Bruce's Picks (12 Live)
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