My 9* Late Breaker is on Iowa St at 9:30 ET.

No. 19 Iowa State checks in at 7-0, as it takes on 7-1 Creighton in a Big East/Big 12 matchup at Omaha. The matchup also features the first meeting between Bluejays head coach Greg McDermott and Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger. The latter served on McDermott's Cyclones staff from 2006-10 when Iowa State went 59-68 during McDermott's tenure as head coach.

Creighton owns a rich basketball tradition but the last two seasons have been pretty special for Doug McDermott's team. The Bluejays won their first-ever Big East title in the 2019-20 season, only to see COVID shutdown the postseason. Then, Creighton spent all season in the top-25 and advanced to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1974 (finished 22-9). At 7-1, Creighton is off to its best start since winning its first 13 games in the 2016-17 campaign. As for Otzelberger, he has quickly changed the Cyclones' fortunes after bolting UNLV to take the Iowa State gig. Iowa St is 7-0 to open the current season, after going 2-22 last season, including 0-18 in the Big 12.

A trio of guards lead the way for Iowa St, starting with standout Izaiah Brockington, who leads the team in scoring (16.6) and rebounding (7.6). He's joined on the perimeter by Kalscheur (13.6) and Hunter (12.1). The team's frontcourt rotation is led by the 6-8 Kunc (6.7 & 4.3), the 6-9 Conditt (5.6 & 5.4) and the 6-8 Enaruna (6.0).

Creighton lost all FIVE starters from last year's team and are rebuilding this season. The starting guards are freshman Nembhard (13.0-3.8-5.3) and O'Connell (3.4 PPG last year), who is averaging 12.0 & 5.9 this season. 7-1 center Kalkbrenner returns (5.9 & 3.5 LY) and is a 'new man,' averaging 13.0 & 5.6. The 6-7 Hawkins is a Div II transfer and chips in 11.9 & 6.5 plus 6-7 freshman Kaluma adds 9.8 & 4.1.

Creighton's lone blemish this season came in a 95-81 loss to Colorado State, which knocked down 20 three-pointers in a win. That contest came as a shock, as the Bluejays have held five previous opponents to 65 or fewer points. Now, the Bluejays will be attempting to beat the Cyclones for the first time since Jan 16, 1990, in Ames. In contrast, the 7-0 Cyclones will be looking for SEVENTH straight win over Creighton. Noting that the Cyclones already own wins this season over then-No. 9 Memphis (by 19 points), then-No. 25 Xavier (12 points) and 2021 Elite Eight team Oregon State (10 points), why shouldn't I 'jump all over' the chance to take about a 'TD' with Iowa St?

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout is on the Sac Kings at 10:10 ET.

The Sacramento Kings fired Luke Walton after a 6-11 start, ending, at least for now, his legendary 166-241 (.408) record as an NBA head coach. However, I'm sure there will be many opportunities for him down the road. The Kings have shown some 'life' and progress since being led by interim head coach Alvin Gentry, going 3-3. The LA Clippers have been without Kawhi up until now and may be without him all season. They visit Sacramento just 12-11, after beating the Lakers Friday night in Staples Center.

The Clippers played the Lakers for the first time this season on Friday night and came away with a 119-115 win to end a season-long three-game losing streak. SIX players reached double digits, with PG (25.6-7.3-5.3) just missing a triple-double with 19-8-9 and Kennard (10.4) matching him with 19 points. Kennard has played all 23 games this season (zero starts), as have PG Jackson (17.3 & 4.0 APG), center Zubac (10.2 & 8.1) and SG Bledsoe (9.7-4.1-3.4), while George has missed just one game. The Clippers had one of their most balanced scoring games of the season against the Lakers, as six players scored between 11 and 21 points. "Seeing us tonight, that's how we got to play," Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said. "That's the blueprint right there." However, Paul George rolled his ankle against the Lakers after initially injuring it against the Warriors but said he's hopeful to play against the Kings (??).

I've been saying the same thing for the last two seasons, the Kings have way more talent than their record indicates. Maybe Gentry, whom players like, can get the most out of these perennial underachievers. pG Fox (20.3 & 5.5) is joined on the perimeter by fellow starter Haliburton (1.5 & 5.5 APG) and Hield (16.2 & 4.3), who seems fine coming off the bench these days. Undersized center Holmes (15.2 & 9.8) has developed into a quality big manSF Barnes (19.0 & 7.2) has been terrific since arriving in Sacramento a few years ago. The Kings would get a major boost with the return of Barnes, who has missed the past four games because of a sprained right foot. He's questionable against the Clippers.

The Clippers win last night snapped a three-game slide, which included 124-115 loss in Los Angeles against these very same Kings. Beating the Clippers in back-to-back games would be a MAJOR step in the right direction for Sacramento and Gentry. The Kings won two of their first three under Gentry, including a wild triple-overtime win at the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov 26, when the lead changed 23 times. However, Sacramento didn't come near that performance in its next two games, losing by 27 points at the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday and by 25 at the Lakers on Tuesday. That bounce-back win 24 hours later against the Clippers was VERY welcoming. Another "W" here would be HUGE. 

Haliburton, for one, said he appreciates Gentry's hands-off style. "Coach Gentry has done a good job in letting the players kind of have a lot to say," he said. "He comes in and we're already talking and having that conversation, and he just lets us go." I'm "all over" the Kings in this one! Expect a double-digit win.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner is on SMU at 6:00 ET.

Vanderbilt's Jerry Stackhouse was just 20-37 in his first two seasons at Nashville, but he has this year's team off to a 5-1 start as the 'Dores visit Dallas to take on a 6-3 SMU team. The Mustangs' Tim Jankovich is just two years removed from severe sanctions that SMU faced due to none other than Larry Brown (great coach but one who knows how to leave a program in the dust!). SMU won 19 games before the 2019-20 season was shut down and then went 11-6 in a season that limited this team to 17 games because of COVID.

Vandy is led by the backcourt duo of Pippen (14.8-4.0-3.2) and Wright (14.8 & 5.3). Stackhouse got great news when Pippen decided to pull himself out of the NBA Draft and return to Nashville but bad news when the 7-0 Robbins (Minnesota grad transfer who averaged 11.7 & 6.6 LY, was sidelined by a foot injury with no timetable for a return. The 6-7 Stute (9.7 & 2.8) and guard Lawrence (8.2 & 3,2) are the team's next-best players. Vandy is NOT a deep team.

Meanwhile, SMU has returning gourds Davis (20.2-5.1-5.7) and Bandoumel (11.2), who can match Vandy's duo of Pippen and Wright. A great story is the reuniting of the Weathers' twins, who last played together at Mia-O back in the 2016-17 season. The two took different paths from there but are now 'one big family' at SMU. Marcus is averaging 11.3 & 6.7, while Michael adds 7.6 & 4.3. Fellow guard Nutall chips in 7.9 PPG plus the 6-10 Clark is a Baylor transfer. He was averaging 14.6 & 6.4 in the 2018-19 season before a serious knee injury forced him to the sidelines. This his last hurrah and he's adding 7.0 & 4.1 in 19 minutes.

I really like this SMU team and note the Mustangs are 6-0 at home, winning by an average of 20.5 PPG. This is just Vandy's second road game and in the team's first, it got a struggling Pittsburgh that the 'Dores beat 68-52. The 'test' will be much tougher here and my P/F grade for "The Harvard of the SEC" is an "F!". Lay the short points.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on Missouri St at 4:00 ET.

BYU and Missouri State will come into their Saturday meeting in Springfield, Mo with each team coming off OT losses on Wednesday. The Cougars moved into the top-25 after a 6-0 start that included a nice win in Salt Lake City over Utah but were upset at neighboring Utah Valley St, 72-65 in overtime, dropping their first game of the season to fall to 6-1. Meanwhile in Normal, Illinois, the Bears (4-3) opened their Missouri Valley Conference schedule with a disappointing 79-74 overtime setback at Illinois State.

Mark Pope is in just his third season at BYU but has delivered a 44-15 two-year mark, including 20-7 last season. BYU got off to its best start under Pope, beating four NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, Cleveland State, San Diego State, Oregon and Texas Southern. The Cougars did not begin the season ranked but moved to No. 18 in the AP poll, before rising to No. 12 (after the Utah win), the school's highest ranking this far into the season in 40 years. BYU lost guard Averette (11.7 PPG / 2nd-leading scorer) and the 7-3 Haarms (11.3 & 5.0) but got the unexpected return of guard Parcello (16.1-4.7-4.2 LY). He leads in scoring at 18.3 PPG and is surrounded by a 'deep' cast. Guard Lucas (10.1 & 5.0 APG) is the only other double-digit scorer but fellow guards Johnson (9.0 & 3.1) and Traore (6.8 & 6.5) are solid contributors. Up front, there are the 6-9 Baxter (7.6 & 3.4), the 6-8 Lohner (7.0 & 67.7) and the 6-6 George (5.7 & 7.0). George was sidelined because of a non-COVID illness vs Utah Valley St and then Baxter tore an anterior cruciate ligament.in the first half and is now out for the season.

Dana Ford is in his fourth season at Missouri St and led the Bears to a 17-7 record plus had all FIVE starters coming back. The 6-9 Prim (19.5) was the first-ever Missouri St player to lead the MVC in scoring and this season is averaging 20.0 PPG plus a team-high 10.6 RPG. The 6-8 Clay (8.7 & 4.7) joins him in the frontcourt. Mosley (18.3 & 5.1) leads a backcourt that also includes returning players Black (8.4), Hervey (6.2) and Sharp (5.4). The 6-8 Minnett is a Valpo grad transfer, and the swingman adds 12.8 PPG. Sharp will be unavailable due to a leg injury but besides that, Missouri St is "good to go."

Missouri St has underachieved so far, and I believe BYU is somewhat overrated and that was BEFORE the Cougars saw George sidelined with an illness and Baxter was lost for the season. I believe the WRONG team is favored in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My free play is on Gonzaga at 8:00 ET.

Nate Oats spent four years at Buffalo and went 59-13 in his last two, making the Big Dance each time. That allowed him the opportunity to come to Alabama and after a 16-15 first season (COVID) he led the Tide to a 26-7 record and a Sweet 16 appearance. Gone from that team is the 6-7 Jones (11.2 & 6.6), who was not only the SEC player-of-the-year but also the league's Defensive POY. Also gone is veteran guard Petty (12.6 & 5.2). However, the Tide have plenty of talent left. They opened No. 14 in the AP's preseason poll and visit Seattle with a 6-1 record and a No. 16 ranking.

Gonzaga has done everything BUT win a national championship under Mark Few and as all know, the 'Zags' were No. 1 wire-to-wire last season until losing to Baylor in the national championship game (finished 31-1). Gone from Gonzaga's near-perfect team last year are the 6-7 Kispert (18.6 & 5.0), PG Suggs (14.4-5.3-4.5) and guard Ayayi (12.0 & 6.9) but Mark Few's team hasn't missed a beat. The 6-10 Timme and PG Nembhard returned, joined by a recruiting haul that netted Gonzaga THREE of nation's top 25 high school recruits in ESPN's rankings, including 7-footer Chet Holmgren, the top overall prospect who has been called a "unicorn." Gonzaga impressed early with an 86-74 win over then-No. 5 Texas and an 83-63 rout of then-No. 2 UCLA. However, Gonzaga went ice-cold at the end of its Nov. 26 meeting in Las Vegas with then-No. 5 Duke, losing 84-81.

Alabama suffered a 72-68 upset loss on Thanksgiving Day to Rick Pitino's Iona at an ESPN tournament in Florida but has rebounded with victories over Drake and Miami. Its 96-64 rout of Miami on Sunday featured 53.6 percent shooting, including a 16-of-30 performance on three-pointers, and a 42-23 domination on the boards. "I thought our second half was as good as any we've played this year," Tide coach Nate Oats said. "It was good to get that under our belt before we left for Seattle. We made shots and got the ball moving." Alabama did return its top-two scorers from last season and guards Shackelford and Quinerly are again leading the way. Shackelford checks in at 15.0 & 6.4 and Quinerly at 14.6 & 6.0 APG. Swingman Ellis adds 13.3 & 7.3 plus freshman center Bediako (7.1 & 4.9) is starting, while 6-6 freshman Miles (8.4) is coming off the bench to give the team a spark. So are guards Davison (8.3) and Gurley (7.0), while the 6-6 Gary (8.6 & 6.8) starts up front with Bediako.

Mark Few didn't quite get the bounce-back effort he had hoped for after losing to Duke, as his team looked "disinterested'' in a 64-55 win over Tarleton State on Monday. Despite committing 16 turnovers and being tied with the lightly regarded Texans deep into the second half, the third-ranked Bulldogs used a 22-4 advantage in transition points to avoid what would have been a whopping upset. Gonzaga basically uses a six-man rotation this season, led by the 6-10 Timme (17.4 & 5.8), 6-7 freshman Strawther (14.0 & 7.0) and prized freshman Holmgren (13.8 & 7.0). The starting guards are transfer Bolton (11.6) and returning guard Nembhard (9.3 & 5.4 APG) plus 6th-man Hickman chips in 7.4. 

This game will not be held at Gonzaga's home gym (McCarthey Athletic Center in Spokane) but rather in Seattle, but it will still feel like a road game to the Tide. Gonzaga ranks first in Division I in field goal percentage (54.5) and tied for eighth in points per game (86.8). Holmgren is connecting on 71% of his FG attempts and Timme on 69% of his. Methinks that Few will get that "bounce-back' effort he was hoping on Monday, here. How could anyone expect the Bulldogs to get up" for Tarleton State? However, Alabama is a 'horse of a different color,' and the Tide gets 'rolled' in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Signature 38-Club Play is on Pittsburgh at 8:00 ET

The 10-2 Pittsburgh Panthers (AP No. 17) and the 10-2 Wake Forest Demon Deacons meet Saturday in the ACC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte (no Clemson this year, after the Tigers had won the last SIX!). Pat Narduzzi was hired as Pitt's head coach on Dec 26, 2014. He led Pitt to bowl games in FOUR of his first five seasons, before last year's team went 6-5 but declined an invite due to COVID conditions. However, this year has been special, as Pitt has lost at least three games in every season since 1981 and has not ended a season in the AP top-25 since the 1982 season. That could all change this season, beginning with the ACC title game. Dave Clawson is in his eighth season at Winston-Salem and considering his record was 40-45 coming into the 2021 season, it's safe to say that this is the best team he's had. The Demon Deacons opened 8-0 (first time in school history) and with a dominating 41-10 win last Saturday at Boston College, clinched the Atlantic Division with a 7-1 record (Pitt was 7-1 in the Coastal).

Pitt QB Kenny Pickett was not among the preseason Heisman-favorites but he's sure played like a Heisman-winner in 2021. He's completing 67.7% for 4,066 yards with 40 TDs and just seven INTs (he broke Dan Marino's single-season record of 37 TDs). Two RBs top 500 yards and a third has over 450, as the Pitt running game (157.8 YPG) gives the Pitt offense balance. WR Addison (85 catches / 15.9 YPC / 17 TDs) is among the top WRs in the nation and Pittsburgh averages 42.8 PPG (4th) on 514.5 YPG (3rd). The defense allows 23.3 PPG (44th), which is plenty good enough for a team that scores almost TWICE what it allows.

Wake's offense is averaging 42.9 PPG (3rd) on 483.7 YPG (9th). QB Hartman can almost match Pickett's numbers, completing 60.3% for 3,711 yards with 34 TDs and 10 INTs (he also has 10 rushing TDs!). Much like Pitt's running game, Wake has three RBs that have run for between 429 and 557 yards, as the team averages 168.2 YG on the ground. Hartman has two, 1000-yard WRs in Roberson (62 catches / 16.5 YPC / 8 TDs) and Perry (56 catches / 19.9 YPC / 13 TDs). The real difference between the two teams is that Wake's defense allows 29.1 PPG, about a TD more per game that Pitt's D.

Bank of America Stadium tops is considered a neutral field but Winston-Salem is only about 80 miles from Charlotte, so Wake will likely have more fans. However, Pittsburgh has won all FIVE of its away games this season. After winning by seven at Tennessee, the Panthers won their next four road games by 31, 21, 25 and 17 points. Wake's defense is an issue and note that Pitt has gone 9-1 ATS in its 10 SU wins this season, the only blemish coming in a 48-38 win at UVA, where the Panthers were laying 13 points. Hartman's terrific but he is NOT as good as Pickett plus the Pitt defense owns a significant edge over Wake's "D." A win here would put a 'cherry on top' of Pitt's season, as the Panthers would head to a New Year's Six Bowl. That's my bet.

Good luck...Larry