Definitely thought he was gone for good.
@KourtsideKev11 wrote a preview for this game, so I’ve moved the prior thread into this one with the game preview at the top. Carry on discussing the Dons here.
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I think it’s on the side that says “SMI”
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SCU is -8.5 per Vegas with an over/under of 158.5.
I have never placed a sports bet in my life, but I don’t think I would touch the line. In a rivalry game, you just never know.
For a 21-6 record, SCU hasn’t be great against the spread this season: just 15-12 ATS. Slightly better at 16-11 to the over. Last game between these two teams hit 161, so 158.5 seems like a decent bet.
When Tilley threw the towel on the court during the fight 2 years ago, the Bronco bench was in the SMI location. Same as when he missed the front end of the 1 and 1 with .9 to go last year……but I’m not bitter.
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Line has moved to -7.5…maybe smart money has 
on our forum…
I now only place sports bets the 3 times a year when I’m in Vegas/South Lake/Reno so I’m no expert. But 15-12 ATS is profitable. I’m AI obsessed and asked it to help explain:
They’re winning a lot, but the market already knows they’re good. So they’re not dramatically exceeding expectations — they’re mostly meeting them. That’s different from “not great.”
Regardless, I agree it’s a rivalry match and I’d stay from this one.
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Agree….rivalry game and weird stuff happens…..lines, relative success of each team, etc. seem to mean very little in this rivalry. Also, my gut reaction is home court doesn’t matter much in this series; neither team has to truly ‘travel’ (planes, hotel stay, etc.) yet the analytical sites and Vegas lines probably still build in typical home court advantage when they probably shouldn’t.
Reminders…..7pm start and the game is on CBS Sports Net (our final 3 WCC games are all on CBS Sports Net).
A few down in the weeds thoughts on the Dons….they’ve been a bit of an enigma IMO, there is talent there but haven’t been able to put it all together. I’ve watched several of their games and they seem to be lacking an identity. They have a collection of long, athletic 6-6ish wings in Tyrone Riley, Legend Smiley and Mookie Cook…..all capable shooters and you’d think that length and athletic ability would aid their defensive, make them versatile on matchups, be able to guard multiple positions, switch a lot, etc. but that clearly hasn’t materialized as their defense has been fairly mediocre.
A wild card to keep on eye on…..Oregon transfer Mookie Cook was giving them good minutes and was a stat sheet stuffer in November and December, scoring, rebounding, decent assists, leading them in shot blocking….doing a bit of everything. Then he went down w/ a leg injury and missed the first month of WCC play. He returned shortly before our first matchup but wasn’t much of factor playing just 9mins. His minutes have ramped up of late, I suspect he still isn’t 100% as his #’s haven’t matched what he was doing in Nov/Dec but the talent and potential is there and if he returns to the caliber of play he was providing in Nov/Dec he could be a difference maker for the Dons.
And that trio of Riley, Cook Smiley on the wing on paper gives the Dons good options to match up with our top scorers Hammond and Mahi.
Graves could be key tonight, the Dons frontcourt aren’t great defenders and none of them are shot blockers or rim protectors. Hopefully we get Graves some touches in post.
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All the way down to SCU -6.5. Vegas must be reading our board. Haha.
I’m glad this is on CBSSN. But ESPN definitely goofed picking to air SMC-Wazzu on ESPN2 when this is obviously the marquee game of the day.
Pacific at Gonzaga has a little more intrigue than usual. I think the Tigers will keep it close for at least 25 min.
Hoping we don’t play with our food tonight. Get off to a quick lead and put this dons team away early.
We’re so close to the finish line this season just have to keep taking care of business.
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Starting center Fuchs is out. He’s their best rebounder. Broncos have to take advantage and dominate the glass. Diaz-Graham starting but expect more mins for 7-2 Gigibreria off the bench.
Graves 
Let’s hope it isn’t serious.
Frances with the assist!
Hope Graves is OK.
I don’t see Graves back on bench. That makes me worried.
Get Darlan out!! Now……he the reincarnation of Adama Bal. Not a a team player.
He has to play without Graves. We have to eat minutes.
handle is lose for sure and he looks for his own shot to much, but I think it’s more cluelessness than anything tbh.
He’s not bad defensively.
We ran our second 5 for a good 5-6 minutes and the Don’ts didn’t cut into the lead at all
Should be up by way more than 6. Giving up way too many 3’s and we’ve wasted at least 3 good fast break opportunities with a couple of Mahi TO’s and Cochran not finishing at the rim vs. 5-11 Beasley.
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