Pac-10 picks: Likin’ Cal and USC in the big Bay Area games
Had hoped to get these posted earlier, but we were without power/internet access for about 14 hours yesterday.
Went 3-1 in the Thursday games, losing only Arizona-Oregon State.
The marquee matchup today is UCLA-Cal, but the most interesting is Stanford-USC. Both teams lost their openers and can’t afford to start 0-2, especially Stanford.
Getting swept at home is not an option if you want to compete for the title.
Thursday: 3-1.
Season: 3-1
All picks against the spread.
UCLA (minus-6) AT CAL: Gotta love the matchup in the post between DeVon Hardin and Kevin Love, but forward Ryan Anderson will keep Cal in the game until the very end. Gimme: CAL.
USC (plus-6.5) AT STANFORD: Down the stretch, USC will have more trouble scoring from the perimeter than Stanford will have scoring from the post. But it’ll be tight. Gimme: USC.
OREGON STATE (plus-13) AT ARIZONA STATE: Although I think ASU will be the league’s biggest upside surprise, I’m not sure the Devils should be favored by 13 over anybody anywhere, especially after a big win over Oregon. Gimme: OREGON STATE.
OREGON (plus-7) AT ARIZONA: Missed with the Cats on Thursday but am taking them again. Could be a “fool me twice” thing, but Ducks just aren’t very good. Gimme: ARIZONA.
WASHINGTON STATE (minus-3) AT WASHINGTON: The teams I project to finish second (WSU) and ninth (UW) in the conference, and it makes no difference that the game’s in Seattle. Gimme: WASHINGTON STATE.
Obviously, this prediction was the kiss of death for Cal.
In concept Cal has all the pieces…but UCLA is still UCLA. They shut down Anderson and Randle didn’t dish. At least Cal beat $C.
lol Cal beating UCLA? What a joke
Poor Wilner, soon to be living under a bridge. Picking against the spread, he missed BOTH the Stanford and Cal games. Maybe we should send food for his daughter.
Cardguy - this just in: Stanfurd lost to UCLA on Thursday
Jon, give the Ducks a little credit. They are still an Elite 8 caliber team, albeit searching for a 2008 identity.
I can’t remember the last time Oregon ran the Arizona Wildcats off their own floor two years in a row. The Cats are seemingly unbeatable at home.
This is one tough conference. Splits and road sweeps are going to be very difficult.
“Cardguy - this just in: Stanfurd lost to UCLA on Thursday”
lol whats your point? doesn’t make the fact the he picked Cal to beat UCLA any less stupid.
And Stanford beat USC, which means he was wrong twice
Seeing as how math appears to be a problem for the Stanford fans, I should point out that 46 + 6.5 = 52.5, i.e. Wilner did pick the SC-Stanford game correctly. That’s still no consolation for me, but oh well.
Wilner,
You know I appreciate your opinions on the games, but who gives a crack about the spread? All this serves to do is foster the notion that gambling on college athletics is swell. It isn’t. Editors ought to wise up and make you back off the implied endorsement.
-TD