HELMUTS plays? Former Cover that went tout??
Boise State @ Siena OVER 154
Siena comes into this game virtually returning their entire team from last season. They were the top scoring team in the MAC last season averaging 76.9 ppg. The Saints do not mind playing an up-tempo game and surely the Bronco’s will give them just that.
I believe this game should easily reach 150 total possessions and last season when this possession number was exceeded only 2/19 games failed to exceed this total.
There is some concern here because the Bronco’s are only returning one starter but traditionally Greg Graham has had good scoring teams averaging 82.5 ppg last season, 76.1 in 2006-07, 70.6 in 2005-06. What should make it easier for the Bronco’s to score her is that they will be facing the bottom team in the MAAC FG% defense. The Saints allowed opponents to shoot 45.2% from the field last season.
North Texas @ Oklahoma State OVER 151.5
Travis Ford brings a new style to Oklahoma State this season and that style is fast. His teams like to push the ball and play pressure defense.
Last season these teams met and played a fast paced high scoring game. The funny thing here is that the odds-maker used the same opening total from last year’s game. Just with the addition of Ford I would expect the Cowboys scoring average to improve drastically this season.
North Texas is no stranger to up-tempo basketball and had no problems scoring in the exhibition game and the season opener putting up 89 and 87 points. Keep in mind that they did score 82 last season against basically this same Cowboy team personal wise.