Northeastern at George Mason (-10) - 11:00am Pacific - Game #533-534
Preseason CAA favorite George Mason returns home 2-2 in conference play and hungry for a win. Last time out at Delaware they led by as many as 19 in the second half before a combination of foul trouble, minor injuries, and questionable officiating (Delaware shot 34 FT's to Mason's 13) led to their demise. Starting PG Jordan Carter missed two games but is working his way back and is now close to 100%. Starting G Dre Smith (ankle) was limited last game but is expected to be nearly full strength today. Northeastern has been a bad CAA road team as a result of their northern most location in the league. They are 5-21 on the road overall over the past 2+ years. Northeastern's top four starters are all underclassmen so it is safe to say this team is a year away from serious contention in the league. Mason has played seven games at the Patriot Center this year and is undefeated, including an 11 point win over Top 25 Dayton. The last time these teams played Northeastern blew out a shorthanded Mason by 23 points in Boston, so the Patriots have extra motive here. After blowing second half double digit leads in back to back games there will be no letting up today. Expect a double digit victory.

Play: George Mason -10  0.5 UNIT |  WIN 80-52
UNC-Wilmington at James Madison (-7) - 5:00pm Pacific - Game #627-628
Still high on the Dukes despite two straight road losses that will only leave them with extra focus on winning today. Following a big win over VCU at home, JMU traveled to Hofstra and lost a letdown game in which Hofstra's leading scorer Agudio returned from injury and played effectively. The Dukes then lost a nine point second half lead at W&M after their two top players Carter and Jalloh fouled out. In both road games opposing coaches played zones for extended periods of time and attempted to slow the tempo. We should see neither tactic used extensively today as the Seahawks like to get out in transition themselves. As for Wilmington they snuck by Hofstra at home on Thursday night in a ESPNU game and now must bounce back with one less day of preparation as well as needing Friday to travel. The Dukes high energy style leads itself to better play at home and it has shown as they are undefeated at the Convocation Center this season including quality wins over Siena and VCU. JMU should be extra motivated today as they have lost 14 straight times to UNCW. Madison coach Keener has had this date circled on his calendar for a while as students are back in town for the first time in over a month and they should be extra ready with this late start for TV considerations. Give the points.

Play: James Madison -7  1.0 UNIT |  WIN 93-74
Pacific at Cal State Northridge (-5) - 7:00pm Pacific - Game #667-668
The Matadors continue to show that they are for real. They have reeled off three straight impressive wins to start conference play including two road wins, one coming at league favorite UCSB, and followed that up with a 35 point home win over UC Davis on Thursday. Newcomers PG Josh Jenkins and wing Deon Tresvant have proven to be difference makers. Jenkins has the third best assist rate per minute in the country and Tresvant exploded for 31 points in the win at UCSB. Another good looking guard, Rodrigue Mels, missed seven straight games with a groin injury but returned Thursday and will be available today adding to CSUN's already deep bench. CSUN has always been a high scoring team but they also enter tonight with the best FG% defense in the conference. Pacific will be playing their third straight road game in an 8 day span. The Tigers had to work to beat a much less talented Long Beach State team by 6 on Thursday night and just have not played at a high enough level this year to contend in this spot. CSUN is 3-0 in conference play for the first time ever as a D-1 school and expects a large home crowd tonight. Give the points.

Play: Cal State Northridge -5  0.5 UNIT  |  WIN 78-61
Nevada (-2.5) at Hawaii - 9:00pm Pacific - Game #673-674
The Wolfpack had won 6 of 7 games with only loss coming at #1 North Carolina before losing freakishly at San Jose State on Thursday night. Due to a canceled game Nevada had a 10 day layoff prior to the game and in addition to showing rust got SJSU on easily their best night of the season as they hit difficult shot after difficult shot down the stretch to win by 2. Nevada left that game with a bad taste in their mouth and are sure to be very focused for this game. I have been high on the Wolfpack all season and they added senior combo guard Lyndale Burleson at the semester break. Burleson adds needed depth and experience in the backcourt and has proven to be a playmaker on both sides of the court. Hawaii has been bad all season with only a single win over a team ranked in the current Sagarin top 200, that coming vs #188 San Jose State. They lost starting center Stephen Verwers to injury four games back and do not have much support off the bench. Expect Nevada to take care of business with a road win here.

Play: Nevada -2.5  1.0 UNIT  |  WIN 77-59
Montana State at Northern Arizona (-4.5) - 3:30pm Pacific - Game #687-688
The Lumberjacks started three freshman in place of three regular starters Thursday vs Montana and fell behind by as many as 11 early on. Once the regulars got going they were able to overcome the deficit and pull away for a quality win and cover. Junior PG Josh Wilson, the schools all-time assist leader, was one of the players to come off the bench and he responded with an impressive 19 point/8 assist game. Top inside man Kyle Landry finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds, his seventh double double of the season. NAU remains a very good team with good depth who is very tough to beat at home. Montana State is 1-5 on the road and is coming off a heartbreaking 1 point loss at awful Sacramento State late Thursday night who had previously not beaten a D-1 team. They now face travel and fatigue issues for this game that tips off 3 1/2 hours earlier than usual. The Bobcats have been a surprise in the Big Sky this year but I believe they will present less of a challenge than Montana did on Thursday night. Expect Northern Arizona to get the money again. Give the points.

Play: Northern Arizona -4.5  1.0 UNIT  |  WIN 78-58

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