NCAA Hoops: Non-Stop Betting Action For Saturday

  After going 1-2 on Thursday against the spread, Friday was a good day to regroup and refocus on what was a slow night in college basketball.  Thursday, Wisconsin (-13.5 pts) and Maryland (-5 pts) let me down big time coming no where near to covering their respective spreads.  It was nearly a full spread disaster, if Washington (-9) didn't make a push late for the cover over Arizona.  Saturday is a new day, and it's time to start a new winning streak.

  Ohio St. at Illinois:  Here comes the Buckeyes into Champaign with the big # 1 ranking bulls eye on their chest.  This isn't the ideal setting to debut your # 1 ranking on the road, as the Illini are 10-0 at home on the season.  This game might break a record for the highest decibel levels in an arena.  Pick: Illinois (+3.5 pts)

  Villanova at Syracuse:  Speaking of decibel levels the 'Cuse are expecting to break an attendance record in this game with over 30,000 fans in the Carrier Dome.  That may be true but in such an even match-up I think this spread may be a little high.  Pick: Villanova (+ 6 points)

  Tennessee at UCONN:  The Vols get their coach Bruce Pearl back in this one, as his suspension applies to SEC league games only.  Maybe he can help locate guard Scotty Hopson because he's been missing since their early season upset of Pitt.  Kemba Walker, a supporting cast getting better and better, Jim Calhoun, and a 10-0 home record will be tough to overcome.  Pick: UCONN (-5.5 pts)

  Kansas St. at Texas A&M:  Frank Martin and his screaming sideline antics have failed to motivate the Wildcats this season, as they are a shell of what they were last year.  The Aggies are looking to bounce back at home (11-0) after a disappointing road loss to the rival Longhorns.  Pick: Texas A&M ( -5 pts)

  Texas at Kansas:  I absolutely love this Longhorns team this year.  I've been raving about the freshman duo of Cory Joseph and Tristan Thompson for some time now.  However, this Jayhawks team is a veteran ball club and the Morris twins appear to be on some kind of a mission at this point.  Texas may be a little too green for this one.  Pick:  Kansas (-6.5 pts)

  Marquette at Notre Dame:  I really have been impressed with Marquette, as they have a tremendous amount of athleticism and they play hard for 40 minutes every night.  The Irish have been lights out at home (12-0) and so far on Selection Saturday I've been riding all the undefeated teams at home.  Time to get off the beaten path.  Jimmy Butler and Jae Crowder are the difference in this one.  Pick:  Marquette (+4 pts)

  Boston College at Florida St.:  It's hard to believe that this game is for first place in the ACC, as both teams are 4-1 in league play tied with Duke atop the standings.  Boston College guard Reggie Jackson is the real deal averaging nearly 20 points per game.  The  'Noles are currently on a three game winning streak that included Duke's only loss of the season.  Florida St. has been active defensively this season (allowing only 61 ppg), and their length should slow down B.C.'s attack.  Pick:  Florida St. ( -7.5 pts)

  Michigan St. at Purdue:  Until the Spartans prove otherwise, they are just an average basketball team right now.  They come into Mackey Arena, where the Boilermakers are 10-0 on the season.  The Spartans are a dismal 2-3 on the road, and Purdue big man JaJuan Johnson is a serious candidate for Big Ten Player of the Year.  Pick: Purdue (-6 pts)

  Arizona at Washington St.:  This could be billed as the battle of the two best players in the Pac-10 with Zona's Derrick Williams and the Cougars Klay Thompson.  Arizona is coming off a tough loss at Washington, but they played decent during stretches of that game.  Zona guard Kyle Fogg needs to step up and give some help to his sidekick, as his three point effort in 22 minutes is not going to cut it.  Pick: Arizona (+3 pts)

  Overall Season Record:  16-9