My 10* MVC Game of the Year is on Missouri St at 8:00 ET.

The Drake Bulldogs won their 4th straight game and improved to 10-4 on the season after defeating the Mount Marty Lancers, 82-53, this past Tuesday. The Bulldogs will travel to JQH Arena to take on the Missouri State Bears Sunday night in MVC action. The Bears improved to 9-5 on the season after defeating the Evangel Crusaders, 103-56, this past Thursday.

You may remember Drake opening 18-0 last season, but the Bulldogs lost in the MVC tourney (Arch Madness). However, the Bulldogs still went 'dancing,' earning the first at-large built in program history (Drake finished 26-5). Drake returned all FIVE starters from that team. However, guard Penn (9.7) has been out with a foot injury (last played Dec 9) and the 6-6 Hemphill (10.2 & 4.9) is listed as questionable (undisclosed reasons). Guard DeVries (13.5 & 4.5) is the leading scorer and 6-6 forward Murphy (10.8 & 5.4) joins him as a double-digit scorer, assuming Hemphill is not back. Guards Wilkins (9.5) and Sturtz (9.4 & 6.7) plus the 6-10 Brodie (7.7 & 4.40 have each played all 14 games.

Dana Ford is in his fourth season at Missouri St and led the Bears to a 17-7 record plus had all FIVE starters coming back. The 6-9 Prim (19.5) was the first-ever Missouri St player to lead the MVC in scoring and this season is averaging 14.8 PPG plus a team-high 8.4 RPG. The 6-8 Clay (7.9 & 6.4) joins him in the frontcourt. Mosley (18.1 & 4.9) leads a backcourt that also includes returning players Black (10.4), Hervey (4.4) and Sharp (5.4). The 6-8 Minnett is a Valpo grad transfer, and the swingman adds 13.0 PPG. Hervey has been a disappointment this season and Sharp remains unavailable due to a leg injury (hasn't played since nov 30). 

This is just Drake's second true road game (won 78-70 at Nebraska-Omaha) but the Bulldogs are 0-4 in neutral-site games. I believe the home court edge is the 'difference-maker" in this conference rivalry game. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

The UCF Knights and the SMU Mustangs meet from the Moody Coliseum on the SMU campus Sunday afternoon in an AAC contest. The Knights come into this one looking to add to an 85-71 win over Michigan on Thursday that gave them a 9-2 record (1-0 in the AAC). The Mustangs beat Tulsa in their last game, 74-69, giving them a record (1-0 in the AAC).

Johnny Dawkins' UCF team has an experienced squad full of high-leaping dunkers and bring back almost all of their scoring and minutes played from last season, when the Knights finished 11-12. Guard Darius Perry led the team with 14.7 PPG last season and is averaging 11.2-3.8-5.4 this season. Fellow guard Green (11.3 LY) leads the team in scoring this season, averaging 15.9 PPG. UCF's bench is led by former five-star Oregon recruit C.J. Walker, who named the AAC's top defensive player in a preseason poll. He's 6-8 and adds 9.1 & 5.8. The Knights have also added a 6-11 transfer in Cheikh Mbacke Diong, a Senegal native who was a team captain at UNLV. He's adding 5.5 & 5.9. Other starters back from the Knights' 2020-2021 roster are guard Brandon Mahan (10.4 PPG) and the 6-6 Isaiah Adams (5.5 PPG).

The Mustangs' 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 (21.6-4.7-5.2) and Bandoumel (10.2) 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 & 6.9, while guard Michael adds 7.9 & 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.

One could make a case for a Central Florida "let down" off the Michigan win but this is a conference game and both UCF and SMU will 'be in the hunt' for the league's top-spot all season. Note that SMU is just 3-8 ATS in its last 11 vs the AAC, while UCF is a near-perfect 7-1 ATS in its last eight road games. Upset Alert but as always, take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Month (Big East) is on DePaul at 3:00 ET.

Ed Cooley arrived in Providence for the 2011-12 season and led the Friars to FIVE straight NCAA tournaments from 2014-2018 but was coming off a mediocre 13-13 season last year. However, there is NOTHING mediocre about the Friars' start to the current CBB season, as 12-1 Providence (2-0 Big East) notched its SEVENTH straight win on Wednesday with a 70-65 victory over Seton Hall. Tony Stubblefield worked as an assistant under Lou Henson, Mick Cronin and recently Dana Altman, before taking the DePaul job. He took over a team that was 5-14 last season (2-13 in the Big East) and a program that in its 16 seasons since joining the Big East, had gone 57-224 (.203) in league games. However, the Blue Demons have opened 9-2 (0-1 in the Big East), after losing 63-59 Wednesday night at Butler (Hinkle Fieldhouse is one tough venue). 

The Friars are led by the 6-10 Watson (14.8 & 5.7), with guards Durham (12.8 & 3.8 APG) and Reeves (11.2) joining him in double digits. Depth is provided by the 6-8 Horchler (10.5 & 8.3) and the 6-7 Minaya (4.8 & 5.1) up front and in the backcourt by Bynum (7.4-3.0-3.4) and Croswell (4.3 & 4.1). Horchler netted his fifth double-double of the season (17 & 13) in the win over Seton Hall, while Watson worked through soreness in his right knee after landing awkwardly following a shot attempt in the first half to add 14 points and seven rebounds. The Friars were up by nine at halftime and limited the Pirates to 39.4 percent shooting for the game.

DePaul was playing for the first time since Dec 14 on Wednesday and fell behind by 12 points in the second half, before nearly rallying back. Butler nailed three late free throws to clinch a 63-59 victory. The Blue Demons have now fallen short in their league opener in seven successive seasons. Guard Javon Freeman-Liberty came to DePaul before last season (from Valpo) and remains DePaul's key player. He's the team's leader in scoring (20.2), is second in rebounding (8.2) and leads in assists (4.0). Another returning guard (Jones) follows with 17.4 PPG and 8.3 RPG. The 6-8 Johnson (11.5 & 7.6) is a Minnesota transfer and the 6-7 Gebrewhit adds 8.4 & 3.8. 6-11 center Ogenda adds 11.3 & 4.5. Brandon Johnson had a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds for DePaul vs Butler but leading scorer Javon Freeman-Liberty was limited to 13 points on 4-for-16 shooting. The bad news is that the team was without second-leading scorer David Jones, who remains in COVID protocols.

I like the way DePaul has opened and I like its first-year coach. Tony Stubblefield was adamant he won't spend too much time focusing on the team's resilience at Butler. "I'm not into moral encouragement," Stubblefield said. "You either win the game or lose the game at this level. This is the Big East. This is big-boy basketball." DePaul is 7-1 at home and catches Providence off a hard-fought win over No. 15 Seton Hall. My bet says DePaul bounces back with a "big boy basketball" performance.

Good luck...Larry

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

Michigan returns to the court from a lengthy layoff due to the holiday break and COVID-19 issues when it visits Central Florida for an evening tip in Orlando. The Wolverines haven't played since they routed Southern Utah 87-50 back on Dec 18, giving them a modest 7-4 record. I say modest because Michigan opened the season ranked 6th in the AP's preseason poll and has since fallen out. In fact, Michigan is the highest ranked preseason team to NOT be in the latest AP top-25 (released this past Monday). Central Florida was just 11-12 last season but returned all FIVE starters. The Golden Knights have begun 8-2 and have had a break of their own, as this will be the team's first game since Dec 22, when UCF beat North Alabama at home, 75-64.

Michigan's starting-five includes 7-1 center Dickinson (15.6 & 9.1) and the 6-11 Diabate (7.6 & 5.8) up front, plus a trio of guards. Brooks (12.6) and Houstan (10.1 & 4.3) score in double digits, while PG Jones (7.4-4.4-4.1) runs the offense. The two most reliable reserves are the 6-7 Williams (6.0 & 3.4) and the 6-8 Johnson (5.6 & 2.5). Similar to Michigan, UCF has basically a seven-man rotation. It's a perimeter-heavy group with starting guards Green (14.8), PG Perry (11.7-3.8-5.2) and Mahan (8.8), while Freeman (8.1) and Adams (5.7) come off the bench. Starting up front are the 6-8 Walker (9.6 & 5.4) and the 6-11 Diong (5.4 & 5.8).

I believed that Michigan was overrated from the start of the season (see above) and so far, I've been right on the money. Meanwhile, UCF head coach Johnny Dawkins recently said, "I like our team. I think we can compete against anyone. We have to keep getting better. Like most teams, we definitely are not a finished product right now. It's still early. We're one-third through our season. I think there's a lot of room for improvement in our team. I see it in them, and we have to try and get that out of them."

This is a revenge game of sorts for UCF after it fell to Michigan by a score of 80-58 last season. Last year the Knights got destroyed by the Wolverines but that was THEN and this is NOW! Michigan was at home and it was unquestionably a better team then, while UCF was on the road, and it was a much worse team at the time. The Knights are seeking their fifth straight win and I believe they'll get it. Huge edge to the home team, as players and coaches hate being away for the holidays, unless playing in a tourney, which this is NOT. Upset Alert, but as always, take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference Game of the Year (SEC) is on Alabama at 9:00 ET.

No. 14 Tennessee and No. 19 Alabama begin SEC play Wednesday night in Tuscaloosa, coming into this contest from totally different perspectives. The 9-2 Volunteers are coming off their best effort of the season, a 77-73 home victory on Dec 22 over then-unbeaten and sixth-ranked Arizona. As for the 9-3 the Crimson Tide, they haven't played since suffering a 79-78 upset loss in Birmingham on Dec. 21 against unranked Davidson. Alabama was ranked 14th in the AP's preseason poll, while Tennesses opened at No. 18.

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). Freshman PG Kennedy Chandler leads Tennessee with averages of 14,0 points and 5.3 assists per game, while fellow guard Vescovi adds 13.3-4.5-3.2, while leading the team with 30 three-pointers. The 6-9 Fulkerson (9.9 & 6.1) and the 6-8 Nkamhoua (8.7 & 6.1) start up front. 6-6 guard Jordan-James missed a few games but is back in the starting lineup, averaging 6.6 & 5.9. Defense is a Rick Barnes specialty and his team is allowing just 59.3 PPG (20th) and coming off a defensive 'gem' in the team's win over Arizona, holding the Wildcats 17 points under their season average.

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. Note that Alabama did return its top-two scorers from last season and guards Shackelford and Quinerly are again leading the way. Shackelford checks in at 16.8 & 6.6 and Quinerly at 14.7 & 4.4 APG. Swingman Ellis adds 12.4 & 6.5 plus freshman center Bediako (7.0 & 4.5) is starting. Davison (8.7-4.9-4.5), the 6-6 Miles (7.3) and the 6-8 Gurley (6.5 & 3.5) are all contributors.

Alabama hasn't been the same since a wild 83-82 win over then-No. 14 Houston on Dec 11. Alabama was blown out 92-78 at Memphis on Dec 14 and struggled past Jacksonville State 65-59 on Dec 18, before the Tide allowed Davidson to sink 12 of 24 from three-point range in that one-point loss. "Not exactly what we wanted going into Christmas break," Alabama head coach Nate Oats said, "but I am all about a wake-up in order to pick up the defense."

If Tennessee doesn't 'wake up' the Crimson Tide, Oats' team is in for a l-o-n-g season. The Tide won at Knoxville in the regular season last year and at Nashville over the Vols in the SEC tournament. Roll Tide!

Good luck...Larry

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

It's a ranked-versus-ranked battle of Big East teams Wednesday night in Providence, as  No. 15 Seton Hall (9-1) takes on No. 21 Providence (11-1). The Pirates were one of many Division I teams to have COVID-19 alter their plans this month. While the program dealt with the spread of the virus, a non-conference game against Iona was called off, while Big East matchups against St. John's and DePaul were postponed. The Big East has changed its policy from handing out automatic forfeits to teams too undermanned to play to attempting to reschedule postponed games. The Pirates willnow take the court for the first time since defeating Rutgers 77-63 back on Dec 12. Providence opened its Big East schedule on Dec 18 with an impressive 57-53 road win over then-No. 20 UConn.

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. However, the Pirates have EIGHT players scoring between 7.1 and 17.4 PPG. 6-6 swingman Rhoden leads in scoring (17.4) and rebounding (7.3), while Harvard transfer Aiken is finally healthy and is averaging 11.2 PPG. Guards Cale (9.7 & 4.1) Jackson (7.8 & 4.4) and Richmond (7.1-3.9-3.4) give Seton Hall a productive and deep perimeter group, while the 6-10 Samuel (10.8 & 6.9) and the 6-8 Yetna (9.0 & 6.2) are the top frontcourt performers. The Pirates always play good defense and this year is no different, as they are allowing 61.9 PPG (59th).

Ed Cooley arrived in Providence for the 2011-12 season and led teh Friars to FIVE straight NCAA tournamnts fron 2014-2018. However, like Seton Hall, Providence is coming off a mediocre 13-13 season last year. The Friars are led by the 6-10 Watson (14.8 & 5.6), with guards Durham (12.9 7 3.8 APG) and Reeves (11.2) joining him in double digits. Depth is provided by the 6-8 Horchler (9.9 & 7.9) and the 6-7 Minaya (5.2 & 5.1) up front and in the backcourt by Bynum (6.6) and Croswell (4.5 & 4.2). Providence plays defense like Seton Hall, allowing 61.5 PPG (51st).

Providence coach Ed Cooley said after the win at UConn, "A Big East game is a war every night, and that's the quality of opponents that we're going to play night in and night out. I couldn't be more proud of our men. I thought we hung in there through some adversity, when you're on the road in a building that can get that loud." The Friars held the Huskies to 31.1 percent shooting overall and now return home where they are 8-0. However, slowing the Seton Hall offense will NOT be easy, as the Pirates average 80.1 PPG, to Providence's 69.8. The Pirates have won EIGHT of their last 12 meetings with the Friars and my bet says Seton Hall will be too much for Providence in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Butler at 5:00 ET.

DePaul and Butler have endured a number of COVID-19-related postponements of their would-be Big East Conference opener but will give things another shot Wednesday when the 7-4 Bulldogs host the 9-2 Blue Demons in Indianapolis. Butler has been idle since losing 77-48 to visiting No. 3 Purdue on Dec 18, while DePaul hasn't played since edging intracity rival Illinois-Chicago 72-66 on the road on Dec 14.

The Bulldogs are coming off an 'ugly' 10-15 season. In the team's most recent game, Butler's four-game winning streak was halted by Purdue, as double-figure scoring efforts from Bryce Golden (17 points) and Jayden Taylor (11) weren't enough against the Boilermakers. "You've got to play well, and we did not," Bulldogs coach LaVall Jordan said. "They've cornered the market on elite size, and they've all gotten better and developed over time. It's hard to keep them away from the basket." The Bulldogs hope the time off can help rejuvenate a lineup that was without leading scorer Chuck Harris (11.6 & 4.0) to a non-COVID-related illness, Bryce Nze (shoulder) and Bo Hodges (knee) against Purdue. Guards Bolden (10.6), Taylor (10.3) and Thompson (6.5-3.4-4,8) are a nice trio plus the 6-9 Golden (9.2 & 4.1) and the 6-8 Groce (7.5 & 4.1) are the team's top frontcourt with the 6-7 Nze (6.3 & 5.5) sidelined.

Tony Stubblefield worked as an assistant under Lou Henson, Mick Cronin and recently Dana Altman, before taking the DePaul job. He took over a team that was 5-14 last season (2-13 in the Big East) and a program that in its 16 seasons since joining the Big East, had gone 57-224 (.203) in league games. However, the Blue Demons have opened 9-2. Guard Javon Freeman-Liberty came to DePaul last season (from Valpo) and remains DePaul's key player. He's the team's leader in scoring (20.9), rebounding (8.3) and assists (3.9). Another returning guard (Jones) follows with 17.4 PPG and 8.3 RPG. The 6-8 Johnson (11.1 & 7.2) is a Minnesota transfer and the 6-7 Gebrewhit adds 8.6 & 4.1.

DePaul is the better team on paper but I'm still not 'sold' on the Blue Demons. Hinkle Fieldhouse is a tough venue for visiting teams and Butler has won three straight in the series, including a 68-58 victory last season. The Butler defense (60.0 PPG allowed ranks 33rd) is the toughest unit DePaul has seen up to this point. I'm backing the home team.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Notre Dame at 8:00 ET.

Notre Dame 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 (lost to Indiana in a neutral site game on Dec 18). Non-conference play has featured its share of ups and downs for both Notre Dame and Pittsburgh. The Pitt Panthers have been ravaged by transfers, injuries and other issues over the last year. Jeff Capel has had a tough start at Pitt (40-48 in his first three years) and prepared for this season without his top three scorers from a year ago (one moved on to the NBA and two transferred to other programs). The Panthers then lost their fourth- and fifth-leading scorers from last season due to a suspension and an ACL tear, respectively. The Panthers welcome Minnesota to town for this ACC-Big Ten Challenge contest at 2-4. Pitt opened 2-0 but then lost FOUR in a row. However, Pitt welcomes Notre Dame to the Petersen Events Center at 5-7.

Mike Brey is in his 27th season at Notre Dame and this year's team is short on depth, as basically just six players contribute. Guards Goodwin (15.3 & 5.5) and Wesley (13.5) are the top-two scorers, joined by Ryan (8.8-4.4) and Hubb (7.1) in the backcourt. The 6-9 Atkinson (11.8 & 6.4) and the 6-10 Laszewski (7.8 & 8.3) are the best (only?) frontcourt players.

The Panthers are led by the 6-9 John Hugley (14.5 & 8.1) and 6-5 guard Femi Odukale (12.4-3.8-3.4), who matched a career high with 28 points in a 64-55 triumph Tuesday over Jacksonville. Senior guard Burton (11.1) and sophomore Jeffress adds 5.4 & 4.9. The 6-9 Gueye chips in 7.3 & 6.1.

Both schools have opened 0-1 in ACC play but in different fashion. Notre Dame trailed by as many as 23 in a 16-point loss to Boston College, while Pitt fell on a last-second basket against Virginia. However, both enter off back-to-back wins, with Notre Dame scoring 85 and 83 points (note: The Fighting Irish have now scored at least 80 points in consecutive games for the first time all season). On the Pittsburgh side, the Panthers' defense has held opponents below 60 points in FIVE of the last six games.

Bottom line is that Notre Dame has won FIVE of its past six matchups with Pitt and comes in off back-to-back excellent scoring outings (see above). Yes, Pitt is plauying excelelnt defense but the Panthers are pathetic on the offensive end, averaging only 60.7 PPG (ranks 341st!) on 40.6% shooting (316th). Notre Dame wins "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry 

My 10* Weekly Wipeout is on Weber St at 6:00 ET.

The Fresno State Bulldogs (MWC) and the Weber State Wildcats (Big Sky) meet in college hoops action from the Dee Events Center on Thursday night. Fresno State opened 5-0 but has cooled a little bit, going 4-3 since, after losing 55-50 at Utah Tuesday. Weber State opened the season 8-0 but welcomes the Bulldogs to Ogden off THREE losses in its last four, including back-to-back home losses to Utah St (Dec 15) and BYU (Dec 18).

Fresno's only double digit scorer is the 7-0 Robinson, leading the team with 18.2 PPG and a team-high 8.2 RPG. A trio of guards have played in all 12 games. They are Campbell (8.8 & 3.5), Hill (8.5) and Holland (7.3 & 5.6). Guard Stroud adds 7.0 PPG and fellow guard Ballard has returned from a shin injury to play in six straight games, averaging 5.7 PPG. The Bulldogs don't score much (66.3 PPG) but are allowing only 55.9 PPG (7th).

Weber St head coach Randy Rahe is in his 16th season at Ogden. He returned two key players from last season, guard Jawara, who is averaging 12.2 PPG and the 6-6 Jones, who adds 13.4 PPG and a team-high 10.4 RPG. Marquette transfer McEwen (a guard) is the team's leading scorer at 16.4 PPG, plus 6-6 Utan Valley transfer Overton is adding 11.4 & 3.6. The 6-10 Carlson (6.6 & 2.4) and was expected to get some help from 6-9 Florida transfer Bassett up front. He just became eligible in mid-Dec and came off the bench to add 12 & 13 in his first game. However, in those back-to-back losses to Utah St and BYU he played a total of just 10 minutes.

Here's the rub. Fresno is 9-3 SU and an impressive 8-3 ATS but the Bulldogs are 0-3 SU on the road. Weber St has lost THREE of four but all three have come against quality teams (Utah St and BYU at home) and Washington St on the road. Weber St was 11-0 SU at home last season and opened 4-0 at home this season, before those back-to-back losses to Utah St and BYU. I expect them to bounce back here vs an 0-3 road team like Fresno St. Weber St averages 11 points more per game than Fresno St and in the end, pulls away for a comfortable win.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Late-Breaker is on St Mary's at 10:00 ET.

The Missouri State Bears will travel to University Credit Union Pavilion in Moraga, Ca to take on the Saint Mary’s Gaels Wednesday night in college hoops. The Bears will take a four-game winning streak into the contest, giving them an 8-4 record. The Gaels lost last Friday night 63-53 at SD State, dropping to 10-3 to start their season.

Dana Ford is in his fourth season at Missouri St and led the Bears to a 17-7 record last season plus had all FIVE starters coming back. The 6-9 Prim (19.5) was the first-ever Missouri St player to lead the MVC in scoring and this season is averaging 16.2 PPG plus a team-high 8.1 RPG. Swingman Isiaih Mosley leads the Bears in scoring (17.6 PPG) plus adds 5.3 RPG. Guard Jaylen Minnett is an IUPUI transfer averaging 13.4 PPG and returning guard Ja’Monta Black adds 10.5 PPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Missouri State. The Bears are averaging a healthy 80.2 PPG (33rd) on 47.8% shooting (38th).

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. Saint Mary’s has been led by the 6-10 Matthias Tass (11.6 & 5.3) and the 6-7 Dan Fotu, who comes off the bench to add 11.1 & 4.4. Starting up front with Tass is the 6-8 Bowen (5.4 & 6.6). The Gaels start three guards, Kuhse (9.5), Ducas (9.2 & 4.3) and Johnson (8.8). Saint Mary’s is averaging just 66.9 PPG (280th) but its defense is holding opponents to 58.0 PPG (22nd).

Missouri St has looked good at times this season but a road trip to Moraga, Ca (where?) is never a pleasant trip for any team. The Gaels have been tough to beat at home since Bennett took over and this year is no different, as they are off to a 7-0 start. The fact that Missouri St is on an 6-1 ATS run in the role of an underdog sure makes it easy for me to say, "Lay the points!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Conference Game of the Month (ACC) is on Clemson at 7:00 ET.

Brad Brownell arrived in Clemson for the 2010-11 season and after 11 years, he's led the Tigers to just four, 20-win season and three NCAA berths. This is his 12th season at the helm and his team enters this ACC game at UVA on the three-game winning streak to reach 8-4 (0-1 start in the ACC, losing 80-75 at Miami on Dec 5). 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.

In Clemson's five-point loss at Miami in their ACC opener, the Tigers turned the ball over 18 times. Clemson led for more than 35 minutes against the Hurricanes before being done in by a late 19-5 run by Miami. The good news is that Clemson has won THREE straight since that loss and one must note that Clemson has excellent balance, with FIVE players averaging in double figures. The 6-10 P.J. Hall leads the way with 14.7 PPG (adds 6.3 RPG), joined up front by the 6-8 Hunter Tyson (11.3 & 6.1), The Tigers start three guards, Al-Amir Dawes (11.7), David Collins (11.7 & 6.9) and Nick Honor (10.2). 

The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark (9.8 & 4.2 APG). Guard Beekman (6.1-3.9-4.6) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.6 & 5.4), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner comes from East Carolina and leads in scoring (15.3) and rebounding (8.3) plus guard Franklin comes via Indiana and chips in 11.4 PPG. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 55.2 PPG (6th).

The 7-4 Cavs (1-0 in the  ACC, edging Pitt at home by one point!) are jumping into the meat of their Atlantic Coast Conference schedule trying to find some continuity in what has already been an up-and-down season. The Cavs should be confident, as the Tigers have not managed to beat Virginia since January 2013, losing 11 in a row! Am I 'spitting into the wind' here by taking Clemson? It's possible but I really like Clemson's balance and I'll note that the Cavs played at James Madison back on Dec 7 with an 11-0 all-time record against their intrastate rival and LOST, 52-49 as a 4.5-point favorite. Virginia is just 3-8 ATS in its last 11 as a home favorite. Clemson says ENOUGH is ENOUGH. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

Sean Miller was fired after 12 seasons in Tucson and longtime Gonzaga assistant Tommy Lloyd was hired (his first head coach gig). Lloyd learned more than a little about winning while at Gonzaga and his first Arizona team, unranked at the start of the season, has opened 11-0 and currently owns the AP's No. 6 ranking. Tennessee head coach Rick Barbnes 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). This year's team opened has opened 8-2 in his seventh season at Tennessee. The Vols opened the season at No. 18 and comes in ranked 19th.

Arizona begins its longest series of road games in 14 seasons when the Wildcats face Tennessee on Wednesday in Knoxville. After Arizona plays the Volunteers, it will visit No. 5 UCLA on Dec. 30 and No. 8 Southern California on Jan. 2. The Wildcats complete their four-game road trip Jan. 8 at Arizona State. The Wildcats own four double digit scorers, led by 6-6 guard Mathurin's 17.4 PPG (he adds 6.5 RPG). The 6-7 Tubelis averages 16.1 & 6.8  and the 7-1 Koloko adds 13.6 & 7.3 plus PG Kriisa is good for 11.8 PPG and 5.4 APG. Four more Vols have played in all 11 games, chipping in between 5.9 and 8.2 PPG. Arizona is averaging a nation-high 91.0 PPG.

Tennessee is also efficient on offense. Through the weekend, the Volunteers ranked fourth in the nation in assist/turnover ratio (1.80), fifth in turnover margin (plus-7.1) and sixth in assists per game (19.3). Guards Chandler (14.6 & 5.4 APG) and Vescovi (13.1-4.4-3.4) lead the scoring, with the 6-8 Nkamhoua (9.4 & 6.0) and the 6-9 Fulkerson (8.3 & 6.2) starting up front. 6-6 guard Jordan-James missed a few games but is back in the starting lineup, averaging 5.9 & 6.0. Defense is a Rick Barnes specialty and his team is allowing just 57.9 PPG (20th).

However, the Vols get quite a test with Arizona's top-ranked scoring offense and note the Wildcast are allowing a modest 62.8 PPG, while holding opponents are shooting only 36.1% (5th). This will be the first time the Wildcats will play four consecutive road games since January 2008, so the Game 1 result could 'set the stage' for the rest of the trip (VERY tough games at UCLA and USC). Tennessee's Saturday game against Memphis in Nashville was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols within the Tigers' program, meaning the Vols are playing off an eight-day break. That is NOT an advantage in my opinion. Arizona makes it a 'even dozen' wins to open the season with a victory here in Nashville.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las vegas Insider is on Delaware at 7:30 ET.

The Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens and the Iona Gaels meet Tuesday in a non-conference contest from UBS Arena. Both teams had COVID-shortened season a year ago but both are off to strong starts this season, as Delaware (of the CAA) is 9-3 and Ions (MAAC) is 9-2.

Delaware head coach Martin Ingelsby is in his sixth season, having gone just 7-8 last year and 73-74 in his tenure with the Blue Hens. However, all FIVE of last year's starters returned and Delaware is looking like a contender in the CAA this season. Four players average in double digits, led by the 6-10 Painter, who leads in scoring (14.5) and rebounding (7.6). His frontcourt partner is the 6-9 Carr, who checks in just under double digits at 9.5 PPG (adds 4.7 RPG). Delaware has a terrific guard trio, consisting of Allen (13.4), Nelson (12.5 & 5.0) and Anderson (11.4 & 3.9).

You may just have heard about Iona head coach Rick Pitino. COVID limited the Gaels to just 13 regular season games last season (8-5 / 6-3 in the MAAC). However, tourney time was NOT head coach Rick Ptino's 'first rodeo!' Iona beat FOUR opponents (Gaels held those opponents to just 53.8 PPG) on its way to the tourney title and an NCAA bid. Iona fell to two-seed Alabama in the Big Dance, but held them 12 points less than its season average and covered, in a 68-55 loss. Iona lost its two top guards in Ross (18.4) and Gist (13.3). However, Pitino likes his three transfers, Joiner (9.5 & 5.5) from Tulsa, Jolly (14.6 & 5.4) from SMU and the 6-8 Slazinski (11.1 & 4.1) from Louisville. He loved the potential of 6-9 PF Joseph (11.1 & 7.5 as a freshman) and he has delivered, averaging 14.3 PG with a team-high 8.2 RPG. 6-8 veteran van Eyck is having an excellent season, averaging 10.4-4.7-3.7.

Iona got a rematch with Alabama this season and beat the then-No. 10 Crimson Tide, 72-68. The Gaels' two losses have come to Belmont and to then-No. 4 Kansas, 96-83. Delaware opened just 4-3 over its first seven outings but entered this contest on a 5-0 run. This contest is playing in the new UBS Arena on Long Island (Belmont Park site), not the Gael's homecourt in New Rochelle. I think the price is a little high on thsi neutral court and I will gladly take the points with a Delaware team that is beginning to "find itself!"

Good luck...Larry

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

The 7-5 Marshall Thundering Herd and the 7-3 Toledo Rockets hook up tonight from Toledo's Savage Arena. Marshall looks to bounce back from a 75-60 loss to Northern Iowa last time out, while Toledo looks to rebound from a 72-69 loss at the hands of Richmond in its last game.

Marshall head coach Dan D'Antonio is in his eighth season with Marshall and his team is coming off a 15-7 season. The Thundering Herd opened 6-1 but a team-wide COVID outbreak greatly influenced the rest of the team's season. PG West (12.5 & 6.0 APG) transferred to Louisville and forward Williams (9.4 & 3.4) transferred to Eastern Ky. However, 6-5 guard Taevion Kinsey returned and is having an excellent season, averaging 19.8-5.1-3.8. Fellow guard Taylor is also back, averaging 12.9 & 6.2 plus the 6-10 Beyers returned as well, averaging 5.6 & 2.5. Two solid frontcourt players are the 6-8 Anochili-Killen adds 13.4 PPG and is grabbing a team-high 7.2 RPG, a big jump from last season, while the 6-7 George is adding 9.2 & 5.6

Toledo's Tod Kowalczyk is in his 12th season at Toledo. Last year's team went 21-9 but wound up in the NIT after losing during the MAC tourney. The Rockets lost POY Jackson (18.1-6.1-5.9) to ASU and guard Littleson (13.4 PPG / shooting 47.2% on threes) is playing overseas. Freshman of the Year Rolins is back and is 'getting it done' by averaging 19.3-4.8-3.5. Replacing PG Jackson is Boise St transfer Dennis (11.3-5.9-3.9). Returning forwards Millner (15.0 & 6.4) and Shumate (17.3 & 7.3) are a strong duo.

Toledo may just have another sold season in the MAC but I believe this Marsahll team has a chamcnce to surprsie in C-USA this season. Marsahll matches up well with Toledo and I expect them to pick up the outright win. Points are a bonus. Take them.

Good luck...Larry

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

Once upon a time, Fresno St and Utah were Western Athletic Conference rivals. However, when the Bulldogs and Utes meet tonight in Salt Lake City, Fresno State is a member of the MWC and Utah is part of the Pac 12. Fresno State opened 5-0 but has cooled a little bit, going 4-2 since to enter 9-2.Utah also opened 5-0 but has lost FOUR of its last six and comes into the contest just 7-4.

The 7-0 Robinson is the lone frontcourt player of note and is Fresno's ONLY double digit scorer, leading the team with 18.3 PPG and a team-high 8.1 RPG. The trio of guards who have played in all 11 games are Campbell (9.5 & 3.5), Hill (8.5 & 3.1) and Holland (7.2 & 5.3). Guard Ballard matched Robinson with 18 points in Fesno's last game and his 18 points were EIGHT more than he'd totaled in his first four games after returning from a shin injury (he's averaging 5.6 PPG in five games)..

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) but saw the team's best player Timmy Allen (17.2 & 6.4) transfer to Texas. However, key returning players from last year's team are the 7-0 Carlson and the 6-9 Battin (6.5 & 4.5). Carlson leads the team in scoring with 13.7 (adds 6.0 RPG) but has missed recently with  COVID-19-related issues and likely won't return until the Utes' Dec. 30 Pac-12 game at Oregon State. Guards Wosrster (7.9 & 4.5)  and Anthony (7.8 & 7.4) followed Smith from Utah St plus guard Jenkins (12,4) came via UNLV and guard Gach, who started at Utah but moved on Minnesota, returned this year to play for Smith and is second to Carlson with 13.4 PPG.

Here's the rub. Fresno St is not just 9-2 SU but is also 8-2 ATS but both losses have come on the road, at Cal and San Francisco. Yes, Carlson is missed but the Utes are 5-1 at home, with the lone loss coming to rival BYU. A home meeting against a former rival should be "just what the doctor ordered," as Utah looks to head back into Pac 12 play on Dec 30 (has opened 1-1 in league play). No Carlson means a 'cheaper' price and I'm laying it!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Mid-West Crusher is on Nebraska at 6:00 ET.

Kansas State and Nebraska were longtime rivals in the Big 8 and Big 12, before Nebraska left to join the Big Ten. The last meeting was Kansas State's 61-57 victory in Lincoln back on Feb 23, 2011, its fifth straight win over Nebraska. The two former conference rivals are set to renew acquaintances for the first time in nearly 11 years Sunday in Lincoln, Ne. The schools are beginning a three-game series that also calls for games in Manhattan next season and in Kansas City in 2023. The series was initially slated to begin last season before being pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wildcats head coach Bruce Weber said it was important to him to get the Cornhuskers back on the docket. "It's a great rivalry in K-State history," Weber told reporters. "I got here (in 2012) and it was sad that Nebraska is two hours away and Missouri is three hours away and we're not getting to play those guys. ... I think it's good for (college) basketball and it's good for us."

Weber came to fame at Illinois withe six NCAA appearances in eight seasons, including losing the national championship game to North Carolina in 2005 (team finished 37-2). However, after leading the Wildcats to five NCAA berths in his first seven seasons in Manhattan, the Wildcats have posted back-to-back seasons of 11-21 and 9-20. Kansas St has opened 6-3, led by a group of five guards plus the 6-9 Massoud (8.0 & 4.4) and Ezeagu (7.4 & 5.6). Those guards are Pack (14.4), Nowell (13.2-4.0-4.6), Smith (10.0 & 7.8), Miguel (8.0 & 5.3) and McGuirl (6.8-3.3-2.6). Weber is a "defense-first" coach and this year' team is allowing only 59.7 PPG (33rd).

Fred Hoiberg had an excellent five-year run as Iowa St's head coach, taking the Cyclones to the NCAA tourney in each of his last four seasons. However, that led the Chicago Bulls to think that he could be an NBA coach and that 'experiment' lasted three-plus seasons, with the Bulls going 115-155 (.426). He returned to the college ranks here at Nebraska, but his first season was a 7-25 disaster (2-18 in Big 12) and last season a repeat performance (7-20 / 3-12 in the Big 12). However, Hoiberg landed the first 5-star recruit in school history in Bryce McGowens, who has averaged 16.2 & 6.4. PG Verge is an ASU transfer averaging 16.0-5.8-5.2, giving Nebraska a terrific 1-2 'punch' The returning 6-8 Walker (9.1 & 6.1) plus a trio of guards round out the main contributors. Tominaga (7.7) is a JC transfer, Wilcher (7.5) a Xavier transfer and Webster (7.0) a returning senior.

Things were looking up as Iowa St opened the season 5-2 but a 1040100 four-OT loss at NC St in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge has derailed the season. Big Ten losses to Indiana and Michigan followed and then the 'Huskers were routed in Atlanta by Auburn,99-68 in the Holiday Hoopsgiving. That loss led Hoiberg to do some deep soul-searching. "It's urgency. It's playing harder. It's effort," Hoiberg told reporters. "We got our head kicked in for two straight games." He was referring to a 102-67 rout at home by Michigan on Dec 7. However, here's the rub. The 'Huskers have gone up against some pretty sturdy competition over their last four games. Off back-to-back 'ugly' efforts, Nebraska should be poised to give an all-out effort against this old rival. That's my bet!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on Ole Miss at 6:30 ET.

The Dayton Flyers opened the season 1-3 but have won SIX of their last seven, including a 74-73 upset of then-No. 4 Kansas, to reach 7-4. The Ole Miss Rebels are 7-3, as they welcome Dayton to Oxford in this con-conference affair.

Leading the way this season are guard Weaver (11.0), the 6-10 Holmes (10.1 & 5.4), the 6-8 Camara (9.7 & 6.2) and freshman guard Smith (9.5-4.2-4.4). The 6-10 Amzil, who came on last season to average 9.9 & 5.6), has yet to match those numbers this season, averaging 6.9 & 3.9.

Ole Miss just defeated Middle Tennessee State -- Davis' team for 16 seasons (2002-18) -- on Wednesday, 62-52, using a stingy defense to limit the Raiders to 34.9% shooting from the floor and 11.1% from beyond the arc. However, the Rebels' offense also struggled, as they missed 16 of their 21 three-point attempts. The great news was, Daeshun Ruffin was strong in his return to action after breaking his hand on Nov 9. In 13 minutes of action, he made 4 of 9 shots from the floor to net 12 points. "Big things" are expected from the 5-9 freshman guard. Senior guard Joiner (15.0) leads the team in scoring plus the Rebels have excellent depth on the perimeter (three more players averaging between 5.8 and 7.3 PPG). Up front, it's the 6-8 Brakefield (8.6 & 4.3), the 7-0 Brown (8.3 & 7.5) and the 6-6 Murrell (7.2).

No way Kermit Davis takes a team that beat Kansa 'lightly' and overall, Ole Miss is a better and deeper team than Dayon. Lay the small 'sport,' as Ole Miss wins "with room to spare!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Blue Blood Bash is on Kentucky at 5:00 ET.

Roy Williams retired after last year's disappointing 18-11 season, one which ended in a first-round 82-65 NCAA loss to Wisconsin. Hubert Davis took over and the Tar Heels were ranked 19th in the AP's preseason poll. As for Kentucky, the 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.  Two of CBB's 'bluest' Blue Bloods meet Saturday in Las Vegas from T-Mobile Arena. 8-2 North Carolina opened 3-0 but then lost to then-No. 6 Purdue and then-No. 17 Tennessee, before winning its last FIVE. Meanwhile, 7-2 Kentucky lost its season opener in MSG to Duke (Champions Classic), before winning all SEVEN games at home in Rupp Arena against modest (I'm being kind here) competition. However, the Wildcats fell 66-62 at Notre Dame last Saturday (note: Irish were just 3-4 coming in).

North Carolina has a frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (14.3 & 9.8), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (13.0 & 5.8) and Marquette transfer Garcia (12.2 & 6.1). Sophomore guard Love (16.2-4.3-3.9) teams with freshman Davis (13.1-4.0-3.7) and Black (5.0 & 5.0) in the backcourt. Kentucky is led by the 6-9 Tshiebwe (16.2 & 14.4) and the 6-7 Brooks (11.8 & 4.9) up front. SG Washington (13.8-4.4-3.3) and PG Wheeler (9.9 & 7.7 APG) lead a backcourt that also features Grady (9.1) and Mintz (7.5 & 4.0).

Both teams score well, as North Carolina averages 80.4 PPG and Kentucky 80.3. However, Kentucky is allowing about NINE points less per game, 61.4-to-70.9. Also, Kentucky is ranked first among Division I teams with an offensive rebound percentage of 45 percent. The Wildcats have averaged 15.4 offensive boards per game. ND head coach Mike Brey knocked Kentucky's 'cream puff' schedule in the post-game press conference after the Irish beat the Wildcats last Saturday. Coach Cal and his players likely 'got the message' and I'm expecting a HUGE bounce-back by Kentucky in this one.

Good luck...Larry

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

The North Texas Mean Green and the Wichita State Shockers face off on Saturday in college hoops at Charles Koch Arena. North Texas comes into this game with a 6-3 record overall, while Wichita State is 8-2 record. Grant McCasland took over at North Texas starting in the 2017-18 season and won 20, 210 and 20 games. However, while last year's team won just 18 games, the Mean Green won the C-USA tourney and then upset 4th-seeded Purdue in OT in the first round of the Big Dance. Over at Wichita St, Gregg Marshall was forced out at Wichita St (verbal and physical abuse of players) and Isaac Brown took over, leading the Shockers to a 16-6 season, where they lost in the NCAA's First Four. 

North Texas is known for its tough defense and is allowing just 55.4 PPG (6th) so far this season. 6-6 forward Bell (13.2 & 6.4) is the team's best player, joined up front by the 6-10 Ousmane (8.6 & 4.9). The highest-scoring backcourt player is Perry (12.8), who comes off the bench. Starters Jones (9.3) and McBride (8.9) come in just under double digits. Gone at Wichita St are guard Gilbert (10.3 & 4.1 APG) and the 6-6 Wade (6.7 & 5.6), who transferred to Arkansas. However, the team has five guards and two frontcourt players in the regular rotation. Etienne is the leading scorer at 14.8 PPG, with Council (10.4 & 4.7), Dennis (7.5 & 5.0), Grant (5.9) and Porter (3.3 & 4.3) joining him on the perimeter. Up front, it's the 6-8 Udoze (11.3 & 5.9) and the 6-11 Pohto (6.9 & 3.2). Wichita St is hardly a defensive 'sieve,' allowing a modest 61.3 PPG.

Here's the rub. This marks North Texas's first true road game and Charles Koch Arena has NOT been kind to visitors. Wichita St is 59-12 at home since joining the AAAC to begin the 2017-18 season. Lay the small points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daydream Believer is on Notre Dame at 2:30 ET.

The Crossroads Classic in Indianapolis has featured Butler, Indiana, Notre Dame and Purdue but those schools have chosen against renewing the contract. Ostensibly, they are creating opportunities to schedule other non-conference teams. That means the 11-year event will come to a close on Saturday. Indiana comes in 8-2 under Mike Woodson, who is in his first season coaching his alma mater. As for 4-4 Notre Dame, head coach Mike Brey is in his 27th season at South Bend.

Indiana lost its final six games of last season and the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller. Mike Woodson (former Indiana player under Bob Knight) was hired to lead the team in the 2021-22 season, The Hoosiers have used a six-man rotation (all players averaging 20-plus MPG), led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (19.3 & 8.4), who is joined in the frontcourt by the 6-8 Thompson (10.6 & 8.7) and the 6-7 Kopp (8.6 & 3.1). Xavier transfer Johnson (10.2-3.9-4.3) starts in the backcourt with Stewart (7.8), while 6th-man Bates (a freshman) chips in 6.7 PPG. Notre Dame got off to a promising 3-1 start but then lost three consecutive games. However, last Saturday, the Fighting Irish beat then-No. 10 Kentucky 66-62 and this will be their first game since then. Goodwin (14.3 & 5.5) and Wesley (13.0) are joined by Ryan (8.4) and Hubb (7.30 in the backcourt, while the 6-9 Atkinson (11.0 & 6.0) and the 6-10 Laszewski (8.4 & 8.4) are the best frontcourt players.

Indiana has had success in this event, going 7-3 in annual games against Butler and Notre Dame but head coach Woodson is wary of the problems this year's Fighting Irish team presents. "Their perimeter play is what drives them," Woodson said. "I think, when I watch film on them, they're very organized. I like the way they play on both ends of the floor. We got to commit ourselves for 40 minutes to come out with the win." I agree with Woodson's assessment and after taking down Kentucky last Saturday (I had the Irish over the Wildcats), I like Notre Dame's chances to win outright again this Saturday. Naturally, I'm taking the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* West Coast Crusher is on San Diego St at 10:00 ET.

The Saint Mary’s Gaels and the San Diego State Aztecs meet tonight at Viejas Arena in San Diego. These are two high-quality programs. 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. Brain 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.

Saint Mary's is coming off of an easy beat down of Cal State Stanislaus in their last game and visits San Diego with an 8-2 record. The 6-7 Fotu is coming off the bench but is the Gaels' top scorer at 12.8 PPG (adds 4.7 RPG). The 6-10 Tass (11.6 & 5.4) is the only other double-digit scorer and is joined in the starting lineup by guards Ducas (9.6 & 4.2), Kuhse (9.3), and Johnson (9.3) plus Bowen (5.6 & 6.5), the team's top rebounder. Great balance and a team that allows just 57.6 PPG (1th).

The Aztecs lost forward Mitchell (15.4 & 5.6) and guard Schakel (14.4) from last season (the top-two scorers). However, Matt Bradley, who was an All Pac 12 player at Cal last season averaging 18.0 & 4.6 LY, leads SDSU with 15.0 PPG (adds 4.8 RPG). He is joined by three more guards in the starting lineup, Pulliman (10.9-3.4-3.3), Johnson (5.7 & 4.1) and Seiko (4.6) plus the 6-10 Mensah (7.4 & 7.7). Like St Mary's, SDSU also knows something about playing defense (is allowing 59.2 PPG to rank 28th).

The 8-2 Gaels have only lost to 9-2 Wisconsin (neutral site) and now-No.23 Colorado St (10-0). Meanwhile, while SDSU is just 6-3, all three losses have come to quality programs, BYU (on the road), now-No. 10 USC (10-0) on a neutral court and then-No.24 Michigan on the road. The Aztecs are 5-0 at home this season and are now 59-8 SU at home in Dutcher's four-plus seasons! That and I'm getting a few points! Too good to pass up!

Good luck...Larry

My 10 CBB Weekly Wipeout is on Weber St at 9:00 ET.

The 7-3 Utah State Aggies and the 9-1 Weber State Wildcats meet Wednesdayfrom Dee Events Center. Utah State opened the season with a loss but then won SIX in a row over Richmond, Penn, New Mexico State, Oklahoma, Texas Arlington and Carroll MT. However, the Aggies then lost 60-58 at home vs St Mary's (currently 10-2) and 82-71 at BYU (currently 8-2 and ranked 24th). The Aggies come into this contest off an 82-50 home win over New Orleans. As for Weber State, the Wildcats opened 8-0 but then shot 35.7% (including 5 of 23 on threes) in a 94-60 loss at Washington St. However, Weber St was able to win (and get a 'breather') with an 82-36 home win over Maine-Fort Kent.

Head coach Ryan Odom is in his first season at Logan, coming from UMBC. He brought the 6-10 Horvath with him and he's averaging 12.7 & 5.0. He was happy that the 6-7 Bean returned, as he leads the team in scoring (21.1) and rebounding (11.5). FOUR guards chip in between 6.6 and 8.9 PPG. In contrast, Weber St head coach Randy Rahe is in his 16th season at Ogden. He returned two key players from last seaosn, Guard Jawara (12.2) and the 6-6 Jones (12.0 & 3.7). New are Marquette transfer McEwen (a guard), who is the team's leading scorer at 15.6 PPG, plus the 6-6 Utan Valley transfer Jones (12.0 & 3.7). Things just 'brightened considerably" for the Wildcats, as 6-9 Florida transfer Bassett just became eligible and came off the bench to add 12 & 13 in his first game.

Utah St is a good team but I expect a HUGE seaosn from Weber St (won't Damian Lillard be proud!). BTW...Anyomne aware that Weber St was 11-0 SU at home last seaosn and has opened 4-0 at home this season? A home dog here?? Can you say 16-0?

Good luck...Larry

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

The 9-3 South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the 6-4 Missouri State Bears meet from the JQH Arena in Springfield, Mo on Wednesday night. The Jackrabbits are looking to build off a 77-74 win over Washington State last time out. The Bears are coming off a 69-60 win over Oral Roberts in their last game.

Third-year South Dakota State head coach Eric Henderson has all five starters back from last season's 16-7 team. All five starters this season are averaging in double digits for the Jackrabbits, who start four guards and the 6-7 Wilson (13.8 & 5.4). Freidel (20.2) leads the team in scoring, followed by big guard Scheierman, who averages 14.0 PPG and a team-high 9.2 RPG. Mayo (7.9) and Arians (7.4) complete the starting-five. Guard Easley chips in 7.8 PPG plus the 6-8 Appel (6.3) and the 6-8 Denlinger (6.3) also contribute off the bench.

Dana Ford is in his fourth season at Missouri St and led the Bears to a 17-7 record plus had all FIVE starters coming back. The 6-9 Prim (19.5) was the first-ever Missouri St player to lead the MVC in scoring and this season is averaging 16.7 PPG plus a team-high 9.1 RPG. Swingman Isiaih Mosley leads the Bears in scoring (17.4 PPG) plus adds 5.1 RPG. Guard Jaylen Minnett is an IUPUI transfer averaging 13.0 PPG and returning guard Ja’Monta Black adds 10.2 PPG to cap off the group of double-digit scorers for Missouri State.

The Jackrabbits are averaging 89.3 PPG (12th), shooting 51.1% from the floor (7th), while making 45.5% of their threes (1st!). Missouri State is 0-5-1 ATS in its last six games against a team with a winning percentage above .600 (SDSU is 9-3, .750) and I see no reason why the Jackrabbits can't win here (plus we are getting points). 

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Arizona St at 8:00 ET.

The Arizona State Sun Devils and the Creighton Bluejays meet in college hoops action from the CHI Health Center Omaha on Tuesday night. Bobby Hurley, a member of "the famous Coaching Hurleys," is in his seventh season at ASU but after three straight 20-win seasons, his team fell to 11-14 (7-10 in the Pac 12) last season. The Sun Devils are off to a disappointing 4-6 start to open the current season and that's only because they come in off back-to-back wins. 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 8-2.

The Sun Devils have all sorts of problems 'scoring the ball,' as ASU enters averaging 64.7 PPG (309th). ASU was just 2-6 after losing 51-29 at home to Washington St on Dec 1. That loss may just have been the 'wake up call' this team needed, as ASU won 69-67 in OT at Oregon (Dec 9) and then followed with a 67-62 home win over a 7-1 Grand Canyon team on Dec 11.  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 (13.2) and the 6-6 Lawrence (11.4 & 8.5). 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 (8.2 PPG), while adding 4.2 RPG and 4.2 APG. The othr two starters are guard Muhammad (7.4) and the 6-9 Graham (5.6 & 3.0). Guard Heath (8.9) is the best reserve.

Creighton has rebuilt quickly. The starting guards are freshman Nembhard (13.1-3.7-4.6) and O'Connell (3.4 PPG last year), who is averaging 11.3 & 5.3 this season. 7-1 center Kalkbrenner returned (5.9 & 3.5 LY) and is a 'new man,' averaging 12.4 & 6.4. The 6-7 Hawkins is a Div II transfer and chips in 14.5 & 6.5 plus 6-7 freshman Kaluma adds 8.9 & 4.5. 8-2 Creighton got off to its best start since winning its first 13 games in the 2016-17 campaign and those two losses have come to Colorado St (10-0 and now ranked No. 23) and Iowa St (10-0 and now ranked No. 11). The Bluejays are off a nice 83-71 neutral-site win over then-No. 24 BYU. However, I also remember Creighton's less-than-impressive wins against Kennesaw State (4-6) and Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-10) early in the year. 

Coach Hurley has made adjustments that have paid major dividends over the last week and I look for that progression to continue here for the hungry visiting side. As for Creighton, the Bluejays could be forgiven for 'peeking ahead' to Friday's Big East opener against No. 9 Villanova. Grab the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Marquee Classic is on Villanova at 3:00 ET.

Talk about a marquee classic! It doesn't get too much better than No. 6 Villanova and No. 2 Baylor when the two BKB powers square off today from the Ferrell Center in Waco, Tx. on Sunday afternoon. 'Nova head coach Jay Wright owns two national titles and what Baylor's head coach Scott Drew has done in his near-two-decade run in Waco, has been nothing short of miraculous. Drew's program has overcome the murder of a player, a cover up by the school's previous head coach and severe NCAA sanctions to become one of CBB's elite programs, 'putting a cherry on top' with the school's first-ever NCAA championship by routing 31-0 Gonzaga in the national championship game.

The Wildcats are 7-2 and will look to build on a 67-53 win over Syracuse in their last game. 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, as leads the Wildcats in scoring with 17.3 PPG as well as in assists with 3.7 APG. Fellow guard Justin Moore adds 15.7-5.4-3.1) and Daniels chips in 9.6 & 4.0. Up front, it's the 6-7 Slater (12.9 & 4.1), the 6-7 Samuels (12.0 & 6.1) and the 6-8 Dixon (7.4 & 6.0). Villanova’s averaging 78.2 PPG and allowing just 62.0 PPG.

The 8-0 Baylor Bears come into this game on the heels of a 99-54 rout of Arkansas-Pine Bluff last time out and with No. 1 Purdue losing 70-68 at Rutgers on Thursday, Baylor will move to No. 1 in Monday's poll with a win here. LJ Cryer leads the Bears in scoring with 15.4 PPG while 6-8 freshman Kendall Brown avegaes 13.4 PPG and 6-9 swingman Mayer chips in 11.6 & 5.1. Arizona transfer Akinjo (9.9 & 6.1) joins Cryer in the backcourt, as does Flager (8.4). Let's NOT forget the 6-8 Tchatchoua (8.4 & 8.3) or 6-9 freshman Suchan (7.9 & 6.1). Baylor is averaging 84.0 PPG and allowing even less than Villanova, at 56.4 PPG (7th).

Baylor is a terrific team but the Bears just could 'blink' here, with the No. 1 ranking just a win away. Meanwhile, Wright's team has only lost to then-No. 2 UCLA and then-No. 6 Purdue, both in tight contests. UCLA needed OT to win and Purdue won by six points. This game comes right down to the wire and I Want any points we can get. That said, I'm calling for an outright Villanova win.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daydream Believer is on Florida St at 12:00 ET.

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 (more in a bit). The 5-3 Seminoles travel to Rock Hill, SC for the No Room for Racism Classic to take on South Carolina. The ever-lovable Frank Martin sure built up some goodwill by leading South Carolina to the school's only Final 4 back in 2017 but these last four seasons, the Gamecocks have gone 17-16, 16-16, 18-13 and an 'ugly' 6-14 last season. That goodwill is about ALL used up and the Gamecocks need to build on their 6-3 start.

Guard Caleb Mills (a Houston transfer) leads SFSU in scoring with 12.6 PPG, followed by the 6-9 Malik Osborne (11.4 & 7.3). Guard Anthony Polite returns and is starting, averaging 8.4 & 5.8. 7-1 freshman Butler (5.0 & 5.3) but Hamilton gets some good production from guards Cleveland (9.8 & 4.0), Evans (7.5) and Fletcher (6.4), who all come off the bench.

South Carolina added North Texas transfer Reese (9.1) to the backcourt featuring Stevenson (12.3 & 3.9) and Couisinard (12.1). Freshman guard Carter is adding 9.1 PPG, while swingman Bryant (11.3 & 5.0) plus the 6-10 Levesque (10.4 & 6.8)) have had solid starts. The 6-7 AJ Wilson, a graduate transfer from George Mason, was bothered early by a back injury and distracted by a recent death in the family but is now starting, averaging 4.8 & 4.3).

Here's the bottom line. FSU has shown weakness in losing 71-55 at Florida and 93-65 at Purdue in "step up" games, plus recently lost 63-60 at home to Sryacuse, as a seven-point favorite. However, South Carolina really hasn't been tested this season, as its best win was 80-67 at home over Georgetown, which is a modest 5-4. FSU is coming off its first home loss against an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent in more than a year when it fell to Syracuse on Dec 4. "We're extremely disappointed that we couldn't execute those open looks and make the plays we needed down the stretch," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton said. "I thought there were a couple of periods where we just couldn't put the ball in the basket. In the second half, we had excellent opportunities. We just couldn't maintain the scoring output and we dug that hole that was very difficult for us to get out of." Yes, Florida State has struggled against elite competition, but this game lines up well for it. South Carolina is about to be exposed here, as it faces the best defense it's seen so far this season.

Good luck...Larry

The 2nd play of my 3-in-1 STP is on UCLA at 9:30 ET.

All remember UCLA's great run to the Final 4 last season and with a 'TON' of talent back, the Bruins have opened 7-1 (ranked No. 4), losing only to Gonzaga back on November23.The Bruins will be anxious to get back on the court, as they last played Dec 1 in a 73-61 victory over Colorado. Washington had to forfeit its Dec 5 game against the Bruins due to COVID-19 concerns. Marquette (8-2) earned a 64-63 victory against Kansas State on Wednesday night to cap off a two-game road trip and will welcome the Bruins to Fiserv Forum, where the team is 5-0.

Mick Cronin's team is led by a 'Core 4' of guards. Juzang (17.1 & 4.9) leads the way, followed by Bernard (14.0 & 4.4), Jaquez (13.6 & 5.9) and Cambell (12.6 & 3.8 APG). All four are playing 28-plus minutes. Cronin is a defensive coach first and the Bruins are holding opponents to 59.3 PPG (32nd).

Shaka Smart was booted out of Austin but has done quite a job at Marquette, which did not return a single starter from last season's disappointing 13-14 team. Marquette has four players averaging 22-plus MPG, with the 6-7 Josh Lewis leading in both scoring (15.7) and rebounding (7.7). Morsell is a Maryland transfer and adds 14.1 PPG. PG Kolek adds 6.9-4.0-5.5 plus guard Jones chips in 8.3. The fifth starter is the 6-10 Kuath (6.3 & 4.3).

Marquette has not lost at Milwaukee since Feb 6 but note that UCLA is 6-0 ATS in its last six road games against a team with a winning home record. The game matches Shaka Smart against UCLA's Mick Cronin, the only coaches who have advanced their teams from a First Four matchup in the NCAA Tournament to a Final Four. Cronin did it last season, while Smart did it while at VCU in 2011. The winner today? UCLA "with room to spare!' Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on TCU at Texas A&M at 6:30 ET.

It's a showdown of two former Big 12 Conference opponents when TCU squares off against Texas A&M on Saturday in The Battleground 2K21 at the Toyota Center in Houston. Both schools have struggled the previous two seasons, as both have been hit hard by COVID. However, Jamie Dizon (of Pitt fame) and Buzz Williams (Marquette and Va Tech) have each gotten their respective teams off to 7-1 starts. The Horned Frogs' most recent outing produced a 76-62 win over Utah in a neutral site contest in Fort Worth. While the Aggies head to Houston after an 85-65 home victory over New Orleans back on Nov 30, meaning A&M has had 10 days off (I don't see that as being an advantage).

Mike Miles poured in a career-high-tying 28 points and grabbed a team-best eight rebounds for TCU in its win over Utah. "Mike was tremendous early and then kept attacking as the game went on," Jamie Dixon said. "We played good defense. We reached every goal we wanted to get coming into the game as far as guarding and taking care of the basketball -- we just need to shoot it a little better." Miles leads the way with a line of 17.1-3.6-46 and the 6-7 Miller (10.6 & 7.1.) is the only other TCU player in double digits. Baugh (8.0) and Peavy (7.5) are guards, while the 6-6 O'Bannon (7.1 & 3.0), the 6-7 Coles (6.1 & 4.1) and 6-11 center Lampkin (5.1 & 4.6) contribute up front.

A&M has just ONE player in double figures and that's guard Jackson (12.3). The team's second-leading scorer (9.6) and leading rebounder (5.7) is the 6-7 Coleman but he's questionable with a back issue. Williams' team is basically a perimeter-based team, as five guards chip in between 6.3 and 9.5 PPG. Other than Coleman, the team's only other big man is the 6-8 Henderson, who averages just 2.6 & 3.1 in about 17 minutes.

As noted above, I don't see being off for 10 days as being beneficial to the Aggies. Both play excellent defense, as TCU allows 60.9 PPG on 38.9% shooting, while A&M allows 60.1 PPG on 38.1% shooting. It's a neutral court but the edge goes to the more talented Horned Frogs, who are the team to watch in this year's Big 12. It's worth noting that the Aggies are a poor 3-7 ATS in their last 10 neutral-site contests plus that TCU owns a significant rebound advantage (45 to 36 per night). Expect TCU to win by double digits.

Good luck...Larry

he 3rd play of my STP is an 8* on Notre Dame at 5:15 ET.

The Kentucky's 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 were faced with a seven-game homestand at Rupp Arena against mid-major opponents. After Tuesday's 76-64 win over Southern, Kentucky wrapped it up at 7-0. Now at 7-1, the Wildcats are right where they started the season, ranked 10th. The Wildcats (7-1) will hit the road again, making the trip to South Bend to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who have struggled to a 3-4 start.

The seven-game winning streak has given the Wildcats some early momentum, but it is yet to be determined how the team will play away from Rupp Arena. The 6-9 Tshiebwe (15.3 & 15.4) and the 6-7 Brooks (11.7 & 4.6) are the two main frontcourt players, while SG Washington (14. & 4.9) and PG Wheeler (10.8 & 8.4 APG) lead a backcourt that also features Grady (9.7) and Mintz (7.8 & 34.0).

Notre Dame got off to a promising 3-1 start that included one win in the Maui Invitational, but the Fighting Irish have lost three consecutive games. One of those games was against another SEC opponent in a 73-67 defeat against Texas A&M, and most recently Mike Brey's team suffered a 73-57 loss in the opening game of ACC play at Boston College. Goodwin (14.3 & 5.4) and Wesley (12.9) are joined by Ryan (8.6 & 3.6) and Hubb (7.30 in the backcourt, while the 6-9 Atkinson (12.9 & 6.0) and the 6-10 Laszewski (8.6 & 9.1) could have their hands full with Tshiebwe.

All that said, this will be Notre Dame's first home game in 25 days after five games away from South Bend, while as noted above, the Wildcats haven't left the Bluegrass state since playing Duke on Nov 9. I'm taking the points.

Good luck...Larry

The 1st play of my STP is an 8* on Drake at 2:00 ET.

Drake and Clemson meet in a Holiday Hoopsgiving game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers opened the season 4-0 but entered this contest having lost FOUR of their last five games (now 5-4 on the season; Meanwhile, the Drake Bulldogs have won THREE in a row to reach 6-3.

"I don't know if it's any one thing," Clemson head coach Brad Brownell said. "But we've had some issues with turnovers. Turnovers are hurting us. It's not every game, but they rear their head when we don't need them." The Tigers are coming off a five-point loss at Miami in their ACC opener, turning the ball over 18 times. Clemson led for more than 35 minutes against the Hurricanes before being done in by a late 19-5 run by Miami. Still, one must note that Clemson has excellent balance, with FIVE players averaging in double figures. The 6-10 P.J. Hall leads the way with a 13.9 PPG (5.4 RPG), joined up front by the 6-8 Hunter Tyson (11.3 & 5.3) The Tigers start three guards, Nick Honor (11.2), Al-Amir Dawes (11.1) and David Collins (10.9).

Drake is coming off a 26-5 season in which it posted its first NCAA Tournament victory in 50 years! The Bulldogs dropped three straight at the ESPN Events Invitational (to Belmont, Alabama and North Texas) but enters Saturday's game riding a three-game winning streak The 6-7 Tucker DeVries, the son of Drake head coach Darian DeVries, scored a career-high 24 points, 15 of which came on three-pointers, in a come-from-behind victory against Omaha on Wednesday. He leads the team averaging 13.7 PPG and a pair of 6-6 forwards, Murphy (12.2 & 5.8) and Hemphill (10.0 & 4.3) are solid contributors. depth in the backcourt comes from Sturtz (9.0), who is also the team's leading rebounder (6.7) plus Wilkins (9.0). The 6-10 Brodie adds 6.1 & 3.89 up front.

Clemson enters with zero momentum and I'm giving the edge to the mid-major team over an underperforming ACC one.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daydream Believer is on Oklahoma at 1:30 ET.

Eric Musselman, in just his second year at Arkansas (2020-21 season), led the Razorbacks to a 25-7 year and into the Elite 8. It marked the highest winning percentage for an Arkansas team and its highest finish in the final AP poll (No. 10) since the 1995 team lost in the national championship game to UCLA. Key players are gone from that team in the 6-7 Smith (16.8 & 7.3) plus guards Moody (16.6 &5.8) and Tate (11.0) but this year's Razorbacks are unbeaten (9-0) and ranked No. 12 when they take the court this afternoon at the Bank of Oklahoma Center in Tulsa. Porter Moser (of Loyola-Chicago fame) is in his first season at Norman and he has the Sooners off to a 7-2 start. Oklahoma lost 73-70 to Utah St in the championship game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational and then in its last outing, 66-62 in overtime to Butler when the Sooners went just 1-for-9 from beyond the arc over the last eight minutes of regulation, watching an eight-point lead evaporate.

Musselman returned players like SEC 6th-man of the year Notae and he leads the team with a line of 18.7-4.8-3.4. Fellow guard Davis averaged just 6.3 points per game in the Razorbacks' first six games, but he's scored 50 points in his last three and is now averaging 9.8 & 4.3. Two big men returned as well, the 6-10 Williams (7.1 & 8.7) and the 7-3 Vanover (7.1 & 3.4). Pitt transfer Toney (13.1 & 6.8) plus South Dakota transfers Lykes (12.4) and Umude (9.3 & 4.7) give Arkansas a VERY deep group of perimeter players. Moser's starting-five is VERY good, led by the 6-10 Tanner Groves (14.9 & 6.2), who gets some help up front from the 6-6 Hill (9.2 & 6.2). Then there is a trio of backcourt players led by Gibson (11.3), PG Goldwire (9.4 & 56.2) and Harkless (9.0 & 4.6).

Back on Dec 1, Mike White's Florida Gators visited Norman at 6-0 (the school's best start since 2012) and the Sooners handed them their first loss of the season, 74-67. I know this game is NOT in Norman, but Tulsa is surely a favorable venue for the Sooners. The key matchup is that the Razorbacks are shooting just 28.5 percent on three-pointers this season, including only 20.6 percent their last six games (3 of 13 the last time out). Meanwhile, the Sooners have been among the nation's best in defending along the perimeter, holding teams to just 27.5 percent on three-pointers (33rd). I had Okla over Florida back on Dec 1 (part of 3-0 STP sweep) and 'believe' in the Sooners just as much here.

Good luck...Larry

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

Porter Moser left after last season to take the Oklahoma job. He spent 10 years as the Ramblers' head coach, winning 99 games his last four years, reaching the Final 4 in 2018 and the Sweet 16 last year. Drew Valentine, Moser's assistant the last four seasons, lost the 6-9 Kurtwig (MVC p-o-y) but has the Ramblers off to an 8-2 start. Jerry Stackhouse was just 20-37 in his first two seasons at Nashville but this year's team got off to a 5-1 start. However, the Commodores will be trying to break a two-game slide that includes a 12-point loss at SMU in which they squandered a 12-point halftime lead last Saturday, and a 72-68 overtime loss to visiting Temple on Tuesday in which they shot a woeful 4-for-26 (15.4 percent) from three-point range.

Loyola Chicago rolled to an 88-49 win over NAIA program Roosevelt (Ill.) on Tuesday, despite the fact that starters Braden Norris (8.2 & 4.1 APG) and the 6-7 Aher Uguak (10.0 & 3.9) ppg) sat out with undisclosed injuries. Both are expected to return to face the Commodores. Guard Williamson (11.7 & 5.0) joins Norris in the backcourt, while 6-7 Princeton grad transfer Ryan Schwieger (11.2 & 3.3) and the returning 6-10 Hutson (9.1 & 2.7) join Uguak up front. Loyola always plays good defense (61.4 PPG ranks 52nd) and has scored well so far, averaging 79.9 PPG.

Vandy is led by the backcourt duo of Pippen (16.5 & 4.1) and Wright (14.9 & 7.0). Stackhouse got great news when Pippen decided to pull himself out of the NBA Draft and return to Nashville but got bad news when the 7-0 Robbins (Minnesota grad transfer who averaged 11.7 & 6.6 LY), was sidelined by a foot injury with no timetable for a return. The 6-7 Stute (9.7 & 2.8), guard Lawrence (6.6 & 3.3) and the 6-10 Brown gives them some size up front but he's only averaging 4.5 & 4.1.

This marks the Ramblers final non-conference game this season against a power-conference team and frankly, Loyola is the better team. However, I believe Vandy is the 'hungrier' side in this one. Vandy opened 5-1 but enters this contest off back-to-back losses and really NEEDS a win here. After Loyola, the 'Dores host Austin Peay and play at Hawaii on Dec 22. The team then has off until Jan 4, when SEC play opens. A win here and Vandy just could be 8-3 when SEC play opens. First things first. I'm taking the points but expect an OUTRIGHT win.

Good luck...Larry

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

Former NBA star Dan Majerle took over at Grand Canyon when it moved up to Division I for the 2013-14 season. His first two teams went 15-15 and 17-15 but he then put together three straight 20-win seasons. However, after falling to 13-17 in 2019-20, he was fired. To the rescue came Bryce Drew, who led the Antelopes to a 17-7 record and the school's first WAC regular season championship, its WAC tourney championship and to the school's first-ever NCAA tourney berth. Not a bad start, The 'Lopes have opened the current season 8-1, as they head to Tempe to take on Arizona St on Thursday.

Bobby Hurley, a member of "the coaching Hurleys," is in his seventh season at ASU but after three straight 20-win seasons, his team fell to 11-14 (7-10 in the Pac 12) last season. The Sun Devils are off to a disappointing 3-6 start to open the current season, as ASU is having trouble putting the ball in the basket, averaging only 64.4 PPG (309th).

Grand Canyon lost FOUR of its top-five scorers from last year's team, but the lone returning starter was Blacksher, who leads the team this season at 16.1 PPG (adds 4.1 APG). Fellow guard Holland Woods (who played for Hurley LY at ASU) is the only other player in double digits at 13.4 PPG. The 6-7 McGlothan adds 9.7 & 7.0 and that trio sees all players averaging 27-plus minutes per game. Defense has been the team's strength, as Grand Canyon is allowing just 58.4 PPG (21st)

I mentioned Arizona State's scoring issues (see above) and it sure didn't help that 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 and the 6-6 Lawrence (11.1 & 7.9). Hurley was really counting on Toledo grad transfer Jackson, who was the MAC player-of-the-year last season, averaging 18.1-6.2-59. However, his scoring has been cut by more than half (7.7 PPG), while adding 4.6 RPG and 4.4 APG.

Grand Canyon enters on a five-game winning streak (lost to Wyoming 68-61 at home on Nov 22) and would no doubt love to KO a nearby in-state rival of Pac-12 status. However, Arizona State just snapped a five-game losing streak Sunday with a 69-67 overtime win at Oregon, responding "big time" after losing 51-29 at home against Washington State in the previous game. This is a big step up in competition for the Antelopes. Meanwhile, Arizona State has faced some tough competition and after its first quality victory of the season, I expect them to "take care of business" here vs the upstart 'Lopes. ASU and its 3-6 record is favored over an 8-1 Grand Canyon team for a reason. Lay the points!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week 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 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 now-No. 1 Purdue and Illinois.The Hawkeyes travel to Ames for another contest in the Cy-Hawk rivalry. Iowa State (8-0) is seeking to match the third-best start in school history (9-0 in 2015-16). The early-season success represents quite a turnaround under first-year coach T.J. Otzelberger, who came from UNLV to take over an Iowa St team that went 2-22 last season (0-18 in the Big 12).

The 6-8 Murray twins (Keegan and Kris) were freshmen last season at Iowa. Keegan gained playing time as the year wound down but Kris was lost in the shuffle. This season, Keegan leads the team in scoring (23.9) and rebounding (8.0) while his brother Kris comes off the bench to chip in 11.3 & 5.6. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey is averaging 12.0 PPG and returning guard Bohannon adds 9.8 PPG. 6-7 freshman Sandfort (7.1), Perkins (9.8), Toussaint (5.9 & 4.1 APG) and the 6-9 Rebraca (5.4 & 6.4) round out the main contributors.

A trio of guards lead the way for Iowa St, starting with standout Izaiah Brockington, who leads the team in scoring (16.0) and rebounding (7.5). He's joined on the perimeter by Kalscheur (12.1) and Hunter (11.6 & 5.4 APG). The team's frontcourt rotation is led by the 6-8 Kunc (6.8 & 4.6) and the 6-9 Conditt (5.9 & 5.1). The Cyclones snapped a 25-game road losing streak on Saturday when they posted a 64-58 win at Creighton. Iowa St had already picked up wins this season over then-No. 9 Memphis (by 19 points), then-No. 25 Xavier (12 points) and 2021 Elite Eight team Oregon State (10 points).

Now, the 17th-ranked Cyclones will try to avoid losing for the FOURTH consecutive time to Iowa, when the in-state rivals square off on Thursday night in Ames. "I've done this -- not forever -- but long enough," Otzelberger said. "I don't know that I've seen a group that has more pride in Iowa State and in their team success and cares about each other and is giving what they have every single day." That said, McCaffrey and his Hawkeyes know all about success (see above) and after back-to-back losses, NEED to get back on track before resuming Big Ten play on Jan 3.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big Ten Conf "Best of the Best" is on Mich 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 Minnesota ranked No. 19 at 7-2. Minnesota saw a 9-1 start to its 2020-21 season (No. 21 in the AP poll) fall apart by losing 14 of its final 19 games to finish 14-15. That was enough to end Richard Pitino's 8-year run at Minnesota, as Ben Jonhson took over (first head coaching gig). Johnson was hired and there was a mass exodus at Minnesota, as players transferred right and left (NONE of last year's starters are back!). However, the Gophers have been 'Golden' so far, going undefeated in non conference play (7-0) but remains unranked. 

The Spartans do not have a 'big gun,' as the team's leading scorer is SF Brown (12.9), who adds 4.3 RPG. 7-0 center Bingham adds 10.6 PPG and a team-high 7.6 RPG. Joining those two in the starting lineup are guards Christie (8.90 and Walker (5.8) plus 6-9 Hauser, who has disappointed averaging only 5.6 & 6.0. Bench strength comes from the 6-9 Hall (9.1 & 4.8) and the 6-9 Marble (6.4) plus guard Hoggard (6.4 & 4.2 APG).

The "new-look" Golden Gophers are led by 6-7 George Wasghington transfer Battle (17.9 & 6.1) and College of Charleston transfer guard Willis (17.4-5.1-3.9). Guards Stephens (11.1 & 4.0) and Loewe (6.9) start with New Hampshire transfer Sutherlin coming off the bench to average 9.2 & 4.3 in the backcourt.

Both teams are playing solid defense, as Michigan St allows 63.6 PPG and Minnesota 61.0 PPG. Talking about the conference-opener for both teams, MSU head coach Tom Izzo said, "Conference play is so much different than regular season (non-conference) play. And Minnesota, they've won some games. They won a tough, close game (against Pittsburgh) last week. Ben has done a great job with his team. They've got two guys that really, really shoot the ball." He's obviously talking about Battle and Willis.

Here's the rub. The Golden Gophers have pulled out a number of close games, defeating Western Kentucky by four points, edging Princeton in double overtime, while beating 2-6 Pitt by ONE point. Minnesota led Mississippi State by as many as 14 points in its most recent game, before hanging on for a 5-point win. Michigan St has played a MUCH tougher schedule to this point, losing to now-No.8  Kansas and now-No. 2 Baylor, plus own a victory over now-No. 15 UConn. That trio is currently a combined 22-2! Which coach do you want, Izzo or Johnson? You think Izzo will remind his team that it lost at Minnesota last season 81-56!

Good luck...Larry

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

Marquette is coming off an 11-13 season and lost all FIVE starters plus added a new head coach in Shaka Smart. Smart was one of the hottest coaching commodities after leaving VCU for Texas but he was fired after six seasons with zero NCAA wins. He has Marquette off to a 7-2 start, as the team travels to Manhattan. Kansas to meet the 5-2 Kansas State Wildcats. Bruce Weber has been at it for almost 25 years (with plenty of success), but his team won just 11 games two seasons ago and last year went 9-20, including 4-1 in Big 12 play.

Marquette has four players averaging 22-plus mPG, with the 6-7 Josh Lewis leading in both scoring (15.9) and rebounding (7.6). Moresll is a Maryland transfer and adds 14.8 PPG. PG Kolek adds 7.7 & 5.3 APG plus guard Jones chips in 7.6. The fifth starter is the 6-10 Kuath (6.1 & 4.3). Kansas State is coming off a road victory over Wichita State on Sunday. However, leading scorer Pack (15.8) suffered a concussion and will likely NOT play here. Arkansas-LR transfer Nowell (12.3) is the only other player in double digits but fellow guards Miguel (9.3 & 6.2) and Illinois transfer Smith (8.4 & 8.4) are quality players, who can rebound. The 6-10 Ezeagu is a Wake transfer adding 8.6 & 4.7 and the 6-9 Massoud (5.6 & 4.3) also starts up front.

Here's the rub. Kansas St has lost to the two-best teams it has played, losing to Arkansas and Illinois at neutral sites by the identical scores of 72-64. In fact, the Wildcats' win over Wichita State marked their first victory over an opponent in the top 280 in the KenPom.com rankings. Marquette comes in having averaged 79.7 PPG over its last three games and I don't believe the Wildcats can match them score-for-score, especially without (or a less than 100%) Pack in the lineup.

Good luck...Larry

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

Indiana lost its final six games of last season and the Hoosiers fired head coach Archie Miller and hired Mike Woodson (former Indiana player under Bob Knight) to lead the team in the 2021-22 season, Greg Gard is in his seventh season at Madison but while Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors last season, the 'landscape' was MUCH different this season. Of the 14 scholarship players this season, 10 are classified as freshmen for eligibility purposes. Both schools have opened 7-1 as the schools get set for a Big Ten game at the Kohl Center tonight.

The Hoosiers have used a six-man rotation (all players averaging 22-plus MPG), led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (21.0 & 8.6), who is joined in the frontcourt by the 6-8 Thompson (10.0 & 8.9) and the 6-7 Kopp (8.9 & 3.5). Xavier transfer Johnson (10.4) starts in the backcourt with Stewart (8.6), while 6th-man Bates (a freshman) chips in 7.1 PPG.

Wisconsin guard Davison began the season with 124 career starts and is averaging 15.9 & 4.5. The great news for Wisconsin fans is, fellow guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY) is averaging 20.1 & 5.6 this season. Also back, after limited playing time last season, are the 7-0 Crowl (9.4 & 5.3) and the 6-9 Wahl (8.8 & 4.8). Guard Hepburn (7.4) is the 5th starter, with NO other player averaging as much as 5.0 PPG.

Indiana opened 6-0 but then lost 112-110 at Syracuse in two OTs but bounced back to win its Big Ten opener 68-55 over Nebraska. Wisconsin defeated three previously undefeated teams -- including a win over then-12th ranked Houston -- to win the Maui Invitational (Nov 22-24), then ground out a gutty 70-66 road win over Georgia Tech in the ACC/Big Ten challenge, before beating Marquette 89-76 in its last game.

The Badgers are ranked 22nd and have won 18 consecutive games at the Kohl Center against the Hoosiers, including 80-73 last season in double overtime. Is win No. 19 in a row a 'done deal?' Not so fast. Wisconsin is allowing only 59.1 PPG but Indiana counters by allowing 63.8. Remember, that includes the 112 points the team allowed in that double-OT loss. Meanwhile. while Wisconsin averages 70.6 PPG, while Indiana scores 80.4 PPG. I'm calling for a SU win by Indiana.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Oakland Golden Grizzlies and Bowling Green Falcons meet Tuesday night at the Stroh Center. Oakland checks in at 7-2, while Bowling Green is just 4-4. Oakland remains coached by Greg Kampe, who is in his 38th season (coached the team when it was a Division II school). The Grizzlies joined Division I in the 1999-2000 season and have had a number of successful seasons but the school hasn't had a 20-win season the last four years, averaging only 15.3 wins per season. BG is coached by Michael Huger, who is in his 7th season at the school. The Falcons won 22 games in the 2018-19 season and 21 the following season but is off a 14-12 season.

Oakland is off a relatively simple 78-45 win at IUPUI as a 14.5-point favorite last time out to get to 7-2 (nice start). The team is led by 6-7 Marquette transfer Cain, who leads in scoring (21.2) and rebounding (10.7). The Golden Grizzlies lack depth, as four players are averaging 33-plus MPG, with few other contributors. Along with Cain you have swingman Townsend (14.0 & 6.4), PG Moore (13.2 & 6.9 APG) and SF Parrish (7.7 & 6.1).

The Falcons are coming off an impressive 78-70 road win at Duquesne as 4.5-point underdogs to reach .500 (not the start the team had hoped for). Unlike Oakland, BG has depth with NINE players getting involved. The 6-9 Reese (10.6 & 7.3) is the lone big man of note but Plowden (15.0 & 7.1) leads a perimeter group that includes Gordon (9.8), Diggs (8.8 & 4.0), Metheny (8.4) and Curtis (6.8).

Cain leads a nice trio for Oakland but BG's depth and balance wins the day. The Falcons were blown out 89-59 at Ohio St but rebounded in their next game to lose just 90-84 at home against a Norfolk St team that made the NCAAs last season and has opened 9-2 this season. Oakland is nowhere near as good as Norfolk St and I expect the outright win here by BG. But of course, take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* PERFECT STORM is on Virginia at 7:00 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. Gone from last year's team are big big men Hauser (16.0 & 6.8) and Huff (13.0 & 7.1) plus guard Murphy (11.3). UVA has opened 6-3 as it heads to Harrisonburg, Va to face James Madison. Head coach Mark Byington led James Madison to a Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title in his first season in charge in 2020-21 and this year's team is off to a 7-2 start, including a 4-0 start at home (JMU already owns wins against Virginia schools Old Dominion and George Mason).

The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark (10.7 & 4.2 APG). Guard Beekman (6.4-3.7-4.6) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.8 & 65.6), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner (14.1 & 7.9) comes from East Carolina and guard Franklin (11.6) comes via Indiana. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 56.2 PPG (10th).

JMU has outstanding balance with SIX players contributing between 8.1 and 11.3 PPG. Canisius transfer Molson (11.3 & 6.) leads the team in scoring, followed by fellow guard Morse (11.2) and 6-6 Winthrop transfer Felden (10.5). The 6-7 Sule, a Texas St transfer, adds 8.8 & 6.3 and the 6-7 Amadi, a returning player, chips in 9.2 & 4.6. Returning guard Hodge (8.1) completes the 'six-pack!'

One could argue that if James Madison is ever going to beat Virginia, Tuesday night's home contest might be its best shot. However, the Dukes are also 0-11 in their intrastate rivalry with the Cavaliers and lost by 31 points in the most recent meeting in November 2019. Virginia has won FIVE of the last six meetings by double digits. What changes here? Nada!

Good luck...Larry

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

The 6-2 New Mexico State Aggies travel to The Pit to take on the 5-3 New Mexico Lobos Monday night in Albuquerque. TheAggies improved to 6-2 on the season after defeating the UTEP Miners 72-69 this past Friday. Meanwhile the Lobos haven't played since last Tuesday when they snapped a two-game losing streak by beating the Aggies 101-94 in Las Cruces.

Chris Jans is in his fifth season with the Aggies, going 95-25 in his first four. New Mexico St had a troublesome season last year, as a public health order would not allow them to play any games in the state, plus the team wasn't allowed to fully practice until mid-January. Despite all this, the Aggies did advance to the WAC championship game, before falling to Grand Canyon. The result? It was the first time that NMSU ended a season as neither the WAC's regular season champ or the WAC tourney champs. Swingman Allen (18.0 & 6.0) is a Nebraska transfer and joins last year's top scorer Rice (13.2), who is averaging 14.4 & 4.4 this season. The team features a solid trio up front in the 6-10 McNair (9.1 & 6.1), the 6-7 McCants (8.5 & 4.9) and the 6-7 Tillman (8.3 & 3.5).

The situation is MUCH different for New Mexico, who hired Richard Pitino after he was fired at Minnesota. Pitino has his fans and critics and I'm part of the latter. The Lobos are coming off an 'ugly' 6-16 year last season and have been rebuilt through the transfer portal. Guard Mashburn followed Pitino from Minnesota and leads with 20.4 PPG. ASU transfer House adds 18.1 & 4.6 APG plus Johnson, a 6-6 returnee, is a third player in double digits at 10.0 & 5.4. Adding depth on the perimeter are JC transfer Jenkins (8.8) and TCU transfer Todd (8.4). The 6-10 Muscadin played in 12 games last season (0.2 PPG!) but averages 9.6 so far this season plus the 6-9 Tovar (7.5 & 4.0) is another JC transfer.

New Mexico beat rival New Mexico St 101-94 in a shootout last Tuesday but I believe the Aggies are the better team (much better?) and turnabout is fair play. New Mexico St "gets even" with a win in "The Pit," which is no longer a feared venue.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Non-Confrerence Game of the Month is on Oklahoma St at 5:00 ET.

The 6-1 Xavier Musketeers are looking to reclaim a spot in the top-25 (after back-to-back wins), when they visit 6-2 Oklahoma State (coming off a loss at home against Wichita State on Wednesday) on Sunday in Stillwater as part of the Big East-Big 12 Battle.

Xavier head coach Travis Steele is badly in need of a 20-win season. 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 entehavingred the season having won just 51 games (17 per) in Steele's first three seasons, without an NCAA bid. Guard Scruggs (11.0-3.7-4.3) is only back because COVID gave him an extra year of eligibility but fellow guard Jones has been a HUGE surprise, averaging 12.0 & 9.3, after chipping in a modest 7.7 & 4.8 last year. Nate Johnson averages a team-high 14.6 points and he's been on a roll the last two games with a combined 54 points on 12-of-19 shooting from three-point range. The team's top frontcourt players are the 7-0 Nunge (11.1 & 7.7) and the 6-8 Hunter (5.8 & 6.7).

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 return a solid group plus welcomes Kansas transfer Thompson and Memphis transfer Cisse to the fold. No player is averaging in double digits but OSU has balanced scoring and depth! Kansas transfer Thompson leads the team in scoring at 9.8 PPG, joined on the perimeter by returning guards Anderson (9.3), Boone (9.3), Williams (8.5) and Likekele (7.1 & 6.0). The 6-10 Cisse (6.9 & 5.9) joins the returning 6-7 Moncrieffe (6.1 & 6.3) up front.

This will be Xavier's first true road game, after two neutral site games resulted in an 82-70 loss to Iowa St and a 59-58 win over Va Tech. I forecast a comfortable win here by the home team. Lay the 'short' price!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* ACC Game of the Week is on Ga Tech at 3:00 ET.

North Carolina's first-year head coach Hubert Davis and his players took exception to criticism following a pair of defeats to top programs in Purdue and Tennessee the weekend before Thanksgiving. The Tar Heels responded with their best effort of the young season, routing No. 24 Michigan 72-51 on Wednesday in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. They now travel to Atlanta for their ACC openers against the Ga Tech Yellow Jackets, who enter Sunday's game off a 70-66 home loss Wednesday night against No. 23 Wisconsin in their ACC/Big Ten Challenge game. Both schools come in 5-2.

North Carolina has a frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (15.0 & 7.4), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (14.0 & 6.1) and Marquette transfer Garcia (11.1 & 6.1). Sophomore guard Love (16.1-3.7-4.1) teams with freshman Davis (13.0-3.9-3.6) and Walton (5.7) in the backcourt. "feel like we took a step in the right direction," said Armando Bacot, who had 11 points and 14 rebounds against Michigan. "I mean, we were all just pretty upset and really (ticked) off about it. And just some of the things that were said about us as a team, we didn't like it at all." Caleb Love scored a game-high 22 points against Michigan and Marquette transfer Dawson Garcia added 14. 

Josh Pastner (of Memphis fame) led Ga Tech Yellow Jackets to a 17-9 record and their first ACC tourney championship since 1993 last season. Ga Tech lost ACC player of the year Wright (14 & 8.0) and PG Alvarado (15.2-3.5-4.1) but this season features a guard trio of Devoe (25.0-5.7-4.3), Usher (14.3 & 7.7) and freshman Coleman (6.9) plus 6-10 center Howard (8.6 & 7.0). Also chipping in are guards Smith (7.8 & 4.3) and Sturdivant (6.4). Ga Tech played Wisconsin right to the wire and the defeat couldn't be blamed on Michael Devoe, the ACC's leading scorer (see above), who pumped in a game-high 33 points on 11-of-20 shooting. He making 56.5 percent from the floor and 59.0 percent on three-pointers.

This has all the makings of a classic letdown spot for the visiting side after its big win last time out. Conversely, the Yellow Jackets flirted with a near-upset of their own, only to be denied late in the game. I'm grabbing the points, noting that North Carolina comes in just 1-6 ATS on the season!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late Breaker is on Iowa St at 9:30 ET.

No. 19 Iowa State checks in at 7-0, as it takes on 7-1 Creighton in a Big East/Big 12 matchup at Omaha. The matchup also features the first meeting between Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott and Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger. The latter served on McDermott's Cyclones staff from 2006-10 when Iowa State went 59-68 during McDermott's tenure as head coach.

Creighton owns a rich basketball tradition but the last two seasons have been pretty special for Doug McDermott's team. The Bluejays won their first-ever Big East title in the 2019-20 season, only to see COVID shutdown the postseason. Then, Creighton spent all season in the top-25 and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1974 (finished 22-9). At 7-1, Creighton is off to its best start since winning its first 13 games in the 2016-17 campaign. As for Otzelberger, he has quickly changed the Cyclones' fortunes after bolting UNLV to take the Iowa State gig. Iowa St is 7-0 to open the current season, after going 2-22 last season, including 0-18 in the Big 12.

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 (7.6). He's joined on the perimeter by Kalscheur (13.6) and Hunter (12.1). The team's frontcourt rotation is led by the 6-8 Kunc (6.7 & 4.3), the 6-9 Conditt (5.6 & 5.4) and the 6-8 Enaruna (6.0).

Creighton lost all FIVE starters from last year's team and are rebuilding this season. The starting guards are freshman Nembhard (13.0-3.8-5.3) and O'Connell (3.4 PPG last year), who is averaging 12.0 & 5.9 this season. 7-1 center Kalkbrenner returns (5.9 & 3.5 LY) and is a 'new man,' averaging 13.0 & 5.6. The 6-7 Hawkins is a Div II transfer and chips in 11.9 & 6.5 plus 6-7 freshman Kaluma adds 9.8 & 4.1.

Creighton's lone blemish this season came in a 95-81 loss to Colorado State, which knocked down 20 three-pointers in a win. That contest came as a shock, as the Bluejays have held five previous opponents to 65 or fewer points. Now, the Bluejays will be attempting to beat the Cyclones for the first time since Jan 16, 1990, in Ames. In contrast, the 7-0 Cyclones will be looking for SEVENTH straight win over Creighton. Noting that the Cyclones already own wins this season over then-No. 9 Memphis (by 19 points), then-No. 25 Xavier (12 points) and 2021 Elite Eight team Oregon State (10 points), why shouldn't I 'jump all over' the chance to take about a 'TD' with Iowa St?

Good luck...Larry

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

Vanderbilt's Jerry Stackhouse was just 20-37 in his first two seasons at Nashville, but he has this year's team off to a 5-1 start as the 'Dores visit Dallas to take on a 6-3 SMU team. The Mustangs' 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.

Vandy is led by the backcourt duo of Pippen (14.8-4.0-3.2) and Wright (14.8 & 5.3). Stackhouse got great news when Pippen decided to pull himself out of the NBA Draft and return to Nashville but bad news when the 7-0 Robbins (Minnesota grad transfer who averaged 11.7 & 6.6 LY, was sidelined by a foot injury with no timetable for a return. The 6-7 Stute (9.7 & 2.8) and guard Lawrence (8.2 & 3,2) are the team's next-best players. Vandy is NOT a deep team.

Meanwhile, SMU has returning gourds Davis (20.2-5.1-5.7) and Bandoumel (11.2), who can match Vandy's duo of Pippen and Wright. 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. Marcus is averaging 11.3 & 6.7, while Michael adds 7.6 & 4.3. Fellow guard Nutall chips in 7.9 PPG 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 7.0 & 4.1 in 19 minutes.

I really like this SMU team and note the Mustangs are 6-0 at home, winning by an average of 20.5 PPG. This is just Vandy's second road game and in the team's first, it got a struggling Pittsburgh that the 'Dores beat 68-52. The 'test' will be much tougher here and my P/F grade for "The Harvard of the SEC" is an "F!". Lay the short points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Missouri St at 4:00 ET.

BYU and Missouri State will come into their Saturday meeting in Springfield, Mo with each team coming off OT losses on Wednesday. The Cougars moved into the top-25 after a 6-0 start that included a nice win in Salt Lake City over Utah but were upset at neighboring Utah Valley St, 72-65 in overtime, dropping their first game of the season to fall to 6-1. Meanwhile in Normal, Illinois, the Bears (4-3) opened their Missouri Valley Conference schedule with a disappointing 79-74 overtime setback at Illinois State.

Mark Pope is in just his third season at BYU but has delivered a 44-15 two-year mark, including 20-7 last season. BYU got off to its best start under Pope, beating four NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, Cleveland State, San Diego State, Oregon and Texas Southern. The Cougars did not begin the season ranked but moved to No. 18 in the AP poll, before rising to No. 12 (after the Utah win), the school's highest ranking this far into the season in 40 years. 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 Parcello (16.1-4.7-4.2 LY). He leads in scoring at 18.3 PPG and is surrounded by a 'deep' cast. Guard Lucas (10.1 & 5.0 APG) is the only other double-digit scorer but fellow guards Johnson (9.0 & 3.1) and Traore (6.8 & 6.5) are solid contributors. Up front, there are the 6-9 Baxter (7.6 & 3.4), the 6-8 Lohner (7.0 & 67.7) and the 6-6 George (5.7 & 7.0). George was sidelined because of a non-COVID illness vs Utah Valley St and then Baxter tore an anterior cruciate ligament.in the first half and is now out for the season.

Dana Ford is in his fourth season at Missouri St and led the Bears to a 17-7 record plus had all FIVE starters coming back. The 6-9 Prim (19.5) was the first-ever Missouri St player to lead the MVC in scoring and this season is averaging 20.0 PPG plus a team-high 10.6 RPG. The 6-8 Clay (8.7 & 4.7) joins him in the frontcourt. Mosley (18.3 & 5.1) leads a backcourt that also includes returning players Black (8.4), Hervey (6.2) and Sharp (5.4). The 6-8 Minnett is a Valpo grad transfer, and the swingman adds 12.8 PPG. Sharp will be unavailable due to a leg injury but besides that, Missouri St is "good to go."

Missouri St has underachieved so far, and I believe BYU is somewhat overrated and that was BEFORE the Cougars saw George sidelined with an illness and Baxter was lost for the season. I believe the WRONG team is favored in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Pac 12 Game of the Month is on Oregon St at 10:30 ET.

Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle came from Montana to take over at Oregon St in the 2014-15 season. His overall record entering this season was just 113-109 but he did lead last year's team to the Pac 12 tourney championship and all the way to the Elite 8. Cal head coach Mark Fox is in his third season, entering the current season with a 23-38 record, including a 9-20 record (3-17 in the Pac 12). Cal began 0-2 but has gone 3-2 to enter its Pac 12 opener 3-4.

Getting back to the 1-6 Beavers, they are in danger of going from reaching the Elite Eight last season to having an eight-game losing streak if the Beavers lose to Cal and to No. 11 Arizona on Sunday to start the Pac-12 season. Oregon St won its season-opener over Portland St but enters this contest on a SIX-game losing streak (1-5 ATS). Tisdale lost his top scorer in Thompson (15.7 & 4.0) plus starting yard Reichle (7.2) but returned SIX of his top-eight scorers. The 6-8 Alatishe (10.9 & 7.0), the 6-10 Calloo (8.5 & 4.5) are the best frontcourt players, joined by guards Lucas (10.4), Davis (6.5-4.2-3.3) and Hunt (4.9-3.0-2.7).

Matt Bradley took his 18 points and 4.6 rebounds per game with him when he transferred to San Diego St after last season but Cal has two 6-9 frontcourt players off to good starts in Kelly (16.1 & 9.0) and Anticevich (11.6 & 6.0). Shepherd leads with 13.1 PPG on the perimeter. Cal lost consecutive games last week in the Fort Myers (Fl) Tip-Off Classic against Florida and Seton Hall before returning home to beat previously unbeaten Fresno State 65-57 on Sunday.

The Beavers are most recently coming off a 60-45 defeat to Penn State. However, previous to that blowout loss, Oregon St lost by one point, and then by three in overtime. I like head coach Tinkle. who is a master at tinkering his line-ups and I think he'll start to create the same magic which saw his team make a deep tournament run last season. Oregon State has gone 4-1 ATS the last five in this series and tonight make it 5-1 with an outright win!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Big10/ACC Challenge Game of the Year is on Ga Tech at 9:15 ET.

Wisconsin won three straight games to claim the Maui Invitational in Las Vegas last week by defeating Texas A&M, then-No. 12 Houston before posting a 61-55 over St. Mary's in the title game. The 5-1 Badgers entered the new AP poll Monday at No. 23 and will take that ranking to Atlanta to face 5-1 Ga Tech in a Big Ten/ACC Challenge contest on Wednesday.

Wisconsin featured four, 5th-year seniors and three regular seniors alst 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 13.3 & 5.0. The great news for Wisconsin fans is, fellow guard Davis (7.0 & 4.1 LY) is averaging 20.2 & 5.6 this season. Also back, after limited playing time last season, are the 6-9 Wahl (9.3 & 5.0) and the 7-0 Crowl (9.2 & 5.2).

Josh Pastner (of Memphis fame) led Ga Tech Yellow Jackets to a 17-9 record and their first ACC tourney championship since 1993. Ga Tech lost ACC player of the year Wright (14 & 8.0) and PG Alvarado (15.2-3.5-4.1) but this season features a guard trio of Devoe (23.4-5.6-5.0), Usher (15.8 & 8.7) and freshman Coleman (7.7) plus 6-10 center Howard (8.5 & 7.3). Also chipping in are guards Smith (7.6) and Sturdivant (7.5).

No one will be surprised if Wisconsin makes it 22 NCAA appearances in the last 23 years this season but this is a tough spot for the Badgers, playing on the road against a team that is frankly, the defending ACC tourney champs. After losing its season opener at home to Miami-Oh (72-69), Ga Tech has won FIVE in a row and tonight is a home dog. Bow Wow! 

Good luck...Larry

The 2nd play of my STP is an 8* on North Carolina at 9:15 ET.

No. 24 Michigan opened the season No. 6 in the AP's preseason poll and North Carolina was ranked 19th. Both are 4-2 and while Michigan barely remained in the latest AP poll (Monday) at No.24, the Tar Heels welcome the Wolverines to Chapel Hill's "Dean Dome" unranked under first-year head coach Hubert Davis. North Carolina has not played since Nov 23rd and Michigan since Nov 24th, so both schools have had some extra time to prepare for their matchup in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

Michigan played four games in nine nights prior to the break in the schedule, falling to two teams now ranked in the top-25. First came a two-point home loss to Seton Hall and then a 82-60 loss to Arizona in Las Vegas. "To get away from the game and be able to enjoy your family," Michigan coach Juwan Howard said of the gap in the schedule. "To reset the mind because they need it." Guar Brooks (15.7) leads in scoring, joined in double digits by 7-0 center Dickinson (14.8 & 8.2). Freshman forwards Houston (8.8 & 4.2) and Diabate (7.7 & 5.7) plus PG Jones (7.2-5.8-4.0) round out the core of the team.

North Carolina's Hubert Davis said the plan for his team during the layoff was to bond on and off the court. "We're going to practice a lot. We're going to get better," Davis said. "I'm excited about this (time) to get better as a team. North Carolina has a frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (15.7 & 8.7), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (14.8 & 6.3) and Marquette transfer Garcia (10.7 & 6.5). Sophomore guard Love (15.2-3.7-4.2) teams with freshman Davis (13.7 & 4.0 APG) and Walton (6.7) in the backcourt.

I believe Michigan has been overrated since the start and this marks its first true road game of the season. Michigan has struggled against the two skilled teams it has already this season and I expect that to continue here in this difficult road venue. "We were not a team," forward Manek said of the current situation at North Carolina. "We did not play as a team. ... We have to fix whatever is wrong. Everybody is down on us. We're down on ourselves. We have to get out of this hole that we dug for ourselves." Manek said the Tar Heels can't waste any time snapping out of the doldrums with the Wolverines in town. He's right about that and I believe this team has the talent to grab the win, plus we get some 'bonus' points. Take them.

Good luck...Larry

The 3rd play of my STP is an 8* on Miami-Fl at 9:15 ET.

The 4-3 Miami Florida Hurricanes come to 'Happy Valley" to take on the 4-2 Penn St Nittany Lions. Miami is led by the guard trio of McGusty (17.6 & 7.1), Wong (15.6) and Moore (10.7) but hasn't gotten much production from the 6-9  Walker (6.9 & 2.3) or the 6-10 Waardenburg (6.1 & 3.9) up front. Penn St is led by the 6-6 Lundy (15.3 & 5.7), who is getting help in the frontcourt by the 6-9 Harrar (9.7 & 10.8. A guard trio of Sessoms (15.3-5.2-3.5), Pickett (10.5-4.0-4.7) and Dread (6.2) round out Penn St's main contributors.

I wouldn't argue with anyone who said Penn St may be the better team but Miami is 6-2 ATS in its last eight road games vs a team with a winning home record (Penn St is 3-0 at home). More notably, I like the head coaching edge Miami owns with Jim Larranaga  over Penn St's Micah Strewsberry. 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 two of the school's three Sweet 16 appearances. I could also throw him leading unheralded George Mason to a Final 4 appearance back in 2006. Meanwhile, this is Strewsberry's first head coaching gig at a Division I school. Take the points!

Good luck...Larry

The 1st play of my STP is on Oklahoma at 8:00 ET.

Mike White's Florida Gators are 6-0, off to the school's best record since 2012 (5-1 ATS). Still, White is looking to put more emphasis on cutting down turnovers and attacking the defensive glass. Maybe he should be complaining less, as the Gators are ranked higher than they've been since the 2019 preseason at No. 14. It also marks Florida's highest in-season ranking since December 2017. Porter Moser (of Loyola-Chicago fame) is in his first season at Norman and he has the Sooners off to a 6-1 start, with the team's lone loss coming 73-70 to Utah St in the championship game of the Myrtle Beach Invitational.

The Gators have won by an average of more than 21 points per game with a balanced lineup that features FIVE players averaging in double figures scoring, led by the 6-11 Colin Castleton's 14.8 PPG, who also leads in rebounding at 10.0 per game. He's joined up front by the 6-7 Duruji (10.2 & 4.8) plus a trio of guards in Jones (11.8), Appleby (11.3) and Fleming (11.0).

The Sooners' starting-five has been good, led by the 6-10 Tanner Groves (14.9 & 6.1, who gets some help up front from the 6-6 Hill (8.6 & 6.7). Like Florida, Oklahoma has a pretty solid troio of guards in Gibson (11.3), Goldwiree (9.6 & 4.3) and Harkless (8.3 & 5.1). Moser is hoping to build some depth by bringing along a trio of freshmen like Alston Mason, Bijan Cortes and C.J. Noland. So far, that trio has been 'quiet.' However, the Sooners got a significant contribution -- a season-high 12 points in 15 minutes -- from one of their more experienced bench players, 6-9 SMU transfer Ethan Chargois (5.4 & 2.6) in Saturday's win.

The time seems "just right" for the Gators' first loss of the season. The Lloyd Noble Center has always been a tough venue for visiting teams, and Porter is a quality coach getting his first shot with a so-called Power-5 school. Great price here on the homestanding Sooners.

Good luck...Larry

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

3-3 Syracuse returns home to face 6-0 Indiana on Tuesday night in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. The Orange lost two of three games at the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament in the Bahamas and have given up 80 or more points in THREE of six games this season. Where's that famous Boeheim "2-3 Zone?" While Boeheim has been at Syracuse since 'FOREVER,' Indiana is led by first-year coach Mike Woodson, who has the team off to an undefeated start.

The Hoosiers have used a six-man rotation (all players averaging 22-plus MPG), led by the 6-9 Jackson-Davis (20.5 & 7.7) and Xavier transfer Johnson, who adds 11.8-3.8-3.8 as the team's PG. No other player is in double digits, The other four contributors are the 6-8 Thompson (8.7 & 8.0), 6-7 Northwestern transfer Kupp (7.2), freshman guard Bates (7.0) and guard Stewart (6.9).

Boeheim's team is led by his son Buddy, who is averaging 20.0 PPG as the team's SG. His backcourt partner Girard (13.8-3.2-4.7) returns 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 12.3 & 6.7. The 6-11 Edwards returns up front and chips in 11.8 & 5.3.

Here's the deal. Indiana is off to a 6-0 start but this is the team's first road game, while Syracuse is more battle-tested and is a MUCH better team than its 3-3 record indicates. For history Buffs, this Indiana-Syracuse game is a rematch of the 1987 national title game, which the Hoosiers won 74-73 on a last-second Keith Smart shot. However, Syracuse has won five straight against Indiana since, including in the Sweet 16 of the 2013 NCAA Tournament. Wrong team is favored in this one!

Good luck...Larry

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

Minnesota saw a 9-1 start to its 2020-21 season (No. 21 in the AP poll) fall apart by losing 14 of its final 19 games to finish 14-15, That was enough to end Richard Pitino's 8-year run at Minnesota, as Ben Jonhson takes over (first head coaching gig). Johnson was hired and there was a mass exodus at Minnesota, as players transferred right and left (NONE of last year's starters are back!). Most notably, Minnesota lost (to Texas) one of last season's best backcourt players in Carr (19.4-4.0-4.9), and was picked to finish last in the Big Ten. However, Minnesota is off to a 5-0 start.

The Pitt Panthers have been ravaged by transfers, injuries and other issues over the last year. Jeff Capel has had a tough start at Pitt (40-48) and prepared for the season without his top three scorers from a year ago (one moved on to the NBA and two transferred to other programs). The Panthers then lost their fourth- and fifth-leading scorers from last season due to a suspension and an ACL tear, respectively. The Panthers welcome Minnesota to town for this ACC-Big Ten Challenge contest at 2-4.

The Golden Gophers are led by 6-7 George Wasghington transfer Battle (17.8 & 6.2) and College of Charleston transfer, guard Willis (16.6-5.6-3.4). Guards Stephens (11.4 & 3.8) and New Hamphire transfer Sutherlin (10.2 & 4.4) plus 6-9 SF Austin transfer Curry (7.0 & 6.8) join Battle and Willis to give Minnesota a whole new look this season.

The Panthers are led by the 6-9 John Hugley (14.3 & 7.2) and 6-5 gaurd Femi Odukale (13.2-3.8-3.5). Freshman Nate Santos (7.2 & 4.3) is off to a solid start plus senior guard Burton (8.5) and 6-7 sophomore Jeffress adds 6.5 & 6.3. All of Pitt's four defeats have come by double figures, including an 87-77 loss to UMBC over the weekend. However, the 77 points were a season-high for the etam. Head coach Jeff Capel afterward, "I thought we did some good things. For us to score 77 points, for us to make 11 threes. I thought that was good for us. So hopefully we can carry over and have some confidence."

I'm with Jeff. I believe Pittsburgh cand and WILL play better and expect a win here against an overrtaed Minnesota team playings its first true road game of the season.

Good luck...Larry

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

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 have opened 6-0 by averaging 97.2 PPG, tops in the nation. 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. Gone from last year's team are big big men Hauser (16.0 & 6.8) and Huff (13.0 & 7.1) plus guard Murphy (11.3). UVA has opened 5-2 as it gets set to host Iowa as part of the Big Ten-ACC Challenge.

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 nation in scoring (25.7 PPG), while adding 8.8 RPG. His brother Kris comes off the bench to chip in 12.8 & 6.8. Returning players like the 6-9 Patrick McCaffrey is averaging 12.5 PPG and returning guard Bohannon adds 10.0 PPG. 6-7 freshman Sandfort (9.7) and sophomore guard Perkins (9.0) round out the main contributors.

The only returning starter for UVA is PG Clark (10.3 & 3.9 APG). Guard Beekman (6.7-3.7-2.9) is back, as is the 6-11 Shedrick (6.6 & 6.3), but UVA's two-most important players are transfers. The 6-6 Gardner (13.4 & 8.3) comes from East Carolina and guard Franklin (13.0) comes via Indiana. As always, Bennett's team is one of the nation's best defensive squads in the nation, allowing just 53.6 PPG (4th).

Of course, one can't ignore that Iowa is averaging about five 'TDs' more per game than UVA (97.2-to-61.4) but it's rare that UVA doesn't control the flow of a game playing here at John Paul Jones  Arena. Iowa's gaudy numbers have been rolled up exclusively at home and against teams such as North Carolina Central and Portland State but now plays on the road for the FIRST time this season. What's more, Iowa could be peeking ahead to opening its Big Ten schedule in its next two games vs No. 3 Purdue and No. 14 Illinois.

Patrick McCaffery, the son of coach Fran McCaffery, says Iowa is eager for the challenge to face tough competition. "You love the increased competition," he said. "I'm ready and I've got a lot of dogs in the locker room who are ready." My response? Be careful what you wish for. The 'dogs' playing at UVA may reply, as a tribute to John Paul Jones, "I (we) have not yet begun to fight!" A closing note of interest. The Hawkeyes have struggled in this spot for bettors, going 0-8 ATS in their last eight road games following three or more consecutive home contests

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Late Breaker is on BYU at 9:30 ET.

When the 5-0 BYU Cougars and the 5-0 Utah Utes take to the court at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Saturday night, it will mark the first time since the 1912-13 season where both rivals come in undefeated and with at least five wins. Other than that, it's "just another game!"

Mark Pope is in just his third season at BYU but has delivered a 44-15 two-year mark, including 20-7 last season. However, BYU is off to its best start under Pope, having already beaten four NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, Cleveland State, San Diego State, Oregon and Texas Southern. The Cougars do not begin the season ranked but are currently No. 18. 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 has 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. However, the Utes haven't gotten the pollsters attention, as Utah did not receive even a single vote in last Monday's poll.

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 Parcello (16.1-4.7-4.2 LY). He leads in scoring at 18.8 PPG and is surrounded by a 'deep' cast. Guard Lucas (10.0 & 5.0 APG) is the only other double digit scorer but fellow guards Taure (9.3 & 7.0) an Johnson 8.4) are solid contributors. Up front, there is the 6-9 Baxter (7.8 & 3.6), the 6-8 Lohner (7.0 & 6.2) and the 6-6 George (6.0 & 7.4). BYU has always scored well but this year's team has allowed opponents just 58.6 PPG (38th) and only 21.0% on threes (3rd).

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 (15.4 & 7.2) and the 6-9 Battin (5.2 & 6.0). Guards Wosrster (9.2-5.0-4.2) and Anthony (6.4 & 8.6) followed Smith from Utah st plus guard Jenkins (14.6) came via UNLV and Gach, who started at Utah but moved on Minnesota, returned this year to play for Smith (he's adding 10.0 PPG). I mentioned BYU's defense but Utah plays it as well, allowing 57.2 PPG (21st) on 36.8% shooting (23rd).

BYU has had the upper hand in the hoops rivalry in recent years, winning three of the four most recent games and 14 of 19. Utah will have had nearly a week off since beating Tulsa on Sunday, while BYU is coming off of an 81-64 home win over Texas Southern on Wednesday. Utah is at home but BYU is the better team and has played MUCH better competition. Let me also note that the Cougars have dominated in this spot recently for bettors, going 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight road games vs a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600. BYU is the play at this basically pick'em price.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Daydream Believer is on Rutgers at 2:00 ET.

Rutgers' Steve Pikiell led the Scarlet Knights to their first 20-win season in 37 years in the 2019-20 season but COVID forced the NCAA to cancel its postseason. Rutgers came back and while its record was a modest 16-12, the Scarlet Knights made the Big Dance for the first time since 1991 and won a first-round game against Clemson, before running into an outstanding Houston team (Final 4 bound!). Coming off its most decorated season in 30 years, the team has struggled in all five games and lost its last two. UMass is coming off an 8-7 season (greatly limited by COVID), giving head coach Matt McCall a very mediocre 46-61 record in his four years at the school. The Minutemen have opened 4-3 and will welcome Rutgers to the Mullins Center with a 4-3 record to open the current season. 

Rutgers opened 3-0 but was hardly impressive in doing so and then lost back-to-back close games 73-70 at Depaul and 53-51 at home to Lafayette. However, even if the Scarlet Knights were 5-0, there would be alarm bells. Rutgers trailed at halftime in its first four games (against Lehigh, Merrimack, NJIT and DePaul) and is averaging 63.4 PPG (304th in the nation), while shooting 24.2% on threes (346th!). The 6-6 Harper (leads in scoring (15.8) and rebounding (9.8) and is joined by double digit corers PG Baker (11.2 & 4.0 APG) and the 6-11 Omoruyi (11.4 & 7.6). Baker hurt his leg in the loss to Lafayette (three points in 26 minutes) and his status is uncertain for this one.

UMass is scoring well (81.9 PPG ranks 44th) but also allows points, giving up 79.3 PPG to rank 329th. This Atlantic 10 team is 3-0 at home after outlasting in-state rival UMass Lowell 92-81 on Wednesday, as SIX players scored in double figures, led by Javohn Garcia's 18 points. 6-10 Montana transfer Michael Steadman made his debut for the Minutemen in that game and provided 10 points and four rebounds in just 12 minutes off the bench. However, leading scorer Fernandez (15.2 PPG) missed for undisclosed reasons and his availability is up in the air, here! The 6-9 Buttrick (15.1 & 4.9) will love the help he'll get from Steadman plus a trio of guards are around even if Fernandez doesn't play. That group is CJ Kelly (12.5), Rich Kelly (11.4) and Weeks (9.4).

Here's the bottom line. "I think we're a lot better than this, obviously," Rutgers' head coach Steve Pikiell told reporters. "We lost two one-possession games. I'd like to be 5-0. That's where I thought we'd be right now, but we're not there and there's nothing you can do about the past. You only can work on what you need to do to get better in the future. We'll devour film, we'll keep working." It would be great if Baker is able to go but I believe Pikiell has "had enough" and will have his team ready for a very beatable UMass team. The fact that the Minutemen routed Penn State 81-56 on Nov 15 only serves as a stark reminder that Rutgers needs to "step up" its game. Don't forget, Rutgers knows how to pay D, allowing just 58.4 PPG (34th). That's the bet!

Good luck...Larry

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

4-1 Wichita State and 3-2 Missouri are from bordering states but one could hardly call this a rivalry, as tonight's contest in Columbia, Mo will be just the FIFTH time (and second time since 1951) that the schools will meet on a basketball court. Wichita State is coming off a 74-73 victory over UNLV in the consolation game of the Roman Main Event in Las Vegas on Sunday, where teams and coaches had to be separated after the midcourt handshake. Meanwhile, Missouri is reeling from an 81-58 loss to Florida State Monday in the championship game of the Jacksonville Classic in Jacksonville, Fl.

Gregg Marshall was forced out at Wichita St (verbal and physical abuse of players) and Isaac Brown took over, leading the Shockers to a 16-6 season, where they lost in the NCAA's First Four. Gone are guard Gilbert (10.3 & 4.1 APG) and the 6-6 Wade (6.7 & 5.6), who transferred to Arkansas. However, the team has five guards and two frontcourt players in the regular rotation. Etienne scored 23 of his game-high 28 points in the second half vs UNLV and leads the team at 18.8 PPG. Joining him on the perimeter are Council (11.0), Dennis (8.0 & 6.0), Grant (7.6) and Porter (4.8 & 4.8). Up front, it's the 6-8 Udoze (7.0 & 6.0) and the 6-11 Pohto (6.2 & 2.8).

Cuonzo Martin (earlier stops at Mo. St, Tenn and Cal) is in his fifth season at Missouri, where he's led the Tigers to two NCAA tourneys, including last season. However, he lost three double-digit scorers from that team, guards Smith (14.3 & 3.8 APG) and Pinson (13.6) plus forward Tilman (12.4 & 7.3). This year's team is led by 6-7 Brown (16.0 & 7.2) plus the 6-6 DeGray (11.4 & 6.6), a UMass transfer. The perimeter has a quartet of guards all playing 29-plus minutes while chipping in between 7.2 and 9.4 PPG.

I noted above that this is just the second meeting since 1951 between the schools but that other meeting was last season, when Missouri won 72-62! First thought? Revenge for Wichita St. However, my bet says that the Tigers, coming off that embarrassing 81-58 loss to Florida State on Monday, are ready for a bounce back game here and last season's win over Wichita St provides some much-needed confidence. Home court means something here with visiting teams being forced to travel during the holiday weekend. Take the small home dog.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Louisville at 9:30 ET.

4-0 Mississippi State and 3-1 Louisville have gotten off to good starts at home, as both hit the road for the first time this season when the two schools meet in the Bahamas Championship in Nassau on Thursday night. Both teams are led by outstanding head coaches, Ben Howland of Miss St and Chris Mack of Louisville. However, each team is coming off a disappointing 2020-21 season. Louisville was just 13-7, after the program had won 20-plus games in 18 of the previous 19 seasons, while Miss St had averaged 22.7 wins per season the previous three, before last year's 18-15 finish. Both teams have made 'heavy' use of the transfer portal.

Louisville's leading scorer is Florida transfer Locke (16.0), who is joined in the starting backcourt with Marshall transfer West (7.0) and returning swingman Davis (7.3). The 6-11 Williams (6.8 & 9.3) and the 6-8 Withers (7.5& 5.8) are both returnees but the 6-7 Cross (9.0) comes via Miami. Throw in the 6-8 Williamson's 8.3 & 6.5 numbers and Mack has PLENTY to work with in the 2021-22 season. PG Molinar (15.8-4.0-5.3) is back for Howland and is leading the way. However, fellow guard Moore (13.8) is an NC St transfer plus the 6-9 Brooks (11.5 & 7.3) comes via North Carolina and the 6-7 Jeffries (11.3 & 5.3) via Memphis.

This is the first real test for each team. A quick look shows that Miss St is allowing only 52.0 PPG (3rd) on 34.2% shooting but again, the competition has not been great. The Bulldogs are only 3-7 ATS in their last 10 neutral site games and I believe the Cards should be favored by a handful of points in this one (I took 1 1/2-points!). Expect Louisville to deliver the goods here on Thanksgiving.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Notre Dame at 11:30 ET.

Fifth place in the eight-team relocated Maui Invitational comes down to 5-1 Texas A&M and 3-1 Notre Dame on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. Both teams lost Monday but each bounce back with wins last night. The Aggies got 15 points and five steals from Quenton Jackson, marking his fifth consecutive game with at least 13 points, and held on for a 57-50 win over Butler. Texas A&M led by 12 points at halftime but by just three with 27 seconds to play. Notre Dame trailed by four twice in the first half against Division II Chaminade but used a 21-0 run over the first seven minutes of the second half to seize control of the game the Irish won 90-64.

Buzz Williams is in his third season at College Station but has gone a disappointing 24-24 in his first two. Jackson is the team's leading scorer at a modest 12.2 PPG, while the only other player in double digits is the 6-7 Henry Coleman (11.0 & 6.2), who pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds for the Aggies. Three more guards are just under double digits in Radford (9.8 & 6.0), Williams (9.8) and Gordon (8.0). Defense has so far been the key for Williams' team, as the Aggies are allowing just 58.2 PPG (35th).

Notre Dame's Mike Brey began at South Bend way back in the 200-01 season and while he's led the Irish to 12 NCAA appearances, the most recent was back in 2017. Notre Dame is off a poor 11-15 last season and this year's team is pretty much new, as four starters are gone. The 6-9 Paul Atkinson (Yale transfer) is leading Notre Dame by averaging 15.0 points and 8.5 rebounds, while getting help from guards Dane Goodwin (14.3 & 5.3), Wesley (11.0) and Ryan (10.3). A real area of concern is guard Prentiss Hubb, who led the team last season by averaging 14.6 points but is averaging only 6.3 PPG on 24.3% shooting, including 14.3% on threes. He HAS to improve, right? Joining Atkinson up front is the 6-10 Laszewski (7.8 & 11.5).

I had a free play win on St Mary's over Notre Dame on Monday but I believe the Irish match up VERY well here vs A&M. The Irish have the defense to match the Aggies, as the Irish are allowing just 59.8 PPG but Atkinson and Laszewski will be too much for A&M's 6-7 Coleman and Notre Dame's perimeter game is better and DEEPER than A&M's.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Pitt Panthers have been ravaged by transfers, injuries and other issues over the last year.Jeff Capel has had a tough start at Piit (40-48) and prepared for the season without his top three scorers from a year ago (one moved on to the NBA and two transferred to other programs). The Panthers then lost their fourth- and fifth-leading scorers from last season due to a suspension and an ACL tear, respectively.Pitt started 0-2 but has bounced back with back-to-back wins. Jeff Capel knows Vandy head coach well, as Jerry Stackhouse, like Capel, is a "Dookie." Stackhouse has opened his career at Vandy 20-37 in his first two seasons, so this year's 3-1 start is promising

The 'Dores travel to Pittsburgh led by a backcourt duo of Wright (18.& 5.23) and Pippen (16.5 & 3.8). Wright had 28 points and Tyrin Lawrence (8.0 & 3.3) had 20 points (each set a career high in scoring), as part of a strong bounce-back effort in which Vandy responded from an ugly 48-37 loss to VCU by defeating Winthrop 77-63 on Saturday. Stackhouse got great news when Pippen decided to pull himself out of the NBA Draft and return to Nashville but bad news when the 7-0 Robbins (Minnesota grad transfer who averaged 11.7 & 6.6 Y), was sidelined by a foot injury with no timetable for a return.

The 6-9 Hughley leads Pitt in scoring (16.0) and rebounding (8.0) but guard Odukale (11.5-3.8-3.8) is the only other player in double digits. Some good news was that freshman Nate Santos (7.5 & 4.8) rose to the occasion with 14 points and eight rebounds in Friday's win over Towson.

I won't make too much of Pitt's wins over NC-Wilmington (59-51) and Towson (63-59) and the oddsmakers agree, making Vandy, a team with a 20-37 two-year record, a small road favorite. Lay it!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Tourney Takedown is on Ohio St at 8:30 ET.

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

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

It's just a little more than seven months ago that Gonzaga eked out a 93-90 OT win over UCLA in a national semifinal contest on Jalen Suggs' 37-foot three-pointer. Gonzaga opened as the AP's preseason No. 1 and has began 5-0, while UCLA opened No. 2 and has matched the Bulldogs by starting 5-0 as well. The nation's top-two teams square off Tuesday night in the Good Sam Empire Classic in Las Vegas, making it the first game between No. 1 and No. 2 since Michigan State beat Kentucky 69-62 in the Champions Classic to open the 2019-20 season (fourth No. 1 vs No. 2 since 2016).

Gone from Gonzaga's near-perfect team last year are the 6-7 Kispert (18.6 & 5.0), PG Suggs (14.4-5.3-4.5) and guard Ayayi (12.0 & 6.9) but Mark Few's team hasn't missed a beat. The 6-10 Timme (18.8 & 5.6) and PG Nembard (7.0 & 4.8 APG) return, joined by a recruiting haul that netted Gonzaga THREE of nation's top 25 high school recruits in ESPN's rankings, including 7-footer Chet Holmgren, the top overall prospect who has been called a "unicorn." Holmgren has averaged 12.8 & 6.8. 6-7 freshman Julian Strawther is averaging 12.8 & 6.8 plus transfer Rasir Bolton (Iowa State/Penn State) is the fourth double digit scorer at 10.4. The above-mentioned are the starting-five plus 6th-man Hickman chips in 9.4. The bottom line is this; Gonazag is averaging 93.2 PPG (2nd) on 55.5% shooting (1st), while holding opponents to 59.8 PPG.

UCLA has the most-talented perimeter group in college basketball, as a trio of 6-7 players (guards/swingmen) lead the way. Juzang (19.8 & 4.2) is the top-scorer, while Jaquez and Bernard each average 15.4 PPG, plus add 7.6 and 4.8 rebounds, respectively. PG Campbell (10.8 & 4.8 APG) runs the show plus guards Singleton (9.0), Clark (6.8 & 5.2) and Watson (6.4) add incredible depth. The 6-9 Hill hurt his knee in the team's first game (return status uncertain) but 6-10 senior Johnson (4.2 & 7.0) has filled in admirably.

I guess one could make a case for either side but I just love Mick Cronin's team and I believe its OUTSTANDING perimeter game (and depth) will keep the Bruins in this game all the way. I could argue the revenge motive and it deserves a mention but more importantly, I think this Bruins team has an eerily similar make-up to the Baylor team that routed Gonzaga in the national championship game last year. Yes, I'll issue an "Upset Alert" but of course, I'm taking the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

It's the opening round of the Crossover Classic in Sioux Falls, SD on Monday, as 4-1 George Mason takes on 2-2 Washington. George Mason has a new coach in the 32-year-old Kim English (first-ever head coaching gig). Washinbton head coach Mike Hopkins is in his fifth year at Seattle.

English is a former standout at Missouri who played briefly in the NBA. he inherited a team that was 13-9 last season but saw the transfer of four starters. However, he reloaded with his own set of new players. Guard D'Shawn Schwartz (Colorado) is averaging 15.4 points per game and shooting 47.1 percent from beyond the arc, while adding 5.8 RPG. 6-7 guard Davonte Gaines (Tennessee) is the top rebounder at 8.8 RPG, while averaging 12.8 points. Then there is guard DeVon Cooper (Morehead State), who adds 12.4 PPG. 6-9 holdover Josh Oduro is the leading scorer (15.8) and holdover guard Xavier Johnson, leads in assists (4.6 per game) and adds 7.8 PPG and 5-0 RPG. George Mason owns a "signature win" when it beat 20th-ranked Maryland, 71-66 (1st win in 10 tries vs Maryland) but enters this tournament off its first loss, 67-64 Friday night at James Madison.

Hopkins was a longtime assistant to Jim Boeheim and won 21 and 27 games in his first two seasons in Seattle but the Huskies fell to 15 wins in his third season and then had a 'nightmare' season last year, going 5-21 (4-16 in the Pac 12). It's been a COMPLETE makeover (turnover) for Washington for the current season, losing players right and left to the transfor portal but also the team was able to bring in a similar group of transfers, themselves. Transfers like Brown (20.8-3.3-4.0), Matthews (11.3 & 5.8), Davis (7.8 & 4.0) and Fuller (7.0 have made an immediate impact among the newcomers. Returning players like the 6-6 Bey (11.3 & 5.8) and the 6-11 Roberts (4.5 & ) have both begun playing well.

Washington opened 2-1 but fell to 2-2 after a late lead against Wyoming on Thursday, before losing 77-72 in overtime. The Huskies missed 13 of their last 14 tries from beyond the arc. "They went zone and we weren't able to get great shots," Hopkins said. "It's a fine line. We missed some bunnies. We had some right there that hopefully the next game we don't miss." Washington needs to get some wins, as it opens December with a game at Arizona, a home game vs No. 2 UCLA and then a game at No. 1 Gonzaga. 

George Mason has been the better team so far but Hopkins' 2-3 zone is the same one used by his mentor (Jim Boeheim) with so much success for decades at Syracuse. Hopkins NEEDS some wins here in South Dakota and grabbing the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

3-1 Belmont and 4-0 LSU will face each other Monday night in Baton Rouge, before traveling for Thanksgiving weekend tournaments. Belmont is used to winning, having won 20-plus games in 15 of the last 16 seasons (exception was a 19-win season), with EIGHT trips to the Big Dance. The Bruins return all five starters from last season's 26-4 team. LSU's Wiil Wade had success at VCU (took over for Shaka Smart) and taht 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)

Belmont lost its opener (92-80 at Ohio U) but has rebounded to win three straight. The 6-11 Nick Muszynski (17.5-6.5-3.5) leads the way with guards Murphy (11.5-6.3-5.8) and Smith (10.3). The 6-6 Sheppard was the 6th-man last season but he's now starting, averaging 15.0 PPG) plus 6-5 freshman Richard (11.3 & 5.5) has also joined teh starting lineup.

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 Day decided to return and he's leading the team with 21.8 PPG (7.5 RPG) and is part of a strong frontcourt that includes the 6-8 Eason (13.3 & 9.3), a Cincy transfer, and 7-0 freshman Reid (9.8 & 5.3).

LSU has cruised so far (avergae margin of victory being 35.5 points) and has a huge edge in the frontcourt, but Belmont has a much better perimeter game and has the kind of depth that can bother LSU. LSU will be lucky to vcome away with a "W." Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Tourney Takedown is on Ohio St at 6:30 ET.

Seton Hall has opened 3-0, including a surprising 67-65 win on the road on Tuesday at then-No. 4 Michigan. Ohio St opened 3-0 but fell 71-65 at Xavier on Friday night. The two schools meet tonight at the Fort Myers Tip-Off in Florida.

Seton Hall head coach Willard said after his team's upset of Michigan, "This is where we are as a program. I expected us to win this game. This wasn't a shock to me. I feel we can play against anybody in the country, any night, and I think we've done that for the last seven years and we've proved it. So, for me, this is what the program should be doing." The 6-10 Mamukelashvili (17.5 & 7.6) was co-player-of-the-year in the Big East and is gone but the Pirates have SEVEN players scoring between 9.0 and 12.3 PPG. Harvard transfer Aiken is finally healthy and leads the team at 12.3 PPG. Swingman Rhoden checks in at 12.0 & 7.5 and 6-6 guard Cale averages 11.3 & 5.3). Two 6-10 players are the main contributors up front, Jackson (10.7 & 6.0) and Samuel (9.7 & 7.3)

Ohio St head coach Chris Holtmann has won 25, 20, 21 and 21 games in his first four season 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 (21.0 & 6.5) and he's joined up front by the 6-8 Key (10.8 & 5.8 / up from 5.2 & 3.4 LY) and the 6-6 Ahrens (6.8). The starting backcourt is freshman Branham (7.3) and PG Wheeler (5.8 & 4.5 APG), who is a transfer from Penn St. The 6-8 Young comes off the bench to chip in 8.3 & 6.0.

Seton Hall is brimming with confidence after rallying from 11 down at Michigan and the Pirates are holding opponents to 31.4 percent shooting from the floor, including 13.3 percent from three-point range (52.7 PPG ranks 10th). However, after Michigan got routed 80-62 by Arizona last night, the Pirates' win over the Wolverines has lost some luster. Meanwhile, Ohio St is looking to rebound from a loss at Xavier, in which the Buckeyes were outrebounded 43-35 and allowed 16 offensive rebounds.

Ohio St has the best player on the floor in Liddell and should be playing with some EXTRA motivation after the loss at Xavier. Note: Xavier's a quality program and owns a HUGE homecourt edge. A neutral setting plus catching Seton Hall off its upset of Michigan makes Ohio St the play.

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 9* Tourney Game of the Week is on St Bonny's at 7:30 ET.

No. 22 St. Bonaventure (4-0) will face 5-0 Marquette in Sunday's championship game of the Shriners Children's Charleston Classic in South Carolina. The Bonnies are the defending Atlantic 10 regular season and tournament champions and were 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?). Marquette is coming off an 11-13 season and lost all FIVE starters plus added a new head coach in Shaka Smart. 

Marquette's 72-61 semifinal win Friday over West Virginia was no 'walk in the park,' but St Bonaventure's victory over Clemson seemed unlikely midway through the second half. However, Kyle Lofton and Jaren Holmes rallied the Bonnies from a 14-point, second-half deficit with 13:30 left by leading a 21-2 run to pull out a 68-65 win. Lofton leads the team in scoring at 18.3 PPG (4.0 RPG & 5.3 APG), while Holmes chips in 16.8 & 7.0. Two more guards, Adaway (13.3) and Welch (9.8 & 5.8) plus the 6-10 Osunniyi (6.3 & 7.0) round out the team's starting-five. Marquette is led by SG Morsell (20.2-4.2-3.0) and PG Kolek (10.0 & 6.2 APG) on the perimeter, while the 6-7 Lewis (17.8 & 8.0) is the team's top frontcourt player.

Shaka Smart was one of the hottest coaching commodities after leaving VCU for Texas but he was fired after six seasons with zero NCAA wins! I'm not sure how Marquette is 5-0 (own a 67-66 win over No. 10 Illinois) but St Bonaventure head coach Mark Schmidt has five senior starters (as above), who have collectively accounted for 87 percent of all the team's scoring this season.

The Bonnies may not have a coach with the name recognition of Smart, but their experience and leadership will help them control the tempo of this contest from start to finish. St Bonaventure is allowing 58.3 PPG (on 35.8% shooting), almost two 'TDs' less than Marquette, which is allowing 71.2 PPG. Lay the points and expect a decisive victory.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Oregon St at 3:00 ET.

Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle came from Montana to take over at Oregon St in the 2014-15 season. His overall record entering this season was just 113-109 but he did lead last year's team to the Pac 12 tourney championship and all the way to the Elite 8. Princeton's Mitch Henderson had four, 20-win seasons at Princeton in his first nine seasons at the school (just one NCAA appearance) but like all coaches and players, Ivy League schools did not play due to COVID.

Princeton has opened 3-1 and is scoring 80.0 PPG (more than a typical Princeton team) plus as always, is playing excellent defense in allowing 59.5 PPG. Guards Llewellyn (13.5) and Wright (10.3 & 8.0) are the lone double digit scorers among the starters but guard Langborg averages 11.6=5 PPG off the bench. The Tigers' best frontcourt player is the 6-9 Evbuomwan (9.0-5.3-4.8).

Tisdale lost his top scorer in Thompson (15.7 & 4.0) plus starting yard Reichle (7.2) but returned SIX of his top-eight scorers. Three are averaging in double digits, the 6-8 Alatishe (14.0 & 6.5), the 6-10 Calloo (12.8 & 4.5) and guard Lucas (10.5). The starting PG is Hunt (4.3-3.5-4.3) but his backup (Davis), has come off the bench to add 6.3-4.0-4.7.

I'm not sure why Oregon St has opened just 1-3. The Beavers are coming off a 78-77 home loss to Samford on Thursday night in which they trailed by 10 at halftime and spent the entire second half attempting to catch up. "I tried to hit them from a very, sincere, heartfelt place," said Tinkle of his pregame talk, which didn't work. He added: "(We're) very selfish right now, and I've done a bad job of not bringing this group together right now. Unfortunately, we haven't been able," he added, "to put all that stuff aside and play the way we're supposed to play. We are not good enough right now to think that it should be a blowout or an easy win."

I expect a big bounce back from Oregon St here, as the team is loaded with players that won last year's Pac 12 tourney AND advanced to the Elite 8. Meanwhile, fatigue could be a factor for Princeton, as the Tigers are playing their FOURTH game in 10 days on the other side of the country in Corvallis. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

Full, detailed analysis Sunday morning by 8:30 ET.

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Tulsa. at 7:30 ET.

The Tulsa Golden Hurricane and Rhode Island Rams meet Saturday at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fl. Tulsa has opened 2-1 and Rhode Island 3-0.

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

Lamont Paris enters his fifth season at Chattanooga and after going 22043 in his first two, has gone 38-20 in his last two. The Mocs returned four starters from last season and have opened 3-0. 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. VCU has opened 2-1 this season and the Rams welcome the Mocs to Siegel Center for a late afternoon game.

Chattanooga is led by the excellent backcourt duo of Jean-Baptiste (17.30 and PG Smith (14.7-5.7-5.30 plus the 6-6 Banks (12.3 & 5.7) and the 6-7 Hankton (8.0 & 5.7) up front. The Rams lost Hyland (9.5 & 4.7) to the NBA and this season, have used a seven-man rotation but not a single player is in double digits. 6-5 senior forward Williams (9.3 & 4.30 and senior guard Curry (9.3) come the closest. 

At first blush, taking the points may seem like the 'right side' but "Not so Fast!" Rhoades is an excellent coach and the Siegel Center has earned a reputation as one of the most difficult venues for visiting teams. With full crowds this season, expect VCU to centuries its home success (42-7 at home the previous three seasons). VCU may not score much but the Rams are allowing 49.7 PPG (3rd) on 30.4% shooting (3rd), including 19.0% (4th) on threes. Home team wins by double-digits! 

Good luck...Larry

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

No. 6 Purdue and No. 17 North Carolina will meet Saturday in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament in Uncasville, Ct. 3-0 Purdue has dominated three games at home, rolling over Bellarmine, Indiana State and Wright State, as the Boilermakers have scored more than 90 points in each of those games, something that Purdue hadn't done in three straight games in almost 21 years. "Now we'll get a real test in our next tournament with the teams that we're going to play," Purdue head coach Matt Painter said, pointing to North Carolina first. "They have great individual players. They're like everybody else, trying to find themselves, especially defensively." North Carolina won 94-83 on Tuesday night at College of Charleston in a hostile environment to also open 3-0 and is hoping a good test away from home will help build toward something even better in this tournament setting. "To see them respond on the road in a packed house," North Carolina's first-year head coach Hubert Davis said, "... This builds a lot of confidence for us moving forward. I love it now that we won. Everybody tells us that this is going to make us better."

Both teams are 'loaded.' 7-4 sophomore Edey (18.7 & 10.3) teams with 6-10 senior Williams (11.7 & 9.3) and 6-10 freshman Furst (9.3 & 9.3) up front. The perimeter is handled by Ivey (15.3 & 6.7), Stefanovic (13.7) and Newman (12.3). That's quite a six-man rotation. However, North Carolina counters with a frontcourt led by the returning 6-10 Bacot (18.0 & 9.3), 6-9 Oklahoma transfer Manek (17.0 & 7.3) and Marquette transfer Garcia (8.7 & 7.7). Sophomore guard Love (19.0-3.7-4.3) teams with freshman Davis (12.7 & 5.0 APG) and Walton (10.0) in the backcourt.

I realize that Matt Painter is in his 17th season at Purdue (the Boilermakers are 3-0 for the 11th time in his tenure) and that Hubert Davis is in his first season as a head coach but I don't see much difference between these two teams. Both teams play again Sunday against either No. 5 Villanova or No. 17 Tennessee in a championship game or consolation game depending on Saturday's results. Is it just me, or does it seem strange for North Carolina to be in an in-season tournament as the lowest-ranked team of the four entrants. In both previous Purdue-North Carolina meetings, the Tar Heels won November games on neutral courts (1998 in New York, 1999 in Honolulu). 'Third verse, same as the first (two).' Points are a HUGE bonus.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on CS-Fullerton at 10:00 ET.

The CSU Fullerton Titans and San Diego Toreros meet Friday at the Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego. The Titans have opened 1-2, while the Toreros own a 3-1 record.

The Titans are off a disappointing 6-10 season but retur seven players who averaged 16-plus minutes, including four starters. While the Titans are 1-2, they have five double digit scorers and a sixth who just misses. The 6-7 Anosike (19.3 & 10.0) is joined up front by the 6-8 Lee (12.0 & 7.7). In the backcourt, Dante (12.3 & 4.7) and Tray (10.3) Maddux are joined by Milstead (10.0) and Wrightsell (9.0).

San Diego starts four guards plus the 6-10 Brown (11.5 & 9.3). Starting guards Townsend (13.8), Calcaterra (11.5) and Earlington (10.5 & 4.8) are averaging in double digits. San Diego's only loss came in a 75-70 setback to Cal at Berkeley. The Titans are off a convincing 74-59 home win over George Washington the last time out but now need to show they can play away from home (both losses were at Santa Clara and San Jose St). I think the Titans can make it two in a row tonight. The titans are VERY capable of winning but I.m NOT about to ignore taking about a 'TDs' worth of points!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Rivalry Game of the Month is on Ga Tech at 9:00 ET.

The 'Devil is down in Georgia' tonight, as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets visit the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens, Ga. Both schools have opened 2-1 but come off very different seasons last year. Josh Pastner (of Memphis fame) led Ga Tech Yellow Jackets to a 17-9 record and their first ACC tourney championship since 1993. In stark comparison, Tom Crean's three-year run as the Bulldogs' head coach ended with a 14-12 mark (41-49 three-year record).

Ga Tech loses ACC player of the year Wright (14 & 8.0) and PG Alvarado (15.2-3.5-4.1) but this season features a guard trio of Devoe (18.0-5.3-5.0), Usher (13.7 & 9.3) and freshman Coleman (11.7) plus 6-10 center Howard (7.0 & 8.3). Georgia's three-guard trio is unique, consisting of the 6-11 Bridges (16.0 7 8.0), PG Cook, a Gonzaga transfer, (14.0 & 8.3 APG) and Oquendo (8.7) plus the 6-7 Ingram (8.0 & 5.0) is the best frontcourt player.

Here's the rub. The schools didn't meet last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic but the Bulldogs have won the past FIVE meetings by an average of 13.4 points. Enough is ENOUGH say the Yellow Jackets. Note that the SEC has sent 13 of its 14 schools to the CCAA tourney since the 2016-17 season with the LONE exception being Georgia. The Bulldogs last made the Big Dance in the 2014-15 season. The school's last NCAA tourney win? The year was 1996!

Ga Tech IS the better team and five straight losses to Georgia ends here! A couple of interesting facts are that Georgia Tech's bench has outscored its opponents' bench in all three games so far this season and the Yellow Jackets have outrebounded all of their opponents as well (by double digits in each game!). I'm laying the points and expecting a decisive victory.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere Play is on Liberty at 5:00 ET.

The Liberty Flames and Iona Gaels meet Friday night at the HP Field House (Disney complex in Orlando). Both these schools made NCAA appearances last season but while Liberty has opened 1-1, the Gels are 3-0.

Liberty is off a 23-6 season, following a 30-4 one the year before (COVID shut down NCAA tourney). The season before that (2018-19), Ritchie McKay led the Flames into the NCAA tourney and upset No. 5 seed Miss St (ended with a 29-7 record). That's a pretty strong three-year run. PG McGhee (21.5-4.5-4.5) leads the way with fellow guards Peebles (11.0) and McDowell (10. & 3.5) scoring in double digits. Up front, it's the 6-7 Preston (7.0 &4.0), the 6-7 Robinson (4.5 & 5.0) and the 6-7 Rode (3,0-6.5-4.5).

COVID limited the Gaels to just 13 regular season games last season (8-5 / 6-3 in the MAAC). However, tourney time was NOT head coach Rick Ptino's 'first rodeo!' Iona beat FOUR opponents (Gaels held those opponents to just 53.8 PPG) on its way to the tourney title and an NCAA bid. Iona fell to two-seed Alabama in the Big Dance, but held them 12 points less than its season average and covered, in a 68-55 loss. Iona lost its two top guards in Ross (18.4) and Gist (13.3). However, Pitino likes his three transfers, Joiner (9.0-5.3-4.3) from Tulsa, Jolly (18.7-3.7-3.0) from SMU and the 6-8 Slazinski (8.3 & 3.0) from Louisville. He loved the potential of 6-9 PF Joseph (11.1 & 7.5 as a freshman) and he has delivered (17.3 & 5.0). 6-8 veteran van Eyck (14.7 & 5.3) has joined Joseph to form an excellent frontcourt duo.

Yes, Iona is 3-0 but all games were played on its homeourt and this is a neutral-site one. I respect Pitino but Liberty's McKay has led the Flames to FIVE consecutive 20-win seasons. I'm laying the points and then will order up a Bombay & tonic. You in?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Late Show Crusher is on Washington at 11:00 ET.

The 2-0 Wyoming Cowboys are giving up an average of just 46 points per game heading into their first road contest of the season, a Thursday night contest against 2-1 Washington in Seattle.at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

Jeff Linder left No. Colorado to take over in Laramie and his first team went 14-11 (Cowboys had won nine and eight games the previous two seasons). It's the first time since 1981-82 the Cowboys have limited their first two opponents to fewer than 50 points. They opened with an 85-47 victory against Detroit Mercy, then defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 85-45 on Sunday. "Defense is where winning lies," Linder said. "You can't just be a really good offensive team and be a mediocre or bad defensive team if you expect to win. We have some length, and we have some athleticism that contributes to us being good defensively." Marcus Williams (14.8 & 4.3 APFG) left for A&M and is a HUGE loss but the 6-9 Ike (21.5 & 6.5) and 6-7 swingman Maldonado (17.5-6.0-6.5) return; The 6-8 Oden (4.0 & 2.7 LY), has exploded out of the gate, averaging 15.5 & 4.5. Jeffries (11.0 & 7.) and DuSell (7.1) start in the backcourt.

Mike Hopkins was a longtime assistant to Jim Boeheim and won 21 and 27 games in his first two seasons in Seattle but the Huskies fell to 15 wins in his third season and then had a 'nightmare' season last year, going 5-21 (4-16 in the Pac 12). It's been a COMPLETE makeover (turnover) for Washington for the current season, losing players right and left to the transfor portal but also the team was able to bring in a similar group of transfers, themselves. Transfers like Brown (17.3-3.3-4.3), Matthews (11.3 & 6.0), Davis (9.3 & 4.00 and Fuller (6.3) have made an immediate impact among the newcomers. Returning players like the 6-6 Bey (11.7 & 5.0) and the 6-11 Roberts (5.0 & 10.0) have both begun playing well.

I'm not quite sure what to make Wyoming's dominant start but it's just TWO games against questionable opponents. Meanwhile, Huskies coach Mike Hopkins eschewed his preferred 2-3 defense (that's the same famous Boeheim Zone) at times in the second half to go with a smaller lineup using a full-court press and a man-to-man defense. "I thought our press changed the game. To be able to have both weapons is a good thing, obviously," Hopkins said. "We still have to get better in our man. We have to get better in our zone. That's part of the growth."

It's early but Hopkins has to win home games against teams from non-Power conferences and the Huskies h will pay their next five games against such teams, before the end of November. Washington opens December with a game at Arizona, a home games vs No. 2 UCLA and then a game at No. 1 Gonzaga. If Hopkins' team is not at least 6-2 before that three-game stretch, his 'seat' will start getting pretty 'warm.' First thinsg first. Lay the points here vs a Wyoming team that just may not be nearly as good as its 2-0 start looks.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late Breaker is on South Carolina at 7:00 ET.

UAB is coming off a 22-7 season last year and has opened 3-0 but will play on the road for the first time Thursday night in Columbia, SC against the 2-1 South Carolina Gamecocks. UAB (has taken care of all of its business early, scoring 95 points per game and limiting the opposition to 69.7 in three impressive home victories. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are looking to shake off a disappointing early season tournament in neighboring North Carolina, where they split their two games in the Asheville Championship, losing Friday to Princeton 66-62 before claiming a 75-64 victory over Western Kentucky in Sunday's contest.

Andy Kennedy spent 12 seasons as the head coach of Ole Miss and took the Rebels to eight postseasons (two NCAA bids), while averaging 20.4 wins per season. However, he resigned after the 2017-18 season, citing he was drained and worn out. He surprisingly showed up at UAB last season and led the Blazers to 22 wins, Four starters return from that team. They are guards Jackson (16.0), Ertel (12,3) and Lovan (11.5 & 3.5) plus the 7-1 Jemison (7.3 & 6.7). All, as you can see, are participating nicely, Kennedy picked up a terrific PG from Tulane in Walker, who is averaging 21.0 & 5.0 APG, The 6-7 Buffen (7.3 & 5.3) comes from Ole Miss and has contributed off the bench.

The ever-lovable Frank Martin sure built up some goodwill by leading South Carolina to the school's only Final 4 back in 2017 but these last four seasons, the Gamecocks have gone 17-16, 16-16, 18-13 and an 'ugly' 6-14 last season. That goodwill is about ALL used up. South Carolina added North Texas transfer Reese (9.3) to the backcourt featuring Couisnard (15,7-5.0-3.0) and Stevenson (10.0 & 5.7). Freshman guard Carter is adding 9.7 & 4.0. The 6-10 Levesque (11.3 & 9.7) and the 7-0 Gray (4.7 & 6.3) up front and Martin thinks his frontcourt is about to get a big boost from the 6-7 AJ Wilson, a graduate transfer from George Mason (8.5 & 5.1 LY). He has been bothered by a back injury and distracted by a recent death in the family.

I expect Kennedy's UAB tean to again win 20 games playing in C-USA but this a road game (1st of the season) at an SEC school with MUCH to prove. South Carolina is full of newcomers but there is a 'ton' of talent. Bow Wow! I'm taking the small house dog.

Good luck...Larry

A pair of unbeaten teams get together tonight as 3-0 Ohio St (ranked No. 21 in the latest AP poll) and 2-0 Xavier meet from Cintas Center in Cincinnati (Xavier's homecourt).

Ohio St head coach Chris Holtmann has won 25, 20, 21 and 21 games in his first four season 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 (22.3 & 6.3) and he's joined up front by the 6-8 Key (12.3 & 7.0 / up from 5.2 & 3.4 LY) and the 6-6 Ahrens (8.0). The starting backcourt is freshman Branham (7.3) and PG Wheeler (5.7 & 4.0 APG), who is a transfer from Penn St.

Xavier head coach Travis Steele is badly in need of a 20-win season. He took over from Chris Mack (23.9 wins per season with NINE straight Big Dance bands), 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 have won just 51 games (17 per) in Steele's first three seasons, without an NCAA bid. Leading scorer Scruggs (20.0-6.0-4.5) is only back because COVID gave him an extra year of eligibility and Steele would be in deep trouble without him. Fellow guard Jones has been a HUGE surprise, averaging 17.5 & 6.5, after chipping in a modest 7.7 & 4.8 last year. The team's top frontcourt players are the 7-0 Nunge (9.0 & 5.0) and the 6-8 Hunter (6.5 & 9.0).

Xavier still has a ways to show "what it will be made of" this season, while I believe Ohio St has already shown it will be a top-25 team this season. Ohio State beat Bowling Green 89-58 on Monday, as FIVE players scored in double figures, Xavier is off a 73-59 win over Kent State on Friday, a game in which the Musketeers shot 40.3 percent from the floor, while turning the ball over 16 times.That type of sloppy play and poor shooting isn't going to cut it against an opponent like Ohio State. Lay the small points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner is on Missouri st at 8:30 ET.

The Missouri State Bears are in Huntsville, Texas to face the Sam Houston State Bearkats. Dana Ford is in his fourth season at Springfield and is coming off a 17-7 season with his Bears opening 1-1. James Hooton enters his 11th season with the Bearkats and is coming off an 18-13 season. However, his teams had won 20-plus games in FIVE of the previous six seasons.

The Bears return all FIVE starters from last year, most notably the duo of big guard Mosley (19.8 LY) and the 6-9 Prim (16,7 & 9.1 LY). The two are in fine form after two games, Mosely is averaging 23.5 & 3.5, while Prim is averaging 19.5 & 14.5 RPG. Seven players are averaging 22-plus minutes. Hooton lost two key players from last season, Southland POY Nutall (19.3 & 5.7) and Southland Freshman of the Year Monroe (10.1). Nutall transferred to SMU and Monroe to San Diego. Guard Flagg is off to a great start (25.5 & 9.0) but fellow guard Lampley (13.5) is the only other player in double digits.

I think this could be a really good season for the Bears, who not only have the '1-2' punch' of Mosely and Prim but 11 of the team's 17 players have three or more years of experience. Want a clincher? The Bears were 12-1-1 ATS when favored last season!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Drexel Dragons and the St Joseph’s Hawks meet Wednesday night from Hagan Arena in Philadelphia. Drexel is 1-1 so far this year and coming off a 15-point loss at Syracuse. As for Saint Joseph’s, the Hawks have opened 2-0 with home wins over Maryland-Estern Shore and Mount St Mary's.

Drexel opened with a romp over Neumann, taking a 44-29 halftime edge and never looking back in a 103-74 blowout win. In Game 2 at Syracuse, the Dragons had a slim 33-32 lead at the break but were outscored 43-27 from there in a 75-60 defeat. This team is deep, with EIGHT players getting 17-plus minutes per game but only PG Wynter is topping double digits (11.0-4.0-5.0).The other seven chip in between 5.0 and 9.5 PPG, with the 5-11 Williams (9.0 & 6.5) checking in as the team's best frontcourt player. St Joe's is led by 6-8 senior Funk (20.0 & 6.5) plus 6-10 grad transfer Obinna (from Vandy), who is averaging 14.5 & 10.5. Junior guard Brown is back and is the team's third-leading scorer at 12.0 PPG

While I won't exactly 'sing' the praises of Drexel, but the Dragons did make the NCAA field last season, meanwhile, I'll caution against being too optimistic regarding St Joe's Billy Lange is in his third season as the team's head coach and the Hawks were able to win just 11 games, while losing 41. Home wins over Maryland-Estern Shore and Mount St Mary's hardly prove much. I'll add a trend that makes St Joe's a 'no play' in this situation, as the Hawks are 16-35-2 ATS in their last 53 after an ATS win. Wrong favorite in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Tourney Takedown is on Butler at 7:00 ET.

Michigan State and Butler meet tonight in the Gavitt Tip-off at Indianapolis. Michigan State threw itself into the fire right off the bat, witha season-opening game against No. 3 Kansas in the Champions Classic at MSG, suffering an 87-74 loss. The Spartans bounced back with an easy 90-46 home win over Western Michigan to enter against Butler with a more positive frame of mind. The Bulldogs, coming off an 'ugly' 10-15 season, have opened with three successive home wins, beating IUPUI 56-47, Central Arkansas 85-53 and Troy 70-59.

Tom Izzo's starting five features a solid trio of big men in the 6-8 Brown (13.5 & 4.5), the 7-0 Bigham (11.0 & 7.5) and the 6-9 Hauser (10.0 & 9.5. The starting guards are freshman Christie (7.5 & 4.5) plus Northeastern transfer Walker (5.45-.Freshman guard Hoggard is averaging 12.0 & 5.5 APG off the bench, while the 6-9 Marble chips in 9.0 & 6.5 coming off the bench as well. Butler has a deep guard trio in Harris (15.7-4.7-3.3), Bolden (14.2) and freshman Taylor (13.3) plus the 6-7 Nze (8.3 & 7.3) is back again (he may NEVER leave the program!).

This will be Michigan State's first true road game and it comes at legendary Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Spartans are 0-4 ATS their last four on the road, while the Bulldogs are 7-1 ATS in their last nine non-conference home games as underdogs in the +1.5 to +3.5 points range. Not surewht MSU is favored but I;ll take the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

A pair of well-known CBB head coaches square off tonight when the Nevada Wolf Pack and Santa Clara Broncos meet Tuesday at the Leavey Center in Santa Clara. Nevada's Steve Alford has a resume which includes stops at Missouri St, Iowa, New Mexico, UCLA and now is at Nevada. Herb Sendkek has stops at Miami-O, North Carolina St, Arizona St and now Santa Clara. Nevada has opened 1-1 and Santa Clara 2-0.

This is Alford's third season at Nevada, having gone 19-12 and 15-9 in his first two seasons. However, with all five starters returning plus adding the highly-regarded 6-7 Bramah as a transfer from Roberts Morris, a big season was anticipated. Barhmah debuted with 17 points and nine rebounds in a win over Eastern Washington but a concussion forced him to miss the team's loss to San Diego (questionable here). Then there was Desmond Cambridge, one of Nevada's two outstanding returning guards, who scored just five points on 2-of-12 shooting, after scoring 22 points in the opener. Sherfeld (18.6 & 6.1) is the other half of that guard duo and he's averaged 15.0 & 6.5. The 7-0 Washington (16.5 & 9.0) had 18 points and 10 rebounds in the loss plus is now joined in the frontcourt by 7-0 Texas transfer Baker, who is averaging 12.5 PPG.

Sendek's first five seasons at Santa Clara have not been anything special, as he entered this season 76-72 without a postseason bid of any kind. Santa Clara has opened 2-0 and is coming off an 88-72 win over Stanford on Friday night. PJ Pipes, a Green Bay transfer) finished with 24 points against Stanford and is averaging 17.0 & 5.0 APG. the 6-6 17.5 & 4.5 APG. The 6-9 Josip Vrankic is the team's leading scorer at  22.5 PPG (6.0 RPG) plus the 6-7 Justice adds 14.0 & 8.0.

Both teams could be headed for strong seasons but I favor Nevada coming off its loss over Santa Clara coming off an impressive win over the Pac-12's Stanford. The difference in the early going is that Nevada has uncharacteristically struggled from the floor (last game shot 43 percent from the floor, including 27 percent from three-point range), while Santa Clara has uncharacteristically dominated from the floor, shooting 58.1%, which is third-best in the nation. Here's some trends backing the play. The Wolf Pack are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games and 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games overall. Meanwhile, the Broncos are 5-18 ATS in their last 23 games following an ATS win. 

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Battle 4 Nebraska at 7:00 ET.

It's 2-0 Creighton at in-state rival Nebraska (1-1) from Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln in this 'Battle for Nebraska.' Creighton owns a rich basketball tradition but the last two seasons have been pretty special for Doug McDermott's team. The Bluejays won their first-ever Big East title in the 2019-20 season, only to see COVID shutdown the postseason. Then, Creighton spent all season in the top-25 and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1974 (finished 22-9). As for Nebraska, Fred Hoiberg was lured to Nebraska after leading Iowa St to four straight "Big Dance" appearances and a 'nightmare' coaching experience in the NBA. However, the first two years of the 'Hoiberg era' have ended with records of 7-25 and 7-20.

Creighton lost all FIVE starters from last year's team and are rebuilding this season. Starting guards are O'Connell (3.4 PPG last year) and freshman Nembhard. O'Connell leads the team with 16.5 PPG, while adding 7.5 RPG, while the 6-7 Hawkins is a Div II transfer and chipping in 11.0 & 10.5. 7-1 center Kalkbrenner returns and is averaging 8.0 & 5.5 RPG plus 6-7 freshman Kaluma adds 9.0 & 6.5.

Hoiberg has brought in a special freshman in the 6-7 Bryce McGowens, who is averaging 27.7 & 5.5 His brother Trey is a junior guard, who has added 8.5 & 6.0. A HUGE addition is ASU transfer Verge, averaging 19.5-7.0-6.0, while big men like 7-0 freshman Andre (11.0 & 7.0) and the 6-8 Walker (5.5 & 8.0) are off to good starts.

Creighton has dominated this series (for bettors anyways), going 12-2 ATS the last 14 meetings. However, Creighton's scoring is down (70.5 PPG) and in fact, its 51-44 win over Kennesaw State last Thursday, was Creighton's fewest points in a win since the team beat Missouri State 50-49 in 2008. Nebraska has the best player on the floor in Bryce McGowens (Verge is the second-best) and it's time for the 'Huskers to win this 'Battle 4 Nebraska.'

Good luck...Larry

The Winthrop Eagles and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders meet tonight from the Murphy Athletic Center in Murfreesboro, Tn. Both have opened 2-0, after Winthrop escaped with an 88-85 overtime win over Mercer in their last game and MTSU  won 71-51 win over Bethune-Cookman in its last matchup. Belmont is off a 26-4 season with all five starters back, while MTSU has fallen on hard times after a 31-and 25-win season a few years back. The Blue Raiders went 5-18 last season, coming off 8-win and 11-win seasons prior to that.

The 6-9 D.J. Burns leads the Eagles in scoring (23.0) and rebounding (7.0) and is joined up front by the 6-7 Hightower (15.0 & 5.0). Jones (12.0) and Good (11.5) average double digits in the backcourt plus McMahon (7.5) and Corbin (7.0); Guard Josh Jefferson is averaging a team-high 13.5 PPG for MTSU, while the 6-9 Isaiah Turner has chipped in 11.5 PPG. Guard Eli Lawrence (10.0 PPG) makes it a trio of double-digit scorers for the Blue Raiders through their first two games of the year. The 6-7 Teafale Lenard has a team-high 6.5 RPG and adds 7.0 PPG.

I don't see this as being a  "close call," although the oddsmakers do, considering the pointspread. Winthrop owns the 'pedigree' plus I don't think the Blue Raiders can match Winthrop's up-tempo pace (Eagles are averaging 99.0 PPG). Winthrop is 16-5 ATS in its last 21 against teams with winning records and I expect the Eagles to pull away for the comfortable cover once it's all said and done.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Game of the Week is on Washington St at 11:00 ET.

The Washington State Cougars have opened 2-0 with non-conference victories over Alcorn State and Seattle but gets its toughest test of the early going on Monday when it hosts UC-Santa Barbara in Pullman, Wash. The UCSB Gauchos were the regular-season and Big West Tournament champions last season and have FOUR consecutive seasons of at least 21 wins to their credit. UCSB has only played once, and it was against Division II San Francisco State. That said, it WAS a convincing 119-65 blowout that tied for the fourth-most points scored in program history.

Head coach Joe Pasternack enters his fifth season in Santa Barbara and as noted above, he's run an excellent program. The Gauchos did lose Big West p-o-y McLaughlin (16.0-3.5-5,2) but the cupboard is far from bare. Two seniors, the 6-9 Sow (25 points and seven rebounds) and the 6-10 Norris (14 & 8) both played well in the opener, as did Pierre-Louis (a Temple transfer), who is expected to take over McLaughlin's role. Yes, it was just against San Francisco St but Pasternack has to be pleased with his 25 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

Squaring off against Pasternack is Wash St head coach Kyle Smith. In his final season at Columbia, his team won the CIT championship and finished 25-10. That led to a three-year stint at San Francisco, where his teams went 63-40. However, his first two teams at Washington St have been disappointing (16-16 and 14-13). This could be (should be?) a breakout season for Smith's Cougars. They lost leading scorer Bonton (17.7 & 4.0) to the transfer portal but FOUR starters return. It's a perimeter-dominated lineup, as the team's top-five scorers are guards. Roberts (16.5) and Williams (10.5) lead the way, while guard Flowers adds 8.5 PPG and 5.5 RPG. Two 6-10 players are the top frontcourt contributors, Jackson (7.5 & 6.0) and Abugidi (5.5 & 4.5).

I have a ton of respect for the Gauchos but I agree with the high expectations for this year's Cougars. Note that Friday's win over Seattle was Washington St's 15th consecutive non-conference victory, with 14 of those at home! Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

Cal head coach Mark Fox is NOT a 'happy camper!' Matt Bradley took his 18 points and 4.6 rebounds per game with him when he transferred to San Diego St after last season. The Bears then followed up an embarrassing 80-67 home loss to UC San Diego with a 55-52 defeat at UNLV on Saturday night, a game in which Cal pulled to within one with two minutes remaining before not scoring again. Cal looks for the team's first win tonight when it welcomes 2-0 San Diego to Berkeley. In stark contrast to Cal, the Toreros have jumped out of the gate with a pair of wins Including 75-68 at Nevada on Friday night), coming off a 3-11 season last year.

San Diego starts four guards plus the 6-10 Brown (14.5 & 7.0). Starting guards Townsend (15.5) and Earlington (10.0 & 7.0) are averaging in double digits, plus Pinchuk is adding 11.0 PPG while playing just 12 1/2-minutes per game. Cal has veteran players in seniors like guard Shepard (18.0) plus two 6-9 seniors in Kelly (12.5 & 10.0) and Anticevich (7.5 & 8.0). Junior guard Brown adds 8.5 PPG.

The Toreros pulled away for a 75-68 victory at Nevada as 14-point underdogs, setting up a predictable letdown spot vs Cal, a team DESPERATE for its first win. Cal gets that win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on South Dakota St at 3:00 ET.

The South Dakota State Jackrabbits and the Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks meet Sunday in college basketball action from William R. Johnson Coliseum in Nacogdoches, Tx. Both of these programs have been big winners for some time now and the Jackrabbits return all FIVE starters from last season, while the Lumberjacks return FOUR of five. South Dakota State has a 1-1 record so far, beating Bradley 81-65 at home but losing 104-88 at No. 14 Alabama As for Stephen F. Austin, they’ve won both their games this year versus LSU-Alexandria and Mary Hardin-Baylor

All five starters are averaging in double digits for the Jackrabbits, who start four guards and the 6-7 Wilson 16.0 & 5.5). Freidel (19.5) leads the team in scoring, while fellow guards Arians (11.5), Mayo (10.0) and Scheierman (10.0) round out the group. I almost forgot to mention that the 6-6 Scheierman is averaging a whopping 16.0 RPG! Cameron Johnson (15.3 & 4.5) will be missed by SF Austin, which owns a winning percentage of .840 over the last four seasons, 4th-best in the nation. Forwards Kensmil (16.0 & 9.5), Soloman (10.0 & 7.5) and Hall (7.0 & 5.0) are an excellent trio, as are guards Ware (13.0-4.-3.0), Jackson-Posey (10.0) and Kachelries (7.7-3.5-3.5) in the backcourt.

I won't dismiss SF Austin's pedigree but the Lumberjacks haven't been tested (see above). SF Austin RARELY loses at home but oddsmakers are not so convinced, considering this pointspread. Meanwhile, the Jackrabbits were within three at the break (41-38) but ran out of gas in the second half during a 104-88 loss at a VERY good Alabama team. South Dakota St takes a 10-4-1 ATS record in its last 15 on the road into this contest and picks up a "W" and cover, "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

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

Florida State (No. 20 preseason poll) and Florida will renew their in-state rivalry when the Seminoles travel to face the host Gators in Gainesville on Sunday afternoon. However, in recent years, it's been a one-sided feud, as the Seminoles have defeated the Gators SEVEN seven times (won 83-71 in Tallahassee last season).

Leonard Hamilton has built quite a program in Tallahassee but lost a 'ton' of talent from last year's team. However, the cupboard is hardly bare. The 6-9 Malik Osborne, despite dealing with a recent bout with the flu, scored 17 of his 18 points in the first half and finished with 13 rebounds in a 105-70 rout of Penn. Guard Anthony Polite added 17 & 6, while swingman RayQuan Evans had 14 points. Caleb Mills, a transfer guard from Houston, scored 14 points and had five rebounds in his Seminoles debut. FSU's signature defense was already evident as it forced 26 turnovers and turned those into 37 points.

Mike White's Gators return six seniors or graduate transfers. The Gators secured a 74-61 victory at home against Elon on Tuesday night to open their season, as the 6-11 Colin Castleton led Florida with 18 points. Returning starters guard Tyree Appleby (14) and the 6-7 Anthony Duruji added 10 points. Myreon Jones (Penn St transfer) had a line of 18-6-3. Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (20.1 & 7.4 at Charleston Southern last season) was dealing with a groin injury. He played in the second half and scored four points in 17 minutes. "One of our best players throughout the course of this summer and fall," White said of Fleming Jr. "He's been banged up a little bit. We didn't even know he was gonna play until an hour before the game, so it was nice to see him get going and play a game and not hamper what he had going on."

Mike White has led the Gators to four NCAA berths in the last five seasons (would have been five, except for COVID cancellation) but he really NEEDS to get a win over FSU in this "Florida Cup" game. Paraphrasing Rod Stewart, "Today's the Day!"

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Marquee Classic is on Gonzaga at 10:30 ET.

No. 5 Texas will be in Spokane, Wa tonight to take on No. 1 Gonzaga at the McCarthey Athletic Center. The Texas Longhorns 'warmed up' with a 92-48 win over Houston Baptist in their opener, while the Gonzaga Bulldogs rolled over Dixie State in their first game. After six years with ZERO NCAA tourney wins, 'Shaka Ball' was "sent packing," as Texas brought in the highly-respected Chris Beard. He 'exploded' on the national scene by going 30-5 with Arkansas-LR in the 2015-16 season and used that ONE season to get the job at Texas Tech, where he's had an excellent five-year run (lost championship to UVA in 2019, finishing with 31 wins0. While Beard is a terrific coach, he has NOTHING on Mark Few of Gonzaga. He has led Gonzaga to 21 straight NCAA berths in his 22 years (2020 tourney was cancelled). He's done everything but win a national championship but he's led the Bulldogs into the title TWICE in the last four seasons. Last year's loss was a 'killer,' as Gonzaga was No. 1 wire-to-wire and at 31-0, was looking to match Bob Knight's 1975-76 team, which was the last team to go unbeaten (32-0) and win the title.

Chris Beard brought in seven transfers with NCAA Division I experience. SIX players reached double-digits against Houston-Baptist. Returning guards Ramey (14) and Jones (11) led the way, with freshman guard Tyson also adding 11 points. The 6-10 Mitchell (18.8 & 7.2 plus 17.7 & 7.2 the L2 years at UMass) had 10 & 5, while Minnesota transfer Marcus Carr (19.6-3.9-49 LY) chipped in 10-3-7. The 6-6 Timmy Allen was named All-Pac 12 at Utah last season (17.2 & 6.4) and will be a MAJOR factor, although he ahd just 8 & 6 in the team's opener.

Gone from Gonzaga's near-perfect team last year are the 6-7 Kispert (18.6 & 5.0), PG Suggs (14.4-5.3-4.5) and guard Ayayi (12.0 & 6.9). The 6-10 Timme (19.0 & 7.0) and guard Nembard (9.2) return, joined by a recruiting haul that netted Gonzaga THREE of nation's top 25 high school recruits in ESPN's rankings, including 7-footer Chet Holmgren, the top overall prospect who has been called a "unicorn." Holmgren had 14 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and tied a school record with seven blocked shots in his debut. 6-7 freshman Julian Strawther scored a team-high 17 points and added 10 rebounds, in making his first collegiate start. Transfer Rasir Bolton (Iowa State/Penn State) added 15 points and Drew Timme, the reigning Karl Malone Award winner as the nation's top power forward, scored 11 in limited minutes.

I have little doubt that Beard will greatly improve on the Longhorns' recent past but Gonzaga is a 'monster!' Gonzaga's rout of Dixie State marked the team's  52nd consecutive home win, a program record. The team's last home loss was Jan 18, 2018, to Saint Mary's. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Trojans were a terrific defensive team last season, as they conceded only 65.1 PPG but the Owls have always been known for their defense (Can you say John Chaney?) and even in last year's COVID-interrupted 16-game season, allowed just  68.8 PPG. The Trojans were impressive at home but I think they'll have a much more difficult time finding open shots here in this difficult road venue, plus they can't expect Temple to shoot 32.8% like Northridge did (Temple shot 49.1% in its opener). Temple has the depth to compete and I believe it has a very realistic shot at winning this one outright.

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

Johnny Dawkins' UCF team led off with a 69-59 win over Roberts Morris and visits Miami on Saturday afternoon, which opened with a 77-67 home win over Canisius. All five starters are back from an 11-12 team. Miami's 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 two of the school's three Sweet 16 appearances. However, his teams have won 14, 15 and 10 games( 4-15 in the ACC last year) the last three seasons.

The Knights have an experienced squad full of high-leaping dunkers, and bring back almost all of their scoring and minutes played from last season, when they finished 11-12. Guard Darius Perry led the team with 14.7 PPG last season and had a game-high 18 points against Robert Morris. Fellow guard Green (11.3 LY) added 14 points. UCF's bench is led by former five-star Oregon recruit C.J. Walker, who named the AAC's top defensive player in a preseason poll. He had 12 points and eight rebounds against Robert Morris. The Knights have also added a 6-11 transfer in Cheikh Mbacke Diong, a Senegal native who was a team captain at UNLV. The center had a team-high five blocks against Robert Morris. Other starters back from the Knights' 2021-2022 roster are Brandon Mahan, who averaged 12.3 points last season and the 6-6 Isaiah Adams, an AAC All-Rookie pick who averaged 8.9 points.

Sixth-year senior Kameron McGusty is the type of experienced player Miami will be counting on this season. He transferred in from Oklahoma in 2018 and has played 112 games, including 65 starts.. He scored a team-high 20 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds in the win over Canisius. Fellow guard Wong (17.1 & 4.8 LY) added just seven points. That duo is joined in the starting lineup by the 6-10 Sam Waardenburg, who sat out last season due to injury plus transfers Jordan Miller (15.8 & 6.1 at George Mason) and Charlie Moore (14.4 & 4.2 APG at DePaul). Waardenburg opened with 10 & 6, Moore with 13-4-4 and Miller with eight points

The road team has covered in four straight in this series and dating to last year Miami is 0-4 ATS in its last four at home and a terrible 0-5-1 ATS in its last six as a favorite. UCF, on the other hand, is 7-1 ATS in its last eight following a straight-up victory. Expect those trends to continue today. Take the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Marquee Classic is on UCLA at 11:30 ET.

It's an early season showdown of top-four teams, as No. 2 UCLA welcomes No. 4 Villanova to Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Friday night. The Bruins are coming off a season in which they won five NCAA Tournament games to reach the Final 4, where they lost to Gonzaga in dramatic fashion in OT! Villanova is coming off an 'average' season these days for head coach Jay Wright, going 18-7 after a loss in the Sweet 16. As evidenced by the schools' preseason rankings, big things are expected of both teams.

Villanova visits the City of Angels having welcomed back star PG Collin Gillespie from an MCL injury that ended his 2020-21 campaign early. Gillespie showed no rust with 13 points, five assists and two steals in the Wildcats' 91-51 romp over Mount St. Mary's. Fellow guard Justin Moore shot 6-of-8 from three-point range en route to a career-high 27 points, while a pair of 6-7 frontcourt players, Slater (14-4-5) and Samuels (17 & 6), got their respective seasons off to a good start.

UCLA had little trouble in its season opener on Tuesday, winning 95-58 against Cal State Bakersfield. Five UCLA players scored in double figures to usher in a campaign filled with expectations. The perimeter quartet of Juzang (19 & 4), Bernard (19), Jaquez (14 & 4) and Campbell (10 & 4 assists) were joined by 6-5 sophomore Clark (10-7-3) in double digits. The news wasn't all good though, as the 6-9 Cody Riley (10.0 & 5.5 LY) left the game with an apparent knee injury. His status for Friday is unknown.

Friday's contest is an opportunity for either team to "send a message" about this campaign's early pecking order. Both UCLA and Villanova have national-championship aspirations and bring similar styles. Jay Wright has two national titles in his resume but all of his success, Mick Cronin is still searching for his first. However, I believe the Bruins are the better team and this is a reasonable price to lay at home. Cronin-coached teams have long been known for their defensive intensity and in the opener, held Cal State Bakersfield to just 37.5 percent shooting from the floor. Pair that with UCLA's balanced scoring and I'm laying the 'short' price.

Good luck...Larry

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

Both the San Diego State Aztecs and the BYU Cougars basketball programs have produced some impressive AP-ranked teams for many seasons now. SDSU's Brian Dutcher took over for his mentor Steve Fisher and is entering his fifth season, He's gone 96-31 in his first four, inducing 23-5 last year. Mark Pope is in just his third season at BYU but has delivered a 44-15 two-year mark, including 20-7 last season. Neither team is in the latest top-25 poll but expect to see them sometime during the current season.

The Aztecs opened with a 66-53 win over UC-Riverside. Matt Bradley, who was an All Pac 12 player at Cal last season averaging 18.0 & 4.6 LY, led SDSU with 23 points on 8 of 13 shooting while returning PG Trey Pulliam had 15 points on 7 of 16 shooting. They were the lone players in double digits, although returning 6-10 center Nathan Mensah (8.1 & 6.1 LY) added eight points with a team-high 10 rebounds. That trio will be the core of this year's team, having lost forward Mitchell (15.4 & 5.6) and guard Schakel (14.4) from last season (the top-two scorers).

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 Parcello (16.1-4.7-4.2). He led the Cougars with 24 points on 5 of 6 shooting with a perfect 13 of 13 mark from the foul line along with 4 assists. Guard Spencer Johnson added 13 points, while the 6-7 Caleb Lohner added seven points with a team-high nine rebounds. Making contributions up front were the 6-6 George (seven rebounds) and the 6-6 Traore (8 rebounds and 3 blocks in 24 minutes off of the bench).

San Diego St is playing with revenge from BYU beating them last season but winning in Marriot Center has NEVER been easy for any visiting team. Mark Pope is carry on with that tradition, as the Cougars are 25-3 SU under his guidance. Lay the VERY 'short' price.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Non-Conference Game of the Month is on Western Ky at 6:30 ET.

The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and the Minnesota Golden Gophers meet Friday from US Cellular Center in Minneapolis (not the Gophers' homecourt). The Hilltoppers are coming off a 21-9 season in which they lost in the C-USA championship game while Minnesota saw a 9-1 start to its 2020-21 season (No. 21 in the AP poll) fall apart by losing 14 of its final 19 games to finish 14-15, That was enough to end Richard Pitino's 8-year run at Minnesota, as Ben Jonhson takes over (first head coaching gig). In contrast, Rick Stansbury enters his sixth season at Western Ky, having won 20-plus games in each of his last four.

Gone from last year's team are the 6-9 Bassey (17.6 & 11.6) and guard Holingsworth (13.9). However, Stansbury has a solid core of two guards and two froncort players on this year's team. The Hilltoppers' 79-74 opening win over Alabama St was hardly impressive but the 6-8 Hamilton had 21 points and the 6-9 Butz added 12 & 6. Guards McKnight (19-5-6) and Anderson (12 & 7) both played well. Minnesota also opened with a less-than-impressive win over UMKC. There was a mass exodus at Minnesota, as players transferred right and left (NONE of last year's starters are back!). Most notbaly, Minnesota lost (to Texas) one of last season's best backcourt players in Carr (19.4-4.0-4.9). The 6-7 Battle (18 points) and the 6-9 Curry (7 & 7) look like Minnesota's best frontcourt players and Willis and Stephens (both had 13 points vs UMKC) as the best backcourt performers.

The Golden Gophers were picked to finish last in the Big Ten preseason media poll and the team has more questions than answers. Yes, WKU came out slow in its opener as a big favorite but the team made adjustments and came out with a win. Rick Stansbury led Miss St to 11 postseason bids in hsi 14 years at Starkville and is again proving he's a winner at Western, ky. The hilltoppers win "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Ls Vegas Insider is on Detroit at 9:00 ET.

The Detroit Titans and the Wyoming Cowboys meet tonight in the season opener for both schools at Arena-Auditorium in Laramie, Wy. The Titans finished 12-10 (10-6 in the Horizon) last season but there is MORE to this story (see below). The Cowboys enter the season off a 2020-21 season in which they went 14-11, including a 7-9 record in MWC play.

Mike Davis led the Indiana Hoosiers to a runner-up finish in the 2001-02 season, losing to Maryaland in the title game. That now seems like 50 years ago. He took over at Detroit in the 2018-19 season and inherited a 'MESS!' The Titans had won just eight games in each of the two previous seasons and his first two teams won 11 and eight games. Looking at last season, it should be noted that Detroit opened 1-7 with EIGHT games canceled due to COVID-related circumstances. However, 6-11 transfer Noah Waterman became eligible and the team would go 11-3 the rest of the way. Waterman averaged 11.9 & 4.5 plus leading scorer Davis ended by averaging 24.0 PPG (3rd-best in the nation), as well as with 4.7 APG. Again, looking more closely, Davis averaged 16.7 PPG in the team's 1-7 but then 28.0 PPG and 5.6 APG in its 11-3 finish. Both return, along with Matt Johnson (8.5 PPG), who was named Horizon's 6th-man-of-the-year.

Jeff Linder left No. Colorado to take over in Laramie and his first team went 14-11 (Cowboys had won nine and eight games the previous two seasons). Marcus Williams (14.8 & 4.3 APFG) left for A&M and is a HUGE loss but the 6-7 Maldonado (12.5 & 6.8) and the 6-9 Ike (11.2 & 5.4) return up front, while DuSell (9.1) steps in at PG (he shot 45.6% on threes last season). Joining him in the backcourt will be Foster (9.1) and Jefries (7.4).

Detroit has the best player on the floor tonight in Davis and after the Titans finished off last season strong, I expect them to carry that confidence and momentum over into this one. Grab the points!

Good luck...Larry

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

The Pepperdine Waves and the Rice Owls meet Tuesday in college basketball action from Tudor Fieldhouse in Houston. Pepperdine had an up-and-down campaign in 2020-21, going 7-6 in WCC play. The Waves ended up in fourth-place in the conference standings behind Gonzaga (15-0), BYU (10-3) and Loyola Marymount (7-5). Pepperdine took out Santa Clara 78-70 in the quarterfinals of the WCC Tournament but lost in OT to BYU 82-77 in the semis. The Waves got an invite to the CBI, where they beat Longwood, Bellarmine and Coastal Carolina en route to a tournament championship, finishing 15-12. As for Rice, the Owls dealt with injuries and COVID issues all season, finishing 6-10 in C-USA West play. However, the team won TWO games in the C-USA tourney, before falling in the semis 73-60 to UAB (ending the year at 15-13),

Heading into this season opener, Pepperine has lost its two-best players, PG Ross (17.5-4.1-7.7) and 6-7 forward Edwards (17.2 & 6.8). The leading returning starter is the 6-9 Zidek at 9.4 PPG. In contrast, Rice returns all FIVE starters from last year's team which showed 'some life' in the C-USA tourney. A trio of double-digit scoring guards are back in Olivari (16.3 & 5,3), Evee (13.7) and Mullins (10.4) plus the 6-11 Fielder (11.2 & 8.8) joins them.

The Waves have more questions than answers as they try to navigate and find their identity without Ross running the show. Meanwhile, the Owls return some valuable experience and note that Rice is on an 7-0-1 ATS run over its last eight home games. Lay the points.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Champions ClassicShowdown is on Kansas at 7:00 ET.

Bill Self's Jayhawks finished 21-9 last season, including a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.Not what was expected of a team ranked No. 6 in the AP's preseason poll. Michigan St owns a pretty famous head coach as well in Tom Izzo and his Spartans started at No. 13 at the opening of the 2020-21 season struggled in the regular season. Mich St made the NCAA tourney at 15-12 but was eliminated in a First Four game by UCLA. Kansas begins the current season ranked No. 3, while Michigan St is unranked (Spartans received the most votes of any team left out of the Top 25). Kansas faces Michigan State on Tuesday in college basketball's annual season-opening showcase (State Farm Champions Classic) at Madison Square Garden in New York.

Self's team is 'loaded.' Remy Martin (19.1 PPG last season), an Arizona State transfer, was named the preseason player of the year in the Big 12. Two other veterans, the 6-10 David McCormack (13.4 & 6.7) and SG Ochai Agbaji (14.1), were also named to the preseason all-conference team. Another returning starter, Jalen Wilson (11.8 & 7.9), will miss the Champions Classic after drawing a four-game suspension for an arrest on DUI charges.

No Michigan State returnee averaged double figures in scoring last season. However, Northeastern transfer Tyson Walker should provide punch after averaging 18.8 & 4.8 APG while also being named the CAAs top defender. Max Christie (24.0 & 10.1 in HS) is the top addition among freshmen and will play along the wing with long-range marksman Gabe Brown (42% on three-pointers). A late-season push enabled Michigan State to earn its 23rd consecutive NCAA Tournament bid a year ago before it finished an uncustomary 15-13. Tom Izzo enters his 27th season as head coach. 

Izzo should have an NCAA tourney team by year's end but Kansas is the MUCH better team here on Nov 9.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Toledo Rockets of the MAC and Valparaiso Beacons (former Crusaders) of the MVC meet Tuesday in college hoops at the Athletics-Recreation Center in Valparaiso, In. The Rockets won the MAC last season at 15-4 but lost in the MCA tourney so missed the NCAAs (finished 21-9). The now-Beacons have a rich tradition (can you say the Drew family) but won just 10 games last year (18 losses), as they enter Year Six under head coach Matt Lottich.

Tod Kowalczyk enters his 12th season at Toledo and loses his best player, 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 return in guard Ryan Rollins (13.7 & 5.2) plus frontcourt players the 6-6 Millner (12.9 & 6.8) and the 6-7 Shumate (11.3 & 4.4). Kowalczyk is hoping Boise St transfer Dennis (8.6 PPG) will be his new point guard. If the 6-10 AJ Edu could stay healthy (this year?), he is a force on the glass.

After some mediocre seasons, Valparaiso believes it "has to get better." The 6-9 Ben Krikke (12.3 & 4.2) returns, as does guard Edwards (6.8 & 5.1). However, the season will go as Valpo's EIGHT new players do. Lottich brought in four Big Ten transfers and recruited four true freshmen.

Valparaiso has been a dangerous home underdog but that was then and this is NOW! The Rockets are favored for a reason and that's because they have the talent to make another run at being the MAC's best team and will win here against a Valpo team that is in rebuilding mode.

Good luck...Larry

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

The Belmont Bruins and Ohio Bobcats meet Tuesday in college hoops at the Convocation Center in Athens, Oh. (I know it well!). The Belmont Bruins are coming off a 26-win season but losing in the OVC tourney cost the Bruins an NCAA bid. The Ohio Bobcats finished a modest 9-5 in MAC play 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.

Belmont is used to winning, having won 20-plus games in 15 of the last 16 seasons (exception was a 19-win season), with EIGHT trips to the Big Dance. The Bruins return all five starters from last season, starting with the 6-11 Nick Muszynski (15.0 & 5.6), guards Smith 12,7), Wood (11.3) and Murphy (10.9 & 5.8 APG) plus the 6-8 Hollander (9.3 & 4.7). 6th-man, the 6-6 Sheppard (10.5), is also back. 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 (8.5 & 3.3 APG) plus perimeter players Roderick (12.4) and McDay (10.2) also return. Up front, the 6-8 Vander Plas (12.8 & 5.8) and the 6-8 Wilson (14.5 & 8.7) are still around.

I have the utmost respect for Belmont but this Ohio U team is 'sneaky' good. In fact, Ohio ended last season on a 10-2 ATS run, including 6-1 as an underdog. "The Convo" will be 'rocking' tonight. Grab any points available.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* LEGEND Play is on Gonzaga at 9:20 ET.

Gonzaga opened the season as the AP's No. 1 team, while Baylor opened as the nation's second-ranked team. Gonzaga stayed atop the polls all season and entered the NCAA Tournament at 26-0 and as its No. 1 overall seed. Baylor opened 17-0 but COVID-19 nearly derailed Baylor's dream season, with the Bears being forced to pause for three weeks in February. Baylor's unbeaten season was quickly tarnished with a 13-point loss at Kansas in their second game back and for one week (Mar 1), fell out of the No. 2 spot. The Bears lost again in the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament but entered the "Big Dance" No. 2 in the AP poll and as one of four, No. 1 seeds .

You all know what happened Saturday, as Baylor routed Houston (a No. 2 seed) 78-59 while 11th-seeded UCLA took Gonzaga to OT before losing 93-90 on Jalen Suggs' three-pointer from 30-plus feet. Baylor is 27-2 and Gonzaga 31-0 as the tourneys top-two seeds meet in the national championship for the first time since 2005, when North Carolina beat unbeaten Illinois 75-50. Deja vu? One could also bring up the fact that Gonzaga has won 29 of its 31 games this year by double digits but BOTH single-digit wins have come here in Indianapolis, Dec 2 over West Va (87-82) and of course Saturday vs UCLA.

Both head coaches come in with great resumes but each are missing that elusive national title. Scott Drew took over a devastated Baylor program in the 2003-04 season and since 2007-08, has turned the Bears into one of the best programs in the country. Baylor won the NIT in 2013 and had made eight NCAA tourney appearances (26-4 last season would have made nine) entering this season. Baylor won its first-ever Big 12 regular-season title this season, the first league championship since the Bears won the SWC regular season in 1950. This is Drew's ninth NCAA appearance with the Bears and Baylor reached the Sweet 16 for the FIFTH time in the last 12 years. This year's Elite 8 appearance was his third with Baylor and now it's his first Final Four appearance (third in school history). With a win over Houston, Baylor's in its second national championship game lost to Kentucky in 1948).

Gonzaga has played in 22 straight NCAA tournaments. The Bulldogs burst into relevance with an Elite Eight run in 199 under their former head coach, Dan Monson, He left for Minnesota after that breakthrough with Mark Few taking over and making 21 straight Big Dance appearances. Gonzaga advanced to back-to-back Sweet 16s in 2000 and 2001. The program made another jump in 2006 when Adam Morrison became a high-scoring phenom. Seven years later, Gonzaga earned a No. 1 seed in the tournament for the first time in 2013. Four years after that, the Bulldogs made it to their first Final Four and lost to North Carolina in the 2017 title game. However, the road hasn’t always been smooth. From 2007 to 2014, Few’s teams failed to advance out of the first weekend SEVEN times in eight tournaments, with the Zags becoming targets of March ridicule (overrated and over-seeded).

I had a HUGE play on Baylor vs Houston, pointing out that the Cougars may not have been quite as good as their record indicated. I couldn't have been more 'on target!' Houston earned a No. 2 seed, so the Cougars opened against a No. 15 seed in Cleveland St. However, Houston then benefitted by drawing a 10-seed in Rutgers, an 11-seed in Syracuse and a 12-seed in Oregon St. NO team had ever had an easier route to a Final 4 since the advent of the 64-team field. Yes, Houston had held four NCAA tourney opponents to just 55.7 PPG but not counting the game vs Cleveland St, the Houston offense had managed just 63, 62 and 67 points in beating Rutgers, Syracuse and Oregon State. Baylor knew a little about playing defense as well plus Baylor has faced 12 top-30 NET-ranked teams since January, compared to Houston's two. It was "no-contest" from the start.

Baylor is led by a great and deep perimeter group. Butler (16.6 & 4.7) is the top scorer, followed by Teague (15.8 & 4.0) and Mitchell (14.0 & 5.5 APG). The 6-5 Vital (5.6 & 6.5) is listed as a guard but plays more like a power forward and is the team's top rebounder and one of its best defenders. The 6-10 Thamba (3.7 7 3.9) starts but contributes little. The 6-8 Tchatchoua added 11 & 6 vs Houston but in Baylor's first four tourney games, averaged only 4.0 & 3.3. The Bears also get scoring off the bench from guards Flager (9.0) and Mayer (8.3). Baylor averages 84.4 PPG (49.3% shooting) plus leads the nation in three-point accuracy at 41.8%.

However, the Bears are facing a Gonzaga team averaging nation-highs in scoring (92.1 PPG) and in FG percentage (55.1%). Gonzaga features a first-team All American in the 6-7 Kispert (18.8 & 5.0) plus two third-team members in the 6-10 Timme (19.2 & 7.1) and freshman guard Suggs (14.1-5.5-4.6). The starting-five also includes guards Ayayi (12.2 & 7.0) and Nembhard (9.2 & 4.4 APG). All avergaev 28-plus minutes per game. Gonzaga 'dodged a bullet' against UCLA and will HAVE to play better defense than it did against the Bruins, as the Bulldogs allowed UCLA to shoot 57.6% (8 of 17 on threes) plus forced just 10 TOs!

I've had a feeling all season that this would be the year when "The Little Engine that Couldn't" (aka Gonzaga), finally broke through. Bottom line is this. Suggs, Ayayi and Nembhard matchup favorably with Baylor's outstanding perimeter players, while I just don't believe that Baylor can match up with Kispert and Timme. Unlike in past seasons, Gonzaga has played EIGHT Power-5 conference teams, with Timme averaging 24.0 & 7.0 and Kispert 20.1 PPG, while for good measure, freshman Suggs has averaged 15.6-5.8-5.1 against those same teams. Gonzaga got its 'scare' Saturday and I expect Monday to be a coronation. 

Good luck...Larry

My CBB 10* Game of the Year is on Baylor at 5:14 ET.

Houston ended Oregon St's tourney run in the Elite 8, winning 67-61. The win over the Beavers gives Houston a 6-0 all-time record in the Elite Eight, the most wins without a loss by any program since the round began in 1951. However, NONE of the previous five Houston Final Four teams emerged with a national title. If Houston's luck were to change in 2021, the Cougars would become just the THIRD non-power 5 conference school to win the title since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985 (Louisville won a national title in 1986 playing out of the Metro Conference and UNLV won its lone national title in 1990 playing out of the Big West). Kelvin Sampson's Cougars won 27 games in 2018, 33 in 2019 and 23 in last year's pandemic-shortened season. His current team is 28-3 and has held its four NCAA opponents to just 55.8 PPG but in Baylor, Houston faces a team that averaged 85.3 PPG during the regular season (3rd) and led the nation in three-point accuracy at 42.9 percent.

Scott Drew took over a devastated Baylor program in the 2003-04 season and since 2007-08, has turned the Bears into one of the best programs in the country. Baylor won the NIT in 2013 and had made eight NCAA tourney appearances (26-4 last season would have made nine) entering this season. Baylor won its first-ever Big 12 regular-season title this season, the first league championship since the Bears won the SWC regular season in 1950. This is Drew's ninth NCAA appearance with the Bears and Baylor reached the Sweet 16 for the FIFTH time in the last 12 years. The Elite 8 appearance was his third with Baylor and now it's his first Final Four appearance. Baylor opened the season No. 1 behind Baylor but COVID-19 nearly derailed Baylor's dream season, with the Bears being forced to pause for three weeks in February. A 17-0 record before the pause was quickly tarnished with a 13-point loss at Kansas in their second game back. Baylor then lost again in the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament, but here the Bears are in the Final Four for just the THIRD time in school history (1948 and 1950).

Houston enters Saturday's contest having won 11 consecutive games and last qualified for the Final Four in 1984 when it completed its third consecutive trip on the back of the famed "Phi Slama Jama" collection of superstar talent. The program fell into disrepair over the subsequent two decades but Kelvin Sampson has changed all that (see above). Junior guard Quentin Grimes (18.0 & 5.8) is the American Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Year and leads an offense that isn't prolific but is efficient. Sophomore guard Marcus Sasser averages 13.5 PPG plus senior guard DeJon Jarreau (10.8-5.5-4.4) is a terrific defender, who put the clamps on Buddy Boeheim (Syracuse) and Ethan Thompson.(Oregon St) in Houston's last two wins. 6-7 senior forward Justin Gorham (8.5 & 8.7) has a team-high eight double-doubles and averaged 9.5 & 10.0 against Syracuse and Oregon St.

Baylor's strength is also the team's trio of guards, Jared Butler (16.5-3.3-4.8), MaCio Teague (15.9 & 4.1) and Davion Mitchell (14.1 & 5.3 APG). Jay Bilas called Mitchell is Baylor's most indispensable player. The 6-5 Vital (5.7 & 6.7) is also one of the nation's best defenders and has scored 10 points and added 13 rebounds in Baylor's Sweet 16 and Elite 8 wins. Flager (9.0) averaged 13.0 PPG in Baylor's last two tourney wins, while fellow guard Mayer (8.2) averaged 12.5 PPG in the team's first two wins.

Let me go back to when I noted that Houston has held its four NCAA tourney opponents to just 55.7 PPG.  Houston earned a No. 2 seed, so the Cougars opened against a No. 15 seed in Cleveland St. However, Houston then benefitted by drawing a 10-seed in Rutgers, an 11-seed in Syracuse and a 12-seed in Oregon St. NO team has ever had an easier route to a Final 4 since the advent of the 64-team field. Not counting the game vs Cleveland St, the Houston offense has managed just 63, 62 and 67 points in beating Rutgers, Syracuse and Oregon State. Baylor plays defense as well or better than that trio plus Baylor has faced 12 top-30 NET-ranked teams since January, compared to Houston's two. Since the opening of the season, it's been Gonzaga No. 1 and Baylor No. 2 in all but one AP weekly poll (Mar 1) and my bet says Baylor holds up its end for an anticipated championship game against the Bulldogs. Bears win by double digits.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* signature 37-Club is on Houston at 7:15 ET.

No one should have been surprised by what Kelvin Sampson has done at Houston, after successful stops at Washington St, Oklahoma and Indiana. His first Houston team went 13-19 (2014-15) but FIVE straight 20-win seasons followed. The Cougars won 27 (2017-18) and 33 (2018-19) games, before going 23-8 in last season's pandemic shortened one. Houston took another step forward this season by winning the AAC tourney with a blowout 91-54 victory over Cincinnati, after losing the previous two seasons in the title game to the Bearcats. 24-3 Houston entered the "Big Dance" ranked No. 6 in the nation (AP poll) while earning a No. 2 seed. The Cougars are now playing for a chance to advance to the Final 4 for the first time since making THREE consecutive appearances from 1982-84 when it reached its pinnacle under coach Guy Lewis.

Standing in Houston's way is the Pac 12's Oregon St Beavers, the lowest-seed (No. 12) left among Elite 8 teams. Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle lost his son Tres (18.5 & 6.8) and center Kelley (11.1 PPG / 5.3 RPG / 3.5 BPG) from last year's team and not much was expected from the Beavers. Oregon St was just 11-11 (7-9 in Pac 12) by late-February but the Beavers won three straight on the road (at Cal, Stanford and Utah), before losing their regular season finale to Oregon, which avenged an earlier loss at home to Oregon St. Oregon St then beat UCLA, Oregon and Colorado (all as underdogs) to win the Pac 12 tourney and advance to the NCAA tournament as a No. 12 seed. THREE straight wins (all as underdogs) over No. 5 Tennessee, No. 4 Oklahoma St and No. 8 Loyola-Chicago have followed in the "Big Dance," as the Ducks have reached the Elite 8 for the first time since the 1982 team did so (that appearance was later vacated). Oregon State last reached the Final Four in 1963!

OSU is led by guard Thompson (15.9-3.9-3.8) and fellow guard Lucas (12.9) is the only other double digit scorer. That duo is joined in the starting lineup by fellow guard Reichle (7.4) plus up front by the 6-7 Alatishe (9.6 & 8.7) and the 7-1 Silva (5.7 & 2.9). Thompson has averaged 20.3 & 7.0 and Lucas 12.3 in the Ducks' three NCAA wins, Up front, Alatishe has averaged just 6.7 PPG but also 10.7 RPG, while Silva has upped his game to average 9.0 & 6.7 in the Big Dance. The 6-10 Calloo (5.5 & 2.3 on the season), scored 15 points vs Loyola and is averaging 9.0 PPG in OSU's three NCAA wins.

A trio of Houston guards lead the way in Grimes (18.0 & 6.0), Sasser (13.3) and Jarreau (10.8-5.4-4.3), while freshman Mark (8.2 & 3.1) adds depth. The best frontcourt player is the 6-7 Gorham (8.6 & 8.6). However, Houston has won with its defense, allowing 57.6 PPG during the regular season, on 37.0% shooting, including 27.4% on threes. Grimes was the American Athletic Conference Co-Player of the Year, guard Jarreau (Defensive Player of the Year) and forward Gorham (Most Improved Player).

Houston has benefited from a fortunate draw, opening with a No. 15 seed (Cleveland St), then drawing No. 10 Rutgers and No. 11 Syracuse. Now, it's the 12th-seed Beavers, although Oregon St hardly is playing like a double digit seed this tourney (same with UCLA). That said, Houston will be the first team ever to play four double-digit seeds in a single tournament. Then again, a team meets the opponent which advances. That Houston defense has been DOMINANT, allowing its three opponents to average only 54.0 PPG on 36.8% shooting, including 33.3% on threes. Just ask Jim Boeheim about Houston's D. Syracuse came in off back-to-back wins in which the Orange had shot 53.5% overall (50.0% on threes) but was 14-50 (28.0%), including 5-23 (21,7%) on threes against the Cougars. Oregon St enters this game off SIX consecutive upset wins (obviously, 6-0 ATS) but the Beavers' run ENDs here, as Houston wins "with room to spare!"

Good luck...Larry