Here we have an excellent spot to back Texas here as Kansas State has Kansas looming on deck. We see this as a very tough spot for K State whose already lost road games to teams like Iowa State, and Oklahoma who are worse than Texas. Also there's the obvious look ahead factor that only 2 days after this Texas game is Kansas State's biggest game of the year. Home against Kansas. We know Frank Martin will do his best to have his players attention 100% on the Longhorns, but these are just college kids and they aren't immune to looking ahead. Texas is looking to beef up their tournament resume in each and every game and although they should be safe to make the dance a home loss in this spot certainly wouldn't help their chances. This is a game they could really use and most certainly need. With all that being out in the open, we are not playing this game solely based on the situation. Texas has plenty of talent and a very solid team. A team that in our opinion is better than their record indicates. They rank 20th in the nation in offensive efficiency and 40th in defensive efficiency. not many teams can say they rank top 40 in each of those categories. They also have J'Covan Brown who will be the best player on the court tomorrow and in our opinion top 10 player in the nation. Too much pointing Longhorns here for us to pass up.

 

 

 

 

 

Here we have Two teams that are complete opposites meetin in a big WAC match up. New Mexico State comes in as the 14th fasted team in the nation in terms of adjusted tempo. Utah State ranks 321st in that same category. You'd be hard pressed to find two more different squads facing off. These teams met earlier this season in New Mexico with NMSU rolling to a 20 point win. Tomorrow is Utah State's shot at revenge, and to prove that they're better than the showing they gave in the teams first go around. As we have previously mentioned we believe that controlling tempo is easier at home and that's something Utah State will have to do tomorrow in order to pull off a win. This is a game Utah State really needs if they're going to make anything of their season and get a glimmer of a shot to the big dance. Realistically, in our opinion even with a win they aren't going to the big dance, but an NIT birth is still within reach and this is the biggest game left on their schedule. A lot of reasons to expect an inspired and focused effort from Utah State tomorrow. We think we'll get that effort, and a Double digit victory will be the result.

 

 

 

Here we have another good situation with Providence. South Florida likely in let down mode, and having to go on the road after a big home win over Pitt. Yes Providence is only 2-10 in Big East play but don't let that fool you, this team is far better than their bad record. Just takea peek at their last 2 games. A 3 point OT loss against WVU, and a 2 point road loss to Villanova. Against South Florida tomorrow they finally have a game they (in our mind) should win. For a team like Providence games you "should win" are few and far between in the Big East. Now we throw in the home, revenge factor which by now if you follow our freeplays closely you know that we love those 2 factors. In late January USF took a 3 point win over Providence in South Florida, in a game Providence felt like they could and should have won. That game will serve as the confidence Providence needs to know they can beat this team. Just can't really find an angle for USF here, everything points Providence and it's enough for us to make them a free play.