Jan. 11 Plays

After an even Saturday, we look to start making up more ground with three Monday plays:

Villanova at Louisville (-3) O/U 153.5
The Wildcats travel to Freedom Hall to face a gritty Louisville team looking for its first quality win of the season.
Both teams play a similar style, able to create transition offense off of steals and missed shots, but the difference between these two teams might be Louisville big man Samardo Samuels. Villanova does not have much in the way of a frontcourt after Dante Cunningham graduated, and Samuels should be able to patrol the paint and offer the Cardinals a consistent option for inside scoring.
Louisville played a similar style team in Providence last week. Obviously the Friars aren't nearly as talented as the Wildcats, but the key is that Louisville totaled 92 points in that fast-paced game. Look for a similar type of offensive output in this one.
Both teams have shot well this season, and Louisville should have just enough to pull the upset here and improve to 4-0 in conference play. Now is always about the time when Rick Pitino starts to get the most out of his team.
Take the over for 4 Units and Louisville for 3 Units.

Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (-1)
The Sooners were embarrassed by Baylor on Saturday, and it has been baffling to watch a team with so much talent flounder so badly over the past couple of weeks.
But Oklahoma returns home for a chance to redeem itself less than 48 hours after that lopsided loss.
It feels like we keep waiting for the Sooners to snap out of this funk, and in a rivalry game at home is as good a place as any. If Oklahoma can't get up for this one, they might be a lost cause. Take the Sooners for 2 Units.