College Basketball Predictions

*Three plays Saturday:

Cincinnati at DePaul (+3) - 12:30pm Pacific - Game #567-568

Each week DePaul is looking more and more like last years team that won 9 of their last 10 regular season games in route to an NCAA tournament bid. The Blue Demons are 7-2 in conference and dating back to last season they have won 16 of 19 regular season C-USA games. No one is on a better run, including Louisville & Cincinnati. In that same stretch they are 10-1 at home, including 4-0 this year. Senior forward Quemont Greer has developed into one of the better scorers in the conference. Sophomore guard Sammy Mejia is a big time talent. Both can be nightmare matchups. The Blue Demons generally play solid basketball and do not hurt themselves. Cincinnati is amidst a difficult portion of their schedule and have shown some chinks in their armor. They are just 4-4 in last 8 games and will be playing their fourth straight game in a different state in tough 11 day stretch. They are coming off a hard fought win over big crosstown rival Xavier on Thursday night have have had very little time to travel and prepare for this early afternoon game. DePaul meanwhile has been off since Sunday giving them almost the entire week to prepare. Their resume is lacking a marquee win so this is a huge game for their NCAA tournament chances. The Blue Demons look to be a live dog here.

Official Play: Depaul +3 1 UNIT

Cal State Fullerton (-4.5) at Long Beach State - 5:00pm Pacific - Game #631-632

Fullerton has won 5 straight games, their longest streak in 6 years, and are off to their best start in 23 years! They have also won 3 straight road games for the first time in 30 years. They have a very athletic team with potent scorers at all five starting positions. In recent weeks they are playing with better teamwork, have been more solid defensively, and are getting solid play from their bench. Fan support is continuing to increase. They brought a very large and loud group of fans to UC Irvine Thursday night and a similar contingent is expected to show up today at Long Beach. I attended the Long Beach State/Riverside game on Thursday. Not many people are showing up for these games, of the ones who do very few are students. The rowdy Fullerton fans will make their presence felt. I was very disappointed with the performance by LBSU. It was a battle of two poorly coached, horrible basketball teams. LBSU got an emotional lift from the surprise return of center Anthony Coleman who led the team in scoring early in the season but has been out the past two months with a shin injury. He played 13 minutes but was in no shape to be much of a factor. Riverside controlled most of the game but gave up a run at the end of each half and committed 22 turnovers to keep LBSU in the game. UCR went cold late and LBSU was able to take charge in the final minutes. It took a near miracle for LBSU to get by a horrible Riverside team. I do not believe they can stay with this talented Fullerton squad.

Official Play: Fullerton -4.5 1 UNIT

Portland at Pepperdine (-4) - 7:00pm Pacific - Game #663-664

The Waves gave an outstanding effort Thursday night vs Gonzaga. They played without starting center Russell Hicks (death in family) and leading scorer/rebounder Glen McGowan was suffering from flu-like symptoms. They still were right in the game until the final seconds. A late second half missed goaltending call hurt their chances. After a dismal five game losing streak, Pepperdine went to a smaller lineup playing both point guards Marvin Lea and Kingsley Costain together. It made them a quicker team and put a much needed extra ball handler on the floor. It also moved talented wing Alex Acker to small forward where he has blossomed averaging 22.0ppg over last three. The team as a whole has played much better winning big at USF (Dons were undefeated at home) and narrowly losing at USD (led throughout the game) before Gonzaga. Further evidence is that they only averaged 62.6ppg during 5 game losing streak but have averaged 82.6ppg in last 3. They had won 12 straight meetings vs Portland before a 10 point loss last month. They will be looking to avenge that loss and get back on the winning track at home where they have uncharacteristically lost three straight. Portland won an ugly game at LMU on Thursday night, their first conference road win of the season. The Pilots committed 26 turnovers but were fortunate enough to get LMU's worst home shooting performance of the season that included 1-of-16 from behind the arc. They still managed to win by just 4 after blowing a 14 point second half lead. I've seen Portland in person this year and they really are not a team that scares me. It is homecoming night for Pepperdine which should make for a lively crowd and give them added motivation.

Official Play: Pepperdine -4 1 UNIT