Ben Burns
Murray St. at Louisiana Tech
Prediction: Louisiana TechI successfully played against the Bulldogs in their most recent lined game. They were blown out at Arizona. However, that was on the road against a strong team which had something to prove. The Bulldogs did bounce back with a double OT victory over the Centenary Gentlemen last time out. (Note that was also on the road.) In my opinion, the fact that they struggled with the Gentlemen (was a natural letdown spot) and that they were beaten soundly by the Wildcats has provided us with some excellent value here. Even though I played against the Bulldogs at Arizona, I believe that they're a very good team, one capable of beating most teams, when playing on their home floor. They've already beaten a relatively solid Miami Ohio team here, in addition to beating TCU on the road. While they've played a lot of road games, note that they're perfect here on the season. Also, note that they've got three senior starters and a sixth man, who is also a senior. Coach Kerry Rupp knows that "the time is now" for his program. He was quoted as saying: "With this being our third year, with the discipline we've put in place, the foundation we've laid, with the experienced players and the new players we've brought in there is a sense of urgency with this program..." Even with the loss at Arizona, the Bulldogs are still a very profitable 12-4 ATS their last 16 lined games. Like the Bulldogs, the Racers also have a great record to start the season. With the exception of a loss vs. Cal, they haven't played any good teams all year though - many of their games have been of the 'unlined' variety and they've been favorites in all the rest, with the exception of the game vs. the Bears. While they did cover vs. Cal, the Racers are still an awful 7-13 ATS the last 20 times that they were listed as underdogs. They're also 6-14-1 ATS the last 21 times that they played a game with a total in the 140s and a money-burning 38-67 ATS their last 100+ lined games vs. teams with a winning record. The Bulldogs are 10-3 ATS the last 13 times that they were favored, incl. 3-1 ATS as a home fav. (or pick'em) of three points or less. I expect them to improve to 9-1 ATS their last 10 lined games, after having allowed 80 or more in their previous game. *9 Personal Fav
Main Event - Chicago Bulls
MR EAST
NCAAB TUESDAY PICTURE PERFECT 17-0 ATS
WYOMING COWBOYS @ TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS
3 UNITS: TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS -22
The Tennessee Vols have a very potent offense, and really like to get up and down the floor. The last 3 games have seen this team red-hot, as they have shot 86-168 for 51.2%. The Cowboys depend on getting to the line for points, and Tennessee gets to the line more than their opponets by far, so those points won't be there. This game fits into a 17-0 ATS system that plays on hot shooting teams, vs teams that are getting to the line a lot, and plays on Tennessee here. I'm making the Vols a mid-level 5 unit play here.
Great Lakes Sports
Sacramento at Portland
Play: 4* Portland
The Portland Trailblazers are a very solid 5-1 ATS vs the Pacific Division their last six games, and the Trailblazers are a very respectable 12-4 ATS when playing their last 16 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. The Favorite is also a stellar 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings in Portland while the Sacramento Kings are a terrible 6-14 ATS when playing in their last twenty Tuesday's encounters. We look for the Portland Trailblazers to roll over the Sacramento Kings and grab the home ATS Win & cover tonight.
ANTHONY REDD
40-Dime - Portland State
20-Dime - UL-Lafayette
5-Dime - Wyoming
5-Dime - Georgia State
Scott Delaney
40-Dime RIDER ... The battle of New Jersey, and it ain't as easy as it might seem for Rutgers.
While a victory over Rider might give the Scarlet Knights (7-2) their best nine-game start under fourth-year head coach Fred Hill, I'm looking at how big a win it would be for the Broncs tonight.
I'm counting on 7-4 Rider to give the Knights a tough battle. Hey, it's not impossible to think about an outright win. The last time the two New Jersey schools met at the Rutgers Athletic Center two years ago, the Broncs posted their only win in the series, which Rutgers leads 13-1.
The Scarlet Knights won last season's meeting, 66-62 at Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton, but the Broncs are conceivably a better basketball team this season.
Four Rider players score in double figures, led by senior guard Ryan Thompson's 15.1 points per game. Sophomore guard Mike Rosario leads Rutgers with a 16.8 average.
Trust me, the Broncs like playing inside the RAC. There are a lot of Jersey kids on this roster, so this is a game that is always circled on the schedule. For the coaches, players and fans.
Get as much as you can with the underdog in this one.
Teddy Covers
20* Big Ticket Heat
Nets/Cavs Over
Rider
Lenny Del Genio
Game: Wyoming at Tennessee Dec 15 2009 7:00PM
Prediction: Tennessee
Reason: Play on Tennessee at 7:00 ET. While most of the campus in Laramie, Wyoming gets ready for this Saturday's New Mexico Bowl (school's 1st bowl appearance since '04 and just their second since '93), the poor basketball team will be served on a platter to 8th ranked Tennessee Tuesday in Knoxville. The Vols moved up a spot in the latest poll thanks to then third-ranked Villanova falling Sunday at Temple, a game we were unfortunate enough to be on the wrong side on. Oh well, it's been a great season (see promo again for full details) and our pain will be Bruce Pearl's pain. This will be just Wyoming's second road game of the season with their first being an 80-77 loss to another one of our favorite's, Denver. Historically, the Cowboys have not been a good road team, particularly when coming off a SU win. Dating all the way back to the '97 season, they are just 33-57 ATS in this situation and if it was a home win that figure drops to 22-42 vs. the number. If they are off BB home wins, they are 7-18 ATS. Tennessee will be excited for this matchup as it is just their second game in 13 days. Their only game last week saw them destroy in-state rival MTSU 75--54. Even better is the fact the Pearl was able to use his bench liberally, showing off his team's depth, as senior guard J.P. Prince led the way with 17 points. This really shapes up as a total mismatch as both teams like to play at around 75 possessions per game, only UT scores far more. The Cowboys weren't even averaging a point per possession heading into the six-point win over Northern Colorado on Saturday, a game which they shot just 40% from the floor. It was the sixth straight game where the team shot 41% or worse from the floor. Good luck against a Vols team that is averaging nearly 93 PPG on this floor. Making matters worse is the fact the Wyoming has been a bit banged up with leading scorer Muojeke missing time. He plays here, but it won't be nearly enough. Tennessee is our 20* CBB Non-Conference Blowout of the Month.
Portland -7
The Sacramento Kings continued their series of frenetic results since leading scorer Kevin Martin went down in early November with a 120-100 win Saturday night at home vs. Minnesota. After the Martin injury, the team would go on to win four straight, then lose four straight, then win four straight, then lose four straight again. To some, Saturday night's win might signal the start of a third positive four-game stretch, but not us. Even without C Greg Oden (out for the year), the Blazers have a tremendous edge over Sacramento on the front line. They lead the league in rebounding and are a staunch defensive club, allowing just 91.7 PPG at home. They give up three points less per game than any other team in the Western Conference. Portland plays very well in the Rose Garden with six of their first eight home victories coming by nine or more points. This will be their first home game following a four-game East Coast swing and just one of two home dates in a 10-game span. Expect a focused effort as they are due for a cover with just four ATS wins over their last 14 games. Sacramento is just 5-15 ATS on the road off BB ATS wins and allows over 107 PPG away from home. Their last visit here resulted in a 32-point loss. Portland is our 20* Western Conference Game of the Month.
Bob Balfe
Rockets -4.5
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
Sacramento/Portland Under 199
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this matchup is on the "under":
Sacramento makes its first visit to Portland since a 109-77 loss Dec. 16th. The Kings are far from the team they were a year ago though; it took the Kings 40 games to notch their 10th victory last season, and coach Paul Westphal is trusting his young players more.
And a big part of Sacramento's recent turnaround has been its play on the defensive end.
Keep in mind that the total has gone "under" the posted number in four of Sacramento's last five vs. Portland.
On the other side of the court: Back home following a disappointing eastern trip, the Trail Blazers look to snap a two-game slide with their fourth straight victory over the Kings.
Assistant Dean Demopoulos served as Portland’s head coach during a 1-3 trip that ended with Saturday’s 108-101 double-overtime loss to Milwaukee. LaMarcus Aldridge scored a season-high 31 points, including six straight in the first overtime, but Portland (14-11) was unable to close out the Bucks; with so many injured, I look for Portland to concentrate on its defense to create its offensive this evening.
The total has gone "under" the posted number in nine of Portland's last 13 at home.
Bottom line: When taking into account the Trailblazers injury problems, and the improved play on the defensive end by the Kings of late, and the rest of these strong O/U trends and facts, the sharp money in this matchup is on the UNDER!
9* UNDER.
Opposite Action Plays
Knicks/Bobcats Under 196.5
KBHoops
5* Bulls UNDER 193.5 *POD*
5* Phoenix -1
5* Sacramento +7
Pitbull
20 units Charlotte -4.5
20 units Bulls Under 193.5
15 units Portland St +14
15 units Florida St -17.5
Jim Feist
25* NBA Situational Slam Dunk
Charlotte
The Booooj
30 Units Toronto +7
BLACK WIDOW
6* Widow Wiseguy NBA Tuesday "Total" Money Maker Nets/Cavs UNDER 196.5
5* Wiseguy NBA "STEAL" of the Week New Jersey Nets +14.5
4* Spurs/Suns UNDER 210.5
Matt Fargo
9* Rider Broncs +7