NightCap's Sunday NCAA Hoops w/5*** play!!

NightCap424 · #1 03-05-2011, 11:58 PM

Well....the struggles continue this week. The 5*** games were a split with Illinois dominating and VT playing downright sloppy basketball. Dropping into red numbers for the first time in 2011 doesn't feel too good but staying positive is just as important. Definitely not the time to reach but for Sunday there is one game in particular that stands out. I know the public will probably like this game but I have to agree this time. Again, it reminds me of Michigan St. on Wednesday and Illinois yesterday. Penn State is just 1-16 all-time in Minneapolis and has lost in its last eight trips there. Penn State was demolished back in Happy Valley on their senior night and I feel like it was the game that let the air out of the balloon. Minnesota is a veteran squad so they know whats on the line today and want to send Blake Hoffarber and an injured Al Nolen out with success. The home team is 4-1-1 against the spread in the last 6 meetings while Penn State is 3-12 against the spread as a road underdog of 1-6 points. Trevor Mbakwe has been an animal on the boards this season and will be a very big test for Jeff Brooks down low. Defensively I think Minnesota matches up well to contain Taylor Battle. Minnesota lost by 3 @ Penn State however Taylor Battle was a huge reason for that by going 7-14 from the 3 point line. Penn State's perimeter defense has been very soft this season so I see a great opportunity for Hoffarber to go off in his final home game as a senior. Penn State's last three away games have been losses by 10,18, and 17. Penn State only has two road wins in the Big Ten this year, @ NW and @ IU....that's not saying much for the confidence level. If there is one coach who knows how to get a team up for the last regular season home game, it's Tubby Smith. Minnesota will be a tough out in the Big Ten tournament....I like the Gophers a lot in this spot. Best of luck today...

5***Minnesota Golden Gophers -4½

1***Ohio State -7½
1***Kentucky -1 (Small play since Williams is still questionable for Tenn)

lean:
Indiana State +?

Best of luck today!

NC424

JAM · #2 03-06-2011, 12:23 AM

like minnesota in this spot lean ohio st i hope the wiskey river runs dry tommrow.

indy09 · #3 03-06-2011, 12:28 AM

I like Minny too

cuse_man · #4 03-06-2011, 12:41 AM

gl man. Had a couple tough beats on Saturday myself.

Get em back today !

fat-freddie · #5 03-06-2011, 12:51 AM

Really good info on the Minny game NC and sure your right on the public loving this game to but I just got all over this game at -5. Revenge or not, just don't see Penn St. staying up with the Gophers at home in this one, just feel Minny will open a can of whip azz on the Lions

Good luck to ya and lets cash this beauty man !!!!!!!!!!

Fats.............................................. ................................

buli · #6 03-06-2011, 02:03 AM

gl NC!

koolbreeze · #7 03-06-2011, 05:03 AM

I see no reason to hang 4.5 points on a team that has lost 8 of its last 9 including 0-4 at home in that stretch. Not saying Penn St is a pick either, but certainly this spread looks like very little value in it. Gun to my head, it's Penn St probably.