA / 16 TDs). FYI...He averaged 146.3 YPG in his last four contests of 2018 (it's becoming a tradition!). The Tennessee D allows 20.7 PPG (12th) but its pass D is shaky, allowing 255.0 YPG to rank 24th.

There is NOTHING shaky about the New England defense, as despite its late collapse vs Miami last Sunday, the Pats finished No. 1 in the NFL in scoring D (14.1 PPG) and total D (275.9 YPG). New England has needed its defense in 2019, as its offense has fallen off. Brady did throw for 4,057 yards with 24 TDs and just eight INTs but his QB rating of 88.0 was far below his usual standards. Edelman had 100 catches but the receiving corps, as a whole, is one of the worst of Brady's career (RB White had 72 catches and was the ONLY other player with more than 30 catches). Michel ran for 912 yards (just 3.7 YPA) and no other RB had more than 302 rushing yards. The Pats rank 18th with 106.4 YPG rushing on 3.8 YPA.

Many are calling for the Pats to struggle here but I'm NOT one of them. Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel won three Super Bowl rings in eight seasons with New England under coach Bill Belichick and said, "This is about the Titans and our preparation to go up there and face a team that’s won three Super Bowls in the last five years. They’re 8-0 at home (in the playoffs) in that span. They’ve got the No. 1 defense. They’ve got the best coach. They’ve got the best QB. So it’s quite a challenge.” Well said. Ryan Tannehill saw plenty of New England during his tenure with Miami and he has few good memories. It's early January in New England and in a Brady vs Tannehill QB matchup, as well as a HC matchup of Belichick ( SIX Super Bowl rings and 31 playoff wins) vs Vrabel (1st-ever postseason game as a head coach), am I really going to "step in front of" the Pats? Oh by the way, New England is coming off a loss (not just ANY loss but a near-historic one) and they are a remarkable 43-17 ATS (that's 71.7%) off a SU loss going back to Dec 29, 2002. In a tribute to Archie Bunker, I'll say "Case Closed!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the Hou Texans at 4:35 ET.

The 10-6 Houston Texans have won the AFC South title in in 2019 for the FOURTH time in the last five season but Bill O'Brien's team has just ONE playoff victory in its three postseason appearances. Houston wrapped up the AFC South title with a Week 16 victory in Tampa Bay, allowing head coach O'Brien to rest QB Deshaun Watson and WR DeAndre Hopkins during the team's regular-season finale against Tennessee, one in which the Titans won going away, 35-14. The Buffalo Bills matched Houston with a 10-6 mark, good enough to earn the AFC's top wild card spot. It marks Buffalo's second playoff appearance in three seasons, after a playoff drought that lasted 17 years. The Bills had the No. 5 seed wrapped up heading into Week 17 and QB Josh Allen received an early exit in Buffalo's 13-6 home loss to the Jets. The Bills travel to Houston in search of the franchise's first playoff win since a 37-22 win over Miami in a wild card game back on Dec 30, 1995. The Bills have lost all FIVE postseason games since that victory.

Second-year QB' Josh Allen is completing a modest 58.8% of his passes for 3,089 yards with an 20-9 TD/INT ratio. However, he has also run for 510 yards and nine TDs. Allen is far from being a Pro Bowl QB but he has made great strides in his second season. Allen is the just the fourth QB in NFL history with at least 20 passing TDs (30) and 12 rushing TDs (17) in his first two seasons. Allen has helped the Bills rushing game average 128.4 YPG (8th). Vet Frank Gore (599 yards but just 3.6 YPA) was the main man erarly on but the Bills have begun to lean on RB Devin Singletary and the rookie has paid dividends with 775 yards on 5.1 YPA. Allen's top targets are WRs Brown (72 / 14.7 YPC / 5 TDs) and Beasley (67 / 6 TDs). The Bills' bread and butter resides with their defense, which is allowing 16.2 PPG (2nd) on 298.3 YPG (3rd).

Houston QB Deshaun Watson is looking for his first playoff win after struggling in his playoff debut last season, a 21-7 loss to the Colts. When he's on, he's quite superb but he too often reminds us of Jameis Winston (that may be too cold!). Watson has completed 67.3% for 3,852 yards with 26 TDs and 12 INTs. He's also run for 413 yards and seven TDs. The preseason injury to Lamar Smith was supposed to cripple Houston's running game but Carlos Hyde has run for 1,070 yards (4.4 YPA), as Houston is right behind Buffalo in rushing for 125.6 YPG (9th). WR DeAndre Hopkins (104 catches / 7 TDs) was just named 1st-team All Pro and the really good news is that Will Fuller V (49 catches in 11 games) returned to practice this week after injuring his groin in Week 16. Note that the Texans own an 8-3 record and have averaged 26.3 points in games in which Fuller has played this season, as opposed to a 2-3 mark with a 19.6 point average in contests that he has missed. Houston's D is NOT a strength, as the Texans have allowed 24.1 PPG (19th) on 388.3 YPG (28th). However, J.J. Watt will return to the field a little more than two months after surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle in Saturday's game. Watt was a rookie in the 2011 playoffs when his spectacular performance against the Cincinnati Bengals led the Houston Texans to the first postseason win in franchise history. That game was tied at 10-all in the second quarter when Watt tipped a pass from Andy Dalton and grabbed it for an interception, which he returned 29 yards for a TD to put Houston on top for good. The DE also had four tackles, a sack and a quarterback hit in the 31-10 victory.

If one believes in "omens" (good or bad), Watt's return spells G-O-O-D news for the Texans. The Buffalo D is top-notch but the Bills haven't scored more than 17 points in any of their last four games. Allen is a gutty guy but the Bills just have too many offensive limitations to back them in a road playoff game at this price. With Baltimore awaiting the "lucky winner" of this one, maybe bowing out here won't be all that bad. I say the "unlucky winner' with be the home team and the final comes with more than enough "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Miss St at 4:30 ET.

Auburn made an incredible run to last year's Final 4, before losing 63-62 to eventual champ Virginia. The Tigers lost a 'ton' off that team, most notably guards Brown (15.9) and Harper (15.3) plus the 6-8 Okeke (12.0 & 6.8). However, the Tigers start four seniors in 2019-20 and after just barely sneaking into the AP's preseason poll (24th), have opened 12-0 (one of just two unbeatens in college hoops) and will take a ranking of No. 8 into their SEC opener Saturday at Starkville, where they'll face 9-3 Mississippi St. The Bulldogs finished 23-11 last season, after losing their first round game in the "Big Dance." The good news was, FOUR starters from that team returned for the 2019-20 season. 

The Tigers opened this season starting FOUR seniors plus freshman Isaac Okoro, who head coach Bruce Pearl called the best defensive guard he's ever signed. The same starting lineup remains from Game 1, with the 6-6 Okoro (12.8 & 4.5) checking in as the team's second-leading scorer. Guard Doughty leads that group of four seniors (as well as the entire team) in scoring 16.4 PPG. He's followed by the 6-11 Wiley (10.8 & 9.5), PG McCormick (10.6-4.2-5.7) and the 6-7 Purifoy (9.5 & 5.0). Pearl's team is among the highest-scoring in the nation, averaging 82.2 PPG to rank 15th.

Ben Howland knows more than just a little about coaching and his teams have put together back-to-back seasons of 25 and 23 wins in the tough SEC. This year's team will sure miss Qiunndary Witherspoon (18.5 PPG) but as noted, FOUR starters return plus freshman guards Stewart and Molinar are both averaging 9.1 PPG. That duo joins PG Carter (15.4 & 4.2 APG) and Woodard 11.8 & 7.3) in the backcourt and note Woodard's rebounding skill. The 6-10 Perry (15.4 & 9.8) matches Carter in scoring and leads the team in rebounding. He's joined in the frontcourt by the 6-1 1 Ado, who adds 5.7 & 6.4. More good news comes Miss St's way in that junior guard Nick Weatherspoon has scored 18 points in 42 minutes over two contests since returning from being suspended for the first 10 games of the season because of a violation of team rules. 

The Tigers have played only one true road game (a 70-69 victory at South Alabama on Nov 12) but are 4-0 in neutral-court contests. It's also true that the Tigers have won 23 of their last 24 games, losing to eventual national champion Virginia 63-62 in the Final Four). The again, it's also true that Miss St has won SEVEN of the last eight meetings with Auburn in Starkville, including a 92-84 victory last season. Pearl has nothing on Howland and the Bulldogs have the talent and depth to hand Auburn its first loss of the season. That's my bet! 

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Rout is on Oklahoma at 1:00 ET.

Bruce Weber led his Kansas St team to a 25-9 season last year which included a trip to the NCAA tourney but the Wildcats have hardly looked like an NCAA-worthy team so far this season. Kansas St visits Norman for a game with 9-3 Oklahoma at just 7-5. Oklahoma made the NCAA tourney last season and even won its first game, although the Sooners ended the season just 20-14. Weber lost his three top-scorers off last year's team in guards Brown (14.6 & 4.1) and Stokes (11.00 plus the 6-9 Wade (12.9 & 6.2), while Kruger returned an excellent duo from last year's NCAA team in in  the 6-7 Doolittle and the 6-9 Manek plus added an excellent guard in Austin Reaves, who transferred from Wichita St

Kansas St opened 4-0 but doing the math, one can see that the Wildcats are just 3-5 since that fast start. It's fair to say that the Wildcats posted their most impressive victory Sunday (more on that in a bit), as Big 12 Player of the Week Cartier Diarra (12.8-4.6-5.8) scored a career-high 25 points (added five rebounds and seven assists), including the game-winning three-pointer with 22.4 seconds left taht gave Kansas St a 69-67 home win over Tulsa. 6-5 forward Xavier Sneed is one of eight Big 12 players who ranks among the top 20 in scoring (14.4 points; 14th) and rebounding (5.2; 20th). Much more was expected of 6-9 senior Makol Mawien (7.8 & 5.3), who scored at least 10 points three times and averaged 6.5 rebounds as Kansas State opened the season with four straight wins. However, he has reached double figures only ONCE and averaged 4.6 boards over the last eight contests.

The 6-7 Kristian Doolittle is Oklahoma's leading scorer (16.7) and rebounder (8.9) but he did not play Monday, when the Sooners coasted to a 91-72 over Texas-Rio Grande Valley (reason: a "conflict of team interests" per coach Lon Kruger). However, his replacement, 6-10 JC transfer Kur Kuath (3.8 & 1.8), scored 17 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had two blocked shots in a rare start. The 6-9 Brady Manek (15.4 & 6.3) also more than made up for the absence of Doolittle by producing a career-high 29 points to extend his streak of double-digit scoring to 15 games. Guard Austin Reaves (16.3 & 5.7)  has shot poorly from three-point range lately (4-for-23 beyond the arc over his last four outings) but remember, he shot 50.9 and 42.5% in his first two college seasons at Wichita St.

Doolittle is expected back here and note that Oklahoma is one of just two major-conference teams with THREE players averaging at least 15 PPG (along with Miami) and the Sooners are playing with "double-revenge" from last season. The Wildcats won their only true road game this season (in OT at UNLV) but are 0-4 in in two neutral site tourneys (Florida and New Jersey). The Wildcats are looking to earn their first victory over a major-conference opponent on Saturday but it WON'T come today! Revenge is often an over-used term in sports but NOT here! Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My NCAAF 10* Jan Game of the Month is on Sou Miss at 11:30 a.m. ET.

This year's Armed Forces Bowl (at Fort Worth, Texas) features 6-6 Tulane of the AAC and 7-5 Southern Miss of C-USA. However, Tulane and Southern Miss were once both members of C-USA, and this "Battle for the Bell" series owns a 30-game history. Southern Miss own a 23-7 record in the rivalry, which is being contested for the first time since 2010. It pits a pair of schools separated by just 113 miles of interstate highway. The Green Wave stumbled at the end with losses in FIVE of their final six games, including the last three, but will make their second consecutive bowl appearance after a four-year absence. The Golden Eagles miss out at an opportunity at the C-USA crown by dropping their final two games but are returning to bowl play after being left out last season despite reaching the six-win threshold.

Willie Fritz took over at Tulane in 2016 and in his third season (2018), led the Green Wave to a 7-6 season after their 41-24 win over ULL in the Cure Bowl. It marked just the school's SECOND winning season in the previous 16 seasons! Tulane opened the 2019 season 5-1 and a SECOND straight winning season seemed like a "sure thing." However, Tulane has lost FIVE of its last six (only win coming against 3-8 Tulsa) and now must win here to replicate last season's 7-6 mark. Dual-threat QB McMillan has 2,229 yards passing with 14 TDs and 10 INTs but leads the team in rushing with 704 yards (4.6 YPA / 12 TDs). Depth is the key to Tulane's running game, as FIVE more RBs chip in between 240 and 569 yards, as the Green Wave ranks 11th by averaging 251.4 YPG on the ground. Tulane's D has been solid at home (has allowed 19.2 PPG) but the "stop unit" allowed 35.2 PPG on the road, a big reason Tulane went just 1-5 away from home.

The Golden Eagles turned the ball over a total of EIGHT times in their final two regular-season games, falling 28-10 at home to Western Kentucky and 34-17 at FAU. QB Jack Abraham has thrown for 3,329 yards with 18 TDs and 15 INTs. He has two solid WRs in Jones (66 catches) and Watkins (55 catches / 18.6 YPC). The running game is a true weak link, averaging only 122.8 YPG (118th) on 3.6 YPA. However, Southern Miss has averaged 27.8 PPG (74th) on 411.3 YPG (59th). The defense has played reasonably well, allowing 350.3 YPG (36th) and 25.9 PPG (54th).

It's my belief that Southern Miss meeting rival Tulane is a motivating bonus factor. The schools faced each other every season from 1979-2006, then again for a home-and-home in 2009 and 2010. The Golden Eagles were left out of the bowl season last year despite a 6-5 record (note: their schedule last season was trimmed to 11 games when a September contest was canceled as Hurricane Florence threatened the Atlantic Coast). However, 'bowling' has been a "regular thing" for Southern Miss, as the Golden Eagles mad 17 bowl appearances in the 21-year span from 1997-2017. That's in stark contrast to Tulane, which needs a win here for just its THIRD winning season in the previous 17 seasons!

There is a GREAT chance that Tulane's outstanding ground game (see above) will NOT be effective against a Southern Miss rush D allowing just 111.8 YPG (18th) on  3.4 YPA! I also really like the "bowl experience" that Southern Miss holds over Tulane. QB Jack Abraham has had more than a month to get over a 34-17 loss at Florida Atlantic in the finale, one in which he threw FOUR interceptions and was sacked three times However, let's NOT ignore that he became just the THIRD quarterback in school history to pass for 3,000 yards in a season in 2019 and has completed 70 percent of his passes in two seasons as a starter! He''ll face a Tulane defense that allowed an average of 35.7 PPG in going 1-5 over its last six contests. Throw in the fact that  Southern Miss has won the last SIX meetings between the one-time rivals and taking a TD seems awfully 'juicy' to me!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Pac-12) is on Utah at 8:30 ET.

Larry Krystkowiak (Utah head coach) and his Oregon State counterpart (Wayne Tinkle), were teammates at Montana during the 1985 and ’86 seasons. as the 10-2 Oregon St Beavers visit the 9-3 Utah Utes in the Pac-12 opener for both schools, the former teammates will meet for the EIGHT time as opposing head coaches (Krystkowiak owns a modest 4-3 advantage). Both teams are off to good starts as the season continues into 2020. Oregon State had its seven-game win streak end Dec 21 when it suffered a 64-49 loss at Texas A&M but the Beavers have since bounced back with an 83-66 home rout of North Dakota on Sunday. Overall, Oregon State’s 10-2 record matches the 1989-90, 2011-12 and 2015-16 teams for the program’s best start in 35 years. Utah has opened 9-3, including wins over then-No. 6 Kentucky, as well earning victories over  the Big Ten’s Minnesota and on the road at Nevada. The Utes 69-66 victory over Kentucky in Las Vegas on Dec 18 extended Utah’s win streak to five but the Utah was humbled 80-52 only three days later by now-No. 13 Diego State (note: Aztecs are one of just TWO unbeatens in college hoops, at 14-0).

Wayne Tinkle got great news when both 6-7 senior Tres Tinkle (his son) and guard Ethan Thompson both decided to come back this season and play for the Beavers. Tinkle continues to display his all-around talents, as he's the only player in the Pac-12 to rank in the top 10 in scoring (2nd at 20.4 PPG), rebounding (seventh with 7.3), assists (ninth with 4.2) and steals (tied for second with 2.0). Thompson also flirted with jumping to the NBA and gives Oregon St a terrific '1-2 punch,' averaging 15.8-4.7-4.7. The 7-0 Kelley (11.7 & 4.6) joins Tinkle and Thompson in double digits, while guard Reichle (8.4-3.3-2.5) and forward Hollins (6.6 & 3.7) round out the Beavers' main contributors.

Utah features the Pac-12's leading scorer in the 6-6 Timmy Allen, who is averaging 21.0 PPG and a team-high 7.4 RPG. Starting guards Gach (11.6-3.7-3.2) and Rylan Jones (11.1-3.2-5.0) also are averaging double digits. Jones is a true freshman and also leads in steals at 1.2 per game.The 6-9 Battin (9.8 & 5.3) and freshman center Carlson (6.1 & 3.9) complete the starting lineup. Two more freshman are contributing for the Utes as well, the 6-8 Jantunen (6.8 & 5.3) and guard Brenchley (4.8).

Since entering the Pac-12 in 2011 Utah, owns an 18-13 series advantage, including a 13-2 home mark. That's the venue is the key here, as Oregon St enters this contest having gone just 5-22 SU on the Pac-12 road the last three seasons. Krystkowiak gets the better of his former teammate (Tinkle) in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets were a 'sexy' pick to go deep in the playoffs in the 2019-20 season. Center Nikola Jokic led Denver in scoring (20.1), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.3) last season and then upped those numbers in 14 postseason games (25.1-13.0-8.4). Jokic's numbers were down at the start of the year but he head into 202 averaging 18.1-9.9-6.7. The Nuggets were cruising along with wins in NINE of 10 games before opening a five-game road trip at Houston on Tuesday and falling flat in a 130-104 loss. The 23-10 Nuggets (owners of the West's second-best record)  will try to wipe that very bad taste out of their mouths from that final game of 2019 when they open 2020 by visiting the 22-12 Indiana Pacers. Indiana is still waiting for Victor Oladipo to return but the Pacers have really "held their own" in the East, as they open 2020 fifth in the conference and only 2 1/2 games back of Boston (current No. 2 seed).

Denver was AWFUL at Houston on New Year's Eve (Nuggets were outscored 38-15 in the fourth quarter), allowing the Rockets to shoot 52.9 percent from the floor and knock down 16 three-pointers. Denver has a strong starting-five, as joining Jokic up front are PF Millsap (12.4 & 5.9) and swingman Barton (14.6- 6.9-3.7), while PG Murray (17.1-4.2-4.6) and Harris (11.4) start in the backcourt. Millsap has had some recent quad issues (he played vs Houston) while Harris (shin) sat out Tuesday and is day-to-day. However, the good news is that Denver has a deep bench. Forwards Grant (10.0), Plumlee (7.0 & 5.6) and Beasley (6.9) plus PG Morris (7.1 & 3.2 APG) are ready and waiting.

Indiana had dropped back-to-back road games before coming home on Tuesday and cruising past Philadelphia, 115-97. "We established our defense, got stops, and were able to get into transition," Pacers head coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "With 35 assists, we were making their defense move and work, and we were knocking down a high percentage of our shots. I just loved the tempo we established at the defensive end of the floor as well as the offensive end." T.J. McConnell and Aaron Holiday combined for 17 of those 35 assists off the bench, after starting point guard Malcolm Brogdon went down with a back injury that leaves him day-to-day. Brogdon (17.7-4.4-7.4) has been the team-leader but SF Warren has just overtaken in with his 17.8 PPG average. McMillan has been playing his 'two bigs" together as of late and it has worked well. The 6-11 Domantas Sabonis (17.5 & 13.3) is having a terrific season and  while the 6-11 Myles Turner has missed eight games due to injury, he is chipping in 12.1 & 5.7. SG Lamb (13.7 & 4.6) is back in the lineup after missing a couple of games (groin) plus the Pacers have similar depth to Denver, with the two Holidays (Aaron averages 10.8 and Justin 7.4), McDermott (9.8) and McConnell (7.1 & 5.2 APG).

Indiana welcomes the Nuggets to Bankers Life Fieldhouse where they own a 15-3 record on the season and currently have a SIX-game home winning streak which includes victories over the Celtics, Lakers, Raptors and 76ers (pretty impressive, right?). The home team has won the last four meetings in this series, with Indiana earning a 124-88 victory in Denver's visit to Indianapolis last season. At this price, have to 'LOVE' the Pacers!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* LEGEND Play is on Cincinnati at 3:00 ET.

The Cincinnati Bearcats suffered a 42-0 road loss at Ohio State early in the season and didn't lose again until back-to-back games at Memphis to end the season. Cincy lost 34-24 at Memphis on Nov 29 and then met the Tigers on Dec 7 in the AAC title game (again in Memphis), falling 29-24 on a late TD.  Third-year head coach Luke Fickell, leads Cincy into this year's Birmingham Bowl, seeking a second straight 11-win season.  Steve Addazio was the first BC coach to get the Eagles to a bowl in SIX of seven seasons but was abruptly fired following their upset win at Pitt in the regular season finale. Yes, BC was a 'bowl regular under Addazio but he was only 42-42 in his tenure (team never won more than SEVEN games in any season) and was 1-3 in bowl games (last year’s bowl was cancelled to due inclement weather). BC has hired Ohio State’s DC Jeff Hafley to take over next season but promoted WR coach Richie Gunnell to serve as the interim head coach for this contest.

If that wasn't enough turmoil, offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian has also left the program to serve in the same role at Northwestern plus more notably, star running back AJ Dillon, who rushed for 1,685 yards (5.3 YPA) and scored 14 TDs this season, has declared for the draft. He is sitting out this game, so backup David Bailey will see a larger role, after rushing for 816 yards (5.8 YPA) and seven TDs. Sophomore QB Dennis Grosel in now in charge, after junior Anthony Brown was injured halfway through the season. Both have similar TD-to-INT ratios (Brown's was 9-2 and Grosel's is 9-3) but while Brown completed 59.1% of his passes, Grosel is completing just 48.6%. The team's leading receiver has only 27 catches and one wonders how BC's offense will fair (without Dillon) against the Cincy D (more later). As for BC's defense, the Eagles are allowing 31.7 PPG (96th) on a whopping 480.3 YPG (125th!).

The Bearcats also rely on a strong ground game behind junior Michael Warren, who has back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons with 33 TDs on the ground in that span. He's run for 1,160 yards (4.8 YPA / 14 TDs) this season, while fellow RB Doaks has also compiled 499 rushing yards (5.3 YPA). QB Desmond Ridder returned from a shoulder injury for the AAC title contest but completed just 16-of-36 passes. However, he ran for 113 yards and a TD in the loss, giving him 545 rushing yards on the season. Cincy is averaging 197.6 YPG on the ground (33rd). Ridder has thrown for 2,069 yards (17 TDs / 9 INTs) but like with BC, Cincy's leading receiver has only 36 catches. The Cincy D checks in allowing 21.7 PPG, good enough to rank 30th.

Taking a closer look and the 2019 season, BC opened and closed the season with upset wins over bowl teams Virginia Tech and Pitt, but didn’t beat another bowl invitee in the remaining 10 games. Meanwhile, nationally-ranked Cincy, which had a shot at a New Year’s Six bowl had it defeated Memphis in the AAC title game, only lost two games prior to that, at Ohio State and at Memphis, when QB Desmond Ridder was sidelined with a shoulder injury. Ridder returned for the AAC title game and the Bearcats led that one until Memphis scored the game-winner with 1:14 remaining. The Cincy defense comes in allowing 21.7 PPG but a closer look reveals that it allowed 35.0 PPG in its three losses (Ohio St and Memphis, twice), while in the team's 10 wins, allowed only 17.7 PPG. I see no reason for why the Cincy D won't contain a BC offense playing without its marquee player (Dillon) and with a QB completing less than 50 percent of his passes. Blowout alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Creighton at 9:00 ET.

10-2 Marquette will visit 11-2 Creighton in the Big East opener for both teams. The Golden Eagles went 24-10 last season but lost in the NCAA's first round. In the off-season, head coach Steve Wojciechowski got great news as Markus Howard (25.0 PPG), the Big East player-of-the-year, would return for his senior year. However, three day later, the Hauser brothers, Sam (14.9 & 7.2( and Joey (9.7 & 5.3), announced that they were transferring. Greg McDermott is in his 10th season as head coach of Creighton. He arrived in 2010-11 and led the Bluejays to a runner-up finish in the CBI. Three straight NCAA teams followed, as Creighton won 29, 28 and 27 games. His lone losing season came in 2014-15 but Creighton's won 20-plus games the last four years, with two NCAA appearances and two in the NIT. The teams split two meetings last year, with the visiting team winning each one. Most notably, in last season's Jan 9 game at Creighton, Howard scored a Big East-record 53 points, with 14 coming in overtime as the Golden Eagles beat the Bluejays 106-104.

Marquette begins Bg East play  having won its last five games, after Howard (26.3) scored 30 points in last Saturday's 106-54 rout of Central Arkansas. SEVEN others scored at least eight points and the Golden Eagles had 23 assists while shooting 54.7 percent from the floor. Guards Sacar Anim (12.5 & 3.8) and Koby McEwen (10.2-5.3-3.5) give Marquette a solid guard trio, although McEwen sat out Saturday's game with a sprained thumb and is day-to-day. The frontcourt's main contributors are the 6-8 Bailey (6.9 & 4.5), the 6-7 Cain (6.3 & 5.3) and the 6-9 John (5.9 & 4.8).

The Bluejays also seem primed for conference action, heading into tonight's contest with SEVEN straight wins to close non-conference play. They had four victories against power conference teams during the run, before picking up a 91-54 triumph over NAIA squad Midland on Saturday. Creighton opened the season starting atrio of guards and all three are scoring in double digits. Marcus Zegarowski(18.5 & 4.8 APG) and Ty-Shon Alexander (16.5 & 5.9) have led the way, while Mitch Ballock is adding 12.2 & 5.2. 12.5 & 5.2). Joining that trio in the starting lineup are forwards Bishop (8.9 & 6.2) and Jefferson (7.7 & 5.3) while the 6-11 Jones (4.8 & 4.3) and guard Mitchell (4.3) come off the bench. Creighton has also gotten a HUGE boost now that highly touted 6-5 guard Denzel Mahoney became eligible in mid-December. He averaged 19.3 PPG for Southeast Missouri State (2nd-most on the OVC) back in 2017-18. He's played three games and is averaging 12.7 & 4.0.

Marquette has failed its two biggest tests so far, losing 77-61 at Wisconsin and 84-63 to Maryland in the title game of the Orlando Invitational. Creighton's two losses are surely understandable, losing at Michigan (current No. 12) and to SD St in Las Vegas (Aztecs are one of two unbeatens remaining and are currently ranked 13th). As noted above, Creighton owns wins over FOUR power-5 schools, beating Texas Tech, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Arizona St. The Bluejays are 9-0 at home and throwing out their blowout over NAIA squad Midland, the average margin of victory has been by 15.4 PPG. Home team wins AND covers!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rose Bowl play is on Oregon at 5:00 ET.

Oregon (preseason No. 11) opened its season on Aug 31 with a game at "Jerry's House" against Auburn (preseason No. 16). The Ducks dominated play in to the late third quarter (led 21-6) but the Tigers would hold Oregon scoreless over the game's final minutes, while scoring the game's final THREE touchdowns (game-winner came with NINE seconds remaining). Oregon would fight its way back near the top of the rankings by winning its next NINE games (37.9-to-13.4 PPG) and was No. 2 when it lost 31-28 at Arizona St on Nov 23. That ended the Ducks' CFP hopes but a dominating 37-15 win over Utah in the Pac-12 championship game earned Oregon a trip to the Rose Bowl.

Wisconsin  opened the season ranked 19th in the AP's preseason poll and started the season 6-0, while 'pitching FOUR shutouts!' The Badgers were ranked 6th in the AP poll (defense was allowing 4.8 PPG!) when they lost 24-23 at Illinois on Oct 19, as four TD favorites. Wisconsin lost 38-7 at then-No. 3 Ohio St the following Saturday, ending any hopes the Badgers had of a CFP berth. The Badgers did fight back to take the Big Ten West but in a rematch with the Buckeyes on Dec 7, Wisconsin fell 34-21, getting outscored 27-0 in the second half. The 'consolation prize' is this trip to Pasadena.

Wisconsin is ranked 8th as it meets 6th-ranked Oregon and is in search of a SIXTH straight bowl victory, which has followed a four-game postseason skid.Leading the way for the Badgers is junior RB Jonathan Taylor, who has 1,909 rushing yards (6.4 PPA and 21 TDs). He's just 91 yards away from joining Troy Davis (Iowa St) as the only players in FBS history to run for 2,000 yards in consecutive seasons. He enters with 6,080 career rushing yards and could be playing his final college game, as he wrestles with the decision to turn pro.Oklahoma St's Chuba Hubbard an for 158 yards in his bowl game, giving him 2,094 on the season. Doing the math, Taylor needs 186 yards to become the first player since Texas' Ricky Williams to lead the nation in rushing in back-to-back years. QB Jack Coan has thrown for a modest 2,541 yards but has made mistakes (just four INTs, while throwing 17 TDs) but his only receiver with more than 30 catches is Quentez Cephus (52 / 16.2 YPC / 6 TDs).

Oregon has a very good running game (185.8 YPG ranks 42nd) led by Verdell, who has 1,171 yards on 6.5 YPA and eight TDs. Fellow RB Habibi-Likio may have just 337 yards but he's scored 10 TDs. However, the key to Oregon's offense (35.9 PPG ranks 15th) is QB Justin Herbert, who has thrown for 3,333 yards with 32 TDs and only five INTs. He turned down a chance to be a high first-round pick in the NFL Draft last winter and he enters the final game of his college career as the nation's active leader with 95 career TD passes. WRs Johnson (55) and Redd (50) each have seven TD catches. As for the Oregon D, it is actually allowing less points than Wisconsin's D on the season, checking in at 15.9 PPG to Wisconsin's 16.1.

Speaking of that Wisconsin D, it's become quite ordinary since yielding only 4.8 PPG on a paltry 174 YPG in its 6-0 start. Wisconsin has allowed an average of 25.7 PPG over its last seven games, including a combined 72 points in two losses to Ohio State, as well as allowing a season-high 493 yards of total offense at Nebraska on Nov 16.Bottom line is that the Oregon defense is every bit as good as Wisconsin's (maybe better?) and has 19 INTs (2nd-most in the nation entering the bowl season), which boosted Oregon to 8th in the country in turnover margin. After Utah got embarrassed last night by Texas (Longhorns won 38-10, as seven-point underdogs), Oregon should be motivated to restore some Pac-12 pride. Herbert goes out a winner, making his return for his senior season worth it.'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on Va Tech at 12::00 ET.

7-5 Kentucky and 8-4 Virginia Tech meet Dec 31 in the Belk Bowl at Charlotte, N.C. The Wildcats were just 4-5 after a 17-13 home loss to Tennessee back on Nov 9 but ripped off THREE straight wins to earn a bowl bid for the FOURTH straight season under head coach Mark Stoops. Lynn Bowden, Jr., a WR turned QB, took over under center for Kentucky at 2-3 and finished 5-2. The Hokies have a similar story, as Herndon Hooker was inserted at QB with the Hokies at 2-2 and the sophomore led the team to SIX wins in its next seven games. Va Tech met Virginia on Nov 29 and a win would have earned them the ACC Coastal Division title but the Cavs beat the Hokies 39-30, ending a 15-game losing streak in the series. No doubt the Hokies were disappointed by that loss but Va Tech is making its 27th straight bowl appearance, the longest active streak in the nation

Bowden, an AP All-American who won the Paul Hornung Award as the nation's most versatile player, is the ONLY player in the country to lead his team in rushing and receiving, and averages 8.2 YPA, while producing five straight 100-yard ground games to end the season, capped by a career-high 284 yards and four TDs against Louisville. He finished the season with 1,235 rushing yards, 1,136 of which he gained in the final seven games, and 11 rushing TDs. Kentucky also has a trio of RBs who have between 515 and 757 yards rushing, giving the Wildcats the 4th-best ground game in the nation at 274.8 YPG (6.4 YPA). Don't expect much out of Kentucky's passing game though, as Bowden has completed just 46.8 percent of his passes for 330 yards (two TDs and two INTs). Stoops is a defensive guy and Kentucky is allowing only 18.4 PPG (12th).

Va Tech has no stars but a decent running game that's averaged 172.9 YPG (53rd). Hooker is nothing like Bowden but he did rush for 306 yards and five TDs. He's passed for 1,445 yards with 11 TDs and just two INTs. He likes to spread the ball around, with Tre Turner, Damon Hazelton and Tayvion Robinson accounting for 92 receptions for 1,434 yards and 12 TDs (no receiver has more than 33 catches). Defense has always been a Va Tech trademark and this game marks the final one for DC Bud Foster. He followed head coach Frank Beamer from Murray State before the 1987 season and has been in Blacksburg ever since. That includes the last 24 years running the defense under Beamer and Justin Fuente, who replaced Beamer after the 2015 season. After a rough start, Foster's unit peaked in November, allowing 9.3 PPG and pitching two shutouts, before giving up 39 points to Virginia. Va Tech's only other loss in its 6-2 closing run was 21-20 to Notre Dame.

Color me sentimental but Foster has a had a month to prepare for Kentucky's one-dimensional offense. Foster's defenses have posted 36 shutouts and have collected the most sacks (893) and second-most interceptions (393) in the FBS since 1996. I say Va Tech "wins one for the Gipper!" You get my drift, right?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Por Blazers at 10:05 ET.

The Phoenix Suns finally snapped an eight-game slide with a 112-110 victory at Sacramento on Saturday. It came as no surprise that the Suns needed to survive a missed three-point attempt at the buzzer to come away with the win, as Phoenix had suffered FIVE single-digit losses during its slide, including THREE by two or fewer points. The 12-20 Suns continue their four-game road trip Monday night in Portland, where they will take on the 14-19 Trail Blazers. Portland made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals last season but the current season has been a struggle. The Blazers opened 5-12 but then seemed to "right the ship" by winning NINE of their next 13, to reach 14-16. However, Portland enters this contest having dropped each of its last three games, all by single digits.

To no one's surprise, Devin Booker's play was instrumental in Phoenix ending its eight-game slide, one that that began after a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves back on Dec 9. Booker (24.7 & 6.4 APG) scored 32 points and added 10 assists for his third double-double of the season against the Kings. It was also the NINTH 30-point effort of the season for Booker. Small forward Kelly Oubre Jr. stepped up in Saturday's win with 20 points, a career-high 16 rebounds and five assists in 41 minutes, despite playing through a groin injury. Oubre is having a "career year," averaging 17.4-4.8-6.1 in his first season with Phoenix. The Suns signed  PG Ricky Rubio to a three-year, $51 million contract over the summer and he's delivered to the tune of 14.1-4.7-9.2, while three frontcourt players 'fly under the radar' with solid efforts. The group includes the 6-10 Baynes (13.0 & 5.6), the 6-11 Saric (11.3 & 7.2) and the 7-0 Kaminsky (11.0 & 4.9). The big issue has been the 6-11 Deandre Ayton., who was the overall No. 1 pick of the 2018 Draft (he averaged 16.3 & 10.3 as a rookie).  Almost as soon as he was reinstated from a 25-game  PED  suspension, Ayton went down with an ankle sprain. After averaging 18.0 & 11.5 in his first two games back, he's missed the last five games and remains day-to-day.

Portland's series of injuries continued Saturday, when power forward Skal Labissiere (5.8 & 5.1), who was making his first start of the season, left after three minutes with a knee injury and did not return. It's become a recurring theme this season, as the team is also missing center Jusuf Nurkic (leg), guard Rodney Hood (Achilles) and forward Zach Collins (shoulder) with long-term injuries. PG Damian Lillard (27.0-4.1-7.6) and  backcourt partner CJ McCollum (22.3-4.4-3.6) are the 'heart' of this team but center Hassan Whiteside (15.4 & 13.3) has posted double-doubles in 12 of 13 December games. Then there is also this and it's something I'd NEVER thought I would say, "Carmelo Anthony is actually playing for the good of the team!" I laughed when the Blazers signed him but he's averaging 16.0 & 6.3 in about 31 minutes.

I have to believe the Blazers will get things sorted out, although there seems to be little chance of Portland making much of  a 'slash' in the West this postseason. However, the number here seems very 'cheap,' when one considers that Portland owns an 11-game winning streak in the series. The Suns haven't defeated Portland since posting a 118-115 overtime win back on Nov 2, 2016 in Phoenix. Nothing changes here. Take Portland.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on Western Kentucky at 12:30 ET.

Western Kentucky was coming off a 3-9 season in 2018 and had a first-time head coach (Tyson Helton) to open 2019. Things couldn't have looked worse when the Hilltoppers opened the season with with a 35-28 home loss to FCS Central Arkansas (as a 10 1/2-point favorite) but by the end of November, the team had made a major turnaround. WKU went 8-4 and is now in its SIXTH bowl in eight seasons. Waiting in Dallas for the Hilltoppers for the First Responders Bowl is 7-5 Western Michigan, which is appearing in its fifth bowl game in the last six years and second straight under third-year head coach Tim Lester.

The Broncos' are averaging 34.2 PPG (25th) behind QB Jon Wassink (2,904 yards / 19-7 TD-to-INT ratio) and RB LeVante Bellamy, who leads the nation in rsuhing TDs (23), while gaining 1,412 rushing yards (9th) on 5.7 YPA. WRs Mixon and Moore have combined for 95 catches but just five TDs. TE Ricci has 47 catches and a team-high eight TDs. The defense is allowing 26.2 PPG (57th) on 414.6 YPG (82nd).

Starting QB Steven Duncan went down with a foot injury early on for WKU and graduate-transfer QB Ty Storey started the last nine games, throwing for 2,209 yards and 12 TDs and just five INTs. It helps that Storey was throwing to a pair of receivers that each earned all-conference honors in Lucky Jackson (77) and Jahcour Pearson (71), one of just four duos in the country to have at least 70 catches each. RB Gaej Walker was second in C-USA with 1,115 rushing yards (4.9 YPA / 8 TDS), reaching the 100-yard plateau seven times. The offense is averaging a modest 25.6 PPG (90th) on 380.0 YPG (87th) but the defense is top-notch, allowing 20.1 PPG (21st) on 337.8 YPG (29th).

Yes, WKU lost its opener against a FCS school but then defeated four C-USA bowl teams plus power-five opponent in Arkansas. Ty Helton was named the C-USA Coach of the Year, an award his father, Kim, won as head coach of Houston in 1996, the first father-son duo to win the award in the conference’s history. Western Kentucky comes in having won its last three games, including a 45-19 victory over Arkansas. WKU was 7-2 SU and ATS with Storey as its starter and I think that the Hilltoppers are undervalued in this matchup. Western Michigan hasn't played since it frittered away a chance to play for the MAC title (Nov 26) when it lost 17-14 at Northern Illinois as a 10-point favorite. Frankly, Western Michigan failed to impress in a softer MAC West and enters this contest with a putrid 1-8 bowl record that includes last year's 49-18 thumping at the hands of BYU in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. WMU falls to 1-9 all-time in bowls, as WKU wins handily.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Battle 4 NFC West is on the Sea Seahawks at 8:20 ET.

The NFC West title is on the line when the first-place San Francisco 49ers (12-3) visit the second-place Seattle Seahawks (11-4) on Sunday night. The 49ers can clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs with a victory but a Seattle win would give the Seahawks the division title as they won the first meeting with the 49ers. That first meeting was a Week 10  MNF "classic," in which the Seahawks won 30-27 in OT (FYI...I had Seattle as my Nov Game of the Month!). The stakes are clearly high, as the 49ers will either be the NFC's top-seed (getting home field all the way and earning a bye next weekend), or they will be the No. 5 seed, which would mean a road game next weekend at the NFC East winner (Dallas of Philly). Meanwhile, a season sweep would assure Seattle of at least the No. 3 seed, avoiding a road game next weekend vs that NFC East winner.

Jimmy Garoppolo has gained his "rep" by producing a 20-5 record as an NFL starter, not by putting up 'monster' passing stats. However, he has thrown 27 TD passes against just 13 INTs this season, while throwing for 3,693 yards. If he can throw for 307 yards against Seattle, he would  to join Jeff Garcia (franchise-record 4,278) and Hall of Famer Steve Young (two 4,000-yard campaigns) as the only San Francisco QBs to reach 4,000 yards in a single season. San Francisco is averaging 30.2 PPG (2nd-most) and Jimmy G has had lots of help from his running game this season,as three RBs have battled injuries to rush for between 533 and 715 yards. As a team, only the Ravens (Lamar and Mark) have run for more YPG than San Francisco's 145.1. San Francisco's WRs are nothing more than average (kudos to Jimmy G for making due), although TE Kittle (78 catches) is one of the best in the business. San Francisco's defense has fell off lately (more in a bit) but it enters this final game of the regular season allowing 277.4 YPG (2nd) and 19.3 PPG (8th).

Seattle QB Russell Wilson was a strong contender for MVP honors for most of the season but Lamar Jackson's play  has left all contenders "in the dust." That said, Wilson has thrown for 3,877 yards with 29 TDs and just five INTs, while rushing for 313 yards with three more TDs. For most of the season, he's been buoyed by an excellent rushing attack, led by Chris Carson (1,230 / 4.4 YPA / 7 TDs). However, Seattle's RB situation is a mess after starter Carson (hip) and reserve C.J. Prosise (arm) were hurt last week to join main backup Rashaad Penny (knee) on the injured list. Seattle signed two former team members in Marshawn Lynch (2010-15) and Robert Turbin (2012-14) to support new starter Travis Homer. I guess Curt Warner was NOT available! Seattle's defense no longer bears the moniker "Legion of Boom," as the unit is allowing 24.8 PPG (21st) on 380.5 YPG (26th).

OK, so what's the play, you ask? Yes, Seattle is banged up but let's go back and take a look at that "dominant" San Francisco defense. After allowing only 11 points per game the first seven contests, the Niners have given up 26.5 points PPG over their last eight contests (that's the NINTH-worst total in the league during that span!). Feeling a little better about my Seattle pick? How about trying this stat on? First, let me note that Seattle's home field is one of the loudest in the NFL and Jimmy Garoppolo will be starting in it for the first time, as he missed last season's visit because of a torn ACL. How have the 49ers fared in the Great Pacific Northwest? Not so well. The 49ers have lost EIGHT straight visits to Seattle, including the 2013 NFC Championship Game! Seattle gets to stay home next week with a win and would earn the No. 2 seed if the Packers lose (earning a bye) and the No. 1 seed if the Saints lose, as well (hardly likely). As for  the 49ers, I expect them to lose, which means they are off to Dallas or Philadelphia. 

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Indiana at 6:00 ET.

The Arkansas Razorbacks are 10-1 and the Indiana Hoosiers are 11-1. Both schools suffered their lone loss this season on Dec 7, Arkansas 86-79 (OT) at Western Kentucky and Indiana 84-64 at Wisconsin. However, as both schools wrap up the non-conference portion of their schedules, neither is ranked. The Razorbacks and Hoosiers remain outside the top-25 because of schedules that are considered weak and both could use a win to enhance their resumes. Surprisingly, the teams will meet for the THIRD time in 13 months. Arkansas won a regular-season game at home last November (73-72) and Indiana prevailed in an NIT matchup in March, 63-60. 

Mike Anderson never fulfilled his promise at Arkansas and is gone after eight seasons (just three NCAA bids). To rescue has come Eric Mussleman, who led Nevada to the CBI title in his first season at Reno (2015-16) and then to three consecutive NCAA tourneys the last three years (won 28, 29 and 29 games!). Four starters returned  for Arkansas but Mussleman added FIVE transfers in his first five months on the job. However, the only one making significant contributions is guard Whitt (from SMU), who is averaging 14.1 & 5.8). Arkansas' top-two scorers are returning guards Jones (19.6 & 6.2) and Joe (16.8 & 4.6). This is a perimeter-dominated team, as the team's best frontcourt player is 6-6 senior  Bailey (7.3 & 4.6). In the end,  Arkansas relies on a defense that holds opponents to 59.5 PPG (16th) and to 21.8 percent on three-point shots (1st). 

Archie Miller began his third season as Indiana's head coach and KNEW he had better improve on the 16 and 19-win seasons the Hoosiers delivered in his first two seasons at Bloomington. Indiana lost two NBA players from last year's team, guard Langford (16.5 & 5.4) and the 6-7 Morgan (15.5 & 8.2), but this year's team is off to an 11-1 start. That said, the schedule has been home-based and 'soft.' Veteran returning guards Green (12.3) and Durham (12.2) give Indiana a solid backcourt, while highly-touted 6-9 freshman Jackson-Davis (15.0 & 8.9) has been as good as advertised. He's joined up front by returning 6-7 forward Smith (12.7 & 5.3) and 6-11 Butler graduate transfer Brunk (7.8 & 5.5). PG Rob Phinisee is averaging 8.3 PPG and 3.7 APG (in seven games) and has struggled with an ankle injury but was back in the court in Indiana's last game, a Dec 21 win over Notre Dame (more in a bit).

Both teams have been off since Dec 21 but I'm siding with Indiana. A win would give Indiana an undefeated record in non-conference play for the first time since the 2011-12 season and its first 12-1 start since 2012-13. Note that  Indiana is 7-0 when PG Phinisee is able to play. The Hoosiers will test Arkansas' D with an offense averaging 80.3 PPG on 48.4% shooting (24th). Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My NFL 10* Division Game of the Month (AFC West) is on the Den Broncos at 4:25 ET.

The Broncos and Raiders met in Week 1 of the 2-019 season, in the second half of a MNF doubleheader. Oakland won 24-16 in that contest as a 2 1/2-point home dog (I had the Raiders, capping a 4-1 opening week!).  Here's how I opened my analysis of that contest.

Denver went 5-11 and 6-10 under Van Joseph and he was 'shown the door.' Vic Fangio was hired in January and it's his first head coaching job. Fangio is known as a terrific DC and his defenses have consistently been among the most productive in the NFL in a number of categories, including scoring defense, total yards allowed and fewest penalties. His defenses have ranked in the league’s top-five in yards allowed in eight of the last 12 years, while placing in the NFL’s top-5 in fewest points allowed seven times over that span. The Raiders made it to the Super Bowl in 2002 (lost to Tampa Bay and Jon Gruden) but have since had just ONE winning season in the last 15. Ironically, Jon Gruden was hired away from the TV booth to resurrect the team last season but that hardly went well, as Oakland finished 4-12.

The Raiders enter this contest 7-8 and the Broncos at 6-9. However, thanks to the Steelers and Titans each losing in Week 16, the Raiders actually have a chance (more like a 'prayer') of earning the AFC's No. 6 seed. Here goes. To reach the playoffs, the Raiders need to beat the Broncos and get lots of help. That is; losses by the Titans and Steelers, a win by the Colts and a least a win by the Patriots, Bears, Chargers or Lions. Best of luck. However, NOTHING matters if the Raiders lose.

The Raiders still have a playoff 'prayer' because they beat equally forlorn Chargers 24-17 last Sunday, QB David Carr is completing 71.1% for 3,663 yards with 20 TDs and eight INTs (101.1 QB rating) but he has yet to throw for 300 yards in a SINGLE game this season. He's a "dink-and-dunker"  and other than Sutton (68 catches / 15.6 YPC / 6 TDs) he's got little to work with. Rookie RB Josh Jacobs (from Alabama) has been terrific, running for 1,150 yards (4.8 YPA) and seven TDs but he missed last week's game with a shoulder injury and had surgery to treat a skin injection on his leg Wednesday. Hard to imagine him playing here. DeAndre Washington was a 'savior' last week filling in for Jacobs with a season-high 106 yards from scrimmage (do NOT expect a repeat effort, here!). Darren Waller is second in the league among tight ends with 1,038 yards and third with 84 receptions. He's the first Oakland TE to record 1,000 yards in a season since Todd Christensen in 1986. However, the team's two starting WRs Renfrow (43) and Williams (42) COMBINED to catch just one more catch than Waller. The Oakland defense has been near the bottom of the league all season and enters Week 17 ranked 27th in allowing 26.9 PPG.

The Broncos opened 0-4 (1-3 ATS) but since those early woes, Denver has gone a competitive 8-3 ATS. The signing of Flacco turned out to be a bust plus Brandon Allen hardly looked ready for "primetime." However, as the saying goes, "the third time's the charm!" Drew Lock, a second round pick from Missouri, is the first rookie in franchise history to win THREE of his first four starts. Lock is completing 64.8 percent of his passes with six TDs and three INTs. It appears he has all the tools to lead the franchise moving forward. RB Lindsay (958 / 4.7 YPA / 7 TDs)  will reach 1,000 yards on Sunday plus his backfield partner, Freeman, has 500 rushing yards and 42 catches. Similar to Oakland, Denver has a single pass-catching threat. In this case, it's WR Sutton (68 catches / 15.6 YPC / 6 TDs). The Fangio-coached defense has gotten healthier week-by-week and enters this contest ranking 10th in both points allowed (20.1 PPG) and yards allowed (327.2 YPG).

Why would anyone want to trust Oakland in this one? Heading into its game last Sunday vs the sad-sack Chargers, the Raiders had lost FOUR in a row by an average of 21.7 PPG. Try these stats on for size. Temperatures on Sunday are forecast to be in the 30s and that has usually spelled doom for QB Derek Carr and the Raiders. Carr has lost NINE straight starts when it has been below 50 degrees. He owns a 65.9 passer rating in those games, compared to 94.7 in all others. As noted above, Fangio has this Denver defense playing "up to snuff" and one wonders if the unit did not suffer a bout with mono early in the season, just maybe the Broncos would have had an 8-8 or 9-7 season. We do KNOW that the Broncos are 6-1 SU, 4-2-1 ATS the last seven times hosting Oakland.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Rivalry Shocker is on the NY Giants at 4:25 ET.

The Philadelphia Eagles returned from their Week 10 bye to lose THREE in a row. At 5-7, Philly's postseason chances seemed dim. However, the Eagles have vaulted to the top of the NFC East by putting together a season-high three-game winning streak in defeating each team in their lackluster division. Philly's 17-9 win last Sunday against Dallas means the Eagles can wrap up the NFC East title with a win at the New York Giants. The Giants are just 4-11, after their 41-35 OT win last Sunday against the Redskins. If history is a guide, the Eagles are in good shape. They've beaten the Giants SIX straight times and in 10 of the last 11 meetings.

Most feel as if QB Carson Wentz has had a "down" year but, he's thrown for 3.3750 yards on the season with 26 TDs and just seven INTs. He'll enter this contest having answered the team's three-game losing skid by throwing for 910 yards and six TDs and just one interception in wins over the Giants, Redskins and Cowboys. He's done all that (the last three weeks and for most of the season), while dealing with an injury-depleted WR corps. TEs Ertz (88 catches / 6 TDs) and Goedert (54 catches / 5 TDs) have been terrific but Ertz's availability for Sunday's game is in question after he sustained a broken rib against the Cowboys. "He is progressing, getting better. We'll keep monitoring him each day," head coach Doug Pederson said. Howard opened as the team's featured RB and played well when healthy (525 yards / 4.4 YPA / 6 TDs) but he hasn't played since Week 9 with an injured shoulder. However, he is expected to gain clearance to return to the backfield following a six-game absence. He'll be welcomed back but Miles Sanders has rolled up 328 scrimmage yards and three total TDs in his last two games. He has 766 rushing yards and 1,276 yards from scrimmage, with both totals serving as franchise records for a rookie. Philly's D has had a injury-filled season as well but has gotten healthier and now ranks 9th in total D (327.3 YPG) and 16th in scoring D (22.5 PPG).

The Giants ended a nine-game losing streak with 36-20 win at home in Week 15 over the Dolphins (Eli's last game with the Giants?) and then last Sunday, with rookie Daniel Jones back at QB, won 41-35 (OT) at Washington, as Jones (23 TDs / 11 TDs) passed for 352 yards with five TDs (zero INTs). More big news coming out of the Giants' last two wins is the return to "elite form" for RB  Saquan Barkley. He's run for 301 yards and three TDs in the back-to-back wins and now has 911 yards (4.6 YPA / 5 TDs) on the season, along with 49 catches. New York's WRs are finally healthy and Jones, Barkley and Co. will test Philly's improving defense. The Giants D is vulnerable (27.8 PPG ranks 29th), so it will be up to New York's offense to win this one.

The Giants gave the Eagles all they could handle when the teams three weeks ago, losing in overtime after being ahead by two TDs. In that one, the Giants had
old man Eli at QB plus Barkley not fully recovered from a high ankle sprain (was held to just 66 yards).  For this one, Barkley is back to 100 percent and Daniel Jones is fresh off a confidence-boosting effort last Sunday (see above for both). NOTHING has come easy for Philly this year and note that in the team's three-game winning streak, they needed to come back against both the Giants and Redskins, before slipping past the incompetent Cowboys. The Eagles' playoff fate is in their hands but a Philadelphia loss, coupled with Dallas win over Washington on Sunday, will spell the end of the Eagles' season. I see that as a very likely scenario.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Cin Bengals at 1:00 ET.

lt's called the "Battle of Ohio" but the winner of this Week 17 game between the 6-9 Browns and 1-14 Bengals wins nothing more than a "booby prize." The Cleveland Browns dropped their last two games, clinching another playoff-less campaign despite high expectations and have not made the playoffs since 2002 (last won a playoff game when Bill Belichick coached them past the New England Patriots in the 1994 divisional round). Their streak of 17 seasons without a playoff appearance is the longest active one in the league. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals clinched the worst record in the NFL and the No. 1 draft pick with its 38-35 overtime loss at Miami last week. The Browns posted a 27-19 home win over the Bengals in Week 14 and now own a three-game winning streak in the series, after dropping the previous six meetings.

Baker Mayfield had an excellent rookies season (27 TDs / 14 INTs / 93.1 QB rating) and expectations were high for him and the Browns enter the 2019 season (Cleveland was featured on SI's NFL preview edition). However, Mayfield has 19 INTs and 18 INTs with a 79.1 QB rating entering this final game. The Browns opened 2-6, with Mayfield throwing seven TDs and 12 INTs. A three-game winning streak followed (Mayfield d has seven TDs and just one INT) but the Browns have lost THREE of the their last four, with Mayfield throwing five TDs and INTs. It's not like he doesn't have quality offense 'weapons,' as RB Chubb (1,453 yards / 5.1 YPA / 11 TDs  / 35 catches) is closing in on the league's rushing title. Chubb leads Carolina's Christian McCaffrey by 92 yards and has a chance to clinch the title against a Bengals defense that has struggled against the run. WRs Landry (81 catches / 5 TDs) and OBJ (71 catches / 3 TDs) are a talented duo but the fact that they have combined to catch just eight TDs is troubling. To add insult to injury, Beckham (groin) is listed as questionable for Sunday.

Cincinnati has been at the bottom of the league all season but the team is still putting in the effort. Cincy scored 16 points in 29 seconds to force overtime last week (lost 38-35 in OT), as QB Andy Dalton threw four TD passes without an interception. Dalton (3,304 yards 15 TDs a& 13 INTs ) has one year left on his contract, so he could be playing his final game for the team that made him a second-round draft pick in 2011.Then again, the Bengals could keep him to mentor a new QB through a rookie season. The Bengals placed WR A.J. Green (ankle) on IR Monday, officially ending a season in which he did not play a snap after suffering the injury in the preseason. Boyd (85 catches / 5 TDs) has been the team's top receiver and RB Joe Mixon is set to surpass 1,000 rushing yards for the second straight season (he has 975). It's hard to hide the fact that Cincy ranks last in scoring (16.4 PPG), while allowing 26.5 PPG (25th).

Cleveland hasn't finished with a winning record since going 10-6 in 2007. Since then, the Browns have gone 4-12 and 5-11 three times, won seven games twice, and had a three-year stretch of 3-13, 1-15 and 0-16. Their streak of 17 seasons without a playoff appearance is the longest active one in the league. As for Cincinnati, the Bengals  wrap up their fourth straight losing season. They haven't won a playoff game since the 1990 season, the fifth-longest streak of postseason futility in the NFL's century-old history. During that 29-year span, they've had only seven winning seasons. Some "Battle of Ohio," right? That said, the Bengals have secured the top overall draft pick and would love nothing more than to beat the Browns. Why not take some points with the Bengals? The dysfunctional Browns have lost and failed to cover their last FIVE road games!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the SA Spurs at 8:35 ET.

The San Antonio Spurs just haven't been able to sustain any consistency. Case in point, they shot an NBA season-best 67.4 percent from the floor in a 145-115 win at Memphis on Monday but returned from a holiday break and needed to score the game's final 13 points just to make it respectable in a 102-98 loss at Dallas on Thursday. The 12-18 Spurs have traded wins and losses over their last eight games and welcome the 12-20 Pistons to San Antonio on Saturday to open a three-game homestand. Detroit has been shuffling its lineups with Blake Griffin (knee), Christian Wood (knee), Derrick Rose (knee), Bruce Brown (calf) and Luke Kennard (knee) all missing time recently. The Pistons returned from a two-day break (Christmas Eve and Day) on a five-game slide but routed the the Wizards 132-102 on Thursday. 

Blake Griffin (15.7 & 4.8) led Detroit with a season-high 11 rebounds to go with 14 points in Thursday's win, while Andre Drummond (17.9 & 15.9) delivered another double-double (14 & 10). PG Reggie Jackson (who has a back injury) has played just two games all season and Luke Kennard (15.8) has sat out the last two games and is expected to miss at least another 10 days. Griffin, Bruce Brown (8.3 & 4.4) and Derrick Rose (16.4 & 6.0 APG) played through nagging ailments. Reserve Christian Wood (9.5 & 4.8) finished with a team-high 22 points. Reserve PG Tim Frazier averaged 4.6 minutes while appearing in only seven games between Nov 12 and Dec 20 but has stepped up over the last three contests, averaging 12.3 points on 68.4 percent shooting in 26 minutes. 

All-Star power forward LaMarcus Aldridge exploded for a season-high 40 points on 17-of-25 shooting at Memphis on Monday but dropped down to 17 in Thursday's loss, He's averaging 19.3 PPG on the season, second to guard DeRozan's 20.9 PPG. DeRozan adds 5.3 RPG and 4.9 APG, while Aldridge leads the team in averaging 7.4 RPG. Depth remains a strength for the Spurs, as FIVE more players average between 9.9 and 11.6 PPG, while big men Poetl (5.5 & 5.70 and Lyles (4.7 & 5.7) have each played all 30 games. 

Detroit begins a season-high, six-game road trip with this Saturday game in the Alamo City and the Pistons are just 4-10 SU on the road this season. Yes, the Spurs have lacked consistency but they surely WON'T forget opening this month by absorbing a 132-98 .loss to the Pistons in Detroit on Dec 1, when the Pistons shot 59.1 percent from the floor. San Antonio wins this one "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Bowl Game of the Year is on Ohio St at 8:00 ET.

What a difference the No. 1 vs No. 2 spot in the final CFP rankings meant. LSU was able to leap-frog Ohio St after the Tigers dominated the Bulldogs, while the Buckeyes fell behind Wisconsin 21-7 at the half in the Big Ten championship game, before dominating the second half to win, 34-21. No. 1 LSU drew Oklahoma in the semifinals, where the Tigers are just about a two-TD favorite, while No. 2 Ohio St gets Clemson. The defending champs will take the the field in this year's Fiesta Bowl on a 28-game winning streak. Like LSU, Ohio St would have been a double-digit favorite against the Sooners, but instead the Buckeyes will take the field Saturday night  against Clemson as small underdog. It’s the second time in four years that Clemson and Ohio State have squared off in a semifinal matchup in the Fiesta Bowl, with the Tigers routing the Buckeyes 31-0 in 2016.

Clemson is trying to become the first repeat national champion since Alabama rolled to back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. The knock on the Tigers is their relatively weak schedule and that 21-20 'squeaker' at North Carolina back on Sep 28 (the Tigers 'escaped' when the Tar Heels failed to convert on a two-point conversion try with just 1:17 remaining in the game). However, the Tigers have surged ever since that 'scare,' rolling to eight wins, while outscoring their opponents 51.9-to-9.8 PPG (no wonder Clemson was 7-1 ATS in that stretch). QB Lawrence did not play well early, throwing five TDs and five INTs in his first three games. However, he finished the season with 34 TDs against just eight INTs, throwing 20 TDs and not a single INT in his last six games (147 attempts). RB Etienne (1,500 yards / 8.2 YPA / 17 TDs) leads a running game that perfectly balances Lawrence's passing game. Clemson averages 294.8 YPG passing and 252.9 YPG rushing, while scoring 46.5 PPG (4th). The Clemson D ranks first in the nation in allowing 10.6 PPG on 244.7 YPG (also No. 1).

Anything you can do, I can do better," is what Ohio St responds with. QB Fields has thrown for 40 TDs and just one INT on the season (308 attempts), while RB Dobbins has rushed for 1,829 yards (6.5 YPA) and 20 TDs. Ohio St's pass/rush balance is VERY similar to Clemson's and the Buckeyes are scoring 48.7 PPG, tops in the nation. Ohio St can't quite match Clemson's defensive numbers but the Buckeyes come awfully close. Ohio St is allowing 12.5 PPG (3rd), on 247.9 YPG 95th).

The superlatives for both teams are endless but for me, it comes down to this. Clemson's dominating season saw them play just ONE team which ended the season in the final CFP rankings, and that was Virginia, at No. 24. Seriously, does ANYONE think that Virginia, which lost 35-20 to Notre Dame and 62-17 to Clemson, while also losing 17-9 to a 6-6 Miami team and 28-21 to a 7-5 Louisville team, is a 'top-notch" football team? Ohio St basically mirrored Clemson's numbers, while beating Wisconsin twice (current No. 8), Penn St (current No. 10) and Michigan (current No. 14), not to mention a 10-3 Cincinnati team (current No. 21), 42-0! Ohio St has been an underdog just SEVEN times since 2012 and is 7-0 SU. Make that "crazy eights!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Daytime Dominator is on Tennessee at 1:30 ET.

Wisconsin and Tennessee meet Saturday afternoon in Knoxville. Wisconsin entered the season having been to the "Big Dance" in 20 of the last 21 seasons and while the Badgers lost the 6-10 Happ (17.3 & 10.1) and a solid guard in Iverson (6.9 & 4.5) from last season's 23-win NCAA team, the Badgers had a solid returning core. However, Wisconsin enters this contest just 6-5.The Vols went 31 games last season (made it to teh Sweet 16) but lost FOUR starters off that team, including tw0-time SEC player of the year, Grant Williams. The Vols are 8-3, as they enter their final game in 2019, with the team's SEC schedule opening Jan 4 with a home game against LSU 

The 6-11 Reuvers (15.6 & 5.6) is not Happ but he's an excellent big man. He's joined up front by the 6-8 Ford (10.0 & 4.5) plus a quartet of guards round out what has been Wisconsin's six-man rotation. King (11.5 & 3.8), Trice (9.8-4.6-3.1), Davison (9.3 & 4.1) and Pitzl (6.9 & 4.0) are all seasoned players. I just noted Wisconsin's six-man rotation but it's now SEVEN, as the 6-11 Porter, an Ohio St transfer, just became eligible in mid-December. He came off the bench to score12 points with five rebounds in his first game (an 83-64 win over Milwaukee last Saturday) and will CLEARLY be a key contributor the rest of the way. 

Rick Barnes lost plenty from last year's team but was set to rebuild around veteran guards Turner and Bowden, a pair of promising freshman plus 6-9 junior Fulkerson. Tennessee lost back-to-back games to then No. 13 Memphis at home (Dec 14) and then at Cincinnati on Dec 18. An easy win over Jacksonville State (Dec 21) may have "felt good' but NOT for long. Senior point guard Lamonte Turner (12.3-3.5-7.1) announced after the game that he was going to have season-ending shoulder surgery, thus ending his career with the Vols. Turner had been battling shoulder problems for several years. “I cried when I came back in the locker room just knowing that was my last time stepping out there,” Turner said after the 75-53 win over the Gamecocks last Saturday. “I have cried plenty of times thinking about it and I have cried plenty of times through this injury.” 

Senior Jordan Bowden (13.5-4.1-2.4 assists) scored a game-high 19 points in the win over Jacksonville St, while 6-9 junior John Fulkerson added 16 points on 8-of-11 shooting (he's shooting 67.1% on the season, averaging 11.8 & 5.3). Junior swingman Yves Pons (11.7 & 5.5) tied Tennessee's single-game record with six blocks and has rejected at least one shot in 11 straight games. As for those freshman I mentioned earlier, Josiah-Jordan James is scoring 7.4 PPG and adds a team-high 6.3 rebounds, while the 6-8 Nkamhoua is averaging 4.9 & 4.5.

I realize that with the 6-11 Porter now eligible, Wisconsin will be a more formidable team moving forward but the Badgers have yet to win away from Madison. Wisconsin is 0-2 in true road games and 0-3 in neutral contests. Winning at Thompson-Bolling Arena is no easy task, as when the Vols lost at home to Memphis on Dec 14 (note: Tigers are now ranked 9th at 10-1), it ended a 31-game home winning streak for the Vols. The Vols play outstanding D, holding opponents to just 57.2 PPG on 38.1% shooting (23rd) and "at this price," I expect Tennessee to cap 2019 with a solid victory, before heading off to SEC play when the calendar turns to 2020.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Bowl Eye-Opener (Camping World) is on Iowa St at 12:00 ET.

Notre Dame (10-2 / No. 15 in the CFP rankings) meets 7-5 Iowa State Dec 28 in the Camping World Bowl in Orlando, Fl at 12 noon ET. Both football programs have been around for more than a century (fair to say that Notre Dame has a more storied history) but will meet for the first time. The Fighting Irish are making their NINTH bowl appearance in 10 seasons but a hard-fought 23-17 loss at Georgia back on Sep 21 and then 45-14 blowout loss at Michigan on Oct 26, ended any "Final Four" talk for Notre Dame before the season moved to November. However, the Irish closed with FIVE straight wins, averaging 43.8 PPG in going 4-1 ATS. Iowa State owns wins over Texas and TCU plus its five losses came by a total of 21 points, including one-point losses to ranked opponents Iowa and Oklahoma (were two-TD underdogs against the Sooners), as well as a two-point loss to Baylor. Notre Dame enters the contest with an 18-19 record in bowl games, while Iowa State is 4-10 in bowl appearances.

QB Brock Purdy took over at mid-season in 2018 as freshman, after an injury first to starter Kyle Kempt and then the abrupt departure of backup Zeb Noland. Purdy completed 66.4% of his passes for 2,250 yards with 16 TDs and seven INTs while playing in 10 games. The sophomore was the starter this season from Week 1 and enters this contest completing 66.3% with 3,760 yards with 27 TDs and nine INTs (he also has eight rushing TDs). Jones leads the team with 72 catches (only two TDs, though) but TE Kolar has seven TDs among his 48 catches and WR Pettway six TDs among his 51 catches. RB David Montgomery (1,216 yards and 13 TDs) is now playing for the Bears and this year's running game is not as good. Hall leads the team with 842 yards on 5.0 YPA with nine TDs. The offense is averaging 34.1 PPG (26th) but ISU's defense is allowing 25.3 PPG (52nd) on 362.2 YPG (44th). That's a slight drop-off from 2018, when it allowed 22.9 PPG on 349.0 YPG.

Notre Dame features senior QB Ian Book, who could elect to come back for a fifth season in 2020. Book struggled at times early on but threw for 12 TDs without an interception in the last three games to finish with 2,787 yards with 33 TDs and just six INTs. Book added 516 rushing yards (4.9 YPA) and four TDs. He's become the first Irish QB to throw for 2,500 yards, rush for 500 and pass for at least 30 TDs in a single season. RB Jones (722 yards on 5.4 YPA and 5 TDs) helps ND's running game average 178.3 YPG (46th). WR Claypool is the team's best pass-catcher, with 59 (15.1 YPC) and 12 TDs. The Irish average 37.1 PPG (13th), while their defense allows just 18.7 PPG (13th) on 325.6 YPG (21st).

On paper, one could argue the Notre Dame side fairly easily, but not I. Brian Kelly’s Notre Dame team played in the CFP semifinals last season (lost 30-3 in the Cotton Bowl to Clemson) plus was in Fiesta and Citrus Jan 1 bowls in two of the previous three seasons, facing CFB 'blue-bloods' LSU and Ohio State in those games. My guess (bet) is that this Dec 28th game holds little allure for Notre Dame and I have NO intention of overlooking the fact that Brian Kelly comes into this game having covered just TWICE in 11 career bowl games.

Meanwhile, Mike Campbell came from Toledo to take the Iowa St job back in 2016. He was just 3-9 that first season but this marks a THIRD straight bowl appearance for the Cyclones for the first time since 2000-02. What's more, Iowa St was 5-2 ATS as an underdog in 2018 and has gone 2-0 ATS as an underdog in 2019. I'm taking any points available but expect an outright win by the Cyclones.

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* Game of the Week is on the Mia Heat at 8:05 ET.

My NBA 10* Game of the Week is on the Mia Heat at 8:05 ET.
The Indiana Pacers are 21-10 as they await the return of Victor Oladipo (expected to return near the end of January). The Pacers head down to Miami having won SIX of the last seven, hoping for another victory against a high-quality opponent. The Pacers own recent wins over the 21-7 Boston Celtics and the24-7 LA Lakers. The Pacers also just bested the 21-10 Toronto Raptors (defending champs) 120-115 in overtime on Monday night, improving to 14-3 at home. The 22-8 Miami Heat have won three in a row after a 107-104 home win over the Utah Jazz on Monday, improving their home record to an NBA-best 13-1.The Heat welcome teh 76ers to Miami tomorrow night but don't expect any "looking past' Indiana, as the Pacers won all THREE meetings with the Heat last season (Pacers will take a four-game winning streak over the Heat into tonight's contest).

The Pacers beat the Raptors despite playing without star guard Malcolm Brogdon. Brogdon spent his first three seasons with the Bucks, before he was acquired by Indiana in a sign-and-trade deal over the summer. He's been teh team-leader with Oladipo sidelined, averaging 18.3-4.5-7.6. However, he's been playing with taped-up fingers on his right hand after he dislocated his right pinkie and tore a ligament in the finger earlier this month. He's at best, questionable for this game. Head coach Nate McMillan has been playing his 'two bigs" together as of late and it has worked well. The 6-11 Domantas Sabonis (17.8 & 13.5) is having a terrific season and his 12 & 17 effort vs Toronto was his 25th double-double. The 6-11 Myles Turner has missed eight games due to injury but is chipping in 12.1 & 5.7. TJ Warren is doing what he did for the Suns, and that's to be a reliable scorer, averaging 17.7 PPG. SG Lamb (13.9 & 4.7) was back in the lineup Monday, after missing the previous two games (groin). Indiana has excellent depth with the two Holidays (Aaron averages 10.2 and Justin 7.4), McDermott (9.6) and McConnell (7.1 & 5.0 APG).

Miami's starting backcourt is made up of All Star Jimmy Butler (20.4-6.5-6.6) and undrafted rookie Kendrick Nunn (16.2) . PG Dragic (16.0 & 5.0 APG) is averaging 16.5 points in two games since returning from a groin injury, which is great news for Miami. Rookie guard Herrro (14.0 & 4.1) and second-year SF Robinson (11.7) have provided excellent depth all season. Maybe the biggest surprise has been the play of the 6-9 Bam Adebayo (15.7 & 10.6), who chipped in 18 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, three steals and three blocks in the win over the Jazz. The 22-year-old is averaging 18.6 points, 11.1 rebounds and five assists in December (no one misses Whiteside). The Heat will miss Winslow (12.4-7.1-4.3) but they have gotten used to him being in and out of the lineup.

The Heat are well aware that the Sixers come to town Saturday night, looking to avenge a 108-104 loss to the Heat on Dec 18, which was Philly's first home loss of the season, However, as I also noted, the Heat have some revenge on their mind here (0-3 last season vs Indiana), which should keep them VERY focused. Indiana has done much better than most expected (without Oladipo) but note that the team's seven road wins have come at Brooklyn (twice), Orlando, Memphis, OKC, the NYK and Atlanta. NONE of those teams own winning records. Again, the Heat are 13-1 SU at home, going 11-3 ATS. Lay the very modest number.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Holiday Bowl Blowout is on Iowa at 8:00 ET.

I'm calling this year's Holiday Bowl, "Rose Bowl Light," with the Pac 12's USC Trojans (8-4) taking on the Big Ten's Iowa Hawkeyes (9-3). The Holiday Bowl sure has a Rose Bowl 'feel' but it also serves up a 'battle' between USC's "Air Raid Offense" against Iowa's defensive prowess. USC ranks 5th in the nation averaging 335.9 YPG passing, leading to 33.2 PPG (36th) Iowa counters with a defense which ranks FIFTH in allowing just 13.2 PPG on 304.6 YPG (12th). Looking closer, Iowa is allowing only 184.2 passing YPG, which ranks 11th. The Holiday Bowl venue seems perfectly suited to USC, with its large alumni base in Southern California and San Diego just a short drive away. However, Iowa supporters are well-known for traveling to bowl games and who wouldn't want to escape the snow and cold temperatures of the upper mid-west for a few days of sun and fun?

After losing 30-27 to Notre Dame for the 3rd straight year back on Oct 12, things didn't look good for USC or its head coach, Clay Helton. However, USC survived a season-ending injury to starting QB J.T. Daniels and a concussion to backup Kedon Slovis, among a laundry list of other injuries,ton win FIVE of its last six and finish 8-4 (22nd in both the AP and CFP rankings). Slovis has completed 71.8 percent for 3,242 yards with 28 TDs and nine INTs. He's blessed with three WRs who all have at least 68 catches. Pittman leads the way (95, 1,222 yards, 11 TDs) with both Brown and Vaughns each catching 68 balls with six TDs. Remember when USC was nicknamed "Running back U?' No longer, as the Trojans are averaging only 126.3 YPG on the ground (113th) and their leading rusher has just 466 yards! The defense has plenty of question marks, allowing 27.8 PPG (66th) on 415.3 YPG (83rd)

NO ONE questions Iowa's defensive numbers (see above) but the Hawkeyes are averaging a modest 23.9 PPG (99th) on YPG (98th). QB Nate Stanley entered this season with a 52-16 TD-to-INT ratio in his previous two but threw for only 2,738 yards with 14 TDs and seven INTs (truly underwhelming). Three RBs have rushed for between 414 and 590 (on 5.0 YPA) but still, Iowa is averaging a modest 139.5 YPG on the season (9th). That said, Stanley's a senior leader and fully capable of "coming up big'" against a mediocre USC defense. The Hawkeyes have ridden their physical style to the cusp of 10 wins for what would be the sixth time in coach Kirk Ferentz's 21 seasons at the helm.

USC's four loses have come by 10.5 PPG, while Iowa three losses have come by a margin of just 4.7 PPG.  More notably, those loses have come 10-3 at Michigan (current CFP No. 14), 17-12 at home to Penn St (current No. 10) and 24-22 at Wisconsin (current No. 8). I believe DEFENSE wins over offense and I'll take Ferentz over Helton any day of the week. Don't be surprised by a 10-15 point Iowa win!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Bowl Eye-Opener is on North Carolina at 12:00 ET.

Mack Brown had a great six-year run at North Carolina from 1992-1997. He led the Tar Heels to six straight bowls and had three, 10-win seasons. That was a springboard to take the job at Texas. He won nine games in each of his first three years but then won double digits in NINE consecutive season (2001-09). His 2004 team won the BCS national championship by ending USC's 34-game winning streak, 41-38. The 2009 team lost the BCS national championship game 37-21 to Alabama. Brown would coach the Longhorns for four more seasons but the 'Horns went just 30-21 and Brown resigned after the 2013 season. Brown was named head coach at North Carolina in November of 2018 after a five-year absence from coaching and 21 years after he left UNC for Texas. North Carolina won its final two games to earn bowl eligibility at 6-6 and  returns to a bowl game for the first time since 2016, looking for its first bowl win since 2013.

Temple entered the 2019 season off four straight bowl appearances (going 2-2) but began the current season with its THIRD different head coach in four years. Matt Rhule left for Baylor after the 2016 season, Geoff Collins for Ga Tech after 2018 and then Temple hired Rod Carey to begin the current season. Carey took North Illinois to FIVE bowls in six years as that school's head coach and he leads the Owls into their FIFTH straight bowl, off an 8-4 season. The highlight of Temple's season was its 30-28 home win over Memphis, the Tigers' only loss of the season, who at 13-1 will play Penn St in the Cotton Bowl (New Year's Six game).

North Carolina relies heavily on freshman QB Sam Howell, who set several single-season school records on his way to being named Rookie of the Year in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He threw for 35 touchdowns with seven interceptions to go with an ACC-leading 3,347 passing yards. He's got some quality WRs in Brown, who caught  a modest 46 passes but averaged 20.6 YPC and had 11 TDs, as well as Newman (64 catches & 8 TDs) and Corrales (36 catches but 6 TDs). A pair of RBs, Carter (919 yards / 5.8 YPA) and Hill (848 yards / 5.6 YPA) , lead a rushing attack that averages 184.0 YPG. Along with Howell's passing, North Carolina has averaged 469.0 YPG (14th), although the Tar Heels are averaging 31.3 PPG 49th), which is less than one would expect with the yardage they've gained.

Temple averages 27.4 PPG (77th), behind QB Russo (just 58.6% completions with 21 TDs and 11 INTs) and a two-headed running attack featuring Davis (900 yards / 5.1 YPA) and Gardner (585 yards / 4.1 YPA). Russo has a quality trio of WRs, in Blue (87 catches but just four TDs), Mack (56 catches / 15.8 YPC / 7 TDs) and Wright (47 catches / 5 TDs). Temple's D allowed 23.5 PPG (43rd) on 365.0 YPG (46th) but most impressively ended the regular season ranked third nationally in red-zone stinginess.

Temple's senior class is the third-winningest group in program history with 33 victories. "I've really enjoyed my first season here at Temple and only wish that I can spend more time with this outstanding senior class," Owls head coach Rod Carey said.However, here's the rub. As noted above, Carey led the Northern Illinois to five bowls in six years and let me add that he also coached the Huskies in the Orange Bowl (2012 season), after Dave Doeren left to take the NC State job. What do all those bowl games have in common? The Huskies lost EVERY one! Should his 'luck' change here in 2019? I don't see it. Other than Memphis, who did Temple beat. Here's a list of the other seven. Bucknell (FCS), Maryland (3-9), ECU (4-8), USF (4-68), UConn (2-10), Tulane (6-6) and Ga Tech (3-9).

“Our No. 1 goal when we returned last year was to send the seniors out the right way,” Mack Brown said. “Everything we did, from spring practice to summer workouts to fall camp, was with an eye on winning enough games to get these seniors to a bowl game. Now, when this group looks back on their careers, they'll be able to say they helped get the program on the right track and finished with a bowl game. I'm just so happy for everyone involved in our program, but especially, that group of young men.” so far, North Carolina's "highlight of the year" was a 21-20 loss to Clemson (you know, the winners of 28 in a row), when the Tar Heels failed on a two-point conversion with 1:17 remaining in the contest. A win here will replace that game at "the No. 1 spot" and would be the 'cherry on top' of Mack Brown's "Carolina return." That's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET.

Detroit has been shuffling its lineups with Blake Griffin (knee), Christian Wood (knee), Derrick Rose (knee), Bruce Brown (calf) and Luke Kennard (knee) all missing time recently. The Pistons return from a two-day break (Christmas Eve and Day) on a five-game slide and an overall record of just 11-20. Visiting the Pistons are the 9-20 Washington Wizards, who are dealing with their own injury issues but managed to snap a three-game slide with a 121-115 triumph at the New York Knicks on Monday. The Wizards were without guards Isaiah Thomas (suspension) and Jordan McRae (finger), forwards Davis Bertans (quad), Rui Hachimura (groin) and Mortiz Wagner (ankle) plus center Thomas Bryant (foot) on Monday. The teams will be meeting for the THIRD time this season, with the Wizards winning both (more later).

Washington got a big boost off the bench from Troy Brown Jr. (9.2 & 5.3) on Monday, who scored a career-high 26 points while adding nine rebounds and seven assists. Guard Gary Payton II was signed out of the G League and played 34 minutes in his team debut, collected 10 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and six steals. With Wall out for the entire season, Beal was expected to have a HUGE season and he has, averaging 28.3-4.9-6.8. However, as noted above, the Wizards will be severely short-handed in this contest.  Rookie Hachimura (17.9 & 5.8) is the team's second-leading scorer, Bertans checks in at 15.4 & 4.9, Wagner at 11.1 & 6.8 and center Bryant (13.9 & 5.8). All  FOUR will miss tonight's game plus PG  Thomas (13.6 & 4.8 APG) will serve the last of a two-game suspension for confronting a fan in the stands at Philadelphia.

Despite losing for a FIFTH straight time, the Pistons got good news, as Griffin (15.8 & 4.4), Wood (9.0 & 4.7) and Rose (16.5 & 6.0 APG) all returned to the lineup on Monday after missing some time. Griffin struggled while going 2-of-14 from the floor while Wood was limited to four minutes off the bench. "Eleven and 20 is not good," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "We need every hand on deck. I applaud Blake for going tonight. All the guys for going tonight. Christian Wood is not 100 percent. He went tonight. We need all hands on deck at 11 and 20. There’s no magic wand. It’s going to be grind it out, game by game, to get back in this." Center Andre Drummond led the way with 27 points on Monday after being relegated to a reserve role as punishment for missing shootaround. Drummond is having an outstanding season (18.0 & 16.1).

Sure, Detroit is missing some players but the Wizards lineup is really depleted.  Detroit's current five-game skid began with a 133-119 home loss to Washington on Dec. 16. However, in that contest, Hachimura, Bertans and Thomas combined for 47 points. Neither of those three will play here, nor will big men Bryant and Wagner (averaging a combined 25.0 PPG and 12.6 RPG). The Wizards also beat the Pistons back in Washington on  Nov 4, 115-99. "THIRD time is the charm" for Detroit.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* signature 36-Club Play is on La Tech at 4:00 ET.

Mark Richt led Miami to a 9-4 record in his first season (2016), which included a 31-14 bowl win over West Va. Much was expected of the 2017 team and Miami opened 9-0, including wins over then-No. 13 Va Tech (28-10) and then-No. 3 Notre Dame (41-8), to open November. Miami reached 10-0 with a win over UVa the following week and played its final regular season game at Pittsburgh, ranked No. 2 in the nation. The 'Canes lost 24-14 (as a 12-point favorite) and then got crushed 38-3 by Clemson in the ACC championship game. That Notre Dame win was supposed to be a watershed event but it instead became the apex of the Richt era. The 'Canes lost their final three games of the 2017 season (after that 10-0 start) and then went 7-6 in 2018, going 5-12 ATS over Richt's final 17 games as Miami's head coach. Richt abruptly resigned after Miami's 35-3 Pinstripe Bowl loss to Wisconsin. Richt's DC Manny Diaz had already moved to Temple as the new Owls' head coach but he returned to Miami. Pretty convoluted, right? Is it really a surprise Miami had such a disappointing season (more in a bit).

The 6-6 'Canes meet the 9-3 La Tech Bulldogs in the Independence Bowl on Dec 26 in Shreveport, La. The Bulldogs play in C-USA and were 6-2 in the West Division, but lost a tie-breaker to UAB, which went on to lose the C-USA title game 49-6 playing FAU in its home stadium. However, unlike Miami, La Tech has had stability on the coaching sidelines, as Skip Holtz is finishing up his seventh season at La Tech. He went just 4-8 in his first season but 2019 marks the SIXTH consecutive season in which he's led the Bulldogs to a bowl game.What's more, his Bulldogs have won EACH of the last five! Should I stop right here? C'mon, you know me better than that.

The Hurricanes' roller-coaster season mirrors the up-and-down play of QBs Jarren Williams and N'Kosi Perry, both of whom have had their chances but struggled with inconsistency and ineffectiveness. Diaz declared the battle open for the starting job in the Independence Bowl when Williams faltered in the final two games after seemingly turning the corner during a three-game winning streak in late October and early November. A weak offensive line didn't much help Miami's QBs, nor Miami's sad-sack running game that ranked dead last in the ACC (116.5 YPG). Adding insult to injury, leading rusher DeeJay Dallas (693 yards) will not play in this contest. Defense has long been a cornerstone for the Hurricanes but, despite ranking 13th in the country (307.6 YPG), the unit too often failed to get critical stops late in games. Miami's D allowed  57 points in its final two games, with consecutive 'ugly' defeats at local rival and non-power 5 school Florida International (30-24) and ACC foe Duke (27-17), which had come into the game with just two conference victories.

Louisiana Tech struggled down the stretch with back-to-back losses to Marshall (31-10) and UAB (20-14), before coming back to defeat Texas-San Antonio 41-27 in the regular-season finale. Senior QB J'Mar Smith missed the losses to Marshall and UAB, as he was suspended for violating athletic department policy. However, Smith returned for the finale and tossed three TD passes against UTSA. Despite sitting out two games, Smith enjoyed a career year while throwing for 2,814 yards and 17 TDs with just four INTs, earning the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year award. La Tech averages 34.0 PPG (29th) and after an opening 42-14 loss at Texas, the defense only allowed more than 30 points just twice

Breaking it down, both Miami's offense and defense has been erratic all season, so why should we expect them to turn things around here? Miami's offense should have problems vs a La Tech D that ranked THIRD in the nation in stopping opponents inside the red zone, giving up scores just 64.7 percent of the time. As for La Tech and its offense, the Bulldogs have won the last NINE game started by QB Smith. The Hurricanes have played in just one marquee bowl game since a 2005 , losing that Peach Bowl appearance 40-3 to LSU. That loss began a stretch that's seen Miami win just TWO of its last 11 bowl appearances and as noted above, Holtz has led La Tech to FIVE straight bowl wins the last five seasons! Dig deeper and we find that La Tech is 18-8-1 as a dog since 2014 and that the underdog has gone 9-3 ATS in Miami's 12 games this season. Ruston is just under 70 miles from Shreveport, so the Bulldogs should have great support, while is there any reason to expect Miami to be interested? Surely, the school's recent bowl efforts provide none

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Washington at 9:00 ET.

No. 21 Washington (10-2) will face 9-3 Houston in the championship game of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu on Christmas evening. The Huskies reached the title game easily taking care of Ball St (85-64) Ball State and the host school (Hawaii), 72-61. Meanwhile, the Cougars advanced with wins over Portland and Georgia Tech by average of 18 points. Washington is looking for its NINTH victory in the last 10 games, while Houston is looking for its EIGHTH victory in the last nine contests.

Kelvin Sampson is in his sixth season with Houston. He has to bring in EIGHT new players in his first season and won just 13 games. However, four straight 20-plus win seasons have followed, including 33 wins last season, when the Cougars reached the Sweet 16. However, juts ONE starter returned from that squad. The  team's lone returning starter from last year is the 6-8 White (10.3 & 76.1) and  he recorded 15 points and 12 rebounds in Monday's win over Ga Tech, giving him his  first double-double of the season. Sophomore guard Quentin Grimes (started every game for Kansas last season) was given a waiver to be able to play this season for Houston and is averaging 15.3-4.2 on the season.  He's averaged  22 points in the first two games of this tourney, including a 26-point effort against Georgia Tech in which he tallied 23 in the first half (he has scored in double digits NINE times in 12 games). Hinton is a 6-5 sophomore guard who averages 12.8 PPG and a team-leading 9.3 RPG (he has collected nine or more rebounds in SIX straight games). Freshmen guards Caleb Mills (11.8) and Marcus Sasser (6.5), olus junior guard Jareau (8.8) round out the major contributors.

Mike Hopkins spent more than 20 years as an assistant to Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, before taking the job at Washington for the 29017-18 season. His first team won 21 games and an NIT berth but last year's team won 27 games and earned an NCAA bid. However, FOUR starters are gone from that team, including three NBA draft picks. That's never good but Hopkins recruited a pair of McDonald's All-Americans plus added a third with the transfer guard Quade Green from Kentucky. 6-9 freshman Isaiah Stewart recorded 26 points and 13 rebounds in Washington's 72-61 semifinal win over Hawaii on Monday for his fourth straight double-double and sixth of the season. He leads the team in both scoring (18.80 and rebounding (8.9), while fellow freshman, the 6-10 Jaden McDaniel chips in 14.7 & 5.8. He struggled to eight points on 2-of-8 shooting vs Hawaii but did collect a season-high 13 rebounds.  PG Quade Green (that Kentucky transfer) is averaging 17.2 points over the last five games to raise his average to 11.5 PPG, to go along with a team-high 5.3 APG. Swingman Carter, with more "PT" this season, is averaging 13.3 & 5.8.

The Cougars have lost at Oregon and in home games to BYU (72-71 at the buzzer) and to Oklahoma St. That Dec 15th home loss to OSU was 'ugly,' as the Cougars scored just 55 points at home, while shooting just 33.1%. However, Houston has rebounded to win THREE in a row by margins of 20, 25 and 11 points (3-0 ATS). As for Washington, its win over Hawaii was its first true road win but an impressive one, as the Huskies held the Rainbow Warriors (who entered on a seven-game home winning streak) to 28.4 percent from the floor, including 9-of-39 from three-point range.

Washington will open Pac-12 play on Jan 2, so ending 2019 with a tourney win over a school which won 33 games last season, would be a nice confidence-builder for a team with such young talent. The Pac-12 is loaded this season, with Oregon ranked 6th and Arizona 24th, while Stanford sits 11-1 plus Colorado and USC at 10-2. Washington's two big freshman give the Huskies a big advantage inside plus Green and Carter on the perimeter are more than a match for Houston's solid perimeter group. The Cougars allowed Oregon to shoot over 50% from the floor in losing to the Ducks, in a game the Cougars shot just 2 of 20 on threes. Deja vu?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on the LA Lakers at 8:05 ET.

The Lakers and Clippers met on Opening Night (Oct 22) with the Clippers (sans George) getting the better of the Lakers, 112-102. These Staples Centers co-tenants meet again on Christmas & despite George being active since Nov 14, the Lakers have been the better team, so far (Lakers enter 24-6 & the Clippers 22-10). Lakers stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis are listed as questionable but both are expected to start. The Clippers were without six-time All-Star Paul George on Opening night (he missed the first three weeks of the season while rehabilitating two offseason shoulder injuries) but he's back and has teamed with the Clippers' other blockbuster offseason acquisition, Kawhi Leonard, to post an 11-3 record when both are in the lineup. With "all hands on deck," this contest is one of the most anticipated games so far this season.

Paul George (24.2-5.8-3.7) is thrilled to be playing in front of his family on Christmas Day and understands all the hype surrounding the contest. "It is going to be crazy," George told ESPN. "Playing on Christmas is one of the biggest things but then the matchup that is going to be on that floor. Two top 10 players on each side, both teams with loaded benches. I think as a competitor, you want to play against the best. It will make for a great show." Leonard (25.5-7.8-5.1) is not cleared to play in back-to-back games this season because of lingering knee issues. He played on Saturday night in a one-sided win at the San Antonio Spurs but rested on Sunday when the Clippers lost at the Oklahoma City Thunder. Veteran guard Williams (19.5 & 6.1 APG) and PF Harrell (19.0 7 7.50 give the Clippers the best "one-two" bench duo in the NBA. The Clippers were also without starting PG Patrick Beverley against the Thunder (sore right groin), with Williams moving into a starting role for the fifth time in 105 games over the past two seasons (he had 22 points and seven assists).

LBJ missed his first game of the season on Sunday due to the injury (he's dealing with a thoracic muscle strain in his back) while Davis has an injured right knee. Davis (27.9 & 9.4) James (25.8-7.5-10.6) both participated in a walk-through on Tuesday. The duo has carried the Lakers all season but Kuzma (11.3) is as healthy as he's been all season and will see increased playing time after scoring 16 points in 21 minutes against Denver on Sunday. Guards Bradley and Rondo have been in and out of the lineup all season but both Caldwell-Pope (8.9) and Green (8.5) have each played all 30 games. With Davis and LBJ garnering all the headlines, the Lakers' two-headed center combo of McGee and Howard, has contributed 14.0 PPG and 13.0 RPG.

As noted above, this contest is one of the most anticipated games of the season to-date and with the Lakers coming off THREE straight losses (had gone 24-2 since their Opening night loss to the Clippers),  this is a HUGE one for the team which has DOMINATED the LA basketball scene 'forever.' I'm "all over" the Lakers.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on the Phi 76ers at 2:35 ET.

My 10* play is on the Phi 76ers at 2:35 ET.
The Philadelphia 76ers will host a rare Christmas Day game when they welcome the Milwaukee Bucks to Wells Fargo Center on Wednesday afternoon. It will be the first home game on Christmas since 1988 for the Sixers and it's a possible preview of the East Finals. The 27-4 Bucks own the best record in the NBA and have won 21 of their last 22 games, including a 117-89 demolition of the Indiana Pacers this past Sunday. Philly opened 14-0 at home this season but then lost back-to-back home contests to Miami (on Dec 18) and to Dallas  on Dec 20). However, the 76ers have bounced back by scoring 125 points in each of their last two outings, winning by 17 points at home to Washington and then by 16 point at Detroit. Philadelphia is 22-10 (15-2 at home) on the season and while that leaves them with just the East's fifth-best record, the three team ahead of them (excluding Milwaukee), are all within a game of each other in the standings.

Antetokounmpo (31.0-12.9-5.6) is having another MVP-caliber season but Milwaukee will be without Bledsoe (15.0-4.9-5.7), who is expected to miss a few weeks with a leg injury (he's already missed five games). However, the Bucks have plenty of depth. Middleton (18.0 & 5.4) is a solid second-scoring option to Giannis, plus guards Hill (10.3), Mathews (8.3), DiVencenzo (8.5 & 4.5 APG) and Korver (6.2) will see more time with Bledose out. Starting center Brook Lopez (10.0 & 5.1) is backed up by his brother Robin (5.2) plus PF Ilyasova (7.7 & 4.8) is a steady producer off the bench.the bucks lead the NBA in scoring (120.6 PPG) and rank second in FG percentage (48.2%). Milwaukee is also 1st in defensive FG percentage (41.4%) and 9th in points allowed (107.1 per).

The 76ers pulled out of a funk that saw them drop three in a row by cruising to easy wins over Washington and Detroit in the last two contests. The three-game slide featured teams playing zone defense and relying on the 76ers to miss shots. PG Ben Simmons (14.4-7.0-8.2) drove the lane in Monday's rout of the Pistons, finishing with 16 points, a career-high 17 assists and 13 rebounds (his 24th career triple-double). "Just trying to be a force downhill," Simmons explained to reporters. "Trying to find open guys when they're open." All starters are healthy for Philly, with Richardson (14.6)  back in the lineup after missing eight games. Philly's frontcourt is one the league's best, with center Embiid (23.0 & 12.6) joined by forwards Harris (19.7 & 6.7) and Horford (13.1 & 6.7. Korkmaz (8.20 and Ennis (6.9 & 3.50 add depth on the perimeter and the 6-10 Scott (6.4 & 3.3), does so up front.Philly is shooting 47.6% from the floor (3rd) but averaging a more modest 109.8 PPG (17th). On the defensive end, while the Sixers are a just 14th in FG percentage against (45.6%), they are holding opponents to 104.9 PPG, which ranks 3rd-best.

The Bucks are not having any problem knocking off the other top teams in the Eastern Conference, as Milwaukee hasn't lost to an Eastern Conference foe since falling at Boston on Oct 30. However, teams just can't "win them all," and this Christmas Day game in Philly makes for one tough spot. Philadelphia has not been favored by less than five points in ANY of its previous 17 home games but will be a home dog in this one. "Statement game" for the Sixers here and my bet is that they are "up to the challenge."

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Tourney Takedown is on Hawaii at 11:00 ET.

Mike Hopkins spent more than 20 years as an assistant to Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, before taking the job at Washington for the 29017-18 season. His first team won 21 games and an NIT berth but last year's team won 27 games and earned an NCAA bid. However, FOUR starters are gone from that team, including three NBA draft picks. That's never good but Hopkins recruited  a pair of McDonald's All-Americans plus added a third with the transfer guard Quade Green from Kentucky (more in a bit). Washington is currently ranked 22nd in the AP and won its first round game in the Diamond Head Classic, 85-64 over Ball St, to up its record to 9-2. The Huskies will face the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors tonight in the second round, who upped their record to 8-3 with a late-night win over UTEP, 67-63. Hawaii head coach Eran Ganot is in his 5th season at Honolulu and he believes this is the best team he's had. "Bigger, faster and stronger," is the way he described this year's squad.

Washington's two freshman forwards, the 6-9 Stewart (18.1 & 8.5) and the 6-10 McDaniels (15.7 & 5.1), have lived up to expectations. McDaniels scored a career-high 22 points in Sunday's win and Stewart added 19 points and 10 rebounds. PG Green, a transfer from Kentucky, matched his career high with 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting with a game-high six assists (he's averaging 11.5 PPG and 5.1 APG on the season). Swingman Carter, with more "PT" this season, is averaging 13.5 & 5.8.

Hawaii cannot match Washington's overall talent but the Rainbow Warriors are a 'tough out,' here at home (tourney is played at the Stan Sheriff Center, Hawaii's home court). Senior guard Eddie Stansberry (18.5 & 3.9) is joined on the perimeter by Avea (11.5 & 4.5) and PG Buggs (10.7-3.9-5.6), while the 6-9 Raimo (9.3 -7.0-4.4) and the 7-0 Carper (6.9 & 3.9) start up front. UTEP led Hawaii by as many as nine points after the break and had a 51-43 lead midway through the second half. However, a 7-0 spurt over a 64-second span cut Hawaii's deficit to a point with nearly nine minutes to play. Buggs' layup with 39 seconds left capped a 10-2 run and gave the Rainbow Warriors a 64-60 lead. Leading scorer Eddie Stansberry was limited to seven points on 2-of-8 shooting in 38 minutes but 6-9 freshman Bernardo da Silva (4.8 & 3.0) scored a season-high 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting and grabbed five rebounds. Avea added 16 points and eight rebounds, while Buggs scored five points in the final 39 seconds.

Hawaii was out-classed by then-No. 13 Oregon on Dec 7, 89-64. However, that was in Eugene. Here, Hawaii is playing on its home court, where the Rainbow Warriors have won SEVEN in a row. Just how good is Washington? I'm NOT sure we know, just yet. This will be the Huskies' first true road game of the season. Washington opened the season with a neutral site game against Baylor (Nov 8) and while the Huskies won 63-58, Baylor failed to make a field goal over the final five minutes, allowing Washington to erase a 63-53 deficit. Clutch play by Washington, or 'choke job" by Baylor? About a week later, Washington/Tennessee was the middle feature in the James Naismith Hall of Fame Classic, an NCAA triple header at Scotiabank Arena in downtown Toronto. The Huskies didn't fare so well north of the border, falling behind by as many as 14 against the Volunteers, before losing 75-62. Washington's lone win away from home this season came yesterday, against a mediocre Ball St team. I'm willing to 'bite' on the home dog in this spot. Visiting 'paradise' often offers more than a few distractions.

Good luck...Larry

My NFL 10* Game of the Year is on the Min Vikings at 8:15 ET.

The Green Bay Packers beat the Chicago Bears 21-13 in Week 15, upping their record to 11-3 (tied with New Orleans, San Francisco and Seattle for the NFC's best record). The Packers are a long-shot to get the No. 1 seed but are the favorite to win the NFC North. A win over the Vikings on Monday night will clinch the division for Green Bay but even with a loss, the Packers would still win the NFC North by beating the Lions in Detroit in Week 17 (the Lions are currently 3-10-1). The Vikings routed the Chargers 39-10 in LA last Sunday and enter this contest 10-4 and all but assured of at the least, a wild card spot. The only way Minnesota doesn't clinch a wild card spot would be by losing their last two games (host the Bears in Week 17), while the LA Rams win their final two games, at San Francisco on Saturday and at home in Week 17 to the Cardinals. Assuming that the Packers lose here but win at Detroit, the Vikings will be relegated to a wild card spot.   They could only earn the No. 5 seed (a great position, as the five-seed will play the NFC East champ, either Dallas or Philly) if the 49ers OR Seahawks lose out and the Vikings win out. That sets the stage for this MNF contest. Confused?

The Packers may be 11-3 but they seem to have a patent on “winning ugly” in 2019. Aaron Rodgers has thrown for 3,463  yards with 24 TDs and just two INTs (in 474 attempts) but similar to Tom Brady, he just hasn't "looked right' in 2019. The Packers rank just 21st in total offense (336.6 YPG) and 14th in scoring (14th). RB Aaron Jones has been Rodgers' "main' man," rushing for 830 yards (4.4 YPA) while scoring 14 TDs. He's also caught 45 passes for three more TDs. Adams leads the team with 63 catches (just 4 TDs) but no other WR has even HALF as many receptions as Adams. Defensively, the Packers are allowing 371.3 YPG (to rank 23rd) but the team has fared better in the category of points allowed (20.2 PPG ranks 9th).

Minnesota QB Kirk Cousins has often been criticized but he's completing 70.5 percent on the season with 25 TDs and just five INTs (111.1 QB rating ranks fourth-best). RB Cook (1,175 RY / 4.5 YPA / 13 TDs plus has added 53 catches for 519 yards) is one of the NFL's best all-purpose RBs. He hurt his should again last Sunday and there are conflicting reports surrounding his availability for this game. He's listed as doubtful but Cook has said "Im playing." WR Stefon Diggs has 60 catches (17.9 YPC / 5 TDs) and fellow WR Thielen played last week and had three catches (he has 30 catches but six TDs in nine games). Minnesota has two-headed TE combo (Rudolph and Smith) and the duo has combined for 71 catches and eight TDs. The Vikings offense has played well all season, ranking seventh in scoring (27.0 PPG) and their defense also ranks seventh in allowing a modest 18.5 PPG.

The Packers will likely win the division but the Vikings GUARANTEE themselves a wild card spot with a win here. Minnesota is a perfect 6-0 at home and as noted earlier, Rodgers (like Brady), just seems 'off.' The Packers enter this contest averaging only 19.6 PPG their last six contests and Rodgers enters the game averaging just 189.8 YPG passing in that span. Meanwhile, the oft-maligned Cousisns has thrived since the Vikings installed a moving pocket for him, after the team went 2-2 in September. Minnesota is 8-2 since then, with Cousins throwing 22 TDs and just three INTs, posting QB ratings of over 100.0 SEVEN times. Never thought I'd ever say this but....I'm taking Cousins over Rodgers in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

The Toronto Raptors fell behind the Dallas Mavericks 83-53 with just under three minutes remaining in Sunday's home game but stormed back for a 110-107 triumph. The 30-point comeback was the largest in franchise history and the the first of that magnitude in the NBA in more than 10 years. Forward Chris Boucher  (just 5.7 & 4.1 on the season) scored a career-high 21 points in the win, while PG Kyle Lowry scored 20 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, as Toronto outscored Dallas by a whopping 47-21 margin! While the Raptors stormed back in the 4th quarter vs Dallas, the Pacers pretty much "packed it in" during the 4th quarter of their Sunday loss to the Bucks. Indiana saw ts five-game winning streak come to an end in a big way, as the Pacers lost 117-89  at Milwaukee, getting outscored 34-16 in the final period.

Siakam (25.1 & 8.0), Powell (14.4)and Gasol (6.6 & 6.6) are all out indefinitely for the Raptors and that's why Boucher played enough to score 21 points. Lowry will need to carry the load until those players get back on the court, with help from VanVleet (17.6-4.0-6.8), Ibaka (13.2 & 7.4) and Anunoby (11.4 & 5.8).  Lowry's big Sunday included a 12-for-23 effort from the floor along with 10 assists, eight rebounds and one turnover in 42 minutes. "He was doing it all," head coach Nick Nurse told the media. "I'm not sure I've seen anything like it." Methinks Nick Nurse is "overstating, more than just a little." The Raptors 'got away with murder' on Sunday, as all Raptors other than Lowry shot a combined 35.2 percent.

Malcolm Brogdon was drafted by Milwaukee and spent his first three seasons with the Bucks, before he was acquired by Indiana in a sign-and-trade deal over the summer. He was welcomed back with cheers and a tribute video last night but  finished with 10 points on 5-of-19 shooting and 10 assists, as the Pacers were routed, 117-89. Brogdon is playing with taped-up fingers on his right hand after he dislocated his right pinkie and tore a ligament in the finger earlier this month. However, he continues to be the team-leader, averaging 18.3-4.5-7.6. Head coach Nate McMillan has been playing his 'two bigs" together as of late and while last night was a 'nightmare,' it has worked well, overall. The 6-11 Domantas Sabonis (18.0 & 13.4) is having a terrific season and his 19 & 18 effort last night was his 24th double-double (tied for second-most in the NBA). The 6-11 Myles Turner has missed eight games due to injury but is chipping in 11.5 & 5.6. TJ Warren is doing what he did for the Suns, and that's to be a reliable scorer, averaging 17.5 PPG.

One wonders how the 21-8 Raptors will react off Sunday's historic comeback win. The Pacers are 13-3 SU at home and have some "splainin' to due" after last night's 'give up' in Milwaukee. Lamb (14.0 & 4.7) has missed the last two games (groin) and is day-to-day but Indiana has excellent depth with the two Holidays (Aaron averages 9.9 and Justin 7.6), McDermott (9.7) and McConnell (7.0 & 5.0 APG). The home team won all three meetings a year ago between these teams and I don't see how the injury-depleted Raptors 'hang' with the Pacers in this one. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* West Coast Crusher is on Hawaii at 11:55 ET.

The UTEP Miners travel to 'paradise' (or Hawaii if you prefer), to take on the 7-3 Rainbow Warriors late Sunday night. UTEP has struggled this season to score, averaging a modest 69.7 PPG (234th) on 44.3% shooting, including  31.4% from beyond the arc. 6-8 senior forward Bryson Williams (19.6 & 7.0) is easily the team's best player, as the only other UTEP player averaging double-digits is junior guard Souley Boum (11.7 PPG). Hawaii is not exactly 'lighting up' the scoreboard, averaging 72.8 PPG but the team is shooting 45.8% from the floor, including 38.2% from beyond the arc (ranks 33rd). Senior guard Eddie Stansberry (19.7 & 3.7) is joined on the perimeter by Avea (11.1 & 4.1) and PG Buggs (10.9-4.0-5.4), while the 6-9 Raimo (9.3 & 7.2) and the 7-0 Carper (7.4 & 4.1) give Hawaii some inside 'muscle,'

UTEP recently won The Sun Bolw Classic on its home floor but then got blown out on the road by Houston on Thursday, 77-57. Hawaii has been off since last Sunday, when the Rainbow Warriors routed Samford, 94-73. Rodney Terry is in his second year as UTEP's head coach (spent seven modest years at Fresno St) and at 8-2, he's already matched his win total from his 'rookie season' at UTEP, as the Miners were just 8-21. However, here's the catch. The Miners have not won a road game in their last 15 chances (dating back to last season) and Hawaii checks in at 7-1 at the Stan Sheriff Center. What's NOT to like about Hawaii at this price?

Good luck...Larry

My NFL 10* Battle 4 NFC East is on the Phi Eagles at 4:25 ET.

The NFC East boasts a rich and decorated history but 2019 will NOT go down as a memorable season, unless one wants to focus on the moniker, "NFC Least." The Cowboys, Eagles Giants and Redskins have 'earned' that title, as the four teams are a combined 20-36 (.357), with Dallas and Philly 'leading' the way at 7-7.The Cowboys got a much-need 44-21 win last Sunday, snapping the team's second three-game losing streak of the season. Meanwhile, the Eagles come into this contest off back-to-back wins over the division's two bottom teams, needing OT to beat the Giants in a Week 15 home MNF contest and a fumble return for TD on the game's final play to get past the Reskins, 34-24 in Washington (the Eagles had just scored the go-ahead TD with 26 seconds remaining in the game). Dallas can clinch the division title with a win, while an Eagles win puts Philadelphia in control of its own destiny.

Dallas QB Prescott has thrown for 4,334 yards (2nd-best to Tampa Bay's Winston) with 26 TDs and 11 INTs. He's been dealing with a sprained right shoulder that limited him in practice this week but he declared that he'll "be good to go on Sunday," choosing to NOT add any additional drama surrounding this high-stakes game. WRs Amari Cooper has 71 catches and is averaging 15.1 YPC with eight TDs. Fellow WRs Gallup (56 / 16.3 YPC) and Cobb (45 / 15.0 YPC) give Dallas three receivers all averaging 15-plus yards per catch (that's impressive). RB Ezekiel Elliott had 117 rushing and 43 receiving yards (along with two TDs) in the Cowboys' 44-21 romp over the Rams and checks in with 1,188 yards on the season (4.4 YPA / 11 TDs). The current  Dallas D does not remind anyone of "Doomsday" Part 1 or 2, but the Cowboys rank seventh in total D (323.6 YPG ) and 12th in scoring D (20.6 PPG).

Most feel as if QB Carson Wentz has had a poor year and he sure was awful in when the Eagles lost 37-10 to the Cowboys in Week 7 at Dallas (he tossed an interception and had two of Philadelphia's three lost fumbles). However, he's thrown for 3,431 yards on the season with 25 TDs and just seven INTs. He'll enter this contest having answered the team's three-game losing skid by throwing for 591 yards and five TDs without an interception in wins over the Giants and Redskins. He's done all that (the last two weeks and for most of the season), while dealing with an injury-depleted WR corps. TE  Zach Ertz is headed to his third straight Pro Bowl with 84 catches and six TDs (47 receptions for 544 yards and five TDs have come over the last six games). The team's second TE, Goedert, has 45 catches and four TDs. Howard opened as the team's featured RB and played well when healthy (525 yards / 4.4 YPA / 6 TDs) but he hasn't played since Week 9. Miles Sanders had 172 scrimmage yards (122 rushing, 50 receiving) in the Eagles' 37-27 victory over Washington last Sunday to boost his season total to 1,120 (687 rushing), with both  totals serving as franchise records for a rookie. Philly's D has had a injury-filled season as well but has gotten healthier and now ranks 9th in total D (328.5 YPG) and 19th in scoring D (23.4 PPG).

No matter how many times the Cowboys disappoint, they still seem to have plenty who will say that Dallas will nail down the NFC East title, here. I'm NOT one of them. Wentz has battled through a tough season and enters this contest with at least one TD pass in 17 straight games, the longest streak of any QB. The Cowboys do not own a SINGLE win against a team that is currently "in" the playoff field and has lost to playoff-bound teams New Orleans, Green Bay, Minnesota, New England and Buffalo. Lose here and the Cowboys will likely make Philly a playoff team in 2019. That's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

 

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Tor Raptors at 3:35 ET.

The 19-9 Dallas Mavericks visit the 20-8 Toronto Raptors on Sunday with each team missing its star player. Luka Doncic (29.3-8.3-9.6) is still sidelined with a sprained ankle but the Mavs have  already knocked off two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference with Doncic sidelined. Dallas has sandwiching wins at Milwaukee and Philadelphia around a home loss to Boston. The Raptors stretched their latest winning streak to four in a row on Friday, despite the absence of the 6-9 Siakam, who has blossomed into a start this season, averaging 25.1 & 8.0.

Doncic leads Dallas in scoring, rebounding and assists but the team had SIX players step up to score in double figures in Friday's win at Philly. "This has been a good thing for us, just from the standpoint of having other guys put in the situation to have to step up," Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. "It's forced us as coaches to make certain adjustments that we have to make. You never want to be without a guy like Luka Doncic. He's a great all-around player, and we need him back as soon as possible. But as long as he's out, we have a plan and the guys are executing well." Kristaps Porzingis (17.6 & 9.5) and  Tim Hardaway Jr. (13.5) have been in double digits all season, while Seth Curry (10.2) has just 'snuck in.' Porzingis collected 22 points and a career-high 18 rebounds at Philadelphia while Hardaway scored 27.

Siakiam is out with a groin injury and Serge Ibaka (13.6 & 7.6) started in his place, scoring 23 points and 10 rebounds in a 122-118 Friday home win over Washington. All-Star PG Kyle Lowry (19.5-4.9-7.4) recorded 26 points and nine assists in the win. With Siakam, Gasol (6.6 & 6.6)  and Powell (14.4) all out indefinitely, Lowry needs to carry the load along with Ibaka, OG Anunoby (11.6 & 5.7) and Fred VanVleet (18.0-4.0-7.1).

The Mavericks are an impressive 11-2 on the road, including SEVEN straight wins, but the Raptors are 9-3 SU at home and won't need to win by much of a margin to cover, here. Dallas earned a 110-102 home win over Toronto on Nov 16 behind 26 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists from Doncic. However, the Mavs caught the Raptors on the FINAL stop of a five-game, nine-day road trip in that one plus neither Lowry nor Ibaka played in that contest. There are key injuries to both teams but I'm backing the defending champs in this revenge spot.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* West Coast Crusher is on USC at 9:00 ET.

9-2 USC is hoping to add to its potential NCAA Tournament resume when it takes on 7-3 LSU at Staples Center on Saturday in the Basketball Hall of Fame Classic. The Trojans have won three in a row heading into the contest, including an impressive road win at TCU. Most (some?) likely remember that LSU head coach Will Wade was suspended by LSU last March due to allegations over illegal recruiting charges. He's back but gone from last year's team are PG Waters (15.3 & 5.8 APG) plus frontcourt players the 6-9 Reid (13.6 & 7.2) and the 6-11 Bigby-Williams (7.9 & 6.7). Andy Enfield came to USC with unlimited fanfare. He led Florida Gold Coast to 26 wins and a Sweet 16 appearance back in the 2012-13 season and used that as a springboard to come to LA. He also brought along stock in a company he helped manage to more than $100 million in net worth plus a beautiful former model of a wife (the perfect fit for California). However, he's had three winning and three losing seasons at USC. Last year's team was just 16-17.

Key players returning for LSU this year are PG Javonte Smart (in the center of LY's recruiting scandal) and Skylar Mays. Mays leads the team in scoring (15.7) and Smart leads in assists (5.2), while adding 10.6 PPG. A pair of 6-6 forwards are back, with Williams chipping in 15.5 & 8.2 and Days 13.2 & 7.9. Prized freshman, the 6-9 Trendon Watford, adds 12.5 & 5.5. Junior guard Manning (8.3) rounds out LSU's main contributors.

Leading the way for the Tojans is 6-9 freshman Onyeka Okongwu. He was a back-to-back winner of California's Mr. Basketball award and is one of the nation's best 'rookies,' leading USC in scoring (18.4) and rebounding (9.0). Another freshman, the 6-9 Mobley, is also making solid contributions, averaging 9.3 & 6.6, Veteran leadership is provided by two seniors, the 6-11 Nick Rakocevic and guard Jonah Mathews. Rakocevic (11.8 & 8.2) and Mathews (12.4) became the 41st and 42nd players in school history to reach the 1,000-point mark earlier this season.

LSU was upset by Southern Conference favorite East Tennessee State 74-63 on Wednesday and maybe the team was 'rusty' after a 10-day break for final exams. However, the Tigers struggled inside in the loss to East Tennessee State, which finished with a 40-29 rebound edge, including 19-7 on the offensive boards, and scored 40 points in the paint. That HARDLY bodes well against USC's two big freshman ( Okongwu and Mobley) and senior Rakocevic. "Two of our Achilles' heels this year popped themselves back up," Wade said. "We turned it over 15 times (note:  LSU is averaging 15.1 turnovers per game which ranks them in a tie with La Salle for 276th nationally) and getting smashed on the glass like that."

The Trojans have had some solid non-conference wins over Harvard on a neutral court and at Nevada, but a neutral-court victory over the defending regular-season SEC champion Tigers could carry a lot of weight come March. "SEC school, that will be a top-tier win for us," senior guard Mathews told the Orange County Register. "Beating them would help our resume down in March." I agree and will take USC in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Game of the Month is on Dayton at 6:30 ET.

Anthony Grant had success at both VCU and Alabama, before taking Dayton job for the 2017-18 season (he had a successful four-year playing career as a Flyer). His current team is off to  a9-1 start, with its lone loss coming to current No. 1 Kansas, 90-84 (OT) back on Nov 27th in the Maui Invitational championship game. The Flyers are currently 13th in the AP poll and will take on 9-2 Colorado on Saturday, in the Chicago Legends showcase at the United Center. Tad Boyle took the Colorado job in 2010-11 and won 20-plus games in FIVE of his first six seasons (three NCAA appearances). However, mediocre 19-15 and 17-15 seasons followed, before Colorado went 23-13 last year. The Buffs didn't make the Big Dance last season but all FIVE starters returned and big things were expected.

The Buffs opened 7-0 but like Dayton, fell to Kansas back on Dec 7, 72-58 in Lawrence. A 79-76 home loss to Northern Iowa followed (Buffs were favored by 9 1/2 points), before Colorado won 56-48 at Colorado State and 83-64 at home to Prairie View A&M. Colorado features a trio of double-digit scorers. The 6-7 Tyler Bey (12.6 & 10.1) is a terrific player and is joined in double figures by PG Wright (11.3-5.1-3.9) and the 6-7 Schwartz (10.4). Some inside 'muscle' comes from the 6-8 Bailey (9.7& 6.2) and the 6-7 Siewert (7.7& 4.9), who comes off the bench. The Buffs are an excellent defensive team, allowing just 59.7 PPG (23rd).

Dayton plays decent defense as well, allowing opponents to score 66 .4 PPG (127th). That's "plenty good enough" when a team owns an offense shooting a nation-best 53.7 percent from the floor, translating into 84.8 PPG (6th). 6-9 sophomore Obi Tuppin (20.1 & 8.1) is having an outstanding season and he's joined by FOUR more double digit scorers. The 6-7 Mikesell (10.9 & 3.9) joins Toppin up front plus the Flyers have an excellent perimeter group. Junior guards Crutcher (12.5 & 5.5 APG) and Chatwood (8.5 & 4.0 APG) get help in the backcourt from two transfers, Landers (10.2 & 5.4) from Chattanooga and Watson (10.1) from Michigan.

The Buffaloes have struggled with their offensive flow for most of the season and are still averaging 15.5 turnovers per contest The Buffs are scoring just 68.7 PPG (257th), which is about 20 points less than Dayton, while Colorado's FG percentage of 41.2 (290th) is dwarfed by Dayton's 53.7 percent. If that's not all, the Flyers have a HUGE revenge motive here, as Colorado got the better of Dayton last March, when the schools met in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament in Boulder. The Buffaloes’ earned a hard-fought 78-73 victory in that one but there will be no home cookin' in this one. Flyers win "with room to spare!'

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Top-10 Showdown is on Kentucky at 5:15 ET.

No. 5 Ohio State (10-1)  and No. 6 Kentucky (8-2) square off Saturday in a CBS Sports Classic game in Las Vegas, as each school looks to solidify its spot in the AP top-10. Both have been upset within the past week, as Ohio State lost 84-71 last Sunday at Minnesota and Kentucky lost 69-66 just this past Wednesday to Utah, right here in Las Vegas. Ohio State bounced back from the loss at Minnesota to handle Southeast Missouri State 80-48 on Tuesday but this is Kentucky's first game since that loss a few days ago, one in which the Wildcats went an abysmal 2-of-17 on threes.

Calipari has become the master of the "One-and-Done era" but this year's Kentucky team has a few more veteran players. Freshman guard Maxey (12.9-3.9-3.1) and fellow freshman, the 6-7 Brooks (7.1 & 4.0), are important cogs but sophomore PG Hagans (13.9-4.1-7.1) leads the team in scoring and assists. Sophomore guard Quickley (11.3) and 6-11 junior Richards (12.9 & 7.6) round out the double digit scorers. The 6-10 Montgomery (9.6 & 6.0) is a sophomore and the 6-9 Sestina (6.3 & 6.3) is a graduate transfer from Bucknell (he averaged 15.8 points and a Patriot League-best 8.5 rebounds a season ago).

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and three NCAA bids later, got the job in Columbus. His first season was a 25-win one but last year, while the Buckeyes did get an NCAA bid, they lost in the first round to finish just 20-15. The centerpiece of Ohio St's team this season is 6-9 junior center Kaleb Wesson, a preseason All-Big Ten pick, who leads the team in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (9.1). Holtmann's team has great depth, as EIGHT players are averaging between 7.5 and 14.3 PPG. Two guards join Wesson in double digits, sophomore  Duane Washington (11.4) and  5-star freshman recruit PJ Carton(10.7). Washington has missed the last two games with a rib injury and his absence was noticeable in the loss at Minnesota.

Washington is listed as questionable and Ohio St will be "in trouble" if he doesn't play. Either way, I'm "all over' Kentucky, which seems to be in the "perfect situation" for a bounce-back game after that awful outing vs Utah, right here in Las Vegas (no travel plans needed for this one!). Ohio State has had a great start to the season but the Buckeyes are shooting 41.6% on threes on the season (5th-best) and I just don't see that kind of accuracy continuing. Note that Kentucky hasn't lost TWO games in a row since Feb 10-14, 2018 at Texas A&M and Auburn. ANY points we get are a bonus.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Bowl Game of the Week is on Arkansas St at 5:30 ET.

The Camellia Bowl on Dec 21 in Birmingham, Al features 6-6  Florida International and 7-5 Arkansas State. FIU is 'bowling' for the THIRD straight season, all under current head coach Butch Davis (1-1 SU & ATS), despite going 3-5 in C-USA (tied for the third-worst record in the 14-team league). Meanwhile, Arkansas St is headed to a bowl game for NINTH straight year, including SIX in a row under head coach Blake Anderson, although he's only 1-4 SU & ATS in the postseason,.

FIU became bowl-eligible on Nov 23, when the Panthers earned the program's most significant victory, a 30-24 home win over Miami (Panthers were a three-TD underdog). Senior QB James Morgan has thrown for a modest 2,248 yards with just 13 TDs but he has not made many mistakes (three INTs in 319 attempts). FIU has a two solid but unspectacular RBs in Jones (802 yards / 4.8 YPA / 9 TDs) and Maxwell (609 yards / 5.3 YPA and 8 TDs). The receiving corps is led by Shemar Thornton and Tony Gaiter IV, who combined  to make 97 catches for 1,189 yards and nine TDs. The FIU defense allows 26.7 PPG (61st), doing much better against the pass (178.5 YPG ranks 6th), than the run (205.1 YPG ranks 111th)..

Arkansas State has battled adversity on and off the field this season, as head coach Blake Anderson's wife died from breast cancer Aug 19. On the field, junior QB Logan Bonner sustained a season-ending injury to his throwing hand in Week 4, after passing for 1,052 yards with 10 TDs and just one INT. However, redshirt freshman QB Layne Hatcher went 5-3 after taking over for Bonner, throwing for 2,553 yards with 23 TDs and nine INTs (his pass efficiency rate of 173.5 ranked first in the SBC). Hatcher was named the SBC's  Freshman of the Year. He's blessed with an outstanding trio of WRs, starting with Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year (senior WR Omar Bayless). Bayless has 84 catches for 1,473 yards with 16 TDs (his yards and TD totals rank second to only LSU's Ja'Marr Chase). Kirk Merritt had 64 catches for 763 yards and 11 TDs, despite playing in Bayless' shadow, while Jonathan Adams Jr. (58 receptions, four scores) provides Hatcher a solid third option. The Red Wolves' D is a liability, allowing 34.8 PPG (117th) on 481.9 YPG (127th).

Basically, the Red Wolves need to outscore their opponents to win. I expect them to do just that, here. FIU was blessed with SEVEN home games this season (went 6-1) but went 0-5 on the road, while allowing 40.4 PPG. This is NOT a road game but it's NOT a home game, either. Arkansas St entered its final game of the regular season on a four-game winning streak (averaging 38.0 PPG) but then 'got caught napping' in a 34-30 loss to South Alabama, which ended a nine-game losing streak. I respect Butch Davis but I do not believe FIU can match Arkansas St score for score and this program gets some extra kudos for appearing in its NINTH straight bowl game. As noted above, the Red Wolves are just 1-4 SU & ATS under Anderson in bowl games but it would be a nice story for Anderson to cap the season with a bowl win, after losing his wife Wendy, just before the the season opened. Christmas comes a few days early for Anderson and his team.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Oklahoma St at 5:30 ET.

Richard Pitino has had a  roller-coaster run at Minnesota, capturing the NIT (25 wins) in his first season but then falling to 18 wins and just EIGHT wins the next two seasons. The last three seasons have seen 24 and 22-win NCAA teams sandwiched around a 15-win season. This year's version of the Golden Gophers is just 5-5 but Minnesota looks to build on its first win over a Top-5 team since 2013, when it faces Oklahoma St as part of the BOK Center Basketball Showdown in Tulsa on Saturday. The Golden Gophers bounced back from a 72-52 setback to Iowa in their Big Ten Conference opener in a big way, as they handed the Buckeyes their first loss of the season, 84-71 last Sunday.

Oklahoma State ended a mini two-game skid with a 61-55 road win against Houston (also last Sunday), improving to 8-2 for the second time in three seasons under head coach Mike Boynton. The Cowboys held the Cougars to 31.1 percent shooting from the floor en route to their FOURTH consecutive win away from Stillwater, which is their longest streak since 2017. Oklahoma St, after winning 20 and 21 games in Boynton's first two seasons, was just 12-20 last year. However, all FIVE starters are back this season.

Pitino will sure misses guards Coffey (16.6) and McBrayer (8.9) plus big man Murphy (14.4 & 11.0), who gave the Minnesota program a combined 11 seasons. The 6-10 Oturu (17.6 & 11.2) is off to a strong start and is ranked eighth nationally in blocks per game (3.4). He has posted three double-doubles in his last four outings and is joined up front by the 6-9 Demir (7.7 & 4.0), a graduate transfer from Drexel. Minnesota owns an excellent backcourt trio, led by PG Carr (15.2-5.4-6.7), joined by Kalscheur (11.2) and Willis (11.0). Carr poured in a career-high 35 points to go along with a team-leading seven assists and a pair of steals in the win over Ohio State.

The 6-10 Yor Anei (12.1 & 6.3) had 18 points, eight rebounds and one blocked shot in the win against Houston, stretching his streak of games with at least one block to 27. The 6-7 Cameron McGriff (10.5 & 6.7) added 12 points and 10 rebounds against the Cougars to register the seventh double-double of his career, while guard Lindy Waters (13.4 & 4.9)  scored 11 points to move within 41 of reaching 1,000.  Guard Thomas Dziagwa (9.2) finished with 11 points. The previous three seniors were named tri-captains at the start of the season. Of issue is 6-4 sophomore guard Isaac Likekele (13.7-5.3-5.0), who missed his third straight game with an illness and his status for Saturday is unknown.

Still, I'm backing the Cowboys, who will playing near home in Tulsa. Expect a let down from Minnesota off its upset of Ohio St and it should NOT go unnoticed that Minnesota is 0-4 away from Minneapolis this season (0-3 road / 0-1 neutral). In contrast Oklahoma St is 4-0 away from Stillwater (2-0 road / 2-0 neutral) and with or without Likekele, should get revenge from an 83-76 setback to the Golden Gophers at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis last season.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division Game of the Month (AFC East) is on the NE Patriots at 4:30 ET.

The 10-4 Buffalo Bills and 11-3 New England are both in the postseason but there still is plenty at stake when the AFC East rivals square off Saturday afternoon at Gillette Stadium. New England, clinched a record 11th consecutive trip to the playoffs last week but the Pats can wrap up the division title and has a chance to earn a first-round bye with a win against the visiting Bills. History is sure on New England's side, as following a hard-fought 16-10 victory at Buffalo in Week 4 the Pats have won SIX straight against the Bills and 34 of the last 39! However, the Bills would argue, that was THEN and this is NOW. Buffalo has won FOUR of its last five, including road victories at Dallas and Pittsburgh, and holds a two-game edge for the fifth seed in the AFC and still has a shot at the division title with two wins and two losses by New England. However, that's NOT likely, as the Pats host the 3-11 Dolphins in Week 17.

Head coach Sean McDermott has done an excellent job with the Bills,as he has Buffalo in the postseason for the second time in his three years, after Buffalo had missed the previous 17 seasons. Second-year QB' Josh Allen is completing a modest 59.3% for 2,876 yards with an 18-9 TD/INT ratio. He also has run for 467 yards and nine TDs. Allen is far from a being a Pro Bowl QB but he has made great strides in his second season. Allen is the just the fourth QB in NFL history with at least 20 passing TDs (28) and 12 rushing TDs (17) in his first two seasons plus has two more games to add to that total. Allen helps the Bills rushing game (see above), while rookie Singletary (729 yards / 5.4 YPA) and the ageless Gore (573 yards / 3.6 YPA) join him to give the Bills the NFL's fifth-best rushing attack (134.9 YPG). Allen's top targets are WRs Brown (71 / 14.2 YPC / 5 TDs) and Beasley (60 / 11.2 YPC / 6 TDs). The Buffalo D is playing as well as any the last month, limiting THREE of four opponents to 15 points or less and now ranks second in points allowed (15.9 PPG) and third in total D (291.9 YPG) on the season.

That said, NO team has played better defense in 2019 than the Pats. New England ranks first in scoring D (12.9 PPG) , as well as total D (268.4 YPG). The defense has been the key to a season in which Tom Brady has looked 'old,' the running game has never really produced with any consistency and the receiving corps has struggled with injuries and basically, a lack of quality talent. Brady has thrown for 3,565 yards with 21 TDs (his 17th straight season of at least 20) and seven INTs, hardly one of his better seasons. The running game ranks 19th, averaging only 101.8 YPG (Michel has 742 yards on just 3.6 YPA). Edelman (92 catches / 6 TDs) continues to play like the Energizer Bunny but other than RB White, who has 65 catches, the remaining group of New England receivers leave a lot to be desired. However, despite ranking 18th in total offense (349.9 YPG), the Pats are finding a way to average 26.6 PPG (8th-best).

Here's the bottom line. Gillette Stadium opened in 2002 and has been a 'house of  horrors' for Buffalo, as the Bills have won just TWO of 17 visits there. One of the victories occurred when Tom Brady was serving a suspension and the other time being when Brady just played a half. I gave kudos to Buffalo's McDermott earlier (with good reason) but he's 0-5 vs the Patriots, losing by an average margin of  15.6 PPG. As noted earlier, the Patriots are averaging 26.8 PPG. Meanwhile, the Bills rank 28th in passing and are 22nd in points (20.8), having scored 17 or fewer points in HALF of its 14 games. What's more, the only teams the Bills have beaten that now own a winning record are the 8-6 Titans and the 8-6 Steelers (reminder: Pats are 11-3). Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on the Hou Texans at 1:00 ET.

The Houston Texans 'cooled off' the red-hot Titans last Sunday in Nashville, edging Tennessee 24-21. The victory gives the Texans a 9-5 record and they can clinch the AFC South division for the FOURTH  time in five seasons on Saturday afternoon when they visit the suddenly streaking Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose four-game winning streak is the team's longest since a five-game run in 2016.

QB Deshaun Watson was selected to the Pro Bowl for the second straight year, as he nears another 4,000-yard campaign. When on, Watson is among the very best in the league but he's been known to be inconsistent. Watson is completing 67.8% for 3,668yards with 26 TDs and 11 INTs, while adding 376 rushing yards (5.0 YPA) and seven more scores. WR DeAndre Hopkins joins him as a Pro Bowl selection. He has 99 catches with seven TDs and needs one catch to record his third career 100-reception season. Fellow WR Fuller is a terrific partner but has struggled with injuries (not sure about his availability for this one). TEs Akins and Fells each have 31 catches with Fells tying Hopkins for a team-high seven TD receptions. RB Hyde (1,030 yards / 4.6 YPA / 5 TDs) has been a 'savior,' stepping in when Lamar Smith was lost for the year in the preseason. Houston is hopeful that defensive lineman J.J. Watt (pectoral), who has been out since Week 9, could return in the postseason. Houston's defense has been up-and-down without him, allowing 23.6 PPG (19th) on 379.4 YPG (28th).

The Bucs were just 3-7 after 10 games but as noted above, have won FOUR in a row but need to win these last two weeks for just their SECOND winning season in the last nine years. QB Jameis Winston continued his hot streak in last week's 38-17 win at Detroit, passing for 458 yards and four TDs. Tampa Bay owns the NFL's third-ranked offense (400.1 YPG), led by the league's top-ranked passing attack (308.8 YPG). Winston became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 450 yards in consecutive games (vs Indy in Week 15 and against Detroit in Week 16). He leads the league with 4,573 passing yards on the season and could become just the 12th player in league history to throw for 5,000 yards in a season. WR Goodwin leads the team with 86 yards (15.5 YPC / 9 TDs) but is nursing an ailing hamstring. What's more, Mike Evans (67 catches / 17.3 YPC / 8 TDs) is now on injured reserve. The running game is woeful, averaging 91.4 YPG (3.5 YPA), ranking 28th. The defense is allowing 350.1 YPG (15th) but 28.4 PPG, which ranks 30th.

With the pressure is off at 3-7, the Buccaneers put together a four-game win streak. Big deal. Those victories have been against the Lions, Colts, Jags and Falcons, who take a combined record of 19-36-1 (.348) into Week 16. Winston may have 30 TD passes but he also has 24 INTs, SIX more than any other QB. Watson is an elite QB with dual threat  skills, while Winston just could wind up with a 30-30 season (TD-INT). The Buccaneers are 2-4 SU & 0-5-1 ATS at home this season and I see little reason for them to 'spoil' Houston's chance to clinch its division.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Dec Game of the Month is on the Por Blazers at 10:05 ET.

The Orlando Magic ended a six-year playoff drought last season, finishing 42-40. They returned the core of that team intact and entered the season healthy but the Magic are just 12-16 as they wrap up a four-game road trip tonight in Portland. Speaking of under performing, the Portland Trail Blazers opened the season with high expectations after making the 2018-19 Western Conference finals but welcome the Magic to Moda Center with 12-16 record as well, which is HUGELY disappointing! Orlando has dropped FIVE of its last six games, after losing second-half leads against the Utah Jazz (Tuesday) and Denver Nuggets (Wednesday). As for Portland, the Blazers opened the season at 5-12 but have won SEVEN of 11 since, following a 122-112 victory over Golden State on Wednesday that evened their home-court record at 6-6 (Blazers were 32-9 at home last season).

Orlando had hoped to build on last season's playoff appearance but things have not gone smoothly . Case in point was Wednesday's game in Denver, where the Magic led by 15 at the half, only to lose 113-104! Shooting guard Evan Fournier leads the team in scoring (19.8) but his 13 points on Wednesday was his lowest total in 17 games. All-Star center Nikola Vucevic (17.1 & 11.1) is back from an ankle injury that cost him 11 games, but he's just 11 of 31 (35.5%) from the floor in the team's losses at Utah and Denver. Aaron Gordon averages 13.3 & 6.9 on the season but is just 10-of-36 (27.8%) from the floor the past three contests. The third member of Orlando's starting frontcourt is Jonathan Isaac (12.4 & 7.1 plus a team-high 2.6 blocks). He was limited to 17 minutes Wednesday by hamstring and lower-back tightness, and he's questionable for the finale of this four-game trip.

The Blazers are in the middle of a stretch in which they play SIX of seven at home. Portland has won three of its last four, after Wednesday's 122-112 win over the Golden State Warriors, the opener opener of a four-game homestand. PG Damian Lillard had 31 points and a matched a season best with 13 assists, while backcourt partner CJ McCollum scored 30 points. Lillard (26.5-4.3-7.6) and McCollum (22.0-4.5-3.7) once again lead the way for the Blazers but center Hassan Whiteside (15.9 & 12.9) was a beast in the interior with a season-high 23 rebounds to go with 16 points against Golden St. "He accepts the challenge all the time, and I think that's why we've been able to start coming along as a team, because of him being able to protect the paint and cover up so many of our mistakes," Lillard said in a post-game television interview about Whiteside.

Orlando is in a tough spot here, playing its FOURTH game in six days and facing a Portland team that finally seems to be "getting its act together." Lillard and McCollum are "always' there" but Whiteside now boasts double-doubles in 12 consecutive games and is averaging 18.4 points and 14 rebounds in eight December contests. There is also this and it's something I'd NEVER thought I would say, "Carmelo Anthony is actually playing for the good of the team!" I laughed when the Blazers signed him but he's averaging 16.8 & 6.2 in about 32 minutes, plus is making 46% of his threes over the last five games! The Blazers have won EIGHT of the last 10 matchups with the Magic in Portland and this line seems awfully 'cheap.' I checked the NBA power ratings at the start of the season and the Blazers would have been favored by EIGHT points over the Magic in Portland if this was the first game of the 2019-20 season. Here, it's HALF of that and as noted above, the Blazers have begun playing like the team most (all?) thought that they would be. Lay that 'cheap' number!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Best vs Best is on the Mill Bucks at 8:05 ET.

The LA Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks share the best record in the NBA (both are 24-4) and will meet tonight at Fiserv Forum. Ironically, both clubs lost their most recent game heading into this showdown, as the Bucks saw their 18-game winning streak snapped with a 120-116 loss at home to the Mavericks on Monday, while the Lakers had their 14-game road winning streak snapped on Tuesday when they fell 105-102 at the Indiana Pacers. Milwaukee lost to Dallas despite the Mavericks playing without star Luka Doncic AND Giannis Antetokounmpo scoring 48 points for the Bucks. As for the Lakers, A.D. (27.4 & 9.3) missed the game with the Pacers due to mild ankle sprain.

Davis injured his right ankle during Sunday's game against the Atlanta Hawks and LA hopes not playing against the Pacers will allow him to be on the floor against Milwaukee (to be determined). LBJ (25.9-7.4-10.6) dominate LA's "stat sheet," as Kuzma (11.1) is the only other Laker in double figures and he will likely miss his fifth straight game with an ankle issue. Backup center Dwight Howard enjoyed his best game of the season in the loss at Indiana, scoring 20 points (on 10-of-10 shooting) with six rebounds and two blocked shots in 26 minutes of action. He's averaging 7.0 & 7.0 on the season and paired with starting center McGee (7.3 & 6.2), has given the Lakers a better than average center presence. LA owns the best shooting percentage in the league (48.5) and on defense, is allowing just 103.9 PPG (2nd) on 43.6% shooting (6th).

Milwaukee is right behind LA with a shooting percentage of 48.4 (2nd) and more importantly, is scoring a league-high 121.0 PPG, EIGHT more that LA. Antetokounmpo (31.7-12.8-5.3) is having another MVP-caliber season but Milwaukee will be without Bledsoe (15.0-4.9-5.7), who is expected to miss about two weeks with a leg injury (NOT good news). However, the Bucks have plenty of depth. Middleton (18.1 & 5.4) is a solid second-scoring option to Giannis, plus guards Mathews (7.7), Divencenzo (8.6 & 4.3 APG) and Korver (5.9) will see more time with Bledose out. Starting center Brook Lopez (9.6) is backed up by his brother Robin (5.2) plus PF Ilyasova (8.0 & 4.9) is a steady producer off the bench.

We likely won't know about Davis until game-time but either way, I'm backing the Bucks. Milwaukee went 5 1/2 weeks without losing but in the loss to Dallas, the team lost because it all Antetokounmpo. He was 18-of-31 with 48 points, while the other four starters chipped in just 23 points on 9-of-34 shooting (26.5%). Remember, Milwaukee is shooting 48.4% as a team on the season and a bounce-back sure seems likely. The Bucks have defeated the Lakers a franchise-record five straight times and my bet is that they make it SIX straight tonight, "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Loyola-Chicago at 6:30 ET.

"The Bryce Drew era" didn't last long at Vandy, as the former Valpo star player and head coach was let go after three seasons. He led Vandy to an NCAA appearance in his first season (winning a modest 19 games) but the 'Dores won just 12 games in his second season in Nashville (6-12 in the SEC), before going 9-23 last season, while becoming the first SEC school to winless in league play since 1953-54, when Vandy went 0-18 in SEC games. First-time head coach Jerry Stackhouse is now in charge and he'll lead 6-3 Vandy against Loyola-Chicago as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Showcase in Phoenix at 6:30 ET, tonight. Few will forget Loyola-Chicago's great run to the Final 4 in 2018. Following that 32-win season, last year's team won a more modest 20 games, after losing in the NIT's first round. Gone are Custer and Townes, who won back-to-back POY honors in the MVC, as well as Ingram. However, three starters are back and the Ramblers have opened 7-3.

Vanderbilt is hoping to bounce back from a disappointing loss, as the Commodores went ice cold in the second half of their 61-56 home loss to Liberty on Saturday (note: Liberty is 12-0!). "They're learning and that's all we can ask for," Jerry Stackhouse told reporters. "Every game there is different scenarios that comes up that we can talk about and learn from to help these guys down the road." Vanderbilt was held to 35.3 percent shooting from the floor en route to finishing with a season-low points total against Liberty. The 6-6 Nesmith averaged 11.0 & 5.1 last season but has doubled his scoring output this season, leading the 'Dores with 22.3 PPG (adds 4.9 RPG). PG Lee (17.2-4.2-5.7) gives Vandy an excellent backcourt duo but the remaining roster is anything but.

The Ramblers' returning players are contributing as expected, led by 6-9 center Krutwig, who leads in scoring (16.5) and rebounding (7.5). Guard Williamson is averaging 11.4 & 4.1 plus the 6-7 Uguak adds 5.6 & 3.6 up front with Krutwig. New this year and making solid contributions are 6-6 swingman Hall (14.4 & 4.6), a JC transfer, plus freshman guard Kennedy (8.4). More good news for Loyola is that Keith Clemons, who averaged 15.1 points and 5.1 assists per game in 2018-19, while helping Vincennes to a 34-2 overall record and the NJCAA Division I national championship, just became eligible. He's averaging 9.3 PPG in helping the Ramblers win three in a row.

The Commodores scored at least 90 points in four of its first eight games, but have been limited to an average of 57 points in their last two losses. They'll face a Loyola team which allows a modest 62.8 PPG. Also note that Loyola is connecting on 51.6% from the floor, ranking 6th-best in the nation. The Ramblers haven't been a afraid when "stepping up in class," as they've won FOUR of their last five games against SEC opponents. This SEC opponent is coming off an 0-18 SEC record last season and will be looking for its first victory on a neutral court since Nov. 25, 2016. NOT!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Creighton at 8:30 ET.

Lon Kruger led Kansas St to four NCAA tourneys in his four seasons in Manhattan and then led Florida to a Final 4 berth (1994) in his six years in Gainesville. Next was three NCAA berths at Illinois in a four-year stint and then four NCAA trips by UNLV in his seven years at Las Vegas. He's been at Oklahoma since the 2011-12 season and has led the Sooners to seven NCAA berths, including a Final 4 trip in 2016. This year's team is off to a 7-2 start, losing 73-54 to Stanford in a tourney at Kansas City and this past Saturday 80-75 at Wichita St.  Oklahoma is 2-2 on its five-game road trip and hopes to head bacjk ro Norman on a winning note Tuesday, when the Sooners conclude their trip against Creighton. The Bluejays are coming off their most lopsided victory of the season on Friday, as they took down Texas Rio Grande Valley 89-58. Greg McDermott is in his 10th season as head coach of Creighton. He arrived in 2010-11 and led the Bluejays to a runner-up finish in the CBI. Three straight NCAA teams followed, as Creighton won 29, 28 and 27 games. His lone losing season came in 2014-15 but Creighton's won 20-plus games the last four years, with two NCAA appearances and two in the NIT. The Bluejays welcome the Sooners to Omaha at 8-2 on the season.

Oklahoma returned an excellent trio from last year's NCAA team but little else. Guard Reaves (17.1 & 5.6) is the team's leading scorer this season, joined by returning frontcourt players, the 6-7 Doolittle (16.8 & 8.3) and the 6-9 Manek (14.0 & 5.8). Doolittle had a game-high 22 points and team-high seven boards in the loss at Wichita St, while Reaves, who transferred from Wichita State after his sophomore season, struggled against his former school as he finished with 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting. Freshman De’Vion Harmon (9.0) had his best offensive performance since scoring 23 points on opening night against Texas-San Antonio, as the tied his career-high with three triples Saturday en route to 14 points. JC transfer Williams (7.1) and returning sophomore guard Bieniemy (5.0-3.8-3.0) round out Oklahoma's main contributors.

Junior Ty-Shon Alexander (17.1 7 6.1) had team-highs of 22 points, eight rebounds and three steals in the romp over Texas Rio Grande Valley. Sophomore guard Marcus Zegarowski never scored more than 17 points against a Division I opponent during his rookie year, but added 21 points for the Bluejays Friday and is scoring a team-best 19.4 PPG this season (3.6 RPG and 4.1 APG). Zegarowski and Alexander have both scored 20 or more points in each of the past two games and look to become the first pair of Creighton teammates since 1985 to hit the mark in three straight. Guard Mitch Ballock (12.5 & 5.2). is the team's third double digit scorer and joining that trio in the starting lineup are forwards Bishop (8.5 & 5.8) and Jefferson (7.2 & 4.6) while the 6-11 Jones (5.3 & 4.8) and guard Mitchell (5.4) are the top-two reserves.

Oklahoma had a NINE-day layoff prior to the Wichita St game but the team wasn't rusty, rather the Sooners faded down the stretch (hardly a good sign). It's another tough venue here, as Creighton is 7-0 at home this season, winning its games by an average of 16.1 PPG. More good news come Creighton's way in that  highly touted transfer 6-5 guard Denzel Mahoney is eligible to play Tuesday and is expected to make his Bluejays debut after the junior led Southeast Missouri State in scoring with 19.3 PPG as a sophomore. More bad news in store for Kruger and Co. tonight.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* MNF Madness Play is on the NO Saints at 8:15 ET.

Drew Brees threw for 325 yards and five TDs (zero INTs) last Sunday, leading the Saints to 46 points. However, the 'kicker' is that New Orleans allowed the 49ers to score 48 points while rolling up 516 yards. The loss dropped the Saints (along with the Seahawks) one game behind the 49ers in the race for the NFC's  No. 1 seed . However, the Saints (as well as Seattle) got some help on Sunday from the Falcons, who beat the 49ers 29-22 in San Francisco. Seattle won its Sunday game at Carolina and is now 11-3 and owns the tie-breaker over San Francisco in the NFC West The 10-3 Saints reside in the NFC South but can now tie those two NFC West teams at 11-3 atop the NFC along with 11-3 Green Bay (tie-breakers pending) with a win over the visiting 6-7 Indianapolis Colts, who enter having lost FIVE of their last six.

The Colts were once 5-2 but they're now one loss from playoff elimination. QB Jacoby Brissett has done a good job at QB (was thrust into the starter's role with the abrupt retirement of Andrew Luck), completing 63.2% for 2,496 yards with 18 TDs and just six INTs. However, he threw for a pair of TD passes for the first time since Sep 29 in last Sunday's 38-35 setback to Tampa Bay. Brissett has been greatly hampered by the fact that four-time Pro Bowl selection T.Y. Hilton has missed five of his last six games with an ailing calf, after sitting out only four games in first seven seasons. Hilton has played in just seven games this season (35 catches / 10.8 YPC / 5 TDs) and will be a game-time decision here. Third-year RB Marlon Mack returned last week and played with a broken hand (900 yards / 4.4 YPA) but had just 38 yards on 13 carries. Here, he will face a New Orleans rush defense allowing just 94.Y2 YPG (4th). Indy's defense has been shredded for 69 points the last two games and can't be looking forward to seeing Drew Brees.

The Saints went 5-0 while Drew Brees was out with a thumb injury early this season. but while Bridgewater deserves kudos for the job he did, it's GREAT to have Brees back. After last week's game, he's completing 72.5% on the season with 17 TDs and just four INTs (109.5 QB rating). RB Alvin Kamara's offensive numbers haven't been up to his lofty standards but he's got 612 rushing yards (4.4 YPA) and has added 68 catches. He's ably helped by Murray, who has 533 yards (4.7 YPA) with five TDs. WR Michael Thomas has shown no sign of a letdown, as he made 11 catches for 134 yards last week to join Antonio Brown as the lone NFL players to have more than one season with 120-plus receptions and 1,400-plus receiving yards. Thomas has 121 catches  for 1,424 yards (7 TDs) and he and Brees will exploit an Indianapolis' pass defense that allowed Tampa Bay's Winston to throw for 456 yards and four TDPs last Sunday.

The Saints really need a win here to join Seattle and San Francisco at 11-3, as those two will meet in Week 17, where one HAS to lose. The Saints have NOT been as dominant at home recently (as in the past) but this Indy team is 'limping' to the finish line. The Saints will honor the 10-year anniversary of their only Super Bowl win, by bringing members of the 2009 team together for a reunion prior to the game. New Orleans posted a 31-17 victory over Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLIV. Another 14-pont margin, at a minimum, is expected here!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the OKC Thunder at 8:05 ET.

The Chicago Bulls are just 10-18 on the season but at times, look like a team capable of making a run at the playoffs. Chicago showed off its Jekyll and Hyde nature last week by beating Atlanta 136-102, falling to the Charlotte Hornets 83-73 and then knocking off Western Conference powerhouse the Los Angeles Clippers 109-106 on Saturday. The Bulls will try to put together two strong performances in a row when they visit the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday. The Thunder opened a four-game road trip with impressive wins at Portland and Utah but ended the trip with a one-pint loss at Sacramento and then an eight-point loss in Denver. OKC returns home where the team is 8-5, giving them an 11-14 mark, overall.

Zach LaVine is Chicago's leading scorer (22.6-3.7-4.5) but he was held to just 12 points on 4-of-19 shooting in Friday's loss to Charlotte. However, he bounced back the next night, pouring in 31 points while going 11-of-21 from the floor against the Clippers. The 6-11 Lauri Markkanen collected 13 points and 17 rebounds in the win to record his third double-double of the season. (he's averaging 14.3 & 6.9 on the season). The 6-9 Carter (12.0 &9.8) was Chicago's top pick in 2018 from Duke, while North Carolina PG White (11.5) was the team's top pick in 2019. Both look like solid NBA players.

Of course, the Thunder are rebuilding after losing Durant back in 2016 to the Warriors and then Westbrook (to Houston) in last year's off-season. Paul George came in a trade form Indiana but stayed just two seasons, leaving for the Clippers last off-season (with Westbrook). These days, I'm sure OKC would have preferred to keep Oladipo and Sabonis (sent to the Pacers for George). At least Chris Paul (15.6-4.2-6.3) came  in the Westbrook trade and he's tutoring Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who leads OKC with 18.5 PPG (also 5.1 RPG and 3.0 APG). Reserve PG Dennis Schroder is having no trouble finding the basket of late and finished with 22 points on Saturday to reach at least 20 for the fourth time in the last five games. He's third on the team in scoring at 17.0 PPG (3.7 RPG and 3.4 APG).  SF Danilo Gallnari (17.6 & 5.8) is a consistent scorer but he suffering through an awful shooting night at Denver, finishing with seven points on 1-of-13 from the floor. The veteran forward missed one game with an ankle injury early last week and is a combined 6-of-26 in two games since coming back. Do NOT expect that to continue. Center Adams is still around and is a quality big man (11.7 & 9.5).

Here's the bottom line. OKC is definitely rebuilding but the Thunder catch the Bulls after their big win over the Clippers (note: Kawhi missed that game) and the Thunder are 8-5 at home, with two of those losses coming to the Lakers (tree points) and Bucks (two points), the NBA's two-best teams. Good spot for OKC to pick up a "W" and I expect that win to come "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Kent St at 7:00 ET.

The UC-Irvine Anteaters won 31 games last season, including an upset of 4th-seeded Kansas St  (as a No. 13 seed) in the first round of the NCAA tournament. Russell Turner enters his 10th season as UCI's head coach and while last season was his "best year," his teams have won 20-plus games in FIVE other seasons, including 28 in 2017 when the team was the runner-up in the CIT. Irvine was picked second in this year's Big West to UC-Santa Barbara but the team's non-conference schedule has seen an underwhelming performance, as the Anteaters are just 6-5 SU & ATS.

Rob Senderoff knows something about winning games too, as this marks his NINTH season at Kent St. FIVE of his first eight teams have won 20-plus games, including last year's 22-win team.
Senderoff led the Golden Flashes to their first MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance in eight years in 2017, but the team lost to UCLA in the first round. Kent was picked second in the MAC East this season behind  Bowling Green but unlike UCI, Kent's non-conference play has been excellent, as the Golden Flashes come to El Paso for the Sun Bowl Invitational, 8-1 SU & 7-2 ATS.

Kent features a trio of backcourt players all scoring in double digits. Senior PG Williams (14.0 & 4.2 APG) leads the group, followed by sophomore Roberts (13.3) and New Mexico graduate transfer, Simons (12.3 & 4.4). 6-9 junior Pippen (13.7 & 7.1) and 6-8 senior Whittington (10.4 & 6.7) are the team's top frontcourt players. UCI has seven-man rotation. The backcourt is manned by two seniors, PG Worku (11.4 & 4.2 APG) and Leonard (9.8). There is excellent depth up front, with the 6-9 Welp (14.2 & 6.5) and the 6-8 Rutherford (10.8 & 3.50 leading the way. 6-10 center Greene (8.9 & 6.5), SF Edgar (7.7 & 4.7) and 6-9 freshman Johnson (6.9 & 4.2) round out the top contributors.

Kent St's only loss has come ay=t Ohiuo St (Buckeyes lost Sunday for teh first time) and while the Golden Flashes have not played a challenging non-conference slate, they have won the games they should. KSU is a well-balance team (five players in double figures) and UCI is clearly more than just a 'step below' last year's team, as home losses to Detroit (86-74 as a 12-point favorite) and Cal-Baptist (68-60 as a 10-point favorite) attest.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* SNF Magic Play is on the Pit Steelers at 8:20 ET.

The 9-4 Buffalo Bills had a three-game winning streak come to an end in a 24-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday and are staring at a tough two-game road stretch as they try to lock up a playoff spot. The Bills are currently the No. 1 wild card team but they must  visit the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday and  then  have to travel to Foxboro to take on the Patriots. The 8-5 Steelers are surging with wins in THREE straight and SEVEN of their last eight, but the red-hot Titans are also 8-5 (Pittsburgh currently owns the tie-breaker), after winning FOUR in a row. If the Titans beat the Texans earlier today, the loser of this game will be 'sweating.'

Buffalo QB Josh Allen has make great strides in his second season, as he'thrown foir 2,737 yards (17 TDs / 8 INTs) plus run for 439 yards and eight TDs. Allen is the just the fourth QB in NFL history with at least 20 passing TDs (27) and 12 rushing TDs (16) in his first two seasons plus has three more games to add to that total. However, he struggled against a tough defense last week, completing just 17 of 39 (43.6%) for a modest 146 yards (QB rating of only 62.6). Buffalo's running game is averaging 135.3 YPG (5th) but Buffalo is only scoring 21.1 PPG (20th). However, its defense ranks second in points allowed (16.3 per) and third total D (296.8YPG).

The Steelers lost their first three games and Big Ben was lost in Week 2, for the season. However, using a combination of Mason Rudolph and Devlin "Duck" Hodges at QB, Mike Tomlin has his team right in the playoff hunt. Hodges became the first undrafted rookie to win his first three starts with last week's 23-17 triumph over Arizona. "He's been able to gain more traction and gain more exposure," Tomlin told reporters of Hodges, who is completing 71.3 percent of his passes and went 16-of-19 for 152 yards and a touchdown last week. Some good news could be coming Hodges' way, as RB James Conner (shoulder) and wide-out JuJu Smith-Schuster (knee) both returned to practice this week. Kudos to the jobs Rudolph and Hodges have done but Pittsburgh's turnaround has been fueled by its defense, which has allowed  just 14.6 PPG over its last five games.

The 'knock' on Buffalo has been that the only team with a current winning record that the Bills have beaten is Tennessee (8-5, after four straight wins). As for Pittsburgh, while Baltimore's John Harbaugh is likely to be named coach of the year, Mike Tomlin deserves serious consideration. His Steelers opened 0-3 and again, Big Ben was lost for the season in Week 2. However, the Steelers have won EIGHT of 10 since that 0-3 start, losing only in OT at home to Baltimore and 21-7 at Cleveland. This is Pittsburgh's final home game of the season and a win here plus a win at the Jets in Week 16 would get them to 10 wins, meaning its Week 17 game at Baltimore may not need to be won. We saw Allen struggle last week vs Baltimore's D (at home) and here on the road, Pittsburgh's D should again give him fits. Pittsburgh lost two of its first three home games (by two points to Seattle and in OT by three to Baltimore) but is 5-0 SU and ATS in its other five home games (has won FOUR straight), holding those opponents to 13.2 PPG. Steelers get the win.

Good luck...Larry

My NFL 10* Game of the Week is on the Dal Cowboys at 4:25 ET.

The 8-5 Los Angeles Rams are two games better than the 6-7 Dallas Cowboys but they face an uphill climb to make the playoffs with just three games remaining in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are below .500 and mired in a three-game losing streak, but currently are tied for the NFC East lead with Philadelphia, while owning the tiebreaker due to a 37-10 Week 7 home win over the Eagles. LA's postseason chances appeared to be on 'life-support' following a 45-6 drubbing by Baltimore in Week 12 but the Rams have rebounded with lopsided victories over Arizona and Seattle to move within one game of Minnesota for the sixth seed in the NFC. In contrast, the Cowboys have lost THREE in a row and badly need a win here, as they travel to Philadelphia next Sunday

The Rams were the NFC's highest scoring team in 2018, averaging 32.9 PPG (only KC scored more in the AFC) but they managed only 35 points in a three-game stretch (1-2),  before erupted for 62 points in back-to-back victories in Weeks 13 and 14. Jared Goff threw for 717 yards and four TDs in the two wins, after posting QB ratings of 51.2, 69.9 and 62.0 with five INTs and zero TDs while averaging only 209.3 YPG passing in from Weeks 10 through Week 12. Is the Rams' offense back? Maybe but I'm not sure? Gurley is NOT the same player he was last season, WR Woods has just one TD reception all season and fellow WR Cooks' miserable season continued against the Seahawks, and his limited playing time (27 of 70 offensive snaps) is another concern to add to the list. He's been held to just 12 receptions for 162 yards over the past seven games (note: he's averaged 80 catches for over 1,200 yards the last five seasons).

Dak Prescott leads the league in passing yards (4,122) while Ezekiel Elliott (1,071 yards) and Amari Cooper (1,054 yards) each rank fifth in their respective categories, marking the first time Dallas has a 4,000-yard passer along with a 1,000-yard rusher and receiver. However, while Dallas is averaging an NFL-high 430.8 YPG, the Cowboys' average of 25.7 PPG ranks just 9th-best. On the defensive side of the ball, Dallas has been reasonably consistent all season and enters this contest allowing 20.5 PPG (12th) on 326.2 YPG (8th).

I realize the Cowboys are in a funk but a win here gives them a chance to clinch the NFC East next Sunday. The Rams' win over Arizona hardly proves anything and while the Rams dominated a strong Seattle team last Sunday, the Seahawks were overdue for a 'flat spot' after three straight hard-fought wins at San Francisco and Philadelphia plus at home to Minnesota. My bet says the Cowboys "come up big," while the Rams playoff hopes all but disappear with a loss.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on the Min Vikings at 4:05 ET.

The 9-4 Minnesota Vikings hope to move closer to a playoff spot when they visit the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Minnesota is one game ahead of the LA Rams in the battle for the NFC's second wild-card spot but also stands just one game behind Seattle for the No. 1 wild card spot, as well as one game behind the first-place Green Bay Packers in the NFC North. As for the 5-8 Chargers, they have already been eliminated from playoff contention, missing the playoffs for the EIGHTH time in the last 10 seasons.

Minnesota DE Danielle Hunter recorded three sacks in last Sunday's 20-7 victory over the Detroit Lions, raising his season total to 12.5 and career count to 52.5 (note: he's the youngest player, at 25 years, 40 days, in NFL history to reach 50 career sacks. He's the star of a defense that has allowed 14 or less points in five games and enters this contest allowing 19.2 PPG (7th). Dalvin Cook (1,108 RY / 4.6 YPA / 13 TDs plus 50 catches for 503 yards) is one of the NFL's best all-purpose RBs, while WR Stefon Diggs (56 catches / 997 yards / 17.8 YPC / 5 TDs) will top 1,000 receiving yards on Sunday. That will make them the first Minnesota duo since RB Adrian Peterson (1,383 rushing) and Sidney Rice (1,312 receiving) in 2009 to each top 1,000 yards. QB Kirk Cousins is often criticized but he's s completing 70.1 percent on the season with 24 TDs and just four INTs (112.0 QB rating ranks third-best).

Los Angeles established season highs for points, total offense (525 yards) and first downs (27) against Jacksonville in last Sunday's 45-10 win. Rivers has thrown for 3,748 yards and is almost assured of eclipsing 4,000 passing yards for the 7th straight season and for the 11th time in the last 12. However, he's thrown 15 INTs putting him on pace for the third-most in any of his seasons. WR Allen has 81 catches but fellow WR Williams has 40 catches with just one TD, after catching 10 last season.  RB Gordon has played in just nine games (only 523 yards on 4.0 YPC), while backup Ekeler has 481 yards (4.3 YPA) plus a 73 receptions (team-high 8 TD catches). LA's defense is allowing just 19.3 PPG and ALL eight of the team's losses have come by seven points or less.

Yes, the Chargers are MUCH better than their 5-8 record, as they own a plus-38 point differential. However, LA's late-game execution has doomed them repeatedly all season. In contrast, the Vikings pulled out a pair of narrow victories in November, helping their playoff push which has seen them win SEVEN of nine with Cousins throwing 21 TD passes against just two INTs in that nine-game stretch. The Vikings have only lost at KC and Seattle in their last nine games and as noted above, the Chargers have found ways to lose games all season. No "margin" to worry about here and I believe the Vikings win quite handily.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* NFL Week 15 Las Vegas Insider is on the Sea Seahawks at 1:00 ET.

The 10-3 Seattle Seahawks will travel to Charlotte to take on the 5-8 Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Seahawks had a five-game winning streak snapped with last week's 28-12 loss at the Los Angeles Rams and are one game behind the first-place San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West, while holding the top wild-card spot. Carolina won FIVE of six after an 0-2 start but at 5-3, has dropped FIVE straight games. That led to the firing of ninth-year head coach Ron Rivera earlier this month, with Perry Fewell being named interim coach for the remainder of the season

The Seahawks have posted EIGHT straight winning seasons under coach Pete Carroll and with a win on Sunday, can clinch a playoff berth for the SEVENTH time in eight seasons. QB Russell Wilson has thrown 26 TD passes while being intercepted just five times but after posting a 118.2 QB rating through his first nine games, Wilson is at just 82.7 over the past four (4 TDs and 4 INTs during the stretch). Seattle's had a excellent set of complementary RBs with Chris Carson (1.057 yards on 4.3 YPA and 5 TDs) as the primary option and Rashaad Penny (370 yards on 5.7 YPA and 4 TDs) as the change of pace. However, Penny suffered an ACL injury on his first offensive touch last Sunday against the Rams and is through for the season. Seattle's "Legion of Boom" defense is no more, as Seattle is allowing 24.7 PPG (23rd) on 335.5 YPG (26th)

Fewell said that Kyle Allen, who has thrown 12 interceptions over the past seven games, will remain the QB over third-round pick Will Grier. Just maybe, the Panthers actually do miss Cam Newton. Newton underwent foot surgery earlier this week and there are no guarantees he will be back with Carolina for the final season of his contract. Then there is Panthers RB Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey has 1,220 rushing yards and 726 receiving yards and is looking to join Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig as the only players in NFL history to reach 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season. He needs 274 yards receiving in the last three games to join that elite club. The Carolina defense is allowing 27.7 PPG (5th-most) on 373.9 YPG (9th-most).

The Seahawks were overdue for a 'flat spot' after three straight hard-fought wins at San Francisco and Philadelphia plus at home to Minnesota. I don't make too much of Seattle's loss at the Rams. The Seahawks have won seven of the 10 regular-season meetings with the Panthers and are 4-0 at Carolina in the regular season during the Russell Wilson era. Let's NOT forget that Seattle was 6-0 SU on the road prior to last Sunday OR that Carolina has been outscored on average 31.2-to-18.2 PPG during its current five-game slide. Seattle clinches a playoff spot with a win, as Carolina's slide continues.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* West Coast Crusher is on Arizona at 10:00 ET.

When Mark Few arrived in Spokane, the "Zags" had been to two NCAA tourneys in school history. All Few has done is go 20-for-20, entering this season on a streak of FIVE consecutive Sweet 16 appearances (reaching at least the Elite 8 in THREE of those five). Gonzaga lost a 'ton' off last year's team, including a pair of 6-8 forwards who both went in the first round of the NBA draft, Hachimura (19.7 & 6.5) and Clarke (16.9 & 8.6). Also moving on were guards Norvell (14.9-4.3-3.1) and Perkins (11.0 & 6.3 APG) but the refrain at Gonzaga is, "no worries." Gonzaga is 'loaded' up front with the 6-11 Petrusev (Serbia), who leads with 15.8 PPG and 8.5 RPG. The 6-7 Kispert (13.7), the 6-10 Tillie (13.7 & 5.0 in six games) plus 6-10 freshman Timme adds 10.4 & 5.5. A&M transfer Gilder (9.7), No. Texas transfer Woolridge (9.9-4.7-4.0) and returning guard Ayayi (10.1 & 6.0) are the main contributors on the perimeter. Gonzaga is averaging 85.9 PPG (5th) on 49.9% shooting. 

Sean Miller began his 10th season as the Arizona head coach during the 2018–2019 season but Arizona ended the season 17−15, missing the NCAA tournament for only the SECOND time in the previous 34 seasons. Miller's 11th season at Arizona featured a top-5 recruiting class and the Wildcats were ranked No. 21 in the AP's preseason. As noted above, the Wildcats are 10-1 and currently ranked 15th. The freshman class includes the 6-11 Zeke Nnaji (15.9 & 6.7) plus guards Nico Mannion (14.9 & 6.2 APG) and Josh Green (12.9 & 5.1). 6-10 senior center Chase Jeter has scored in double digits in five straight games and is averaging 14.4 points on 26-of-36 shooting during the stretch to raise his season mark to 9.1 PPG (5.8 RPG). Returning guards Smith (9.1) and Baker (7.2) round out the main contributors. Arizona is right behind Gonzaga averaging 85.5 PPG (8th) while shooting 52.1 percent from the floor. 

Arizona needs a win over Gonzaga and the McKale Center has provided the Wildcats with one of college basketball's toughest home venues for 40-plus season (opened in 1973).  Home team gets a BIG win! 

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Dal Mavs at 8:35 ET.

The Dallas Mavericks' lone game this week (so far) was a Thursday night game in Mexico City against the Pistons. Dallas won 122-11, the team's 11th win in its last 13 games, led by Luka Doncic's 41-point triple-double. The 17-7 Mavs welcome the 18-7 Miami Heat to Dallas on Saturday, with the Heat coming off a 113-110 loss last night to the Lakers. It was Miami's first home loss of the current season (had opened 11-0 at AmericanAirlines Arena).

Jimmy Butler scored a team-high 23 points for Miami last night and he's scored at least 20 points in all seven games this month. However, he is just 1-for-13 from three-point range over a three-game span and missed a relatively open look from beyond the arc at the buzzer against the Lakers. Butler's arrival in Miami in the off-season was the team's biggest news and yes, he has delivered (20.7-6.7-6.8). However, Miami's success this season has also been fueled by undrafted rookie Nunn, who has come out of nowhere to average 16.2 PPG and second-year player Robinson (a 6-7 SF who averaged just 3.3 PPG in only 15 games last season), who is averaging 11.7 PPG.  Then there is center Bam Adebayo, who after averaging 8.0 & 6.5 in his first two NBA seasons, is having a "career year" by averaging 15.1 & 10.6. The Heat also have excellent depth, but PG Dragic (15.9 & 5.0 APG) and SF Winslow (12.4-7.1-4.3) will miss tonight's contest.

Doncic's Thursday triple-double was his EIGHTH of the season (NBA-best), as he continues to post Westbrook-like numbers on the season (30.4-9.9-9.3). Kristaps Porzingis (16.6 & 8.7) added 20 points for Dallas and Doncic told reporters after the game, "I think we're getting better and better every day," speaking of him and Porzingis. "He's going to get better. I'm going to get better. And with us two, the team is going to get way better." Hardaway (12.7) is the only other Mav in double digits but SEVEN more players, who have played in 20-plus games, are chipping in between 6.2 and 9.2 PPG. Seth Curry (9.2) leads that group and he scored 30 points while making 11-of-15 shots off the bench in the Mexico City win. He became the first Dallas player to reach the 30-point mark off the bench in nearly eight years.

I noted above that the Mavs have played just ONCE this week and that they have won 11 of their last 13, overall. Let me add here that the Mavs have also covered in EACH of those 11 wins. Meanwhile, the Heat are not only playing on back-to-back nights (off their first home loss of the season) but the team's two previous games (prior to the LA loss), went into OT. Tough stretch here for Miami and Dallas will NOT be a 'warm' host! Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry