Insider Sports Report
4* South Dakota/Creighton OVER 148
3* West Carolina/Marshall UNDER 150
3* Charlotte Bobcats -1
3* L.A. Lakers/Sacramento OVER 205
Wayne Root
Vegas Legend - St. Louis -8
Millionaires Club - UCONN - 8
NHL PRO PICKS
Boston +118
Florida +153
Edmonton +243
NY Islanders +241
BEN BURNS
10* O/U BEST BET - Kings/Lakers Under
10* MOTIVATIONAL MISMATCH - Jackson State
3-Game ULTIMATE
New York Rangers
Rangers/Canadiens Under
St. Louis Blues
Stephen Nover
100-Dime JACKSON STATE
Just two days ago Mississippi State was on the verge of upsetting Kentucky in the SEC Tournament championship game with millions watching on national television.
But DeMarcus Cousins scored on a putback with a tenth of a second left to force overtime. The Wildcats then nipped the Bulldogs, 75-74, aided by John Wall's off-balance 3-point shot.
The worst was yet to come for Mississippi State. The Bulldogs then found out they were not picked to the "Big Dance."
"Just crushed," was how Mississippi State guard Phil Turner put in when asked about the double body blow of just missing beating Kentucky and then not getting invited to the "Big Dance" having to accept an NIT bid instead. "Just almost like the life gets sucked out of you."
Said Bulldogs coach Rick Stansbury, "...And I can promise you, there's not an ounce left in them."
Unfortunately for Mississippi State they have a game today against Jackson State, winners of the Southwestern Athletic Conference regular-season championship.
This will be the drained Bulldogs' fourth game in five days. Jackson State is fully rested having last played six days ago. The Tigers are just 125 miles from Starkville so travel isn't a factor.
Unlike Mississippi State, Jackson State is motivated and excited to be playing in the NIT, especially against a bigger in-state rival.
The Tigers went 17-1 in SWAC. Tigers senior guard Garrison Johnson was the SWAC Player of the Year, leading the league in scoring at 17.3 points per game.
Jackson State won't be intimidated having already faced Memphis, Alabama, Nebraska and Baylor during non-conference action. The Tigers have gone against more physically imposing teams than Mississippi State, which does have NCAA career shot block leader Jarvis Varnado, but is perimeter-oriented with three guards in the starting lineup.
Mississippi State played a weak non-conference schedule, losing four times to teams with plus-100 RPI's.
15-Dime BOBCATS
I'll ride the Bobcats and their six-game winning streak laying a short number against a bad and disinterested Pacers club more interested in their lottery pick than where they finish.
Indiana has dropped 13 of its last 16 games. The Pacers are without point guard T.J. Ford and may be without swingman Mike Dunleavy, too, after he sustained an eye contusion during warmups of the Pacers' loss to the Bucks on Sunday. Dunleavy didn't play in that game because of the injury.
The Bobcats have the top defense in the NBA, holding foes to 93.8 points per game. They have gotten even better defensively since Tyson Chandler came back six games ago, holding foes to 87.5 points per contest during this span. The Bobcats are 5-1 ATS with Chandler back.
The spread is low because Charlotte hasn't been a good road team. The Bobcats also are in a letdown spot after upsetting the Magic on Sunday in Orlando.
But the Bobcats have been playing much better away from home lately, winning and covering three of their last four. Their win in Orlando may have been their finest victory of the season. It's definitely a confidence boost.
I don't believe the Bobcats will let down because they were idle on Monday. They've had a full day to remember two losses this season to the Nets.
Charlotte has covered in eight of its last 10 visits to Indiana. They are giving up an average of 11 fewer points per game than the Pacers.
Sportsbetsnow
3 Units Ark-Pine Bluff +3.5
3 Units Miami/San Antonio UNDER 187.5
3 Units Denver/Washington UNDER 212
3 Units LA/Sacramento UNDER 207.5
Cal Sports
4.5* UAB -10.5
4.0* Jackson State +22
3.0* St Louis -8.0
BRANDON LANG
5 DIME - VCU RAMS
They let it slip away.
In their conference tourney loss to Old Dominion the Rams held a double digit 2nd half lead and then end up losing in OT.
Bottom line folks is this is an NCAA tourney quality team led by the big fella down low Larry Sanders, who comes in averaging just under 15 points a game and close to 10 boards. Now they step a bit down to battle George Washington out of the A-10, and my feeling is VCU will outclass them and advance here.
GW lost but covered in their conference tourney, losing by 10 to Dayton as an 11 1/2 point dog which put them at 3-7 SU their last 10.
With this game being such a small number, the team that wins this game will probably be the one that covers and for my dollar that team is VCU.
VCU is 4-1 ATS last 5 as a favorite and 15-6 ATS last 21 games following a SU loss.
You throw that together with the fact GW is 2-6 ATS last 8 home games versus a team with a losing road record and an even more horrific 7-21-3 ATS last 31 non- conference games, and you have yourselves a winner with the Rams tonight.
VCU rolls on with a solid road win tonight.
FREE PICK - WILLIAM & MARY TRIBE
Will Cover
4* West Carolina +11.5
3* William & Mary +8.5
CHIP CHIRIMBES
Fairfield at George Mason
Pick: Fairfield +1.5
The Fairfield Stags (22-10, 15-6) shocked their entire conference this season finally losing out to Siena in overtime in their championship game 72-65 still getting the cover as a 8.5 underdog. George Mason (17-14, 12-7) made a run a few years back in the NCAA's beating Connecticut on their way to glory but, those days are long gone. With the price so low I'll play against the home team and take Fairfield!
Power Play Wins
Lakers/Kings Over 205
Billy Coleman
4* W.Carolina +11
4* UNC -8.5
3* Jackson St +22
3* Creighton -14
Teddy Covers
Big Ticket - Coastal Carolina
Northeastern
Sean Higgs
20* Jackson State
20* Northeastern
10* William & Mary
Marty Otto
Big O W&M/UNC Over 135
William & Mary +8.5