My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET.

The surprising Denver Nuggets are 46-22, leaving them just one game back of Golden St for the West's best record. Meanwhile, the disappointing Boston Celtics sit 43-27, leaving them one back of the 4th-seed Pacers and two games back of the third-seeded 76ers in the East. The two teams meet for the second time this season, as the NBA season enters its final weeks. The first meeting came way back on Nov 5, with Nuggets earning a 115-107 win at Pepsi Center, as Jamal Murray scored 48 points. Murray jacked up a last-second three-pointer to try to reach 50 in that contest and Boston guard Kyrie Irving wasn't happy, throwing the basketball into the stands after the buzzer and drawing a fine. Now seriously, does anyone think that's a motivating factor?

A motivating factor is the two teams' current standings and as noted, both are in important 'battles' for playoff position. The Nuggets are led by center Jokic, who leads Denver in scoring (20.3), rebounding (10.7) and assist (7.6). Denver has fought through countless injuries this season (to many key players) but almost ll are healthy now and behind Jokic, Denver has NINE players averaging between 8.0 and 18.3 PPG (includes Thomas and his 8.6 PPG in nine games). An issue here will be Denver's lack of success on the road vs the league's best teams (more in a second).

PG Irving (23.7 & 7.1 APG) doesn't seem content in Boston (understatement?) but his production can't be questioned. He sat out a Mar 6 game at Sacramento but has played all four since, topping 30 points in THREE of them. Boston can almost match Denver's depth and it's hard to ignore the team's excellent 26-10 home mark, with the Celtics averaging 115.1 PPG.

Now back to Denver's road woes vs quality opposition. Since winning at Toronto back on Dec 3, the Nuggets have lost at San Antonio (111-103), at Houston (125-113), at Utah (114-108), at Philly (117-110), at San Antonio again (104-103) and at Golden St (112-105). Why NOT expect another Denver loss here at TD Garden?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Rout is on Michigan at 3:30 ET.

Michigan is 10th in the latest AP poll but opened the Big Ten tourney as the No. 3 seed behind No. 3 Purdue and No. 6 Michigan St. Purdue lost its first tourney game to Minnesota, while Mich and Mich St have each won two straight to advance to Sunday's title game at the United Center in Chicago. Michigan now gets a third crack Michigan State, which owns wins of 77-70 and 75-63 over the Wolverines. The Spartans are positioned for a potential No. 1 NCAA tournament seed with a win Sunday and the stakes are high for the Wolverines, as well. A win would likely elevate them to a No. 2 seed and would also enable them to get the last word in a rivalry that is beginning to approach Duke-North Carolina in terms of national interest.

Michigan's 6-7 Ignas Brazdeikis (14.9 & 5.2) was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Guards Poole (12.8) and Matthews (12.3 & 5.0) join him in double digits. However, let's not forget PG Zavier Simpson (9.3-5.0-6.5), who earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. In fact,  the junior PG scored 15 points and dished nine assists Saturday as Michigan routed Minnesota 76-49 for its 10th straight Big Ten tournament victory. That came less than 24 hours after a 10-point, 11-assist performance in a 74-53 blowout of Iowa. Throw in 7-1 center Teske (9.6 & 6.8) and John Beilein has a core that has Michigan on the cusp of a third straight Big Ten championship.

Michigan State never trailed in a 67-55 win over Wisconsin on Saturday, as the Spartans led 27-10 just over 12 minutes into the game. However, the win might have come with a price. PG Cassius Winston (19.0 & 7.5 APG) scored 21 points and dished out six assists but played the second half at less than 100 percent and limped off the floor when he was subbed out for good in the last minute (he's gritty but has a very bothersome ankle). Remember, MSU has already lost shooting gaurd Langfors d (15.0), who hasn't played in 2019. Up front, MSU is loaded with the 6-8 Ward (14.4 & 6.4), the 6-8 Tillman (9.5 & 7.0) and the 6-7 Goins (8.5 & 9.0)..

Great coaching matchup between Beilein and Izzo but I just HAVE to play Michigan in this "double-revenge" situation, as the Wolerines make it a 'lucky' 11th straight Big Ten tourney win.

Good luck...Larry.

My 8* play is on Cincinnati at 3:15 ET.

Short and sweet with this pick. 31-2 Houston is the AAC's top seed and will try for a three-game sweep of second-seed Cincinnati  (27-6) this season when the teams meet in the American Athletic Conference Tournament final on Sunday in Memphis. Both clubs were tested in Saturday's semifinals as the No. 11 Cougars held on to defeat third-seeded Memphis 61-58, before the No. 24 Bearcats ousted sixth-seeded Wichita State 66-63.

Houston lost to Cincinnati 56-55 in the 2018 AAC Tournament final but has defeated the Bearcats 65-58 back on Feb 10 and won at Cincinnati 85-69 on March 10 to capture the conference's regular-season title. These teams aver VERY similar, Both have superior defenses, are led by prolific guards and have veteran leadership. The Cougars are allowing 61.0 PPG (8th), while holding opponents to 36.5% shooting (1st). Cincy allows a modest 62.4 PPG (12th). Cincy PG Jarron Cumberland (18.6 & 3.7) was named AAC player of the year, while many thought Houston guard Corey Davis Jr. (16.8) was going to win it.

Expect another game like last year's 56-55 Cincy win. Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Saint Louis Billikens and St. Bonaventure Bonnies will square off this Sunday afternoon at the Barclays Center in the for the A-10 tourney championship. The sixth--seeded Saint Louis Billikens (10-8) will be looking to punch their first ticket to the NCAA Tournament since 2014, after upsetting the second-seeded Davidson Wildcats, 67-44. The fourth-seeded St. Bonaventure Bonnies (12-6) come into the championship game playing some of their best basketball of the season and had no trouble reaching the finals after defeating the 8th-seeded Rhode Island Rams, 68-51 on Saturday.

St Louis was led by guard Javon Bess (15.4 & 6.6), who had 24 points and seven rebounds in the win over Davidson. St Louis shot 48.1% from the floor while holding Davidson to just 25.9% shooting. Bess is joined by fellow guards Isabell (13.9-4.3-4.7) and Goodwin (10.4-7.3-3.5) in double figures. A trio of frontcourt players combine for 24.2 PPG and 16.9 RPG.

St Bonaventure used a 13-0 run at the end of the 1st half to trail by just a 29-27 margin. The Bonnies were then able to pull away from the Rams in the 2nd half after a 14-0 run gave the Bonnies a 64-46 lead. Guard Kyle Lofton (14.7) led the way with 23 points. 6-5 SF Stockard (14.8 & 5.4) is St Bonny's leading scorer and has help up front from the 6-6 Griffith (10.7 & 6.0) and 6-10 freshman Osunniyi (7.6 & 6.6).

St Bonaventure may be 14-6 in A-10 play, while St Louis is 12-8 (includes tourney wins), but the Billikins are 22-12 on the season, compare to St Bonny's 18-15 mark. In fact, this is a very talented St Louis team which had solid wins against Seton Hall, Butler, & Oregon State in non-conference play. The Bonnies have over achieved this season, as it looked like they would be more in rebuilding mode after losing both Jaylen Adams (19.8 & 5.2 APG) & Matt Mobley (18.1 & 5.0) from last year's 26-8 NCAA team. The Bonnies defeated the Billikens by a 66-57 margin at home in early Ma Birch but the Billikens get their revenge in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Tennessee at 1:00 ET.

No. 8 Tennessee (29-4) overcame an eight-point deficit in the final 2:58 on Saturday to defeat No. 4 Kentucky 82-78 in one semifinal, while No. 22 Auburn (25-9) used its trademark three-point shooting and quick hands on defense to defeat Florida 65-62 in the other. The two SEC tournament survivors, 3-seed Tennessee and 5-seed Auburn, are both tired but Auburn will really be tested, playing its FOURTH game in four days. It’s been 34 years since Auburn won the SEC Tournament and six years longer since Tennessee accomplished the feat. One of those droughts will end.

Guard Brown (15.7) and Harper (15.4 & 5.8 APG) lead the way and Auburn's only other double-digit scorer is 6-6 forward Okeke (11.6 & 6.6). Auburn has made an SEC-record 381 three-pointers, including 13 against Florida. The Tigers have won six straight and eight of their last nine, including a March 9 home victory over Tennessee (84-80) that cost the Vols a first-place finish in the regular season.

The Vols have won five of their last six games, with the lone defeat coming at Auburn. 6-7 junior forward Grant Williams (19.2 & 7.5) was named SEC Player of the Year for the second straight season. Senior wing Admiral Schofield (16.6 & 62.) also earned first-team recognition and junior PG Jordan Bone (13.4) leads the SEC in assists with 6.2 per game. Guards Bowden (10.5) and Turner (10.0) make it five double digit scorers for the Vols, while the 6-11 Alexander (7.6 & 6.6) supports Williams up front.

Auburn is playing for the championship for the first time since 2000 and seeking its first tournament title since 1985.Meanwhile, Tennessee is playing in its second consecutive SEC Tournament title game but it hasn’t won the crown since 1979.Something's gotta give! Rick Barnes has "done it" at Providence, Clemson and Texas and now is poised to break through at Tennessee. His first two teams went 15-19 and 16-16 but lastarera's team went 26-9. At 29-4, this year's team could end the Vols' long SEC tourney drought, as well as give Barnes his third 30-win season (did it twice at Texas with Elite-8 teams). Expect Auburn to 'run out of gas' and for the team's three-point shots NOT to fall with regularity.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on the LA Lakers at 12:05 ET.

To say the least, LBJ's first year in LA has been a major disappointment. The Lakers are 31-38 and while they have yet to be officially ruled out of the postseason, it's just a matter of time. James (27.4-8.6-8.0) sat out Los Angeles' 111-97 setback at Detroit on Friday due to what the team referred to as "load management" connected to the groin injury that sidelined him for a month earlier this season. The Lakers were playing the second half of a back-to-back set, with James logging nearly 32 minutes in the club's 111-98 loss to Toronto on Thursday. It's also noteworthy that LBJ wasn't wasn't the only member of his team sitting out vs. the Pistons. Lonzo Ball (ankle), Tyson Chandler (neck), Brandon Ingram (right arm) and Lance Stephenson (toe) were also spectators as Los Angeles went on to lose for the SEVENTH time in eight games.

However, expect LBJ to play here in MSG vs the hapless Knicks, who are 13-56, including 6-26 at home. The Knicks are inching closer to locking up the worst record in the NBA, having lost EIGHT in a row, after capping an 0-3 road trip with a 109-83 loss at San Antonio on Friday (Knicks are now three games behind Phoenix in the league basement). New York has some physical issues of its own with PG Dennis Smith Jr. (14.6 PPG in 17 games with NY) missing the game in San Antonio with a back issue and forward Noah Vonleh leaving the contest due to an ankle injury. Center DeAndre Jordan came one assist shy of recording his first career triple-double for the Knicks vs the Spurs but while he's averaging 11.5 & 12.2 in his 13 games with New York, the Knicks have gone 1-12 in those games.

No reason to expect LBJ to NOT play here and the Lakers have to be in the mood to win a game once in awhile, especially against the sad-sack Knicks, who beat them at Staples Center 119-112 back on Jan 4..An important note with that one is that neither James nor Kuzma (18.^ & 5.7) played in that contest, while for the Knicks, Tim Hardaway Jr. (22 points) and Enes Kanter (16 & 15 off the bench) are both playing for other teams now.

Good luck...Larry

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

The 18-10 Harvard Crimson and the 21-7 Yale Bulldogs meet in the Ivy League championship game from the John J. Lee Amphitheater on Sunday afternoon. The two schools tied for first-place in the regular season (10-4) but Harvard has beaten Yale in both meetings this year, so comes in as the No. 1 seed. However, the game will be played on Yale's home floor ( John J. Lee Amphitheater), where the Bulldogs have gone 11-2.

Yale bested Princeton 83-77 in a semifinal game on Saturday, as leading scorer Miye Oni (17.6 & 6.4) led the Bulldogs with 23 points. Fellow guard Alex Copeland (13.4) had 16 points, as did forward Blake Reynolds (11.7 & 4.5). Yale has SEVEN players seeing 20 minutes or more this season, chipping in between 7.0 and 17.6 PPG.  The Bulldogs shoot 49.4% as a team (9th-best in the nation), while averaging 80.6 PPG (26th).

Harvard began the season without its two best players, forward Seth Towns (16.0 & 5.7 LY) and guard Bryce Aiken (14.1 LY). Towns hasn't played at all but Aiken has returned to play the team's last 15 games. Aiken led the Crimson with 19 points in Saturday's 68-65 win over Penn and that's no surprise. He's averaging 21.7 PPG, more than DOUBLE that of any other Harvard player. Harvard is averaging almost 10 points less per game than Yale, at 71.0 per.

As already noted, Harvard has won both regular season meetings, including Feb 23 at this venue by the score of 88-86. The Crimson score 1d7 points higher than their season's average in that game, making 50.9% from the floor, while getting to the FT line 27 times to Yale's 10 (outscored the Bulloigs 22-8 at the line). Think that will happen again? I sure don't.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NCAAB 10* Game of the Year is on Washington at 10:30 ET.

Washington is currently 26-7 and won the Pac 12's regular season title by three games. The Huskies should be "off the bubble" but the Pac 12 gets little respect (deservedly so this year), so Washington hopes to win its first conference tournament title since 2011 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Standing in the way is 22-12 Oregon, the Pac 12's preseason favorite. However, the Ducks' season was derailed early, when 7-2 freshman Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.6) was lost for the season after just nine games. Oregon finished 10-8 in league play (No. 6 seed) but have now beaten Wash St, Utah and Arizona St to reach the title game. Are the Ducks now a possible at-large team?

The sixth-seeded Ducks won their SEVENTH straight game and third and in three nights on Friday, knocking off No. 2 seed Arizona State 79-75 in overtime to move within one win of an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. "I'm really happy for the guys," Oregon head coach Dana Altman said (note: Altman became the all-time leader by winning his 18th Pac-12 Tournament game, moving past Arizona's Sean Miller). "Washington will be a tough game. We played them just a week ago and we played really good against them. I hope we can muster up the same kind of effort." The Ducks have made their late winning run thanks to some strong defense, holding their last seven opponents to an average of 55.1 PPG. Junior PG Payton Pritchard (12.5-3.7-4.4) is the lone returning starter from the Ducks' 2017 Final Four squad but so many others have stepped up this season. 6-9 freshman forward Louis King (13.1 & 5.8) plus another a pair of 6-9 forwards, senior White (10.5 & 3.9) and sophomore Wooten (6.3 & 4.6) have been noteworthy.

Washington opened the second half last night with a 25-5 run and held Colorado to 20 percent shooting, including 2-of-16 on three-pointers, after the break in rallying to defeat the Buffaloes 66-61 in the other semifinal. Huskies' head coach Mike Hopkins lobbied after Friday night's win that 6-5 senior guard Matisse Thybulle (9.4 & 3.1), who had 12 points, three blocks and a steal to move into a tie with Gary Payton for the Pac-12 career steals record of 321, should be the national defensive player of the year. FIVE Huskies finished in double figures last night, led by sophomore guard Jaylen Nowell (16.5-5.4-3.2), the Pac-12 Player of the Year, and 6-9 sophomore forward Nahziah Carter (8.0 & 2.6), who both finished with 14 points.On the season, guard Crisp (12.7) and the 6-8 Dickerson (12.4 & 7.5) joined Nowell in double digit scoring.

I noted at the top that an at-large bid may not be coming to the loser of this game. Washing would be a favorite to get one but the Huskies sure don't want to 'sweating' Selection Sunday. More motivation is provided by the fact that Oregon spoiled Washington's Senior Night last Saturday by handing the Huskies their ONLY home loss of the season, 55-47. Four wins in four days is just too much to ask of the Ducks against the avenging Huskies!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the SA Spurs at 8:35 ET.

Both teams played last night, making home floor advantage that much more important. Especially at this time of year. Playing the second game of a back-to-back is never easy, but in the final month of the season it can be excruciating. Especially when both games are on the road. The Blazers pulled away for a 122-110 win at New Orleans last night, while the Spurs posted a relatively simple 109-83 home win over the Knicks, resting many of their starters down the stretch.

The 42-26 Blazers are a half-game up on the Rockets in a battle for the West's No. 3 seed and the Rockets are just a half-game up on the 5th-seeded Thunder. It will be quite a finish. The Spurs have won SEVEN in a row and are now 40-29. San Antonio is safely inside the playoff 'cut line' (6 1/2 games clear) but "don't look now," the Spurs are just THREE games back of the Blazers.

The win over the Knicks gives San Antonio a 27-7 home mark (22-12 ATS) and the Spurs will take a NINE-game home winning streak into this contest .The home team has won and covered the first three meetings between these teams this season and the Spurs have defended their homecourt well in this series, taking 10 of the last 12 SU (9-3 ATS) over the last four years. At this price, San Antonio offers great value!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Old Dominion Monarchs and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers meet at the Ford Center at The Star in the C-USA championship game. ODU won the regular season title at 13-5, while Western Ky finished in a four-way tie for second at 11-7. The Monarchs are coming off a 61-59 win over the UAB Blazers and enter having won NINE of their last 11 games. The Hilltoppers are coming off a 70-59 win over the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles and have won NINE of their last 12.

Old Dominion features a dynamic one-two guard duo of Stith (17.0 PPG and 7,5 RPG are both team highs) plus PG Caver (16.7-4.4-5.5). Defense is key for ODU, as the Monarchs also just 60.9 PPG (7th-best in the nation). Western Ky will own the best big man in the game, the 6-10 Bassey (14.6 & 100). The Hilltoppers also have an excellent trio of guards, who combine to chip in just under 40 PPG (Hollingsworth leads the way at 14.6 per).

The Monarchs won both meetings against Western Kentucky this season, games in which they controlled the pace and kept the Hilltoppers in check defensively. However, both games were played on ODU's homecourt, due to C-USA's "bonus play" schedule (new this season). ODU was able to hold Western Ky in check but beat them by just FOUR and THREE points on their home floor. Western Ky now gets ODU in a neutral-site setting and the Hilltoppers are a money-making 46-21 ATS in their last 67 neutral site games. Meanwhile, the Monarchs are just 18-37 ATS in their last 55 vs Conference USA opponents and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games (0-2 in this tourney, so far.). No home cookin' for ODU in this one and the "double-avenging" Hilltoppers make the third time a 'CHARM!' 

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Villanova at 6:30 ET.

The Wildcats are defending NCAA champs (won TWICE in the last three years) and after rallying past Xavier on Friday to escape with a 71-67 overtime win, 'NOVA can become the first team ever to win three straight Big East Tournament titles when they face Seton Hall at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. 24-9 Villanova routed Seton Hall by 28 in the first matchup on Jan.27 but the Pirates won the rematch 79-75 on March 9. Third-seeded Seton Hall (now 20-12)) outlasted Marquette late Friday night, escaping with an 81-79 win .

Myles Powell (22.9) led the way for Seton Hall with 22 points and seven assists. He's made at least four 3-pointers in five consecutive games and scored at least 20 points in six straight. The 6-8 Michael Nzei (9.2 & 5.3) had 15 rebounds on Friday - five more than his previous season high - and added 14 points for his second double-double of the season. Guard Cale (10.3) is the only other Seton Hall player averaging in double digits.

Clutch baskets from seniors Phil Booth (28 points!) and Eric Paschal got 'Nova through vs Xavier. Booth (18.7-3.9-3.8) and the 6-8 Paschall (16.5 & 6.2) earned All-Big East honors. Sophomore guard Gillespie (11.3) is a third double digit scorer for the Wildcats. Note that 6-9 sophomore Jermaine Samuels (5.9 & 5.4) had 17 points against Xavier (delivered some clutch baskets of his own), his third double-digit scoring effort in the last five games following an 11-game run of single-digit scoring efforts.

Villanova needed OT to get past Seton Hall in last year's Big East title a game and BOTH teams remember. BOTH teams earned hard-fought wins last night (Seton Hall's games vs Marquette was brutal) but I'm siding with the champs at this price.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Kansas at 6:00 ET.

I noted in taking Iowa St last night against Kansas St, that the Cyclones have grown to love playing here in Kansas City's Sprint Center. After all, the 5th-seeded Cyclones have won THREE of the last five Big 12 Tournaments, all at the Sprint Center. Marial Shayok (18.7) came up big down the stretch for Iowa State in Friday's 63-59 semifinal victory over top-seeded Kansas State, draining two key three-pointers and two insurance free throws over the final 1:55, as the Cyclones moved to 11-2 in Kansas City since the start of the 2013-14 season. Michael Jacobson (11.4 & 6.0), the lone Cyclone starter who stands taller than 6-6, pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds Friday to tie a school record for the most rebounds in a Big 12 Tournament game

Iowa State is unbeaten in four previous title games but to move to 5-0, the Cylones will have to get past third-seeded and 18th-ranked Kansas. The Jayhawks famously failed to win a 15th straight Big 12 regular season title but Kansas has won this tournament 11 time. The 6-9 Dedric Lawson (conference-best marks of 19.2 points and 10.4 rebounds) bounced back from a poor offensive effort by his standards in Thursday's quarterfinal win over Texas with 24 points on 9-of-13 shooting and eight rebounds in last night's 88-74 win ovr West Va. Freshman guards Quentin Grimes (8.3 points) and Devon Dotson (11.9-3.7- 3.6 assists) each had solid games. Grimes added 18 points (his best offensive output since a 19-point outburst vs the Cyclones on Jan 5), while Dotson continued his recent steady play with 13 points, five rebounds and six assists (he's averaging 15 points over his last three games).

Iowa St can claim the Sprint Center as its "home away from home" but don't tell that to the Jayhawks. Kansas improved to 41-9 all-time at the Sprint Center with last night's win, including 3-0 this season. What's more, ALL eight of Kansas' losses this year have come in true road games, meaning that the Jayhawks are 22-0 at home and in neutral site games this season, Make that 23-0 !

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Utah St at 6:00 ET.

The San Diego State Aztecs and the Utah State Aggies will meet in the MWC championship game from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday night. The Aztecs advance to this game by taking down No. 14 Nevada, 65-56 (as a 10-point underdog ). PG Devin Watson led the Aztecs with 20 points on 5 of 10 shooting and the 6-10 Jalen McDaniels added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double. McDaniels averages 16.2 & 8.4) and Watson 15.9-3.1-4.2), as the duo has led SDSU all season.

Utah St had little trouble in taking out Fresno State in the semifinals by a final score of 85-60. Sam Merrill led the Aggies with 22 points, while fellow guard Diogo Brito (8.4 & 4.3) added 20 points and seven rebounds. Merrill is the team-leader is points (21.1) and assist (4.3), while the 6-11 Queta has been the team's best inside player (11.7 & 8.9). Queta had 10 points and a team-high 13 rebounds last night.

The Aztecs shocked observers by winning this tourney last year and are now poised to "do it again." However, I'll say, "Not so fast!" The Aggies tied Nevada (15-3) during the regular season but know if there is an at-large bid coming from the MWC, it's Nevada, NOT Utah St. The Aggies come in having won 16 of their last 17, with the LONE loss coming at San Diego St. Yes, the Aggies avenged that loss with a 16-point home win on Feb 26 but 27-6 Utah St almost HAS to know it's win or the NIT tonight!

Good luck...Larry

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

Houston opened its postseason by easily handling UConn (No. 9 seed), 84-45 in the AAC quarterfinals on Friday afternoon, Houston reached the 30-win mark (30-2) for the first time since the days of Phi Slama Jama more than 35 years ago. The Cougars now set their sites on a second straight trip to the American Athletic Conference Tournament title game but standing in their way are the fifth-seeded Memphis Tigers. The Tigers entered the tournament needing to do some work to impress the NCAA Tournament selection committee and they just might have turned some heads with a 79-55 victory over fourth-seeded Central Florida on Friday to reach 21-12.

Kelvin Sampson's team is a perimeter-oriented group, as the team's top-five scorers are guards.Corey Davis Jr. (16.8) led the way vs UConn with 22 points and PG Galen Robinson Jr. (8.1 & 5.1 APG) added 16. Davis has been above his seasonal average in five straight games, averaging 23 points in that span.Some good news for Houston is, none of its starters played more than 30 minutes in the rout over UConn and 10 players scored for the Cougars.

Memphis took apart UCF Friday afternoon, despite the AAC's leading scorer Jeremiah Martin (19.5-4.1-4.5) making just 1-of-6 from the floor!  Junior forward Isaiah Maurice (just 6.0 PPG on the season) was the catalyst, scoring a career-high 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting. The always steady 6-8 senior Kyvon Davenport (13.4 & 7.1)  contributed his 10th double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

The only meeting between these teams this year came in Houston back on Jan 6. The Cougars won that one 90-77 but this game is on Memphis' home floor, the FedExForum. Memphis comes in having won SIX of seven and after its rout of UCF, sits 16-2 SU here at home. Note that the Cougars were favored by eight points on their home floor back on Jam 6, so why are they again favored by that number here on Memphis' home floor? Good question. I say the answer is, Memphis is not getting enough respect. Expect Martin to rebound from his poor Friday performance and also look for Davenport to be a big factor, as Houston does not have much of any inside presence. This is a 'home dog' and I expect the Tigers to 'bark' LOUDLY!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on St Bonny's at 1:00 ET.

It's A-10 semifinal action Saturday  from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, as  Rhode Island takes on St Bonaventure. The Rams upset VCU 75-70 on Saturday, the A-10's No. 1 seed, The Rams' leading scorer, PG Jeff Dowtin(15.4 & 3.8 APG) keyed the win with 22 points. Fellow guard Tyrese Martin (8.1 & 5.1) added 13 points, five rebounds and three assists. The team's top frontcourt player, the 6-8 Cyril Langevine(14.7 & 10.0), had a modest seven points but nine rebounds.Meanwhile, St Boony's knocked off the George Mason Patriots 68-57. PG Kyle Lofton (14.4 & 3.7 APG) scored 20 points, as did fellow guard Dominick Welch (Welch averages just 6.7 PPG on the season).

Rhode Island comes into this contest on a six-game winning streak but one wonders if the Rams just might suffer a bit of a "let down" off beating VCU, which won the A-10 with a 16-2 record. The Bonnies' are equally hot. These schools met just once in the regular season, as Rhode Island won 75-63 at home back on Jan 16. St Bonny's lost its next game in OT at home to Dayton but since then has won 11 of 14! .

St Bonny was 12-6 in A-10 play (now 13-6 with the win over George Mason) and is simply the better team, playing with revenge. St Bonaventure plays excellent D (63.7 PPG ranks 21st in the nation) and expect them to easily handle the Rams.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Oregon at 11:30 ET.

Arizona State found itself being mentioned as a potential NCAA bubble team heading into the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas. The second-seeded Sun Devils (12-6 in Pac 12 play) cruised to an 83-72 victory over UCLA in Thursday's quarterfinals and at 22-9 on the season, have a chance to build on their at-large resume when they face Oregon in Friday's semifinals at T-Mobile Arena.The Ducks were the preseason favorite in the Pac 12 but when 7-2 freshman Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.6) was lost for the season after just nine games, those hopes went with him. Oregon finished 10-8 in league play (No. 6 seed) but have beaten Wash St and Utah to reach 21-12 on the season. Could the Ducks climb into at-large consideration with a win here?

Junior PG Payton Pritchard (12.3 & 4.3 APG) is the lone returning starter from the Ducks' 2017 Final Four squad but so many others have stepped up this season. 6-9 freshman forward Louis King (12.4 & 5.5) joined Pritchard by scoring 20 points in the quarterfinal victory over Utah. Also making impacts are a pair of 6-9 forwards, senior White (10.4 & 7.8) and sophomore Wooten (6.4 & 4.6). 6-9 freshman forward Francis Okoro tied a Pac-12 tournament record with six blocks.Defense was the key in the win over the Utes, as Utah was held to 34 percent shooting, including 2-of-23 from 3-point range,

Arizona State led by as many as 23 points early in the second half in its Thursday victory over the Bruins The Sun Devils had five players in double figures in the win, led by forward Romello White, who had 19 points and seven rebounds. Most of ASU's scoring comes from the team's three-headed guard rotation of freshman Dort (16.1 & 4.3)., PG Martin (13.7 & 5.2 APG) and Cleveland State transfer Edwards (11.2). The 6-8 Cheatham adds 11.1 & 10.5, while forwards White and  Lawrence combine to chip in 17.5 & 8.9.

ASU head cioach Bobby Hurley made it clear afterward that he felt his team, with non-conference wins over Kansas, Mississippi State and Mountain West co-champion Utah State, had done enough to warrant an invite to March Madness for the second straight year. "I'm going to start by saying after this game, 'What uncertainty?' " Hurley said when the topic of his team's at-large prospects was brought up. "Yeah, it's a big step (reaching the semifinals)." Could ASU be "satisfied?" That could be a concern, as Oregon's Dana Altman is one terrific coach (Altman is tied with Arizona's Sean Miller for most coaching wins in the Pac-12 tournament with 17). Sixth-seeded Oregon j\has won SIX straight game  and since allowing UCLA to score 62 points in the second half of a 90-83 loss on Feb 23, hasn't allowed a team to score 62 points in a game. Quack! Quack! 

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 10* Late-Breaker is on Duke at 9:00 ET.

27-5 Duke is ranked 5th in the latest AP poll, while North Carolina (with an identical 27-5 mark) is ranked 3rd. Carolina is the No. 2 sedd in the ACC and Duke No. 3, as the two schools renew their storied rivalry in the ACC Tournament semifinals Friday at Charlotte, N.C. It doesn't get much better than this for college hoops fans.EVERYONE knows the set-up. Zion Williamson, the Blue Devils' freshman phenom, suffered a knee injury in the first minute of the first meeting (Feb 20) between the two schools, as the Tar Heels romped 88-72 at Duke. North Carolina again prevailed 79=70 this past Saturday, in Chapel Hill.

The 6-7 Williamson (21.9 & 9.0) missed the five games that Feb 20 contest but made a triumphant return in Duke's 84-72 victory over sixth-seeded Syracuse in Thursday's quarterfinals. He showed no rust at all on Thursday, making all 13 of his field-goal attempts in a dominating performance that included 29 points, 14 rebounds and five steals.

RJ Barrett (23.3-7.5-4.1) and Williamson are 1-2 in the ACC in scoring, with freshman guards Reddish (14.0) and Jones (8.9 & 5.4 APG) rounding out this special class.

The Tar Heels opened with an 83-70 victory over seventh-seeded Louisville on Thursday for their EIGHTH straight win. Freshman guard Colby White (16.4 & 4.2 APG) led the way with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. However, North Carolina's two 'main guns' are senior guard Johnson (16.8 & 5.9) and 6-9 senior Maye (14.8 & 10.4).

Duke averages 84.1 PPG (7th) and North Carolian 86.5 PPG (3rd). North Carolina and Duke each have 101 victories in the ACC Tournament and have combined to win 38 of the 65 titles. I hesitated on this, wondering if Duke was "too obvious" but in the end decided I HAVE to take Coach K in this "double-revenge" scenario and live with it.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Tennessee at 9:30 ET.

Tennessee spent four weeks as the AP's No. 1 team this season but squandered an opportunity to earn a share of a second straight SEC title with a late-season meltdown, including blowing an 11-point lead in an 84-80 loss at Auburn last Saturday. The now eighth-ranked Volunteers, who dropped to the third seed for the SEC Tournament, will look to correct some of their mistakes when they open SEC tourney play against sixth seed Mississippi State in a quarterfinal matchup Friday at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. Mississippi jumped out to a 15-point halftime lead Wednesday against 11-seed Texas A&M and rolled to an 80-54 win over the Aggies. That victory sets up a rematch with a Tennessee team that posted a 71-54 home victory over the Bulldogs back on March 5, in the only game between the teams this season.

Quinndary Weatherspoon, an All-SEC First-Team performer (18.3 & 4.8) had a modest 12 points but nine rebounds and three steals on Thursday, as the 23-9 Bulldogs all but guaranteed their first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2008-09. PG Peters (11.6 & 5.2 APG) and fellow guard Carter (10.7) give Miss St a solid trio of perimeter players. Up front, it's a pair of 6-10 players, freshman Perry (9.7 & 7.0) and senior Holman (9.3 & 6.2).

6-7 junior forward Grant Williams (19.3 & 7.7 rebounds), who shot 57 percent from the floor and 83 percent from the foul line, was named SEC Player of the Year for the second straight season. Senior wing Admiral Schofield (16.3 & 6.3) also earned first-team recognition and junior PG Jordan Bone (13.4) led the SEC in assists with 6.1 per game. Guards Bowden (10.5) and Turner (10.3) make it five double digit scorers for teh Vols, while the 6-11 Alexander (7.5 & 6.7) supports Williams up front.

As noted, Miss st has all but clinched an NCAA at-large bid and I strongly believe the Bulldogs are in the WRONG place at the WRONG time in this one, After running off a school-record 19 consecutive victories and spending four weeks at No.1, Tennessee has gone 4-3 in its last seven games, albeit all by opponents projected to safely make the NCAA Tournament. "It really goes back to the other three losses we had this year, they pretty much played out the same way, with too many threes and not getting to the foul line enough," Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes. Getting back on the court (and WINNING) has to be major priority for Barnes' team, after that late collapse cost the Vols a share of the SEC's regular season title. Blowout alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Michigan at 9:25 ET.

26-5 Michigan is 10th in the latest AP poll but opens the Big Ten tourney as just the No. 3 seed. Michigan begins its quest for its THIRD straight Big Ten Tournament championship when it takes on 22-10 Iowa, the No. 6 seed. Iowa got off to a hot start and never looked back last night, routing 11-seed Illinois 83-62. The Hawkeyes had lost their previous four games to fall out of the national rankings but came out firing on all cylinders as they knocked down six 3-pointers in the first half before finishing 12-of-23 from beyond the arc,

The 6-6 Baer (6.9 & 4.6) came off the bench to knock down five 3-pointers en route to a team-high 17 points. He's part of a frontcourt trio that includes teh 6-9 Cook (14.9 & 8.) and the 6-11 Garza (12.8 & 4.4). Joe Wieskamp (11.1) scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor, to go along with seven rebounds. He joins Bohannon (11.7) ansd Moss (9.1) as Iowa's top perimeter people.

Michigan's 6-7 Ignas Brazdeikis (15.0 & 5.3) was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Guards Poole (13.0) and Matthews (12.8 & 5.1), join him in double digits. However, let's not forget PG Zavier Simpson (9.1-5.1-6.3), who earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Throw in 7-1 center Teske (9.7 & 6.7) and John Beilein has a core that could just earn Michigan that third straight Big Ten championship.

Michigan head coach John Beilein has had his team ready to play at a high level entering the Big Ten tournament the past two seasons and why not here. Up first is Iowa, which embarrassed Michigan 74-59 Feb 1 in Iowa City, when Michigan shot a woeful 32.3% from the floor (8-33, 24.2% on threes). Iowa shot 45.6% in that game (including 6 of 14 from long range) but will face a 'mean' Michigan defense allowing 58.8 PPG (2nd-best in the nation). Iowa is hoping to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2006 but that won't happen here vs Michigan, which has won EIGHT straight Big Ten tourney games (7-1 ATS).

Good luck...Larry.

My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET.

Go figure the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons had won 12 of 14 before losing 103-75 at Brooklyn and then 108-74 at Miami. Detroit scored just eight third-quarter points and 25 in the second half of Wednesday's loss to the Heat, It's about our mental fortitude and coming out and having a better mindset at the beginning of games, myself included," Pistons power forward Blake Griffin told reporters. "I'm not excluding myself from that at all. If we have any fight about us at all we'll come out and rectify that." Detroit welcomes the Lakers to town tonight, who limp in off a 111-98 loss at the Toronto Raptors last night. LA has lost EIGHT of its last 10 games and the team is now 7 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the final Western Conference playoff spot.

LBJ (27.4-8.6-8.0) scored 29 points against Toronto but only played 32 minutes, as his playing time was reduced for the fourth straight game with the playoffs being a slim possibility. The Lakers have already lost Ingram (18.3-5.1-3.0) and Ball 9.9-5.3-5.4) for the season and could be without LBJ here, as it's expected he won't play in back-to-back situations.

Detroit center Andre Drummond (17.3 & 15.2) saw his franchise-record-tying streak of 19 consecutive double-doubles come to an end against Miami, as he had just five points and nine rebounds before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter. It wasn't good news that PG Reggie Jackson (15.2 & 4.3 APGsprained his right ankle in the fourth quarter. If he's out,  the roles of backups Ish Smith and Jose Calderon will expand. Rookie Bruce Brown and Luke Kennard could also get some minutes at the point.As always, Blake Griffin (24.9-7.7-5.4) will be counted on heavily.

Detroit head coach Dwane Casey is miffed at the collapses as his club sits seventh in Eastern Conference playoff race with not much margin for error. "For two games in a row now, we didn't come out in playoff mode," Casey told reporters. "There's nothing schematically. There's nothing X-and-O wise. It's our approach. We have to understand at this time of year ... the only thing you can do is scrap and play hard."The again, here's the bottom line. The Lakers have ZERO motivation and let's NOT ignore that the Pistons are on a 7-0 SU & ATS run at home since Feb 4, while averaging a WHOPPING 122.4 PPG. The number seems high but LAY IT!

Good luck…Larry

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

25-7 Kansas St is the Big 12's No. 1 seed but 21-11 Iowa State has grown to love playing here in Kansas City's Sprint Center. After all, the 5th-seeded Cyclones have won THREE of the last five Big 12 Tournaments, all at the Sprint Center. The Cyclones dropped five of six to close the regular season but their confidence did not appear to be shaken at any point during Thursday's 83-66 victory against Baylor. Meanwhile, Kansas State won for the SIXTH time in its last seven tries with Thursday's 70-61 triumph against TCU, turning an 18-9 edge in turnovers into a 22-4 advantage in points off miscues.

One of the main reasons for Iowa State's fade down the stretch was the team's lack of efficiency beyond the arc. However, Iowa State made 13 of its 25 three-point attempts in downing Baylor. Leading scorer Shayok (18.6) finished with 18 points and has now scored at least 17 points in 25 of his 31 outings. The undersized Cyclones start four guards, along with the 6-9 Jacobson. FIVE of the team's top-six scorers are guards, while Jacobson adds 11.6 & 5.1. The Big 12's Sixth Man of the Year Lindell Wigginton has scored 16 or 17 points in four straight contests.

Kansas St may be the No. 1 seed but All-Big 12 forward, the 6-10 Dean Wade (12.9 & 6.2), is expected to miss the entire tournament with a foot injury. Junior 6-5 forward Xavier Sneed (10.3 & 5.4) who stepped up Thursday with 19 points (including 16 in the second half), seven boards and five assists. However, guard Barry Brown (team-high 15.0 points) shot only 5-of-16 vs the Horned Frogs.

Many have called the Sprint Center "Hilton (Coliseum) South."They may just be right. The Cyclones looked VERY comfortable vs Baylor and note that Iowa State is 11-1 when making 10 or more three-pointers. Meanwhile, without Wade, Kansas St struggled with TCU, getting a win mostly due to poor and SLOPPY play by the Horned Frogs. The Wildcats can't count on that from the Cyclones. Iowa St heads to Saturday's championship game.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddmaker's Error is on Memphis at 2:30 ET.

23-7 Central Florida impressed with consecutive wins against ranked teams earlier this month and now hopes to make a run in the American Athletic Conference Tournament. The Knights handed Houston its only home loss of the season 69-64 on March 2 and held off visiting Cincinnati 58-55 five days later, before ending the regular season with a loss at Temple. The 4th-seeded Knights (13-5) will take on 20-12 Memphis, which is the AAC's fifth-seed (11-7). The Tigers recorded a season-high 52 points in the first half  yesterday, rolling to an 83-68 victory over Tulane.

Jeremiah Martin (19.7 & 4.6) scored 21 points in Thursday's win and is an AAC first-team selection. Martin is averaging 28.3 PPG over his last 11 contests. 6-8 senior forward Kyvon Davenport (13.3 & 7.0), who had averaged just 7.5 points the final four games of the regular season, scored 17 on Thursday and hauled in seven rebounds. Fellow senior forward Mike Parks Jr. recorded his first double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds against Tulane, after managing 25 and 22 total, respectively, in his previous six outings.

UCF is led by an outstanding backcourt duo. Senior guard B.J. Taylor (16.2) and junior guard Aubrey Dawkins (15.4 & 5.1) was an American second-team pick. 7-6 senior center Tacko Fall was a third-team selection, averaging 10.9 PPG on 75.1 percent shooting (tops in the nation),  to go along with team highs of 7.2 rebounds and 2.4 blocks.

Conference tourneys are typically neutral-site games but NOT here. The FedEx Forum is Memphis' home court and the Tigers are 15-2 on their home court this season (lost to Cincy and Tenn), including a 77-57 victory over UCF on Jan 27. In that contest, the Tigers held UCF’s starters to 32 points on 13-of-38 shooting from the floor. Deja vu? I say yes, as UCF may be a little complacent off those late-season wins at Houston and home against Cincinnati. Memphis was a slight favorite at home vs UCF (-1.5) and won by 20! Why would the Tigers be getting ANY points here at home in this one?

Good luck...Larry

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

LSU (26-5 / 16-2) is the SEC's No. 1 seed but the Tigers will be without head coach Will Wade. The coach and school are embroiled in controversy amid a federal corruption probe tied to recruiting. Wade has been suspended and interim coach Tony Benford, who guided LSU to its 80-59 win over Vanderbilt in the regular-season finale Saturday, is expected to call the shots in today's game against the 18-14 Florida Gators. Florida knocked off Arkansas 66-50 in Thursday's second round to snap a three-game slide and is hoping a win over the SEC's top-seed would cement an at-large bid to the Big Dance.

Freshman forward Keyontae Johnson (7.9 & 6.0) scored a career-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting to go along with 12 rebounds in Thursday's win. Senior guard KeVaughn Allen scored 17 points versus Arkansas after four straight single-digit efforts. He's Florida's top scorer at a modest 12.1 PPG. Freshman PG Andrew Nembhard (7.9 & 5.3 APG)  recorded eight assists for the second straight game.Florida's counts on its "D," which allows only 63.3 PPG (20th).

LSU freshman guard Javonte Smart, LSU's fourth-leading scorer at 11.5 PPG, did not play for the Tigers against Vanderbilt. The school has yet to decide whether he will suit up for today's game. However, 6-10 freshman forward Naz Reid (13.3 & 6..9), who missed the win over the Commodores with injuries sustained at Florida three days earlier, has practiced this week and is expected to play. The Tigers are led by All-SEC first teamer Tremont Waters, a sophomore guard who paces the team in scoring (15.3 PPG), ranked third in the SEC in assists (5.9) and was second nationally in steals (3.1), which garnered him a co-Defensive Player of the Year honor in the conference. Junior guard Skylar Mays is also a noteworthy player, averaging 13.6 PPG.

These schools split two OT affairs this season, so I'm not expecting an LSU romp. However, with this line, a romp is NOT needed. The Tigers won their last five games of the regular season to claim the conference regular-season crown for the first time since 2009, so do NOT expect them to 'flame out' in their SEC tourney game.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on Long Beach St at 11:30 ET.

It's a Big West tournament quarterfinal matchup from the Honda Center in Anaheim late tonight, as the 14-18 Long Beach State 49ers (8-8 in league play) take on the 18-12 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (9-7). The 49ers started conference play 2-0 but lost EIGHT of their next nine games to fall to 3-8, before rattling off FIVE straight wins to finish the regular season at .500 in conference play. Hawaii started conference play off at 2-0 and 4-2. The Warriors made it to 7-4 before a three-game losing skid brought them back to a .500 mark in conference play. However, Hawaii rebounded by finishing the regular season with back-to-back road victories to get above .500 in Big West play and lock up the #4 seed (LBSU is the no. 5 seed).

The 6-9 Jack Purchase led the Warriors with 11.5 PPG and 6.0 RPG. The 6-8 Raimo (11.4 & 5.9) checked in right behind him. Hawaii owns a solid trio of guards in Stansberry (11.3), Stepteau (10.4 & 3.4 APG) and Buggs (8.9-.4,3-5.4). The 49ers are led by PG Booker (18.9-3.4-4.5), who will be the best player on the floor. He's joined in the backcourt by Alberts (10.7). Up front, it's the 6-7 Yussef (11.0 & 6.5), the 6-7 Byars (7.8 & 6.2) and the 6-9 Riggins (6.6 & 5.4).

Hawaii finished the regular season in California (won at UC-Davis and CS-Fullerton), so has remained on the mainland. However, Long Beach will right at home in Anaheim, just a 20-minute drive away. What's more, I have to side with long-time LBSU head coach Dan Monson, who has some extra time to tweak things after finishing the regular season a week ago Wednesday. "Double-revenge" works in this one and don't be surprised to see the 49ers still playing on Saturday.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Seton Hall at 9:30 ET.

19-12 Georgetown is seeded 6th in the Big East tourney and will take on 18-12 Seton Hall, which earned the No.3 seed despite the fact that both schools were 9-9 in league play (tie-breakers decided the seedings). The Hoyas are off an 86-84 win in their regular season finale at Marquette, while to the Pirates snapped a three-game slide with victories over Marquette and Villanova (Big East's top-two teams) to close out the regular season.

6-10 center Govan leads the Hoyas is scoring (17.6) and rebounding (7.6) but most feel freshman guards James Akinjo (13.7 & 5.4 APG) and Mac McClung (13.4) are the real reason the Hoyas produced their first winning season in four years. The 6-7 LeBlanc (9.4 & 7.5) was a nice complement to Govan up front.

Seton Hall has 'ridden' guard Myles Powell all season, the No. 2 scorer in the Big East at 22.6 PPG. The Big East Player of the Year award will likely go to either Powell or Marquette's Markus Howard, but Powell may have settled the debate with the way he played over the final five weeks of the regular season. He scored 17 points or more in each of the final 10 games, averaging 25.5 points over that span. Fellow guards McKnight (9.4 & 4.1 APG) and Cale (10.4 & 4.3) are solid backcourt partners plus up front, the 6-10 Mamukelashuili (8.8 & 7.6) and the 6-8 Nzei (9.1 & 4.9) are capable of battling Govan to a draw.

Seton Hall owns wins over over Kentucky (neutral site) and at Maryland earlier thsi year and teh Pirates surely realize a loss here would really negatively effect the team's at-large chances. My bet says Powell is the 'wild card.' He is one of four players to earn unanimous All-Big East first-team honors along with Howard (conference-high 25.0 points) and Villanova's Phil Booth and Eric Paschall. I noted earlier his 25.5 PPG average over his last 10 games but he got it done in other ways too, averaging 5.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.4 steals in those final 10 contests. What's more, he has averaged 28.8 PPG in his last four games. "The Hall" is the play!

Good luck...Larry

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

Short and sweet with this one. SMU crushed Tulsa 77-57 back on Jan 12 and sat at 11-5 on the season. However, the Mustangs enter the AAC tourney having lost 11 of their last 14 games (now 14-16 overall, including 6-12 in league play). The Mustangs own a veteran backcourt featuring McMurray (17.8) and PG Whitt (12.1-6.5-4.1) plus two solid frontcourt players in the 6-9 Chargois (12.5 & 6.3) and the 6-8 Miller (11.9 & 5.4).

Tulsa 8-13 on the season (8-10 in conference play), led by swingman Jeffries (13.0 & 5.7). Four guards average between 5.2 and 8.7 PPG, with PG Taplin (8.7 & 4.1 APG) being the best of the group. Up front, it's the 6-8 Igbanu (12.6 & 5.7) and 6-7 (9.8 & 4.9). Tulsa is the better-balanced team and I'm not sure why a team that's lost 11 of 14 could have been installed as the slight favorite in this one. Tulsa wins comfortably.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the OKC Thunder (7:05 EST).

OKC had lost eight in a row ATS from Feb 14 thru Mar 5 but comes in 3-1 SU & ATS. Currently tied with Houston for No. 3 seed in the West with Portland just a half-game back (no margin for error down the stretch / top-four seeds get homecourt in first round). Off a win over Brooklyn last night, clearly Paul George will be looking to keep the momentum rolling here.

Note that just one of the Pacers' 11 wins since Victor Oladipo's season-ending injury in late January has come against a team that is currently .500 of better!

The Thunder have to be feeling confident here as well, as they’d take both meetings vs. the Pacers last season, including a 100-95 road victory. 

OKC remains 4.5 games behind the Warriors for the top spot after GS won in Houston last night. But with a chance to gain ground on both teams with another victory tonight, I’m expecting the visitors to keep the foot on the gas from start to finish.

I think it’s important to note as well that the Thunder are a solid 6-4 in the second game of back-to-backs this year, averaging 112.2 points and conceding 106.2 in those instances.

For all the reasons listed above, play on the Thunder.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* SEC Tourney G.O.Y. is on Ole Miss at 7:00 ET.

17-14 Alabama will square off with 20-11 Ole Miss in the second round of the SEC tourney on Thursday night. The winner gets second-seeded and fourth-ranked Kentucky in the quarterfinals on Friday. The Crimson Tide went 8-10 in SEC play (No. 10 seed), after falling 82-70 to Arkansas on Saturday to conclude a 2-6 end to the regular season. Meanwhile, Ole Miss rallied from a double-digit deficit to upend Missouri and reach 20 victories (10-8 in the SEC / No. 7 seed).

Freshman PG Kira Lewis Jr.earned all-conference freshman team honors. He leads the Crimson Tide in scoring at 13.9 points per game and is the second-youngest Division I player in the nation. Petty (10.6 & 4.4) joins him in double digit scoring in the backcourt, while three more guards combine to chip in 20.5 PPG. 6-9 senior forward Donta Hall leads the SEC in double-doubles (13) and is Alabama's main (only?) frontcourt presence (10.5 & 8.5)..

Ole Miss was picked to finish last in the SEC preseason media poll but the Rebels, under first-year head coach Kermit Davis, experienced a remarkable turnaround in Davis’ first season as coach. Junior guards Breein Tyree (18.5-3.0-2.9) and Terence Davis (15.5-5.8-3.4 points) combine to form the highest-scoring duo in the SEC. Two more guards, Shuler (10.1-4.1-3,0) and Hinson (8.1) add excellent depth. Up front, the 6-8 Stevens (8.4 & 4.5) is the best performer but two others combine to add 11.6 & 7.4.

Ole Miss opened the season 14-3, going a remarkable 15-2 ATS. No way the team could have kept up that pace but the Rebels did win EIGHT more games than a season ago (the eight-victory jump is the largest among all Power 5 teams this season!). Hard to believe Ole Miss WON'T remember its lone meeting with Alabama this season, a 74-53 loss at Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss may have already clinched an at-large bid but NO WAY Davis will let his team get complacent. Alabama limps in 2-6 in its last eight games (1-7 ATS), having failed to score more than 70 points in ANY of those eight games (note: The Tide are 2-10 this season when held under that mark!). Expect the Rebels to win here (COMFORTABLY), making Selection Sunday a formality.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Late-Breaker is on Marquette at 7:00 ET.

St John's opened 12-0 in non-conference play but a three-game losing streak to end the regular season left the Red Storm in a serious at-large predicament. St John's seemed to have an NCAA Tournament at-large bid locked up before two losses to Xavier sandwiched around a second setback of the current season to DePaul. However, the Red Storm  took care of DePaul 82-74 in Wednesday's opening round, as the Blue Demons went 4 of 20 on three-pointers. St John's would  likely could cement an NCAA Tournament berth with a win Thursday evening against 23-8 Marquette, the Big East's No. 2 seed. The Golden Eagles lost twice this season to seventh-seeded St. John's but more importantly enter this game having lost FOUR in a row!

Junior PG Shamorie Ponds leads the Red storm in scoring (19.7) and assists (5.3) with four more players averaing in double digits. Sophomore guard LJ Figueroa (14.6) leads the team in rebounding at 6.3 per plus guard Heron (an Auburn transfer) chips in 15.1 & 4.8. The 6-7 Clark (11.1 & 5.4) and junior guard Justin Simon (10.3-4.9-3.2) round out the group (Simon was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year).

Marquette's Markus Howard (25.0-3.9-4.0) was just named the Big East Player of the Year. However, Howard was relatively quiet over his final five games during the regular season, shooting just over 35 percent from the floor and barely over 31 percent from three-point range during that stretch. The Hauser brothers have supported Howard all season, with 6-9 junior Sam adding 14.8 & 7.1 and 6-9 freshman Joey chipping in 9.8 & 5.3. That said, Sam Hauser (like Howard) has struggled lately, with performances of three points and seven points, shooting 1-of-7 and 2-of-11 from the floor in two of his last three games.

So will Marquette 'roll over?' I CAN'T see that. The Red Storm beat Marquette by 20 in early January and by one in early February. If that alone wasn't motivation enough, how about the Golden Eagles current four-game slide which began with a 67-61 loss at Villanova on Feb 27. Steve Wojciechowsk's team is TOO good to go out with a loss in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on UNLV at 5:30 ET.

The MWC tourney moves into its second day with games at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. SD State is 19-12 overall and UNLV enters 17-13 (both were 11-7 in league play). The Aztecs enter having lost THREE of four, after an 81-53 defeat at the Nevada Wolf Pack. Meanwhile, the Rebels won consecutive contests to end the regular season after squeezing by the Colorado State Rams 65-60 as a small road underdog.

SDSU will have the best big man on the floor in the 6-10 McDaniels (16.0 & 8.1) plus PG Watson (15.7 & 4.2 APG) will be the game's best backcourt player. However, I like UNLV's depth a little bit more in this one. Clyburn (13.9 & 5.3), Hardy (13.2) and PG Robotman (9.5 & 5.0 APG) are a solid trio plus after UNLV lost its best frontcourt player early in the season (the 6-7 Juiston, who averaged 10.8 & 8.8), a couple of big men have developed over the season. They are the 6-9 Ntambwe (11.9 & 5.5) and the 6-11 Mbacke Diong (7.0 & 6.8).

This game is being played on UNLV's homecourt and while clearly it no longer offers the domianting advantage it once did, I like the Rebels in this 'double revenge" situation from the regular season. UNLV lost 60-59 at home to SDSU back on Feb 23 but overall, the Rebels ended the season winning FIVE of seven (only other loss was to then-No. 8 Nevada). The THIRD time will be the 'CHARM' (win & cover!) for the Rebels!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on Iowa St at 12:30 ET.

The 20-11 Iowa State Cyclones (9-9 in Big 12) will square off against the 19-12 and Baylor Bears (10-8) at the Sprint Center Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Tourney. The 5th-seeded Cyclones got to as high as No. 17 in this year's AP poll but will enter this game having lost FIVE of their last six games. The 4th-seeded Bears  suffered a huge blow after losing the 6-9 Tristan Clark (14.6 & 6.3) halfway through the season but the Bears survived to win 19 games overall, including going 10-8 in league play.

The undersized Cyclones start four guards, along with the 6-9 Jacobson. FIVE of the team's top-six scorers are guards, led by senior Marial Shayok (18.7 & 5.1). Jacobson adds 11.6 & 5.1). Guard Makai Mason(14.6) took over as Baylor's leader when Clark went down but he has an injured foot (he is listed as probable).

I noted already that Iowa St comes in having lost five of six but Baylor lost its last three games, including a shocking 67-64 loss at home to Oklahoma State (Bears are 0-4-1 ATS their last five games). Simply put, Iowa State is the more talented team and playing with "double revenge" (ISU lost by THREE and FOUR points!), should be able to handle a Baylor team that can't match the Cyclones offensive 'punch' (ISU averages 77.7 PPG / 60th in the nation) and doesn't have the size to hurt Iowa St up front.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on St John's at 9:30 ET.

St John's opened 12-0 in non-conference play but a three-game losing streak to end the regular season leaves the Red Storm in a serious at-large predicament. St John's seemed to have an NCAA Tournament at-large bid locked up before two losses to Xavier sandwiched around a second setback of the current season to DePaul, The team's 8-10 league mark leaves them as the Big East's No. 7 and with a first round game against 15-11 Blue Demons (the No. 10 seed with a 7-11 record). DePaul finished with its most Big East wins (seven) in 12 years and had won two in a row prior to a 91-78 loss at Creighton to finish the regular season. .

Senior guard Max Strus, an All-Big East second team selection, leads the way at 19.0 PPG, as a well as adding 6.1 RPG (he erupted for a career-high 43 points in the 92-83 win over the Red Storm earlier this month). Five more DePaul players average between 7.2 and 13.3 PPG, including the team's top rebounder, the 6-9 Reed (11.2 & a Big East-leading 8.2 RPG).

Junior PG Shamorie Ponds ranked third in the Big East in scoring (19.8), second in assists (5.2) and first in steals (2.6) during the regular season en route to a first team selection. He is one of five players on the team who average at least 10 points per game. Sophomore guard LJ Figueroa (14.6) leads the team in rebounding at 6.3 per. Guard Heron (an Auburn transfer) chips in 15.0 & 5.7, the 6-7 Clark (11.2 & 5.9) plus junior guard Justin Simon (10.0 PPG) was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year.

These schools have never met in the Big East tournament but it's impossible to ignore that the Blue Demons are an awful 2-11 in Big East tourney play, including first-round exits in each of the last four years. MSG is St John's defacto "home arena" and with DOUBLE-revenge on its mind, expect St John's to win going away.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on North Texas at 9:30 ET.

My 3-in-1 STP is based on "double-revenge" games. I've offered a detailed analysis in St John's over DePaul but with North Texas over FIU and UAB over MTSU, I'll make it SHORT & SIMPLE. North Texas sat 20-4 (8-3 in C-USA play) on the morning of Feb 9 but lost its final SEVEN games of the regular season. Two of the losses came at FIU (19-12 / 10-8), 57-47 (Feb 14) and 73-58 (Mar 9). C-USA began bonus play-in games towards the end of the regular season, setting up North Texas losing to FIU with both games being played in Miami. This game is in Frisco, Tx, a site MUCH more favorable to the mean Green. Play North Texas.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* play is on UAB at 7:30 ET.

My 3-in-1 STP is based on "double-revenge" games. I've offered a detailed analysis in St John's over DePaul but with North Texas over FIU and UAB over MTSU, I'll make it SHORT & SIMPLE. The Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee (11-20 / 8-10) found ways to beat the UAB Blazers (18-13 / 8-10) twice within a four-day span, 71-65 at home on Jan 30 and 79-79 at UAB on Feb 2. However, the bottom line is this. UAB is the superior team. The third time WILL be "the charm!"

Good luck...Larry

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

Eighth-seeded TCU (7-11) meets No. 9 seed Oklahoma State (5-13) at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo on Wednesday night in the Big 12's first round. However, while the Horned Frogs are 19-12 overall, the Cowboys limp in just 12-19. TCU's NCAA Tournament hopes for an at-large bid were helped by the team's Big 12 regular-season finale win at Texas (TCU won 69-56). OSU will not be playing in the postseason but the Cowboys, who dismissed four players from the team in January, will enter the Big 12 tourney on a roll after consecutive wins to end the regular season, 67-64 at Baylor and 85-77 against West Virginia on Saturday

The 6-7 McGriff leads OSU in scoring (12.5) and rebounding (7.4) with four guards chipping in between 8.3 and 11.9 PPG. Junior guard Lindy Waters III scored 19 points against the Mountaineers, freshman Isaac Likelele (team-high 4.0 APG) added a season-high nine assists and the 6-7 Yor Anei (7.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, Big-12 leading 2.5 blocks) scored 16 points and added eight blocks - a program record for a freshman.

TCU has played exactly seven players in each of its last six games. The starting guards are Bane (15.2 & 5.5) and PG Robinson (12.7 & 6.9 APG). Up front, the 6-7 Noi (14.1 & 4.8) and the 6-8 Miller (11.0 & 6.5) surround 6-11 center Samuel (7.2 & 7.0). Bane scored a career-high 34 points in Saturday's win at Texa. Senior Alex Robinson earned third-team all-conference honors (led Big 12 in assists) while sophomore forward Kouat Noi was named honorable mention all-conference selection.

The teams split the season series with TCU winning at home 70-68 on a running fadeaway jumper by JD Miller with one second left back on Feb 6 and the Cowboys pulling off a 68-61 triumph 12 days later. The winner of this game will face top seed Kansas State on Thursday, so while tonight's loser is out, the winner will likely be gone by Thursday night. Then again, TCU does own two wins this season over a good Iowa St team (20-11) and the Horned Frogs would almost assure an at-large bid by beating the Wildcats. First things first. Expect TCU to handle OSU "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big East Tourney Game of the Year is on Butler at 7:00 ET.

Butler has gone 'dancing' in 10 of the previous 12 seasons but at 16-15 overall entering the Big East tourney, will need to capture the championship to make it to the Big Dance in 2019. Providence is just 17-14 overall and is a VERY unlikely at-large pick, so the Friars face a similar scenario as Butler. In this contest, Providence seeks its third win over Butler in a span of just over two weeks, as the eighth-seeded Friars take on the ninth-seeded Bulldogs in the first round of the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden (both schools were 7-11 in league play).

The Bulldogs had a couple of wins over SEC teams (Ole Miss and Florida) during a 9-4 non-conference slate and then split their first six conference games while eyeing a fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth, but it's been a downward trend ever since. Butler finished the regular season with a 1-4 slide Junior guard Kamar Baldwin leads the way with 17.5 PPG and  was an All-Big East second team selection. Senior guard Paul Jorgensen (11.8 PPG) was named Big East Sixth Man of the Year. The Bulldogs have talent up front, with the 6-6 McDermott (9.7 PG) being the top scorer. The 6-11 Brunk (7.7 & 3.7) and the 6-10 Folwer (5.4 & 3.6) share time at center, while 6-7 Duke transfer Tucker (9.4 & 4.4) has been a solid addition since becoming eligible in mid-December.

6-7 Diallo is a big guard who leads the Friars in scoring (16.1), rebounding (8.2) and assists (3.1). Five more perimeter players chip in about 37 points per game. However, the only frontcourt player of note is the 6-10 Watkins (11.7 & 5.2). Noteworthy coming into this tourney are freshman guard AJ Reeves, who missed nine games in the middle of the season due to a foot injury bur scored 24 points against Butler last week. Senior guard Isaiah Jackson is averaging 18.3 points - nearly double his average for the season - over his last three games.

Yes, Providence has won 10 of 13 matchups since Butler joined the Big East and Butler is just 1-5 in Big East tourney play. However, I have to believe the LAST team Providence wanted to face in its first Big East games was Butler. The Friars beat the Bulldogs twice in their last four games, in overtime on the road and then by 13 points at home. Butler will definitely be gunnin’ for Providence. Look at the line, the two-time loser this season opened a one-point choice. 

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on New Mexico at 4:30 ET.

The Wyoming Cowboys enter the MWC tourney as the No. 10 seed. They finished the regular season with an 8-23 overall record, including 4-14 in conference play. League play was tough for the Cowboys, as they started 0-5, 1-8 and 2-14, before finally picking up back-to-back wins for the first time to finish the regular season. The New Mexico Lobos enter the tourney as the No. 7 seed, finishing the year with a 13-17 overall record that includes 7-11 in conference play. New Mexico finished in a three-way tie with Colorado State and Boise State but won the No. 7 seed  on a head-to-head tiebreaker. The Lobos split their first six conference games before losing SEVEN of their next nine. New Mexico won back-to-back game but then lost to these same Wyoming Cowboys in its regular season finale 88-81 in Laramie.

Wyoming is one of the nation's lowest-scoring teams, averaging 65.7 PPG (327th) and depends almost solely on 6-7 guard Justin James. He leads the team in scoring (21.8), rebounding (8.6) and assists (4.4). The only other double digit scorer is fellow guard Hendricks (10.9). The Lobos have way more talent. Mathis (14.7) is the team's leading scorer and is joined in the backcourt by McGee (9.0). Four frontcourt players average between 8.9 and 12.5 PPG. The 6-9 Jackson tops in scoring at 12.5 PPG and the 6-10 Bragg grabs 9.3 RPG (he had 22 & 20 at Wyoming in the recent loss).

These teams just met this past Saturday (see above), as Wyoming, which averages just 65.7 PPG on 41.8% shooting (302nd), scored 88 points while shooting 51.9% from the floor. NO chance that happens again here in Las Vegas. Note that New Mexico was a five-point favorite at Laramie and is barely more than that here, in a neutral setting. In this quick turnaround I'm "all over" New Mexico.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the LA Lakers (8:05 EST).

Fair or unfair, there’s tremendous pressure on LeBron James to bring a winning team to LA at some point. Most hoped or expected that to happen in his first season, but clearly that was an unrealistic goal.

And now an injury to Brandon Ingram and also guard Lonzo Ball has been shutdown. There was also a mid-season drama involving the possible signing of Anthony Davis and management offered almost the entire team in return. It’s been a difficult season for The King and the Playoffs are now likely just a “pipe dream” this season.

James is missing players for tonight’s game, but he’s not being asked to win a championship tonight, just to beat the 19-49 Bulls. LA’s had two whole nights off after a 120-107 home loss to Boston, but James will take it upon himself here to respond and take advantage of a Bulls team which fell 131-108 in Detroit on Sunday. 

The Lakers are still 12-5 ATS in their last 17 after two straight losses by ten points or more, while the Bulls are only 5-12 ATS this season as a home dog of six points or less.

I think James “goes off” tonight. Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Perfect Storm is on San Diego (11:30 EST).

The Toreros obviously won’t be going down without a fight today. In fact, with a tight spread like this, the outright victory is clearly not out of the question either.

San Diego has played well during the WCC Tournament, winning its first three games. The Toreros play with “double revenge” here as well after losing both regular season games to the Gaels.

Overall San Diego averages 72.6 PPG and it allows 68. Over their last three games though the Toreros have conceded an average of just 49.6 points. 

Saint Mary’s played well during the regular season, but it lost its regular season finale to Gonzaga to snap a five-game winning streak.

Saint Mary’s averages 73.5 PPG and they allow 65. Over its last four it’s conceded just 48.7. 

These teams are evenly matched. The Toreros though have the added incentive of double revenge. Also note that the Gaels are just 2-7 ATS in their last nine neutral site games, while San Diego is 4-1 ATS in its last five neural site affairs.

Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Ohio (9:00 EST).

It’s the first round of the MAC Tournament and I’m expecting a battle until the end between these two hungry teams. Both teams struggled for the most part this year, but each closed well. NIU won its last two, while Ohio won two of three.

Also note that this is a prime “revenge” scenario for Ohio, who can avenge two regular season losses to the Huskies this year. The Bobcats average 70.4 PPG and they allow 73.6. Jason Carter leads the way with 16.5 points and 6.7 boards per game. Note though that Ohio’s defense has been much better of late, cone ding only 62.6 over its last three.

NIU averages 73.5 PPG and it allows 71.1. Eugene German leads the nightly charge with 19.6 points and 5.1 boards per game.

I’ll point out though that the Huskies are  poor 0-4 ATS in their last four vs. teams with losing SU records, while Ohio is 4-0 ATS in its last four following an ATS victory.

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

Good luck…Larry

My 10* GAME OF THE MONTH is on the Brooklyn Nets (7:35 EST).

Purely from a situational stand point, I think this one sets up fantastically for Brooklyn and it’s become the basis of this particular selection.

These teams have split a pair of meetings earlier in the season, with each winning on its own floor.

The Pistons come in off five straight wins, but after completing the home and home sweep of Chicago just yesterday afternoon, I think Detroit finally comes in tired here in the second game of the back-to-back.

The Nets enter almost as hot with three straight victories. Brooklyn’s been off since Saturday night though and I think it’ll take advantage of this favorable spot. 

These two are in a dog fight at the lower end of the Eastern Conference ladder and home court advantage can not be overlooked as a very real deciding factor either in my opinion.

Additionally note that Detroit is just 11-13 ATS as a road underdog this year, while Brooklyn is 17-10 ATS this season vs. teams with winning records.

I’m laying the points and expecting a decisive home victory.

Good luck…Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker’s Error is on Wright State (7:00 EST).

It’s a semi-final matchup in the Horizon League in Detroit with the winner advancing to the title game on Tuesday.

Green Bay got here by getting the better of UIC 82-77, while Wright State smashed IUPUI 71-56. Wright State won’t be looking past the Phoenix obviously, as these teams split a pair of games in the regular season.

Previous to their win over UIC, the Phoenix lost two straight to end the regular season. Green Bay averages 81.2 PPG. Which is good. However, the Phoenix need to score a lot of point, because they allow 80.2. Sandy Cohen III leads the nightly charge with 17.3 points, 6.3 boards and 4.5 assists per game.

Wright State is on a mission though and it come in on top form still having won eight of its last nine. Billy Wampler had 18 points off the bench in its latest victory.

The Raiders average 73.8 PPG and they concede just 67.5. 

The Raiders are also 6-1 ATS in their last seven following a SU win, while the Phoenix are just 3-7 ATS in their last ten in the same position.

The Raiders’ defense is firing on all cylinders right now (just held IUPUI to 56 points) and I think Green Bay has difficulties here as well.

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* Daytime Dominator is on the Orlando Magic (5:05 EST).

The Magic haven’t thrown in the towel yet in the weak East.

Orlando comes in off a 111-106 home win over the Magic in their latest contest. The Grizzlies are well out of the playoff picture, but they come in off a 114-104 home win over the Jazz on Friday. These teams haven’t played this year yet, but Orlando has won three straight in the series.

The Magic are currently just one game behind the Heat for the final playoff spot. Orlando averages 105.9 PPG and it concedes 106.8. Nikola Vucevic has been unstoppable for the last ten games with 20.9 points, 12.3 boards and 4.7 assists per game.

The Grizzlies looked poised for a letdown here after two straight wins. Overall Memphis averages 101.6 PPG, while allowing 103.8. Mike Conley averages 23.3 points and 5.6 assists per game. 

Orlando is clearly the “hungrier” team here. It has everything to play for. The Grizzlies have played well in two straight, but this is a team still looking for an identity and which is well out of a playoff spot.

Note as well that the Magic are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 when playing on one days rest, while the Grizz are a poor 18-38 ATS in its last 56 Eastern Conference opponents.

Play on Orlando.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grab the points and expect a “nail biter.” 

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Overall WVU averages 72.8 PPG and it concedes 76.5.

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

Overall the Cowboys average 67.4 points, while allowing 71.3.

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

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 8* Total Oddsmakers Error is on the over Nuggets/Warriors (10:35 EST).

These are two of the best teams in the West and in the entire league. Totals are always set high no matter who their opponents are, but neither has played to many high-scoring affairs of late.

Both have been scuffling as well. Denver had lost three straight to Utah, New Orleans and San Antonio before then beating the Lakers, while the defending champs have lost five of their last eight, including a home blowout loss to the Celtics on Tuesday.

Denver got 17 rebounds from Nikola Jokic and 23 points, four boards and five assist from Will Barton in the victory over the Lakers.

Golden State got embarrassed last time out and I think it’ll be out to send a message here. I look for the Warriors to play with a “playoff like intensity” vs. this dangerous visiting side.

So from an overall situational stand point, this one definitely sets up as a “shootout” over a slower paced defensive battle.

Additionally note that Denver has seen the total go over in both games it’s played in this season in trying to revenge a home loss vs. an opponent of ten or more points, while Golden State has seen the total eclipse the posted number in four of five this year after a blowout loss by 15 points or more.

This number is low, play the over.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

Overall the Trojans are averaging 76.7 points and conceding 72.6. 

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I’m laying the points.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

UCLA enters averaging 78.6 PPG, while conceding 76.8.

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

Colorado averages 74.2 PPG, and it concedes 68.5. 

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

That said, grab the points!

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lay the points, expect a rout.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lay the points and expect a blowout.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

My 10* LEGEND is on the “under” Bulls/Pacers (7:05 EST).

These teams have been playing to some high-scoring affairs of late, but I think that this one finally sets up as more of a defensive contest.

The Bulls actually have the No. 1 offense in the league over the last ten games, averaging 120.8 points. Chicago was ravaged by injury before the season even started, but as the teams has gotten healthier, it’s started to show signs of promise for the future.

Chicago played a home and home set with Atlanta and both games flew “over” the number. The first game was an epic triple OT classic win for the Bulls, before the Hawks then reciprocated in Chicago. 

The Bulls play with “triple revenge” here after dropping all three previous meetings with the Pacers.

Indiana comes in desperate to break its current form of futility. The Pacers have lost three of their last four games as they could finally be feeling the absence of star Victor Oladipo in the line-up.

The last thing Indiana will want to do is to turn this into a “track meet” with the young and hungry Bulls though.

So with the home side looking to control the pace of this one, I’m absolutely expecting a lower-scoring defensive battle once it’s all said and done.

This number is a little high, play the under.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Grab the points and expect a war.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Play on the Nuggets.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Play on Washington.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

My 8* TOTAL is on the under Lakers/Suns (9:05 EST).

Both teams comes in off losses. Both teams were let down horribly by their defenses.

Phoenix lost 130-116 at home to New Orleans, while the Lakers’ tumble down the proverbial crapper continued with a lacklustre 131-120 setback at home to the Bucks. 

The Suns are out of the playoff picture, but if LeBron James has any hopes of reaching the post-season in his first year with the Lakers, he’s going to need to start his new big win streak starting immediately.

James had 31 points in the loss to the Bucks on Friday, but the super star is clearly struggling since his groin injury a couple of weeks ago. Since the entire “Anthony Davis fiasco” went down, LA has struggled overall. 

From a situational stand point, I think this one sets up as more of a defensive affair. Or at least I expect a lot of half court sets while on offense from each of these tired sides.

This number is a little high, play the under.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lay the points.

Good luck…Larry

My 10* (BIG 12) CONF. TOTAL OF THE YEAR is on the over Baylor/K-State (8:00 EST).

Two teams which normally focus on the defensive end of the floor collide on Saturday night, but I think this total will sneak above this lower number once it’s all said and done.

Baylor enters on top form having won three straight, including a thrilling 84-83 win over Texas last time out. Mario Kegler led the way with 24 points and seven boars, while Devnonte Bandoo added 18 points. Overall Baylor averages 72.6 PPG. 

The Wildcats are looking to bounce back after a rough 64-49 loss to Kansas in their last outing. Kamu Stoked was a bright spot in a losing cause with 12 points and four assists. Overall the Wildcats average 65.9 PPG.

K-State allows just 59.5 PPG, which is ranked fourth in the country, but I think the home side is going to be out to push the pace from start to finish in this one after such a lack lustre effort in its most recent beat down loss. 

This one sets up great from a situational stand point in my opinion, as I’m expecting each side to push the pace from start to finish. This number is a little low, play the over.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

For all the reasons listed above, grab the points.

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck…Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Home team gets its revenge!

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry