Over his last 5 picks, I have correctly predicted which team Budin would be on based upon the initial line movement.. If this theory holds true, then today he will be on Villanova as the initial line moved from -6 to -7 before going back to -6... Since he is using todays Cali Cartel (computer geek) crew, the play may be on the O/U... If so, I would predict he will be on the under... Lets see if the theory can go 6-0....
<table summary="" border="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr class="game_team"><td class="first nowrap">515 villanova</td><td>-6 -05 </td><td>-6 / -7 / -6.5 </td><td>-6 </td><td>-260 </td><td class="left last"> </td><td class="notescol"> </td></tr><tr class="game_team"><td class="first nowrap">516 south florida</td><td>127 </td><td>126.5o12 / 126.5 / 126.5u12 </td><td>126o10 </td><td>+220 </td><td class="left last"> </td><td class="notescol"> </td></tr> <tr class="game_team"><td colspan="7" class="last left">S Florida-G-Verdejo - (16ppg) - Probable </td></tr></tbody></table>
Here's Ness' write up
Larry Ness' LEGEND Play
I lost a big play on Michigan last Saturday, when the Wolverines collapsed at home against Ohio St (led 44-40 and lost 65-58). However, if there is one thing I've learned in 25 years in this business is to NOT let one play affect another. I believe Michigan's in a terrific spot tonight, so "here we go again!" Bill Carmody is a well respected head coach and is used to coaching at a school with high academic standards like Northwestern (see Princeton). That being said, last year's 8-22 mark (1-17 in the Big 10) could not have been a pleasant experience. In contrast, this year's 7-1 start (lone loss being 57-53 at Butler) had to put a smile on his face. The Wildcats have some size, with a 7-0 center in Rowley (4,2) plus two 6-8 forwards, Coble (15.6-5.1) and Shurna (7.6-3.3). The starting backcourt is sound with Moore (13.9-3.3-2.8) and Thompson (10.3-2.6-3.7) but there is little depth. By late December Northwestern began slumping and from 12/31-1/15 lost four straight which gave them five losses in six games after that 7-1 start. Then last Sunday, they upset then-No. 18 Minnesota 74-65, ending the Wildcats' 18-game losing slide against ranked opponents (last win over ranked opponent came in Feb of 2006). Minnesota led that game by three points at the half but missed 12 of its first 13 shots in the second half and watched as Northwestern scored 16 straight points. A 27 to 11 edge in FT attempts for Northwestern in the game didn't hurt either. That win was only a mild surprise but this past Wednesday, the Wildcats followed their win over Minnesota by upsetting No. 7 Michigan State 70-65 in East Lansing, ending the Spartans' 28-game home winning streak. What's going on here? Northwestern had not only had no success against ranked opponents as of late (see above) but entering the Minnesota game, had dropped 26 of its previous 27 Big 10 contests as well. Now, all of a sudden, it's two straight wins over ranked conference foes! The 'madness' stops here. Michigan has been ranked at times this year but comes into this game on a three-game losing streak. The Wolverines lost at Illinois prior to losing to Ohio State last Saturday and earlier this week, played a terrible game at Penn State, losing 73-58 (made just 5-of-30 three pointers). However, I fully expect John Beilein to have things straightened out here. Michigan is still 13-6 on the season, owning wins over two teams ranked fourth in the nation at the time, beating UCLA in Madison Square Garden in late November and Duke (here at Crisler Arena) on December 6. Last year's 10-22 season (5-13 in the Big 10) is a distant memory and I expect the Wolves' will have a few more "big wins" in them this year. A win over Northwestern is big only in terms of "stopping the bleeding," which is a must. Swingman Harris (18.1-7.4-4.6) and the 6-8 Sims (15.8-8.1) will be the two most talented players on the floor and with Arizona transfer Lucas-Perry now eligible (he's averaged 9.9 PPG in his 10 games), the Michigan backcourt is solid. Joining Perry are freshman Novak (6.7) and Douglass (5.1) plus sophomore Grady (5.5). Northwestern's offense is one of dribble penetration and Beilein's 1-3-1 zone should handle that just fine, playing with bigger and quicker athletes. Michigan really needs a confidence builder, while Northwestern is 'flying' way too high after back-to-back wins over ranked opponents. Beilein has been stuck on 499 career wins for three games now and his team gets him win No. 500 in a rout!
LEGEND play on Michigan
Larry Ness' LEGEND Play
I lost a big play on Michigan last Saturday, when the Wolverines collapsed at home against Ohio St (led 44-40 and lost 65-58). However, if there is one thing I've learned in 25 years in this business is to NOT let one play affect another. I believe Michigan's in a terrific spot tonight, so "here we go again!" Bill Carmody is a well respected head coach and is used to coaching at a school with high academic standards like Northwestern (see Princeton). That being said, last year's 8-22 mark (1-17 in the Big 10) could not have been a pleasant experience. In contrast, this year's 7-1 start (lone loss being 57-53 at Butler) had to put a smile on his face. The Wildcats have some size, with a 7-0 center in Rowley (4,2) plus two 6-8 forwards, Coble (15.6-5.1) and Shurna (7.6-3.3). The starting backcourt is sound with Moore (13.9-3.3-2.8) and Thompson (10.3-2.6-3.7) but there is little depth. By late December Northwestern began slumping and from 12/31-1/15 lost four straight which gave them five losses in six games after that 7-1 start. Then last Sunday, they upset then-No. 18 Minnesota 74-65, ending the Wildcats' 18-game losing slide against ranked opponents (last win over ranked opponent came in Feb of 2006). Minnesota led that game by three points at the half but missed 12 of its first 13 shots in the second half and watched as Northwestern scored 16 straight points. A 27 to 11 edge in FT attempts for Northwestern in the game didn't hurt either. That win was only a mild surprise but this past Wednesday, the Wildcats followed their win over Minnesota by upsetting No. 7 Michigan State 70-65 in East Lansing, ending the Spartans' 28-game home winning streak. What's going on here? Northwestern had not only had no success against ranked opponents as of late (see above) but entering the Minnesota game, had dropped 26 of its previous 27 Big 10 contests as well. Now, all of a sudden, it's two straight wins over ranked conference foes! The 'madness' stops here. Michigan has been ranked at times this year but comes into this game on a three-game losing streak. The Wolverines lost at Illinois prior to losing to Ohio State last Saturday and earlier this week, played a terrible game at Penn State, losing 73-58 (made just 5-of-30 three pointers). However, I fully expect John Beilein to have things straightened out here. Michigan is still 13-6 on the season, owning wins over two teams ranked fourth in the nation at the time, beating UCLA in Madison Square Garden in late November and Duke (here at Crisler Arena) on December 6. Last year's 10-22 season (5-13 in the Big 10) is a distant memory and I expect the Wolves' will have a few more "big wins" in them this year. A win over Northwestern is big only in terms of "stopping the bleeding," which is a must. Swingman Harris (18.1-7.4-4.6) and the 6-8 Sims (15.8-8.1) will be the two most talented players on the floor and with Arizona transfer Lucas-Perry now eligible (he's averaged 9.9 PPG in his 10 games), the Michigan backcourt is solid. Joining Perry are freshman Novak (6.7) and Douglass (5.1) plus sophomore Grady (5.5). Northwestern's offense is one of dribble penetration and Beilein's 1-3-1 zone should handle that just fine, playing with bigger and quicker athletes. Michigan really needs a confidence builder, while Northwestern is 'flying' way too high after back-to-back wins over ranked opponents. Beilein has been stuck on 499 career wins for three games now and his team gets him win No. 500 in a rout!
LEGEND play on Michigan
