[LLXC]

BEST BET
CENTRAL FLORIDA over RUTGERS by 9
Rutgers final exams were scheduled from December 16-23 so test dates were hurried- ly moved up and final paper assignments adjusted, prompting coach Schiano to say, “There's a lot of pressure on these kids right now, no doubt about it." This is all assum- ing that any key Rutgers players actually attend class, write their own papers or take their own exams. But this much is working against them: Central Florida’s offensive line, with 300-pounders across and a 266-pound tight end, against a Rutgers’ defensive front where the four linemen are all in the 260-270 range. Gorgeous George O’Leary, Mr. Physical Run and Stop the Run, must be thrilled about the match-up. Central Florida’s front four is solid – only four opponents topped 100 rushing yards against them. The Rutgers’ offense averages only 61.5 plays from scrimmage, sixth-fewest in the nation (despite gaining 32 turnovers from the defense). It isn’t a hurry-up unit designed to wear down the opposing defense. Rutgers’ go-to RB Joe Martinek won’t make many tacklers miss, and he only found the end zone 9 times. If the leg injury to Rutgers wideout Tim Brown forces him to miss the game as they’re saying it might, then he will be missed by freshman QB Savage, who has completed only 52.3% of this passes. Brown has 8 TD receptions, no other Rutgers receiver has more than 2. No doubt O’Leary has received a copy of the Rutgers-Syracuse game tapes from his old buds on the Syracuse coaching staff, in plenty of time to set a nice table for a holiday party. CENTRAL FLORIDA, 22-13.

[LLXC]

BEST BET
UTAH over *CHARLOTTE by 11
Larry Brown and the Bobcats have the advantage of having had an easy schedule of late, but it’s not like Charlotte added any frontcourt depth in that time. Anytime one of the ‘Cats’ frontcourt starters get into foul trouble, Larry Brown has to resort to going small or play- ing the likes of Stephen Graham or Derrick Brown. Who? The Jazz are notorious for play- ing physical and getting fouls called, on them or against them, and that will be the strat- egy tonight – similar to how a patient baseball team allows the opposing pitcher to throw too many pitches and get into the opponent’s bullpen. UTAH 96-85

RECOMMENDED
*SAN ANTONIO over INDIANA by 18
It’s four airplane flights this week and counting for the Pacers, who face a Spurs team that’s been lying low at home since Thursday morning. Defense has been the issue for the Spurs and they’ll test their skills against a tired Pacers team that struggles to score on the best of days. SAN ANTONIO 102-84

[LLXC]

BEST BET
*SETON HALL over TEMPLE by 14
The tortoise and the hare do battle in Jersey, where the Owls will look to put this game in slow motion. Usually easier for the home teams to dictate pace and the Pirates can go to school on the Temple-Villanova game played on December 13th to see how the Owls defend an up-tempo, guard-based club. Because Temple constructs buildings with the bricks they shoot, staging a comeback isn’t their strength. SETON HALL, 74-60.

BEST BET
ILLINOIS over GEORGIA by 21 (Duluth, GA)
The Illini excel at making their opponents settle for 3-pointers and shooting from distance isn’t UGA’s game. The Dawgs prefer to rely on the inside game and on getting to the line. Illinois defends the paint without fouling very well – using athletic forwards and super-tall post players to do the dirty work. On offense Illinois is shooting the rock well and point guard McCamey shouldn’t have much trouble doing whatever he wants against a Georgia team that mans a sub-par backcourt. ILLINOIS, 78-57.

RECOMMENDED
MEMPHIS over UMASS by 17 ( Boston, MA)
UMASS will look to push pace, but they’ve got to hold onto the ball if they want to com- pete here. Memphis gets it done on the defensive end by generating turnovers and forc- ing opponents to shoot only 41% from inside of the arch. The Minutemen should take notes – ‘cause they play...well....no D. MEMPHIS, 77-60.

RECOMMENDED
FLORIDA over RICHMOND by 4 (Sunrise, FL)
{Richmond plus the points** Unlike Tiger Woods’ scorecard, this looks to be a low-scoring affair between two teams that are winning with defense. Florida has killed teams that rely heavily on the 3-ball – holding opponents to just 22% shooting from deep. The Spiders weave their web from 2-point land and will look to drive, shoot, and crash the glass. Close game, with the more talented home team pulling away late. FLORIDA, 66-62.