steve, you want to split graig davis 40 dimers its $25 pick.
I got ya...C.Davis and C.Jordan both on SDSU.
Tuesday's Lineup
40 Dime ---- SAN DIEGO STATE
10 Dime ---- PENN STATE
5 Dime ---- 76ERS
SAN DIEGO STATE --- Although playing in this tourney is a bit of a consolation prize, it’s still something that these two teams take very seriously. Keep in mind, SDSU hasn’t had a lot of post-season success in its history, so this recent run means absolutely everything to them, their coaches and even their alumni. The Aztecs, though playing at home, have beaten a very good Weber State team, Kansas State and, most recently, St. Mary’s, and were hardly challenged in any of those games until late in the second half vs. the Gaels.
And although Baylor might have the best overall player on the floor, Curtis Jerrells, San Diego State has more overall talent, is deeper, and has more seniors playing in their last games with the Aztecs. Seniors don’t often walk away without giving everything they possibly can, and that’s going to be the case again tonight when the Aztecs keep Baylor off the boards, limit their second- and third-chance opportunities, and slow the pace down to their style, winning a lower scoring game than Baylor is used to.
Here’s another thing... DEFENSE. Although Baylor has hit a tremendous amount of three-pointers this season, you can’t always rely on those deep bombs to carry you through a tournament like this. If you don’t play defense and you don’t have much of a presence inside, your chances of continuing the sharp-shooting from outside are very slim. And speaking of inside presence… has anyone noticed what sophomore Billy White has been doing lately? The 6-8 forward has hit 14 of his last 18 shots, scoring 32 points combined in his last two games vs. St. Mary’s and Kansas State. He plays bigger than his 6-8 frame but he’s deceptively quick, making it tough for defenders (which Baylor doesn’t have many of) to match up with him one-on-one.
Combine all that with the fact that HC Steve Fisher has won a National Championship (with Michigan in 1989) and one of these tournament titles (back in 1997), this team is not only talented on the floor, but on the sidelines as well, and those factors will put the Aztecs over the top tonight as small dogs. SDSU has covered its last five non-conference games, they’ve 5-0 ATS in their last five vs. teams from the Big 12 and 6-1 ATS in their last seven vs. teams with a SU winning record. All signs point to a 70-64 win for the Aztecs tonight.
PENN STATE --- I’ll be honest with you… I simply don’t trust Notre Dame… especially away from home --- so I’m going to put it as plainly as I can --- Penn State will deliver a SU win in the Garden tonight, which means a cover and more money in your pockets. The Irish are just too streaky for me, and I’m not about to back a team that could get beaten by 15 or more tonight because they don’t play defense. That’s gambling suicide and I’m not about to do it.
Don’t get me wrong, Notre Dame does have some sharpshooters who are more than capable of leading this team to a win, but with their lack of any sort of defensive prowess, I just can’t see them winning this game by more than a bucket. When Luke Harangody tried to play defense in the paint, it’s more like watching a matador try to avoid the bull… Ole’!!! Jamelle Cornley hit 11 of 14 shots and finished with 23 points and 12 rebounds in their last win (on the road) vs. Florida against the same type of defender. Just imagine what he’s going to be able to do against an even slower Luke Harangody tonight?!?!?! And if the Irish decide to double down, Penn State has enough good shooters on the perimeter to make them pay, including star PG Tailor Battle.
The Nits have covered 8 of their last 11 games vs. non-conference foes and will make it 9 of 12 after tonight’s SU win. Take the Nittany Lions plus the points.
76ERS --- Recent trends point to a Hawks win and cover tonight, but trends don’t always tell the entire story. Sometimes you have to look at what’s on the line, and this game simply means more the Philly than it does for Atlanta right now. You see, with Sunday’s win over LA combined with Miami’s loss to Orlando last night, the Hawks have basically locked up the 4th playoff spot (and at least one home court advantage series) in the Eastern Conference, meaning it might be time to start resting players for the playoff stretch run.
Philly, on the other hand, is only one game behind Miami for the 5th spot in the Eastern Conference, and although that might not seem like a big deal, trust me, it is. The 6th seed in the East is either going to be playing Boston or Orlando in the first round while the 5th seed gets a series with Atlanta… now you tell me which of those teams the Sixers (or Heat) wants to play??? Obviously being the 5th seed in the East is HUGE and Philly will be doing everything in their power to win as many as they can from now till the end of the season.
Too much on the line tonight for the Sixers (at home) NOT to show up. Tend to side with the more “desperate” team and that’s the 76ers. Hawks have covered just one time in the last seven meetings with teams from the Atlantic division, and I don’t see this one being any different tonight.
-PAID AND CONFIRMED
