Free Picks: Service Plays for Sunday, February 16

SPORTS WAGERS

RUSSIA -2½ -130 over Slovakia

The Americans buried the Slovaks and instead of responding with a win over Slovenia, the Slovaks became the first team ever to lose to Slovenia in an Olympic hockey game. The Slovaks are now 0-2 in the tournament and goaltender Jaroslav Halak looks lost out there. He may never be the same (not that he was any good to begin with) once he rejoins the Blues. The Slovaks are in a fragile state of mind and that’s not the best time to face the Russians. Russia won’t have any sympathy in their hearts whatsoever for Slovakia. Why should they?

Had Russia defeated the Americans, we’d likely lay off this one but they didn’t. Russia had a goal disallowed in the final six minutes that would’ve given them a 3-2 lead but instead they lost in a shootout. That goal was disallowed because the net was slightly off the moorings but in the NHL that goal would have definitely counted. In any case, it’s not that big a deal. This preliminary round means very little but the Russians are under some pressure to not only win but to dazzle against these lower tier teams. This is the perfect opportunity for the Russians to run up the score. It’s really just a case of how many goals can the Russians score and there is no question they should be good for at least two a period. Russia has yet to showcase what they’re capable of and after playing the USA on Saturday, this one should appear in slow motion for them. The Slovaks pay the price for the Russians loss to the Americans. The host country needs a blowout and this is it.

Sean Higgs

East All-Stars vs. West All-Stars
Play: West All-Stars -4

I think the West flat-out, has the better talent here. I know we are taking 'all stars', but I can't see the East hanging close for long here. I don't think the size of the West will even come into play. The East has a bunch of youngsters and I can't see the more experienced West letting the young guys do a number on them.

Bill O'Brien

East All-Stars vs. West All-Stars
Play: East All-Stars +4

As we know All-Star weekend is the best the 3 major sports have to offer with a high flying dunk contest, leading into an all star game that is 100% offensive based. The east is loaded with youth full talent of John Wall and Kyrie Irving surrounding the explosive play of the world's best NBA player in Lebron James. With the supporting cast of Carmelo Anthony and Paul George the East wins this game outright against an aged Western Conference group.

Marc Lawrence

SMU at Temple
Play: Temple

While it's been a down season for the Owls this campaign, the bright spot on their ledger is a sterling 3-1 ATS mark in games when they've been seeking revenge. They'll take the floor today looking to avenge a 23-point loss suffered 10 days ago at SMU knowing they are 2-0 SUATS in games with revenge from a loss of 20 or more points. The Owls are also 21-6 ATS straight up at home in games off an immediate home loss. Grab the points in this payback today. We recommend a 1-unit play on Temple.

Scott Spreitzer

Notre Dame at Boston College
Prediction: Boston College

It's a chance for revenge and a rare opportunity for a SU win for the Eagles today. They'll look to avenge an OT loss in South Bend a couple of weeks ago. Boston College got a big game out of Ryan Anderson on February 1, but the Irish were able to eke-out a 76-73 win. BC has struggled to put games in the win column, but checkout the schedule since January 13. Yes, the Eagles are on a 1-7 SU slide, but four of the losses came against Syracuse, North Carolina, Virginia, and Duke. At least three, if not all four of those teams are Elite-8 contenders at the very least. Today, BC hosts a rebuilding Notre Dame squad that's yet to win a true road game, going 0-6 SU on the season. They have covered just 2 of their last 11 games, overall, and the Irish are on a 3-12-1 ATS slide in ACC play. Once again, they're over-valued in my opinion, and I'm recommending a play on Boston College on Sunday.

Ben Burns

Canisius vs. Siena
Play: Siena +3

I felt a little fortunate to win with the Golden Griffins on Friday. Struggling much of the game, they eventually eked out a cover at Niagara, winning 71-65. I feel they'll have an even more difficult time here though.

The Griffins did win the last time that they played the second of back-to-back road games. However, that was against Fairfield, the worst team in the conference. They'd been 0-2 SU/ATS their previous two times in that situation, losing at Monmouth and at Marist. Siena has a better record than either of those teams, albeit not by much.

Prior to the win at Niagara, Canisius had dropped two straight, losing by double-digits vs. Manhattan and vs. Iona. So, the Golden Griffiins aren't necessarily in top form.

The Saints are off a tough 1-point loss at Marist. However, they've won three of their last four at home, seven of their last nine here.

The Saints did get blown out (93-78) at Canisius back in December. They lost by an even bigger margin (76-44) at Canisius last season though and they still upset the Golden Griffins when the teams met here at Siena.

The Saints are 7-2 ATS the last nine times that they attempted to avenge a road loss. I feel they've got a solid shot at the upset here and feel that grabbing the points is likely the way to go. Consider Siena.

Jimmy Boyd

Boston College -1

Notre Dame has been horrible on the road this season posting a 1-7 record. I expect them to struggle against Boston College today in what should be an easy win for the Eagles. These teams met just over two weeks ago and Boston College was able to take Notre Dame to overtime in that matchup. This time around the Eagles will have home court advantage, and that should easily be enough to swing things in their favor.

Both of these teams have struggled in conference play, but siding with the Eagles is an easy call in this matchup. Over their last five games the Irish have averaged a mere 62.8 points per game to 71 points from Boston College during that same stretch. The Eagles also happened to face two ranked opponents during those games, to a mere one ranked team from the Fighting Irish. Strength of schedule has been anything but easy for Boston College recently, and I like the Eagles chances to pick up some revenge on their home court.

Rob Vinciletti

Nebraska vs. Michigan State
Play: Michigan State -13

The Spartans are taking on Nebraska today and the Huskers are a dismal 0-15 straight up and 2-13 to the spread on the road off a win. Michigan St is 11-2 at home and winning by an average 17 points per game. They are 7-2 to the spread in games after scoring 80 or more and have covered 5 of 7 as a home favorite of -12.5 or higher. In conference games they have cashed 9 of 12 this season. With Nebraska 0-5 with just 1 spread win as a road dog of 12.5 or more we will back Sparty here today.

Bruce Marshall

Nebraska at Michigan State
Pick: Nebraska

Michigan State can't seem to get everyone healthy at the same time. Even with key frontliner Adreain Payne having returned to active duty, perimeter starters Branden Dawson and Keith Appling are now sidelined. That won't help the Spartans extend a margin on improved Nebraska that is winning some games for Tim Miles thanks in part to Texas Tech transfer F Terran Petteway. Enough cushion in this price for combative Cornhuskers to be worth a look.

Jim Feist

Canisius at Siena
Pick: Canisius

Canisius comes into today contest at Siena ranked in the top 25 of the Mid-Major basketball poll. The Golden Griffins join two other MAAC schools (Iona and Manhattan) in the rankings. Canisius is currently tied at 11-4 in the MAAC with Manhattan and Quinnipiac with all three teams chasing division leading Iona. The Griffs snapped their 2-game losing streak with a win at Niagara on Friday, 71-65. It was the club's fifth cover of the spread in their last seven games. In fact, the Griffins have been a decent bet all season, posting a profitable 14-8 spread mark. On the road they have been even better, going 9-4 ATS including covering four of their last five away games. Can't say the same for the host team here, Siena. The Saints have lost three of their last four games straight-up and covered just once in their last five attempts. At home they have been a money pit, covering just one time in their last five tries. These clubs met way back in early December at Canisius and it was a Griffins blowout win, 93-78. While I don't expect another 15 point blowout here, I do expect Canisius to get us the cover.

David Glisan

Creighton -3

I was on the wrong side of this matchup the first time around when Creighton rained down a barrage of three pointers en route to a 96-68 victory. The easy analysis is that the revenging dog is the play but I'm not sold on that concept. As a boxing geek I'm mindful of the old saying that 'styles make fights'. For that reason some fighters just 'have the number' of certain opponents. Shane Mosley had Oscar De La Hoya's number. Vernon Forrest had Shane Mosley's number. Ricardo Mayorga had Vernon Forrest's number and so on. I'm thinking that this just might be a bad tactical matchup for Villanova and the 'x factor' could be the aforementioned three point shot--Creighton shoots it very well (#2 3 pt FG per game, #4 3 pt %) Villanova doesn't defend it particularly well (#229 in 3 pt. FG % against). If the Blue Jays' threes are dropping like they were the first time around this price will look very short.

Mr. Masterline

United States vs. Slovenia
Play: United States -4.5

The huge win against Russia will mean nothing if the Americans take a stubbed toe against Slovenia. Team USA needs to beat Slovenia, which is 1-1 in the group, in order to clinch a bye into the quarterfinals. If there was ever a time to avoid a letdown, this would be it. Expect the USA to score and score often this morning.

DAVE COKIN

HOFSTRA VS. DREXEL
PLAY:HOFSTRA +11.5

There’s absolutely nothing compelling about the Sunday evening matchup between Hofstra and Drexel. That could well work out as a plus in terms of finding a spread winner on this game.

Hofstra is going to be a player next year. Getting Joe Mihalich away from Niagara was a major coup for the Pride, and the fact he lured two outstanding players to transfer in order to stay with him speaks volumes about how Mihalich relates with his guys. But those two players won’t be eligible till next season. This year’s Hofstra squad is pretty mediocre and that’s illustrated by the ugly ledger.

At least in Hofstra’s case, the results this season have been roughly what they figured to be, maybe even a little better. But for Drexel, this has been a nightmare campaign. The Dragons looked like they might be a legit candidate to win the Colonial. Injuries have been an absolute killer for this team, and they’ve basically never relented.

I suppose there’s a case to be made that Drexel can still make it to one of the minor tourneys this March. They’re 13-11 and the non-conference log, before the team got ravaged by the injuries, was really impressive. It’s not inconceivable that the Dragone could go 4-1 or even 5-0 to close the regular season, which would certainly get them some kind of tourney invite.

Nevertheless, Drexel is struggling right now and I have to think the seven players getting nearly all the minutes are running on fumes at this point, both physically and mentally. Hofstra has the same issue as far as the numbers go, as they’re a seven-man rotation as well. But the Pride are having fun. That’s readily apparent if you’ve seen them play. I prefer that mindset to the one I think I’m seeing on Drexel right now.

Drexel won the first meeting between these teams, but it sure wasn’t easy. That issue was in doubt until the conclusion with the Dragons winning by only three. There isn’t any doubt that the home team should finish off the series sweep tonight. But I also think that under the circumstances, the number might be a little too generous. I can see Hofstra hanging around in this one, so I’ll look for the visiting Pride to come away with the spread win as good sized dogs this evening.

Carlos Salazar

East All-Stars vs. West All-Stars
Play: Over 292.5

NBA All-Star games always equal scoring and with the lack of big men in this one look for a faster game then normal and lots of easy buckets for both the East and the West. This one goes over with ease.