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

It's an ACC showdown Friday night between the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-7 / 5-5 ACC) and the Clemson Tigers (12-5 / 6-5 ACC) at Clemson's Littlejohn Coliseum. Both teams are at or slightly above .500 in league play heading into the season's home stretch. Ga Tech head coach Josh Pastner is in his fifth season with the Yellow Jackets, after SEVEN years at Memphis. His first four seasons have not gone well (just 65-67) and the Yellow Jackets look to be headed for another .500-like season. Brad Brownell came to Clemson for the 2010-11 season, after so-so stints at UNC-Wilmington and Wright St (not a single NCAA bid) and has produced a modest four, 20-win seasons and just two NCAA berths in his tenure.

Ga Tech had one game canceled and then three in a row postponed due to COVID before returning to the court Jan 20 at home against Clemson. Ga Tech routed Clemson 83-65 in that one (stood at 7-3) but has since lost FOUR of six, including having its 11-game ACC home winning streak snapped in a 57-49 loss Wednesday night to league-leading Virginia. Ga Tech has a solid five-man rotation but the Yellow Jackets have little depth. Returning PG Alvarado (17.6-3.7-4.3) and SG Devoe (13.4 & 4.7) have been excellent plus returning 6-9 big man Wright (16.1 & 7.2) present an excellent trio. 6-7 USC transfer Usher (11.4 & 4.3) helps out up front plus VMI transfer Parham (7.5 & 3.2) adds to the team's backcourt depth. 

Clemson returned four starters from last season's team plus Fordham transfer Nick Honor became eligible. The Tigers are led by 6-8 senior forward Aamir Simms (12.6 & 6.2) and senior guard Clyde Trapp (7.3 & 5.6). Simms was a preseason All-ACC first-team and Trapp is surrounded by guards Honor (9.0) and Dawes (8.4). The 6-8 Tyson (6.0 & 3.5) helps Simms up front. Depth is provided by guard Newman plus forwards Baehere and Hall (trio adds 14 PPG).

Clemson was 9-1 and ranked 12th when it welcomed Virginia to Littlejohn Coliseum on Jan 16. The Tigers were coming off an extended pause due to a positive COVID-19 test and subsequent contact tracing. The 11-day break clearly did not turn out well, as UVa routed Clemson 85-50. That was the first of three straight losses in which the Tigers averaged 58.7 PPG (included that 83-65 loss at Ga Tech). However, Clemson has won THREE of four since.

The Tigers will be seeking to avenge that 18-point loss at Georgia Tech on Jan 20 and why won't the Tigers "do just that?" Clemson is 8-1 SU at home (lone loss to now-No. 9 UVa), while Ga Tech is 1-4 on the road, with that lone win coming at 4-11 Nebraska (Tech is 0-4 on the ACC road). Clemson has stepped up its defensive efforts recently and the Tigers rank second in the league in scoring defense, allowing 62.6 PPG which ranks 20th nationally. Clemson gets the "W" plus the COVER!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on the Dal Mavs at 7:30 ET.

The Mavs went 43-32 last season, ending a three-year postseason drought and led by "All-World" Luka Doncic and 7-3 Kristaps Porzingis, expected to be playoff contenders for years to come. However, Dallas is just 12-14 so far and while the Mavs are just TWO games back of the final playoff spot in the West, they are also just ONE game better than the OKC Thunder, who own the second-worst record of the West's 15 teams. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans come to Dallas 11-13 (in a virtual tie with the Mavericks), despite the presence of Zion Williamson (23.8 PPG on 59.9% shooting with & 7.0 RPG) and Brandon  Ingram (23.7-5.5-4.6). The interesting pregame note is that Dallas has won three in a row and four of its last five. As for New Orleans, the Pelicans had won FOUR in a row before losing 129-116 in Chicago on Wednesday. 

The Pelicans were completing a back-to-back Wednesday in Chicago, after a 130-101 home victory against Houston on Tuesday. They held an eight-point halftime lead before the Bulls outscored them 40-14 in the third quarter. The Bulls made a franchise-record 25 three-pointers and it wasn't the first time New Orleans has had trouble defending three-pointers. The game against Chicago was the EIGHTH game in which the Pelicans have allowed 18 or more three-pointers. Ingram (see above) came to New Orleans in the Anthony Davis trade with LA, along with Lonzo Ball (13.9-4.4-4.7) who starts at guard alongside Bledsoe (13.2) and Hart (8.5* 7.8) who comes off the bench. Center Steven Adams (8.3 & 9.3) is the fifth starter.

Dallas finally has its full complement of players on the roster again after the return of Maxi Kleber (7.1 & 5.3) on, who had missed 11 games in health and safety protocols. Starting alongside Doncic (27.8-8.7-9.3) and Porzingis (19.7 & 8.3) are guard Richardson (12.9) plus forwards Finney-Smith (8.5 7 4.9) and Kleber. SF Hardaway comes off the bench to average 17.2 PPG plus guards Brunson (11.6) and Burke (8.4) add more 'punch' off the bench. There was even a Willie Cauley-Stein 'sighting,' who head coach Rick Carlisle had not played in the last two games, in Wednesday's 118-117 win over the Hawks. Cauley-Stein (6.0 & 4.7) had 14 points (on 5-of-6 shooting) and six rebounds in 23 minutes.

It's hard for me to understand why Dallas is just 12-14 but there are REAL signs that things are "about to change." New Orleans was scheduled to visit Dallas for the first meeting this season on Jan 11 but that game was postponed because of COVID-19 issues with the Mavericks. Be advised that the Mavs swept the FOUR-game series with the Pelicans  last season. Same old, same old here!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET.

The Toronto Raptors were the 2019 NBA champions and last season, entered the postseason as the East's No. 2 seed with a 53-19 record, despite losing Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers as a free agent. Note that the Raptors' record last season put them just 2 1/2-games back of the Bucks and was a half-game BETTER than the West's No. 1 seed, and eventual NBA champion Lakers! However, the Raptors opened the current season 2-8 (3-7 ATS). Toronto was still just 7-12 through Jan 29 but visits Boston winners of FIVE of its last six to reach 12-13.

The Boston Celtics opened the current season 8-3 but are just 4-8 since and at 12-11 have fallen behind the East's top-two teams. Philly is 18-7 and Milwaukee is 16-9 plus Brooklyn is 15-12. The Celtics are now the No. 4 seed and are just ONE game up on Toronto and Indiana! Boston is back home, after losing the final two contests of a five-game road trip to finish 2-3. These rivals met Jan 4 in Tampa (current 'home' of the Raptors), winning 126-114.

The Raptors routed the Wizards 137-115 on Wednesday, as they made 19 three-pointers, Kyle Lowry leading the way with five. Norman Powell scored 28 points and Pascal Siakam added 26 for Toronto, which led by as many as 24 points in the dominant victory. The offense is growing," Toronto head coach Nick Nurse said. "We're not going through too many lulls." He's right about that, as Toronto has surpassed 120 points in each of their past five games. VanVleet (20.7-4.3-6.4) and Lowry (17.0-5.7-6.7) comprise a dominant guard duo plus fellow guard Powell adds 15.8 PPG. PF Siakam (20.2-7.8-4.6) is now a bonafide All Star but Toronto has played its past EIGHT contests without the 6-7 Anunoby (14.6 & 5.9), who has been sidelined by a calf strain. Nurse said it was "50-50" whether the forward would be available against Boston.

The Celtics won the first meeting between the two teams (see above) but victory came during a five-game winning streak for Boston that preceded its recent rut. The team was without star forward Jayson Tatum for two weeks due to COVID-19, and his top scoring partner, Jaylen Brown, missed two games with a knee injury before returning to score 33 points in Monday's loss against NBA-leading Utah. Boston remains without Smart (13.1 & 6.1) due to a calf strain but Tatum (26.8-6.9-4.1) and Brown (26.7-5.6-3.4) are quite a one-two 'punch!' PG Walker (15.0-3.5-4.3) is rounding into shape and I expect Boston to get back to its winning ways.

The red-hot Raptors should get Boston's "full attention" and it's my bet that the Celtics are up to the task. Toronto's not just playing the second night of a back-to-back but this marks Toronto's SIXTH straight road game. The Raptors last played at 'home' (Tampa) back on Jan 31, meaning Toronto's been "on the road" for ALL of February. Lay the "more than reasonable" number.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "Best of the Best" Conf Game of the Year (Sun Belt) is on South Alabama at 7:00 ET.

The Troy Trojans and the South Alabama Jaguars meet in Mobile, Al at the Mitchell Center on Thursday night. Troy is 10-10 overall and South Alabama 12-8. Both schools play in the SBC-East, with the Jaguars sitting at 6-5 (just a half-game back of 6-5 App St) and the Trojans checking in at 4-6 (two games back). These schools will meet again tomorrow tonight. in Troy.

The Trojans had their four-game winning streak snapped in a 79-64 home loss to Georgia Southern this past Saturday. 6-6 forward Stampley (11.8 & 7.1) and the 6-9 Zay Williams (11.5 & 8.7) are a solid forward tandem. They are joined in double digits by freshman guard Woods (11.6), while three more players average more than 20 minutes of playing time. Waters chips in 8.2 PPG, Miles 6.7 points and Desmond Williams 6.2 points.

South Alabama lost four starters from last season's 20-win team but head coach Richie Riley has proven at Nicholls St and now here at South Alabama, that he weave a large group of newcomers into a unit. 6-1 guard Michael Flowers (22.1-4.1-3.6) came from Western Michigan and leads the team in scoring. Sophomore guard Locure (14.8 & 5.1) and senior guard Pettway (9.4) are two of just THREE returning players but both have been major contributors. The 6-8 Goncalves (9.0 & 6.0) and the 6-7 Iorio (7.9 & 3.4) are two transfers making 'noise,' plus there is 6-5 freshman West (5.2 & 6.3).

South Alabama was just 8-8 (2-5 in SBC) through Jan 23 but has won FOUR in a row (also 4-0 ATS) to get within real striking distance in the East. Knowing it's off to Troy tomorrow night for another game with the Trojans should have the Jaguars primed for a big effort here at home, where they are 9-3. Meanwhile, Troy is just 2-8 on the road. Lay the points1

Good luck...Larry

My 9* 'Happy Hour' Best Bet is on Minnesota at 5:00 ET.

Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. The Gophers opened 9-1 in Pitino's 8th season and were 10-2 after 12 games. However, Minnesota has lost FIVE of seven to enter this game at 12-7 (fell out of the top-25 back on Feb 1. Purdue's Matt Painter is in his 16th season with the Boilermakers but his team was just 16-14 last season, coming off a four-year run of averaging 27.3 wins per season. The Boilermaker's opened a modest 7-5 but in winning SIX of their last eight (all in the rugged Big Ten, which has SEVEN top-12 schools), entered the top-25 at No. 24 on Feb 1 (same day Minnesota dropped out).

Purdue lost 61-60 at Maryland last week and then beat Northwestern 75-70 and held onto its No. 24 ranking this past Monday. Painter got his 350th career win in the win over Northwestern and welcomed back shooting specialist Sasha Stefanovic (10.6) after three games out due to COVID-19 protocols. Stefanovic scored just four points, but his return is important. Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. 7-4 freshman Edey (7.7 & 4.3) has been an able replacement for Haarms, accounting for 12 points and 11 rebounds vs Northwestern. 6-10 junior Williams (15.4 & 9.6) has been the team's best player plus senior PG Hunter (9.4-2.6-3.3) has been steady. Freshman guards Newman (9.7) and Ivey (8.8) have also been regular contributors.

Minnesota PG Carr (19.9-4.1-5.4) ranks with the best in the nation and has been aided by THREE transfers, 7-0 Liam Robbins (13.2 & 7.2) from Drake, the 6-6 Gach (8.6 & 4.7) from Utah and the 6-8 Johnson (8.6 & 4.7) from Western Michigan. Plus, don't dismiss returning junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.0 PPG, or freshman guard Mashburn (5.7 PPG). Bottom line here is that while Minnesota is 0-6 (1-5 ATS) on the road, the Gophers have been near 'Golden' at Williams Arena, going 12-1! One of those road losses was at Purdue (Jan 30), a game in which  Purdue trailed by as much as 14 points but outscored Minnesota 51-27 in the second half of an 81-62 win over the then-No. 21 Golden Gophers. Minnesota gets this rematch 'RIGHT!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Underdog of the Month is on the Pho Suns at 10:05 ET.

The Milwaukee Bucks have owned the NBA's best regular season in each of the last two seasons, going 60-22 and 56-17. However, the Bucks have flopped in the playoffs each time. Milwaukee visits Phoenix tonight on a five-game winning streak and the Bucks are now 16-8, second-best in the East (1 1/2 games back of Philly) but their winning percentage of .667 is nowhere near the .748 of the last two regular seasons. The Phoenix Suns surprised all with their 8-0 SU & ATS performance in the Orlando 'bubble' to end last season and made a key offseason move designed to put an end to the team's 10-season playoff drought by signing PG Chris Paul. The Suns opened 5-1 but in games played through Jan 27 were just 8-8. However, Phoenix is back playing well and enters this contest winners of SIX of its last seven. At 14-9, the Suns currently own the West's No. 4 seed.

The Bucks are 3-0 on a six-game road trip after posting a 125-112 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday and have won a season-best FIVE straight games. Milwaukee leads the NBA in scoring (121.3 PPG) plus ranks second in FG percentage (49.4) and third in three-point percentage (40.1). The offense has been pretty special during the winning streak, as the Bucks have scored at least 123 in each of their victories while winning by an average margin of 20.8 points. The Bucks starting-five have been excellent, led by forwards Antetokounmpo (27.3-11.1-5.6) and Middleton (20.8-56.1-6.0). Jrue Holiday (16.4-4.8-5.4) has made all forget about Bledsoe plus center Lopez (10.7 & 5.1) is rounding into form while DiVincenzo (9.7 & 4.4) has been a solid complement in the backcourt to Holiday. The 6-10 Portis averages 11.0 & 7.4 in about 22 minutes off the bench, while guards Forbes (9.1), Augustin (6.0) and Connaughton (5.8 & 3.9) give this team excellent backcourt depth.

Devin Booker missed a handful of games with a hamstring injury but he's back (23.5-3.6-4.3 on the season). Paul (16.4-4.7-8.5) has delivered and 6-11 center Ayton (14.0 & 12.8) has been both consistent AND healthy. Former first round picks Bridges (14.4 & 5.5) and Johnson (11.4 & 3.8) have made HUGE strides this season. The Suns beat the Cavs 119-113 at home on Monday, despite Chris Paul (hamstring) missing his first game of the season. Paul is questionable to play Wednesday. However, E'Twaun Moore moved into the starting lineup while Devin Booker picked up more of the playmaking responsibilities. It didn't affect Booker's play, as he poured in a season-high 36 points, matched his season best of five 3-pointers and added eight assists. As for Moore, he had a season-best 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting while playing 40 minutes.

Milwaukee has an issue at PG as well, as Jrue Holiday didn't play at Denver and it appears he will be sidelined for the rest of the road trip, if not longer, due to health and safety protocols. Milwaukee didn't clarify anything per Holiday's status but teammate Khris Middleton made comments after Monday's game that suggested the 30-year-old tested positive for COVID-19. The 119 points scored against Cleveland were the Suns' most since a 130-126 overtime loss against the Nuggets on Jan 22. Booker has topped 20 points in four of five games since returning from a hamstring injury and center Deandre Ayton contributed 15 points and 16 rebounds against Cleveland, giving him 15 double-doubles in 23 games this season. Two hot teams and with luck, Paul may play for Phoenix (we know Holiday won't play for the Bucks). I'm 'jumping all over' the home dog!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big Ten Game of the Month is on Iowa at 7:30 ET.

Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa City from Siena, where he led the Saints to THREE straight NCAA appearances and a 77-26 record. He's been at Iowa since the 2010-11 season. He's led Iowa to SIX 20-win seasons the last eight seasons, getting four NCAA bids (would have been five last year but the NCAA tourney was canceled). Iowa returned all FIVE starters from last year, including the Preseason P-O-Y. (Luka Garza). The Hawkeyes were ranked 5th in the preseason poll and opened 12-2 (ranked No. 4 in the Jan 17th poll). However, the Hawkeyes lost at home to Indiana (81-69 ) on Jan 21, the start of the team's current 1-4 slide. Another second-half lead evaporated for Iowa during a Sunday loss at Indiana, same as it did during a Jan 21 setback against the Hoosiers and two other defeats since.

Iowa is now down to No. 15 in the latest AP poll with a 13-6 overall record, including a 7-5 mark in the Big Ten. Visiting Carver-Hawkeye Arena on Wednesday will be Rutgers, a team trending in the opposite direction. Steve Pikiell spent 11 years at Stony Brook, winning 20-plus games in his final five seasons. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA berth in 2015-16 and a 26-7 record. His first three seasons at Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights go just 15-18, 15-19 and 14-17. However, Rutgers was 20-11 last season before the year was shut down. Rutgers won its first five games by double digits and opened league play with a 74-60 win at Maryland on Dec 14. The Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0 by pulling out a 91-88 win over then-No. 13 Illinois on Dec 20 (rose to No. 11 in the AP poll on Dec 21). Rutgers then lost SIX of seven, including FIVE in a row. However, a four-game winning streak has them back in at No. 25.

Rutgers has a STRONG backcourt in Harper (16.8 & 6.0), Young (14.3), Mathis (10.5) and Baker (10.4). Mulcahy has played more recently in the backcourt, adding 5.9-4.1-3.4. The 6-11 Johnson (8.6 & 8.9) has been solid all season inside plus 6-11 freshman Omoruyi (4.2 & 4.1) has returned from a knee injury to play in the last six games. Garza (25.5 & 8.4) is joined in Iowa's starting lineup by senior guards Wieskamp (14.6 & 6.5) and Bohannon (10.1 & 4.5 APG) plus fellow guards Fredrick (8.7) and PG Conor McCaffrey (3.6-3.2-4.1). The 6-11 Nunge (7.5 & 6.5) comes off the bench, as do the 6-8 Murray (6.8 & 4.7) and the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey (5.2 & 2.9).

With time winding down on the regular season, Iowa senses the urgency and realizes the importance of reversing course. "When you're losing four out of five and each one you had a lead, that just sucks, and it's unfortunate," Luka Garza said. "Right here is down the stretch. These next eight games, that's the last stretch. So I think what we do now is going to show the character of this team, and hopefully we'll put some wins together and get on a roll towards the Big Ten tournament." Rutgers enters on a four-game conference winning streak (the longest since the program joined the Big Ten for the 2014-15 season) but NONE of those wins have come over a ranked opponent. Fredrick is likely out for Iowa but I'm still laying the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "Best of the Best" Conference Game of the Year (Southern) is on The Citadel at 7:00 ET.

The East Tennessee State Buccaneers and The Citadel Bulldogs meet Wednesday in Southern Conference action at the McAlister Field House in Charleston South Carolina. The Buccaneers have won 24,27, 25 and 30 games the last four seasons but head coach Steve Forbes left to take over at Wake Forest for Danny Manning. His top assistant Jason Shay took over but all FIVE starters from last year's team were gone. The situation at The Citadel was quite different, as the Bulldogs' head coach Duggar Baucom entered his sixth season in Charleston with a 51-106 record the previous five, after last year's team went 6-24, including 0-18 in conference play. However, the Bulldogs returned FOUR starters.

This season's ETSU team is loaded with transfers, including the Brewer brothers. Ladarrius is a guard who came from SE Mo St and leads the team by averaging 15.4 PPG. His 6-9 brother Ty (from SE La St) adds 9.0 & 4.1. 6-6 redshirt freshman Monsanto averages 13.3 PPG and his 7.1 RPG is a team-high, while PG Sloan (a graduate transfer from Kansas St) adds 10.6 PPG and a team-high 4.4 APG). 6-5 SF Hayden Brown is averaging 20.6 points and 10.7 rebounds (both team highs), while 6-6 guard Kaiden Rice is averaging 18.5 points and 4.3 rebounds for The Citadel. Guard Fletcher Abee is the third double-digit scorer (11.4 & 3.6) plus fellow guard Moffee just misses double digits at 9.9 PPG.

ETSU is the better team (won 112-84 at home back on Jan 30) but while the Buccaneers are averaging 70.9 PPG, the Bulldogs are averaging 85.0 PPG (14 points higher). What's more, The Citadel is 9-3 SU at home this season (remember, this team won just SIX games all of last season), including going 6-2 ATS. In Brown and Rice (see stats above) the Bulldogs will own the two-best players on the court. In East Tennessee's home win over The Citadel, the Buccaneers scored 112 (31 points higher that the team's seasonal average) by shooting 53.6% from the floor (shoot 44.6% on the season), including 52.2% on threes (35.4%) plus made 86.7% of their free throws (make 68.3% on the season). Upset Alert!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Boston Celtics opened the current season 8-3 but are just 4-7 since and at 12-9 have fallen behind the East's top-two teams. Philly is 17-7 and Milwaukee is 16-8. The Celtics opened their current five-game road trip with a 111-107 win at Golden St (Tue) but then lost 116-111 at Sacramento the following night. However, despite missing Jaylen Brown (26.4 & 5.5) and Marcus Smart (13.1 & 6.1 APG), they beat the Clippers 119-115 Friday night but then lost 100-91 at Phoenix on Super Bowl Sunday. Boston concludes its five-game road trip tonight in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz. The Jazz ripped off 11 straight wins both SU & ATS beginning on Jan 8 and not ending until they lost 128-117 in Denver on Jan 31. However, the Jazz welcome Boston to Vivint Arena having won FOUR in a row since that loss to Denver (lone non-cover was a 12-point win as a 12 1/2-point favorite!).

Jayson Tatum (27.0 & 7.1) has been back the last seven games (was out due to COVID protocols) and has 'not missed a beat' but Boston is just 3-4 in those games. PG Kemba Walker (15.9-3.4-4.0) didn't get on the court until Jan 17 and in his nine games, the Celtics are only 3-6. Smart (calf) is out for a while and Brown is questionable at best for this game (knee). Tristan Thompson (7.1 & 8.6) and Theis (7.1 & 8.6) usually start up front for Boston but Brad Stevens has recently used some different players up front (not much luck).

Utah PG Conley (16.5-3.7-6.8) has had an excellent season but could sit with hamstring injury. However, the Jazz inserted Ingles (10.1-3.6-4.5) into the starting lineup in Utah's last game and it was "business as usual. All Star guard Mitchell (23.5-4.3-4.9) leads Utah in scoring and the trio of Bogdanovich (15.9 & 3.8), Gobert (13.3 & 13.5) and O'Neale (7.9 & 6.8) complete the starting-five. Sixth-man Clarkson (17.5) has been terrific all season and the return of Favors (6.1 & 5.8) has been a nice bonus.

This will be Boston's FIFTH road game in eight days and will be without Smart and quite possibly Brown. Recapping, Utah has won 15 of its last 16, going 14-2 ATS! I see NO reason to 'step in front of that train,' especially at this reasonable price.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner of the Month is on Michigan St at 7:00 ET.

Penn St was 21-10 last season but the Nittany Lions went through some turmoil right as practices started when head coach Pat Chambers resigned in late October following an investigation into inappropriate conduct. Penn State is playing this season with interim head coach Jim Ferry and the Nittany Lions arrive in East Lansing just 7-8 (4-7 in the Big Ten) but on an upswing having won FOUR of their last six. Tom Izzo's Michigan St team was ranked 13th in the AP preseason poll but lost its first three Big Ten games for the first time since 2001-02. At 9-7 overall and 3-7 in the Big Ten, Michigan State is in serious jeopardy of seeing its streak of 22 consecutive appearances in the tournament come to an end.

The Nittany Lions surely miss All-Big Ten forward Lamar Stevens (17.6 & 6.9) but the Nittany Lions have three players averaging in double figures; the 6-7 Izaiah Brockington (14.6 & 4.8) and the 6-7 Seth Lundy (11.7 & 4.3) plus guard Myreon Jones (14.7). Guard Sam Sessoms comes off the bench to add 9.5 PPG, with the 6-9 Harrar (8.7 & 8.3) and PG Wheeler (5.5-3.9-3.6) starting alongside Jones and the two 6-7 forwards. Michigan St lost its two best players from last season's 22-9 team to the NBA Draft, as PG Winston (18.6 & 5.9 APG) was taken by the Wizards and the 6-8 Tillman (13.7 & 10.3) by the Grizzlies. The team's top-two players so far this season have been 6-6 returning forward Aaron Henry. (14.0-5.8-3.6) and 6-9 junior forward Joey Hauser, a transfer from Marquette, who averages 10.5 PPG and a team-high 7.1 RPG. Sophomore PG Watts (8.7 & 3.1 APG) has stepped in for Winston plus veteran guards Langford (9.9) and Loyer (4.9) join him on the perimeter. Two returning 6-7 forwards, Brown (7.4) and Hall (4.9 & 4.9) give MSU a deep bench.

The Spartans snapped a four-game losing streak with a 66-56 home victory over Nebraska but hardly looked very good, committing 22 turnovers and shooting 33.3 percent in the second half. Michigan State has a lot of work to do to get back into the NCAA Tournament picture and that's not a bad thing, according to coach Tom Izzo. "There is a little pressure on us and I kind of like that," Izzo said. "I think this team needs to have a little pressure on them. Maybe I need to have a little pressure on me." I believe Penn St will play the perfect foil in this game, as all of the teams recent wins have come at home. Penn State is 0-6 in Big Ten road games this season. Michigan St doesn't need a blowout win here to cover, just a solid win. Lay the small number.

Good luck...Larry 

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on NC State at 6:30 ET.

It's 10-6 Syracuse (4-5 in the ACC) at 8-7 NC State (4-6 in the ACC) tonight from PNC Arena in Raleigh. The two schools met Jan 31 in Syracuse, with the Orange winning 76-73. Jim Boeheim is in his 45th season at Syracuse, while Kevin Keatts took over at NC State for Mark Gottfried beginning in the 2017-18 season, after leading UNC-Wilmington to 25-8 and 29-6 records in his final two seasons (both teams earned NCAA tourney bids). He's won 21, 24 and 20 games his first three seasons in Raleigh but it's been a tough year so far, losing games to COVID protocols plus recently losing the team's best player (Devon Daniels) for the season.

All FIVE Orange starters average in double digits (all average 30-plus MPG too) but Syracuse has little depth. The 6-7 Guerrier leads in scoring (15.8) and rebounding (9.3), SF Griffin checks in at 15.5 & 6.9 plus the 6-10 Dolezag adds 10.9& 5.5. The backcourt is Buddy Boeheim (14.2) and PG Girard (10.8 & 3.8 APG).  SF Richmond (6.8 & 3.1) comes off the bench as the team's lone contributing reserve.

NC State lost leading scorer Bryce (13.3 & 6.3) plus PG Johnson (12.8-4.4-6.8) from last year's team plus will go the rest of the season without Devon Daniels (16.5-5.1-3.2). "I quickly appreciated the tenacity and relentlessness he brought into the gym every day," Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts said, recalling when Daniels joined the program after transferring from Utah. "Devon built himself into one of the premier players in the ACC with that tireless work ethic." With the loss of Daniels, the Wolfpack are left with just two double digit scorers, 6-7 wing Hellems (13.3 & 5.3) and the 6-10 Funderburk (11.8 & 5.4), who comes off the bench. Other significant contributors are the 6-11 Bates (9.9 & 5.9) plus guards Allen (7.0), Moore (7.0), Hayes (6.7) and Beverly (6.3).

NC St almost won at Syracuse and enters this game 6-2 SU at home. Meanwhile, Syracuse opened its Atlantic Coast Conference road schedule with an impressive 38-point win over Boston College but the team's last four road trips have not gone well. The Orange lost their second road game by six at North Carolina on Jan 12 but in losses to Pittsburgh, Virginia and Clemson, the average margin of defeat has been 20 points! This past Saturday, Syracuse shot a season-worst 30 percent in a 78-61 loss at Clemson. What's more, Saturday's loss came against the ACC's worst offensive team as Syracuse's 'famed' 2-3 zone allowed a season-worst 52.9 percent from the floor. Syracuse made only 5 of 20 attempts from three-point range and are shooting just 19.7 percent (13 of 66) from behind the arc in their last three road games and only 31.3% on the season (277th in the nation). Even without Daniels, NC St wins this "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Mil Bucks at 9:35 ET.

The Milwaukee Bucks have owned the NBA's best regular season in each of the last two seasons, going and. However, the Bucks have flopped in the playoffs each time. Milwaukee visits Denver tonight on a four-game winning streak and the Bucks are now 15-8, second-best in the East (1 1/2 games back of Philly) but their winning percentage of .652 is nowhere near the .748 of the last two regular seasons. The Nuggets were the "Comeback Kids" of last season's playoffs but opened the current season just 1-4. However, Denver responded with an 11-4 run. However, the Nuggets are off back-to-back losses and at 12-10, are SIX games back of the West's No. 1 seed (Utah) but just ONE game better than the West's No. 10 seed.

The Bucks starting-five have been excellent, led by forwards Antetokounmpo (27.1-11.2-5.8) and Middleton (20.4-5.8). Jrue Holiday (16.4-4.8-5.4) has made all forget about Bledsoe plus center Lopez (10.6 & 5.0) is rounding into form while DiVincenzo (9.5 & 4.3) has been a solid complement in the backcourt to Holiday. The 6-10 Portis averages 11.2 & 7.2 in about 22 minutes off the bench, while guards Forbes (8.8), Augustin (6.1) and Connaughton (5.9 & 4.0) give this team excellent backcourt depth.

Denver center Nikola Jokic had 47 points in Denver last win (home to Utah on Jan 31) and then in a loss at Sacramento two games later, scored a career-high 50 points. He's having a spectacular season, averaging 27.2-11.5-8.6. PG Murray (19.0-4.0-4.5) had a breakout postseason and continues to play at an All Star level, The 6-10 Porter (15.2 & 6.4) has missed 10 games but is now back, giving Denver quite a trio. Denver also features as much quality depth as any team, as SIX other players are averaging between 7.1 and 11.0 PPG. However, SG Harris (10.1), the team's best perimeter defender, is out with a left adductor strain and Murray is listed day-to-day with a knee problem (he missed Denver's last game).

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

Bill Self's Kansas team was ranked No. 1 in the final AP poll after last season's shutdown. Despite losing key players like PG Dotson (18.1-4.1-4.0) and the 6-10 Azubuike (13.7 & 10.5) this years' team opened No. 6 in the preseason poll. Kansas lost its season-opener to No. 1 Gonzaga (Gonzaga has yet to lose) but heading into its Jan 12 game at Oklahoma St, the Jayhawks were 10-2 and still ranked No. 6. However, a 75-70 loss at Stillwater was the beginning of Kansas losing FIVE of its next seven. The Jayhawks are now 12-7 (6-5 in Big 12) and when the new AP poll comes out this afternoon, will almost assuredly fall out of the top-25, ending its run of 231 straight weeks as a ranked team. 

12-5 Oklahoma St (5-5 Big 12) is coming off a 75-67 double-OT at home over then-No. 6 Texas on Saturday. Likely "one-and-done" standout Cade Cunningham scored 10 points in the final five minutes of regulation and overtime on Saturday; The 6-8 freshman is averaging 18.3-6.1-3.5 and is one of just two players averaging in double digits for Mike Boynton's Cowboys. He's joined by the 6-9 Boone (9.7 & 5.3) plus guards Likekele (10.1 & 7.1), Anderson (9.6 & 3.9) and Bryce Williams (8.2) in the starting lineup. Two freshmen are making 'noise' off the bench in the 6-7 Moncrieffe (9.7 & 5.5) and guard Walker (9.8 & 2.5).

Kansas has FIVE players averaging between 9.9 and 14.1 PPG. Guard Aybaji (14.1 & 3.9) leads the way, followed by the 6-10 McCormack (1.6 & 5.98) and the 6-7 Wilson (12.3 & 7.4) up front, plus guards Garrett (10.2-4.7-3.7) and Braun (9.9 & 5.1). Each of the Jayhawks' starters scored in double figures while the bench contributed just FOUR points on Saturday, but Self offered a mixed review following a 91-79 loss at then-No. 17 West Virginia. We had some starters who had good moments without question," he said, "but I wouldn't say we had starters who played well. The other half to playing good offense is being able to guard your man." Kansas allowed West Va to make 52.4 percent on three-pointers and never led.

Oklahoma State is the only team to sweep a Big 12 season series against Kansas with Self as coach, doing so in 2017-18 but the Cowboys are off the double-OT win vs Texas in which FOUR Cowboys played 40-plus minutes. Kansas should be HIGHLY-motivated here and it's 'Rock Chalk, Jayhawk!" Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Boise St at 4:00 ET.

Boise's Leon Rice is in his 11th season with the Broncos and has produced EIGHT seasons of 20-plus wins through his first 10 seasons. This year's team looked like one of his best, as the Broncos opened 13-1 (9-0 in MWC). However, Boise lost last week at Colorado St on a Wednesday, before bouncing back to win at Fort Collins on Friday. This week, Boise faced a similar situation, playing in Reno against Nevada on Friday and Sunday. The Broncos lost 74-72 Friday night and now need a similar bounce back or they'll fall to 1-3 in league play (Utah St is 11-2 and CSU 11-3).

Nevada's head coach is Steve Alford who is in his second season at Reno. After a terrific playing career, he's had success at Missouri St, Iowa, New Mexico and UCLA, although he fell out of favor abruptly when he was fired on December 31, 2018. It marked the first time the program had ever made a coaching change in the middle of the season. Nevada was 19-12 (12-6) last season and is 13-7 (8-5) entering this game.

FOUR of Boise's starters average in double figures, led by 6-9 guard Alston (16.5 & 3.8). Fellows guards Shaver (13.1 & 4,6) and Dennis (10.2-3.3-3.4) plus 6-7 forward Kigab (13.6 & 6.) round out that quartet. The fifth starter is the 6-10 Armus (6.8 & 7.4), while guard Doutrive (9.3), the 6-8 Akot (8 & 3.9) and guard Rice (7.5) contribute off the bench. Nevada is led by the excellent guard duo of Sherfield (18.4-3.8-6.1) and Cambridge (15.2 & 4.4). The Wolf Pack have depth up front in the 6-9 Meeks (9.5 & 5.9), the 7-0 Washington (9.4 & 5.6), the 6-10 Hymes (6.7 & 3.7) and the 6-7 Coleman (4.9 & 2.7).

Nevada trailed by five at the half on Friday but scored 46 points in the second half and ended the game a blistering 52.6% from the floor. Even so, the Broncos still had a chance for a buzzer-beater at the end but came up short. These back-to-back games between league opponents (either two straight days or two in three days) have often seen the loser of the first rebound to win the second. Let me note that Boise State is 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 after an ATS loss. The road favorite gets the win AND cover!

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* East/West Conf Game of the Month is on the Pho Suns at 2:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics opened the current season 8-3 but are just 4-6 since and at 12-9 have fallen behind the East's top-two teams. Philly is 17-7 and Milwaukee is 15-8. The Celtics opened their current five-game road trip with a 111-107 win at Golden St (Tue) but then lost 116-111 at Sacramento the following night. However, despite missing Jaylen Brown (26.4 & 5.5) and Marcus Smart (13.1 & 6.1 APG), they beat the Clippers 119-155 Friday night. Yes, the Clippers played without Paul George but LA did shoot 51.9% from the floor!

The Phoenix Suns surprised all with their 8-0 SU & ATS performance in the Orlando 'bubble' to end last season and made a key offseason move designed to put an end to the team's 10-season playoff drought. by signing PG Chris Paul. The Suns opened 5-1 but in games played through Jan 27 were just 8-8. However, Phoenix is back playing well and enters this contest winners of FOUR of its last five. At 12-9, the Suns currently own the West's No. 4 seed.

Jayson Tatum (27.3 & 7.3) has been back the last six games (was out due to COVID protocols) and has 'not missed a beat.' However, as noted at the top, Brown and Smart are sidelined. Booker missed a handful of games with a hamstring injury but he's back (23.1 PPG on the season). Paul (16.4-4.7-8.5) has delivered and 6-11 center Ayton (13.9 & 12.8) has been both consistent AND healthy. Former first round picks Bridges (13.9 & 5.4) and Johnson (11.3 & 3.7) have made HUGE strides this season.

Coming off its surprising win over the Clippers, the less than 100% Celtics face a tough spot here against a Phoenix team beginning to look like a real playoff contender. "The Price is Right" on the Suns.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on Iowa at 12:00 ET.

Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa City from Siena, where he led the Saints to THREE straight NCAA appearances and a 77-26 record. He's been at Iowa since the 2010-11 season. He's led Iowa to SIX 20-win seasons the last eight seasons, getting four NCAA bids (would have been five last year but the NCAA tourney was canceled). Iowa returned all FIVE starters from last year, including the Preseason P-O-Y. (Luka Garza). The Hawkeyes were ranked 5th in the preseason poll and opened 12-2 (ranked No. 4 in the Jan 17th poll). However, the Hawkeyes lost at home to Indiana (81-69 ) on Jan 21, the start of the team's current 1-3 slide.

Archie Miller spent six years at Dayton, winning 20-plus games in five seasons. Over his final four at the school, the Flyers averaged 25.5 wins per season and went to four straight NCAA tourneys. He got the Indiana job beginning with the 2017-18 season and was just 16-15 and 19-16. However, last year's team was 20-12 before the season was "called off." However, Indiana has NOT built on last season's improvement (despite that win in Iowa), as the Hoosiers come in 9-8 overall (*4-6 in the Big Ten).

Garza (25.9 & 8.7) is joined in Iowa's starting lineup by senior guards Wieskamp (14.4 & 6.4) and Bohannon (10.0 & 4.6 APG) plus fellow guards Fredrick (8.7) and PG Conor McCaffrey (3.7-3.3-4.2). The 6-11 Nunge (7.8 & 5.6) comes off the bench, as do the 6-8 Murray (6.6 & 4.6) and the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey (5.4 & 3.0). Gone from last year's Indiana team are Devontae Green (13.5 & 8.4) who graduated and the 6-7 Justin Smith (10.4 & 5.2), who transferred to Arkansas. This year's team is led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (20.1 & 9.1) and the 6-8 Thompson (9.8 & 6.5) up front plus in the backcourt, it's sophomore Franklin (12.7 & 4.4), senior Durham (10.8-3.6-3.0) and junior Phinisee (7.8). 

Both teams need a win badly. Indiana comes in off THREE straight home losses and is 1-5 ATS in its last six home games. Meanwhile, not only is Iowa the MUCH better team, the Hawkeyes are 15-3 ATS (83%) in their last 18 after an ATS loss! Road fave is the play!

Good luck...Larry 

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

It's the "Battle 4 LA" on Saturday night, as No. 21 UCLA (13-3 / 9-1 Pac 12) visits the Galen Center to take on 14-3 USC (8-2 Pac 12). Mick Cronin made NINE consecutive NCAA Tourney appearances at Cincy, as his Bearcats posted a 235-78 (.751) record in that span. He moved to Westwood last season and his Bruins got better as the year progressed and were playing their best ball when the season was shut down. Andy Enfield led Florida Gulf Coast to a 26-11 season in his second at the school, making a Sweet 16 appearance. That gave him the chance to "move on up" to USC but his first two seasons were HUGE disappointments (11-21 and 12-20). However, the Trojans have won 21-plus games in FOUR of the last five seasons, including a 22-9 mark last season. 

UCLA's 6-9 guard Chris Smith averaged 12.6 points and 6.4 rebounds in  UCLA's first eight games but was lost for the season with a knee injury. However, the Bruins still have FIVE players averaging between 9.3 and 12.6 PPG. PG Campbell (11.5 & 6.1 APG) misses Smith but is still surrounded by "big guards" like the 6-6 Jaquez (12.6 & 5.9), the 6-6 Juzang (11.9) and the 6-6 Bernard (9.3 & 5.0). Up front it's the 6-9 Riley (10.6 & 6.0) and the 6-10 Hill (6.5 & 5.9).

USC saw its top-five scorers leave after the 2020 season. Onyeka Okongwu left for the NBA, Elijah Weaver transferred to University of Dayton plus seniors Jonah Mathews, Nick Rakocevic, and Daniel Utomi all graduated. However, Enfield recruited a "super frosh" in 7-0 freshman Evan Mobley plus brought in SIX transfers. Evan Mobley has wasted little time in showing his value for USC, averaging 16.8 & 9.0. He joins his brother Isaiah (a 6-10 sophomore), who has added 9.5 & 7.2. Peterson (10.2-5.1-3.4) is a 6-8 swingman from Rice and joins guards Eaddy (Santa Clara) and White, a grad transfer from Utah Valley St. Eaddy is averaging 12.6 PPG and White 8.0 & 3.5. Guard Goodwin (6.3 & 4.0) comes off the bench to give USC a solid six-man rotation.

UCLA's last four games have been three wins by five, four and five points plus a one-point OT loss to Stanford. The Bruins are 0-4 ATS in that stretch and in their 57-52 Jan 30 win over Oregon State, they scored their lowest points of the season. The Trojans captured their third straight victory Tuesday, beating Stanford 72-66 on the road 72-66 (note: UCLA's lone Pac 12 loss this season came against the Cardinal). USC is 9-1 SU at home (lone loss was to Colorado back on Dec 31) and I'm not sure it helps UCLA at all having not played since last Saturday (Monday's game with Oregon was postponed as a result of COVID-19 protocols). USC spoiled UCLA's regular-season Pac-12 title hopes on the final day of competition last season, when Jonah Mathews sank a three-pointer with one second left for a 54-52 victory. My bet says USC beats UCLA again here (1st of two meetings down the stretch), to join them atop the Pac 12 at 9-2.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout of the Month is on the Dal Mavs at 8:35 ET.

The injury-plagued Golden State Warriors go for a two-game sweep of the host Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night. Golden State was forced to play small with its three centers and top reserve forward injured. However, they outshot and even outrebounded the Mavericks in a 147-116 romp in the opener of this three-day, two-game set on Thursday. Kelly Oubre Jr, who has been a disappointment this season, scored a career-best 40 points, as all five Golden St starters (plus two reserves), scored in double digits. Dallas stayed with the Warriors at the half (actually led 76-74) but while the Mavs were able to score just 40 points in the second half (20 points each in the 3rd and 4th quarters), the Warriors had a 73-point second half!

The Mavs went 43-32 last season, ending a three-year postseason drought and led by the "All-World" Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, expected to be playoff contenders for years to come. Dallas had lost NINE of 11, including SIX consecutive games SU & ATS, before winning 122-116 in Atlanta on Wednesday. However, Dallas lost for the 10th time in its last 13 games when it got blown out at home by the Warriors Thursday night (see above).

Golden St not only outshot Dallas on Thursday (57.3%, including 51.2% on threes while making 23 of 27 FTs), the Warriors also outrebounded them 45-42. Rookie center Wiseman (12.2 && 65.1) is out for a while with a wrist injury and PF Paschall (10.0 PPG off the bench) is at best, day-to-day. Curry (28.2-5.5-6.1), SF Wiggins (17.7 & 4.7) and Oubre (13.3 & 5.5) will be the lone double digit scorers on the court tonight for the Warriors.

Meanwhile, Dallas finally has its full complement of players on the roster again after the return of Maxi Kleber (6.6 & 5.5) this past Monday, who had missed 11 games in health and safety protocols. Starting alongside Doncic (27.2-8.8-9.4) and Porzingis (19.6 & 8.2) are guard Richardson (12.5) plus forwards Finney-Smith (8.6) and Kleber. SF Hardaway comes off the bench to average 17.2 PPG plus guards Brunson (11.8) and Burke (9.1) add more 'punch' off the bench. 

Hard to understand why Dallas is just 9-14 (2nd-worst record in the West), while the Warriors are 12-10 (current No. 7 seed). However, as Bill Parcells once opined, "You are who your record says you are." That, I'm NOT 'buying' into Dallas owning a  worse record by year's end than Golden St. Quick turnaround AND "payback" delivers a convincing Dallas win tonight.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "Best of the Best" Conference Game of the Year (Summit League) is on South Dakota St at 8:30 ET.

The South Dakota Coyotes were 2011 last season but lost FOUR starters from that team. Meanwhile, coming off a 22-10 season, the South Dakota State Jackrabbits returned all FIVE starters and were favored to win the Summit League. South Dakota opened the season just 1-6 but has now won 10 in a row, including the last nine in Summit League action. South Dakota St opened 5-3 (losses were to West Va, St Mary's and to South Dakota in a Dec tourney that didn't count as a league game), but then FIVE in a row (all at home) to reach 10-3 (4-0 in Summit play).

However, the Jackrabbits hosted the Coyotes last night and got beat 64-56. Neither team shot well but South Dakota St's effort was embarrassing. The home team shot 31.7% from the floor (25.0% on threes) and made just 11 of 22 free throws. South Dakota's 6-6 guard Umude (the team's only returning starter) had a modest 14 & 7 (averages 20.1 & 7.3 on the season) but PG Plizuweit (16.4-4.4-4.1) had 19 points, four rebounds and five assists. No other guard averages as much as eight PPG plus the lone frontcourt player averaging more than 3 PPG is the 6-8 Kamateros (7.2 & 4.2).

In comparison, SD St has a trio of guards averaging in double digits in Freidel (17.7 & 4.3), Scheierman (13.9 PPG & a team-best 9.7 RPG) and Arians (11.1 & 4.5). The 6-7 Wilson (15.2 & 5.6) is the best frontcourt player, joined by the 6-8 Dentlinger (7.4 & 3.9) and the 6-8 Appel (6.8). Sizing up the two teams, I'm not sure why the Coyotes are own the better record. 

In this quick rematch (something that's become a staple this season), I'm backing the home team to bounce back. SD St had won FIVE straight at home (averaging 89.0 PPG) before scoring 56 points in last night's loss. The team shooting 48.1% from the floor on the season (40.4% on threes) and 70.5% on FTs, shot 31.7, 25.0 and 50.0% in those categories last night. NO deja vu here!

Good luck...Larry

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

Johnny Dawkins is in his fifth season as UCF's head coach and is coming off a 16-14 season. If only the current season was going as well. The not-so-Golden Knights are 4-9, (2-8 AAC) as they head to Tulsa for another rescheduled game. UCF suffered a 27-point loss at Memphis on Monday and then met the Tigers again Wednesday in a regularly scheduled game. After trailing early by 14 points the Knights got within four in the second half before falling 75-61. This game against Tulsa was originally slated for Jan 9, before the Knights ran into COVID-19 troubles and contact tracing, pushing the game back a month.

Frank Haith has had stops at Miami-Fl and Missouri before coming to Tulsa for the 2014-15 season. His teams have averaged 19.3 wins per year in his first six seasons, including going 21-10 before COVID shut down the 2019-20 season. The Golden Hurricane are 9-7 (6-5 ACC), having lost THREE of their last four. Wednesday's 65-63 home defeat to SMU was a heartbreaker. Tulsa was down 64-52 with 3:25 left but a 10-1 run got them to within three. With one second remaining, Austin Richie was fouled on a three-point attempt but made just one of three free throws of a 64-62 loss.

UCH has a trio of guards in double digits. Mahan (14.1 & 5.3) leads the way, along with Green (12.4) and Perry (12.3). 6-6 freshman Adams (9.5 & 4.2) is really the lone frontcourt player of note. and the Mustangs grabbed the rebound to notch the win. Tulsa is led by guards Rachal (15.1 & 6.6) and Joiner (10.2-4.5-3.4) plus FOUR more backcourt players combine to chip in about 25 PPG. The 6-9 Idowu (8.8 & 4.4) is the team's best frontcourt player.

Tulsa is a strong defensive team, holding opponents to 64.1 PPG (43rd) on 39.5% shooting (23rd). UCF somehow won 86-74 at FSU back on Dec 19 but has lost all SIX road games since, going 1-5 ATS. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Wisconsin at 2:30 ET.

Wisconsin has had a terrific basketball program for decades and Greg Gard is in his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win seasons in his first five. The Badgers enter this game at Illinois 14-5 (8-4 Big Ten) and ranked 19th, while the Fighting Illini are 12-5 (8-3 in Big Ten) and ranked 12th. Brad Underwood made a big 'splash' at S.F. Austin and then made a one year 'pit stop' at Oklahoma St, before landing in Champaign-Urbana. The Fighting Illini were just 14-18 and 12-21 in his first two seasons but had a breakout year in going 21-10 before last season was shut down.

Wisconsin had shot 39.4 percent over a 4-3 stretch before making 48.1 percent of its shots during Tuesday's 72-56 home win over Penn State. Despite leading scorer D'Mitrik Trice being held without a point, the Badgers prevailed after losing two of the previous three, including 81-71 at Penn State last weekend. Wisconsin starts FIVE seniors, guards Trice (13.3-3.4-3.9) and Davison (9.3 & 3.3) plus the 6-10 Potter (12.3 & 6.6), the 6-11 Reuvers (9.5 & 3.7) and the 6-8 Ford (9.4 & 4.4). 6-5 freshman Davis (6.8 & 4.4) and 6-9 sophomore Wahl (5.7 & 4.3) both contribute off the bench.

Illinois opened No. 8 in the preseason poll and while it hasn't been smooth sailing, it enters this contest playing some of its best basketball of the season. The Illini bounced back from consecutive home defeats to Maryland and then-No. 21 Ohio State by rolling over Penn State by 14, beating then-No. 7 Iowa 80-75, and rallying from a seven-point halftime hole to win 75-71 at Indiana in overtime on Tuesday. Illinois features one of the top guards in the nation in Dosunmu (21.2-6.1-4.6) plus 7-0 center Cockburn (16.8 & 10.2) has built on a successful freshman season. Dosunmu is joined in the backcourt by veterans Frazier (10.2), Curbelo (8.8 & 4.6 APG), Frazier and Williams (5.5 & 5.4) plus freshman Miller adds 8.7 PPG. The 6-9 Bezhanishvili (5.7 & 2.7) rounds out the main contributors.

However, here's the rub. The Fighting Illini are attempting to end a SEVEN-game home losing streak skid to the Badgers. Illinois did snap a 15-game overall losing streak to Wisconsin with a 71-70 road win last season but I'll be taking the points with Wisconsin, which has won 15 of its last 16 meetings with Illinois.

Good luck...Larry

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

10-5 Syracuse plays at 11-5 Clemson Saturday afternoon in a matchup of Atlantic Coast Conference teams looking to strengthen their postseason position. Both teams enter the game at .500 in ACC play, with the Orange at 4-4 and Clemson at 5-5. Syracuse has won THREE of its last four games, including a come-from-behind victory against North Carolina State last Sunday, when the Orange won by three points after trailing by nine points at the half. Clemson was 9-1 and ranked 12th when it welcomed Virginia to Littlejohn Coliseum on Jan 16. The Tigers were coming off an extended pause due to a positive COVID-19 test and subsequent contact tracing. The 11-day break clearly did not turn out well, as UVa routed Clemson 85-50. That was the first of three straight losses in which the Tigers averaged 58.7 PPG. However, the Tigers have won TWO of their last three, beating then-No. 25 Louisville and North Carolina.

Jim Boeheim has been at Syracuse since right after the end of the Civil War and he's worried about his team's inconsistent play. "We're playing the guys that are playing the best in practice," Boeheim said. The Orange have little depth but all five starters are averaging more than 30 minutes. The 6-7 Guerrier leads in scoring (16.3) and rebounding (9.5), SF Griffin checks in at 15.7 & 7.1 plus the 6-10 Dolezag adds 11.0 & 5.5. The backcourt is Buddy Boeheim (14.8) and PG Girard (10.2 & 3.0 APG). Syracuse ranks 258th in the nation on three-point shooting (31.6 percent)  but Boeheim insists his players are getting good looks from the perimeter. "We have to make those shots," he said.

Brad Brownell came to Clemson for the 2010-11 season, after so-so stints at UNC-Wilmington and Wright St (not a single NCAA bid) and has produced a modest four, 20-win seasons and just two NCAA berths in his tenure. However, he returned four starters plus Fordham transfer Nick Honor is now eligible. The Tigers are led by 6-8 senior forward Aamir Simms (12.3 & 5.9) and senior guard Clyde Trapp (7.6 & 5.5). Simms was a preseason All-ACC first-team and Trapp is surrounded by guards Honor (8.6) and Dawes (8.4). The 6-8 Tyson (6.4 & 3.6) helps Simms up front.

Clemson can have trouble scoring at times but its defense always comes to play, allowing 62.7 PPG to rank 26th in the nation. The Tigers are 7-1 at home (lone loss to UVa) and Syracuse is 1-4 on the road (won at BC back on Dec 12) and is 0-4 ATS in its four road losses. Clemson is the play at home.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* ESPN Game of the Month is on the LA Clippers at 10:05 ET.

The Boston Celtics opened the current season 8-3 but are just 3-6 since and not playing nearly as well as the Eastern Conference's top-three teams, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Brooklyn. The Celtics will be in Staples Center tonight to play the middle contest of a five-game road against the LA Clippers. The Clippers began the season with a season-opening 116-109 over the Lakers but after 10 games, were just 6-4. However, the Clippers have won 11 of 13 since to reach 17-6 and are now tied with the Lakers for the second-best record in the West (Utah Jazz are 17-5).

The Celtics opened their current road trip with a 111-107 win at Golden St (Tue) but then lost 116-111 at Sacramento the following night. Jayson Tatum (26.8-7.3-4.1) has been back the last five games (was out due to COVID protocols) but while he's averaged 26.6 PPG in that span, Boston has gone just 2-3. He joins Jaylen Brown (26.4-5.5-3.6) to give Boston a 'Dynamic Duo' but the Celtics played Wednesday night without Kemba Walker (rest), Marcus Smart (calf) and rookie Payton Pritchard (knee). Smart (13.1 & 6.1 APG) and Pritchard (7.7) will NOT play tonight and the status of Walker (15.0 & 4.3 APG) is at best, questionable. BTW...Walker got a late start to the season due to an injury and in the seven games he's played, the Celtics are just 2-5!

The Clippers won SIX consecutive home games through the middle of January then began a six-game road trip. The trip started with stars Kawhi Leonard (26.2-5.3-5.3) and Paul George (24.4-6.2-5.5) in COVID-19 health and safety protocols. They each missed two games on the trip but had a combined 60 points in a 121-99 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday to end the trip 4-2. New additions Ibaka and Batum have each missed just ONE game, while starting the other 22. Ibaka is averaging 12.3 & 6.7, while Batum adds 10.2 & 4.7. PG Patrick Beverley (8.1 & 4.4 APG) will miss his seventh straight game (right knee soreness) but the Clippers have managed without him because of the team's excellent depth. In the backcourt it's Williams (9.4), Kennard (8.1) and Jackson (8.0) plus up front it's SF Morris (11.1 & 3.6) and center Zubac (7.6 & 6.3).

 Expect the Los Angeles Clippers to get reacquainted with their home floor seamlessly and win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* TNT Game of the Month is on the LA Lakers at 10:05 ET.

Los Angeles completed a 5-2 road trip by beating the Atlanta Hawks 107-99 on Monday. Anthony Davis scored 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting with three blocks, and LeBron James contributed 21 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Lakers. LA returns home winners of 10 of 13 games, giving them a 16-6 overall record. Visiting Staples Center tonight will be the "Comeback Kids" of last season's playoffs, the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets opened the current season just 1-4 but come to LA having gone 11-4 since that poor start and as winners of SIX of their last seven.

Denver's most recent win was this past Sunday, when the Nuggets ended Utah's 11-game winning streak with a 128-117 win over the Jazz at Pepsi Center. Nikola Jokic tied a career-high with 47 points on 17-of-26 shooting, making all four of his three-pointers. He also had 12 rebounds and five assists. Jokic is having a superb season, averaging 26.8-11.8-8.6. PG Murray (18.9-4.0-4.4) had a breakout postseason and continues to play at an All Star level, The Porter (16.6 & 6.5) has missed 10 games but has been back for the last sis and gives Denver quite a trio. Denver also features as much quality depth as any team, as SIX other players are averaging between 7.1 and 11.1 PPG, although SG Harris (10.1), the team's best perimeter defender, will miss due to the left adductor strain he suffered in Sunday's game.

It's an accepted fact that LBY (25.0-7.7-7.5) and A'D, (22.3 & 8.7) are as good as any NBB duo but LA's really been helped by the addition of starting PG Schroder (13.6-3.6-4.2) and PF Harrell (13.2 & 6.3) coming off the bench. Also, don't dismiss returning players like Kuzma (9.9 & 5.7), Caldwell-pope (9.4), Horton-Tucker (6.7) and Caruso (5.6)

The Nuggets have been on a four-day break after Monday's home contest against the Detroit Pistons was postponed because the latter did not have the required eight players available due to the NBA's safety and health protocols. Meanwhile, LA's head coach Frank Vogel says his club remains a work in progress, despite owning one of the NBA's best records. The 16-6 Lakers have recently fallen behind the 17-6 Clippers and 16-5 Jazz and Denver surely got their attention with that win over Utah. "We'll continue to stick to our process and hopefully get better as the season goes along," Vogel said. Here's a good spot to "show what the team is made of." My bet says that LA wins "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

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

Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. The Gophers opened 9-1 in Pitino's 8th season but the Golden Gophers fell out of the top-25 this past Monday and currently sit 11-6, including 4-6 in the Big Ten (more in a bit). Steve Pikiell spent 11 years at Stony Brook, winning 20-plus games in his final five seasons. He led the Seawolves to an NCAA berth in 2015-16 and a 26-7 record. His first three seasons at Rutgers saw the Scarlet Knights go just 15-18, 15-19 and 14-17. However, Rutgers was 20-11 last season before the year was shut down. Rutgers won its first five games by double digits and opened league play with a 74-60 win at Maryland on Dec 14. The Scarlet Knights improved to 6-0 by pulling out a 91-88 win over then-No. 13 Illinois on Dec 20 (rose to No. 11 in the AP poll). However, like Minnesota, Rutgers has cooled off. The Scarlet Knights welcome Minnesota to "The RAC" just 10-6, including 6-6 in the Big Ten. This is the first of two meetings between the Big Ten schools.

Minnesota PG Carr (20.0-4.1-5.2) ranks with the best in the nation and has been aided by THREE transfers, 7-0 Liam Robbins (13.4 & 6.9) from Drake, the 6-6 Gach (9.1 & 4.9) from Utah and the 6-8 Johnson (8.2 & 6.1) from Western Michigan. Plus, don't dismiss returning junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.1 PPG. Rutgers has a STRONG backcourt in Harper (17.3 & 6.2), Young (14.6), Mathis (10.8) and Baker (9.9-3.0-3.0). Mulcahy has played more recently in the backcourt, adding 5.9-3.9-3.3-3.6) The  6-11 Johnson (8.3 & 8.8) has been solid all season inside plus 6-11 freshman Omoruyi (4.3 & 4.4) has returned from a knee injury to play in the last three games.

Rutgers has won those last three games, snapping out of a five-game losing streak. Here's the bottom line. Minnesota may be 11-1 at home (Williams Arena) but the not-so-Golden Gophers are 0-5 SU & ATS on the road (all Big Ten games), that's a perfect" 100% go-against. Rutgers has regrouped and the Scarlet Knights are a 'sweet' 25-5 SU at "The RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center) since the start of last season. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout is on Iowa at 7:00 ET.

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Holtmann credits his players' mental toughness for pushing the No. 7 Buckeyes near the top of the Big Ten standings after losing two of their first three conference games. The Buckeyes (14-4 / 8-4 Big Ten) have won THREE straight and SIX of seven going into tonight's showdown at No. 8 Iowa (13-4 / 7-3 Big Ten). Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa City from Siena, where he led the Saints to THREE straight NCAA appearances and a 77-26 record. He's been at Iowa since the 2010-11 season. He's led Iowa to SIX 20-win seasons the last eight seasons, getting four NCAA bids (would have been five last year but the NCAA tourney was canceled). Iowa returned all FIVE starters from last year, including the Preseason P-O-Y. (Luka Garza).

SG Washington (14.5) has been solid all season for Ohio St in the backcourt and after missing some time due to torn ligaments in his right hand, PG Walker (8.6 & 3.9 APG) has been back the last three games (all wins!). The frontcourt has five solid contributors led by the team's best player, the 6-7 Liddell (15.3 & 6.9). He's joined on the frontline by the 6-7 Sueing (10.9 & 5.4), the 6-8 Young (8.0 & 5.9), the 6-6 Aherns (6.9) and 6-8 freshman Key (6.6 & 3.6). Garza (26.5 & 8.8) is joined in Iowa's starting lineup by senior guards Wieskamp (14.2 & 6.2) and Bohannon (9.5 & 4.5 APG) plus Fredrick (8.7) and PG Conor McCafrey (3.7-3.4-4.3).  The 6-11 Nunge (7.1 & 5.5) comes off the bench, as do the 6-8 Murray (6.7 & 4.5) and the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey (5.3 & 3.1).

No doubt that Ohio St comes in playing well but after Iowa defeated visiting Michigan State 84-78 on Tuesday, to break a two-game losing streak, the Hawkeyes will be PRIMED to avenge a 102-95 Christmas Day loss in Columbus to the Buckeyes. Double-digit "payback" win expected.

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Oddsmaker's Error of the Month is on Temple at 7:00 ET.

John Brannen led Northern Kentucky to a 72-30 record in his final three seasons, leading the Norse to the "Big Dance" in two of those three years. He was hired at Cincy on April 14, 2019 when Mick Cronin left for UCLA. The Bearcats went 20-10 in last year's pandemic-shortened season but opened the current season missing guards Jarron Cumberland (15.5) and Jaevin Cumberland (8.8) plus forward Tre Scott (11.4 & 10.5). The Bearcats were one of the last teams in Division I to start their season not taking the floor until Dec 2. Now, when they visit Philadelphia to meet Temple on Thursday night, the team has not been able to play a game since Jan 10 due to COVID-19 cases within its program. Aaron McKie had a great career as a player at Temple and then spent 13 years in the NBA. He replaced Fran Dunphy as head coach before the start of last season (Owls went just 14-17) and is now in his second season coaching his alma mater.

Before Cincy's shutdown, which included six postponements, the Bearcats (3-7 / 1-4 AAC) the Bearcats had lost SIX lost of seven games, with their most recent being an 82-76 defeat at Wichita State (Jan 10). Cincy's team is guard-dominated, led by Williams (15.0 & 4.2), who is joined by fellow starters Davenport (10.1 & 4.3), Dejulius (8.6 & 4.8) and Adam-Woods (7.9). The biggest disappointment has been returning 7-1 center Vogt (11.0 & 5.8 last season), who longer starts and enters averaging just 5.6 & 3.68. The 6-8 Eason (7.6 & 5.5) is about the ONLY regular frontcourt contributor.

Like Cincy, Temple has played a limited amount of games this season, entering this contest 4-5 overall, including 3-5 in the AAC. Following the death of legendary former coach John Chaney, the Owls held a pregame tribute to Chaney pregame but then went out and shot 39.7 percent for the game, making only 2-of-14 threes in the second half of an 81-64 home defeat to Tulane. However, I believe this Temple team is WAY better than its record. It has three frontcourt starters that can (should) be successful against Cincy in the 6-8 Forrester (10.0 & 6.70, the 6-7 Perry (8.3 & 5.0) and the 6-7 Moorman (7.7 & 6.2). The starting backcourt is leading scorer Dunn (14.1 & 4.4) and PG Williams (7.6-3.4-5.0) but also features Battle (11.8 & 5.5) and Barry (7.60 coming off the bench.

I feel as if the Owls will bounce back quickly from that 'ugly' effort vs Tulane and as for Cincy, the game must feel so long ago for the Bearcats, who have spent most of the shutdown without even being able to conduct a full team workout. "We're getting through it, I hope to be through it soon in terms of player availability, but our guys' health is the most important thing," head coach John Brannen said on his local radio show recently. "I told our walk-ons that everybody is going to be available right now because once we have the amount of players available to play games, we'll certainly do it." Temple opened a home dog in this one?

Good luck...Larry

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

15-1 Houston is now ranked No. 5 in the latest AP poll (highest for the school since the Phi Slamma Jamma days) and with a 10-1 record in the AAC is unquestionably the league's dominant team. Falling in behind the Cougars in conference play are 5-2 Wichita St, 6-3 Memphis, 6-4 Tulsa and 5-4 SMU. The SMU Mustangs and Tulsa Golden Hurricane meet Wednesday at Tulsa's Donald W. Reynolds Center. SMU opened 6-0 but enters this contest having lost FOUR of seven since. Tulsa opened 7-3 but has lost THREE of five.

Tm Jankovich took over after Larry Brown once again left a program in tatters and in his first full season (2016-17) went 30-5. However, the Mustangs were just a combined 51-44 the previous three seasons. The Mustangs returned the outstanding guard duo of Davis and Jolly but Jolly's been battling personal issues and made his first appearance of the current season on Jan 23. In his first games back, he's averaging 8.5 & 4.0 (averaged 14.5 & 6.2 last season). PG Davis (16.8-4.3-7.4) has been great and three other starters are averaging in or just below double digits. The group includes guard Bandoumel (11.3) plus a pair of 6-9 forwards in Hunt (12.2 & 8.0) and Chargois (9.8 & 5.4).

Frank Haith has had stops at Miami-Fl and Missouri before coming to Tulsa for the 2014-15 season. His teams have averaged 19.3 wins per year in his first six seasons, including going 21-10 before COVID shut down the 2019-20 season. The Golden Hurricane are led by a quartet of guards in Rachal (15.1 & 6.7), Joiner (10.2-4.7-3.4), Jackson (6.8 & 4.0) and Embery-Simpson (6.7). The 6-9 Idowu (9.2 & 4.5) is the team's best frontcourt player. 

The Mustangs enter this contest 1-6 ATS their last seven games overall and going back to last season, are just 2-8-1 ATS their last 11 road games. Tulsa is a terrific defensive team, holding opponents to 63.5 PPG (31st) on 39.8% shooting (28th), including 29.9% on threes (29th). Frank Haith's biggest win at Tulsa came when it stunned No. 5 Houston 65-64 back on Dec 29. It was the program's first win over a top-5 opponent in 24 years  and the Golden Hurricane have played at home just ONCE (a Jan 17 win over Memphis) since that game. Tulsa has to be VERY happy to be back home and that spells "bad news" for a poor-traveling SMU team.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Dal Mavs at 7:35 ET.

The Mavs went 43-32 last season, ending a three-year postseason drought and led by the "All-World" Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, expected to be playoff contenders for years to come. However, Dallas enters this contest having lost NINE of 11, including SIX consecutive games SU & ATS. Dallas sits 8-13 on the season, third-worst in the West. The Atlanta Hawks opened the current season off three straight losing ones (24-58, 29-53 and 20-47) but are currently 10-10, which would give them the No. 6 seed in the East if the season ended today.  

Dallas has to be desperate to end a frustrating six-game losing streak on Wednesday night, after Monday's 109-108 loss to Phoenix on Monday was decided by Devin Booker's three-pointer with 1.5 seconds left! The good news on Monday was that Dallas has its full complement of players on the roster again after the return of Maxi Kleber (6.9 & 5.4), who had missed 11 games in health and safety protocols. He produced two points and six rebounds in 18 minutes on Monday. Kleber and Kristaps Porzingis (18.6 & 8.2) were both in the starting lineup for the first time this season, as the Mavs used their 12th different starting combination this season. Doncic (27.3-9.0-9.4) and Dallas has excellent depth, as Hardaway (16.9), Richardson (12.9)and Brunson (11.5) all average in double digits. Burke (9.9) and Finney-Smith (8.5 & 4.4) just miss. 

PG Trae Young (26.9-4.2-9.0)  is the brightest star of Atlanta's young talent but don't discount Hunter (17.2-4.5-4.5), Collins (15.9 & 7.5), Reddish (11.9 & 4.4) and Hueter (11.3-3.8-3.4). Then there is former Houston center Clint Capela, who is averaging 13.8 & 14.4 on the season. The Hawks were missing No. 2 scorer De'Andre Hunter against LA, who was out after having a non-surgical procedure on his right knee on Sunday. He was replaced in the starting five by Cam Reddish, who played a solid defensive game against LeBron James. The Hawks went toe-to-toe with the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers on Monday before faltering in the final two minutes and losing 107-99. Atlanta continues to hold its own against the league's top teams, an indication of a potential breakthrough. However, the Atlanta players don't want to think in terms of a moral victory.

Tonight, the Mavericks just NEED a "W." Porzingis continues to work his way back from an October knee surgery. He was withheld from the lineup Saturday but returned to play 34 minutes on Monday, when he scored 19 points and added 10 rebounds. Will he play tonight? No guarantee but this is the healthiest Dallas has been all season and I will 'buy in' on that and play the Mavs.

Good luck...Larry

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

Kentucky was ranked No. 10 in the AP preseason poll but its 1-6 start took care of that. However, the Wildcats won three straight to open SEC play, after a 76-58 at Florida on Jan 9. Hope was alive in Lexington but the Wildcats have lost FOUR of five since that 3-0 SEC start. Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin has his team off to a 6-0 start, after back-to-back losing seasons of 15-17 and 15-16. The Tigers have gone 5-3 (4-3 in the SEC) since that perfect start, as they welcome Kentucky to Mizzou Arena on Wednesday night.

Kentucky saw its marquee matchup with No. 5 Texas canceled last Saturday, as the Wildcats' program went on a 48-hour pause because of COVID-19 concerns, with the game against Missouri bumped from Tuesday to Wednesday. Kentucky hasn't played since Jan 26, when it faded down the stretch of a 70-59 loss at No. 9 Alabama. The Wildcats led 54-52 with 4:27 left but went scoreless over the next 3:47 while the Crimson Tide pumped in 10 straight points to seize control. Coach Cal said, "The last three minutes, dudes backed away. Playing --you ready? -- not to lose vs playing to win. We had our chances. We, again, got out-toughed. Just makes me sick." It's no surprise that Calipari relies on freshmen, including leading scorer Boston (12.1 & 5.5), who was joined in the backcourt by freshman Clarke (10.7) and Askew (6.6) plus senior Mintz (9.7-3.4). However, Clarke has been sidelined since Dc 26 with an ankle injury. 7-0 senior Wake Forest transfer Sarr (10.3 & 5.9) has help up front from 6-10 freshman Jackson (6.5 & 6.9) and now 6-7 sophomore Brooks, who since getting back on the court has averaged 10.2 & 5.2.

Missouri's 6-10 center Tilmon is averaging 13.9 & 8.1 and is Missouri's lone big man of note, as Missouri's next four top scorers are guards Pinson (15.1-3.4-3.4), Dru Smith (13.0), Mark Smith (13.0) and Pickett (8.1). The 6-7 Brown (6.6 & 6.2) does help some up front. Missouri (11-3 / 4-3 SEC) avoided its first losing streak of the season by closing regulation with a 19-7 run last Saturday against TCU. Xavier Pinson's three-pointer with 3.9 seconds left forced the extra session, and the Tigers outlasted the Horned Frogs in OT, 102-98.

The Tigers can do without all the dramatics here and Kentucky should play the perfect foil. Bottom line is, Kentucky is averaging just 67.5 PPG (273rd) on 41.5% shooting (287th), including 29.0% on threes (320th). Who'da thunk it? If that wasn't bad enough, the Wildcats have 55 more turnovers than assists! Blowout Alert!

Good luck...Larry

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

Brad Underwood made a big 'splash' at S.F. Austin and then made a one year 'pit stop' at Oklahoma St, before landing in Champaign-Urbana. The Fighting Illini were just 14-18 and 12-21 in his first two seasons but had a breakout year in going 21-10 before last season was shut down. Illinois opened the current season No. 8 in the AP's preseason poll but it's hardly been 'smooth sailing.' Illinois did 'jump' from No. 19 to No. 12 in Monday's AP poll after Friday's 80-75 victory over then-No. 7 Iowa but the Fighting Illini are 11-5 on the season (7-3 in the Big Ten) with just TWO wins over a ranked team. The other came vs No. 10 Duke, which dropped out of the top-25 back on Jan 17.

Archie Miller spent six years at Dayton, winning 20-plus games in five seasons. Over his final four at the school, the Flyers averaged 25.5 wins per season and went to four straight NCAA tourneys. He got the Indiana job beginning with the 2017-18 season and was just 16-15 and 19-16. However, last year's team was 20-12 before the season was "called off." Indiana has NOT built on last season's improvement and comes into this contest 9-7 overall, including 4-5 in the Big Ten.

Illinois features one of the top guards in the nation in Dosunmu (21.9-6.1-4.8) plus 7-0 center Cockburn (16.9 & 10.3) has built on a successful freshman season. Dosunmu is joined in the backcourt by veterans Curbelo (8.6 & 4.6 APG), Frazier (9.6) and Williams (5.6 & 5.4) plus freshman Miller adds 9.0 PPG. The 6-9 Bezhanishvili (5.8 & 2.8) rounds out the main contributors.

Gone from last year's Indiana team are Devontae Green (13.5 & 8.4) who graduated and the 6-7 Justin Smith (10.4 & 5.2), who transferred to Arkansas. This year's team is led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (20.1 & 8.7) and the 6-8 Thompson (9.3 & 6.4) up front plus in the backcourt, it's sophomore Franklin (12.8 & 4.4), senior Durham (10.6-3.7-3.1) and junior Phinisee (8.3). Franklin could be out with a recurring ankle injury.

Illinois responded well in its win over Iowa, coming off a 10-day layoff due to a Jan 23 game at Michigan State being postponed due to COVID-19 issues with the Spartans. However, I'm just not 'sold' on them. Indiana's scheduled game Saturday at No 4 Michigan was postponed due to COVID-19 issues with the Wolverines, so the Hoosiers will take the court tonight having last played Jan 24. The Hoosiers haven't won more than two games in a row all season but also haven't lost more than two in a row. I'm backing the home dog here, as I expect Illinois to once again underachieve, coming off its win over Iowa.

Good luck...Larry

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

Wisconsin's 81-71 Saturday loss at Penn St dropped the Badgers (13-5, 7-4 Big Ten) from No. 14 to No. 19 in Monday's latest AP poll. Penn State interim head coach Jim Ferry called the victory a great program win. "The resiliency of this group just keeps showing," Ferry added. "We really locked in. I thought we defended well, and we got the game to be played at our pace, which we talked about as being very important. We're getting better, and that's the focus." That said, Penn St travels to Madison just 6-7 overall, including 3-6 in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin has had a terrific basketball program for decades and Greg Gard is in his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win seasons in his first five. Wisconsin prides itself on being one of college basketball's best defensive teams but in a 74-62 loss to Ohio State (Jan 23), the Buckeyes shot 50.9 percent on Wisconsin's home court and never trailed. Wisconsin rebounded by holding Maryland to 55 points in a Jan 27 win but then on Saturday, Penn St 'exploded' for 50 points in the second half! The Badgers start FIVE seniors, guards Trice (14.1-3.3-3.8) and Davison (9.1 & 3.1) plus the 6-10 Potter (12.3 & 6.6), the 6-8 Ford (9.6 & 4.5) and the 6-11 Reuvers (9.5 & 3.8). 6-5 freshman Davis (6.2 & 4.4) and 6-9 sophomore Wahl (5.7 & 4.4) both contribute off the bench.

Penn St was 21-10 last season but the Nittany Lions went through some turmoil right as practices started when head coach Pat Chambers resigned in late October following an investigation into inappropriate conduct. As noted above, Penn State is playing this season with interim head coach Jim Ferry. The Nittany Lions surely miss All-Big Ten forward Lamar Stevens (17.6 & 6.9) but the Nittany Lions have four players averaging in double figures; the 6-7 Izaiah Brockington (15.2 & 5.0) and the 6-7 Seth Lundy (12.9 & 4.3) plus guards Myreon Jones (15.8) and Sam Sessoms (10.1). Sessoms has come off the bench, with the 6-9 Harrar (8.5 & 8.3) and PG Wheeler (5.2-4.1-4.0) starting alongside Jones and the two 6-7 forwards.

Wisconsin entered Saturday's game at Penn St allowing 64.2 PPG but allowed 50 points in the second half, when the Nittany Lions made 53.6 percent of their shots. "At times we're really good. The notion that we're going to outscore teams is a fairy tale," Wisconsin head coach Greg Gard said. "We've got to be really good defensively." Expect "just that" in tonight's contest. Penn St is at the WRONG place at the WRONG time.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Ultimate Underdog is on Texas at 7:00 ET.

No. 2 Baylor is 16-0 (8-0 in Big 12 play) travels to Austin to take on No. 5 Texas (11-3 / 5-2 in Big 12). This is the first meeting of the season between the two schools (only scheduled regular season game), who are two of the Big 12's SEVEN ranked teams. The Bears are off an 84-72 win at home over Auburn on Saturday in a Big 12/SEC Challenge contest. The Longhorns were supposed to play at Kentucky on Saturday but that game was postponed because of limited player availability within the Wildcats' program due to COVID-19.

Baylor's Scott Drew took over a devastated Baylor program in the 2003-04 season and since 2007-08, has turned the Bears into one of the best programs in the country. Baylor won the NIT in 2013 and has made eight NCAA tourney appearances (26-4 last season would have made nine). Baylor lost 6-9 center Gillespie (9.6 & 9.0) from last year's team. The strength of Baylor's team is centered around its guards. Butler's (16.8-3.4-5.4) the best of the group but don't look past Teague (14.9 & 4.0), Mitchell (12.9 & 5.9 APG) or Flagler (10.4). The 6-5 Vital (5.9 & 5.3) plays like a power forward and is considered one of the best defensive players in the nation. Tchatchoua is a 6-8 transfer from UNLV and he's averaged 8.2 & 6.4.

Shaka Smart was a 'genius' at VCU, winning the CBI championship in his first season and then taking the Rams to the Final Four in his second season. He took the Texas job after six seasons at VCU where he was 163-56, an average of 27.2 wins per season. However, in his first five seasons in Austin, he's had one 'nightmare' season (11-22 in his second year) and four more in which the Longhorns have won a total of just 79 games (just under 20 per) with just two NCAA appearances (lost first game each time). Texas returned all FIVE starters plus added the 6-9 Brown, an impressive freshman. The Longhorns opened 10-1 (rose to No. 4 in the nation) but over the last THREE weeks have played just three games (three others have been postponed or canceled) and in the rugged Big 12, this promising could 'slip away.' Texas features a trio of veteran guards in Andrew Jones (14.3 & 4.7), Ramey (13.9-3.2-3.9) and Coleman 13.1-3.5-4.1. Up front, freshman Brown is chipping in 11.9 & 8.0, the 6-11 Kai Jones adds 9.0 & 5.2 and the 6-10 Sims is averaging 7.8 & 6.4.

Baylor's 16-0 start means the Bears have gone deeper into a season without a loss only once, when they began the 2011-12 campaign with 17 straight wins. Will they ever lose? If so, that "L" has a good chance of happening here. The Longhorns' cancellation of the Kentucky game might actually help them in the long run, as Texas was set to make the trip minus two of its starters, Courtney Ramey and Jericho Sims, because of COVID -19 protocols and without coach Shaka Smart, who tested positive on Jan 24. However, those Ramey and Sims should be back for Tuesday's contest. Texas' three losses this season have all been at home to ranked teams and by just a combined SEVEN points. Upset Alert?

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the SA Spurs at 8:35 ET.

"Break up" the Memphis Grizzlies. Memphis entered last season off back-to-back seasons of going 22-60 and 33-49. When the season was shut down due to COVID, the Grizzlies were 32-33. However, they then went 2-6 in 'the bubble,' meaning they needed to win two straight against the Blazers to earn the No. 8 seed. Portland beat them in the first game. Memphis opened this season off three straight non-playoff seasons and opened 2-6. However, the team then ripped off FIVE straight wins before COIVID issues forced five straight postponements. Memphis returned to the court Saturday night at San Antonio and crushed the Spurs 129-112. That's SIX consecutive wins and covers! Who are these guys?

The Spurs were 'flat' on Saturday, off an impressive Friday night home win over the Nuggets, snapping Denver's 5-0 SU & ATS run. San Antonio fell to 0-3 on the second night of back-to-backs this season and the result may just have been a classic case of the Grizzlies' fresh legs -- really fresh, in fact (hadn't played in days!) -- vs San Antonio's tired ones. San Antonio is 11-9 and in a log jam of Western Conference teams hovering around the playoff 'cut line' that features two 10-8 teams, two 11-9 ones and a fifth at 9-9.

Memphis has SEVEN players on the injured list, including the 6-11 Jaren Jackson and SF Winslow, who have each not played this season. Usual starters guard Grayson Allen (8.0) and center Jonas Valanciunas (14.4 & 10.4) were both out due to "health and safety protocols" on Saturday but Valanciunas is with the team and could play Monday. Morant (22.0 & 7.7 APG) and Brooks (15.1-3.9-3.1) are a strong guard duo and Saturday's other three starters included 6-8 PF Clarke (13.3 & 6.1), 6-9 SF Anderson (12.8-7.1-3.9) and 6-8 PF Tillman (8.3 & 4.1), a Michigan St rookie.

The Spurs are led by veteran guard DeRozan (19.8-4.8-6.7) and veteran center Aldridge (14.2 & 4.5) but have a 'TON' of depth. Starting alongside the two above-mentioned vets are 6-6 SF Johnson (14.5 & 7.5) plus guards Murray (15.0-7.2 -5.3) and Walker (12.10. Two players chip in double digits off the bench in guard Mills (14.3) and SF Gay (11.3 & 5.5). San Antonio also got great news in Saturday's loss, as Derrick White (averaged 11.3 PPG last season) saw his first action since missing 14 games with a broken toe and paced the Spurs with 18 points!

The Spurs just snapped Denver's 5-0 SU & ATS run and in this quick turnaround, do the same to Memphis' 6-0 SU &ATS run! Lay the small number!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Game of the Month is on the Dal Mavs at 8:35 ET.

The Phoenix Suns surprised all with their 8-0 SU & ATS performance in the Orlando 'bubble' to end last season and made a key offseason move designed to put an end to the team's 10-season playoff drought. The Suns jumped out of the gate 5-1 SU & ATS but have gone just 4-7 SU & ATS their last 11. The Mavs went 43-32 last season, ending a three-year postseason drought and led by the "All-World" Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, expected to be playoff contenders for years to come. However, Dallas enters this contest on a five-game losing streak SU & ATS, giving them an 8-12 record (3rd-worst in the West).

These teams also met in Dallas this past Saturday, with center Deandre Ayton dominating the middle and PG Chris Paul coming on strong late as the Suns rallied past the Mavericks 111-105. Ayton (14.4 & 12.6) had 18 and 17 on Saturday, while Paul (15.6-4.6-8.7) scored 16 of his 29 points in the 4th quarter when the Suns outscored the Mavs 34-23. Devin Booker (22.9) sat out for a fourth straight game while dealing with a strained left hamstring and is no better than questionable for tonight's game.

Doncic (27.4-9.2-9.40 is again having a 'monster' season and expect Porzingis (18.6 & 8.) to play tonight, after resting on the second night of a back-to-back in Saturday's loss. Dallas has excellent depth, as Hardaway (16.8), Richardson (11.9), Brunson (11.5) and Burke (10.4) all average in double digits.

Truth is that Booker remains doubtful for Monday's game, while the Mavs look to almost "all hands on deck." This is a quick rematch for Dallas and the Mavs are already 0-2 vs the Suns this season (lost 106-102 in Phoenix on opening night). The Mavs are 2-8 over their last 10 and enough is ENOUGH. Great revenge and bounce-back spot here for Dallas, plus "the PRICE is sure Right!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daytime Dominator is on Louisville at 2:00 ET.

No. 25 Louisville (10-4, 5-3 ACC) looks to get back on track after losing THREE of its last four games when the Cardinals welcome the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-5, 4-3) to KFC Yum! Center. The Cards will surely fall out of the rankings in the new AP poll (released this afternoon), after Louisville lost 54-50 at slumping Clemson last Wednesday, making just 18 of 57 FGs (31.6%) and going a pitiful 5 of 24 on three-pointers (20.8%). Meanwhile, is coming off arguably its best win of the season, a 76-65 upset of No. 16 Florida State Saturday in Tallahassee. 

Ga Tech head coach Josh Pastner is in his fifth season with the Yellow Jackets, after SEVEN years at Memphis. His first four seasons have not gone well (just 65-67). Tech had three consecutive games postponed and hadn't played since Jan 3 when it routed Clemson 83-65 on Jan 20. However, two straight losses followed prior to Saturday's win over FSU. Ga Tech has a solid five-man rotation but the Yellow Jackets have little depth. Returning PG Alvarado (18.3-3.5-4.5) and SG Devoe (13.5-4.7-3.2) have been excellent plus returning 6-9 big man Wright (17.1 & 7.2) present an excellent trio. 6-7 USC transfer Usher (11.0 & 4.8) helps out up front plus VMI transfer Parham (8.1 & 3.4) adds to the team's backcourt depth. However, Parham is currently out (personal reasons?).

Chris Mack took over at Xavier for the 2009-10 season when Sean Miller took the Arizona job. He led the Musketeers to eight NCAA tourneys in nine seasons before moving to Louisville. The Cards went 20-14 in his first season (NCAA bid) and were 24-7 in his second year, when the season was shut down in March (AP ranked them 14th in its final poll). Louisville swingman Jordan Nwora (18.0 & 7.7) is gone from last season's team but FOUR starters returned. However, Carlik Jones leads the team in scoring, averaging 17.8-5.5-4.6. He's a graduate transfer from Radford and was last season's Big South Conference player of the year. He joins returning guard Johnson (12.4-5.9-3.6) in the backcourt. The 6-7 Williamson did little last season but averages 8.8 & 6.6 this season. True freshman guard Davis (8.5) and the 6-8 Slazinski (6.3 & 3.6) plus 6-9 redshirt freshman Withers (10.3 & 7.6) all contribute.

Ga Tech has shown 'promise' as of late (lost tough games to UVa and Duke) but while Louisville won't stay in the top-25 in today's newest poll, I believe the Cards ARE a top-25 team. Cards prove my point here with a double digit win!

Good luck...Larry

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

Kevin Keatts took over at NC State for Mark Gottfried beginning in the 2017-18 season, after leading UNC-Wilmington to 25-8 and 29-6 records in his final two seasons (both teams earned NCAA tourney bids). He's won 21, 24 and 20 games his first three seasons in Raleigh but lost leading scorer Bryce (13.3 & 6.3) plus PG Johnson (12.8-4.4-6.8) from last year's team, NC State is 7-5 (3-4 ACC) as it heads to Syracuse and will be playing its first full game since losing leading scorer Devon Daniels (16.5-5.1-3.2). Jim Boeheim has been at Syracuse since right after the end of the Civil War and the Orange are 9-5 (3-4 ACC) after losing 81-58 at ACC-leading Virginia in Monday night's game. Orange coach Jim Boeheim said there's no easy solution to the team's inconsistent play. "We're playing the guys that are playing the best in practice," Boeheim said.

"I quickly appreciated the tenacity and relentlessness he brought into the gym every day," Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts said, recalling when Daniels joined the program after transferring from Utah. "Devon built himself into one of the premier players in the ACC with that tireless work ethic." NC State managed to hang on to defeat visiting Wake Forest after Daniels departed in the second half of Wednesday night's game. With the loss of Daniels, the Wolfpack are left with just two double digit scorers, the 6-10 Funderburk (11.9 & 5.2) and 6-7 wing Hellems (11.8 & 5.3). Other significant contributors are the 6-11 Bates (9.0 & 5.3) plus guards Allen (7.4), Hayes (7.0), Moore (6.60 and Beverly (6.3).

The Orange have little depth but all five starters are averaging more than 30 minutes. The 6-7 Guerrier leads in scoring (16.8) and rebounding (9.4), SF Griffin checks in at 15.5 & 7.2 plus the 6-10 Dolezag adds 11.0 & 4.5. The backcourt is Buddy Boeheim (14.5) and PG Girard (10.6 & 3.9 APG). Syracuse rates 12th in the ACC (14 teams) with 31.4 percent on three-point shooting but Boeheim insists his players are getting good looks from the perimeter. "We have to make those shots," he said.

Maybe they will start falling here vs NC State? The Wolfpack endured a coronavirus-related pause a couple of weeks ago and hadn't won in January until the Wake Forest game. Now, the team will have to make another adjustment minus a key player. What's more, NC State is 0-4 SU (0-3-1 ATS) in its four ACC road games this season (ONLY road games all season have come in conference). I noted earlier that Boeheim has complained about his team's inconsistent play and will add here that the Orange come into this contest 2-2 over their last four games, with all of those results by margins of 18 points or more! my bet says Syracuse is on the 'right side' of a blowout final in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Southland Game of the Year is on SF Austin at 4:00 ET.

The Sam Houston State Bearkats are 13-5 and at 7-0 in league play, sit atop the Southland Conference. The Bearkats travel to Nacogdoches, Tx to take on the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks, who are 9-3 (5-1 in Southland play). The Bearkats are looking for an EIGHTH straight conference win, while the Lumberjacks look to bounce back from their first conference loss, an 82-62 defeat at 14-3 Abilene Christian on Wednesday.

Sam Houston head coach Jason Hooten  opened the season having lost four of five starters for the SECOND straight year. That was the case last season and after a 15-6 start, the Bearkats were just 18-13 when the season was shut down. Guard Nutall is the lone returning starter and he leads the team averaging 19.9 PPG, as well as a team-high 5.9 RPG. Senior guard Lampley (15.9) is the only other double digit scorer. However, the team averages 81.3 PPG on the season (28th).

Kyle Keller was hired as the head coach at Stephen F. Austin, replacing Brad Underwood. Following the discovery of an administrative error in declaring student-athletes eligible, on May 20, 2020, Stephen F. Austin reached an agreement with the NCAA to vacate hundreds of wins across multiple sports from 2013 to 2019, including all 117 men's basketball wins from the 2014–15 to 2018–19 seasons. With that behind the program, the Lumberjacks finished the 2019–20 season with a 28–3 (19–1 Southland) record and the regular season Southland title. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Southland and NCAA tournaments were cancelled. Last season was highlighted by the Lumberjacks' 85–83 overtime win at No. 1 Duke, giving the Blue Devils their first non-conference home loss in 150 games.

SF Austin owns a solid trio of guards in Johnson (18.1 & 4.4), Ware (11.7) and Kachelries (9.8 & 4.1 APG). A pair of 6-7 sophomores start up front in Kensmil (14.1 & 6.3) and Soloman (8.4 & 5.2). The Lumberjacks can score with any team, averaging 82.1 PPG (22nd), while shooting 53.7& from the floor (2nd in the nation). SF Austin's last game was a 'nightmare,' as the team shot just 42.6% on the game (25% on threes) and even went a pathetic 14 of 25 from the FT line (56%). Bounce-back time here for a team that is 8-0 at home this season and 24-1 at home going back to the start of last season. Lay the reasonable points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division Game of the Year (Northwest) is on the Den Nuggets at 3:35 ET.

Denver started the season with four losses in the first five games but had won 10 of its next 13 before falling 119-109 to the Spurs on Friday night, when the Spurs outscored the Nuggets in the fourth quarter 32-23. The defeat snapped a five-game Denver winning streak and came in the team's final game of a five-game road trip in seven days. The Nuggets return home but waiting for them are the Utah Jazz, who now own the NBA's best record of 15-4 on the strength of an 11-game winning streak (also, an amazing 11-0 ATS!).

Utah has reeled off 11 straight wins, the past two without Donovan Mitchell (23.4-4.4-4.9) and Derrick Favors (5.8 & 5.0). Mitchell (concussion protocol) and Favors (lower back soreness) haven't played since last Tuesday but traveled to Denver on Friday while their teammates were completing a two-game home sweep of the Dallas Mavericks. Their status for Sunday has not been updated but the duo is at best, questionable. The Jazz have terrific depth with SEVEN Players (including Mitchell) averaging in double digits. PG Conley (16.8 & 6.1 APG) has found a home in Utah after struggling last season plus the same can be said about last year's in-season pick-up, 6th-man Clarkson. He comes off the bench to average 17.9 PPG! Center Rudy Gobert is a great defender, good for a nightly 'daily double' (13.6 & 14.1 on the season).

However, speaking of 'double-doubles,' Denver center Nikola Jokic notched his 19th straight double-double to start the year in Friday's loss in San Antonio (). He's averaging 25.7 & 11.7 on the season. He had also been averaging double digits in assists but he averaged just 5.3 per game over his last six games, falling to third in the league at 8.7 per game. Denver can match Utah's depth now that Porter (17.2 & 6.8) has been back for the last five games and SG Harris (10.7) has broken out of an extended offensive slump. He is known for his defense but the Nuggets need his scoring, too. In the last nine games, he has hit 46.5 percent from three-point range. Throw in PG Murray (19.1-4.0-4.4) plus Morris (11.1), Green (10.9 & 6.3), Barton (10.7) and Millsap (9.6 & 5.2) and one gets the point.

Denver came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat Utah in last year's playoffs and in the first meeting this season, Utah edged the Nuggets 109-105 in Denver (Jan 17). It's Denver's turn to 'return the favor' in this one. Utah's 11-game win streak ends here. That's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big West Game of the Year is on Hawaii at 11:59 ET.

Russell Turner has done a nice job at UC-Irvine. He had losing seasons in his first two years at the school but entered this season have won 20-plus games in SEVEN of his last eight seasons. The Anteaters won 31 games two seasons ago and were 21-11 before the shut down last season. However, UC-Irvine had to replace four senior starters entering this season. The 6-9 Welp is back and leads in scoring at 12.2 2 PPG (adds 6.5 RPG). The only other starter averaging in double digits is the 6-11 Greene (10.7 PPG and a team-high 7.5 RPG). Two newcomers come off the bench in freshman guard Baker (11.5) and fellow guard Davis (8.,5), who is back from a two-year Mormon mission.

Eran Ganot's Hawaii team is led by two returning players and two transfers. Both transfers are coming off the bench, the 6-8 Jean-Marie (13.6 & 4.3) and guard Madut (10.4 & 4.7). Guard Webster (12.4 & 3.3) and the 6-7 Jardine (11.9 & 6.0) are the top returning players but also note that the 7-0 Colina is averaging 6.7 & 5.9 at center, after averaging 1.6 & 1.6 last season.

UC-Irvine is the better team but as we saw last night, the Anteaters 'escaped with only a 53-51 win. Both teams shot poorly and were DREADFUL from the three-point line. Taking the SU loser in these back-to-back situations (implemented for COVID reasons) has been a money-making proposition and I'm taking the points tonight with Hawaii. Aloha.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Game of the Month is on the LA Lakers at 8:35 ET.

The Lakers blew a big lead at home to Golden St back on Jan 18 (115-113 loss) and then began a SEVEN-game road trip. LA opened with an impressive 113-106 win at Milwaukee and followed with wins at Chicago and Cleveland, extending their road to record to 10-0 to open the season. However, the Lakers then lost 107-106 at Philly (76ers are at home) but followed with a 107-92 loss at Detroit, when they scored just 34 points in the second half (LBJ had two points after halftime). Two games remain on their demanding seven-game road trip, including tonight at TD Garden with the Celtics. Boston enters off a setback of its own, failing to beat the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday after coming back from as much as 15 points down. Boston was up 101-99 with less than two minutes remaining but couldn't hold on in the 110-106 loss. The Celtics are a modest 10-7 on the season.

Anthony Davis has a bruised right quad and did not play at Detroit and is questionable here. LBJ (25.5-7.8-7.5) and A.D. (21.9 & 8.8) lead the Lakers but the additions of PF Harrell and PG Schroder have been HUGE. Harrell comes off the bench to average 12.8 & 6.6 and Schroder has started all 20 games at the point, producing 13.6-3.7-4.2. Caldwell-Pope (9.9) starts at SG and Kuzma (10.1 & 5.8) comes off the bench like Harrell.

Boston has its preferred starting-five back, as PG Walker returned five games ago and Tatum is out from under COVID protocols. Brown (27.1 & 5.6) and Tatum (26.5 & 6.8) are quite a one-two 'punch' but while Walker is averaging 16.4 & 4.1 APG, Boston is 1-4 in his five games back. Smart's has been excellent (13.6 & 6.0) and undersized center Theis (9.4 & 4.9) but new acquisitions PF Thompson (6.2 & 8.6) and PG Teague (5.9 & 2.3 APG) have been underwhelming.

The Lakers matched the Celtics for most titles in league history at 17 by winning last year's title and there is NO better rivalry in the NBA. Obviously, if A.D. misses it's a big deal but I REALLY like the Lakers off their back-to-back losses, either way. LA's plus-8.3 point differential is the best in the league, while Boston checks in at juts plus-2.3. As LBJ said after the loss at Detroit, "We got to keep our minds fresh, keep our bodies fresh as much as we can to go out there and put together a complete 48-minute game, or close to 48 minutes. Obviously we haven't done it the last couple of games, and we just got to be better on Saturday." LA will "be better" tonight!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Charlotte Hornets topped the Indiana Pacers 108-105 on Friday, avenging a loss to the same team two nights earlier. Charlotte made key plays down the stretch after a double-digit lead had vanished. Hornets head coach James Borrego liked the poise his team demonstrated. The 8-11 Hornets  will need more than just poise to get past the Milwaukee Bucks tonight, who will arrive in Charlotte licking their wounds after a 131-126 road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

The Bucks have owned the NBA's best regular season record in each of the last two seasons but have fallen short in each of the last two postseasons. Milwaukee is just 11-7 this season, as the team's .611 winning percentage is FAR below the .748 win percentage the Bucks have had the last two seasons in going a combined 116-39. Giannis (27.5-11.0-5.5) has won the last two MVP awards and has quite a sidekick in SF Middleton, who is averaging 21.6-6.6-5.9 6.2. Jrue Holiday (15.9-4.7-5.23 has taken over for the departed Bledsoe plus guard DiVincenzo (9.9 & 4.1) and center Brook Lopez (10.9 & 5.2) round out the starting lineup. The 6-10 Portis comes off the bench and has been a HUGE addition in averaging 10.6 & 7.5 in about 22 MPG. Forbes, Connaughton and Augustin add a combined 19 PPG.

Gordon Hayward left Boston to sign with Charlotte and one wonders why. He's averaging 22.9-5.3-3.7 but after playing for the Jazz and Celtics, what could he possibly expect this Charlotte team to do the next three-to-five years? Guards Rozier (18.9 &n 4.1) and Graham (13.9 & 6.3) have both played well but the jury is still out on the team's No. 1, LeMelo Ball (11.4-5.9-5.9). PJ Washington (12.9 & 6.8) is a solid frontcourt player and center Zeller (8.0 & 6.9) is back after missing a month.

The Bucks stormed back from a 29-point hole before falling at New Orleans, snapping Milwaukee's two-game winning streak. The Bucks have yet to exceed four straight victories this season, so they are still looking to sustain a good roll. I have to believe that 'roll' IS coming and will note that Milwaukee's point differential of plus-8.2 is just shy of LA's league-leading plus-8.3. In comparison, Charlotte's at minus-1.7. Milwaukee has been an excellent ATS play off a SU loss these last two seasons and I see "B-LO-W-O-U-T written all over this one."

Good luck...Larry

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

No. 21 Minnesota is 11-5 (just 4-5 in the Big Ten) and Purdue welcomes them to Mackey Arena on Saturday at 11-6 (6-4 in the Big Ten). This is the first of two meetings between the teams over a 13-day span. Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. The Gophers opened 9-1 in Pitino's 8th season but have lost FOUR of their last six. Purdue's Matt Painter is in his 16th season with the Boilermakers and his team was just 16-14 last season, coming off a four-year run of averaging 27.3 wins per season.

Minnesota PG Carr (20.9-4.1-5.2) ranks with the best in the nation and has been aided by THREE transfers, 7-0 Liam Robbins (13.3 & 6.9) from Drake, the 6-6 Gach (9.6 & 5.1) from Utah and the 6-8 Johnson (8.0 & 6.3) from Western Michigan. Plus, don't dismiss returning junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.3 PPG. Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (10.3 & 3.2 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (15.3 & 9.6) and SG Stefanovic (11.1). 7-4 freshman Edey (7.9 & 4.2) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (8.9) gives Purdue five players averaging between 7.9 and 15.3 PPG. Depth is provided by four players chipping in a combined 21 PPG.

Minnesota may be 11-1 at home (Williams Arena) but the not-so-Golden Gophers are 0-4 SU & ATS on the road (all Big Ten games). Meanwhile, Purdue was 6-0 at home before losing 70-53 to Michigan. Purdue shot just 30.8 percent from the floor, including a dismal 2 of 12 on three-pointers, as it was held to a season-low point total. This just in! Minnesota in NO WAY resembles Michigan! Purdue is a GREAT value at this price.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Wisconsin at 3:00 ET.

No. 14 Wisconsin will play Penn State in consecutive games starting with a matchup at University Park on Saturday with the second game at Madison on Tuesday. The Badgers (13-4 / 7-3 Big Ten) have won THREE of their last four games, including Wednesday's 61-55 win at Maryland that avenged a 70-64 loss to the Terrapins at home Dec 28. Penn State is just 5-7 (2-6 Big Ten) after an 83-79 loss at No. 13 Ohio State. The Nittany Lions were competitive throughout and had the lead with less than two minutes remaining.

Wisconsin has had a terrific basketball program for decades and Greg Gard is in his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win seasons in his first five. Wisconsin prides itself on being one of college basketball's best defensive teams was OFF a VERY disappointing 74-62 loss to Ohio State last Saturday (Buckeyes shot 50.9 percent on Wisconsin's home court and never trailed), so holding Maryland to 55 points was a good feeling. The Badgers start FIVE seniors, guards Trice (14.5-3.5-3.9) and Davison (9.2) plus the 6-10 Potter (12.7 & 6.8), the 6-8 Ford (9.0 & 3.8) and the 6-11 Reuvers. 6-5 freshman Davis (6.3 & 4.5) and 6-9 sophomore Wahl (5.3 & 4.1) both contribute off the bench.

Penn St was 21-10 last season but the Nittany Lions went through some turmoil right as practices started when head coach Pat Chambers resigned in late October following an investigation into inappropriate conduct. Penn State interim head coach Jim Ferry led the Nittany Lions to a 3-4 start through Dec 31 but the team's first four games of 2021 were postponed due to COVID-19 issues. Penn State is trying to persevere through the season but it's been tough. Penn St surely misses All-Big Ten forward Lamar Stevens (17.6 & 6.9) but the Nittany Lions have four players averaging in double figures; the 6-7 Izaiah Brockington (15.0 & 4.7) and the 6-7 Seth Lundy (13.8 & 5.0) plus guards Myreon Jones (15.4) and Sam Sessoms (10.3). Sessoms has come off the bench, with the 6-9 Harrar (7.8 & 8.3) and PG Wheeler (4.9-4.1-3.9) starting alongside Jones and the two 6-7 forwards.

The Ohio St game (see above) was an aberration, as Wisconsin had held its two previous opponents to 54 and 52 points. Wisconsin was back in 'defensive mode' at Maryland allowed 55 points on 35.8% shooting) and that's what I expect here, Road favorite is the play.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Boise St at 11:00 ET.

Niko Medved spent four years at Furman and one at Drake, and had an overall record of 79-087 when Colorado St tabbed him as its next head coach. He went 12-20 in his first season but turned things around by going 20-12 last season, before the shut down. His Rams have opened 12-3 this season (9-2 in the MWC) after an impressive 78-56 home rout of Boise St on Wednesday. Boise's Leon Rice is in his 11th season with the Broncos and has produced EIGHT seasons of 20-plus wins through his first 10 seasons. This year's team could be his best, as the Broncos were 16-1 before getting routed by the Rams two nights ago.

FOUR of Boise's starters average in double figures, led by 6-9 guard Alston (17.0 & 3.9). Fellows guards Shaver (13.2 & 5.1) and Dennis (10.9-3.3-3.4) and the 6-7 Kigab (13.3 & 6.0 round out that quartet. The fifth starter is the 6-10 Armus (6.7 & 7.3), while guard Doutrive (10.2) and the 6-8 Akot (7.4 & 4.2) contribute off the bench. CSU misses the 6-11 Carvacho (12.9 & 10.8) but four starters are back from last season. PG Stevens led all scorers last season but the 6-5 Roddy leads this season with 16.0 and 9.4 RPG (also a team-high). Stevens (15.4-4.7-6.5) checks in right behind him with guard Moore (11.2) and the 6-6 Thistlewood (8.9 & 3.3). Depth is provided by guard Tonje (7.1) and the 6-9 Thomas (5.1 & 3.3).

Roddy had a career-high 27 points plus 15 rebounds as Colorado State extended its home win streak to seven games, easily beating Boise State 78-56 on Wednesday night. However, the two teams are right back at it in Fort Collins tonight. I surely don't expect CSU to shoot 55.8% again, nor do I expect BSU to shoot 38.2% (Broncos have made 46.9% on the season). Boise St in a bounce-back effort wins.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* CBB Ranked vs Ranked Showdown is on Iowa at 9:00 ET.

Iowa opened No. 5 in the AP's preseason poll and Illinois opened No. 8. As the two schools get set for their first (and only) meeting of the regular season, the Hawkeyes visit Champaign-Urbana 12-3 and ranked 7th, while the Fighting Illini are 10-5 and ranked 19th. Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa City from Siena, where he led the Saints to THREE straight NCAA appearances and a 77-26 record. He's been at Iowa since the 2010-11 season. He's led Iowa to SIX 20-win seasons the last eight seasons, getting four NCAA bids (would have been five last year but the NCAA tourney was canceled). Iowa returned all FIVE starters from last year, including the Preseason P-O-Y. (Luka Garza). Brad Underwood made a big 'splash' at S.F. Austin and then made a one year 'pit stop' at Oklahoma St, before landing in Champaign-Urbana. The Fighting Illini were just 14-18 and 12-21 in his first two seasons but had a breakout year in going 21-10 before last season was shut down.

Garza is the consensus favorite to win national player of the year honors. The 6-11 senior leads the Big Ten with an average of 26.9 PPG (8.9 RPG) while shooting 61%, including 46.2% on threes. Two senior guards join him in the starting lineup in Wieskamp (14.5 & 6.7) and Bohannon (9.8 & 4.7 APG). The 6-11 Nunge (7.0 & 5.5) comes off the bench plus FIVE more players contribute regularly, led by sophomore guard Fredrick (9,1). Illinois features one of the top guards in the nation in Dosunmu (21.7-6.3-4.9) plus 7-0 center Cockburn (17.4 & 10.3) has built on a successful freshman season. Dosunmu is joined in the backcourt by veterans Curbelo (9.6 & 4.4 APG), Frazier (8.7) and Williams (6.0 & 5.6) plus freshman Miller adds 9.6 PPG. The 6-9 Bezhanishvili (5.9 & 2.9) rounds out the main contributors.

I believe Illinois has been one of the more disappointing teams from the AP preseason top-25 and I guess the overall strength of the Big Ten keeps them in the current top-25. Meanwhile, Iowa's first two losses came in a neutral-site game with unbeaten and No. 1 Gonzaga plus in OT at Minnesota, which is 11-1 at home. The Hawkeyes haven't played since an 81-69 upset home loss on Jan 21 to Indiana (third loss), which wiped out a second-half deficit with a stunning 23-3 run. Garza and the Hawkeyes bounce back with a win.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Ultimate Underdog of the Month is on the SA Spurs at 8:35 ET.

The Denver Nuggets were the "Comeback Kids" of last season's playoff 'bubble' but struggled out of the gate in the current season. Denver lost on Jan 17 and fell to 6-7 but have since won and covered each of their last FIVE games, The team's recent surge has them 11-7 on the season and owners of the West's No. 4 seed. The Nuggets look to complete a perfect road trip (last four wins have all been on the road) as they conclude their five-game road trip in San Antonio Spurs. Not much was expected of the Spurs coming into this season, after San Antonio saw a 22-year playoff run end last season with a 32-29 record. However, at 10-8, the Spurs own the West's fifth-best record.

The Nuggets head to San Antonio off a 109-82 Wednesday win at Miami in which Denver led by 25 points at the half. Jokic (25.2-11.8-8.9) finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds for his 18th consecutive double-double. Porter Jr. (18.3 & 7.1) scored 17 points, Green (11.5 & 6.7) added 15 points and 10 rebounds and Jamal Murray (19.0-3.9-4.2) had 14 points for Denver. Paul Millsap (9.7 & 5.2) had 11 points and Will Barton (10.8-4.2-3.0) 10 points, giving the Nuggets SIX players in double-figure scoring.

The Spurs are led by DeRozan (20.1-5.3-6.8), who is joined by SIX double digit scorers. Aldridge (14.9 & 4.6) is playing center and has averaged 20.3 PPG his last three. PG Murray (14.4-7.3-5.3), SF Johnson (14.4 & 7.4) and guard Walkers (12.6) are San Antonio's other r-three starters, while guard Mills (14.3) and SF Gay (11.5 & 5.5) regularly contribute off the bench.

Yes, the Nuggets have won 10 of their 13 games since beginning the season 1-4 but San Antonio is a mix of older and younger players who are coming together. This is Denver's FIFTH road in SEVEN days and is the perfect spot for the home dog to 'bark' LOUDLY!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Bailout Blowout is on Arizona at 10:00 ET.

Stanford head coach Jerod Haase may be feeling some pressure, as he replaced Johnny Dawkins at Stanford, who earned the title "King of the NIT," leading the Cardinal to NIT titles in 2012 and 2015. However, no school gets much credit these days for an NIT championship. Haase is just 78-66 in his first four-plus years at Stanford (including  a 9-5 overall / 5-3 Pac 12 record this season), without an NCAA bid and his lone NIT appearance ended in the second round. Sean Miller is in his 12th season with the Wildcats and has had more than a few off the court issues the last few years. He saw THREE freshmen from last year go the 'One and Done' route in PG Mannion (14.0 & 5.3 APG), Green (12.0 & 4.6) and big man Nnaji (16.1 & 8.6) but Arizona opened a surprising 9-1, although it enters this game 12-3 (6-3 in the Pac 12).

The 6-9 Oscar da Silva averaged team-leading totals in points (15.7) and rebounds (6.4) last season for Stanford and while he'll miss guard Terry (14.6-4.5-3.2) who left for the NBA, he expected the infusion of young talent to be a boon for his game. Da Silva is averaging 19.8 & 7.1 plus two solid defensive guards are back in Davis (13.1-4.1-3.0) and Willis (9.3 & 4.6). 6-8 forward Ziaire Williams was expected to be the star of the freshman class and he's averaged 12.5 & 5.7. The problem tonight is that 6-6 Mills (12.5 & 7.7) is out with a leg injury plus both guard Dan]vis and freshman Williams (see above on both) may also miss for undisclosed reasons.

Arizona has been led by Georgetown transfer James Akinjo (14.3 & 5.5 APG) plus four more double digit scorers. However, fellow guard Baker (12.0) has been sidelined the rest of the season with a broken right wrist plus 6-7 freshman Bennedict Mathurin (11.8 & 4.9) went down with a sprained right ankle in Monday's 80-67 win over Arizona State. His status for Thursday is undetermined. That said, Arizona still has 6-11 freshman Azuolas Tubelis (11.0 & 6.4) and 6-11 Jordan Brown (10.3 & 5.4) coming off the bench with guard Terrell Brown (8.7-3.2-3.5).

Da Silva had a game-winning basket last Saturday against UCLA off an inbounds pass in a 73-72 overtime. He finished with 26 points. Back in late Dec, Stanford ended a 12-year drought of losing to Arizona with a 78-75 win at home. The victory snapped a 20-game losing streak to the Wildcats and now the Cardinal will go for their first sweep of the Wildcats since the 2007-08 season. I sure DON'T see that happening, as even without fans, the McKale Center is one tough venue. Lay the points, as this one has "B-L-O-W-O-U-T written all over it!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Revenge Rout-Part 4 is on SMU at 8:00 ET.

13-1 Houston is now ranked No. 6 in the latest AP poll and with an 8-1 record in the AAC is unquestionably the league's dominant team. Entering Tuesday, 8-2 SMU, 8-5 Memphis and 8-4 Wichita St were all 4-2 in conference. The SMU Mustangs played at Memphis Tuesday and in a game that was close the ENTIRE way, lost 76-72 to the Tigers. The two schools play each other again Thursday, this time Dallas. First-place Houston plays tonight at Tulane and Wichita St won't play until Saturday. No one is likely catching Houston but tonight's a chance for Memphis (5-2 AAC) to put a little difference between themselves and SMU (4-3 in AAC) with a second straight win.

Penny Hardaway is in his third season coaching at his alma mater. He went 22-14 in his first season and the Tigers were 21-10 last season before the season was shut down. Memphis had its first three games of 2020 postponed due to COVID issues but the Tigers now own THREE straight AAC wins, a pair of blowout wins over Wichita State and East Carolina plus Tuesday' win over SMU. Va Tech transfer, the 6-7 Nolley (12.8 & 3.4), leads the Tigers in scoring. He's joined in the starting lineup by the 6-9 Williams (10.4 & 5.3), guard Quinones (9.9 & 5.4) and the 6-10 Cisse (7.6 & 7.68). Coming off the bench is the 6-7 Jefferson (10.5 & 5.9) and PG Lomax (5.4 & 4.1 APG). Nolley had 12 points and center Cisse added 10 & 10 in Tuesday's win, while Jefferson (12 points) continued his excellent efforts off the bench. A real bonus was guard Lomax, who scored a team-high 14 points with five assists.

Tim Jankovich took over after Larry Brown once again left a program in tatters and in his first full season (2016-17) went 30-5. However, the Mustangs were just a combined 51-44 the previous three seasons. Jankovich was running a low-grade fever and two other assistants were back in Dallas as part of contact tracing when SMU won 78-65 at UCF on Saturday. Jankovich was NOT on the sidelines on Tuesday and is unlikely to be available tonight. The Mustangs returned the outstanding guard duo of Davis and Jolly but Jolly's been battling personal issues and made his first appearance of the current season in Saturday's win at UCF (scored five points in minutes). The good news coming out of Tuesday's loss was that Jolly played 21 minutes and scored 15 points (he averaged  14.5 & 6.2 last season). PG Davis (18.3-4.5-7.6) has been great and three other starters are averaging in or just below double digits. The group includes guard Bandoumel (11.9) plus a pair of 6-9 forwards in Hunt (12.0 & 8.3) and Chargois (9.9 & 5.8).

Penny was an exciting offensive player in college (Memphis) and in the NBA but he's a defense-first head coach. He EXPECTS his team to be one of the nation's top defensive teams. Memphis entered Tuesday's game having allowed 61.8 PPG (20th) on 37.7% shooting (7th), including 27.2% on threes (9th). The Tigers have held their last FIVE opponents under 60 points, the longest such streak since a run of seven consecutive games in January 2008. Yes, Memphis pulled out the win but the Mustangs scored 72 points (on the road) while shooting 48.3%. Memphis won because it shot 50.9% (47.6% on threes). Memphis is shooting 4.2% on the season, including 34.5% on threes. SMU star Davis was just 4 of 14 on FGs (8 points) and one HAS to believe he'll bounce back plus Jolly looks like he's ready to be a major contributor. Quick turnaround equals quick REVENGE for the Mustangs.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Pho Suns at 9:00 ET.

OKC made it to the NBA Finals back in the 2011-12 season but that was NINE years ago and the Thunder are in rebuilding mode, as the trio of Harden, KD and Westbrook have all since moved on, as have All Stars like Paul George and Chris Paul after brief stints. The 7-9 Thunder are in Phoenix tonight to face the 8-7 Suns and Chris Paul, who they traded away in November as part of a rebuilding effort. The Suns opened the season 5-1 (were 8-0 SU & ATS in the 'bubble') but are just 3-6 since.

Leading OKC these days is guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The third-year player is averaging a career-best 21.9 PPG with 5.4 rebounds and 6.4 assists. He had 24 points with nine rebounds and six assists as the Thunder won 125-122 at Portland on Monday. Mike Muscala (9.8) added 23 points and a career-best six 3-pointers. However, the Thunder played without Al Horford (11.1 & 7.1), who has been out since Jan 15 for the birth of his daughter and George Hill (11.8), who was out with a strained right thumb. Both are NOT expected to play.

The Suns are coming off back-to-back narrow defeats against the Denver Nuggets, falling in overtime in the first game and double OT on Saturday. Saturday's 120-112 defeat only went to extra time when Denver's Jamal Murray made a leaning three-pointer at the end of regulation while falling out of bounds (Naturally, I had the Suns in a forgettable week). Booker (22.9 PPG) sat out with an injured hamstring but word is, he'll be back tonight. Either way, I'm 'ON' the Suns. Former first round picks Bridges (15.1 & 5.8) and Johnson (11.9 & 3.2) have made HUGE strides this season plus 6-11 center Ayton is averaging a double-double on the season (15.0 & 12.2). All three have NOT missed a game. Neither has Chris Paul, who is averaging 13.8-4.7-9.0. SF Crowder (FA pickup) has also played all 15 games (12 starts), averaging 10.3 & 4.6). The "situation" is just right for a double-digit Phoenix win. That's the play!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Rout-Part 3 is on Wisconsin at 9:00 ET.

Wisconsin has had a terrific basketball program for decades and Greg Gard is in his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win seasons in his first five. No. 14 Wisconsin (12-4 / 6-3 in Big Ten) prides itself on being one of college basketball's best defensive teams and the Badgers are looking to re-establish that identity when they play four of their next five games on the road. That stretch starts tonight in College Park against 9-6  Maryland (just 3-6 in the Big Ten). Mark Turgeon coached Wichita St for seven years, before leading Texas A&M to four straight NCAA tournaments in four years going 97-40. He joined Maryland when it was still in the ACC but its move to the Big Ten has been good for the basketball program, as over the last six seasons the Terps have won 20-plus games in five seasons (exception was a 19-win season), making four NCAA tourneys (would have been five, as Maryland was 24-7 when the season was shut down last year).

The Badgers start FIVE seniors, guards Trice (14.6-3.3-3.9) and Davison (9.4) plus the 6-10 Potter (12.1 & 6.5), the 6-11 Reuvers (9.3 & 3.8) and the 6-8 Ford (9.6 & 4.4). 6-5 freshman Davis (6.4 & 4.6) and 6-9 sophomore Wahl (5.4 & 4.1) both contribute off the bench. Wisconsin was disappointed with its defensive performance in a 74-62 loss to then-No. 15 Ohio State on Saturday, as the Buckeyes shot 50.9 percent on Wisconsin's home court and never trailed. It was particularly galling because the Badgers were coming off a pair of strong defensive efforts, when they held Rutgers to 54 points and Northwestern to 52. 

PG Cowan (16.3 & 4.7 APG) and big man Jalen Smith (15.5 & 10.5) are gone from last season's Maryland team but the Terps have a deep backcourt, Ayala (14.4 & 3.1) and Wiggins (12.2-5.3-3.0) lead the way, supported by Hart (9.8) and Morsell (8.1 & 4.3). Up front, it's the 6-7 Scott (13.0 & 6.9) and 6-8 BC transfer Hamilton (7.4 & 2.8). Maryland's three Big Ten wins have all come on the road, over No. 6 Wisconsin, No. 12 Illinois and No. 17 Minnesota (opponents ranking at the time of each win). That makes Maryland the first team to have such success on the road while being unranked in the last five seasons. It's also the first time in program history that Maryland has won three road games against ranked teams, period

Wisconsin will be HIGHLY focused on this contest (remember, four of next five on the road), as the Badgers don't want to see a strong start to the season evaporate. The Badgers allowed Maryland to shoot 50% in a 70-64 home loss to the Terps back on Dec 28 but with that memory and Saturday's poor defensive effort against Ohio St still fresh, I expect a "big-time" defensive effort from Wisconsin here. The Badgers are allowing just 62.2 PPG on 40.5% shooting and remember, Maryland's Big Ten wins have come on the road, NOT here at home (0-3 SU & ATS). REVENGE works in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Phi 76ers at 7:35 ET.

The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers are an NBA-best 14-4 and play tonight in Philadelphia against the 76ers, who own the East's best record at 12-6. The Lakers improved to 10-0 away from home on Monday at Cleveland, 115-108, as LeBron James celebrated his homecoming with a season-high 46 points on 19-of-26 shooting to go along with eight rebounds and six assists. Philadelphia is looking to bounce back from a 119-104 loss on the road to the Detroit Pistons on Monday, when the 76ers played without Joel Embiid (back) and fell to 0-4 without the All Star this season. Embiid is off the injury list on Wednesday and is expected to play.

Only four other players in NBA history have scored at least 46 points in a game once they reached the age of 36. The others? The late Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan and Jamal Crawford (how'd he get in there?). LBJ (25.2-7.9-7.4) and A.D. (21.8 & 8.9) lead the Lakers but the additions of PH Harrell and PG Schroder have been HUGE. Harrell comes off the bench to average 13.7 & 7.4 and Schroder has started all 18 games at the point, producing 13.6-3.8-4.2. Caldwell-Pope (10.6) starts at SG and Kuzma (9.8 & 5.6) comes off the bench like Harrell.

Embiid used a strict offseason conditioning program and it seems to have worked well, as he has missed just four games, averaging 27.7 & 11.5. PF Harris (19.8 & 6.7) and PG Simmons (12.8-8.4-7.1) have contributed nicely, while rookie Maxey (10.0) plus vets Danny Green (9.1) and Dwight Howard (6.5 & 7.9 in just 15.5 MPG) have all played in each of Philly's 18 games. Seth Curry (15.6) is back after sitting out two weeks due to the league's health and safety protocols plus Milton is adding 15.1 PPG off the bench.

The Lakers were last home back on Jan 18 and won't return until playing in Atlanta on Feb 1. This is their FOURTH of seven games on the road and the champs will stumble somewhere. Why not here at Philly, as the 76ers are an NBA-best 9-1 at home?

Good luck...Larry

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

Penn St was 21-10 last season but the Nittany Lions went through some turmoil right as practices started when head coach Pat Chambers resigned in late October following an investigation into inappropriate conduct. Penn State interim head coach Jim Ferry led the Nittany Lions to a 3-4 start through Dec 31 but the team's first four games of 2021 were postponed due to COVID-19 issues. Penn St returned on Jan 17 and lost at Purdue and two days later at Illinois. The Nittany Lions have rebounded with two straight wins last week and now take a 5-6 record into this game with No. 13 Ohio St (12-4) in Columbus.

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio State saw a three-game winning streak end a week ago Tuesday night when Purdue's Jaden Ivey drilled a stepback three-pointer with five seconds to secure a 67-65 decision in Columbus but rebounded with a wire-to-wire, 74-62 win at then-No. 10 Wisconsin on Saturday.

Penn St surely misses All-Big Ten forward Lamar Stevens (17.6 & 6.9) but the Nittany Lions have four players averaging in double figures; the 6-7 Izaiah Brockington (14.7 & 4.8) and the 6-7 Seth Lundy (12.7 & 4.5) plus guards Myreon Jones (15.9) and Sam Sessoms (11.3). Sessoms has come off the bench, with the 6-9 Harrar (7.2 & 8.2) and PG Wheeler (5.0-4.1.4-0) starting alongside Jones and the two 6-7 forwards. Guard Washington (15.3) leads Ohio St in scoring and had been paired with PG Walker (8.7 & 4.1 APG). The frontcourt has four solid contributors led by arguably the team's best player, the 6-7 Liddell (14.5 & 6.8). He's joined on the frontline by the 6-7 Sueing (10.4 & 5.0), the 6-8 Young (8.0 & 5.9), 6-8 freshman Key (6.4 & 3.8) and the 6-6 Aherns (6.8).

The Buckeyes got a boost with the return of senior starting point guard CJ Walker, who missed four games because of torn ligaments in his right hand. He had eight points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal in 24 minutes of playing time in the win at Wisconsin. Having him back is HUGE and note that Ohio St is 7-1 at home (only blemish a two-point loss to Purdue). Yes, Penn St has won back-to-back games but the wins came over Rutgers (2-6 since a 6-0 start) and Northwestern (0-7 after a  6-1 start). Prior to those wins, the Nittany Lions started 0-5 in league play and are 1-4 overall on the road. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

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

Greg McDermott has won 20-plus games in NINE of his first 10 seasons at Creighton and the Bluejays were ranked 11th in the AP's preseason poll, the school's highest-ever preseason ranking. Creighton is 11-4 (7-3 in Big East) entering this game at Seton Hall, ranked 17th. Seton Hall believed it could have made a run to the Final Four behind All-American guard Myles Powell (21.0 & 4.3) last season before COVID-19 shut things down. The Pirates were 21-9 and ranked 15th in the country after finishing tied for first in the Big East with a 13-5 record. Powell is now in the NBA but the Pirates are a disappointing 9-6 this season (6-3 in the Big East).

Creighton brought back all starters except leading scorer Alexander (16.9 & 5.0) and this season's starting-five is a strong group. A trio of guards start, along with the 6-7 Bishop (11.3 & 5.2) and 6-5 SF Jefferson (13.0 & 4.9). Denzel Mahoney (15.4 & 4.5), PG Zegarowski (14.4-4.0-4.5) and Ballock (9.1) comprise an impressive backcourt, while the 7-0 Kalkbrenner (7.1 & 4.3) comes off the bench.

The Pirates have SEVEN players who have participated in all 15 games. The 6-11 Mamukelashvili leads the team in scoring (18.4) and rebounding (7.0). Wing Jared Rhoden adds 15.8 & 6.9 and fellow wing Myles Cale (11.6) is the team's third double-digit scorer. PG Reynolds (7.9 & 4.5 APG) and Molson (6.5 & 3.2) are solid backcourt performers, while the 7-2 Obiagu (5.4 & 5.6) starts and the 6-10 Samuel (6.2 & 3.3) comes off the bench to aid Mamukelashvili up front.

Creighton lost 70-66 in OT at Butler and then 74-70 at home to Providence (both schools own losing Big East records), before shooting 51.1 percent from the floor on Saturday in a 74-66 home victory against then-No. 23 UConn (3rd straight ATS loss). Creighton enjoyed its best shooting performance of the season in a rout of Seton Hall back on Jan 6, shooting 59.6 percent; including 13 of 24 from three-point range in an 89-53 home win against Seton Hall. Kevin Willard and his team will remember that one and are eager to get back on the court after overcoming a nine-point deficit with 7:21 left to pull even against No. 3 Villanova, only to fall just 76-74 on Jan 19. Creighton is a good team but I believe overrated and falls to the Pirates in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* AAC Game of the Year is on Memphis at 7:00 ET.

13-1 Houston is now ranked No. 6 in the latest AP poll and with an 8-1 record in the AAC is unquestionably the league's dominant team.8-2 SMU, 8-5 Memphis and 8-4 Wichita St are all 4-2 in conference. The SMU Mustangs are 3-0 on the road for the first time since starting 5-0 in 2015-16 and will look to extend that streak on Tuesday at Memphis. Tim Jankovich took over after Larry Brown once again left a program in tatters and in his first full season (2016-17) went 30-5. However, the Mustangs were just a combined 51-44 the previous three seasons. Jankovich was running a low-grade fever and two other assistants were back in Dallas as part of contact tracing when SMU won 78-65 at UCF on Saturday.

Penny Hardaway is in his third season coaching at his alma mater. He went 22-14 in his first season and the Tigers were 21-10 last season before the season was shut down. Memphis its first three games of 2020 postponed due to COVID issues but the Tigers own a pair of blowout wins over Wichita State and East Carolina. The Tigers have held their last FIVE opponents under 60 points, the longest such streak since a run of seven consecutive games in January 2008.

The Mustangs returned the outstanding guard duo of Davis and Jolly but Jolly's been battling personal issues and made his first appearance of the current season in Saturday's win at UCF (scored five points in minutes). Will he contribute the rest of the way? TBD. PG Davis (19.3-4.6-7.8) has been great and three other starters are averaging in double digits. The group includes guard Bandoumel (11.8) plus a pair of 6-9 forwards in Hunt (12.2 & 8.6) and Chargois (10.1 & 6.1).

Memphis lost centr James Wisman after just three games last season and PF Achiuwa (15.8 & 10.8) after the season (both are now in the NBA as 1st round picks). Va Tech transfer, the 6-7 Nolley (12.8 & 3.5) leads the Tigers in scoring. He's joined in the starting lineup by the 6-9 Williams (10.5), guard Quinones (10.1 & 5.2) and the 6-10 Cisse (7.5 & 7.6). Coming off the bench is the 6-7 Jefferson (10.4 & 6.2).

Penny was an exciting offensive player in college (Memphis) and in the NBA but he's a defense-first head coach. He EXPECTS his team to be one of the nation's top defensive teams. Memphis enters having allowed 61.8 PPG (20th) on 37.7% shooting (7th), including 27.2% on threes (9th). FYI, Memphis allowed opponents to shoot 36.1%, including 28.0% on threes last season. I'm on Penny and the Tigers.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late-Breaker is on West Va at 9:00 ET.

"Greed, for lack of a better word, is good." So said Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko in the 1987 movie "Wall Street," In the world of college basketball, "Routine is Good." However, NOTHING has been "routine" in CBB 2020-21. The 12th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders (11-4, 4-3 in Big 12) visit Morgantown on Monday to take on the No. 14 West Va Mountaineers (10-4, 3-3 Big 12). Both schools have seen their routines interrupted. Tonight's game will be Texas Tech's first since Jan 16 after both of the Red Raiders' scheduled matchups last week were postponed due to COVID-19 protocols at TCU and Iowa State. West Virginia just returned from a two-week pause on Saturday with a 69-47 road victory at Kansas State.

Chris Beard went 30-5 at Arkansas St in 2015-16 and was able to land the Texas Tech job as a reward. In his second season, the Red Raiders won 27 games and made the Elite 8 and then followed that up by winning 31 games in the 2018-19 season, where they lost to UVa in the national championship game. Last year's 18-13 season was seen as a major slump but Tech opened at No. 14 in the AP preseason poll. Georgetown transfer McClung (16.3) leads Tech in scoring and is joined in the starting lineup by guards Edwards (10.1 & 5.4) and freshman Peavy (5.9 & 3.0). The 6-7 Santos-Silva (8.9 & 6.3) is Tech's tallest starter, although the 6-6 Shannon (12.8 & 5.0) who comes off the bench, and 6-6 starter McCullar (11.2 & 7.2) are bigger producers. The Red Raiders' calling card remains defense, allowing 59.9 PPG (10th) on 39.4% shooting (33rd).

Bob Huggins had a legendary 16-year stint at Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to NCAA berths in each of his final 14 seasons. He returned to his alma mater for the 2007-08 season and has led the Mountaineers to the Big Dance in NINE of his 13 seasons (21-10 LY would have made 10 but COVID took care of that). FOUR of five starters are back from last season but the 6-9 Oscar Tshiebwe (11.2 & 9.2 last season) opted to transfer to Kentucky in mid-season, forcing a complete change of basketball philosophy for Huggins. The 6-10 Culver (13.4 & 10.7) is now the main focus inside, as Huggins now relies on his perimeter people. Guards McBride (15.3-3.4-4.1), Sherman (12.2) and McNeil, plus 6-7 SF Matthews (7.7 & 2.9) are the main contributors.

It's true that Texas Tech has opened 3-0 on the Big 12 road (just the second time the Red Raiders have done so since the league began in 1996-97) but as we've seen many times this season, teams have struggled after a layoff. Winning at WVU Coliseum has NEVER been easy and Huggins-coached teams know plenty about playing defense, as well. West Virginia's defense got back to work in style after the two-week hiatus by limiting Kansas State to 38.1 percent shooting (16 of 42) and forcing 28 turnovers, the most by a Big 12 team this season Home team is the play.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Ultimate Underdog is on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET.

The Philadelphia 76ers won 114-110 at Detroit on Saturday, The Pistons have the NBA's worst record at 3-13 but head coach Doc Rivers said he's happy with any road vic0rty. Philly struggled on the road last season and are just 3-4 away from home this season, although Philly owns the East's best record at 12-5.  As for the Pistons, they are coming off a frustrating week in which they went 0-4 when they could have easily gone 4-0. They squandered a 19-point lead to Miami, then blew a 17-point, fourth-quarter lead at Atlanta. Det dropped a one-point decision to Houston before the Sixers came to town and won by four points on Saturday.

Embiid used a strict offseason conditioning program and it seems to have worked well, as he is averaging 27.7 & 11.5). PF Harris (19.4 & 6.6) and PG Simmons (12.9-8.7-8.1) have contributed nicely, while rookie Maxey (9.6) plus vets Danny Green (9.3) and Dwight Howard (6.6 & 8.1 in just 15.5 MPG) have all played in each of Philly's 17 games. Seth Curry (16.5) scored 14 points on Saturday, playing his second game since sitting out two weeks due to the league's health and safety protocols. Milton is adding 15.4 PPG off the bench.

Jerami Grant (24.3 & 6.4) has been Detroit's best player all season but the Pistons could also use a bounce-back game from him. Grant was just 3 of 19 from the floor (11 points) on Saturday, after scoring 20 or more points for 14 consecutive games. Detroit's two former All Stars, Rose (14.8 & 4.1 APG) and Griffin (12.8-6.3-4.2) both missed Saturday's game but they are expected to play on Monday. Starting along with Grant in Saturday's game were guards Ellington (11.1) and Wright (8.0-4.1-4.1) plus center Plumlee (8.3 & 8.5) and rookie SF bey (8.1 & 3.3). The silver lining for Detroit on Saturday was the play of young reserves Svi Mykhailiuk (7.6) and Sekou Doumbouya (4.3). The duo combined for 28 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Detroit gets a second chance (in three days) against the 76ers (at best, a mediocre road team) and note that while Detroit is an NBA-worst 3-13, it is 8-7-1 ATS, Home dog 'barks' LOUDLY in this one.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Toronto Raptors were the 2019 NBA champions and last season, entered the postseason as the East's No. 2 seed with a 53-19 record, despite losing Kawhi Leonard to the Clippers as a free agent. Note that the Raptors' record last season put them just 2 1/2-games back of the Bucks and was a half-game BETTER than the West's No. 1 seed, and eventual NBA champion Lakers! However, the Raptors opened the current season 2-8 (3-7 ATS) but after winning 107-102 Sunday afternoon at Indiana, have gone 5-1 SU (still just 3-3 ATS), since that terrible start.

Indiana Pacers first-year coach Nate Bjorkgren will try to gain a split with his former boss and Toronto Raptors coach Nick Nurse Monday night when the teams complete a two-game set at Indianapolis. Bjorkgren played at South Dakota when Nurse was an assistant coach there and was an assistant coach for Nurse with the Raptors for the last  two seasons before he took over at Indiana this season. The Pacers enter this game just 1-3 SU its last four but 0-4 ATS.

The Raptors won on Sunday but were without Kyle Lowry (infected toe) and Pascal Siakam (left knee swelling). Siakam averages 18.6-8.1-4.7 and Lowry 18.2-6.5-7.1. Their status for Monday is uncertain. VanVleet (19.1-4.5-6.4) has developed into an All-Star caliber player plus Anunoby (14.9 & 5.9), Boucher (14.6 & 6.5) and Powell (12.9) all averaging in double digits.as. Oladipo (20.0 PPG) is gone in a trade and his expected replacement (LeVert) has a medical issue. SF Warren (15.5) remains out with a foot injury for the Pacers but there is still enough talent to go around. PG Brogdon (21.9-3.9-7.1) and PF Sabonis (20.9-12.9-5.8) are playing at an All Star level plus center Turner averages 14.0 & 6.8, while leading the NBA in blocks (4.2 per). McDermott is averaging 12.9 PPG on 49.4% shooting off the bench. The Holidays, Justin (11.1) and Aaron (6.3)  have both been solid plus Lamb's return from injury is a BIG deal. He has averaged 15.0 PPG in his three games back since tearing his ACL last February.

The Raptors held Malcolm Brogdon to 12 points on 5-for-22 shooting from the floor and Domantas Sabonis, who had 10 points and 19 rebounds, did not score in the second half, going 0-for-7 on FGs. All that, and Sunday's game was tied at 102 with 1:09 to play! Quick turnaround (at home, no less) really favors the Pacers. Expect Brogdon and Sabonis to bounce back and who knows about the status of Lowry and Siakam.

Good luck...Larry

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

Syracuse's victory against No. 16 Virginia Tech on Saturday was its first against a ranked opponent in more than a year, the last one a 63-55 overtime win at Virginia on Jan 11, 2020. The victory gives the Orange a 9-4 overall record (3-3 in the ACC) as they visit the No. 13 Cavaliers (10-2, 6-0 in the ACC) at Charlottesville on Monday The Orange have little depth but all five starters are averaging more than 30 minutes. The 6-7 Guerrier leads in scoring (16.9) and rebounding (9.5), SF Griffin checks in at 15.7 & 7.2 plus the 6-10 Dolezag adds 11.2 & 5.5. The backcourt is Buddy Boeheim (15.1) and PG Girard (10.8 & 4.1 APG). UVa lost the 6-9 Diakite (13.7 & 6.8) and 6-8 big guard Key (9.9 & 7.4). Four starters are averaging in double digits, led by 6-8 Marquette transfer Sam Hauser (14.5 & 7.4), the returning 7-1 Huff (13.3 & 5.8), the 6-9 Trey Murphy (10.4) and PG Clark (10.2 & 4.1 APG). Guard Morell (6.9) is the best producer off the bench.

I noted that Syracuse won 63-55 in overtime at Virginia on Jan 11, 2020 but this Virginia team is riding a six-game winning streak and has won 14 consecutive ACC games dating back Feb 8, 2020. Since losing to No. 1 Gonzaga back on Dec 26, the Cavs have held their last six opponents to 57.8 PPG (season average is 59.6 PPG to rank 6th in the nation). Jim Boeheim is a Hall of Fame coach but since coming to Virginia, Tony Bennett's record is among the best in CBB. He came to Charlottesville to begin the 2009-10 season and in his first two years at the school went 15-16 and 16-15. Enough of that! It's been NINE straight seasons of 20-plus wins since, including four seasons of 30-plus wins. Bennett and UVa lost to UMBC in the opening round of the 2018 NCAA tournament, becoming the first time since expansion in 1985 that a No. 1 seed lost to a No. 16 one, However, the Cavs came back to win the title in 2019, as ESPN called Virginia's championship run "the most redemptive season in the history of college basketball," and NBC Sports took it a step further by calling it "the greatest redemption story in the history of sports." UVa was 23-7 when the season was shut down last March. UVa is the more complete team and wins "with room to spare" here at John Paul Jones Arena.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on the Mil Bucks at 8:05 ET.

The Atlanta Hawks have a bevy of young stars and have won three straight games to reach 8-7, as they head to Milwaukee. The Bucks have owned the NBA's best regular season record in each of the last two seasons but have fallen short in each of the last two postseasons. Milwaukee is off back-to-back losses, 125-123 at Brooklyn and 113-106 at home vs the Lakers, and find themselves just 9-6. The team's .600 winning percentage is FAR below the .748 win percentage the Bucks have had the last two seasons in going a combined 116-39.

Trae Young scored 43 in Atlanta's 116-98 Friday win at Minnesota, emerging from a mini-shooting slump that had seen him score 50 points over a three-game stretch. He now has 81 points over the last two games, upping his average to 25.3 PPG (ha hands out 8.7 APG, as well). Young is the brightest star of Atlanta's young talent but don't discount Hunter (16.3 & 5.9), Collins (15.9 & 7.5), Reddish (12.4 & 4.7) and Huerter (11.9). Then there is former Houston center Clint Capela, who is coming off his first career triple-double (13 & 19 plus 10 blocks! He's averaging 14.5 & 14.2 on the season.

Giannis (27.0-10.3-5.1) has won the last two MVP awards and has quite a sidekick in SF Middleton, who is averaging 22.9 & 6.2. Jrue Holiday (16.1-4.3-5.2) has taken over for the departed Bledsoe plus guard DiVincenzo (10.1) and center Brook Lopez (9.9 & 5.3) round out the starting lineup. The 6-10 Portis comes off the bench and has been a HUGE addition in averaging 10.9 & 8.1 in about 23 MPG. Forbes, Connaughton and Augustin add a combined 19 PPG.

While Atlanta is young, Milwaukee's starting lineup averages nine years of experience. For all its youthful talent, Atlanta's three-game 'surge' has them just 8-7 on the season. Looking closer at that 'surge' and you'll note the Hawks own two wins over Minnesota and one over Detroit, two teams with a combined win percentage of .226. Off back-to-back losses, expect the Bucks to R-O-L-L!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on the Bos Celtics at ET.

The Boston Celtics have dropped three straight, a stretch during which they have been without star forward Jayson Tatum as he recovers from COVID-19. Tatum was considered 50-50 to play in the team's last game but did not, as Boston lost its third in a row, 122-110 at Philadelphia. Conversely, the Cavaliers are in the midst of their best stretch of the young season, having beaten the Brooklyn Nets in back-to-back meetings to extend their winning streak to three. 

"Break up the Cavs," who are now 8-7 and currently own the East's No. 6 seed (Cavs last made the playoffs in 2018, going 19-63 and 19-46 the last two seasons). The key to Cleveland's turnaround has been third-year guard Collin Sexton (16.7 & 20.8 PPG in his first two), who has scored at least 20 points in each of the 10 games he has played this season. Sexton poured in a career-high 42 points in a double-overtime win over the Nets on Wednesday and enters this contest averaging 26.8 & 4.2 APG. More good news for Cavaliers came with guard Darius Garland (16.9 & 5.9 APG) returning from eight games missed with a shoulder injury to score 11 points in Friday's win. Center Drummond (18.8 & 15.1) has become a nightly double-double plus newly acquired Prince (15.5 & 5.0) and Allen (15.5 & 8.5) have been better than advertised in their two games since coming from the Nets.

Jaylen Brown had 42 points and nine rebounds during the losing effort on Friday and has flourished during Tatum's absence. He's averaging 26.9 & 6.0 on the season, pulling even with Tatum (26.9 & 7.1). Smart (13.8 & 5.6 APG) is the team's best perimeter defender and undersized center Theis (6.7 & 8.3) has performed well. Getting PG Walker back (he's averaged 15.7 & 5.0 APG in three games) is good news but the problem is, Boston's lost all three. Ex-Cav Thompson (6.7 & 8.3) has been fine but has NOT had the breakout season he and the Celtics expected. 

Again, when Tatum gets back is still unsure but with Boston having won its last EIGHT meetings vs Cleveland, I look for the Celtics to end their current three-game slide against the Cavs off their back-to back wins over the Nets.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on Miami-Fl at 6:00 ET.

Notre Dame bounced back from a 14-win season two seasons ago to go 20-12 last year but lost PF Mooney, who averaged 16.2 & 12.7. Mike Brey is now in his 21st season at South Bend but this year's team has struggled, going 4-8 overall, including 1-5 in the ACC. Jim Larranaga will likely always be remembered for taking George Mason to the 2006 Final 4 but in SIX of his first seven seasons at Miami, won 20-plus games with four NCAA appearances. However, the 'Canes are coming off back-to-back seasons of 14 and 15 wins and enter this game at 6-7 (2-6 in the ACC).

Notre Dame PG Hubb (13.7-3.1-5.0) ) and SG Goodwin (13.3 & 4.7) are a solid backcourt duo plus the 6-10 Laszewski leads the team in scoring (16.7) and rebounding (7.7). Stanford transfer Ryan (9.4-4.4-3.1) comes off the bench and 6-11 UConn transfer Durham (8.3 & 5.2) has been a solid complement up front with Laszewski. Miami really misses PG Lykes (15.5-4.0-5.5), who is out indefinitely with an ankle injury. However, the 'Canes have excellent backcourt depth. Wong (17.5 & 5.8) is joined in the starting lineup by Olaniyui (9.2- and Beverly (8.1-5.5-3.5) plus McGusty (10.0) and Timberlake (9.3 & 5.0) come off the bench. The 7-0 brooks (7.2 & 6.6) and the 6-0 Walker (7.2 & 3.3) start up front.

Miami is coming off an ugly 83-57 loss to Syracuse on Tuesday but faces a Notre Dame team that hasn't played since snapping a four-game losing streak with an 80-70 home win over Boston College on Jan 16. Notre Dame's lone road win this season (1-4) came back on Dec 12 64-63 at Kentucky, part of the Wildcats' season-opening 1-6 start. Road win No. 2 is NOT coming here!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "signature" LEGEND Play is on the Pho Suns at 9:05 ET.

15 games into the season Denver center Nikola Jokic is averaging 25.5-11.3-9.9, just a fraction under a triple-double. He finished with 31 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists last night, in Denver's 130-126 OT win at Phoenix. The Suns led by as many as 14 but Denver rallied to tie it late in the fourth quarter, then won it in overtime. The Nuggets are now 8-7, the first time this season Denver is above .500. As for the Suns, they fell to 8-6, after a 7-3 start.

The Nuggets got a boost Friday with the return of Michael Porter Jr., who had missed 10 games due to coronavirus issues. Porter had seven points and six rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench in his first action since Dec. 29. Porter is averaging 17.0 & 6.6. Swingman Barton missed all 'bubble' games last season with an injury but has played in all 15 games this season (11 starts), averaging 11.8-4.2-3.1.Morris (11.7) and Harris (11.1) contribute in the backcourt alongside Murray (19.1). Millsap (10.7 & 5.1) and Green (10.3 & 6.5) give Jokic support.

The Suns are a perfect 8-0 SU & ATS in the Orlando 'bubble' and added Chris Paul (13.3 & 8.7 APG) in hopes of becoming a real playoff contender. He teams with Booker, whose scoring has been slightly down this season (22.9 PPG from 25.6 PPG each of the last two season). However, the Suns are likely to NOT have Booker (31 points last night) for this immediate rematch, as was injured late in overtime during a scramble for the ball. After the game, coach Monty Williams said Booker hurt a hamstring, leaving him doubtful for the Saturday contest. Obviously, I'd prefer to have Booker but I'm "all over" the Suns anyway. Former first round picks Bridges (15.4 & 5.9) and Johnson (11.4) have made HUGE strides this season plus 6-11 center Ayton is averaging a double-double on the season (14.9 & 12.1).

Denver has been an underachiever so far this season and I don't trust them at all in trying for a two-game road sweep at Phoenix (on back-to-back nights), whether Booker plays or not!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Tennessee Volunteers were No. 12 in the AP's preseason poll and the Vols were 10-1 and ranked 6th when they lost 75-49 at Florida to the Gators on Tuesday, Head coach Rick Barnes promised to try a different in Saturday's home game against the surprising Missouri Tigers, who are 9-2 and ranked 19th. Coming off back-to-back losing seasons of 15-17 and 15-16, the Tigers opened 6-0, their best start to a season since they opened 10-0 in 2013.

Missouri's 6-0 start was ended when the Volunteers won 73-53 back on Dec 30 in Columbia. Tigers center Jeremiah Tilmon had nine points and four rebounds in that game but has become a force in conference play, scoring 74 points and grabbing 37 rebounds in his last four games. Tilmon's averaging 12.8 & 8.0 and is Missouri's lone big man of note, as Missouri's next four scorers are guards Pinson (12.9), Dru Smith (12.1), Mark Smith (11.6) and Pickett (7.6). Tennessee is loaded with perimeter plays. Guards Bailey (11.6), Springer (11.0), Vescovi (9.8), Johnson (9.1), James (8.1) and Pons (7.3) are quite a group. The 6-9 Fulkerson averages 12.2 & 6.2). The Vols have plenty of offensive balance, averaging 74.8 PPG but Barnes' team thrives on its defense, holding opponents to 58.7 PPG (5th).

Missouri head coach Counzo Martin needs more consistency from his guards. Xavier Pinson has as many turnovers (nine) as points in his last two games. Dru Smith averaged 14.6 points in his first five games, then scored just six points in each of his next three games. Mark Smith averaged 17.3 points in his first four games before scoring just 6.8 points per game in his next six. That hardly bodes well against an OUTSTANDING Tennessee defensive team, looking to bounce back from an 'ugly' loss to Florida. In the first meeting at Missouri, Tennessee shot 50.0% and held Missouri to 36.1% shooting and to a season-low 53 points. No revenge here! 

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error of the Month is on Kentucky at 6:00 ET.

LSU (10-3, 5-2) entered its home game with No. 18 Alabama (Tuesday) on a four-game winning streak and had a chance to tie the league-leading Tide with a win. Instead, the Tigers allowed the most points in Will Wade's four seasons as head coach in a 105-75 loss (Alabama finished with an SEC-record 23 three-pointers). Kentucky was ranked No. 10 in the AP preseason poll but its 1-6 start took care of that. However, the Wildcats won three straight to open SEC play, after a 76-58 at Florida on Jan 9. Hope was alive in Lexington THREE straight losses have followed. Kentucky welcomes LSU to Rupp Arena 4-9, including 3-3 in SEC play.

Freshman guard Thomas (22.0) leads the Tigers in scoring, joined by fellow guard Smart (14.9-3.8-4.0) to give LSU one of the SEC's top backcourt duos. The 6-9 Watford (18.1 & 7.1), the 6-7 Days (12.9 & 8.2) plus SF Wilkerson (4.9 & 3.6) start up front. It's no surprise that Calipari relies on freshmen, including leading scorer Boston (12.0 & 5.4), who is joined in the backcourt by freshman Clarke (10.7) and Askew (7.5) plus senior Mintz (9.5). 7-0 senior Wake Forest transfer Sarr (10.0 & 6.1)  has help up front from 6-10 freshman Jackson (6.5 & 6.4) and now the 6-7 Brooks. The sophomore has been back on the court for the last four games, averaging 10.5 & 4.8. However, his return has been mitigated by Clarke being sidelined with an ankle injury.

The Wildcats had a six-point lead at Georgia with two minutes remaining Wednesday night but Kentucky didn't score again. The Bulldogs scored the final SEVEN points in winning 63-62 on a last-second layup by P.J. Horne. "We should have won the game," Wildcats coach John Calipari said after his team lost its third straight. "I'm discouraged." Coach Cal's season is on the brink of being a 'lost cause' and this game with LSU is the ONLY one in the next five for the Wildcats that is not against a ranked team. Win here, or "pack it in!"

Good luck...Larry

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

Wisconsin has had a terrific basketball program for decades and Greg Gard enters his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win seasons in his first five. Wisconsin got blown out at 77-54 Michigan on Jan 12 but has allowed 54 and 52 points, respectively, in conference wins over Rutgers and Northwestern since the Michigan game. Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio State (11-4, 5-4) saw a three-game winning streak end Tuesday night when Purdue's Jaden Ivey drilled a stepback three-pointer with five seconds to secure a 67-65 decision in Columbus.

The Buckeyes led by five points with 2:08 left but didn't manage a field goal for the game's remainder. Ohio State hit just 37.7 percent from the floor against Purdue. "Give Purdue credit; I thought they made a few more plays and got to a few more loose balls than we did," Chris Holtmann said. "It was a super-physical game. We have to be tougher with the ball in a game like this. That's my fault." Guard Washington (15.1) leads the team in scoring and had been paired with PG Walker (8.7 & 4.2 APG). However, Walkers is now out with torn ligaments in his right hand. The frontcourt has four solid contributors led by arguably the team's best player, the 6-7 Liddell (14.1 & 6.8). He's joined on the frontline by the 6-7 Sueing (10.5 & 5.2), the 6-8 Young (8.0 & 6.1), 6-8 freshman Key (6.7 & 3.7) and the 6-6 Aherns (6.6)

The Badgers start FIVE seniors, guards Trice (14.8-3.2-3.3) and Davison (9.8) plus the 6-10 Potter (12.1 & 6.7), the 6-11 Reuvers (9.1 & 3.9) and the 6-8 Ford (9.4 & 4.2). 6-5 freshman Davis (6.5 & 4.6) and 6-9 sophomore Wahl (5.5 & 4.1) both contribute off the bench. I love the way Wisconsin plays and Ohio St is typically vulnerable away from Columbus. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Play is on North Carolina at 2:00 ET.

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

When last season was shut down because of COVID, the Kansas Jayhawks were the AP's No. 1-ranked team. Key losses for Kansas entering this season were PG Devon Dotson (18.1-4.9-4.0) and the seven-foot Udoka Azubuike (13.7 & 10.5). The Jayhawks opened the current season losing 102-90 to No. 1 Gonzaga but then won EIGHT in a row before a shocking 84-59 home loss to Texas on Jan 2 (the Longhorns owned just one previous win in 17 tries at Lawrence). The Jayhawks enter this game in Norman at 10-4 (4-3 Big 12), having lost back-to-back games for the first time in two seasons and two consecutive conference games for the first time since 2013. 

Lon Kruger's Oklahoma team is 8-4 overall and like Kansas, 4-3 in the Big 12. The Sooners lost 63-59 at Kansas back on Jan 9, although the Sooners played without forwards Brady Manek (12.5 & 4.1) and Jalen Hill (3.9 & 3.5) due to COVID-19 protocols. Manek and Hill returned in Tuesday night's 76-50 win over Kansas State, each coming off the bench and scoring six points apiece.

The 6-8 Jalen Wilson has bounced back after suffering a broken ankle as a freshman last season to average 13.1 & 7.6 for Kansas this season. Junior Ochai Agbaji (14.8 & 4.4) leads the team in scoring and senior Marcus Garrett (9.2 & 4.3-3.9) is one of the nation's top defenders. Sophomore guard Braun (10.7 & 5.5) and 6-10 junior David McCormack (10.6 & 5.9) round out Self's main contributors. Oklahoma's top scorer from last season is gone (forward Doolittle averaged 15.8 & 8.9). Guards Reaves (15.2-5.5-5.3), Harmon (12.0) and Williams (8.4) are joined by big men like the 6-9 Manek (12.5 & 4.1), the 6-10 Kuath (8.1 & 4.9) and the 6-7 Iwuako (5.6 7 4.0).

Oklahoma's playing with revenge but the Jayhawks have had just TWO three-game losing streaks in 18 seasons under Self! I'm backing Kansas.

Good luck...Larry

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

The first game of Friday's ESPN doubleheader is 8-5 Boston playing at 10-5 Philadelphia. These teams met Wednesday in Philly, with Embiid's 42 points leading the way to a 117-109 win (Sixers outscored the Celtics 31-17 in the 4th quarter). Boston has lost two straight after a five-game winning streak and the 76ers are 8-1 at home. Boston's Tatum has been out due to COVID-19 protocols but head coach Brad Stevens said Tatum has a "50-50 chance" of playing Friday.

The Celtics played well for large stretches on Wednesday night, led by Jaylen Brown's (25.8 & 5.8) 26 points and  25 from Marcus Smart (13.3 & 5.5 APG). However, they clearly missed Jayson Tatum (26.9 & 7.1). The Celtics did receive a huge lift from PG Kemba Walker, who hit five 3-pointers and scored 19 points in just his second game back from a knee injury (Celtics are 0-2 in his return). Rookie Pritchard (8.3) and FA signee Teague (7.1) give Boston depth on the perimeter. Undersized center Theis is shooting 69.1% from the floor, while averaging 9.6 PPG over his last 10. He's now getting help inside from former Cav Thompson, who is averaging 6.9 PPG and a team-high 8.5 RPG.

Embiid used a strict offseason conditioning program and is averaging 26.4 & 11.3. His 42-point effort makes him just the second player to have two, 40-point games this season, joining Washington's Bradley Beal. PF Harris (19.3 & 6.8) and PG Simmons (12.2-9.2-8.0) have contributed nicely, while rookie Maxey (11.6) plus vets Danny Green (9.7) and Dwight Howard (6.9 & 7.9) have all played in each of Philly's 15 games. SG Milton is adding 16.8 PPG off the bench.

Obviously, it would be GREAT to get Tatum back but note that the Celtics hung with Philly all game on Wednesday, with no Tatum and Embiid scoring 42 points. Tatum or not, the Celtics (Boston swept Philly 4-0 in last season's playoffs) plus the points is the play in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Purdue at 7:00 ET.

Michigan's Juwan Howard's first season as head coach saw his team open 7-0, then go 6-9 over its next 15 games. A six-game win streak followed but Michigan lost three of four before the shutdown (19-11 finish). Howard's sophomore year at Michigan has everyone's attention! Michigan started the season with 11 consecutive victories before falling 75-57 at Minnesota last Saturday but routed Maryland 87-63 in a game they never trailed on Tuesday. The win came even though Michigan's leading scorer Hunter Dickinson (15.7 PPG) only took three shots and scored three points. The Boilermakers welcome Michigan to Mackey Arena on a current four-game winning streak that began when they rallied from 17 points down against Michigan State back on Jan 8. The Boilermakers have outscored opponents by a combined 39 points in the second half over the last four games. and are 11-5, including 6-0 at home. 

Gone from Michigan's team last season are PG Simpson (12.9-4.5-7.9) and the 7-1 Teske (11.6 & 6.7). 6-7 senior Livers led Michigan in scoring last season and is averaging 14.1 & 5.7 this season. The Wolverines have an experienced group but their leading scorer is 7-1 freshman Hunter Dickinson (15.7 & 7.5). Experience comes in guards Wagner (12.3 & 7.2), Smith (8.6 & 5.8 APG), Brown (9.2), Brooks (8,6 & 3.8 APG). Michigan is averaging 80.5 PPG on 51.4% shooting (10th), while holding opponents to 66.3 PPG on 37.9% shooting (11th).

Purdue's Matt Painter is in his 16th season with the Boilermakers and his team was just 16-14 last season, coming off a four-year run of averaging 27.3 wins per season. Purdue is 11-5 this season, including 6-3 in Big Ten. Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (10.5 & 3.3 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (15.4 & 9.65 and SG Stefanovic (11.1). 7-4 freshman Edey (8.1 & 3.9) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (9.1) gives Purdue five players averaging between 8.1 and 15.4 PPG. Depth is provided by four players chipping in a combined 21 PPG.

Michigan delivered an emphatic response to its first loss of the season against Maryland but winning here at Purdue is a tough assignment. Trevion Williams has scored in double figures in 11 consecutive games (he's averaged 19.3 points during the Boilermakers' current four-game winning streak) but it was reserve freshman guard Jaden Ivey (7.2) who made the game-winning shot. He knocked down a three-pointer with five seconds left and finished with a career-high 15 points in Purdue's 67-65 win at Ohio St. It was Ohio State's first home loss of the season (had opened 7-0), as Purdue's  defense held the Buckeyes to 37.7 percent shooting. The home dog barks LOUDLY in this one.

Good luck...Larry

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

Larry Krystkowiak led Montana to back-to-back NCAA berths in his two seasons at his alma mater and then took the Utah job to begin the 2011-12 season. He had losing seasons in his first two years but then led his team to an average of 23.4 wins per season over the next five with postseason berths in each one (3 NIT and 2 NCAA). However, the Utes opened this season off seasons of just 17 and 16 wins. Utah enters this game just 5-6, including 2-5 in the Pac. Kyle Smith was at Columbia for SIX seasons and in his final one, led the Lions to a 25-10 record and a CIT championship. He spent three seasons at San Francisco, winning 20, 22 and 21 games. He was named head coach at Washington St on March 27, 201 and led the Cougars to a 16-16 record. No big deal? It was the team's best since 2011-12!.

Utah lost Both Gach to Minnesota (transfer) but returned four starters. 6-6 forward Allen led the team in scoring last season and is averaging 17.3 & 5.8. Guard Alfonso Plummer (13.0) is the only other double digit scorer. Joining Allen up front are the 6-8 Jantunen (9.5 & 4.5), the 7-0 Carlson (6.4) and the 6-9 Battin (5.4 & 34.5). Gach liked to play PG and his leaving has opened that role up to Jones (5.7 & 4.1 APG), who joins Plummer in the starting backcourt, while freshman Larsson (8.0) comes off the bench.

Washington St guards Bonton (18.9-4.5-4.00 and Williams (12.0) lead the way, joined in the starting lineup by the 6-10 Abogidi (9.9 & 8.2), the 6-8 Jakimovski (7.6 & 5.0) and the 6-10 Jackson (5.2 & 3.5) More size up front comes with the 6-8 Kunc (5.3 & 3.2) off the bench.

Utah is coming off 72-63 home loss Saturday to California, which entered the game with one conference win. The Utes blew a12-point halftime lead, allowing 50 second-half points. The Utes have lost FIVE of six coming and while the Cougars are 1-4 since their 8-0 start, just ONE of those five games during that stretch came at home (86-82 OT loss to Arizona). The Cougars are 8-1 SU at home this season and will handle the Utes in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* WCC Game of the Year is on Santa Clara at 10:00 ET.

San Francisco went 22-12 last season in head coach Todd Golden's first season and enters this contest 9-7. The Dons lost two key players from last season in leading scorer Mineland (14.4 & 4.7) and huge center Lull (11.9 & 7.6). This year's team revolves around senior PG Bouyea (17.4-3.4-3.8 APG), junior SG Shabazz (15.6-4.1) and 6-9 junior Ryuny (10.3 & 6.0). The Dons are on the road tonight in Santa Clara to face the Broncos. The Broncos are coached by Herb Sendek (NC State and Arizona St), who after going 44-51 in his first three seasons with Santa Clara, went 23-13 last season and has opened this season 8-3.  

San Francisco shocked UVA 61-60 way back in late-Dec but has been a .500 team since. Joining the above-mentioned double digit scorers in the starting lineup are the 6-9 Jurkatamm (6.5 & 3.0) and the 6-8 Kunen (3.9 & 5.1). Guards Rishwain (6.9) and Milstead (5.5) come off the bench. Santa Clara is led by the 6-9 Vrankic (14.3 & 8.5) and the 6-7 Justice (11.0 & 5.8), who are joined by guards Carlyle (9.1), Williams (8.3 & 3.7) and Caruso (6.8 & 3.7) The 6-8 Mitchell (5.7 & 4.8) and 60-10 Bediako (5.7 & 6.1) come off the bench.

No crowds have blunted Santa Clara's success at home, as the Broncos are a perfect 5-0 at Leavey Center. What the Broncos could use more of is, MORE home games. Santa Clara opened the season 6-0, going 5-0 at home but due to COVID cancelations and postponements, haven't played at home since Dec 15. The Dons are in the WRONG place at the WRONG time in this one and any points we get will be a bonus.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* play is on the Mil Bucks at 7:35 ET.

The LA Lakers are 11-4, tied with the Clippers for the NBA's best record. However, the Lakers own the NBA's best point-differential (plus-10.2), with the Clippers checking in at plus-7.1, No team has been better on the road than the Lakers, who take a perfect 7-0 SU run into their game tonight at the Bucks, who are 9-5 (6-1 at home) and own the league's second-best point differential at plus-9.8. Both teams are coming off losses, the Lakers 115-113 at home to the Warriors and the Bucks 125-123 at Brooklyn.

The good news for NBA fans is that in this 'Year of COVID,' both teams come in healthy. The Lakers blew a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead against the Warriors, with LBJ missing a last-second three-pointer. The Lakers are led by the dynamic duo of LBJ (23.7-7.9-7.5) and A.D. (21.3 & 9.0) plus have to added two terrific players in PG Schroder (14.8-4.2-4.7) and PF Harrell, who comes off the bench to add 14.0 & 7.4  in 24 1/2 minutes per game). Giannis (27.2-10.2-5.23) has won the last two MVP awards and has quite a sidekick in SF Middleton, who is averaging 22.1-6.3-3.6. Jrue Holiday (15.7-4.2-5.1) has taken over for the departed Bledsoe plus guard DiVincenzo (10.1 & 3.9) and center Brook Lopez (9.7 & 5.4) round out the starting lineup. The 6-10 Portis comes off the bench and while his numbers are a little shy of Harrell's, he's been a HUGE addition in averaging 10.9 & 8.1 in 23 MPG.

Which team to take off a loss? The Lakers are the better defensive team (105.1 PPG ranks third) but Milwaukee is averaging 120.4 PPG (2nd) on 48.5% shooting (5th), including 40.3% on threes (2nd). Beating the defending champs is something the Bucks almost NEED to do. That's my bet.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late-Breaker is on Houston at 8:00 ET.

Frank Haith has had stops at Miami-Fl and Missouri before coming to Tulsa for the 2014-15 season. His teams have averaged 19.3 wins per year in his first six seasons, including going 21-10 before COVID shut down the 2019-20 season. However, Haith's biggest win at Tulsa came when it stunned No. 5 Houston 65-64 back on Dec 29. It was the program's first win over a top-5 opponent in 24 years (Golden Hurricane beat a ranked UCLA team back in 1995!). After opening 1-3, Tulsa has gone 7-1 to enter this rematch with Houston at 8-4.

Kelvin Sampson had a great run at Oklahoma (nine NCAA tourneys in 10 seasons, including a Final 4 appearance in 2002) but then ran into off the court issues in a two-year stay at Indiana. He was away from CBB for a few years but resurfaced at Houston for the 2014-15 season. It took him a while to build the program but his teams won 27 and 33 games in back-to-back seasons before going 23-8 in last year's pandemic-shortened season. The Cougars opened 7-0 this season, rising to No. 5 in the latest AP poll but lost their first game of the season 65-64 at Tulsa. The Cougars have won all four games since that loss to the Golden Hurricane and enter this rematch 11-1 and ranked No. 8 in the latest AP poll.

The Golden Hurricane are led by a quartet of guards in Rachal (14.6 & 7.2), Joiner (9.8-5.1-3.8), Embery-Simpson (7.9) and Jackson (7.3). The 6-9 Idowu (8.5 & 4.8) is the team's best frontcourt player. Tulsa is scoring a modest 67.8 PPG, which is NOT helped by the team making just 64.3% of its free throws (307th). However, Tulsa does play defense, allowing 60.9 PPG (16th) while holding opponents to 37.4% from the floor (7th).

Houston guards Grimes (17.8 & 6.5) and Sasser (15.5) are the 'big dogs,' joined on the perimeter by Jarreau (8.8-6.0-3.7) and freshman Mark (7.9). The best frontcourt player is the 6-7 Gorham (7.7 & 9.1). Houston is not a high scoring team (73.3 PPG) but Sampson's team can sure play "D," allowing only 56.5 PPG, ranking second-best in the nation. The Cougars are holding opponents to 37.1% shooting (4th), including 25.6% on threes (also 4th-best).

Houston is 8-0 at home with an average margin of victory of 21.0 PPG and wins this one "with room to spare!" Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Ind Pacers at 7:05 ET.

The 6-7 Dallas Mavericks visit Indianapolis to take on the 8-8 Pacers stuck in their first three-game losing streak since late in the 2018-19 season. Dallas lost 116-93 to Toronto on Monday to open a three-game trip. Tonight's contest is the second of a brutal stretch of five games in seven days for Dallas. The Pacers are coming off an 'ugly' 129-96 at the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, which concluded an extended road trip that saw the Pacers play four games (a fifth was postponed) from Jan 11-17. Tonight's game begins a four-game homestand for Indiana.

Luka Doncic (27.2-9.9-9.3) had 36 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists in a 117-101 home loss to Chicago on Sunday but the Raptors held him to 15 points, seven rebounds and nine assists in Monday's loss. Jalen Brunson returned to the lineup after missing the previous four games due to the NBA's health and safety protocols but the Mavericks still are without Josh Richardson, (13.8), Dorian Finney-Smith (.3 & 5.0), Maxi Kleber (7.4 & 5.3) and Dwight Powell (5.0 & 3.6). The 7-3 Porzingis returned four games ago after recovering from an injury but while he's averaged 18.5 & 7.8, the Mavs have lost THREE of those four games.

The Pacers are not 100 percent either, as Oladipo (20.0 PPG) is gone in a trade and his expected replacement (LeVert) has a medical issue. SF Warren (15.) remains out with a foot injury and center Turner (12.4 & 6.8), who also leads the NBA in blocks, is sidelined with a right-hand injury suffered in Indiana's 111-87 win over Portland last Thursday. However, PG Brogdon (22.2-4.0-7.5) and PF Sabonis (21.7-12.8-5.8) are playing at an All Star level. McDermott (2.6 PPG on 51.3% shooting) has played well all season off the bench and the Pacers are getting solid contributions from three more guards. The Holidays, Justin (11.0 & 3.5 APG) and Aaron (5.9 & 2.5 APG) will get increased "PT" plus so will Sumner (6.7).

Neither team is 100 percent but the Pacers are the play here at home, as the Mavs continue to struggle, despite Luka's brilliance.

Good luck...Larry

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

9-1 Clemson was ranked 12th when it welcomed Virginia to Littlejohn Coliseum on Saturday. The Tigers were coming off an extended pause due to a positive COVID-19 test and subsequent contact tracing. The 11-day break clearly did not turn out well, as UVa routed Clemson 85-50 for its 11th consecutive win over the Tigers. Clemson (9-2) dropped to No. 20 in Monday's AP poll and will travel to Atlanta to take on a 6-3 Georgia Tech team.

Brad Brownell came to Clemson for the 2010-11 season, after so-so stints at UNC-Wilmington and Wright St (not a single NCAA bid) and has produced a modest four, 20-win seasons and just two NCAA berths in his tenure. However, he returned four starters plus Fordham transfer Nick Honor is now eligible. The Tigers are led by 6-8 senior forward Aamir Simms (11.6 & 5.7) and senior guard Clyde Trapp (7.2 & 5.1). Simms was a preseason All-ACC first-team and Trapp is surrounded by guards Honor (10.3) and Dawes (8.8). 

Ga Tech head coach Josh Pastner is in his fifth season with the Yellow Jackets, after SEVEN years at Memphis. His first four seasons have not gone well (just 65-67) and this year's team is 6-3 and similar to Clemson this past Saturday, enters tonight's contest having had four consecutive games postponed and haven't played since Jan 3. Returning PG Alvarado (18.1-3.7-3.8) and SG Devoe (14.2-4.9-3.2) have been excellent plus returning big man Wright (17.0 & 7.1) present an excellent trio. 6-7 USC transfer Usher (9.7 & 5.2) helps out up front plus VMI transfer Parham (9.7 & 3.7) adds to the team's backcourt depth. That's a solid five-man rotation but the Yellow Jackets have little depth.

The Yellow Jackets aren't likely to be at full strength against the Tigers, although Pastner did not identify which of his players he expects to miss Wednesday night's game. Georgia Tech had won four straight games before the interruption but so had Clemson prior to facing Virginia. The "situation" is just right for a Clemson bounce-back against a Ga Tech team playing for the first time in 2 1/2-weeks.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Duke at 9:00 ET.

Duke opened No. 9 in the AP's preseason poll but the team's Jan 12 loss at Va Tech saw 5-3 Duke (3-1 in the ACC) fall out of the AP poll on Monday. It ended the nation's second-longest streak of consecutive weeks in the top-25 at 91. The Blue Devils have been idle since that Jan 12 loss and will travel to Pittsburgh 7-2 / 3-1 ACC) to take on the Panthers. Pittsburgh has played just TWO games across a 25-day period, BOTH against Syracuse, winning each time fueled by second-half comebacks. 

Coach K lost his top-two players to the NBA, the 6-10 Carey (17.8 & 8.8) will play this season for the Hornets and PG Jones (16.2-4.7-6.4) was taken by the Spurs. Coach K has seamlessly transitioned into the One-and-Done era and freshman guard Stewart has opened averaging 14.0 & 5.0, while 6-9 freshman Johnson is averaging 9.6 & 6.6 The 6-9 Hurt (9.7 & 3.8 last season) leads the team this season with 19.6 PPG and 8.3 RPG. Guards Goldwire (7.5-3.4-4.3) and Roach (11.1) plus SF Moore (6.5 & 3.9) and 6-8 freshman Brakefield (5.4 & 3.5) are also contributors.

Pitt will have standout Justin Champagnie in the lineup when it hosts Duke. He's back in action after a knee injury, scoring 24 points and grabbing 16 rebounds in last Saturday's win over Syracuse. The 6-6 Champagnie is averaging 18.7 & 12.9 in seven games and along with the outstanding guard duo of Toney (15.9 & 6.1) and Johnson (15.1-4.4-5.6) give the Panthers a terrific trio. The only other significant contributor is guard Horton (9.4).

The Blue Devils are tied with Wake Forest for the fewest games of any ACC team (each with eight) and this is the second contest of a three-game road trip (at Louisville is next). Coach K badly needs a win here and I'll back the Blue Devils, even if  Jalen Johnson misses with that foot injury.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on LSU at 9:00 ET.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats was 96-43 at Buffalo, leading the Bulls to three NCAA tourneys in his four years, including going 27-9 and 32-4 in his last two seasons. 'Bama was just 16-15 last season and guard Lewis (18.5-4.8-5.2) left after one year for the NBA. Alabama has won SEVEN in a row (6-0 in SEC puts them in 1st-place) and at 11-3, just entered the top-25 for the first time this season on Monday (No. 18). LSU head coach Will Wade has been surrounded by controversy but his Tigers enter on a four-game winning streak and at 10-2 (5-1 SEC), can tie Alabama atop the SEC with a home win tonight.

Alabama's backcourt is strong, with PG Quinnerly (12.5 & 3.5 APG), Shackleford (13.6 & 4.3), Petty (13.5 & 5.3) and Primo (7.6 & 3.4), while the 6-8 Jones (12.6 & 5.9) had been joined up front by he 6-10 Brunner (7.8 & 5.3), who is a rare Yale graduate transfer. However, Brunner is out until mid-Feb with a knee injury. Freshman guard Thomas (22.1) leads the Tigers in scoring, joined by fellow guard Smart (15.2-4.0-4.0) to give LSU one of the SEC's top backcourt duos. The 6-9 Watford (18.7 & 7.0), the 6-7 Days (13.7 & 8.6) plus SF Wilkerson (4.8 & 3.7) start up front.

Alabama is off to its best start in SEC play since 1987 and its seventh consecutive win was a 90-59 rout of visiting Arkansas on Saturday. That victory came just four days after an 85-65 victory against Kentucky LSU 85-80 home win against South Carolina on Saturday saw the Tigers hold the Gamecocks without a field goal for more than SEVEN minutes to take control. South Carolina missed 11 consecutive shots and made just one of its last 13. I respect Alabama but LSU is a perfect 8-0 SU at home and with this pointspread, a "W" is a cover!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Month (SEC) is on Mississippi St at 9:00 ET.

Kermit Davis is in his third season at Ole Miss. His first team  won 20 games but last season's team won just 15, going 6-12 in the SEC (12th of 14 teams). Davis was critical of his team saying that it couldn't close out games. "We had seven games in SEC play where we had leads but couldn't hold them." Ole Miss is just 6-6 (1-4 SEC) and enters this game having lost three in a row. However, the Rebels have won 10 of the last 14 meetings against Mississippi State. Ben Howland's MSU team went 20-11 last season, its third consecutive 20-win season. The Bulldogs were on a roll (had won 11 of their last 15) and finished with an 11-7 mark in SEC conference play, earning the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament, earning a bye to the quarterfinals. However COVID-19 had other plans and the conference tournament was canceled. The Bulldogs are 9-5 (4-2 SEC), after a 72-69 win over visiting Florida on Saturday.

Ole Miss lost by 14 to LSU, by nine to Florida and despite 24 points and eight assists from Devontae Shuler, lost to Georgia 78-74, at home this past Saturday. PG Shuler (14.1 & 4.3 APG) leads the team in scoring and the Rebels' only other double digit scorer is 6-8 Arizona graduate transfer Romello White (11.2 & 5.8). The returning 6-7 Buffen (9.8 & 4.6 just misses double digits, as do guards Joiner (9.90 and Rodriguez (8.2 & 6.9). Howland lost his four best players in the 6-10 Reggie Perry (17.4 & 10.1), plus guards Tyson Carter (13.9), Robert Woodard (11.4 & 6.5) and Nick Weatherspoon (11.6-3.5-4.1). However, returning guard DJ Stewart is averaging 17.4 PPG plus the 6-11 Abdul Ado has added 5.9 & 6.5). 5.7 & 6.7). The surprise has been sophomore guard Molinar, who averaged only 5.9 PPG last season, but leads the team with 18.4-4.4-3.4. Howland had high hopes for 6-6 forward Jalen Johnson (a transfer from Louisiana who averaged 15.5 points and 6.6 rebounds last season) but he has disappointed by averaging 7.4 PPG. That said, 6-10 Tolo Smith (via Western Ky) is averaging 13.8 & 8.9.

Tuesday will be the first meeting of the season between the rivals and the Bulldogs and guard Iverson Molinar has scored in double figures in all 11 games he has played this season, while the 6-10 Smith leads the SEC in rebounding. Ole Miss just doesn't match up well here and note that the Bulldogs beat the Rebels 69-44 last season at Humphrey Coliseum. The price seems cheap. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

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

Brad Underwood made a big 'splash' at S.F. Austin and then made a one year 'pit stop' at Oklahoma St, before landing in Champaign-Urbana. The Fighting Illini were just 14-18 and 12-21 in his first two seasons but had a breakout year in going 21-10 before last season was shut down. Illinois opened the current season No. 8 in the AP's preseason poll but so far, it has NOT been 'smooth sailing.' The Illini opened 3-0 but was just 5-3 before a four-game winning streak from Dec 23 through Jan 7. However, a 66-63 home loss to Maryland on Jan 10 ended that winning run and after sitting on that loss to Maryland for six days, Illinois promptly fell behind 10-2 and 37-19 in the first half against Ohio St, of an eventual 87-81 defeat in Champaign.

Penn St was 21-10 last season but the Nittany Lions went through some turmoil right as practices started when head coach Pat Chambers resigned in late October following an investigation into inappropriate conduct. Penn State interim head coach Jim Ferry has led the Nittany Lions to an unimpressive 3-5 start, after an 87-85 overtime loss at Indiana on Dec 30. Penn State had been idle since Dec 30 (FOUR straight postponements due to COVID-19 concerns within the program) but returned to the court on Sunday in an 80-72 loss at Purdue. The Nittany Lions were predictably rusty in the first half, scoring just nine points in the first 10 minutes.

Penn St surely misses All-Big Ten forward Lamar Stevens (17.6 & 6.9) but the Nittany Lions have four players averaging in double figures; the 6-7 Izaiah Brockington (14.8 & 5.3) and the 6-7 Seth Lundy (11.9 & 3.5) plus guards Myreon Jones (15.4) and Sam Sessoms (11.5). Sessoms has come off the bench, with the 6-9 Harrar (7.9 & 7.5) and PG Wheeler (5.0-4.3.4-1) starting alongside Jones and the two 6-7 forwards. Penn St allied to take a lead later in the half against Purdue and trailed only 33-32 at intermission, but the Boilermakers started the second half with an 18-5 spurt that was simply too much for Penn State to overcome. Myreon Jones led Penn State with a career-high 23 points, while senior John Harrar enjoyed the best game of his career with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

The loss to Ohio St dropped coach Brad Underwood's team to 9-5 overall and 5-3 in the conference, and after the game, he sounded like a man who has seen enough. "I'm getting really frustrated with really poor, lack of emotion, non-competitive starts," he said to the Champaign News-Gazette. "You can't come out of a locker room and can't come out of a pregame huddle and be down 10-2. "You can't have guys not show up and not be assignment-sound and not be dialed in mentally. Right now we have that. We've got to put five guys on the floor who will be competitive, not just ride the emotional waves of good or bad. Just play." Illinois features one of the top guards in the nation in Dosunmu (22.4-6.7-4.9) plus 7-0 center Cockburn (17.1 & 10.1) has built on a successful freshman season. Dosunmu is joined in the backcourt by veterans Curbelo (8.8 & 4.4 APG), Frazier (8.4) and Williams (6.2 & 5.6) plus freshman Miller adds 9.6 PPG. The 6-9 Bezhanishvili (5.9 & 2.9) rounds out the main contributors.

Somehow, Illinois remained in the top-25 in Monday's new poll (22nd) but the Illini won't remain for long without a big (quick) turnaround. With four or five potential pros on its roster and perhaps a couple of future NBA All-Stars, No. 22 Illinois was expected to challenge for the Big Ten Conference title back in November and potentially make a deep NCAA Tournament run. It sure doesn't look like that now. That said, I don't doubt this team's talent. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* Game of the Month is on the Mil Bucks at 7:35 ET.

It's safe to say that James Harden's Brooklyn debut will be remembered for some time. Two days after the Nets officially acquired him from Houston in a massive deal that cost them Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert, Harden started slowly and wound up with 32 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds in 40 minutes. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, his 14 assists broke the franchise record set by Kevin Porter in 1977 for most assists in a Nets debut. Harden posted his 47th career triple-double and became the seventh player to get a triple-double in his debut with a new team. Brooklyn's 122-115 win over the Magic was its season-high third straight win and Kevin Durant sure din't seem to mind 'sharing the stage' with Harden, as he scored a season-high 42 points. The question on Monday (MLK Day) is can Harden can produce an impressive sequel when the Milwaukee Bucks visit Brooklyn for a nationally televised contest between teams many think will meet in the Eastern Conference finals?

Milwaukee heads to Brooklyn after getting a 112-109 win over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday. Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points on 14-of-21 shooting but also missed nine of his 10 free throws. Antetokounmpo is having another terrific season (26.8-10.0-5.2) but is shooting a career-worst 57.5 percent from the line. SF Khris Middleton (21.8-6.5-5.7) is on pace for a career-season and added 25 points and hit two clutch three-pointers in the final two-plus minutes after Milwaukee squandered a 14-point lead against the Mavs. Bledsoe is gone but Jrue Holiday (15.2-4.2-5.0) has filled his role VERY well. Guard DiVincenzo ((10.3 & 4.1) and center Brook Lopez (9.3 & 5.3) join the above three in the starting lineup. A trio of guards add about 20 PPG off the bench plus the 6-10 Portis (11.5 & 8.2) has been a HUGE addition in his role of coming off the bench.

Giving up LeVert (18.5-3.3-6.0), Allen (11.2 & 10.4) and Prince (8.1) plus losing Dinwiddie (20.6 & 6.8 APG last season) after just three games to an ACL are no small losses. Then there is Kyrie (27.1-5.3-6.1) "situation." Irving missed his sixth straight game (against Orlando) due to personal reasons and health and safety protocols. The Nets are 4-3 without Irving this season, while Durant is averaging 34.5 points in four games since returning from missing three games due to protocols. Milwaukee comes in on a four-game winning streak and is 7-1 in its last eight games, a stretch where the Bucks are averaging 119.0 PPG. Milwaukee owns the East's best point-differential (plus-10.7), a GREAT indicator of the strength of a team. "Statement Game" here for the Bucks!

Good luck...Larry

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

Leonard Hamilton has built a championship-caliber program at Florida St, one that has produced the THIRD most victories among ACC schools behind Duke and Virginia since 2016. Florida State went 14 days in a row without playing due to COVID-19 interruptions but the Seminoles beat North Carolina 82-75 on Saturday for their second consecutive victory after losing two of the previous three games. The now 7-2 Seminoles shot 48.0 percent against North Carolina, after making a blistering 70.7 percent of their shots during a 105-73 rout of North Carolina State on Wednesday.

Chris Mack took over at Xavier for the 2009-10 season when Sean Miller took the Arizona job. He led the Musketeers to eight NCAA tourneys in nine seasons before moving to Louisville. The Cards went 20-14 in his first season (NCAA bid) and were 24-7 in his second year, when the season was shut down in March (AP ranked them 14th in its final poll). Louisville entered the weekend riding a FIVE-game winning streak and was tied with Virginia atop the ACC. However, a 3-for-20 three-point shooting performance and Miami's 49.2-percent effort from the floor sent the Cardinals to a 78-72 road loss on Saturday. Louisville trailed by 12 at halftime and never found a rhythm offensively.

Florida State was 26-5 and poised to make a Final Four run before the postseason was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but entered this season losing three key players from a team.PG Forrest (11.6-4.4-4.0), SG Vassell (12.7 & 5.1) and 6-7 swingman Williams (9.7 & 4.0) were all chosen in the NBA draft. Guard MJ Walker is back and leads with 16.3 PPG plus is surrounded by a talented group. Frontcourt veterans like the 7-1 Koprivica (9.4 & 5.7), the 6-8 Gray (8.3 & 5.4) start, while the 6-9 Osborne (3.9 & 4.7) comes off the bench. 6-9 freshman guard Barnes averages 11.1-3.8-4.1 but he's questionable with an ankle issue. Returning guard Polite (9.6 & 4.6) just misses double digits

Louisville swingman Jordan Nwora (18.0 & 7.7) is gone from last season's Louisville team but FOUR starters returned. However, Carlik Jones leads the team in scoring, averaging 18.0-6.2-4.9. He's a graduate transfer from Radford and was last season's Big South Conference player of the year. He joins returning guard Johnson (12.9-5.6-4.1) in the backcourt. The 6-7 Williamson did little last season but averages 10.0 & 7.2 this season. True freshman guard Davis (8.9 & 6.2) and the 6-8 Slazinski (6.6 & 4.3) plus 6-9 redshirt freshman Withers (8.9 & 6.2) all contribute.

Florida State won its 20th straight ACC home game on Saturday but now plays its THIRD game over a SIX-day stretch after going 14 in a row without playing (see above). Let me also note that the Seminoles lost 77-67 at Clemson on Dec 29 in their ONLY other true road game of the season and in Louisville, FSU is playing a ranked team for the FIRST time this season. The No. 16 Cardinals (9-2 / 4-1 ACC) look to rebound from their first Atlantic Coast Conference defeat and avoid losing back-to-back games for the first time this season. Louisville has won its last six home games, outscoring opponents on average, 74.3-to-60.3 PPG. VERY tough spot for the Seminoles. "PERFECT" spot for the Cards!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Por Blazers at 3:05 ET.

The Portland Trail Blazers have won FIVE of their last six and have upped their record to 8-5. They will look to continue their winning ways Monday afternoon at Moda Center when they welcome the 7-6 San Antonio Spurs to Portland. The Spurs have won FIVE of seven and the team's 7-6 record is good enough to lead the Southwest Division (we don't reference divisions much these days). Portland's 8-5 record leaves them one game back of the Jazz in the Northwest. Overall, Portland is the No. 5 seed and San Antonio the No. 6 seed.

The Spurs came off an impressive 4-1 road trip but despite leading the roster-depleted Rockets 99-90 with 4:39 to play, got outscored 19-6 the rest of the way to lose. However, the Spurs rebounded from that loss in Saturday's rematch. However, the Rockets, despite suiting up just eight players (the league-mandated minimum), were up to the task until the final five minutes. DeMar DeRozan scored 24 points in Saturday's win, while Jakob Poeltl and Dejounte Murray added double doubles, as the Spurs were at their best when fatigue finally got to Houston. SEVEN Spurs are averaging in double digits, with guards DeRozan (20.7-5.7-6.7) and Murray (15.8-7.3-5.2) leading the way.

While the Spurs came back from a double-digit first-half deficit to beat short-handed Houston 103-91, Portland was forced to mount its own comeback against the Hawks without CJ McCollum (26.7-3.9-5.0), who scored 16 first-half points but did not play in the second half due to a sprained left foot. The Blazers limited Atlanta to 20 points in each of the final two quarters and roared back after trailing by seven at halftime to win 112-106. Damian Lillard (27.6-4.8-6.8) led the way vs Atlanta with 36 points. Melo (13.0) and Gary Trent (11.5) have been productive off the bench and center Kanter made his first start of the season, as Nurkic (9.8 & 7.7) is out with a broken hand. Kanter has 12 points and 15 rebounds in 29 minutes and has been a great addition, averaging 10.8 & 9.4 on the season. Other new additions like SF Jones (7.0 & 4.2) and PF Covington (6.5 & 5.9) have underperformed but Jones scored 10 points vs the Hawks, while Covington had 10 rebounds.

Nurkic will be missed (out at least EIGHT weeks) but McCollum underwent an MRI and his injury was just a sprain. He will be a game-time decision Monday.  Portland is being VERY undervalued here and I say "The PRICE is RIGHT!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the LA Clippers at 10:05 ET.

The defending champion Lakers own the NBA's best record at 11-3 but their Staples Center co-tenants, the Clippers, look to stay within striking distance when they host the Indiana Pacers tonight. The Clippers have won FIVE of their last seven contests, after they crushed the Kings 138-100 on Friday (15th consecutive win at Sacramento!) to reach 8-4 The Pacers are also 8-4, after routing the Portland Trail Blazers 111-87 on Thursday. The win snapped an 11-game losing streak at Portland, where the Pacers hadn't won since 2007.

The Pacers' scheduled game Saturday at the Phoenix Suns was postponed, due to the league's health and safety protocols. The Suns didn't have the NBA's required eight players available because of contract tracing. The Pacers announced on Saturday that they had acquired guard Caris LeVert from the Houston Rockets for guard Victor Oladipo. The trade was reported to be in the works earlier in the week after LeVert was shipped to Houston by the Brooklyn Nets in a deal involving James Harden. However, Levert will be out indefinitely after an MRI revealed a small mass on his left kidney during a physical prior to finalizing the four-team trade. Brogdon (22.8-4.2-7.4) and Sabonis (21.9-12.8-5.8) are off to great starts but the will not have Oladipo (traded), LeVert (see above) and SF Warren (15.5 PPG), who hasn't played since Dec 29 with a foot injury.

The Clippers beat the Kings without starting guard Patrick Beverley (personal reasons) and 6th-man Lou Williams (hip). It isn't clear if they will play Sunday. However, the dynamic duo of Paul George (25.3-6.1-5.2) and Kawhi (25.0-4.9-6.0) are ready to go. New additions Ibaka (11.8 & 6.2) and Batum (9.8-5.4-2.9) have started all 13 games, while Marcus Morris Sr. is back healthy, adding 18 points off the bench in Sacramento.

Note that George (50.3%), Kawhi (48.3%), Ibaka (51.6%) and Batum (49.4%) all shott right around 50% on the season, while the Clippers are the NBA's best three-point shooting team (43.6%) and FT-shooting team (83.9%).This is Indiana's FOURTH road game in nine days and I'm "all over" the Clippers in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout of the Month is on Purdue at 1:00 ET.

Penn St was 21-10 last season but the Nittany Lions went through some turmoil right as practices started when head coach Pat Chambers resigned in late October following an investigation into inappropriate conduct. Penn State interim head coach Jim Ferry led the Nittany Lions to an unimpressive 3-4 start, after an 87-85 overtime loss at Indiana on Dec 30. However, the Nittany Lions have been idle since that game, as Penn State has had FOUR straight postponements due to COVID-19 concerns within the program and enters on a three-game losing streak. Purdue's Matt Painter is in his 16th season with the Boilermakers and his team was just 16-14 last season, coming off a four-year run of averaging 27.3 wins per season. Purdue is coming off a four-game road trip that included meetings with THREE ranked schools and the Boilermakers return home (where they are 5-0 SU) with a 9-5 overall record (4-3 Big Ten).

Penn St surely misses All-Big Ten forward Lamar Stevens (17.6 & 6.9) but the Nittany Lions have four players averaging in double figures; the 6-7 Izaiah Brockington (15.1 & 4.7) and the 6-7 Seth Lundy (12.6) plus guards Myreon Jones (14.3) and Sam Sessoms (12.6). Sessoms has come off the bench, with the 6-9 Harrar (7.0 & 6.6) and PG Wheeler (5.3-4.0.4-3) starting alongside Jones and the two 6-7 forwards. Head coach Jim Ferry declined to offer specifics on which players would still be out due to quarantining but said the Nittany Lions would have enough players Sunday as they begin a stretch of four games in seven days.

Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (10.4 & 3.5 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (15.5 & 9.6) and SG Stefanovic (10.5). 7-4 freshman Edey (8.2 & 3.7) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (9.5 & 3.6) gives Purdue five players averaging between 8.2 and 15.5 PPG. Depth is provided by four players chipping in a combined 21 PPG, including Wheeler (4.2 & 5.0), who leads the team in assists.

Purdue is coming off a win at Indiana,  the Boilermakers EIGHTH straight win over the Hoosiers. Trevion Williams has asserted himself in Purdue's last two games, combining for 48 points to spur road victories against then-No. 23 Michigan State and in-state rival Indiana. He has now scored in double figures in NINE straight games, averaging 18.6 points and 9.1 rebounds during that stretch. Purdue is 5-0 at home and Penn St is off to an 0-3 start in the big Ten. BOTH of those streaks continue here, as the Boilermakers roll to a win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on the SA Spurs at 5:05 ET.

The 4-6 Houston Rockets and the 6-6 San Antonio Spurs square off for the second time in three days Saturday, with the Rockets looking to build on their first road win of the season. The Rockets needed just nine angry, intense players, none of them named James Harden (24.8-5.1-10.4 or John Wall (18.6-4.7-5.1), to beat San Antonio 109-105 on Thursday in their first game since they traded Harden to Brooklyn in a blockbuster four-team deal. The trade is still being finalized and will eventually net Houston Victor Oladipo (from Indiana), Dante Exum (from Cleveland) and Rodions Kurucs (from Brooklyn, but none were in uniform on Thursday, nor will they be in the lineup on Saturday. What's more, Wall, Gordon (14.3) and House (7.5 & 4.5) are at best, game-time decisions .

The Spurs returned home from an impressive 4-1 road to take on the Rockets Thursday night and led 99-90 with 4:39 to play but the Rockets outscored the Spurs 19-6 the rest of the way. Christian Wood (23.1 PPG and 10.1 RPG on the season) had 27 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. The Spurs wasted a career-high 29 points from Keldon Johnson (14.8 & 7.3), who is one of SEVEN Spurs averaging in double digits. Guards DeRozan (20.4-5.5-7.0) and Murray (15.7-7.1-5.4) lead the way.

I refuse to overthink this. "The Rockets had something to prove, and they played like it," Spurs guard Lonnie Walker IV said. "They felt disrespected. That energy and animosity was built up inside of them. They were definitely ready to play." Added head coach Gregg Popovich, "It's got nothing to do with defense, offense -- it has to do with between the ears, being ready to play. We had four or five guys who were out to lunch." Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big 12 Game of the Year is on Baylor at 4:00 ET.

FIVE of the Big 12's 10 teams rank among the top-15 in the latest Associated Press poll, including THREE in the top six. No. 4 Texas and No. 15 Texas Tech met Wednesday night in Austin. Texas scored 48 points in the first half (10-point lead) against a team allowing just 58.0 PPG but while the Longhorns led almost the entire game, Tech's Mac McClung made a long jumper with THREE seconds left to give No. 15 Texas Tech a 79-77 win, ending the Longhorns' 4-0 start in the Big 12. Tech returns home to Lubbock on Saturday but "there's no rest for the weary," as No. 2 Baylor comes to town with its 11-0 record (9-2 ATS). Fresh off its first road victory against a top-five opponent in program history, Texas Tech now hosts Baylor, a contest marking the first game between the two schools in which BOTH are ranked in the top-15.

Baylor's Scott Drew took over a devastated Baylor program in the 2003-04 season and since 2007-08, has turned the Bears into one of the better programs in the country. Baylor won the NIT in 2013 and has made eight NCAA tourney appearances (26-4 last season would have made nine). Baylor lost 6-9 center Gillespie (9.6 & 9.0) but Tchatchoua is a 6-8 transfer from UNLV and he's averaged 9.0 & 7.2. The 6-5 Vital plays like a power forward, averaging 5.2 & 5.3 and is considered one of the best defensive players in the nation. The strength of Baylor's team is centered around its four guards, all scoring in double digits. Butler's (16.4-3.5-5.4) the best of the group but don't look past Teague (15.6 & 4.2), Mitchell (11.5 & 6.5 APG) or Flagler (10.1).The Bears (11-0, 4-0 Big 12) have been off for several days after their game against No. 13 West Virginia was postponed because of COVID-19 concerns in the Mountaineers' program. Baylor's last outing was Jan 9, when the Bears throttled TCU 67-49 in Fort Worth, for its fourth league win by double digits!

Chris Beard went 30-5 at Arkansas St in 2015-16 and was able to to land the Texas Tech job as a reward. In his second season, the Red Raiders won 27 games and made the Elite 8 and then followed that up by winning 31 games in the 2018-19 season, where they lost to UVa in the national championship game. Last year's 18-13 season was seen as a major slump but Tech opened at No. 14 in the AP preseason poll. Georgetown transfer McClung (15.8) leads Tech in scoring and is joined in the starting lineup by guards Edwards (10.4 & 5.4) and freshman Peavy (5.9). The 6-7 Santos-Silva (8.9 & 6.0) is Tech's tallest starter, although the 6-6 Shannon (13.6 & 5.0, who comes off the bench, and 6-6 starter McCullar (11.4 & 6.6) are bigger producers. The Red Raiders' calling card remains defense, allowing 59.4 PPG (9th) on 39.2% shooting (36th).

However, here's the rub. Baylor KNOWS more than a little about playing defense too, holding opponents to 61.2 PPG (29th). On the offensive end, Baylor is averaging 89.0 PPG (5th), which is about two 'TDs' more than Texas Tech (75.8 PPG), while shooting 50.9% (14th), including 42.3% on threes (3rd). Maybe Baylor will get tripped up somewhere in its 'travels' through the Big 12 but NOT here, as after 'escaping' at Austin, the Red Raiders will fail here at home to the Bears.

Good luck...Larry 

My 9* Revenge Rout-Part 2 is on Minnesota at 2:00 ET.

Michigan's Juwan Howard's first season as head coach saw his team open 7-0, then go 6-9 over its next 15 games. A six-game win streak followed but Michigan lost three of four before the shutdown (19-11 finish). Howard's sophomore year at Michigan has everyone's attention! Michigan got some extra time to prepare for the No. 9 Badgers on Tuesday, as its scheduled game at Penn State last Saturday was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Nittany Lions' program. Fueled by a suffocating defense, the No. 7 Wolverines routed Wisconsin 77-54 on Tuesday to remain the Big Ten's only undefeated team. Michigan held Wisconsin to 30.8% shooting, while making 51.6% themselves. Michigan led the Badgers by as much as 40 points and now faces No. 23 Minnesota (10-4, 3-4 Big Ten) for the second time in three games. Richard Pitino is in his eighth season at Minnesota. He led the Gophers to the NIT championship in his first season (2013-14) but over the last six seasons, Minnesota has made just two NCAA appearances (2017 and 2019), while going a combined 56-71 (.441) over the other four. The Gophers opened 9-1 in Pitino's 8th season but have lost THREE of four entering this game.

Gone from Michigan's team last season are PG Simpson (12.9-4.5-7.9) and the 7-1 Teske (11.6 & 6.7). 6-7 senior Livers led Michigan in scoring last season and is averaging 13.8 & 5.5 this season. The Wolverines have an experienced group but their leading scorer is 7-1 freshman Hunter Dickinson (17.5 & 7.9). Experience comes in guards Wagner (12.5 & 7.1), Smith (9.2 & 5.4 APG), Brown (9.0), Brooks (8.7 & 3.6 APG). Michigan is averaging 82.0 PPG on 52.4% shooting (8th), while holding opponents to 65.8 PPG on 36.9% shooting (8th).

Minnesota PG Carr (20.9-3.9-5.5) ranks with the best in the nation and has been aided by THREE transfers, 7-0 Liam Robbins (13.7 & 7.2) from Drake, the 6-6 Gach (10.5-5.3-3.0) from Utah and the 6-8 Johnson (8.1 & 6.0) from Western Michigan. Plus, don't dismiss returning junior guard Kalescheur, who's adding 9.8 PPG. Carr finished with a modest 14 points (made just 5 of 16 FG attempts) when Michigan routed Minnesota 92-57 in Ann Arbor on Jan 6. Michigan's Dickinson scored a career-high 28 points and had eight rebounds that night, as Michigan shot 56.9 percent from the floor.

So what's the difference here? Minnesota's at home in Williams Arena where the Gophers are 10-0, averaging 85.5 PPG. The Gophers have beaten then-No. 4 Iowa (102-95), then-No. 17 Mich St (81-56) and then-No. 25 Ohio St (77-60) in this venue! Now-No. 7 Michigan suffers a similar fate! Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

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

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 in three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio St opened 6-0 in non-conference play but has gone 4-3 in the rugged Big Ten. However, the Buckeyes are off back-to-back conference wins at Rutgers and a Wednesday home win over Northwestern, avenging a 71-70 loss to the Wildcats in Evanston.

Brad Underwood made a big 'splash' at S.F. Austin and then made a one year 'pit stop' at Oklahoma St, before landing in Champaign-Urbana. The Fighting Illini were just 14-18 and 12-21 in his first two seasons but had a breakout year in going 21-10 before last season was shut down. Illinois opened the current season No. 8 in the AP's preseason poll but so far, it has NOT been 'smooth sailing.' The Illini opened 3-0 but was just 5-3 before a four-game winning streak from Dec 23 through Jan 7. However, a 66-63 home loss to Maryland on Jan 10 ended that winning run. Illinois is currently ranked 14th as it welcomes No. 21 Ohio St to the State Farm Center.

Missing from the lineup in Ohio St's 10-point win over Northwestern were starting point guard CJ Walker (8.7 & 4.2 APG) and backup Jimmy Sotos because of injuries. One would expect that leading scorer, the 6-7 E.J. Liddell (13.3 & 6.7), would step up for the Buckeyes but he went 0 of 6 from the floor, scoring just SIX points by going 6-for-8 at the free-throw line. Instead, it was 6-7 junior forward Justice Sueing (10.8 & 5.2) who made his first career start at PG, and had 13 points and seven rebounds Junior guard Duane Washington Jr. (15.7 PPG) led four Buckeyes in double figures with a career-high 23 points.

Illinois features one of the top guards in the nation in Dosunmu (22.4-6.9-4.8) plus 7-0 center Cockburn (17.3 & 10.1) has built on a successful freshman season. Dosunmu is joined in the backcourt by veterans Curbelo (9.3 & 4.6 APG), Frazier (8.4) and Williams (6.5 & 5.9) plus freshman Miller adds 9.3 PPG. The 6-9 Bezhanishvili (5.3 & 3.2) rounds out the main contributors.

Illinois (9-4, 5-2 Big Ten) was supposed to play at Nebraska on Wednesday but the game was postponed because the Cornhuskers paused full-team activities due to positive COVID-19 results in the program. The unexpected open date prevented the Illini from getting on the court to erase memories of a 66-63 loss to Maryland on Sunday. Illinois led 59-56 with 7:30 left, but the Illini scored just FOUR points the rest of the game! I see this as a great bounce-back spot for Illinois and note that the Buckeyes haven't been to the State Farm Center in more than four years (last played there back on Jan 1, 2017!). Me thinks that after this one, Ohio State will want to take another FOUR years off between visits to Champaign-Urbana. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* East/West Conference Game of the Month is on the Mil Bucks at 7:35 ET.

Luka Doncic collected 34 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and a career-high four blocks in Dallas' 104-93 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday, leading the Mavericks to their FOURTH straight victory. More good news came in the form of Kristaps making four 3-pointers to highlight his 16-point performance in his season debut. The 7-foot-3 Porzingis (20.4 & 9.5 LY) was playing for the first time since tearing his meniscus in his right knee during the Mavericks' playoff setback to the Los Angeles Clippers back in August. The now 6-4 Mavs travel to Milwaukee on Friday to take on the Bucks, who have had the league's best record in each of the last two regular seasons. Milwaukee opened 2-3 this season but enters this game having won SIX of seven to reach 8-4 on the season.

It's GREAT news that Porzingis is back to join Doncic (27.4-9.6-8.3) but here's what the injury list looks like for the Mavericks. Maxi Kleber: out (health and safety protocols), Jalen Brunson: out (health protocols), Dorian Finney-Smith: out (health protocols), Dwight Powell: out (health protocols), Josh Richardson: out (health protocols). Going down the line. Kleber is averaging 7.4 & 5.3, Brunson 11.1, Finney-Smith 9.3 & 5.0, Powell 5.0 & 3.6 and Richardson 13.8.

The two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Giannis Antetokounmpo is averaging 26.2-10.1-5.5 and SF Middleton (21.6-6.3-5.7) is off to  a terrific start. Jrue Holiday has been a big addition (no one misses Bledsoe), averaging 15.2 PPG and 5.0 APG. The 6-10 Portis (11.8 & 7.8) has also been  a strong addition, while returning guard DiVincenzo (10.7 & 4.2) and center Brook Lopez (9.2 & 4.8) have both started all 12 games.

Milwaukee may be "just" 8-4 and only owns a 6-6 ATS mark but the Bucks own the NBA's best point-differential at plus-11.4 PPG. That is as good an indicator as any as to the strength of a team. Lay the points here, against a Dallas team nowhere near 100%!

Good luck...Larry 

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

The BYU Cougars and Saint Mary's Gaels meet Thursday in WCC action in Moraga, Ca. ALL schools in the WCC play in the 'shadow' of Gonzaga but the Cougars and Gaels each have a long history of excellent basketball teams. Both enter with 9-3 records on the season.

Mark Pope had an excellent first season at BYU (came from Utah Valley St), going 24-8. However, gone are PF Childs (22.2 & 9.0) plus guards Toolson (15.2-4.8-3.9) and Haws (14.0 & 5.8 APG). Guard Barcello (9.3 PPG last season) is leading the way in averaging 16.3-4.7-4.8  and the 7-3 Haarms (Purdue graduate transfer) has chipped in 11,2 & 3.7. BYU has a ton of depth, as EIGHT more players are averaging between 11 and 26 MPG. Guard Averette leads in scoring (10.2 in that group, while 6-9 Lohner (6.5) and the 6-11 Harvard (4.6) are the best rebounders. Randy Bennett has been head coach at St Mary's since the 2001-02 season and entered this season with a 440-182 (.707) record. The Gaels posted their 13th season of 20-plus wins last year, as they were 26-8 when COVID shut things down. Would the Gaels have gotten an NCAA bid? Bennett and his various teams know all about NCAA snubs, as SIX times in the previous 12 seasons, his team had been denied an NCAA bid despite seasons of 28, 25, 23, 21, 29 and 30 wins.

Gone from last year are guard Ford (21.9), forward Fitts (16.5 & 7.1) and guard Krebs (9.1). However, after dropping their season opener, 73-56, to Memphis at Sioux Falls, SD back on Nov 25, St Mary's won EIGHT in a row before losing to SD State. Senior Guard Kushe, who averaged just 5.9 PPG last season, is averaging 14.8-4.0-5.7 so far this season. Junior guard Johnson (1.4 PPG last season) is averaging 11.0 & 3.6, while returning players like the 6-10 Tass (10.1 & 5.3) and the 6-7 Fotu (7.3 & 4.4) are holding up their ends. Aussie guard Ducas averaged just 3.6 PPG last season but adds 10.9 & 5.3.

BYU was 9-2 when it ran into some postponements due to COVID plus Gonzaga was facing the same issues. The schools both decided to play each other a month early back last Thursday but BYU's long layoff (previous games was Dec 23) was evident early, as the Cougars committed five turnovers in the first four minutes to fall behind 16-2. Gonzaga made seven of its first nine shots, while Cougars made only two of their first 12 shots to trail 30-7 with just over nine minutes gone in the first half (would lose 86-69). This trip to St Mary's is BYU's first game since the Gonzaga contest and will take on a St Mary's team in need of a win after losing TWO of their last three games. However, stealing a line from Broadway's Annie Get Your Gun, "Anything BYU can do, St Mary's can do better!" St Mary's Gaels has won SEVEN of the last 10 meetings against BYU and makes it EIGHT of 11 here!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Den Nuggets at 10:05 ET.

The Golden St Warriors lost K.D. to free agency last season and Klay Thompson to injury and went 15-50, the worst record in the league. Thompson again re-injured himself before the start of the current season (Achilles this time) and will miss a second straight season, All things considered, the Warriors' 6-5 start isn't bad. The Denver Nuggets have had an uneven start to this year, after coming out of the gates last season with a 12-2 record. Injuries and COVID-19 protocols have been a major  factor, as the Nuggets return home with a 5-6 record to host Golden St.

Without Thompson and with Durant in Brooklyn, teams are focused on stopping Curry but Steph has averaged 27.8-5.1-6.4. Wiggins (17.9 & 4.8), a former No. 1 overall pick, has found a home in San Francisco  plus James Wiseman (2nd pick of the 2020 Draft) has avenged 10.6 & 6.4). FA acquisition Oubre (10.8 & 5.5) has disappointed and after missing some early games, Green has returned to average a modest 4.4-5.1-6.6. He looks nowhere-near the 'force' he once was.

Denver center Jokic (24.3-10.9-10.6) has been great but Michael Porter Jr. (19.5 & 6.8) has missed SEVEN games due to issues with the coronavirus, and his return last week was delayed after sitting out three games. Hours before he was to return against Dallas he was ruled out with what coach Michael Malone said Tuesday was due to COVID. The Nuggets were also without Gary Harris (10.6) on Tuesday for personal reasons, a defensive presence that would have helped in the loss to the Nets. Denver had opened its road trip 2-0 but couldn't hold an 18-point lead at Brooklyn.

Obviously, Porter and Harris (team's best perimeter defender) are missed but the Nuggets still own excellent depth. Murray (19.7) was terrific in last year's 'bubble' and swingman Barton is back healthy averaging 11.6-4.3-2.8. The 6-8 Green comes off the bench to average 11.4 & 6.4 in about 20 minutes and backup PG Morris (11.4 & 3.2) is a quality reserve. Curry's been held to just 31 points combined in the last two games so watch out but Denver is a VERY good team, even with some missing starters. The Nuggets play their next three games at home and can kick-start their season with some good play. The Warriors are on the road for the FIRST time since Dec 29, coming off a SEVEN-game homestand! I say it's a Blowout Alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry Game of the Month is on Indiana at 7:00 ET.

The Indiana Hoosiers football team and the Purdue Boilermakers football team play annually for The Old Oaken Bucket. There is no trophy in basketball but that doesn't mean an Indiana/Purdue basketball game is not a bitter rivalry. Both schools play solid defense with Purdue allowing 66.2 PPG and Indiana 66.6 PPG. Indiana ranks 14th nationally per KenPom in adjusted defensive efficiency, while Purdue ranks 36th. Purdue is 8-5 (3-3 in the Big Ten) and Indiana  has the exact same record overall and in Big Ten play.

Purdue head coach Matt Painter's lone loss of note from last season's team was the 7-3 Haarms (8.6 & 4.6), who went to BYU as a graduate transfer. The team's "Big Three" are all returning players, senior PG Hunter (10.3 & 3.4 APG) plus juniors like the 6-10 Williams (15.0 & 9.5) and SG Stefanovic (10.7). 7-4 freshman Edey (8.8 & 4.0) has made all forget about Haarms plus freshman guard Newman (9.3) gives Purdue five players averaging between 8.8 and 15.0 PPG. Depth is provided by four players chipping in a combined 21 PPG.

Archie Miller spent six years at Dayton, winning 20-plus games in five seasons. Over his final four at the school, the Flyers averaged 25.5 wins per season and went to four straight NCAA tourneys. He got the Indiana job beginning with the 2017-18 season and was just 16-15 and 19-16. However, last year's team was 20-12 before the season was "called off!" Gone from that team are Devontae Green (13.5 & 8.4) who graduated and the 6-7 Justin Smith (10.4 & 5.2), who transferred to Arkansas. This year's Indiana team is led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (20.1 & 9.3) and the 6-8 Thompson (9.5 & 6.6) up front plus in the backcourt, it's sophomore Franklin (12.7 & 4.2), senior Durham (11.1-3.8-3.3) and junior Phinisee (8.0). The bad news for the Hoosiers is that Franklin is out indefinitely with an ankle injury. That will give some extra minutes to the 6-7 Hunter (5.2 & 3.2) and guard Galloway (5.0), who started for Franklin in the last game.

Purdue has won SEVEN straight in the rivalry between the two schools but the Boilermakers are coming off a dramatic, 55-54 win at Michigan State. In that game, Purdue rallied from down 15 points at halftime to win on a short jumper by Trevion Williams with 4.5 seconds remaining. As for Indiana, it enters with THREE wins in its last four, losing only in double-OT at the-No. 8 Wisconsin. Jackson-Davis has posted double-doubles in three straight games (against Maryland, Wisconsin and Nebraska) and I expect that the Hoosiers are primed to end their SEVEN-game slide against the hated-Boilermakers, who have averaged just 59.6 PPG in five road games this season. That's the play!

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Underdog of the Month is on the Sac Kings at 10:05 ET.

The Portland Trail Blazers made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals two seasons ago but last year needed a strong run 'in the bubble' to sneak into the postseason. Led by 'Bubble' MVP Lillard, the Blazers were a 'sexy' pick to upset the Lakers in the first round but after a 100-93 upset in Game 1, Portland lost FOUR in a row. The Blazers have won THREE straight and are 6-4 as they welcome the Sacramento Kings to Moda Center (I miss the Rose Garden) on Wednesday. Luke Walton begins his second season with the Kings, having gone 31-41 in last year's pandemic-shortened season. Walton's in good company, as the Kings opened this season on a run of 14 consecutive losing seasons and non-playoff appearances. Just a thought. Think Sacramento fans feel that it may have been a mistake to fire Rick Adelman after EIGHT straight winning and playoff seasons because he was never able to deliver an NBA championship? Probably a rhetorical question, right?

5-6 Sacramento's starting-five are all averaging in double digits, led by the Kings' excellent guard duo. PG Fox (18.3 & 5.4 APG) and Hield (14.7 & 4.2) lead the way, while three Sacramento frontcourt players are producing as well. The Kings don't have a true center, as that frontcourt trio includes 6-8 SF Barnes (17.9 & 6.9) plus 6-8 PF Holmes (13.2 & 7.7) and 6-11 PF Bagley (12.7 & 8.0). Rookie PG Haliburton ((12,1 & 5.3 APG) from Iowa St has stepped right in and looks like he'll be a quality NBA player. More depth is provided by four players chipping in between 6.4 and 7.8 PPG.

Speaking of backcourts, Portland believes it owns the NBA's best in Lillard and McCollum. McCollum is off to a great start, leading Portland in scoring (28.1 PPG), while adding 4.1 RPG and 5.0 APG. Lillard's numbers are slightly down (26.1-4.9-6.4) but the fact that one can say that with a straight face, proves what type of player he is. Portland expected to be healthier this season plus acquired Robert Covington and Derrick Jones Jr. to shore up defense. Neither Covington (6.6 & 6.0) nor Jones (6.4 & 3.5) have been as good as hoped for, with both players starting all games. The problem has been no player is even HALF as much as either McCollum or Lillard. Carmelo Anthony (13.0) has added a scoring 'punch' off the bench, as have backup center Kanter (11.2 & 9.3) and guard Trent (10.8). Starting center Nurkic (9.5 & 7.2) has underperformed and is currently listed at day-to-day (quad) while PF Collins (ankle) has yet to play a game this season.

The Blazers routed the Kings 125-99 this past Saturday and that memory is still fresh in the Kings' memory. Sacramento enters the rematch with a bit of momentum, after producing a convincing 127-122 home win over the Indiana Pacers on Monday. Portland recovered from a 17-point deficit and still trailed by 14 with 9 1/2-minutes remaining in the game but 'escaped' with a 112-11 home win over Toronto (NBA-worst record of 2-8 ) on Monday. no comeback here, as the Kings get some quick 'revenge.'

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Revenge Game of the Month is on Ohio St at 7:00 ET.

Chris Collins took over at Northwestern back in the 2013-14 season and won 20 games in the 2015-16 season. The very next season, he led the Wildcats to a 24-12 year, as Northwestern finished with its first winning Big Ten Conference record in 49 years (10-8) and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history (Wildcats even won their first game). It was NO small accomplishment, as Northwestern had been the only member of a power conference to have never made the "Big Dance." However, three straight losing seasons followed. However, with four starters back for this season, the Wildcats won SIX of their first seven, including a 3-0 start in the Big Ten. Northwestern won its first THREE conference games for the first time since the 1967-68 season (note: Northwestern was 3-17 in the Big Ten last season!) and entered the AP poll on Dec 28th (No. 19) for the first time this season but hardly told the whole story. Northwestern's No. 19 ranking was its highest this late in a season since 1969!  However, the Wildcats have lost THREE in a row since.

Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and went 70-31 win three seasons, each ending with an NCAA tourney berth. He took the Ohio St job beginning in 2017-18 and strung together three straight 20-win seasons but was denied a third straight NCAA bid when last season was shut down. Ohio St opened 5-0 and was ranked 20th in the AP poll before a 67-60 road loss at Purdue on Dec 16. A 77-70 win over UCLA (in Cleveland) plus an 80-68 home win over then-No. 11 Rutgers came next. However, the Buckeyes lost 71-70 at Northwestern, pounded visiting Nebraska 90-54 and lost 77-60 at Minnesota. The Buckeyes produced a 22-4 burst while building a 42-30 halftime lead at Rutgers on Saturday and won 79-68. Ohio St is back in the latest AP poll at No. 21.

I noted that Northwestern has lost three straight but last Thursday's defeat is worthy of note. The Wildcats held a 15-point halftime over visiting Illinois last Thursday but were outscored 53-13 in the second half while shooting 2 of 24 from the floor, leading to an 81-56 loss. A major conference school had not been outscored by 40 points in a half since Kentucky was 43 points better in the second half vs Vanderbilt on March 5, 2003. The 6-7 Kupp (13.8) leads Northwestern in scoring. Guard Audige (11.7), the 6-10 Nance (11.4 & 5.8) and PG Buie (10.3& 5.0 APG) join Kupp in double digits. The 6-10 Young (9.0 & 6.1) and the 6-9 Beran (7.6 & 3.5) contribute off the bench, as does freshman guard Berry (7.1).

SG Washington (15.1) leads the team in scoring and has been paired with PG Walker (8.7 & 4.2 APG). However, he is expected to be lost for multiple games due to torn ligaments in his right hand. The frontcourt has four solid contributors led by arguably the team's best player, the 6-7 Liddell (14.0 & 6,4). He's joined on the frontline by the 6-7 Sueing (10.7 & 5.0), the 6-8 Young (7.9 & 6.3), 6-8 freshman Key (6.9) and the 6-6 Aherns (5.3).

Coming off a total collapse against Illinois does not bode well for the Wildcats here in Columbus, where Ohio St is 6-0 (average margin of victory 20.7 PPG) and 'itching' for revenge from that 71-70 at Northwestern back on the day after Christmas. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* (ACC Game of the Year is on Florida St at 7:00 ET.

Florida State(5-2 / 1-1 in ACC) just dropped out of the AP top-25 on Monday and tonight, will end its longest in-season layoff since a holiday break during the 1956-57 season when it plays host to North Carolina State (6-3 / 2-2) in Tallahassee. COVID-19 positive tests and contact tracing within the program led to three postponed games. NC State lost four games due to COVID but opened 6-1 (2-0 ACC) before losing its last two games to Clemson and Miami in ACC play.

Head coach Kevin Keatts took over at NC State for Mark Gottfried beginning in the 2017-18 season, after leading UNC-Wilmington to 25-8 and 29-6 records in his final two seasons (both teams earned NCAA tourney bids). He's won 21, 24 and 20 games his first three seasons in Raleigh and while he lost leading scorer Bryce (13.3 & 6.3) plus PG Johnson (12.8-4.4-6.8) from last season's team, the Wolfpack have plenty of talent and depth this season. Guard Daniels (15.9 & 5.2) and 6-7 wing Hellems (11/2 & 5.1) are averaging in double digits, as is the 6-10 Funderburk (13.0 & 5.5z), who comes off the bench. Hayes (7.7) and Beverley (6.4) start in the backcourt along with Daniels, while the 6-11 Bates (9.4 & 5.4) starts up front with Hellems.

Leonard Hamilton is now in his 19th season with FSU and he's been greatly underappreciated (more later). Florida State was 26-5 and poised to make a Final Four run before the postseason was curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but entered this season losing three key players from a team.PG Forrest (11.6-4.4-4.0), SG Vassell (12.7 & 5.1) and 6-7 swingman Williams (9.7 & 4.0) were all chosen in the NBA draft. Guard MJ Walker is back and leads with 15.3 PPG plus is surrounded by a talented group. Frontcourt veterans like the 7-1 Koprivica (9.9 & 5.90, the 6-8 Gray (7.0 & 6.0) start, while the 6-9 Osborne (3.6 & 5.1) comes off the bench. Freshman Barnes, a 6-9 guard averages 11.1-3.9-4.3) and returning guard Polite (10.9 & 5.1) are both double digit scorers.

Here's the bottom line. Hamilton has built a championship-caliber program at Florida St, one that has produced the THIRD most victories among ACC schools behind Duke and Virginia since 2016. How many knew that? "We missed those practices," Hamilton said about the team's layoff. "We are kind of still a team, like most teams right now. We are still growing and developing." My bet is that Hamilton's crew "won't miss a beat!"

Good luck...Larry

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

Syracuse (7-2, 1-1 ACC) will visit Chapel Hill tonight to take on North Carolina (7-4, 2-2 ACC). Both teams are used to close games, as Syracuse has seen FOUR games decided by six points or less (another game went into overtime), while SEVEN of North Carolina 11 games have been decided by six points or less.

The Orange have little depth, as all five starters are averaging more than 30 minutes. The 6-7 Guerrier leads in scoring (15.7) and rebounding (9.3), SF Griffin checks in at 15.6 & 7.3 plus the 6-10 Dolezag adds 12.0 & 6.3. The backcourt is Buddy Boeheim (15.2) and PG Girard (11.6 & 4.6 APG). 6-5 forward Richmond (7.2 & 3.8) is the lone producer off the bench. North Carolina's strength is its depth. Up front it's the 6-10 Bacot (11.0 & 7.6), the 6-10 Brooks (10.2 & 7.7) and the 6-11 Sharpe (9.8 & 8.2), while the backcourt goes four-deep. The group includes Love (9.5 & 3.5 APG), Davis (8.3),  Black (7.7 & 6.4) and Platek (5.9).

North Carolina has dominated this series recently, as its regular-season road victory stretched its winning streak in the series to NINE games. However, Syracuse won in an ACC tournament blowout in what became the last game played, because the rest of the event was canceled at the start of the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Tar Heels are beginning to "find themselves," as Roy Williams puts last season's 14-19 'nightmare' behind him. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM of the Month is on Kentucky at 9:00 ET.

The lead in the Southeastern Conference will be at stake when Alabama visits Kentucky on Tuesday in Lexington. That the Tide and Wildcats are atop the standings even this early in the season is somewhat of a surprise since both teams struggled in non-conference play. Alabama went a modest 5-3, while Kentucky opened 1-6, its worst start to a season since the 1926-27 Wildcats lost eight of nine. However, Alabama is 4-0 to open SEC play and Kentucky 3-0 (note: the only other unbeaten team in the SEC is 1-0 South Carolina!).

Alabama head coach Nate Oats was 96-43 at Buffalo, leading the Bulls to three NCAA tourneys in his four years, including going 27-9 and 32-4 in his last two seasons. 'Bama was just 16-15 last season but guard Lewis (18.5-4.8-5.2) left after one year for the NBA. The starting backcourt is strong, with PG Quinnerly (13.0 & 3.4 APG), Shackleford (13.1 & 4.8), Petty (12.4 & 5.5) and Primo (7.7 & 3.3), while the 6-8 Jones (12.9 & 6.5) is joined up front by he 6-10 Brunner (7.8 & 5.6), who is a rare Yale graduate transfer. 

Kentucky was ranked No. 10 in the AP preseason poll but its 1-6 start took care of that. Not surprisingly, Calipari again relies on freshman and transfers. Three Wildcats are averaging double digits thus far, freshmen Brandon Boston (12.8 & 5.3), 7-0 Wake Forest transfer Sarr (11.2 & 5.6) and Creighton transfer Mintz (10.3 & 7.3). Freshman  guards Askew (7.7) and Allen (7.1) plus 6-10 freshman Jackson (5.7 & 7.2) are getting their 'sea legs.' Then there is 6-7 sophomore Keion Brooks Jr., playing his first game after missing the first nine with a left calf injury. He scored 12 points plus has six rebounds and four assists in Kentucky's impressive 76-58 win at Florida this past Saturday.

Did anyone really think Kentucky would just fold after that 1-6 start? Alabama PG PG Quinnerly has NOT played in the team's last two games and there is no indication he's expected to play here. Either way, I'm "all over" Kentucky here, as the Wildcats open 4-0 in the SEC. 

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Ultimate Underdog is on Wisconsin at 7:00 ET.

The new AP poll was released on Monday and the Big Ten has SEVEN teams in the top-25, including THREE in the top-10. TWO of those schools square off Tuesday as No. 7 Michigan (10-0 / 5-0 Big Ten) welcomes No. 9 Wisconsin (10-2 / 4-1 Big Ten) to Crisler Arena. Michigan's Juwan Howard's first season as head coach saw his team open 7-0, then go 6-9 over its next 15 games. A six-game win streak followed but Michigan lost three of four before the shutdown (19-11 finish). In his sophomore year, Michigan is off to even a better start. Wisconsin has had a terrific basketball program for decades and head coach Greg Gard enters his sixth season at Madison, having had FOUR 20-win seasons in his first five.

The Badgers start FIVE seniors, guards Trice (14.8-3.3-3.7) and Davison (10.0) plus the 6-10 Potter (12.5 & 7.0), the 6-11 Reuvers (10.3 & 4.3) and the 6-8 Ford (9.8 & 4.1). 6-5 freshman Davis (7.3 & 4.8) and 6-9 sophomore Wahl (4.9 & 3.6) both contribute off the bench. Gone from Michigan's team last season are PG Simpson (12.9-4.5-7.9) and the 7-1 Teske (11.6 & 6.7). 6-7 senior Livers led Michigan in scoring last season and is averaging 13.9 & 5.4. The Wolverines, like the Badgers, have an experienced group but their leading scorer is 7-1 freshman Hunter Dickinson (18.0 & 9.1) and scored a career-high 28 points in Michigan's last game, an 82-57 romp of Minnesota on Wednesday. Experience comes in guards Wagner (12.2 & 6.), Brown (9.2), Brooks (9.1 & 3.8 APG) and Smith (8.1 & 5.3 APG).

Michigan got some extra time to prepare for the Badgers as its scheduled game at Penn State on Saturday was postponed due to COVID-19 issues within the Nittany Lions' program. The Wolverines have defeated their last four opponents by double digits through a combination of a suffocating defense and a very efficient offense (Michigan is shooting 52.5% on the season). However, Wisconsin knows all about playing defense, allowing just 61.5 PPG (24th) on 38.9% shooting (26th). The Badgers went into Breslin Center back on Dec 25 and beat Michigan St 85-76 by shooting 52.9%. It was Wisconsin's first win in East Lansing since 2004 (had lost 12 straight!). Why can't (won't) the Badgers win here in Ann Arbor? Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on St John's at 7:00 ET.

LaVall Jordan is in his fourth season at Butler and last year's team was 22-9 before the shutdown (would have made the NCAAs for a fifth time in six seasons). The team lost key players from that team, including leading scorer Baldwin (16.2) and three-point shooter McDermott. Butler is struggling so far, going 3-6 overall (2-4 in the Big East). St John's is coached by Mike Anderson, who is in his second season in Queens. He's had success wherever he's been, going 89-41 in four years at UAB, 111-57 in five years at Missouri and 169-102 in eight years at Arkansas. Anderson took over a recently struggling St John's program last season and went 17-15, giving him his 18th consecutive winning season as a head coach (zero losing seasons). Could that streak end this season? St John's is just 6-6, including 1-5 in the Big East.

Senior guards Thompson (14.3 & 4.5 APG) and Bolden (13.0 & 4.1) lead the but fellow guards N\Harris (11.1) and Tate (7.9) contribute. Up front, it's just the 6-7 Nze (9.9 & 6.6) and the 6-9 Golden (9.9 & 5.3). Anderson lost LJ Figueroa (14.5 & 4.5) to Oregon but THREE newcomers have already made HUGE contributions. Vince Cole is a 6-5 two-time junior-college All-American and is averaging 10.5 PPG, freshman PG Posh Alexander averages 9.3 & 4.4 APG and 6-10 JC transfer Isaih Moore (but with a 7-6 wingspan) comes off the bench to average  9.7 & 5.8. There's all sorts of depth in the backcourt with Williams (11.8), Dunn (7.3) and freshman Addae-Wusu (5.8). However, the team's star is 6-8 wing Julian Champagnie, who averages 21.0 & 7.9.

The bottom line is that this contest is a 'battle' of styles. Butler enters Tuesday averaging 63.7 PPG, which is not only is the worst scoring average in the 11-team Big East but also marks the Bulldogs as the only team below 70 per game. Conversely, the Bulldogs are allowing 69.0 PPG, which is the fourth-best figure in the league. In stark contrast, St John's is second in the Big East with 80.5 PPG (39th nationally) but is allowing 80.8 PPG (327th in the nation). The team that "plays its game" wins and I believe that's St John's here at home. Butler has averaged 60.3 PPG away from home, while St John's has averaged 83.2 PPG at home. Blowout Alert!

Good luck...Larry