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**StarDust Bum** · 12-03-2010, 05:07 PM

Celtics seek 6th straight win Friday vs. Chicago

CHICAGO BULLS (9-7)

at BOSTON CELTICS (14-4)

Tip-off: Friday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Boston -5, Total: 191

The Bulls were amped about Carlos Boozer’s season debut after he missed the preseason and the first 15 games of the regular season with a broken right hand. However, he looked lethargic in his 22 minutes of play, scoring only five points and grabbing two boards in a 107-78 blowout loss to Orlando. Chicago was outscored by 20 points in the paint (46-26), numbers that the Celtics will look to exploit, as they’ve outscored opponents in the paint by 16.4 points in their current five-game winning streak.

On the plus side, the Bulls are 7-1 ATS in their past eight road games including a tough 110-105 overtime loss in Boston on Nov. 5. Chicago shot 49.4% from the floor that night to cover the 7.5-point spread.

Meanwhile, the Celtics carry an excellent 8-1 SU home mark, but have been struggling to cover the numbers, going 2-6-1 ATS. Boston gave up a 16-point lead, and the spread, in a 99-95 win over Portland Wednesday night at home. Paul Pierce led the team’s 57.1 FG Pct. with 28 points and drained 4-of-5 three pointers. Seven players scored double-digits, led by Ray Allen with 25 points, in the last meeting against the Bulls. Boston has shot over 50% from the floor in seven of its past 10 games.

Chicago is 17-14 ATS in games played in Boston since 1996 and these FoxSheets stats also favor Chicago to cover the spread:

Play On - Underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (CHICAGO) - in a game involving two good offensive teams (98-102 PPG), after allowing 60 points or more in the first half last game. (57-24 since 1996.) (70.4%, +30.6 units. Rating = 3*).

CHICAGO is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) in road games when playing only their 2nd game in 5 days over the last 3 seasons. The average score was CHICAGO 100.0, OPPONENT 101.7 - (Rating = 1*).

Ten of 14 meetings have gone Over the total in the past three seasons, and this FoxSheets stat also likes the Over:

BOSTON is 19-7 OVER (+11.3 Units) in home games after having won 8 or more of their last 10 games over the last 3 seasons. The average score was BOSTON 106.8, OPPONENT 96.7 - (Rating = 1*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-03-2010, 05:08 PM

Kansas State favored by 3 at Washington State

KANSAS STATE WILDCATS (6-1)

at WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (5-0)

Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series
Tip-off: Friday, 11:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Kansas State -3, Total: 145

Kansas State plays its first true road game of the season, and it won't be an easy task for the fifth-ranked Wildcats, who visit Pullman, WA to face undefeated Washington State on Friday night.

December has been good to K-State, which has won 11 straight games during the month. But it has also dropped nine straight road games against Pac-10 teams. The Wildcats' last Pac-10 road win came against Arizona, 55-53, on Dec. 6, 1980.

Kansas State already owns wins over Virginia Tech and Gonzaga this season, and in its last two contests, easily handled Southern and Division II Emporia State by a combined 48 points. KSU's lone loss came against top-ranked Duke, 82-68, on Nov. 23.

In last season's game between the two teams, Jacob Pullen had 21 points in Kansas State's 86-69 home victory. Pullen is averaging 16.0 PPG and 4.1 APG this season. He had 26 against overmatched Emporia State and has hit double-digits in scoring in six of KSU's seven games. He also became the Wildcats' career leader in three-pointers by hitting his 241st three on Monday.

Against Washington State, the Wildcats will certainly need to do a better job of protecting the ball. They've averaged 19.3 turnovers in the past four games.

Pullen is one of three players who are averaging double-digits in scoring for KSU. Rodney McGruder (11.3 PPG, 6.6 RPG) and Curtis Kelly (10.3 PPG, 4.0 RPG) are the other two.

Washington State is looking to start 6-0 for the second consecutive season. The Cougars' success can be traced to their execution on offense. WSU is averaging 81.6 PPG and is hitting 53.4% of its field goals. It has won its first five games by an average margin of 26.2 points. But those wins came against Southern, Idaho, Portland, Fresno State and Sacramento State.

The Cougars are led by Klay Thompson, who is averaging is 22.2 PPG, 5.2 APG and 4.6 RPG. Faisal Aden has been a nice complement player to Thompson's all-around talents. Aden has been impressive, averaging 20.8 PPG, 3.6 RPG and 2.6 SPG.

These two highly-rated FoxSheets trends like Kansas State to win and cover the spread:

WASHINGTON ST is 2-15 ATS (-14.5 Units) after 2 or more consecutive unders over the last 3 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON ST 58.4, OPPONENT 63.2 - (Rating = 4*).

Play On - Road teams where the line is +3 to -3 (KANSAS ST) - very good team - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game, after 2 straight blowout wins by 20 points or more. (38-13 over the last 5 seasons.) (74.5%, +23.7 units. Rating = 3*).

With the exception of the Duke game, the Wildcats have scored at least 73 points in each game this season, while Washington State has reached at least 84 in all of its games except one (66 against Fresno). This FoxSheets trend shows a five-star reason to bet the Over on Friday night:

KANSAS ST is 19-2 OVER (+16.8 Units) in a road game where the total is 140 to 149.5 since 1997. The average score was KANSAS ST 77.0, OPPONENT 79.3 - (Rating = 5*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-03-2010, 05:09 PM

Dallas and Utah both go for 8th straight win

DALLAS MAVERICKS (14-4)

at UTAH JAZZ (15-5)

Tip-off: Friday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Utah -3.5, Total: 193

Dallas and Utah are both riding high with seven-game winning streaks and are 6-1 and 7-0 ATS, respectively. The Mavericks rolled over Minnesota 100-86 Wednesday night, affording the starters more bench time to give them fresh legs in Utah. Tyson Chandler tied his season-high with 18 rebounds in 22 minutes of play. He will have a tough matchup in the paint against Al Jefferson, who is averaging 18.7 points on 54.1 FG Pct. and 9.3 rebounds over the win streak. The Mavs (42.9 RPG) can set the pace of the game if they take advantage of Utah’s poor rebounding (40.3 RPG) and can control the glass.

Dallas is a perfect 7-0 ATS on the road this season, but has dropped five straight (SU and ATS) in Utah. Utah improved to 8-3 SU (7-4 ATS) at home this year after an easy 110-88 win over Indiana Wednesday night. The Jazz have not allowed 100 points in nine straight games, holding their past six opponents to an impressive 89.8 PPG. Deron Williams is the key to Utah’s offense, and has loved playing Dallas, averaging 18.7 points and 10.1 assists in his career against the Mavs.

Defense will continue to be a key focus against the Mavs who have scored triple-digits in five straight games following a six-game stretch of scoring less than 100. The Dallas offense continues to go through Dirk Nowitzki who is fifth in the NBA with 24.8 PPG.

Nowitzki’s performance will be vital to the success (or failure) of Dallas on Friday night. In the past 10 trips EnergySolutions Arena, Dallas is 3-0 when Nowitzki scores more than 29 points and 0-7 when he scores less than 29 points. This highly-rated FoxSheets stat favors Dallas to cover the spread:

Play On - Underdogs (DALLAS) - after 2 straight wins by 10 points or more against opponent after scoring 100 points or more 3 straight games. (38-10 over the last 5 seasons.) (79.2%, +27 units. Rating = 4*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-03-2010, 05:10 PM

Illinois looks for payback against Fresno State.

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI (6-5)
at FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS (7-4)

Kickoff: Friday, 10:15 p.m. EDT, Line: Illinois -5.5, Total: 58

Illinois travels west for a regular-season finale with Fresno State. The Illini had a bye last week to rest their weary legs from the 519-rushing-yard output they had in a win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field on Nov. 20. Fresno State was crushed 51-0 at Boise State on Nov. 19, and barely recovered in time to edge Idaho by a field goal last week.

If this game is anything like their meeting in Champaign last year, fans will certainly get their money’s worth. Fresno State pulled off the 53-52 win when Ryan Colburn connected on a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jamel Hamler with two seconds remaining in the game. Two of the stars of that contest are no longer in college. Bulldogs RB Ryan Mathews rushed for 173 yards and three scores and Illini QB Juice Williams threw for 211 yards and 3 TD. But Colburn and Hamler are back for an encore, and so is Illini RB Mikel Leshoure who rushed for 184 yards on just 11 carries (16.7 YPC) and scored three times versus Fresno State.

Leshoure is coming off a school-record 330-yard rushing performance against Northwestern. He also scored twice, giving him 12 total touchdowns in his past four games. Leshoure has seven 100-yard games this year and his 125 rushing YPG ranks eighth in the nation and second in the Big Ten. Leshoure could have his work cut out for him against a sometimes-great Fresno State run defense that has limited three opponents (Cincinnati, San Jose State and Idaho) to 15 rushing yards or less in a game this year.

Fresno State has allowed 35-plus points in four games this season, but a lot of that has to do with bad field position as the result of turnovers. Fresno has a minus-9 turnover ratio this year, giving the football away four times in last week’s win over Idaho. Offensively, Colburn (18 TD, 9 INT) and Hamler (633 receiving yards) have had solid years, but both players know the offense revolves around RB Robbie Rouse. The sophomore ranks 13th in the nation, and second in the WAC, with 110 rushing YPG. In his past six games, Rouse has averaged 154 rushing YPG with eight total touchdowns. Considering Illinois has allowed an average of 182 rushing YPG in its past four games, Rouse could have a big night.

Fresno State is 4-6 ATS this year, including 2-3 ATS at home. Illinois is 8-3 ATS with a 4-1 ATS road record. These two FoxSheets trends expect Illinois to come out on top Friday night.

Play On - Any team (ILLINOIS) - in a game involving two average teams (within +/- 50 YPG of their opponents) after 7+ games, after outgaining opp by 225 or more total yards in their previous game.(74-35 since 1992.) (67.9%, +35.5 units. Rating = 3*).

FRESNO ST is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) after a game with a turnover margin of -2 or worse over the last 3 seasons. The average score was FRESNO ST 32.5, OPPONENT 36.8 - (Rating = 2*).

The FoxSheets also advise playing Over the healthy total.

Play Over - All teams where the total is between 56.5 and 63 (ILLINOIS) - off 1 or more straight overs, in a game involving two good offensive teams (28-34 PPG). (30-8 since 1992.) (78.9%, +21.2 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-03-2010, 05:11 PM

Villanova favored by 19 over St. Joe's

SAINT JOSEPH’S HAWKS (3-3)

at VILLANOVA WILDCATS (5-1)

Tip-off: Friday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Villanova -19, Total: 144

The term “Holy War” means many things to many different people around the globe. It is a strong term that elicits feelings of passion, rivalry, hatred, bitterness … or worse. In the city of Philadelphia it means one thing: Villanova is about to play Saint Joseph’s in a basketball game. It means that for two hours, two teams will literally wrap themselves around the city’s most passionate basketball rivalry, while figuratively trying to wrap each other’s hands around the other one’s neck at the same time. Let the Holy War begin.

Friday’s game at The Pavilion will mark the first of three straight contests for Villanova against inner-city rival schools from the Big Five. Next Wednesday the Wildcats will take the short bus ride to 33rd &Walnut to play Penn at the Palestra, followed by a contest at La Salle four days later, but it is the Saint Josephs game that gets circled on the calendar with a red marker. Jay Wright’s team has won 21 of its last 23 Big Five contests, but the last two against the struggling Hawks have been tight (two games decided by 11 points). Villanova has not gotten strong efforts out of the two Coreys -- senior swingman Corey Stokes and senior point guard Corey Fisher. Stokes averages 12.8 PPG, but has only scored seven total points in three career contests against Saint Joseph’s. Fisher has averaged 6.3 PPG on 22% shooting in three career games versus the Hawks. The Wildcats are trying to bounce back from a Preseason NIT championship game loss to Tennessee, 78-68, when they shot only 34.5% from the field.

Saint Joseph’s is also trying to get up off the mat after losing Wednesday night to crosstown rival Drexel, 62-50. The Hawks start three freshmen, but it wasn’t a lack of experience as much as a lack of tenacity that did them in versus the Dragons. Drexel outrebounded Saint Joseph’s by a staggering 46-23 margin. Leading scorer Carl Jones (16.2 PPG) was the only Hawk to score in double figures versus Drexel, scoring 20. Jones will need some help from freshman guard Langston Galloway (12.7 PPG, 5.7 RPG) the team’s top rebounder, and senior forward Idris Hilliard (10.2 PPG, 5.2 RPG).

The 12th-ranked Wildcats lead the all-time series 43-24. They have the track record of city series success, the national acclaim, the home-court advantage, and the experience with three seniors in their starting lineup. Conventional wisdom (as well as oddsmakers) makes Villanova the clear favorite in this contest. But what point value can one put on a rivalry, and how do you pick a favorite in a “Holy War?”

Saint Joseph’s is 3-9 SU (4-7-1 ATS) in the past 12 meetings with ‘Nova. These two FoxSheets trends like Villanova to win and cover the spread:

VILLANOVA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in home games after playing 2 consecutive games as favorite over the last 3 seasons. The average score was VILLANOVA 83.6, OPPONENT 61.5 - (Rating = 2*).

ST JOSEPHS is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) versus good ball handling teams - committing <=14 turnovers/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was ST JOSEPHS 64.5, OPPONENT 77.1 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-03-2010, 05:35 PM

Friday Night Lights
December 3, 2010

Editor's note: Since Nov. 11, Brian Edwards owns a 17-8-1 record (68%, +825) in college football. Don't miss out on his pay-if-it-wins-only selection for tonight!

Gamblers have a pair of games on the docket in college football tonight. First, the MAC Championship Game will be played at Ford Field in Detroit, where Northern Illinois will take on Miami (OH.). Then during the feel-good hours, Illinois will be looking for a little revenge out West against Fresno State. Let’s take a look at both of these contests.

**Northern Illinois vs. Miami (OH.)**

--Most betting shops have installed Northern Illinois (10-2 straight up, 9-1-1 against the spread) as a 17 ½-point favorite with the total in the 54-55 range. Bettors can take the RedHawks to win outright for a plus-800 payout at the Las Vegas Hilton (risk $100 to win $800).

--Jerry Kill’s team has enjoyed a fabulous season with its only losses coming on the road to BCS teams. The Huskies lost their opener by a 27-10 count at Iowa St. and also dropped a 28-22 decision at Illinois. Since the loss to the Illini, NIU has won nine straight games while posting an 8-0-1 spread record.

--NIU breezed through its MAC opponents with seven wins by 14 points or more. The Huskies are coming off a 71-3 win at Eastern Michigan as 25-point road favorites. Jordan Lynch had 142 rushing yards and scored touchdowns on both of his carries, while DeMarcus Grady also found paydirt on both of his rushing attempts that went for 91 yards. QB Chander Harnish, who has a 17/5 touchdown-to-interception ratio for the season, had a pair of scoring strikes last week.

--Miami (OH.) opened its season at The Swamp in Gainesville and gave fits to the Gators for the first three quarters. UF eventually pulled away to win 34-12, but the RedHawks hooked up their backers as 38-point road underdogs. Since then, they have been double-digit underdogs three more times, going 1-2 both SU and ATS.

--Mike Haywood’s team went 1-11 during his first season at the school in 2009. However, the RedHawks brought back 19 starters and finished the regular season with four consecutive wins to get to Motown.

--Miami (OH.) won the MAC East by thumping Temple 23-3 as an 8 ½-point home underdog on Nov. 23. With starting QB Zac Dysert sidelined with an injury to his spleen, back-up signal caller Austin Boucher stepped in and threw for 155 yards and two touchdown passes. But the catalyst for the RedHawks was senior RB Thomas Merriweather, who exploded for 182 rushing yards on 22 carries. Merriweather’s 96-yard TD scamper early in the fourth quarter put the game on ice.

--The ‘under’ has cashed in seven straight games for the RedHawks, who have seen the ‘under’ go 10-2 overall this year. On the flip side, the ‘over’ is 8-3 overall for NIU, cashing in its last three outings.

--When these schools collided on Oct. 24 of 2009, NIU captured a 27-22 win as a 10-point road favorite. The result (NIU outright win, Miami (OH.) cover) has been a familiar theme in this rivalry recently. Although the Huskies have beaten Miami five straight times, it’s the RedHawks that are 7-2 ATS in the last nine head-to-head meetings.

--ESPN2 will have television coverage at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

**Illinois at Fresno State**

--Most books are listing Illinois (6-5 SU, 7-3 ATS) as a 5 ½-point favorite with a total of 58. Bettors can take the Bulldogs on the money line for a plus-180 return (risk $100 to win $180).

--Like Ralph Friedgen at Maryland, Ron Zook has saved his job this year. Check that, he’ll save his job with a win in this spot and may have already done so. In fact, a win in this game could set up Zooker’s team with a bowl-game matchup against his former squad, Florida.

--Fresno State (7-4 SU, 4-6 ATS) had to rally in the fourth quarter last week to beat Idaho 23-20 as a 10 ½-point home favorite. A.J. Ellis scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 14 ticks left to propel the Bulldogs into the win column. The 43 combined points dipped well ‘under’ the 59-point total.

--Fresno State’s go-to RB Ryan Rouse is “doubtful” tonight with bruised ribs. Rouse has enjoyed an excellent sophomore campaign, rushing for 1,097 yards and eight touchdowns. He also has a pair of TD catches and averages 5.7 yards per carry.

--Rouse’s injury isn’t the only one bettors should be concerned with if considering a wager on Fresno St. Three offensive linemen are “questionable,” including OG Andrew Jackson, who was a fourth-team All-American and first-team All-WAC selection last year. Jackson and starting center Joe Bernardi, a second-team All-WAC pick in 2009, missed last week’s win over Idaho with ankle sprains. Last but not least, starting senior cornerback Desia Dunn is “doubtful” with a groin injury.

--Illinois has covered the number in six of its last eight games, including a 48-27 win over Northwestern at Wrigley Field in Chicago two weeks ago. The Illini cruised to the easy victory as a 7 ½-point ‘chalk.’ Mikel LeShoure erupted for a career-high 330 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries. Jason Ford added 86 rushing yards and three TDs on 17 totes. The 75 combined points easily went ‘over’ the 49 ½-point tally.

--Fresno St. has only been a home underdog once this season, dropping a 35-34 decision to Nevada on Nov. 13. The Bulldogs took the cash as 7 ½-point home puppies. Since 2000, Fresno owns a 5-7 spread record in 12 games as a home ‘dog.

--During Zook’s six-year tenure, Illinois has compiled a 3-5 spread record in eight games as a road favorite.

--The ‘over’ has hit in five consecutive games for Illinois. The ‘over’ is 7-3 overall for the Illini, 2-1 in its true road assignments.

--The ‘over’ is 6-4 overall for FSU, but the ‘under’ is 3-2 in its home games with a total.

--When these schools squared off in Champaign-Urbana last year, Pat Hill’s team won a 53-52 thriller as a two-point road underdog. Ryan Mathews, who dons a San Diego Chargers uniform these days, had 173 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Current FSU quarterback Ryan Colburn threw a pair of TD passes and also rushed for 51 yards and one score on just four carries. The two offenses combined for 964 yards of total offense. Obviously, the 'over' was an easy winner.

--Kick-off is slated for 10:15 p.m. Eastern on ESPN2.

**StarDust Bum** · 12-03-2010, 06:43 PM

Jazz, Mavericks collide on NBA betting slate

A pair of seven-game winning streaks will be on the line Friday night when the Dallas Mavericks travel to Utah for a Western Conference matchup with the Jazz. Both clubs extended their respective winning streaks to seven games with Wednesday victories.

Dallas registered its lucky seventh straight win by mauling Minnesota as a 10 ½-point home favorite, 100-86. The win and cover raised the Mavs’ ledger to 14-4 SU and 11-5-2 ATS.

The combined 186 points dipped well below the 205 ½-point closing total, which enabled the ‘under’ to improve to 11-7 in Dallas’ first 18 outings. The ‘under’ is 17-7-1 in the club’s last 25 efforts dating to last season.

Shawn Marion scored 16 points, leading a productive effort by the Dallas bench. J.J. Barea contributed 14 points and Jason Terry added 12 as Dallas' reserves outscored Minnesota’s bench, 59-32.

Tyson Chandler had 14 rebounds in the third quarter, setting a Mavericks record for any quarter, and finished with 18 boards overall.

The Mavericks, playing their sixth game in nine nights, were able to rest stars Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd and Caron Butler. Nowitzki had a season-low 10 points, the same total as Butler.

The Dallas defense continued its stingy play, allowing less than 100 points for the 16th time in the first 18 games. That defense is now ranked second in the league by yielding an average of just 92.2 points per game.

Offensively, the Mavs have now notched triple-digits in their last five games after failing to reach that number in 10 of their first 13 attempts. As a result, Rick Carlisle’s troops rank 20th on offense by averaging 97.9 points per game.

Playing on the road has not been a problem for Dallas this season, evidenced by the club going 6-1 SU and 7-0 ATS in its first seven efforts away from home. In fact, the Mavs are a sizzling 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 road dates.

However, playing in Utah has not been as successful. The Mavs are 3-13-1 in their last 17 trips there. The ‘under’ is 9-2 in the last 11 series meetings in Salt Lake City.

The Jazz not only won their seventh straight game with Wednesday’s 110-88 victory against Indiana, but also covered the NBA spread for the seventh consecutive time. Utah closed as a 7 ½-point home favorite, which raised the club’s record to 15-5 SU and 13-6-1 ATS.

Jerry Sloan’s squad is now 8-3 SU and 7-4 ATS in its first 11 home encounters. The club is also a sparkling 33-16-2 ATS in its last 51 home dates.

Utah guard Deron Williams finished with 24 points and 16 assists Wednesday against the Pacers. He did not commit a turnover in 34 minutes. Continuing one of the most dominating stretches of his career, Williams made 10 of 15 shots.

The Jazz have now scored 100 points or more in six straight games and have allowed less than triple-digits in 13 consecutive contests. The scoring onslaught has raised Utah’s offense to eighth in the league, averaging 102.0 PPG.

The squad’s defense is now also eighth, yielding an average of 96.9 points per game. Utah’s defense ranks first in both field goal percentage (42.5) and three-point percentage (30.7).

Dallas maintains its hectic schedule by flying to Sacramento for a Saturday contest against the Kings. Utah continues its six-game homestand with next Monday’s game against Memphis.

**StarDust Bum** · 12-03-2010, 06:44 PM

College Basketball Odds: Wildcats at Cougars

The Kansas State Wildcats are one of the nation's top choices to be a Final Four team this year. However, with one loss to the undefeated Duke Blue Devils already to their name, they'll look to avoid a second early season defeat against the also spotless Washington State Cougars in Pullman on Friday night.

Jacob Pullen is an All-American candidate this year, but if he plays the same way he did in the biggest game of the year against Duke, the Wildcats are going to be in a lot of trouble Friday night. Pullen only scored four points in that game and was largely shut down by the Blue Devils' defense.

The good news for the senior is that he has scored at least 13 points in the rest of his games, and he still leads the team in scoring with 16.0 PPG. Pullen also has 17 steals and 29 assists to lead K-State.

Rodney McGruder was very, very quiet as a freshman, but he is getting his chance to shine now as a sophomore. If KSU is going to won this road matchup, he should be in store for a very big game. Even though he is only 6-foot-4, McGruder leads the very undersized Wildcats in rebounding at 6.6 RPG, and he is also the team's second leading scorer at 11.3 PPG.

The 'Cats are averaging 77.4 PPG on the campaign, good enough for No. 64 in the nation, but they are shooting an absolutely dreadful 52.5 percent as a team from the charity stripe. Especially on the road, it's key to make your free throws, and if that doesn't happen, it is very difficult to win.

Remember when Washington State tried to come out and slow the game down to a snail's pace? Those days are now long since gone, and the shooters for Wazzou are loving it.

Klay Thompson, who averaged 19.6 PPG a year ago, is up to 22.2 PPG this year, and already has a 35-point performance under his belt against the Portland Pilots. His teammate, Faisal Aden is averaging 20.8 PPG as well as just a freshman.

These two take the mass majority of the shots for the Cougars, and they take those shots well, as each are connecting on over 52 percent of their field goal attempts. Brock Motum is the team's only other double digit per game point scorer, and he is right at 10.0 PPG.

The Cougs are shooting 53.6 percent as a team this year, and they are averaging 81.6 PPG. Again though, free throw shooting is a big time problem, as 65.2 percent as a team just isn't going to cut it for a squad that badly hopes to make a statement here to put on its resume for the NCAA Tournament this year.

Washington State is one of the few teams in the country that has yet to be beaten from an ATS standpoint this year, and it is one of two teams, joining the Boise State Broncos, that is undefeated both SU and ATS coming into play on Friday night.

These two teams have met in NCAA basketball betting action three times before, including last season when the Wildcats absolutely smoked the Cougs 86-69 in the Little Apple. The home team is 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS, while Kansas State has covered all three spreads. The only other meeting in Pullman was a 58-57 victory for Washington State back in December 2005. Five years later to the date, is when these two will hook up again.

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