10 Units Wisconsin +1 -110
The defending Big Ten Champs are at it again, having started the conference season with a pair of easy wins over Indiana and Michigan State. Guard Devin Harris leads the Badgers (R: 2-2 SU, ATS) with an average of 17.2 points per game, and he scored a team-high 21 points in the win over Michigan State. Wisconsin (11-2 SU, 8-5 ATS) faces a major challenge against a very hard working and effective Purdue team (11-4). Purdue won 78-60 LY at home. The Boilermakers (H: 8-1 SU, 2-4 ATS) are coming off a win over Illinois and they should be well-prepared. Guard Kenneth Lowe is still Purdue's leading scorer, but his average has dropped to 13.8 ppg. Forward Ivan Kartelo is the key to Purdue's rebounding effort, averaging 6.0 rebounds per game. Guard David Teague is averaging 10.1 ppg, but he needs to improve his shooting. Teague is shooting just 37.8 percent from the field. Expect Purdue to put forward a big effort and keep this one very close.
5 Units Drake -3.5 +101
Missouri Valley battle and neither team plays any defense. Illinois State allows teams to shoot 46% while giving up 72 ppg on the road, and Drake allows opponents to shoot a whopping 49% while giving up 74 ppg at home! The Illinois State Redbirds (4-8 SU, 4-5 ATS) come into this game on a 5-game losing streak and are 0-6 SU/2-3 ATS on the road. Illinois State is a decent offensive team (67.6 ppg), behind 6’-8” sophomore Marcus Arnold (15 ppg, 5 rpg), but this is their fourth road game over the last five games. The Drake Bulldogs (5-7) are without star guard Luke McDonald (foot -- out for the season). This is not a tall team, with 6’-5” sophomore Quantel Murphy (8 ppg), 6’-1” junior guard Lonnie Randolph (9.8 ppg) and 6’-3” sophomore Josh Robinson (11.5 ppg, 41% 3-pt shooter) leading the way. Still, they are playing well, home after a long road stretch and they are 3-1 the last four games and riding a 5-0 ATS run! They gave mighty Creighton a run the last game on the road before falling 78-67, but covering.
5 Units So Illinois -15.5 -104
The magic numbers here are "two" and "ten." That's the records of these teams, unfortunately for the visitors, Evansville is 2-10 while Southern Illinois is 10-2. The Evansville Aces are struggling on defense, allowing 46% shooting and 75 ppg. Evansville is a pretty good offensive team (69 ppg), though leading scorer Clint Cuffle (12 ppg, 5.5 rpg) is shooting 40%. As a team they're shooting 46% with 6’-4” junior Lucious Wagner (5.3 apg) and 6’-5” junior Andre Burton (11 ppg). Evansville is off a rare win, this time at home over banged-up Bradley, but the Aces are 0-7 SU/3-2 ATS on the road. The Southern Illinois Salukis (10-2 SU, 7-4 ATS) shoot 47% as a team, with an outstanding player in 6’-3” junior guard Darren Brooks (17 ppg, 6.5 rpg), who leads the team in scoring and rebounding. This team has height up front with 6’-9” senior Brad Korn and is 5-1 SU/3-3 ATS at home where they allow just 57.7 ppg. Southern Illinois was 15-1 SU at home (though 3-13 ATS) last season and they beat Evansville twice, winning 90-84 and 76-64 (though the Aces were 2-0 ATS).
5 Units North Carolina +2 -110
Maryland finally returns to the ACC after trouncing some “Softies”. For their sins, they get North Carolina (10-2 SU, 7-3 ATS), who is coming off a blowout win against Georgia Tech, 103 – 88 SU. Maryland (9-3 SU, 5-4 ATS) is going to have to prove to the rest of the ACC that it belongs with the top teams like Carolina by at least beating these teams at Home (8-2 SU). The Terps are getting huge play out of Sophomore, Nick Caner-Medley (15 ppg, 6 rpg). The problem is that North Carolina just has too many weapons to use. Carolina Big Man Sean May has been dominant inside (17 ppg, 11 rpg). On the perimeter, Rashad McCants (17 ppg, 5 rpg) and Ray Felton (11 ppg, 8 apg) are lighting it up every night. There are just too many holes in the dam to plug. Maryland’s gym is a tough place to play. However, Carolina is coming off games against Kentucky, Wake Forest, and Georgia Tech. They are just not going to be afraid of the Turtles!!!
Good Luck Tonight My Friends,
ALLSTAR
