Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
Stanford / Old Dominion Under 138.5: I really can't understand this line. O know that the new shot clock rules are in place, but still this should be a slow paced game and neither team is used to playing in a place as big as MSG, which should make for bad shooting from both teams. Stanford has not been a great defensive team this year, but they should be able to handle this poor ODU offense that has averaged just 64.6 ppg on the road and just 56.2 in their 4 neutral site games this year. THis is one of the slowest paced teams in the nation, while on defense they have been excellent as they have allowed just 56.8 ppg overall, 64 ppg on the road and just 57.5 ppg on neutral courts. Offensively the Cardinal has been rolling of late, but they just won't get enough possessions to do much damage in this one and they have averaged just 68.8 ppg on neutral courts this year. With the pace the ODU makes you play at and with their defense I just don't see how this one comes close to 140 points, especially in this non-friendly shooting venue. 130 points tops here.
Dave Cokin
Evansville -6.5
Heath Schroyer has done phenomenally well in his first years at the UT-Martin helm. For a program as steeped in mediocrity as this one to still be playing, minor tourney or not, is simply remarkable. The former Wyoming head coach and UNLV assistant has done himself proud in the process.
But my thoughts are that the Skyhawks might not have enough to win tonight as they journey to Evansville. Marty Simmons is a very savvy coach and he's got a young team that's getting a great head start on next season with their showing to close this one.
I went the matchup route to determine what I believe takes place here. Evansville is not all that big, but their occasional physical shortcomings won't be as much of a factor here, as UT-Martin is not a tall team. If that's the case, the Purple Aces, who really don't like to rely on outside shooting, simply won't have to. I think they can get a good number of high percentage shots tonight, and if that is indeed the case, the road team will have trouble keeping the hosts off the scoreboard.
UT-Martin does the have the equalizer as they can knock down shots from anyplace and Evansville can be burned by effective outside shooters. So this is not a slam dunk by any means.
I like the scheduling setup for Evansville. They should be feeling great after scoring two straight road wins, while this is now a fourth consecutive road game for the Skyhawks. At some point one would think that might have an impact on UT-Martin.
The Skyhawks have a terrible history when facing the Missouri Valley Conference. Most of that is inconsequential as it took place prior to the arrival of Schroyer and this year's squad is vastly superior to recent editions. But there's still what I believe is a class difference here and I expect that to be a factor tonight. It's not by any means a cheap number, but I like Evansville to emerge with the win and cover tonight.
Jimmy Boyd
Indiana Pacers +3
The books are begging for you to take the Nets as a small home favorite, as Brooklyn comes in having won 3 straight and just recently won at Indiana 123-111 back on 3/21. Indiana had really been struggling, but come in having won 2 of 3, including an impressive 104-99 win at home over the Mavericks.
As well as the Nets have been playing of late, I don't trust this team at all and it's worth noting that of number of their wins of late have come against bad teams. I look for the Pacers to get their revenge and win this game outright, but I'll take the 3-points as insurance.
Brooklyn is 7-15 ATS in their last 22 games when listed as a home favorite and 2-13 ATS in their last 15 after 2 or more consecutive wins. Adding to this is a strong system backing the Pacers. Teams that are coming off 2 or more consecutive overs, who an average team with +/- of 3 ppg against a bad team with a +/- of -3 to -7 are 93-48 ATS after 42+ games over the last 5 seasons. That's a 66% system in favor of the Pacers.
Brandon Lee
Stanford vs. Old Dominion
Play: Stanford -2½
Old Dominion held on to beat Illinois State 50-49 at home and then pulled off the big win over Murray State at home 72-69 to reach the NIT semifinals in New York. Of the 4 teams left in the NIT, I believe the Monarchs will have the most difficult time adjusting to the big stage of Madison Square Garden. All you have to do is look at Old Dominion's home/away splits to see how much this team benefited from getting all 3 of their games so far in the NIT at home and even then they were fortunate to win. Stanford might be just 6-10 on the road, but they are better equipped to play on the road and I look for them to dominate this game from start to finish. Cardinal should have the edge on the boards, at the free throw line and in the turnover battle.
Scott Spreitzer
N.J.I.T. vs. Northern Arizona
Play: Northern Arizona -4½
I'm laying the points with Northern Arizona on Tuesday night. Northern Arizona has won eight home games in a row including a thrilling overtime victory against Kent State on Friday. The team's leading scorer, Quinton Upshur, had one of his worst games of the season making only four of 19 shots and missing all eight of his 3-point shot attempts. Still, the Lumberjacks prevailed as four other players scored in double figures. NAU is on an 8-2-1 ATS run and is 17-11-4 ATS overall this season. NJIT is coming off three home wins in the College Insider Tournament but this will be the Highlanders' first road game in more than two months. Northern Arizona has held its last five opponents to under 40 percent from the field. The Highlanders are from the Big Sky Conference but still arguably played the tougher schedule of these two teams. I'm recommending a play on Northern Arizona minus the points on Tuesday.
Mike Lundin
NY Rangers vs. Winnipeg Jets
Play: Winnipeg Jets +100
The Jets will be looking to bounce back from a 4-3 loss to Central Division rival the Blackhawks Sunday as they're hosting the New York Rangers tonight. They're a perfect 5-0 in their last five playing on one day of rest while the visitors have shown little urgency of late coming off back-to-back losses having the Metropolitan Division title all but wrapped up already. Henrik Lundqvist conceded four goals on 30 shots against the Bruins Saturday in his first game back after sitting out with an injury for almost a month, and Cam Talbot gave up four as well the following day. Perhaps it will take some time for the Rangers to reap the benefits of having King Henrik back as neither goalie can be certain on how the Rangers will handle their goaltender situation moving forward.
Winnipeg has been hot of late despite losing its last time out claiming six of its last eight match-ups including four of five in its own building. It is holding down the final wild card in the West, but has the chasing LAK only two points back. It won 1-0 in OT at MSG back in November and must relish its chances of completing the season sweep tonight. The Jets are in dire need of the points while the Rangers can afford to coast just a while longer before getting down to business for the upcoming playoffs again.
Considering all the situational aspects I think we're getting a great price on the Jets here.
Ian Hudson
Venus Williams -160
This match brings together two veterans of the circuit but it is the elder and more experienced Williams that can progress to the next round. Suarez Navarro has been playing on the circuit since 2004 and is now at a career high of 12 in the world rankings. Her opponent is four places lower in the current standings but the seven-times Grand Slam champion is still competitive at this level. She has improved her status by 30 places at the end of the last two seasons. There is little to choose between the players in terms of winning matches outdoors on hardcourts since the start of last season and they are one-all in previous meetings but Williams won the most recent.
Cajun Sports
Miami vs. Temple
Play: Under 141
The Canes and Owls play the first game of the NIT Final Four on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden. We will play this one to fall well below the posted total of 139 our BTPR Index projects a final total points scored average of 134.5. We want to Play UNDER on CBB postseason teams in this price range three consecutive victories. These postseason winners have gone Under at a rate of 33-53 Under. The Play here is on the Under on Tuesday night.
Mr Vegas
Indiana at Brooklyn
Play: Under
Indiana at Brooklyn: A pair of defensive teams meet and both teams have something to play for. The under is 7-3 in the Pacers last 10 games following a win. And the under is 5-2 in the Nets last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400.
Jeff Saad
Pacers vs. Nets
Play: Over
Brooklyn has been soft on defense of late, 15-3-1 over the total against a team with a losing record. Indiana hasn't been shut down on defense, but the offense has been clicking on a 5-0 run over the total. Indiana is 22-8-1 over the total against a team with a losing record and 26-12-1 over on the road. And when these teams meet the over is 4-0.
Jim Feist
Tennessee Martin vs Evansville
Play: Tennessee Martin
Tennessee-Martin is used to the road in this CIT Tourney, having played all three games away and winning all three outright. The Skyhawks had to beat conference foe Eastern Kentucky in the last CIT game. The Hawks have been a great road cover team this year, posting a 13-5 ATS mark away from home and a perfect 3-0 mark in the CIT. Evansville returns home for tonight's contest after a pair of CIT road wins at IUPU Fort Wayne and Eastern Illinois. The Purple Aces have covered two of their three CIT games and are just 5-8 ATS their last 13 games. The Aces are also 0-5 ATS in their last five home games. The Skyhawks have proven they can cover on the road, and not just against bad teams but are 8-1 ATS their last nine against winning teams. Just too many points to pass on here as TMU could steal this one outright.
Tony George
LA Clippers -2
A battle of heavyweights tonight out West as the Clippers have won 7 in a row and the Warriors 9 in a row. This is a TNT Game headline game tonight on national TV. LA should be highly motivated here as the Warriors may in fact realize their fate as the top seed in the West is fairly secure while the Clippers are battling for position. The Warriors rested 2 players on Saturday and I would not be surprised to see more than that rested in this game and reduced minutes for Curry and Thompson who both have been hot from the floor.
With Griffin back in the lineup for the Clips, it has opened up the backcourt more and Chris Paul and company are reaping the benefits, and Reddick has been knocking down some long range 3 pointers with open looks. All in all there is no doubt Golden State is as good as anyone in the NBA and the better team here tonight, but you have a national TV Audience on TNT tonight, and LA has dropped 2 out of 3 against the Warrior’s and they are a t home, and I think you will see a more motivated performance from the Clippers tonight in a winning effort and the line seems fishy at - 2 points for the lesser team in this one, I think the LA Clippers win tonight by a bigger margin than that. No doubt on any given day in mid-season that Golden State would be favored.
LT Profits
Stanford vs Old Dominion
Pick: Stanford -2.5
The Stanford Cardinal seemed to be NCAA Tournament bound when they were 15-5 while playing in a major conference in the Pac-12, but they stumbled late and settled for the NIT. Still, their class edge should see them through here vs. the Old Dominion Monarchs. Stanford is still ranked 45th overall on the Pomeroy Ratings and has faced a schedule ranked 48th in SOS, with that schedule helped by beating three Pomeroy Top 100 teams in this NIT to get to this point when the Cardinal could have easily called it a season after missing out on the NCAA. Old Dominion got here by beating Charleston Southern, Illinois State and Murray State, so Stanford represents a rise in class for a team ranked 66th on Pomeroy that has tackled an SOS ranked just 202nd in the land. Stanford is 6-1 ATS in its last seven non-conference games.
Vernon Croy
Miami vs. Temple
Play: Miami +115
Take the Miami Florida Hurricanes ML as your NCAA-B NIT free pick for Tuesday night. This pick falls into one of my NCAA-B systems and the Hurricanes are the better overall team here tonight so we are getting good value on the moneyline. The Owls are just 1-5 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games and and they are also just 7-10 SU in their last 17 neutral court games. Miami has held their opponents to an average of just 63.4 ppg over their last 5 games and the while out-rebounding their opponents by an average of 7.8 rpg. Miami is also the superior 3-point shooting team dropping 38.8% from beyond the arc on the road this season compared to Temple who shoots just 32.1% from beyond the arc on the road. Miami is the superior free throw shooting team dropping 74.7% from the line while the Owls hit just 69.7% from the line.
Jeffery James
Miami Florida +1
Miami had to tough it out all season long in the ACC and that will have them battle tested here. Miami was strong away from home all season long and they are used to playing away from home in big time environments. Temple will not have that same experience. Temple has had a relatively easy path to this point, look for this game to be a much tougher game for them. Take Miami as the play of the day.