Michael Cannon
25* Wake Forest -2
Chuck O'Brien
20* Minnesota -13.5
Brandon Lang
5* NC State -2.5
Ben Burns
*10 GOY Wake Forest -1.5
This is a big game for the Tigers. However, its arguably much bigger for the Demon Deacons. For starters, the Deacons are looking to snap a losing streak. Also, this is their final home game and their seniors will want to go out on top. Additionally, while the Tigers have likely already wrapped up an NCAA tournament berth, the Deacons badly need a victory here to keep them out of the "bubble danger zone."
Yes, the Deacons come in on a 4-game losing streak. This has worked in our favor though, as it's helped to keep the line down. Also, let's keep in mind that three of those four losses came on the road. For the season, Wake Forest is still a very healthy 12-2 at home.
Yes, Clemson comes in on a roll, having won five of six. Again, this has worked in our favor, helping to keep the line down. Also, let's keep in mind that only one of those five victories came on the road. For the season, the Tigers are just 5-5 on the road. Prior to their narrow win at Florida State, the Tigers had been 0-6 ATS their previous six road games.
Note that the Tigers are a money-burning 4-10 SU/ATS the last 14 times that they were listed as road underdogs (or pick'em) of three points or less.
You may recall that the Deacons also closed out their regular season by hosting the Tigers last year. Wake Forest fell behind by 10 points early but rallied to win that 3/08/09 game by a score of 96-88. Al-Farouq Aminu had 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Deacons in that one and they'll be counting on him to have another big game here.
This will very likely be the last game that Ish Smith, L.D. Williams, Chas McFarland and David Weaver (and likely Aminu) will ever play here. Those players love Wake Forest and naturally, they'll be wanting to "leave it all on the floor."
The Deacons are 6-2 the last eight times that they scored 60 or more points in their previous game. During that stretch, they've gone 19-5 after allowing 60 or less in their previous game and 6-1 when playing a home game with an O/U line in the 135 to 139.5 range.
Including last year's victory, the Deacons have beaten the Tigers 17 straight times, here at Winston-Salem. With so much on the line, I expect them to extend that streak here. *10 GOY
OC Dooley
Pistons +2
It has been a dreadful campaign as Detroit is on pace to have their worst overall record since way back in 1993-1994. But there was a development during Detroit’s ESPN televised road appearance Friday that actually makes the Pistons what I like to call an “intangibles” wager. Those who did not watch the game would think that Cleveland dominated a 99-92 victory as superstar LeBron James came up with a 40-point effort. But the fact of the matter is that lowly Detroit actually led that Friday tilt by as many as 21-POINTS before unraveling in the final quarter due to a very unusual and scary event. With a couple of minutes remaining in the third stanza Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey collapsed on the bench during a timeout which eventually sent personnel from both teams into prayer. Stuckey was released from a Cleveland hospital on Friday and from all accounts it appears he will be OK but the irony of this being 20 years since Loyola-Marymount star Hank Gathers collapsing on the court is scary. It has been my observation that teams tend to “rally” around a fallen player the game AFTER he goes down and that is one of the reasons why I will be making an investment on the Pistons. Another reason is because veteran Tayshaun Prince is finally healthy and becoming more assertive on the offensive end. In Friday’s ESPN game where LeBron James was the focus, the veteran Detroit tandem of Prince and Richard Hamilton combined for 43 POINTS. The last time Detroit was cast as a 2-point underdog was late last month (2/23) when they won OUTRIGHT on the scoreboard. As for Houston they are a negative 1-3 ATS since December when cast as a road favorite including an outright defeat the last time the oddsmakers asked them to lay 2 points. To add a bit of fuel to the fire Detroit is 10-2 SU the last dozen times they have hosted Houston in this series
Power Play Wins
Kentucky
Michigan St
Denver Nuggets
Marty Otto
20* Ball St
Bob Balfe
Pistons +2 over Rockets
Kentucky -11.5 over Florida
Tim Trushel
Toledo
Magic Under
Celtics Under
RAS
Niagara -1
MARC LAWRENCE
3 UNITS - LA LAKERS +2
3 UNITS - WAKE FORREST -2
Don Wallace Sports
4* Houston -1
4* Oklahoma City -3.5
4* Washington +12
4* Portland + 7
KELSO
10 Units Florida +11.5
3 Units Minnesota -13.5
10 Units Magic -2
10 Units Blazers +7
5 Unit Parlay
BEN BURNS
CBB GOY - WAKE FORREST -2
NBA on TV - ORLANDO MAGIC -2
NBA TOTAL BLAZERS/NUGGETS UNDER 206.5
NHL - ATLANTA THRASHERS
NHL Pro Picks
Detroit +152
Nashville +122
Calgary +117
Buffalo -105
Edmonton +197