The Panthers have won all 14 home games this season and are 110-10 all-time in the Petersen Events Center.LA continues to post a 70% against the spread (ATS) record, when discounting alma mater picks, in 2009. But that’s not good enough…as LA wants to prove he can set aside his emotions and make solid picks in games involving his alma mater as well. Tonight’s Backyard Brawl kicks off Rivalry Week on the ESPN family of networks and you can guess where LA will be come 7PM tonight.
West Virginia @ Pittsburgh (-7.5) (7pm, ESPN)
Welcome to the Pete - where the Panthers simply don’t lose. And, as long as all-everything C DeJuan Blair avoids foul trouble, Pittsburgh doesn’t lose period – whether at home or on the road. Blair has averaged 24.3 points on 61.5 percent shooting and 14.7 rebounds in Pitt’s last 3 contests…turning each of them into laughers coming down the stretch. While Blair has been outstanding lately, he has struggled in Pitt's only two losses of the season. He had seven points, eight rebounds and four fouls in a 67-57 loss at then-No. 21 Villanova on Jan. 28 and finished with nine points and 10 boards before fouling out in a 69-63 loss at No. 20 Louisville on Jan. 17. In short, with Blair in the game, forget about it. Without Blair, teams stand a fighting chance…especially away from the friendly confines of the Petersen Event Center. The Mountaineers don’t have a big man who can get Blair into trouble and the game is in Oakland. Blair…um, I mean Pittsburgh…wins going away, 85-72.
Kansas (+4) @ Missouri (9pm, ESPN)
The Jayhawks, despite being undefeated in Big XII league play, continue to be questioned by the experts, as Vegas list them as a two-bucket underdog going into Columbia. This is the second Big Monday appearance in a row for Kansas – who beat Baylor last week in this exact time slot – and the start to a grueling 5-game stretch that will make or break Kansas’ run at the league title. The key matchups are 6’11” C Cole Aldrich versus the undersized Missouri front line and Missouri’s high scoring forwards (DeMarre Carroll and Leo Lyons) versus an underrated KU defense. The Jayhawks have held their last 7 opponents to 67 points or less – largely thanks to the rebounding prowess of Aldrich and few second chance opportunities for their opponents as a result. Playing at home could be a difference maker for the Tigers (and their hot shooting) as they have won 15 consecutive games (averaging 90.5 points at Mizzou Arena) at home. Kansas should not be intimidated though – as they held Missouri to less than 75 points in three of their last four games in Columbia. Defense wins championships, Kansas in the “upset”, 76-74.
Trifecta Bonus Pick: Iona (+1.5) @ Manhattan
