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POINTWISE

VIRGINIA TECH (11-2) vs KANSAS (11-1)

AOPR AVS FDS RUSH PASS TRN EDGE TO:
Va Tech ....... 44.2 .. 29-15 .. 16-14 .. 134- 86 ... 199-207.. +13 . Va Tech
Kansas ....... 38.7 .. 44-16 .. 22-18 .. 197- 91 ... 294-227.. +19 . by 3.7 Pts

ANALYSIS
This could be a classic. For the 15th straight year, the Hokies of Virginia Tech
are going bowling. Under head coach Frank Beamer, they have been noted
for their stellar defenses, & superior special teams play. And this season has
been no exception, as Tech ranks 5th, 2nd, & 5th in rushing, total, & scoring
"D", while recording 43 sacks, & 21 interceptions (3rd & 5th best in the land,
respectively). In its ACC title win over Boston College, Tech blocked 2 kicks,
intercepted 2 passes, & held BC to 3.4 ypr. Offensively, it is another matter,
as the Hokies rank 99th in total "O" (81st in rushing, 85th in passing). Ore has
been their "go-to" back, toting the pig for >2,000 the past couple of years, but
for just 4.2 ypr. Glennon is the head chucker in Beamer's duo QB system, as
he & Taylor have a combined 2,552 yds, 16 TDs, & just 5 INTs. A check at the
above stats again show Tech with a huge edge in TOs. But perusing that
column also shows that their opponents here, the Jayhawks of Kansas, have
taken a back seat to no other team in the nation in that department, tying with
Florida Atlantic as the best in the land in that important stat: +19. At year's
end, the Jays ranked 13th in the nation in total defense, 7th vs the run, & 3rd
in scoring. But it has been that KU "O" (#2 in scoring), led by QB Reesing,
which made weekly headlines, eventually vaulting the Jays to the 2nd spot in
the nation, with 11-0 SU & 10-0 ATS records. They had a shot at the first-ever
team with an 11-0 ATS mark, but came up short in their match with potent
Missouri. However, they definitely deserve this spot. The underdog has gone
5-1 ATS in Hokie bowl games since '01, & this one makes it 6-of-7. Kansas!
PROPHECY: KANSAS 27 - Virginia Tech 20 RATING: 3

Ferringo

3-Unit Play. Take #509 Connecticut (-2.5) over Seton Hall

I think that the Huskies got some of their road mojo back last week with a nice win at Central Florida. You can’t underestimate how big a win like that can be for the psyche of this team. They have the backcourt to keep up with the Pirates and I think they should absolutely dominate the interior against an undersized team. Seton Hall can score, but they can’t defend. UConn can, and I think that makes the difference in a hard-fought Big East tilt.

2.5-Unit Play. Take #579 Northern Arizona (-1.5) over Eastern Washington

Eastern Washington is one of the worst teams in the Big Sky and Northern Arizona has been performing well in conference play recently. The Jacks are 13-3 as a small favorite and the Eagles are 6-13 ATS as a dog. EWU has a very, very difficult time scoring or defending and I think that NAU has the two best players on the court.

1.5-Unit Play. Take #563 Niagara (-2.5) over Iona

Wait, this is the same Iona team that didn’t win a game until February last year, right? I know that Niagara is shaky – especially on the road – but they have far more talent than the Gaels and they should blow their doors off. But even if we get a half-hearted effort out the Eagles that should be enough to put away a conference bottom feeder.

1.5-Unit Play. Take #571 Austin Peay (-4) over Tennessee-Martin

We’ll take the more experienced and balanced team here in a game featuring clubs that don’t play any defense. UT-Martin doesn’t have the strength inside to really exploit Austin Peay’s weakness and if it comes down to perimeter play I think the Govs have the steadier hands. Austin Peay is 6-2-1 ATS as a road favorite and 31-11-2 as a favorite of less than 6.5. They close out close games with their free throw shooting and I think they score a nice OVC road win tonight.

King Creole

Thursday night

3*** CLEVELAND STATE VIKINGS minus the points vs Loyola-Chicago

3*** WISCONSIN-GREEN BAY PHOENIX minus the points vs Detroit University

3*** CAL-SANTA BARBARA GAUCHOS minus the points vs Long Beach State

We'll play three sizeable favorites tonight in College Hoops. And all three have DOUBLE-Revenge going for them from last season. Plus, we get the added benefit of playing against three 'dregs' in their respective conferences in Loyola-Chicago, Detroit, and Long Beach State. So big-time BLOWOUTS are in the cards tonight.

So far in the 2007/2008 College Basketball season, teams playing with DOUBLE-REVENGE from last year are a profitable 15-8 ATS. But we can do much better than 65% ATS. We'll focus on the most favorable situations... and there ARE some PERFECT ones. Within our 15-8 ATS 'set', we note that HOME teams playing with DOUBLE-Revenge are 8-1 ATS (89%). And there are SIX of 'em going tonight (CLEVE ST / WISC GB / CAL SANTA BARB / LA TECH / ARIZ ST / and CALIFORNIA). If our home team is taking on an opponent playing off a SU loss, the results improve to a PERFECT 4-0 ATS (CLEVELAND ST / WISCONSIN GB / CAL SANTA BARB / LA TECH). We'll remove the Louisiana Tech from our list becuase they are pretty much the WORST team in the WAC Conference. We also note that Home FAVS in this situation are a PERFECT 3-0 ATS. So we will settle on our BIG three for tonight.... which are CLEVELAND STATE, WISCONSIN GREEN BAY, and CAL SANTA BARBARA.

WAYNE ALLEN ROOT

Chairman - U Conn
Millionaire - Kansas
Insider Circle - Arizona St



JIMMY PRICES CBB SELECTIONS
Virginia +9.5
USC +2


JIMMY PRICES NBA SELECTIONS
PASS THURSDAY

JIMMY PRICE CFB
KANSAS UNDER 51.5


NICK PATRICK NBA SELECTIONS
SPURS +1.5

NICK PATRICK CFB
DOUBLE PLAY KANSAS +3

NICK PATRICK CBB

FURMAN PICKEM
CAL POLY +1.5

Seabass Hockey

10* Wash/Bos Over


ChicagoSportsConnection

CSC NCAAB..... ILLINOIS-CHICAGO -4.5 @ Youngstown St

Will ride ILL-CHIC for another one.Y.ST. should not be able to keep up with The Flamespotent offense.Y.ST. has made 39% or less FG attempts in 5 of theirL6 games.

CS NORTHRIDGE (pickem) @ Cal Poly

Same type of play....POLY has made 35% or less FGattempts in 5 of their L7 games.67% of public on POLY and # moving the other way.

ORANGE BOWL....UNDER 52...Kansas/ VTech

Doc's Sports Picks For College Basketball

5 Unit Play. #512 Take Notre Dame -2 over West Virginia (7:00 pm ESPN 2) Both teams are off to impressive starts this season, but we will side with the home squad since the Irish have yet to lose a game @ the Joyce Center this season. Notre Dame is averaging over 80 points per game and their defense has not suffered much because of it as they are allowing just over 60 points per game. The Mountaineers are coming off a double overtime loss to Oklahoma and expect there to be a hangover effect when playing tonight. Luke Harangody will come up big again tonight propelling the Irish to a much needed victory.

Black Magic Sports

NCAA Football:

5 Unit Orange Bowl BEST BET on Virginia Tech -3

Virginia Tech will lay the wood on Kansas tonight. The Jayhawks come out of one of the weakest divisions in the country. The Big 12 North was a cakewalk for Kansas and Missouri this season. Their weak schedule up to this point will hamper the Jayhawks’ chances of winning this ball game. Virginia Tech will be the toughest opponent Kansas has faced all season. The Hokies have won each of their last 5 games by at least 12 points a piece. These wins came against Boston College, Virginia, Georgia Tech, Florida State and Miami. Their schedule has clearly been tougher than the Jayhawks’ down the stretch. Virginia Tech is 11-2 ATS after having won 4 or 5 out of their last 6 games over the last 2 seasons. The Hokies are 24-8 ATS in their last 32 games as a favorite of 3.0-10.0 points. Cash in with Virginia Tech as the favorite.


NCAA Basketball:

3 Unit Sharp Play on USC +2

USC will dominate this in-state battle with rival California. USC is better coached and they easily have better players that will get the job done tonight. The Trojans got one of the nation's top class of recruits featuring McDonald's All-American O.J. Mayo and seven-footer Mamadou Diarra. These two studs will lead the way tonight. USC is 24-8 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. USC is 11-1 ATS vs. top caliber teams outscoring their opponents by 12+ points/game over the last 2 seasons. The Trojans come to play against the best teams in the nation. Head coach Tim Floyd will have his troops ready to fight their asses off tonight. Cash in with USC as the underdog.


3 Unit Sharp Play on Niagara -2

Niagara as a small road favorite is the top road favorite of the night in NCAA hoops. This may be a team you are not familiar with, but the Purple Eagles can light it up with the best of ‘em. Niagara at 8-3 takes on Iona at 5-9. Iona is 4-14 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. Iona is 3-16 ATS after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons. Their losing is contagious as you can see. Niagara is 8-2 ATS in all games this season and you can chalk up another cover against the spread here. Cash in with Niagara as the favorite.

Winning Points .

**PREFERERED

UNDER 201.5 San Antonio at Denver

With a rested, good defensive and rebounding opponent coming into their house, it looks like the Nuggets will be forced into more half-court sets than they would care to be in, which would make their offense look uglier than Betty.

SAN ANTONIO, 96-95.

Special K Free Play

USC


KEITH MARTIN SPORTS

Richmond over 118
Illinois over 119.5
Murray st. over 126
Villanova -3.5


Jason Bell ... pay if you win

3000* COLLEGE BOWL LOCK OF THE YEAR

Virginia Tech -3 over Kansas

1000* BOWL TOTAL OF THE MONTH

Over the posted total of 52

Frank Rosenthal

Orange Bowl
478 Va Tech-2.5
Under 52

NBA
502 Bulls-3
503 Spurs+1.5
Under 200

College Hoops
511 West Va+2.5
514 Cleveland-7.5
521 Ohio St+4.5
534 Depaul+4
538 Xavier-8
549 Ucla-2
552 Cal-1.5