Discussion Saturday

[Franchise]

In their first game this year, Charlotte shot 2-22 from the 3 point line. If they come out hitting their threes, it could be a very tough game for X. Its hard to predict how a team is going to shoot from deep. Also, if Love, McLean or Frease get 2 quick fouls at the beginning of the game (a la @ UD a couple weeks ago), X could also be in for a nail biter.

If X doesn't come out and try to show how tough they are then the big guys shouldn't have foul problems. I don't think that's an issue since Charlotte isn't a rivalry game. I like X by DD.

[Franchise]

I like your UW play. It does seem to be a good spot in bizzaro world on the west coast. As for the others I thought Ole Miss would deliver a good performance the other night and they weren't able to get it done vs Vandy. The spot says Ole Miss win but I could see a letdown after the tough loss the other night. Florida has been competitive in every game and their only decent loss was X but X is much better than Ole Miss.

My other thoughts are

St Johns/USF Under 128 - Both teams grind it out on offense and aren't able to consistently push the pace. Should be a lot like the USF/UC game.

Xavier/Charlotte - Xavier is the better team and I think this is the nail in Charlotte's coffin. They were very fortunate to win all the close games in the A10. They are the anti dayton in that they don't blow you out but they manage to win the close ones. I think today's another DD loss to knock one team off the A10 bubble.

WF -1' /NC St - This line looks a little too easy but Wake has played well on the road. I think too much credit is being given to the home team.

Rutgers +6' vs UConn - Sell out at the RAC and UConn laying points? Where do I sign up.

Vandy -1' vs UK - Vandy has been getting tougher and they should come ready to play after getting steamrolled at the start of their last UK game.

[Nigel Tufnel]

Not sure I'd pick against X today, Flyers. They are playing with quite a bit of confidence after beating Florida on the road last weekend and absolutely killing St. Joe's. I think the key to this game will be Xavier's front line against Charlotte. X is much bigger and more physical in the paint than Charlotte and Jason Love and Jamel McLean are playing as well as they've played all year.

In their first game this year, Charlotte shot 2-22 from the 3 point line. If they come out hitting their threes, it could be a very tough game for X. Its hard to predict how a team is going to shoot from deep. Also, if Love, McLean or Frease get 2 quick fouls at the beginning of the game (a la @ UD a couple weeks ago), X could also be in for a nail biter.

Recent history indicates that X really turns in on down the stretch in the league. They appear to be doing that right now after the Dayton debacle a couple of weeks ago. Jordan Crawford has been doing a really nice job recently getting the big men more involved and not forcing shots. He has been letting the game come to him, looking to get others involved and he's still getting his 20 points per game.

Halton Arena will be rocking today. This is a pretty huge conference game....definitely HUGE for Charlotte. X can likely seal an NCAA bid with a win today, barring some type of total meltdown.

Like I said, you can never predict if a team is going to come out and be on fire from the three point line. I guess I think there is a higher probability that X can dominate the paint and Crawford can control the game moreso than Charlotte being on fire from 22 feet.

Think X pulls away late with free throws and wins by 7-10 points.

[FlyersFan]

Have some time saturday so wanted to get some thoughts. I haven't seen a game since last saturday with some personal stuff going on so kind of out of the loop.

FLA +5 @ OlePISS......kind of high for an OlePiss team taht has lost 4 of L5 and reportedly has some on court issues. FLA has been competitive on the road for the most part in conference losing by 1 @ Tennessee and 2 @ Scarolina recently. Is the oddsmaker still giving OlePiss too much credit or is this a trap line?

OKST -2 vs. BAY......like the pokes here for some reason. Revenge spot too.

UGA -2 vs. ALA.....UGA has been good and covering like a machine at home for the most part. ALA very pedestrian away from home. Interesting game as neither of these teams can hold a lead in the 2H something fierce.

TLS -1 vs. UTEP.....i don't know what has happened to TLS recently. I was all set to play them 2 weeks ago in this revenge spot but not so sure anymore. Anyone else like TLS or have a feel for this game?

CHAR +4........nigel, what is X going to do today?

UW -6 1H.......perfect storm here IMO. UCLA off a road win by 20+ at Wazzu and UW off an egg laying versus USC. I remember the way they played at home versus ASU and Cal and im willing to bet on the same today. Revenge spot and i wouldn't be surprised to see UW up 12+ at the break.....but then again this is the Pac10....but i have done very well in this conference and i think have won about 5 straight games involving UCLA so have a good beat on at least one of these teams today.


CRAPPETBUSTERS:

Dogs dogs and more dogs. Dogs of 1-4 points cover like mad over the past few years in this thing i read. I honestly don't know how anyone can handicap these games as almost NONE of them have any impact on brackets and how do you know who actually cares about the game more than the other team....:dunno:

anyhow, thoughts?