Jimmy Boyd
Syracuse -11½
The Orange have been a team on a mission since head coach Jim Boeheim returned from an NCAA suspension costing him the first 16 games of the season. Syracuse went just 10-6 without him, but have since gone 7-2 and are riding a 4-game winning streak. This team is playing like a Top 25 team, as their only loss during this stretch was a 8-point defeat at Virginia.
Boston College is without a doubt the worst team in the ACC. The Eagles have yet to win a conference game at 0-11. They put a big scare into North Carolina at home in a heartbreaking 65-68 loss, but I believe that just has them set up for a letdown. That was the first conference loss by fewer than 10 points.
Syracuse destroyed Boston College 62-40 at home and it was over early, as the Orange took a 30-15 lead into the half. Having just saw this team give the Tar Heels a scare and Syracuse fighting for a spot in the NCAA Tournament, I don't see them overlooking BC in this one. Adding to this is the fact that home teams revenging a loss where they scored 50 or less and are coming in off a home loss are 32-70 (31%) ATS over the last 5 seasons.
Orange are 31-8 ATS in their last 39 road games following three or more straight home games and BC is 5-20 ATS in their last 25 home games against teams who average 8 or more made 3-pointers.
Brandon Lee
Pittsburgh vs. North Carolina
Play: Pittsburgh +10½
This game is going to mean a lot more to the Panthers than it is the Tar Heels. Pittsburgh is going to come out extremely motivated to pull off the upset and put an end to their 2-game losing streak. North Carolina on the other hand is not playing well at the moment. The Tar Heels lost back-to-back games at Louisville and Notre Dame and barely escaped with a 68-65 win at Boston College, who hasn't won a conference game. With rival Duke on deck Wednesday, I think we could see North Carolina looking ahead and allow Pittsburgh to keep it close. Tar Heels are just 2-11 ATS in their last 13 conference home games and just 1-8 ATS in their last 9 home games off a conference win.
Harry Bondi
WEST (-5.5) over East
We typically stay away from all star games, but we think this is a great match-up to jump in and lay the points with the West. Not only does the West have seven of the best eight players in the entire league, but that will drop off even more in the West's favor if Jonathan Wall sits this out for the East. The West will also have a HUGE coaching advantage today with Gregg Popovich leading the West against the East's rookie head coach Tyronn Lue, who has quickly proved that he is in way over his head with the Cavs. Finally, look for the West to play with more motivation down the stretch tonight because they want to send Kobe Bryant out with a win in his final All-Star Game appearance. Take the more motivated team, the more talented team, the deeper team and the better-coached team. Lay the points.
Oskeim Sports
Evansville at Loyola Chicago
Play: Loyola Chicago +4.5
The Ramblers' 12-13 record is deceiving in light of the fact that nine of their 13 conference games this season have been decided by ten points or less, with three determined by two or less (0-3 in those contests). Loyola-Chicago was 9-1 in games decided by five points or less last season, and I expect the Ramblers' fortunes to improve as they look to build upon their back-to-back blowout wins over Southern Illinois (73-59) and Bradley (54-43) on the road.
Loyola was 3-7 in the conference last season before going 5-3 in the month of February to secure a postseason bid. With four returning starts back from that squad, look for the Ramblers to build upon the confidence gained with their two most recent wins, including a huge upset over Southern Illinois as 7-point road underdogs. Loyola's success begins at the defensive end of the floor where the Ramblers are allowing 64.5 points per game to teams that would combine to average 69.7 points per game.
The Ramblers are also limiting foes to a mere 64.2 points per game at home, which is good enough to slow down an Evansville attack that is averaging just 72.0 points per game on the road and 70.2 points over its last five games. My math model only favors Evansville by one point and the Purple Aces have dropped five of their last seven games to the number. Take Loyola and invest with confidence.
Jack Jones
Minnesota +20
The Minnesota Golden Gophers are still winless in Big Ten play this season. As a result, the betting public really wants nothing to do with them because they are designated as the worst team in the Big Ten because of it. That's why they are catching 20 points today against Iowa.
But this is simply too many points, and the Gophers should have no problem staying within 20. After all, they have played a bunch of close games here of late. Indeed, six of their last seven games have been decided by 8 points or less, but they've somehow managed to lose all seven.
The Gophers only lost by 6 at Indiana and by 5 at Michigan in two of their last three road games. They also lost to Indiana by 7 at home, to Purdue by 4 at home and to Michigan by 8 at home. So, they've shown they can compete with the Big Ten's best, and they will do so again tonight against Iowa.
Minnesota has won two of the last three meetings in this series, all three of which were decided by 6 points or less. The Gophers are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 trips to Iowa City. The Hawkeyes are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games following a straight up loss. Iowa is 1-8 ATS after allowing 80 points or more over the last three seasons.
Bruce Marshall
Indiana / Michigan St. Over 151.5
Michigan State will gladly play at Indiana's preferred uptempo and can likely beat the Hoosiers at their own game. Indiana's defense leaves something to be desired and note the recent scoring surge by the Spartans, who have not been held under 72 points in their last nine games, a span in which MSU has scored 81 ppg. The Hoosiers score 84 ppg and shoot 51% from the floor, so expect some points to be scored at the Breslin Center on Sunday.
Andy Iskoe
Evansville -4.5
After a blistering 17-3 start to the season that included a 6-1 start in Missouri Valley Conference play Evansville has hit the skids, losing 4 of 6 to drop to 8-5 in conference play. The Purple Aces are seeking their 20th win of the season and face a team they defeated in their first meeting, winning 74-66 on January 19 but failed to cover as 13 1/2 point home favorites. That win was the end of that strong 17-3 start and thus Loyola Chicago represents a chance for Evansville to get back on track for the stretch run in conference play. Loyola is just 5-8 in conference play (12-13 overall) but has played better of late, winning 3 of 4. My rankings show a huge difference in the quality of these two teams with Evansville ranking #94 and Loyola #239. Although Evansville has struggled over the past 3 weeks the 'weakest; team Evansville has lost to in conference play is ranked #184 (Illinois State). What this means is Evansville is stepping down in class today and should get a much needed win and my projections call for a 10to 13 point win.
Chris Jordan
My free play is on the North Carolina Tar Heels, laying a big number against the Pitt Panthers, as the two meet in a tough ACC battle. Coach Roy Williams says his vertigo issue is not a concern, and he's more worried about his ninth-ranked Tar Heels maintaining momentum down the home stretch of the season.
North Carolina (20-4, 9-2 ACC) avoided a third straight loss Tuesday with a 68-65 victory at Boston College, during which Williams spent most of the second half in the locker room after collapsing momentarily in a huddle.
Now that it appears the Heels have shaken off losses to then-No. 19 Louisville on Feb. 1 and at Notre Dame last Saturday, I suspect they'll be looking to make a run at the regular-season title, which appears to be wide open at this point. North Carolina is alone in first, but Miami is on it heels, along with Virginia and Notre Dame.
Pittsburgh (17-6, 6-5), meanwhile, has lost consecutive games for the first time after dropping a 65-63 contest at No. 12 Miami on Tuesday. The Panthers are 0-4 against ranked teams after also losing 64-50 last Saturday to then-No. 9 Virginia. Pittsburgh is 0-4 all-time in Chapel Hill, while the Tar Heels are 12-0 at home this season.
Take UNC as your free play.
2* NORTH CAROLINA
Jeff Benton
Your Sunday freebie is the Utes to name it against the Cougars.
Utah has had smooth sailing when facing Washington State of late, as the Utes already have authored a 92-71 blowout win in Pullman at the end of January to make it 4 straight series wins, and series wins in 6 of the last 8 overall with 5 covers in that stretch.
Wazzou is currently mired in a 10 game slide with just a 2-8 against the spread mark in those 10 losses, while Utah is 12-1 straight up at home with covers in 2 of their last 3 on their home floor.
The Pacific 12 features a bunch of teams with hopes for at-large bids next month, and at 18-7, it is no sure thing the Utes get a bid, so look for them to show no mercy in this one against the lesser Cougars.
Utah in a cake-walk.
3* UTAH
Brad Wilton
Big number, but after watching Iowa miss 10 free throws in their 7-point loss at Indiana earlier this week, I think the Hawkeyes are ready to take out some of their frustration against the backsliding Golden Gophers at Carver Hawkeye Arena tonight.
Iowa has not lost at home this season at 12-0 straight up, and they have also covered the spread in 7 of their 9 lined home games. The Hawkeyes will face a Minny team that has actually won and covered 2 of the last 3 series meetings, but it is a Minnesota team that is woefully down from previous editions, as the Gophers are mired in a 13-game straight up slide, and are just 6-15 against the spread their last 21.
Iowa is 6-2 against the spread the past 8 series meetings, and after the Indiana setback, I don't see Fran McCafferey calling off the dogs in this one.
Huge rout here. Iowa by a million.
4* IOWA
Scott Delaney
Friday night I delivered St. Peter's as a free play, and tonight I'm right back on the Peacocks for my complimentary winner. St. Peter's is laying a very low number to the Canisius Golden Griffins, which is strange to me since St. Pete has been much better in league play.
Canisius comes into the contest 11-15 overall and 6-9 in the circuit after falling 90-67 to Siena on Thursday, while Saint Peter's is in with a 10-13 overall mark, and 8-6 MAAC mark after defeating Niagara 72-59 on Friday night.
Saint Peter's ended a five-game losing streak with its win against Quinnipiac on Monday and has won two-straight games.
I'll play the home team here.
3* ST. PETERS
Gabriel DuPont
Free play for tonight, as I look to improve on my 14-6 runwith complimentary plays: Usc at ARIZONA (-9)
The STORYLINE in this game today - The other night I thought the UCLA Bruins would have a great chance to win outright against Arizona, but after reading some articles and checking in with some sharps, I made my move on the Wildcats. I should have went with my first instinct, done no research and spoke to no one, as the Bruins covered. My first instinct in this one is the Arizona Wildcats are on top of their game, they've been playing well and tonight they're going to make a strong statement with a blowout win over the USC Trojans.
The X-FACTOR in making this choice on this game - My x-factor in this one is Arizona's recent momentum swing. Since falling to 4-4 in Pac 12 play and having its 49-game home winning streak snapped by Oregon on Jan. 28, the Wildcats limited Oregon State, Washington State and Washington to a combined 39.1 percent shooting and 66.3 points per game in three consecutive victories, then survived a scare at home against UCLA and pulled out the win on Thursday. I think the Wildcats are in a great spot to score another huge win, and set their sights on a late-season run toward the Pac 12 regular-season title.
BOTTOM LINE is - USC hasn't won at the McKale Center since 2008 and has lost its last three visits by a combined 70 points. And make note, the Wildcats moved ahead of USC in the Pac-12 standings after the Trojans' three-game win streak ended with Friday's 74-67 defeat at Arizona State. The Trojans aren't going to be prepared to withstand the 'Cats' offensive surge tonight.
3* ARIZONA
Matt Fargo
Arizona State -2½
It has been a horrible season for UCLA as a loss at Arizona on Friday dropped the Bruins to 4-7 in the Pac 12 and 13-11 overall. They have dropped five of their last seven games including two straight on the road but both of those were against quality teams and Arizona St. simply is not. UCLA has not dropped three straight conference games since 2010 and if there is a must win game to save the season, this is the one. The problem is consistency which the Bruins have none of right now so a must win situation assures nothing. The Sun Devils defeated USC on Friday which was their second straight win following a 1-5 run. While that run was a bad one, three of those losses were by five points or less with another coming in overtime. Arizona will be out for payback after a seven-point loss at UCLA last month and it is important to note that the home team has won the last five meetings. The Sun Devils are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games against teams with a losing road record while the Bruins are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following an ATS win.
Mike Lundin
West -5½
This is not a contest I will recommend making a huge wager on, but I think it's reasonable to put a couple of units at work on the West in the NBA All Star game Sunday night. The West have won four of the last five All Star games, and looking at the lineups I think it's fair to say that they hold an advantage in virtually every aspect this year as well. We should also remember that this is Kobe Bryant's weekend, and no one would want to see him lose his last All Star game now would they? "We definitely want to send him off on a good note," Kevin Durant said at media day Friday. "We know he's going to be super competitive." Skill and motivational advantages for the West makes this a no-brainer play on the West, but keep the stake small and enjoy the game.
Dave Price
South Florida +15
This spread simply appears inflated today when the South Florida Bulls visit the Temple Owls. South Florida is coming off two straight blowout losses to arguably the two best teams in the AAC in Cincinnati and SMU. But remember, this is a Bulls team that recently pulled off road upsets over Houston as 16-point dogs and Tulane as 7-point dogs. They are fully capable of staying within 15 of Temple here. Plus, the Bulls want revenge from a 63-70 home loss to Temple on January 31 just two weeks ago. Temple is overvalued due to going 7-1 in its last 8 games overall, but all 7 victories came by 13 points or less, including 5 by 7 points or fewer. Temple has only won 2 games all season by more than 15 points, and those both came at home over ECU (by 18) and Delaware (by 19).