ROBERT FERRINGO
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Over’ 149.5
James Madison at Marshall (7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
Dan D’Antoni’s Marshall team plays at one of the fastest paces in the country. His team isn’t very talented on offense, but they push the pace. And because they are at home I think they will dictate the tempo in this one. They’ve allowed over 80 points in each of their first two games and James Madison is a team that isn’t shy about putting up points. They scored 106 in their last game and have scored 78 or more in four of their six games. Madison has also allowed at least 70 points in four of six, including giving up 74 points to Eastern Monnonite in their last game. I thought this total would be closer to 160 and I can see this one playing ‘over’.
1-Unit Play. Take #735 Arkansas State (+23.5)
over Baylor (1 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
2-Unit Play. Take #750 Texas A&M (-6)
over Syracuse (3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
I took a shot and missed with Connecticut over Syracuse yesterday. I’m going to go right back against the Orange today. Syracuse played way above its head yesterday and I’m not sure if they can do it twice in a row. A&M beat a legit Gonzaga team and a pretty good Texas team to get to this point and right now I think they are better than Syracuse. The Aggies are smart enough to pound the ball inside against the Syracuse zone. And I don’t think that the Orange can keep up their ridiculous shooting clip (48 percent from deep in the first two games). A&M has solid play on the perimeter and in the post and they are the best defensive team that the Orange have faced to this point.
2-Unit Play. Take #752 Michigan (-2.5)
over Texas (7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
We cashed tickets on both of these teams yesterday and I’ll come right back on them today. Texas is still incredibly shaky. And even though they have a big advantage over Michigan in the post this group of Longhorns has shown a complete inability to work the offensive from the inside out. Michigan is a lot more comfortable and confident in its system, which they’ve been playing in a lot longer than Shaka Smart’s Horns. The Wolverines saw the ball go in the basket a lot yesterday and I think they will be shooting with a lot of confidence today.
1-Unit Play. Take #757 Georgia Tech (+11)
over Villanova (3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
2-Unit Play. Take #766 Michigan State (-9)
over Boise State (5:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
Here is another game where we won with both teams yesterday and now I’m coming back to them. As I said yesterday: Michigan State is one of the two or three best teams in the country right now. They can just wreck people. I’m a big Boise fan. But right now they aren’t as good as they were last year and they are missing Derrick Marks’ ability to 2-Unit Play. Take over. They lost by 12 to Arizona and the Spartans are better than that team. Boise State has shown an ability to play good teams close over the last few years, but they haven’t pulled many outright upsets. If I don’t think they can win this game I’m not going to 2-Unit Play. Take the points and I think Michigan State will keep rolling.
2-Unit Play. Take #768 Evansville (-11)
over Santa Clara (9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
Santa Clara is in a clear and obvious letdown spot here. They nearly knocked off Arizona as a massive underdog last night. They missed their shot and they are still winless on the season. Evansville didn’t play that well against Providence. I think they are irritated and they are definitely focused on making up for it today. Santa Clara played in an overtime game in their season opener. The next day they played again and lost by 22 to Denver. I see a similar flat spot for the Broncos here. Evansville is just a lot better than they are and should 2-Unit Play. Take care of business here.
2-Unit Play. Take #785 UAB (-3.5)
over Illinois (9:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
Illinois is fielding about half a team at the moment. And it is half of a bad team. Injuries and other issues have really wiped out this team and they are off to a terrible start to what many believe is a make-or-break season for John Groce. The Illini barely escaped Monday with a win over a really bad Chicago State team, needing a comeback to win 82-79. That game came after a loss to Chattanooga over the weekend. Now Illinois has to travel to Florida for a holiday tournament and face a UAB team that has everyone back from a team that not only played in but also won a game in the NCAA Tournament. UAB hasn’t looked good to start this season, losing its opener at Auburn and then looking shaky against some other bad in-state competition. But the Blazers should be up for this game against a Big Ten opponent. Illinois is just in a fog right now. I think that any mediocre team could beat them right now and UAB fits the bill.
1-Unit Play. Take #756 Stanford (Pk)
over Arkansas (12:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
3-Unit Play. Take #770 Arizona (-5.5)
over Providence (11:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
2-Unit Play. Take #791 California (-6)
over Richmond (8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)
1-Unit Play. Take #763 UC-Irvine (-4)
over Boston College (3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 27)