Fargo’s Providence at Alabama Picks
November 20, 2009
There just aren’t many handicappers that you can put in the same category as Matt Fargo. This is a guy who puts more effort and hard work into making his college basketball picks and then detailing to his clients just why he likes the side he’s backing than anyone I’ve ever seen. If you want a little help this season beating the college basketball spreads, and you want to learn why the experts are on the side they are on, you have to take a look at his detailed reports. Here is an example with the Alabama over Providence winner he posted last night:
Alabama suffered a pretty humbling loss in its opener this season as it lost at home to Cornell. Cornell is a very solid team no doubt but the Tide should not be losing games like that, especially in a season where they are expected to make a big jump. The Tide bounced back with a win over Jackson St. and while the Tigers are not a quality team, that victory restored some much needed confidence heading into this game. This is the first year for head coach Anthony Grant who came over from VCU after three successful seasons that included three postseason appearances. Yes it is a move to a big time school but Grant was an assistant under Florida coach Billy Donovan and was there for the first national championship so he knows what it’s all about in the SEC. Alabama brings back four starters and a renewed vigor after the program got listless under former coach Mark Gottfried. Grant is bringing in a new system but it is not a difficult one to learn as it is an up-tempo system that extends the floor defensively. In order to be successful, there needs to be athletes and Alabama has that. While Cornell is a good team, Providence is not. The Friars have been picked to finish 15th in the 16-team Big East Conference and while it is the best conference in basketball, a low finish like that is simply not good. Providence is 3-0 to start the season but wins over Bryant, Bucknell and Mercer are not exactly the best victories. The Friars were a solid 19-14 including 10-8 in the Big East Conference but what a difference a year makes. Take out guard Sharaud Curry and guard Brian McKenzie and no other player on the roster has ever started a game. Only four players in total are back from last season as they welcome in nine new faces and playing its first road game of the season is tough enough with that roster let alone a tough environment in the SEC. One of those returning players is Marshon Brooks who is athletic but may be limited tonight after rolling his ankle in the last game. He is questionable and likely will play but not be at 100 percent. Alabama will not take the Friars lightly. 7* Alabama Crimson Tide
