DAVID MALINSKY
4* UTEP over RICE
We did not get a chance to put our 5* U.T.E.P. play into action vs. Central Florida earlier this week because of that extreme winter weather across Texas, but we get a subtle silver lining out of that sequence. Tim Floyd gave his team Wednesday off, helping to get their legs fresh in the middle of the conference grind, then brought them back for a tough practice that lasted over two hours on Thursday. And that means that instead of taking Rice lightly, after humbling the Owls 66-43 the first time around, a Miner team that now sits atop the CUSA standings brings the right focus to take care of business this afternoon. It does not take much more than that, given the strong matchups in play, and the extremely minimal home court advantage for the Owls. With the markets trying to project a 20-point turnaround from that first result, we have excellent value to get in play.
Rice has already lost outright on this court to Tulane, S.M.U. and Southern Miss in conference play, and had to hit a late triple to get into O.T. vs. Houston, before pulling that one out (yes, we remember it well). For the Owls to play well it has to start with Arsalan Kazemi up front, CUSA’s leading rebounder, but he ran into a wall against that experienced and physical U.T.E.P. front-line the first time around, managing just two points on 1-7 shooting. The Miners can close off the basket again with SR’s 6-11/280 Claude Britten and 6-10/255 Wayne Portalatin leading the way, and a veteran cast that will start all SR’s has the poise and moxie to stand up on the league road.
That U.T.E.P. experience particularly shows up in the “floor game” charts. Through seven CUSA games the Miners have 29 more FG attempts and 37 more FT attempts than their opponents, keyed by a team concept on offense that has led to 106 assists vs. just 62 TO’s, and they have twice as many steals as the opposition. That teamwork and mental toughness once again dominates a young Rice time in front of what will be a mostly empty Tudor Arena.
4* UTEP over RICE
We did not get a chance to put our 5* U.T.E.P. play into action vs. Central Florida earlier this week because of that extreme winter weather across Texas, but we get a subtle silver lining out of that sequence. Tim Floyd gave his team Wednesday off, helping to get their legs fresh in the middle of the conference grind, then brought them back for a tough practice that lasted over two hours on Thursday. And that means that instead of taking Rice lightly, after humbling the Owls 66-43 the first time around, a Miner team that now sits atop the CUSA standings brings the right focus to take care of business this afternoon. It does not take much more than that, given the strong matchups in play, and the extremely minimal home court advantage for the Owls. With the markets trying to project a 20-point turnaround from that first result, we have excellent value to get in play.
Rice has already lost outright on this court to Tulane, S.M.U. and Southern Miss in conference play, and had to hit a late triple to get into O.T. vs. Houston, before pulling that one out (yes, we remember it well). For the Owls to play well it has to start with Arsalan Kazemi up front, CUSA’s leading rebounder, but he ran into a wall against that experienced and physical U.T.E.P. front-line the first time around, managing just two points on 1-7 shooting. The Miners can close off the basket again with SR’s 6-11/280 Claude Britten and 6-10/255 Wayne Portalatin leading the way, and a veteran cast that will start all SR’s has the poise and moxie to stand up on the league road.
That U.T.E.P. experience particularly shows up in the “floor game” charts. Through seven CUSA games the Miners have 29 more FG attempts and 37 more FT attempts than their opponents, keyed by a team concept on offense that has led to 106 assists vs. just 62 TO’s, and they have twice as many steals as the opposition. That teamwork and mental toughness once again dominates a young Rice time in front of what will be a mostly empty Tudor Arena.
GC Saturday NBA Play
On Saturday the Free NBA system Play is on the New Orleans Hornets. Game 508 at 8:05 eastern. The Hornets qualify in a solid 100% system here tonight . What we want to do is play on home dogs of 4 or less with 2 or more days of rest if they scored 90 or more as a road dog in their last game and their opponent which is the Lakers in this case was a home favorite of 4 or less and shot 45% or less in their last game. These rested home dogs are 8-1 straight up and 9-0 ats. The Hornets have double revenge here and are a solid 10-2 ats at home when the the total is 185 to 190. When they are installed as a home dog from 3.5 to +6 they are 6-3 straight up and against the spread. The Lakers are a paltry 2-9 ats vs Southwest Division games and a terrible 0-5 ats off 3+ home games. Look for the Hornets to get the cover. On Saturday I have the 30-0 NCABB TV Game of the Year + a 97% ACC Game of the Month, an offshore Steam Play and a 13-1 NBA Dominator System Side up. . For the Bonus Play on Saturday. Take the New Orleans Hornets plus the 3.5 points. GC
On Saturday the Free NBA system Play is on the New Orleans Hornets. Game 508 at 8:05 eastern. The Hornets qualify in a solid 100% system here tonight . What we want to do is play on home dogs of 4 or less with 2 or more days of rest if they scored 90 or more as a road dog in their last game and their opponent which is the Lakers in this case was a home favorite of 4 or less and shot 45% or less in their last game. These rested home dogs are 8-1 straight up and 9-0 ats. The Hornets have double revenge here and are a solid 10-2 ats at home when the the total is 185 to 190. When they are installed as a home dog from 3.5 to +6 they are 6-3 straight up and against the spread. The Lakers are a paltry 2-9 ats vs Southwest Division games and a terrible 0-5 ats off 3+ home games. Look for the Hornets to get the cover. On Saturday I have the 30-0 NCABB TV Game of the Year + a 97% ACC Game of the Month, an offshore Steam Play and a 13-1 NBA Dominator System Side up. . For the Bonus Play on Saturday. Take the New Orleans Hornets plus the 3.5 points. GC
ARLON SPORTS
3* Baylor @ Texas A&M. Play Texas A&M.
3* Old Dominion @ George Mason. Play Old Dominion.
3* NC State @ Duke. Play NC State.
3* Connecticut @ Seton Hall. Play Connecticut.
3* Illinois State @ Wichita State. Play Illinois St.
3* Washington State @ Oregon State. Play Wash St.
3* Texas Tech @ Texas. Play Texas Tech.
3* Baylor @ Texas A&M. Play Texas A&M.
3* Old Dominion @ George Mason. Play Old Dominion.
3* NC State @ Duke. Play NC State.
3* Connecticut @ Seton Hall. Play Connecticut.
3* Illinois State @ Wichita State. Play Illinois St.
3* Washington State @ Oregon State. Play Wash St.
3* Texas Tech @ Texas. Play Texas Tech.
