Feb. 21 Plays

After receiving valid complaints about a lack of recent plays, we’re back with plays on every Big Ten, Big East, A-10, Pac 10 and ACC game today. We have 26 Units in play.

Ohio State at Michigan State 135.5
The Buckeyes and Spartans have both gotten on track in the Big Ten with their defense. They both have talent and an ability to score, but are committed to their coaches’ philosophies of defense first.
Ohio State has held its last five opponents to 41 percent shooting and MSU broke its three-game slide with strong defense in two road victories.
This will be a grind and take the under for 4 Units.

Villanova (-2) at Pittsburgh
This is a tough matchup for a Pittsburgh team that is thin in its front line and doesn’t have near the talent in the backcourt that the Wildcats do.
Scottie Reynolds has been a thorn in the side of the Panthers since he arrived in Philadelphia and the Cats will be able to spread the court and penetrate the Pittsburgh defense and finish at the rim.
Pittsburgh outside shooting struggles will not be helped by Villanova’s tight man-to-man defense.
Take Villanova for 3 Units.

Dayton (-4) at Duquesne
The Dukes were supposed to be a dark horse contender for the A10 title, but things didn’t go as planned early in the schedule. However, they have won three of their last four in conference, and they start a crucial home stretch in their schedule.
The Flyers have struggled on the road in conference, losing three of their last four. This is a dangerous game for Dayton, and their inconsistent play could bite them in this one.
Take Duquesne for 2 Units.

Marquette at Cincinnati (-1.5)
These two teams showdown with NCAA Tournament hopes on the line.
Marquette starts a three-game road trip, while the Bearcats are licking their wounds from a loss at South Florida.
The Golden Eagles have won their last two conference road games, and have been in every one of their Big East road games this season.
Buzz Williams does a good job of refocusing his team after losses and if Marquette is going to separate itself from the pack in the middle of the Big East a win here would go a long way.
Take Marquette for 3 Units.

Northwestern at Wisconsin 121.5
Neither team has anything resembling transition offense and neither team gambles on defense, making teams work late into the shot clock for offense.
The only danger is that both teams shoot pretty well from 3-point range, but it won’t be an up-and-down game, so this should be a low-scoring affair even if these teams shoot well from deep.
Take the under for 4 Units.

St. Bonaventure at La Salle (-4)
The only team that either of these teams has beaten in each of their last six contests of Fordham, which is winless in the A10.
This one is a toss-up, so we’ll lean towards the home team here. Take La Salle for 1 Unit.

St. Louis at Massachusetts 127.5
The Billikens have won five straight games because of their uncanny ability to slow down the game and make teams use the whole shot clock to score.
UMass likes to get up and down the floor, but will have to be patient in this one as SLU won’t allow many transition points.
The way to get a road win is with strong defense and Rick Majerus knows that.
Take the under for 3 Units.

Arizona State at Arizona 127.5
The Wildcats average 75 points per game at home and this should be a faster game than usual with both teams wanting to make plays in a rivalry game.
ASU has some strong outside shooting and Arizona’s Nic Wise is a good facilitator for the Wildcats’ offense.
This game will be played in the 70s. Take the over for 3 Units.


Virginia Tech at Duke (-13)
The Blue Devils have been destroying teams at home lately and this is a big win to maintain control of the ACC lead.
The Hokies have played a weak schedule, and although they’ve won five straight the only really strong win was over Wake Forest at home.
Tech will get exposed by the Blue Devils’ defense in this one.
Take Duke for 3 Units.