4 Unit Play. #515. Take the Kansas Jayhawks +4 over the Oklahoma Sooners (Monday @ 9pm est). An up and down week in college hoops, with many winning in college last week. The official documented record is 3-3-1, but many received a win with VCU which made it 4-3, but for record purposes, it was a 3-3-1 week last week. At this point, I'm so impressed with Kansas, that I'd like to kick off the new week with the Jayhawks today catching the 4 points. This team has been rock solid on the road this year and has a great shot at winning the conference championship and they truly deserve it. Yes, Griffin and Oklahoma have been great this year, but I think Kansas is deeper and plays a greater team element of basketball as it is never too much on solid ground to have your entire attack based on one player. Remember, this is the same Kansas team that went into Missouri and should have beat the Tigers as they had dominated them in the first half. This is the same Kansas team that is ranked top 10 in the nation in power rankings while Oklahoma is only ranked in the top 25 in power rankings. Kansas is the same team that beat Kansas State on the road by by double-digits - even when K-State had revenge. Since conference play in January 13th, this team has gone 12-1 overall in conference. And, that one loss was to Mizzou on the road 60-62 in a game they really should not have lost in all due honesty. So, with Griffin a bit banged up, despite having a negative MRI, the fact that Oklahoma's season rests on this one kid, I cannot imagine them taking too much of a risk with him on the floor playing massive minutes. Plus, Kansas is a team that keeps coming at home, from start to finish as they have great depth and a wonderful defensive presence. Let's not forget that Oklahoma has yet to face Mizzou and Kansas this year and when they do, I believe they will have their hands full. I look for the Jayhawks to win this contest and indeed, win yet another Big 12 Title when all is said and done as despite the fact this team is young, they are so incredibly well coached and have proven their worth in the regular season imo. Remember, Kansas has the 42th toughest schedule in the nation while Oklahoma has the 61st. Oklahoma goes to their bench for about less than 20% of the minutes while Kansas goes to their bench for about 27% of the minutes showing their depth. Kansas also shoots nearly 73% in free throws while Oklahoma shoots around 68% and if Griffin plays limited minutes, I expect this to drop a bit more for OU. I will take the team that si 13th in the country in field goal % made and top 15 in the country in field goal % allowed. The Sooners have a sound offense, but have a defense that is ranked top 150 in the nation while KU has a defense that is ranked top 90. I believe this will make the difference today. The Jayhawks have covered their last 6 Road games this year and are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 contests as road Underdogs. We hit Umass Outright on Sunday over St. Josephs, let's hit Kansas Outright over Oklahoma today, Monday Night.
Good luck,
Indian Cowboy.
Good luck,
Indian Cowboy.
Oklahoma star Griffin out for game against Kansas
By ASSOCIATED PRESS | February 23, 2009 | 0 comments
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel says preseason All-American Blake Griffin is out for Monday night's game against No. 15 Kansas.
Griffin is still recovering from a concussion sustained in Oklahoma's loss Saturday at Texas. The sophomore is the third-ranked Sooners' leading scorer and rebounder.
Capel says he doesn't know when Griffin will return. Griffin is averaging 22 points and 13.8 rebounds per game and leads the country with 22 double-doubles.
Griffin was hurt Saturday when he caught an inadvertent shot to the face from the open hand of Dexter Pittman, Texas'
By ASSOCIATED PRESS | February 23, 2009 | 0 comments
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel says preseason All-American Blake Griffin is out for Monday night's game against No. 15 Kansas.
Griffin is still recovering from a concussion sustained in Oklahoma's loss Saturday at Texas. The sophomore is the third-ranked Sooners' leading scorer and rebounder.
Capel says he doesn't know when Griffin will return. Griffin is averaging 22 points and 13.8 rebounds per game and leads the country with 22 double-doubles.
Griffin was hurt Saturday when he caught an inadvertent shot to the face from the open hand of Dexter Pittman, Texas'
Play: 4 Unit Play. #512. Take the L.A. Clippers +4 against the Golden State Warriors (Monday @ 10:35pm e
Comments: 4 Unit Play. #512. Take the L.A. Clippers +4 against the Golden State Warriors (Monday @ 10:35pm est). I like the Clippers here for several reasons as they are the other +4 point dog we take today. Bear in mind the Clippers come off three straight ugly losses losing to the Suns by 40 points apiece and then losing to the Blazers by nearly 30 points on the road. This team now returns home and I believe will play with a sense of pride. Let's not forget that the Clippers have already lost to the Warriors twice this year by scores of 103-121 and 92-107. But, there are some principles that you just stick to with a stubbornness in the NBA and one is that it is very difficult for a NBA team to cover against another NBA team when they are looking to beat them 3 straight times within one season. With 77% of the public all over the Warriors who have done extremely well of late, this seems to be a letdown spot for GS. Remember, Montae Ellis is out until around early March due to an ankle injury. Yes, Biedrins comes back likely today but again, it will take him sometime to get his feet wet in my opinion. The Warriors are indeed 7-2-1 ATS over their last 10, but many of those were home games. With Randolph coming back, Baron Davis, Camby and Eric Gordon, this team should have the offensive firepower to go against the Warriors here who I think will be a bit flat footed in the early going without Ellis. Remember, there are certain games that the Clippers "show up" for. That is the uniqueness with this team. Remember, this is the same team that beat the Mavs at home when healthy and this is the same team that went on a huge ATS run when they get Randolph back. After coming home after three straight losses, facing a GS team to avoid 3 straight losses in one season to them, with Randolph, Camby and Davis all playing or returning in this game, with 77% of the public fawning over GS laying the road chalk with no Ellis, I will take the Clippers who are the same team that beat the Knicks at home in overtime after coming back after a series of tough losses on the road. This team is still a series of professionals and they will get it done in this situational spot today imo.
Comments: 4 Unit Play. #512. Take the L.A. Clippers +4 against the Golden State Warriors (Monday @ 10:35pm est). I like the Clippers here for several reasons as they are the other +4 point dog we take today. Bear in mind the Clippers come off three straight ugly losses losing to the Suns by 40 points apiece and then losing to the Blazers by nearly 30 points on the road. This team now returns home and I believe will play with a sense of pride. Let's not forget that the Clippers have already lost to the Warriors twice this year by scores of 103-121 and 92-107. But, there are some principles that you just stick to with a stubbornness in the NBA and one is that it is very difficult for a NBA team to cover against another NBA team when they are looking to beat them 3 straight times within one season. With 77% of the public all over the Warriors who have done extremely well of late, this seems to be a letdown spot for GS. Remember, Montae Ellis is out until around early March due to an ankle injury. Yes, Biedrins comes back likely today but again, it will take him sometime to get his feet wet in my opinion. The Warriors are indeed 7-2-1 ATS over their last 10, but many of those were home games. With Randolph coming back, Baron Davis, Camby and Eric Gordon, this team should have the offensive firepower to go against the Warriors here who I think will be a bit flat footed in the early going without Ellis. Remember, there are certain games that the Clippers "show up" for. That is the uniqueness with this team. Remember, this is the same team that beat the Mavs at home when healthy and this is the same team that went on a huge ATS run when they get Randolph back. After coming home after three straight losses, facing a GS team to avoid 3 straight losses in one season to them, with Randolph, Camby and Davis all playing or returning in this game, with 77% of the public fawning over GS laying the road chalk with no Ellis, I will take the Clippers who are the same team that beat the Knicks at home in overtime after coming back after a series of tough losses on the road. This team is still a series of professionals and they will get it done in this situational spot today imo.
Just my .02, but I'd be really careful with Kansas tonight, especially if you haven't played them yet. They are now down to +2, so needless to say the public is all over them. The only reason to take them at +2 is if you think they win outright, otherwise there is no value in a +2 bet.
The Griffin injury hurts OU, but I think that's about the only thing going against them. They're at home, they're coming off a loss, and they know that if they lose this game it could potentially cost them a #1 seed. Also, it's funny how quickly people forget that OU did just fine without Griffin in the lineup against Texas, and playing on the road in Austin is a much more difficult task than playing at home against Kansas, IMO.
I'd be really surprised if OU lost tonight. I just don't see them losing back to back games, especially since this one is at home. I haven't bet the game, but if I do I'll be on OU.
His other pick is a bit weird too. I like the home dog angle, but this is LA's first game back from a road trip. Teams often struggle in their first game back. In fact I could be wrong, but it seems like IC himself has said he likes playing against teams on their first game back from a road trip. So it seems weird that he's on LA tonight.
GL
The Griffin injury hurts OU, but I think that's about the only thing going against them. They're at home, they're coming off a loss, and they know that if they lose this game it could potentially cost them a #1 seed. Also, it's funny how quickly people forget that OU did just fine without Griffin in the lineup against Texas, and playing on the road in Austin is a much more difficult task than playing at home against Kansas, IMO.
I'd be really surprised if OU lost tonight. I just don't see them losing back to back games, especially since this one is at home. I haven't bet the game, but if I do I'll be on OU.
His other pick is a bit weird too. I like the home dog angle, but this is LA's first game back from a road trip. Teams often struggle in their first game back. In fact I could be wrong, but it seems like IC himself has said he likes playing against teams on their first game back from a road trip. So it seems weird that he's on LA tonight.
GL
