Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The Miami Heat host the Toronto Raptors in what would be a tough matchup any night, but will be even tougher without Andrea Bargnani. Bargnani is still out with a leg injury and the Raptors will have their hands full in South Beach.
Both teams are coming off wins Friday night, but even the competition was drastically different for the two teams. Miami blew out a quality Philadelphia 76ers team, while the Raptors handled one of the NBA‘s worst in the Washington Wizards.
The Raptors are 5-10 on the road this season, and the Heat are 10-2 at home. This is the first meeting between these two teams this year, and the numbers point to a Miami beatdown, but let’s take a look at the particulars all the same.
Where: AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL
When: Sunday, February 5 at 1 p.m. EDT
Watch: TSN, Sun Sports, NBA League Pass
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Listen: FAN590 in Toronto, 790-AM, 760-AM in Miami
Betting Line: Miami -16
Key Injuries
Miami: No Injuries to Report
Toronto: Andrea Bargnani (Calf)
What’s At Stake?
Miami can’t afford a home loss, especially to a team like Toronto. This is clearly a game they should win, and it could present an opportunity to rest their Big Three, if they can grab a big lead.
Miami had just suffered a troubling second defeat to the Milwaukee Bucks, and they responded well in Philly. Now they would love to keep the momentum going.
The Raptors would love to grab this win. If they pull the upset, it’ll be the biggest win they score all year long, and it will create a modest two-game win streak.
It will also help this team’s confidence in performing at a high level without arguably their best player in Bargnani.
What They’re Saying
The Heat held an intense meeting after blowing an 18-point lead to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night and they came out ready to play in Philly. Here is what LeBron James had to say about the nature of the meeting:
It was no-holds barred, no tongues being held. If we’re going to be held to a championship standard, we need to go out and play like it. No one can take things personal if someone says something to him. We’ve got to take constructive criticism.
LeBron knows more about being criticized than any other player on the planet, and all of it isn’t always constructive. This team is so talented, the only team that can defeat them is themselves. You’ve heard that cliche used so often, but with the Heat, it’s true.
On the Toronto side, the Raptors are already missing Bargnani, but Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star and others are already wondering about the end of the star’s contract.
Will he be the next Canadian star to leave for a team in the states when he’s a free agent?
To that, Bargnani responds: “I don’t think it’s fair to ask me if I want to leave one day, because I think I’ve demonstrated the opposite,” he says. “I think it’s pretty clear that I’d like to stay in Toronto.”
Bargnani is certainly a prime-time scorer, and the Raptors are building a nice nucleus of players in Toronto. Yet, even with a healthy Bargnani, the Raptors still need a point guard and a center. Jonas Valanciunas, this year’s lottery selection, may fit the bill as center when he can join the team next season. The point guard could be had in this year’s deep draft.
Keeping Bargnani starts with building a winner, and the pieces are being put in place to do that.
Heat Player To Watch: LeBron James
You could say this every night for the Heat, but especially against the Raptors. LeBron is averaging a sick 28 points per game in his career against Toronto, including a 56-point explosion in 2005. The King also has three triple doubles against the Raptors in his career.
It just might be a DVR-type of night in South Beach.
Toronto Player To Watch: DeMar DeRozan
DeRozan has to step up in Bargnani’s absence, but his offense has regressed from last year. In the 2010-2011 season, DeRozan scored 17 per game—but now, in a situation where the team needs him, he has slipped to 14 points per game.
He has improved his three-point shooting from the dismal nine percent it was last season, to a still unimpressive 29 percent. He has already taken almost as many threes (45) as he took all last year (52), and the increase in long-distance attempts has submarined his overall field-goal percentage.
He is down from 47 percent last year to 38 percent this season.
The Raptors need a big game from him to have a shot, as he is one of the few players who can run the floor with the Heat.
Key Matchup: James Johnson vs. LeBron James
Now before you laugh, Johnson has been playing the most minutes at SF of any Raptor. He currently leads the team in blocks and steals, and is establishing himself as a solid defender.
That said, we all remember the extreme posterization of Johnson at the hands of James, while Johnson was a Bull and James was a Cav. If you don’t, here it is:
What are the odds we see something like that again? I don’t know, but if Johnson can play solid defense and make LeBron pay attention to him on the other end, he’ll have done his part to pull the upset.
Prediction
Heat 104, Raptors 90
Toronto will always play hard under Dwayne Casey, but defeating the Heat on the road will be too tall a task for the shorthanded Raptors.
The Heat are ready to go on one of those long win streaks, and this will make two in a row.
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LA Lakers vs. Utah Jazz: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
While the Utah Jazz have been solid this season, the Los Angeles Lakers have been playing hot over their last few games, winning four of their last five.
The Jazz have lost four of their last six games and both of the games they played against the Lakers this season. Let’s hope this game is more like the OT thriller instead of the 25-point blowouts we had in their last two meetings.
Where: Energy Solutions Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
When: Saturday, February 4, 9:00 p.m. ET
Watch: Not Nationally Televised
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Listen: ESPN Radio
Betting Line: Covers.com
Over/Under: 185, Spread: Utah -2
Injuries: CBS Sports
Lakers
Steve Blake, Out
Jazz
Earl Watson, Doubtful
Raja Bell, Questionable
Devin Harris, Probable
Lakers Player to Watch: Kobe Bryant
In two games against the Jazz this season, Kobe is averaging 33 points, over five assists and over six rebounds. Considering that the Lakers won both games, it looks like the catalyst for the Lakers again will be Kobe Bryant. What a surprise.
Jazz Player to Watch: C.J. Miles
With the clear advantage going for the Lakers when it comes to the starters, there is no doubt that the Jazz have the better bench. With the older L.A. starters sitting longer, it will give a bench player like Miles the chance to shine. Expect 15-18 points from the role player when the Jazz need them most.
What They’re Saying
@DodgersLakers talks about this rivalry’s recent matchups:
Pro BMX rider James Foster is reporting that he will be doing the halftime show tonight:
Key Matchup: Al Jefferson vs. Andrew Bynum
I love watching the big men down low fight it out for every inch. Tonight will be a heavyweight battle that should have fans of low-post action on their feet. Al Jefferson is the Jazz duel-threat scorer/rebounder and doesn’t take no for an answer. The unstoppable force to Jefferson’s immovable object is Andrew Bynum. When these two get together, expect a fight for every point and every rebound.
Prediction: Lakers 96, Jazz 88
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Nets vs. Knicks: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
NBA fans are in for what should be a thriller of a matchup between the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire will try to find an answer to their recent struggles, while Deron Williams and the New Jersey Nets are hoping to pull of an upset.
The showdown in the Big Apple features a plethora of All-Star talent, yet both teams have found their fair share of struggles this season.
The Knicks come into this contest playing as poorly as any team in the NBA. Anthony and company have lost 11 of their last 13 games, as the downward spiral only seems to be getting worse for this team.
An inability to defend and a lack of movement on the offensive end has put the Knicks’ playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. The team ranks No. 24 in assists per game and No. 20 in rebounds per game.
The Nets are looking for the team’s second win in three games. New Jersey will have a chance to prove their worth in what will be a telling game in determining rest of the team’s season.
Here is everything NBA fans need to know about this marquee matchup.
Where: New York, New York @ Madison Square Garden
When: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012 @ 7:30 PM EST
Watch: MSG, YES
Listen: WFAN 660, ESPN 1050 (New York)
Betting Line: According to Predictem.com, the New York Knicks are three-point favorites heading into the matchup.
Key Injuries: The Knicks are still without their PG Baron Davis, while Stoudemire continues to play while still dealing with an ankle injury.
The Nets have SG Anthony Morrow listed on the injury report, as he is also tending to an ankle injury. In his last outing, Morrow scored a whopping 42 points.
What They’re Saying: Let it be known that the Nets just might have a chance in this one. The absence of Baron Davis has been evident for the Knicks this season, as the offense has looked stagnant and not fluid enough to produce for four quarters.
Most Important Player to Watch: Anthony Morrow.
In his last outing, Morrow went off for 42 points and made Deron Williams and himself look like the most dynamic back court in basketball. The two combined for 54 points, 16 assists (14 by Williams) and nine rebounds.
Expect big things from Morrow if the Nets decide to pull off the upset in this one.
Prediction: Despite the Knicks’ major struggles as of late, it will be all the more reason to beat a team that they are clearly more talented than. The Knicks and Nets don’t differ much in record, but talent-wise, the Knicks undoubtedly have them beat.
After taking the Celtics down to the final seconds, expect the Knicks to take care of business and beat a team they should and will beat.
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Chicago Bulls: Is Luol Deng More Valuable Than Derrick Rose?
Derrick Rose is the undisputed leader of the Chicago Bulls who is capable both facilitating and carrying the team to victory.
Luol Deng is Chicago’s most versatile player who contributes to the team in every facet of the game.
Chicago has played five games this season without their undisputed leader and amassed a 4-1 record.
Luol Deng has missed seven consecutive games and is expected to miss more. So far, the Bulls have accrued a 4-3 record. The most recent win against the New York Knicks could’ve very easily went the other way.
In the Rose-less stretch of the season Chicago still played pretty solid basketball on both ends of the court.
The offense was able to put up a respectable 98.2 points per game while the defense was still able to lock down opponents holding them to just 85.4 points per game.
With the exception of a complete breakdown against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Bulls received contributions from just about everyone on the roster to help continue their early season winning ways.
Over the course of this continuing stretch without Deng, the Bulls have gone 4-3 scoring 97.8 points and allowing 96.4 points, a significantly narrower margin of victory.
While Chicago ended their stretch without Rose on three game-winning streak, they have yet to even post consecutive wins sans Deng.
These contrasting performances bring up a very intriguing question.
Is Luol Deng more important to the Bulls’ success than Derrick Rose?
The big swing in points allowed obviously shows that the defense is severely lacking stopping power without Deng on the floor; however, other major categories show very little change.
The Bulls currently average 44.9 rebounds per game. That number was slightly higher without Rose at 45.6 and a little lower without Deng, 42.1.
Their 22.3 assists per game average was virtually the same without Rose at 22.6 and less than one assist lower without Deng, 21.5.
Chicago’s 96.3 overall points scored average is actually below what the team averaged without Rose and Deng.
Despite these statistical similarities, and intentionally omitting the obvious defensive disparities, it is the offensive aspect where the Bulls have suffered more than what one might have thought.
The most evident observation that can made here is that Rose’s scoring has gone up (28.4 ppg), but his assists have gone down (6.7 apg) without Deng being active.
Despite the overall team assist average not budging much, there is an obvious lack of offensive continuity without Deng on the court to keep the ball moving. This problem has been exacerbated with Richard Hamilton’s absence, as well.
Without Deng, there’s no one on the floor who demands enough respect to keep a wing defender from helping on Rose.
Kyle Korver can keep running off multiple screens, but Ronnie Brewer still isn’t enough of an offensive threat to keep his defender honest.
Without Deng presenting that second scoring/assist option, the burden to either score or create falls exclusively to Rose.
This void causes Chicago to fall back into the same habits of seasons’ past of Rose handling the ball while the bigs set picks and everyone else just kind of stands around.
The assist average remains comparable, but it doesn’t come from continuous ball movement allowing everyone to both touch and move without the ball. Rose merely drives and passes. That stagnation severely hinders player contributions.
This team relapse is the biggest adverse side-effect of Deng’s absence.
But still, is he more valuable to the team than Rose?
The short answer is no. The explanative answer requires a look at who the Bull played in each player’s absence.
Chicago’s stretch without Rose was against teams that did not have winning records. Their losses without Deng were to the Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. Those were teams who could’ve beaten Chicago even if the Bulls were fully manned.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that Rose is more valuable than Deng either. The deficiencies shown in both players’ absences underscore the importance of the Bulls needing both men on the floor in order to have the best chances of winning.
Both Rose and Deng do so many things so well that they are able to make up for a supporting player’s shortages more than a reserve player can pick up Rose and Deng’s slack during their absence.
The Bulls are a complete team, and that totality works both to their benefit and to their detriment. They are nearly unstoppable with all hands on deck but often struggle when key players are absent.
Deng’s time off calls attention to some of the other areas in which Chicago could use improvement.
The value of Rose and Deng are equivocally apparent, and the one thing that’s for sure is that the Bulls need them both if they are going to win a title.
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Heat vs. 76ers: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The balance of power in the Eastern Conference will swing one way or another when the Miami Heat take their show on the road to play the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.
The Heat are on fire right now, winning eight of their last 10 games. They did suffer a loss against Milwaukee on Wednesday, but even the best teams are allowed slip-ups occasionally.
Speaking of teams on a roll, the 76ers are playing like the best team in the East right now. They are 16-6 and coming off a dominant 16-point victory over Chicago on Wednesday. Their efficiency on offense and hard-nosed defensive play have made them one of the most feared teams in the league.
Where: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA
When: Friday, Feb. 3 at 7:30 p.m. EDT
Watch: Sun Sports (Miami); Comcast Sports (Philadelphia)
Live Stream: NBA League Pass
Betting Line: Miami (-3.5) according to Vegas Insider
Key Injuries (according to CBS Sports)
The 76ers have two big men battling injuries coming into this game. Nikola Vucevic is dealing with a knee injury, but is listed as probable for tonight’s game.
On the flip side, Spencer Hawes’ Achilles injury has left him doubtful for this game. He has missed the previous nine games.
What’s At Stake?
Both of these teams will be featured prominently in the Eastern playoff race, so the winner of this game will have a small psychological advantage over the other until they meet again.
The first time they played on January 21, Miami won by 21 points. That was a wake-up call for the 76ers, who have won five-of-six games since that loss. This will be their chance to prove they belong among the elite crop of teams in the NBA.
Heat Player To Watch: SG Dwyane Wade
After missing six games with an ankle injury, Wade has come back nicely with at least 22 points in three of his first four games since returning.
His presence in the lineup changes everything that the Heat want to do. He gives them an aura and attitude that no one else can match. LeBron James is great, but he is not the heart and soul of this team.
Wade has to be the one to take charge in order for the Heat to be victorious against the 76ers.
76ers Player To Watch: SF Andre Iguodala
Remember last year, when everyone was saying that the 76ers needed to blow the whole thing up by trading Andre Iguodala?
He is the lynchpin that this young 76ers team needs to compete against everyone else. He is no longer the player who needs to take 15-20 shots in order to be effective. He is scoring when he has to, but his passing and rebounding have improved dramatically.
His leadership and attitude have rubbed off on everyone else, and he has to continue to make his teammates believe they can contend against the big boys in the NBA.
Key Matchup: LeBron James vs. Andre Iguodala
James has been able to exert his will against anyone he wants to this season. As strange as it is to say, because his greatness gets talked about all the time, he has actually improved in a lot of ways this season.
He looks more comfortable running the offense and is doing more to get everyone else involved instead of trying to do everything on his own.
Iguodala will have to do his best to contain James on defense while not giving up anything on offense. No one has had much success in doing that so far, but perhaps Iguodala will be the exception.
Prediction
People continue to undersell the 76ers, but playing at home against the Heat will be their chance to show they are for real.
76ers 94, Heat 91
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North Carolina vs. Maryland: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The Maryland Terrapins hope for their biggest win of the season tomorrow afternoon as they host the No. 6 North Carolina Tar Heels. The Terps have lost four of five, dropping to 3-4 in ACC play and three games behind the co-leaders from Chapel Hill.
Where
Comcast Center (College Park)
When
Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET.
Watch
ESPN, or live stream at ESPN3.com
Listen
North Carolina: 1360 WCHL-AM
Maryland: 105.7 WJZ-FM
Betting Line
Tar Heels -13, according to docsports.com. With Harrison Barnes unlikely to be 100 percent, the Tar Heels are a poor pick to cover such a large spread on the road.
Key Injuries
North Carolina SG Dexter Strickland (knee), out for season according to cbssports.com
North Carolina SF Harrison Barnes (ankle), “in doubt” for Saturday vs. Maryland as reported by the Charlotte Observer.
What’s At Stake?
Maryland is all but out of the running for the NCAA Tournament, but a win here would certainly help its NIT appeal. The Tar Heels, who already suffered one humiliating road upset at Florida State, must avoid another conference loss to stay in a first-place tie heading into Wednesday’s showdown with archrival Duke.
What They’re Saying
North Carolina coach Roy Williams saw a silver lining in his team’s awful shooting performance against Wake Forest on Tuesday. “It was an ugly game,” he told ESPN, “and sometimes you have to win ugly if you’re going to have a great year.”
Maryland’s head man, Mark Turgeon, is facing the coach under whom he served as an assistant at Kansas, but he knows he has bigger problems tomorrow. As he told the Washington Post, “I’m not worried about coaching against Coach Williams. It’s more about Harrison Barnes and all those studs they run out there on the floor.”
North Carolina Player to Watch
SF Harrison Barnes is battling an ankle injury for the second time this season. Considering that the last time he was questionable for a start—back on November 30—he scored 20 points on the vaunted Wisconsin defense, Barnes could be in for another big showing.
Maryland Player to Watch
SG Terrell Stoglin has put the team on his back this season, averaging an ACC-high 21.8 points per game. If the Terps are to have any chance at scoring the upset here, Stoglin must light up a Tar Heel team that’s without its best perimeter defender in Dexter Strickland.
Key Matchup
North Carolina C Tyler Zeller vs. Maryland C Alex Len. Even if he comes off the bench as he’s been doing lately, the 7’1” Len will be Maryland’s best weapon against the 7’0” Zeller and his 15 points per game.
Prediction
Maryland couldn’t put up much of a fight against Duke on this floor, and North Carolina won’t be any easier a foe. Stoglin and backcourt mate Pe’Shon Howard will put up a fight, but the Terps don’t have enough weapons to run with the high-scoring Tar Heels.
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Kentucky vs. South Carolina: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
The 9-12 South Carolina Gamecocks will host the No. 1, 22-1 Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday evening. The game has implications for both teams, as an upset would be huge for South Carolina, while Kentucky wants to keep its momentum rolling.
South Carolina has had a rough season as it currently sits in the SEC basement with a 1-6 record. The Gamecocks entered conference play on a roll, but it certainly hasn’t carried over. South Carolina was outclassed by the Wildcats in their previous meeting earlier in the season.
The Wildcats continue to roll, as the only blemish on their record is a one-point loss to Indiana in early December. Kentucky has earned its No. 1 ranking and has steamrolled the competition in conference play. The Wildcats enter this next game as prohibitive favorites.
Most expect Kentucky to dominate, but you never know what might happen in a conference road game.
Where: Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C.
When: Saturday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. EST
Watch: ESPN
Live Stream: ESPN3.com
Listen: WKYM 101.7 FM (Kentucky) and WISW 1320 AM (South Carolina)
Betting Line: Kentucky (-10.5)
Kentucky Key Injuries (According to USA Today):
Out: G Jon Hood (knee), G Sam Malone (knee)
South Carolina Key Injuries (According to USA Today):
No Injuries to Report
What’s at Stake?
This certainly isn’t a monumental game, but both teams could use a win. South Carolina isn’t going anywhere this year, but a win over the No. 1 team would give the Gamecocks a lot of momentum moving forward. The Wildcats are firmly in the NCAA Tournament, but it’s very important for them to make sure they don’t let their guard down against inferior opponents.
What They’re Saying
Things got physical in the Wildcats’ recent victory over the LSU Tigers, as LSU forward Malcolm White was charged with a flagrant foul against Kentucky freshman Anthony Davis. In order to apologize for his actions, White sent letters to both Davis and Kentucky head coach John Calipari. SEC spokesman Craig Pinkerton considers it an open-and-shut case, according to Jerry Tipton of Kentucky.com.
‘The game officials ruled the penalty on the play was a flagrant foul, which included the ejection of the offending player,’ Pinkerton wrote in an email. ‘Since the fighting rule was not invoked, there would be no further suspension.’
Kentucky Player to Watch: F Anthony Davis
Kentucky has seven players who contribute in a big way, so it’s tough to single anyone out, but freshman forward Anthony Davis has been absolutely spectacular. He leads the Wildcats in scoring (13.5 PPG), rebounding (10.2 RPG) and blocks (4.7 BPG). He is one of the most talented young players in the nation and that will be apparent against South Carolina.
South Carolina Player to Watch: F Malik Cooke
South Carolina is far from an explosive team, but the one player it relies upon to be an offensive force is senior forward Malik Cooke. He leads the team in scoring with nearly 13 points per game and is also one of the Gamecocks’ leading rebounders and assist men. South Carolina’s chances of an upset are slim, but if it’s going to happen, then Cooke has to play out of his mind.
Key Matchup: Davis and Kidd-Gilchrist vs. South Carolina Bigs
Kentucky is better than South Carolina in a lot of ways, but the most glaring talent disparity is on the front line. The Wildcats have a pair of fabulous freshman bigs in Anthony Davis and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, both of whom are capable of taking over a game. The Gamecocks have nobody to match up with those players, so it will be vital for Kentucky to make the most of its edge in that department.
Prediction
Kentucky 76, South Carolina 62
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Michigan vs. Michigan State: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
Michigan (17-6, 7-3) and Michigan State (17-5, 6-3) will continue to battle for Big Ten supremacy on Super Bowl Sunday. It’s the second meeting of the season between the two rivals, with the Wolverines picking up a 60-59 victory over the Spartans last month.
The Wolverines picked up an impressive road win against Indiana on Wednesday. It was the team’s fourth victory over a ranked opponent this season. They would like to develop more consistency, though, having alternated wins and losses over their past seven games dating back to mid-January.
Michigan State is coming off an excruciating loss to Illinois. The Spartans shot a dreadful 24 percent from the field and yet lost by just one point. If they fall one game short of winning the regular-season Big Ten title, they will look back at that performance as a failed opportunity.
Where: Breslin Center in East Lansing, Mich.
When: Sunday, Feb. 5 at 1 p.m. ET
Watch: CBS
Listen: WWJ 950 AM (Michigan) or WJIM 1240 AM (Michigan State)
Live Streaming Audio: Spartans Radio Network
Betting Line: Not yet available
Key Injuries (via USA Today)
Michigan: Eso Akunne (out, foot) and Jon Horford (questionable, foot)
Michigan State: Draymond Green (probable, knee)
What’s at Stake?
This game is crucial for both teams as the Big Ten schedule begins to wind toward its conclusion. Ohio State is leading the conference at 7-2, with both Michigan powerhouses following closely behind. The winner of Sunday’s clash will give themselves a leg up in the race.
Then there are bragging rights. The Wolverines and Spartans have one of the best rivalries in all of college sports, so the intensity level when they play is through the roof. That should make for an awesome game to kick off Super Sunday right.
What They’re Saying
Bob Wojnowski of the Detroit News passed along a quote from Michigan’s Trey Burke about the Big Ten race:
‘We feel like we’re still on the bubble and we’re just trying to get to March,’ said Trey Burke, Michigan’s superb freshman guard. ‘Every game from here on out is a must-win. You can go from second or third in the Big Ten to sixth or seventh in a matter of a week.
‘We know every single game, you’re playing for a Big Ten championship.’
As for Michigan State, Seth Davis of CBS Sports provides an update on Draymond Green:
Michigan Player to Watch: Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway continues to be Michigan’s most potent player on the offensive end. In his second season with the Wolverines, he’s averaging 15 points and three assists, both increases from his freshman year. He scored 10 points in the first meeting.
The Wolverines lack depth, so Hardaway can’t afford to have many off nights down the stretch if the team is going to make some noise atop the Big Ten. He should have a matchup advantage against either Brandon Wood or Branden Dawson, so he needs to make the most of that opportunity.
Michigan State Player to Watch: Draymond Green
After suffering a knee injury that had Spartan fans holding their collective breath, it appears Green will be ready to roll on Sunday and that’s tremendous news for Michigan State. At 15 points and 10 rebounds per game, he’s having the best season of his collegiate career.
Michigan doesn’t have anybody who will be able to contain him. The reason he only scored seven points the last time around was because he didn’t have his shooting touch. Playing at home should give him the extra boost he needs to perform like the dominant interior force he can be.
Key Matchup: Trey Burke vs. Keith Appling
Burke and Appling are two of the best young guards in the Big Ten. Both guys are the secondary scoring options on their team, while also being trusted to run the point. Burke got the better end of the matchup in the first game, which is the main reason Michigan picked up a narrow victory.
The story will be similar on Sunday. Appling will be looking to bounce back after making just two of his 19 shots over the past two games. He needs to start being more aggressive going to the bucket instead of setting for jumpers. If he can do that, and I think he will, the Spartans will earn a regular-season split.
Prediction
Michigan State 75, Michigan 68
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Ohio State vs. Wisconsin: TV Schedule, Live Stream, Spread Info and More
First place in the Big Ten is up for grabs as the Ohio State Buckeyes (19-3, 7-2) travel to the Kohl Center to take on the Wisconsin Badgers (18-5, 7-3).
Wisconsin got off to a slow start in conference play but has won six in a row to pull within a half-game of Ohio State. Here’s a deeper look at what should be an intense battle.
Where: Kohl Center, Madison, Wisconsin
When: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2:00 p.m EST
Watch: ESPN, or stream live on ESPN3
Listen: For Wisconsin fans, a list of radio affiliates can be found here. For Ohio State fans, a list of affiliates can be found here.
Betting Line
No line has been established yet, but the fact that Wisconsin is at home and has been on fire lately should make it fairly close. A one- or two-point spread either way wouldn’t surprise me.
Key Injuries
According to USA Today, there are no major injuries to report.
What’s at Stake?
First place in the Big Ten. There’s still another month of conference play to go, but there’s only a game separating the top four teams.
A win here would be huge for either team. Wisconsin doesn’t want to drop a fourth home game. Ohio State has a tougher remaining schedule, so the Buckeyes arguably have the most work left to do.
What’s more, the Buckeyes look like a current No. 1 seed and will need to keep winning if they want to hold on to that.
But hey, other than those things, nothing.
What They’re Saying
ESPN Stats and Info points out that this will be a low-scoring game:
“The Buckeyes and Badgers rank first and second, respectively, in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to kenpom.com, and both rank among the top 25 teams nationally in field goal percentage allowed.”
Though, it’s the Big Ten. What game isn’t low scoring?
Also, this may be a basketball game, but the recent recruiting flap seems to be driving this rivalry to a whole new place.
Mike Fiammetta of the Badger Herald takes a deeper look into the rivalry of these two teams.
The hardcourt battle comes at the perfect time, and while these guys don’t necessarily care about the gridiron, tempers might be at an all-time high.
Ohio State Player to Watch: Jared Sullinger
The big man has been up-and-down this year, but when the offense rolls through him, the Buckeyes are a much better team.
He’s averaging 17 points and nine rebounds on the year, and he’ll have to be tough against Wisconsin’s hard-nosed defense.
Wisconsin Player to Watch: Jordan Taylor
He was seen as the nation’s best point guard coming into the year, but he struggled mightily. As it goes, though, he has upped his game as of late, and it has turned into wins for the Badgers.
Most importantly, he’s taken care of the ball during Wisconsin’s winning streak. He’ll have to continue to do that.
Key Matchup: Taylor vs. Aaron Craft
Jordan Taylor has to be effective for Wisconsin to win, but he’ll have to do against the stingiest perimeter defender in the nation in Aaron Craft.
Craft is averaging over two steals per game and can be an absolute menace against opposing guards. This is going to be a fun matchup to watch.
Prediction
Wisconsin has been better as of late, but I still worry about its ability to actually put the ball through the net. The defense is good, but probably not good enough.
Even at home.
Ohio State 55, Wisconsin 48
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Should Allen Iverson get more Credit for Accomplishments?
When people talk about great scorers what names do you hear? Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain. Yes, I know that list can be debated but the name you don’t hear come up that much anymore is Allen Iverson. Allen Iverson was a born scorer, playing for Georgetown averaged over 22 points a game. Iverson was the NBA scoring champion four different times. He averaged over 30 points a game for five different seasons. For those of you who think this guy is just a ball hog and he just takes a lot of shots and doesn’t get anyone involved that’s not quite the case. The years he averaged 30 plus points he also averaged eight assists a game too. All those stats, can be compared to Kobe Bryant, the man who is supposed to be the next Jordan. If Iverson was so good in scoring, how come he doesn’t have the same amount of rings that Jordan or Bryant has? Iverson, never had the type of teams that Kobe and Jordan had. The year that Iverson went to the championship there was no one othe…
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