Fairway Jay
2/28/09
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So Mississippi +23 (523)
2/28/09
CBB
Eastern Wash. +4.5 (696)
ANALYSIS:
Last game on the added board and a solid last home game (LHG) situation supporting the home underdog. Eastern Washington’s season is on the line, as they must win this contest to play in the Big Sky Tournament beginning March 7. A loss ends their season altogether, and we’re sure to get a focused and inspired effort. Add in the embarrassing 22-point loss to Portland State five weeks ago along with PSU’s 3rd place position secure and we know which team will be more motivated in this contest. Portland State relies heavily on the 3-point shot, having taken over 400 attempts from the arch in conference play, which is over 100 more than any other Big Sky team. Eastern Washington has 9 of their 12 total victories at home this season while Portland State is just 6-7 on the road and has dropped 4-straight Big Sky road games. Eastern Washington hung on for a needed win last Saturday at home over No. Colorado and coach Kirk Earlywine has stressed the importance of this game. Pressure and must wins can work both ways, but the opponent’s lack of motivation combined with Eastern Washington’s extreme effort should allow the Eagles to prevail with a 4’-point cushion.
2/28/09
CBB
20* Big Drive: TCU +4.5 (644)
ANALYSIS:
Last home game (LHG) for TCU and the Horned Frogs should bring one of their better efforts following eight losses in their last nine games. They get San Diego State at the right time, as the Aztecs have dropped three of their last four games including 4-straight ATS losses. This is also San Diego State’s final road game and the Aztecs are just 4-5 on the road and will be without star forward Billy White (knee) again, the leagues top FG shooter. The Aztecs come off a very disappointing home loss to BYU (a winner for us) in which they blew a 13-point halftime lead but were completely dominated by BYU in the second half. San Diego State lost their shot at a top Mountain West Conference (MWC) finish. With a pair of home games remaining, this does not figure to be a good bounce back spot against a TCU team that is trying to finish with a winning record and fight their way to any post season tournament bid. TCU has gone 10-4 at home and coach Jim Christian is still holding his players accountable despite recent struggles. Senior forward Kevin Langford scores 15ppg and junior center Zvonko Buljan quietly leads the MWC in rebounding despite playing 27 minutes per contest, and he’s been most productive scoring and rebounding his last five games. The Frogs played some pretty solid defense early season and into January, but then started to struggle when their offensive production really fell off which has led to less defensive effort and the prolonged losing. A closer look at their two most recent games shows that TCU held both Wyoming and New Mexico below their season shooting average while battling them on their strong home courts. This last home game situation combined with redemption against a struggling opponent should provide the necessary pride and energy from the Frogs. Those of you that have followed my late season basketball know that we have profited well supporting greater than or equal to .500 home teams off back-to-back losses playing with same season revenge against a winning team. That’s the final support we need to take TCU as our Underdog GOY.
2/28/09
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California +2.5 (650)
2/28/09
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Loyola Marymount +18 (626)
2/28/09
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San Diego +9.5 (618)
2/28/09
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Georgia State +14.5 (569)