Thursday, 2/1/07

Well, hopefully we have all our technical difficulties behind us in time to post a couple winners in tonight's Bball matchups:

First, go with the Dukies -1 at Virginia. As Virginia's previous coach, Pete Gillen, would say, "Well, certainly Duke is Duke, they're on TV more than Leave it to Beaver reruns." What did that have to do with anything? Nothing at all...I just really like that line. But, in this matchup, we see if the Cavaliers are up to the challenge of stepping up to play with the "big boys". I say they aren't. Duke is hitting their stride after a slow start, having won their past 5 games (including 2-0 on the road). Virginia, to be fair, has won their past 7 games. But, this is Duke and I don't think Virginia is past the mental hurdle that is the Blue Devils. Duke has beaten them the past 9 matchups and the smallest margin of victory was 7. The last two times they played at Virginia, Duke won by 22 and 19. Duke is a better team, but more importantly, they are better in Virginia's minds as well.

Duke -1 (**)
(buying 1/2 point)


Next, I received a tip from "The Sixth Man" and he says it is rock solid. Take Chicago-loyola -2 at Cleveland State. Cle St. is really bad and they can't seem to beat Loyola. Loyola has won their last 10 matchups with Cleveland State (COVERING 9/10 in that span). Earlier in the season, Loyola beat Cleveland State by 11 at home...and that was without their leading scorer (averaging 17 per game). This should be a cakewalk.

Chicago-Loyola -2 (**)
(buying 1/2 point)