Zack's Past Picks
George Mason will be put to the test tonight as they go into their third road game over their last four outings. They will also be in a one day rest disadvantage against Saint Louis who played on Friday. Yet, throughout the Patriots nine game winning streak they have had a knack of closing out games. They’ve had six wins by seven points or fewer including two in overtime. Take George Mason
Southeast Louisiana has played excellent conference basketball in Southland play. They have won three straight games, but have survived close calls in their latest two. In Saturday’s victory against Incarnate Word they squandered an eight point lead, and barely held on. Houston Christian is a matchup problem for them, as was witnessed in their last loss to the Huskies four games ago. Take the Huskies on the moneyline.
Out in Southland Conference play a team that has been struggling is Northwestern State. They lost to a three win East Texas A&M team by twenty two points, and are coming off scoring just fifty points in Saturday’s loss to McNeese. This is a case where the line is a bit to high off of the recent struggles of the Demons. Look for a competitive game against a Nicholls team they defeated in early January 68-66. ..
After missing the prior game against Loyola Maryland, Lafayette got their top player back in Justin Vander Baan in Saturday’s win over Navy. Despite being in the bottom half of the Patriot League standings, they find themselves as a short underdog on the road against conference leader American. Expect Lafayette to get revenge on a matchup they let slip away late on January 29th. Grab the points here with Lafayette.
An ugly loss can be the fuel for a team in their next outing. Expect that today on a light college basketball board on Super Bowl Sunday for UMass. The Minutemen had Saint Louis on the ropes up ten late, but could not execute and finish off the job. Today, they will face a La Salle team they routed by twenty two points January 19th. Take UMass to complete the season sweep.
Out in the Big South there could be a slow start for the home team in Gardner Webb. Just two nights ago they had the conference leader in UNC Asheville in a tight game up until the final five minutes. Yet, I expect Gardner Webb to recover against a Charleston Southern team that is poor at the free throw line and one dimensional with Take Kelly. Lay it with Gardner Webb.
Wofford has been a tricky team to figure out. They’ve had blowout road wins over UNC Greensboro and Furman, but have also had a poor home loss to VMI. After a strong start to Southern conference play that featured a 5-2 mark with the two losses by two points, they have faded. They are just 1-3 over their last four games, and this is a revenge spot for Mercer who scored just 49 points in the first matchup to Wofford. Take the home dog here.
Now that we are in the month of February there are key spots for inevitable let downs. It’s the final full month of conference play, and teams are going to be more susceptible in road spots. Look for that to be the case today for Saint Louis that has allowed key spurts to the opposition over their last two games against Dayton and Mass. Expect Saint Joseph’s to perform much better a second time seeing Saint Louis. Lay it with the Hawks.
Portal defects hit San Diego hard this season, as they have gone just 4-20 on the season. Losses have mounted as they go into tonight’s matchup against Pacific on a ten game losing streak. Throughout the losses they have been competitive with close losses against Santa Clara, Loyola Marymount, and Washington State. They even showed resilience in what looked to be a blowout loss last week against Pepperdine. Take the Torreros who are being over adjusted ATS due to their losing streak and road spot at Pacific.
The LeMoyne Dolphins will go into their third straight road game tonight against St. Francis. They come in on a three game losing streak, where they have struggled in second halves. This came to light in their latest loss against Wagner where they led at halftime. Expect LeMoyne to step it up against a St. Francis team that has had a full week off of action.
Exactly two weeks ago, Lafayette went on the road and dismantled Loyola Maryland 80-59. The twenty one point win was the Leopards best win on the season over a division one school. It was a game where the big run occurred right before halftime, and the Greyhounds weren't able to recover. Look for a stronger effort defensively as that was the most points any team scored in-conference against Loyola. Grab the points here.
Out in the Mountain West Boise State remains a fixture with upperclassmen deluxe. Tonight look for UNLV to counter that in a must win spot. After a big win over a formerly ranked Utah State team, they have dropped four games in a row. Take the Rebels to at least cover as a home underdog.
In a conference with sixteen teams it can be hard to identify a mini sleeper. BYU may be that as they have turned the page after a demoralizing overtime loss to Utah. Since they have won four straight games with excellent offense. Take them tonight as Arizona comes down to Earth after a scorching stretch.
Saint Louis is coming off two big home games in which they rode the emotional wave of a great win over VCU, only to falter in a televised spot against Dayton. Now they will play three of four games on the road, starting with tonight’s matchup against UMass. The Minutemen may be 10-12 but they have grown in-conference winning four out of their last five games. Take UMass to protect their home floor as the slight underdog.
Iowa State just a week ago last Monday was on the verge of a win at Arizona. With Caleb Love sending in a beyond half court shot, the Cyclones lost in overtime. That loss spilled over into a pathetic showing Saturday at home against Kansas State. Look for the Cyclones to regroup against a Kansas team that is showing the inability to compete for forty minutes.