NCAA Hoops Sunday: Back To Beat The Spread

Saturday January 15, 2011 was a roller coaster day for college hoops, especially for those interested in the spread aspect of the games.  Top ranked teams like Duke and Kansas struggled at home to put away pesky lower-tier conference foes, while several other games came down to the final seconds. 

I started off the day giving the public Syracuse at minus 7.5 points over Cincy at home.  Quick start to the day as the 'Cuse put away the Bearcats in the second half winning by 15 points despite losing their leading scorer Kris Joseph to a head injury late in the first half.

Up next was the simultaneous start of Mizzou at Texas A&M and Maryland at Villanova.  I offered up Mizzou at plus 5.5 points and the Terps at plus 5.5 points.  It looked signed, sealed, and delivered that I was heading to 3-0 on the day, as Mizzou lost by only 2 in OT, and the Terps had a 12-point lead with eight minutes to go at Villanova.  Then came the dreaded draught that basketball fans know all too well. 

Nova went on a 19-0 run from that point of the game, before Maryland finally decided to score again with 3 minutes to go in the game.  A five minute scoreless period by the Turtles finalized in an 8 point loss, thus dropping the selections to 2-1 on the day.

After the Maryland debacle, lady luck was no longer on my side as the next game on the docket was Illinois at Wisconsin.  I suggested the Illini at plus six points, despite my recognition of how tough it is to play the Badgers in Madison.  However, for some reason I agreed to overlook that aspect and Wisconsin rolled to an 10-point victory and the game wasn't even really that close.  Down to 2-2 on the day when things once looked so promising.

Up next was Oklahoma at Texas, my bonus selection for the day.  I normally don't like laying huge amounts of points, and this game proved exactly why.  I recommended Texas at minus 19.5 points and they magically won by 20.  This game could've went either way, as Texas was never covering this game until the final seconds.  Oklahoma put up a better fight than expected, and just maybe this was a little redemption for the sour taste still in my mouth after the Maryland loss.  Record now stood at 3-2.

The final game of the day was a complete miscalculation.  I choose New Mexico at home getting plus one point versus the undefeated San Diego State Aztecs.  I knew The Aztecs were for real, but they looked bad in their last game at home versus UNLV, and I clearly put too much stock in " The Pit" factor of the game.  The Lobos aren't anything close to what they were last year and I learned that the hard way as SDSU cruised to a 10-point victory.  After all that 3-3 on the day.

The college hardwood on Sunday features an interesting out of conference clash along with several conference battles.  Let's try to get over the .500 mark!

Notre Dame at St. John's:  Both teams head into this contest at (3-2) in Big East play.  The Irish are coming off a 22-point thrashing on the road at the hands of Marquette.  St. John's features a similar style of play and athleticism that the Golden Eagles possess, and Coach Steve Lavin has the Johnies headed in the right direction. Pick: St. John's (-2 pts)

Purdue at West Virginia:  This game might be as physical as the Ravens-Steelers playoff game, as both teams thrive on hard nose defense and will scratch and claw for a victory.  The Boilermakers are steaming after their 10-game win streak was snapped by Minnesota, and saw their star player E'Twaun Moore go two for 15 from the field.  That will not happen again and center JaJuan Johnson might be the most skilled big man in the country.  Pick: Purdue (+3 pts)

North Carolina at Georgia Tech:  UNC is the last remaining undefeated team in ACC play at 2-0, while Georgia Tech is looking for their first win at 0-2.  The Tar Heels have a huge advantage on the interior with Tyler Zeller and John Henson.  The Yellow Jackets only size on the inside are young and inexperienced.  However, I do actually give a slight edge to the Jackets in the guard match-ups in this contest.  I'll need a big game from junior guard Iman Shumpert for the Jackets, otherwise this could be my bonehead play of the day,  Pick: Ga. Tech (+ 6.5 pts)

Washington at California:  I'm still scratching my head from the Huskies last game when they went to Stanford and came away with a two point loss.  Is the loss of  injured sophomore guard Abdul Gaddy that big of a factor?  And then you have Cal fresh off a home overtime win over Washington State.  Freshman guard Allen Crabbe's 30-point performance was enough to overcome All Pac-10 guard Klay Thompson's 36-point game.  I tend to think Washington will try to turn this game into a track meet, and that Crabbe will not be able to duplicate that effort again.  Pick: Washington (-6 pts)