Duke at Georgia Tech (+1) - 4:00pm Pacific - Game #525-526

This is a big game for the Yellow Jackets.  Their RPI rating currently sits at 44 and they are by no means locked in for an NCAA tournament bid yet.  Senior guard BJ Elder (hamstring) returned to the lineup three games ago after a long absence.  He declared himself 100% prior to last game and made his first start since coming back.  Elder scored a game high 22 including the winning free throw with under a second to play in big road win at Florida State on Sunday.  The struggling Tech offense has started to show improvement shooting 48.9% from the field since Elder's return.  Tech already ranks first in the ACC in scoring defense, FG% defense, and 3-pt FG% defense.  I believe they match up well with Duke.  With Elder back, Tech now starts four seniors and one junior making them one of the most experienced teams in the country.  Freshman forward Jeremis Smith (dislocated kneecap) is also back recently after missing 17 games.  He adds some needed toughness off the bench.  Head coach Hewitt has declared his team as healthy as they have been all season.  Duke has already proven to not be as invincible as they have been in recent years.  They are just 4-4 in last 8 games and 0-3 in last three road games.  They are coming off a big win over Wake Forest on Sunday and they have not been able to put together back to back quality wins all season. 

 

Official Play:  Georgia Tech +1  1 UNIT

 

George Washington (+1.5) at Xavier - 4:30pm Pacific - Game #569-570

GW was playing at a very high level early in the season.  They gave a very respectable showing in loss at Wake Forest before beating both Michigan State and Maryland in Washington DC tournament.  They have not had many opportunities to get up for games since then and started to lose their edge.  A few minor injuries and a suspension to key players contributed to a midseason 1-3 slump.  They have since rebounded with 5 straight wins by an average margin of 14.6 including an outright win as a road dog at Temple.  They appear to be on their way back to early season form.  GW comes in with an RPI of just 67 which means they almost must win out to have a chance at an at-large NCAA bid.  Xavier has been a disappointment all season long.  First year coach Sean Miller has not done as well as most people thought, myself included.  Perhaps he just needs more time and experience.  The Musketeers are 1-5 vs A-10 teams with an above .500 conference record.  Ironically enough, the only win came at GW by 1 point on a desperation 3-point shot at the buzzer.  The Colonials have not lost a game since then and will be looking to avenge that heartbreaker tonight.

 

Official Play:  George Washington +1.5  1 UNIT

 

Iowa at Minnesota (-3) - 5:00pm Pacific - Game #573-574

The Gophers are coming off a solid win over Ohio State on Saturday.  Although they narrowly failed to cover the spread, they were in control for most of the game.  The win should serve as a very important confidence boost for this young team.  I continue to commend the job Dan Monsoon has done with this group.  They play solid, smart, and intense team basketball.  This will be senior day for the Gophers.  Three senior starters Jeff Hagen, Aaron Robinson, and Brent Lawson will be honored before the game.  All three have had breakthrough seasons.  Iowa comes in losing four of their last five.  Their struggles have coincided with the loss of starting guard Pierre Pierce who was kicked off the team five games back.  Pierce led the Hawkeyes in scoring, was second in rebounding and assists, was one of their better ball handlers, and arguably their best perimeter defender (led team in steals).  Iowa has averaged 17.6 turnovers over last three games which does not bode well facing the conferences top team in steals.  Iowa has zero senior starters and it is probably not a coincidence that they are 0-5 in Big 10 road games.  Minnesota shot 17-for-51 and only lost by 6 in first meeting at Iowa.  In that game Pierce was available for Iowa scoring a game high 18 points and playing 39 minutes.  Meanwhile, Minnesota starting center Hagen was doubtful to play due to a knee injury but played 33 minutes anyway at less than 100%.  Expect the Gophers to turn the tables tonight.

 

Official Play:  Minnesota -3  1 UNIT