SPORTS ADVISORS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(4) Purdue (21-3, 11-12-1 ATS) at (9) Ohio State (20-6, 13-13 ATS)
Two surging teams, both in contention for the Big Ten regular-season title, square off when the Buckeyes host Purdue at Value City Arena.
Ohio State has won six in a row (3-3 ATS) since falling at Big East power West Virginia on Jan. 23. The Buckeyes are coming off a pair of road routs, dumping Indiana 69-52 last Wednesday as a 10½-point favorite, then cooling off Illinois 72-53 Saturday as a two-point chalk. In fact, OSU has won its last five games by double digits, averaging 73.8 ppg on sterling 51.9 percent shooting, while allowing just 57.6 ppg on 41.9 percent shooting.
Purdue’s three losses came back-to-back-to-back from Jan. 9-16, but it has since notched seven consecutive wins (4-3 ATS), including a 63-40 defensive gem against Iowa on Saturday, cashing as a huge 19½-point home favorite. The Boilermakers held the Hawkeyes to just 29.8 percent shooting (14 of 47). Over the past five games, Purdue has outscored opponents by 12.4 ppg (68.6.-56.4), shooting 48.2 percent from the field and allowing just 36 percent shooting.
Ohio State dealt Purdue the second of its three losses, rallying for a 70-65 victory as a nine-point road pup in West Lafayette on Jan. 12 to cash for the third time in the last four series meetings. The Buckeyes have owned this rivalry lately, going 14-4-1 ATS in the last 19 clashes, including 6-2-1 ATS in Columbus. The underdog is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
The Buckeyes are on ATS surges of 5-1 against winning teams and 4-1 at home against teams with a winning road record. Conversely, the Boilermakers are in ATS ruts of 4-12-1 following a spread-cover, 2-5 against winning teams and 16-36-2 in Wednesday outings.
The over is 8-3 in Ohio State’s last 11 games following an spread-cover and 6-0 at home against teams with a winning road record, and Purdue is on “over” runs of 5-0 on the highway and 21-6 in roadies against teams with a winning home mark. However, the under is 13-6 in Ohio State’s last 19 Big Ten starts and 5-2 in the Boilermakers’ last seven on Wednesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OHIO STATE
(6) Duke (21-4, 16-8 ATS) at Miami, Fla. (17-8, 9-7-1 ATS)
The Blue Devils, in pursuit of their fifth consecutive win, head to South Beach for an ACC contest with Miami at the BankUnited Center.
Duke has won four in a row and six of its last seven (5-2 ATS), with all the victories coming in conference play, including Saturday’s 77-56 wipeout of Maryland as a 9½-point home chalk. Five of those six wins have come by double digits, and for the season, the Blue Devils are averaging 80.5 ppg (12th in the nation) while allowing 62.3 ppg. They also have one of the stingiest perimeter defenses, allowing opponents to make just 27.8 percent of their shots from beyond the three-point arc (fourth).
After a torrid 15-1 start, the Hurricanes have gone 2-7 SU in its last nine games (3-5-1 ATS). On Saturday, Miami went to Clemson and lost 74-66 but got the cash as a 9½-point pup. On the year, the ‘Canes have averaged 71.6 ppg, but it has scored 66 or less in its last four games and seven of its last nine. That said, six of those seven were on the road; at home, the Hurricanes average 75 ppg while allowing just 60.0.
The home team has won the last three meetings in this rivalry, with Miami going 2-0-1 ATS. Last February, Duke eked out a 78-75 overtime win, but the Hurricanes covered as a hefty 14-point underdog, and two years ago in Miami, the ‘Canes won a 96-95 shootout catching 6½ points. Miami is 3-1-1 ATS in the last five meetings, all as a ‘dog, and the road team is also on a 3-1-1 ATS run.
The Blue Devils are on ATS upswings of 10-4 overall, 5-1 in the ACC, 4-1 on Wednesday and 10-4 against winning teams. The Hurricanes are on a modest 3-1-1 ATS run overall (all in the ACC and all against winning teams), but they are also on a 1-5-1 ATS skid following a pointspread win.
Both Duke and Miami have topped the total in six straight games against winning teams. However, the Blue Devils are on “under” streaks of 5-2 overall, 4-1 after a SU win, 12-4 on Wednesday, 25-9 in conference play and 24-10 after a spread-cover. The under is also 7-3 in Miami’s last 10 home games and 5-0 in its last five after an ATS victory. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has gone high in the last six clashes overall.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DUKE and OVER
(15) Texas (20-5, 9-12 ATS) at Missouri (18-7, 11-8 ATS)
Texas, aiming to regain some consistency, makes the trek to Columbia for a Big 12 battle with the Tigers at Mizzou Arena.
Since starting the season 17-0 and ascending to No. 1 in the country, the Longhorns have lost five of their last eight games and gone just 2-6 ATS in that stretch. On Saturday, though, they blasted Nebraska 91-51 as a 14-point home favorite to end a 1-3 SU and ATS skid. Rick Barnes’ troops are narrowly outscoring road opponents, averaging 77.4 ppg and giving up 75.1.
Missouri put together a nine-game winning streak to firm up its record by mid-January, but has since gone a middling 4-4 SU and ATS, all in Big 12 play. On Saturday at Baylor, the Tigers fell just short 64-62, but covered as a four-point pup. Mizzou is 15-1 at home this year, averaging a whopping 85.6 ppg on 48.5 percent shooting, while allowing just 61.7 ppg on 38.3 percent shooting.
Missouri has gone 2-0 SU and ATS the past two seasons against Texas, winning 69-65 last year as a 4½-point road ‘dog and 97-84 two years ago as a one-point home pup. Those two wins followed an 8-0 SU and ATS tear by the Longhorns, who are 9-2 ATS in the last 11 clashes overall and 4-1 ATS on their last five trips to Columbia. The chalk has covered in five of the last seven in this rivalry.
The Longhorns are 5-2 ATS in their last seven starts following a spread-cover, but their pointspread streaks spiral downward from there, including 2-10 overall, 1-6 on the road, 0-7 after a SU win, 1-5 on Wednesday, 2-9 against winning teams and 6-19-1 in the Big 12. On the flip side, the Tigers are on ATS surges of 22-8 at home, 16-7 in the Big 12 and 4-0 after a SU loss, though they are in an 0-4 ATS funk following a spread-cover.
Texas is on a bundle of “over” runs, including 5-2 overall, 8-2 after a spread-cover, 5-2 after a SU win and 6-2 on the highway, but the under for the ‘Horns is on a 5-1-1 stretch against winning teams. The under for Mizzou is on upticks 5-1-1 against winning teams, 5-1 at home against teams with a winning road record and 9-4 in Big 12 competition, but the Tigers sport “over” streaks of 4-1 on Wednesday and 4-1 following a SU loss.
Finally, in this rivalry, the under is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MISSOURI
NBA
Utah (33-19, 31-18-3 ATS) at New Orleans (28-25, 26-27 ATS)
The Hornets return to the court for the first time in a week when they entertain the red-hot Jazz in a Western Conference battle at New Orleans Arena.
Utah kicked off a four-game Western Conference road trip with Tuesday’s 104-95 win at Houston as a three-point road favorite. The Jazz are 15-3 in their last 18 games, going 13-2-3 ATS, and during this stretch they’re 5-2 on the road (6-0-1 ATS). Utah’s offense has been humming, as it has scored more than 100 points in 14 of its last 16 games, tallying 109 or more nine times.
New Orleans went into the All-Star break on a high note, rallying for a 93-85 win over the Celtics as a five-point home underdog, the team’s third straight spread cover. However, the Hornets – who continue to play without injured All-Star point guard Chris Paul, are just 3-5 SU in their last eight games, including 1-4 SU and ATS at home.
New Orleans ended a four-game SU and ATS losing streak to the Jazz with a 91-87 upset win as a 7½-point road favorite back on Jan. 4 in Salt Lake City (the only previous battle this season). Utah is still 8-2 SU and 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10 meetings, including consecutive wins and covers in its last two trips to the Big Easy.
Utah is on a slew of positive pointspread surges, including 13-2-3 overall, 7-0-1 on the highway, 10-2-2 as a favorite, 20-6-1 as a chalk of less than five points, 6-1 as a road chalk of five points or less, 10-2-2 against Western Conference foes, 37-17 against the Southwest Division, 16-5-3 versus winning teams, 4-1 on Wednesday and 4-1-1 when playing on back-to-back nights.
New Orleans has cashed in five of its last seven on Wednesday and 16 of its last 21 versus winning teams, but it is in pointspread slumps of 1-6 at home, 5-13 against Northwest Division squads and 0-5 when coming off three or more days of rest.
The Jazz are on “over” surges of 5-1 on the road, 4-1-1 as a road favorite, 8-4 against the Western Conference, 5-1 on Wednesday and 5-2 when playing on consecutive days. Similarly, New Orleans carries “over” streaks of 9-2 overall, 5-1 against the Western Conference, 4-1 on Wednesday and 6-1-1 after three or more days off. However, the Hornets have also stayed low in 27 of their last 40 home games and 10 of 13 against Northwest Division opponents.
Finally, the under is on a 6-2-1 roll in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH
Phoenix (32-22, 29-25 ATS) at Dallas (32-21, 21-32 ATS)
The Mavericks, who have covered just one pointspread at home since Nov. 18, welcome the streaking Suns to American Airlines Center as these conference rivals clash for the third and final time this season.
Phoenix returned from the All-Star break on Tuesday and scored a 109-95 victory at Memphis in a pick-em contest. The Suns are 6-1 SU and ATS in their last seven games, during which they’ve won and covered five straight road games. Phoenix’s current runs follows a 3-8 SU and 2-9 ATS slump (0-5 SU, 1-4 ATS on the road).
Dallas also resumed play on Tuesday, ending a three-game road trip with a 99-86 loss at Oklahoma City as a 4½-point road underdog. The Mavericks have lost six of their last eight games, and they’ve failed to cover in eight of their last nine contests and 20 of their last 27. During its 2-6 overall funk, Dallas is 2-2 at home (0-4 ATS).
The Suns ended a three-game losing streak to the Mavs with a 112-106 home win as a two-point favorite back on Jan. 28. Phoenix also got the money in a 102-101 loss in Dallas as a 4½-point underdog on Dec. 8, the first meeting of the season between these squads.
Phoenix is on ATS upticks of 6-1 overall (all against the Western Conference), 5-0 on the highway, 5-1 against winning teams, 4-1 versus the Southwest Division and 7-3 as an underdog of less than five points, but the Suns have come up short in seven of their last 10 when playing on no rest.
Although the Mavs have won 15 of their 23 home games, they’re just 5-19 ATS, including 10 straight non-covers. Going back further, they’ve cashed just once in their last 18 games at American Airlines Center, going 0-17 ATS as a home favorite. Additionally, Dallas is in pointspread freefalls of 7-20 overall (1-8 last nine), 7-20 against Western Conference teams, 1-4 versus the Pacific Division, 0-5 against winning teams and 2-6 when playing on back-to-back nights.
The under is on runs of 5-0 for Phoenix overall and 4-0 for the Mavs on Wednesday. From there, however, the Suns are on “over” streaks of 6-2 against the Southwest Division, 5-2 versus winning teams, 28-12 on Wednesday, 13-6 when going on back-to-back days and 5-1 as an underdog of less than five points. Also, Dallas is on “over” surges of 7-3 overall, 4-1 at home, 9-4 against the Western Conference, 5-2 versus winning teams, 5-1 as a favorite and 7-3 when playing on no rest.
Lastly, five of the last six Suns-Mavericks clashes have hurdled the posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHOENIX and OVER
Marc Lawrence
Akron at Miami (Ohio)
Play: Miami (Ohio)
After a painfully slow start to the season (6-13 SU first 19 games), the RedHawks are currently flying high, soaring to a 5-1 SU and 4-2 ATS run in their last six games. Despite the glaring discrepancies in overall records this season, you should know that Miami has pretty much ruled in this series at Millet Hall, going 13-3 SU and 11-5 ATS. You can also bet they?ll be poised to slit Akron?s tires after falling to the Zips, 69-49, in the Rubber City back on January 20. That?s because the resurgent RedHawks are a perfect 6-0 ATS on their home court when playing with same-season loss revenge of 16 or more points. With the Zips 0-4 SU and ATS away from Akron after scrapping with Ohio U, we don't see the rubber meeting the road here today.
Big Al
Houston Rockets at Milwaukee Bucks
Prediction: Houston Rockets
The Rockets have dropped each of their last three games (both SU and ATS) to the 76ers, Heat, and Jazz, and have lost 12 of their last 15 games ATS. In contrast, the Milwaukee Bucks are playing great ball, and have covered 11 of their previous 13 games. But I'm going to play on the Rockets tonight, as they fall into one of the very best team trends in all of sport: Houston is an incredible 82-26 ATS since 1993 on the road off a loss, if they've failed to cover their previous two games. The underdog has covered the last three games in this series, and we'll grab the points with Houston tonight.
Carlo Campanella
Tulsa at Marshall
Low profile game as Tulsa (19-6) heads to Marshall (18-7) on Wednesday night. Tulsa had a 3-1 winning streak snapped on Sunday's home loss to Memphis, 86-93. Tulsa has earned 19 wins this season behind a stingy defensive unit that's held opponents to just 63 points per game and shooting 39% from the field. In Sunday's loss they allowed Memphis to put up 93 points while making an incredible 54.5% of their shots as a team. Expect Tulsa to clamp down on defense after that break down, as we find them at 2-0 SU & ATS this season after allowing their previous foe to make 50% or better of their shots, winning those two games by 21-points & 25-points...Look out, Tulsa is a LIVE Dog!
Play on: Tulsa
Jim Feist
Detroit Pistons vs. Orlando Magic
Play Over 190
Detroit didn't feel like playing any defense heading up to the All Star break, on a 3-2 run over the total. They gave up over 100 points twice in four games after allowing over 100 only once in the previous nine games. This is a tired spot for the Detroit defense, as well, the second of a back to back spot while Orlando is rested. Orlando is an uptempo team, averaging over 101 ppg, with so many offensive options. Orlando is well coached and Stan Van Gundy will tell his rested troops to run right at the tired visitors. Play the Pistons/Magic Over the total.
Craig Trapp
West Virginia vs. Providence
Play Under 155.5
Hard to imagine that WVU lets this one get into a run and gun game. Instead look for WVU to move the ball around and play inside outside game. WVU is long and athletic and they rebound great which should hold PROV to one and done on the offensive end. PROV is a great scoring team but today they will be up against it. This one is going to end in the 140's!
EZWINNERS
Temple Owls -6.5
Defense has been the calling card for Temple this season. The Owls rank among the nation's best in scoring defense allowing only 57 points per game. I look for this suffocating defense to do a job on a struggling St. Bonaventure team. St. Bonaventure is in danger of being one of the two teams, along with last place Fordham, that don't qualify for the Atlantic 10 tournament. The Owls have owned this series against the Bonnies. In the last ten meetings between these two teams, Temple is 10-0 straight up and 8-2 against the spread in those games. St. Bonaventure is only 4-16-1 against the spread in their last 21 home games against a team with a winning road record. Lay the points.
James Patrick Sports
West Virginia vs. Providence
HC Bob Huggins and his Mountaineers have taken the cash at a (6-1-1) ATS pace the past (Cool Big East match-ups with the Friars. Providence has struggled with a (3-13) ATS mark the past (16) games and the Friars are just (2-6) ATS in Wednesday action. Big Game James Patrick's Wednesday selection in College Basketball action is West Virginia Mountaineers.
Tom Stryker
TENNESSEE (-) over Georgia
Off back-to-back straight up road losses at Vanderbilt and Kentucky and with trips to South Carolina and Florida on deck, Tennessee knows Wednesday's home game against Georgia is an important one. The Bulldogs used their interior size and strength to smash the Vols 78-63 in Athens back on January 23rd. Fortunately, UT hasn't dropped three straight since January of 2007 and they won't fall here.
The fact that this SEC battle is being played inside Thompson-Boling Arena is massive for head coach Bruce Pearl and the Vols. Tennessee is 25-15 ATS in its last 40 lined game in this series including 14-5 ATS in this set in its own backyard. Equally impressive, UT has won 11 straight as an SEC host facing an opponent that holds a won/loss percentage less than .500.
Backing Georgia at home is one thing. However, if you want to invest on the Dawgs when they hit the road, you can do it at your own risk. As a guest, UGA is a miserable 5-36 SU and 15-24-2 ATS in its last 41 games including 0-18 SU and 3-14-1 ATS in its last 18 running with four or more days rest.
Coach Pearl is one of the best at tweaking his lineup and you can bet your last dollar that he'll have the Volunteers primed for this revenge war. Take Tennessee.
DUNKEL INDEX
Detroit at Orlando
The Magic look to take advantage of a Detroit team that is coming off a 108-85 win over Minnesota and is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games following a SU win by 10 or more points. Orlando is the pick (-11 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Magic favored by 20. Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-11 1/2)
Game 701-702: Memphis at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 118.622; Toronto 120.940
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 2 1/2; 213
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 7; 215
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+7); Under
Game 703-704: Minnesota at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 110.696; Washington 116.215
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 5 1/2; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 4 1/2; 203 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-4 1/2); Over
Game 705-706: San Antonio at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 122.520; Indiana 114.792
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 7 1/2; 208
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 707-708: Detroit at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 107.545; Orlando 127.712
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 20; 193
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 11 1/2; 190
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-11 1/2); Over
Game 709-710: Chicago at New York
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 115.602; New York 117.199
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 1 1/2; 205
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 711-712: Miami at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 116.022; New Jersey 112.917
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 3; 178
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 7; 186
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+7); Under
Game 713-714: Houston at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 120.776; Milwaukee 120.399
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 188
Vegas Line & Total: Milwaukee by 5 1/2; 194 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+5 1/2); Under
Game 715-716: Utah at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 122.837; New Orleans 122.150
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 1; 206
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 3 1/2; 201 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+3 1/2); Over
Game 717-718: Phoenix at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 117.708; Dallas 124.769
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 7; 218
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 4 1/2; 217 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-4 1/2); Over
Game 719-720: Sacramento at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 113.264; Golden State 114.489
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 1; 225
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 721-722: Atlanta at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 120.105; LA Clippers 111.155
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 9; 189
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 5 1/2; 196 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-5 1/2); Under
NCAAB
Florida State at Virginia
The Cavaliers look to bounce back from their loss at Maryland and build on their 6-2 ATS record in their last 8 games following a SU loss. Virginia is the pick (-1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Cavaliers favored by 6 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Virginia (-1 1/2)
Game 723-724: Purdue at Ohio State
Dunkel Ratings: Purdue 73.085; Ohio State 77.268
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 4
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-3 1/2)
Game 725-726: Notre Dame at Louisville
Dunkel Ratings: Notre Dame 65.536; Louisville 69.698
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 4
Vegas Line: Louisville by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Notre Dame (+11 1/2)
Game 727-728: West Virginia at Providence
Dunkel Ratings: West Virginia 74.212; Providence 65.858
Dunkel Line: West Virginia by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: West Virginia by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: West Virginia (-6 1/2)
Game 729-730: Florida State at Virginia
Dunkel Ratings: Florida State 66.638; Virginia 72.994
Dunkel Line: Virginia by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Virginia by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Virginia (-1 1/2)
Game 731-732: Charlotte at Duquesne
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 59.381; Duquesne 61.406
Dunkel Line: Duquesne by 2
Vegas Line: Duquesne by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+7 1/2)
Game 733-734: Duke at Miami (FL)
Dunkel Ratings: Duke 72.246; Miami (FL) 67.301
Dunkel Line: Duke by 5
Vegas Line: Duke by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (FL) (+7 1/2)
Game 735-736: Nebraska at Kansas State
Dunkel Ratings: Nebraska 62.658; Kansas State 74.538
Dunkel Line: Kansas State by 12
Vegas Line: Kansas State by 15
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (+15)
Game 737-738: Fordham at Richmond
Dunkel Ratings: Fordham 41.960; Richmond 64.744
Dunkel Line: Richmond by 23
Vegas Line: Richmond by 25 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Fordham (+25 1/2)
Game 739-740: Temple at St. Bonaventure
Dunkel Ratings: Temple 61.576; St. Bonaventure 57.109
Dunkel Line: Temple by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Temple by 7
Dunkel Pick: St. Bonaventure (+7)
Game 741-742: Massachusetts at George Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Massachusetts 52.507; George Washington 62.645
Dunkel Line: George Washington by 10
Vegas Line: George Washington by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: George Washington (-6 1/2)
Game 743-744: Tulsa at Marshall
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 61.324; Marshall 62.844
Dunkel Line: Marshall by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Marshall by 4
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (+4)
Game 745-746: Illinois-Chicago at Butler
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois-Chicago 47.497; Butler 68.710
Dunkel Line: Butler by 21
Vegas Line: Butler by 23
Dunkel Pick: Illinois-Chicago (+23)
Game 747-748: Detroit at Wright State
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 58.268; Wright State 65.659
Dunkel Line: Wright State by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Wright State by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+11 1/2)
Game 749-750: Northern Illinois at Western Michigan
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Illinois 45.037; Western Michigan 59.223
Dunkel Line: Western Michigan by 14
Vegas Line: Western Michigan by 9
Dunkel Pick: Western Michigan (-9)
Game 751-752: Bowling Green at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 51.285; Buffalo 53.546
Dunkel Line: Buffalo by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Buffalo by 8
Dunkel Pick: Bowling Green (+8)
Game 753-754: Central Michigan at Ball State
Dunkel Ratings: Central Michigan 52.558; Ball State 56.530
Dunkel Line: Ball State by 4
Vegas Line: Ball State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Ball State (-1)
Game 755-756: Eastern Michigan at Toledo
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Michigan 50.983; Toledo 45.289
Dunkel Line: Eastern Michigan by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Eastern Michigan by 8
Dunkel Pick: Toledo (+8)
Game 757-758: Akron at Miami (OH)
Dunkel Ratings: Akron 55.970; Miami (OH) 59.723
Dunkel Line: Miami (OH) by 4
Vegas Line: Miami (OH) by 1
Dunkel Pick: Miami (OH) (-1)
Game 759-760: Ohio at Kent State
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio 52.821; Kent State 68.203
Dunkel Line: Kent State by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: Kent State by 8
Dunkel Pick: Kent State (-8)
Game 761-762: St. Joseph's at Xavier
Dunkel Ratings: St. Joseph's 52.758; Xavier 68.907
Dunkel Line: Xavier by 16
Vegas Line: Xavier by 17 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Joseph's (+17 1/2)
Game 763-764: Seton Hall at St. John's
Dunkel Ratings: Seton Hall 66.111; St. John's 61.599
Dunkel Line: Seton Hall by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: St. John's by 1
Dunkel Pick: Seton Hall (+1)
Game 765-766: Oklahoma State at Iowa State
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma State 64.624; Iowa State 65.556
Dunkel Line: Iowa State by 1
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Iowa State (+1)
Game 767-768: Evansville at Wichita State
Dunkel Ratings: Evansville 47.169; Wichita State 66.195
Dunkel Line: Wichita State by 19
Vegas Line: Wichita State by 17 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wichita State (-17 1/2)
Game 769-770: BYU at Colorado State
Dunkel Ratings: BYU 71.961; Colorado State 57.917
Dunkel Line: BYU by 14
Vegas Line: BYU by 9
Dunkel Pick: BYU (-9)
Game 771-772: Loyola-Chicago at Valparaiso
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola-Chicago 49.881; Valparaiso 61.309
Dunkel Line: Valparaiso by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Valparaiso by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Valparaiso (-6 1/2)
Game 773-774: Memphis at Tulane
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 63.006; Tulane 53.956
Dunkel Line: Memphis by 9
Vegas Line: Memphis by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tulane (+11 1/2)
Game 775-776: UAB at Southern Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: UAB 63.292; Southern Mississippi 60.824
Dunkel Line: UAB by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: UAB
Game 777-778: Rice at SMU
Dunkel Ratings: Rice 49.304; SMU 63.292
Dunkel Line: SMU by 14
Vegas Line: SMU by 11
Dunkel Pick: SMU (-11)
Game 779-780: Georgia at Tennessee
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia 60.233; Tennessee 74.823
Dunkel Line: Tennessee by 14 1/2
Vegas Line: Tennessee by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-11 1/2)
Game 781-782: Penn State at Northwestern
Dunkel Ratings: Penn State 60.163; Northwestern 69.596
Dunkel Line: Northwestern by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Northwestern by 7
Dunkel Pick: Northwestern (-7)
Game 783-784: Maryland at NC State
Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 71.349; NC State 67.937
Dunkel Line: Maryland by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Maryland by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NC State (+4 1/2)
Game 785-786: Texas at Missouri
Dunkel Ratings: Texas 68.006; Missouri 75.519
Dunkel Line: Missouri by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Missouri by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Missouri (-2 1/2)
Game 787-788: Oklahoma at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma 62.891; Colorado 64.866
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 2
Vegas Line: Colorado by 5
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma (+5)
Game 789-790: Rhode Island at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Rhode Island 63.228; St. Louis 58.948
Dunkel Line: Rhode Island by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Rhode Island by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Rhode Island (-1 1/2)
Game 791-792: South Carolina at Arkansas
Dunkel Ratings: South Carolina 64.900; Arkansas 67.769
Dunkel Line: Arkansas by 3
Vegas Line: Arkansas by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: South Carolina (+3 1/2)
Game 793-794: Wyoming at New Mexico
Dunkel Ratings: Wyoming 52.059; New Mexico 71.072
Dunkel Line: New Mexico by 19
Vegas Line: New Mexico by 21
Dunkel Pick: Wyoming (+21)
Game 795-796: Missouri State at Illinois State
Dunkel Ratings: Missouri State 60.050; Illinois State 63.008
Dunkel Line: Illinois State by 3
Vegas Line: Illinois State by 5
Dunkel Pick: Missouri State (+5)
Game 797-798: UC-Santa Barbara at CS-Fullerton
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Santa Barbara 52.813; CS-Fullerton 56.572
Dunkel Line: CS-Fullerton by 4
Vegas Line: CS-Fullerton by 2
Dunkel Pick: CS-Fullerton (-2)
Game 799-800: Pacific at Long Beach State
Dunkel Ratings: Pacific 52.622; Long Beach State 56.866
Dunkel Line: Long Beach State by 4
Vegas Line: Long Beach State by 2
Dunkel Pick: Long Beach State (-2)
Game 801-802: UNLV at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: UNLV 68.904; Utah 59.484
Dunkel Line: UNLV by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: UNLV by 3
Dunkel Pick: UNLV (-3)
Game 803-804: Fresno State at Nevada
Dunkel Ratings: Fresno State 52.647; Nevada 63.980
Dunkel Line: Nevada by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Nevada by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nevada (-9 1/2)
Game 805-806: UC-Irvine at UC-Riverside
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Irvine 44.563; UC-Riverside 54.362
Dunkel Line: UC-Riverside by 10
Vegas Line: UC-Riverside by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Riverside (-4 1/2)
Game 807-808: Cal Poly at CS-Northridge
Dunkel Ratings: Cal Poly 44.204; CS-Northridge 56.899
Dunkel Line: CS-Northridge by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: CS-Northridge by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: CS-Northridge (-8 1/2)
Game 809-810: Louisiana Tech at Utah State
Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana Tech 58.035; Utah State 72.303
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 14 1/2
Vegas Line: Utah State by 11
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-11)
Game 811-812: Appalachian State at College of Charleston
Dunkel Ratings: Appalachian State 54.603; College of Charleston 60.115
Dunkel Line: College of Charleston by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: College of Charleston by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: College of Charleston (-3 1/2)
Game 813-814: Furman at Georgia Southern
Dunkel Ratings: Furman 44.795; Georgia Southern 47.595
Dunkel Line: Georgia Southern by 3
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Georgia Southern
Game 815-816: Wofford at Davidson
Dunkel Ratings: Wofford 57.937; Davidson 56.956
Dunkel Line: Wofford by 1
Vegas Line: Davidson by 1
Dunkel Pick: Wofford (+1)
Game 817-818: NC-Greensboro at Elon
Dunkel Ratings: NC-Greensboro 46.043; Elon 46.483
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Elon by 3
Dunkel Pick: NC-Greensboro (+3)
Game 819-820: Eastern Kentucky at Morehead State
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Kentucky 53.606; Morehead State 57.331
Dunkel Line: Morehead State by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Morehead State by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Kentucky (+7 1/2)
Game 821-822: Jacksonville State at Tennessee State
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville State 49.560; Tennessee State 46.463
Dunkel Line: Jacksonville State by 3
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville State
Game 823-824: St. Peter's at Loyola-MD
Dunkel Ratings: St. Peter's 54.974; Loyola-MD 55.614
Dunkel Line: Loyola-MD by 1
Vegas Line: Loyola-MD by 3
Dunkel Pick: St. Peter's (+3)
Insider Angles
The Appalachian State Mountaineers have won four straight games both straight up and against the spread, and they seem primed to tie the Charleston Cougars in the loss column in this key Southern Conference battle.
The Mountaineers are now 10-4 in conference play while the Cougars are 12-3, and they may have gotten a wake-up call by losing a non-lined home game to King College, as Appalachian State has not lost since. Their four-game winning streak includes an impressive 12-point road win at Western Carolina, a team that arguably has the biggest home court advantage in the conference.
Now Charleston is 11-1 straight up at home, but that loss came two games ago vs. the Citadel and they then failed to cover in their last home game, nipping a seemingly outclassed Elon team by just three points. The Cougars allowed over 70 points in both of those games, and they now must deal with an Appalachian offense that put up an amazing 111 points vs. Georgia Southern Saturday night, and that is hitting on an excellent 47.4 percent from the field for the whole year.
The biggest mismatch in this contest appears to be on the glass, where the Mountaineers have a nice rebounding margin of +6.7 per game vs. Division I foes this season, while the Cougars are getting outrebounded by a disturbing -8.2 boards per game vs. similar opponents.
Thus, do not expect many second chance points for Charleston and look for Appalachian State to score with relative ease en route to an outright upset.
Pick: Appalachian State +4.5
Stan Lisowski
BALL STATE
Ball has got revenge in a series where the host team has won and covered 6 straight meetings. Central Mich is 2-9 straight up and 4-7 ATS as an away dog. Cardinals have beaten the number all 3 times they have been at home off of a win.
Vernon Croy
1* Take Missouri ATS
This pick falls into one of my top NCAAB systems and the Tigers are dominant at home with a 14-1 record. The Tigers are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite of -0.5 to -6.5 points and they are a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last 7 home games when favored by -0.5 to -6.5 points. Texas is just 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games overall and they are just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games against a team with a winning record at home. Texas is just 6-19-1 ATS in their last 26 games against a conference opponent and they are just 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog of +0.5 to +6.5 points. The Tigers have out-scored their opponents by an average of 24.6 ppg at home this season with their opponents shooting just 38.2% against them. The Tigers are shooting 39.7% from beyond the arc at home this season while averaging 85.9 ppg. The Tigers opponents are shooting just 26.3% against them from beyond the arc at home this season. Take Mizzou Wednesday night.
Rocketman
Houston @ Milwaukee
Play: Milwaukee -5.5
Milwaukee is 19-4 ATS this year against poor defensive teams allowing 99 points per game or more. Milwaukee is 7-0 ATS this year against poor defensive teams allowing 99 points per game or more in the 2nd half of the season. Milwaukee is 16-8 SU at home this year scoring 101.8 points per game. Houston has lost 3 in a row while Milwaukee has won 6 of their last 8 games overall. Rockets are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 vs. Eastern Conference. Bucks are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game. Bucks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite. Bucks are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games overall. We'll recommend a small play on Milwaukee tonight!
VEGAS EXPERTS
San Antonio Spurs at Indiana Pacers
This will be the first game for both post-All Star Break as each was off last night. The Spurs have won 18 straight times when playing teams with a losing record. Indiana is a terrible defensive team, allowing 104 PPG. Rest, or rather lack of it, has always been the Spurs issue and that's not the case here. They are 47-25 ATS when playing three or less games in 10 days.
Play on: San Antonio