Bruce's Picks (8 Live)
MVC sources have alerted to keep an eye on action-packed Murray State. Now at 91 ppg after running away from Akron in a 115-100 shootout at Henderson, first-year HC Ryan Miller (via Greg McDermott's Creighton staff) has assembled a new team of Racers via transfers and frosh. Ex-UIC G Javon Jackson (16.5 ppg) now flourishing in a go-go offense, while hybrid 6-9 frosh point-forward Roman Domon has scored double-digits in six straight. Meanwhile, Drake is still looking to gain some traction for new HC Eric Henderson, off of a good run at South Dakota State, but on its third coach in as many years after the portal cleaned out last year's overachievers for Ben McCollum (many now at Iowa). Play Murray State.
After watching a loaded Bradley team torch his Sycamores for 118 points last January 15, Matthew Graves isn't likely to see that happen again tonight in Terre Haute. First, these aren't the same Braves, as Brian Wardle had to replace most of the key cogs from his 26-win NIT entry. Second, Graves has found a recipe that appears to be working for ISU, as the Sycs have been controlling pace, allowing just 56 ppg in their last six wins. While not explosive, ISU is rather efficient offensively, hitting a respectable 46.1% from the floor, and getting good mileage from some lower-tier transfers, D-II ex-Truman State PG Xavier Hall (5.3 apg), and NAIA ex-Grace College F Ian Scott (68% FGs). Play Bradley-ISU Under.
As the longest-running act to yet make the NCAA Tournament, we don't want to jump the gun and pencil Bill & Mary into the Big Dance next March, especially after some near-misses at the Colonial/Coastal Tourney in recent years. Still, this is looking pretty exciting for Tribe backers. Their team is scoring up a storm (86 pg) and it hits 50% from the floor. They recently ran off six straight wins before hitting a hot GW in D.C. Brian Earl's fast-paced entry has plenty of balance (seven scoring between 9-12 ppg) and will put pressure on the Highlanders, who are leaning awfully hard on NCS transfer wing Dennis Parker, Jr (19 ppg) for first-year HC Zach Chu. Play W&M.
There's a lot to like about the Wild these days. Five straight wins are indicative, by a combined score of 23-7, and the recent addition of Quinn Hughes from Vancouver gives John Hynes a top-shelf, puck-moving defenseman that comes in handy in all situations. Goalie Jesper Wallstedt, in the nets tonight, has also been a win machine (9-1-2), and his season-long numbers remain impressive (1.95 GAA, .937 saves). The Blue Jackets might look vulnerable, even after Tuesday's OT win over the Ducks; Columbus had dropped six straight prior, with the offense scoring just six times in the preceding four losses. Play Wild on Money Line
In the Billikens' last game, an 85-75 win over USF last Saturday, we got a good idea what HC Josh Schertz preaches, as SLU racked up an impressive 20 assists compared to just 9 TOs. That's the latest example of how the Bills continue to be a smooth-running offensive machine, scoring at a 91 ppg clip with five DD scorers, all between 10-13 ppg, with BC transfer G Dion Brown leading the way. Meanwhile, Reggie Theus might have a SWAC contender at BCU, but the Wildcats aren't slowing the pace vs. top-shelf opposition, allowing 94 ppg vs. the five best foes (Auburn, Miami, Dayton, Indiana, Mizzou) faced thus far. Play BCU-SLU Over
Who's in...who's out? Questions here regarding both Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards as each listed as gametime decisions due to injuries tonight. In Ja's case, he returned two games ago for the Griz and didn't help in a loss to Utah, but Memphis weathered his distractive presence and whipped the Clips on Monday despite Ja twisting his ankle in 4th Q. As for Edwards (foot), the T-wolves have won their last two minus him. Which way to turn? The Grizzlies have definitely turned a corner in recent weeks, winning 8 of 11, and in case Ja doesn't feature that might even be a plus. If Edwards doesn't go for Minnesota, and with Mike Conley out, the Wolves could be thin in the backcourt. Play Grizzlies
There's no doubt it's a different Preds team lately, with more goals flying into the net and the over suddenly in focus. Clearing a number like 5.5 goals tonight looks well within Nashville's boundaries these days considering Pred scorelines have exceeded 5.5 in ten of the last eleven games. It's also overs in five straight, with Steven Stamkos and Filip Forsberg both having erupted within the past week, suggesting the higher-scoring might be here to stay for awhile. The most-recent meeting between these two ended 6-3 in Carolina's favor on December 6, and can envision a similar goal haul tonight in Music City. The Canes have scored at least three goals (with three shootouts, it must be added) their last four games. Play Canes-Preds Over