Off a great night - we've got a Max Bet Triple Dime tonight -
Florida/South Carolina: It's really hard to bet against a well-rounded team like Florida (for me). They (UF) lost to the Gamecocks in Columbia in OT last season, and I expect this one to be fought to the bitter end as well. If SC isn't 100% focused, they lose - they've got to travel to Lexington Saturday. Florida is back home to Vanderbilt, so the spot seems to favor Florida. Both teams are GREAT offensive rebounding teams, so IMO it comes down to who stops whom for doing that. SC is shooting just 42% from inside the arc in SEC play, so that probably precludes me from putting money on them, period. So, a slight lean to Florida - slight because it's hard for me to take road teams unless I've really got a strong opinion, and lean to the under simply because both defenses are better than both offenses. 1H is probably a better under bet because we could see late FT's.
Notre Dame/FSU: It's hard not to look at the Irish with +6 points, but it's there for a reason. This one's a total contrast in every way. FSU wants to run and play near the basket, the Irish want to play slow and on the perimeter. FSU's weakness is probably their youth, while Notre Dames' strength is their experience. As hard as it is to take an "over" in a public game like this, I do think that's what I'd have to do. I like the 'Noles 1H better than the full game. I think that UNC game took a physical toll on them, but at home the adrenaline will take over early, and then perhaps the Irish and they're patience/experience find the back door. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
K-State/Oklahoma State: I have to ask why an 0-5 team (in Conference play) is a reasonable favorite here. I was actually hoping for less, because I do like the Cowboys. What's not to like about Brad Underwood, and the fact that they've play a brutal schedule, some tough road games, and aside from the WVU massacre they've been close in most games. K-State has always been one of those teams that's almost auto-fade on the road, which would eliminate me from taking them here - and they've got WVU back home on Saturday. This could be, without 100% focus, almost an inconvenient trip, especially since they're not living up to their own expectations yet this season, compliments of a terrible non-conference schedule.