Picks 1/15/09

Here are today's picks:

Florida Atlantic -4: Florida International is winless on the road and I have surprisingly watched both of these teams and think Florida Atlantic will put too many points on the board for FI.

Purdue -4: Purdue guards the 3 really well and Northwestern has to have it to win. Northwestern is a system team and if you can take that away they are done.

Rider -3: Rider has owned this series and I don’t think Canisus will be able to keep up with Rider.

Wisconsin minus XX: The line is -6.5 right now but I am waiting to hopefully get 6.
Wisc's defense will be too much for Minny. Unlike Iowa, however, they will be able to put some points on the board while they clamp down on the Gophers

Western Kentucky -3 (I bought the hook): Western Kentucky has been money at home and should win the rebounding battle in this game which I always feel is critical.

Butler @ Loyola Chicago Over 122: Loyola-Chicago has not been nearly as good defensively against good teams which Butler is. Butler should be able to get to 65 in this game. Butler's strength defensively is taking away the 3 pt shot but Loyola does not rely on the 3 to put up points.

That's it for now. Here are the rest of my leans:

UNC -15.5 (they should be pissed and throttle Virginia)

Over 105 in the Oregon St vs Washington St (Maybe I am sucker but it is really hard to stay under this number)

Santa Clara +20 @ Gonzaga (SC is not a bad team)

Pepperdine +19 @ San Deigo (San Diego has not been able to cover a line this big all year)

Arizona St -1 @ California (ASU has really impressed me this year)