Free Picks: Service Plays for Tuesday, January 31

NCAAB

Seton Hall at Marquette
The Pirates look to take advantage of a Marquette team that is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games as a favorite of 7 to 12 1/2 points. Seton Hall is the pick (+9) according to Dunkel, which has the Golden Eagles favored by only 6. Dunkel Pick: Seton Hall (+9)

Game 515-516: Clemson at Virginia (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Clemson 59.950; Virginia 70.369
Dunkel Line: Virginia by 10 1/2; 111
Vegas Line: Virginia by 8; 107 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Virginia (-8); Over

Game 517-518: Michigan State at Illinois (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 71.023; Illinois 69.754
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 1 1/2; 124
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 3; 128 1/2
Dunkel Pick Illinois (+3); Under

Game 519-520: Kent State at Central Michigan (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kent State 54.319; Central Michigan 50.487
Dunkel Line: Kent State by 4; 136
Vegas Line: Kent State by 5; 140
Dunkel Pick: Central Michigan (+5); Under

Game 521-522: Tennessee at Kentucky (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 62.511; Kentucky 79.982
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 17 1/2; 127
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 16 1/2; 132
Dunkel Pick: Kentucky (-16 1/2); Over

Game 523-524: Southern Illinois at Northern Iowa (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Illinois 50.469; Northern Iowa 65.202
Dunkel Line: Northern Iowa by 14 1/2; 130
Vegas Line: Northern Iowa by 12 1/2; 126 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Iowa (-12 1/2); Over

Game 525-526: Youngstown State at WI-Milwaukee (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Youngstown State 54.713; WI-Milwaukee 59.440
Dunkel Line: WI-Milwaukee by 4 1/2; 122
Vegas Line: WI-Milwaukee by 9; 126 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Youngstown State (+9); Under

Game 527-528: Wisconsin at Penn State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wisconsin 70.270; Penn State 57.599
Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 12 1/2; 115
Vegas Line: Wisconsin by 9; 111 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (-9); Over

Game 529-530: Seton Hall at Marquette (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seton Hall 65.773; Marquette 71.997
Dunkel Line: Marquette by 6; 133
Vegas Line: Marquette by 9; 138
Dunkel Pick: Seton Hall (+9); Under

Game 531-532: Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma State 60.004; Texas Tech 54.892
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 5; 132
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 4; 127
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma State (-4); Over

Game 533-534: Kansas State at Iowa State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas State 70.307; Iowa State 70.617
Dunkel Line: Even; 134
Vegas Line: Iowa State by 1 1/2; 138 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas State (+1 1/2); Under

Game 535-536: North Carolina at Wake Forest (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Carolina 71.522; Wake Forest 53.802
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 17 1/2; 155
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 16; 152 1/2
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-16); Over

Game 537-538: Vanderbilt at Arkansas (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Vanderbilt 67.041; Arkansas 66.271
Dunkel Line: Vanderbilt by 1; 138
Vegas Line: Vanderbilt by 2 1/2; 142 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arkansas (+2 1/2); Under

Game 539-540: New Mexico at Air Force (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Mexico 69.192; Air Force 58.748
Dunkel Line: New Mexico by 10 1/2; 110
Vegas Line: New Mexico by 8 1/2; 118 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Mexico (-8 1/2); Under

Marc Lawrence

Wisconsin at Penn State
Prediction: Wisconsin

Once again, Penn State’s basketball team must take the floor in the midst of the university’s public grieving over the death of legendary football coach Joe Paterno. The Lions got the news just before their Jan. 22nd game at Indiana and they played like a squad whose focus was justifiably elsewhere, getting pounded by the Hoosiers, 73-54. And following an emotional two days consisting of Joe’s funeral and an on-campus memorial service, PSU hit the road again Wednesday where they were ground into Lion sausage at Ohio State. So tonight’s matchup will mark the Nits’ first home game since Joe Pa’s death and we expect emotions to be at fever pitch. However, when your team is riding a 1-5 SU and 1-4-1 ATS slump and stuck in the conference cellar, emotion can only take you so far. That should be especially true here: the Badgers were upset as 7.5-point favorites by Penn State in last year’s Big Ten tourney and the Nits have cashed in only 12 of their last 32 contests at home against avenging foes. Wisky has held the upper hand in this series of late, too, going 13-2 SU and 10-5 ATS, including 6-1 ATS the last seven at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State also has the misfortune of hosting a streaky Wisconsin team currently on an upward swing. The Badgers rode a 4-game win skein into Indiana on Thursday, which came on the heels of a 3-game losing effort – a streak that was preceded by six straight wins. Outmanned PSU will likely need a big effort from behind the 3-point arc to have a chance here. The problem is Wisconsin not only ranks as one of the league’s best at defending the 3-point shot, they hit a high percentage of treys on offense as well. With the visitors sitting one game behind the Buckeyes in the loss column of the Big Ten standings at press time, this game is a must-have for the Badgers. Considering they’re 5-1 ATS as chalk with last-year tournament knockout revenge and 4-0 ATS in that role versus less-than.700 opposition, we think they’ll get it. Nits may keep it close for a while but will eventually succumb to another of their trademark second-half fades. Lay the points. We recommend a 1-unit play on Wisconsin.

Matt Fargo

Clemson vs. Virginia
Play: Clemson +8.5

This line is higher than I expected it to be and we will take a shot with Clemson in this spot as the Tigers are in need of a solid quality win. They are riding a modest two-game winning streak and those wins came against Georgia Tech and Wake Forest which are certainly nothing special. Clemson lost three in a row prior to that and while it included road losses at Boston College and Miami, both of those games could have and should have been won. Virginia is coming off another narrow victory as it won at NC State by a point to move to 4-2 in the ACC. The two losses have come by five points combined so while Clemson should have a better record than it does, Virginia is right in the same boat. The Cavaliers have been the big surprise of the season in the conference and one of the biggest in the country with a 17-3 record after finishing only a game over .500 last year. Virginia is just 2-5 ATS as a favorite of more than seven points. This figures to be a defensive battle and that makes the points a premium and even more so when we are dealing with a large pointspread. Virginia leads the ACC by allowing its opponents just 50.6 ppg, while Clemson is yielding only 59.7 ppg, second in the conference. Clemson has also produced 297 turnovers this season, turnovers that head coach Brad Brownell says makes what the Tigers do a little bit different than what the Cavaliers do and that is be more aggressive which can in fact lead to easy baskets. Clemson has covered five of its last eight games as a road underdog and it is 19-8 ATS in its last 27 games coming off a home win where it did not cover. The Cavaliers as mentioned have struggled with the role of the large favorite and a lot of that is due to the style of play as they will be more than happy to just grind it out and win a low scoring, close game. They have failed to cover their last four games at home and the underdog is on an 11-5 ATS run in this series.

Rob Vinciletti

Kansas State vs. Iowa State
Play: Kansas State +1.5

Kansas St may be in the right spot at the right time here as they catch Iowa St off their biggest win as a 7 point dog right here vs Kansas. That win as the first over a top 50 ranked RPI Team for Iowa St as they are now 1-3. Kansas St is a solid 7-3 on the road and 3-1 straight up the last 3 years as a road dog of 3 or less. They have won 12 of the last 16 off a loss and 9 of the last 12 Tuesday night games. Look for Kansas St to emerge with the win.

Sean Murphy

Islanders @ Hurricanes
PICK: Under 5.5

Both of these teams have been trending toward the 'under' recently, with the Isles posting a 1-5 o/u mark over their last six games, and the 'Canes recording an 0-5 o/u record over their last five contests.

I'm expecting another relatively low-scoring game on Tuesday night, as these two Eastern Conference bottom-feeders square off.

Maybe I shouldn't be referring to the Isles as 'bottom-feeders', as they've actually made strides in the right direction this season. However, after dropping back-to-back tough games against the Leafs heading into the All-Star break, I can't help but think they might be a little flat on Tuesday night.

Keep in mind, New York has already defeated Carolina twice this month, albeit by way of a shootout and overtime.

The Isles are averaging a just north of two goals per game on the road this season. They were shutout in Toronto in their most recent road tilt.

Carolina's offensive woes continue, as it has scored a grand total of eight goals over its last five games.

Fortunately, Cam Ward has stepped up between the pipes, allowing only four goals over his last four games, and two goals or less in nine consecutive contests.

Carolina hasn't seen much of a boost in offensive production here at home, averaging only 2.6 goals per game.

The last time these two teams hooked up, they combined to score only two goals in regulation time in an eventual 2-1 Islanders win back on January 21st. I suspect goals will come at a premium again on Tuesday night.

Jim Feist

Kansas State vs Iowa State
Pick: Iowa State

Kansas State comes off an emotional home loss to Oklahoma, 63-60, a hard fought game losing as an 11-point favorite. That ended a 3-game win streak. And the Wildcats are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Iowa State has been much improved from a year ago, 5-3 in the conference and the Cyclones are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 vs. the Big 12. The home team is 6-2-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings and the Wildcats are 0-4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Play Iowa State.

Free NCAAB Play for 1/31: Wake Forest +16 (-105, 5Dimes) at home against North Carolina. The Demon Deacons are showing good value here, catching more than double digits at home. Note that they are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog of 13.0 or greater. One of those covers came less than two weeks ago on the road against Duke. And while Wake Forest is only 2-5 in conference play, they're still 9-8-1 ATS overall, and 7-4 S/U at home this year. Going back into the history of this series, the last six times Wake Forest hosted the Tar Heels they have upset them twice for the SU win and only once did they lose by >16 points. The dog is 4-0 at the window in the last four games in this series, and the Tar Heels are 8-20 ATS in their last 28 games after scoring 90 points or more in their last game (93-81 W vs Ga Tech). We like the Demon Deacons to keep it within the numbers tonight. Take Wake Forest +16. Our Free Plays are now 155-81-1, and 11-1 L12. Sign up to our mailing list to receive all of our free releases via email. Thank you and good luck.

Tony George

Oklahoma St. -4.5

Take the Cowboys on the road against a team, Texas Tech, that they should dominate. The home court advantage is not near it was when the days of Bobby Knight were present in Lubbock. Okie State upset then ranked #2 Mizzou last Thursday and have a solid team. They are a bit inconsistent at times, but Travis Ford KNOWS the importance of road wins in the Big 12, and beating teams that are less in talent than you are is crucial. Texas Tech has scored a mere 51 ppg opn offense their last 5 games and allowed 67 ppg.

While Okie State is 1-5 on the road, This is a winnable road game and a MUST WIN for them. Okie State cashing it at 80% from the charity stripe while the Red Raiders are at 64%, and with lines tight in these type of games, making consistently more free throws or free shots from the line makes a huge difference in covering numbers. Texas Tech has covered just 5 out of their last 16 games. Tech has covered 4 in a row in this series including the last meeting, but have lost 8 in a row SU, and with Okie State coming off a road loss at Texas AM, look for them to be focused in.

SPORTS WAGERS

EDMONTON +102 over Colorado

Despite another awful season, the Oilers have been fairly decent at home with a 12-8-3 record. Edmonton also showed some nice form before the break by picking up three out of a possible four points against Vancouver and San Jose. Devan Dubnyk is without doubt the goaltender of the future and he was real sharp in both mentioned. He is the confirmed starter for this one. The Avalanche are currently sitting firmly on the playoff bubble. Every game is important down the home stretch but back-to-back losses before the break to Minnesota and Anaheim doesn't exactly instil confidence in backing them as a road favorite. The Avs have goaltending issues and that's always a concern. Lastly, the Avalanche seem to bring out the best in the Oilers over the past couple of years, as Edmonton has won four of the past seven with two of those losses occurring in overtime. Play: Edmonton +102 (Risking 2 units).

Toronto +150 over PITTSBURGH

The Maple Leafs are in the hunt for a playoff spot and for a team that has missed the post-season for so long, it's crunch time. Toronto remains motivated and we expect them to come out of the break and give it everything they have. The Leafs are getting tremendous goaltending from Jonas Gustavsson, they're getting solid production from the top two lines and they've won three of their past four. They usually give the Penguins trouble. With a seven-game winning streak going into the break, Pittsburgh cannot be ignored but what we are counting on is the Maple Leafs to come out and play their hearts out for 60 minutes and for the remainder of the season. Too much being offered to ignore. Play: Toronto +150

David Banks

Denver Nuggets

Western Conference action headlines Tuesday nights slate when Danilo Gallinari and the Denver Nuggets (14-6, 14-6 ATS) take their show to Beale Street to battle Rudy Gay and the slumping Memphis Grizzlies (10-9, 9-10 ATS); tip-off from the FedEx Forum is slated for 8:00 ET on NBA TV.

The Nuggets had their six-game win streak (5-1 ATS) snapped their last time out at home against Blake Griffin and the Los Angeles Clippers, but even in defeat, Denver can still take solace in the fact that it possesses one of the best records in the league. The Nuggs currently trail the Oklahoma City Thunder by 2.5-games in the hotly contested Northwest Division, but still check in as one of only six teams in the league playing .700+ ball. Coach George Karls squad has gotten to this point by way of its offense. The roster possesses six players that have double-digit scoring averages led by Gallinari whos stuffed the stat sheet with 17.8 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 2.8 APG averages. As a team, the Nuggets have scored an average of 105.8 PPG (#1) on 48.3 percent shooting from the field (#1). Denver stands 7-3 SU and a moneymaking 8-2 ATS away from the Pepsi Center on the year.

Memphis was incredibly hot entering last weeks four-game west coast swing winning each of its previous six games (5-1 ATS) by an average of 14.3 PPG. After escaping Golden State with the 91-90 outright win as 2.5-point underdogs last Monday, Head Coach Lionel Hollins squad went on to drop each of its next three both SU & ATS to Portland, the Clippers, and Phoenix. They return home to face the division rival Spurs Monday night losers of three in a row for the second time this season. With the Grizz ranked amongst the middle of the pack at both ends of the court in most pertinent statistical categories, it comes as no surprise that they check in a near .500 club. That said; the team has been at its best as a host compiling 6-2 SU & 5-3 ATS records and owns a four-game home winning streak heading into Monday night.

The home team has won each of the L/4 and seven of the L/10 clashes of these teams; the over has cashed at an identical 7-3 mark during that stretch. Denver holds an 8-2 SU advantage over the L/10, but only managed to split against the closing number in those games. The Nuggets check in a bankroll increasing 22-5 ATS their L/27 road games, as well as 3-2 SU & ATS the L/5 times they were dogged by two points or less. Memphis has only covered once in its L/6 matches against Northwest Division opposition, but has gone an impressive 19-6-1 ATS the L/26 times it played on no rest. The over has cashed in each of the L/5 confrontations.

SPORTS WAGERS

New Jersey +9½ over INDIANA

What a great run for the Pacers. They've won seven of their past 10 and return home from a three game trip after beating the Bulls and Magic. They also just beat the Lakers in their last home game. Recent victories over the Lakers and Bulls, not to mention redemption against the Magic has to be satisfying. After a handful of games against intense competition, including the Celtics twice in its last eight, Indiana now gets a breather with the 7-14 Nets coming in. New Jersey is coming off a 21-point home loss to the Bargnani-less Raptors and that has influence on this number. Under favorable conditions, the Pacers probably would put this Nets team away early and not let them back in it. However, under these conditions, the Nets offer up all the value here against a complacent host that hits the road again tomorrow for two more games. Play: New Jersey +9½ (Risking 2.02 units to win 2).

Larry Ness

Arkansas +2.5

Vanderbilt opened the year No. 7 in the preseason rankings but the 'Dores were just 6-4 overall after a Dec 17 loss to Indiana St (Vandy also lost at home to Cleveland St in their second game, back on Nov 13). Vanderbilt took a break from SEC play over the weekend, earning an 84-77 home win over Middle Tennessee State (note: Don't dismiss MTSU, which is 20-3 on the year!). Vanderbilt is now 16-5 (5-1 in the SEC), having won 10 of 11 since that 6-4 start and Monday, returned to the AP poll at No. 25. Vandy is not deep but the team's starting-five is impressive. Jenkins (20.0) and Tinsley (9.6-4.4 APG) are an excellent guard duo with the 6-8 Goulbourne (9.9-7.2) creating havoc on the wing. The 6-7 Taylor (17.3-5.8) ranks second in scoring to Jenkins and the 6-11 Ezeli (8.5-6.6 in 11 games) is rounding into prime form after missing the first six games of the season due to a suspension by the university for accepting meals and a hotel room from a booster, plus two more because of a right knee injury. The 6-9 Tchiengang (3.6-3.8) started while Ezeli was out and is now the team's top reserve. As for 15-6 Arkansas, one wonders what "might have been" this year if the 6-7 Powell (10.8-4.5 LY and 19.5-6.0 in two games TY) was not lost to a season-ending injury so early? The Razorbacks won't back down from Vandy, with two freshman up front in the 6-10 Mickelson (4.8-3.8) and the 6-7 Abron (5.9-4.8) plus 6-8 vet Sanchez (4.3-3.3). However, the team's real strength is its perimeter group. Freshman guard Young (14.4-3.1-2,.2) leads the team in scoring off the bench while the trio of Wade (10.8), Scott (10.0-3.8-2.7) and Nobles (8.7-4.0-3.4) start. Another freshman, Madden (7.3-3.7), is also contributing off the bench in the backcourt. Arkansas is 15-1 at home. this year, having won 13 in a row since losing 87-78 back on Nov 18 to a Houston team which is now just 11-9 (go figure?). Vanderbilt has lost EIGHT of its 10 previous visits to Bud Walton Arena and let me point out that last season, an Arkansas team which would finish just 18-13, beat a 23-win Vandy team, 89-78 up in Nashville! Take the home dog.

Jeff Scott Sports

3 UNIT PLAY

Clemson/ Virginia Over 107.5: Very low OU line here, even for a Virginia game as their lowest OU line has been 113.5 so far. Granted the Cavs play a slow down brand of ball and they are a solid defensive team, but I feel the Tigers can speed up the game enough for this one to go Over. Virginia's home games have averaged just 113.7 ppg and thanks mainly to a defense that has allowed just 47.8 ppg at home. Clemson, though, I feel can score on them. The Tigers have been solid offensively in the ACC as they have put up 68.3 ppg in those games, including 69.3 ppg in their last 3. At the other end of the floor they have allowed just 59.7 ppg overall, but on the road they have allowed 63 ppg, while in their last 5 they have allowed 66 ppg, so they can be scored on and should allow a Virginia squad that has scored just 58.7 ppg in ACC play to hit at least 60+ on them here. Another reason to expect they will be good for 60+ is the fact that they score 65.9 ppg at home. The Cavs slow the game down and play that boring basketball, but I still feel their is enough offense in this game to have this one hit 115 points. Even if the Cavs should somehow hold the Tigers to 49 points, i still expect no less than 60 form Virginia and that still gets us the over.

More later

Dave Price

1 Unit Charlotte Bobcats +13

The Lakers have been extremely overvalued in this series, and the Bobcats are 12-1 ATS in the last 13 meetings as a result. They are also a perfect 6-0 ATS in the last 6 matchups in Los Angeles. The Bobcats are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog of 11.0 points or more while the Lakers are 16-42 ATS in their last 58 games as a favorite of 11.0 points or more. Bet the Bobcats.