Free Picks: Service Plays for Saturday, January 22,2011

Game 661-662: Denver at Middle Tennessee State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 52.427; Middle Tennessee State 55.630
Dunkel Line: Middle Tennessee State by 3
Vegas Line: Middle Tennessee State by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (+3 1/2)

Game 663-664: Arkansas at Florida (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas 58.879; Florida 70.155
Dunkel Line: Florida by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida by 9
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-9)

Game 665-666: UTEP at Houston (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UTEP 65.187; Houston 59.005
Dunkel Line: UTEP by 6
Vegas Line: UTEP by 5
Dunkel Pick: UTEP (-5)

Game 667-668: Towson at NC Wilmington (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Towson 46.950; NC Wilmington 53.224
Dunkel Line: NC Wilmington by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: NC Wilmington by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Towson (+8 1/2)

Game 669-670: Iowa State at Missouri (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa State 65.855; Missouri 75.624
Dunkel Line: Missouri by 10
Vegas Line: Missouri by 9
Dunkel Pick: Missouri (-9)

Game 671-672: BYU at Colorado State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: BYU 72.448; Colorado State 68.467
Dunkel Line: BYU by 6
Vegas Line: BYU by 7
Dunkel Pick: Colorado State (+7)

Game 673-674: Michigan State at Purdue (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 67.130; Purdue 75.453
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Purdue by 6
Dunkel Pick: Purdue (-6)

Game 675-676: UC-Santa Barbara at CS-Fullerton (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Santa Barbara 56.168; CS-Fullerton 50.586
Dunkel Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Santa Barbara (-4 1/2)

Game 677-678: Long Beach State at UC-Irvine (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Long Beach State 57.077; UC-Irvine 57.043
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Long Beach State by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Irvine (+1 1/2)

Game 679-680: Pacific at UC Davis (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pacific 57.173; UC Davis 53.819
Dunkel Line: Pacific by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Pacific by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC Davis (+4 1/2)

Game 681-682: Loyola Marymount at Pepperdine (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola Marymount 52.949; Pepperdine 54.503
Dunkel Line: Pepperdine by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Pepperdine

Game 683-684: Boise State at Idaho (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boise State 60.451; Idaho 60.510
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Boise State by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Idaho (+1 1/2)

Game 685-686: Arizona at Washington State (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arizona 67.967; Washington State 68.215
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Washington State by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+2 1/2)

Game 687-688: Louisiana Tech at Nevada (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana Tech 47.201; Nevada 55.351
Dunkel Line: Nevada by 8
Vegas Line: Nevada by 10
Dunkel Pick: Louisiana Tech (+10)

Game 689-690: California at USC (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: California 61.248; USC 70.090
Dunkel Line: USC by 9
Vegas Line: USC by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: USC (-7 1/2)

Game 691-692: New Mexico State at Utah State (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Mexico State 59.948; Utah State 71.745
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 12
Vegas Line: Utah State by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Mexico State (+14 1/2)

Game 693-694: San Jose State at Hawaii (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose State 50.374; Hawaii 56.018
Dunkel Line: Hawaii by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Hawaii by 4
Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (-4)

Game 695-696: Eastern Kentucky at Morehead State (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Kentucky 49.446; Morehead State 60.191
Dunkel Line: Morehead State by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Morehead State by 12
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Kentucky (+12)

Game 697-698: Loyola-Maryland at Marist (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola-Maryland 51.075; Marist 47.210
Dunkel Line: Loyola-Maryland by 4
Vegas Line: Loyola-Maryland by 6
Dunkel Pick: Marist (+6)

Game 699-700: Samford at Wofford (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Samford 47.797; Wofford 58.636
Dunkel Line: Wofford by 11
Vegas Line: Wofford by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Samford (+14 1/2)

Game 701-702: Appalachian State at College of Charleston (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Appalachian State 48.318; College of Charleston 63.462
Dunkel Line: College of Charleston by 15
Vegas Line: College of Charleston by 13
Dunkel Pick: College of Charleston (-13)

Game 703-704: Chattanooga at Furman (4:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chattanooa 49.301; Furman 59.283
Dunkel Line: Furman by 10
Vegas Line: Furman by 12
Dunkel Pick: Chattanooga (+12)

Game 705-706: Eastern Illinois at Tennessee Martin (7:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Illinois 48.415; Tennessee Martin 46.614
Dunkel Line: Eastern Illinois by 2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Illinois

Game 707-708: Western Carolina at The Citadel (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Western Carolina 52.448; The Citadel 46.404
Dunkel Line: Western Carolina by 6
Vegas Line: Western Carolina by 1
Dunkel Pick: Western Carolina (-1)

Game 709-710: Georgia Southern at Elon (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia Southern 37.201; Elon 52.622
Dunkel Line: Elon by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: Elon by 14
Dunkel Pick: Elon (-14)

Game 711-712: Tennessee Tech at Tennessee State (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Tech 47.581; Tennessee State 54.011
Dunkel Line: Tennessee State by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Tennessee State by 5
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee State (-5)

Game 713-714: SE Missouri State at Murray State (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: SE Missouri State 41.928; Murray State 61.523
Dunkel Line: Murray State by 19 1/2
Vegas Line: Murray State by 17 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Murray State (-17 1/2)

Game 715-716: Jacksonville State at Austin Peay (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville State 42.584; Austin Peay 56.203
Dunkel Line: Austin Peay by 13 1/2
Vegas Line: Austin Peay by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville State (+14 1/2)

Game 717-718: Weber State at Northern Colorado (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Weber State 52.343; Northern Colorado 61.397
Dunkel Line: Northern Colorado by 9
Vegas Line: Northern Colorado by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Colorado (-7 1/2)

Game 719-720: Montana State at Montana (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Montana State 51.965; Montana 61.110
Dunkel Line: Montana by 9
Vegas Line: Montana by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montana State (+9 1/2)

Game 721-722: Eastern Washington at Sacramento State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Washington 41.890; Sacramento State 44.801
Dunkel Line: Sacramento State by 3
Vegas Line: Sacramento State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento State (-1)

Game 723-724: Northern Arizona at Portland State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Arizona 53.848; Portland State 53.444
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Northern Arizona by 2
Dunkel Pick: Portland State (+2)

Game 731-732: Western Illinois at UMKC (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Western Illinois 42.577; UMKC 48.304
Dunkel Line: UMKC by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 733-734: Centenary at Oral Roberts (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Centenary 32.673; Oral Roberts 57.007
Dunkel Line: Oral Roberts by 24 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 735-736: Oakland at North Dakota State (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland 62.865; North Dakota State 55.231
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 737-738: IPFW at South Dakota State (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: IPFW 54.835; South Dakota State 59.664
Dunkel Line: South Dakota State by 5
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 739-740: IUPUI at Southern Utah (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: IUPUI 55.267; Southern Utah 48.317
Dunkel Line: IUPUI by 7
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Marc Lawrence

New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder
Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder

When the Thunder takes its act back home to host the Knicks in Oklahoma City Saturday evening they will do so knowing OKC is is 5-0 ATS in its last five home games against unrested opposition. With the Thunder looking to avenge a 14-point loss suffered at MSG earlier this season, look for the host team in this series to improve to 6-0 ATS here tonight.

Tom Freese

Dallas Mavericks at New Jersey Nets
Prediction: Dallas Mavericks

New Jersey is 12-31 straight up this year. The Nets are 1-4 ATS. New Jersey 1-4 ATS their last 5 games. The Nets are 6-14 ATS their last 20 meetings with the Mavericks. Simply put this game is men against boys. Dallas is 27-15 straight up this year. Dallas is 7-1 ATS their last 8 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. The Mavericks are 14-6 ATS their last their 20 games with the Nets. With Dirk Nowitski back from an injury the Mavs are are ready to go on big RUN!

Jimmy Boyd

1 Unit on Charlotte Bobcats -2

After getting absolutely embarrassed by the Hornets to the tune of 100-59, it's going to be very difficult for Atlanta to pick itself back up off the floor in a place it has struggled. The Hawks are just 2-10 SU and ATS in their last 12 games at Charlotte. They have lost their last three on the road in this series by 7 or more points. The Bobcats are playing their best basketball of the season, going 6-3 SU and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games. They won't show any mercy to an Atlanta team that defeated them by 5 points last month. The Hawks are just 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a loss of more than 10 points. The Bobcats are 16-7 ATS in their last 23 games as a home favorite of 4.5 or fewer points. Look for Charlotte to kick the Hawks while they're already down.

Matt Fargo

Buffalo vs. Ohio
Play: Ohio -2

After a brutal stretch where they have played the top teams in their division while going 1-2 in that span, I thought the Bobcats would have been focused for a win at Bowling Green but that was not the case. There have been letdowns and lookaheads in the Ohio schedule in the early part of the season and now it is just time to focus on the task at hand as it returns home for what essentially is a must win game. The Bobcats were picked to win the MAC East but they are in last place and a loss here drops them to 1-4. Buffalo meanwhile has won two straight games but both of those took place at home and now the Bulls take to the road. They are coming off a 25-point win over Kent St., the largest margin of victory over the Golden Flashes and it was arguably the best all-around game of the season for Buffalo on both sides of the floor. That provides us with the bounce angle as a team will “bounce” back to the median and it also gives us line value with the big win coupled with the home team’s upset loss. Ohio is 5-7 in home games this season, and has lost its last three and four of the last five at home which is extremely surprising as it had lost only six home games in the previous two seasons combined. It’s just the third time in program history the Bobcats have dropped as many as seven home games in the Convocation Center. One loss came against Kent St. by just three points while two other home losses came in overtime so obviously the inability to close out these home games has been the real issue. The Bobcats fall into a solid situation based on the recent results. Play on home favorites or pickems that are coming off a conference loss as a favorite going up against an opponent that is coming off a conference win by 20 points or more. This situation is 39-10 ATS (79.6 percent) over the last five seasons. Ohio is 21-6 ATS in its last 27 home games as a favorite of three points or fewer while going 7-0 ATS in its last seven home games following a conference road loss. 3* Ohio Bobcats

Craig Trapp

Pittsburgh vs. Depaul
Play: Pittsburgh -16.5

Are you joking me, would give up 25 if need be as DEP really will struggle with the most physical team in the country. PITT has it all and DEP will be down 20 by half. The bench of PITT is loaded as well so even when the subs come in this will never be close.

Tom Stryker

Oklahoma State @ Baylor
PICK: Baylor -6

Off back-to-back straight up losses to Iowa State and Kansas, Baylor will be well prepared for this Big 12 war. Before Monday's loss to the Jayhawks inside the Ferrell Center, the Bears had won 15 straight in Waco. It's time to start a new streak.

Even though BU owns a dismal 7-24 SU in this series against Oklahoma State dating back to 1992, the Bears have dominated the Cowboys in their last four visits posting a solid 4-0 SU (2-2 ATS) record. Baylor has been tough at the Ferrell Center too checking in off two or more straight up losses posting a strong 29-15-2 ATS mark including a stunning 25-7-1 ATS facing a foe that sports a won/loss percentage less than .785!

After suffering a pair of losses of its own, Oklahoma State rebounded with a home win over Iowa State in overtime on Wednesday night. Don't be surprised when the Cowboys revert back to their losing ways here. Surprisingly, as an underdog taking the floor without revenge of any kind, OSU has struggled something fierce notching an ugly 22-48-1 ATS record including a shocking 12-32-1 ATS in this role checking in with momentum off a straight up win. With those two parameters applied and State facing an opponent that carries a won/loss percentage of .800 or less, this team trend crashes to a woeful 3-19 ATS!

There is a rare college system that supports head coach Scott Drew's troops here too. Since the 1990-91 season, conference home favorites holding a won/loss percentage greater than .620 are a nearly perfect 15-2 ATS provided they failed to cover as a home dog last, a road dog two games back and enter this contest off a blowout loss of 10 points or more. It should be noted that favs priced at -6' or less in this role are a perfect 9-0 SU and ATS!

Defensively, BU is ranked second in rebounding (29.2), third in scoring (60.9) and fifth in field-goal percentage (47.6). Off a 15-point loss to the Cyclones and 20-point home loss to the Jayhawks, the Bears will come out of hibernation here and get the job done. Take Baylor.

Scott Spreitzer

George Mason @ James Madison
PICK: George Mason

George Mason is 13-5 SU, 11-5 ATS and has covered 11 of the last 14 meetings, including an 11-point win on this floor last year. The Patriots are on a current three-game winning streak and have covered the number four games in a row. GMU shoots 48.4 percent from the field while holding opponents to only 41.3 percent. The Patriots are coming off probably their best performance of the season in a 71-47 win over Drexel, in which they outrebounded the Dragons 40-31 and held them to 32 percent from the field. George Mason is led by Cam Long who averages 14.4 points per game, followed by Ryan Pearson at 14.3 points with a field goal percentage of .553. Luke Hancock scores 11.6 per contest. James Madison is just 6-13-1 ATS its last 20 home games. The Dukes lost 64-58 at Old Dominion on Wednesday which broke a nine-game winning streak as they were outrebounded 39-31 and shot just 39 percent from the field. Denzel Bowles leads the team with 17.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. They're not without talent, but just don't matchup well with George Mason. The Patriots have won 13 of the last 14 meetings straight-up and look for George Mason to get another win over the Dukes on Saturday. I'm backing George Mason.

Scott Rickenbach

George Mason @ James Madison
PICK: James Madison

The Dukes won 9 straight games before falling short at Old Dominion on Wednesday. James Madison had 12 more field goal attempts than the Monarchs but the Dukes simply had a horrific shooting night. We highly doubt that this will be repeated here as James Madison is now back at home for this one and they are ready to resume their winning ways. The Dukes are enjoying a resurgence this season thanks to returning a wealth of talent from last season’s team. Additionally, James Madison is ready to put a couple of years of frustration to rest with a big win today over a Patriots team that has won 4 of the last 5 meetings between the teams. This includes two years ago when George Mason knocked the Dukes out of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament.

It’s payback time here as James Madison has a skilled point guard who is also a leader (Devon Moore), a fantastic post player (Denzel Bowles) who transferred from Texas A & M, and solid scoring threats in Rayshawn Goins, Julius Wells, Andrey Semenov and Humpty Hitchens. Look for the Dukes to improve to 7-1 ATS this season when they are facing a team with a winning record as they drop George Mason to 13-20 ATS when the Patriots are a road dog of three points or less or a pick’em. Consider a small play on James Madison EARLY on Saturday.

Jim Feist

Toronto Raptors vs. Miami Heat
Miami Heat -12½

Toronto is in a terrible situational spot, playing their 5th straight road game. They are banged up with injuries, lacking depth. It's also the second of a back to back spot, having to play at Orlando last night and now head to face LeBron and Miami. Miami is well rested, with 3 full days off, plus they are an angry team riding an 0-4 SU/ATS run. They will run right at the tired Raptors. Play the Miami Heat!

Ray Monohan

Ohio State vs. Illinois
Play: Ohio State -2½

No. 1 Ohio State, which rolled past Iowa 70-48 on Wednesday, gets a much toughest test Saturday when it travels to Champaign, Ill., to play No. 22 Illinois. The teams met three times last season with Ohio State winning all three, including an 88-81 overtime victory in the Big Ten Tournament. Illinois sits third in the Big ten with a 14-5 record. While they have not had the success of Ohio State, they have positioned themselves to be the spoiler of the conference. OHIO St. are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games. Road team is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings. Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road. Illinois is 2-8 SU in its last 10 games when playing Ohio State. Ohio State hosts No. 13 Purdue on Tuesday. Illinois travels to Indiana on Thursday. This should be a high-scoring affair, and in a run-n-gun type of game I'll play the Buckeyes in a heartbeat. Give the points.

SPORTS WAGERS

Marquette +3½/+144 over NOTRE DAME

7:00 PM EST. These two met just 12 days ago at the Bradley Center where the Golden Eagles destroyed the Irish by 22 points. That blowout win gives Marquette a big psychological edge over a fragile Irish squad despite the fact that this one will be played in South Bend. Notre Dame has looked terrific at home but they’ve looked very, very average on the road and that suggests they’re might not as good as their #6 indicates. The Irish’s last three road games have all been double digit losses to good opponents and while this one is at home, those road losses by big margins has to be concerning and not very good for the overall team confidence. The Marquette Golden Eagles are bar none the best 13-6 team in the country. Last Saturday they led by 19 points at Louisville and ended up losing by a point. That one hurt but it’s also a good lesson to never let up. The Golden Eagles are a good rebounding team, they’re efficient, they’re rock solid at the all-important PG position and they’re deep. We also have a 6th ranked team at home laying three points against a 13-6 squad and that alone tells you how much the oddsmakers respect the Eagles. They know they’re going to attract Irish money here because Notre Dame is always popular among the public and they’re also 12-0 at home. The line itself suggests we have a very live pooch here. Play Marquette +3½ (Risking 1.05 units to win 1). Play: #631 Marquette +144 (Risking 1 unit).

St. John’s –2½ over CINCINNATI

4:00 PM EST. The Johnny’s are so dangerous. This is a team that could do some serious damage to some bubble teams and they can also be a threat to knock off some top-ranked schools in the unlikely event that they make the dance. The Red Storm is just 11-6 overall under first-year head coach Steve Lavin, who has breathed life into the stagnant program. However, at home they’re 6-2 at home where they play with a lot more confidence. The Johnny’s are a very good scoring team, they already have two very notable home wins over Notre Dame and Georgetown and there is no doubt whatsoever that they have the talent to put away there Bearcats. The Bearcats stock soared when they opened the year 15-0 but then reality set in when Big East play started. Cinci is still 16-3 and that makes them an overvalued club. The Bearcats beat a lot of weak teams and while they blew out some, they also struggled against far too many including a 10-point win over Mount St. Mary’s, a six-point win over IPFW, a 13-point win over Savannah St and an eight-point win over Oklahoma. This is a team that can be held to a low shooting percentage and frankly, they’re just not that good. The Bearcats will also play their third straight road game this week, all against Big East foes and the Red Storm will be ready. Cheap line. Play: #586 St. John’s –2½ (Risking 2.02 units to win 2).

James Patrick Sports

Southern Illinois vs. Illinois State

Since seriously-regressing NIU (0-8 in MVC) has been clearly unable to supplant its (3) top graduated scorers instrumental in posting (3) straight 20+ win campaigns, will suggest SIU contingent back to full strength with return of 6-9 soph C Gene Teague (missed 5 games), who played only (10) minutes due to a lingering ankle injury in earlier (63-59) win vs. the Redbirds. Salukis' 6-8 sr. F Carlton Fay licking his chops after pouring in (33) pts. in first meeting, so look for offensively-feckless ISU (miserable 29% from arc) to continue its money-burning ways (5-12-1 vs. spread TY). Big Game James Patrick's complimetary selection in NCAA College Basketball action is Southern Illinois Salukis.

Tony George

Texas A&M -5

No Sweat Freebee here. Texas AM just got DESTROYED at ther hands of Texas this week on the road by 21 points. K State is a team that is so overrated it is unreal. Players leaving the team, no offensive moxie in the face of adversity and Pullen the only scorer on the team. Bottom line is that with Texas AM is in a foul mood, they have one of the stronger home floors in the conference and with the DEFENSE that Texas AM plays, K State will have HUGE problems here today and they have under performed against tough teams and good defenses all season on the road, with their last debacle at Mizzou an example.