Jim Feist
Boston College at Maryland
Pick: Over
BC and Maryland have plenty of offensive punch, with the Eagles 7th in the ACC in scoring, the Terrapins 5th. It's the defense that's a concern, with BC 10th in field goal shooting defense and 11th in defending the three pointer. The over is 10-1 in the Eagles last 11 road games! That will be a concern here against a Maryland team that is tops in the nation in rebounding and shoots 47% as a team (37th). The over is 25-10-1 in the Terrapins last 36 games following a loss and 4-1 over the total in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. And when they meet the over is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings, including 3-1-1 over the total in the last 5 meetings in Maryland. Play BC/Maryland over the total.
Dave Cokin
Iowa at Ohio State
Pick: Ohio State
Ohio State has some flaws, but the Buckeyes are very nicely spotted to deliver a knockout tonight as they host Iowa. The time to get on the hosts lately has been off a loss, as they're an impressive 8-1 against the number following their last nine defeats. On the flip side, Iowa is off a huge win against Wisconsin before a very fired up and sold out audience this past Saturday. The Hawkeyes were a big play for me in that game, and that sets up this fade opportunity. No bargain on the number, but the situation is a strong one, so I'll back Ohio State minus the points.
Wunderdog
Florida at Montreal
Pick: Florida +135
Montreal has still not signed P.K. Subban and the fans let them hear about it in their home opener. The Habs managed just 22 shots in a 2-1 setback to Toronto in their opener. Florida looked great in their opener, but were taken out early in their next contest, as they were outshot 18-4 in the first period and never recovered. They certainly aren't likely to face that barrage against Montreal who managed just a single power-play goal in five attempts and nothing otherwise in their home opener. The Panthers took all four meetings between these clubs a year ago, and I like their chances on the road here tonight. Take Florida.
Ray Monohan
Kentucky vs. Alabama
Play: PKentucky
This season is a huge disappointment for Kentucky but you still have to like them in short favourite situation like this one...even on the road. There is just too much talent there to ignore. As for Alabama, they have won three in a row but are hardly dominating - though they did beat a Texas A&M that squashed Kentucky earlier this season. Travis Releford is a nice player but I don’t think there is enough surrounding talent to challenge. Sure the Cats might lay an egg like they did at Vandy earlier this season but that is a harder place to play on the road than at Alabama.
Tony George
Nebraska +5.5
Yes my beloved Huskers are a far better Football school versus Hoops. But Huskers playing better and off a doggie road win this weekend and they play UNREAL defense at home in Lincoln. Illinois started out like a house of fire and have fallen from grace in the past few weeks. While Illinois a better team, remember Nebraska held Wisconsin to 47 points in here and I am taking the points and the Huskers at home tonight for a small lean.
Jeff Scott Sports
5 UNIT PLAY
Philadelphia/ Milwaukee Under 196: Earlier this year these teams put up 201, but prior to that game, not one of their previous 9 meetings saw more than 190 points scored in a game. The Sixers are having a real tough time scoring right now, as they have averaged just 89.8 ppg (Regulation) in their last 9 games overall and just 83 ppg in their last 4 on the road. Overall this year Philly has averaged just 90.1 ppg on the road, with their road games putting up just 186 ppg. Milwaukee do play a bit of an uptempo game and they do average 98 ppg at home, but coming off a west coast trip they may not be willing to play an uptempo game in this one They do allow 97.9 ppg at home, but the Sixers just don't have the offense to come close to that mark. Philly allows just 95.1 ppg on the road and even if Milwaukee were to hit 98 points in this one I just don't expect more than 91 or 92 from Philly. This one should be played in the 180's. KEY TREND--- The Bucks are 0-14-2 OU (-10.3 ppg) since March 20, 2012 with at least a day of rest after a win in which Monta Ellis was not the Bucks’ high scorer.
3 UNIT PLAY
POWER ANGLE PLAY
Oklahoma City/ LA Clippers Under 200;I don't always pay attention to sportsbook spy, but this one spot I have too. 92% of the public is on the over, yet the line came down to 200. Yes the thunder have payed 3 high scoring games in a row, but 2 were vs Denver and 1 was vs Dallas and neither of those teams play good defense, plus two of those games went to OT. Despite those last 2 games, the Thunder has allowed just 85.5 ppg (regulation) in their last 7 games, while on the road they have allowed 97.8 ppg on 42.9% shooting. Make no mistake this is a good defensive team. The Clippers have also played sold defense this year, especially at home, where they allow just 92 ppg. Overall they are 4th in points allowed (93 ppg) and 4th in defensive FG% (43%). This is a huge game for both, so i will not expect a wide open run an gun game. Both teams play good defense and should keep this one in the low 190's at nest. POWER ANGLE FOR THIS PLAY--- This is a wild one. The Thunder are 0-14 OU (-13.0 ppg) since December 06, 2010 on the road when at least one team is rested after winning the previous matchup at home in which Kevin Durant had more turnovers than assists.
Jeff Scott Sports
4 UNIT PLAY
Kansas/ Kansas State Under 128: Last year in the two games that these teams played just 112 and 116 points were scored. This year neither team is here they are because of their offenses, as these two play awesome defense. The Jayhawks come i allowing just 59.3 ppg (39th) and they are tops in the nation in defensive FG% (34.8%). Kansas has also played great defense on the road, allowing 57 ppg on 36.7% shooting. The Wildcats have also played great defense as they have allowed just 57.3 ppg (16th) on 39.6% shooting (56th), plus they are 6th in the nation in 3-pt defense, allowing teams to shoot just 27.4% from long range. Kansas does average 76 ppg on offense, but have really had a tough time of late, putting up just 61.7 ppg in their last 3 games. Kansas State scores 68.2 ppg, but they are not a good shooting team, hitting just 43.1% of their shots (172nd, plus they are horrid from the FT line, hitting just 64.8% from there (282nd). I expect this to be a tough grinding game, with more defense than offense. 120 points tops here. KEY TREND--- The under is 14-2-2 in Kansas' last 18 road games.
3 UNIT PLAYS
Kentucky -4 over ALABAMA: The Cats seem to be putting it together after a couple of solid SEC wins. Defense has not been much of a problem for these guys of late, as they have allowed just 59.4 ppg on 37.6% shooting in their last 4 games. Now the offense is starting to catch up as they have averaged 747 ppg on 48.7% shooting in their last 5 games. Alabama does shoot pretty well overall (45,1%), but they don't shoot the 3-ball all that well, especially at home (32.5%), while also scoring just 63.6 ppg on their home floor. Alabama will need to hit their threes, as they don't have an inside game that can compete with Kentucky's. The lack of threes in this game will doom the Tide. Kentucky is putting it all together right now and will come up with more than enough stops on defense t allow their offense to lead them to an 8+ point win here.
Iowa +11 over OHIO STATE: Conventional wisdom says an Ohio State crushing is in order for this one, as they beat Iowa by 22 and 29 points last year, they beat Michigan at home, while Iowa was crushed by 28 points at Michigan earlier in the year, yet this line is still at 11.5. Based on those results above it should be a bit higher, but I think someone knows something, and that's that this Hawkeye team is no push over. they can play and will be able to hang with the Buckeyes in this one. Now prior to last years beatdowns by the Buckeyes there hasn't been a game decided by more than 10 points in their last 6 meetings, and that was with Hawkeye teams that weren't as strong this year. This year OSU isn't as strong as in years past either and they are just 2-2- in their last 4 Big 10 games. Yes Iowa got blown out bat Michigan, but also played vs tough vs Michigan State and Indiana. They play excellent defense, allowing just 63.2 ppg on 38.4% shooting (28th), plus they are 27th in defensive 3-pt shooting (28.7%). The Iowa defense will come to paly and be the reason for this game to stay with in single digits here.
John Martin
Providence +7
I believe the Pittsburgh Panthers are overvalued tonight heading into this contest with the Providence Friars. They are coming off back-to-back unimpressive wins over Villanova and UConn, clearly getting too much respect for those victories. Remember, the Panthers have already lost three Big East games this season with home losses to Marquette and Cincinnati as well as a road loss to Rutgers. Providence has won two of its last three Big East games, and this is the same Friars team that only lost by 6 points at home to Syracuse as a 10.5-point underdog on January 9th. The Friars are 8-2 at home this season, outscoring opponents by 11.7 points/game. Pittsburgh is 0-7 ATS after 2 straight games outrebounding opponent by 10 or more over the last 2 seasons. The Panthers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win. The home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
Steve Janus
Philadelphia 76ers +6.5
The Bucks are going to be a popular play today, as many will look to fade the 76ers on the road in the second game of a back-to-back set, but I personally think the line has been inflated too much because of that.
The Bucks are 5-2 since they fired Scott Skiles. While they appear to be playing better, I'm not sold on this team just yet. Four of those wins came against the Suns, Raptors, Suns, and Trailblazers. During that stretch they lost at home to Detroit 87-103 and at the Lakers 88-104.
The 76ers are a young team and the lack of rest shouldn't keep them from playing competitive basketball, especially in a game that means a lot to Philadelphia. The 76ers are currently 3.5-games back of the Celtics and 5-games back of Milwaukee for the final two playoff spots in the East.
Let's also not forget that the Bucks are coming off a long four-game road trip. Their first of more than two games all season. It can be difficult to get going in that first home game. In the earlier meeting between these two teams, Philadelphia had just won three straight on the road, only to return home and lose to Milwaukee 96-105.
Freddy Wills
Villanova +11.5
I see a lot of value on this play after Louisville lost at home to Syracuse. They are surely to be a bit hung over and this is a team that even trailed Uconn at the half before coming back in the 2nd half. Villanova has owned Louisvilles number of late and have been getting by with great defense holding opponents to 39.2% in conference play. The biggest concern for the Wildcats is turnovers and I think they'll sure those up tonight after committing 25 on Saturday. I think that's why the spread is so high here and they are a very well coached team and should be prepared to take care of the basketball against one of the best teams in the nation at forcing turnovers.
Brandon Lee
Clippers +1.5
Even though the Clippers will likely be playing this game without their All-Star point guard Chris Paul, I still like Los Angeles to come away with a win at home. The Clippers went 3-0 without Paul last week, with all three wins coming on the road. Eric Bledsoe is more than capable of running the offense and having him in there to defend Russell Westbrook might be a blessing for this team. Oklahoma City relies so much on Westbrook and Durant offensively, that if Bledsoe can limit him offensively the Thunder could struggle to keep this game close. Take the Points!
NHL Predictions
Florida Panthers +136
Florida is coming off a 4-0 loss last night in Ottawa against a pretty good Senators team and are now 1-1 on the year. In last night's game they couldn't find the back of the net even though they had over 30 shots on Craig Anderson. The Panthers opened their season with a big 5-1 victory over the Hurricanes as just slight favorites at home, and now head to Montreal to take on the Canadiens. Montreal has played just once so far, with that being a 2-1 loss in their home opener against the Maple Leafs. Montreal didn't look very good in that game and will need a better effort tonight if they want to get their first win of the season. The Panthers will go with a fresh set of legs in net with Scott Clemmensen getting the start. Clemmensen was a solid 14-6-6 last year with a 2.57 GAA and .913 SV%. These two teams met 4 times last year with Florida winning all four meetings. Both games in Montreal were one goal games, but Florida was on the right side of each. That wasn't rare for Montreal, who had just 16 wins at home going 16-15-10. The Canadiens finished last in the Eastern Conference last season and are now without one of their better players in defenceman P.K. Subban. Montreal is just 5-17 in their last 22 vs Eastern Conference opponents, and I don't think they deserve to be as big of favorites as they are tonight. I will take the Panthers at +136.
Minnesota Wild -125
Nashville is coming off a shootout loss last night at home vs the St Louis Blues to drop them to 0-0-2 on the year. They lost their home opener, also in shootout, against the Columbus Blue Jackets who were the leagues worst team last year. It hasn't been a good start for the Nashville Predators, and tonight they will head into Minnesota to take on the Wild who are 2-0 to start the year. The Wild have played two home games and have beaten Colorado 4-2 and Dallas 1-0. Tonight's game is interesting as Ryan Suter signed a huge contract in the off-season with the Wild to leave the Predators team. This past off season the Wild upgraded their roster with Parise and Suter, while the Predators lost a key piece to their playoff team from a year ago. The Wild were 20-17-4 at home last year, while the Predators were 22-16-3 on the road. Nashville has had Minnesota's number recently going 6-1 in their last 7 meetings, but the Predators are just 5-12-2 in their last 19 meetings in Minnesota. Last night was an emotional loss for the Predators against one of the Western Conference's top teams and it will be tough for them to come into Minnesota and beat a hot Wild team. I will take Minnesota tonight at -125.
Sammy P
Nashville at Minnesota
Play: Under
There’s a brand new look to the Minnesota Wild this season after making a big splash in the off season signing free agents Zach Parise and Ryan Suter. But don't be fooled as the Wild remain the same gritty and defensive-minded team they have been for years. Even with the addition of Parise to the lineup, the Wild are still going to struggle to score goals. Note that Parise is one of the best defensive forwards in the league and I’ll continue to look to support Minnesota under the total in situations like we have tonight. Nashville had a tough time finding the back of the net in its opener against the Blue Jackets and I expect much of the same tonight. Like Minnesota, the Predators are also playing in a back-to-back after playing a tough game at home last night against the Blues in which they lost 4-3. The Preds were limited in 5-on-5 play and scored two of their three goals on their six power play opportunities and could only muster 24 shots on goal total. Travel on a back-to-back is a prime spot to look to play teams under the total. Look for a tight one goal game here tonight where both teams focus in on defense and struggle to create offensive chances.
Harry Bondi
LOUISVILLE (-11.5) over Villanova
Louisville is a really bad match-up for Villanova and now the Wildcat's have to face a really angry group of Cardinal coming their first loss in two months to Syracuse. This one could get ugly fast as the Cardinal's pressure defense forces 20 turnovers a game, the second-highest rate in the country, and Villanova leads the Big East in turnovers averaging 16 per game. That will lead to a lot of easy buckets for Louisville and that combined with the Louisville losing their #1 ranking and wanting to get back on the winning track means this one is a blowout.