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

Maryland lost the 6-10 Fernando and his double-double average (13.6 & 10.6) from last year's 23-11 NCAA team (lost in the 2nd round) but FOUR starters returned. Mark Turgeon's team was ranked 7th in the AP's preseason poll. The Terps opened 10-0 and were ranked No. 4 when they lost Dec 10 at Penn St. That defeat started a 3-4 run but Maryland takes a five-game winning streak into Friday's game at No. 20 Illinois. The Terps jumped from No. 15 to No. 9 in Monday's new AP poll, and are currently 18-4 overall, including 8-3 in the Big Ten.

Brad Underwood was a head coach at Stephen F Austin and Oklahoma St before being hired at Illinois back on March 18, 2017. He signed a six-year contract through 2023 worth $18 million but after two seasons in Champaign, his Fighting Illini were just 26-39 (11-27 in Big Ten play). However, as Underwood entered the current season, he returned FOUR starters from last season's team plus added 6-9 freshman center Kofi Cockburn. The Fighting Illini last played on Sunday, falling 72-65 at now-No. 17 Iowa. However, surprising Illinois is 16-6  overall, including 8-2 in the Big Ten. Illinois entered the top-25 back on Jan 13 for the first time since Dec 1, 2014 and is currently ranked 20th but more importantly is tied with Maryland for first-place in the Big Ten (preseason No. 1 Mich St is 8-4).

PG Anthony Cowan Jr. (16.3-3.7-4.3) went 8-of-9 from the free throw line en route to a game-high 17 points in the win against Rutgers. The 6-10 Jalen Smith (15.2 & 10.0) added 14 points, 15 rebounds and a career-high six blocked shots to register his fifth straight double-double, while guard Darryl Morsell (8.3 & 5.0). finished with 14 & 6. Guards Aaron Wiggins (10.6 & 5.6) and Ayala (7.9) plus the 6-8 Scott (5.1 & 3.5) round out Maryland's main contributors.

The Fighting Illini held a one-point lead against the Hawkeyes at Iowa last Sunday but were outscored 11-3 down the stretch in a 72-65 loss. “We couldn’t get a stop for some reason,” junior guard Trent Frazier told reporters. “The ball just kept going to them and every bounce was just going their way but no excuses.” Leading scorer Ayo Dosunmu (15.8-4.0-3.4) scored 11 points to finish in double figures for the seventh straight game but fellow guard Andres Feliz (11.1-4.8-3.0) led the way with 17 points. Frazier added 12 points and three steals but 6-9 freshman phenom Kofi Cockburn (14.0 & 9.2) was held to six points. Rounding out Illinois' main contributors are guard Griffin (8.3 & 4.3) and the 6-9 Bezhanishvili (8.2 & 5.0).

Maryland is 13-0 at home but just 2-4 SU in true road games, including Big Ten road losses at Penn State (76-69), Iowa (67-49) & Wisconsin (56-54). Illinois opened its Big Ten season with a 59-58 loss at Maryland back on Dec 7, when the inside-outside duo of Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu combined to shoot only 8 of 19 from the floor for 18 points (duo combines for 30 PPG on the season!). Note that Illinois is 12-1 SU at home this season (lone loss came by two points to Miami back on Dec 2), including a PERFECT 5-0 in Big Ten contests. "The Price is Right" for another home "W" and more importantly, a COVER!

Good luck...Larry

 

My 10* Feb Game of the Month is on Wichita st at 7:00 ET.

The Cincinnati Bearcats are off a 28-7 season, while making their NINTH straight NCAA appearance. However, head coach Mick Cronin left for UCLA (he may want to come back?), with John Brannen coming from No. Kentucky to take over. He won 20-plus games in each of the last three seasons, earning the Norse NCAA bids in 2017 and 2019. The Bearcats are 14-7 (matching their loss total from last season) but at 7-2, are "right there" in the AAC (Tulsa leads at 7-1) after their 64-62 home win over Houston on Saturday. Gregg Marshall led Winthrop to seven NCAA appearances in nine seasons and since taking over in Wichita, entered this season with a string of 10 consecutive seasons of 22 or more wins, including FOUR, 30-win seasons. In that 10-year span, the Shockers have been to seven NCAA tourneys (including a Final 4 appearance in 2013) and in three NITs (won title in 2011). Wichita State opened the current season 15-1 (3-0 in AAC play) but has since lost THREE of five (all in league play) after the Shockers fell 54-51 at Tulsa on Saturday on a three-point buzzer-beater by the Golden Hurricane.

Cincy's Jarron Cumberland was the 2019 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, averaging 18.8-4.4-3.6 assists. However, he was the ONLY player on the team to average in double digits last season. Cumberland and Brannen supposedly had some issues early on but that seems to be in the past, as he's averaged 22.3 PPG the last three games and leads the team at 15.0 PPG on the season (also adds 3.7 RPG & 4.3 APG). Unlike last season, two other teammates join him in double digits, 7-1 center Chris Vogt, (12.8 & 6.2) plus guard Williams (12.0 & 5.1). Right behind that trio are Jaevin Cumberland (Jarron's cousin), who's averaging 9.5 PPG and the 6-8 Scott (9.3 & 9.3). Cincy's always been know for playing defense and the Bearcats enter on a four-game winning streak, having allowed 62 points or less in THREE of them (64.7 PPG allowed ranks 68th in the nation).

The Shockers have SEVEN players averaging between 7.7 and 12.1 PPG, led by sophomore guard Erik Stevenson (12.1 & 4.7). 6-10 senior center Echenique (11.1 & 6.1) comes in right behind Stevenson and just ahead of a trio of guards, Burton (10.5-3.7-3.4), Etienne (9.8) and Sherfeld (8.8). The 6-6 Wade (7.8 & 6.1), a transfer from UTEP. starts up front plus guard Dennis (7.7 & 4.7) and the 6-8 Udeze (5.0 & 3.2) provide excellent depth.

Yes, Cincy is playing well coming in (especially on D) but the Shockers will NOT take a backseat on the defensive end. Wichita St allows 63.2 PPG (38th), while holding opponents to only 38.4% shooting (18th in the nation!). Cincinnati won the regular-season matchups last season by 11 and 10 points, respectively, before earning a three-point win in the semifinals of the conference tournament. This marks the first of two meetings this season (rematch will be in Cincinnati on Feb 23) and marks the LONE home game in a four-game stretch for Wichita State. Gregg Marshall will coach his 202nd game at Charles Koch Arena tonight, where he owns a 174-27 record in 13 seasons. A little "triple-revenge" from last season works well in this one. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on the Ut Jazz at 9:05 ET.

The 35-16 Denver Nuggets look to beat the 32-17 Utah for the second time in seven days when they visit Salt Lake City on Wednesday. Denver has won 11 of its last 16 games and rolled to an easy 127-99 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Utah had won 19 of 21 games from Dec 11 through Jan 25 but has suddenly lost FOUR in a row. The slide began with a 126-117 home loss to the Rockets on Jan 27 , when Houston was without Harden AND Westbrook. The Jazz then went 0-3 on the road, including that 106-100 defeat last Thursday at Denver.

Jokic is again leading the Nuggets in scoring (20.4), rebounding (10.1) and assists (6.8). He stood out against Portland last night with 29 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and three blocked shots as the Nuggets posted their second-largest margin of victory this season. PG Jamal Murray (17.6-4.1-4.6) returned from a 10-game absence because of an ankle injury to contribute 20 points and six assists in only 20 minutes. PF Paul Millsap (11.9 & 5.8) remains out, as is reserve PF/C Plumlee (7.7 & 4.0 in about 17 minutes). While Murray returned, the 6-8 Jerami Grant departed in the fourth quarter with an ankle and head coach Michael Malone said he was unsure if he will be available against the Jazz. Grant has been terrific of late, scoring double digits in 14 of his last 15 games, including 10 straight. The Nuggets could find themselves with a short bench, as Malik Beasley (7.9), Juancho Hernangomez and Jarred Vanderbilt were just traded to the Timberwolves.

Utah has dropped a season-worst four straight games and was blown out 124-107 in Portland on Saturday. "No need to panic but we've got to figure it out," Jazz All-Star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell told reporters. "It's a complete 180 to where we were about a week ago so we've got to lock in and fix it, otherwise it's going to be a (bad) All-Star break." Donovan Mitchell (24.6-4.2-4.3),  SF Bojan Bogdanovic (21.2 & 4.1) and center Rudy Gobert (15.6 & 10.8) have been terrific all season. PG Conley (12.9 & 4.1 APG) is back in the starting lineup plus Ingles (10.4-4.1-5.0) and O'Neale (6.1 & 5,20) have been solid riole players all season. Clarkson is averaging 14.9 PPG in his 19 games since coming over from Cleveland and has been an excellent addition.

Denver's in a tough scheduling spot traveling off last night's game, while the Jazz haven't played since Saturday. Not sure just how the Jazz have gone from going 19-2 SU and 17-4 ATS to an 0-4 SU & ATS skid but I'm laying the points with them here, as they had beaten the Nuggets THREE straight times prior to last week's setback (note: Clarkson scored a season-best 37 points in the recent meeting with the Nuggets).

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on the Tor Raptors at 7:35 ET.

The 31-19 Indiana Pacers have finally gotten Victor Oladipo back but they are still trying to figure out how to run the offense. They had better figure it out quickly, as they visit 36-14 Toronto on Wednesday to face the Raptors, who own the NBA's longest active winning streak at 11 in a row. The Pacers have stayed competitive without Oladipo, as they currently own the No. 5 seed but they are starting to lose touch with Toronto, which is FIVE games ahead of them as the East's No. 2 seed (Pacers are 12 games back of the Bucks, plus 3 1/2 games back of the Celtics and Heat, who are tied for the No. 3 seed). Toronto has sure made do without Kawhi, plus has fought through injuries to Siakam, Lowry, Ibaka and VanVleet.

Oladipo is on a minutes restriction and is coming off the bench while trying to find his spots in an offense that had seven scorers averaging in double figures prior to his return. He's averaged8.3 PPG in three games, while shooting horribly (20.5%, including 14.3% on threes). Oladipo wasn't the only player struggling during Monday's 112-103 home loss to Dallas, as starting PG Malcolm Brogdon went 6-of-17 from the floor, after going 4-of-13 in a 92-85 loss to New York on Saturday.That said, Brogdon has played well on the season, averaging 16.7-4.5-7.4. Sabonis (18.3-12.7-4.6) has developed into an All Star but SF Warren (18.1) sat out Monday and is questionable while in the league's concussion protocol (not good news for the Pacers).

The spot for a high-scoring, strong-shooting sixth man is open with Norman Powell (15.3) going down with a broken finger last week and Terence Davis (7.7 & 3.4) took his turn as the scoring star with a career-high 31 points on Sunday, as Toronto rolled over the Chicago Bulls 129-102. Toronto matched the franchise's longest winning streak with that triumph (note: the Raptors have won 11 straight games twice previously in franchise history: Feb 26-Mar 16, 2018, and Jan 6-30, 2016). Guards Lowry (19.4-4.5-7.3) and VanVleet (17.8 & 7.0 APG) have been excellent, while Siakam (23.7 & 7.6), Ibaka (15.5 & 8.0) and Anunoby (10.3 & 5.4) have played so well in the frontcourt  that the loss of Kawhi has been FAR from devastating.

The Raptors are averaging 120.7 points and shooting 50.4 percent from the floor, including 39.7 percent from three-point range during their 11-game winning streak. I guess Toronto has to lose sometime but why should it be here vs the Pacers, a team the Raptors have won 11 straight regular-season home games against?

Good luck...Larry

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

Greg McDermott is in his 10th season as head coach of Creighton. He arrived in 2010-11 and led the Bluejays to a runner-up finish in the CBI. Three straight NCAA teams followed, as Creighton won 29, 28 and 27 games. His lone losing season came in 2014-15 but Creighton's won 20-plus games the last four years, with two NCAA appearances and two in the NIT. Creighton knocked off now-No. 10 Villanova 76-61 on the road this past Saturday and returned to the AP poll on Monday at No. 21. The 17-5 Bluejays (6-3 in teh Big East) will put their four-game winning streak on the line tonight when the visit Providence.Ed Cooley's Providence team returned all five starters from last year's 18-16 team but the Friars have disappointed so far (12-10 / 5-4), although they are coming off a 65-61 road victory at now-No. 19 Butler this past Saturday.

Creighton opened the season starting a trio of guards in Ty-Shon Alexander (16.5 & 5.7), Marcus Zegarowski (16.1 & 5.0 APG) and Mitch Ballock (13.0 & 5.4). Highly touted 6-5 guard Denzel Mahoney became eligible in mid-December and scored 21 points in the win over Villanova and he has now scored in double digits in NINE of his 11 games (13.0 PPG). 6-5 SF Jefferson (8,5 & 5.4) and the 6-7 Bishop (8.3 & 5.6) are the team's top frontcourt performers.

Ed Cooley made some changes to his lineup for the visit to Butler, moving struggling leading scorer and rebounder Alpha Diallo (12.8 & 7.9 ) to the bench. Senior guard Luwane Pipkins (9.3), who started the first 19 games before being brought off the bench for the past three, scored a season-high 22 points in 26 minutes in the win. The Friars have depth on the perimeter with Duke (12.6-4.5-3.5), White (8.20 and Reeves (6.5) plus up front have the 6-0 Watson (9.3 & 4.4), the 6-7 Holt (5.9 & 4.5) and the 6-9 Young (4.7 & 5.1).

Providence is better than its record and after losing both times to Creighton last season and just 78-74 this season at Creighton on Jan 18, should get some "payback" here, catching the Bluejays off their upset at Villanova.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Atl-10 Game of the Year is on St Louis at 7:00 ET.

Duquesne was one of the surprise teams of this year's CBB season early on, led by head coach Keith Dambrot. Dambrot coached LBJ to back-to-back HS titles and then spent 13 seasons at Akron, winning 19 games in his first season and 20-plus games in each of the next 12. He signed a 7-year, $7 million contract. with Duquesne and went 16-16 in his first season, after the Dukes had finished 10-22 the season before. In his second season (2018-19), he led the school to its first winning record since the 2011-12 season with 19 wins and 13 losses. Duquesne opened the 2019-20 season with 10-0 mark, the team's best start since 1953-54 but the Dukes have come back to earth by going 6-5 over their last 11 games. Travis Ford made a name for himself at Oklahoma St, leading the Cowboys to FIVE "Big Dance" trips in eight seasons. However, after OSU finished 12–20 (3–15 in Big 12 play) in the 2015-16 season, it was announced that Ford and the Cowboys agreed to part ways after eight years as head coach in March of 2016. St Louis University hired him as the head basketball coach some two weeks later and he inherited a Billikens team that had gone a disappointing 11-21 each of the previous two seasons under head coach Jim Crews. However, in just his third season at St Louis (last year), Ford led the Billikens to 23 wins and an NCAA berth.

Dayton (9-0) and Rhode Island (9-1) sit atop the A-10 but St Louis (17-5 / 6-3 in the A-10) and Duquesne (16-5 / 6-3) are both quietly having excellent seasons. The Dukes visit Chaifetz Arena in St Louis, Mo for an important A-10 game tonight against the Billikens. Duquesne's 6-5 SF Weathers (14.5 & 7.9) is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, while PG Carry (11.4-3.9-4.6) leads in assists. Dunn-Martin (9.1) and freshman Austin (8.3 & 4.2) join Carry in the backcourt, while the 6-8 Hughes (10.1 & 6.7) and the 6-11 Steele (8.8 & 4.9) are the team's best big man. The 6-6 Javonte Perkins scored a career-high 33 points, as St Louis defeated St Joseph's 78-73 on Saturday night for the Billikens' third straight win. Perkins is averaging 13.4 PPG, right behind junior guard Goodwin who is averaging 14.8 PPG and 10.9 RPG. The 6-7 French adds 12.2 PPG and matches Goodwin with a team-high 10.9 RPG. PG Collins leads the Billikens in assists with 5.5 APG.

The Dukes beat the Billikens in the first meeting  but as noted, Duquesne has 'cooled' after its red-hot start. Duquene enters this game 1-5 ATS its last six and will face a St Louis team which is 11-2 SU at home, losing only to now-No. 12 Seton Hall and to now-No. 6 Dayton (in OT) here at Chaifetz Arena. The 'price' is more than manageable and avenging a 14-point loss to the Dukes back on Jan 2 seems HIGHLY-likely! Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

Shantay Legans was named the coach at Eastern Washington in March of 2017, after Jim Hayford left to take the Seattle job. Legans was an assistant under Hayward and has led the Eagles to back-to-back Big Sky championship games, although Montana has beaten Eastern Washington both times. The Eagles are currently 14-6 overall, including 7-2 in league play just percentage points ahead of 8-3 Montana in the Big Sky. The Eagles travel to Flagstaff, Az on Monday to take on the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. Shane Burcar was coaching at Mesa HS in the spring of 2017 but spent last season as an assistant to Jack Murphy at Northern Arizona. He was named interim head coach for the 2019-20 season when Murphy took an assistant's job at Arizona. Burcar has done an excellent job, as No. Az comes in on a five-game winning streak, which leaves them 12-7 overall, including 6-4 in league play (more in a bit).

Eastern Washington also comes in on a five-game winning streak, the most recent win coming 59-54 Sacramento State. That 59-point effort was an aberration, as the Eagles are averaging 82.2 PPG (5th in the nation). The team's 'Core 4' is lead by junior guard Jacob Davison (17.9 & 3.7), 6-8 senior Mason Peatling (15.9 & 8.4), 6-7 sophomore Kim Aiken Jr. (14.8 & 10.2) and freshman PG Ellis Magnuson (6.1 & 5.3 APG). Leading Northern Arizona in scoring is sophomore PG Cameron Shelton (13.7-6.1-4.2), while 6-9 senior Brooks DeBisschop adds 11.2 PPG and a team-high 7.8 RPG. Guards Avdalovic (10.9) and Satterwhite (8.8) plus the 6-7 Andre (8.5 & 6.3) round out the main contributors.

Here's the rub. A 12-7 mark may not seem like a big deal but it IS when one considers that Northern Arizona is coming off seasons of 10, 5, 9 and 5 wins! Much like in the Big Ten, home courts are proving formidable throughout the Big Sky this season. The Lumberjacks are 7-2 SU at Walkup Skydome and Eastern Washington 'limps in' on a 3-6-1 ATS its last 10 games. The Lumberjacks were not able to compete against the Eagles last season (lost both) but it's a different story this season. The Eagles' run game doesn’t "get up and go' as easily away from Cheney, Wa (see final score at Sac St, above) and the 7,000-foot Flagstaff elevation won't help. Eastern Washington is allowing 74.5 PPG (298th), so the home team is the play in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on 7:05 ET.

The Golden State Warriors ended a five-game losing streak with Saturday's 131-112 victory at Cleveland. The performance brough back memories of the team which went to FIVE straight NBA Finals and won three championships in the last five seasons. SEVEN players scored in double figures in a balanced effort, as Golden State shot 53.3 percent from the floor and totaled 39 assists on 48 made field goals, while knocking down 18 three-pointers. However, the reality is that the win was just the 11-39 Warriors' SECOND in their last 16 games! The 17-31 Washington Wizards are not much better than Golden St but the Wizards have picked up wins in each of their last two games, improving to .500 at home (11-11) with a 113-107 in over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.

Forward Draymond Green (8.4-6.3-6.2) is the lone key player remaining from the team's recent championship core and he matched a career high with 16 assists on Saturday, while adding seven rebounds. However, while Green has been a major part of Golden State's success the last five season, he thrives with talent around him, which this team can't provide with its current make-up. D'Angelo Russell (23.8 & 6.3 APG) is the team's top-producer these days, while Burks (15.8 & 4.7) is the team's second-leading scorer, mostly off the bench. SF Glenn Robinson III (12.7) and guard Damion Lee (11.7 & 5.1) combined to go 17-of-24 from the floor on Saturday but expecting this team to put together a string of good outings has proven to be a 'bridge too far' this season.

Washington guard Bradley Beal (28.8-4.5-6.3) was miffed about not being included on the All-Star team when reserves were announced on Thursday and  he's responded with 34 points, nine rebounds and nine assists in a win over Charlotte the night before scoring 34 again in Saturday's triumph. Beal got plenty of help against the Nets, with the team's four-man bench crew of Thomas Bryant (17 points), Davis Bertans (11), Ish Smith (11) and Troy Brown (eight) combining for 47 points. That quartet is better than most think, as Bertans averages 14.9 & 4.6,  Bryant 12.9 & 7.4, Smith 11.0 & 4.6 APG and Brown 10.6 & 5.8. More good news comes Washington's way in that rookie  PF Rui Hachimura (13.9 & 5.8) sat out the last 23 games with a groin injury but is practicing with the team and could return Monday.

I have mostly stayed away from Golden St games this season but I'll "get involved" here. The ONLY time the Warriors have posted back-to-back wins this season was their four-game winning streak From Dec 20-27. It was right after that, when the Warriors began their recent 2-14 SU run. Note that ALL four of the Warriors' wins in that four-game win streak came at home and  Golden State had lost 10 in a row and 16 of 17 SU as a visitor prior to winning Saturday at Cleveland. Don’t  look  now but Washington is 6-1 SU & ATS in its last seven at Capital One Arena. What's more, Beal has backed some strong words about not being selected among the Eastern Conference reserves by scoring 34 or more points in SIX straight games, a run in which he's averaged 38.2 PPG, the second-best clip in the NBA behind Damian Lillard's historic 48.8. Never thought I'd say this but lay the points with the Wizards against the Warriors!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Hou Rockets at 2:05 ET.

The New Orleans Pelicans lost 13 straight games from Nov 23 through Dec 17 and sat at 6-22. However, the Pelicans head to Houston on "Super Sunday" having gone 14-7 (16-4-1 ATS) since snapping that 13-game slide and at 20-29, find themselves within 'shouting distance' of the West's No. 8 seed (4 1/2 games back). You may have heard the "Zion the Great' made his much-anticipated NBA debut on Jan 22 and in his first five games, has averaged 19.2 & 7.8. New Orleans lost his first two games but the Pels are 3-0 SU & ATS the last three times out, averaging a whopping 129.0 PPG.

The Houston Rockets were an NBA-best 65-17 in the 2017-18 season but won 12 fewer games last season, going 53-29. Houston enters this contest 30-18, which puts them on a pace to win 51 games this season.The Rockets lost four in a row from Jan 14-20 but have won four of six while dealing with Harden's shooting slump and some nagging injuries to center Clint Capela. Houston received a combined 67 points, 22 rebounds, 15 assists and seven steals from former MVPs Russell Westbrook and James Harden in Friday's 128-121 win over Dallas. That contest began a three-game homestand but while Harden continues to lead the NBA in scoring at 35.6 PPG, he's fallen shy of that mark in SEVEN straight outings.

Zion Williamson has the look of a player who could win multiple MVPs one day and New Orleans outscored Memphis by 25 points while Williamson was on the court Friday. However, the good news coming out of New Orleans in NOT just about Zion. The Pelicans have to be thrilled with the three Lakers they got for A.D. SF Ingram (24.9-6.3-4.3) has been the team's best player from Opening Day, while PG Ball (11.9-4.7-5.9) continues to improve his game and SG Hart (10.5 & 6.2) has been a steady player. Holiday (20.0-4.8-6.4) was already an established All Star plus FA addition Redick is doing what he does best. He's averaging 15.6 PPG, while shooting 46.7% on threes. Then there are PG Moore (9.9), center Favors (9.8 & 10.0 in 30 games) and rookie PF Hayes (8.4 & 4.5).

Is the Harden (35.6-6.4-7.20 and Westbrook (26.5-8.0-7.4) pairing going to allow Houston to "take the next step?" The early call would have to be, "not likely." Gordon is back healthy and averaging 16.0 PPG plus center Capela (13.9 & 13.8) has been VERY good. The Rockets have quality role players in House (10.3 & 4.1), McLemore (10.1), Rivers (8.6) and Tucker (7.5 & 7.1). Capela (heel) sat out Friday's game vs Dallas and head coach Mike D'Antoni started a small lineup that featured nobody taller than 6-6. Houston became the first NBA team to play a game without a player listed taller than 6-foot-6 since the Knicks in a Jan 31, 1963, loss to the Chicago Zephyrs. "You've got to hunker down and let's go and get in front of guys,"  D'Antoni told reporters of the mindset with a height disadvantage. "If we do that and we get conscientious about boxing out and getting back, we could make this lineup pretty good." Capela's expected to miss Sunday's game, so the Rockets could opt to go small at center with the 6-6 P.J. Tucker or go with 7-0 rookie Isaiah Hartenstein (5.1 & 3.4 in 20 games, averaging 12 1/2 minutes).

I'm really no fan of D'Antoni, Harden or Westbrook but that has NOTHING to do with "picking games!" I realize that New Orleans has covered the first three meetings this season with Houston , despite losing the first two SU, but "my gut" says the hype on New Orleans is 'growing' too fast. The Pelicans have played FOUR of Zion's first five games at home and the lone road game came at sad-sack Cleveland (win there means little). This is a BIG showcase and test, playing on ABC on "Super Sunday." The former MVPs should "come up big" here, vs "Zion the Great" and his talented cast. I'm laying the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Big East) is on St John's at 1:00 ET.

Georgetown and St. John's were once 'giants' in the Big East but when the two schools meet on "Super Sunday" at Madison Square Garden (for the 115th time!), it will be to stay out of the conference 'basement.'. The Hoyas went 10-3 in non-conference games but are 2-6 in the Big East, leaving them 12-9, overall. The Red Storm opened with an 11-2 non-conference mark but are 2-7 in Big East play, giving them a 13-9 record, overall. This is NOT "Big John" vs "Little Lou" nor Patrick vs Chris but at least ONE of those four will be present this afternoon for this game at "The World's Most Famous Arena."

This is Patrick Ewing's third season at Georgetown and after a 15-15 'rookie' year, his Hoyas won 19 games last season but lost in the first round of the NIT. The good news entering the current season was, FOUR starters returned. Losing Jessie Govan (17.5 & 7.5) from last year was a big deal but what was NOT expected was that returning guard Akinjo played just seven games before deciding to transfer (he was averaging 13.4 & 4.4 APG) plus the 6-7 LeBlanc (averaging 7.2) also decided to transfer. Georgetown's best player is the 7-0 Omer Yurtseven, who averages 16.3 & 9.7 but note that sophomore guard Mac McClung, who had 24 points in the first game against St. John's (an 87-66 Georgetown home win), has overtaken Yurtseven for the team lead in scoring at 16.4 PPG. McClung is surrounded by a trio of guards combining for 22 PPG. The 6-8 Pickett (8.7 & 6.1) starts up front, while 6-11 freshman Qudus Wahab (4.7 & 3.5 in 11 1/2 minutes per game) continues to try to make the most of the limited minutes he gets as the backup to Yurtseven.

Chris Mullin resigned after last season, ending a disappointing four-year run at his alma mater.The Red Storm posted losing records in his first three seasons but last year's team went 21-13 and did make an NCAA appearance (no small deal, as it was just this once-proud basketball program's THIRD Big Dance appearance in 17 years!). Taking over was Mike Anderson, who came to renown at UAB and Missouri, before returning to Arkansas . His eight-year run with the Razorbacks didn't go as planned, as the school made just three NCAA appearances. At the end of last year (18-16, including 8-10 in the SEC), he was fired, marking the end of a 25-year association with Arkansas as both an assistant and head basketball coach. Anderson is 59-years-old and had NO connection to NYC, so he was a surprise choice. As noted, the non-conference part of the season went well for St John's and the Red Storm did beat then-No. 16 Arizona in San Francisco plus won at home now-No. 12 West Va.  The 6-6 Figueroa (15.1 & 4.8) and the 6-5 Heron (13.7) returned in the backcourt plus guard Dunn has averaged  12.6-3.9-3.2 after being given the OK to play (was a transfer from Cleveland St). 6-7 freshman Champagnie (8.3 & 6.0) has not been quite as good as advertised but he's been solid. Returning forwards Earlington (8.0 & 4.4) and Roberts (5.9 & 6.2) have both been steady performers.

OK, this is no longer a "must-see" rivalry but I really like St John's in this one. It's still a "Big Game" for the Red Storm, playing at their home away from home on "Super Sunday," against a longtime rival and playing with revenge for that '3 TD' loss in D.C. Georgetown is 0-4 on the Big East road, losing by 16 at Providence, 16 at Seton Hall, 14 at Villanova and by nine at Xavier. Sure, the Red Storm's lone Big East wins have come over DePaul (1-8 in Big East play) but St John's barely lost here to now-No. 16 Butler (60-58) and now-No. 10 Seton Hall (82-79). The Hoyas are 'ripe for the plucking' and that's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* "Signature" 36-Club Play is on Boise St at 10:00 ET.

All teams in the MWC are "looking up" at SD State, which is 22-0 overall, including 11-0 in conference play. Nevada (13-9) and Boise State(14-8) met tonight at Taco Bell Arena with the two schools tied at 6-4 in MWC play with Utah St and Colorado St, just a half-game back of second-place UNLV (6-3). Eric Mussleman led Nevada to the CBI title in his first season (2015-16) and then to three straight NCAA appearances with win totals of 28, 29 and 29. However, Musselman left for Arkansas and was replaced by Steve Alford. The former Indiana star had coaching success at Missouri St and New Mexico but was generally viewed as a 'flop' at UCLA, where he was fired during last season. He took over a team that lost all FIVE starters. Boise State's Leon Rice is in his 10th season and Boise and he's led the Broncos to 20-plus wins in seven of his first nine, although the Broncos are coming off a 13-20 season a year ago, going 7-11 in league play.

Nevada is led by a deep backcourt. Jalen Harris, a La Tech transfer, leads the way averaging 19.5-6.1-4.2. He's joined by returning guards Johnson (16.3), Drew (11.8-6.3-4.4) and Zouzoua (9.4).
The Wolf Pack feature a pair of 6-10 big men but neither freshman Meeks (6.7 & 3.8) nor senior Reyes (4.7 & 4.4) are much of a factor. Boise St features a "big" backcourt of the 6-9 Alston (19.5 & 5.3)) and the 6-7 Jessup (15.3 & 4.4). Senior Hobbs (7.9) is a more traditional guard plus the 6-6 Kigab (13.7 & 4.0) and the 6-7 Williams (12.0 & 8.2) have proven to be solid frontcourt players. Kigab was an Oregon transfer who became eligible in December and he's really helped this team.

Hard to see Nevada being in a good frame of mind after it blew a 10-point lead with eight minutes to play in a stinging, last-second 92-91 loss at Colorado State on Wednesday.  That defeat dropped the Wolf Pack to 1-6 in true road games on the season. Nevada's D has been horrible on the road with its lone win coming 100-85 at Air Force and the team has allowed 79.3 PPG in its six road defeats. Boise St is averaging 79.3 PPG (22nd) on the season and likely can't wait to get a shot at Nevada, which beat them all THREE times last season, plus handled them easily (83-66) in Reno back on Jan 4. Boise St is 10-1 SU at home this season (current NINE-game winning streak), going 8-2 ATS. "The Price is Right" for a Boise win AND cover!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on the Bos Celtics at 8:35 ET.

Boston had Philly’s number the past couple of years and won another three of four last season. The teams met way back on Oct 23 at Philly, with the Celtics taking a 7-2 SU & 8-1 ATS run the last nine meetings against the 76ers. However, what a difference a year can make. Philadelphia beat Boston 107-93 in that season-opener for both teams and has since beaten them twice more, 115-109 in Boston and 109-98 at Philly, despite playing without Embiid.Philly goes for the series sweep tonight in Boston, with the Sixers checking in at 31-18 (No. 6 seed) and the Celtics at 32-15 (No. 3 seed). All East teams are chasing Milwaukee but the FIVE teams from the No. 2 through the No. 6 seed in the East are separated by only 4 1/2 games.

Joel Embiid (23.3& 12.3) missed nine games with a finger injury (Philly went 6-3) but has shown no rust in two games since returning. He averaged 22.5 points on 63.0 percent shooting and 12.0 rebounds since coming back earlier in the week, as Philadelphia defeated Golden State at home but then fell 127-117 in Atlanta. PG Ben Simmons (16.6-7.7-8.3) joined Embiid as an All-Star selection Thursday, scored 31 points at Atlanta and finished January with an average of 22.2 points on 62.6 percent shooting. Embiid's return has been somewhat muted as SG Richardson (15.0 PPG) was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in 2-to-3 weeks. However, Shake Milton (6.3 PPG in 16 games) had the best game of his career with personal bests of 27 points and six assists while making 5-of-9 three-pointers in the loss at Atlanta.. Power forward Al Horford (12.5-6.7-4.0) sat out vs the Hawks with a sore knee but he is expected to play tonight against his former team.

The Celtics dropped SIX of eight from Jan 6-18 but have won FIVE of their last six, after a 119-104 victory over the Warriors on Thursday. Gordon Hayward (17.2-6.3-3.9) scored 25 points and Jayson Tatum (21.5 & 6.9) marked his first career All-Star selection with 21 points as Boston improved to 19-5 at home. Tatum had missed the previous three games with a groin issue before going 7-of-14 in 24 minutes vs Golden State. PG Kemba Walker (22.0-4.0-5.) also made the All Star team but was added to the injury report Friday with left knee soreness and is questionable for tonight's game. Walker missed a game with the ailment earlier this month and  he was held to 13 points on 5-for-13 shooting in a 119-104 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night. Reserve big man Enes Kanter (9.5 & 8.2) has a right hip contusion and could also miss. Theis (8.1 & 6.2) typically starts but Kanter is the more conventional center.

Figuring out injuries (how serious and who will or will not play) has become a daily challenge this year, along with the infamous "load management" issue. I've "passed on" games this season only to see a player listed as "doubtful" or even "out" play and play WELL! I'm done over-analyzing these things (it's been a GREAT season, so far!). After dominating Philly recently (see above), the Celtics are 0-3 against them this season. How CAN'T the play be on Boston here, which needs to prove it can beat the Sixers? After all, Philly is just 9-16 SU on the road this season, going 7-16-2 ATS. Walker or NO Walker, I'm on Boston.

Good luck...Larry

My 8* Las Vegas Insider is on Tulsa at 6:00 ET.

Wichita St is 17-3 and ranked 23rd in the AP poll and the Shockers will visit Tulsa to take on a Golden Hurricane team which is 14-6. However, Tulsa has 'caught fire' since the American Athletic Conference portion of its schedule began. The Golden Hurricane have won FIVE in a row and at 6-1, trail only 7-1 Houston in the AAC standings. Wichita St may be the ranked team but the Shockers are 5-2 in AC, behind not only Houston and Tulsa but also 6-2 Cincinnati (Bearcats host the Cougars, tonight).

Gregg Marshall led Winthrop to seven NCAA appearances in nine seasons and since taking over in Wichita, entered this season with a string of 10 consecutive seasons of 22 or more wins, including FOUR, 30-win seasons. In that 10-year span, the Shockers have been to seven NCAA tourneys (including a Final 4 appearance in 2013) and in three NITs (won title in 2011). Wichita St hasn't played since last Saturday, when the Shockers won 87-79 victory over Central Florida. The Shockers had one of their best all-around performances against UCF as they assisted on 20-of-24 made baskets, outrebounded the Knights 45-28, and grabbed nine offensive boards leading to a 19-3 disparity in second-chance points. Marshall's team goes eight-deep, led by sophomore guard Erik Stevenson (12.4 & 4.9). 6-10 senior center Echenique (10.9 & 5.8) comes in right behind Stevenson and just ahead of a trio of guards, Burton (10.5-3.8-3.5), Etienne (9.9) and Sherfeld (8.8). The 6-6 Wade (8.1 & 6.2), a transfer from UTEP. starts up front plus guard Dennis (7.8 & 4.8) and the 6-8 Udeze (5.3 & 3.4) provide excellent depth.

Tulsa head coach Frank Haith has had stops at Miami-Fl and Missouri before coming to Tulsa, where he led the Golden Hurricane to back-to-back 20-win seasons in his first two seasons at the school. However, Tulsa entered this season on a three-year postseason drought, so the sudden surge has been "big news" in Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane are coming off a pair of memorable victories last week, as they routed then-No. 20 Memphis 80-40 at home, before earning a 79-75 overtime triumph on the road Sunday against UConn. Much like Wichita St, Tulsa has EIGHT players averaging between 4.9 and 14.8 PPG. The top-five producers are all juniors and seniors, so experience helps. Guard Rachal leads in scoring (14.8) and rebounding (6.3), followed by the 6-7 Horne (12.1 & 5.3) and the 6-8 Igbanu (11.0 & 4.7). The second unit played a decisive role in Sunday’s win against the Huskies as they accounted for 46 of the team’s 79 poins, including a career-best 28 from Igbanu. Guard Darien Jackson (9.0 & 3.7)  scored 14 points in 30 minutes off the bench, while Elijah Joiner  (6.6-3.7-3.4) flirted with a triple-double as the guard finished with seven points, seven rebounds and eight assists.

I'm a big Wichita St fan but Tulsa comes in 6-2 SU (7-1 ATS) since Dec 29 and 10-1 SU at home on the season, with that lone loss coming back on Dec 7 to Ark St, as 12 1/2-point favorite (hiccup). Tulsa just double-upped Memphis 8-40 on this court and not lomg ago, handed Houston its lone conference loss, 63-61 here at at the Reynolds Center. Tulsa 'rolls on' with another win over a ranked team.

Good luck...Larry

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

Kelvin Sampson's squad lost FOUR starters from last year's 33-4 team that reached the Sweet 16. However, his Cougars were still picked to win the American Athletic Conference, and so far, so good. The 21st-ranked Cougars are 17-4 and sit atop the AAC at 7-1.However, the AAC is tightly-contested this season, as Houston lead Tulsa by a half-game, Cincy by one and Wichita St by 1 1/2. The Bearcats are off a 28-7 season, while making their NINTH straight NCAA appearance. However, head coach Mick Cronin left for UCLA (he may want to come back?), with John Brannen coming from No. Kentucky to take over. He won 20-plus games in each of the last three seasons, earning the Norse NCAA bids in 2017 and 2019. The Bearcats are 13-7 (matching their loss total from last season) but at 6-2, are "right there" in the AAC.
The Cougars are riding a five-game winning streak and a big reason is the emergence of redshirt freshman guard Caleb Mills, who's averaging 13.1 PPG coming off the bench for the season  (which leads the team) and 16.3 in the last seven games after scoring a team-high 18 in a 69-59 victory over East Carolina on Wednesday night. Kansas transfer Quentin Grimes averages 12.4 & 3.8, while 6-5 guard Nate Hinton adds 10.4 PPG plus a team-high 9.3 RPG. The 6-7 White (10.3 & 5.5) is a fourth double digit scorer, while guards Jarreau (9.8-4.2-3.8) and Sasser (6.2) are solid contributors.

Jarron Cumberland was the 2019 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, averaging 18.8-4.4-3.6 assists. However, he was the ONLY Cincy player to average in double digits last season. Cumberland and Brannen supposedly had some issues early on but that seems to be in the past, as he's coming off a season-best 28-point, nine-rebound effort in a 65-43 rout of SMU on Tuesday to boost his scoring average to a team-best 14.9 PPG (also adds 3.7 RPG and 4.1 APG). Unlike last season, two other teammates join him in double digits, 7-1 center Chris Vogt, (13.0 & 6.5) plus guard Williams (12.1 & 5.2). Right behind that trio are Jaevin Cumberland (Jarron;'s cousin), who's averaging 9.8 PPG and the 6-8 Scott (9.0 & 9.2).

No arguing that Kelvin Sampson has another quality team, as Houston's only AAC loss was by two points to Tulsa, and its other three setbacks came by a combined 19 points to BYU, Oregon and Oklahoma State. However, winning at Cincy's Fifth Third Arena is no easy task, which is actually a HUGE understatement. The Bearcats are 11-1 at home this season, upping their home record to 113-12 (.904) since joining the AAC back in the 2013-14 season. Lay the 'short' price!

Good luck..Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Michigan at 4;30 ET.

No. 25 Rutgers  (16-5 / 7-3 Big Ten) is looking to stay on track for its first NCAA Tournament berth in 28 years in 2020 and will take on 12-8 Michigan (3-6 Big Ten) as part of the Big Ten’s Super Saturday series at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Saturday. Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell is in his fourth season at the school, having gone 44-54 in his first three. Coming off a a 14-17 season a year ago, Rutgers was picked 12th (of 14 schools) in the Big Ten preseason polls but the Scarlet Knights are off to their best start since the 1996-97 season and is ranked for the first time since the end of the 1978-79 season,

John Beilein left Michigan to take the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers, after leading the Wolverines to NINE NCAA tourneys in his 12 years (twice lost in the national championship game). Taking over is former Fab Fiver Juwan Howard, who would have to replace forward Ignas Brazdeikis (14.8 & 5.4) plus guards Jordan Poole (12.8) and Charles Matthews (12.2 & 5.0). Michigan opened the season unranked but began 7-0, after winning the Battle 4 Atlantis (Thanksgiving week). The Wolverines shocked then-No. 6 North Carolina (73-64) and  now-No. 2 Gonzaga in the championship game. When "the dust had settled," Michigan wound up No. 4 in the AP poll on Dec 4. However, the Wolverines have gone 5-8 over their last 13 games and will need a STRONG finish to garner any support for an at-large NCAA bid.

The Scarlet Knights have won back-to-back games against Nebraska (75-72) and Purdue (70-63), moving into a tie for second place in the Big Ten standings. Pikiel took his team to Spain in August and Rutgers went 4-0, while jelling as a unit. The "breakout star" of that trip was guard Ron Harper, who averaged 17.0 PPG on 53 percent shooting. He's currently Rutgers' leading scorer, averaging 12.0 PPG and adding 5.9 RPG. PG Baker (10.1 & 3.6 APG) plus a trio of guards (Young, McConnell and Mathis) combine to add right around 23 PPG. Up front, the 6-6 Yeboah (19.9 & 4.4) and the 6-10 Johnson (9.21& 8.0) are the biggest contributors. McConnell went a perfect 12-of-12 from the free throw line, en route to 16 points and seven rebounds in the win against Purdue. Yeboah, Harper and Baker all scored 10 points while Mathis finished with nine to help the Scarlet Knights improve to 15-0 at home, which is the best record in the nation.

Michigan ended a four-game losing streak with a 79-68 at Nebraska on Tuesday. The Wolverines were missing two key starters after Zavier Simpson was suspended for violating team policies and Isaiah Livers re-aggravated a groin injury, which kept him out of the lineup for six games, but they grinded out their first road win of the season. Eli Brooks (11.3) filled in admirably at point guard with Simpson suspended as he scored a game-high 20 points to go along with nine rebounds and four assists in the win. Franz Wagner (10.6) added 18 points and nine rebounds while the 6-7 Johns (5.7 & 4.3) finished with a career-high 16 points on 4-of-5 shooting from the floor. Simpson (12.8-4.3-8.3) leads the nation in assists but saw his streak of consecutive games played end at 135 due to the suspension. He is expected to be reinstated for Saturday, while the 6-7 while Livers(13.1 & 3.4) is considered day-to-day. Getting Livers back would be a real help to the 7-1 Teske, who is Michigan's top scorer (13.7) and rebounder (7.7)

I've played Rutgers a number of times at home but away from "the RAC," I am not sold on the "overachieving" (?) Scarlet Knights. The Wolverines are 3-0 in neutral site games this season (see performance at Battle 4 Atlantis) and earning their first true road win (albeit against Nebraska), had to be a boost. What's more,  it can't hurt Michigan's confidence that Rutgers has lost ALL 10 games it has played against Michigan in program history. Michigan has won the last five meetings with Rutgers by an average margin of 10.4 PPG, including  the only meeting between the schools last season, 77-65.Michigan makes it a "lucky 11" straight wins over Rutgers at historic MSG!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on West Va at 2:00 ET.

Bob Huggins became famous while coaching Cincinnati, leading the Bearcats to 16 straight postseason berths, including 14 straight NCAA bids. He was 'forced out' and after spending a year out of the coaching profession, accepted the head coaching job at Kansas State. It was a one-year 'pit stop' (23-12), as he returned to Morgantown (where he was born) to take the West Va job. As expected, he's led West Va to postseason berths in NINE of 12 seasons but is coming off just his second losing season with the Mountaineers, as they were just 15-21 in the 2018-19 season (4-14 in the Big 12 left them in last-place). However, this year's Mountaineers are 16-4 (4-3 in the Big 12) and ranked 12th in the latest AP poll. West Va welcomes Kansas St to Morgantown on Saturday afternoon. The Wildcats are led by Bruce Weber, who also owns an impressive coaching resume. He spent five seasons at Southern Illinois, with his last two teams earning back-to-back NCAA bids while winning 52 games. He then spent nine seasons at Illinois, going to the "Big Dance" six times, highlighted by a loss in the national championship game in 2005 to North Carolina (team finished 37-2). He's in his eighth season at Kansas St, earning NCAA bids in FIVE of his first seven (last two teams have each won 25 games) but the Wildcats are just 9-11 so far this season, including 2-5 in the Big 12.

Weber lost three key players off last year's 25-win team, guard Brown (14.6 & 4.1) and Stokes (11.0) plus the 6-9 Wade (12.9 & 6.2). Weber hasn't been able to replace those losses, as 6-5 SF Sneed (14.6 & 4.7) and PG Diarra (13.0-4.3-5.0) are the team's lone double-digit scorers. Kansas State beat Oklahoma 61-53 on Wednesday.The Wildcats held the Sooners to 35 percent shooting, including 4-of-21 beyond the arc, and won for the seventh time when holding the opposition to under 60 points. "We talked about energy and effort," Bruce Weber said. "That was our number one thing on the board. I thought we had great effort. They're one of the best teams at taking care of the ball in the country. You get 19 (turnovers) and you get 18 points off those turnovers. We were very, very active."

West Va has two very good big men in 6-9 freshman Tshiebwe (11.4 & 9.1) and 6-10 Sophomore Culver (10.7 & 9.0) plus a solid guard duo in freshman McBride (10.4) and senior Haley (9.4 & 4.7). Bob Huggins' teams have always been known for playing defense and West Va began Wednesday's game at Texas Tech as one of the top defensive teams in the nation but the Red Raiders shot a season-high 64.7 percent beyond the arc, making 54.3% overall. Culver scored 16 points on 14-of-16 from the free-throw line but was limited to 17 minutes by fouls, while his frontcourt partner Tshiebwe managed only four points, three rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes.

Talk about walking into a 'hornet's nest?' Kansas St has the unenviable task of visiting Morgantown with Huggins' team coming off allowing 89 points in the loss to Texas Tech. Despite that effort, West Va is allowing only 61.6 PPG (23rd) on 36.6% shooting (3rd), including 27.2% (4th) on threes. What's more, the Wildcats shocked the Mountaineers 84-68 at Manhattan (as a six-point home dog) a little more than two weeks ago (Jan 14)., shooting 59.2% from the floor (9 of 18 on threes). Want more, Kansas St beat West Va both times last season, as well. Huggins crew will be 'breathing fire' in this contest and K-St is is the WRONG place at the WRONG time! Blowout alert.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Horizon) is on Northern Kentucky at 9:00 ET.

John Brannen led the Northern Kentucky Norse to three straight 20-plus winning seasons the previous three years and to the "Big Dance" in two of those three seasons. However, he left for the 'greener pastures' of Cincinnati after the conclusion of last season. Darrin Horn, who and excellent head coaching success at Western Kentucky but flopped at South Carolina, took over. Horn had recently been an assistant for Shaka Smart at Texas and his Norse are 14-7 overall, including 6-3 in Horizon play. Hosting Northern Kentucky on Friday is the Green Bay Phoenix, who are just 10-12 on the season, including 6-4 in Horizon action. Head coach Linc Darner is in his fifth season at Green Bay and opened this season with four returning starters from last year, when the Phoenix made it to the CIT championship game with four straight wins, before losing 90-70 at Marshall.

Northern Kentucky's 6-7 senior Dantez Walton was averaging 18.4 & 7.2 but hasn't played since Dec 30 because of an arm injury. It's helped that 6-6 redshirt junior Jalen Tate (9.9-4.3-3.9) returned from an injury about the same time. Full-season contributors have been senior guard Tyler Sharpe (16.5) and sophomore guard Trevon Faulkner (13.0 & 4.0). The 6-8 Adrian Nelson (4.7 PPG) is the team's leading rebounder (6.2) with Walton sidelined. Despite the loss of Walton, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, Northern Kentucky had won FIVE in row before 'running into a brick wall' at Wright St last Friday, losing 95-63.

Green Bay saw its three-game winning streak get snapped with a 98-94 road loss in overtime against Youngstown State last Saturday. The Phoenix are a guard-oriented team, led by three double digit backcourt starters. Seniors McCloud (16.3-5.0-4.9) and Pipes (10.9) are joined by freshman Davis (15.7 & 3.6). Up front, the 6-8 Patterson (5.8 & 5.0) and the 6-6 McNair (5.8 & 3.7)  represent a very so-so frontcourt presence.

Green Bay can score (81.9 PPG ranks 8th) but the Phoenix play very loose on the defensive end (80.7 PPG allowed ranks 344th). Northern Kentucky isn’t the best team in the Horizon League, as Wright State proved that last Friday, but I believe the Norse are still the SECOND-BEST team. Northern Kentucky has had a week to 'stew' since that embarrassing loss last Friday at Dayton against the Raiders and I expect an excellent "bounce-back" effort here. Northern Kentucky was 7-3 ATS on the road prior to last Friday and should find Green Bay a much more 'welcoming' host, as the Phoenix are a money-burning 1-6-1 ATS at home this season. Small road fave is the play!

Good luck...Larry

My free play is on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET.

The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets are both 29-18, leaving them tied for 5th in the Western Conference, SEVEN games back of the top-seeded Lakers and three games back of the Clippers and Nuggets (tied for the second seed). The Mavs enter this game on a 2-3 run and will take on the Rockets without Luka Doncic, who did not accompany the team on the flight to Houston after spraining his right ankle in practice late Thursday. Houston followed a spirited, short-handed 126-117 win at Utah on Monday but then with both Harden and Westbrook back in the lineup on Wednesday, threw in a defensive clunker in losing 125-112 at Portland on Wednesday.

Dallas is looking to rebound from a shaky performance of its own, as it allowed a season-worst point total in Tuesday's 133-14 home loss to the Suns. Doncic (28.8-9.5-8.7) is having a Westbrook-like season and Porzingis (16.8 & 8.9) has thrived serving as a second fiddle to Donci. Hardway (14.1) been a consistent scorer plus Seth Curry is adding 10.6 PPG. However, the season-ending injury to center Powell (9.4 & 5.7) hurts. Willie Cauley-Stein made his team debut against the Suns on Tuesday but had four points and three rebounds in 12 minutes.

James Harden (35.7-6.2-7.2) is in a deep shooting slump. He returned from a two-game injury hiatus against Portland but went just 5 of 18 in the loss. He's now 69-of-210 (32.9 percent) from the floor over his last 10 appearances (Rockets are 4-6 in those games). Westbrook (26.3-8.1-7.4). Westbrook has scored 30-plus points in EIGHT of his last nine contests but the Rockets are just 3-9 in that nine-game span. Is the Harden/Westbrook combo really working? Shooting guard Eric Gordon (15.9) has been back healthy for awhile now but scored just eight points on 2-of-10 shooting in the loss at Portland, just two nights after erupting for a career-best 50 points in Utah.

Doncic missed four games in December with a sprain of the same ankle, with the Mavericks splitting the four contests. Porzingis averaged 22.5 points and 13.8 rebounds while blocking 2.8 shots during that stretch. However, Powell is lost for the season now and Hardway is listed as questionable with a bad back. I'm no fan of either Harden or Westbrook (not sold on the duo's meshing, either) but the Rockets will surely remember the Mavericks winning 137-123 at Houston back on Nov 24 (note: Doncic recorded 41 points and 10 assists in the victory). No Doncic or Powell plus maybe no Hardaway. I want no part of Dallas in this one, so I'll make a small play on the Rockets. Houston not only has Harden and Westbrook but Gordon and Rivers (he scored 17 points vs Portland for his fifth straight double-digit outing) in the backcourt plus center Capela (13.9 & 13.8) and PF Tucker (7.5 & 7.2) up front. Then there are House 10.2) and McLemore (10.0) on the wings.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Den Nuggets at 10:35 ET.

The Utah Jazz won 19 of 21 games from Dec 11 through Jan 25 but have suddenly lost back-to-back games, 126-117 at home vs the Rockets on Monday and 127-120 last night in San Antonio to the Spurs. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have led the Northwest Division for most of the season but in January, have been dealing with injuries to key rotation players. That said, they had won EIGHT of 11 contests before suffering a 104-96 road loss against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. The two teams share the third-best record in the West (32-15), as they meet tonight in Denver for the first of FOUR times over the final 35 games of the season.

Utah's 19-2 run saw them go 17-4 ATS but all of a sudden, the team's defense has 'gone missing!' Despite playing without Harden and Westbrook, the Rockets scored 126 points in Salt Lake City, with Eric Gordon scoring a career-high 50 points. Utah then allowed 70 first-half points on Wednesday at San Antonio, as the Spurs shot 56.1 percent from the floor and DeMar DeRozan scored a season-best 38 points. Donovan Mitchell (25.0-4.2-4.2) scored 31 points last night, topping 20 for the eighth consecutive time and is averaging 29.1 points during that stretch. Backup guard Jordan Clarkson (13.8 PPG in 17 games since coming over from Cleveland) had 20 off the bench, while center Rudy Gobert (15.7 & 14.6) had 17 points and 19 rebounds for his 11th straight double-double. SF Bojan Bogdanovic (21.2 & 4.1) has been terrific all season and is 26-of-54 from three-point range (48.1%) over the last six games.

Denver came out 'flat' at Memphis, getting outscored 76-22 in the paint and head coach Michael Malone sensed troubles from the outset. "It's unfortunate," Malone told reporters "These are the dog days, we have eight games to go until the All-Star break. Everyone's tired, everyone's beat up, but we've got to be mentally tough." The Nuggets have been short-handed in recent weeks and PG Jamal Murray (17.6-4.1-4.6) will miss his eighth straight game with an ankle injury, while PF Paul Millsap (11.9 & 5.8) is expected to sit out for the 12th consecutive contest with a knee injury. Reserve PF/C Plumlee is also out and his 7.7 & 4.0 in about 17 minutes will be missed. However, starters Jokic (19.8-10.1-6.5), Barton (14.7-6.5-3.7) and Harris (10.7) won't "go it alone." PF Grant (11.1) has scored in double digits in 10 of his last 11 (he's averaging 18.7 over the past six games), plus PG Morris 7.8 & 3.6 APG), now healthy PF Porter (7.7 & 4.0) and SG Beasley (7.5) are all MORE than capable.

Utah should be motivated now that it has lost consecutive games for the first time since dropping three in a row from Dec 1-4 but I see them dropping a THIRD straight, here. Denver  is 'wounded' but note that Tuesday's loss at Memphis ended a stretch of 24 games of scoring 100 or more points. Denver's depth has kept them going. The Nuggets have to play tomorrow night in Milwaukee and the Bucks are an NBA-best 41-6, so the importance of winning here, is CLEAR & PRESENT. Take the Nuggets.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* CBB Weekly Wipeout is on Maryland at 8:30 ET.

The No. 18 Iowa Hawkeyes have won FIVE consecutive games, including a 68-62 victory against Wisconsin on Monday, and are 15-5 overall and tied for fourth with the 15th-ranked Maryland Terrapins (16-4) in the Big Ten (both schools are 6-3). The Terps have won three consecutive games, including a pair of victories on the road (at Northwestern and Indiana), to move up in the national rankings for the first time in a month.

Iowa is looking to complete a season sweep of Maryland (won 67-49 at home back on Jan 10), in hopes of staying in the mix for its first Big Ten regular season championship in 40 years. Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa back in the 2010-11 season (off three straight NCAA trips with Siena). His 2013 team was the NIT runner-up and he then led the Hawkeyes to three straight NCAAs. Iowa missed the "Big Dance" the next two years but last year's 23-win team was back in. The Hawkeyes opened 1-3 in Big Ten play but has won FIVE in a row to reach 6-3 in Big Ten play. The 6-11 Luka Garza (23.0 & 10.7) scored 21 points and matched his career high with 18 rebounds in Monday's win against Wisconsin, registering his Big Ten-leading 12th double-double of the season.
Freshman guard CJ Fredrick (11.2) added 17 points while sophomore guard Joe Wieskamp (14.1 & 6.2) finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Rounding out Iowa's main contributors are the 6-10 Ryan Kriener (7.8 & 4.1) plus guards Toussaint (7.2) and McCaffrey (6.4-4.7-3.6).

Maryland lost the 6-10 Fernando and his double-double average (13.6 & 10.6) from last year's 23-11 NCAA team (lost in the 2nd round) but FOUR starters returned. Mark Turgeon's team was ranked 7th in the AP's preseason poll. The Terps opened 10-0 and were ranked No. 4 when they lost Dec 10 at Penn St. That defeat started a 3-4 run but Maryland takes a three-game winning streak into this contest. The 6-10 Jalen Smith (15.2 & 9.6) was named the Big Ten’s Player of the Week after averaging 27 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in the wins over Northwestern and Indiana. Smith racked up a career-high 29 points to go along with 11 rebounds to record his third straight double-double while Anthony Cowan Jr. (15.5-3.6-4.3) added 18 points and four assists, as the Terrapins scored the final SEVEN points of the game against Indiana. Guard Darryl Morsell (7.9 & 5.0) produced 10 points and six rebounds while fellow guard Wiggins (10.7 & 5.7) finished with eight points to help Maryland earn its first win in Bloomington since joining the Big Ten. Guard Ayala (8.4) and 6-7 freshman forward Scott (5.4 & 3.6) round out Maryland's main contributors.

Carver-Hawkeye Arena is known for its hostile crowds and is a tough venue, as Iowa is 12-1 at home this season (Hawkeyes are 27-5 SU the last two seasons at home). However, winning at Xfinity Center in College Park will be tough, as the Terps are 11-0 at home this season and have won 19 of their last 20 home games. Iowa's Garza is a 'beast' but Maryland's Smith is no slouch (see recent efforts above). This is a HUGE game for Maryland, as after Iowa, it's games vs No. 25 Rutgers and No. 19 Illinois on tap. Revenge from that 67-49 loss at Iowa back on Jan 10 won't hurt Maryland's motivation, either. Expect Maryland to "win big!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on Illinois at 7:30 ET.

Richard Pitino has had a roller-coaster run at Minnesota, capturing the NIT (25 wins) in his first season but then falling to 18 wins and just EIGHT wins the next two seasons. The last three seasons have seen 24 and 22-win NCAA teams sandwiched around a 15-win season. Pitino opened the current season without guards Coffey (16.6) and McBrayer (8.9) plus big man Murphy (14.4 & 11.0), who gave the Minnesota program a combined 11 seasons. The Golden Gophers visit The Fighting Illini tonight at just 11-9. Minnesota fell to .500 in conference play (5-5), following a 70-52 home loss to then-11th-ranked Michigan State on Sunday.

Brad Underwood was a head coach at Stephen F Austin and Oklahoma St before being hired at Illinois back on March 18, 2017. He signed a six-year contract through 2023 worth $18 million but after two seasons in Champaign, his Fighting Illini were just 26-39 (11-27 in Big Ten play). However, as Underwood entered the current season, he returned FOUR starters from last season's team plus added 6-9 freshman center Kofi Cockburn. The Fighting Illini are 15-5, including 7-2 in the Big Ten (just a half-game back of 8-2 Mich St). Illinois entered the top-25 back on Jan 13 for the first time since Dec 1, 2014 and is currently ranked 19th.

Leading Minnesota are the 6-10 Daniel Oturu (19.7 & 11.3) and PG Marcus Carr (16.1-5.4-6.9). Oturu scored a game-high 19 points and added six rebounds but it wasn’t enough against the Spartans, as the Golden Gophers shot a season-low 28.1 percent from the floor in the loss to Michigan State. Guard Gabe Kalscheur (12.0) is Minnesota's third double-digit scorer, and he added 15 points, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Carr produced 11 points, seven boards and six assists, but the two players shot a combined 7-of-26 from the floor, including 4-of-16 from three-point range against Michigan St. Guards Williams (8.8 & 3.5) and the 6-9 Demir (7.6 & 4.9) are Minnesota's only other significant contributors.

In stark contrast, Illinois has EIGHT players getting 15-plus minutes with SIX averaging between 8.4 and 16.2 PPG. Guard Ayo Dosunmu (16.2-4.3-3.5) poured in a career-high 27 points, including the game-winning jumper with 0.5 seconds remaining, and pulled down seven rebounds to power the Fighting Illini past Michigan 64-62 in Ann Arbor for the first time since Feb 23, 2010 this past Saturday. Guard Andres Feliz (10.5-4.7-3.1) added 15 points and seven rebounds while fellow guard Trent Frazier (9.9) scored 10 points as Illinois matched its win total from last season in conference play (the Illini were just 7-13). The 6-9 Kofi Cockburn was named the Big Ten’s Freshman of the Week for the SENTH time this season after he averaged 13.5 points, nine rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in wins over Purdue (79-62) and Michigan. He's averaging 14.5 & 9.4 on the season, more than living up to expectations.

The Fighting Illini have racked up SIX consecutive wins but will be highly-focused on this home game with the Golden Gophers, as after hosting Minnesota, Illinois will face FIVE straight games against ranked Big Ten opponents.Minnesota 'limps' in 1-6 in true road games this season, with its lone win coming at slumping Ohio St back on Jan 23. A win here at Illinois, would mark the first time in more than three years that Minnesota would put together two straight road victories in conference play. NOT!

Good luck...Larry

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

Eric Mussleman led Nevada to the CBI title in his first season (2015-16) and then to three straight NCAA appearances with win totals of 28, 29 and 29. However, Musselman left for Arkansas and was replaced by Steve Alford. The former Indiana star had coaching success at Missouri St and New Mexico but was generally viewed as a 'flop' at UCLA, where he was fired during last season. He took over a team that lost all FIVE starters and the Wolf Pack enter this contest at Colorado St 13-8 overall, including 6-3 in the MWC. The Rams hired Niko Medved prior to the 2018-19 season and one could reasonably ask why. He spent four seasons as Furman's head coach , posting a 62-70 record. He then moved to Drake, where he went 17-17. He took over at Fort Collins last season and surprise, the Rams went 12-20 (7-11 in MWC play). However, CSU is greatly improved this season, checking in at 14-8 overall, including 5-4 in MWC play.

Nevada is led by a deep backcourt. Jalen Harris, a La Tech transfer, leads the way averaging 18.9-6.2-4.0. He's joined by returning guards Johnson (16.8), Drew (11.7-6.2-4.4) and Zouzoua (9.0). Zouzoua led the Wolf Pack with 20 points in their 96-74 victory over New Mexico on Saturday, as Nevada increased its winning streak at home to SEVEN straight. Colorado State comes off a 77-61 loss at Utah State, allowing the Aggies to shoot 68% in the second half and 59% overall. This year's team is led by a pair of freshman, PG Stevens (13.1 & 4.3 APG) and 6-5 swingman Roddy (12.0 & 5.7) Returning guards Moore (8.5) and Moore (8.0) help make up a solid periemter group. Two frontcourt players also average in double digits, 6-11 senior Carvacho (12.0 & 10.4) and 6-6 sophomore Thistlewood (10.1 & 3.3).

Alford hasn't done a bad job with no returning starters at Nevada but his Wold Pack have been very 'meek' away from home this season, going 1-5 SU in true road games (FOUR of the losses have been by double digits). Meanwhile I wondered at the top just why CSU chose Medved but he HAS done a solid job with the Rams this season. CSU played an awful second half the last time out but entered that contest on a 7-1 SU run, having gone 6-1 ATS (one non-lined game). Nevada has dominated this series recently but remember, this season's Wolf Pack do NOT resemble the NCAA teams of the previous three years (28, 29 and 29 wins). The Rams 'hung in there' at Reno (lost 67-61 as a 7-point dog) and here at Moby Arena in Fort Collins, should win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

Travis Steele was hired by Sean Miller at Xavier for the 2008-09 season. He was retained by Chris Mack after Miller accepted the Arizona head coaching position and has been a part of a Musketeers program that has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight run in 2017. Steele was promoted to head coach when Mack took the Louisville job. Following Miller and Mack was NOT expected to be easy and it wasn't. However, Xavier rallied to win EIGHT of its final 11 regular season games and went to a postseason tourney (NIT) for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Xavier lost just ONE starter off last year's team, the 6-11 Hankins (10.6 & 5.3) but Xavier has struggled since Christmas, losing FIVE of its last seven (all in Big East play). The 13-7 Musketeers' latest defeat came Sunday when Creighton took care of Xavier for the second time this season with a 77-66 decision.

Howard is the nation's leading scorer at 28.3 PPG and enters the game eight points away from 2,500 for his career (he will become the 72nd player in NCAA history to reach 2,500 points ). Senior guard Sacar Anim ranks second to Howard on the team in scoring at 13.0 PPG. PG McEwen checks in at 9.8-5.2-3.2 plus a trio of frontcourt players, the 6-8 Bailey (8.1 & 5.5), the 6-7 Cain (5.0 & 4.3) and John (5.0 & 5.0) round out Marquette's main contributors.

Xavier is led by the 6-7 Marshall (16.7-5.7-3.5) and the 6-9 Tyrique Jones (13.3 & 9.9). Joining that duo up front are the 6-8 Carter (7.3 & 5.2) and 6-9 freshman Freemantle (6.8 & 4.0). SG Scruggs (13.8 & 4.6) is having a solid season but senior PG Goodin (6.8 & 4..0 APG) has struggled (I'm being kind). Goodin is averaging fewer assists this season (four) than in each of the last two seasons and his shooting has been atrocious. He has missed the last two games with an apparent knee injury but had gone 2-of-28 from the floor (that's 7.1%) in hsi previous four games, including 0-of-20 from three-point territory in the last last six. Freshman KyKy Tandy (5.4) and senior Byrce Moore (3.4) are filling in.

Howard torched Xavier in the first meeting, an 85-65 Marquette victory, with 35 points back on Jan 15 in Milwaukee. However, Marquette can be had on the road, while Xavier is 10-3 at home. Howard will "get his" but Xavier should dominate inside with Marshall and Jones plus note that 6-9 freshman Freemantle posted career highs of 18 points and nine rebounds against Creighton. Xavier is looking to avenge not only that Jan 15 loss but TWO losses from last season. Howard will easily surpass the 2,500-point mark but Xavier gets the win AND the cover!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Underdog Shocker is on Duquesne at 7:00 ET.

Anthony Grant had success at both VCU and Alabama, before taking Dayton job for the 2017-18 season (he had a successful four-year playing career as a Flyer). His current Dayton team is ranked No. 7 in the latest AP poll and the 18-2  Flyers (7-0 in the A-10) are just two overtime losses (vs Kansas and Colorado) away from matching San Diego State as the nation's only unbeaten team. Dayton heads to Pittsburgh on Wednesday to face Duquesne, looking to go 5-0 in true road games on the season, while extending its current win streak to 10.

Duquesne was one of the surprise teams early on, led by head coach Keith Dambrot. Dambrot coached LBJ to back-to-back HS titles and then spent 13 seasons at Akron, winning 19 games in his first season and 20-plus games in each of the next 12. He signed a 7-year, $7 million contract. with Duquesne and went 16-16 in his first season, after the Dukes had finished 10-22 the season before. In his second season (2018-19), he led the school to its first winning record since the 2011-12 season with 19 wins and 13 losses. Duquesne opened the 2019020 season with 10-0 mark, the team's best start since 1953-54 but the Dukes (15-4, 5-2) have come back to earth in their last nine games and have lost two straight.

Dayton ranks third in the nation at 83.2 PPG and 1st by shooting 52.6% from the floor. Leading the way is 6-9 All-America candidate Obi Toppin, who is a certain NBA first-round pick if he decides to forgo his final two seasons. Toppin leads the team in scoring (19.7) and rebounding (8.0), while a trio of guards join him in double digits. That group includes PG Jalen Crutcher (14.7 & 5.2 APG), Ibi Watson (12.0) and Trey Landers (10.9 & 5.9). Junior guard Chatwood adds 8.0 PPG and Toppin is joined up front by 6-7 senior Mikesell, who adds 9.9 & 4.8. The Flyers are also a solid defensive team, holding opponents to 66.0 PPG.

Duquesne's latest loss came Saturday at UMass, where the Dukes were outscored 27-13 at the free-throw line and got clobbered on the boards, 52-34. 6-5 SF Weathers (14.2 & 8.2) is the team's leading scorer and rebounder, while PG Carry (11.5-3.7-4.5) leads in assists. Carry was the Dukes' best player at UMass, scoring 20 points while adding seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Dunn-Martin (8.7) and Austin (8.7 & 4.2) join Carry in the backcourt, while the 6-11 Steele (9.0 & 5.1) is the team's best big man.

There is no denying that Dayton deserves its top-10 ranking but winning will NOT be easy, as despite playing at different venues as their home court is being renovated, the Dukes sport an 8-0 "home" record.  Wednesday's game will take place at PPG Paints Arena, home of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Duquesne makes its mark on defense, allowing just 62.7 PPG (38th) and I'm taking the points. Dayton may escape with a win but then again, the Flyers may not.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Mem Grizzlies at 8:05 ET.

The Denver Nuggets were a 'sexy' pick to contend for the Western Conference title entering the season led by center Nikola Jokic and supported by one of the NBA's deepest teams. The Nuggets posted a crucial 117-110 home triumph over the Houston Rockets on Sunday. All teams in the West are chasing the 36-10 Lakers but the 32-14 Nuggets are tied with the Jazz, just four games back (the Clippers are 33-14, a half-game ahead of Denver and Utah). The Nuggets visit Memphis Tuesday night, having won the first two meetings between the teams, including a 131-114 rout at the FedEx Forum on Nov 17. The more recent meeting came Dec 28 in Denver, which the Nuggets won by nine However, the Nuggets will face a different Grizzlies team a month later, as Memphis has won 10 of the 13 games played since then to climb into the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference at 22-24.

Jokic is again leading Denver in scoring (19.7), rebounding (10.1) and assists (6.5). He recorded 24 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his ninth triple-double of the season and 37th of his career in Sunday's win over Houston. Jokic has posted SIX consecutive double-doubles and EIGHT in the past nine games. Denver has played through the injuries of continues of PG Jamal Murray (17.6-4.1-4.6) and PF Paul Millsap 11.9 & 5.8). Murray is expected to miss his seventh straight game and Millsap is set to sit out his 11th consecutive contest. SF Barton (14.8-6.5-3.7) and Harris (10.7) are regular starters plus Denver's deep bench will get extra time. PF Grant (10.9 & 3.5) scored a season-best 25 against the Rockets and is averaging 18.2 points over the last five games. Guards Morris (7.8) and Beasley (7.6) and the now healthy PF Porter (7.7 & 4.0) are all capable of stepping up.

The Grizzlies committed a season-worst 26 turnovers on Sunday but prevailed 114-109 over the visiting Phoenix Suns. Rookie PG Ja Morant (team's No. 1 pick in 2019 draft) led the way by scoring 14 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter. Morant is averaging 17.6 & 7.1 APG. Memphis chose the 6-11 Jarren Jackson in the 1st round of teh 2018 draft and he leads the team in scoring at 18.0 PPG (4.8 RPG). He had 20 points and has hit the mark a team-best 20 times during the season, including the past two games in which he averaged 24.5 points on 17-of-26 shooting. SG Dillon Brooks (15.9 PPG) continues to be a lucky charm for Memphis, as he scored 20 points and the club is 15-1 when he reaches that output. SF Clarke (also a 1st round pick from 2019, 21st overall) is averaging 12.1 & & 5.8 and along with veteran center Valanciunas (14.8 & 10.0) and veteran SF Crowder (9.8 & 6.2) give Memphis a formidable frontcourt.

I noted at the top that Memphis has won 10 of 13 since last playing (and losing to) Denver and that includes a 7-1 mark here at  FedEx Forum. Memphis is playing VERY well right now and why did this contest open pick (I took plus-1), when Denver recently was getting plus-4 at 15-32 Minnesota and at 18-26 New Orleans? Memphis is the play.

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 10* Jan Game of the Month is on Rutgers at 8:00 ET.

Purdue opened the season ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll, after winning 26 games last season, before losing in OT to Virginia in the Elite 8. Gone from that squad is Purdue's best player, Carsen Edwards (24.3PPG), as well as its second-leading scorer, Ryan Cline (12.3 PPG).  Howevcer, this year's Boilermakers are well-balanced (FIVE players average between 8.9 and 11.0 PPG) but 11-9 Purdue has already surpassed its loss total from last season in league play (4-5, after going 14-4) and is a loss away from matching last season's total of 10 losses. The Boliermakers are in New Brunswick, NJ tonight to face one of this season's "surprise teams," Rutgers. Head coach Steve Pikiell is in his fourth season at the school, having gone 44-54 in his first three. Coming off a a 14-17 season a year ago, Rutgers was picked 12th (of 14 schools) in the Big Ten preseason polls but at 15-5, the Scarlet Knights are off to their best start since the 1996-97 season. Rutgers coughed up a 14-point lead early in the second half and trailed by six with just over three minutes left before the Scarlet Knights clamped down and scored the final nine points of the game, including Geo Baker's game-winning three-pointer with just over a second remaining in Saturday's 75-72 win over Nebraska. Rutgers is ranked for the first time since the end of the 1978-79 season, checking in at No. 25 in the latest AP poll..

The Boilermakers were routed 63-37 by the Fighting Illini on Jan 5 while being held to a program-worst 25 percent shooting from the floor, before suffering a 79-62 setback last Tuesday against the Illini, to see their 15-game conference home winning streak come to an end. However, Purdue is coming off one of its best performances in a conference game this past Friday,  when the Boilermakers took control in the first half by holding an 18-point halftime lead and a 45-17 edge early in the second half and cruised to a 70-51 win over Wisconsin. Evan Boudreaux (4.1 & 3,3) was rewarded with his first start of the season after head coach Matt Painter identified him as the player who brought the most energy to practice after last Tuesday's loss to Illinois, and he delivered with 10 points and 13 rebounds for his first double-double of 2019-20.Getting back to Purdue's balance, the 6-9 Williams leads in scoring (11.0) and rebounding (7.5) and is joined up front by the 7-3 Haarms (10.1 & 5.2). A trio of guards follow, including Hunter (10.2 & 3.4), Stefanovic (9.7) and Proctor (8.9),. Filling out the roster are guards Eastern (5.4 & 4.4) and Thompson (5.4), while the Boudreaux (see above) and the 6-9 Wheeler (3.9 & 5.1) help out Williams and Haarms up front.

Pikiel took his team to Spain in August and Rutgers went 4-0, while jelling as a unit. The "breakout star" of that trip was guard Ron Harper, who averaged 17.0 PPG on 53 percent shooting. He's currently Rutgers' leading scorer, averaging 12.0 PPG and adding 6.0 RPG. PG Baker (11.0 & 3.7 APG) plus a trio of guards (Young, McConnell and Mathis) combine to add right around 23 PPG. Up front, the 6-6 Yeboah (10.0 & 4.5) and the 6-10 Johnson (9.2 & 8.1) are the biggest contributors. Yeboah contributed a season-high 20 points vs the Cornhuskers to push him over the 1,500-point mark for his career (1,317 of which came in three years at Stony Brook) plus Johnson blocked a career-high five shots, the most ever by a Scarlet Knight in a Big Ten contest , while collecting 11 rebounds for his NINTH double-digit effort on the glass this season.

Rutgers' 75-72 win over Nebraska ended a run of 10 straight ATS wins by the Scarlet Knights and it also upped the tam's home record to a perfect 14-0 (9-3-1 ATS / one  non-lined game). Meanwhile, Purdue is 9-2 at home but just 2-7 outside of West Lafayette, including 1-5 in true road contests. Rutgers moves to 15-0 at the RAC (Rutgers Athletic Center) with the victory coming "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

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

Virginia won the national championship last April (school's first-ever) but the Cavaliers appear to be just another middle-of-the-pack ACC team as January 2020 nears its end. The Cavs began the season ranked 11th in the AP preseason poll and opened 7-0. They were ranked 5th when they lost 69-40 at Purdue on Dec 4 and as 2020 dawned, the Cavs began with a dominating 65-39 win over Va Tech (Jan 4), giving them an 11-2 overall record, including 3-0 in the ACC. However, the Cavs have lost FOUR of their last six, checking in 13-6 overall and only 5-4 in ACC play. UVA welcomes Florida St to John Paul Jones Arena Tuesday night and the Seminoles come onto the contest 17-2 overall, including 7-1 in the ACC. Leonard Hamilton's team has won 10 in a row after Saturday's 85-84 victory over Notre Dame and is just a half-game out of first place in the ACC (Louisville is 8-1) and ranked No. 5 in the current AP poll.

Leonard Hamilton-coached teams are always known for playing excellent defense but his teams have shown more offensive 'punch' the last few seasons. That's continued in the 2019-20 season, as the Seminoles are holding opponents to 64.6 PPG, but are also scoring 76.0 PPG, The Seminoles wear down teams with their depth and balance on offense, as the top-four scorers produce between 8.1 and 13.1 PPG. Sophomore guard Devin Vassell leads the team at 13.1 PPG (also leads with 5.2 RPG), just ahead of senior guard Trent Forrest (11.8-4.1-4.3). Junior guard M.J. Walker is third on the team at 11.4 PPG, while the 6-8 Williams (8.1 & 3.2) ranks fourth on the team in scoring. Following behind those four are guard Polite (7.), the 6-8 Gray (6.1 & 3.6), ythe 7-1 Kuprivica (6.0) and the 6-0 Osborne (5.9 & 4.9).

Gone from last year's champs are the team's top-three scorers, guards Guy (15.4 & 4.5), Hunter (15.2 & 5.1) and Jerome (13.6 & 4.2). Those current NBA players have proven hard to replace. This season's UVA team features an unique guard duo, the 6-8 Key (10.0 & 7.3) and 5-9 PG Clark (10.9-4.5-5.9). The team's most consistent player is 6-9 senior forward Mamadi Diakite, who leads the team in scoring (13.2) and is second to Key in rebounding (6.8). The 7-1 Huff (8.7 & 6.0) joins Diatka up front and this "Core 4" represents Virginia's main contributors. Three other guards do combine to chip in 14.5 PPG. In dire need of some scoring options, the Cavaliers may have found one in the form of junior guard Tomas Woldetensae, who scored a career-high 21 points on seven 3-pointers against Wake Forest in Sunday's 65-63 OT win (we'll see).

UVA made a STRONG run at FSU in Tallahassee back on Jan 15 (lost just 54-50) and for all of its offensive woes this season, the Cavs remain CBB's stingiest team, allowing 50.4 PPG on 35.2% shooting (No. 1 in both categories). Great spot for UVA to remind all that last year's champs are far from 'dead.'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Mia Heat at 7:35 ET.

The Orlando Magic are second in the Southeast Division to the Miami Heat but sit 11 games back, as the Magic are just 21-26, while the Heat are 31-14. The Heat currently own the East's No. 3 seed, as they are mired in a five-team 'scrum' (No. 2 and No, 6 seeds are separated by only 2 1/2 games). Despite being FIVE games under .500, the Magic own the No. 7 seed and are 4 1/2 games clear of the East's 'cut line.' The two Florida-based teams meet Monday in Miami, both coming off losses to the LA Clippers. The Heat dropped a 122-117 decision Friday night, falling to 20-2 at home. As for the Magic, playing hours after the NBA world was rocked by the news of Kobe Bryant's sudden death, offered much less resistance to the Clippers in Sunday's 112-97 loss.

Orlando 'limps' into Miami off an 0-3 homestand and the Magic find themselves just 2-5 since veteran point guard D.J. Augustin (10.7 & 4.7 APG) went down with a knee injury. Carter-Williams is trying to fill some of the gaps and chipped in eight assists along with seven rebounds while committing zero turnovers in 23 minutes during Sunday's loss. Terrence Ross has ZERO starts in his 45 appearances this season but has added need scoring off the bench, averaging 13.4 PPG. However, he was held to eight against the Clippers while shooting 3-of-15 overall, including 0-of-6 from three-point range. SG Fournier (19.0) leads the team in scoring at 19.0 PPG, while Vucevic is close behind at 18.8 PPG, while leading in rebounding (11.0). Gordon (13.3 & 7.2)  and Isaac (12.0 & 6.9) join him up front but Isaac won't play due to a knee injury.

Butler leads the Heat in points (20.3), assists (6.5) and steals (1.8). He had 20 points in Friday's loss but is questionable for this one due to an ankle injury. The Heat have been missing Winslow for some time now but also saw key players Kendrick Nunn (foot) and Goran Dragic (calf) miss vs the Clippers. Nunn is an undrafted rookie averaging 16.2 PPG and Dragic a veteran PG who has come off the bench to average 15.8 & 5.0 APG. The 6-9 Bam Adebayo has thrived with more playing time (with the Whiteside trade), averaging 15.9-10.4-4.7 with a team-leading 24 double-doubles. 6-7 second-year player Robinson (11.9) has been a steady contributor all season plus while Leonard (6.0 & 4.9) typically starts at center, Olynyk adds 7.8 & 4.6 off the bench. With Nunn and Dragic both out on Friday, Dion Waiters scored 14 points in his season debut after serving three suspensions.

We won't know to game-time about Butler, Dragic and Nunn but Waiters can play, as he's averaged 13.2 PPG in his career (1st season was back in 2012-13). I also didn't mention rookie guard Herro (13.3), who has stepped up with extra "PT" the last two games to score 44 points. The Magic are just 8-15 on the road and 1-6 SU on the back end of back-to-back games on the season. Meanwhile, Miami has an advantage with the extra rest (off since Friday) and note the Heat are 9-1 (8-2 ATS) this season when they have at least two days off before a game. Let's also NOT forget Miami's 20-2 SU (15-6-1 ATS) here at AmericanAirlines Arena.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* ACC Game of the Year is on NC State at 7:00 ET.

The North Carolina Tar Heels (9-10 / 2-6 in ACC) snapped a FIVE-game losing streak with a 94-71 victory over Miami-Fl on Saturday. Senior guard Brandon Robinson (13.3-3.4-3.1) was involved in a car accident on Jan 11 and did not play in Wednesday’s loss at Virginia Tech but scored a career-best 29 points against the 'Canes. The NC State Wolfpack (14-6 / 5-4 in ACC) saw their three-game winning streak end with a disappointing 64-58 defeat Saturday at Georgia Tech. NC State was outscored 14-3 after taking a 55-50 lead with 6:21 remaining and senior guard C.J. Bryce, the Wolfpack’s leading scorer at 13.9 PPG, went scoreless on 0-for-4 shooting from the floor. “It's disappointing because I just didn't think we brought it today,” NC State head coach Kevin Keatts told reporters after the game.

The Tar Heels continue to miss freshman PG Cole Anthony (19.1-6.3-3.6), who had knee surgery in December (last played Dec 8). Joining Robinson as the Tar Heels' main contributors are 6-9 junior Garrison Brooks (15.1 & 9.2) and 6-10 freshman Armando Bacot (10.6 & 7.9). He flirted with a triple-double against Miami (19 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists). North Carolina's win over Miami snapped its longest losing streak since 2003. Carolina shot 58 percent from the floor, a season high for the Tar Heels.

NC State opened its season (Nov 5) with a home game against Ga Tech and lost, 82-81 (OT). That made the loss at struggling Ga Tech (9-11 / 4-6) even harder to take. Senior PG Markell Johnson (13.2-4.5-6.5) led the Wolfpack on Saturday with 21 points on 8-for-16 shooting. Joining him and Bryce (see above) in double digits are 6-10 junior forward D.J. Funderburk (18.8 & 5.9) and junior guard Daniels (11.1 & 4.9). Also contributing are the 6-7 Hellems (9.6 & 3.7) and 6-11 freshman Bates (5.7 & 4.0), although Bates missed Saturday's game with a concussion.

Here's the bottom line. It's been 'dark' days for North Carolina BKB this season (can you say "Matt Doherty?") and a win over sad-sack Miami (2-7 in the ACC) is hardly a big deal. NC/NC St is NOT Carolina/Duke (no rivalry is) but with the Wolfpack coming off a HUGELY disappointing loss at Ga Tech, they should be PRIMED to avenge their two losses to the Tar Heels last season. I noted above the NC State opened its season with a home loss (to Ga Tech) but the team has won 11 in a row at PNC Arena, since. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (MVC) is on Northern Iowa at 4:00 ET.

Porter Moser's Loyola-Chicago Ramblers made that great run to the Final 4 in 2018, finishing with 32 wins. Last year's team won a more modest 20 games, after losing in the NIT's first round. Gone from last season were Custer and Townes, who won back-to-back POY honors in the MVC, as well as Ingram. However, the Ramblers are making a strong run at winning the MVC this season at 14-6 overall and more importantly, 6-1 in league play (currently reside in 1st-place). Northern Iowa' Ben Jacobson is in his 14th season at Cedar Falls and has led the Panthers to four NCAA berths. Most notably a Sweet 16 trip in 2010 (30 wins) and a 31-win season in 2015, when Northern Iowa surprisingly lost in the Round of 32. However, Northern Iowa opened this season off season of 14, 16 and 16 wins. Clearly, the team's current 16-3 record (5-2 in the MVC, 2nd to only Loyola), proves the last three seasons are "in the past."

Three starters did return for Loyola and are contributing as expected. 6-9 center Krutwig leads in scoring (15.0), rebounding (8.1) and assists (4.6). Guard Williamson chips in 8.5 & 3.5 and the 6-7 Uguak adds 5.4 & 3.2. Also making a big impact are 6-6 swingman Hall (14.0 & 4.2), a JC transfer, and freshman guard Kennedy (9.3). Keith Clemons averaged 15.1 points and 5.1 assists per game in 2018-19, while helping Vincennes to a 34-2 overall record and the NJCAA Division I national championship, became eligible at the start of December and has 9.0 points in 12 games.

The Panthers are off a 68-66 loss at Southern Illinois, snapping a five-game winning streak. Four starters return form last season's team and guards Green (19.5-3.1-3.1), Berhow (14.4 & 5.0) and Haldeman (8.7 & 3.5) have all performed as expected. Brown is a senior guard and has added 8.4 & 4.7. The 6-9 Phyfe played just SEVEN games last year due to an illness but is healthy this season, adding 10.1 & 7.4. The 7-0 Dahl averages just over 11 MPG but has added 4.5 & 2.7.

Loyola shoots 51.9 percent from the floor (2nd-best in the nation) but its deliberate style of play has them scoring a modest 69.9 PPG (227th). The Ramblers' D is top-notch, allowing 60.2 PPG (13th). However, after edging Northern Iowa's 16-win team of a year ago just 61-60 and 56-55 in two meetings, I believe the Ramblers are in the WRONG place and the WRONG time here at Northern Iowa's McLeod Center. A win here ties Northern Iowa atop the MVC in what is developing into a "big season" for the Panthers.

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* Game of the Week is on the Den Nuggets at 3:35 ET.

The Houston Rockets broke a four-game losing streak by beating the Nuggets 121-105 in Houston on Wednesday. The Rockets followed up that win with a 131-124 victory at Minnesota on Friday, as Russell Westbrook had 45 points, six rebounds and 10 assists. Westbrook had 28-16-8 in the win over Denver and his surge has helped cover a slump from fellow former MVP James Harden, who went 3-of-13 from the floor and finished with a season-low 12 points in the win over the Timberwolves. The Nuggets rebounded from their loss at Houston by holding off Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans in a 113-106 on Friday to finish off a three-game trip at 2-1. Denver is 31-14 (No. 4 seed in the West) and 4 1/2 games back of the top-seeded Lakers, while Houston is 28-16, SEVEN games back of the Lakers (currently own the No. 5 seed).

Westbrook (25.8-8.1-7.4) is averaging 34.2 points on 57 percent shooting over the last five game,while Harden (36.1-6.2-7.3) is trending in the opposite direction, shooting 33.3 percent over the last five games, including 6-of-44 from beyond the arc (13.6%). Of greater concern here, he's questionable for Sunday due to a thigh contusion. Houston SG Eric Gordon is averaging 26 points over the last two games and is rounding back into form. He's played in just 20 of Houston's 44 games this season but is now up to 14.5 PPG, just below his career average of 16.6 PPG. Center Capela (14.4 & 14.0) is a steady presence, as is PF Tucker (7.6 & 71.). SF House (10.0) has started 29 games and SG McLemore (9.9) has started 15.

The Nuggets were down three starters (Murray, Millsap and Harris) and two reserves (Michael Porter Jr. and Mason Plumlee) in Wednesday's loss at Houston but they got Gary Harris and Porter back Friday night when they beat the Pelicans in New Orleans. Porter (7.4 & 3.9) was excellent on Friday, with 15 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes. PG Murray (17.6-4.1-4.6), PF Millsap (11.9 & 5.8) and Plumlee (7.4 & 5.6) will all miss again, here. However, Denver's strength is its depth. Center Jokic leads the team in scoring (19.6), rebounding (10.0) and assits (6.4) plus SF Barton has stayed relatively injury free (has played an started 42 of 45 games), averaging 14.9-6.6-3.7. Harris (10.9) is a solid player plus PF Grant (10.6 & 3.5), PG Morris (7.6 7 3.5 APG) and SG Beasley (7.5) will all be happy to get more minutes. .Even point guard PJ Dozier has played well in spurts (7.3 PPG in about 14 minutes per game in six contests), after getting called up from the G-League

Denver was the NBA's best home team last season (34-7) but has not been quite that good so far this season (17-6). However, the home team has won the last SIX meetings in this series, including Denver's 105-95 triumph over visiting Houston back on Nov 20. Remember, Harden may not play, could be limited or could just continue his poor shooting. 'The price is sure right' in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big-12/SEC Showdown is on Florida at 8:00 ET.

Baylor head coach Scott Drew took the head coaching position at Baylor after the resignation of Dave Bliss due to scandal. Four years of sanctions later, Drew got things turned around and Baylor has had 12 straight winning seasons, making eight NCAA tourneys plus finishing as runner-up in the 2009 NIT and winning it in 2013. Baylor is currently working on a  2019-20 season that could be VERY special. The Bears (16-1, 6-0 Big 12) are coming off a 61-57 home victory against conference rival Oklahoma on Monday, hours after becoming the SEVENTH different team to move atop the AP top-25 this season (note: It's just the second time Baylor has been ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, the first time coming in 2017). Scott Drew takes his team's blue-collar work ethic into a hostile Stephen C. O'Connell Center for a game in the Big-12/SEC Challenge, where the Bears will take on the Gators. Expectations were high for Florida entering this season, as the Gators were able to get the most sought after graduate transfer on the market in the 6-10 Kerry Blackshear. The Orlando native played at Va Tech but when Tech head coach Buzz Williams left for A&M, Blackshear decided to 'come home.' The Gators were ranked 6th in both preseason polls but Florida is a disappointing 12-6 (4-2 SEC).

Baylor hung on at home against Oklahoma on Monday to win six straight Big 12 games in the same season for the first time in school history, forcing a miss on a potential go-ahead three-pointer by the Sooners with six seconds left to pull out a 61-57 victory. The Bears' 6-0 start in conference play is their first such run since they won their first 10 SWC games in 1948 en route to thei school's only appearance in the national championship, a runner-up finish to Kentucky. Baylor has been greatly helped by two transfers this season, guard MaCio Teague (13.6 & 4.8) and fellow guard Mitchell (9.7), an Auburn transfer. The duo joins a deep backcourt which also features leading scorer Butler (16.1), Bandoo (7.5 & 4.3) and Vital (6.1 & 6.0). The 6-8 Gillespie (9.9 & 9.3) has been the team's best frontcourt player, as the 6-10 Clark (14.6 & 6.3 last season before being lost for the year to an injury) has played in just 13 games and is NOT the same player, averaging 4.5 & 2.3.

The Gators are wrapping up what will likely be their most difficult three-game stretch of the season. The run began with last Saturday's 69-47 home rout of then-No. 4 Auburn. Florida then nearly rallied from a 10-point deficit with just over a minute remaining Tuesday at LSU (the lone remaining unbeaten team in SEC play), but the comeback attempt fell just short in an 84-82 loss. Kerry Blackshear Jr. leads the team in scoring (14.8) and rebounding (8.7) and  ranks second in the SEC with eight double-doubles (note: he has recorded two performances of exactly 24 points and 16 boards in the Gators' last three home contests). PG Andrew Nembhard (11.0 & 6.1 APG) produced 15 points and 10 assists Tuesday to become the first Florida player with multiple points/assists double-doubles in a season since Nick Calathes in 2008-09. Fellow sophomore guard Noah Locke (10.5 points) extended his streak of burying at least one 3-pointer to 15 games, the longest such run by a Gator since at least 1996. Joining Nembhard and Locke in the backcourt are Lewis (8.6 & 4.5), Glover (5.3) and Mann (5.1). SF Keyontae Johnson (12.7 & 6.7) ranks second on the team in scoring and rebounding, while 6-10 freshman Payne (5.3 & 4.8) also contributes up front. In fact, he had his first career double-double (19 & 11) in the win against Auburn.

These are two excellent defensive teams, as Baylor is allowing 5.8.5 PPG (5th in the nation) and Florida 66.3 PPG. The Gators have disappointed so far but take note that Florida has averaged 83.4 points over its last seven contests, after failing to top 83 points in any of its first 11 games. Florida was obviously rated too high at the start of the season but this team has the talent to make some 'noise' come March.How about 'making some noise' here in late-January by taking down No. 1 Baylor? That's my bet.

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

Tim Jankovich won 20-plus games in four of his five seasons at Illinois St, making four NIT appearances. He was announced as SMU's Associate Head Coach and coach-in-waiting  in April of 2016 and then as head coach on July 8, 2016.. He's had to bear the the full force of NCAA sanctions due to Larry Brown's tenure but things are looking up this season. SMU  breezed through a not-so-difficult non-conference schedule and has opened 4-2 in the talented. Penny Hardaway's first season as head coach of his alma mater (Memphis) resulted in a 22-win season. The Tigers lost all FIVE starters from that team but they were replaced by what most considered the best recruiting class of the 2019-20 season. However, the 'jewel' of that class, the 7-1 James Wiseman, was the center of an NCAA investigation and after just three games (19.7 & 10.7), Wiseman was 'done.' He decided to NOT fight anymore and is currently preparing for the next NBA Draf. Memphis is 14-4 (3-2 in the AAC) and ranked 20th in the latest AP poll but got 'waxed' 80-40 at Tulsa on Wednesday.

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

Since center James Wiseman left the program after playing three games, the 6-9 Precious Achiuwa has established himself as the best freshman in the AAC, averaging 15.1 points and 10.2 RPG (he's the only AAC player to average a double-double). Fellow freshman, the 6-7 D.J. Jeffries checks in at 11.1 & 4.6 but has failed to score in double figures in three of the last four games. One of three non-freshmen on the roster is sophomore PG Alex Lomax, who has started the last three games and is now averaging 7.5-4.0.47. Freshman guard Quinones (10.5 & 3.40 leads a group of FIVE guards scoring between 5.2 and 10.5 PPG.

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

My 10* LEGEND play is on Butler at 9:00 ET.

Marquette went 24-10 last season but lost in the NCAA's first round. In the off-season, head coach Steve Wojciechowski got great news as Markus Howard (25.0 PPG), the Big East player-of-the-year, would return for his senior year. However, three day later, the Hauser brothers, Sam (14.9 & 7.2( and Joey (9.7 & 5.3), announced that they were transferring. The Golden Eagles travel to legendary Hinkle Fieldhouse on Friday night to take on the Butler Bulldogs. Butler has had a 'rich' recent history on the basketball court. The Bulldogs made six NCAA trips from 1997-2007, before Brad Stevens took them to FIVE tourneys in six years, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2011. Chris Holtmann led Butler to three straight NCAA appearances from 2015-17 and LaVell Jordan followed with an NCAA berth in 2018 but the Bulldogs finished just 16-17 last season. However, Butler opened 7-0 and on Dec 2 entered the AP poll at No. 24, ending a span of 43 consecutive polls on "the outside, looking in!' Butler sat at 15-1 at the beginning of last week and was ranked 5th in the latest AP poll, the highest rating in school history. However, Butler's red-hot start to the season has disappeared in a flash. Butler dropped an eight-point decision against Seton Hall (then ranked 18th but now ranked 10th) on Jan 15, got stunned by a 13-point loss at DePaul on Saturday (a team that had opened 0-4 in Big East play) and lost badly at No. 9 Villanova on Tuesday, 76-61. In contrast, 14-5 Marquette (4-3 in Big East) comes on a three-game winning streak, trending in the opposite direction of Butler and its three-game slide.

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

Wisconsin has been to the "Big Dance" in 20 of the last 21 seasons and while the Badgers lost the 6-10 Happ (17.3 & 10.1) and a solid guard in Iverson (6.9 & 4.5) from last season's 23-win NCAA team, the Badgers have a solid returning core. The Badgers got off to a disappointing 5-5 but is 12-7, after the Badgers set a program record with 18 three-pointers en route to an 82-68 victory over Nebraska Tuesday, moving them into a tie for third place in the conference standings at 5-3. Purdue is coming off a 26-win season, after reaching the Elite 8 last year (lost in OT to eventual champ UVA), but  Purdue lost outstanding guard Edwards (24.3) from that team, as well as the team's second-leading scorer Cline (12.0). The Boilermakers opened the season ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll but Purdue takes the court tonight looking to pick up the pieces after suffering its first season sweep at the hands of No. 20 Illinois since the 2008-09 campaign. The Boilermakers were routed 63-37 by the Fighting Illini on Jan 5 while being held to a program-worst 25 percent shooting from the floor before suffering a 79-62 setback Tuesday to see their 15-game conference home winning streak come to an end.

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

Mick Cronin started his career by leading Murray St to two NCAA tourneys in his three seasons at that school and then took over at Cincinnati for Bob Huggins. He didn't get the Bearcats to the "Big Dance" until his FIFTH season (2010-11) but that began a run of NINE consecutive NCAA appearances. He took the UCLA job before the start of the current season but the 9-9 Bruins (2-3 in Pac 12) aren’t playing defense the way Cronin would like plus have yet to identify a go-to score. Up in Corvallis, Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle got great news when both 6-7 senior Tres Tinkle (his son) and junior guard Ethan Thompson decided to come back this season and play for the Beavers. Oregon State’s 10-2 start in non-conference play matched the 1989-90, 2011-12 and 2015-16 teams for the program’s best start in 35 years. The Beavers welcome the Bruins to town just 2-4 in Pac 12 play, as their record now sits at 12-6.

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

Michigan St made last year's Final Four and was voted the AP's preseason No. 1 time for the first time in school history. However, it hasn't been a  'smooth ride' this season for Tom Izzo's Spartans, who are currently 11th in the latest AP at 14-4, although they do lead the Big Ten at 6-1. Archie Miller began his third season as Indiana's head coach in 2019-20 and KNEW he had better improve on the 16 and 19-win seasons the Hoosiers delivered in his first two seasons at Bloomington. Indiana lost two NBA players from last year's team, guard Langford (16.5 & 5.4) and the 6-7 Morgan (15.5 & 8.2), but this year's team got off to an 11-1 start. That said, the schedule has been home-based and 'soft.' The Hoosiers can match MSU's overall record of 14-4 but they are just 4-3 in Big Ten play.

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Ohio St at 6:30 ET.

Richard Pitino has had a roller-coaster run at Minnesota, capturing the NIT (25 wins) in his first season but then falling to 18 wins and just EIGHT wins the next two seasons. The last three seasons have seen 24 and 22-win NCAA teams sandwiched around a 15-win season. Pitino opened the current season without guards Coffey (16.6) and McBrayer (8.9) plus big man Murphy (14.4 & 11.0), who gave the Minnesota program a combined 11 seasons. The Golden Gophers visit Columbus just 10-8, including 4-4 in the Big Ten. Chris Holtmann took over at Butler for Brad Stevens and three NCAA bids later, got the job in Columbus. His first season was a 25-win one but last year, while the Buckeyes did get an NCAA bid, they lost in the first round to finish just 20-15. Ohio State had climbed to No. 2 in the polls before suffering its first loss Dec 15 at Minnesota. The now 12-6 Buckeyes have gone 3-5 since and find themselves in the lower third of the Big Ten standings at 2-5.

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

Rutgers head coach Steve Pikiell is in his fourth season at the school, having gone 44-54 in his first three. Coming off a a 14-17 season a year ago, Rutgers was picked 12th (of 14 schools) in the Big Ten preseason polls but at 14-4, the Scarlet Knights are off to their best start since the 1996-77 season. Guards Montez Mathis (6.9 & 3.4) and Ron Harper Jr. (11.8 & 5.8) each scored 11 points as the Scarlet Knights held Minnesota to 18 points below its season average in Sunday's 64-56 win. Fellow guards Jacob Young (8.9) also added 11 points while Caleb McConnell (7.4 & 4.5) finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds, giving him his the first double-double of his career.  PG Geo Baker (10.7 & 3.9 APG) also returned on Sunday, after missing the previous two games. The Scarlet Knights are a guard-heavy team,with the 6-10 Johnson (9.2 & 8.2) and  the 6-6 Yeboah (9.1 & 4.4) being the only significant contributors up front.

Head coach Fran McCaffrey came to Iowa back in the 2010-11 season (off three straight NCAA trips with Siena). His 2013 team was the NIT runner-up and he then led the Hawkeyes to three straight NCAAs. Iowa missed the "Big Dance" the next two years but last year's 23-win team was back in. The Hawkeyes opened 1-3 in Big Ten play but has won THREE in a row to reach 4-3 in Big Ten play. Iowa rolled over then-No. 12 Maryland 67-49 at home on Jan 10, before winning 75-62 at Northwestern on Jan 14 and back at home 90-83 over Michigan on Jan 17. The 6-11 Luka Garza (22.9 & 10.2) was named the Big Ten Player of the Week after averaging 30 points, five rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots in wins over Northwestern and Michigan. Garza made a career-best 11 free throws en route to a game-high 33 points to go along with seven rebounds against the Wolverines. Guard CJ Fredrick (11.1) earned Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, adding 21 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Sophomore guard Joe Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.1) produced 20 points and five rebounds, while the 6-10 Ryan Kriener (7.8 & 4.3) scored 14 points vs Michigan. Iowa has even more depth on the perimeter in Connor McCaffrey (6.7-4.6-3.7) and Toussaint (6.6).

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

Penn St won the NIT back in 2018 (26 wins) but fell off badly last season, finishing 14-18 (7-13 in the Big Ten). However, the Nittany Lions returned FOUR starters and have impressed so far this season, checking in at 13-4. Penn St entered the AP poll back on Dec 16 (at No. 23), giving the school its first top-25 ranking since March of 1996. Sounds impressive, right? It's even more so when one realizes that Penn St's previous top-25 ranking (to 1996) came back in 1954! However, Penn St lost THREE in a row from Jan 7 through Jan 15, before ending that three-game skid with an impressive 90-76 win against Ohio State on Saturday. 

John Beilein left Michigan to take the head coaching job with the Cleveland Cavaliers, after leading the Wolverines to NINE NCAA tourneys in his 12 years (twice lost in the national championship game). Taking over was former Fab Fiver Juwan Howard, who would have to replace forward Ignas Brazdeikis (14.8 & 5.4) plus guards Jordan Poole (12.8) and Charles Matthews (12.2 & 5.0). Michigan opened the season unranked but began 7-0, after winning the Battle 4 Atlantis (Thanksgiving week). The Wolverines shocked then-No. 6 North Carolina (73-64) and  now-No. 2 Gonzaga in the championship game. When "the dust had settled," Michigan wound up No. 4 in the AP poll on Dec 4. However, the Wolverines have gone 4-6 over their last 10 games and have fallen out of the latest AP poll.

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

This is Patrick Ewing's third season at Georgetown and after a 15-15 'rookie' year, his Hoyas won 19 games last season but lost in the first round of the NIT. The good news entering the current season was, FOUR starters returned. Georgetown is 12-7 but just 2-4 in Big East play.The Hoyas head to Cincinnati on Wednesday night to take on Big East rival Xavier.Travis Steele was hired by Sean Miller at Xavier for the 2008-09 season. He was retained by Chris Mack after Miller accepted the Arizona head coaching position and has been a part of a Musketeers program that has been to eight NCAA tournaments, including an Elite Eight run in 2017. Steele was promoted to head coach when Mack took the Louisville job. Following Miller and Mack was NOT expected to be easy and it wasn't. However, Xavier rallied to win EIGHT of its final 11 regular season games and went to a postseason tourney (NIT) for the 13th time in 14 seasons. Xavier lost just ONE starter off last year's team, the 6-11 Hankins (10.6 & 5.3) but Xavier has dropped three straight games (all by double figures) and take the court tonight 12-6, including 1-4 in Big East play.

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

Brad Underwood was a head coach at Stephen F Austin and Oklahoma St before being hired at Illinois back on March 18, 2017. He signed a six-year contract through 2023 worth $18 million but after two seasons in Champaign, his Fighting Illini were just 26-39 (11-27 in Big Ten play). However, as Underwood entered the current season, he returned FOUR starters from last season's team plus added 6-9 freshman center Kofi Cockburn. The Fighting Illini are 13-5 (5-2 in the Big Ten) and entered the top-25 back on Jan 13 for the first time since Dec 1, 2014. Matt Painter's Purdue is coming off a 26-win season, after reaching the Elite 8 last year (lost in OT to eventual champ UVA). However, Purdue lost outstanding guard Edwards (24.3) from that team, as well as the team's second-leading scorer Cline (12.0). The Boilermakers opened the season ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll but will welcome Illinois to West Lafayette just 10-8, including 3-4 in the Big Ten.

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

The now 13th-ranked Bulldogs travel to the Philadelphia area to take on 14-3 (4-1 in Big East) Villanova, a team that knows more than a little about winning. Jay Wright spent seven years at Hofstra, before taking over at Villanova at the start of the season. This marks his 19th season with the school and the last six years, the Wildcats have averaged 31.8 wins per season, while winning national titles in 2016 and 2018. The Wildcats are 3-0 on their current four-game homestand, giving them 10 wins in their last 11 games. They were ranked 9th in Monday's new AP poll, the highest ranking the team has held this season.

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck..Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry

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

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

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

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

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

Good luck...Larry