I'm going with Iowa State as today's POD. It is rare for me to have such a big play early in college but we have a unique situation with Drake and Iowa State today as Iowa State lost 66-63 a year ago in December and have some major revenge to make up on Tuesday night.
Craig Brackin was the big news for Iowa State as the 6-10 Big 12 All Conference player averaged 20.2 ppg and 9.5 rebounds last year opted to return for his Jr. year. He was really quiet last year against Drake with just 10 pts and 8 rebounds, but if Brackin can put up 42 points and 14 reb against Kansas what can he do against a Drake team that does have some size issues without their Center Jon Cox who dominated the game last year with 14 rebounds I fear for Drake who will have issues with Brackin all night as well as Staiger who had 24 points a year ago from beyond the arch. Iowa State also got Forward preseason Big 12 newcomer of the year Marquis Gilstrap who is a transfer and can pay some huge dividends down low who is averaging 12ppg and 10.5 rebound through two games.
On the other side Drake is a historic bottom feeder and after making the 2008 tourney under Keno Davis Phelps took over as head coach and they went 4-12 in their conference. They struggled to play defense in their first game losing to Indiana Purdue 88-82. They lost another player other than Cox in Josh Parker who accounted for 10.2 points last year as he transferred to Dayton. Last year they o the FT line 20 more times than Iowa State and out rebounded them 38-30 two things I don't anticipate to be this lopsided. Iowa State is a sleeper for me in the Big 12 conference and I think we'll see that here tonight.
Going with Arkansas here ast hey return all 5 starters on a team that did go 2-14 a year ago in the SEC. They should be improved by returning all 5 of their starters including Michael Washington the 6-9 forward averaged 15.5 and 9.8 rebounds. As well as Rotnei Clarke 39.3% from beyond the ark. Biggest returnee is sophomore Fortson who had issues with turn overs should have improved in a year. He was second to only Nick Calathe in the conference in assists and averaged 15.5 points.
Louisville on the other side lost a pair of 1st round draft picks in Williams and Clark. They do return Sosa, but losing 3 starters is going to take a while to form. I love Big East teams and I believe they have a huge advantage over the other conferences, but 11 points given to a team that has yet to play against Arkansas already having a warm up game scoring 130 points. I like my chances taking the points despite Louisville being home.
