Thursday January 16th VIP Picks

NCAAB Picks

College Basketball 
7:00 PM EST
Rotation #615
Youngstown State +8 over Northern Kentucky (loss)
Darrin Horn has done a great job so far in his first season with the Northern Kentucky Norse, but sooner or later not having Dantez Walton in the lineup is going to creep up on them.  The Penguins of Youngstown State are a veteran basketball team that share the ball well and every player on this team can rebound the basketball.  This team is very active with the defensive trap which causes a lot of turnovers.  I think this spread is a little bit too high.  Take Youngstown State.

College Basketball 
7:00 PM EST
Rotation #629
Cincinnati +4 over Memphis (loss)
Memphis is a talented young basketball team that is now one of the best teams in the nation at bringing the biggest high school players to their program.  It would have been cool to see this team with Wiseman playing the full year.  Cincinnati has a new coach in John Brannen.  I am not sure if he will be the right fit for this program, but there is no doubt these players are grown men and you will be able to see the size advantage not just in height but physical mass.   This is a tough building to win in, but I believe the Bearcats are built just right to beat up on this young talented team.  Take Cincinnati.

College Basketball 
9:00 PM EST
Rotation #681
Sacramento State +6.5 over Northern Colorado (loss)
These two teams get together tonight with a lot of experience.  Both teams are off to good starts this year.  I just don’t believe that there is this much of a talent gap between the two programs.  The Bears of Northern Colorado have not been good on the defensive end either.  These teams have played each other tight over the last few seasons and I expect nothing different tonight.  Brian Katz is now in his 12th year coaching the Hornets and he should have his team ready to go tonight on the road.  There is value with the underdog.  Take Sacramento State.

College Basketball 
8:00 PM EST
Rotation #703
Illinois State +7.5 over Drake (loss)
The Redbirds took 2 of 3 games last year.  The bad news is their one loss knocked them out of the Missouri Valley Tournament.  It was one of those games in which they got down early and were done by halftime.  Drake has the better record this year, but I don’t think this team is almost 8 points better against the spread.  This Illinois State has a lot of transfers and I believe this will be a low scoring feel out game for each team.  Tremell Murphy being out for the season with a quad injury makes Drake vulnerable at the forward position.  I believe this spread is too high.  Take Illinois State.