Can Oklahoma make it five straight wins? ...

Eric Olen (via UCSD) has his new-look Lobos performing better than many expected, with several frosh stepping into the spotlight including G Jake Hall (14.4 ppg). Santa Clara, however, might present a problem as the Broncos are off to an 8-1 start, their best beginning to a campaign in six years. There's a c hance top scorer G Christian Hammond (16.6 ppg) won't make the post tonight in Albuquerque, but Herb Sendek has a deep bench and SCU still was able to put up 90 points in a spirited midweek win over Utah Tech. The Broncos bounced back smartly from their bitter 1-point loss in Palm Springs vs. Saint Luis to beat Minnesota more handily than the 86-75 scoreline suggested. Play Santa Clara

Need to get that Cleveland State stink off me quickly. Only the second road game for WSU, which lost the other and has lost three in a row to DI opponents overall. UNI is 5-0 at home and yet again defensively dominant. It leads the country in scoring defense at 55.4 points allowed per game and also in the top-20 in three-point percentage defense (.261) and in field goal percentage defense (.362). The Panthers lead the MVC in assist/turnover ratio (1.88) and rank second with 17.1 assists per game. A White Out game. It's December in Cedar Falls. A White Out is the social event of the month if not year. I see Bruce Marshall is on UNI so that makes me feel better.

Regional sources have suggested we keep an eye on UNI, as Ben Jacobson has once again maneuvered the pieces to his liking in Cedar Falls. Shooting accuracy has always been the trademark of Jacobson's Panthers and the current edition looks no different, hitting nearly 48% from the floor and 38% beyond the arc. Another UNI staple, versatility, reflected in top scorers wing Leon Bond III (13 ppg) and G Trey Campbell, who score inside and outside. Meanwhile, Wichita's recent winless 0-3 run at the Battle 4 Atlantis last week in the Bahamas suggests the Shockers are a work in progress, and need another scorer to emerge to relieve some of the burden from G Kenyon Giles (17.7 ppg). Play UNI

Colorado has won four of the last five games against the Rams. However, the public is all over Colorado, it’s their first true road game, and Fort Collins is not an easy place to play. The Rams currently lead the nation in effective field goal efficiency and from three. Colorado has not done well defending the perimeter, allowing their opponent to shoot almost 36%, and the Rams are shooting 45% so far. They’re also in the top-10 in effectiveness from the free throw line. Colorado State has the experience as they’re more consistent with their offensively with their ball movement against the Buffaloes who have shown vulnerability defensively.

A spread that is devalued lies in the Big Sky and Summit Challenge later today. Nebraska Omaha is winless on the road this season, leaving margin for error open in the final ten minutes. Additionally, Portland State has just one win one win this season against a division one opponent by double digits. Take the Vikings whose guard play shines enough to topple this spread.

Very fair price if not a little low in my opinion. Detroit Mercy comes off a game vs. IU Indy, which I think matters because that club plays so up-tempo you'd think the Titans might be a little out of gas at some point today, although I remember feeling invincible in college physically. Up til 4 am playing video games and hammered but basketball at 9 a.m.? No problem. Ramen shooter at 8:45 a.m. Now if I'm up until midnight I'm practically blind for a week. The Vikings get to the free-throw line more than any Horizon League team as it is and home teams generally get the benefit of whistles.

Big East sources alerting to note sleep on the Bulldogs, as Thad Matta's Butler has broken 7-1 from the gate and displaying a sharper edge than last season. A shrewd portal add by Matta was 6-7 F Michael Ajayi, a featured scorer two years ago at Pepperdine when producing 17.2 ppg before getting lost a bit in the shuffle last season at Gonzaga. Back to a more-regular role, Ajayi is scoring (16.9 ppg) like he's back at Pepperdine, and helping form a potent Bulldogs 1-2 with wing Finley Bizjack (19 ppg). Leon Rice's Boise has yet to switch gears as the offense has looked modest at best (just 44% FGs and 34% threes). Play Butler

I'm going to buy low on Northwestern returning home after two straight losses. I'm not high on Ohio State this season. They faced a soft home schedule then lost in their first road test against a bad Pitt team. Northwestern hasn't played a true home game since Nov. 10 and that's creating some value with this line. I think the wrong team is favored here. Take Northwestern as a dog or short favorite up to -2.

Bowling Green has led with their defense to begin the season. They’ve held their opponents to 65.8 points per game and are currently 8th in the country in forcing turnovers. The Wolverines are near the bottom of the country in protecting the ball as well as shooting from the free throw line. Bowling Green has the edge on the boards, especially with keeping their opponents off the offensive glass and they defend the perimeter better. Utah Valley has yet to win a game on the road and the Falcons have been a nice surprise in the MAC thus far.

I'm jumping on Purdue early at -4.5 Saturday. I like the matchup at home for the Boilermakers. Iowa State is playing its first true road game this season and I worry about their metrics guarding the perimeter, despite facing a soft home schedule so far this year. The Cyclones do have a really good win over St. John's but playing on a neutral court with a few hundred fans and going on the road in front of a raucous crowd isn't the same thing. I think the Boilermakers will make more perimeter shots, avoid turnovers and I give them an edge on the offensive boards. The line may move against me but I'm fine with 4.5. Bet up to 5.5.

Steve Lavin's USD has been generally unimpressive in a 3-4 break from the gate. There's a chance, however, Lavin's many portal adds are close to coagulating, even though none has yet emerged as a bona fide go-to scoring threat. Instead, it's a collection of 10-12 ppg pieces with the top five scorers all being guards. There is hope that Wake Forest transfer Ty-Laur Johnson (11.8 ppg) will be ready to go after missing the loss at Long Beach, when the Toreros kicked away a late 8-point lead. Against the Beach, G Brandon Benjamin came off the bench to hit 7-of-8 shots and lead USD with 16 points. Not sure SJSU (a modest 44% on FG tries) has enough offense to stretch this margin. Play USD

Cincinnati has leaned on defense to start the season. They’re holding opponents to just 63.4 points per game, but their offense has been inconsistent, so far, similar to the last few seasons. The Musketeers had a rocky start to the season but might have found something with the adjustments made by first-year head coach Richard Pitino. Xavier is going to shoot a ton of threes and do a better job in protecting the ball. They’re also 5-1 SU at home on the year. This is also the Bearcats first true road game of the season and have’t beaten Xavier in the Cintas Center since 2001.

It's the Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout in Cincinnati tonight, and we wonder if the local eateries are giving away free cheese coneys if the X hits ten or more triples in a game. After a slow start in early November, the Musketeers are raining in 3-balls en masse of late (including a 16 for 25 beyond the arc in Charleston vs. WVU) to up their accuracy to 38% from tripleville, with Valpo transfer G All Wright now raining triples at a 50% rate. With wins in three straight, Richard Pitino's side now looks in gear, while we're not so sure about the Bearcats, whose offense has lurched in recent weeks as it tries to incorporate 6-11 ex-FAU frontliner Baba Miller into the mix. Play Xavier.

South Alabama has began the year 8-1 overall. The one loss they failed to cover by just a half point against UAB. They’ve endured a lengthy road of tournament play and road games. Each of their last six games has been at a neutral site or road game. That plays into the hands of an East Tennessee team that has not played in any tournament action to date. Lay the number with the Buccaneers.