Hawaii at Santa Clara (-3.5) - 7:00pm Pacific - Game #773-774
The Broncos played well most of the game in an 8 point loss to a very good Nevada team two games back and rebounded with an easy blowout win over San Jose State on Monday night. Santa Clara is a deep, quality team with an abundance of size, experience, and scoring options. Seven foot newcomer Josh Higgins (Western Kentucky transfer) had some costly mistakes in loss to Nevada but was the latest player to emerge on Monday with a career high 16 points. The Broncos now have three very capable big men who are at least 6-11. Reserve small forward Tristan Parham is out indefinitely with a knee injury but there is more than enough depth remaining. My opinion that Santa Clara will finish no worse than fourth and as high as second in the WCC has not changed.

I was not very impressed with any of the teams in this year's Great Alaskan Shootout. Hawaii went 2-1 in the tournament beating Hofstra by 1 point, losing to Cal by 16, and beating Pacific. The Cal game was never competitive and they beat Pacific after the Tigers played a double OT game the night before. Before Alaska, Hawaii beat Oregon State by 44 but it was later determined that the Beavers were having internal issues as one of their top scorers was suspended indefinitely following the game. Hawaii did not return home after Alaska. This will be their fourth game in seven days and they have been on the road for eleven straight days. Hawaii is 5-22 straight up in their last 27 true road games including 0-1 this year. Long time head coach Riley Wallace is rumored to be gone after this season which has a lingering cloud over the program. Santa Clara will be looking to avenge a 10 point loss at Hawaii in February of last season. They are a much better team this year and are at home. Give the points.

RAS Official Play: Santa Clara -3.5   1 UNIT

Loyola Marymount at UCSB (-5.5) - 7:00pm Pacific - Game #777-778
The Gauchos lost a tough one to an excellent San Diego State team on Saturday. They led by as much as 8 in the second half before falling but still are off to a good start on the season. They have had some favorable matchups in their road wins but the fact that they have been able to win on the road at all is a major improvement from recent years. Freshman guards James Powell and Justin Joyner have done a terrific job despite their inexperience, but today 5th year senior guard Cecil Brown is expected to return from a preseason foot injury. Brown led the Gaucho's in scoring last year, is a solid leader, and is their best all around player. He will help on both sides of the court. Juniors G/F Alex Harris and F Chris Devine have produced like all-conference players in the early going.

LMU is another one of the disappointing teams who participated in the Alaskan Shootout. They started with a close win over Division 2 host Alaska Anchorage, then somehow won a miracle double OT game over Pacific, and lost badly to Cal in the final. Before Alaska, LMU made a furious comeback behind a supportive home crowd to knock off New Mexico State in a game they did not deserve to win. The Lions have relied heavily on senior guard Brandon Worthy but he is not getting much help. The ball handling, shooting, and basic decision making on this team has not been pretty. LMU lost by 24 in their only true road game this season at Mississippi State and were just 4-10 in road games last year (1-6 in non-conference play). LMU will also be playing their fourth game in seven days after traveling to and from Alaska. UCSB basically did not show up in last years meeting at LMU, falling behind big early on and losing 77-60. Expect them to avenge that loss with a comfortable win tonight. Give the points.

RAS Official Play: Cal Santa Barbara -5.5   1 UNIT


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