We’re warming up the prediction train…
Six games tonight. Those smarties who choose teevee games win again–the best game, Rhode Island at Drexel, can be found at 7:00pm on The Comcast Network.
Side note: I’m thinking others will be shown via channelsurfing.net, which is to online streaming as David Schneider is to jump shooting. It’s either the best worst invention for mid major basketball fans, or the worst best one. I was forced to turn off the VCU/Tulane game due to horrific quality; however, last night’s Richmond/UNCW game was just peachy.
Anyway, on to the show:
Hofstra at Fla. Atlantic: This isn’t the Zeke Thomas obscure Florida team. This is the Mike Jarvis obscure Florida team. Obscure and useless data: Jarvis graduated from NU in the year I was born. Useful data: Manhattan is a common opponent. The Jaspers beat FAU 73-66, and Hofstra beat Manhattan in that awful game, 44-39 (or something similarly putrid). Ken Pomeroy has this pretty much a pick ‘em game, but I must disagree. The only pick here is your final score. Pride 69, FAU 61.
Lafayette at Delaware: Surely there is a Hessian joke in here somewhere, especially if you think of Adam Pegg in a Colonial fightin’ uniform. We’re going to go purely statistical here…Delaware is a jump shooting team, and Lafayette is ranked #343 in three point defense, and #341 in defensive efficiency. This is exactly the team The Fightin’ Montays needed. Delaware 81, Lafayette 68.
East Carolina at VCU: It seems Vegas has caught on to VCUs home court advantage. The Rams are a silly 15 point favorite here. I think VCU wins rather handily, but great gosh-a-mighty, that seems like a lot. ECU coach Mack McCarthy coached at VCU and was equally known for his bloviating and appetite. Big Mack isn’t a nickname; it’s a food group. Rams 82, Pirates 70.
Northeastern at Santa Clara: I must admit, the Big West was my second guess as to the conference these guys played in. I know them for Big John Bryant a couple years back, and Virginia played in the Cable Car Classic in about 1982. If Matt Janning shoots 17 times and Chase Allen shows up, the Huskies win this handily. NU 61, Santa Clara 56.
James Madison at Stanford: This is another laughable 15-point line, with the CAA on the “laughed at” part of this one. No way it gets that bad. The Dukes, honestly, are starting to figure it out and will take another step forward tonight. I don’t think they win, but don’t be shocked if you wake up in the morning and read that they did win. Side note: Give ‘Em Hell Denzel is averaging a double-double (25/11) since becoming eligible. Stanford 78, JMU 72.
Rhode Island at Drexel: Saved the best game for last. The Rams only loss this season was to VCU, and that was at VCU when a halfcourt shot never got close. They’ve beaten Providence, Boston College, and Northeastern. Rhode Island doesn’t make too many threes and plays a midrange, fast game. They take care of the basketball. Translation: they stand in front of you, run offense, and play basketball.
I like Drexel’s matchup against teams like Rhode Island. An opponent that doesn’t have anything freaky–a bomber or giant or run-and-gun pace–plays right into their hands. This game is going to be a slow grind with a lot of two point shots, offensive rebounds, and foul shots. Toughness wins, and when you factor Rhode Island was the team that had to travel after Christmas, you see where I’m going: upsetville. Drexel 56, Rhode Island 54.
