<b>DREXEL (4-5, 1-0 CAA) plus 2 1/2 vs. OLD DOMINION (6-1, 1-0 CAA)</b>
Gametime 3 PM EST..
One of ODU'S STARTING GUARDS, Brian Henderson, is INJURED (ankle) and it is almost a certainty that he will not play much, if at all...
This information is NOT OUT yet on the DON BEST screen for what it's worth...
There's no doubt DREXEL will be outscored down low. Dahi, Loughton and VV are tough match ups for Drexel, but the good news is they have Frank and Randy O who can defend well, which they certainly have not had in years past.
So Drexel is going to be outscored down there, but the key is going to be just keeping it within reason, slowing ODU down, and I think they can do this.
The biggest difference I see with ODU this year is that I'm really not impressed with their guard play. Hunter is taking 11 shots a game to get 11 ppg, and he is struggling overall. He'll be on Dom and unless Hunter finally finds his shot out of nowhere, that should be a match up Drexel wins easily.
Williamson is ODU'S PG, and he has played WELL this year, including 43% from 3. Bash is capable of shutting him down. If he does, and they get a combined 20 or so (which is what they are averaging) out if the 1-2 spots, Drexel will be right in this thing.
Also, ODU will have ONE LESS STARTING GUARD in its rotation with Henderson playing LIMITED MINUTES at most!!!
That should definitely be another advantage for DREXEL...
The other good news is ODU does NOT roll deep. 8 guys really contribute, and once you get past Val, its a significant drop off between the starter and bench player. Without Henderson, that number drops to 7...
And finally, if the refs call a tight game as they did this past Saturday at Drexel's Home Court , its another BIG advantage for Drexel...
This is a very winnable game for DREXEL. While ODU got lucky to WIN by one point there last year on a last second shot, ODU got buried there the year before...
DREXEL plays outstanding DEFENSE too, and these are the types of teams that give ODU fits as evidenced in their last game at HOME, which they were LUCKY to WIN 54-53 against GMU as a 5 1/2 point favorite...
Also, let's not forget this DREXEL team has had a very tough out of conference schedule thus far, losing by only 78-68 to DUKE that was closer than the Final Score and by only 1 to UCLA earlier in the year on the Road at Madison Square Garden...
Do not get worried about their record, since most of there games were on the ROAD earlier this year, and most importantly, DREXEL is UNDEFEATED at HOME...
In a game that I consider to be a toss up, the 2 1/2 points is a gift...
<b>DREXEL plus 2 1/2 points is my STRONGEST BET and PICK this year!</b>
I do believe DREXEL will WIN outright for what it's worth..
Best of Luck,
THE SHRINK
Gametime 3 PM EST..
One of ODU'S STARTING GUARDS, Brian Henderson, is INJURED (ankle) and it is almost a certainty that he will not play much, if at all...
This information is NOT OUT yet on the DON BEST screen for what it's worth...
There's no doubt DREXEL will be outscored down low. Dahi, Loughton and VV are tough match ups for Drexel, but the good news is they have Frank and Randy O who can defend well, which they certainly have not had in years past.
So Drexel is going to be outscored down there, but the key is going to be just keeping it within reason, slowing ODU down, and I think they can do this.
The biggest difference I see with ODU this year is that I'm really not impressed with their guard play. Hunter is taking 11 shots a game to get 11 ppg, and he is struggling overall. He'll be on Dom and unless Hunter finally finds his shot out of nowhere, that should be a match up Drexel wins easily.
Williamson is ODU'S PG, and he has played WELL this year, including 43% from 3. Bash is capable of shutting him down. If he does, and they get a combined 20 or so (which is what they are averaging) out if the 1-2 spots, Drexel will be right in this thing.
Also, ODU will have ONE LESS STARTING GUARD in its rotation with Henderson playing LIMITED MINUTES at most!!!
That should definitely be another advantage for DREXEL...
The other good news is ODU does NOT roll deep. 8 guys really contribute, and once you get past Val, its a significant drop off between the starter and bench player. Without Henderson, that number drops to 7...
And finally, if the refs call a tight game as they did this past Saturday at Drexel's Home Court , its another BIG advantage for Drexel...
This is a very winnable game for DREXEL. While ODU got lucky to WIN by one point there last year on a last second shot, ODU got buried there the year before...
DREXEL plays outstanding DEFENSE too, and these are the types of teams that give ODU fits as evidenced in their last game at HOME, which they were LUCKY to WIN 54-53 against GMU as a 5 1/2 point favorite...
Also, let's not forget this DREXEL team has had a very tough out of conference schedule thus far, losing by only 78-68 to DUKE that was closer than the Final Score and by only 1 to UCLA earlier in the year on the Road at Madison Square Garden...
Do not get worried about their record, since most of there games were on the ROAD earlier this year, and most importantly, DREXEL is UNDEFEATED at HOME...
In a game that I consider to be a toss up, the 2 1/2 points is a gift...
<b>DREXEL plus 2 1/2 points is my STRONGEST BET and PICK this year!</b>
I do believe DREXEL will WIN outright for what it's worth..
Best of Luck,
THE SHRINK
