Game: Wyoming at Tennessee Dec 15 2009 7:00PM
Prediction: Tennessee
Reason: Play on Tennessee at 7:00 ET. While most of the campus in Laramie, Wyoming gets ready for this Saturday's New Mexico Bowl (school's 1st bowl appearance since '04 and just their second since '93), the poor basketball team will be served on a platter to 8th ranked Tennessee Tuesday in Knoxville. The Vols moved up a spot in the latest poll thanks to then third-ranked Villanova falling Sunday at Temple, a game we were unfortunate enough to be on the wrong side on. Oh well, it's been a great season (see promo again for full details) and our pain will be Bruce Pearl's pain. This will be just Wyoming's second road game of the season with their first being an 80-77 loss to another one of our favorite's, Denver. Historically, the Cowboys have not been a good road team, particularly when coming off a SU win. Dating all the way back to the '97 season, they are just 33-57 ATS in this situation and if it was a home win that figure drops to 22-42 vs. the number. If they are off BB home wins, they are 7-18 ATS. Tennessee will be excited for this matchup as it is just their second game in 13 days. Their only game last week saw them destroy in-state rival MTSU 75--54. Even better is the fact the Pearl was able to use his bench liberally, showing off his team's depth, as senior guard J.P. Prince led the way with 17 points. This really shapes up as a total mismatch as both teams like to play at around 75 possessions per game, only UT scores far more. The Cowboys weren't even averaging a point per possession heading into the six-point win over Northern Colorado on Saturday, a game which they shot just 40% from the floor. It was the sixth straight game where the team shot 41% or worse from the floor. Good luck against a Vols team that is averaging nearly 93 PPG on this floor. Making matters worse is the fact the Wyoming has been a bit banged up with leading scorer Muojeke missing time. He plays here, but it won't be nearly enough. Tennessee is our 20* CBB Non-Conference Blowout of the Month.
The Sacramento Kings continued their series of frenetic results since leading scorer Kevin Martin went down in early November with a 120-100 win Saturday night at home vs. Minnesota. After the Martin injury, the team would go on to win four straight, then lose four straight, then win four straight, then lose four straight again. To some, Saturday night's win might signal the start of a third positive four-game stretch, but not us. Even without C Greg Oden (out for the year), the Blazers have a tremendous edge over Sacramento on the front line. They lead the league in rebounding and are a staunch defensive club, allowing just 91.7 PPG at home. They give up three points less per game than any other team in the Western Conference. Portland plays very well in the Rose Garden with six of their first eight home victories coming by nine or more points. This will be their first home game following a four-game East Coast swing and just one of two home dates in a 10-game span. Expect a focused effort as they are due for a cover with just four ATS wins over their last 14 games. Sacramento is just 5-15 ATS on the road off BB ATS wins and allows over 107 PPG away from home. Their last visit here resulted in a 32-point loss.
Portland is our 20* Western Conference Game of the Month.
Lenny Del Genio 12/15
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