All underdogs this week, just how I like it. Read 'em and weep.
The Big Boys (Top 25 Match-Ups)
Marquette @ Cincinnati:
After giving a pure ass-whoopin' to West Virginia in Morgantown, the Bearcats look to defend their home court for the third time against a ranked opponent from the Big East. And why not three in a row? Marquette has been TERRIBLE on the road in conference (and I don't use all-caps loosely) . Blow-out losses to WV, UConn, and the 'Ville contrast dramatically with good home wins against Wisc., Prov, and ND. Screw the points, Vaughn & Co. will will their way to a victory against an undersized, disconfident Golden Eagles team (yes, I made up "disconfident").
Baylor @ Texas:
We're taking the points in this one out of necessity. Longhorns by four is my call, unless the last 60 seconds turns into garbage time. Baylor played like a tree'd 'coon in the 5OT win against Texas A&M, and they're just nasty enough to put up a fight against a Texas team that's playing up and down ball as of late in my opinion. Losing to Mizzou, even on the road, is a pretty weak loss. And winning by only two points against OK St. and Colorado (the latter in Austin) doesn't sit well with this prognosticator. The Bears will hang, if not win. Giving 71/2 is a bit too much, Vegas boys. But we''l take your money; you certainly owe us.
Arizona @ UCLA
Let's give a little more props to the Wildcats than six points. Though I don't think any one on the Arizona squad will be able to handle "The Love", USC thwarted them in the Pauley Pavillion by limiting the Westbrook/Collison/Shipp ship to 13 for 35 from the floor (not Shipp's fault, he was 7-13). Are Arizona's guards as good defensively as the Trojans? I don't think so. But will they be able to limit the Youcla (yes, that's how you pronounce it) perimeter enough to let Bayless and Budinger keep the game close? I'd put a few bucks on it.
Purusing the Lines
Purdue @ Illinois
Have any of these odds-maker's watched the Illini play this season? Home court means nothing to these underachievers, with losses to Miami OH and Tennessee State in Champaign. And ya wanna give them 4.5-5 points against a Boilermakers team that is 7-1 in the Big Ten? You fellas is crazy!
Davidson @ Chattanooga
Davidson is going to lose one in the Southern Confernce, and this might be the game. The Mocs (what was wrong with Moccasins? Is this a PC thing, or did they not like their nickname being a pair of shoes?) play tough at home, i.e. a 12 point win at home against the Appalaician State, after losing by nine on their court. I like the 5 points.
Kentucky @ Georgia
Here's my "Play the name, not the numbers" pick of the week. It's freakin' UK, they shouldn't ever be underdogs to the Bulldogs. Georgia has lost at home to East Tennessee State and Tulane! I'm guessing the newly inspired Wildcats will take care of business in Athens.
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