More MAC Attack and the Debut of College Hoops

Today the Locks is blazing new trails in its brief history.  That's right, we're expanding our prognostication to now include select NCAA basketball games.  We typically like to sit back and enjoy college hoops as a fan, especially this early in the year when we are working to learn about teams.  However, a juicy match up like tonight's final of the CBE Classic (pitting #1 Duke vs. #4 Kansas State) is just way to interesting to avoid.  But first, here's our mandatory Tuesday night MAC football game:

One Star Special:

Temple @ Miami (Ohio) - Line is Temple -7.5 - We're shifting back to be a pimp for Rule #1.  That's right, its time to take the points and the home dog in an ESPN prime time game.  Temple had a shot last week to impress the nation at home on a nationally televised game and instead got beat handily by an inferior opponent.  Well, we won't make the same mistake twice with Temple and Bill Cosby.  This is a major showdown in the late-season battle for MAC supremacy.  Miami, while the author of many very close victories, stands at 6-1 (tied for first place in the MAC East) and a full game ahead of Temple in the standings.  The RedHawks are at home and playing for a piece of the MAC East crown.  That is just too much, when combined with trusty Rule #1, not to go with Miami.  They'll need to throw the ball on a tough Temple D but we think this game remains close throughout.  Take the 7.5 points and roll with Miami.  Final score is 33-29.  LOCK IT UP

College Basketball:


Kansas State vs. Duke (CBE Classic Championship in Kansas City, MO) - Line is Duke -5.5 - This is a rare, special early season powerhouse showdown.  Clearly, these are two of the country's most talented teams and both would love to use this game to set the tone for the season moving forward.  Duke is Duke and the defending champ so a loss here will only be a minor speed bump.  However, K-State is a school on the rise who has been starving for opportunities to make a case as an elite program.  There is no better opportunity than this.  Knocking off the country's #1 team and defending champ will make a significant statement about the Wildcats.  Here are the reasons that we think K-State has a shot. 

They take on the personality of their frightening coach Frank Martin.  That means they have a mean, pesky and aggressive defense that makes everything you try to do more difficult than it should be.  They are disruptive and that will be a big key against a team like Duke that likes to play an organized, efficient game.  They have a dynamic, SENIOR point guard who can take over a game in any number of ways.  This leadership and ability will be crucial in upsetting a team as solid as Duke.  He should be able to make the younger Duke backcourt (particularly Seth Curry, Kyrie Irving, Andre Dawkins) a bit uncomfortable.  K-State also has a carousel of big men that it can rotate onto the floor to do battle with Kyle Singler and Mason Plumlee.  Duke will often find itself with advantageous front court match ups throughout the season.  However, tonight will not be one of those games.  Everything they want/expect to do down low will be aggressively contested. 

Make no mistake, Duke is an excellent team and will be a beast to contend with this season.  However, the same will likely be said about the Wildcats throughout the next four months.  This should be a hard fought game with both teams pushing the tempo on offense and trying to be the more physical team on defense.  With the expectation that this will be close, we'll take K-State and the points.  Final score will be 78-75.  LOCK IT UP