Written by :
Published on :
Sports Interaction betting analyst Frank Doyle thinks dogs will be barking tonight as the College Hoops regular season winds down and Gambling911.com readers might want to take full advantage.
Marquette looks for all the world like a team headed right for the tank, and is not likely to last very long come tourney-time. That doesn't mean the Eagles aren't worth a bet in Pittsburgh tonight.
A fundamental basketball truth is at the heart of Marquette's woes. One thing you always have to remember is that there are only five guys on the floor in a game of basketball at any time. The loss of one guy makes a huge difference, and that difference is exaggerated in College ball because of the difference in experience, mentality and physical development between a freshman and a senior.
When senior guard Dominic James broke a bone in his foot at home against Connecticut last week the lights started to go out on the Eagles' prospects. The Eagles lost a heartbreaker at Louisville last Sunday and a visit to Pittsburgh tonight is not what Marquette would have wished for to cheer them up.
Pittsburgh has won twenty straight at home and beating Marquette will make it twenty-one, but the Eagles are fighting for their lives and the number is big. Marquette is going nowhere, but it will fight to the end. Marquette +10.0 with Sports Interaction is the pick.
Oklahoma is another example of the difference one man makes. Blake Griffin's recent concussion caused the Sooners to lose two games that they may have won. The Longhorns would dispute that, of course, but it's pretty clear that when he's on the floor Blake Griffin makes things happen. Texas Tech's Pat Knight compared Griffin to the Terminator, and it seems pretty much on the money as a comparison.
Oklahoma is at Missouri tonight and the Tigers are pretty strong in the front court themselves, but nobody is as strong as Griffin. Oklahoma is getting points as a road team and I'm going to take them. Oklahoma's No 1 seed is now in danger because of Griffin's absence and challenges from Memphis and Duke. The Sooners have a lot to play for at Mizzou tonight - Oklahoma +3.5 is the pick.
Memphis is one of the schools that's putting pressure on Oklahoma for that fourth No 1 seed, and its mission tonight at Houston is slightly tougher than it looks. Houston looks like it'll be watching the tourney on TV, but the Cougars are strong at home and Memphis is playing its third game in seven days. Memphis to win but not cover - Houston +7.0 with Sports Interaction is the final pick of the week.
Frank Doyle, Gambling911.com
