Stephen Nover
Stephen Nover Saturday winners ...
40-Dime DRAKE
Drake traditionally is tough in BracketBuster games losing just once in six lifetime matchups. Look for the Bulldogs to win again in this BracketBuster game despite a long trip to California.
The Bulldogs are a middle-of-the-road team from the Missouri Valley, while Northridge is a low-tier team from the much weaker Big West Conference.
Drake has played stronger competition and is 7-3 ATS in its lined road contests. The Matadors are 2-5 ATS in their past seven home games.
Northridge has very little home-court advantage in this matchup. Its gym only seats 1,600. It's more like a high school atmosphere and there will be a small crowd on a Saturday night.
Drake has committed the fourth fewest turnovers in the country, which is important since Northridge is a pressing team. The Bulldogs also rank in the top 10 nationally in free-throw percentage and in 3-point baskets per game.
This is a mismatch. The linesmaker is off on this line.
20-Dime PORTLAND
Portland is 8-3 in the Western Athletic Conference, chasing 9-2 Gonzaga and 9-3 St. Mary's. The Pilots need this game.
Loyola Marymount is home, but in a huge letdown spot after pulling out its game of the year. The Lions upset Gonzaga, 74-66, as 11 1/2-point home underdogs this past Thursday in a shocker.
Now, just two days later, the Lions are back in action with their heads still in the clouds.
Portland has won seven of its last eight games. The Pilots are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 WCC games. They are 18-7-1 ATS the past 26 times they've been favored.
Loyola Marymount is 6-17 ATS the last 23 times it has been an underdog of up to 6 1/2 points.
The teams met for the first time this season a month ago and Portland walloped Loyola Marymount, 79-39. That was the Lions' lowest scoring game by 24 points.
10-Dime ILLINOIS
Purdue has posted impressive road wins against two top-10 teams during the last 12 days.
The latest occurred this past Wednesday in a 60-57 victory against Ohio State.
This has taken a lot of energy for the Boilermakers and also puts them in a flat spot for this matchup.
Illinois is at its best when counted out. The Illini proved that when it upset Wisconsin, 63-56, as a 9-point underdog 12 days ago.
Illinois should be fired-up for this game after an embarrassing 72-53 home loss to Ohio State last Sunday. The Illini hasn't played since, so they will be rested and energized.
The Illini also have revenge for an 84-78 home loss suffered to Purdue on Jan. 19. Purdue won that matchup at the free throw line making 27-of-34 (79 percent) compared to Illinois' 17-of-29 (58 percent) from the foul line.
Purdue is one of the best free-throw shooting teams in the country hitting 74.1 percent. But Illinois shoots 71.2 percent from the line.
Look for this matchup to be much closer and well within double-digits
BOUGHT,PAID AND CONFIRMED-------GL GUYS