My 9* Conference Crusher (SEC) is on Georgia at 5:30 ET.

Kermit Davis spent 16 seasons at Middle Tenn St  and led the Blue Raiders into the postseason in SEVEN of his final nine seasons at Murfreesboro. That included THREE trips to the Big Dance and his 2017 team won 31 games. He took over at Oxford last season ans the Rebels were able to 'sneak' into the NCAA tourney but lost their first game, finishing 20-13. However, Year 2 has NOT gone as planned, as Ole Miss is 9-9, including an 0-5 start in SEC play. Tom Crean had success at Marquette (five NCAAs, including a Final 4) and Indiana (four NCAAs, including three Sweet 16s) but his first season at Georgia (2018-19) produced an 11-21 record, including 2-16 in SEC play. This year's team went 10-3 in non-conference play but is off to a 1-4 start in league play.

The Rebels losing streak stretched to six games Tuesday at Tennessee with a 73-48 setback. Senior guard Breein Tyree (18.9) leads the SEC in scoring in conference games at 26.8 points and surpassed the 1,500-point career mark Tuesday, but was limited to 18 points (four in the first half) on 7-for-22 shooting. “We got outclassed in every phase,” Ole Miss coach Kermit Davis told the media postgame. Hinson (11.0 & 5.2) and Shuler (10.3-4.6-3.7) join Tyree in the backcourt, while the 6-7 Buffen (9.9 & 6.40 and the 6-10 Sy (8.5 *& 5.10 are the team's top frontcourt producers.

The Bulldogs lost for the fourth time in five SEC games at No. 15 Kentucky on Tuesday (89-79) but Crean saw some encouraging signs. The Bulldogs trailed by 10 points nearly eight minutes in, but fought back to take a brief lead, and in the second half closed within three points twice before Kentucky pulled away for the 10-point win. Guard Anthony Edwards scored 16 points against Kentucky and is the nation’s highest-scoring freshman at 18.9 points (second overall in the SEC). Fellow freshman, PG Wheeler, adds 7.4 & 4.5 APG plus senior guards Crump (7.3) and Gresham (6.4 & 5.1) give Georgia an excellent perimeter group. 6-9 junior forward/center Rayshaun Hammonds averages 13.9 points and 8.2 rebounds plus is starting to get some help up front from 6-8 freshman Camara (6.4 & 4.3).

Ole Miss swept the season series from Georgia in 2018-19 but this year's team does not resemble last year's  NCAA-bound one. As for the vastly improved Bulldogs (remember, 11-21 LY), they are 9-1 at Stegeman Coliseum, the lone defeat being a 78-69 setback to Kentucky on Jan 7. Ole Miss is NO Kentucky. The Rebels come in on an 0-8-1 ATS run and "double revenge" works in Athens for this one..

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Utah Jazz at 5:05 ET.

The Utah Jazz have won 18 of their last 20 games to, at 31-13, pull into the No. 2 spot in the Western Conference, 4 1/2 game behind the Lakers. Four teams are within 'shouting distance' (three games) of the Jazz, including their opponent tonight, the 28-16 Dallas Mavericks. The Mavericks have won FOUR of five and more notably, own a 15-5 SU road record. Only the 20-4 Lakers and 19-4 Bucks own better away records.

The Mavericks survived a barrage of three-pointers from the Trail Blazers in a 133-125 victory at Portland on Thursday with their own, knocking down 22 from beyond the arc and shooting 51.6 percent from the floor. That contest marked  Dallas' first game playing  without center Dwight Powell, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in Tuesday's loss to the LA Clippers. Powell was averaging 9.4 & 5.7 but was an important part of the team. Porzingis (17.1 & 9.2) was in the middle most of the night and he responded with 20 points and five rebounds while Luka Doncic led SEVEN scorers in double figures with 27 points. Doncic has elevated his game beyond what he showed a season ago, when he captured NBA Rookie of the Year honors, posting a Westbrook-like season (29.1-9.6-9.0). Hardaway (14.3) and Seth Curry (10.6) are the only other Mavericks in double digits.

Depth is NOT an issue for the Jazz. SF Bogdanovic (21.1 & 4.1) and PG Conley (13.0 & 4.3 APG) were the team's major off-season acquisitions and although Conley has underwhelmed, the Jazz were able to 'steal' Clarkson away from the Cavs, when Gonley was sidelined. He's been OUTSTANDING, playing in 14 games while averaging 14.4 PPG, as the Jazz are 13-1 since he joined the team. Mitchell (24.7-4.2-4.2) remains Utah's best player but center Gobert (15.6 & 14.5) could be its most valuable. Ingles (10.9-4.2-5.0) gives Utah SIX double digit scorers plus four more players chip in between 5.9 & 7.8 PPG.

Much of Gobert's effectiveness starts with his willingness to do little things to get teammates going. He is one the best in the league in creating screen assists. His energy in locking down on the defensive end also gives them confidence that they can do their job. He is averaging 17.7 points, 15.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks in January. The Jazz are 16-4 ATS during their current stretch of  winning 18 of 20 and the team's last three wins have come by an average margin of 28.3 points.The Mavs are said to be in the process of acquiring big man Willie Cauley-Stein from the Warriors but facing the Jazz (and Gobert) without a quality center, spells bad news. This is the first meeting of the year for these teams but the Jazz took three of the four meetings last season, including both games at home by margins of 15 and 16 points. Nothing much changes here, as this price is WAAAY to 'cheap.'

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Texas A&M at 4:00 ET.

Head coach Mike Boynton's Cowboys won 20 and 21 games in his first two seasons at Stillwater but OSU was just 12-20 last year. However, all FIVE starters returned  this season. That sounded good as the Cowboys opened 7-0 and began Big 12 play at 9-3 but OSU has opened conference play 0-6, including 0-6 ATS. Buzz Williams spent five seasons at Marquette, leading the Golden Eagles to five NCAA tourneys, including two Sweet 16s and an Elite 8. It was then on to Va Tech for five years, ending in three straight NCAA bids, making the Sweet 16 last year. Williams is always on the move and he took the job at Texas A&M to start this season. After a 3-1 start, the Aggies lost FOUR in a row. However, the team is starting to jell, having gone 6-3 SU and ATS its last nine games. Oklahoma State and Texas A&M step out of conference to meet in the Big 12/SEC Challenge on Saturday in College Station, Texas.

The change in scenery could be a welcome sight for the Cowboys, as they are 0-6 in the Big 12 for the second time in four seasons. Senior guards Lindy Waters (12.1 & 4.8) and Thomas Dziagwa (8.9) plus the 6-7 Cameron McGriff (10.1 & 6.7) were named tri-captains at the start of the season. Joining them as main contributors are sophomore PG Isaac Likekele (11.5-4.9-4.2) and 6-10 sophomore Yor Anei (8.3 & 4.7).

Texas A&M has split six SEC games after a 66-64 victory at Missouri on Tuesday, behind guard Savion Flagg's 14 points and six rebounds. Aggies 6-9 forward Josh Nebo paces the team with 12.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks. Flagg (11.2) is the only other A&M player in double digits but FOUR more guards chip in between 6.6 & 8.2 PPG, led by freshman Gordon. Another freshman, the 6-7 Miller, adds 4.9 & 5.9 up front with Nebo.

Oklahoma State won 23 of 33 meetings when Texas A&M was a member of the Big 12 from 1996-2012 but that's "old news." Buzz Williams is finding some scorers who are beginning to comprehend his motion offense and it sure helps to be able to "get the ball inside" to the 6-9 Nebo, who has averaged 17.3 points his last three. No way this sad-sack Oklahoma St team should be a favorite on the road!

Good luck...Larry

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

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 has opened 4-2 in the talented. 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 Draf. Memphis is 14-4 (3-2 in the AAC) and ranked 20th in the latest AP poll but got 'waxed' 80-40 at Tulsa on Wednesday.

SMU is 14-4 overall and comies into Saturday's matchup off a dominant performance in which the Mustangs routed East Carolina 84-64. "It was our best offensive game of the year. Best ball movement, best execution, best spacing and best basketball we have played all year without question on the offensive end," Tim Jankovich said in his postgame press conference. The 84 points marked the team's highest output in regulation since a Dec. 23 win over Georgia State, and the Mustangs' scoring high in league play. 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 15.9-4.5-7.4 and is joined in the backcourt by JC transfer Tyson Jolly (14.8 & 6.8). Then there are two 6-8 forwards, Isiaha Mike (14.8 & 7.1)  and Feron Hunt (13.1 & 7.5). The 6-9 Chargois, who averaged 12.4 & 6.2 last season, has under-performed (8.1 & 4.6).

Since center 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 15.1 points and 10.2 RPG (he's the only AAC player to average a double-double). Fellow freshman, the 6-7 D.J. Jeffries checks in at 11.1 & 4.6 but has failed to score in double figures in three of the last four games. One of three non-freshmen on the roster is sophomore PG Alex Lomax, who has started the last three games and is now averaging 7.5-4.0.47. Freshman guard Quinones (10.5 & 3.40 leads a group of FIVE guards scoring between 5.2 and 10.5 PPG.

Memphis was dealt an embarrassing 40-point beatdown at the hands of unranked Tulsa, the worst loss by a ranked team against an unranked opponent since 1993! Memphis scored only 40 points against Tulsa while shooting 28.6 percent from the floor and 2-for-21 from three-point range (all season lows) and allowed the Golden Hurricane to shoot 50 percent from the floor. However, despite the poor defensive showing against Tulsa, the Tigers still lead the country in field goal percentage defense (35.7%). It's "bounce-back" time in a BIG way. Lay the points with Memphis.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Arkansas at 4:00 ET.

Jamie Dixon had  great career at Pitt, taking the Panthers to 13 straight postseasons (11 NCAAs), before returning to his alma mater, TCU. He's won 20-plus games in his first three seasons at Fort Worth, winning the NIT in hid first season (2017) and making the NIT semis last season, sandwiched around an NCAA appearance in 2018. His Horned frogs are 13-5 this season, including in 4-2 in the Big 12.

Mike Anderson never fulfilled his promise at Arkansas and was let go after eight seasons (just three NCAA bids). To the rescue has come Eric Mussleman, who led Nevada to the CBI title in his first season at Reno (2015-16) and then to three consecutive NCAA tourneys the last three years (won 28, 29 and 29 games!). Four starters returned  for Arkansas but Mussleman added FIVE transfers in his first five months on the job. The Razorbacks were coming off a 18-16 season but enter this contest 14-4 (3-3 in the SEC).

The two schools step outside of conference play for this Big-12/SEC Challenge game. There is a little more optimism around the TCU program after its 65-54 home victory over Texas Tech (Tuesday) since that broke a two-game losing streak in which the Horned Frogs were outscored by a combined 52 points. The Horned Frogs are led by one of the top scorers in the Big 12, senior guard Desmond Bane, who averages 17.2-6.7-3.4. He's joined by three more guards in the starting lineup, including Nembhard (12.2-3.80-3.3), Dennis (7.7) and Grayer (7.1). 6-10 sophomore center Kevin Samuel is the only non-guard in the Horned Frogs' starting lineup, but he's a force in the paint, averaging 10.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks.

Arkansas has a similar starting five, led by four guards, including three that are averaging at least 15.1 points. Mason Jones (18.3-6.2-3.5) leads the way, followed by Isaiah Joe (16.8 & 4.7) and Jimmy Whitt Jr.(15.1 & 5.2). Whitt is the only one of those five transfers making a significant contribution. Arkansas does not have anyone to match TCU's Samuel, as its best frontcourt player is the 6-6 Bailey (6.4 & 4.8).

Expect Arkansas to be totally focused here, after back-to-back bitter losses at home to Kentucky (73-66) and at Mis St (77-70). Arkansas is 10-1 at home (lone loss to Kentucky), while TCU is playing only its FOURTH true road game and is already 0-2 as s  road underdog. Arkansas win this one "with room to spare!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* LEGEND play is on Butler at 9:00 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 day later, the Hauser brothers, Sam (14.9 & 7.2( and Joey (9.7 & 5.3), announced that they were transferring. The Golden Eagles travel to legendary Hinkle Fieldhouse on Friday night to take on the Butler Bulldogs. Butler has had a 'rich' recent history on the basketball court. The Bulldogs made six NCAA trips from 1997-2007, before Brad Stevens took them to FIVE tourneys in six years, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2011. Chris Holtmann led Butler to three straight NCAA appearances from 2015-17 and LaVell Jordan followed with an NCAA berth in 2018 but the Bulldogs finished just 16-17 last season. However, Butler opened 7-0 and on Dec 2 entered the AP poll at No. 24, ending a span of 43 consecutive polls on "the outside, looking in!' Butler sat at 15-1 at the beginning of last week and was ranked 5th in the latest AP poll, the highest rating in school history. However, Butler's red-hot start to the season has disappeared in a flash. Butler dropped an eight-point decision against Seton Hall (then ranked 18th but now ranked 10th) on Jan 15, got stunned by a 13-point loss at DePaul on Saturday (a team that had opened 0-4 in Big East play) and lost badly at No. 9 Villanova on Tuesday, 76-61. In contrast, 14-5 Marquette (4-3 in Big East) comes on a three-game winning streak, trending in the opposite direction of Butler and its three-game slide.

Markus Howard (28.4) is averaging 31.7 PPG in Big East play, after averaging 36.3 over his last three games (all Big East wins). Senior guard Sacar Anim ranks second to Howard on the team in scoring at 12.5 PPG, after recording 21 to tie a season high in the team's 82-68 victory over St John's on Tuesday. PG McEwen checks in at 9.6-4.8-3.2 plus a trio of frontcourt players, the 6-8 Bailey (7.7 & 5.4), the 6-7 Cain (5.0 & 4.3) and John (4.9 & 4.9) round out Marquette's main contributors.

Butler held each of its first 16 opponents to 67 points or fewer in going 15-1 but has now allowed an average of 77.7 PPG during its three-game slide. Senior guard Kamar Baldwin paces the squad with 15.4 PPG (adds 4.2 RPG) and played well in the loss to 'Nova, scoring  21 points. PG Thompson (6.6-3.5-5.1) joins Baldwin in the backcourt, while a quartet of forwards round out the core of Butler's team. 6-6 senior forward Sean McDermott (11.0 & 5.7) is the only other player on the team averaging in double digits but is coming off an 'ugly' performance against the Wildcats in which he was 1-of-11 from the floor, including 0-of-7 from three-point range. Playing up front with McDermott are Tucker (9.5 & 4.1), Nze (9.4 & 7.0) and Golden (8.0 & 3.6). Golden had 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting in the Villanova loss, Nze notched his third double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.

Marquette 'kicked' Butler last year when the Bulldogs were down (16-17), winning both meetings, 76-58 at Butler and 79-69 at home. Howard scored 60 points on 23-of-43 shooting in two wins against Butler last season but expect Butler's Baldwin, an outstanding defender, to bring his "A game" with Butler in dire need of confidence-building win. Butler is 9-1 SU at home (7-3 ATS), while Marquette is 1-3 SU &ATS as a road dog this season. I won my most recent "signature" play in CBB last Saturday on UVA, which broke its own three-game losing streak. It's deja vu all over again" right here with Butler.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Mia Heat at 8:05 ET.

It's an East vs West matchup Friday night in South Beach, as the Clippers take on the Heat. The Clippers are 31-14, FIVE games back of the Lakers for the West;s best record but just a half-game back of the Jazz for the West's No. 2 seed (Nuggets are just a half-game back of the Clippers plus the Mavs are only 2 1/2 games back). The Heat check in at 31-13 and that leaves them second to only the NBA-best Bucks in the East. Of course, Milwaukee's 98-6 record gives them an EIGHT-game lead over Miami. Catching Milwaukee may be a 'bride too far' for any East team but there is a rel 'scrum' right behind the Bucks, as the while the Heat are currently the No. 2 seed, Miami's margin over the East's No. 6 seed is only THREE games.

The LA Clippers are 12-10 on the road, after dropping a 102-95 decision to the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. Paul George (23.5-7.4-5.0) has missed SEVEN straight games due to a strained left hamstring and will not play here. However, Kawhi Leonard will return to the lineup after sitting out on the second end of a back-to-back in the loss to the Hawks. He's averaging 27.1-7.4-5.0 on the season and has been OUTSTANDING in averaging 36 points during a stretch of six straight 30-point outings, the franchise's best such streak since scoring machine Lloyd Free put together 11 straight during the 1979-80 season when the club was located in San Diego. Without Leonard and George, LA held a 19-point halftime lead against the Hawks, before being outscored 61-35 in the second half. Backup PF Montrezl Harrell (19.4 & 7.2) scored 30 points for his fifth 30-point effort of the season. He and Low Williams (19.9 & 6.1 APG) typically come off the bench but with George out and guard Beverley (8.3-6.0-4.0) out tonight with a groin injury, Doc Rivers may start Williams again (not his preferred role).

Miami let a 21-point lead get away at home on Wednesday vs the Wizards, before escaping with a 134-129 overtime victory. That gives the Heat an NBA-best 20-1 home record plus the Heat are a PERFECT 8-0 in OT games this season. Jimmy Butler (20.3-7.0-6.5) had 24 points and 10 assists against Washington, while undrafted rookie Nunn (16.2) added 14 points and PG Goran Dragic (15.8 & 5.0 APG) produced a big game off the bench with 22 points, 10 assists and six rebounds. However, all three are questionable for this game with nagging injuries. That said, with the Clippers in town and the Heat not playing again until Monday, I'm not buying all three will miss. By the way, rookie guard Herro (13.3 & 4.1) scored 25 points off the bench vs Washington and made seven 3-pointers to set a franchise record for most by a rookie. The 6-9 Adebayo has thrived with more playing time (with the Whiteside trade), averaging 15.8-10.5-4.6 with a team-leading 24 double-doubles. 6-7 second-year player Robinson (11.8) has been a steady contributor all season plus while Leonard (6.1 & 5.0) typically starts at center, Olynyk adds 7.5 & 4.5 off the bench. There has also been a James Johnson 'sighting' lately, as the former 2009 first round pick recently played In a season-high 29 minutes and scored  22 points when Butler sat out Monday against Sacramento.

My point is, I'd obviously prefer "all hands on deck," but a few 'missing pieces' will NOT get me off Miami here, as a home dog (20-1 SU at home, remember?). The George-less and Beverley-less Clippers are playing their FOURTH game in seven days. Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

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

Wisconsin has been to the "Big Dance" in 20 of the last 21 seasons and while the Badgers lost the 6-10 Happ (17.3 & 10.1) and a solid guard in Iverson (6.9 & 4.5) from last season's 23-win NCAA team, the Badgers have a solid returning core. The Badgers got off to a disappointing 5-5 but is 12-7, after the Badgers set a program record with 18 three-pointers en route to an 82-68 victory over Nebraska Tuesday, moving them into a tie for third place in the conference standings at 5-3. 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 looking to pick up the pieces after suffering its first season sweep at the hands of No. 20 Illinois since the 2008-09 campaign. 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 Tuesday to see their 15-game conference home winning streak come to an end.

The 6-11 Reuvers (14.0 & 5.4) may not be Happ but he's a quality man. He finished with 12 points and four blocked shots against Nebraska to overtake Rashard Griffith (124) for fourth place on the program’s all-time blocks list. Davison (9.3 & 4.6) scored 11 of his team-high 14 points in the second half as the Badgers shot 52.9 percent from beyond the arc, eclipsing the previous school record of 17 three-pointers set on Dec 23, 2010 against Coppin State. Fellow guards Brevin Pritzl (7.4 & 3.3) had 12 points while D’Mitrik Trice (9.0-4.2-3.5) added 11 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists to register the first double-double of his career. The 6-10 Micah Potter, an Ohio St transfer who became eligible in December, has averaged 9.3 & 5.8 in nine games, with teh Badgers going 7-2 since he joined the team.

Purdue has nice balance, as FIVE players average between 9.2 and 11.3 PPG. The 6-9 Williams leads in scoring (11.3) and rebounding (7.5) and is joined up front by the 7-3 Haarms (10.0 & 5.3). A trio of guards follow, including Hunter (10.5 & 3.4), Stefanovic (9.6) and Proctor (9.2),. Filling out the roster are guards Eastern (5.3 & 4.4) and Thompson (4.9), while the 6-9 Wheeler (4.1 & 5.1) helps out Williams and Haarms up front. Eastern scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds while Trevion Williams continued his stellar play of late by adding 12 points in the loss to Illinois to finish in double figures for the eighth time in his last 10 games. Matt Haarms produced 10 points, six rebounds and all three of the team's blocked shots while Sasha Stefanovic finished with nine points but the Boilermakers lost the battle of the boards 37-19. “We just got out-toughed it’s just that easy,” Haarms told reporters. “You’ve got to hit a guy on a rebound and we failed to do that … so that’s what happened.”

I have to expect this is a great bounce-back spot for Purdue, as the Boilermakers had won 15 straight Big Ten games at home prior to Tuesday's defeat. They are looking to beat the  Badgers for the SIXTH time in their last seven meetings, a streak which includes three straight home wins over Wisconsin by an average of 16.6 PPG. This is Purdue's game!

Good luck...Larry

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

Mick Cronin started his career by leading Murray St to two NCAA tourneys in his three seasons at that 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 9-9 Bruins (2-3 in Pac 12) aren’t playing defense the way Cronin would like plus have yet to identify a go-to score. Up in Corvallis, 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. The Beavers welcome the Bruins to town just 2-4 in Pac 12 play, as their record now sits at 12-6.

Junior guard Chris Smith (12.3 & 5.6) is UCLA's lone double digit scorer but he has averaged 15.6 points & 8.6 rebounds in league play. 6-10 forward Jalen Hill (9.9 & 7.3) is about to climb into double digits, as he has scored at least 11 points in each of the Bruins’ last three games. Senior guard Prince Ali (8.9)  plus freshman guards Jaquez  (8.1 & 4.5)  and Campbell (7.2 & 4.5 APG) plus the 6-9 Riley (8.4 & 4.8) round out the main contributors.

Oregon State gets almost all of its production from its starting-five. Tinkle (19.7-9.6-3.7) and Thompson (16.1-4.2-4.6) lead the way. Tinkle is joined in the frontcourt by the 7-0 Kelley (11.4 & 4.9) and the 6-6 Hollins (6.1 & 3.5), while Reichle (8.6) starts in the backcourt with Thompson. Thompson is shooting 50.3 percent from the floor, while Kelley has scored in double figures in FIVE consecutive games and is second in the nation in blocked shots per game (3.94).

Oregon St has already beaten likely Pac-12 Big Dance reps Colorado and Arizona here at Gill Coliseum and it's HARD to ignore that UCLA comes in 2-7 ATS in its last nine games. Oregon St beat UCLA 79-66last season here in Corvallis and that margin seems about right in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on Michigan St at 8:30 ET.

Michigan St made last year's Final Four and was voted the AP's preseason No. 1 time for the first time in school history. However, it hasn't been a  'smooth ride' this season for Tom Izzo's Spartans, who are currently 11th in the latest AP at 14-4, although they do lead the Big Ten at 6-1. 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 schedule has been home-based and 'soft.' The Hoosiers can match MSU's overall record of 14-4 but they are just 4-3 in Big Ten play.

Senior PG Cassius Winston leads the way for Michigan State, pacing the team in scoring (18.1 points) and assists (6.1). 6-8 forward Xavier Tillman has become a solid second scoring threat by averaging 13.9 PPG plus leads the team with 10.0 RPG. MSU had expected  SG Joshua Langford (15.0 PPG before getting hurt last season) to be back this season but his ankle just hasn't improved. Gone from last season's Final 4 team are the 6-9 Ward (12.9 & 6.1), the 6-7 Goins (7.9 & 8.9) and SG McQuaid (9.8). The 6-6 Henry (9.9 & 4.4) and 6-7 Brown (8.6 & 4.4) have been solid players plus freshman guard Watts (7.0) and 6-7 freshman forward Hall (4.8 & 3.3) have been steady contributors.

The good news for Indiana is that the Hoosiers are finally healthy in the backcourt, with Devonte Green (11.1), Al Durham (10.5), Rob Phinisee (7.1) and Armaan Franklin (4.7) all able to play major minutes if called upon. Highly-touted 6-9 freshman Jackson-Davis (14.2 & 8.2) has been as good as advertised plus he's joined up front by returning 6-7 forward Smith (12.2 & 5.4) and 6-11 Butler graduate transfer Brunk (8.1 & 6.6).

It's payback time for Tom Izzo after his team was stunned twice by Archie Miller’s underdog Hoosiers a year ago (note: those two wins were enough for Indiana to get an at-large NCAA bid last year). Indian is 11-1 SU at home this season (lone loss to Arkansas on Dec 29) plus the Spartans NEED to put their last road game , a 29-point loss at Purdue on Jan 12, behind them. However, that's EXACTLY what I expect then to do, led by Winston, who averaged 23 points and 9.0 assists against the Hoosiers in the two meetings a season ago. Road favorite "get the cash" in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Ohio St at 6:30 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 Columbus just 10-8, including 4-4 in the Big Ten. 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 before suffering its first loss Dec 15 at Minnesota. The now 12-6 Buckeyes have gone 3-5 since and find themselves in the lower third of the Big Ten standings at 2-5.

In handing Ohio State its first loss of the season in an 84-71 win at home last month, Minnesota received 35 points from sophomore Marcus Carr, while 6-10 sophomore center Daniel Oturu held his own against Buckeyes center Kaleb Wesson, finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Wesson leads Minnesota in scoring (20.2) and rebounding (11.9), while Carr checks in at 16.1-5.2-7.2. Sophomore guard Gabe Kalscheur (11.8) is the conference leader in three-pointers made with 43.

The centerpiece of Ohio St's team this season is 6-9 junior center Kaleb Wesson, a preseason All-Big Ten pick, who leads the team in scoring (14.7) and rebounding (9.3). Holtmann's team has great depth, as EIGHT players are averaging between 6.5 and  Wesson's 14.7 PPG. Two guards join Wesson in double digits, sophomore  Duane Washington (11.3) and  5-star freshman recruit PJ Carton(10.1 & 3.1 APG). a major issue in the team's recent woes has been that Ohio State's primary ball-handlers C.J. Walker and Carton, have combined for more turnovers (34) than assists (31) in the team's last SIX games.

However, a favorable upcoming schedule gives slumping Ohio State an opportunity to regain its footing, starting Thursday night at home against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers are a different team on the road than at home, going 0-6 overall away from Williams Arena, including 0-4 SU & 1-3 ATS in the Big Ten. Talk about "adjusting" the line. Ohio St was a 7 1/2-point road favorite when it lost at Minnesota back on Dec 15 and is basically favored by the same amount here at home. Minnesota's road woes help Ohio St 'get well' in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Iowa ta 9:00 ET.

Rutgers (14-4 / 5-2 Big Ten) travels to Iowa City on Wednesday to take on Iowa (13-5 / 4-3 Big Ten) in Big Ten play. Both schools entered the AP's latest top-25 poll on Monday but while Iowa's winning three straight games allowed them  to climb back into the top-25 after a disappointing loss to Nebraska back on Jan 7, Rutgers is ranked for the first time since the 1978-79 NCAA tournament team finished the season at No. 18.

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 14-4, the Scarlet Knights are off to their best start since the 1996-77 season. Guards Montez Mathis (6.9 & 3.4) and Ron Harper Jr. (11.8 & 5.8) each scored 11 points as the Scarlet Knights held Minnesota to 18 points below its season average in Sunday's 64-56 win. Fellow guards Jacob Young (8.9) also added 11 points while Caleb McConnell (7.4 & 4.5) finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds, giving him his the first double-double of his career.  PG Geo Baker (10.7 & 3.9 APG) also returned on Sunday, after missing the previous two games. The Scarlet Knights are a guard-heavy team,with the 6-10 Johnson (9.2 & 8.2) and  the 6-6 Yeboah (9.1 & 4.4) being the only significant contributors up front.

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 has won THREE in a row to reach 4-3 in Big Ten play. Iowa rolled over then-No. 12 Maryland 67-49 at home on Jan 10, before winning 75-62 at Northwestern on Jan 14 and back at home 90-83 over Michigan on Jan 17. The 6-11 Luka Garza (22.9 & 10.2) was named the Big Ten Player of the Week after averaging 30 points, five rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in wins over Northwestern and Michigan. Garza made a career-best 11 free throws en route to a game-high 33 points to go along with seven rebounds against the Wolverines. Guard CJ Fredrick (11.1) earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, adding 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Sophomore guard Joe Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.1) produced 20 points and five rebounds, while the 6-10 Ryan Kriener (7.8 & 4.3) scored 14 points vs Michigan. Iowa has even more depth on the perimeter in Connor McCaffrey (6.7-4.6-3.7) and Toussaint (6.6).

The Scarlet Knights have won EIGHT of nine while leading with defense. None of their last EIGHT opponents have shot better than 36.1 percent overall (starting with a 68-48 victory over now-No. 10 Seton Hall), while holding their last NINE opponents to 65 points or fewer. However, Iowa leads the Big Ten in scoring at 79.9 PPG and in Garza has an "irresistible force." Garza entered the week ranked first in the Big Ten and sixth in NCAA Division I in scoring at 22.9 points per game. He's averaging 10.2 rebounds and was tied for first in Division I with seven games of at least 20 points and at least 10 rebounds. He was one of just FIVE players averaging 20 and 10, including one of just TWO in a Power 5 conference. Carver-Hawkeye Arena is known for its hostile crowds and is a tough venue, as Iowa will look to extend its home winning streak to EIGHT games (Hawkeyes are 26-5 SU the last two seasons at home) against a Rutgers team that upset them 86-72 in Iowa City last season. The Scarlet Knights are seeking their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1991 and are 13-0 at home but have lost FOUR of five on the road. Make that FIVE of six, as Iowa wins "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* West Conf Game of the Month is on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET.

The Rockets lost their showdown last Saturday at home vs the Lakers 124-115, despite LA playing without A.D. Houston then welcomed OKC to the Toyota Center on MLK Day and took an 87-71 into the fourth quarter, before collapsing as the Thunder outscored the Rockets 41-20! Houston (26-16) takes the court tonight against the Nuggets looking to snap a four-game losing streak, one in which Harden is shooting an abysmal 9-of-51 over that four-game span. Denver won 107-100 at Minnesota on Monday in the opener of a three-game road trip, its SIXTH win in eight games. The Nuggets have scored 100 or more points in each of their last 21 games and are 16-5 during the stretch. Denver is currently 30-13 (tied with Utah), just a half-game back of the Clippers, as that trio chases the Lakers for the top-seed in the West,

Denver is led by center Nikola Jokic, who is again (just like last season), leading the team in scoring (19.4), rebounding (10.0) and assists (6.3). However, the Nuggest also own arguably the deepest team in the league. However, here's the rub. Swingman Will Barton (15.2-6.7-3.7) had 18 points and center Nikola Jokic 17 & 13 vs the T-wolves but they were the only regulars in the starting lineup on Monday, as power forward Paul Millsap (knee), shooting guard Gary Harris (groin) and point guard Jamal Murray (ankle) all remain sidelined. Murray averages 17.6-4.1-4.6, Millsap 11.9 & 5.8 and Harris 11.0. Millsap and Murray are out indefinitely, while Harris is listed as doubtful.  Millsap's absence has opened up more playing time for promising forward Michael Porter Jr. and he recorded 20 points and established career highs of 14 rebounds and four 3-pointers for his second career double-double against Minnesota.. "He's an amazing talent," Jokic told reporters. "You see how his ball is going into the hoop. It's a swoosh every time."

Harden (36.9-6.3-7.4) has scored fewer than 20 points in two of the last six games and has shot below 50 percent in his last SEVEN contests, after making 50 percent or better in the previous seven games. PG Russell Westbrook (25.3-7.9-7.3)  is on a roll with five straight 30-point efforts and has two triple-doubles in the past three games but to no avail, as Houston has lost FOUR in a row and FIVE of six. The Rockets were a defensive sieve in allowing 41 fourth-quarter points in the loss to OKC. Center Capela (14.3 & 14.2) and PF Tucker (7.7 & 7.1) both known for their defense, HAVE to do a better job.

Can (will?) the Rockets continue their funk? The Nuggets are nowhere 100 percent and the Rockets have won 11 of the last 13 meeting betwen the two teams. What's more, the Nuggets have dropped their last SEVEN games in Houston with the Rockets crushing the Nuggets by an average of 23 points the last three times in Houston (the most recent being, 130-104 this past Dec 31).

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Tor Raptors at 7:05 ET.

The 29-16 Philadelphia 76ers and the 29-14 Toronto Raptors square off Wednesday in Toronto, as both teams are part of the 'scrum' that sees FIVE teams separated by only 2 1/2-games (No. 2 thru No. 6 sees) in the East Conference, all chasing the NBA-best Milwaukee Bucks (30-13 Miami currently owns the No. 2 seed, EIGHT games back of Milwaukee). The 76ers are playing without All Star center Joel Embiid (23.4 & 12.3), who last played back on Jan 6. The Sixers won their first game without Embiid, lost their next two but enter this game on a FOUR-game winning streak. The Raptors have fought through injuries early on to Lowry and Ibalka and more recently to Siakam, VanVleet, Powell and Gasol. However, through it all, Toronto has "held its own" and is currently the East's No. 3 seed.

The 76ers won 117-111 at Brooklyn on Monday, as PG Ben Simmons (16.0-7.8-8.5) finished with a triple-double (34-12-12) while adding five steals. Forwards Harris (19.3 & 6.7) and Horford (12.6& 6.5) plus guard Richardson (15.4) join Simmons in the starting lineup but with Embiid sidelined, Horford has moved over to the center position, with the Sixers having started both PF Scott (5.6 & 3.4) and rookie guard Thybulle (4.7) in recent games.

When "all hands are on deck," Toronto has a deep team. PF Siakam (23.7 & 7.4) has played at an All Star level, while PG Lowry (20.1-4.5-7.6) has been an All Star regular. VanVleet (18.4 & 6.7 APG) has carried his strong play in LY's NBA Finals into this season, while SG Powell (15.8), PF Ibaka (14.9 & 8.4) and SF Anunoby (11.0 & 5.7) are all in double digits. Center Gasol checks in at 7.5 & 6.4

Siakam returned Jan 12 and after the Raptors lost his first game back, they have won FOUR in a row, averaging 128.5 PPG. Powell returned at the same time and has topped 20 points in each game, averaging 23.6 points. Van Vleet has been back for just the last two, but he's scored 49 points! How can one trust Philly away from home (especially without Embiid), as the Sixers had lost SIX straight road games before back-to-back wins at the Knicks (12-32) and Nets (18-24). The Raptors have beaten the 76ers 11 of the last 12 times at home. Lay the reasonable number.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Michigan at 7:00 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 13-4. Penn St entered the AP poll back on Dec 16 (at No. 23), giving the school its first top-25 ranking since March of 1996. Sounds impressive, right? It's even more so when one realizes that Penn St's previous top-25 ranking (to 1996) came back in 1954! However, Penn St lost THREE in a row from Jan 7 through Jan 15, before ending that three-game skid with an impressive 90-76 win against Ohio State on Saturday. 

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 was 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 4-6 over their last 10 games and have fallen out of the latest AP poll.

The 6-8 Lamar Stevens scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the second half against Ohio State, en route to becoming the second player in program history to reach 1,000 Big Ten points. Stevens (16.6 & 6.9) leads the etam in scoring) and is joined up front by the 6-10 Watkins, who lerads teh team in rebounds (8.1) plus adds 10.1 PPG. Guards Myreon Jones (14.2) and  and Brock (10.1) join those two big men in double digits. Jones added 20 points, four assists and a pair of steals against Ohio St, while the 6-6 Lundy (4.6) finished with 12 points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.

Michigan guard Eli Brooks (11.2) knocked down five 3-pointers en route to a career-high 25 points, but the Wolverines dropped their FIFTH straight road game of the season despite shooting 50 percent from the floor and committing only eight turnovers at Iowa last Friday. Franz Wagner (10.3 & 4.) added 18 points, five rebounds and four assists while the the 7-1 Jon Teske (14.3 & 7.6) produced 14 points, a career-best seven assists, four steals and a pair of blocked shots in the loss. PG Zavier Simpson (12.2-4.3-8.7) dished out six assists to overtake Rumeal Robinson (575) for second place on Michigan’s all-time list with 579. The good news here is, the 6-7 Isaiah Livers (13.6) could return to the lineup after missing the last five contests with a groin injury.

The Nittany Lions scored the most points in a regulation game over a top-25 opponent in team history in its 90-76 win over Ohio St but the Buckeyes are in a 'free fall,' having lost FIVE of six. Clearly, the Wolverines are NOT as good as the etam looked in the Battle 4 Atlantis but Michigan has won EIGHT of its last nine overall meetings with Penn State, not to mention NINE straight home wins over the Nittany Lions. It would be great if Livers could bet back on the court but I'm on "Big Blue," regardless.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Crusher (Big East) is on Xavier at 6:30 ET.

This is Patrick Ewing's third season at Georgetown and after a 15-15 'rookie' year, his Hoyas won 19 games last season but lost in the first round of the NIT. The good news entering the current season was, FOUR starters returned. Georgetown is 12-7 but just 2-4 in Big East play.The Hoyas head to Cincinnati on Wednesday night to take on Big East rival 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 has dropped three straight games (all by double figures) and take the court tonight 12-6, including 1-4 in Big East play.

Losing Jessie Govan (17.5 & 7.5) from last year was a big deal and it sure didn't help that returning guard Akinjo played just seven games before deciding to transfer (he was averaging 13.4 & 4.4 APG). The 6-7 LeBlanc (averaging 7.2) has also decided to transfer. Georgetown relies on Omer Yurtseven, a 7-foot center from Turkey. Yurtseven (16.9 & 9.9) has recorded a double-double in two straight and three of the last four games. Guard McClung is averaging 16.45 PPG while a trio of other guards (Blair, Mosely and Allen) combine for right around 22 points per game. The 6-8 Pickett (9.5 & 6.1) works up front with Yurtsen.

Xavier's 6-9 Tyrique Jones (13.6 & 9.6) will need to come up big vs Yurtsen, although he's far from alone up front. The 6-7 Marshall (16.7-5.8-3.4), the 6-8 Carter (7.1 & 5.1) and 6-9 freshman Freemantle (6.3 & 3.6) are around to help out. SG Scruggs (14.7 & 4.4) is having a solid sesosn but senior PG Goodin (6.8 & 4..0 APG) has been really hurting the team, lately. Will Steele making change? Goodin is averaging fewer assists this season (four) than in each of the last two seasons and his shooting has been atrocious. He has gone 2-of-28 from the floor (that's 7.1%) in the last four games, including 0-of-20 from three-point territory in the last last six. The problem is, his potential replacement is freshman KyKy Tandy, who has made just 16-of-55 (29.1%) on the season.

Here's the rub. The Musketeers hadn't suffered three straight losses by double figures since February 2017 and had never started 1-4 in the Big East, which it joined in 2013-14, but that's EXACTLY where they stand entering this game. However, Xavier is 14-5 overall against Georgetown and 10-3 since joining the Big East. I expect this quality program to "get this one right!"

Good luck...Larry

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

Brad Underwood was a head coach at Stephen F Austin and Oklahoma St before being hired at Illinois back on March 18, 2017. He signed a six-year contract through 2023 worth $18 million but after two seasons in Champaign, his Fighting Illini were just 26-39 (11-27 in Big Ten play). However, 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 13-5 (5-2 in the Big Ten) and entered the top-25 back on Jan 13 for the first time since Dec 1, 2014. Matt Painter's Purdue is coming off a 26-win season, after reaching the Elite 8 last year (lost in OT to eventual champ UVA). However, 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 will welcome Illinois to West Lafayette just 10-8, including 3-4 in the Big Ten.

The Fighting Illini have won four consecutive games, including a 75-71 victory over Northwestern on Saturday, to move one game behind 11th-ranked Michigan State at the top of the conference standings. Trent Frazier drained four 3-pointers en route to a team-high 16 points and grabbed five rebounds in the win against Northwestern to become the 50th player in program history to reach 1,000 points for his career. The junior guard also added three assists and finished without a turnover for the SIXTH consecutive game. Frazier (9.3) is part of Illinois' four-man guard rotation, led by Dosunmu (15.4-4.2-3.1), along with Feliz (10.6-4.7-3.1) and Griffin (8.9 & 4.4). As expected, 6-9 freshman center Kofi Cockburn has made a HUGE impact, averaging 14.6 & 9.4.  the 6-9 Giorgi Bezhanishvili adds 8.6 & 4.9.

Purdue has nice balance, as FIVE players average between 9.6 and 11.2 PPG. The 6-9 Williams leads in scoring (11.8) and rebounding (7.8) and is joined up front by the 7-3 Haaarms (10.0 & 5.3). A trio of guards follow, including Hunter (11.2-3.5-2.8), Proctor (9.7), and Stefanovic (9.6)). Filling out the roster are guards Thompson (4.8), Eastern (4.8 & 4.3) and the 6-9 Wheeler (4.2 & 5.2). plus the the 6-9 Williams (9.7 & 7.1).

These teams met back on Jan 5 at Illinois, with the Fighting Illini winning 63-37. Purdue's 37 points were the fewest allowed by Illinois this season and the Boilermakers' shooting percentage of 25.0 percent (15 of 60), was the lowest allowed by Illinois in program history. The 25 percent overall shooting was also the worst mark in the history of Boilermakers basketball. Yes, Purdue has eight losses but SEVEN have come on the road. Purdue takes the court tonight having won its last 15 Big Ten home games, dating to February 2018. Purdue has won EIGHT straight home meetings with Illinois and the Boilermakers have won SIX consecutive home games against ranked teams, including a dominating 71-42 decision against then-No. 8 Michigan State on Jan 12.Gotta 'love' the home team here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Crusher (AAC) is on Wichita St at 7:00 ET.

Gregg Marshall led Winthrop to seven NCAA appearances in nine seasons and since taking over in Wichita, entered this season with a string of 10 consecutive seasons of 22 or more wins, including FOUR, 30-win seasons. In that 10-year span, the Shockers have been to seven NCAA tourneys (including a Final 4 appearance in 2013) and in three NITs (won title in 2011). Wichita State opened last week 15-1 and ranked 16th in the AP poll but it was a "week to forget" for the Shockers. Wichita St was coming off an emotional double-overtime road victory over UConn (on Jan 12 and seemed to be running on fumes when it saw its eight-game true road winning streak come to an end Wednesday at Temple and then and its 14-game home winning streak end with Saturday's 65-54 loss to Houston. The Shockers will look to get back in the win column and end a two-game slide when they visit Tampa on Tuesday for a game with South Florida.

USF won the CBI last year and ended with a 24-14 record, overall. Expectations were high for the 2019-20 season, as all FIVE starters were back. However, the 6-8 Yetna (12.3 & 9.6 LY) was lost for the year to a knee injury, before playing a single game. Then, head coach Brian Gregory announced former four-star forward Mayan Kiir, who hadn't played all year because of personal issues after appearing in every game in 2018-2019, was leaving the program. .USF is showing a lot of fight during its American Athletic Conference schedule but it is not resulting in wins, as the Bulls lost their third game in a row by less than five points Saturday with a 55-54 setback to UCF. The Bulls are just 8-10 overall, including 1-4 in AAC paly.

Sophomore guard Jamarius Burton (11.2-3.7-3.6) had complied seven straight double-figure scoring efforts entering Saturday but managed nine points on 2-of-9 shooting against the Cougars. The key for Wichita St has been balance, as EIGHT players post between 5.5 and 12.9 PPG. Sophomore guard Erik Stevenson is the team’s leading scorer at 12.9 PPG, while adding 5.1 RPG.  Burton checks in right behind him (see above) and freshman  Etienne (9.8) also starts in the backourt. 6-10 senior center Echenique (10.8 & 5.8) and the 6-6 Wade (8.1& 6.2), a transfer from UTEP. start up front. Guards Sherfield (8.7) and Dennis (6.9 & 4.3) plus the 6-8 Udeze (5.5 & 3.6) provide excellent depth.

The Bulls' outstanding guard duo of Collins (14.7 & 3.5) and Rideau (12.7-4.5-4.4) are leading the way but the team has little size outside of the 7-0 Durr, who is averaging modest totals of 6.2 & 6.3. 6-6 junior forward Justin Brown(8.3 & 4.8) is the team's 'barometer,' as the Bulls are 15-4 since the start of last season when he scores at least 10 points. Now to the bad news...he hasn’t reached double-digits in EIGHT straight games!

I really like this Wichita St team and I see them "getting back on track" here vs a VERY beatable USF team, which has been unable to notch its first signature win of the season. The Shockers may just also remember last season's 'ugly' 54-41 loss on this same floor in Tampa, when the then-slumping Shockers connected a season-worst 28.3% from the floor, including  2 of 18 from three-point range. Road favorite rolls to an easy win in this one.

Good luck...Larry

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

My 9* Revenge Rout is on Butler at 7:00 ET.
Butler has had a 'rich' recent history on the basketball court. The Bulldogs made six NCAA trips from 1997-2007, before Brad Stevens took them to FIVE tourneys in six years, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2011. Chris Holtmann led Butler to three straight NCAA appearances from 2015-17 and LaVell Jordan followed with an NCAA berth in 2018 but the Bulldogs finished just 16-17 last season. However, Butler opened 7-0 and on Dec 2 entered the AP poll at No. 24, ending a span of 43 consecutive polls on "the outside, looking in!' Butler sat at 15-1 at the beginning of last week and was ranked 5th in the latest AP poll., the highest rating in school history. However, Butler's red-hot start to the season has disappeared in a flash. Butler dropped an eight-point decision against Seton Hall (then ranked 18th but now ranked 10th)on Jan 15, before getting stunned by 13-point loss at DePaul on Saturday, a team that had opened 0-4 in Big East play.

The now 13th-ranked Bulldogs travel to the Philadelphia area to take on 14-3 (4-1 in Big East) Villanova, a team that knows more than a little about winning. Jay Wright spent seven years at Hofstra, before taking over at Villanova at the start of the 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 are 3-0 on their current four-game homestand, giving them 10 wins in their last 11 games. They were ranked 9th in Monday's new AP poll, the highest ranking the team has held this season.

The Bulldogs entered last week, having not given up more than 67 points in a game this season, before yielding 78 and 79 in the two losses. Leading scorer Kamar Baldwin (15.1 & 4.3) has generally been consistent of late, although he is just 1-of-8 from three-point range in the last two games. Joining Baldwin in the starting backcourt is PG Thompson (6.7-3.7-5.1) but Butler's real strength has to be its depth up front. Forwards McDermott (11.5 & 5.5), Tucker (115 & 5.5), Nze (9.3 & 6.7) and Golden (7.8 & 3.7) are an excellent 'quartet.' Despite a poor week on the defensive end, Butler ranks 5th in points allowed (57.1), 15th in FG percentage against (37.7%) and 10th in three-point shooting (27.9%).

Villanova is off a less-than-impressive 61-55 home win over UConn. The 6-7 Jermaine Samuels (10.9 & 5.2) had 19 points, including several big plays down the stretch, while 6-9 freshman Robinson-Earl (10.8 & 9.5) chipped in 11 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists. The team's leading scorer is the 6-8 Saddiq Bey (15.1 & 5.0) but he had nine points, the FIFTH time in the last seven games that he's registered 11 points or less. Junior PG Gillespie (14.9 & 4.5 APG) has gotten plenty of support from freshman guard Moore (10.6), plus the 6-9 Swider (8.2) helps out up front. 'Nova knows defense as well, as the Wildcats enter this game playing its most consistent basketball of the season, limiting opponents to 63.2 points over its their 10 games(66.8 PPG ranks 123rd on the season).

Prior to losing twice last week, Butler's only previous loss was 53-52 at now-No. 1 Baylor. The Bulldogs can take their 'act' anywhere and after losing to Villanova in last year's two meetings by eight and 21 points (remember, Butler finished  just 16-17 last season), I expect Butler will have EXTRA motivation to win and get back in "winning mode." Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late-Breaker is on the Ut Jazz at 8:05 ET.

The Utah Jazz saw their 10-game winning streak come to an end at New Orleans on Thursday in a 138-132 loss at New Orleans. However, they had no problems getting right back into the win column by shooting 50.6 percent from the floor and riding a 28-point effort by Rudy Gobert in a 123-101 rout on the Sacramento Kings on Friday night. The now 29-13 Jazz are tied with the Nuggets for the West's third-best record, just a half-game back of the LA Clippers. Utah completes a quick two-game homestand by hosting the streaking Indiana Pacers on Monday. The Pacers began a five-game road trip Sunday night with their FIFTH straight win, rallying to beat Denver 115-107. Doug McDermott hit 6-of-7 from three-point range en route to a season-high 24 points in just 21 minutes, while Domantas Sabonis recorded his first career triple-double (22-15-10) as Indiana improved to28-15. The Pacers are currently the East's No. 5 seed but as FIVE teams chase the 38-6 Bucks (closest team is EIGHT games back), the East's No. 2 thru No. 6 seeds are separated by just TWO games.

 Indiana is scheduled to get Victor Oladipo back on Jan 29 but this team has sure done an excellent job without him. McDermott (10.0) is just one FOUR role players making significant contributions. The Holidays, Aaron (10.2 & 5.2 APG) and Justin (8.0 & 3.4) plus PG McConnell (6.7 & 5.2 APG) round out the 'foursome.' TJ Warren was a scorer for the Suns and he currently leads Indiana by averaging 18.2 PPG. Sabonis (18.0 & 13.0) has developed into an All Star, while PG Brogdon (17.8-4.5-7.5) has become a team-leader with Oladipo sidelined. SG Lamb (12.9 & 4.8) and center Turner (12.3 & 5.9) round out the team's typical starting-five (when all are healthy).

Gobert (13.1 & 14.5) centers the defense, while Mitchell (24.7-4.4-4.3) continues to prove that he was the 'steal' of the 2017 draft. Bogdanovich (21.3 & 4.1) is a reliable point-producer and SF Ingles (11.0-4.3-4.9) is an "under the radar' good player. Green, Mudiay and O'Neale have all contributed and when PG Conley went down, Clarkson was picked up from Cleveland. He's played 12 games and averaged 15.4 PPG, as the Jazz have gone 11-1 (lone loss in OT at New Orleans) in those contests. Utah's already deep lineup was bolstered Saturday by the return of Mike Conley (13.1 & 4.6 APG, who missed 19 of the previous 20 games with a left hamstring strain. "Mike is a key piece of what we want to do. I know we didn't want to rush him but it's great to have him back," Gobert told reporters.

Yes the Pacers have won FIVE in a row but the Jazz have gone 16-2 SU & 14-4 ATS over their last 18 games and on the season, are 16-3 SU at home. Indiana is in a tough scheduling spot, coming off a win last night in Denver. Playing "at altitude" and with no rest against the red-hot Jazz, who should remember losing121-102 back on Nov 27 at Bakers Life Fieldhouse. Lay the points. Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Week is on Orl/Gold St Over at 8:35 ET.

The Orlando Magic came to LA and split their back-to-back games against the Lakers and Clippers. The Magic knocked off the Lakers 119-118 on Wednesday but ran out of gas against the Clippers the next night, falling 122-95. However, the Magic are playing well enough as of late to not be satisfied with going 1-1 against two of the best teams in the league on the road.at 20-22, Orlando can get to .500 on the season with a win tonight at Golden St and Monday at Charlotte, as the team caps its six-game road trip. Meanwhile, the Warriors are putting up good fights against some of the best teams in the league but can't seem to find their way into the win column. suffered their 10 straight loss with a 134-131 overtime setback against Denver on Thursday. The 9-34 Warriors own the NBA's worst record, although the 10-33 Hawks are not far behind.

Orlando PG Markelle Fultz recorded a triple-double with 21 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against the Lakers but struggled along with the rest of his teammates against the Clippers, totaling 11 points on 5-of-17 shooting, five assists and four rebounds in 30 minutes. Fultz (11.7-3.4-46) is getting more time these days, with DJ Augustin (10.7 & 4.2 APG) sidelined for at east the next 3-to-4 weeks. Swingman Fournier (19.1) leads the team in scoring, followed by center Vucevic (18.9 & 11.1) and PG Gordon (13.6 & 7.3). Ross has come off the bench all season and is averaging 13.3 PPG.

Golden State showed some of the form that made it such a dangerous team over the last several years by handing out 36 assists on 42 Fgs and placing seven scorers in double figures on Thursday, but is still missing the talent that allowed it to throttle teams on both ends of the floor. The Warriors are missing go-to scorers with Stephen Curry (hand) and Klay Thompson (knee) injured and lack the defensive punch that Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston provided. D'Angelo Russell (23.1 & 6.2 APG) had 19 points despite his second straight woeful shooting performance. He followed up a 5-for-17 effort in Tuesday's 124-97 setback to Dallas with a 6-of-18 performance against the Nuggets. Alec Burks (15.9-3.9-4.7) led the team with 25 points in 32 minutes off the bench Thursday while Damion Lee, who signed a multi-year deal with the team on Wednesday, scored 21 points. He's averaging 12.7 & 5.3. Glenn Robinson III (12.3 & 4.8).

Here's the bottom line. Orlando leads the NBA by allowing just 104.3 PPG but just allowed 118 and 125 points in LA. Sure, the Warriors are NOT the Lakers or Clippers but I expect the Magic to have an easy time scoring against Golden St , which allows 113.7 PPG (20th). When these teams met back in Orlando on Dec 1, the final was100-96. the Magic won that one and should win this one but look for a MUCH higher scoring game.

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Week is on UVA/FSU Over at 7:00 ET.

Virginia won its first-ever NCAA basketball championship last season but the Cavs opened at just No. 11 in the preseason AP poll (note: it marked the lowest preseason ranking for a defending champion since UConn opened 17th at the start of the 2014-15 season, after winning the title in April 2014). Gone from last year's champs are the team's top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). However, the Cavs opened 7-0 and were ranked 5th when they lost 69-40 at Purdue on Dec 4. However, the defending champs have lost back-to-back games for the first time since 2017, falling 60-53 at BC on Jan 7 and then 63-55 (OT) at home to Syracuse on Jan 11. The 11-4 Cavs fell out of the AP's latest top-25 poll on Monday and will look to avoid a three-game slide when they pay a visit to No. 9 Florida State. The Seminoles are 14-2and have won THREE of their last five meetings with Virginia, including a 69-59 win in last year’s ACC tournament semifinals. Florida State has won SEVEN straight games, most recently winning at then-No. 7 Louisville 78-65 on Jan 4 and following that with a second straight road win, 76-68 at Wake Forest on Jan 8.

The Cavaliers still lead the nation in scoring defense (48.7 PPG) and field goal percentage defense (34.6%), but are struggling on the offensive end while connecting on 39.9 percent of their shots from the floor. Virginia shot a season-low 31.3 percent from the floor against Syracuse and made only SEVEN of its season-high 31 three-point attempts (22.6 percent). 6-9 senior forward Mamadi Diakite leads the team in scoring (12.9), but has managed just 8.3 PPG over the past four. This season's UVA team features an unique guard duo, the 6-8 Key (10.5 & 7.7) and 5-9 PG Clark (10.1-4.5-5.9). The 7-1 Huff (8.9 & 6.1) joins Diatka up front and this "Core 4" is basically Virginia's team this season.

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 63.4 PPG, but are also scoring 76.4 PPG, The Seminoles wear down teams with their depth and balance on offense, as the top-four scorers produce between 8.8 and 12.3 PPG. Sophomore guard Devin Vassell has averaged 15 points the last three games and now leads the team at 12.3 PPG, just ahead  of senior guard Trent Forrest (12.2-3.9-3.9), who notched his first double-double of the season against Wake Forest (14 points & 10 rebounds). Junior guard M.J. Walker combined to score 38 points in his last two games and is third on the team at 11.6 PPG. The 6-8 Williams (8.8 & 3.3) ranks fourth on the team in scoring, while the 6-9 Osborne (6.4 & 5.2) and guard Polite (6.1) are also regular contributors.

The Cavs are only averaging 55.7 PPG and as of Monday, the only Division I schools putting fewer points on the board were Maryland-Eastern Shore (54.3) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (52.1). That said, if UVA only reaches its average, this game should have little trouble 'flying' over. As noted, FSU is averaging 76.4 PPG and is 8-0 at home this season and has won its last four conference games by double-digit margins. The Seminoles  lead the ACC in free throw shooting (75.9 percent), which is a bonus if the game is close. What's more, FSU last played Jan 8, giving the team a nice, but NOT too long, 'breather.' The Seminoles have played 16 games and just TWO, over/under numbers have closed at less than 130 points (opening total here was 111). I expect UVA to bring its "A" game in this one (remembering that loss to FSU in the ACC tourney, while looking to avoid a THIRD straight loss) and while I'm not convinced that will be good enough for a "W," I do expect this final to be in the 130s.

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck..Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Week is on Cha/Ut Over at 9:05 ET.

The Utah Jazz  lost 104-90 at OKC back on Dec 9 (sixth lost in eight games) but have since won 12 of 13 to move to 25-12. Utah is currently the West's No. 5 seed but the Jazz are just ONE game behind the West's No. 2 seed! The Charlotte Hornets visit Salt Lake City tonight and enter having lost EIGHT of 10. The Hornets are only 15-25 but are still 'thinking' postseason, as the East's No. 7 and No. 8 seeds are just 18-20 and 16-20, respectively.

Charlotte lost 112-110 in OT to the visiting Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. Terry Rozier scored 27 points in the loss to the Raptors and is averaging 28.5 points over the past four games. He's averaging 18.3-4.3-4.4 on the season, just behind fellow guard Devonte Graham (18.9-3.9-7.8). Both were 1st round draft picks and that's a theme as one scrolls down the team's roster. Bear with me. PF Washington (12.5 & 5.5), Miles Bridges (12.5 & 5.6). Cody Zellar (11.7 & 7.4), Malik Monk (8.7) Bismack Biyombo (7.5 & 5.9) and Marvin Williams (7.3) are also ALL 1st round picks. Should this team really be 10 games below .500?

Utah thought signing free-agent PG Conley would be HUGE but Conley (13.6 PPG on 36.5% shooting) has underwhelmed and it CAN'T go unnoticed that he's played in just ONE of Utah's games during its 12-1 streak! Backup point guard Emmanuel Mudiay scored a season-high 20 points in the Wednesday's 128-104 win over the Knicks and he said the team's style of play allows everybody on the roster to contribute. "I think the main thing is getting out in transition. Playing fast-ball basketball and we've been doing a great job of that. It's just fun. Everybody's touching it and everybody's feeling involved, that's the main thing." Mudiay is averaging 7.8 PPG (zero starts). Mitchell (24.7-4.5-4.4) is a star, Bogdanvich is averaging a a career-high 20.9 PPG in his first season with Utah and center Gobert (14.6 & 10.8) just continues to produce.

The Jazz have won their last 12 home meetings with the Hornets and are a superb 24-5 against them in games played in Salt Lake City. Utah won both games vs the Hornets last season and beat them 114-107 in Charlotte earlier this season. Those three finals averaged 221.3 PPG and is one of the reasons I'm playing this game "over." More importantly, Utah has topped 100 points in all 13 games of its 12-1 run, averaging a 'healthy' 114.7 PPG in that stretch. Maintaining that average here against the Hornets should not be difficult, meaning that if the Hornets have a "typical" effort (Charlotte averageds104.6 PPG), this contest should safely go over the total. I expect the final to in the mid-220s or higher.

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

Virginia won its first-ever NCAA basketball championship last season but the Cavs opened at just No. 11 in the preseason AP poll (note: it marked the lowest preseason ranking for a defending champion since UConn opened 17th at the start of the 2014-15 season, after winning the title in April 2014). Gone from last year's champs are the team's top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). However, the Cavs opened 7-0 and were ranked 5th when they lost 69-40 at Purdue on Dec 4. UVA is currently 11-2 (3-0 ACC) and ranked 18th as it visits Boston College (8-6, 2-1) in Chestnut Hill, Ma. 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 got off to a 4-1 start but then lost FOUR in a  row. The Eagles followed with FOUR straight wins (including 73-72 at Notre Dame) but were dismantled by Duke 88-49 last Tuesday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Virginia has barely been tested in ACC play thus far. The Cavaliers have held their first three conference opponents to an average of 40.0 PPG, while the average margin of victory has been 16.3 points. The most lopsided of those three conference victories was a 65-39 rout of Virginia Tech on Saturday, in which the Hokies shot 27.1 percent from the floor. This season's UVA team features an unique guard duo, the 6-8 Key (10.3 & 7.3) and 5-9 PG Clark (9.8-4.4-5.9). Up front, it's the 6-9 Diakite (13.2 & 6.8) and the 7-1 Huff (8.6 & 6.1).

BC really misses Jerome Robinson (20.7) but USC grad transfer Derryck Thornton has been a big addition, averaging a team-high 13.3 PPG (3.1 RPG & 3.4 APG). Freshman guard Heath (12.0) joins him in the backcourt, while the 6-11 Popovic (11.8 & 5.9) is the team's third double digit scorer. The Hamilton brothers are 6-8 sophomore Jairus (9.1 & 4.1) and senior guard Jared (8.4), while the 6-8 Mitchell (7.7 & 8.7) is the team's leading rebounder.

I've already played two UVA games "over" and have won BOTH times. Here's why I believe I'll make it 3-0. UVA's Key is a unique talent and missed three games in late-Nov and early-Dec (DNP in the Purdue loss) and it took him a couple of games to work himself back into top form. He's been excellent in UVA's last two contests, combining to score 33 points on 15-23 (65.2%) shooting, while grabbing 17 rebounds. More notably for me is that the Cavs have scored 65 points in each of those contest (10 points more than the team had been averaging). BC just allowed 88 points to Duke and on the season, is allowing 67.1 PPG. No reason to think the Cavs can't get 70-plus points in this one. Sure, BC has to go against the Cavs defense (No. 1 in both allowing 46.7 PPG on 34.0% shooting) but BC can't possibly shoot as badly as the team did at Duke (see above). First off, this game is at home and note that BC has averaged 66.3 PPG on the season. I check of the team's mot recent games reveals BC playing FOUR straight unders but the finals of those games averaged 128.3 PPG, with no game finishing lower than 123 points. This Over/Under number is about two 'TD's' lower than that 128 PPG average. It's Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 10* Total of the Week is on Sac St/Montana Over at 9:00 ET.

It's a Big Sky matchup Monday night, as 7-3 Sacramento St visits Bozeman to take on 5-7 Montana. The Hornets have the better record but have opened 0-1 in league play, while the Grizzlies are 1-0 to open conference play. Sacramento St hasn't won more than 15 games in each of the previous four seasons, with last year's 15-16 record being the "high-mark" during that span. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are coming off a 26-9 season, its second straight 26-win season, each ending with an NCAA appearance.

However, FOUR starters are gone from last yea's team, although the 6-5 Pridgett will be the best player on the floor tonight, as he averages 20.0 PPG and 7.9 RPG. The team's only other double-digit scorer is guard Manuel, who played last season after transferring from Ore St.  The 6-4 redshirt senior averaged 8.7 PPG last season but is up to 12.9 this season. The Hornets' feature FIVE players scoring between 7.4 and 13.5 PPG, with 6-8 senior center Patton (13.5 & 5.1) leading the way, while the 6-7 Esposito adds 9.6 & 5.7. Sacramento St's strength is a defense allowing just 53.5 PPG (3rd) on 35.8% shooting (6th).

OK, so why am I going over? All FIVE of Montana's wins this season have come at home in Dahlberg Arena (5-1), with the Grizzlies averaging 72.5 PPG with the final scores of the team's six home contests averaging 137.5 PPG. These schools met THREE times last season and the finals totaled, 153, 154 and 152. How about that for consistency? With this total in the mid-120s, I CAN'T resist Goin' Over. Are you with me?

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* Dec Total of the Month is on Sac/Den Over at 8:05 ET.

The Nuggets were a 'sexy' pick to go deep in the playoffs in the 2019-20 season. Center Nikola Jokic led Denver in scoring (20.1), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.3) last season and then upped those numbers in 14 postseason games (25.1-13.0-8.4). Jokic's numbers were down at the start of the year but his recent hot streak is keeping the Denver Nuggets in the win column. He had season-high 31 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in Saturday's 119-110 victory over the Grizzlies, his FOURTH fourth triple-double in nine games. It was Denver's EIGHT win in its last nine games and the Nuggets check into this home contest with Sacramento at 22-9, just 2 1/2 games back of the Lakers for the West's best record. In stark contrast, the Kings watched their losing streak reach SIX in a row with a 112-110 home loss to the Phoenix Suns on Saturday (note: Suns had lost EIGHT in a row), the FIFTH time during the streak that they fell by single digits. The 12-20 Kings are making a one-game stop on the road tonight in Denver, before heading home for another four straight (Sacramento is 6-12 away from home, so far)..

Harrison Barnes had a chance to win the game on Saturday but was off the mark on a three-pointer in the final seconds, adding a disappointing note to an otherwise solid night in which he collected 21 points and 10 rebounds for his second straight double-double. Barnes continues to be a consistent scorer since leaving Golden St, first for the Mavs and now for the Kings (he''s averaging 17.7 & 5.3). Sacramento 'loves' its guard duo of Hield (20.3 & 5.0) and PG Fox (17.6-4.0-6.4). A worry here is that Fox sat out last night with back spasms and is day-to-day. The 6-11 Bagley (13.7 & 6.9) will definitely miss (foot problem) but the 6-10 Holmes (12.7 & 8.6) and the 6-10 Bjelica (1.3 & 6.0) are solid players few fans know about. Swingman Bogdanovic has not started once but adds 15.0 PPG off the bench.

Jokic is now averaging 18.1-10.0-6.9 and is joined up front by PF Millsap (12.4 & 5.8) and swingman Barton (17.4- 7.0-3.5), while PG Murray (17.2-4.4-4.5) and Harris (10.4) start in the backcourt. Millsap (quad) may miss but Denver's bench is a formidable unit. Forwards Grant (9.9), Plumlee (6.8 & 5.7) and Beasley (6.6) plus PG Morris (6.8 & 3.7 APG) are ready and waiting. Here's my take. Both teams played last night and in Denver's case, the Nuggets will embark on a five-game road trip starting Tuesday in Houston. I expect a strong game from Denver. Meanwhile, the Kings, are 0-6 SU & ATS entering this contest, allowing 113.0 PPG in that stretch. However, while they are 0-6 ATS, FIVE of the losses have been in single digits. These teams have played twice this season (both in Sacramento), with each being low-scoring contests. The Nuggets won the first one 101-94 and then lost the second, 100-97 in OT. NO low-scoring game here, as this one 'flies' over the total!

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Week is on South Carolina/Virginia Over at 3:00 ET.

Virginia won its first-ever NCAA basketball championship last season but the Cavs opened at just No. 11 in the preseason AP poll (note: it marked the lowest preseason ranking for a defending champion since UConn opened 17th at the start of the 2014-15 season, after winning the title in April 2014). The now No. 9 ranked Cavs are off to a 9-1 start in defense of their title, with ethe team's lone loss coming at Purdue on Dec 4, 69-40 (Boilermakers got revenge for an Elite 8 loss last year to UVa). 7-4 South Carolina looks to knock off a second straight ACC opponent on the road when the Gamecocks face the Cavaliers on national television (ABC at 3:00 ET) in Charlottesville, Va. The Gamecocks made a Final 4 run of their own in 2017 but Martin's teams have won just 17 and 16 games the last two seasons.

South Carolina turned in a Cavalier-like defensive effort in last Sunday's 67-54 win at Clemson, holding the Tigers without a basket for the final 6 1/2 minutes of the game and to 28 percent shooting overall. The Gamecocks, who also forced in a season-high 21 turnovers against the Tigers, won their only other true road game on Dec 4 in an 84-80 victory at UMass. Sophomore A.J. Lawson (team-high 16.3 PPG) bounced back from a 10-point effort in a Dec 8 loss to Houston with 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting (4-of-7 beyond the arc), six rebounds and a season-high tying three steals. The only other South Carolina player in double digits on the season is the 6-11 Maik Kotsar (10.1 & 6.2) , who reached double figures for the SEVENTH time in his last eight outings with 11 points. With the recent return of guard Bryant from a knee injury (he's averaged 8.0 points in three games), the Gamecocks have five more players chipping in between 6.8 and 9.1 PPG.

Gone from last year's champs are are the team's top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). This season's team features an unique guard duo, the 6-8 Key (8.9 & 7.3) and 5-9 PG Clark (9.0-4.6-5.1). Up front, it's the 6-9 Diakite (13.2 & 6.5) and the 7-1 Huff (9.5 & 6.8). The Cavaliers are scoring only 53.8 PPG (325th) on 39.5% shooting (329th), including 25.4% on threes (351st). However, the team's elite defense continues to make up for its lackluster offense. Uva is allowing a nation-low 44.2 PPG, while holding opponents to just 32.1% shooting (also ranks 1st).

South Carolina also plays excellent D, allowing 65.5 PPG (105th) on 37.9% shooting (21st). So why go over? The Gamecocks are averaging 70.6 PPG and while I don't expect them to match that average here, I don't expect a sub-55 point effort, either. Considering that Virginia has won 22 consecutive non-conference home games (dating back to Dec 3, 2016), I'm looking for a final in the mid-120s. I won my Dec Total of the Month on Va/Purdue Over back on Dec 4 and will  'go to the well' one more time by playing the Cavs over in this one (I won't do it often!).

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

Lon Kruger led Kansas St to four NCAA tourneys in his four seasons in Manhattan and then led Florida to a Final 4 berth (1994) in his six years in Gainesville. Next was three NCAA berths at Illinois in a four-year stint and then four NCAA trips by UNLV in his seven years at Las Vegas. He's been at Oklahoma since the 2011-12 season and has led the Sooners to seven NCAA berths, including a Final 4 trip in 2016. This year's team is off to a 7-1 start, 73-54 to Stanford. in a tourney at Kansas City (Cardinal are ). 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). The Shockers are 8-1 to open the current season, losing only to West Va, which has also opened 8-1. Wichita State hosts Oklahoma on Saturday, looking to complete the "Okie Double," having won 80-61 at Oklahoma State this past Sunday.

Oklahoma returned an excellent trio from last year's NCAA team but little else. Guard Reaves (17.6 & 5.5) is the team's leading score this season (he began his career at Wichita St), joined by returning frontcourt players, the 6-7 Doolittle (16.0 & 8.4) and the 6-9 Manek (14.0 & 5.8). Returning sophomore guard Bieniemy (5.3) is joined on the perimeter by freshman Harmon (8.4-3.3-2.4) and JC transfer Williams (7.5). With Reaves and Doolittle, the Sooners are one of just THREE teams from a major conference (along with Creighton and Vanderbilt) to have two players averaging 16 points or more.

The Shockers have no real star but own great balance, as SIX players are averaging at least eight points. PG Stevenson leads the way with 13.4 PPG. Four more guards chip in between 6.9 and 11.4 PPG plus up front, 6-8 junior forward Trey Wade, a transfer from UTEP, averages 9.6 points and a team-best 6.4 rebounds. Freshman guard Tyson Etienne (11.4) leads the way in that group, while fellow guard Burton (9.9-3.8-3.9) just misses averaging in double figures. Excellent news has come Wichita's way as the 6-11 F Jaime Echenique (9.2 & 6.0 last season) has returned from a hand injury to play the last five games, averaging 9.6 & 4.6 in just 16 MPG. The 6-8 Udeze (5.8 & 3.2) filled in for him but will likely see fewer minutes the rest of the way.
 

This Wichita St may be 'under the radar" now but watch out. Freshman Etienne is already reminding some of past Wichita State greats Ron Baker and Landry Shamet in how he moves without the ball and sets up open lanes for passes. He is shooting 46.2 percent from three-point range (good for 22nd nationally) and leads the American Athletic Conference with 24 three-pointers. His KenPom Efficiency Rating of 128.3 was second among Division I freshmen to Indiana's Trayce Jackson-Davis (131.8) and 19th overall. Erik Stevenson and Jamarius Burton have been the players most responsible for feeding Etienne and the rest of the Shockers as the duo has combined for 6.9 assists per game. Stevenson, a sophomore who leads the team in scoring and is second in rebounding, is one of the top players in Division I in assist to turnover ratio, ranking ninth at 3.86. Burton, also a sophomore, had a career-high 11 assists against Oklahoma State to climb to a tie for 26th in Division I with a 2.82 assist-turnover ratio.

Tough venue (Charles Koch Arena) here for the Sooners and note that Oklahoma's only previous true road game this season was an 82-80 'escape' at North Texas (as a 6 1/2-point favorite), a C-USA team that has opened the current season 4-6. Shockers complete that "Okie Double," winning with "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

No. 10 Oregon (7-2) will visit No. 5 Michigan (8-2) Saturday at 12:00 ET, playing at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor for the first time in school history. Oregon won its first six games before, losing a pair of close games to ranked teams in the Battle 4 Atlantis, a one-point overtime heartbreaker to then-No. 8 Gonzaga and a four-point loss to then-No. 6 North Carolina. The Ducks have eased into their December schedule, as they have only played one game this month, an 89-64 victory over Hawaii on Saturday. Michigan was unranked heading into the season but vaulted to No. 4 after beating then No. 6 North Carolina and eighth-ranked Gonzaga to win the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament during Thanksgiving weekend. (note: Oregon lost to those same teams in that tourney). However, after losing to No. 1 Louisville in their first game with a ranking, the Wolverines bounced back with a home victory over Iowa on Dec 6 but then lost their big Ten road opener 71-62 at Illinois on Dec 13.

Dana Altman has led Kansas St, Creighton and Oregon to multiple NCAA tourneys and he likes this year's team (I agree). The Ducks are led by senior guard Payton Pritchard, who is averaging 18.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.1 assists per game. He is one of two players nationally averaging at least 18 points, six assists and four rebounds (Western Carolina's Mason Faulkner). Senior guard Anthony Mathis (10.8) and junior guard Chris Duarte (10.3 & 5.4) are the Ducks' other double-figure scorers, although Oregon goes 'nine-deep." Sophomore guard Will Richardson comes off the bench and is up to 9.4 PPG after averaging 16.5 points over his last two games. Starting alongside of Pritchard, Mathis and Duarte are 6-8 freshman Walker (5.9 & 3.2) and 6-9 sophomore Okoro (5.1 & 6.0).

John Beilein left Michigan to take the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers (why?), after leading the Wolverines to NINE NCAA tourneys in his 12 years (twice lost in the national championship game). Taking over is former Fab Fiver Juwan Howard, who had to replace forward Ignas Brazdeikis (14.8 & 5.4) plus guards Jordan Poole (12.8) and Charles Matthews (12.2 & 5.0). However, the cupboard was far from bare. 6-7 junior forward Isaiah Livers averages a team-best 14.8 points and is shooting 52 percent from the floor. 7-1 senior center Jon Teske averages 14.3 PPG plus a team-high 9.0 RPG and is set to play his 89th straight game in this contest. Senior PG Xavier Simpson checks in with a line of 12.0-4.4-8.6 and junior guard Eli Brooks adds 11.7 PPG. Other key contributors are the 6-8 Wagner (7.7 & 3.3) and guard DeJulius (7.4 & 3.1).

I'm a HUGE fan of Altman but I noted above that Oregon will be playing in Ann Arbor for the first-time ever but more notable, this is the Ducks' first true road game this season. In fact, it is Oregon's LONE true road game in 2019 (of 13), as the Ducks next head out on the road for their Pac-12 opener Jan 2 at Colorado. I mentioned above that Oregon's two losses came to Gonzaga and North Carolina in the Bahamas and while "comparison scores" can often be deceiving, it's hard NOT to note that Michigan beat Gonzaga 82-64 and beat North Carolina, 73-64. Oregon's first visit to Crisler Arena "dos NOT end well!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Mia Heat at 7:05 ET.

The Lakers' season-opener (Oct 22) at Staples Center was a contest with Clippers, as they were the designated road team. The Lakers lost that one but have since won EACH one of their last 12 road games. 22-3 Los Angeles visits 18-6 Miami tonight and the Heat are a perfect 11-0 at AmericanAirlines Arena. LA opened a five-game road trip with a 96-87 victory over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. "I'm happy about the win ... but I'm not satisfied with the way we played," forward LeBron James said afterward, alluding to the Lakers blowing a 24-point first-half lead before recovering to win for the 15th time in the past 16 games. "We have to be a lot better." Miami is coming off a wild 135-121 overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday that saw forward Duncan Robinson match the franchise record of 10 3-pointers and rookie guard Kendrick Nunn score a season-high 36 points, while center Bam Adebayo and swingman Jimmy Butler recorded triple-doubles.

LBJ recorded his sixth triple-double of the season in the win over Orlando (25-11-10) but Anthony Davis tallied just 16 points on 6-of-20 shooting, after scoring a season-high 50 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the previous game. A.D. (27.2 & 9.2) and LBJ (25.8-7.0-10.8) stand far and above the rest of Lakers, as only Kuzma (11.1) is within two 'TDs' of LA's "dynamic duo."  Kuzma could sit out for the second straight game with an ankle injury,  while PG Rajon Rondo (8.5 & 5.9 APG) hopes to return after a two-game absence due to a hamstring issue. Flying under the radar has been LA's two-headed center play, as starter McGee and backup Howard are combining to average 14.0 & 13.0.

Butler's arrival in Miami in the off-season was the team's biggest news and yes, Butler (20.6-6.9-7.0) has delivered. However, Miami's success this season has also been fueled by undrafted rookie Nun, who ahs come out of nowhere to average 16.2 PPG and second-year player Robinson (a 6-7 SF who averaged just 3.3 PPG in only 15 games last season), who is averaging 11,8 PPG.  Then there is center Bam Adebayo, who after averaging 8.0 & 6.5 in his first two NBA seasons, is having a "career year" by averaging 15.3 & 10.5 (Hassan Whiteside, we hardly knew you!). The Heat also have excellent depth, even though PG Dragic (15.9 & 5.0 APG) and SF Winslow (12.4-7.1-4.3) will likely sit in tonight's contest.

Something has to give! LA's 12-game road winning streak or Miami's 11-0 start at home. The Lakers easily handled the Heat 95-80 back in LA on Nov 8, when the Heat shot just 35.0%, including a horrid 6 of 35 on threes. Here at home, expect the Heat to shoot MUCH better, as Miami is tied for fourth on the season, connecting on 47.1 percent from the floor. The Heat were an eight-point dog in LA, so getting points here at home (I took five), makes them a STRONG play. Upset alert? I would NOT call a Miami win an upset.

Good luck...Larry