Joe Gavazzi
Northeastern -2
Down 10 in the 2nd half, JMU rallied for a 58-57 mini-upset over Delaware to reach the CCT final. They were led by the trio of Nation, Moore, and Davis who combined for 42 points. But that comeback paled in comparison to that of #1 seed Northeastern, who rallied from being down 28-4 in first half to win at the buzzer, 69-67 vs perennial colonial champ George Mason. The Huskies have been a different team since the return of Lee in late December. He teams with Smith as the best guard tandem in the Colonial. Just 5-5 SU in non con play, they exploded for a 14-4 SU record in the Colonial, winning seemingly every close game with their senior guards controlling the action. Along the way, was a narrow 66-64 decision against these Dukes on Feb 20th. We have backed them with great success all season long, particularly away from home, where in league play they are 8-2 ATS.
Sean Murphy
Manhattan vs. Iona
Pick: Manhattan
I'll gladly grab the points with a Manhattan squad that enters the MAAC championship game playing its best basketball of the season. This isn't necessarily a bad matchup for the Jaspers, as they've split four meetings with the Gaels since the start of last season. In their most recent meeting, Manhattan pulled out a 74-73 upset win in double-overtime. Since that loss, Iona has gone 5-0-1 ATS, but that doesn't even begin to match the poinstpread success the Jaspers have enjoyed since the start of 2013. They've gone an incredible 15-4 ATS over their last 19 games overall, and roll into Monday's game riding a five-game ATS winning streak. This is a team that has certainly bought into everything that coach Masiello has sold them, and is quite simply brimming with confidence right now. That's not to say that the Gaels aren't confident as well. They made it to the Big Dance last year, and return a number of key cogs from that team, so they're obviously expecting to walk away victorious tonight. I simply feel that they're running into a super tough defensive opponent, and one that should give them fits for 40 minutes, maybe more if their last meeting was any indication. The MAAC has been wide-open in recent years, and there's just not enough separating these two teams at this stage of the game to warrant a four-point spread in a neutral court.
Jesse Schule
Calgary vs. Los Angeles
Pick: Los Angeles
The L.A. Kings will host Calgary tonight, just two days after blowing out the Flames by a score of 6-2 at the Staples Center on Saturday. As I search for any reason to expect a different result in this game, I simply draw a blank.
The Flames should be motivated to avenge that loss, and get a win in order to help them get back on track and back in the hunt for the playoffs, but the reality is, this team is on the verge of a complete collapse.
It is plain as day to everyone in the league, with the exception of Flames GM Jay Feaster, that it's time for Calgary to start rebuilding. This team simply doesn't have what it takes to make the playoffs, and they are sitting by watching their assets depreciate as they waste away in the bottom of the Western Conference.
One of the only reasons that Calgary managed to stay competitive over the past few seasons, was the stellar goaltending of Miikka Kiprusoff. The veteran netminder has returned from injury, but he's allowed 10 goals in two starts, and was pulled early in the third period after allowing six goals to the Kings on Saturday. Joey MacDonald hasn't been very solid either, allowing 11 goals over his last three starts, losing two of the three.
Teddy Covers
New York vs. Golden State
Pick: Golden State
This is the mother of all good spots for Golden State tonight. The Warriors are in short turnaround revenge for a hard fought, spread covering loss at Madison Square Garden on their most recent road swing. And Golden State is coming off back-2-back home losses, their first back-2-back losses at home all year.
For a team fighting to end their playoff drought, tonight’s game brings a particular sense of urgency. Warriors head coach Mark Jackson: “I believe in my guys. We'll be fine, but we have to respond." Leading scorer Stephan Curry: “We're just not showing up right now. Individually everyone has to step up and just play better."
Golden State should get a major boost with the expected return of All Star big man David Lee – the NBA’s leader in double doubles this season -- back to the lineup today after missing Saturday’s loss to Milwaukee. Lee’s quote understates the urgency of this same for Golden State: “If I can walk, I’m going to play.”
Meanwhile, the betting markets expect Carmelo Anthony to suit up for the Knicks tonight after he’s missed each of the last three games with knee troubles. New York has no similar sense of urgency, coming off a 27 point blowout over Utah, with marquee matchups against Denver, Portland, the LA Clippers and Utah ahead on this road trip.
And with ‘Melo expected back, we can look forward to the standard NBA model of the rest of his team letting down their guard with their star back on the floor. It’s certainly worth noting that New York lost SU to Chicago as chalk the last time Carmelo returned to the lineup and lost SU as chalk to Portland the time before that….. Take the Warriors.
John Ryan
Manhattan College at Iona
Prediction: Iona
The simulator shows a high probability that Iona will win this game by five or more points. Supporting this graded play is a proven system posting an incredible 24-2 ATS mark for 92% winners since 1997. Play on neutral court teams revenging a straight up loss to the current opponent as a favorite and after 3 consecutive covers as a favorite. Moreover, Iona is a solid 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games revenging a loss to the current opponent since 1997. These two teams have played each other twice this season and Iona has failed to cover in both. Manhattan defeated them at home 74-73 with Iona failing to cover as 2 ? point favorites February 15. Iona defeated Manhattan 78-70, but failed to cover installed as 13 12/ point favorites January 6. The disparity on offense is huge with Iona ranking first in the nation averaging 81.3 PPG and Manhattan ranking 328th scoring 58.3 PPG. Although the previous two games have been close, I feel that the Iona defense, which ranks 332nd allowing 76.2 PPG is playing far better right now than that stat reflects. I look for Iona to run Manhattan off the court.
Hollywood Sports
Knicks at Warriors
Prediction: Over
New York (38-22) looks to build off their 113-84 victory versus Utah on Saturday -- and they have then played 5 straight games Over the Total after scoring at least 100 points in their last contest. The Knicks have also played 4 straight games Over the Total against teams with a winning record. And while the Warriors are 20-9 on their home court this season, New York has played 4 of their last 5 road games Over the Total against teams with a winning record at home. Golden State (35-29) have lost two in a row after their 103-93 loss to Milwaukee on Saturday. The Warriors have played 14 of their last 20 games Over the Total after a double-digit loss. Golden State has also played 4 of their last 5 games Over the Total played with one day of rest. And in their last 5 games at home, the Warriors have played 4 of these games Over the Total. Take the Over in this one.
Jeff Alexander
North Dakota State -6
North Dakota State will be extremely motivated this evening as it has lost 5 in a row to Western Illinois. It lost 49-36 at home in a game where it was favored by 9 points in the most recent meeting. That loss actually places the Bison in a favorable situation. Favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points that are playing a 2nd game in 3 days away from home and out for revenge for an upset loss in a game where they were favored by 7 or more are 42-16 ATS since 1997.
Dave Price
Phoenix Suns +9
The Nuggets are getting a little too much respect on the road where they are just 14-19 on the season. They are 3-4 in their last 7 road contests with only 1 of the wins coming by more than 7 points. The Suns have quietly won 4 of 6 with wins over the Spurs, Hawks and Rockets during this stretch. They have also had plenty of success at home against the Nuggets. They won the season's first meeting at home by 10 points and are 23-7 in their last 30 at home in the series. The home team is a terrific 20-7-1 ATS in the last 28 meetings. Plus, the Nuggets are 3-9 ATS in the last 12 meetings in Phoenix. Take the points.
NHL Predictions
Bruins / Senators Over 5
The Boston Bruins are 16-3-3 on the season and 8-1-2 on the road. Ottawa has managed a pretty solid record despite a lot of injuries as they are 13-8-4 on the year and 9-1-2 at home. These two teams have met once this year on February 28th with Boston winning 2-1 in overtime. Although there were only 3 goals scored both teams had a ton of opportunities, with Boston outshooting Ottawa 46-31. Last year in their 6 meetings the OVER was 4-2 with totals of 8, 7, 7, 8, 1, and 4. All of those games were up tempo games with combined shots well over 60 in each of them. Boston has been scoring a lot of goals lately, with 3+ goals in 9 of their last 10 games. Ottawa has averaged just under 3 goals per game in their last 4 home games, and over their last 3 games overall they've averaged 3 goals per game (with totals of 5, 9, 5). The Senators have been an "under" team this year, but when these two teams meet the game seems to open up. With both teams finding the back of the net lately I think we have a good price on the OVER 5.
Harry Bondi
GONZAGA (-6) over ST Mary's
Gonzaga is the #1 team in the country, has beaten St Mary's twice this season, doesn't have any weaknesses and has met every challenge so far this season so we don't see them chocking here especially when they can be the overall #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament with a convincing win. St. Mary's is a solid squad but they do not have the length necessary to match up well against the Zags. Their only two conference losses this season were to Gonzaga including getting destroyed by 17 at home. Gaels struggled against a very ordinary San Diego squad to get here and it's more of the same tonight.