A Gem For Saturday

[thesandman]

Current Record 4 - 3

The Gem. California plus 4.5

I see GV has already posted this play; however, I like this game so much, I am also going to post it. I have been waiting all week for this game and have already made a large play on Calif. Cal has been two different teams this year. They started the season 6 - 8 but since then, they have discovered a transition game which has helped their FG% increase from 41% to 48%. 3-pt shooting has increased from 27% to 39% and PPG have increased from 63 to 75. In fact, they have scored 88, 87, and 85 points the past three games after failing to exceed 85 points in any of their previous 17 games. These are major changes and the reason they have gone 5 - 1 their past six games.

Their freshman class is rated one of the best in the country. Now, with experience, they are maturing and are playing more like sophomores than freshmen. All this plus the intangible of the Cal/Stanford rivalry. Cal has won SU here the past two years and getting 4.5 points, makes this one "A Gem".

Disclaimer:

A Gem is NOT a lock, NOT a sure winner, NOT a bailout game, but I still expect it to win.

[FastBreak]

Sandman

SandyGuy,
Thanks for the play and the reasoning......
Good Luck,
FB:tongue:

[thesandman]

FB

Thanks for the comment. Reasoning always sounds great BEFORE the game. GL to you tomorrow too.

[bookie88]

Stanford - the points

Sandman, I will bet the opposite you do. Let's bet a grand just you and me...

[thesandman]

A Second Gem

Current Record: 4 - 3

The Gem: St. Marys Plus 7

I follow them closely and have been to a couple of their games this year. They are still relatively unknown outside of the Pacific Coast, but they are more than just OK. They are for real. They are 10 - 1 SU and 7 - 1 ATS at home this year, which is one of the best home ATS records anywhere and are winning at home by an average of 24 points. Their only home loss was by just one point to USC. This is a team that led for most of the game at Arizona, before the pressure of playing at Tuson got to them, losing by 7. Their game at Gonzaga was tied at 51, before Gonzaga went on a 12 - 1 run to win by 14. Things should be different at home.

I still like California the best, but St. Mary's is a close second.

[GoldVike]

Best of Luck to you

on St Mary's! I have seen them play 3 times this year and I was very impressed. They fear no one. They should have the Zags undivided attention for this one! BEST OF LUCK TO YOU and a nice pick! Gv

[len caprisecca]

SANDMAN

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR PLAYS

[thesandman]

Thanks Lenboy. GV, if you saw the Arizona game, they were impressive until the pressure got to them. Same at Gonzaga. Should be different tonight. Their gym is small (3800 cap) and the fans are right on top of you. Do you remember when they made the "big dance" in the early 90's, only to lose to Clemson and Dale Davis. They could get an NIT invite this year.

[thesandman]

My "Gems" Suck

Just for the record: Calif LOSE; St. Mary's LOSE

Current Record: 4 - 5

I am sorry. I was wrong and I don't know why Calif had more turnovers than points for most of the second half. Cal was my favorite play since I have been posting here. I better wait awhile before posting again.

[Tigger]

sandman

Don't be sorry man. I was on Cali +4 1/2 as well. We all make picks that sometimes don't workout, it's part of the game. The only thing I do after a tough lose like that is verify with myself that if they played tomorrow, and I was given the same line under the same circumstances, I'd make the same exact play again. Stick with your strategies and they'll work out for you in the long run. GL

~~~ Tigger

[thesandman]

Tigger

Thanks for the words. And yes, I would make the same play again. Because I only post plays I feel very good about, I do take losers worse than if I posted many plays.