My 10* Situational Stunner is on Utah at 6:00 ET.

The Colorado Buffaloes (8-3, 2-2 Pac-12) and the Utah Utes (4-4, 1-3) meet Monday in Salt Lake City. It was originally scheduled for March 6 but was moved up after Colorado's game with the Beavers was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the Oregon State program. The Utes are fitting this game in between Saturday's loss to the Oregon Ducks and Thursday's game against Stanford. Both teams are coming off home games against Oregon, with different results. The Buffs beat the Ducks 79-72 on Thursday (the 10th straight time they've defeated Oregon in Boulder), Utah fell 79-73 to the Ducks on Saturday.

Tad Boyle is in his 11th season at Colorado and despite losing the 6-7 Tyler Bey (13.8 & 9.0) to the NBA (he played center for the Buffs), Colorado is off to an 8-3 start. The good news was that PG Wright flirted with the NBA draft but returned to Boulder for his senior season. Wright (16.0-5.0-5.2) is the team leader and is surrounded by veterans, such as the 6-8 Evan Battey (9.9 & 5.2) and the 7-0 Dallas Walton (9.6 & 3.0) plus the 6-7 Jeriah Horn (a Tulsa graduate transfer) adds 11.3 & 5.8. Depth is provided by FIVE players combining to average 33 PPG. 

Larry Krystkowiak led Montana to back-to-back NCAA berths in his two seasons at his alma mater and then took the Utah job to begin the 2011-12 season. He had losing seasons in his first two years but then led his team to an average of 23.4 wins per season over the next five with postseason berths in each one (3 NIT and 2 NCAA). However, the Utes opened this season off seasons of just 17 and 16 wins. Utah lost Both Gach to Minnesota (transfer) but returned four starters. 6-6 forward Allen led the team in scoring last season and is averaging 15.4 & 5.6, just ahead of guard Alfonso Plummer (13.4). Joining Allen up front are the 6-8 Jantunen (10.3 & 4.9), the 7-0 Carlson (6.3) and the 6-9 Battin (6.3 & 3.0). Gach liked to play PG and his leaving has opened that role up to Jones (6.8 & 4.8 APG), who joins Plummer in the starting backcourt, while freshman Larsson (8.3) comes off the bench.

Colorado has played strong defense (62.6 PPG ranks 31st) and is scoring 75.6 PPG. Utah's defense is decent (65.8 PPG) but its offense averages less than 70 PPG (not good). However, this is NOT a good "situation" for Colorado. This contest was supposed to be in the middle of a four-game homestand for the Buffs but instead of resting after a game against Oregon State, the Buffaloes will be on the road. Utah had been 4-0 at home before its loss to Oregon and has scored 70-plus points in all FIVE home games this season (75.6 per). This will be the 20th meeting between the teams since the Buffaloes joined the Pac-12 before the 2011-12 season and they have split the last six games, with the home teams winning EACH time. Make that SEVEN straight wins by the home team in this series and as a bonus, we get about a 'FG!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* AAC Game of the Year is on Wichita St at 4:30 ET.

The Cincinnati Bearcats and the Wichita State Shockers have each been regular NCAA tourney participants but their respective 2020-21 seasons have NOT begun well. John Brannen led Northern Kentucky to a 72-30 record in his final three seasons, leading the Norse to the "Big Dance" in two of those three years. He was hired at Cincy on April 14, 2019 when Mick Cronin left for UCLA. The Bearcats went 20-10 in last year's pandemic-shortened season but opened the current season missing guards Jarron Cumberland (15.5) and Jaevin Cumberland (8.8) plus forward Tre Scott (11.4 & 10.5). The Bearcats were one of the last teams in Division I to start their season, not taking the floor until Dec 2. The Bearcats are coming off a 76-69 win at Tulsa on Jan 7 but that snapped a FIVE-game losing streak. Cincy is just 3-6 entering this contest.

Wichita St's season was marred before it got started, as head coach Gregg Marshall resigned as coach of Wichita State after multiple allegations of verbal and physical abuse spanning years on November 17, 2020. Marshall's success started at Winthrop (seven NCAA berths in nine years) and continued at Wichita St, winning the NIT title in 2011 then winning 30-plus games in three straight seasons, including a Final 4 appearance in 2013. Lead assistant Isaac Brown was named interim head coach.

Guard Keith Williams leads the Bearcats in scoring with 15.1 PPG, while fellow guard Jeremiah Davenport has 10.6 & 4.1 to give Cincy a pair of double digit scorers. Guards Mike Adams-Woods (8.6) and David DeJulius (8.2-4.7- 5.1_ round out a strong backcourt. The frontcourt offers little, with 7-1 returning center Chris Vogt (5.4 & 3.6) being the biggest disappointment, coming off a season in which he averaged 11.1 & 5.7. The 6-7 Eason (7.6 & 5.7) and the 6-10 Ivanauskas (6.7 & 5.0) have been Cincy's top frontcourt performers.

Center Echenique (11.3 & 7.1) plus guards Stevenson (11.1 & 4.7( and Burton (10.3-3.5-3.4) are all gone from last year's 23-8 team (top-3 scorers). However, the Shockers are a deep team this season, led by a trio of guards in Etienne (17.9 & 3.8), UConn transfer Gilbert (10.8-3.4-3.3) and Dennis (8.3 & 3.3). The top frontcourt performers are the 6-8 Udeze (7.2 & 2.6(, 6-7 JUCO transfer Jackson (5.7 & 4.8) and the 6-6 Wade (5.6 & 5.7).

Wichita St is 6-3 but all three losses have come against quality opponents, losing to now-No. 13 Missouri, a solid 8-3 Oklahoma St team and this past Wednesday to No. 11 Houston. That loss snapped the team's FIVE-game winning streak. Wichita St opened 1-2 SU & 0-3 ATS but has gone 5-1 SU since, including 4-0 ATS with two games with no pointspread. In contrast, before Cincy won at SMU on Thursday, the Bearcats were 1-7 ATS on the season and had lost their previous five games. Home games are not what they used to be this season but the Charles Koch Arena has always been good to the Shockers and this season's Cincy team is just NOT very good. Off a surprising road win at SMU, expect the Bearcats to lose in Wichita to a Shockers team that has played excellent opponents well so far and should have no problem with this Bearcat team. Double digit win expected here!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Signature 37-Club Play is on Arizona at 9:00 ET.

UCLA (8-2, 4-0 Pac-120 has won two games without injured Chris Smith and will go for three in a row when the Bruins play the Arizona Wildcats (9-2, 3-2) tonight in Tucson. Mick Cronin made NINE consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances at Cincy, as his Bearcats posted a 235-78 (.751) record in that span. He moved to Westwood last season and his Bruins got better as the year progressed and were playing their best ball when the season was shut down. UCLA lost its opener at San Diego St (Nov 25) and its only other loss came 77-70 to Ohio St in Cleveland back on Dec 19. Sean Miller is in his 12th season with the Wildcats and has had more than a few off the court issues the last few years. He saw THREE freshmen from last year go the 'One and Done' route in PG Mannion (14.0 & 5.3 APG), Green (12.0 & 4.6) and big man Nnaji (16.1 & 8.6) but Arizona had opened a surprising 9-1, before losing 87-73 Thursday night at home to USC.

UCLA's 6-9 Smith averaged 12.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in eight games but is now out for the season with a knee injury. However, the Bruins still have SIX players averaging between 8.4 and 12.8 PPG. PG Campbell (10.6 & 7.0 APG) is still surrounded by "big guards" like the 6-6 Jaquez (12.8 & 5.7), the 6-6 Juzang (10.7) and the 6-6 Bernard (10.1 & 5.6). Up front it's the 6-9 Riley (10.2 & 5.8) and the 6-10 Hill (8.4 & 6.1). Cody Riley scored a career-high 22 points in UCLA's 81-75 OT win Thursday at ASU plus guard David Singleton, who had averaged just 4.3 points through the first nine games, drained two 3-pointers in overtime and finished with 14 points.

Arizona saw its four-game winning streak snapped on Thursday by USC, as the Wildcats were the Trojans' overall length and ability to chase them off the three-point line. In fact, starting guards James Akinjo (12.9 & 5.2 APG) and Jemarl Baker (12.7) made 1 of 16 from the floor and finished with a total of three points!! The good news was that 6-11 freshman Azuolas Tubelis (10.5 & 5.9) finished with 31 points, 18 above his previous career high. 6-7 freshman Bennedict Mathurin (from Canada) is averaging 10.6 & 6.5, after averaging 16.0 PPG over Arizona's last three games. The 6-11 Jordan Brown (10.0 & 5.7) is a Nevada transfer and 7-1 sophomore Christian Koloko (4.6 & 5.2) both make solid contributions. More depth is provided by guard Terrell Brown (8.3-3.2-3.3) and the 6-8 Lee (4.7 & 4.8).

UCLA has won three straight Pac 12 games since losing in Cleveland to Ohio St but ALL have been 'squeakers.' The Bruins have edged Utah 72-70) and Colorado (65-62) at home, then won in OT at ASU a couple of nights ago. My bet says their 'luck' runs out tonight at McKale Center!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* East/West Game of the Month is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

No one was quite sure that the Suns' 8-0 SU & ATS run in the Orlando bubble would carry over to the 2020-21 season, as the Suns opened the regular season having not made the postseason since the 2009-10 season. Phoenix showed it was serious about ending its playoff drought by acquiring 10-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the Thunder. The Pacers had a solid season last year but got swept by the red-hot Miami heat in the playoffs. Both teams have looked good early on, with the Suns taking a 6-3 record into this game with the 6-2 Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse

The Suns are coming off a 110-105 overtime loss to Detroit on Friday night but have looked like a solid playoff contender so far. PG Paul (13.0-4.9-8.3) is doing what's expected of him and while Booker's (21.7-3.3-4.4) are down slightly from the last two seasons (he's averaged 26.6 PPG in each of the last two), no one is worried. The 6-11 Ayton (18.2 & 7.5 in 38 games last season) is currently the team's second-leading scorer (13.4) and leading rebounder (11.4), while two former first-round picks are coming into their own. The 6-6 Bridges is adding 13.1 & 5.7 plus the the 6-8 Johnson 12.8 & 7.00. SF Crowder was an off-season addition (like Paul) and is averaging 10.9 & 4.4.

Indiana SF Warren became a big time score "in the bubble" but is currently sidelined (was averaging 15.5 PPG). Malcolm Brogdon has turned in career-high scoring performances in each of his last two games at home. He boasts team-best averages in points (23.6) and assists (7.0), has padded those numbers by averaging totals of 29.7 and 8.3, respectively, over the last three games. He's had 33- and 35-point performances in his last two at home. Sabonis (20.8-11.4-6.4) is now a bonafide All Star and Oladipo (20.4-6.0-4.3) looks to be back at full-strength, giving Indiana THREE 20-point scorers. Center Turner is averaging 11.9-5.5-4.1 BPG) plus SF McDermott (10.9) and guard Holiday (10.5) add excellent depth.

I would have preferred the Suns coming off a win last night at Detroit but this remains a tough spot, playing at Indiana team off a game the previous night, where the Suns haven't won since Nov 18, 2016.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Seton Hall at 2:00 ET.

Seton Hall believed it could have made a run to the Final Four behind All-American guard Myles Powell (21.0 & 4.3) last season before COVID-19 shut things down. The Pirates were 21-9 and ranked 15th in the country after finishing tied for first in the Big East with a 13-5 record. Powell is now in the NBA but OUTSTANDING head coach Kevin Willard has plenty to work with as this season. The Pirates (8-5, 5-2 Big East), saw their three-game winning streak end with a T-H-U-D in a 36-point loss at No. 7 Creighton on , shooting a season-low 33.3 percent. Seton Hall heads to DePaul on Saturday looking to bounce back.

DePaul head coach Dave Leitao is in his second stint at the school and it's been a LONG time since DePaul has had a relevant basketball program. The last time the Blue Demons made the NCAA tourney was 2004 and 2007 was the last time the program was relevant, playing in the NIT. DePaul finished 20-14 that season and hasn't won 20 games since. DePaul became the final major-conference team to make its debut with a 91-72 win over Western Illinois back on Dec 23 and has played just THREE games  (1-2 / 0-2 Big East).

"We've got to regroup," said Seton Hall head coach Kevin Willard, whose team absorbed its most one-sided defeat in his 11 seasons at Creighton. "We've got to recover. Every once in a while, you get smacked down and you've got to pick yourself up. This group has done that." The 6-11 Mamukelashvili leads the team in scoring (18.3) and adds 6.8 RPG. Wing Jared Rhoden adds 15.4 and a team-high 7.2 RPG. Fellow wing Myles Cale (11.7) is the team's third double-digit scorer. PG Reynolds (7.8 & 4.6 APG) and Molson (7.1) are solid backcourt performers, while the 6-10 Samuel (6.1 & 3.2) and the 7-2 Obiagu (5.4 & 5.0) aid Mamukelashvili up front.

Guards Charlie Moore (16.3-3,7-5.3) and Javon Freeman-Liberty (13.7-5.7-4.0) are the only major players to participate in all three of DePaul's modest total of three games. The 6-7 Weems (13.5 & 4.0), the 6-7 Hall (10.0 & 8.0) and guard Lopez (10.0-4.0-3.5) have all played two games. Seton Hall is by FAR the better team with all things being equal. However, that's NOT the case here, with DePaul starting late (see above) and then playing just THREE games over the last 19 days. Meanwhile, Seton Hall is 7-2 after a 1-3 start and is coming off a 36-point embarrassment at Creighton. BLOWOUT Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My Las Vegas Insider is on Rutgers at 12:00 ET.

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio St opened 5-0 and was ranked 20th in the AP poll before a 67-60 road loss at Purdue on Dec 16. A 77-70 win over UCLA (in Cleveland) plus an 80-68 home win over then-No. 11 Rutgers came next. However, the Buckeyes lost 71-70 at Northwestern, pounded visiting Nebraska 90-54 and lost 77-60 at Minnesota.

Steve Pikiell spent 11 years at Stony Brook, winning 20-plus games in his final five seasons. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA berth in 2015-16 and a 26-7 record. His first three seasons at Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights go just 15-18, 15-19 and 14-17. Rutgers was 20-11 last season before the year was shut down. Rutgers won its first five games by double digits and opened league play with a 74-60 win at Maryland on Dec 14. The Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0 by pulling out a 91-88 win over then-No. 13 Illinois on Dec 20 (rose to No. 11 in the AP poll). However, Rutgers followed with an 80-68 loss at Ohio St, edged Purdue but then lost back-to-back to Iowa (two-point game) and Michigan St (got rolled!).

The Buckeyes (8-3, 2-3 Big Ten) visit Rutgers (7-3, 3-3 Big Ten) for a 12 noon ET tip. SG Washington (14.9) leads the team in scoring and is paired with PG Walker (8.7 & 4.2 APG). The frontcourt has four solid contributors led by arguably the team's best player, the 6-7 Liddell (143.9 & 6,4) He's joined on the frontline bb the 6-7 Sueing (10.5 & 4.5), the 6-8 Young (7.5 & 6.4) and 6-8 freshman Key (6.8). Rutgers has a STRONG backcourt in Harper (21. & 6.4), Young (15.2 & 4.8), Mathis (14.1 & 3.8) and Baker (9.4-3.0-3.0). Bakers is questionable with an ankle injury but that means Mulcahy (6.4-4.1-3.6) could get more time, which is NOT a bad thing. 6-11 freshman Omoruyi (5.3 & 5.8) is out indefinitely with a knee injury but the 6-11 Johnson (7.4 & 8.5) has been solid all season inside.

Speaking of injuries, Chris Holtmann announced Thursday that starting point guard C.J. Walker will be out indefinitely with torn ligaments in his right hand. He was injured during the first preseason scrimmage and it got progressively worse. Ohio St is 0-3 on the Big Ten road, averaging only 63.3 PPG, almost two 'TDs' less than the Gophers average in all games (76.3 PPG). Ohio St is visiting "The  RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center) at the WRONG time. The Scarlet Knights are not only playing with revenge from that earlier loss in Columbus but are also coming off a bad beating at East Lansing vs Michigan St (lost 68-45). The momentum and positive national image achieved by No. 15 Rutgers' best Big Ten start (won its first two conference games for the first time since joining the Big Ten in 2014) would take a HUGE hit if the Scarlet Knights can't find a way to win here (have gone 1-3 in the big Ten since that 2-0 start). Rutgers has gone a 'sweet' 24-3 SU at home since the start of last season. Lay the reasonable price!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Mil Bucks at 8:05 ET.

Milwaukee has had the NBA's best record in each of the last two seasons but did not make it to The Finals either time. Milwaukee's 130-115 home victory over Detroit on Wednesday ups the Bucks' record to 4-0 home, even while playing in an empty arena because of COVID-19 restrictions. However, the Bucks are just 1-3 on the road, leaving them with a modest 5-3 overall record (THREE teams from the East have six wins and Philly has seven). The 4-4 Utah Jazz will visit Fiserv Forum on Friday, coming off a game in MSG in which they blew an 18-point lead early in the second half of a 112-100 loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. The Jazz sputtered on offense and defense in the third quarter and eventually the Knicks took control in the final minutes, scoring 68 points in the second half.

The Jazz don't lack for talent with SIX players averaging in double digits. Guards Mitchell (21.3-3.6-5.0) and Conley (17.4-4.1-5.1) start, while Clarkson (15.5) comes off the bench. Center Gobert is averaging a double-double at 13.9 & 13.1. The Bucks are led by forwards Antetokounmpo (26.1-10.8-5.4) and Middleton (21.1-6.1-6.1) plus newcomers Jrue Holiday (14.8-4.1-5.4) and Bobby Portis (11.4 & 8.0) have made an immediate impact. Both teams have excellent depth.

Defensive lapses and strings of careless turnovers are becoming a recurring problem for Utah. The Jazz have been roasted on a regular basis by hot-shooting guards this season and teams are no longer fearing Rudy Gobert around the basket as they have in past seasons. It all adds up to a team that has NOT held an opponent under 100 points so far this season and has allowed 116 points per game in its four losses (lost by an average of 15.5 PPG). Yes, Milwaukee is a modest 5-3 but take note that the Bucks own the best point-differential of any NBA team at plus-13.7, 4.9 PPG above the next beat team. Milwaukee averages a league-best 125.3 PPG, while shooting 50.5% from the floor, including 43.7% on threes (both percentages also rank No. 1 in the NBA). W-I-P-E-O-U-T Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Michigan St at 7:00 ET.

Michigan State lost its first three Big Ten games for the first time since 2001-02 but broke through with its first conference win with an 84-77 victory at Nebraska on Saturday. That win hardly meant that Tom Izzo's Spartans "were back," as the Cornhuskers are 0-4 to open Big Ten play this season. However, Michigan St (8-3 / 2-3 Big Ten) followed that contest with an impressive 68-45 home win over the No. 15 Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Tuesday. Visiting East Lansing  Friday night will be Purdue (7-5, 2-3), which has lost THREE of its last four games. The Boilermakers haven't played since falling at Illinois 66-58 on Saturday. Their home game against Nebraska on Tuesday was postponed due to coronavirus issues within the Cornhuskers program.

Purdue head coach Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (10.8 & 4.0 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (14.1 & 9.6) and SG Stefanovic (11.3). 7-4 freshman Edey (9.1 & 4.1) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (9.9) gives Purdue five players averaging between 9.1 and 14.1 PPG. Depth is provided by four players chipping in a combined 21 PPG.

Michigan St lost its two best players from last season's team to the NBA Draft, as PG Winston (18.6 & 5.9 APG) was taken by the Wizards and the 6-8 Tillman (13.7 & 10.3) by the Grizzlies. The team's top-two players so far this season have been 6-9 junior forward Joey Hauser, a transfer from Marquette, and 6-6 returning forward Aaron Henry. Henry's recent play, a career-high 27 points vs Nebraska followed by 20 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and two steals in the rout of Rutgers, has pushed him slightly ahead of Hauser as the team's top scorer. Henry checks in with a line of 14.0-5.5-3.8 with Hauser posting 12.0 PPG and a team-high 8.5 RPG. Sophomore PG Watts (9.9 & 3.6 APG) has stepped in for Winston plus veteran guards Langford (8.8) and Loyer (5.6) join him on the perimeter. Two returning 6-7 forwards, Brown (8.2) and Hall (6.2 & 5.5) give MSU a deep bench.

Purdue has lost all FOUR road games, while averaging a meager 60.8 PPG. Izzo's teams have always played excellent D and the Spartans are coming off a game in which they held Rutgers to 30.5 percent shooting. "I thought that was one of our better defensive performances in a couple of years," Izzo said. Michigan St was ranked 13th in the AP preseason poll and I believe are headed on a path to be ranked among the nation's top-10 teams shortly. The price is 'cheap!'

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Western Game of the Month is on the Den Nuggets at 10:05 ET.

Luka Doncic (33-16-11) recorded his first triple-double of the season in Dallas' road win at Houston on Monday night, a day after sitting out a loss to the Bulls in Chicago. Nothing Doncic does these days is a surprise. After all, in four of his other five games, he has averaged 28 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.7 assists. The problem for Dallas so far has been the absence of Porzingis, who averaged last season. The 3-4 Mavs head to Denver to take on the 3-4 Nuggets tonight, as both teams look to get their respective seasons back on track. The Mavericks are coming off a playoff appearance in last season's Orlando bubble, which has raised expectations for this season. Denver knows all about high expectations after its run to the Western Conference finals in the bubble.

Doncic is joined by two other double digit scorers in Hardaway (17.0 & 4.0) and Richardson (13.7). Denver's Nikola Jokic is playing at an MVP level, averaging a triple-double this season, joining Washington's Russell Westbrook as the only players to do that early in the season. The 7-footer actually leads the NBA in assists (11.9 per game), is fifth in rebounding (11.7) and 16th in scoring (24.1). Only Westbrook and Oscar Robertson have averaged a triple-double for an entire season, but Jokic has that capability. Unlike the Mavs, the Nuggets have great depth with PG Murray (22.2) coming off a breakout performance in last season' playoffs. Porter (19.5 & 6.8) moved into the starting lineup this season but hasn't played since Dec 29 but is listed as probable for tonight's game. Excellent swingman Barton (11.3-4.7-3.0) is back healthy and has played in all seven games (three starts).

The Pepsi Center has always been a tough venue and even without fans, I expect the Nuggets to be an OUTSTANDING home team this season. How about starting right here, Denver? That's my bet.

Good luck...Larry

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

Andy Enfield led Florida Gulf Coast to a 26-11 season in his second at the school, making a Sweet 16 appearance. That gave him the chance to "move on up" to USC but his first two seasons were HUGE disappointments (11-21 and 12-20). However, the Trojans have won 21-plus games in FOUR of the last five seasons, including a 22-9 mark last season. USC saw its top-five scorers leave after the 2020 season. Onyeka Okongwu left for the NBA, Elijah Weaver transferred to University of Dayton plus seniors Jonah Mathews, Nick Rakocevic, and Daniel Utomi all graduated. However, Enfield recruited a "super frosh" in 7-0 freshman Evan Mobley plus brought in SIX transfers. USC has opened 6-2 (1-1 in Pac 12). Arizona's Sean Miller is in his 12th season with the Wildcats and has had more than a few off the court issues the last few years. He saw THREE freshmen from last year go the 'One and Done' route in PG Mannion (14.0 & 5.3 APG), Green (12.0 & 4.6) and  big man Nnaji (16.1 & 8.6). However, Arizona has opened a surprising 9-1, including 3-1 in Pac-12 play.

Evan Mobley has wasted little time in showing his value for USC, averaging 15.0 & 8.0. He joins his brother Isaiah (a 6-10 sophomore), who has added 8.9 & 7.9. Peterson (10.5-4.9-3.1) is a 6-8 swingman from Rice and joins guards Eaddy (Santa Clara) and White, a grad transfer from Utah Valley St. Eaddy is averaging 12.8 PPG and White 7.0 Guard Goodwin (7.4 & 4.9) and Baumann (5.9) come off the bench.

Arizona also features a first-year player making a big 'splash' recently. 6-7 freshman Bennedict Mathurin (from Canada) led the team in scoring in both games of a road sweep at the Washington schools last week. He was chosen the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week, averaging 18.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in those two games. He's now averaging 10.6 & 4.9 on the season. Georgetown transfer James Akinjo (14.2 & 5.1 APG) and fellow guard Jemarl Baker (13.7) are the top scorers. The 6-11 Jordan Brown (10.2 & 6.0) is a Nevada transfer plus 6-11 freshman Azoulas Tubelis (8.4 & 5.7) and 7-1 sophomore Christian Koloko (4.9 & 5.5) both make solid contributions. 

Enfield has a good team at USC and a strong frontline but the Trojans have NOTHING of this surprising Arizona team that is on the verge of cracking the top-25. McKale Center has always been one of the nation's toughest home floors and even without fans, beating Arizona on its home floor will always be quite a challenge. Tough time in Tucson for USC tonight.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is Colorado at 5:00 ET.

Dana Altman spent 16 seasons at Creighton and took the school to seven NCAA tourneys in his last 12 years at the school. He came to Oregon for the 2010-11 season and won the CBI championship in his first season. He's now in his 11th season in Eugene having won 20-plus games in each of his first 10, averaging 25.9 wins per year. PG Payton Pritchard (20.5-4.3-5.5) was a HUGE loss plus Altman also lost SG Mathis (8.5) and 6-7 SF Juiston (7.9 & 6.3). Oregon lost its season opener back on Dec 2 (in Omaha) 83-75 to Missouri but has won EIGHT in a row since (now No. 17 in the latest AP poll). Tad Boyle is in his 11th season at Colorado and despite losing the 6-7 Tyler Bey (13.8 & 9.0) to the NBA (he played center for the Buffs). The good news was that PG Wright flirted with the NBA draft but returned to Boulder for his senior season. Colorado will welcome Oregon to Boulder with a 7-3 record (1-2 Pac 12).

The Ducks are coming off a 73-56 win over Stanford and will look to make it NINE straight wins vs the Buffs. Coming to the rescue for Oregon this season have come three transfers. The 6-6 Eugene Omoruyi, who sat out last year as a transfer from Rutgers, the 6-6 Eric Williams who transferred from Duquesne and 6-6 Figueroa from St John's. Omoruyi leads the team with 18.7 PPG (adds 4.7 RPG), Williams is adding 12.7 & 6.9 and Figueroa 9.5 & 7.5 (he averaged 14.4 and 14.5 the last two seasons for the Red Storm). Some not so good news for Oregon is that starting center N'Faly Dante (8.2 & 5.8) has suffered a torn ACL and hasn't played in any of the last three games. Figueroa has been promoted to the starting lineup and let's NOT forget returning 6-6 senior Duarte (16.7 & 4.8), who is also off to a strong start.

PG Wright (15.5-4.5-5.2) is the team leader and is surrounded by veterans, such as the 7-0 Dallas Walton (9.6), the 6-8 Evan Battey (897 & 4.7) and the 6-7 Jeriah Horn (a Tulsa graduate transfer), who adds 10.7 & 5.8. Depth is provided by FIVE players combining to average 33 PPG. Colorado opened 6-1, losing only at now-No. 7 Tennessee 56-47. Colorado returns home after losing TWO of three on the road, falling 88-74 at Arizona and 65-62 at UCLA, while winning 72-62 at USC.

Colorado has spent most of the season on the road or at neutral sites, having played only two games at the CU Events Center so far. The Buffs were scheduled for four straight home games but Saturday's game against Oregon State has been postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Beavers' program. Yes, the CU Events will be empty and pretty quiet but the Buffs are 143-27 at home in their 11 seasons under Boyle. The Price is sure Right on Colorado in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Pho Suns at 9:05 ET.

The Toronto Raptors were the 2019 NBA champions and last season, entered the postseason as the East's No. 2 seed with a 53-19 record, despite losing Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers as a free agent. Note that the Raptors' record last season put them just 2 1/2-games back of the Bucks and was a half-game BETTER than the West's No. 1 seed, and eventual NBA champion Lakers! How QUICKLY things can change. The Raptors lost Monday night at their temporary home in Tampa 126-114, falling to 1-5. They now open a four-game Western Conference swing Wednesday night at the 5-2 Phoenix Suns, who are enjoying their best start since the 2009-10 season. I'm pretty sure most (all?) remember that the Suns surprised all with their 8-0 SU & ATS performance in the Orlando 'bubble' to end last season.

The Raptors started well Monday against Boston and led by as many as 13 during the first quarter but the Celtics dominated in the second quarter (38-14) and by the fourth quarter, Boston led by as many as 26. Fred VanVleet (21.8-5.5-5.5) has been one of the bright spots for the Raptors and scored 35 points Monday (has reached at least 25 in three consecutive games). Kyle Lowry (18.7-4.5-7.7) gives Toronto an All-Star backcourt but breakout star Siakam has struggled this season. "We've got to get these guys playing to their capabilities," Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said. "I think they're better players than that, so we as coaches, and our leaders of our team, need to. ... get these guys together and get them playing."

The Suns haven't made the postseason since the 2009-10 but acquired 10-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the Thunder in hopes of ENDING that drought. He is teamed with All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker, who has averaged 26.6 PPG in each of the past two seasons. Phoenix also added veteran forward Jae Crowder (VERY underrated) in addition to Paul and are hoping that 6-11 Ayton (18.2 & 7.5 in 38 games last season) will stay healthy all season. SIX players are averaging in double digits. Booker's scoring (21.1-4.1-4.4) is down but Paul has stepped into his role of team-leader averaging 8.3 APG plus has added 13.4 PPG. Ayton has opened by averaging a double-double (13.7 & 10.7) plus as noted above, Crowder (10,0 & 4.7) is underrated. The 6-8 Cameron Johnson averaged just 8.8 PPG as a rookie (No. 1 pick from North Carolina in 2019) but is up 12.7 PPG to start this season. The team's No. 1 pick from 2018, Villanova's 6-6 Bridges, is adding 14.1 & 5.6 after averaging 8.7 PPG his first two seasons.

I'm not so sure Toronto is going to get things turned around soon with no true home court for at least HALF the season. The Raptors' 1-5 record is their worst start since they lost their first NINE games of the 2005-06 season. The Suns lost 112-107 at home to the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday but after trailing by 31 points, got back in the game late. "I love the way we scrapped and battled," Suns head coach Monty Williams said. "We know we can beat that team because we've done it before. We've just got to get off to a better start than we did tonight." The 5-2 Suns are enjoying their best seven-game opening to a season since they were 6-1 in 2009-10, the last time the franchise made the postseason. Phoenix is the play!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* ACC Game of the Month is on Louisville at 6:30 ET.

Va Tech head coach Mike Young is in his second season with the school, after a record-setting 17-year tenure as the head coach at Wofford. The Terriers posted a 30-5 overall record in 2018-19, including a perfect 18-0 mark in Southern Conference play, and registered a convincing 84-68 win over Seton Hall in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Young built the Terriers into one of the Southern Conference's preeminent programs and a perennial NCAA Tournament participant. He guided Wofford to five NCAA Tournament berths over his last 10 seasons and five Southern Conference championships. However, the Hokies were just 16-16 overall in Young's first season at Blacksburg, losing almost two-thirds of their ACC games (7-13). Chris Mack took over at Xavier for the 2009-10 season when Sean Miller took the Arizona job. He led the Musketeers to eight NCAA tourneys in nine seasons before moving to Louisville. The Cards went 20-14 in his first (NCAA bid) but were 24-7 in his second year, when the season was shut down in March (AP ranked them 14th in its final poll).

Va Tech's Landers Nolley was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team in leading the Hokies in scoring (15.5 PPG) last season but after the season he announced he was transferring to Memphis. More bad news came when the 6-6 Horne (7.6 & 4.2) also transferred. Sophomore guard Tyrece Radford (10.2 & 6.2) was both the team's leading returning scorer AND rebounder! However, Young liked his team's chance to improve in the 2020-21 season because of some key experienced graduate transfers. Radford is averaging 10.8 & 5.9 RPG and the 6-9 Alleyne (11.1) has made excellent progress in his sophomore season plus two 6-7 transfers start up front The 6-7 Keve Aluma (16.0 & 6.7) followed Young from Wofford and is Va Tech's best players this season, while  6-7 Delaware transfer Justyn Mutts (6.6 & 5.9) has been solid. Returning guards Cone (10.3) and Bede (5.7) have both added valuable contributions.

Swingman Jordan Nwora (18.0 & 7.7) is gone from last season's Louisville team but FOUR starters returned. However, Carlik Jones leads the team in scoring, averaging 16.4-6.6-5.1. He's a graduate transfer from Radford and was last season's Big South Conference player of the year. He joins returning guard Johnson (14.4-6.3-4.0) in the backcourt. The 6-7 Williamson did little last season but averages 10.0 & 6.2 this season. True freshman guard Davis (9.1) and the 6-8 Traynor (5.4 & 3.3) plus 6-9 redshirt freshman Withers adds 9.0 & 6.9.

8-1 Va Tech comes in as the ranked team (No. 24) but has benefited from playing seven games at home in Blacksburg, with two on a neutral court. The game at Louisville will be the Hokies' first game away from Blacksburg since Nov 29 and their first true road game of the current season. 7-1 Louisville's ONLY loss this season has come at now-No. 8 Wisconsin. What's more, a check of the history book reveals that  Louisville has won 16 straight games against Virginia Tech, most recently 68-52 at home on March 1, 2020. The last Virginia Tech win over Louisville was back in February 1991 in Blacksburg, 72-56. Is tonight the night Va Tech ends its losing streak? NOT in my opinion!

Good luck...Larry

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

When last season was shut down because of COVID, the Kansas Jayhawks were the AP's No. 1-ranked team. Signs do not point to No. 6 Kansas as the favorite to capture the Big 12 championship. Key losses for Kansas entering this season were PG Devon Dotson (18.1-4.9-4.0) and the seven-foot Udoka Azubuike (13.7 & 10.5). The Jayhawks opened the current season losing 102-90 to No. 1 Gonzaga but then won EIGHT in a row before Saturday's shocking home loss to Texas. The Longhorns owned just one previous win in 17 tries at Lawrence but routed the Jayhawks 84-59, ending a 17-game conference win streak by Kansas. It marked the most lopsided defeat for head coach Bill Self in his 18 seasons coaching the Jayhawks and it matched the largest margin of defeat for ANY Kansas team in the 65-year history of the Phog Allen Fieldhouse. Other than that, it was "just another loss."

Jamie Dixon had a great run at Pittsburgh, leading the Panthers to 13 postseasons in his 13 years at the school. 11 were NCAA berths plus the other two were a CBI championship and a trip to the NIT. He returned to his alma mater (TCU) for the 2014-15 season and led the Horned Frogs to the NIT championship. He followed with two NCAA berths and an NIT 'Final 4' the next three seasons but last season's team was just 16-16 when the shut down came.

. 

Coming off that humbling defeat to Texas, Kansas (8-2 / 2-1 Big 12)  fell three spots in the polls (from No. 3 to No. 6) and travels to Fort Worth to take on TCU (9-2, 2-1). Kansas was an abysmal 3-for-23 from three-point range, just 11 days after scorching West Virginia with 16 triples. Kansas managed to shoot just 30.8 percent overall vs the Longhorns, while falling into a third-place tie with TCU behind Big 12 co-leaders Baylor and Texas. The 6-8 Jalen Wilson, who has bounced back after suffering a broken ankle as a freshman last season, has been excellent (15.1 & 7.8). Two 6-5 guards are back, junior Ochai Agbaji (14.4 & 4.7) and senior Marcus Garrett (9.1-4.6-3.6), who is one of the nation's top defenders. Sophomore guard Braun (11.1 & 5.9) and 6-10 junior David McCormack (9.6 & 5.9) round out Self's main contributors.

RJ. Nembhard returned from a one-game absence stemming from a sore hip to score 21 points Saturday as TCU beat Kansas State 67-60. Nembhard (18.9-4.3-4.4) leads the team in scoring, followed by fellow guard Miles (14.8-3.4-3.6). The 6-11 Samuel (10.2 & 10.2) averages a double-double plus Dixon has SIX more players chipping in between 4.8 and 6.8 PPG.

Not much was expected of TCU this season and here's what Nembhard had to say after the win over Kansas St. "We were picked ninth, but we haven't done anything yet," he said. "One win, two wins, two conference wins, so what? Onto the next game. All these games are personal. We want to put the conference and the nation on notice that we're legit." TCU's start has been better than expected but the Horned Frogs are in the  WRONG place at the WRONG time with the Jayhawks coming off their humiliating home loss to the Longhorns. Lay the points with Kansas.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner Game of the Month is on Michigan St at 9:00 ET.

Michigan State lost its first three Big Ten games for the first time since 2001-02 but broke through with its first conference win with an 84-77 victory at Nebraska on Saturday. That win hardly means that Tom Izzo's Spartans "are back," as the Cornhuskers are 0-4 to open Big Ten play this season. Steve Pikiell spent 11 years at Stony Brook, winning 20-plus games in his final five seasons. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA berth in 2015-16 and a 26-7 record. His first three seasons at Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights go just 15-18, 15-19 and 14-1 but Rutgers was 20-11 last season before the year was shut down. This year's team won its first five games by double digits and opened league play with a 74-60 win at Maryland on Dec 14. The Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0 by pulling out a 91-88 win over then-No. 13 Illinois on Dec 20 (rose to No. 11 in the AP poll) but was unable to duplicate that performance when it lost 80-68 at then-No. 23 Ohio State. Rutgers opened last week with a home win over Purdue but then lost an agonizing 77-75 decision at home to now-No. Iowa on Saturday. The Hawkeyes made three free throws in the final 17 seconds, sandwiching a Scarlet Knights turnover by Myles Johnson with five seconds remaining.

Rutgers is ranked 15th in the AP's latest poll (Jan 4) as the Scarlet Knights visiting East Lansing on Tuesday. This is a very good team, led by senior guards Harper (22.1 & 7.0) and Young (15.7 & 5.2 APG). Junior guard Mathis adds 15.3 & 4.1 plus two 6-11 centers, Johnson (8.0 & 8.7) and Omoruyi (5.3 & 5.8), give Rutgers a strong inside presence. A problem for Rutgers is that standout freshman Omoruyi has missed THREE straight games with a knee injury (listed as out indefinitely).

Michigan St lost its two best players from last season's team to the NBA Draft, as PG Winston (18.6 & 5.9 APG) was taken by the Wizards and the 6-8 Tillman (13.7 & 10.3) by the Grizzlies. The team's top-two players so far this season have been 6-9 junior forward Joey Hauser, a transfer from Marquette, and 6-6 returning forward Aaron Henry. Henry's (13.4-5.2-4.1) recent play (career-high 27 points vs Nebraska) has pushed him slightly ahead of Hauser (12.3 & 7.9as the team's top scorer, while Hauser remains the team's top rebounder. Sophomore PG Watts (9.8 & 3.9 APG) has stepped in for Winston plus veteran guards Langford (8.6) and Loyer (6.2) join him on the perimeter. Two returning 6-7 forwards, Brown (8.6) and Hall (6.3 & 5.7) give MSU a deep bench.

Michigan St has 'cost me' a couple of times this season but I sure like them in this spot. C'mon Tom, get your team playing up to its potential!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Big East game of the Month is on Marquette at 9:00 ET.

UConn moved to the AAC for the 2013-14 season and made an improbable run to the Final Four and won a national championship. However, it has spent the last six seasons going just 110-90, with just two seasons of 20-plus wins and one NCAA tourney appearance. The Huskies have fallen out of the national 'picture' but a return to the Big East this season, along with the hiring of Dan Hurley as its head coach, had expectations running high in Storrs. Hurley spent six seasons at Rhode Island, winning 25 and 26 games in his final two years, ending with NCAA bids. However, he went 14 -19 and 16-17 in his first two seasons with UConn, before going 19-12 in last season's pandemic-shortened one. Marquette opened the current season without Markus Howard, who led the nation in scoring last season at 27.8 PPG. Also gone was fellow senior Scar Anim, who added 13.1 PPG. However, head coach Steve Wojciechowski welcomed an impressive freshman to his roster, the 6-11 Dawson Garcia (31.9 & 9.7 last year in high school) plus has been able to surround him with a deep supporting cast.

Connecticut has played just five games so far (4-1 / 1-1 Big East), earning its first conference win last Wednesday night with an 82-61 romp over visiting DePaul. Rhode Island transfer Tyrese Martin collected 22 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double with the Huskies. Martin is averaging 10.3 & 9.3 and is joined on the perimeter by leading scorer Bouknight (23.2 & 5.4) and PG Cole (10.6 & 3.8 APG). Up front, the 6-9 Whaley (8.2 & 5.8), 6-11 Carlton (6.0 & 6.5) and the 6-9 Polley (4.8 & 3.) are the main contributors.

Marquette opened 4-1, including an impressive home victory over then-No. 4 Wisconsin (67-65) but comes into this game just 6-5 (2-3 in the Big East). Marquette fell behind Georgetown by 18 points early in the second half Saturday night at Washington, DC and it sure looked like the Golden Eagles were headed for a FOURTH straight Big East Conference loss. However, senior Jamal Cain led a huge comeback that eventually erased a 38-20 deficit, leading to his three-pointer with less than 20 seconds remaining that sealed a 64-60 victory. The 6-7 Cain (11.5 & 6.5) scored a game-high 25 points. 6-11 freshman Garcia added nine points and 13 rebounds, winning him Big East Freshman of the Week honors. He is second on the team in scoring at 12.4 PPG and leads the team in rebounding (7.3 per). Senior guard McEwen (13.5-3.5-2.5), sophomore guard Carton (11.4-3.4-3.9), 6-7 freshman Lewis (8.5 & 6.3) and 6-9 senior John (7.9 & 5.8) give Marquette a solid 'Core 6.'

This is UConn's first true road game and if Marquette can beat Wisconsin here on its home floor (Fiserv Forum), the Golden Eagles should be 'golden' here against the Huskies. I'm convinced Marquette is SIGNIFICANTLY better than its record and will prove just that in this contest. "The Price is sure Right!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Month (MWC) is on SD State at 9:00 ET.

Niko Medved spent four years at Furman and one at Drake, and had an overall record of 79-087 when Colorado St tabbed him as its next head coach. He went 12-20 in his first season but turned things around by 20-12 last season, before the shut down. His Rams have opened 6-1 this season, including a 70-67 upset of San Diego St Saturday at the Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl (Rams were a nine-point underdog).

Brian Dutcher has more than 30 years of coaching experience, including 18 seasons as an assistant to Steve Fisher, first at Michigan and then at San Diego St. Dutcher joined then-interim coach Fisher in 1989 when Michigan won the national championship. He is credited for having a central role in recruiting the Fab Five to Michigan and for bringing Kawhi Leonard to San Diego St. Following Fisher's decision to retire, Dutcher was formally named as his replacement on April 11, 2017. The Aztecs won 22 and 21 games in his first two seasons but last season, the team opened 26-0 with impressive road/neutral site wins over BYU, Creighton, Iowa, and Utah State. SD State finished 30-2 and ranked No. 6 when the season shut down. The Aztecs opened 5-0 this season (including good wins over UCLA and Arizona St) and was ranked 18th when it lost 72-62 at home to BYU.

Colorado St fell behind by 26 points in the first half Saturday night against the Aztecs but came all the way back to win 70-67, representing the largest come-from-behind win in MWC history. They miss the 6-11 Carvacho (1.29 & 10.8) but four starters are back from last season.PG Stevens led all scorers last season but the 6-5 Roddy leads this season with 16.0 PPFG and 9.9 RPG (also a team-high). Stevens (13.9-4.1-6.1) checks in right behind him with guard Moore (10.1) and the 6-6 Thistlewood (9.6 & 3.7) just missing double digits. Depth is provided by FIVE other players appearing in all seven games and combining to average about 23 PPG.

Matt Mitchell flirted with the NBA draft but returned and leads the Aztecs with 15.3 PPG (adds 4.3 RPG). Guard Schakel (12.9) and the 6-10 Mensah (9.4 & 7.5) are also returning players. In this 'Year of COVID' we are seeing teams playing back-to-back game against each other in the same venue and that's the case here. After a historic comeback (see above), the Rams are in the WRONG place in the WRONG time against SD St, which entered this season 41-6 SU at home the previous three seasons. Yes, the Aztecs have a margin to overcome but I'm laying the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error of the Month is on the NO Pelicans at ET.

The 4-2 Indiana  Pacers and the 4-2 New Orleans Pelicans meet tonight in New Orleans in a East vs West. The Pacers opened 3-0 but have lost TWO of three since, while the Pelicans come in off back-to-back wins. The Pacers come in off a loss to Boston, a win over Cleveland and a loss to the Y Knicks, all at home. This marks just the team's second road game of the season and first since December 26. The Pelicans routed the Thunder 113-80 in OKC (Dec 31) and then on Saturday night, blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter before battling back to edge Toronto 120-116.

Indiana's Brogdon (22.2-4.0-6.3) is off to a great plus PF Sabonis (20.8-11.3-6.7) and Oladipo (20.0-5.6-4.4) are both healthy and looking like the All Stars they've become. SF Warren (15.2) is out with a foot injury but center Turner (12.7-6.2-3.7 BPG) and 6th-man McDermott (11.7 & 4.2) have both played well. For New Orleans, Ingram (24.0-6.8-5.3) gets better by the game and of course Zion (19.7 & 8.2) gets as much coverage (hype) as any player in the league. The Pelicans have added guard Bledsoe (12.4 & 4.2 APG) and center Adams (10.0 & 9.0) this season plus Lonzo Ball (12.3-4.5-4.5) and Hart (9.0 & 8.2) joined the team last season along with Ingram in the A.D. trade.

What I like most about New Orleans in the early going is the team's defense. New Orleans has held opponents to 102.0 PPG (3rd) on 43.1%) shooting (4th). "The Price is Right" in this one. Take the home team.

Good luck...Larry

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

Kelvin Sampson had a great run at Oklahoma (nine NCAA tourneys in 10 seasons, including a Final 4 appearance in 2002) by then ran into off the court issues in a two-year stay at Indiana. He was away from CBB for a few years but resurfaced at Houston for the 2014-15 season. It took him a while to build the program but his teams won 27 and 33 games in back-to-back seasons before going 23-8 in last year's pandemic-shortened season. The Cougars opened 7-0 this season, rising to No. 5 in the latest AP poll but lost their first game of the season 65-64 at Tulsa this past Tuesday. The Cougars get another tough game on Sunday, playing at 6-0 but unranked SMU.

Houston made just 35.7 percent of its shots, including 4 of 21 from three-point range but still lost by just ONE point at Tulsa. The team's defense always comes to play, as it enters this contest allowing 55.9 PPG (4th) on 37.4% shooting (19th). Guards Grimes (18.5 & 7.3) and Sasser (15.0) are the 'big dogs,' joined on the perimeter by freshman Mark (10.1) and Jarreau (8.5 & 5.5). The best frontcourt contributors are the 6-7 Gorham (6.0 & 7.5) and the 6-9 Chaney (4.6).

Tim Jankovich took over after Larry Brown once again left a program in tatters and in his first full season (2016-17) went 30-5. However, the Mustangs were just a combined 51-44 the previous three seasons, before opening 6-0 this season. The Mustangs are led by excellent PG Davis (19.7-4.3-7.2). He's joined by fellow guard Bandoumel (12.8), the 6-8 Hunt (12.0 & 7.5) and the 6-9 Chargois (11.5 & 7.7) in the starting lineup, while guard McNeill averages 10.4 PPG off the bench. SMU is allowing a solid 64.3 PPG but its offense is leading the way by averaging 84.2 PPG (29th).

SMU could sneak into the top-25 come Monday but I wouldn't 'celebrate' just yet Mustang supporters. Houston's solid 64-53 over then-No, 14 Texas Tech on a neutral floor leads me to bet that the Cougars bounce-back off that loss to Tulsa.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big Ten Game of the Month is on Minnesota at 5:30 ET.

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio St opened 5-0 and was ranked 20th in the AP poll before a 67-60 road loss at Purdue on Dec 16. A 77-70 win over UCLA (in Cleveland) plus an 80-68 home win over then-No. 11 Rutgers came next. However, the Buckeyes lost 671-70 at Northwestern, before closing 2020 by pounding visiting Nebraska 90-54 on Wednesday. The now-No. 25 Buckeyes (8-2, 2-2 Big Ten) take on the No. 21 Minnesota Golden Gophers (9-2, 2-2) Sunday at Williams Arena.

Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. Season No. 8 has begun well but while Minnesota had hoped to build off wins against Iowa (102-95 in overtime) and Michigan State (81-56), it instead trailed by 26 points at Wisconsin on Thursday, before a surge in the final minutes made the 71-59 final look respectable (it wasn't!).

The Buckeyes saw five players score in double figures in their blowout of Nebraska and the 90 points was their highest point total in a conference game since defeating Penn State 106-74 back on Dec 7, 2019. The 6-7 Liddell (14.4 & 6,4) is Ohio State's best player. Guard Washington (14.3), the 6-7 Sueing (11.0 & 4.5), PG Walker (9.4 & 4.4 APG), the 6-8 Young (7.7 & 6.7) and 6-8 freshman Key (7.1 & 4.0) round out the main contributors

Minnesota PG Carr (22.7-3.9-6.2) ranks with the best in the nation and has been aided by THREE transfers, 7-0 Liam Robbins (13.0 & 7.0) from Drake, the 6-6 Gach (11.1 & 5/7) from Utah and the 6-8 Johnson (8.9 & 6.0) from Western Michigan. Plus, don't dismiss returning junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.8 PPG. Not much went right for anyone for Minnesota at Madison and Carr was NO exception. He entered the game fourth nationally with 24.0 points per game but needed five points in the final minutes to finish with 10 points on 3-of-13 shooting.

This set up as a great bounce-back spot for Minnesota which is 9-0 at home, outscoring opponents on average, 86.4-to-71.9 PPG! LOVE this price!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on UCLA at 8:00 ET.

My 9* Situational Stunner is on USC at 4:00 ET.

The Utah Utes are 4-2 (1-1 Pac-12) and the USC Trojans 5-2 (0-1 Pac12), as both enter this contest off conference losses. The Utes saw their comeback fall short in a 72-70 loss at UCLA on Thursday, while the Trojans lost their Pac-12 home opener 72-62 to Colorado on the same night. Larry Krystkowiak led Montana to back-to-back NCAA berths in his two seasons at his alma mater and then took the Utah job to begin the 2011-12 season. He had losing seasons in his first two years but then led his team to an average of 23.4 wins per season over the next five with postseason berths in each one (3 NIT and 2 NCAA). However, the Utes opened this season off seasons of just 17 and 16 wins. Andy Enfield led Florida Gulf Coast to a 26-11 season in his second at the school, making a Sweet 16 appearance. That gave him the chance to "move on up" to USC but his first two seasons were HUGE disappointments (11-21 and 12-20). However, the Trojans have won 21-plus games in FOUR of the last five seasons, including a 22-9 mark last season.

Utah lost Both Gach to Minnesota (transfer) but returned four starters. 6-6 forward Allen led the team in scoring last season and is averaging 15.8-5.3-3.0 this season, just behind guard Alfonso Plummer (16.0 & 3.7), who scored a season high 22 points at UCLA. Joining Allen up front are the 6-8 Jantunen (8.8 & 5.2), the 7-0 Carlson (7.7 & 2.8) and the 6-9 Battin (6.2 & 4.0). Gach liked to play PG and his leaving has opened that role up to Jones (7.8 & 4.5 APG), who joins Plummer in the starting backcourt, while freshman Larsson (7.7) comes off the bench.

USC saw its top-five scorers leave after the 2020 season. Onyeka Okongwu left for the NBA, Elijah Weaver transferred to University of Dayton plus seniors Jonah Mathews, Nick Rakocevic, and Daniel Utomi all graduated. However, Enfield recruited a "super frosh" in 7-0 freshman Evan Mobley plus brought in SIX transfers. Evan Mobley has wasted little time in showing his value, averaging 16.7 & 8.4. He joins his brother Isaiah (a 6-10 sophomore), who has added 9.9 & 8.3. Peterson (10.1-4.0-3.3) is a 6-8 swingman from Rice and joins guards Eaddy (Santa Clara) and White, a grad transfer from Utah Valley St. Eaddy is averaging 12.0 PPG and White 6.3 & 3.6. Guard Goodwin (6.9 & 4.9) and Baumann (6.4) come off the bench.

USC is the more complete team at this stage of the season plus while Utah gave a 'close but no cigar' effort at UCLA, the fact remains that the Utes have now lost 11 consecutive games on the Pac 12 road. Utah has not won on the road in league play since beating Washington State 92-79 back on Feb 23, 2019. The Utes ATS record in that span is 2-9 or an 82% "go-against" Fight On USC!!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Cincinnati at 2:00 ET.

Frank Haith has had stops at Miami-Fl and Missouri before coming to Tulsa for the 2014-15 season. His teams have averaged 19.3 wins per year in his first six seasons, including going 21-10 before COVID shut down the 2019-20 season. However, Haith's biggest win at Tulsa came this past Tuesday when it stunned No. 5 Houston 65-64. The victory was clinched when Brandon Rachal hit two free throws with 0.1 seconds remaining. It was the program's first win over a top-5 opponent in 24 years (Golden Hurricane beat a ranked UCLA team back in 1995!). John Brannen led Northern Kentucky to a 72-30 record in his final three seasons, leading the Norse to the "Big Dance" in two of those three years. He was hired at Cincy on April 14, 2019 when Mick Cronin left for UCLA. The Bearcats went 20-10 in last year's pandemic-shortened season but opened the current season missing guards Jarron Cumberland (15.5) and Jaevin Cumberland (8.8) plus forward Tre Scott (11.4 & 10.5). The Bearcats were one of the last teams in Division I to start their season, not taking the floor until Dec 2, and limp into this contest against 5-3 Tulsa just 2-5. 

The Golden Hurricane are led by a quartet of guards in Rachal (14.5 & 7.0(, Embery-Simpson (9.3), Joiner (9.0-5.3-4.1) and Jackson (7.1 & 4.0). The 6-9 Idowu (8.4 & 4.8) is the team's best frontcourt player. Tulsa is scoring a modest 71.5 PPG, which is NOT helped by the team making just 60.6% of its free throws (314th). However, Tulsa does play defense, allowing 60.6 PPG (26th) while holding opponents to 36.7% from the floor (15th).

Not much has gone right for Cincy so far, as the Bearcats enter on a four-game skid. The Bearcats lost 75-70 at UCF on Dec 22 in their most recent outing, despite getting the first career double-double from Keith Williams (19 points, 10 rebounds) and a career-high 15 points from Zach Harvey. Williams (15.1 & 4.3) is the team's LONE double digit scorer. Big things were expected from the 7-1 Chris Vogt (11.0 & 5.9 LY) but he's off to a poor start (6.4 & 4.1).

However, here's the rub. As noted, Tulsa's off its first win over a top-5 team since 1996 and now faces a desperate for a win Cincinnati team which enters having won its last seven meetings with Tulsa, with a MOV of 16 PPG. "W-I-P-E-O-U-T Alert!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Portland Trail Blazers made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago but last year needed a strong run 'in the bubble' to sneak into the postseason. Led by 'Bubble' MVP Lillard, the Blazers were a 'sexy' pick to upset the Lakers in the first round but after a 100-93 upset in Game 1, Portland lost FOUR in a row. As for the Golden St Warriors, after FIVE consecutive trips to the NBA Finals (3-2), the Warriors finished with an NBA-worst 15-50 record (you know the reasons why).

These Western Conference rivals have gone head-to-head in the playoffs in THREE of the past five seasons and are scheduled to play two games in three days, both in San Francisco. Portland has opened 2-2 against a tough schedule that has featured all Western Conference playoff teams from last season. The Trail Blazers got veteran forward Carmelo Anthony back from COVID-19 issues when made his season debut in Wednesday's 128-105 road loss to the Clippers (had 125 points in 25 minutes). That followed a 115-107 win at Staples Center against the Lakers two nights before. Portland is led by its dynamic guard duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. The Blazers also brought back Enes Kanter and Carmelo Anthony to give the Blazers some scoring punch off the bench when Lillard and McCollum aren't on the floor. Notably, Jusuf Nurkic and Rodney Hood are back after serious injuries kept one or the other off the floor for lengthy stretches last season. Hood re-signed with the Blazers as a free agent during the offseason. Portland acquired Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. to shore up defense. However, Lillard (23.0 PPG) is off to a slower than expected start, shooting just 40%, including 28.9% on threes. McCollum has been great, averaging 28.0-3.5-6.3, while shooting 44.3% and 47.8% on threes! Nurkic (9.8 & 7.5) has started slow but Kanter has added 11.5 & 10.2 as a backup center. Neither Covington (5.5 & 5.3) nor Jones (6.5 & 3.8) have started well.

The Warriors started the season with blowout losses at Brooklyn and Milwaukee but with road wins at Chicago and Detroit. Tonight, Golden St becomes the LAST team in the NBA to host a home opener. Golden State was at its season-best both offensively and defensively in Tuesday's 116-106 win at Detroit, shooting 50 percent from the floor and limiting the Pistons to 38 percent. It's NO surprise that Steph Curry has been the driving force in the Warriors' offensive improvement. He averaged 19.5 points and shot 4-for-20 on three-pointers against the Nets and Bucks, games in which Golden State was held to 99 points apiece. However, Curry made 10 of his 24 threes, while averaging 33.5 PPG, as the Warriors scored 129 points against the Bulls and 116 against the Pistons. Somewhat surprising is that the Warriors' No. 1 pick, James Wiseman, scored 37 points and added 14 rebounds in the team's two losses but just 13 points and nine rebounds in the two wins (how does that make sense?).

All things considered, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr is happy where his team sits. "I think coming into this trip, when the season schedule came out, we all looked at it and we all thought if we could go 2-2, that'd be a really successful trip," he said after the win in Detroit. "Especially given the length of our offseason and everything going on with our team: Draymond being out, Draymond missing camp, all that." The good news is that Draymond Green expects to play for the first time after he missed the first four games following a positive coronavirus test and a subsequent strained right foot. He's a defensive ace and makes a HUGE difference.

As noted, it's Golden State's FIRST home game and it comes on the FIRST day of a much-needed "New Year." Expect the home dog to 'bark' LOUDLY in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Ut Jazz at 9:05 ET.

The Phoenix Suns surprised all with their 8-0 SU & ATS performance in the Orlando 'bubble' to end last season and made a key offseason move designed to put an end to the team's 10-season playoff drought. The Suns acquired 10-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the Thunder and will pair him with All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker, who has averaged 26.6 PPG in each of the past two seasons. Phoenix also added veteran forward Jae Crowder (VERY underrated) in addition to Paul and are hoping that 6-11 Ayton (18.2 & 7.5 in 38 games last season) will stay healthy all season. The Utah Jazz are well aware that only a FEW plays separated the Jazz from a potential run to the 2020 Western Conference Finals in what turned into first-round loss to the Nuggets (Jazz led the series 3-1, then lost THREE in a row!). Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert both agreed to contract extensions before the new season and Jordan Clarkson re-signed with Utah on a four-year deal after emerging as the team's sixth man last season. Bringing back Derrick Favors represented the biggest free agent addition for the Jazz. Favors spent 8 1/2 seasons in Utah before being traded to New Orleans a year ago.

The Suns opened with a home win over Dallas but then lost by three points at Sacramento. However, they rebounded to beat the Kings (again in Sacramento) and then routed the Pelicans at home. Phoenix looks to win three in a row for the first time since ending the 2019-20 season with that eight-game winning streak in the NBA bubble this summer. SIX players are averaging in double digits, although Booker's scoring (19.0-4.8-3.5) is down about a 'TD' per game. Paul has stepped into his role of team-leader averaging 9.5 APG plus has added 11.8 PPG. Ayton has opened by averaging a double-double (11.5 & 11.8) plus as noted above, Crowder (11.5 & 5.5) is underrated. The 6-8 Cameron Johnson averaged just 8.8 PPG as a rookie (No. 1 pick from North Carolina)but is up 15.5 PPG to start this season. The team's No. 1 pick from 2018, Villanova's 6-6 Bridges, is adding 15.5 & 6.0, after averaging 8.7 PPF his first two seasons.

However, the Suns have nothing on the Jazz when it comes to frontline players or in the depth department. Mitchell (20.3 & 5.0 APG) is not off to a strong start but NO ONE is worried. The good news is that PG Conley (19.3-6.3-5.0) IS off to a strong start, as is 6th-man Clarkson (18.0 &n 4.7) and center Gobert (16.7 & 14.3). Bogdanovich (17.7 & 5.23) gives Utah FIVE players averaging 15-plus points. Starting guard O'Neale (4.7 & 8.7) is one gritty player plus PF Favors (7.0 & 5.3) is thrilled to be back in SLC. No team wants to travel on New Year's Eve and surely not in "The Year of COVID." The Jazz are 2-1 but lost their lone home game to the T-wolves. Enough of that. I expect a VERY comfortable Jazz win!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Pac 12 Game of the Month is on UCLA at 7:00 ET.

My 9* Conference Crusher (Pac 12) is on UCLA at 7:00 ET.

Larry Krystkowiak led Montana to back-to-back NCAA berths in his two seasons at his alma mater and then took the Utah job to begin the 2011-12 season. He had losing seasons in his first two years but then led his team to an average of 23.4 wins per season over the next five with postseason berths in each one (3 NIT and 2 NCAA). However, the Utes opened this season off seasons of just 17 and 16 wins. Mick Cronin made NINE consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances at Cincy, as his Bearcats posted a 235-78 (.751) record in that span. He moved to Westwood last season and his Bruins got better as the year progressed and were playing their best ball when the season was shut down. The Bruins were 19-12, including a 12-6 Pac-12 record, good enough to get the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament.

Utah lost Both Gach to Minnesota (transfer) but returned four starters. 6-6 forward Allen led the team in scoring last season and is doing so again so far, at 15.4 & 5.2). Joining him up front are returning starters like the 7-0 Carlson (8.8 & 3.4) and the 6-9 Battin (6.4 & 4.0). Gach liked to play PG and his leaving has opened that role up to Jones (8.2 & 4.6 APG), who is joined in the starting backcourt by Plummer (14.8 PPG). Cronin's Bruins feature SEVEN players averaging at least nine points per game. 5-11 PG Campbell (11.1 & 6.9 APG) is surrounded by a bevy of "big guards," including the 6-6 Jaquez (13.7 & 6.0), the 6-9 Smith (12.1 & 6.7), the 6-6 Juzang (10.7) and the 6-6 Bernard (9.6 & 5.1). Up front it's the 6-9 Riley (9.7 & 5.0) and the 6-10 Hill (9.0 & 7.0).

UCLA lost its opener at San Diego St but then won FIVE in a row, before losing 77-70 to Ohio St in Cleveland on Dec 19. UCLA led for most of the second half against the Buckeyes but gave up a big run in the final five minutes ending the team's five-game winning streak. The Bruins were to make a 'pit stop' in Eugene to play reigning league champion Oregon on Dec 23 but the contest was postponed due to a referee testing positive for COVID-19. The Bruins return to action here for the first time in almost two weeks. Utah knows something about "off time" as well, as the Utes haven't played since Dec 18. Utah is 4-1 but note that the wins have come in Salt Lake City, while the loss came 82-64 at BYU. Struggling on the road is NOT new, especially in the Pac 12. Utah enters this game without a conference road victory since February of 2019. The Utes went 0-9 in Pac-12 games away from Salt Lake City last season and enter on a 10-game road losing streak in Pac 12 play, going 1-9 ATS. Why should that change here?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Wisconsin at 4:30 ET.

Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. However, Season No. 8 has begun well, as the Golden Gophers are now 9-1 after beating then-No. 4 Iowa 102-95 in OT on Christmas plus routing then-No. 17 Michigan St 81-56 this past Monday. Wisconsin opened the Week 8-1 (ranked No. 6 in Monday's latest AP poll) and took a 10-game Big Ten winning streak into its Monday home game with Maryland. However, the Terps beat the Badgers 70-64. The two conference rivals wrap up the 2020 portion of the current season late this afternoon in Madison.

PG Carr (24.0-3.8-6.1) ranks with the best in the nation and has been aided by THREE transfers, 7-0 Liam Robbins (13.1 & 6.8) from Drake, the 6-6 Gach (11.7 & 6.3) from Utah and the 6-8 Johnson (8.6 & 5.7) from Western Michigan. Plus, don't dismiss returning junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.3 PPG. Wisconsin has had a terrific basketball program for decades and Greg Gard enters his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win seasons in his first five. The Badgers start FIVE seniors, guards Trice (14.2-3.2-3.2) and Davison (10.6) plus the 6-10 Potter (12.2 & 6.9), the 6-11 Reuvers (10.3 & 3.9) and the 6-8 Ford (9.6 & 4.2). 6-5 freshman Davis (7.4 & 4.6) and 6-9 sophomore Wahl (4.4 & 4.1) are both averaging about 21 MPG off the bench. 

Minnesota entered the top-25 for the first time this season on Monday (T-21) and while its win over Michigan St was proof it belonged, the Golden Gophers face a tough matchup here at Kohl Center. There is NO rest for the weary in the Big Ten, which placed a record NINE teams in the latest AP poll. In fact, Minnesota's visit to Wisconsin marks the third game in a rugged stretch of SEVEN straight games against teams currently ranked. Wisconsin plays stifling defense and entered its game with Maryland holding opponents to 57.5 PPG on 36.2 percent shooting overall. Maryland didn't exactly 'light up the scoreboard (70 points) but the Terps did shoot 50% from the floor. Meanwhile, Wisconsin's 64 points were a season-low. It's bounce back time here for the Badgers and note that Minnesota has played just one true road game so far, getting crushed in a 92-65 loss at Illinois. Note: The Illini are coming off a three-point loss at Missouri in the schools' Braggin' Rights game. Sound familiar? Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Shocker (SEC) is on Missouri at 9:00 ET.

The Tennessee Volunteers were No. 12 in the AP's preseason poll so the Vols' 6-0 start and No. 7 ranking under Rick Barnes is no surprise. However, Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin has his team off to a 6-0 start, after back-to-back losing seasons of 15-17 and 15-16. The Tigers are enjoying their best season start since they opened 10-0 in 2013, as they welcome the Vols to Mizzou Arena on Wednesday night, in the SEC opener for both schools.

Guards Bailey (13.2), James (10.0 & 6.5), Pons (7.5 & 6.5) and Vescovi (8.0 & 4.7 APG) start with the 6-9 Faulkner (11.8 & 6.3) Freshman guard Springer (11.5) is the top-scorer off the bench. Tennessee averages 86.8 PPG but its defense has been the star, holding opponents to just 52.7 PPG (2nd) on 36.2% shooting (10th). Missouri has relied heavily on its seniors this year. Guards Xavier Pinson (14.3-4.2-3.7), Mark Smith (13.8) and Dru Smith (13.2) plus the 6-10 Jeremiah Tilmon (8.2 & 7.8). The 6-7 Brown (7.0 & 6.2) joins them in the starting lineup, while guard Pickett (8.0) and the 6-10 Mitchell Smith (5.3 & 5.7) come off the bench.

This is Tennessee's FIRST road game and I expect the Vols to find this visit to Columbia, "NOT to their liking." Just ask No. 15 Illinois, which lost here 91-88 back on Dec 12. I'm calling for the OUTRIGHT win but will take those points "as insurance!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Brk Nets at 7:35 ET.

The Atlanta Hawks missed the playoffs for the THIRD straight season when it finished 20-47 but Trae Young increased his scoring average from 19.1 PPG in his rookie season to 29.6 PPG in his 'sophomore' season. When free agency began, the Hawks were among the more aggressive teams, adding Bogdan Bogdanovic, Rajon Rondo, and Danilo Gallinari to join Young and Clint Capela, who was acquired from Houston at last season's trade deadline. The Hawks have not been at full health in the early going but they are averaging 124.7 PPG (2nd-best) in opening 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS. They'll attempt to improve to 4-0 Wednesday night when they visit the Brooklyn Nets for the first of two consecutive games (something new this season due to COVID protocols).

The Nets signed Kevin Durant as a free agent prior to the 2019-20 season knowing he wouldn't be ready until the 2020-21 season. The Nets opened the season impressively by getting big games from stars Durant and Kyrie Irving in nationally televised blowout wins over Golden State and Boston. However, Brooklyn has followed up those wins with a two-point loss at Charlotte on Sunday, followed by a 116-111 overtime loss at home to Memphis on Monday. The Nets played Monday after learning Spencer Dinwiddie would be lost for the season due to a knee injury. The Nets also rested Durant and Irving for the first time this season against Memphis, after the duo played 95 minutes apiece in the first three games.

Young (34.0-4.0-7.3) has been great and this season will be surrounded by a talented cast of characters. The 6-9 Collins (averaged 21.6 & 10.1 plus 19.5 & 9.8 the last two seasons) and has opened averaging 14.0 & 6.3 his first three games. Huerter (13.7) is in his third season plus second-year pros Hunter (12.3 & 6.7) and Reddish (10.3 & 5.3) both look good. Bogdanovic (13.0 & 7.0) has been a quality scorer for years, as has been Gallinari. However, Gallinari has played just ONE game and is out here with a foot injury. PG Rondo finally saw action Monday (12 & 8 assists), as did center Capela (7 & 9).

No doubt that Dinwiddie (20.6-3.5-6.8) will be missed but the Kryrie (29.3-4.3-6.0) and Durant (26.7-4.0-3.) make the Nets a legitimate contender in the East. LeVert is chipping in 17.0-4.8-5.8 and fellow guard Harris (11.5 & 4.5) is a solid NBA player. Also, don't forget about center Allen (8.3 & 11.8), who quietly comes to work each game and is HIGHLY underrated!

Sure, Atlanta is 3-0 but the wins have come over a trio of opponents with a combined 3-9 record, including East teams Chicago (1-3) and Detroit (0-4). The Nets took three of four meetings last season from Atlanta and are 12-2 in the last 14 meetings. Both Kyrie (shooting 61.1%) and Kevin (53.2%) got their 'rest' and both are back here and the result will be a Brooklyn W-I-P-E-O-U-T!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error Game of the Month is on Georgia at 7:00 ET.

Mississippi State's Ben Howland lost his four best players from last season's 20-11 team in the 6-10 Reggie Perry (17.4 & 10.1), plus guards Tyson Carter (13.9), Robert Woodard (11.4 & 6.5) and Nick Weatherspoon (11.6-3.5-4.1). Tom Crean spent nine seasons at Marquette and nine more at Indiana, before landing in Georgia. The Bulldogs went 11-21 and 16-16 in his first two seasons, plus lost guard Edwards (19.1 & 5.2) and forward Hammonds (12.8 & 7.4) to the NBA off last year's team. Edwards was the NBA's overall No. 1 pick. It's Bulldogs vs Bulldogs tonight in Athens, when 7-0 Georgia hosts 5-3 Mississippi State in the SEC opener for both teams.

Guard DJ Stewart returned for Howland, as did  the 6-11 Abdul Ado. Stewart leads the team at 18.3 PPG, while Ado is averaging modest totals of 5.4 & 6.1. Howland was counting on 6-6 forward Jalen Johnson, a transfer from Louisiana who averaged 15.5 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Ragin’ Cajuns last season, to be a big part of this year's team but he's been a disappointment (7.0 & 2.5). A BIG surprise has been 6-10 sophomore Smith, who is averaging 13.9 & 8.9 after averaging 3.3 & 2.6 last season.

Sophomore PG Wheeler (13.7-3.9-7.4) is off to an excellent start and is joined in the backcourt by George Mason transfer Kier (12.0-4.8-4.0) and junior guard Fagan (11.0 & 5.3) 6-8 sophomore Camara (14.8 & 8.3) is joined up front by 6-6 Stony Brook transfer Garcia (10.6 & 3.7) and 6-6 Va Tech transfer Horne (9.0 & 4.3)

Miss St is 5-0 SU (4-1 ATS) at home against a 'so-so' schedule of opponents but has lost all THREE neutral site games to Clemson, Liberty and Dayton. This marks its first true road game and it comes against a Georgia team which looks "really good." What Crean has done at Georgia is recruit well and create interest in the program, as Georgia set a school record with 11 crowds of more than 190,000 fans last year. Of course, home crowd-size is moot this season but what SHOULD catch one's attention is that Georgia is 7-0 SU at home, outscoring opponents on average, 81.1-to-64.7 PPG. Not sure why Georgia is such a small favorite here but I'm "all in" on the Bulldogs from Georgia!

Good luck...Larry

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

Chris Collins took over at Northwestern back in the 2013-14 season and won 20 games in the 2015-16 season. The very next season, he led the Wildcats to a 24-12 year, as Northwestern finished with its first winning Big Ten Conference record in 49 years (10-8) and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history (Wildcats even won their first game). It was NO small accomplishment, as Northwestern had been the only member of a power conference to have never made the "Big Dance." However, three straight losing seasons followed. However, with four starters back, Northwestern is 'making news' again! More in a bit. Iowa head coach Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa City from Siena, where he led the Saints to THREE straight NCAA appearances and a 77-26 record. He's been at Iowa since the 2010-11 season. He's led Iowa to SIX 20-win seasons the last eight seasons, getting four NCAA bids (would have been five last year but the NCAA tourney was canceled). Iowa returned all FIVE starters from last year, including the Preseason P-O-Y. (Luka Garza).

The 6-7 Kupp (15.1) leads Northwestern in scoring and is joined in the starting lineup by guards Buie (14.4 & 5.3 APG), Audige (12.9 & 4.3) and Gaines (3.9 & 4.7) plus the 6-10 Nance (10.6 & 6.9). Freshman guard Berry (8.3) plus frontcourt players like the 6-10 Young (8.9 & 6.4) and the 6-9 Beran (6.7 & 3.4) contribute off the bench. Garza (28.8 & 10.0) is shooting 62.7% to lead the Hawkeyes. Two senior guards join him in the starting lineup in Wieskamp (15.8 & 6.9) and Bohannon (6.9 & 4.3 APG). The 6-11 Nunge (8.4 & 5.9) comes off the bench plus FIVE more players contribute regularly, led by sophomore guard Fredrick (10.4).

So what's going on in Evanston, Illinois? The Wildcats (6-1, 3-0) have won their first THREE conference games for the first time since the 1967-68 season (note: Northwestern was 3-17 in the Big Ten last season!). The Wildcats entered the AP poll yesterday (No. 19), for the first time this season but hardly tells the whole story. Northwestern's No. 19 ranking is its highest this late in a season since 1969! Iowa fell from No. 4 to No. 10 on Monday, after it lost 102-95 (OT) at Minnesota last Friday. Iowa was up 80-73 on the Golden Gophers with 44 seconds remaining but Minnesota came back to tie the game at 83-83. Iowa's only other loss has come 99-88 to No. 1 Gonzaga in a neutral-site setting.

This is an EXCELLENT Iowa team and the jury is still out on Northwestern (in my opinion). A check of the record book reveals that Northwestern now owns THREE straight wins over ranked opponents. The streak started at the end of last season with a win over then-20 Penn St and has continued this season in wins over then-No. 4 Michigan St and then-No. 23. However, Northwestern has NEVER won four in a row over ranked AP opponents (AP rankings began in Jan 1949). Yes, the Wildcats can lose but still cover with this pointspread but my bet says it's an Iowa W-I-P-E-O-U-T!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Mil Bucks at 7:35 ET.

The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off an embarrassing loss Sunday night, falling 130-110 to the NY Knicks. The Bucks have now opened 1-2 and try to get on the winning track tonight in Miami against the Heat. One would think ALL the motivation lies with Milwaukee, as the Heat knocked the Bucks out of last year's postseason four games-to-one! What's more, Miami may be without Jimmy Butler, who is doubtful with a sprained right ankle.

SF Middleton is off to a great start, averaging 26.7-7.3-6.0. Of course, Milwaukee's best player (the NBA's as well?) is Giannis, who checks in averaging 25.7-13.0-3.7. Center Brook Lopez (16.8 & 6.4 in his career) is off to a slow start (7.0 & 3.0) but Jrue Holiday has been an excellent addition, averaging 15.0-4.7-4.7. Adebayo had a breakout year last season and leads Miami in scoring (21.0) and rebounding (7.5) after two games. Vet PG Dragic has welcomed his role of coming off the bench and is averaging 19.0 PPG and a team-high 8.0 APG. Last year's 1st-round pick from Kentucky, Herro, is settling in as a starter (12.0-4.0-3.5) plus this year's 1st-rounder, the 6-8 Achiuwa from Memphis, is averaging 9.5 PPG in just 16 1/2-minutes per game. Butler has ankle issues and is averaging 11.5-6.0-4.0.

Butler missed the second half of Miami's home-opening win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday and Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra announced Monday afternoon that his star swingman is doubtful for this game with the Bucks. A key for the Bucks will be getting more secondary scoring beyond their two stars, while also doing a much better job on defense. Milwaukee's been the NBA's best team in each of the last two seasons and losing streaks have been RARE! How rare? Beginning at the start of the 2018-19 season, the Bucks had gone a remarkable 29-1 SU and 23-7 ATS after a loss, BEFORE losing three straight right before the shutdown. Then, the Bucks seemed disinterested in the eight-game conclusion to the regular season in the 'bubble,' then fell flat against the red-hot Heat in the second round. The Bucks lost a one-point game at Boston to open the season but "right on cue," routed the Warriors 138-99 in their next game. Losing to the sad-sack Knicks was a HUGE embarrassment plus the Heat offer great motivation after beating Milwaukee in the last season's playoffs. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry 

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Bos Celtics at 7:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics blew a 17-point lead entering the fourth quarter in their season-opener against the Bucks at home (won 122-121) and then, after holding a three-point halftime lead at the "New & IMPROVED" Brooklyn Nets, got  blitzed 72-41 in the second half on Christmas Day. Boston visited Indiana on Sunday to take on a Pacers team that had opened with a 121-107 Wednesday home win over the New York Knicks and followed with a convincing 125-106 road victory over the Chicago Bulls. Sunday's game saw the Pacers eke out a 108-107 victory that improved their record to 3-0 (Celtics fell to 1-2). Domantas Sabonis converted the game-winning layup with just 8.4 seconds remaining, giving the Celtics the ball back down one after he missed a free throw that would have made it a three-point play. Jayson Tatum's three-point attempt with 1.8 seconds to go clanked off the back of the rim, sealing the result.

Gordon Hayward opted-out of his contract to sign with the Hornets (you will LOVE losing in Charlotte, Gordon) and Boston is still waiting for PG Kemba Walker to get healthy. However, Boston has a strong starting-five with Brown (26.0-5.0-3.7) joined in the backcourt with Smart (9.0 & 6.3 APG). Smart took the place of an injured Hayward in LY's postseason, starting 16 of 17 games and averaging 14.5-5.2-4.6. He is also the team's best defender. PF Tatum (25.0 & 8.7) blossomed into a star last season and is joined up front with Theis (5.3 & 4.0) and the newly-acquired Tristan Thompson (9.0 & 8.0). Thompson averaged a double-double in each of his last two seasons at Cleveland (10.9 & 10.2 and 12.0 & 10.1). Boston also signed PG Teague (9.3) and he's very capable of easing the pain until Walker returns (he's averaged double digits in each of his last NINE seasons!).

The Pacers have a good team led by the 6-11 Sabonis (24.3-11.0.5-7.0) and the now-healthy SG Oladipo (22.0 & 5.0). SF Warren led the team in scoring last season (19.8) and has averaged 15.0 PPG after three games. Brogdon (21.3-4.7-6.3) teams with Oladipo for an outstanding backcourt plus the 6-11 Turner (9.7 & 6.7) is a solid center, who is also averaging 5.7 blocks per game! McDermott comes off the bench and has averaged 13.7 & 5.0 in the first three games.

Teams playing two games in three nights against each other with both contests being held in the same city is an adjustment that's been made due to COVID-19. Maybe I'm gullible but I just DON'T see the Pacers winning back-to-back games against the Celtics but rather, it sets up as a 'PERFECT STORM.' Go Celts!

Good luck...Larry 

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Rutgers at 7:00 ET.

Rutgers won its first five games by double digits and opened league play with a 74-60 win at Maryland on Dec 14. The Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0 by pulling out a 91-88 win over then-No. 13 Illinois on Dec 20 (rose to No. 11 in the AP poll) but was unable to duplicate that performance last Wednesday, losing 80-68 at the-No. 23 Ohio State. Rutgers (6-1 / 2-1 in Big Ten) dropped to No. 14 in the latest AP poll (out yesterday) and will welcome unranked Purdue (7-3 / 2-1) to Piscataway, NJ on Tuesday. The Boilermakers rebounded from a 70-55 loss at Iowa on Tuesday by posting a 73-70 home win over Maryland on Friday.

Purdue head coach Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (12.8 & 4.0 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (13.4 & 9.5) and SG Stefanovic (11.3). 7-4 freshman Edey (9.9 & 4.2) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (10.1) gives Purdue four double digit scorers  Depth is provided by four players chipping in a combined 22 PPG.

Steve Pikiell spent 11 years at Stony Brook, winning 20-plus games in his final five seasons. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA berth in 2015-16 and a 26-7 record. His first three seasons at Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights go just 15-18, 15-19 and 14-17. Rutgers was 20-11 last season before the year was shut down. This year's team looks REALLY good, led by senior guards Harper (23.4 & 7.1) and Young (15.9 & 5.6 APG). Junior guard Mathis adds 14.3 & 3.9 plus two 6-11 centers, Omoruyi (5.3 & 5.8) and Johnson (7.7 & 8.6) give Rutgers a strong inside presence.

Pikiell could be without standout freshman Omoruyi, who missed the last game with a knee injury plus Myles Johnson played 15 minutes before fouling out. However, I expect Rutgers to be PRIMED to bounce back (especially here at home), after holding a 38-28 lead at halftime at Ohio St and leading by 16 points in the second half, before going EIGHT minutes without a FG while enduring a 20-1 run by the Buckeyes. Purdue enters this game with the second-lowest scoring offense in the league at 72.5 PG and has yet to score more than 75 points in any Big Ten game. Purdue lost at then-No. Iowa on Dec 22 and this contest will mark the SECOND of three games over a four-game stretch against a ranked opponent (No. 15 Illinois is up next). 

'That's a tough 'ask!'. Catching Rutgers off its 'collapse' vs Ohio St puts Purdue in the WRONG place at the WRONG time, even if the Scarlets Knights are a little short-handed. Rutgers has made "the RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center) ONE tough venue, having gone a 'sweet' 23-2 SU since the start of last season. Lay the reasonable price!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* CBB Oddsmaker's Game of the Month is on Arizona at 9:30 ET.

Tad Boyle is in his 1th season at Colorado and despite losing the 6-7 Tyler Bey (13.8 *& 9.0) to the NBA (he played center), Boyle has his Buffs off to a 6-1 start as Colorado opens its Pac 12 schedule with this game in Arizona against the Wildcats. While Colorado is a veteran team, the 6-1 Wildcats, who lost their Pac 12 opener 78-75 at Stanford on Dec 19, have FIVE new starters.

PG Wright flirted with the NBA draft but returned to Boulder and is averaging 16.3-4.7-5.9. Wright is surrounded by veterans, such as the 7-0 Dallas Walton (10.3), the 6-8 Evan Battey (8.7 & 4.9) and the 6-7 Jeriah Horn (a Tulsa graduate transfer), who adds 11.4 & 6.0. A quartet of guards combine to add about 26 PPG. Sean Miller has had some off the court issues the last few seasons and saw THREE freshmen from last year go the 'One and Done' route. PG Mannion (14.0 & 5.3 APG), Green (12.0 & 4.6) and  big man Nnaji (16.1 & 8.6). Arizona is led by guard Jemarl Baker (15.4 PPG /  45.5 percent from three-point range) and Georgetown transfer James Akinjo (13.4 & 4.7 APG). The 6-11 Jordan Brown (10.7 & 6.9) is a Nevada transfer. Miller made a lineup change against Montana (most recent game, taking out 7-footer Christian Koloko (4.1 & 5.3) and inserting the more offensive-minded Azoulas Tubelis (7.6 & 5.0). The 6-11 freshman was a force on both ends with eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Newcomer Mathurin (from Canada) has added 9.9 & 4.6 off the bench.

Here's the bottom line. The Buffs won't have to face the usual sold-out crowd at McKale Center, as Arizona is playing without fans as part of its COVID-19 protocols. However, since joining the Pac 12 in for the 2011-12 season, the Buffs have NEVER won at McKale Center. Why should it be any different here and at this price, an Arizona win almost GUARANTEES a cover. That's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Michigan St at 8:00 ET.

Michigan State opened as the AP's No. 8 team in its preseason poll and began the season 6-0, a start which included an impressive 75-69 win at then-No. 6 Duke. However, after that undefeated start in non-conference play, the Spartans have dropped their first two conference games. They got blindsided by Northwestern 79-65 on Dec 20 and then got outplayed in the second half of an 85-76 home loss to No 9 Wisconsin this past Friday. The now 12th-ranked Spartans (new poll comes out later today and MSU will SURELY drop) play at Minnesota (8-1 / 1-1 in Big Ten) in Minneapolis on Monday. The Golden Gophers have cracked the 90-point mark in THREE of their last four outings, including a 102-95 upset of No. 4 Iowa in overtime on Friday. 

Michigan State trailed by double digits throughout the second half against Northwestern and was outscored 43-34 in the second half by Wisconsin. "We did do some really good things," Spartans head coach Tom Izzo said. "We played harder, and were, I thought, much more in-tune to the game. We just made some mistakes when it was a two to three point game in those last four minutes and just couldn't get it done. So I'm disappointed, but I feel like we took a step forward." Michigan St lost its two best players from last season's team to the NBA Draft, as PG Winston (18.6 & 5.9 APG) was taken by the Wizards and the 6-8 Tillman (13.7 & 10.3) by the Grizzlies  6-9 junior forward Joey Hauser, a transfer from Marquette, leads the team averaging 14.0 & 8.6. and was terrific in the loss to Wisconsin, with 27 points and seven rebounds. Joining him in the frontcourt are two returning players, the 6-7 Brown and the 6-6 Henry. Brown has averaged 9.5 PPG, while Henry has chipped in 12,0-5.5-4.6. Sophomore PG Watts (10.9 & 4.6 APG) steps in for Winston plus veteran guard Langford (8.1) joins him on the perimeter. Langford is FINALLY healthy and is back on the court this season, having last played in December of 2018. 6-7 sophomore Hall averages 6.5 & 5.5 and guard Loyer adds 6.4. MSU is NOT lacking for talent!

Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. However, Season No. 8 has begun well, as the Golden Gophers are now 8-1 after their win over No. 4 Iowa. Marcus Carr scored 30 points and Brandon Johnson had 26 off the bench, including an 8-for-9 performance on three-pointers. "He was just confident and came in ready to go," Pitino said of Johnson. "He got a lot of rhythm shots and he knocked them down with confidence. That confidence and that momentum built. He is a very skilled player and he's just been a little bit hobbled with injuries, but he is getting healthy. He provided in a huge way for us." PG Carr (24.6-3.8-6.2) ranks with the best in the nation and has been aided by THREE transfers, 7-0 Liam Robbins (12.6 & 6.6) from Drake, the 6-6 Gach (12.3 & 6.0( from Utah and Johnson (8.5 & 5.5) from Western Michigan. Plus, don't dismiss returning junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.4 PPG.

Minnesota is a 'tough 'out' at Williams Arena and while it's still only December, I view this as a "must win" for Izzo and his team.  We all know that "must win" doesn't always translate to "will win" but in this case, it DOES!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Eastern Conference Crusher is on the Bos Celtics at 8:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics opened its season with a 122-121 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks (blew 17-point 4th-quarter lead but avoided OT when Giannis short-armed his second FT) but then got 'rolled' by the "new and improved" Nets on Christmas Day. The Celtics held a three-point halftime lead but were blitzed 72-41 in the second half!" We know we have a lot of work to do, that's very clear," Boston head coach Brad Stevens said after the loss to the Nets. "And we know who we have to shoot for, that's good to know. I thought our guys gave a good effort at the start, and then it just got away from us in the fourth."

The Indiana Pacers welcome the Celtics to Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Sunday, with the teams meeting again on Tuesday. Indiana has won its first two games, opening with a 121-107 Wednesday home win over the New York Knicks and following with a convincing 125-106 road victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night. Boston has won NINE of the last 13 meetings, although the teams split two games last season.

Gordon Hayward opted-out of his contract to sign with the Hornets (you will LOVE losing in Charlotte, Gordon) and Boston is still waiting for PG Kemba Walker to get healthy. However, Boston has a strong starting-five with Brown (30.0-6.5-3.5) joined in the backcourt with Smart (9.8 & 6.5). Smart took the place of an injured Hayward in LY's postseason, starting 16 of 17 games and averaging 14.5-5.2-4.6. He is also the team's best defender. PF Tatum (25.0 & 7.5) blossomed into a star last season and is joined up front with Theis (6.0 & 6.5) and the newly-acquired Tristan Thompson (10.0 & 8.0). Thompson averaged a double-double in each of his last two seasons at Cleveland (10.9 & 10.2 and 12.0 & 10.1). Boston also signed PG Teague (9.5 & 3.0 APG) who will help ease the pain until Walker returns (he's averaged double digits in each of his last NINE seasons!).

The Pacers have a good team led by the 6-11 Sabonis (27.0-11.5-8.)0) and now-healthy SG Oladipo (22.0 & 5.5). SF Warren led the team in scoring last season (19.8) and has averaged 14.0 PPG after two games. Brogdon (19.5-4.5-7.0) teams with Oladipo for an outstanding backcourt plus the 6-11 Turner (9.5 & 6.5) is a solid center, who already has 12 blocked shots. McDermott comes off the bench and has averaged 12.5 & 7.0 in the first two games.

The Pacers have opened 2-0 but please, the wins have come over the Knicks and Bulls, who went 21-45 and 22-43 last season, respectively. Meanwhile, the Celtics have beaten Milwaukee (best record in the NBA the last two seasons) and lost to VERY improved Nets. "The benefit of playing these two games against two great teams is we can be better, we can assess the bar, and now you know what you have to strive for," Smart told reporters. "It's a good way to test us as a team to see where we're at and where we have to get to. Like I said, there's definitely things we can clean up. It's only the second game, but we can't lose any sleep over it." I agree. Boston wins by double digits!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Was Wizards at 7:05 ET.

The Magic had an excellent season-opener on Wednesday in beating the defending East Champs (Miami Heat) 113-107 in Orlando. Starters Fournier (25), Gordon (20 & 7), Vucevic (15 & 11) and Fultz (15) all played well plus as he did last year, Ross scored 19 points off the bench. The Magic travel to Washington D.C. for a Saturday game with the Wizards, a team they swept 4-0 during last season, scoring at least 120 points in each game.

The Wizards opened the season the same night, losing 113-107 at Philadelphia, despite Bradley Beal's 31 points and Russell Westbrook's triple-double (21-11-15) in his Washington debut. The Wizards will go only as far as their dynamic backcourt duo will take them this season but a pair of 6-10 big men are on the verge of becoming more than just "complementary" players. Bertans spent three seasons in San Antonio, averaging just 6.2 PPG, playing about 15 minutes per game. However, in his first season with Washington (2019-20), he averaged almost 30 minutes per game while averaging 15.4 PPG plus shot 42.4% on threes. Fellow big man Bryant had a breakout season last year, averaging 13.2 & 7.2 in his third NBA season. Bertans had 14 points on Wednesday and Bryant 10 & 5.

"Not good enough. Honestly, I'm kind of disappointed in myself," Westbrook said after the loss at Philly. "I had some mishaps and plays where I could have been better and had a better game to try to win. I don't like moral victories at any point in my career. I always like to go out and try to win the game. I've gotta be better and I'll be better next game." Beal averaged 34.3 points in three games last season vs Orlando, including a 42-point performance in a 127-120 loss on Dec 3. Forget last season's results, the Wizards get a comfortable win in their home opener.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Ultimate Underdog is on Virginia at 4:00 ET.

No. 1 Gonzaga (6-0) will take on No. 16 Virginia (4-1) late Saturday afternoon in Fort Worth, Tx. Issues with COVID-19 have wiped out Virginia's opportunities to test itself against perennial powers Michigan State, Villanova and Florida but this game with the Bulldogs will provide an even bigger test. Gonzaga knows all about virus issues as well, as the Bulldogs had a 17-day layoff due to COVID-19 concerns, before their 99-88 win over then-No. 3 Iowa last Saturday. The nation's top team then played back-to-back home games Monday and Tuesday against Northwestern State, winning by a combined 55-points (note: Gonzaga was 0-2 ATS!). This non-conference neutral-site game was added to the schedule on Dec 17.

Mark Few has done everything but win a national championship since taking over the Gonzaga program for the 1999-2000 season. He has led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament in every season during his tenure as head coach and holds the record for the most consecutive tournament appearances since starting as head coach at 21! His career record at Gonzaga was 599-124 (.828) entering this season, which is an average of 28.5 wins per season. Is this Gonzaga's year to "win it all?"  UVa's Tony Bennett HAS "won it all!" He came to Charlottesville to begin the 2009-10 season and in his first two years at the school went 15-16 and 16-15. Enough of that! It's been NINE straight seasons of 20-plus wins since, including four seasons of 30-plus wins. Bennett and UVa lost to UMBC in the opening round of the 2018 NCAA tournament, becoming the first time since expansion in 1985 that a No. 1 seed lost to a No. 16 one, However, the Cavs came back to win the title in 2019, as ESPN called Virginia's championship run "the most redemptive season in the history of college basketball," and NBC Sports took it a step further by calling it "the greatest redemption story in the history of sports." UVa was 23-7 when the season was shut down last March.

The Bulldogs hated to see Filip Petrusev (17.5 & 7.9), last season's West Coast Conference Player of the Year, decide to forgo his final two years of eligibility to pursue a professional career overseas but SF small Corey Kispert (13.9 & 4.0), a preseason All-American, and guard Joel Ayayi (10.6-6.3-3.2) both return. Few has recruited a talented freshman class, one which includes guard Jalen Suggs, a top-10 prospect who is the program's highest-ranked recruit ever. Kispet is averaging 20.8 & 5.0. Ayayi 9.7 & 7.5 and freshman Suggs has been "as good as advertised," with a line of 16.3-5.7-5.8. 6-10 sophomore Timme (9.8 & 5.4 LY) has blossomed (20.3 & 7.5 TY) plus Florida transfer Newbhard (9.7-3.7-3.8) has been a great addition in the backcourt.

UVa lost the 6-9 Diakite (13.7 & 6.8) and 6-8 big guard Key (9.9 & 7.4) but this year's team has NINE players who have participated in all five games, chipping in between 4.6 and 13.4 PPG. Three are averaging in double digits, 6-8 Marquette transfer Sam Hauser (13.4 & 6.0), the returning 7-1 Hall (11.6 & 6.2) and 6-9 Trey Murphy (11.6). 6-11 freshman Kadin Shedrick had 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench in UVa's 76-40 home victory against William & Mary this past Tuesday, as the Cavaliers returned from an 18-day layoff. 

The Cavaliers have won three straight since that shocking loss to San Francisco and are once again playing their signature brand of defense, holding opponents to just 54.0 PPG on 36.3 percent shooting so far this season. However, how will it match up against a Gonzaga team that ranks third in the nation with 94.7 PPG and is shooting 55.1 percent from the floor? Let's ask Bennett. "When you play a team as talented and explosive as Gonzaga, I don't know what prepares you for that," Bennett said. "I know how good they are, and I know what we'll have to do at a very high level to be in a game like that and make it competitive and hopefully be successful." FYI...When Bennett coached at Washington State from 2006-09, his Cougars were 2-1 against Gonzaga. Upset Alert? Maybe that's a stretch but I am sure taking the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on Illinois at 4:00 ET.

Archie Miller spent six years at Dayton, winning 20-plus games in five seasons. Over his final four at the school, the Flyers averaged 25.5 wins per season and went to four straight NCAA tourneys. He got the Indiana job beginning with the 2017-18 season and was just 16-15 and 19-16. However, last year's team was 20-12 before the season was "called off!" Gone from that team are Devontae Green (13.5 & 8.4) who graduated and the 6-7 Justin Smith (10.4 & 5.2), who transferred to Arkansas. Brad Underwood had a great three-year run at SF Austin (three straight NCAA bids) before making a one-year 'pit stop' in Stillwater, where he led Oklahoma St to an NCAA bid. Illinois "came calling" in March of 2017 when it fired John Groce and Underwood's first two seasons were duds (14-18 and 12-21). However, behind outstanding guard Dosunmu and 7-0 freshman Cockburn, the Illini were 21-10 when last season was shut down. Illinois opened the current season No. 8 in the AP's preseason poll but so far, it has NOT been 'smooth sailing.' More in a bit.

This year's Indiana team is led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (21.1 & 8.6) and the 6-8 Thompson (10.5 & 6.8). The backcourt is led by sophomore Franklin (12.3), senior Durham (8.7-4.3) and junior Phinisee (7.0). With just 11 weeks to complete their 20-game league schedules, there's precious little time for Big Ten teams to celebrate victories and, more important, solve problems that spring up during defeats. Case in point is Indiana. Barely 10 hours after suffering a 74-67 home loss to Northwestern in their Big Ten opener on Wednesday, the Hoosiers (5-3, 0-1) were back on the practice floor at 9 a.m. Christmas Eve, before taking a bus ride on Christmas Day for today's 4 p.m. ET game at No. 18 Illinois (6-3, 2-1). In Dosunmu (23.4-7.8-5.2), Illinois features one of the top guards in the nation plus center Cockburn's sophomore season is going great, as he's averaging 17.4 & 9.3.Dosunmu is joined in the backcourt by veterans Curbelo (10.4 & 4.3 APG), Frazier (9.6) and Williams (6.4 & 5.3) plus freshman Miller (9.8). The 6-9 Bezhanishvili (7.1 & 3.7) rounds out the main contributors.

Here's what I said about Illinois in taking them on Wednesday as my Game of the Week. "Illinois completes a rollercoaster 22-day span (Dec 2-23) in which the Fighting Illini lost to No. 2 Baylor, won at then-No. 10 Duke, lost their Braggin' Rights game at now-No. 14 Missouri (5-0) and now plays a dangerous Penn St team in Happy Valley. It's time for Illinois to 'step up' and prove it's a top-10 team!" The Illini did just that pulling away from Penn St in the second half for a 98-81 win. The Fighting Illini, like the Hoosiers, are back on the court after Wednesday games but Illinois was able to come back home and have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day 'at home' in Champaign-Urbana, while the Hoosiers practiced Christmas Eve morning and then took that Christmas Day bus ride, "B-L-O-W-O-U-T" Alert!

Good luck...Larry

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

LBJ, A.D. and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers opened their title defense Tuesday night and lost at Staples Center to co-tenants, the LA Clippers. The Lakers celebrated their NBA title with a ring ceremony (often a jinx as I pointed in taking AND winning with the Clippers!), then trailed by as many as 22 points early on against the Clippers before rallying but eventually losing 116-109. Luka Doncic led the Mavericks to the playoffs last season to end the franchise's three-season absence but Dallas lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. The Mavs opened their season Wednesday night but lost 106-102 to the Suns, who picked right up where they left off from last year's Orlando 'bubble' (Suns were 8-0 SU & ATS).

Luka Doncic (who enters his third season) is being touted as an MVP candidate, after averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists in 61 games last season and already has 25 triple-doubles in just 133 career regular-season games. Doncic had a "typical" game Wednesday night, scoring 32 points with eight rebounds and five assists. However, NO other teammate was able to score more than 12 points. Doncic is just 21 and according to him, is still working his way into shape. "It's true I'm not in my best shape," Doncic said. "I will get there for sure. But, you know, I've never been a muscular guy, so what can I say?" After the game, head coach Rick Carlisle added, "He's still getting his game legs under him. That will get there. But he understands the game as well as any 21-year-old I've ever been around. He'll make the adjustments that are necessary." With Doncic's sidekick (the 7-3 Kristaps Porzingis) still recovering from right knee surgery, stemming from tearing his meniscus in mid-August during the series with the Clippers, I'll be VERY wary of playing on the Mavs in the early going. Porzingis isn't expected back until January.

Many believe (and count me among them) that the defending champs have improved during the offseason with the additions of reigning Sixth Man of the Year and former Clippers big man Montrezl Harrell, the Sixth Man runner-up in guard Dennis Schroder, veteran center Marc Gasol and guard Wesley Matthews. Schroder started against the Clippers and had a line of 14-12-8, while Harrell came off the bench to add 17 & 10. Kuzma, who just signed an extension with LA, came off the bench to score 15 points. Anyone seriously worried that LBJ and A.D. won't hold up their end this season? This is a great opportunity for the Lakers to quickly wipe out the sour taste left by Tuesday's season-opening loss and expect the Mavs to play the perfect foil! Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Purdue at 2:30 ET.

he NBA has 'owned' Christmas Day in recent years but the Big Ten has decided in this 'Year of COVID' to 'crash the party.' In fact, COVID sparked the move. Typically, the NCAA upholds a rule requiring three days off around Christmas but the organization waived the regulation as various teams remain on campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic. So, Big Ten hoops will play FOUR Christmas games that feature four ranked teams. The lone game without a ranked opponent in this Christmas 'grand slam' is 5-2 Maryland visiting West Lafayette to take on 6-3 Purdue. Maryland is 0-1 to open Big Ten play and Purdue is 1-1.

Mark Turgeon coached Wichita St for seven years, before leading Texas A&M to four straight NCAA tournaments in four years going 97-40. He joined Maryland when it was still in the ACC but its move to the Big Ten has been good for the basketball program, as over the last six seasons the Terps have won 20-plus games in five seasons (exception was a 19-win season), making four NCAA tourneys (would have been five, as Maryland was 24-7 when the season was shut down last year). PG Cowan (16.3 & 4.7 APG) and big man Jalen Smith (15.5 & 10.5) are gone but the Terps have a deep backcourt, Ayala (14.6) and Hart (10.6) lead the way, supported by Wiggins (10.0-4.6-3.1) and Morsell (7.8 & 5.1). Up front, it's the 6-7 Scott (12.7 & 7.1) and 6-8 BC transfer Hamilton (8.3 & 3.4).

Purdue head coach Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (12.2 & 4.0 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (13.8 & 9.7) and SG Stefanovic (12.2 & 4.0 APG). 7-4 freshman Edey (10.3 & 3.9) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (9.3) just barely misses double digits in scoring. Depth is provided by four players chipping a combined 21 PPG.

Maryland is coming off a win over La Salle on Tuesday but that hardly 'wipes away' the team's back-to-back losses to Clemson and Rutgers. The Terps were routed  67-51 at Clemson in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge and then lost 74-60 at home to now-No. 11 Rutgers 74-60 in its Big Ten opener. Purdue saw a three-game winning streak end at No. 4 Iowa on Tuesday, losing 70-55 to the Hawkeyes. I had Iowa in that one and noted that Purdue was in the WRONG place at the WRONG time, as Iowa was coming off a loss to No.1 Gonzaga.

This is a HUGE game for Purdue, as it plays THREE of its next four games (all in the Big Ten) on the road. The Boilermakers will be on the road at No. 11 Rutgers and then at No. 18 Illinois, before getting a home game with Nebraska and then going back on the road at No. 12 Michigan St. The LAST thing Purdue needs here is a home loss to Maryland to kick off that stretch. Maryland has been AWFUL in its two biggest tests this season so far, averaging just 55.5 PPG on 36.9% shooting in losses to Clemson and Rutgers. What changes here in a Christmas Day visit to Mackey Arena? I say NOTHING!

Goods luck...Larry

My 10* Big Ten Game of the Year is on Michigan St at 12:30 ET.

Big Ten basketball has 'taken over' Christmas Day with a 'grand slam' of games, featuring FOUR ranked teams. The '4-pack' tips off at 12:30 ET with No. 9 Wisconsin (7-1, 1-0 Big Ten) heading to East Lansing to take on No. 12 Michigan State (6-1 / 0-1 Big Ten). Wisconsin lone loss has come 67-65 at Marquette and owns a home blowout win 85-48 over then-No. 23 Louisville on Dec 19 (Cards only loss this season). Michigan St earned a 75-69 'marquee' win at then-No. 6 Duke back on Dec 1 but came into this contest off an embarrassing 79-65 at Northwestern this past Sunday.

Wisconsin has a had a terrific basketball program for decades and Greg Gard enters his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win season in his first five. The Badgers start FIVE seniors, guards Davison (11.3), and Trice (11.0) plus the 6-10 Potter (13.4 & 7.3), the 6-11 Reuvers (10.9 & 3.9) and the 6-8 Ford (9.1 & 4.0). 6-5 freshman Davis (7.9 & 5.1) and 6-9 sophomore (4.8 & 4.5) are both averaging about 21 MPG off the bench. Wisconsin plays stifling defense, holding opponents to 57.5 PPG on 36.2 percent shooting overall.

You may just have heard of MSU head coach Tom Izzo, who was disgusted with his team's performance at Northwestern. The Spartans were dominated by the unheralded Wildcats, 79-65, trailing by double digits throughout the second half. "Obviously still disappointed, not by the loss but just by how we played," Izzo said. "And yet, I'm going to look myself in the mirror and say, ‘You know what, there's going to be some ups and downs and there's going to be some mind-boggling days when you just say, ‘What's going on?' " Michigan St lost its two best players from last season's team to the NBA Draft, as PG Winston (18.6 & 5.9 APG) was taken by the Wizards and the 6-8 Tillman (13.7 & 10.3) by the Grizzlies. 6-9 junior forward Joey Hauser, a transfer from Marquette, leads the team averaging 12.1 & 8.9. Joining him in the frontcourt are two returning players, the 6-7 Brown and the 6-6 Henry. Brown has averaged 10.6 PPG, while Henry has chipped in 12,0-5.4-4.9. Sophomore PG Watts (11.7 & 4.3 APG) steps in for Winston plus veteran guard Langford (8.2) joins him on the perimeter. Langford is FINALLY healthy and is back on the court this season, having last played in December of 2018. 6-7 sophomore Hall averages 6.7 & 6.0, so Michigan St matches up well with the Badgers.

Best of all, what team would want a Christmas Day visit to Breslin Center to face an Izzo-coached team off an embarrassing loss. I know Wisconsin will put on a 'brave face' but this just in, the Badgers have dropped 12 straight in East Lansing, with their last victory there coming back to 2004. No margin to cover here and it's Michigan St by double digits!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on the Mia Heat at 12:05 ET.

New Orleans head coach Stan Van Gundy will be back on familiar turf Friday when his Pelicans face the Miami Heat, the team that gave him his start coaching in the league in 1995. The Pelicans won their season opener on Wednesday, 113-109 at Toronto (Raptors are playing their 'home' games in Tampa). Ingram just missed a triple-double (24-9-11) with 'King' Zion adding 15 & 10. The game also marked the Pelicans debuts of Eric Bledsoe (18 points) and Steven Adams (eight points, a game-high four steals and two blocks).

While the Pelicans were beating the Raptors, the defending East champs were losing 113-107 in Orlando. "We have to be more precise," Miami head coach Erik Spoelstra said when asked about his team's 22 turnovers against Orlando. "Our spacing has to be a lot better, and we have to be willing to work the offense." The turnovers came primarily from Bam Adebayo (seven), Jimmy Butler (six) and Tyler Herro (four). Then again, Adebayo had 25 & 11, Butler 17-7-7 and Herro, who blossomed into a start in last year's 'bubble,' started and had a line of 13-6-4. Goran Dragic had 20 points and seven assists, continuing his role as super sub. "I told 'Spo' that however he wants to use me, I'm here for the team," said Dragic, a 2018 All-Star back in his days as a starter. "I'm already feeling comfortable with this (backup) role."

New Orleans shot 52.5% vs Toronto but DON'T expect a repeat performance here against an excellent defensive team like the Heat. The Heat actually made 50.6% from the floor in the loss at Orlando and I'm looking for them to bounce back in a big way here. The Heat opened last season's playoff run 7-0 SU & ATS and finished 14-7 SU and with a playoff-best 16-7 ATS record. Heat 'came together' last postseason and will be a tough team to beat all of this season, especially at home and off a loss no less! 'Cheap' price. A win over ex-head coach Van Gundy would be 'icing on the cake.'

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Pho Suns at 10:35 ET.

The Phoenix Suns surprised all with their 8-0 SU & ATS performance in the Orlando 'bubble' to end last season and made a key offseason move designed to put an end to the team's 10-season playoff drought. The Suns acquired 10-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul from the Thunder and will pair him with All-Star shooting guard Devin Booker, who has averaged 26.6 PPG in each of the past two seasons. Phoenix added veteran forward Jae Crowder (VERY underrated) in addition to Paul and are hoping that 6-11 Ayton (18.2 & 7.5 in 38 games last season) will stay healthy all season.

Luka Doncic (who enters his third season) is being touted as an MVP candidate. He averaged 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists in 61 games last season and already has 25 triple-doubles in just 133 career regular-season games. He led the Mavericks to the playoffs last season to end the franchise's three-season absence but Dallas lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. Doncic is just 21 and according to him, is still working his way into shape. "It's true I'm not in my best shape," Doncic said. "I will get there for sure. But, you know, I've never been a muscular guy, so what can I say?" It's also NOT good news for Dallas sidekick, the 7-3 Kristaps Porzingis, isn't ready for the start of the season. He is still recovering from right knee surgery, stemming from tearing his meniscus in mid-August during the series with the Clippers.

The Suns went 3-1 against the Mavericks last season, including two victories in the bubble, 117-115 on Aug 2 and 128-102 on Aug 13. By year's end, it's likely that the Mavs will be a better team than the Suns but that's NOT the case here in Game 1 for both teams.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division Game of the Month (Northwest) is on the Por Blazers at 10:05 ET.

Utah Jazz are well aware that only a FEW plays separated the Jazz from a potential run to the 2020 Western Conference Finals and what turned into first-round loss to the Nuggets (Jazz led the series 3-1, then lost THREE in a row!). The Portland Trail Blazers made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago but last year needed a strong run 'in the bubble' to sneak into the postseason. Led by 'Bubble' MVP Lillard, the Blazers were a 'sexy' pick to upset the Lakers in the first round but after a 100-93 upset in Game 1, Portland lost FOUR in a row.

Both teams should be solid contenders this season. Donovan Mitchell (24.0-4.4-4.3) and Rudy Gobert (15.1 & 13.5) both agreed to contract extensions before the new season and Jordan Clarkson (15.6) re-signed with Utah on a four-year deal after emerging as the team's sixth man last season. Bringing back Derrick Favors represented the biggest free agent addition for the Jazz. Favors spent 8 1/2 seasons in Utah before being traded to New Orleans a year ago. "We need to hold ourselves to a high standard," Mitchell told the Deseret News. "You know, we blew a 3-1 lead. We lost in the first round, and there's no time for that. There's no time for slow starts." Added Gobert after signing his new deal, "I'm here to stay, and I'm here to WIN a championship. I'm here to win with my brothers, I'm here to win with coach (Quin Snyder) and I'm here to win with you, Utah."

Portland is led by its dynamic quard duo of Damian Lillard and CJ MCcollum, who averaged 30.0-4.3-87.0 and 22.2-4.2-4.4 last season, respectively. They also brought back Enes Kanter and Carmelo Anthony to give the Blazers some scoring punch off the bench when Lillard and McCollum aren't on the floor. Notably, Jusuf Nurkic and Rodney Hood are back after serious injuries kept one or the other off the floor for lengthy stretches last season. Hood re-signed with the Blazers as a free agent during the offseason. Portland acquired Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. to shore up defense.

Frankly, I like BOTH teams this season but in this pre-Christmas opener, I MUCH prefer the home team which avoids traveling, ESPECIALLY at this price!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Illinois at 6:30 ET.

Brad Underwood had a great three-year run at SF Austin (three straight NCAA bids) before making a one-year 'pit stop' in Stillwater, where he led Oklahoma St to an NCAA bid. Illinois "came calling in March of 2017 when it fired John Groce and Underwood's first two seasons were duds (14-18 and 12-21). However, behind outstanding guard Dosunmu and 7-0 freshman Cockburn, the Illini were 21-10 when last season was shut down. Illinois opened the current season No. 8 in the AP's preseason poll but so far, it has NOT been 'smooth sailing.' Penn St was also 21-10 last season but the Nittany Lions went through some turmoil right as practices started when head coach Pat Chambers resigned in late October following an investigation into inappropriate conduct. Penn State interim head coach Jim Ferry led the Nittany Lions to an impressive 75-55 road win over then-No. 15 Virginia Tech on Dec 8 but this past Sunday lost 62-58 at Michigan (Wolverines are 6-0 and ranked 25th).

Dosunmu (22.6-8.0-5.30 is one of the top guards in the nation and Cockburn's sophomore season is going great, as he's averaging 16.8 & 9.8.Dosunmu is joined in the backcourt by freshman Miller (10.4) plus fellow guards Frazier (9.9), Curbelo (9.9-3.4-3.9), and Williams (6.9 & 5.8). The 6-9 Bezhanishvili (7.0 & 3.8) completes the main contributors. Penn  St surely misses All-Big Ten forward Lamar Stevens (17.6 & 6.9) but the Nittany Lions have four players averaging in double figures; the 6-7 Seth Lundy (14.4) and 6-7 Izaiah Brockington (14.0 & 5.6) plus two guards that can play the point, Sam Sessoms (11.8 & 3.5 APG) and Myreon Jones (11.8 & 3.3 APG), when PG Wheeler (5.8-4.0-4.6) needs a break. The 6-9 Harrar (7.6 & 7.0) is the team's leading rebounder.

Illinois completes a rollercoaster 22-day span (Dec 2-23) in which the Fighting Illini lost to No. 2 Baylor, won at then-No. 10 Duke, lost their Braggin' Rights game at now-No. 14 Missouri (5-0) and now plays a dangerous Penn St team in Happy Valley. It's time for Illinois to "step up" and prove it's a top-10 team (despite a 5-3 record, Illinois is still ranked 18th) or it will be a sad Christmas in Champaign-Urbana. I'm in.

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* 'Battle 4 LA' is on the LA Clippers at 10:05 ET.

After the shortest offseason in league history, the Lakers will open defense of their NBA title by hosting the Clippers. Of course, both teams call Staples Center home. Conventional wisdom seems to be that the defending champs have improved during the offseason with the additions of reigning Sixth Man of the Year and former Clippers big man Montrezl Harrell, the Sixth Man runner-up in guard Dennis Schroder, veteran center Marc Gasol and guard Wesley Matthews. Hard to argue with the team's additions but the Lakers' success in the end will depend on the play of LBJ and A.D. James won his fourth NBA title Oct 11 when the Lakers beat the Miami Heat in six games, averaging 25.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and a league-high 10.2 assists per game during the 2019-20 regular season. Davis won his first title and averaged a team-high 26.1 points with 9.3 rebounds and finished third in the league in blocks at 2.3 per game. Davis just recently agreed to a five-year, $190 million maximum contract to stay with the defending champs.

After the Clippers blew a 3-1 series lead against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference semifinals which prevented a much-anticipated showdown with the Lakers, they parted ways with Doc Rivers, replacing him with former assistant Tyronn Lue. BTW...What makes so many think Doc Rivers is a "great" coach? The Clippers' fortunes again will depend on Kawhi Leonard (27.1 & 7.1) and Paul George (21.5 & 5.7). Like Davis, George recently signed a HUGE contract to remain with the Clippers. However, unlike A.D, George was a flop in last season's playoffs. Lou Williams averaged 18.2 points and 5.6 assists during the regular season and will again be a big part of the team. Forward Marcus Morris, guard Patrick Beverley and center Ivica Zubac are again expected to be key contributors. So is forward Serge Ibaka, who the Clippers signed as a free agent to fill the void left by Harrell. Ibaka averaged 15.4 points and 8.2 rebounds per game last season with the Toronto Raptors and was part of the Toronto team of two years ago that won the NBA title (as was Kwahi). Nicolas Batum has long been a solid NBA player and joins the Clippers along with Luke Kennard, who averaged 15.8 PPG on 40% shooting on threes in a 25-game injury-filled season last year with Detroit.

Here's the bottom line. It's 'Ring Night' for the Lakers and that's often been distracting for home teams plus the Lakers cruised through an abbreviated preseason 4-0, which included TWO wins over the Clippers, who lost all three preseason contests. ALL the motivation is with the Clipps tonight and I'm taking the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Iowa Hawkeyes won their first six games by an average of 32 points but were outclassed by top-ranked Gonzaga (99-88) this past Saturday at Sioux Falls, SD. Iowa's (6-1) first loss of the current season only dropped them one spot in the AP poll, from No. 3 to No. 4. Iowa welcomes Purdue (6-2) to Hawkeye-Carver Arena tonight well-aware that the Boilermakers may be unranked but they are dangerous.

Purdue (6-2, 1-0 Big Ten) enters tonight's game with the momentum of three straight victories, including Wednesday's 67-60 home triumph over then-No. 20 Ohio State in its Big Ten opener and Saturday's 78-68 victory over Notre Dame on a neutral floor in Indianapolis. Head coach Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning player in senior PG Hunter (14.3 & 3.8 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (13.8 & 9.8) and SG Stefanovic (12.5).7-4 freshman Edey (11.3 & 4.3) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (9.1) just barely misses double digits in scoring. Depth is provided by four players chipping in between 5.0 and 6.7 PPG.

Iowa's 6-11 Luka Garza was named Preseason P-O-Y by many and hasn't disappointed. He's averaging 29.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG and 2.3 blocked shots while shooting 69.6 percent from the floor. He had 30 points on 13-of-18 shooting, 10 rebounds and three rejections against the Bulldogs. Garza has four 30-points efforts this season with a high of 41. Two senior guards join him in the starting lineup in Wieskamp (15.9 & 6.3) and Bohannon (6.6 & 4.9 APG). The 6-11 Nunge (10.6 & 6.8) comes off the bench plus FIVE more players contribute regularly, led by sophomore guard Fredrick (9.3).

Purdue is a solid defensive team in allowing just 65.0 PPG but will attempt to slow down an Iowa attack scoring 98.7 PPG (1st in the nation) on 50.3% shooting. The Hawkeyes have topped 100 points three times already and their 88 against Gonzaga represents a season low. Purdue is a perfect 5-0 when its defense holds opponents to a field goal percentage of 41.3 percent or less and my thought here is, "good luck with that at Iowa." The Hawkeyes have turned the ball over on just 12.7 percent of their possessions, the fourth-lowest mark in all of Division I. Great bounce-back spot for Iowa here and don't think that the Hawkeyes are NOT aware that the Boilermakers are seeking their FIFTH consecutive victory over the Hawkeyes. Lay the points and expect an Iowa R-O-U-T!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Non-Conference Game of the Year "Best of the Best" is on San Diego St at 9:00 ET.

The St Mary's Gaels dropped their season opener, 73-56, to Memphis at Sioux Falls, SD back on Nov 25 but will take on San Diego Tuesday night on an EIGHT-game winning streak. The San Diego St Aztecs opened their season 5-0 and reached No. 18 in the AP poll but a 72-62 Friday night home loss to BYU saw SDSU fall from the new AP rankings, which were released yesterday. 

Randy Bennett has been head coach at St Mary's since the 2001-02 season and entered this season with a 440-1982 (.707) record. The Gaels posted their 13th season of 20-plus wins last year, as they were 26-8 when COVID shut things down. Would the Gaels have gotten an NCAA bid? Bennett and his various teams know all about NCAA snubs, as SIX times in the previous 12 seasons, his team had been denied an NCAA bid despite seasons of 28, 25, 23, 21, 29 and 30 wins. No Kidding!

Gone from last year are guard Ford (21.9), forward Fitts (16.5 & 7.1) and guard Krebs (9.1). However, is "winning as usual" for 8-1 St Mary's, as senior Guard Kushe, who averaged just 5.9 PPG last season, is averaging 15.4-3.8-6.3 so far this season. Junior guard Johnson (1.4 PPG last season) is averaging 8.2 & 3.8, while returning players like the 6-10 Tass (10.2 & 4.3) and the 6-7 Fotu (7.9 & 4.9) are holding up their ends. Aussie guard Ducas averaged just 3.6 PPG last season but adds 10.9 & 5.3 so far this season.

Brian Dutcher has more than 30 years of coaching experience, including 18 seasons as an assistant to Steve Fisher, first at Michigan and then at San Diego St. Dutcher joined then-interim coach Fisher in 1989 when Michigan won the national championship. Dutcher was named San Diego State's "head coach in waiting" in 2011. Following Fisher's decision to retire, Dutcher was formally named as his replacement on April 11, 2017. The Aztecs won 22 and 21 games in his first two seasons but last season, the team opened 26-0 with impressive road/neutral site wins over BYU, Creighton, Iowa, and Utah State. SD State finished 30-2 and ranked No. 6 when the season shut down. Dutcher brought in transfers Malachi Flynn, Yanni Wetzell, K.J. Feagin, and Trey Pulliam, to mesh with returnees Matt Mitchell, Jordan Shackel, Nathan Mensah, and Adam Sieko, as the Aztecs put together one of their best seasons in program history last year. However, the Aztecs lost MWC player-of-the-year Malachi Flynn (17.6-4.5-3.1) to the NBA while Yanni Wetzell (11.6 & 6.5) transferred to Vandy and Feagin (9.1) has finished up his time with the program. 

The good news for Dutcher is that Matt Mitchell (12.2 & 4.8) flirted with the NBA draft but returned and is averaging 16.3 & 3.8. Jordan Schakel is second with 13.2 PPG, as NINE players are averaging between 5.0 and Mitchell's team-leading 16.3 PPG. The 6-10 Mensah (8.8 & & 7.2) and the 6-6 Arop (5.6 & 4.4) have been the top frontcourt contributors. Mitchell did all he could for San Diego State in the defeat against BYU. The Aztecs trailed by as many as 17 points and were down by 14 with 5:20 remaining, but Mitchell scored a career-best 35, including a dunk with 1:57 to play to make the score 61-61. However, San Diego State scored just ONE more point the rest of the way.

St Mary's is obviously no pushover but other than Memphis (lone loss) and Northern Iowa, the Gaels' early schedule has hardly been challenging. St Mary's is in the WRONG place at the WRONG time tonight, catching SDSU off its first loss. That game is being played on the Cal State San Luis Obispo campus (neutral site) but that won't help. Aztecs bounce-back in a "big way."

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Minnesota at 8:30 ET.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-1, 0-1 Big Ten) will host the St Louis Billikens on Sunday in Minneapolis. The Golden Gophers are looking to bounce back from losing their Big Ten opened 92-65 at No. 13 Illinois on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Billikens are coming off of an 80-69 victory over North Carolina State on Thursday, giving them a 6-0 start to the season. Travis Ford spent eight seasons at Oklahoma St and had five seasons of 20-plus wins (also five NCAA tourney appearances) but after the Cowboys went 12-20 (3-15 in the Big 12) in 2015-16, he and school mutually decided to part ways. He replaced Jim Crews at St Louis, which was coming off an 11-21 season. Not much changed in Year 1 (12-21) but after a 17-16 sophomore season, Ford's Billikens have gone 23-13 and 23-8 the last two seasons. All FIVE starters are back this season. Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. However, Season No. 8 opened 6-0, before catching Illinois at the WRONG time Place (had just lost 81-78 to Missouri in its Braggin' Rights series).

St Louis is led by a quartet of excellent guards. Perkins is averaging 19.5 PPG, Goodwin 15.7 PPG and despite being just 6-3, leads the team in rebounding with 11.0 per game (both are seniors). Sophomore guard Jimerson adds 13.2 PPG plus PG Collins runs the show, adding 7.5 PPG but 7.3 APG. 6-7 senior French did not play the first two games but is rounding back into form (averaged 12.4 & 10.4 last season), averaging 8.3 & 8.3. St Louis is shooting 'lights' out' at 52.7% (8th), while averaging 87.8 PPG (21st).

Minnesota PG Carr (22.7-4.0-5.9) ranks with the best in the nation but while the Gophers won their first six games in getting big contributions from freshman Jamal Mashburn Jr. and transfers Both Gach, Liam Robbins and Brandon Johnson, that group shot a combined 6 of 32 shots (18.8%) from the floor vs Illinois. However, Illinois is a VERY good team, so let's give them a 'pass.' After all, the 6-6 Gach is averaging 13.3-5.7-3.6, the 7-0 Robbins 12.1 & 6.9 and the 6-8 Johnson 7.0 & 5.7. Don't dismiss junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.3 PPG.

St Louis is "hitting on all cylinders" but is on the road for the FIRST time this season and note that Minnesota is a perfect 6-0 at Williams Arena this season. The Billikens beat Indiana State at home 78-59 on Tuesday night, then hastily prepared to host North Carolina State on Thursday. That game was a last-minute addition to the schedule, replacing a COVID-19 cancellation. This trip to Minneapolis comes at the end of a BUSY week and with the Gophers looking to "make amends" for their shellacking at Illinois, it's the "perfect situation" to take Minnesota (a few points are just a bonus).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Big East) is on St John's at 6:30 ET.

Georgetown-St. John's has been a GREAT rivalry but the last time the two schools played on their respective campuses was in the 1980-81 season (when the teams moved on to big arenas). That was THEN and this is NOW! 40 years later in the era of COVID-19 and a limit on crowd size, the two longtime rivals have gone home. These two played a wild game a week ago at Georgetown's McDonough Arena and will conclude the season series Sunday night at Carnesecca Arena on the campus of St. John's in Jamaica, NY. St. John's held a seven-point lead with less than three minutes left in regulation on Dec 13, but needed to force overtime on a layup by Greg Williams. The Red Storm took a four-point lead in overtime before allowing a game-ending 8-1 run to lose 97-94.

Patrick Ewing is in his fourth season as Georgetown's head coach (49-46 entering this season) and the Hoyas are off to an uneven start (3-3, 1-1 Big East). The 7-0 Yutseven (15.5 & 9.8) has moved on plus McClung (15.7) transferred to Texas Tech, where he's averaging 5.0 PPG. Ewing's 'Core 4' are playing between 27 and 37 MPG and doing almost all the work. Returning seniors Blair (18.7-4.3-3.20 and the 6-8 Pickett (13.3 & 9.0) lead in scoring and rebounding, respectively. 6-1 sophomore Wahab (12.2 & 7.8) has really improved from last season plus 6-5 graduate transfer (from Siena) Cary is averaging 9.8 & 5.2. Georgetown is averaging a modest 75.3 PPG but allows almost the same amount (73.0 PPG).

St John's is coached by Mike Anderson, who is in his second season in Queens. He's had success wherever he's been, going 89-41 in four years at UAB, 111-57 in five years at Missouri and 169-102 in eight years at Arkansas. Anderson took over a recently struggling St John's program last season and went 17-15, giving him his 18th consecutive winning season as a head coach (zero losing seasons). Anderson lost LJ Figueroa (14.5 & 4.5) to Oregon but THREE newcomers have already made HUGE contributions. Vince Cole is a 6-5 two-time junior-college All-American and is averaging 11.1 PPG, freshman guard Posh Alexander averages 10.1 & 4.3 APG and 6-10 JC transfer Isaih Moore (but with a 7-6 wingspan) has chipped in with 10.2 PPG and 5.8 RPG. There's all sorts of depth in the backcourt with Williams (11.4) and freshman Addae-Wusu (5.7). However, the team's star is 6-8 wing Julian Champagnie (9.9 & 6.5 last season). He missed the first games but is averaging 20.3 & 7.3 over the last seven. St John's is averaging a healthy 81.3 PPPG but when a team is allowing 80.0 PPG (304th), its 5-4 start is NOT surprising.

Anderson's teams are typically known for defense and allowed 71.6 PPG in the 2019-20 season. "We are still waiting to get the blue collar out of our basketball team," said Anderson. "Our guys last year, they took pride in their defense. Truth be told, we have got some of the same guys and we just need them to get all connected." It's time to 'connect' right here, after losing at Georgetown in a game St John's 'had in hand!' That loss and the team's 0-3 start in Big Eats should be a HUGE motivating factor. Expect St John's to roll!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Georgia at 8:00 ET.

John Brannen led Northern Kentucky to a 72-30 record in his final three seasons, leading the Norse to the "Big Dance" in two of those three years. He was hired at Cincy on April 14, 2019 when Mick Cronin left for UCLA. The Bearcats went 20-10 in last year's pandemic-shortened season. Cincy is missing guards Jarron Cumberland (15.5) and Jaevin Cumberland (8.8) plus forward Tre Scott (11.4 & 10.5). The Bearcats were one of the last teams in Division I to start their season, not taking the floor until Dec 2. They head to Athens, Ga for a non-league game with 6-0 Georgia off the SEC. Tom Crean spent nine seasons at Marquette and nine more at Indiana, before landing in Georgia. The Bulldogs have gone 11-21 and 16-16 in his first two seasons, plus lost Edwards (19.1 & 5.2) and forward Hammonds (12.8 & 7.4) to the NBA off last year's team. Edwards was the NBA's overall No. 1 pick.

The Bearcats have excellent balance but senior guard Williams (14.6) is the lone player in double digits. Fellow guards DeJulius (9.4-5.04.8), a Michigan transfer DeJulius, and Adams-Woods (8.2) join him in the backcourt. Returning 7-1 center Vogt (9.0 & 4.4) is joined up front by the 6-10 Ivanauskas (a Colgate transfer), who is averaging 7.6 & 5.2, plus 6-8 freshman Eason (6.4 & 5.8). Cincy is just NOT putting enough points on the board (68.2 PPG ranks 243rd) and that's why they've lost at home to Xavier plus on the road at Tennessee.

What Crean has done at Georgia is recruit well and create interest in the program, as Georgia set a school record with 11 crowds of more than 190,000 fans last year (of course, that will be moot this season). Sophomore PG Wheeler (14.8-4.4-8.6) is off to an excellent start and is joined by FIVE more double digit scorers. 6-8 sophomore Camara has added 14.3 & 8.0 plus George Mason transfer Kier (11.8-5.0-5.8) joins Wheeler and junior guard Fagan (10.4 & 5.8) for a nice backcourt trio. Joining Camara up front are 6-6 Stony Brook transfer Garcia (11.4) and 6-6 Va Tech transfer Horne (10.0 & 3.8).

It could be said that this is Georgia's first real test but is it? Cincinnati is coming off a 74-71 loss to South Florida in its AAC opener on Wednesday. "Our inability to be tough -- we're plugging one hole and another hole is opening," Cincinnati coach John Brannen told reporters after his team lost to the Bulls. "That's a sign of a mediocre team. If we're going to become a really good team, we have to foundationally get some things fixed first." Don't believe for a second that a 'fix' comes here in Athens. Just why aren't the Bulldogs a favorite in this one?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Ohio St at 4:15 ET.

The CBS Sports Classic men's basketball doubleheader is being held in Cleveland. 5-1 UCLA and No. 20 Ohio State (also 5-1) hook up in the nightcap, following a game between North Carolina and Kentucky in the earlier game. Just as a reminder as to where we are in college hoops this season, UCLA was supposed to be facing Kentucky on Saturday with Ohio State meeting North Carolina, but the schedule was adjusted this week since UCLA and Ohio State have COVID-19 protocols that better align. "You can't make this stuff up!"

Mick Cronin made NINE consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances at Cincy, as his Bearcats posted a 235-78 (.751) record in that span. He moved to Westwood last season and his Bruins got better as the year progressed and were playing their best ball when the season was shut down. The Bruins were 19-12, including a 12-6 Pac-12 record, good enough to get the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. UCLA lost its opener at San Diego St but have won FIVE straight since. Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio St opened 5-0 and moved the 20th in the AP poll but is coming off a 67-60 road loss at Purdue on Wednesday.

UCLA brought back almost its entire team from last year, only losing Prince Ali (6.8 PPG) as a graduating senior. 6-9 guard Chris Smith (13.2 & 7.0) has seen fellow guard Jaquez (14.8 & 6.0) take over the scoring lead, with both followed closely by PG Campbell (12.5 & 7.2 APG). The 6-10 Hill and 6-9 Riley are the team's two-best frontcourt players, with Riley averaging 9.8 & 5.0 and Hill joining the fray after missing the season's first two games to average 8.8 & 7.8. 6-6 Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang missed the first four games with a right foot injury but has averaged 9.5 PPG the last two games in just 23.0 MPG.

Ohio State's best player is the 6-7 Liddell (15.5 & 7.5) but didn't play  in the loss to Purdue (COVID-19 precautions). 6-8 Harvard graduate transfer Seth Towns (15.8 & 5.7 last season at Harvard) has been out so far with a knee injury but neither has been ruled out from returning for the UCLA game. The Buckeyes can match UCLA's depth, with guard Washington (14.5), the 6-7 Sueing (14.0 & 4.5), PG Walker (12.0 & 4.5 APG), 6-8 freshman Key (6.5 & 4/8), the 6-6 Aherns (6.0) and the 6-8 Young (5.5 & 6.5).

As noted, UCLA has won FIVE in a row and has clamped down defensively by allowing 56.0 PPG over its last four wins. However, the Bruins are leaving the state of California for the first time and catch a VERY good Ohio St team off its first loss of the season, The game is NOT in Columbus but Cleveland is an easy trip for the Buckeyes, although these days, home court edges mean MUCH less with limited or even no crowds allowed. Ohio St gets the bounce-back win and we even get a couple of points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Ultimate Underdog is on Seton Hall at 9:00 ET.

Seton Hall believed it could have made a run to the Final Four behind All-American guard Myles Powell (21.0 & 4.3) last season, before COVID-19 shut things down. The Pirates were 21-9 and ranked 15th in the country after finishing tied for first in the Big East with a 13-5 record. Powell is now in the NBA but OUTSTANDING head coach Kevin Willard has plenty to work with as this season. Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski knows all about losing a key player, as Marquette opened the season without Markus Howard, who led the nation in scoring last season at 27.8 PPG. Also gone was fellow senior Scar Anim, who added 13.1 PPG. However, Wojo welcomed an impressive freshman to his roster, the 6-11 Dawson Garcia (31.9 & 9.7 last year in high school) plus has been able to surround him with a deep supporting cast.

Seton Hall stumbled to a 1-3 start but enters this contest having won THREE in a row. 6-11 senior Sandro Mamukelashvili (20.4 & 7.4) scored a career-high 32 points as the Pirates defeated St. John's in their Big East opener last Friday but Tuesday's scheduled game against Xavier was postponed due to COVID-19 considerations within the Musketeers' program Mamukelashvili leads the team in scoring and rebounding, while wing Jared Rhoden adds 14.1 & 7.4 Fellow wing Myles Cale (9.9) and guard Takal Molson (9.1 & 4.) are just shy of double digits. PG Reynolds (0.0 & 5.6 APG) and the 7-2 Obiagu (6.7 & 4.4) round out the main contributors

The Golden Eagles' 89-84 victory at No. 9 Creighton this past Monday was Marquette's second against a top-10 foe this month, after downing then-No. 4 Wisconsin at home on Dec 4. Garcia is averaging 12.9 & 6.1 but senior guard McEwen leads in scoring at 145.7 PPG. Carton, an Ohio St transfer, led five Golden Eagles in double figures with 20 points against Creighton and has scored 38 points in his last two games (11.7-3.6-3.7 on the season). Marquette has depth with 6-7 senior Cain (9.1 & 6.3), 6-7 freshman Lewis (9.1 & 6.9) and  6-9 senior John (6.9 & 7.9).

I like both of these teams but Seton Hall plus the points is the play in this one

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on St Louis at 8:00 ET.

3-0 North Carolina State visits Saint Louis in a hastily scheduled non-conference game against the 5-0 Billikens. The Wolfpack had their scheduled ACC opener against No. 23 Louisville on Wednesday night postponed, creating an opening that allowed them to travel to Saint Louis, which had its Dec 12 game vs Evansville canceled. Welcome to CBB in the "Year of COVID." The matchup, which came together Tuesday, pits an NC State team that hasn't played since Dec 3 against a St Louis team that is coming off a 78-59 home win over Indiana State on Tuesday, Its 10th straight win dating back to last season. The teams have met just once in their history, with St Louis winning 83-80 in the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament.

Head coach Kevin Keatts took over at NC State for Mark Gottfried beginning in the 2017-18 season, after leading UNC-Wilmington to 25-8 and 29-6 records in his final two season (both teams earned NCAA tourney bids). He's won 21, 24 and 20 games his first three seasons in Raleigh and while he lost leading scorer Bryce (13.3 & 6.3) plus PG Johnson (12.8-4.4-6.8) from last season's team, the Wolfpack have plenty of talent and depth this season. Guard Daniels (18.0 & 5.7), 6-7 wing Hellems (14.0) and freshman PG Hayes (11.3 & 5.3 APG) are all averaging in double digits, while FIVE more players check in at between 6.7 and 8.3 PPG. Leading that group is the 6-10 Funderburk, who is coming off averaging 12.8 & 6.1 last season.

Travis Ford spent eight seasons at Oklahoma St and had five seasons of 20-plus wins (also five NCAA tourney appearances) but after the Cowboys went 12-20 (3-15 in the Big 12) in 2015-16, he and school mutually decided to part ways. He replaced Jim Crews at St Louis, which was coming off an 11-21 season. Not much changed in Year 1 (12-21) but after a 17-16 sophomore season, Ford's Billikens have gone 23-13 and 23-8 the last two seasons. All FIVE starters are back with a trio of guards leading the way. Perkins is averaging 19.4 PPG, Goodwin 15.0 PPG and despite being just 6-3, leads the team in rebounding with 10.2 per game (both are seniors). Sophomore guard Jimerson adds 13.4 PPG plus PG Collins runs the show, adding just 5.6 PPG but 7.8 APG. 6-7 senior French did not play the first two games but is rounding back into form (averaged 12.4 & 10.4 last season), averaging 9.7 & 6.7.

The Wolfpack sure hope to take the court tonight, looking to end a streak of FOUR straight games having been canceled. "We'll be rusty," coach Kevin Keatts said. "For me to think that we're going to just go back and be clicking the same way we were ... I don't think that's going to happen." I agree and as I noted above, St Louis comes in a 10-game winning streak. What's more, the Billikens take the court tonight having won 35 of their last 40 games at Chaifetz Arena (the last two-plus seasons)! The 'Price' is sure 'RIGHT!'

Good luck...Larry

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

Duke travels to Notre Dame just 2-2 and without a notable win. In contrast, the Blue Devils' two losses both came at home, against Michigan St and then Illinois. Duke had won EIGHT of its previous nine vs Michigan St and the loss was just Duke's THIRD non-conference home loss since 2000. Then came the loss to Illinois as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge in which Duke had been the dominant school, going 19-2, while going 9-0 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke opened No. 9 in the AP's preseason poll and now sits at No. 21. Notre Dame bounced back from a 14-win season two seasons ago to go 20-12 last year but lost PF Mooney, who averaged 16.2 & 12.7.  Mike Brey is now in his 21st season at South Bend and the Fighting Irish were 1-2 (lost to Michigan St and Ohio St) before Saturday's first-ever victory at Kentucky. Notre Dame built a 22-point halftime lead on Kentucky before hanging on for a 64-63 win, needing a defensive stop at the end.

Coach K lost his top-two players to the NBA, the 6-10 Carey (17.8 & 8.8) will play this season for the Hornets and PG Jones (16.2-4.7-6.4) was taken by the Spurs. Coach K has seamlessly transitioned into the One-and-Done era and freshman guard Stewart has opened averaging 11.8-4.0-3.3, while 6-9 freshman Johnson is averaging 11.5 & 8.3. The 6-9 Hurt (9.7 & 3.8 last season) leads the team this season with 19.0 PPG and 8.3 RPG. Guards Goldwire and Roach plus SF Moore are combining for 18.0 PPG, plus 6-8 freshman Brakefield is averaging 7.3 & 4.0 in just 13 minutes!

Brey likes his junior class, which includes PG Hubb (21.3-4.0-4.3), SG Goodwin (13.0 & 6.0) and the 6-10 Laszewski (16.5 & 9.5). Laszewski posted a season-high 21 points at Kentucky. Joining those three are guard Ryan (11.5-4.3 4.3) and the 6-11 Durham (6.8 & 6.8). Ryan is a Stanford transfer and Durham a UConn transfer. So far, that group has been an 'iron-5,' with little help from the bench.

Duke announced last week that it would play only ACC games for the remainder of the regular season. It had three non league games called off because of coronavirus-related issues with scheduled opponents. One of those games had been rescheduled, but the Gardner-Webb game reset for Dec 19 was then wiped off the schedule by Duke's decision. "We're only going to play conference games  the rest of the way and hopefully play all of them," Krzyzewski said. Duke won't play again until after Christmas, making this a game the team BADLY needs to win. This will be Duke's first road game but arrives in South Bend having won its past SIX meetings with Notre Dame. As for Notre Dame, facing a ranked team has not turned out well for the Irish for quite some time now. With losses to ranked teams Michigan St and Ohio St (see above), Mike Brey's team has now lost 23 straight games against top-25 opponents since beating Wichita St back in 2017. Make that 24 in a row with this loss coming "by a margin" that will give Duke the ATS win, as well.

Good luck...Larry

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

Illinois is 4-2 but ranked 13th in the latest AP poll and will host the Minnesota Golden Gophers (who are 6-0 but unranked), in the Big Ten opener for both teams. The matchup will feature two of the nation's most productive PGs, Minnesota junior Marcus Carr, a preseason all-league pick, who is averaging 23.7-3.7-6.2 and Illinois junior Ayo Dosunmu, a preseason All-American, averaging 24.8-7.7-5.2.

Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. Season No. 8 is off to an excellent start with Minnesota at 6-0 and outscoring opponents 84.2-to-69.0 PPG. The 6-6 Both Gach (a Utah transfer), is averaging 15.3-6.2-3.8 plus 7-0 junior Robbins (12.5 & 7.7) junior guard Kalescheur adds 9.3 PPG.

Illinois is coming off a rollercoaster 11-day span (Dec 2-12) in which the Fighting Illini lost to No. 2 Baylor, won at then-No. 10 Duke and then lost their Braggin' Rights game at Missouri. Dosunmu is joined in the backcourt by freshman Miller (11.5) plus 7-0 center Cockburn had a terrific freshman season (13.3 & 8.1) and checks in at 14.0 & 8.8 through five games. Guards Curbelo (11.8), Frazier (8.3) and Williams (6.8 & 6.0) plus the 6-9 Bezhanishvili (6.8 & 3.5) complete the main contributors.

This will be Minnesota's first real test, as the team hasn't left Williams Arena up until now. The 7-0 Liam Robbins took the lead against Kansas City in Minnesota's most recent game, scoring 27 points with nine rebounds and five blocks. It was his finest effort since transferring from Drake shortly after last season ended but Robbins' first Big Ten test figures to be one of his toughest of the year going up against 7-footer Kofi Cockburn. "We've been tested," head coach Brad Underwood recently said, with Ayo Dosunmu adding "We've been smacked," after the Penn St debacle. Lay the points with Illinois.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Va Tech at 7:00 ET.

Brad Brownell is in his 11th season at Clemson and returned four starters from last year's team. Clemson is off to a 5-0 start (also 5-0 ATS) and entered the AP poll for the first time this season on Monday at No. 24. The Tigers will travel to Blacksburg tonight for their ACC opener, where the 4-1 Va Tech Hokies await. Va Tech won its first four games, including an overtime upset in the Mohegan Sun bubble of then-No. 3 Villanova, showing it was worthy of being the No. 15 team in the AP poll. However, the Hokies then got BLASTED 75-55 on Dec 8 by Penn State at home in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, dropping out the top-25 in Monday's poll.

Clemson is led by 6-8 senior forward Aamir Simms (11.6 & 4.0) and he's the team's lone double digit scorer. Fordham transfer Nick Honor averages 9.8 PPG and is joined in the backcourt by returning guards Dawes (9.4), Newman (5.4) and Trapp (5.0 & 5.00, while the 6-8 Tyson (6.6 & 4.6) plays up front with Simms. The Tigers are averaging a modest 68.0 PPG (240th) but have excellent balance plus their defense is OUTSTANDING, allowing only 51.4 points per game (4th) on just 34.9 percent shooting, while forcing 19 turnovers per game. Purdue is the only opponent to score more than 56 points.

Va Tech head coach Mike Young is in his second season with the school, after a record-setting 17-year tenure as the head coach at Wofford. The Terriers posted a 30-5 overall record in 2018-19, including a perfect 18-0 mark in Southern Conference play, and registered a convincing 84-68 win over Seton Hall in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Young built the Terriers into one of the Southern Conference's preeminent programs and a perennial NCAA Tournament participant. He guided Wofford to five NCAA Tournament berths over his last 10 seasons and five Southern Conference championships. However, the Hokies were just 16-16 overall in Young's first season at Blacksburg, losing almost two-thirds of their ACC games (7-13). Landers Nolley was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team in leading the Hokies in scoring (15.5 PPG) last season but after the season he announced he was transferring to Memphis. More bad news came when the 6-6 Horne (7.6 & 4.2) also transferred. Sophomore guard Tyrece Radford (10.2 & 6.2) is both the team's leading returning scorer AND rebounder! However, Young thinks this team will improve because of some experienced graduate transfers. Guard Cartier Diarra averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists at Kansas State last season, and helped them to the Elite Eight in 2018. He will play both guard spots, sometimes alongside Wabissa Bede, who returns after averaging 5.2 PPG and 5.5 APG. Radford is averaging 11.0 & 6.0, Diarra 7.5 and Bede 7.0. Two 6-7 transfers start up front, Keve Aluma (15.8 & 7.8), who followed Young from Wofford, plus Delaware transfer Justyn Mutts (5.4 & 6.2).

Yes, Clemson looks very good (I've played them twice, winning each time) but the team's 67-51 home rout of Maryland doesn't look all that impressive after Penn St won 74-60 at Maryland last night. It shouldn't go unnoticed that Va Tech swept the season series a year ago. This is the only meeting of the teams this season and expect a huge bounce-back from Va Tech off that Penn St embarrassment. 

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big Ten Game of the Month is on Maryland at 6:00 ET.

4-0 Rutgers is ranked 21st in the AP poll (new poll released later today) and will take to the road for the first time this season when the Scarlet Knights visit College Park to take on the 4-1 Maryland Terrapins. Rutgers had an impressive 79-69 home win over former Big East rival Syracuse last Wednesday in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, while Maryland got 'spanked' in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge (that same night) in a 67-51 loss at Clemson.

Steve Pikiell spent 11 years at Stony Brook, winning 20-plus games in his final five seasons. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA berth in 2015-16 and a 26-7 record. His first three seasons at Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights go just 15-18, 15-19 and 14-17, before going 20-11 last season before the year was shut down. This year's team looks REALLY good, led by senior guards Harper (22.3 & 7.5) and Young (16.0-3.3-6.8). Junior guard Mathis adds 16.3 & 4.8 plus two 6-11 centers, Johnson (8.3 & 7.3) and Omoruyi (6.5 & 7.0) give Rutgers a strong inside presence.

Mark Turgeon coached Wichita St for seven years, before leading Texas A&M to four straight NCAA tournaments in four years going 97-40. He joined Maryland when it was still in the ACC but its move to the Big Ten has been good for the basketball program, as over the last six seasons the Terps have won 20-plus games in five seasons (exception was a 19-win season), making four NCAA tourneys (would have been five, as Maryland was 24-7 when the season was shut down last year). PG Cowan (16.3 & 4.7 APG) and big man Jalen Smith (15.5 & 10.5) are gone but the Terps have a deep backcourt, Ayala (13.4) and Hart (12.2) lead the way, supported by Wiggins (9.8 & 3.4 APG) and Morsell (8.2 & 4.6). Up front, it's the 6-7 Scott (11.6 & 7.) and 6-8 BC transfer Hamilton (8.6 & 4.2).

Rutgers and Maryland both turned in history-making seasons last year. The Terrapins claimed a share of the Big Ten regular-season title with a 14-6 conference mark while going 24-7 overall. The Scarlet Knights posted their first winning record in 14 years and won their most conference games in 17 years, going 20-11 overall and 11-9 in the Big Ten. Rutgers was ranked in the preseason (No. 24) for the first time since 1978 and could move up in today's poll. However, all four games have been at home, where the Scarlet Knights have outscored opponents 82.8-to-65.8 at the RAC (Rutgers is 22-2 SU since the start of last season at home). However, since both programs joined the conference for the 2014-15 season, Maryland has won EIGHT of the nine meetings. Maryland is allowing just 60.8 PPG and is shooting 52.9% as a team from the floor to rank 15th in the nation. That's a sweet 'daily double' and I expect the Terps to win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on Michigan at 2:00 ET.

It's a Big Ten contest Sunday afternoon between 3-1 Penn St and 5-0 Michigan from Ann Arbor. Penn St won 26 games and the NIT in the 2017-18 season but then fell to just 14 wins the following season. The Nittany Lions bounce back with 21 wins in last year's pandemic-shortened season. They entered the current season without leading scorer Stevens (17.6 & 6.9) plus leading rebounder Watkins (9.7 & 7.6). Michigan's Juwan Howards's first season as head coach saw his team open 7-0, then go 6-9 over its next 15 games. A six-game win streak followed but Michigan lost three of four before the shutdown. (19-11 finish). Gone from last year are PG Simpson (12.9-4.5-7.9) and the 7-1 Teske (11.6 & 6.7).

The Nittany Lions went through some turmoil right as practices started when head coach Pat Chambers resigned in late October following an investigation into inappropriate conduct. However, the Nittany Lions are averaging 81.3 PPG and have four players averaging in double figures; the 6-7 Seth Lundy (16.8 & 3.5) and Izaiah Brockington (14.0 & 5.5) plus two guards that can play the point, Sam Sessoms (12.3 & 3.5 APG) and Myreon Jones (12.3 & 3.3 APG). The 6-9 Harrar (7.3 & 7.8) is the team's leading rebounder.

6-7 senior Livers led Michigan in scoring last season and does so again, averaging 16.8 PPG. 7-1 freshman Dickinson (14.8 & 7.4) has made an immediate impact plus four guards give Michigan a strong perimeter group. That group includes Brown (12.0), Wagner (10.2 & 7.0), Brooks (9.2 & 4.0 APG) and Smith (7.8 & 5.2 APG).

Penn State interim head coach Jim Ferry led the Nittany Lions to an impressive 75-55 road win over No. 15 Virginia Tech on Tuesday but following that up with a win here at Crisler Arena may be a 'bridge too far.' Michigan has yet to leave "the friendly confines,' opening 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS at home, outscoring opponents 86.4-to-69.4! Oddly enough, Michigan opened No. 25 in the AP's preseason poll but hasn't been 'seen' since, despite its perfect start. A win here and come Monday's poll, the Wolverines will 'join the party.' Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Clemson at 8:00 ET.

It's 3-1 Alabama and 4-0 Clemson meeting tonight in the Pit Boss Holiday Hoopsgiving Tournament in Atlanta. Alabama head coach Nate Oats was 96-43 at Buffalo, leading the Bulls to three NCAA tourneys in his four years, including going 27-9 and 32-4 in his last two seasons. 'Bama was just 16-15 last season and guard Lewis (18.5-4.8-5.2) left after one year for the NBA but the other four starters returned. Brad Brownell took UNC-Wilmington to two NCAA tourneys in his four seasons there and won 20-plus games in each of his four seasons at Wright St. He's now in his 11th season at Clemson but has just two NCAA bids to show for it.

Alabama started with an 81-57 home win over Jacksonville State, then opened the Maui Invitational last with a bad loss to Stanford (82-64), before bouncing back to earn double-digit victories against UNLV and Providence. All-SEC John Petty is averaging 14.8 & 5.3 after four games but it's PG Quinnerly (eligible this year) who leads the team by averaging 15.3 PPG. SG Shackleford (14.0 & 6.5) starts in the backcourt with Petty and Quinnerly, while the 6-8 Jones (11.8 & 7.0) is joined up front by the 6-10 Brunner (5.3 & 5.0), who is a rare Yale graduate transfer.

Brownell returns four starters as well, led by 6-8 senior forward Aamir Simms (13.0 & 3.8) and senior guard Clyde Trapp (5.3 & 5.0). Simms was a preseason All-ACC first-team and Trapp is surrounded by returning guards Newman (5.5) and Dawes (9.3). More good news came that Fordham transfer Nick Honor is now eligible and he's averaged 10.0 PPG off the bench.

Both schools are beginning tough stretches. Saturday's game kicks off a stretch of four games in 10 days for Alabama, with those four opponents having a combined record of 13-3. As for Clemson, the Tigers are to play three games in the next week, including their ACC opener at Virginia Tech. It's not as if I don't think Alabama is a solid team, it's just that I'm REALLY impressed with Clemson, which has won all four of its games by double digits (4-0 ATS!), including a 67-51 romp against Maryland on Wednesday. The Tigers are holding opponents to just 50.3 PPG (5th-best in the nation), while the Crimson Tide allow 71.0 PPG. The Tigers control the tempo AND the game. The price is a 'BARGAIN!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Eye-Opener is on Kentucky at 12:00 ET.

1-3 Kentucky was ranked No. 10 in the AP preseason poll but has fallen out of the top-25 after THREE straight losses, to Richmond, Kansas and most recently Georgia Tech this past Sunday. Kentucky suffered a 76-64 home loss to an unranked Richmond team on Nov 29, before falling by three to No. 7 Kansas in Indianapolis at the Champions Classic on Dec 1. Georgia Tech had opened its season with losses to Georgia State and Mercer before Sunday's victory. The last time Georgia Tech had won a game against a ranked non conference opponent was Nov 21, 2006. Kentucky welcomes Notre Dame to Rupp Arena on Saturday afternoon having opened 1-3 for the first time since the 2000-01 season. The 1-2 Fighting Irish have dropped games to then-13 Michigan State and then-No. 22 Ohio State, while barely holding off Detroit Mercy 78-70 on Dec 6 for their lone win.

Notre Dame bounced back from a 14-win season two seasons ago to go 201-2 last year but lost PF Mooney, who averaged 16.2 & 12.7.  Mike Brey is now in his 21st season at South Bend and likes his junior class, which includes PG Hubb (22.3-5.0-5.3), SG Goodwin (14.3 & 7.0) and the 6-10 Laszewski (15.0 & 9.7), Joining those three are guard Ryan (13.3 & 4.3 APG) and the 6-11 Durham (7.7 & 7.7). Ryan is a Stanford transfer and Durham a UConn transfer. So far, that group has been an 'iron-5,' with little help.

As is typical with Calipari teams these days, Kentucky started four freshmen in its most recent game. That's not unusual, considering the recruiting classes Calipari has brought in over the past several years. However, the Wildcats did lose EIGHT of their nine leading scorers from the 2019-20 team. Only two Wildcats are averaging double digits thus far, freshmen Brandon Boston (14.5 & 6.8) and Terrence Clarke (13.8 & 4.0). Joining that duo in the starting lineup are 6-10 freshman Jackson (7.8 & 10.5) and freshman guard Askew (6.0). The fifth starter is 7-0 Wake Forest transfer Sarr (9.8 & 5.8), while Creighton transfer Mintz adds 7.3 & 2.8 APG off the bench.

"There's a lot of stuff we're working on, and losing games makes it harder," John Calipari said. "I mean, everybody is knocking us around right now." What isn't going wrong for Kentucky so far? The team is making just 25.4 percent  from beyond the arc, while turnovers are plaguing Kentucky. The Wildcats are averaging 18.3 per game, compared to just 11.8 turnovers from their opponents. However, does anyone really think Calipari WON'T get things straightened out? Here's a tidbit to chew on. With losses to ranked teams Michigan St and Ohio St (see above), Mike Brey's team has now lost 23 straight games against top-25 opponents since beating Wichita St back in 2017. YES, Kentucky is not currently ranked but it did start at No. 10 in the preseason poll and I'd like to bet right now, the Wildcats finish in the top-25 by season's end. Something to bet RIGHT NOW is, Kentucky minus the points!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Late-Breaker is on UCLA at 9:30 ET.

Marquette opened the season without Markus Howard, who led the nation in scoring last season at 27.8 PPG. Also gone was fellow senior Scar Anim, who added 13.1 PPG. However, head coach Steve Wojciechowski welcomed an impressive freshman to his roster, the 6-11 Dawson Garcia (31.9 & 9.7 last year in high school) plus has been able to surround him with deep supporting cast (more later). Marquette has opened 4-1 and already has an impressive victory on its resume, defeating then-No. 4 Wisconsin 67-65 last Friday. Mick Cronin made NINE consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances at Cincy, as his Bearcats posted a 235-78 (.751) record in that span. He moved to Westwood last season and his Bruins got better as the year progressed and were playing their best ball when the season was shut down. The Bruins were 19-12, including a 12-6 Pac-12 record, good enough to get the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. UCLA lost its opener at San Diego St (Aztecs are currently 5-0 and ranked 24th and climbing to the latest AP poll) but have won four straight since.

Dawson Garcia (12.8 & 5.8 has has looked good but guard McEwan (16.6 & 4.2) is the team's leading scorer and is paired with Ohio St transfer Carton (8.8-3.0-3.4) in the backcourt. Returning frontcourt players like the 6-6 Cain (10.6 & 6.8) and the 6-9 Johnson (8.2 & 8.6) have meshed well with Garcia and 6-7 freshman Lewis (9.2 & 7.0). UCLA brought back almost its entire team from last year, only losing Prince Ali (6.8 PPG) as a graduating senior. 6-9 guard Chris Smith (15.0 & 7.0) leads in scoring and rebounding and is joined by another big guard in Campbell (14.2-3.4-6.8). Jaquez (14.2 & 6.0) is also off to a strong start plus 6-6 Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang played for the first time after missing the first four games with a right foot injury, scoring 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting in 20 minutes off the bench. The 6-10 Hill and 6-9 Riley are the team's two-best frontcourt players, with Riley averaging 10.0 & 6.0 and Hill joining the fray after missing the season's first two games. He's averaged 9.3 & 9.0, as the Bruins have won their last three by margins of 26, 20 and 27 points.

The last time UCLA and Marquette met on the basketball court, the coaches were future Hall of Famers John Wooden and Al McGuire. The schools square off for the first time in 56 years when the Golden Eagles visit the Bruins on Friday night at Pauley Pavilion. Wooden's Bruins posted a 61-52 victory over McGuire's Marquette club in the meeting back on Dec 18, 1964, a contest played in Milwaukee. UCLA 'fell flat on its face' at SD St (Aztecs can do that to a team) and could surely use a "W" over Marquette, which owns that marquee win over Wisconsin. Bruins "get it done tonight" with a solid win (AND cover!).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on Arizona St at 10:00 ET.

No. 23 Arizona St (3-1) will host No. 24 San Diego St (4-0) Thursday night in Tempe. The Aztecs visit Desert Financial Arena having entered the AP poll for the first time this season on Monday, after opening unranked despite the fact that last season's team opened 26-0 and was 30-2 when the season was shut down for the virus. ASU was ranked 18th in the preseason poll. Brian Dutcher spent 18 seasons as an assistant to Steve Fisher (first at Michigan and then at San Diego St) and won 22 and 21 games in his first two seasons as SDSU's head coach, before last year's 30-win one. However, while he likely couldn't be "picked out of a lineup," that's NOT the case for ASU head coach Bobby Hurley, who starred for a Duke team which won back-to-back national championships (1991 and 1992) and is part of the Hurley legacy of coaches. This is Hurley's sixth season at ASU and he's led the team to an overall 93-69 (.574) record in his first five with two NCAA appearances which have produced ZERO tourney win

Dutcher brought in transfers Malachi Flynn, Yanni Wetzell, K.J. Feagin, and Trey Pulliam, to mesh with returnees Matt Mitchell, Jordan Shackel, Nathan Mensah, and Adam Sieko, as the Aztecs put together one of their best seasons in program history last year. However, the Aztecs lost MWC player-of-the-year Malachi Flynn (17.6-4.5-3.1) to the NBA while Yanni Wetzell (11.6 & 6.5) transferred to Vandy and Feagin (9.1) has finished up his time with the program. The good news for Dutcher is that Matt Mitchell (12.2 & 4.8) flirted with the NBA draft but returned and is averaging 12.3 & 3.8. Jordan Schakel leads the team with 12.8 PPG, as NINE players are averaging between 6.0 and 12.8 PPG. The 6-6 Arop (7.3 & 5.0) and the 6-10 Mensah (7.0 & & 6.3) have been the top frontcourt contributors.

Arizona State freshman Josh Christopher is averaging 17.5 & 4.3 has scored in double figures in all four games. Senior guard Martin is not far behind, averaging 17.3-3.0-4.0. Fellow senior Verge, who averaged 14.6 PPG last season, has missed two straight games because of COVID but returned to practice last Saturday and is expected to return to action against San Diego State. He averaged 15.0 & 5.5 in his first two games. Then there is 6-6 freshman Bagley, who has averaged 13.0 & 5.8 but suffered a lower-left leg injury in the Sun Devils' 70-62 victory at California last Thursday. "I'm very happy with where Marcus is and we've been very blessed and fortunate to get the medical (information) back that we did get back," Hurley said. "His Achilles (injury) is completely clean. It's intact. There were no strains or sprains or tears or anything to that area and that was my first initial thought when I saw him go down."

This is the Aztecs' first road game and in their last outing, trailed Pepperdine by 16 points with 16:16 remaining, before eking out a 65-60. I don't expect them to be that lucky here at ASU. "The Price is Right" on the Sun Devils.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the week is on Florida St at 7:15 ET.

The No. 20 Seminoles have played just one game but get tested tonight when 3-1 Indiana comes to Tallahassee as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Wednesday night for their first big test of the season. The Seminoles only game so far was an 86-58 home win over North Florida, which has opened 0-6. As for the Hoosiers, they are 3-1 but that loss was 'ugly,' falling 66-44 to current-No. 13 Texas.

Archie Miller spent six years at Dayton, winning 20-plus games in five seasons. Over his final four at the school, the Flyers averaged 25.5 wins per season and went to four straight NCAA tourneys. He got the Indiana job beginning with the 2017-18 season and was just 16-15 and 19-16. However, last year's team was 2012 before the season was "called off!" Devontae Green (13.5 & 8.4) graduated and the 6-7 Justin Smith (10.4 & 5.2) transferred to Arkansas. This year's team is led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (21.5 & 7.0), senior guard Durham (12.0-4.7-3.0) and the 6-8 Thompson (11.5 & 7.5). Indiana is looking to build off its third-place finish in the Maui event at Asheville, N.C, which included wins over Providence and Stanford plus a loss to then-No. 17 Texas. The Hoosiers have been solid defensively so far this season, holding opponents to 61.5 PPG (50th) on 31.8 percent shooting (60th).

Leonard is now in his 19th season with FSU and he's been greatly underappreciated (more later). Florida State was 26-5 and poised to make a Final Four run before the postseason was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but entered this season losing three key players from a team.PG Forrest (11.6-4.4-4.0), SG Vassell (12.7 & 5.1) and 6-7 swingman Williams (9.7 & 4.0) were all chosen in the NBA draft. MJ Walker is back (opened with 17 points) and is surrounded by a talented group. Frontcourt veterans like the 7-1 Koprivica had 13 & 5, the 6-8 Gray (8 & 5), the 6-9 Osborne (6 & 3) all 'warmed up' against North Florida plus returning guard Polite (7 points) and 6-9 freshman Braun (8 & 6) will be solid contributors.

Here's the bottom line. Hamilton has built a championship-caliber program at Florida St, one that has produced the THIRD most victories among ACC schools behind Duke and Virginia since 2016. How many knew that? Indiana shot a putrid 23.9% against Texas (2 of 10 on threes) in its biggest test so far and if there is ONE thing Hamilton does get credit for it's his team DEFENSE! The Seminoles may just also remember losing last year's battle when the Hoosiers won 80-64 in Indiana behind a career-high 30 points from Devonte Green. No Green here and FSU wins "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* "It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere" Play is on Cincinnati at 5:00 ET.

The Cincinnati Bearcats welcome the Furman Paladins to Fifth Third Arena for a 5:00 ET tipoff. The Bearcats lost the 88th meeting of what's known as the "Crosstown Shootout" on Sunday 77-69 to Xavier, giving them a 1-1 start to the current season. Meanwhile, Furman has opened 4-0 and the Bearcats are well aware that the Paladins are MUCH more than an early season non-conference foe. Bob Richey's team is favored by many to win the Southern Conference and have opened with victories by 33, 28, 40 and 24 points. He won 23 games in his first two seasons at Furman and then 25 in each of the last two, as his 73-26 record represents the best three-year run in school history.

Last season's leading scorer was Jordan Lyons (16.4) and while he graduated, the other four starters returned. Starting for the Paladins this season are guards Bothwell (21.8-5.-4.0) and Hunter (11.0-3.5-3.3) plus the frontcourt features the 6-7 Mounce (12.8 & 5.5), the 6-9 Slawson (11.8-6.5-5.0) and the 6-8 Gurley (11.5 & 4.8). Add in two freshmen, the 6-9 Hien (8.0 & 4.3) and guard Foster (4.8 & 5.5) coming off the bench and Richey has another quality team.

John Brannen led Northern Kentucky to a 72-30 record in his final three seasons, leading the Norse to the "Big Dance" in two of those three years. He was hired at Cincy on April 14, 2019 when Mick Cronin left for UCLA. The Bearcats went 20-10 in last year's pandemic-shortened season. Cincy is missing guards Jarron Cumberland (15.5) and Jaevin Cumberland (8.8) plus forward Tre Scott (11.4 & 10.5). The Bearcats were one of the last teams in Division I to start their season, not taking the floor until last Wednesday, beating Lipscomb 67-55. Guard Keith Williams (12.5-3.0-2.5) is Cincy's top scorer after two games but shaky shooting and two crucial missed free throws down the stretch prompted him to shoulder the blame for the 77-69 loss to crosstown rival Xavier on Sunday. "I came back to lead this team, so everything is on me," said Williams, who explored NBA draft possibilities after last season. "Defensively, offensively. I'll take this loss. I'll take this on the chin as a veteran."

The Bearcats have great balance with five players in double digits. After Williams there is Michigan transfer DeJulius (12.0-5.5-5.0), 6-10 Ivanauskas (a Colgate transfer) averaging 10.5 & 6.0, returning guard Adams-Woods (10.5) and the 7-1 Vogt (10. & 4.0). John Brannen didn't 'pull punches' after the Xavier loss saying, "We gotta get better. Just as a whole, we gotta get better!" He emphasized his hopes for more steady leadership from Williams, as well as Chris Vogt. Vogt struggled to capitalize on his size advantage against the Musketeers, contributing six of his eight points in the first half while snagging just one rebound in 32 minutes. "I mean, Chris is 7-1, 260 pounds," Brannen said. "For him to have one rebound, that can't happen." Furman's a quality team but Cincy is a 'tough out' at home and I expect then to bounce back after that loss to Xavier!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Rutgers at 9:30 ET.

Rutgers and Syracuse play Tuesday night in the first meeting in almost seven years between the two schools. Both enter with identical 3-0 records, after Rutgers led wire-to-wire in a 70-56 non-conference win over visiting Hofstra, while Syracuse tied a school record by making 15 three-pointers in a 87-52 win over Rider. The difference in this meeting, from that one in 2013, is that Rutgers is the ranked team (at No. 21), not Syracuse.

At least three Syracuse team members - two players and head coach Jim Boeheim - have tested positive for the coronavirus this season. Buddy Boeheim (Jim's son) averaged 15.3 PPG and scored 21 points in the team's season-opening win over Bryant but he hasn't played since and will NOT be eligible to return for this one. Throw in the fact that the 6-10 Bourama Sidibe continues to recover from meniscus surgery and Syracuse will be without two of its original starting five. SF Griffin (16.7-7.0-4.0), the 6-7 Guerrier (16.3 & 11.0) and the 6-10 Dolezag (10.3 & 6.7) will lead the Orange into this game with the Scarlet Knights.

Steve Pikiell spent 11 years at Stony Brook, winning 20-plus games in his final five seasons. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA berth in 2015-16 and a 26-7 record. His first three seasons at Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights go just 15-18, 15-19 and 14-17, before going 20-11 last season before the year was shut down. This year's team looks REALLY good, led by senior guards Harper (21.0 & 7.7) and Young (15.3 & 5.7 APG). Junior guard Mathis adds 15.3 & 4.0 plus two 6-11 centers, Omoruyi (8.7 & 7.3) and Johnson (7.3 & 5.7) give Rutgers a strong inside presence.

Rutgers was ranked in the preseason (No. 24) for the first time since 1978 and has opened with three wins by double digits. Syracuse will be a tougher test but as noted, come to town less than 100%. This would be a confidence-building win for the Scarlet Knights and the team's record at the RAC (Rutgers Athletic Center) is a 'sweet' 21-2 SU since the start of last season. Lay the reasonable price!

Good luck...Larry

 My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Duke at 9:30 ET.

In yet another ACC/Big Ten Challenge game on Tuesday, No. 5 Illinois will play at Cameron Indoor Stadium against No. 10 Duke. Both schools lost last week, as the Fighting Illinois fell 82-69 to No. 2 Baylor in Indianapolis, while Duke lost at home 75-69 to now-No. 4 Michigan State. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood made a big 'splash' at S.F. Austin and then made a one year 'pit stop' at Oklahoma St, before landing in Champaign-Urbana. The Fighting Illini were just 14-18 and 12-21 in his first two seasons but had a breakout year in going 21-10 before last season was shut down. I'd list Coach K's accomplishments but we'd be here all day.

6-5 junior Dosunmu is the Fighting Illini's best player, averaging 23.8-7.3-6.3 and is joined in the backcourt by freshman Miller (14.5). 7-0 center Cockburn had a terrific freshman season (13.3 & 8.1) and checks in at 13.8 & 9.8 through four games. Guards Curbelo (10.0), Frazier (9.0) and Williams (7.0 & 7.8) plus the 6-9 Bezhanishvili (7.5) complete the main contributors. Coach K lost his top-two players to the NBA, the 6-10 Carey (17.8 & 8.8) will play this season for the Hornets and PG Jones (16.2-4.7-6.4) was taken by the Spurs. Coach K has seamlessly transitioned into the One-and-Done era and freshman guard Stewart has opened averaging 11.3-4.7-3.3, while 6-9 freshman Johnson is averaging 13.0 & 8.7. The 6-9 Hurt (9.7 & 3.8 last season) leads the team this season with 19.0 PPG and 8.7 RPG. Guards Goldwire and Roach plus SF Moore are combining for 18.0 PPG, plus 6-8 freshman Brakefield is averaging 8.0 & 3.7 in just 12 minutes!

Here's the rub. Duke has been the dominant school in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, going 19-2. The Blue Devils have won EIGHT straight games as part of the series, while going 9-0 at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Speaking of Duke's record at Cameron, note that the Blue Devils' home loss to Michigan St on Dec 1 was just Duke's THIRD non-conference home loss since 2000. The pointspread is more than reasonable and I expect Coach K to win this one fairly comfortably.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Kansas at 5:00 ET.

Creighton was ranked No. 11 in the AP's preseason poll (the highest in school history) and after a 3-0 start is up to No. 8 as the Bluejays visit No. 7 Kansas, which is 4-1. Greg McDermott is now in his 11th season at Creighton and after tying for the Big East title last season and finishing 24-7, Creighton was picked to finish second behind Villanova in a preseason poll of league coaches. The Bluejays have used an eight-man rotation in the early going led by two juniors, the 6-7 Bishop (15.0 & 5.3) and 6-2 PG Zegarowski (12.3-3.0-7.0). SIX others chip in between 6.0 and 10.7 PPG. Note that 7-0 freshman Ryan Kalkbrenner (10.7 & 4.0) and 6-6 sophomore Antwann Jones (10.7-6.0-3.3) have both made big contributions off the bench.

Key losses for Kansas entering this season were PG Devon Dotson (18.1-4.9-4.0) and the seven-foot Udoka Azubuike (13.7 & 10.5). However, two 6-5 guards are back, junior Ochai Agbaji (16.2) and senior Marcus Garrett (9.2 & 4.6), who is one of the nation's top defenders. 6-10 junior David McCormack has opened averaging 9.4 & 4.4 and 6-8 Justin Wilson, who has bounced back after suffering a broken ankle as a freshman last season, has been excellent (15.0 & 8.8). Kansas couldn't quite handle No. 1 Gonzaga (lost) but did beat then-No. 20 Kentucky, although with the Wildcats losing THREE in a row, that win doesn't seem like all that much. Bill Self is grateful for 6-7 JC transfer Tyon Grant-Foster, who had seen limited action until adding eight points and eight rebounds as Kansas avoided an embarrassing homecourt upset by North Dakota State on Saturday, winning just 65-61.

To say the least, this visit to Allen Fieldhouse will be a competitive upgrade for the Bluejays after being favored by between 21 and 32 1/2-points over North Dakota State, Omaha and Kennesaw State. The Jayhawks got a real 'scare' by North Dakota St (Creighton was not all that much better in beating the Bison just 69-58) and should be primed for a matchup with the highly-ranked Bluejays. Top-10 matchups are nothing new for Kansas and I expect a win with "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Game of the Month is on Xavier at 3:00 ET.

The Xavier Musketeers will visit Cincinnati's Fifth Third Arena to take on the Bearcats in the 88th meeting of what's known as the "Crosstown Shootout," the tow schools are just THREE miles apart and the rivalry features as much animosity as ANY in college hoops (Google the 2011 game!). Travis Steele was hired by Sean Miller at Xavier for the 2008-09 season and retained by Chris Mack after Miller accepted the Arizona head coaching position. Steele was promoted to head coach on March 31, 2018 when Mack left for Louisville. He has been a part of a program that has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight run in 2017, as well as being part of two Atlantic 10 regular season titles, and one Big East regular season title. John Brannen led Northern Kentucky to a 72-30 record in his final three season, leading the Norse to the "Big Dance" in two of those three years. He was hired at Cincy on April 14, 2019 when Mick Cronin left for UCLA. The Bearcats went 20-10 in last year's pandemic-shortened season.

Xavier's leading scorer Marshall (16.8) is gone, as is big man Jones (14.0 & 11.1) but Steele has plenty of talent on this season's squad. The Musketeers have been one of the busiest teams in the country so far, fitting their first five games into eight days and have gone 5-0!. The 6-9 Freemantle (17.4 & 8.4) is off to a strong start and is joined up front by 6-11 graduate transfer Johnson (11.8 & 4.4) plus 6-9 returning senior Carter (8.2 & 10.6) Senior guard Scruggs checks in with 12.4 PPG and 7.4 APG, while sophomore guard Tandy is averaging 14.8 PPG. Xavier averaged just 70.7 PPG last season but is scoring 81.2 PPG through five games, plus after shooting only 43.6% from the floor last year, the Musketeers are making 49.7% (44th) this season.

Cincy is missing guards Jarron Cumberland (15.5) and Jaevin Cumberland (8.8) plus forward Tre Scott (11.4 & 10.5). It's hard to judge Cincy's team this season as unlike the busy Musketeers, the Bearcats were one of the last teams in Division I to start their season. They did so Wednesday night at home with a 67-55 defeat of Lipscomb. Mika Adams-Woods tallied a career-high 16 points (he averaged just 5.0 PPG last season in 21 minutes) and the 7-1 Chris Vogt added 12 & 8. The 6-10 Ivanauskas is a Colgate transfer and chipped in 11 & 6, plus Michigan transfer DeJulius had 8-6-4 while playing the point.

Having a FIVE games to one advantage this early is a HUGE advantage for Xavier plus the record book shows the Musketeers have won FIVE of the last seven and NINE of the last 13 meetings. Xavier gets the win and let's hope for NO fights!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Kansas St at 8:00 ET.

UNLV has opened 0-4 (lost three games in three days at the Maui Invitational, which was held in Asheville, NC) and will travel to Manhattan, Ks to take on 1-2 Kansas State. UNLV returns just three players who played significant minutes from last season's 17-15 team and Bruce Weber's Wildcats lost their top-three scorers from a team that went just 11-21 last season, after winning 25 games in the previous two campaigns. 

UNLV head coach T.J. Otzelberger is in his second season in Las Vegas has watched his team lose 91-78 to Montana State at home and then lose three straight in Asheville. That said, he claims to be "encouraged" heading into this contest. I'm NOT sure why? Junior guard Hamilton (21.5-5.8-3.5) is a quality player who is joined in the backcourt by Grill (14.0 & 4.) and graduate transfer Jenkins (10.3).

Kansas State's best returning player is senior guard McGuirl, who averages 12.3 & 4.0. Freshman guard Pack was expected to make an impact right away and he has, adding 11.7-3.0-3.0. Guard DaJuan Gordon is averaging 11.0 & 7.0 plus the 6-9 Antonio Gordon (not related) adds 5.3 & 4.7. The 6-10 Ezeagu is a redshirt sophomore and has shown promise (9.3 & 4.7).

Bruce Weber is a quality coach and he was none too happy about his team racing out to a 17-0 lead against UMKC in its latest game, before holding on to win 62-58. Homecourt helps here (even without fan support), as the Rebels have been away from Las Vegas since opening the Maui Tourney Nov 30 vs North Carolina. "The Price is Right" on Kansas St.

Good luck...Larry

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

No. 21 Oregon (opened No. 20 in the preseason poll) has played just once so far, an 83-75 loss to Missouri on Wednesday. The Ducks will look to rebound Friday night in Omaha against Seton Hall, which has opened 1-2. Tonight's contest is a rematch of Oregon's 71-69 win last November in the Battle 4 Atlantis in the Bahamas. Both schools lost their best player from last season, Payton Pritchard (20.5-4.3-5.5) of Oregon and Myles Powell (21.0 & 4.3) of Seton Hall.

Dana Altman spent 16 seasons at Creighton and took the school to seven NCAA tourneys in his last 12 years at the school. He came to Oregon for the 2010-11 season and won the CBI championship in his first season. He begins his 11th season in Eugene having won 20-plus games in each of his first 10, averaging 25.9 wins per year. Oregon has played in SIX of the last eight NCAA tourneys and it would have been seven if last season's year was not cut short (Ducks were 24-7). Seton Hall believed it could have made a run to the Final Four behind All-American guard Myles Powell last season, before COVID-19 shut things down. The Pirates were 21-9 and ranked 15th in the country after finishing tied for first in the Big East with a 13-5 record. Head coach Kevin Willard began his stint at Seton Hall in 2010-11 and struggled in his first five but he entered this season off FIVE straight 20-win or more seasons, each ending in an NCAA berth, not including last year in which the Pirates would have received a bid.

Along with Pritchard, Altman lost SG Mathis (8.5) and 6-7 SF Juiston (7.9 & 6.3). However, to the rescue come two transfers. The 6-6 Eugene Omoruyi, who sat out last year as a transfer from Rutgers and the 6-6 Eric Williams who transferred from Duquesne. Omoruyi wasted no time making his presence felt, scoring 31 points (the most ever scored by a Duck in his debut for the school) and grabbing 11 rebounds. Williams added 13 & 9 plus returning 6-6 senior Duarte had 22-4-3. Oregon's problem was the Ducks got a total of just FOUR points off the bench.

Willard will miss Powell but likes his team. Seton Hall PG Shavar Reynolds averaged just 4.2 PPG playing limited minutes last season behind Powell but Willard is counting on Reynolds to "run the show," First-team All-Big East selection Sandro Mamukelashvili is back as are wings Jared Rhoden and Myles Cale, plus 7-foot-2 center Ike Obiagu. Mamukelashvili has averaged 21.7 & 9.0 and Rhoden joins him in double digits at 15.7 & 7.3. Reynolds (7.0 & 4.7 APG) is off to a decent start, with Cale averaging 9.7 & 3.7. Molson 7.0 & 4.3 and Obiagu 3.7 & 6.3.

Seton Hall lost by just ONE at Louisville in its season opener, then won 86-64 over Iona but fell 76-63 to Rhode Island. I'm a HUGE fan of Altman and I expect the Ducks to bounce back from that unexpected loss to Missouri with Omoruyi leading the way. With ANY support off the bench, Oregon should win comfortably.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "signature" 37-Club Play is on USC at 7:00 ET.

UConn moved to the AAC for the 2013-14 season and made an improbable run to the Final Four and won a national championship. However, it has spent the last six seasons going just 110-90, with just two seasons of 20-plus wins and one NCAA tourney appearance. The Huskies have fallen out of the national 'picture' but hope a return to the Big East this season, along with the hiring of Dan Hurley as its head coach, will change that. Hurley spent six seasons at Rhode Island, winning 25 and 26 games in his final two years, ending with NCAA bids. However, he went 14 -19 and 16-17 in his first two seasons with UConn, before going 19-12 in last season's pandemic-shortened one.

Andy Enfield led Florida Gulf Coast to a 26-11 season in his second at the school, making a Sweet 16 appearance. That gave him the chance to "move on up" to USC but his first two seasons were HUGE disappointments (11-21 and 12-20). However, the Trojans have won 21-plus games in FOUR of the last five seasons, including a 22-9 mark last season before the shut down. The Huskies have opened 2-0 and the Trojans 3-0 ahead of tonight's in the Mohegan Sun "Bubbleville."

Vital (16.4 & 6.3) was UConn's best player but he graduated and Gilbert (8.5 & 3.5 APG) transferred to Wichita St. However, hopes are high for Connecticut this year, as the Huskies return to their natural habitat in the Big East after seven years in the American Athletic Conference. The 6-5 Bouknight is averaging 19.0 & 6.5 and is surrounded by fellow guards Cole (13.5 & 3.5 APG), Gaffney (10.5) and Martin, a Rhode Island transfer who made a nice impression in his Huskies debut against Hartford with six points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes. Up front, it's three 6-9 players, Whaley (11.0 & 8.5), freshman Sanogo (8.0 & 4.5) and a now healthy Polley (played just 15 games LY), who has contributed 7.0 & 4.5.

USC saw its top-five scorers leave after the 2020 season. Onyeka Okongwu left for the NBA, Elijah Weaver transferred to University of Dayton plus seniors Jonah Mathews, Nick Rakocevic, and Daniel Utomi all graduated. However, Enfield recruited a "super frosh" in 7-0 freshman Evan Mobley plus brought in SIX transfers. Evan Mobley has wasted little time in showing his value, averaging 16.3 & 9.0. He joins his brother Isaiah (a 6-10 sophomore), who has added 10.3 & 11.3. Peterson is a 6-8 swingman from Rice and leads a perimeter group with 14.7 & 4.7. Fellow guards are Eaddy (Santa Clara) and White, a grad transfer from Utah Valley St. Eaddy is averaging 12.7 PPG and White 8.3. The 6-9 Goodwin, a grad transfer from Wofford adds 6.7 & 5.3.

UConn has yet to play a quality opponent (Central Connecticut State and Hartford) and hardly looked "ready for primetime" in blowing a 19-point lead and sending Hartford to the line 27 times. Meanwhile, USC held a normally potent BYU attack to 27.5 percent from the floor in a 79-53 rout. Note that Cougars are off to a 4-1 start, averaging 87.5 PPG in those four wins. At "pick-em," USC is a STRONG play!

Good luck...Larry

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

No. 5 Illinois and No. 2 Baylor meet in the nightcap of the Jimmy V Classic at Indianapolis giving college basketball fans the first top-5 matchup of the young season. Baylor opened No. 2 (to Gonzaga) in the AP's preseason poll, while Illinois began at No. 8 Illinois. head coach Brad Underwood made a big 'splash' at S.F. Austin and then made a one year 'pit stop' at Oklahoma St, before landing in Champaign-Urbana. The Fighting Illini were just 14-18 and 12-21 in his first two seasons but had a breakout year in going 21-10 before last season was shut down. As for Baylor's Scott Drew, he took over a devastated Baylor program in the 2003-4 season and since 2007-08, has turned the Bears into one of the better programs in the country. Baylor won the NIT in 2013 and has made eight NCAA tourney appearances (26-4 last season would have made nine).

The Illini routed North Carolina A&T and Chicago State by a combined 121 points but nearly lost to Ohio U last Friday. However, junior guard Ayo Dosunmu sank the tying and go-ahead free throws with two seconds left to save Illinois, 77-75. Dosunmu is averaging 25.7-7.7-6.7 and is joined in the backcourt by freshman Miller (18.0). 7-0 center Cockburn  had a terrific freshman season (13.3 & 8.1) and checks in at 15.0 & 11.7 through three games. Guard Feliz (11.0 & 5.0) and SF Griffin (8.9 & 4.5) are gone but a trio of guards (Curbelo, Frazier and Williams) are combining for 26-plus PPG!

Baylor lost 6-9 center Gillespie (9.6 & 9.0) but Tchatchoua  is a 6-8 transfer from UNLV and he's averaged 9.0 & 8.0. The 6-5 Vital plays like a power forward, averaging 6.5 & 8.5 and is considered one of the best defensive players in the nation. The strength of Baylor's team is centered around its four guards, all scoring in double digits. Butler's (18.5-3.0-4.5) the best of the group but don't look past Teague (18.0 & 6.5), Flagler (14.5-3.0-4.0) or Mitchell (12.0-4.0-6.5)

Illinois entered the top-5 for the first time since losing to North Carolina in the 2005 NCAA championship game but the team's stay may not last long. Baylor is expected to regain the services of head coach Scott Drew, who missed Baylor's impressive wins over Louisiana and Washington over the weekend in Las Vegas while completing his quarantine after contracting COVID-19. He used Zoom to participate in the Bears' scout sessions and pregame locker room discussions, but mostly volunteered to stand aside and let associate head coach Jerome Tang run the show. Baylor wins by double digits!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on St John's at 5:00 ET.

St. John's is 3-0 and takes on 3-1 BYU in a "Bubbleville" game at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Ct (part of the Legends Classic). The Red Storm eked out a 97-93 win over Boston College on Monday night, while BYU suffered its first loss last night, when the Cougars fell to USC, 79-53, in the Legends Classic opener. For St John's, its win over BC was its second nail-biter in three games. The Red Storm needed a go-ahead three-pointer from Vince Cole with nine seconds left to edge Saint Peter's 76-75 in their season opener on Nov 25 and Monday, led by as many as 20 and almost squandered a 13-point lead in the final 2:39. BYU hosted its first three games against weak opponents over Thanksgiving weekend and won by a combined 96 points. However, reality set in last night vs USC, when the Trojans ended the first half on a 10-0 run to take a 31-20 lead and expanded the lead to as many as 30 points in the second half, before winning 79-53!

St John's is coached by Mike Anderson, who is in his second season in Queens. He's had success wherever he's been, going 89-41 in four years at UAB, 111-57 in five years at Missouri and 169-102 in eight years at Arkansas. Anderson took over a recently struggling St John's program last season and went 17-15, giving him his 18th consecutive winning season as a head coach (zero losing seasons). Anderson lost LJ Figueroa (14.5 & 4.5) to Oregon but THREE newcomers have already made HUGE contributions in the team's 2-0 start. Vince Cole is a 6-5 two-time junior-college All-American and is averaging 16.0 PPG. Freshman guard Posh Alexander is off to a strong start with a line of 12.0-4.7-3.7 and 6-10 JC transfer Isaih Moore (but with a 7-6 wingspan) has chipped in 9.3 PPG and 7.3 RPG. There's all sorts of depth in the backcourt with Williams (12.0-3.3-3.7) and freshman Addae-Wusu (8.3). The 6-6 Earlington has opened adding 8.0 & 4.7 plus Anderson got 6-8 wing Julian Champagnie (9.9 & 6.5 last season) back vs BC (he missed the first two) and he not only scored 29 points with 10 rebounds but blocked a potential game-tying three-pointer with 17 seconds left. 

Mark Pope had an excellent first season at BYU (came from Utah Valley St), going 24-8. However, gone are PF Childs (22.2 & 9.0) plus guards Toolson (15.2-4.8-3.9) and Haws (14.0 & 5.8 APG). Guard Barcello (9.3 PPG last season) is leading the way in averaging 18.0-5.8-3.3) and the 7-3 Haarms (Purdue graduate transfer) has chipped in 10.5 & 3.5 the last two games. BYU has a ton of depth, as EIGHT more players are averaging between 16 and 26 MPG. Guard Averette leads in scoring (9.8) in that group, while 6-9 Lohner (6.3) and the 6-11 Harvard (5.8) are the best rebounders.

These schools last met almost 30 year ago, when St John's beat BYU 67-62, in Provo back on Dec 8 1990.  30 years later, St John's wins again.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on North Carolina at 4:00 ET.

No. 14 North Carolina and No. 17 Texas will meet late Wednesday afternoon (4:00 ET tip) in the championship game of the Maui Invitational. However, in the "Year of COVID," the tournament has been relocated to snowy Asheville, a western North Carolina mountain city instead of its normal location in 'paradise' (or Hawaii, if you will). Shaka Smart was a 'genius' at VCU, winning the CBI championship in his first season and then taking the Rams to the Final Four in his second season. He took the Texas job after six seasons at VCU where he was 163-56, an average of 27.2 wins per season. However, in his first five seasons  in Austin, he's had one 'nightmare' season (11-22 in his second year) and four more in which the Longhorns have won a total of just 79 games (just under 20 per) with just two NCAA appearances (lost first game each time). North Carolina's legendary head coach Roy Williams is coming off a 14-19 season in which North Carolina players lost 99 games to injury. However, the Tar Heels opened No. 16 in the AP's preseason poll (Texas opened at No. 19).

Texas returned all FIVE starters plus added the 6-9 Brown, an impressive freshman. The Longhorns have opened 3-0, with their trio of veteran guards leading the way. Ramey is averaging 15.7-3.3-3.7, Coleman 14.3 & 5.7 APG and Andrew Jones 12.5 PPG. Up front, the 6-11 Kai Jones adds 10.7 & 5.0, the 6-10 Sims 8.0 & 7.7 and SF Cunningham 4.7 & 6.7. Freshman Brown is chipping in 8.0 & 7.3.

Last year's super frosh Anthony lost time to injury last season (played 22 games) but averaged 18.5-5.7-4.0 and as expected was a "One and Done!" Also gone is senior guard Robinson and his 11.8 PPG. Freshman guard Caleb Lowe (13.0) leads the team in scoring early on, paired with sophomore Davis (12.7 & 4.7). A pair of 6-10 big men are back, with Bacot averaging 11.3 & 6.3  (9.6 & 8.3 LY) and Brooks 10.0 & 9.0 (16.8 & 8.5 LY) plus 6-8 swingman Black averages 6.3 & 6.3.

Texas has more depth and is looking for its first Maui Invitational title in five all-time appearances in the event. Meanwhile, North Carolina has trailed in the second half in two of its three games this season. "I feel like we're battle-tested going through the things we went through last year," Leaky Black said. "We feel like we've got some guys willing to learn and to fight when the going gets tough" Consider this. North Carolina is going for its FIFTH Maui Invitational title with its seventh appearance in the tournament final. What's more, it sure DOESN'T hurt that instead of playing in Maui, the Tar Heels are playing in North Carolina, although it's Asheville, not Chapel Hill. Tar Heels get that FIFTH title with a win here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Top-10 Showdown is on Duke at 7:30 ET.

The Champions Classic has been played as a doubleheader at a neutral site in the past. However, COVID-19 has changed all that, as the game between No. 8  Michigan State and No. 6 Duke game was switched to Duke's campus, with the Blue Devils agreeing to visit Michigan State next year, while No. 7 Kansas and  No. 20 Kentucky will meet in Indianapolis. Michigan State comes in 2-0, as the Spartans followed an 83-67 opening victory against Eastern Michigan by defeating Notre Dame 80-70 on Saturday night. Duke had its first game called off because of Gardner-Webb's coronavirus situation and enters this contest off an unimpressive 81-71 victory Saturday against visiting Coppin State.

Michigan St lost its two best players from last season's team to the NBA Draft, as PG Winston (18.6 & 5.9 APG) was taken by the Wizards and the 6-8 Tillman (13.7 & 10.3) by the Grizzlies. 6-9 junior forward Joey Hauser, a transfer from Marquette, secured his first career double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds against Notre Dame and is averaging 12.5 & 12.5. Joining him in the frontcourt are two returning players, the 6-7 Brown and the 6-6 Henry. Brown has averaged 10.5 PPG, while Henry has chipped in 10.0 & 6.0. Sophomore PG Watts (7.5 & 4.5 APG) steps in for Winston plus veteran guards Loyer (11.5) and Langford (9.0) join him on the perimeter. Langford is FINALLY healthy and is back on the court this season, having last played in December of 2018.

Like Michigan St's Izzo, Duke's Coach K lost his top-two players to the NBA as well. The 6-10 Carey (17.8 & 8.8) will play this season for the Hornets and PG Jones (16.2-4.7-6.4) was taken by the Spurs. Coach K has seamlessly transitioned into the One-and-Done era and freshman guard Stewart scored 24 points and pulled down nine rebounds in hi debut vs Coppin St, while the 6-9 Johnson scored 19 points and added 19 rebounds in what Krzyzewski called "a heck of a first-time performance." SF Moore (7.4 & 4.2 last season) added 13 & 4 plus the 6-9 Hurt (9.7 & 3.8 last season) chipped in 12 & 7.

These two schools are meeting for the FIFTH consecutive season that these teams meet and Duke has won EIGHT of the last nine, with the exception being the 2019 NCAA Tournament's East Region final. Nothing changes here. Lay the modest price!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Marquette at 7:00 ET.

Mike Boynton was named the 20th head coach of the Oklahoma State University men's basketball team following the departure of Brad Underwood back in March of 2017. His first team (2017-18 season) went 21-15 and reached the NIT quarterfinals but the Cowboys have gone 12-20 and 18-14 the last two seasons. His "best move" may have been hiring Cannen Cunningham as an assistant coach in 22019, as his younger brother, the 6-8 Cade Cunningham (Naismith HS Player of the Year), subsequently signed with Oklahoma State. The Blue Ribbon Yearbook named Cunningham as its Newcomer of the Year. Cunningham joins 6-5 guard Issac Likekele, who may have been OSU's best player last season (10.9-5.6-4.5), despite missing about a month with mono.

Marquette's Coach Wojo knows all about losing a "big-time" player, as Markus Howard led the nation in scoring last season at 27.8 PPG. Also gone is fellow senior Scar Anim, who added 13.1 PPG. However, Wojo also knows about welcoming an impressive freshman to his roster. The 6-11 Dawson Garcia (31.9 & 9.7 last year in high school) earned  Big East Conference Freshman of the Week honors by averaging 17.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in Marquette's 2-0 start, shooting 55.6 percent from the floor and 84.6 percent at the foul line.

Oklahoma St has also opened 2-0 with Cunningham living up to expectations by averaging 20.5-7.0-3.5. SIX other players are chipping in between 7.0 and 9.5 PPG, led by senior guard Flowers (9.5) and freshman guard Walker (9.5). The 6-5 Likekele owns an impressive line of 8.5-9.9-5.5. I think the Cowboys will be improved but 'hanging over the season' is the postseason ban handed down by the NCAA due to transgressions by former program assistant Lamont Evans unveiled in the 2017 FBI investigation. NO postseason for OSU in 2021.

Sure, Marquette will miss Howard but Wojo has a "star in the making" with Garcia plus a really 'deep' team behind him. Guard McEwan (9.5 & 5.) plus frontcourt players like the 6-9 Johnson (5.1 & 5.7) and the 6-6 Cain (5.2 & 4.2) are back. Carton (10.4 as a freshman at Ohio St) is a transfer and eligible right away at the guard position plus 6-7 freshman Lewis is ready right now to contribute. Checking in on that group we find McEwan averaging 13.0 PPG, Johnson 11.0 & 10.5, Cain 11.0 & 6.5), Lewis 10.0 & 6.0, Carton 8.0-4.5-3.0 plus Torrence, who averaged less than two points and two assists last season, producing 6.0-5.0-4.5 to open this season.

Oklahoma St has yet to be tested, as the Cowboys have only beaten UT-Arlington (14-8 last season) and Texas Southern (16-160. Winning on Marquette's Fiserv Forum floor is a "horse of a different color." Expect a double-digit win by the Golden Eagles!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Alabama at 9:30 ET.

Stanford opens its season tonight against 1-0 Alabama in the Maui Invitational. However, in the "Year of COVID-19," it's being played in Asheville, NC (CAN'T make that up!). Stanford's contest vs Utah Valley on Wednesday was canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test, and subsequent contact tracing, within the Wolverines' program. However, expectations are high for the Cardinal, who return FIVE of their top six scorers from last season and boast an impressive freshman class. Head coach Jerod Haase may be feeling some pressure, as he replaced Johnny Dawkins at Stanford, who earned the title "King of the NIT,' leading the Cardinal to NIT titles in 2012 and 2015. However, no school gets much credit these days for an NIT championship. Haase is just 69-61 in his first four years without an NCAA bid and his lone NIT appearance ended in the second round.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats was 96-43 at Buffalo, leading the Bulls to three NCAA tourneys in his four years, including going 27-9 and 32-4 in his last two seasons. 'Bama was just 16-15 last season and guard Lewis (18.5-4.8-5.2) left after one year for the NBA (Jay Bilas thinks he could be the 'steal' of the first round). Alabama used a 21-4 spurt midway through the second half to down Jacksonville State 81-57, impressing no one.

The 6-9 Oscar da Silva averaged team-leading totals in points (15.7) and rebounds (6.4) last season and while he'll miss guard Terry (14.6-4.5-3.2) who left for the NBA, he expects the infusion of young talent to be a boon for his game. Two solid defensive guard guards return in Davis (8.8-3.2-3.7) and Willis (7.8 & 4.0) but Stanford's success will rely on its incoming freshman class. The star is expected to be 6-8 forward Ziaire Williams but the group also includes the 6-8 Angel, the 6-9 Murrell plus guards O'Connell and Taitz. We will have to see.

Oats uses a fast-paced offense with lost of three-0balls but also a pressure defense. He will miss Lewis but senior guard Petty (14.5 & 6.6) and the 6-7 Jones (7.9 & 6.4) will be surrounded by talent. Petty had 14 & 6 in the opening win, while Jones added 12 & 12. 6-1 PG Quinnerly (eligible this year) and SG Shackleford (15.0 & 4.5 LY) each scored 18 points in the team's opener. The 6-10 Brunner is a rare Yale graduate transfer and while he had just 4 & 4 in the opener, he averaged 10.9 & 9.2 for Yale last season,

I believe Alabama is MUCH further along at this point than Stanford (let's see about all those freshman) and with a game under its belt, are q bargain at this price!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Rout of the Month is on St John's at 6:00 ET.

The St. John's Red Storm of the Big East will take on the ACC's Boston College Eagles in a non-conference, neutral-court game in Uncasville, Conn. The Red Storm are off to a 2-0 start (beat Saint Peter's and LaSalle), while the Eagles are 1-1, losing to No. 3 Villanova 76-67 before rebounding to defeat Rhode Island, 69-64.(2-0).St John's is coached by Mike Anderson, who is in his second season in Queens. He's had success wherever he's been, going 89-41 in four years at UAB, 111-57 in five years at Missouri and 169-102 in eight years at Arkansas. Anderson took over a recently struggling St John's program last season and went 17-15, giving him his 18th consecutive winning season as a head coach (zero losing seasons). Jim Christian had an excellent six-year run at Kent St, winning 20-plus games each year and averaging 22.8 wins per season. He took on the challenge at TCU and failed miserably, going 56-73 in four seasons. He returned to the MAC with Ohio U but 24-10 and 25-12 seasons brought only NIT and CIT postseason appearances. It was then on to BC and in six seasons, he's had just ONE winning campaign, going 75-119 overall.

Anderson lost LJ Figueroa (14.5 & 4.5) to Oregon but THREE newcomers have already made HUGE contributions in the team's 2-0 start. Vince Cole is a 6-5 two-time junior-college All-American and was named the MVP of the Lapchick Tournament, as he averaged 20.0 points on 46.2 percent shooting on three-pointers. Freshman guard Posh Alexander averaged 12.0-5.0-3.0 in the two wins and 6-10 JC transfer Isaih Moore (but with a 7-6 wingspan) chipped in 10.5 PPG and 8.0 RPG. There's all sorts of depth in the backcourt with Williams (9.5) and freshman Addae-Wusu (8.0 & 3.5). The 6-6 Earlington has opened adding 9.0 & 4.5 plus  Anderson is waiting for 6-8 wing Julian Champagnie (9.9 & 6.5 last season) to return (missed two straight games due to a sprained ankle and PG Rasheem Dunn (5 points / 5 assists in the opener) to recover from a concussion.

Speaking of hoping to get a key player back on the court, Christian waits to see how bad the foot injury that forced guard Jay Heath to miss BC's second game is. Heath had 16 points on 7-for-14 shooting s Villanova and was BC's leading scorer last season (13.1 PPG). Guard Thornton (12.7 & 3.4 APG) plus a trio of frontcourt players will also be missed (trio combined to average 27.8 & 13.0). Two key returning players are Wynston Tabbs, a third-year guard who missed half his freshman year and all of last season due to left-knee surgery. However, Tabbs (13.5 & 5.5) produced the first double-double of his career, getting 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds against Rhode Island (he averaged 13.9 PPG as a freshman). Up front it's the 6-8 Steffon Mitchell, who has made 84 starts and is averaging 9.0 points and 9.5 rebounds this season plus the 6-7 Felder (8.0 & 4.0).

BC has played the better competition so far but I really like the group Anderson has at St John's, especially when Champagnie gets healthy. This was a healthy rivalry back in the old days, when both teams were members of the Big East in its glory years. However, the Big East is now a basketball-only conference and BC has moved to the ACC, where competing is VERY difficult (see Christian's record at the school above). St John's wins this one comfortably in an 'old school' rivalry!

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 10* Oddsmaker's Error Game of the Month is on Rhode Island at 5:30 ET.

San Francisco went 22-12 last season in head coach Todd Golden's first season and the Dons have opened 2-1 playing at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Ct. The 1-2 Rhode Island Rams (21-9 last season) will be their opponents, as both teams will be playing a FOURTH since Wednesday (five-day stretch). San Francisco lost its opener 76-68 to UMass-Lowell but then won back-to-back games. The first win came 79-68 over Towson but then came a shocking 61-60 win over No. 4 Virginia as a 15-point underdog. Rhode Island opened its season with losses to No. 18 Arizona St (94-88) and Boston College (69-64) but picked up its first "W" on Saturday, beating USF 84-69.

The Dons lost two key players from last season in leading scorer Mineland (14.4 & 4.7) and huge center Lull (11.9 & 7.6). This year's team revolves around senior PG Bouyea (18.0 & 5.6 APG), junior SG Shabazz (16.7) and 6-9 junior Ryuny (10.3 & 5.0). The Rams lost guard Dowtin (13.9-3.5-3.2) and forward Langevine (10.1 & 10.3) to graduation plus guard Martin (12.8 & 7.1) transferred to UConn. However, PG Fatts Russell (18.8 PPG and 4.6 APG last season) returns along with SG Shepard (17.1). Russell (16.7-3.7-4.0) is off to a solid start, as is Sheppard (13.1). A pair of 6-7 forwards have started well too, as Walker starts (10.3 & 5.7) and Johnson (8.3 & 4.3) comes off the bench. The Mitchell twins share time at center with Makhi averaging 5.7 & 5.3 and Makhel averaging 5.0 & 2.7. Shooting guard Carey is a Syracuse transfer and he's averaging 9.3 PPG.

I believe Rhode Island is the better team by a fairly wide margin and is catching San Francisco off it HUGE upset of Virginia, when the Cavs shot 3 of 12 from behind the arc and San Francisco countered by going 13 of 28. NO repeat effort here by the Dons and the Rams win by double digits!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout Game of the Month is on Villanova at 8:00 ET.

No. 3 Villanova will look for its third consecutive victory to open the season when it takes on Virginia Tech in a newly rescheduled game at Uncasville, Conn on Saturday night. The 2-0 Wildcats captured the 2K Empire Classic with an 83-74 win over No. 18 Arizona State on Thursday, after opening its season with a 76-67 win over BC. The 1-0 Hokies won their season opener with a 77-62 home victory over Radford.

Va Tech head coach Mike Young is in his second season with the school, after a record-setting 17-year tenure as the head coach at Wofford. The Terriers posted a 30-5 overall record in 2018-19, including a perfect 18-0 mark in Southern Conference play, and registered a convincing 84-68 win over Seton Hall in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Young built the Terriers into one of the Southern Conference's preeminent programs and a perennial NCAA Tournament participant. He guided Wofford to five NCAA Tournament berths over his last 10 seasons and five Southern Conference championships. However, the Hokies were just 16-16 overall in Young's first season at Blacksburg, losing almost two-thirds of their ACC games (7-13).

Landers Nolley was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team in leading the Hokies in scoring (15.5 PPG) last season but after the season he announced he was transferring to Memphis. More bad news came when the 6-6 Horne (7.6 & 4.2) also transferred. Sophomore guard Tyrece Radford (10.2 & 6.2) is both the team's leading returning scorer AND rebounder! However, Young thinks this team will improve because of some experienced graduate transfers. Guard Cartier Diarra averaged 13.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists at Kansas State last season, and helped them to the Elite Eight in 2018. He will play both guard spots, sometimes alongside Wabissa Bede, who returns after averaging 5.2 PPG and 5.5 APG. Diarra had eight points and Bede nine vs Radford. 6-9 Iowa graduate transfer Cordell Pemsl, 6-7 Delaware transfer Justyn Mutts and 6-7 Keve Aluma, who followed Young from Wofford, add depth and size. Pemsl and Mutts contributed nothing in the win over Radford but Aluma led the team with 19 points.

Jay Wright lost Saddiq Bey (16.1 & 4.7) to the NBA (was a first-round NBA draft pick). However, four double digit scorers from last year's team returned. The 6-9 Robinson-Earl (10.5 & 9.4) was one of those four and he's been dominant in the first two games, averaging 23.0 & 9.0. He was joined by a trio of double-digit scorers last season and they are all back. SG Moore is averaging 15.0 & 6.0, PG Gillespie 13.0-3.5-5.5 and the 6-7 Samuels checks in at 7.0 & 7.0. Caleb Daniels transferred in from Tulane and is now eligible. He averaged 16.9 PPG in his last season at Tulane and has averaged 14.0 & 4.0 the first two games.

Villanova's preseason ranking of No. 3 was its highest since the 1995-96 season but the Wildcats have yet to "put it all together" in their first two wins. My bet says the THIRD time (game) will be the charm," as Mike Young still has plenty of "work to do" with this Va Tech team. "Blowout Alert!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Ultimate Underdog is on Seton Hall at 4:00 ET.

Louisville is hosting what will likely be the biggest university-run non-conference event during the 2020-21 college basketball season. It's called the Wade Houston Tipoff Classic and joining the Cardinals are Seton Hall, Western Kentucky, UNC Greensboro, Winthrop, Arkansas-Little Rock, Duquesne, Evansville and Prairie View A&M. The nine teams will play 18 games over a 10-day stretch from Nov 25 to Dec 4. Louisville opened with an easy 79-44 win over Evansville on Wednesday, which replaced Southern Illinois in the field (Salukis drops out due to COVID issues). Carlik Jones had a game-high 18 points and eight rebounds in his first game with Louisville. He's a graduate transfer from Radford and was last season's Big South Conference player of the year (20.0-5.1-5.5). 6-7 swingman Samuelson added 17-6-5, 6-8 freshman Traynor 11 & 5 and 6-8 sophomore Slazinski 10 & 4.

This will be Seton Hall's first game and the Pirates enter the current season with high hopes. Seton Hall believed it could have made a run to the Final Four behind All-American guard Myles Powell (21,0 & 4.3) last season, before COVID-19 shut things down. The Pirates were 21-9 and ranked 15th in the country after finishing tied for first in the Big East with a 13-5 record. Powell is now in the NBA but OUTSTANDING head coach Kevin Willard has plenty to work with as the new season opens. PG Shavar Reynolds averaged just 4.2 PPG playing limited minutes last season behind Powell but Willard is counting on Reynolds to set up backcourt mates Bryce Aiken and Takal Molson, first-team All-Big East selection Sandro Mamukelashvili, wings Jared Rhoden and Myles Cale, plus 7-foot-2 center Ike Obiagu. Aiken had an outstanding run at Harvard but announced that he would transfer to Seton Hall for his senior season, choosing the Pirates over Maryland, Michigan and Iowa State. Aiken played just seven games during the 2019–20 season before being sidelined with a season-ending injury but averaged 16.7 PPG in those seven games. The 6-11 Mamukelashvili averaged 11.9 & 6.0 last season and is primed for a big season plus expects MUCH more help from the 7-2 Obiagu.

Here's the rub. Louisville is the host team but attendance for Wednesday's game was just 2,956 at the 22,090-seat KFC Yum! Center with COVID-19 measures in place. As for Seton Hall, the Pirates KNOW all about playing quality opposition. They played 10 ranked teams last season, winning OUTRIGHT over four, top-10 opponents, while losing by just three points to then-No. 3 Michigan St and by two points to then-No. 11 Oregon. Chris Mack was terrific at Xavier and is now coaching Louisville but Willard matches up well. Take the points but an OUTRIGHT win by Seton Hall will be NO surprise.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* No. 1 vs No. 1 play is on Gonzaga at 1:30 ET.

Kansas was ranked No. 1 in the final poll of the unfinished 2019-20 CBB season and will open this season on Thanksgiving Day at the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Florida against Gonzaga, which finished No. 2 to Kansa last season but opens No. 1 in the AP's preseason poll this year (Kansas is No. 6). respectively, in the polls.

Key losses for Kansas are PG Devon Dotson (18.1-4.9-4.0) and the seven-foot Udoka Azubuike (13.7 & 10.5). Two 6-5 guards are back, junior Ochai Agbaji (10.0 & 4.2) and senior Marcus Garrett (9.2-4.5-4.6), one of the nation's top defenders. Joining the backcourt are newcomers Tyon Grant-Foster (a JC transfer) and blue-chip prospect Bryce Thompson. Up front, 6-10 junior David McCormack (6.9 & 4.1) and the 6-8 Justin Wilson (who has bounced back after suffering a broken ankle as a freshman last season). will be tasked with filling Azubuike's shoes. "I don't think we're an unbelievably athletic team," head coach Bill Self said. "I thought initially we could get out and pressure, but I think we can play to our length from a depth standpoint. Could we press some? Zone some? Yeah, I think we could do that, but I have not really thought about how to take advantage of our depth, other than to play hard and force others to defend."

"It's a great honor to be selected No. 1," Bulldogs head coach Mark Few said. "We understand that it is more a reflection of what our program has accomplished over the years and hope to play up to that standard as we start our season." The Bulldogs hated to see Filip Petrusev (17.5 & 7.9), last season's West Coast Conference Player of the Year, decide to forgo his final two years of eligibility to pursue a professional career overseas but SF small Corey Kispert (13.9 & 4.0), a preseason All-American, and guard Joel Ayayi (10.6-6.3-3.2) both return. Few has recruited a talented freshman class, one which includes guard Jalen Suggs, a top-10 prospect who is the program's highest-ranked recruit ever. Suggs led his Saint Paul, Mn high school to three straight state titles before COVID-19 ended last season prematurely.

Mark Few has done everything but win a national championship since taking over the Gonzaga program for the 1999-2000 season. He has led the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament in every season during his tenure as head coach and holds the record for the most consecutive tournament appearances since starting as head coach at 21! His career record at Gonzaga is 599-124 (.828), which is an average of 28.5 wins per season. Is this Gonzaga's year to "win it all?" That's getting way ahead of ourselves but a "W" here gives him a nice round number of 600 career wins. That's my bet and the Zags also get the ATS win.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Month is on UCLA at 10:30 ET.

The UCLA Bruins and the San Diego State Aztecs open their respective 2020-21 seasons Wednesday night at Viejas Arena in San Diego. It's a meeting of two excellent head coaches as Mick Cronin of UCLA and Brain Dutcher of SD State will go mano-a-mano. Cronin began his coaching career at Murray St, leading the Racers to two Big Dance appearances in three years. He got the Cincinnati job to begin the 2006-07 season but after four years, had just a 61-68 record. However, NINE consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances, as his Bearcats posted a 235-78 (.751) record. He moved to Westwood last season and his Bruins got better as the year progressed and was playing their best ball when the season was shut down.

Brian Dutcher has more than 30 years of coaching experience, including 18 seasons as an assistant to Steve Fisher, first at Michigan and then at San Diego St. Dutcher joined then-interim coach Fisher in 1989 when Michigan won the national championship. He is credited for having a central role in recruiting the Fab Five to Michigan and for bringing Kawhi Leonard to San Diego St. Dutcher was named San Diego State's "head coach in waiting" in 2011.[Following Fisher's decision to retire, Dutcher was formally named as his replacement on April 11, 2017. The Aztecs won 22 and 21 games in his first two seasons but last season, the team opened 26-0 with impressive road/neutral site wins over BYU, Creighton, Iowa, and Utah State. SD State finished 30-2 and ranked No. 6 when the season shut down.

Mick Cronin’s first year as UCLA's head coach ended 19-12, including a 12-6 Pac-12 record, good enough to get the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. UCLA wouldn’t get their chance to win the tournament though as the Pac-12 tournament and subsequently the NCAA tournament were cancelled on the same day back in March. The good news for the 2020-21 season for UCLA is that it brings back almost its entire team from last year, only losing Prince Ali (6.8 PPG) as a graduating senior. UCLA is led by senior SG Chris Smith, who was named the Pac-12 Conference's Most Improved Player of the Year last season after averaging a team-high 13.1 points and 5.4 rebounds. "Somebody I expect to have a monster season," UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. "It's imperative for us that Chris competes for Pac-12 Player of the Year and All-American status, and he's consistent every night." The 6-10 Hill (9.0 & 6.9) and 6-9 Riley (8.8 & 4.5) are the team's two-best frontcourt players, while big guards Jaquez (8.9 & 4.8) and Campbell (8.3) join Smith on the perimeter.

Dutcher brought in transfers Malachi Flynn, Yanni Wetzell, K.J. Feagin, and Trey Pulliam, to mesh returnees Matt Mitchell, Jordan Shackel, Nathan Mensah, and Adam Sieko, as the Aztecs put together one of their best season's in program history last year. However, the Aztecs lost MWC player-of-the-year Malachi Flynn (17.6-4.5-3.1) to the NBA while Yanni Wetzell (11.6 & 6.5) transferred to Vandy and Feagin (9.1) has finished up his time with the program. The good news for Brian Dutcher is that Matt Mitchell (12.2 & 4.8) flirted with the NBA draft but returned, G]guard Jordan Schakel (10.0 & 3.4) is back plus the 6-10 Nathan Mensah is healthy after playing just 13 games last season when he averaged 6.9 & 6.8 in about 20 minutes. Help also figures to come from Terrell Gomez, a transfer from CSU-Northridge after leading the Matadors with 19.8 PPG.

Here's the rub. UCLA is ranked 22nd in the preseason AP poll, while SD St (30-2 last season and ranked 6th in the final poll) was NOT included in the preseason top-25. I have often pointed out that poll rankings can be misleading but it's not often that linemakers are fooled and they made UCLA a small road favorite, despite playing at one of the toughest road venues in college hoops. I have little doubt that Dutcher will produce another strong season but UCLA was on a 5-0-1 ATS run when last season was shut down, plus ended the season on a 4-0 ATS run on the road. I'm taking the Bruins here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Tourney Takedown is on Clemson at 8:30 ET.

It's the Clemson Tigers and the Mississippi State Bulldogs meeting Wednesday in college basketball action from Titan Field House in the Space Coast Challenge (Melbourne, Fl). Clemson finished with a record of 16-15 overall record last season, including 9-11 in ACC conference play to finish in 9th in the standings. The Tigers were scheduled to play Florida State in the quarterfinals of the ACC conference tournament but the tourney was canceled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Mississippi State went 20-11 last season, its third consecutive 20-win season. The Bulldogs were on a roll (had won 11 of their last 15) and finished with an 11-7 mark in SEC conference play, earning the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, earning a bye to the quarterfinals. However, as previously mentioned, COVID-19 had other plans and the conference tournament was canceed.

Clemson's Brad Brownell returns four starters, led by 6-8 senior forward Aamir Simms and senior guard Clyde Trapp (6.0-3.9-2.5). Simms is a preseason All-ACC first-team selection and while guard Mack (12.2 & 5.2) has graduated, Trapp is surrounded by returning guards Newman (9.5 & 3.9) and Dawes (9.0). More good news comes now that Fordham transfer Nick Honor is now eligible. He sat out the season due to NCAA transfer eligibility rules and is immediately eligible with three year remaining. He started all 32 games for the Rams two year ago, leading the team by averaging 15.3 PPG. He could be Clemson's best backcourt player this season.

In contrast to Brownwell, MSU's Ben Howland lost his four best players in the 6-10 Reggie Perry (17.4 & 10.1), plus guards Tyson Carter (13.9), Robert Woodard (11.4 & 6.5) and Nick Weatherspoon (11.6-3.5-4.1). Guard DJ Stewart returns (8.5) as does the 6-11 Abdul Ado (5.7 & 6.7) plus Howland is counting on 6-6 forward Jalen Johnson, a transfer from Louisiana who averaged 15.5 points and 6.6 rebounds for the Ragin’ Cajuns last season.

it's ACC vs SEC in this neutral-site contest and let me point out that while Clemson was only 16-15 last season, the Tigers were the ONLY team to defeat THREE teams ranked in the top-six nationally (then-No. 3 Duke, then-No. 5 Louisville and then-No. 6 Florida St. Tigers "take down" the Bulldogs!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Month is on the LA Lakers at 9:00 ET.

The Miami Heat reached this year's NBA Finals as the East's No. 5 to face the LA Lakers, the West's No. 1 seed. Miami is the first team seeded fifth or lower to reach the NBA Finals since the eighth-seeded New York Knicks lost to San Antonio in 1999. The last team seeded fifth or lower to win an NBA title was Houston in 1995, when it beat Orlando as the West's No. 6 seed. 

Miami used a 13-0 run to take a 23-10 lead midway through the opening period of Game 1 but it was ALL Lakers after that. Anthony Davis scored 34 points and added nine rebounds, while LBJ had 25 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, as the Lakers cruised to a 116-98 win. The Lakers outrebounded Miami 54-36, led by as many as 32 points and made 15 three-pointers. Adding insult to injury, Miami PG Goran Dragic left in the second quarter with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot and PF/C Bam Adebayo left in the third quarter with a shoulder strain.

LBJ scored 33 points with nine rebounds and nine assists in Game 2, while Davis made 14 of his first 15 shots on the way to 32 points, as the Lakers beat the short-handed Miami Heat 124-114 (no Dragic and Adebayo). James and Davis were the first Lakers duo to score at least 32 points in a finals game since Game 3 against New Jersey in 2002, when Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant did it. However, the Heat (still without Dragic and Adebayo) "came up big" and beat the Lakers 115-104 in Game 3. Miami's starters outscored the Lakers' starting five 89-51 and Jimmy Butler played "the game of his life," with 40 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists. Butler became the 21st player to have a triple-double in the NBA Finals but it was just the third 40-point triple-double in Finals history. 

Now, it's time for Game 4 on Tuesday. Do we have a series? The Heat come in with a renewed sense of confidence as they look to even the best-of-seven series. "We're going to win," Heat swingman Jimmy Butler said of Game 4. "We're going to compete. We're not going to lay down; we're going to fight back in this thing and even it up 2-2." Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra said of his star's big performance after Game 3, "How else do you say it other than Jimmy effing Butler," "This was a very urgent game, and he was doing it on both ends of the court. Just put his imprint on every important part of the game." Alrighty then! Meet Jimmy Butler, the incarnation of MJ. A quick reality check of his playoff history, pre-2020. He had appeared in SEVEN postseasons (for three different teams, Bulls, T-wolves and Sixers)  with those teams winning THREE of 10 series, going 24-34 (.414). 

LBJ played a typical game in Sunday's loss (25-10-8), as he's averaging 27.7-10.7-9.0 through three games. However, the Lakers committed 10 turnovers in the first quarter alone in Game 3, one more than they had total in Game 2. They finished the contest with 20, James being responsible for eight and Anthony Davis five. Davis, after scoring 34 and 32 points in the first two games, took just NINE shots and finished with only 15 points. LA's other three starters (Howard, Green and Caldwell-Pope), combined for a pathetic11 points on 3-0f-13 shooting (23.1%).

LA's complementary players have been an on-and-off situation all season but let me note that the Lakers haven't dropped back-to-back games all postseason. My bet says they don't start here vs a 'wounded' Heat team, even though Miami features "the INCOMPARABLE" Jimmy Butler. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* Game of the Year is on the LA Lakers at 9:00 ET.

The Miami Heat may be just the East's No. 5 but they are in The Finals against the LA Lakers, the West's No. 1 seed. Miami is the first team seeded fifth or lower to reach the NBA Finals since the eighth-seeded New York Knicks lost to San Antonio in 1999. The last team seeded fifth or lower to win an NBA title was Houston in 1995, when it beat Orlando as the West's No. 6 seed. The Lakers cleared enough cap space to lure LeBron James in 2018 free agency and then traded the cache of draft assets they collected in six straight trips to the lottery for Anthony Davis. Owning two of the five best players in the league has the Lakers on the verge of tying the Celtics for the most NBA titles all-time, at 17.

While the Lakers own the two-best players in this series, look at the Heat's journey to The Finals. They swept the undermanned Indiana Pacers in the first round (4-0 ATS) and then KO'd two-time reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks in the second round (4-1 SU & ATS) on the strength of a versatile defense and an arsenal of offensive weaponry, They then beat the equally well-balanced Celtics in the conference finals in six games (4-2 SU & ATS) by out-hustling and out-executing Boston. All FIVE starters average in double figures, led by PG Dragic (20.9-4.2-4.7), swingman Butler (30.7-5.7-4.5) and PF Adebayo (18.5-11.4-4.9). SF Crowder (12/3 & 5.7) and SG Robinson (11.5) round out the starting-five, while Kentucky rookie guard Tyler Herro (16.5) has become a playoff star coming off the bench.

Switching to the Lakers, it's A.D. (28.8 & 9.3) and LBJ (26.7-10.3-8.9) plus a ever-changing cast of characters that play well one game and then disappear in the next. Kuzma is the team's first player off the bunch and is the only other Laker to average in double digits (10.5), more than two 'TDs' fewer than A.D. and LBJ. Caldwell-Pope (9.9) and Danny Green (8.1) have joined A.D. and LBJ as having started all 15 games of the playoffs LA. Caldwell-Pope, Green and Kuzma are joined by a rotating collection of Alex Caruso, Dwight Howard, JaVale McGee, Markieff Morris and Rajon Rondo, not exactly the kind of supporting cast you would expect on a dominant playoff team.

Both teams are 12-3 with Miami  going 12-3 ATS, while the Lakers are 9-5-1 ATS. The Lakers can be a disjointed group but A.D. and LBJ are truly a 'Dynamic Duo!' Also, the Lakers are shooting an impressive 49.8% as a team and when they've been favored by six points or less in this season's playoffs, have gone 4-0-1 ATS. My NBA Game of the Year is on the LA Lakers!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Conference Finals Game of the Year is on the Bos Celtics at 8:30 ET.

The Celtics dropped the first two games of this best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals against the Heat, each time blowing significant leads (14 points in Game 1 and 17 points in Game 2). However, they then won Game 3 of the series 177-106, while leading wire-to-wire. That contest was on Saturday, meaning that each team has had a three-day break heading into tonight's Game 4. Which team will be best-served by the layoff? Boston is looking to win consecutive playoff games for the first time since the start of its second-round series against the Toronto Raptors, while Miami attempts to respond to just its SECOND loss of the postseason.

Knowing that Game 3 would be followed by three days off for scheduling purposes, the Celtics leaned heavily on their stars in Saturday's crucial win. Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kemba Walker combined for 72 points, each playing more than 40 minutes. What's more, Gordon Hayward took the court for his first game since an ankle injury sustained on Aug 17 sidelined him for more than a month, and played 31 minutes off the bench! The Celtics shot nearly 48.2 percent from the floor and outscored the Heat 60-36 in the paint, leading by as much as 20 points in the fourth quarter.

Miami is an NBA-best 10-2 SU & ATS this postseason but as Jimmy Butler opined after the team's Game 3 loss, "I think it gets old, playing from behind consistently. Especially against a great team like Boston and what they bring to the table." Butler is averaging a modest 17.0 PPG through the first three games, as PF Bam Adebayo (22.0 & 10.7) and PG Goran Dragic (21.7 & 4.7 APG) have led the way. However, Miami's won with balance scoring this postseason, as all five starters are scoring in double digits plus rookie PG Herro has averaged 14.8 PPG off the bench.

I believed Boston to be the better team at the start of this series, while acknowledging that terrific play of Miami up tom this point. It's "put up or shut up" time from Boston tonight (and for me, by the way)!

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Game of the Week is on the Bos Celtics at 7:00 ET.

No team had played better this NBA postseason than the East's No. 5 seed, the Miami Heat. The Heat were dominant through the first two rounds, going 8-1 SU & ATS. Miami's lone loss was 118-115 (OT) vs Milwaukee in Game 4, when the Heat had the Bucks 'buried' in an 0-3 'hole.' The Heat's team defense has been OUTSTANDING, as Miami has held opponents in its eight wins to an average of just 101.9 PPG. The Celtics are the East's No. 3 seed (won 48 regular season games to Miami's 44) and swept the 76ers in the first round. However, after going up 2-0 vs the Raptors in the second round, they were extended to seven games by the defending champs. The Celtics won Game 7 but only by a 'hair,' when Marcus Smart made what was a game-deciding block with just under one minute left (Boston would win, 92-87).

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals was an excellent one, as the teams made the statement, who needs the No. 1 and 2 seeds for excitement. The Celtics led the Heat by 12 points entering the final quarter and were up 14 early in the 4th. However, the Heat made a dramatic comeback and in OT, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo were the heroes. Butler completed the game-winning three-point play with 12 seconds remaining but it was Adebayo's block to deny Jayson Tatum the chance to tie with 3.7 seconds left that garnered the most attention postgame. PG Dragic continued his outstanding postseason play with 29 points and SF Crowder added 22. Butler had 20-5-5 and Adebayo 18-6-9. Let's NOT ignore the performance of rookie guard Tyler Herro (Kentucky), who fell an assist shy of his first career triple-double (12 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists) in 40 minutes off the bench.

Boston's Tatum led the Celtics with 30 & 14 plus Smart continued his strong playoffs with 26 points in the loss. However, another poor showing by All-Star point guard Kemba Walker really hurt Boston, Walker needed 19 shots (he made just six) to get to 19 points. It was his THIRD straight game failing to reach 20 points while shooting worse than 32 percent. He was 1 of 9 from three-point range. "I'm just playing terrible, to be honest," Walker said. "Not much I can say, but I have to be better. I have to do better for this team on both ends of the floor. I have to make better decisions. I just have to make shots overall."

It's only Game 2 but doesn't it feel like a "Make or Break" one for Boston. Reading the Game 1 recap on ESPN.com, it was reported that the Celtics had been 156-1 since the shot-clock era started 65 years ago -- winners of 92 straight -- when leading by 12 or more points going into the fourth quarter of a playoff game. They're now 156-2. There's no real 'gap' between these two teams but n\my bet says Boston ties it up at one-all.

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Game 7 Decider is on the LA Clippers at 9:00 ET.

The entire NBA 'world' is anticipating a Western Conference showdown between the Lakers and Clippers. Both LA teams took 3-1 leads in their respective semifinal series and the 'Battle 4 LA' seemed all but set in the Orlando 'bubble.' However, the Nuggets have so far, put that 'party' on hold. The Lakers finished off the Rockets handily in Game 5 of their series (119-96) but the Clippers have now blown back-to-back double digit leads in Games 5 and 6 of their series with Denver The Nuggets trailed by 16 points at the half in Game 5 but went on the win 111-105 and "did it again" in Game 6.The Clippers led Denver by 19 points with 22 minutes to go, only to see Denver pull away for a 111-98 victory. Denver won the third quarter 30-16 and the 4th, 34-19. LA head coach Doc Rivers was blunt after the team's Game 6 loss, saying there was 'no secret' to his team's collapses. "There's no secret like potion that something happened," Rivers said on Monday about the Clippers' two blown leads in a row. "The two things that we didn't do, clearly defensively, they shot almost 60% in the second half. The one thing that did stand out, they went to the free throw line like on every play."

Denver center Jokic (26.1-9.9-5.5) and PG Murray (26.1-5.1-6.5) have led the Nuggets during the playoffs, as only PF Porter (11.8 & 6.9) joins them in double digits this postseason. In Sunday's contest, Jokic had 34 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists, while Murray had 21 points, Gary Harris added 16 and Michael Porter Jr. chipped in with 13. The Nuggets outscored the Clippers 64-35 in the second half. "It was just amazing," Denver head coach Michael Malone told the media after the game. "We had 11 straight stops at one point. Coming into this round they were the No. 1 offense in the playoffs, so I'm running out of adjectives, superlatives, whatever you want to call it to speak on our team because that is a tough, resilient group of you know what. I love our team."

Paul George has had an uneven postseason for the Clippers but had 33 points, six rebounds and five steals in Game 6 for the Clippers. Kawhi Leonard contributed 25 points, eight boards and five assists but those numbers were below his playoff averages of 29.4-9.6-5.5. "Just gave up the lead again, pretty much," said Kawhi, who made 8 of 18 shots and 3 of 5 three-pointers. "They came down and either scored or got fouled in the third quarter, and we couldn't buy a basket. That's how they came back."

So here we are in the FOURTH Game 7 of the 2020 playoffs and naturally, the Nuggets are again part of the story. Denver played two seven-game series in the 2019 playoffs (1-1) and came back from a 3-1 deficit in their first round series to oust the Jazz. The Nuggets will be trying to become the first NBA team to rally from a 3-1 deficit in back-to-back series. As Nuggets center Nikola Jokic said, "To us, Game 7 is just another game. Truthfully, the 'weight' of a Game 7 contest will weigh more heavily on the Los Angeles Clippers. They are attempting to advance to their first-ever Western Conference final and they are 0-7 in franchise history in previous attempts to get there.

The "difference" this time around? The Clippers never had a player like Kawhi Leonard before. He was the Finals MVP for the Spurs in 2014 and then repeated that performance last year in leading Toronto to that franchise's first-ever NBA title. Can he lead the Clipps to the 2020 title? That's NOT the question here. However, my bet says he helps the Ciphers erase the above-mentioned 0-7 record by leading them to a double-digit win in Game 7.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Game 1 Series Opener is on the Bos Celtics at 6:30 ET.

No team has played better this NBA postseason than the East's No. 5 seed, the Miami Heat. The Heat have been dominant through the first two rounds, going 8-1 SU & ATS. Miami's lone loss was 118-115 (OT) vs Milwaukee in Game 4, when the Heat had the Bucks 'buried' in an 0-3 'hole.' The Heat's team defense has been OUTSTANDING, as Miami has held opponents in its eight wins to an average if just 10.19 PPG. The Celtics are the East's No. 3 seed (won 48 regular season games to Miami's 44) and swept the 76ers in the first round. However, after going up 2-0 vs the Raptors in the second round, they were extended to seven games by the defending champs. The Celtics won Game 7 but only by a 'hair,' when Marcus Smart made what was a game-deciding block with just under one minute left (Boston would win, 92-87).

All five Miami starters are averaging in double digits, led by swingman Butler (21.8-5.6-4.2), PG Dragic (21.1-4.4-4.8) and PF Adebayo (16.2-11.7-4.8), who is shooting a team-best 54.1% among the Miami's six double-digit scorers.  Kentucky rookie Herro chips in 14.7 PPG off the bench. Boston hasn't "missed a beat" after Gordon Hayward went out with an injury in the team's first playoff game. Marcus Smart has started in his place and is averaging 13.1-5.5-4.2 this postseason. The team's "Big 3" of Tatum (25.3 & 10.1), Brown (21.0 & 7.6) and Walker (19.6 & 5.3) has been excellent (Note: Walker's had his ups and down). 

The Celtics 'rode' their stars hard down the stretch of their semifinal series with Toronto, with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart each playing north of 40 minutes in the final two contests. However, the Celtics haven't played since Friday, so fatigue should NOT be ANY factor. As for Miami, the Heat have been idle since Sep 8. Could the layoff 'cool' them off (couldn't resist that one!)? I'm on Boston in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* 2nd Round Game of the Year is on the Bos Celtics at 9:00 ET.

The Toronto Raptors won the franchise's first-ever NBA title behind the spectacular play AND leadership of Kawhi Leonard. However, Kawhi left for the Clippers and starting SG Danny Green left for the Lakers. The cupboard was hardly left bare though, plus Nick Nurse won Coach of the Year honors in 2019, his FIRST as an NBA head coach. The Raptors finished this year's interrupted regular season with a 53-19 record, giving them the East's second-seed (note: Toronto owned a better regular season record than ALL Western Conference teams. The Raptors drew a tough second round matchup in the third-seed Celtics, who have given Toronto "more trouble" this season than ANY other team. Toronto promptly fell behind 0-2 in its best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal against Boston and few would have imagined the series going seven games. However, that's EXACTLY where we are as of Friday.

Toronto 'stole' Game 3 with a winning three-pointer at the buzzer and then took Game 4, 100-93. An angered Boston team routed the Raptors111-89 in Game 5 but Toronto stayed 'alive' with a thrilling 125-122 double-OT win in Game 6. Reserve SG Norman Powell scored 15 of his 23 points in the OT periods. His three-point play with 38.8 seconds left gave the Raptors a four-point lead and his free throws with 5.0 seconds remaining helped Toronto hold on. Kyle Lowry was brilliant in scoring 33 points in 53 minutes. Joining Lowry in playing 50-plus minutes in Game 6 were Siakam (54 minutes), VanVleet (51) and OG Anunoby (50).

FOUR of Boston's five starters also logged 50-plus minutes, with Brown adding 31 & 16, Tatum 29-14-9 and Smart (23-11-10), who recorded his second-career triple-double. A name you just didn't read was that of PG Kemba Walker. He played 52 minutes but was just AWFUL, scoring only FIVE points on 2 of 11 shooting. "Just a bad offensive night for me, terrible offensive night for me," Walker said. You think?

I'm a big fan of the Raptors and with the top-seeded Bucks KO'd already, Toronto may just think its path to a return trip to the NBA Finals is wide-open (note: The winner of this series better be VERY afraid of the red-hot Heat). However, in watching and reviewing this series, I have concluded that Boston IS the better team. The Raptors are 7-0 in Orlando against all other opponents but just 3-4 vs the Celtics. In fact, after Boston's 111-89 Game 5 win, the Celtics owned FOUR wins over the Raptors by 15 or more points this season while the rest of the NBA, combined, has ONE!

Lowry (36.9& overall / 30.0% on threes) and VanVleet (33.7% / 29.8%) have NOT shot well most of this series and I wouldn't want to rely on them here. One could argue that Tatum (23.5-10.0-5.0) and Brown (20.7 & 8.8) have been the two-best players in the series plus Smart (12.8-5.4-5.8) has started the last nine games (for Hayward), including posting a line of 15.7-6.7-5.0 vs Toronto. As for Walker, after a subpar showing in Game 4, he responded with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting in the blowout victory in Game 5. Want a bonus prop bet? Take the OVER in Walker's posted point total for Game 7. More importantly, make a "Big Play" on the Celtics in this Game 7. Not for nothing, the Celtics are 23-9 all-time in Game 7s.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Hou Rockets at 7:00 ET.

Houston's "small ball" won out in Game 1 of this series, as the team's excellent trio of guards dominated the game. Harden scored 36 points, Westbrook 24-9-6 and Gordon 23. Here's the 'autopsy.' Houston pulled away in Game 1, outscoring the Lakers 27-18 in the fourth quarter to lead by as many as 19 points in a comfortable 112-97 victory. Houston held the Lakers to 97 points, 42.2 percent shooting from the floor, including 11-of-38 from three-point range (28.9%). The rebounding numbers were even (41-41), a big win considering the Rockets are so undersized plus shot 27 FTs to LA's 19, the result of being more aggressive. The Rockets also scored 27 points off of 15 Lakers TOs. "I think it's the speed," LBJ said after the game. "They play with a lot of speed both offensively and defensively. And you can watch it on film and you can see it on film; until you get out there and get a feel for it [you cannot comprehend it]. That's what we did tonight. We got a feel for their speed, and we should be fully aware of that going into Game 2." 

LA took a 67-51 lead at half in Game 2 but Houston won the 3rd quarter 41023 to take a two-point lead into the 4th. LA prevailed by  holding the Rockets to 17 points in the final period to win (AND cover), 117-109. The Lakers shot 56,6% as a team in Game 2. Game 3 was again close, as the  teams were tied entering the 4th, However, the Lakers again won the decisive final period (30-20) to win 112-102. Again, LA shot 55.1% as a team, overcoming Harden's 33 points and Westbrook's 30.

The Rockets haven't been able to beat the Lakers or Warriors come playoff time in recent years and losing Game 4 to fall behind 3-1 in this series, will surely be a 'death nell.' The Rockets played extremely well offensively for lengthy stretches this series but momentum has turned in the fourth quarter in each of the last two games, as the Lakers' defense has held Houston to just 17 and 20 points, respectively. Here's the two key stretches in those games. Trailing 92-90 entering the final period in Game 2, the Lakers held Houston to 2-for-8 shooting and forced two turnovers during a 14-4 run to take the lead. Then, with the score tied at 82 at the close of the third quarter of Game 3, the Rockets missed 4 of 6 shot attempts while committing three turnovers during the decisive stretch that fueled a 17-5 Lakers rally.

Houston needs Harden, Westbrook and Gordon to reprise their Game 1 efforts offensively and for the entire Houston team to play defensively like it did in Game 1, as well. LBJ and LBY make one fabulous duo but the rest of the Lakers can easily 'go in the tank. NOT sure Houston can win THREE of the next four and take this series but Game 4 is clearly a "MUST-WIN" situation for them. I'm taking the points but predict a SU Houston win. Remember, LA's three starters (other than AD and LBJ) scored a combined 14 points in Game 2 and just EIGHT points in Game 3.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Mil Bucks at 6:30 ET.

The Milwaukee Bucks owned the NBA's best regular season record in the 2019-20 season (56-17) for the second straight year (went 60-22 last season). The Bucks fell in the Eastern Conference finals last season to Toronto, losing FOUR straight after taking a 2-0 lead. The Bucks looked disinterested in the Orlando bubble, as they finished their eight-game schedule 3-5 and were then shocked by the eighth-seed Magic in Game 1 of their first round series. However, the Magic really never had the talent to stay with the Bucks, who promptly won FOUR in a row with an average margin of victory of 14.0 PPG. The Miami Heat, who finished 12 games worse (44-29) than Milwaukee in the regular season, swept the Pacers 4-0 in the first round and then shocked the Bucks in Game 1 of this series. Many (most?) felt like it would be no more than a blip, with Milwaukee 'righting the ship' much like they did vs the Magic.

That was NOT the case though, as Miami won Games 2 and 3 as well, taking a 3-0 lead. All are aware that no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 playoff series deficit to win but the Bucks 'gutted out' a 1118-115 OT win in Game 4, to extend the series at least ONE more game. Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo injured his ankle in Game 3 and his status was uncertain entering Game 4. Giannis would score 19 points in just 11 minutes but he re-injured the ankle and never returned after leaving in the second quarter. Milwaukee prevailed behind Khris Middleton's 36 points (8 rebounds and 8 assists), who played 48 minutes. Milwaukee starters Lopez (42) and Bledsoe (40) also reached the 40-minutes of playing time mark, while Miami players felt as if they 'let their guard down' after Giannis left the game. That sets the stage for Game 5.

Miami is well-coached by Erik Spoelstra (he's VERY under-appreciated) and all five starters are averaging in double digits, while rookie Herro comes off the bench to chip in 14.8-4.5-3.0. Swingman Butler (22.4-5.0-4.0) and PG Dragic (21.6-4.5-6.0) have been superb, while the ever-improving PF Adebayo(16.6-12.4-5.1) leads the team in rebounding AND assists. Make no mistake, this Miami team is for real.

However, I'm still NOT ready to concede the series to the Heat. If Giannis can go, Miami also has five double-digit scorers (four starters plus backup Hill off the bench) and solid depth off the bench. Obviously, the health of Antetokounmpo remains the primary storyline. The Bucks have listed him as questionable for Game 5 and it will almost assuredly be a game-time decision. "We know he's laying it on the line out there for us," Middleton said of Antetokounmpo after his terrific Game 4 effort. "His ankle's already in bad shape. ...Hopefully, we'll have him back again for the next game. But, if not, we still have to play as hard as we can. We've got to fight every night to keep on playing." I'm clearly hoping that Giannis plays but I'm on the Bucks, either way.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the LA Clippers at 9:00 ET.

The Denver Nuggets came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Utah Jazz in the first round and then with ONE day off between that grueling series and Game 1 of their second round series with the LA Clippers, got manhandled 120-97. Denver shot an abysmal 9 of 36 on threes (25%) and the team's two stars, center Nikola Jokic and PG Jamal Murray both fizzled. Jokic was held to a line of 15-3-3 and Murray scored only 12 points, shooting 5 of 15 from the floor (2 of 8 from three-point range). Kawhi led LA with 29 points, while George (19), Morris (18) and Harrell (15) all added solid support.

However, Denver has a knack of getting its opponents out of their comfort zone and did just that in Game 2. Murray (27) and Jokic (260 bounced back with excellent games but more importantly, the Nuggets adjusted their defense to collapse inside and block the passing lanes back outside. The change resulted in the Clippers' Kawhi Leonard delivering his worst performance of the playoffs so far. Kawhi just missed a triple-double (13-10-8) but was an AWFUL 4 of 17 from the floor. His teammates didn't fare very well either, as after shooting 57.1% as a team in Game 1 (including 41.7% on threes), the Clippers shot just 40.9%, including 28.1% (9 of 32).

The series is tied at one-all as it resumes Labor Day evening. The Nuggets have been in three previous playoff series the last two postseason and all three have gone SEVEN games. Are we headed for another seven-game series in this one? Some worrisome news for Denver is that it announced Sunday night that Jokic was listed as questionable for Game 3 with a sprained right wrist. The Clippers twice had a one-game lead on the Dallas Mavericks only to see their opponent even the series. However, LA bounced back from a Game to loss to Dallas to win 130-122 and after a Game 4 loss, routed the Mavs 154-11 to go up 3-2 (closed out the series in Game 6. "We will be better for Game 3," George told reporters. "There's no pep talk for it. It's the playoffs. We got to be ready. We've got to come out a lot stronger and we'll be up for the fight." Leonard's run of scoring at least 29 points in each game of the playoffs ended Saturday in Game 2. Anyone really NOT think he'll be a 'MONSTER' in Game 3? Lay it.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on the LA Lakers at 8:30 ET.

Here's what I wrote in my Game 1 analysis of Hou/LA on Friday. The Blazers were a 'sexy' pick to upset the Lakers at the start of the playoffs and after Game 1, 'tongues were wagging!' The Lakers shot just 35.1 percent from the floor, including 15.6 percent from three-point range (5 of 32!) in Game 1 but then won FOUR straight from Portland. It sure didn't hurt the Lakers that Lillard dislocated the index finger on his left hand in Game 2 and was never the same. However, LA averaged 123.3 PPG in the four straight wins, while shooting 52.2% from the floor in that span. A.D. averaged 29.8-9.4-4.2 in the series, while LBJ chipped in 27.4-10.2-10.2. Is LA's 'dynamic duo' enough to lead the Lakers to the title this postseason?

LA is well-rested (last played on Aug 29) as the team gets set to meet the Houston Rockets. The Rockets needed all SEVEN games to get past OKC and just finished off the Thunder on Wednesday, edging them 104-102. Harden led Houston in scoring vs OKC, averaging 29.7-6.3-8.0 but his three-point shooting was way off most of the series (31.3%). Fellow superstar Russell Westbrook finally returned for Game 5 of the team's first round series and averaged just 14.7 PPG, about HALF his regular season average of 27.2 PPG. Without center Capela (13.9 & 13.3) since late January, the Rockets have turned to a 'small ball' philosophy and have gone 19-13 (team was 29-18 when Capela was lost for the season). FOUR more Rockets average in double digits in support of Harden and Westbrook, while starting PF Tucker chips in 8.6 & 7.7 and some VERY tough defense. We saw last night with the Clippers routing the Nuggets (LAC were my Las Vegas Insider play), a team coming off a tough seven-game series with just one day before facing a well-rested formidable opponent can get 'steamrolled!'.

One team got steamrolled alright but it was the Lakers, NOT the Rockets. Houston's "small ball" won out, as the team's excellent trio of guards dominated the game. Harden scored 36 points, Westbrook 24-9-6 and Gordon 23. Here's the 'autopsy.' Houston pulled away in Friday night's Game 1, outscoring the Lakers 27-18 in the fourth quarter to lead by as many as 19 points in a comfortable 112-97 victory. Houston held the Lakers to 97 points, 42.2 percent shooting from the floor, including 11-of-38 from three-point range (28.9%). The rebounding numbers were even (41-41), a big win considering the Rockets are so undersized plus shot 27 FTs to LA's 19, the result of being more aggressive. The Rockets also scored 27 points off of 15 Lakers TOs.

"I think it's the speed," James said after the game. "They play with a lot of speed both offensively and defensively. And you can watch it on film and you can see it on film; until you get out there and get a feel for it [you cannot comprehend it]. That's what we did tonight. We got a feel for their speed, and we should be fully aware of that going into Game 2." I have my doubts regarding LA's title hopes (will A.D. and LBJ be enough) but I won't hesitate to lay the points in this classic bounce-back spot for the Lakers.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA 2nd Round Total of the Year is on Mil/Mia Over at 3:30 ET.

Here's what I wrote in support of the Bucks in Games 2 and 3 vs the Heat. Milwaukee went an NBA-best 56-17 on the season, 12 games better than Miami's 44-29 record. The Bucks have been the NBA's best team in each of the last two seasons (went 60-22 last year) and losing streaks have been RARE! How rare? Beginning at the start of the 2018-19 season, the Bucks had gone a remarkable 29-1 SU and 23-7 ATS after a loss, BEFORE losing three straight right before the shutdown. The Bucks showed no interest in their eight regular season games in the bubble but after a Game 1 'hiccup' vs Orlando in this is the playoffs, the Bucks won FOUR straight by an average margin of 14.5 PPG. The Bucks lost Game 1, even though they led by 11 points after the first quarter, as the Heat controlled the rest of the game to win by 11.

The Heat were the team to get off to a quick start in Game 2, leading 38-29 at the end of the first quarter. Miami's lead was 90-86 entering the fourth but Milwaukee had the lead back on the very first possession of the final quarter. Middleton was fouled on a three-point try, He made the first two free throws and the rebound of the third was controlled by the Bucks. Kyle Korver made a three-pointer off that rebound to cap a five-point possession for Milwaukee, which had the lead again at 91-90 for the first time since 14-13. However, the Heat then scored 13 of the next 15 points to not only reclaim the lead but push it to 103-93 with 7:50 left. Miami led by SIX with 27 seconds left but almost let it slip away. I'm sure everyone saw the frantic few seconds but in the end, Miami won 116-114 (and deservedly so).

Then in Game 3, Milwaukee led by 12 points entering the fourth quarter and ultimately lost by 15!! The Bucks were outscored in the fourth quarter by 27 (40-13), which was the largest points differential in a fourth quarter of a playoff game in the shot clock era (since 1955), according to ESPN Stats & Information research. Miami ended the game on a 17-1 run. History says the Bucks are 'dead.' No NBA team ever has come back from an 0-3 deficit to win a series in 139 attempts in NBA playoff history!

The Bucks have confounded me and MANY others as well. History says they are 'dead' but as the saying goes, "all things are true until they aren't!" Giannis Antetokounmpo finished Game 3 with 21 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists but he missed all SEVEN three-point attempts and made only 7 of 12 free throws (he made just 4 of 12 FTs in Game 1). Antetokounmpo was dealing with a twisted right ankle in Game 3, an ailment he sustained in the first quarter on a drive to the basket. It's unclear whether it will limit him in Game 4. He didn't say much about it after Game 3.

Will Giannis even suit up with Milwaukee in an 0-3 'hole?' Giannis is hardly the problem for the Bucks in this series, as Milwaukee has averaged 14.3 turnovers per game and shot 35.1 percent from three-point range so far in the series, including just 20.8 percent in the fourth quarter. The fact that Miami is averaging 31.0 free-throw attempts per game, is a HUGE problem for the Bucks, as is containing Jimmy Butler. He had 40 points in Game 1 (career playoff-high), hit the game-winning free throws with no time on the clock in Game 2 and scored 30 points in Game 3, including 17 in the decisive fourth quarter!

Butler's getting plenty of help from the team's other four starters this postseason (all are averaging between 10.4 and 22.3 PPG) plus rookie Herro has averaged 15.3 PPG off the bench in this year's playoffs. The Bucks no longer have ANY pressure on them (the team's 'obit' has already been written) and what I see (Giannis limited or not) is Milwaukee playing loose and for this game to 'fly' over the total.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the LA Lakers at 9:00 ET.

The Blazers went 6-2 in the Orlando 'bubble' and then secured the No. 8 seed in the West by beating the Grizzlies 126-122 in the Play-In game. Portland has been led by Bubble MVP Damian Lillard, who has averaged 36.9 PPG in Portland's nine-game surge to capture the West's No. 8 seed. He then scored 34 points in Game 1 vs the Lakers, as Portland won 100-93. The Blazers were a 'sexy' pick to upset the Lakers at the start of the playoffs and after Game 1, 'tongues were wagging!' The Lakers shot just 35.1 percent from the floor, including 15.6 percent from three-point range (5 of 32!) in Game 1 but then won FOUR straight from Portland. It sure didn't hurt the Lakers that Lillard dislocated the index finger on his left hand in Game 2 and was never the same. However, LA averaged 123.3 PPG in the four straight wins, while shooting 52.2% from the floor in that span. A.D. averaged 29.8-9.4-4.2 in the series, while LBJ chipped in 27.4-10.2-10.2. Is LA's 'dynamic duo' enough to lead the Lakers to the title this postseason?

LA is well-rested (last played on Aug 29) as the team gets set to meet the Houston Rockets. The Rockets needed all SEVEN games to get past OKC and just finished off the Thunder on Wednesday, edging them 104-102. Harden led Houston in scoring vs OKC, averaging 29.7-6.3-8.0 but his three-point shooting was way off most of the series (31.3%). Fellow superstar Russell Westbrook finally returned for Game 5 of the team's first round series and averaged just 14.7 PPG, about HALF his regular season average of 27.2 PPG. Without center Capela (13.9 & 13.3) since late January, the Rockets have turned to a 'small ball' philosophy and have gone 19-13 (team was 29-18 when Capela was lost for the season). FOUR more Rockets average in double digits in support of Harden and Westbrook, while starting PF Tucker chips in 8.6 & 7.7 and some VERY tough defense.

We saw last night with the Clippers routing the Nuggets (LAC were my Las Vegas Insider play), a team coming off a tough seven-game series with just one day before facing a well-rested formidable opponent can get 'steamrolled!' Second verse, same as the first." Lakers roll.

Good luck...Larry