Friday December 25th VIP Picks

Hawaii vs Houston

NFL 
4:30 PM EST
Rotation #452
Saints -6.5 over Vikings (win)
For years the Vikings Defensive Line was the dominant force teams had nightmares preparing for.  This year their defensive line was weak to begin the season.  The problem the Vikings Defense had was in the secondary with so many injuries, but then it got worse.  Eric Kendricks was warming up for a game a few weeks ago and got hurt just warming up.  The linebacker unit since has been hammered with injuries.  This is a banged up team on all three levels.  New Orleans should control the clock on offense and win this game with ease.  Minnesota is also hurt on offense with TE Kyle Rudolph out and Adam Thielen banged up.  Kirk Cousins has been really bad at times this year and I just don’t expect him to turn that around against this New Orleans Defense.  Take the Saints. 

NCAA Basketball
12:30 PM EST
Rotation #751
Wisconsin +2 over Michigan State (win)
This is a year in which home crowd advantage just won’t be there.  Wisconsin is great at basic fundamentals and just don’t make many mistakes.  This is a well coached Badgers team lead by head coach Greg Gard.   With Trice, Davidson, Reuvers and Ford being all seniors this team knows that it’s this year at bust at making a run to the final four.  Michigan State has all the talent in the world, but I do think they will miss the departed services of Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman.  Wisconsin can match the Spartans in size on the glass as well.  Take Wisconsin.

NCAA Basketball
2:30 PM EST
Rotation #753
Maryland +5 over Purdue (win)
Purdue is a little on the younger side this year so I am not sure they will be able to handle the raw athletic ability on the glass that the Terps bring.  Maryland brought in a couple transfers that will help this team with depth, inside scoring and rebounding.  Purdue will need to hit a high percentage of outside shots to win this game.  The Boilermakers have three or four promising freshman, but I just don’t think they are ready or capable of hanging with a much more physically gifted team.  Take Maryland.