My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on the Den Nuggets at 8:10 ET.

Denver lost in OT at Cleveland on Friday night, ending a seven-game road winning streak. The Nuggets now return home to open a four-game homestand, starting with the Boston Celtics on Sunday night. Both teams are battling for playoff seeding, with the regular season coming to a close on April 10th. Denver is 42-29 (No. 6), just one game behind the Mavs in the West but also just a half-game ahead of the surging T-wolves, who have gone 18-5 since Jan 30. Speaking of surging teams, Boston (43-28 and currently the East's No. 4 seed) has been one of the hottest teams in the NBA since the end of January, going 18-3 to move within a game of Philadelphia (43-26) and Milwaukee (44-27).

It wasn't long ago that there were all sorts of rumors that Tatum and Brown were NOT getting along AND that they "not playing well with others' That chatter is 'Gone with the Wind,' as Tatum is averaging 26.8 & 8.2 and Brown 23.0 & 6.1. It is still undetermined whether the Nuggets' two injured stars, Jamal Murray (ACL) and Michael Porter Jr. (back), will return before the end of the regular season. Both got some work in with the G-League and are progressing, but Denver won't rush either one back, especially Murray, who hasn't played since last April. However, the team revolves around Nikola Jokic, who is making a serious bid to repeat as the league MVP. He is averaging 26.1 points, which ranks ninth in the NBA, and his 13.7 rebounds per game are second. Throw in his 8.1 assists average per game, and he has solid credentials for the NBA's top award. Also playing key roles for Denver have been swingman Barton (14.7-4.9-3.8), PF Gordon (14.4 & 5.6) and PG Morris (12.8 & 4.3).

The Celtics are in the midst of a four-game road trip that started with a win at Golden State and continued with a rout of Sacramento on Friday night. Denver comes into this contest having won 14 of its last 19 games, but they've been unable to move up in the Western Conference standings and as noted above, are getting a serious challenge from Minnesota for that No. 6 seed. I noted that Denver's loss at Cleveland snapped the team's seven-game road winning streak and will point out here that Denver's seven-game run began right after it lost in Boston back on Feb 11. I opened by noting that both teams are battling for playoff seeding but I see this game being more urgent for Denver, as the Nuggets are in danger of falling back into the 'play-in' round. OUTRIGHT Denver win AND 'with some room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Tourney Takedown is on Auburn at 7:45 ET.

No. 10 seed Miami (24-10) has won EIGHT of its last 11 after edging seventh-seeded USC 68-66 in Friday's first round, 68-66. Meanwhile, second-seeded Auburn (28-5) eased past Jacksonville St (No. 15 seed) 80-61. The teams meet Sunday night in the NCAA Tournament's second round at Greenville, SC with a Sweet 16 berth in the Midwest Region on the line.

Jim Larranaga entered this season having led the Hurricanes to seven, 20-win seasons in his 11 years, to all three of the school's 25-win seasons and to two of the school's three Sweet 16 appearances. By the way, I could also throw in him leading unheralded George Mason to a Final 4 appearance back in 2006. The 'Canes came into the season off an 'ugly 10-17 season (4-15 in the ACC) but this year's team contended for the ACC title, before losing in the ACC semifinals to top-seeded Duke. Miami is led by the guard trio of McGusty (17.4 & 4.9), Wong (15.4 & 4.4) and Moore (12.7 & 4.5 APG). Miller is a fourth guard and adds 10.0 & 6.1. Miami's lone big man of note is the 6-10 Waardenburg (8.5 & 4.2). In the two-point win over USC, Wong led with 21 points, while Moore added 16 and McGusty 12.

Bruce Pearl made a HUGE 'splash' when took over at Tennessee for the 2005-06 season. He would go 145-61 (.704) with the Vols, leading them to NCAA berths in each of his six seasons in Knoxville, including two Sweet 16s and an Elite 8. However, he was let go and was given a three-year ban for allegations surrounding lying to NCAA investigators. He returned to the SEC with Auburn in 2014-15 and after going just 26-40 in his first two seasons, led the Tigers to 26-wins, 30 wins (Final 4 appearance) and 25 wins (NCAA tourney was canceled because of COVID). The Tigers suffered a 'meltdown' on the court last season (13-14) but have turned things around with the help of FOUR freshmen. The 6-10 Smith leads in scoring with 17.2 PPG (adds 7.2 RPG), while the 7-0 Kessler leads in rebounding (8.2), while adding 11.7 PPG. Green (12.0 & 5.1 APG) and Johnson (12.3) are the top backcourt producers. Auburns' two big men, the 6-10 Smith (20 & 14) and the 7-0 Kessler (13 & 10) led the way vs Jacksonville St.

Friday's two-point win over USC was Miami's first March Madness triumph since 2016 and I do NOT believe the 'Canes have an 'answer' to the duo of Smith and Kessler. Auburn rose to No. 1 in the AP poll this season, for the first time in school history. However, Auburn lost four of nine entering the tournament, slipping back to No. 8 in the final regular-season AP Top-25. The Tigers have been eyeing this part of the season for months, given their success and rise in the rankings. I just don't see Miami getting in Auburn's way. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

The 3rd play of my STP is an 8* on Iowa St at 6:10 ET.

Note: Larry's in the middle of a MAJOR housing move and no analysis will be provided for this STP (all four Sunday single plays have usual analysis

The 2nd play of my STP is an 8* on Washington St at 3:00 ET.

Note: Larry's in the middle of a MAJOR housing move and no analysis will be provided for this STP (all four Sunday single plays have usual analysis).

 The 1st play of my STP is an 8* on Ohio St at 2:40 ET.

Note: Larry's in the middle of a MAJOR housing move and no analysis will be provided for this STP (all four Sunday single plays have usual analysis).

My 10* Tourney Takedown is on Arkansas at 8:40 ET.

It's 12th-seeded New Mexico State (27-6) going up against 4th-seeded Arkansas from Buffalo, NY in a Saturday night Western Regional game. The WAC champion Aggies upset fifth-seeded UConn 70-63 on Thursday, while the 26-8 Razorbacks had their hands full with 13th-seeded Vermont, eking out a 75-71 victory. New Mexico St has pretty much dominated the WAC since joining in the 2005-06 season, winning 10 WAC conference tourneys (2020 tourney was canceled in a year in which the Aggies were 25-6 / 16-0 in the WAC). Eric Musselman is in his third season at Fayetteville, after four OUTSTANDING seasons at Nevada. He won the CBI title in his first season, then went to three straight NCAA tourneys (4-year record of 110-34!) with the Wolf Pack. He was 20-12 in his first season at Arkansas, then went 25-7 last season (Elite 8 appearance). "When we saw our name on Sunday in the tournament, we came here to win," Musselman said after Thursday's win. "We expected it to be a hard-fought game. We'll go into that same mentality Saturday. Fear nobody. Respect everybody."

The Aggies have an excellent guard duo in Allen (top scorer and top rebounder at 19.9 & 6.8) plus Rice (12.1 & 5.2). That duo gets little help, as Henry (5.3) is the only other guard averaging more than five points. The frontcourt does have depth (but no major producers) in the 6-7 MCants (8.4-5.2), the 6-10 McNair (6.6 & 4.8), the 6-7 Tillman (6.4 & 3.4), and the 6-11 Alok (4.8). Allen erupted for 37 points for New Mexico State against UConn but the four other starters combined for only 26 points, while three reserves chipped in just seven. Arkansas is led by a trio of guards in double digits. The group includes Notae (18.4-4.5-3.3), Umude (12.1 & 4.7) and Toney (10.8 & 5.3). The 6-10 Williams adds 10.6 & 9.6 and is really the lone frontcourt player of note. Guards Davis (8.5) and Lykes (8.0) round out what has basically been a six-man rotation. Umude (21-9-9) led the way vs Vermont, while Notae added 17 points, Williams 13 & 10 plus Davis scored 14 points off the bench.

Current New Mexico St head coach Chris Jans said this after the Aggies beat the Huskies, "I know our fan base has not been hungry for it. They've been starving for it." He's referring to the fact that the victory was New Mexico State's first NCAA Tournament win since topping Nebraska in the first round in 1993. The Aggies had lost 12 straight NCAA tourney games before the upset of the Huskies! Talk about a coming 'let down!' Arkansas opened 9-0, then lost FIVE of six, but enters this contest having won 16 of its last 19, while going 14-4-1 ATS. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Providence at 6:10 ET.

Providence won the Big East regular season title but lost in the conference tourney, so the fourth-seeded Friars felt they had something to prove in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against No. 13 South Dakota State on Thursday. The Jackrabbits came in on a 21-game winning streak and were a popular pick to spring the tournament's first upset. However, Providence came away with a 66-57 win. South Dakota State came into the game shooting nearly 45% from long range, best in Division I in 28 years. However, the Jackrabbits were just 7 for 23 on threes. The 26-5 Friars now take on 12th-seeded Richmond (24-12) on Saturday evening in the second round of the Midwest Regional at Buffalo. Richmond earned its way into the NCAA Tournament by winning the Atlantic-10 tournament and an automatic bid. The Spiders upset No. 5 Iowa (Hawkeyes had just won the Big Ten tourney) 67-63, giving the school its first NCAA victory since the 2010-11 team beat Vanderbilt and Morehead State to reach the Sweet 16. No. 12 Richmond's victory over Iowa was the Spiders' NINTH win as a 12-seed or lower, five more than any other team since seeding began in 1979 (more in a bit).

SIX players have participated in all 36 of Richmond's games this season and three of the team's top-four scorers are frontcourt players. The 6-7 Burton (16.4 & 7.8) leads the way, followed by the 6-10 Golden (13.8 & 6.1) and the 6-7 Cayo (8.9 & 4.7). PG Gilyard (13.6-3.5-5.4) runs the show and had a line of 24-6-6 in the upset of Iowa. Burton added 19 & 11 and Cayo 15 points. The Friars are led by the 6-10 Watson (13.6 & 5.4), with guards Durham (13.3) and Bynum (12.7 & 4.1 APG) joining him in double digits. Depth is provided by the 6-8 Horchler (9.7 & 8.3)  and the 6-7 Minaya (6.5 & 5.6) up front plus Reeves (9.6) in the backcourt.

Ed Cooley arrived in Providence for the 2011-12 season and led the Friars to FIVE straight NCAA tournaments from 2014-2018. However, Providence was coming off a mediocre 13-13 season last year, before this year's bounce-back season! A victory over Richmond would give the Friars a spot in the Midwest Regional semifinals March 25 in Chicago. Providence hasn't advanced past the first weekend of the NCAAs since reaching the Elite Eight under coach Pete Gillen back in 1997. Getting back to Richmond and its successes as a 12-seed or lower. Note that the Spiders' current head coach is Chris Mooney, who is his 17th season. However, this is just Richmond's SECOND appearance in the Big Dance under the Princeton grad, so Thursday's win is the ONLY victory (among those many upsets) that has come under his guidance. One more thing to consider. Richemond finished in 6th-place in the A-10 regular season, before winning the conference tourney. Providence wins "going away!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Mil Bucks at 5:10 ET.

The Milwaukee Bucks cap off a four-game road trip with a visit to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Milwaukee has won SEVEN of eight games to open March, averaging 124.6 points during that span. The lone time the Bucks were held under 110 was in their sole loss at Golden State on March 12. The defending champs are currently the East's No. 2 seed at 44-26, 2 1/2-games behind Miami. However, they are just a half-game better than the 76ers and 1 1/2-games ahead of the Celtics. As for the T-wolves, they were only 24-25 through Jan 28 but have gone 17-5 since, including 9-1 over their last 10 games. Minnesota (current No. 7 seed in the West) is 41-30 and SIX games better than the No. 8 seed, but the T-wolves want that No. 6 seed, currently held by 42-29 Denver. The T-wolves are looking to earn a playoff berth for just the SECOND time since 2004 and would surely LOVE to avoid the 'play in' round. The T-wolves are just ONE game behind the Nuggets.

Milwaukee center Brook Lopez finally made his long-awaited return on Monday, after recovering from back surgery. He is currently on a minutes restriction, playing 15 minutes in his first two games back. The Bucks will still be without Pat Connaughton (10.1) due to a hand injury, but what a starting-five they have. Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.8-11.5-5.8) led all scorers in Wednesday's 135-126 at Sacramento with 36 points. Khris Middleton (20.5-5.3-5.4) trailed close behind with 32 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while PG Jrue Holiday (18.5-4.6-6.7) chipped in 21 points. Bobby Portis (15.3 & 9.1) has been a 'savior' with Lopez missing all that time, plus Allen (11.1) rounds out Milwaukee's starting lineup.

As noted above, the Timberwolves come in on a roll (9-1 run), after earning a 124-104 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday night. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with a game-high 30 points and eight rebounds plus Anthony Edwards supplied 27 points and Patrick Beverley had 18. Towns has been dominant over his last nine games, averaging 29.0 points and 11.6 rebounds. He has also recorded six double-doubles during that span and scored a career-best 60 points against San Antonio earlier this week. Minnesota revolves around its "Big 3" of center Towns (24.9 & 9.9), swingman Edwards (21.0-4.7-3.7) and PG Russell (18.6 & 7.1 APG). Guard Beasley (12.3) joins that trio in double digits, while SIX more players average between 6.8 and 9.5 PPG

Both teams come in on a roll but I'm playing the defending champs, who seem determined to head into the playoffs as the East's No. 1 seed. Bottom line? Milwaukee's the better team.

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* NIT 2nd Round Game of the Year is on VCU at 4:00 ET.

Second-seeded Wake Forest (24-9) hopes to continue one of the winningest seasons in school history when it hosts third-seeded VCU (22-9) in the second round of the NIT on Saturday in Winston-Salem, NC. Wake Forest is coming off a 74-64 victory over visiting Towson on Wednesday, marking the Demon Deacons' first postseason win since 2010. The victory was Wake Forest's 24th of the season, its most since posting the same number of wins during the 2008-2009 season and just the SEVENTH time in school history it has won at least two dozen games in a season (Wake Forest won 27 games during the 2004-05 season). However, Wake will be tested by VCU, which is coming off 90-79 win over visiting Princeton on Tuesday. The Rams shot a season-high 58.1 percent (36 of 62) from the floor and scored 51 points in the second half, the most they've scored in any half this season.

Steve Forbes was hired as head coach at Wake Forest for the 2020-21 season, replacing Danny Manning (good riddance!). His team suffered through a 6-16 'disaster' last year, but Forbes was named the ACC Coach of the Year for 2021-22. The Demon Deacons feature three double digit scores in guard Williams (18.8-6.8-5.2), the 6-8 LaRavia (14.9 & 6.6) and guard Williamson (12.1) but it was guard Walton (9.0 & 4.9) who led the away vs Towson by scoring 17 points. Fellow guard Monsanto (7.5 & 3.5) chipped in 14 points and the 6-8 Mucius (9.6 & 3.2) added 12 points. I guess Forbes has to be happy that his team won by 10, in a game his three double digit scores combined for only 22 points.

One HAS to be impressed by the job Forbes has done, but VCU's Mike Rhoades led the Rams to two NCAA tourneys in his first four seasons, prior to this year's 22-9 team. In stark contrast to Wake, VCU's three double digits scorers led the way for the Rams in their 90-79 win over Princeton. The 6-6 Williams (13.6 & 5.9) had a line of 17-11-6, while PG Baldwin (11.7 & 5.6 APG) and fellow guard Curry (11.1), each scored 23 points! VCU has a deep squad, as SIX more players chip in between 4.0 and 8.3 PPG.

Wake is an excellent offensive team (79.5 PPG ranks 18th) and I'm sure the team's top scorers will bounce back but in VCU, Wake faces a team that can shut down an opponent with its defense. VCU allows 60.8 PPG (16th) on 38.8% shooting (12th), including just 26.8% on threes (2nd). With numbers like that, it's NOT any surprise that the Rams ere 8-2 ATS as an underdog this season. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9*Late Breaker is on Seton Hall at 9:57 ET.

Jamie Dixon's teams used to be regular guests at the NCAA Tournament when he coached at Pittsburgh, but he returned to his alma mater back for the 2016-17 season. He led TCU to the NIT title that season, then won 21 and 23 games the following two seasons, However, he came into this season off 16-16 and 12-14 seasons. However, TCU (20-12) muscled its way into the dance by earning upsets over Texas Tech, Kansas and Texas down the stretch in the loaded Big 12. TCU has its first NCAA berth since 2018 and its second in Dixon's six seasons at the helm. TCU is the No. 9 seed in the South Region and will face off against No. 8 Seton Hall in a first-round game Friday night in San Diego. Head coach Kevin Willard is now in his 12th season at the helm and it's the program's fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament under Willard (note: The Pirates are 1-4 in the NCAA Tournament in the Willard-era).

TCU features a guard duo of Miles (15.1 & 3.6 APG) and Baugh (10.7-4.3-4.4), while the 6-7 Miller (10.3 & 6.3) and the 6-7 O'Bannon (9.2 & 4.1) surround 6-11 center Lampkin (6.5 & 6.0). The top reserve is Peavy (6.3 & 4.1). 6-6 swingman Rhoden lead Seton Hall in scoring (16.2), while adding 6.8 but fellow guard Aiken (14.5) has been out since Jan 15, so Rhoden is the only player in double digits. Cale (9.8 & 4.0), Richmond (9.0 & 4.1 PG) and Harris (7.8) are all guards. The 6-8 Yetna adds 8.4 PPG and a team-high 7.8 rebounds, while two 6-10 players, Samuel (7.4 & 5.3) and Jackson (7.0 & 3.5) join Yetna up front.

TCU plays in the brutally tough Big 12 (where it was just 8-10 in conference games) and Dixon recently told reporters, "We're picked eighth (in the Big 12 preseason poll). We're not picked to be in the NCAA Tournament. That's what it is at the start of the year. And if you looked at all the things that were put out and because no one here has been in the NCAA Tournament, we're young, we've got 11 new players, but we proved a lot of people wrong." As for Seton Hall, the Pirates opened 9-1 but a two-week break without a game (COVID issues) in mid-to-late December, broke the team's momentum. However, Seton did end the regular season on an 8-2, before eking out a 57-53 win over Georgetown and then losing to UConn (by 10 points) in the Big East tourney. Dixon says his team is looking to do some damage but the fact remains that TCU last won an NCAA tournament game back in 1987, when Dixon was a senior point guard with the program. The winner will advance to take on Arizona. It's called one-and-done but it's Seton Hall, not TCU, that gets the 'ONE!'

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Tourney Takedown is on LSU at 7:20 ET.

T.J. Otzelberger came from UNLV to take over an Iowa St team that went 2-22 last season (0-18 in the Big 12). The Cyclones opened 12-0 and were ranked No. 8 thru Dec 21 but did not play again until Jan 1, at then-No. 1 Baylor. The Cyclones played the Bears close, losing 77-72 but that loss set in motion Iowa St going just 8-12 the rest of the season to enter the tourney at 20-12. Iowa St is the No. 11 seed in the Midwest Region and will take on 22-11 LSU (No. 6 seed) in Milwaukee at Fiserv Arena. LSU fired head coach Will Wade amid more NCAA violations, and the Tigers will be led by assistant coach Kevin Nickelberry (named interim head coach).

A trio of guards lead the way for Iowa St, starting with standout Izaiah Brockington, who leads the team in scoring (17.2) and rebounding (7.1). He's joined on the perimeter by PG Hunter (10.8 & 4.9 APG) and Kalscheur (19.3). The team's frontcourt rotation is led by the 6-8 Kunc (6.2 & 3.9) and the 6-9 Conditt (5.0 & 3.5). Guards Grill (6.5) is the first player off the bench. LSU lost guard Thomas (22.8), forward Watford (17.0 & 7.4) and guard Smart (16.8-5.2-4.2) to the NBA and others to the transfer portal, leaving just FOUR returning players. Like Iowa St, LSU opened 12-0, but couldn't keep up that pace. The 6-7 Days decided to return and he's averaging 13.7 & 7.7 and is part of a strong frontcourt that includes the 6-8 Eason (16.9 & 6.7), a Cincy transfer, and 7-0 freshman Reid (6.3 & 4.3). The backcourt is led by Missouri transfer Pinson (10.1 & 4.1 APG), Murray (10.1) and Gaines (9.3).

I'm not concerned at all with the LSU coaching situation and will point to the fact that the Tigers are allowing opponents to make just 38.4% on FG attempts (9th), including 27.7% on threes (5th). Iowa State enters this tournament with three straight losses and having lost its last five games by an average of 10.2 points, while shooting 41.2 percent from the floor. LSU's aggressive defense is hardly what the Cyclones need to see. Add to that, the fact that the Tigers win in the role of a favorite role by an average of 13.8 PPG. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on the Den Nuggets at 7:40 ET.

The 42-28 Denver Nuggets (No. 6 seed in the West) are 1 1/2-games behind Utah and Dallas but also have to be worried about the red-hot Timberwolves, who have climbed to within 1 1/2-games of the Nuggets (Minnesota is looking to earn that N0. 6 seed and avoid the 'play-in' round). The Cleveland Cavaliers entered this season having gone 60-159 (.274) the previous three seasons, after LBJ 'flew the coop' for the second time. However, the Cavs have been one of the league's biggest surprises and at 39-30, are trying to hang onto the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race (Toronto has won FIVE straight to tie them at 39-30). That sets up tonight's game in Cleveland but note that the Nuggets will SURELY remember the Cavs winning 99-87 in Denver, even if it was way back in October. 

Jokic was the MVP last season and he's been just as good this season, averaging 26.0-13.8-8.1. The Nuggets have played all season with PG Murray and lost PF Porter after just nine games, but this team has excellent depth and has adjusted to those absences. Cleveland PG Darius Garland (21.2 & 8.3 APG) has shouldered a heavy load with Sexton (16.6) lost for the season after just 11 games. LeVert (17.9) was acquired at the trade deadline but has played in only six games, averaging 13.2 PPG (he is back in the lineup). Most importantly, Cleveland may be without Center Allen (16.1 & 10.8) for the rest of the regular season with a fractured finger. The Cavs own depth in the frontcourt but Allen NOT playing here vs Denver is a HUGE negative for the Cavs.

Denver has had the reputation of being an excellent home team but just a mediocre road team over the years. However, the Nuggets visit Cleveland tonight having just recorded a franchise record with their SEVENTH consecutive road victory on Wednesday (a 127-109 decision over the Washington Wizards). Can you say EIGHT in a row? I sure cam!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on LAL/Tor Over at 7:40 ET.

The Toronto Raptors return home after winning all five games on their current road trip. The Raptors' recent surge has moved them to 39-30 and into a tie with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the East's No. 6 seed. Toronto will try to extend its winning streak in a quick rematch with the Los Angeles Lakers from last Friday night. Toronto won 114-103 in a wire-to-wire victory over the stumbling Lakers. LA is 29-40 (No. 9 seed in the West), just ONE game better than the Pelicans (No. 10 seed) and only 1 1/2-games clear of missing out on the 'play-in' round completely.

The Lakers are a mess with AD (23.1 & 9.7) sidelined once again and LBJ constantly dealing with injuries. However, James (29.5-8.1-6.2) almost always takes the court and he's had two, 50-point games in March (56 vs the Warriors and 50 vs the Wizards). Toronto's Anunoby (17.5 & 5.5) remains out but the team's other four starters are just fine. Siakam (22.6-8.4-5.1), VanVleet (21.1-4.6-6.7), Trent (18.1) and Barnes (15.3 & 7.6) will likely be too much for LA to handle.

Consider this. The Lakers opened a four-game trip with a 124-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. It was the third straight loss for the Lakers, who have dropped their last 11 away games and are 9-23 for the season on the road. Meanwhile, the Raptors return home from that 5-0 road trip in which they averaged 116.0 PPG. Teams seem to love running up a score on the Lakers these days and I'll play this one to go OVER the total.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Phi 76ers at 7:10 ET.

The Dallas Mavericks have won 27 of 35 games since Dec 31 and the team that won 42 games last season (72-game schedule), is 43-26. That has Dallas tied with Utah for the West's No. 4 seed (last team to get home court in the first round). As for Philadelphia, the 76ers became a championship contender when they acquired James Harden but they're far from a finished product. The East has been a mad scramble at the top all season and that's still the case. Philadelphia is currently the No. 3 seed, three games behind the top-seeded Heat, one game behind the 2nd-seeded Bucks and just one game ahead of the Celtics plus 1 1/2-games up on the Bulls.

Doncic (28.2-9.3-8.6) is joined by Brunson (16.0 & 5.2 APG) and the newly acquired Dinwiddie (17.9 in his 12 games with Dallas) to make a terrific guard trio. It seems Porzingis is NOT missed, as Finney-Smith, Powell, Kleber and Bertans (came with Diwiddie from Washington for Porzingis) have all had their moments in thee frontcourt. Embiid (29.9-11.4-4.4) is the current MVP favorite and Harden's line with Philly is 22.5-7.8-10.2. It seems as if the 76ers are not thrilled with Harris, despite him averaging 17.9 & 7.0. However, the 76ers sure like PG Maxey (17.4-3.4-4.3). However, they do miss Curry's 15.0 PPG and backup center Drummond was averaging 6.1 & 8.1 (in just 18 minutes) before being traded.

Embiid is playing with a tender lower back but despite being banged up, he has demanded to be in the lineup. Philly lists him day-to-day but he's averaging 30.6 & 13.0 in eight Narch games (six double-doubles). This is a big game for both teams (all will be HUGE down the stretch) but I like Philly in this one to avenge a 107-98 Feb 4th loss in Dallas.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* 1st Round Game of the Year is on Texas at 4:30 ET.

The Hokies engineered a remarkable turnaround to their season after a dismal start that saw them open 10-10 through late-January. Virginia Tech lost SEVEN of its first nine conference games but then responded by winning NINE of 11 ACC games to finish 19-12, including 11-9 in the ACC. Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young knew his team's postseason fate was uncertain entering the ACC tourney (down year for the league), so the Hokies took the 'guesswork' out of the equation by beating Clemson, Notre Dame, UNC and Duke to claim the ACC's automatic bid. This will be the FIFTH straight season the Hokies have played in the NCAA Tournament, extending Virginia Tech's longest streak of tournament berths, which previously was two (1979-80 and 1985-86). Even with the late stretch of success, the Hokies got an 11-seed, which surprised Virginia Tech coach Mike Young.

The Hokies will meet AP No. 25 Texas (21-11) which got a six-seed. Chris Beard left Lubbock (Texas Tech) and its beloved fan base last April to take over the Texas program, replacing Shaka Smart. Texas was ranked No. 5 in the preseason but it's been far from smooth sailing in the brutal Big 12. The Longhorns opened 12-2 but have lost five of their past eight games, including THREE in a row. The most recent of those losses was a 65-60 defeat against TCU in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 tournament in a contest it led by 20 points late in the first half before spitting the bit. In fairness, the other two losses in Texas's season-ending three game slide came against Baylor and Kansas, which both ended up as No. 1 seeds.

Va Tech has EIGHT players who have participated in all 35 games this season. The 6-9 Aluma (15.8 & 6.5), the 6-7 Mutts (10.1 & 7.4) and guard Cattor (10.0 & 4.1). The other top producing guards are Alleyne (9.8) and Murphy (8.1). Maddox (6.40 is the first player off the bench. Texas was hoping for HUGE seasons from transfers Allen (6-6 forward who averaged 17.2 & 6.4 at Utah) and Carr (Minnesota PG averaged 19-4.4.0-4.9). The duo were the team's top-two scorers but their numbers dropped. Allen has averaged 12.3 & 6.5 and Carr 10.9 & 3.2 APG. Guards Jones (10.7) and Ramey (9.5 & 4.0) are solid contributors but the 6-9 Mitchell (8.7 & 4.0) has been out since Feb 15, leaving the 6-7 Bishop (6.8 & 5.6) to be Allen's best 'helper' up front.

Virginia Tech is on its hottest stretch of the season, while Texas will look to regain the swagger it had by opening 12-2. The Longhorns have not won a game in the NCAA Tournament since 2014 and was one of the main reasons Texas wanted Beard, and he wanted Texas. "I think the Big 12 has prepared us, battled-tested us," Texas coach Chris Beard said. Texas plays GREAT defense (59.5 PPG ranks 9th) and it's that 'D" will carry the Longhorns into the second round over the surprising ACC tourney champs.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on USC at 3:10 ET.

Miami head coach Jim Larranaga entered this season having led the Hurricanes to seven, 20-win seasons in his 11 years, to all three of the school's 25-win seasons and to two of the school's three Sweet 16 appearances. By the way, I could also throw in him leading unheralded George Mason to a Final 4 appearance back in 2006. The 'Canes came into the season off an 'ugly 10-17 season (4-15 in the ACC) but this year's team is 23-10 and the No. 10 seed in Midwest Region. Its first-round game in Greenville, SC comes against seventh-seeded Southern Cal (26-7), whose head coach is Andy Enfield (who will ever forget Florida Gulf Coast's "Dunk City" Sweet 16 team in 2013!).

Miami (23-10) contended for the Atlantic Coast Conference title this season but lost in the ACC semifinals to top-seeded Duke. Miami is led by the guard trio of McGusty (17.6 & 4.8), Wong (15.2 & 4.3) and Moore (12.6 & 4.5 APG). Miller is a fourth guard and adds 10.2 & 6.1. Miami's lone big man of note is the 6-10 Waardenburg (8.6 & 4.2). USC lost Evan Mobley to the NBA draft (3rd overall pick) but opened the current season 13-0 and in the Jan 10 AP poll, was ranked No. 5. It was the school's highest ranking since also being No. 5 way back in December of 1974! Mobley's 6-10 older brother Isaiah leads in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (8.5) and is joined by the 6-9 Goodwin (11.0 & 6.5) and the 6-9 Agbonkpolo (7.8 & 3.4) in the frontcourt. Ellis (12.8), and Peterson (12.3 & 6,2) make for an excellent backcourt duo. USC also lost in its conference semifinals (Pac 12) to crosstown rival UCLA.

It has been a process for Miami and USC to reach this phase of the season feeling so good about themselves. "We've run into some walls," Hurricanes guard Kameron McGusty said. "We've faced adversity and we've seen what we're made of. We're so locked in and we've grown so much as a group and we look to continue to grow and take it to the tournament." About USC, Trojans coach Andy Enfield said. "We won a lot of close games this year. I really credit our players for learning how to win on the road, especially tight games. We hope that carries over to the NCAA Tournament.

USC set a school record with 25 regular season wins and despite losses in three of its past four games, is ONE win away from setting a program record. You've heard all season that the ACC has had a down year and for most of the season, Duke has been its lone ranked school. Meanwhile, the Pac 12 entered the Big Dance with No. 2 Arizona, No. 11 UCLA and No. 22 USC in the AP's top-25. "The Price is Right" for USC to earn that ONE more win right here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late-Breaker is on Murray at 9:40 ET.

The Murray State Racers entered the AP poll back on Jan 24 (at No. 23), for the first time since a one-week stay in March of 2015. At the time, Murray St had won 13 in a row since a Dec 22 loss at Auburn. By the way, Auburn won the SEC regular-season title and spent a fair chunk of conference play as the No. 1 team in the country. The 30-2 Racers kept on winning and will carry a 20-game winning streak into their Thursday night East Region matchup against the San Francisco Dons in Indianapolis as a No. 7 seed.  The 24-9 San Francisco Dons earned a much-deserved at-large bid from the WCC, even though they finished fourth behind Gonzaga, Saint Mary's and Santa Clara. This is the Dons' first NCAA tourney appearance since 1998, and they are aiming for their first tournament victory since 1979, when Bill Cartwright was their star player.

San Francisco's Todd Golden worked as an assistant under Kyle Smith and when Smith left for Washington St, took over as head coach. The Dons went 22-12 in his first season (2019-20) but last season's team was hurt by a 17-day stint away from the court due to COVID and finished just 11-14. SIX San Francisco players have participated in all 31 games this season for the Dons, while the 6-9 Massalski played in 32. Guard Bouyea (16.7-5.1-4.0) is the top scorer, followed by guard Shabazz (14.0). Shabazz is averaging 19.9 points, with five games of 21 points or more in his last eight. Center Massalski (13.5 & 9.4) sat out the loss to Gonzaga with a knee injury sustained in a March 5 win over BYU but is ready to go here.

The 6-10 Williams leads Murray St in scoring (18.2) and rebounding (8.6), while SG Brown (16.9 & 5.5) and PG Hill (13.6 & 2.0 APG) join him in double digits. Guard Hannibal (8.9 & 5.0), the 6-7 Burns (4.9 & 6.5) and guard Collins (4.4) join the three double digit scorers in playing all 32 games so far this season for the Racers. San Francisco averages 77.3 PPG and Murray St 79.3 but note that the Racers are allowing only 61.7 PPG (210 on 40.7% shooting (43rd). That means Murray St is outscoring opponents by just under 18 PPG on the season.

I guess when you win 30 games (including the last 20 in a row) but play in the OVC, a No. 7 is as good as it gets. Murray State head coach Matt McMahon knows full well that a win here will make for a meeting with Kentucky on Saturday, which would be the ultimate "cause game" for the Racers against the big state school. No lookahead, as the Racers win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* 'signature' 38-Club Play is on SD State at 7:27 ET.

It's an 8-seed vs a 9-seed in the first round of the NCAA Tournament's Midwest Regional on Thursday in Fort Worth, Tx. No. 8 SD State is 23-8 and 22-11 Creighton is the No. 9 seed. The Aztecs are coming off a 53-52 loss on Saturday to Boise State in the Mountain West tournament final, while the Bluejays fell 54-48 the same day to Villanova in the Big East championship game. The Aztecs are experienced, with nine players who appeared in last year's first-round NCAA loss to Syracuse. In contrast, the Bluejays lost all five starters from last season's 22-9 Sweet 16 team.

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott is in his 12th season with the Bluejays and he has now won 20-plus games in 11 of the 12. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for McDermott but he has rebuilt Creighton quickly. The starting guards this season have been freshman Nembhard (11.3 & 4.4 APG) and O'Connell (3.4 PPG last year), who is averaging 11.5 & 5.3 this season. 7-1 center Kalkbrenner returned (5.9 & 3.5 LY) and is a 'new man,' averaging 13.0 & 7.6. The 6-7 Hawkins is a Div II transfer and leads in scoring (13.9) and rebounding (7.8). 6-7 freshman Kaluma adds 9.9 & 5.1 plus freshman guard Alexander chips in 6.4 & 3.7. However, it was a big blow for Creighton to lose Nembhard for the season in late-February to a broken wrist.

Brian Dutcher was a longtime assistant under Steve Fisher (beginning in Michigan) and lasting through all of Fisher's great teams at SD St. Fisher stepped away and Dutcher took over in the 2017-18 season, going 22-11, 21-13, 30-2 and 23-5 the previous four years. So, San Diego State's 23-8 record this season is just "business as usual!" The Aztecs added Matt Bradley (a transfer from Cal) and he leads the team with 17.0 PPG (adds 5.4 RPG). However, he is the team's LONE double digit scorer. Pulliam (8.5 & 3.4 APG) and Butler (7.5) join Bradley in the starting backcourt, while the 6-10 Mensah (7.3 & 7.1) and the 6-7 Johnson (7.2 & 4.6) start up front. The 6th-man is guard Seijko (5.3).

Creighton misses Nembhard (he was named the Big East freshman of the year) and while Crighton is a very good defensive team (allows 66.7 PPG and has held 11 opponents under 60 points this season), SD State plays defense as well as ANY team in the nation. The Aztecs are allowing 58.3 PPG (2nd) on 37.9% shooting (4th), while holding TWENTY opponents to less than 60 points this season (that's 65% of their games!). NO 1st-round exit (like last year) this season!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Marquette at 4:30 ET.

The eighth-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels (24-9) and ninth-seeded Marquette Golden Eagles (19-12) will meet in an East Region first-round contest Thursday at Fort Worth, Tx. Both have first-year head coaches, Hubert Davis took over at North Carolina for the retiring Roy Williams and Shaka Smart at Marquette. After six disappointing years at Texas (not a single NCAA win), Smart left (before he was booted) to replace Steve Wojciechowski. North Carolina is trying to parlay some late-season success into a postseason run (Carolina has won eight of its last 10), while Marquette has lost five of its last eight. Marquette's season was highlighted by three victories against top-25 teams in consecutive games from Jan 15 through Jan 23.

Marquette has a deep eight-man rotation, led by 6-7 freshman Lewis (17.1 & 7.9) and Maryland transfer, Morsell (13.5). Joining that duo in the starting lineup are freshman guard Kolek (6.8 & 5.7 APG) plus frontcourt players like the 6-8 Prosper (6.3 & 3.3) and the 6-10 Kuath (5.6 & 3.9), Guards Jones (7.5) and Elliott (7.3), plus 6-9 freshman Ighodaro (5.5 & 3.4) add depth. North Carolina has an excellent frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (16.5 & 12.5), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (14.4 & 5.7) and 6-11 Marquette transfer Garcia (9.0 & 5.5). Sophomore guard Love (15.4-3.4-3.8) teams with freshman Davis (13.3-3.8-3.4) in the backcourt, with Black (5.0 & 4.2) and Walton (3.6) adding support. 

The Marquette and North Carolina met in a hastily scheduled non-conference game in January 2021, with Marquette winning 83-70 in Chapel Hill plus the matchup has some other connections. North Carolina's Brady Manek and Marquette's Kur Kuath are former Oklahoma teammates plus Dawson Garcia transferred from Marquette to North Carolina for this season. However, Garcia took a leave from the team because of a family medical situation back in January and hasn't returned. Despite North Carolina's legendary history, it largely will be a first-time situation for most of the Tar Heels. "Now, everyone other than Leaky (Black), who was a freshman when we played in the Sweet 16 (in 2019), will get to experience a real NCAA Tournament," Davis said. "I'm just really excited about that opportunity for them." Davis gets a tough coaching matchup with Smart, who famously led VCU to the 2011 Final Four. Smart is back in the state of Texas and a "W" here would mean a lot. "We're motivated to play our best basketball," Smart said. "We play one of, if not the, best program in the history of college basketball." I'm taking any points I can get.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Boise St at 1:45 ET.

Penny Hardaway's Memphis Tigers won the NIT last season and began the year ranked 12th in the AP's preseason poll but started 9-8! However, Memphis finished the season strong with a 12-1 run that didn't end until the Tigers lost 71-53 to Houston in Sunday's American Athletic Conference title game. 21-10 Memphis (No. 9 seed) got an at-large selection for the program's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2014. As for Boise St, head coach Leon Rice is in his 12th season, having produced EIGHT 20-win seasons in his first 11, including two NCAA teams (the most recent coming back in 2015). Last year's team went 19-9, before losing in the NIT quarterfinals, just missing a ninth, 20-win campaign. However, Rice easily earned his ninth, 20-win campaign in 2021-22! Boise State is enjoying the best season in program history, as the Broncos have set a school record for victories (27-7) and have won 24 of their past 27 games. They were the Mountain West regular season and conference tournament champions.

Memphis hasn't had 6-9 freshman Bates (10.4 & 3.5) in the lineup since late-January, but the Tigers were hitting on all cylinders without him prior to the loss vs Houston. 6-11 freshman Duren (12.2 & 8.1), 6-9 senior Williams (10.9 & 5.8) and 6-8 freshman Minott (6.8 & 3.8) form a solid frontcourt. FIVE guards chip in between 4.9 and 10.1 PPG, led by Quinones (10.1) and Nolley (8.9). PG Lomax (5.9 & 4.0 APG) runs the show. Boise St has depth issues but owns a strong starting-five. The backcourt has been missing Doutrive (9.4 & 4.6), who last played on Nov 30 but Shaver (13.6) and 6-8 guard Akot (10.7) form a quality duo. Up front, it's the 6-7 Kijab (14.7 & 5.8), the 6-7 Degenhart (9.9) and the 6-10 Armus (7.2 & 7.9). Defense is Boise's 'bread-and-butter,' as the Broncos are allowing 60.8 PPG (15th).

As noted, the Broncos are having the best season in program history but without at least ONE win in the "Big Dance," the year would hardly be complete. A historical fact overshadowing the team's success is that the Broncos have never won an NCAA Tournament game in SEVEN previous attempts. However, I will file that under, "That was THEN and this is NOW." The MWC has FOUR schools in the Big Dance in 2022 and Boise St is the best of the group. Rice and his Broncos will also likely remember Memphis and Boise State meeting in the NIT quarterfinals last season, with the Tigers prevailing 59-56 en route to winning the crown. Boise is getting points here but that's just a bonus. B-L-O-W-O-U-T Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* 'Big Dance' Tip-Off is on Colorado St at 12:15 ET.

The field of 64 is set and the first game to tip off will be No. 11 Michigan and No. 6 Colorado St in the South Region (game is in Indianapolis). Juwan Howard's Wolverines were 23-5 last year and opened the year as the nation's No. 6 team in the AP's preseason poll. Michigan has to rate among the nation's most disappointing teams and there was more than just a little debate over whether the 17-14 Wolverines deserve to be in the field at all. That's NOT the case with Colorado St and its head coach Niko Medved. He's in his fourth season at Fort Collins and CSU was one of the teams that felt it deserved a First Four bid in 2021.There were no such issues in 2022, as after a 25-5 season, the Rams earned a No. 6 seed.

Juwan Howard's season has NOT gone as planned, to say the least! Michigan blew a 17-point lead to lose in the first round of the Big Ten tourney to Indiana. It was Howard's first game back from a five-game suspension for throwing a punch -- as the losing coach in a postgame handshake line at Wisconsin. Michigan's starting-five includes 7-1 center Dickinson (18.3 & 8,3) and the 6-11 Diabate (9.0 & 5.9) up front, plus a trio of guards. Brooks (12.3, PG Jones (10.7-4.6-4.6) and Houstan (10.5 & 4.0). CSU's 6-5 David Roddy leads the Rams in scoring (19.4) and rebounding (7.6), on his way to being named Mountain West Player of the Year. PG Isaiah Stevens averages 14.9 PPG and a team-high 4.8 APG this season. A trio of guards chip in to account for a little over 21 PPG plus the 6-9 Thomas (5.4 & 3.2) and the 6-10 Moors (4.1 & 2.40 will be tasked with slowing down Dickinson.

Michigan reached the Elite Eight last season, beating Florida State in the regional semifinal before a loss to UCLA. Will it have a chip on its shoulder today, knowing many felt the team was undeserving of a bid? "Thought it was well-deserving," head coach Howard said. Colorado State's Niko Medved signed a contract extension through 2029 on Selection Sunday, and hopes to have another year with Roddy and PG Isaiah Stevens (both are juniors). However, CSU knows this is a 'big moment" for the school, which is 4-11 in its NCAA Tournament history. "I think this is definitely just the beginning," Roddy said this week. "The sky's the limit for this team and this program." I agree and expect CSU to put an end to Michigan's troubled season right here!

Good luck...Larry

Mike Brey is in his 22nd season at Notre Dame. His team goes six-deep. Guards Wesley (14.6 & 3.6) and Goodwin (13.9 & 4.8) are the top-two scorers, joined by Hubb (9.1 & 4.0 APG) and Ryan (8.4 & 4.9). The 6-9 Atkinson (12.3 & 7.0) and the 6-10 Laszewski (9.2 & 6.6) are the best (only?) frontcourt players. Steve Pikiell came to Rutgers (from Stony Brook) for the 2016-17 season and his 2019-20 team won 20 games (NCAA tourney was canceled) and then got the Scarlet Knights into the "Big Dance" last season, winning a game before losing in the round of 32. Rutgers has a starting lineup consisting of four guards and the 6-11 Omoruyi (11.8 & 7.9). Baker (12.4) entered the season with 101 starts on his resume and 6-6 guard Harper (15.6 & 5.9) can be a 'nightmare' matchup issue for many teams. PG Mulcahy (9.0-4.1-5.3) and fellow guard McConnell (6.5 & 5.2) are the final two starters, while the 6-6 Hyatt (4.4 & 2.8) is the 6th-man.

Consecutive losses to DePaul, Lafayette and UMass in November appeared to torpedo the Scarlet Knights' season before it could really begin. However, after a 79-78 OT loss at Northwestern on Feb 1, Rutgers beat then-No. 12 Michigan St, then-No. 16 Ohio St, then-No.14 Wisconsin and then-No. 12 Illinois in consecutive games. A three-game losing streak followed, before Rutgers won its final two games. However, Rutgers 1st Big Ten tourney game was against Iowa, which went on to win the tourney title.

The Big Ten got NINE tourney bids (most of any conference) and how could Rutgers be anything but thrilled, as the school is 'dancing' for the second straight year after a 30-year drought from 1991-2020. Mike Brey does NOT have a strong NCAA tourney resume and this marks Notre Dame's first tournament appearance since 2017. Brey's led Notre Dame to 12 previous NCAA tourneys, making it past the second round just THREE times. Wednesday night, he doesn't even make it to the Opening Round.

Good luck...Larry    

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Phi 76ers at 7:10 ET.

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered this season having gone 60-159 (.274) the previous three seasons, after LBJ 'flew the coop' for the second time. However, the Cavs have been one of the league's biggest surprises and at 39-29, are trying to hang onto the sixth spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race or better yet, move on up in the standings. After all, the East's top-six teams are separated by only SIX games. The Cavs began a five-game homestand with a 120-111 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday and tonight will host the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers are coming off a 114-110 home loss to the Denver Nuggets on Monday and at 41-26, sit 3 1/2-games behind the East's top team (Chicago) and one game behind the defending champion Bucks. That said, Philly is just a half-game ahead of Chicago (#4) and one game ahead Boston (#5).

Embiid (29.9-11.3-4.3) is the current MVP favorite and Harden's line with Philly is 23.0-7.4-10.5. It seems as if the 76ers are not thrilled with Harris, despite him averaging 17.9 & 7.0. However, the 76ers sure like PG Maxey (17.3-3.4-4.4). However, they do miss Curry's 15.0 PPG and backup center Drummond was averaging 6.1 & 8.1 (in just 18 minutes) before being traded. Embiid scored 34 points against Denver's reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, while James Harden (24-9-11) fell one rebound short of a triple-double.

PG Darius Garland (21.2 & 8.3 APG) shouldered a heavy load with Sexton (16.6) lost for the season after just 11 games. LeVert (18.0-3.7-4.3) was acquired at the trade deadline but has played in only five games, averaging 12.8 PPG (he is back in the lineup). Cleveland may be without Center Allen (16.1 & 10.8) for the rest of the regular season with a fractured finger. However, the Cavs own depth up front with 6-11 rookie Evan Mobley (15.1 & 8.3), the 6-11 Markkanen (14.1 & 5.5) and backup center Love (13.8 & 7.2). SF Osman (11.0) is quietly averaging double digits for the FOURTH consecutive season and second-year SF Okoro is adding 9.1 PPG.

The Cavs are 21-11 on the season at home, including 16-4 since Dec 8 but I want the 76ers in this one, coming off Monday's home loss to Denver. Philadelphia has become a much better road team the last two seasons and enters this contest having won FIVE of its last six road games!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Atl Hawks at 7:10 ET.

Atlanta finished 41-31 last year and made a run to the Eastern Conference finals, while Charlotte went 33-39, before getting blown out 144-117 in the play-in' by the Pacers. 34-34 Atlanta and 34-35 Charlotte are currently cling to the No. 9 and No. 10 spots in the Eastern Conference. The good news would be, the duo has created some separation from No. 11 Washington (Hawks are 4 1/2 up and the Hornets are four games up on the Wizards).

When one looks at Atlanta's roster, it's hard to imagine them being just a .500 team. Trae Young (27.8 & 9/4 APG) is having another outstanding season. PF Collins (16.4 & 7.9), returned after missing seven games with a foot injury but has now missed two straight with a finger injury (?). Still, FIVE more Hawks are averaging between 10.6 and 14,0 PPG, including Bogdanovich (14.0-4.0-3.2) and center Capela (10.6 & a team-high 12.0 RPG). The Hornets have FIVE players averaging 16 points or more. SF Bridges (20.0 & 7.3), PG Ball (19.7-6.8-7.3) and Rozier (19.7-4.4-4.5) lead the way. Note that Rozier has reached 30 or more points four times since Feb 27. Then there is Hayward (16.1-4.6-3.6) and Oubre (16.0 & 4.1). Hayward is sidelined with an ankle injury but the newly acquired PF Harrell has averaged 12.7 & 6.3 in his 13 games with the team.

Charlotte lost NINE of 10 prior to the break but have stabilized somewhat, going 5-4 since returning from the break. The Hornets have won their past two games, but it has been nearly TWO months since they've put together a three-game winning streak. The Hawks have won three in a row and own a .500 record for the first time in THREE months. Atlanta comes in having won FIVE of seven and I believe are set for another late-season 'push!'

While Rozier's production is impressive (see above), it pales in comparison to what Young is achieving. He posted 46 points Monday night in a 122-113 home victory against the Blazers, which came a day after he had 47 points against Indiana. Young has at least 25 points in seven of eight games this month. Trae and Company get the "W!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Tourney Takedown (NIT) is on Virginia at 7:00 ET.

Mississippi State is denying reports that Ben Howland has been fired, as the Bulldogs get set to play at Virginia in a first round NIT matchup. in the National Invitation Tournament. Howland's had excellent success at Pitt and UCLA (led Bruins to THREE straight Final Fours from 2006-08) but his tenure at Miss St has had few notable moments (Bulldogs did finish second in last year's NIT). Tony Bennett's UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. The Cavs ended last season 18-7, after a first-round NCAA loss to 13th-seed Ohio U. It's been a very uneven season for the Cavs, who welcome 18-15 Miss St to John Paul Jones Arena at 19-13.

The Bulldogs' leading scorer is PG Molinar (17.6-3.1-3.6) but the team's strength is a frontcourt that features the 6-11 Smith (14.1 & 6.3), the 6-9 Brooks (10.3 & 6.6) and the 6-7 Jeffries (9.2 & 4.23). Smith missed more than 10 games from early December to mid-January but is back in fine form (he's averaged 19.5 PPG his last six games).The only returning starter from last year's UVA team is PG Clark (10.3 & 4.2 APG). Guard Beekman (7.9-3.8-5.0) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (7.2 & 5.2), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (15.3) and rebounding (6.6) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 10.9. UVA gets some extra help up front from the 7-0 Caffaro (4.3 & 4.7).

John Paul Jones Arena is one tough venue for visiting teams and with Howland's status 'up in the air,' UVA is a bargain at this price.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Big Dance Opener is on Wyoming at 9:10 ET.

Indiana lost its final six games of last season and the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller. Mike Woodson (former Indiana player under Bob Knight) was hired to lead the team in the 2021-22 season, Indiana opened 6-0 and was 16-5 (7-4 in Big Ten) through the end of January. However, Indiana would lose SEVEN of nine to finish 18-12, including 9-11 in Big Ten play. Woodson talked about the NCAA Tournament as a goal during the course of the season and the Hoosiers achieved that objective by putting together a run in the Big Ten tournament that included back wins over Michigan and Illinois (No. 1 seed) in the Big Ten tournament, before falling to eventual Big Ten tourney champion Iowa 80-77 on a last-second shot.

Jeff Linder came from No. Colorado where he won 26 (CIT champion), 21 and 22 games in his final three years, earning him the Wyoming gig. His first team went 14-11 but this year's team has made quite a 'leap!' 25-8 Wyoming finished fourth in the Mountain West Conference under second-year coach Jeff Linder and are coming off a 68-61 loss to Boise State in the MWC tournament semifinals. The Cowboys are making their 16th NCAA Tournament appearance in school history and first appearance since 2015 (just their second since 2002).

Both schools are solid defensive teams, as Indiana has allowed 65.5 PPG and Wyoming 65.7. The 6-9 Jackson-Davis (17.5 & 8.3) is the team's best player, joined up front by the 6-8 Thompson (11.5 & 7.6). Guard Johnson (12.3-3.8-5.0) is the only other player averaging more than 6.4 PPG. Jackson-Davis, who was named to the All-Big Ten tournament team (25.3 & 8.7 over the three games), while Johnson averaged 16.7-5.3-7.3 and Thompson 8.7 & 6.7. Again, no other player averaged as much as 7.0 PPG during Indiana's three-game run.

The 6-9 Ike (19.6 & 9.6) and 6-7 PG Maldanado (18.4-5.8-6.3) make for quite a duo. They are joined in the starting lineup by guards Jeffries (10.5 & 5.3) and DuSell (7.8) plus the 6-9 Oden (7.9 & 4.6). Ike averaged 14.5 & 9.5 in two MWC tourney games, while Maldonado averaged 14.0-6.5-8.0 and Jeffries 12.5 & 5.5. One could almost consider this as almost a three-on-three "game within a game!"

Indiana is a "blueblood" program with five national titles but is making its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2016. That said, this current Indiana team doesn't get credit for its school's history. is played on the court, Wyoming's Ike can match up with Indiana's Jackson-Davis and while Indiana PG Johnson has scored in double figures in eight straight games (has averaged 18.1 points and 6.8 assists during that stretch), Wyoming's 6-7 Maldonado is a 'nightmare' of a matchup for any team. I want the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Missouri St at 7:00 ET.

The Mo State Bears returned all FIVE starters from last year's 17-7, most notably the duo of big guard Mosley and the 6-9 Prim. That duo led the way and the 23-10 Bears are in the NIT vs the Big 12's Oklahoma. The season didn't go as planned for head coach Porter Moser (of Loyola-Chicago fame) in his first season at Norman. The Sooners opened 11-2 but then lost 12 of 15 to fall to 14-14 (only 4-11 Big 12). However, the Sooners ended the regular season with three straight wins and then upset Baylor in the Big 12 tourney (one of four No. 1 seeds in TY's Big Dance), before losing just 56-55 to Texas Tech. The Sooners just missed the cut, placing second on the "first four out" list behind Dayton. Instead, Oklahoma is a No. 1 seed in the NIT and will host Missouri State on Tuesday night.

‎ Mosely is averaging 20.1 & 56.1 for Missouri St and Prim adds 16.4 & 8.0. Four more guards are chipping in between 7.6 and 8.7 PPG (the group combines to average 33-plus PPG). The 6-9 Groves (11.8 & 5.6) is joined by the 6-6 Hill (9.1 & 5,9) up front, while Gibson (12.5) and Goldwire (10.5 & 3.4 APG) are the backcourt mainstays, now that Harkless (10.4 & 4.1) was lost for the season. Goldwire (10.1 & 3.4 APG) and Harkless (10.0 & 4.1) comprise an excellent guard trio. However, Harkless was lost for the season back in February due to injury. ‎

"This group has the DNA of an NCAA Tournament team," Moser said. "They're resilient. They've stayed together, and we've won these games late." Personally, I think he's giving his team too much credit. The Sooners have missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017 and just the second time in nine seasons (not counting the canceled 2020 tournament). Oklahoma in the NIT? That hasn't happened since 2004. As for Missouri State, it is making its first postseason appearance in any tournament since 2014, when it played in the CIT (the Bears are in the NIT for the first time since 2011). Missouri St had its eyes on the program's first NCAA bid since 1999, but an overtime loss to Drake in the MVC semifinals ended those hopes. My 'gut' tells me the Bears are much more motivated for this NIT matchup and I believe the Bears can win outright. DEFINITELY, take the points.

‎ Good luck... Larry‎

 My 10* Situational Stunner is on Belmont at 7:00 ET.

The 25-7 Belmont Bruins and the 17-16 Vanderbilt Commodores square off in a first round NIT game at Vanderbilt University Memorial Gym in Nashville. Belmont is used to winning, having won 20-plus games in 16 of the last 17 seasons (exception was a 19-win season), with EIGHT trips to the Big Dance. The Bruins returned all five starters from last season's 26-4 team. Many will remember Jerry Stackhouse from his days at Duke but he opened his head coaching career at Vandy just 20-37 in his first two seasons. Stackhouse got great news when Pippen decided to pull himself out of the NBA Draft and return to Nashville and this year's 17-16 record has the 'Dores in the NIT.

The 6-11 Nick Muszynski (15.0 & 5.2) is Belmont's lone big man of note, while guards Sheppard (16.4 & 3.8) and Richard (11.8 & 5.9) being the best of a deep perimeter group (three more guards combine to add 22 PPG). Vandy's Pippen (20.2-3.4-4.3) and 6-6 forward Wright (12.2 & 6.5) make for an excellent duo but no other player reaches double digits. That said, the 6-7 Stute averaged 13.3 & 5.0 in three SEC tourney games plus guard Chatman, who played only 10 regular season games, returned to play all three tourney games (averaged 9.0 PPG).

Vandy is at home but Belmont will travel less than a mile for this road game, as it is also located in Nashville. As noted above, Belmont is a postseason regular, while Vandy last played in the postseason back in 2017. Vanderbilt was a good ATS team this season (21-12) but watch out for Belmont. "I'm really excited for our players that our season is still going," head coach Casey Alexander said. "I think we've got a good team, and nobody's excited about how we finished in the OVC (53-51 loss to Morehead St in the OCVC tourney). As a Nashville guy, I'm excited about the chance to play the local team in Vanderbilt." Note that Belmont shot 39.2% in that two-point loss (2 of 12 on threes), but has made 49.2% of its FG attempts on the season. What's more, Belmont comes in a PERFECT 6-0 SU & ATS following each of its first six losses this season. Make it a lucky 7-0 after tonight!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* E/W Game of the Month is on the Den Nuggets at 7:40 ET.

The Philadelphia 76ers were lucky to survive 116-114 in OT at Orlando (18-51 / the worst team in the East) last night. Philly lost at home 129-100 at home against the Nets last Thursday, after opening 4-0 with Harden in the lineup. The 76ers now look for back-to-back wins tonight, as they welcome the Denver Nuggets to town. 42-26 Philadelphia is in a virtual tie with 41-25 Milwaukee, 2 1/2-games behind the East's No. 1 seed (Miami). The Nuggets are hoping to avoid a third straight loss, as after losing 113-102 to the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, they fell 127-115 to the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. The 40-28 Nuggets are currently the West's No. 6 seed. Looking up in the standings, the Mavs (No. 5 seed) have won 13 of 16 and now lead Denver by two games, while from behind, Minnesota (current No. 7 seed) has won 15 of 20 to pull within 1 1/2-games of Denver.

The Nuggets have played all season with PG Murray and lost PF Porter after just nine games. Center Jokic (26.1-13.8-8.1) has been a constant plus for the most part, swingman Barton (14.9-4.9-3.8), PF Gordon (14.5 & 5.7) and PG Morris (13.0 & 4.3 APG) have been regular contributors. Barton just returned from a three-game absence due to ankle soreness but Gordon missed the previous game with right foot soreness and it is unclear if he will face the 76ers on Monday. Jeff Green (10.5) has averaged 14.0 PPG the last three games plus Hyland (8.9) has been a valuable guard all season. Forbes has been with the team for 25 games and he's done exactly what Denver expected, averaging 9.9 PPG, while shooting 42.0% on threes. The 6-10 Cousins has played 17 games with Denver, averaging 8.8 & 6.2 in about 14 minutes.

Embiid (29.7-11.2-4.3) is the current MVP favorite and Harden's line with Philly is 22.3-7.3-11.3. It seems as if the 76ers are not thrilled with Harris, despite him averaging 17.9 & 7.0. However, the 76ers sure like PG Maxey (15.0 & 4.0 APG). However, they do miss Curry's 15.0 PPG and backup center Drummond was averaging 6.1 & 8.1 (in just 18 minutes) before being traded. Here's an unknown. When the Sixers last played in a back-to-back situation, they opted to rest Harden and ultimately lost to the Miami Heat on March 5. It's unclear whether any of the Philadelphia standouts will receive the night off against the Nuggets. "We have a game plan," head coach Doc  Rivers said. "We're not gonna share it, but we do have a game plan."

We will never know for sure until game time but Denver has been a good road team this season and just might remember that Philly handed them a 103-89 home loss back on November 18 I'm taking the points and expecting an OUTRIGHT win by Denver.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Game of the Month is on the NY Knicks at 1:10 ET.

The NY Knicks ended a seven-year postseason drought last year by going 41-31 but lost in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks, who made it all the way to the East Conference Finals. Expectations were high in Madison Square Garden to open the season, but the Knicks haven't delivered. They are currently 28-39, leaving them 4 1/2-games behind the Atlanta Hawks, who own the East's No. 10 seed (final 'play-in' spot). The Knicks travel to Brooklyn to take on the rival Brooklyn Nets, who are 34-33 and owners of the East's No. 8 seed. How the mighty have fallen! The Nets traveled to Minnesota back on Jan 23 to face the Timberwolves with a 29-16 record. At the time, the Nets sat atop the East with a 29-16 record, with Chicago and Miami just a half-game back. Incredibly, the top-six East seeds are separated by just THREE games on that date! However, the Nets would lose their next 11 games and enter this contest only 5-6 in their last 11.

New York is only 4-12 over its last 16 games, a stretch where it has blown NINE double-digit leads. The latest collapse occurred in a 118-114 loss at Memphis on Friday that denied New York a season-high fourth straight win. The Knicks rallied from a 12-point deficit in the first half but then blew a 15-point lead by getting outscored 31-18 in the fourth quarter. All know about the Kyrie saga (only eligible to play on the road) and that Harden was recently traded to Philly. That leaves just K.D. (29.0-7.4-5.8) around for this one and he just recently returned from an injury that had kept him out since Jan 15 (he's played four games in March, with the Nets going 2-2). Curry (15.8 in 11 games) and Drummond (10.0 & 9.2 in 10 games) came from Philly in the Harden deal and have contributed nicely. However, PF/C Aldridge (13.5 & 5.6) is back on the sidelines with a hip issue.

The Knicks have been led all season by PF Randle (20.4-10.0-5.2) and SF Barrett (19.2 & 5.9). Taking a closer look at New York's recent results reveals the Kicks are 3-2 SU & 5-0 ATS their last five games. The Nets have won both previous games vs the Knicks this season, winning 112-110 back on Nov 30 in Brooklyn and then 111-106 on Feb 16 at MSG, when the Nets climbed back from a 28-point deficit! Brooklyn has only been favored FOUR times in its last 22 games (1-3 SU & ATS) and the last time it has been favored by this much was back in mid-Jan. Take the points. as the Knicks just may get the OUTRIGHT win.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on Tennessee at 1:00 ET.

Buzz Williams led Marquette to four NCAA bids in his five years at the school and then led Va Tech to three NCAA berths in another five-year run. However, he entered the current season just 24-24 in his first two years at Texas A&M. The Aggies went 20-11 in the regular season but a 9-9 SEC record left the Aggies as the No. 8 seed in a tourney that would feature FOUR of the nation's top-15 schools (according to the latest AP poll)  Now, after an 83-80 OT win against Florida plus back-to-back wins over No. 4 Auburn (No. 1 seed) and No. 15 Arkansas (No. 4 seed), the Aggies are playing in the SEC championship game vs No. 9 Tennessee (No. 2 seed) on Sunday afternoon.

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes has been a winner at every stop, with three NCAA berths at Providence, three in four years at Clemson and 16 in 17 years at Texas. This is his seventh season at Tennessee, and he's led the Vols to three NCAA berths the last four years (exception was when COVID shut down the postseason). No. 9 Tennessee just might be the SEC's top team. Tennessee held off fifth-ranked Kentucky 69-62 in the final minutes Saturday to reach the SEC Tournament final for the third time in the last five years. The 25-7 Vols have won 11 of 12 and six in a row, including victories against fourth-ranked Auburn, 15th-ranked Arkansas and now the Wildcats in the last two weeks. They're one win away from a championship and potentially a No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

Texas A&M has three double digit scorers on the season in guards Jackson (14.0) and Radford (10.2 & 5.8) plus the 6-7 Coleman (11.2 & 6.3), who is really the team's only quality frontcourt player. That trio has been terrific in the tourney, with Jackson averaging 17.0 PPG, Coleman 16.0 & 7.3 and Radford 14.3 & 6.0. Tennessee's top scorers on the season are guards Chandler (13.8 & 4.5 APG) and Vescovi (13.3-4.6-3.0). In the current tourney, the Vols have received excellent balance from the backcourt AND frontcourt. Guards Chandler (15.0 & 4.0 APG), James (13.0-4.5-3.5), Zeigler (11.0 & 4.5 APG and Vescovi (9.5) have been terrific. The three-frontcourt players chipping in are the 6-10 Huntley-Hatfield (9.0 & 4.5), the 6-9 Fulkerson (5.5 & 4.5) and the 7-0 Plavsic (5.0 & 6.0).

This is Texas A&M's FOURTH game in four days and now draws the toughest opponent yet. Note the size advantage Tennessee has over the Aggies plus the Vols' backcourt depth ranks with the nation's top backcourts. Then there is the Tennesse defense, which held Miss St to 59 points and high-scoring Kentucky to 62. This one has "B-L-O-W-O-U-T" written all over it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Marquee Classic is in UCLA at 9;00 ET.

UCLA made that great run to the Final 4 last season and with a 'TON' of talent back, the Bruins began the season ranked No. 2 in the AP's preseason poll. It's hard to say Mick Cronin's team underachieved this season, as it enters the Pac 12 championship game 25-6 and ranked 13th in the nation. However, when Sean Miller was fired after 12 seasons with the Wildcats, Tommy Lloyd (a longtime assistant under Gonzaga's Mark Few), got his first head coaching gig. Expectations were NOT high for Arizona but after winning the Pac 12 regular season title (18-2), the Wildcats meet UCLA for the tourney title at 30-2 and ranked No.2 in the nation.

UCLA is led by a 'Core 4' of guards. Juzang (16.0 & 4.7) leads the way, followed by Jaquez (13.8 & 5.6) and Bernard (12.6 & 4.7). All three are 6-7 and 5-11 PG Campbell (11.4 & 4.2 APG) runs the show. Centers Riley (7.7 & 3.8) and Johnson (3.9 & 5.7) have been serviceable plus the 6-5 Clark (7.4 & 4.2) has played well after getting a late start due to nagging injuries and health issues. The Wildcats own four double digit scorers, led by 6-6 guard Mathurin's 17.1 PPG (he adds 5.7 RPG). The 6-7 Tubelis averages 14.7 & 6.5 and the 7-1 Koloko adds 12.1 & 7.0 plus PG Kriisa is good for 10.1 PPG and 4.9 APG. Four more Arizona players chip in between 7.0 to 7.4 PPG.

The Wildcats average 84.7 PPG (3rd in the nation) and will test Mick Cronin's defense, which led the Pac 12 in scoring defense (64.3 PPG). UCLA has not played in the Pac 12 championship games since 2014, when it beat Arizona. That's EIGHT years ago and as a TV show once said, "Eight is Enough!" The Bruins held Arizona to a season-low 59 points at home and haven't allowed more than 68 points in their last 10 games. "If you defend, you always got a chance," UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. "The thing about it is, you get to March, you can't rely on shooting to win." I'm on the Bruins.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on the GS Warriors at 8:40 ET.

The defending champion Milwaukee Bucks travel to San Francisco to take on the Golden St Warriors Saturday night on a SIX-game winning streak (5-1 ATS). The 42-25 Bucks are within 2 1/2-games of the East's No. 1 seed (Miami) but also just one game better than the 76ers plus 1 1/2-games better than the Bulls and Celtics. The Golden State Warriors were 41-13 in games played through Feb 7 and the Suns were within reach, at 43-10. However, the Warriors would lose NINE of their next 11, before winning back-to-back games this week at home over the Clippers and at Denver. 45-22 Golden St is 45-22, having fallen EIGHT behind Phoenix and even a half-game behind 46-22 Memphis for the West's No. 2 seed.

Milwaukee looks great right now but will be tested in a tough nine-game stretch beginning tonight (more later). The good news for Milwaukee is that it kicks off the stretch with Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.7-11.5-6.0) playing at a Most Valuable Player level. He followed up a 39-point effort Tuesday at Oklahoma City with a 43-point, 12-rebound double-double in a home win Wednesday against the Hawks. SF Middleton (20.3-5.3-5.6), PG Holiday (18.3-4.7-6.7), center Portis (15.7 & 9.2) and SG Allen (11.3) make for a formidable starting-five. That said, depth is somewhat of an issue, as in Milwaukee's win over Atlanta on Wednesday, the reserves accounted for only 13 points!

Speaking of improving a team's depth, Golden State's best defensive player, Draymond Green (7.9-7.6-7.4), is expected to return from a back injury on Monday. However, Otto Porter (8.7 & 5.3) is out with an illness (?) and Andre Iguodala with a back injury. Thompson (16.8 PPG in 21 games) starts with Curry (25.8-5.3-6.4) in the backcourt when available (he's playing tonight), with Poole (16.7) starting when Thompson's a no-go. Wiggins (17.7 & 4.4) made his first-ever All-Star appearance this season plus as I have stated before, center Looney has started all 67 games, quietly averaging 6.4 & 7.6. Poole will come off the bench tonight, along with the 6-7 Kuminga (9.0) and SG Lee (7.7), who have both been valuable role players.

The Warriors can't possibly forget their 118-99 trouncing back on Jan 13 in Milwaukee. All five Bucks starters hit at least half of his shots and the team shot 51.2 percent in a game Milwaukee led by as many as 39 points. Meanwhile, the Warriors were limited to 34.7 percent shooting (Golden St connects on 46.9% on the season). Let me also note that Golden St's defense is generally overlooked and shouldn't be (the Warriors allow 104.9 PPG to rank 5h and hold opponents to 43.7% shooting to rank 2nd). The Bucks start a brutal nine-game stretch tonight in San Francisco, followed by a visit to the Utah Jazz, Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. Then, after a pair of home games, one against fellow Eastern contender Chicago, the Bucks then face a sequence of road games against the Grizzlies, 76ers and Nets!

I won't look "down the road" but I will play the Warriors tonight and expect an impressive win.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Chi Bulls at 8:10 ET.

The Chicago Bulls (just 31-41 last season, while missing the playoffs for the fourth straight year) have been at or near the top of the East standings all season. They are currently 40-26 and in a virtual tie with the 41-27 Celtics. Both teams are four games behind Miami but also just two games ahead of Cleveland. The Cavs entered this season having gone 60-159 (.274) the previous three seasons, after LBJ 'flew the coop' for the second time. However, the Cavs have been one of the league's biggest surprises. There's quite a scramble for the top six spots in the East. The Bulls and Cavaliers will be meeting Saturday for the third of four times this season. The home team has dominated the first two head-to-heads, with Cleveland running up a 115-92 victory on Dec 8 and Chicago getting even with a 117-104 triumph on Jan19.

Cleveland's 117-105 loss at Miami on Friday was the Cvas' seventh in their last 10 games. Cleveland is hoping to get Caris LeVert (18.2 PPG on the season) from a sprained right foot. He has missed eight in a row, but did make the trip and worked out on the court in Miami before the game. PG Darius Garland (21.0 & 8.2 APG) had 24 points and 10 assists vs the Heat, while rookie Evan Mobley (14.8 & 8.3) aded 19 points and 12 rebounds. Center Allen (16.1 & 10.8) will miss an extended period of time because of a fractured finger, leaving the 6-11 Markkanen (14.1 & 5.5) and backup center Love (13.8 & 7.1) to get the job done up front.

 DeRozan (28.1-5.4-5.10 has been one of the league's best players and when teamed with LaVine (24.6-4.6-4.9) gives Toronto a scary-good backcourt duo. Center Nikola Vucevic (18.0 & 11.4) returned to the lineup from a hamstring issue in the last game (Wednesday win over Detroit), and now Chicago is hopeful of getting key reserve Alex Caruso (8.4) back from a broken wrist. PG Ball (13.0-5.4-5.1) is a significant loss but White (13.6) and rookie Dosunmo (8.4) have really played well in his absence.

Chicago is 24-10 at home and this will be the team's ONLY home gamei n a six-game stretch. The Bulls need this one badly. Lay the reasonable price.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Tourney Takedown in on Memphis at 5:00 ET.

It's an AAC semifinal meeting on Saturday between the Memphis Tigers (No. 3 seed) and SMU Mustangs (No. 2 seed). Penny Hardaway's Memphis Tigers won the NIT championship last season and opened the 2021-22 season ranked No. 12 in the AP's preseason poll. Memphis opened the year 5-0 but was just 9-8 after 17 games. However, the Tigers have won 11 of 12 since, including five in a row entering this game (now 20-9). SMU's Tim Jankovich is just two years removed from severe sanctions that SMU faced due to none other than Larry Brown (great coach but one who knows how to leave a program in the dust!). SMU won 19 games before the 2019-20 season was shut down and then went 11-6 in a season that limited this team to 17 games. The Mustangs have had strong season, entering this contest having won SEVEN of nine to reach 23-7 on the season.

Memphis hasn't had 6-9 freshman Bates (10.4 & 3.5) in the lineup since late-January but as I note up top, the Tigers are hitting on all cylinders without whim. 6-11 freshman Duren (12.3 & 8.0), 6-9 senior Willaims (11.1 & 5.6) and 6-8 freshman Minott (7.1 & 4.1) form a solid frontcourt. FIVE guards chip in between 4.7 and 10.2 PPG, led by Quinones (10.2) and Nolley (10.1). Returning guards Davis (19.7-3.9-4.6) and Bandoumel (11.0 are a solid duo plus a great story is the reuniting of the Weathers' twins, who last played together at Mia-O back in the 2016-17 season. The two took different paths from there but are now 'one big family' at SMU. SF Marcus is averaging 12.7 & 7.5, while guard Michael adds 10.6 & 5.7. Fellow guard Nutall chips in 6.8 & 3.7 plus the 6-10 Clark is a Baylor transfer. He was averaging 14.6 & 6.4 in the 2018-19 season before a serious knee injury forced him to the sidelines. This his last hurrah and he's adding 4.4 & 3.3 in 15 minutes.

Memphis advanced with an easy 85-69 win over UCF and SMU with an equally easy 83-58 win over Tulsa. I noted that Memphis has won 11 of 12 and that lone loss came to SMU, which also beat Memphis in the schools' first meeting. Yet, Memphis has opened a favorite. I agree with the linemakers. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "Signature" LEGEND Play is on Purdue at 3:30 ET.

Michigan State began the current season unranked but opened 13-2 (4-0 in Big Ten) to reach No. 10 in the nation, However, the Spartans would finish on a 7-9 run (all in the Big Ten). The Spartans nearly blew a 20-point, second-half lead before surviving with a 76-72 victory Thursday vs Maryland/. MSU then took down No. 12 Wisconsin, and the Big Ten's No. 2 seed 63-58 on Friday (more in a bit). No. 9 Purdue owns the highest ranking of any Big Ten school but came into the tourney as the No. 3 seed. Purdue (now 26-6) scored the final seven points to hold off 11th-seeded Penn State 69-61 on Friday night, becoming the only seed among the top four to advance after receiving the double bye

Tom Izzo's Spartans do not have a 'big gun,' as the team's leading scorer is the 6-8 Brown (11.3 & 3.9). He's the ONLY one in double digits, although SEVEN players chip in between 6.5 and 9.5 PPG. Just missing are guard Christie (9.5 & 3.4), the 6-8 Hall (9.4 & 4.7), and 7-0 center Bingham (9.2 & a team high 6.1 RPG). Bingham had 19 points and 11 rebounds vs Wisconsin and PG Walker (8.4 & 4.4) was the only other Spartan in double digits with 11 points. NINE of Walker's 11 points came in the final 1:33 as the Spartans pulled away from a 58-58 tie.

Matt Painter is in his 17th season at Purdue and it's been one of his best. 7-4 sophomore Edey (14.8 & 7.5) teams with 6-10 senior Williams (11.5 & 7.3), the 6-6 Gillis (6.5 & 4.6) and 6-10 freshman Furst (4.1 & 3.3 ) up front. The perimeter is led by Ivey (17.2 & 4.8) and Stefanovic (11.1), while Newman (5.3) and Thompson (4.5) add depth. Purdue led Penn St 56-44 with 8:15 remaining before the Nittany Lions rallied within 62-61. Jaden Ivey hit two free throws and then turned a long rebound into a breakaway layup to make it 66-61 with 44 seconds left. Ivey finished with 17 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Zach Edey added 15 points in 18 minutes.

Painter and Purdue are in the semifinals for the first time since 2018, while Izzo's Spartans have reached the semifinals for the NINTH time in the last 12 seasons I called MSU's upset of Wisconsin and noted that tourney time is 'Izzo Time' but I want NO part of the Spartans here. Johnny Davis of Wisconsin was the unanimous Big Ten Player of the Year, after averaging 20.0 & 8.1 this season. However, he was hurt in the team's regular season finale. He vowed to play and opined, "do we really know how effective he can be?" Davis was CLEARLY 'not himself, shooting 3 of 19, including 0-5 on threes. Purdue is arguably the Big Ten's best team and comes in healthy AND with a 'scare' against Penn St for focus. These schools met just once in the regular season, when Walker's three-pointer with three seconds left propelled Michigan State past Purdue 68-65 at home on Feb 26. Think Purdue remembers? Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

The MWC has seen its top-four seeds advance to the semifinals in Las Vegas with the Wyoming Cowboys (No 4 seed) meeting the Boise State Broncos (No. 1 seed) in the first of two games from the Thomas and Mack Center. Both schools own 25-7 records and in two meetings during the regular season, each won on its opponents' home court. Jeff Linder came from No. Colorado where he won 26 (CIT champion), 21 and 22 games in his final three years, earning him the Wyoming gig. His first team went 14-11 but this year's team has made quite a 'leap!' Boise St's Leon Rice is in his 12th season, having produced EIGHT 20-win seasons in his first 11, including two NCAA teams (the most recent coming back in 2015). Last year's team went 19-9, before losing in the NIT quarterfinals, just missing a ninth, 20-win campaign but this year's gave Rice his ninth, 20-win campaign.

The 6-9 Ike (19.9 & 9.6) and PG Maldanado (18.7-5.8-6.1) make for quite a duo. They are joined in the starting lineup by guards Jeffries (10.4 & 5.3) and DuSell (8.0) plus the 6-9 Oden (8.1 & 4.5). Guard Wenzel (5.0) is the sixth-man. Like Wyoming, Boise St has depth issues as well but owns a strong starting-five. The backcourt is missing Doutrive (9.4 & 4.6), who last played on Nov 30 but Shaver (13.9) and 6-8 guard Akot (10.3) form a quality duo. Up front, it's the 6-7 Kijab (14.7 & 4.9), the 6-10 Armus (7.0 & 7.8) and the 6-7 Degenhart (10.2). Defense is Boise's 'bread-and-butter,' as the Broncos are allowing 60.8 PPG (15th), although the Cowboys are solid on the defensive end as well, allowing 65.7 PPG..

Both schools struggled to advance last night, as Wyoming edged 5th-seeded UNLV just 59-56, while Boise got "all it wanted" from 8th-seeded Nevada, before winning 71-69. I noted above that Boise is a terrific defensive team, but also that Wyoming is no slouch in that department, either. Wyoming is the slightly better offensive team (73.8-to-69.2 PPG) and is the team getting points. As good as Rice has been, I really like Wyoming's Linder (via Northern Colorado) and I'm taking any points offered.

Good luck...Larry

Larry's 9* PERFECT STORM-NBA (17-9 s/Dec 1).

The LA Clippers have played without star Kawhi Leonard all season and have been without Paul George (24.7-7.1-5.5) since before Christmas. More bad luck came when Powell, who was acquired from Portland in early Feb, was lost to a broken bone in his foot after just three games (he was averaging 21.0 PPG). Los Angeles snapped a two-game losing skid on Wednesday with a 115-109 home victory over the Washington Wizards and now travel to Atlanta with a 35-33 record for a stretch in which the Clippers will play FIVE of their next six on the road. Atlanta finished last season strong (41-31 regular season record) and then beat the Knicks and 76ers, before losing to the Bucks, the eventual NBA champs, in the Eastern Conference finals. However, it's been a struggle for Atlanta this season. The Hawks dropped their second straight game on Wednesday (to the Bucks!) and enters this contest 31-34. 

Robert Covington (8.2 & 5.3 in 12 games for LA) has joined Leonard, George and Powell on the sidelines due to personal reasons. Until everyone returns, the Clippers will continue to lean heavily on PG Jackson (17.0 & 4.8 APG), PF Morris (15.8 & 4.6 (he's missed 265 games this season but is currently healthy), SGs Kennard (11.7) and Mann (10.5 & 5.4) plus the underappreciated 7-0 Zubac (9.9 & 8.7). When one looks at Atlanta's roster, it's hard to imagine them being a sub-.500 team. Trae Young (27.8 & 9/4 APG) is having another outstanding season plus PF Collins (16.4 & 7.9), is back after missing seven games with a foot injury. FIVE more Hawks are averaging between 10.6 and 14,1 PPG, including Bogdanovich (14.1-4.0-3.0) and center Capela (10.6 & a team-high 12.0 RPG).

The Clippers seem destined to be relegated to the 'play-in' round, as they are 5 1/2-games behind Denver, the West's No. 6 seed. As for Atlanta, its ONLY hope of making the playoffs will be via the 'play-in' round, as the Hawks currently own the No. 10 seed (last team in!), SEVEN games behind the East's No. 6 seed. In fact, the Hawks are only 1 1/2-games better than the Wizards and 3 1/2-games better than the Knicks (both of those teams are still hopeful of reaching the 'play-in' round). I'm not about to give up on the Hawks just yet, who may just put up a late-season surge again. Motivation here for Atlanta is high, as the Hawks are just two games behind the East's No. 8 seed, which would help their play in round chances if attained. With the current roster status of both teams, Atlanta is the play. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Ohio U at 7:30 ET.

The MAC tourney has seen all four top seeds advance to Friday's semifinals. The second game of tonight's doubleheader features 23-8 Ohio (No. 3 seed) going up against 22-9 Kent St. The two teams split the season series, each winning at home. Jeff Boals is in his third season with Ohio, which finished a modest 9-5 in MAC play last season but surprised most by winning the MAC tourney and then upset 4th-seed Virginia 62-58 in the first round of the "Big Dance." Ohio would lose its next game 72-58 to Creighton but no one was complaining in Athens. Rob Senderoff is in his 11th season at Kent and at 22-9, has led the Golden Flashes to 20 wins SEVEN times but his lone NCAA appearance came back in 2017.

Ohio guard Preston (15.7-7.3-7.3) left for the NBA (1st Ohio player picked in the draft since Brandon Hunter in 2003) but PG Sears (19.4-5.8-4.3) has stepped up big time. He's joined by three guards combining to add 21 PPG. The Ohio U frontcourt features the 6-8 Vander Plas (13.9 & 6.7), the 6-8 Carter (13.6 & 6.3) and SF Roderick (7.1 & 3.3). Sears had 24-10-5 and Carter 20 & 18 in Ohio's 10-point win Thursday over Ball St. Guards Carry (18.7-4.5-4.8) and Jacobs (12.0 & 7.6) are Kent's top scorers, although FIVE more players average between 5.1 and 8.8 PPG. This is a guard-oriented team, with the 6-11 Hamilton (8.2 & 6.4) being the top frontcourt player. Kent also won Thursday by 10 points (over Mia-Oh), led by Jacobs' 21 & 11 and Hamilton's 15 & 9.

In this neutral-site setting (the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in downtown Cleveland), I favor the Bobcats, who own a much stronger inside game and a perimeter game equal to Kent's. As noted, Senderoff has only led Kent St to just ONE conference tourney title in his tenure, while Boals did so in just his second season at Ohio and could repeat here in 2022. First things first. Take Ohio here to advance to Saturday's title game.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Min/Orl Over at 7:10 ET.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were just 24-25 in Late January but since Jan 30, have won 14 of 19 games to reach 38-29. That gives them the West's No. 7 seed, just two games behind Denver (No. 6 seed) and 2 1/2-games back of Dallas (No. 5 seed). Minnesota is looking to earn a playoff berth for just the SECOND time since 2004! As for Orlando, its playoff hopes ended early (2-8 start) and after 30 games, the Magic were just 5-25. Orlando had some excellent teams from the mid-90s through the first decade of the 21st century but those are now just distant memories. At 17-50, the Magic were 'battling' the 17-49 Rockets for the right to be 'crowned' the NBA's worst team.

The T-wolves are led by the trio of Towns (24.5 & 9.7), Edwards (21.3 & 4.6) and Russell (19.0 & 7.1). Malik Beasley (12.1) is the team's fourth double-digit scorer but note that SIX more players chip in between 6.5 & 9.3 PPG. Speaking of Beasley, Minnesota's 132-102 Wednesday victory over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder featured a historic three-point performance by Beasley. He attempted all 17 of his field goals from beyond the arc, making a career-high 11 that set an NBA record for most points (33) scored via three-point shots only. Despite Orlando's putrid record, the Magic do feature SEVEN players averaging in double figures. PG Anthony (17.3-5.1-5.7) leads the way, followed by six more chipping in between 10.2 and 15.5 PPG. That group includes Orlando's first round pick of the 2021 Draft (Suggs at 12.3-3.7-4.4) plus centers Carter (14.4 & 10.4) and Bamba (10.2 & 7.9).

The T-wolves come in 'on fire,' winning SIX in a row by an average margin of 24 PPG, while averaging a whopping 130.8 points (lowest output was 124 points!). However, the Magic overcame a 13-point second-half deficit to win 115-97 back on Nov 1 in Minneapolis in the first meeting between these teams. A fluke, you say? Maybe not, as Orlando has won 11 of the past 13 meetings at home against the Timberwolves. For Orlando to win (or stay competitive) here, the Magic will have to score. The play is O-V-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Tourney Takedown (Big Ten) is on Michigan St at 6:30 ET.

Tom Izzo and his Spartans started at No. 13 at the opening of the 2020-21 season and struggled in the regular season. Mich St made the NCAA tourney at 15-12 but was eliminated in a First Four game by UCLA. Michigan State began the current season unranked but opened 13-2 (4-0 in Big Ten) to reach No. 10 in the nation, However, the Spartans would finish on a 7-9 run (all in the Big Ten) and now off an unimpressive effort over 10th-seeded Maryland last night (the 21-11 Spartans nearly blew a 20-point, second-half lead, before surviving with a 76-72 victory), will face Wisconsin. The Badgers were also unranked in the preseason but enter this contest (off a double-bye) ranked No. 12 at 24-6 (Big Ten's second seed).

The Spartans do not have a 'big gun,' as the team's leading scorer is the 6-8 Brown (11.5 & 3.9). He's the ONLY one in double digits, although SEVEN players chip in between 6.5 and 9.6 PPG. Just missing are the 6-8 Hall (9.6 & 4.7), guard Christie (9.3 & 3.4) and 7-0 center Bingham (8.9 & a team high 6.0 RPG). Greg Gard is now in his seventh season at Madison, taking over when Bo Ryan retired. The "big story" for Wisconsin was the play of Johnny Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY), who was the unanimous Big Ten Player of the Year, after averaging 20.0 & 8.1 this season. Guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and has averaged 14.2 & 4.1 and is joined by freshman guard Hepburn (8.1), who has just 36 turnovers in 30 games! Rounding out the starting-five, after limited playing time last season, are the 6-9 Wahl (11.6 & 5.8) and the 7-0 Crowl (9.1 & 4.1).

Wisconsin 'held its breath' in the regular-season finale on Sunday, as Davis went down in a heap under the Wisconsin basket, with a Nebraska player landing on top of him, drawing a flagrant foul. However, two days later, Davis allayed those fears, pronouncing himself good to go for the Big Ten tournament. The Badgers are the better team, but tourney time has always been 'Izzo time.' He surely saw the film in which the Badgers' defense gave up a season-worst 53.7 percent shooting against Nebraska. Davis says he's fine, but we'll see. I'm taking the pints.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* TNT Game of the Month is on the GS Warriors at 10:10 ET.

When it was announced that the Suns had lost Chris Paul for six-to-eight weeks, there was talk that just maybe, the Warriors could catch Phoenix for the West's No. 1 seed. However, that kind of talk has all but disappeared, as the Suns have gone 5-3 since the break. The Warriors stumbled into the break losers of four of five and have returned from the break to go 2-5. Golden St (44-22) is now NINE games behind the Suns and have also seen the 45-22 Grizzlies slide past them into the No. 2 seed. Forget about catching the Suns, the Warriors need to earn the No. 2 seed (ahead of Memphis) plus also have to be concerned that the Jazz (currently the No. 4 seed and only 2 1/2-games behind) don't sneak past them either! The Warriors are in Denver tonight to face the 40-26 Nuggets, who are tied with Dallas. Those two are battling for the No. 5 and No. 6 seed, making sure neither falls out of the top-six and into the 'play in' round. On the bright side, the Nuggets have a chance to break a tie with Dallas for fifth place in the Western Conference and move within a game of the fourth-place Utah Jazz, if they can beat the Warriors tonight.

The Warriors are just 17-16 since beating the Phoenix Suns back on Christmas Day but did just end a five-game losing streak with a Tuesday win over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. Golden State's best defensive player, Draymond Green (), hopes to return from a back injury next week but Otto Porter (8.7 & 5.3) is out with an illness (?) and Andre Iguodala with a back injury. Thompson (16.7 PPG in 20 games) starts with Curry (25.6-5.2-6.4) in the backcourt when available (he's playing tonight), with Poole (16.6) starting when Thompson's a no-go. Wiggins (17.4 & 4.4) made his first-ever All-Star appearance this season plus as I have stated before, center Looney has started all 66 games, quietly averaging 6.4 & 7.6. The 6-7 Kuminga (8.8) and SG Lee (7.9) have both been valuable role players.

Denver's Murray has not played all season and Porter was lost after just NINE games. The Nuggets say they are optimistic they can get those players back before the end of the season but that may be "wishful thinking. Of more immediate concern, swingman Barton (14.8-4.9-3.8) hasn't played since sustaining an ankle injury against New Orleans on Sunday plus Hyland (8.8) sat out Wednesday's game with knee soreness. Denver's led by the fabulous Jokic (26.1-13.9-8.1), with PF Gordon (14.5 & 5.6) and G Morris (13.0 & 4.3 APG) lending solid support.

Here's the rub. Golden State had Wednesday off while Denver played in Sacramento, beating the Kings 106-100. Denver will now complete one of the toughest back-to-back sets in the league, playing a late game on the West Coast and then playing in another time zone less than 24 hours later. It is also Denver's FOURTH game in five days! Included in that stretch was a 131-124 home win over the Warriors this past Monday (a make-up contest), when Golde St head coach Steve Kerr held back Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins for rest. The 'tale of the tape' reveals that the Nuggets have won all three games vs the Warriors this season, including winning TWICE in San Francisco. Brutal scheduling spot here for Denver, in a game in which Golden St will be HIGHLY motivated to win. Take the Warriors.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf Tourney (Big Sky) Game of the Year is on No. Colorado at 10:00 ET.

The Eastern Washington Eagles and Northern Colorado Bears are both 18-14 but Northern Colorado had the better conference record (13-7) and grabbed the No. 3 seed and a first-round bye. The Eagles had their hands full with No. Arizona last night, winning 78-75 over the Big Sky's 11th seed. It's a quarterfinal matchup tonight from the Idaho Central Arena. Both schools come in playing well, as Eastern Washington has won SEVEN of nine, while Northern Colorado comes in having won EIGHT of 11. The teams split their season series, with the road team winning each game. 

Both schools have very solid starting-fives, although the Eagles have more size. Guards Venters (16.4 & 3.9) and Bergersen (13.2-4.9-4.4) are joined in the starting line up by the 6-6 Acliese (6.2 & 7.3), the 6-7 Allegri (12.3 & 6.6) and the 6-10 Price (10.1 & 4.7). The Bears have just one frontcourt starter in the 6-9 Jongkuch (8.8 & 8.3). He's joined by guards Kountz (20.9 & 4.0), Johnson (14.9), Hume (11.3 & 5.9) and Kuxhausen (11.2).

Is it an advantage for Eastern Washington to have played last night, or does the edge go to the well-rested Bears (last played on Mar 5)? Eastern Washington has been a formidable underdog play this season but the linemakers KNOW that and still made No. Colorado a small favorite. In this case, I'm following their lead. Take the Bears.

Good luck...Larry

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

The sixth-seeded Seton Hall Pirates escaped last night with a 57-53 win over Georgetown by closing on an 11-3 run. The game finished past midnight on the East Coast but there is no rest for the weary, as the Pirates meet 22-8 UConn, which is ranked 20th in the latest AP poll and is the Big East's No. 3 seed. The teams split a pair of games in the regular season.

The Pirates opened the season 9-1 but a two-week break without a game (COVID issues) in mid-to-late December, broke the team's momentum. Seton Hall would go just 6-8 its next 14 games but last night's win (unimpressive as it was), represented the Pirates sixth consecutive victory. 6-6 swingman Rhoden leads in scoring (16.2), while adding 6.8 but science fellow guard Aiken (14.5) has been out since Jan 15, he is the only player in double digits. Cale (9.5), Richmond (8.8)) and Harris (7.8) are all guards. The 6-8 Yetna adds 8.4 PPG and a team-high 7.8 rebounds, while two 6-10 players, Samuel (7.7 & 5.4) and Jackson (7.2 & 3.6) join Yetna up front.

Dan Hurley had a nice run at Rhode Island (won 25 & 26 games his last two seasons with NCAA bids) which got him the UConn job. He's in his fourth season and last year got UConn into the NCAAs. UConn has won SIX of its last seven games and has enjoyed its return to the Big East (prior to the 2020-21 season). Guards Gole (15.8 & 4.1 APG), Martin (13.4 & 7.6) and Jackson (6.7 & 7.1) start in the backcourt, along with the 6-9 Sanogo (15.3 & 8.6) and Whaley (7.8 & 4.8). The 6-9 Polley (7.7) is the top reserve.

Seton Hall was lucky to escape against Georgetown, which went winless thi season in the Big East. The Pirates won't be so fortunate against a UConn team ranked second in the Big East in scoring offense (76.1 points per game) and scoring defense (65.7). Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Tourney Takedown is on Utah St at 9:00 ET.

The Utah State Aggies will play the Colorado State Rams in the second round of the MWC tourney tonight. The 18-14 Aggies were the No. 7 seed and routed 10th-seeded Air Force by 27 points last night. Utah St now faces the No. 2 seeded Rams, who are 24-4 on the season. CSU won both meetings during the regular season.

Utah St head coach Ryan Odom is in his first season at Logan, coming from UMBC. The Aggies are led by the 6-7 Bean (17.8 & 9.8) and the 6-10 Horvath (13.6 & 6.4). The other main contributors are perimeter players like Bairstow (9.4), Ashworth (8.5), Eytle-Rock (8.5) and Jones (6.8). CSU's head coach, Niko Medved, is in his fourth season at Fort Collins. Big guard David Roddy leads the Rams in scoring (19.5) and rebounding (7.6), while PG Isaiah Stevens averages 14.9 PPG and a team-high 4.9 APG this season. John Tonje (9.7) comes off the bench, while guards Moore (6.7) and Jacobs (5.6 & 4.2) join the 6-9 Thomas (5.6 & 3.7) to complete the starting-five. Lake, Rivera and Moors combine to contribute 11.5 PPG.

Yes. CSU won both regular season meetings but the frontcourt of Bean and Horvath (duo combined for 34 points and 16 rebounds vs Air Force), could create matchup issues for the Rams. The Aggies are 5-1 ATS in their last six neutral site games and I'm taking the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Afternoon Delight is on Marquette at 2:30 ET.

The 20-11 Creighton Bluejays are the Big East's No. 4 seed and they will take on 19-11 Marquette, the No. 5 seed. Creighton got the best of a competitive two-game regular-season series with Marquette, earning a 75-69 double-overtime win on the road Jan 1, before securing a narrow 83-82 victory at home on Feb 20.

Shaka Smart was booted out of Austin after a disappointing six-year run at Texas but has done quite a good job at Marquette, which did not return a SINGLE starter from last season's disappointing 13-14 team. Marquette has a deep eight-man rotation, led by 6-7 freshman Lewis (17.1 & 8.0) and Maryland transfer, Morsell (13.3-3.6). The other six regular contributors are guards Eliott (7.5), Jones (7.5) and freshman PG Kolek (6.8-3.5-5.7), along with the 6-8 Prosper (6.2 & 3.4), the 6-10 Kuath (5.7 & 4.0) and 6-9 freshman Ighodaro (5.6 & 3.4).

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott is in his 12th season with the Bluejays and he has won 20-plus games in 11 of the 12. However, Creighton lost all FIVE starters from last year's 22-9 team that made a Sweet 16 appearance. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for McDermott but he has rebuilt Creighton quickly. The starting guards this season have been freshman Nembhard (11.3 & 4.4 APG) and O'Connell (3.4 PPG last year), who is averaging 11.5 & 5.4 this season. 7-1 center Kalkbrenner returned (5.9 & 3.5 LY) and is a 'new man,' averaging 12.2 & 7.5. The 6-7 Hawkins is a Div II transfer and leads in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (7.7). 6-7 freshman Kaluma adds 9.5 & 5.0 plus guard Alexander (6.4 & 3.7). A big blow for Creighton recently came with Nembhard being lost for the season in late-February to a broken wrist.

Not much to choose between these two schools but with Creighton PG Nembhard out and Marquette playing with double revenge (see scores above), my bet says it's the Eagles who come up 'Golden' in this one. Marquette will advance to the semis on Friday, where it will almost assuredly face Providence (good luck!).

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf Tourney (Pac 12) Game of the Year is on Utah at 11:30 ET.

It will take FOUR wins in FOUR days for either Utah (11-19 / 4-16 Pac 12) or Washington (16-4 / 11-9 Pac 12) to make the NCAA Tournament. Nothing to it! The first step to that improbable journey would be surviving a first-round game Wednesday night in Las Vegas. The Utes come in as the 11th-seed (only 1-19 Oregon St was worse in the Pac 12 this season), while Washington closed the regular season with a home sweep of the Oregon schools to finish 11-19 and grab the 11th-seed. The Huskies won 74-68 at Utah on Jan 6 and also beat the Utes in double overtime, 77-73, at home on Jan 29.

Craig Smith is in his first season as Utah's head coach (had a great three-year run at Utah St in going 74-24) and led the Utes to a 5-0 start but at 8-4 entering a Dec 30th contest, Utah's season unraveled. The Utes would lose 10 straight Pac 12 games, before winning 84-59 over Oregon St on Feb 3. Utah saw its best player Timmy Allen (17.2 & 6.4) transfer to Texas. The 7-0 Carlson (13.6 & 6.0) was the best returning player plus guards Anthony (8.8 & 7.2) and Worster (7.7 & 4.4) followed Smith from Utah St. Guard Jenkins (8.6) came via UNLV. Gach, who started at Utah but moved on to Minnesota, returned this year to play for Smith (9.0).

Mike Hopkins was a longtime assistant to Jim Boeheim and won 21 and 27 games in his first two seasons in Seattle but the Huskies fell to 15 wins in his third season and then had a 'nightmare' season last year, going 5-21 (4-16 in the Pac 12). It's been a COMPLETE makeover (turnover) for Washington this season, losing players right and left to the transfer portal but also the team was able to bring in a similar group of transfers, themselves. Guard Brown (21.7-4.1-4.2) and the 6-7 Matthews (11.7 & 4.8) are both transfers. Brown is a first-team all-conference selection who led the Pac-12 in both scoring (21.7) and steals (2.1). He is the first player in the league to do that since Arizona's Jason Terry in 1998-99. FIVE more players chip in between 5.1 and 9.0 PPG.

Utah's four conference victories are the fewest since going 3-15 in its first year in the Pac-12 in 2011-12. "You just gotta hit reset," first-year coach Craig Smith said. "The only way you can win in the postseason is everybody's gotta be all-in, you've got to believe it." The winner of this game will move on to face No. 3 seed USC (25-6) in Thursday's quarterfinals. The Trojans beat Utah twice and Washington once during the regular season, all by double figures. The winner of this game is likely going home but I'm going with the double-avenging Utes, who are more talented than their record indicates and have an excellent young coach in Craig Smith.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Under the Radar Rout is on Fairfield at 9:30 ET.

Rick Pitino's 25-6 Iona Gaels are the class of the MAAC (17-3) but 16-11 St Peter's) finished 14-6 in league play and enters the tourney as the No. 2 seed. The Peacocks' first game comes against 15-17 Fairfield (No. 10 seed), which won last night 72-50 over Canisius (No. 10 seed). St Peter's beat Fairfield 70-59 back on Feb 18 and then 57-41 on Mar 5 (regular season finale for both schools).

Fairfield is a guard-oriented team with guards Benning (10.8 & 4.3), Wojcik (9.5), Cruz (9.1) and Green (7.6) being joined by the 6-9 Cook (10.0 & 8.3). Fairfield handled Canisius easily, despite Cook scoring just TWO points (0-6 FGs). Guards Cruz (19), Benning (15) and Green (10-4-6) led the way. Cook did have nine rebounds. Shaheen Holloway (remember him at Seton Hall where he averaged 13.7 PPG in four years? is in his fourth season (just 42-45 in his first three). This is his best team, led by guard Banks (11.2) and Edert (8.9) plus the 6-7 Ndefo (10.3 & 6.2) and the 6-7 Drame (7.2 & 6.9).

I like the way Fairfield recovered from its 'ugly' regular season ending loss at St Peter's (team shot 15 of 58, including 4 of 22 on threes), with a very nice game vs Canisius (made 45.6%, including 7 of 15 threes), despite Cook going 0-for-6. Expect him to bounce back tonight and I'm calling for a Fairfield upset. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the SA Spurs at 8:40 ET.

The Toronto Raptors had won 50-plus games for FIVE consecutive seasons, before falling all the way to 27-45 last season. Toronto is currently 34-30, giving them the East's No. 7 seed, 3 1/2-games behind the No. 6 seed (last of the guaranteed playoff spots. Prior to last year, San Antonio had never missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Now, three straight is a very real possibility, as the Spurs are just 25-40. That leaves them 12th in the West, two games behind the No. 10 seed (last of the play-in' teams).

The Raptors have been playing without two key players: OG Anunoby (ring finger fracture) and Fred VanVleet (right knee soreness). VanVleet is averaging 21.4-4.5-6.9 and Anunoby (17.5 & 5.5) is having a "career season." That said, it's expected that VanVleet will return for this one. PF Pascal Siakam is averaging 21.5-8.4-5.0 on the season, SG Trent is averaging 17.9 PPG and rookie forward Barnes 14.9 & 7.5. The 6-8 Boucher adds 9.0 & 5.9 and the 6-9 Achiuwa 8.2 & 6.9) have been valuable contributors. The Spurs have a deep lineup that missed guards Walker (12.0) and Vasell (11.8) the other night, but they are expected to play. The five starters in the last game were PG Murray (20.5-8.4-9.4), forwards Johnson (15.9 & 6.0) and McDermott (11.6), center Poeltl (13.5 & 9.10 and recently acquired guard Richarson (6.2 PPG in five games).

Looking closer, it's "big doings' tonight in the Alamo City. Gregg Popovich can become the winningest coach in NBA history when his Spurs host the Raptors. on Wednesday night. The Spurs' 117-110 win over the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers on Monday allowed Popovich to equal Don Nelson's mark with 1,335 career victories. Naturally, you won't catch Popovich talking about the record, as his focus is on trying to climb the standings and reach the postseason. To that point, his team lost at Toronto 129-104 back on Jan 4 and the Spurs need a win here, over a vulnerable Raptors team that heads to San Antonio after a 104-96 loss in Cleveland on Sunday, their third consecutive setback. Let's "win one for Pop!"

Good luck...Larry

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

The ACC tourney moves to its second day with 10th-seeded Clemson (17-15), after a 70-64 win over 15th-seeded North Carolina State on Tuesday, taking on 7th-seeded Virginia Tech (19-12). The only meeting between the schools came this past Saturday (regular season finale for both), when Clemson eked out a 63-59 home win over Ga Tech.

Clemson's best player is the 6-10 Hall (15.4 & 5.7), who is joined up front by the 6-8 Tyson (10.1 & 5.3). The remaining key contributors are guards Dawes (11.4), Collins (10.3 & 6.9) and Honor (7.6). Hall had 18 & 10 in the win over NC State, while Honor added 13, Dawes 12 and Collins 7 & 10. Va Tech has eight players who have participated in all 31 games this season. The 6-9 Aluma (15.4 & 6.5), the 6-7 Mutts (10.3 & 7.5) and guard Alleyne (10.2) score in double digits. The other top producing guards are Cattor (9.7 & 4.1) and Murphy (7.6).

Clemson head coach Brad Brownell reflected on his team's Saturday win over Virginia Tech while looking ahead to the rematch. "Our guys fought like crazy in that (Saturday) game," Brownell said. "We're going to have to play with maximum effort and shoot the ball probably better than we did (Tuesday) to beat a really good team." The Hokies engineered a remarkable turnaround to their season after a dismal start in conference play. Virginia Tech lost SEVEN of its first nine conference games but then responded by winning NINE of 11 games since to creep into the NCAA Tournament picture. Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young knows the team's postseason fate is uncertain, so a win over Clemson is almost a "MUST!" I love the Hokies in this spot.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* SEC Showdown is on Ole Miss at 6:00 ET.

The SEC has THREE of the Ap's top-9 teams but this first round game of the SEC tournament in Tampa will feature the 13-18 Ole Miss Rebels (No. 13 seed) and the 11-20 Missouri Tigers (No. 12 seed). The winner is likely out on Thursday, when it faces 5th-seeded LSU. The question that needs to be answered tonight is, can Missouri continue this season's mastery of Ole Miss? The Tigers defeated the Rebels 78-53 on the road back on Jan 18, then 74-68 at home on Feb 12.

Ole Miss guard Ruffin (12.6) hasn't played since Feb 1 but Joiner (13.2) and Murrell (11.9) are a solid backcourt duo. The 7-0 Brown (10.0 & 7.5) and the 6-8 Brakefield (7.8 & 4.2) are the top two frontcourt players. The 6-7 Brown leads Missouri in scoring (12.6) and rebounding (7.8) and gets help up front from the 6-6 Degray (8.2 & 4.7). Pickett (11.1) is the best of a guard trio that also includes Davis (9.2) and Coleman (8.9).

Amari Davis led Missouri with 36 points in the two victories over Ole Miss and Kobe Brown scored 28. The Tigers shot 62.7 percent from the floor in the first game and 53.8 percent in the second. Anyone seriously think that this 11-20 team can repeat those percentages? Meanwhile, Ole Miss didn't have leading scorer Jarkel Joiner (13.2 points per game) for its first game against the Tigers due to injury, but he had 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals in the rematch.  On the coaching sidelines, I'll take Ole Miss' Kermit Davis in 'a heartbeat' over Missouri's Cuonzo Martin. Surely, in this double-revenge situation. There is a reason the twice-defeated Rebels are favored!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf Tourney (Summit League) Game of the Year is on North Dakota St at 9:00 ET.

The North Dakota State Bison will play the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the championship game of the Summit League Tournament tonight in Sioux Falls. Eric Henderson was named head coach of the Jackrabbits prior to the 2019-20 season, replacing T. J. Otzelberger, who accepted the head coaching position at UNLV. After going 37-17 in his first two seasons, this year's team is 29-4 (18-0 regular season in Summit play), and on the cusp of making the Big Dance. Standing in the Jackrabbits' way is the Bison, who are led by head coach David Richman, who in eight seasons has gone 159-96 (.624), including 23-9 his season.

The Bison are led by two excellent big men in the 6-10 Kreuser (15.8 & 8.0 and the 6-11 Nelson (11.2 & 4.7) plus a pair of guards in Griesel (13.5-6.4-29) and Eady (10.3 & 4.9. In two impressive wins in this tourney, Kresser has averaged 19.0 & 5.5 and Nelson 17.0 & 6.0. Griesel has a line of 18.5-7.5-8.0 and Eady has chipped in 11.5 & 7.0. The Jackrabbits have been the "class of the league" this season, led by the trio of guards Scheierman (16.2-8.3-4.6) and Freidel (15.1) plus the 6-7 Wilson (16.0 & 5.2). Freidel had been sidelined since Feb 17 but tried to play the last game but lasted just two minutes. In SDSU's two tourney wins, Wilson has been dominant (21.5 & 7.5), while Scheierman (19.0-4.0-4.0) has been his usual self.

South Dakota State has beaten NDSU twice this season but the margin of victory in each contest has been just FOUR points. Throw in the Jackrabbits' two tourney wins and they are 20-0 vs Summit League foes this season, Can they make it a 'lucky 21-0?' Maybe but I am SURE taking the points with the Bison!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Ind Pacers at 7:10 ET.

The Cleveland Cavaliers open a three-game road trip tonight against the Indiana Pacers. Cleveland entered this season having gone 60-159 (.274) the previous three seasons, after LBJ 'flew the coop' for the second time. However, the Cavs have been one of the league's biggest surprises (more in a bit). The Pacers had made the playoffs in NINE of the previous10 seasons but missed out last year with a 34-38 record. The team will miss the postseason for the second straight year in the 2021-22 season, as the Pacers are only 22-44 so far this season. 

The Cavs are currently 37-27 (good enough for the East's No. 6 seed) but will head to Indianapolis having lost SIX of eight. However, they likely will be without All-Star center Jarrett Allen (16.1 & 10.8), after he left in the first quarter of the Cavaliers' 104-96 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday with a bruised left quadriceps and didn't return. The Athletic later reported he also has a fractured finger and will miss some time. PG Darius Garland (20.7 & 8.0 APG) is having an excellent season, while 6-11 rookie Mobley (14.6 & 8.2), the 6-8 Love (14.0 &7.2) and the 6-11 Markkanen (13.9 & 5.5) give the Cavs talent and depth up front.

The Pacers have lost 11 of their last 14 games, including a 133-123 defeat at Washington on Sunday. However, they finally have paired their "preferred" backcourt of Malcolm Brogdon and Tyrese Haliburton together in five of the last six games. Brogdon had 27 points in Sunday's loss, while Haliburton added 15 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists. Brogdon is averaging 19.3-5.3-5.8 on the season, while Haliburton, acquired from Sacramento at the trade deadline, has scored 20 or more points in six of his 10 games with the Pacers, with four double-doubles (his 10-game averages are 18.6-4.9-9.5). Also, the Pacers got guard Buddy Hield (along with Halliburton), and he's averaging 20.0 PPG in his 10 games with Indiana. That said, Sabonis was dealt away, and the Pacers have been playing without forward/center Myles Turner (12.9 & 7.1) since Jan 14 because of a stress reaction in his left foot. Some good news is, center Goga Bitadze scored a career-high 20 points on 7-of-7 shooting from the floor off Indiana's bench Sunday.

I realize that the Cavs have beaten the Pacers in all three previous matchups this season, but the Cavs have road games at Miami on Friday and at Chicago on Saturday and could just 'look past' the Pacers here. That's my call, as I expect an Indiana outright win!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Ga Tech at 7:00 ET.

Louisville held off Georgia Tech 67-64 in Atlanta back on Jan 2 and then beat Pittsburgh on Jan 5. That gave the Cardinals a 10-4 overall record, including a 4-0 start in the ACC. However, Louisville would win just TWICE more, ending the regular season by losing 14 of 16 to finish 12-18 overall and 6-14 in the ACC (11th seed). The Cardinals will meet Ga Tech, the ACC's 14th seed, in this opening round matchup in the ACC tourney. The Yellow Jackets are 12-19 overall, including 5-15 in the ACC.

However, Georgia Tech enters on somewhat of a high, thanks to an 82-78 overtime win Saturday over Boston College that saw senior guards Jordan Usher and Michael Devoe combine for 48 points. Devoe has averaged 18.0 & 5.0 on the season, while Usher has added 14.6 & 6.5. Joining that duo in the starting lineup are guard Sturdivant (7.5) and Moore (5.2 & 3.4) plus the 6-10 Howard (6.6 & 5.1). Louisville plays lots of guys, as 10 players chip in between 4.7 and 9.5 PPG. The team's top-two scorers are guard Locke (9.5) and the 6-11 Williams (9.3 & 7.7). The team's third and fourth leading scorers both come off the bench (Ellis at 8.7 PPG and Davis at 6.9 PPG).

The ACC playing its conference tourney in Brooklyn just doesn't seem right but here's the bottom line. Louisville fired head coach Chris Mack back on Jan 26 but nothing has stopped the team's slide under interim head coach Mike Pegues. Meanwhile, quoting Ga Tech head coach Josh Pastner after his team's win over BC, "Good win for us," the Yellow Jackets coach said. "We found a way to get a win in a situation where the lead evaporated for us. The momentum shifted, but we found a way to get it done." Georgia Tech won the ACC tournament last March, toppling Florida State in the final and earning its first NCAA Tournament bid under Pastner. There's no ACC tourney title in store for Pastner and Ga tech this season but I expect them to have little trouble here with the sad-sack Cardinals.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Sac Kings at 10:40 ET.

The Knicks ended a seven-year postseason drought last year by going 41-31 but lost in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks, who made it all the way to the East Conference Finals. Expectations were high in Madison Square Garden to open the season but the Knicks visit Sacramento just 26-38, 5 1/2-games behind the Hawks, who currently hold the the No. seed (last of the 'play-in' teams). Most are aware of Sacramento's dilemma, as the Kings have missed the playoffs for 15 consecutive seasons. Things aren't looking good for Sacramento to snap that postseason drought this season, as the Kings are four games behind the No. 10 seed (Pelicans) plus first need to climb over Spurs and Blazers.

The good news for New York is that after almost winning Friday at Phoenix (lost 115-114), the Knicks are coming off an impressive 116-93 win over the Los Angeles Clippers last night. The bad news? Sunday's game was the front half of a back-to-back that falls in the middle of a 12-day trip. The win snapped a seven-game losing streak and marked just New York's fourth win in its last 21 games! The Kings were 3.3 seconds away from a win on Saturday at Dallas, but Dorian Finney-Smith buried a three-pointer to give the Mavericks a 114-113 the victory. The loss clinched the Kings' NBA-record 16th straight season with a losing record, with one of the roughest patches in the schedule still to come. Starting Wednesday, Sacramento's next six games will be against the Denver Nuggets, Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics and Phoenix Suns.

The Knicks have been led all season by PF Randle (19.6-10.0-5.2) and SF Barrett (19.0 & 5.8), while the Kings shook up their roster at the trade deadline. PG Fox (22.5 & 5.4 APG) and SF Barnes (17.2 & 6.0) are still around but have been joined by the 6-11 Sabonis. Sabonis has recorded double-doubles in NINE of his 10 games with Sacramento, including the last six. He's averaged 18.6-12.2-5.2 in that stretch. However, the Kings have gone 4-6 in those games.

As I've noted often this season, the Kings don't lack talent, just wins. Undaunted, interim head coach Alvin Gentry stressed positives and one fixable issue after the heart-breaker in Dallas. "I thought we played great for most of the game," he insisted. "We have to do a better job of managing our turnovers." As noted, the schedule becomes VERY difficult starting Wednesday, so this is a great opportunity for Sacramento to pick up a win against a New York team that HAS to be at least a little bit fatigued by its current schedule. Lay the reasonable points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Western Conference O/U of the Month is on G St/Den Under at 9:10 ET.

The Golden State Warriors opened 18-2 but cooled some, before winning NINE straight from Jan 21 thru Feb 7. Golden St was 41-13 on the morning of Feb 8 and the Suns were 40-13. However, the Warriors lost FOUR of five prior to the break and then returned to play with a win over the depleted Blazers However, they have lost FOUR in a row since. Doing the math and it's EIGHT losses in 10 games, as the Warriors have fallen EIGHT games behind Phoenix. The Warriors are tied with Memphis for the No. 2 seed and now the Jazz are within 2 1/2-games of Golden St and Memphis.

The Nuggets outlasted New Orleans Sunday in OT, as Jokic had 30 of his 46 points after the third quarter and finished with 12 rebounds and 11 assists to notch his 17th triple-double of the season. Denver is 38-26 (No. 6 seed) and just ONE game behind Dallas (No. 5 seed) plus 2 1/2-games behind Utah (No. 4 seed). Denver's won the first two meetings this season against Golden St but that point seems moot. Why? Read along.

Golden State has already announced that Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Andre Iguodala and Gary Payton Jr. won't play in Monday's game. Curry, Thompson and Wiggins will sit for rest while Iguodala (back) and Payton (knee) are nursing injuries. Obviously, that makes the Warriors severely short-handed BUT they do catch a scheduling break. The Nuggets are coming off an overtime win against New Orleans on Sunday night, host Golden St tonight and then travel to Sacramento for a game Wednesday night. That means Golden State catches them on the second night of back-to-back games. One more thing. Jokic (25.8-13.8-8.0) was rested Friday and there was talk he might not play Sunday. Is it possible the Nuggets will rest him here, off last night's Herculean effort in OT? Go U-N-D-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Georgia State Panthers (17-10) face the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns (16-14) Monday night in the Sun Belt Conference championship game from the Pensacola Bay Center. The Panthers topped ULL 65-58 in the regular-season finale at home and also won 68-64 in Lafayette back on Jan 27. The schools meet for the third time tonight, with the winner earning an NCAA automatic bid. 

Ga St has had the better season but ULL has 'caught fire' in the tourney, despite missing the 6-6 Julien (12.7 & 4.0). His bothersome knee has kept him out of all three games but the Ragin' Cajuns have won THREE straight games, including knocking off the SBC's regular season champions, Texas St (12-3). ULL has a pair of 6-11 players in Brown (15.0 & 8.8) and Akwuba (9.1 & 8.1). Both have played well in the three wins, Brown averaging 15.0 & 7.0 and Akwuba 10.0 & 7.7. More notably, guards Williams (5.9) and Dalcourt (5.6) have come up HUGE, with Williams averaging 14.3 & 6.3 and Dalcort 10.3.

Ga St guards Allen (13.5) and Williams (12.4-4.1-3.9) have raised their games in two tourney wins, chipping in 20.0 and 15.5 PPG, respectively. The 6-8 Nsoseme (8.9 & 9.4) and the 6-10 Thomas (7.4 & 6.2) have maintained their regular season efforts, as well. The Panthers lost in the SBC championship game last season and my bet says it's "deja vu all over again" this season!

Good luck...Larry

My Weekly Wipeout is on Furman at 7:00 ET.

The 21-11 Furman Paladins and the 26-7 Chattanooga Mocs meet Monday in the Southern Conference championship game from US Cellular Center (Ashville, NC). The Paladins beat Samford on Sunday, while the Mocs Chattanooga are coming off a win over Wofford (also on Sunday).

Furman is more of a guard-oriented team, led by Bothwell (15.4-4.0-3.1), Hunter (13.5), Garrison (9.8 & 4.1) and Foster (8.6 & 5.0). The 6-7 Clawson (14.7 & 7.5 is pretty much the lone frontcourt player of note. As for Chattanooga, guards Smith (20.3 & 6.6) and Jean-Baptiste (14.6) are the 'big guns,' but the 6-7 De Sousa (11.2 & 6.8) and the 6-8 Banks (8.4 & 4.9) are solid up front.

Slawson has been excellent in the tourney, averaging 14.7 & 7.5, while Bothwell, Hunter and Garrison have combined to average 38.5 PPG. Smith (22.0) and Jean-Baptiste (17.0) have dominated for Chattanooga but I think the Mocs can be had (linemakers sure think so with this number). Furman has had a couple of bad stretches this year, but overall it has stayed pretty consistent. The Paladins are 5-1 in their last six games and while they lost both matchups this year vs Chattanooga, the final scores were 71-69 and 64-58. The Mocs are 13-3 over their last 16 games but half of those contests have been decided by two possessions-or-less.

I 'smell' an upset (if one could call it that) and don't be surprised if the Paladins win handily!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Tourney (CAA) Game of the Year is on Delaware at 6:00 ET.

The Delaware Blue Hens and the Towson Tigers meet Monday in a CAA semifinal matchup from the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington DC. Delaware was limited to just 15 games last (7-8) but enters this game 20-12. Towson was an awful 4-14 last season but the Tigers rebounded to go 15-3 in CAA play (tied UNC-Wilmington for first place) and will take the court with a 25-7 record.

All five starters were back this season for Delaware and SEVEN players chip in between 7.7 and 14.0 PPG. Nelson (14.0 & 5.1) leads a trio of guards in double digits, joined by Allen (12.1) and Anderson (10.9 & 3.6 APG). The 6-10 Painter (12.7 & 6.9) is joined up front by the 6-9 Carr (9.7 & 4.7) and 6-7 Davis (8.7 & 3.7). Similarly, Towson has SEVEN playing scoring between 6.5 and 14.3 PPG. It's a guard-oriented team with the 6-7 Thompson (10.9 & 6.7) being the best of a weak frontline group. However, Towson's perimeter game has served the team well, led by the duo of Timberlake (14.3 & 4.4) and Holden (13.6 & 8.7).

Like so many conferences (outside of 'big-boy' status), the only path to the Big Dance is through a conference tourney title. Despite 25 wins, Towson is well aware there will be no at-large bid. Towson did beat Delaware twice (back-to-back games on Jan 24 and 27) but the Blue Hens own an advantage inside and can hold their own on the perimeter. No pressure here on Delaware that's my pick.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* East Conf Game of the Month is on the Tor Raptors at 7:40 ET.

The Toronto Raptors had won 50-plus games for FIVE consecutive seasons, before falling all the way to 27-45. As for the Cleveland Cavaliers, they entered this season having gone 60-159 (.274) the previous three seasons, after LBJ 'flew the coop' for the second time. The teams meet in Cleveland on Sunday with the 34-29 Raptors owning the No. 7 seed and the 36-27 Cavs holding onto the No. 6 seed, two games ahead of Toronto. Both teams are striving to avoid the play-in tournament, as they meet for the third time (of four) this season. Cleveland has won both meetings so far.

Toronto is starting a six-game road trip in Cleveland and the Raptors have been playing without two key players: OG Anunoby (ring finger fracture) and Fred VanVleet (right knee soreness). VanVleet is averaging 21.4-4.5-6.9 and Anunoby (17.5 & 5.5) is having a "career season." PF Pascal Siakam had 34 points and 14 rebounds in Toronto's 103-97 loss to Orlando on Friday and Raptors head coach Nick Nurse said Siakam "played his guts out." Siakam is averaging 21.5-8.5-5.0 on the season. SG Trent is averaging 17.9 PPG and rookie forward Barnes 14.9 & 7.5. The 6-8 Boucher adds 8.9 & 5.9 and the 6-9 Achiuma 8.2 & 4.7.

The Cavs have been one of the league's biggest surprises but have lost SIX of their last seven games, including three in a row. heading into their home game Sunday against the Toronto Raptors. The Cavs have been playing without guard Caris LeVert (sprained foot).and Rajon Rondo (sprained big toe). LeVert is the big loss, as he has averaged 18.2 PPG on the season (13.3 since coming to Cleveland). PG Darius Garland (20.7 & 8.0 APG) was outstanding in Friday's loss to Philadelphia with 26 points and a career-high 19 assists. Center Allen (16.3 & 10.9) added 20 & 7. Rookie Mobley (14.5 & 8.0) and Markkanen (13.7 & 5.7) plus Love 13.9 & 7.1) give the Cavs talent and depth up front.

The Cavs have been a nice story but they seem to be 'wilting' down the stretch. I'm taking the points and we may see VanVleet return to play. Wouldn't' that be nice!

Good luck...Larry

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

The South Dakota Coyotes and UM Kansas City Roos meet Sunday in a Summit League quarterfinal contest from the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. South Dakota St dominated the league by going 18-0, while 19-11 UMKC (12-6) finished ONE game better than 18-11 South Dakota (11-7) in league games. The difference being the Roos beating the Coyotes twice turning the regular season. 

My 10* Conf Tourney (Patriot League) Game of the Year is on Boston U at 4:00 ET.

The Boston University Terriers and the Navy Midshipmen meet Sunday in conference tourney play (Patriot League) from Alumni Hall (Navy's home court). Three schools from the league have had 20-win seasons, Colgate, Navy and Boston U. Colgate is the regular season champs (16-2), Navy was second (12-6) and BU third (11-7). Navy won both regular season meetings between the two schools and will go a three-game sweep, with the advantage of being at home.

The Terriers punched their ticket to the conference semifinals with a 76-64 win over Loyola-Maryland, as Javante McCoy (17.3) had 26 points on 11 of 14 shooting. Fellow guard Whyte (13.0 & 5.9) had 19 points and the 6-10 Mathon (15.1 & 10.3) added 17 & 12. Navy reached the semis with a 71-64 win over American. John Carter, Navy's lone double-digit scorer at 13.3 PPG, led the way with 21 points. Navy has six players averaging between 5.1 and 8.6 PPG but the team's other four starters combined for only 15 points in the win over American. Guard Summers (8.5 & 4.8) came off the bench to score 13 points but Navy's best frontcourt player, the 6-6 Nelson (8.6 & 4.5), had just TWO points and ONE rebound.

Yes, Navy won both regular season meetings with Boston (AND is playing at home) but note that Navy is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games overall and 1-7 ATS in its last eight home games. Boston University is 11-5-2 ATS in its last 18 road games and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games against a team with a winning percentage above .600. BU's McCoy is just as good (maybe better) than Navy's Carter plus the Midshipmen have no one to match up with BU's 6-10 Mathon. No season sweep by Navy, even while playing at home. Boston's U's 'cry' is "We want Colgate!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Mil Bucks at 3:40 ET.

The Phoenix Suns entered the All-Star break at 48-10 but had just lost Chris Paul for six-to-eight weeks. There was 'talk' that just maybe, the Suns couldn't hold on the West's best record. Then, Booker entered COVID protocols and things looked even worse. However, the Suns are 3-2 since the break and with Golden St 'folding' (Warriors have lost four straight and right of 10)) the Suns still own a 'healthy' EIGHT-game edge on the West's No. 2 (now Memphis, as Golden St has fallen 8 1/2-games off the pace). The Suns visit Milwaukee Sunday after for a rematch of last year's NBA Finals, when after taking the first two games, the Suns lost FOUR in a row. The Suns got some satisfaction by trouncing the Bucks 131-107 back on Feb 10 in Phoenix. Milwaukee will be looking for its fourth consecutive win. After dropping back-to-back games against the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets sandwiching the All-Star break, Milwaukee has won its past three following a 118-112 road win over the Bulls on Friday night. Miami leads the East, Philly is three back and Milwaukee and Chicago are 3 1/2-games back. The East will be a 'battle to the end,' as despite sitting just 25-25, Boston has won 13 of 15 since Jan 29 and is only 1 1/2-games back of the Bucks and Bulls (five behind the Heat).

With Booker and Paul sidelined, the Suns' starting lineup in their last game was center Ayton (16.3 & 9.8) surrounded by SF Bridges (13.5 & 6.30 and PF Crowder (9.4 & 5.7). Starting the backcourt were Payne (10.5) and Shamet (7.4). SF Cam Johnson (12.8 & 4.1) has been a major contributor this season. With some of Phoenix's biggest names out, Johnson has stepped up as of late, scoring in double figures in each of the last six games, averaging 21.8 points during that span. However, he has been bothered with a right quad injury and he will not be active for today's game against the Bucks. "When it rains, it pours."

Giannis Antetokounmpo (29.4-11.6-6.0) poured in a game-high 34 points, 16 rebounds and five assists on 12-for-22 shooting to record his seventh straight double-double in Friday's win. Jrue Holiday (18.5-4.7-6.7) contributed 26 points, eight rebounds and five assists as Khris Middleton (19.7-5.4-5.3) supplied 22 points, six rebounds and seven assists. That's quite a trio. Center Brook Lopez is making progress toward his return from back surgery and will begin 5-on-5 five scrimmaging, according to The Athletic but what a 'savior' Bobby Portis has been, averaging 15.6 & 9.1. Guard Allen (11.3) rounds out Milwaukee's current starting-five.

I just don't see Phoenix 'hanging' with Milwaukee here with its starting backcourt out and now Johnson getting sidelined. Speaking of the Phoenix backcourt, Booker and Paul combine to average 15-plus APG, while the current starting duo (Payne and Shamet), combine to hand out 5.5!! Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Rutgers at 12:00 ET.

The Nittany Lions won't be 'dancing' in their first year under coach Micah Shrewsberry, as after losing THREE of four, they'll head to Piscataway, NJ at just 12-15 (7-12 Big Ten) to take on Rutgers (17-12 / 11-8 Big Ten). Schools finishing 11 through 14 will have to play on the first day (Wednesday) of the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis next month. The Nittany Lions enter today's game tied with Maryland for the 10th-seed (Terps are at Michigan St). In contrast, Rutgers has an outside chance at the No. 4 seed. It must beat Penn State but also have and have No. 23 Ohio State AND No. 24 Iowa lose their finales.

Pickett (13.0-4.0-4.3) leads a trio of guards for Penn St, along with Sessoms (11.3) and Dread (6.1). The 6-6 Lundy (12.3 & 5.2) leads the way up front, along with the 6-9 Harrar (10.4 & 10.0) and the 6-9 Lee (7.7 & 6.3). Rutgers has a starting lineup consisting of four guards and the 6-11 Omoruyi (11.8 & 8.0). Baker (12.2 & 3.8 APG) entered the season with 101 starts on his resume and 6-6 guard Harper (15.8 & 6.1) can be a 'nightmare' matchup issue for many teams. Mulcahy (8.9-4.0 & 5.1) and McConnell (6.5 & 5.2) are the final two starters, while the 6-6 Hyatt (4.5 & 2.9) is the 6th-man.

After a rough start to the season with three bad non-conference losses, Rutgers forced its way onto the NCAA Tournament bubble in February with FOUR straight wins over top-25 teams (Scarlet Knights own six Quadrant 1 wins). Penn State handled Rutgers 66-49 back on Jan 11 but that was in University Park Penn St is a sad 1-9 on the road, the worst mark in the Big Ten. Steve Pikiell came to Rutgers (from Stony Brook) for the 2016-17 season and his 2019-20 team won 20 games (NCAA tourney was canceled) and then got the Scarlet Knights into the "Big Dance" last season, winning a game before losing in the round of 32. Pikiell has made "The RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center) a brutal venue for visiting teams. Rutgers is 13-3 at home this season and enters 41-9 (.820) at home the last two-plus seasons. I'm laying the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Tourney (WCC) Game of the Year is on BYU at 10:30 ET.

Mark Pope is in just his third season at BYU but has delivered a 44-15 two-year mark, including 20-7 last season. BYU got off to its best start under Pope, beating four NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, Cleveland State, San Diego State, Oregon and Texas Southern. The Cougars did not begin the season ranked but moved to No. 18 in the AP poll, before rising to No. 12 (after the Utah win on Nov 27), the school's highest ranking that far into the season in 40 years. BYU was 17-4 through late-January but a four-game skid saw them fall to 17-8 and only 5-5 in WCC play). San Francisco's Todd Golden worked as an assistant under Kyle Smith and when Smith left for Washington St, took over as head coach. The Dons went 22-12 in his first season (2019-20) but last season's team, hurt by a 17-day stint away from the court due to COVID, finished just 11-14. However, the Dons are "back this year." The Dons opened 10-0 and finished the regular season 23-8 (10-6 in WCC). The teams split their two meetings this season, as the road team won each contest. They meet again Saturday in Paradise, Nv (adjacent to Las Vegas).

BYU lost guard Averette (11.7 PPG / 2nd-leading scorer) and the 7-3 Haarms (11.3 & 5.0) but got the unexpected return of guard Barcello (16.1-4.7-4.2 LY). He leads in scoring at 17.2 PPG and fellow guard Lucas adds 10.7 PPG and 4.7 APG. The frontcourt features the 6-6 Traore (9.2 & 8.4), the 6-6 Knight (7.4 & 3.4) and the 6-8 Lohner (6.7 & 6.3). SEVEN San Francisco players have participated in all 31 games this season for the Dons. Guards Bouyea (17.0-5.0-4.1) is the top scorer, followed by the 6-9 Massalski (13.6 & 9.4), guard Shabazz (13.4) makes it three double digit scorers. The other four 31-game participants are guards Stefanni (9.7) and Rishwain (7.1) plus the 6-10 Tape (4.9 & 4.3) and the 6-8 Kunen (4.1 & 3.2).

BYU had to play last night (SF had a bye) but the Cougars had little trouble dispatching Loyola Marymount 85-60. Barcello had 22 points, Traore 15 & 11 and Lohner 6 & 10. No doubt that these teams are pretty evenly matched, but I actually see it as advantage that BYU played last night and expect the Cougars to roll that positive 'mojo' over into tonight's contes.

Good luck...Larry

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

Saturday marks the first meeting of the season between Marquette and St John's, after the two teams' first contest scheduled for Dec 29 was canceled due to COVID-19 protocol.

Mike Anderson (no connection at all to St John's or the Big East) was a surprise choice as the Red Storm's head coach after Chris Mullen left and the 'jury is still out' in his third season. The 6-8 Champagnie is listed as a guard and leads St John's in scoring (19.0) and rebounding (6.0). The 6-9 Wheeler (10.2 & 4.7) and the 6-11 Soriano (6.3 & 5.7) are the Red Storm's lone big men of note. Guards Alexander (14.9-4.7-5.3), Addae-Wusu (8.3-4.1-4.1), Mathis (8.4 & 3.7) and Smith (6.2) give St John's a deep perimeter group. Shaka Smart was booted out of Austin after a disappointing six-year run at Texas but has done quite a job at Marquette, which did not return a SINGLE starter from last season's disappointing 13-14 team. However, Marquette has a deep eight-man rotation, led by 6-7 freshman Lewis (16.8 & 8.0) and Maryland transfer, Morsell (13.1-3.5). Joining that duo in the starting lineup are freshman guard Kolek (7.1 & 5.7 APG) plus frontcourt players like the 6-8 Prosper (6.4 & 3.4) and the 6-10 Kuath (5.5 & 3.9), Guards Jones (7.8) and Elliott (7.4), plus 6-9 freshman Ighodaro (5.6 & 3.4) add depth. Note: Elliot has recently been sidelined (no real big deal).

While Marquette has dropped its last five road games, the Golden Eagles are going for an EIGHTH consecutive home win. Marquette hasn't lost at home since a double-overtime loss to Creighton back on Jan 1. During Marquette's seven-game home winning streak, it has beaten No. 9 Providence and No. 11 Villanova, the Big East's top-two teams. St John's is NOT in that class. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Boise St Broncos and Colorado St Rams meet Saturday at the Moby Arena in Fort Collins. It's the regular season finale for both schools. Bosie is 24-6 and at 15-2 in MWC play, has secured the No. 1 in the upcoming tourney. CSU is 23-4 overall, including 13-4 in MWC) play, giving them a half-game lead over SD St for the No. 2 seed. These schools met back on Feb 13 in Boise, with the Rams coming away with a 77-74 OT win.

Boise St's Leon Rice is in his 12th season, having produced EIGHT 20-win seasons in his first 11, including two NCAA teams (the most recent coming back in 2015). Last year's team went 19-9, before losing in the NIT quarterfinals, just missing a ninth, 20-win campaign. The Broncos opened just 3-4 but have won 21 of 23 since, giving Rice a ninth 20-win season in 12 years. Boise St has depth issues but has a very solid starting-five. The backcourt misses Doutrive (9.4 & 4.6), who last played on Nov 30 but Shaver (124.0 & 3.8) and 6-8 guard Akot (10.5) form a quality duo. Up front, it's the 6-7 Kijab (14.7 & 5.9), the 6-7 Degenhart (10.3 & 3.9) and the 6-10 Armus (6.9 & 7.9). The 6-7 Smith (5.1) comes off the bench. Defense is Boise's 'bread-and-butter,' allowing 50.4 PPG (14th).

CSU's head coach Niko Medved is in his fourth season at Fort Collins, coming off a 20-8 record last season in which the Rams finished fourth in the NIT. Colorado State opened 11-0 and lost just ONE of its first 17 games but then lost B2B games to UNLV and Wyoming. However, the rams come into this game having won SEVEN of eight. David Roddy leads the Rams in scoring (19.4) and rebounding (7.7), while PG Isaiah Stevens averages 14.9 PPG and a team-high 4.9 APG this season. John Tonje (9.7) comes off the bench, while guards Moore (6.2) and Jacobs (5.9 & 4.3) join the 6-9 Thomas (5.8 & 3.3) to complete the starting-five. Lake, Rivera and Moors combine to contribute about 12 PPG.

The Rams are 14-1 at home but Boise is playing with revenge plus is a 'sweet' 9-2 SU on the road (Note: Only Duke, Southern California, Wisconsin, VCU Miami and Davidson join Boise with at least nine road wins and two or fewer losses!). I'm "all over' the Broncos!

Good luck...Larry

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

I'm looking at this Pac-12 game between Stanford (15-14 / 8-11) and Arizona St (13-16 / 9-10) and see teams heading in opposite directions. Stanford won the previous meeting 79-76 back on Jan 22 at Palo Alto and today's meeting is in Tempe, as both schools conclude the regular season,

Jerod Haase had a nice four-year run at UAB (80-53) and got the Stanford job when it fired Johnny Dawkins. He won two NIT titles while at Palo Alto but the school and fans wanted NCAA tourney wins. Haase may be on the 'hot seat' after going 82-74 in his first five years, with just one postseason invite in 2018, to the NIT (Cardinal lost their first game). FIVE of Stanford's top-six scorers are frontcourt players. PG O'Connell (7.3 & 3.5 APG) runs the show but the team's main production comes from the 6-7 Jones (10.9 & 4.3), the 6-9 Delaire (10.6 & 4.0), the 6-8 Ingram (10.6 & 6.5), the 6-8 Angel (7.3 & 3.0) and the 6-9 O'Keefe (5.1 & 4.7). Stanford is coming off an 81-69 loss at No. 2 Arizona on Thursday, but coach Jerod Haase took some positives from the game. The Cardinal led at halftime and were in the game midway through the second half when Arizona went on an 8-0 run to take a 67-58 lead.

Bobby Hurley, a member of "the famous Coaching Hurleys," is in his seventh season at ASU but after three straight 20-win seasons, his team fell to 11-14 (7-10 in the Pac 12) last season. The Sun Devils were just 7-15 (3-9 Pac 12) through Feb 19 but have won SIXof seven since! Arizona State's scoring issues have suffered because returning guard Bagley (10.8 PPG) was lost to a knee injury after just THREE games (was averaging 10.4). Guard Horne (12.3) and the 6-6 Lawrence (10.4 & 6.6) have been ASU's most consistent performers. Hurley was really counting on Toledo grad transfer Jackson, who was the MAC player-of-the-year last season, averaging 18.1-6.2-5.9 but despite a recent surge, he's averaging just 10.0-3.8-4.0 this season. The other two starters are the 6-9 Graham (9.9 & 3.4.9). and guard Muhammad (5.4). Heath comes off the bench to add 10.7 PPG.

The Sun Devils have gone from being in last place in the Pac-12 on Feb 10 to entering their final regular season game in eighth. Stanford is in ninth place. Over Arizona State's last seven games (6-1), opponents have averaged only 57.3 points, almost 10 points fewer than its season average of 66.7. Everything points to an Arizona St "B-L-O-W-O-U-T!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* ACC Game of the Month is on Syracuse at 1:00 ET.

It's the regular-season finale for both the Miami Hurricanes (21-9, 13-6 ACC) and the Syracuse Orange (15-15, 9-10). Miami escaped with an 88-87 home win over Syracuse in their previous meeting on Jan 5 and the 'Canes take a 9-2 road record into today's contest. Only Boise St, Duke, Southern California, Wisconsin, VCU and Davidson join Miami with at least nine road wins and two or fewer losses. Meanwhile, after a Sweet 16 run last season, Syracuse is just a .500 team in the current season (11-4 at home). The game will be decided by which team's starting-five plays better.

Miami head coach Jim Larranaga has led the Hurricanes to seven, 20-win seasons in his 11 years, to all three of the school's 25-win seasons and to two of the school's three Sweet 16 appearances. By the way, I could also throw in him leading unheralded George Mason to a Final 4 appearance back in 2006. The 'Canes came into the season off an 'ugly 10-17 season (4-15 in the ACC) last year but have 'righted the ship.' Miami is led by the guard trio of McGusty (17.4 & 4.9), Wong (15.5 & 4.3) and Moore (12.5 & 4.2 APG). Miller is a fourth guard and adds 9.3 & 5.8. Miami's lone big man of note is the 6-10 Waardenburg (8.8 & 4.1).

Jim Boeheim is in his 46th season as a head coach and is coming off another Sweet 16 run in last year's "Big Dance" (The Orange finished 18-10). However, it's been 'tough sledding' for the Orange this season. Boeheim relies wholly on his starting five, with son Buddy averaging 19.0 PPG. His backcourt partner Girard (13.3 & 4.2 APG) returned at PG from last season. However, two key transfers have made major impacts. Swider, a 6-9 transfer from Villanova, is averaging 13.7 & 6.6 plus Boeheim's oldest son Jimmy (a 6-8 graduate transfer from Cornell), is adding 13.3 & 6.1. The 6-11 Edwards returns up front and chips in 12.0 & 6.1. Depth has been an issue all season, but that's the case with Miami as well.

Miami's headed to the "Big Dance" but the only way Syracuse makes it is to win the ACC tourney. However, the motivation here is all on the side of The Orange, as it is the team's final home game and the team can't possibly forget losing at Miami (by ONE point!), after leading by 18 points in the first half! The 'Cuse rolls!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Tourney (MVC) Game of the Year is on Southern Illinois at 9:30 ET.

The Southern Illinois Salukis are 16-14 (9-9 MVC) and the Drake Bulldogs are 22-9 (13-5 MVC) as the two schools get set to meet Friday. The Missouri Valley Tournament is known as "Arch Madness," as it's held in St Louis. The two schools have met twice during the regular season but while Drake won both n]meetings, the Bulldogs had their hands full with the Salukis.

Southern Illinois has had its ups and downs this season, including a 3-8 run in January/February. However, the Salukis had won four straight before losing their season finale to Drake, The 6-6 Domask (15.0 & 5.1) is the team's best player, joined by guards Jones (14.7), Coupet (11.1 & 4.7) and Verplancken (6.8). no other player averages as much as 5 PPG.

Drake's Darian DeVries is in his fourth season in Des Moines (70-29 his first three) and you may remember Drake opening 18-0 last season. However, the Bulldogs lost in the MVC tourney (Arch Madness) but the Bulldogs still went 'dancing,' earning the first at-large bid in program history (Drake also finished at 26-5). Head coach DeVries had the inside track on recruiting his son Tucker (Gatorade POY in Iowa) and he has delivered by leading the team in scoring at 13.6 PPG. Three more guards join him in the starting lineup, the 6-3 Sturtz (11.0 PPG and a team-high 7.5 RPG), Penn (10.6) and Wilkins (10.3). The 6-6 Hemphill (9.8 & 5.3), the 6-6 Murphy (8.8 & 5.) and the 6-10 Brodie (6.3 & 4,6) are the frontcourt contributors.

There is no doubt that Drake is the better team but the Bulldogs won just 60-59 at SIU on Jan 17 and then only beat the Salukis 62-60 at home in the season finale for both teams (Feb 26). There will be no at-large bid this season for Drake, so all the pressure is on them to win this tourney. My bet is that Drake could very well lose right here. Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division Game of the Year (Southeast) is on the Was Wizards at 7:10 ET.

The 30-32 Atlanta Hawks are currently tied with Charlotte for the No. 9 spot in the East's playoff race but the 28-33 Washington Wizards are just 1 1/2-games behind the two teams, looking to sneak into the 'play-in' round by earning the No. 10 seed. The teams have split the first two meetings this season, each winning on their home court.

Atlanta put together a strong second half on Thursday to beat the Chicago Bulls 130-124. The Hawks scored 40 points in the fourth quarter and used a late 11-0 run to erase a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit. Trae Young scored 39 points. Young had sprained his left ankle against Boston on Tuesday and had been a game-time decision because of the injury. How about here? Young (28.1 & 9.3 APG) leads the way but PF John Collins (16.8 & 7.9) has not played since Feb 11 and will likely miss again here. However, Atlanta's depth is impressive with FIVE more double digit scorers. Bogdanovic (14.0 & 3.9), Hunter (12.6), Huerter (11.7), Gallinari (10.8 & 4.6) and center Capela (10.6 & 12.1) make for a very solid group.

Washington hasn't played since Tuesday when it defeated the Detroit Pistons 116-113 to open a three-game homestand. The Wizards are trying to make a playoff run despite the absence of Bradley Beal (23.2) to season-ending left wrist surgery. Then there is Kristaps Porzingis and his right knee bruise. Porzingis has not played since being acquired in a trade with Dallas at the Feb. 10 deadline. The Wizards are led by Kyle Kuzma (17.0 & 8.8), who has a career-high 23 double-doubles this season and posted his first career triple-double on Feb 10 against Brooklyn. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is averaging 11.9 PPG and undersized center Gafford (9.1 & 6.0) has been quietly effective. Also note that with Harrell gone in a trade, the 6-8 Hachimura has scored in double digits in SIX of his last games (11.4 PPG).

Atlanta almost "gave one way" last night but saved itself with that late 11-0. It's hard to trust them away from (especially laying points), as the Hawks are only 11-19 on the road this season. Washington has won EIGHT of its last 11 meetings against the Hawks at Capital One Arena dating back to 2016. The Wizards beat Atlanta 122-111 on Oct 28 in Washington and the well-rested Wizards catch the Hawks in the second of a back-to-back. Take the home dog.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Kent St at 6:00 ET.

The Buffalo Bulls and Kent State Golden Flashes meet Friday at the M.A.C. Center in Kent, Oh. Both schools come in playing VERY well, as Buffalo had won NINE straight before losing its last game 92-76 to Toledo (Bulls have won 13 of their last 16). Meanwhile, Kent comes in having won 11 straight (8-2-1 ATS) since falling Jan 21 at Buffalo (64-51). This is the final game of the regular season. Kent St is 15-4 is just one game behind 1st-place Toledo but the Rockets are home to Bowling Green (13-17 / 6-12).

Jim Whitesell is in his 27th season as a head coach, including his THIRD at Buffalo. He was named the head coach at Buffalo in April of 2019, filling the void left by Nate Oats when he resigned to take the head coach job at Alabama. The Bulls returned four starters from last season's 16-9 team and this year's team will be one of eight MAC schools (12-team league) heading to Cleveland for the MAC tourney (opens a week from Thursday). Buffalo's starting-five is very good. 6-5 SF Williams (19.2 & 5.0) is joined in the frontcourt by the 6-7 Mballo (13.6 & 8.8) and the 6-10 Skogman (8.1 & 6.4). PG Segu (15.3 & 5.3) is joined in the backcourt by Jack (9.7 & 4.6). Brewton (5.5) adds depth in the backcourt and the 6-8 Fagan (4.1 & 4.3 in the frontcourt.

Rob Senderoff is in his 11th season at Kent and at 20-9 so far, has led the Golden Flashes to 20 wins SEVEN times. Guards Carry (18.7-4.5-4.7) and Jacobs (11.9 & 7.6) are the team's top scorers. Five more players average between 5.2 and 8.7 PPG. This is a guard-oriented team, as fellow guards Garcia and Santiago each average 8.7 points. The 6-11 Hamilton (8.3 & 6.50 is the top frontcourt player.

Buffalo's nine-game winning streak ended with a THUD, falling 92-76 at home vs Toledo. Now, the Bulls meet the revenge-minded Golden Flashes on their home court, who have at least an outside chance at tying Toledo for 1st in the MAC. The Golden Flashes have won 11 straight since that loss at Buffalo, going 8-0-1 ATS before falling to cover their last two, laying big points. No real impost to worry about here. Make it an even DOZEN straight wins on Friday night.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Big South tourney continues on Friday from Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, when the High Point Panthers (No. 7 seed) will meet the Winthrop Eagles (No. 2 seed) in the quarterfinals. The Panthers (now 14-17) were able to advance to the quarterfinals after defeating the 10-seed Hampton Pirates, 84-77 in OT on Wednesday. The Eagles finished their regular season with an overall record of 21-8 and earned the 2-seed after finishing conference play with a 14-2 record (Longwood led the Big South with a 15-1 conference record).

High Point's head coach is Tubby Smith, who returned to coach his alma mater. This marks his 31st season as a head coach but entered this season just 34-53 in his first three seasons at High Point. The Panthers are led by an excellent trio consisting of guards Wright (18.5-4.3-3,4) and House (11.8 & 4.2) plus 6-5 SF Austin (14.5 & 7.8). Austin was terrific vs Hampton (24 & 16), while House added 19. That said, High Point needed OT to beat a Hampton team that finished its season just 9-19.

Winthrop entered this season having averaged 21.8 wins over the previous eight seasons, including a 23-2 season last year. Mark Prosser is in his first year as the school's head coach but had previously worked at Winthrop as an assistant. The 6-9 Burns (15.3 & 4.6), the 6-7 Hightower (11.5 & 5.6) and guard Good (11.) lead the way. The 6-7 Talford (8.8 & 4.7) and guard Anumba (7.4 & 3.8) are both regular contributors, while four more guards combine to chip in 21 PPG.

Winthrop comes in having won 15 of its last 17 games (since Dec 31) and has run off EIGHT straight wins since losing 92-88 at Longwood (see above) on Jan 29. The ONLY other loss in the team's last 17 games came in a 65-56 loss at High Point. Winthrop WILL remember and this efficient offensive team (48.9% shooting ranks 8th in the nation) has too much firepower here for Tubby's team. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* 'Battle 4 LA' is on the LA Lakers at 10:10 ET.

The Lakers and Clippers meet for the fourth time this season Thursday night. The Lakers have lost three straight (six of their last seven), while the Clippers have won four straight (six of their last seven). The Clippers are stuck in limbo until Paul George and Kawhi Leonard return, while after standing pat at the deadline AND losing Anthony Davis (ankle) for at least a month, LBJ may have trouble even keeping the Lakers in the play-in tournament

James has missed 17 games with a number of ailments and has been playing through left-knee soreness. That said, he's averaging 28.9-8.0-6.3. Westbrook's numbers look good (18.1-7.7-7.3) but as all know, he has NOT fit in as well as the Lakers had hoped (how's that for an understatement?). Vet Anthony (13.6 & 4.2) has been steady all season off the bench plus guards Monk (12.7) and Horton-Tucker (9.5) have been valuable contributors in the backcourt.

The Clippers have played without star Kawhi Leonard all season and have been without Paul George (24.7-7.1-5.5) since before Christmas. More bad luck came when Powell, who averaged 21.0 PPG in three games for the Clippers (he was acquired in a trade), was lost to a broken bone in his foot. PG Jackson (16.7-3.6-4.6), guards Kennard (11.6) and Mann (10.6) plus center Zubac (9.9 & 8.2) have been the steadiest contributors.

According to LBJ, the Lakers have not lost confidence. "Obviously, at the end of the day we've got to come in here and win ball games and we got to play better," he said. "But as long as we got more games to play, we still have a chance. So that's my confidence. I hate losing." The Clippers have won all three of their previous meetings with Lakers this season but look at the final scores; 119-115, 111-100 and 105-102. FOURTH time IS the charm for the Lakers Take whatever points offered!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Big Ten features five top-25 schools (tied for most with the SEC) and No. 24 Iowa (21-8 / 11-7 Big Ten) is on the road tonight in Ann Arbor to take on Michigan, arguably the Big Ten's biggest disappointment. The Wolverines were ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll but enter this game 16-12 (10-8 Big Ten) and with a suspended head coach in Juwan Howard.

Fran McCaffrey is in his 12th season at Iowa City and he's delivered seven, 20-win seasons in his first 11 (now 8 in 12). The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the team in scoring (23.3) and rebounding (8.6) while his brother Kris chips in 9.9 & 4.5. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey (10.7 & 3.8) and guard Bohannon (11.0) have both played well. The 6-9 Rebraca (6.0 & 5.8), guards Perkins (6.6 )and Toussaint (4.6-3.6 APG) plus 6-7 freshman Sandfort (4.8) round out a deep group.

To say the least, Juwan Howard's season has NOT gone as planned (Wolverines were 23-5 last year). Howard is currently serving a five-game suspension for his role in a postgame skirmish at Wisconsin on Feb 20, with Phil Martelli stepping in as the acting head coach. Michigan's starting-five includes 7-1 center Dickinson (18.3 & 8.4) and the 6-11 Diabate (9.2 & 5.5) up front, plus a trio of guards. Brooks (11.9) and Houstan (10.9 & 4.1) score in double digits, while PG Jones (10.1-4.9-4.5) runs the offense. The two most reliable reserves are forwards Williams and Johns, but they combine for the modest totals of 8.0 PPG and 4.6.

Michigan has won two of three without Howard, including an 87-70 rout Tuesday over Michigan State, as leading scorer Hunter Dickinson scored a career-high 33 points. That likely kept the Wolverines on the right side of the NCAA bubble. However, few better teams have played than Iowa over the past month. The Hawkeyes have won four in a row and seven of eight games. The lone blemish in that stretch was a 84-79 home loss to Michigan on Feb 17. Iowa shot just 4 of 18 from three-point range in that game plus the Hawkeyes couldn't stop Michigan freshman Moussa Diabate, who scored a season-high 28 points.

Considering that Iowa averages 83.7 PPG (5th-best in the nation), don't expect them to shoot that poorly again and as for Diabate, he averages only 9.2 PPG on the season (his effort at Iowa was 19 points higher than his average). Iowa gets its revenge, as the Hawkeyes have no margin for error in earning the No. 4 seed for the Big Ten tourney (tied at 11-7 with Ohio St), that comes with a double-bye.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Atl Hawks at 7:10 ET.

The Chicago Bulls were 31-41 last season, missing the postseason for the FOURTH consecutive year but have reinvented themselves as a threat in the Eastern Conference this season. However, coming off back-to-back losses, the 39-23 Bulls have fallen 1 1/2-games back of 41-22 Miami (current No. 1 seed). Atlanta finished last season strong (41-31 regular season record) and then beat the Knicks and 76ers, before losing to the Bucks, the eventual NBA champs, in the Eastern Conference finals. However, it's been a struggle for the Hawks this season, as they welcome Chicago to Atlanta just 29-32. The Hawks own the No. 10 seed (last to get into the 'play-in' round) but they are just ONE ahead of the Wizards.

Chicago's DeMar DeRozan (28.2-5.3-5.0) and Atlanta's Trae Young (27.9 & 9.3 APG), two of the NBA's top scorers, will be in the spotlight on Thursday night when the Bulls try to sweep the season series on their final trip to Atlanta. The Bulls have won the first three meetings against the Hawks, including 112-108 on Feb 24 in Chicago. LaVine (24.5-5.3-5.0) joins DeRozan for a potent 1-2 'punch,' while center Vucevic (17.9 & 11.6) is averaging a double-double on the season. PG Ball (13.0-5.4-5.1) is out until late-March and while he's missed, guards White (13.8) and rookie Dosunmu (8.2) have stepped up.

The Hawks got a scare on Tuesday when Young sprained his left ankle after Boston's Marcus Smart slid into him and earned a Flagrant 1 in the first quarter. Young returned midway in the second quarter and produced 31 points in 37 minutes. He said the ankle stiffened through the game, but did not foresee a long-term issue. PF John Collins (16.8 & 7.9) has played since Feb 11 and will likely miss again here. However, Atlanta's depth is impressive with FIVE more double digit scorers. Bogdanovic (13.9), Hunter (12.5), Huerter (11.6), Gallinari (10.8 & 4.6) and center Capela (10.6 & 12.1) make for a very solid group.

DeRozan is averaging 30.7 points, 7.0 assists and is shooting 62.7 percent from the floor against the Hawks this season, while Young is averaging 30 points and 10 assists against the Bulls. I'd call that a 'push!' Hawks head coach Nate McMillan recently told reporters. "We're still in the race, but we have to be better to finish the season and play ourselves into it." Well, it's time to step up NOW! I'm taking the points and calling for a SU win by the Hawks.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf Tourney (Horizon) Game of the Year is on No. Kentucky at 7:00 ET

The Detroit Titans and the Northern Kentucky Norse meet Thursday in Horizon League Tournament college action from BB&T Arena the Norse's home court). Mike Davis took over at Detroit for the 2018-19 season and inherited a mess (school was off B2B eight-win seasons). His Titans were just 31-53 in his first three seasons but this team has improved slightly (currently 14-14). Darrin Horn took over at Northern Ky when John Brannen left for Cincinnati. His first team went 23-9 but the Norse fell to 14-11 in his second. This year's team is 18-11, including 14-6 in league (finished just a half-game behind regular season leaders Cleve St and PFW.

Detroit started off the season at an ugly 0-6, so getting back to 14-14 is pretty good. Detroit won 79-62 at home in an opening round game over Green Bay. Leading scorer Davis (24.2-3.6-4.5) 'carried' the Titans with 38 points. The team's only other double digit scorer, the 6-7 Alec (12.9 & 7.1), returned from an illness to play 16 minutes but went scoreless. McAdoo (7.4) had 14 points off the bench and starting guard Harvey (8.0 & 5.4) had 10 points.

Northern Kentucky didn't get off to a good start (6-9) but the Norse finished the regular season going 12-2 over their final 14 games (more in a bit!). The team is led by a trio of guards in double digits, led by Warrick (16.0) plus Faulkner (11.8) and Vinson (11.8-4.4-3.3). Up front, the 6-8 Nelson (6.8 & 7.5) starts and the 6-8 Brandon (5.3 & 7.1) comes off the bench.

Here's the bottom line. Northern Kentucky enters this game 12-2 SU and ATS. Believe it or not, BOTH losses (SU & ATS) have come against Detroit! That simply "makes no sense!" I say No. Ky wins with "room to spare" here in this double-revenge situation against a Detroit team that can only reasonably count on Davis. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on UConn at 8:30 ET.

No. 18 UConn (21-7, 12-5 Big East) will visit Omaha tonight to take on Creighton (19-9, 11-6). Both teams look to bolster their potential seeding in the upcoming Big East Tournament (both schools are likely at-large NCAA tournament teams).The Huskies have won five in a row for the third time this season and are coming off victories over Villanova and Georgetown. Creighton is coming off an ugly 72-51 loss at then-No. 11 Providence that snapped a six-game winning streak.

Dan Hurley had a nice run at Rhode Island (won 25 & 26 games his last two seasons with NCAA bids) which got him the UConn job. He's in his fourth season and last year got UConn into the NCAAs. Guards Gole (16.1-3.5-4.2), Martin (13.3 & 7.4) Jackson (6.8 & 7.2 start in the backcourt, along with the 6-9 Sanogo (14.9 & 8.2) and Whaley (7.9 & 4.8). The 6-9 Polley (7.8) is the top reserve.

Creighton head coach Greg McDermott is in his 12th season with the Bluejays and has won 20-plus games in 10 of his first 11. However, Creighton lost all FIVE starters from last year's 22-9 team that made a Sweet 16 appearance. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Coach McDermott but he has rebuilt Creighton quickly. The starting guards are freshman Nembhard (11.3 & 4.4 APG) and O'Connell (3.4 PPG last year), who is averaging 12.0 & 5.2 this season. 7-1 center Kalkbrenner returned (5.9 & 3.5 LY) and is a 'new man,' averaging 12.2 & 7.4. The 6-7 Hawkins is a Div II transfer and leads in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (7.8). 6-7 freshman Kaluma adds 9.3 & 5.0 plus guard Alexander (6.3 & 3.7) comes off the bench.

The Bluejays beat the Huskies 59-55 back on Feb 1 in Storrs, so revenge is on UConn's side. More importantly, a victory over the Bluejays would clinch at least the No. 3 seed for UConn in next week's Big East tournament. Making that 'job' easier is that Creighton freshman Ryan Nembhard just underwent wrist surgery. He had started all 27 games (see stats above)! UConn looks poised to make the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2011-12, when it was still coached by the legendary Jim Calhoun. There is MUCH to play for UConn and the Huskies are the play!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf Tourney (Big South) Game of the Year is on Campbell at 8:00 ET.

The Presbyterian Blue Hose and the Campbell Camels meet in Big South tourney action from the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte. Both schools returned all five starters from the previous season but Presbyterian comes into the conference tournament as the #11 seed, finishing with a record of 12-19 including 4-12 in conference play and Campbell comes in as the #6 seed, with a record of 15-12 including 8-8 in conference games.

Presbyterian has SEVEN players who have played 30 or 31 games (team has played 31), led by guard Harrison (17.0) and the 6-7 Hill (11.9 & 6.4). Campbell has SIX players getting 24-plus minutes while averaging between 7.0 and 14.1 PPG. That group includes five guards plus the 6-8 Carralero (9.3 & 5.3). The Camels have three guards scoring in double digits, led by Henderson (14.1 & 5.6) and followed by Whitfield (11.0) plus Clemons (10.1 & 5.1).

The Camels were expected to be better than 15-12 but the Blue Hose have really underachieved, at 12-19 and 4-12 in conference play. Campbell IS the better team and is playing with revenge, having lost 64-58 at Presbyterian in the teams lone meeting of the regular season. Campbell "gets it right" here, on a neutral court.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Cha Hornets at 7:10 ET.

The Charlotte Hornet lost NINE of 10 prior to the break and after  a 125-93 victory in the first game coming off the break, have lost two in a row. Charlotte is now just 30-33. That gives them the No. 9 seed in the East but just ONE game ahead of the No. 11 seed, which is the "last team left out" of the play-in round. Charlotte was 33-39 last season (but lost its first game in the 'play in' round. 

The Cleveland Cavaliers entered this season having gone 60-159 (.274) the last three seasons, after LBJ 'flew the coop' for the second time, this time to Hollywood, instead of South Beach. However, the Cavs have EASILY been one of the NBA's biggest surprise teams this season with a 36-25 record (No. 5 seed) That said, the Cavs have lost FOUR of their last five contests heading into Wednesday night's home game against the Hornets.

The Hornets have FIVE players averaging 16 points  or more. PG Ball (19.9-5.4-7.) is followed by Bridges (19.9 & 5.2), Rozier (19.0-4.3-4.4), Oubre (16.3 & 4.2) and Hayward (16.1 & 4.6). Hayward is sidelined with an ankle injury but the newly acquired PF Harrell has averaged 14.6 & 7.0 in his seven games with the team. Cleveland lost Sexton (16.0 PPG) for the season to a knee injury early on and then vet PG Rubio (13.1-4.1-6.6) went down with a knee injury as well after 34 games (he's also done for the year). PG Darius Garland (20.3 & 8.0 APG) has a bone bruise in lower back and is listed as day-to-day. Caris LeVert (13.3), who has a sprained foot, and Rajon Rondo (sprained big toe) remain unavailable. Center Allen (16.2 & 11.0), rookie Mobley (14.8 & 8.2) and Markkanen (13.9 & 5.3) do give the Cavs an edge inside.

Both teams have current issues but I will note that the Hornets are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 road games.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders and the Charlotte 49ers meet Wednesday C-USE play from Halton Arena in Charlotte. Middle Tennessee has rebounded from a 5-18 season (3-13 C-USA) to 22-7 so far this year, leading the East Division at 13-3. Charlotte is 15-13 on the season, including 8-8 in league games.

Middle Tennessee was just 9-6 back in early January, but they’ve only lost ONE game since then. In fact, the Blue Raiders come in on a eight-game winning streak, with ATS wins in their previous SEVEN games. Four players average 25-plus minutes per game, led by guards Jefferson (14.7 & 3.2), Lawrence (10.7 & 4.2) and Sims (10.6 & 4.1) plus 6-6 forward Dishman (8.7 & 4.7). 

It's been a choppy year for Charlotte but the 49ers match up well in this contest. Guard Young (19.9-5.8-3.6) will be the best player on the court, joined by fellow guards Butler (12.4 & 5.8) and Trapp (9.0 & 5.1). Charlotte owns some size inside in the 6-7 Braswell (8.5) and the 6-11 Khalifa (7.5 & 4.2), which could give MTSU some problems.

No doubt that MTSU is the better team but Charlotte is 10-4 SU at home and this marks the 49ers' final home game of the season. MTSU knows that its ONLY path to an NCAA bid is by winning the upcoming conference tourney, so I'm going to grab the points with the home dog, which just may be a little more motivated.

Good luck...Larry

NOTE: I made a slip of the mouse and selected Arizona. instead of USC. The play is on the Trojans.

My 10* Conf Game of the Month (Pac 12) is on USC at 11:00 ET.

The top-six AP teams all lost last Saturday. No. 1 Gonzaga remained No. 1 and Arizona remained No. 2. The connection between those two schools is that first-year Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd was a longtime assistant under Gonzaga's Mark Few, before he accepted the job in Tucson when Sean Miller was fired after 12 seasons with the Wildcats. 25-3  Arizona (15-2 Pac-12) travels to LA to take on 25-4 USC, which is second in the Pac 12 at 14-4, a half-game ahead of crosstown rival UCLA.

Arizona can clinch the Pac-12 regular-season title win at No. 16 USC and is also trying to solidify a top seed in the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are coming off Saturday's 79-63 loss at Colorado but hope to repeat a 72-63 win at home over USC back at Arizona on Feb 5. The Wildcats own four double digit scorers, led by 6-6 guard Mathurin's 17.1 PPG (he adds 5.7 RPG). The 6-7 Tubelis averages 15.4 & 6.6  and the 7-1 Koloko adds 11.7 & 7.3 plus PG Kriisa is good for 10.2 PPG and 5.0 APG. Four more Arizona players chip in between 6.5 to 7.4 PPG. The Wildcats average 84.4 PPG (3rd in the nation).

USC was 25-8 last season (made the Elite 8) but head coach Andy Enfield (who will ever forget Florida Gulf Coast!) has retooled the Trojans quickly after losing Evan Mobley to the NBA draft (3rd overall pick). USC opened the current season 13-0 and in the Jan 10 AP poll, was ranked No. 5. It was the school's highest ranking since also being No. 5 way back in December of 1974! Mobley's 6-10 older brother Isaiah leads in scoring (14.6) and rebounding (8.4) and is joined by the 6-9 Goodwin (11.6 & 6.7) and the 6-9 Agbonkpolo (8.0 & 3.) in the frontcourt. Ellis (12.3), and Peterson (12.5 & 6,4) make for an excellent backcourt duo.

Here's the rub. The Trojans have won SIX consecutive games following their Feb 5 loss at Arizona and are making a habit of winning close contests, including a 70-69 victory at Oregon on Saturday. Four of their past five victories -- UCLA, Washington State, Oregon State (in double overtime) and Oregon -- came by a total of NINE points. That makes them a very ;live' underdog in this contest. When USC lost at Arizona, Drew Peterson made just 1-of-13 FG attempts (0-of-6 on threes). However, he comes into the rematch full of confidence after scoring 20 points and hitting the go-ahead three-pointer with 11.5 seconds left against Oregon. He's been USC's best player during its six-game winning streak, averaging 18.8 points in the streak. Bow Wow! Take the home dog.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Wet Conf "Best of the Best" is on the GS Warriors at 8:10 ET.

When Phoenix PG Chris Paul was lost for six-to-eight weeks, there was some talk that maybe the Warriors could 'run down' the Suns for the West's top record. However, while the Suns have lost two of three since returning from the break, the Warriors have yet to show any signs that they are ready to make a huge surge. Golden State dropped four of five going into the break and after a 132-95 rout of Portland, completely fell apart in the 4th quarter in Sunday's loss to Dallas (more in a bit). The Warriors visit Minnesota tonight to take on a Timberwolves team that has won 9 of 13 since Jan 30 to match its season high at four games above .500 (33-29).

Sunday's loss was the Warriors' first in two games since returning from the All-Star break but was their FIFTH in the last seven games dating back to Feb 9. The Warriors led throughout on Sunday, building an advantage of as many as 21 points. However, the Mavericks went on a 26-3 run in the fourth quarter. Dallas did not hold its first lead until 3:21 remained in regulation but never trailed again from that point in a 107-101 win. Curry's (25.7-5.3-6.5) had a terrific season, with Wiggins (17.6 & 4.2) making his first-ever All-Star game this season and Poole (16.1) crafting a 'career year!' Center Looney flies under the radar but has started all 61 games, averaging 6.4 & 6.60. Thompson is back on a game-by-game basis averaging 17.1 PPG in 17 games. However, he remains out with a calf injury but the Warriors have a ton of depth.

Minnesota won 127-122 at Cleveland last night and will play the second of a back-to-back Tuesday against the Warriors. The T-wolves are currently the No. 7 seed in the West, as they look to earn a playoff berth for just the SECOND time since 2004! PG Russell scored a team-high 25 points for Minnesota in the win at Cleveland, while Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns and Jaden McDaniels all scored 17 points in the victory. Minnesota revolves around its "Big 3" of center Towns (24.2 & 9.6), swingman Edwards (21.4-4.7-3.7) and PG Russell (19.4 & 6.9 APG). Guard Beasley (12.0) joins that trio in double digits, while FIVE more players averaged between 7.1 and 9.2 PPG.

Minnesota will have a tough time moving into the top-six in the West (Dallas and Denver are three games up on the T-wolves) but are 7 1/2-games clear of the West's 11th seed, pretty much assuring a chance to make the postseason via the 'play-in' round. I like what I've seen lately from Minnesota but this is a tough back-to-back situation, with the Warriors coming off a total collapse Sunday vs Dallas. Golden St opens a four-game road swing in Minneapolis and forget about catching Phoenix, the Warriors are in danger of being caught from behind by Memphis, as the Grizzlies (current No. 3 seed) are just ONE game behind!

Good luck...Larry

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

The 23-6 Toledo Rockets and 19-8 Buffalo Bulls square off on Tuesday in MACtion from the UB Alumni Arena, as the MAC plays its final week of the regular season. Toledo is 15-3, one game better than Ohio and Kent St, who are both 14-4. As for Buffalo, the Bulls are 13-4. When these two teams met back on January 25, Toledo walked away with an 86-75 win (Rockets are 12-1 at home). 

Tod Kowalczyk is in his 12th season at Toledo and lost his best player from last year in PG Jackson (18.1-6.1-5.9), who transferred to Arizona St. Three-point shooter Littleson (47.2% on threes last season) also left to play in Belgium. However, three double-digit scorers returned in guard Ryan Rollins plus frontcourt players like the 6-6 Millner and the 6-7 Shumate. Rollins (19.2 & 6.1) leads the way plus Shumate (15.5 & 6.2) and Millner (14.7 & 5.9) have also fulfilled expectations. Boise St transfer Dennis (12.5 & 6.0) and Moss (8.7 & 5.5) join Rollins in the backcourt to round out an excellent starting-five.

Jim Whitesell is in his 27th season as a head coach, including his THIRD at Buffalo. He was named the head coach at Buffalo in April of 2019, filling the void left by Nate Oats when he resigned to take the head coach job at Alabama. The Bulls returned four starters from last season's 16-9 team and this year's team will be one of eight MAC schools (12-team league) heading to Cleveland for the MAC tourney (opens a week from Thursday). Buffalo's starting-five can match Toledo's. 6-5 SF Williams (19.3 & 5.1) is joined in the frontcourt by the 6-7 Mballo (13.7 & 8.7) and the 6-10 Skogman (8.1 &6.5). PG Segu (15.1 & 5.3) is joined in the backcourt by Jack (9.6 & 4.6). Brewton (5.6) adds depth in the backcourt and the 6-8 Fagan (4.2 7 4.4) in the frontcourt.

Toledo has had an excellent season (s 20-7-1 ATS) but I'm going with the Bulls. As noted, Buffalo lost at Toledo back on Jan 25 and then lost its next game at home to Ohio. However, the Bulls enter this game having won NINE in a row while averaging a whopping 85.9 PPG.

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Conf Game of the Year (SWAC) is on Texas Southern at 8:30 ET.

The Alcorn State Braves opened 1-11 in non-conference play but have gone 11-4 in SWAC games. Texas Southern knows the feeling," as the Tigers were just 2-7 in non conference action, before turning their season around with a 12-4 record in the SWAC. Both schools play in the North Division, so the winner of this contest will end the night in first place. Alcorn St still has two left (both at home), while Texas Southern will have just one game remaining after this one. 

Landon Bussie is in just his second season with the Braves (his first head coaching gig) and he's authored an impressive turnaround, after Alcorn St was only 6-13 last season (shortened by COVID). The Braves have a deep team, with NINE players averaging 19-plus minutes. The backcourt is led by Thomas (10.2-3.5-3.9), Montgomery (9.7) and Brewton (8.8 & 5.0) plus two 6-8 players, Agnew (8.7 & 4.7) and Henry (8.1 7 5.) are the two top frontcourt performers.

Texas Southern's Johnny Jones has been around for quite awhile. He spent 11 seasons at North Texas and five at LSU before coming to Texas Southern five years ago. The Tigers are also deep, with 10 players averaging between 18 and 25 minutes and between 4.8 and 9.5 PPG. Two 6-9 players, Nicholas (9.5 & 5.8) and Walker (9.4 & 4.5) are the top frontcourt performers, while Henry (8.1) and Etienne (8.1) headline a deep backcourt.

These teams met back on Jan 15 in Lorman, Ms, with the Braves coming away with a 73-72 win. However, let me note that Alcorn St, a team that's making only 41.1% of its FG attempts on the season (317th in the nation), connected on 51%. The Braves WON'T repeat that here in Houston. Here's something one can't overlook. Texas Southern began this season with a 152-41 (.788) record in SWAC games the previous 11 seasons and are now 12-4 this year. 

Just a reminder as to why I like Texas Southern here, the Tigers won 69-54 at then-No. 20 Florida 69-54 back on Dec 6. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks and Morgan State Bears meet Monday in MEAC action college at the Hill Field House in Baltimore. Both the Hawks and Bears are 10-13 this season, with the Hawks going 6-7 in league play, while the Bears are 5-6. Maryland-Eastern Shore comes in off back-to-back wins, after losing four of its previous four. As for Morgan St, it has won three of four, with its lone loss coming by just two points to Howard (Howard is the league's second-nest team at 8-4).

The Hawks have six players averaging 20-plus minutes and between 8.1 and 10.1 PPG. It's a guard-oriented team, with 6-5 SF Pollard (9.0 & 6.7) serving as the team's lone frontcourt player of note. A bevy of guards are led by London (10.9) and Styles (10.2). The Bears are similar in that six players average 20-plus minutes and between 7.0 and 12.3 PPG. Morgan St does have three double digits scorers, guards Miller (12.3 & 8.5) and Ware (10.0 & 5.2) plus the 6-8 Grantsaan (10.5 & 5.7)

Morgan St is playing with revenge from a 79-72 loss at Maryland-Eastern Shore (back on Jan 31) and I'm sure would like to keep its "mini-run" of three wins in four games going. The Bears are 7-3 at home, while the Hawks are 5-9 on the road. Maryland-Eastern Shore's head coach Jason Crafton went just 47-108 while coaching Division II Nyack and his first season here (2019-20), saw him go 5-27. The school canceled its season last year and is now 10-13 in the current season and looking towards next season. So is Morgan St but it has four returning starters from last season plus averages EIGHT more points per game than Maryland-Eastern Shore (76.0-68.2). Lay the small points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Chi Bulls at 7:40 ET.

The Chicago Bulls had won six in a row before dropping a 116-110 decision to Memphis on Saturday. The 39-22 Bulls now head to 'South Beach' tonight to take on the 40-21 Miami Heat, who own a slim ONE game lead over Chicago for the East's No. 1 seed. The Eastern Conference's top-4 teams are separated by a modest 3 1/2-games and its top-six by just five!

The Bulls were 31-41 last season, missing the postseason for the FOURTH consecutive year but have reinvented themselves as a threat in the Eastern Conference this season. Billy Donovan's team is led by wing players DeRozan (28.3-5.3-5.1) and LaVine (24.6-4.8-4.5). DeRozan comes in having scored 31-plus points in each of his last 10 games. Chicago center Nikola Vucevic chips in 17.9 & 11.7) and while PG Ball is missed, White (13.9) and rookie Dosunmu (8.1) have stepped in to replace Ball as the lead guards. Ball was averaging 5.1 assists before he got hurt but White (2.9) and Dosunmu (3.1) are sharing playing time in his place. Tristan Thompson, who signed with Chicago on Feb 19, gives the Bulls a fierce rebounder off the bench. Thompson has averaged 8.5 & 5.0 in his two games but has an 8.5 career rebound average!

Butler, who played his first six NBA seasons with the Bulls, leads Miami in scoring (21.9) and steals (1.8). Herro, who is averaging 20.3 points, is one of the top bench players in the NBA, and versatile center Bam Adebayo leads the team in rebounds (10.3) while averaging 19.0 points and 3.5 assists. PG Lowry and defensive-minded forward P.J. Tucker are both VERY important to Erik Spoelstra. Lowry ranks eighth in the league in assists (7.9) and Tucker leads the NBA in three-point percentage (45.4). However, Lowry is sitting out Monday's game due to personal reasons(?).

Yes, it's been a terrific turnaround for Chicago BUT...the Bulls are a combined 1-10 against the six other teams that started this week with a winning percentage of better than .600: Phoenix (0-1), Golden State (0-2), Memphis (0-2), Utah (1-0), Miami (0-2) and Philadelphia (0-3). That said, the Bulls have yet to have a losing month this season (are 8-4 in February). Miami is 20-7 at home but are only 14-13 ATS. I just feel as if Chicago is due for a win here against one of the East's best teams. Take the points!

Good luck...Larry 

My 9* Late Show is on the LA Lakers at 10:10 ET.

The NBA returned from the All-Star break with both the New Orleans Pelicans and the Los Angeles Lakers looking to strengthen their postseason prospects. The teams meet tonight in LA and here's a statement and question surrounding the contest. Right now, Zion Williamson does NOT look like the cornerstone the Pelicans had hoped for and after standing pat at the deadline and losing Anthony Davis (ankle) for at least a month, can LeBron drag LA into the playoffs? New Orleans took advantage of the absence of Chris Paul (who has a fractured thumb) in its first game back, winning 117-102 and snapping the Suns' eight-game winning streak. Meanwhile, the Lakers lost105-102 to the Clippers. The Lakers missed their first 10 shots and fell behind by as many as 16 points in the first half. They rallied to take a six-point lead at the end of three quarters but fell behind again and in the final seconds, LBJ's potential tying jumper from the corner bounced off the rim.

New Orleans's win at Phoenix was just the Pelicans' second victory in six games since CJ McCollum joined the team in a trade with Portland. McCollum (21.7-5.3-6.5 on the season) had 32 points and Brandon Ingram (22.2-5.7-5.4) had 28, for their most productive combined performance. Center Jonas Valanciunas (18.0 & 11.6), who had 18 points and 17 rebounds said, "It was a defensive effort. We played good basketball for 48 minutes. After the (All-Star) break, we want to establish that we are a good team, and we're doing it now." He may be a tad too optimistic!

LBJ (28.9-8.0-6.4) scored 21 points but made just 6 of 18 shots in the loss to LA's crosstown rivals. "For us to go down in the fashion that we went down ... we definitely need to play better basketball to where we're not building deficits like that early on." Said Carmelo Anthony (13.5 & 4.2), who scored 18 points in his first appearance in three weeks due to a hamstring injury, "This is a game we're supposed to win." Russell Westbrook (18.3-7.7-7.4 but 29.5% on three-pointers), who scored 18 points but has been a HUGE disappointment added, "Not good enough," Hey Russ, that's been your entire effort this season.

Getting to the postseason for both teams will likely be via the 'play-in' tournament, as LA is 27-32 (No. 9 seed) and New Orleans is currently 24-36, one game behind Portland for the No. 10 seed. The Lakers lost for fourth time in five games on Friday and for the EIGHTH in the last 11. However, the last three of those losses have been by ONE possession. LA "gets it right" tonight vs the Pelicans.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Dal Mavs at 7:40 ET.

The Golden State Warriors 'limped' into last week's All-Star break having lost FOUR of five games to fall 6 1/2 behind first-place Phoenix. However, Golden State returned to action on Thursday, knowing that Suns have lost PG Chris Paul and just maybe, there's a window of opportunity for them to catch the Suns. The Warriors had little trouble in Portland on Thursday, winning 132-95 (note: The Suns opened the door a bit with a home loss to the New Orleans Pelicans the Friday night. The Warriors will host the Dallas Mavericks tonight and know that the Mavs are a team playing VERY well, despite a 114-109 loss at Utah in the team's return from the All-Star break on Thursday.

The Mavs were just 15-17 through Christmas but have gone 20-8 since. Dallas is now 35-25 and tied with Denver. Those two are battling for the No. 5 and 6-seeds, the final two guaranteed playoff spots in the West. Doncic (27.4-9.1-9.0) was just 8-for-24 while scoring 23 points in the loss at Utah but had just come off a 10-game run in which he had averaged 35.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 9.8 assists. Brunson (16.3 & 5.4 APG) and the newly acquired Dinwiddie (12.3-4.6-5.7) join Doncic to make a terrific guard trio. Dinwiddie had 20 points in the game vs Utah (he's finding his groove with the Mavs) plus I'm not sure Porzingis will be missed. The 6-10 Powell had 22 & 7 vs Utah starting at center and the newly acquired 6-10 Davis Bertans (came with Diwiddie from Washington for Porzingis) had 17 points on 5 of 8 shooting from beyond the arc.

Curry (25.7-5.3-6.5) had a season-best 14 assists to complement his 18 points in the win over Portland, with head coach Steve Kerr calling it a "beautiful game." Thompson is back (17.1 PPG in 17 contests) plus Wiggins (17.6 & 4.2)) and Poole (16.3) have been excellent all season. That said, I believe the idea of the Warriors catching the Suns is 'Fool's Gold!' for Golden St. These teams have split a pair of games this season, but it is more than just a little notable that Dallas harassed Curry into 5-for-24 shooting and just 14 points in its 99-82 win on Jan 5. Three weeks later, Golden State got its revenge with a 130-92 rout of the Mavs in San Francisco, but Curry again struggled with his shooting (just 2-for-10 on three-pointers). I won't ignore that the Mavs come to San Francisco having gone 9-3 ATS in their last 12 as an underdog. Take the points!

Good luck...Larry 

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Harvard at 12:00 ET.

The 20-5 Princeton Tigers and 13-11 Harvard Crimson meet Sunday in Ivy league play from the Lavietes Pavilion. The Tigers have won FIVE straight to move to 10-2 in the Ivy standings. They got some help Saturday from Cornell, who beat Yale, dropping Bulldogs to 10-3. Princeton and Yale are fighting for the Ivy's No. 1 seed and a Princeton win would give the Tigers a one-game lead (both have just one game remaining). Harvard is just 5-7 but it puts them just a half-game back of 6-7 Brown. That's notable, as only the Ivy's top-four teams make the league tourney and with Princton, Yale and Penn having locked up the top-three seeds, a Harvard win means both the Crimson and Bears would be tied at 6-7 heading into next Saturday, when Harvard hosts Dartmouth (a VERY winnable contest!), while Brown plays at Yale (good luck Bears!).

The Tigers own the Ivy's best trio in Guards Wright (15.2 & 7.2) and Llewellyn (15.0 & 4.1) plus the 6-8 Evbuomwan (15.0-6.2-4.9). Llewellyn had a season-high 29 points as Princeton beat Harvard 74-67 on Friday night and now the teams meet again, although this time in Cambridge. Harvard began the season with two excellent 6-7 players in forward Ledlum and big guard Kirkwood. That duo had started along with guards Sakota and Tretout plus the 6-6 Catchings. However, Ledlum (16.7 & 9.3) has not played since Jan 7 but Kirkwood 17.9 & 5.8) has had an excellent season. Sakota (11.6), Tretout (8.1) and Lesmond (8.5) join him on the perimeter. Catchings (8.9 & 3.9) has recently begun to get help from the 6-8 Forbes, who has averaged 9.7 & 6.0 in seven February games.

There is little doubt that Princeton is the better team (Tigers average 80.3 PPG, 11th-best in the nation) but if only it was that easy when it comes to 'picking winners!' Case in point, consider this: Look what happened yesterday. For the first time in college basketball history, SEVEN top-10 teams lost on the same day. No. 1 Gonzaga, No. 2 Arizona, No. 3 Auburn, No. 4 Purdue, No. 5 Kansas, No. 6 Kentucky and No. 9 Texas Tech all lost, surpassing the previous record of six top-10 teams in the Associated Press poll losing in one day. Saturday was also the first time the top-six teams in the top-25 poll all lost on the same day, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

Princeton didn't actually have an easy time with Harvard Friday night on its homecourt, winning by SEVEN points as a 7 1/2-point favorite. I expect Harvard to go "all out" here, as if the Crimson can sneak into the Ivy tourney, it will be held right here on Harvard's homecourt, the Lavietes Pavilion. Let's 'bark' with the home dog!

Good luck...Larry

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

No. 16 Southern California heads to Eugene, Or. on Saturday with a 24-4 overall record, including 13-4 in the Pac 12. Arizona (15-1) leads the Pac 12 but USC, UCLA (12-5) and Oregon (11-6) are all looking to nail down a top-4 seed for the Pac 12 tourney. USC has won FIVE straight, after escaping with a 94-91 double-overtime win at Oregon St (Beavers are last in the conference), while Oregon (18-10 / 11-6) comes off an impressive 68-63 home win over UCLA on Thursday.

USC was 25-8 last season (made the Elite 8) but head coach Andy Enfield (who will ever forget Florida Gulf Coast!) has retooled the Trojans, after losing Evan Mobley to the NBA draft (3rd overall pick). USC opened the current season 13-0 and in the Jan 10 AP poll, was ranked No. 5. It was the school's highest ranking since also being No. 5 way back in December of 1974! Mobley's 6-10 older brother Isaiah leads in scoring (14.5) and rebounding (8.5) and is joined by the 6-9 Goodwin (11.8 & 6.8) and the 6-9 Agbonkpolo (8.0 & 3.6) in the frontcourt. Ellis (12.4), and Peterson (12.3-6.3-3.4) make for an excellent backcourt duo. However, Ellis was a late scratch due to an ankle injury sustained in practice on Thursday (listed as questionable here) but note that Ethan Anderson (5.0 & 2.2 APG) started in his place and scored 12 points and dished six assists.

Oregon's Dana Altman has been a HUGE winner in his coaching career and Oregon was ranked 13th in the AP's preseason poll. However, the Ducks opened just 6-6 and then, after a 10-1 run, had lost THREE of four into Thursday's game with UCLA. Oregon beat the Bruins with a 13-3 run down the stretch. Josh Richardson (15.1-3.5-3.5) is Oregon's leading scorer, while fellow guards Young (11.1) and Harmon (10.8) join Richardson in double figures. 6-11 center Dante (8.1 & 5.9) plus the 6-7 Guerrier (9.2 & 5.0) typically start, while the 6-6 Williams (7.8 & 4.9) and the 6-11 Kepnang (4.8 & 3.0) come off the bench.

USC is an at-large 'lock,' while Oregon is still looking to build its resume. "The top three teams in the league are the teams we've played hard against," Ducks head coach Dana Altman said in his postgame press conference following the UCLA win "We've had some games against other teams, we just haven't played as focused, as hard, with the energy that we need to." He's right. The Ducks beat UCLA (Jan 13) and USC (Jan 15) back in LA and after almost beating Arizona in Tucson on Feb 19 (lost 84-81), beat UCLA for a second straight time on Thursday. Can Oregon make it a series sweep against USC, as well? My bet says that is 'a bridge too far,' AND I'm getting points with USC. Take them.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Month is on SA/Mia Under at 8:10 ET.

Prior to last year, San Antonio had never missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Now, three straight is a very real possibility, as the Spurs are just 24-36. That leaves them 11th in the West, one game behind the No. 10 seed (last of the play-in' teams). The Spurs won 157-153 in double-overtime at home last night over the Washington Wizards and then caught a late-night flight into Miami for tonight's game vs the Heat. Miami lost in the 2020 NBA Finals to the Lakers, but last season fell to 40-32 and got eliminated 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs by the Bucks. However, Miami is currently 39-21, tying them with Chicago for the East's No. 1 seed.

I'll make this short and sweet. The Spurs will need to call on all of their physical reserves for tonight's game in 'South Beach' (second of a road back-to-back, off Friday's 2-OT shootout). Keldon Johnson led San Antonio with 32 points, and Dejounte Murray racked up 31 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds for his 12th triple-double of the season. Jakob Poeltl added 28 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists; Lonnie Walker IV went for 23 points, and Devin Vassell and Doug McDermott had 12 each for the Spurs. Any rest the Spurs had in the tank from their 12-day All-Star break was likely used up last night.

 
The Heat also played last night, earning a 115-110 win over the Knicks at MSG. Miami has won SEVEN of its last eight games and was led by Tyler Herro's 25 points off the bench and 23 from Jimmy Butler. Kyle Lowry added 19 points for the Heat, with Bam Adebayo racking up 16 points and 16 rebounds. The Heat will play 15 of their final 21 regular-season games at home, after playing the second-most road games in the NBA (33) before the All-Star break. Miami has the third-best home record in the NBA this season at 19-7. BOTH teams are playing back-to-back games since returning from the break and I see a contest that will be MUCH lower scoring than the O/U number indicates. The Heat rolled past the Spurs in San Antonio 112-95 in the two teams' first meeting this season on Feb 3, as the final of 207 points was WELL below the current O/U number for tonight. Go UNDER!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Atl Hawks at 7:40 ET.

The Toronto Raptors played better than .700 basketball for THREE straight seasons (won the NBA title in 2019) but last year fell all the way to 27-45. Toronto won EIGHT straight from Jan 29 thru Feb 10, to climb back into the East's playoff picture. However, Toronto has lost THREE of four since, including an 'ugly' 125-93 loss at Charlotte last night (Hornets entered the game on a 1-9 run). The Raptors never led and trailed by as many as 41 points. The Raptors will be in Atlanta tonight to take on the Hawks. Atlanta came into last season having gone 73-1598 (.316) the previous three years but went 41-31 during the regular season. The Hawks then reached the East Final, before falling to Milwaukee. This season has been a HUGE disappointment, as after losing 112-108 Thursday in Chicago, the Hawks are just 28-31.

Toronto is currently 32-26, leaving them 1 1/2-games behind the No. 6 seed (last guaranteed playoff spot). However, Toronto is 5 1/2-games clear of the No. 11 seed (7-10 sees enter the play in round). Toronto has FIVE players averaging 14.5 PPG or more. PF Siakam (21.6-8.5.5.1) and PG VanVleet (21.3-4.5-6.9) lead the way, joined by guard Gary Trent (18.4), SF Anunoby (17.5 & 5.5), who is having a career-year, and Florida rookie Barnes (14.7 & 7.4). Big men Boucher (9.1 & 5.9) and Achiuwa (7.4 & 6.9) are regular contributors. Anunoby sat last night (finger) but the good news may be that in the blowout, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr. did not play in the fourth quarter. 

PG Trae Young (27.8 & 9.2 APG) has done his part to get Atlanta moving and averaged 29.2 points in his final nine games before the break, including outings of 43 and 41 points during the span. However, he scored just 14 points on Thursday (?). PF John Collins (16.8 & 7.9) has played at an All-Star level but has missed the last four games (heel injury). However, the Hawks are a deep team. Bogdanovic (13.6), Hunter (12.7), Huerter (11.6), Gallinari (10.9 & 4.5) and Capela (10.8 & 12.2) all average in double digits. Center Clint Capela missed time with a back injury, but his absence gave former No. 1 draft choice Onyeka Okongwu an opportunity to show what he can do. Okongwu didn't play until Dec 17 because of offseason shoulder surgery, but after some early tenuous performances he has become increasingly productive. He's up to 8.6 & 5.4 on the season.

The Raptors have beaten the Hawks twice already this season, but Atlanta HAS to view this game as VERY important. The Hawks are in a key part of their schedule. as after the Raptors, Atlanta plays at the surging Boston Celtics, hosts the Bulls again before a road game at Washington. "It's a tough stretch, and we know that," Hawks coach Nate McMillan said. Anunoby has a displaced fracture of his right ring finger and will be out indefinitely. Siakam had flu-like symptoms (non-COVID) before the game vs the Hornets but decided to play through it, plus VanVleet had been questionable for the game as he continues to deal with knee soreness. That's a lot of "ifs" plus is there ANY chance that Young repeats his game vs the Bulls, where he was 3-for-17 from the floor? Atlanta is the play.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Wisconsin at 6:00 ET.

No. 13 Wisconsin (22-5, 13-4 Big Ten) is tied with No. 4 Purdue (also 13-4) atop the Big Ten conference standings and will host the Boilermakers on Tuesday, However, the Badgers will be in Piscataway, NJ on Saturday to take on a dangerous Rutgers team (16-11 / 10-7 in Big Ten). It's NOT possible that Wisconsin could be 'looking ahead," as the Scarlet Knights came to Madison back on Feb 12 and posted a 73-65 victory, amid a stretch of four wins over top-25 opponents.

Greg Gard is now in his seventh season at Madison, taking over when Bo Ryan retired. Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors last season but that wasn't the case this season. However, Wisconsin has again reached 20 wins (17th time in the last 20 seasons). Guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 14.2 & 4.1 and is joined by freshman guard Hepburn (7.6), who has just 32 turnovers while playing 31 minutes per game! The "big story" has guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY), who is averaging 20.6 & 8.3 this season (POY candidate). Rounding out the starting-five, after limited playing time last season, are the 6-9 Wahl (11.2 & 5.7) and the 7-0 Crowl (9.6 & 4.6).

Steve Pikiell came to Rutgers (from Stony Brook) for the 2016-17 season and his 2019-20 team won 20 games (NCAA tourney was canceled) and then got the Scarlet Knights into the "Big Dance" last season, winning a game before losing in the round of 32. Since that four-game winning streak against Michigan State, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Illinois put Rutgers on the national radar, it has dropped two straight at Purdue and Michigan. Rutgers has a starting lineup consisting of four guards and the 6-11 Omoruyi (11.8 & 7.8). Baker (11.9 & 3.9 APG) entered the season with 101 starts on his resume and 6-6 guard Harper (15.7 & 6.1) can be a 'nightmare' matchup issue for many teams. Mulcahy (9.1-5.4 & 4.1) and McConnell (6.9 & 5.2) are the final two starters, while the 6-6 Hyatt (4.6 & 2.9) is the 6th-man.

It's true that Pikiell has made "The RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center) a brutal venue for visiting teams. Rutgers is 13-2 at home this season and enters 41-8 (.841) at home the last two-plus seasons but Wisconsin has been winning games like this for two decades. A Wisconsin 'W" here and the Badgers could be in position to lock up the league title and the No. 1 seed in the Big Ten tournament with a victory over Purdue this coming Tuesday. Wisconsin is the slight underdog here and, on the season, the Badgers are both 5-2 SU & ATS when getting points. Take those points here!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Marquee Classic is on Kentucky ay 2:00 ET

Kentucky men's basketball team went just 9-16 last season, but all knew that was an aberration, as the Wildcats were ranked No. 10 in the AP's preseason poll. No. 6 Kentucky (23-5, 12-3 SEC) visits No. 18 Arkansas (22-6, 11-4 SEC)), one game behind Auburn (25-3, 13-2 SEC) in the conference standings, but one game up on Arkansas and Tennessee (Vols are also 11-4 in the SEC).

Coach Cal may have to go without guards Washington (12.4 & 6.1) and Wheeler (9.6 & 7.1 APG), as Washington is dealing with an ankle injury and Wheeler with a wrist issue. 6-6 freshman reserve guard Bryce Hopkins (2.4) scored 11 of his career-best 13 points during a key, 15-2 Kentucky run, in the Wildcats' 71-66 Wednesday win over LSU. FOUR Wildcats finished in double figures, including POY candidate Oscar Tshiebwe (16.4 & 15.3), who paced Kentucky with 17 points and 16 rebounds, registering his 10th consecutive double-double. The 6-7 Brooks (11.1 & 4.5) has been solid all season plus coach Cal also has two other quality guards in Grady (12.4) and Mintz (9.0). The Kentucky offense ranks 9th in scoring (80.6 PPG) and 15th in FG percentage (48.6). Also note that the Wildcats are holding opponents to 65.3 PPG, for an average winning margin of 15.3 PPG.

Eric Musselman is in his third season at Fayetteville, after four OUTSTANDING seasons at Nevada. He won the CBI title in his first season, then went to three straight NCAA tourneys (4-year record of 110-34!). He was 20-12 in his first season at Arkansas, then went 25-7 last season (Elite 8 appearance). His current team is led by a trio of guards in double digits. The group includes Notae (18.7-4.4-3.4), Umude (11.1 & 4.6) and Toney (10.3 & 5.4). The 6-10 Williams adds 10.4 & 9.6 and is really the lone frontcourt player of note. Guards Lykes Davis (9.0 & 4.3) and Lykes (8.4) round out what has basically been a six-man rotation. Arkansas scored 77.5 and allows 67.4 PPG.

I realize that Arkansas is on a sweet 12-1 SU & ATS run coming in but Kentucky leads the all-time series 33-12 and I won't pass up getting points with Coach Cal, even if the Wildcats have to play a little short-handed.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Rivalry of the Month ("Bedlam") is on Oklahoma at 12:00 ET.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys lost just one player from last season's 21-9 team but it was a huge loss. Cade Cunningham (20.1 & 6.2) left to become the first player chosen in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Cowboys have long known they wouldn't be advancing to the postseason, thanks to an NCAA ban, so they will probably be looking to make the most of the few chances they have left. Oklahoma St is just 13-14 (6-9 Big 12) and visits Oklahoma today, having already dealt the Sooners a 64-55 setback on Feb 5. It's been a rough first season for head coach Porter Moser (of Loyola-Chicago fame), as after opening 11-2, the Sooners have lost 12 of 15 to come into this contest just 14-14 (only 4-11 Big 12).

This heated rivalry is nicknamed "Bedlam" and it's produced some great football games over the years. In hoops, it may not be quite the same, but it still means a lot to the two schools and the players. Okla St has just one frontcourt player of any note and that's the 6-10 Cisse (7.2 & 6.0). The team revolves around a quartet of guards, led by Anderson (11.7) and Thompson (11.0) plus Williams (9.00 and Likekele 7.3 & 5.6). As for the Sooners, they have a quality starting-five, with all getting 25-plus minutes of playing time. The 6-9 Grooves (12.1 & 5.2) is joined by the 6-6 Hill (9.1 & 5,9) up front, while Gibson (11.9), Goldwire (10.1 & 3.4 APG) and Harkless (10.0 & 4.1) comprise an excellent guard trio. However, Harkless was lost for the season last week due to injury.

Oklahoma was 12-3 at one point, with three wins over ranked teams, but its season has come apart. However, a "Bedlam" game with hated-Okla St will surely be enough motivation, especially since the Sooners lost in Stillwater. An at-large berth is now no more than a dream but note that EIGHT of Oklahoma's losses in its 3-12 run have come against a ranked opponent. 13-14 Oklahoma is hardly a ranked opponent and is only 2-7 in road games on the season. The points seem 'cheap!' Oklahoma in a R-O-U-T!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Dal Mavericks at 9:10 ET.

The Utah Jazz owned the NBA's best record last season and at 28-10 in early January, were in the mix for the West's best record along with Phoenix and Golden St. However, the Jaz would close January on a 2-11 run. Utah rebounded to win its first six games of February but blew a late 12-point lead in losing to a Los Angeles Lakers team finishing without injured Anthony Davis, in its final game before the All-Star break. The Jazz return from the break at 36-22, fourth in the West. They welcome the Mavs to Salt Lake City tonight, a team that was just 15-17 through Christmas but one which has gone 20-7 since. Dallas is now 35-24 and just 1 1/2-games behind Utah in the West standings (No. 4 seed earns home court in the first round).

Doncic (27.5-9.2-9.0) is averaging almost a triple-double on the season and has been 'on fire' lately (10-game run in which he's averaged 35.4 points, 10.3 rebounds and 9.8 assists). Brunson (16.3 & 5.4 APG) and the newly acquired Dinwiddie (12.3-4.6-5.7) make for a terrific backcourt duo. It's recently come to light that Utah's top-two players, guard Mitchell (25.7-4.2-5.2) and center Gobert (15.7 & 14.8), have not been on the same page. They've downplayed reports and rumors that their locker room chemistry issues are serious or a threat to title aspirations. "It starts at me and big fella," Mitchell said in a podcast with Yahoo. "If we want to ultimately win a championship, it's going to start with us."

"Where there is smoke, there is fire?" Dallas ended the break on a 6-1 SU & ATS run and visits Utah having gone 8-3 ATS in its last 11 as an underdog. I'm taking the points with Dallas and the dominating Luka Doncic.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Min Timberwolves at 8:10 ET.

The "big story" surrounding this meeting is that James Harden (22.5-8.0-10.2 with the Nets) is expected to make his long-anticipated debut for the Philadelphia 76ers when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. Harden sat out the first four games since the trade with a strained hamstring, although the Sixers went 3-1. He hasn't played since Feb 2, when he scored four points for the Nets in a road loss to the Sacramento Kings. Philly is 35-23 (current No. 3 seed in the East), three games behind the top-seed 39-21 Bulls. As most are aware, it's a real logjam in the East, as the top-six seeds are separated by just 4 1/2-games. Minnesota returned from the All-Star break last night with a 119-114 win over red-hot Memphis, moving to 32-28. However, the T-wolves are currently just the No. 7 seed in the West, as they look to earn a playoff berth for just the SECOND time since 2004!

Harden joins a Philly team that remains deep, despite sending Curry and Drummond (along with Simmons) to Brooklyn for Harden. Embiid (29.6 & 11.2) is the current favorite for league MVP plus PF Harris (18.7 & 7.3) is of All-Star quality. Maxey (16.9 & 4.6 APG) has replaced Simmons at PG (an upgrade?) and THREE more players (guards Milton and Korkmaz plus SF Niang), chip in between 8.9 and 9.9 PPG.

Minnesota revolves around its "Big 3" of center Towns (24.4-9.7-4.0), swingman Edwards (21.6 & 4.8) and PG Russell (19.2 & 7.0 APG). Guard Beasley (12.0) joins that trio in double digits, while FIVE more players averaged between 7.2 and 9.3 PPG. In last night's win, Russell had 37 points and nine assists, while Towns added 22 & 11. However, Edwards made just 1 of 11 shots (0-6 on threes) for just FIVE points. Beasley came up big with 17 points off the bench.

These teams met way back on Nov 27 in Philly, as Embiid won his personal 'battle' with Towns, going for 42 & 14, while Towns had 28 & 10. However, Minnesota eked out a 121-120 win in two OTs. I'm sure anyone yet knows how well Harden will "blend in" with Philly, so I'm backing the small home underdog in this one (expect Edwards to bounce back with a big effort!), to win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf Game of the Year (A-10) is on Richmond at 7:00 ET.

The Saint Louis Billikens will travel to the Robins Center to take on the Richmond Spiders for Friday night action in the A-10. Davidson (13-2) leads the conference, followed by VCU and Dayton (both 12-3), plus 10-4 St Bonaventure. The Billikens improved to 19-9 on the season after a 72-61 Tuesday win over St Joseph’s Hawks (StL is 10-5 in the A-10). Meanwhile, the Richmond Spiders improved to 18-10 on the season with an 84-71 win over George Washington, also on Tuesday (Richmond is 9-6 in the A-10).

St Louis has solid depth with SEVEN players averaging between 7.2 and 16.2 PPG. The Billikens are led by SG Jimerson (16.2) and PG Collins (11.4 & 8.1 APG). Nesbitt (9.2 & 4.4) and Thatch (8.7 & 5.3) are also backcourt contributors. The 6-9 Okoro (10.5 & 7.6) is the top frontcourt player, joined by the 6-9 Linssen (7.8 & 3.8) and SF Hargrove (7.2 & 4.5). Richmond counters with a strong frontcourt, led by the 6-7 Burton (16.6 & 7.4), the 6-10 Golden (14.8 & 6.4) and the 6-7 Cayo (8.9 & 4.4). PG Gilyard (12.6 & 6.0 APG) is the best backcourt player, joined by Sherad (6.7) and Gustavson (4.8).

The Billikens defeated the Spiders by a 76-69 margin earlier this season in St Louis (Jan 2) but note that Richmond is 10-3 SU at home, with two of the losses coming by THREE points to Davidson (13-2)m and by TWO points to VCU (12-3), the A-10's top-two teams. The revenge angle is NO guarantee but I thinks it fits (AND works) well in this spot, Home team wins this one comfortably.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on Northwestern at 7:00 ET.

The top-four Big Ten schools earn a double-bye in the upcoming tourney but in this game between the Northwestern Wildcats (13-13, 6-11 Big Ten) and the Nittany Lions (11-13, 6-10), the MAJOR goal is avoiding the first day of the tournament. Schools finishing 11 through 14 will have to play on the first day (Wednesday) of the Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis next month. At 6-10, the Nittany Lions are currently 10th, while the 6-11 Wildcats are 11th.

Northwestern head coach Chris Collins said he and his team's mission is clear. "This was an important game," Collins said after his team's 77-65 win over Nebraska on Tuesday. "We've got three games left and we'd like to climb in the standings a little bit." Northwestern concludes the regular season at No. 25 Iowa and then hosts Minnesota (4-13).  6-10 senior Nance leads Northwestern in scoring (16.1) and rebounding (6.4) and teams with 6-10 center Young (8.8 &4.3) and the 6-9 Beran (6.5 & 4.3) up front. Junior PG Buie (15.0 & 4.4 APG) and fellow guard Berry (7.3) are joined by guard Audige, who didn't make his season debut until Dec 5. He's averaging 10.7 & 4.2 on the season.

Pickett (13.0-4.0-4.1) leads a trio of guards for Penn St, along with Sessoms (11.5-3.5-3.0) and Dread (6.5). The 6-6 Lundy (12.3 & 5.3) leads the way up front, along with the 6-9 Harrar (10.7 & 9.8) and the 6-9 Lee (7.8 & 6.9). A note of concern is that Lee has missed the last three games (? for this one).

Penn State lost to Maryland 67-61 on Monday and after tonight's contest, must visit No. 15 Illinois and Rutgers. That means, the Wildcats would have an excellent chance to escape the dreaded Wednesday bracket for the first time since 2018 with a "W" tonight over the Nittany Lions. Collins and the Wildcats get a second shot at Penn State, as the Nittany Lions shot 52 percent in the second half of a 74-70 win at Northwestern back on Jan 5. Turnabout is fair play. The pointspread indicates "close call" but I'm calling for a "W-I-P-E-O-U-T!"

Good luck...Larry