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**crswir** · 01-09-2003, 05:29 PM

Oregon at CALIFORNIA (+2')

By Hunt Archbold, Contributing Editor

Here’s another early season conference game I like. And this time, we’re favoring a Cal team that is getting points on its home court. Oh, did I mention that this is a home court where the Bears have won 11 straight including all six this year?

The Bears whipped Stanford by 13 last weekend at Pete Newell Court and now welcome an Oregon squad that it beat by four last year at home in double overtime. That marked the 20th defeat in 23 games for the Ducks at Cal!

Oregon has failed to cover in its last two road games when instilled as a favorite of three points or less. Tonight, they’ll need to contain Amit Tamir, who poured in 39 against the Ducks last year and is a threat to score anywhere on the court. And they best not forget about Joe Shipp, who is averaging 19 points a game and pulled down 10 rebounds against Stanford.

Oregon will be on the road for the first time in seven games and hasn’t ventured away from Eugene since Dec. 14. This is a team that struggles defensively, and no doubt there will be an adjustment period for the Ducks playing in a hostile environment. Like above with Ohio State-Michigan State, I love a team getting points in an early-season conference match up.

And when you factor in the Bears’ dominance at home over Oregon, that makes this pick an easy one.

PICK: 3 CALIFORNIA

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Ohio State (+10') at MICHIGAN STATE

By Hunt Archbold, Contributing Editor

After Syracuse won our lone 4* selection last night in winning at Seton Hall, we have two more conference tilts on the card tonight. First, Michigan State looks to rebound from a tough week in which the Spartans dropped two games and 11 spots in the Top 25 poll. But it will have to do so against a battle-tested Ohio State team that has already played Alabama, Duke, Pittsburgh and Louisville this year.

This is the 100th meeting between the two schools, which open Big Ten play against each other, and then will close out conference action versus each other later on in Columbus. Over the last five years, Michigan State and Ohio State have combined to win six regular-season Big Ten Championships. The Spartans won four straight titles from 1998-2001, sharing the 2000 crown with the Buckeyes. Last season, Ohio State was one of four teams to lay claim to a championship, as Michigan State finished one game out of first. In addition, Michigan State captured the 1999 and 2000 Big Ten Tournament titles, while Ohio State won the 2002 tournament.

Basically, these are two teams which know a little bit about winning the past few years. Ohio State, which is 36-22 as an underdog, had won four consecutive SU before Saturday’s overtime loss against Louisville. Ohio State will get some help for Thursday's game, as guard Nate Salley is expected to be in uniform after joining the team on Monday. Salley was a backup cornerback on the Buckeyes' national championship football team.

Meanwhile, the Spartans continue to be a banged up team. Injuries are a part of sports, but they usually don't hit a squad as hard they have attacked the Spartans this season. Michigan State has not had all 13 scholarship players healthy for a single practice or game this year.

With three straight home games up next for the Buckeyes, Ohio State would love to steal a win in East Lansing before heading back to Columbus. Early season conference games are usually very tight for two reasons. First, teams are fresh coming off the Christmas break. Secondly, after facing unfamiliar non-conference foes, teams feel more comfortable playing rivals they know like the back of their hand.

Given these two reasons, this talented Ohio State, which has already faced four ranked teams this year, team should easily be able to stay within double digits tonight.

PICK: 3 OHIO STATE

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POLLING PLACE RESULTS

Ohio State +10' 92%
Washington St +27 71%
Stanford -13 62%
California +2' 60%
Sacramento +4 55%
San Antonio +4 50%
Portland -4 50%
New Jersey -4 45%
Oregon -2' 40%
Oregon State +13 37%
Arizona -27 28%
Michigan State -10' 7%

**BettorsChat** · 01-09-2003, 07:13 PM

Thank you for posting all the comp plays and trends :D

**crswir** · 01-09-2003, 07:21 PM

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