The Sports Headquarters

How’s it going, college hoops nation? K.M. is back to intro you to week 3, and K.M. is back to picking winners. A 4-2 ATS week is just what I needed after a 2-4 start, I’m even ATS and back on the upswing. Some of you may even have been lucky enough to catch my Zags prediction when the line moved to 3.5 or 4 and went 5-1 on my picks. Wish I could say I was that luck, I was not. No matter, I’ll take my current position. Actually, I’d rather have Bryan’s positon, as he’s still 2 games over .500 against the number on the year, and looking to make a run himself.

One thing is for sure, Bryan and K.M. are going to start having some serious fun with these pieces if current trends hold. Both of us are 2-0 in our Roll the Dice so far this year, which is when we disagree with our CBB Guru, Gus. K.M. is 3-1 when he’s the solo voice on one team against the number, and not to be outdone, Bryan has a perfect 2-0 ATS mark as the lone wolf, meaning if you follow a K.M. or a Bryan crapshoot this year, you are 5-1. That’s pretty cool. The Guru says he’s meditating, but I’m thinking he may be in a coma, at least based on his early season record, which is sub-.500 and brought our collective agreements, our Bet the House, down to just 1-2 on the early season. However, the doctors are expecting the Guru’s vital signs to continue to improve, and his record at the end of the year should reflect his knowledge of the college hoops game, a.k.a strong.

We got another tasty six pack of college hoops games for you this week, and as always we pick these bastards well before the spreads are out, so pay attention from Saturday to Tuesday for line updates and record updates. Also, pay no attention to my rational this week. I’m feeling good after my performance last week, so I ramble on in about half of these write ups about whatever the hell I want to write about. If I win this week, next week I am going to write just a bunch of total nonsense that may have nothing at all to do with the game. How is that helpful, you ask? Forget you. K.M. does what K.M. feels like. Just bet the picks and make the cash. You got the easy end of this, so stop complaining, kick back, and see what Bryan, Gus, and K.M. suggest for the weekly bets, and for the love of God, tune in, because these games are sneaky good this week!

Saturday:

12PM- #23 Georgetown at #7 Villanova (-5)

Guru: Villanova came into a ruckus environment over the weekend and laid the smack down on # 3 Syracuse but just when you start to consider the Wildcats as a legitimate Final Four threat they go out and get whooped by lowly Providence. Georgetown on the other hand had been struggling of late but avenged an early season loss to St John’s with a blowout win Wednesday at home against the Red Storm. This game features two of the most up and down teams in the Big East so this game is tough to call but I am going with the Wildcats because they are at home and because of the improvement of their interior post players. Villanova’s Mouphtaou Yarou and Antonio Pena are underrated inside and Georgetown lacks any serious offensive presence down low, which could be the key advantage for the Wildcats on Saturday. Georgetown’s Big 3, Austin Freeman, Chris Wright and Jason Clark will keep the game close but look for Corey Fisher and Corey Stokes to lead ‘Nova to victory in front of the home crowd. As I said these two teams’ top 3 players match up evenly but I think Villanova’s big men Yarou and Pena will be the X-factors in this conference clash.

Prediction: Villanova 74 Georgetown 68

K.M.: Oh sweet God in Heaven, it’s the Hoyas. I ****ing hate the Hoyas. I used to love Georgetown, I was a 14 year old kid who wore an Iverson Hoyas jersey like once a week, because he was a beast in the college game, and past that, I still repped Georgetown as a liked, not loved, but liked team. But somewhere in the last few years, Georgetown has become one of the saddest, most overrated programs in all the nation. Seriously, this team is good for nothing. What the hell has Georgetown hoops accomplished in the last decade? One stupid as hell Final Four birth? This team gets all the false credit in the world. I like the Wildcats, they play system basketball, and their system is tough as hell when they are the better team, and effective against teams that are better then them. Thankfully, Villanova won’t have to settle for just effective in this one, because Georgetown is fake as hell yet again. Screw the Hoyas, trust me, my hate is never wrong. Take Villanova to the pay window and laugh at the sorry Hoyas as you count your dollars. Yea, that’s all I’m giving you. Who needs insight?

Prediction: Villanova 76, Georgetown 65

Bryan: Ugh. Big East games. This conference is getting rediculous. I don’t know whether it’s they are deep or their top teams are overrated. I’m thinking it’s the former. After all, Cuse, Pitt, Nova, these teams can’t really be that overrated. Georgetown has been a roller-coaster all year and I can never tell if they’re on the upward or downward swing. None of their losses are that bad of losses, at St. John’s maybe being the worst. Austin Freeman leads a cast that otherwise looks fairly average. My major concern for them in this game is matching up with the depth and balance that Nova offers. Fisher, Stokes, Pena, Wayns, the Wildcats have so many guys they can hit you with. Coming back home off a loss to Providence, I expect Villanova to come out and get off to a great start. Nova shoots the 3 so well, over 42% in conference play and Georgetown really hasn’t stood out from their opposition in any way since conference play started. Georgetown’s a decent team, Villanova is a very good one. At home, they’ll take care of business.

Prediction : Villanova 72 Georgetown 61

1pm-#18 Minnesota at #12 Purdue (-9.5)

Guru: This is another interesting match up as Minnesota travels to Mackey Arena to take on the Boilermakers who are fresh off a 23 point drubbing at the hands off Ohio State. I like the Boilermaker’s at home because of their rowdy student section the “Paint Crew” and the inside/outside combination of JaJuan Johnson and E’Twaun Moore. JaJuan Johnson has been tremendous all season, averaging 21 points and 8 rebounds for the Boilermakers and may just be the favorite for Big 10 Player of the Year at this point of the season. E’Twaun Moore on the other hand is coming off of a horrific 3-14 shooting night against the Buckeyes and I just don’t see that happening two games in a row. Minnesota has a formidable front line with Trevor Mbakwe and Ralph Sampson III but will seriously miss Devoe Joseph who left the team and point guard Al Nolen who just had surgery on his broken foot earlier in the week. I’d expect the Boilermaker’s to come out with some fire after being embarrassed in their last game, and think E’Twuan Moore will be the key as the senior guard is due for a breakout performance. I like the Boilers in a closely contested game to hold off the short handed Gophers behind their two senior standouts Johnson and Moore.

Prediction: Purdue 68 Minnesota 64

Bryan: Thankfully I’ve seen Minnesota a few times this year or else I’d overlook them in this game. Blake Hoffarber is a fun player to watch and has the knack for making big shots when the Gophers need one. The Gophers have been great on the glass, as well as protecting the paint, leading the conference in blocks per game by a large margin. They are right on par with Purdue scoring, get to the line a lot more, but do have an issue with turnovers, averaging over 12 a game as a team. That’s something Purdue has the ability to take advantage of as they create over 11 per game in conference play. The Boilermakers rely on Moore and Johnson so much that part of me likes the balance Minnesota offers. Purdue is a tough place to win though and coming off a blowout loss at Ohio St. where they were embarassed on National TV, they likely have been preaching defense this week at practice after OSU made it look simple on Tuesday night. I’m going to take Purdue to win a TIGHT one that will get me on the side of Minnesota who I think stands a real good chance if they get about 5-6 points on the line.

Prediction : Purdue 63 Minnesota 62

K.M.: Man, this is a hell of a game. Purdue is probably overachieving. I’m a quiet Boilermaker fan, have been for the last few years. They are my Big 10 team without question. I’ve seen them a few times this year and Minnesota I think twice. I think Minnesota is what they are, a fundamentaly solid team with some players like Hoffaber and Mbakwe, and Purdue is a team with a bigger stars, real good cohesion, but less depth without question. I can’t shake the feeling that Purdue is just too thin this year, and doesn’t have enough pieces to continue being a top 20 team. Every time I see them play, it’s a two man show, Johnson and Moore, and a two man show is easy to beat unless both show up. Minnesota is one of those games that, despite the number next to their name, is not a traditional power, and as such I think Purdue may not bring their A game to this one, and that will get you beat against the rock solid Gophers. I’m going to take the upset, I hope I am wrong as a fan, but I sure as hell woudln’t lay the points with the ‘Due in this one, that is for sure.

Prediction: Minnesota 67, Purdue 63

7PM- Kansas St. @ #6 Kansas (-11)

Guru: Before the season this looked like the premier game of the Big 12 slate but Kansas State has been largely disappointing starting 2-4 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats needed a win on Big Monday and got one over Baylor but need a few more marquee wins to boost their tournament resume. Kansas State in my opinion is better than a 7 loss team and I think they will turn it around in the coming weeks and make the NCAA’s behind Jacob Pullen and Curtis Kelly. The bad news for K-State is that their not going to get a win at Kansas. I’m sorry but Kansas doesn’t lose at home, yes they lost to Texas last weekend but they will not lose two home games in a row at the Phog. Add in that College Gameday is at Kansas this weekend and I don’t think the Wildcats have a chance. The Morris twins have been outstanding all season and I would expect the same this weekend as Kansas will take care of their heated rival K-State to begin a new home winning streak. Kansas State’s only chance in this one is if Jacob Pullen goes off and although I think Pullen will play well it won’t be enough for Frank Martin’s ‘Cats. Kansas is the pick as they pull away in the second half and win convincingly behind the twins from Philadelphia.

Prediction: Kansas 76 Kansas State 62

K.M.: Hey, did you know I think K State is trash? You did? Good. I seriously got no use for wasting your time bashing this NIT squad. I love the Morris twins, I still pity the team that drafts Shelby, but who cares what I think of these players? All you need to know is this: Kansas at home got me last week, but no way in hell it gets me twice. Lay all the points you can find with the Jayhawks. Then lay some more. It’s not going to effect your bet one big. Just do it.

Prediction: Kansas 79, Kansas State 62

Bryan: Alright well this game was a hell of a lot more appealing back in October than it is now. Kansas St. has looked lost all year and they can’t get the complimentary players to step up each game to help Kelly and Pullen. Kansas was rolling for a while before dropping one at home to Texas and then struggling the other night at Colorado. The frontcourt battle in this one should be great as you have the Morris twins going up against the crew led by Curtis Kelly. Kansas went 69 straight without a home loss before slipping up so I don’t expect a prolonged losing streak now. Their depth should wear on Kansas St. over the course of the game and barring an outburst from Pullen, I don’t see Kansas St. scoring for 40 minutes with Kansas. Plus, Kansas St. just plays DUMB. So many times this year when I watch them I just shake my head at the decisions they make. They turn the ball over about 17.5 times per game, and if Kansas can get out on the break, the Wildcats don’t have the defense to stop them, giving up close to 70 PPG in conference play. If you don’t like this game, blame me. I subbed out a 2nd Texas game to avoid repetition, and though it originally was going to be Uconn-Cuse, with Cuse going down to Seton Hall, that game got much less interesting so I landed here.

Prediction : Kansas 74 Kansas St. 61

9PM #13 Missouri at #8 Texas (-7)

Guru: This game I think has the potential to be one of the most exciting games of the season as both off these teams like to run and both rank in the top 30 in the country in points per game. The game is at Texas and Texas has the best pro-prospects in Tristan Thompson and Jordan Hamilton but I like Mizzou because of their defense and their tempo. Missouri just pressures the ball so well and gets their opponents to play out of control a combination that I think will be enough for the Tigers to pull off the minor upset. Marcus Denmon(17ppg) has been playing like a man on a mission and with fellow perimeter player Kim English and forwards Ricardo Ratliffe and Laurence Bowers, the Tigers are deeper and more balanced than the Horns. I like Missouri’s pace and defensive pressure to force a high number of Texas turnovers and Denmon and Michael Dixon to give Texas guards Dogus Balbay and Corey Joseph fits for the full 40 minutes. The key match up for me will be inside where highly touted Texas forward Tristan Thompson (13.1ppg) faces off against last years juco Player of the Year, Ricardo Ratliffe who is quietly having a great season for the Tigers averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds. The other key will be whether Kim English can bother Jordan Hamilton enough to slow down the Texas star, English a great 1 on 1 defender is known for hassling opponents and will have a tall task on Saturday night with Texas’ leading scorer. I like the Tigers behind Denmon who plays his best when the stage is the biggest, as Missou steals one on the road in Austin.

Prediction: Missouri 78 Texas 75

Bryan: If there’s one game Saturday I want to watch it’s this one. Two very athletic Big 12 teams that can get up and down the floor and score points. Both in the top 4 in scoring and the two best 3-point shooting teams in the league, there should be some fireworks in this one. Texas is the hot team in America right now. Having blown out A&M, knocking off Texas, and dropping Oklahoma St. on the road, they are rolling through the Big 12 at this point. Missouri has kind of done what they are suppose to this year. Outside a loss at Colorado, they lost to two good teams and beat everyone else, though they don’t have any real great wins. The most intriguing part of this game might be who wins the turnover battle when Texas has the ball. Obviously Mizzou with their pressure defense forces a ton of turnovers but with Balbay, Joseph, and Brown, Texas does a great job of limiting their turnovers and keeping the Longhorns offense running smoothly. Two of the best rebounding teams in the Big 12 as well, the game really should come down to which team can win the categories they both excel at. I’m going to roll with the hot team with the ability to play the game on their terms. They’ve been rolling and as talented as Mizzou is, I’m not buying their chances to slow Texas down in Austin.

Prediction : Texas 83 Mizzou 74

K.M.: After going into Cole and picking up a W vs. Kansas, Texas is the flavor of the week, full of so much ESPN hype you’d think they were the Packers. I saw the Longhorns vs. Kansas and vs. Okie State in the last week, a game I almost picked the Cowboys in before I thankfully thought better of wasting my money on it, and one thing is for sure. Texas looks good. Too good. This team last year fell apart out of the blue, and I keep hearing how this is a new squad, but like I said last week, I’ll trust a Rick Barnes team when I’m in the grave, not a minute before. Mizzou can score the damn basketball, they are a real offensive force, and on the road, that’s a key quality in my opinion. Straight up upset? You know it! A good reason for thinking so? Hell no, but hey, I tried to sell this like it’s more then just a gut pick, give me some credit for that at least!

Prediction: Mizzou 80, Texas 77

Sunday

#20 Washington (-3.5) at Washington St.

Guru: I’ve been waiting for the Cougs to take off in conference play and separate themselves from the rest of the Pac-10 and at 4-4 this is their chance. This game has probably the two best players in the conference in Isaiah Thomas and Klay Thompson(all apologies Derrick Williams) and is always a good rivalry game between two in state foes. Thompson is having a remarkable individual season averaging 22 points, 6 rebounds and 4.5 assists while shooting lights out from the field but his Cougars have gone only 4-5 since a big win over Baylor. The Cougars have talent outside of Thompson in players like Faisal Aden 14 ppg, DeAngelo Casto 11ppg and point guard Reggie Moore 4apg but for some reason seem to have struggled late in conference games. In this rivalry and at a tough site like Pullman, I like the ‘Cats to upset the Dawgs behind a big game from Klay Thompson. Washington is very talented and by far the most consistent team in the Pac-10 but are not unbeatable and I think on the road this a game that Isaiah Thomas(17ppg and 6apg) and his Huskies are vulnerable to an upset. Mathew Bryan-Amaning and Justin Holiday are having great seasons for the Huskies but in this contest, it will be all about Thompson who will carry the Cougs to a signature conference victory.

Prediction: Washington State 76 Washington 70

K.M.: I’m not much a Pac-10 fan, but for sure the Cougars are my Pac-10 team. I’ve seen Washington a couple times this year in their preseason tournament, they are an athletic team, but I found them to be sloppy and not well founded in the fundamentals. I think a team that likes to grind it out like the Cougs can give their intrastate rivals some serious fits. Klay Thompson is the kind of scorer that a team like Washington State normally doesn’t have, and he gives WSU a chance to fight teams that have explosive ability with his fantastic all-around game, his 3 ball first and foremost. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a soft spot for Isaiah Thomas, just on name alone, never mind the fact he’s a talent, but I’ll take the better team over the better athletes here, Washington State doesn’t go a season without making noise, and they better start now if they are going to keep that up. I see them getting the job done in a tight affair.

Prediction: Washington State 63, Washington 60

Bryan: PAC-10 love baby! As an Arizona Wildcats fan, I’m very grateful to the Guru for finally working our conference into this. Washington is a very talented team who can get hot and score in bunches. They buried my Wildcats when we went up there a week and a half or so ago. Matthew Bryan-Amaning has stepped up big for the Huskies with Abdul Gaddy going down (what a shame, backed out of UofA commit). By now most in the country should know Isaiah Thomas at the point, a crafty lefty at the point who is a speedster in the open court and a pretty good long range shooter (36.4% on the season). Jrue Holiday‘s little bro, Justin, acts as the 3rd man in the Huskies lineup . For Washington St. everything will run through Klay Thompson and lately that hasn’t been much of a recipe for success. The Cougars are a pedestrain 4-5 in their last 9 after starting 10-1 on the season and any chance they have in the PAC-10 race probably requires a win in this game as they already have 4 conference losses. If this were at Washington, I wouldn’t give it much doubt. At home, there’s more of an argument for Wazzu but still not one I’m buying. This is one of those games I’d love to have the line at hand ahead of time as I’m thinking UW will be about a 5.5-7 point favorite which I would take Wazzu to cover but lose. I like Wazzu to stay in the game, but in the end, Washington should be able to beat them in the open court and capitalize on the playmaking of Thomas.

Prediction : Washington 73 Washington St. 67

Tuesday

#22 Vandy at #23 Florida (-4.5)

Guru: This game should be an absolute dog fight as I expect a back and forth affair between two very closely ranked and even teams. Florida has been inconsistent this season with good wins over KSU, FSU and Tennessee but also bad losses to in state opponents UCF and Jacksonville. Florida has won 8 of 9 after they squeaked out a close one with Georgia in double OT on Tuesday but should face another tough task in the Commodores next week. Vanderbilt on the other hand after collapsing against Tennessee, has won 2 straight against Ole Miss and St. Mary’s but stand just 2-2 in conference needing a conference win. Vanderbilt faces a talented but troublesome Mississippi State tonight on the road and then hosts Arkansas over the weekend looking to build momentum before going down to Gainesville. Florida to me is the most talented team in the SEC East but their guards are just too inconsistent for me to count on. I like Vanderbilt’s tremendous depth led by sharpshooter John Jenkins and athletic wing man Jeffrey Taylor and just fear Florida’s inconsistencies will catch up with them against Vandy, that is if their lucky enough to get by Mississippi State this weekend. Vandy is a very fundamentally sound team that can score in a variety of ways, and against a wild and sometimes erratic Gator team, I’m going with the fundamentals and the smarter and more solid Commodores. I just don’t trust Erving Walker and Kenny Boynton to protect the ball down the stretch and like Jenkins, Taylor and Tinsley to lead Vandy to a key SEC road vicotry. I gotVandy in this game, as the Commodores have come up just short in road games against Mizzou and Tennessee but will finally grab that marquee road win at the O’Connell Center in Gainesville.

Prediction: Vanderbilt 75-Florida-67

Bryan: I’d be lying if I said I had any feel for this game whatsoever. I’ve seen Vandy once and know that they are god awful on the road. Florida I got my first look at the other night against Georgia and nothing about that game was very impressive. Vanderbilt appears to be the best offensive team in the SEC and has advantages over Florida in a lot of areas. With that said, they already were good to me and lost to Tennessee earlier this year when they were in the segment. I’m not going to bore you anymore with useless facts on both teams when I’m not even sure they matter. They lost every credible road game they’ve had before tonight. Why would that change? I’m not betting on it. Give me the Gators.

Prediction : Florida 72 Vanderbilt 68

K.M.: I really have little use for either of these teams. I tried to believe in Vandy, but frankly, after that Tennessee game, I have no use for them on the road. I’m taking Florida. And since I have nothing more to say about this game, let me share a song I wrote for this site, in honor of our fearless blow owner, Seth. It’s sung to the tune of “Patches” by Clarance Carter. Click here if you don’t know the beat, then sing along! Oh yea, before I forget….

Prediction: Florida 75, Vandy 65

I was born and raised in Arizona
In a housing project way up in the hood
I blew my knee out so folks started calling me threegamer
K and Bry used to laugh about it, cause much like me, that name was never understood

I’ve always been a lazy man!
A couch potato with a clicker in my hand
See, motivation, I never had
Hid in the shadows when K.M. got mad
My blog would die without Bry and K’s aid,
I got four kids, yet I never been laid

I act busy but I’m not
I’m always ****ing around
Suggest ideas for a post
Then I shoot them right down
One day I’m going stop paying my rent
Live in a ‘fridgerator box
Never get out of bed

Seth Cox!
A genuine lazy bum!
I’ll always make it through
Hard times at TSHQ!

Sometime later I started a blog one day
And hits never came my way
So I got smart people to help me retool
And hope’d they’d not notice that I was such a fool

Every morning check the last Suns score
Lay down, then I sleep a little more

Sometimes I felt this blog couldn’t go on
Click a mouse, type a word, spell it all wrong
Know nothing at all about the NBA,
A 10 line post gonna take me all day!

Seth Cox!
A genuine lazy bum!
I’ll always make it through
Hard times at TSHQ!

Then one day some real brains came
And took Bry and K away
And at the age of 20-something
I felt like I carrying the weight of the whole site on my shoulders
And nobody knew what I was going through….

Search for writers to join the site
Don’t know who’s good, since I can’t write
Forget to post the last article or three
Everybody was depending on me
I eat a taco bake with lemonade
Lord, give me strength to make another day!

Now years have past
And the site hasn’t grown
At least it gets a hit
When I click on “home”
Lord knows, writers, I’ve shedded tears
Cause this wasted life lost his glory years

Seth Cox!
A genuine lazy bum!
I’ll always make it through
Hard times at TSHQ!

Seth Cox!
A genuine lazy bum!
I’ll always make it through
Hard times at TSHQ!

LAZY MO-FO GAMBLER RECAP:

Records:

SU-

Guru- 4-8
K.M- 7-5
Bryan- 5-7

ATS-

Guru- 3-9
K.M- 6-6
Bryan- 7-5

Bet The House: 1-2
Roll The Dice: 2-0
K.M Crapshoots: 3-1
Bryan Crapshoots: 2-0
This week in gambling:

Georgetown at Villanova (-5)

We all have Nova winning by over the line of 5, so we are Betting the House on the Wildcats.

Minnesota at Purdue (-9.5)

We vary on the winner, but nobody sees Purdue by double digits, so again, we are Betting the House, this time with Tubby Smith and company.

K-State Trashcats at Kansas (-11)

K-Suck is going to get blown out, says all of us. This is a Bet the House on the Jayhawks.

Mizzou at Texas (-7.5)

Somehow Bryan is the only one who picked Texas to even win. He’s going to be crapshooting here, Guru and K.M. take the Tigers.

Washington at Washington State

See the above. Bryan is hoping to stay hot at the dice game, another crapshoot for him, this one on Washington, as Guru and K.M. take the Cougs, making them either students of history or total rubes.

Vanderbilt at Florida

Gus has Vandy on the road by 8, while Bryan and I like Florida to win. Bryan’s got them at 4 and I have them at 10. So I’m leaning the way of a crapshoot for K.M or a Roll The Dice if Vandy is favored or getting less than 4.