[PNBkid]

Larry Ness' Las Vegas Insider-CBB (13-2 run with Insiders / 9-1 in BKB!)

My Las Vegas Insider is on Kansas St. With Huggins splitting after just one year (for his alma mater of West Va) in Manhattan, the Wildcats are on their third head coach in as many seasons. However, KSU has a great collection of young talent. Senior guards Young (8.5) and Stewart (4.8-2.8-3.0) are joined in the backcourt by an excellent freshman, Pullen (14.2). However, that's just the beginning. The 6-6 Bill Walker played just six games (ACL) last year and the man many thought would be one on the nation's top freshman, looks healthy and ready to procduce (12.5-6.5). Anderson, a 6-8 freshman forward is averaging 5.8-7.5 and then there's the 6-9 Michael Beasley! He's had a double-double in each of his first six college games, averaging 27.2 PPG and 15.5 RPG. The Ducks have no one to guard Beasley, although the 6-9 Luenen (16.0-10.5) will likely try. Oregon's a perimeter team, with only the 6-6 Catron (10.3-9.5) contributing inside (other than senior, Luenen). The Ducks are no slouches, with swingman Hairston (19.7-4.3), 5-6 guard Porter (16.0), Taylor (14.3-5.3) and freshman Brown (8.8-4.5 APG) forming an outstanding perimeter. However, as we saw at St Mary's in a 99-87 loss on Nov 20, the Ducks can be had! Manhattan 'rocks' tonight! Las Vegas Insider on Kansas


Larry Ness' 15* Western Conf Game of the Week-NBA (2-0 Weds sweep ups NBA run to 16-7!)

My 15* play is on the GS Warriors at 10:35 ET. The Warriors opened 0-6 but evened their record at 7-7 last night, by winning at Sacramento (103-96). The return of Jackson (missed first seven games on suspension) has been the key, as Golden St is 6-1 since his return, with Jackson posting averages of 22.0-5.6-3.9. However, the Warriors fine play is due to more than just Jackson's return. PG Davis has been healthy all year (24.0-5.4-8.6) and shooting guard Ellis (16.2) is seemingly over his late-season shooting slump from LY. PF Al Harrington (15.2-5.6) loves Oakland and 2nd-year pro Azubuike (from Kentucky) is averaging 13.6-5.3) after netting just 7.1 PPG in 41 games as a rookie. Then, there's all that depth (Biedrins, Pietrus, Barnes and Croshere!). The Rockets have won three straight after losing six in a row, with last night's win at Phoenix. However, the Rockets are essentially a two-man team. T-Mac (26.0-5.7-5.4) and Yao (22.4-10.2) are the lone players in double digits. After beating the Suns last night, a game against the fats-paced and deep Warriors, is NOT what the doctor ordered! Western Conf GOW 15* GS Warriors.