ERIC SCHROEDER
My free Sunday winner is on the Creighton Blue Jays minus the number against the Georgetown Hoyas.
Just five games left in the regular season, and while the Hoyas are playing for the dancing resume in next month's big tournament, Creighton is arguably playing for a highly favorable seed.
Both teams are in must-win mode.
The 20th-ranked Blue Jays (21-5, 8-5 Big East) is in revenge mode against Georgetown (14-12, 5-8, as the Hoyas won the first meeting behind a stingy defense. Creighton was limited to a season-worst 1-for-19 shooting from three-point range in a 71-51 shellacking.
Georgetown is dealing with injuries, and won't be able to withstand the offensive onslaught Creighton will bring.
Lay the chalk.
4* CREIGHTON
My free Sunday winner is on the Creighton Blue Jays minus the number against the Georgetown Hoyas.
Just five games left in the regular season, and while the Hoyas are playing for the dancing resume in next month's big tournament, Creighton is arguably playing for a highly favorable seed.
Both teams are in must-win mode.
The 20th-ranked Blue Jays (21-5, 8-5 Big East) is in revenge mode against Georgetown (14-12, 5-8, as the Hoyas won the first meeting behind a stingy defense. Creighton was limited to a season-worst 1-for-19 shooting from three-point range in a 71-51 shellacking.
Georgetown is dealing with injuries, and won't be able to withstand the offensive onslaught Creighton will bring.
Lay the chalk.
4* CREIGHTON
BRAD WILTON
Thought about backing the revenging host today in Creighton, but then thought better of it, as I think the Blue Jays will indeed get their revenge win, but I think they are laying a few points too many today to the visiting Hoyas.
Georgetown has won 4 of their last 6 games straight up, and they have covered 3 straight when listed as the underdog. That underdog stretch includes their 71-51 home pounding of the Jays back on January 25th as the small home underdog.
The Blue Jays are only 3-4 both straight up and against the spread their last 7 games contested (G-Town meeting included), so can't really trust them laying this many hoops.
Hoyas plus the points the call today.
1* GEORGETOWN
Thought about backing the revenging host today in Creighton, but then thought better of it, as I think the Blue Jays will indeed get their revenge win, but I think they are laying a few points too many today to the visiting Hoyas.
Georgetown has won 4 of their last 6 games straight up, and they have covered 3 straight when listed as the underdog. That underdog stretch includes their 71-51 home pounding of the Jays back on January 25th as the small home underdog.
The Blue Jays are only 3-4 both straight up and against the spread their last 7 games contested (G-Town meeting included), so can't really trust them laying this many hoops.
Hoyas plus the points the call today.
1* GEORGETOWN
CHRIS JORDAN
My Bonus Play is on the West All Stars in the NBA All Star Game, as I'm banking on the Golden State Warriors contingent, not to mention the MVP candidates on the roster, to pace this one.
Do I need to remind everyone just how dominating the West was a year ago, in a 196-173 win that saw Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder win the MVP for the second consecutive year? I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see the triple-double machine make it three in a row, with how well he has been playing. Nor would I be surprised to see Houston's James Harden or possibly someone from Golden State.
But it is Westbrook averaging a triple-double, with 31.1 points per game, 10.5 rebounds per contest and 10.1 assists per night. And, he was not selected as an All-Star starter. Not only is he suiting up alongside former teammate Kevin Durant, he'll be coached by Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
He will go off, and put whomever he wants in the spotlight. Despite the East being bolstered by the best player on the planet, LeBron James can't do it alone.
Westbrook is going to get Pelicans big man Anthony Davis involved and, I think, will help him win the MVP award. Westbrook's assist number will be high, while Davis' scoring output will soar.
Play the West in this year's All-Star Break.
1* WEST
My Bonus Play is on the West All Stars in the NBA All Star Game, as I'm banking on the Golden State Warriors contingent, not to mention the MVP candidates on the roster, to pace this one.
Do I need to remind everyone just how dominating the West was a year ago, in a 196-173 win that saw Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder win the MVP for the second consecutive year? I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see the triple-double machine make it three in a row, with how well he has been playing. Nor would I be surprised to see Houston's James Harden or possibly someone from Golden State.
But it is Westbrook averaging a triple-double, with 31.1 points per game, 10.5 rebounds per contest and 10.1 assists per night. And, he was not selected as an All-Star starter. Not only is he suiting up alongside former teammate Kevin Durant, he'll be coached by Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
He will go off, and put whomever he wants in the spotlight. Despite the East being bolstered by the best player on the planet, LeBron James can't do it alone.
Westbrook is going to get Pelicans big man Anthony Davis involved and, I think, will help him win the MVP award. Westbrook's assist number will be high, while Davis' scoring output will soar.
Play the West in this year's All-Star Break.
1* WEST
