NCAAB picks from Kern include Connecticut vs Temple, Iowa State vs Iowa, Hofstra vs Drexel, Northeastern vs Delaware, and an NBA teaser

I still can’t believe I actually took La Salle last night giving a touchdown at home to Fordham and the Explorers covered – barely – despite not getting into the 60s. Why ask why.

In that vein, I’m going to try Temple tonight at home against Connecticut, laying a point. Trying to predict the Owls can drive a person slightly insane, but why should I let that stop me? U Conn has been playing better, but is 1-6 on the road. The Huskies did beat Temple by 15 at their place three weeks ago. I was thinking of maybe teasing this, but what the heck. Let’s live large. But I certainly wouldn’t get too carried away, since it is still Temple. Two teams that are 5-7 in the AAC.

In the Big Ten, I’m going with Iowa giving 2.5 against visiting Iowa State. I got burned last night in this conference with home teams losing, but generally it’s been a homer neighborhood this season. Iowa has lost only once at home, while Buckeyes are 3-5 away from Columbus. So I’ll take my chances that the Hawkeyes can win by at least a field goal.

And in the CAA, let’s try a teaser. Hofstra is 20-6, having won its last six. Drexel is 13-14. The visitors are giving 4.5 in West Philly. I’ll move that down to a pick-‘em. And Delaware (19-8) is a pick-‘em at home against Northeastern (13-13), whose last eight losses have been by five points or fewer. But I’ll move the Hens up to a plus 5 and feel good about it. I might also just take them to win outright. And the over 143 might also be worth a look, since both these sides can score some. Just noting.

I’m even going to give out an NBA teaser, because I can. I think the Sixers are going to come off the all-star break looking to prove some folks wrong. They’re giving the Nets 7.5 at home, where they’re of course only lost twice. So I’ll move that down to 2.5. I just have to come up with something to go with it. How about the Memphis Grizz getting 3.5 at Sacramento? They’ve won eight of their last 10. The Kings have won six of 10 too, but I’m thinking the visitors can get it done coming back. I’ll just have to stay up late to find out.

Or, if that one doesn’t do enough for you, another option would be the Miami Heat giving 1 at Atlanta, which they’ve beaten in all three meetings rather comfortably. Hey, maybe you play the Sixers with both those other games. Just be reasonable with how much you invest, as I almost always remind folks. There’s always another day tomorrow. Or something like that.