BOB BALFE
College Hoops
12:00 EST
Rotation #519-520
Pittsburgh -2.5 over Syracuse
Pitt has stopped Syracuse both times this year and have looked great on the defensive end in doing so. This is an Orange team that struggles to make foul shots and at times just looks like there is no focus or knowledge of how the game is to be played. Pitt is the better team and to avoid the NIT this game is a must win. Take Pitt.
College Hoops
9:30 EST
Rotation #537-538
Texas Tech -8.5 over TCU
It is time to recognize Tech for turning the page and being a legit team in this conference. Tubby Smith has turned this team around. TCU can’t shoot the ball and is at the bottom of the league in many areas of the game. In my opinion Vegas did a great job at setting this line this high. Texas Tech makes their foul shots when they get to the line and should pull away in the 2nd half. Take Texas Tech.
College Hoops
4:30 EST
Rotation #553-554
Illinois -9 over Minnesota
Illinois/Minnesota – Under 136.5
This is a 2 game play as we are playing both side and total. Illinois dealt with their own injuries this year which is why they didn’t really make an impact this year in the conference. Minnesota is now dealing with suspension, scandal and key injuries which has left them with nobody that can shoot the ball. This team looked awful against Rutgers and I don’t expect them to get any better overnight. Look for Minnesota to slow this game down which will be their only chance of winning because they can’t win a shootout. The problem is they can’t make buckets either and I expect we will see 5 minute stretches with no buckets in this game. Take Illinois and take the Under. Treat them both as straight bets. No Parlays.
College Hoops
7:00 EST
Rotation #555-556
Nebraska -14.5 over Rutgers
Rutgers is a bad basketball team and on top of that was hit hard with the injury bug. They have shown life this year and there is no doubt they have athletes on this team, but they just can’t play for 40 straight minutes. With the lack of a true big man and no defense it is going to be hard for this team to win a game at this level. Nebraska will just out early and never look back. Take Nebraska.
College Hoops
7:00 EST
Rotation #561-562
Georgetown -8 over DePaul
DePaul is pretty bad at scoring offense and even worse at scoring defense. This is not a good basketball team that will face a Georgetown team that did not live up to expectations this season. There is so much talent on this Hoyas team and today starts a new season for them to make a run. This conference is wide open and I expect some of the lower seeds to advance. The Hoyas are a better team from top to bottom and should cash in tonight. Take Georgetown.