February 3, 2021 Results:

What we got right:

College Basketball:

LSU at #10 Alabama - As soon as Alabama gets back in SEC play they get back in the win column. The Crimson Tide improved to 10-0 in conference play after the 78-60 win over the Tigers. Alabama usually wins game offensively, but this game they won it on the defensive end, holding LSU to 30% shooting. This is a complete team.

#16 Virginia Tech at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh ended a three game losing streak in the 83-72 upset win over Virginia Tech. This game was tied at the half, but Pittsburgh shot the lights out after the break to get the win. The loss drops Virginia Tech out of second place in the ACC, while Pittsburgh now has a winning conference record at 5-4.

#3 Villanova at St. John’s - We thought this game would be closer than the 10 point spread. We were wrong, but it was St. John’s who won by double digits, not Villanova. In the 70-59 win, St. John’s shot 10% better from the field and forced four more turnovers than Villanova did. They beat Villanova at their own game, and that is why they were victorious.

#14 Virginia at NC State - Virginia covered the 6.5 spread by the thinnest of margins, beating NC State 64-57 to stay atop the standings in the ACC. Virginia did what good teams do, and that is make free throws down the stretch. For the game the Cavaliers went 20-22 from the free throw line. That is how you win games.

Georgetown at #15 Creighton - Another game where we picked the underdog to cover the spread and they ended up winning outright, Georgetown got the big upset win over Creighton 86-79. This was surprising to us, but Patrick Ewing always has his kids playing hard, and in this one that resulted in a big win.

NBA:

Indiana at Milwaukee - Giannis Antetokounmpo had a triple double in the 130-110 win for the Bucks, and didn’t even play in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee led by 34 points after three quarters and were able to rest their starters, as the Pacers didn’t have enough in the tank to keep up with the Bucks on a second night of back to back games.

New York at Chicago - New York avenged a loss from a couple days ago, beating Chicago 107-103 earning a split in their back to back games against the Bulls. Julius Randle should be an all-star this year, as he has been playing the best basketball of his career. He had 27 points in this one, leading the Knicks to the victory.

Minnesota at San Antonio - The Timberwolves actually had an 11 point lead going into the fourth quarter, only to see the Spurs rally and take home the 111-108 win. These teams have played three times this year, and all three games have been close. DeMar DeRozan scored 30 points to lead the Spurs, while Malik Beasley led the way with 29 points for the Timberwolves.

What we got wrong:

College Basketball:

#5 Houston at East Carolina - This is one of the more surprising games of the entire College Basketball season. East Carolina scored the most points Houston has allowed all season in the 82-73 upset win. The Pirates shot almost 50% from the field and only turned the ball over seven times in severely hurting the Cougars chances at a 1 seed in the tournament.

South Carolina at #22 Florida - As soon as we talk glowingly about the Gators they go out and lay an egg against the Gamecocks. Florida couldn’t get their offense going in the 72-66 loss, as South Carolina’s defense was flying around all over the place. South Carolina did most of their damage in the paint, outscoring Florida 50-30 in the restricted area.

Kentucky at #18 Missouri - We decided to ride with the Wildcats in this one and they let us down. Kentucky dug themselves a 13 point hole at halftime, and while they made a valiant comeback, they came up just short in the 75-70 defeat. Even after this game, we still aren’t sold on Missouri and think they will be one and done come March.

NBA:

Dallas at Atlanta - These two teams will forever be linked because of the draft day trade that sent Luca Doncic to the Mavericks and Trae Young to the Hawks, and in this game Doncic out played Young and got the 122-116 win. Doncic scored 27 points and had 14 assists, while Young had 21 points and nine assists. Luca did just a little bit more and that is why Dallas was victorious.

Los Angeles Clippers at Cleveland - We thought the Clippers might take the Cavaliers lightly after their hard fought loss to the Nets the night before. We were wrong. Los Angeles came out strong and dismantled Cleveland 121-99 to get back in the win column. Paul George led the way for the Clippers with 36 points.

Washington at Miami - Bradley Beal scored 32 points to help the Wizards erase a 13 point second half deficit and topple the Heat 103-100. Miami’s offense went cold, scoring just 35 points in the second half to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

Houston at Oklahoma City - Two nights before this one these two teams played and the Rockets won by 30. The 87 points scored by the Rockets was a season low, as they couldn’t put the ball in the hoop in losing 104-87. Christian Wood, who is the favorite for Most Improved Player right now, was held to eight points and six rebounds in the loss.

Phoenix at New Orleans - As soon as we complain about the way the Pelicans are holding Zion Williamson back, he explodes for 28 points in the 123-101 victory over the Suns. The biggest takeaway in this game is that the Pelicans had ten more fast break points than the Suns. That is what they need to do, push the pace and turn the game into a track meet.

Boston at Sacramento - Boston was short handed and playing the second game of back to back nights. That proved to be too much in losing to the Kings 116-111. De’Aaron Fox had 26 points and 11 assists to lead the way for the Kings, while Jayson Tatum had another big game for Boston, leading the Celtics with 27 points. The Celtics were missing guards Marcus Smart, Peyton Pritchard, and Kemba Walker in this one.

What we pushed on:

NBA:

Philadelphia at Charlotte- Early in the fourth quarter the 76ers had a 17 point lead and we liked our chances for a victory. Even with 18 seconds left the lead was at 11. The Hornets made a couple of three pointers in the final seconds to close the gap and earn the push for bettors. That is tough luck for anyone who bet on Philadelphia as they had to already be counting their money, only to see it vanish.