Bruce's Picks (8 Live)
Is the fuss about the Chargers a bit misplaced? ...
They're getting restless again in the Delaware Valley...
If poor shooting is your thing, we've got a team for you!...
Does Peter Laviolette have answers for the Rangers? ...
Bruce's Past Picks
Recent losses to Boston College and Washington State suggest this isn't a vintage Leon Rice Boise edition, and exposed some of the shortcomings in the new Broncos attack. Boise hit under 40% from the floor in each of those defeats, and dug itself such a big hole in the game vs. Wazzu (when the Broncos trailed 44-24 at halftime) that even a second-half rally was not good enough. Meanwhile, Randy Bennett looks like he has done it again with the Gaels, who just dumped Utah in Salt Lake City and sit 9-1 in the new season. The new weapon to watch is 6-8 ASU transfer F Paulius Murauskas, who just scored 29 in the win over the Utes. Play Saint Mary's
We're not sure the Rockets should even be here in Las Vegas, after getting a controversial whistle in their favor in the final three seconds vs. the Warriors in Thursday's quarterfinals. The Rockets did recently beat the Thunder on December 1 at Toyota Center but needed a season-high 38 points from Fred VanVleet to do so. Meanwhile, OKC looks ready to deal after romping past the Mavs in the quarterfinals when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, rising to meet the moment and the stage provided by the NBA Cup, scored 39. Remember, in the first meeting this season on November 8, it was no contest at OKC rolled 126-107, up 24 at the half as SGA again was hot (29 points). Play Thunder (at T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas)
More personnel moves for the Blues, adding Cam Fowler from the Ducks. The defense has already tightened considerably for St Louis since Jim Montgomery took over from Drew Bannister behind the bench; since then, the Blues have a team save percentage that's fourth in the league, and are allowing the eighth lowest high-danger chances. Jordan Binnington is back in goal tonight, though he has allowed four goals in his last two starts. Meanwhile, Jake Oettinger always presents a blockade in the Dallas net, and has been his usual solid self in December, recording a 2.45 GAA in five starts this month. The Stars should be ready to play defense, too, after losing to lowly Nashville on Thursday. Play Blues-Stars Under
The Vols will find out what it's like wearing the big target of No. 1, facing a real challenge to its ranking tonight in Champaign-Urbana. The Fighting Illini are no wallflowers and will think their 86 ppg offense can keep paces. Their new weapon worth watching is 6-8 frosh Kasparas Jakucionis (15.9 ppg), who has scored 20+ each of the past four games and is hitting better than 44% of his triples, spreading out the floor nicely for Brad Underwood's offense. No one, however, has yet slowed UT, scoring better than 82 ppg while hitting better than 52% from the floor, with North Florida transfer G Chaz Lanier (19.1 ppg) turning into a portal jackpot for Rick Barnes. Play Tennessee-Illinois Over
SCU's 3-point accuracy has steadily been climbing in recent weeks, due in part to boomerang transfer Carlos Stewart. In his last four, Stewart has connected on 12 of 21 triples (57%), scoring at a 17.3 pg clip across that span while his overall shooting is a sizzling 63.2% (24 of 38)..what Herb Sendek envisioned when Stewart transferred back from LSU. Bradley has started quick at 8-1 but the schedule has not been a challenge, and note the one matchup vs. a WCC foe (Washington State, playing in the loop this season and next) was a resounding defeat for the Braves. Lee's Family Forum is also familiar territory for the Broncos, who faced Arizona State here in Henderson five weeks ago. Play Santa Clara (at Henderson)
Despite Army's American title, we don't see much separating these two. The Mids upgraded significantly this season, too, adding Wing-T elements to the offense as imported by first-year OC Drew Cronic, who arrived from A-AA Mercer (where he was head coach). Now-healthy Navy QB Blake Horvath was posting big numbers all season and making nearly as many plays as ballyhooed West Point counterpart Bryson Daily. Navy's recent win (sans Horvath) over a hot East Carolina also impressed. Upsets have been commonplace in this rivalry throughout the decades and an expected fanatical effort from Annapolis, finally playing one of these vs. Army closer to home (in Landover at the Commanders' stadium this week) might be another plus. Play Navy (at Landover, Md)
LeBron James (foot) is out again tonight, though his +/- has been so bad in recent weeks that it might not be a big negative. The Lake Show did win without him at midweek vs. Portland but it was a sluggish display in a 107-98 victory. The last time the Lakers faced the T-wolves on December 2, it was a 109-80 Minny romp with LeBron only 4 of 16 from the floor. That also reminds the T-wolves are capable of the sort of elite defense to hold foes in the 80s. That Wolves romp two weeks ago is part of a five-game stretch in which they are allowing only 86 pg, for the moment making under a first look in Minny games. Play Lakers-Timberwolves Under