My 10* Situational Stunner is on Ohio State (3:30 EST).

This one simply “means more” to Ohio State. While the Badgers have already wrapped up their NCAA Tournament berth, the hungry Buckeyes who have lost two straight, are firmly on the bubble. 

The home side will also be without leading scorer Kaleb Wesson for a third straight, meaning guards Keyshawn Woods (15 points) and Duane Washington (11) are going to be leaned on here to step up and fill the void. 

The Badgers got 21 points from Ethan Happ in their 65-45 win over Iowa on Thursday. 

Note though that Wisconsin is a terrible 4-9 ATS this year after playing two straight games as a favorite, while Ohio State is 4-1 ATS in its last five off a poor road loss in which it scored 60 points or less in.

Despite Wesson being out, I think that Ohio State rallies on Senior Night in this critical end of season contest. Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Charlotte Hornets (10:05 EST).

I had a play on the Hornets last night, and while they beat the visiting Wizards, they didn’t cover the spread.

Charlotte is still in a dog fight for a playoff spot though and it can ill afford to take the foot off the gas here facing East leading Milwaukee. While I’m not calling for the outright upset, I do definitely believe that the stage is set for a much more competitive battle than what this spread would suggest.

Charlotte got 30 points from Jeremy Lamb on Friday and he and the rest of his team will look to take advantage of a Bucks team that’s lost three of its last four.

In fact the Bucks entered their latest win vs. the Pacers have lost three previous. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 29 points, 12 boards and five assists in the win over Indiana. 

I think Milwaukee gets caught looking past its lowly, but very hungry opponent tonight.

Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on UCLA (7:00 EST).

Clearly the outright win isn’t out of the question, but in a contest which I envision coming down to whichever of these hungry teams has its hands on the ball last, I’m going to recommend grabbing the points.

As the title of this package suggests, this is indeed a “revenge” game for UCLA, after Utah took the reverse fixture on the road 93-92 earlier in the season. 

UCLA comes in determined after its poor 93-69 loss to Colorado last time out, while Utah comes in complacent after its 83-74 home win over USC.

Kris Wilkes was a bright spot for the Bruins in their latest setback, scoring 19 points and grabbing five boards. Overall the Bruins average 78.3 PPG and they concede 77.3.

The Utes got 19 pints from Timmy Allen in their win over USC on Thursday. Utah averages 75.8 PPG and it concedes 74.6. 

I’ll point out though that UCLA is a solid 6-2 ATS in its last eight revenging a loss vs. an opponent which scored 85 points or more.

Utah on the other hand is a money-burning 3-7 ATS this season after scoring 80 points or more.

Grab the points and expect a “nail biter.” 

Good luck…Larry

The first pick of my Superstar Triple Play (8*) is on Arizona State (4:00 EST).

Arizona saw its three game win streak come to an end with a loss at Oregon on Wednesday and I think it’ll stumble here as it tries to move to .500 in conference play (currently 8-9.) 

The Sun Devils come in on top form and they won’t want to take the foot off the gas. ASU is 4-1 in its last five and is 11-6 in conference play after defeating Oregon State on Sunday.

It wasn’t pretty, but Arizona State posted the 74-71 win over Oregon State to secure the No. 2 seed in the tournament. 

However note that ASU remains firmly “on the bubble:”

“There’s no more time to relax,” forward Zylan Cheatham assessed. “I mean, we’ve dropped games that we feel like we shouldn’t have dropped and we put ourselves in this position. So there is no more margin for error. I feel like we need to get every game going forward.”

Arizona comes in off its worst effort of the year in last weekend’s 73-47 loss to the Ducks.

I think the team is still collectively mentally caught up on that “dud.” Chase Jeter is expected to miss this one with a bruised knee, but Brandon Williams is expected to be activated.

Despite that though the Wildcats are just 19-28 ATS the last two season as a home favorite or pick.

ASU on the other hand is 5-0 ATS in its last five after playing two consecutive games as a road underdog.

Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

The second pick of my Superstar Triple Play (8*) is on Colorado State (4:00 EST).

Colorado State looks to close out the regular season with a victory. The Rams had won three in a row before back-to-back losses to New Mexico and Utah State. The home side comes in as the more focused/hungry team, as UNLV broke a two game slide last time out with a win over Boise State.

It was an emotional 85-81 OT win on senior night for UNLV and I think a predictable letdown on the road here vs. this determined home side is imminent. 

The Rams pushed conference leader Utah State to OT, but eventually came up short 100-96 on Tuesday. Five players scored in double figures though, led by Kris Martin with 20 points and ten boards.

This is a revenge game as well, as the Rebels won the reverse fixture 78-76 at home.

The Rams though are a money-making 7-3 ATS in their last ten games following a loss, while UNLV is still only 12-30-5 ATS in its last 47 on the road.

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

The third pick of my Superstar Triple Play (10*) is on Oklahoma State (4:00 EST).

The Mountaineers come in off a 90-75 home win over Iowa State on Seniors Night Wednesday.

The Cowboys will look to do the same here in their regular season finale. OKS comes in with momentum as well after its 67-64 road win over Baylor.

The Cowboys posted the 85-77 road win over WVU in the first meeting and I think they’ll lay the hammer down here as well.

WVU has gotten back-to-back double-doubles from Derek Culver, but the Mountaineers still are second to last in the Big 12. 

Overall WVU averages 72.8 PPG and it concedes 76.5.

OKS won’t be taking anything for granted here as it looks to post a win on Seniors night. The Cowboys had lost three straight previous to their latest road victory. Isaac Likekele had 23 points and nine boards against the win over the Bears.

Overall the Cowboys average 67.4 points, while allowing 71.3.

I’ll point out though that WVU is still just 1-6 ATS in its last seven on the road and only 1-4 ATS in its last five following an ATS win, while the Cowboys are 4-1 ATS in their last five vs. the conference.

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 8* Eye-Opener is on Villanova (12:00 EST).

Villanova beat Butler 75-54 last Saturday and with a win today, it’ll lock up the No. 1 seed in the upcoming tournament. Phil Booth had 28 points and all seven players scored at least four points in the win for Villanova.

The Wildcats won’t be taking anything for granted here either, as they’ve dropped four straight road games (note that they haven’t lost five straight on the road since 2011.) Villanova though has won three straight at Seton Hall and six in a row overall in this series. that included an easy 80-52 win at home in the reverse fixture on January 27th. 

Seton Hall would get an invite to The Big Dance with an upset win here, but I think it’s poised for a classic letdown after its upset win over No. 16 Marquette (73-64) on Wednesday. Myles Powell exploded for 34 points in the victory.

The Wildcats are rested and I think this is a major match-up issue for the Pirates once again.

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* BLOWOUT GAME OF THE MONTH is on the Charlotte Hornets (7:05 EST).

Washington comes in off a 132-123 home win over impotent Dallas on Wednesday, but I think it’ll struggle here in this difficult road venue.

The Hornets won’t be lacking for motivation here after giving up a lead in a 91-84 setback to Miami on Wednesday. So far these teams have split a pair of games this season and home floor advantage has been crucial. Charlotte won 123-110 at home in the last meeting on February 22nd and I expect a similar final score here as well.

The Wizards are poised for a letdown after back-to-back home victories. Bradley Beal had 30 points and seven boards in the win over the Mavs on Wednesday.

Despite the back-to-back victories, the Wizards are just 5-5 in their last ten, allowing 119 points during that stretch.

Charlotte has been playing poorly as well of late, but it’ll be the hungrier team for sure after back-to-back losses. Kemba Walker had 20 points in a losing cause last time out.

Overall the Hornets are just 3-7 in their last ten.

Washington’s achilles heel though has been consistency from game to game, especially on the road where it’s a terrible 6-17 ATS as an underdog (just 9-23 ATS on the road overall.)

Charlotte hasn’t been particularly great ATS at home this year, but it’s 2-0 ATS off an upset loss to a division rival as a favorite this year. 

I think the Wizards have a letdown here in their first game on the road, while I expect the hungry Hornets to leave everything they have on the floor to break their slide. Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* LEGEND is on Minnesota (7:00 EST).

Maryland backs its way into the conference tournament. The Terrapins have lost two straight as they head in the regular season finale.

The Golden Gophers are surging in the opposite direction, as they’ve won two straight, most recently an epic upset over Purdue, avenging an earlier loss. 

Right now Minnesota is seventh in the conference standings, six games behind Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue. The Gophers are still on the bubble for the big dance, but an outright victory today would guarantee a spot. It’s a big game for Minnesota and I expect it to play with desperation from the opening tip, until the final horn.

Minnesota averages 71.5 PPG and it concedes 68.7. Amir Coffey leads the way with 15.8 points and 3.7 boards per game.

Maryland took the first game in Minnesota, but I think it’ll have its hands full here. 

The Terrapins are locked into the fifth spot in the Big Ten standings and it’s a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament. Only winning the ACC tournament itself would change that. 

The Terps average 71.8 PPG and they concede 65.1. Anthony Cowan Jr. averages 15.7 points and 4.3 assists per game.

Note though that the numbers support the visitors here, as they’re 5-1 ATS in their last six road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600, while Maryland is just 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400. 

I’m grabbing the points and expecting an all out war until the final horn. 

Good luck…Larry

My 8* Situational Stunner is on Miami Ohio (7:00 EST).

The Ohio Bobcats come in with zero momentum, having lost eight of their last ten games. 

Miami Ohio hasn’t been too much better this season and it comes in off back-to-back setbacks.

Most recently the Redhawks fell 75-68 to Kent State on Tuesday. Nike Sibande was a bright spot in a losing cause with 21 points and ten boards. 

The Redhawks catch a break though facing the impotent Bobcats. Ohio gave its best shot vs. the Buffalo Bulls last time out, but it still wasn’t enough int he 82-79 setback (just 3 of 17 from range.) 

Overall the Bobcats are just 9-19 ATS this season, rarely even putting up a fight.

The RedHawks on the other hand are at least a very respectable 5-1 ATS in their last six following a SU loss.

Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* 35 Club Play is on the OKC Thunder (10:35 EST).

OKC comes in off a 131-120 road loss in Minnesota on Tuesday, while Portland fell 120-111 at Memphis on Tuesday. 

This is a matchup which has proved difficult for Portland (OKC is 3-0 in the season series so far, including a 120-111 home win in the last meeting on Feb. 11th.) 

Clearly I always take the “revenge” angle into account when making my picks. Sometimes though the revenge angle doesn’t work because of the overall situation that each team finds itself in coming into the contest.

And that’s the case here. The Thunder have lost five of their last six, almost entirely because of the absence of the injured Paul George. Whether George plays or not tonight, I think that Russell Westbrook and company can at least keep this one competitive until the final moments. Westbrook had 38 points, 13 boards and six assists in a losing cause last time out.

The Blazers return home off a successful 5-2 road trip, but they looked pretty poor vs. a weak Grizzlies offense in their finale. Another letdown in the first game back home after the lengthy trip seems imminent to me. CJ McCollum led the Blazers with 27 points in the loss.

I think the conditions are right for the outright upset, but in the end I’ll recommend grabbing the points in a contest which I see being decided by whichever of these hungry teams has its hands on the ball last.

Good luck…Larry

The second pick of my Superstar Triple Play (8*) is on USC (10:00 EST).

USC is 8-8 in league play, while Utah is 9-7. This is a revenge game for USC after it fell 77-70 at home in the first matchup between the schools this season.

Most recently the Trojans fell at UCLA on Thursday. Bennie Boatwright was a bright spot in a losing cause with 25 points, 15 boards and six assists. 

Overall the Trojans are averaging 76.7 points and conceding 72.6. 

USC has struggled on the road this year, but it won’t be lacking for motivation here. Utah is 8-5 at home this year, but the Utes have lost three of their last four, including a home loss to Arizona State 98-87, and two of three on the road.

Utah averages 75.5 PPG and it concedes 74.6 (ranked last in the conference in forcing turnovers.) 

USC has shown signs of life, taking UCLA to OT in its last game on the road. The Trojans smoked Cal by 23 on the road, lost at Stanford by three and then destroyed Washington State. 

USC has looked great from range as well, hitting 38.2 percent, while Utah has struggled in defending the three, allowing 36 percent from three-point land.

While the outright isn’t out of the question, I’m grabbing the points.

Good luck…Larry

The third pick of my Superstar Triple Play (10*) is on UC Davis (10:00 EST).

It’s a big game. Regular season finale and each of these teams is tied for fourth in the Big West standings with a 7-7 record. I don’t think that the home court advantage can be overlooked as a deciding factor in this particular situation.

Hawaii comes in hungry, but with absolutely no momentum or confidence whatsoever after three straight losses (most recently 84-73 to Cal State Northridge.) Jack Purchase was a bright spot with 20 points. 

The Warriors average 103.0 points per 100 possessions, while allowing 107.4 points per 100 possessions. While their offensive average does go up during conference play, the Warriors’ weakness clearly remains on the defensive side of the floor.

UC Davis is suddenly moving in the opposite direction, snapping a three-game slide with a  confidence-building 66-59 home win over Cla State Fullerton on Saturday. TJ Shorts had 18 points in the victory.

The Aggies average only 96.5 points per 100 possessions, while allowing 102.8 per 100 possessions.

I’ll point out though that UC Davis is 20-8-1 ATS in its last 29 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

Also note that the Warriors are a money-burning 1-4 ATS in their last five road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600.

I’m laying the points.

Good luck…Larry

The first pick of my Superstar Triple Play (8*) is on UCLA (9:00 EST).

UCLA comes in with considerable momentum and I don’t think it’ll go down without a fight tonight either.

The Bruins won their third straight in a 93-88 OT effort over USC on Thursday. Jaylen Hands had 21 points, ten assists and three boards.

UCLA enters averaging 78.6 PPG, while conceding 76.8.

The Buffs come in off a win as well, pulling away for a 71-63 victory over Utah on Saturday. Tyler Bey led the way with 17 points and ten boards.

Colorado averages 74.2 PPG, and it concedes 68.5. 

Both teams are hungry, but the Bruins’ recent form could even see this out have an outright upset.

That said, grab the points!

Good luck…Larry

The third pick (10*) of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Sac. Kings (10:05 EST).

I base my picks on many different things. This one is based entirely on common sense.

If the Boston Celtics have shown anything this season, it’s been inconsistency in effort from game to game. 

Boston enters off a big win at Golden State just last night and I expect it to have a predicable letdown here in the second game of the back to back.

Sacramento has been “money in the bank” for bettors in this spot by going 14-8 ATS as a home underdog and 22-11 ATS at home overall.

The Kings are also a solid 15-7 ATS in non-conference games this year, while the C’s are only 8-15 ATS in the same position.

Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Wipeout Winner is on South Florida (8:00 EST).

South Florida will look to keep the foot on the gas from start to finish. USF won’t want to be the team to lose to the Green Wave, who enter on an 18-game losing streak. 

USF in fact enters on a losing streak of its own and it’s going to be desperate to break the slide and get back into the winners circle with a big win here (the Bulls have lost three straight to Houston, UCF and UConn.) 

USF hasn’t finished with 20 wins since 2011, but with 18 victories right now and with two very “winnable” games left, the Bulls have their fate in their own hands. 

The Green Wave have been terrible all year and looking back sees them 20-42-3 ATS in their last 65 home games. 

USF has been struggling of late, but it enters 11-2 ATS in its last 13 on the road.

Lay the points, expect a rout.

Good luck…Larry

The first pick (8*) of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Charlotte Hornets (7:05 EST).

The Heat come in off a come from behind 114-113 home win over the Hawks on Monday, but I think they’ll struggle on the road.

Charlotte enters off a 118-108 loss at home to Portland on Sunday. If recent history is any precedence though, then the Hornets have to be loving their chances tonight as they’ve already taken both earlier meetings with Miami, including a 125-113 home win on October 30th.

Miami may have won two straight, but the win over the Hawks was anything but pretty. Atlanta was playing its second game of a back-to-back. Overall the Heat average 106 PPG, while allowing 106.6. Josh Richardson leads the team with 17.5 points and 5.4 assists over the last ten games.

Charlotte comes in desperate here. The Hornets have lost four of their last five. The Hornets now find themselves in a tie for the final playoff spot. 

Charlotte averages 111.2 PPG and it allows 111.7. Kemba Walker leads the nightly charge with 27.1 points and 6.2 assists per game.

This is an important game for these two playoff hopeful teams. Normally I wouldn’t play against a team which plays with “double revenge,” but the overall situation nullifies the whole “revenge” angel in my opinion. 

The desperate home side puts the foot on the gas from start to finish. Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

The second pick (8*) of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Detroit Pistons (7:05 EST).

The Wolves come in off a very satisfying 131-120 win over the Thunder just last night and I think they’ll suffer a predictable letdown here in the second game of the back to back and in this non-conference building.

Detroit on the other hand comes in off a confidence building 112-107 win over Toronto in OT on Sunday. 

Despite last night’s win, the Wolves are still just 5-6 in their last 11 games, scoring 119.4 points and allowing 121.2 in that stretch. 

The Pistons are clearly now heading in the other direction. Detroit has won two straight and five of its last six. Blake Griffin leads the nightly charge with 23.1 points, 6.8 boards and six assists per night. 

Additionally note that Detroit is 7-1 ATS in its last eight when playing on two days rest, while the Wolves are just 1-6 ATS in their last seven vs. the Eastern conference.

Lay the points and expect a blowout.

Good luck…Larry

My 8* Oddsmakers Error is on the Houston Rockets (8:05 EST).

Could this be a preview of the upcoming NBA Finals? Anything is possible I guess!

Despite all that, there’s no question that two of the best from their respective conference collide in this one.

Houston enters off a 115-104 win at Boston, while Toronto comes in off a 112-107 OT loss to Detroit on the weekend. 

If recent history is any precedence, then the Rockets have to be loving their chances to keep the good times rolling, because when these teams met in Houston in January, it was the home side that posted the 121-119 victory. 

The Rockets come in on top form having won five straight and if they lose this one, it won’t be without a fight until the bitter end in my estimation. Note that James Harden is averaging 37.7 points, 5.4 boards and 5.1 assists per game. 

The Raptors could be poised for another letdown here. Prior to the tough OT loss to Detroit, Toronto had won two straight and nine of ten. From a situational stand point, this does have the potential to be a trap/letdown for the home side.

Additionally note that the Raptors are a terrible 1-5 ATS in this last six when playing on one days rest.

In a contest which I envision coming down to whichever of these talented teams has its hands on the ball last, I’m grabbing the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 8* Situational Stunner is on Minnesota (8:00 EST).

Outright win? Clearly it’s not out of the question.

But in a contest which I envision coming down to whichever of these hungry sides has its hands on the ball last, I’m going to recommend to grab the points.

The Boilermakers come in complacent after five straight wins? Probably not. That said, the team has been playing at a very high level over the last month and a half and a letdown at some point is imminent.

Overall the Boilermakers average 76.8 points and they allow 66.7. Carsen Edwards leads the way with 23.5 points and 3.4 boards per game. 

The Golden Gophers won’t be taking anything for granted here as they’d break a two game losing streak with their latest victory. The Gophers average 71.5 points and they allow 68.7. Amir Coffey leads the nightly charge with 15.2 points and 3.6 assists per game.

The Boilermakers have been rolling of late, but all good things must come to an end. The home side won’t be lacking for motivation. I’m grabbing the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Conf. Crusher is on St. Joseph’s (7:00 EST).

This is the first meeting between the schools this season. Last year they split a pair of games. I think that the home floor advantage will prove to be the difference in the end between these two hungry teams.

Rhode Island comes in off a thrilling 72-70 road win over Dayton and I think it’s asking too much of the Rams to try and pull off back-to-back upsets away from friendly confines. 

St. Joseph’s enters off a 72-62 home win over La Salle and I believe the team will carry that momentum over here. 

The Rams are 4-7 SU on the road this year. So far in A-10 action they’ve averaged 68.2 points and conceded 67.3. Jeff Dowtin had ten points and five assists in his team’s most recent upset victory.

St. Joe’s has won two straight. Charlie Brown Jr. has now posted at least 20 points eight times in A10 play after the win over La Salle. The Hawks average 69.9 points and allow 71.7. 

Rhode Island is a poor team which comes in off a monumental victory. The Hawks had lost three in a row before their two-game win streak and I don’t see them taking the foot off the gas this close to the end. Rhode Island suffers a letdown and the surging Hawks pull away down the stretch. 

Good luck…Larry

My 10* CBB UNDERDOG SPECIAL is on Texas (9:00 EST).

Texas Tech comes in having won seven straight, including a victory over TCU on Saturday. 

Texas hasn’t thrown in the towel though. Far from it. After two straight losses the Longhorns enter off a 17-point win over Iowa State.

Texas is almost assuredly going “dancing” this year, but one last signature upset victory would completely seal the deal. Either way, I’m not expecting the visitors, led by Courtney Ramey with 15.3 points over the last three games, to go down without a fight tonight.

Texas Tech beat TCU 81-66 to keep its conference title hopes alive. The Red Raiders are led by Jarrett Culver with 17.9 points and 6.2 boards per game. 

But Texas Tech has been susceptible for letdowns in this spot, going just 2-7 ATS in its last nine home games against teams with a road winning percentage under .400.

Texas on the other hand is 6-1 ATS in its last seven vs. teams with winning records.

Grab the points and expect a war.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Denver Nuggets (8:35 EST).

Denver has been the talk of the NBA all year, but the Nuggets have been waffling of late. Denver comes to town off a 120-112 home loss to the Pelicans on Saturday. 

The Spurs have won two in a row after getting the better of OKC 116-102 at home on Saturday (Paul George was not in the line-up for the Thunder in that one.) 

Denver now trails Golden State by 1.5 games, while sitting 3.5 ahead of Portland. The Blazers of course are coming off a big win in Charlotte last night, so a win here after two straight losses is paramount for the visiting side.

The Nuggets average 112.2 PPG and they allow 107.2. Nikola Jokic has been a difference maker for Denver and he averages 22.4 points, 11.7 boards and 7.4 assists per game.

San Antonio is in the eighth spot currently in the East, but the one thing that it’s definitely shown this year is difficulty with consistency from game-to-game. 

The Spurs average 112 PPG and they concede 111.2. Over their last ten though they’re just 3-7 while averaging 108.6 PPG. DeMar DeRozan has led the way over this poor stretch with 23 points and 6.1 boards.

I like Denver to get back on track and break its two game slide, while everything points to a predictable letdown for San Antonio after back-to-back victories.

Play on the Nuggets.

Good luck…Larry

My 9* Wipeout Winner is on Oregon State (8:00 EST).

Arizona State enters off a 79-51 road loss to Oregon and I think it’ll struggle in the second game of its Pacific Northwest road trip. Oregon State comes in off a close 74-72 loss to Arizona and it plays with revenge here after losing the reverse fixture in the desert 70-67 back on January 17th.

Oregon State only sits a half game behind ASU as well in the standings, so to say this is a big game and opportunity for the home side would be an understatement in my opinion. 

ASU averages 78.1 PPG and it concedes 73.3. Luguentz Dort leads the way with 16.1 points and 4.4 boards per game. 

Oregon State averages 73.5 PPG and it allows 68.9. Tres Tinkle leads the nightly charge with 20 points, eight boards and 4.1 assists per game.

Additionally I’ll point out that ASU is just 5-12-2 ATS in its last 19 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, while the Beavers are 9-1 ATS in their last ten following an ATS loss.

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 8* Situational Stunner is on the Detroit Pistons (6:05 EST).

In a contest which I envision coming down to whichever of these two hungry teams has its hands on the ball last, I’m going to recommend grabbing the points.

Detroit destroyed the Cavaliers on Saturday afternoon and there’s no reason not to think that the home side can’t carry that momentum over here.

The Raptors have won two in a row, most recently a 119-117 victory at home over the Blazers on a last-second game-winner from Kawhi Leonard. Leonard had 38 points, three boards and five assists. 

Detroit though has been playing a lot better on both ends of the floor (scored 129 points in the win over Cleveland yesterday) shooting 54 percent from the floor collectively. 

Toronto’s clear weakness this season has been its play on the road where it’s a poor 6-11 ATS as a favorite and I believe that trend comes back to bite it here again as well.

Outright win? Very possible. But as mentioned off the top, I’m going to grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Conf. Crusher is on Washington (4:00 EST).

Washington is still atop the PAC 12 standings, but it won’t be taking anything for granted here after suffering a loss earlier in the week.

The Huskies in fact lost to previously winless Cal, 76-73 on Thursday. David Crisp was a bright spot in a losing cause with 32 points, while Jaylen Nowell added 22. The Huskies average 108.2 points per 100 possessions and they allow just 92.6 points. After “looking past” the Golden Bears, I’m expecting the No. 1 team in the conference to come in very focused here.

Stanford broke a two-game slide with a 98-50 beatdown win over WSU last time out, getting 22 points from KZ Opala. Overall the Cardinal average 105.3 points per 100 possessions, while allowing 98.6. 

Washington has struggled at Stanford over the years, but the overall situation favors the Huskies here. I expect the “better” team to keep the foot on the gas from start to finish. This line could easily be a few points higher in my opinion. 

Play on Washington.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Houston Rockets (3:35 EST).

The Rockets hit the road after a 121-118 home win over Miami, while Boston got the better of Washington 107-96 in its latest action. 

Houston destroyed Boston 127-113 at home in the first meeting back on December 27th and I’m expecting a small upset here as well.

James Harden had 58 points, seven boards and ten assists in the Rockets’ most recent win over Miami. Houston averages 113.4 PPG and it allows 111.2.

The Rockets are now 7-3 in their last ten and have gotten progressively more consistent as point guard Chris Paul has gotten healthier. 

The Celtics snapped a four-game slide vs. the lowly Wizards, but Boston has struggled against the NBA’s “elite.” I think that will once again be the case here.

The C’s average 112.1 PPG and they allow 106.6. 

Houston is surging right (4-1-1 ATS in their last six following an ATS loss) and I think it brings its “A” game in this high-profile contest. Boston has been consistently inconsistent all year (note is just 1-4 ATS in its last five when playing on one days rest) and I believe that trend continues here.

Clearly the outright isn’t out of the question, but grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* CBB GAME OF THE MONTH is on San Diego (9:00 EST).

San Diego finished 18-12 (BYU is 18-12 overall as well). The Toreros won’t be playing in the NCAA Tournament, but they enter the regular season finale “firing on all cylinders” and I believe the team carries that momentum over here.

San Diego has won two of three. The Toreros are a well balanced team, averaging 72.9 PPG and allowing 69.2. Keep your eyes on Isaiah Pineiro, who leads the team with 19.5 points and 9.4 boards per game. 

BYU has faltered under the pressure as the season has wound down, as it enters having lost two straight. The Cougars have a decent offense which averages 79.4 PPG, but their defense has been poor in conceding 76.1 (note that BYU gave up 102 points in their last game.) 

I think it’s significant to note as well that this is a “revenge” game for the Toreros after they fell 88-82 in OT at home on February 14th (and that is INDEED significant, as note that San Diego is a money-making 6-1 ATS in its last seven revving a loss where an opponent scored 85 points or more in!)

In a contest which I envision coming down to whichever of these evenly matched sides has its hands on the ball last, I’m grabbing the points. 

Good luck…Larry

My 9* Rivalry Rout is on Cincinnati (8:00 EST).

Memphis comes in off an 81-73 win at home over Temple last time out, while Cincinnati held on for a much tougher than expected 52-49 road win over SMU on Wednesday. The Bearcats have won five straight in this series, but they won’t be taking anything for granted here after their slim 69-64 road win in Memphis on February 7th. 

Memphis has won three straight and it sits in fifth place. The Tigers average 82.3 PPG, but they concede 76.7. 

Cincinnati is averaging 72.4 PPG and it’s conceding 61. 

The Bearcats are 15-1 at home this year. The Tigers are 3-6 in true road games.

After its lacklustre performance last time out, and after having a difficult time with Memphis in the reverse previous fixture, I believe the home side comes in focused on the task at hand tonight.

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker’s Error is on the Brooklyn Nets (7:35 EST).

Brooklyn looks to make a quick rebound here after falling 123-112 at home to Charlotte just last night. Miami comes in off a 121-118 road loss to Houston and I think it’ll predictably falter here in its first game back in friendly confines after an extended Western swing. 

These teams have split a pair of games this year, with each winning on the others floor.

The Nets are out of the playoff picture now, but not by much. Brooklyn needs to start finding its winning touch again quickly if it has any hope though. Overall the Nets average 112 PPG and they concede 112.5. D’Angelo Russell averages 25.9 PPG. 

After beating the Warriors, the Heat lost to the Rockets and I believe the team suffers another letdown here. Overall the Heat average only 105.7 PPG, while allowing 106.8. Miami is now just 3-7 SU in its last ten. 

The Heat are also only 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games, which doesn’t bode well facing a Nets side which is 13-3 ATS in its last 16 road games vs. a team with a losing SU home record.

While the outright win is clearly not out of the question, let’s grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 8* Revenge Rout is on Tennessee (2:00 EST).

The Wildcats enter off a tougher than expected 70-66 home win over Arkansas on Tuesday, while the Vols held on for a 73-71 road win over Ole Miss. 

This is my “revenge rout” for Saturday and that’s because in the first meeting between the schools back on February 16th, the Wildcats easily handled Tennessee 86-69.

Tyler Herro had 29 points for Kentucky in the win over Arkansas. Clearly this won’t be a cake walk. Kentucky is 7-1 on the road and it averages 78 PPG, while conceding 64.9.

The Vols rebounded from their loss to LSU with the most recent win over the Rebels. Tennessee remains in a first place tie for the conference lead with LSU and Kentucky. Grant Williams had 21 points and six boards in the win over Ole Miss. 

Tennessee averages 83.2 PPG and it concedes 68.1. Note as well that the Vols are 5-1 ATS in their last six in revenging a loss where the winning opponent scored 85 points or more in.

“Revenge” works in this one. Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 8* Eye-Opener is on Syracuse (12:00 EST).

Wake Forest is 4-11 in league play after its 76-75 nail-biting victory over Miami last time out, while the Orange will be eager to return to the winners circle after falling to 9-6 in conference action after their 93-85 loss at UNC.

Syracuse has no shot at the conference title, but it still has opportunity to move up in the standings. It’s also on the bubble for the NCAA Tournament, so wins are paramount at this point. Especially after the close loss to the Tar Heels last time out. The bright spot in the setback was that the Orange would play decently defensively, holding the Heels to 40.3 percent from the floor, including 31 percent from range. Syracuse averages 70.3 PPG and it concedes 65.2. 

Wake Forest is averaging 69.1 PPG and it’s allowing 75.9. It’s an uphill battle for the Deacons with upcoming games vs. Duke and FSU still to come. 

Wake has won two of its last three, but the victories came against teams that have gone a combined 7-23 in league play so far. 

I’m expecting a blowout from start to finish. Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

The third pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the (10*) Sacramento Kings (10:05 EST).

The Clippers lost in Utah on Wednesday and I think they’ll stumble in this difficult road venue as well. 

The home side won’t be lacking for motivation here after back-to-back losses to the Bucks and Wolves.

LA looked terrible in the loss to the Jazz, shooting just 39.4 percent from the floor overall, including going just 5 of 24 from range. Lou Williams was a bright spot off the bench with 18 points, two boards, six assists and two steals. 

The Kings have lost four straight close games, including a 141-140 setback to the Bucks most recently. Sacramento guard Buddy Hield had 32 points, six boards, three assist and three steals in the most recent setback. 

In what could be a potential playoff series preview, I think the “hungrier” home side pulls away down the stretch for the comfortable ATS cover. Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

The first pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the (8*) Portland Trailblazers (8:05 EST).

It wouldn’t be difficult to write a convincing argument for either of these sides. 

The Blazers enter off a 97-92 road win over Boston on Wednesday and they’ve yet to lose away from friendly confines since the start of the second half of the season. At some point Portland is going to have a “letdown,” but clearly the team is on a mission right now and I don’t see the visitors going down without a fight tonight.

Toronto destroyed Boston 118-95 at home on Tuesday. The Raptors had won six straight in this series before the Blazers won 128-122 at home on December 14th. 

I don’t put a lot of weight into ATS trends unless they’re completely lop-sided in nature, and that’s the case here, as note that the Raptors are 0-5 ATS in their last five following a SU win, while the Blazers are 5-0 ATS in their last five in the same position.

For all the reasons listed above, grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

The second pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the (8*) Washington Wizards (8:05 EST).

The Wizards are out to build off their 125-116 road win over the Nets on Wednesday. The Celtics continued their inconsistent season Wednesday with a poor 97-92 setback to the Blazers.

Note that the Wizards play with revenge here after falling 130-125 in OT at home in the first matchup between the clubs back on December 12th. 

Washington sits only three games behind the Hornets for the final playoff spot and clearly the Wizards haven’t thrown in the towel yet, as evidenced by the full four quarter effort vs. the Nets. Bradley Beal led the way in that one with 31 points. 

Boston has in fact lost four in a row and chemistry and off court issues seem to be the problem. I think the home side is ripe for the picking here as it continues to struggle to find an identity. Kyrie Irving had 31 points in the most recent loss to the Raptors.

I think these teams are moving in opposite directions now and while I’m going to stop short in calling for the outright upset, I do think that this one goes “down to the wire.” Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

The 3rd play of my STP is an 8* on Oregon at 11:00 ET.

Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils generated national headlines by handing then-top-ranked Kansas its first loss of the season, 80-76, back on Dec. 22. However, Arizona State has proven to be one of the most inconsistent teams in the country. That said, if here’s an at-large Pac-12 team to qualify for the NCAA Tournament, Arizona State certainly has a decent case. The Sun Devils have won four of their last five and their NCAA Tournament resume includes wins over Kansas, Mississippi State and Washington. ASU is 19-8 (10-5 in Pac 12) as it heads to Eugene to take on the Oregon Ducks. Oregon was the Pac-12's preseason favorite but at 15-12 (6-8 in Pac 12), an at-large bid is almost definitely not in play.

Freshman guard Luguentz Dort is the leading scorer for ASU at 16.4 PPG (also adds 4.6 RPG) plus two more ASU guards score in double digits. PG Martin checks in at 13.0 & 5.2 APG and Edwards at 11.5 PPG. Up front, senior forward Zylan Cheatham is averaging 11.7 points and a Pac-12-best 10.8 rebounds The 6-7 Lawrence (9.7 & 3.7) plus the White (8.9 & 5.4) are also quality frontcourt players.

Oregon lost its best player, 7-2 freshman center and likely lottery pick Bol Bol, to a left-foot injury before conference play started. Bol was leading the the team in scoring (21.0), rebounding (9.6) and blocks (2.7) while also shooting an eye-popping 52 percent from three-point range. Louis King, a 6-9 freshman forward, has helped pick up some of the slack, averaging 12.3 & 5.5 RPG on the season. Junior PG Payton Pritchard (11.8-3.8-4.3) runs the team and the 6-9 White (10.7 & 3.8) is the other double digit scorer.

The schedule isn’t in the Sun Devils’ favor, as they close out the regular season with three road games, as March 9 date at rival Arizona follows the two-game Oregon swing. Oregon comes in off a 72-57 Civil War loss at second-place Oregon State on Saturday but still has games at home against Arizona State and at likely Pac-12-champ Washington on the agenda, as it tries to build its case for a highly-unlikely NCAA at-large berth.The fact that Oregon has prevailed in 11 of the last 13 meetings with ASU has me on the Ducks here, as they play 'spoiler!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Den Nuggets at 10:35 ET.

The 34-26 Utah Jazz won 111-105 last night in Salt Lake City over the Clippers and tonight visit Pepsi Center In Denver to take on the 42-18 Nuggets. Utah resides in sixth place in the West and this contest in Denver begins a stretch during which EIGHT of the team's next 13 games will be on the road. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are just one-half game behind first-place Golden State in the Western Conference and enter on a five-game overall winning streak in which the Nuggets have scored 120 or more points three times.

Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points against the Clippers and has now recorded 20 or more points in 20 of his last 21 contests. That's hardly news, as the second-year SG averages a team-high 22.9 PPG (4.0 RPG & 4.0 APG, as well). Joining Mitchell in the starting lineup are PG Rubio (13.2 & 6.0 APG). center Gobert (15.4 & 12.9), swingman Ingles (11.8-3.8-5.0) and PF Favors (11.2 & 7.2). Coming off the bench are SF Crowder (12.1 & 4.8) and swingman Korver (9.1 PPG on 39.1% three-point shooting).

All-Star center Nikola Jokic recorded 36 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds to narrowly miss his 13th triple-double of the season in Tuesday's home win over the Thunder. Jokic is averaging 20.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists to lead Denver in all THREE categories. The Nuggets have played much of the season with key players sidelined but other than an ankle injury to forward Trey Lyles (9.2), Denver is now healthy. A remarkable NINE Denver players average between 7.0 and 18.1 PPG, which doesn't include Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging 11.3 PPG in 17 minutes in the last four games (his 1st action of the season).

The homecourt edge has really meant something in this series, with host side winning and covering all SIX meetings since last season. Denver opened the season 6-0 at home but then lost THREE in a row from Nov 9-13. Since then, Denver is 21-1 SU at home, going 17-5 ATS. Why step in front of that 'train?'  Not I.

Good luck...Larry

The 2nd play of my STP is an 9* on San Francisco at 10:00 ET.

No. 1 Gonzaga is 27-2 overall and sits 14-0 in the WCC to no one's surprise. However, there is a three-way logjam for 2nd-place in the conference, between St Mary's (10-4), BYU (10-5) and San Francisco (9-5). The 21-7 Dons will look to rebound from a 68-65 loss to Santa Clara in their last outing. They welcome San Diego to San Francisco and teh Toreros come to town 17-12 overall, including 6-8 in WCC paly.

San Diego limps into San Francisco having lost four of its last five, most recently 'laying an egg' in Saturday's 66-46home  loss to Saint Mary’s. San Diego's 6-7 Isaiah Pineiro(19.2 & 9.4) will be the best player on the floor tonight and he gets help up front from the 6-10 Massalski (7.4 & 6.0) and the 6-8 Floresca (5.2 & 2.9). There is nothing wrong with San Diego's backcourt, either. Carter averages15.9 PPG, Wright 12.5-3.9-4.9 and Williams 8.5-4.1-3.2.

San Francisco starts guards Ferrari (14.8-5.6 APG), Mineland (14.4 & 4.7), and Ratinho (9.5), with the 7-0 Lull (8.4 & 5.2) and the 6-8 Renfro (7.3 & 5.2) up front. However, the 6-9 McCarthy comes off the bench to average 9.3 PPG and a team-high 6.4 RPG.

The Dons came out the gate quickly, opening 14-2 (including 2-0 in WCC play). However, the Dons are a modest 7-5 (4-8 ATS) since that start and need to bounce back from that loss at Santa Clara, as well as trying to avenge a 67-63 loss at San Diego.The Toreros are just 4-7 in true road games, while averaging a poor 67.7 PPG. Meanwhile, San Francisco is 13-1 SU at home, averaging 79.4 PPG. This sets up as a San Francisco win with "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Rivalry Rout is on UCLA at 9:00 ET.

Los Angeles cross-town rivals USC and UCLA square off night at Pauley Pavilion. The Trojans and Bruins are each 15-13 overall and both are also 8-7 in Pac 12 play,leaving them tied for fifth in the conference, one game behind Utah (9-6) in their bid to receive a first-round bye in the Pac-12 tournament (each schools also has a road game remaining  against the Utes). USC comes in off a 67-62 loss to Oregon State on Saturday in its final home game of the regular season, falling to 8-7 in league play. Meanwhile, UCLA got to 8-7 by erasing a 19-point deficit en route to a 90-83 home victory over Oregon on Saturday (Bruins edged Ore St 68-67 on Thursday). In the schools' first meeting this season (back on Jan 19 at USC), the Trojans snapped a four-game losing streak in the series with an 80-67 victory.

6-10 senior forward Bernie Boatwright is third in the conference in scoring with a team-high 18.3 PPG (adds 6.3 RPG). He's joined up front by 6-11 junior forward Nick Rakocevic (15.1 & 9.4), who leads the Pac-12 with 13 double-doubles. Junior guard Jonah Mathews (12.5) is also averaging in double figures, while freshman guard Porter just misses at 9.1 & 4.0. USC's depth on the perimeter is noteworthy, as four more guards combine to add about 30 PPG.

Sophomore swingman Kris Wilkes (17.2 & 4.7) has been a model of consistency for UCLA, reaching double figures in 26-of-28 games this season. PG Hands (13.5 points) scored a career-high 27 points (all in the second half) in Saturday's comeback win over Oregon and averages 13.5 & 6.4 APG. He enters this rivalry game averaging 21.4 points while shooting 50 percent from three-point range in his last five contests. 7-0 freshman center Moses Brown (10.5 & 8.5) is UCLA's lone frontcourt contributor of note.

UCLA dismissed head coach Steve Alford on December 31, 2018, two days after the Bruins' ugly 73-58 loss to Liberty. It marked the first time the program ever had made a coaching change in the middle of the season. Murry Bartow (son of former UCLA coach Gene Bartow) was named interim coach for the Bruins and in his first game (at home vs Stanford), UCLA ended a four-game slide with a 92-70 win over the Cardinal. Two more wins followed but the 'honeymoon' period is over for UCLA's interim coach, as following that 3-0 start in the conference, UCLA dropped SEVEN of its next 10 Pac-12 games. However, B2B wins over the two Oregon schools last weekend has breathed some new life into UCLA. USC is just 2-6 in true road games this season, allowing 80.9 PPG. That hardly bodes well vs the Bruins, who are averaging 82.1 PPG at home this season and this marks UCLA's final regular season home game of the year. The Bruins have won 42 of 50 games in Pauley Pavilion since the start of the 2016-17 season. Expect UCLA to avenge its earlier loss at the Galen Center.

Good luck...Larry

The 1st play of my STP is an 8* on Ore St at 9:00 ET.

Disappointing Arizona (16-12 / 7-8 in Pac 12) heads to Corvallis on Thursday to face surprising 17-9 Oregon State (9-5 in Pac 12), which has clinched its third winning season in five seasons under coach Wayne Tinkle. The Beavers are now in search of their first winning Pac-12 record in 29 years, as Oregon St closes out its home schedule with a pair of games this week with the two Arizona schools. The Wildcats are up first, coming off a pair of much-needed home wins last weekend over Cal and Stanford.

The Wildcats are essentially the mirror-opposite of the Beavers (see above), as they are seeking to avoid only the program’s second losing Pac-12/Pac-10 season in the last 35 years. Arizona wraps its regular season schedule with this two-game Oregon road swing, followed by its home finale against second-place Arizona State. G Thursday night’s date with Arizona. Guards Brandon Randolph (13.1) and Brandon Williams (11.7 & 3.7 APG) score in double digits, joined by 6-10 center Chase Jeter (11.7 & 6.9). The good news here is that Williams returned to score four points and dish out three assists in 18 minutes vs Stanford, after missing the previous six games with right-knee soreness.

OSU is led by the coaches' son, 6-8 forward Tres Tinkle. He leads OSU in scoring (19.8), rebounding (8.2) and assists (4.2). Along with guards/brothers Stephen Thompson Jr. (16.4-5.4-3.5) and Ethan Thompson (13.2-4.9-3.4), the trio accounts for more than two-thirds (67.1 percent) of Oregon State’s scoring (73.6 PPG).

Arizona has won SIX straight and 13 of the last 14 meetings with Oregon State, including an 82-71 victory in Tucson on Jan 19.However, the 2018-19 season is DIFFERENT. Arizona ranks ninth in the Pac-12 in scoring (72.1) and only winless Cal (42.3) owns a worse overall field-goal percentage than the Wildcats’ 42.9 mark. To make matters worse, headlines continue to swirl around the program’s involvement in an FBI-investigated recruiting corruption and reports that head coach Sean Miller will be subpoenaed to testify at a trial in April. The Beavers currently reside in third place, a half-game ahead of Utah and 1 1/2 games in front of USC and UCLA in the Pac 12. A win here would be a HUGE step in clinching a top-four seed in teh Pac 12 tourney. Play the home team.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Crusher (AAC) is on Wichita St at 7:00 ET.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the LA Lakers at 10:35 ET.

Anthony Davis will be on the floor against his possible future team when the 27-35 New Orleans Pelicans visit the 29-31 Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Davis requested a trade in late January but the Pelicans declined the offer from the Lakers and the perennial All-Star has been playing reduced minutes as New Orleans attempts to protect his trade value. In fact, Davis didn't play when the Lakers visited New Orleans on Saturday but the Pelicans still posted a 128-115 victory. Davis did play in the Pelicans' 111-110 home loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday (he had 18 points in 21 minutes), New Orleans' 12th loss in its last 18 games. The Lakers lost a 110-105 decision to the host Memphis Grizzlies on Monday, the team's SIXTH defeat in it last eight games. LBJ is concerned and said after the loss, "If you're distracted by playoff pushes, out of all the stuff that's been talked about this year -- just come and do your job, do our job at a high level. That's not a distraction. That's what you want. That's what you want every game. You want to feel like you're fighting for something."

Davis was on the bench watching when New Orleans needed a last-second, game-winning shot on Monday and he said he is having a hard time staying in a good flow under the minutes' restriction. Davis and head coach Alvin Gentry have had a discussion about changing his substitution pattern to see if that would help a situation that is slated to last the remainder of the season. We'll see.Without Davis (27.6 & 12.6) on a regular basis, the Pelicans will be an enigma the rest of the season. Ex-Laker Julius Randle (20.1 & 9.0) is having an excellent season plus New Orleans does own a solid trio of guards in Holiday (21.0-5.1-7.9), Moore (12.2) and Payton (10.2 & 6.3 APG).

James has become increasingly frustrated in recent weeks with the inconsistency of a club that is trying to halt a five-season playoff drought. He's averaging 26.8-8.8-7.8 on the season but two games under .500 is NOT where he expected his new team to be as February comes to a close. Forward Brandon Ingram (17.8 & 5.0) scored 32 points against Memphis for the second-highest output of his three-year career and is averaging 29.3 points over the last three contests. However, like so many of LA's players, he's inconsistent. Bullock was an "under the radar" addition for LA and he may be a gem, averaging 10.8 PPG in his five games with LA, connecting on 44.8% from three-point range on a team which shoots poorly from long-range (33.9% ranks 27th).

LA has been a poor ATS team at home but with AD and the Pelicans visiting in this quick turnaround, LA is an excellent value!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Villanova at 9:00 ET.

Questions surrounded Villanova after the Wildcats lost back-to-back games to Penn and Kansas, as the defending champs (actually, two titles in a three-year span) sat just 8-4 in mid-December. However, 11 consecutive wins later (including a 10-0 start in the Big East) erased most doubts that the Wildcats were again VERY relevant. A 66-65 loss at Marquette was no big deal, especially since Villanova bounced back in its next game with a 85-67 win over Providence. However, 'Nova comes into this rematch with now-No. 10 Marquette (23-4 and a Big East-leading 12-2 mark) off THREE consecutive losses (at St John's. Georgetown and Xavier). Marquette can clinch at least a share of the regular-season league title and the No. 1 seed in the Big East tournament with a win ('Nova is 20-8 / 11-4 in Big East).

The Golden Eagles' dynamic PG Markus Howard led Marquette with 38 points in that Feb 9 win and the potential All-American checks in averaging 25.3-4.1-4.0. The 6-8 Sam Hauser (15.7 & 6.9) is joined by his 6-9 younger brother Joey (10.0 & 5.4). Marquette connects on 39.9 percent from three-point range (15th) with each of its top-three scorers (see above) draining at least 40 percent of their three-pointers. 

The Wildcats continued their recent shooting woes against Xavier, as they shot under 34 percent from the floor and just 10-of-36 from three-point range. Senior guard Phil Booth, who averages a team-high 18.4 points, is just 5-of-25 from three-point range during teh team's three-game slide. 6-8 senior forward  Eric Paschall (17.2 & 6.1) and sophomore guard Collin Gillespie (11.2) are the team's other double digit scorers.

Villanova was ranked 13th before its slide (now unranked) but as head coach Jay Wright noted after the loss to Xavier, "I don't think confidence is the issue. We're not executing the way we want to, not getting easy baskets off of our defense. It just makes every shot we take monumental. I thought we got some good looks, but we didn't get any second shots in the second half." It's HAS to be noted that Marquette's Howard battled through a groin pull  and was just 2-of-12 shooting in the team's last game. Can he be effective against Villanova? This is a HUGE test for 'Nova and let's not forget the etam's 11-2 home record or more importantly, the team's TWO titles in the last three years.

Home team gets its revenge!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Crusher (Big 12) is on Baylor at 9:00 ET.

Texas is 15-12 on the season, including 7-7 in Big 12 games. The Longhorns come in off nearly erasing a 17-point, second-half deficit against Oklahoma last Saturday, before falling just short in a 69-67 defeat. Leading scorer Kerwin Roach II (14.4 PPG) missed Saturday's game due to a suspension and will not play tonight in Waco vs Baylor. The Bears upset Iowa St 73-69 on the road on Feb 19 and then used a 16-5 run to end the game to escape with an 82-75 home victory over West Va this past Saturday. Baylor is 18-9 overall, including 9-5 in the Big 12.

In Roach’s absence, guard Jase Febres (8.0) made his first start since Dec 21 on Saturday and attempted all of his shots from three-point range, finishing with a team-best 15 points in a career-high 35 minutes. Starting guard Coleman (10.1 & 3.6 APG) is joined by a trio of guards chipping in just over 20 PPG, combined (a group which includes Febres). Up front, 6-11 freshman Hayes (10.4 & 5.3) and 6-9 senior Osetkowski (10.2 & 7.7) are a solid duo. Hayes led the second-half charge against Oklahoma with 12 points, six rebounds and a career-high six blocks.

“I’m really proud of the last five minutes to win the way we did,” Baylor head coach Scott Drew told reporters after leading scorer Makai Mason was held to a season-low four points. “Makai had zero field goals and we win a game in the Big 12. When you have zero field goals from your leading scorer, it means other people are stepping up. That’s what makes a great team.” Makai Mason, a graduate transfer from Yale (you don't hear that often), is averaging 15.0 PPG. Fellow guards like Kegler (10.0 & 5.9 ) and Butler (9.4) have stepped up at times, as well. McClure is averaging 9.9 & 5.4 but is questionable with a knee injury.

Baylor lost the 6-9 Clark (14.6 & 6.2). to a season-ending knee injury on Jan 8 but the Bears have not given up. Scott Drew's teams had won 20-plus games for nine of the previous 10 seasons but finished just 19-15 last season. Four starters are gone from that team but the Bears are just two wins away from a 20-win season this year. Baylor will be looking for redemption on Wednesday when it hosts Texas, which snapped the Bears' six-game winning streak on Feb 6 with an 84-72 victory. With leading scorer Kerwin Roach II out for Texas, Baylor gets its revenge against a team that is just 2-6 SU on the road. Baylor is 12-4 SU at home, holding opponents to just 62.6 PPG.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET.

The Boston Celtics have now lost FIVE of their last seven games, after Tuesday's 118-95 loss in Toronto (ended a winless three-game road trip). The struggling Celtics hope to begin a turnaround when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. The Blazers enter having reeled off four straight victories and led by 23 points at halftime before letting Cleveland back in the game but then finishing strong in Monday's 123-110 road win.

37-23 Portland currently holds down the West's No. 4 seed , two games up on No. 5 Houston but also just one game back of No. 3 OKC. Portland is led by the dynamic guard duo of Lillard (25.8-4.6-6.5) and McCollum (21.1 & 4.1) plus center Nurkic (15.4 & 10.2). Also, the recent addition of Kanter (14.3 & 7.7 in three games) can't be underestimated.

Kyrie Irving had a miserable game for the Celtics with only seven points last night and head coach Brad Stevens ripped his club following the lackluster effort. "I thought we were all over the place defensively. We're taking too many shortcuts,” Stevens told reporters. "We have to be a lot more connected as a team. That’s been a theme for a while."

Irving (23.5 & 6.9 APG) has been increasingly frustrated in recent weeks, and his response to a question about how to fix the defensive issues was a brief one - "That's up to Brad," he said of the coach. The Raptors were 17-for-36 from three-point range and built a 21-point halftime advantage as Boston allowed at least 109 points for the SIXTH time in seven games.

The Blazers beat the Celtics 100-94 in Portland earlier this season (Nov 11) but they are just 7-12 as road dog on the season. The Celtics are 23-8 SU at home, outscoring opponents by 9.6 PPG (are 19-10 as a home favorite). This marks Boston's first home game at TD Garden since teh All Star break (actually Feb 13, which is TWO weeks ago!). Off last night's 'ugly' effort, expect a bounce back!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Oddsmaker's Error is on USF at 7:00 ET.

Central Florida and South Florida meet tonight for their second matchup in two weeks, this time at the home of the Bulls. UCF comes in 20-6 (10-4 in the AAC), while USF 18-9 (7-7 in AAC play). I'll note that UCF was the preseason favorite in the AAC, while in stark contrast, USF opened the current season off seasons of 10, 7, 8, 9 and 12 wins. I will also note that UCF has dominated the War On I-4, seeking its EIGHT straight victory (and fourth straight sweep) over its intrastate rivals after taking this season's first encounter 78-65 on Feb 13 in Orlando.

Senior guard B.J. Taylor, the conference preseason player of the year, is bidding to lead the club in scoring for the third straight season with an average of 16.6 points and the coaches' son, Aubrey Dawkins averages 15.3 PPG and 5.0 RPG. PG Allen (7.3 & 4.2 APG) makes for a nice guard trio plus 7-6 senior center Tacko Fall (10.9 points, team-high 7.3 rebounds ) leads the conference and was seventh nationally with 2.7 blocks per game. He paces the American in field-goal shooting at 76.6 percent to help the Knights shoot a conference-best 47.0 percent. Fall registered a season-high 23 points and a career-best 20 rebounds as he became the first Knight to produce a 20-20 game in the team's Division I era in UCF's recent win over SMU. The 6-11 Smith (8.0 & 5.3) is a quality side-kick.

Sophomore guard David Collins is USF's leading scorer (15.3 ppg). The team needs a strong effort on the boards from redshirt freshman Alexis Yetna (12.0 PPG), who leads the conference with 9.7 rebounds per game and had 12 against UCF back on Feb 13. PG Laquincy Rideau is averaging 13.3 PPG and a team-high 5.5 APG.

The Bulls entered the first meeting (Feb 13) on a five-game winning streak but they couldn't get going against the Knights. The Bulls haven't won a conference game since, so why play them here (USF has lost SEVEN straight to UCF). USF is an outstanding 14-3 at home (the Bulls can tie the school mark for home victories in a season with a win over the Knights) and note that UCF is just 3-4 SU in true road games this season. Also note that UCF comes in off its most dominating performance of the season in a 95-48 victory over SMU. The Knights earned their largest margin of victory since 2010 as they limited the Mustangs to just 24.6 percent shooting from the floor. This sets up as "Let-down City," even against an in-state rival. USF is ready, willing and able to pull of the "non-upset!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Crusher (AAC) is on Memphis at 9:00 ET.

No. 8 Houston is 26-1 (the nation's lone one-loss team) and leads the AAC at 13-1. In American Athletic Conference action tonight from Memphis, it's the 20-7 Temple Owls (10-4 AAC) taking on the Tigers, who are 17-11 overall, including 9-6 in league play. Temple has posted victories in five of its last six and enters on a four-game winning streak, looking to match a season high of five consecutive wins. The Tigers are off an impressive 88-85 win this past Saturday at Wichita St (Shockers are 81-7 the last six-plus years at Koch Arena!) and will be seeking their FIFTH victory in six games.

The Owls get the bulk of their scoring from a trio of guards in Shizz Alston (18.9 & 5.1 APG), Quinton Rose (16.5) and Nate Pierre-Louis (13.9 & 5.8). Quinton Rose and Shizz Alston Jr. combined for 49 points in Saturday's 84-73 win over Tulsa. Nate Pierre-Louis has scored in double digits in 15 of his last 16 games and had ZERO turnovers in 32 minutes against Tulsa. Helping out up front are the 6-10 Ernest Aflakpui (6.2 & 7.1) and  the 6-7 J.P. Moorman II (5.4 & 3.9).

Senior PG Jeremiah Martin is by far the top scorer for Memphis, averaging 19.0 PPG, along with 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals. He has been on a tear over the last seven games with point totals of 25, 26, 31, 37, 41 and 43 in that stretch (he had 37 versus Wichita State on Saturday). The 6-8 Davenport chips in 13.7 & 7.1 plus freshman guard Harris adds 11.5 PPG. First-year head coach Penny Hardaway likes to use his bench and Memphis has six more players averaging between 4.7 and 9.1 PPG.

Memphis lost 85-76 at Temple back on Jan 24 but this contest will be played at FedEx Forum, where the Tigers are 13-2 SU (losses to Cincy and Tenn), where they average a whopping 88.0 PPG.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Month is on the Tor Raptors at 8:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors were expected to be among the top contenders in the Eastern Conference this season. The Raptors have lived up to expectations but as for the Celtics, not so much! 37-23 Boston visits Toronto on Tuesday night mired in fifth place in the East after losing FOUR of its past six games. Meanwhile, 44-17 Toronto sits No. 2 in the East and still have the first-place Milwaukee Bucks in their sights (Raptors trail the Bucks by just 2 1/2 games).

Boston was humbled 126-116 by the 16-45 Bulls on Saturday in Chicago in its most recent game. "We just got outplayed in every which way," Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "There are no two ways around it. You know, credit them obviously. Once they got rolling, there was no stopping them." PG Kyrie Irving (23.8 & 6.9 APG) has been frustrated with his team's play in recent weeks. He had 37 points and 10 assists against the Bulls but the Celtics still lost by 10. Small forward Gordon Hayward (11.1 & 4.6) seemed to be rounding into form in recent weeks but scored just five points in 24 minutes against Chicago, after missing one game with an ankle injury. Boston has a deep frontcourt, with SF Tatum (16.4 & 6.3) and swingman Brown (12.8 & 4.7) plus PF Morris (14.4 & 6.1) and PF/C Horford (13.1 & 6.9). Boston's D remains among the best in the NBA, allowing 106.8 PPG (5th) on 44.2% shooting (2nd).

Toronto saw its seven-game winning streak end with a surprising 113-98 home loss to the Orlando Magic Toronto decided to rest Khawi Leonard () against the Mgic and the contest fell in between Friday's emotional game with the San Antonio Spurs -- Leonard's former team -- and the Celtics. So much for planning! The startling loss to Orlando dropped Toronto to 13-4 when playing without Leonard. PF/C Siakam (16.1 & 7.0) has been a huge surprise this season, while PF Ibaka (15.9 & 8.1) and PG Lowry (14.5-4.4-9.10 have contributed solid seasons. Ibaka scored 14 points off the bench to extend his career-long streak of consecutive games in double digits to 22. Expect trade deadline acquisition Marc Gasol (10.0 & 6.2 in five games) and Jeremy Lin (8.3 & 4.0 APG) to be valuable additions as the season winds down towards the playoffs.

This is the fourth and final time the two teams meet in the regular season. The Celtics have won the two matchups in Boston, while the Raptors also protected home court with a 113-101 win on Oct 19. NOTHING changes here, as the home team wins and covers once again. Leonard returns and Toronto eliminates the 'bad taste' left by that home loss to the Magic, while reminding the Celtics that if they have to play in Toronto this postseason, they'll be in BIG trouble!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on South Carolina at 7:00 ET.

The Alabama Crimson Tide are 16-11 (7-7 in the SEC) as they travel to Colonial Life Arena in South Carolina to take on the 14-13 Gamecocks. Alabama snapped a three-game skid with a 68-61 home win over Vanderbilt on Saturday but the Tide have lost SIX of their last eight road contests. South Carolina is coming off a 76-61 setback at Mississippi State on Saturday, a contest in which it squandered a 16-point, first-half lead. The Gamecocks may be just 14-13 overall but they are 9-5 in SEC play, leaving them tied for fourth with Ole Miss. 

Heavily-recruited freshman PG Kira Lewis Jr. leads the Crimson Tide in scoring at 14,2 PPG. Up front, 6-9 senior forward Donta Hall (10.9 & 8.5 rebounds) leads the SEC with 11 double-doubles and three-point specialist John Petty Jr. (10.6) also averages double digits. However, Alabama head coach Avery Johnson relies on a deep bench, with 10 players averaging double digits in minutes and eight scoring at least 5.5 PPG. 

The Gamecocks had an offensive outage in the second half against Mississippi State, scoring just 25 points while allowing 47! However, South Carolina features a dominant big man in the 6-9 Chris Silva (14.0 & 7.2). He has scored in double figures in eight of his last 10 games. South Carolina can also stretch the floor by making 36.6 percent of its three-point attempts. Freshman guard A.J. Lawson (14.0 & 4.5) is joined by fellow guard Hassani Gravett (11.1 & 4.0) to form a solid guard duo. Silva gets help up front from the 6-11 Bryant (8.6 & 3.6) and the 6-6 Kotsar (7.4 & 4.8).

As noted above, Alabama has lost SIX of its last eight road games and I'll add here that Sourh Carolina has won SEVEN of its last eight at home, with the lone defeat coming against No. 7 Tennessee (Vols were ranked No. 1 when they beat South Carolina). The Gamecocks basically need to win here (to cover), leaving Alabama no "margin for error."

South Carolina remains in a position to earn a top-four seed AND a double-bye in the upcoming SEC tournament.Don't expect them to let this "winning opportunity" to slip away.

Good luck...Larry

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

Buffalo is ranked 21st in the latest AP poll and is 24-3 overall, including 12-2 in MAC play. Bowling Green is 19-8 and that includes an 11-3 mark in the MAC East, just one game behind the Bulls. That said, both schools know that at-large bids almost NEVER get awarded to MAC teams. Bowling Green returns home off a 92-87 overtime loss to Ohio last time out to face 14-13 Miami-Ohio, which is just 6-8 in MAC play. The Redhawks come in having alternated wins and losses in each of their last eight games, following a 70-58 loss to Akron in their last outing

Miami owns a solid guard duo in leading scorer Sibande (15.3 & 4.7) and PG Ringo (7.7 & 5.0 APG). Up front, the team's top-two contributors are the 6-7 Brown (12.0 & 5.5) and the 6-8 Bowman (9.9 & 5.2). BG owns a deep perimeter, led by Turner (18.9-3.9-3.3). He's joined by Frye (13.0), Lillard (9.2 & 4.0) and Laster (6.7). The 6-11 Wiggins (12.9 & 11.3) will easily be the best big man on the court tonight.

Miami beat Bowling Green at home 67-53, which BG is unlikely to forget.Miami is just 3-8 SU on the road, while scoring a modest 64.6 PPG. Meanwhile, the Falcons are 13-1 at the Stroh Center, outscoring opponents on average, 81.2-to-68.9 PPG. Bowling Green had lost just TWO of its last 1* SU prior to Friday's loss to Ohio and it's "bounce-back" and "payback" time tonight. That's sweet 'daily double!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Feb Game of the Month is on Kansas at 9:00 ET.

It's been well-documented that Kansas has won or shared the Big 12's regular season title each of the last 14 seasons, the longest such streak in Division I history. However, the 12th-ranked Jayhawks head into Monday night’s game with in state-rival Kansas St (Wildcats are ranked 23rd) in basically a "must-win" situation. Kansas enters the contest off the worst loss of the Bill Self era, 91-62 on Saturday at No. 14 Texas Tech. The loss dropped Kansas to 9-5 in the Big 12, while Kansas St sits 11-3 and Texas Tech at 10-4. With just FOUR games remaining for all teams, you can "do the math." Kansas State won the first meeting between the two schools this season (74-67 back on Feb 5 in Manhattan) and comes in off an 85-46 blowout of Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Wildcats enter having won SIX consecutive Big 12 road games.

KSU's 39-point win over the Cowboys marks the school's biggest conference margin of victory since a 55-point win over Missouri back in 1998. The Wildcats shot 61.5 percent from the floor, including 10-of-20 from three-point range. Senior guard Barry Brown Jr., who has played in a school-record 132 consecutive games, leads the team in scoring (15.7) and steals (2.0). PG Stokes adds 10.1 PPG and 3.3 APG. SF Sneed checks in at 10.4 & 5.4 plus the 6-10 Wade, the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, is second in scoring (13.1) while grabbing a team best 6.2 RPG. However, Wade has missed SIX full games this season and played just 11 minutes vs Oklahoma St (how healthy is he?).

“Coach (Self) talked about getting ready for Kansas State,” forward Dedric Lawson told the Kansas City Star. “He said, ‘Can’t get this one back. Worry about the next one.’ I think we’ll bounce back pretty well. Sometimes a loss can be a blessing in disguise.” The 6-9 trnsfer from Memphis has been as good as advertised for teh Jaywhawks, as he lead in scoring (19.0) and rebounding (10.1). However, his brother KJ has been a MAJOR disappointment. After averaging 12.3 & 8.1 in his last year at Memphis, KJ Lawson has disappeared at Kansas, averaging 3.4 & 1.8. The 7-0 Azubuike (13.4 & 6.8) was lost for the season after playing just NINE games and guard Vick (14.1 & 4.) was recently sidelined due to personal reasons. Guards Dotson (12.0 & 3.7) and Aybaji (10.1 & 4.9) are solid contributors while Vick's absence gives more "PT" to Grimes (7.5) and Garrett (7.3).

Kansas still hopes to claw into position for a 15th consecutive Big 12 championship but there is now "no margin for error." Kansas leads the series 196-94 and has won 57 of the last 63 meetings with Kansas State 9Regardless of teh venue. Kansas is 14-0 S at home this season (has won 18 straight at home) and while teh Jayhawks are just 7-7 ATS, they are winning on average by a margin of 80.9-to-66.8 PPG. Knasas is an outstanding defensive team (59.3 PPG allowed ranks 4th) but it needs to be, as the Wildcats average just 66.5 PPG (319th). Kansas has won the last 12 meetings with Kansas St at Allen Fieldhouse (Wildcats' last win at Kansas came back in 2006). Self's Jayhawks are 248-13 (.950) at home since his arrival. Lay the 'cheap' price.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Bailout Blowout is on UNLV at 10:00 ET.

Note: Larry was able to complete full analysis with SEVEN of his nine plays for Feb 23 but an unforseen emergency left him with no time to do so for his final two plays. Sorry for the inconvenience. Back to "normal" on Sunday.

Good luck...Larry

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

No. 2 Gonzaga is 26-2 overall (maybe No. 1 come Monday?) and sits 13-0 in the WCC to no one's surprise. What is somewhat new this year is that St Mary's is NOT right on the Bulldogs' heels. The Gaels are 18-10 overall and at 9-4, are tied for third in the WCC (with San Francisco), as both schools trail 10-4 BYU. St Mary's will travel to the Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego on Saturday night to take on 17-11 San Diego. The Toreros are 6-7 in league play, after ending a three-game skid witha 63-52 home win over Portland. St Mary's embarrassingly lost 94-46 at Gonzaga back on Feb 9 but has won three in a row since (just 1-2 ATS).

Randy Bennett's first six seasons at St Mary's resulted in just one postseason appearance (a first round NCAA loss in 2005) but he's led the Gaels to 11 straight postseason berths entering this season. That streak should continue this year but it will be one of the three-lettered tourneys, not the Big Dance (unless the Gaels win the WCC tourney).

Guard Jordan Ford has almost doubled his average from last season (up to 21.8 from 11.1 PPG) and up front, the 6-8 Fitts (16.0 & 87.5) and the 6-10 Hunter (8.1 & 6.3). However, St Mary's depth is not what it used to be.

San Diego's 6-7 Isaiah Pineiro(19.4 & 9.2) will be the best p[layer on the floor tonight and he gets help up front from the 6-10 Massalski (7.4 & 5.9) and the 6-8 Floresca (5.2 & 2.9). There is nothing wrong with San Diego's backcourt, either. Carter averages16.1 PPG, Wright 12.6-4.0-5.0 and Williams 8.8-4.2-3.2.

St Mary's didn't get an at-large NCAA bid last year despite 30 wins, so one won't be coming its way this season. Meanwhile, the postseason-seeking Toreros are SURELY looking forward to this rematch, after their 'ugly' 76-59 loss in Moraga back on Jan 19th (note: Carter missed that contest due to an injury). The Gaels come to San Diego just 2-6 ATS on the road since December and San Diego is an impressive 12-3 SU on its homecourt. There's a 'storm brewing' in San Diego and St Mary's gets swallowed up.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the GS Warriors at 8:35 ET.

James Harden is in sole possession of the second-longest 30-point scoring streak in NBA history at an astounding 32 games but his Houston Rockets lost 111-106 at teh Lakers in Houston's first game back from the break. Harden scored exactly 30 points before fouling out with 1:24 remaining on Thursday and watched from the bench as Houston finished squandering a 19-point lead in a 111-106 defeat at Staples Center. The Warriors returned from the break on Thursday as well, eking out a 125-123 win over the Sacramento Kings in Oakland. It's hardly been smooth sailing for Golden St this season but at 42-16, the Warriors own the West's best record and are within two games of Milwaukee for the NBA's best record, overall.

Houston center Clint Capela (17.5 PPG and 12.5 RPG are career highs!) returned from a 15-game absence on Thursday (thumb), scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in 33 minutes. However, the Rockets lost their second in a row and fell to 33-25, a full 12 games below where they stood at this point last season. Some analysts are grumbling about the club's style of play and reliance on Harden (36.5-6.7-7.7). Houston head coach Mike D'Antoni labeled such talk "absurd" before the Thursday game. "I don't know if they watched last year," he said of the naysayers. "Nobody else can do what he does. ... If you're a ball-stopper, usually you're inefficient. He's very efficient. So when the ball stops, it's a good thing."Is D'Antoni right? I'm NOT convinced.

KD (27.6-7.0-5.9) was named the MVP of Sunday’s All-Star Game in Charlotte, and he showed off his skills at both ends of the floor in Thursday's win. He scored 28 points, grabbed nine rebounds and handed out four assists while matching a career high with seven blocked shots! Curry (28.8-5.1-5.3) added 36 points while going 10-of-16 from 3-point range, setting an NBA record with his fifth game this season with 10 or more made three-pointers. Golden St ranks 1st in scoring (118.9 PPG) and FG percentage (49.0), while ranking third in three-point percentage (38.4) and 4th in FT percentage (81.3).

The Warriors have NOT been money-makers for awhile now but they almost will SURELY been heavily focused on Houston, which has already beaten them twice this season, including 135-134 in OT at Golden State on Jan 3. The Warriors have won 17 of their last 19 games and "put it all together" here vs the Rockets,. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Wichita St at 8:00 ET.

Jeremiah Martin set the American Athletic Conference single-game scoring record with a career-high 43 points in a 102-76 Memphis victory over Tulane. The Tigers' senior guard will now lead 16-11 Memphis (8-6 in AAC play) into a road game with the 13-12 Wichita State Shockers (just 6-7 in AAC play). Memphis will be visiting Wichita State for the first time in over FOUR decades on Saturday! As for the Shockers, Wichita State will look to get back to .500 after a 1-6 conference start, as it won for the FIFTH time in six games Wednesday with an 81-60 rout of Tulsa. The Shockers tied a school record by draining 15 three-pointers and Dexter Dennis matched a freshman mark by hitting six 3-pointers en route to his team-high 18 points.

Martin (28.3-4.1-4.5) is averaging 29.6 points over his last six contests and became the first Memphis player – and first in AAC history – to record 40 or more twice in a career.

The 6-8 Davenport chips in 14.0 & 7.1 plus freshman guard Harris adds 11.7 PPG. First-year head coach Penny Hardaway likes to use his bench and Memphis has six more player averaging between 4.8 and 9.0 PPG.

Jamarius Burton posted a career-high 10 assists in Wednesday’s victory, the most by a Wichita State freshman since 1973. Leading scorer Markis McDuffie (18.3 & 4.8) saw his career-high streak of 15 straight games with a three-pointer come to an end Wednesday, as the senior finished with just nine points (0-6 on threes). However, the Shocjkers still won at Tulsa by 21 points! PG Haynes-Jones (12.6) joins McDuffie as Wichita State's lone double digit scorers but the 6-11 Echenique (8.5 & 5.8) and  freshman guard Dennis (7.4 & 4.7) are rounding into solid contributors.

Memphis is great at home but a modest 2-6 on the road, where the Tigers allow 83.2 PPG. This Wichita St team is not like recent additions but the Shockers are rounding into form (see above). The revenge motive will be huge here (lost 85-74 art Memphis to open conference play on Jan 3) and let's NOT ignore the fact that Wichita St is 81-6 the last six-plus years at Koch Arena!.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Crusher (Big East) is on St John's at 8:00 ET.

Note: Larry was able to complete full analysis with SEVEN of his nine plays for Feb 23 but an unforseen emergency left him with no time to do so for his final two plays. Sorry for the inconvenience. Back to "normal" on Sunday.

Good luck...Larry

My 3rd pick of Saturday's STP is a 9* on Miuss St at 6:00 ET.

South Carolina may be just 14-12 overall but after back-to-back home wins last week ( 84-77 over Texas A&M and 79-64 over Ole Miss), the Gamecocks are now fourth in the SEC at 9-4 and remain in a position to earn a top-four seed (AND a double-bye in the upcoming SEC tournament). South Carolina travels to Starkville on Saturday to face the 19-7 Miss St Bulldogs, who find themselves just 7-6 in SEC play, two games behind the Gamecocks (Miss St is in a three-way tie for sixth place in the SEC). The Gamecocks won 87-82 in overtime at home in the first meeting of the season between the two schools.

South Carolina features a dominant big man in the 6-9 Chris Silva (14.3 & 7.4). He has scored in double figures in eight of his last nine games and is averaging 16.0 & 7.8 in SEC play. That said, South Carolina can also stretch the floor by making 36.4 percent of its three-point attempts. Freshman guard A.J. Lawson (13.9 & 4.6) had one of his best all-around games against Ole Miss with 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists and fellow guard Hassani Gravett (11.3 & 3.5) is shooting an SEC-best 49.3 percent from three-point range in league games. Silva gets help up front from the 6-11 Bryant (8,8 & 3.5) and the 6-6 Kotsar (7.2 & 4.8).

Miss St is somewhat of a disappointment (ranked 11th before the season by The Blue Ribbon Yearbook and18th in the AP's preseason poll) but don't count the Bulldogs out just yet, They are one of the SEC’s most balanced teams, as SIX players average at least 9.2 PPG. MSU is led by Quinndary Weatherspoon (18.6 & 5.1), who scored a career-high 31 points in last week's 68-67 win at Georgia. He is averaging 23.5 over his last six games, while PG Lamar Peters (12.0 & 5.3 APG) runs the team with great efficiency. Miss St has excellent size up front, as the 6-10 Holman comes off the bench to add 9.7 & 6.5 plus 6-10 freshman forward Reggie Perry (9.2 & 6.6) has emerged as a major force inside lately, recording double-doubles in FIVE of his last seven contests.

South Carolina has struggled on the road this season (sit just 3-6), after dropping four of their last five road games.Meanwhile, Miss St comes in off three straight wins, including confidence-building road wins at Arkansas (77-67) and Georgia (68-67). Take Miss St (in payback mode) in this one, as the Bulldogs are 11-3 SU at home (averaging 84.0 PPG) against the poor-traveling Gamecocks who are averaging only 70.1 points in true road games.

Good luck...Larry

My 2nd play of Saturday's STP is an 8* on UMass at 2:00 ET.

St Joe's is 11-15 (4-9 in A-10 play) as it travel to Amherst to face UMass. The Minutemen are just 9-17 overall and are tied for last-place in the A-10 with Fordham, at 2-11. The Hawks are led by the 6-7 Brown (19.9 & 5.7) who will be the best player on the floor but St Joe's also owns a pair of solid guards. SG Kimble averages 16.7 PPG plus PG Bynum adds 11.3 PPG and 4.6 APG. UMass' best player is PG Pipkins, who averages 16.6 PPG, as well as 5.0 RPG and 5.2 APG. Pierre (11.4) and Cobb (8.4) join him on the perimeter, while the 6-11 Hollaway (9.2 & 5.6) and the 6-6 Laurent (8.2 & 4.4) are the Minutemen's best inside players.

Why play this "nothing-burger" of a game? St Joe's was barely able to eke out a 64-62 home win over UMass and now must win on the road, where the Hawks are an abysmal 1-9 in true road games this season. UMass has split 14 home games and if the Minutemen could almost beat St Joe's in Philly, where leading scorers Pipkins and Pierre combined to make just 2 of 11 shots (and total a combined FIVE points!), UMass should not have an problem exacting revenge in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 1st play of Saturday's STP is an 8* on Iowa St at 2:00 ET.

No. 19 Iowa State (19-7 / 8-5 in Big 12) is reeling somewhat off back-to-back losses. BOTH came at home, the latest being 73-69 loss to Baylor this past Tuesday. TCU is 17-8 overall, including just 5-8 in Big 12 play, as the Horned Frogs have lost THREE in row (lost Monday 68-61 at Okla St).

The undersized Cyclones start four guards, along with the 6-9 Jacobson (11.8 & 5.8). Senior guard Marial Shayok is averaging a team-high 19.1 PPG (5.4 RPG) and is joined on the perimeter by  Horton-Tucker (12.2 & 5.3), Babb (9.6-4.8-4.2) and Haliburton (7.13.5-4.0). Sophomore reserve guard Lindell Wigginton is second on the team in scoring at 13.1 PPG. The Cyclones average 78.5 PPG (53rd) and allow 66.9 PPG (63rd)

TCU is led by the guard duo of Bane (15.0 & 5.5) and Robinson (13.0 & 7.0 APG). However, the Horned Frogs own size the Cyclones do not, with the 6-7 Noi (14.8 & 4.4), the 6-8 Miller (10.5 & 6.6) and 6-11 center Samuel (7.0 & 7.3). The good news is that Noi is expected to be cleared to start Saturday, after missing the last two games with a left-ankle injury. However, Robinson is listed as questionable with an ankle issue.

TCU is typically tough at home but Iowa St is looking to avenge a 92-83 loss to TCU at Hilton Coliseum back on Feb 9, when the Horned Frogs quieted the home crowd with a 27-4 first-half run before shooting 63.3 percent in the second half. That's HIGHLY unlikely to happen again.Iowa St is angry after losing at home to Baylor ("You're not supposed to lose at home," said Iowa State fifth-year senior Nick Weiler-Babb. "A place like this, it has a history of winning at home. We're not doing any justice to it. It's embarrassing."), as ISU led 63-62 with 6:22 minutes to play but missed its next nine shots and turned over the ball on another possession, allowing Baylor to escape with the win. TCU's 92-83 upset win at ISU on Feb  9 is the Horned Frogs' only ATS win in its last SEVEN games. The Cyclones have won at Texas Tech, Ole Miss, and Kansas State in recent weeks, so why not here in Fort Worth?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on Oklahoma at 12:00 ET.

Texas has beaten Oklahoma in each of the last three meetings (2-0 last season and 75-72 in Austin earlier this season) and the Longhorns will be in Norman at 12 noon ET today, looking a second straight regular season sweep of the series. Texas is 15-11 overall (7-6 in the Big 12) but will have to play without its leading scorer in this one, as senior guard Kerwin Roach II (15.0-4.5-3.1) has been suspended indefinitely following an unspecified violation of team rules. Oklahoma is in danger of missing the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years, as the Sooners check in at 16-10 overall, including a poor 4-9 in conference action.

Roach's suspension comes at a bad time, as Texas was hoping to build momentum off a 68-57 victory over Oklahoma State last Saturday, when Roach scored a team-high 16 points for his 12th straight double-digit performance. The Longhorns do own backcourt depth though, as Coleman (10 & 3.5 APG) is joined by a trio of guards chipping in just over 20 PPG, combined. Up front, 6-11 freshman Hayes (10.3 & 5.2) and 6-9 senior Osetkowski (10.1 & 7.8) are a solid duo.

The Sooners snapped their five-game losing streak with a 71-62 road triumph against TCU last Saturday and they'll welcome the week of rest and a return to Norman. "(The win) feels really good. We haven’t had one in a while,” Oklahoma’s Christian James told reporters after scoring 14 points last Saturday.  James leads Oklahoma in scoring (15.3) and rebounding (6.5) but no Oklahoma player is hotter right now than 6-7 forward Kristian Doolittle (9.9 & 6.6). He led the Sooners with 21 points and 10 rebounds during Saturday’s win. He's averaging a team-high 12.8 points in 13 Big 12 games (up from the 6.9 he averaged in 13 non-conference contests). The 6-9 Manek (11.7 & 6.5) is Oklahoma's only other double digit scorer on the season but the Sooners have depth on the perimeter, with a trio of other guards combining to average about 22 PPG.

I have to believe that Oklahoma is "overdue" to break though vs Texas, after THREE close losses to the Longhorns since last season (includes a 75-72 nail-biter at Austin on Jan 19 when the Sooners had a chance until the final seconds, three times missing on triple attempts in the waning moments that could have given them the win). Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger dusted off a zone defense to help Oklahoma contain TCU in that crucial 71-62 win last Saturday and note that Texas continues to rely on the three-ball, having attempted the most three-pointers in the conference (654). However, Texas makes just 33.0 percent of its three-point attempts (second-to-last in the Big 12 and 254th in the nation). Expect Oklahoma to win and cover.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the OKC Thunder at 9:35 ET.

Both the Utah Jazz and the OKC Thunder return from the All Star break with both teams looking to make amends. The Jazz lost 115-108 at Golden St in their last game before the break, while the Thunder lost 131-122 at New Orleans in their last time on the court. The 32-25 Jazz currently own the West's 6th-seed but are only 2 1/2 games clear of the playoff 'cut line.' As for the Thunder, they have recovered from an 0-4 start to the season to go 37-16. The team's 37-20 record gives them the West's 3rd-best record and seem to be a huge favorite to enter the postseason with one of the West's top-four records (good enough for the homecourt edge in the first round).

The Jazz return to the court after a 10-day break. They have won 13 of their last 16 games and as noted above, come out of the break sixth in the Western Conference. However, the good news is that they have one of the NBA's easiest schedules down the stretch, playing just eight of their final 25 games against teams that are above .500. Center Rudy Gobert didn't hide his disappointment at not making the NBA All-Star Game for the first time despite, averaging 15.2 points and 12.9 rebounds while leading the league in field-goal percentage (65.4). "Just recharge, completely -- mentally, physically," Gobert said. "For me, I was able to get a little bit of sun and feel a lot better when I get back. The next two months, I feel like, will be a lot better." He's surrounded by a backcourt led by Mitchell (22.4-3.9-4.0) and PG Rubio (13.0 & 6.1 APG). Up front, it's SF Ingles (11.7-3.8-4.9) and PF Favors (11.0 & 7.1). SF Crowder comes off the bench to average 11.8 & 4.7, while SG Korver adds 9.5 PPG on 39.8% shooting from three-point range. Defensively, the Jazz allow 105.9 PPG to rank 4t-best in the league. 

OKC was 11-1 SU (10-2 ATS) prior to the team's loss at New Orleans just before the break. PG Russell Westbrook (21.7-11.2-11.2) takes to the court looking to extend his record of 11 straight triple-doubles, a stretch in which he is averaging 21.1-13.3-13.5 (he owns 24 triple-doubles on the season).Paul George (28.7-8.0-4.10 is having an outstanding season and that duo gets significant help from four more players. Backup PG Schroder 915.7 & 4.1 APG) is the team's third-leading score with starters like center Adams (14.7 & 9.5), PF Grant (13.1 & 5.1) and SG Ferguson (6.8) completing the group.  More help is on the way with recently signed forward Markieff Morris expected to make his team debut after missing the last eight weeks due to a neck injury. Morris averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 34 games for the Washington Wizards before the injury and said he is ready to play a role in helping Oklahoma City make a deep playoff run.

I noted above that the Jazz have a VERY favorable schedule down the stretch. However, in stark contrast, the Thunder have one of the league's most challenging schedules moving forward. OKC plays 17 of its remaining 25 games against teams above .500 including each of the first five out of the break. That said, the Thunder are 2-0 against the Jazz this season and have won the past five regular-season matchups. What's more, the Thunder have won 15 straight regular-season home games against Jazz with Utah's last win in Oklahoma City being a 120-99 rout on Oct. 31, 2010. Lay the short price!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Illinois-Chicago at 9:00 ET.

The Green Bay Phoenix will travel to UIC Pavilion to take on the UIC Flames this Friday night in Horizon League play. Both teams are 14-13 overall on the season, including 8-6 in league play. Green Bay fell behind by a 44-33 margin early in the 2nd half against Detroit in its last game but was outstanding on both ends of the court down the stretch to come away with an 82-73 win. As for UIC, the Flames trailed by a 43-38 margin at halftime vs Youngstown State but after taking the lead midway through the 2nd half, were done in by an 11-0 Penguins run in an 81-73 loss (the defeat snapped a four-game Flames' winning streak).

The Phoenix are a high-scoring team, averaging 82.7 PPG (18th). PG Cohen leads the team in scoring (16.6), rebounding (6.4) and assists (4.7), while fellow guard McCloud comes off the bench to average 13.9 PPG. Three more guards combine to chip in about 22.5 PPG. The lone frontcourt player of note is the 6-6 Hemphill (11.5 & 5.4). Green Bay's problem is a defense allowing 81.3 PPG (345th).

The Flames are a guard-oriented team as well with SG Marcus Ottey (15.9), PG Tarkus Ferguson (15.1-6.7-5.1) and fellow Godwin Boahen (14.5-3.3-2.9) leading the way. A trio of forwards chip in about 23 points and 13 rebounds per game. The Flames average 75.0 PPG and allow the exact same amount (hence a 14-13 record).

This is a key battle for 3rd-place in the Horizon League standings (Northern Ky and Wright St are each 11-4) and I favor the home team in "revenge mode." UIC lost 90-85 in Green Bat back on Jan 19, the most points the Flames have allowed in any game this season (excluding OT). Now, here at home (where the team is 11-3), the Flames can serve up some "payback" vs a Green Bay team that's just 3-11 SU on the road, allowing a whopping 87.8 PPG!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Cha Hornets at 7:05 ET.

Charlotte hosted the All-Star festivities this past weekend during but the Hornets now return to the court in hopes of nailing down the franchise's first playoff appearance since the 2015-16 season. The 27-30 Hornets are currently in seventh place in the East coming out of the break and first up is the 24-34 Washington Wizards, one of the team's chasing them. The Hornets went 1-3 on a four-game road trip heading into the break and entered the long layoff with a sour taste after getting crushed 127-89 at Orlando on Feb 14. As for the Wizards, they are trying to turn their fortunes around as well, after dropping SEVEN of 10 heading into the break, capped by losses at Detroit and Toronto.

Washington's pre-deadline deals sent away starters Markieff Morris and Otto Porter Jr, while bringing back forwards Wesley Johnson, Jabari Parker and Bobby Portis. It's not clear whether the Wizards are rebuilding or looking to fight for a playoff spot. That said, SG Bradley Beal isn't conflicted. "I'm locked in; I'm beyond locked in," Beal told reporters after the All-Star Game. "Hopefully my teammates will be the same way because we got a lot of games that we need. These games are imperative and important that we get them. I'm going to make sure that everybody's locked in. I feel good. My body feels good. We're going to hit the ground running." Beal is averaging 25.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.4 assists, while shooting 47.2 percent from the floor.SF Ariza has played well since joining the team from Phoenix awhile back, averaging 15.4-5.6-4.3 plus Portis (19.0 & 7.3) and Parker (12.2-7.5-5.3) have both contributed in their four games since coming from the Bulls. However, what should we make of Parker, who sandwiched a pair of 20-plus outings around a scoreless effort in his last three games.

All-Star PG Kemba Walker (24.9-4.4-5.6) has carried a heavy load for Charlotte, as only SG Lamb (15.2 & 5.6) is a consistent scoring threat. However, the Hornets do have a deep roster, as EIGHT players chip in between 6.5 and 10.3 PPG. Charlotte will play seven of its next eight games at home, as it tries to hold off the likes of Detroit, Miami, Orlando and the Wizard. Western Conference powers Golden State and Houston will be part of this current homestand, so a win here vs Washington is a 'must!'

This is the first of three games between Charlotte and Washington in a three-week span. They play again in Charlotte on March 8 and wrap up the four-game season series at Washington on March 15. Washington took the first meeting 130-126 at home back on Dec 29, despite 47 points from Walker. As noted, Charlotte almost has to consider this game a 'must win.' Charlotte is only 8-21 on the road but is 19-9 at home. The Wizards are 7-23 SU on the road (9-21 ATS), where they are allowing a whopping 119.7 PPG.   Throw in that the Hornets have covered SEVEN of their last 10 at the Spectrum Center and are 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS in their last 12 hosting Washington and the play HAS to be Charlotte. 

Good luck...Larry

Oregon State is 16-8 on the season, including 8-4 in Pac-12 play (Beavers are a surprise, sitting in second-pace in the Pac-12). Oregon State comes to Los Angeles this weekend to play UCLA and USC, looking to nail-down a top-four seed in the upcoming Pac-12 tourney. However, the Beavers know that there is little margin of error, as they sit just a half-game ahead of Arizona State and Utah. Up first are the UCLA Bruins, who are only 13-13 on the season, including 6-7 on conference play. UCLA dismissed head coach Steve Alford on December 31, 2018, two days after the Bruins' ugly 73-58 loss to Liberty. It marked the first time the program ever had made a coaching change in the middle of the season. Murry Bartow (son of former UCLA coach Gene Bartow) was named interim coach for the Bruins and in his first game (at home vs Stanford), UCLA ended a four-game slide with a 92-70 win over the Cardinal. Two more wins followed but the 'honeymoon' period is over for UCLA's interim coach, as following that 3-0 start in the conference, UCLA has dropped SEVEN of its last 10 Pac-12 games.

Oregon State is fresh off its first season sweep of rival Oregon in nine years, as the Beavers' 72-57 win over the Ducks was the team's fourth win in its last five games (the 8-4 start is the program’s best 12-game conference start since the 1990-91 squad began 11-1). 6-8 forward Tres Tinkle leads OSU isn scoring (20.1), rebounding (7.6) and assists (4.1). Along with guards/brothers Stephen Thompson Jr. (16.3-4.6-3.5) and Ethan Thompson (13.7 &5.), the trio accounts for more than two-thirds (67.6 percent) of Oregon State’s scoring.

Scoring hasn't been the problem for the Bruins, who are averaging a conference-best 79.6 in Pac-12 play (78.0 PPG on the season ranks 62nd in the nation ). However, sloppy ball handling (league-most 16.2 turnovers in conference action), off-target free-throw shooting (conference-worst 62.8 percent for the season) and poor defense (79.5 points surrendered per Pac-12 contest) have been UCLA’s downfalls. The Bruins' 104-80 loss at Stanford last Saturday night is only the latest example. 6-7 swingman Kris Wilkes (17.3 & 4.8), PG Hands (13.0 & 6.2 APG) and fellow guard Ali (9.7) give UCLA a formidable perimeter group. However, 7-0 freshman center Moses Brown (11.0 & 8.8) is UCLA's lone frontcourt contributor of note.

Sure, Oregon St has had the much better season but the Beavers are ripe for the taking in this one. Oregon St is fresh off its first season sweep of rival Oregon in nine years and the Beavers are now eyeing another sweep Thursday when they visit UCLA (beat the Bruins 79-66 on Jan 13 at home). However, if Oregon St was to complete the series sweep tonight at Pauley Pavilion, it would mark the first time that it would have happened in 31 years! UCLA may be a modest 10-5 at home this season but the Bruins have won 40 of 48 games in Pauley Pavilion since the start of the 2016-17 season. Expect a UCLA 'uprising!' 

Good luck...Larry

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

No one is surprised that Gonzaga sits atop the WCC at 12-0 (25-2 Zags are currently No. 2 in the AP poll). Tonight in WCC play, the 20-6 San Francisco Dons will travel to the Marriott Center in Provo to take on the 18-10 BYU Cougars. The Dons won their third straight game this past Saturday when they edged Portland 68-63 in OT. At 8-4, San Francisco is tied for third in the WCC with St Mary's. The Cougars come in off winning their fifth in a row after defeating Loyola Marymount 70-62 this past Saturday. BYU sits 10-3 in WCC play, second to only Gonzaga.

San Francisco had trouble on the offensive end in regulation against the Pilots but Dons found their offensive rhythm in the extra period and were able to pull away after taking a 63-58 lead with 2:21 left in OT. San Francisco starts guards Mineland (14.9 & 4.8), Ferrari (14.3-5.4 APG) and Ratinho (9.7), with the 7-0 Lull (8.5 & 5.3) and the 6-8 Renfro (7.2 & 5.2) up front. However, the 6-9 McCarthy comes off the bench to average 9.4 PPG and a team-high 6.5 RPG.

BYU trailed by a 36-30 margin at halftime vs the Lions but was outstanding defensively in the second half and was able to pull away after a 14-0 Cougars run gave BYU a 66-58 lead with just :51 seconds left in regulation. BYU can score, averaging 80.1 PPG (39th in the nation). The 6-8 Childs leads the Cougars in scoring (21.1) and rebounding (9.6) but the biggest percentage of BYU's offense comes from the perimeter. PG Haws averages 17.5 PPG and 5.2 APG and Hardnett just misses out on double digits with 9.7 PPG, Another trio of guards combine for about 20 PPG. BYU's problem is a defense that allows 75.1 PPG (264th)

BYU's Hardnett has been sidelined by a hand injury (expected to be out here) but the Cougars haven't missed a beat. BYU lost at St Mary's by 20 points back on Jan 5 but has since gone 9-2, losing badly at San Francisco and at home to Gonzaga. Since the loss to the Zags, BYU has won FIVE in row (4-1 ATS), Hard to believe the Cougars WON'T well-remember their loss at San Francisco and it's impossible to ignore the fact that the Dons are 0-7 ATS in seven WCC road games. Make that 0-8!

Good luck...Larry

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

Oregon was the Pac-12's preseason favorite but a regular season Pac-12 championship is no longer a realistic goal for the Ducks. Oregon is 15-10 overall, including just 6-6 in the Pac 12. The Ducks trail first-place Washington (12-1) by FIVE games with just six games remaining to go. The eighth-place Ducks travel to USC on Thursday night. The 14-12 Trojans begin the week in a three-way tie for fifth at 7-6 and are still within striking distance of a top-four finish and a key first round bye in next month's Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas.

Oregon comes in off a 72-57 Civil War loss at second-place Oregon State on Saturday. Oregon still has games at home against Arizona State and at likely Pac-12-champ Washington on the agenda, as it tries to build its case for an NCAA at-large berth. However, an at-large bid is likely a stretch. Senior forward Paul White told The Oregonian on Saturday, "We have six regular-season games and then a huge part of our season, which is the (Pac-12) tournament."A top-four finish is not impossible but it won't be easy, either. Oregon lost its best player, 7-2 freshman center and likely lottery pick Bol Bol, to a left-foot injury before conference play started. Bol was leading the the team in scoring (21.0), rebounding (9.6) and blocks (2.7) while also shooting an eye-popping 52 percent from three-point range. Louis King, a 6-9 freshman forward, has helped pick up some of the slack, averaging 16.0 points in Pac-12 action which is tops for any freshman (he averages 12.3 & 5.4 RPG on the season). Junior PG Payton Pritchard (11.8-3.9-4.4) runs the team and the 6-9 White (10.5 & 3.8) is the other double digit scorer.

USC comes into this contest after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 89-66 victory at California on Saturday (note: Cal is 0-13 in league play), 6-10 senior forward Bennie Boatwright leads the team in scoring (18.4) and made a USC record 10, 3-pointers on 13 attempts in the win at Cal which also tied the Pac-12 record for treys. Boatwright is averaging 21.3 points in conference play, which ranks second to Washington State's Robert Franks (22.4). He's joined up front by 6-11 junior forward Nick Rakocevic (15.5 & 9.8). Junior guard Jonah Mathews (12.7) is also averaging in double figures, while shooting 42.6 percent from three-point range. Four more guards average between 8.0 and 9.3 PPG.

USC has lost its last two home games to Utah (77-70) and Colorado (69-65) but I believe that makes them even more dangerous in this one (Trojans opened the season 11-2 at the Galen Center and had won SEVEN straight at home before stumbling vs the Utes!). I doubt that USC needs "extra motivation" (a possible top-four seed should be enough) but I will note that the Trojans will be trying to avenge their worst defeat of conference play this season, an 81-60 loss on Jan 13 in Eugene. REVENGE works in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Phi 76ers at 7:05 ET.

Elton Brand was as solid NBA player but he's made quite a mark as Philly's GM here in the 2018-19 season. Brand made his second big move since the beginning of the year by adding PF Tobias Harris from the Clippers (at the trade deadline), after dealing for Jimmy Butler earlier in campaign. However, 37-21 Philadelphia would not have homecourt advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs if the season ended at the All-Star break. The 76ers will try to continue to try to push their way up the standings when they return from the break by hosting the 26-30 Miami Heat on Thursday. The Heat are tied with the Detroit Pistons for the No. 8 spot in the East heading into the final stretch and are finishing off a six-game road trip that bridged the break.

Miami opened its trip with a 118-108 win at Portland (Feb 5) but then dropped THREE in a row. However, the Heat closed out the Western Conference portion of their trip with a 112-101 victory at Dallas on Feb 13. After finishing up with Philadelphia, Miami will play 10 of its next 12 at home, including two games against the Pistons. Miami began to surge after former All-Star PG Goran Dragic went down and the team inserted SF Justise Winslow into the starting lineup and let him take over playmaking duties. Dragic (15.3 & 4.9 APG) is on the verge of returning from arthroscopic knee surgery. Is that good or bad news? Winslow (12.4-5.5-4.1) has been playing at the point with Wade (14.0-3.8-4.3) coming off the bench. SG Richardson (17.6) leads the team in scoring and center Hassan is a double-double 'machine,' averaging 12.8 & 12.4. Miami's D has been good all season, allowing 105.7 PPG  on 44.3% shooting (both rank 3rd-best in the NBA).

Philadelphia is third in the league in scoring (115.9 PPG) but 20th in points allowed (112.2). The 76ers recognize that they need to get better on that end of the floor to compete for the East title. "We know that offensively we are a top-power team," Tobias Harris told reporters. "We also know that if we become a top-power defensive team that's going to make us really tough to play against so that's how we've got to look at it." Harris has been an excellent addition, averaging 17.8 points on 51.9 percent shooting in four games since joining the team from the Los Angeles Clippers. Center Embiid (27.3 & 13.5) is an established All-Star plus the trio of Butler (18.8-5.0-3.8), Redick (18.6) and Simmons(16.8-9.0-7.9) give Philly quite the starting-five.

Miami has been inconsistent all season, with only one win streak longer than two games. The Heat now look to complete this six-game road trip with a visit to Philly, a trip which began way back on Feb 5 (odd, to say the least). As for Philly, the 76ers have to be VERY anxious to get back on the court and get rid of the 'bad taste' left by their Feb 12 home loss to the Celtics (0-3 vs Boston this year!). Miami doesn't score much (ranks 27th at 105.1 PPG) and Philly averages a whopping 119.1 PPG at home. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Underdog Shocker is on North Carolina at 9:00 ET.

There isn't a bigger rivalry in college hoops than NC/Duke. The 2018-19 season gets its first installment of the Tobacco Road rivalry Wednesday night when 20-5 North Carolina (10-2 in the ACC) visits 23-2 Duke (11-1 in the ACC). The Blue Devils are back atop the AP poll (released Monday) and will put their NINE-game win streak on the line against the Tar Heels. As for No. 8 North Carolina, the Tar Heels can move into a tie atop the ACC standings with a victory. Not a bad set up, right?

North Carolina bounced back from its home loss to then-No. 3 Virginia two games ago with the most lopsided conference road win in program history. The Tar Heels routed Wake Forest 95-57 on Saturday. "We jumped on them early," senior Kenny Williams told reporters afterward. "I think our defense was really focused and we made everything tough on them." Senior guard and leading scorer Cameron Johnson (16.3 & 5.4) had 27 points on 10-of-13 shooting, including 7-of-10 from long range. Joining Johnson in double digits on the season are freshman guard Coby White (15.7 & 4.2) and 6-8 senior forward Luke Maye (14.5 & 9.6). Williams has a bothersome knee but he adds 8.9 PPG and 3.7 APG. Chipping in up front with Maye are the 6-6 Little (9.6 & 4.4) and the 6-9 Brooks (8.2 & 6.2).

 Few are unaware of Duke's Fabulous freshman. 6-7 swingman Barrett averages 22.7 & 7.4. the 6-7 Wiliamson is a 'highlight reel' nightly, adding 22.4 & 9.2. Then there is 6-7 guard Reddish (13.8) and PG Jones (8.7 & 5.4 APG), who also checks in as Duke's best 'on-ball" defender. Barrett recorded the first triple-double by a Duke player in 13 years Saturday with 23 points, 11 rebounds and a season-best 10 assists in the Blue Devils' 94-78 victory over North Carolina State.

This is the 149th consecutive meeting with at least one of the teams ranked and surprisingly (it was to me), Duke holds the No. 1 ranking for a matchup with the Tar Heels for the first time in 13 years!  North Carolina leads the ACC in scoring at 87.5 PPG and Duke is second at 86.4. Expect a racehorse pace and Duke has on occasion, shown some defensive liabilities. Carolina is 8-1 SU on the road this year, including 6-0 SU & ATS on the ACC road. Meanwhile, Duke is 6-6 ATS in conference play, including 2-4 ATS at home. Take the big points, as Carolina vets like Johnson and Maye keep this one close against the "Fabulous Freshman."

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Crusher (AAC) is on Tulsa at 9:00 ET.

Two also-rans in the AAC meet Wednesday night, as 12-12 Wichita St travels to 16-10 Tulsa. The Shockers are just 5-7 in league play, although after a disappointing 1-6 start, Wichita State reeled off four straight victories before falling 72-62 to then-No. 25 Cincinnati on Sunday. Tulsa sits 6-7 in conference play and the Golden Hurricane's only setback in their last five games is a 79-68 defeat at Wichita State on Feb 2

Dexter Dennis recorded team highs of 14 points and 13 rebounds on Sunday in the 10-point loss to the Bearcats. It was for his first career double-double and the first by a Shockers freshman in 11 years (note; Dennis averages just 7.0 & 4.5 on the season). Wichita State got encouraging contributions from its three centers, Jaime Echenique, Asbjorn Midtgaard and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler, who combined for 17 points, 25 rebounds and six blocks against Cincy. However, on the season, only the 6-11 Echenique (8.4 & 5.9) has been a somewhat consistent contributor. The 6-8 McDuffie (18.7 & 4.9) plus PG Haynes-Jones (12.4 & 2.8 APG) are Wichita State's lone double digit scorers. The Shockers average only 69.4 PPG (271st) on 40.7% shooting (331st).

The Golden Hurricane needed overtime on Sunday to extend their winning streak to three games, as they posted a 77-73 road triumph over East Carolina. SIX players reached double digits in scoring, including 6-8 junior Martins Igbanu, who was 7-for-8 from the floor en route to team highs of 16 points and eight rebounds. Igbanu (12.0 & 5.5) is joined up front by the 6-7 Horne (9.9 & 4.). Tulsa's strength is a backcourt led by Jeffries (13.8 & 5.5) and PG Taplin (10.1 & 4.3 APG) plus a trio of other guards combining for just over 18 PPG.

This marks the 130th all-time meeting between the two programs and the Shockers have won 11 of the last 12, including 79-68 at Wichita State on Feb 2. However, this year's Wichita St team is a woeful 1-7 SU in true road games, averaging a pathetic 59.2 PPG. Meanwhile, Tulsa is a robust 12-2 SU at home, losing only to AAC 'heavyweights' Cincinnati and Houston. Wichita St is NO 'heavyweight'  this season.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Arizona St at 9:00 ET.

Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils generated national headlines by handing then-top-ranked Kansas its first loss of teh season, 80-76, back on Dec. 22. However, Arizona State has proven to be one of the most inconsistent teams in the country. 17-8 ASU is just 8-6 after its 9-2 start (record after teh Kansas win), including 8-5 in Pac-12 play. The Sun Devils will welcome 14-11 Stanford to Tempe, a team which has won five of its last six games to move into a three-way tie for fourth place in the Pac-12 at 7-6.

Stanford is off an impressive 104-80 win over UCLA on Saturday, as 7-0 senior center Josh Sharma (9.4 & 6.2) had 22 points and 12 rebounds. The 6-9 Okpala (17.6 & 5.8) added 20 points and freshman guard Cormac Ryan (9.1) finished with a career-high 19 points while shooting 5-of-9 from three-point range. Good news came in the form of sophomore PG Daejon Davis (12.5 & 4.5 APG) returning after missing two games due to injury. He recorded 12 points and 11 assists in 38 minutes. Joining Davis and Ryan in the backcourt are Wills (6.2) and Sheffield (5.3). The 6-9 Da Silva (9.5 & 6.0) joins Sharma and Okpala, up front.

While ASU may be an up-and-down team, that can't be said of senior forward Zylan Cheatham. The San Diego State transfer recorded his league-leading 11th double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds in last Saturday’s 98-87 win over Utah and checks in averaging 12.0 & 11.0 on the season. Freshman guard Luguentz Dort is the leading scorer at 16.4 PPG (also adds 4.5 RPG) plus two more ASU players score in double digits. PG Martin checks in at 13.0 & 5.1 APG and guard Edwards at 11.0 PPG. The 6-7 Lawrence (9.7 & 3.8) plus the White (9.2 & 5.6) are quality frontcourt players.

I love the way Stanford has come on (I had them against UCLA on Saturday) but I expect ASU to avenge its 86-71 loss at Stanford back on Jan 12 in this one. The Sun Devils are 11-3 SU at home, where they average 81.9 PPG. Then again, ASU's NCAA Tournament resume includes wins over Kansas, Mississippi State and Washington but also surprising losses to Princeton, Vanderbilt and Washington State. Sun Devils DON'T need a hiccup, here. Lay it.

Good luck...Larry

The 3rd play of my STP is a 9* on Clemson at 9:00 ET.

It's been a heart-breaking week for Clemson, as the Tigers suffered back-to-back one-point losses on the road to Miami (Fl) 65-64 and Louisville 56-55. The going won't get any easier on Tuesday night, as 15-10 Clemson (5-7 in the ACC) hosts surging Florida State. The Seminoles know about trying to pull out of a slump. Florida State lost 80-78 to then-No. 1 Duke on Jan 12 and spiraled after that, dropping its next two games at unranked Pitt and Boston College. However, the Seminoles returned home on Jan 22 to beat Clemson 77-68. That victory sparked a SEVEN-game winning streak (note: the seven consecutive league wins matches the school record).

The Seminoles come in off a -22point win over Ga Tech, in which FSU held Tech to just 47 points, the school's lowest in an ACC game since it limited Clemson to 41 back in 2014. One game after producing his first career double-double (20 points, 12 rebounds) against Wake Forest, 7-4 senior center Christ Koumadje (6.6 & 5.7) did it again against Georgia Tech with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Terance Mann  (11.8 & 6.6) remains a team leader but the Seminoles continue to get strong play from a deep bench. In fact, leading scorer Mfiondu Kabengele (a 6-10 sophomore) averages a team-high 13.7 PPG (also adds 5.4), while not starting.

"That's our third one this year (by one point)," Clemson head coach Brad Brownell told reporters after the Louisville game. "I'm just incredibly proud of our players. … Obviously we fought for the full 40 minutes. We defended great, about as well as you can guard them. Our kids played extremely hard." The Tigers fell short despite holding Louisville to just 19 points before intermission, the fourth time in the last 10 halves that Clemson held an opponent under 20 points and the Cardinals wound up with their lowest point total (56) and shooting percentage (35.2) of the season. Brownell continues to rely on his seniors, with guard Marcquise Reed (18.6-5.4-3.0), the 6-9 Elijah Thomas and guard Shelton Mitchell (11.8). Joining Thomas up front are the 6-7 Simms (8.8 7 4.6) and the 6-8 Skara (7.3 & 4.2).

I realize FSU is on a roll but Clemson enters with an 11-2 SU home record. The Tigers are allowing just 63.8 PPG (21st) on the season and that includes allowing only 60.2 PPG in home contests. Clemson has outscored opponents 277-217 in winning its last four home games.That 15-point winning margin sounds about right, here.

Good luck...Larry

The 2nd play of my STP is an 8* on Iowa at 8:00 ET.

It's a battle of ranked teams tonight in Iowa City, as No.24 Maryland (19-7 / 10-5 Big Ten) takes on No. 21 Iowa (20- / 9-5 Big Ten). Iowa looks to extend its winning streak to five in a row but the Hawkeyes have won four in a row by 'living on the edge.' Joe Wieskamp banked in a desperation three-pointer as time expired to lift the Hawkeyes past Rutgers 71-69 on Saturday, a game that followed one in which Jordan Bohannon drilled a game-winning triple in an 80-79 victory against Northwestern on Feb 10. As for Maryland, the Terps are coming off a 65-52 road loss at Michigan on Saturday.

Aaron Wiggins was one of the lone bright spots on offense against the Wolverines, as the freshman guard led the Terrapins with 15 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists in the loss.PG Cowan (15.8-3.8-4.5_ leads Maryland in scoring and assist, while Wiggins is part of a trio of supporting guards (Ayala & Morsell as the others), combining for right around 25 points per game. The 6-10 Bruno Fernando (14.5 & 10.6) missed out on recording his eighth straight double-double vs Michigan, finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds against the Wolverines. Fellow 6-10 forward Jalen Smith (11.8 & 6.8) added eight points but Maryland was held to 36.4 percent shooting from the floor.

"It was a big shot, but we still got six Big Ten games left plus we want to play deep into the postseason," Wieskamp told reporters after his game-winner vs Rutgers. "It's been a lot of fun out there and coach (Fran McCaffery) has a lot of confidence in me." Wieskamp (11.8 & 4.8) is joined on the perimeter by Bohannon (11.4) and Moss (9.8). Up front, Iowa features the 6-9 Cook (16.3 & 8.1), the 6-11 Garza (13.5 & 4.8) and the 6-87 Baer (6.4 & 4.6).

With Saturday's loss at Michigan, the Terrapins fell to 0-19 in road games against top-25 opponents under head coach Mark Turgeon. "If I had the answer I would fix it," Turgeon told reporters. "Hopefully we learn from it and do better on Tuesday." The trouble is, Maryland's road woes against ranked teams extend before Turgeon, with the Terps having dropped 27 consecutive road games against ranked opponents! Hard to see Maryland's road woes against ranked teams ending here at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where Iowa is 13-2 SU and averaging 83.3 PPG (note: Maryland is averaging 66.7 PPG in true road games).

Good luck...Larry

The 1st play of my STP is an 8* on Penn St at 7:00 ET.

Penn State is just 9-16 overall and at 2-12 in Big Ten play, sit 14th of 14 Big Ten schools. The Nittany Lions welcome 15-11 Nebraska to Happy Valley Tuesday night and the Cornhuskers are not all that much better in league play, entering this contest 5-10. While noting the above, both schools have shown "signs of life" in February. Eight of Penn State's 10 losses during its 0-10 start in conference play took place in January. However, the Nittany Lions offered hints of their improved play with three close defeats to end  that month and then finally broke through with a 59-52 victory at Northwestern on Feb 4. Penn State followed a four-point loss at Ohio State three days later with a stunning upset of then-No.6 Michigan last Tuesday, before dropping a 12-point decision at then-No. 11 Purdue on Saturday. As for the Cornhuskers, they have snapped a seven-game losing streak with home wins over Minnesota and Northwestern.

The loss of Nebraska's best big man has been tough to overcome. The 6-9 Copeland (14.0 & 5.4) has not played since late January and won't return. The 6-8 Isaiah Roby (11.2 & 7.2) had 19 points, a career-high 16 rebounds, a season high-tying five blocks and two steals in the win over Northwestern. He became the first Cornhusker since Aleks Maric in 2008 to produce at least 19 points and 16 rebound in a game. Nebraska relies on a strong perimeter group led by Palmer (18.8-4.3-3.2). Glynn Watson Jr. (12.1 & 4.0) has returned to form offensively following a four-game stretch in which he totaled 15 points on 6-of-37 shooting, averaging 15.5 points while converting 13 of his 28 field-goal attempts over the last two contests (both wins). The third member of Nebraska's guard trio is Allen (8.9)..

The 6-8 Lamar Stevens (19.2 & 8.0) ranks second in the conference in scoring and became only the 11th Nittany Lion to reach 1,500 career points with 18 against the Boilermakers, although he was also responsible for half of his team's 16 turnovers. He's complemented up front by the 6-9 Watkins (7.7 & 7.7). Like Nebraska, Penn St owns a trio of solid guards, Bolton (12.2), Reaves (10.0-4.4-3.1) and Dread (8.9). Of note as of late is freshman guard Bolton, who is averaging 15.4 PPG over his last five outings, topping his season scoring average each time.

There is a school of thought that says a strong Nebraska finish ('Huskers face four consecutive ranked teams to end the regular season) would get them back into NCAA Tournament consideration. However, I believe that theory is flawed. I believe Nebraska is at best, headed to the NIT. The 'Husker only beat Penn St 70-64 back on Jan 10 (in Lincoln) but now face a Penn St team on the road that is playing MUCH better. The Nittany Lions look to move to 3-2 in Feb. Expect the home team to win and get the CA$H!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Rout is on Loyola-Chi at 4:00 ET.

It goes without saying that this is not the same Ramblers team which made an improbable run to last year's Final 4. Loyola finished last season 32-6 but had six losses (against only seven wins) this season, before Christmas. Loyola is missing two key cogs from last year's team, swingman Donte Ingram (11.0 & 6.4) & PF Aundre Jackson (11.0 & 3.2). Hence, the six losses through 13 games. However, Loyola is currently 16-10 overall, including a MVC-best 9-4. The Ramblers welcome the 14-12 Missouri State Bears to Chicago on Sunday. The Bears enter having won SIX of their last seven to get to 8-5 in MVC play (third behind Loyola and 9-5 Drake).

Missouri State features a quartet of guards, surrounding the 6-8 Da Silva (14.9 & 7.0). Cook (13.2 & 4.3), Dixon (13.1), Kreklow (8.0) and PG Webster (7.6 & 5.2 APG) man the perimeter. The Bears average a modest 71.3 PPG but allow only 68.2 PPG (94th). Key returnees from Loyola's Final 4 team of a year ago are guards Townes (15.3-4.8-3.7) and Custer (11.8) plus the 6-9 Krutwig (14.3 & 7.6). An odd stat is Loyola shooting 49.3% from the floor (8th in the nation) but averaging only 66.6 PPG (317th). However, Loyola still plays great D, allowing 60.8 PPG (7th-best).

Missouri State beat Loyola-Chicago 70-35 Jan 23 in Springfield, with the Ramblers shooting 34.3% overall (just 2-of-10 on threes), while getting held to just 11 points in the second half. Meanwhile, Mo St connected on 63.4% (12 of-23 threes!) in the win. Anyone think the Bears can replicate that here in Chicago? NOT likely! See above for Loyola's defensive numbers on the season and then note that the Ramblers are 11-3 SU at home, where opponents average only 59.2 PPG. Yes, REVENGE works in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Creighton at 3:00 ET.

Villanova (11-1) and Marquette (10-2) have separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the 10-team Big East this season. Seton Hall was picked to finish eighth in the 10-team conference by league coaches in late October but "The Hall" made more than a little 'noise' back in December with upset wins over Kentucky and Maryland, laying the groundwork for what appeared to be the beginning of the school's fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. However, the Pirates inability to win away from home during Big East play has ninth-year head coach Kevin Willard's team flirting with bubble status at 15-9 (6-6 in league play). The Pirates travel to Creighton on Sunday afternoon to take on the disappointing 13-12 Bluejays. Creighton is coming off a winless road trip in which it dropped a pair of overtime affairs, and lost all three games by seven points or fewer. Yes, the 4-8 Bluejays are in a three-way tie for last place but they are only two games out of third in the tightly packed Big East (Seton Hall and St John's are tied for third at 6-6).

Seton Hall turned in its most complete performance during league play Wednesday, taking down Georgetown 90-75 triumph over Georgetown. Myles Powell (22.0) is the Big Easts second-leading scorer and posted his fifth 30-point game of the season vs the Hoyas, sinking all 10 of his free-throw attempts for the second straight contest to extend his streak at the foul line to 25 in a row. PG McKnight (10.2 & 4.0 APG) and Cale (9.7 & 4.5) start with Powell in the backcourt. Up front, it's the 6-8 Nzei (9.6 & 5.1) and the 6-10 Mamukelashvili (8.5 & 7.2). Senior forward Michael Nzei enjoyed one of his best all-around performances of the season against the Hoyas, finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds (eight on offensive end). 

Alexander leads the team in scoring (16.4) while five other players average between 8.2 and 12.8 PPG. The Bluejays own a deep perimeter, as Zegarowski (10.9), Ballock (10.0-4.1-3.4 & 3.6) and Mintz (9.8) join Alexander at the guard position. The 6-9 Krampelj (12.8 & 6.7) and SF Jefferson (8.2 & 5.1) have been the best frontcourt contributors. .Ty-Shon Alexander has made at least one 3-pointer in 28 straight contests, tied for the second-longest streak in school history. Junior forward Martin Krampelj is averaging 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds over his last 15 games (note: He compiled a career-high 25 points and season-best 11 rebounds in the Feb 9 meeting against the Pirates) .

Seton Hall still has at-large aspirations but I believe that's 'fool's gold.' Seton Hall hopes to end a five-game road slide in this contest, as the Pirates begin a stretch in which they play three of four on the road, before wrapping up the regular season with home contests against No. 10 Marquette and No. 13 Villanova. These teams just met eight days ago (Feb 9) at the Prudential Center, with the Pirates edging the Bluejays 63-58. In this quick turnaround rematch, expect Creighton to easily get the better of Seton Hall. The Pirates have averaged only 67.2 PPG in eight true road games this season, while Creighton averages an impressive 81.5 PPG at CenturyLink Center. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Stanford at 10;00 ET.

UCLA dismissed head coach Steve Alford on December 31, 2018, two days after the Bruins' ugly 73-58 loss to Liberty. It marked the first time the program ever had made a coaching change in the middle of the season. Murry Bartow (son of former UCLA coach Gene Bartow) was named interim coach for the Bruins and in his first game (at home vs Stanford), UCLA ended a four-game slide with a 92-70 win over the Cardinal. Two more wins followed but the 'honeymoon' period is over for UCLA's interim coach, as following that 3-0 start in the conference, UCLA has dropped SIX of its last nine Pac-12 games and finds itself 13-12 overall, including 6-6 in Pac-12 play. Stanford looks to avenge that earlier loss to UCLA, while hoping to continue its climb up the Pac-12 standings when the teams meet at Maples Pavilion on Saturday night. The Cardinal have won FOUR of their last five games, after Wednesday’s 79-76 home win over USC. Stanford is 13-11 overall and like UCLA, 6-6 in Pac-12 play.

UCLA needed overtime to get past last-place California on Wednesday, snapping a three-game losing streak. The Bruins avoided a disastrous loss to Cal after interim coach Murry Bartow took his starters out just three minutes into the contest and replaced them with five backups – including freshman guard David Singleton, who finished with 12 points on four 3-pointers. Throughout the season, UCLA's "Core 4" have been forward Kris Wilkes (17.7 & 4.8), guards Hands (12.4-3.6-6.3) and Ali (9.7) plus freshman center Moses Brown (10.7 & 8.9).

The Cardinal rallied from a 14-point deficit to post their fifth straight win over the Trojans on Wednesday, as guard Marcus Sheffield scored a season-high 16 points. Senior center Josh Sharma had 14 points and nine rebounds in the victory and is averaging 10.7 points and eight rebounds over the past seven games (8.9 & 6.0 on the season). Sharma is joined up front by 6-9 sophomore forward KZ Okpala (17.5 & 5.7) and the 6-9 Da Silva (9.6 & 5.8). PG Daejon Davis (12.6-3.1-4.2) is suffering with a head injury (questionable here), giving more "PT" to Ryan (8.5), Wills (6.0) and the aforementioned Sheffield (5.2).

The Bruins are a mess (needed OT to escape vs 5-19 / 0-12 in Pac-12 Cal), while the Cardinal are finding their 'sea legs,' with FOUR wins in their last five. Stanford is 8-2 SU at home, while UCLA's only road wins have come at Cal (see above), Wash St (3-8 in Pac-12) and in OT vs Oregon (trailed by 17 in the second half and were down 76-68 with 45 seconds to go in regulation!). Don't expect any 'miracles' here by fading UCLA.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Crusher (SEC) is on Kentucky at 8:00 ET.

It was No. 2 Duke at No. 3 UVa last Saturday night and this Saturday night, it's No. 1 Tennessee at No. 5 Kentucky. 23-1 Tennessee owns a perfect 11-0 SEC record and takes a school-record 19-game winning streak into Lexington (only three of the contests have been decided by fewer than 10 points) but things figure to get a bit tougher down the final month of the season. The top-ranked Volunteers open a stretch in which they play three of the teams sitting directly below them in the SEC standings a total of four times over the next two weeks, beginning Saturday with this visit to No. 5 Kentucky. The 20-4 Wildcats (10-2 in SEC play) are likely still smarting from LSU's controversial tip-in at the buzzer to upend the Wildcats 73-71 on Tuesday. the loss ended Kentucky's 10-game winning streak and the defeat was also Kentucky's first in its last 17 home games, including 14 this season.

The Volunteers rolled to their sixth consecutive double-digit victory with Wednesday's 85-73 win over South Carolina. Tennessee is defeating its opponents by an average of 18.1 points during its school-record, 19-game run. The 6-7 Grant Williams (19.4-7.4-3.5) is the reigning SEC player of the year and is a 2019 national player of the year candidate. He's surrounded by a plethora of perimeter players in 6-6 guard Schofield (16.7 & 6,4), PG Bone (13.2 & 6.5 APG) plus fellow guards Turner (11.7) and Bowden (11.5), There is also 6-11 center Alexander (8.5 & 6.9).

As always, Coach Cal has impact freshman in guards Johnson (14.0 & 5.3) and Herro (13.0 & 4.0). However, 6-8 sophomore PJ Washington (14.4 & 8.1) and 6-8 senior transfer Travis (11.6 & 7.0) may be the keys to Kentucky's success this season. Washington has emerged as the team's primary offensive option and Tuesday marked the sixth time in his last seven outings he reached 20 points and the fourth time in the last six games he corralled at least nine rebounds. Reid Travis, who finished third in the Pac-12 in scoring (19.5 points) last season at Stanford but he has been held to fewer than 10 points in eight of 11 SEC outings. Coach Cal needs more from him!

Kentucky is 90-17 all-time in Lexington against Tennessee but the Volunteers won 61-59 at Rupp Arena last season, as part of their regular-season sweep of the Wildcats. Tennessee is attempting to become the first school to win in back-to-back seasons in Lexington since Vanderbilt and Florida did it in 2005-06 and 2006-07. That's a tall order. I'm on the 'Cats, "Big Time!"

Good luck...Larry

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

The 11-14 Boise State Broncos and the 15-9 San Diego State Aztecs meet in MWC action from Viejas Arena at the Aztec Bowl on Saturday evening in San Diego. Boise comes in off a 65-63 loss to Fresno State, falling to 6-6 in league play. Meanwhile, San Diego State is off a 71-60 win over Colorado State, the Aztecs' FIFTH win in their last six (SDSU is 7-4 in MWC play).

Boise head coach Leon Rice has led the Broncos to 21 wins or more is SIX of his seven seasons but he's NOT getting TY's team to 21 wins. Rice lost three productive seniors from last year, including the 6-7 Chandler Hutchison ((20.0 & 7.7), who was the 22nd pick in last year's NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. This year's team is loaded on teh perimeter with four guards averaging between 10.5 and 12.9 PPG (Jessup leads the way). Two more guards chip in 6.8 & 6.1 PPG but the only size the Broncos have is the 6-11 Haney (8.4 & 4.2).

PG Devin Watson (16.3 & 4.5 APG) led the Aztecs with 21 points on 8 of 14 shooting in the win over CSU, while the 6-10 Jalen McDaniels (17.1 & 8.6) added 18 points with a team-high 12 rebounds. Watson is joined by Hemsley (9.4) and Schakel (8.0) in the backcourt .The 6-6 Mitchell (10.4 & 3.3) chips in up front with McDaniels.

Boise St is just 3-7 SU on the road this season and is just 6-16-1 ATS in its last 23 games against a team with a winning record. SDSU could be without Schakel (achilles) but I have to be impressed with SDSU's play at home, where the Aztecs are 11-2 SU, holding opponents to 65.5 PPG, while averaging 79.3 PPG. SDSU has some revenge on its mind from an ugly 88-64 loss in Boise back on Jan 5 plus note that the Aztecs are 15-5 ATS in their last 20 conference games.

Good luck...Larry

My 2nd play of Saturday's STP is an 8* on UCF at 6:00 ET.

Central Florida was the preseason favorite in the AAC but the 18-5 Knights are currently 8-3 in league play, trailing 9-2 Cincy and 11-1 Houston, which is 24-1 overall and ranked 9th in the latest AP poll. A 13-point victory over South Florida on Wednesday has UCF 2 1/2 games behind first-place Houston and just a game back of second-place Cincinnati, as the Knights welcome 15-10 Memphis (7-5 in AAC) to Orlando. UCF suffered its most lopsided loss of the season at Memphis back on Jan 27 (77-57) but have won three of four since. Memphis followed up the big win over the Knights with three straight losses but the Tigers have rebounded with back-to-back victories over UConn and East Carolina.

Senior guard Jeremiah Martin (17.4-4.0-4.3) had just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting in the win over UCF but is since averaging 24.8 in five games, after pouring in 31 in Wednesday's 79-69 win over the Pirates. 6-8 senior forward Kyvon Davenport is second to Martin in scoring (14.3) and leads the team in rebounding (7.0). However, he was held to a season-low three points at East Carolina. Freshman guard Harris adds 11.9 PPG but note that Hardaway likes to use his bench, as Memphis has six more players averaging between 5.3 and 8.6 PPG.

7-6 senior center Tacko Fall put up a season-high 21 points to go along with nine rebounds and five blocks in Wednesday's win. He's averaging 10.4 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 2.7 BPG on the season (he makes 75.6% of his FGs) and head coach Johnny Dawkins noted after the game, "He played 26 minutes; I thought it was probably the most assertive 26 minutes he's played since I've coached him here. I felt his presence throughout the entire time he was out there on the floor. That's a tribute to him." Fall is obviously important to the team's success but the team's 'backbone' is its guard duo of Senior B.J. Taylor (16.5) and junior Aubrey Dawkins (15.3 & 5.2).

Expect the revenge motive to be HUGE in this one and UCF had won four straight meetings over the Tigers prior to that loss at Memphis late last month. UCF is 12-2 SU at home, allowing just 66.4 PPG. Meanwhile, the Tigers have been an awful defensive team on the road, allowing 83.9 PPG in true road games. The Knights get their revenge.

Good luck...Larry

My 3rd play of  Saturday's STP is a 9* on USF at 6;00 ET.

No. 9 Houston is atop the American Athletic Conference at 11-1 with just over a month remaining until Selection Sunday. Cincy is at 9-2, UCF at 8-3 and the 18-7 Temple Owls  check in at 8-4. Temple knows that it has little margin for error if it hopes to reach the NCAA Tournament. The Owls pay a visit to Tampa on Saturday to face USF, which is 17-7 overall, including 7-5 in AAC play. Temple's off an eight-point home win over SMU, while USF is off a 78-65 loss at UCF. However, Temple should take note the Bulls team nearly beat the Owls in Philadelphia back on Jan 12, before ultimately dropping an 82-80 decision in overtime.

It's nothing new that the Owls got the bulk of their scoring in their win over SMU from their trio of guards (59 of the team's 82 points), Shizz Alston, Quinton Rose and Nate Pierre-Louis. Alston, the team's leading scorer at PPG, registered 28 points in that contest and made multiple 3-pointers for the 16th time in his last 17 games. Rose (16.6) added 15 points and Pierre-Louis (13.9 & 6.0) added 16 points.That said, other Temple players contributed, as well. The 6-10 Ernest Aflakpui (6.2 & 7.1) grabbed 10 rebounds, the 6-7 J.P. Moorman II (5.6 & 3.7) had a career-high seven assists with nine rebounds plus guard Alani Moore (4.9) pitched in four assists and two steals off the bench.

The Bulls are led offensively by guard David Collins (15.4), who enters this contest with four straight 20-point efforts while shooting nearly 57 percent from the floor over that stretch. The 6-8 Alexis Yetna is just shy of averaging a double-double on the season (12.5 & 9.9) and he also shoots 44.1 percent from the three-point line. Justin Brown (8.4) has knocked down a team-leading 45 three-pointers, including nearly 60 percent of his long-range attempts over the last five outings. Junior transfer Laquincy Rideau continues to shine at the point, averaging 13.7 points along with league highs of 5.8 assists and 3.1 steals per game. However, Rideau was awful against UCF, shooting 3-of-17 in the road loss.

That said, Rideau notched 18 points, 10 assists and 10 steals against Temple last month. It was just the SIXTH points-assists-steals triple-double in Division I over the last 20 seasons! Expect South Florida to continue its climb into the top half of the American Athletic Conference with a win here. The Bulls have already won their most contests (17) since 2011-12 and have clearly left the recent past in the rear-view mirror. USF is off seasons of 10, 7, 8, 9 and 12 wins.The Bulls allow just 66.1 PPG (46th) on the season and here at home, are 13-2 SU, allowing only 63.3 PPG. Home teams gets this win.

Good luck...Larry

My 1st play of Saturday's STP is an 8* on Texas Tech at 2:00 ET.

No. 15 Texas Tech is surging up the Big 12 standings with five wins in its last six games. The 20-5 Red Raiders are 8-4 in league play (tied with Kansas), 1 1/2-games back of conference leading Kansas St (9-2). Texas Tech welcomes 16-8 Baylor (7-4 in Big 12) to Lubbock on a three-game winning streak in which the Red Raiders have won by an average of 23.7 PPG. Baylor beat Texas Tech at home 73-62 back on Jan 19, a victory which was part of a six-game winning streak for the Bears. However, they then lost two in a row before upending Oklahoma 59-53 at home Monday night.

The Bears had allowed an average of 77 points in losses to Texas and Kansas State, before limiting the Sooners to 22 second-half points in Monday's win Junior guard Devonte Bandoo (averaging just 7.7 PPG on the season) connected on a career-high five 3-pointers, en route to 19 points. Leading scorer Makai Mason (15.6) returned from a one-game layoff to make just two of his 14 shot attempts, but the senior led the way with a career high-tying eight assists. Injuries just HAVE to be an issue for Baylor down the stretch, as the Bears lost the 6-9 Clark (14.6 & 6.2). to a season-ending knee injury on Jan 8 and senior G King McClure (9.9 & 5,4) has missed two straight games with a knee injury and is listed day-to-day.

Sophomore "do-everything" guard Jarrett Culver leads Tech with 17.7 PPG (ranks third in the Big 12) plus adds 6.2 RPG and 3.6 APG. Senior guard Matt Mooney (10.8) and sophomore guard Davide Moretti (10.6) nicely complement Culver on the perimeter for Tech. Up front, the 6-10 Owens (8.3 & 5.4) and 6-8 center Odiase (4.1 & 5.3) are the biggest contributors.

The Bears have had to reinvent themselves after losing sophomore big man Tristan Clark and now head coach Scott Drew doesn't know when guard King McClure will return from a knee injury. This hardly seems like the best time to visit Lubbock, with the Red Raiders seeking revenge from that January loss in Waco. Head coach Chris Beard's Red Raiders identity is unabashedly defense. The Red Raiders are first in the nation in defensive field goal percentage (36.2) and second in scoring defense (57.0). Here in Lubbock, Tech is 13-1 SU, outscoring opponents 74.6-to-52.8 PPG. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on TCU at 12:00 ET.

Oklahoma is 15-10 overall but a woeful 3-9 in Big-12 play (ahead of only 2-9 Okla St & WVa). The Sooners visit Ft Worth on Saturday afternoon to take on the 17-7 TCU Horned Frogs, who sit 5-6 in Big 12 play. The Sooners enter on a season-high five-game losing streak, after a 59-53 setback Monday at Baylor. As for TCU, the Horned Frogs saw their 12-game conference home winning streak come to an end, as TCU was outlasted 82-77 by Kansas on Monday, its first home loss to a Big 12 opponent in over a year.

Late-game execution once again was the Sooners’ downfall on Monday, as Oklahoma was held scoreless in the final two minutes. “You’ve got to play really well to have a chance, and we haven’t played enough 40 minutes of basketball,” Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger said after the defeat. “It seems like every game, we find a stretch or something that hurts us, and we’ve got to try to work through that.” The Sooners were an 'ugly' 3-for-18 from three-point range vs Baylor, setting season lows for makes and three-point percentage (16.7). 6-4 senior guard Christian James leads in scoring (15.4) and rebounding (7.0), while the 6-9 Manek (11.6 & 6.5) is the only other Sooner in double digits. However, six Oklahoma players chip in between 4.2 and 9.4 PPG.

TCU lost on Monday but freshman Kendric Davis has recorded consecutive double-digit scoring performances for the first time, as he finished with 16 points while adding a career-high seven assists on Monday. He's filled in nicely for guard Fisher (12.9), who is out for the season and will transfer. Davis averages 6.5 PPG and backs up junior guard Bane (15.7 & 5.4) and senior PG Robinson (12.9 & 7.3 APG) on the perimeter. Up front, the 6-7 Noi (14.8 & 4.1) and the 6-8 Miller (10.4 & 6.5) surround 6-11 freshman center Samuel (7.3 & 7.2).

TCU has way more offensive options than Oklahoma, as only James and Manek are in double digits. What's more, James is only 15 of 51 from floor (29.4%), averaging a mere 10 PPG his last five contests. The five days off between games will be much needed by the Horned Frogs, as three players set career highs in minutes played during Monday’s overtime loss, Bane (44), Davis (36) and Noi (42). Lay the points with TCU, which is 11-2 SU at home, allowing just 67.3 PPG.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Crusher (Ivy League) is on Cornell at 7:00 ET.

The Brown Bears and the Cornell Big Red meet in Ithaca, NY for Ivy League action from the Newman Arena at Bartels Hall on Friday night. The Brown Bears beat Princeton 78-70 in its last outing and comes in 14-8 overall but just 2-4 in Ivy League play. Meanwhile, Cornell swept Dartmouth and Harvard on the Ivy road last weekend and while the  Big Red are 12-10 overall, they are 4-2 in conference play (tied with Harvard and Princeton), just one-game back of first-place Yale (5-1).

Desmond Cambridge led Brown in scoring as a freshman (17.3) and tops the team again this season, averaging 16.4 PPG. That said, 6-5 SF Choh (12.8), could be the team's best all-around player, leading in rebounds (8.9) and assists (3.5). Senior guard Okolie (11.0) is the the team's third double-digit scorer. Cornell's Matt Morgan has led the Ivy League in scoring in each of the last three seasons and the senior is well on his way to making if FOUR times in four years. He enters the season having scored in double digits in 51 straight games and has extended that streak to 73 in a row, this season (he's averaging 23.5 PPG and 4.5 RPG). 6-8 swingman Warren adds 10.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 3.1 APG. Jimmy Boeheim (Coach Boeheim's son) rounds out the double digit scorers at 10.6 PPG and the 6-6 Julian is the team's top rebounder at 6.5 per game (adds just a modest 4.0 PPG).

"The Ancient Eight" (as the Ivy used to be called) joined the rest of the college hoops world by holding a postseason tourney a few years back but only the top-four teams get in. onA loss here by Brown (would fall to 2-5) could put the Bears' tourney hopes on 'life-support.' However, "must win" doesn't mean "will win." It's hardly good news that Brown's leading scorer (Cambridge) comes in shooting just 12 of 61 (19.7%) from the floor in his last four contests. Cornell's "road sweep" last weekend (see above) is a good sign for the Big Red, as is Cornell's recent domination of Brown (won both meetings last year). In fact, Cornell is 15-5-2 ATS in the last 22 meetings between these two schools and Brown limps in 1-9-1 ATS in its last 11 Ivy games. Go Big Red!

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Princeton at 7:00 ET.

15-4 Yale sits atop the Ivy League at 5-1, with Cornell, Harvard and Princeton a game back at 4-2. Harvard (a 10-point home favorite) appeared to be in complete control with a 13 point lead at the half last Saturday but the Big Red went on a 46-27 second half run, as Cornell snapped Harvard's five-game winning streak. With Harvard's five-game homestand now in the rear-view mirror, the Crimson take to the Ivy road the next two weekends, beginning with tonight's game in Princeton against the Tigers. Princeton (also 4-2 in Ivy play) is 12-7 overall (Harvard is 11-8). The Tigers just completed four road games the last two weekends and now (in direct contrast to Harvard), will be home these next two weekends.

Harvard's Bryce Aiken did not play in the Crimson's Ivy opening loss on Jan 12 to Dartmouth but he made his junior season debut on Jan 21 at Howard, 348 days to the date he went down in agony in Morningside Heights, as the Crimson suffered a rare loss to the Columbia Lions (his left knee would require offseason surgery). Aiken averaged 14.1 PPG last season and in six games this season, is averaging 19.2 PPG.  The 6-9 Chris Lewis (11.9 & 4,3) and guard Bassey (10.3 & 7.3) have been stalwarts this season, although Bassey did not play in the loss to Cornell (?). Guards Juzang (9.7) and Kirkwood (9.2) plus the 6-8 Djuricic (7.3 & 4.1) round out the main contributors.

Princeton's senior guard Cannady (19.8) is one of the Ivy's best backcourt players and is joined in the backcourt by fellow senior Stephens (12.6), who is also the team's leading rebounder (6.5). Freshman guard Llewellyn  joined the team in December and is closing in on averaging double digits at 9.3 PPG. 6-9 center Aririguzoh averages 11.4 & 5.9.

The winner here keeps it close with Yale (the Bulldogs are a big road favorite tonight at Columbia) and note that Harvard is just 3-9 ATS in its last 12 games overall plus enters this game 1-5 ATS in its last six away games (lone cover at Howard of the MEAC). Princeton had a seven-game winning streak snapped with back to back road losses last weekend and the Tigers will be happy to get back home, The Tigers won 67-66 at then-No. 17 Arizona State during their seven-game winning streak and I like them here at home vs the overrated Crimson. The price is cheap!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* LEGEND play is on San Diego at 10:00 ET.

It's live from the Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego on Thursday night, as 16-win teams BYU and San Diego square off in WCC action. The Cougars are 16-10 overall and their 8-3 league mark puts them in second -place behind only the No. 3-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs, who are 23-2 (including 10-0 in WCC play). BYU looks to build on their current 3-game winning streak, after a 69-59 win over Pacific in the team's last outing. San Diego is hoping for a little more consistency, after alternating wins and losses in each of its last four games. The Toreros lost 70-67 at Pepperdine in their last outing, failing to avenge their LONE home loss of the season (more on that, later)..

The 6-8 Yoeli Childs led the Cougars with 19 points along with 13 rebounds for the double-double in BYU's win over Pacific. Guard Connor Harding (13 points) was the only other BYU player to finish in double figures. BYU can score, averaging 80.2 PPG (36th). Childs leads the Cougars in scoring (21.0) and rebounding (9.7) but the biggest percentage of BYU's offense comes from the perimeter. PG Haws averages 17.0 PPG and 5.0 APG and Hardnett just misses out on double digits with 9.7 PPG, Another trio of guards combine for about 20 PPG. bYU's problem is a defense that allows 75.4 PPG (272nd)

San Diego's 6-7 Isaiah Pineiro(19.2 & 9.0) will be a excellent counter to BYU's Childs. As for the backcourt, Carter averages 16.0 PPG, Wright 13.4 & 4.0 and PG Williams 8.8 & 3.1 APG. Helping out Pineiro up front are the 6-10 Massalski (7.6 & 5.9) and the 6-8 Floresca (5.2 & 3.1). San Diego doesn't score as much as BYU, as the Toreros check in averaging 73.5 PPG but they play better D, allowing 68.0 PPG (91st)

BYU owns lots of firepower but the Cougars have been betrayed by theri porous D, especially on the road. BYU is 3-7 SU in true road games this season, allowing 86.5 PPG. BYU is 3-11 ATS in their last 14 road games and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a winning record. Sure, it's slightly uncomfortable laying points with an inconsistent San Diego team but the Toreros are 11-1 SU at home (lone loss to Pepperdine) and BYU's only conference road wins have come at Pacific, Pepperdine and Portland, teams which have combined to go 8-25 in WCC play. BYU's play against higher-quality opposition has seen them lose three times by 19 or more vs WCC 'heavies' Gonzaga, USF, & Saint Mary’s. San Diego is clearly NOT in Gonzaga's class but the Toreros are on par with the latter two. San Diego easily beat BYU at Jenny Craig last year (75-62) and is BYU is 4-0 ATS in BYU's last four visits to this venue. Also note that BYU's third-leading scorer (Hardnett) is sidelined with hand injury. Make that 5-0!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Crusher (Pac 12) is on Colorado a7%) run with all CBB plays since Saturday.t 10:30 ET.

The Colorado Buffs opened the season 9-3 in non-conference games but when Pac-12 play began, Colorado started 2-6. However, the Buffs have rebounded from their poor Pac-12 start to post impressive double-digit wins over Oregon and UCLA, before winning 69-65 at USC Saturday as a 5 1/2-point underdog. Suddenly, Colorado is the hottest team in the Pac-12. The 14-9 Buffaloes (5-6 in Pac-12 play) will try to build on their positive mojo Wednesday night when they host 16-7 Arizona State. The Sun Devils have won five of their last seven contests and are tied with Utah and Oregon State for second place at 7-4. That’s still a full three games in back of Washington but Arizona State is fresh off handing the Huskies their first conference setback, winning 75-63 at home Saturday night.

Two days have struggling through one of their worst shooting games of the season (33.8-percent in a 91-70 home loss to Washington State), the Sun Devils shot a season-best 61.7 percent in beating Washington. Forward Romello White had 17 points to lead four Arizona State players in double figures and also was one of three Sun Devils to collect at least eight rebounds. ASU dominated the Washington 40-23 on the boards. Led by guards Luguentz Dort (16.2 points per game) and Remy Martin (13.1), five players are averaging double figures for Arizona State. Senior forward Zylan Cheatham (11.5 & 11.0) plus guard Edwards at 10.4 and the 6-7 Lawrence at 10.O are the other two. White (9.3 & 5.7, just misses.  ASU leads the conference in overall scoring at 78.9 PPG (that's 52nd nationally) and average rebound margin (7.1).

As for Colorado, even with its win streak, the Buffaloes haven’t gained much ground in the Pac-12 standings. They are currently part of a four-way tie for seventh place at 5-6. Only Washington State (3-8) and hapless California (0-11) are worse. That said, the Buffs have dominated defensively during their current three-game win streak, holding Oregon, UCLA and USC to a combined 39.6 shooting, including 17-of-70 from three-point range (24,3%). PG McKinley Wright leads the team with 13.0 PPG and 4.9 APG. Swingman Tyler Bey adds 12.0 PPG and a team-high 8.9 RPG. 6-10 forward Lucas Siewert (11.3 & 5.1) and guard Gatling (10.7) round out the double digit scorers.

I noted Colorado's excellent defensive play earlier but the Buffs have played excellent D all season long. Colorado is third in the conference in allowing 68.8 PPG and is limiting the opposition to 30.5-percent shooting from three-point range (33rd nationally). Arizona State’s 61.7-percent shooting outing versus Washington marked its first 60-pecent showing in a Pac-12 game since 2013.DO NOT expect a repeat performance here in Boulder, where the Buffs are 8-2 SU. No real pointspread to worry about here.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Dal Mavs at 8:35 ET.

The Miami Heat have performed well away from home for much of the season. However, the Heat will conclude a five-game road trip prior to the All Star break with tonight's game in Dallas. Wins have been tough to come by on their current trip, against some of the best the Western Conference has to offer. Miami opened the trip with a 118-108 win at Portland (Feb 5) but has since dropped THREE in a row. One night after a valiant effort in a two-point loss at Golden State, Miami dropped a 103-87 decision at Denver on Monday, tumbling out of the top eight in the East with a 25-30 record.

As for the 26-30 Mavericks, they traded four starters in an eight-day span. Second-leading scorer Harrison Barnes (17.7 & 4.2) was the last to go, when Dallas shipped him to the Sacramento Kings for fellow forwards Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph. Prior to that, the Mavs traded PG Dennis Smith Jr. (12.9 & 4.3 APG), SG Wesley Matthews (13.1) and center DeAndre Jordan (11.0 & 13.7) to the New York Knicks. That left star rookie Luka Doncic as the lone remaining starter.The Mavs had won SIX of nine but their last time out, lost 120-104 to James Harden ("just" 31 points!) and the Houston Rockets on Monday.

Center Hassan Whiteside entered Denver averaging 17.8 points and 14.6 rebounds during a streak of five straight double-doubles but he was held to six and eight, respectively, against the Nuggets' big men. The 29-year-old Whiteside (12.9 & 12.5) averages 14.1 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks at home, where Miami plays 10 of 12 games soon after the All-Star break. With PG Dragic and his 15.3 PPG and 4.9 APG sidelined, Winslow (12.4-5.3-4.1) has been playing at the point with Wade (13.8-3.8-4.4) coming off the bench. SG Richardson (17.6) leads the team in scoring. Miami's D has been good all season, allowing 105.7 PPG  on 44.4% shooting (both rank 3rd-best in the NBA).

Rookie Luka Doncic (20.8-7.1-5.5) had 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Dallas in the road loss at Houston. Doncic is likely looking forward to the break, after playing all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter in Sunday's win over Portland and then carrying Dallas through 36 minutes in the loss to Houston. I expect that both Hardway (14.5 PPG in his four games with Dallas) and Burke (8.5 in the same span), will get plenty of "PT" here in Dallas. Also, expect forwards Powell (8.7 & 4.4) and Finney-Smith (7.9 & 4.7) to see increased minutes and offer increased production after the trades. In fact, Powell is shooting 62.3 percent from the floor over his last 10-games.

Miami opened this trip with an upset of Portland and sat 14-11 SU (16-9 ATS) on the road at that time. However, the Heat are 0-3  over the previous seven days. This is the final contest of a five-game, nine-day road trip and Dallas is 20-8 SU (19-8-1 ATS) at American Airlines Center this season. Doncic will surely be looking forward to a rest with the All Star break coming (that said, he has to be a little miffed he's not playing in it)  but 19-year-old isn't showing any signs of slowing down on the stat sheet. He's averaging 24.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists in five games in Feb. Mavs roll.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Rout is on Auburn at 8:30 ET.

Ole Miss was picked to finish last in the SEC preseason media poll but the Rebels, under first-year head coach Kermit Davis, opened the season 13-2 and a near-perfect 14-1 ATS. The Rebels have cooled since that incredible start but at 16-7 (6-4 in the SEC) are making a serious bid for their first trip to the NCAA Tournament in four seasons. Ole Miss has answered a four-game losing streak with back-to-back victories and looks to complete a season sweep of the Tigers tonight in Auburn. The Tigers won NINE of their first 10 games but have gone 7-6, since. Auburn was ranked 14th at 13-3, when it lost to Kentucky, the first of a three-game skid. The Tigers snapped that three-game losing skid by winning three in a row but then blew an early 16-point lead in Saturday's 83-78 loss at LSU (currently ranked 19th).

Ole Miss rode a 31-point performance from Breein Tyree to an 80-64 win at Georgia on Saturday, moving them to 6-4 in conference play, the first time it has been above .500 through 10 games in the SEC since last going to the NCAAs in 2014-15. Tyree is Ole Miss' leading scorer (18.5) and has been on a tear over the past five games, averaging 24.0 points. Backcourt mate Davis is second on the team in scoring  (16.2) plus leads in rebounding (6.3) and assist (3.6). He has scored in double figures in 12 consecutive games but note that no other Rebel averages more than 9.3 PPG.

Senior guard Bryce Brown (16.7) is the Auburn's leading scorer and junior PG Jared Harper (15.6) leads the SEC in assists (6.3), 6-8 sophomore forward Chuma Okeke (10.5 7 6.7) has stepped up with 6-11 junior Austin Wiley's missing four straight with a leg injury. Wiley's hardly played the last two games but still checks in at 9.6 & 5.5 on the season. Okeke has 12 points in the loss to LS( he's been in double digits on SEVEN of his last eight) plus added a season-high 14 rebounds.

Auburn was CLEARLY rusty in its 82-67 Jan 9 loss at Ole Miss, as that contest followed an extended 11-day layoff. In this rematch (or should I say, "revenge" match?), expect the Tigers to be energized at Auburn Arena, where they are 12-1 SU (lone loss a two-point one vs Kentucky), outscoring opponents 87.5-to-63.8 PPG.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on NC Stata at 8:00 ET.

It's an ACC clash Wednesday in Raleigh, as 17-7 Syracuse (8-3 in league play) visits 17-7 NC State (5-6 in league play). Syracuse bounced back from an 'ugly' 82-60 home loss to Florida State a week ago Tuesday with a 67-56 home win over Boston College on Saturday. The Wolfpack struggled through a rough stretch that saw them lose four of five — all to ranked teams — but managed to hold off the late-charging Pitt Panthers for the 79-76 road win on Saturday.

Buddy Boeheim, a freshman guard averaging 13.5 minutes and 5.7 PPG, had a career-high 16 points in the win over BC. "He's helping us," Boeheim’s father and head coach Jim Boeheim told reporters after the game. "He's making shots. We need somebody to make shots out there and he's making shots." Junior guard and leading scorer Tyus Battle (17.9 points per game) once again led the Orange with 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Up front, it's forwards Elijah Hughes (14.0 & 4.3) and Oshae Brissett (13.6 & 8.0).

Boeheim's zone D is giving opponents fits this season (as always), as Syracuse allows just 64.0 PPG (21st on 39.4% shooting (15th).

Kevin Keatts' Wolfpack like to put as many as four guards on the floor at a time and push the tempo. Swingman Torin Dorn is the team’s top scorer (13.6) and rebounder (6.6) despite being just 6-6, while C.J. Bryce (12.5 & 5.0) and PG Markell Johnson (11.1 & 4.0 APG) both shoot better than 40 percent from three-point range. Devon Daniels (9.5) and Braxton Beverly (9.8) also contribute to a talent-rich backcourt. 6-10 sophomore Funderbunk (8.5 & 4.1) is NC State's best inside player.

The Wolfpack were in desperate need of a win, as their losing streak saw them drop out of the top-25 and to the bottom half of the ACC standings. They got one by competing hard at both ends of the court in the win over BC. Now, it's time to beat a quality opponent. The last time the Wolfpack played at home (Feb 2), they were held to 24 points by Virginia Tech.However, they are averaging 87.5 points over their last two games (both on the road). Despite NC State's 'nigthmare' of  game vs Va Tech, the Wolfpack are 12-3 SU at home, outscoring opponents 82.9-to-64.7 PPG. Expect an easy win for NC State, here.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Temple at 7:00 ET.

It's an AAC contest Wednesday night as the SMU Mustangs (4-7 in AAC play) travel to Philly to take on the 17-7 Temple Owls (7-4 in AAC play). SMU most recently lost by six points to UCF and enters this contest having lost SIX of its last seven games.As for Temple, the Owls were crushed 76-58 by Tulsa 76-58 on Saturday, as leading scorers Shizz Alston Jr., Quinton Rose and Nate Pierre-Louis combined to shoot 8-of-31 from the floor (26%).

The Mustangs hope to break a four-game losing streak in tonight's game at Temple. Jimmy Whitt Jr. had a career-high 23 points for SMU against UCF but he went scoreless in five minutes against UCF. Head coach Tim Jankovich said, "He was late for practice yesterday, so that was a big part of it. And it's been hard for him to practice. Last week he didn't one time and then this two days before the game he only practiced once because he's a little dinged up. Hopefully he'll get healthy quickly." If McMurray is hurting against Temple, can guard Whitt (12.9-6.4-4.5) and the 6-8 Isiaha Mike (12.3 & 5.1) step up? Mike notched his first double-double of the season (18 points, 10 boards) against the Knights. The 6-9 Chargois (12.3 & 6.7) also averages in double digits. 

Temple owns a three-headed scoring attack on the perimeter in PG Shizz Alston Jr. (18.1 & 5.0 APG) plus fellow guards Quinton Rose (16.6) and Nate Pierre-Louis (13.8 & 5.9) The Owls endured a putrid effort against Tulsa, as only Alston (4-of-14) made more than two field goals and the team as a whole managed a total of five two-point baskets in the game. Rose committed seven turnovers and shot just 2-of-12 from the floor. Pierre-Louis (12 points) has scored in double figures in 12 of the last 13 games but is just 4 of 22 from three-point range in the previous seven games.

Temple is still very much alive for a third-place finish in the AAC (behind Houston and Cincy) and is 9-2 SU at home. This price seems very "doable," as I expect Temple's perimeter trio (see above), to return to form. Lay the short price.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the GS Warriors at 10:35 ET.

The Golden State Warriors have scored at least 100 points in 26 consecutive games, the franchise's best run since a 36-game streak during the 2016-17 campaign. At 40-15, the Warriors will look for their 16th victory in their last 17 games when they host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday. However, in the 32-24 Utah Jazz, Golden State will face a team which is almost as hot. The Jazz visit Oakland having won 14 of their last 18 games, after an impressive 125-105 home win over the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.

Center Rudy Gobert had 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting and collected 13 rebounds against San Antonio for his fourth straight double-double (14th in his last 16). The reigning NBA Defensive of the Year is viewed as one of the biggest snubs for the All-Star Game, as he's averaging 15.2 & 12.8.  All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell (22.4-3.8-4.0) scored 23 points against the Spurs and has topped 20 in 16 of the last 17 games, averaging 27.2 points during the stretch. PG Rubio (12.9 & 6.1 APG) is back healthy and the above three are joined in the starting lineup by SF Ingles (11.8-3.8-5.0) and PF Favors (11.0 & 71.). Coming off the bench are Crowder (11.9 & 4.8) and Korver (9.6 & 40.2% on threes). Utah is one of the league's best defensive teams, allowing 105.8 PPG (4th).

The Warriors rallied from 19 points down to edge the Miami Heat 120-118 at home on Sunday night. It was the second straight game in which the Warriors won after trailing by at least 17 points. They overcame a 17-point deficit to win at Phoenix on Friday. The Warriors have won FIVE times this season after falling behind by at least 15 points, including Oct 19 at Utah, when Golden State rallied from 16 points back to prevail 124-123 on a buzzer-beating tip-in by Jonas Jerebko. Forward Kevin Durant (39 points on Sunday) and guards Klay Thompson (29) and Stephen Curry (25) have each scored 25 or more points in 12 straight games after the club rallied from a 19-point deficit to record a hard-fought 120-118 home win over the Miami Heat. DeMarcus Cousins (14.1 & 6.5 in his 10 games / eight starts) made the decisive two free throws with 5.4 seconds left against the Heat and coach Steve Kerr said he is impressed with the effect the big man has had on the squad since returning from an Achilles injury. "He's basically single-handedly negated the dog days, he really has," Kerr told reporters. "DeMarcus has come in and energized our team. ... He's just bringing this excitement and energy every game and he's getting better and better and fitting right in with the group."

With Cousins now healthy enough to play, Golden State's starting-five is quite scary. The Warriors rank first in scoring (119.1 PPG) and FG percentage (49.3), while ranking third in three-point percentage (38.6) and free-throw percentage (81.4). The Warriors have yet to lose (8-0) since Cousins joined Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry in the starting lineup. Don't expect the Warriors to fall behind early in this one, as no comeback will be needed in a likely wire-to-wire win

'Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Miss St at 9:00 ET.

Alabama’s 83-79 home win over then-No. 22 Mississippi State on Jan 29 helped the Crimson Tide right the ship in the SEC. 15-8 Alabama has won three of its last four games to climb into a tie for fifth place in the SEC standings at 6-4. As for the Miss St Bulldogs, they have headed in the opposite direction by losing three of their last four contests. Miss St (16-7 / 4-6) let two close home games against ranked opponents slip away last week. The Bulldogs lost 92-88 in overtime against No. 21 LSU and then pushed No. 5 Kentucky to the brink of a 71-67 defeat. 

Alabama is a perimeter-based team, led by freshman PG Lewis (14.3 & 3.0 APG) and sophomore guard Petty (11.7 & 4.1). That duo is joined by Mack (9.0 & 3.7) and Ingram (7.6 & 4.0). Alabama's lone inside threat is the 6-9 Hall (10.9 & 8.7).

Miss St opened 12-1 but enters this contest just 4-6 in its last 10. The Bulldogs are led by one of the SEC’s most dynamic players. The 6-5 Quinndary Weatherspoon averages 17.9 PPG (5.5 RPG) and can score in numerous ways. PG Lamar Peters (12.4 & 5.7 APG) is a solid play-maker and the duo is joined by Weatherspoon's brother Nick (9.8) on the perimeter. Starting up front are the 6-11 Perry (8.7 & 6.4) and the 6-11 Aldo (5.0 & 4.8). However, the Bulldogs' best frontcourt player comes off the bench, as the 6-10 Holman averages 10.6 PPG and a team-high 7.0 RPG.

Revenge should work here, as Miss St is 10-3 SU at home, while averaging 84.2 PPG. Freshman forward Reggie Perry has moved into the starting lineup in the last three games and is averaging 14.4 points and nine rebounds over his last five contests. Miss St has way more depth up front and the Bulldogs' guard trio of the Weatherspoon brothers and Peters is more than a match for Alabama's guards. Home team wins with "room to spare.!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on St John's at 8:30 ET.

Marquette edged Villanova on Saturday, 66-65. The result left the Wildcats at 10-1 and moved the Golden Eagles to 9-2. Those schools are well ahead of the rest of the pack in the conference, as the Big East has five teams tied for third at 5-6 in league play. Two of that quintet of teams, which all look up at Villanova and Marquette, will meet Tuesday night when 14-10 Butler visits 17-7 St. John's. All five of those schools will need a strong stretch run if they plan on making this year's NCAA Tournament.

Butler rebounded from a three-game losing streak by winning its last two contests by just a combined six points. The Bulldogs' leading scorer Kamar Baldwin had 18 points to help Butler to a 73-69 victory at Georgetown on Saturday. The junior guard leads the team in scoring (17.2) and rebounding (5.0) and is joined on the perimeter by Jorgensen (11.8) and PG Thompson (6.1 & 4.2 APG). 6-7 sophomore forward Jordan Tucker (Duke transfer) scored 14 of his 15 points prior to the break in the win at Georgetown and is now averaging 10.0 & 5.2 since becoming eligible 15 games ago. 6-6 forward McDermott adds 9.9 & 3.8 while the center duo of the 6-11 Brunk (8.1 & 4.1) and the 6-10 Fowler (5.5 & 4.0) complete Butler's major contributors.

St John's is coming off a damaging 70-56 home loss to Providence on Saturday. That 56-point effort was the Red Storm's worst in Big East action since it was held to 45 in a loss at Butler last season. The absence of second-leading scorer Mustapha Heron (15.0 & 4.9) with a knee issue was a factor. Junior PG Shamorie Ponds scored 20 points and checks in at 20.7-4.6-5.3 on the season. Fellow guard Figueroa averages 14.3 PPG and a team-high 6.5 RPG plus another guard, Simon, adds 10.1-4.8-3.5. St John's doesn't have much size up front, as the 6-7 Clark (11.4 & 5.8) is the team's best frontcourt player.

Butler has won seven of the last nine meetings with St John's, including 80-71 at home back on Jan 19 (Baldwin had 30 points). Yes, Butler has made the "Big Dance" in 10 of the previous 12 years but the prospects for a 2018 invite are bleak. Butler has won just two of seven road games this season (averaging only 65.7 PPG), while St John's checks in 9-3 SU at home, where the Red Storm are outscoring opponents 80.7-to-69.6 PPG. More good news comes St John's way in that Heron is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday (see above).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Phi 76ers at 8:05 ET.

Elton Brand was as solid NBA player but he's made quite a mark as Philly's GM here in the 2018-19 season. Brand made his second big move since the beginning of the year by adding PF Tobias Harris from the Clippers, after dealing for Jimmy Butler earlier in campaign. Both moves were made to ostensibly to get Philly over the hump vs.new/old nemesis Boston. The Philadelphia 76ers are sure playing like a team that is headed in the right direction, as they are coming off impressive wins over the Denver Nuggets (117-110) and Los Angeles Lakers (143-120) since making a series of deadline moves. The Boston Celtics failed to make any upgrades prior to the deadline and are looking like a team that could have used a shake-up. The Celtics lost 129-128 on a buzzer-beater to the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Thursday and then blew a 28-point lead before falling to the Los Angeles Clippers 123-112 on Saturday in a demoralizing defeat.

Boston's Saturday's collapse began late in the first half, after All-Star guard Kyrie Irving suffered a sprained knee that will leave him on the sidelines Tuesday and potentially Wednesday against Detroit at home. Gordon Hayward  (10.2 & 4.6) had a team-high 19 points off the bench but Irving's fellow starters combined to shooting 14-for-42 (33.3%) from the floor without their leader. Hayward comes off the bench along with Brown (12.7 & 4.3), while Tatum (16.4 & 6.3) and Morris (14.6 & 6.) typically start up front with Horford (12.4 & 6.6). With Irving sidelined, expect Rozier (9.1) and Smart (8.2) to start in the backcourt.

Joel Embiid (27.4 & 13.5) went off for 37 points and 14 rebounds in Sunday's 143-120 rout of the Lakers, as 36-20 Philadelphia moved one game ahead of Boston (35-21) for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Embiid was 12-for-16 from the floor in Sunday's win, while newly acquired forward Tobias Harris had 22 points on 9-of-14 in his second game with the team. Harris was averaging career highs of 20.9 & 7.9 with LA and has averaged 18.0 & 7.0 in his two games with the Sixers. Rounding out Philly's starting-five is Butler (18.9 & 4.9), Redick (18.7) and PG/swingman Ben Simmons (16.7-9.2-7.9).

Philly's starting-five may not quite measure up to Golden State's (which team's does?) but it's clearly the East's top unit. I'm not sure Boston can 'hang' with Philly here, without Irving's 23.6 PPG and 6.9 APG. The 76ers are 23-6 at home, averaging a whopping 119.4 PPG. Sans Kyrie, Boston gets rolled, as Philly avenges the Celtics' two home wins (105-87 & 121-114 in OT) over the 76ers earlier this year. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conf Crusher (Big Ten) is on Maryland at 6:30 ET.

17-6 Purdue will be in College Park on Tuesday night to play 18-6 Maryland. The Boilermakers come in off an 81-62 win over the Cornhuskers on Saturday night, the school's EIGHTH in a row. Purdue sits 10-2 in Big Ten play, a half-game back of first-place Michigan. The Terps have had six days off since last Wednesday's 60-45 victory at Nebraska and sit 9-4 in league play, tied for fourth-place. The Boilermakers eked out a 62-60 victory in the first meeting between the two teams back on Dec 6 in West Lafayette.

Preseason All-American guard Carsen Edwards scored 20 points in that first meeting, while sophomore guard Nojel Eastern's blocked Darryl Morsell's potential game-winning three-point try at the buzzer. Edwards leads the Big Ten in scoring (24.6), which also ranks seventh nationally, He's joined on the perimeter by Cline (12.7) and Eastern (7.0 & 5.3), while the 7-3 Haarms gives the Boilermakers a big inside presence, averaging 7.8 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Four forwards combine to add about 23 points and 16 rebounds per contest.

Maryland begins a stretch where it plays three consecutive top-20 ranked teams with this game vs No. 12 Purdue. The 24th-ranked Terrapins then hit the road to play at No. 6 Michigan and No. 21 Iowa,. Junior PG Anthony Cowan Jr. had 18 points and six assists in the first meeting. He leads the Maryland in scoring (16.2) and assists (4.5). He gets help in the backcourt from Ayala (8.9), Wiggins (8.3) and Morsell (8.0). 6-10 sophomore Bruno Fernando is second on the team in scoring (14.8) plus adds a team-high 10.7 RPG (ranks second in the Big Ten). 6-10 freshman forward Jalen Smith (11.8 & 7.0) is coming in off his third double-double (18 points & 11 rebounds) in the win at Nebraska.

Purdue was an underachieving 9-6 in early January but an 84-80 OT win at Wisconsin on Jan 11, jump started an eight game win skein (7-1 ATS). The Boilermakers a good team but far from great. Maryland is an outstanding defensive team (64.9 PPG ranks 37th in the nation) and is 12-2 SU at home. The 6-10 Fernando has recorded a double-double in 15 games this season, including the last six in a row, leading the way for a team which leads the Big Ten and was tied for second in the nation entering the week in rebounding margin (plus-10.4). This is the first of a tough three-game stretch for the Terps (see above) and the ONLY one of the three that the Terps get at home. Expect the home team to prevail.

Good luck...Larry

My 3rd play of Monday's STP is an 8* on the Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET. 

The Denver Nuggets 'limp' home after losing the final three games of their four-game road trip. 37-18 Denver will be looking to avoid matching a season-high four-game losing streak Monday night, when the Nuggets welcome the 25-29 Miami Heat to Pepsi Center. The Nuggets allowed an average of 132 points in two straight losses, before giving Philadelphia all it could handle in a 117-110 loss on Friday. Denver now begins a stretch in which the Nuggets play six of seven at home, where they are an NBA-best 23-4.

Miami visits the Mile High City after rallying from nine down in the fourth quarter to take a three-point lead with less than a minute to go, surrender the final five of the game in a 120-118 loss at Golden St (the Warriors own a 40-15 record, best in the West).

Josh Richardson (Miami's leading scorer at 17.8 PPG) poured in 37 points but the Heat lost for the fifth time in six games, dropping into a tie with Detroit for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Richardson is averaging 25.3 points over the last three contests and backcourt mate Dion Waiters (9.2) stepped up to score a season-high 24 on Sunday. Center Hassan Whiteside recorded his fifth straight double-double Sunday and is averaging 17.8 points along with 14.2 rebounds during that stretch (he's averaging 13.1 & 12.6 on the season). Veteran Dwyane Wade (13.9-3.9-4.4) scored 10 points and has averaged 17.0 PPG over his last four contests. Small forward Justise Winslow had 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting against Golden State but has mostly been playing in the backcourt with PG Dragic (15.3 & 4.9 APG) sidelined. Winslow is averaging 12.3-5.4-4.2 on the season.

Denver head coach Michael Malone told reporters his players could hold their heads high after Friday’s effort but guard Will Barton (12.3-4.4-3.4) said it is time to get back to business as the Nuggets’ lead over Oklahoma City for second in the West has shrunk to one game. Center Nikola Jokic continues to put up big numbers, recording triple-doubles in five of the last eight games. He leads Denver in scoring (20.4), rebounding (10.5) and assists (7.7). PG Jamal Murray (18.6-4.3-5.0) has averaged 21 points and 8.5 assists in two contests since returning from a six-game absence because of an ankle injury, while fellow guard Malik Beasley (11.6) is averaging 20.7 points over his past six outings. However, SG Gary Harris (14.8) is expected to miss his sixth straight game, while PF Paul Millsap (12.0 & 6.5) could sit out a fourth straight with an ankle injury.

Injuries are nothing new to Denver this season, yet as noted earlier, the Nuggets own the NBA's best home record (23-4 SU), averaging 116.5 PPG and winning by an average of 12 points per game. Miami has been a solid road underdog the last two seasons but the Heat are coming off a heart-breaking loss last night in Oakland and will be playing their third game in four days on the road. That's is NOT a recipe for success. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 2nd play of Monday's STP is an 8* on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET. 

James Harden continued his phenomenal scoring run with 42 points in Saturday's 117-112 loss to Oklahoma City, leaving him two 30-point games away from tying Wilt Chamberlain for the second-longest such streak in NBA history. However, the Rockets collapsed against the Thunder in the second half, allowing OKC to overcome a 26-point deficit. "We have to be consistent for four quarters," Harden told reporters Saturday after his team fell to 19-9 at home and 32-23 on the season. The Dallas Mavericks traded four starters in eight days. Second-leading scorer Harrison Barnes (17.7 & 4.2) was shipped to the Sacramento Kings for fellow forwards Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph. Priort to that, the Mavs traded PG Dennis Smith Jr. (12.9 & 4.3 APG), SG Wesley Matthews (13.1) and center DeAndre Jordan (11.0 & 13.7) to the New York Knicks. That leaves star rookie Luka Doncic as the lone remaining starter.

Doncic (20.8-7.0-5.5) played the entire fourth quarter Sunday and scored 13 points while helping Dallas keep Portland from putting up a single point for nearly seven minutes during one stretch. The Mavs' furious rally gave them a 102-101 home win over the Blazers. Docic had 28 points and the recently acquired Tim Hardaway added 24, as the Mavericks held the Trail Blazers to just nine fourth-quarter points. Dallas has won six of nine and sits 26-29 on teh season.

The Huston Rockets have just not been to replicate the defensive prowess that secured their run to the best record in the league last season and to Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals. Whether due to injuries or roster construction, the results haven't been the same. Houston is allowing 111.0 PPG (14th) on 47.5% shooting (26th). After finishing seventh in defensive rating last season at 105.5 points allowed per 100 possessions, the Rockets are 25th this season (112.0). Since Jan 1, Houston is a modest 11-8 and its leaky defense (113.8 rating) is directly attributed to its inability to build a winning streak and propel up the standings. Houston limited Oklahoma City to 75 combined points in the first, second, and fourth periods but the Thunder posted a whopping 42 points in the third, to erase what was once a 26-point deficit. The Thunder they won the fourth quarter by five points to claim the victory. 

However, let's not dismiss Houston too quickly. Harden (36.6-6.7-7.8) is having an amazing season, Chris Paul (15.6 & 7.9 APG) is rounding into form after another injury setback plus Kenneth Faried is quietly working on an impressive streak of his own with four straight double-doubles. He shot 8-of-11 from the floor in the loss to the Thunder and is hitting 63 percent of his shots in 10 games since joining Houston last month, averaging a double-double (16.2 & 10.4). Dallas is a surprising 2-0 vs Houston this season and off the team's Saturday collapse to OKC, I expect Houston to be "on its game" in this one. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 1st play of Monday's STP is a 9* on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET.

Are the Detroit Pistons starting to pick up some momentum as they try to rejoin the race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Friday's120-103 win over the New York Knicks on Friday moved the Pistons to 25-29, pushing their winning streak to three in a row. Detroit welcomes the Wizards to town Monday, just a half-game behind the Miami Heat for the No. 8 spot in the East . The 24-32 Washington Wizards sit two games behind the Pistons and enter this contest off back-to-back wins, after Saturday's 134-125 win over the Bulls.

Washington brought in forwards Bobby Portis (14.1 & 7.3 in 22 games with the Bulls) and Jabari Parker (14.3 & 6.2) from Chicago prior to the deadline. Parker fell out of the Chicago rotation before being dealt but is being given a prominent spot with Washington. He had 20 points, five rebounds and six assists in 35 minutes against his former team. Meanwhile, power forward Bobby Portis is averaging 20 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists in two wins since the trade. Bradley Beal has stepped up big time since Wall was lost for the season and checks in averaging 25.0-5.1-5.2. Trevor Ariza has also been a great addition, averaging 14.9-5.4-4.2 in 26 games with the Wizards.

Detroit bolstered its rotation by signing veteran shooting guard Wayne Ellington as a free agent, after he cleared waivers on Saturday. He expects to take the minutes that opened when starting shooting guard Reggie Bullock was shipped to the Los Angeles Lakers in front of the trade deadline. Detroit has leaned on All-Star forward Blake Griffin (26.1-8.1-5.3) heavily for most of the season. Center Andre Drummond collected 29 points on 12-of-15 shooting along with 20 rebounds in Friday's win and has been an excellent 'second banana' all season, averaging 17.1 & 14.9.

The home team has won and covered both meetings this season between Washington and Detroit and I see no change here. Washington is just 7-21 SU away from home this season, going 8-20 ATS. Detroit comes into this contest winning three in a row by an average of by an average of 18.7 points. Detroit didn’t make a huge splash at the deadline, but acquiring C/F Thon Maker from Milwaukee helps shore up the frontcourt bench. The Pistons have played better defense recently, holding their last 11 opponents to an average of 100.9 PPG, compared to 107.8 on the season. Another bonus for Detroit in this one is the fact that the Pistons have been able to keep Griifin under 30 minutes in two of the last three contests. Home team wins and COVERS!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Crusher (Pac-12) is on Oregon at 8:00 ET.

Stanford is 12-10 (5-5 in Pac-12) and Oregon is 14-9 (also 5-5 in Pac-12). However, both schools are still alive for a top-four seed and a first-round bye in next month’s Pac-12 Tournament. Washington is running away with things at 10-1 but the winner of tonight's game will tie USC at 6-5, leaving them just one game behind 7-4 schools Ore St, Utah and Arz St, who are all tied for 2nd-place in the conference. The Cardinal look to build on one of their most complete efforts of the season, after shooting 54 percent from the floor and out-rebounding the Beavers 41-26 in Thursday’s 83-60 win at Oregon State. The Ducks bounced back from an ugly 73-51 loss at Colorado, by defeating last-place California 73-62 on Wednesday.

The Cardinal have won four of their last five and with just one senior on the roster, Stanford has relied heavily on young players. 6-9 sophomore forward Oscar da Silva (10.0 & 5.7) recorded a career-high 23 points, nine rebounds and a career-high seven assists against OSU.  Fellow 6-9 sophomore forward KZ Okpala ranks third in the league in scoring (17.7) while shooting 41 percent from three-point range (he adds 6.0 RPG). However, he was held to 10 points on 2-of-9 shooting against Oregon State. Stanford played much of the game without starting PG Daejon Davis (12.6-3.1-4.2), as he suffered an apparent head injury early in the second half and is listed as day-to-day. 7-0 center Josh Sharma (8.7 & 5.6) leads the Pac-12 in field-goal percentage at 67.5 percent and had 20 points along with eight rebounds in Thursday’s victory.

Oregon obviously misses the 7-2 Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.6) but 6-9 freshman Louis King is thriving, averaging 11.6 & 5.1. Junior guard Payton Pritchard (11.8-4.0-3.1) snapped out of a shooting slump by recording his second career double-double with 20 points and a career-high 10 rebounds against Cal. However, Pritchard has handed over point guard duties to freshman Will Richardson (6.8), who had a season-high nine assists in Wednesday’s victory. The Ducks own an athletic frontcourt, as 6-9 senior forward Paul White (10. 7 & 3.7) and the 6-9 Wooten (6.7 & 4.5) join King (note: White has scored in double figures in NINE of the last 11 games).

Don't think much of Stanford, while Oregon is still a capable home team, going 10-4 SU and winning by an average of 11 PPG. This pointspread is more than manageable.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on the Atl Hawks at 7:35 ET.

The Orlando Magic opened their three-game road trip in impressive fashion on Saturday, continuing a sudden surge back into the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Magic took advantage of the absence of Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) to coast past the Bucks 103-83 on Saturday, improving to 4-1 on the heels of a 3-11 swoon. Orlando sits at 24-32, " 2 1/2-games out of teh East's final playoff spot. Atlanta's league-worst defense (more later) was on full display in Saturday's loss, as Charlotte shot 54.5 percent and recorded 30 assists on 48 baskets in a 129-120 loss. The Hawks are 18-37 and are hardly thinking postseason as the All Star break looms.

Rookie Isaiah Briscoe hit all three of his shot attempts in Thursday's win over Minnesota and was 4-for-5 from the floor while handing out seven assists in the rout of the Bucks. "By far, his best game. Both ways, and he hit his jumper," head coach Steve Clifford said of the 22-year-old guard. Orlando's 7-0 All-Star center, Nikola Vucevic, added 15 points and 17 rebounds. Vucevic (20.5 & 12.0) and 6-9 PF Gordon (15.9 & 7.4) are Orlando's top-two producers, although Clifford has a solid three-guard rotation. That group includes Fournier (14.8), Ross (14.7) and PG Augustin (11.5 & 4.7 APG).

The Hawks have opened a seven-game homestand by dropping the first two contests. They allowed 46 first-quarter points to Charlotte and fell short with a late rally in Saturday's nine-point loss. The 6-10 John Collins led the way offensively with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting. That's not exactly new, as the second-year 6-10 forward averages team highs of 19.4 PPG and 9.9 RPG. Rookie PG Trae young checks in at 16.9 PPG and 7.5 APG plus FIVE more players average in double digits (two more check in at 8.3 & 9.4). Scoring is NOT Atlanta's problem. It's a defense that allows 118.4 PPG (30 of 30 teams)  on 47.7% shooting (28th).

However, with Orlando coming off a win at Milwaukee, a team with the NBA's best record, the Magic are in a perfect spot for a letdown. Note that Orlando looks to win its third straight overall contest, for the FIRST time since mid-November. NOT!

Good luck...Larry