Free Ncaa Basketball Pick - January 02, 2008
We went 2-1 for +4.5 units yesterday. Over the last week and a half we are hitting 70% (19-8) for +29.3 units. We have five picks tonight...
Today's NCAA Basketball Picks:
Game: George Mason at Georgia State (3:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on George Mason -11.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Georgia State owns three wins. They beat Texas-San Antonio at home in OT, a team which owns a 0-4 road record. They beat Jacksonville at home, a team that is 1-7 on the road, the lone win over South Carolina State. They also own a win over Troy State a team which is 1-5 on the road beating TX A&M Corpus Christi that is 4-10. George Mason has already taken on some big teams with success as they have notched convincing wins over Kansas State and Dayton. Georgia State just does not defend well and will have mismatches against them all over the floor. They are giving up 47.5% to lesser teams. George Mason humiliated Drexel by 47 points in their conference opener and we expect them to step up again in conference play.
Game: Houston at Massachusetts (7:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 4 units on Game Total UNDER 160 -110 (risk 4 to win 3.6)
When two hot teams with exciting high-scoring offenses meet, the public can't help but jump on the OVER. The oddsmakers know this and inflate the line. Houston has won ten in a row and UMass is coming in off five-straight wins and averages 84.1 ppg. But, the Minutemen play decent defense and should be able to contain a Houston team that averages a pedestrian 73 ppg on the road. Houston's defense is great, allowing 63 ppg (61 over their last five games). The fact is, UMass games average less than this total and at home, they average 146.8. Houston games average just 141.4 ppg. Massachusetts likes the three-pointer, putting up 25 attempts per game but the Cougars under Tom Penders are 14-3 UNDER vs. teams that attempt 21+ such shots per game. Houston has also gone UNDER 71% of the time over that span vs. good shooting teams (45%+ from the field). And, they are
Game: Northeastern at Towson State (7:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Northeastern -2.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
We have seen this Northeastern team in action twice and forget about their record - they can play. They have spent virtually the entire season on the road in some very hostile environments such as Ill, CT, URI, Syracuse, MD and BC. They took Maryland to OT, Connecticut down to the wire, Illinois to within single digits and BC by two points. They sure aren't going to be intimidated here. Towson is shooting just 38% on the season and that is against some lackluster competition. They play eight players and four of them shoot 31% or less! Northeastern should win this one very soundly.
Game: Southern Illinois at Drake (8:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Drake -4 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The recent king of the MVC, Southern Illinois goes on the road as a dog, to battle Drake. Is there something wrong here? No, it is the changing of the guard atop the MVC. Drake comes into this game at 10-1, unbeaten at home and is poised to show that they are going to be a force in the MVC this season. The Salukis have already dropped more games than they did all of last regular season and come in limping to an uncharacteristic 6-6 record. They have always been a top team at home, but vulnerable on the road and never so evident as this season. The Salukis have played three games on the road, are 0-3, and shooting 32.7%, and just 25.9% from three-point range, and connecting just 64% at the line. They have 53 made baskets and 42 turnovers! Drake is allowing just 39% in six home games, and have really forced the turnovers as they have forced 128, averaging 21.3 a game. The 128 turnovers forced exceeds the FGs they have allowed which stands at 118. If you think this isn't a big-time game for Drake guess again. They have been tortured by Southern Illinois. They have suffered 17 straight losses and haven't beaten them since Feb. of '99. They have lost three at home by one point and another in OT. The talent table has turned and Drake will go for the jugular tonight.
Game: San Jose State at Boise State (9:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 4 units on Boise State -950 (moneyline) (risk 4 to win 0.4)
The Broncos upset nationally-ranked BYU on Saturday and enter conference play with a lot of momentum having won eight of their last nine. Being a conference game, no let down here. San Jose State has won three in a row but they struggled against lowly Presbyterian and S. Dakota State. And prior to their win streak, they lost four in a row. Boise State is averaging 81.8 ppg and should have no trouble scoring tonight. San Jose State is 4-28 the past three seasons vs. winning teams including 1-16 vs. teams with a record of .600 or better. Broncos for the outright win here.
Results: 2-3
NCAA Basketball Picks Resources:
Check out the last five NCAA Basketball Picks Newsletters:
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-January-01-2008
The Bearcats are 0-4 on the road where they manage just over 60 points per game. Louisville is taking no prisoners. They are 7-1 at home and are coming off a game in which they held their opponent, Io...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-31-2007
Vandy can secure the best start in school history with a win here. They have the two best scorers in the SEC in Shan Foster and AJ Ogilvy who is just a freshman. Between them they are averaging 40 poi...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-30-2007
Air Force travels cross-country here to face a Wake team that is a perfect 7-0 at home and coming off three straight wins. The Demon Deacons have won 11 in a row at home dating back to last season. Ai...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-29-2007
Vanderbilt games have been soring over the total this year but we like this one to come in UNDER. Tennesee Martin is shoting 36.4% from the field on the road. Overall they are averaging 40.5% vs. oppo...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-28-2007
The Saints opened slowly but have caught fire. They have three solid scorers in Hasbrouck, Ubiles and Franklin, all averaging over 15 ppg. St. Joesph's has done a good job so far, but their b...
