BEN BURNS
Winnipeg at Edmonton
Play: Edmonton -110
Both these teams are much better on home ice. The Jets are 11-16 away from Winnipeg, getting outscored by a 2.9 to 2.4 average. The Oilers are even worse than that on the road. However, they're a respectable 15-11 here at Edmonton, outscoring teams by a 3.0 to 2.6 average.
The Jets are 7-13 (-4.1) when playing a road game with an O/U line of 5.5. The Oilers are 10-4 (+6.4) when playing a home game with an O/U line of 5.5.
The Jets are off a 6-2 loss last time out while the Oilers are off a 5-2 win. Young star Conor McDavid is looking like the player Oiler fans hoped he'd be. They've now won their last two games here by a combined score of 10-3. All things considered, a price in the pick'em range seems more than fair.
MATT FARGO
Florida Atlantic +1½
We played against UTEP in its last game Thursday and unfortunately, the Miners were able to win their first road game of the season but I do not expect a repeat of that. They came into the game against Florida International with seven straight road losses to start the season but shot 56.2 percent from the floor including 57.9 percent from long range to take out the Golden Panthers. That was their third straight win and fourth straight cover but now they are favored on the highway for just the third time this season. Florida Atlantic has had one of the toughest schedules around as 17 of its first 25 games have been away from home and the Owls have gone 2-15 in those games. They are 5-3 in their eight home games including a 4-1record in the conference and here is another very winnable game. They are just a game behind UTEP in the C-USA standings and have a much better home/road split yet are catching points and are 2-0 ATS at home this season against teams with a winning record while going back, the Miners are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games against teams with a winning percentage below .400.
SCOTT SPREITZER
Xavier +3½
The Musketeers can ill afford a loss here, trailing Villanova by two games in the Big East standings. Xavier played quite possibly their worst game of the season last time out, ending in a 70-56 loss to Creighton. Muskies' coach Chris Mack was not a happy man following the loss in Omaha, calling out his team after saying they virtually ignored the gameplan right out of the blocks. XU certainly looked out of sync for most of the night and they paid for it with their third loss of the season. Butler seems to have a case of bad timing. This marks the second time this season they have played Xavier and both times, the Musketeers were coming off a rare loss. They were no match for an angry XU squad in Cincinnati and lost 88-69 in January. Xavier has now won 9 of the last 12 meetings at Hinkle Fieldhouse, and they're 9-1-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings, overall. Butler has shot well most of the season, but not against the defensively sound Musketeers, making just 38.7% of their FGA in the first meeting. I do believe XU will throw a wrench into the Bulldogs' offensive plans again. Finally, Butler has struggled at home against teams with a winning record, currently on a 0-5 ATS slide in this role.
CHASE DIAMOND
St. John's vs. Villanova
Play: St. John's +26½
This game has the 7-18 St.Johns at the 21-3 Villanova. St.Johns who we have played on in the past and won have no chance of winning today but covering is a different story. Public is backing the Johnnies here at 59% but I can't pass on this many points. St.Johns is a super 34-14 ATS on the road in the Big East off a defeat by more than 10 points including a perfect 13-0 ATS since 2000 against foes that have a winning ATS record on the season which Villanova does easily. We will take the big points here and back St.Johns.
WILL ROGERS
Colorado State vs. UNLV
Play: UNLV -7
The Colorado State Rams will be in Las Vegas on Saturday night, and they'll have their work cut out for them against the UNLV Rebels. The Rams have a better record in conference play, but they have struggled on the road, and the Rebels should win big here at Thomas Mack Arena.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Previous History - The Rebels have dominated this series, covering the spread in 10 of their last 13 home games versus the Rams. They are also 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
2. Battle on the Boards - The Rebels are averaging over 37 rebounds per game at home, and they out-rebounded the Rams in Colorado State earlier this season.
3. X-Factor - The Rebels lost by just a single point at Colorado State on January 6th, setting up a nice revenge angle for the second game in the season series.
MIKE LUNDIN
Xavier +3½
I like the 21-3 Xavier Musketeers to bounce back from a rare loss as they visit the 17-7 Butler Bulldogs Saturday afternoon. The Musketeers had won five straight before falling 70-56 to Creighton Tuesday and they're 7-2 ATS in their last nine Saturday games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games. They hammered the Bulldogs 88-69 on their own building on Jan. 3 as they shot 56.4% from the field while holding Butler to just 38.7% shooting. The Bulldogs are 1-9-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings between the two teams and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games against teams with winning records. I don't think they got what it takes to roll with this balanced Musketeers team today, and taking the points looks like a no brainer.
RAY MONOHAN
Edmonton Oilers -105
The Oilers and Jets square off in Edmonton on Saturday night and the price opens at a pickem for both teams. Winnipeg is just 11-16 away from home on the season and are getting outscored 2.90 to 2.40 per away game. Edmonton on the other hand has played a majority of their best hockey at home, where they are 15-11 and scoring 3.0 goals per game.
Edmonton has also played very well over their last couple games, winning 2 straight and outscoring their opponents in those 2 games 10-3. Considering the factors, grabbing the Oilers at home at this listed price is a nice sight and worth the play here.
JIM FEIST
Texas vs. Iowa State
Play: Under 146½
Texas is playing great defense for coach Shaka Smart, on a 6-0-1 run under the total. They come off a loss at No. 1 Oklahoma, 63-60, going under the total, shooting 40%, while allowing 40%. Texas was just 6-of-23 on threes. This is their 5th road game in 8 games, so it's tired situational spot. The Under is 17-5 in the Longhorns last 22 vs. the Big 12. Iowa State is on a 1-3 SU/ATS run and they play their best defense at home. 6-9 Jameel McKay (12.4 ppg, 9 rpg) has missed the last two games (suspension) but will be back Saturday, a great rebounder and shot blocker in the low post. The Under is 7-2-1 in the Cyclones last 10 games following a straight up loss.
HEATH MAC
Gonzaga +6
The Zags have been quietly going about their business in the WCC, where it is tight at the top between Gonzaga, St Marys (CA) and BYU with all three capable of beating each other. The Bulldogs haven’t been great at covering this season at 9-13-1, however they have been winning games and most of their misses have been when not covering 20 point starts, etc.
SMU have fallen away after setting the world on fire to begin the season. They’ve lost 3 of their last 5 games outright (all as favorite) and have been even worse than Gonzaga ATS this season, with an 8-11 ATS record, including 3-7 ATS at home. SMU are 1-4 ATS at home in their last 5 games.
Although not as good as previous seasons, this Gonzaga side is still a good side and should play in the big dance next month, even if they don’t win the WCC (which they likely will). SMU is a good side, but with no prospect of playing next month due to their ban, it looks like the players are beginning to think about other things. This just looks like too many points to give a good side with plenty to play for against an out of form side with nothing other than pride to play for.
Gonzaga is 18-2 SU in its last 20 games on the road. Mustangs are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games. Mustangs are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
BOB HARVEY
Chicago Blackhawks -132
The Chicago Blackhawks look to snap a rare home losing streak when they host the Anaheim Ducks. The Blackhawks have dropped the first two games of their four-game homestand and have seen their home record fall to 16-13. Anaheim is 10-11-2-2 as a visitor and has dropped four straight to the Windy City skaters.
While the Blackhawks are trying to get things together at home, the Ducks (26-19-5, 24-29 PL) are looking to right their ship after a pair of tough losses. After winning five straight, they’ve lost two of the first three contests on their current seven-game road trip. In its last outing, Anaheim squandered a two goal lead en route to a 4-3 shootout loss to the last-place Columbus Blue Jackets. Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen has been solid during the up and down stretch securing at least one point in each of his last eight decisions (6-0-2).
The Blackhawks (36-18-4, 26-32 PL) are hoping their netminder Corey Crawford will continue his dominance of the Ducks. The two-time Jennings Trophy recipient improved to 11-4-1 with three shutouts and 1.77 goals-against average vs. Anaheim after stopping 62-of-64 shots en route to winning both overtime encounters this season.
Chicago is 12-2-2 versus Pacific Division representatives while Anaheim is 6-6-2 versus Central Division foes.
The OVER is 5-0-1 in Anaheim’s past six road games and 4-0-1 to the high side in the last five series meetings. However, the two teams are a combined 50-38 to the UNDER this season.
JACK JONES
Clemson -5.5
The Clemson Tigers are on the NCAA Tournament bubble right now. They cannot afford losses like this at home to Georgia Tech, and I fully expect this veteran squad to take care of business today by 6-plus points.
Clemson also comes in highly motivated off back-to-back losses to Virginia Tech and Notre Dame by a combined 9 points. This is a team that has beaten the likes of Florida State, Louisville, Duke, Miami and Pitt at home this season.
In fact, the Tigers simply do not lose at home. They have gone 11-3 SU & 7-3 ATS in all home games this season, including 5-1 SU & 5-1 ATS at home in ACC play. The Yellow Jackets are just 2-5 SU in true road games and 3-8 in conference play overall this season.
Clemson is 14-4 SU in its last 18 home meetings with Georgia Tech. The Tigers are also 11-1 SU in their last 12 meetings with the Yellow Jackets overall. Clemson is 7-0 ATS off one or more consecutive overs this season. The Tigers are 33-16 ATS in their last 49 home games off two consecutive ATS losses.
JIMMY BOYD
Oregon -6
The Ducks were embarrassed Thursday night in a 63-83 loss at Cal, which is bad news for the struggling Cardinal on Saturday. Oregon came out with zero energy in that game against the Golden Bears and paid the price. They let Cal shoot 55.7% from the field and 56.3% from behind the 3-point line. That kind of loss isn't going to sit well with head coach Dana Altman or the players and I look for a big time effort on the road today against Stanford.
The Cardinal are a prime target for Oregon to get back on track. Stanford has lost 4 straight with all 4 losses coming by 12 or more points. The Cardinal are having a horrible time offensively, as they have shot 40% or worse from the field in 4 straight games. At the same time they have allowed their opponents to shoot 46% or better. That's a recipe for disaster against a Ducks offense that comes in averaging 77.5 ppg on 46.7% shooting.
The Ducks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games off a SU loss and a perfect 6-0 ATS in their last 6 after 15+ games against bad passing teams that average 12 or fewer assists/game. Stanford is 1-8 ATS this season when playing against a team that's won between 60% and 80% of their games, 10-22 ATS in their last 32 home games revenging a same season loss and 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 home games overall.
BRANDON LEE
Iowa State -5
The Cyclones are poised for a breakout performance at home on Saturday, as they are desperate for a win after dropping 3 of their last 4. The Longhorns are simply getting too much respect from the books in this one, as they have covered 7 straight, including a 60-63 loss at Oklahoma as a 8-point dog. That won't be an easy defeat to bounce back from, as Texas had to feel like they should have won that game. Iowa State will get a big emotional boost in this one, as Jameel McKay returns from a 2-game suspension and I look for him to play inspired. The Cyclones are also out for revenge from an overtime loss at Texas and are 13-4 ATS in their last 17 home games revenging a same season loss.
ANDRE RAMIREZ
Texas A&M vs. LSU
Play: LSU -125
Texas A&M have lost momentum! Texas A&M is riding into hostile territory where LSU has yet to lose in SEC play. A&M has looked lethargic offensively and on the glass -- two places where the Tigers thrive. Look for Ben Simmons and Antonio Blakeney to keep playing at a high level and actually get some help from their supporting cast in front of the home crowd. LSU pulls the upset and remains tied atop the SEC with the Kentucky-South Carolina winner.
3G-SPORTS
Kentucky vs. South Carolina
Play: South Carolina +3
There's not much Kentucky can do to stop Michael Carrera from knocking down shots. Alex Poythress will get caught with his hands down and Carrera will shoot right over him. He has scored 15 pts or more 6 out of the last 7 games, he has been red hot. When baskets are desperately needed, Kentucky just doesn't have that guy to take the game over with consistency. Jamal Murray is excellent, and can score with the best, but I don't see him being able to burn the defensive adjustments of the Gamecocks. Gamecocks are 14-3 ATS in their last 17 home games and they are very tough at home.