Well, @coach_fritz and I (@catteberry33) are off to a rough start ATS to say the least. However, when it comes to straight pick ’em we are doing pretty well. As far as tonight goes, this is not your typical Friday. Two mid-major showdowns are going down tonight and I would advise having your eyes glued to the TV for these two games.
Last Night’s Performance: @catteberry33: Overall- 3-2 ATS- 1-4
@coach_fritz: Overall- 3-2 ATS- 2-3
Overall Performance: @catteberry33: Overall- 6-4 ATS- 2-8
@coach_fritz: Overall- 6-4 ATS- 3-7
1. Valparaiso (18-3, 5-1 Horizon) at Green Bay (16-4, 5-1 Horizon) Favorite: Green Bay -5.5
If you’re a mid-major college basketball fan, then you’re drooling over this one. This game and the next time that these two teams meet on February 13th may decide the Horizon. 6’9″ sophomore forward Alec Peters is the heart of the Crusaders and he has played like it. Valpo missed a key chance earlier in the year when they lost to New Mexico but beating Green Bay tonight would really improve the resume. Valpo is looking for their 6th straight win. On the other side of the court, Green Bay’s Keifer Sykes has played even better than Peters. The senior guard has helped the Phoenix get big wins this year over Miami and Evansville. Valpo would be a top 100 win for Green Bay if they can find a way tonight.
@coach_fritz: I’m taking Green Bay to win. Keifer Sykes can just about take over a game. However, Valpo will get the cover. Looking forward to a great match-up between these two tonight.
@catteberry33: I am going to go with Green Bay to win the game but Valpo to get the cover. Alec Peters will be a matchup nightmare for GB and I think Valpo somewhat slows down Sykes.
2. #15 VCU (15-3, 5-0 A-10) at Saint Louis (9-9, 1-4 A-10) Favorite: VCU -13.0
A year ago, this game would have been huge. However, it’s still a ranked team going on the road to a hostile environment. Saint Louis is also the farthest trip west out of all the A-10 schools so that could play a big part tonight. If Treveon Graham plays, VCU will be tough to beat. Graham is the Rams leading scorer but he may miss just the second game in his four-year career due to a sprained ankle. VCU nearly blew a 14-point lead to Duquesne without Graham, so Melvin Johnson and Briante Weber will need to step up in his absence. Meanwhile, St Louis struggles to score. They average a conference-worst 61 ppg. The Billikens graduated their entire starting lineup last year, but they are improving. Freshman Milik Yarbrough needs to continue his outstanding play for St Louis to pull the upset.
@coach_fritz: St. Louis has mightily struggled this year so I will go with the Rams to win and cover.
@catteberry33: I will also go with VCU to win and cover. St. Louis struggles to score 65 points and they will need to score about 70 to stay with VCU.
