My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Ut Jazz at 10:35 ET.

The 40-17 Boston Celtics will likely never catch the Bucks in the East but the Celtics would 'LOVE' to earn the East's No. 2 seed and they enter this contest just 1 1/2 games back of the defending champion Raptors for that No. 2 spot. The Celtics conclude their post-All Star break four-game road trip with a visit to Salt Lake City tonight to face the 36-21 Utah Jazz. The Jazz have returned from the break to lose THREE straight games (all at home), coting themselves a spot in the West's top-four. The Jazz are currently the No. 5 seed and are just a half-game up on OKC (No. 6 seed) and 1 1/2 games up on Dallas (No. 7 seed).

The Celtics feature three-20-point scorers in Tatum (23.1 & 6.9), Walker (21.8-4.1-5.0) and Brown (20.4 & 6.4), with Haywood (the former Jazz player) close behind at 17.3-6.7-4.2. Marcus Smart (12.5-3.7-4.8) has become an important cog for this team, while Boston has made the center duo of the 6-8 Theis (8.8 & 6.5) and the 6-10 Kanter (8.6 & 8.0) work. Tatum takes the court averaging 36.0 PPG over his last five games, as he's matched his career high of 41 points and also had a 39-point outing during the stretch). However, All-Star PG Kemba Walker (knee) has missed the last three contests. Boston would love to get Walker back in the lineup for the first time on the trip in Utah, but head coach Brad Stevens noted Monday that his title-contending club would rather err on the side of caution with the veteran's sore knee.

The Jazz won 19 of 21 games (16-4-1 ATS) from Dec 11 through Jan 25 but then lost FIVE in a row. Monday's 131-111 loss to the struggling Phoenix Suns drew the following comment from SF Joe Ingles. "When you play the way we've been playing, there's a lot more bad than good right now," he said after the loss. "It's draining. ... It's just embarrassing." Hard to argue. All-Star SG Donovan Mitchell (24.3-4.3-4.3) scored 38 points against Phoenix but was lacking for answers after the latest subpar performance by his team. The 131 points allowed was the second-worst of the season by the Jazz, who compounded their issues by committing 20 turnovers. Utah, which began the season by holding its first five opponents under 100 points, has now allowed 12 of its last 13 foes to score in triple figures, including the last seven in a row.

Ok, so why the Jazz, here? We've seen this team go 19-2, 0-5, 4-0 and now 0-3 since Dec 11. Utah just has too much talent with Bogdanovich (20.6 & 4.2) and Gobert (15.5 & 14.3), not to mention Clarkson (16.3 PPG in 27 games with the Jazz), Conley (13.4 & 4.1 APG), Ingles (9.9-3.9-4.2) and O'Neale (6.0 & 5.2). Boston is playing its FOURTH game in six days and this one is "at altitude," off a game last night in Portland. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Utah Utes are 15-12 (6-9 Pac 12) and travel to Palo Alto Wednesday night to take on the 18-9 Stanford Cardinal (7-7 in Pac 12). Stanford looks to avenge an earlier loss to Utah (Utes won 64-56 in OT at Salt Lake City on Feb 6), after ending a four-game slide by sweeping the Washington schools last weekend. Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak is in his ninth season at Utah but after back-to-back NCAA teams in 2014-15 (26 wins) and 2015-16 (27 wins), the Utes began this season off three straight non-NCAA seasons. The Utes did go 9-3 in non-conference play but as noted above, are just 6-9 in Pac 12 play.

The Utes snapped a three-game losing streak with last Sunday’s 79-65 win over USC behind strong outing from junior guard Alfonso Plummer (just 6.4 PPG on the season), who matched his career high with 18 points on five 3-pointers. Coach Larry Krystkowiak has also been pleased by the development of 6-8 freshman Mikael Jantunen (7.1 & 4.4), who is averaging 9.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his last three games while shooting 75 percent from the floor. However, the Utes have been led all season by 6-6 sophomore Timmy Allen (17.4 & 7.3) and freshman PG Rylan Jones (10.2-3.0-4.7). The bad news is, Jones is listed as questionable after leaving the USC contest with a leg injury.

Many think that Stanford has a chance to make some 'noise' in the Pac 12 tourney and that's because of the potent duo of 6-9 forward Oscar da Silva (16.0 & 6.5) and freshman PG Tyrell Terry (15.0-4.6-3.2). Five other players chip in between 4.8 and 9.2 PPG, led by 6-7 freshman Jones (9.2. & 3.4) plus guards Davis (8.6 -3.1-3.4) and Wills (7.1 & 4.2). Da Silva suffered a head injury Feb 8 in a loss to Colorado and then missed one game before returning. However, he played 30-plus minutes last week when Stanford swept Washington and Washington St, scoring 35 points, while pulling down 19 rebounds. He's "good to go!"

Here's the bottom line. Utah won 79-74 at Nevada on Nov 15 but has lost all EIGHT road games since, going 1-7 ATS (that's an 88% "go-against"). The Utes needed OT to win at home over the Cardinal and I see little reason to think Stanford will have much trouble avenging that loss, here. Stanford has won NINE of the 12 meetings at Maples Pavilion since Utah joined the Pac 12 and checks in 12-4 SU (10-6 ATS) at home this season. Stanford leads the Pac-12 in scoring defense (allows 61.6 PPG, 13th-best in the nation), while the Utes are 0-7 on the Pac 12 road, being held under 60 points in FOUR of those seven losses. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Southern Illinois at 8:00 ET.

The Indiana State Sycamores and the Southern Illinois Salukis each own 16 wins. The Sycamores won the first meeting (68-56 at home back on Dec 30) but the Salukis enter this contest 10-6 in MVC play, one game better than Indiana St's 9-7 mark. Indiana St has a veteran guard duo in junior Tyreke Key, who leads the Sycamores in scoring at 16.0 PPG. Senior Jordan Barnes also averages in double digits (12.4 PPG) and adds a team-high 3.7 APG. A pair of freshman are the top frontcourt performers, the 6-9 Jake Laravia (9.2 & 5.9) and the 6-7 Christian Williams (7.4 & 4.1). Marcus Domask is a 6-6 freshman swingman and he is the leading scorer for Southern Illinois with an average of 14.3 PPG (also adds 5.6 RPG). Senior guard McGill (11.3 & 4.4) and freshman guard Jones (8.1) are the team's top-producing guards but SIU has depth on the perimeter, as four other guards are combining for 15.4  PPG. The 6-10 Barret Benson joins Domask and McGill in double digits at 10.7 PPG (adds 5.5 RPG).

Here's the bottom line. Indiana St is just 3-8 SU on the road, including 2-6 in MVC play (1-6-1 ATS). Meanwhile, Southern Ilinois is 12-2 SU at home, including a MONEY-MAKING 10-3 ATS.  A little in-season "payback" works here, as SIU keeps itself in the MVC's top-four (coveted spot for Arch Madness) in this final week of the regular season. "The Price is Right" for an easy cover!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Month is on UVA/Va Tech Over at 7:00 ET.

Virginia won the school's first-ever national championship last season but gone from that team are its top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). The Cavs opened 7-0 and were ranked 5th when they lost 69-40 at Purdue on Dec 4. UVA was 11-2 (3-0 ACC) and ranked 18th when it lost and is now 19-7 and at 11-5, is solidly in 4th-place in the ACC. Mike Young spent 17 years at Wofford, where he led the Terriers to five NCAA appearances, including last season. Wofford defeated Seton Hall 84-68 in LY's Big Dance, giving him the first NCAA Tournament win of his career. He took over at Va Tech, when Buzz Williams used Tech's Sweet 16 appearance last season to take the Texas A&M job. Young lost Va Tech's leading scorer from last year (Alexander-Walker at 16.2) to the NBA and couldn't convince the 6-10 Blackshear (14.9 & 7.5) to stay (he's a graduate transfer at Florida). The Hokies surprised by opening 6-0 and after a two-OT win over UNC on Jan 22, were 14-5 (5-3 in the ACC). However, 'the bottom has fallen out' for Va Tech, with SEVEN losses in its last eight games.

UVA's "Core 4" this season has been its unique guard duo of 5-9 PG Clark (10.8-4.2-6.0) and the 6-8 Key (10.0 & 7.2), teamed with the 6-9 Diatke (13.4 & 6.7) and the 7-1 Huff (8.1 & 6.0). However, after a poor start to the season, Tomas Woldentensae (a 6-5 junior guard from Italy) has emerged as the offensive wild card the Cavaliers have been seeking. He's now 30 of 67 (44.8%) from three-point range over his last eight games, while averaging 13.3 PPG. Virginia has found some nice offensive balance in winning SEVEN of eight (lone 'clunker' was a 50-49 OT win over Notre Dame) and has had a different player lead in scoring in each of its last four games.

While UVA has won seven of eight, Va Tech enters this contest having lost seven of eight. The Hokies dropped an 88-64 decision to then-No. 6 Duke the last time out, sinking to 11th in the ACC (15-12 / 6-10). SEVEN of Va Tech's top-eight scorers are guards. Two freshman lead the way, Landers Nolley II (16.7 & 6.1) and Tyrece Radford (10.4 & 6.3). However, Nolley is mired in a dismal shooting slump that has seen him make just 8-of-44 shots, including 2-of-17 from three-point range, in a three-game stretch. Radford is trending in the other direction and after leading the Hokies with 16 points in the loss to Duke, is averaging 16.3 points over a seven-game span on 57.1 percent shooting. 6-5 SF Horne (7.1 & 4.3) is the lone frontcourt player of note but note that Va Tech's two freshman guards are the team's top rebounders (see above).

UVA has a HUGE edge inside with Diatke and Huff plus while the Cavs are surging, the Hokies' season is slipping away. When these teams met back on Jan 4, UVA won 65-39, as Va Tech was a HORRIFIC 13 of 48 from the floor (27.1%), including 4 of 25 on threes. The Hokies CAN'T shoot that poorly again, plus the Cavs have found, at least for them, an offensive 'groove.' Va Tech averages 70.6 PPG and allows 66.8 PPG on the season, so a LOW over/under like this (total opened 113 and immediately, fell) is VERY tempting. A look at Va Tech's entire schedule finds just THREE over/under numbers (of 27 games) closing at less than 130 points. Va Tech has averaged 75,4 PPG at home this season and will bring its "A-game" against the defending champs, after that 'ugly' 39-point effort Jan 4 in Charlottesville. FOUR of UVA's last five games have gone "over the total,' including the last three. Make it FOUR straight 'overs' here!

Good luck...Larry

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

The 14-15 Missouri State Bears and the 15-14 Valparaiso Crusaders meet Tuesday in MVC action (both schools are 8-8) at Valpo's Athletics-Recreation Center. The Bears hired Dana Ford as their head coach in 2018, after he was an unimpressive 57-65 in four years at Tennessee St. Not sure the school should have been too surprised with last year's 16-16 and not much has changed this season, either. Matt Lottich's first season at Valpo saw the Crusaders go 24-9 (2016-17) but the next two seasons saw them finish 15-17 and 15-18. Not much has changed this season for the Crusaders, either.

The Bears are led by guard Cook (14.8 & 4.8) but the loss of PG Dixon (7.2-4.0-3.6) to season-ending shoulder surgery (last played Jan 11), has left the team with a shortage of quality perimeter players. The frontcourt is rotating five players, chipping in between 5.4 and 13.5 PPG. The top performers are 6-8 forwards Prim (13.5 & 4.8) and Da Silva (9.8 & 7.0). The Crusaders are led by freshman PG Freeman-Liberty (19.3-6.0-3.2), who gets help from a trio of guards combining for 17.5 PPG. The 6-8 Ryan Fazekas, a graduate transfer from Marquette, was lost in early January to an ankle injury but he returned in late January. He's played 38 and 37 minutes the last two games, scoring 31 points and is now the team's second-leading scorer at 11.8 PPG. Four other frontcourt players chip in between 5.9 and 9.4 PPG, led by McMillan (9.4 & 3.2) and Clay (8.7 & 4.4).

Missouri St is just 3-9 SU on the road. Two of those wins have come at Illinois St (4-12 in MVC play) and Evansville (0-16). Meanwhile, Valpo is 10-2 SU at home this season, posting a  MONEY-MAKING 8-2-1 ATS mark. Valpo is a MUCH-improved team with Fazekas back on the court, giving us great value at this price.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Loyola-Chi at 8:00 ET.

Drake hired Darian DeVries, a longtime assistant at Creighton, as its new head coach a year ago. It was DeVries' first head coaching job and he led the Bulldogs to a 24-10 season. Drake returned four starters from that team but while the Bulldogs are 18-11 overall, they are just 8-8 in MVC play. Porter Moser's Loyola-Chicago Ramblers made that great run to the Final 4 in 2018, finishing with 32 wins. Last year's team won a more modest 20 games, after losing in the NIT. The Ramblers welcome the Bulldogs to Chicago at  19-10 overall, including 11-5 in MVC play (just ONE game back of conference-leader Northern Iowa, which is 12-4).

Drake is led by 7-0 sophomore Liam Robbins, who tops the team in scoring (14.0) and rebounding (6.7). The rest of the major contributors are all guards, with a bevy of six perimeter players chipping in between 6.0 and 11.7 PPG. That group is led by PG Penn, who averages 11.7-4.6-5.7. Three starters returned for Loyola this season and are contributing as expected. 6-9 center Krutwig leads in scoring (15.2), rebounding (8.1) and assists (4.3). FOUR guards play 20-plus minutes, chipping in between 8.9 and 13.2 PPG, led by Hall (13.2 & 4.0) and Clemons (10.0). The 6-7 Uguak (5.4 & 3.4) helps Krutwig up front.

Drake is an excellent home team (14-1) but is just 2-9 on the road, including 1-7 on the MVC road (note: lone win came at Evansville, which is 0-16 in conference play). Loyola is 13-2 at home, losing only to Coppin St back on Nov 12 as a three 'TD' favorite (?) and by three points to Davidson on Dec 22. Loyola has NOT lost at home since, winning EIGHT in a row while going 6-2 ATS. The Ramblers are an excellent defensive team (allow 62.3 PPG to rank 21st in the nation) and while they score a modest 68.8 PPG, the team shoots an impressive 50.1% from the floor (4th-best in the nation). Loyola lost at Drake just 65-62 back on Jam 7 and gets some revenge here with a convincing win that keeps them "right there" with Northern Iowa. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

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

The 24-32 Orlando Magic own the 8th and final playoff seed in the East, 3 1/2 games clear of the Washington Wizards. The Magic travel to Brooklyn Monday night to take on the 26-29 Nets, who own the East's 7th-seed, 2 1/2 games ahead of Orlando. The Magic easily handled the Nets 101-89 back on Jan 6 in Orlando but this contest marks the first of THREE meetings down the stretch between these two teams (note: Nets trail the 6th-seeded Pacers by 6 1/2 games).

The Magic turned their season around last year by going 20-9 down the stretch to earn an Eastern Conference playoff spot for the first time in seven years. Do NOT expect a similar finish from the Magic this season but as just noted, the Magic are currently inside the playoff 'cut line' with 26 games remaining. However, Orlando is trending in the wrong direction. The Magic were 20-21 in mid-January but entered the break having lost 10 of 14 and in the team's lone game since returning from the break, lost 122-106 at home to Dallas. Center Nikola Vucevic leads the team in scoring (19.1) and rebounding (10.8). Along with forwards Gordon (14.1 & 7.4) and Isaac (12.0 & 6.9), the Magic featured a strong frontcourt. However, Isaac has been ruled out for the remainder of the season (has not played since Jan 1). Fournier (18.8) has been the leading scorer on the perimeter and SG Ross has added 13.5 PPG, despite not starting any of the 54 contests he has played. A pair of solid PGs are former overall No. 1 pick Fultz (11.9 & 5.0 APG) and Augustin (10.4 & 4.6).

While the Magic are struggling (4-11 their last 15), the Nets are playing well despite the fact that PG Kyrie Irving (27.4-5.2-6.4) has been ruled out for the remainder of the season to undergo shoulder surgery. Kyrie last played on Feb 1 but the Nets have gone 5-2, since. Dinwiddie (20.8-3.5-6.7), LeVert (15.6-3.7-3.6) and Temple (10.2) make up a strong backcourt trio, while SFs Harris (13.8 & 4.3) and Prince (12.4 & 6.21) are solid NBA players. Allen (10.9 & 9.6) and Jordan (8.3 & 9.9) form an underrated center combo, as both are nearly pulling down 10 RPG despite only playing around 26 minutes and 22 minutes, respectively. Then there is guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, who led EIGHT players in double figures with a season-high 21 points at Charlotte on Friday, as Brooklyn posted its third win of at least 22 points since Irving left the lineup for good earlier this month (Nets routed the Hornets, 115-86!).

The Magic are just 4-11 since getting within one game of .500 on Jan 15 and own one of the league's worst offenses (104.9 PPG ranks 29th on the season), while averaging 103.5 points in those last 15 games. This contest begins a stretch in which the Magic will play SEVEN of their next nine on the road (Orlando is just 9-18 SU on the road, so far), while the Nets have won EIGHT of 12 since losing five straight games from Jan 14-23 (note that five-game stretch came against elite teams like the Jazz, the 76ers twice, Bucks and Lakers!). Looking more closely at the team's recent 12-game stretch, we find that the Nets have six wins over sub-.500 teams in this span and SEVEN victories by double digits! Brooklyn wins this one "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Por Blazers at 9:05 ET.

The Portland Trail Blazers advanced to the Western Conference Finals last season but the current season has, to say the least, NOT gone well. The Blazers came out of the All Star break 3 1/2 games back of the final playoff spot in the West and lost Friday night 128-115 at home to New Orleans. All-Star PG Damian Lillard (29.5-4.4-7.9) suffered a groin injury in a loss at Memphis in the final game before the All-Star break and expects to miss a few more after sitting out Friday night. Portland has dropped its last three games overall and remains 3 1/2 games behind eighth-place Memphis in the West, as the Blazers welcome the Pistons to Moda Center. Detroit is sliding toward the bottom of the standings in the East with losses in FIVE straight and 11 of its last 13 (19-39 Pistons are 19-39, just THREE game better than the East-worst Cavs) and begins a four-game West Coast trip with this visit to Portland.

Detroit is in the process of a full roster rebuild. Detroit traded away former franchise center Andre Drummond (17.8 & 15.8) prior to the All-Star break and reached a buyout agreements with veteran PG Reggie Jackson (14.9 & 5.1 APG) during the break plus reached a buyout agreement with SF Markieff Morris (11.0 & 3.9) on Friday. PG Griffin (15.5 & 4.&) is out for the season and SG Kennard (15.8 & 4.1 APG) hasn't played since before Christmas and remains "a ways away" from a return, although he has progressed to taking some contact in practice, according reports in The Detroit News. That leaves Derrick Rose, John Henson, Tony Snell and Langston Galloway as the only healthy veterans drawing regular minutes.

With Lillard sidelined on Friday, Portland got at least 13 points from all FIVE of its starters, led by CJ McCollum's 27 points and 10 assists. However,  the Blazers allowed the Pelicans to shoot 53.6 percent from the floor. Gary Trent Jr. (7.0) started in place of Lillard and contributed 15 points The other  starters are McCollum (21.4-3.9-3.9), Whiteside (15.8 & 14.0), Anthony (15.2 & 6.6) and  Ariza.  Portland traded for Ariza (Sacramento) and he's been a solid addition, averaging 10.3 & 4.8 in 12 games (he's also an excellent defender).

Portland's goal is to stay afloat while Lillard recovers from a groin injury and if the blazers can't handle the Piston's talent-challenged lineup at home, the team may as well just as well 'wave a white flag.' The "Price is Right" even without Lillard against this Detroit 'JV' team.

Good luck...Larry

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

Creighton jumped from No. 23 to No. 15 in Monday's AP poll and then won 73-65 at No. 19 Marquette on Tuesday. That comes after winning at then-No. 8 Villanova on Feb 1 and at then-No. 10 Seton Hall on Feb 12. The 15th-ranked Bluejays, who were picked to finish seventh in the 10-team Big East prior to the season, will attempt to earn four wins against ranked opponents in the same month for the first time in school history on Sunday, when they host No. 21 Butler. The Bulldogs made six NCAA trips from 1997-2007, before Brad Stevens took them to FIVE tourneys in six years, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2011. Chris Holtmann led Butler to three straight NCAA appearances from 2015-17 and LaVell Jordan followed with an NCAA berth in 2018 but the Bulldogs finished just 16-17 last season. Butler opened the season 7-0 and on Dec 2 entered the AP poll at No. 24, ending a span of 43 consecutive polls on "the outside, looking in!' Butler sat at 15-1 through mid-January and rose as No. 5 in the AP poll (highest rating in school history) but will enter this contest 19-8 (7-7 Big East), having gone just 4-7 its last 11 (all conference games).

Butler's frustrating stretch continued Wednesday when Seton Hall's Sandro Mamukelashvili hit an off-balance shot in the lane as time expired to send Butler to a 74-72 defeat. All-American candidate Kamar Baldwin (16.3-4.5-3.3) led the Bulldogs in scoring for the 11th time in the last 14 games Wednesday with 20 points and ranks third in the conference with 18.4 points per game during league play. 6=6 senior Sean McDermott (11.9 & 6.0) is the only other player on the team averaging in double digits. Playing up front with him are Nze (9.3 & 6.5), Tucker (9.0 & 3.9) and Golden (8.5 & 3.7). PG Thompson (6.8 & 4.9 APG) returned from a one-game absence due to a concussion and contributed 12 points in the loss to Seton Hall.

Creighton opened the season starting a trio of guards in Ty-Shon Alexander, Marcus Zegarowski and Mitch Ballock (12.3 & 5.5). However, highly touted 6-5 guard Denzel Mahoney became eligible in mid-December and Creighton now goes with a four-guard lineup. Alexander (16.9 & 5.3) poured in 22 points Tuesday and is averaging 18.5 points while shooting 32-for-80 beyond the arc in his last 11 games (he also owns a 32:9 assist-to-turnover ratio and has accumulated 15 steals, over that same stretch).  Zegarowski (15.8-3.7-5.1), Mahoney (12.4 & 3.5) and Ballock (12.1 & 5,4) join Alexander to give Creighton an awesome perimeter group. The 6-5 SF Jefferson (9.6 & 5.5) and the 6-7 Bishop (8.4 & 5.3) are the team's top frontcourt performers.

Greg McDermott is in his 10th season as head coach of Creighton. He arrived in 2010-11 and led the Bluejays to a runner-up finish in the CBI. Three straight NCAA teams followed, as Creighton won 29, 28 and 27 games. His lone losing season came in 2014-15 but Creighton's now won 20-plus games the last five years. Butler is one victory shy of reaching 20 wins for the 20th time in the last 24 seasons but win No. 20 WON'T come here. Creighton can tie a single-season program record with a FIFTH straight regular-season Big East victory with a win on Sunday and that "W" comes "with room to spare," avenging a 71-54 Jan 4 loss at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on the LA Lakers at 3:35 ET.

The NBA's two most decorated franchises renew their historic rivalry Sunday at Staples Center when the Los Angeles Lakers host the Boston Celtics. Boston and Los Angeles have 33 NBA championships between them and have met in the Finals a record 12 times. Both are once again title contenders, with the 39-16 Celtics sitting third in the Eastern Conference and the 42-12 Lakers leading the Western Conference. The Celtics hosted the Lakers back on Jan 20 (MLK Day) and broke out of slump that had seen them lose SIX of eight with a dominating 139-107 victory. The victory jump-started Boston's current 12-2 stretch, in which the Celtics have gone 10-4 ATS. Los Angeles has bounced back just fine from that loss and got back into action following the All-Star break with a 117-105 win over Memphis at home Friday night.

Boston's 127-117 win at Minnesota on Friday came without All-Star PG Kemba Walker (21.8-4.1-5.0), who recently received an injection in his ailing knee and had it drained (he will miss this one, as well). Gordon Hayward picked up plenty of the slack with 29 points while Daniel Theis broke out for career highs of 25 points and 16 rebounds. Tatum (22.5 & 7.0) and Brown (20.3 & 6.4) join Walker as 20-point scorers, while Hayward (17.6-6.7-4.1) is close to playing at "peak-level." Smart (12.5-3.6-4.8) has developed into a team leader, while Kanter (9.0 & 8.2) and Theis (8.7 & 6.4) have developed into a solid center duo.

Anthony Davis (26.7 & 9.3) has a calf issue but led LA with 28 points and seven blocks on Friday night. LBJ (25.1-7.7-10.7) ain't bad either (he had 32 vs the Grizzlies) but only Kuzma (12.5 & 4.4) joins that Dynamic Duo in double digits. That said, SIX Lakers are averaging between 7.0 and 9.6 PPG, including the solid center duo of Howard (7.7 & 7.8) and McGee (7.0 & 5.8) plus defensive specialist Bradley (8.7), who has reached double digits in FIVE consecutive games.

Four Celtics, Brown, Tatum, Hayward and Theis, each scored at least 25 points in Friday's 127-117 win at Minnesota, marking the first time since 1960 that four Boston players hit that mark in the same game. However, Minnesota is the NBA's worst ATS team 21-36-1 and has lost 16 of its last 17 SU. The Lakers are NOT the T-wolves and will surely want some "payback" from that 139-107 'spanking' back in Boston on Jan 20. Tatum, Walker and Jaylen Brown all scored 20-plus points in that one but as noted above, Walker will not play in this one. The Celtics held the Lakers to 43.8 percent shooting from the floor, 26.9 percent from three-point range, and forced 15 turnovers. LBJ was limited to 15 points (more than 10 below his season average) and A.D. had just NINE points, almost 18 fewer than his season average. Think those two are looking forward to this one? Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on Wisconsin at 1:00 ET.

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell is in his fourth season at the school, having gone 44-54 in his first three. Coming off a 14-17 season a year ago, Rutgers was picked 12th (of 14 schools) in the Big Ten preseason polls but the Scarlet Knights got off to their best start since the 1996-97 season and earned an AP ranking for the first time since the end of the 1978-79 season back on Jan 20. However, the Scarlet Knights are just 4-5 since losing at Iowa on Jan 23, including its first home loss of the season, 60-52 to Michigan on Wednesday. Wisconsin has been to the "Big Dance" in 20 of the last 21 seasons and Sunday, the Badgers  look to take another step towards securing an NCAA Tournament bid when they hosts Rutgers. Wisconsin (16-10 / 9-6 Big Ten) has won three consecutive games, including a 69-65 victory over Purdue on Tuesday, to move within a game of reaching double-digit wins in Big Ten play the 13th time in the last 14 seasons. Wisconsin lost 72-65 to the Scarlet Knights back on Dec 11 at "The RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center).

Pikiel took his team to Spain in August and Rutgers went 4-0, while jelling as a unit. The "breakout star" of that trip was guard Ron Harper, who averaged 17.0 PPG on 53 percent shooting. He's currently Rutgers' leading scorer, averaging 11.9 PPG and adding 5.6 RPG. PG Baker (10.25& 3.5 APG) plus a trio of other of guards combine to add 22.4 PPG. Up front, the 6-6 Yeboah (10.1 & 4.8) and the 6-10 Johnson (8.0 & 7.9) are the biggest contributors. Baker scored a team-high 16 points against Michigan to finish in double figures for the 13th time this season. Harper scored 13 points and Yeboah added 10 points and five rebounds, but the Scarlet Knights were doomed by an 0-of-10 performance from three-point range in the final 20 minutes.

The Badgers lost the 6-10 Happ (17.3 & 10.1) and a solid guard in Iverson (6.9 & 4.5) from last season's 23-win NCAA team but the Badgers have a solid returning core. The 6-11 Reuvers (13.5 & 4.8) may not be Happ but he's a quality man. Wisconsin owns a 'DEEP' backcourt in King (10.0), Trice (9.7-4.2-4.0), Davison (9.4 & 4.7) and Pritzl (7.7 & 3.7). King left the team four games ago, but Wisconsin is 4-1 without him. The 6-10 Micah Potter, an Ohio St transfer who became eligible in December, has averaged 8.9 & 5.8 since joining the team and along with the 6-8 Ford (8.3 & 4.1), support Reuvers up front. In fact, Ford knocked down five 3-pointers en route to a career-high 19 points and pulled down seven rebounds as the Badgers hit EIGHT straight free throws down the stretch to stave off a late rally by Purdue. Pritzl scored eight of his 13 points from the FT line  and grabbed six rebounds while Brad Davison also tallied 13 points as Wisconsin finished 19-of-20 from the foul line. Reuvers chipped in 12 points, six rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. Wisconsin is a VERY disciplined team, ranking fifth nationally in fewest turnovers per game (10.3).

Kudos to Rutgers for its excellent season but The Kohl Center has been a "House of Horrors" for visiting teams for two decades and the current season is NO different, with the Badgers going 12-1 (lone loss was 71-70 to Illinois). Wisconsin has beaten Maryland, Michigan St, Ohio St and Purdue (all four have been ranked at some time this season) at this venue already, so why won't the Badgers add a "revenge win" here vs Rutgers? After all, Rutgers is 1-6 SU away from "The RAC" in Big Ten play, winning only at Nebraska (7-19 / 2-13 Big Ten).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* CBB Game of the Year is on Nevada at 10:00 ET.

Justin Hutson spent two 'tours' as an assistant at SD St, sandwiched around a stint as an assistant at UNLV, before getting his first head coaching job at Fresno St for the 2018-19 season. He took over a program that had won 20-plus games the previous three seasons and continued that success by leading last year's Bulldogs to a 23-9 season, including a  3rd-place finish in the MWC (13-5). However, he lost THREE starters off that team, including his two highest scorers, guards Huggins (18.5 & 4.3) and Taylor (17.9-3.7-5.0). Fresno has struggled in Hutson's second season, entering this contest 10-17, including 6-10 in league play.

Eric Mussleman led Nevada to the CBI title in his first season (2015-16) and then to three straight NCAA appearances with win totals of 28, 29 and 29. However, Musselman left for Arkansas and was replaced by Steve Alford. The former Indiana star had coaching success at Missouri St and New Mexico but was generally viewed as a 'flop' at UCLA, where he was fired during last season. He took over a Nevada team that lost all FIVE starters but Alford's done a good job, as the Woolf Pack enter this game 17-10 overall, including 10-5 in the MWC (currently 3rd). ALL schools are "looking up" at SD St but 2nd-place and sixth-place in the MWC finds teams bunched with in 1 1/2 games of each other.

Fresno St beat Air Force 71-62 at home on Thursday, as guard senior Blackwell (9.7-3.1-3.1) matched a career high with 25 points and is joined in the backcourt by fellow senior Williams (11.9). 6-10 freshman Robinson (12.7 & 6.8) and 6-8 senior Grimes (11.6 & 10.0) are Fresno's top frontcourt players. Nevada is led by a deep backcourt. Jalen Harris, a La Tech transfer, leads the way averaging 21.8-6.5-4.0. He's joined by returning guards Johnson (16.2 & 3.4), Drew (11.1-6.7-4.3) and Zouzoua (9.6). No frontcourt player averages more than 20 minutes per game but a "group of four" combine to add 18.6 PPG and 16.5 RPG. Two 6-10 big men, freshman Meeks (6.9 & 4.0) and senior Reyes (4.7 & 4.4), are the best of the bunch.

Beating Air Force at home is no big deal (Falcons are 4-1 in MWC play) and I'll note that FSU entered that contest on a 2-6 ATS run. This marks Fresno’s final road game and it's being played at elevation like at Colorado St, where the Bulldogs lost by 18 points! Meanwhile, Nevada comes in on 4-0 SU & ATS run (not to mention the school's 8-1 ATS mark since mid-January). Nevada is in "prime" position to finish among the top-5 in the Mountain West, thereby earning a first-round bye (note: Wolf Pack are just a HALF-GAME behind second-place Utah St). Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Ole Miss at 8:30 ET.

Alabama takes a 14-12 overall record (6-7 in the SEC) into a game Saturday night in Oxford against the 13-13 Ole Miss Rebels (4-9 SEC). The Crimson Tide have been competitive against the best in the SEC but come to Mississippi losers of FIVE of seven, after an 'ugly' 74-68 home loss to a 13-12 Texas A&M team. Any more losses like the one suffered Wednesday and Alabama can probably 'kiss an at-large NCAA berth goodbye!" Ole Miss won three straight from Feb 5-11 but enters this contest off back-to-back road losses, 67-62 at Kentucky and 71-68 at Missouri. Ole Miss is now 1-6 in games decided by fewer than six points, including 0-5 in the SEC.

Alabama owns a deep backcourt, with three in double digits. Lewis (17.5-5.1-5.0) leads the way, along with Petty (15.0 & 7.0) and Shackelford (14.7 & 4.3). The 6-9 Reese (9.4 & 4.6) and the 6-7 Jones (8.9 & 6.6) are the top frontcourt performers. Ole Miss counters with a deep backcourt, as well. Tyree (20.3) is outstanding and is joined by Shuler (11.2-4.7-3.5) and Hinson (10.3 & 5.0). The 6-67 Buffen (9.9 & 6.1) and the 6-10 Sy (9.4 & 5.5) give the Rebels a small edge up front.

Senior guard Breein Tyree has been on a tear, averaging 29.8 points in the last five contests, including games of 38 points and a career-high 40. The worst Ole Miss home-floor performance has been a four-point loss to then-No. 18 LSU and I'll take them here vs an Alabama team that opened 15-3 ATS but enters this contest just 3-5 ATS over its last eight.

Good luck...Larry

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

22-4 Florida St is 12-3 in the ACC (tied with Duke, right behind 13-3 Louisville) and the No. 8 Seminoles, who have been ranked in the top-10 for a school-record seven straight weeks, will visit the 17-9 North Carolina St Woflpack on Saturday. NC State came up huge its last time out, taking down No. 6 Duke 88-66 at home, handing the Blue Devils' their largest margin of defeat to an unranked opponent in 40 seasons under Mike Krzyzewski. The win gives NC State an 8-7 record in ACC play (5th) but the Wolfpack are just one game in front of FOUR 7-8 teams!

Leonard Hamilton-coached teams are always known for playing excellent defense but his teams have shown more offensive 'punch' the last few seasons. That's continued in the 2019-20 season, as the Seminoles are holding opponents to 65.6 PPG, but are also scoring 75.6 PPG,.The Seminoles wear down teams with their depth and balance on offense, as the top-four scorers produce between 9.2 and 13.0 PPG. Sophomore guard Devin Vassell leads the team at 13.0 PPG (also leads with 5.3 RPG), just ahead of senior guard Trent Forrest (11.6-4.4-4.3). Junior guard M.J. Walker (10.5) is the third double digit scorer, while fellow guard Polite (9.2) just misses. A trio of forwards combine for 21.2 PPG and 12.0 RPG plus 7-1 freshman center Kuprivica adds 5.1 & 2.7.

PG Markell Johnson (13.2-4.6-6.4) led NC State with 28 points against Duke and fellow guard Daniels (12.6 & 5.2) added 25 points (both were career highs!). C.J. Bryce, is the team's leading scorer (13.7) and rebounder (6.3) but had an off night with just seven points on 3-of-10 shooting. However, he led the team with 10 rebounds. The 6-10 Funderburk (12.6 & 6.0) and the 6-7 Hellems (9.5 & 3.6) are NC State's top frontcourt players.

FSU won 26 games in the 2016-17 season and 29 games last year but while the 2017-18 team won "only" 23 games, it reached the Elite 8. Some feel that this is arguably Hamilton's best team at Tallahassee (time will tell). As for NC State, the Wolfpack are in a classic "let down" situation, as the 22-point win over Duke was NC State's largest margin of victory over a top-10 foe since 1965. "Right TIME & PLACE" for FSU to be visiting Raleigh.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Tulsa at 3:00 ET.

It's 18-7 SMU at 17-9 Tulsa on Saturday in AAC play. Both schools come off losses on Wednesday, as SMU fell 80-72 at Tulane (now 8-5 in league play), while Tulsa lost 76-43 at No. 22 Houston (now 9-4 in league play). Losing at ranked at Houston (Cougars sit atop the AAC at 11-3) is understandable but losing at Tulane (Green Wave entered on a NINE-game losing streak and is just 3-11 in AAC), is another thing altogether.

Tim Jankovich won 20-plus games in four of his five seasons at Illinois St, making four NIT appearances. He was announced as SMU's Associate Head Coach and coach-in-waiting in April of 2016 and then as head coach on July 8, 2016.. He's had to bear the full force of NCAA sanctions due to Larry Brown's tenure but things are looking up this season. SMU breezed through a not-so-difficult non-conference schedule and few are complaining in Dallas with the Mustangs' 18-7 record. Jankovich has two guards and two forwards making most of the contributions for his SMU team this season. PG Kendric Davis (a TCU transfer) owns a line of 15.3-4.5-7.0 and is joined in the backcourt by JC transfer Tyson Jolly (14.7 & 6.2). Then there are two 6-8 forwards, Isiaha Mike (14.2 & 6.4) and Feron Hunt (12.0 & 6.8). The 6-9 Chargois, who averaged 12.4 & 6.2 last season, continues to under-performed (6.8 & 3.8

Tulsa head coach Frank Haith has had stops at Miami-Fl and Missouri before coming to Tulsa, where he led the Golden Hurricane to back-to-back 20-win seasons in his first two seasons at the school. However, Tulsa entered this season on a three-year postseason drought, so the team's 17-9 record so far, is "big news" in Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane are led by the trio of guard Rachal (19.9 & 6.1) plus forwards Igbanu (12.9 & 4.8) and Hunt (11.1 & 5.1). Four more guards all play 20-plus minutes, combining for 26.3 PPG.

SMU has been sensational at Moody Coliseum (14-1) but have managed just a ONE victory in SIX opportunities on the road during league play (an upset of Memphis on Jan 25). Tulsa 'fell apart' Wednesday at Houston (got outscored 50-23 after the break) but has been tough here at home, going 12-3. The team's 'resume' includes home wins over now-No. 22 Houston (63-61), then-No. 20 Memphis (80-40!) and then-No. 23 Wichita St (54-51). Not sure why a team 1-6 in league play is 'priced' this way on Tulsa's homecourt? I guess we'll find out who is right. I've got the home team.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Eye-Opener is on UVA/Pitt Over at 12 noon ET.

Virginia lost FOUR of five games from Jan 7 thru Jan 20 and that slide began talk that the reigning national champions might not even make the NCAA Tournament, as the Cavs were just 126, including 4-4 in ACC play. However, Virginia appears to finally have found some answers to its season-long search for offensive weapons, as the Cavs cored a season-high 78 points in a 13-point win over Boston College on Wednesday in reaching 10 ACC wins for a school-record eighth straight season (18-7 overall / 10-5 in ACC). UVA looks for its SEVENTH win in its last eight games at Pittsburgh on Saturday, in the only game between the teams this season. Jeff Capel's team lost its SIXTH game in its last eight in Tuesday's 82-67 home loss to No. 8 Florida State, but the head coach Jeff Capel was quick to point out that the team has already surpassed last season's win total and has more ACC wins then the last two years combined.

UVA's "Core 4" this season has been its unique guard duo of 5-9 PG Clark (10.6-4.2-6.6) and the 6-8 Key (10.0 & 7.2), teamed with the 6-9 Diatke (13.5 & 6.6) and 7-1 Huff (8.2 & 6.2). However, after a poor start to the season, Tomas Woldentensae (a 6-5 junior guard from Italy) has emerged as the offensive wild card the Cavaliers have been seeking. In THREE of his previous six games, he'd made six or more three-pointers, and in Wednesday win made four of eight on his way to 14 points. He's now 28 for 60 (46.7%) over his last seven games, averaging 13.7 PPG. Pittsburgh has FIVE guards all playing 28-plus minutes per game, chipping in between 8.9 and 12.4 PPG. Freshman Champagnie leads in scoring (12.4) and rebounding (7.2), while sophomores McGowens (12.1-3.5-3.6) and Johnson (11.8-3.8-5.1) join him in double digits.

Virginia has won four straight in the series and 11 of 12.The Cavs come in off their beat offensive game of the season and the Panthers have struggled on defense, ranking last in ACC games in effective field-goal percentage (51.9) and defensive rebound percentage (66.3). On the season, Pitt scores 65.9 PPG and allows 64.6. Looking at Pitt's entire schedule, this is the lowest over/under number posted on a Pittsburgh game (opened 109). One has to go back to neutral-site games vs Kansas St on Nov 25 (total closed 117.5) and Northwestern on Nov 27 (120) to see anything close to this low. FYI...Both of those games went over, as will this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Ut Jazz at 9:05 ET.

The San Antonio Spurs' 23-31 record is their worst at the All-Star break since the 1996-97 season, which just happens to be the last time they failed to make the playoffs. Pop's Spurs have made 22 consecutive postseason appearances (it's the longest active streak in any major North American pro sports league), winning FIVE titles but this year's team is clearly NOT "your father's Spurs!" San Antonio resides in 10th place in the Western Conference, 4 1/2 games behind the eighth-place Memphis Grizzlies, with the 9th-place Blazers one game up on the Spurs. San Antonio visits Salt Lake City Friday night to take on the 36-18 Utah Jazz. The Jazz are currently the West's No. 4 seed but sit just 1 1/2 games back of Denver, the West's No. 2 seed. The Jazz won 19 of 21 games (16-4-1 ATS) from Dec 11 through Jan 25 but then lost FIVE in a row. However, they rebounded right before the break with FOUR straight wins.

San Antonio has been led all season by guard DeMar DeRozan (23.0-5.7-5.2) and PF LaMarcus Aldridge (19.1 & 7.6). The Spurs don't feature the great depth of past San Antonio teams but guards Mills (11.7), Forbes (11.1), Murray (10.4-5.8-4.0) and White (10.2) plus SF Gay (9.5 & 5.3) are all solid NBA players. DeRozan missed the final two games before the All-Star break due to back spasms but practiced on Wednesday and indicated he was fine afterward. DeRozan has scored 20 or more in 22 of his last 25 games. PG Murray is averaging 18.7 points, eight rebounds and seven assists over his last three games.

While the Spurs didn't feature an All Star in Sunday's game, Utah SG Donovan Mitchell (24.3-4.3-4.3) and center Rudy Gobert (15.6 & 14.6) were both worthy participants. Bogdanovic (21.0 & 4.1) is having an excellent season, while role players Ingles (10.0-4.0-5.2) and O'Neale (5.9 & 5.2) are undervalued league-wide but NOT by the Jazz. Free agent PG Conley (13.5 & 4.2 APG) has been a disappointment but when Conley went down with an injury, Utah traded for Jordan Clarkson. He's been a HUGE addition, averaging 16.2 PPG in 24 games (think he misses Cleveland?).

Both teams have been San Antonio off since Feb 11 but while the Jazz resume play at home, the Spurs continue their annual "Rodeo Road Trip" in Salt Lake city, before completing the stretch of EIGHT straight road games in Oklahoma City on Sunday. The Jazz had won SIX of their past eight matchups but the host Spurs prevailed 127-120 on Jan 29, when Utah was in that five-game slide. The Jazz have been OUTSTANDING on the offensive end of the court, scoring 119.3 points per 100 possessions and face a San Antonio team that Popovich has described as being "defensively challenged." Spurs are allowing 114.5 PPG (2nd), reminding all again, this is NOT "your father's Spurs." Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Week is on Ind/NYK Over at 7:35 ET.

The Indiana Pacers knew Oladipo was not going to get back on the court until right before the All Star break. Oladipo finally returned on Jan 29 and the Pacers beat the Bulls 115-106 in OT, giving them a 31-17 record. However, the Pacers then lost their 1st SIX games in Feb, before ending that skid with an 118-11 win over Milwaukee on Feb 12 (note: Giannis didn’t play!). Indian comes out of the break at 32-23, 15 games back of the NBA-best Bucks. The No. 6-seeded Pacers are hoping to carry the momentum of beating Milwaukee into their final 27 games of the regular season but realistically, Indiana's best hope is to inch past No. 5 seed Philly (35-21) and No. 4 seed Miami (35-20) to earn a first-round bye. The Pacers visit MSG on Friday to face the NY Knicks, a team which has LONG ago shelved any postseason aspirations. It's true that the 17-38 Knicks have gone 13-20 SU since Mike Miller took over on an interim basis for David Fizdale in December (Knicks were 4-18 under Fizdale), but the rest of the season is more about player development and finding out if R.J. Barrett is the piece the team wants to build around for the future.

Here's the latest update on the Indiana star. Oladipo will be playing in his eighth game since missing a little more than a year with a ruptured quadriceps injury. In his first seven games, he averaged 25 minutes and did not play more than 29 minutes in any game (11.1 PPG on just 32.9% shooting). However, head coach Nate McMillan recently told reporters that doctors cleared Oladipo to start playing 32 to 34 minutes, which is on par with his career average of 33.1 minutes per game. Oladipo averaged 31.9 minutes and 18.8 points before getting hurt last season and two years ago, in his first season with the Pacers, averaged 23.1 points while playing 34 minutes. Also arriving with Oladipo from OKC in the trade for Paul George was PF Sabonis, who has developed into an All Star (18.3-12.5-4.8). The Pacers have OUTSTANDING depth with SF Warren (18.5) and PG Brogdon (16.6-4.7-7.3) playing a high levels. Then there are SG Lamb (12.9 & 4.4), center Turner (119. & 6.1) and SF McDermott (10.40 also averaging in double digits.

The Knicks traded away one of their top-two performers this season in SF Morris (19.6 & 5.4) at the deadline, leaving PF Randle (19.3 & 9.60 as the team's lone marquee plyers (and that's a stretch). As noted above, Barrett was the third overall pick of the 2019 draft and management will be;\looking closely at his performance the rest of the way (he starts the second-half averaging 13.6 & 5.1. Reggie Bullock signed with the Knicks in July of 2019 and underwent successful surgery on the next day for a cervical disc herniation. He debuted with the Knicks on January 1, 2020 and is averaging 9.8 PPG. PG Payton (9.7-4.7-6.9) has been decent plus PF Portis (9.4 & 5.3) and center Robinson (9.2 & ) have had their moments.

Indiana's six-game slide began back on Feb 1 with an 'ugly' 92-85 home loss to the Knicks, who were 11-point 'dogs. That defeat snapped a SEVEN-game Indiana winning streak in the series. The Pacers will play SEVEN of their next nine on the road and the team can't afford NOT to win road games against highly beatable teams like the Knicks. I like Indiana in the game but 'LOVE' the total to go over. The Pacers have gone over in EIGHT of their last 10 contests, averaging 115.6 PPG in NINE of the 10. The exception was that 85-point effort on Feb 1 vs the sad-sack Knicks. What's more, the Pacers have allowed 116.7 PPG in NINE of the last 10 games, with the anomaly again being the 92 points allowed against the Knicks on Feb 1. This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Utah at 10:30 ET.

Mick Cronin started his career by leading Murray St to two NCAA tourneys in his three seasons at the school and then took over at Cincinnati for Bob Huggins. He didn't get the Bearcats to the "Big Dance" until his FIFTH season (2010-11) but that began a run of NINE consecutive NCAA appearances. He took the UCLA job before the start of the current season but the 15-11 Bruins got off to a slow Pac-12 start, winning only one of their first four contests. However, UCLA has gone 7-2 since, and will bring a three-game win streak into Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Utes. Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak  is in his ninth season at Utah but after back-to-back NCAA teams in 2014-15 (26 wins) and 2015-16 (27 wins), the Utes began this season off three straight non-NCAA seasons. The Utes were 9-3 in non-conference action but are just 5-8 in Pac 12 play. Utah has dropped four of six entering this contest, falling into a three-way tie for eighth place in the conference at 5-8.

6-9 swingman Chris Smith is the only UCLA player averaging double figures with 13.3 PPG (also 5.5 RPG) and he’s stepped things up of late, averaging 19.3 points, seven rebounds and three assists during UCLA's three-game winning streak. SEVEN more UCLA players are averaging 15 minutes or more and chip in between 4.3 PPG. The 6-10 Jalen Hill tops that group at 9.5 PPG plus also owns a team-best 7.0 RPG. Freshman PG Campbell leads the way with 4.4 assists for the Bruins, while adding 7.8 PPG.

6-6 forward Timmy Allen (17.6 & 7.2) and guards Rylan Jones (10.5 points) and Both Gach (10.1) are the team's double digit scorers but Allen needs to bounce back from a poor two-game trip to Oregon where he totaled just 16 points on 5-of-16 shooting while making nine turnovers. Joining Allen up front are the 6-9 Battin (9.2 & 5.2) and the 6-8 Jantunen (6.9 & 4.4) and the 7-0 Carlson (6.9 & 4.0).

The Bruins won Feb 2 in LA by the score of 73-57 but the Utes are 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS here at home. At this price, the Utes are the play.

Good luck...Larry

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

Stanford was coming off a 15-16 season but opened the 2019-20 season 11-2 in non-conference play and then went 4-0 to begin Pac 12 play. However, Stanford is clearly trending in the wrong direction with SEVEN losses in its last eight games. The Cardinal are 16-9 (5-7 in the Pac 12) as they visit Seattle to take on the Washington Huskies. Washington knows "all about" trending in the wrong direction, as they were 10-2 and ranked 21st in the AP poll when they coughed up a lead and lost 75-71 to Houston in the title game of the Diamond Head Classic on Christmas Day. Not much of anything has gone right, since. Washington welcomes Stanford to Hec Edmundson Pavilion on a NINE-game losing streak. The Huskies are now 12-14 overall, including a Pac 12 -worst 2-11.

Some think that Stanford has a chance to make some 'noise' in the Pac 12 tourney and that's because of the potent duo of 6-9 forward Oscar da Silva (15.9 & 6.3) and freshman PG Tyrell Terry (15.2-4.7-3.1). Five other chip in between 4.9 and 9.1 PPG, led by 6-7 freshman Jones (9.1 & 3.6) and guards Davis (8.2 & 3.1) and Wills (7.2 & 4.3). Washington won 27 games and earned an NCAA bid last season but FOUR starters from that team are gone, including three NBA draft picks. That's never good but head coach Mike Hopkins (a long-time Boeheim assistant) recruited a pair of McDonald's All-Americans plus added a third with the transfer guard Quade Green from Kentucky. 6-9 freshmen Isaiah Stewart (17.1 & 8.8) and Jaden McDaniels (12.8 & 6.0) have played well but when Green (11.6 points and 5.3 assists per game) was ruled academically ineligible, the team has fallen apart (1-10 without him). Hopkins needs more production from guard Nahziah Carter (12.3 & 5.0) and 6-9 forward Hameir Wright (5.4 & 4.5) but the duo combined on 7-of-27 shooting in back-to-back losses to the Los Angeles schools last weekend.

Yes, Washington is in a 'free-fall' but Stanford can be had on the road and isn't NINE straight losses, enough?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Arizona St 9:00 ET.

No. 14 Oregon is 20-6 and 9-4 in the Pac 12, tied with Colorado for first-place . However, 17-8 Arizona State has positioned itself firmly in the Pac-12 title race discussion thanks to a league-best FIVE-game winning streak that included a road sweep of the Bay Area schools last weekend. The Sun Devils, tied with in-state rival Arizona (both 8-4) for third place just a half-game out of first, as they return home to host conference co-leader Oregon on Thursday.

Dana Altman has led Kansas St, Creighton and Oregon to multiple NCAA tourneys and 2019-20 Ducks opened this season No. 15 in the AP's preseason poll. Oregon wrapped up non-conference play at 11-2 and as 2020 dawned, was ranked No. 4, the first time the Ducks had been in the AP top-5 since the 2016-17 team made the Final 4. A four-game win. It hasn't been 'smooth sailing' in Pac 12 play, though. Bobby Hurley won two national titles as Duke's PG (1991 and 1992) but was always destined to get into the 'family business,' as his father is Bob Hurley, Sr, the legendary high school coach of St Anthony's (NJ). Hurley's first job was at Buffalo and in his second season, led the Bulls to an NCAA berth. He used that as springboard to take the Arizona St job in 2015-16. However, he opened with back-to-back losing seasons (15 wins each year). Hurley's 2017-18 squad snuck into the "Big Dance" as a First Four team and the Sun Devils were back 'dancing' again last season, losing in the Round of 64 to finish 23-11. As noted above, this year's team is making a strong surge.

Senior PG Payton Pritchard (lone holdover from Oregon's Final 4 team) earned national player of the week honors for the third time this season on Monday when the Naismith Trophy recognized his efforts in the wins over the Buffaloes (15 points, career-high 11 rebounds) and the Utes (25 points, 5-of-9 three -pointers). He's averaging 19.5-4.3-5.8 on the season and is joined by Duarte (13.4 & 5.5), Richardson (10.7) and Mathis (7.9) in the backcourt. The Ducks’ frontcourt has been minus 6-11 center N’Faly Dante (6.2 & 2.7) due to a knee injury and 6-9 forward Francis Okoro (3.5 & 4.5) went back to Nigeria for the funeral service for his father (he's played the last two games but has scored only six points). However, freshmen like the 6-8 C.J. Walker (4.7 & 2.6) and the 6-8 Chandler Lawson (4.7 & 4.0) have seen more playing time, joining 6-7 UNLV transfer Juiston (7.7 & 6.5).

While Pritchard was claiming national player of the week honors, Sun Devil junior PG Remy Martin picked up Pac-12 player of the week honors for the second time this season after averaging 23 points on 67 percent shooting (16-of-24), including 5-of-6 three-pointers, and 3.5 assists in ASU's weekend sweep in the Bay Area. Martin leads the Pac-12 in scoring (19.6) and also tops the team in assists (4.0) and steals (1.6) while guard Alonzo Verge Jr. (14.0), 6-8 forward Romello White (10.5 & 9.3) and guard Rob Edwards (10.4) are also averaging double digits.

Oregon has been no better than mediocre on the Pac 12 road, while Arizona St is 10-2 SU at home on the season, losing to only Creighton (now-No. 15) and Colorado (now-No. 18). Is Oregon comparable to those schools? Yes, but ASU is hitting on all cylinders now, having won SEVEN of eight and has averaged 78.2 PPG during its current five-game winning streak. Home team earns the win.

Good luck...Larry

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

Connecticut is playing its final season in the American Athletic Conference and all indications are that the Huskies "can't wait" to return to the Big East. UConn is 14-11 overall, including 5-7 in AAC play as it travels to Philadelphia on Thursday for a matchup with the Temple Owls, who are 13-12 (5-7 in the AAC). The teams look to break a tie for seventh in the league.

Danny Hurley is in his second season at Storrs and his first (16-17) didn't go any better than UConn's two previous seasons (16 and 14 wins). The Huskies have been through an up-and-down campaign thus far. UConn had lost four in a row and six of seven entering its first matchup with Temple (Jan 29), which the Huskies won 78-63 behind six double-digit scorers. The Huskies have won FOUR of six since. Senior guard Christian Vital (14.5 & 6.4) has reached double figures in each of the last 11 contests plus leads the AAC in steals per game (2.4) and free-throw percentage (90.7). Freshman guard James Bouknight (12.5) has come into his own lately, averaging 18.3 points over the last seven games. Fellow guards Gilbert (9.0 & 4.1 APG) and Adams (7.2) give the backcourt excellent depth. However, UConn lost the 6-9 Polley (9.5 & 3.2) to a torn ACL back in mid-January (out for the season) and Sunday, 6-9 freshman Akok (5.8 & 5.5) tore his Achilles' tendon and will miss the rest of the season. That leaves UConn with only the 6-11 Carlton (8.2 & 6.6) up front.

Temple has a first-year head coach in Aaron McKie, but he's hardly "new." McKie played three years at Temple (he was the 1993 Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year as a junior) and then after a 15-year NBA career, returned to Temple as Dunphy's assistant from 2014-19. Temple was picked to finish seventh in the American Athletic Conference preseason poll and that's where the Owls currently reside. Senior guard Quinton Rose (16.4-4.9-3.6) and junior guard Nate Pierre-Louis (11.4-8.2-3.0) lead the way. Fellow guards Moore (8.5) and Scott (6.1) in a four-guard rotation, joined by the 6-8 Forrester (8.4 & 4.1). The 6-7 Perry (6.1) and ty=the 6-7 Moorman (5.8 & 5.2) bot get significant minutes, up front.

UConn is off THREE highly-competitive games, winning 72-71 in OT vs Cincy, losing by four at SMU and then edging Memphis by three at home. Games like that wear on a team. I DON'T like the Huskies' chances here at Temple, as UConn is just 1-6 SU in true road games this year and needs to win to cover this contest. The home team IS the play!

Good luck...Larry

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

17-8 Ohio State (7-7 in the Big Ten) and 18-8 Iowa (9-6) square off for the only time this season Thursday night in a Big Ten matchup of top-25 teams in Iowa City. Ohio State had climbed to No. 2 in the polls (at 9-0) before suffering its first loss Dec 15 at Minnesota. Ohio St sat 11-1 after beating then-No. 6 Kentucky on Dec 21 but then lost SIX of seven. Ironically, Ohio State has won FIVE of its last six games since freshman guard D.J. Carton (10.4) announced in late January that he was taking time away to deal with mental health issues. The Buckeyes re-entered the ranking Monday at No. 25. Iowa enters the game ranked 20th in the latest AP poll and return home after a two-game road trip ended with a come-from-behind 58-55 win at Minnesota on Sunday. Tonight's matchup is the only regular-season meeting between the Buckeyes and Hawkeyes and it could be an especially important one for conference tournament seeding. The top-four teams in next month's Big Ten tournament receive an automatic bye to the quarterfinals, avoiding the extra game that comes with finishing fifth through 10th , or two extra games, finishing No. 11 or worse.

The 6-9 Kaleb Wesson (14.1 & 9.4) is the centerpiece of Ohio St's team this season (was a preseason All-Big Ten pick) but Chris Holtmann's team has great depth, as SIX more players (not counting Carton) chip in between 5.9 and 10.6 PPG. Guard Duane Washington (10.6) joins Wesson in double digits but Wesson's 6-6 brother Andre adds 9.0 & 4.1. Underappreciated floor general C.J. Walker (Florida State transfer) is chipping in 7.6 PPG and 3.2 APG plus 6-8 junior Kyle Young (7.7 & 5.8) gave the Buckeyes a significant boost in their 68-52 victory over Purdue on Saturday, scoring a career-high 16 points while adding seven rebounds. When Young is effective, he provides a second inside presence to supplement Kaleb Wesson.

The 6-11 Luka Garza scored 24 points in Iowa's Sunday win at Minnesota. He's a national player of the year contender, averaging 23.7 PPG (4th-most in the nation) and 9.7 RPG He can score both inside, shooting 59.8 percent from inside the three-point arc, and from long range with 38.8 percent accuracy (33 of 85) behind the arc. Sophomore guard Joe Wieskamp (14.9 & 6.2) is an excellent "second option" on offense for Iowa but freshman guard CJ Fredrick (10.7) is the only other double-digit scorer. Guards Toussaint (6.4) and Connor McCaffrey (6.0-4.3-3.8) help give Iowa a strong perimeter group, while the 6-10 Ryan Kriener (7.7 & 4.1) helps Garza up front. The bad news is, Fredrick has a bum ankle is NOT expected to play in this one. Then again, McCaffrey (the coach's son), leads the country in assist-to-turnover ratio at 4.26 with 96 assists and 23 turnovers in 26 games.

As noted, this is the ONLY meeting this regular-season between the two schools and it holds SIGNIFICANT importance (review above). The Buckeyes are just 3-5 in true road games and Carver-Hawkeye Arena is known for its hostile crowds and is ONE a tough venue. Iowa has won 11 consecutive home games since a loss to DePaul back on Nov 11, taking a 12-1 home record this season into this game, as well as a 30-5 SU the last two seasons at home. Lay the small points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Washington St at 10:00 ET.

Mark Fox had a terrific run at Nevada, winning 20-plus games in each of his five seasons at Reno, making three NCAA tourneys. He used that as a 'springboard'  to coach in the SEC at Georgia but his nine-year stay in Athens was a huge disappointment, with just four, 20-win seasons and only TWO appearances in the "Big Dance." This is his first season at Berkeley and Cal enters this contest 10-15, including 4-8 in Pac 12 play. However, Cal has already reached double-digits in wins, after recording EIGHT victories in each of the last two seasons. Kyle Smith began his coaching career at Columbia, then moved to San Francisco, where he won 20-plus games in three straight season (Dons finished second in the CBI in 2018). This is his first season at Pullman and Washington State is 14-12, although just 5-8 in Pac-12 play. However, considering the Cougars have averaged 11.6 wins per season the previous five years, NO ONE is complaining in Pullman.

Cal's offense revolves around sophomore guard Matt Bradley, who averages 17.8 PPG (also adds 5.1 RPG). Two senior guards join him on the perimeter in South (9.1) and Austin (8.3). Bradley scored 22 points before fouling out against the Sun Devils in Sunday's 80-75 home loss, while senior PG Paris Austin contributed 17 points, five assists and five rebounds. The Bears were hoping to jump-start their offense by starting freshman guard Joel Brown in place of Kareem South, but the two combined for just eight points on 3-of-9 shooting. A pair of 6-8 forwards, Anticevich (8.4 & 5.6) and Kelly (7.4 & 5.2), are the team's top frontcourt performers. Anticevich had 18 points and eight rebounds against Arizona State, while Kelly is averaging 8.7 rebounds over his last three games.

6-6 sophomore forward CJ Elleby leads Washington St the team in scoring (18.7) and rebounding (7.5). Guard Isaac Bonton, a Montana St transfer, adds 14.8 PPG and a team-high 4.0 APG. However, a hip injury caused him to miss Saturday’s 70-51 loss at USC. Elleby continued to impress with 22 points and 13 rebounds against the Trojans .but Bonton’s injury forced Smith to rely heavily on freshmen Noah Williams and Ryan Rapp, who combined for 14 points on just 6-of-19 shooting. Williams (6.0 & 3.5) and senior guard Robinson (4.8 & 2.8) will need to play better in this one. The 6-9 Pollard (9.1 & 4.3) just misses averaging in double digits, while 6-8 senior Kunc averages 5.3 & 3.5.

Here's the bottom line. Washington St will miss Bonton but Cal is winless in 10 games away from Haas Pavilion this season. The Bears are 0-5 on the Pac-12 road, averaging a pathetic 51.6 PPG in those contests, losing by an average margin of 15.8 points! The Cougars have recorded noteworthy wins over UCLA, Arizona State, Washington and both Oregon schools this season, so why won't they avenge a 73-66 loss at Cal back on Jan 9 against a team that has yet to win a SINGLE game away from home, while losing all five Pac-12 road games by about 16 PPG? Cougars win "with room to spare."

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Week is on BC/UVA Over at 8:00 ET.

Virginia won its first-ever NCAA basketball championship last season but the Cavs opened at just No. 11 in the preseason AP poll. Gone from last year's champs are the team's top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). However, the Cavs opened 7-0 and were ranked 5th when they lost 69-40 at Purdue on Dec 4. UVA was 11-2 (3-0 ACC) and ranked 18th when it visited Chestnut Hill on Jan 7 to take on Boston College. The Eagles upset UVA 60-53 in that contest and that loss began a midseason slump for the Cavs, as UVA lost three straight and FOUR of five. However, the defending champs have managed to rebound of late with a series of close wins, going 5-1 since that 1-4 stretch.

BC head coach Jim Christian has had success in the MAC with Kent St and Ohio but he's struggled at TCU (56-73) and now at BC (entered this season with a 62-100 record). BC knew it would really miss Jerome Robinson (20.7) but the Eagles got off to a 4-1 start. However, the team has been exchanging wins and losses for about a month and enters this contest 13-13, including 7-8 in ACC play. Case in point being, losing 85-58 at Miami (Fla) last Wednesday, only to knock off North Carolina State 71-68 on Sunday at home. FYI...BC's seven ACC wins matches its best ACC win total under Christian.

Senior guard Derryck Thornton, USC grad transfer, has been a big addition. He scored 22 points in BC's win over NC St and averages a team-high 13.1 PPG. Freshman guard Jay Heath contributed 16 points in Sunday's win and is second on the team in averaging 12.6 PPG. The 6-11 Popovic (10.5 & 5.2) is the team's third double digit scorer plus the Hamilton brothers, 6-8 sophomore Jairus (9.7 & 4.4) and senior guard Jared (8.1), are quality players. The 6-8 Mitchell (7.2 & 8.4) is the team's leading rebounder plus 6-7 freshman Felder (5.8 & 4.0) has had a nice season.

The Cavaliers' recent surge gives them a 17-7 record (9-5 in the ACC) and has greatly improved their NCAA Tournament resume. This season's UVA team has been led for most of the season by its unique guard duo of 5-9 PG Clark (10.3-4.3-6.1) and the 6-8 Key (9.7 & 7.2). Up front, it's the 6-9 Diakite (13.7 & 6.5) and the 7-1 Huff (8.0 & 6.2). Those players have been UVA's "Core 4" but recently, junior guard Tomas Woldetensae (6.9) has been the team's breakout star. He scored 27 points in an 80-73 loss at Louisville on (73 points scored are a season-high for UVA this season) and then his three-pointer with 0.8 second remaining was the difference in UVA's 64-62 win Saturday at North Carolina. Also, freshman guard Casey Morsell (4.3 PPG) scored 10 points - more than twice his season average - and collected a career-high three steals at North Carolina.

Revenge should work well for UVA here but note that all FIVE of the team's wins over this current six-game stretch have come by single digits, including two in overtime plus that last-second 64-62 triumph at North Carolina. However, I'm expecting Braxton Key to break out of a three-game slump in which he has produced a total of 12 points on 5-of-19. BC's leading scorer, Thornton, missed the first matchup while Heath led the Eagles to a 60-53 win with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting. Virginia has won five straight meetings at home vs BC and makes it SIX straight but Goin' Over this VERY low total is "the play!"

Good luck...Larry

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

John Beilein left Michigan to take the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers (that went well, didn't it?), after leading the Wolverines to NINE NCAA tourneys in his 12 years (twice lost in the national championship game). Taking over was former Fab Fiver Juwan Howard, who had to replace forward Ignas Brazdeikis (14.8 & 5.4) plus guards Jordan Poole (12.8) and Charles Matthews (12.2 & 5.0). Michigan opened the season unranked but began 7-0, after winning the Battle 4 Atlantis (Thanksgiving week). The Wolverines shocked then-No. 6 North Carolina (73-64) and now-No. 2 Gonzaga in the championship game. When "the dust had settled," Michigan wound up No. 4 in the AP poll on Dec 4. However, the Wolverines then went 4-9 over their next 13 games to fall to 11-8, including 2-6 in the Big Ten. Michigan has rebounded though, to win FIVE of six, including THREE straight by an average margin of 19 points.

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell is in his fourth season at the school, having gone 44-54 in his first three. Coming off a 14-17 season a year ago, Rutgers was picked 12th (of 14 schools) in the Big Ten preseason polls but the Scarlet Knights got off to their best start since the 1996-97 season and earned an AP ranking for the first time since the end of the 1978-79 season back on Jan 20. However, Rutgers fell out of the top-25 by losing THREE of four, before besting then-No. 22 Illinois 72-57 last Saturday. The Scarlet Knights welcome the Wolverines to The RAC (Rutgers Athletic Center) on Tuesday, having lost all 11 games it has played against Michigan in program history. However, Rutgers is a PERFECT 17-0 at home this season. Something has to give!

Michigan's woes coincided with an injury to the 6-7 Livers in mid-December. Livers scored 43 points and grabbed 14 rebounds the last two games (leads all Michigan players by averaging 13.0 PPG) rolled his ankle in the second half of  Sunday's 89-65 rout of Indiana and will be a game-time decision on Wednesday. PG Zavier Simpson (12.5-4.3-8.2) registered 12 points and 11 assists to become the winningest player in program history (105 career victories), along with 7-1 center Jon Teske (12.3 & 7.6), who had six points, seven rebounds and four blocks against Indiana. Guards Brooks (11.4 & 3.8) and Wagner (10.3 & 5.4) have also contributed regularly for Michigan this season.

Pikiel took his team to Spain in August and Rutgers went 4-0, while jelling as a unit. The "breakout star" of that trip was guard Ron Harper, who averaged 17.0 PPG on 53 percent shooting. He's currently Rutgers' leading scorer, averaging 11.8 PPG and adding 5.7 RPG. PG Baker (10.2 & 3.6 APG) plus a quartet of other of guards combine to add right around 23 PPG and 10.5 RPG. Up front, the 6-6 Yeboah (10.1 & 4.8) and the 6-10 Johnson (8.3 & 8.0) are the biggest contributors.

The Wolverines played the Scarlet Knights as part of the Big Ten’s Super Saturday series at Madison Square Garden on Feb 1 and won, 69-63. However, this rematch will be played at The RAC, where Rutgers is 17-0. Livers could miss (he didn't play in the Feb 1 game, either) but more notably, the Scarlets Knights lost by just FOUR points at MSG, despite their top-two players (Harper & Baker) combining to shoot 2 of 19 from the floor. That's NOT happening at this venue!

Good luck...Larry

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

Creighton jumped from No. 23 to No. 15 in Monday's AP poll and the 20-6 Bluejays have won SEVEN of eight (now 9-4 in the Big East, ) as they visit 17-7 Marquette tonight, which saw a four-game winning streak end with a 72-71 loss at Villanova on Saturday. The Bluejays' 9-4 record leaves them just ONE game back of 10-3 Seton Hall in the Big East, the Golden Eagles are only 7-5, 2 1.2 games back of the Pirates.

Greg McDermott is in his 10th season as head coach of Creighton. He arrived in 2010-11 and led the Bluejays to a runner-up finish in the CBI. Three straight NCAA teams followed, as Creighton won 29, 28 and 27 games. His lone losing season came in 2014-15 but Creighton's now won 20-plus games the last five years. Creighton opened the season starting a trio of guards in Ty-Shon Alexander (16.7 & 5.3), Marcus Zegarowski (15.8 & 5.2 APG) and Mitch Ballock (12.3 & 5.5). Highly touted 6-5 guard Denzel Mahoney became eligible in mid-December and is averaging 12.6 & 3.4 PPG. The 6-5 SF Jefferson (9.5 & 5.4) and the 6-7 Bishop (8.5 & 5.4) are the team's top frontcourt performers.

Marquette went 24-10 last season but lost in the NCAA's first round. In the off-season, head coach Steve Wojciechowski got great news as Markus Howard, the Big East player-of-the-year, would return for his senior year. However, three days later, the Hauser brothers, Sam (14.9 & 7.2( and Joey (9.7 & 5.3), announced that they were transferring. That said, the Golden Eagles are headed for another 20-win season and a likely NCAA at-large bid. Howard leads the team and the nation in scoring (27.3) and is joined in the backcourt by fellow senior guard Sacar Anim (13.1 & 4.0) and junior guard Koby McEwen (10.7-5.4-3.3 & 5.2). The 6-8 Bailey (7.8 & 5.5) is Marquette's top frontcourt producer but three others (forwards John and Cain plus the 7-0 Johnson) combine for 17. PPG and 15.0 RPG.

Marquette flopped in a 92-75 loss at Creighton back on Jan 1 but the team has won SIX of eight since Jan 15, going 7-1 ATS in that stretch (team's lone loses were in OT at Butler and by ONE point at 'Nova). No doubt Creighton is playing well and talented but note that the Bluejays closed 2 1/2-point road underdogs at Providence (4-12), at DePaul (13-12 / 1-11 in Big East play) and at Georgetown (15-10 / 5-7 in Big East). Here, the number is "about the same" against a 17-7 team that is 12-1 SU at home and owns the nation's leading scorer.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Wisconsin at 7:00 ET.

Purdue is coming off a 26-win season, after reaching the Elite 8 last year (lost in OT to eventual champ UVA), but Purdue lost outstanding guard Edwards (24.3) from that team, as well as the team's second-leading scorer Cline (12.0). The Boilermakers opened the season ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll but Purdue takes the court tonight 14-12 overall, including just 7-8 in the Big Ten. Wisconsin has been to the "Big Dance" in 20 of the last 21 seasons and while the Badgers lost the 6-10 Happ (17.3 & 10.1) and a solid guard in Iverson (6.9 & 4.5) from last season's 23-win NCAA team, the Badgers had a solid returning core. However, Wisconsin enters tonight's game 15-10, including 8-6 in the Big Ten. Purdue enters off back-to-back losses, while Wisconsin is looking for a THIRD straight win.

Purdue has nice balance, as FIVE players average between 8.8 and 11.0 PPG. The 6-9 Williams leads in scoring (11.0) and rebounding (7.4) and is joined up front by the 7-3 Haarms (9.3 & 4.7). A trio of guards follow, including Hunter (10.4), Proctor (9.8) and Stefanovic (8.8) and Filling out the roster are guards Thompson (5.5) and Eastern (4.9 & 4.1), while the 6-8 Boudreaux (5.2 & 3.5) and the 6-9 Wheeler (3.8 & 4.5) help out Williams and Haarms up front.

Wisconsin's  6-11 Reuvers (14.0 & 5.4) may not be Happ but he's a quality man. Wisconsin owns a 'DEEP' backcourt in King (10.0), Trice (9.8-4.3-3.9), Davison (9.3 & 4.7) and Pritzl (7.5 & 3.6). King left the team four games ago, but Wisconsin is 3-1 without him. The 6-10 Micah Potter, an Ohio St transfer who became eligible in December, has averaged 9.5 & 6.1 since joining the team and along with the 6-8 Ford (7.9 & 4.), support Reuvers up front.

Purdue is an excellent home team but the Boilermakers have dropped SEVEN of their 10 road games this season, going, 0-6 as a road dog (100% "go-against"). The Kohl Center has been a "House of Horrors" for visiting teams for two decades and the current season is NO different, with the Badgers going 11-1 (lone loss was 71-70 to Illinois). Wisconsin has beaten Maryland, Michigan St and Ohio St at this venue already, so why not the poor-traveling Boilermakers?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Cal at 6:00 ET.

Bobby Hurley won two national titles as Duke's PG (1991 and 1992) but was always destined to get into the 'family business,' as his father is Bob Hurley, Sr, the legendary high school coach of St Anthony's (NJ). Hurley's first job was at Buffalo and in his second season, led the Bulls to an NCAA berth. He used that as springboard to take the Arizona St job in 2015-16. However, he opened with back-to-back losing seasons (15 wins each year). Hurley's 2017-18 squad snuck into the "Big Dance" as a First Four team and the Sun Devils were back 'dancing' again last season, losing in the Round of 64 to finish 23-11. The Sun Devils, who have won SIX of their last seven games to reach 16-8, including 7-4 in Pac 12 play. That leaves them ONE game back of 1st-place Colorado (9-4) and a half-game back of Arizona and Oregon (both 8-4).

Mark Fox had a terrific run at Nevada, winning 20-plus games in each of his five seasons at Reno, making three NCAA tourneys. He used that as a 'springboard'  to coach in the SEC at Georgia but his nine-year stay in Athens was a huge disappointment, with just four, 20-win seasons and only TWO appearances in the "Big Dance." This is his first season at Berkeley and Cal enters this contest 10-14, including 4-7 in Pac 12 play.

ASU has four, double digit scorers but no other player chips in as much as 5.0 PPG. PG Remy Martin (19.5-3.4-3.9) leads the way, while  fellow guards Verge (13.6 & 3.5) & and Edwards (10.5 & 3.4) make for a strong perimeter trio. The 6-8 White (10.5) is the fourth double-digit scorer and the team's top rebounder (9.2). Verge has emerged as a difference-maker over the last five games, averaging 17.2 points while shooting 55.4 percent from the floor, including 53.8 percent from three-point range.

Sophomore guard Matt Bradley scored 19 points in Thursday’s 68-52 loss to Arizona and is the team's LONE double-digit scorer at 17.7 PPG (adds 5.2 RPG). Senior guards South (9.2) and Austin (7.9) are solid contributors, while a pair of 6-8 players, Anticevich (8.0 & 5.5) and Kelly (7.3 & 5.1) while sophomore forward Andre Kelly added eight points and nine rebounds. Bradley is the only player scoring in double figures for the Bears (17.7 per game), and work up front. Cal was picked to finish last in the Pac-12 preseason poll and while Cal's 4-7 league mark leaves them ahead of only 2-11 Washington, a win here would vault them into a tie for sixth in the conference.

ASU is on a roll but be careful. The team has won four straight Pac 12 games for the first time since the 2009-10 season. Cal has shown improvement under first-year coach Mark Fox and checks in 10-4 SU at home, going 5-1 ATS in Pac 12 home games. What's more, the home team is 9-2 ATS (82%) in Cal's 11 conference games this season. The home team is my bet, here. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Underdog Shocker is on Boise st at 4:00 ET.

No. 4 San Diego State (25-0 / 14-0 in the MWC) has already clinched its seventh regular-season title. "The hardest thing in basketball, obviously other than winning the Final Four, is winning a regular-season conference title because you have to do it over the whole season," Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher said in his postgame press conference after Tuesday’s 82-59 victory at New Mexico. The Aztecs look to maintain their perfect record on Sunday against Boise State at ExtraMile Arena, where the Broncos are 12-1 this season, after Tuesday’s 74-57 victory over Air Force. Leon Rice is in his 10th season as Boise's head coach and while his teams have won 20-plus games in SEVEN of his first nine, the Broncos are coming off a 13-20 season in 2018-19. Boise's head for another 20-win season this year at 17-9 and at 9-5 in MWC play, are just a half-game back of second-place Utah St in league play.

The Aztecs are led by likely Mountain West player of the year Malachi Flynn (16.4-4.1-5.1), who is averaging 17.6 points, five rebounds and five assists over his past 10 games. The Aztecs rely on basically five players, as guards Schakel (10.0 & 3.4) and Feagin (8.7-3.1-3.2) join Flynn on the perimeter, while the 6-6 Mitchell (12.5 & 4.8) and the 6-10 players Wetzell (12.0 & 6.5) start up front. Dutcher was on Fisher's staff in Michigan and SDSU, and like his mentor, 'preaches' defense. The Aztecs are allowing just 58.4 PPG (4th) on 37.6% shooting (6th).

Boise St features the "big" backcourt duo of the 6-9 Alston (18.4 & 5.2) and the 6-7 Jessup (15.7 & 4.3). Senior Hobbs (8.6) is a more traditional guard plus the 6-6 Kigab (12.4 & 4)3.6and the 6-7 Williams (11.5 & 8.2) have proven to be solid frontcourt players. Kigab was an Oregon transfer who became eligible in December and he's really helped this team in 14 games (team is 10-4). Jessup scored 18 points and Williams posted his eighth double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds in Tuesday’s 74-57 victory over Air Force. Boise St also received a welcome boost from forward Abu Kigab, who returned after missing two games with a hip pointer and had six points, two rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot in 15 minutes off the bench.

The Aztecs raced to a 23-point lead at the half and cruised to an 83-65 victory at Viejas Arena over Boise back on Jan 11 but as noted, the Broncos are 12-1 SU at home this season (lone loss way back on Nov 15 vs UC-Irvine). San Diego State has lost its last three games against the Broncos at ExtraMile Arena (lost by 22 points last season) and Boise owns a 122-29 record at home in ExtraMile Arena under Rice. Take the points but I'm calling for the OUTRIGHT win.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on UConn at 3:00 ET.

Penny Hardaway's first season as head coach of his alma mater (Memphis) resulted in a 22-win season. The Tigers lost all FIVE starters from that team but they were replaced by what most considered the best recruiting class of the 2019-20 season. However, the 'jewel' of that class, the 7-1 James Wiseman, was the center of an NCAA investigation and after just three games (19.7 & 10.7), Wiseman was 'done.' He decided to NOT fight anymore and is currently preparing for the next NBA Draft. Memphis went 11-1 in non-conference play Memphis was ranked and looked like a surefire NCAA Tournament team but now appears to be "sitting on the outside looking in," after two straight losses, The Tigers are 17-7 overall but just 6-5 in AAC play.

Danny Hurley is in his second season at Storrs and his first (16-17) didn't go any better than UConn's two previous seasons (16 and 14 wins). The Huskies have been through an up-and-down campaign thus far, going 13-11 (4-7 in the AAC) and the conventional wisdom is, the Huskies can't wait to return to their former home, the Big East (that happens next season). However, UConn does own home wins over then-No. 15 Florida and Cincinnati (last Sunday) plus has lost in OT at home to two of the AAC's best teams, Wichita St and Tulsa.

Since James Wiseman left the program after playing three games, the 6-9 Precious Achiuwa has established himself as the best freshman in the AAC, averaging 15.0 PPG and 10.1 RPG. Fellow freshmen, the 6-7 Jeffries checks in at 10.8 & 4.3, while guard Lester Quinones adds 11.1 PPG and 3.6 APG. Four more guards check in averaging between 4.5 and 8.5 PPG. Jerffries is out with a knee injury (hasn't played in Feb) but while Achiuwa was injured late in the South Florida contest, he managed to play against Cincinnati, scoring 22 points to go with a career-high 17 rebounds, his 13th double-double of the season. Freshman guard Lester Quinones has stepped up since D.J. Jeffries went down, reaching double figures in all four contests and shooting nearly 53 percent from the floor in that span.

Senior guard Christian Vital is averaging team highs of 14. p2oints and 6.3 rebounds. The only other player in double digits is freshman guard James Bouknight (12.0 & 3.3), who has elevated his level of play in two victories last week, by scoring 45 points to earn conference player of the week honors. Fellow guards Gilbert (9.3 & 4.2 APG) and Adams (7.1) typically come off the bench, The loss of the 6-9 Polley (9.5 & 3.2) to a torn ACL (out for the season) has hurt, leaving UConn with only the 6-11 Carlton (8.3 & 6.3) and 6-9 freshman Akok (6.0 & 5.9), up front.

The Tigers want to stay on the safe side of the Big Dance cut line but a loss here in Storrs would hardly help that effort. UCon comes in 7-2 ATS (or 6-2-1) over its last nine games and recent home wins over Temple and Cincy suggest UConn is more than capable of winning here. The Huskies lost 70-63 at Memphis back on  Feb 1 but that game was tied inside of three minutes to play. James Bouknight has emerged as the best player on the Huskies, averaging 18.5 points over the last six games, eclipsing the 20-point mark in his last three. Fellow freshman and backcourt mate Jalen Gaffney (just 3.4 PPG on the season) experienced growing pains after entering the starting lineup, but scored a career-high 13 points on 62.5 percent shooting against SMU this past Wednesday. Leading scorer Christian Vital has reached double figures in each of the last 10 contests plus leads the AAC in steals per game (2.5) and free-throw percentage (89.8). Memphis is VERY beatable and UConn 'gets the job done!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Minnesota at 1:00 ET.

No. 17 Iowa (17-7) was hoping to stay in the hunt for its first Big Ten regular-season championship since 1979 when it visited Indiana on Thursday. The Hawkeyes had won SEVEN of their last nine contests but Iowa delivered another lackluster defensive performance away from home in an 89-77 loss. The defeat drops Iowa to 17-8, including just 8-6 in the Big Ten (Maryland's win at Mich St on Saturday gives the Terps an 11-3 Big Ten mark). The Golden Gophers haven't played since a week ago Saturday, when trailed by as many as 19 points with just under 14 minutes remaining, before closing the gap in an 83-77 loss at now-No. 13 Penn State. Minnesota is just 12-11 on the season, including 6-7 in the Big Ten.

Iowa lost at Indiana, despite a 38-point performance from 6-11 senior Luka Garza. The Big Ten has yet to find a way to contain Luka Garza, who is averaging 23.7 PPG and 9.8 RPG.  Garza is one of only two players nationally to average at least 23.5 points and nine rebounds, and he owns the two highest single-game point totals in the Big Ten this season (38 points against Indiana and 44 vs Michigan on Dec 6). Sophomore guard Joe Wieskamp (15.4 & 6.1) is an excellent "second option" on offense for Iowa but freshman guard CJ Fredrick (10.7) is the only other double-digit scorer. Guards Toussaint (6.6) and Connor McCaffrey (6.0-4.3-3.6) help give Iowa a strong perimeter group., while the 6-10 Ryan Kriener (7.2 & 4.0) helps Garza up front. Note that McCaffrey is the only player in Division I with at least 90 assists and fewer than 25 turnovers, allowing him to lead the country in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.96)

Richard Pitino has had a roller-coaster run at Minnesota, capturing the NIT (25 wins) in his first season but then falling to 18 wins and just EIGHT wins the next two seasons. The last three seasons have seen 24 and 22-win NCAA teams sandwiched around a 15-win season. Pitino opened the current season without guards Coffey (16.6) and McBrayer (8.9) plus big man Murphy (14.4 & 11.0), who gave the Minnesota program a combined 11 seasons. 6-10 sophomore center Daniel Oturu hasn't quite been able to match Garza's gaudy offensive production but he is coming off a 32-point, 16-rebound effort Feb 8 in an 83-77 defeat at Penn State. He is averaging 20.1 points and 11.5 rebounds per game to go along with 2.7 blocked shots. Fellow sophomore, PG Marcus Carr, is averaging 15.7-5.8-6.7.(15.7 points, 5.8 boards, 6.7 assists). Gabe Kalscheur (11.7) has knocked down a conference-high 56 three-pointers, while guard Willis (9.2 & 3.5) and the 6-9 Demir (7.4 & 4.7) round out Minnesota's starting-five (Gophers don't have much depth).

Iowa's loss at Indiana on Thursday marked its third straight double-digit loss on the road, with the team surrendering an average of 91.7 points during its road skid to a trio of teams (Maryland, Purdue and Indiana) that rank no higher than 129th in the country in scoring offense. Garza is terrific but Oturu is hardly 'chopped liver,' so I expect Iowa's road woes to continue. Iowa's D just doesn’t travel well, allowing 80 PPG away from home, compared to a 66 at home. Its NOT good news for Iowa that CJ Fredrick exited Thursday's contest late in the first half with a sprained right ankle, and coach Fran McCaffery didn't sound overly optimistic about his status for Sunday when asked about his freshman guard following the game. Minnesota's 72-52 setback at Iowa on Dec 9 was its most lopsided loss of the season (Carr was 1 of 10 from the floor in that one), so expect "payback" to be in play in this one and note that Pitino's Gophers are 8-2 as a hone favorite this season. Minnesota wins "with room to spare.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Week is on Virginia/North Carolina Over at 8:00 ET.

North Carolina is already aware it will need to win the ACC Tournament if it wants to make the NCAA Tournament (fat chance!) but defending champion Virginia still has hope that a strong finish will help it avoid a similar fate. The Cavaliers held on for a 50-49 overtime home victory Tuesday over Notre Dame, prevailing despite making only one FG over the final 6 1/2 minutes of regulation and settling for just THREE free throws in the extra period. As for the Tar Heels, they hit a new low on Tuesday, falling into last place in the ACC following a 74-57 loss at Wake Forest three days after nearly upsetting No. 7 Duke. North Carolina is in the midst of its third losing streak of at least four games in 2019-20, something that had never happened in program history prior to this season.

I'm just "cutting to the chase" for this one. Virginia's 'ugly' performance against Notre Dame (just 50 points in a 45-minute OT win), followed UVA's best offensive effort of the season in the Cavs' previous game. UVA lost 80-73 at Louisville (a good defensive team!), shooting 53.1% overall, including 11 of 22 on threes (went just 5 of 20 on threes vs ND!). As for the Tar Heels, they shot 33.3% for the game, including an abysmal 1 of 16 on threes against Wake (a notably poor defensive team), coming off a 98-96 OT loss vs Duke. Against Coach K's team, North Carolina shot 52.2% for the game and had 84 points in regulation.

As Vince Lombardi one famously cried out, "What the hell is going on out there!" When these two schools met at Charlottesville back on Dec 8, they combined to shoot 22.6% on threes in a 56-47 UVA win. With both coming off horrendous shooting efforts on Tuesday, my bet is we'll see some 'real' basketball played. Go OVER!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on South Carolina at 6:00 ET. No analysis available.

My 10* Game of the Week is on New Mexico at 6:00 ET.

The UNLV Rebels (12-14) and the New Mexico Lobos (17-9) meet in Mountain West Conference college action from the Dreamstyle Arena in Las Cruses on Saturday. The Rebels are sub-.500 overall but are 7-6 in MWC play, a game better than the Lobos, who despite that 17-9 overall mark, have gone just 6-7 in league play. That said, NEITHER team has nor will make any 'waves' in a conference dominated by No. 4 SD State (25-0, including 14-0 in league play). The Rebels had little patience with Marvin Menzies, who was fired after just three seasons. Taking over has been TJ Otzelberger, who in three seasons at South Dakota St, went 70-33 with two NCAA teams. However, as UNLV's record indicates, it's been a tough first season for Otzelberger. New Mexico's Paul Weir is in his third season at Las Cruses and after 19-and 14-win seasons, he's headed for his "best year" at New Mexico.

Now that Mitrou-Long is back healthy, the Rebels have a trio of guard scoring in double digits. Hamilton (15.2 & 5.2) leads the way, followed by Hardy (14.1) and Mitrou-Long (10.9-3.2-3.5). Up front, it's the 6-7 Tillman (10.1 & 4.7) and the 6-11 Diong (7.9 & 8.3).The suspension of the 6-10 Bragg (12.6 & 10.3 after playing 15 games) was NOT good news for the Lobos but they've survived. FOUR players still average in double digits. PG Lyle (16.1-4.2-4.7) leads the way, followed by the 6-9 Manigault (12.7 & 5.0), plus guards Martin (11.2) and Hendrix (10.1 & 4.0). Just under 10 PPG are Jackson (9.6 & 4.7) and Maluach (9.,3 & 4.1).

UNLV is just 2-7 SU in true road games third season and is not getting NEARLY enough points to draw ANY interest here against a Lobo team 14-1 SU at home in "The Pit," with its lone loss coming against unbeaten SD State! Here's "payback" for that 99-78 loss in Las Vegas!

Good luck...Larry 

My 8* play is on Miami-Fl at 2:00 ET.

Wake Forest comes to "South Beach" just 11-13 overall, including 4-10 in ACC play. The Miami Hurricanes are only slightly better (12-12) and like Wake, just 4-10 in ACC play. The ACC now has 14 schools and INCREDIBLY, it's the famed North Carolina Tar Heels, who are the only school with a worse conference record than Wake and Miami, at 3-10.

Danny Manning is now in his sixth season as Wake's head coach and it would be hard to say that things are headed in the right direction. He had just ONE winning season in his first five (65-93, .411 overall) and as noted, is 11-13 (4-10 ACC) so far this season. However, the Demon Deacons just beat North Carolina 74-57 in their last game. Wake never trailed in the rout of North Carolina and at one point early in the second half, led by 26, its largest lead of the season. Wake features FOUR double digit scorers in veteran guards Childress (15.0 & 4.8 APG), Brown (12.4 & 6.1) and White (10.3 & 4.0) plus 7-0 junior center Sarr adds 12.9 & 9.0.

Jim Larranga famously led George Mason to the Final Four back in 2006 and has been at Miami since the 2011-12 season. He won 20-plus games in SIX of his first seven years at Miami (four NCAA teams) but the team was just 14-18 last year and now 12-12 this season. However, like Wake, the Hurricanes are also coming off a dominant performance, Wednesday's 85-58 win over Boston College was their largest ACC victory since they defeated the Eagles by the same margin back on Feb 22, 2014. "I thought everybody was ready to play, I thought everybody gave great effort and I thought everybody executed the game plan," Larranaga said. "Sometimes guys want to just go on their own, but tonight everybody was sharing the ball. We had 17 assists, which is a season high." It's important to note that the Hurricanes are close to full strength with Chris Lykes (16 points), Kameron McGusty (12) and Rodney Miller (11) all back from injuries. Lykes (15.3) leads a solid guard trio that also includes Vasiljevic (14.0 & 4.2) and McGusty (13.1 &n 4.0). Then there is freshman guard Isaiah Wong (6.5), who continues to show a hot hand. He had 21 points vs BC to become the first Hurricane freshman with back-to-back 20-point outings since January 2001 (Marcus Barnes), as he scored 23 against Florida State in the previous contest. The 7-0 Miller (7.6 & 5.7) is joined up front by the 6-10 Waardenburg (6.4 & 6.3).

Yes, this year's Tar Heels as 'imposters' but still, trouncing North Carolina is still a big deal for Manning's Wake team. However, the Demon Deacons are a woeful 1-8 SU in true road games this season and they'd basically have to win to cover here. Miami's perimeter group is looking healthy and VERY good these days and WON"T oblige Wake's D by shooting 1 of 16 on threes, ala North Carolina. Home team gets the "W" and the cover.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Southern Illinois at 2:00 ET.

The Bradley Braves and the Southern Illinois Salukis meet in college basketball action from SIU Arena on Saturday. Bradley is 17-9 on the season, while Southern Illinois is 15-11, but the Salukis are 9-4 in MVC play (tied with Loyola-Chicago behind 11-2 Northern Iowa). Bradley lost back-to-back games but then the Braves won each of their last two, against Evansville and Indiana State (Braves now sit 8-5 in MVC play). As for SIU, the Salukis had a SEVEN-game winning streak snapped in their last outing, falling 55-38 at Valparaiso.

Brian Wardle took the Bradley head coaching job in 2015-16, after having no success at Green Bay. That first season was a disaster (5-27) but in his fourth season (last year), Wardle led the Braves to the NCAA Tournament by winning The Missouri Valley’s “Arch Madness” Tournament (first MVC title for Bradley since 1988), as the Braves overcame an 18-point deficit to beat Northern Iowa 57-54. The win led to Bradley's first NCAA Tourney appearance since 2006. Bradley won't catch Northern Iowa in the regular season but there's always "Arch Madness." Bradley's a veteran team, led by returning guards Brown (14.7 & 4.4 APG) at the point and Kennell (12.3). LSU transfer Kingsby (8.1) starts with the aforementioned duo in the backcourt, with the 6-7 Childs (14.9 & 9.0) and the 6-11 Bar (6.4 & 7.4) starting up front. The 6-6 Henry (9.7 & 6.0) is also a frontcourt contributor.

Southern Illinois is coming off a 17-15 season (10-8 in MVC play) and opened the year with a new head coach, Bryan Mullins. Mullins was the starting point guard on SIU's 2007 Sweet 16 team and is in Southern Illinois' Hall of Fame. Marcus Domask is a 6-6 freshman swingman and he is the leading scorer for Southern Illinois with an average of 14. PPG (also adds 5.3 RPG), while the 6-10 Barret Benson is the leading rebounder with an average of 5.7 per game, while adding 10.7 PPG. Senior guard Mc5Gill (11.2 & 4.2) and freshman guard Jones (7.3) are the team's top-producing guards but SIU has depth on the perimeter, as four other guards are combining for about 16 PPG.

Bradley's Childs missed almost all of January but he returned for Bradley's last two games (both wins), scoring 19 points in each one. He MAKES a difference but Bradley 'limps' in with a 2-7 SU record in true road games, while SIU in is 11-1 SU at home. The Salukis seven-game winning streak ended in a THUD at Valpo, as they shot 23.6% from the floor, including 17.9% on threes. Now SIU is no offensive juggernaut but they are shooting 42.5% for the season, including 33.4% on threes. A "typical" shooting performance should allow SIU to move to 12-1 at home on the season. That's my bet vs the poor-traveling Braves.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Ohio St at 12:00 ET.

The Purdue Boilermakers visit Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio for a Big Ten matchup Saturday afternoon against the Ohio State Buckeyes. Purdue opened the season ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll, after winning 26 games last season, before losing in OT to Virginia in the Elite 8. Gone from that squad is Purdue's best player, Carsen Edwards (24.3PPG), as well as its second-leading scorer, Ryan Cline (12.3 PPG).  This year's Boilermakers are well-balanced (FIVE players average between 9.1 and 11.2 PPG) but at 14-11, Matt Painter's team has already surpassed its loss total from last season in league play (7-7, after going 14-4) and has surpassed last season's total of 10 losses.

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and three NCAA bids later, got the job in Columbus. His first season was a 25-win one but last year, while the Buckeyes did get an NCAA bid, they lost in the first round to finish just 20-15. Ohio State had climbed to No. 2 in the polls (at 9-0) before suffering its first loss Dec 15 at Minnesota. Ohio St sat 11-1 after beating then-No. 6 Kentucky on Dec 21 but then lost SIX of seven. Ohio St has recovered to win FOUR of its last five (now 16-8) but at 6-7, is an afterthought in the Big Ten standings.

Purdue is off an 88-76 home loss to Penn St on Tuesday. Purdue took the court in that contest having gone 17-1 in its previous 18 Big Ten home games, while 'taking down' SEVEN of the last eight ranked teams it has faced at home. So much for that. Sophomore forward Trevion Williams led the way in the loss, recording 17 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-8 Williams leads the ream in scoring (11.2) and rebounding (7.4). The 7-3 Haarms (9.4 & 4.7), the 6-8 Boudreaux (4.8 & 3.5) and the 6-9 Wheeler (4.0 & 4.6) all lend a 'helping hand.' Hunter (10.5 &), Proctor (9.6) and Stefanovic (9.1) are the backcourt's top-three producers, but Thompson (5.8) and Eastern (5.1 & 4.2) also contribute.

Ohio St won its most recent home game 72-66 over Rutgers. Leading the way for the Buckeyes was 6-9 junior Kaleb Wesson with 16 points. He's the centerpiece of Ohio St's team this season (was a preseason All-Big Ten pick) and he leads in scoring (14.1) and rebounding (9.4) Holtmann's team has great depth, as EIGHT players are averaging between 6.1 and  Wesson's 14.1 PPG. Two guards join Wesson in double digits, sophomore  Duane Washington (10.8) and  5-star freshman recruit PJ Carton(10.4). Underappreciated floor general C.J. Walker (Florida State transfer) is chipping in 7.5 PPG and 3.2 APG, while Wesson's 6-6 brother Andre, adds 9.0 & 4.0.

Purdue is a terrific home team (notwithstanding Tuesday's 'clunker') but the Boilermakers 'flopped' on the road this season, checking in at 0-5 as a road dog (100% "go-against"). Ohio St is 11-2 SU at home, including a money-making 10-5 as a home favorite. This is the only regular season meeting between the schools this year and with contests against ranked teams Maryland and Iowa up next, the Buckeyes could really use a "W." After losing BOTH meetings against last season, I'm laying the points with this "double-avenger."

Good luck...Larry

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

Bob McKillop is in his 31st season as Davidson's head coach and he's had quite a run (578-350 overall with nine NCAA teams entering the current season). His best-known team was the 2007-08 edition, when Steph Curry led the Wildcats into the Elite 8. Davidson came into this season off a 24-10 year, while returning all five starters. However, the Wildcats are a modest 12-11 overall (10-13 ATS), including a 6-5 record in the A-10.

Mark Schmidt's St Bonny's team lost in the A-10 championship game last season and at 18-16, did not play in any postseason tourney. That came on the heels of three consecutive 20-win seasons, including a 26-win campaign in 2017-18 in which the Bonnies earned an NCAA bid. However, expectations were high for this season, as the Bonnies overcame a ton of injuries last season and last year's sensational freshman class all returned as sophomores. Bonaventure is 17-8 (15-8-1 ATS) overall, including 9-3 in the A-10, trailing only 11-0 Dayton (No. 6 in the nation) and 10-2 Rhode Island.

Davidson saw the 6-6 Pritchett lost for the season with a knee injury and SG Frampton leave for personal reasons after FIVE games. That's TWO of last year's five returning starters. PG Jon Axel Gudmundsson was the A-10s P-O-Y last season and is averaging similar numbers, checking in at 14.0-7.0-4.6. Fellow guard Kellan Grady averaged a team-high 17.3 PPG last season and leads the way again, averaging 16.3 PPG. The 6-10 Luka Drogkovic (10.3 & 5.2) is the third starter back from last season, while returning guard Collins (10.7 & 3.9) and a pair of freshman, round out Davidson's main contributors. The freshman are the 6-7 Lee (8.2 & 3.6) and guard Jones (5.7) .

St Bonny's six-deep main rotation features FIVE sophomores (remember, last year's freshman class?) and 6-8 freshman Winston (8.5 & 3.1). Now to those sophs. PG Lofton (14.2 & 6.1 APG) leads a backcourt which also includes Welch (11.7 & 6.6) and English (11.4 & 4.3). The 6-10 Osunniyi (10.5 & 9.1) gets help up front from the 6-8 Planutis (5.7 & 4.6) plus emerging freshman Winston (20 points in Tuesday's win at St Joe's).

That Tuesday win was St Bonaventure's FIFTH consecutive SU & ATS, since falling 81-75 at home to Rhode Island on Jan 25. The Bonnies are 7-3 SU at home (6-2-1 ATS), while Davidson is 5-2 SU & ATS in is last seven overall, the Wildcats are just 1-5 SU & ATS in their six post-Christmas road games (lone win and cover at Fordham, which is 1-10 in A-10 play). It's "that time of year" for Marc Schmidt’s Bonnies, as they are a 'sweet' 30-7 SU in the month of February since 2015-16.  Davidson swept  St Bonny's injury-hampered team last season, so expect "double-revenge" to work nicely tonight in Olean.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Oregon St at 9:00 ET.

Utah and Oregon State are both 14-9 overall plus each resides in the lower half of the Pac-12 standings, with the Utes sitting at 5-6 and the Beavers at 4-7. However, after Utah lost six of its first nine Pac-12 games, the Utes swept a two-game homestand last weekend with wins over Stanford (64-56 in OT) and California (60-45). Oregon St played just one time last week, hosting in-state rival Oregon, but the Beavers were able to beat the then-No. 11 Ducks 63-53, knocking Oregon out of first place in the Pac 12 with that 10-point upset win at Gill Coliseum. Tonight's game will be also be in Gill Coliseum, with the Beavers looking to avenge an 81-69 loss at Utah back on Jan 2.

Utah head coach Larry Krystkowiak and his Oregon State counterpart (Wayne Tinkle), were teammates at Montana during the 1985 and ’86 seasons. The former teammates will meet for the NINTH time as opposing head coaches (Krystkowiak owns a modest 5-3 advantage). As noted above, the Utes dominated the Cardinal and Golden Bears with defense, holding them to a combined 33.9-percent shooting and forcing 37 total turnovers in the two games. 6-6 forward Timmy Allen, the team’s leading scorer (18.4 points per game) and rebounder (7.3), scored more than 20 points for the first time since Jan 2 with a game-high 21 against Cal last Saturday, accounting for more than a third of Utah’s points. Guards Both Gach (10.6 points) and freshman PG Rylan Jones (10.5-3.2-4.9) are the only other Utes averaging double figures but Gach has missed the last four games with a knee injury and his status remains uncertain heading into this week’s two-game Northwest road trip. The 6-9 Battin (9.5 & 5.5) and 7-0 freshman center Carlson (6.5 & 3.7) complete the starting lineup when Gach is healthy. Two more freshman are contributing for the Utes as well, the 6-8 Jantunen (7.0 & 4.5) and guard Brenchley (4.5), who has been starting in place of Gach.

Coach Wayne Tinkle’s Beavers have won two of their last three after a 2-6 conference start and are in the midst of a three-game homestand before heading out for three straight on the road. Tinkle’s son Tres, a 6-7 senior forward, leads the team in scoring (19.0) and rebounding (6.8) and continues to rank as the only player in the Pac-12’s top-10 in scoring (fourth), rebounding (10th), assists (10th with 3.7) and steals (first with 2.0). Guard Ethan Thompson (15.1-4.3-4.0) and the 7-0 Kylor Kelley (11.1  & 5.1 plus aPac-12-leading 3.7 blocks) also average double digits for the Beavers. Guard Reichle (8.4) and  6-6 forward Hollins (5.8 & 3.1) round out the Beavers' main contributors.

Utah rolled to an 81-69 home win over Oregon State back on Jan 2 but the Beavers have won 11 of the 14 all-time meetings in Corvallis. Utah is averaging 72.4 PPG on shooting 44.9% shooting but in Pac-12 play, those numbers shrink to 64.9 PPG on 40.4% shooting. Tres Tinkle has scored in double figures in 88 straight games and will do so again here, as Oregon St wins "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on USC at 09:00 ET.

The schools with the two longest losing streaks in the Pac-12 collide on Thursday night when 12-12 Washington (2-9 in Pac 12) visits LA to take on 17-7 USC (6-5 Pac 12). The Huskies have lost SIX in a row, while the Trojans have lost three straight. Washington comes in off a 79-67 loss at in-state rival Washington State on Sunday and resides in last place in the conference. However, one of the Huskies' two conference wins came against USC, routing the Trojans 72-40 back on Jan 5 in Seattle. USC (tied with crosstown rival UCLA for fifth place in a very tight Pac-12 race) comes into this game having been swept on its Arizona trip last weekend, including a bitter 66-64 loss at Arizona State on Saturday that saw the Trojans blow a 13-point lead and give up the final SEVEN points of the game.

Mike Hopkins spent more than 20 years as an assistant to Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, before taking the job at Washington for the 2017-18 season. His first team won 21 games and an NIT berth but last year's team won 27 games and earned an NCAA bid. However, FOUR starters are gone from that team, including three NBA draft picks. That's never good but Hopkins recruited a pair of McDonald's All-Americans plus added a third with the transfer guard Quade Green from Kentucky. The Huskies were 10-2 and ranked 21st in the AP poll when they coughed up a lead and lost 75-71 to Houston in the title game of the Diamond Head Classic on Christmas Day. Not much of anything has gone right, since. I noted earlier that Washington routed USC back on Jan 5  but the Huskies' tailspin started the day after their rout of the Trojans when PG guard Quade Green, a transfer from Kentucky who was averaging 11.6 points and 5.3 assists per game while also shooting 44.7 percent from three-point range, was ruled academically ineligible. Washington has averaged just 10.9 assists in the nine games since, while turning it 15.3 times per contest. Washington is just 1-8 without Green.  6-9 freshman Isaiah Stewart leads the team in both scoring (17.4) and rebounding (8.7), while his freshman cohort Jaden McDaniels  adds 12.4 & 5. 9. Junior guard Nahziah Carter (12.8 & 5.1) is the team's third double digit scorer but he Huskies rank ninth in the Pac-12 in scoring with an average of 65.8 PPG in conference contests.

Andy Enfield came to USC with unlimited fanfare. He led Florida Gold Coast to 26 wins and a Sweet 16 appearance back in the 2012-13 season and used that as a springboard to come to LA. He also brought along stock in a company he helped manage to more than $100 million in net worth plus a beautiful former model of a wife (the perfect fit for California). However, he's had three winning and three losing seasons at USC. Last year's team was just 16-17. Yes, USC has lost THREE in a row but this year's 17-7 season has USC back in consideration for an at-large NCAA bid. 6-9 freshman Oneyka Okongwu, a former prep teammate of Lonzo Ball at Chino Hills High School where he twice was named California's Mr. Basketball, has been as good as advertised for the Trojans. He leads the team in scoring (16.4), rebounds (8.9) and blocks (3.0), while shooting 60.9 percent from the floor. Senior guard Jonah Mathews (13.0) and 6-11 Nick Rakocevic adds 11.1 & 8.6. Earlier this season, the duo became  the 41st and 42nd players in school history to reach the career 1,000-point mark. Guards Utomi (7.3 & 3.4), Weaver (6.8) and Anderson (5.8-3.0-4.5) join Mathews on the perimeter and 6-10 freshman Mobley (6.7 & 5.3) adds help up front.

Here's the bottom line. Washington's play continues to be erratic and 'limps' into LA in last-place (2-9) in the Pac-12, having gone 0-5 SU & ATS on the Pac-12 road, averaging 61.6 PPG (includes an OT game). USC needs a strong finish for at-large consideration and has a HUGE revenge motive in this one from that Jan 5 embarrassment. The Trojans are 9-2 at home and the 'free-falling' Huskies will play the perfect foil

Good luck...Larry

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

Tad Boyle took the Colorado job in 2010-11 and won 20-plus games in FIVE of his first six seasons (three NCAA appearances). However, mediocre 19-15 and 17-15 seasons followed, before Colorado went 23-13 last year. The Buffs didn't make the Big Dance last season but all FIVE starters returned and big things were expected. The Buffs opened 7-0 and enter this showdown with Oregon at 19-5, including a Pac 12-best 8-3 record. The 16th-ranked Buffs beat the Ducks 74-65 in Boulder to tip off Pac-12 play back on Jan 2 and hope to complete a series sweep, tonight.

Dana Altman has led Kansas St, Creighton and Oregon to multiple NCAA tourneys. The Ducks opened this season No. 15 in the AP's preseason poll and jumped out to a 6-0 start. Oregon wrapped up non-conference play at 11-2 and as 2020 dawned, was ranked No. 4, the first time the Ducks had been in the AP top-5 since the 2016-17 team made the Final 4. A four-game winning streak to end January had Oregon atop the Pac 12 at 7-2 but back-to-back 10-point losses at Stanford (Feb 1) and rival Oregon State (Feb 8) has seen the school drop to 7-4, a game behind Colorado and only a half-game ahead of Arizona and Arizona State (7-5).

Colorado has won five of its last six to surge to the top of the conference. “It’s a bigger challenge (now),” Buffs coach Tad Boyle said earlier this week. “… We’ve put ourselves in good position, but it’s also a very small margin. If we don’t win on Thursday, we’re not in sole possession of first place anymore. We know that, and that’s the challenge.” PG McKinley Wright (13.8-5.2-5.2), 6-7 swingman Tyler Bey (13.6 & 9.1) and guard D’Shawn Schwartz (11.2 & 3.7) are the leading scorers for the Buffs. The 6-8 Battey (9.2 & 6.0) and the 6-7 Siewert (8.3 & 4.6) bring some 'muscle' up front.

The Ducks shot 32.8 percent in the loss to Stanford and 40 percent in the loss at Oregon State, as they posted their two lowest point totals of the season. Senior PG Payton Pritchard (the last holdover from the 2017 Final Four team) is on pace for a "career season," averaging 19.5-4.3-6.0. He teams with JC transfer Duarte (14.2 & 5.6) to arguably give Oregon the Pac-12's best guard duo. Richardson (10.0) and Mathis (8.0) provide solid depth on the perimeter. However, the Ducks’ frontcourt has been minus 6-11 center N’Faly Dante (6.2 & 2.7) due to a knee injury and 6-9 forward Francis Okoro (3.5 & 4.6) has been home in Nigeria for the funeral service for his father. Dante is not expected to play but Okoro could return. However, freshmen like the 6-8 C.J. Walker (5.0 & 2.7) and the 6-8 Chandler Lawson (5.0 & 4.3) have seen more playing time, joining 6-7 UNLV transfer Juiston (7.6 & 6.6).

This is a HUGE game for Oregon. Colorado has won nine of the 15 meetings vs Oregon since entering the Pac-12 in 2011 but only ONE of those wins have come in Eugene. Oregon is the Pac-12’s only undefeated team at home in 2019-20 (12-0, including 4-0 in conference play), while Colorado is 3-3 in true road games, including 2-2 in Pac-12 play. Oregon is riding a FOUR-game home win streak in the series. Oregon head coach Dana Altman recently told the Oregonian, “I don’t think we’ve gone backward. People are getting better, and we’re not.” It's time for Oregon to "put up shut up!" I'm betting on "put up!"

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Indiana at 8:00 ET.

No. 17 Iowa (17-7) looks to stay in the hunt for its first Big Ten regular-season championship since 1979 when it visits 15-8 Indiana on Thursday. The Hawkeyes have won SEVEN of their last nine contests, including a 96-72 rout of Nebraska on Saturday, to move within two games of ninth-ranked Maryland (10-3) at the top of the conference standings (Hawkeyes are 8-5). In contrast, Indiana is heading in the wrong direction following a 74-62 home loss to Purdue on Saturday. The Hoosiers have now dropped FOUR consecutive games, including their last three by an average margin of 12 points, to leave them on the outside looking in for a potential NCAA Tournament berth (Indiana is now just 5-7 in the Big Ten).

Head coach Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa back in the 2010-11 season (off three straight NCAA trips with Siena). His 2013 team was the NIT runner-up and he then led the Hawkeyes to three straight NCAAs. Iowa missed the "Big Dance" the next two years but last year's 23-win team was back in. The Hawkeyes opened 1-3 in Big Ten play but is now back in contention, plus has to feel good about an at-large bid.  Sophomore Joe Wieskamp (15.4 & 6.1) poured in a career-high 30 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor to go along with seven rebounds and three assists as the Hawkeyes scored a season-best 96 points in the win against Nebraska. The 6-11 Luka Garza (22.9 & 10.2) added 22 points, eight rebounds and a pair of steals against the Cornhuskers to notch his NINTH straight 20-point game in Big Ten play while moving into 17th place on the program’s all-time scoring list. Freshman guard CJ Fredrick (11.2) joins Toussaint (6.7) and Connor McCaffrey (6.1-4.4-3.7) to make a strong perimeter group. The 6-10 Ryan Kriener (7.3 & 4.0) helps Garza up front.

Archie Miller began his third season as Indiana's head coach in 2019-20 and KNEW he had better improve on the 16 and 19-win seasons the Hoosiers delivered in his first two seasons at Bloomington. Indiana lost two NBA players from last year's team, guard Langford (16.5 & 5.4) and the 6-7 Morgan (15.5 & 8.2), but this year's team got off to an 11-1 start. That said, the early schedule had been home-based and 'soft.' Indiana enters this game on a four-game slide and the Hoosiers are almost assuredly on the outside looking in for a potential NCAA Tournament berth. Highly-touted 6-9 freshman Jackson-Davis (13.8 & 7.9) has been as good as advertised plus he's joined up front by returning 6-7 forward Smith (11.3 & 5.4) and 6-11 Butler graduate transfer Brunk (8.0 & 6.0). Jackson-Davis had a team-high 16 points to go along with eight rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots in the loss to Purdue, while Smith added 11 points and five rebounds. The backcourt has depth in Green (10.2), Durham (9.7) and Phinisee (7.0 & 3.1) but doesn't quite match Iowa's perimeter group.

Indiana has dropped THREE out of four games against teams currently ranked in the top-25 but the Hoosiers are 12-3 SU at home this season. Iowa is just 3-4 in true road games and has lost Big Ten road games at Michigan (by 12), at sad-sack Nebraska (by six)m at Maryland (by 10) and at Purdue by a whopping 36 points! Talking after Saturday's loss at home to hated-Purdue, Archie Miller said, “It’s not about the doom and gloom. It stinks and you’re really disappointed and it makes you sick, but the doom and gloom has to go away as soon as possible because the next one is coming right down the line.” “We need some guys to respond on Thursday,” Miller added. “One way or another you have to earn the right to break through and we’re at home again on Thursday and we’ve got to find a way to do that.” It's 'Miller Time' tonight.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Cincinnati at 7:00 ET.

Memphis (17-6 / 6-4 in AAC) will visit Fifth Third Arena to take on conference rival Cincinnati on Thursday night. Both schools are in need of resume' booster,' as each had winning streaks snapped with narrow losses over the weekend. The Tigers had a three-game winning streak snapped in losing at home 75-73 to USF (as a 7 1/2-point favorite), while the Bearcats' five-game winning streak ended with Sunday's 72-71 OT loss at UConn.

Penny Hardaway's first season as head coach of his alma mater (Memphis) resulted in a 22-win season. The Tigers lost all FIVE starters from that team but they were replaced by what most considered the best recruiting class of the 2019-20 season. However, the 'jewel' of that class, the 7-1 James Wiseman, was the center of an NCAA investigation and after just three games (19.7 & 10.7), Wiseman was 'done.' He decided to NOT fight anymore and is currently preparing for the next NBA Draft. Memphis went 11-1 in non-conference paly but as noted, is just 6-4 in league play. Since James Wiseman left the program after playing three games, the 6-9 Precious Achiuwa has established himself as the best freshman in the AAC, averaging 14.7 points and 9.8 RPG. Fellow freshmen, the 6-7 Jeffries checks in at 10.8 & 4.3, while guard Lester Quinones (10.7 & 3.7). Four more guards check in averaging between 4.5 and 8.4 PPG.

The Bearcats are off a 28-7 season, while making their NINTH straight NCAA appearance. However, head coach Mick Cronin left for UCLA (he may want to come back?), with John Brannen coming from No. Kentucky to take over. He won 20-plus games in each of the last three seasons, earning the Norse NCAA bids in 2017 and 2019.  Cincy's five-game run pushed their Bearcats into the NCAA Tournament bubble picture but that ended with a thud in Sunday. Leading scorer Jarron Cumberland (15.1-3.7-4.6) will be looking to bounce back after he was 1-of-11 from the floor at UConn, although he did hand out a career-high 10 assists. Unlike last season when Cumberland was Cincy's LONE double-digit scorer, three other teammates join him in double digits this season. 7-1 center Chris Vogt, (12.7 & 6.1), guard Williams (12.3 & 4.9) and the 6-8 Scott (10.0 & 9.5) Right behind that quartet is Jaevin Cumberland (Jarron's cousin), who's averaging 9.4 PPG.

I'll forgive Cincy for Sunday's OT loss at UConn but Memphis home loss to USF (11-13 / 4-7 in AAC) is troubling. What's more, that loss was made even more crushing when the team lost its leading active scorer and rebounder, freshman forward Precious Achiuwa, with an undisclosed injury that leaves his status for tonight in doubt. The Bearcats are 12-1 at home this season, upping their home record at Fifth Third Arena to 114-12 (.905) since joining the AAC back in the 2013-14 season. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

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

6-7 swingman Jimmy Butler was Miami's major off-season acquisition and his return to the floor at Golden St on Monday sparked the Heat's 113-10 win over the Warriors. The victory ended Miami's season-worst three-game losing streak, as Butler returned from missed two games with a shoulder injury to record 21 points and 10 rebounds. The 35-18 Heat play their final game before teh All Star break tonight in Utah, as they conclude a five-game road trip. The Jazz  won 19 of 21 games (16-4-1 ATS) from Dec 11 through Jan 25 but then lost FIVE in a row. However, they have rebounded with THREE straight wins and check in with the same record as Miami at 35-18. Both teams own the No. 4 seed in their respective conferences but while the Heat are 11 games back of the East's No. 1 seed (Bucks) the Jazz are only 5 1/2 games back of the West's No. 1 seed (Lakers). What's more, the Jazz are just 2 1/2 games back of the West's No. 2 seed, while the Heat are 4 1/2 back of the East's No. 2 seed.

Butler (20.5-6.8-6.2) has delivered as promised but he's far from the only player making significant contributions. The 6-9 Adebayo (16.0-10.4-4.9) has played in all 53 games (Butler has missed EIGHT), thriving after Whiteside left for Portland. Undrafted rookie Nunn (15.4) and the team's  No. 1 pick Herro (13.1 & 4.0) have both been important additions, while veteran PG Dragic has played almost exclusively off the bench to average 16.1 & 5.0 APG (he's missed 11 games, though). Trade deadline additions are Iquodola and Crowder but Iquodola needs to get in shape after not playing all season for Memphis. He's averaged 2.0 & 5.5 in 20 minutes per game in two contests. However, Crowder has been terrific in his two games with Miami, averaging 19.5 & 9.5.

Utah's "Big 3" are All Star guard Mitchell (24.3-4.3-4.3), SF Bogdanovich (21.0 & 4.1) and center Gobert (15.6 & 14.5). The signing of free agent PG Conley (13.5 & 4.2 APG) has not quite gone as hoped, as he's shot poorly and missed 21 games to injury. However, SG Ingles (10.2-4.1-5.1) and SF O'Neale (5.9 & 5.2) have each played in all 53 games, while regularly providing support. When Conley went down with an injury, Utah traded for Clarkson and he's averaged 16.0 PPG in 22 games (he's had 30 and 25, the last two).

This is tough spot for the Heat, as they are playing their FIFTH game in EIGHT days, and check in a modest 13-15 on the road (4-8 post-Christmas), compared to 25-2 at home.As for Utah, the Jazz ended their five-game slide with a pair of razor-thin wins (over Portland and Houston) but looked "back in form" Monday at Dallas, building a 21-point halftime lead before settling for a 123-119 road victory. The Jazz almost beat the Heat in Miami back on Dec 23 (lost just 107-104 as 4 1/2-point road underdogs) and should win "with room to spare" here vs Miami, a mediocre road team that has to be road-weary (see above).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "signature" 36-Club Play is on Villanova at 8:30 ET.

Marquette went 24-10 last season but lost in the NCAA's first round. In the off-season, head coach Steve Wojciechowski got great news as Markus Howard (25.0 PPG), the Big East player-of-the-year, would return for his senior year. However, three days later, the Hauser brothers, Sam (14.9 & 7.2( and Joey (9.7 & 5.3), announced that they were transferring. Marquette opened the season 10-2 but began 2020 by losing THREE of four. However, the Golden Eagles have won SIX of seven since (lone loss in OT at Butler) and Monday entered the AP top-25 for the first time this season (No. 18). Jay Wright took over at Villanova at the start of the 2001-02 season and this marks his 19th season with the school. The Wildcats have averaged 31.8 wins per season over the previous six seasons, while winning national titles in 2016 and 2018. However, after opening 17-3 (7-1 in the Big East) climbing to No. 8 in the AP poll, the Wildcats enter this contest off THREE straight losses (all in Big East play!).

Marquette avenged its lone loss in its last seven games by crushing Butler 76-57 at home on Sunday. Markus Howard led the way with 17 points vs Butler, but that was a very quiet night for the nation's leading scorer at 27.4 points per game, including performances of 38, 40, 42 and 51 this season (he's had 10 games of 30-plus points). Fellow senior guard Sacar Anim (13.0 & 4.0) and junior guard Koby McEwen (10.6 & 5.2) are Marquette's three double-digit scorers. The 6-8 Bailey (8.1 & 5.7) is Marquette's top frontcourt producer but three others (John, Cain and Johnson) combine for 13.3 PPG and 14.7 RPG.

After ascending to No. 8, the Wildcats have since dropped home games to Creighton and Seton Hall, sandwiched around a road loss at Butler. Saturday's 70-64 home loss to Seton Hall ended a 17-game home winning streak vs the Pirates (what's up, Jay?). 6-8 sophomore Saddiq Bey (15.9 & 5.1) and junior PG Collin Gillespie (15.7-3.6-4.6)  and have led 'Nova all season. Bey continued his solid sophomore season against Seton Hall with 22 points but Collin Gillespie and 6-9 freshman Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (10.8 & 9.6) combined to shoot 8-of-29 from the floor.
Freshman guard Moore (10.7) and the 6-7 Samuels (10.5 & 5.0) round ot the starting-five (all are in double digits) The 6-9 Swider (6.8 & 3.0) is the "first man off the bench."

Bottom line is, Villanova needs to 'stop the bleeding,' NOW! The Wildcats began the season 10-0 at home before recent losses to Creighton and Seton Hall. This home matchup against Marquette will take place at their cozy arena on Philadelphia's Main Line (Finneran Pavilion), which holds about 6,500 people. I see it as "the perfect" venue for a "must-win" game. Howard is terrific but Villanova owns the edge in ALL other matchups, plus will surely remember losing in Milwaukee 71-60 back on Jan 4. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Top-15 Showdown is on West Va at 7:00 ET.

Kansas did not win the Big 12 for the first time in 15 years last season, then bowed out of the NCAA Tournament in the Round of 32 against Auburn. Kansas opened the 2019-20 season at No. 3 in the AP's preseason poll and lo and behold, enters this game at West Va ranked No. 3 in the latest AP poll (Feb 3). The Jayhawks are 20-3 overall but at 9-1 in teh Big 12, find themselves trailing the nation's top-ranked team, Baylor, which is 22-1 overall (11-0 in teh Big 12). Bob Huggins became famous while coaching Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to 16 straight postseason berths, including 14 straight NCAA bids. He was 'forced out' and after spending a year out of the coaching profession, accepted the head coaching job at Kansas State. It was a one-year 'pit stop' (23-12), as he returned to Morgantown (where he was born) to take the West Va job. As expected, he's led West Va to postseason berths in NINE of 12 seasons but is coming off just his second losing season with the Mountaineers, as they were just 15-21 in the 2018-19 season (4-14 in the Big 12 left them in last-place). However, this year's Mountaineers are one of FOUR Big 12 schools ranked in the AP top-25, checking in at No. 14 (18-5 overall / 6-4 in Big 12).

Kansas had its season disrupted early on last year, as center Udoka Azubuike was limited to nine games in 2018-19 due to a torn ligament in his right hand,. However, he's back healthy and averaging 13.0 & 9.7. He had a terrific effort in Kansas' 60-46 victory over TCU this past Saturday with 20 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks, earning him Big 12 Player of the Week  honors. . Devon Dotson was a preseason all-conference first-team selection and is living up to expectations with a line of 18.0-4.0-4.4. Guards Ajbaji (10.3 & 4.3), Garrett (9.2-4.2-4.5) and Moss (8.1) give Kansas  strong perimeter game, while the 6-10 McCormack (7.3 & 4.6) teams with Azubuike up front.

West Va big men, 6-9 freshman Tshiebwe (11.45 & 9.1) and 6-10 Sophomore Culver (10.8 & 8.9) won't back down from Azubuike and McCormack, plus get some help from the 6-7 Matthews (6.9 & 3.7). The solid guard duo of freshman McBride (9.8) and senior Haley (9.4 & 4.7) headline a quartet of guards, joined by Harler (5.3) and McNeil (5.0), that will battle the Jayhawks excellent perimeter group.

Azubuike had  a big game vs Mountaineers in the Jayhawks' 60-53 win over West Virginia back on January 4 at Allen Fieldhouse, scoring 17 points to go along with 11 rebounds and six blocks. The Jayhawks seek their NINTH straight win tonight (last lost to now-No. Baylor on Jan 11) but winning in Morgantown will be no easy chore. The Jayhawks are just 2-5 vs West Virginia in Morgantown (just ONE win at WVU Coliseum since 2013), while West Va takes the court tonight a perfect 6-0 in home Big 12 games this season. Azubuike had an excellent game against West Va back in Kansas but note that West Va freshman Tshiebwe sure didn't 'back down,' as he posted a double-double with 17 points and 17 rebounds. Kansas' winning streak ends at EIGHT!

Good luck...Larry

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

Danny Hurley is in his second season at Storrs and his first (16-17) didn't go any better than UConn's two previous seasons (16 and 14 wins). The Huskies have been through an up-and-down campaign thus far, going 13-10 (4-6 in the AAC) and the conventional wisdom is, the Huskies can't wait to return to their former home, the Big East (that happens next season). Tim Jankovich won 20-plus games in four of his five seasons at Illinois St, making four NIT appearances. He was announced as SMU's Associate Head Coach and coach-in-waiting in April of 2016 and then as head coach on July 8, 2016.. He's had to bear the the full force of NCAA sanctions due to Larry Brown's tenure but things are looking up this season. SMU breezed through a not-so-difficult non-conference schedule and enters this game at 16-6, including 6-4 in AAC play.

UConn comes in having posted back-to-back wins over teams that were sitting atop the AAC standings, picking up its first true road win 72-56 at Tulsa on Feb 6, before knocking off Cincinnati 72-71 at home in OT this past Sunday. "We’ve beaten the two hottest teams in the conference in back-to-back games,” Hurley said after Sunday's victory over Cincinnati. “We’ve developed resilience and toughness." Senior guard Christian Vital is averaging team highs of 14.3 points and 6.4 rebounds. The only other player in double digits is freshman guard James Bouknight (11.6 & 3.4), who has elevated his level of play in the last two victories by scoring 45 points to earn conference player of the week honors. Fellow guards Gilbert (9.4 & 4.3 APG) and Adams (7.0) typically come off the bench, The loss of the 6-9 Polley (9.5 & 3.2) to a torn ACL (out for the season) has hurt, leaving UConn with only the 6-11 Carlton (8.4 & 6.3) and 6-9 freshman Akok (6.3 & 6.0), up front. 

Jankovich has two guards and two forwards making most of the contributions for his SMU team this season. PG Kendric Davis (a TCU transfer) owns a line of 15.8-4.8-7.3 and is joined in the backcourt by JC transfer Tyson Jolly (14.8 & 6.5). Then there are two 6-8 forwards, Isiaha Mike (14.3 & 6.7)  and Feron Hunt (11.9 & 7.0). So far, the 6-9 Chargois, who averaged 12.4 & 6.2 last season, has under-performed (7.1 & 4.0). Davis barely missed a triple-double with 18 points, 13 assists and nine rebounds in a win over Tulane, before registering his third career double-double with 23 points and 10 assists in the loss at Temple.

The Mustangs, who lead the AAC in field goal percentage (45.9), free-throw percentage (76.3), assists (16.8) and 3-pointers made (8.6 per game). SMU has won five of the past seven meetings between the two schools, including a 77-59 victory at home last season.This is the ONLY meeting of this season and it's HARD to ignore that SMU is 12-1 at Moody Coliseum this season, while UConn is 1-5 SU in true road games. The pointspread is reasonable and I expect a double-digit win by the home team.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Butler at 6:30 ET.

Travis Steele was hired by Sean Miller at Xavier for the 2008-09 season. He was retained by Chris Mack after Miller accepted the Arizona head coaching position and has been a part of a Musketeers program that has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight run in 2017. Steele was promoted to head coach when Mack took the Louisville job. Following Miller and Mack was NOT expected to be easy and it wasn't. However, Xavier rallied to win EIGHT of its final 11 regular season games and went to a postseason tourney (NIT) for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Xavier lost just ONE starter off last year's team, the 6-11 Hankins (10.6 & 5.3). Xavier is 16-8 but only 5-6 in Big East play, although the Musketeers roll into Indianapolis to take on Butler Wednesday night on a three-game winning streak.

The Bulldogs made six NCAA trips from 1997-2007, before Brad Stevens took them to FIVE tourneys in six years, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2011. Chris Holtmann led Butler to three straight NCAA appearances from 2015-17 and LaVell Jordan followed with an NCAA berth in 2018 but the Bulldogs finished just 16-17 last season. Butler opened the season 7-0 and on Dec 2 entered the AP poll at No. 24, ending a span of 43 consecutive polls on "the outside, looking in!' Butler sat at 15-1 through mid-January and rose as No. 5 in the AP poll (highest rating in school history) but then lost THREE straight from Jan 15-21. The Bulldogs rebounded to with THREE of four but were beaten 76-57 at Marquette on Sunday. Butler welcomes Xavier to Hinkle Fieldhouse 18-6 overall, including 6-5 in Big East play.

As noted above, Xavier came on strong late last season and while inning away from home is difficult in the Big East, the Musketeers bring a two-game road win streak into Hinkle Fieldhouse. One of the catalysts for the recent surge is the 6-9 Tyrique Jones (13.5 & 11.1), who totaled 14 points and 18 rebounds in Saturday's 64-58 victory over Providence for his SIXTH consecutive double-double. The 6-7 Naji Marshall is Xavier's leading scorer at 16.0 PPG (also adds 5.9 RPG) but had an off night with five points against Providence.Guard Paul Scruggs (13.3 & 4.7) is Xavier's third double-digit scorer and he teams with senior Goodin (7.3 & 3.7 APG) and freshman Tandy (6.1) in the backcourt. Joining Marshall and Jones up front are 6-9 freshman Freemantle (6.9 & 3.9) and  6-8 junior Carter (6.8 & 5.2).

The Bulldogs' 19-point loss at Marquette was their largest margin of defeat this year and it put them four games behind Big East leader Seton Hall in the standings. All-American candidate Kamar Baldwin is Butler's leader (team-best 16.3 PPG) but recently, the team's success or failure has hinged on second-leading scorer Sean McDermott. The 6-6 senior forward is the only other player on the team averaging in double digits (11.8 & 6.0) but he's averaging 16.8 points in the Bulldogs' six Big East wins and 7.0 in their five losses. Playing up front with McDermott are Nze (9.7 & 6.7), Tucker (8.9 & 4.0) and Golden (8.5 & 3.8). PG Thompson (6.6 & 5.0 APG) has returned to the court to team with Baldwin after three-game absence due to a wrist injury.

Butler is hoping the return to the friendly confines of the Hinkle Fieldhouse helps build some momentum for the stretch run in the Big East. This is the first of two meetings with Xavier down the stretch (schools end the regular season with a game in Cincinnati on Mar 7) and if the Bulldogs can win here, they will be solid favorites to beat Georgetown, DePaul and St John's in their remaining three Big East home games. The road may not be as kind, with games at No. 10 Seton Hall and No. 23 Creighton, before ending at Xavier. Butler could really use a "W" in this one and  I'm betting the Bulldogs get it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* TV Game of the Month is on the Hou Rockets at 9:35 ET.

The Boston Celtics lost SIX of eight from Jan 6-18 but since Jan 20 have won 10 of 11, including SEVEN in a row. Boston trails Milwaukee by 8 1/2 games and has watched Toronto win 15 straight. The Celtics are currently 2 1/2 games back of Toronto and also 2 1/2 games up on No. 4 Miami. The Rockets lost FIVE of six from Jan 9-20 but rebounded with SEVEN wins in nine games, before losing their last two. The 37-15 Celtics and the 33-20 Rockets meet tonight in Houston with each team coming out on opposite ends of one-point decisions on Sunday. The Celtics won 112-111 at Oklahoma City, while the Rockets lost 114-113 at home to the Jazz, when Bojan Bogdanovic hit a three-point shot as time expired.

The Celtics have struggled through nagging injuries and are looking forward to the All-Star break but still have this game and a home contest with the Clippers on Thursday, still to go. Boston has plenty of offensive depth with All-Stars Jayson Tatum (22.2 & 6.9) and Kemba Walker (22.0-4.0-5.0) surrounded by Jaylen Brown (20.2 & 6.5) and Gordon Hayward (17.1-6.5-4.0). Center Daniel Theis (8.2 & 6.2) is backed up by Enes Kanter (9.4 & 8.4) plus guard Marcus Smart (12.2-3.5-4.8) drew praise from Walker. "Where do I start? He's just the ultimate competitor," Walker told reporters of Smart. "He definitely gets overshadowed. I think his offense gets overshadowed as well. He continuously just makes huge plays for us. He just does. Shots, stops, rebounds, blocks. He's incredible, man."

With center Clint Capela (13.9 & 13.8) sidelined, Houston has recently gone to a "small lineup," starting no player over 6-6. Houston then sent Capela to Atlanta around the trade deadline, while acquiring the 6-7 Covington from Minnesota. The extra space in the middle without a big man in the lineup is proving to be a benefit to PG Russell Westbrook (27.0-8.0-7.3), who led the team with 39 points on 18-of-33 shooting on Sunday. Westbrook, who shot 42.6 percent from the floor through the first 31 games, has scored 30 or more points in SIX of the last seven contests and is operating efficiently while knocking down 52.8 percent of his shots over his last 13 contests. Harden (35.2-6.5-7.3) still leads the NBA in scoring but went 2-of-13 from three-point range on Sunday but recorded a triple-double with 28 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Gordon (15.3) sat out Sunday and is day-to-day but the quartet of House (10.5 & 4.8), McLemore (10.3), Rivers (8.6) and Tucker (7.4 & 7.0) are solid contributors. Covington has made a significant impact in his first three games with Houston, averaging 12.3 & 6.0

This is Houston's final game before the break (won't play again until Feb 20) and the LAST thing the Rockets need is to return on a THREE-game losing streak. The "Price is Right" for a Houston win and COVER!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Crusher (MWC) is on Colorado St at 9:30 ET.

Utah St and Nevada tied for the MWC regular season title last year, with Utah St winning the tourney (both schools advanced to the "Big Dance"). However, all MWC schools are 'looking up' at San Diego St this season, as the Aztecs are 24-0, including 13-0 in league play. Utah St and Nevada are both 8-5 in MWC play so far this season but both find themselves a half-game back of 2nd-place Colorado St, which is 8-4. The 19-7 Aggies will visit Moby Arena in Fort Collins on Tuesday night to face those surprising 17-8 Rams.

Utah St head coach Craig Smith had a remarkable first season at Logan, tying for the regular season MWC title and then taking the conference tourney (three wins in three days). Last year's 28 wins tied for the third-most in school history. The Aggies were supposed  to repeat as MWC regular season champs but that won't happen. Senior guard Sam Merrill was the Mountain West player of the year last season and is again leading the Aggies by averaging 17.8-4.3-4.0. 6-7 sophomore forward Justin Bean (12.4) is the team's second-leading scorer and its top rebounder at 10.4 per game. 7-foot sophomore Neemias Queta missed much of the first month of the season but he's a regular now, averaging 12.3 & 6.5. The Aggies have solid depth with 6-6 forward Anderson (8.8 & 4.0) plus guards Miller (9.3), Brito (8.5 & 4.5) and Porter (6.3 & 3.6 APG).

The Rams hired Niko Medved prior to the 2018-19 season and one could reasonably ask why. He spent four seasons as Furman's head coach, posting a 62-70 record. He then moved to Drake, where he went 17-17. He took over at Fort Collins last season and surprise, the Rams went 12-20 (7-11 in MWC play). However, CSU is greatly improved this season, as noted above. This year's team is led by a pair of freshman, PG Stevens (13.4 & 4.5 APG) and 6-5 swingman Roddy (12.2 & 5.8) plus 6-11 senior Carvacho (12.6 & 10.8). Returning guards Moore (8.8) and Martin (7.5) help make up a solid perimeter group, while 6-6 forward Thistlewood (10.9) gives CSU four, double digit scorers.

Utah State defeated Colorado State in Logan 77-61 back on Jan 25  but that game is Colorado St's ONLY loss in its last NINE games. Maybe CSU knew what it was doing by hiring Medved? The Rams were awful last season (see above) and opened this season just 7-6, including 0-2 in MWC play. However, the Rams are 10-2  since Dec 21, including 8-2 in league play. The two loses have come on the road at LY's MWC co-champs, Nevada and Utah St. The Rams have already avenged the loss to the Wold Pack here at Moby on Jan 29 and now it's the Aggies' turn to lose. That's my bet. "Give 'em hell, Niko!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Purdue at 6:30 ET.

Penn St won the NIT back in 2018 (26 wins) but fell off badly last season, finishing 14-18 (7-13 in the Big Ten). However, the Nittany Lions returned FOUR starters and have impressed so far this season, checking in at 18-5, including 8-4 in the Big Ten. Penn St  entered the AP poll back on Dec 16 (at No. 23). That gave the school its first top-25 ranking since March of 1996. Sounds impressive, right? It's even more so when one realizes that Penn St's previous top-25 ranking (to 1996) came back in 1954! Penn St 'jumped' NINE spots in Monday's latest AP poll (up to No. 13), off the school's SIXTH straight win (beat Minnesota 73-67 on Saturday). The Nittany Lions were picked to finish 9th in the Big Ten this season but visit Purdue tonight  ONE game out of first-place at 8-4 (Maryland is 9-3) with the school's highest AP ranking since 1995-96.

Purdue opened the season ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll, after winning 26 games last season, before losing in OT to Virginia in the Elite 8. Gone from that squad is Purdue's best player, Carsen Edwards (24.3PPG), as well as its second-leading scorer, Ryan Cline (12.3 PPG).  This year's Boilermakers are well-balanced (FIVE players average between 9.3 and 11.0 PPG) but at 14-10, Matt Painter's team has already surpassed its loss total from last season in league play (7-6, after going 14-4) and has matched last season's total of 10 losses. However, Purdue has won three consecutive games to climb over .500 in conference play, as the Boilermakers hope to take another step towards securing their SIXTH straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Lamar Stevens scored a career-high 33 points and pulled down seven rebounds in the win against Minnesota, moving him into fourth on the program’s all-time rebounding list with 821. The 6-8 Stevens leads the team in scoring (17.6 PPG) and adds 7.0 RPG. The 6-10 Mike Watkins (9.6 & 7.8) has become the third player in program history to grab 900 rebounds in his career, as he leads the team in rebounding. Sophomore guard Myreon Jones (14.1) ranks second to Stevens in scoring and is expected to return to the lineup after missing the previous game due to illness. Brockington (9.0), Dread (7.8) and Curtis Jones (7.1) round out a solid backcourt.

Purdue's coming off a big win Saturday at Indiana, winning 74-62 and giving the school FOUR straight wins in Assembly Hall for the first time in program history (in front of the visiting Bob Knight, no less!). I talked about that Purdue balance and the 6-8 Williams (11.0 & 7.3) and the 7-3 Haarms (9,6 & 4.7) lead the way up front, while the 6-8 Boudreaux (5.0 & 3.6) and the 6-9 Wheeler (4.2 & 4.7) lend a 'helping hand.' Hunter (10.4 & 3.5), Proctor (9.4) and Stefanovic (9.3) are the backcourt's top-three producers, but Thompson (5.4) and Eastern (5.0 & 4.2) also contribute.

Penn St has NEVER won a Big Ten regular season title and just maybe, this is the year. One thing looks certain, the Nitany Lions will return to the "Big Dance" in 2020 for the first time since 2011. That said, I do NOT like Penn St in this contest. Purdue is playing with confidence and its record here at Mackey Arena is notable. Purdue took the court Jan 21 against then-No. 21 Illinois having won its last 15 Big Ten home games (dating to February 2018) plus having won SIX consecutive home games against ranked teams. The Boilermakers were beaten badly that night but have since won FOUR of five, including home wins over Wisconsin (70-51) and then-No. 17 Iowa (104-68). That means Purdue takes the court 17-1 in its last 18 Big Ten home games, while 'taking down' SEVEN of the last eight ranked teams it has faced at home. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Dal Mavs at 8:35 ET.

The 34-18 Utah Jazz travel from Houston off their buzzer-beating 114-113 win last night in Houston, to take on the 32-21 Dallas Mavericks. The Jazz currently own the West's No. 4 seed, withe the Mavs trailing them by 2 1/2 games and holding down the No. 7 seed. This marks the second meeting (of three) between Dallas and Utah this season, as Jazz beat the Mavericks 112-107 on Jan 25 in Salt Lake City. Monday's game carries some long-term playoff implications for both teams, as a Utah win would earn Jazz a crucial tie-breaker over the Mavs.

Bojan Bogdanovic (20.9 & 4.1) nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer in a wild 114-113 win at Houston on Sunday. The highly-contested shot was launched several feet beyond the arc but ironically, it capped his lowest-scoring effort (eight points) of the season and was just his SECOND made shot in seven tries. "I wasn't supposed to be on the court, the way I was playing," he told AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain postgame. "The coaching staff, they believed in me. They gave me an opportunity to shoot a game-winning shot and I stayed confident." Jordan Clarkson scored 30 points for Utah off the bench, for his third 30-point game of the season and second with the Jazz. Clarkson has turned into the sort of instant-offense-providing sixth man that Utah lacked earlier in the season, as he's averaging 15.6 points in 22 games with the Jazz so far, while shooting 47.3 percent from the floor. All-Star Donovan Mitchell (24.3-4.3-4.3) scored 24 points, PG Mike Conley (13.5 & 4.2 APG) added 20 points and center Rudy Gobert (15.5 & 4.5) delivered yet another double-double (12 & 15).

The Mavericks will once again go without All-Star guard Luka Doncic (28.8-8.1-9.5), who has been out with an ankle injury for each of the last six games. Head coach Rick Carlisle indicated he would like Doncic to get into a game prior to the All-Star break, which leaves Wednesday's matchup with Sacramento at home as the last opportunity. The Mavericks have gone 3-3 without Doncic but rode the hot hand of Seth Curry, who hit his first 10 shots en route to 26 points, in Saturday's 116-100 win at Charlotte. Curry (11.3)  finished 6-of-8 from three-point range and is 15-for-24 from beyond the arc in three games this month, a stretch in which he is averaging 20.3 points in 25.7 minutes. Kristaps Porzingis (18.0 & 9.1), who averaged 35 points in his first three games following Doncic's injury, sat out Saturday's win due to a sore knee but is expected back for this one. Losing center Powell (9.4 & 5.7) for the season was a big blow to Dallas but maybe getting center Willie Cauley-Stein from Sacramento will work out. He is 12-of-14 from the floor over his last three games!

The Jazz won 19 of 21 games (16-4-1 ATS) from Dec 11 through Jan 25  but then lost FIVE in a row. Yes, they have rebounded with back-to-back wins (home to Portland and at Houston) but BOTH came in dramatic fashion. This is a tough spot coming off last night's buzzer-beating win and while the Mavs have been better on the road (18-8) than at home (14-13), I'm 'jumping all over' the Mavs in this one. Utah looked 'lost' for five straight games and I'm not 'sold' that two fortunate wins mean that the Jazz have straightened things out!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Orl Magic at 7:05 ET.

The 15-29 Atlanta Hawks will be in 'Disney World' tonight to take on the 22-31 Orlando Magic. The Hawks are only 2 ½ games better the NBA-worst Golden State Warriors but they are 5-5 after pulling out a 140-135 victory over the New York Knicks in double overtime Sunday night (note: 5-5 is considered a 'winning streak' in Atlanta). Trae Young returned to the lineup for Atlanta after missing the previous game with an ankle injury and responded with 48 points and 13 assists Sunday, as the Hawks rallied from eight points down in the final 90 seconds of the first overtime. Orlando is NINE games under-.500 but remains in a playoff position due to the weakness of bottom nine teams in the conference. However, after Saturday's 111-95 home loss against the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks, the magic have lost EIGHT of their last nine.

Some doubted Young's ability at the NBA level but it would be awfully hard to support that case now. Young upped his season average to 29.7 PPG after last night, plus he's adding 4.5 RPG and 9.1 APG. 6-10 forward John Collins missed all of Nov and didn't get back on the court until Dec 23 but he had 32 points along with 16 rebounds in the victory over the Knicks for his SEVENTH consecutive double-double, during which he has averaged 26 points and 13.1 rebounds (he's averaging 20.5 & 10.5 in 28 games). Rookie forward De’Andre Hunter (from UVA) added 19 points in Sunday’s victory and is now averaging 12.3 PPG, while guard Kevin Huerter is scoring 19 per outing in February (had 16 against the Knicks) and matches  Hunter at 12.3 PPG.

Center Nikola Vucevic recorded his second double-double in three games with 21 points and 14 rebounds against Milwaukee and leads the team in scoring (18.8) and rebounds (10.9). SG Evan Fournier has led the team in scoring for most of the season but now barely trails Vucevic at 18.6 PPG. PF Aaron Gordon scored just seven points (on 2-of-12 shooting vs  Milwaukee) after averaging 19.8 points in the previous four games, but is a dependable player at 13.7 & 7.3. Terrence Ross came off the bench to score 20 points on Saturday (he's played in 51 games without a start), upping his season mark to 13.7 PPG. PF Markelle Fults was the NBA's first overall pick in the 2017 draft but after some struggles, just may be a solid NBA player (he's averaging 11.7 & 4.8 APG this season)

Will former-Rocket Clint Capela (13.9 & 13.8 in 39 games) make the Hawks a better team? He won't be available to play until after the All-Star Game because of a right heel issue, so we'll need to wait awhile to find out. Here's what we do know. Orlando was nine games under .500 at this point last season but won 20 of 29 down the stretch to earn an Eastern Conference playoff spot for the first time in seven years. With the weakness in the bottom-half of the East, the Magic won't need to play that well to return to the postseason this season. However, the Magic will HAVE to improve on their recent play. Why not start here vs the Hawks, who enter this game in the second of a back-to-back set. The Hawks are 0-5 SU & ATS in the second of B2B games when playing that second game on the road and while it seems a little hard to believe, the five losses have come by an average margin of just over 20 points ATS!! Want more? Orlando has already lost TWICE to Atlanta this season! Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Non-Conference Game of the Month (East/West) is on the Por Blazers at 9:05 ET.

The 45-7 Bucks have led the East (the entire NBA, as well) right from the opening 'bell,' with FIVE teams trading places in the No. 2 through No. 6 seeds. However, Toronto's 14-game winning streak has seen the Raptors move two game ahead of the 3rd-seeded Celtics and four game up on the 4th-seeded Heat (34-17 Miami has also moved FOUR games up on the 6th-seeded Pacers). Many feel like the Heat made one of the bigger moves of the trade deadline by bringing in veteran forward Andre Iguodala from the Memphis, Iguodala won three NBA Championships with the Golden State Warriors before being traded to Memphis in the offseason and had sat out the first four-plus months of the season waiting to be traded. Miami will visit Portland Sunday night to take on a Blazers team struggling, after reaching the Western Conference Finals last season. Portland is just 24-29, leaving them 2 1/2 games back of Memphis, which holds down the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. Portland also sits EIGHT games back of the 7th-seeded Mavs and with less than 30 games remaining in the regular season, Portland's ONLY realistic postseason hope seems to be capturing the eighth-seed.

Tonight's contest is the Heat's third game of a six-game road trip. Miami is 22-3 at home but after losing at the Lakers and Kings to open this trip, are 12-14 on the road, going 11-14-1 ATS. All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler (20.5-6.8-6.7) is expected to miss his second straight game with a shoulder issue. The first without him didn't go well, as the Heat were outplayed in a 105-97 loss at Sacramento on Friday. Miami allowed the Kings to make 19 three-pointers after letting the Clippers knock down 24 in a 128-11 setback to begin the trip. Iguodala will go through practice on Saturday and shootaround Sunday before the team makes a determination about his status.Remember, he has NOT played a single game this season.

Portland's Lillard (29.8-4.3-7.9) has scored 40-plus points in SIX of his last nine games, including 42 points against the Utah Jazz on Friday. However, he came away from the game in a rage after a non-call on a clear goaltending in the closing seconds of a 117-114 loss. McCollum (21.4-4.0-3.8) joins Lillard to form one of the NBA's best backcourts but Portland just hasn't jelled this season. Former Miami center Whiteside (15.8 & 14.1) is a double-double machine' plus Anthony (15.2 & 6.6) has surprisingly (to me) played well.

I'm confused as to why Portland has struggled this badly but this is NOT a good spot for Miami. Butler is out and undrafted rookie Nunn (15.8) missed d three games in January due to an Achilles injury and while he has logged consistent minutes since his return, his shot has fallen off a cliff, making just 36.2 percent of his field goals and 33.3 percent of his three-point shots during his four February games so far. No. 1 pick Herro (13.1 & 4.0) sat out the last two games and is questionable, as are Solomon Hill and Jae Crowder, who arrived from Memphis in the Iguodala deal. Miami's road woes continue, as Lillard lead the Blazers to a win and COVER!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Game of the Month is on Washington St at 6:00 ET.

Mike Hopkins spent more than 20 years as an assistant to Jim Boeheim at Syracuse, before taking the job at Washington for the 2017-18 season. His first tea but just in pac 12 play. However, m won 21 games and an NIT berth but last year's team won 27 games and earned an NCAA bid. However, FOUR starters are gone from that team, including three NBA draft picks. That's never good but Hopkins recruited a pair of McDonald's All-Americans plus added a third with the transfer guard Quade Green from Kentucky. The Huskies were 10-2 and ranked 21st in the AP poll when they coughed up a lead and lost 75-71 to Houston in the title game of the Diamond Head Classic on Christmas Day. Not much of anything has gone right, since (more in a bit). Kyle Smith began his coaching career at Columbia, then moved to San Francisco, where he won 20-plus games in three straight season (Dons finished second in the CBI in 2018). This is his first season at Pullman and Washington State is 13-10, although just 4-6 in Pac-12 play. However, considering the Cougars have averaged 11.6 wins per season the last five years, NO ONE is complaining in Pullman.

Washington visits Pullman just 12-11 on the season, including 2-8 in the Pac-12. Doing the math from that 10-2 start, the Huskies have gone just 2-9 over the 11 games played since "Christmas in Hawaii." 6-9 freshman Isaiah Stewart (17.7 & 8.8) has met expectations but the 6-10 Jaden McDaniel  (12.2 & 5.8) has fallen off after a strong start. PG Quade Green (the above-mentioned Kentucky transfer) was averaging 11.6 & 5.3 APG but was suspended due to academics and last played on Jan 5. Junior guard Nahziah Carter (12.5 & 5.7) is the team's third double digit scorer but Washington no longer has a PG to run the show (1-7 without Quade). Washington St doesn't have the size that Washington has but 6-6 sophomore forward CJ Elleby leads the team in scoring (18.3) and rebounding (7.2). Guard Isaac Bonton, a Montana St transfer, adds 14.5 PPG and a team-high 4.0 APG. The 6-9 Pollard (9.0 & 4.1) just misses averaging in double digits.

Here's the bottom line. Washington's play contiunes to be erratic and 'limps' into Pullman in last-place (2-8) in the Pac-12, having gone 0-4 SU & ATS on the Pac-12 road, averaging 60.3 PPG (includes an OT game). Washington State is only a couple games ahead in a tie for ninth place in the Pac-12 entering the weekend, but the Cougars are 11-3 SU on their home floor, including Pac 12 wins over ASU, OSU, Oregon and UCLA. No Apple Cup at stake here but wouldn't Kyle Smith just 'LOVE' to win his FIRST contest in the 290th game of the series against WSU's in-state rival. Home dog won't need the points to ca$h this 'ticket.'

Good luck...Larry

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

Marquette went 24-10 last season but lost in the NCAA's first round. In the off-season, head coach Steve Wojciechowski got great news as Markus Howard (25.0 PPG), the Big East player-of-the-year, would return for his senior year. However, three days later, the Hauser brothers, Sam (14.9 & 7.2( and Joey (9.7 & 5.3), announced that they were transferring. Howard (27.9) is again leading the way for the Golden Eagles, as they welcome No. 19 Butler to Milwaukee  for a 12 noon ET tip. Butler has had a 'rich' recent history on the basketball court. The Bulldogs made six NCAA trips from 1997-2007, before Brad Stevens took them to FIVE tourneys in six years, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2011. Chris Holtmann led Butler to three straight NCAA appearances from 2015-17 and LaVell Jordan followed with an NCAA berth in 2018 but the Bulldogs finished just 16-17 last season.The Bulldogs have rebounded nicely this season (are an at-large 'lock') and will look to sweep the season series against Marquette this afternoon.

Butler opened the season 7-0 and on Dec 2 entered the AP poll at No. 24, ending a span of 43 consecutive polls on "the outside, looking in!' Butler sat at 15-1 through mid-January and rose as No. 5 in the AP poll (highest rating in school history). However, Butler lost THREE straight from Jan 15-21, before rebounding to with THREE of its last four. The most-recent win came at home this past Wednesday, 79-76 victory over No. 10 Villanova. Leading scorer Baldwin (16.0-4.5-3.1) drained a step-back three-pointer as time expired. Joining Baldwin  in the backcourt is PG Thompson (6.8-3.4-6.9), while a quartet of forwards round out the core of Butler's team. 6-6 senior forward Sean McDermott (12.2 & 56.1) is the only other player on the team averaging in double digits. Playing up front with McDermott are Nze (9.5 & 6.7), Tucker (9.0 & 4.1) and Golden (8.5 & 3.7). McDermott topped 16 points for the third time in four contests on Wednesday, finishing with 21 points. Golden contributed a career-high 18 points, while Thompson scored nine points in his return from a three-game absence due to a wrist injury.

Howard is the nation's leading scorer and  was forced from Marquette's double-overtime victory at Xavier on Jan 29 with a bloody nose but appeared to be no worse for wear as he scored 31 points in a 76-72 comeback win over DePaul on Feb 1. That contest marked the 10th time this season Howard has scored 30 or more points.Fellow senior guard Sacar Anim (13.3 & 4.0) battled foul trouble last Saturday and managed only four points, ending a three-game run during which he averaged 23.7 and scored at least 20 each time. Junior guard Koby McEwen (10.3 & 5.3) is Marquette's third double-digit scorer. He had 13 points and nine rebounds against DePaul.

Marquette does NOT have Butler's depth nor a frontcourt that can match up very well. However, despite Howard being held to just EIGHT points in the second half of the team's Jan 24 meeting at Butler, Marquette forced OT, before falling 89-85. Marquette has had EIGHT days off since beating DePaul a week ago Saturday, while Butler is off that buzzer-beating Wednesday win over Villanova, a game in which the Bulldogs shot 57.7 percent and committed a season-low five turnovers.  Those numbers will be hard to replicate here in Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee (Golden Eagles are 11-1 at home), against a Marquette team which has won FIVE of its last six, with the lone loss coming at Butler in OT. Payback works in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "Signature" LEGEND Play is on Oregon at 10:30 ET.

Dana Altman has led Kansas St, Creighton and Oregon to multiple NCAA tourneys. The Ducks opened this season No. 15 in the AP's preseason poll and jumped out to a 6-0 start. Oregon wrapped up non-conference play at 11-2 and as 2020 dawned, were ranked No. 4, the first time the Ducks had been in the AP top-5 since the 2016-17 team made the Final 4. Oregon travels to Corvallis to take on in-state rival Oregon St at 18-5 overall (ranked 14th), including 7-3 in the Pac-12 (tied with Colorado for first-place). Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle got great news when both 6-7 senior Tres Tinkle (his son) and junior guard Ethan Thompson decided to come back this season and play for the Beavers. Oregon State’s 10-2 start in non-conference play matched the 1989-90, 2011-12 and 2015-16 teams for the program’s best start in 35 years but the Beavers welcome the Ducks to Gill Coliseum just 13-9 overall, after opening Pac-12 play at 3-7.

Senior PG Payton Pritchard (the last holdover from the 2017 Final Four team) is on pace for a "career season," averaging 19.6-4.3-5.8. He teams with JC transfer Duarte (14.3 & 5.7) to arguably give Oregon the Pac-12's best guard duo. Richardson (10.2) and Mathis (8.0) provide solid depth on the perimeter. However, the Ducks’ frontcourt will be minus two players as 6-11 center N’Faly Dante (6.2 & 2.7)) will miss his fifth straight game due to a knee injury and 6-9 forward Francis Okoro (3.5 & 4.6) will be home in Nigeria for the funeral service for his father. However, freshmen like the the 6-8  C.J. Walker (5.1 & 2.7) and the 6-8 Chandler Lawson (4.9 & 4.3) will likely see more playing time (not much of a drop-off), joining  6-7 UNLV transfer Juiston (7.8 & 6.4).

Oregon State gets almost all of its production from its starting-five. Tinkle (19.2-6.8-3.6) and Thompson (15.1-4.3-4.0) lead the way. Tinkle is joined in the frontcourt by the 7-0 Kelley (11.0 & 5.0) and the 6-6 Hollins (5.9 & 3.2), while Reichle (8.3) starts in the backcourt with Thompson. The Beavers dropped to 11th place in the Pac-12 following last Saturday’s 69-67 loss to Cal and enter this contest having lost FIVE of their last six games.

This contest marks 353rd meeting between the two schools in the basketball version of what's known locally as the Civil War, which makes it the most contested rivalry in NCAA basketball (how may knew that?). Yes, all three of Oregon's conference losses have come on the road and Gill Coliseum has long been a tough place to play for the Ducks, as the Beavers are 103-64 in Civil War games played in Corvallis. I will also acknowledge that Oregon St has recorded impressive wins over Colorado and Arizona this season but it has also fallen to Utah, California and both Washington schools.The Beavers are averaging a woeful 63.3 PPG in losing FIVE of their last six and Oregon comes in averaging 76.8 PPG on 47.0% shooting (33rd). Oregon lost BOTH games last season to Oregon St and "payback" will be sweet against its Civil War rival!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Xavier at 8:00 ET.

Ed Cooley's Providence team returned all five starters from last year's 18-16 team and expectations were high. Yes, the Friars opened 3-0 in Big East play but they were just 10-6 overall. Losing FOUR of their next five in league play, dropped Providence to 11-10, including 4-4 in the Big East. However, the Friar beat then-No. 16 Butler 65-61 last Saturday plus followed by routing No. 21 Creighton 73-56 at home on Wednesday. After FIVE straight games against ranked opponents (Providence was 2-3), the Friars travel to Cincinnati to take on Xavier.

Travis Steele was hired by Sean Miller at Xavier for the 2008-09 season. He was retained by Chris Mack after Miller accepted the Arizona head coaching position and has been a part of a Musketeers program that has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight run in 2017. Steele was promoted to head coach when Mack took the Louisville job. Following Miller and Mack was NOT expected to be easy and it wasn't. However, Xavier rallied to win EIGHT of its final 11 regular season games and went to a postseason tourney (NIT) for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Xavier lost just ONE starter off last year's team, the 6-11 Hankins (10.6 & 5.3) but Xavier is only 4-6 in Big East play, although the Musketeers are 15-8, overall.

Sophomore guard AJ Reeves (7.3) can be a difference-maker when he get as hot as he was Wednesday night in the win over Creighton, hitting 6-of-8 three-pointers en route to 22 points. 6-7 senior Alpha Diallo  remains the team's leading scorer (12.9) and rebounder (7.8). He's surrounded by excellent depth on the perimeter, as along with Reeves, there is PG Duke (12.6-4.6-3.5), Pipkins (9.0) and White (8.1). Key contributors up front are the 6-10 Watson (9.8 & 4.5), the 6-7 Holt (5.9 & 4.5) and the 6-9 Young (4.72 & 5.).

The 6-7 Naji Marshall (16.5-6.0-3.6), one of 10 candidates announced this week for the national Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award, ranks third in the Big East in scoring and eighth in assists. Fellow forward Tyrique Jones (13.5 & 10.8) has posted double-doubles in each of the last five games (including 18 rebounds in each of the wins over Seton Hall and DePaul) and is on track to become the first Xavier player to average a double-double for the season since David West in 2003 (pretty good company). Freshman KyKy Tandy (5.9) has given Xavier a scoring boost in its two recent wins, averaging 13 points per game. Rounding out the backcourt are junior Scruggs (13.4 & 4.7) and disappointing senior Goodin (7.5 & 3.8 APG). Contributing up front are 6-8 junior Carter (7.0 & 5.3) and 6-9 freshman Freemantle (6.7 & 3.9).

Providence has to happy about NOT facing a ranked team for the first time in SIX games but then again, maybe NOT so much. As noted above, this Xavier program has been to the postseason in 13 of the last 14 years and with a strong finish, could earn an at-large NCAA bid. Xavier teams ALWAYS play hard-nosed defense and defense has helped dictate Xavier's last three Big East wins, as the Musketeers have held opponents to 62 or fewer points in each game.The Friars shot 49.1% in blasting Creighton, including 60.0% on threes (12 of 20). However, Providence checks in shooting a poor 40.4% on the season (323rd), including 32.4% on threes (236th). Those latter numbers seem more likely, here!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Penn St at 4:00 ET.

Richard Pitino has had a roller-coaster run at Minnesota, capturing the NIT (25 wins) in his first season but then falling to 18 wins and just EIGHT wins the next two seasons. The last three seasons have seen 24 and 22-win NCAA teams sandwiched around a 15-win season. Pitino opened the current season without guards Coffey (16.6) and McBrayer (8.9) plus big man Murphy (14.4 & 11.0), who gave the Minnesota program a combined 11 seasons. Minnesota entered Wednesday's game vs Wisconsin having dropped three of their previous four games but gave their NCAA Tournament hopes a boost with a 70-52 win, its largest margin of victory over the Badgers in 26 years, Can 12-10 Minnesota (6-6 in the Big Ten) build on that impressive win by completing the season sweep of Penn State in State College?

Penn St won the NIT back in 2018 (26 wins) but fell off badly last season, finishing 14-18 (7-13 in the Big Ten). However, the Nittany Lions returned FOUR starters and have impressed so far this season, checking in at 17-5, including 7-4 in the Big Ten. Penn St  remains 22nd in the AP poll, after entering the AP poll back on Dec 16 (at No. 23). That gave the school its first top-25 ranking since March of 1996. Sounds impressive, right? It's even more so when one realizes that Penn St's previous top-25 ranking (to 1996) came back in 1954! Penn State looks to stay on track for its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011, as the Nittany Lions enter on a five-game winning streak, after an impressive 75-70 road victory over 14th-ranked Michigan State on Tuesday,

Leading Minnesota all season are the 6-10 Daniel Oturu (19.6 & 11.3) and PG Marcus Carr (15.5-5.7-6.8). Oturu was named one of 10 finalists for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award, given annually to the nation's top center. Payton Willis (9.5 points) knocked down five 3-pointers en route to a career-high 21 points in the win over Wisconsin after missing the previous game with a shoulder injury. Oturu added 17 points and 14 rebounds against the Badgers to register his 12th double-double of the season, while Carr flirted with a triple-double after finishing with 12 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds. Guard Gabe Kalscheur (11.7) is Minnesota's third double-digit scorer, with guard Williams (9.5) and the 6-9 Demir (7.5 & 4.9) representing Minnesota's only other significant contributors.

The 6-8 Lamar Stevens scored 13 of his team-leading 24 points in the second half and added seven rebounds to help the Nittany Lions knock off Michigan State in East Lansing for the first time since 2009. He leads the etam ins coring a 16.9 PPG and adds 7.0 RPG. The 6-10 Mike Watkins (9.8 & 8.2) finished with 10 points and eight rebounds to become the third player in program history to grab 900 rebounds in his career. Sophomore guard Myreon Jones (14.1) went 6-of-8 from three-point range en route to 20 points to go along with five assists. Brockington (8.9), Dread (7.8) and Curtis Jones (7.1) round out a solid backcourt.

Minnesota was great vs Wisconsin but how does one trust the Gophers on the road, where they are 1-7 SU? Penn St is looking to continue what's shaping up as a memorable season (Nittany Lions will surely remember getting beat 75-69 at Minnesota on Jan 15, as the team hasn't lost since,  winning FIVE straight Big Ten games for the first time in school history. Penn St is 11-1 SU at home and wins here, "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on Villanova at 2:30 ET.

It's No. 10 Villanova hosting No. 12 Seton Hall on Saturday afternoon at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Both schools are 17-5 but the 9-1 Pirates own a two-game lead over the 7-3 Wildcats in the Big East. Kevin Willard's team snuck into the "Big Dance" last season (lost in first round) with just 20 wins but there will be no need to 'sneak' this season, as the Pirates own wins over then-No.3 Michigan St, then-No. 7 Maryland and then-No. 5 Butler. Jay Wright spent seven years at Hofstra, before taking over at Villanova at the start of the 2001-02 season. This marks his 19th season with the school and the last six years, the Wildcats have averaged 31.8 wins per season, while winning national titles in 2016 and 2018. The Wildcats enter this contest off back-to-back losses but fell to just No. 10 in last Monday's AP poll (from No. 8).

Seton Hall rebounded from its first league defeat (74-62 home loss to Xavier on Feb 1) by topping Georgetown 78-71 its last time out, as Myles Powell scored 34 points. Powell's offensive outburst marked a season-high for the preseason All-American in Big East play and was the most points he's scored since dropping 37 in a Nov 14 loss to Michigan State. Powell is averaging 22.0 PPG and is joined by PG McKnight (11.3 & 5.5 APG) in the backcourt, along with Rhoden (9.2 & 6.5) and Cale (6.7 & 4.0). Willard's team features a HUGE frontcourt. The 6-11 Mamukelashvili (9.8 & 4.8) is back after missing some time with an injury. He's played in three straight, with efforts of 10 & 3 and 8 & 12 in his last two games. He's aided by a pair of 7-footers, Gill (7.5 & 5.5) and Obiagu (3.0 & 2.4).

Villanova lost 76-61 at home last Saturday to Xavier and on Wednesday, fell at No. 19 Butler 79-76 on Kamar Baldwin's three-pointer at the second-half buzzer. Junior PG Collin Gillespie (15.9-3.5-4.6)  and 6-8 sophomore Saddiq Bey (15.6 & 5.2) have led 'Nova all season but it's NOT good when the duo combines for 57 of the team's 76 points, like happened against Butler (rest of the team combined for only six baskets!). DO NOT expect that duo to go without help here, as 6-9 freshman Robinson-Earl (10.9 & 9.4) and freshman guard Moore (10.8) have contributed regularly all season. The fifth starter is the 6-7 Samuels (10.5 & 5.1), while the 6-9 Swider (7.0 & 3.1) is the "first man off the bench."

This is the first of two regular season meetings for the two schools (teams meet again March 4 on the Pirates' home court) and clearly, this is a HUGE game for the Wildcats, off back-to-back losses. Noting the following, I like Vilalnova's chances. NO Seton Hall team has won at Villanova since 1994 and the series has been especially lopsided in Powell's previous three trips, as the Wildcats have won those matchups by 30, 16 and 28 points! I don't know about you but I'm "all over" Villanova!

Good luck...Larry

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

Purdue opened the season ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll, after winning 26 games last season, before losing in OT to Virginia in the Elite 8. Gone from that squad is Purdue's best player, Carsen Edwards (24.3PPG), as well as its second-leading scorer, Ryan Cline (12.3 PPG).  This year's Boilermakers are well-balanced (FIVE players average between 9.3 and 11.2 PPG) but at 13-10, Matt Painter's team has already surpassed its loss total from last season in league play (6-6, after going 14-4) and has matched last season's total of 10 losses. Archie Miller began his third season as Indiana's head coach in 2019-20 and KNEW he had better improve on the 16 and 19-win seasons the Hoosiers delivered in his first two seasons at Bloomington. Indiana lost two NBA players from last year's team, guard Langford (16.5 & 5.4) and the 6-7 Morgan (15.5 & 8.2), but this year's team got off to an 11-1 start. That said, the early schedule had been home-based and 'soft.' Indiana enters this game 15-7, including 5-6 in the Big Ten.

Purdue comes in off a 104-68 steamrolling of No. 17 Iowa on Wednesday, the team's THIRD third win in its last four games. The 36-point win over Iowa was the largest in school history against a ranked opponent. Balance has been the team's strength but only the 6-9 Williams, who leads in scoring (11.2) and rebounding (7.4) plus guard Eric Hunter Jr. (10.3-3.4-30) are averaging double figures. Williams is joined up front by the 7-3 Haarms (9.7 & 4.8), while guards Proctor (9.6),  Stefanovic (9.3), Thompson (5.3) and Eastern (4.9 & 4.2) support Hunter.

While Purdue comes in playing well (see above), Indiana has lost THREE in a row after an upset win over then-No. 11 Michigan State back on Jan 23. The good news for Indiana is that the Hoosiers are finally healthy in the backcourt, with Devonte Green (10.6), Al Durham (9.9), Rob Phinisee (7.1 & 3.2) and Armaan Franklin (4.4.4) all able to play major minutes if called upon. Highly-touted 6-9 freshman Jackson-Davis (13.7 & 7.9) has been as good as advertised plus he's joined up front by returning 6-7 forward Smith (11.3 & 5.4) and 6-11 Butler graduate transfer Brunk (8.0 & 6.2).

Purdue made 19 three-pointers and shot 63.1 percent from the floor in its rout of Iowa but there is no way the team comes anywhere near that kind of performance here, as the Boilermakers are only 2-6 in true road games this season (1-6-1 ATS!). The Boilermakers have won five straight overall against the Hoosiers, including three in a row here in Bloomington. However, in Purdue's history, it has never beaten Indiana four consecutive times in Assembly Hall. The Hoosiers have had a chance to regroup after not playing a game since they lost 68-59 on Feb 1 at Ohio State and they are 12-2 SU at home this season. Indiana IS the play!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Kentucky at 1:00 ET.

It's No. 15 Kentucky (17-5 / 7-2 SEC) at Tennessee (13-9 / 5-4 SEC) on Saturday afternoon from Knoxville. Wildcats vs Vols is the oldest SEC rivalry and Saturday's contest will mark the 229th all-time meeting. The Wildcats seek their first victory over the Volunteers in Knoxville since Feb 17, 2015, while Auburn will be hosting first-place LSU in a game slated to start about an hour earlier. Wins by Kentucky and Auburn would create a three-way tie for first with Kentucky, Auburn and LSU all with 8-2 conference records. Rick Barnes lost plenty from last year's team, most notably, two-time SEC player of the year, Grant Williams. He then lost senior PG Lamonte Turner (12.3-3.5-7.1) for the season after 11 games to shoulder surgery. The Volunteers lead the SEC in fewest points allowed at 61.5 per but at 5-4 in the SEC, are in a four-way tie for 5th in the SEC.

John Calipari spent part of Friday shooting down rumors that he will become the NY Knicks head coach but Kentucky is looking to make it SIX wins in its last seven, while rooting for Auburn against LSU (see above). Calipari is the master of the 'One & Done" generation but THREE of Kentucky's top-four scorers are non-freshman (what's going on here?). Sophomore guard Quickly (14.6 & 4.3) leads the team ins scoring and 6-11 junior (Richards (14.6 & 8.3) is just barely behind him, while leading the team in rebounding. Freshman guard Maxey (13.4-4.1-3.0) and sophomore PG Hagans (12.5-4.0-7.0) give Calipari a STRONG three-guard perimeter group.

The loss of Turner hurt but the good news was freshman guard Santiago Vescovi surprisingly became eligible in December and he's averaged 10.1-4.1-3.7 in 10 games since joining the team. Veteran guards Bowden (13.0 & 3.8) and Pons (11.2 & 5.2) are both in double figures, as is the 6-9 Fulkerson (12.0 & 5.9). 6-6 freshman Jordan-Jones (7.8 & 5.) is averaging more than 30 minutes per game.

I realize the Wildcats haven't won in Knoxville since Feb 2015 but this year's Vols have lost at home to Memphis (scored just 47 points), to Wisconsin (scored 48), to LSU (scored 64) and even lost to 11-10 A&M, while scoring only 58 points. Kentucky gets that breakthrough win in Knoxville.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Ind Pacers at 8:05 ET.

Kawhi Leonard led Toronto to its first-ever NBA championship last season but left during the offseason for LA. The Raptors also lost starting SG Danny Green to LA (the Lakers) but head coach Nick Nurse has done a truly impressive job in leading this year's team to a 37-14 record, second to only the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks in the East. The Raptors just hosted the Pacers on Wednesday and was outscored 43-18 in the second quarter to trail by 15 points at the half. The Raptors still trailed by 10 with 2:27 remaining but rallied to earn a 119-118 triumph, extending their winning to a franchise-record 12 consecutive games. Indiana shot 52.4 percent from the floor and knocked down 19 three-pointers but committed 19 turnovers, including one in the final 30 seconds that set up the Raptors to take the lead. Still, the 31-20 Pacers (current No. 5 seed) have had  a solid season plus the team's best player the last couple of years , Victor Oladipo, has finally returned to the court.

Pascal Siakam leads Toronto in scoring at 23.7 PPG (adds 7.7 RPG) but it was All -Star PG Kyle Lowry (19.7-4.6-7.3) who led the way on Wednesday, scoring 32 points with 10 assists. Serge  Ibaka (15.8 & 8.0), who is starting in place of injured center Marc Gasol (hamstring), went for a season-high 30 points on 13-of-21 shooting and is now is averaging 23.4 points over the last five games (he's averaging 18.9 points on 57.4 percent shooting in 18 starts on the season!). VanVleet (17.6 & 7.0 APG) has made Toronto fans easily forget Green while SF Anunoby (10.1 & 5.4) has had a solid season, until recently. He was held scoreless while missing his lone shot attempt Wednesday and scored in single digits in NINE of the last 10 contests. Areas of concern are the loss of sixth-man Norman Powell (15.3) to a broken finger and how long Gasol (7.8 & 6.5) will be out with his hamstring problem.

Wednesday's loss stung but the good news was that Indiana moved Victor Oladipo to the starting lineup for the first time since his return from quad tendon surgery last week. His shot remains a work in progress (was 5 of 14 on Wednesday / 24.5% overall, including just 18.5% on threes) but he did reach double figures for the first time in four games with 13 points (averaging 9.5 points in his four games back). All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis (18.3-12.6-4.3) showed off his wide range of skills with 15 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in the loss plus Malcolm Brogdon (16.9-4.6-7.3) broke out of a slump with 24 points on 10-of-14 shooting. Indiana's depth is impressive with guard Lamb (12.7) and center Turner (11.9 & 6.0) having been regular starters plus the following players contributing almost nightly. SF McDermott (10.6) plus PG McConnell (6.8 & 5.4 APG) are joined by the Holidays, with Aaron adding 10.2 & 3.5 and Justin adding 8.4 & 3.4.

The Pacers KNOW they let one "get away" on Wednesday (see above) but that almost HAS to be a great motivator in this quick turnaround. The Pacers would love to get TJ Warren (18.1) back from being in concussion protocol but as noted above, the Pacers' depth can carry the day. Note that when the Pacers hosted the Raptors back on Dec 23, they closed as 5 1/2-point favorites (won 120-115 in OT). Here, a SU win means an ATS one and the Raptors are OVERDUE for an "L!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on Illinois at 8:00 ET.

Maryland lost the 6-10 Fernando and his double-double average (13.6 & 10.6) from last year's 23-11 NCAA team (lost in the 2nd round) but FOUR starters returned. Mark Turgeon's team was ranked 7th in the AP's preseason poll. The Terps opened 10-0 and were ranked No. 4 when they lost Dec 10 at Penn St. That defeat started a 3-4 run but Maryland takes a five-game winning streak into Friday's game at No. 20 Illinois. The Terps jumped from No. 15 to No. 9 in Monday's new AP poll, and are currently 18-4 overall, including 8-3 in the Big Ten.

Brad Underwood was a head coach at Stephen F Austin and Oklahoma St before being hired at Illinois back on March 18, 2017. He signed a six-year contract through 2023 worth $18 million but after two seasons in Champaign, his Fighting Illini were just 26-39 (11-27 in Big Ten play). However, as Underwood entered the current season, he returned FOUR starters from last season's team plus added 6-9 freshman center Kofi Cockburn. The Fighting Illini last played on Sunday, falling 72-65 at now-No. 17 Iowa. However, surprising Illinois is 16-6  overall, including 8-2 in the Big Ten. Illinois entered the top-25 back on Jan 13 for the first time since Dec 1, 2014 and is currently ranked 20th but more importantly is tied with Maryland for first-place in the Big Ten (preseason No. 1 Mich St is 8-4).

PG Anthony Cowan Jr. (16.3-3.7-4.3) went 8-of-9 from the free throw line en route to a game-high 17 points in the win against Rutgers. The 6-10 Jalen Smith (15.2 & 10.0) added 14 points, 15 rebounds and a career-high six blocked shots to register his fifth straight double-double, while guard Darryl Morsell (8.3 & 5.0). finished with 14 & 6. Guards Aaron Wiggins (10.6 & 5.6) and Ayala (7.9) plus the 6-8 Scott (5.1 & 3.5) round out Maryland's main contributors.

The Fighting Illini held a one-point lead against the Hawkeyes at Iowa last Sunday but were outscored 11-3 down the stretch in a 72-65 loss. “We couldn’t get a stop for some reason,” junior guard Trent Frazier told reporters. “The ball just kept going to them and every bounce was just going their way but no excuses.” Leading scorer Ayo Dosunmu (15.8-4.0-3.4) scored 11 points to finish in double figures for the seventh straight game but fellow guard Andres Feliz (11.1-4.8-3.0) led the way with 17 points. Frazier added 12 points and three steals but 6-9 freshman phenom Kofi Cockburn (14.0 & 9.2) was held to six points. Rounding out Illinois' main contributors are guard Griffin (8.3 & 4.3) and the 6-9 Bezhanishvili (8.2 & 5.0).

Maryland is 13-0 at home but just 2-4 SU in true road games, including Big Ten road losses at Penn State (76-69), Iowa (67-49) & Wisconsin (56-54). Illinois opened its Big Ten season with a 59-58 loss at Maryland back on Dec 7, when the inside-outside duo of Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu combined to shoot only 8 of 19 from the floor for 18 points (duo combines for 30 PPG on the season!). Note that Illinois is 12-1 SU at home this season (lone loss came by two points to Miami back on Dec 2), including a PERFECT 5-0 in Big Ten contests. "The Price is Right" for another home "W" and more importantly, a COVER!

Good luck...Larry

 

My 10* Total of the Week is on Orl/NYK Over at 7:35 ET.

Full, detailed analysis by 11:00 ET Thursday morning.

My 10* Feb Game of the Month is on Wichita st at 7:00 ET.

The Cincinnati Bearcats are off a 28-7 season, while making their NINTH straight NCAA appearance. However, head coach Mick Cronin left for UCLA (he may want to come back?), with John Brannen coming from No. Kentucky to take over. He won 20-plus games in each of the last three seasons, earning the Norse NCAA bids in 2017 and 2019. The Bearcats are 14-7 (matching their loss total from last season) but at 7-2, are "right there" in the AAC (Tulsa leads at 7-1) after their 64-62 home win over Houston on Saturday. Gregg Marshall led Winthrop to seven NCAA appearances in nine seasons and since taking over in Wichita, entered this season with a string of 10 consecutive seasons of 22 or more wins, including FOUR, 30-win seasons. In that 10-year span, the Shockers have been to seven NCAA tourneys (including a Final 4 appearance in 2013) and in three NITs (won title in 2011). Wichita State opened the current season 15-1 (3-0 in AAC play) but has since lost THREE of five (all in league play) after the Shockers fell 54-51 at Tulsa on Saturday on a three-point buzzer-beater by the Golden Hurricane.

Cincy's Jarron Cumberland was the 2019 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, averaging 18.8-4.4-3.6 assists. However, he was the ONLY player on the team to average in double digits last season. Cumberland and Brannen supposedly had some issues early on but that seems to be in the past, as he's averaged 22.3 PPG the last three games and leads the team at 15.0 PPG on the season (also adds 3.7 RPG & 4.3 APG). Unlike last season, two other teammates join him in double digits, 7-1 center Chris Vogt, (12.8 & 6.2) plus guard Williams (12.0 & 5.1). Right behind that trio are Jaevin Cumberland (Jarron's cousin), who's averaging 9.5 PPG and the 6-8 Scott (9.3 & 9.3). Cincy's always been know for playing defense and the Bearcats enter on a four-game winning streak, having allowed 62 points or less in THREE of them (64.7 PPG allowed ranks 68th in the nation).

The Shockers have SEVEN players averaging between 7.7 and 12.1 PPG, led by sophomore guard Erik Stevenson (12.1 & 4.7). 6-10 senior center Echenique (11.1 & 6.1) comes in right behind Stevenson and just ahead of a trio of guards, Burton (10.5-3.7-3.4), Etienne (9.8) and Sherfeld (8.8). The 6-6 Wade (7.8 & 6.1), a transfer from UTEP. starts up front plus guard Dennis (7.7 & 4.7) and the 6-8 Udeze (5.0 & 3.2) provide excellent depth.

Yes, Cincy is playing well coming in (especially on D) but the Shockers will NOT take a backseat on the defensive end. Wichita St allows 63.2 PPG (38th), while holding opponents to only 38.4% shooting (18th in the nation!). Cincinnati won the regular-season matchups last season by 11 and 10 points, respectively, before earning a three-point win in the semifinals of the conference tournament. This marks the first of two meetings this season (rematch will be in Cincinnati on Feb 23) and marks the LONE home game in a four-game stretch for Wichita State. Gregg Marshall will coach his 202nd game at Charles Koch Arena tonight, where he owns a 174-27 record in 13 seasons. A little "triple-revenge" from last season works well in this one. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Ut Jazz at 9:05 ET.

The 35-16 Denver Nuggets look to beat the 32-17 Utah for the second time in seven days when they visit Salt Lake City on Wednesday. Denver has won 11 of its last 16 games and rolled to an easy 127-99 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Utah had won 19 of 21 games from Dec 11 through Jan 25 but has suddenly lost FOUR in a row. The slide began with a 126-117 home loss to the Rockets on Jan 27 , when Houston was without Harden AND Westbrook. The Jazz then went 0-3 on the road, including that 106-100 defeat last Thursday at Denver.

Jokic is again leading the Nuggets in scoring (20.4), rebounding (10.1) and assists (6.8). He stood out against Portland last night with 29 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and three blocked shots as the Nuggets posted their second-largest margin of victory this season. PG Jamal Murray (17.6-4.1-4.6) returned from a 10-game absence because of an ankle injury to contribute 20 points and six assists in only 20 minutes. PF Paul Millsap (11.9 & 5.8) remains out, as is reserve PF/C Plumlee (7.7 & 4.0 in about 17 minutes). While Murray returned, the 6-8 Jerami Grant departed in the fourth quarter with an ankle and head coach Michael Malone said he was unsure if he will be available against the Jazz. Grant has been terrific of late, scoring double digits in 14 of his last 15 games, including 10 straight. The Nuggets could find themselves with a short bench, as Malik Beasley (7.9), Juancho Hernangomez and Jarred Vanderbilt were just traded to the Timberwolves.

Utah has dropped a season-worst four straight games and was blown out 124-107 in Portland on Saturday. "No need to panic but we've got to figure it out," Jazz All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell told reporters. "It's a complete 180 to where we were about a week ago so we've got to lock in and fix it, otherwise it's going to be a (bad) All-Star break." Donovan Mitchell (24.6-4.2-4.3),  SF Bojan Bogdanovic (21.2 & 4.1) and center Rudy Gobert (15.6 & 10.8) have been terrific all season. PG Conley (12.9 & 4.1 APG) is back in the starting lineup plus Ingles (10.4-4.1-5.0) and O'Neale (6.1 & 5,20) have been solid riole players all season. Clarkson is averaging 14.9 PPG in his 19 games since coming over from Cleveland and has been an excellent addition.

Denver's in a tough scheduling spot traveling off last night's game, while the Jazz haven't played since Saturday. Not sure just how the Jazz have gone from going 19-2 SU and 17-4 ATS to an 0-4 SU & ATS skid but I'm laying the points with them here, as they had beaten the Nuggets THREE straight times prior to last week's setback (note: Clarkson scored a season-best 37 points in the recent meeting with the Nuggets).

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Tor Raptors at 7:35 ET.

The 31-19 Indiana Pacers have finally gotten Victor Oladipo back but they are still trying to figure out how to run the offense. They had better figure it out quickly, as they visit 36-14 Toronto on Wednesday to face the Raptors, who own the NBA's longest active winning streak at 11 in a row. The Pacers have stayed competitive without Oladipo, as they currently own the No. 5 seed but they are starting to lose touch with Toronto, which is FIVE games ahead of them as the East's No. 2 seed (Pacers are 12 games back of the Bucks, plus 3 1/2 games back of the Celtics and Heat, who are tied for the No. 3 seed). Toronto has sure made do without Kawhi, plus has fought through injuries to Siakam, Lowry, Ibaka and VanVleet.

Oladipo is on a minutes restriction and is coming off the bench while trying to find his spots in an offense that had seven scorers averaging in double figures prior to his return. He's averaged8.3 PPG in three games, while shooting horribly (20.5%, including 14.3% on threes). Oladipo wasn't the only player struggling during Monday's 112-103 home loss to Dallas, as starting PG Malcolm Brogdon went 6-of-17 from the floor, after going 4-of-13 in a 92-85 loss to New York on Saturday.That said, Brogdon has played well on the season, averaging 16.7-4.5-7.4. Sabonis (18.3-12.7-4.6) has developed into an All Star but SF Warren (18.1) sat out Monday and is questionable while in the league's concussion protocol (not good news for the Pacers).

The spot for a high-scoring, strong-shooting sixth man is open with Norman Powell (15.3) going down with a broken finger last week and Terence Davis (7.7 & 3.4) took his turn as the scoring star with a career-high 31 points on Sunday, as Toronto rolled over the Chicago Bulls 129-102. Toronto matched the franchise's longest winning streak with that triumph (note: the Raptors have won 11 straight games twice previously in franchise history: Feb 26-Mar 16, 2018, and Jan 6-30, 2016). Guards Lowry (19.4-4.5-7.3) and VanVleet (17.8 & 7.0 APG) have been excellent, while Siakam (23.7 & 7.6), Ibaka (15.5 & 8.0) and Anunoby (10.3 & 5.4) have played so well in the frontcourt  that the loss of Kawhi has been FAR from devastating.

The Raptors are averaging 120.7 points and shooting 50.4 percent from the floor, including 39.7 percent from three-point range during their 11-game winning streak. I guess Toronto has to lose sometime but why should it be here vs the Pacers, a team the Raptors have won 11 straight regular-season home games against?

Good luck...Larry

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

Greg McDermott is in his 10th season as head coach of Creighton. He arrived in 2010-11 and led the Bluejays to a runner-up finish in the CBI. Three straight NCAA teams followed, as Creighton won 29, 28 and 27 games. His lone losing season came in 2014-15 but Creighton's won 20-plus games the last four years, with two NCAA appearances and two in the NIT. Creighton knocked off now-No. 10 Villanova 76-61 on the road this past Saturday and returned to the AP poll on Monday at No. 21. The 17-5 Bluejays (6-3 in teh Big East) will put their four-game winning streak on the line tonight when the visit Providence.Ed Cooley's Providence team returned all five starters from last year's 18-16 team but the Friars have disappointed so far (12-10 / 5-4), although they are coming off a 65-61 road victory at now-No. 19 Butler this past Saturday.

Creighton opened the season starting a trio of guards in Ty-Shon Alexander (16.5 & 5.7), Marcus Zegarowski (16.1 & 5.0 APG) and Mitch Ballock (13.0 & 5.4). Highly touted 6-5 guard Denzel Mahoney became eligible in mid-December and scored 21 points in the win over Villanova and he has now scored in double digits in NINE of his 11 games (13.0 PPG). 6-5 SF Jefferson (8,5 & 5.4) and the 6-7 Bishop (8.3 & 5.6) are the team's top frontcourt performers.

Ed Cooley made some changes to his lineup for the visit to Butler, moving struggling leading scorer and rebounder Alpha Diallo (12.8 & 7.9 ) to the bench. Senior guard Luwane Pipkins (9.3), who started the first 19 games before being brought off the bench for the past three, scored a season-high 22 points in 26 minutes in the win. The Friars have depth on the perimeter with Duke (12.6-4.5-3.5), White (8.20 and Reeves (6.5) plus up front have the 6-0 Watson (9.3 & 4.4), the 6-7 Holt (5.9 & 4.5) and the 6-9 Young (4.7 & 5.1).

Providence is better than its record and after losing both times to Creighton last season and just 78-74 this season at Creighton on Jan 18, should get some "payback" here, catching the Bluejays off their upset at Villanova.

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 10* Total of the Week is on Clemson/Virginia Over at 7:00 ET.

Clemson's Brad Brownwell is in his 10th year as the school's head coach and the season is NOT going well. He led the Tigers to an NCAA bid in his first season but over the next eight years, made just one NCAA appearance (Sweet 16 trip in 2018 in which Clemson won 25 games). However, the Tigers settled for the NIT last season and just 20 wins. Clemson returned just ONE starter this season and currently sits 11-10, including 5-6 in ACC play as it travels to Charlottesville to take on Virginia. The Cavs won the national championship last April (school's first-ever) and began the season ranked 11th in the AP preseason poll. UVA opened 7-0 and was ranked 5th when they Cavs lost 69-40 at Purdue on Dec 4. The Cavs began 2020 with a dominating 65-39 win over Va Tech (Jan 4), giving them an 11-2 overall record, including 3-0 in the ACC but then lost THREE in a row (all league games), before winning THREE of their last four.

6-8 junior forward Aaamir Simms leads Clemson in scoring (13.3) and rebounding (7.6), while senior guard Tevin Mack is the only other player averaging in double figures scoring (12.1 PPG and 5.5 RPG). Sophomore guard John Newman III (9.6) is just shy of double digits and the reason is that he hasn't scored in double figures since posting 14 at Duke on Jan 14. Clemson is coming off perhaps its worst game of the season, losing 56-44 at Wake Forest (Demon Deacons are 10-11 overall, including 3-8 in ACC play). The Tigers connected on just 30.5% of their shots, including a 4 of 21 (19.0%) effort on threes.

Gone from last year's champs are the team's top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). Those current NBA players have proven hard to replace. This season's UVA team features an unique guard duo, the 6-8 Key (10.2 & 7.4) and 5-9 PG Clark (10.3-4.5-5.9). The team's most consistent player is 6-9 senior forward Mamadi Diakite, who leads the team in scoring (13.5) and is second to Key in rebounding (6.9). The 7-1 Huff (8.4 & 6.0) joins Diatka up front and this "Core 4" represents Virginia's main contributors, although three other guards do combine to chip in 14.5 PPG.

UVA is once again the nation's best defensive team, allowing just 50.7 PPG on 35.8% shooting (rank 1st in both categories). So why go "Over?"  Clemson's going nowhere this season but the team CAN"T possibly shoot as poorly as it did the last time out, even against UVA's great D. Note that Clemson shoots 42.4% on the season (NOT 30.5% like vs Wake), including 31.6% on threes (NOT 19.0% like vs Wake). In fact, Clemson is averaging 67.9 PPG on the season (more than three 'TDs' higher than the 44 it scored vs Wake). As for Virginia, the team's ov/un lines on games have averaged 112.0 (closing number) over its last 10, with SEVEN of then Goin' Over! Expect a final in the mid-120s or higher!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Atl-10 Game of the Year is on St Louis at 7:00 ET.

Duquesne was one of the surprise teams of this year's CBB season early on, led by head coach Keith Dambrot. Dambrot coached LBJ to back-to-back HS titles and then spent 13 seasons at Akron, winning 19 games in his first season and 20-plus games in each of the next 12. He signed a 7-year, $7 million contract. with Duquesne and went 16-16 in his first season, after the Dukes had finished 10-22 the season before. In his second season (2018-19), he led the school to its first winning record since the 2011-12 season with 19 wins and 13 losses. Duquesne opened the 2019-20 season with 10-0 mark, the team's best start since 1953-54 but the Dukes have come back to earth by going 6-5 over their last 11 games. Travis Ford made a name for himself at Oklahoma St, leading the Cowboys to FIVE "Big Dance" trips in eight seasons. However, after OSU finished 12–20 (3–15 in Big 12 play) in the 2015-16 season, it was announced that Ford and the Cowboys agreed to part ways after eight years as head coach in March of 2016. St Louis University hired him as the head basketball coach some two weeks later and he inherited a Billikens team that had gone a disappointing 11-21 each of the previous two seasons under head coach Jim Crews. However, in just his third season at St Louis (last year), Ford led the Billikens to 23 wins and an NCAA berth.

Dayton (9-0) and Rhode Island (9-1) sit atop the A-10 but St Louis (17-5 / 6-3 in the A-10) and Duquesne (16-5 / 6-3) are both quietly having excellent seasons. The Dukes visit Chaifetz Arena in St Louis, Mo for an important A-10 game tonight against the Billikens. Duquesne's 6-5 SF Weathers (14.5 & 7.9) is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, while PG Carry (11.4-3.9-4.6) leads in assists. Dunn-Martin (9.1) and freshman Austin (8.3 & 4.2) join Carry in the backcourt, while the 6-8 Hughes (10.1 & 6.7) and the 6-11 Steele (8.8 & 4.9) are the team's best big man. The 6-6 Javonte Perkins scored a career-high 33 points, as St Louis defeated St Joseph's 78-73 on Saturday night for the Billikens' third straight win. Perkins is averaging 13.4 PPG, right behind junior guard Goodwin who is averaging 14.8 PPG and 10.9 RPG. The 6-7 French adds 12.2 PPG and matches Goodwin with a team-high 10.9 RPG. PG Collins leads the Billikens in assists with 5.5 APG.

The Dukes beat the Billikens in the first meeting  but as noted, Duquesne has 'cooled' after its red-hot start. Duquene enters this game 1-5 ATS its last six and will face a St Louis team which is 11-2 SU at home, losing only to now-No. 12 Seton Hall and to now-No. 6 Dayton (in OT) here at Chaifetz Arena. The 'price' is more than manageable and avenging a 14-point loss to the Dukes back on Jan 2 seems HIGHLY-likely! Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Northern Arizona at 8:00 ET.

Shantay Legans was named the coach at Eastern Washington in March of 2017, after Jim Hayford left to take the Seattle job. Legans was an assistant under Hayward and has led the Eagles to back-to-back Big Sky championship games, although Montana has beaten Eastern Washington both times. The Eagles are currently 14-6 overall, including 7-2 in league play just percentage points ahead of 8-3 Montana in the Big Sky. The Eagles travel to Flagstaff, Az on Monday to take on the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. Shane Burcar was coaching at Mesa HS in the spring of 2017 but spent last season as an assistant to Jack Murphy at Northern Arizona. He was named interim head coach for the 2019-20 season when Murphy took an assistant's job at Arizona. Burcar has done an excellent job, as No. Az comes in on a five-game winning streak, which leaves them 12-7 overall, including 6-4 in league play (more in a bit).

Eastern Washington also comes in on a five-game winning streak, the most recent win coming 59-54 Sacramento State. That 59-point effort was an aberration, as the Eagles are averaging 82.2 PPG (5th in the nation). The team's 'Core 4' is lead by junior guard Jacob Davison (17.9 & 3.7), 6-8 senior Mason Peatling (15.9 & 8.4), 6-7 sophomore Kim Aiken Jr. (14.8 & 10.2) and freshman PG Ellis Magnuson (6.1 & 5.3 APG). Leading Northern Arizona in scoring is sophomore PG Cameron Shelton (13.7-6.1-4.2), while 6-9 senior Brooks DeBisschop adds 11.2 PPG and a team-high 7.8 RPG. Guards Avdalovic (10.9) and Satterwhite (8.8) plus the 6-7 Andre (8.5 & 6.3) round out the main contributors.

Here's the rub. A 12-7 mark may not seem like a big deal but it IS when one considers that Northern Arizona is coming off seasons of 10, 5, 9 and 5 wins! Much like in the Big Ten, home courts are proving formidable throughout the Big Sky this season. The Lumberjacks are 7-2 SU at Walkup Skydome and Eastern Washington 'limps in' on a 3-6-1 ATS its last 10 games. The Lumberjacks were not able to compete against the Eagles last season (lost both) but it's a different story this season. The Eagles' run game doesn’t "get up and go' as easily away from Cheney, Wa (see final score at Sac St, above) and the 7,000-foot Flagstaff elevation won't help. Eastern Washington is allowing 74.5 PPG (298th), so the home team is the play in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on 7:05 ET.

The Golden State Warriors ended a five-game losing streak with Saturday's 131-112 victory at Cleveland. The performance brough back memories of the team which went to FIVE straight NBA Finals and won three championships in the last five seasons. SEVEN players scored in double figures in a balanced effort, as Golden State shot 53.3 percent from the floor and totaled 39 assists on 48 made field goals, while knocking down 18 three-pointers. However, the reality is that the win was just the 11-39 Warriors' SECOND in their last 16 games! The 17-31 Washington Wizards are not much better than Golden St but the Wizards have picked up wins in each of their last two games, improving to .500 at home (11-11) with a 113-107 in over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.

Forward Draymond Green (8.4-6.3-6.2) is the lone key player remaining from the team's recent championship core and he matched a career high with 16 assists on Saturday, while adding seven rebounds. However, while Green has been a major part of Golden State's success the last five season, he thrives with talent around him, which this team can't provide with its current make-up. D'Angelo Russell (23.8 & 6.3 APG) is the team's top-producer these days, while Burks (15.8 & 4.7) is the team's second-leading scorer, mostly off the bench. SF Glenn Robinson III (12.7) and guard Damion Lee (11.7 & 5.1) combined to go 17-of-24 from the floor on Saturday but expecting this team to put together a string of good outings has proven to be a 'bridge too far' this season.

Washington guard Bradley Beal (28.8-4.5-6.3) was miffed about not being included on the All-Star team when reserves were announced on Thursday and  he's responded with 34 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in a win over Charlotte the night before scoring 34 again in Saturday's triumph. Beal got plenty of help against the Nets, with the team's four-man bench crew of Thomas Bryant (17 points), Davis Bertans (11), Ish Smith (11) and Troy Brown (eight) combining for 47 points. That quartet is better than most think, as Bertans averages 14.9 & 4.6,  Bryant 12.9 & 7.4, Smith 11.0 & 4.6 APG and Brown 10.6 & 5.8. More good news comes Washington's way in that rookie  PF Rui Hachimura (13.9 & 5.8) sat out the last 23 games with a groin injury but is practicing with the team and could return Monday.

I have mostly stayed away from Golden St games this season but I'll "get involved" here. The ONLY time the Warriors have posted back-to-back wins this season was their four-game winning streak From Dec 20-27. It was right after that, when the Warriors began their recent 2-14 SU run. Note that ALL four of the Warriors' wins in that four-game win streak came at home and  Golden State had lost 10 in a row and 16 of 17 SU as a visitor prior to winning Saturday at Cleveland. Don’t  look  now but Washington is 6-1 SU & ATS in its last seven at Capital One Arena. What's more, Beal has backed some strong words about not being selected among the Eastern Conference reserves by scoring 34 or more points in SIX straight games, a run in which he's averaged 38.2 PPG, the second-best clip in the NBA behind Damian Lillard's historic 48.8. Never thought I'd say this but lay the points with the Wizards against the Warriors!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Hou Rockets at 2:05 ET.

The New Orleans Pelicans lost 13 straight games from Nov 23 through Dec 17 and sat at 6-22. However, the Pelicans head to Houston on "Super Sunday" having gone 14-7 (16-4-1 ATS) since snapping that 13-game slide and at 20-29, find themselves within 'shouting distance' of the West's No. 8 seed (4 1/2 games back). You may have heard the "Zion the Great' made his much-anticipated NBA debut on Jan 22 and in his first five games, has averaged 19.2 & 7.8. New Orleans lost his first two games but the Pels are 3-0 SU & ATS the last three times out, averaging a whopping 129.0 PPG.

The Houston Rockets were an NBA-best 65-17 in the 2017-18 season but won 12 fewer games last season, going 53-29. Houston enters this contest 30-18, which puts them on a pace to win 51 games this season.The Rockets lost four in a row from Jan 14-20 but have won four of six while dealing with Harden's shooting slump and some nagging injuries to center Clint Capela. Houston received a combined 67 points, 22 rebounds, 15 assists and seven steals from former MVPs Russell Westbrook and James Harden in Friday's 128-121 win over Dallas. That contest began a three-game homestand but while Harden continues to lead the NBA in scoring at 35.6 PPG, he's fallen shy of that mark in SEVEN straight outings.

Zion Williamson has the look of a player who could win multiple MVPs one day and New Orleans outscored Memphis by 25 points while Williamson was on the court Friday. However, the good news coming out of New Orleans in NOT just about Zion. The Pelicans have to be thrilled with the three Lakers they got for A.D. SF Ingram (24.9-6.3-4.3) has been the team's best player from Opening Day, while PG Ball (11.9-4.7-5.9) continues to improve his game and SG Hart (10.5 & 6.2) has been a steady player. Holiday (20.0-4.8-6.4) was already an established All Star plus FA addition Redick is doing what he does best. He's averaging 15.6 PPG, while shooting 46.7% on threes. Then there are PG Moore (9.9), center Favors (9.8 & 10.0 in 30 games) and rookie PF Hayes (8.4 & 4.5).

Is the Harden (35.6-6.4-7.20 and Westbrook (26.5-8.0-7.4) pairing going to allow Houston to "take the next step?" The early call would have to be, "not likely." Gordon is back healthy and averaging 16.0 PPG plus center Capela (13.9 & 13.8) has been VERY good. The Rockets have quality role players in House (10.3 & 4.1), McLemore (10.1), Rivers (8.6) and Tucker (7.5 & 7.1). Capela (heel) sat out Friday's game vs Dallas and head coach Mike D'Antoni started a small lineup that featured nobody taller than 6-6. Houston became the first NBA team to play a game without a player listed taller than 6-foot-6 since the Knicks in a Jan 31, 1963, loss to the Chicago Zephyrs. "You've got to hunker down and let's go and get in front of guys,"  D'Antoni told reporters of the mindset with a height disadvantage. "If we do that and we get conscientious about boxing out and getting back, we could make this lineup pretty good." Capela's expected to miss Sunday's game, so the Rockets could opt to go small at center with the 6-6 P.J. Tucker or go with 7-0 rookie Isaiah Hartenstein (5.1 & 3.4 in 20 games, averaging 12 1/2 minutes).

I'm really no fan of D'Antoni, Harden or Westbrook but that has NOTHING to do with "picking games!" I realize that New Orleans has covered the first three meetings this season with Houston , despite losing the first two SU, but "my gut" says the hype on New Orleans is 'growing' too fast. The Pelicans have played FOUR of Zion's first five games at home and the lone road game came at sad-sack Cleveland (win there means little). This is a BIG showcase and test, playing on ABC on "Super Sunday." The former MVPs should "come up big" here, vs "Zion the Great" and his talented cast. I'm laying the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Big East) is on St John's at 1:00 ET.

Georgetown and St. John's were once 'giants' in the Big East but when the two schools meet on "Super Sunday" at Madison Square Garden (for the 115th time!), it will be to stay out of the conference 'basement.'. The Hoyas went 10-3 in non-conference games but are 2-6 in the Big East, leaving them 12-9, overall. The Red Storm opened with an 11-2 non-conference mark but are 2-7 in Big East play, giving them a 13-9 record, overall. This is NOT "Big John" vs "Little Lou" nor Patrick vs Chris but at least ONE of those four will be present this afternoon for this game at "The World's Most Famous Arena."

This is Patrick Ewing's third season at Georgetown and after a 15-15 'rookie' year, his Hoyas won 19 games last season but lost in the first round of the NIT. The good news entering the current season was, FOUR starters returned. Losing Jessie Govan (17.5 & 7.5) from last year was a big deal but what was NOT expected was that returning guard Akinjo played just seven games before deciding to transfer (he was averaging 13.4 & 4.4 APG) plus the 6-7 LeBlanc (averaging 7.2) also decided to transfer. Georgetown's best player is the 7-0 Omer Yurtseven, who averages 16.3 & 9.7 but note that sophomore guard Mac McClung, who had 24 points in the first game against St. John's (an 87-66 Georgetown home win), has overtaken Yurtseven for the team lead in scoring at 16.4 PPG. McClung is surrounded by a trio of guards combining for 22 PPG. The 6-8 Pickett (8.7 & 6.1) starts up front, while 6-11 freshman Qudus Wahab (4.7 & 3.5 in 11 1/2 minutes per game) continues to try to make the most of the limited minutes he gets as the backup to Yurtseven.

Chris Mullin resigned after last season, ending a disappointing four-year run at his alma mater.The Red Storm posted losing records in his first three seasons but last year's team went 21-13 and did make an NCAA appearance (no small deal, as it was just this once-proud basketball program's THIRD Big Dance appearance in 17 years!). Taking over was Mike Anderson, who came to renown at UAB and Missouri, before returning to Arkansas . His eight-year run with the Razorbacks didn't go as planned, as the school made just three NCAA appearances. At the end of last year (18-16, including 8-10 in the SEC), he was fired, marking the end of a 25-year association with Arkansas as both an assistant and head basketball coach. Anderson is 59-years-old and had NO connection to NYC, so he was a surprise choice. As noted, the non-conference part of the season went well for St John's and the Red Storm did beat then-No. 16 Arizona in San Francisco plus won at home now-No. 12 West Va.  The 6-6 Figueroa (15.1 & 4.8) and the 6-5 Heron (13.7) returned in the backcourt plus guard Dunn has averaged  12.6-3.9-3.2 after being given the OK to play (was a transfer from Cleveland St). 6-7 freshman Champagnie (8.3 & 6.0) has not been quite as good as advertised but he's been solid. Returning forwards Earlington (8.0 & 4.4) and Roberts (5.9 & 6.2) have both been steady performers.

OK, this is no longer a "must-see" rivalry but I really like St John's in this one. It's still a "Big Game" for the Red Storm, playing at their home away from home on "Super Sunday," against a longtime rival and playing with revenge for that '3 TD' loss in D.C. Georgetown is 0-4 on the Big East road, losing by 16 at Providence, 16 at Seton Hall, 14 at Villanova and by nine at Xavier. Sure, the Red Storm's lone Big East wins have come over DePaul (1-8 in Big East play) but St John's barely lost here to now-No. 16 Butler (60-58) and now-No. 10 Seton Hall (82-79). The Hoyas are 'ripe for the plucking' and that's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "Signature" 36-Club Play is on Boise St at 10:00 ET.

All teams in the MWC are "looking up" at SD State, which is 22-0 overall, including 11-0 in conference play. Nevada (13-9) and Boise State(14-8) met tonight at Taco Bell Arena with the two schools tied at 6-4 in MWC play with Utah St and Colorado St, just a half-game back of second-place UNLV (6-3). Eric Mussleman led Nevada to the CBI title in his first season (2015-16) and then to three straight NCAA appearances with win totals of 28, 29 and 29. However, Musselman left for Arkansas and was replaced by Steve Alford. The former Indiana star had coaching success at Missouri St and New Mexico but was generally viewed as a 'flop' at UCLA, where he was fired during last season. He took over a team that lost all FIVE starters. Boise State's Leon Rice is in his 10th season and Boise and he's led the Broncos to 20-plus wins in seven of his first nine, although the Broncos are coming off a 13-20 season a year ago, going 7-11 in league play.

Nevada is led by a deep backcourt. Jalen Harris, a La Tech transfer, leads the way averaging 19.5-6.1-4.2. He's joined by returning guards Johnson (16.3), Drew (11.8-6.3-4.4) and Zouzoua (9.4).
The Wolf Pack feature a pair of 6-10 big men but neither freshman Meeks (6.7 & 3.8) nor senior Reyes (4.7 & 4.4) are much of a factor. Boise St features a "big" backcourt of the 6-9 Alston (19.5 & 5.3)) and the 6-7 Jessup (15.3 & 4.4). Senior Hobbs (7.9) is a more traditional guard plus the 6-6 Kigab (13.7 & 4.0) and the 6-7 Williams (12.0 & 8.2) have proven to be solid frontcourt players. Kigab was an Oregon transfer who became eligible in December and he's really helped this team.

Hard to see Nevada being in a good frame of mind after it blew a 10-point lead with eight minutes to play in a stinging, last-second 92-91 loss at Colorado State on Wednesday.  That defeat dropped the Wolf Pack to 1-6 in true road games on the season. Nevada's D has been horrible on the road with its lone win coming 100-85 at Air Force and the team has allowed 79.3 PPG in its six road defeats. Boise St is averaging 79.3 PPG (22nd) on the season and likely can't wait to get a shot at Nevada, which beat them all THREE times last season, plus handled them easily (83-66) in Reno back on Jan 4. Boise St is 10-1 SU at home this season (current NINE-game winning streak), going 8-2 ATS. "The Price is Right" for a Boise win AND cover!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Bos Celtics at 8:35 ET.

Boston had Philly’s number the past couple of years and won another three of four last season. The teams met way back on Oct 23 at Philly, with the Celtics taking a 7-2 SU & 8-1 ATS run the last nine meetings against the 76ers. However, what a difference a year can make. Philadelphia beat Boston 107-93 in that season-opener for both teams and has since beaten them twice more, 115-109 in Boston and 109-98 at Philly, despite playing without Embiid.Philly goes for the series sweep tonight in Boston, with the Sixers checking in at 31-18 (No. 6 seed) and the Celtics at 32-15 (No. 3 seed). All East teams are chasing Milwaukee but the FIVE teams from the No. 2 through the No. 6 seed in the East are separated by only 4 1/2 games.

Joel Embiid (23.3& 12.3) missed nine games with a finger injury (Philly went 6-3) but has shown no rust in two games since returning. He averaged 22.5 points on 63.0 percent shooting and 12.0 rebounds since coming back earlier in the week, as Philadelphia defeated Golden State at home but then fell 127-117 in Atlanta. PG Ben Simmons (16.6-7.7-8.3) joined Embiid as an All-Star selection Thursday, scored 31 points at Atlanta and finished January with an average of 22.2 points on 62.6 percent shooting. Embiid's return has been somewhat muted as SG Richardson (15.0 PPG) was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in 2-to-3 weeks. However, Shake Milton (6.3 PPG in 16 games) had the best game of his career with personal bests of 27 points and six assists while making 5-of-9 three-pointers in the loss at Atlanta.. Power forward Al Horford (12.5-6.7-4.0) sat out vs the Hawks with a sore knee but he is expected to play tonight against his former team.

The Celtics dropped SIX of eight from Jan 6-18 but have won FIVE of their last six, after a 119-104 victory over the Warriors on Thursday. Gordon Hayward (17.2-6.3-3.9) scored 25 points and Jayson Tatum (21.5 & 6.9) marked his first career All-Star selection with 21 points as Boston improved to 19-5 at home. Tatum had missed the previous three games with a groin issue before going 7-of-14 in 24 minutes vs Golden State. PG Kemba Walker (22.0-4.0-5.) also made the All Star team but was added to the injury report Friday with left knee soreness and is questionable for tonight's game. Walker missed a game with the ailment earlier this month and  he was held to 13 points on 5-for-13 shooting in a 119-104 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. Reserve big man Enes Kanter (9.5 & 8.2) has a right hip contusion and could also miss. Theis (8.1 & 6.2) typically starts but Kanter is the more conventional center.

Figuring out injuries (how serious and who will or will not play) has become a daily challenge this year, along with the infamous "load management" issue. I've "passed on" games this season only to see a player listed as "doubtful" or even "out" play and play WELL! I'm done over-analyzing these things (it's been a GREAT season, so far!). After dominating Philly recently (see above), the Celtics are 0-3 against them this season. How CAN'T the play be on Boston here, which needs to prove it can beat the Sixers? After all, Philly is just 9-16 SU on the road this season, going 7-16-2 ATS. Walker or NO Walker, I'm on Boston.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Tulsa at 6:00 ET.

Wichita St is 17-3 and ranked 23rd in the AP poll and the Shockers will visit Tulsa to take on a Golden Hurricane team which is 14-6. However, Tulsa has 'caught fire' since the American Athletic Conference portion of its schedule began. The Golden Hurricane have won FIVE in a row and at 6-1, trail only 7-1 Houston in the AAC standings. Wichita St may be the ranked team but the Shockers are 5-2 in AC, behind not only Houston and Tulsa but also 6-2 Cincinnati (Bearcats host the Cougars, tonight).

Gregg Marshall led Winthrop to seven NCAA appearances in nine seasons and since taking over in Wichita, entered this season with a string of 10 consecutive seasons of 22 or more wins, including FOUR, 30-win seasons. In that 10-year span, the Shockers have been to seven NCAA tourneys (including a Final 4 appearance in 2013) and in three NITs (won title in 2011). Wichita St hasn't played since last Saturday, when the Shockers won 87-79 victory over Central Florida. The Shockers had one of their best all-around performances against UCF as they assisted on 20-of-24 made baskets, outrebounded the Knights 45-28, and grabbed nine offensive boards leading to a 19-3 disparity in second-chance points. Marshall's team goes eight-deep, led by sophomore guard Erik Stevenson (12.4 & 4.9). 6-10 senior center Echenique (10.9 & 5.8) comes in right behind Stevenson and just ahead of a trio of guards, Burton (10.5-3.8-3.5), Etienne (9.9) and Sherfeld (8.8). The 6-6 Wade (8.1 & 6.2), a transfer from UTEP. starts up front plus guard Dennis (7.8 & 4.8) and the 6-8 Udeze (5.3 & 3.4) provide excellent depth.

Tulsa head coach Frank Haith has had stops at Miami-Fl and Missouri before coming to Tulsa, where he led the Golden Hurricane to back-to-back 20-win seasons in his first two seasons at the school. However, Tulsa entered this season on a three-year postseason drought, so the sudden surge has been "big news" in Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane are coming off a pair of memorable victories last week, as they routed then-No. 20 Memphis 80-40 at home, before earning a 79-75 overtime triumph on the road Sunday against UConn. Much like Wichita St, Tulsa has EIGHT players averaging between 4.9 and 14.8 PPG. The top-five producers are all juniors and seniors, so experience helps. Guard Rachal leads in scoring (14.8) and rebounding (6.3), followed by the 6-7 Horne (12.1 & 5.3) and the 6-8 Igbanu (11.0 & 4.7). The second unit played a decisive role in Sunday’s win against the Huskies as they accounted for 46 of the team’s 79 poins, including a career-best 28 from Igbanu. Guard Darien Jackson (9.0 & 3.7)  scored 14 points in 30 minutes off the bench, while Elijah Joiner  (6.6-3.7-3.4) flirted with a triple-double as the guard finished with seven points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

I'm a big Wichita St fan but Tulsa comes in 6-2 SU (7-1 ATS) since Dec 29 and 10-1 SU at home on the season, with that lone loss coming back on Dec 7 to Ark St, as 12 1/2-point favorite (hiccup). Tulsa just double-upped Memphis 8-40 on this court and not lomg ago, handed Houston its lone conference loss, 63-61 here at at the Reynolds Center. Tulsa 'rolls on' with another win over a ranked team.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Cincinnati at 6:00 ET.

Kelvin Sampson's squad lost FOUR starters from last year's 33-4 team that reached the Sweet 16. However, his Cougars were still picked to win the American Athletic Conference, and so far, so good. The 21st-ranked Cougars are 17-4 and sit atop the AAC at 7-1.However, the AAC is tightly-contested this season, as Houston lead Tulsa by a half-game, Cincy by one and Wichita St by 1 1/2. The Bearcats are off a 28-7 season, while making their NINTH straight NCAA appearance. However, head coach Mick Cronin left for UCLA (he may want to come back?), with John Brannen coming from No. Kentucky to take over. He won 20-plus games in each of the last three seasons, earning the Norse NCAA bids in 2017 and 2019. The Bearcats are 13-7 (matching their loss total from last season) but at 6-2, are "right there" in the AAC.
The Cougars are riding a five-game winning streak and a big reason is the emergence of redshirt freshman guard Caleb Mills, who's averaging 13.1 PPG coming off the bench for the season  (which leads the team) and 16.3 in the last seven games after scoring a team-high 18 in a 69-59 victory over East Carolina on Wednesday night. Kansas transfer Quentin Grimes averages 12.4 & 3.8, while 6-5 guard Nate Hinton adds 10.4 PPG plus a team-high 9.3 RPG. The 6-7 White (10.3 & 5.5) is a fourth double digit scorer, while guards Jarreau (9.8-4.2-3.8) and Sasser (6.2) are solid contributors.

Jarron Cumberland was the 2019 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, averaging 18.8-4.4-3.6 assists. However, he was the ONLY Cincy player to average in double digits last season. Cumberland and Brannen supposedly had some issues early on but that seems to be in the past, as he's coming off a season-best 28-point, nine-rebound effort in a 65-43 rout of SMU on Tuesday to boost his scoring average to a team-best 14.9 PPG (also adds 3.7 RPG and 4.1 APG). Unlike last season, two other teammates join him in double digits, 7-1 center Chris Vogt, (13.0 & 6.5) plus guard Williams (12.1 & 5.2). Right behind that trio are Jaevin Cumberland (Jarron;'s cousin), who's averaging 9.8 PPG and the 6-8 Scott (9.0 & 9.2).

No arguing that Kelvin Sampson has another quality team, as Houston's only AAC loss was by two points to Tulsa, and its other three setbacks came by a combined 19 points to BYU, Oregon and Oklahoma State. However, winning at Cincy's Fifth Third Arena is no easy task, which is actually a HUGE understatement. The Bearcats are 11-1 at home this season, upping their home record to 113-12 (.904) since joining the AAC back in the 2013-14 season. Lay the 'short' price!

Good luck..Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Michigan at 4;30 ET.

No. 25 Rutgers  (16-5 / 7-3 Big Ten) is looking to stay on track for its first NCAA Tournament berth in 28 years in 2020 and will take on 12-8 Michigan (3-6 Big Ten) as part of the Big Ten’s Super Saturday series at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday. Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell is in his fourth season at the school, having gone 44-54 in his first three. Coming off a a 14-17 season a year ago, Rutgers was picked 12th (of 14 schools) in the Big Ten preseason polls but the Scarlet Knights are off to their best start since the 1996-97 season and is ranked for the first time since the end of the 1978-79 season,

John Beilein left Michigan to take the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers, after leading the Wolverines to NINE NCAA tourneys in his 12 years (twice lost in the national championship game). Taking over is former Fab Fiver Juwan Howard, who would have to replace forward Ignas Brazdeikis (14.8 & 5.4) plus guards Jordan Poole (12.8) and Charles Matthews (12.2 & 5.0). Michigan opened the season unranked but began 7-0, after winning the Battle 4 Atlantis (Thanksgiving week). The Wolverines shocked then-No. 6 North Carolina (73-64) and  now-No. 2 Gonzaga in the championship game. When "the dust had settled," Michigan wound up No. 4 in the AP poll on Dec 4. However, the Wolverines have gone 5-8 over their last 13 games and will need a STRONG finish to garner any support for an at-large NCAA bid.

The Scarlet Knights have won back-to-back games against Nebraska (75-72) and Purdue (70-63), moving into a tie for second place in the Big Ten standings. Pikiel took his team to Spain in August and Rutgers went 4-0, while jelling as a unit. The "breakout star" of that trip was guard Ron Harper, who averaged 17.0 PPG on 53 percent shooting. He's currently Rutgers' leading scorer, averaging 12.0 PPG and adding 5.9 RPG. PG Baker (10.1 & 3.6 APG) plus a trio of guards (Young, McConnell and Mathis) combine to add right around 23 PPG. Up front, the 6-6 Yeboah (19.9 & 4.4) and the 6-10 Johnson (9.21& 8.0) are the biggest contributors. McConnell went a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line, en route to 16 points and seven rebounds in the win against Purdue. Yeboah, Harper and Baker all scored 10 points while Mathis finished with nine to help the Scarlet Knights improve to 15-0 at home, which is the best record in the nation.

Michigan ended a four-game losing streak with a 79-68 at Nebraska on Tuesday. The Wolverines were missing two key starters after Zavier Simpson was suspended for violating team policies and Isaiah Livers re-aggravated a groin injury, which kept him out of the lineup for six games, but they grinded out their first road win of the season. Eli Brooks (11.3) filled in admirably at point guard with Simpson suspended as he scored a game-high 20 points to go along with nine rebounds and four assists in the win. Franz Wagner (10.6) added 18 points and nine rebounds while the 6-7 Johns (5.7 & 4.3) finished with a career-high 16 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor. Simpson (12.8-4.3-8.3) leads the nation in assists but saw his streak of consecutive games played end at 135 due to the suspension. He is expected to be reinstated for Saturday, while the 6-7 while Livers(13.1 & 3.4) is considered day-to-day. Getting Livers back would be a real help to the 7-1 Teske, who is Michigan's top scorer (13.7) and rebounder (7.7)

I've played Rutgers a number of times at home but away from "the RAC," I am not sold on the "overachieving" (?) Scarlet Knights. The Wolverines are 3-0 in neutral site games this season (see performance at Battle 4 Atlantis) and earning their first true road win (albeit against Nebraska), had to be a boost. What's more,  it can't hurt Michigan's confidence that Rutgers has lost ALL 10 games it has played against Michigan in program history. Michigan has won the last five meetings with Rutgers by an average margin of 10.4 PPG, including  the only meeting between the schools last season, 77-65.Michigan makes it a "lucky 11" straight wins over Rutgers at historic MSG!

Good luck...Larry

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

Bob Huggins became famous while coaching Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to 16 straight postseason berths, including 14 straight NCAA bids. He was 'forced out' and after spending a year out of the coaching profession, accepted the head coaching job at Kansas State. It was a one-year 'pit stop' (23-12), as he returned to Morgantown (where he was born) to take the West Va job. As expected, he's led West Va to postseason berths in NINE of 12 seasons but is coming off just his second losing season with the Mountaineers, as they were just 15-21 in the 2018-19 season (4-14 in the Big 12 left them in last-place). However, this year's Mountaineers are 16-4 (4-3 in the Big 12) and ranked 12th in the latest AP poll. West Va welcomes Kansas St to Morgantown on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats are led by Bruce Weber, who also owns an impressive coaching resume. He spent five seasons at Southern Illinois, with his last two teams earning back-to-back NCAA bids while winning 52 games. He then spent nine seasons at Illinois, going to the "Big Dance" six times, highlighted by a loss in the national championship game in 2005 to North Carolina (team finished 37-2). He's in his eighth season at Kansas St, earning NCAA bids in FIVE of his first seven (last two teams have each won 25 games) but the Wildcats are just 9-11 so far this season, including 2-5 in the Big 12.

Weber lost three key players off last year's 25-win team, guard Brown (14.6 & 4.1) and Stokes (11.0) plus the 6-9 Wade (12.9 & 6.2). Weber hasn't been able to replace those losses, as 6-5 SF Sneed (14.6 & 4.7) and PG Diarra (13.0-4.3-5.0) are the team's lone double-digit scorers. Kansas State beat Oklahoma 61-53 on Wednesday.The Wildcats held the Sooners to 35 percent shooting, including 4-of-21 beyond the arc, and won for the seventh time when holding the opposition to under 60 points. "We talked about energy and effort," Bruce Weber said. "That was our number one thing on the board. I thought we had great effort. They're one of the best teams at taking care of the ball in the country. You get 19 (turnovers) and you get 18 points off those turnovers. We were very, very active."

West Va has two very good big men in 6-9 freshman Tshiebwe (11.4 & 9.1) and 6-10 Sophomore Culver (10.7 & 9.0) plus a solid guard duo in freshman McBride (10.4) and senior Haley (9.4 & 4.7). Bob Huggins' teams have always been known for playing defense and West Va began Wednesday's game at Texas Tech as one of the top defensive teams in the nation but the Red Raiders shot a season-high 64.7 percent beyond the arc, making 54.3% overall. Culver scored 16 points on 14-of-16 from the free-throw line but was limited to 17 minutes by fouls, while his frontcourt partner Tshiebwe managed only four points, three rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes.

Talk about walking into a 'hornet's nest?' Kansas St has the unenviable task of visiting Morgantown with Huggins' team coming off allowing 89 points in the loss to Texas Tech. Despite that effort, West Va is allowing only 61.6 PPG (23rd) on 36.6% shooting (3rd), including 27.2% (4th) on threes. What's more, the Wildcats shocked the Mountaineers 84-68 at Manhattan (as a six-point home dog) a little more than two weeks ago (Jan 14)., shooting 59.2% from the floor (9 of 18 on threes). Want more, Kansas St beat West Va both times last season, as well. Huggins crew will be 'breathing fire' in this contest and K-St is is the WRONG place at the WRONG time! Blowout alert.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Horizon) is on Northern Kentucky at 9:00 ET.

John Brannen led the Northern Kentucky Norse to three straight 20-plus winning seasons the previous three years and to the "Big Dance" in two of those three seasons. However, he left for the 'greener pastures' of Cincinnati after the conclusion of last season. Darrin Horn, who and excellent head coaching success at Western Kentucky but flopped at South Carolina, took over. Horn had recently been an assistant for Shaka Smart at Texas and his Norse are 14-7 overall, including 6-3 in Horizon play. Hosting Northern Kentucky on Friday is the Green Bay Phoenix, who are just 10-12 on the season, including 6-4 in Horizon action. Head coach Linc Darner is in his fifth season at Green Bay and opened this season with four returning starters from last year, when the Phoenix made it to the CIT championship game with four straight wins, before losing 90-70 at Marshall.

Northern Kentucky's 6-7 senior Dantez Walton was averaging 18.4 & 7.2 but hasn't played since Dec 30 because of an arm injury. It's helped that 6-6 redshirt junior Jalen Tate (9.9-4.3-3.9) returned from an injury about the same time. Full-season contributors have been senior guard Tyler Sharpe (16.5) and sophomore guard Trevon Faulkner (13.0 & 4.0). The 6-8 Adrian Nelson (4.7 PPG) is the team's leading rebounder (6.2) with Walton sidelined. Despite the loss of Walton, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, Northern Kentucky had won FIVE in row before 'running into a brick wall' at Wright St last Friday, losing 95-63.

Green Bay saw its three-game winning streak get snapped with a 98-94 road loss in overtime against Youngstown State last Saturday. The Phoenix are a guard-oriented team, led by three double digit backcourt starters. Seniors McCloud (16.3-5.0-4.9) and Pipes (10.9) are joined by freshman Davis (15.7 & 3.6). Up front, the 6-8 Patterson (5.8 & 5.0) and the 6-6 McNair (5.8 & 3.7)  represent a very so-so frontcourt presence.

Green Bay can score (81.9 PPG ranks 8th) but the Phoenix play very loose on the defensive end (80.7 PPG allowed ranks 344th). Northern Kentucky isn’t the best team in the Horizon League, as Wright State proved that last Friday, but I believe the Norse are still the SECOND-BEST team. Northern Kentucky has had a week to 'stew' since that embarrassing loss last Friday at Dayton against the Raiders and I expect an excellent "bounce-back" effort here. Northern Kentucky was 7-3 ATS on the road prior to last Friday and should find Green Bay a much more 'welcoming' host, as the Phoenix are a money-burning 1-6-1 ATS at home this season. Small road fave is the play!

Good luck...Larry

My free play is on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET.

The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets are both 29-18, leaving them tied for 5th in the Western Conference, SEVEN games back of the top-seeded Lakers and three games back of the Clippers and Nuggets (tied for the second seed). The Mavs enter this game on a 2-3 run and will take on the Rockets without Luka Doncic, who did not accompany the team on the flight to Houston after spraining his right ankle in practice late Thursday. Houston followed a spirited, short-handed 126-117 win at Utah on Monday but then with both Harden and Westbrook back in the lineup on Wednesday, threw in a defensive clunker in losing 125-112 at Portland on Wednesday.

Dallas is looking to rebound from a shaky performance of its own, as it allowed a season-worst point total in Tuesday's 133-14 home loss to the Suns. Doncic (28.8-9.5-8.7) is having a Westbrook-like season and Porzingis (16.8 & 8.9) has thrived serving as a second fiddle to Donci. Hardway (14.1) been a consistent scorer plus Seth Curry is adding 10.6 PPG. However, the season-ending injury to center Powell (9.4 & 5.7) hurts. Willie Cauley-Stein made his team debut against the Suns on Tuesday but had four points and three rebounds in 12 minutes.

James Harden (35.7-6.2-7.2) is in a deep shooting slump. He returned from a two-game injury hiatus against Portland but went just 5 of 18 in the loss. He's now 69-of-210 (32.9 percent) from the floor over his last 10 appearances (Rockets are 4-6 in those games). Westbrook (26.3-8.1-7.4). Westbrook has scored 30-plus points in EIGHT of his last nine contests but the Rockets are just 3-9 in that nine-game span. Is the Harden/Westbrook combo really working? Shooting guard Eric Gordon (15.9) has been back healthy for awhile now but scored just eight points on 2-of-10 shooting in the loss at Portland, just two nights after erupting for a career-best 50 points in Utah.

Doncic missed four games in December with a sprain of the same ankle, with the Mavericks splitting the four contests. Porzingis averaged 22.5 points and 13.8 rebounds while blocking 2.8 shots during that stretch. However, Powell is lost for the season now and Hardway is listed as questionable with a bad back. I'm no fan of either Harden or Westbrook (not sold on the duo's meshing, either) but the Rockets will surely remember the Mavericks winning 137-123 at Houston back on Nov 24 (note: Doncic recorded 41 points and 10 assists in the victory). No Doncic or Powell plus maybe no Hardaway. I want no part of Dallas in this one, so I'll make a small play on the Rockets. Houston not only has Harden and Westbrook but Gordon and Rivers (he scored 17 points vs Portland for his fifth straight double-digit outing) in the backcourt plus center Capela (13.9 & 13.8) and PF Tucker (7.5 & 7.2) up front. Then there are House 10.2) and McLemore (10.0) on the wings.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Den Nuggets at 10:35 ET.

The Utah Jazz won 19 of 21 games from Dec 11 through Jan 25 but have suddenly lost back-to-back games, 126-117 at home vs the Rockets on Monday and 127-120 last night in San Antonio to the Spurs. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have led the Northwest Division for most of the season but in January, have been dealing with injuries to key rotation players. That said, they had won EIGHT of 11 contests before suffering a 104-96 road loss against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. The two teams share the third-best record in the West (32-15), as they meet tonight in Denver for the first of FOUR times over the final 35 games of the season.

Utah's 19-2 run saw them go 17-4 ATS but all of a sudden, the team's defense has 'gone missing!' Despite playing without Harden and Westbrook, the Rockets scored 126 points in Salt Lake City, with Eric Gordon scoring a career-high 50 points. Utah then allowed 70 first-half points on Wednesday at San Antonio, as the Spurs shot 56.1 percent from the floor and DeMar DeRozan scored a season-best 38 points. Donovan Mitchell (25.0-4.2-4.2) scored 31 points last night, topping 20 for the eighth consecutive time and is averaging 29.1 points during that stretch. Backup guard Jordan Clarkson (13.8 PPG in 17 games since coming over from Cleveland) had 20 off the bench, while center Rudy Gobert (15.7 & 14.6) had 17 points and 19 rebounds for his 11th straight double-double. SF Bojan Bogdanovic (21.2 & 4.1) has been terrific all season and is 26-of-54 from three-point range (48.1%) over the last six games.

Denver came out 'flat' at Memphis, getting outscored 76-22 in the paint and head coach Michael Malone sensed troubles from the outset. "It's unfortunate," Malone told reporters "These are the dog days, we have eight games to go until the All-Star break. Everyone's tired, everyone's beat up, but we've got to be mentally tough." The Nuggets have been short-handed in recent weeks and PG Jamal Murray (17.6-4.1-4.6) will miss his eighth straight game with an ankle injury, while PF Paul Millsap (11.9 & 5.8) is expected to sit out for the 12th consecutive contest with a knee injury. Reserve PF/C Plumlee is also out and his 7.7 & 4.0 in about 17 minutes will be missed. However, starters Jokic (19.8-10.1-6.5), Barton (14.7-6.5-3.7) and Harris (10.7) won't "go it alone." PF Grant (11.1) has scored in double digits in 10 of his last 11 (he's averaging 18.7 over the past six games), plus PG Morris 7.8 & 3.6 APG), now healthy PF Porter (7.7 & 4.0) and SG Beasley (7.5) are all MORE than capable.

Utah should be motivated now that it has lost consecutive games for the first time since dropping three in a row from Dec 1-4 but I see them dropping a THIRD straight, here. Denver  is 'wounded' but note that Tuesday's loss at Memphis ended a stretch of 24 games of scoring 100 or more points. Denver's depth has kept them going. The Nuggets have to play tomorrow night in Milwaukee and the Bucks are an NBA-best 41-6, so the importance of winning here, is CLEAR & PRESENT. Take the Nuggets.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* CBB Weekly Wipeout is on Maryland at 8:30 ET.

The No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes have won FIVE consecutive games, including a 68-62 victory against Wisconsin on Monday, and are 15-5 overall and tied for fourth with the 15th-ranked Maryland Terrapins (16-4) in the Big Ten (both schools are 6-3). The Terps have won three consecutive games, including a pair of victories on the road (at Northwestern and Indiana), to move up in the national rankings for the first time in a month.

Iowa is looking to complete a season sweep of Maryland (won 67-49 at home back on Jan 10), in hopes of staying in the mix for its first Big Ten regular season championship in 40 years. Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa back in the 2010-11 season (off three straight NCAA trips with Siena). His 2013 team was the NIT runner-up and he then led the Hawkeyes to three straight NCAAs. Iowa missed the "Big Dance" the next two years but last year's 23-win team was back in. The Hawkeyes opened 1-3 in Big Ten play but has won FIVE in a row to reach 6-3 in Big Ten play. The 6-11 Luka Garza (23.0 & 10.7) scored 21 points and matched his career high with 18 rebounds in Monday's win against Wisconsin, registering his Big Ten-leading 12th double-double of the season.
Freshman guard CJ Fredrick (11.2) added 17 points while sophomore guard Joe Wieskamp (14.1 & 6.2) finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Rounding out Iowa's main contributors are the 6-10 Ryan Kriener (7.8 & 4.1) plus guards Toussaint (7.2) and McCaffrey (6.4-4.7-3.6).

Maryland lost the 6-10 Fernando and his double-double average (13.6 & 10.6) from last year's 23-11 NCAA team (lost in the 2nd round) but FOUR starters returned. Mark Turgeon's team was ranked 7th in the AP's preseason poll. The Terps opened 10-0 and were ranked No. 4 when they lost Dec 10 at Penn St. That defeat started a 3-4 run but Maryland takes a three-game winning streak into this contest. The 6-10 Jalen Smith (15.2 & 9.6) was named the Big Ten’s Player of the Week after averaging 27 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in the wins over Northwestern and Indiana. Smith racked up a career-high 29 points to go along with 11 rebounds to record his third straight double-double while Anthony Cowan Jr. (15.5-3.6-4.3) added 18 points and four assists, as the Terrapins scored the final SEVEN points of the game against Indiana. Guard Darryl Morsell (7.9 & 5.0) produced 10 points and six rebounds while fellow guard Wiggins (10.7 & 5.7) finished with eight points to help Maryland earn its first win in Bloomington since joining the Big Ten. Guard Ayala (8.4) and 6-7 freshman forward Scott (5.4 & 3.6) round out Maryland's main contributors.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena is known for its hostile crowds and is a tough venue, as Iowa is 12-1 at home this season (Hawkeyes are 27-5 SU the last two seasons at home). However, winning at Xfinity Center in College Park will be tough, as the Terps are 11-0 at home this season and have won 19 of their last 20 home games. Iowa's Garza is a 'beast' but Maryland's Smith is no slouch (see recent efforts above). This is a HUGE game for Maryland, as after Iowa, it's games vs No. 25 Rutgers and No. 19 Illinois on tap. Revenge from that 67-49 loss at Iowa back on Jan 10 won't hurt Maryland's motivation, either. Expect Maryland to "win big!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Illinois at 7:30 ET.

Richard Pitino has had a roller-coaster run at Minnesota, capturing the NIT (25 wins) in his first season but then falling to 18 wins and just EIGHT wins the next two seasons. The last three seasons have seen 24 and 22-win NCAA teams sandwiched around a 15-win season. Pitino opened the current season without guards Coffey (16.6) and McBrayer (8.9) plus big man Murphy (14.4 & 11.0), who gave the Minnesota program a combined 11 seasons. The Golden Gophers visit The Fighting Illini tonight at just 11-9. Minnesota fell to .500 in conference play (5-5), following a 70-52 home loss to then-11th-ranked Michigan State on Sunday.

Brad Underwood was a head coach at Stephen F Austin and Oklahoma St before being hired at Illinois back on March 18, 2017. He signed a six-year contract through 2023 worth $18 million but after two seasons in Champaign, his Fighting Illini were just 26-39 (11-27 in Big Ten play). However, as Underwood entered the current season, he returned FOUR starters from last season's team plus added 6-9 freshman center Kofi Cockburn. The Fighting Illini are 15-5, including 7-2 in the Big Ten (just a half-game back of 8-2 Mich St). Illinois entered the top-25 back on Jan 13 for the first time since Dec 1, 2014 and is currently ranked 19th.

Leading Minnesota are the 6-10 Daniel Oturu (19.7 & 11.3) and PG Marcus Carr (16.1-5.4-6.9). Oturu scored a game-high 19 points and added six rebounds but it wasn’t enough against the Spartans, as the Golden Gophers shot a season-low 28.1 percent from the floor in the loss to Michigan State. Guard Gabe Kalscheur (12.0) is Minnesota's third double-digit scorer, and he added 15 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Carr produced 11 points, seven boards and six assists, but the two players shot a combined 7-of-26 from the floor, including 4-of-16 from three-point range against Michigan St. Guards Williams (8.8 & 3.5) and the 6-9 Demir (7.6 & 4.9) are Minnesota's only other significant contributors.

In stark contrast, Illinois has EIGHT players getting 15-plus minutes with SIX averaging between 8.4 and 16.2 PPG. Guard Ayo Dosunmu (16.2-4.3-3.5) poured in a career-high 27 points, including the game-winning jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining, and pulled down seven rebounds to power the Fighting Illini past Michigan 64-62 in Ann Arbor for the first time since Feb 23, 2010 this past Saturday. Guard Andres Feliz (10.5-4.7-3.1) added 15 points and seven rebounds while fellow guard Trent Frazier (9.9) scored 10 points as Illinois matched its win total from last season in conference play (the Illini were just 7-13). The 6-9 Kofi Cockburn was named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week for the SENTH time this season after he averaged 13.5 points, nine rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in wins over Purdue (79-62) and Michigan. He's averaging 14.5 & 9.4 on the season, more than living up to expectations.

The Fighting Illini have racked up SIX consecutive wins but will be highly-focused on this home game with the Golden Gophers, as after hosting Minnesota, Illinois will face FIVE straight games against ranked Big Ten opponents.Minnesota 'limps' in 1-6 in true road games this season, with its lone win coming at slumping Ohio St back on Jan 23. A win here at Illinois, would mark the first time in more than three years that Minnesota would put together two straight road victories in conference play. NOT!

Good luck...Larry

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

Eric Mussleman led Nevada to the CBI title in his first season (2015-16) and then to three straight NCAA appearances with win totals of 28, 29 and 29. However, Musselman left for Arkansas and was replaced by Steve Alford. The former Indiana star had coaching success at Missouri St and New Mexico but was generally viewed as a 'flop' at UCLA, where he was fired during last season. He took over a team that lost all FIVE starters and the Wolf Pack enter this contest at Colorado St 13-8 overall, including 6-3 in the MWC. The Rams hired Niko Medved prior to the 2018-19 season and one could reasonably ask why. He spent four seasons as Furman's head coach , posting a 62-70 record. He then moved to Drake, where he went 17-17. He took over at Fort Collins last season and surprise, the Rams went 12-20 (7-11 in MWC play). However, CSU is greatly improved this season, checking in at 14-8 overall, including 5-4 in MWC play.

Nevada is led by a deep backcourt. Jalen Harris, a La Tech transfer, leads the way averaging 18.9-6.2-4.0. He's joined by returning guards Johnson (16.8), Drew (11.7-6.2-4.4) and Zouzoua (9.0). Zouzoua led the Wolf Pack with 20 points in their 96-74 victory over New Mexico on Saturday, as Nevada increased its winning streak at home to SEVEN straight. Colorado State comes off a 77-61 loss at Utah State, allowing the Aggies to shoot 68% in the second half and 59% overall. This year's team is led by a pair of freshman, PG Stevens (13.1 & 4.3 APG) and 6-5 swingman Roddy (12.0 & 5.7) Returning guards Moore (8.5) and Moore (8.0) help make up a solid periemter group. Two frontcourt players also average in double digits, 6-11 senior Carvacho (12.0 & 10.4) and 6-6 sophomore Thistlewood (10.1 & 3.3).

Alford hasn't done a bad job with no returning starters at Nevada but his Wold Pack have been very 'meek' away from home this season, going 1-5 SU in true road games (FOUR of the losses have been by double digits). Meanwhile I wondered at the top just why CSU chose Medved but he HAS done a solid job with the Rams this season. CSU played an awful second half the last time out but entered that contest on a 7-1 SU run, having gone 6-1 ATS (one non-lined game). Nevada has dominated this series recently but remember, this season's Wolf Pack do NOT resemble the NCAA teams of the previous three years (28, 29 and 29 wins). The Rams 'hung in there' at Reno (lost 67-61 as a 7-point dog) and here at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, should win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

Travis Steele was hired by Sean Miller at Xavier for the 2008-09 season. He was retained by Chris Mack after Miller accepted the Arizona head coaching position and has been a part of a Musketeers program that has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight run in 2017. Steele was promoted to head coach when Mack took the Louisville job. Following Miller and Mack was NOT expected to be easy and it wasn't. However, Xavier rallied to win EIGHT of its final 11 regular season games and went to a postseason tourney (NIT) for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Xavier lost just ONE starter off last year's team, the 6-11 Hankins (10.6 & 5.3) but Xavier has struggled since Christmas, losing FIVE of its last seven (all in Big East play). The 13-7 Musketeers' latest defeat came Sunday when Creighton took care of Xavier for the second time this season with a 77-66 decision.

Howard is the nation's leading scorer at 28.3 PPG and enters the game eight points away from 2,500 for his career (he will become the 72nd player in NCAA history to reach 2,500 points ). Senior guard Sacar Anim ranks second to Howard on the team in scoring at 13.0 PPG. PG McEwen checks in at 9.8-5.2-3.2 plus a trio of frontcourt players, the 6-8 Bailey (8.1 & 5.5), the 6-7 Cain (5.0 & 4.3) and John (5.0 & 5.0) round out Marquette's main contributors.

Xavier is led by the 6-7 Marshall (16.7-5.7-3.5) and the 6-9 Tyrique Jones (13.3 & 9.9). Joining that duo up front are the 6-8 Carter (7.3 & 5.2) and 6-9 freshman Freemantle (6.8 & 4.0). SG Scruggs (13.8 & 4.6) is having a solid season but senior PG Goodin (6.8 & 4..0 APG) has struggled (I'm being kind). Goodin is averaging fewer assists this season (four) than in each of the last two seasons and his shooting has been atrocious. He has missed the last two games with an apparent knee injury but had gone 2-of-28 from the floor (that's 7.1%) in hsi previous four games, including 0-of-20 from three-point territory in the last last six. Freshman KyKy Tandy (5.4) and senior Byrce Moore (3.4) are filling in.

Howard torched Xavier in the first meeting, an 85-65 Marquette victory, with 35 points back on Jan 15 in Milwaukee. However, Marquette can be had on the road, while Xavier is 10-3 at home. Howard will "get his" but Xavier should dominate inside with Marshall and Jones plus note that 6-9 freshman Freemantle posted career highs of 18 points and nine rebounds against Creighton. Xavier is looking to avenge not only that Jan 15 loss but TWO losses from last season. Howard will easily surpass the 2,500-point mark but Xavier gets the win AND the cover!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Week is on Loy-Chi/Sou Ill Over at 8:00 ET.

Porter Moser's Loyola-Chicago Ramblers made that great run to the Final 4 in 2018, finishing with 32 wins. Last year's team won a more modest 20 games, after losing in the NIT's first round. Gone from last season were Custer and Townes, who won back-to-back POY honors in the MVC, as well as Ingram. However, the Ramblers are making a strong run at winning the MVC this season. However, the Ramblers lost a tough one this past Sundat at Cedar Falls, losing 67-62 in OT to Northern Iowa. Loyola-Chicago fell to 14-7 overall and 6-2 in the MVC, dropping them into a tie with Northern Iowa for first place.

Southern Illinois is coming off a 17-15 season (10-8 in MVC play) and opened the year with a new head coach, Bryan Mullins. Mullins was the starting point guard on SIU's 2007 Sweet 16 team and is in Southern Illinois' Hall of Fame. Ironically, he's spent the last four years as an under Porter Moser at Loyola. Southern Illinois improved to 11-10 overall and 5-3 in MVC play following its 58-55 victory at Illinois State on Saturday. The victory was the first for the Salukis at Redbird Arena since 2006.

Three starters did return for Loyola this season and are contributing as expected. 6-9 center Krutwig leads in scoring (15.2), rebounding (8.13 and assists (4.5). He led the Ramblers with 19 points and 14 rebounds in Sunday's loss. Guard Williamson chips in 8.9 & 3.5 and the 6-7 Uguak adds 5.3 & 3.2. Also making a big impact are 6-6 swingman Hall (13.8 & 4.1), a JC transfer, and freshman guard Kennedy (9.0). Keith Clemons averaged 15.1 points and 5.1 assists per game in 2018-19, while helping Vincennes to a 34-2 overall record and the NJCAA Division I national championship, became eligible at the start of December and has averaged 8.8 points in 13 games.

Marcus Domask is a 6-6 freshman aswingman and he is the leading scorer for Southern Illinois with an average of 14.1 PPG (also adds 5.2 RPG), while the 6-10 Barret Benson is the leading rebounder with an average of 5.4 per game, while adding 9.7 PPG. Senior guard McGill (10.3 & 4.3) and freshman guard Jones (7.30 are the team's top-producing guards but SIU has depth on the perimeter, as four other guards are combining for 17.5 PPG.

Loyola is holding opponents to 60.5 PPG (15th) but while the Ramblers average 69.5 PPG, the team shoots 50.9% from the floor (3rd-best in the nation). This is a VERY low over/under number but note that here at home, SIU lost early in the season to San Francisco at SIU Arena but has since won EIGHT in a row at home. The Salukis check in 9-1 at home, averaging 67.9 PPG. The Salukis were awful at Loyola back on Jan 16, shooting 36.0% from the floor, including 4 of 25 on threes, while scoring just 48 points. Revenge may be the way to go but even more, I expect SIU to play and shoot MUCH better plus I'm NOT discounting Loyola's 50.9% shooting, either. This LOW total is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Underdog Shocker is on Duquesne at 7:00 ET.

Anthony Grant had success at both VCU and Alabama, before taking Dayton job for the 2017-18 season (he had a successful four-year playing career as a Flyer). His current Dayton team is ranked No. 7 in the latest AP poll and the 18-2  Flyers (7-0 in the A-10) are just two overtime losses (vs Kansas and Colorado) away from matching San Diego State as the nation's only unbeaten team. Dayton heads to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to face Duquesne, looking to go 5-0 in true road games on the season, while extending its current win streak to 10.

Duquesne was one of the surprise teams early on, led by head coach Keith Dambrot. Dambrot coached LBJ to back-to-back HS titles and then spent 13 seasons at Akron, winning 19 games in his first season and 20-plus games in each of the next 12. He signed a 7-year, $7 million contract. with Duquesne and went 16-16 in his first season, after the Dukes had finished 10-22 the season before. In his second season (2018-19), he led the school to its first winning record since the 2011-12 season with 19 wins and 13 losses. Duquesne opened the 2019020 season with 10-0 mark, the team's best start since 1953-54 but the Dukes (15-4, 5-2) have come back to earth in their last nine games and have lost two straight.

Dayton ranks third in the nation at 83.2 PPG and 1st by shooting 52.6% from the floor. Leading the way is 6-9 All-America candidate Obi Toppin, who is a certain NBA first-round pick if he decides to forgo his final two seasons. Toppin leads the team in scoring (19.7) and rebounding (8.0), while a trio of guards join him in double digits. That group includes PG Jalen Crutcher (14.7 & 5.2 APG), Ibi Watson (12.0) and Trey Landers (10.9 & 5.9). Junior guard Chatwood adds 8.0 PPG and Toppin is joined up front by 6-7 senior Mikesell, who adds 9.9 & 4.8. The Flyers are also a solid defensive team, holding opponents to 66.0 PPG.

Duquesne's latest loss came Saturday at UMass, where the Dukes were outscored 27-13 at the free-throw line and got clobbered on the boards, 52-34. 6-5 SF Weathers (14.2 & 8.2) is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, while PG Carry (11.5-3.7-4.5) leads in assists. Carry was the Dukes' best player at UMass, scoring 20 points while adding seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Dunn-Martin (8.7) and Austin (8.7 & 4.2) join Carry in the backcourt, while the 6-11 Steele (9.0 & 5.1) is the team's best big man.

There is no denying that Dayton deserves its top-10 ranking but winning will NOT be easy, as despite playing at different venues as their home court is being renovated, the Dukes sport an 8-0 "home" record.  Wednesday's game will take place at PPG Paints Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Duquesne makes its mark on defense, allowing just 62.7 PPG (38th) and I'm taking the points. Dayton may escape with a win but then again, the Flyers may not.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Mem Grizzlies at 8:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets were a 'sexy' pick to contend for the Western Conference title entering the season led by center Nikola Jokic and supported by one of the NBA's deepest teams. The Nuggets posted a crucial 117-110 home triumph over the Houston Rockets on Sunday. All teams in the West are chasing the 36-10 Lakers but the 32-14 Nuggets are tied with the Jazz, just four games back (the Clippers are 33-14, a half-game ahead of Denver and Utah). The Nuggets visit Memphis Tuesday night, having won the first two meetings between the teams, including a 131-114 rout at the FedEx Forum on Nov 17. The more recent meeting came Dec 28 in Denver, which the Nuggets won by nine However, the Nuggets will face a different Grizzlies team a month later, as Memphis has won 10 of the 13 games played since then to climb into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference at 22-24.

Jokic is again leading Denver in scoring (19.7), rebounding (10.1) and assists (6.5). He recorded 24 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season and 37th of his career in Sunday's win over Houston. Jokic has posted SIX consecutive double-doubles and EIGHT in the past nine games. Denver has played through the injuries of continues of PG Jamal Murray (17.6-4.1-4.6) and PF Paul Millsap 11.9 & 5.8). Murray is expected to miss his seventh straight game and Millsap is set to sit out his 11th consecutive contest. SF Barton (14.8-6.5-3.7) and Harris (10.7) are regular starters plus Denver's deep bench will get extra time. PF Grant (10.9 & 3.5) scored a season-best 25 against the Rockets and is averaging 18.2 points over the last five games. Guards Morris (7.8) and Beasley (7.6) and the now healthy PF Porter (7.7 & 4.0) are all capable of stepping up.

The Grizzlies committed a season-worst 26 turnovers on Sunday but prevailed 114-109 over the visiting Phoenix Suns. Rookie PG Ja Morant (team's No. 1 pick in 2019 draft) led the way by scoring 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. Morant is averaging 17.6 & 7.1 APG. Memphis chose the 6-11 Jarren Jackson in the 1st round of teh 2018 draft and he leads the team in scoring at 18.0 PPG (4.8 RPG). He had 20 points and has hit the mark a team-best 20 times during the season, including the past two games in which he averaged 24.5 points on 17-of-26 shooting. SG Dillon Brooks (15.9 PPG) continues to be a lucky charm for Memphis, as he scored 20 points and the club is 15-1 when he reaches that output. SF Clarke (also a 1st round pick from 2019, 21st overall) is averaging 12.1 & & 5.8 and along with veteran center Valanciunas (14.8 & 10.0) and veteran SF Crowder (9.8 & 6.2) give Memphis a formidable frontcourt.

I noted at the top that Memphis has won 10 of 13 since last playing (and losing to) Denver and that includes a 7-1 mark here at  FedEx Forum. Memphis is playing VERY well right now and why did this contest open pick (I took plus-1), when Denver recently was getting plus-4 at 15-32 Minnesota and at 18-26 New Orleans? Memphis is the play.

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 10* Jan Game of the Month is on Rutgers at 8:00 ET.

Purdue opened the season ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll, after winning 26 games last season, before losing in OT to Virginia in the Elite 8. Gone from that squad is Purdue's best player, Carsen Edwards (24.3PPG), as well as its second-leading scorer, Ryan Cline (12.3 PPG).  Howevcer, this year's Boilermakers are well-balanced (FIVE players average between 8.9 and 11.0 PPG) but 11-9 Purdue has already surpassed its loss total from last season in league play (4-5, after going 14-4) and is a loss away from matching last season's total of 10 losses. The Boliermakers are in New Brunswick, NJ tonight to face one of this season's "surprise teams," Rutgers. Head coach Steve Pikiell is in his fourth season at the school, having gone 44-54 in his first three. Coming off a a 14-17 season a year ago, Rutgers was picked 12th (of 14 schools) in the Big Ten preseason polls but at 15-5, the Scarlet Knights are off to their best start since the 1996-97 season. Rutgers coughed up a 14-point lead early in the second half and trailed by six with just over three minutes left before the Scarlet Knights clamped down and scored the final nine points of the game, including Geo Baker's game-winning three-pointer with just over a second remaining in Saturday's 75-72 win over Nebraska. Rutgers is ranked for the first time since the end of the 1978-79 season, checking in at No. 25 in the latest AP poll..

The Boilermakers were routed 63-37 by the Fighting Illini on Jan 5 while being held to a program-worst 25 percent shooting from the floor, before suffering a 79-62 setback last Tuesday against the Illini, to see their 15-game conference home winning streak come to an end. However, Purdue is coming off one of its best performances in a conference game this past Friday,  when the Boilermakers took control in the first half by holding an 18-point halftime lead and a 45-17 edge early in the second half and cruised to a 70-51 win over Wisconsin. Evan Boudreaux (4.1 & 3,3) was rewarded with his first start of the season after head coach Matt Painter identified him as the player who brought the most energy to practice after last Tuesday's loss to Illinois, and he delivered with 10 points and 13 rebounds for his first double-double of 2019-20.Getting back to Purdue's balance, the 6-9 Williams leads in scoring (11.0) and rebounding (7.5) and is joined up front by the 7-3 Haarms (10.1 & 5.2). A trio of guards follow, including Hunter (10.2 & 3.4), Stefanovic (9.7) and Proctor (8.9),. Filling out the roster are guards Eastern (5.4 & 4.4) and Thompson (5.4), while the Boudreaux (see above) and the 6-9 Wheeler (3.9 & 5.1) help out Williams and Haarms up front.

Pikiel took his team to Spain in August and Rutgers went 4-0, while jelling as a unit. The "breakout star" of that trip was guard Ron Harper, who averaged 17.0 PPG on 53 percent shooting. He's currently Rutgers' leading scorer, averaging 12.0 PPG and adding 6.0 RPG. PG Baker (11.0 & 3.7 APG) plus a trio of guards (Young, McConnell and Mathis) combine to add right around 23 PPG. Up front, the 6-6 Yeboah (10.0 & 4.5) and the 6-10 Johnson (9.2 & 8.1) are the biggest contributors. Yeboah contributed a season-high 20 points vs the Cornhuskers to push him over the 1,500-point mark for his career (1,317 of which came in three years at Stony Brook) plus Johnson blocked a career-high five shots, the most ever by a Scarlet Knight in a Big Ten contest , while collecting 11 rebounds for his NINTH double-digit effort on the glass this season.

Rutgers' 75-72 win over Nebraska ended a run of 10 straight ATS wins by the Scarlet Knights and it also upped the tam's home record to a perfect 14-0 (9-3-1 ATS / one  non-lined game). Meanwhile, Purdue is 9-2 at home but just 2-7 outside of West Lafayette, including 1-5 in true road contests. Rutgers moves to 15-0 at the RAC (Rutgers Athletic Center) with the victory coming "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Virginia at 7:00 ET.

Virginia won the national championship last April (school's first-ever) but the Cavaliers appear to be just another middle-of-the-pack ACC team as January 2020 nears its end. The Cavs began the season ranked 11th in the AP preseason poll and opened 7-0. They were ranked 5th when they lost 69-40 at Purdue on Dec 4 and as 2020 dawned, the Cavs began with a dominating 65-39 win over Va Tech (Jan 4), giving them an 11-2 overall record, including 3-0 in the ACC. However, the Cavs have lost FOUR of their last six, checking in 13-6 overall and only 5-4 in ACC play. UVA welcomes Florida St to John Paul Jones Arena Tuesday night and the Seminoles come onto the contest 17-2 overall, including 7-1 in the ACC. Leonard Hamilton's team has won 10 in a row after Saturday's 85-84 victory over Notre Dame and is just a half-game out of first place in the ACC (Louisville is 8-1) and ranked No. 5 in the current AP poll.

Leonard Hamilton-coached teams are always known for playing excellent defense but his teams have shown more offensive 'punch' the last few seasons. That's continued in the 2019-20 season, as the Seminoles are holding opponents to 64.6 PPG, but are also scoring 76.0 PPG, The Seminoles wear down teams with their depth and balance on offense, as the top-four scorers produce between 8.1 and 13.1 PPG. Sophomore guard Devin Vassell leads the team at 13.1 PPG (also leads with 5.2 RPG), just ahead of senior guard Trent Forrest (11.8-4.1-4.3). Junior guard M.J. Walker is third on the team at 11.4 PPG, while the 6-8 Williams (8.1 & 3.2) ranks fourth on the team in scoring. Following behind those four are guard Polite (7.), the 6-8 Gray (6.1 & 3.6), ythe 7-1 Kuprivica (6.0) and the 6-0 Osborne (5.9 & 4.9).

Gone from last year's champs are the team's top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). Those current NBA players have proven hard to replace. This season's UVA team features an unique guard duo, the 6-8 Key (10.0 & 7.3) and 5-9 PG Clark (10.9-4.5-5.9). The team's most consistent player is 6-9 senior forward Mamadi Diakite, who leads the team in scoring (13.2) and is second to Key in rebounding (6.8). The 7-1 Huff (8.7 & 6.0) joins Diatka up front and this "Core 4" represents Virginia's main contributors. Three other guards do combine to chip in 14.5 PPG. In dire need of some scoring options, the Cavaliers may have found one in the form of junior guard Tomas Woldetensae, who scored a career-high 21 points on seven 3-pointers against Wake Forest in Sunday's 65-63 OT win (we'll see).

UVA made a STRONG run at FSU in Tallahassee back on Jan 15 (lost just 54-50) and for all of its offensive woes this season, the Cavs remain CBB's stingiest team, allowing 50.4 PPG on 35.2% shooting (No. 1 in both categories). Great spot for UVA to remind all that last year's champs are far from 'dead.'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Mia Heat at 7:35 ET.

The Orlando Magic are second in the Southeast Division to the Miami Heat but sit 11 games back, as the Magic are just 21-26, while the Heat are 31-14. The Heat currently own the East's No. 3 seed, as they are mired in a five-team 'scrum' (No. 2 and No, 6 seeds are separated by only 2 1/2 games). Despite being FIVE games under .500, the Magic own the No. 7 seed and are 4 1/2 games clear of the East's 'cut line.' The two Florida-based teams meet Monday in Miami, both coming off losses to the LA Clippers. The Heat dropped a 122-117 decision Friday night, falling to 20-2 at home. As for the Magic, playing hours after the NBA world was rocked by the news of Kobe Bryant's sudden death, offered much less resistance to the Clippers in Sunday's 112-97 loss.

Orlando 'limps' into Miami off an 0-3 homestand and the Magic find themselves just 2-5 since veteran point guard D.J. Augustin (10.7 & 4.7 APG) went down with a knee injury. Carter-Williams is trying to fill some of the gaps and chipped in eight assists along with seven rebounds while committing zero turnovers in 23 minutes during Sunday's loss. Terrence Ross has ZERO starts in his 45 appearances this season but has added need scoring off the bench, averaging 13.4 PPG. However, he was held to eight against the Clippers while shooting 3-of-15 overall, including 0-of-6 from three-point range. SG Fournier (19.0) leads the team in scoring at 19.0 PPG, while Vucevic is close behind at 18.8 PPG, while leading in rebounding (11.0). Gordon (13.3 & 7.2)  and Isaac (12.0 & 6.9) join him up front but Isaac won't play due to a knee injury.

Butler leads the Heat in points (20.3), assists (6.5) and steals (1.8). He had 20 points in Friday's loss but is questionable for this one due to an ankle injury. The Heat have been missing Winslow for some time now but also saw key players Kendrick Nunn (foot) and Goran Dragic (calf) miss vs the Clippers. Nunn is an undrafted rookie averaging 16.2 PPG and Dragic a veteran PG who has come off the bench to average 15.8 & 5.0 APG. The 6-9 Bam Adebayo has thrived with more playing time (with the Whiteside trade), averaging 15.9-10.4-4.7 with a team-leading 24 double-doubles. 6-7 second-year player Robinson (11.9) has been a steady contributor all season plus while Leonard (6.0 & 4.9) typically starts at center, Olynyk adds 7.8 & 4.6 off the bench. With Nunn and Dragic both out on Friday, Dion Waiters scored 14 points in his season debut after serving three suspensions.

We won't know to game-time about Butler, Dragic and Nunn but Waiters can play, as he's averaged 13.2 PPG in his career (1st season was back in 2012-13). I also didn't mention rookie guard Herro (13.3), who has stepped up with extra "PT" the last two games to score 44 points. The Magic are just 8-15 on the road and 1-6 SU on the back end of back-to-back games on the season. Meanwhile, Miami has an advantage with the extra rest (off since Friday) and note the Heat are 9-1 (8-2 ATS) this season when they have at least two days off before a game. Let's also NOT forget Miami's 20-2 SU (15-6-1 ATS) here at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* ACC Game of the Year is on NC State at 7:00 ET.

The North Carolina Tar Heels (9-10 / 2-6 in ACC) snapped a FIVE-game losing streak with a 94-71 victory over Miami-Fl on Saturday. Senior guard Brandon Robinson (13.3-3.4-3.1) was involved in a car accident on Jan 11 and did not play in Wednesday’s loss at Virginia Tech but scored a career-best 29 points against the 'Canes. The NC State Wolfpack (14-6 / 5-4 in ACC) saw their three-game winning streak end with a disappointing 64-58 defeat Saturday at Georgia Tech. NC State was outscored 14-3 after taking a 55-50 lead with 6:21 remaining and senior guard C.J. Bryce, the Wolfpack’s leading scorer at 13.9 PPG, went scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting from the floor. “It's disappointing because I just didn't think we brought it today,” NC State head coach Kevin Keatts told reporters after the game.

The Tar Heels continue to miss freshman PG Cole Anthony (19.1-6.3-3.6), who had knee surgery in December (last played Dec 8). Joining Robinson as the Tar Heels' main contributors are 6-9 junior Garrison Brooks (15.1 & 9.2) and 6-10 freshman Armando Bacot (10.6 & 7.9). He flirted with a triple-double against Miami (19 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists). North Carolina's win over Miami snapped its longest losing streak since 2003. Carolina shot 58 percent from the floor, a season high for the Tar Heels.

NC State opened its season (Nov 5) with a home game against Ga Tech and lost, 82-81 (OT). That made the loss at struggling Ga Tech (9-11 / 4-6) even harder to take. Senior PG Markell Johnson (13.2-4.5-6.5) led the Wolfpack on Saturday with 21 points on 8-for-16 shooting. Joining him and Bryce (see above) in double digits are 6-10 junior forward D.J. Funderburk (18.8 & 5.9) and junior guard Daniels (11.1 & 4.9). Also contributing are the 6-7 Hellems (9.6 & 3.7) and 6-11 freshman Bates (5.7 & 4.0), although Bates missed Saturday's game with a concussion.

Here's the bottom line. It's been 'dark' days for North Carolina BKB this season (can you say "Matt Doherty?") and a win over sad-sack Miami (2-7 in the ACC) is hardly a big deal. NC/NC St is NOT Carolina/Duke (no rivalry is) but with the Wolfpack coming off a HUGELY disappointing loss at Ga Tech, they should be PRIMED to avenge their two losses to the Tar Heels last season. I noted above the NC State opened its season with a home loss (to Ga Tech) but the team has won 11 in a row at PNC Arena, since. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (MVC) is on Northern Iowa at 4:00 ET.

Porter Moser's Loyola-Chicago Ramblers made that great run to the Final 4 in 2018, finishing with 32 wins. Last year's team won a more modest 20 games, after losing in the NIT's first round. Gone from last season were Custer and Townes, who won back-to-back POY honors in the MVC, as well as Ingram. However, the Ramblers are making a strong run at winning the MVC this season at 14-6 overall and more importantly, 6-1 in league play (currently reside in 1st-place). Northern Iowa' Ben Jacobson is in his 14th season at Cedar Falls and has led the Panthers to four NCAA berths. Most notably a Sweet 16 trip in 2010 (30 wins) and a 31-win season in 2015, when Northern Iowa surprisingly lost in the Round of 32. However, Northern Iowa opened this season off season of 14, 16 and 16 wins. Clearly, the team's current 16-3 record (5-2 in the MVC, 2nd to only Loyola), proves the last three seasons are "in the past."

Three starters did return for Loyola and are contributing as expected. 6-9 center Krutwig leads in scoring (15.0), rebounding (8.1) and assists (4.6). Guard Williamson chips in 8.5 & 3.5 and the 6-7 Uguak adds 5.4 & 3.2. Also making a big impact are 6-6 swingman Hall (14.0 & 4.2), a JC transfer, and freshman guard Kennedy (9.3). Keith Clemons averaged 15.1 points and 5.1 assists per game in 2018-19, while helping Vincennes to a 34-2 overall record and the NJCAA Division I national championship, became eligible at the start of December and has 9.0 points in 12 games.

The Panthers are off a 68-66 loss at Southern Illinois, snapping a five-game winning streak. Four starters return form last season's team and guards Green (19.5-3.1-3.1), Berhow (14.4 & 5.0) and Haldeman (8.7 & 3.5) have all performed as expected. Brown is a senior guard and has added 8.4 & 4.7. The 6-9 Phyfe played just SEVEN games last year due to an illness but is healthy this season, adding 10.1 & 7.4. The 7-0 Dahl averages just over 11 MPG but has added 4.5 & 2.7.

Loyola shoots 51.9 percent from the floor (2nd-best in the nation) but its deliberate style of play has them scoring a modest 69.9 PPG (227th). The Ramblers' D is top-notch, allowing 60.2 PPG (13th). However, after edging Northern Iowa's 16-win team of a year ago just 61-60 and 56-55 in two meetings, I believe the Ramblers are in the WRONG place and the WRONG time here at Northern Iowa's McLeod Center. A win here ties Northern Iowa atop the MVC in what is developing into a "big season" for the Panthers.

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* Game of the Week is on the Den Nuggets at 3:35 ET.

The Houston Rockets broke a four-game losing streak by beating the Nuggets 121-105 in Houston on Wednesday. The Rockets followed up that win with a 131-124 victory at Minnesota on Friday, as Russell Westbrook had 45 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Westbrook had 28-16-8 in the win over Denver and his surge has helped cover a slump from fellow former MVP James Harden, who went 3-of-13 from the floor and finished with a season-low 12 points in the win over the Timberwolves. The Nuggets rebounded from their loss at Houston by holding off Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans in a 113-106 on Friday to finish off a three-game trip at 2-1. Denver is 31-14 (No. 4 seed in the West) and 4 1/2 games back of the top-seeded Lakers, while Houston is 28-16, SEVEN games back of the Lakers (currently own the No. 5 seed).

Westbrook (25.8-8.1-7.4) is averaging 34.2 points on 57 percent shooting over the last five game,while Harden (36.1-6.2-7.3) is trending in the opposite direction, shooting 33.3 percent over the last five games, including 6-of-44 from beyond the arc (13.6%). Of greater concern here, he's questionable for Sunday due to a thigh contusion. Houston SG Eric Gordon is averaging 26 points over the last two games and is rounding back into form. He's played in just 20 of Houston's 44 games this season but is now up to 14.5 PPG, just below his career average of 16.6 PPG. Center Capela (14.4 & 14.0) is a steady presence, as is PF Tucker (7.6 & 71.). SF House (10.0) has started 29 games and SG McLemore (9.9) has started 15.

The Nuggets were down three starters (Murray, Millsap and Harris) and two reserves (Michael Porter Jr. and Mason Plumlee) in Wednesday's loss at Houston but they got Gary Harris and Porter back Friday night when they beat the Pelicans in New Orleans. Porter (7.4 & 3.9) was excellent on Friday, with 15 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes. PG Murray (17.6-4.1-4.6), PF Millsap (11.9 & 5.8) and Plumlee (7.4 & 5.6) will all miss again, here. However, Denver's strength is its depth. Center Jokic leads the team in scoring (19.6), rebounding (10.0) and assits (6.4) plus SF Barton has stayed relatively injury free (has played an started 42 of 45 games), averaging 14.9-6.6-3.7. Harris (10.9) is a solid player plus PF Grant (10.6 & 3.5), PG Morris (7.6 7 3.5 APG) and SG Beasley (7.5) will all be happy to get more minutes. .Even point guard PJ Dozier has played well in spurts (7.3 PPG in about 14 minutes per game in six contests), after getting called up from the G-League

Denver was the NBA's best home team last season (34-7) but has not been quite that good so far this season (17-6). However, the home team has won the last SIX meetings in this series, including Denver's 105-95 triumph over visiting Houston back on Nov 20. Remember, Harden may not play, could be limited or could just continue his poor shooting. 'The price is sure right' in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Month is on Virginia/Wake Forest Over at 12:00 ET.

Virginia won the national championship last April (school's first-ever) but the Cavaliers appear to be just another middle-of-the-pack ACC team as January 2020 nears its end. The Cavs began the season ranked 11th in the AP preseason poll and opened 7-0. They were ranked 5th when they lost 69-40 at Purdue on Dec 4 and as 2020 dawned, the Cavs began with a dominating 65-39 win over Va Tech (Jan 4), giving them an 11-2 overall record, including 3-0 in the ACC. However, the Cavs have lost FOUR of their last five, as they try to "right the ship" Sunday at Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons have also lost four of five after Tuesday's 71-68 defeat at Clemson, leaving them 9-9 overall and just 2-6 in ACC play (Cavs are 4-4)

Gone from last year's champs are the team's top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). Those current NBA players have proven hard to replace. This season's UVA team features an unique guard duo, the 6-8 Key (10.2 & 7.2) and 5-9 PG Clark (9.8-4.3-5.9). The team's most consistent player is 6-9 senior forward Mamadi Diakite, who leads the team in scoring (13.1) and is second to Key in rebounding (6.8). The 7-1 Huff (9.0 & 6.1) joins Diatka up front and this "Core 4" is basically Virginia's team this season.The Cavs broke a three-game slide witha 63-58 win at Ga Tech on Jan 18th but dropped a 53-51 decision at home Monday to North Carolina State, after fighting back from an 11-point, second-half deficit to take a four-point lead with 4 1/2 minutes left. Clark led the offense with 10 points Monday and  Diakite blocked three shots to move into third on Virginia's career list with 142. Freshman guard Casey Morsell (4.6 PPG) tallied nine points and five rebounds in 32 minutes off the bench. However, after shooting 47.2% in the win over Ga Tech, the Cvs shot just 36.0& against the Wolfpack.

Danny Manning is now in his sixth season as Wake's head coach and it would be hard to say that things are headed in the right direction. He had just ONE winning season in his first five (65-93, .411 overall) and as noted, is 9-9 (2-6 ACC) so far this season. The Demon Deacons led by six at the half against Clemson but the Tigers rallied and freshman Ismael Massoud's game-tying three-point attempt missed in the closing seconds. Wake has THREE double digit scorers in veteran guard Childress (15.2 & 4.7 APG) and Brown (13.3 & 6.5) plus 7-0 junior center Sarr adds 13.0 & 9.5. The bad news is, Brown is out with a leg injury. Sarr had 16 points and 12 rebounds vs Clemson (his seventh double-double of the season), while Childress added 14 points and six assists. Andrien White (8.8 points), a grad transfer from Charlotte, scored a season-high 22 points.

Virginia has won SEVEN straight in the series, including three straight at Wake Forest. The Cavaliers won 68-45 at home in last season's lone meeting. The Cavs are shooting just 40.4 percent on the season but 'getting well' vs Wake Forest seems HIGHLY-LIKELY! The Demon Deacons rank 13th in the ACC in defensive efficiency (108.8 points per 100 possessions), are last in forcing turnovers (13.3 percent) and 14th in two-point field-goal percentage (53%).Yes, UVA is allowing just 49.7 PPG (1st) but Wake is averaging 72.5 PPG. Wake games have averaged 147.9 PPG over its last nine, with those contests going 8-0-1 in favor of the Over. On average, Wake's last nine game totals are 4 'TDs' HIGHER than the opening total of this one. This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big-12/SEC Showdown is on Florida at 8:00 ET.

Baylor head coach Scott Drew took the head coaching position at Baylor after the resignation of Dave Bliss due to scandal. Four years of sanctions later, Drew got things turned around and Baylor has had 12 straight winning seasons, making eight NCAA tourneys plus finishing as runner-up in the 2009 NIT and winning it in 2013. Baylor is currently working on a  2019-20 season that could be VERY special. The Bears (16-1, 6-0 Big 12) are coming off a 61-57 home victory against conference rival Oklahoma on Monday, hours after becoming the SEVENTH different team to move atop the AP top-25 this season (note: It's just the second time Baylor has been ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, the first time coming in 2017). Scott Drew takes his team's blue-collar work ethic into a hostile Stephen C. O'Connell Center for a game in the Big-12/SEC Challenge, where the Bears will take on the Gators. Expectations were high for Florida entering this season, as the Gators were able to get the most sought after graduate transfer on the market in the 6-10 Kerry Blackshear. The Orlando native played at Va Tech but when Tech head coach Buzz Williams left for A&M, Blackshear decided to 'come home.' The Gators were ranked 6th in both preseason polls but Florida is a disappointing 12-6 (4-2 SEC).

Baylor hung on at home against Oklahoma on Monday to win six straight Big 12 games in the same season for the first time in school history, forcing a miss on a potential go-ahead three-pointer by the Sooners with six seconds left to pull out a 61-57 victory. The Bears' 6-0 start in conference play is their first such run since they won their first 10 SWC games in 1948 en route to thei school's only appearance in the national championship, a runner-up finish to Kentucky. Baylor has been greatly helped by two transfers this season, guard MaCio Teague (13.6 & 4.8) and fellow guard Mitchell (9.7), an Auburn transfer. The duo joins a deep backcourt which also features leading scorer Butler (16.1), Bandoo (7.5 & 4.3) and Vital (6.1 & 6.0). The 6-8 Gillespie (9.9 & 9.3) has been the team's best frontcourt player, as the 6-10 Clark (14.6 & 6.3 last season before being lost for the year to an injury) has played in just 13 games and is NOT the same player, averaging 4.5 & 2.3.

The Gators are wrapping up what will likely be their most difficult three-game stretch of the season. The run began with last Saturday's 69-47 home rout of then-No. 4 Auburn. Florida then nearly rallied from a 10-point deficit with just over a minute remaining Tuesday at LSU (the lone remaining unbeaten team in SEC play), but the comeback attempt fell just short in an 84-82 loss. Kerry Blackshear Jr. leads the team in scoring (14.8) and rebounding (8.7) and  ranks second in the SEC with eight double-doubles (note: he has recorded two performances of exactly 24 points and 16 boards in the Gators' last three home contests). PG Andrew Nembhard (11.0 & 6.1 APG) produced 15 points and 10 assists Tuesday to become the first Florida player with multiple points/assists double-doubles in a season since Nick Calathes in 2008-09. Fellow sophomore guard Noah Locke (10.5 points) extended his streak of burying at least one 3-pointer to 15 games, the longest such run by a Gator since at least 1996. Joining Nembhard and Locke in the backcourt are Lewis (8.6 & 4.5), Glover (5.3) and Mann (5.1). SF Keyontae Johnson (12.7 & 6.7) ranks second on the team in scoring and rebounding, while 6-10 freshman Payne (5.3 & 4.8) also contributes up front. In fact, he had his first career double-double (19 & 11) in the win against Auburn.

These are two excellent defensive teams, as Baylor is allowing 5.8.5 PPG (5th in the nation) and Florida 66.3 PPG. The Gators have disappointed so far but take note that Florida has averaged 83.4 points over its last seven contests, after failing to top 83 points in any of its first 11 games. Florida was obviously rated too high at the start of the season but this team has the talent to make some 'noise' come March.How about 'making some noise' here in late-January by taking down No. 1 Baylor? That's my bet.

Good luck...Larry