Two Sunday Plays

We were one basket in the Kentucky-Morehead St. game away from a perfect Friday. Still, we ended up positive for the day and look to build on that with a pair of favorites who aren’t favored nearly as much as they need to be Sunday.

Arizona (-16.5) over Northern Arizona
The Wildcats have a new head coach in Sean Miller, but luckily have the same, old point guard in Nic Wise, who smartly decided to return for his senior season.
Arizona has a drastically different roster this season with only three players returning who made any significant impact on the team. But they return talent at a key spot to help keep the team competitive – in the backcourt.
Miller has shown a tendency to use his bench in the exhibition games, and if he does so against the Lumberjacks, the athleticism of UA will wear down the visitors.
Northern is picked to finish eighth in the Big Sky Conference and returns just four lettermen, while losing four-year point guard Josh Wilson.
If the Wildcats are able to play pressure defense, which was a signature of Miller’s teams at Xavier, then UA should be able to cover this line. Still, it’s hard to guess how such a green team will respond in its season opener.
Take the Wildcats for 2 Units.

North Carolina (-21) over Valparaiso
It has been well publicized the talent that Roy Williams lost from last year’s national championship team. But that doesn’t mean his team still can’t get up and down the court, run Williams’ trademark secondary break, and apply intense ball pressure while denying passing lanes to create that offense.
The Tar Heels still have a premier frontline, even with Tyler Hansbrough gone, and the guards are more than serviceable.
Valpo won just nine games last season, and the only positive for them this season is the return of guard Brandon McPherson, who missed last season with an injury.
This will be a tough game for the Crusaders to keep within 21, so take the Tar Heels for 3 Units.