Free Picks: Service Plays for Thursday, February 20

DUNKEL INDEX

NCAAB

Duke at North Carolina
The Blue Devils come into their contest with the Tar Heels tonight with a 6-1 ATS record in their last 7 games at Chapel Hill. Duke is the pick (-1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Devils favored by 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Duke (-1 1/2).

Game 507-508: North Texas at Florida International (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Texas 47.986; Florida International 55.092
Dunkel Line: Florida International by 7
Vegas Line: Florida International by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida International (-4 1/2)

Game 509-510: Middle Tennessee State at Charlotte (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Middle Tennessee State 58.214; Charlotte 59.421
Dunkel Line: Charlotte by 1
Vegas Line: Middle Tennessee State by 4
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+4)
Game 511-512: UL-Monroe at Georgia State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UL-Monroe 46.806; Georgia State 65.574
Dunkel Line: Georgia State by 19
Vegas Line: Georgia State by 14
Dunkel Pick: Georgia State (-14)

Game 513-514: Tulsa at Florida Atlantic (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 58.188; Florida Atlantic 59.845
Dunkel Line: Florida Atlantic by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Tulsa by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida Atlantic (+4 1/2)

Game 515-516: Rice at Old Dominion (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Rice 43.960; Old Dominion 57.558
Dunkel Line: Old Dominion by 13 1/2
Vegas Line: Old Dominion by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Old Dominion (-9 1/2)

Game 517-518: Alabama at Texas A&M (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama 60.230; Texas A&M 59.202
Dunkel Line: Alabama by 1; 127
Vegas Line: Texas A&M by 1 1/2; 122
Dunkel Pick: Alabama (+1 1/2); Over

Game 519-520: Memphis at Rutgers (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 67.979; Rutgers 61.584
Dunkel Line: Memphis by 6 1/2; 146
Vegas Line: Memphis by 9 1/2; 151 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Rutgers (+9 1/2); Under

Game 521-522: UAB at Marshall (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UAB 56.623; Marshall 52.838
Dunkel Line: UAB by 4
Vegas Line: UAB by 1
Dunkel Pick: UAB (-1)

Game 523-524: WI-Milwaukee at Youngstown State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: WI-Milwaukee 55.841; Youngstown State 53.768
Dunkel Line: WI-Milwaukee by 2
Vegas Line: Youngstown State by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: WI-Milwaukee (+5 1/2)

Game 525-526: Toledo at Bowling Green (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toledo 58.483; Bowling Green 53.622
Dunkel Line: Toledo by 5; 137
Vegas Line: Toledo by 3; 142 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toledo (-3); Under

Game 527-528: Michigan State at Purdue (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 72.756; Purdue 64.830
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 8; 146
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 4; 140
Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (-4); Over

Game 529-530: Towson at Northeastern (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Towson 57.545; Northeastern 51.871
Dunkel Line: Towson by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Northeastern by 1
Dunkel Pick: Towson (+1)

Game 531-532: Penn State at Nebraska (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Penn State 61.611; Nebraska 71.258
Dunkel Line: Nebraska by 9 1/2; 142
Vegas Line: Nebraska by 5; 136 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (-5); Over

Game 533-534: Louisiana Tech at East Carolina (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana Tech 63.635; East Carolina 56.569
Dunkel Line: Louisiana Tech by 7
Vegas Line: Louisiana Tech by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: East Carolina (+9 1/2)

Game 535-536: Eastern Michigan at Northern Illinois (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Michigan 58.978; Northern Illinois 50.955
Dunkel Line: Eastern Michigan by 8
Vegas Line: Eastern Michigan by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Michigan (-4 1/2)

Game 537-538: Valparaiso at WI-Green Bay (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Valparaiso 58.546; WI-Green Bay 59.888
Dunkel Line: WI-Green Bay by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: WI-Green Bay by 9
Dunkel Pick: Valparaiso (+9)

Game 539-540: TX-San Antonio at Southern Mississippi (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: TX-San Antonio 45.643; Southern Mississippi 68.642
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 23
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 20 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Southern Mississippi (-20 1/2)

Game 541-542: TX-Arlington at Arkansas State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: TX-Arlington 52.160; Arkansas State 55.877
Dunkel Line: Arkansas State by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Arkansas State by 7
Dunkel Pick: TX-Arlington (+7)

Game 543-544: UTEP at Tulane (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UTEP 61.808; Tulane 52.334
Dunkel Line: UTEP by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: UTEP by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UTEP (-5 1/2)

Game 545-546: Troy at UL-Lafayette (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Troy 45.846; UL-Lafayette 59.960
Dunkel Line: UL-Lafayette by 14
Vegas Line: UL-Lafayette by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UL-Lafayette (-10 1/2)

Game 547-548: South Alabama at Texas State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 44.816; Texas State 53.853
Dunkel Line: Texas State by 9
Vegas Line: Texas State by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas State (-2 1/2)

Game 549-550: Gonzaga at BYU (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Gonzaga 66.281; BYU 69.629
Dunkel Line: BYU by 3 1/2; 144
Vegas Line: BYU by 1 1/2; 150
Dunkel Pick: BYU (-1 1/2); Under

Game 551-552: Portland at San Diego (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 57.386; San Diego 61.494
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 4
Vegas Line: San Diego by 2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-2)

Game 553-554: Georgetown at Seton Hall (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Georgetown 65.537; Seton Hall 64.651
Dunkel Line: Georgetown by 1; 128
Vegas Line: Seton Hall by 1 1/2; 134 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgetown (+1 1/2); Under

Game 555-556: Connecticut at Temple (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 69.943; Temple 62.817
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 7; 150
Vegas Line: Connecticut by 9 1/2; 146
Dunkel Pick: Temple (+9 1/2); Over

Game 557-558: Washington State at Oregon State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington State 54.162; Oregon State 67.481
Dunkel Line: Oregon State by 13 1/2; 139
Vegas Line: Oregon State by 9 1/2; 134
Dunkel Pick: Oregon State (-9 1/2); Over

Game 559-560: St. Mary's at San Francisco (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Mary's 62.774; San Francisco 59.816
Dunkel Line: St. Mary's by 3
Vegas Line: St. Mary's by 1
Dunkel Pick: St. Mary's (-1)

Game 561-562: Pacific at Santa Clara (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pacific 55.487; Santa Clara 58.652
Dunkel Line: Santa Clara by 3
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Santa Clara

Game 563-564: CS-Fullerton at Cal Poly (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: CS-Fullerton 45.707; Cal Poly 54.775
Dunkel Line: Cal Poly by 9
Vegas Line: Cal Poly by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cal Poly (-7 1/2)

Game 565-566: UC-Riverside at UC-Santa Barbara (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 45.776; UC-Santa Barbara 63.843
Dunkel Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 18
Vegas Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Santa Barbara (-14 1/2)

Game 567-568: Long Beach State at UC-Davis (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Long Beach State 57.147; UC-Davis 52.385
Dunkel Line: Long Beach State by 5
Vegas Line: Long Beach State by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Davis (+7 1/2)

Game 569-570: Pepperdine at Loyola Marymount (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pepperdine 58.167; Loyola Marymount 54.408
Dunkel Line: Pepperdine by 4; 142
Vegas Line: Loyola Marymount by 1; 147 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pepperdine (+1); Under

Game 571-572: USC at Stanford (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: USC 55.967; Stanford 72.954
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 17; 149
Vegas Line: Stanford by 14; 144
Dunkel Pick: Stanford (-14); Over

Game 573-574: UC-Irvine at Hawaii (12:00 a.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Irvine 55.929; Hawaii 61.401
Dunkel Line: Hawaii by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Hawaii by 3
Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (-3)

Game 575-576: Furman at Wofford (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Furman 39.389; Wofford 56.350
Dunkel Line: Wofford by 17
Vegas Line: Wofford by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wofford (-13 1/2)

Game 577-578: Georgia Southern at Chattanooga (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia Southern 44.277; Chattanooga 49.856
Dunkel Line: Chattanooga by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Chattanooga by 8
Dunkel Pick: Georgia Southern (+8)

Game 579-580: Western Carolina at Appalachian State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Western Carolina 47.512; Appalachian State 43.143
Dunkel Line: Western Carolina by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Western Carolina by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Western Carolina (-1 1/2)

Game 581-582: Quinnipiac at Canisius (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Quinnipiac 56.312; Canisius 58.823
Dunkel Line: Canisius by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Canisius by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Quinnipiac (+5 1/2)

Game 583-584: Fairfield at Niagara (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 44.610; Niagara 52.450
Dunkel Line: Niagara by 8
Vegas Line: Niagara by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Niagara (-5 1/2)

Game 585-586: Tennessee Tech at Tennessee Martin (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Tech 46.247; Tennessee Martin 45.584
Dunkel Line: Tennessee Tech by 1
Vegas Line: Tennessee Martin by 2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee Tech (+2)

Game 587-588: Eastern Illinois at Belmont (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Illinois 42.914; Belmont 59.356
Dunkel Line: Belmont by 16 1/2
Vegas Line: Belmont by 14
Dunkel Pick: Belmont (-14)

Game 589-590: NE-Omaha at South Dakota (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NE-Omaha 53.849; South Dakota 52.219
Dunkel Line: NE-Omaha by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: South Dakota by 2
Dunkel Pick: NE-Omaha (+2)

Game 591-592: SIU-Edwardsville at Tennessee State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: SIU-Edwardsville 48.109; Tennessee State 45.653
Dunkel Line: SIU-Edwardsville by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Tennessee State by 2
Dunkel Pick: SIU-Edwardsville (+2)

Game 593-594: Jacksonville State at SE Missouri State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville State 45.790; SE Missouri State 49.030
Dunkel Line: SE Missouri State by 3
Vegas Line: SE Missouri State by 6
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville State (+6)

Game 595-596: Northern Colorado at Northern Arizona (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 49.097; Northern Arizona 45.057
Dunkel Line: Northern Colorado by 4
Vegas Line: Northern Colorado by 1
Dunkel Pick: Northern Colorado (-1)

Game 597-598: Marist at St. Peter's (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Marist 52.076; St. Peter's 52.128
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: St. Peter's by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Marist (+2 1/2)

Game 599-600: Western Illinois at Denver (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Western Illinois 48.323; Denver 61.618
Dunkel Line: Denver by 13 1/2
Vegas Line: Denver by 11
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-11)

Game 601-602: Weber State at Montana (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Weber State 55.268; Montana 52.352
Dunkel Line: Weber State by 3
Vegas Line: Montana by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Weber State (+1 1/2)

Game 603-604: Idaho State at Montana State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho State 47.000; Montana State 51.562
Dunkel Line: Montana State by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Montana State by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montana State (-2 1/2)

Game 605-606: Portland State at Southern Utah (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland State 49.048; Southern Utah 40.111
Dunkel Line: Portland State by 9
Vegas Line: Portland State by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland State (-4 1/2)

Game 607-608: North Dakota at Sacramento State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota 51.019; Sacramento State 47.988
Dunkel Line: North Dakota by 3
Vegas Line: North Dakota by 1
Dunkel Pick: North Dakota (-1)

Game 609-610: Duke at North Carolina (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Duke 77.199; North Carolina 71.878
Dunkel Line: Duke by 5 1/2; 148
Vegas Line: Duke by 1 1/2; 151
Dunkel Pick: Duke (-1 1/2); Under

Marc Lawrence

Memphis at Rutgers
Prediction: Rutgers

When the Knights host the Tigers in an AAC clash Wednesday night at the RAC, Rutgers will take the floor looking to avenge a 101-69 loss suffered 16 days ago at Memphis. Pouring salt on the wound, the Knights enter off a 102-54 loss to Louisville - their worst defeat since at least 1990. Helping matters is Rutgers' sterling 5-1 SU and 6-0 ATS mark in their last six games off a loss of 20 or more points. With the toothless Tigers just 1-4 ATS against foes with same season loss revenge from a defeat of 30 or more points, the points become the play here today. We recommend a 1-unit play on Rutgers.

Art Aronson

Duke at North Carolina
Prediction: Duke

This obviously is a big time matchup on Chapel Hill and both teams will get up for it. Still, the best team will prevail here and in any gymnasium this season it is Duke. The Blue Devils have owned the Tar Heels at this venue of late, having gone 2-0 SU and ATS over their chief rivals. This season the Blue Devils have so many players that can fill the net and it will be difficult for a Tar Heels team to keep up. Duke is seasoned already with games against A+ opponent in Arizona, Syracuse and Pittsburgh. Duke is 5-2 ATS on the road this season and 15-8 ATS as the favorite. North Carolina is 2-2 SU and ATS as the underdog so far this season. The Tar Heels have just two really good scoring options in James McAdoo and Marcus Paige while the Blue Devils have plenty of guys that can take the mantle. In the end the deeper team will win this game and I believe that will be Duke. Lay the short points as not even the weather will get in the way of this epic showdown.

Scott Spreitzer

Cal-Irvine at Hawaii
Play: Cal-Irvine

If you have yet to see the Anteaters play basketball, they're equally effective at both ends of the floor. UCI ranks 27th in FG accuracy on the season and they're 5th in the nation on defense, allowing teams to make just 38.1% of their shots. This is a revenge spot for the road team tonight. UCI lost 90-86 in OT to Hawaii on January 25, just one of two conference losses on the season. Irvine looked well on their way to a win in the first meeting, leading throughout the second half and by six with just over one minute to go. But the Anteaters blew the lead and the game was sent to OT on a 3-point Hawaii basket at the buzzer. UH then closed out OT on a 7-0 run to turn a three point deficit into a four point win. UCI have been outstanding on the defensive end on the road, allowing their "guests" to make just over 37% of their shots. Meanwhile, they'll make the Warriors work at the other end, also. Irvine is outstanding at sharing the rock and working for the open shot, averaging over 16 apg...which ranks 8th in the nation. After back-to-back road wins on the mainland, I expect UH to suffer a home loss tonight. I'm recommending a play on UC-Irvine, plus the points.

Jimmy Boyd

Furman vs. Wofford
Play: Furman +14

Neither of these teams has scored a lot of points this season, and the 14 point line is far too big considering this should turn out to be a defensive battle. Furman is also a much better team than the oddsmakers are giving them credit for. The Paladins are coming off a confidence boosting win over Citadel, and they have covered the spread in their last three consecutive games. Furman should easily be able to keep this game within a single digit margin.

Statistically this matchup is a lot closer than the spread is indicating. Furman has averaged just shy of 67 points per game this season, while Wofford is only scoring 68.7 points per game. This is also the second meeting of the season between these teams. In that first game Furman was a 3.5 point underdog, and I don't think the change in venue is enough to justify a double-digit line movement. The Paladins shot well below average in that game, and I think it was an anomaly that will not take place in this second meeting of the season when they seek revenge against the Terriers.

Red Dog Sports

Alabama vs. Texas A&M
Play: Texas A&M -1.5

Texas A&M is 13-2 at home and off a bad loss. They play Alabama, a team that has underachieved and is 0-8 SU on the road. Anthony Grant is a solid coach but it is hard to go with the Crimson Tide. Look for the Aggies to find a way to win and cover.

Tom Grassi

Pacific vs. Santa Clara
Play: Pacific Pk

The Pacific Tigers are looking to rebound after an embarrassing double-digit loss as a 6.5 home favorite last Saturday against the San Diego Toreros. Prior to that game, Pacific had covered in seven of their previous nine contests. Santa Clara is also looking for redemption after letting a potential win, also at home, against San Francisco slip away last Saturday.

The Tigers seem to be better equipped to return to their previous form, since they have a habit (established over the past 17 years) of covering the game following an upset loss as a home favorite. Not only that, but the team’s lack of offense just five days ago puts them in line for this solid trend: over the past three seasons, when Pacific has been held to 60 points or less, they have a 9-1 ATS mark when playing on the road.

The road to victory for the Tigers might be easier in this case, since the Broncos have failed to cover in two out of every three home games over the past 71 contests. A portion of that record was in previous meetings against Pacific, where the Tigers beat the pointspread five of seven times.

So far this season, Santa Clara has only covered twice in 10 tries at home this year, and their track record over the past three years in a home game that follows a home loss is also pitiful. Under those circumstances, they’ve cashed for their backers just once in ten attempts.

The Broncos certainly pushed San Francisco to the limit last week, and can do the same here, though we’re not expecting that to happen. Instead, we look for Pacific to come away with a victory in what the Books have determined is an even game.

Jim Feist

Denver Nuggets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Play: Milwaukee Bucks +3½

Milwaukee is getting healthy and the Bucks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games, plus 4-0 ATS against the Western Conference. The Bucks have a trio of players back this week. O.J. Mayo has missed the last nine games due to illness and conditioning issues, Caron Butler the last four with a left ankle sprain and John Henson sat out last week's 102-98 home defeat to New Orleans with a right ankle sprain. Denver is in town with injury issues of its own, riding an 0-5 ATS run. Denver doesn't play any defense, 28th in the NBA in points allowed under their first-year coach, Brian Shaw. The Nuggets have a losing road record and are 9-24 ATS in their last 33 games vs. a team with a losing record. Denver skidded into the All-Star break on a four-game losing streak in 11th place in the West. Shaw's first season as an NBA head coach has been trying, as evidenced by his spat with Andre Miller. "I'm learning as I go," Shaw said. Nuggets leading scorer Ty Lawson is expected to miss a fourth straight game with a left rib fracture. Shaw has resorted to using third-year small forward Jordan Hamilton at point guard at times due to Lawson's absence. The Nuggets are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a spread loss. Play Milwaukee.

Rob Vinciletti

Towson vs. Northeastern
Play: Towson Pk

Towson is quietly 2nd in the Colonial Conference and just knocked off the #1 team in Delaware. Tonight thet take on a medicore Northeastern team that has lost 13 of 15 vs winning teams and all 3 times as a home favorite of 3 or less. In lined home games they have failed to cover 7 of 8. Towson has home loss revenge in this one and has won 10 of 12 vs losing teams and 3 of 4 on the road in this line range. When playing teams ranked 200 or worse in the RPI Scale they have registered 14 of their 17 wins. Look for them to get their revenge and even the season series tonight.

Rob Vinciletti's Featured Package

Brandon Shively

UL - Monroe vs. Georgia State
Play: Georgia State -14½

This is a Monroe team that is dealing with a few injuries and they are just not a good road team as they are 3-7 SU on the road. Because of the injuries Monroe basically has a bench with very little experience. For Georgia State, this is a team that is a perfect 10-0 SU at home and have won their last 4 home games by double digits. Georgia State has no trouble scoring the ball as they are averaging 79 ppg on the season. They shoot 48% from the floor, 39% from the 3 point line, and are 3rd in the nation shooting free throws at 77%. Georgia State has a dynamic backcourt in RJ Hunter and Ryan Harrow who are combining for 37 ppg. Harrow is a Kentucky transfer who can distribute the ball and create his own shot as well. Controlling the paint is USC transfer Curtis Washington who will bang in the blocks and do the dirty work. These three guys make a solid nucleus for the rest of the rotation to revolve around.

Georgia State already played Monroe earlier this year and won 66-58. Monroe has been putting up a fight this year on their home court, but when travelling on the road it is a different story. Georgia State will push the pace tonight and UL-Monroe will not be able to keep up. Look for Georgia State to win this game by 20-26 points.

Brandon Shively's Featured Package

Jason Sharpe

Fairfield (+6) over Niagara

Home-court advantage isn't very important in the MAAC as all the schools are within a few hours of each other, and a gym here like Niagara's is one of the 30 smallest gyms of the 351 D-1 CBB teams. Fairfield may have just two conference wins this season so far, but they have five losses by just four points or less also in the MAAC. The Stags are 1-3 overall versus the bottom three MAAC teams this season, with all three losses coming by four points or less and by a combined eight points overall.

Niagara has dropped six straight games overall. The Purple Eagles are just 3-11 in MAAC play this season and rate last in most of the important defensive categories in the conference. These two teams are very evenly matched but the betting markets will give Niagara three or so points here for being at home, which is way too many.

Mr. Masterline

Alabama vs. Texas A&M
Play: Texas A&M -1.5

A&M has covered 3 of the last 4, and they will cover this one tonight. The Aggies are 13-2 straight up at home.The Tide is 3-7-1 in their last eleven games on the road. Texas A&M has also covered the last four times they have met.

Will Rogers

Gonzaga vs. Brigham Young
Pick: Brigham Young

Here are his keys to the game:

1. Homecourt Advantage - For much of the season, the pattern for BYU has been rather simple: win at home, lose on the road. However, they broke that pattern on Saturday with a big road win (as 3.5-pt dogs) at St. Mary's, giving them even more momentum as they return to Provo tonight where they are 12-1 straight up. As a home favorite of three points or less, the Cougars are 10-3 ATS L13.

2. Revenge - Gonzaga beat BYU 84-69 in Spokane last month as nine-point favorites. I already mentioned that BYU has not been a good road team this year and it didn't help matters there that they were coming off a 3OT loss at Portland just two days prior. Gonzaga also shot 57.4 percent in the win, something they probably will be unable to duplicate here.

3. X-Factor - Gonzaga has been an underdog just one time previously this year. It was at Memphis two weeks ago and they lost, failing to cover as well.

Larry Ness

Alabama at Texas A&M
Prediction: Texas A&M

Texas A&M opened SEC play with three straight victories but Saturday's overtime loss at Vanderbilt was the Aggies' SEVENTH loss in their last nine games (14-11 overall, 5-7 in SEC play). Alabama (10-15, 4-8 SEC) trails Texas A&M by one game in the SEC and is coming off a one-point loss at South Carolina on Saturday, the Crimson Tide's FIFTH loss in the last six games.

Alabama is a VERY disappointing 10-15 on the year and ANY postseason bid is unlikely. While A&M would need a miracle finish to reach the NCAAs, the Aggies should be playing in one of the minor postseason tourneys. Alabama has yet to win on the road in league play (0-6) and is 0-8 in all true road games this season. The Tide faces a daunting challenge to end that drought against the Aggies, who are 13-2 at home. Texas A&M has a favorable schedule the rest of the way with FOUR of its final six at home.

Trevor Releford (19.0) leads the way for Alabama and is one of just THREE players in the nation who is shooting at least 50 percent overall (50.5), 40 percent from three-point range 40.1and 90 percent at the free-throw line (90.5). However, the Tide are weak up front with the 6-8 Hale (7.8-3.2) earning the honor as the team's best inside player (6-6 guard Cooper is the team's leading rebounder at 5.1 RPG).

A&M has MUCH better balance with EIGHT players averaging between 5.6 and 12.5 PPG. Guard Jones (12.5) is the lone double digit scorer but the 6-9 Roberson (9.8-6.9) will be the best frontcourt player in this game. Yes, 6-7 freshman Fitzgerald (7.2) was just lost for the season with a knee injury but I like A&M's better balance and overall D, which has them ranked 26th in points allowed (62.9 per), 36th in FG percentage (40.0%) and 11th in three-point percentage (29.1%).