Saturday, December 09, 2017 Monmouth vs. Kentucky (NCAAB) 12:00 PM EST Kentucky Premium Pick Pinnacle Play Title: 8 Star CBB Power Play Play Selected: Point Spread: -15.0/-106 Analysis: They say it every year in Kentucky when HC John Calipari doesn't re-group but does automatically reloads & watches his team matures. The same CANNOT be said of HC King Rice (ex-Tar Heels player) & his 3-6 SU Monmouth Hawks who return 1 starter from last year's 27-7 team. Yes, this game is almost a home game for Rice & Co. since it's only a little over an hour away. However, the rims @ Madison Square Garden are usually unkind to perimeter shooting teams. Look for Calipari to capitalize on power basketball as they flex their muscle underneath. Look for Freshman Forward Kevin Knox (16.6 PPG) & Freshman Guard Hamidou Diallo (13.6 PPG) to shine as the 7-1 SU Wildcats bump their winning streak up to 6 games. Let's go to New York City's Madison Square Garden to play the KENTUCKY WILDCATS (buying to -13) as my 8 Star CBB Power Play! Murray State vs. Illinois State (NCAAB) 4:00 PM EST Murray State Premium Pick JustBet Play Title: Mike's First CBB Game Of The Year Play Selected: Point Spread: 3.5/-110 Analysis: For my inaugural selection to start the 2017-18 season, we'll pit the Ohio Valley Conference up against the Missouri Valley Conference. After a handful plus games in the books, it certainly looks like graduation has hit hard @ Illinois State. HC Dan Muller & his Redbirds' squad have only 1 starter back this season from last year's 28-7 team that tied Wichita State for the conference title (lost in the NIT's second round). Losing guards Paris Lee & Tony Wills along with forwards MiKyle McIntosh & Deontae Hawkins has clearly showed with their very slow 4-5 record to start this season. They still have some board strength left but the work is still cut out for 6'9' Forward Phil Fayne (lone starter returning) & 7'0" Center David Ndiaye. It's been just the opposite for HC Matt McMahon (3rd year) & his Racers. They finished last year @ 16-17 which represented their 1st losing season in 30 campaigns. Thus far for 2017-18, Murray State has jumped out to a 5-1 SU record led by the Ohio Valley Conference's top scorer last season in 6'0" Guard Jonathan Stark (21.9 PPG). Stark also broke a school record for 3-point FG's last year with 108. Stark & Forward Terrell Miller Jr. (OVC 1st-team LY) are providing an excellent 1-2 punch that's propelled them into the role of conference favorites this season over competitors Belmont & Jacksonville State. The best backcourt on the hardwood today are Towson transfer Guard Byron Hawkins & Stark who should control the tempo & thus keep the Racers in it. Let's go to Redbird Arena in Normal, Illinois to play the MURRAY STATE RACERS (buying to + 5 1/2) as we launch my First CBB Game Of The Year! 2017-18 CBB Overall Seasonal Record: 2-0----100%
 

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