Dave Price
1 Unit on Bucks/Knicks UNDER 209
Milwaukee is 19-5 UNDER in road games against Atlantic division opponents over the last 3 seasons and we are only seeing 188.6 points in these games on average. Plus, the Bucks have come in UNDER the number in 9 of their last 11 games. While New York has been playing to the Over because of its defensive struggles, the Bucks are only scoring 94.5 ppg on the road this season. In addition, I expect a solid defensive effort out of the Knicks tonight after allowing the Bucks to score 114 on them at MSG earlier this month. The Under is also 4-1 in the last 5 meetings between these two teams in New York. Bet the Under.
O.C. Dooley
Oklahoma +21.5
This game has a similar feel to an ESPN national telecast last week when Minnesota let out a season full of frustration by upsetting Wisconsin outright as an underdog. The Minnesota program has been dogged all season by “off the court” issues and Oklahoma just happens to be in a similar position. On paper this wager seems to be a no-brainer considering that #1 ranked Kansas has won an amazing 57 consecutive games in front of their home fans and tonight are hosting an opponent that has not won a single Big 12 Conference game on the road. One year ago at this time Oklahoma was sitting on top of the world with 30 overall victories along with “national player of the year” Blake Griffin. But due to injuries, illness, unexcused absences, police citations and suspensions, the Sooners basketball program all of a sudden is reeling. Last Wednesday in conceivably their only “winnable” conference road affair Oklahoma laid an egg against a Colorado contingent that was a horrible 2-8 in league play. Saturday in front of the home fans things did not get much better for the Sooners who lost by a resounding 15 point count against Kansas State. But closer inspection indicates some positives as Oklahoma actually WON the rebounding battle by a 35-32 count on the boards. The Sooners also got BENCH production from Tony Gallon (10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals) who basically was missing in action the past six weeks. Oklahoma’s leading scorer Willie Warren (ankle) is injured and was replaced in the starting lineup by 6’8” freshman Andrew Fitzgerald who tallied a CAREER HIGH 14 points along with 5 rebounds in 2 blocked shots. When watching tonight’s late ESPN affair keep an eye on Oklahoma senior guard Tony Crocker who leads all Big 12 Conference guards in “double doubles” (scoring, rebounding). While Kansas is rolling along with a #1 overall national ranking they have constantly been “over priced” which has actually made the Jayhawks a spread liability. In the past three years Kansas just happens to be an awful 1-12 ATS after a positive stretch where they have won 18 games straight-up in a 20-contest stretch. Oklahoma’s current mentor Jeff Capel just happens to be a solid 16-6 ATS in his coaching career after his team has suffered 3 consecutive spread setbacks. The remainder of Oklahoma’s regular season schedule is against nationally-ranked opposition which means their current 2-7 SU skid is going to get even worse. But with this being a rare ESPN primetime appearance one could argue that tonight is their own personal Super Bowl for underdog Sooners who a year ago was getting plenty of national media attention
SportsInsights
West Virginia -2 over Connecticut
We'll look to stop the bleeding tonight in Hartford, where the West Virginia Mountaineers travel to take on the Huskies of UConn. Connecticut is trying to turn some recent momentum into a push for the postseason, and a win last week at Villanova has given them hope. After managing just 48 points at home against Cincinnati, they've averaged 80 in their last two contests, both on the road. Guards Kemba Walker and Jerome Dyson have led the way, their scoring up since coach Jim Calhoun returned from a leave due to illness. West Virginia rebounded nicely last week as well, with two consecutive, if nonchalant, victories against Providence and Seton Hall. Led by Da'Sean Butler and Devin Ebanks, their scoring has increased in recent weeks. And when their heads are in the game, they play the type of aggressive and physical Bob Huggins defense that has intimidated opponents for years.
UConn's win over Villanova last week was highly publicized. Since the line came out at West Virginia -1, the Public has placed 56% of spread, 59% of moneyline and 57% of parlay and teaser bets on the Huskies. But the line has jumped the other way, currently sitting all the way up at West Virginia -2.5 at most sportsbooks. That sort of reverse line movement is fairly significant, and Sports Insights Betting Systems have found the cause of it. This morning, BetPhoenix (20-13, +5.58 Units Won) triggered a Steam Move on the Mountaineers. Connecticut has a lot to play for, but we're going to trust the system tonight and play on the best team instead. Go find the extra half point at Pinnacle and BetOnline.
West Virginia -2