We finished last week 10-7 overall. Could be better, could be worse. Clean slate this week.
Love/Like
Kansas State vs. Kansas 8 p.m. CT ESPN
What a huge game this is for the Big 12 conference. Presumed "little brother" Kansas State has a real shot to win in Lawerence for the first time since 2006. I have to admit I am in love with this Kansas State team. Not only because I hold a 100-1 futures ticket on them, but they are just a solid all around team. They have a solid coach in Bruce Weber, are led by two seniors in Dean Wade and Barry Brown, and they have all the motivation in the world tonight. Who better to break Kansas's Big 12 Regular season champions record than their rival?
Kansas simply hasn't looked like the same team since LeGerald Vick has left the team to take care of some personal issues and since Udoka Azubuike has been announced as out for the year due to injury. The Jayhawks simply don't have the depth anymore and Bill Self has had to rely on freshman and inexperienced players more than ever before. Kansas is coming off a 29 point loss at Texas Tech Saturday night and I think only having 48 hours between tip-offs, the youth and inexperience from Kansas will have some negative residual carryover from Saturdays game into tonights.
Kansas State on the other hand has a ton of experience (ranked 45th) and a solid defense (7th overall) which are two factors you want on your side heading into a big road game. My only worry with Kansas State is they play at a super slow pace (337th) and anytime you limit a games possessions anything can happen. But Kansas State has the guard play to be able to control tonight and I think they cover, maybe even win, and this game stays under.
There are too many uncertainties for Kansas right now and this is a good spot for Kansas State to make a statement.
Love Pick: Kansas State +5
Like Pick: Under 134.5
Lean
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 6 p.m. CT
Both of these teams have a motivation when it comes to the final results of their games. The motivations just are on the opposite ends of the spectrum of each other and we will look to exploit that tonight.
The Blazers currently sit in 4th place in the Western Conference, up 2 games on the 5th place Rockets. It is vital for them to remain in that 4th seed if they want to retain home court advantage for the playoffs.
The Cavs rank as the third worst record in the league, the top three worst records in the league all will have the same statistical chance at the number one pick (14%) in the NBA Draft lottery. The only way to make certain that the Cavs stay in the top three is if they keep losing themselves. The Cavs have won two games since coming back from the All-Star break both coming against other lottery teams in the Suns and Grizzlies. This seems like a good time to sell on the Cavs winning/covering in games as they go against a very superior Blazers team. Lay the number.
Pick: Blazers -9
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