NCAA Hoops Free Pick: Texas Longhorns vs. Michigan State Spartans
Posted by Andrew Ryan on December 22, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Texas Longhorns
(9-2, 5-2 ATS)
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Michigan State Spartans
(8-3, 4-6 ATS)
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The Texas Longhorns and Michigan State Spartans are used to playing each other, and they typically do so in some epic showdowns. College basketball betting fans hope that this is no exception when these teams wage warfare on Wednesday night.
The Longhorns have really played well at times this year, and they are very deserving of their spot in the Top 25. They’ve won three in a row, but that last one against the North Carolina Tar Heels was arguably the second biggest win of the year. They also have a big time ‘W’ against the Illinois Fighting Illini, making them 1-0 already both SU and ATS against Big 10 teams. Freshman Jordan Hamilton has been an absolutely dynamo this year, averaging 19.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, and he is also second on the team in assists with 27 to boot. Hamilton is coming off of a big time double-double against the Tar Heels, scoring 24 points and recording ten boards. He has four games of at least 24 points this year, three of which have come against UNC, Pittsburgh, and Illinois. All five starters have scored at least nine points per game this year, but there really isn’t a ton of depth behind the starting five. Defensively, teams are only shooting 36.5 percent from the field, making UT one of the best defensive teams in the land.
Michigan State has had a rough go of it a relation to what we were all expecting this year, but there really isn’t much shame in losing to teams like the Syracuse Orange, Duke Blue Devils, and Connecticut Huskies. Survival against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies was followed up by a big time win against Prairie View A&M last weekend. This is the last tune up before the clash against the Minnesota Golden Gophers to kick off the Big Ten campaign. Three double digit point scorers help out Head Coach Tom Izzo, which is down from what really should be at least five men. Durrell Summers is a fantastic star in the making that is ready to go to the next level. He is averaging 15.5 points per game and 4.7 rebounds per game. Kalin Lucas has probably underachieved in his third year as a star in East Lansing, averaging 14.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Draymond Green is averaging almost a double-double per game, averaging 12.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. This offense has been great at times, but averaging 77.6 points per game at this time of year probably isn’t enough. Big Ten play is going to feature some better defensive teams than this, and this is going to be a very tough task against the Longhorns on Wednesday night.
Michigan State really isn’t a fantastic team right now, and we tend to believe that the Longhorns are going to sneak up on it in this one. Texas could really embrace this game on the road, and we wouldn’t be overly shocked if there was an outright upset in the making.
College Basketball Free Pick: Texas Longhorns +5.5
Purchase rain barrels to save water.(Neighbor)
Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL) November 18, 2011 Events that involve pets, animals and plants, such as pet washes, adoption days, nature walks, microchipping, nature photography exhibits, nature tours, bird walks, calls for volunteers for nature-related work days, etc. Deadline is two weeks before event date. website astronomy for kids
Rain Barrels: As part of its Stormwater management program, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago is offering rain barrels at cost, $51 each, to all municipalities within Cook County. The program was initiated to encourage resident to capture and reuse stormwater. Rain barrels are an inexpensive way to promote the use of green technology. Added benefit is providing relief to sewer systems during storms. Place an order at the MWRD website, www.wrd.org/irj/portal/anonymous/rainbarrel.
Winter Container Garden Workshop: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18; 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20; 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21; 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25; 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 26; 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28; or 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Create your own outdoor winter container garden. All materials will be provided, including the plastic pot, soil, fresh evergreen boughs, berries and branches. Bring a pair of gloves and pruners. Fee is $49. Registration is required. For more details, call (847) 359-1080.
Pet pictures with Santa: 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. Pet pictures with Santa. All pets are welcome, on a leash please. Donation to Save-A-Pet will be accepted. Bring your camera. For information, (847) 359-1080.
South Barrington Garden Club: 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, Seville Banquet Center, 700 S. Barrington Road, Streamwood. Holiday luncheon and program includes door prizes, silent auction, raffle and a floral demonstration featuring Christine Plier of Flowers by Christine, in Bartlett. $38, registration closes Friday, Nov. 25. Proceeds benefit educational scholarships, community plantings and beautification projects. Visit sbgardenclub.org. go to web site astronomy for kids
Astronomy for Kids: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, Harper College’s Karl G. Henize Observatory, 1200 W. Algonquin Road, Palatine. Students in third-sixth grade learn to identify planets, stars and constellations in Palatine’ night sky and observe deep-sky objects through telescopes. Free, open to the public. Visit, harperastronomy.org.
Fresh Swag Workshop: 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, Knupper Nursery, 1801 N. Rand Road, Palatine. With fresh designer greens, branches and berries, the designers will show you how to create your own holiday swag. Bring a pair of gloves and pruners. Fee is $30 at time of registration. Call (847) 359-1080.
Filed under Free Sports Picks, NCAA Basketball Picks · Tagged with college basketball betting, college basketball free picks, college basketball lines, college basketball odds, college basketball spreads, Michigan State Spartans, NCAA basketball betting, NCAA basketball free picks, NCAA basketball lines, NCAA basketball odds, NCAA basketball spreads, Texas Longhorns
