Free Picks: Service Plays for Wednesday February, 29

DUNKEL INDEX

Auburn at Alabama
The Tigers look to build on their 9-2 ATS record in their last 11 games as an underdog. Auburn is the pick (+13 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Crimson Tide favored by only 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Auburn (+13 1/2)

Game 525-526: Penn State at Purdue (6:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Penn State 60.780; Purdue 74.716
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 14; 129
Vegas Line: Purdue by 11 1/2; 133 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Purdue (-11 1/2); Under

Game 527-528: St. John's at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. John's 55.158; Pittsburgh 66.149
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 11; 141
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 9 1/2; 135
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-9 1/2); Over

Game 529-530: South Florida at Louisville (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: South Florida 64.138; Louisville 74.559
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 10 1/2; 120
Vegas Line: Louisville by 8; 117 1/2
Dunkel Pick Louisville (-8); Over

Game 531-532: Marquette at Cincinnati (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Marquette 71.182; Cincinnati 69.163
Dunkel Line: Marquette by 2; 133
Vegas Line: Cincinnati by 2; 138
Dunkel Pick: Marquette (+2); Under

Game 533-534: Ohio at Kent State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio 64.097; Kent State 58.096
Dunkel Line: Ohio by 6; 145
Vegas Line: Kent State by 2; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ohio (+2); Over
Game 535-536: Marshall at East Carolina
(7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Marshall 57.824; East Carolina 60.183
Dunkel Line: East Carolina by 2 1/2; 132
Vegas Line: East Carolina by 1; 136
Dunkel Pick: East Carolina (-1); Under

Game 537-538: Miami (OH) at Bowling Green (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (OH) 52.645; Bowling Green 55.831
Dunkel Line: Bowling Green by 3; 122
Vegas Line: Bowling Green by 7 1/2; 124
Dunkel Pick: Miami (OH) (+7 1/2); Under

Game 539-540: Buffalo at Akron (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 56.020; Akron 66.498
Dunkel Line: Akron by 10 1/2; 147
Vegas Line: Akron by 6 1/2; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Akron (-6 1/2); Over

Game 541-542: Eastern Michigan at Western Michigan (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Michigan 47.743; Western Michigan 59.488
Dunkel Line: Western Michigan by 11 1/2; 121
Vegas Line: Western Michigan by 9; 116 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Western Michigan (-9); Over

Game 543-544: Maryland at North Carolina (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 58.011; North Carolina 77.692
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 19 1/2; 144
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 18; 150 1/2
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-18); Under

Game 545-546: Georgia Tech at Boston College (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia Tech 52.556; Boston College 53.383
Dunkel Line: Boston College by 1; 116
Vegas Line: Georgia Tech by 1; 120
Dunkel Pick: Boston College (+1); Under

Game 547-548: Dayton at Richmond (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Dayton 64.453; Richmond 62.024
Dunkel Line: Dayton by 2 1/2; 139
Vegas Line: Richmond by 2; 135
Dunkel Pick: Dayton (+2); Over

Game 549-550: LaSalle at George Washington (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LaSalle 62.207; George Washington 58.203
Dunkel Line: LaSalle by 4; 139
Vegas Line: LaSalle by 2; 134 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LaSalle (-2); Over

Game 551-552: St. Joseph's at St. Bonaventure (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Joseph's 63.901; St. Bonaventure 70.476
Dunkel Line: St. Bonaventure by 6 1/2; 131
Vegas Line: St. Bonaventure by 3 1/2; 134
Dunkel Pick: St. Bonaventure (-3 1/2); Under

Game 553-554: Fordham at Rhode Island (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Fordham 49.928; Rhode Island 58.903
Dunkel Line: Rhode Island by 9; 142
Vegas Line: Rhode Island by 6; 138 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Rhode Island (-6); Over

Game 555-556: Massachusetts at Temple (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Massachusetts 62.449; Temple 69.987
Dunkel Line: Temple by 7 1/2; 143
Vegas Line: Temple by 12; 150
Dunkel Pick: Massachusetts (+12); Under

Game 557-558: Central Michigan at Ball State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Central Michigan 45.020; Ball State 54.668
Dunkel Line: Ball State by 9 1/2; 129
Vegas Line: Ball State by 7; 123
Dunkel Pick: Ball State (-7); Over

Game 559-560: Duquesne at Charlotte (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Duquesne 55.124; Charlotte 59.474
Dunkel Line: Charlotte by 4 1/2; 134
Vegas Line: Charlotte by 2; 138
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (-2); Under

Game 561-562: Toledo at Northern Illinois (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toledo 50.769; Northern Illinois 48.207
Dunkel Line: Toledo by 2 1/2; 133
Vegas Line: Toledo by 5; 127 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Illinois (+5); Over

Game 563-564: Tulane at Houston (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulane 54.328; Houston 54.576
Dunkel Line: Even; 127
Vegas Line: Houston by 2 1/2; 136
Dunkel Pick: Tulane (+2 1/2); Under

Game 565-566: Iowa State at Missouri (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa State 66.788; Missouri 77.809
Dunkel Line: Missouri by 11; 144
Vegas Line: Missouri by 10; 146 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Missouri (-10); Under

Game 567-568: Air Force at New Mexico (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Air Force 56.315; New Mexico 70.422
Dunkel Line: New Mexico by 14; 125
Vegas Line: New Mexico by 17; 119
Dunkel Pick: Air Force (+17); Over

Game 569-570: Auburn at Alabama (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Auburn 58.527; Alabama 68.956
Dunkel Line: Alabama by 10 1/2; 121
Vegas Line: Alabama by 13 1/2; 117 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Auburn (+13 1/2); Over

Game 571-572: Mississippi State at South Carolina (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi State 61.600; South Carolina 56.034
Dunkel Line: Mississippi State by 5 1/2; 128
Vegas Line: Mississippi State by 2 1/2; 131
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi State (-2 1/2); Under

Game 573-574: Tulsa at UAB (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 61.435; UAB 58.594
Dunkel Line: Tulsa by 3; 122
Vegas Line: Tulsa by 1; 118
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (-1); Over

Game 575-576: SMU at Southern Mississippi (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: SMU 51.576; Southern Mississippi 64.582
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 13; 117
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 11; 120 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Southern Mississippi (-11); Under

Game 577-578: Ohio State at Northwestern (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio State 72.191; Northwestern 68.552
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 3 1/2; 131
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 7; 135
Dunkel Pick: Northwestern (+7); Under

Game 579-580: Iowa at Nebraska (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa 61.979; Nebraska 62.234
Dunkel Line: Even; 138
Vegas Line: Nebraska by 1 1/2; 135
Dunkel Pick: Iowa (+1 1/2); Over

Game 581-582: Oklahoma at Texas (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma 58.243; Texas 70.595
Dunkel Line: Texas by 12 1/2; 133
Vegas Line: Texas by 9 1/2; 138
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-9 1/2); Under

Game 583-584: Miami (FL) at NC State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (FL) 67.372; NC State 66.115
Dunkel Line: Miami (FL) by 1; 144
Vegas Line: NC State by 4; 139 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami FL (+4); Over

Game 585-586: Rice at UTEP (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Rice 56.065; UTEP 60.560
Dunkel Line: UTEP by 4 1/2; 121
Vegas Line: UTEP by 6; 125 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Rice (+6); Under

Game 587-588: Tennessee at LSU (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 64.338; LSU 68.070
Dunkel Line: LSU by 3 1/2; 129
Vegas Line: LSU by 1; 124 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LSU (-1); Over

Game 589-590: UNLV at Colorado State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UNLV 66.090; Colorado State 66.443
Dunkel Line: Even; 138
Vegas Line: UNLV by 3; 143
Dunkel Pick: Colorado State (+3); Under

Game 591-592: San Diego State at Boise State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego State 62.377; Boise State 61.372
Dunkel Line: San Diego State by 1; 144
Vegas Line: San Diego State by 2 1/2; 132 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boise State (+2 1/2); Over

Game 593-594: CS-Northridge at CS-Fullerton (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: CS-Northridge 45.718; CS-Fullerton 54.457
Dunkel Line: CS-Fullerton by 8 1/2; 162
Vegas Line: CS-Fullerton by 13 1/2; 156
Dunkel Pick: CS-Fullerton (+13 1/2); Over

Game 595-596: UC-Riverside at Long Beach State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 47.612; Long Beach State 62.988
Dunkel Line: Long Beach State by 15 1/2; 142
Vegas Line: Long Beach State by 18; 146 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Riverside (+18); Under

Game 597-598: Santa Clara vs. Portland (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Santa Clara 47.927; Portland 45.789
Dunkel Line: Santa Clara by 2; 141
Vegas Line: Santa Clara by 1; 144
Dunkel Pick: Santa Clara (-1); Under

Game 599-600: Eastern Kentucky vs. SE Missouri State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Kentucky 43.421; SE Missouri State 49.594
Dunkel Line: SE Missouri State by 6; 136
Vegas Line: SE Missouri State by 3 1/2; 132 1/2
Dunkel Pick: SE Missouri State (-3 1/2); Over

Game 601-602: Jacksonville State vs. Austin Peay (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville State 54.212; Austin Peay 49.160
Dunkel Line: Jacksonville State by 5; 134
Vegas Line: Pick; 130 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville State; Over

Game 611-612: VMI vs. Coastal Carolina (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: VMI 45.402; Coastal Carolina 50.009
Dunkel Line: Coastal Carolina by 4 1/2; 147
Vegas Line: Coastal Carolina by 6 1/2; 150 1/2
Dunkel Pick: VMI (+6 1/2); Under

Game 613-614: Winthrop vs. Campbell (2:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Winthrop 46.042; Campbell 49.543
Dunkel Line: Campbell by 3 1/2; 127
Vegas Line: Campbell by 1 1/2; 129
Dunkel Pick: Campbell (-1 1/2); Under

Game 615-616: High Point vs. NC-Asheville (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: High Point 47.927; NC-Asheville 56.318
Dunkel Line: NC-Asheville by 8 1/2; 151
Vegas Line: NC-Asheville by 10; 147
Dunkel Pick: High Point (+10); Over

Game 617-618: Liberty vs. Charleston Southern (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Liberty 47.258; Charleston Southern 53.478
Dunkel Line: Charleston Southern by 6; 147
Vegas Line: Charleston Southern by 5; 142
Dunkel Pick: Charleston Southern (-5); Over

Game 619-620: Jacksonville vs. Belmont (2:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville 49.523; Belmont 68.355
Dunkel Line: Belmont by 19; 142
Vegas Line: Belmont by 17 1/2; 146
Dunkel Pick: Belmont (-17 1/2); Under

Game 621-622: Lipscomb vs. Mercer (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Lipscomb 46.646; Mercer 54.888
Dunkel Line: Mercer by 8; 139
Vegas Line: Mercer by 10; 135
Dunkel Pick: Lipscomb (+10); Over

Game 623-624: Navy at Bucknell (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Navy 38.989; Bucknell 59.748
Dunkel Line: Bucknell by 21; 112
Vegas Line: Bucknell by 18; 116
Dunkel Pick: Bucknell (-18); Under

Game 625-626: Lafayette at Holy Cross (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Lafayette 48.317; Holy Cross 55.741
Dunkel Line: Holy Cross by 7 1/2; 141
Vegas Line: Holy Cross by 5 1/2; 135 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Holy Cross (-5 1/2); Over

Game 627-628: Colgate at Lehigh (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colgate 37.852; Lehigh 62.582
Dunkel Line: Lehigh by 24 1/2; 137
Vegas Line: Lehigh by 22; 139 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Lehigh (-22); Under

Game 629-630: Army at American (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Army 42.833; American 58.174
Dunkel Line: American by 15 1/2; 135
Vegas Line: American by 12; 130 1/2
Dunkel Pick: American (-12); Over

Scott Spreitzer

Iowa at Nebraska
Prediction: Iowa

Iowa is playing for a minor postseason tournament beyond the Big-10 tourney. At 15-14 SU, a win here would ensure a winning regular season with just one game left to be played, a home contest against Northwestern. Iowa lost to the Huskers in Iowa City back in January. One huge difference in this one is the fact that Jorge Brian Diaz won't be on the floor. Nebraska's starting center has missed several games this season and finally had to call it quits a few weeks ago...the Huskers haven't been the same. Diaz didn't put up big numbers in the win over Iowa, but Brandon Richardson certinaly did, scoring 25 points on 9 of 10 shooting, including 6 of 7 from behind the arc. Richardson is a 6'0" guard who averages just 7.5 ppg and has topped 9 points just once in his last five games. Making matters even worse for the Huskers is the injury suffered to their best player, leading scorer, Bo Spencer. The senior hurt his ankle and didn't playing the second half at Michigan State over the weekend. Doc Sadler expects Spencer to start in tonight's home finale, but he's not 100% healthy. This may be Sadler's home finale as coach at Nebraska and while the remaining players will want to play hard for the under-achieving coach, they just don't have the "guns." It's going to be tough for Nebraska's hamstrung backcourt to matchup with Matt Gatens and I expect Iowa's leading scorer to lead his team to a win. I'm grabbing the points with Iowa on Wednesday.

Sam Martin

Maryland at North Carolina
Prediction: Maryland

UNC is clearly the better team in this matchup with Maryland tonight, but while we've been backing the Tar Heels of late, their much-anticipated rematch against Duke is now in their sights and we'll take the points with the Terps as we believe North Carolina will be caught looking ahead to their showdown with the Blue Devils. The Tar Heels played Maryland before Duke earlier this year, and won by single-digits in an ATS as they were caught looking ahead in that game as well. With that big game looming on deck and on top of that a huge revenge spot, Maryland can stay within this generous number once again.

Marc Lawrence

Houston Rockets at Utah Jazz
Prediction: Utah Jazz

Coming off a six-game homestand and the All-Star break, the Rockets haven?t hit the road since Valentine?s Day and a double-strong series history prevents us from showing the visitors any love tonight in the Delta Center. Not only is Houston 1-9 SU and 2-8 ATS in this building when they arrive off back-to-back homers but the Jazz are 14-6 ATS as dogs or favorites of less than 8 points in this matchup since 2007. Meanwhile the Rockets arrive with no rest and will most definitely be affected by some of the ?Air Up There.? Stay at home with the Jazz. We recommend a 1-unit play on Utah.

MTi Sports

Warriors at Hawks
Prediction: Under

The Warriors are 0-7 OU (-6.1 ppg) since November 18, 2009 with no rest after a loss on the road in which Monta Ellis was the Warriors' high scorer and 0-9 OU (-16.2 ppg) on the road after a loss on the road in which Andris Biedrins shot worse than 33% from the field. The Hawks are 0-8 OU (-8.0 ppg) since April 02, 2010 with at least a day of rest after a win in which Marvin Williams shot worse than 33% from the field and 0-5 OU (-7.5 ppg) after a win at home in which Josh Smith played more than 40 minutes. Take these two UNDER.

Ben Burns

Orlando @ Washington
Pick: Washington +8.5

We're getting some extra line value with with the Wizards here, based on the fact that they played last night while the Magic had the night off. While last night's loss at Milwaukee was certainly of the "hard fought variety," playing back-to-back games right after the All Star Break is somewhat different than playing b2b games "normally" is. After all, the majority of the players had a handful of days off before playing the back to back games.

In fact, on the second day after the break, some players and coaches would prefer to be the team which is playing the second of b2b games than the team which is playing with an extra long layoff. Looking back to last season, on the second day back from the break and we find that teams which were playing the second of b2b games were 5-4 SU and either 5-3-1 ATS or 5-4 ATS (depending on whether using opening or closing lines) and that included a pair of massive underdogs which won outright. Playing the second of b2b games, listed as +9 point home underdogs, the Raptors upset the well-rested Bulls. The Kings were even bigger underdogs (+13 or +14) but they too won outright, a 111-105 win against these same Magic, at Orlando.

The Wizards are playing with "double-revenge," having lost both meetings this season. Note that both of those were at Orlando. The most recent came at Orlando. The Magic were -10 point favorites. Orlando won but only by six. Now, the Magic are being asked to lay nearly as big a line on the road as they were for that home game.

Speaking of "revenge," the Magic have a home showdown with Oklahoma City up next. The Thunder beat them on Christmas Day. With that game on deck and with this being the final game of an extended road stretch (they played 4 straight on the road before the break) it may be easy to look past lowly Washington tonight. With the Magic just 4-13-3 ATS the last 20 times that they played their previous three on the road, consider grabbing all those points.

Sean Murphy

Oklahoma City @ Philadelphia
PICK: Philadelphia +3.5

The All-Star break seemed to do a lot of good for the 76ers, as they emerged from it with a dominating 97-68 road win over the Pistons last night.

Keep in mind, Philadelphia had dropped five games in a row prior to that victory, but remains seven games over .500 on the season.

The 76ers remain a solid bet here at home, where they've gone 13-6 SU and 12-7 ATS this season. While the Thunder own the significantly better overall record, it's worth noting that six of their seven losses have come on the road this season.

Oklahoma City carries a five-game winning streak into Tuesday's contest, but all five of those wins came at home. The Thunder actually dropped their most recent road game; a 96-95 decision in Houston. In fact, they're just 4-4 SU and ATS in their last eight games played away from home.

We saw a lot of positives from the 76ers last night, and even though the blowout win came against the lowly Pistons, it can be used as a stepping stone heading into a key three-game homestand.

Perhaps most important was the fact that Elton Brand returned from injury, and finally emerged from his slumber, contributing 10 points and three rebounds, as well as three blocks, in only 22 minutes of action. The 76ers are going to need him to produce in order to remain a player in the Eastern Conference race.

We saw two tight battles between these teams last season, with the Thunder taking both, but by only six and five points, with the latter victory coming in overtime here in Philly. Oklahoma City has actually won the last five meetings in this series, but will undoubtedly be facing an improved 76ers squad this time around.

I'll take the points with what should be a highly-motivated home side.

David Chan

Blues @ Oilers
PICK: Under

The 39-17-7 St. Louis Blues storm into Edmonton to take on the 25-31-6 Oilers.

Jaroslav Halak is set to square off against Devan Dubnyk between the pipes.

St. Louis has won the first three games of its six game road trip; the Blues won 3-1 in Calgary on Monday and Halak made 20-saves:

“We’ve got great chemistry in here … and we’ve got some key guys out for us right now that are going to help us down the stretch and in the playoffs,” said Jason Arnott who potted two goals vs. the Flames.

Halak has posted a 1.58 GAA during the road trip.

St. Louis has won two of three from the Oilers this season, with the home team winning each time.

The Oilers have won three of four after beating Winnipeg 5-3 on Monday.

Note that St. Louis could be a bit distracted with a game in Vancouver tomorrow night.

The last time these teams played, St. Louis won 1-0 on January 19th; all signs point to a repeat performance!

Guillermo Sanchez

Buffalo Sabres @ Anaheim Mighty Ducks
PICK: Anaheim Mighty Ducks

Buffalo is 27-27-8 (11-16-1 on the road). Anaheim is 27-26-10 (16-13-2 at home). The last time these teams played, Buffalo won 4-1 on November 7th, 2011.

The Sabres are coming off a 3-2 overtime loss at MSG on Saturday. Drew Stafford potted both goals. Buffalo is 11th in the Eastern Conference, sitting six-points below eighth place. “We worked hard and we battled for a point,” Stafford said. “We just have to keep our focus and doing our best. It’s an uphill climb.”

The Ducks are coming off a 4-1 loss at Colorado on Monday. It was Anaheim's third game in five nights. A tired Bobby Ryan tallied the lone-marker. “It looked like we had nothing,” coach Bruce Boudreau said. “We were just hoping to hang on for the third, but we made mistakes that were very uncharacteristic to us the last two months. I think they were really tired.”

Anaheim made no moves at the trade deadline, and is 17-5-4 since January 1st, working its way back into the playoff picture. With Buffalo "looking ahead" to its game at San Jose tomorrow night, the home side offers plenty of value in this position.

Lay it!

Rob Vinciletti

Marshall vs. East Carolina
Play: Marshall +1

Marshall is an incredible 23-2 vs losing teams so I will lay the small number here. They are 8-0 straight up as a road dog or favorite of 3 or less and have won 4 of the last 5 in the series. East Carolina is a paltry 1-9 straight up and to the spread off a loss and 3-9 vs winning teams. In conference games they have dropped 11 of 14 this season and are 0-3 straight up and ats at home when the posted total is 135 to 140. Finally in games where they are a home favorite or dog of 3 or less they are 0-5 straight up and to the spread. Make it Marshall for the free play tonight.

Red Dog Sports

Virginia Military Inst vs. Coastal Carolina
Play: Under 151½

Take the under in this early game that starts at 12 noon. VMI played on Monday but this will be Coastal Carolina's opener in their tournament. VMI is not as strong as previous years and are a 7 point underdog. Their first game went under by more than 20 points.

Jim Feist

Tennessee vs LSU
Pick: LSU

LSU is 7-7 in the SEC, one game behind Tennessee, so they will be fired up for this one against an SEC rival. LSU is playing well, on a 4-1 SU/ATS run winning twice as a dog. They won't be in a good mood after their worse loss of the season, 72-48 at Ole Miss. This is the second straight road game for Tennessee, a team that is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games and 4-10 ATS in their last 14 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. The LSU Tigers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a S.U. loss. Play LSU.

Dave Cokin

Dayton vs Richmond
Pick: Dayton

This has generally been the time of the season where fading Dayton pays off. But things are different with Archie Miller doing the coaching and the Flyers are sharp right now. I like their chances of getting the best of Richmond tonight and I'll grab the small spot with the Flyers.

Nelly

Houston / Utah Under

Utah was one of the surprise teams in the league early this season, starting off 9-4 at one point but the Jazz have fallen severely in the last month. The schedule has played a role but the Jazz are just 3-11 in the last 14 games, including going just 2-3 in the last five home games. Opening the second half with a loss in Sacramento is concerning, especially considering that Utah had a strong shooting game last night hitting over 47 percent of its shots. The Jazz are 12-6 S/U at home this season and this historically is one of the tougher places to play in the league despite Utah's recent troubles. Scoring has been way down for Utah in recent weeks as the Jazz have reached triple-digits just twice in the last twelve games while Utah has allowed triple-digit scoring in six straight games. These teams met just ten days ago in Houston with the Rockets winning 101-85, pulling away in the second half after trailing early. Houston shot over 51 percent in that game, knocking down ten 3-point shots to boost the scoring. The game played solidly 'under' the total and the total on tonight's game has not been adjusted from that affair. The Rockets continue to be one of the best 'under' teams in the league with the 'under' 23-12 on the season and Utah has also been a slight 'under' team at 18-14-1. The 'under' has hit in seven of the last ten meetings between these teams and both teams could be a bit sluggish playing back-to-back nights to open the second half with travel involved for both squads.