The second play of my STP is an 8* play on Harvard.

Yale (9-1) and Princeton (8-2) are fighting for the Ivy League title and are surely not looking over their shoulders at 13-9 Cornell (5-6) or Harvard 12-10 (4-6). Brian Earl is in his fifth season at Cornell, entering the current season with a 42-73 record. Using that as a backdrop, I guess this season's current 13-9 record 'ain't half bad!" Tommy Amaker is in his 15th season at Harvard and while he led The Crimson to four straight NCAA tourneys from 2012-15, the school hasn't been back since.

Cornell has better depth with 10 players averaging 5.5 PPG or more. The best of the bunch are guards Noll (10.2), Manon (0.2) and Patel (9.3) plus forwards Jones (10.8 & 2.9) and Boothby (8.8 & 4.0). Harvard began the season with two excellent 6-7 players in forward Ledlum and big guard Kirkwood. That duo had started along with guards Sakota and Tretout plus the 6-6 Catchings. However, Ledlum (16.7 & 9.3) has not played since Jan 7 but Kirkwood 17.5 & 5.6) has had an excellent season. Sakota (11.3), Tretout (8.5) and Lesmond (8.2) join him on the perimeter. Catchings (8.4 & 3.8) has recently begun to get help from the 6-8 Forbes, who has averaged 10.8 & 6.0 in five February games.

Cornell has no one to match up with Kirkwood and I believe that Harvard easily avenges its 76-61 loss at Cornell back on Jan 22. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

The first play of my STP is an 8* on Miami at 5:00 ET.

It's an Atlantic Coast Conference contest from 'South Beach' tonight, as the Virginia Cavaliers (16-10 / 10-6 ACC) visit the Miami Hurricanes (19-7 / 11-4). The Cavs have won four of their last five games, including victories over two of the ACC's top-three teams in Duke and Miami. Virginia defeated Miami 71-58 at home back on Feb 5. It was Miami's most lopsided ACC loss this season. Duke and Notre Dame lead the ACC at 12-3, while Miami is just ONE game back (UVA is 2 1/2-games out of first place).

Tony Bennett's UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. The Cavs ended last season 18-7, after a first-round NCAA loss to 13th-seed Ohio U. It was a very uneven start to the current season, but the Cavs have 'settled in.' The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark (9.7 & 4.0 APG). Guard Beekman (7.8-3.9-4.9) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.9 & 5.7), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (15.0) and rebounding (7.1) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 11.8PPG. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 59.7 PPG (11th).

Miami head coach Jim Larranaga has led the Hurricanes to six, 20-win seasons in his 10 years, to all three of the school's 25-win seasons and to two of the school's three Sweet 16 appearances. By the way, I could also throw in him leading unheralded George Mason to a Final 4 appearance back in 2006. The 'Canes came into the season off an 'ugly 10-17 season (4-15 in the ACC) last year but have 'righted the ship.' Miami is led by the guard trio of McGusty (17.6 & 5.2), Wong (15.8 & 4.3) and Moore (112.4), plus Miller adds 8.8 & 5.8 off the bench. Miami hasn't gotten modest production from 6-10 Waardenburg (8.4 & 4.0) plus the 6-9 Walker (5.4 & 2.5).

All said, I have to 'love' Miami in this revenge spot from that recent Jan 5 loss. The price is right," so take the 'Canes!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Marquee Classic is on Tennessee at 4:00 ET.

Two of the hottest teams in the SEC will meet tonight from Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as the Tennessee Vols (19-6 /10-3 SEC) will take a five-game winning streak into their matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks (20-6 / 9-4), who have won 10 of their last 11. The SEC has five top-25 teams, with Auburn atop the league standings at 12-1, Tenn and Kentucky are tied at 10-3, while Arkansas lurks at 9-4. The Vols just won 76-63 at home over Kentucky on Tuesday, while Arkansas followed its 80-76 (OT) Feb 8th home win over Auburn (snapped the Tigers' 21-game winning streak), by losing at Alabama but winning at Missouri. This is the first of two meetings between the SEC contenders, as the teams will meet March 5 in Knoxville (regular season finale).

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes has been a winner at every stop, with three NCAA berths at Providence, three in four years at Clemson and 16 in 17 years at Texas. This is his seventh season at Tennessee, and he's led the Vols to three NCAA berths the last four years (exception was when COVID shut down the postseason). Junior guard Vescovi (13.8-4.4-3.2) and freshman PG Kennedy Chandler (13.3 & 4.9APG) lead the way for Tennessee. Some bad news is that the 6-8 Nkamhoua (9.6 & 5.6) has been lost for the season, but the Vols have a solid player in the 6-9 Fulkerson (7.8 & 4.9) plus the 7-0 Plavsic (4.1 & 3.4) and the 6-10 Hartley-Hatfield (3.3 & 2.4) will see more time. Perimeter players Jordan-james (8.8 & 5.6) and Zeigler (8.7) add excellent depth. Defense has always been a Rick Barnes specialty and his team is allowing just 63.1 PPG (35th).

Eric Musselman is in his third season at Fayetteville, after four OUTSTANDING seasons at Nevada. He won the CBI title in his first season, then went to three straight NCAAA tourneys (4-year record of 110-34!). He was 20-12 in his first season at Arkansas, then went 25-7 last season (Elite 8 appearance). As noted, this year's team is 20-6, led by a trio of guards in double digits. The group includes Notae (18.8-4.5-3.5), Umude (11.4 & 4.6) and Toney (10.3 & 5.3). The 6-10 Williams adds 10.2 & 9.3 and is really the lone frontcourt player of note. Guards Lykes and Davis both average 8.7 PPG, as Musselman has basically stuck with a six-man rotation.

Tennessee had four players in double figures against Kentucky with Vescovi leading with 18 points and Kennedy Chandler adding 17. Also key was the contribution of 6-11 freshman Jonas Aidoo, who was limited by illness early in the season. Aidoo stepped in for injured Olivier Nkamhoua and played a season-high 18 minutes with five points and seven rebounds against the Wildcats. He also blocked three shots, including two against Kentucky player-of-the-year candidate Oscar Tshiebwe. His tip-in with 11:10 remaining started a 10-0 scoring run that gave the Vols a 65-45 lead with 6:27 remaining on the clock. This is a HUGE game for both sides and I'm taking the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf Game of the Year (CAA) is on Coll of Charleston at 4:00 ET.

The Towson Tigers travel to Charleston, SC to take on the College of Charleston at the SECU Arena. Towson has rebounded from an 'ugly' 4-14 season (3-9 in CAA) play) to enter this game 20-7, including 11-3 in CAA play. The COC has a new head coach this season in Pat Kelsey, who came from a nine-year stint at Winthrop in which he was 185-95 overall, including going 24-10 and 23-2 the last two seasons. The Cougars were just 9-10 last season (COVID-shortened) but are 14-11 this season, although an unimpressive 6-7 in ACC play.

The Tigers have four double digit scorers in guards Holden (13.9 & 7.7), Timberlake (13.8 & 4.6) and Gibson (10.3) plus the 6-7 Thompson (10.4 & 6.4). The fifth starter is guard Rizzuto (8.3) plus Guar Nolan (9.6 & 4.1 APG) and the 6-8 Gray (7.1 & 4.4) are the top reserves. The Cougars can match those four double digit scorers in 6-6 forward Meeks (14.5 & 8.8) plus guards Smith (12.0), Tucker (11.3) and Underwood (7.6 & 3.4 APG). Starting alongside of Meeks, Smith and Underwood are the 6-7 Burnham (7.4 & 4.3) and the 6-8 Smart (3.6 & 4.3).

Here's the rub. Towson began its three-game road swing to end the regular season Thursday night, as the Tigers rolled past UNC Wilmington 79-55. Thompson led the way with 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Gibson chipped in 14, Holden scored 13 and Antonio Rizzuto had 10. More importantly, it moved Towson to 11-3 in CAA play, just a half-game back of 12-3 UNC-Wilmington. Now, just two nights later, the Tigers play at Charleston, which 'hung' with the Tigers back on Jan 20, losing 74-67 at Towson. Of more importance, this is Charleston's FINAL home game of the season. "Upset Alert!" Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Texas Two-Step is on Texas at 12;00 ET.

Chris Beard left Lubbock and its beloved fan base last April to take over the Texas program (after Shaka Smart was fired) and created plenty of hurt feelings that haven't been soothed over the past 10 months. Mark Adams worked under Beard since his first season as a Division I head coach (started at Arkansas-LR) and instead of following Beard to Austin, decided to stay in Lubbock as Tech's head coach. These two bitter rivals played on Feb 1 in Lubbock, with the Red Raiders exacting a bit of revenge (on Beard) in a 77-64 win over the Longhorns. The two go at it again at high noon ET on Saturday, this time in Austin.

The Red Raiders (20-6 / 9-4 Big 12) head to Austin after a come-from-behind 83-73 win at home over No. 7 Baylor on Wednesday that produced Texas Tech's first season sweep of the Bears since 2005. The 6-8 Obanor (10.3 & 5.2) had 23 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, both season-highs, and recorded his first double-double of the season. The 6-8 Williams (13.5 & 4.5) added 17 points, while guard Arms (8.2 & 4.0) had 15 and fellow guard Shannon (11.7) added 14. The Red Raiders played without big guard McCullar (10.8 & 5.3), who was out with an ankle sprain.

Texas (19-7 / 8-5 Big 12) heads home after a two-game road trip that ended with an 80-78 win at Oklahoma in overtime on Tuesday Texas lost the first game at Baylor). The 6-6 Allen scored 20 points, including a key tip-in with 11 seconds remaining in overtime, as the Longhorns made the needed plays in the final minute of the extra period and held on. Andrew Jones (10.4) added 20 points for Texas, with PG Carr (11.1 & 3.5 APG) and the 6-7 Bishop each adding 16 points. Texas played without 6-9 center Mitchell (8.7 & 4.0) who did not make the trip with the team due to personal reasons.

Kansas leads the Big 12 at 10-2, with Texas Tech and Baylor tied at 9-4 (Texas sits at 8-5). Expect maximum intensity and physical play in this one. "We were in desperation mode, so at halftime we knew we had to get after it from the very beginning of the second half," Texas Tech coach Mark Adams said. Tech rallied from a seven-point halftime deficit and outscored Baylor 51-34. "Emphasis was (to) just play hard and be aggressive. We're bigger and longer than they are, get some deflections and show our size more. And I thought we did that." Coming off that big win, I believe the motivational edge shifts to the Longhorns (and particularly to Beard), after losing on Feb 1 in Lubbock (see above). Revenge works here. Hook'em Horns!

Good luck...Larry

The third play of my STP is a 9* on San Francisco at 10:00 ET.

Full, detailed analysis Thursday morning by 11:00 ET.

The 2nd play of my STP is an 8* on Cal at 9:30 ET.

Full, detailed analysis Thursday morning by 10:00 ET.

The 1st play of my STP is a 10* on Oregon at 9:00 ET.

Dana Altman has been a HUGE winner in his coaching career and Oregon was ranked 13th in the AP's preseason poll. The Ducks did little right to open the season, splitting their first 12 games, before embarking on a season-saving run of 11 wins in their last 13 games. Oregon is now 17- 8 (10-4 in the Pac 12) and should have an NCAA Tournament bid on its mind. However, first things first. 12-1 Arizona will likely be the Pac 12 tourney's No. 1 seed but Oregon and USC (each 10-4) plus 9-4 UCLA, are all fighting to get one of the Pac 12's top-four seeds. Bobby Hurley (a member of the "Coaching Hurleys") came to Arizona St for the 2015-16 season. His six-year record (entering this season) was 104-83. After leading the Sun Devils to three straight 20-win seasons, last year's team flopped to 11-14 (7-10 Pac 12).  The Sun Devils are just 8-15 overall this season and at 4-9 in Pac-12 play, are not thinking top-four seed like the Ducks.

Oregon is coming off a 62-59 win over Washington State on Monday at Eugene, as the Ducks have won five of their past six games. However, that one loss is a concern because it occurred last week at home against California, 78-64. With four losses in conference play, and on the bubble when it comes to the NCAA Tournament, Oregon coach Dana Altman said, "There is no big picture. The big picture is Thursday night, and trying to win a game," he said. "We lost a game to Arizona State in Eugene, so we should be ready to roll." Will Richardson is Oregon's leading scorer at 15.1 PPG but scored only eight points in the previous meeting with the Sun Devils. He made just 2 of 14 shots from the floor, including 1 of 9 from three-point range. He scored in double figures in each of the next 15 games, before managing just seven while in foul trouble against Washington St on Monday. Fellow guards Young (11.3) and Harmon (11.2) join Richardson in double figures. 6-11 center Dante (8.2 & 5.6) plus the 6-7 Guerrier (9.0 & 5.3) typically start, while the 6-6 Williams (7.5 & 5.0) and the 6-11 Kepnang (4.7 & 2.8) come off the bench.

Arizona State took an early season hit when returning guard Bagley (10.8 PPG) was lost to a knee injury after just THREE games (was averaging 10.4). Horne (12.5), Heath (9.9) and Jackson (9.5 & 3.9 APG) have taken up the slack in the backcourt. 6-6 SF Lawrence (10.5 & 6.9) and the 6-9 Graham (9.1 & 4.5) are the lone frontcourt players of note. Arizona is averaging a woeful 63.9 PPG (322nd) on 39.2% shooting (352nd). Arizona State is hoping that its bounce-back performance at Washington State last weekend is a sign of things to come, as the Sun Devils start a stretch of five games in 10 days. Tonight's contest launches its busy stretch with home games Thursday against Oregon and Saturday against Oregon State. After that come three games on the road next week at UCLA, Colorado and Utah.

Oregon is seeking to nail down a top-four seed for the Pac-12 plus is also trying to burnish it's at-large resume. That's motivation enough but NO WAY that Oregon forgets its 69-67 OT loss at home to ASU back on Dec 5, a time BEFORE the Ducks have 'hit their stride!' Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf (Big South) "Best of the Best" is on Gardner-Webb at 7:00 ET.

The Winthrop Eagles and the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs meet Wednesday from Paul Porter Arena in Boiling Springs, NC. Winthrop was 23-2 last season but this season began with a new head coach in Mark Prosper. Gardner-Webb, unlike Winthrop, has not been much of a threat in the Big South during Mark Crat's tenure (now in his 9th season). The Big South has two divisions (North and South). Longwood (19-6 / 11-1) has run away with the North but Winthrop (17-8 / 10-2) is being challenged in the South by Gardner-Webb (15-10 / 9-3).

Winthrop opened just 6-6 but has won 11 of 13 since. The 6-9 Burns (15.8 & 4.5) and the 6-7 Hightower (11.2 & 5.9) are the team's top scorers, while guard Good (10.4) and the 6-7 Talford (8.9 7 4.6) contribute well off the bench. Five guards (three who start), chip in with between 4.7 & 7.4 PPG. Gardner-Webb opened 4-7 but has won 11 of its last 14 (has closed within one game of Winthrop in the South). Seven players get 21-plus minutes and the starting-five looks like this. D'maurian Williams (14.3 & 4.8) and Terry (13.8) start in the backcourt, while the frontcourt features the 6-9 Reid (10.0 & 5.3), SF Zion Williams (6.8 & 5.2) and the 6-8 Dufeal (4.3 & 6.0).

Winthrop has won four straight coming in but Gardner-Webb enters on a six-game winning streak. The phrase "defense wins championships" makes me point out that Gardner-Webb is allowing 63.2 PPG (37th), while holding opponents to 38.6% on all FG attempts (15th), including 28.)% on threes (8th). In contrast, Winthrop is allowing 70.2 PPG (221st) on 42.8% shooting (173rd), including 34.4% on threes (236th). One last thing. It's hard to overlook the fact that Winthrop is just 5-16 ATS in its last 21 road games.

Good luck...Larry

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

Illinois routed Rutgers by 35 points when the teams met on Dec 3 but much has changed (especially for Rutgers), since that meeting. Illinois is one of five top-25 teams in the Big Ten and sits atop the conference at 11-3. Rutgers is unranked but at 9-5 in league play, is still very much alive to get one of the conference's top-four seeds (double-bye).

The Illini staved off a comeback effort by Northwestern to secure a 73-66 home win on Sunday. The 7-0 Cockburn went for 19 points and 15 rebounds, bringing his season averages to 21.5 points and 11.4 boards. He is a national player of the year candidate, as he is the ONLY player in Division I averaging 20 & 10. Illinois goes just six-deep, as guards Plummer (15.4), Frazier (12.5 & 4.0 APG), Grandison (10.7) and Curbelo (9.0) are joined by the 6-10 Hawkins (5.2 & 4.0). came off the bench. Rutgers has a starting lineup consisting of four guards and the 6-11 Omoruyi (11.4 & 7.9). PG Baker (12.5 & 4.1 APG) entered the season with 101 starts on his resume and 6-6 guard Harper (15.7 & 6.1) can be a 'nightmare' matchup issue for many teams. Mulcahy (8.9-4.3-5.4) & 4.1) and McConnell (6.4 & 4.9).

Brad Underwood became a star at SF Austin, going 89-14 with three straight NCAA appearances. He was hired at Oklahoma St and went 20-13, leading the Cowboys to the 'Big Dance," He was then lured to Illinois but his first two seasons resulted in 14-18 and 12-21 records. Those days are now in the rearview mirror, as the Fighting Illini have gone 21-10, 24-7 and now 18-6 so far this season. Steve Pikiell came to Rutgers (from Stony Brook) for the 2016-17 season and his 2019-20 team won 20 games (NCAA tourney was canceled) and then got the Scarlet Knights into the "Big Dance" last season, winning a game before losing in the round of 32. The current season seemed like a disappointment but then the Scarlet Knights ran off three straight wins over top-25 opponents, building off home wins over Michigan State and Ohio State with a 73-65 upset of then-No. 14 Wisconsin in Madison. It marks the first time in program history that Rutgers has beaten three ranked opponents in a row.

"The RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center) has been a brutal venue for visiting teams. Rutgers is 12-2 at home this season and enters 40-8 (.833) at home the last two-plus seasons. That said, I just can't see Rutgers beating a FOURTH straight ranked team here. No 35-point win by Illinois this time but I do expect one by double digits.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late Breaker is on Indiana at 9:00 ET.

The Big Ten has FIVE schools in the AP's top-20. Purdue is the highest ranked at No. 5 but at 11-4, trails No. 12 Illinois (11-3). No. 15 Wisconsin is 19-5 overall and 10-4 in the Big Ten (third-place), as it visits Bloomington, In on Tuesday to take on 16-8 Indiana, which is just 7-7 in Big Ten play.

The Badgers find themselves in a four-way fight at the top of the conference standings (Mich St is 9-4) and Saturday's 73-65 home loss to Rutgers sure didn't help. Greg Gard is now in his seventh season at Madison, taking over when Bo Ryan retired. Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors last season but of the 14 scholarship players this season, 10 are classified as freshmen for eligibility purposes. Guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 14.4 & 4.1 and is joined by freshman guard Hepburn (7.5). The "big story" has been guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY), who is averaging 20.3 & 8.2 this season.  Rounding out the starting-five, after limited playing time last season, are the 6-9 Wahl (11.6 & 5.7) and the 7-0 Crowl (9.1 & 4.4).

Indiana lost its final six games of last season and the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller. They then hired Mike Woodson (former Indiana player under Bob Knight) to lead the team in the 2021-22 season, Indiana opened 6-0 but is a modest 10-8 since, including 7-7 in Big Ten play). The 6-9 Jackson-Davis (17.5 & 8.3) is the team's best player, joined up front by the 6-8 Thompson (10.7 & 7.8) and the 6-7 Kopp (6.0 & 2.5). Guards Johnson (10.4-3.6-4.5), Stewart (6.7 and Galloway (6.0) are getting the backcourt minutes (Phinisee was averaging 5.1 PPG but has been sidelined with an ankle injury since late Jan).

Wisconsin is known for its defense and is allowing 66.4 PPG but it may surprise that Indiana is allowing 63.8 PPG. What's more, Wisconsin is allowing opponents to shoot 43.7% (221st), while Indiana is holding opponents to 37.6% shooting (5th-best in the nation). The Hoosiers are coming off a 76-61 loss at Michigan State on Saturday (team's third straight loss), dropping to 2-6 on the road this season. However, the Hoosiers are 13-2 at home. This contest is a rematch of the Big Ten opener for both teams back on Dec 8, a game Wisconsin won 64-59. However, the Badgers needed to rally from a 22-point deficit to edge Indiana at home. The 'shoe' is on the other foot in this one and I look for the Hoosiers to earn the win, dealing the Badgers a 'hurtful' loss in their quest for a Big Ten regular season title. Revenge is a dish best served cold and I expect it to be very 'cold' tonight in Assembly Hall for the Badgers.

Good luck...Larry

 My 9* Marquee Classic is on Villanova at 8:00 ET.

Big East supremacy will be at stake Tuesday when No. 10 Villanova visits No. 8 Providence. Villanova (19-6, 12-3) is the model program of the conference, while Providence (21-2, 11-1 Big East) is in first-place coming off a 13-13 season (9-10 in the Big East).

Villanova head coach Jay Wright owns two national titles (2016 and 2018) and is coming off a Sweet 16 appearance last season with four starters coming back, 'Nova opened the year as the AP's 4th-ranked team but the Wildcats were just 7-4 through mid-December. That said, THREE of those losses came to then-No. 2 UCLA, then-No. 6 Purdue and then-No. 2 Baylor. Villanova is 12 and 2 since then, as Wright is going with a basic six-man rotation so far this season. Collin Gillespie has fully recovered from an MCL injury that ended his 2020-21 campaign early. He leads the Wildcats in scoring with 16.2 PPG. Fellow guards Justin Moore adds 15.2 & 5.0 and Daniels chips in 9.27PPG in the role of 6th-man. Up front, it's the 6-7 Samuels (10.2 & 6.1) the 6-8 Dixon (10.0 & 6.7).and the 6-7 Slater (9.0 & 3.7).

Ed Cooley arrived in Providence for the 2011-12 season and led the Friars to FIVE straight NCAA tournaments from 2014-2018. Providence is coming off a mediocre 13-13 season last year but that's all changed this season. The Friars have three double digit scorers 6-10 center Watson (13.6 & 5.7), plus guards Durhman (13.4) and Bynum (11.6 & 4.2 APG). Reeves (8.9) adds depth in the backcourt, while the 6-8 Horchler (9.9 & 8.5) and the 6-7 Minaya (6.6 & 5.8) contribute up front.

Villanova always plays excellent defense and this season is no different (62.2 PPG ranks 26th) but Providence has held opponents to a modest 64.6 PPG (61st). This is the first of two meetings between the two schools, with the second coming Mar 1 (regular season finale for both) and Villanova is well aware that a loss here and the Friars will move to 12-1, leaving the Wildcats at 12-4 (steep hill to climb). Villanova has won SIX of its last eight road games against Providence and I'll back "the model program of the conference" in this Marquee Classic. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on Cincinnati at 7:00 ET.

The Memphis Tigers got hot at the end of last season and head coach Penny Hardaway led his alma mater to the NIT championship. Memphis opened the current CBB season ranked 12th in the AP poll but it's far from 'smooth sailing' for the Tigers, who are currently a modest 14-8 and have long ago fallen from the rankings. However, the Tigers have won FIVE straight (all in league play) and are 8-4 in the AAC, 1 1/2-games behind conference leaders Houston and SMU (both 9-2). The Tigers travel to Cincinnati to take on the 16-8 Bearcats (just 6-5 in AAC play) tonight. The Bearcats have a new coach in Wes Miller (NCAA bids with UNC-Greensboro in 2018 and 2021), who was hired after John Brannen was let go amid controversy.

Memphis has remarkable depth, as 10 players are averaging 5 PPG or more. The 6-11 Dalen Duren leads the Tigers in scoring (11.3) and rebounding (7.9) and plays alongside the 6-9 Williams (11.2 & 5.5) and the 6-8 Bates (10.4 & 3.5). However, Bates has been sidelined with a bad back and is still not available. Joining big men Duren and Williams in the starting lineup are now guards Nolley (9.4), Quinines (9.4) and Lomax (6.1-3.1-3.5).

David DeJulius leads the Bearcats in scoring with 14.7 PPG while Jeremiah Davenport averages 13.3 PPG with a team-high 5.2 RPG (a team high). Adams-Woods (8.9 & 3.42APG) and Saunders (7.3) join DeJulius and Davenport in the backcourt, while 6-5 SF Newman (6.4 & 4.0) is part of the starting-five. The 6-11 Lahkin (4.9 & 4.2) and the 6-9 Oguama (4.2 & 4.2) contribute up front.

Memphis beat Cincy 87-80 at home on Jan 9 bi[ut I believe the Tigers will have their hands full here, coming off a HUGE 69-59 win last Saturday at then-No. 6 Houston. The Cincinnati Bearcats are 11-3 at the Fifth Third Arena, which has always been a tough venue for visiting teams over the years. Memphis will have to contend with a Cincy team that is allowing opponents to connect on just 38.7%, ranking 16th in the nation. Take the points but a Cincy OUTRIGHT win is the prediction.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Rhode Island at 9:00 ET.

The 17-8 Dayton Flyers and the 13-10 Rhode Island Rams meet Monday from Ryan Center in Kingston, RI in A-10 action.  Dayton is 9-3 in conference play (tied with VCU), as both chase 10-2 Davidson. Rhode Island is only 3-4 in conference play but comes off a confidence-building 72-65 win over Davidson in its last game. The two schools met back on Jan 28 in Dayton, with the Flyers barely edging the Rams, 53-51.

The Flyers have a solid frontcourt duo in the 6-10 Holmes (11.5 & 5.9) and the 6-8 Camara (19=0.6 & 6,4), joined by a trio of guards in Smith (9.4 & 4.1), Elvis (9.2) and Weaver (7.2). Rhode Island has the Mitchell twins (Maryland transfers), as the 6-10 Makhel averages 11.2 & 5.5) and 6-9 Makhi averages 9.8 & 7.2). Sheppard (10.6-3.0-3.0) is the only guard in double digits but FIVE more chip in between 5.6 & 8.5 PPG.

Dayton managed just a modest 8-6 start but the team has found some rhythm since then, going 9-2. Meanwhile, the Rams began their year at 12-4 but then had an 'ugly' six-game losing streak, before beating Davidson this past weekend. I noted earlier, I thought that was a confidence-builder and noting that the Rams almost beat the Flyers in Dayton in the first meeting (lost by TWO points), I'm calling for them to play 'spoilers' and hand Dayton a loss it DOESN'T need. 

Good luck...Larry

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

The Big 12 Conference has FOUR schools in the AP's top-20, with Kansas (9-2) leading the way over 9-3 Baylor and 8-4 Texas Tech. Tonight's game between West Va (14-10 / 3-8 Big 12) and Kansas St (13-11 / 5-7 Big 12) is not what one would call a marquee matchup. However, both have quality head coaches in West Va's Bob Huggins and Bruce Weber of Kansas St. The Mountaineers just got pounded 81-58 Saturday at Oklahoma State, suffering their EIGHT loss in nine games. The Wildcats come into this game with momentum after rallying Saturday for a 75-69 overtime win at Iowa State. They allowed just 29 points after halftime, limiting the Cyclones to 31.4 percent shooting from the floor.

The guard duo of Sherman (18.4) and McNeil (13.4) lead the way for West Va, while the 6-7 Bridges (9.2 & 5.0) is the team's top frontcourt player. Guard Curry (8.5) is the only other West Va player averaging as much as 5 PPG. Kansas St has a trio of guards averaging in double digits, led by Pack (17.7). He's joined by Smith (12.0 & 8.4) and PG Newell (11.5 & 5.1 APG). The 6-9 Massoud (6.3 & 2.8) and the 6-10 Ezeagu (4.3 & 3.0) add little in the way of much help in the frontcourt.

West Virginia edged Kansas State 71-68 back on Jan 9 in Morgantown. At that point, WVU was 12-2 on the season but is just 2-8 since then. It's "revenge" for Kansas St but I want NO part of laying points with the Wildcats. Interestingly, Monday night's game offers an opportunity for the winner to possibly make a late run into the 68-team NCAA field next month. Each has some high-profile games left on the schedule and with four Big 12 teams in the top-15 of the NCAA's NET rankings through Saturday night's games, a late season run and a "W" (or two) in the Big 12 tourney may just 'do the trick!' I'm with Huggins and the Mountaineers.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on Colorado St at 4:00 ET.

The 19-3 Colorado State Rams (9-3 in MWC) and the 19-5 Boise State Broncos (10-1 in MWC) meet Sunday afternoon from the ExtraMile Arena in Boise in a major showdown in the MWC. Boise St is tied with Wyoming at the top of the conference standings, while CSU sits 1 1/2-games behind the two leaders. This is the first of two meetings between the two schools, who will meet again March 5 in Fort Collins (season finale for both teams).

CSU's head coach Niko Medved is in his fourth season at Fort Collins, coming off a 20-8 record last season in which the Rams finished fourth in the NIT. Colorado State lost just ONE of its first 17 games but then lost B2B games to UNLV and Wyoming, before winning three in a row. David Roddy leads the Rams in scoring (19.3) and rebounding (7.7), while PG Isaiah Stevens averages 15.5 PPG and a team-high 4.9 APG this season. John Tonje (10.3) comes off the bench to give the Rams a third double-digit scorer. Guards Jacobs (5.2 & 4.2) and Moore (5.8) join the 6-9 Thomas (6.2 & 3.5) to complete the starting-five. Lake, Rivera and Moors combine to contribute 12.9 PPG.

Boise St's Leon Rice is in his 12th season, having produced EIGHT 20-win seasons in his first 11, including two NCAA teams (the most recent coming back in 2015). Last year's team went 19-9, before losing in the NIT quarterfinals, just missing a ninth, 20-win campaign. The Broncos opened just 3-4 but have won 16 of 17 since, losing only Feb 3 at Wyoming (72-65). Boise St has depth issues but has a very solid starting-five. The backcourt is missing Doutrive (9.4 & 4.6), who last played on Nov 30 but Shaver (12.7 & 3.7) and 6-8 guard Akot (11.0 & 3.2) form a quality duo. Up front, it's the 6-7 Kijab (14.1 & 6.4), the 6-7 Degenhart (10.3 & 3.7) and the 6-10 Armus (6.9 & 8.3). The 6-7 Smith (5.3 & 3.2) comes off the bench. Defense is Boise's 'bread-and-butter,' allowing 59.2 PPG (9th). 

This is a HUGE game for Colorado St, as loss likely leaves the regular season title to either Wyoming or Boise. However, a "W'' keeps them right in the mix. Let me note that Boise St comes in on an 0-4 ATS run in its last four home games. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Big East Showdown is on UConn at 12:00 ET.

St. John's (13-10, 5-7 Big East) will host No. 24 UConn (16-7, 7-5) in Madison Square Garden at high noon on Super Bowl Sunday. The Red Storm haven't played since Tuesday, when they trailed by 20 points with four minutes left before mounting a furious rally in a 75-69 loss to No. 15 Villanova. UConn also ran out of time in its 74-68 loss Friday night at No. 25 Xavier. The Huskies allowed Xavier to shoot almost 50 percent from the floor (26-of-53) and never led in the second half. They trailed 47-37 with 13:39 left before getting within three points three times, including twice in the final two minutes.

Mike Anderson (no connection at all to St John's or the Big East) was a surprise choice as the Red Storm's head coach after Chris Mullen left and the 'jury is still out' in his third season. The 6-8 Champagnie is listed as a guard and leads St John's in scoring (18.5) and rebounding (6.6). The 6-9 Wheeler (9.6 & 4.1) and the 6-11 Soriano (6.1 & 5.7) are the Red Storm's lone big men of note. Guards Alexander (14.9-4.6-5.2), Addae-Wusu (9.3 & 4.3), Mathis (8.3 & 4.0) and Smith (6.3) give St John's a deep perimeter group. Dan Hurley had a nice run at Rhode Island (won 25 & 26 games his last two seasons with NCAA bids) which got him the UConn job. He's in his fourth season and last year got UConn into the NCAAs. Guards Gole (16.3-3.7-4.4), Martin (13.7 & 6.6) Jackson (7.0 & 7.3) start in the backcourt, along with the 6-9 Sanogo (15.2 & 8.3) and Whaley (7.4 & 4.90. The 6-9 Polley (7.6) is the top reserve.

Here's the rub. St John's has BOTH Champagnie (exited the last game with a hip injury, and it is unclear if he will suit up against UConn) and Alexander (missed the previous game due to a right ankle injury, and it is uncertain if he will play vs UConn) listed as questionable. I'm NOT sure I'd want St John's if that duo was 100 percent healthy and I sure won't take St John's with the current status report. Remember, the Huskies own a 115-109 double overtime win over Auburn (Nov 24) and even though they limp in having lost three of four, that lone win was an 80-72 victory over No. 18 Marquette on Tuesday.

This is a great matchup for UConn. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My Late Breaker is on CS-Fullerton at 11:59 ET.

The 14-7 CS-Fullerton Titans will travel to the Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu to take on the 11-8 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors this Saturday night in Big West play. A close look at the Big West standings reveals that while 10-1 Long Beach St (10-1) is the 'class' of the conference, the 8-2 Titans and 7-3 Rainbow Warriors are still within striking distance. Fullerton lost 71-61 this past Tuesday at Long Beach St, while Hawaii lost its 3rd straight game two nights ago, 73-66 at home to Long Beach State Beach.

Fullerton is led by the 6-7 Anosike (16.5 & 8.1) and only guard Milstead (10.9) joins him in double digits. However, five more players chip in between 7.0 & 9.8 PPG, led by guard Maddox (9.8) and the 6-8 Lee, who is the team's top rebounder (6.9) outside of Anosike. Hawaii features a solid starting-five. Guards Coleman (14.9) and Madut (10.4) are joined by a frontcourt of the 6-7 Desrosiers (11.6 & 7.4), the 6-9 da Silva (11.1 & 6.8) and the 6-10 Hepa (9.6 & 4.9).

Both teams are coming off losses to conference 'bully' LB St, so a "W" here is priority No. 1 for both Fullerton and Hawaii. I view Fullerton as the better team and the Titans are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a ATS loss. Meanwhile, Hawaii is only 1-6 ATS in its last seven games vs a team with a winning percentage above .600 (Fullerton is 14-7, .667). Fullerton doesn't play again until Feb 17, so why not enjoy their one-game stop in 'paradise!' The Titans are the play.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on UCLA at 10:00 ET.

All remember UCLA's great run to the Final 4 last season and with a 'TON' of talent back, the Bruins began the season ranked No. 2 in the AP's preseason poll. USC was 25-8 last season (made the Elite 8) but head coach Andy Enfield (who will ever forget Florida Gulf Coast!) has retooled the Trojans, after losing Evan Mobley to the NBA draft (3rd overall pick). USC opened the current season 13-0 and in the Jan 10 AP poll, was ranked No. 5. It was the school's highest ranking since also being No. 5 way back in December of 1974! Now, on Super Bowl Eve, less than 10 miles from where the big game will be played, cross-town rivals No. 12 UCLA and No. 21 USC meet at Galen Center in a game with Pac-12 Conference title implications.

UCLA (17-4, 9-3 Pac-12) fell from the conference lead last week with a pair of losses at Arizona and Arizona State. The Bruins responded Tuesday by carrying a double-digit lead through much of the second half to win at Stanford 79-70. USC (20-4, 9-4) held Arizona State to 22-of-67 shooting (32.8 percent), including 3 of 21 (14.3 percent) from 3-point range a week ago Thursday, in a come-from-behind 58-53 victory. USC held a late lead at Arizona last Saturday but were outscored 18-3 down the stretch and fell 72-63. USC then had to rally on Tuesday in a 74-68 win over Pacific, a non-conference opponent that was added to replace a game canceled because of COVID-19 issues earlier in the season. The Trojans trailed by as many as 13 points early in the second half.

Mick Cronin's team is led by a 'Core 4' of guards. Juzang (18.1 & 5.2) leads the way, followed by Jaquez (13.2 & 5.6) and Bernard (12.8 & 5.1) All three are 6-7 and 5-11 PG Campbell (11.2 & 4.7 APG) runs the show. Enfield has retooled the Trojans this season, with GREAT success. Mobley's 6-10 older brother Isaiah leads in scoring (14.7) and rebounding (8.5) and is joined by the 6-9 Goodwin (11.9 & 6.8) and the 6-9 Agbonkpolo (7.8 & 3.6) in the frontcourt. Ellis (12.8), and Peterson (10.9 & 6.1) make for an excellent backcourt duo.

Here's the 'state of the union' in the Pac 12. Arizona leads at 11-1, with Oregon tied with UCLA at 9-3, while USC lurks at 9-4. These teams will meet again in their respective season-finale in Westwood on March 5 but by then, the Pac 12 will likely be decided. Isaiah Mobley missed Tuesday's matchup after coming away with a non-displaced nose fracture at Arizona. Enfield said Mobley is "day-to-day." Just what does that mean here? I like the Bruins even if Mobley plays!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on Bradley at 8:00 ET (3rd of my STP).

Drake's Darian DeVries is in his fourth season in Des Moines (70-29 his first three) and you may remember Drake opening 18-0 last season. However, the Bulldogs lost in the MVC tourney (Arch Madness) but the Bulldogs still went 'dancing,' earning the first at-large bid in program history (Drake also finished at 26-5). What's more, Drake returned all FIVE starters from that team. Bradley's Brian Wardle is in his 7th season at Bradley, having gone just 93-102 in his first six (12-16 last season). Drake come is 17-8 (8-4 in MVC) and Bradley 14-11 (8-5 in MVC). The teams meet tonight from the Carver Arena in Peoria. 

Drake' head coach Darian DeVries had the inside track on recruiting his son Tucker (Gatorade POY in Iowa) and he's delivered by leading the team in scoring at 13.4 PPG. Three more guards join him in the starting lineup, the 6-3 Sturtz (11.2 PPG and a team-high 7.6 RPG), Penn (10.6) and Wilkins (10.8). The 6-6 Murphy (9.3 & 5.3) is the fifth starter, while the 6-6 Hemphill (9.3 & 5.3) and the 6-10 Brodie (6.6 & 5.0) are important role players. Terry Roberts leads the Braves in scoring (15.2) and assists (4.5) and four other guards combine to chip in about 21.5 PPG. The frontcourt once featured the 6-9 Mast (11.1 & 8.4), the 6-6 Henry (10.4 & 4.9) and the 6-9 Leons (10.2 & 6.0). However, Henry has played just ONE game since mid-Dec.

No. Iowa (10-3) leads the MVC, with 9-3 Loyola and 9-4 Mo St trailing. Drake hopes to bounce back from a 66-62 loss to Missouri State last time out, while Bradley Braves looks to build on back-to-back wins, including a confidence-building 68-61 win over Loyola-Chicago its last time out. The tech trends all favor Bradley, as Drake is 2-9 ATS in its last 11 road games and 1-6-1 ATS in its last eight games following a SU loss. Meanwhile, Bradley is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games overall and 4-0 ATS in its last four home games. The home team is the play.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf Game of the Year (WAC) is on Utah Valley St at 4:00 ET.

New Mexico St has pretty much dominated the WAC since joining in the 2005-06 season, winning nine WAC conference tourneys (2020 tourney was canceled in a year in which the Aggies were 25-6 / 16-0 in the WAC. Chris Jans is in his fifth season In Las Cruces and is his first four, produced a 95-25 record, despite last season's 12-8 mark. However, despite losing four starters, the Aggies are back atop the WAC at 20-3 overall, including 10-1 in league play. Utah Valley St has nowhere near that kind of pedigree and Mark Madsen is in just his third season as a head coach. The Wolverines were just 11-19 and 11-11 in his first two seasons but Madesen (who will EVER forget him 'dancing' while celebrating a Lakers' title) has this year's team at 15-8 overall but just 6-5 in WAC play.

 The Aggies have an excellent guard duo in Allen (top scorer and top rebounder at 19.6 & 7.0) plus Rice (12.8 & 5.7). That duo gets little help, as no other guard averages as much as 5 PPG. The frontcourt does have depth (but no major producers) in the 6-7 MCants (8.5-5.0), the 6-7 Tillman (6.6 & 3.1), the 6-10 McNair (6.5 & 5.0) and the 6-11 Alok (5.9 & 2.4). As for Utah Valley, the 6-11 Aimaq (18.9 & 13.2) is the best big man in this game and gets some support from the 6-9 Fuller (7.3 & 4.6). Four guards chip in between 7.5 and 11.3 PPG, led in scoring by Harding (11.3 & 4.2) and in assists by PG Nield (4.5). New Mexico will likely win the WAC tourney title again but this Utah Valley St team is 'sneaky good' and is 8-2 at home this season. I'm issuing an "Upset Alert!" Take the points. 

Good luck...Larry

My 9* play is on George Mason at 4:00 ET (1st of my STP).

The VCU Rams and George Mason Patriots meet Saturday in A-10 action from the EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Va. The VCU Rams come in having won FIVE of six and are now 15-7 overall, including 8-3 in league play. George Mason beat Richmond on Wednesday but enters just 3-3 in its last six games (12-10 overall and 5-4 in league play). Davidson leads the A-10 at 10-1, while VCU is tied with StL and Dayton at 9-3.

 
VCU's Mike Rhoades has some pretty good credentials in his first four seasons in Richmond, going 80-41 with two NCAA bids. Last season's NCAA bid ended before his team was able to play its first-round game with Oregon, as the VCU team had a COVID outbreak. The Rams opened just 3-4 this season but as noted, are now fighting for the top spot in the A-10. The 6-6 Vince Williams Jr. (12.6 & 6.1) is the team's best player and gets some help up front from the 6-7 Ward (6.8 & 5.3) and the 6-8 Stockard (5.9 & 2.7). PG Baldwin (10.6 & 5.1 APG) is joined in the backcourt by Curry (9.9) and Nunn (8.1). VCU's strength is a defense allowing 60.3 PPG (15th).

The Patriots have a first-time head coach in Kim English. He inherited a 13-9 team that lost FOUR starters from last season. The Patriots are "not going anywhere" in the A-10 but English has a VERY good starting-five. All five average 30-plus minutes, led by the 6-9 Oduro (17.9 & 6.8). The four other starters are guards. Schwartz (15.9 & 4.8) is the top producer, joined by Cooper (12.7), Gaines (11.4 & 8.7) and Johnson (7.7-4.4-4.8). Oturo had missed the previous two games in the concussion protocol but returned Wednesday with 22 points and 14 rebounds!

 
Which team 'blinks' in this one? The Rams are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 road games, while the Patriots are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 home games. GMU is 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS at home this season, winning by an average of 10.5 points. That's the way I'm going.

Good luck...Larry 

My 9* play is on Morehead Dt at 4:00 ET (2nd play of STP).

The Murray State Racers just entered the AP poll on Monday (at No.23), for the first time since a one-week stay in March of 2015. Having won 13 straight games since a Dec 22 loss at Auburn, tends to build one's resume. Murray St (23-2 / 13-0 in OVC) will travel to Ellis T. Johnson Arena to take on the Morehead State Eagles late Saturday afternoon. Morehead St is 19-7 overall and 11-2 in OVC play (tied with Belmont).

Murray State Racers won their 13th straight game this past Thursday, by beating Tennessee St 73-62. Murray State trailed 36-29 at the half but dominated on both ends of the court in the 2nd half and pulled away. The 6-10 Williams leads in scoring (17.7) and rebounding (8.6), while SG Brown (17.0-5.6-3.4) and PG Hill (13.6 & 5.0 APG) join him in double digits. Murray St averages 80.9 PPG (11th) and allows 62.9 PPG (33rd). That's a pretty 'sweet 'daily double.'

Morehead State had its 3-game winning streak snapped and in a 48-47 loss at Belmont this past Thursday. The Eagles went into halftime with a 29-22 lead but really struggled on the offensive end in the 2nd half, and Belmont won on a game-winning floater with :05 seconds left in regulation. The 6-10 Broome (16.7 & 10.6) is a match for Williams inside plus Moorehead St has a nice trio of guards in Hollowell (11.2), Potter (11.0 & 5.2) and Cooper (9.0-4.6-6.2)

Murray St is on a roll but playing o-its first game as a ranked team on the road against a Morehead St team that's 12-0 on its home floor, is a prime spot for a letdown. I’m sure no Power-5 school is going to want to face the Racers in the NCAA Tournament but I'm "all over" Morehead St in this one as a home dog. Bow Wow!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* West Coast Crusher is on Fresno St at 9:30 ET.

The 16-7 Fresno State Bulldogs and the 18-3 Colorado State Rams meet Friday in MWC play from Moby Arena in Fort Collins. Fresno State is just 6-4 in MWC play, while Colorado St is 8-3, trying to run down MWC leaders Wyoming and Boise St (both are 9-1).

Fresno State was 10-4 run to start the year but then had a postponement break from December 28 to January 11. The Bulldogs have gone 6-3 in their last nine, losing to Nevada plus the two conference leaders, Boise State and Wyoming. The 7-0 Robinson leads in scoring (18.7) and rebounding (8.3) but is also Fresno's lone big man. Six guards chip in between 5.4 and 10.1 PPG, led by Hill (10.1) and Holland (9.7 & 6.1). Fresno's strength is a defense that's holding opponents to 57.6 PPG (5th-best in the nation!).

Colorado State lost just ONE of its first 17 games (notably a 79-49 road loss to San Diego State) but then lost two straight, before rebounding with back-to-back wins. Guard David Roddy leads the team in scoring (19.2) and rebounding (7.8) and the Rams' strength is their perimeter game. Fellow guards Stevens (15.5 & 5.0 APG) and Tonjie (10.4 off the bench) add double digits. Guards Moore (6.1) and Jacobs (5.5 & 4.2) join the 6-9 Thomas (6.2 & 3.5) to complete the starting-five.

CSU plays solid defense, allowing 67.4 PPG but that's 10 points MORE than what FSU allows. Yes, CSU is 11-1 SU at home but FSU is getting close to a 'touchdown' worth of points here and the Bulldogs are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 overall, including 5-0-1 ATS after an ATS loss this season. Take the points with the better defensive team.

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Akron at 7:00 ET.

The Kent State Golden Flashes and Akron Zips meet Friday in MAC play action from the James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron. Kent State is 14-9 and comes in on a FIVE-game winning streak while Akron has won three in a row to reach 16-6. Toledo and Ohio lead the MAC (both are 11-2), with Akron (9-3) and Kent (9-4) hoping to catch up.

Kent returned four starters from last year's 15-8 team and owns a deep backcourt. Carry (17.6-4.7-4.8) leads the way with fellow guards Jacobs (11.6 PPG and a team-high 7.6 RPG), Santiago (8.9) and Garcia (8.5). The 6-11 Hamilton (8.6 & 6.7) and the 6-7 Beck (6.6) are the team's top frontcourt players. Akron pretty much relies on its starting-five. The 6-8 Ali leads in scoring at 13.7 PPG, while the 6-7 Freeman is the leading rebounder (11.0), while adding 12.9 PPG. Guards Castaneda (13.2) and Trimble (10.7) add double digit scoring in the backcourt, while fellow guards Walton (7.3) and Tribble (7.1) are solid contributors.

These rivals met back on Jan 14 in Kent, with the Golden Flashes winning 67-55. That game was the first of what's now been a 7-1 run by Kent St. However, let me add that since that loss, Akron has gone 7-1, as well. The Zips are 10-1 at home and that follows them going 28-5 at home the previous two seasons. Both teams play solid D but the Zips have allowed just 59.3 PPG during their three-game winning streak. Revenge, plus their dominating home record (see above) makes Akron the play at this 'undervalued' price. The Zips win by double digits.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late Breaker is on Michigan at 9:00 ET.

The Big Ten features five teams in the AP's top-25. 19-3 Purdue is ranked 3rd (no other Big Ten is higher than 13th) but since all THREE of the Boilermakers' losses are in league play, they find themselves in a three-way tie with Illinois (#13) and Wisconsin (#14) atop the conference standings at 10-3. Michigan opened the season ranked 6th in the AP's preseason poll but as we approach Valentine's Day the Wolverines are just 12-9 overall and 'buried' in the Big Ten at 6-5. Purdue beat Michigan 76-72 Feb 5 at home and now visits Crisler Arena looking for a series sweep.

Matt Painter is in his 17th season at Purdue and after the Boilermakers matched their best start through 17 games under Painter (Purdue also started 15-2 during the 2010-11 and 2017-18 seasons), Purdue is 19-3. 7-4 sophomore Edey (14.8 & 7.5) teams with 6-10 senior Williams (12.3 & 8.1), the 6-6 Gillis (7.1 & 3.3) and 6-10 freshman Furst (4.7 & 4.0 ) up front. The perimeter is led by Ivey (17.7-5.1-3.3) and Stefanovic (11.9), while Thompson (5.5), Hunter (5.3) and Newman (5.3) add depth. Purdue is quite an offensive juggernaut, averaging 84.5 PPG (4th) on 50.8% shooting (3rd).

Juwan Howard's season has NOT gone as planned (Wolverines were 23-5 last year). Michigan's starting-five includes 7-1 center Dickinson (18.1 & 8,3) and the 6-11 Diabate (8.4 & 6.1) up front, plus a trio of guards. Brooks (11.0) and Houstan (10.3 & 4.3) score in double digits, while PG Jones (9.2-4.4-3.9) runs the offense. The two most reliable reserves are forwards Williams and Johns, but they combine for the modest totals of 9.2 PPG and 4.9 RPG. Michigan can't match Purdue's firepower, averaging 72.4 PPG, 12 points less than the Boilermakers.

However, Michigan 'hung' with Purdue last Saturday in West Lafayette, never losing contact and falling by just six points. In this quick turnaround revenge spot, I'm 'barking' with the home dog. Take the points but expect a Michigan win.

Good luck...Larry

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

The 9-10 Georgia State Panthers will travel to The HTC Center (Conway, SC) to take on the 12-10 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers for a Thursday night game in Sun Belt action. Neither team has been competitive in league play, as Ga St is just 3-5 and Coastal Carolina is 4-6 (SBC leader App St is 9-3 and NOT looking over its shoulder).

The Panthers have depth, as EIGHT players chip in between 5.9 and 14.6 PPG. Guards Allen (14.6-3.7-3.0), Williams (12.0-4.0-3.8) and Roberts (12.0) all score in double digits The front court is led by the 6-8 Nsoseme (9.8 & 10.3), the 6-10 Thomas (6.6 & 5.9) and the 6-7 Hudson (5.9 & 5.2). Nsoseme began the season sidelined with an injury but returned in January and has made HUGE contributions The 6-9 Mostafa (14.9 & 9.9) gets some help from up front from the 6-9 Likayi (6.2 & 5.4) for Coastal Carolina, which also features guards Cole (14.9) and Williams (13.1) plus PG Dibba (7.8-4.6-6.1).

George State comes into this game with a losing record but the Panthers have won three of their last four games. No doubt that Nsoseme's presence is starting to make an impact (he'll match up well vs Mostafa), as the Panthers have held their last six opponents to an average of just 64.7 PPG. I believe that the oddsmakers are slow in recognizing the marked improvement from the Panthers. Ga St lost at home 72-68 (OT) to Coastal Carolina on Jan 22 but note that Nsoseme had 19 & 15 in that one. Revenge "wins the day" in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on La Tech at 7:00 ET.

The Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will travel to play the Charlotte 49ers in a Conference USA game on Thursday night at Halton Arena. The Bulldogs have lost three of their last five but own a 17-6 record. La Tech plays in C-USA's West (by far the toughest division) and is 8-3, trailing 10-1 North Texas and 8-2 UAB. Charlotte enters off back-to-back wins but is a more modest 13-9 on the season. The 49ers play in the East, where four of the seven teams own sub-.500 records. Charlotte is 6-4, placing them third behind 8-3 FAU and 6-3 MTSU.

La Tech head coach Eric Kunkol led Bulldogs to a 12-4 conference record but after losing in the C-USA tourney, accepted an NIT bid and made its Final 4 (finished 3rd), ending with a 24-8 record. The 6-6 Crawford (11.8 & 5.1) returned but was lost for the season after just three games. The 6-7 Lofton (17.3 & 11.0) is having an outstanding season, getting some support up front by the 6-7 Green (7.0 & 3.0) and 6-10 freshman Hunter (4.0 & 3.0). The backcourt is led by three double digit scorers, Archibald (13.8), Willis (11.5) and Williams (10.3 & 3.6 APG).

Ron Sanchez is in his fourth season at Charlotte and entered the current season with a three-year record of just 33-50 (9-16 last season). The 49ers have a six-man rotation featuring guards Young (18.9-5.5-3.7), Butler (11.8 & 6.0), Trapp (9.2 & 5.6) and Threadkill (6.2). Up front, it's the 6-7 Braswell (9.5 & 1.7) and the 6-11 (Khalifa (7.1 & 4.1).

This is the only meeting between these teams and the bottom line is, the Bulldogs are CLEARLY the better team. Home court will NOT help the 49ers in this one. Lay the points with the small road favorite.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on George Mason at 7:00 ET.

The Richmond Spiders and the George Mason Patriots in A-10 action from EagleBank Arena in Fairfax, Va on Wednesday night. The Spiders are on a three-game winning streak and are 16-8 on the season (7-4 in A-10), including a 62-59 win at home over George Mason just two nights ago. Meanwhile, the 11-10 Patriots (4-4 A-10) will try to snap a three-game losing streak after their loss at Richmond in their last game. Chris Mooney is in his 17th year coaching the Spiders (1st season was 2005-06) but after leading Richmond to back-to-back NCAA appearances in 2010 (26 wins) and 2011 (29 wins), the Spiders haven't been back in any of the last 10 seasons. Richmond finds itself 7-4 in A-10 play, trailing 9-1 Davidson, 8-2 St Louis and 8-3 VCU. A pair of forwards, the 6-7 Burton (16.9 & 7.3) and the 6-10 Golden (14.6 & 6.4) plus PG Gilyard (12.7 & 6.0 APG) lead the way.

At GMU, the Patriots have a first-time head coach in Kim English. He inherited a 13-9 team that lost FOUR starters from last season. The Patriots are "not going anywhere" in the A-10 but English has a VERY good starting-five. All five average 30-plus minutes, led by the 6-9 Oduro (17.7 & 6.4). The four other starters are guards. Schwartz (15.5 & 4.8) is the top producer, joined by Cooper (12.8), Gaines (11.4 & 8.7) and Johnson (4.4 & 4.6).

Richmond narrowly beat George Mason 62-59 at home on Monday night (Gilyard led with 23 points) and I believe will have its hands full at George Mason, which is 8-2 at home this season. George Mason is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 home games and 6-1 ATS in its last six games against a team with a winning record. The catch? Big man Oturo has missed the last two games in the concussion protocol. Will he play here? The answer is we are just guessing. That said, the Patriots almost won Monday at Richmond without him, so I'm on GMU here, regardless.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Ivy League) is on Harvard at 7:00 ET.

The Yale Bulldogs and Harvard Crimson meet Wednesday in Ivy League action at the Lavietes Pavilion in Cambridge, Ma. The 12-9 Yale Bulldogs and the 11-8 Harvard Crimson have similar overall records but in Ivy games, Yale is 6-1 and leading the "Ancient 8," while Harvard is way back at 3-4. These two teams just met Saturday in New Haven, with Yale eking out a 58-55 win.

The Bulldogs depend on a trio of guards and three more frontcourt players. Swain (19.7 & 4.5) leads a backcourt that also includes Gabbidon (11.3) and Cotton (8.9 & 4.0). Up front, it's the 6-7 Kelly (6.4 & 4.2), the 6-5 Knowing (6.2 & 4.9) and Jarvis (5.7 & 4.0). Swain registered 19 points as Yale held on to beat on Saturday night. Harvard began the season with two excellent 6-7 players in forward Ledlum (16.7 & 9.3) and big guard Kirkwood (17.8 & 5.9). That duo had started along with guards Sakota (11.5) and Tretout (8.5) plus the 6-6 Catchings (8.8 & 3.8). However, Ledlum has not played since Jan 7 and lately, Lesmond (8.2) has seen more action than Tretout.

In football, Yale-Harvard is referred to as "The Game," and ranks with the greatest of all CFB rivalries. That's NOT the case in basketball but in this quick turnaround spot, I REALLY like Harvard the Crimson has gotten used to playing without Ledlum. Plus, Yale has a very 'weak' frontcourt, anyway. Yale loses on the road by an average of eight points while shooting only 39.5 percent from the floor, while Harvard wins at home by an average of 9.1 points. Go Harvard! Beat Yale!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Big East Showdown is on Xavier at 7:00 ET.

Xavier head coach Travis Steele was badly in need of a 20-win season when the 2021-22 CBB season tipped off back on Nov 9. He took over from Chris Mack (23.9 wins per season with NINE straight Big Dance bids), who took over from Sean Miller (24 wins per season and NCAA bids in his last four seasons of his five-year stint). The Musketeers entered the season having won just 51 games (17 per) in Steele's first three seasons, without an NCAA bid. Kevin Willard took over at Seton Hall for the 2010-11 season and had led the Pirates to four straight NCAA tournaments before the 2020 tournament was canceled because of COVID (Seton Hall was 21-9). However, the Pirates were just 14-13 last year and lost to the 6-10 Mamukelashvili (17.5 & 7.6), who was co-player-of-the-year in the Big East. Tonight, No. 25 Xavier  (16-6, 6-5 Big East) will travel to Newark, NJ to take on 14-7 Seton Hall (5-6 Big East).

Xavier is coming off a stunning upset, as the Musketeers were the victims of DePaul's first conference road win this season this past Saturday. DePaul led by seven at halftime and won 69-65 despite Xavier shooting 14 for 27 (51.9 percent) in the second half. The Musketeers have trailed at halftime in seven of their last eight games, and Steele hinted afterward that he might change his lineup to avoid a repeat of those slow starts. Xavier's starting-five looks like this. The 7-0 Nunge (12.5 & 7.2) and the 6-9 Freemantle (8.5 & 5.0) start up front, with guards Scruggs (11.4-4.6-4.2), Jones (11.2 & 8.2) and Johnson (10.7) comprising a strong backcourt. Guards Kunkel (8.9) and Odom (5.8) add backcourt depth, while the 6-8 Hunter adds 6.1 & 3.9 off the bench in the frontcourt.

The Pirates opened the season 9-1 but a two-week break without a game (COVID issues) in mid-to-late December, broke the team's momentum. When Seton Hall got back on the court, the Pirates would lose SIX of their first nine Big East games, before rebounding with back0-to-back wins prior to tonight's contest. (all in the Big East). 'The Hall' will welcome Creighton to Newark (NJ), looking to break a four-game losing streak in the series. Pirates have EIGHT players scoring between 7.2 and 15.3 PPG. 6-6 swingman Rhoden leads in scoring (15.3), while adding 7.0 RPG. Senior guard Aiken (14.5) is the only other player in double digits and he's missed the last FIVE games. Cale (9.9 & 4.1), Richmond (8.7-3.6-4.0) and Harris (7.2) are all guards. The 6-8 Yetna just misses double digits at 9.1 PPG but is the team's leading rebounder at 7.6 per game. Two 6-10 players, Jackson (7.7 & 4.1) and Samuel (7.9 & 5.8) join Yetna up front.

Seton Hall: is trying to make up ground in the Big East standings after tough losses to Providence and Villanova over the holidays, when the Pirates were short-handed due to COVID-19. Equally important, is the Pirates trying to add quality wins to its at-large resume. This contest marks the first of THREE straight games for Seton Hall vs ranked opponents plus the Pirates will also have to visit Cincinnati on Feb 26 for a rematch with the Musketeers. These team are pretty even but I trust Xavier more plus I'm getting some points. Take them!

Good luck...Larry

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

LSU lost guard Thomas (22.8), forward Watford (17.0 & 7.4) and guard Smart (16.8-5.2-4.2) to the NBA and others to the transfer portal, leaving just FOUR returning players. However, the Tigers opened the season 15-1. That has all changed quickly, as LSU visits College Station, having lost SIX of its last seven games (now 16-7 / 4-6 SEC). As for the 15-8 (4-6 SEC) Texas A&M Aggies, they will be trying to end a six-game losing streak when they host the Tigers. These teams met back on Jan 26 in Baton Rouge, with the Tigers winning 70-64.

LSU used a 9-0 game-ending run to emerge with a 70-64 win against the Aggies back on Jan 26 but the Tigers have seen rallies come up short in their two games. The Tigers trailed Ole Miss by 24 points in the first half and pulled within two twice late in the game before losing 76-72 on Feb 1. They trailed host Vanderbilt by 21 in the second half before going on a 16-0 run but still lost 75-66 this past Saturday. The 6-7 Days decided to return and he's averaging 13.3 & 7.9 and joins a strong frontcourt that includes the 6-8 Eason (15.9 & 6.7), a Cincy transfer, and 7-0 freshman Reid (7.1 & 4.9). The backcourt is led by Missouri transfer Pinson (9.7 & 4.1 APG), Gaines (10.3) and Murray (10.0). Pinson missed three weeks in January and when he returned, played two games but scored two pints in 23 minutes. He's back on the sidelines again.

Aggies head coach Buzz Williams said he's pleased with how his players have maintained a positive attitude and played hard during the losing streak. He changed his starting lineup for a 70-66 home loss to Missouri on Saturday, giving guard Wade Taylor (8.6) his first start of the season. However, Taylor scored six points. Hefner and Jackson came off the bench to lead Texas A&M with 17 points each. Hefner's career-high total came in just 17 minutes as he made a career-high five three-pointers. Hefner is averaging just 3.3 PPG on the season but Jackson is the team's leading scorer at 13.1 PPG. The 6-7 Coleman (10.9 & 5.6) is the lone frontcourt player of note, guards Radford (9.5 & 5.50 and Williams (9.0 & 3.7 APG) just miss double digits.

Yes, A&M is playing with revenge but LSU beat A&M in late January, despite Xavier Pinson and Darius Days sitting out. Pinson is likely out here but Days is back and along with Eason, Give the Tigers a HUGE edge up front. Since defeating Texas A&M, Will Wade's Tigers have allowed their three highest point totals of the season, surrendering an average of 76 PPG. However, prior to that, they had allowed an average of 58.4. A&M's in a funk and I expect the LSU defense to be the difference.

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Conference Game of the Month (MAC) is on Ohio U at 7:00 ET.

The Ohio Bobcats will travel to Savage Arena to take on the Toledo Rockets Tuesday night in a MAC Showdown between the league's two-best teams. The Ohio Bobcats won their 5th straight game and improved to 19-3 on the season (10-1 MAC) with a 77-64 win over Western Michigan Broncos this past Saturday. In contrast, the Toledo Rockets had their 9-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 18-5 on the season (10-2 MAC) after losing 93-83 to the Ball State Cardinals 93-83, this past Friday.

The Ohio Bobcats finished a modest 9-5 in MAC play last season but surprised most by winning the MAC tourney and then upset 4th-seed Virginia 62-58 in the first round of the "Big Dance." Ohio would lose its next game 72-58 to Creighton but no one was complaining in Athens. Ohio guard Preston (15.7-7.3-7.3) left for the NBA (1st Ohio player picked in the draft since Brandon Hunter is 2003) but PG Sears (19.95.1-4.0) has stepped up big time. He's joined by four guards combining to add 22 PPG. The Ohio U frontcourt features the 6-8 Carter (15.3 & 7.2), the 6-8 Vander Plas (13.2 & 6.8) and SF Roderick (7.4 & 3.2).

Tod Kowalczyk is in his 12th season at Toledo and lost his best player from last year in PG Jackson (18.1-6.1-5.9), who transferred to Arizona St. Three-point shooter Littleson (47.2% on threes last season) also left to play in Belgium. However, three double-digit scorers returned in guard Ryan Rollins plus frontcourt players like the 6-6 Millner and the 6-7 Shumate. Rollins (20.0-5.8-3.5) leads the way plus Shumate (15.3 & 6.2) and Millner (14.0 & 6.1) have also fulfilled expectations. Kowalczyk was counting on Boise St transfer Dennis (12.0-5.9-3.7) Guard Moss (8.6 & 5.2) rounds out an excellent starting-five.

Toledo is 9-0 at home and coming off a loss, should be ready to bring its "A game," as a win moves the Rockets ahead of Ohio U. However, the Bobcats' lone MAC loss this season came at home to these Rockets (Jan 21 in Athens), when Ohio played its worst game of the season. Ohio allowed Toledo to shoot 59% as a team, while the Bobcats force up threes, making just 8 of 29 (27.6%). Revenge works here, as Ohio makes its case as the MAC's best team. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

Bill Self's Jayhawks finished 21-9 last season, including a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That was not what was expected of a team ranked No. 6 in the AP's preseason poll. Kansas began the current season ranked No. 3 and opened with an 87-74 win in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on the opening night of college basketball (Nov 9) over Michigan St. The 19-3 (8-1 in the Big 12) Jayhawks are currently ranked No. 10 but will undoubtedly move up in the rankings this afternoon, when a new poll is released. Why? Because this past week, the Jayhawks won 70-61 at then-No. 20 Iowa St and then handed then-No.8 Baylor an 83-59 beatdown Saturday in Lawrence.

When Texas fired Shaka Smart after six unfulfilling seasons, Chris Beard 'jumped ship' and left Lubbock and its beloved fan base last April to take over the Texas program. It hasn't been smooth sailing for the Longhorns (who opened 5th in the AP's preseason poll), as Texas is down to No. 23 in the latest poll with a 17-6 record (just 6-4 in the Big 12). Texas welcomes Kansas to Austin in the midst of a five-game stretch against AP top-25 opponents. Texas has beaten Tennessee and Iowa St but lost at Texas Tech. Tonight it's Kansas and this coming Saturday, Baylor.

Kansas manhandled the shorthanded and struggling Baylor Bears 83-59 to win its second straight game after getting routed by Kentucky back on Jan 29. Agbaji (20.8 & 5.0) was listed as questionable vs Baylor but played an scored 18 points, as did fellow guard Braun (15.2 & 5.9). Those two big guards make a potent duo but Remy Martin (19.1 PPG last season), an Arizona State transfer, was named the preseason player of the year in the Big 12, but has been a HUGE disappointment, averaging just 8.2 PPG. He's never gained Self's complete trust on running the attack and is currently sidelined. Starting in his place is Harris (5.5 & 4.0 APG). The 6-7 Wilson (9.4 & 6.8) and the 6-10 McCormack (9.0 & 6.9) round out the starting lineup. The 6-8 Lightfoot (5.2 & 3.3) and guard Coleman-Lands (4.7) get time off the bench. Kansas is an excellent offensive team, averaging 80.2 PPG (19th) on 49.2 % shooting (7th), while allowing 67.8 PPG.

Beard brought in seven transfers with NCAA Division I experience. 6-6 Timmy Allen was named All-Pac 12 at Utah last season (17.2 & 6.4) and leads Texas in scoring (11.2) and rebounding (6.5) but his scoring is down 5 PPG. The same goes for PG Carr (19.6 & 4.9 APG last year with Minnesota), who is averaging a more modest 11.0 PPG and 3.3 APG. Guards Jones (10.0) and Ramey (9.8) join Carr in the backcourt, while 6-9 center Mitchell (8.6 & 4.0) and 6-7 forward Bishop (6.3 & 4.9) join Allen up front. The 6-9 Disu (4.9 & 4.1) is the only other player of note. Defense is the team's 'calling card,' as Beard's team ranks 1st in the nation, allowing 54.9 PPG. That defense just held Iowa St to 28.6% shooting last Saturday (in a 63-41 win), including 2 of 15 on threes.

Monday's game is the first of the season between the two teams, with the follow-up on March 5 in Lawrence, to close out the regular season. If Texas can't win here at home, that March 5 meeting will hardly mean much to the Longhorns. In this case, "must win" DOES translate into "will win!"

Good luck...Larry

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

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds and the Montana Grizzlies meet in Big Sky action from the Dahlberg Arena in Missoula, Mt on Monday night. Southern Utah is 15-6 overall, including 9-2 in Big Sky play, leaving them tied with Montana St behind 11-2 Weber St. Montana checks in at 15-8 overall, including 8-4 in Big Sky play (4th).

Todd Simon was hired before the 2016-17 season (1st head coaching job) and went 6-27 in his first season. 13-19, 17-17 and 17-15 seasons followed, before last year's breakout season, when the Thunderbirds won the Big Sky at 12-2. However, the team lost in the conference tourney and finished 20-4 but without a postseason invite. This year's team features four double-digit scorers, led by 6-7 guard Jones (15.7 & 5.0) plus fellow guards Knight (15.0-4.2-4.1) and Marin (11.8-4.3) plus 6-6 forward Fausett (12.6 & 8.9). The 6-11 Spurgin (5.7 & 4.0) plus guards Butler (8.1) and Moody (6.10) add depth.

Travis DeCuire's first head coaching job is with Montana (his alma mater), as he was hired before the 2014-15 season. He took the Grizzlies to B2B NCAA appearances in 2018 and 2019, each time winning 26 games. However, he entered this season off 18-13 and 15-13 seasons. Montana does not own the scoring 'punch' of Southern Utah. The 6-9 Bannan leads the team in scoring (13.6) and rebounding (8.0) with starting guards Beasley (11.2) and Whitney (10.2) joining him in double digits. Guards Parker (9.0 & 5.2 APG and Martin (6.1) are also regular contributors but the 6-9 Anderson (4.0 & 3.4) and SF Carter-Hollinger (6.4) don't give Bannan much help up front.

Southern Utah is only 2-8 ATS in its last 10 following a straight-up victory, while when at home, Montana is better than the sum of its parts. Montana is 11-0 at home this season, going 6-2 ATS with three non-lined contests. Montana is also 7-1 ATS this season following an ATS loss. That's the set-up here (Grizzlies got blown out Saturday at Idaho St), so the play is on Montana, which moves to 12-0 at home!

Good luck...Larry

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

Kelvin Sampson arrived in Houston for the 2014-15 season with a great resume but more than a little 'baggage' from his two-year stint at Indiana. The Cougars won 22 games in his second season, the first of SIX consecutive seasons of 20-plus wins. Huston won 33 games in 2019 (Sweet 16) and 28 games last season (Final 4). No. 6 Houston is 19-2 this season (8-0 in the AAC) and will look to extend its winning streak to 12 games and remain atop the American Athletic Conference standings when it visits Cincinnati on Sunday. The Bearcats have a new coach in Wes Miller (CCAA bids with UNC-Greensboro in 2018 and 2021), who has his team at 15-6, 5-3 in the AAC).

The Cougars have kept winning despite the loss of Sasser (17.7) in late Dec and then Mark (10.1) in early Feb (both are out for the season). The Cougars beat visiting Tulane 73-62 on Wednesday, as the 6-8 Fabian White Jr. (11.5 & 5/6) scored a career high-tying 21 points to surpass 1,000 career points. He became the 49th player in program history to reach the milestone. The 6-11 Josh Carlton (12.0 & 6.5) had 14 points, nine rebounds and three blocks. The remainder of Houston's current contributors are all guards. Edwards leads with 14.2 & 6.0, Shead (8.6 & 5.0 APG) and Moore (8.1 & 4.8), who added 12 points, five rebounds and six assists vs Tulane.

Cincinnati remained in the hunt for the regular-season AAC title when David DeJulius followed his miss and made a short jumper with 3.7 seconds left to give the Bearcats a 60-59 win at East Carolina (11-10, 2-7) on Sunday. DeJulius' first shot hit the rim, but he grabbed the rebound and scored the winning basket. East Carolina missed a three-pointer as time expired. The win was the Bearcats' fourth in their past five games, with their lone blemish during that span coming in a 61-58 loss at Temple. Cincy's top-four scorers are guards, led by  DeJulius (13.4). Daven also adds 13.4 PPG plus 5.0RPG. Adams-Woods (9.1 & 3.4 APG) and Saunders (7.3 & 3.1 APG). Up front, it's 6-5 SF Newman (6.9 & 4.4), the 6-11 Lahkin (5.2 & 4.6) and the 6-9 Oguama (4.5 & 4.5).

This game features two outstanding defensive teams, as Houston allows 56.5 PPG (4t) on 36.1% shooting (1st), while Cincy allows 62.5 PPG (29th) on 37.3% shooting (6th). Low-scoring game expected and remember, Cincy is 11-2 SU at home and Houston's 11-game winning streak just may come to an end. Definitely, take the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Pac-12 Game of the Month is on Stanford at 4:00 ET.

Washington routed Cal 84-63 on Thursday night to move to 12-8, including 7-3 in the Pac 12. Meanwhile, Stanford suffered just its second home loss this season, a 66-60 decision on Thursday vs Washington State. The Cardinal check in 13-8 overall, but just 6-5 in Pac-12 Play. No. 7 Arizona leads the Pac-12 at 9-1 and is 19-2 overall. The Huskies won the first matchup in Seattle back on Jan 15, 67-64, behind 25 points from Brown and 17 from Bey.

Washinton head coach Mike Hopkins (longtime Jim Boeheim assistant) brought that famous 2-3 zone West to Seattle. The Huskies have won three in a row and a fourth straight win would move the Huskies to 8-3 in the Pac 12, and into a three-way tie for 2nd with Oregon and UCLA. Red-hot guard Terrell Brown is averaging 21.6 PPG, which leads the conference by nearly four points per game more than No. 2 scorer Johnny Juzang of UCLA. Brown has scored in double figures in every outing this season. The 6-7 Matthews (11.6 & 5.2) joins him in double digits, while a trio of guards round out the team's main contributors. That group includes Bey (9.2 & 3.9), Davis (8.2-3.0-3.0) and Fuller (7.6).

Jerod Haase had a nice four-year run at UAB (80-53) and got the Stanford job when it fired Johnny Dawkins. He won two NIT titles while at Palo Alto but the school and fans wanted NCAA tourney wins. Haase may be on the 'hot seat' after going 82-74 in his first five years, with just one postseason invite in 2018, to the NIT (Cardinal lost their first game). FIVE of Stanford's top-six scorers are frontcourt players. PG O'Connell (7.0 & 3.8 APG) runs the show but the team's main production comes from the 6-8 Ingram (11.0 & 6.5), the 6-9 Delaire (10.9 & 4.3), the 6-7 Jones (10.2 & 4.5) the 6-8 Angel (7.9 & 2.6) and the 6-9 O'Keefe (4.7 & 4.6).

It's a matchup of contrasting styles, with Brown leading Washington's perimeter game, while Stanford brings its frontcourt advantage to the fray. The Cardinal are 9-2 SU at home and before a surprising loss to Washington St on Thursday, had only lost at home to Arizona (have beaten Oregon and USC at Maples Pavilion). The home court and the revenge motive produce a Stanford "W' and cover!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late Breaker is on Oregon at 8:30ET.

Dana Altman has been a HUGE winner in his coaching career and Oregon was ranked 13th in the AP's preseason poll. The Ducks did little right to open the season, splitting their first 12 games, before embarking on a season-saving run of EIGHT wins in their last nine games. Oregon is now 14-7 (7-3 in the Pac 12) and should have an NCAA Tournament bid on its mind. Craig Smith is in his first season as Utah's head coach (had a great three-year run at Utah St in going 74-24) and led the Utes to a 5-0 start but at 8-4 entering a Dec 30th contest, Utah's season unraveled. The Utes would lose 10 straight Pac 12 games, before winning this past Thursday 84-59 over Oregon St.

Guards Richardson (14.8-3.1-3.3) and Young (11.9) are Oregon's top-two scorers and the only other player in double digits is a third guard, Harmon (10.6). 6-11 center Dante (8.7 & 5.5) plus the 6-7 Guerrier (8.7 & 5.2) typically start, while the 6-6 Williams (8.5 & 5.0) and the 6-11 Kepnang (4.7 & 2.6) come off the bench. Oregon's winning ways continued with Thursday's 66-51 win over Colorado, the Ducks' first triumph in 11 visits to Boulder. In fact. Oregon head coach Dana Altman was 0-for-8 during his 12-season tenure at the school. Meanwhile, Utah (9-14, 2-11) ended its ugly slide with an 84-59 rout of visiting Oregon State. It marked the Utes' first win since beating Fresno State 55-50 back on Dec 21. Utah saw its best player Timmy Allen (17.2 & 6.4) transfer to Texas but key returning players from last year's team are the 7-0 Carlson (13.3 & 6.4) and the 6-9 Battin (5.1 & 3.7). Guards Wosrster (7.6-4.3-3.2) and Anthony (8.4 & 7.3) followed Smith from Utah St plus guard Jenkins (9.4) came via UNLV. Gach, who started at Utah but moved on to Minnesota, returned this year to play for Smith (he's adding 10.0 PPG). 

Here's the bottom line. Utah lost by double digits SIX times during its 10-game slide and does it really mean anything that the Utes beat an Oregon St team that's 3-16 overall, including 1-8 in Pac 12 play? As for the Ducks, they are brimming with confidence with wins at then-No. 3 UCLA and then-No. 5 USC in their current 8-1 surge. Is there any reason to think Oregon won't win at Utah (Ducks beat the Utes 79-66 at home back on Jan 1), considering that Oregon is a spectacular 20-2 against the Utes during the Altman era. Quack! Quack!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Signature LEGEND Play is on Alabama at 8:00 ET.

The Kentucky men's basketball team went just 9-16 last season, but all knew that was an aberration, as the Wildcats were ranked No. 10 in the AP's preseason poll. After a loss to Duke in the Champions Classic on the opening night of the season, the 18-4 Wildcats have won 18 of 21, losing only 66-62 at Notre Dame back on Dec 11, 65-62 at LSU on Jan 4 and 80-71 at No. 1 Auburn on Jan 22. No. 5 Kentucky (7-2 in the SEC) visits Alabama in a SEC game on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. While the Wildcats trail only league-leading and No. 1 Auburn in the SEC, the 14-8 Crimson are in the middle of the pack following a 100-81 loss at Auburn on Tuesday (Alabama is just 4-5 in SEC games).

The 6-9 Tshiebwe (16.1 & 15.2) and the 6-7 Brooks (10.5 & 4.5) are the two main frontcourt players for Coach Cal's team. SG Washington (12.8-3.8-4.2) and PG Wheeler (10.5 & 7.2 APG) lead a backcourt that also features Grady (12.0) and Mintz (8.8). The Kentucky offense ranks 8th in scoring (81.9 PPG) and 5th in FG percentage (49.3). Also note that the Wildcats are holding opponents to 64.4 PPG, for an average winning margin of 17.5 PPG. Kentucky is coming off a 77-70 win over visiting Vanderbilt on Wednesday. Davion Mintz tied a career high with 21 points off the bench, SEC Player of the Week Keion Brooks Jr. had 20 points and Kellan Grady had 12 points. Oscar Tshiebwe posted 11 points and 17 boards for his 16th double-double in the Wildcats' 12th straight win over the Commodores.

Nate Oats spent four years at Buffalo and went 59-13 in his last two, making the Big Dance each time. That allowed him the opportunity to come to Alabama and after a 16-15 first season (COVID) he led the Tide to a 26-7 record and a Sweet 16 appearance last year. Gone from that team are the 6-7 Jones (11.2 & 6.6), who was not only the SEC player-of-the-year but also the league's Defensive POY. Also gone is veteran guard Petty (12.6 & 5.2). However, the Tide have plenty of talent left. That said, after opening 7-1 SU (6-2 ATS), Alabama has gone 7-7 SU and a money-burning 2-11-1 ATS. Alabama did return its top-two scorers from last season and guards Shackelford and Quinerly are again leading the way. Shackelford checks in at 16.1 & 5.2 and Quinerly at 14.8 & 4.3 APG. Swingman Ellis adds 12.0 & 6.2 and the 6-6 Gary 8.3 & 4.3 plus freshman center Bediako adds 6.1 & 4.2.6.8 & 4.3). Guard Davison (8.2-4.2-4.1), the 6-6 Miles (6.7 & 3.5) and the 6-8 Gurley (7.4 & 3.7) are all contributors. 

Kentucky won impressively last Saturday 80-62 at Kansas but note that the Wildcats are just 4-4 in games away from Rupp (14-0 at home). As for Alabama, it owns some of the nation's best non-conference wins, including victories over then-No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 14 Houston, No. 14 Tennessee and No. 4 Baylor. However, Alabama has also lost to Georgia (6-16) and Missouri (8-13). When Auburn won 81-77 in Tuscaloosa back on Jan 11, it snapped a 17-game home winning streak for the Tide. Since then, Alabama has won its last three home games, including last Saturday's 87-78 win over then-No. 4 Baylor. The Tide are OVERDUE to take down an elite SEC team and I say that time is NOW!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Ultimate Rivalry is on No. Carolina at 6:00 ET.

Duke-North Carolina is "As Good As It Gets" when it comes to college basketball rivalries. Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski will pay rival North Carolina a visit for the final time when the two programs meet Saturday night in Chapel Hill. Coach K is retiring at season's end and next month's rematch with the Tar Heels will mark his last home game. North Carolina leads the series 141-114 but under Krzyzewski, Duke holds a 49-46 edge. It may be hard to believe but the 'mighty' ACC's only ranked team is No. 9 Duke, which comes in 18-3 (8-2 in the ACC). Roy Wiliams retired after last season, ending his career with a first-round NCAA tournament loss and an 18-11 record with his beloved Tar Heels. So, while Coach K completes his 47th season as a head coach (42 years at Duke), this marks former North Carolina player Hubert Davis' first season as a head coach. Tra Heels are 16-6, including 8-3 in the ACC (Miami and ND are also 8-3, just a half-game back of Duke).

Coach K brought in a trio of highly-regarded freshmen for his final season, none more impactful than 6-10 Banchero, who leads in scoring (17.8) and rebounding (8.3). The 7-0 Williams is also having a strong freshman season, adding 10.0 & 7.1. Freshman guard Keels (11.4-3.5-3.2) rounds out that incoming trio. Guards Moore (14.2-5.5-4.5) and Roach (7.7 & 3.8 APG) plus the 6-6 Griffin (9.0 & 3.5) round out the main contributors. Duke ranks 18th in both scoring (80.4 PPG) and FG percentage (48.3). North Carolina has an excellent frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (16.5 & 12.5), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (13.5 & 5.6) and 6-11 Marquette transfer Garcia (9.0 & 5.5). Sophomore guard Love (15.3-3.3-3.5) teams with freshman Davis (13.9-4.0-3.4) in the backcourt, with Black (4.4 & 4.3) and Walton (3.4) adding support. North Carolina averages 78.5 PPG but does not shoot nearly as well as Duke, connecting on 45.3% (ranks 113th).

Duke has played just five road games this season (3-2 SU) and if recent history is any precedent, then UNC has to be loving its chances to build on its four-game win streak, as it's 12-0 at home this season, going 6-1 ATS in its last seven home games. Meanwhile, Duke is 0-4-1 ATS in its last five in this building. This one is HUGE for UNC head coach Davis. Bow Wow! Take the home dog, as the Tar Heels get the SU win and move ahead of Duke in the ACC standings.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Marquee Classic is on Baylor at 4:00 ET.

The No. 10 Kansas Jayhawks (18-3) welcome the No. 8 Baylor Bears (19-3) to legendary Allen Fieldhouse for a Big 12 contest in which the winner will take over first place in the league. The Jayhawks are sitting at 7-1 and in first place in the Big 12 but are still juggling different combinations. Kansas is coming off a 70-61 victory at Iowa State on Tuesday in which it played without the Big 12's top scorer, Ochai Agbaji (20.9 PPG) due to COVID-19 protocols and the league's preseason player of the year, Remy Martin due to a knee injury. Baylor is coming off an 81-77 Monday win over West Va, in which the Bears overcame a 16-1 run that provided West Virginia a 39-31 lead at halftime. 

The Bears played short-handed without LJ Cryer (foot) and Adam Flagler (knee). "It's frustrating because you're 15-0 when you have everybody," Baylor coach Scott Drew said of a hot start that led to the Bears sitting No. 1 in the polls for five consecutive weeks. Much like last season, Baylor's strength is its perimeter game and defense. LJ Cryer leads the Bears in scoring with 13.9 PPG. Arizona transfer Akinjo (13.6 & 5.6 APG) joins Cryer in the backcourt, as does Flager (12.7 & 3.5 APG). 6-8 freshman Kendall Brown is a swingman averaging 10.0 & 4.7 plus 6-9 swingman Mayer chips in 9.8 & 4.5. However, let's NOT forget the 6-8 Tchatchoua (8.2 & 7.2), 6-9 freshman Sochan (8.6 & 56.0) or the 6-10 Thamba (4.9 & 4.6). Baylor is holding opponents to 61.4 PPG (24th). 

Kansas is led by a pair of big guards in the 6-5 Agbaji (20.9 & 4.9) and the 6-6 Braun (15.1 & 5.7). Guard Remy Martin (19.1 PPG last season), an Arizona State transfer, was named the preseason player of the year in the Big 12 but has been a HUGE disappointment, averaging just 8.2 PPG. Martin still is trying to gain Self's complete trust on running the attack (it doesn't seem to be working). Harris (5.6 & 3.9 APG) has recently been starting at PG for Martin. The 6-7 Wilson (9.1 & 6.8) and the 6-10 McCormack (9.0 & 6.8) round out the starting lineup. The 6-8 Lightfoot (5.0 & 3.2) and guard Coleman-Lands (4.5) get time off the bench. Kansas is an excellent offensive team, averaging 80.0 PPG (20th) on 49.1 % shooting (8th), while allowing 68.2 PPG.

Agbaji may return against Baylor but Martin will likely remain out while attempting to heal his nagging injury. For Baylor, Cryer and Flagler are both questionable. Here's the rub. Baylor is 8-1 SU in road and neutral games this season, after going 17-2 in road and neutral games last season. I'm taking the points, against a Kansas team that's allowed 76.8 PPG over its last four games!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* High Noon Crusher is on Florida St at 12:00 ET.

Steve Forbes took over at Wake Forest last season and suffered through a 6-16 (3-15 in the ACC) his first year. However, whether it has been in the JC ranks or his four-year stint at East Tenn St, Forbes has been known as 'quick-change artist.' Case in point. He took over at East Tenn St in 2015-16 and his four-year record was 130-43! His final team went 30-4 but "what might have been" in the Big Dance remains an unanswered question, as COVID shut the tournament down. Now, after a 'nightmare' first season, Forbes' Demon Deacon are 18-5 (8-4 in ACC). Leonard Hamilton has built quite a program in Tallahassee with his FSU Seminoles but lost a 'ton' of talent from last year's team. However, the cupboard is hardly bare. That said, Florida State is dealing with injuries to key players and dropped its third consecutive game on Wednesday (75-69 setback at Clemson) and welcomes Wake to Tallahassee at 13-8, 6-5 in the ACC.

Wake Forest's turnaround season is largely attributable to the Demon Deacons' improved shooting, as Wake is connecting on 48.8% of its shots (11th in the nation). Forbes has turned things around quickly at Wake, adding Oklahoma transfer Williams and an ETSU transfer in Williamson to be his starting guards. Williams (19.6-6.9-5.3) has been spectacular and Williamson, who came with Forbes last season, is averaging 13.3 PPG. The 6-8 Mucius (9.8 & 3.7) returned up front but the 6-8 LaRavia (15.0 & 6.1) came from Indiana St, The 7-0 Walton (8.1 & 5.0) from Colorado and the 6-10 Sy (6.2 & 4.0) from Ole Miss.

Meanwhile, Florida State lost 7-foot-4 center Naheem McLeod (4.5) to a broken finger in the first half of its game with Clemson. The Seminoles had previously lost the 6-9 Malik Osborne (10.0 & 6.9) to a season-ending ankle injury and McLeod's absence seriously affected the Seminoles on the defensive end, as they allowed Clemson to shoot 51.9 percent from the floor. Caleb Mills and RayQuan Evans, who were both dealing with bronchitis last week, returned to the Seminoles' lineup and scored 16 and 11 points, respectively. Mills (a Houston transfer) leads FSU in scoring with 12.9 PPG. Returning guard Polite adds 9.7 & 5.5 and is joined by fellow guards Cleveland (10.3 & 4.8) and Evans (7.3). 7-1 freshman Butler (5.7 & 2.6) will have to step up with McLeod joining Osborne on the sidelines.

Is Wake really as good as its record? The Demon Deacons routed the Seminoles 76-54 back on Jan 4 in Winston-Salem, so this sure set up as a great "revenge" spot for FSU. How about this stat? Going back to the 2016-17 season (that's 5-plus years), Hamilton's Seminoles are 90-9 SU at the Donald L Tucker Center.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* CBB Game of the Week is on Colorado St at 9:00 ET.

The 12-5 San Diego State Aztecs and the 16-3 Colorado State Rams meet Friday in MWC action from Moby Arena in Fort Collins. Brian Dutcher was a longtime assistant under Steve Fisher (beginning in Michigan) and lasting through all of Fisher's great teams at SD St. Fisher stepped away and Dutcher took over in the 2017-18 season, going 22-11, 21-13, 30-2 and 23-5 the previous four years. San Diego State started the season 10-3, losing to only BYU, USC and Michigan. However, the Aztecs are just 2-2 since January 22, losing to Boise State and Utah State alongside wins over UNLV and New Mexico. CSU's head coach Niko Medved is in his fourth season at Fort Collins, coming off a 20-8 record last season in which the Rams finished fourth in the NIT.

The Aztecs got off to a 36-22 halftime lead over New Mexico and cruised to a 72-47 blowout win. Bradley (16.0 & 5.1) is the team's lone double digit scorer and he led with 14 points, while the 6-9 Johnson (6.8 & 4.9) produced a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-10 Mensah (7.5 & 7.2) is SDSU's only other big man of note, while guards Butler (9.3) and Pulliam (8.6) join Bradley in the starting backcourt. The Aztecs don't score much (64.6 PPG ranks 316th) but defensively, hold opponents to 56.8 PPG (5th) on 36.9% shooting (3rd).

Colorado State lost just ONE of its first 17 games (notably a 79-49 road loss to San Diego State) but welcomes SDSU to Fort Collins off back-to-back losses to UNLV and Wyoming. The Rams matched up against Wyoming on Monday and traded punches the whole way, before losing 84-78 in OT. Guard David Roddy led the team with 23 points and leads the team in scoring (18.6) and rebounding (7.7). The Rams' strength is their perimeter game, as fellow guards Stevens (16.3 & 5.1 APG) and Tonjie (who comes off the bench) adds 10.2 & 3.2. Guards Jacobs (5.8 & 4.3) and Moore (5.4) join the 6-9 Thomas (6.9 & 3.7) to complete the starting-five. Lake, Rivera and Moors combine to contribute 13 PPG. The CSU offensive is a strength, averaging 78.3 PPG (36th) on 49.6% shooting (5th).

In the first meeting in San Diego, the Aztecs dominated with a 30-point victory. The Aztecs scored 79 points (15 points more than the team's yearly averages), while holding the Rams to 49 points (29 points less their season average). The Rams also shot just 27.9%, including an abysmal 3 of 20 (15%). Talk about a great "revenge" situation. The Rams are 10-1 at home and I think they get their revenge "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Ivy League Master Class is on Harvard at 7:00 ET.

The 10-7 Harvard Crimson and the 10-12 Brown Bears meet Friday in Ivy League action from the Pizzitola Sports Center in Providence. The Ivy League did not play basketball last season due to COVID, so Brown's Mike Martin is in his 10th season with the Bears and Tommy Amaker in his 15th with the Crimson. Amaker has by far the better resume with seven, 20-win seasons (four NCAA berths), compared to Martin's one, 20-win season. Harvard comes in 2-3 in Ivy play and Brown just 2-5, while 5-1 Princeton, 4-1 Yale and 5-2 Penn are atop the 'Ancient 8' standings.

Harvard began the season with two excellent 6-7 players in forward Ledlum (16.7 & 9.3) and big guard Kirkwood (18.1 & 5.9). That duo had started along with guards Sakota (11.1) and Tretout (8.5) plus the 6-6 Catchings (8.8 & 3.7). However, Ledlum has not played since Jan 7 and lately, Lesmond (8.6) has seen more action than Tretout. Brown SF Choh leads in scoring (14.8) and rebounding (8.1), while freshman guard Lilly adds 13.7 PPG. Guard Wojcik (10.4) is a third double digit scorer. Contributing regularly are guard Friday (8.2), the 6-9 Gainey (7.6 & 5.4) and the 6-8 Owusu-Anane (5.7 & 3.4)

Harvard comes in 5-5 in its last 10 games, while Brown has lost EIGHT of its last 10. These teams met back on Jan 7 at Harvard, with Brown winning 84-73 as a three-point underdog. The "revenge" motive is with Harvard but more importantly, the Crimson are a competitive bunch that rarely gets blown out, as they lose on the road by an average of just two points! The Bears are just 3-7 ATS their last 10 overall, plus just 1-4 ATS in their last five home games, making the fact that the underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings, making that stat even more significant. Take the points but I am definitely sending out an "Upset Alert!"

Good luck...Larry

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

Kyle Smith won the CIT in his last year at Columbia (2015-16), going 25-10. He then left for San Francisco and had a nice three-year run of 63-40. He's now in his third season at Washington and after going 30-29 in his first two years, is 11-8 (6-3 in the Pac 12) this season. Mark Fox had a great five-year run at Nevada, going 123-43, including three straight NCAA appearances. He then left for Georgia and in nine seasons, went just 163-133 (just two NCAA appearances). He's been at Cal for three years, going 14-18, 8-20 and 9-13 this season, including 2-9 in Pac 12 play.

The Huskies tend to win 'ugly,' but the Huskies have won FIVE six as they visit Berkeley. Washington is led by PG Brown (21.7-4.0-3.9) and the 6-7 Matthews (11.6 & 5.2). A trio of guards chip in just under 24 PPG and are really the only other real contributors. Cal is led by guard Shepherd (14.3) and a pair of 6-9 big men, Kelly (13.6 & 8.4) and (10.2 & 7.0). Kelly injured an ankle Saturday against USC on Saturday and didn't play in Monday's loss to Stanford. The 7-1 Lars Thiemann ()3.7 & 2.3) made his first start of the season in place of Kelly and had perhaps his best game since arriving at Cal. He had 11 points on 3-for-3 shooting from the floor and 5-for-5 shooting from the FT line to go along with six rebounds. Kelly could play here (questionable with his sprained ankle) but either way, I'll take the Bears. They are 0-9 in games away from home, but are 9-4 in games played at Haas Pavilion. Washington is the better team but this is a winnable game for Cal and I don't think the Bears "miss out" on that opportunity!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf Game of the Year (MWC) is on Wyoming at 9:00 ET.

The Boise State Broncos and the Wyoming Cowboys meet Thursday in college basketball action from Arena-Auditorium in Laramie. The two MWC rivals just met Jan 25 in Boise, where the Broncos eked out a 65-62 win (Wyoming covered as a 5 1/2-point underdog).  Boise St's Leon Rice is in his 12th season, having produced EIGHT 20-win seasons in his first 11, including two NCAA teams (the most recent coming back in 2015). Last year's team went 19-9, before losing in the NIT quarterfinals, just missing a ninth, 20-win campaign. However, after a spotty 3-4 record through seven games, the Broncos have won 14 straight contests. At 17-4, a 20-win season 'is in the bag!'  Jeff Linder came from No. Colorado where he won 26 (CIT champion), 21 and 22 games in his final three years, earning him the Wyoming gig. His first team went 14-11 but this year's team is an impressive 15-2. Boise St's Leon Rice is in his 12th season, having produced EIGHT 20-win seasons in his first 11, including two NCAA teams (the most recent coming back in 2015). Last year's team went 19-9, before losing in the NIT quarterfinals, just missing a ninth, 20-win campaign. However, the Cowboys went 9-2 over their first 11 games and have now gone 8-1 thei last nine, to reach 17-3 (lone loss was to Boise!).

Boise St has depth issues but has a very solid starting-five. The backcourt is missing Doutrive (9.4 & 4.6), who last played on Nov 30 but Shaver (12.9 & 4.0) and 6-8 guard Akot (11.4) form a quality duo. Up front, it's the 6-7 Kijab (13.3 & 6.3), the 6-7 Degenhart (9.3 & 3.2) and the 6-10 Armus (6.9 & 8.7). The 6-7 Smith (5.6 & 3.2) comes off the bench. Defense is Boise's 'bread-and-butter,' allowing 58.3 PPG (8th). The 6-9 Ike (19.7 & 8.9) and PG Maldanado (19.4-5.5-6.4) make for quite an inside-outside duo for Wyoming. They are joined in the starting lineup by guards Jeffries (11.4 & 4.8) and DuSell (9.9) plus the 6-9 Oden (8.5 & 5.0. DuSell's hamstring injury kept him out for a couple of games, with Wenzel (5.2) starting in his place. Team defense is solid, allowing 66.0 PPG.

Boise St is 8-1 in MWC play, with Wyoming lurking at 6-1. A Wyoming "W" sets up a real 'horse race' for the league's regular season title and that's EXACTLY what I expect. Wyoming just barely lost at Boise on Jan 25 (see above) and is a perfect 9-0 SU at home. Wyoming may not win "going away," but at this bargain of a price, the Cowboys won't need to.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big East Game of the Month is on Villanova at 10:00 ET.

No. 24 Marquette (15-7, 7-4 Big East) saw its seven-game winning streak come to an end Sunday in a 65-63 road loss to then-No. 17 Providence. The Golden Eagles will be severely tested again tonight, when they host No. 12 Villanova (16-5. 9-2 Big East).

Villanova head coach Jay Wright owns two national titles (2016 and 2018) and coming off a Sweet 16 appearance last season with four starters coming back, opened the year as the AP's 4th-ranked team. However, the Wildcats were just 7-4 through mid-December. That said, THREE of those losses came to then-No. 2 UCLA, then-No. 6 Purdue and then-No. 2 Baylor. Villanova visits Milwaukee having won NINE of its last 10, with that lone loss coming at home to Marquette 57-54 back on Jan 19. Wright is going with a basic six-man rotation so far this season. Collin Gillespie has fully recovered from an MCL injury that ended his 2020-21 campaign early. He leads the Wildcats in scoring with 17.1 PPG. Fellow guards Justin Moore adds 15.5 & 4.9 and Daniels chips in 9.2 PPG in the role of 6th-man. Up front, it's the 6-7 Slater (11.2 & 3.7), the 6-7 Samuels (11.0 & 6.4) and the 6-8 Dixon (7.9 & 5.9).

Shaka Smart was booted out of Austin after a disappointing six-year run at Texas but has done quite a job at Marquette, which did not return a SINGLE starter from last season's disappointing 13-14 team. However, Marquette has a deep eight-man rotation, led by 6-7 freshman Lewis (16.5 & 7.9) and Maryland transfer, Morsell (13.4). Joining that duo in the starting lineup are freshman guard Kolek (6.7 & 4.1) plus frontcourt players like the 6-8 Prosper (6.0 & 3.4) and the 6-10 Kuath (5.5 & 4.2), Adding depth are guard Elliott (7.2), freshman guard Jones (7.7) and 6-9 freshman Ighodaro (5.9 & 3.5). Marquette suffered a four-game losing streak from Dec 11 thru Jan 1 but then won SEVEN in a row (beat FOUR ranked teams), before losing 65-63 at Providence this past Sunday.

A "W" here and it will be Villanova (9-2) and Providence (currently 9-1) in a two-team race for the Big East's No. 1 seed. Since the loss to Marquette, the Wildcats have regained their form on both ends of the court. Expect the revenge-minded visiting side to avenge that earlier loss, reminding all Big East teams just why they were ranked No. 4 in the preseason AP poll.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Marquee Classic is on Wisconsin at 9:00 ET.

There is a three-way tie atop the Big Ten between Michigan St, Illinois and Wisconsin (all three are 8-2). Purdue (No. 4) is the highest-ranked team in the league and lurks at 7-3. No. 11 Wisconsin (17-3) will be in Champaign tonight to take on No. 18 Illinois in the only regular-season matchup between the two. Wisconsin is coming off a 66-60 home victory over Minnesota on Sunday and will be playing its third game in seven days. As for Illinois, it rallied for a 59-56 victory at Northwestern on Saturday, overcoming a 51-46 deficit over the final 5:36 of the game.

Greg Gard is now in his seventh season at Madison, taking over when Bo Ryan retired. Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors last season but of the 14 scholarship players this season, 10 are classified as freshmen for eligibility purposes. Guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 15.7 & 4.2 and is joined by freshman guard Hepburn (7.8), who has just 25 turnovers while playing 31 minutes per game! The "big story" has guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY), who is averaging 21.4 & 7.9 this season Rounding out the starting-five, after limited playing time last season, are the 6-9 Wahl (10.8 & 5.8) and the 7-0 Crowl (9.1 & 4.6).

Brad Underwood became a star at SF Austin, going 89-14 with three straight NCAA appearances. He was hired at Oklahoma St and went 20-13, leading the Cowboys to the 'Big Dance," He was then lured to Illinois but his first two seasons resulted in 14-18 and 12-21 records. Those days are now in the rearview mirror, as the Fighting Illini have gone 21-10, 24-7 and now 15-5 so far this season. Much like Wisconsin, Illinois has an excellent starting-five but little depth. 7-foot junior center Kofi Cockburn (21.1 & 11.6) had missed the two previous games due to concussion protocols but returned with 22 points and nine rebounds against Northwestern. Guard Curbelo (10.2-4.5-4.3) has cleared COVID protocols but hasn't played since Jan 21 (questionable here). With Curbelo sidelined, Saturday's starting-five consisted of four guards, Plummer (15.8), Frazier (13.1), Grandison (10.7 & 3.9) and Williams (3.9 & 5.6) joining Cockburn. The 6-10 Hawkins (6.2 & 4.6) came off the bench.

Here's the rub. Illinois won both meetings last season (Cockburn had 42 points and 21 rebounds in the Ilini's two-game sweep of Wisconsin) and has won its past three meetings against Wisconsin. However, the Badgers had won 15 straight in the series prior to that. Wisconsin comes in having won NINE of 10, losing only to Michigan St. TOO many points to give the Badgers in this one. Take them!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Oddsmaker's Error is on NC St at 9:00 ET.

The once-mighty ACC has only ONE team in the latest AP poll and that's No. 9 Duke. Neither Syracuse (10-11, 4-6) nor NC State (10-12, 3-8), who meet tonight in Raleigh, have any dreams of being ranked this season. Forget the polls, the two schools are just trying to avoid the ACC 'basement!'

Jim Boeheim is in his 46th season as a head coach and is coming off another Sweet 16 run in last year's "Big Dance" (The Orange finished 18-10). However, it's been 'tough sledding' for the Orange this season. However, Syracuse is coming off one of its best wins of the season. The 'Cuse had lost six of their previous eight games before smashing Wake Forest 94-72 on Saturday. Buddy Boeheim scored a season-high 30 points and had seven assists while shooting 6 of 11 from three-point range. Buddy is averaging 19.4 PPG (adds 3.7 RPG and 3.6 APG) and his backcourt partner Girard (13.0 & 4.62 APG) returned at PG from last season. However, two key transfers have made immediate impacts. Swider, a 6-9 transfer from Villanova, is averaging 12.7 & 6.8 plus Boeheim's oldest son Jimmy (a 6-8 graduate transfer from Cornell), is adding 13.4 & 6.2 (he's now the second-leading scorer on the team, behind only his brother) The 6-11 Edwards returns up front and chips in 12.0 & 6.7. Depth has been an issue all season, plus Boeheim's famed "2-3 zone" has allowed 75.1 PPG, ranking 324th in the nation (say what?).

Kevin Keatts replaced Mark Gottfried in Raleigh five years ago. His three-year stint at UNC-Wilmington (his team won 28 and 29 games in his final two seasons, both ending with NCAA tourney berths), surely caught NC St's attention. Keatts' first three seasons in Raleigh went fine (21, 24 and 20 wins) but the Wolfpack's season pretty much ended on Feb 9 of last year, when Devon Daniels (16.5 & 5.2) was lost to an ACL tear (NC St would finish 14-11). Keatts has had his work cut out for him entering the current season. The 6-7 Seabron has blossomed into a "do-everything" player for NC St, leading the team in scoring (18.3) and rebounding (8.9). Joining him in the starting lineup are freshman guard Smith (15.3), the 6-7 Hellems (15.0 & 4.6) and the 6-11 Dowuona (4.1 & 4.7). UVA transfer Morsell (7.7 & 4.0) and Hayes (7.6) have both been steady (Morsell often starts).

 
While Syracuse is coming off one of its best games, NC State is coming off its most lopsided defeat of the season, a 100-80 loss against North Carolina on Saturday. The Wolfpack faced a 56-31 deficit at the half en route to the 20-point defeat. NC State wasted a career-high 34-point performance by freshman Terquavion Smith, who went 1 of 9 from the floor in a loss to Notre Dame three days earlier. Yes, Syracuse beat NC State all three times last season (including the ACC tourney) but as noted above, Boeheim's team has NOT played well defensively all season. Is that the reason Syracuse is just 1-5 on the road and 1-3 in neutral-site games?  I believe the Wolfpack are HIGHLY undervalued in this situation and I expect a convincing home win for NC State.

Good luck...Larry

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

Chris Beard left Lubbock and its beloved fan base last April to take over the Texas program and created plenty of hurt feelings that haven't been soothed over the past 10 months. The best revenge the Red Raiders can take on Beard for switching allegiances would be to beat his Longhorns tonight at United Supermarkets Arena. No. 23 Texas (16-5, 5-3 in the Big 12) visits Lubbock to take on No. 14 Texas Tech (also 16-5, 5-3 in the Big 12) expecting an intense atmosphere, knowing that Red Raiders officials have brought in wrestling legend and wild man Ric Flair to rile up the sold-out crowd and keep it at a fever pitch.

When Texas fired Shaka Smart after six unfulfilling seasons, Chris Beard 'jumped ship,' at Tech and took the at Texas. Beard brought in seven transfers with NCAA Division I experience. 6-6 Timmy Allen was named All-Pac 12 at Utah last season (17.2 & 6.4) and leads Texas in scoring (11.8) and rebounding (6.5) but his scoring is down 5 PPG. The same goes for PG Carr (19.6 & 4.9 APG last year with Minnesota), who is averaging a more modest 10.6 PPG and 3.3 APG. Guards Jones (10.1) and Ramey (9.8) join Carr in the backcourt, while 6-9 center Mitchell (8.9 & 4.2) and 6-7 forward Bishop (5.9 & 4.6) join Allen up front. The 6-9 Disu (5.5 & 4.5) is the only other player of note. Defense is the team's 'calling card,' as Beard's team ranks 1st in the nation, allowing 54.5 PPG.

Mark Adams worked under Beard since his first season as a Division I head coach (started at Arkansas-LR) and instead of following Beard to Austin, decided to stay in Lubbock as Tech's head coach. Tech began turning heads early in Big 12 play, while leading scorer Terrence Shannon was dealing with an injury and did not play. Shannon (12.0 PPG) returned but is again dealing with a bad back and is listed as questionable for this one (he sat out the Jan 29 game) healthy. SIX players are averaging 23-plus minutes per game (including Shannon), with five guards (all 6-5 or taller), joined by the 6-8 Williams (13.5 & 4.6). McCullar (10.5 & 5.6) Obanor (10.4 & 5.1) and Warren (10.3) average 10-plus points, while Arms (8.4 & 3.8 just misses. Three others combine to add 13.1 PPG..

Texas squandered a 17-point lead last Saturday at home vs Tennessee, allowing the Volunteers to tie the game at 51-all as it scored just one point in the last 5:32. However, that ONE point, Timmy Allen's free throw with 6.2 seconds to play, was the game-winner! As for Texas Tech, it rolled tp a 76-50 victory at home over Mississippi State on Saturday in another SEC/Big 12 Challenge contest.

That "W" leaves Tech 13-0 at home but besting Beard's team will NOT come easily and I sure would NOT even consider laying points. Tech will want this one badly but I'm calling for the Texas D to be the difference and will call for a Texas OUTRIGHT win.

Good luck...Larry

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

Full, detailed analysis Tuesday morning by 10:00 ET.

 My 10* Big 12 Game of the Month is on Kansas at 7:00 ET.

The Kansas Jayhawks are reeling from an 80-62 thrashing at home this past Saturday against Kentucky in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The 17-3 Jayhawks (6-1 Big 12) dropped from No. 5 to No. 10 in Monday's AP poll and now travel to Ames, Iowa to take on No. 20 Iowa State, which is 16-5 (but just 3-5 in the Big 12). These two conference rivals met back on Jan 11, when Iowa State battled Kansas to the wire at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence.

Bill Self's Jayhawks finished 21-9 last season, including a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That was not what was expected of a team ranked No. 6 in the AP's preseason poll. Kansas began the current season ranked No. 3 and opened with an 87-74 win in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on the opening night of college basketball (Nov 9) over Michigan St. Kansas is led by a pair of big guards in the 6-5 Agbaji (20.9 & 4.9) and the 6-6 Braun (15.2 & 5.9). Guard Remy Martin (19.1 PPG last season), an Arizona State transfer, was named the preseason player of the year in the Big 12 but has been a HUGE disappointment, averaging just 8.4 PPG. Martin still is trying to gain Self's complete trust on running the attack (it doesn't seem to be working). Harris (5.3 & 3.7 APG) has recently been starting at PG for Martin. The 6-7 Wilson (8.9 & 6.9) and the 6-10 McCormack (8.7 & 6.5) round out the starting lineup. The 6-8 Lightfoot (5.2 & 3.4) and guard Coleman-Lands (4.5) get time off the bench. Kansas is an excellent offensive team, averaging 80.6 PPG (15th) on 48.9% shooting (9th), while allowing 68.6 PPG.

T.J. Otzelberger came from UNLV to take over an Iowa St team that went 2-22 last season (0-18 in the Big 12). The Hawkeyes opened 12-0 and were ranked No. 8 thru Dec 21 but did not play again until Jan 1, at then-No. Baylor. The Hawkeyes played the Bears close, losing 77-72 but that loss was the start of a 4-5 Iowa St run. A trio of guards lead the way for Iowa St, starting with standout Izaiah Brockington, who leads the team in scoring (16.8) and rebounding (7.8). He's joined on the perimeter by Hunter (10.6 & 4.7 APG) and Kalscheur (10.0). The team's best frontcourt players are the 6-8 Kunc (6.1 & 3.8), the 6-8 Enaruna (6.3 & 3.9) and the 6-9 Conditt (5.2 & 4.0). Guard Grill (7.3) is a solid contributor off the bench.

Kansas remains first in the Big 12 race, but the Kentucky loss leaves them in a nasty mood. "It's not the end of the world or anything like that," the Jayhawks' Christian Braun said. "We have a lot of games ahead of us, so this is just something we have to forget about and move forward and get some wins." Kansas dug an early hole and never recovered from a 51-31 halftime deficit. "I'm not going to dwell on it at all. We weren't tough; we didn't take away what you must do to win," Self said after Kentucky shot 50.8 percent in snapping the Jayhawks' five-game winning streak and handing them their first home loss this season.

Iowa State remained unbeaten in nonconference play with a 67-50 win over Missouri on Saturday in another game of the Big 12/SEC Challenge. The Cyclones held the Tigers to 42.9-percent shooting while forcing 18 turnovers. "We can be really good, and we will be really good when we do that," Otzelberger said of the defensive surge. "It's my job to demand that every day. It's the cornerstone of how we'll move our team forward." However, the Cyclones have dropped FOUR of their last six league games, including their last conference home game, a 59-44 loss to TCU.

Une has to 'look hard' to find Kansas losing at home by double digits but the fact is, the Jayhawks are 4-0 ATs in their last four games f

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

Duke's visit to Notre Dame was scheduled to be played on January 1 (was postponed) but the Blue Devils and Fighting Irish will instead take the court tonight, January 31st in South Bend. As all know, this is Coach K's final season and will lead his Blue Devils into South Bend 17-3 and ranked 9th in the latest AP poll (new poll comes out this afternoon). Mike Brey is not exactly a 'newbie, as this his 27th season at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish come into this contest at 14-6, overcoming a slow 3-4 start.

Coach K brought in a trio of highly-regarded freshmen for his final season, none more impactful than 6-10 Banchero, who leads in scoring (17.6) and rebounding (8.3). The 7-0 Williams is also having a strong freshman season, adding 10.1 & 7.1. Freshman guard Keels (11.8 & 3.6) rounds out that incoming trio but hasn't played since a Jan 18th OT loss at FSU. With Keels out, guards Moore (15.4 & APG) and Roach (8.1 & 3.8 APG) plus the 6-6 Griffin (8.9 & 3.2) joined Banchero and Williams in the starting lineup. Mike Brey's team goes seven-deep. Guards Goodwin (14.9 & 5.6) and Wesley (15.0) are the top-two scorers, joined by Hubb (8.2 & 3.6 APG), Ryan (7.5) and Wertz (4.3) in the backcourt. The 6-9 Atkinson (11.6 & 6.3) and the 6-10 Laszewski (9.3 & 7.5) are the best (only?) frontcourt players.

It's the only scheduled meeting of the season between Duke and Notre Dame, so that means there might not be another coaching matchup between Krzyzewski and Brey. As touched on earlier, ND opened only 3-4 (just 1-6 ATS) but the Irish turned their season around with a 66-62 home win over Kentucky back on Dec 11. That "W" has morphed into an 11-2 run the last 13 games, with the Irish going 9-4 ATS. This will be only the fourth ACC road game for Duke and one can't ignore Notre Dame's 9-0 record this season at Purcell Pavilion.

Miami leads the ACC at 8-2, with Duke and Notre Dame both 7-2. Safe to say, this is a BIG game. The Jan 1 matchup was postponed, as Duke's team was in COVID protocol but with the new date, it means students are back on campus at Notre Dame. Is that just "A luck of the Irish" omen? I'll 'bite' and will take the home underdog.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Drake at 2:00 ET.

The 16-3 Loyola-Chicago Ramblers and the 15-6 Drake Bulldogs meet Sunday in MVC action at The Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa. The Ramblers lead the MVC with a 7-1 record, while the Bulldogs are in second place at 6-2 (Mo St and No Iowa lurk at 7-3). Loyola went 26-5 last season and made an appearance in the NCAA's Sweet 16. However, Porter Moser left for Oklahoma and Cameron Kurtwig, who led the Ramblers into last year's Sweet 16 and helped them to a Final 4 appearance as a freshman, decided not to return for a "Super Senior" season. Drew Valentine, an assistant under Porter the last four seasons, took over as head coach. He's done an excellent job, as Loyola has won 12 of its last 13. Drake's Darian DeVries is in in his fourth season in Des Moines (70-29 his first three) and you may remember Drake opening 18-0 last season. However, the Bulldogs lost in the MVC tourney (Arch Madness) but the Bulldogs still went 'dancing,' earning the first at-large bid in program history (Drake also finished at 26-5). What's more, Drake returned all FIVE starters from that team.

Willaimson (12.4 & 4.9) and Norris (10.0 & 4.2 APG) start in the backcourt, while the frontcourt consists of the 6-7 Schwieger (10.2), the 6-7 Uguak (9.1 & 3.8) and the 6-10 Hutson (6.9 & 2.3) start up front. Guards Kennedey (7.9) and Hall (5.1 & 4.4) add backcourt depth, while the 6-7 Knight (7.8 & 3.6) helps out up front. Loyola is a strong defensive team, allowing just 61.1 PPG (24th). Drake's DeVries had the inside track on recruiting his son Tucker (Gatorade POY in Iowa) and he's delivered, by leading the team in scoring at 13.5 PPG. Three more guards join him in the starting lineup, the 6-3 Sturtz (10.9 PPG and a team-high 7.4 RPG), Penn (10.9 & 3.6 APG) and Wilkins (10.1). The 6-6 Murphy (9.9 & 5.4) is the fifth starter, while the 6-6 Hemphill (9.8 & 4.90 and the 6-10 Brodie (6.8 & 4.8) are important role players. Drake is also a solid defensive team, holding opponents to 66.8 PPG.

"Arch Madness" is still a month away, but Drake could sure use a win here vs Loyola, which would get them to 7-2 and in a tie with the Ramblers atop the MVC (again, Mo St and No. Iowa lurk at 7-3). Seeding will matter when the teams get to St Louis and all MVC members are well-aware that the likelihood of an at-large bid (like Drake's last season) is pretty much a 'pipe dream.' The home dog 'barks' LOUDLY in this one.

Good luck...Larry

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

Saturday's Big 12/SEC Challenge game between No. 18 Tennessee (14-5) and 15-5 Texas, which just fell out of the rankings this past Monday, is much more than two of the nation's top teams getting together tonight in Austin. The game will mark the first time Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes has coached against the Longhorns since he was fired by Texas after the 2014-15 season.  Rick Barnes has been a winner at every stop, with three NCAA berths at Providence, three in four years at Clemson and 16 in 17 years at Texas. This is his seventh season at Tennessee, and he's led the Vols to three NCAA berths the last four years (exception was when COVID shut down the postseason). Saturday's contest is more than just a homecoming for Barnes, it's an important game for both teams and not much of a respite from either's gauntlet of battles in the SEC and Big 12, respectively. When Texas fired Shaka Smart after six unfulfilling seasons, Chris Beard 'jumped ship,' leaving Lubbock (Texas Tech) to take the job at Texas (Austin), leaving some hard feelings behind. It hasn't been smooth sailing for Beard and his Longhorns, who opened No. 5 in the AP's preseason poll and remained in the AP rankings all season until Monday. 

Junior guard Vescovi (14.6 & 4.6) and freshman PG Chandler (13.5 & 4.9 APG) lead the way for Tennessee. The 6-8 Nkamhoua (8.3 & 6.0) and the 7-0 Plavsic (4.4 & 3.2) start up front, although the 6-8 Fulkerson may be the team's top frontcourt player (he's been coming off the bench, as of late). 6-6 guard Jordan-James missed a few games earlier but is back in the starting lineup, averaging 6.6 & 5.8. Guards Zeigler (7.0) and Powell (5.6) add depth in the backcourt. Defense has always been a Rick Barnes trademark and his team is allowing just 63.1 PPG (41st).

Chris Beard brought in seven transfers with NCAA Division I experience. 6-6 Timmy Allen was named All-Pac 12 at Utah last season (17.2 & 6.4) and leads Texas in scoring (11.9) and rebounding (6.6) but his scoring is down 5 PPG. The same goes for PG Carr (19.6 & 4.9 APG last year with Minnesota), who is averaging a more modest 11.0 PPG and 3.4 APG. Guards Jones (10.1) and Ramey (9.4) join Carr in the backcourt, while 6-9 center Mitchell (9.3 & 4.3) and 6-7 forward Bishop (6.0 & 4.8) join Allen up front. The 6-9 Disu (5.8 & 4.6) is the only other player of note. Speaking of defense, Beard's team ranks 1st in the nation, allowing 54.7 PPG.

VERY little, if anything, separates these two teams and while Texas is at home, I want ANY points I can get. Allen and Carr have both underachieved for Texas (see above) and while Beard is a terrific young coach, I'm going with 'old-timer' Rick Barnes to win the day and the game in his 'Homecoming!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Marquee Classic is on Kansas at 6:00 ET.

The Kentucky men's basketball team went just 9-16 last season, but all knew that was an aberration, as the Wildcats were ranked No. 10 in the AP's preseason poll. After a loss to Duke in the Champions Classic on the opening night of the season, the 16-4 Wildcats have won 16 of 19, losing only 66-62 at Notre Dame back on Dec 11, 65-62 at LSU on Jan 4 and 80-71 at No. 1 Auburn on Jan 22. John Calipari just claimed the 800th victory of his coaching career with an 82-74 OT win at home over Miss St on Jan 25.

Bill Self's Jayhawks finished 21-9 last season, including a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That was not what was expected of a team ranked No. 6 in the AP's preseason poll. Kansas began the current season ranked No. 3 and opened with an 87-74 win in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on the opening night of college basketball (Nov 9) over Michigan St. The 17-2 Jayhawks welcome the 12th-ranked Wildcats to legendary Allen Fieldhouse ranked 5th in the latest AP poll. Self's crowning achievement came in 2008 against Calipari when Kansas rallied to defeat Memphis in overtime for the national championship. Now, Self has Kansas in position to potentially overtake Kentucky as the winningest program in Division I history. The Wildcats stand 2,343-732 all-time, while the Jayhawks are 2,340-873. Talk about at Marquee Classic!

The 6-9 Tshiebwe (16.3 & 15.2) and the 6-7 Brooks (10.2 & 4.3) are the two main frontcourt players for Coach Cal's team. SG Washington (13.6-4.2-4.6) and PG Wheeler (10.1 & 6.9 APG) lead a backcourt that also features Grady (12.1) and Mintz (98.6). The Kentucky offense ranks 9th in scoring (82.3 PPG) and 5th in FG percentage (49.7). Also note that the Wildcats are holding opponents to 64.8 PPG, for an average winning margin of 17.5 PPG. At issue might be Washington's ankle, which kept him out of the Miss St game and has him listed as questionable for this one.

Kansas is led by a pair of big guards in the 6-5 Agbaji (21.3 & 5.0) and the 6-6 Braun (15.3 & 598). Guard Remy Martin (19.1 PPG last season), an Arizona State transfer, was named the preseason player of the year in the Big 12 but has been a HUGE disappointment, averaging just 8.4 PPG. Harris (5.2 & 3.7 APG) has recently been starting at PG for Martin. The 6-10 McCormack (9.0 & 6.7) and the 6-8 Wilson (8.9 & 6.8) round out the starting lineup. The 6-8 Lightfoot (5.2 & 3.2) and guard Coleman-Lands (4.6) get time off the bench. Much like Kentucky, Kansas is averaging 81.5 PPG (12th) on 49.3% shooting (10th), while allowing 67.9 PPG (average margin of13.6 PPG).

Here's the rub. Forget the names on the jerseys. Kentucky's four losses have come to Duke in the Champions Classic on the opening night of the season plus at ND, at LSU and at Auburn (see above). Should we expect Kentucky's away from home woes to change here, in of the most difficult away venues in the nation (Kansas is 10-0 at home, with an average margin of victory of 19.2 PPG). Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Afternoon Delight is on Xavier at 2:00 ET.

Xavier head coach Travis Steele was badly in need of a 20-win season when the 2021-22 CBB season tipped off back on Nov 9. He took over from Chris Mack (23.9 wins per season with NINE straight Big Dance bids), who took over from Sean Miller (24 wins per season and NCAA bids in his last four seasons of his five-year stint). The Musketeers entered the season having won just 51 games (17 per) in Steele's first three seasons, without an NCAA bid. However, as Xavier gets set to visit Creighton on Saturday afternoon, the Musketeers are 14-5 (4-4 in Big East) and ranked 21st in the latest AP poll. Creighton head coach Greg McDermott is in his 12th season with the Bluejays and has won 20-plus games in 10 of his first 11. However, Creighton lost all FIVE starters from last year's 22-9 team that made a Sweet 16 appearance. It was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Coach McDermott but the Bluejays are a respectable 12-6 (4-3 in the Big East). The two schools met back on Jan 15 in Cincinnati and Xavier fought back from a five-point halftime deficit to defeat Creighton 80-73.

Xavier's starting-five looks like this. The 7-0 Nunge (12.5 & 7.2) and the 6-9 Freemantle (8.5 & 5.0) start up front, with guards Scruggs (11.4-4.6-4.2), Jones (11.2 & 8.2) and Johnson (10.7) comprising a strong backcourt. Guards Kunkel (8.9) and Odom (5.8) add backcourt depth, while the 6-8 Hunter adds 6.1 & 3.9 off the bench in the frontcourt. Xavier comes in off back-to-back losses, 75-64 at Marquette and 65-62 at home against Providence. Xavier overcame a 14-point deficit to take the lead against No. 17 Providence before a late three-pointer by the Friars decided the game. Despite the defeat, the Musketeers' effort was not wasted on their coach and players. "I think people get caught up on wins and losses. I'm more focused on the quality of play on both ends," Xavier head coach Travis Steele said. "Our group has played really, really hard, we've competed every single night, but our execution level has got to be better." Following the loss to Providence, Xavier big man Jack Nunge said of Steele, "He told us we gotta have amnesia. Every night in this league is going to be a fight for 40 minutes. We gotta be ready to play Saturday against Creighton. They're playing as good as anybody in the league." 

McDermott has rebuilt Creighton quickly. The starting guards are freshman Nembhard (11.2 & 4.3 APG) and O'Connell (3.4 PPG last year), who is averaging 12.9 & 5.4 this season. 7-1 center Kalkbrenner returned (5.9 & 3.5 LY) and is a 'new man,' averaging 12.1 & 7.1. The 6-7 Hawkins is a Div II transfer and chips in 12.9 & 7.5 plus 6-7 freshman Kaluma adds 9.1 & 4.6. Alexander (5.2) is the only other player averaging as much as 5.0 PPG. Since the teams' last meeting, Creighton racked up home wins over St John's, 87-64, and DePaul, 60-47, before getting bounced at Butler 72-55 on Wednesday. Butler went on a 14-0 second-half run and held Creighton well under its 70.9-point scoring average. The Bluejays made only 2 of 22 on three-point attempts and shot 35.6 percent overall from the floor.

The good news for Creighton is that McDermott will return to the bench following a week-long absence resulting from COVID-19 protocols and that the last time the Musketeers won at Omaha was in February of 2018. However, I'm on Xavier in this one, coming off that 'ugly' 72-55 loss at Hinkle Fieldhouse. Xaviers is the better team and despite its No. 21 ranking in the AP poll, the Musketeers are just 4-4 in Big East play, behind FIVE other schools (including 4-3 Creighton). No revenge here. Take the visitor to sweep the season series.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Wright St at 9:00 ET.

The 13-4 Cleveland State Vikings (9-1 in Horizon play) and the 11-9 Wright State Raiders (8-3 in Horizon play) meet Friday at the Nutter Center in Dayton. The two teams tied for first-place (16-4) in the Horizon League last season, although it was the Vikings who won the conference tourney to advance to the 'Big Dance'.

The Vikings are a perimeter-oriented team, with a trio of guards scoring in double digits. Hodge (15.6), Patton (13.2-6.9-4.1) and Gomillion (10.4 & 4.9) lead the way but FOUR other guards combine to chip in just under 23 PPG. The 6-9 Johnson (8.1 & 6.5) is the lone big man of note. The Raiders are led by the combo of guard Holden (20.7 & 6.6) and the 6-9 Basile (17.5 & 9.0). Guards Calvin (13.7) and Finke (9.5 & 5.6) give Wright St two more 'iron-men,' as all four average 32-plus minutes. 6-9 freshman Braun (7.3 & 3.2) has played in 13 of the team's 20 games but is currently back in the rotation, making him the team's fifth starter.

These teams met back on Dec 4 in Cleveland, with the Vikings winning 85-75. That sets this up as a "revenge" spot for Wright St, which needs a "W" to get to 9-3 in Horizon play, while Cleveland St would fall to 9-2 (a loss drops the Raiders to 8-4, while the Vikings would move to 10-1!). The Raiders have to be thrilled to be back in Dayton, as they've played their last FIVE games on the road (went 3-2). Wright St's most recent home game was back on Jan 8 and the Raiders are 6-1 SU at home this campaign. Home team wins, as I'm issuing a "B-L-O-W-O-U-T Alert!"

Good luck...Larry

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

No. 2 Gonzaga (15-2 / 4-0) has dominated the WCC for two decades but there are THREE more schools from the conference having terrific years this season. BYU is 17-4, St Mary's is 15-4 and San Francisco is 16-4. The Saint Mary’s Gaels (3-1) and San Francisco Dons (3-2) meet Thursday at the War Memorial at the Sobrato, both chasing 4-0 Gonzaga and 5-1 BYU.

Randy Bennett took over at St Mary's in 2001-02 and had his first 20-win season (25-9) in 2004-05. Starting in the 2007-08 season and going through the 2019-20 season, his Gaels won 20-plus games for 13 consecutive years. That streak ended with a 14-10 record last season but The Gaels are well on their way to 20 wins this season. San Francisco Todd Golden worked as an assistant under Kyle Smith and when Smith left for Washington St, took over as head coach. The Dons went 22-12 in his first season (2019-20) but last season's team, hurt by a 17-day stint away from the court due to COVID, finished just 11-14. However, the Dons are 16-4 as they welcome the Gaels to town.

The 6-10 Matthias Tass (12.3 & 6.4) leads in scoring, joined by two guards averaging double digits. That duo is Ducas (10.6 & 3.4) and Johnson (10.6 & 3.4). PG Kushe adds 9.9-3.6-3.2. The 6-8 Bowen (5.2 & 6.4) starts with Tass, while the 6-7 Dan Fotu, who comes off the bench to add 8.7 & 3.8. Defense keeps St Mary's in most games, as the Gaels are allowing just 58.0 points (8th). The Dons own an excellent backcourt, led by Bouyea (17.9-5.1-3.7), Shabazz (12.54) and Columbia transfer Stefanini (8.2). The 6-10 Massalski (13.8 & 8.4), the 6-10 Tape (4.7 & 4.6) start up front, while 6th-man, the 6-5 Rishswain, adds 7.6 off the bench. The Dons can't match St Mary's defensive numbers (see above) but they are a solid defensive team, allowing 65.1 PPG. On the offensive end, the Dons are averaging 76.3 PPG to the Gaels 68.8 points.

San Francisco is 12-1 at home (lone loss was by TWO points to BYU), while St Mary's is 5-4 in road and neutral games. I think offense (NOT defense) wins the day, so I'm "all over" San Francisco.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Texas "2-Step" (Part 2) is on UT-Arlington at 8:00 ET.

The 12-5 Texas State Bobcats and the 8-11 UT Arlington Mavericks meet Thursday in SBC play at the College Park Center. The Bobcats come into the contest 3-3 in their last six games, while the Mavericks are looking to snap a three-game losing streak. Texas St is 3-2 in SBC games and UT Arlington sits 4-4. Texas St head coach is in his second season with the Bobcats, after going 18-7 last season, when the Bobcats won the regular season SBC title (12-3) but lost in the conference tourney. Greg Young had been an assistant at UT Arlington from 2009-21 but this is his first head coaching gig.

Guards Asberry (14.2 & 4.8), Harrell (10.3) and Adams (8.9 7 3.1) start for Texas St, while the 6-8 Small (11.5 & 7.0) and the 6-8 Martin (5.5 & 7.9) start up front. The 6-8 Caesar adds 9.0 & 5.2 off the bench. UT Arlington will own the best player on the floor in SG Azore (18.5 & 4.3), who is joined in the backcourt by Elame (7.7 & 3.0) and PG Levi (6.0-4.8-4.9). The 6-7 Mwamba (10.3 & 4.8) and the 6-9 Ehiogu (5.3 & 5.1) start up front, while 6-9 JC transfer Wilson adds 6.4 & 4.1 off the bench.

Texas St IS the better team but its play on the road this year has been shaky. Meanwhile, the Mavericks have consistently played their best at home, winning by an average of 11 points and allowing opponents to hit just 34.6 percent from the floor. The home dog 'barks' LODLY in this one!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late Breaker is on Iowa St at 8:00 ET.

T.J. Otzelberger came from UNLV to take over an Iowa St team that went 2-22 last season (0-18 in the Big 12). The Hawkeyes opened 12-0 and were ranked No. 8 thru Dec 21 but did not play again until Jan 1, at then-No. Baylor. The Hawkeyes played the Bears close, losing 77-72 but that loss was the start of a 2-5 Iowa St run that has dropped them to No. 23 in the latest AP poll at 14-5, (2-5 Big 12). The Cyclones will look to begin reversing their 2-5 start in the Big 12 when they take on Oklahoma State Wednesday night in Stillwater.

Mike Boynton's fourth season at Stillwater was last year and led by Cade Cunningham (20.1 & 6.2), the Cowboys went 21-9 and made it to the NCAA's second round. However, Cunningham was the NBA's overall No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft. That said, the Cowboys returned a solid group plus welcomed Kansas transfer Thompson and Memphis transfer Cisse to the fold. The Cowboys are not postseason eligible and are just 10-8 overall (3-4 Big 12) but continue to be a challenge to top teams in the conference, adding to the Big 12's depth. 

A trio of guards lead the way for Iowa St, starting with standout Izaiah Brockington, who leads the team in scoring (16.6) and rebounding (8.2). He's joined on the perimeter by Kalscheur (10.3) and Hunter (10.1 & 4.8 APG). The team's frontcourt rotation is led by the 6-8 Kunc (6.2 & 3.8) and the 6-9 Conditt (4.8 & 3.8). Guards Grill (7.0), Enaruna (6.3 & 3.9) and Jackson (4.5) add depth.

OSU has balanced scoring and depth! Williams (10.6) and Anderson (10.0) are the lone double digit scorers. Kansas transfer Thompson (9.9) and 6-10 Memphis transfer Cisse (6.1 & 5.4) have been solid, while guards Likekele (7.1 & 5.8) and Moncrieffe (5.3 & 4.4) add depth. Then there are the 6-9 Boone twins, Kalib (7.0) and Kelan (5.9 & 3.6). 

Oklahoma State pushed another ranked conference opponent to the limit on Saturday, before falling 56-51 to then-No. 23 Texas in Austin. However, the Cowboys played without leading scorer Bryce Williams due to a sprained ankle and it's unclear if he will be back for this contest. Both teams excel on the defensive end, Iowa St allowing 59.9 PPG (16th) and OSU allowing 65.0 PPG. An edge for Iowa St is that the Cyclones are forcing the fourth-most turnovers in the country, while the Cowboys are giving the ball way at one the highest rates in the nation. Also worth nothing is that Oklahoma State is just 2-7 ATS in its last nine at home. Take any points available.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Texas 'Two-Step' is on Texas at 9:00 ET.

Chris Beard 'jumped ship,' leaving Lubbock (Texas Tech) to take the job at Texas (Austin) and left some hard feelings behind. It hasn't been smooth sailing for Beard and his Longhorns, who opened No. 5 in the AP's preseason poll and remained in the AP rankings all season until Monday. Texas is 14-5 (4-3 in Big 12 play) but just 2-3 in its last five games. Jamie Dixon (of Pitt fame) returned to his alma mater back for the 2016-17 season. He led TCU to the NIT title that season, then won 21 and 23 games the following two seasons, However, he came into this season off 16-16 and 12-14 seasons. However, his team heads into this contest having won 10 of 12 to reach 13-3 (3-2 in Big 12 play).

Texas did pick up a 56-51 home victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday, after losses on the road to Iowa State on Jan 15 and at home to Kansas State last Tuesday. Chris Beard brought in seven transfers with NCAA Division I experience. 6-6 Timmy Allen was named All-Pac 12 at Utah last season (17.2 & 6.4) and leads Texas in scoring (11.4) and rebounding (6.5) but BOTH figures are down from his numbers last season. The same goes for PG Carr (19.6 & 4.9 APG last year with Minnesota), who is averaging a more modest 11.0 PPG and 3.4 APG. Guards Jones (10.2) and Ramey (9.2) join Carr in the backcourt, while 6-9 center Mitchell (9.3 & 4.1) and 6-7 forward Bishop (6.2 & 4.5) join Allen up front.

TCU bounced back from a loss at Oklahoma State that went down to the final shot, to upset then-No. 15 Iowa St 59-44. The Cyclones' 44 points were its fewest in the 51-year history of Hilton Coliseum. Guard Damion Baugh (9.5-4.2-4.0) scored a career-best 23 points in the win. Baugh's backcourt partner is Mills (15.5-3.9-4.1), with the duo joined by forwards O'Bannon (10.0 & 4.1) and Miller (9.9 & 7.2) plus 6-11 center Lampkin (5.4 & 5.3) in the starting lineup. TCU held Iowa State to 30.9 percent shooting that included a 3 for 26 showing from beyond the arc and outrebounded the Cyclones 39-28 in one of the nation's toughest places to play. 

Speaking of playing defense, Texas ranks 1st in the nation, allowing just 54.9 PPG. Expect the Longhorns to bring that defensive intensity to Fort Worth's Schollmeier Arena and pick up a much-needed win.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Late Breaker is on Wyoming at 9:00 ET.

The 15-2 Wyoming Cowboys (4-0 MWC) and the 15-2 Boise St Broncos (6-0 MWC) get together tonight from ExtraMile Arena in Boise, with the winner ending the night in first place. Jeff Linder came from No. Colorado where he won 26 (CIT champion), 21 and 22 games in his final three years, earning him the Wyoming gig. His first team went 14-11 but this year's team is an impressive 15-2. Boise St's Leon Rice is in his 12th season, having produced EIGHT 20-win seasons in his first 11, including two NCAA teams (the most recent coming back in 2015). Last year's team went 19-9, before losing in the NIT quarterfinals, just missing a ninth, 20-win campaign. However, the Broncos are all but assured of a 20-win season this year.

Wyoming won its first eight games this year, then hit a 1-2 stretch that featured losses to Arizona and Stanford. However, it's been SIX straight victories since, over Northern Iowa, USF, Utah State, Nevada, San Jose State and New Mexico. The 6-9 Ike (20.6 & 8.9) and PG Maldanado (17.8-5.8-6.7) make for quite a duo. They are joined in the starting lineup by guards Jeffries (11.4 & 4.8) and DuSell (10.8) plus the 6-9 Oden (8.6 & 4.9). DuSell is questionable with a hamstring injury, with Wenzel (5.4) starting in his place. Defense is a team strength (65.6 PPG) but depth is an issue.

Boise St has depth issues as well but has a very solid starting-five. The backcourt is missing Doutrive (9.4 & 4.6), who last played on Nov 30 but Shaver (13.6 & 4.1) and 6-8 guard Akot (11.5) form a quality duo. Up front, it's the 6-7 Kijab (13.1 & 6.6), the 6-10 Armus (7.2 & 9.2) and the 6-7 Degenhart (9.2). Defense is Boise's 'bread-and-butter,' allowing 57.9 PPG (8th).

While Boise is a terrific defensive team, note that Wyoming is no slouch in that department, either (see above). Meanwhile, Wyoming averages 78.4 PPG, compared to Boise's 67.8. When getting almost a full 'TD' worth of points, I'll say, "How 'bout dem Cowboys?". Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Big Sky) is on Southern Utah at 9:00 ET.

The Weber State Wildcats and the Southern Utah Thunderbirds square off in a Big Sky matchup from the America First Events Center in Cedar City, Ut on Monday night. Webber St head coach Randy Rahe arrived in Ogden for the 2006-07 season and led the Wildcats to an NCAA berth. He's still around, although Weber St's only NCAA appearance since Rahe's first season came in 2013-14. Todd Simon took over the Southern Utah program for the 2016-17 season, with the Thunderbirds going just 53-78  (.405) through his first four years. However, last season's team went 20-4 (won the Big Sky at 12-2) but lost in the conference semifinals in OT, therefore no NCAA bid.

Weber St is 13-5 overall and leads the Big Sky at 6-1. Marquette transfer McEwen (17.2 & 4.4) leads the Wildcats in scoring, joined by fellow transfer (Utah Valley) Overton (12.6 & 4.0) and returning guard Jawara (11.8) to form a strong backcourt. 6-6 SF hJoes (Big Sky Freshman of the year last season) is averaging 12.8 PPG and leads in rebounding (10.1). The 6-9 Bassett is what's called a "super senior," and checks in adding 6.3 & 3.0.

Southern Utah is 11-5 overall and at 5-1, is tied with No. Colorado, a half-game back of Weber St. The returning backcourt of Knight (15.1-4.2-4.3) and Marin (11.1 & 4.6) are a steady influence The starting frontcourt consists of forwards Jones (14.0 & 4.4) and Fausett (13.1 PG and a team-high 8.9 RPG) plus the 6-11 Spurgin (5.1 & 3.9). SF Butler (7.5 & 3.9) and guard Moody (6.7) are the key reserves.

This is a HUGE game for Southern Utah, which along with No. Colorado, trails Weber St by a half-game at the top of the Big Sky standings. Southern Utah's only home loss (7-1) this season came to No. Colorado on Jan 1 (by 10 points), so winning here is almost a 'must!' FYI...the Thunderbirds' home loss to No. Colorado on Jan 1 is the team's ONLY home loss in the last 1-1/2 seasons (team was 14-0 last season and is now 7-1 this season). I'm on the T-birds!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Michigan at 3:30 ET.

Michigan opened the season ranked 6th in the AP's preseason poll but didn't stay ranked for very long. A lengthy layoff due to the holiday break and COVID-19 issues didn't help and the Wolverines 'limp into Bloomington having played just FOUR games in a month but is off an 83-64 win over Maryland on Tuesday. To say the least It's been an up-and-down year for the defending Big Ten champions, as the Wolverines had a pair of conference games postponed the second week in January due to COVID-19 issues within the program. Michigan is just 8-7 overall, including 2-3 in the Big Ten. Indiana lost its final six games of last season and the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller. They then hired Mike Woodson (former Indiana player under Bob Knight) to lead the team in the 2021-22 season, Indiana opened 6-0, before losing 112-110 (2 OTs) at Syracuse. The Hoosiers have also lost at Wisconsin, at Penn St and at Iowa but here at Assembly Hall, have gone a perfect 12-0, after they snapped a nine-game losing streak against Purdue, winning 68-65 on Thursday behind a career-high 20 points from Rob Phinisee. Indiana welcomes Michigan to Assembly Hall 14-4 overall, including 5-3 in the Big Ten. 

After center Hunter Dickinson (16.4 & 8.6) sat out a 68-53 loss at Illinois on Jan 14, the Wolverines were back at full strength against Maryland. Dickinson (21 points) led FOUR starters in double figures. Michigan's starting-five includes the 7-1 Dickinson and the 6-11 Diabate (9.1 & 6.1) up front, plus a trio of guards in Brooks (12.1) and Houstan (9.7 & 4.5) plus PG Jones (8.5-4.5-3.7), who runs the offense. The 6-9 Jackson-Davis (18.7 & 8.6) was limited against Purdue, playing just 11 minutes with four points and one rebound. The 6-8 Thompson (10.8 & 7.6) and the 6-7 Kupp (6.7 & 2.7) join Davis up front, while guards Johnson (10.0-3.6-4.1) and Stewart (7.3) start in the backcourt. Adding depth on the perimeter are Phinisee (5.7) and Bates (4.3).

Indiana will look to avoid a letdown after an emotional Purdue win and how much Davis can contribute is really unknown. Obviously, Michigan was overrated at the start of the season, but the Wolverines are NOT a .500 team, either. Both teams are solid defensively and Michigan is OVERDUE for a "quality" win. Methinks, as Rod Stewart opined, "Tonight's the Night!" Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on North Carolina at 8:00 ET.

North Carolina (12-5 / 4-2) and Wake Forest (15-4 / 4-3) have similar conference records as they head into Saturday night's meeting in Winston-Salem. Roy Wiliams retired after last season, ending his career with a first-round NCAA tournament loss and an 18-11 record with his beloved Tar Heels. Former North Carolina player Hubert Davis took over as head coach and the Tar Heels were ranked 19th in the AP's preseason poll. However, just when it appeared North Carolina might be picking up momentum, the Tar Heels 'crashed and burned' in Tuesday night's 85-57 loss at Miami. Steve Forbes took over at Wake Forest last season and suffered through a 6-16 (3-15 in the ACC) his first year. However, whether it has been in the JC ranks or his four-year stint at East Tenn St, Forbes has been known as 'quick-change artist.' Case in point. He took over at East Tenn St in 2015-16 and his four-year record was 130-43! His final team went 30-4 but "what might have been" in the Big Dance remains an unanswered question, as COVID shut the tournament down. Now, after a 'nightmare' first season, Forbes' Demon Deacon are off to an impressive start (see above).

"Very disappointed in our fight, our competitiveness, our effort," UNC head coach Hubert Davis said. "In order to be a good team, you have to have leadership and there has to be somebody outside of myself, outside of the coaching staff, a voice in the locker room that's amongst the players that binds us together." The Tar Heels are looking for adjustments, perhaps mostly in mindset. North Carolina has an excellent frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (17.2 & 11.2), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (12.4 & 5.6) and 6-11 Marquette transfer Garcia (9.1 & 5.5). Sophomore guard Love (14.1-3.5-3.4) teams with freshman Davis (13.7-3.8-3.5) in the backcourt, with Walton (3.9) and Black (3.5 & 4.4) adding support.

Forbes has turned things around quickly at Wake, adding Oklahoma transfer Williams and an ETSU transfer in Williamson to be his starting guards. Williams (20.3-6.8-5.2) has been spectacular and Williamson, who came with Forbes last season from ETSU, is averaging 12.4 PPG. The 6-8 Mucius (10.5 & 3.8) returned up front but the 6-8 LaRavia (14.7 & 5.9) came from Indiana St, the 7-0 Walton (8.1 & 5.2) from Colorado and the 6-10 Sy (6.5 & 4.4) from Ole Miss. In Wednesday night's 80-64 victory at Georgia Tech, the Demon Deacons were without coach Forbes, who was ill, but it seems like he'll be back for the North Carolina game. "He'll be there," said Wake assistant coach Brooks Savage, who filled in. "It was in everybody's best interest that he take some time and not travel and get ready to go for Saturday."

Kudos to Forbes and Wake but consider this, the Demon Deacons have reached the 15-win mark for only the THIRD time in a 12-season span. This season is 'rarefied air' for Wake Forest and catching the Tar Heels off an embarrassing 85-57 loss at Miami, is NOT a "good thing!" UNC is a two-point dog, so one could hardly call this an upset. However, take any available points but expect a North Carolina win "with room to spare," as North Carolina has won EIGHT of the last nine meetings with Wake Forest.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Atlantic Coast Conference schools has typically been known as arguably the nation's top BKB conference, but a quick check of the latest AP poll will find only Duke (at No. 6) among the top-25. One sure won't find Virginia (11-7, 5-3) or NC State (9-10, 2-6) in any top-25 polls!  Tony Bennett's UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. The Cavs ended last season 18-7, after a first-round NCAA loss to 13th-seed Ohio U. However, as noted, this season has NOT gone smoothly. However, UVA's season is going MUCH better than NC St's Kevin Keatts season is. He replaced Mark Gottfried in Raleigh five years ago. His three-year stint at UNC-Wilmington (his team won 28 and 29 games in his final two seasons, both ending with NCAA tourney berths), surely caught NC St's attention. Keatts' first three seasons in Raleigh went fine (21, 24 and 20 wins) but the Wolfpack's season pretty much ended on Feb 9 of last year, when Devon Daniels (16.5 & 5.2) was lost to an ACL tear (NC St would finish 14-11).

The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark, who chips in 9.1 PPG and 4.0 APG. Guard Beekman (8.1-3.6-4.8) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.2 & 5.1), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (14.0) and rebounding (7.0) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 12.2. With Daniels gone and the 6-11 Funderburk (12.6 & 5.6) declaring for the NBA but going undrafted, Keatts' had his work cut out for him entering the current season. The 6-7 Seaborn has blossomed into a 'do-everything" player for NC St, leading the team in scoring (19.3) and rebounding (9.4). Joining him in the starting lineup are freshman guard Smith (14.6 & 3.7), the 6-7 Hellems (14.2 & 4.7) and the 6-11 Dowuona (4.0 & 4.7). Guards Hayes (8.3) and UVA transfer Morsell (7.3 & 3.5) have been steady off the bench.

Here's the rub. Do you believe in 'miracles?' Well, I may be exaggerating a little but consider this. Two Saturdays ago, North Carolina ended its SEVEN-game losing streak against Virginia. Last Saturday, Wake Forest snapped its NINE-game skid against the Cavaliers. Now it's NC State with a chance to "get off the schneid," as the Wolfpack will try to beat Bennett for the first time in Raleigh. All SEVEN times the Cavaliers coach has come to PNC Arena, he's walked out a winner. The late-1970s and early-1980s TV opined "Eight is Enough" but my bet here says, "SEVEN is enough!" NC St wins and wins impressively.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Marquee Classic is on Kentucky at 1:00 ET.

No. 2 Auburn (17-0 / 6-0) will put its 14-game winning streak on the line Saturday when it hosts No. 12 Kentucky in a matchup of SEC teams. Withe Baylor losing twice last week, Gonzaga took over the No. 1 spot in the AP poll, while Auburn moved to No. 2. Interestingly, Auburn (36) had more first-place Votes than Gonzaga (25), but the Bulldogs edged the Tigers in overall points, 1,486 to 14,82. In the history of the AP poll, Auburn has reached No. 2 three times. The 1958-59 team reached second and finished eighth in the AP poll with a 20-2 record. The 1998-1999 team reached No. 2 but lost in the Sweet Sixteen. That team finished 29-4. The following season, Auburn started the season ranked fourth and reached No. 2, before faltering down the stretch and losing in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That team finished 24-10 and ranked 24th.

Kentucky (15-3 / 5-1 SEC) knows more than a little about No. 1 rankings plus owns EIGHT national championships to Auburn's ZERO! The Kentucky men's basketball team went just 9-16 last season, but all knew that was an aberration, as the Wildcats were ranked No. 10 in the AP's preseason poll. After a loss to Duke in the Champions Classic on the opening night of the season, the Wildcats have won 14 of 16, losing only 66-62 at Notre Dame back on Dec 11 and 65-62 at LSU on Jan 4. The 6-9 Tshiebwe (16,1 & 14.8) and the 6-7 Brooks (10.4 & 4.3) are the two main frontcourt players for Coach Cal's team. SG Washington (14.2-4.2-4.6) and PG Wheeler (10.4 & 7.1 APG) lead a backcourt that also features Grady (11.4) and Mintz (9.1). 'EIGHTs are wild' when checking in on the Kentucky offense, which ranks 8th in scoring (82.9 PPG) and in FG percentage (49.8). Also note that the Wildcats are holding opponents to just 62.8 PPG!

Bruce Pearl made a HUGE 'splash' when took over at Tennessee for the 2005-06 season. He would go 145-61 (.704) with the Vols, leading them to NCAA berths in each of his six seasons in Knoxville, including two Sweet 16s and an Elite 8. However, he was let go and was given a three-year ban for allegations surrounding lying to NCAA investigators. He returned to the SEC with Auburn in 2014-15 and after going just 26-40 in his first two seasons, led the Tigers to 26-wins, 30 wins (Final 4 appearance) and 25 wins (NCAA tourney was canceled because of COVID). However, the Tigers suffered a 'meltdown' on the court last season, going just 13-14. The Tigers have turned things around with the help of FOUR freshmen. The 6-10 Smith leads in scoring with 15.8 PPG (adds 6.3 RPG), while the 7-0 Kessler leads in rebounding (7.4), while adding 10.3 PPG. Green (13.1-4.0-5.1) and Johnson (12.8) are the top backcourt producers. Auburn is averaging 80.7 PPG (19th), while allowing 65.6 PPG.

Saturday marks the only regular season meeting between Kentucky and Auburn this year and to put it mildly, it's the very definition of a "Marquee Classic!" Clearly, what Auburn has done up to this point is 'special' (only loss came back in November, when it fell to then-No. 22 UConn in double-overtime in the Bahamas), but the Wildcats have DOMINATED this series with a 92-21 advantage all-time. Coach Cal plus the points is the way to go!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Marquee Classic is on Michigan St at 9:00 ET.

Tom Izzo and his Spartans started at No. 13 at the opening of the 2020-21 season and struggled in the regular season. Mich St made the NCAA tourney at 15-12 but was eliminated in a First Four game by UCLA. Michigan State began the current season unranked but enters this game at Wisconsin arnked No. 14 at 14-3 (5-1 in the Big Ten). Wisconsin was also unranked in the preseason but is now No. 8, with a 15-2 overall record, including 6-1 in the Big Ten. The Badgers are tied atop the conference with Ilinois, while the Spartans are just a half-game back.

The Spartans do not have a 'big gun,' as the team's leading scorer is SF Brown (14.2 & 4.8). 7-0 center Bingham adds 9.7  PPG and a team-high 7.1 RPG. Joining those two in the starting lineup are guards Christie (10.4)  and Walker (6.8 & 5.2 APG) plus the 6-9 Hauser, who has disappointed averaging only 6.8 & 6.1. Bench strength comes from the 6-9 Hall (9.7 & 4.8) and the 6-9 Marble (6.4 & 3.1) plus guard Hoggard (6.5 & 4.5 APG). Izzo-coached teams always play excellent defense and the Spartans are allowing 65.6 PPG, holding opponnest to just 39.1% shooting (24th).

Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors last season but of the 14 scholarship players this season, 10 are classified as freshmen for eligibility purposes. Guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 15.1 & 4.1. The great news for Wisconsin fans is, fellow guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY) is averaging 22.1 & 7.5 this season. Also back, after limited playing time last season, are the 6-9 Wahl (11.0 & 5.7) and the 7-0 Crowl (8.8 & 4.8). Freshman guard Hepburn (7.2) rounds out the starting-five. No other player averages as much as 4 PPG and that's not good news considering that Wahl is listed as questionable.

Wisconsin extended its winning streak to seven with an 82-76 victory at Northwestern on Tuesday to move into a first-place tie with Illinois in the conference, while the Spartans were upset at home by Northwestern 64-62 in their last outing on Saturday, snapping a NINE-game winning streak. Wisconsin has won the last two matchups with Michigan State, including a 64-63 victory in the last meeting at home at the Kohl Center. However, prior to that, the Spartans had won EIGHT straight against the Badgers. Winning at the Kohl Center is NEVER easy but I really like taking a Tom Izzo team off and embarassing loss like at home to Northwestern. I sent out an "Upset Alert" Thursday on Indiana over Purdue and it's "deja vu all over agin" tonight with the Spartsna beating the Badgers.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (Pac 12) is on USC at 7:30 ET.

USC was 25-8 last season (made the Elite 8) but head coach Andy Enfield (who will ever forget Florida Gulf Coast!) has retooled the Trojans, after losing Evan Mobley to the NBA draft (3rd overall pick). USC opened the current season 13-0 and in the Jan 10 AP poll, was ranked No. 5. It was the school's highest ranking since also being No. 5 way back in December of 1974! However, the Trojans lost 75-69 at Stanford on Jan 11, beat Oregon St (3-13) 81-71 at home and then lost 79-69 at home against suddenly surging Oregon last Saturday. 

USC (14-2 / 4-2) will try to get its season back on track Thursday night in Boulder against a Colorado Buffaloes team that is quietly gone 12-4 (4-2 in the Pac 12). Tad Boyle took over at Boulder in the 2009-10 season and has led the Buffaloes to 20-plus wins EIGHT times and into the NCAA Tournament FIVE times (would have been six but the 2020 tourney was shut down because of COVID.

As noted above, Enfield has retooled the Trojans this season, with GREAT success. Mobley's 6-10 older brother Isaiah leads in scoring (15.3) and rebounding (9.2) and is joined by the 6-9 Goodwin (13.0 & 7.1) and the 6-9 Agbonkpolo (7.8 & 3.5) in the frontcourt. Ellis (12.6), and Peterson (11.1 & 5.8) make for an excellent backcourt duo, plus guard Anderson (5.8) and the 6-11 Morgan (4.3 & 3.2) contribute off the bench. The Buffs have a strong starting-five, led by a huge frontline. The 6-9 Walker (13.1 & 8.5), the 6-8 Battey (12.3 & 4.5) and the 6-10 da Silva (8.8 & 3.6). The starting guards are Barthelemy (11.1) and Parquet (7.1). Guards Simpson (6.9) and Clifford (6.2 & 5.1) add depth.

Boyle's success at Colorado includes an unlikely domination of USC. The Buffs have beaten the Trojans SEVEN straight times! That said, the Buffaloes have lost ALL of their first three opportunities to beat a ranked opponent and had a fourth, against Kansas on Dec 21, canceled. This game could define which direction USC's season will go. In its 13-0 start, just THREE teams topped 70 points (a high of 73) but in losing TWO of three, the Trojans have allowed 75.0 PPG. I view this contest as almost a "must-win" situation for USC. Seven straight loses to Colorado surely brings USC's 'motivation factor' on a 1-10 scale to 10! Colorado has lost 73-61 to then-No. 5 UCLA, 69-54 to then-No. 13 Tennessee and 76-55 to then No. 6 Arizona. Why will the Buffs win here vs No. 16 USC? My bet says they WON'T!

Good luck...Larry

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

Full, detailed analysis thursday morning by 10:00 ET.

My 9* Rivalry Rout is on Indiana at 7:00 ET.

No. 4 Purdue is the highest-ranked Big Ten team but at 4-2 in league play, there are FIVE schools with better conference records than the Boilermakers' mark. Purdue heads to Bloomington tonight to take on bitter rival Indiana, which is 13-4 overall, including 4-3 in Big Ten play.

Matt Painter is in his 17th season at Purdue and the Boilermakers have matched ther best start through 17 games under Painter (Purdue also started 15-2 during the 2010-11 and 2017-18 seasons). 7-4 sophomore Edey (15.6 & 7.5) teams with 6-10 senior Williams (13.4 & 8.5), the 6-6 Gillis (7.2 & 3.5) and 6-10 freshman Furst (5.4 & 4.6 ) up front. The perimeter is led by Ivey (16.4 & 5.2) and Stefanovic (11.8), while Newman (6.3) and Thompson (5.4) add depth.

Indiana lost its final six games of last season and the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller. They then hired Mike Woodson (former Indiana player under Bob Knight) to lead the team in the 2021-22 season, Indiana opened 6-0, before losing 112-110 (2 OTs) at Syracuse. The Hoosiers have also lost at Wisconsin, at Penn St atand at Iowa but here at Assembly Hall, have gone a perect 11-0. Indiana is coming off its first road win of the season, winning at Nebraska 78-71 on Monday The Jackson-Davis (19.5 & 9.1) posted his fourth straight double-double and eighth of the season against Nebraska with 23 points and 12 rebounds before sitting out the final seven minutes of the game after landing hard on his tailbone on a foul. However, Jackson-Davis posted on Twitter that he will be fine and expects to play on Thursday. The 6-8 Thompson (10.9 & 7.5) and the 6-7 Kupp (7.1 & 2.8) join Davis up front, while guards Johnson (9.5-3.5-4.2) and Stewart (7.6) start in the backcourt. Adding depth on the perimeter are Phinisee (4.6) and Bates (4.6).

Yes, Knight and Keady are no longer around but their 'ghosts' are. This will ALWAYS be a great rivalry and as head caoch Woodson iopined about his team's 11-0 home record, "We can't lose at home. That's my message. I can't say it loud enough. I mean, they are a great team, I watched them (Monday) against Illinois win in overtime. They are huge, they've got talent out front, but hey, we're going to have to match it and see what happens." That sounds good but the Hoosiers are seeking their first win against Purdue since Feb 20, 2016, when they won 77-73. Purdue's won NINE in a row in this series since that Indiana win. I won't say "revenge" after nine staright losses but with Purdue off a draining OT win Monday at Illinois, I am sending out an "Upset Alert!" Take the points.

Good luck..Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Rutgers at 8:30 ET.

Fran McCaffrey is in his 12th season at Iowa City and he's delivered seven, 20-win seasons in his first 11. Gone are consensus National Player-of-the-Year Garza (24.1 & 8.7) and Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.6) but the Hawkeyes opened 7-0, before dropping back-to-back Big Ten games to Purdue and Illinois, plus losing a third straight at Iowa St. However, the Hawkeyes have won SIX of their last seven (lone loss to now-No.8 Wisconsin). Iowa is 13-4 (3-3 in the Big Ten) and was the first team in the "others receiving votes" column of the latest AP top-25 poll. The Hawkeyes travel to Rutgers Wednesday night for a Big Ten game with the Scarlet Knights. Steve Pikiell came to Rutgers (from Stony Brook) for the 2016-17 season and his 2019-20 team won 20 games (NCAA tourney was canceled) and then got the Scarlet Knights into the "Big Dance" last season, winning a game before losing in the round of 32. The current season has been a disappointment, with Rutgers checking in at 10-6 (4-2 Big Ten).

Iowa survived last Sunday at Minnesota, winning 81-71. However, after taking a 16-point lead at halftime, the Golden Gophers charged back and cut the deficit to 74-71 with 90 seconds left.  Iowa survived, as Keegan Murray, the nation's leading scorer at 23.9 PPG, drained a three-pointer with 59 seconds left to help Iowa rattle off the game's final seven points. The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the team in scoring (23.9) and rebounding (8.1) while his brother Kris chips in 10.3 & 4.8. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey (10.8 & 3.8) and returning guard Bohannon adds 10.9 PPG. Guard Perkins (7.6), the 6-9 Rebraca (6.1 & 6.1), guard Toussaint (5.4 & 3.9 APG) and 6-7 freshman Sandfort (5,2) round out a deep group. Iowa is averaging 86.2 PPG, fifth-best in the nation.

Rutgers has a starting lineup consisting of four guards and the 6-11 Omoruyi (11.3 & 7.7). PG Baker (11.2 & 4.3 APG) entered the season with 101 starts on his resume and 6-6 guard Harper (16.6 & 6.8) can be a 'nightmare' matchup issue for many teams. Mulcahy (7.3 & 4.1) and Mcconnell (6.9 & 5.1) are the final two starters, while the 6-6 Hyatt (5.9 & 3.3) is the 6th-man. Rutgers is a slow-paced team, averaging 69.0 PPG (17 points less than Iowa) but also allows just 65.1 PPG.

Rutgers earned its badly-needed first road win of the season Saturday at Maryland. The Terrapins jumped out to a 38-27 halftime lead but the Scarlet Knights cut their turnovers and clamped down on defense for a major swing in the second half, leading to a 70-59 win. The key here is that Pikiell has made "The RAC" (Rutgers Athletic Center) a brutal venue for visiting teams. Rutgers is 9-1 at home this season (beat Michigan and Purdue already) and enters 37-7 (.841) at home the last two-plus seasons. The Scarlet Knights 'rac up' another home win here!

Good luck...Larry

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

Clemson is 10-7 (2-4 ACC) as it travels to play at 8-9 Syracuse (2-4 ACC) as both teams are slipping dangerously close to the bottom of the 15-team Atlantic Coast Conference standings (Pitt is 2-5, Va Tech 1-4 and Ga Tech 1-5). Clemson has lost THREE of four and Syracuse FOUR of five, dipping below .500 on the season.

Brad Brownell arrived in Clemson for the 2010-11 season and after 11 years, he's led the Tigers to just four, 20-win seasons and three NCAA berths. This is his 12th season at the helm. Clemson has four players in double digits, led by the 6-10 Hall (14.5 & 5.8) and the 6-8 Tyson (11.2 & 6.1) in the frontcourt. Guards Amir-Daws (11.5), Collins (11.2 & 7.1) and Hemenway (5.3) have been starting in the backcourt lately. However, guard Honor (8.8) has started some plus the 6-8 Bohannon (4.8 & 4.1) adds support up front. The Tigers are a strong defensive team, allowing 66.5 PPG.

Jim Boeheim is in his 46th season as a head coach and is coming off another Sweet 16 run in last year's "Big Dance" (The Orange finished 18-10). Boeheim's team this season goes just five-deep. His son Buddy leads the team in scoring at 18.9 PPG (adds 3.6 RPG and 3.6 APG), teamed with backcourt partner Girard (13.4 & 4.4 APG). Two key transfers have made immediate impacts. Swider, a 6-9 transfer from Villanova, is averaging 12.0 & 6.5 plus Boeheim's oldest son Jimmy (a 6-8 graduate transfer from Cornell), is adding 14.3 & 6.2 (he's now the second-leading scorer on the team, behind only his brother) The 6-11 Edwards returned up front and chips in 13.0 & 7.1. Depth has been an issue all season, plus Boeheinm's famed "2-3 zone" has allowed 75.6 PPG (320th), NINE points more than Clemson allows.

I don't ever remember saying this when playing against Syracuse but look for Clemson's superior defensive play to be a difference-maker in this one against Syracuse. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

Bill Self's Jayhawks finished 21-9 last season, including a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. That was not what was expected of a team ranked No. 6 in the AP's preseason poll. Kansas began the current season ranked No. 3 and opened with an 87-74 win in the Champions Classic at Madison Square Garden on the opening night of college basketball (nov 9) over Michigan St. The Jayhawks visit Norman tonight at 14-2 (3-1 Big 12) and ranked No. 7 in the latest AP poll. Porter Moser (of Loyola-Chicago fame) is in his first season at Norman and his Sooners are 12-5 (2-3 Big 12. The Jayhawks come in having won 10 of 11. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is off back-to-back losses for the first time this season, shooting just 17.1 percent from three-point range over the last two games.

Kansas' 6-10 David McCormack was not happy coming off the bench to start Big 12 play. McCormack said his three-game stint with the reserve unit has given him motivation. "You always want to hear your name in the starting lineup," McCormack said. "At the same time, it is about production, whether you come off the bench or start. I guess you could say, (as Coach Bill Self) likes to say, (it) ‘lit a fire within me.' It just made me play a little bit harder, be a little bit more tenacious." McCormack returned to the starting lineup in Saturday's 85-59 win at West Virginia, with 19 points and a career-high-tying 15 rebounds. That said, he's averaging a modest 8.8 & 6.5 on the season. Kansas is led by a pair of big guards in the 6-5 Agbaji (20.6 & 4,8) and the 6-6 Braun (15.6 & 6.2). Guard Remy Martin (19.1 PPG last season), an Arizona State transfer, was named the preseason player of the year in the Big 12 but has been a HUGE disappointment, averaging 9.8 PPG (he has missed the last two games with a bone bruise in his right knee). Harris (5.0 & 3.9 APG) is the PG without Martin in the lineup and the 6-8 Wilson (7.8 & 6.2) rounds out the starting lineup. The 6-8 Lightfoot (5.2 & 3.1) and guard Coleman-Lands (5.2) get time off the bench. Kansas is a VERY efficient offensive team, averaging 81.9 PPG (13th) on 50.2% shooting (5th).

Oklahoma pretty much relies on its starting-five (all get 25-plus minutes), as the 6-6 Hill (9.8 & 6.2) joins the team's leading scorer, the 6-9 Groves (13.1 & 6.0) up front The Sooners feature a trio of solid guards in Gibson (12.5), Harkless (10.2 & 4.9) and Goldwire (9.4 & 3.6 APG). Oklahoma's leading bench scorer is the 6-9 Chargois (SMU transfer), who is averaging 4.6 PPG but he missed Saturday's game due to an ankle injury and the timeline for his return is unclear. Oklahoma shoots the ball well (49.9% ranks 9th) but averages 72.4 PPG (nine less than Kansas). However, Moser really has his team 'working' on the defensive end, as the Sooners are allowing 62.1 PPG (29th).

Yes, the Jayhawks have won 10 of the last 13 meetings with the Sooners, but Oklahoma has won THREE of the last four in Norman. The Sooners had responded with a win following each of their first three losses this season but couldn't continue that trend when they lost 59-58 in OT last Saturday at TCU. I'm 'barking' with this very 'live' home dog. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

 My 10* Conference Game of the Month (MWC) is on Nevada at 8:00 ET.

The 12-2 Wyoming Cowboys (1-0 MWC) and the 8-6 Nevada Wolf Pack (2-1 MWC) meet in MWC action from the Lawlor Events Center on Monday. Jeff Linder came from No. Colorado where he won 26 (CIT champion), 21 and 22 games in his final three years, earning him the Wyoming gig. His first team went 14-11 but this year's team is an impressive 12-2. This is Steve Alford's third season at Nevada, having gone 19-12 and 15-9 in his first two seasons. However, with all five starters returning, a strong season was anticipated. That has NOT been the case.

Wyoming had its first four games of January postponed but finally got back on the court Jan 15, winning 71-69 at Utah St. The 6-9 Ike (19.7 & 8.4) and PG Maldanado (17.6-5.7-5.9) make for quite a duo. They are joined in the starting lineup by guards DuSell (10.8) and Jeffries (10.3 & 4.9) plus the 6-9 Oden (9.1 & 4.9). Defense is a team strength (63.5 PPG allowed ranks 57th) but depth is an issue.

Nevada PG Sherfield (19.5-4.5-6.4) leads a starting lineup that features three guards, the 7-0 Washington (11.4 & 7.0) and the 6-7 Coleman (3.6 & 3.4). Sherfield's backcourt partners are Cambridge (16.4 & 4.6) and Blacksher (6.7 & 4.3). The 7-0 Baker comes off the bench to add 11.4 & 5.4.

Wyoming beat Nevada BOTH times last season but I see that as a plus in motivation for the Wolf Pack, who really need a "W" in this one. Nevada is 3-2 SU in its last five games but 0-5 ATS. That all changes here. Wyoming went from Christmas until this past Saturday, without playing a game and now plays its second road game in three days. The "Time" and "Price" is just right for Nevada.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekly Wipeout is on Arizona St at 4:00 ET.

Craig Smith is in his first season as Utah's head coach (had a great three-year run at Utah St in going 74-24) and led the Utes to wins over Abilene Christian, Sacramento State, Bethune-Cookman, Boston College and Tulsa with an average margin of victory of 19.8 points to begin the season. However, a 75-64 loss at BYU on Nov 27 set in motion a 3-9 slide that includes a 1-6 start in the Pac 12. The 8-9 Utes have lost FIVE consecutive games with their last win coming back on Dec 21 at home against Fresno State. ASU head coach Bob Hurley is in his eighth season in Tempe, and it looks as if this year's team is no better than the one that went 11-14 last season. ASU opened 2-6, then won THREE in a row but the 5-9 Sun Devils (1-3 ac 12) have a three-game losing streak since winning at Creighton back on Dec 14 (COVID cancellations and postponements haven't helped).

Utah saw its best player Timmy Allen (17.2 & 6.4) transfer to Texas but key returning players from last year's team are the 7-0 Carlson and the 6-9 Battin. Guards Worster and Anthony (6.4 & 8.6) followed Smith from Utah St plus guard Jenkins came via UNLV and Gach, who started at Utah but moved on to Minnesota, returned this year to play for Smith. Checking on the above-listed players finds that Carlson (13.5 & 6.4) has played well but Battin (5.8 & 4.5) has underachieved. Guards Gach (11.0), Jenkins (10.5), Anthony (8.9 & 7.3) and Worster (7.4-4.2-3.1 have all contributed plus freshman guard Stefanovic has added 7.1 PPG.

Arizona State's scoring issues have suffered because returning guard Bagley (10.8 PPG) was lost to a knee injury after just THREE games (was averaging 10.4). That leaves two double digit scorers in guard Horne (13.4) and 6-6 SF Lawrence (10.4 & 7.5). Hurley was really counting on Toledo grad transfer Jackson, who was the MAC player-of-the-year last season, averaging 18.1-6.2-5.9. However, his scoring has been cut by more than half (7.3 PPG), while adding 4.1 RPG and 3.7 APG. The other two starters are guard Muhammad (6.5) and the 6-9 Graham (5.8 & 3.2). Guard Heath (9.9 & 3.8) and the 6-9 Gaffney (4.6 & 4.5) both get time off the bench.

Either Utah or Arizona State will break back into the win column Monday afternoon but even though Utah looks like the better team on paper, it's hard to ignore that the Utes have lost four conference games on the road against USC, Oregon State, Oregon and Arizona by an average of 15.8 points! It sure doesn't help that Utah is without center Brendan Carlson, who is out for two to three weeks with an abdominal injury. I'm sticking with the home team here, expecting Utah to lose again by 10-plus points on the Pac 12 road!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Alabama at 6:00 ET.

Nate Oats spent four years at Buffalo and went 59-13 in his last two, making the Big Dance each time. That allowed him the opportunity to come to Alabama and after a 16-15 first season (COVID) he led the Tide to a 26-7 record and a Sweet 16 appearance last year. Gone from that team are the 6-7 Jones (11.2 & 6.6), who was not only the SEC player-of-the-year but also the league's Defensive POY. Also gone is veteran guard Petty (12.6 & 5.2). However, the Tide have plenty of talent left. That said, after opening 7-1 SU (6-2 ATS), Alabama has gone 4-4 SU and a money-burning 1-7 ATS, after a home loss to rival Auburn on Tuesday. No. 24 Alabama is now 11-5 (2-2 SEC) and will aim to get back on track in a road contest at Mississippi State on Saturday in Starkville. The Bulldogs are coached by Ben Howland, known for his success at first Pitt and then UCLA. He came to Miss St for the 2015-16 season and after going 14-17 and 16-16 in his first two years, won 20-plus games the next three. Last year's team finished with a modest 18-15 but its late season run got them into the NIT championship game, before losing 77-64 to Memphis. Mississippi State is 11-4 (2-1 SEC) is coming off an 88-72 home victory over Georgia

The loss to Auburn snapped a 17-game winning streak at home for Alabama and now the Tide need to regroup and earn a road win. Alabama did return its top-two scorers from last season and guards Shackelford and Quinerly are again leading the way. Shackelford checks in at 16.1 & 5.9 and Quinerly at 15.4 & 4.4 APG. Swingman Ellis adds 12.1 & 6.3 and the 6-6 Gary 9.2 & 4.7 plus freshman center Bediako (6.8 & 4.3) is starting. Guard Davison (8.3-4.8-4.3), the 6-6 Miles (6.8 & 3.5) and the 6-8 Gurley (7.6 & 3.6) are all contributors. The Bulldogs have five double-digit scorers but the 6-11 Smith (14.2 & 7.8) hasn't played since Dec 29. He's expected back soon. The other four are guard Molinar (17.5-3.4-4.5), the 6-9 Brooks (10.8 & 76,7), the 6-7 Jeffries (10.7 & 5.1) and guard Moore (10.5). Filling in for Smith has been the 6-9 Davis (5.8 & 3.6).

Saturday is the first of two meetings this season between the Bulldogs and Tide, as they're scheduled to play again on Feb 16 in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide shouldn't lack confidence, as they went 3-0 against Mississippi State last season. The Tide rolls!

Good luck...Larry

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

Steve Forbes took over at Wake Forest last season and suffered through a 6-16 (3-15 in the ACC) his first year. However, whether it has been in the JC ranks or his four-year stint at East Tenn St, Forbes has been known as 'quick-change artist.' Case in point. He took over at East Tenn St in 2015-16 and his four-year record was 130-43! His final team went 30-4 but "what might have been" in the Big Dance remains an unanswered question, as COVID shut the tournament down. Now, after a 'nightmare' first season, Forbes' Demon Deacon are 13-4 (3-3 in ACC). Tony Bennett's UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. The Cavs ended last season 18-7, after a first-round NCAA loss to 13th-seed Ohio U. Now, after a very uneven start to the current season, the Virginia Cavaliers finally appear to be picking up some traction. Virginia (10-6, 4-2 ACC) has won THREE of its last four games to take some momentum into a home game against Wake Forest on Saturday in Charlottesville.

Forbes has turned things around quickly at Wake, adding Oklahoma transfer Williams and an ETSU transfer in Williamson to be his starting guards. Williams (20.7-6.7-5.0) has been spectacular and Williamson, who came with Forbes last season, is averaging 12.5 PPG. The 6-8 Mucius (9.9 & 3.6) returned up front but the 6-8 LaRavia (14.8 & 6.1) came from Indiana St, the 7-0 Walton (7.9 & 5.4) from Colorado and the 6-10 Sy (7.1 & 4.4) from Ole Miss. The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark (9.6 & 3.9 APG). Guard Beekman (7.6-3.9-4.4) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (5.9 & 5.3), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (14.3) and rebounding (7.4) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 12.2 PPG. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 58.4 PPG (12th).

This game is the only scheduled meeting this season between the two teams. Virginia defeated Wake Forest 70-61 in the lone meeting last season, the Cavaliers' NINTH consecutive victory in the series. However, that was THEN and this is NOW. Wake's football team had a record season in 2021 and while this year's basketball team has no Tim Duncans or Chris Pauls, Wake Forest is a better team than UVA this season. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

The 12-4 (2-2 Big 12) Oklahoma Sooners are coming off a 66-52 loss to No. 21 Texas on Tuesday night where the Sooners were just 1 of 13 from behind the three-point line. Meanwhile, the 11-2 TCU Horned Frogs are looking to build some momentum after Wednesday's 60-57 win at Kansas State gave TCU its first Big 12 victory of the season (1-1). This Saturday contest in Fort Worth is critical for both teams.

Porter Moser (of Loyola-Chicago fame) is in his first season at Norman, and he has the Sooners at 12-4. The 6-9 Tanner Groves, Oklahoma's leading scorer at 13.5 PPG (adds 5.7 RPG), managed just one field-goal attempt in the loss to Texas and in general, Porter Moser's team looked discombobulated from the start. "We're good and we didn't play that way," Moser said. "We didn't play as tough as we needed to and smart as we needed to. Teams are going to speed you up, but you've got to work to get catches, you've got to work to get into your stuff. You've got to respond to that stuff. That's basketball at this level against very good defenses." Oklahoma pretty much relies on its starting-five (all get 25-plus minutes), as the 6-6 Hill (9.6 & 5.8) joins Groves up front. The Sooners feature a trio of solid guards in Gibson (12.7), Harkless (10.1 & 4.9) and Goldwire (9.3 & 3.8 APG). The Sooners are an excellent defensive team, holding opponents to 62.3 PPG (36th).

Jamie Dizon (of Pitt fame) returned to his alma mater back for the 2016-17 season. He led TCU to the NIT title that season, then won 21 and 23 games the following two seasons, However, he came into this season off 16-16 and 12-14 seasons. However, his team heads into this contest having won EIGHT of nine and much like Oklahoma, relies on its starting-five as well. Miller (17.8-3.7-4.8) and Baugh (9.2-4.1-4.0) are the starting guards, while forwards Miller (10.5 & 7.1) and O'Bannon (9.7 & 3.8) surround 6-11 center Lampkin (5.5 & 5.8). TCU does get a little more help from its bench, as guard Peavy adds 6.3 & 5.1 and the 6-7 Coles chips in 4.8 & 3.3. Like Oklahoma. TCU 'brings it defense' every game, allowing 62.5 PPG (39th). However, Oklahoma makes 50.6% of its FG attempts, 4th-best in the nation.

The bottom line here is this. The Sooners have responded with a win following each of their first three losses this season, with two of those wins coming over ranked opponents (then-No. 12 Arkansas by 88-66 and then-No. 11 Iowa St by 79-66!). Those are two quality wins! Then there is the fact that Oklahoma has won EIGHT consecutive games against TCU. Good enough for me!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Month (A-10) is on St Bonaventure at 7:30 ET.

The VCU Rams will travel to the Reilly Center to take on the St. Bonaventure Bonnies this Friday night in Olean, NY for an A-10 clash. The Rams enter this contest on a seven-game winning streak, after defeating the George Washington Colonials, 84-57, this past Tuesday. VCU is 10-4 on the season, including 3-0 in the A-10. The St. Bonaventure Bonnies snapped a two-game losing streak and improved to 9-3 on the season (1-0 in the A-10), after defeating the Lasalle Explorers, 80-76 (OT), this past Tuesday. Bothe schools have seen four games postponed or canceled from mid-December thru early January.

Mike Rhoades has some pretty good credentials in his first four seasons in Richmond, going 80-41 with two NCAA bids. Last season's NCAA bid ended before his team was able to play its first round game with Oregon, as the VCU team had a COVID outbreak. The Rams lost Hyland (9.5 & 4.7) to the NBA and this season, have used a seven-man rotation. 6-6 senior forward Williams (11.3 & 6.0) is joined by in double digits by guard Baldwin (10.8 & 5.2 APG), who has played in just six games. However, he has played in all three January games, averaging 11.7 & 5.7 APG. Other contributors are guard Nunn (9.8), Curry (8.7) and Tsohonis (6.4) plus the 6-8 Stockard (7.3 & 3.9) and the 6-9 Ward (5.7 & 4.8) up front. VCU's strength is a defense allowing 57.1 PPG (8th).

St Bonaventure is the defending Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament champions and was ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press preseason poll, the school's first ranking in the media poll since January 1971 (Can you say Bob Lanier?). However, many feel like the Bonnies have underachieved. I'm not so sure that is totally fair but it is fair to say the Bonnies have, at least so far, left something to be desired. However, this team has FIVE double digit scorers, giving them great balance. The group includes four guards and the 6-10 Osunniyi (10.1 & 7.3). The guards are Holmes (15.9-6.5-4.4), Lofton (15.9-3.8-3.8), Adams (13.5 & 7.5) and Welch (11.7 & 5.6).

Recent form says VCU, which is 7-0 SU (6-1 ATS), while entering on a 9-1 ATS run the last 10 games. Meanwhile, St Bonaventure takes the floor tonight on an 0-7 ATS run. However, take note of this. The Bonnies beat the Rams twice last season, including by 16 at home and then by nine in the A-10 Tournament. This season, the Bonnies have victories over Marquette, Clemson, and Boise State, and I expect them to be prepared to play at their highest level tonight as well. I am not yet ready to concede that the well-balanced Bonnies' struggles will continue. Take St Bonaventure.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big Ten Game of the Year is on Iowa at 9:00 ET.

Fran McCaffrey is in his 12th season at Iowa City and he's delivered seven, 20-win seasons in his first 11. Gone are consensus National Player-of-the-Year Garza (24.1 & 8.7) and Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.6) but the Hawkeyes opened 7-0, before dropping back-to-back Big Ten games to Purdue and Illinois, plus losing a third straight at Iowa St. The Hawkeyes then won FOUR in a row but again lost at Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes are 11-4 (1-3 in the Big Ten), as they welcome the Indiana Hoosiers to Iowa City on Thursday night.

Indiana lost its final six games of last season and the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller. They then hired Mike Woodson (former Indiana player under Bob Knight) to lead the team in the 2021-22 season, Indiana opened 6-0, before losing 112-110 (2 OTs) at Syracuse. The Hossiers have also lost at Wisconsin and at Penn St, arriving at Carver-Hawkeye Arena 12-3, including 3-2 in the Big Ten.

The Hoosiers have used a seven-man rotation, led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (19.4 & 8.7), who is joined in the frontcourt by the 6-8 Thompson (10.7 & 7.7) and the 6-7 Kopp (7.1 & ). Xavier transfer Johnson (9.7-3.7-4.2) starts in the backcourt with Stewart (7.5), while veteran Phinisee (5.3) and freshman Bates chips in 4.9 PPG. The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the team in scoring (24.7) and rebounding (7.9) while his brother Kris comes off the bench to chip in 9.4 & 4.6. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey (11.2 & 3.6) and returning guard Bohannon adds 10.8 PPG. Perkins (7.8), 6-7 freshman Sandfort (5,8), the 6-9 Rebraca (5.9 & 5.9) and Toussaint (5.3 & 3.9) comprise a deep group. 

Here's the rub. Indiana averages 74.9 PPG (120th) and will have a tough time 'keeping up' with Iowa, which averages 86.7 PPG (4th). Especially when noting that Indiana is 0-3 SU on the road this season, while the Hawkeyes are 9-1 SU at home. After a 1-3 Big Ten start, Iowa really NEEDS a "W' in this one. My bet says the Hawkeyes get it "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Marquee Classic is on Ohio St at 7:00 ET.

Wisconsin (13-2, 4-1 Big Ten) has won FIVE in a row since losing 73-55 at Ohio State back on Dec 11. The now 13th-ranked Badgers moved up from No. 23 after winning 74-69 at then-third-ranked Purdue, defeating Iowa 87-78 in Madison and then holding on for a 70-69 victory at Maryland on Sunday after leading early by 21 points. Wisconsin will now welcome the 16th-ranked Ohio St Buckeyes (10-3 / 4-1 in the Big Ten) to Madison looking to avenge that Dec 11 loss (one of only two losses this season).

Ohio St head coach Chris Holtmann has won 25, 20, 21 and 21 games in his first four seasons in Columbus and it's hard to believe that a fifth straight 20-win season isn't in the cards this season. The team's top player is the 6-7 Liddell (20.1 & 7.6) and he's joined up front by the 6-8 Key (9.3 & 5.7 / up from 5.2 & 3.4 LY) and the 6-6 Ahrens (7.5). The starting backcourt is freshman Branham (10.4) and PG Wheeler (6.9 & 4.4 APG), who is a transfer from Penn St. The 6-8 Young comes off the bench to chip in 9.0 & 5.8, as does guard Johnson (6,6). The Buckeyes defeated Northwestern 95-87 at home on Sunday, after losing 67-51 on the road to Indiana on Jan 6. Liddell had a career-best 34 points in the win over Northwestern, including 17 of the Buckeyes' first 19.

Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors last season but of the 14 scholarship players this season, 10 are classified as freshmen for eligibility purposes. Guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 14.5 & 4.2. The great news for Wisconsin fans is, fellow guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY) is averaging 22.3 & 7.4 this season. Also back, after limited playing time last season, are the 6-9 Wahl (10.2 & 5.3) and the 7-0 Crowl (8.7 & 4.7). Freshman guard Hepburn (7.3) rounds out the starting-five.

It would easy to say "revenge" but Ohio State shot 50 percent while holding Wisconsin to just 33.8 percent, including 6 of 26 (23.1 percent) from three-point range in the Dec 11 game. Davis had 24 points and Davison 13, but the rest of the Badgers shot just 7-for-31 (22.6 percent). The Buckeyes also pounded the Badgers on the glass, 49-28, with Kyle Young pulling down 14 and Liddell and Zed Key nine apiece. Liddell scored a game-high 28 points, and Key contributed 11.

Simply put, this is a bad matchup for the Badgers and while they surely won't lose by 18 points again, all signs point to another convincing victory for the Buckeyes. Take those points, willingly!

Good luck...Larry

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

There is "no crying in baseball" and there are 'no ties in college hoops', so either Maryland (8-7, 0-4 Big Ten) or Northwestern (8-5, 1-3 Big Ten) will snap a three-game losing streak when the teams meet Wednesday night in Evanston's Welsh-Ryan Arena. "I feel like we're close to turning the corner," Terrapins interim coach Danny Manning said after Maryland saw its comeback attempt fall short in a 70-69 home loss to then-No. 23 Wisconsin on Sunday. In a 95-87 loss to the then-13th-ranked Buckeyes on Sunday, Northwestern shot the ball well (47.1 percent from the floor, including 41.7 percent from three) but the Wildcats dropped their third straight, 95-87.

The Badgers led by 21 points early in the game against the Terps, but Eric Ayala and the Terrapins did not pack it in. Two straight three-pointers by Eric Ayala put Maryland ahead 36-35 with 15:27 to play. In the final seconds, he hit another trey that put a scare into the Badgers and cut their lead to one. Ayala led FIVE Maryland scorers in double figures with 19 points, adding five rebounds. But when it was said and done, the Terrapins remained one of two Big Ten teams without a conference win (Nebraska is 0-6). Maryland is a veteran team and is WAY better than its record. Senior guard Ayala (15.5 & 4.7) and senior PG Russell (12.5 & 3.9 APG) are joined in the backcourt by junior guard Hart (9.7 & 3.5). Up front, it's 6-8 junior (Scott (11.6 & 7.0) and 6-11 junior Wahab (9.0 & 6.1). 6-9 freshman Resse comes off the bench to add 6.3 & 4.8.

Northwestern's Ty Berry led the way with 23 points, while Pete Nance and Chase Audige each scored 20 in the loss to the buckeyes. Ohio State star E.J. Liddell netted 17 points in the first five minutes and wound up with 34 on the game. 6-10 senior Nance leads Northwestern in scoring (16.2) and rebounding (7.2) and teams with 6-10 center Young (9.8 &4.3). Junior PG Buie (14.9 & 5.9 APG) and fellow guard Berry (9.5) are now joined by guard Audige, who made his season debut back on Dec 5. He's averaging 11.8 & 4.8 in his six games. Noting that Dec 5 game, it was played at Maryland and was the Terps first game under Manning, in the wake of Mark Turgeon's abrupt departure after 10 seasons. That "W" is Northwestern's lone Big Ten win (67-61).

Don't expect Northwestern to get Big Ten-win No. 2 here, even though the Wildcats are at home. Rather, expect Maryland to earn its first Big Ten win of the season, which would also be Manning's first Big Ten win. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

Full, detailed analysis Wednesday morning by 10:00 ET.

My 10* Conference Game of the Month (SEC) is on Florida at 7:00 ET.

Will Wade had success at VCU (took over for Shaka Smart) and that got him the gig at LSU. His first team went 18-15 (NIT) but his teams have won 25, 21 and 19 games the last three seasons (two NCAAs, which would have been three except for COVID cancellation). LSU lost 70-55 at then-No. 11 Auburn in its conference opener but followed with consecutive home victories against then-No. 16 Kentucky (65-60) and then-No. 18 Tennessee (79-67) last week. The Tigers have faced ranked teams in each of its first three SEC games. That streak will end when the No. 12 Tigers (14-1 / 2-1 SEC) face unranked Florida (9-5 / 0-2) on Wednesday night in Gainesville. Mike White has led the Gators to four NCAA berths in the last five seasons (would have been five, except for COVID cancellation). His Gators returned six seniors or graduate transfers to start this season and Floriuda opened 6-0. However, the Gators have lost FIVE of their last eight, including the last two, 83-70 at home to then-No. 15 Alabama and 85-73 at then-No.9 Auburn.

LSU lost guard Thomas (22.8), forward Watford (17.0 & 7.4) and guard Smart (16.8-5.2-4.2) to the NBA and others to the transfer portal, leaving just FOUR returning players. The 6-7 Days decided to return and he's averaging 14,3 & 7.9 and joins a strong frontcourt that includes the 6-8 Eason (16.2 & 7.6), a Cincy transfer, and 7-0 freshman Reid (8.4 & 5.3). The backcourt is led by Missouri transfer Pinson (10.9-3.1-4.7), Murray (9.1) and Gaines (8.5-3.5-3.5). The Tigers held off the Volunteers in their last game, despite losing Xavier Pinson to a knee injury. Pinson's right knee bent awkwardly during a slip, and the starting point guard had to be helped to the locker room. However, the injury was diagnosed as just an MCL sprain and bone bruise. Pinson is listed as day-to-day but is unlikely to play here.

Florida is led by the 6-11 Colin Castleton (15.6 & 9.2). Returning starters are guard Tyree Appleby (10.0 & 3.6 APG) and the 6-7 Anthony Duruji (9.1 & 4.4). Myreon Jones (Penn St transfer) adds 9.9 & 3.6 plus the 6-5 Fleming Jr. (20.1 & 7.4 at Charleston Southern last season) has dealt with a groin injury but is back and averaging 10.6 PPG. Florida trailed by as many as 13 points early at then-No. 9 Auburn on Saturday, but the Gators battled back to get within one point with more than eight minutes remaining. "We were right there within striking distance after a rocky start," Gators coach Mike White said. However, Florida couldn't get over the hump in an 85-73 loss, starting 0-2 in the SEC for the first time since the 2009-10 season.

This is a HUGE game for the Gators and they catch LSU off a brutally-tough three-game stretch plus the Tigers will likely be without PG Pinson. Florida is the play.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* WCC Game of the Year is on St Mary's at 10:00 ET.

The 12-3 Saint Mary’s Gaels will travel to the Marriott Center to take on the 13-3 BYU Cougars this Saturday night in WCC play. Randy Bennett took over at St Mary's in 2001-02 and had his first 20-win season (25-9) in 2004-05. Starting in the 2007-08 season and going through the 2019-20 season, his Gaels won 20-plus games for 13 consecutive years. That streak ended with a 14-10 record last season. Mark Pope is in just his third season at BYU but has delivered a 44-15 two-year mark, including 20-7 last season. BYU got off to its best start under Pope, beating four NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, Cleveland State, San Diego State, Oregon and Texas Southern. The Cougars did not begin the season ranked but moved to No. 12 (after a Nov 27 win over Utah got them to 6-0), the school's highest ranking this far into the season in 40 years. However, BYU has since lost to Utah Valley, Creighton and Vandy, to fall out of the top-25.

The Gaels won their 2nd straight game and improved to 12-3 on the season after defeating the Yale Bulldogs, 87-60, on December 28th. This is the team's first game since then. Saint Mary’s is led by the 6-10 Matthias Tass (12.5 & 5.2) and the 6-7 Dan Fotu, who comes off the bench to add 10.1 & 4.3. Starting up front with Tass is the 6-8 Bowen (5.4 & 6.5). The Gaels have a nice trio of guards in Johnson (10.3), Kuhse (10.1-3.7-3.5) and Ducas (9.4 & 4.1). Saint Mary’s is averaging a modest 68.8 PPG but its defense is holding opponents to 58.1 PPG (13th).

BYU lost guard Averette (11.7 PPG / 2nd-leading scorer) and the 7-3 Haarms (11.3 & 5.0) but got the unexpected return of guard Barcello (16.1-4.7-4.2 LY). He leads in scoring at 17.2 PPG and is surrounded by a 'deep' cast. Guard Lucas (10.1 & 5.0 APG) is the only other double-digit scorer, but fellow guard Johnson (8.1 & 3.4) and 6-6 forward Traore (8.0 & 7.6) are solid contributors. The 6-9 Baxter (7.6 & 3.0) was lost to an injury in early December but the 6-8 Lohner (6.6 & 6.8) and guard Knell (7.3) are part of the team's depth.

I am well aware that BYU is 7-0 at home but my 'gut' says this BYU team is just a little overrated and that St Mary's Defense is more than capable of taking BYU out of its rhythm, while earning the outright win Upset alert!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Tennessee at 6:00 ET.

No. 21 LSU was able to hold off No. 16 Kentucky to get its first SEC win on Tuesday night. LSU had a NINE-point lead with 2:35 remaining but Kentucky got within a point and had the ball in the final minute for the chance to take the lead. However, Xavier Pinson made consecutive steals which led to LSU baskets to complete a 65-60 victory. There is no rest for the weary, as 13-1 LSU (1-1 in the SEC) will host the No. 18 Tennessee Volunteers (10-3, 1-1) Saturday in Baton Rouge. Tennessee made three consecutive three-pointers to tie Ole Miss late in regulation, then grabbed its first lead of the night in overtime and beat the Rebels 66-60 on Wednesday night.

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes has been a winner at every stop, with three NCAA berths at Providence, three in four years at Clemson and 16 in 17 years at Texas. This is his seventh season at Tennessee, and he's led the Vols to three NCAA berths the last four years (exception was when COVID shut down the postseason). Junior guard Vescovi (13.5 & 4.7) and freshman PG Kennedy Chandler (13.3 & 5.4 APG) lead the way for Tennessee. The 6-9 Fulkerson (9.5 & 6.0) and the 6-8 Nkamhoua (9.5 & 6.0) start up front. 6-6 guard Jordan-James missed a few games but is back in the starting lineup, averaging 6.6 & 5.8. Defense is a Rick Barnes specialty, and his team is allowing just 60.4 PPG (27th).

LSU lost guard Thomas (22.8), forward Watford (17.0 & 7.4) and guard Smart (16.8-5.2-4.2) to the NBA and others to the transfer portal, leaving just FOUR returning players. The 6-7 Days decided to return and he's averaging 14.3 & 7.9 and joins a strong frontcourt that includes the 6-8 Eason (15.6 & 7/3), a Cincy transfer, and 7-0 freshman Reid (9.0 & 5.6). The backcourt is led by Missouri transfer Pinson (11.0-3.1-4.5), Murray (8.8) and Gaines (8.6). LSU head coach Will Wade said the Tigers "just lost our way a little bit" in the 70-55 loss to Auburn back on Dec 29 (LSU's first defeat of the season), falling behind 18-1 while missing their first 16 field-goal attempts. They played without starting shooting guard Brandon Murray, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury (he returned vs Kentucky to score 10 points), and the team shot 28.6 percent (18-of-63) from the floor, making just six 3-pointers in 29 attempts. LSU hurt itself with 17 turnovers. However, the Tigers sure regrouped against Kentucky.

However, as mentioned before, there is no rest for the weary. LSU know plenty about defense, allowing just 55.6 PPG (7th) on 34.7% shooting (1st) but off a hard-fought and emotional win over Kentucky (LSU named its home court for former head coach Dale Brown prior to that contes), I see the Tigers being a little 'flat' vs a very talented Tennessee team. The Vols may be a slight dog (take those points!) but I see Tennessee winning by double digits.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Ga Tech at 6:00 ET.

8-5 Notre Dame (2-1 in the ACC) has won consecutive conference games against Pitt and North Carolina, while 6-7 Georgia Tech (0-3) is still trying to get in the win column in ACC play. Mike Brey is in his 27th season at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish got off to a promising 3-1 start but then lost three consecutive games. However, the Fighting Irish beat then-No. 10 Kentucky 66-62 on Dec 11 and got their season turned around. Josh Pastner (of Memphis fame) led the Ga Tech Yellow Jackets to a 17-9 record and their first ACC tourney championship since 1993 last season but after a 5-1 start to the current season, Ga Tech has lost SIX of seven to fall under .500 on the season.

Notre Dame's won FOUR straight and will be coming off one of its best wins of the season, a 78-73 home victory over North Carolina. The Irish only played seven players, but FOUR of them reached double figures in scoring. Nate Laszewski led the team with 20 points and eight rebounds, followed by Blake Wesley and Dane Goodwin with 18 and 17 points, respectively. Brey's team typically goes just seven-deep. Guards Goodwin (15.1 & 5.5) and Wesley (13.7) are the top-two scorers, joined by Ryan (8.7-4.2), Hubb (7.8) and Wertz (5.0) in the backcourt. The 6-9 Atkinson (11.4 & 6.5) and the 6-10 Laszewski (8.5 & 7.2) are the best (only?) frontcourt players.

Georgia Tech had a tall task in its last outing, with a road game against No. 2 Duke on Tuesday (lost 69-57). Michael Devoe scored 21 points, but as a team the Yellow Jackets shot just 21 of 64 (32.8 percent) from the floor and saw two players foul out in a game they never really had a chance to win down the stretch. Ga Tech lost ACC player of the year Wright (14 & 8.0) and PG Alvarado (15.2-3.5-4.1) from last year but this season features a guard-dominated lineup led by Devoe (21.2-5.6-5.0) and 6-7 big guard Usher (18.8 & 6.8). Sturdivant (7.5), 6-6 SF Moore (5.9 & 4.2), guard Coleman (5.9) and swingman Smith (5.4 & 3.4) are also contributors. 6-10 centers Howard averages 6.2 & 5.5 but he's doubtful with an ankle injury.

It's a 'PERFECT STORM' tonight in Atlanta, as the underachieving Yellow Jackets get the better of an Irish team coming off their big win over UNC, which came at home where they are 6-0. Notre Dame gets 'stung' tonight by Ga Tech!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daydream Believer is on Virginia at 1:00 ET.

Tony Bennett's UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. The Cavs ended last season 18-7, after a first-round NCAA loss to 13th-seed Ohio U. However, this year's team is a modest 9-5 (but 3-1 in ACC play) as it heads to Chapel Hill to take on the North Carolina Tar Heels. Roy Wiliams retired after last season, ending his career with a first-round NCAA tournament loss and an 18-11 record with his beloved Tar Heels. Former North Carolina player Hubert Davis took over as head coach and the Tar Heels were ranked 19th in the AP's preseason poll. However, at 10-4 (2-1 in the ACC), the Tar Heels are unranked and coming off a 78-73 loss Wednesday night at Notre Dame.

Virginia enters on an uptick after ACC wins on the road over Syracuse and Clemson. Tuesday's 75-65 victory was particularly satisfying, considering two weeks earlier the Cavaliers lost to Clemson by 17 points. The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark, who chips in 9.9 PPG and 4.2 APG. Guard Beekman (6.9-3.9-4.4) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.8 & 5.6), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (15.4) and rebounding (7.6) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 12.0 PPG. In Tuesday's physical game vs Clemson, Gardner (23 points) was a force as he drew eight fouls inside on the Tigers. Shedrick (eight points, six rebounds, four blocks) and reserve Francisco Caffaro (eight points) also helped the Cavaliers to a 34-22 edge on points in the paint. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 57.7 PPG (12th).

North Carolina has a frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (15.7 & 10.4), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (12.4 & 5.9) and Marquette transfer Garcia (10.0 & 5.5). Sophomore guard Love (15.6-3.8-3,3) teams with freshman Davis (13.7-3.6-3.6) plus Black (4.2 & 4.9) and Walton (3.9) in the backcourt. However, Garcia exited North Carolina's game against BC with a concussion and missed the Notre Dame game and will miss again here. Speaking of that game against Notre Dame, Bacot (21 & 7 vs the Irish) questioned his team's effort afterward. "It was just flat out an embarrassing loss," he said. "It's unacceptable that we can't win these games with all the talent that we have. It's unacceptable that we're not paying attention to our coaches and just not playing Carolina basketball.

My 10* Ivy League Game of the Month is on Brown at 7:00 ET.

The 8-8 Brown Bears will travel to Lavietes Pavilion to take on the 8-4 Harvard Crimson this Friday night in Ivy League action. The Ivy League did not play basketball last season due to COVID, so Brown's Mike Martin enters his 10th season with the Bears and Tommy Amaker is 15th with the Crimson. Amaker has by far the better resume with seven, 20-win seasons (four NCAA berths), compared to Martin's one, 20-win season.

Freshman guard Lilly (12.8) leads Brown in scoring, despite coming off the bench. The starting-five consists of 6-5 SF Choh (12.3 & 8.0), guards Wojcik (9.9), Friday (9.1) and Mitchell (4.4 & 3.9) plus the 6-9 Gainey (8.3 & 5.9). The 6-8 Owusu-Anane (6.8 & 3.7) contributes off the bench. Harvard has two excellent 6-7 players in forward Ledlum (16.7 & 9.4) and big guard Kirk (16.0 & 5.8).That duo starts along with guards Sakoat (11.4) and Tretout (8.1) plus the 6-6 Catchings (8.8 & 3.9). 

Brown comes in on a four-game slide, while Harvard is 7-1 at home. That begs the question, "Why is Harvard such a small favorite?" One reason could be that Harvard hasn't played since Dec 21 (NOT a positive), while Brown has played three times since Dec 27. Then there is this. Brown has consistently been undervalued in this spot by the oddsmakers, as the Bears are 6-1 ATS in their last seven vs a team with a winning percentage above .600 and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games against a team with a winning home record. Add to that, the Crimson are just 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games vs Ivy League opponents. Take the small points but expect a Brown 'upset' win!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Month (AAC) is on Cincinnati at 9:30 ET.

The SMU Mustangs and Cincinnati Bearcats meet Thursday in college basketball action at the Fifth Third Arena in Cicinnati. The Mustangs look to build on their EIGHT-game winning streak (covered the last six!), while Bearcats look for a win after winning FIVE of their last seven games.

SMU head coach Tim Jankovich is just two years removed from severe sanctions that SMU faced due to none other than Larry Brown (great coach but one who knows how to leave a program in the dust!). SMU won 19 games before the 2019-20 season was shut down and then went 11-6 in a season that limited this team to 17 games because of COVID. The team's 10-3 start (8-0 at home) is impressive. Returning guards Davis (21.5-4.9-5.4) and Bandoumel (10.1) are a solid duo plus a great story is the reuniting of the Weathers' twins, who last played together at Mia-O back in the 2016-17 season. The two took different paths from there but are now 'one big family' at SMU. SF Marcus is averaging 10.4 & 7.0, while guard Michael adds 8.8 & 4.8. Fellow guard Nutall chips in 9.4 & 4.3 plus the 6-10 Clark is a Baylor transfer. He was averaging 14.6 & 6.4 in the 2018-19 season before a serious knee injury forced him to the sidelines. This his last hurrah and he's adding 6.4 & 4.0 in 18 minutes.

Cincinnati has a great basketball tradition (remember the Big O?) and under Bob Huggins, then Mick Cronin, it was revived. From 1992 through 2019, the Bearcats appeared in 23 NCAA tourneys. John Brannen last just ONE season after Cronin left for UCLA and Wes Miller was hired for this season. His UNC-Greensboro teams had won 20-plus games in each of the last five seasons. He inherited four guards, who make up the 'heart' of this season's 10-4 team. Davenport (2.9 & 5.1) leads the way, followed by Dejulius (12.1), Saunders (8.8) and Adams-Woods (7.2). 6-5 SF Newman (6.5 & 4.2) is a Clemson transfer, and The rest of the frontcourt has SIZE! The 6-11 Lahkin (6.2 & 5.1) returns, along with 6-9 Wake transfer Oguama (5.4 & 4.6) and 6-11 Miss St transfer Ado (3.2 & 4.9).

I noted earlier that SMU was on a six0-game ATS run but the Mustangs had opened the season going 1-7 ATS. Winning at Fifth Third Arena with its great home crowd, where Cincy's trademark defense (60.6 PPG ranks 29th) always gets turned up a notch is tough. The Bearcats take this one by double digits.

Good luck...Larry

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

Wisconsin (11-2, 2-1 Big Ten) registered a huge 74-69 road win over No. 3 Purdue on Monday, behind Johnny Davis' career highs of 37 points and 14 rebounds. However, the 23rd-ranked Badgers have had little time to enjoy the win, as high-scoring Iowa Hawkeyes arrive in Madison Thursday night. 11-3 Iowa (1-2 in Big Ten) is coming off an 80-75 victory at home over Maryland on Monday, a game in which Keegan Murray, the nation's leading scorer, scored 35 points!

Fran McCaffrey is in his 12th season at Iowa City and he's delivered seven, 20-win seasons is his first 11. Gone are consensus National Player-of-the-Year Garza (24.1 & 8.7) and Wieskamp (14.8 & 6.6) but the Hawkeyes opened 7-0, before dropping back-to-back Big Ten games to Purdue and Illinois. The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the team in scoring (24.5) and rebounding (8.2) while his brother Kris comes off the bench to chip in 9.2 & 4.7. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey (11.3 PPG) and returning guard Bohannon adds 10.7 PPG. Perkins (8.4), 6-7 freshman Sandfort (6.2), the 6-9 Rebraca (6.1 & 6.2) and Toussaint (5.2) comprise a deep group. Iowa comes in averaging 87.4 PPG, second-best in the nation.

Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors last season but of the 14 scholarship players this season, 10 are classified as freshmen for eligibility purposes. Guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 14.5 & 4.0. The great news for Wisconsin fans is, fellow guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY) is averaging 22.3 & 7.3 this season. Also back, after limited playing time last season, are the 6-9 Wahl (8.9 & 5.0) and the 7-0 Crowl (8.5 & 4.6). Davis had career highs of 37 points and 14 rebounds in the upset of Purdue. However, as mentioned up top, there is "no rest for the weary!' It's a clash of styles (tempo), as Wisconsin holds opponents to 63.6 PPG, while Iowa averages 87.4, two 'TDs' more than Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes have won FOUR straight after dropping three in a row in early December plus have won the last FOUR meetings with Wisconsin, including a 77-62 victory last season at Madison. Upset (?) Alert.  

Good luck...Larry

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

No. 13 Ohio State is still rounding into form after a three-week layoff due to COVID-19 issues. After an 87-79 overtime win at Nebraska, the Buckeyes will face another Big Ten road test on Thursday when they face the Indiana Hoosiers in Bloomington, Ohio St head coach Chris Holtmann has won 25, 20, 21 and 21 games in his first four seasons in Columbus and it's hard to believe that a fifth straight 20-win season isn't in the cards this season, as the Buckeyes are 9-2 (3- in Big Ten). Indiana is led by first-year coach Mike Woodson, who took over this season, after Archie Miller was abruptly fired after Indiana closed last season with SIX straight losses. He has the Hoosiers off to a 10-3 start (1-2 in Big Ten) but is also 9-0 at home.

Ohio St's 6-7 Liddell (19.6 & 7.3) is again the team's best player but scored just 10 points on 2 of 14 shooting.at Nebraska. "E.J. has got to get his legs back," Holtmann said. "So does Justin (Ahrens) and so do a couple of other guys." Ohio State was 'rescued' by getting 35 points from freshman guard Malaki Branham (8.9). Liddell is joined up front by the 6-8 Key (10.1 & 6.2 / up from 5.2 & 3.4 LY) and the 6-6 Ahrens (8.4 & 3.0). The starting backcourt is freshman Branham (7.3) and PG Wheeler (7.2 & 4.1 APG), who is a transfer from Penn St. The 6-8 Young comes off the bench to chip in 10.0 & 6.7.

The Hoosiers have used a six-man rotation, led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (19.3 & 8.2) and Xavier transfer Johnson, who adds 10.0-3.8-4.2 as the team's PG. The other four contributors are the 6-8 Thompson (10.8 & 8.0), 6-7 Northwestern transfer Kupp (7.6), plus guards Stewart (7.3) and freshman Bates (5.8).

Ohio State has won this season with offense, ranking fifth in the Big Ten in scoring (76.7 PPG), third in three-point field goal percentage (39.7 percent) and second in overall field goal percentage (48.9 percent). Meanwhile, Indiana is holding opponents to just 61.6% (41st) on 35.4% shooting (3rd). As already noted, Indiana is 9-0 at home and has won SEVEN of those nine games by a margin of 10 points or more. However, the Hoosiers will be facing a ranked team for just the second time this season. The first one didn't end well, as back on Dec 8, Indiana lost at No. 22 Wisconsin 64-59, blowing a 22-point first-half lead. This is a bad matchup for the Hoosiers and expect them to suffer a second straight loss to a ranked opponent.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* ACC Game of the Year is on Notre Dame at 9:00 ET.

Roy Wiliams retired after last season, ending his career with a first-round NCAA tournament loss and an 18-11 record with his beloved Tar Heels. Former North Carolina player Hubert Davis took over as head coach and the Tar Heels were ranked 19th in the AP's preseason poll. North Carolina heads to South Bend on Wednesday night at 10-3 (2-0 ACC) but unranked. Mike Brey is in his 27th season at Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish got off to a promising 3-1 start but then lost three consecutive games. However, the Fighting Irish beat then-No. 10 Kentucky 66-62 on Dec 11, sparking a 3-1 run. However, Notre Dame welcomes North Carolina to Purcell Pavilion just 7-5 (1-1 in the ACC).

North Carolina has a frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (15.3 & 9.9), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (12.7 & 5.8) and Marquette transfer Garcia (10.0 & 5.5). Sophomore guard Love (15.6-3.9-3,5) teams with freshman Davis (13.3-3.6-3.5) plus Black (4.2 & 4.5) and Walton (3.9) in the backcourt. However, it should be noted that Garcia exited North Carolina's last game with a head injury after a Boston College player fell on him. He didn't practice Monday. Brey's team goes seven-deep. Guards Goodwin (14.9 & 5.6) and Wesley (13.3 are the top-two scorers, joined by Ryan (8.5-4.3), Hubb (7.8) and Wertz (5.2) in the backcourt. The 6-9 Atkinson (12.2 & 6.5) and the 6-10 Laszewski (7.6 & 7.2) are the best (only?) frontcourt players.

The Tar Heels are 3-0 overall in road games this season, although their three losses have come in neutral-court games. Their true road wins are at College of Charleston, Georgia Tech and Boston College. The road has been kind to North Carolina this season, as for the third time in Atlantic Coast Conference play (2-0 so far), North Carolina will be the visitor when it takes the court Wednesday night at South Bend. However, Notre Dame is a perfect 5-0 at home, including an impressive 66-62 win over Kentucky, which CRUSHED the Tar Heels 98-69 in Las Vegas back on Dec 18. Take the points

Good luck...Larry

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

Jim Boeheim is in his 46th season as a head coach and is coming off another Sweet 16 run in last year's "Big Dance" (The Orange finished 18-10). Meanwhile, Miami head coach Jim Larranaga has led the Hurricanes to six, 20-win seasons in his 10 years, to all three of the school's 25-win seasons and to two of the school's three Sweet 16 appearances. By the way, I could also throw in him leading unheralded George Mason to a Final 4 appearance back in 2006. However, the 'Canes are coming off a 10-17 season (4-15 in the ACC) last year. Meanwhile, Syracuse enteres this game in South Beach just 7-6 (1-1 in the ACC), Miami has won SEVEN straight games overall to reach 11-3  (3-0 in the ACC), ONE of four teams unbeaten in ACC play, joined by bluebloods Duke, North Carolina and Louisville.

Boeheim's team is led by his son Buddy, who is averaging 19.5 PPG (adds 3.4 RPG and 3.5 APG). His backcourt partner Girard (13.1-3.2-4.6) returned at PG but two key transfers have made immediate impacts. Swider, a 6-9 transfer from Villanova, is averaging 12.5 & 6.8 plus Boeheim's oldest son Jimmy (a 6-8 graduate transfer from Cornell), is adding 14.1 & 6.1 (he's now the second-leading scorer on the team, behind only his brother) The 6-11 Edwards returns up front and chips in 11.5 & 6.4. Depth has been an issue all season, plus Boeheinm's famed "2-3 zone" has allowed 75.6 PPG (318th).

Miami is led by the guard trio of McGusty (18.3 & 5.9), Wong (16.5 & 4.0) and Moore (11.1), plus Miller adds 8.5 & 5.6 off the bench. Miami hasn't gotten modest production from the 6-9  Walker (6.1 & 2.3) and the 6-10 Waardenburg (7.4 & 3.8). Tonight, Larranaga is hoping that starting center Sam Waardenburg returns after missing two straight games due to COVID protocol.

Miami has scored more than 90 points in two straight league games, something no other ACC team has accomplished since 2017 and NO Hurricanes team has ever accomplished! However, since joining the ACC, Miami is just 4-6 against Syracuse and the Hurricanes have not eclipsed 70 points against the Orange in ANY of those 10 games. Expect Syracuse to bounce back from that recent home t loss to UVA, behind the "Boehem Boys" and a return to some good old 2-3 zone defense. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry 

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

The VCU Rams will travel to UD Arena to take on the Dayton Flyers Wednesday night in A-10 action. VCU's Mike Rhoades has some pretty good credentials in his first four seasons in Richmond, going 80-41 with two NCAA bids. Last season's NCAA bid ended before his team was able to play its first round game with Oregon, as the VCU team had a COVID outbreak. The Rams opened just 3-4 this season but enter this contest on a four-game winning streak to reach 7-4. Anthony Grant came from Alabama to Dayton for the 2017-18 season and his second and third seasons, won 21 and 29 games, respectively. However, the Flyers were just 14-10 last year, ending the season with a loss in the first round of the NIT.

VCU is averaging just 60.5 PPG (340th), led by the 6-6 Vince Williams Jr. (10.7 & 5.6). The only other player in double digits is guard Nunn (10.0), while guard Curry (9.1) just misses and the 6-8 Stockard (7.8 & 4.0) helps up front. VCU is led by a defense which is one of the best in college basketball, allowing 56.7 PPG (8th).

Dayton is a young team, led by 6-8 sophomore Toumani Camara (10.4 & 6.8), 6-10 freshman Daron Holmes II (10.4 & 5.0) plus freshman guards Malachi Smith (10.0 & 4.2) and Elijah Weaver (9.6). The 6-10 Amzil, who came on late last season to average 9.9 & 5.6, has yet to match those numbers this season, averaging 6.5 &3.9. Dayton is a solid defensive team (64.4 PPG) and has more 'fire-opower' than VCU, averaging 70.4 PPG.

VCU last played Dec 15 and Dayton last played on Dec 21. I don't believe layoffs are good but in this case, I believe it helps to be the home team. I believe the flyers are VERY undervalued here and that's the bet!

Good luck...Larry

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

Tony Bennett's UVA team won a national championship in 2019 and from the 2013-14 season through the championship season of 2018-19, the Cavs avenged 29.7 wins per season. The Cavs ended last season 18-7, after a first-round NCAA loss to 13th-seed Ohio U. Brad Brownell arrived in Clemson for the 2010-11 season and after 11 years, he's led the Tigers to just four, 20-win seasons and three NCAA berths. This is his 12th season at the helm. The 9-4 Clemson Tigers (1-1 ACC) will put a four-game winning streak on the line Tuesday night when the Tigers play host to longtime nemesis Virginia. The Cavs are coming off a 74-69 victory at Syracuse on Saturday night that provided some encouragement after the Cavaliers got off to their worst start of the Tony Bennett era. UVA enters this contesr ona three-game winnig streak to reach 9-5 (2-1 ACC). This marks the second meeting in two weeks between the teams. The Tigers  snapped an 11-game losing streak against the Cavaliers back on Dec 22 in Charlottesville, 67-50!

The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark (10.1 & 4.4 APG). Guard Beekman (6.8-3.8-4.4) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.7 & 5.5), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (14.8) and rebounding (7.8) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 11.9 PPG. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 57.2 PPG (6th).

Clemson's starters have remained unchanged this season and all five are averaging 9.6 points or better. The 6-10 P.J. Hall leads the way with 14.4 PPG (adds 6.3 RPG), joined up front by the 6-8 Hunter Tyson (11.8 & 5.8), The Tigers start three guards, David Collins (11.6 & 7.2), Al-Amir Dawes (11.4) and Nick Honor (9.6).

That win at Syracuse just may be a 'buy sign' for UVA and that's my bet here, as revenge works. Don't forget, before losing on Dec 22, Virginia had beaten Clemson 11 times in a row! Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Marquee Classic is on LSU at 7:00 ET.

The Kentucky men's basketball team went just 9-16 last season, but all knew that was an aberration, as the Wildcats were ranked No. 10 in the AP's preseason poll. After a loss to Duke in the Champions Classic on the opening night of the season, the Wildcats have won 11 of 12, losing only 66-62 at Notre Dame back on Dec 11. The Wildcats are 11-2 (ranked 16th) as they vistit Baton Rouge to face 12-1 LSU. The Tigers are ranked 21st, after losing their first game of the season at No. 11 Auburn 70-55 last Wednesday (team's SEC opener).

The 6-9 Tshiebwe (15.8 & 15.2) and the 6-7 Brooks (11.3 & 4.9) are the two main frontcourt players for Coach Cal's team. SG Washington (14.0-4.2-3.9) and PG Wheeler (10.3 & 7.8 APG) lead a backcourt that also features Grady (11.8) and Mintz (7.3). LSU's Will Wade had success at VCU (took over for Shaka Smart) and that got him the gig at LSU. His first team went 18-15 (NIT) but his teams have won 25, 21 and 19 games the last three seasons (two NCAAs, which would have been three except for COVID cancelation).

LSU lost guard Thomas (22.8), forward Watford (17.0 & 7.4) and guard Smart (16.8-5.2-4.2) to the NBA and others to the transfer portal, leaving just FOUR returning players. The 6-7 Days decided to return and he's averaging 14,7 & 8.0 and joins a strong frontcourt that includes the 6-8 Eason (15.8 & 8.0), a Cincy transfer, and 7-0 freshman Reid (9.2 & 5.8). The backcourt is led by Missouri transfer Pinson (11.0-3.1-4.5), Murray (8.8) and Gaines (8.7).

This is a BRUTALLY tough spot for Kentucky (SEC opener). LSU head coach Wade said the Tigers "just lost our way a little bit" in the loss to Auburn, falling behind 18-1 while missing their first 16 field-goal attempts. They played without starting shooting guard Brandon Murray, who was sidelined by a hamstring injury, and the team shot 28.6 percent (18-of-63) from the floor, making just six 3-pointers in 29 attempts. LSU hurt itself with 17 turnovers.

Beating Kentucky is always motivation enough for LSU but the school will formally name its home court for former head coach Dale Brown on Tuesday night in Baton Rouge. Don't forget, this is just Kentucky's SECOND true road game this season and the Wildcats lost their first, 66-62 at Notre Dame, which is a mediocre 7-5 on the season. Tigers "Win one for Dale"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* MAC Game of the Month is on Ohio U at 6:00 ET.

The Ohio Bobcats and Akron Zips meet Tuesday from the James A. Rhodes Arena in Akron.The Bobcats are 10-2 (1-0) and the Zips are 8-3 (1-0). The coaching matchups offers some intrgue, as Jeff boals (who palued at OU along with Gary Trent when the Bobcats won the MAC in teh 1993-94 season), returned to coach his alma mater ttwo seaosn agao. In his secind year (2020-21), held led Ohio to a MAC conference tourney win and then an upset of UVA is the first round of the "Big Dance." Akron's John Croce was a Ohio St assistamt whem he was named Ohio's head coach  back in 2008-09. In his four years in Athens, he led the Bobcats to two NCAA berths, includuing a Sweet 16 run in 2012. He left after that for Illinois but was fitred after five seasosn and has now resrfaced at AAkron.

Oho returned four of five starters from last season but did lose its best player, guard Preston (15.7-7.3-7.3), who left for the NBA (1st Ohio player picked in the draft since Brandon Hunter is 2003). However, this year's starting-five is VERY good. Guard Sears (18.7 & 4.6 RPG) starts with Brown (7.5) in the backcourt. SF Roderick adds 7.2 PPG plus the 6-8 Carter (13.9 & 7.4) and the 6-8 Vander Plas (12.8 & 5.8) make for a strong frontcourt duo. Ohio does not have much of a bench.

Much like Ohio, Akron relies on its starting-five. The 6-8 Ali leads in scoring at 14.5 PPG, while the 6-7 Freeman is the leading recbounder (11.2), while adding 12.7 PPG. The 7-0 Bandaugo (4.8 & 4.5) starts up front. Guard Castaneda chips in 11.1 PPG and Greg Trimble 7.2 PPG.

Ohio lost at then-undefeated LSU back on Dec 1 but has since won FIVE in a row. The Bobcats only other loss this season came at Kentucky on Nov 19 (Wildcats are currently ranked 16th). Akron  opened just 2-3 but the Zips have won SIX in a row (five at home) and welcome the Bobcats to Akron 6-0 at home. However, the bottom lins is that Ohio U is the better team plus we get a couple points, as well. It's hard to ignore that the underdog is 6-0 ATS in the last 6 meetings between these two schools.

Good luck...Larry