Sunday Plays - Feb 20th

Only three weeks till selection Sunday, the games are getting more intense and we look to cash a few picks and build up our bank heading into the Madness:

Purdue (-1.0) vs Ohio State
Some factors having us lean towards Purdue for this game:

• Revenge game for Purdue who lost up in Ohio by 20+ points back on Jan 25th. 
• The Boilermakers are 14-0 at home this year.  The crowd will be 'jacked' for this nationally televised game on CBS.
• Ohio State has looked more vulnerable since losing their first game of the season and Purdue knows they are beatable now.

Look for Purdue to push the pace of this game as Ohio State typically only plays 7 guys and Purdue will be 10+ deep.  Key will be how Jared Sullinger plays for Ohio State who can dominate the low post and cause match up problems for Purdue.  Limit his effectiveness and Purdue has the edge.

Side note:  If our prediction holds true.  This will be the first time since 2003 that the Top 4 AP teams will all lose in the same week = crazy March Madness this year!!

Old Dominion (-5.0) vs Cleveland St.
Bracktet buster game, with 21-6 ODU from the Colonial hosting 23-5 Cleveland St from the Horizon.  ODU has pretty much punched their ticket to the big dance and appears to be the second best team next to George Mason in their conference.

Key to the game is stopping Norris Cole of Cleveland State who averages over 20 points and scored 41 against YSU a week ago.  The linesmakers are saying these two teams are even as -5 is the standard home spread - we don't agree with that assessment so take ODU with a bit of value on the home team.

Penn State (+12.0) @ Wisconsin

Penn State beat Wisconsin at home on January 26th and although the Badgers may want to return the favour, PSU is a bit under-rated and should be able to cover this large spread.  Wisconsin controls tempo well and doesn't like to get into track meets as majority of their victories are less than 10 points.   Penn State will be motivated here to try to build their tourney resume so like the double digit road dog here.   Woof Woof.

On the fence to take ULCA (-1.5) on road at Cal.  UCLA on fire of late but that string is bound to end soon.

Good luck today and let's cash some games!

D$ Out.