We are going to be putting totals aside for now. The problem has been that both of these games were too high profile. We have to get back to our roots and stay away from the television games. I feel like today's card is pretty strong and set for a bounce back factor.
Record: 15-10
Ball State (-1) vs. Toledo
We're going to Ball State once again as they've been kind to me this season. Toledo has been too, but not when they are on the road. The Rockets are not exactly strong on the defensive end allowing almost 70 points per game. They have lost three of their last four games. Ball State is better then their 8-10 record. This is a balanced team with Majok Majok and Jesse Berry leading the way. Majok is in the top 20 for rebounding averaging over 10 per game. The Cardinals will be glad to be home after playing four of their last six on the road. We like them to get the narrow win over the Rockets.
Marshall (-4.5) vs. SMU
The Thundering Herd showed how good they can be in their close loss to Memphis last time out. No one can deny the talent that this team has despite the fact that they have lost six of their last eight. They have held serve for the most part at home outside of a headscratching loss to Delaware State back on 1/2. DeAndre Kane leads the team with 15 points per game. They have four double digit averaging scorers as well so it's hard to focus on just one player. SMU has three of their own led by Jalen Jones 14.9 PPG. The Mustangs will be playing their third straight road game with the first two being nine point losses to UTEP and UCF. The Thundering Herd pick up the win on Wednesday.
Richmond (+7.5) vs. Temple
The Owls are struggling right now. They played a solid game against Butler, but couldn't come up with the win. It's Khalif Wyatt and Anthony Lee's show right now, but the problem is that they need to find other options. Scootie Randall has not played well this season since a hot start and Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson is dealing with an injury along with TJ DiLeo who may be the team's best defender. In comes Richmond, with their matchup zone defense and hot backcourt of Darien Brothers and Kendall Anthony. Homecourt advantage certainly goes to the Owls, but it's not intimidating, especially for a Spider team that has already played at Butler, Kansas and Minnesota. I think the Spiders may win this one outright, but definitely take the points.
Xavier (-2) vs. Dayton
Vegas continues to shortchange the Muskies at home as they have another short line in this one. Xavier has won the last 27 games played in Cincinnati in this series. They are 7-2 at home this season beating La Salle and Temple there already. Xavier is allowing only 60.7 points per game while shooting 40.5% from the field. It has not been pretty watching this team at times but Semaj Christon and Travis Taylor play some of their better basketball at home. Dayton is 1-3 in true road games this season. They are a balanced team starting with Kevin Dillard and Vee Sanford. This is a big rivalry for both teams. I'm taking Xavier.
NCAAB Cardinals Rockets Thundering Herd Mustangs Spiders Owls Musketeers Flyers