Tonight is a big conference night for four different conferences. There are four great matchups and two of them include two unbeaten conference teams. Let’s get to it.
Last Night’s Performance: @coach_fritz– Overall: 3-2 ATS: 1-4
@catteberry33– Overall: 3-2 ATS: 1-4
Overall Performance: @coach_fritz– Overall: 3-2 ATS:1-4
@catteberry33– Overall: 3-2 ATS:1-4
1. Saint Mary’s (15-3, 7-0 WCC) at #3 Gonzaga (18-1, 7-0 WCC) Favorite: Gonzaga -15.0
The nation’s longest home winning streak may be in jeopardy tonight when the Gaels and Bulldogs clash. Every year this game gets hyped up and every year it seems Gonzaga completely dominates it. The last 6 times these teams have met Gonzaga has won by an average of 17.0 points. Kentucky transfer Kyle Wiltjer looks to continue his hot play tonight for Gonzaga, as he is their leading scorer at 16.6 ppg. That earns him player to watch honors. For Saint Mary’s, keep an eye on Brad Waldow. He leads the Gaels in points, rebounds, and blocks and he is the source of the Saint Mary’s attack. Saint Mary’s has quietly flown under the radar all year, but they’ve put together a 9-game winning streak including a huge win over BYU in their last game.
@catteberry33: I am going to go out on a limb and say that Gonzaga will win but the Gaels will cover. Brad Waldow has played like a true senior this year and he will continue that tonight.
@coach_fritz: Gonzaga will win and Wiltjer will lead them to a spread cover.
2. #13 Maryland (17-2, 5-1 Big 10) at #23 Indiana (14-4, 4-1 Big 10) Favorite: Indiana -2.0
Strong defense will meet high-powered offense tonight when the Terrapins travel to Assembly Hall to take on the Hoosiers. Both teams bring in a 3-game winning streak and someone will be leaving with their 4th win in a row. Maryland’s top scorer is Melo Trimble at 16.1 ppg but you need to keep an eye on Dez Wells. He is the x-factor of the Terps’ attack and when he plays well Maryland seems to play well. Maryland was banged up earlier in the year but they are as healthy as ever and will be ready to rock tonight. Indiana’s player to watch is Yogi Ferrell. He’s a lot like Dez Wells when it comes to running the offense. He may not be the leading scorer (James Blackmon Jr. 16.6 ppg) but when he goes, the offense goes. Something has to give tonight as two really good Big 10 teams throw down in Hoosier territory.
@catteberry33: Maryland will win this game outright. Melo Trimble and Dez Wells are one of the toughest combos to stop.
@coach_fritz: I like Maryland to win it outright also. Dez Wells is an absolute stud.
3. #7 Arizona (16-2, 4-1 Pac-12) at Stanford (13-4, 4-1 Pac-12) Favorite: Arizona -4.0
Arizona hasn’t been very good on the road at all. The difference of them playing at home and on the road is comparable to night and day. One thing they are excellent at is rebounding at 3rd in the nation. That is thanks in large part to Stanley Johnson. The Freshman of the Year candidate is the Wildcats leading rebounder and also their leading scorer. Stanford, meanwhile, has yet to lose a game at home this season. Chasson Randle is their leader and he is a stud. However, tonight’s key matchup centers on Anthony Brown. Brown is basically Randle’s Scottie Pippen. Brown doesn’t usually play well against Arizona though. In five match-ups he’s averaged just 6.0 points. If Stanford wants to end their 9-game losing streak to Arizona tonight, Anthony Brown has to play well.
@catteberry33: Stanford will win this game outright. Arizona is a different team on the road than they are at home and Anthony Brown will finally figure Arizona out.
@coach_fritz: Arizona will get the win because Stanley Johnson and the Wildcats control the glass and don’t let Stanford get second-chance points.
4. Murray State (15-4, 5-0 OVC) at Eastern Illinois (12-6, 6-0 OVC) Favorite: Murray State -6.0
When the last two teams with unbeaten records in conference meet, you know you’re in for a treat. Especially when it is in the Ohio Valley. The Racers and the Panthers should put on a show tonight.
@catteberry33: I think Murray State wins and covers the spread. The duo of Cameron Payne and Jarvis Williams will play well in hostile territory.
@coach_fritz: The Racers will win, but I’ve had good luck picking Eastern Illinois to cover the spread this year so I will go with the Panthers to at least cover tonight.
SEC Games
Alabama (12-5, 2-2 SEC) at Arkansas (13-4, 2-2 SEC) Favorite: Arkansas -7.0
@catteberry33: I think Arkansas’ tempo gives Alabama problems. Mike Anderson and company find a way to cover.
@coach_fritz: Bobby Portis is a monster and will dominate the Crimson Tide tonight. Arkansas will win and cover.
