newsletters...
CTO CONFIDENTIAL TIP-OFF
PRIORITY PICKS and PREFERENCES
Friday,
Jan. 15
*ATLANTA over Phoenix (NBA)...Versatile Atlanta will enjoy the opportunity to go uptempo vs. Phoenix bunch that no longer has Shaq to bully
Hawks in paint like LY (when Suns won both meetings). Which should be good news for C Al Horford, whose production is usually a
barometer of Atlanta success (Hawks 19-5 SU thru Jan. 10 when Horford scores 11 or more). And Suns’ preferred transition game made to
order for likes of Atlanta’s explosive Josh Smith and super sub Jamal Crawford. Hawks soaring as Philips Arena chalk lately (13-5 in role thru
Jan. 12). *ATLANTA 119 - Phoenix 103 RATING - 10
Saturday,
Jan. 16
*L.A. CLIPPERS over Cleveland (NBA)...The Clippers are starting to look like a different team in the new year, especially at Staples Center,
where L.A. has won six straight (5-0-1 vs. the points), including the Lakers and Celtics among their victims. Cleveland has held the upper
hand in the series, but Cavs seem to have downshifted a bit, dropping 4 of last 6 spread decisions and are just 2-3 last 5 as a road favorite.
Clippers PG Baron Davis is beginning to find his stroke, and C Chris Kaman is back at the top of his game (23 ppg, 11 rpg in last 6 thru Jan. 11).
*L.A. CLIPPERS 99 - Cleveland 95 RATING - 11
CLEVELAND STATE over *Valparaiso (Day Game)...Although Horizon sources impressed with Valpo’s 6-7 Iowa State transfer Cory Johnson
(16.1 ppg), HC Homer Drew has plenty to worry about, including Crusaders’ psyche after recent string of defeats (including failure to score
in last 7 minutes of Jan. 10 loss at Wright State). Meanwhile, CSU catching updraft in league play after facing succession of high-profile foes
in pre-Horizon slate, and Gary Waters’ recent switch to speed-based, 4-G starting lineup should bedevil Valpo’s shaky ballhandlers.
CLEVELAND STATE 69 - *Valparaiso 57 RATING - 10
*NEBRASKA over Iowa State...With Nebraska probably off back-to-back losses for 1st time this season (NU faces angry Kansas off
Tennessee upset Jan. 10), will lay shrinking number vs. ISU squad, which has dropped 16 straight on hostile Big XII trail. Husker attack
bolstered by German import 6-8 frosh Standhardbinger, who scored game-high 13 pts. in his debut on Jan. 9 after being required to sit out 1st
15 games for playing on a German pro team. Cyclones, who have tendency to settle for outside jumpers, get few open looks vs. Nebraska’s
sticky defense (59 ppg). *NEBRASKA 73 - Iowa State 62 RATING -10
CENTRAL FLORIDA (UCF) over *Tulsa...UCF’s most acclaimed recruiting class in history paying dividends, so ready to take DDs. vs. Tulsa
squad just 5-8 last 13 as home chalk. Knights’ frosh gems 6-8 F Clanton (17 pts., 6 rebs. vs. Rice Jan. 9) & 6-3 G M. Jordan (son of you know
who) making a difference, while quick 5-8 soph PG Rompza (4 apg; 29 pts. last 2 outings) contributing more in scoring column. Tulsa’s 7-0
sr. C Jordan (14 ppg on 8 FG attempts pg) still not an overpowering, go-to weapon, and coach Speraw’s squad has covered 5 of last 6 in
series. CENTRAL FLORIDA (UCF) 73 - *Tulsa 78 RATING - 10
Sunday,
Jan17
DALLAS over *Toronto (NBA Day Game)...Dallas F Dirk Nowitzki matches up well against Toronto’s Chris Bosh, as the big German forward
has scored 27 ppg and pulled down 10 rpg in leading the Mavs to three straight covers against the Raptors. Overall, the Mavs are on an 11-
1 straight-up run last 12 in the series. Dallas shot 62% in Nov. 7 match, a 129-101 blowout that saw Dallas get stronger as the night wore
on (44-point 4th Q). Mavs are 13-6 against the number on the road and have held Toronto to 91 ppg in last 4 visits to Air Canada Centre.
DALLAS 105 - *Toronto 91 RATING - 10
Wednesday,
Jan20th,
ST. JOHN’s over *Connecticut...SJ’s previously-injured standout 6-7 sr. F Mason Jr. (14 ppg) returned to lineup for 1st time this season in 75-
68 loss at L’Ville Jan. 9. So, look for Red Storm to hang inside hefty number (as it did LY) vs. depth-shy UConn, only 5-13-1 as DD home chalk
last 1+ seasons. Huskies, who’re still choppy vs. zones due to erratic shooting, could be peeking ahead to Texas tussle. SJ’s hard-to-guard
6-6 swingman Kennedy has scored DDs every game TY, while 6-2 juco G Hardy (12 ppg) providing spark off deep bench.
ST. JOHN’S 71 - *Connecticut 73 RATING - 10
DUQUESNE over *Rhode Island..Now that Duquesne’s fluid 6-4 G Bolding (10 ppg) is fully integrated in lineup after missing 14 games with
wrist injury, Dukes can trade in track meet vs. RI, which has dropped 8 straight vs. spread in Ryan Center (prior to St. Joe’s Jan. 13). Wellprepared
Dukes (6 full prep days), who took Pitt & Dayton to the brink (lost to both in OT), is spearheaded by A-10 Player of Year candidate
6-7 jr. F Sauders (nation-leading 13 double-doubles!). Last 3 in series decided by a total of 7 points.
DUQUESNE 78 - *Rhode Island 79 RATING - 10
Thursday,
Jan 21st
*TROY over Western Kentucky...Proud Troy usually at its best vs. frequent Sun Belt standard bearer Western Kentucky, as Trojans have
covered four straight at home vs. the Hilltoppers. Visiting WKU playing its fourth game in eight days, and will have a hard time keeping up with
Troy’s in-a-groove sr. G trio of Brandon Hazzard, Richard Delk, and Michael Vogler (combining for 44 ppg). Meanwhile, run-and-gun Trojans
benefiting greatly from the presence of burly 6-9, 230 Alabama transfer Yamene Coleman (59% FGs), who is enjoying lots of space under
the boards as opponents try to contain Troy’s high-octane Gs.
*TROY 94 - Western Kentucky 80 RATING - 10
