THE GOLD SHEET
KEY RELEASES
ARKANSAS by 15 over Auburn (Sat., January 24 Day)
SAINT JOSEPH’S by 26 over Penn (Sat., January 24)
SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 Day Games
DUKE 84 - Maryland 75—With Duke possibly peeking ahead to upcoming
showdown at undefeated and white-hot Wake Forest, might take generous number with fast-paced UM (80 ppg), whose veteran, poised Gs Vasquez (18 ppg, 5 apg) & Hayes (10 pg, 3 apg, nearly 2 spg) should be undaunted by Blue Devils’ pressure defense. Terps are 8-3 as ACC road dog last 2+Ys, and UM is ACC-best 79% from charity stripe. 07-Duke -6 93-84, DUKE -11' 77-65 CABLE TV—ESPN
Villanova 71 - SOUTH FLORIDA 69—South Florida making progress under
2nd-year HC Stan Heath, judging from 4 covers in last 5 games thru Jan. 19, including narrow 5-pt. home loss vs. ‘Cuse & 22-pt. romp at DePaul in early January. Bulls’ blossoming 6-10 soph C Gilchrist (Maryland transfer had combined 49 pts. vs. L’Ville, DePaul & Pitt), who didn’t gain eligibility until Dec. 14, opening perimeter for dangerous Gs D. Jones (17 ppg, 2 treys pg at 36%) & Verdejo (15 ppg, nearly 3 pg at 38%). This could be a tricky psychological spot for ‘Nova, coming off tough trip to UConn, with Pitt war up next. 07-VIL -9’ 72-59
Northeastern 70 - OLD DOMINION 65—Veteran, balanced Northeastern is
one CAA rep that has been able to take its act on the road. Meanwhile, ODU HC Blaine Taylor bemoaning the occasional power outages that have plagued the Monarchs, who haven’t received consistent backcourt production to take scoring pressure off C Lee (14.1 ppg). 07-NEU -1 67-60, ODU -8' 70-58 CABLE TV—ESPN
ARKANSAS 80 - Auburn 65—With Arkansas off sloppy loss at Florida
on Jan. 17, suggest laying several hoops with hungry, fast-paced Hogs (80 ppg), who have dropped 3 straight since ten-game win streak was snapped in “bricklaying” 80-56 loss vs. Mississippi State (season-worst 3 of 22 from arc). Tigers’ trapping defense will backfire vs. UA’s fearless frosh PG Fortson (14 ppg, 7 apg). And mistake-prone Auburn (24 TOs in 12-pt. setback at South Carolina Jan. 10) gets few putback chances vs. strong-boarding, rested host (+8 rpg, six full prep days). 07-Ark -6' 76-70, ARK -13 77-64
MISSOURI 89 - Texas Tech 74—Since TT (0-4 SU as true visitor, 1-3 vs.
spread) performing no better on road for HC Pat Knight than it did for dad Bob, must “lay it” with high-octane, team-oriented Mizzou (83 ppg, 19 apg), which will be in an especially bad mood if off setback at Oklahoma State Jan. 21. Tigers’ relentless full-court presses (forcing 19 TOs pg; 11 spg) will help fuel transition game vs. Red Raiders’ shaky ballhandlers. TT’s reported lack of on-court leadership a major liability away from Lubbock. 07-TECH -1 92-84
DELAWARE 56 - Georgia St. 55—Will take any available points now that
transfer-laden Georgia State seemed to find some traction in 68-46 romp past Towson Jan. 17. Rod Barnes hoping that recent uprising by 6-7 F lott (scored 14 vs. Tigers) can begin to provide needed spark off bench for offensivelychallenged Panthers. 07-Gsu +7' 54-53, Del +1' 51-48
Loyola-Chicago 60 - DETROIT 53—It’s hard to predict what yo-yo Loyola
(which hasn’t covered back-to-back games thru Jan. 21) might do without
knowing how the Ramblers performed in their previous outing. But assuming Jim Whitesell’s bunch loses on Thursday at Wright State, don’t mind backing Loyola in bounce-back mode. Detroit (which hasn’t scored more than 51 points its last 4 thru Jan. 21) still laboring on offensive end minus injured top scorer F Keeling (foot), so Loyola backcourt weapons Blount & Cerasoli most-likely to produce deciding points. 07-LOY -5' 71-65, DET -1' 56-53
MARQUETTE 87 - DePaul 63—Big East sources report DePaul HC Jerry
Wainwright beginning to feel the heat as Blue Demons continue to fall short in Big East wars. DePaul’s lack of quality and depth in backcourt can be ruthlessly exposed by dynamite Marquette Gs James, Matthews & McNeal. 07-MAR -12' 79-71 CABLE TV—ESPN2
CREIGHTON 67 - Drake 64—CU in triple-revenge mode, but you can count
on MVC reigning champ Drake vigorously defending title in key conference
clash in Omaha. Bulldogs’ savvy 1st-year HC Mark Phelps (long-time Herb
Sendek asst.) has squad digging in defensively (MVC-low 60 ppg). And if
Bluejays’ leading scorer G Woodfox (17 ppg; missed Bradley game Jan. 10)
compromised by lingering ankle injury, weak-boarding Creighton (-2 rpg) hardpressed to pull away from Drake, which features loop’s best-shooting “big” in 6-8 sr. Cox (13 ppg, 2 treys pg at 41%). Note that Bulldogs hitting 75% FTs in crucial final two minutes. 07-Dra +5 68-60 (OT), DRA -4' 75-65, Dra -3' 75-67 (CT-neut.)
Kansas 68 - IOWA ST. 67—Talented but young KU quickly learns a lesson on the treacherous nature of the Big XII trail in this visit to hostile Hilton Coliseum, where improved, defensively-sticky ISU (38% FGs, 61 ppg) is a nifty 6-2-2 as an underdog L2+Ys. Cyclones’ now-consistent 6-10 soph C Brackins (18 ppg, 9 rpg) can go toe-to-toe with KU’s 6-11 C Aldrich, while rangy soph Gs 6-4 Garrett (11 ppg, 5 apg; 9 assists vs. Neb.) & 6-5 soph Staiger (combined 33 pts. vs. Texas & Nebraska) “feeling it” in early conf. action. 07-KAN -23' 83-59, Kan - 12' 75-64 CABLE TV—ESPN
BUTLER 66 - Wis.-Milwaukee 62—Must applaud overachieving Butler,
which continues to execute flawlessly in rebuild mode for HC Brad Stevens. But UWM right on Bulldogs’ heels in Horizon race, as Rob Jeter’s savvy G combo of jr. Boyle (14.8 ppg) & sr. A. Smith (13.8 ppg) allowing Panthers to control pace and tempo. Take. 07-BUT -14' 72-56, But -5' 83-75 (OT)
BOSTON COLLEGE 76 - North Carolina St. 75—Though NCS dropped first
two ACC tilts, Wolfpack feeling better after getting into the loop win column vs. Georgia Tech Jan. 17. So, we’re interested in taking any points vs. BC squad that’s just 5-8 as ACC chalk in Conte Forum last 2+Ys (0-1 TY). NCS playing tenacious defense in early Jan. road tilts (just 65 ppg at potent Clemson & Florida!). And Wolfpack’s resurgent 6-9 F McCauley (13 ppg, 8 rpg) itchin’ for rematch after mustering just 6 pts., no rebs., in only 12 mins. of action of LY’s 82-65 defeat on this court. 07-BC -4 82-65
OHIO 67 - Bowling Green 66—Long-time MAC sources like the matchups in
paint for veteran BG in important West Division battle. Ohio’s main threat 6-7 F Tillman (19 ppg, 10 rpg) will get heavy resistence from BG’s active shotblocking 6-9, 280 C Polk (nearly 2 bpg). Note that the defensively-stingy Falcons (MAC-low 38% FGs) easily covered as DD road dog in preconference tilts at Minnesota and Ohio State. Deeper BG should be more energetic down stretch, with three former starters now coming off bench for 2nd-year HC Louis Orr. 07-BGU +5 52-49, OHIO -11 69-48
NORTHERN ILLINOIS over Central Michigan by 4 to 6—07-CMU -11 77-63,
Cmu -1 80-73, Cmu -6' 83-71 (CT-neut.)
Kentucky over ALABAMA by 2 to 4—07-KY -6' 62-52
UAB over Rice by 11 to 14—07-Uab -13' 69-60
Memphis over TENNESSEE by 1 to 2—07-Ten +6' 66-62 TV—CBS
CORNELL over Columbia by 13 to 16—08-Corn -7' 71-59; 07-COR -8 70-64, Cor +1 72-54
UNLV 73 - Utah 65—Utah one of the better early-season storylines in
Mountain West, and Utes’ 7-2 Aussie C Nevill (17.4 ppg) figures to cause
headaches for smaller UNLV in paint. Keep in mind, however, that most of
Utah’s damage has been done in Salt Lake City, and Utes have not been nearly as menacing away from Huntsman Center (just 2-4 SU last 6 away, only wins vs. lowly UC Irvine and struggling Air Force). Lon Kruger’s UNLV always tough to beat at Thomas & Mack, and emergence of true frosh PG Bellfield gives Rebs another weapon in deep and fast backcourt. 07-UTAH -3 81-73, UNLV -7 70-63, UNLV -4' 61-55 (CT)
NEBRASKA 78 - Oklahoma State 72—In this Big XII clash between squads
with highly-contrasting styles, we support seasoned Nebraska quintet that
figures to dictate its preferred slower, methodical pace in friendly Devaney
Sports Center, where Huskers are 25-4 SU last 1+Ys (11-1 TY), especially
since G-oriented OSU still lacks any major post presence. Note, NU
impressively allowed zero fastbreak points in 56-51 victory vs. Mizzou Jan. 10. And Doc Sadler’s disciplined aggregate ranks 3rd nationally in TO margin (+6.6)! 07-OSU -4 77-63
ILLINOIS 72 - Wisconsin 61—After losing all 3 meetings in LY’s nightmarish
16-19 campaign, recommend irate Illinois, benefiting from a physical man-toman defense (meager 54 ppg at home; 39% FGs, 28% from tripleville) that was noticeably absent LY. Lethal Illini 3-G attack of Meacham (12 ppg, 49% from arc), McCarney (12 ppg) & Frazier (6 apg) smoothly executing Weber’s motion offense TY. And with springy 6-10 soph M. Davis (14 ppg, 9 rpg) & 7-1 Tisdale preventing Badgers from many putback opportunities, better-balanced, unselfish Illinois (all starters in DDs; nation-leading 19 apg) handles short price. 07- WIS -10 70-60, Wis -2 71-57, Wis -7 61-48 (CT-neut.) CABLE TV—ESPN
MIAMI-OHIO 65 - Buffalo 63—After Buffalo had three competitive but losing efforts vs. Miami-Ohio LY (including bitter 1-pt. defeat in MAC tourney), compelled to go with deeper Bulls on conference trail following their 63-61 upset (Jan. 13) at Akron’s Rhodes Arena, where Zips had won 58 of previous 64 games. Offensively-challenged M-O still searching for options to replace injured catalyst G Hayes. UB’s versatile 6-4 sr. PG Gamble (9 ppg, 5 rpg, nearly 4 apg) & solid backup 6-1 jr. Boyer won’t succumb to RedHawks’ intense defensive pressure. 07-MIA -12' 64-57, Mia -5' 64-55, Mia -9 69-68 (CT-neut.) DREXEL over William & Mary by 7 to 10 —07-Wmu +3 73-72 (OT), WMU - 4' 57-50
BOISE ST. over Louisiana Tech by 7 to 10—07-BSU -20' 81-66, Bsu -12 73-61
Western Michigan over EASTERN MICHIGAN by 3 to 5—07-EMU +2' 81-71,
WMU -11 70-52, Wmu -7 70-61 (CT-neut.)
VA. COMMONWEALTH 62 - George Mason 61—In early CAA showdown, will
take any available points with well-schooled GMU. Jim Larranaga’s pet
“scramble” defense has unnerved VCU star G Maynor in the past, and Patriots finally starting to replace the points formerly provided by longtime departed stalwarts Will Thomas & Folarin Campbell, thanks to consistent offensive production from F Monroe & G Long. 07-GMU -4 63-51 CABLE TV—ESPN2
OKLAHOMA over Baylor by 10 to 13—07-Okla +4' 77-71, OKLA -5' 92-91
(OT) CABLE TV—ESPNU
VIRGINIA over Florida St. by 1 to 2—07-FSU -5' 69-67
MASSACHUSETTS over La Salle by 2 to 4—07-MASS -10 100-63
WASHINGTON 74 - Ucla 67—“Ben Howland ball” not always as effective on
the road as at Pauley Pavilion, where Bruins’ roughhouse tactics are often
tolerated by the refs. But under the best of circumstances, not sure UCLA can bang with physical U-Dub, which leads nation in rebound margin (+11.9 rpg) and whose rugged 6-7 sr. PF Brockman (10.8 rpg) remains almost impossible to keep off the glass. Lorenzo Romar is also getting superb production from waterbug true frosh PG Isaiah Thomas, while 6-6 jr. F Pondexter finally maturing into the all-around threat the Huskies envisioned he would be out of high school. Hot Huskies have won 11 of last 12 SU and have covered 8 of last 11 on board, thru Jan. 21. 07-UCLA -15' 69-55, WASH +9' 71-61
SMU over East Carolina by 1 to 2—07-ECU -5 82-54
ILLINOIS ST. over Southern Illinois by 7 to 9—07-ISU -5 56-47, Isu +6 57-49
Portland over PEPPERDINE by 8 to 11—07-Port +6 82-78, Pep +5' 71-66,
Pep +1' 50-48 (OT-CT-neut.)
CALIFORNIA 85 - Oregon 65—No comparison in chemistry between these
two Pac-10 entries headed in opposite directions, especially with Mike
Montgomery’s backcourt continuing to play lights-out ball for Cal. Word from Duckland is that HC Ernie Kent could be in trouble, especially with new AD and new arena on tap in Eugene. 07-ORE -6 79-70, Ore +4 92-70
ARIZONA over Houston by 1 to 3—07-Ari +1 85-71
Night Games
Mississippi State 74 - GEORGIA 67—With Georgia (worst SEC start since
‘04-‘05) making a habit of crumbling under intense defensive pressure, hot MSU (5 straight wins & covers thru Jan. 20) avenges last March’s shocking 4-pt. loss in SEC tourney, which was UGa’s 2nd victory on the same day after a severe tornado forced them to vacate the battered Georgia Dome and play Kentucky the next morning at Georgia Tech. MSU’s lightning-quick frosh PG Bost driving, dishing, and/or scoring like a seasoned star, while wiry 6-3, 170 soph G Turner (17 pts., 3 blocks, 2 steals, 2 assists) had a stat-stuffing effort in 83-74 victory vs. Bama Jan. 14. 07-MSU -9 60-49, GA +10 64-60 (CT) TV-ESPN2 Kansas St. over COLORADO by 3 to 5—07-Ksu -3 72-56, KSU -16 78-72
WYOMING 82 - Colorado St. 66—CSU has ineffectively switched from a
more free-flowing motion offense to a structured “continuity” attack in Mountain West play (“Our guys are thinking about it more than playing,” bemoans HC Miles). And since Rams continue to serve as road kill (dropping 26 of its last 27 away), will readily endorse explosive Wyo (82 ppg), which is still fuming about upset in MWC tourney LY after pair of DD victories in reg.-season. CSU, dead last in conference in treys made and in FG% defense, remains ill-equipped to play catch-up. 07-WYO -6' 73-58, Wyo +1' 77-67, Csu +7 68-63 (CT-neut.)
TEMPLE over Charlotte by 8 to 11—07-CHA -4' 60-58, TEM -5 75-61, Tem
-2' 60-45 (CT-neut.) CABLE TV—ESPNU
PENN ST. over Iowa by 8 to 11—07-IOWA -5 64-49, PSU -2 65-64
WASHINGTON ST. over Southern Cal by 3 to 5—07-Wsu +1' 73-58, WSU -
5 74-50
Saint Joseph’s 81 - PENN 55—St. Joe’s won’t be uncomfy at all at the
venerable Palestra, where it is playing its own home games this season while its Alumni Fieldhouse undergoes restoration on Hawk Hill. Penn finding Big Five wars more than it can handle this season, already being overwhelmed by Villanova & Temple prior to La Salle battle Jan. 21. And remember how St. Joe’s manhandled the outgunned Quakers LY (82-42!). Hawks back in groove with 5 straight wins thru Jan. 20, and doubt Quakers have an answer for Phil Martelli’s rampaging frontliner Nivins (19.3 ppg & 11.1 rpg). 07-Sju -13' 82-42
WRIGHT ST. over Illinois-Chicago by 1 to 3—07-Wsu +3 76-75, WSU -4 52-51
Rutgers 71 - ST. JOHN’S 68—After a brutal series of games vs. highly-ranked Big East foes to start conference play, favor hungry, class-dropping Rutgers, led by prized frosh phenom G Rosario (17 pg). With starting F Burrell bothered by nagging back problems, injury-plagued St. John’s (already lost F Mason Jr. for year) get precious few hoops in paint vs. Scarlet Knights’ highly-regarded 6-9 frosh F Enchenique & agile 6-11, 234 jr. C Ndiaye, who’ve combined for more than 100 blocked shots TY! 07-Stj +2 52-45
NOTRE DAME over Connecticut by 1 to 2—07-UND -6 73-67, CONN -5 84-
78 CABLE TV—ESPN
TOWSON 80 - NC Wilmington 61—Prices starting to rise whenever UNCW
takes the court, but not sure we’re ready to buy into the discount placed on defensively-deficient Seahawks after another pair of disasters last week (lost by 21 at JMU & 24 at home vs. Drexel). 07-NCW -7 81-68
JAMES MADISON over Hofstra by 4 to 6—07-HOF +1' 66-60, Hof +5 86-85
HARVARD 79 - Dartmouth 54—Tommy Amaker will surely have Harvard
focused for this Ivy rematch after underdog Dartmouth nearly pulled upset at Hanover Jan. 24, a night when the Big Green effectively slowed top Crimson scorer G Lin (entered that one at 18 ppg, but held to just 11 by a variety of Dartmouth defensive looks). Still, Amaker believes Harvard was simply too cocky that night, reflected in the sloppy 17-TO effort that was preceded by nearflawless execution in wins over Santa Clara & BC (Harvard just 12 TOs combined in those two). Talent edge manifests itself in rematch. 08-Har -7' 63-62; 07-HAR -8' 82-56, DART +3 73-56
BRADLEY over Indiana St. by 12 to 15—08-Brad -3 63-52; 07-BRAD -7 63-
44, ISU +1 76-66
Kent St. over AKRON by 1 to 2—07-KSU -3 75-69, Ksu +3 61-58, Ksu -2 74-55 (CT-neut.)
Gonzaga over LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT by 30 or more—07-Gon -20' 91-68,
GON -31 83-50
ARKANSAS-L.R. over Troy by 11 to 14—07-Alr +2 63-61
ARKANSAS ST. 78 - Florida Atlantic 61—ASU’s 1st-year HC John Brady
(former LSU mentor) said his team “showed a lot of character, toughness and heart” after splitting a pair of OT games on Sun Belt road in early January. With talent-shy FAU missing integral 6-8 F Monroe (13 ppg, 7 rpg) due to injury and G Perkins (out for year), good chance defensively-fierce Red Wolves (61 ppg, 39% FGs) add to solid 11-4 spread mark (thru Jan. 21). 07-ASU -7 79-77, FAU -5 87-81
MICHIGAN over Northwestern by 10 to 13—07-Mich +3' 78-68, Nwu +8' 62-60
Middle Tennessee St. over NEW ORLEANS by 5 to 7—07-Uno +1 82-75 (OT)
LSU over Xavier by 1 to 2—07-DNP CABLE TV—ESPN2
SOUTH CAROLINA over Mississippi by 9 to 12—07-Usc +10 80-77
TCU 73 - New Mexico 66—Following back-to-back upsets at Texas Tech and UNLV, rising TCU (under heady 1st-year, ex-Kent State HC Jim Christian) has shown it can compete in the MWC, thanks to the difference-making Euro tandem of agile 6-9 juco F Buljan (12 ppg, 7 rpg) & 6-6 sharp-shooting swingman Ruzgas (12 ppg, 2 treys pg at 39%). Horned Frogs have captured 8 straight (4 straight covers) in Daniel-Meyer Coliseum, where TCU’s pestering perimeter defense (29% from arc) can frustrate UNM’s 3-pt. gunners. Host has won and covered last 4 in series. 07-TCU +3' 74-72, UNM -14' 64-48
TEXAS over Texas A&M by 10 to 13—07-TAM -3 80-63, TEX -5 77-50
CABLE TV—ESPNU
Wis.-Green Bay over VALPARAISO by 1 to 3—07-VAL -7' 82-73, UWG -2
76-71 (OT), VAL -7 75-67 (CT)
LA.-MONROE over Florida Intl. by 1 to 2—07-Ulm +3' 68-66
LA.-LAFAYETTE over South Alabama by 1 to 2—07-USA -12 66-60
BYU over San Diego St. by 4 to 6—07-BYU -8' 59-56, SDS +2' 69-65, Byu - 6' 63-54 (CT-neut.)
UTEP over Tulsa by 6 to 8—07-UTEP -6 65-61, TULSA -4 73-50, Tulsa -1'
64-62 (CT-OT-neut.)
Western Kentucky over DENVER by 1 to 2—07-WKY -19 78-64
PACIFIC over UC Santa Barbara by 7 to 10—07-Pac +7 71-58, Ucsb +2 60- 53 CABLE TV—ESPNU
STANFORD 66 - Oregon St. 43—OSU HC Craig Robinson can be excused
for wondering “what if?” regarding the OSU job that he took before the Stanford position became open last spring (Pac-10 sources indicate Robinson would have been at or near the top of Cardinal list). He’ll have more time to ponder as superior Stanford talent contains the limited Beaver weaponry, while the physical Cardinal “D” knocks Robinson’s Princeton-style offense off course. 07-Stan -9' 66-46, STAN -21' 71-56
UC DAVIS over Cal Poly SLO by 11 to 14—07-SLO -10 79-67, Slo -1' 66-58
CS NORTHRIDGE over UC Irvine by 7 to 10—07-CSN -7' 69-64, UCI -1' 82-66
SAN JOSE ST. 70 - Fresno St. 69—Inclined to take any available points with developing Fresno, especially with newcomers 6-9 ASU transfer Seay (13.9 ppg) and athletic 6-7 frosh swingman George (15.1 ppg & 48% treys) beginning to make a significant impact. HC Cleveland will remind his troops that San Jose scored its first win since ‘94 at Fresno with 71-68 victory Jan. 10 at Save-Mart Center. 08-Sjs +4’ 71-68 (OT); 07-SJS +2 69-65, FSU -9' 75-58
IDAHO over New Mexico St. by 1 to 3—08-NMS -8 74-71; 07-Nms -8' 78-68, NMS -16 88-49, NMS -19 73-53 (CT)
LONG BEACH ST. over UC Riverside by 11 to 14—07-UCR P 70-66, LBS -
5 56-46
Utah St. over HAWAII by 9 to 12—07-USU -11 86-80, HI -1' 71-66
