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

SEC rivals Auburn (13-5) and Mississippi State (14-4) square off Saturday night in Starkville. Both schools cruised through the majority of their non-conference schedules playing every bit like the ranked teams they were for the first two months of the season. Auburn won 11 of 13 in non-conference action, while Mississippi State won 12 of its 13 non-conference contests. However, SEC play has humbled both teams, as both the Tigers and the Bulldogs are 2-3.

Auburn has lost its last two games, falling at home to Kentucky 82-80 last Saturday, before losing at South Carolina 80-77 on Tuesday. The Tigers fought back from a double-digit deficit in both games to take a second-half lead before falling short in the end. Auburn overcame a 17-point deficit last Saturday against Kentucky only to lose by two and the Tigers trailed South Carolina by 10 points with about six minutes remaining, then went on a 12-0 run to take the lead with four minutes left but then didn't make any FG after that. Shooting guard Brown (16.9) is the team's leading scorer, followed by PG Harper (15.3 & 6.6 APG). However, the team's inside duo of the 6-11 Wiley (10.8 & 6.1) and the 6-8 Okele (10.1 & 6.2) is now down to one, as Wiley is out indefinitely with a leg injury (went down Jan 16 vs A&M)

Mississippi State is coming off its worst offensive performance of the season in a 76-55 loss at Kentucky on Tuesday. The Bulldogs had season-lows of 19 FGs made and a 31.1 shooting percentage. They made just 3-of-20 three-pointers. Quinndary Weatherspoon (16.8 & 5.1) is the fifth-leading scorer in school history with 1,685 career points and is one of five SEC players to eclipse the 20-point mark six times this season. PG Lamar Peters (12.8 & 5.7 APG) is the team's second-leading scorer. MSU has a tall and deep frontcourt, led by the 6-10 Holman (11.7 & 7.7), the 6-10 Perry (7.1 & 5.7) and the 6-11 Ado (5.1 & 5.1).

Both teams are seeking to get back to .500 in conference play but I have to believe that healthy MSU stands the MUCH better chance. Auburn has won just ONE of four true road games this season, while Miss st is 9-1 SU at home, outscoring opponents 84.8-to-69.5 PPG. Throw in the fact that MSU head coach Ben Howland will surely remind his team just how it squandered a 14-point second-half lead in losing 76-68 last season at Auburn. Revenge works, here!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* CBB Game of the Month is on San Diego St at 8:00 ET.

11-7 UNLV is 5-1 in MWC play, as it heads to the Viejas Arena at Aztec Bowl on Saturday night to take on San Diego State. the Aztecs are 10-8 (2-3 in MWC play) but own a great recent history against the Rebel. UNLV's early conference schedule has been kind (a steady diet of second-division foes), allowing the Rebels to stay close to current No. 7 Nevada. However, things start to get a bit tougher from here forward. The Aztecs are likely going nowhere this season but I will elaborate later on the school's history vs UNLV.

Marvin Menzies' team could sure use the 6-7 Shakur Juiston (10.8 & 8.8) but he's lost for the season with a knee injury. Guards Clyburn (13.4 & 4.9),s Hardy (12.1) and Robotham (8.3) join the 6-9 Ntambwe (12.5 & 6.2) as team stalwarts. However, I will note that 6-5 SF Blair did come out of nowhere to score 26 point in the team's recent 75-58 win over New Mexico.

Without Juiston, SDSU's 6-10 Williams (16.1 & 8.1) will be tough to contain. He's joined up front by the 6-6 Mitchell (11.4 & 3.&) plus the Aztecs own a solid three-man guard rotation. PG Watson (15.4 & 5.0 APG) leads the way, joined by Hemsley (9.1) and Schakel (8.3). SDSU is 8-2 SU at home this season, averaging 80.4 PPG.

Head coach Brian Dutcher led the Aztecs to an NCAA bid and 22-11 record in his first season but that won't be repeated this season. However, series history all favors SDSU in this matchup. UNLV is just 9-27-5 ATS its last 41 road games (overall) and 14-39-4 ATS in its last 57 MWC games. More notably, the Rebels are 6-18-2 in their last 26 meetings with the Aztecs, who enter on a 15-6 ATS at their home court. SDS beat UNLV 95-56 at this venue last season, giving them three straight home wins over UNLV by a combined 87 points. Enough said!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Duquesne at 2:00 ET.

Virginia Commonwealth owns a rich BKB tradition but is coming off an 18-15 season (no postseason tourneys). The Rams head to Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon 13-6 overall, including 4-2 in A-10 play. Meanwhile, the Duquesne Dukes are 14-5 overall, including 5-1 in league play. Both VCU's Mike Rhoades and Duquesne's Keith Dambrot are head coaches in their second years at their respective schools.

PG Evans (13.3) leads VCU in scoring and is joined in the backcourt by SG Jenkins (11.9). Up front, the 6-6 Vann (10.9 & 4.) and the 6-7 Santos-Silva (8.9 & 6.8) are the main contributors. Let me note that Evans averages just 2.8 APG (terribly low for a starting PG) and VCU shoots an awful 29.9% on threes as a team (334th).

The surging Dukes are on a five-game winning streak after beating previously unbeaten (in A-10 play) St Louis, 77-73 at home on Wednesday. Williams is a 6-6 guard and leads the team in scoring (13.2) and rebounding (7.8). His backcourt partner is Curry (12.1 & 3.9) and up front, 6-8 center Hayes (12.1 & 6.4) and 6-5 SF Weathers (9.8 & 6.1) do the most damage.

You may just remember Dambrot (he was LBJ's high school coach) and in 13 seasons at Akron, won 20-plus games in each of his final 12 years. The Dukes finished tied for 10th in the A-10 (16-16 overall) last year but look at the strides being made this season. The Dukes are 11-1 at home (shot just 35.8%, including 6 of 28 on threes in that one) and I see NO reason why the Dukes should be home dogs here vs a very average VCU team (reputation?). VCU is just 2-4 SU in true road games this season, averaging a woeful 58.8 PPG. The home dog 'barks' LOUDLY in this one,

Good luck...Larry

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

It's more of the Big-12/SEC Challenge Saturday at 12 noon ET, as 12-6 Alabama and 12-6 Baylor square off at the Ferrell Center in Waco. Alabama comes in on a very good stretch, winning 70-60 at Missouri and coming within eyelash of now No. 1 Tennessee in Knoxville (lost 71-68), before routing then-20 Ole Miss 74-53 in in its last three games. However, Baylor is similarly-surging, winning on the Big 12 road at Okla Sy=t and West Va, while also beating then-No. Texas Tech 73-62 in its last three.

The 6-9 Hall (11.2 & 9.1) is the lone non-guard among 'Bama's top-six scorers. Freshman guard Lewis (13.8) leads the way, followed by sophomore Petty (12.2 & 4.4), who followed a 30-point effort at Tennessee with 15 against Ole Miss. Lewis is in a small slump, scoring just 28 points over his last three games. Hall recorded his fourth straight double-double (11 points, 10 rebounds) against the Rebels, tying the team record.

Baylor lost the 6-9 Clark (14.6 & 6.2). to a season-ending knee injury on Jan 8 but after a five-point loss to Kansas, has ripped off three straight wins without him. Guard Makai Mason, a graduate transfer from Yale (you don't hear that often), is averaging 15.7 PPG and scored 29 points in the win over West Virginia. He's recorded double digits in 14 of his 15 games this season (scored NINE in the lone game he did not). Guard McClure (10.7 & 5.7) plus fellow guards Kegler (8.6 & 6.1 ) and Butler (8.2) are also stepping up as of late. In particular, freshman Butler is averaging 14.3 PPG in his last four.

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 and hence, the so-so start to this season. However, even the loss of Clark has been overcome, as of late. The Bears are an excellent defensive team, allowing just 64.3 PPG (26th) and enter this contest on a 7-1 ATS run. This game could have implications once March rolls around, so I'm taking the home team to get the "W" and cover!.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Dallas Mavericks welcome the Detroit Pistons to the American Airlines Center on Friday night. Both teams come in 21-26 but while the Pistons seem to be going nowhere, the Mavs have made excellent strides coming off last season's 24-58 year. Luka Doncic (19.9-6.8-5.3) may have already locked up the ROY award and is the current leader of the new-look Mavs (future HOF Dirk Nowitzki is now just a cheerleader, averaging 3.8 & 1.8 in 16 games). The Mavs just ended a four-game skid with a 106-98 win over the Clippers. Detroit is coming off a win as well, after Wednesday's 98-94 road win over the New Orleans Pelicans (note: the Pistons won for just the EIGHTH time in their last 27 games).

Power forward Blake Griffin scored 37 points in Detroit's win but center Andre Drummond (concussion) missed a third straight game. Griffin (26.3-8.1-5.3) went on a fourth-quarter roll by scoring 20 of his 37 in the stanza and he also finished with nine rebounds, seven assists and four 3-pointers. "He's carrying us, handling the basketball, making good decisions, just doing everything we could ask a franchise player to do," Detroit coach Dwane Casey told reporters. "He's been great. He sets the tone for us offensively. He'd probably have more assists if we knocked down more shots." As for Drummond (16.3 & 14.9), he's supposedly been cleared of the league's concussion protocol but that doesn't mean he'll play.

Second-year PG Dennis Smith Jr. (12.7) returned to the Mavericks after an unhappy sabbatical and will again be in the lineup for Friday's game against the visiting Detroit Pistons. Smith missed six straight games due to friction over his role but shared the ball-handling duties with star rookie Luka Doncic in Tuesday's 106-98 victory (he had 17 points and eight rebounds in 37 minutes). Doncic is just 14-of-46 from the floor over the past three games and his take on Smith's hiatus was brief: "It shouldn't happen. It's bad for a team." Good for this team is SF Barnes, who is averaging 17.9 PPG after averaging 19.2 and 18.9 in his first two year's with the team.

With Drummond questionable at best, the Pistons will be relying WAY too much on Griffin. Note that Detroit's only two other double digit scorers, guards Jackson (14.1 & 4.1 APG) and Bullock (12.1), are shooting a combined 37% overall and 31.8% on threes over the last 10 games. Amazingly, Griffin is the only player averaging 10 PPG or more over the team's last three. The Pistons are just 8-15 SU on the road, while Dallas comes in 17-6 SU & 16-7 ATS at home. What's more, Dallas is 16-5 ATS at the American Airlines Center when not laying more than nine points (that's the case, here).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Creighton at 8:30 ET.

Butler has gone 'dancing' in 10 of the previous 12 seasons but will need to finish strong to keep to do so again this campaign. The Bulldogs are just 12-8 (3-4 in Big East play), after losing 80-72 at home this past Tuesday to surging Villanova (Wildcats have won SEVEN in a row). Creighton is 11-8 overall, including 2-4 in Big East play. Creighton lost 84-69 at Butler back on Jan 5, beginning a streak of FOUR straight losses, marking the Bluejays' longest skid since the 1999-2000 season. However, Creighton ended its slide with a 91-87 road win at Georgetown on Monday.

Butler PG Aaron Thompson (6.7 & 4.2 APG) bounced back from a scoreless, foul-plagued 16-minute effort Saturday against St. John's with club-best marks of 15 points (6-of-9 shooting) and four assists in 31 minutes versus the Wildcats but Butler still lost by eight. However, leading scorer Kamar Baldwin (17.4 & 5.6) finished with only 11 points on 5-for-14 shooting following a three-game stretch in which he averaged 21.7 points on 24-of-41 from the floor. The 6-11 Joey Brunk averaged 14.7 points and seven boards over his first three career starts but he hasn't topped eight points or six rebounds in any of his four outings since (he's averaging 8.6 & 4.4 on the season) .

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott said during a postgame radio show after the Georgetown win, “They’ve come hungry, ready to practice. They’re not pointing fingers at me, I’m not pointing fingers at them, they’re not pointing fingers at each other. They’re committed to just trying to get better every day. I think when you commit to that, you have nights like (Monday) where good things happen." Sophomore guard Ty-Shon Alexander (17.5) knocked down six, three-pointers for the second time in three contests Monday, extending his consecutive games streak with at least one triple to a Big East-best 23. The Bluejays own a deep perimeter, as Ballock (10.9 & 3.6 APG), Zegarowski (10.8) and Mintz (10.3) join Alexander at the guard position. The 6-9 Krampelj (11.1 & 6.3) and SF Jefferson (9.4 & 5,4) are the best frontcourt contributors.

Butler's ONLY true road win this season came at DePaul (not saying much) and that win snapped an 0-7 SU & ATS run in true road games by the Bulldogs, going back into last season. Butler is a money-burning 8-17 ATS in its last 25 road games plus is 0-5 ATS in its last five visits to Creighton. The Bluejays shoot 50.5% (4th) overall, including 43.0% on threes (2nd). Butler did get 87 points in winning at DePaul but in its first four true road games this season (all losses), averaged a woeful 59.8 PPG. Don't see any way Butler can match Creighton score-for-score (also note that the home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings between the two schools).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Pac-12 Game of the Week is on UCLA at 11:00 ET.

UCLA dismissed 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 te Cardinal. Two more wins followed but the 'honeymoon' period is over for UCLA interim coach Murry Bartow, as the Bruins have lost lost two in row following three straight victories. 10-8 UCLA (3-2 in the Pac -12) welcomes 13-5 Arizona St (4-2 in Pac-12) to Pauley Pavilion tonight. ASU dominated the second half in last Saturday's impressive 78-64 home victory over Oregon,as five players scored in double figures.

Five ASU players are averaging in double figures on the season, with the 6-8 White just missing at 9.0 & 5.9 The double digit scorers are guard Dort (16.4 & 446), fellow guard Martin (12.3 & 4.2 APG), the 6-8 Cheatham (12.1 & 9.6), guard Edwards (10.3) and the 6-7 Lawrence (10.3 & 3.9). Freshman forward Taeshon Cherry (7.2) had 15 points on five three-pointers against Oregon and head coach Bobby Hurley said, “He has one of the best strokes I’ve seen. He's got so much upside as far as where he can take his game if he keeps developing and getting better.”ASU averages 79.1 PPG (55th in teh nation but No. 1 in the Pac-12), although the Sun Devils allow 72.4 PPG (209th).

The Bruins need to bounce back from a dismal outing, after shooting 5-of-22 from three-point range and committing 20 turnovers in last Saturday's 80-67 loss to crosstown rival USC. The Bruins averaged 92 points in wins over Stanford, California and Oregon but slowed down dramatically in losses to Oregon State and USC, averaging just 66.5 points. Bartow needs more consistency from 7-1 freshman Moses Brown, who averages 11.3 points and 8.9 rebounds but was a non-factor against USC, finishing with two points in 20 minutes. UCLA's best player is sophomore guard Kris Wilkes, who is averaging 17.1 & 4.9 (he's scored in double digits in EVERY game this season!). PG Hands checks in at 11.8 PPG and 6.4 APG plus a third guard, Prince Ali, averages 10.6 PPG ( he's shooting 51 percent from the floor and 48 percent from three-point range in five Pac-12 contests).

Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils generated national headlines by handing then-top-ranked Kansas its first loss, 80-76, back on Dec. 22 but ASU is just 6-5 its last 11, after opening the season 7-.0. This UCLA team has the talent and note that the Bruins were picked to finish second in the Pac-12 preseason poll. UCLA has won seven of its last nine games against Arizona State and the home team has won EIGHT of the last 10 meetings between the two schools (UCLA and has covered 15 of the last 21 meetings overall). More tech trends show that the Sun Devils are 7-17-2 ATS in their last 26 vs Pac-12 foes and are 3-10-2 ATS in their last 15 road games. UCLA has won 39 of 44 games in Pauley Pavilion since the start of the 2016-17 season and with this pointspread, a win is a cover!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Louisville at 8:00 ET.

A pair of ranked teams square off Thursday night at the KFC Yum! Center, as No. 21 NC State (15-3) takes on No. 23 Louisville (13-5). The Wolfpack have alternated wins and losses to begin conference play (check in at 3-2), while the Cardinals have won three straight and four of five to begin their ACC schedule (lone loss was 89-86 in OT at Pitt). NC State rebounded from a loss at Wake Forest with a 77-73 win at Notre Dame on Saturday, while Louisville cruised to its third win in a row with a 79-51 victory over shorthanded Georgia Tech on Saturday (Yellow Jackets were without three regulars, including two of their top three scorers).

Defense fueled Saturday’s win over Notre Dame, as the Wolfpack held the Irish to just 7-of-28 from the three-point line and 24-of-49 overall (40.7 percent). Offensively, NC State bounced back from its worst shooting game of the season (37 percent from the floor against Wake Forest two games ago), to shoot 43.5 percent from the floor, including 36.8 percent from long range. The Wolfpack average 86.7 PPG (6th), with six players averaging between 9.0 and 14.3 PPG. 6-5 guard Dorn leads the team in scoring (14.5) and rebounding (7.1) and the lone non-guard in the team's top-six scorers is the 6-10 Funderburk (9.3 & 4.6).

6-7 sophomore forward Jordan Nwora has improved his scoring average from 5.7 as a freshman to 18.5 this season and had a game-high 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting against Georgia Tech while also contributing with eight rebounds, three assists and a steal. He also leads the Cardinals with 8.1 RPG. Six more Cards average between 6.6 and 10.4 PPG, with PG Cunningham being the only other double digit scorer (10.4 & 4.2 APG). 6-10 junior center Steven Enoch (9.6 & 5.2) added 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting in just 20 minutes off the bench vs Ga Tech, while 6-11 sophomore center Malik Williams (7.6 & 5.3) added 13 points in only 16 minutes. SF Sutton adds 9.9 & 6.8 plus guards McMahon (7.4) and Perry (6.6) add outstanding depth and balance.

First-year Louisville coach Chris Mack (note: he led Xavier to eight NCAA berths in his nine seasons) said, "We know we're only as good as our next game. I don't think success is ever final," after the Cardinals dominated all aspects of the game against the Yellow Jackets. Louisville is ranked for the first time this season and now takes on a ranked Atlantic Coast Conference opponent at home for the first time this season (it's a big deal). NC State has been impacted by the absence of PG Markell Johnson (11.6 & 4.1 APG), who has missed the past two games since taking a hard fall on his backside in the Jan 12 home victory against Pittsburgh. "He's a guy who could play on Thursday or could play three or four weeks from now,"head coach Kevin Keatts said (that doesn't sound promising for NC St backers). This wraps up a three-game road stretch for North Carolina State and I believe the Wolfpack come up "way short" in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Situational Stunner is on Iowa at 7:00 ET.

No. 6 Michigan State is 17-2 (8-0 in Big Ten play) and looks to extend its winning streak to 13 in a row when it travels to face No. 19 Iowa (16-3 / 5-3) in a Big Ten matchup at Iowa City. Thursday. The Spartans have won a school-record 20 straight regular-season Big Ten contests and are coming off a 69-55 victory over No. 16 Maryland on Monday, while the Hawkeyes have won five in a row, after routing Illinois 95-71 on Sunday. Michigan State won the first matchup this season 90-68 in December, as 6-9 junior forward Nick Ward led the way with a 10-for-10 shooting effort and 26 points.

Junior PG Cassius Winston is the leader for coach Tom Izzo, topping the Spartans in scoring (18.0) and assists (7.3). He's helped ease the loss of the team's third-leading scorer Joshua Langford (15.), who has missed the last six contests with an ankle injury (he is not expected to play here). Up front, MSU is 'loaded' with Ward (15.7 & 6.9), the 6-8 Tillman (8.4 & 7.4) and the 6-7 Goins (7.1 & 9.6). Goins is the team's "glue guy," exhibiting a great feel for MSU schemes on both ends of the floor. The Spartans are averaging 83.8 PPG (20th) and allowing just 66.1 PPG (49th).

The Hawkeyes' top two scorers, are 6-9 forwards Tyler Cook (16.5 & 8.2) and the 6-11 Luka Garza (13.9 & 4.9). Iowa start three guards, Wieskamp (11.9 & 5.1), PG Bohannon (11.2 & 3.3 APG) and Moss (10.0). Coming off the bench are 6-6 forward Baer (6.5 & 4.6) and the 6-9 Kriener (5.6 & 2.9). Iowa can score with MSU (82.8 PPG ranks 27th) but allows about a 'TD' more defensively, at 72.2 PPG.

Iowa is almost as hot as MSU (13 straight wins), going 10-1 its last 11. The Hawkeyes are an impressive 11-1 at home (averaging 85.7 PPG) and are surely looking to avenge that 90-698 loss at East Lansing in late December. Michigan State's defense, which held Iowa to 32.8 percent shooting in the first matchup, as the lack of outside shooting made it "tough going" inside for Cook and Garza,  who combined for just 22 points. However, freshman Wieskamp has caught fire lately, scoring in double figures in nine of the last 10 contests, making Iowa a much more dangerous team to Big Ten foes. The 6-6 guard was perfect against Illinois on Sunday in matching his career high of 24 points, hitting 8-of-8 from the field, including 6-of-6 from three-point range. That kind of accuracy has helped open things up inside for Cook and Garza, as well as making defenders think twice about leaving him to cover Iowa's other shooters. MSU has listed PG Winston as questionable with a knee issue and his loss would be HUGE. Either way, I'm taking Iowa and hoping for some good old home cookin'. Note that Iowa ranked first in the country in free throws made (395) entering Wednesday. Maybe we'll get the Rams/Saints refs in this one?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Month is on the Ut Jazz at 10:35 ET.

The Utah Jazz saw their six-game winning streak end on MLK Day, losing 109-104 at home to the Portland Trail Blazers. The 26-22 Jazz welcome the 31-14 Denver Nuggets to Salt Lake City tonight, with the Nuggets coming to town having won 10 of their last 13 games, after routing the the Cavaliers 124-102 last Saturday. Denver arrives with the second-best record in the Western Conference (only the 33-14 Warriors are better), while Utah currently owns the West's No. 7. The Jazz are only one game clear of the playoff 'cut line' but are also just 2 1/2 games out of the No. 4 seed, which holds homecourt advantage in the first round.

PG Jamal Murray (18.8-4.5-4.9) scored 26 points in the win over Cleveland for his fourth straight game of shooting 50 percent or better. Standout center Nikola Jokic had 19 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds against the Cavaliers for his third triple-double in the past seven games. He continues to lead Denver in scoring (19.6), rebounding (10.0) and assists (7.7). Denver has fought through key injuries to keep winning but it looks as if Harris (15.5), Millsap (12.8 & 6.7) and Barton (10.3) are now ready to play regularly.

The Jazz lost at home to the Blazers, despite another outstanding effort by Donovan Mitchell (22.0-3.7-3.7). He scored 36 points and has scored more than 20 points in each of the past nine games, averaging 29.8 points during the stretch. Center Rudy Gobert (14.9 & 13.1) has recorded eight straight double-doubles and has 39 on the season. He matches up will against Jokic plus PG Ricky Rubio (12.8 & 6.0 APG) returned from a six-game absence due to a (hamstring) to score 12 points in just 14 minutes against Portland. Starters Ingles (11.5-3.9-4.9) and Favors (11.2 & 7.3) also average in double figures, while SF Crowder (12.0 & 4.8) and SG Korver (9.8 PPG on 40.0% three-point shooting in 26 games) have been excellent contributors off the bench.

Utah is in "revenge mode" after losing 103-88 in the Mile High City back on Nov 3. In that contest, the Nuggets outscored the Jazz 35-15 in the fourth quarter. Denver is trying to halt a SEVEN-game losing streak in Utah, one in which the Jazz have won by an average of 14 points, holding the Nuggets below 90 points in FIVE of those wins. Note: Utah allows 105.0 PPG, 3rd-best in the NBA.

Good luck...Larry

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

Missouri is 10-6 overall (1-3 in the SEC) and Arkansas is 10-7, including 1-4 in SEC play. Neither school in this border rivalry can really afford another loss after their respective sluggish starts to SEC play. Each team’s only SEC win came at Texas A&M. The Razorbacks opened conference play with a 73-71 road win over the Aggies back on Jan 5 but Arkansas has since lost FOUR in a row, including blowout losses at Tennessee (106-87) and Ole Miss (84-67) in its last two contests. Meanwhile, the Tigers lost their first three SEC games (all by double digits) but turned in their best defensive effort of the season in a 66-43 victory at Texas A&M on Saturday.

Missouri relies on a defense that's allowing 65.2 PPG (that's 38th in the nation but also second in the SEC in scoring defense). However, on the offensive end, Missouri averages just 68.3 PPG (296th). Guards Geist (13.7-4.1-3.2) and Smith (12.0 & 5.4) form a solid backcourt duo while up front, the 6-10 Tilmon (9.9 & 5.9) and the 6-7 Puryear (8.7 & 5.2) are the team's best inside players. Missouri relies heavily on the three-pointer, shooting an SEC-best 39.2 percent from beyond the arc (that's 4th-best in the nation).

The Razorbacks are one of the youngest teams in the nation but they do feature have the Preseason SEC Player of the Year in Daniel Gafford. The 6-11 sophomore is averaging 16.5 & 9.4. Arkansas features an very good guard trio in freshman Joe (14.5), sophomore Jones (14.4 & 4.9) and junior PG Harris (8.3 7 6.8 APG). This team is better than its record.

The Razorbacks’ current four-game losing streak is their longest since a six-game skid to end the 2009-10 season. It ends here. This border rivalry is made more intense with former Missouri head coach Mike Anderson now leading Arkansas. The Razorbacks won't compete all that well against the SEC elite but Missouri is hardly elite. Lay it.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

Toronto capped a 3-0 homestand with a 120-105 win over Sacramento last night. Star swingman Kawhi Leonard (27.6 & 7.9) missed his third game in a row for the Raptors and he is not expected back until Friday at Houston. Surprisingly, the 36-13 Raptors are 11-2 without Leonard this season. Toronto plays again tonight, when it visits Indianapolis to take on the 31-15 Indiana Pacers. The Pacers are 11-4 in the last 35 days but two of those losses have come against the Raptors. Toronto edged Indiana by three points in a Dec 19 win and then won 121-105 in the rematch on Jan 6 (both games were played in Toronto).

Toronto overcame Leonard's absence last night with a 16-for-40 showing from behind the arc. CJ Miles made four-of-five from long-range and is averaging 13.7 points in just 16.7 minutes over his last three games (he averaging only 5.5 PPG on the season). PG Kyle Lowry (14.1-4.4-9.4) finished with 19 points and nine assists while Fred VanVleet (10.4 & 4.6 APG) also scored 19. Toronto is still without center Valanciunus (12.8 & 7.2), who hasn't played since Dec 12 (he hopes to be back by mid-Feb). Stepping up big time for Toronto this season has been PF Ibaka (16.2 & 7.3) and the 6-9 Siakam (15.0 & 6.9), who is one of the NBA's most improved players.(he averaged 7.3 PPG last season and just 4.2 in his rookie year).

Both of Indiana's losses to the Raptors have been in Toronto."They beat us twice, but we feel like we're right there," Pacers PG Darren Collison said. "Eliminate some mistakes and we'll be OK. We match up pretty well against them. But if we want to be one of the best in the East, this shouldn't be a statement game. We should go out and compete and win. I feel like if you're the best, it shouldn't be a statement game. Statement games are for teams that are underdogs. I don't think we feel like underdogs." Collison (9.5 & 5.6 APG scored 19 points and handed out nine assists while Bojan Bogdanovic chipped in 16 points in Sunday's 120-94 victory over the Hornets. Bogdanovic is averaging 16.0 & 4.1 on the season, second to Oladipo (19.2-5.7-5.3), the Pacers' best player. Indiana's depth is impressive, with PF Young (12.6 & 6.0) and center Turner (12.8 & 7.3) rounding out the team's starting-five. However, Sabonis (15.0 & 9.6) has been a 'monster' off the bench plus Evans (10.9) is starting to feel at home with his latest new team (note: he's averaging 15.5 points in 18.7 minutes over his last six games). .

This is almost a "must win" for the Pacers. Indiana has lost four in a row to top teams in the Eastern Conference (twice to Toronto and once each to Boston and Philly). The Pacers are now only 3-7 against teams with a .600 or better winning percentage. I realize that the Raptors are 8-1 in the second game of back-to-backs but this is a game Indiana has to win if it has any hope of playing with confidence this postseason. I've got that feeling and will bet on it!

Good luck...Larry

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

Xavier is just 10-7 overall, including 3-3 in the Big East. The Musketeers have already has lost as many conference games as they did in 2017-18, when the team went 15-3 in league play to win the Big East regular-season title. Xavier hasn't spent much time worrying about qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in recent years, having gone 'dancing' in 16 of the last 18 seasons. However, this season is shaping up much differently. The Musketeers are hoping a return home will get them back on track, when they host struggling Providence on Wednesday night. The 11-7 Friars are just 1-4 in Big East play, after losing 79-68 at now-No. 12 Marquette, the school's fourth loss in five games

"As a leader of this group, I have to try to keep everyone’s heads up and make sure we’re looking ahead to the next game and not dwell on this loss,” Providence's leading scorer Alpha Diallo said.The 6-7 big guard averages team highs of 17.2 PPG and 8.6 RPG. It's notewiorthy that 6-10 sophomore center Nate Watson (11.1 & 5.4) is becoming a bigger force for the Friars, scoring 16 of his 21 points in the second half against Marquette to match his season-high point total set against Georgetown on Jan 12. However, AJ Reeves, a freshman guard who was averaging 14.2 PPG, has not played since going down with a foot injury on Dec 7. That leaves only Diallo and Watson in double figures.

It's my belief that this Xavier team is much better than its record. While the Musketeers have great balance on offense with five players scoring in double figures. The 6-7 Marshall (13.3 & 7.4) leads the way, closely followed by guard Scruggs (12.9 & 5.0), PG Goodin (12.5 & 5.3 APG), the 6-9 Jones (10.7 & 7.4) and the 6-11 Hankins (10.5 & 4.9). Jones registered his second double-double in three games with a career-high 21 points and 12 rebounds against Villanova in Xavier's 10-point loss last Friday.

I'm not sure Xavier is going to be NCAA-bound this season but the Musketeers are 9-2 SU at home (holding opponents to 69.6 PPG) and I doubt the team will forget Providence ruining Xavier's Big East tourney experience last season, knocking off the Musketeers 75-72 in OT as 7 1/2-point underdogs. Travis Steele is in his first season as Xavier's head coach but he'll remind this team about that loss, I'm sure. Providence sits in last-place in the 10-team Big East and plays the perfect foil in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Rout is on USF at 8:00 ET.

South Florida saw its seven-game home win streak snapped Saturday as then-No. 21 Houston (now 17th) was too much for the Bulls to handle in a 69-60 loss. It was USF's third straight loss and fourth in five games but the Bulls are 12-6. Not impressed? Let me remind you that USF was 10-22 last year, following seasons of nine, eight and seven wins! The Bulls welcome fellow AAC rival Wichita St to the Yuengling Center tonight. The Shockers are just 8-9, including 1-4 in the AAC. That record is more than a little surprising, considering that Gregg Marshall's team entered the year having won 25 games or more the last NINE seasons (includes an NIT title in 2011 and seven straight NCAA bids, including a Final 4 appearance in 2013).

Markis McDuffie, 6-8 senior, did the heavy lifting offensively in Marshall's 66-55 home loss to Cincinnati, scoring 21 points on 7 of-14 shooting. The problem being, the rest of his team totaled just 34 points on 38 shots. McDuffie averages 19.6 & 5.2 but only guard Haynes-Jones (13.0) joins him in double digits. The 6-11 Jaime Echenique, a JUCO transfer, leads the team in rebounding at 5.4 (averages 8.5).

Brian Gregory's team won just 10 times last season but he's made great strides this season, already owning 12 wins (despite just one win in the team's last five contests). PG LaQuincy Rideauis a Gardner-Webb  transfer,  averages 14.3 PPG, 5.6 APG and 3.3 steals per game. He's joined in the backcourt by sophomore guard David Collins, who leads the team in scoring at 14.8 PPG. Finally free of eligibility issues, the the 6-7 Alexis Yetna checks in with 12.7 PPG and 11.2 RPG.

Marshall not only lost four starters from last year's team but entered the season having lost two assistants. Witchita State is hard to beat at Charles Koch Arena  but the Shockers are 0-4 SU on the road this season, going 1-3 ATS (pointspread win was plus-10 at Houston in a nine-point loss). Wichita St has been outscored on average, 78.5-to-61.5 PPG on the road. Meanwhile, USF is an impressive 10-2 SU at home (no real impost to worry about here). Let me note that the disparity in free throw attempts in Wichita State’s 66-55 home loss to Cincinnati on Saturday (35 attempts by Cincy to 7 for WSU)l ed to head coach Gregg Marshall and freshman Erik Stevenson receiving a pair of crucial technical fouls with 5:31 to play that turned a five-point deficit into an 11-point Bearcats lead. FT disparity could come to play here, as well. No American Athletic Conference team has made or attempted more free throws this season than USF (329-for-527), while no team in the AAC has made or attempted fewer than Wichita State (207-for-295).

Good luck...Larry

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

All are aware that Villanova has won TWO of the last three national championships and with less than two months remaining until Selection Sunday, the Wildcats are beginning to at least partially, resemble those  previous teams. Villanova lost four players off last season's national championship team to the NBA, guards Jalen Brunson and Donte DiVincenzo plus forwards Mikal Bridges and Omari Spellman. However, since suffering back-to-back losses to Penn and Kansas, the Wildcats have handily beaten UConn (an old Big East rival) and followed with five straight wins in Big East play (14-4 / 5-0 Big East). They vie for their seventh straight victory when they visit Butler on Tuesday The Bulldogs won at DePaul Jan 16  (much-needed 1st road win of the season) and then took down St John's 80-71 at Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday. Butler has gone 'dancing' in 10 of the previous 12 seasons but will need to finish strong to keep to do so again this campaign (Butler is just 12-7 / 3-3 in Big East).

Seniors Phil Booth (18.4 & 3.8 APG) and Eric Paschall  (16.6 & 6.4) combine to average 35 points per game, while Collin Gillespie (11.4 points) has come on strong with 32 points over his last two contests. However, the trio are Villanova's only double digit scorers. Guard Booth has averaged 24.0 points in the past four games, while the 6-8 Eric Paschall has averaged 20.0 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in the Wildcats' five conference games. 

Butler coming off a quality 80-71 victory over St. John's on Saturday, as Kamar Baldwin scored a season-high 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He leads the team in scoring at 17.7 PPG (adds 5.7 RPG) and is beginning to get some solid help. George Washington transfer Paul Jorgensen joins him in the backcourt to average 12.3 PPG and PG Thompson has been solid, averaging 6.2 & 4.2 APG. Another guard, McDermott, averages 10.4 PPG. McDermott had 12 rebounds against St John's but the bigger news was that the 6-7 Tucker, the highly-touted Duke transfer, came off the bench to score a career-best 24 points. He's now averaging 10.4 & 5.5 in 10 games since becoming eligible in mid-December.

Butler is looking for its THIRD straight win over Villanova in the friendly Hinkle Fieldhouse and why can't the Bulldosg get it?  Butler is 9-1 SU at home this season, which is no surprise. After all, Butler entered the season having gone 53--12 at home the previous four seasons (clearly, settling into Big East play). Upset? Not really!

Good luck...Larry

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

Florida State lost 80-78 to then-No. 1 Duke on Jan 12 and actually jumped from 13th to 11th in the AP poll released on Jan 14. However, after road losses this past week at Pittsburgh(75-62) and Bocton College (87-82), FSU fell out of yesterday's latest AP poll (surprisingly, FSU checked in at No. 23 in the coaches' poll). The Seminoles return home tonight to host 11-6 Clemson, which at 1-3 in the ACC, is ahead of FSU in the league standings (Seminoles are one of five teams at the bottom of the league with a 1-4 mark). Clemson comes into this contest having just snapped a three-game slide of its own, with a 72-60 home win over Georgia Tech on Wednesday.

Senior guard Marcquise Reed scored a career-high 30 points on 10-of-13 shooting while recording four steals against Ga Tech, as Clemson notched its first conference victory.

Reed leads the team in scoring at 19.7 PPG and adds 5.4 RPG. Senior forward Elijah Thomas is second in scoring at 13.1 per game, plus leads the Tigers with 7.7 RPG. Guard Mitchell is Clemson's only other player in double digits, averaging 11.9 PPG and a team-high 3.2 APG.Clemson averages a modest 71.5 PPG on the season (240th).

FSU has yet to recover from its "close but no cigar" two-point loss at Duke. The team's malaise was evident in its last outing, when FSU led by 10 points at BC at halftime but couldn’t get second half stops, as the Eagles went on to win, 87-82. Mfiondu Kabengele, a 6-10 sophomore, leads a balanced attack with 12.6 PPG, after posting a career-high 26 at Boston College. Senior guard Terance Mann is second on the scoring list at 11.6 PPG. Then there is junior PG Trent Forest (9.9-4.9-3.6), who is averaging 14 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.5 assists over his last two contests. However, 6-8 Mike Cofer's foot injury could hurt. He had a breakout season last year (12.8 & 5.1) but has played only seven games this year.

It's time for Leonard Hamilton's team to "put up or shut up." FSU was ranked 17th in the AP's preseason poll (ranked 15th by the Blue Ribbon Yearbook) and climbed as high as No. 9 in the AP poll in early January. Finding themselves as one of five teams at the bottom of the ACC at 1-4, is unacceptable. However, Clemson should play the perfect foil here, as the Tigers are playing just their fourth true road game of the season, averaging only 66.3 PPG. Meanwhile, FSU is  8-1 SU at home (lone loss being that two-pointer against Duke), outscoring opponents 82.6-to-69.7 PPG.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Marshall Thundering Herd are 12-6 overall but 5-0 in C-USA, as they travel to the E.A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Ky on Monday night to take on the 9-9 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (2-3 in C-USA). Marshall's current 5-game winning streak began with the team's opening of league play and includes a 70-69 home win over Wetern Ky on Jan 12. Western Ky ended a three-game skid with a 105-97 win over FIU the last time out, evening its record at 9-9 on the season.

PG Jon Elmore leads Marshall in scoring (20.2) and assists (5.3), while shooting guard CJ Burks checks in at 17.9 PPG (he's had back-to-back 30-point games). The 6-9 Jannson Williams (9.2 & 4.7) tops a group of five players averaging between 5.6 and 9.2 PPG. Marshall averages 81.9 PPG (34th) but allows 81.3 points (341st). Western Ky's leading scorer is Taveion Hollingsworth (16.2 & 4.7) and h led Western Kentucky with 24 points in the win over FIU. Other regular contributors are the 6-11 Bassey (14.1 & 8.9) plus guards Savage (13.4 & 4.7) and Anderson (10.3).

This contest has "revenge written all over it." The Hilltoppers were beaten 67-66 by underdog Marshall in the C-USA Tourney last season, costing Western Ky a spot in the Dance (Western Ky had won both regular season meetings). Then on Jan 12 at Huntington, West Va, the Hilltoppers blew an 11-point halftime lead, in a 70-69 loss.

Marshall freshman Kinsey scored 23 points in that 70-69 win, NINE points more than had scored in any previous game this season (he enters this game averaging 8.8 PPG)! Marshall may be atop C-USA but the the Thundering Herd checks in just 3-8-1 ATS since Dec 1. REVENGE works in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Kansas at 9:00 ET.

Iowa St beat 77-60 Kansas in Ames back on Jan 5 and will now try to sweep the regular season series with the Jayhawks Monday night in Lawrence. The Cyclones lost two straight after beating Kansas but have bounced back with wins over Texas Tech and Oklahoma St. As for Kansas, the Jayhawks answered their loss to the Cyclones with three straight victories but then surrendered the final SEVEN points in Saturday's 65-64 loss at West Virginia.

ISU senior Marial Shayock (19.4 & 5.2) is the Big-12's leading scorer. He had 24 points in the Jan 5 win over Kansas plus has added back-to-back 20-point games in the Cyclones' 68-64 win over Texas Tech on Wednesday and 72-59 triumph against Oklahoma State three days later. Head coach Steve Prohm has a perimeter-oriented team, as veteran guards Wiggington (11.9 & 4.4) and Babb (9.7-4.5-4.0) join freshman Horton-Tucker (11.7 & 4.4) and Haliburton (7.8-3.7-4.2)  in support of Shayock. The 6-9 Jacobson (13.1 & 6.1) is ISU's only real inside threat.

The Lawson brothers transferred from Memphis and were expected to make a HUGE contribution this season for Kansas. Dedric (18.9 & 10.7) has delivered but KJ, who averaged 12.3 & 8.1 for Memphis last season, is averaging only 10 MPG (2.8 & 2.4). Kansas head coach Bill Self has also lost the 7-1 Azubuike (13.4 & 6.8) for the season, so the Jayhawks' 14-year stranglehold on the Big 12's regular season title could be in jeopardy. Kansas' lone senior is Lagerald Vick and he's averaging 15.1 PPG. Fellow guards Dotson (10.9-3.4-3.1), Grimes (8.7) and Garrett (7.2 & 3.4) join Vick on the perimeter. Garrett has scored 35 points in the last two games.

Four schools are atop the Big-12 at 4-2 (the other two, Kansas State and Texas Tech meet on Tuesday). While Kansas may not be as good as expected at the start of the season, the Jayhawks have still dominated the Big-12 year after year. Iowa St comes in just 6-13 ATS its last 19 on the road, while Kansas comes in 35-16-3 ATS off a loss. Don't forget, Kansas is 10-0 SU at home, averaging 82.1 PPG.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Phi 76ers at 8:05 ET.

Reigning MVP James Harden has been in quite a 'zone!. He's scored 30-plus points in 19 straight games, while topping 40 in 10 of his last 13. The Rockets rallied from 18 points down in the second half Saturday to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 138-134 in overtime. Harden scored 48 in the game and is averaging  54.3 points over Houston's last three contests. The 26-19 Rockets will travel to Philadelphia for a MLK Day game with the 30-17 Sixers, who saw their three-game winning streak come to an end Saturday with a 117-115 home loss against Oklahoma City, as they turned the ball over 17 times overall and allowed a four-point play by Paul George with 5.1 seconds left.

Houston now sits one game out of third place in the Western Conference after starting the season 11-14 through its first 25 contests.The Rockets continue to fight through injuries, although Chris Paul is expected back soon (early Feb). However, center Clint Capela (career high averages of 17.6 PPG and 12.6 RPG) is out until late-February with a thumb injury. Good news comes in the form of Gordon (16.2) returning to the court the last two games, averaging 25.0 points. Rivers (12.6 PPG in 13 contests) was a great sign after Paul got hurt and veteran swingman Green (9.2 PPG) has averaged 12.7 PPG during the 14 games that Paul has missed.

Joel Embiid led the way with 31 points, eight rebounds and six assists in the loss to OKC. Ben Simmons had 20 points, 15 rebounds and nine assists but despite those efforts, the Sixers weren't able to convert on their last possession with Simmons looking to be confused after handing the ball to Jimmy Butler beyond the three-point arc. Embiid (27.0 & 13.2) is the first Philadelphia player to score at least 30 points in 20 of his first 45 games of a season since Allen Iverson (2005-06). Butler checks in at 19.0-4.8-3.4, Redick at 18.5 PPG and Simmons at 16.6-9.5-8.2. However, I'm not convinced the 76ers are better off with Butler, after exchanging him for valuable role players like Covington and Saric.

That said, I sure like Philly to bounce back from its Saturday home loss to OKC. While Harden remains 'on fire,' Houston has cooled off a bit while alternating victories in its last nine outings (5-4 SU and 4-5 ATS). More notably, the Rockets have had trouble scoring away from home since Dec 1, with the exception of the team's 135-134 win at Golden St on Jan 3. Let me point out that excluding that contest, Houston is averaing a very modest 10.1 PPG in its other eight away games since Dec 1. Philly is 19-5 SU at home this season, while averaging 118.9 PPG. Yes, Harden "gets his" but Philly gets the win and COVER!

Good luck...Larry

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

No. 9 Virginia Tech bounced back nicely after being routed 81-59 by No. 1 Virginia in its previous game. The Hokies shot 57 percent from the floor while holding the Demon Deacons to 37.5 percent shooting in an 87-71 win. Tech is now 15-2 (4-1 in ACC play) as it heads to Chapel Hill to take on 14-4 North Carolina (also 4-1 in the ACC), which is ranked 13th (both rankings pending the AP's latest poll, which will be released Monday afternoon). The Tar Heels were shocked 83-62 at home by Louisville on Jan 12 but have won two straight, the most recent win coming in an 85-76 victory at Miami on Saturday.

Sophomore guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored a team-high 24 points in the win over Wake and is the team's top scorer at 18.2 PPG (4.3 RPG). The 6-10 Blackshear (13.4 & 5.8)  checks in behind Walker, followed by guards Robinson (12.8 & 5.4 APG) and Hill (12.8). Tech plays great D (59.5 PPG ranks 5th) and it will be needed here against the high-scoring Tar Heels.

The Tar Heels connected on 55% against Miami, including making 18-of-30 (60 percent) in the second half when they pulled away from a 37-37 halftime tie. Senior guard Cameron Johnson scored a game-high 22 and leads North Carolina by averaging 15.9 PPG on the season (also gets 5.7 RPG). The 6-8 Maye averages 14.4 PPG and grabs a team-high 9.9 RPG. Guards White (14.2) and Williams (8.9 & 4.0 APG) also start, as does the 6-9 Brooks (8.7 & 5.8). 6-6 freshman Little (9.9 & 4.3) is an effective sixth-man.

Virginia Tech snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Tar Heels with a win in Blacksburg last season but North Carolina leads the all-time series 31-7. Keeping up with North Carolina seems like a "bridge too far" for Va Tech, which has scored just 52 (Ga Tech) and 59 (Va) points in its two ACC road games. North Carolina is averaging 87.3 PPG (5th) and again, the price looks 'cheap!' Lay it.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on the Was Wizards at 2:05 ET.

The 20-25 Detroit Pistons will be in Washington on MLK Day to take on the 19-26 Wizards.Detroit is currently in 9th-place in the playoff standings (only EIGHT get in), while Washington sits 10th. However, with basically half the season remaining, both still have reasonable playoff aspirations. Detroit had a three-game winning streak in its sights after wins over Orlando and Miami but was outscored 29-19 in the fourth quarter and surrendered 23 points off 14 turnovers to the Kings in a two-point home loss on Saturday.  The Wizards are coming back from a trip to London, where they defeated the New York Knicks 101-100 on Thursday in the first game the franchise has played overseas.

Blake Griffin (26.0-8.1-5.3) did all he could in attempting to get the "W" but his third consecutive 30-plus performance (38 points on 12-of-23 shooting) was not enough. The Pistons played that game without Ish Smith (8.7), who missed the game after experiencing problems connected to a right abductor injury. More bad news came in the fact that center Andre Drummond (16.3 & 14.9) was placed in concussion protocol for Saturday's loss, after playing just seven minutes in the team's Friday game vs Miami. He's listed as doubtful for Monday's contest.

I get the feeling that the Wizards are slowly pulling themselves out of a funk that has lasted nearly the entire first half of the season. All-Star PG John Wall (20.8 & 8.7 APG) is out with a season-ending heel injury but SG Bradley Beal (24.9-5.0-5.0) remains confident the team can continue to make strides forward.  We're a competitive team," Beal told reporters. "Win, lose, or draw, we stick together. We keep our heads high, we continue to get better. We're right here in the playoff hunt, which is where we want to be."

It's hardly a positive sign that Detroit allowed the Kings to rally from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit on its home court on Saturday, as Buddy Hield nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer for the Sacramento win. Meanwhile, the Wizards have covered FIVE straight at the Capital One Arena, going 4-1 SU with that lone loss coming in OT by two points to Toronto. Washington has averaged a WHOPPING 123.6 PPG in those five straight ATS home wins, while Detroit limps in 7-14 SU on the road this season, after losing 11 of its last 14 away from home. Take the Wizards.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Utah at 6:00 ET.

The Colorado Buffs (10-6 / 1-3 in Pac-12) travel to Salt Lake City to play the 8-8 Utah Utes (2-2 in Pac-12) at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. Colorado opened the season 8-1 but enter this contest having lost FIVE of its last seven. Utah owns a .500 overall and conference record. The Utes haven’t had a winning or losing streak longer than two games this season.

The Buffaloes now face dealing with an injury to leading scorer McKinley Wright (12.9-4.9-5.3). He missed the second half of the Buffaloes’ Jan. 12 loss to Washington after suffering a shoulder injury and his immediate status is questionable at best (he only returned to practice wearing a brace late in the week) Also, senior Namon Wright is averaging 7.5 points off the bench but has missed the last three games and still wasn’t able to practice this past week. Up front, the 6-7 Bey (12.0 & 9.1) and the 6-10 Siewert (11.4 & 5.0) will be counted on to carry more of the load.

Utah's 88-70 win over visiting Washington State on Jan. 12 put the brakes on a two-game slide, as the Utes recovered nicely from their season-low 53 points two nights earlier versus Washington. The freshman trio of Timmy Allen (15 & 9), Both Gach (14 & 4 assists) and Riley Battin (11-4-4) led the way in the win as the youngsters continue to show near-weekly improvement. The 6-6 Allen averages 9.9 & 4.3, the 6-7 Gach 8.1 & 2.5 and the 6-9 Battin 7.1 & 3.4. Senior PG Sedrick Barefield (15.4 & 3.8 APG) and 6-7 sophomore forward Donnie Tillman (11.3 & 5.8) are the only two players averaging double figures for Utah.

Sure, Utah's season has been 'stuck in neutral' but that's a better situation than Colorado's, which has seen the team averaging 84.1 PPG in its 8-1 start, fall apart with FIVE losses in its last seven, averaging only 63.2 PPG in those five losses. Utah has outscored opponents 77.9-to-67.4 PPG at home this season and has won EIGHT of the last nine meetings with Colorado, as well as owning SIX straight wins here in Salt Lake City over the Buffs. Everything considered, the price seems 'cheap!'

Good luck...Larry

My 8* CBB Bailout Blowout is on San Francisco at 11:00 ET.

The BYU Cougars will travel to War Memorial Gymnasium to take on the San Francisco Dons this Saturday night in WCC action. The Cougars defeated the Pepperdine Waves 87-76 this past Thursday for their third straight win, improving to 12-8 (4-1 WCC) on the season. The Dons also won on Thursday, 53-52 at Pacific, improving to 15-3 (3-1 WCC).

BYU can score, averaging 83.5 PPG (23rd), as the the 6-8 Childs leads the Cougars in scoring (22.2) and rebounding (9.8). Guards Haws (18.0& 5.2 APG) and Hardnett (10.9) check in behind him. However, BYU allows 78.2 PPG (311th). San Francisco has nice balance, with a trio of guards in Mineland (15.2 & 5.3), PG Ferrari (13.4 & 5.4 APG) and Ratinho (10.2) all in double figures. Up front, it's the 6-9 McCarthy (9.7 & 6.8), the 7-0 Lull (8.7 & 5.9) and the 6-8 Renfro (6.8 & 5.6).

The Cougars check in 2-10 ATS in their last 12 road games, including going 2-6 SU & 1-7 ATS this season (allowing 91.9 PPG)! Meanwhile, the Dons, who rank 18th in points allowed (18th) on tehe season, are 9-1 SU at home. San Francisco had won 20 games just TWICE in 20 years before the arrival of current head coach Kyle Smith. Smith won 20 and 22 games his first two years at SF (lost in the CIT championship game LY) and with 15 wins already TY, is headed for a 'monster' season. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Arizona St at 9:30 ET.

Preseason Pac-12-favorite Oregon stumbled to a 0-2 conference start but has rebounded nicely with wins over USC at home last Sunday and at Arizona two nights ago. The Ducks are 11-6 overall (2-2 in Pac-12 play) as they travel to Tempe to take on the ASU Sun Devils (12-5 / 3-2). Oregon opened Pac-12 road play in style Thursday, holding Arizona to 54 points and snapping the Wildcats’ six-game win streak and handing the Wildcats their first league loss. Arizona State also responded in positive fashion Thursday night, bouncing back from an 85-71 road defeat at Stanford by handing visiting Oregon State its first Pac-12 loss in a 70-67 victory.

Oregon head coach Dana Altman is learning to deal with the loss of 7-2 freshman Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.2), who is out for the season with a foot injury. Thursday's road win was the big news but Oregon also received a boost with the return of 6-9 sophomore forward Kenny Wooten (6.5 & 5.1), who had five points and seven rebounds in 25 minutes after missing the previous four contests with a broken jaw. Ducks senior forward Paul White said Thursday in the post-game news conference. “And I think our team has done a great job of responding.” White scored a game-high 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting Thursday and is one of two healthy Ducks averaging double figures at 10.8 PPG. Junior PG Payton Pritchard (11.5 PPG) is the other to go along with a team-leading 4.5 APG. He sealed Thursday’s win by draining a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining.

Arizona State also responded in positive fashion Thursday night, bouncing back from an 85-71 road defeat at Stanford by handing visiting Oregon State its first Pac-12 loss in a 70-67 victory. The Sun Devils saw an 18-point early-second half lead trimmed to only one with 22 seconds remaining but Rob Edwards closed it out by draining a pair of free throws with 12.1 seconds to play. Edwards scored 13 points to pace five ASU players in double figures. Five ASU players are averaging in double figures on the season, with the 6-8 While averaging 9.2 & 6.0. The double digit scorers are guard Dort (16.6 & 4.6), fellow guard Martin (12.4), the 6-8 Cheatham (11.8 & 9.6), guard Edwards (10.5) and the 6-7 Lawrence (10.2 & 3.9).

Oregon has won 11 of the last 12 in the series (including eight straight) but the Ducks are NOT the same without Bol Bol, despite the win Thursday at Arizona. Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils generated national headlines by handing then-top-ranked Kansas its first loss, 80-76, back on Dec. 22. ASU is just 5-5 its last 10 overall but is 8-2 SU at home, averaging 82.9 PPG. Meanwhile, Oregon is averaging a modest 57.2 PPG in its four true road games. ASU takes this with "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

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

11-5 Oregon State will visit Tucson on Saturday to take on 13-5 Arizona. Both schools suffered theri first Pac-12 loses of teh season on Thursday (each fell to 3-1), as the Beavers lost 70-67 at Arizona State and the Wildcats lost at home to Oregon, 59-54. Oregon State's loss wasn't a surprise (Beavers were point underdogs) but Arizona's loss was. The Wildcats rarely lose at the McKale Center (more on that later) but they trailed 31-23 at halftime and finished with their second-lowest scoring output (54 points) and field-goal percentage (36.5) of the season. Oregon State also endured a rough start in Tempe, falling behind 40-22 early in the second half, before rallying to trim Arizona State’s lead to one in the eventual three-point loss.

OSU's 6-8 forward Tres Tinkle (20.1-8.3-4.4) and guard Ethan Thompson (13.2 & 5.6) each scored 21 to combine for 42 of the Beavers’ 67 points Thursday. Thompson’s older brother Stephen (15.2 & 4.7) had an off night with nine points on 3-of-9 shooting, finishing with four fouls and failing to reach double figures for the first time in his last five games. 

“You have to give their defense credit,” Arizona coach Sean Miller said in his post-game news conference after the Oregon loss. “We were out of sorts, never could get into an offensive rhythm. Several of our guys had a tough night shooting it.” Guard Brandon Randolph leads the Wildcats in scoring at 15.7 per game, failed to reach double figures for the first time all season Thursday, finishing with five points on a 2-of-9 shooting performance. However, Center Chase Jeter, a 6-10 transfer from Duke, posted his fifth double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He isn't making anyone forget DeAndre Ayton, but he is averaging 13.3 points and a team-high 7.6 rebounds. Jeter scored just 103 points in 48 games (10.3 minutes per contest) with Duke from 2015-17 before sitting out the 2017-18 season but is more than just a solid contributor this year. PG Brandon Williams rounds out the team's double-digit scorers at 11.4 PPG and 3.6 APG plus has a solid backcourt partner in Justin Coleman (8.9).

The Oregon loss was a jolt but Miller has quietly molded this team into a Pac-12 contender (the league is relatively weak this year). Arizona has won 13 of the last 14 meetings in the series, with Oregon State’s only win in the span coming on Jan. 11, 2015. Sure, Arizona lost at home Thursday but how does one ignore that the Wildcats enter this contest a national-best 91-5 at the McKale Center since 2013?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* CBB No. 1 vs No. 1 is on Duke at 6:00 ET.

14-2 Duke holds the No. 1 ranking in the AP poll, at least until Monday's new poll comes out. 16-0 Virginia is ranked just 4th in the AP but the Cavaliers are ranked No. 1 in the coaches' poll, making this just the fourth No. 1 vs. No. 1 meeting in college basketball history. Not a bad setting. This is arguably the biggest game of the college basketball season to date. Let's say up front that Duke is 211-32 while holding the No. 1 ranking under Coach K. Virginia passed one of its stiffest tests of the season with ease on Tuesday night with an 81-59 win over No. 9 Virginia Tech. The Cavaliers scored 44 points on 68 percent shooting in the first half, while holding the Hokies to 22 points on 35 percent shooting. Meanwhile, Duke felt the impact of missing two key players Monday, as Syracuse able to pull off a stunning 95-91 overtime win at Cameron. The Blue Devils were without long-range shooter Cameron Reddish (flu-like symptoms) and PG Tre Jones injured his shoulder early in the first half.

Virginia owns a trio of excellent guards in Guy's (15.2 & 4.,3), Hunter (14.4 & 5.2) and PG Jerome (13.2 & 4.9 APG). However, the team's lone big man is the 6-9 Diatkite, who averages 6.6 PPG and just 3.5 RPG. Defense rules at UVa, as the Cavs lead the nation in point allowed (51.7 per), while holding opponents to 37.0% shooting (4th) taht includes 25.1% on threes (1st).

Syracuse used its 2-3 zone defense to force Duke into attempting outside shots and the Blue Devils obliged by launching a school-record 43 three-point attempts, making just NINE. RJ Barrett, the ACC’s leading scorer at 23.4 PPG scored 23 but was just 4-of-17 beyond the arc. The 6-7 Zion Williamson (21.2 & 9.4) scored a career-high 35 and pulled down 10 rebounds but missed a go-ahead free-throw with 16.2 seconds remaining in regulation. PG Tre Jones (8.1 & 5.7 APG left the Syracuse loss with a separated shoulder in the opening six minutes but Krzyzewski that Jones likely will be sidelined less than a month. The good news for Duke is that Reddish (13.3) has returned to practice and is expected to play.

The Cavaliers have won 12 consecutive ACC road games and last year's victory at Duke snapped a 17-game skid for Virginia in that building. However, with Duke off a home loss, I just don't see the Cavs being able to win here. Virginia has won nine consecutive games against ranked opponents but that streak ends here, against a Duke team averaging a whopping 92.8 PPG at home.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on Washington St at 3:00 ET.

The 8-9 Stanford Cardinal (1-4 in Pac-12 play) will travel to Pullman to take on the 8-9 Washington State Cougars (1-3 in Pac-12 play). Stanford lost its top-two players from last season, forward Travis Reid (19.5 & 87.), who is a graduate transfer at Kentucky, and guard Pickens (14.5). The Cardinal limp into this contest having lost FOUR of five, after an 80-64 loss at Washington on Thursday. As for teh Cougars, they  are coming off one of their better showings of the season in Thursday’s 82-59 home win over California.

The Cardinal's offense revolves around sophomore wing KZ Okpala (18.1 & 6.5), who is averaging 21.2 points and 7.6 rebounds in five conference games. Stanford needs more consistency from 6-9 sophomore forward Oscar da Silva (9.1 & 5.6) and 7-0 center Sharma (8.4 & 5.10. Guards Davis (11.9) and Ryan (10.0) join Okpala in double digits.

Few players are as critical to their team’s success as Washington State senior Robert Franks, who returned to action Thursday and helped the Cougars end a six-game losing streak. The 6-9 forward missed four games with a hip contusion before recording 24 points and eight rebounds in 31 minutes off the bench against the Bears. He checks in at on the season. Five players scored in double figures in the win over Cal, including freshman forward CJ Elleby, who finished with 11 points and ranks second on the team in scoring at 15.7 PPG (also adds 6.9 RPG) PG Viont’e Daniels (7.4) has struggled since missing four games due to a concussion at the end of December, but the senior had 11 points on 4-of-8 shooting with four rebounds on Thursday. Head coach Ernie Kent has been pleased by the recent play of junior forward Jeff Pollard (just 4.2 & 2.4 on teh season). who has scored in double figures in two of his past three games.

Stanford averages 15.6 turnovers per game, which leads the Pac-12 (a stat no team wants to be No. 1 at). The Cardinal come to Pullman 1-6 SU on the road, allowing 80.3 PPG. That bodes very poorly here at Beasley Coliseum, where the Cougars are a PERFECT 8-0 (7-1 ATS), while averaging 88.9 PPG. Why is this basically a pick'em?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on UCF at 12 noon ET.

Tulsa won 19 games last year but head coach Frank Haith still has his eyes set on a 20-win season for the Golden Hurricane. Tulsa exploded for a season-high 89 points in six-point home win over UConn on Wednesday and will take 12-6 (2-3 in AAC play) into its game today at UCF. The Golden Knights are 13-3 overall, after their 75-67 Wednesday loss at Wichita State. It was UCF's first loss in eight games and its 1st AAC loss (3-1).

Haith believes his Golden Hurricane showed a mental toughness in the win over UConn, as Tulsa was coming off a 20-point loss at SMU. Senior swingman DaQuan Jeffries leads the way offensively for Tulsa, averaging 13.4 points (5.4 RPG), while 6-8 junior forward Martins Igbanu chips in 12.3 & 5.6 and PG Sterling Taplin (9.7 & 4.6 APG). They are typically the glue that holds the team together. However, the Golden Hurricane's hottest player of late has been sophomore forward Jeriah Horne, who is coming off a career-high 27-point performance against UConn and has averaged 12.8 points during league play, compared to 7.8 against non-conference foes.

The Golden Knights have a dangerous guard duo in B.J. Taylor (17.2 PPG) and Aubrey Dawkins (16.3 & 5.4). Defense is usually the name of the game for coach Johnny Dawkins' team (63.9 PPG allowed ranks 27rth and 38.9 FG percentage ranks 17th) but in the loss to Wichita State, the Golden Knights allowed the Shockers to shoot 51.9 percent from the floor. The biggest problem for opposing offenses is dealing with the presence of 7-6 Tacko Fall, who averages 10.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and a league-leading 3.06 blocks (note: he is also shooting a conference-best 78.7 percent from the floor).

UCF is 9-1 SU at home and is poised for a bounce-back effort from that loss at Wichita St (note that the Shockers are 78-5 the last six-plus years at Koch Arena!) and to avenge last year's 70-61 loss at Tulsa, a contest Tacko Fall missed due to injury. Tulsa has lost its two AAC road games by 20 at SMU and by 18 at Houston, averaging just 56.5 PPG. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

The New Orleans Pelicans have struggled defensively all season and are coming off having allowed their highest point total of the current of the season in Wednesday's 147-140 loss at Golden State on Wednesday. The 21-24 Pelicans visit Moda Center tonight and the good news is that New Orleans swept Portland in the first round of last season's playoffs. The 27-19 Blazers defeated Cleveland 129-112 on Wednesday, Portland's seventh win in 10 games, with five coming by double digits. 

Nikola Mirotic missed 12 game s recently with ankle woes but scored a season-high 29 points and matched his season best of six 3-pointers against the Warriors. The 6-11 Anthony Davis misses Mirotic when he's out of the lineup. It's turning into another typical year for A.D, who ranks third in the NBA in scoring (29.4) and rebounds (13.4) plus second in blocked shots (2.6). Surprising, two more Pelicans average 20-plus points for New Orleans, PG Holiday (20.8-4.6-8.2) and backup PF Randle (20.1 & 9.2). Guards Moore (12.6) and Payton (10.7-3.9-5.9) are also regular contributors. Scoring is NOT an issue but defense is, as New Orleans allows 115.5 PPG (28th).

Damian Lillard scored 33 points in Wednesday's win over the Cavs, after recording 35 two nights earlier in a loss to Sacramento. Lillard's having another excellent season, averaging 26.2-4.4-6.1 and is teamed with backcourt mate McCollum (20.6). Center Jusuf Nurkic (14.8 & 10.4) posted his first career triple-double against the Cavaliers as he registered 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while also blocking five shots. Nurkic became the 16th player in NBA history to reject five or more shots while recording a triple-double.

Portland can match New Orleans' offense and comes in allowing 107.0 PPG its last 10. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are just 6-18 SU on the road, allowing 117.1 PPG. Portland is 19-7 SU at home this season, including a 132-119 home victory over the Pelicans back on Nov 1. Forget that 4-0 sweep in last yerars first round, as Portland has won 13 of the last 15 regular-season meetings!

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Ohio State at 6:30 ET.

The Big Ten has had nine of its 14 members show up in the rankings at some point of the current season. There is rarely any rest for the weary in this conference for any team. That's the case tonight, as No. 19 Maryland (15-3 / 6-1) visits Columbus to take on 12-4 Ohio State (2-3 in Big Ten). Ohio State was ranked 14th before losing three in a row, to now-No. 6 Michigan State, Rutgers and now-No. 23 Iowa.

The Terrapins began the week with a 64-60 victory at home over Wisconsin on Monday in a game in which they allowed 15 first-half points, the fewest since holding Michigan State to 14 in 201. PG Anthony Cowan (17.8-4.1-4.4) is the first Terrapins player to score 20 points or more in three consecutive Big Ten regular-season games, averaging 24.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists in wins over Minnesota, Indiana and Wisconsin. Three other guards average between 8.2 and 9.4 PPG. 6-10 sophomore Bruno Fernando (14.6 & 9.9) is the team's best inside player and while he was quiet against Wisconsin (10 & 4), he averaged 17.5 points and 12.0 rebounds, while shooting 73 percent from the floor in the team's two previous wins.

The Buckeyes have lost three straight since the start of the new year, after starting 12-1. At 2-3, the Buckeyes have already matched their loss total in the conference from 2017-18 during coach Chris Holtmann's first season in Columbus. The 6-9 Kaleb Wesson (16.2 & 6.9) has struggled with foul trouble and managed just two points in Ohios State's last game, Saturday's 72-62 loss at Iowa. The Buckeyes need Wesson on the floor AND he needs more help. His 6-6 brother Andre (7.4 & 4.4) and the 6-8 Young (7.4 & 4.9) start in the frontcourt. Four guards average between 7.4 and 12.9 PPG but that group has often been inconsistent (Jackson is the leading scorer at 12.4 PPG, but comes off the bench).

Both schools have young teams but at the moment the difference is that the Terps are winning. That said, Maryland's been playing "on the edge" as of late. Maryland has one of the youngest teams in the nation, as head coach Mark Turgeon has at times played five freshmen at once. The Terps squandered a 21-point lead with 17:47 to play against Wisconsin and trailed 60-59 with less than a minute left before Anthony Cowan hit a three-pointer to put them ahead. Maryland looked out of it against Indiana on Jan 11 when the Terps were down by 14 early and 10 in the second half, yet still rallied for a 78-75 win. That just may catch up to them. How about here, as the Buckeyes look to snap a three-game slide. After all, Ohio State is 8-2 SU at home, outscoring opponnents 80.1-to-64.2 PPG and routed Maryland at Value City Arena last season, 91-69!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Pac-12 Game of the Year is on Arizona at 9:00 ET.

The 10-6 Oregon Ducks (1-2 in Pac-12) will be in Tuscon Thursday night to take on the 13-4 Arizona Wildcats (4-0 in Pac-12). Oregon head coach Dana Altman is wondering how to deal with the loss of  7-2 freshman Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.2), who is out for the season with a foot injury. Meanwhile, Arizona's Sean Miller has seen 6-10 Duke transfer Chris Jeter 'take off,' giving the Wildcats a legitimate shot at winning the Pac-12 in a down year for the league.

Not only have the Ducks lost Bol Bol, but the 6-9 Wotten (6.6 & 4.9) has missed the last four games (jaw) but may play here. The Ducks blew a 17-point lead in the second half and an eight-point advantage in the final 45 seconds of regulation in an 87-84 overtime loss to UCLA last Thursday but snapped a two-game slide with an 81-60 victory over USC on Sunday. 6-9 freshman forward Louis King continues to thrive in Pac-12 competition. King has averaged 19.3 points and 9.3 rebounds per Pac-12 game, raising his season averages to 11.0 and 5.7 plus is shooting 40 percent from the floor after going 23-for-48 in his last three contests. 6-9 senior forward Paul White (10.4 & 3.8) matched a career high with 19 points versus USC and is averaging 15.8 in his last four contests while grabbing at least four rebounds in each game during that span. Junior guard Payton Pritchard is now the team leader in scoring (11.7) and assists (4.6).

Miller has quietly molded this team. Arizona has won six straight (4-2 ATS) since a home loss to Baylor back on Dec 15. Jeter recorded a career-high 23 points and nine rebounds while shooting 8-for-11 from the floor in Arizona's 87-65 victory at California on Saturday. Jeter scored just 103 points in 48 games (10.3 minutes per contest) with Duke from 2015-17 before sitting out the 2017-18 season. However, is averaging 13.4 PPG and a club-high 7.4 rebounds, while shooting a team-high 64.3 percent from the floor. Sophomore guard Brandon Randolph (16.3 PPG) is one of two Pac-12 players to reach double figures in every contest (UCLA's Kris Wilkes is the other). Senior guard Justin Coleman (9.2) and freshman PG Brandon Williams (11.5 & 3.8 APG) join Randolph to give Arizona an impressive guard trio.

Arizona was shook by seeing its 52-game non-conference home win streak end in a 58-49 loss to Baylor on Dec 15 but the Wildcats won six straight since (four of those wins have come at home). The Wildcats enter this contest a national-best 91-4 at the McKale Center since 2013. Oregon has averaged only 56.7 PPG in three true road games this season, while Arizona is 9-1 SU at home, averaging 75.9 PPG. The Wildcats should easily handle this modest impost. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Streakbuster is on Nebraska at 8:00 ET

No. 6 Michigan State (15-2 / 6-0 Big Ten) looks to extend its winning streak to 11 when it visits 13-4 Nebraska (3-3) in a Big Ten Conference matchup on Thursday. The Spartans are coming off a 71-56 victory at Penn State on Sunday, the team's 18th straight Big Ten win in a row (obviously, that goes back to last season). The Cornhuskers enter on a two-game winning streak, after beating No. 25 Indiana 66-51 on the road on Monday. What's more, the Cornhuskers are going for a school-record 21st consecutive home victory (have won 20 straight at Pinnacle Bank Arena). trying to top the 20 straight from December 1965-March 1967. 

Michigan State has been without guard Joshua Langford (15.0 PPG) for the last four contests (foot) but hasn't missed a beat. PG Cassius Winston (team-high 17.6 points, Big Ten-best 7.4 assists) has been outstanding plus 6-9 junior forward Nick Ward (16.6 & 6.8)  continues his excellent play inside. Ward is joinef up front by the 6-8 Tillman (8.5 & 7.8) and the 6-7 Goins (6.6 & 9.4). The Spartans may also be missing guard Kyle Ahrens  (6.1) in this game, so senior guard Matt McQuaid (8.9) will need to step up in the backcourt. He did just that against Penn St with four 3-pointers in the second half as the Nittany Lions tried to creep back into the contest. McQuaid leads the Big Ten in three-point percentage (47.4) plus provides strong defense, either guarding a ball-handler or coming over to take charges.

Nebraska owns a balanced attack, led by senior guard James Palmer Jr. (19.0-4.3-3.3) and 6-9 senior forward Isaac Copeland Jr. (14.3 & 5.5). Teaming with Palmer is senior PG Glynn Watson Jr. (13.5-4.2-3.9), who had a team-high 15 points in the win over Indiana. The 6-8 Isaiah Roby averages 11.2 & 6.4 up front with Copeland and let's also note that 6-8 senior Tanner Borchardt may only average 12.2 minutes per contest (2.2 & 2.9) but he can make a heavy impact for the Cornhuskers, especially on the defensive end.  Borchardt finished with seven points and five rebounds against Indiana.

I'm a HUGE fan of Tom Izzo but no one wins them all. 18 straight Big Ten wins is amazing but I expect that streak to end here. Nebraska's back-to-back wins have the 'Huskers within striking distance of the Big Ten leaders (Michigan and Michigan State) but a win here would also be HUGE as it would help the team's NCAA Tournament resume. Remember, Nebraska went 13-5 in the conference last season and didn't earn a bid. The Cornhuskers are 9-0 SU (6-1-1 ATS) at home this season, outscoring opponents on average, 83.9-to-54.9 PPG. Make it 21 straight home wins for Nebbish!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* TNT Knockout is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

The 29-16 Philadelphia 76ers and the 29-14 Indiana Pacers both showed off how good they can be on Tuesday. The 76ers blew out the Minnesota Timberwolves 141-107 and the Pacers did the same to the Phoenix Suns, 131-97. The two Eastern Conference contenders square off tonight, as the Pacers host the 76ers. Indiana sits in third place in the East, one game ahead of Philadelphia,

Philadelphia shot 59.8 percent from the floor against Minnesota and handed out 40 assists on 55 made FGs. The 76ers also set a franchise record with 21 made three-pointers as Wilson Chandler (4-of-6), Joel Embiid (4-of-6), Jonah Bolden (4-of-5) and Jimmy Butler (3-of-4) all 'lit it up' from beyond the arc. Joel Embiid (27.0 & 13.3) led the way by scoring 31 points and grabbing 13 rebounds against Minnesota.. Ben Simmons (16.7-9.5-8.2) had 20 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists, despite sitting out most of the fourth quarter. Butler is averaging 18.7-4.9-3.2 and SB Redick averages 18.3 PPG but Philly's problem is that the above mentioned players pretty much carry the entire load. Another problem is a defense which allows 112.4 PPG (22nd).

Indiana's defensive effort on Tuesday was led by center Myles Turner, who returned from a four-game absence due to a shoulder injury and delivered 18 points and six rebounds while a pair of blocks pushed his NBA-leading total to 105. SEVEN Indiana players scored in double figures on Tuesday but NOT All-Star guard Victor Oladipo, who managed eight points on 2-of-11 shooting. However, Oladipo is the team's best player, averaging 19.5-5.8-5.2. Five more Pacers score in double digits in Bogdanovic (16.3 & 4.0), Sabonis (15.2 & 9.7), Turner (13.1 & 7.1), Young (12.5 & 6.0) and Evans (10.6). PG Collison just misses at 9.2 PPG plus a team-best 5.6 APG. Unlike Philly, Indiana allows just 103.1 PPG, best in the league!

Philadelphia earned a 100-94 win in its last trip to Indiana on Nov 7 and here, will be looking for consecutive wins at Indiana for the first time since it won three straight from Dec 22, 2004, to Nov 5, 2005 (that's a long time ago). The Pacers have been very streaky vs the spread but they have still been mostly winning those games they weren’t covering. Indiana has won NINE of its last 11 games coming into this contest. The Pacers are 15-5 SU at home, where they allow only 97.0 PPG. Meanwhile, the 76ers are a so-so 10-12 on the road, where they allow a whopping 116.1 PPG. With this line, the Pacers are the play.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the LA Clippers at 10:35 ET.

Utah shooting guard Donovan Mitchell continued his strong play with 28 points in the Jazz's 100-94 Monday win over the Detroit Pistons. He leads all Utah scorers at 21.5 PPG on the season and is averaging 30 points over the past six contests. Utah's win over the Pistons completed a 4-0 homestand, as the Jazz are now  24-21 and head to LA on a season-high four-game winning streak. The 24-19 LA Clippers fell 121-117 to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday and have opened a four-game homestand 0-2, while losing three straight, overall.

Utah center Center Rudy Gobert (14.8 & 12.8) matched his career best of 25 rebounds against the Pistons plus also contributed 18 points and two blocked shots. All five of Utah's starting-five average in double digits but PG Ricky Rubio (12.8 & 6.2 APG) missed a fourth straight game with starter with a hamstring injury. Yes, the Jazz are 4-0 without him but his absence is NOT good news. Also, reserves Dante Exum (7.4) and Raul Neto (4.9) are sidelined.

LA fell to New Orleans on Monday but SF Danilo Gallinari ((19.7 & 6.1) has scored 20 or more points in six of the past eight games after recording 25 against the Pelicans and he is averaging 20.3 points during the stretch.PF Tobias Harris leads the team in scoring (20.8) and rebounding (8.0), while sixth-man Williams (18.6 & 4.9 APG) continues to be a major force. Coming off the bench (like Williams) and also making a huge impact is power forward Montrezl Harrell (16.0 & 6.8). He scored 26 points vs the Pelicans and has

exceeded 20 points in three of the past four games, averaging 21.5 points during the span.

Utah comes in off four straight wins (all at home) and this trip to Staples Center represents the team's LONE road contest in a nine-game stretch (Jazz return home for another four-game homestand, beginning Friday). I realize that the Jazz have won the last three meetings with the Clippers but that comes after losing 19 of the previous 21 matchups!  "We just gotta stop putting ourselves in these holes," Harrell told reporters after the loss to the Pelicans. "Yeah, we do a great job of coming back and fighting and getting back into it, but we're running out of gas. We're using so much energy and we're doing so much fighting to put ourselves just within three (or) five." No Rubio and playing its ONLY road game in a nine-game stretch is NOT a good situation for heh Jazz. The Clippers shoot the ball extremely well, making 47.4% of their FGs (6th), including 38.8% on threes (4th). LA is averaging 116.2 PPG at Staples Center this season and "gets things right" in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Oddsmaker's Error is on DePaul at 8:25 ET.

Butler is 10-7 (1-3 in Big East play) as it visits Chicago to play DePaul (10-5 / 2-2 in Big East). Butler has made the "Big Dance" in 10 of the previous 12 years but the team's struggles away from home are putting its path to a fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance in peril. Butler saw a late 10-point lead evaporate against Xavier, en route to its fourth loss in five outing (Xavier won 70-69). DePaul finished 11-20 last year, the school's 11th straight losing season. The Blue Demons haven't win more than 12 games since 2006-07, so one has to take note of their 10-5 start.

"We just have to stay after it and keep pounding the rock. Just looking for a breakthrough, and you just keep believing, keep fighting, keep playing, and do everything you can until that moment comes," head coach LaVall Jordan said after watching butler lsoe again last Sunday. Junior guard Kamar Baldwin (17.0 & 5.7) leads Butler in scoring, while senior guard Paul Jorgensen ranks second on the team in scoring at 13.1 PPG. Jordan has two big men splitting time at center, the 6-11 Joey Brunk (9.1 & 4.9) and the 6-10 Nate Fowler (4.8 & 3.8). The 6-7 Tucker (a Duke transfer) just became eligible and is adding 7.6 & 5.1 in eight. However, the highly-touted sophomore put forth his best all-around performance (12 points, eight rebounds) in a career-high 25 minutes of action against Xavier.

The Blue Demons have answered a three-game slide with back-to-back victories over Seton Hall and St. John's, with senior forward Femi Olujobi collecting a season-high 27 points and eight rebounds in a 79-71 over the Red Storm on Saturday. "We're at the most important stage of our program in that we're figuring out how to win, particularly late-game situations," head coach Dave Leitao said. DePaul's senior trio leads the way. The 6-7 Max Strus leads in scoring (18.4) and rebounding (7.6), then there is PG Eli Cain (13.7 & 4.0 APG) and 6-9 forward Olujobi (11.4 & 4.7). Strus recorded his second double-double in a seven-game stretch by collecting 14 points and 12 rebounds against St. John's and erupted for 27 points on 8-of-17 shooting -- including 5-for-10 from 3-point range -- in DePaul's 79-67 loss to Butler back on Jan. 20, 2018 (last season).

I realize that the bulldogs' winning streak in the series is up to nine games but Butler is beatable this season. However, Dave Leitao just might have finally turned the corner in his second stint at DePaul.  Blue Demons have an extra dimension this season in the 6-9, 260-lb. Femi Olujobi (previously played at Oakland and NC A&T) plus guards Strus and Cain are both 6-6, creating matchup problems for opponents both offensively and defensively. Butler's loss at Xavier makes them 0-4 SU on the road this year and the team's last win in a true road game goes all the way back to Jan 31 of 2018. Butler is averaging a measly 59.8 PPG in four road games this season, while DePaul is 9-2 SU at home, averaging 78.9 PPG. Why is Butler favored?

Good luck...Larry

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

UConn (10-7 / 1-3 AAC) will visit the Reynolds Center, on Wednesday in a league game vs Tulsa (11-6 / 1-3 AAC). UConn also has lost three of its four league games and has yet to post a true road victory but first-year coach Dan Hurley lauded his team's effort at Cincinnati last Saturday. “The guys showed the type of grit that you love to see, especially in Year One of what we’re trying to build here,” Hurley said after the 74-72 OT loss. Meanwhile, Tulsa is coming off its most lopsided defeat of the season, 77-57 at SMU (also last Saturday). The Golden Hurricane are off to a 1-3 start in conference play, like the Huskies.

Hurley has a perimeter-oriented team, as UConn's top-four scorers are guards. Adams (16.8-3.6-3.2) leads the way, followed by Gilbert (13.5 & 3.8 APG), Vital (22.9) and Smith (9.1). Forwards Polley (7.6 & 2.3) and Carlton (7.1 & 4.4) start but are minor contributors.

The Golden Hurricane fell behind by as many as 16 points in the first half at SMU, prompting head coach Frank Haith to say how "disappointed" he was with the team's effort. DaQuan Jeffries and Martins Igbanu, who rank 1-2 in scoring, were held to a combined 11 points. Tulsa was manhandled on the boards by a staggering 44-29 margin. However,

Tulsa won 19 games last year but still has its sights on a 20-win season, this time around. Senior wing DaQuan Jeffries (13.4 & 5.5 rebounds), 6-8 junior forward Martins Igbanu (12.2 & 5.6) and PG Sterling Taplin (9.6 & 4.7 APG) are the glue that holds the team together.

Let's note that Tulsa is 9-1 at the Reynolds Center, its lone loss coming in overtime to Cincinnati. UConn is 0-2 in true road games this season and 2-9 ATS in its last 11 road games, going back to last season. A tech trend worth noting is that the Huskies are 16-38-1 ATS in their last 55 games following a SU loss. Tulsa has won all four home matchups with UConn (since the schools became conference rivals) and a FIFTH straight win comes with "room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Crusher (Big-12) is on Oklahoma at 6:55 ET.

Kansas St got off to 0-2 start to Big 12 play, as the 6-10 Wade (13.6 & 7.7) was sidelined since mid-December. The Wildcats lost by 20 points at home to Texas and then by six at then-No. 11 Texas Tech. However, KSU  rebounded in a big way on Jan 9 night by rallying from a 21-point second-half deficit to defeat West Virginia, 71-69. Kansas St then won 58-57 this past Saturday at then-No. 20 Iowa St. The 12-4 (2-2) Wildcats will now play the No. 20th-ranked team on the road for the second consecutive game. Tonight's game is in Norman against No. 20 Oklahoma. 6-7 junior Kristian Doolittle hit the game-winning basket with less than three seconds left to help the Sooners claim a 76-74 victory over TCU Saturday, evening Oklahoma's record to 2-2 in the Big-12 and 13-3, overall.

Kansas State received a boost from the return of 6-10 forward Dean Wade (12.4 & 7.9) last Saturday, as while he scored just two points on 1-of-5 shooting, his impact came by grabbing a team-high nine rebounds. Senior guard Barry Brown Jr. was named Big 12 Player of the Week for the first time in his career Monday, after he scored the game-winning baskets in both of his team’s victories last week. Brown scored a season-high 29 points to lead Kansas State to a school record 21-point comeback in last Wednesday’s 71-69 win against West Virginia and followed that up by scoring 18 of the Wildcats’ last 21 points in Saturday’s victory at Iowa St. Also in double digits are guard Stokes (10.9) and 6-5 SF Sneed (10.1 & 5.5).

Kristian Doolittle recorded his first double-double since his freshman season (24 & 10) in the win over TCU. He clearly seems to be finding his rhythm, having scored at least 12 points in five of his last six games. He's joined up front by the 6-9 Manek (11.6 & 7.4) and then there is Oklahoma's trio of senior guards. The 6-4 James leads the team in scoring (16.8) and rebounding (7.7) plus is joined on the perimeter by Reynolds (9.5) and Calixte (8.9).

The Wildcats return most of the key pieces from a team that advanced to the Elite Eight last season but Wade is nowhere near 100 percent, after missing six games. The Wildcats are just 1-3 SU on the road, where they are averaging only 58.0 PPG. That's hardly good news when a facing a second straight ranked opponent away from home. Meanwhile, the Sooners are one of three Big 12 teams who are undefeated at home this season, going 7-0 sU (6-1 ATS). Oklahoma has won 21 of its last 23 games at Lloyd Noble Center plus the home team has won the last SEVEN games in the Sooners-Wildcats series. One last thing. Lon Kruger usually has his Oklahoma squad well-focused for games vs his alma mater K-State and the Sooners are back to the old-style Kruger teams. Oklahoma is back to placing value on floor spacing, ball movement, and several scoring sources, rather than relying too much on Trae Young, ala a year ago.

Good luck...Larry

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

Mississippi State dropped from No. 14 to No. 24 in the latest AP poll, after losing its first two SEC games. The 12-3 Bulldogs began SEC play with an 87-82 overtime loss at South Carolina and then lost at home to Ole Miss 81-77 on Saturday. MSU looks to avoid an 0-3 start in SEC play in tonight's home contest with Florida. The 9-6 Gators are in danger of going 1-3 in conference action for the first time since the 1996-97 season and will be playing their second consecutive game against a ranked team. Florida lost at home to No. 3 Tennessee 78-67 this past Saturday.

The Gators led the Vols 56-53 with a little more than eight minutes remaining but the Volunteers took the lead for good with 5:34 left. Tennessee shot 57.7 percent from the floor in the second half. Florida has had trouble closing in each of its SEC games. South Carolina rallied from a 15-point deficit to beat the Gators in their conference opener and then, Arkansas cut a 16-point deficit to two before Florida made late free throws to hold on for the 57-51 victory. The Gators are an outstanding defensive team (61.2 PPG allowed ranks 12th) but the offense struggles. Florida's two leading scorers are guards Allen (11.3) and Locke (10.4) plus the team's best frontcourt player is 6-9 center Hayes, who averages modest totals of 6.8 PPG and 6.0 RPG. 

Ole Miss led Miss St by as many as eight points before the Bulldogs made a comeback to even the score with a little more than a minute remaining. However, Ole Miss guard Breein Tyree got free against the Bulldogs' defense for a layup and added two free throws to complete the scoring. I've always been a coach that believes defense wins first," Bulldogs coach Ben Howland told reporters after the Ole Miss setback. "We really did a poor job of defending here in the last few games and even our efficiency defensively on the year is not even close to what we're doing offensively. Defensively, we've got to get better. ... This is two games in a row now where we've had the power forward on the opposing team have career nights against our defense." Guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (17.1 & 5.7) continues to be the go-to guy and he scored a team-high 18 points against Ole Miss, his seventh straight game in double figures and his 14th this season. Two more guards average in double digits, PG Peters (13.5 & 6.1 APG ) and a second Weatherspoon, Nick (10.7). The 6-10 Holman (12.7 & 8.4) makes it four players in double digits and is the Bulldogs' leading rebounder.

I realize that Florida has won the last eight meetings in this SEC rivalry but I'm not convinced that Florida can score enough to beat Miss St. This is just Florida's third true road game of the season  and the Gators have averaged a pathetic 58.5 PPG in the first two. The Bulldogs average 80.1 PPG (48th) on the season and here at home (where they are 8-1 SU), are outscoring opponents 86.3-to-69.7 PPG. Expect Miss St to rebound off its back-to-back losses.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Week is on Mem/Hou Over at 8:05 ET.

Houston's James Harden extended his streak of 30-point games to 16 with 38 points on Sunday, tying Kobe Bryant for the most consecutive 30-point games since Wilt Chamberlain in 1964. However, he missed 16 of 17 three-pointers, as the Rockets blew a 12-point lead against the 19-24 Magic in a 116-109 setback. The 24-18 Rockets suffered their first defeat against a losing team since Dec 20,. Houston returns home tonight to face the 19-23 Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are in the midst of a challenging stretch that will see them follow up the trip to Houston with a home game against Milwaukee and then visits to Boston and Toronto. Memphis snapped a six-game slide with an impressive 96-86 win over San Antonio on Wednesday but then lost112-108 at Miami on Saturday.

The Grizzlies continued their downward spiral on Saturday, blowing a 12-point, first-half lead in falling by four points at Miami. Memphis was coming off a season in which it went 22-60 but fashioned a surprising 12-5 start to the current one. However, that is now a distant memory, as Memphis has dropped 18 of 25 games since occupying first place in the Western Conference on Thanksgiving. The Grizzlies have posted a minus-8.6 net rating while losing seven of eight, a mark that would rank 28th in the NBA if extrapolated over this current season. PG Conley (20.2 & 6.2 APG) and center Gasol (15.7 & 8.6) continue to lead the way, while 6-11 rookie Jackson (13.4 & 4.6) has proven to be a solid draft pick. The 28-year-old JaMychal Green led the way in Saturday's loss with 24 points and 11 rebounds in only 22 minutes off the bench, his third double-digit effort on the boards in a span of four games. His role may increase after starting forward Kyle Anderson was lost to a sprained ankle. Green (10.7 & 6.8) is averaging 15 points and six rebounds in 22.5 minutes in two games against the Rockets this season, shooting 76.9 percent overall.

Houston had excelled during a grueling 15-game stretch, going 12-3 from Dec 11 thru Jan 9 against mostly quality foes. The Rockets were seeking to avoid a letdown during a four-game respite against struggling opposition. Houston had no trouble in beating the Cavs 141-113 but they then fell apart down the stretch vs the Magic (Orlando closed on a 20-6 run). Now its' Memphis and 21-23 Brooklyn, next.Harden checks in at 34.2-6.2-8.8 and center Clint Capela at 17.6 & 12.6 (he's averaging 21.2 points and 13 rebounds in Jan).  this month. Austin Rivers (13.4) scored a season-high 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting Sunday, making his seventh straight start while fellow guards Chris Paul and Eric Gordon are sidelined. Veteran Gerald Green (8.7) is averaging 13.8 PPG in the seven games that Gordon has missed.

My first thought was to play Houston, as the Rockets are 11-1 SU at home since a Nov 28 loss to Dallas (lone defeat was against the 30-12 Bucks). However, this low over/under number has me playing the total. A "typical" Houston home game has averaged 225.8 PPG and during the Rockets' current 11-1 home run, Houston has averaged a whopping 119.3 points! Sure, Memphis ranks first in points allowed (102.7 per) and just 29th in scoring (101.0 per) but the last time the Grizzlies visited Houston, the Rockets won 113-101 (that would work here!). This total opened 203 and while it has jumped a few points, this one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

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

A pair of 12-4 teams square off tonight at Indianapolis' Assembly Hall, as Nebraska (2-3 in Big Ten play) takes on Indiana (3-2 in Big Ten play). The Cornhuskers avoided a third straight defeat with Thursday's 70-64 triumph over Penn State, one that extended their home winning streak to 20 games, equaling a school record. Nebraska had dropped a heartbreaker at Maryland on Jan 2 (74-72) and fell to 0-3 on the road in Big Ten play four days later at then-No. 25 Iowa, before ending its short skid with a victory against Penn State. Indiana went 6-0 in December and opened January with a win over lowly Illinois at Assembly Hall but the Hoosiers followed their most recent victory with a 74-63 loss at second-ranked Michigan on Jan 6, then blew a 14-point first-half advantage in Friday's frustrating 78-75 loss at Maryland.

Nebraska head coach Tim Miles praised 6-8 junior Isaiah Roby (11.4 & 6.6) in the win over Penn State, as he finished with a career-high 22 points and set or tied season highs in both rebounds (11) and blocked shots (four) in 38 minutes (it marked his first double-double of the season). Roby is joined up front by the 6-9 Copeland (14.3 & 5.3), while the backcourt of Palmer (19.5-4.0-3.1) and PG Watson (13.4-4.1-4.1), is impressive. Miles has his team playing excellent defense, as Nebraska allows 61.4 PPG (13th) on 38.4% shooting (14th).

Indiana made all 16 of its free throws and committed only seven turnovers on Friday but the Hoosiers allowed 18 offensive rebounds and surrendered 16 consecutive points early in the second half, en route to the setback at Maryland. "We just couldn't get it done on the glass tonight. We just gave them 18 second shots and that was the difference in the game," head coach Archie Miller said. Indiana is led by guard Romeo Langford (18.8 & 5.5) and the 6-8 Juwan Morgan (16.5 & 7.8). Three more guards average between 6.9 and 8.8 PPG plus the 6-7 Smith (8.5 & 4.1) helps Morgan in the frontcourt.

This game marks a tough stretch for the Cornhuskers, as they'll play three ranked teams over four games—Indiana (No. 22), Michigan State (No. 6), Rutgers and then Ohio State (No. 16). Yes, Nebraska has won the last two meetings with Indiana but the Hoosiers had won 12 of the previous 16 all-time meetings. Indiana not only plays solid D (65.6 PPG allowed ranks 45th) but it shoots 51.8% from the floor (2nd-best in the nation). Indiana is 10-0 at home this season, the program's best home start since winning all 17 games at Assembly Hall in 2015-16. The Hoosiers are shooting a nation-best 55.9 percent and averaging 82.3 points at home, while allowing 60.4 PPG (just one opponent has scored more than 67 points!). At this price, Indiana is a STRONG play.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Den Nuggets at 8:05 ET.

The Portland Trail Blazers will try to register their first five-game winning streak of the season when they begin a two-game road trip on Sunday against the West-leading Denver Nuggets. Portland dropped the opener of a five-game homestand 111-109 to OKC, but has since rolled to four consecutive victories (including a 127-96 triumph over Charlotte on Friday), to match its longest winning streak of 2018-19. Denver will be kicking off a four-game homestand with this contest and although the Nuggets are 18-4 since Nov 21, they come in on a sour note after suffering a 102-93 loss at lowly Phoenix on Saturday (Suns are 11-33, the worst record of any team in the West).

CJ McCollum scored 30 points and Damian Lillard added 20 on Friday for Portland. That duo has led teh way all season, as Lillard averages 25.8-4.5-6.1 and McCollum 21.1 PPG. Center Jusuf Nurkic put forth a dominant all-around effort in Friday's win by producing 11 points, 11 rebounds, eight rebounds and six blocked shots as he continued his recent tear. Nurkic (15.2 & 10.4) is averaging 20 points and 12.2 rebounds this month. He leads the team with 21 double-doubles.

Nurkic will get a real test up against Denver center Nikola Jokic, who leads the team in scoring (19.2), rebounding (10.2) and assists (7.5).T he Nuggets own the West's best record (28-13) because of their depth. Nuggets have won 11 of their last 15 and have gone 18-6 since Nov 19 surviving injuries to Will Barton, Paul Millsap and Gary Harris to go 

Harris (16.0) played in the club's first four games this month after missing the last 11 in December with a hip injury, but he's now sat out three in a row due to a hamstring issue. Fellow guard Jamal Murray checks in right behind Jokic, averaging 18.3 PPG. PF Millsap (12.9 & 6.9) has been back for eight games from his injury plus swingman Barton (15.7-5.0-4.1 last year) played Saturday night. It was his first game after missing 36 straight and he scored six points off the bench in his return. He didn't mind, he was happy to be playing and even happier the team was 26-12 without him.

Portland is a so-so 8-10 on the road (allowing 113.7 PPG) and has lost four straight meetings with Denver. The Nuggets are 17-3 at Pepsi Center this season (14-6 ATS while outscoring opponents 113.2-to-101.6 PPG) and currently own an 11-game home winning streak (9-2 ATS). The edge here is Denver's depth, as outside of the above-named players, the Nuggets have five more players averaging between 7.4 and 10.0 PPG. This price is 'cheap.'

Good luck...Larry

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

Full, detailed analysis by 7:00 ET Sunday morning.

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

The Washington Huskies will travel to the CU Events Center to take on the Colorado Buffaloes this Saturday night in Pac-12 action. Washington (11-4 / 2-0 Pac-12) is heating up at a good time as it will carry a season-best four-game win streak into tonight's road test at Colorado. Three of Washington’s last four wins have been by at least 16 points, including Thursday night’s 69-53 smothering of Utah, which snapped the Huskies’ five-game losing streak in Salt Lake City. Colorado is hoping it has its season back on track, after a 92-60 rout of visiting Washington State on Thursday night. The 10-5 Buffs (1-2 Pac-12) had lost four of their previous five contests and failed to top 68 points in any of those outings.

Washington played its matchup zone defense to near-perfection, holding the Utes to season-low 53 points on 33.3-percent shooting, including 6-of-30 from three-point range. The Huskies are allowing the second-fewest points (65.6 per game / that's 48th in the nation) in the conference and are tied with Oregon for the field-goal percentage defensive lead at 39.3 (27th). Offensively, PG Jaylen Nowell (16.5 & 3.4 APG) and fellow David Crisp (10.9), plus 6-9 forward Noah Dickerson (14.4 & 6.6) are averaging double figures. Sophomore forward Nahziah Carter (8.5 & 3.5)also got into the act Thursday, scoring a career-high 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting.

6-7 sophomore swingman Tyler Bey (11.7 & 9.0) had a career-high 26 points in Colorado's win over Wash St, plus the Buffs received a season-high 17points from reserve guard Shane Gatling (8.5). PG McKinley Wright leads in scoring (13.6) and assists (5.4), while 6-10 center Siewert (11.8 & 5.1) gives the Buffs three double digit scorers. Colorado shot 54.7 percent in topping 90 points for the first time since Nov 28. 

Washington has won seven of the 12 meetings since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011, including 82-59 (home) and 72-62 (road) wins to sweep the season series a year ago.

However, the Huskies are playing just their fourth true road game of the season (Utah victory was the team's first win), while the Buffaloes’ victory Thursday was their first home game since Dec 8. The win upped their record in Boulder to 7-0 on the season, where the Buffs have outscored opponents 89.0-to-69.3 PPG. A handful of tech trends note that Washington is just 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games following an ATS win, while the Buffaloes are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 home games and 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games vs a team with a losing road record.Colorado gets the cash.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Oklahoma City Thunder will get a chance to redeem themselves quickly, after suffering a crushing double-overtime loss in San Antonio on Thursday. Thursday's meeting was an "instant classic," as San Antonio's LaMarcus Aldridge scored a career-high 56 points on 20-of-33 shooting while adding nine rebounds and four blocks to lead his team to a 154-147 victory. FYI... Aldridge wasn't the only player making history on Thursday, as Russell Westbrook recorded 24 points, a career-high 24 assists and 13 rebounds to mark the second 20-10-20 game of his career. Westbrook is the only player besides Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson to post multiple 20-10-20 games (not bad company).

San Antonio had shot 36.1 percent from the floor, including 11-of-27 from three-point range, in a 96-86 loss at Memphis on Wednesday but the very next night at OKC, made 16-of-19 from three-point range, setting an NBA record for the highest percentage (84.2) by a team with at least 15 attempts from beyond the arc. Spurs PG Derrick White scored a career-high 23 points on 10-of-17 shooting on Friday. However, White averages 8.5 PPG and 3.5 APG on the season. DeMar DeRozan (22.2-6.2-6.5) and Aldridge (20.7 & 8.6) lead the nightly charge for San Antonio but as always with a Pop-coached team, "the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts."

Westbrook is again averaging a triple-double (21.3-10.8-10.7) but Paul George (26.9 & 8.) is the team's leading scorer. Center Adams (15.4 & 10.1) is having a very good year , as his backup PG Schroder (15.2 & 4.4 APG) and PF Grant (12.6 & 5.0). Let's also note that the Thunder's Terrance Ferguson was forced into the starting lineup thanks to the prolonged injury of Andre Roberson and has been a top-flight defender all year but has struggled on offense (5.2 PPG). Ferguson was shooting just 30.2 percent from behind the three-point line before going 11 of 14 in the last two games, including 7 of 10 in the loss at San Antonio (he's scored 35 points in his last two games).

Yes, the Spurs have learned to be an excellent team with a new "cast of characters" but San Antonio has not been a good road team (7-13 SU on the season, including 3-6 in its last nine). I have to believe the Thunder can't wait to avenge that double-OT loss from Thursday here at Chesapeake Energy Arena. I will NOT ignore the fact that OKC is 16-4 SU and 15-5 ATS at home vs San Antonio since the Spurs beat the Thunder in their playoff tussle in the Conference Finals in 2012

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Revenge Rout is on Western Kentucky at 7:00 ET.

The 9-6 Marshall Thundering Herd host the 8-7 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers in Saturday's C-USA action. Western Kentucky fell to 1-1 in the C-USA play, after a narrow 69-66 defeat at Old Dominion as a 3.5 point underdog. The Marshall squeezed by Charlotte 85-84 as a nine point road favorite, improving to 2-0 in the conference play.

Guard Tavion Hollingsworth (15.5 & 5.1) and 6-11 center Charles Bassey kept the Hilltoppers within striking distance of ODU with 19 points apiece (Bassey grabbed 12 rebounds). Guards Jared Savage (14.2 & 4.3) and Josh Anderson (9.3) are also steady contributors. Anderson had 17 points vs ODU but Savage contributed only eight points.

Marshall just couldn’t shake the stubborn 49ers, as CJ Burks (17.2) carried the Thundering Herd with 25 points. PG Jon Elmore leads the team in scoring (18.9) and assists (5.2) and added 16 points and five assists. The 6-9 Jannson Williams (9.5 & 4.7)  had 13 points and six rebounds.

Bottom line here is the revenge factor. Western Ky has had to have this date circled since last March. The top-seeded Hilltoppers were beaten 67-66 by underdog Marshall in the C-USA Tourney, costing Western Ky a spot in the Dance, as the 27-win Hilltoppers had to settle for the NIT (did make semis). This time around, Marshall will have to deal with WKU’s emerging 6-11 frosh Charles Bassey, a possible future lottery pick who has recently scored 19 points against Wisconsin and ODU (Western KY upset Wisconsin!). The Hilltoppers beat the Thundering Herd 85-74 at home and 112-87 at Marshall last season. Deja vu!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on Alabama at 3:30 ET.

Alabama began SEC play with an upset win at home over Kentucky last weekend but the Tide fell Tuesday night at LSU, 88-79. Alabama shot just 7-for-24 from three-point range and its failure to keep LSU from scoring inside proved to be too much to overcome. Alabama will now welcome Texas A&M to Tuscaloosa, standing 10-4 (1-1 in SEC play). The Aggies are the only SEC school with a losing record entering the weekend (6-7 / 0-2 SEC) and have dropped three straight following a five-game winning streak. Their latest setback came Tuesday at Kentucky, committing 19 turnovers in an 85-74 loss to the Wildcats. 

Point guard TJ Starks (14.5 & 3.8 APG) has scored at least 14 points in four straight contests and is averaging 20.5 in two conference outings, since returning to the starting lineup after coming off the bench the previous two games. Fellow sophomore Savion Flagg, a 6-7 swingman, averages 12.7 PPG plus his 8.3 RPG ranks fourth in the conference. Tennessee State transfer, the 6-8 Christian Mekowulu (9.9 & 5.8) has totaled just eight points in two league games, after averaging 16 over his previous three games.

Alabama is a perimeter-dominated team, led by Lewis (14.8). Fellow guard Petty (10.6 & 5.1) joins him in double digits, while guards Mack (9.6), Ingram (7.9 & 4.5) and Jones (7.7 & 4.9) round out the major backcourt contributors. The 6-9 Donta Hall (10.8 & 8.1) saw the first three-game double-double streak by an Alabama player in 11 years come to an end Tuesday with seven points and six rebounds.

How good is Avery Johnson's Alabama team? We will find out soon, as the schedule after today (thru Feb 2) features four road contests out of six games, including road games at No. 3 Tenn and No. 11 Auburn, plus a home game vs No. 14 Miss St. A&M is easily the least difficult opponent over this challenging seven-game span and in two true road games this season, is allowing 89.5 PPG. This is a great matchup for the Tide, as A&M does a poor job of getting to the foul line (260th in FT attempts) and converting threes (29.5% ranks 331st). Meanwhile, Alabama has won the battle of the boards in 13 of its 14 games and boasts a plus-6.4 rebounding margin, good for 34th in Division I. Blowout alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Game of the Month is on Miss St at 1:00 ET.

What's going on here? Ole Miss was picked to finish last in the SEC preseason media poll but the Rebels, under first-year head coach Kermit Davis have opened the season 12-2, including 2-0 in SEC play. More importantly to sports bettors, Ole Miss is a remarkable 13-1 ATS (so much for the experts!). Ole Miss has yet to enter the AP top-25 but would if it could win here in Starkville against in-state rival Miss St. The Bulldogs are also 12-2 but 0-1 in SEC play, as they saw their nine-game winning streak come to an end in stunning fashion with an 87-82 overtime loss at South Carolina this past Tuesday.

Junior guard Breein Tyree (team-high 17.4 PPG) was named SEC Player of the Week after scoring a career-high 31 points against Vanderbilt on Jan. 5 but was held to five and was 1-for-10 from the floor in Ole miss' 82-67 home win over No. 11 Auburn on Tuesday. Senior guard Terence Davis (16.0 PPG and team-highs of 5.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists) is averaging 19.3 points in his last three games. 6-7 freshman KJ Buffen (6.6 & 5.4) scored 16 versus Auburn and has helped the Rebels to a plus-7.1 rebounding margin that was 25th nationally through Thursday's games. A third guard, sophomore Shuler (10.6 & 4.1) make three double digit scorers for the Rebels, who average 79.7 PPG (62nd).

Senior guard Quinndary Weatherspoon (17.1 & 5.5) is MSU's leading scorer (team averages 80.3 PPG to rank 53rd). Two more guards average in double digits, PG Peters (13.4 & 6.2 APG ) and a second Weatherspoon, Nick (10.6) The 6-10 Holman (13.0 & 8.7) makes it four players in double digits and is the Bulldogs' leading rebounder. Here's a couple of notes to consider. The Bulldogs have won 12 straight when Quinndary Weatherspoon scores 20 or more points, something he's done six times this season. Mississippi State is also 9-0 this season when junior guard Tyson Carter (9.9 PPG) scores 10 or more and his average is fourth-best among SEC bench players.

The Bulldogs lead the series 143-115 but the Rebels have won EIGHT of the last 10 meetings in the SEC's most-played rivalry. However, I have to believe the Rebels are not quite as good as their record (how could they be?). Ole Miss beat one ranked team on Wednesday, can it really beat another on Saturday?

Here's the rub. If the Bulldogs had hit another shot or two, they could have beaten South Carolina. Instead, they missed an opportunity to win in regulation and another to tie at the end of overtime in that 87-82 road loss on Tuesday. The Bulldogs had an chance to win at the end of regulation, but a contested driving layup by Lamar Peters rimmed out in the final seconds. They were down three in the final 10 seconds of overtime when a turnover by Quinndary Weatherspoon turned into a dunk for the Gamecocks. Notably, MSU's bench scored a season-low two points, making just 1 of 6 shots from the floor. A date with hated-Ole Miss is "just what the doctor ordered" for the Bulldogs. Miss St in a R-O-U-T!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* CBB Eye-Opener is on Iowa St at 12:00 ET.

Kansas St got off to 0-2 start to Big 12 play, as the 6-10 Wade (13.6 & 7.7) has been sidelined since sine mid-December. The Wildcats lost by 20 points at home to Texas and then by six at then-No. 11 Texas Tech. However, KSU  rebounded in a big way on Wednesday night by rallying from a 21-point second-half deficit to defeat West Virginia, 71-69. Kansas St will take an 11-4 (1-2 Big-12) record into tonight's game in Ames, when the Wildcats face No. 20 Iowa St (12-3 / 2-1). The Cyclones beat then-No. 5 Kansas 77-60 last Saturday but then suffered a letdown after that HUGE win by dropping a 73-70 decision at Baylor on Tuesday night.

Senior guard Barry Brown Jr. scored 29 points in the win over West Virginia, including the go-ahead layup with 28.9 seconds remaining, while sophomore guard Mike McGuirl added 18 points. Brown leads the team in scoring (14.7) and steals (31). Fellow guard Kamau Stokes (10.9) and 6-5 small forward Xavier Sneed (10.6 & 5.6) are the only other player in double digits, with Wade still out. Head coach Weber expects Wade to return as soon as next week. "He's done workouts, he's done running, he's done walking, he's done jumping in the water," Weber said of Wade's recovery from a torn ligament in his foot Dec. 15. "So now get him on the court and practice a little bit. I don't want to say yes or no, but we're moving forward, so hopefully, if there's no major setback, I would say in the next week or 10 days, we hope to have him back."

"Golly, we could have taken a huge step right here, and then coming back to a home game," head coach Steve Prohm said after the Baylor loss. "But if you look at it, if you win your home games and split on the road, you're probably going to be in good position to challenge for a league championship." Senior guard Marial Shayok leads the Big 12 in scoring (20.1) and also is tied for second on the team in rebounding (5.5) with junior forward Michael Jacobson (13.9 & 5.5), sophomore guard Lindell Wigginton (12.8) and freshman guard Talen Horton-Tucker (12.6) also averaging in double digits.

The Wildcats return most of the key pieces from a team that advanced to the Elite Eight last season (of course, no Wade at the moment) but one wonders how they will react off the team's historic comeback vs West Va (note: it was the largest comeback in school history). The Wildcats were limited to just 21 points in the first half, then exploded for 50 points after halftime and used a 17-0 run to get back into the game. That AIN'T happening here Hilton Coliseum where ISU is 42-12 under Prohm and is 30-10 in its last 40 Big 12 contests on its home floor.

Iowa St averages 81.3 PPG and allows 65.0 PPG on the season (40th). Kansas St is 0-3 on the road, having averaged 58.0 PPG, while Iowa St is 8-0 SU (5-1-2 ATS) at home, outscoring opponents on average, 85.2-to-59.6 PPG, Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Por Blazers at 10:05 ET.

The 19-21 Charlotte Hornets will visit the Moda Center Friday night to take on the 25-17 Portland Trail Blazers. Since mid-December, the Hornets are 5-8 (4-9 ATS), while the Blazers are 10-4 (8-6 ATS). Charlotte's visit to the Pacific Northwest is the fourth stop on a six-game trip for a team that has dropped six of its last nine games. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers have won five of their past six games and they shot 56.6 percent from the floor in Wednesday's 124-112 home win over the Chicago Bulls.

Starting shooting guard Jeremy Lamb (hamstring) returned to the lineup for teh Hornets in Tuesday's 128-109 in LA to teh Clippers, after a two-game absence. Lamb (15.3 & 5.6) recorded 16 points and six rebounds in 29 minutes and he's an important cog. "He looked solid. He looked healthy," Charlotte head coach James Borrego told reporters afterward. "I didn't feel like he was limited at all. He had a good performance and I think we've got him back in the mix now." Backup shooting guard Malik Monk (10.8) scored 24 points against the Clippers for his fifth 20-point effort of the season.However, the problem for Charlotte all season has been the lack of consistent scoring other than PG Kemba Walker (25.1-4.3-5.8).

The Blazers own a dynamic backcourt duo in Lillard (25.9-4.5-6.1) and McCollum (20.9) but it isn't going unnoticed just how well center Nurkic continues to play. He's averaging 15.3 & 10.4, while shooting 51.1% from the floor. Portland has at least 25 assists in a season-best four consecutive games, after producing 28 in its 12-point win against the Bulls

The Moda Center in Portland has been a 'house of horrors' for teh Hornets for a decade. as the Blazers have won 10 in a row (9-1 ATS) when hosting the Hornets. The Trail Blazers are 22-6 at home versus the Hornet, all-time. Not much changes tonight. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* CBB Game of the Week is on Santa Clara at 11:00 ET.

The 8-8 Pepperdine Waves and the 9-7 Santa Clara Broncos meet in WCC college basketball action from the Leavey Center in Santa Clara on Thursday night. Both schools are 1-1 in league play. Pepperdine comes into this game looking to get back above .500 after falling to 8-8 with a 72-69 loss to 14-2 San Francisco in its last outing. 6-6 guard Kameron Edwards has been in and out of the lineup this season but had 19 points along with team-highs of 11 rebounds and four assists. He's played in just seven games but is averaging 14.7 & 6.3. Santa Clara Broncos needs to rebound as well, getting blown out in a 91-48 loss at Gonzaga in its last outing.

PG Ross leads Pepperdine in scoring (18.9) and assists (7.2), leading six double digit scorers. Kameron's younger brother Kessler (a 6-8 freshman), is among that group of six, averaging 10.7 & 4.9. The Waves average a so-so 78.9 PPG (75th) and struggle on the defensive end, allowing 74.2 PPG (247th).

The Broncos were totally outclassed by the Bulldogs, with SF Keshawn Justice leading the team with 14 points, the 6-8 while Josip Vrankic added 11 points and Tahj Eaddy added 10 points, rounding out a trio of double-digit scorers for the Broncos in the loss. Guard Eaddy (16.3) leads the team in scoring, teamed with PG Trey Wertz (11.8 & 4.9 APG). Joining Justice (10.8) in the frontcourt are the 6-8 Vrankic (12.9 & 5.5) and the 6-7 Martin (6.9 & a team-high 9.6 RPG).

SE Missouri transfer Eaddy (16 ppg) plus freshman wings Wertz & Justice have upped the athleticism quotient for Santa Clara, allowing head coach Herb Sendek to not miss the team's leading returning scorer KJ Feagin (17.5). Santa Clara couldn't stay with Gonzaga but the Broncos had won EIGHT of nine prior o that loss (including SIX straight). It's worth noting that Sendek had his team play a challenging early season schedule. The Broncos own wins over USC and Washington St plus have played Pac-12 schools Cal and Washington, along with the Big Ten's Minnesota.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo Romar's Waves have yet to play a Power-5 opponent. What's more, Santa Clara must surely have this date circled, losing badly in last year's WCC tourney to Pepperdine (85-69), after winning both regular season meetings.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets went 46-36 last season, the franchise's first winning season since 2012-13 (George Karl's final year). However, the Nuggets failed to make the postseason last year, for the fifth consecutive season. Therefore, it's impossible NOT be surprised that the Nuggets  own the West's best record at the mid-point of the current season rapidly approaches, at 27-12. Denver welcomes the LA Clippers to Pepsi Center tonight, a team which sports a 24-16 record and comes in having won seven of its last 10, after a three-game winning streak.

Los Angeles claimed a 128-109 home win over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday and has won by double digits in each of its last three wins. Sixth-man Lou Williams (18.5 & 4.9 APG) had 27 points and 10 assists for his third double-double of the season, one of four Clippers to score 20 or more points. Leading the way offensively is PF Tobias Harris, who was acquired in the Griffin trade. He is averaging 21.1 & 8.0 on the season. The team's No. 2 scorer is former Denver standout Danilo Gallinari (19.5 & 6.2). LA ranks fourth in the NBA by averaging 116.0 PPG.

Denver claimed a 103-99 road win over the Miami Heat on Tuesday, as center Nikola Jokic had 29 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists for his fourth triple-double of the season . He leads the team in scoring (19.2), rebounding (10.1) and assists). "Hell of a win," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told reporters afterward of a victory that came on the second end of a back-to-back that began with a 125-113 loss to the Houston Rockets. Jamal Murray (18.4) is the team's second-leading and the Nuggets are hoping gaurd Gary Harris (16.0) and PF Paul Millsap (13.2 & 6.7) stay healthy. Millsap has been back for six straight but Harris, after playing three straight, was out vs Miami with a hamstring issue and is not expected to play tonight.

These teams split two meetings in Los Angeles earlier this season but in the most recent game, Denver was routed 132-11 by Clippers at Staples on Dec 22. Anyone really think that LA will hit 57% from floor (including 10 of-20 on threes) on the road, like the Clippers in that late-December romp at home? Note that Denver, never known for its defense, is showing a different side this season, allowing just 105.5 PPG (4th-best). The Nuggets are 16-3 at Pepsi Center, outscoring opponents 112.8-to-101.7. Lay it.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Iowa Hawkeyes have won six of their last seven games, including an impressive 93-84 triumph against then 24th-ranked Nebraska on Sunday to earn their second victory over a ranked team this season. The 12-3 Hawkeyes just missed out on entering Monday's AP top-25 but did earn a ranking of No. 25 in the coaches poll. Iowa travels to Evanston, Illinois on Wednesday, to take of the 10-5 Northwestern Wildcats. Northwestern bounced back from a humbling 81-55 defeat to current No. 6 Michigan State by edging Illinois 68-66 on Sunday.Note taht both teams picked up their first Big Ten win (1-3) in their last outings.

Jordan Bohannon (11.3) scored 22 of his season-high 25 points in the second half and dished out five assists in the win against Nebraska. The 6-9 Tyler Cook added 16 points and seven rebounds against the Cornhuskers and leads the team in scoring (17.3) and rebounding (8.3) on the season. The 6-9 Ryan Kriener tallied 14 points in his first career start but the game figures to be an outlier, as he averages just 5.3 & 2.9 on the season. The 6-11 Garza averages 12.3 & 4.6 off the bench, while junior forward Isaiah Moss produced 12 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to register the first double-double of his career (averages 9.1 PPG on the season).

6-7 senior forward Vic Law (17.6 & 6.3) scored 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in the win against Illinois to record his first double-double of the season and the fifth of his career. A.J. Turner added 12 points, including the go-ahead three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining to lift the Wildcats past the Fighting Illini and averages 9.5 & 3.3 APG on the year. Fellow guard Ryan Taylor knocked down four 3-pointers en route to 12 points (right at his average of 12.5 PPG). Joining Law up front is the 6-8 Dererk Pardon (13.9 & 8.3), who contributed 10 points and eight rebounds to finish in double figures in scoring for the 15th straight game (the longest streak of his career)..

The Hawkeyes hope to knock off the Wildcats for the first time in Evanston since Jan 25, 2014 but why should we expect that? After all, Iowa has lost 12 of its last 13 true road games dating back to the start of 2017-18, including its only two this season, 90-68 at Mich St and 86-70 at Purdue. Iowa may be averaging 82.9 PPG on the season but in true roads games (yes, just two), the Hawkeyes are averaging 69.0 PPG. That bodes poorly up against an excellent defensive team like Northwestern, which is allowing just 63.2 PPG (26th), whlle holding opponents to 27.6% on threes (9th). Northwestern comes in 8-2 at home, where the Wildcats are allowing only 59.0 PPG. Cheap price in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big East Game of the Year is on Seton Hall at 8:30 ET.

Seton Hall finished with 22 wins last season, after losing in the NCAA's second round. However, Kevin Willard's Pirates lost four starters off that team. Seton Hall served notice as a Big East contender by bolting out of the blocks to begin conference play before getting tripped up in its last contest (a 75-74 loss at Depaul), halting the school's seven-game winning streak. The 11-4 Pirates look to get back on track on Wednesday, when they host Butler at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Butler won 21 games last season and like Seton Hall, lost in the NCAA's second round. The 10-5 Bulldogs snapped a two-game skid with an 84-69 triumph versus Creighton on Saturday, evening their Big East record at 1-1 (Seton Hall is 2-1 in league play).

Junior guard Kamar Baldwin (16.5 & 5.4) erupted for a season-high 28 points for Butler on Saturday, making 11-of-18 shots. Senior guard Paul Jorgensen ranks second on the team in scoring at 13.5 PPG with two big men splitting time at center. The 6-11 Joey Brunk (8.5 & 4.5) and the 6-10 Nate Fowler (5.3 & 3.9) are a solid duo plus the 6-7 Tucker (a Duke transfer) just became eligible and and is adding 7.7 & 4.5 in six games.

Junior guard Myles Powell (22.2) struggled to find his shot with a 4-for-13 performance from the floor and finished with 16 points in Seton Hall's 75-74 loss to DePaul on Sunday. Powell is surrounded by guards McKnight (8.8 & 3.1 APG) amd Cale (9.2 & a team-high 7.8 RPG). Seton Hall's size will give Butler's frontcourt fits, led by the trio of  6-10 Mamukelashvili (9.7 & 7.3), the 6-8 Nzei (9.6 & 5.3) and the 6-11 Thompson (6.2 & 2.4).

Seton Hall won both regular season meetings with Butler last season, then lost 75-74 in the Big East Tourney. Powell mad just 3-of-9 shots in that Big East tournament quarterfinal loss.I had butler on Saturday (against Creighton) and noted the team's prowess at home, as Butler's win make the Bulldogs 8-1 at Hinkle Fieldhouse this season, after going 53--12 at home the previous four seasons. However, Butler's played just two true road games this season, losing at St Louis and Florida, getting outscored 70.5-to-47.5 PPG! Seton Hall showed its potential with an 84-83 win over Kentucky at MSG back on Dec 8 and makes a statement here, in the Big East.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Creighton at 7:00 ET.

Marquette rebounded from an 89-69 humbling at St. John's in its conference opener with a 70-52 victory over Xavier on Sunday to boost its home record to 11-0 (Marquette is 12-3 overall and ranked No. 21 in the latest AP poll). "I'm proud of my team, especially on the defensive end," Golden Eagles coach Steve Wojciechowski said. "Obviously we can play a lot better offensively. But, winning with defense is OK."  The Golden Eagles will visit 10-5 Creighton on Wednesday night in a Big East Conference matchup. The Bluejays (1-1 in Big East play) are coming off an 84-69 loss at Butler, with Creighton giving up 48 first-half points to fall behind by 19. “We played three really good halves the last couple games," head coach Greg McDermott said after his team's three-game winning streak was halted. "Unfortunately, we had a really bad one to start this game.”

Leading scorer Markus Howard (24.0-3.9-4.2) scored 26 points against Xavier, although 6-5 senior Sacar Anim played a huge supporting role. Anim ended a five-game slump by scoring a season-high 20 points to go along with seven rebounds, two assists and a steal. Amin averages just 7.3 & 3.4 on the season. Howard is typically supported by brothers Sam and Joey Hauser. The 6-8 Sam averages 13.5 & 6.8, while his younger brother Joey (a 6-9 freshman), averages 10.5 & 6.1.

Creighton averages 83.7 PPG (25th), while shooting 51.6%, including 43.5% on threes (both rank 3rd-best in the nation). The Bluejays have four players averaging in double figures and Damien Jefferson is at 9.9 points, so they have plenty of balance to help offset the loss of sophomore Jacob Epperson. The 6-foot-11 Epperson, who was sidelined for the past five games with a knee issue that requires surgery, will miss the remainder of the season due to a stress fracture in his back. Leading scorer Ty-Shon Alexander (16.7-3.1-3.0) matched his season low with nine points at Butler, finishing 1 of 10 from beyond the arc, although he extended his streak to 19 consecutive games with at least one 3-pointer. PG Ballock (10.9-3.9-3.4), fellow guard Marcus Zegarowski (10.3) and the 6-9 Krampelj (10.3 & 5.7) round out the double digit scorers.

Marquette may be perfect on its home court this season but the Golden Eagles have lost 96-73 at Indiana and 89-69 at St John's in its only two true road games. Creighton can "light it up," as evidenced by the Blue Jays winning all three games in the Cayman Islands (over Boise St, Ga State and Clemson), while averaging 91.3 PPG. Here at home against the Golden Eagles (allowing 92.5 PPG in two true road games TY), expect Creighton to roll.

Good luck...Larry

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

Alabama's football team got 'punked' by Clemson in last night's CFP championship game and the school's basketball team will visit Baton Rogue tonight, looking to avoid a letdown off its 77-75 home win this past Saturday over then-No. 13 Kentucky. The 10-3 Crimson Tide (1-0 SEC) will take on 10-3 LSU, which will be playing its SEC opener. The Tigers problem could be 'rust,' as LSU hasn't played a game since defeating Louisiana Monroe 81-69 back on Dec 28.

Alabama coughed up a 22-point lead with just over 14 1/2 minutes remaining back on Dec 4 in an 83-80 loss to Georgia State when the Panthers buried a three-pointer as time expired. I was almost, "deja vu all over again" this past Saturday, as Kentucky nearly clawed all the way back from an 11-point deficit with just over three minutes left at Alabama. However, the Crimson Tide got the stop they needed this time, when Kentucky guard Tyler Herro's three-point attempt bounced off the rim in the waning seconds.

Guard Tevin Mack (9.9 PPG) almost single-handedly kept the Crimson Tide in the game early Saturday, going 6-for-6 from three-point range en route to 20 of his team's 38 first-half points (he scored just two pints in the second-half but finished with a season-high 22 points). the 6-9 Donta Hall (11.1 &8.3 rebounds) produced this third consecutive double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Herbert Jones (7.5 & 4.8) enjoyed the best all-round performance of his career against Kentucky, finishing with 10 points, eight rebounds and a career-best six assists without a turnover in 23 minutes.'Bama's leading scorer, freshman PG Lewis (14.8 & 3.1 APG), made just 4 of 14 shots (14 points).

LSU averages 80.7 PPG ((50th) on some excellent shooting (49.0% ranks 25th). Head coach Will Wade uses an eight-man rotation, with players averaging from 6.0-to-13.5 PPG. Guard Mays (13.5 & 3,4) leads the way, followed by the 6-10 Reid (12.6 & 5.8), PG Waters (12.5 & 5.5 APG) and guard Smart (10.2) in double digits. After finding his groove while coming off the bench the previous two games, Waters returned to the starting lineup against ULM and scored 11 points, added 10 assists and produced a career-high tying eight steals. The Tigers' four freshmen - Naz Reid, Emmitt Williams, Ja'vonte Smart and Darius Days - combined for 50 points, 27 rebounds and five blocks!

Alabama almost surely can be expected to have a letdown here and LSU is a perfect 8-0 SU at home on the season, outscoring opponents 84.4-to-66.2 PPG. The Tigers have won 15 straight in the Maravich Center and win No. 16 ina row comes "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner i on the OKC Thunder at 8:05 ET.

The Minnesota Timberwolves fired head coach and president of basketball operations Tom Thibodeau on Sunday, after he led the team to a 108-86 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The T-wolves never "came together" under Thibodeau, as the drama surrounding Jimmy Butler before his Nov 12 trade to Philadelphia, and dropping six of seven games during one stretch in December, eventually cost him his job. "We've gone ... halfway through the season, and I don't think we're where we thought we would be, or where we think we should be," Minnesota owner Glen Taylor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "We still have hopes to get into the playoffs, and I think with half the season left, let's see if this change will make a difference." The Thunder aren't dealing with that sort of organizational upheaval but will need to bounce back after a shocking 116-98 loss to the Washington Wizards at home on Sunday. "We did well on the road, we had some big games that we won and just one of those nights you come home and you see an opponent like the Wizards ... you just fall into that trap," Oklahoma City forward Paul George told reporters.

The 19-21 T-wolves named assistant Ryan Saunders (son of former coach Flip Saunders) as the interim coach, while GM Scott Layden will take over some of Thibodeau's front office responsibilities. The Timberwolves are winners of back-to-back games and five of their last eight but this team is two games under .500, coming off a 47-35 season. Minnesota is the very definition of average, scoring 111.4 PPG (14th) and allowing 110.8 PPG (17th).

OKC was a 10-point favorite over the Wizards on Sunday and while Russell Westbrook posted his third triple-double in the last four games with 22 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists, he committed eight of the team's 15 turnovers in the surprising 18-point loss. George added 20 points in the loss, his the 14th straight game in which he scored 20 or more. George (26.8-8.0-4.0) leads the team in scoring, while Westbrook (21.1-11.0-10.1) is again averaging a triple-double. However, notable this season is the solid play of backup PG Schroder (15.2), center Adams (15.2 & 10.2) and PF Grant (12.4 & 4.8) plus the fact that OKC is now one of the league's better defensive teams (105.8 PPG ranks 5th).

OKC opened the season 0-4 but now sits 25-14. The Thunder are 13-5 SU at home, while the T-wolves are just 5-15 SU on the road, Expect a VERY focused OKC team here, as not only are the Thunder coming off an embarrassing home toss to the troubled Wizards (Washington is just 16-24) but they HAVE to remember the fact that Minnesota earned a 114-112 win at Oklahoma City on Dec 23, behind 30 points from Andrew Wiggins. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

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

Iowa State made a strong statement this past Saturday, with a resounding 77-60 victory over then-No. 5 over Kansas. It was Iowa State's fifth straight win, lifting the 12-2 Cyclones to their first national ranking since the 2016-17 season (ISU checks in at No. 20 in the latest AP poll). The Cyclones will vie for their first 3-0 start in conference play since the 1999-2000 campaign, when they visit 8-5 Baylor on Tuesday at the Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas. 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 and hence, the school's 8-5 start.

Marial Shayok is averaging a team-best 20.1 PPG (5.6 RPG, too) and had 24 vs the Jayhawks on 9-for-12 shooting to receive Big 12 Player of the Week honors. Freshman Tyrese Haliburton (8.7-4.l4-4.3) was named the Big 12 Newcomer of the Week after making 4-of-4 three-point attempts in scoring 14 points. The Cyclones shot 13-of-25 on threes (52.0%) against Kansas. Michael Jacobson (14.1 & 6.5) and Talen Horton-Tucker (12.9 & 5.5) are two more guards in coach Steve Prohm's four-guard offense. Iowa St averages 82.1 PPG (37th) and has topped 100 points twice. Defensively, the Cyclones are strong as well, allowing just 64.4 PPG (also ranks 37th).

Baylor nearly pulled off quite the comeback in its conference opener, as its bid to erase a 19-point second-half deficit fell just a bit short in Saturday's 85-81 loss to TCU. "Down (19), we could have never made a run, but these guys are going to fight to the end," Bears coach Scott Drew said. "You just want to pull it out when you get there." 6-9 sophomore forward Tristan Clark (started all but four games LY) answered his first double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds in the Bears' 84-44 romp over New Orleans on Dec 29 by scoring a team-high 18 against the Horned Frogs. The sophomore forward has made at least 50 percent of his shots in every game and at least 60 percent in all but two contests this season. He leads the team in scoring (14.5) and rebounds (6.5). Guard Makai Mason, a graduate transfer from Yale (you don't hear that often), is averaging 14.1 PPG and has recorded double-digit scoring performances in nine of 10 games. Senior guard McClure checks in at 10.5 & 4.8.

Iowa St is ripe for a letdown here and don't forget, Baylor plays some outstanding D, holding opponents to just 62.3 PPG (21st). The Bears are limitng opponents to 39.2 percent from the floor (31st), including 30,7 percent from three-point range. Baylor has won 13 of 15 all-time home meetings with Iowa State (beat the Cyclones 81-67 at this venue LY), with the ISU's last victory coming in the 2012-13 season. Home dog barks LOUDLY in this one!

Good luck...Larry

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

Who'da thunk it? Villanova is the defending NCAA champion (actually, the Wildcats have won two national titles in the last three years) but when the 11-4 Wildcats welcome the St John's Red Storm to Finneran Pavilion for this Big East showdown, it's the 14-1 Red Storm who are the ranked team. St. John's is having a season more reminiscent of a championship campaign, as the school entered the top-25 Monday (at No. 24) for the first time since sitting No. 15 back in the 2014-15 season.

Chris Mullin's team entered the top-25 following a terrific first two months of the season that has featured only one loss, a controversial two-point defeat against Seton Hall. . “I think there’s tremendous excitement, optimism, and a good feeling,” Mullin said. “I think it’s great that our fan base has watched us throughout. They watched us struggle, improve, and now watch them have success. It’s a genuine and authentic way to go about it.” St John's beat Georgetown 97-94 in overtime in its last outing, thanks to Shamorie Ponds' 37 points. The junior PG is averaging 20.4 points (also 4.7 RPG & 6.0 APG) while shooting 50.3 percent from the floor and better than 40 percent from the three-point line, way up from his shooting percentages from the field (42.0) and the arc (25.3) a season ago. He's surrounded by big gaurds Heron (15.6 & 5.1), Figueroa (14.7 & 6.9) and Simon (10.2 & 5.2) plus 6-7 forward Clark (13.1 & 5.2).

Guard Phil Booth (17.3-3.5-3.5) and the 6-8 Eric Paschall (15.7) are the senior leaders of a mostly inexperienced Wildcats team, one in which only sophomore guard Gillespie (11.0) joins the senior duo in double digits. Villanova was ranked No. 9 to start this season but early-season consecutive losses to now-second-ranked Michigan and Furman sent Villanova tumbling down the rankings to the mid-20s. The Wildcats moved back up to No. 17 after six straight wins but were bounced form the rankings after two more consecutive losses at Penn and at then-No. 1 Kansas in mid-December.

However, I wonder if anyone really believes that St John's is the better team? I sure don't. 'Nova head coach Jay Wright won’t have to be remind his team about St. John’s, after the Red Storm notched a shocking upset of the national-champs-to-be as a 16-point dog at the Pavilion last season, 79-75. My bet says the Wildcats REMEMBER it well!.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Mil Bucks at 8:05 ET.

The Milwaukee Bucks had a five-game winning streak come to an end with a 123-116 home loss to the Toronto Raptors on Saturday (Bucks were also 5-0 ATS in that run), missing out on a chance to establish themselves as the top team in the Eastern Conference. Milwaukee took the first four games of its homestand by an average of 21.3 points and held a double-digit lead in the first half against Toronto before falling. The Bucks wrap-up their six-game homestand Monday night, when the Utah Jazz visit the Fiserv Forum. The Jazz fell at Toronto to begin their four-game road trip but followed that with wins over Cleveland and Detroit to reach .500 at 20-20. Utah has dominated Milwaukee since the middle of last decade, winning 21 of the last 26 meetings between the two clubs.

Donovan Mitchell (20.2) scored 24 of his 26 points in the second half of Saturday's 110-105 victory in Detroit. It marked Mitchell's 20th, 20-point outing of the season. Center Rudy Gobert (14.9 & 12.2), PG Rubio (12.9 & 6.3 APG), SF Ingles (11.8-4.0-4.6) and PF Favors (11.2 & 7.0) give the Jazz a solid starting-five. Sixth-man Crowder (12.3 & 4.7) is also having a solid season plus the addition of Korver has been a good one, as the vet has averaged 8.9 PPG in 18 games, shooting 40.0% on threes.

Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo (26.5-12.6-6.1 is clearly "the Man" in Milwaukee, although like the Jazz, Milwaukee has very good starting-five, Middleton (17.8-5.6-4.1), Bledsoe (15.4-4.,4-5.5), Brogdon (15.3-4.6-3.4) and Lopez (12.3 & 3.9) round out a group, with just three other Milwaukee players starting only a combined seven games!

Antetokounmpo scored 43 points on 16-of-25 shooting and added 18 rebounds on Saturday while matching Toronto's physical play but it wasn't enough.

I realize that Utah has dominated this series (see above for a reminder) but Milwaukee snapped a seven-game skid against Utah in last season's final meeting (117-100 home win) and this year's Milwaukee team has "turned a corner." Off a disappointing loss to Toronto, I expect the Bucks to bounce back in a big way. Milwaukee is the NBA's top-scoring team (117.1 PPG) and also owns the league's best defensive FG percentage against (43.3%). That's a sweet daily double. Also note that Milwaukee is 18-4 SU and 14-7-1 ATS at home, where the Bucks averaged 120.9 PPG. The price seems MORE than fair, Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* 35-Club Play is on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET.

The Houston Rockets had their six-game winning streak come to an end with Saturday's 110-101 loss at Portland, just the Rockets' second defeat in the team's last 13 games. Notably, James Harden's run of 40-point games came to an end at five straight, as he finished with "just" 38 points!  However, he’s had at least 35 points and five assists in eight straight games, breaking an NBA record held by Oscar Robertson. The 22-16 Rockets welcome Denver to Houston Monday night, with the Nuggets arriving with a 26-11 record. That represents the West's top mark and Denver arrives on a five-game winning streak after a 123-110 victory over the Charlotte Hornets at Pepsi Center on Saturday.

Denver's victory over Charlotte was the team's 10th consecutive home win (note: The Nuggets' previous home loss came on Nov 13 against the Rockets). The Nuggets are finding they have their own superstar in center Nikola Jokic, who scored a season-high 39 points on Saturday. He leads the team in scoring (18), rebounding (10.0) and in assists (7.5). Guard Jamal Murray was held to eight points on 3-of-13 shooting on Saturday but is the team's second-leading scorer at 18.5 PPG. Barton remains sidelined for Denver but head coach Michael Malone has gotten guard Gary Harris and PF Paul Millsap back. Both are being worked back into the rotation after missing nearly a month and three weeks, respectively. Harris (16.1) played his third straight game since returning against the Hornets and scored 17 points while adding six rebounds and five assists in 26 minutes. Millsap (13.4 & 6.7) has been back for four games, averaging 10.0 & 4.2.

Houston knows all about playing through injuries, as well. PG Paul (15.6 & 8.0 APG) has missed the last seven games and backup guard Gordon (15.6) has missed the last three. Houston won six in a row without Paul, before Saturday's loss. Harden averaged 42.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists while shooting 41.9 percent on three-pointers over those first six games without Paul. Since Gordon has been out, recent addition Rivers has averaged 42 minutes and 17.0 points in starting three in a row, while swingman Green has chipped in 15.7 PPG over the last three. Backing Harden  game in and game out is center Capela, who is having a career season (17.2 & 12.9), He's had 21 rebounds in each of his last two plus has topped 20 rebounds in FOUR of his last seven games.

No way I'll buck the Rockets here, as since losing 128-108 at home to Dallas on Nov 28, Houston is 9-0 SU and 8-0-1 ATS at home.Yes, Denver has the West's best record and comes in on a five-game winning streak, but the Nuggets last four wins have come over 9-32 Phoenix, 10-29 New York, 19-20 Sacramento and 19-20 Charlotte. Harden leads Houston to yet another home win, with ease!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Mia Heat at 6:05 ET.

The 19-18 Miami Heat will visit Atlanta to take on the 11-27 Hawks. However, while the Hawks are one of just five NBA teams with a winning percentage of under .300 (.289), TWO of Atlanta's 11 wins this season have come over Miami. The Hawks won 123-118 on Nov 3 in Atlanta and then took a 115-113 nail-biter on Nov. 27 in Miami.

Miami squandered a pair of opportunities to move above .500 since Christmas but finally accomplished the feat by earning a win at Cleveland on Wednesday and then knocking off the Washington Wizards 115-109 at home on Friday. The Heat have won three of their last five, which came on the heels of five-game winning streak. Miami is without PG Goran Dragic (15.3 & 4.9 APG), who had knee surgery and will be out until the All-Star break. However, Miami has won eight of its last 10 games with the bulk of that damage coming with small forward Justise Winslow serving as the team's point guard. Winslow collected 13 points and 10 assists in Friday's triumph, his sixth straight game scoring in double figures (he's now averaging 11.6-5.2-4.0 on the season). Josh Richardson (18.5) is the team's leading score but even with Dragic, Miami has 10 players averaging between 7.7 and 18.5 PPG. Center Whiteside is almost an automatic double-double nightly, averaging 13.1 & 13.0.

The Hawks were swept on a three-game road trip, capped by a 144-112 loss at Milwaukee on Friday. Atlanta was never in the game on Friday, after falling behind 43-14 at the end of the first quarter. However, the Hawks continue to develop their young roster and placed seven scorers in double figures in the loss. Rookie point guard Trae Young collected 13 points and 10 assists for his fifth double-double in the last 12 games (he's averaging 15.3 & 7.5 APG on the season). Third-year small forward DeAndre' Bembry scored a team-high 19 points off the bench while scoring in double figures for the third time in four games (he's averaging 8.3 & 4.3). Second-year 6-10 power forward John Collins (Wake Forest) is one of 17 NBA players averaging a double-double at 18.5 points and 10.2 rebounds (he was a draft 'steal!').

Have to believe that Miami has to be "fairly motivated and embarrassed," after losing the first two meetings this season to Atlanta. Note that Miami is a MONEY-MAKING 12-5 ATS (71%) on the road this season and Atlanta is the nBA's worst defensive team, allowing 118.5 PPG. I'm taking the road favorite.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Daytime Dominator is on Northwestern at 1:00 ET.

Both Illinois and Northwestern 'limp' into this Sunday afternoon game. Illinois has the worst record in the Big Ten at 4-10 and is one of five teams (Northwestern included) without a conference victory. However, while Northwestern is still seeking its first conference win, the Wildcats are a respectable 9-5 on the season, overall.

The Illini have dropped three straight games overall, after hanging around in a 73-65 loss on Thursday night at Indiana. Illinois has four double digit scorers plus two others averaging 8.6 and 7.1 PPG. Guards Frazier (15.5) and Jordan (10.1 & 5.2) are joined by freshman SF Dusunmu (12.5 & 4.5) and the 6-9 Bezhanishvili (10.3 & 4.9). However, for all that offensive balance, the Illini average only 73.9 PPG, which ranks 181st.

The Wildcats weren't able to handle Michigan State the last time out, in an 81-55 beatdown. The 6-7 Vic Law averages a team-high 17.9 PPG but was held to season-low five  points vs the Spartans. The 6-8 Dererk Pardon (14.2 & 8.4) is is one of the most accurate shooters in the country (6.8%) and made 9-of-15 shots while scoring 19 points in the loss to MSU. He's joined up front by the 6-10 Taylor (12.5) and the 6-7 Turner (9.4).

Northwestern is easily the much better team and coming off that humiliating 81-55 loss at powerful Michigan State (Spartans are 13-2 and ranked 8th), should bounce back here vs an Illinois team that is now 4-17 in Big Ten play since the start of last season. It didn't show in the game at Michigan St but Northwestern is a defensive-minded team, allowing just 63.0 PPG (24th), whlel holding opponents to 28.9% on threes (25th). Northwestern comes in 7-2 at home, where the Wildcats are allowing only 58.2 PPG. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Marquette Golden Eagles are 11-3 (No. 16 in the AP poll) and will host 9-6 Xavier at noon ET at the brand-new Fiserv Forum. Marquette saw its eight-game win streak end in Tuesday's 89-69 loss to St. John’s (note: Red Storm are 14-1) in the Golden Eagles’ Big East opener. The Musketeers opened their Big East schedule with a 74-65 win at DePaul on Dec 29 but Xavier is coming off an 80-70 home loss to Seton Hall on Wednesday.

To say the least, Xavier has exhibited a drop-off this season under first-year coach Travis Steele, who took over after Chris Mack "took his talents" to Louisville. That said, the Musketeers still have good players, just not as many of them as they had the last few years. Xavier boasts one of the most balanced offenses in the country, as five players average in double digits, while graduate transfer Ryan Welage contributes 9.5 PPG. PG Goodin leads in scoring (13.5) and assists (5.7) plus the 6-7 Marshall (12.6 & 8.0) and the 6-9 Jones (10.0 & 7.1) are the best frontcourt players. 

The Golden Eagles entered conference play ranked in the top-30 nationally in field goal percentage defense (38.7) but allowed the Red Storm to shoot 53.6 percent from the floor. Guard Markus Howard (23.9-3.9-3.9 is Marquette's best player but he failed to reach double figures in scoring for the first time this season, as the Marquette junior finished with eight points on 2-of-15 shooting versus the Red Storm . He's supported by brothers Sam and Joey Hauser. The 6-8 Sam averages 14.7 & 6.9, while his younger brother Joey (a 6-9 freshman), averages 10.0 & 6.1.

I noted that Xavier owns excellent scoring balance but the Musketeers average a modest 75.0 PPG (161st). That's not good enough, when they allow 70.7 (171st). It's been a strong start to the season for Marquette, as its two losses are to Kansas and St John's (see above). That said, Marquette would be well-advised to take this game VERY seriously, as a visit to Creighton is next (Wednesday night), followed by a home date with Seton Hall on Jan. 12. An "L" here and the Golden Eagles could start 0-4 in in conference play.

Expect Marquette to play well, as the Golden Eagles are 10-0 SU and 8-2 ATS at home, outscoring opponents 82.1-to-61.2 PPG. Xavier's lost 62-47 at Cincy and 71-56 at Missouri. Those finals seem about right, here.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* WCC Game Of The Year is on St. Mary’s (11:00 EST).

Randy Bennett's first six seasons at St Mary's resulted in just one postseason appearance (a first round NCAA loss in 2005). However, he's led the Gaels to 11 straight postseason berths entering this season. That streak could end in 2019, as St Mary's checks in just 9-7, after a 76-72 loss at San Francisco (note the Dons are 13-2 TY). BYU comes in 9-7 as well, after a 90-87 win at Pacific.

BYU can score, averaging 84.9 PPG (19th), as the the 6-8 Childs leads the Cougars in scoring (21.7) and rebounding (10.1). Guards Haws (17.7 & 5.1 APG) and Hardnett (11.6) check in behind him. However, BYU allows 79.3 PPG (318th).

Guard Jordan Ford has doubled his average from last season (up to 22.8 from 11.1 PPG) and up front, the 6-8 Fitts (14.3 & 8.2) and the 6-10 Hunter (10.1 & 5.9) are a formidable duo. St Mary's entered this season 54-5 at McKeon Pavilion the previous three seasons and even in this 'down' year, St Mary's is still winning at home, going 7-2, while outscoring its opponents by 82.2-to-64.6 PPG.

BYU's win at Pacific (a non-cover) was its first road win of the season, as the Cougars limp in 1-5 SU and 0-6 ATS on the road this year, allowing a whopping 95.2 PPG. What's more, the Gaels have this game circled after BYU beat them 85-72 in the WCC tourney, following a series sweep in the regular season by St Mary's. The loss was a 'killer,' as despite a 30-6 record, St Mary's didn't get an at-large NCAA bid. Throw in the fact that the favorite is 9-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings between the two rivals and I'm "all over" St Mary's.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the GS Warriors at 10:05 ET.

It's become obvious that the 2018-19 Golden St Warriors are NOT the same team we've seen win THREE of the last four NBA titles. There are plenty of examples but NONE are better than the Warriors' Thursday night home loss to Houston. The Warriors held a 20-point lead over the Rockets but would go on to lose 135-134 in OT. Golden State's three-game home losing streak matches its longest in the Steve Kerr era, which spans four seasons in which the team advanced to the NBA Finals each time. The Warriors travel to Sacramento Saturday night to face the Kings. The Kings are in their own slump with losses in three straight to fall to 19-19 but the franchise hasn't had a winning season (or made the playoffs) since the 2005-06 season, so 19-19 looks pretty good to long-suffering Sacramento fans (Kings won just 27 games last year!).

"I do feel we did," shooting guard Klay Thompson told reporters when asked if Golden State gave the game away. "I don't think we played with that killer instinct in that second half. I think we relaxed being up."but  Thursday's loss was 'ugly' but Golden St players are confident they will find their form. "I'm not sure but we'll stay the course and get back to doing what we do," Thompson told reporters. "It's a different year than it has in the past. Although we are not blowing teams out, we are still 11 games above .500 with a chance to go on a run here before All-Star break. It's not the end of the world." The Warriors are still waiting for center DeMarcus Cousins (Achilles) to make his season debut. Is that good or bad news?

Sacramento's morphing into a competitive team is being led by the backcourt duo of Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox, who combined for 45 points on 19-of-29 shooting in Thursday's setback. Hield scored a team-high 29 points, giving him three straight 20-plus performances (Hield leads the team by averaging 20.2 PPG). PG Fox added eight assists in Thursday's setback and is averaging 18.1 points and 7.6 assists in just his second season. However, it's not good news that the Kings almost surely will once again be without standout rookie Marvin Bagley III (12.7 & 6.1), who has missed the Kings' last 10 games with a bruised left knee.

All of a sudden, these Northern California rivals split their four-game season series last year, each winning twice on the opponent's home floor. iIsay that because the Warriors had won 15 of 16 meetings dating back to the start of the 2014 season. Golden State has taken the first two meetings this season but by a total of just six points. Sacramento , comes on a three-game slide, losing by seven, five (in overtime) and four points. It's troubling because the Kings led the Lakers entering the fourth period on Sunday, were up nine with three minutes left against Portland in the overtime loss on Tuesday and had a 13-point halftime advantage over Denver on Thursday. t won't be a cakewalk but expect the Warriors to pull away for a comfortable win.

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* Total of the Week is on Hou/Por Over at 10:05 ET.

Portland fell 111-109 at home to the Thunder just last night and if it looks to avoid back-to-back losses, it’s going to have to have a “short memory” here facing the red hot Rockets, who come to the Pacific Northwest on a six-game win skein and with 11 wins in their last 12 outings, including a 135-134 overtime thriller at Golden State on Wednesday Houston rallied from a 20-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Warriors.

.Houston is still without Chris Paul, but the team is now finally firing on all cylinders after a slow start to the season. James Harden leads the nightly charge with 33.6 points and is riding a streak of five consecutive 40-point games, matching a feat accomplished only by Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and Kobe Bryant in the past 50 years. Center Clint Capela is having a career season, averaging 17.2 points and 12.7 boards.

The Blazers have been scuffling of late, going just 4-5 in their last nine after last night’s setback. The guard duo of Damian Lillard (26.6-4.6-5.8) and  CJ McColum (21.1) lead the way, while Nurkic (14.9 & 10.4) continues to prove he's a quality NBA center.

From a “situational” stand point, I think it sets up as a higher-scoring affair. Clearly the Rockets will be out to push the pace as they try to take advantage of a tired Blazers team. Portland figures to have to match Houston's pace, which point to a “shootout." This number is a little low, play the “over.”

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on Arizona State at 6:00 ET.

9-4 Colorado will be at 9-4 Arizona State on Saturday in OPac-12 play. Both schools opened their respective season 8-1 but each has dropped three of its last four games. Colorado lost its Pac-12 opener 64-56 at Arizona ,as the Buffaloes shot 35.8 percent and had 17 turnovers against only seven assists. That same night (Thursday), ASU took a 28-11 lead over Utah in Tempe, only to lose, 96-86! The Sun Devils were badly out-shot from the perimeter, 53.3-to-39.3 percent.

The Buffs averaged 84.1 PPG in their 8-1 start but haven’t scored more than 68 in their last four contests (1-3), including scoring a season-low of 56 points Thursday at Arizona.  on Thursday, which followed a nine-day layoff. PG McKinley Wright scored a game-high 17 points and leads the team in scoring (14.0) and assists (5.5). 6-7 wing Tyler Bey adds 10.9 PPG plus a team-high 9.2 rebounds, while the 6-10 Siewert averages 12.8 & 5.2.

ASU guard Remy Martin (13.1) had a career-high 22 points and 6-8 forward Zylan Cheatham (11.8 & 9.7) had 17, combining for 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting but the rest of the Sun Devils combined for 47 points on 15-of-42 shooting. Leading scorer Luguentz Dort (17.8) scored 14 Thursday but that’s been his best outing in his last five games as he’s averaged 11 points during that span while hitting only 14-of-59 shots (23.7 percent). The 6-7 Lawrence (11.2 & 4.) is the team's fourth double digit scorer.

Colorado would like to blame Thursday's effort on its nine-day layoff but that doesn't explain the team averaging 63.3 PPG in losing three of four, after an 8-1 start (averaged 84.1 PPG). The Buffs are 7-6 against Arizona State since joining the Pac-12 in 2011 but that includes 1-5 in Tempe during that span, including an 80-66 loss last season. “It’s frustrating because it was a game we had control of,” Arizona State haed coach Bobby Hurley said in his post-game news conference after the loss to Utah. “We let them cut it to four at halftime, and it snowballed from there.” The Sun Devils generated national headlines by handing then-top-ranked Kansas its first loss, 80-76, on Dec. 22 but since then, they’ve suffered home setbacks against Princeton (67-66) and Utah (96-86).

Is this deja vu all over again? The Sun Devils started 12-0 last season, including a win over No. 2 Kansas, and then dropped three of their first four Pac-12 games en route to an 8-10 conference finish. Sound familiar? It sure does but my bet says ASU rebounds here in a BIG WAY against the poor-traveling Buffs.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Arizona at 2:00 ET.

The 7-6 Utah Utes and the 10-4 Arizona Wildcats square off in Pac-12 play Saturday in Tuscon at the McKale Center. Both schools opened conference play on Thursday, with Utah rallying from a 17-point deficit to stun Arizona State 96-86, while Arizona held off visiting Colorado, 64-56. Utah's 96-86 victory set several records as Utah hit a program Pac-12 scoring high while overcoming the largest deficit to win in eight seasons under coach Larry Krystkowiak. As for Arizona, it was the ninth straight Pac-12-opening win for the Wildcats under coach Sean Miller.

The Utes connected on 16-of-33 three-point attempts for a season-best 53.3-percent success rate. Leading scorers, guard Sedrick Barefield (15.7) and 6-7 forward Donnie Tillman (10.9) combined for 46 points on 14-of-26 shooting, including 11-of-19 from long range. Forwards Allen (9.7 & 3.5) and Gach (7.8 & 2.4) plus 7-0 center Johnson (5.8 & 5.5) add size but Barefield has little help on the perimeter.

Arizona’s two backcourt Brandons – Williams and Randolph – combined to score 25 points versus Colorado. The 6-6 Randolph averages 16.2 to lead the team, while PG Williams averages 11.2 PPG and 3.9 APG.  Center Chase Jeter failed to score in double digits (seven points) for the first time since the Dec 15 loss to Baylor, but did pull down a team-high eight rebounds and is shooting a team-best 64.8 percent from the floor this season (12.4 & 7.1 on the year).

Utah scored 96 points at ASU (Utes average 75.2 PPG on the season), while shooing 53.3% on threes (season average is 37.4). Expect the Utes to "return to earth" in this one and note that Utah has lost 12 of the 13 meetings with Arizona since joining the Pac-12 in 2011. The win over Arizona State was the Utes’ first in three road games this season, and they are 8-19 all-time at the McKale Center with their last win coming in 1986!

Arizona was shook by seeing its 52-game non-conference home win streak end in a 58-49 loss to Baylor on Dec. 15 but the Wildcats won three straight since. The Wildcats enter this contest a national-best 90-4 at the McKale Center since 2013 and for some reason, are laying fewer points at home to Utah than ASU was, just two night ago.Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

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

Creighton and Butler each won 21 games last season, advancing to the Big Dance (Bluejays lost their first game, with the Bulldogs losing in the second round). Creighton won its Big East opener 79-68 December 31 at Providence, while Butler looks to avoid an 0-2 start to its Big East season, after losing 84-76 to Georgetown on Wednesday (Bulldogs' first home loss of the season).

Head coach Greg McDermott's Creighton team can score, averaging 84.7 PPG (20th) on 52.0% shooting (4th). Sophomore guard Ty-Shon Alexander, after averaging just 5.5 PPG as a freshman, has stepped into the leading-scorer role for the Bluejays, averaging 17.3 points and shooting 44.2 percent from three-point range. Three players, guard Mitch Ballock (10.7-4.8-3.4), guard Marcus Zegarowski (10.4) and swingman Damien Jefferson (10.4 & 5,5) are also in double digits. The 6-9 Krampelj (9.9 & 5.5) plus guard Mintz (8.7) are not far behind.

Junior guard Kamar Baldwin leads Butler with 15.7 PPG, while senior guard Paul Jorgensen is just behind him at 13.9 per. The Bulldogs have three starters who are 6-2 or shorter but 6-10 Nate Fowler (4.9 & 4.2) and 6-11 Joey Brunk (8.1 & 4.4) split time at center plus the 6-7 Tucker (a Duke transfer) just became eligible and and is adding 8.2 & 4.6 in five games.

Butler head coach LaVall Jordan said his team was "over-anxious" against Georgetown. It must not be so aggressive on the defensive end. After all, Butler "knows defense," allowing 65.9 PPG and commits the fewest turnovers among Big East teams at 10.9 per game this season. Creighton can "light it up," as evidenced by the Blue Jays winning all three games in the Cayman Islands (over Boise St, Ga State and Clemson), while averaging 91.3 PPG.  However, here in Hinkle Fieldhouse, the Bulldogs are tough to beat. I noted that they are 7-1 SU this season (outscoring opponents 80.6-to-66.9) plus will add that Butler has gone 53--12 at home the previous four seasons (clearly, settling into Big East play). Butler beat Creighton 93-70 last year in this venue and while I don't expect that big of a margin today, I do expect a comfortable win.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Por Trail Blazers at 10:35 ET.

The Oklahoma City Thunder opened the season 0-4 but as they visit Moda Center tonight in Portland, OKC sports a 24-13 record, the West's second-best record. The Thunder  have won seven of their last 10 games and face a Portland team that has also won seven of 10, leaving them 22-16 on the season (currently own the West's No. 5 seed). The Trail Blazers won all four of last season's meetings and tonight, OKC will be looking to end an eight-game losing streak in Portland.

Paul George scored 37 points in Wednesday's 107-100 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers and has now topped 20 points in each of his last 12 games, averaging 32.1 points during the stretch. George leads OKC in scoring on the season at 26.7 PPG. Former MVP Russell Westbrook has been in a shooting slump all season, making 41.6 percent from the floor, only 23.6 percent from three-point range and shooting just 62.6 percent from the free-throw line. However, in the Thunder's 107-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night at Staples Center, Westbrook totaled 14 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists, despite going 3-for-20. He became the first player in the NBA in 32 years to notch a triple-double while shooting 15 percent or lower. Westbrook is again averaging a triple-double on the season (20.7-10.9-10.4).

OKC ranks 4th in points allowed (105.4 per) and No. 1 in defensive efficiency but will have its hands full with Portland. The Blazers are led by the outstanding guard tandem of Lillard (26.7-4.8-5.8) and McCollum (21.1) plus center Nurkic (14.7 & 10.5) collected a career-best 23 rebounds in the team's Jan 1 victory over Sacramento. He also had 24 points, seven assists, five blocked shots and five steals. Nurkic is averaging 21.5 points, 13 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.8 steals while shooting 56.6 percent from the floor in the team's last four games (3-1). Let me add that the 6-9 PG Aminu is quietly averaging 9.4 & 8.0.

Portland is 14-6 SU at home (no need to cover with this line), where it averages 114.0 PPG. How does one ignore the fact that the Blazers won all FOUR of last year's meetings (by an average of 6.5 PPG) or that the Blazers have won SIX straight overall against the Thunder OR that the Thunder haven't tasted victory in Portland since Feb 11, 2014?

Good luck...Larry

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

Buffalo has rightly been stealing all the MAC headlines (20th-ranked Bulls are 12-1) and Buffalo should easily take the MAC East. However, the MAC West likely features the league's second-best team. Toledo, coming off a 23-11 season, has opened 12-1 and enters its MAC opener on a 10-game winning streak. The Rockets' opponent will be Ball State, which comes in 9-4, off a 19-13 year last season.

Ball State can score, averaging 84.5 PPG (211st) on outstanding 51.3% shooting (6th). Guards Persons (16.8-4.0-5.2) and Walton (15.0 & 4.8) form an excellent duo with the 6-8 Teague (14.5 & 7.2) being the team's top front-court performer. However, injuries have sidelined the 6-8 Hazen (6.4 & 4.7) and guard El-Amin (6.3), greatly affecting the team's depth. Defensively, Ball State is worse than average, allowing 72.8 PPG (210th).

It's hard not to be impressed by Toledo's start, as the Rockets' most recent game (win) came 77-45 over Penn. That's the same Penn team which earlier this year beat Villanova. Toledo held Penn to 30.5% from the floor, including 5-of-22 three-pointers. Toledo's defense allows just 65.2 PPG (51st) and has been excellent defending the perimeter, as opponents are shooting only 29.2% (28th). Senior guard Jaelan Sanford leads a team with five double digits scorers (great balance) at 17.8 PPG. The 6-6 Willie Jackson averages 11.1 PPG and a team-high 10.7 PPG, while PG Marreon Jackson leads with 4.6 APG (just misses double digits in scoring at 8.8 per).

Toledo's early season schedule has been fairly easy but this team has the talent to replicate the 2013-14 team, which won 27 games. Here at home (Savage Arena), the Rockets have opened 7-0, outscoring opponents 84.7-to-60.0 PPG (closest margin has been 13 points!). Ball State could be the MAC's third-best team but I believe there is quite a gap between the Cardinals and Buffalo and Toledo. Ball was highly disappointing in mid-November at the Charleston Classic, losing 73-64 to Va Tech and 79-61 to Alabama, while sqeaking by Appalachian St, a 5-9 team, in OT. The fact that Toledo lost BOTH meetings to Ball State, makes sure the Rockets will be FULLY focused on their MAC opener.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on UCLA at 11:00 ET.

UCLA dismissed coach Steve Alford ahead of Thursday’s Pac-12 opener against visiting Stanford, hoping for "new day," following four straight losses. Murry Bartow (son of former UCLA coach Gene Bartow) was named interim coach for the 7-6 Bruins. The 7-5 Stanford Cardinal visit Pauley Pavilion tonight.

Stanford's only two losses in its recent stretch have come at Kansas in OT and at San Francisco, which sits a surprising 12-2 on the season to date! Senior 7-2 center Josh Sharma received Pac-12 player of the week honors after recording career highs in points (23) and rebounds (18) in last Saturday’s 93-86 victory over Long Beach State. He

struggled offensively early in the season but has averaged 9.7 points over his last seven games and ranks sixth in the conference in field goal percentage at 60.6. He's joined up front by the 6-9 Okpala (16.8 & 6.1), the team's leading scorer, and the 6-9 Da Silva (9.7 & 5.9). Sophomore guard Daejon Davis added 17 points and five assists againts LB State and is the only other player in double digits, averaging 11.8 PPG

Bartow takes over a team that has dropped its last four games by an average margin of 15 points and hit a new low with the loss to Liberty, which forced 24 turnovers and dominated the paint. Sophomore guard Kris Wilkes averages 17.5 points to lead the Bruins and fellow sophomore, PG Hands, chips in 11.5 PPG and a team-high 7.0 APG. That perimeter duo is joined by 7-1 freshman Moses Brown, who is averaging 11.5 points and 8.8 rebounds.

This UCLA team has the talent and note that the Bruins were picked to finish second in the Pac-12 preseason poll. Doubt that Bartow will get the gig but he figures to be an excellent steadying influence. That's what UCLA needs, RIGHT NOW.  Stanford lost its top-two players from last season, forward Travis Reid (19.5 & 87.), who is a graduate transfer at Kentucky, and guard Pickens (14.5). Stanford is 4-12 ATS in the last 16 meetings between these two teams and just 1-8 ATS in the last nine meetings at UCLA. Just what the doctor ordered for the Bruins. UCLA has won 37 of 42 games in Pauley Pavilion since the start of the 2016-17 season.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the SA Spurs at 8:05 ET.

The 28-11 Toronto Raptors will take the NBA's second-best record into this TNT showdown with the 21-17 San Antonio Spurs. Toronto has owned the NBA's best record for most of the season but just recently, the 26-10 Milwaukee Bucks have caught and passed them (.722 to .718). However, Toronto's 13-7 road mark is an NBA-best but the Raptors come to San Antonio with the Spurs playing their beat basketball of the season, having won 10 of 13. Then again, all of the above will take a backseat to Kawhi Leonard making his highly-anticipated return to San Antonio. Leonard was once a beloved figure and NBA Finals MVP for the Spurs but returns as a villain after last season's falling out with the franchise, following seven seasons and the subsequent trade to Toronto.

Leonard played in just nine games for San Antonio last season due to a quadriceps injury and the difference in opinions over the treatment options partially resulted in the gulf that couldn't be resolved. Leonard has sure put his injuries (?) behind him with Toronto, averaging 27.3 & 8.2. He has missed nine of 39 games this season but he's been in standout form of late, with a career-best streak of 14 straight 20-point outings, including a career-high 45-point effort Jan 1 vs Utah. Pascal Siakam (14.9 & 6.6) had a career-best 28 points with 10 rebounds in the win over the Jazz. However, All-Star PG Kyle Lowry (14.4-4.5-9.8) didn't play for the eighth time in nine games because of a sore back (not expected to play here) and center Jonas Valanciunas (12.8 & 7.2).

 The Spurs are on a 10-3 SU and 11-2 ATS run, as they welcome the Raptors to AT&T Center. Leonard's return overshadowed everything but don't forget, DeMar DeRozan felt misled when he was shipped from Toronto to San Antonio after nine seasons in Canada. DeRozan, along with center Jakob Poeltl, were moved to the Spurs from Toronto in the trade that sent Leonard to the Raptors. DeRozan, after some early reservations about the trade, has settled in to become San Antonio's leading scorer (22.9-5.2-5.9). Aldridge (19.8 & 9.0) has been a steady force plus as always with a Pop-coached team, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. 

The Spurs are 15-5 SU and 14-6 ATS at home and owns a 32-12 all-time mark against Toronto including a 18-4 record at home, which includes a current run of NINE straight wins at home over Toronto. For tonight, it's DeRozan over Leonard.

Good luck...Larry

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

Iowa is coming off a 14-19 season but returned all five starters from that team and has opened an impressive 11-2. Meanwhile, Purdue is off a 30-win season (made it to the Swet 16) but lost four starters from that team. Despite that fact, the Boilermakers were ranked 24th in the AP's preseason poll, so Purdue's 8-5 start has to be considered VERY disappointing. Iowa comes into this contest having won five in a row, while Purdue is hoping to put together all the pieces it needs to be a contender around All-American candidate Carsen Edwards. 

Iowa's 6-9 Junior forward Tyler Cook (16.8 & 8.5) will be the best big man on the court tonight but his partner up front, the 6-11 Luka Garza (12.7 & & 4.9) will be a game-time decision Thursday, after missing the last two contests with an ankle injury. 6-7 senior Nicholas Baer (7.0 & 4.7) would take his place in the lineup if he can’t go. Iowa has a four-guard rotation that sees players averaging between 7.1 and 11.2 PPG.

Edwards scored 24 while the Boilermakers held Belmont to almost 30 points below its average in last Saturday's 73-62 win. Edwards (25.8) is the nation's second-leading scorer but only fellow guard Cline (13.1 & 3.5 APG) joins him in double figures. Similar to Iowa, Purdue has five others contributing between 4.5 and 7.6 PPG, with the 6-6 Eifert averaging a team-high 5.2 RPG.

Iowa comes in off wins over W, Carolina, Savannah St and Bryant, which hardly prepares them for this visit to West Lafayette. The Hawkeyes shot the ball poorly in losses to Wisconsin (39 percent) at home and at Michigan State (32.8) to open their conference campaign plus note that the team's 22-point loss at Michigan St, represents Iowa's lone true road so far this season. Iowa was just 1-10 SU on the road last season, so that hardly bodes well (Iowa is 9-23-1 ATS in its last 33 road games). Purdue is 6-0 SU at home, outscoring opponents on average, 81.3-61.2 PPG. That continues a trend which has seen Matt Painter's team go 48-4 SU at Mackey Arena the previous three seasons. Throw in that the home team is 13-4 ATS in the last 17 meetings between these two teams and Purdue is clearly the play.

Good luck...Larry

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

8-4 Indiana St is on the road Wednesday night for its MWC opener against 7-6 Loyola-Chicago. The Sycamores were just 13-18 last year and had won a total of just 41 games the previous three seasons (that's just 13.7 per), so TY's 8-4 start is impressive. As for Loyola, it goes without saying that this is not the same Ramblers' team which made an improbable run to last year's Final 4. You think? Loyola finished last season 32-6 and has already matched its loss total through only 13 games of the current season.

Indiana St reached the final in last week’s Diamond Head Classic, before running into hot TCU in the title game, for the second time in as many weeks (note: TCU has won EIGHT straight and is 11-1 on the season).  However, there are a number of positives shining through for this team. Junior guard Barnes (20.8-4.5-4.2) and senior guard Key (16.9 & 4.7) have just recently been joined on the perimeter by Iowa transfer, Williams. The 6-5 guard just gained eligibility in mid-December and in four games is providing a viable third scoring option (11.3 PPG) plus his 7.5 RPG are a team-high. 

Loyola still has major contributors from last year in in senior guards Custer (13.8) and Townes (12.8 & 5.4) plus 6-9 sophomore center Krutwig (13.5 & 7.5). However, it's become obvious that the Ramblers have not been able to compensate for the loss of versatile players like Donte Ingram (11.0 & 6.4) and Aundre Jackson (11.0 & 3.2). Loyola just doesn't score enough (67.8 PPG ranks 304th) and in its last game, lost 45-42 at the Palestra to St Joe's.

Loyola hasn't played since Dec 22 (rusty?) and is just 2-5 ATS at home this season, with the team's two ATS wins coming over a pair of 5-10 teams, UMKC (WAC) and Norfolk St (MEAC). ISU's perimeter game is really strong with the addition of Williams and the Sycamores come in making 45.0 percent from three-point range, the nation;'s second-best percentage. Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

My Big 12 Game of the Year is on Kansas St at 9:00 ET.

8-4 Texas and 10-2 Kansas State square off in the Big 12 opener for both teams tonight in Manhattan, Ks at Bramlage Coliseum.Texas opened the season 5-0, after beating then-No. 7 North Carolina 92-89 in the Las Vegas Invitational (late Nov), before losing 78-68 to Michigan St in the championship game. Texas is just 3-4 since that 5-0 start, with two of those wins coming against Grand Canyon and Texas-Arlington. Kansas St opened December with back-to-back road losses at Marquette and Tulsa, but has won three straight to reach 10-2.

“Texas looked like one of the best teams in the country around Thanksgiving, but then they have really struggled at times,” Kansas St head coach Weber told reporters. He's right. Five guards see significant minutes, led by Roach (14.0 & 4.9) and Coleman (10.3). Up front, 6-9 senior Dylan Osetkowski (10.1 & 8.5) and 6-11 freshman Jaxson Hayes (9.9 & 4.8) will give K-St all it wants, especially since 6-10 senior Dean Wade remains out.

Wade (13.6 & 7.7) is out of a walking boot and inching closer to a return, but it won't be here. Senior guard Barry Brown Jr. 13.9 & 4.5) has played in 117 straight games, tying Mike Evans for the fourth-longest run in school history (record is 135)  and he's joined in the backcourt by PG Stokes (11.1 & 3.2 APG). 6-5 junior forward Xavier Sneed (11.5 & 5.8) has averaged 10.6 RPG in the three contests since Wade's injury but he will need some help from the 6-9 Mawien (6.9 & 4.2) inside against the Texas big men.

The bottom line here is, Kansas St is one of the nation's best defensive teams, allowing just 57.8 PPG (6th) on 38.8% shooting (30th), which includes only 27.4% on threes, 13th-best in the nation. The Wildcats have allowed only ONE team to score more than 68 points through 12 games (Marquette got 83) and check in 6-0 SU at home this season (went 14-3 at home LY), allowing only 53.8 PPG. It's Jan 2 and this marks Texas' first true road game of the season.  Expect the Wildcats to earn their FIFTH straight victory over the Longhorns, "with room to spare!" 

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Underdog Shocker is on Tulsa at 8:00 ET.

Tulsa visits No. 19 Houston in the American Athletic Conference opener for both schools. The 10-3 Golden Hurricane are off to their best start under fifth-year head coach Frank Haith and take a five-game winning streak into the contest. As for Houston, the 13-0 Cougars are one of just FOUR remaining Division I unbeatens plus own the nation's second-longest active home winning streak (26 games).

Tulsa won 19 games last year but surely has its sights on a 20-win season, this time around. The Golden Hurricane opened December with 69-64 loss at Utah (an ATS win, though) but have won five in a row, since (6-1 ATS run their last seven). Senior wing DaQuan Jeffries (13.6 & 5.8 rebounds), 6-8 junior forward Martins Igbanu (12.8 & 5.9) and PG Sterling Taplin (9.5 & 5.1 APG) are the glue that holds the team together.

Houston will open conference play ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense (58.1 PPG) and third in FG percentage defense (35.8 percent). The Cougars rely on their defense to help create offense, averaging 16.5 points off 13 opponent turnovers per game. Speaking of that offense, senior guard Corey Davis Jr. leads the Cougars with 15.4 PPG,  while junior guard Armoni Brooks adds 14.8 points and a team-high 7.2 RPG. Senior PG Galen Robinson Jr. contributes 8.8 points along with 5.4 assists per contest and leads the team in three-point shooting (40.7 percent). Up front, 6-5 SF Cedrick Alley Jr. (7.2 & 4.7) and the 6-9 Breaon Brady (7.2 & 4.9) are the two main contributors.

Houston head coach Kelvin Sampson is trying to manage (hold down?) expectations. "Being 13-0 is tremendous, but last time I checked they don't hand out any medals for being undefeated in non-conference play," Sampson said. "We never talk about it, it's not something that's mentioned. I don't ever remember talking to (my players) about it. We just talk about our next game. Our next game is Tulsa. We just move on" I realize winning at Fertitta Center may be a stretch for Tulsa and will note that Tulsa hasn't won a road game against a ranked team since February 2016 (at SMU). However, Tulsa is 2-0 ATS in true road games this season, extending its run to SIX straight ATS wins in true road games (going back to the end of last season). Take those HUGE points (note: road team is on a 4-1 ATS run in this series).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Sac Kings at 9:05 ET.

It's no surprise that the Portland Blazers sit 21-16 as the calendar turns to 2019, as the team has been to the postseason in each of the last five years and is coming off a 49-win season. However, it is a surprise to see the Sacramento Kings at 19-17, as the franchise hasn't been to the postseason (or made the playoffs) since the 2005-06 season (Kings won just 27 games last year!). The teams meet for the first time this season on Tuesday night at Golden 1 Center, with both coming off home-and-home series in the past week.

The Trail Blazers won 110-109 at Golden State on Thursday, before the two-time defending champs turned the tables in a 115-105 victory in the rematch at Portland on Saturday. However, Portland responded with one of its most impressive efforts of the season, a 129-95 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers at home on Sunday night. The "big news" in the win was CJ McCollum (21.2) scoring 35 points on 13-of-18 shooting. He had entered the game having shot just 38.7 percent overall and 22.5 percent on three-pointers while averaging 16.9 points in his previous eight outings. Mccollum is joined in the backcourt by Lillard, who checks in at 26.8-4.7-5.8. The duo is the third-highest scoring backcourt tandem in the NBA. Center Jusuf Nurkic (14.5 & 10.1) has put together three straight strong efforts and is averaging 20.7 points on 25-of-43 shooting and 9.7 rebounds during the stretch.

While the Blazers were dealing with the Warriors, the Kings were dueling the LA Lakers. They won 117-116 at home on Thursday but then lost 121-114 in the rematch on Sunday at Staples Center. Thursday's win improved the Kings to a season-best-tying three games over .500 at 19-16. PG De'Aaron Fox scored 26 points on Sunday, marking his sixth effort of 25 or more points in the past 13 games. Fox is a big reason why the improving Kings are two games above .500, averaging 18.2 PPG and 7.7 APG. SG Buddy Hield enters the new year in a shooting slump, having totaled just 38 points in his last three games on 13-for-43 shooting overall and 4-for-19 on threes but he is having a very good season (19.7 PPG).

These teams have similar records but while Portland has been the "more reliable" squad for quite some time now, current form favors Sacramento.Portland comes in just 8-16 ATS since mid-November, including 3-10 ATS on the road. Portland has been on a 'rollercoaster ride' since Christmas. The Blazers lost Dec 25 at Utah (117-96) but followed with a 110-109 OT win at Golden St. Golden St then won the rematch 115-105 in Portland, before the Blazers routed the 76ers the next night. In contrast, Sacramento has won FIVE of its last seven at home, falling to only OKC and Golden St (a game the Kings covered). Expect the Kings to 'catch' the Blazers on a down stroke here and win handily.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Mia Heat at 6:05 ET.

Will the Minnesota Timberwolves ever "get it together? The T-wolves suffered a 123-120 overtime loss at home to the lowly Atlanta Hawks on Friday and got booed as they left the court. Minnesota went 21-of-38 from the free-throw line in Friday's loss, with swingman Andrew Wiggins missing seven of his 12 attempts and drawing the most scorn from the home fans.The 16-19 T-wolves open a three-game road trip by visiting the 17-17 Miami Heat on Sunday. The Heat have climbed to .500 by winning SIX of their last seven, after rolling over the Cleveland Cavaliers 118-94 on Friday.

Karl-Anthony Towns (24.2 & 11.8) had 31 points, 19 rebounds, five assists and three blocks on Friday but was not happy that the team fell into a big hole in the first half. "An edge, we didn't play with no edge," Towns told reporters. Heading to Miami, the Timberwolves could be without their top-two PGs.  Starter Jeff Teague (11.6 & 8.3 APG) is out until mid-January with an ankle issue and backup Derrick Rose (18.9 & 4.8 APG)  sprained his right ankle on the final play of regulation in the loss to Atlanta. He's questionable.

Meanwhile, the Heat are without 2018 All-Star PG Goran Dragic (15.3-3.1-4.9), who hasn't played since Dec 10 and is expected to miss several more weeks after knee surgery. In his absence, the Heat have found a surprising answer in SF Justise Winslow (11.6-5.2-3.7), who had never played point guard before this month. Miami is 5-1 since it started using Winslow at the point and Winslow is coming off one of the best games of his career in Friday's 118-94 win (24-11-7).

Winslow is teaming with SG Richardson, who leads Miami with 18.4 PPG. Minnesota has had its problems with the matchups in recent years against Miami (1-7 ATS the last eight games) and a big reason is the presence of center Hassan Whiteside (13.2 & 12.8), who gives Karl-Anthony Towns fits. The Timberwolves have dropped seven of their last 10 games overall and are just 4-13 SU on the road for the season (little margin here for a cover, without a win). Meanwhile, Miami has gone 6-1 ATS at American Airlines Arena its last seven, plus has gone 10-1 ATS is last 11, overall. Miami is the bet!

Good luck...Larry

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

The 7-5 UMass Minutemen visit the Stegeman Coliseum on Sunday to face the 7-4 Georgia Bulldogs.UMass comes in 2-2 its last four, with both wins coming by one point and the losses coming by just two and four points. Georgia wraps up its non-conference schedule Sunday and enters this game 4-1 SU & 5-0 ATS (lone loss by two points to Arizona St).

Junior guard Luwane Pipkins (19.8-5.4-6.2) hit the go-ahead layup to cap a rally from 14 points down in the second half against Fairleigh Dickerson in the team's last game, an 85-84 win. 6-11 Rashaan Holloway, the team's junior center, leads the A-10 in field-goal percentage (72.6 percent), while averaging 9.8 & 6.1. 6-6 SF Laurent checks in averaging 12.1 & 5.4. UMass has two guards in double digits, Cobb and Pierre (both at 10.7), but Cobb is currently suspended.

Holloway will have his hands full with Georgia' 6-11 sophomore, Nicolas Claxton (12.6 & 10.1). He impact a game in so many ways. Claxton leads the SEC in rebounding and blocked shots (3.1 per) plus also leads the Bulldogs in assists (2.6) and steals (1.4), making him one of only THREE players in the country to pace their team in those four categories.As a freshman, he averaged just 3.9 & 3.9. Another sophomore, the 6-8 Rayshaun Hammonds, has also improved leaps and bounds from last year, when he averaged 6.7 & 4.9. He leads Georgia in scoring (14.7) and adds 6.8 RPG. Guard Crump comes off the bench to lead all backcourt players with 11.0 PPG.

Georgia head coach Tom Crean hopes (expects?) to continue to build momentum with the team's SEC opener at Tennessee (currently No. 3 in the nation) up next on Jan 5. UMass is just 5-11 ATS in the team's last 16 games against the SEC and as noted above, Georgia is 5-0 ATS in its last five overall (4-0 ATS in its last four at home). Georgia is a strong team at home, as its five wins have all come by double digits, with the team's lone loss coming in a two-point defeat to No. 17 Arizona State (Sun Devils beat Kansas!). Bulldogs roll.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* signature 35-Club Play is on the GS Warriors at 10:05 ET.

The Warriors visit Portland's Moda center tonight, after losing 110-109 in OT just two night ago to the Blazers, in Oakland. Damian Lillard buried a three-pointer with 6.3 seconds left in overtime on Thursday, giving the Trail Blazers a one-point lead that would become the final score, when Kevin Durant missed a jumper at the other end. "That's a shot I work on every day," Durant told reporters. "I'm pissed I missed that." This contest is the back end of the home-and-home set.

The 23-13 Warriors enter having lost back-to-back games for the second time this season plus lost FOUR in a row from Nov 15-21. Clearly, this year's team is not playing like the team which has won THREE titles in the last four seasons, including B2B the last two years. KD averages 28.7-7.8-6.3, Curry 28.6-5.0-5.2 and Thompson 20.9 PPG. Green's rebounding and assist numbers are similar to the last four seasons but his scoring is down about four PPG. More troubling, he's "had his moments" being a disruptor for the Warriors, not their opponents.

Portland relies heavily on its guard tandem of Lillard (26.7-4.7-5.8) and McCollum (21.0), plus center Nurkic (14.3 & 10.2). Nurkic collected 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting and 12 rebounds on Thursday, as he took advantage of a Warriors team lacking a true center. Still, Portland's overall depth keeps them from being a serious contender for the NBA title.

Obviously, despite their struggles this season, the Warriors still have to be the favorite to win another title.

Listen to Curry after Thursday's loss. "It was just kind of stagnant in the first half," the Warriors star told reporters. "Not a lot of thrust and energy and aggressiveness. Defensively we were OK after the first three or four minutes. Other games it's been indecisiveness in certain stretches of the game. We're getting teams best shots, so we got to fight our way through it. And just claw and scratch and get to that 48-minute level that we dominate teams, and we can get there."

Note that the Warriors almost won Thursday night, despite making just 13 of 44 three-pointers (29.5%) and attempting only 15 FTs, while making only SIX (40%). Golden St shoots 48.0% from the floor on the season (ranks 1st), makes 37.6% on three-pointers (4th) and 82.1% on FTs (1st). This one will NOT come down to the wire!

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 10* Game of the Week is on Boise St at 7:30 ET.

The 8-4 Oregon Ducks and the 5-7 Boise State Broncos meet Saturday at the Taco Bell Arena. These schools met Dec 15 in Eugene, as the Ducks played their first game without 7-2 freshman Bol Bol. Oregon won 66-54, even without Bol. The rematch takes place, tonight.

Oregon's Dana Altman "knows how to coach basketball," but it's pretty tough to lose one's top scorer (21.0), rebounder (9.6), best shooter (56.1%) and best three-point shooter (52.0), all in one! Bol has been wearing a protective boot after injuring his left foot and is out indefinitely. Without Bol, junior guard Pritchard (13.103.9-4.5) is Oregon's lone double digit scorer. The Ducks rely on a defense which is holding opponents to 63.6 PPG (35th).

Boise head coach Leon Rice has led the Broncos to 21 wins or more is SIX of his seven seasons but getting to 21 wins seems like a huge stretch this season. He lost three productive seniors from last year, including the 6-7 Chandler Hutchison (20.0 & 7.7), who was the 22nd pick in last year's NBA draft by the Chicago Bulls. This year's team has balance (seven players average between 6.8 and 15.2 PPG) but is that good enough?

In this revenge spot against Oregon, I think it is, at least for tonight! The 6-7 Williams (15.2 & 6.9) is a "big guard" and a tough matchup for most teams. He was an awful 0-6 from the floor vs the Ducks but has since scored 38 points in the two games, since. Oregon's 0-2 in its only true road games this season (has averaged a woeful 54.0 PPG in those contests). Meanwhile, the Broncos are 18-2 SU since 2017-18 at hostile Taco Bell Arena. The small home dog 'BARKS' in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Rivalry Rout is on Louisville at 2:00 ET.

The Kentucky Wildcats opened their season at No. 2 in the AP poll but lost their season-opener 118-84 to Duke. However, the Wildcats are now 9-2 and up to No. 16 in the latest poll, fresh off their best performance of the year, an 80-72 upset of then-No. 9 North Carolina last Saturday. Kentucky will face its toughest road test to date, when the Wildcats travel to face arch-rival Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center this afternoon. Louisville is 9-3 on the season, under new head coach Chris Mack (formerly the coach at Xavier).

The Wildcats have been best-known for their "one & done" players in the Calipari era. Yes, 6-6 freshman guard Keldon Johnson (16.5 & 5.4) is the team's leading scorer but this year's team would be in "big trouble" without senior 6-8 forward Reid Travis (15.1 & 6.5) and veteran sophomore 6-8 forward  PJ Washington (13.3 & 8.5) . Travis is a graduate transfer from Stanford and Washington leads the team in rebounding. Chris Mack's first Louisville team is averaging 80.2 PPG (63rd) but has just one player scoring in double figures. That's 6-8 sophomore Jordan Nwora (17.8). He also leads in rebound at 8.5 per game. However, SEVEN other players chip in between 6.1 and 9.7 PPG, giving this team excellent depth and balance

I'm well aware that the Wildcats have won five of the last six meetings (won 90-61 last year in Lexington) and are 9-2 against Louisville during coach John Calipari's nine-plus seasons at the school. However, Louisville is a PERFECT 8-0 at home this season, outscoring opponents on average, 83.9 to 65.0 PPG. The Cardinals have won 37 of their last 39 non-conference home games and the bet here is that Mack gets his first "signature win" at Louisville, right here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Florida at 4:00 ET.

9-3 Butler will visit Gainesville Saturday to take on 7-4 Florida. The two schools met Nov 23 in the Battle 4 Atlantis, with Butler coming away with a 61-54 win. This contest marks the first-ever encounter between the two schools outside of tournament play.

Senior guard Kamar Baldwin leads Butler in scoring (16.2) and rebounding (5.3). He's joined in double digits by guard Jorgensen (15.2 & 4.2) and forward Sean McDermott (11.6). 6-7 SF Jordan Tucker, a transfer from Duke who became eligible Dec. 15 and is adding 9.0 & 4.3. Size comes in the form of the 6-11  Brunk (8.4 & 4.6) and the 6-10 Fowler (5.3 & 4.2).

Senior guard KeVaughn Allen (10.3) is Florida's lone double digit scorer but SEVEN players average between 6.2 and 9.5 PPG. Florida head coach Mike White is sure glad to see 6-6 senior  6-6 Jalen Hudson has finally regained his shooting touch after a protracted slump. He led teh team in scoring last year (15.5) but had not scored in double figures since Nov 14 against La Salle, before scoring 14 points in the 77-56 win over Florida Gulf Coast last Saturday.

Revenge is a key aspect of this play but more importantly, Florida leads the SEC in scoring defense (61.4 PPG) and it has shown excellent balance on offense. The Gators open SEC play against South Carolina on Jan 5 and should really want to keep their positive mojo going. Florida has won four of its last five contests, with the only loss coming against then-No. 10 Michigan State (now No. 8), 63-59 back on Dec 8 at home. Gators "get the cash!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET.

The 21-11 Denver Nuggets welcome the 19-16 San Antonio Spurs to Pepsi Center tonight. The Nuggets own the West's best record, just percentage points better than the two-time defending champion Warriors (.656 to .639). However, while the Spurs are currently on the outside-looking-in on the Western Conference playoff field, they come in the hotter team. The Spurs seek their ninth win in their last 11 games, with one of the team's eight wins over its last 10 coming 111-103 over the Nuggets in San Antonio, just this past Wednesday. Tonight's contest completes a home-and-home between the teams

The Spurs have scored at least 110 points in all eight wins during their 10-game stretch, seemingly putting a sluggish start to the season in the rear-view mirror.  SG DeRozan  (23.3-5.7-6.2) and PF Aldridge (18.9 & 9.1) have been the team's two "go-to" players. However, as with all Popovich teams, the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts.

Center Nikola Jokic is the team leder in points (17.7), rebounds (9.8) and assist (7.3) but was a non-factor on Wednesday, scoring just FOUR four points on 1-of-5 shooting, while collecting only FOUR rebounds in 31 minutes. The loss was Denver's fourth in a row on the road, as the strain of missing three starters seems to be taking a toll. Swingman Will Barton has missed nine weeks after core muscle surgery, SG Gary Harris (16.6) has been out eight games with a hip injury and PF Paul Millsap (13.6 & 7.0) has missed seven with a broken toe.

However, despite missing the above-mentioned three starters and with Jokic "way off his game" Wednesday night in San Antonio, Denver still had an 80-79 lead with 10 minutes remaining. Then, the Spurs went on a 15-0 spurt and went on a 23-4 run to put the Nuggets away. Juancho Hernangomez tied a career high with 27 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Denver, while Malik Beasley added 22 points and Monte Morris had 15, both off the bench. Denver takes a 7-0 SU & ATS home winning streak into this Pepsi Center contest, where the Nuggets have gone 13-3 SU & 12-4 ATS on the season. In this quick turnaround, revenge works!

Good luck…Larry

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

The Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets played a two-overtime thriller on Wednesday, one in which the Nets escaped with a 134-132 victory. The contest featured featured a number of several big shots but also, just as many key miscues. Brooklyn's Spencer Dinwiddie highlighted a 37-point performance with a four-point play in the second OT extra  and Joe Harris added 27 for the victors. Kemba Walker scored 35 points and Jeremy Lamb 31 for the Hornets but Malik Monk's turnover in the closing seconds of the game led to a layup on the other end for Harris and left the Hornets 0-4 in OT games this season.

Brooklyn's Caris LeVert was having a breakout season, with seven 20-point games already -- matching the total from his first two full seasons in the NBA. He was averaging 18.4 PPG (it still leads the team), posting career-best averages in scoring, rebounds (4.3) and assists (3.7), along with a career-high shooting percentage of 47.5 from the floor. However, he was wheeled off the court back on Nov 12 in Minnesota. There's no timetable for LeVert's return but the Nets say his coming back at some point this season is the expectation.

The Nets won two of their next three without LeVert, but then lost EIGHT in a row. However, they've now gone 9-1 (8-2 ATS) over their last 10. Dinwiddie's star continues to shine brighter as he posted his fourth game of at least 30 points off the bench -- tying the team record for one season -- while recording a season-high 11 assists in Wednesday's win. He's averaging 18.1 & 5.2 APG. Starting PG Russell is right behind him, averaging 17.5 & 6.2 APG. SF Harris (13.7 PPG) was 11-of-14 from the floor and 5-of-8 from three-point range, establishing a new team mark for most consecutive home games (32) with at least one make from beyond the arc. 6-11 center Allen (11.8 & 8.2) and SF Hollis-Jefferson (10.5 & 6.1) are also solid contributors.

Like they did Wednesday night (see above), Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb have led the Hornets all season. Walker owns career highs in points (25.2), rebounding (4.4) and assists (6.2), while Lamb averages 15.4 & 5.7. However, only Monk (10.6) scores in double digits among the remaining Charlotte players. Case in point, outside of Walker and Lamb, the rest of the Hornets combined to shoot 23-for-62 (37.1%) from the floor, including 8-for-29 (27.6%) from three-point range on Wednesday.

All that said, I have to like the Hornets in this quick turnaround. Charlotte lost an eight-point lead in the final three-plus minutes of regulation Wednesday night, as the Nets over-played Walker. Then, Charlotte fouled DeMarre Carroll in the backcourt with 1.2 seconds left, up one. Carroll made just one free throw, sending the game to OT. To add insult to injury, Charlotte's Malik Monk fumbled the ball in the final seconds to Brooklyn's Joe Harris, who turned it into a tie-breaking layup. Expect Charlotte to "get things right," here. The Nets are NOT this good.

Good luck…Larry

My 9* TNT Knockout is on the Ut Jazz at 10:35 ET.

The Philadelphia 76ers began their five-game road trip with a 121-114 overtime loss at Boston on Christmas Day. Philly fell to just 6-10 SU (5-11 ATS) on the road this season but checks in at 22-13 overall, good for the East's No. 4 seed. Salt Lake City is the first stop in a four-game western road swing, as the Sixers will take on the 17-18 Utah Jazz, tonight. The Jazz are starting to find their form with wins in THREE of their last four games, including the team's 117-96 dominating Christmas Day performance over the Portland Trail Blazers. The Jazz will try to get back to .500 when they continue a four-game homestand tonight against the 76ers.

Philly center enter Joel Embiid recorded his NBA-best 30th double-double, by scoring 34 points and collecting 16 rebounds in Tuesday's loss at Boston and is having a superb season (26.6 & 13.2). Philadelphia could not overcome 19 turnovers that led to 22 points for the Celtics. The Sixers do have key playmakers on the wing like Jimmy Butler (18.8-4.9-3.2) and Ben Simmons (16.0-9.3-7.9), as well as SG JJ Redick (18.1). However, head coach Brett Brown knows he needs to start getting more out of his bench. Philadelphia's starters scored 101 of the team's 114 points on Tuesday and Brown told reports afterwards that, "The fact that the starting five for the large majority of the game was excellent. I thought the spirit was great, the energy was great, but we need to continue to grow our bench, and to work with our starters to finish out the game." 

Utah held Portland to just 39.3 percent shooting on Tuesday in the 21-point romp. Have the Jazz finally reclaimed their identity as one of the NBA's elite defensive teams?

Note that FIVE of the last nine Jazz opponents have failed to reach 100 points, as Utah is now allowing 105.6 PPG (5th-best). Center Rudy Gobert anchored the defensive effort on Tuesday with seven blocks, while adding 18 points (on 7-of-10 shooting) and 14 rebounds. It was his fifth straight double-double, as he checks in averaging 14.7 & 12.3 on the season. SG Donovan Mitchell (20.2) and PG Ricky Rubio (12.9 & 6.4 APG) join Gobert as Utah's "Big Three." 

Philadelphia swept the season series a year ago and back on Nov. 16 of this year, earned a 113-107 home win over Utah, behind 28 points and seven assists from Butler. The Sixers overcame 31 points from Donovan Mitchell and 66 points in the paint from Utah. In the rematch, I'm siding with the Jazz, who are finding their 'mojo.' Gobert, the reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year, notched a season-high seven blocked shots against the Blazers, while also registering his 29th double-double. The Jazz  shot 55.4 percent from the floor against Portland plus overcame an 0-of-8 start from three-point range to make 13 of 21 from long distance in the final three quarters. Philly's road woes (see above) continue here in Salt Lake City.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Rockets won a league-high 65 games last season but opened the 2018-19 season by going 1-5 in October. However, even though Chris Paul is sidelined for a 2-4 weeks, it's becoming clear that Houston's slow start is in the rear-view mirror. Houston's 113-109 Christmas Day win over the Thunder gives the 18-15 Rockets SEVEN wins in their last eight games. The Rockets will try to finish off a perfect three-game homestand when they host the 20-13 Boston Celtics on Thursday. The Celtics are embarking on a three-game road trip having won 10 of their last 13 games (Boston is currently the East's No. 5 seed).

Kyrie Irving had 40 points and 10 rebounds in Boston's 121-114 overtime victory over Philadelphia on Christmas Day. Irving (23.3-5.1-6.3) leads Boston on the season and is averaging 25.3 points while shooting 44.9 percent from three-point range in December. Speaking about Irving, head coach Brad Stevens told reporters, "I think it's - first of all, it's him. Secondly, it's a function of the one thing that I think we've gotten better at offensively over the last couple months - is spacing and early attack. And you know, he's a big reason why, obviously. But our bigs are doing a good job hunting guys in transition. We're playing with a little more tempo than we played with the first couple weeks." An issue is that Hayward (10.6 & 5.0) is NOT the same player he was before last year's season-ending injury. On a positive note, SFs Tatum (17.0 & 6.5) and Morris (15.1 & 6.3) have been excellent.

Harden was a Christmas Day star, producing a career-best seventh consecutive 30-plus-point game in helping the Rockets to a 113-109 victory over OKC. Harden had 41 points, six rebounds, seven assists and two steals vs the Thunder. During Houston's eight-game stretch (7-1), Harden is averaging 38.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists and 2.3 steals. Center Clint Capela continued his career season by grabbing 23 rebounds on Tuesday, after grabbing 23 rebounds the game before in a loss to the Spurs. Capela is averaging career highs in points (17.1) and rebounds (12.5).

Boston won eight in a row from Nov 26 thru Dec 14 but then dropped three straight. One of those losses was particularly worrisome, as the pathetic 9-26 Suns won in Boston 111-103 on Dec 19. Boston enters off back-to-back wins but I want NO part of going against the rejuvenated Rockets here at home.

Good luck...Larry

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

The 2018-19 season opened Oct 16 and it seemed almost a given that the Golden St Warriors would win a THIRD straight NBA title, their fourth in five years. However, as the NBA moved past Christmas Day, it's the 21-10 Denver Nuggets who own the West's best record (the Warriors are second-best at 23-12). This is the same Nuggets team which last made the postseason back in the 2012-13 season, when Denver won 57 games. That season was Denver's 10th straight playoff appearance, so naturally it fired head coach George Karl, who had led them to NINE straight postseason berths. Anyway, the Nuggets will be in San Antonio Wednesday night to take on the 18-16 Spurs, who have won seven of their last nine games, although their last outing resulted in a 108-101 loss to the Houston Rockets on Saturday (note: Rockets have won SEVEN of eight).

The Nuggets have been one of the NBA's best teams but they are coming off getting pounded 132-111 by the LA Clippers on Saturday, as the team's four-game winning streak came to an end. "From the get-go, we just weren't here," Denver head coach Michael Malone told reporters. "A lot of defensive breakdowns, not ready to play. Give them credit. We weren't ready. They were and they totally dominated us." The 21-point margin against the Clippers represented Denver's largest loss of the season. The Nuggets were dominated "up front," getting out-rebounded 56-37 and out-scored by a 80-50 margin in the paint. Denver center Nikola Jokic was ejected midway through the third quarter, finishing with 19 points, six rebounds and three assists in 21 minutes. He leads Denver in scoring (18.2) and rebounding (10.0). Jamal Murray (17.6) finished with 18 points, while Monte Morris added 15 points. Morris, the team's backup PG, is averaging 15.4 points on 32-of-53 shooting over the past five games.

Shooting guard DeMar DeRozan (23.1-5.6-6.3) scored 28 points in the loss to the Rockets and it marked just his third 20-point outing in the past seven games. However, DeRozan has an outstanding 65-to-14 assists-to-turnover ratio over the last nine games, posting seven or more assists on seven occasions and one or no turnovers six times. Power forward LaMarcus Aldridge (18.6 & 9.3) is averaging just 14 points over the last two games, after scoring 20 or more in each of the previous four contests. Out of nowhere, the "new-look Spurs" are starting to resemble "the old Spurs." 

San Antonio had garnered each of its previous five victories by at least 25 points (only the second team in NBA history to claim that feat), before falling 108-101 on Saturday at Houston. The Spurs and Nuggets split their season series 2-2 in 2017-18, with the both teams winning on their home courts. This marks the first meeting of the season for the teams and note it's the first game of a home-and-home between the them (play Friday in Denver). The Spurs seek to capture their 12th consecutive home win over Denver, as the Nuggets haven't won in San Antonio since posting a 99-94 victory back on March 4, 2012. Want to buck taht trend here, knowing that Coach Pop’s team has had the NBA’s best offense and second-best defense over its current stretch? Not I.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Brk Nets at 7:35 ET.

The date was Dec 5 and the venue was Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The Nets watched (seemingly helplessly) as the OKC Thunder overcame a 23-point deficit and won 114-112 on a buzzer-beater by Paul George. The Nets felt that they were close in most games during an eight-game losing streak but the bottom line was, Brooklyn sat 8-18, well on its way to FIFTH straight losing season. However, instead of being demoralized, the Nets became one of the league's hottest teams with SEVEN straight wins. They saw that steak end on Friday but bounced back Sunday win their EIGHTH win in nine games. Brooklyn (16-19) welcomes the 16-16 Charlotte Hornets to Barclays Center tonight, a team which lost 119-103 at Boston this past Sunday to fall back to .500, after having won five of seven to get back over .500 on the season.

Charlotte had gone eight straight quarters without giving up 30 points before the Celtics piled up 39 in the second during Sunday's matchup. The Hornets are playing their second game in a stretch of 18 out of 27 on the road and are hoping to rebound from that sub-par showing Sunday in Boston. The Hornets shot 43.2 percent and allowed 50 percent shooting while getting out-rebounded 47-37 against the Celtics. PG Kemba Walker 24.8-4.3-6.2) is having a career season but note that SGs Lamb (14.9) and Monk (10.7) are the only other Charlotte players in double digits.

The Nets rebounded nicely from Friday's 114-106 loss to the Pacers, beating the Suns, 111-103. Brooklyn led for the final 39-plus minutes, gained control by scoring 13 straight points in the third quarter and provided an answer when the Suns mounted a comeback attempt in the fourth. Spencer Dinwiddie (17.6-5.1 APG) continued his run of productivity off the bench by scoring 11 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter. It extended his streak to 28 straight games off the bench, the second-longest streak in team history. During this current streak, Dinwiddie is averaging 23 points on 50.4 percent shooting and 6.1 assists. D'Angelo Russell added 18 points and eight assists, and during Brooklyn's surge, is averaging 16.2 points and eight rebounds.

Charlotte is at .500 for the 15th time this season and is 5-3 since losing three straight Nov 30-Dec 5. Charlotte took two of three meetings last season, including a 111-105 triumph in its one visit to Brooklyn. I'll also note that the Hornets are 9-2 in their last 11 meetings with the Nets since the start of the 2015-16 season. However, Brooklyn is "the play," here. This is the front end of a home-and-home set (teams play Friday night in Charlotte). The Nets head into the first of four meetings with the Hornets in ninth place, just a game behind Detroit for the last playoff spot. They are just 1 1/2 games behind Charlotte and Miami as well (the Nets can 'smell' a playoff spot). I will NOT ignore the Nets' current 8-1 SU run. Brooklyn’s offense was one of the NBA’s best during the team's seven-game winning streak, as its 117.6 points per 100 possessions ranked 3rd in the NBA over that span. "Break up the Nets!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Christmas Crusher is on the Hou Rockets at 3:05 ET.

The 21-11 OKC Thunder will be in Houston on Christmas Day to take on the 17-15 Rockets. The Thunder stumbled out of the blocks 0-4 but currently own the third-best record in the Western Conference. Houston, which won a league-best 65 games last season, will be looking for a seventh victory in its last eight games. A victory would move the Rockets a season-best three games over .500.

OKC's "Mr Triple-Double" is at it again, as Westbrook checks in averaging 20.2-10.8-10.3. However, Paul George leads the team at 26.2 PPG, adding 8.2 rebounds and 4.4 assists. Schroder (16.2-3.8-4.5), Adams (16.1 & 10.0) and Grant (12.3 & 4.7) are double-digit contributors but no other Thunder players averages more than 5.6 points. Oklahoma City owns the best point differential (6.4) of all teams in the West. The Thunder allow 105.6 PPG (5th) but have the league's second-best defense (102.0 rating), while ranking fourth in rebounding percentage (52.0).

Reigning MVP James Harden (32.0-5.7-8.4) leads the way for Houston plus center Clint Capela is averaging career highs in points (17.1) and rebounds (12.1). The bad news for Houston is, PG Chris Paul (17.1 & 8.4 APG) is expected to be sidelined between 2-4 weeks with a Grade-2 left hamstring strain. Houston management didn't stand pat though, signing free agent guard Austin Rivers (9.3 PPG over 437 career games with the Pelicans, Clippers and Wizards). The Rockets opted not to roll the dice by increasing the workload on guards James Harden and Eric Gordon.

The Rockets have forged a turnaround lately, producing the fourth-best offensive rating (112.1) in the league this month. They improved to 7-4 in December with a 108-101 home victory over the San Antonio Spurs last Saturday, their first victory in six games this season with Paul sidelined. These teams met back on Nov 8 in OKC, with the Thunder winning, 98-90. It was a poorly played game, as the two teams combined to make 20 of 79 three-point attempts (25.3%). Both teams will shoot better here and I expect Harden and Co. to get some revenge and continue the team's upwards surge in the Western Conference playoff f seedings.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on the Por Blazers at 9:05 ET.

The Dallas Mavericks won just 24 games last season, so it's hard to call the team's current 15-16 record anything but a step in the right direction. However, the Mavs head to Portland tonight off a 120-116 loss in Oakland to Golden St, the team's FIFTH consecutive loss. Speaking of losing, Portland saw its three-game winning streak snapped Friday night, when the Blazers were blown out at home 120-90 by Utah.

The Mavs' 6-7 rookie forward from Slovenia (Luka Doncic) leads all NBA rookies in scoring (18.8), while also averaging 6.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists. He is the leading candidate for the league's Rookie of the Year Award. Harrison Barnes (18.1) is again giving Dallas consistent scoring up front plus center Deandre Jordan is averaging 11.0 & 14.4 (he has 22 or more rebounds in THREE of his last four games!).

Portland is led by the guard duo of Lillard (26.9-5.9-5.8) and McCollum (21.2), while center Nurkic (14.2 & 10.1) will also be a good check on Jordan. Friday's loss to Utah dropped Portland to 12-5 at home this season. "They played well," Lillard said. "They beat us on their home floor. We competed well, but they had a better night than we did. Now they have to come to our floor. Coming off a performance like (the one against Utah), one thing you can always count on is a team coming back much sharper and playing a better game."

Portland enters tonight's game coming off its most one-sided home loss in 14 years (see above). The Blazers allowed Utah to shoot 55.3 percent and go 16-for-31 from beyond the arc in the rout. If that's not enough motivation for a "bounce-back" effort, how about this? The Blazers got their fill of Doncic back on Dec 4 at American Airlines Center, when the rookie scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds in Dallas' 111-102 victory. Let me add that all five starters scored in double figures for the Mavericks in that one. I won't ignore Dallas' 2-13 SU record on the road this season or that the Mavs are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games. Considering the Mavs have allowed a whopping 122.8 PPG their last four and come into this game with no rest (played last night in Oakland), Portland HAS to be the play.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Bos Celtics at 6:05 ET.

The 16-15 Charlotte Hornets visit the TD Garden on Sunday to take on the 18-13 Boston Celtics. It's likely the Celtics will be in a nasty mood, as Boston has lost three in a row following an eight-game winning streak. As for the Hornets, they are back above .500, after Marvin Williams scored a season-high 24 points in Friday's 98-86 home win over the Pistons. Charlotte has now won two straight and five of its last seven.

Kemba Walker, who leads the Hornets with 25.0 PPG, added 22 points on Friday, as Charlotte finished its longest homestand of the season with a 3-2 mark. Walker is also averaging 6.3 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game on the season, all of which are career-high numbers. However, he doesn't get much help, as shooting guards Lamb (14.9) and Monk (10.6) are the only other Charlotte players averaging in double figures.

Boston's three-game slide includes the first two games of what will be a four-game homestand. The Celtics first lost to lowly Phoenix and then Friday night, Milwaukee pulled away for a 120-107 triumph. That prompted a closed-door postgame meeting. "At this point it comes down to cohesion, being able to trust the pass, trust what we have going on out there," point guard Kyrie Irving told reporters after the door was finally opened to the locker room. "Obviously some selfish play out there where ... we have some really talented guys, but we're better as a team sharing the basketball."

Here's the rub. Off that Friday night loss to Milwaukee, Boston couldn't ask for a better opponent on Sunday than Charlotte. The Hornets are no better than an average team plus the Celtics can't possibly forget losing at Charlotte back on Nov 17, 117-112. Walker 'killed' Boston with a 43-point outburst, ending Boston's seven-game winning streak over Charlotte. What's more, the Celtics had been 11-1 SU & 10-1-1 ATS in their previous 12 series meetings with the Hornets. Boston returns to form, right here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the GS Warriors at 8:35 ET.

The 21-11 Golden State Warriors are still fighting for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference but the team isn't nearly as dominant as it has in the past four seasons. The Warriors will try to avoid back-to-back losses when they host the 15-15 Dallas Mavericks on Saturday. Dallas is much improved from last year (Mavs won just 24 games all season!) but they limp in on a four-game skid (have lost five in a row ATS), having allowed 120, 126 and 125 points their last three.

Dallas lost Tuesday at Denver and Thursday in Los Angeles to the Clippers (to open a four-game road trip 0-2), despite two more brilliant efforts by rookie Luka Doncic, who had a 23-point, 12-assist double-double against the Nuggets before exploding for a season-best 32 points against the Clippers. Doncic averages a team-high 18.8 PPG (Barnes is at 18.2), plus adds 6.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists. Center DeAndre Jordan grabbed 22 rebounds on Thursday and is averaging 14.1 RPG, including 18 boards during the four-game slide.

The Warriors don't seem to be having 'fun' this season, which is quite a departure. Three of Golden State's four All-Stars have contributed to the recent slump. Green hasn't scored in double figures since October and has made just 1 of 10 three-pointers in five games since his return from a sprained toe. Klay Thompson has been held to 16 or fewer points in three of his last four games, a stretch during which he has shot 39 percent overall and 20 percent (5 of 25) on 3-pointers. Then there is Kevin Durant, who has scored 30 or more points in three of his last four games but has seen his three-point percentage fall to 35.5 percent, his lowest in eight seasons, as the result of making just 20 of his last 52.

However, here's the rub. Golden State will surely remember this seasons' Nov 17 meeting in Dallas, when the Mavs snapped a 10-game Warrior winning streak in the series, riding a 4th-Q rally to a 112-109 victory. The Warriors were without injured Stephen Curry and Draymond Green that nigh but both have since returned. Golden State's home winning streak against the Mavericks is up to 11 in a row (extends back to March 2012) and note that the Warriors averaged 222.8 points in their four-game sweep of the Mavericks last season. Blowout alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Total of the Week is on the SA/Hou Under at 8:05 EST.

The 18-15 Spurs are in Houston tonight to take on the 16-15 Rockets. The SA Spurs entered last night's home game with the T-wolves having won  six of their last seven games without needing their front-line players late in those contests. San Antonio's last four wins had all been by 25 or more points. Make that SEVEN of eight wins, with FIVE in a row coming by 25 points or more, as San Antonio blasted Minnesota, 124-98! San Antonio coasted again on Friday, getting just 22 total points from top scorers DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge, who entered with a combined average of 42.2 PPG.

The Rockets last played on Thursday, when the team's five-game winning streak was snapped by the Heat, who won 101-99. More bad news came Houston's way as star PG Chris Paul strained his left hamstring in the loss at Miami. He is expected to miss at least two weeks. "It's definitely tough, because he's a big-time playmaker and ball handler for us," guard Eric Gordon told reporters. "In this offense you need all of the playmaking that you can have, and usually me, Chris, and James [Harden] have the ball in our hands trying to play-make for other people and provide good scoring." 

The Spurs are playing on back-to-back nights and have gone 0-5 in the last half of those recent back-to-backs. Also note that Houston is 0 -5 this season without Paul. This situation hardly seems to favor a high-scoring game. In fact, Houston has seen the total dip below the posted number in 10 of its last 14 after playing a road game.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Hawaii at 5:00 ET.

The first round of the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu opens Saturday with four games. It's a modest field and with Hawaii being the host team (all games will be played on its homecourt, the Stan Sheriff Center), the Rainbow Warriors have (and should have), high expectations. Hawaii is a modest 6-4 and draws 5-4 UNLV in the first round.

UNLV arrives off a dramatic 92-90 overtime upset of BYU in the Neon Hoops Showcase Tourney in Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena, not the home Thomas & Mack Center). The Rebels led 47-30 at the half but BYU battled back in the second half to send it into OT. However, UNLV's Amauri Hardy (11.6 PPG) drained the three-pointer as time expired for the win. UNLV has just three double-digit scorers but the team's best isnide player, the 6-7 Shakur Juiston (10.8 PPG and a team-leading 8.8 RPG) is sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury.

The Rainbow Warriors own a nice starting-five, beginning with guards Stansberry (11.8), Stepteau (11.1) and PG Buggs (8.7 & 5.4 APG). The 6-9 Purchase (11.4 & 6.4) and the 6-8 Raimo (10.1 & 6.20 start up front. Hawaii is a disciplined team, averaging only 12 turnovers per game (in comparison, UNLV ranks 332nd in TOs per game). The team also defends the three-point line well (opponents are shooting 30.2%, ranking 54th in the nation).

This will be just UNLV's second true road game, having lost previously 77-74 at Illinois, which is just 4-7. Not sure why Hawaii is NOT laying a few buckets here but I won't argue with the line.

Good luck...Larry

The third pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on UNC 10* (5:15 EST).

Chicago's United Center is the site of the CBS Sports Classic. The second game features a "Battle of the Blue-Bloods,” No. 19 Kentucky up against No. 9 North Carolina.  The schools are two of college basketball's most prestigious programs, with the two combining to play in five national championship games over the last 10 seasons, with the Tar Heels winning two titles and the Wildcats claiming one during that span. They represent two of the top three winningest men's basketball programs all-time, with Kentucky topping the list with 2,271 victories.

Kentucky opened the season on a big stage, getting routed 118-84 by Duke in the Champions Classic at Indianapolis back on Nov 6. Kentucky also lost Dec 8 in MSG, 84-83 to Seton Hall. Freshman guard Keldon Johnson is averaging a team-best 16.1 points and Tyler Herro, another highly regarded freshman guard, is averaging 12.1 points. Stanford graduate transfer, the 6-8 Reid Travis 14.6 & 6.4,) has been trying to instill some needed toughness at both ends of the court. Kentucky checks in averaging 84.6 PPG (22nd in the nation).

North Carolina's senior power forward Luke Maye is averaging 14.3 points and 10.1 rebounds. Senior guard Cameron Johnson is averaging a team-leading 16.6 PPG while freshman guard Coby White is contributing 15.2 per game, while PG Williams averaged 7.7 & 4.8 APG. North Carolina averages 94.3 PPG, which ranks third in the nation.

Hard NOT see this as a high-scoring game and the Tar Heels know about those kind of contests, having recently knocked off Gonzaga, 103-90.Meanwhile, Kentucky has failed its two toughest test away from Rupp, in neutral-site games against Duke and Seton Hall (see above). North Carolina leads the all-time series by 24-15 but Kentucky has won five of eight meetings since Calipari became coach.That said, Coach Cal does NOT have the better team here.

Good luck...Larry

The second pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on St. Joes 9* (5:00 EST).

It's an all-Jesuit battle on Saturday in Philadelphia's Palestra, as 7-5 Loyola-Chicago takes on 5-5 St Joe's. It goes without saying that this is not the same Ramblers' team which made an improbable run to last year's Final 4, as Loyola, which finished last season 32-6, already owns five losses. As for St Joe's, the school is off back-to-back poor seasons (won 16 games last year and just 11, the year before) but head coach Phil Martelli (in his 24th year at the school), is optimistic about this year's group.

Loyola is missing two key cogs from last year's team, swingman Donte Ingram (11.0 & 6.4) & PF Aundre Jackson (11.0 & 3.2). Hence, the FIVE losses after just 12 games. Guards Custer (13.9) and Townes (13.1 & 5.5) are back, plus so is the 6-9 Krutwig (13.8 & 7.1). They lead the way but Loyola's most impressive win this year is probably against UIC (not saying much).

St Joe's features two high-quality players, the 6-7 Brown (22.0 & 4.6) and guard Kimble (18.4 & 3.6). Brown has been nursing a sore ankle but he's listed as probable. Let me add that PG Bynum (13.4-3.6-3.9) and the 6-9 Funk (11.5 &6.0) are solid contributors.

Loyola has had a 'target on its back' all season and expect St Joe's to earn a fairly easy win in the "friendly confines' of The Palestra.

Good luck...Larry

The first pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on DePaul 9* (3:30 EST).

A pair of 8-2 teams will square off Saturday afternoon at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, when the Boston College Eagles visit the DePaul Blue Demons. The two schools have not met since Boston College knocked off No. 1 seed DePaul 82-75 en route to an Elite Eight appearance in the 1982 NCAA Tournament.

BC is led by the high-scoring backcourt of Ky Bowman (19.6 & 7.6) and ACC Rookie of the Week Wynston Tabbs (15.8 & 4.6). Guard Chatman (13.9) and teh 6-11 Popovic (13.1 & 7.8) are also quality contributors.Bowman's already a star but in speaking about Tabbs, Boston College's fifth-year coach Jim Christian told the media. "The game is so different and moves so fast, most freshmen don't figure it out until January or so, but Wynston has figured it out quicker than most. He's picked up some of the nuances."

The Blue Demons counter BC's backcourt with a pair of senior guards, Max Strus and Eli Cain. The 6-6  Strus averages 20.1 & 8.0, while Cain is enjoying his finest season, averaging 14.2 points and 4.9 assists. Junior guard Jalen Coleman-Lands (9.6) missed the first of what is expected to be several games after he injured his left hand in a win Dec. 14 against Illinois-Chicago but the Blue Demons got by without the Illinois transfer against Incarnate Word. That said, his absence could make things tougher against the Eagles. "However, DePaul owns a trio of 6-9 players who are all solid complements to the team's dynamic backcourt. Olujobi (10.9 & 4.9), Reed (8.1 & 6.6) and Butz (7.5 & 5.6) can all play!

This will clearly be DePaul's biggest test of the season but the Blue Demons are 8-0 at home so far, averaging 83.2 PPG. Meanwhile, this marks BC's FIRST true road game. Home cookin' works.

Good luck...Larry

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

Villanova won 13 of its final 14 games last season, on it's way to a second national title in three years (won six straight in the "Big Dance," with its average margin of victory coming by 17.7 PPG!). Not sure at all that the Wildcats will storm through the Big East like last year when the calendar turns to 2019, as the Wildcats need to defeat UConn at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, just to avoid ending the year on a three-game losing streak. UConn comes into this game 9-3, quite an improvement from the last two season, when the Huskies finished 14-18 and 16-17. 

Let's give kudos to new head coach Danny Hurley but we shouldn't be surprised. After all, Hurley turned around programs first at Wagner and then, Rhode Island. UConn is coming off a season-high 32-point win over Drexel. Leading scorer Jalen Adams (17.6) is scoring slightly less than a season ago (18.1) but his efficiency is way up this year. Adams is shooting 54.6 percent overall after shooting around 43 percent in each of his first three seasons. UConn is a guard-oriented team, with Adams joined by a trio of perimeter players in Gilbert (12.1 & 4.2 APG), Vital (11.9 & 5.3) and Smith (10.8).

Guard Phil Booth (16.9) leads three double-digit scorers on the season for 'Nova. He's joined by the 6-8 Paschall (14.8 & 5.6) and fellow guard Gillespie (11.9). The 6-9 Dhamir Cosby-Roundtree adds 6.3 & 7.8. Booth scored a career-high 29 points against Kansas but thee Wildcats missed 20 of their 28 three-pointers and barely cracked 40 percent shooting overall vs the Jayhawks.Note that Gillespie has scored 36 points in the last two games and has only had two games all season in which he has committed more than two turnovers.

Villanova has fallen to local rival Pennsylvania (ending a 25-game winning streak vs Big-Five rivals) and at top-ranked Kansas in a pair of three-point decisions the last two times out. A meeting with former Big East rival UConn should be "just what the doctor ordered" for the Wildcats to get a win. Why not? Villanova is 16-1 in its last 17 games at Madison Square Garden. Lay it!

Good luck…Larry