Wake +5.5
Really don't see why this isn't a no brainer? Even before the season I picked Wake as my sleeper pick (got a nice future +4000 to win title on them), and had them as my top 5 most talented teams in the country. I had this game circled since schedules were released. Now I thought I would be getting 9 points or so, but I will still gladly take the 5.5. I didn't think they would be undefeated. I thought they would have slipped up at least once or twice, but this team is actually a little bit better than even I thought they were going to be. People are discrediting their win at BYU. That is a great win. Anytime you go somewhere and end a 53game home winning streak you did something special. 53 games is a shit load of games and speaks to the advantage this team has at home. it's not like they are slouches either. Wake easily could have looked past that game with their showdown with UNC on the horizon, but they showed me again that this team has a legit shot at winning it all. In that game they showed that they could step up defensively at the end of the game when needed most. I think they are thought of as a run and gun team, but their defensive statistics are some of the best in the country. They hold opponents to 36.4% from the floor, and more importantly 28% from the 3 point line. Those numbers are ridiculous and against good competition. UNC relies a lot on the 3 point shot, but Wake has quick guards that are able to get out and cover the line very easily. Those defensive numbers for guarding the 3 are no fluke. Their quickness and size make it difficult for teams to shoot over, or get off a easy shot. That's another thing about Wake. Most teams UNC just looks like they are on a different level from a physical standpoint. Not against Wake. The Deamon Decons have the size that is second to none. They look like an NBA team when they warm up. Just look at this roster; James Johnson 6'8 235, Al Farouq Aminu 6'8 205, Chas Macfarland 7'0 225, Tony Woods 6'10 235, David Weaver 6'10 240. and these aren't just big bodies they are elite athletes who can get up and down the floor. They have that NBA size that most scouts say will give Hansborough trouble. He isn't going to be able to muscle up shots, and hustle and physically get a rebound. Wake has the size that will give Hasborough trouble. That little push shot he shoots from his face will get it shot right back at him, and when he goes to muscle a rebound from Johnson he will bounce right off him. Ok, maybe a little bit of an exaggeration, but there is a reason NBA scouts say he will struggle in the NBA, and you will see why tonight. Now Wake just doesn't have big bodies they have some of the best guards in the country. Jeff Teague has elevated his game to all american status averaging 19.6ppg and running the team very nicely. He doesn't force shots, just takes what the defense gives him. He has the ability to take his man off the dribble, or pull a 3 pointer (51% from 3 on season), when Wake really needs a bucket. Along with Teague you have LD Williams. He is the defensive stopper on the team. You put him on the opposing teams leading scorer and he gives him fits all game long. Harvey Hale, and Ishmal Smith gives Wake even more depth at the guard position. Smith, who is probably the quickest guard in the ACC is having an off year. He suffered a sprained ankle earlier in the season and hasn't really been right since. He does seem to be getting healthy at the right time though. He recently had 11 and 9assists against ECU 2 games ago and had 6,3,3 against BYU last time out. His minutes have been increasing and seems to be ready just in time for tonight's game and ACC play. As deep as UNC is Wake is just as deep. The Tar Heels aren't going to wear down the Deamon Decs. The X factor in this game is Wake's home court advantage. For 2 teams that are so evenly matched I think home court may be the difference maker. Looking at stat sheets these teams do everything just about the same. From offensive fg % to ft %, to defensive stats these teams are very similar. You just can't discount the important of home court in big games such as these. Wake has the talent to compete and won't be intimidated by the Tar Heels. Wake Forest still has some doubters and they are going to use tonight's stage to let the nation know that they are a legit national title contender.
Will probably have a little on the ML as well
Really don't see why this isn't a no brainer? Even before the season I picked Wake as my sleeper pick (got a nice future +4000 to win title on them), and had them as my top 5 most talented teams in the country. I had this game circled since schedules were released. Now I thought I would be getting 9 points or so, but I will still gladly take the 5.5. I didn't think they would be undefeated. I thought they would have slipped up at least once or twice, but this team is actually a little bit better than even I thought they were going to be. People are discrediting their win at BYU. That is a great win. Anytime you go somewhere and end a 53game home winning streak you did something special. 53 games is a shit load of games and speaks to the advantage this team has at home. it's not like they are slouches either. Wake easily could have looked past that game with their showdown with UNC on the horizon, but they showed me again that this team has a legit shot at winning it all. In that game they showed that they could step up defensively at the end of the game when needed most. I think they are thought of as a run and gun team, but their defensive statistics are some of the best in the country. They hold opponents to 36.4% from the floor, and more importantly 28% from the 3 point line. Those numbers are ridiculous and against good competition. UNC relies a lot on the 3 point shot, but Wake has quick guards that are able to get out and cover the line very easily. Those defensive numbers for guarding the 3 are no fluke. Their quickness and size make it difficult for teams to shoot over, or get off a easy shot. That's another thing about Wake. Most teams UNC just looks like they are on a different level from a physical standpoint. Not against Wake. The Deamon Decons have the size that is second to none. They look like an NBA team when they warm up. Just look at this roster; James Johnson 6'8 235, Al Farouq Aminu 6'8 205, Chas Macfarland 7'0 225, Tony Woods 6'10 235, David Weaver 6'10 240. and these aren't just big bodies they are elite athletes who can get up and down the floor. They have that NBA size that most scouts say will give Hansborough trouble. He isn't going to be able to muscle up shots, and hustle and physically get a rebound. Wake has the size that will give Hasborough trouble. That little push shot he shoots from his face will get it shot right back at him, and when he goes to muscle a rebound from Johnson he will bounce right off him. Ok, maybe a little bit of an exaggeration, but there is a reason NBA scouts say he will struggle in the NBA, and you will see why tonight. Now Wake just doesn't have big bodies they have some of the best guards in the country. Jeff Teague has elevated his game to all american status averaging 19.6ppg and running the team very nicely. He doesn't force shots, just takes what the defense gives him. He has the ability to take his man off the dribble, or pull a 3 pointer (51% from 3 on season), when Wake really needs a bucket. Along with Teague you have LD Williams. He is the defensive stopper on the team. You put him on the opposing teams leading scorer and he gives him fits all game long. Harvey Hale, and Ishmal Smith gives Wake even more depth at the guard position. Smith, who is probably the quickest guard in the ACC is having an off year. He suffered a sprained ankle earlier in the season and hasn't really been right since. He does seem to be getting healthy at the right time though. He recently had 11 and 9assists against ECU 2 games ago and had 6,3,3 against BYU last time out. His minutes have been increasing and seems to be ready just in time for tonight's game and ACC play. As deep as UNC is Wake is just as deep. The Tar Heels aren't going to wear down the Deamon Decs. The X factor in this game is Wake's home court advantage. For 2 teams that are so evenly matched I think home court may be the difference maker. Looking at stat sheets these teams do everything just about the same. From offensive fg % to ft %, to defensive stats these teams are very similar. You just can't discount the important of home court in big games such as these. Wake has the talent to compete and won't be intimidated by the Tar Heels. Wake Forest still has some doubters and they are going to use tonight's stage to let the nation know that they are a legit national title contender.
Will probably have a little on the ML as well
Wisconsin+6
Even with Hummel returning Purdue will still almost certainly be without Chris Kramer. You also have to question if Hummel will be close to 100% ? The Boilers desperately need their 2 of their best players back. They have been struggling on the defensive end without their best rebounder (Hummel), and team leader in steal (Kramer). Purdue was just hammered on the glass against Penn St ending up -15 on the glass. Purdue hasn't looked good their past 2 games out losing at home to Illinois, and then on the road against Penn St. Their usually sound defense seems to have deserted them. That isn't a good sign against a very good, and a very experienced Wisconsin team. The Badgers are a very fundamental team that doesn't beat themselves. Their 3 losses on the season have come against some of the best; Texas, Connecticut, and Marquette. Landry has the ability to control the paint and give them Boilers trouble on the glass. He has a wider body then JaJuan Johnson, and should give the Bagers an advantage down low. Wisconsin is +5 rebounding on the season while Purdue is -1. Wisconsin also shoots the 3 ball very well, again something Purdue doesn't. With Bohannon, Trevor Hughes, Jon Leur, and even Carl Landry Wisconsin has the ability to stroke the 3 from every position on the court. They can stretch the Purdue defense and not allow the Boilers to focus on 1 area of the court. I was very high on this Purdue team at the beginning of the season. I thought they were a final 4 contender, but after watching them several times it is evident something is missing. Their inability to rebound the well has haunted them all season. Also even though they are a good defensive team by statistic measures they seem to never be able to get the big defensive stop when needed. Now I wouldn't be shocked if they have a break out game and blow out Wisconsin, but I just don't see it happening. Wisconsin just don't hurt themselves. They play very smart basketball, but more importantly and very good basketball players that play smart. Their is a big difference in being smart, but not talented, or talented, but stupid. The Badgers are both. They have won 3 straight to start conference play, and should win this game letting the Big 10 know that once again the conference title goes through Madison
Even with Hummel returning Purdue will still almost certainly be without Chris Kramer. You also have to question if Hummel will be close to 100% ? The Boilers desperately need their 2 of their best players back. They have been struggling on the defensive end without their best rebounder (Hummel), and team leader in steal (Kramer). Purdue was just hammered on the glass against Penn St ending up -15 on the glass. Purdue hasn't looked good their past 2 games out losing at home to Illinois, and then on the road against Penn St. Their usually sound defense seems to have deserted them. That isn't a good sign against a very good, and a very experienced Wisconsin team. The Badgers are a very fundamental team that doesn't beat themselves. Their 3 losses on the season have come against some of the best; Texas, Connecticut, and Marquette. Landry has the ability to control the paint and give them Boilers trouble on the glass. He has a wider body then JaJuan Johnson, and should give the Bagers an advantage down low. Wisconsin is +5 rebounding on the season while Purdue is -1. Wisconsin also shoots the 3 ball very well, again something Purdue doesn't. With Bohannon, Trevor Hughes, Jon Leur, and even Carl Landry Wisconsin has the ability to stroke the 3 from every position on the court. They can stretch the Purdue defense and not allow the Boilers to focus on 1 area of the court. I was very high on this Purdue team at the beginning of the season. I thought they were a final 4 contender, but after watching them several times it is evident something is missing. Their inability to rebound the well has haunted them all season. Also even though they are a good defensive team by statistic measures they seem to never be able to get the big defensive stop when needed. Now I wouldn't be shocked if they have a break out game and blow out Wisconsin, but I just don't see it happening. Wisconsin just don't hurt themselves. They play very smart basketball, but more importantly and very good basketball players that play smart. Their is a big difference in being smart, but not talented, or talented, but stupid. The Badgers are both. They have won 3 straight to start conference play, and should win this game letting the Big 10 know that once again the conference title goes through Madison
GL with your plays HD, I always check your threads before I make my final call
watch out for Purdue today....they DESPERATELY need this win, with 2 losses in conference already.
the Badgers looked great vs NW, but something tells me the boilers come out strong. getting 6 is nice though, but its tough to bet my alma mater today. I'll be rooting for ya
:toast:
watch out for Purdue today....they DESPERATELY need this win, with 2 losses in conference already.
the Badgers looked great vs NW, but something tells me the boilers come out strong. getting 6 is nice though, but its tough to bet my alma mater today. I'll be rooting for ya
:toast:
Ohio -2.5
I think Kent St is still getting a little too much credit for what they accomplished last season. I think the loss of coach Jim Christian to TCU was a tough blow. Kent St has lacked the same defensive pricipals that he demanded last season. They just don't seem to have "it" this season. Kent is only 2-5 on the road and even worse shoot the ball 41% from the filed. As for Ohio they will have a huge advantage down low. With senior Jerome Tillman in the paint averaging 19.2ppg, and 9.6 rbp I don't see how Kent is going to stop him. Justin Orr compliments him nicely avergaing 11.6ppg. Ohio is 5-0 at home, and shoot 45.6% while holding opponents to 39.5% on defense. I think their defensive pressure will give Kent all sorts of problems. They should be able to control the paint, therefore controlling the game. They were 1 point favorite last season when Kent St had a much better team and won by 12 at home. With virtually the same team, against a lesser Kent team I expect the same outcome.
I think Kent St is still getting a little too much credit for what they accomplished last season. I think the loss of coach Jim Christian to TCU was a tough blow. Kent St has lacked the same defensive pricipals that he demanded last season. They just don't seem to have "it" this season. Kent is only 2-5 on the road and even worse shoot the ball 41% from the filed. As for Ohio they will have a huge advantage down low. With senior Jerome Tillman in the paint averaging 19.2ppg, and 9.6 rbp I don't see how Kent is going to stop him. Justin Orr compliments him nicely avergaing 11.6ppg. Ohio is 5-0 at home, and shoot 45.6% while holding opponents to 39.5% on defense. I think their defensive pressure will give Kent all sorts of problems. They should be able to control the paint, therefore controlling the game. They were 1 point favorite last season when Kent St had a much better team and won by 12 at home. With virtually the same team, against a lesser Kent team I expect the same outcome.
The Wake pick scares me a bit. This would have been a perfect bet in the middle of conference play had UNC come in 10-0 in ACC play and due for an upset. However, as athletic as Wake is, they are up against the one team that they legitimately cannot "out-athlete". And Carolina has to be focused, as it would be embarrassing for them to start off the year 0-2 in ACC play. I expect a strong effort from the most talented team in the nation tonight, which is scary (think Michigan State game).
