Bet on Basketball

BET BASKETBALL — January 21

RUTGERS at GEORGETOWN
(Bet Basketball Line: Georgetown -10.5, Total 127.5) — What is worrisome about Rutgers is the relative lack of offensive punch. The Knights are middle-of-the-road as far as their accuracy is concerned (44%), and while we are impressed by some of this team’s wins, including the OT victory over Florida and the January 7 victory over defending national champion UConn, we also recognize that those games took place in a “friendly” environment. Rutgers can point to a 62-39 dismemberment over a swooning Pittsburgh team on the road, but they were also taken apart by West Virginia just a week ago. Rutgers could possibly be out-muscled on the boards, but Mike Rice might be able to play the pace game to keep his Knights within shouting distance.

JAY’S BET BASKETBALL PLAY: RUTGERS +10.5 *

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

BET BASKETBALL — January 18

CINCINNATI at UCONN
(Bet Basketball Line: UConn -6.5, Total 130) — UConn makes us a little nervous in terms of offering our backing, because of the fact that although they have been winning, they have still had difficulty finding that true “go-to” guy in the absence of departed Kemba Walker. While Xavier seemed to collapse and has only now just begun to recover since the big brawl against Cincinnati, the Bearcats have come on strong, with nine wins in ten games, including two victories over ranked teams. Any opponent like UConn that shoots 51% at home is dangerous, but Cincy is disciplined enough on defense (allowing 29% beyond arc) to be able to make UConn’s three-point bombers, Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier, find another route. Wins at Pitt and Georgetown demonstrate Cincinnati’s “roadability.”

JAY’S PLAY: CINCINNATI +6.5 **

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)

COLLEGE BASKETBALL — January 14

VIRGINIA TECH at BOSTON COLLEGE
(Bet Basketball Line: Virginia Tech -9.5, Total 124) — Boston College, using many freshmen in prominent roles eight of them in the rotation), are actually ahead of the Hokies in the ACC at this juncture, having beaten Clemson on Thursday. As a team that has gone through more than a few disappointment come NCAA selection time under Seth Greenberg, we wouldn’t be surprised if the urgency was being felt already. Virginia Tech is the type of team that could force a slower pace and that might create a little frustration for a bunch of kids who are just learning to play with each other. Note that only three games this season have the Eagles broken 70 points, and there is not much of a home court edge at the Conte Forum.

JAY’S BET BASKETBALL PLAY: VIRGINIA TECH -9.5

(All information is for news matter only; All games are graded on a scale of 1-4 stars. Lines are subject to change)