February '10 Sports—Frank Marino's Hoops with the Tout Column

Positive 5 2009–2010 Week 11

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ach week we track the 5 college hoop teams that I have determined will show a “positive return on investment” by season’s end. This year I have selected Cornell, Tennessee, Minnesota, Siena and UNLV.

Big Red of Cornell

Well, 4-3 ATS is better than either of the last two weeks. Maybe it’s the start of a new winning streak. In addition, the “5” went 5-2 SU to bring the season’s figures to 73-29 SU and 51-37 ATS. While still not over the “magic number” of 60%, its not “chopped liver” as my Irish Setter used to bark...

For reasons that include parity (of late) in the Big 10 and so many teams not covering in close games, I am going to, as I did with Cal a couple of weeks ago, replace the Minn. Gophers (a right, I gave myself to implement when a team is not playing Pos 5 ball or is losing ATS more than they are winning...

Saints of Siena

Last VCO week, the Big Red of Cornell continued their streak (now eight ATS winning games in a row) winning both SU and ATS twice. One might say, “the Ivy league” is such a “cupcake” league, but someone has to win and someone has to loose both SU and ATS. Cornell looks like a “lock” to make it to “the big dance” in March. They are 18-3 overall and 4-0 in the conference with 3 weeks remaining in league play.

Another almost for sure invitee is the Saints of Siena. They are 19-3 and are three games to the good in their conference. They were a team that was on the “replacement possible” list, but I think I’ll stick with them until the end.

Saint Mary's of California

Our “bad boys” team, Tennessee may be the next to go, after coming in 1-1 and 0-2 ATS last VCO week. I’ll give them one more week...

UNLV (Cal’s, replacement) won their only match last week, in a 28-point laugher vs. the Wyoming Cowboys.

Which brings us to the Gophers. I am going to replace our season long “weakest link” with Saint Mary’s of California. The Gaels have won 19 games and share their conference’s top rung with Gonzaga. Hoping they will bring us back to 60% land.

Unless something akin to me writing a VCO article without a typo happens, the Pos 5 will be in positive territory, come March...

Here’s hoping for nothing but net, next week...