Picks 11/15/08 Round 2

Here are the College Basketball plays I have so far:

Western Kentucky at Houston - Line Houston -6

The Pick: This will be Houston's 3rd game of the year. They are 1-1 with a disappointing loss to GeorgiaSouthern. Western Kentucky had a great season last year but returns this season without Tyrone Brazleton, Courtney Lee (these two combined for 45 pts per game last year), and with a new head coach. Western Kentucky has no many question marks for my taste and struggled in their exhibition games. This line screams value to me because Houston is at home, has already played 2 games, and catches a team that will be a trendy pick based on last years success and not this years prospects. Take Houston and lay the points.

Portland St @ Rice - Line Portland St -5

The Pick: Last season Rice was 3-27 and is projected to finish last in conference USA. Portland St made the NCAA tournament last year and returns their best player Jeremiah Dominguez and has some good transfers eligible this year who previous played in major conferences. I say fade Rice and take Portland St -5.

Fairfield @ Memphis - Line Memphis -19.5

The Pick: Same deal as last night. Is Memphis talented, without a doubt, but gone are Joey Dorsey, Chris Douglas-Roberts, and Derrick Rose. Memphis has a lot less experience and is being asked to cover 19.5 against a Fairfield squad that returns all 5 starters has a one of the MAAC's top front court. Take Fairfield and the pts. (you may want to wait to right before tip off could this line could move in Fairfield's favor and may go off at 20).

That is it for now. It will take a miracle for that Texas game to get over the total. That pick looks like a lame duck.