Saturday Feb 13th Picks

Hey there guys,
There were only NHL games yesterday since SEC doesn't have Friday games and the NBA is having its All-Star weekend this weekend but I had a good day in the NHL going 5-2. Today there are some GREAT NHL games but there are also some very interesting match ups in SEC Basketball as well with, LSU at Vanderbilt, South Carolina at Georgia, Arkansas at Alabama, Auburn at Mississippi State, and Tennessee at Kentucky as the big one tonight. Also today Florida plays an out of conference game at home against Xavier. Should be fun. As always guys let me know what you think.



SEC Men's Basketball

LSU 9-15 (0-10) @ #22/#24 Vanderbilt 18-5 (7-2)
12:30pm
TV: ESPN 360
Line: Vandy -15.5

Players to Watch: LSU F Tasmin Mitchell 17.2ppg 9.8rpg 0.4bpg, LSU F Storm Warren 12.0ppg 7.4rpg 1.4bpg

Preview: Vanderbilt, who is just coming off of completing the sweep of instate rival Tennessee, is taking on the worst team in the SEC. After a great win most teams usually have a let down. If you're going to have a letdown effort its best to have it against the worst team in the SEC. Because even a let down effort will still give you a win against the Bayou Bengals. I like Vandy big in this one.

Vanderbilt by 38

South Carolina 14-9 (5-4) @ Georgia 10-12 (2-7)
3:00pm
TV: ESPN 360
Line: UGA -2

Players to Watch: SC G Devan Downey 23.0ppg 3.4apg 3.0spg, UGA F Trey Thompkins 17.0ppg 7.6rpg 1.0bpg, UGA F Travis Leslie 14.5ppg 7.0rpg 1.0bpg

Preview: This looks like a great game as Georgia has been kind of struggling recently and needs a win but South Carolina, who to me keeps playing better as a team, is coming off a big win against Florida at home. While Georgia has been really tough at home this season they play their best at home against ranked opponents. All 3 of their losses come against (currently) unranked opponents. South Carolina takes the sweep.

South Carolina by 4

Arkansas 13-11 (6-3) @ Alabama 13-11 (3-7)
3:00pm
TV: ESPN 360
Line: Bama -6

Players to Watch: Ark G Rotnei Clarke 16.4ppg 1.3apg 1.2spg, Ark F Marshawn Powell 15.0ppg 6.8rpg 1.3bpg, Bama G Mikhail Torrance 15.0ppg 5.5apg 0.8spg, Bama F JaMychal Green 14.5ppg 7.0rpg 2.0bpg

Preview: Arkansas is currently leading the west as they are rolling on a 5 game win streak. Bama has lost 5 of their last 6. But Arkansas has not played great basketball as of late (don't count trouncing LSU) and Bama played Kentucky a great game this past Tuesday. I expect this to be a close first half but they post experience of JaMychal Green gives Arkansas Frosh Marshawn Powell too much and Bama finally holds on in the second half.

Alabama by 4

Xavier 16-7 (8-2 A10) @ Florida 17-7 (6-4)
5:00pm
TV: ESPN
Line: Flo -4.5

Players to Watch: Xav G Jordan Crawford 19.7ppg 2.8apg 1.2spg, Xav G Terrell Holloway 11.1ppg 4.0apg 1.2spg, Xav F Jason Love 11.0ppg 8.4rpg 1.8bpg, Flo G Erving Walker 13.2ppg 5.0apg 1.5spg, Flo Alex Tyus 12.8ppg 7.3rpg 1.0bpg

Preview: I am very interested in this game and will definitely be watching come 5 o'clock because Xavier is an underrated team with one of the better RPIs across the country and I think they are really looking forward to this test with the favored Florida Gators. Florida is coming off a loss at South Carolina this week and is trying to get a win so they can gain some momentum heading into the stretch of the SEC schedule. Xavier gives the Gators a hell of a game but Florida wins in the end.

Florida by 3

Auburn 12-12 (3-6) @ Mississippi State 17-7 (5-4)
6:00pm
TV: ESPN 360
Line: MSU -10

Players to Watch: Aub G DeWayne Reed 15.8ppg 4.3apg 1.4spg, Aub F Lucas Hargrove 13.7ppg 7.3rpg 0.5bpg, MSU G Dee Bost 11.2ppg 5.3apg 1.2spg, MSU F Jarvis Varnado 13.4ppg 11.3rpg 5.0bpg

Preview: One of the best offenses/worst defenses vs. one of the worst offenses/best defenses. I'm a big defensive guy. Lucas Hargrove is a hell of an athlete but I think he gets neutralized in a game that will feature two teams that live and die off the 3 point shot.

Miss State by 19

#12/#12 Tennessee 18-5 (6-3) @ #3/#2 Kentucky 23-1 (8-1)
8:00pm
TV: ESPN
Line: Kent -10

Players to Watch: Tenn G J.P. Prince 8.1ppg 3.2apg 1.5spg, Tenn F Wayne Chism 13.1ppg 7.0rpg 1.5bpg, Kent G John Wall 16.7ppg 6.6apg 1.9spg, Kent G Eric Bledsoe 10.7ppg 3.4apg 1.6spg, Kent F DeMarcus Cousins 16.4ppg 10.1rpg 1.8bpg, Kent F Patrick Patterson 14.9ppg 7.3rpg 1.0bpg

Preview: This is being hyped as one the game of Saturday on ESPN but I wouldn't count on it. Kentucky is easily the best team in the SEC and while the Vols may be the second best team that talent difference and Rupp Arena are gonig to be pretty evident tonight.

Kentucky by 14

NHL

LIGHTNING @ islanders *good game*
Confidence: +

SHARKS @ sabres
Confidence: ++++

SENATORS @ red wings
Confidence: ++

devils @ HURRICANES *good game*
Confidence: +

FLYERS @ canadiens *good game*
Confidence: +

BRUINS @ panthers *good game*
Confidence: +

CAPITALS @ blues
Confidence: +++

stars @ COYOTES
Confidence: ++++

thrashers @ BLACKHAWKS
Confidence: ++++++

DUCKS @ flames *good game*
Confidence: +

NHL Game of the Day
avalanche @ KINGS *good game*
Confidence: +

As always guys let me know what you think.