Matt's Picks (6 Live)
Half-unit because I hate playing road teams, and I'm quite sure all those Knicks who sat out last night at Indiana will play, but I still think the team will be physically and mentally gassed from an incredibly hectic week. Maybe we get lucky and Jalen Brunson sits out. We cashed last night fading the Knicks, although Brunson won it brilliantly late. I refuse to mention a certain Sixers 7-foot former MVP with the initials JE, but he's questionable. Also the sun will rise in the East. Tell me something I don't know; I honestly don't even include that guy any longer in any prognostications it's so ridiculous. And the Sixers have been off since Sunday. So if rest means anything at all.
Do I think the Hurricanes are the better club right now? Yep, but I also say if you get the two-time champs +1 at home that you have to. Almost think the Cats will be offended being home dogs. But I'm slumping a bit across the board at the moment. Sometimes a built-in holiday day off or two isn't the worst thing to just reset. I'm not saying that I'm the Short Circuit robot -- Johnny 5 -- declaring "Malfunction! Need input!" but let's just say El DeBarge is from my hometown. "Who's Johnny?" How did a movie with El DeBarge, a lovable robot, Steve Guttenberg and Ally Sheedy not win an Oscar!?
Coming close to dumping college hoops and focusing on soccer. At least in that sport I know who will play (usually). "I'm not bitter, you are. I know you are, but what am I?" Yep, I have been relegated to fifth-grade playground talk when it comes to college basketball. And I used relegated on purpose as we segue to the Beautiful Game. I generally like U3.5 when not the super-giants of European soccer. Both these sides (no way I type the visiting name, I'd hurt myself) apparently have major availability questions, but I can't learn about two CCSU guys ruled out until 5 minutes before a hoops tip? Yet I have more solid info on German soccer ... in German. This feels backward. "Danke schön."
Man, this hurts me and I'm only doing a half-unit. So proud of Western, its best team since the Fighting Flecks of 2016. And I told myself, and perhaps I talk to myself way too much, that I bet I get an alumni/donation letter now. Sure enough Tuesday. I'm sure my $25 will find the next five-star QB. Or one-star and his lunch at Pizza Hut. It's basically the hook why I am playing this. WMU might be slightly better, but KSU has been pretty darn impressive. No apparent major opt-outs or transfers on either side. Western by a late field goal and life is good.
Do you remember the 80s? I'm sure many of you not even born, but back then you earned bank to buy something, for some reason, that had Vuarnet on it (or Girbaud). It was just French cool. I have no idea what's cool now, but I expect to have some Vuarnet money with this. Are the Sharks the cash cow they were earlier in the year? No, but we are all over this. San Jose is 24-10 ATS and "Après la pluie, le beau temps." I hope that means I desire a grilled cheese with pickles inside. It does metaphorically ... and now that's happening in next 24 hours. "Florida Man dies after having forgotten to check his cheese is 4 years past date."
Yeah after watching SportsCenter -- which is about unwatchable at this point; I'd rather have a root canal without anesthetic than watch that 5 p.m. High Five version -- guess we have to go Under with winds and rain. Not that I was unaware but sometimes you kinda have to see the conditions for yourself. And surely no Davante Adams for L.A. These teams combined for 40 points in ideal indoor conditions in LA earlier in the year. I don't care who wins other than if it helps the Bears; I'd much rather avoid Matthew Stafford and face Sam Darnold (DUH!) in the playoffs. Shoot, I'd rather avoid Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar version) and prefer to face Sam Darnold is what I think of Mr. Ghosts.
Zion was limited to 27 minutes in his return from (another) injury on Sunday in Chicago and came off the bench but still scored 18. I'd expect him to start tonight and get at least 30 minutes. Our model has him at 22.1 points. I know Kevin Durant is one of Williamson's idols, so he should be duly motivated against KD. I never say I love a prop because it can be not relevant at all to the game result and obviously injuries, foul trouble can happen. But this does seem low to me.
Big number, yes, but I think it should be -250 if the right CCSU team shows up -- so I'll go ahead and bet to win on this. The Blue Devils already own wins at power schools Boston College and Rutgers. Not saying those are Final Four teams, but pretty impressive for an NEC school. And CCSU is 3-0 at home, scoring triple digits in each. Granted, against teams like Godolkin U (actually they might be invincible), Charmin College (the Softies) and Beefaroni State (want one of those T-shirts). When scoring 70+ points under coach Patrick Sellers, who has built a nice program, CCSU is 26-1 in its past 27. Fairfield allows 75.5 and has surrendered at least 70 in all but one road game.
Tip at 7:05 and this just became I think a good play as Temple is down three regulars in Gavin Griffiths, Swish Gilyard and AJ Smith. Now I'm hammering this. Short and sweet.