Ncaapicks - January 03, 2009
We split our picks yesterday for a slim loss. Over the past three days we are 7-2 (78%) for +12.1 units. We look to add to that today with three more CBB picks...
Today's NCAA Basketball Picks:
Game: Notre Dame at Saint John's (2:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Notre Dame -9.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Not to long ago, the St. John's program was one of the top programs in the country. It has since fallen and may never get up. The Johnnies continue to struggle and are now facing bad breaks to go along with it. They lost their best player for the season in Mason and they have now lost their PG Boothe to injury and are starting a freshman. Add that to the fact that their top player Burrell is wearing a mask because of facial injuries. Notre Dame will seize the moment in an environment that has lost its luster as St. John's is drawing no one, especially with the students on break. Notre Dame has it inside and out and has a better player at all five spots on the floor. This one looks like a blowout, so I'll back Notre Dame here.
Game: Arkansas Little Rock at Western Kentucky (8:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on Arkansas Little Rock +7 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The Trojans finished second to the Hilltoppers last year, but have all five starters back and are ready to make a run. They are off to a good start at 9-4 which includes a win over Creighton, and a road-seasoning loss at Memphis by just eight points. Western Kentucky lost its guard tandem from last year's NCAA tournament team, and those departures not only cost them in terms of experience, but 35 ppg as well. Trojans feature a sharp-shooting backcourt of Moore and Mouzy - both dialing it up from long distance at over 41%. The Trojans have revenge in mind for a 15-point loss here a year ago and have the experience and skill to at least hang tough here. Arkansas Little Rock gets the call.
Game: Middle Tennessee State at South Alabama (8:00 PM Eastern)Pick: 3 units on South Alabama -2.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
South Alabama has an 8-5 record, but when you consider the fact the five losses have come to Western Kentucky, Louisville, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Mississippi State, the Jags are 8-0 when playing teams on their level. S. Alabama shoots the ball very well with four starters 47% or higher from the floor and have a go-to scorer in Tilford (19.3 points per game). Middle Tennessee has the same 8-5 record, but the record is tainted as the Blue raiders have three non-Div1 wins and a fourth over Norfolk State. This team has spent some time in the trainer’s room as well, as only five players have seen action in all 13 games. South Alabama gets the call here.
NCAA Basketball Picks Resources:
Check out the last five NCAA Basketball Picks Newsletters:
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-January-02-2009
The Broncos are in a tough spot here as they are off of back-to-back games Monday and Tuesday and after the Holiday, they must make the cross-country trip to face the Harvard Crimson. The Broncos have...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-January-01-2009
Western Kentucky is simply on a different level than Troy State. The Hilltoppers have been impressive with wins over Georgia, Louisville, and Southern Illinois. They also have yet to lose at home wher...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-31-2008
The fifth-ranked Blue Devils have won 65 straight here at home vs. non-conference foes. They are 10-1 this season and at home they are playing stifling defense holding foes to just 61.3 points per gam...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-30-2008
UMass is just 2-4 on the road this season where they have been outscored by 4.5 points per game. They are 1-4 ATS in those games. Houston is 4-1 at home, winning by 25 points per game. They have cover...
NCAA-Basketball-Picks-December-29-2008
Both of these teams are anemic offensively, leading to a low total. But, I like the OVER here thanks to the fact that Fordham can't stop anyone on the road. While scoring just 62.6 per game, they ...
