Gamble College Sports

COLLEGE BASKETBALL — February 4

USC at WASHINGTON
(Gamble College Sports Line: Washington -11, Total 123) — Yeah, USC is a lousy and undependable offensive team, which shoots just 40% on the season. And you can forget about them tearing up any team from beyond the arc (less than 30%). And there are no “easy” baskets left to be had with Aaron Fuller and DeWayne Dedmon (both over 50%) hobbled. But remember that this is one of those games that represents a contrast in styles, and Washington’s faster pace has often been upset by the Men of Troy, who seem dedicated to frustrating them. Over the last four meetings, the Huskies have shot 37%, 40%, 44% and 40% in this series, and they struggled to break 60 the last time they faced Kevin O’Neill’s “junk” defense. USC knew going into this season that they could only win by making things ugly, and that situation has simply become more pronounced. Note that U-Dub has played eight of its ten conference games under the total.

JAY’S PLAY: UNDER 123 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

GAMBLE COLLEGE SPORTS - BASKETBALL — February 1

COLORADO STATE at UNLV
(Line: UNLV -14.5, Total 146.5) — Spirits are extremely high around Fort Collins, as the Rams just registered their first home win over a ranked team (in this case, San Diego State) in the last eight years. Of course, certain things had to fall into place for them; namely, awful shooting on the part of the Aztecs (3-18 from arc, 31% overall) and huge marksmanship from the line (23 for 23!). The latter is not so much of a surprise, with the Rams among the top ten nationally at the charity stripe. Now, however, they move into a venue (the Thomas & Mack) where they won last year, and catch a UNLV squad that is not likely to get caught sleeping. Recent home results, where they have pasted California, TCU, Central Arkansas and New Mexico by a combined 106 points, indicated that these Rebels aren’t fooling around. And we’ll see if things get so easy from three-point land for CSU, with UNLV allowing just 32% at home.

JAY’S PLAY: UNLV -14.5 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

GAMBLE COLLEGE SPORTS — January 21

ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK at WESTERN KENTUCKY
(Gamble College Sports Line: Western Kentucky -1, Total 125.5) — Ouch! UALR was rolling along with ten straight covers in the pointspread until running into Louisiana-Lafayette the other night, and the Ragin’ Cajuns stopped them cold, holding them to just 25% shooting and creating another barren evening from beyond the three-point arc. Listen- we won’t guarantee anything about the way UALR is going to shoot from one night to the next, but they do have some defensive chops, and Western Kentucky couldn’t hit the side of a barn most nights; only ten teams in the entire country are more wild than this team that has converted only 38% of its attempts. Furthermore, WKU going through a coaching transition that includes a lame duck mentor, with Ray Harper having taken over the program just a couple of weeks ago. very little real size is on hand for the Hilltoppers, and perhaps Will Neighbor (0 for 5 vs. ULL) can get things going for UALR.

JAY’S PLAY: ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK +1 *

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL — January 19

WAKE FOREST at DUKE
(Gamble College Sports Line: Duke -22.5, Total 147.5) — Wake Forest is coming off a 36-point blowout at the hands of N.C. State, and they were recently challenged - severely - to score points by Wofford, so legitimate questions have to be asked as to whether they can keep pace with Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils have been sizzling at home, shooting nearly 53% from the field.

After close shaves against both Virginia and Clemson within the last week, you have to wonder whether Coach K’s team can create considerable distance with this foe, which will be angry after such a humiliation. Has freshman Austin Rivers, who had assumed much of the Duke scoring burden, hit a wall lately? Rivers is just 40% (11% threes) with 23 points in three conference games.

GAMBLE COLLEGE SPORTS PLAY: WAKE FOREST +22.5 *

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL — January 19

WAKE FOREST at DUKE
(Line: Duke -22.5, Total 147.5) — Wake Forest is coming off a 36-point blowout at the hands of N.C. State, and they were recently challenged - severely - to score points by Wofford, so legitimate questions have to be asked as to whether they can keep pace with Duke in Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Blue Devils have been sizzling at home, shooting nearly 53% from the field.

After close shaves against both Virginia and Clemson within the last week, you have to wonder whether Coach K’s team can create considerable distance with this foe, which will be angry after such a humiliation. Has freshman Austin Rivers, who had assumed much of the Duke scoring burden, hit a wall lately? Rivers is just 40% (11% threes) with 23 points in three conference games.

JAY’S PLAY: WAKE FOREST +22.5 *

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)