Matt Rivers has a college basketball pick against the spread Saturday is on Northwestern (+8.5) at Michigan State.
The Wildcats have burned me a few times over the past week plus and I didn't just play them in Iowa which stinks but I'm going back to that well here and am expecting John Shurna and the fellas to treat me right.
I have been on the Northwestern bandwagon for a little while now as this team is pretty darn solid. Shurna, Michael Thompson, Drew Crawford and a few others form a quality team. I'm not saying that when all is said and done they should advance farther than Tom Izzo's Spartans but as of right now I'm just not all that impressed with Michigan State and especially not in East Lansing where they have looked very vulnerable. This team has had a ton of issues so far and I don't see anything changing here.
State lost badly at home to Texas, had to come back to just beat Wisconsin in overtime and all in all have been pretty down thus far on the season which also included a full outclassing at the Garden against Syracuse. There is certainly a ton of talent there with Green and Lucious and Lucas and the usual cast of characters but until this team can put it together, which they probably will when we get into March, I'm not all that worried about fading them against a solid enough team, even at the Breslin Center.
Northwestern had some problems on the highway recently and it showed in the thumping at Illinois. But these guys looked much better last time out against the Hawkeyes and should compete until the end tonight. An outright is not out of the question at all and a cover is highly probable.
Top expert pick on this game: Northwestern by Matt Rivers
For more information: Another winning Friday as the 300,000* on Iona came through and the destruction of the Crookie continues. The last week has been golden and the 10-1 football run is about to get even better today. An absolutely phenomenal football and basketball Saturday is here and I mean phenomenal!
Four plays in all today including both on the gridiron led by another monster 400,000* from Hotlanta. 400,000* Green Bay-Atlanta, 300,000* Ultra-rare college daytime hoop tease, 200,000* Baltimore-Pittsburgh and a 100,000* Baylor-Iowa State. What more could you ever need? A red hot handicapper with a pair of monster NFL playoff games plus bonus hoops. I love this day! Rivers winner is now up
Today's NBA rest report:
Raptors vs. Wizards
Toronto is playing their third game in four nights including playing back-to-back nights.
Rockets vs. Hawks
Houston is playing their third game in four nights including playing back-to-back nights.
Hornets vs. Bobcats
Both teams are playing their third game in four nights including playing back-to-back nights.
Kings vs. Pistons
Sacramento is playing their third game in four nights, fourth in five nights and playing back-to-back nights. Detroit is playing their third game in four nights including playing back-to-back nights.
Mavericks vs. Grizzlies
Dallas is playing their third game in four nights including playing back-to-back nights.
Heat vs. Bulls
Miami is playing their third game in four nights while Chicago is playing their third game in four nights including playing back-to-back nights.
Magic vs. Timberwolves
Orlando is playing their third game in four nights.
Cavaliers vs. Nuggets
Cleveland is playing back-to-back nights.
Nets vs. Blazers
New Jersey is playing their third game in four nights including playing back-to-back nights. Portland is playing back-to-back nights.
For more information: Playoff tips for Saturday and Sunday NFL video. 2011 NFL Divisional playoffs podcast is up at OffshoreInsiders.com