SPORTS ADVISORS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
BIG EAST TOURNAMENT
(at New York)
Seton Hall (19-11, 8-16 ATS) vs. Notre Dame (21-10, 14-10-1 ATS)
As the 10th seed, Seton Hall opened tourney play Tuesday, and the Pirates got a big scare from 15th-seeded Providence in an offensive explosion, holding on 109-106 but falling short as a 5½-point favorite. Seton Hall, which had a 29-point second-half lead against the Friars, has won three in a row and seven of nine, and has scored 83 points or more in four straight games – perhaps not surprising considering the Hall is averaging 81.3 ppg (eight nationally) while allowing 75.3.
Notre Dame, seeded seventh, is making a late push to reach the Big Dance, despite little contributions from star Luke Harangody. The nation’s No. 2 scorer, at 24.2 ppg, missed five straight games with a knee injury and played just 11 minutes Saturday at Marquette. But the Irish have now won their last four SU and ATS, including a 63-60 overtime upset of the Golden Eagles as a 6½-point road underdog. In the last five games, Mike Brey’s troops have averaged 71.2 ppg and allowed 63.6, cashing in all five.
Seton Hall ended a six-game losing streak to Notre Dame with a 90-87 victory laying 5½ points on Feb. 11, with Harangody suffering his knee injury in the second half of the contest. However, the Irish are now 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings, and the underdog is on a 7-1 ATS run in this rivalry.
The Pirates are 6-7 SU and 5-7 ATS outside of New Jersey (1-1 SU, 0-2 ATS on neutral courts), and with last night’s non-cover, they’re on a bundle of pointspread dives, including 6-15 overall, 6-14 in Big East play, 5-13 against winning teams, 2-9 after a SU win and 7-20 on neutral floors.
The Irish, who went 6-4-1 SU and 5-7 ATS away from South Bend (1-1 SU and ATS on neutral courts), own positive ATS streaks of 5-0 overall (all in the Big East), 4-0 after a SU or an ATS win, 5-0 against winning teams and 5-1 on Wednesday. However, they are 2-5 ATS in their last seven neutral-site starts.
The Hall is on “over” stretches of 4-0 overall (all in conference play), 5-1 at neutral sites and 5-2 after a SU win, and the over is 6-0-1 in Notre Dame’s last seven against winning teams and 7-0-1 in the last eight clashes in this rivalry. The Irish, though, sport “under” runs of 4-0 overall (all inside the Big East), 6-0 at neutral sites, 7-1 after a SU win, 17-4 after a spread-cover and 8-2 against teams with a win percentage above .600.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NOTRE DAME
Cincinnati (17-14, 7-19 ATS) vs. Louisville (20-11, 10-16 ATS)
As the No. 11 seed, Cincinnati also had to play on Tuesday and barely got by No. 14 Rutgers, winning 69-68, but in typical fashion failed to cover as an eight-point chalk. Of 330 rated teams, the Bearcats’ 7-19 ATS mark puts them at 329th in the nation. They are 3-1 SU (2-2 ATS) on neutral courts this year, averaging 66.0 ppg and giving up 61.0.
Louisville is pressing for a Tourney berth, bouncing back from an ill-timed 1-2 SU hiccup to beat No. 1 Syracuse 78-68 Saturday as a one-point home pup, which also halted a 1-4 ATS slide. The sixth-seeded Cards, who won last year’s Big East tournament, have gone 7-3 SU (4-6 ATS) in their last 10 starts, all in the Big East, though on the road this season, they are getting outscored by just over a bucket per game, averaging 69.8 ppg and allowing 72.2.
Louisville is 6-2 SU in the last eight clashes in this rivalry, but has gone an even 4-4 ATS in that stretch. In this year’s lone meeting, the Cardinalss won 68-60 at home, but Cincy got the cash as a nine-point ‘dog (one of just four spread-covers in Big East play for the Bearcats). The SU winner is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings.
The Bearcats are on ATS freefalls of 4-19 overall, 5-21 in the Big East, 7-20 against winning teams, 8-25 versus teams with a win percentage above .600, 3-9 after a SU win, 1-4 after an ATS setback and 0-6 on Wednesday. The Cardinals have gone 5-11 ATS in their last 16 outings overall, 1-9 ATS in their last 10 after a pointspread win and 0-6 ATS in their last six after a SU victory, but they are 47-23-2 ATS in their last 72 Big East outings.
The over is 5-2 in Cincinnati’s last seven games following a SU win and 8-1 in Louisville’s last eight Wednesday contests. But Louisville is on “under” surges of 6-2-1 overall (all in the Big East) and 5-1 after a SU win, Cincy is on “under” rolls of 5-1 at neutral sites and 7-3 against winning teams, and the total has gone low in seven of the last 10 meetings in this rivalry, including three of the last four. January’s contest stayed well short of the 141.5-point posted price.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
BIG 12 TOURNAMENT
(at Kansas City)
Oklahoma (13-17, 10-17 ATS) vs. Oklahoma State (21-9, 14-9-1 ATS)
The 10th-seeded Sooners enter the Big 12 tourney on an eight-game losing streak (2-6 ATS), and Oklahoma’s 10-17 ATS mark for the season rates a lowly 306th among 330 teams. Oklahoma capped the regular season with Saturday’s 69-54 home loss to Texas A&M as a 3½-point underdog. The Sooners averaged 78 ppg at neutral sites this season, but they gave up an average of 81.2 and went 1-3 SU and ATS in those contests.
Oklahoma State, seeded seventh, has alternated SU and ATS wins and losses over its last five games, though it routed Nebraska 74-55 Saturday as an 11½-point home chalk, and 11 days ago, the Pokes upended then-No. 1 Kansas 85-77 as a six-point home ‘dog. The Cowboys are averaging 74.4 ppg and giving up 67.6 ppg for the year, and on neutral floors, they put up 70.2 ppg and held foes to just 59.2 ppg on 35. 7 percent shooting, going 3-1 SU and ATS in the process.
Oklahoma is 6-2 SU in the last eight clashes in the Bedlam basketball rivalry, but the two teams have split the cash in those meetings. This year, Oklahoma won 62-57 at home in overtime as a 1½-point chalk Jan. 11, and Oklahoma State returned the favor in a 97-76 beatdown laying 8½ points at home on Feb. 13. The Pokes have cashed in three of the last four contests.
The Sooners are on nothing but negative ATS streaks, including 3-9 overall (all in the Big 12), 1-4 at neutral sites, 1-4 on Wednesday, 3-8 against winning teams and 2-5 after a SU loss. On the flip side, the Cowboys are on ATS rolls of 25-10-1 overall, 21-8-2 on neutral floors, 18-7-1 after a SU win, 16-7 after a spread-cover, 5-2 in the Big 12 and 4-0 against losing teams.
The over for Oklahoma is on upticks of 5-0 following a double-digit home loss and 4-1-1 after a non-cover, but the under is 4-1 in the Sooners’ last five Wednesday outings. Also, Oklahoma State is on “over” runs of 6-1 at neutral sites and 16-7 after a SU victory. Finally, in this rivalry, the under is 6-3 in the last nine meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA STATE
Iowa State (15-16, 15-12-1 ATS) vs. Texas (23-8, 10-17 ATS)
Iowa State, seeded 11th, was on a 1-8 SU nosedive heading into its regular-season finale Saturday, then posted a shocking 85-82 overtime victory against No. 5 Kansas State as an overwhelming 15-point road pup. It was the third straight cover for the Cyclones, who went 8-5 ATS away from Ames this year, though they were 4-9 SU in those contests (1-2 SU and ATS at neutral sites).
Texas, the No. 6 seed, won its first 17 games of the year in ascending to No. 1 in the rankings, but has gone just 6-8 SU since then to drop out of the polls entirely. On Saturday at No. 21 Baylor, the Longhorns got rolled 92-77 as a three-point ‘dog, falling to 1-5 ATS in their last six games while taking their first loss in Waco since 1998. Despite its recent woes, Texas still averages 81.7 ppg (fifth nationally), shooting 47.2 percent, while allowing 69.0 ppg on 39.8 percent shooting.
Texas has won five in a row in this rivalry (2-3 ATS), including a 90-83 road victory in the only meeting this season, but Iowa State narrowly covered as an eight-point pup in that Jan. 13 contest. The Cyclones are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings, all as the underdog.
The Longhorns have cashed in five straight neutral-site starts and went 3-0 SU and ATS on neutral courts this year. However, they are just 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games away from Austin and are on a bundle of additional pointspread freefalls, including 3-15 overall, 5-20-1 in the Big 12, 3-11 after a non-cover, 2-5 after a SU loss and 1-5 against losing teams.
The Cyclones are in a 1-5 ATS rut at neutral sites and are 3-7-2 ATS in their last dozen Wednesday games, but they are on ATS surges of 3-0-1 overall (all in the Big 12), 4-1 after a spread-cover and 5-2 against winning teams.
The under for Iowa State is on stretches of 5-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600 and 7-1 after a pointspread win, but the Cyclones are on “over” rolls of 4-0 against winning teams, 16-4-1 at neutral sites and 19-7 after a SU win. In addition, the total has also gone high in Texas’ last five neutral-site outings, and in this rivalry, the over has hit in each of the last four clashes.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
NBA
Memphis (33-31, 34-29-1 ATS) at Boston (40-22, 24-37-1 ATS)
The Grizzlies look to extend a six-game road winning streak when they make their one and only trip of the season to TD Garden for a battle with the Celtics.
Memphis is coming off Monday’s 107-101 home win over New Jersey, though it came up short as an 8½-point favorite. The Grizzlies have won three of their last four and four of their last six, but they’ve followed up a 6-2 ATS run with consecutive non-covers (both as a favorite). Memphis has won six straight road games both SU and ATS, and the visitor is 13-1 ATS in its last 14 contests.
Boston took a four-game winning streak to Milwaukee on Tuesday and blew a four-point fourth-quarter lead, falling 86-84 as a 1½-point road underdog. The Celtics are just 11-6 SU in their last 17 games and 14-27 ATS in their last 41. Also, Doc Rivers’ squad has split its last 14 games at the Garden, going a dreadful 1-12-1 ATS.
The Celtics have won the last six meetings in this rivalry, but the teams have split the cash and in fact have alternated spread-covers in the last seven series meetings. Back on Dec. 14 in Memphis, Boston pulled out a 110-105 win but failed to cash as a 7½-point road chalk. The Grizzlies are 13-4-1 ATS in their last 17 contests against the Celtics (all as an underdog), and they’ve cashed in nine straight trips to Boston. Finally, the visitor is on a 6-1 ATS roll.
In addition to cashing in six straight road games, the Grizzlies are on ATS runs of 19-8 against the Eastern Conference, 6-1 against Atlantic Division squads and 5-0 on Wednesday, but their 1-4 ATS in their last five when playing after one day of rest. The Celtics are in pointspread ruts of 7-16-1 overall, 15-37-1 at home (1-12-1 last 14), 3-8-1 against winning teams, 2-9-1 versus Western Conference foes and 1-4 against the Southwest Division.
The under is 9-4 in Memphis’ last 13 against the Eastern Conference, while Boston carries “under” trends of 6-1 against the Western Conference, 4-1 versus Southwest Division foes and 4-1 when playing on back-to-back days. However, the Grizzlies carry “over” trends of 22-10 on the road, 5-0 against winning teams and 9-1 against Atlantic Division foes. Also, these teams have topped the total in seven straight meetings overall and four straight at TD Garden.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MEMPHIS and OVER
DUNKEL INDEX
Utah at Detroit
The Pistons look to build on their 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games as an underdog between 5 and 10 1/2 points. Detroit is the pick (+6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Jazz favored by only 2. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+6 1/2)
Game 601-602: Charlotte at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 117.266; Philadelphia 112.184
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 5; 185
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 1; 189 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (-1); Under
Game 603-604: LA Clippers at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 112.089; Miami 119.231
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 7; 189
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 605-606: Utah at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 119.176; Detroit 117.037
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 2; 206
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 6 1/2; 201
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+6 1/2); Over
Game 607-608: Memphis at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 116.953; Boston 122.703
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 5 1/2; 191
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 609-610: Denver at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 123.591; Minnesota 114.301
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 9 1/2; 219
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 7 1/2; 215 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-7 1/2); Over
Game 611-612: New Orleans at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 116.820; Oklahoma City 121.670
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 5; 209
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 613-614: New Jersey at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 114.421; Dallas 125.108
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 10 1/2; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 11 1/2; 204
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+11 1/2); Over
Game 615-616: New York at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: New York 112.295; San Antonio 122.670
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 10 1/2; 203
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 8 1/2; 207
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-8 1/2); Under
Game 617-618: Toronto at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 114.184; Sacramento 111.343
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 3; 215
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 1 1/2; 212
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-1 1/2); Over
NCAAB
St. John's vs. Marquette
The Golden Eagles look to bounce back from their home loss to Notre Dame over the weekend and build on their 5-0 ATS record following an ATS loss. Marquette is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Golden Eagles favored by 6. Dunkel Pick: Marquette (-3 1/2)
Game 619-620: Georgetown vs. South Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Georgetown 70.599; South Florida 61.364
Dunkel Line: Georgetown by 9
Vegas Line: Georgetown by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgetown (-6 1/2)
Game 621-622: St. John's vs. Marquette
Dunkel Ratings: St. John's 64.423; Marquette 70.363
Dunkel Line: Marquette by 6
Vegas Line: Marquette by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Marquette (-3 1/2)
Game 623-624: Seton Hall vs. Notre Dame
Dunkel Ratings: Seton Hall 64.354; Notre Dame 71.754
Dunkel Line: Notre Dame by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 625-626: Cincinnati vs. Louisville
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 61.107; Louisville 68.711
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 627-628: Texas Tech vs. Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Texas Tech 59.469; Colorado 64.130
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Colorado
Game 629-630: Nebraska vs. Missouri
Dunkel Ratings: Nebraska 57.477; Missouri 73.605
Dunkel Line: Missouri by 16
Vegas Line: Missouri by 10
Dunkel Pick: Missouri (-10)
Game 631-632: Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma 60.241; Oklahoma State 67.501
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma State (-6 1/2)
Game 633-634: Iowa State vs. Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa State 61.489; Texas 71.111
Dunkel Line: Texas by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-8 1/2)
Game 635-636: East Carolina vs. Houston
Dunkel Ratings: East Carolina 50.516; Houston 56.841
Dunkel Line: Houston by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: East Carolina (+12 1/2)
Game 637-638: Tulane vs. Southern Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: Tulane 50.380; Southern Mississippi 58.722
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Southern Mississippi (-6 1/2)
Game 639-640: Rice at Tulsa
Dunkel Ratings: Rice 47.056; Tulsa 62.451
Dunkel Line: Tulsa by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: Tulsa by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (-13 1/2)
Game 641-642: Central Florida vs. SMU
Dunkel Ratings: Central Florida 53.303; SMU 59.942
Dunkel Line: SMU by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: SMU by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: SMU (-1 1/2)
Game 643-644: Air Force vs. Wyoming
Dunkel Ratings: Air Force 47.070; Wyoming 49.692
Dunkel Line: Wyoming by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Wyoming by 1
Dunkel Pick: Wyoming (-1)
Game 645-646: Washington State vs. Oregon
Dunkel Ratings: Washington State 59.305; Oregon 58.396
Dunkel Line: Washington State by 1
Vegas Line: Washington State by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oregon (+1 1/2)
Game 647-648: CS-Northridge vs. CS-Fullerton
Dunkel Ratings: CS-Northridge 47.986; CS-Fullerton 48.756
Dunkel Line: CS-Fullerton by 1
Vegas Line: CS-Fullerton by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: CS-Northridge (+2 1/2)
Game 649-650: UC-Irvine vs. Cal Poly
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Irvine 48.813; Cal Poly 48.552
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: UC-Irvine by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cal Poly (+2 1/2)
Game 651-652: Montana at Weber State
Dunkel Ratings: Montana 55.586; Weber State 64.244
Dunkel Line: Weber State by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 653-654: Robert Morris at Quinnipiac
Dunkel Ratings: Robert Morris 51.005; Quinnipiac 56.752
Dunkel Line: Quinnipiac by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Quinnipiac by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Quinnipiac (-3 1/2)
Game 655-656: Coppin State vs. MD-Eastern Shore
Dunkel Ratings: Coppin State 36.448; MD-Eastern Shore 40.062
Dunkel Line: MD-Eastern Shore by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: MD-Eastern Shore by 2
Dunkel Pick: MD-Eastern Shore (-2)
Game 657-658: North Carolina A&T vs. Morgan State
Dunkel Ratings: North Carolina A&T 39.667; Morgan State 50.023
Dunkel Line: Morgan State by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 659-660: Bethune-Cookman vs. Delaware State
Dunkel Ratings: Bethune-Cookman 40.667; Delaware State 43.193
Dunkel Line: Delaware State by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 661-662: TX-Arlington vs. Stephen F. Austin
Dunkel Ratings: TX-Arlington 47.976; Stephen F. Austin 54.211
Dunkel Line: Stephen F. Austin by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Stephen F. Austin by 3
Dunkel Pick: Stephen F. Austin (-3)
Game 663-664: TX-San Antonio vs. TX-Corpus Christi
Dunkel Ratings: TX-San Antonio 50.585; TX-Corpus Christi 50.997
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: TX-Corpus Christi by 1
Dunkel Pick: TX-San Antonio (+1)
Game 665-666: Nicholls State vs. Sam Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Nicholls State 47.950; Sam Houston 57.261
Dunkel Line: Sam Houston by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Sam Houston by 12
Dunkel Pick: Nicholls State (+12)
Game 667-668: Texas State vs. SE Louisiana
Dunkel Ratings: Texas State 47.893; SE Louisiana 49.147
Dunkel Line: SE Louisiana by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: SE Louisiana by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas State (+2 1/2)
Game 669-670: Mississippi Valley State vs. AR-Pine Bluff
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi Valley State 36.307; AR-Pine Bluff 43.140
Dunkel Line: AR-Pine Bluff by 7
Vegas Line: AR-Pine Bluff by 9
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi Valley State (+9)
Game 671-672: Grambling vs. Jackson State
Dunkel Ratings: Grambling 32.083; Jackson State 43.771
Dunkel Line: Jackson State by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Jackson State by 12
Dunkel Pick: Grambling (+12)
NHL
Dallas at Buffalo
The Stars look to take advantage of a Buffalo team that is coming off a 2-1 OT win over the Rangers and is 1-5 in its last 6 games after scoring 2 goals or less in the previous game. Dallas is the pick (+165) according to Dunkel, which has the Stars favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+165)
Game 1-2: Dallas at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 11.069; Buffalo 10.345
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-185); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+165); Under
Game 3-4: Carolina at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 12.045; Washington 12.507
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-285); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-285); Under
Game 5-6: NY Rangers at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.205; New Jersey 11.706
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-165); 5
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-165); Under
Game 7-8: Los Angeles at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 11.988; Chicago 12.615
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-180); Over
Game 9-10: Vancouver at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.524; Phoenix 12.102
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Marc Lawrence
New Orleans Hornets at Oklahoma City Thunder
Prediction: New Orleans Hornets
The Hornets take on the Thunder in Oklahoma City with same season revenge on their minds this evening. That loss, a 4-point setback suffered earlier this season, snapped a 10 game win streak by New Orleans in this series. With the Thunder in off a 6-point road win and the Hornets 15-7 ATS against .600 or greater opposition this season, including 13-4 ATS when taking 4 or more points, look for New Orleans to resume their winning ways in this series here tonight.
Craig Trapp
Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State
Play: Oklahoma State -7
Are you kidding me? This is a surprise, was thinking this spread would be nearing double digits. OKL just is not the same after losing Warren about a month back. In fact these teams split but that first win was with Warren. Today OKL ST looks to keep up the hot streak that has included some really impressive wins including a win against #1 Kansas. In touney's love taking the team with better guards, and the team with the best player. Both of those point us to OKL ST as Anderson is one of most explosive scoring guards in the country. OKL ST wins this one by double digits as their scoring will be too much for a struggling offense of OKL!
DAVID CHAN
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State
PICK: Oklahoma State -6.5
These teams split the season series, but plenty has happened since the Sooners won 62-57 at home on January 11. Yes, there’s the beatdown revenge victory the Cowboys had a month later. More generally, the Sooners are 3-11 in that stretch. Oklahoma has lost eight straight to close out the year. The opposition’s been good, but the Sooners haven’t shown that they can play 40 minutes of ball.
Oklahoma is 1-10 on the road this year and 1-3 on neutral courts. Oklahoma State’s marks are 3-7 (this is the Big 12 after all) and 3-1. The Cowboys have beaten Kansas and Baylor—and that was after Ray Penn went down. This will be much easier.
Jim Feist
New York Knicks vs. San Antonio Spurs
Play: Under 207
Who's going to control the tempo this game? The aging Spurs certainly don't want to run the court with the young Knicks, and San Antonio plays its best defense at home. The Knicks offense has been overvalued by oddsmakers, on a 3-0 run under the total. A closer look finds that the offense hasn't even been that sharp, averaging 96 per game (2 losses). The last six home games by San Antonio they are 4-2-1 under the total, turning up the defensive heat in the Alamodome. In their only meeting this season, the Spurs won 95-88, going 15 points under the total. Play the Knicks/Spurs Under the total.
Jr Tips
Hornets at Thunder
Russell Westbrook is coming off another strong game and will try for a repeat performance when the red hot Oklahoma Thunder hosts the Hornets tonight. Oklahoma City has moved up to sixth place led by Kevin Durant who scored 30 points while Westbrook had 26 points, 10 assists and eight rebounds in a 103-99 win over New Orleans in their last meeting. All-star Kevin Durant has gotten plenty of help from Westbrook who is averaging 20.0 points and 9.8 assists over the last 10 games. He will try to take advantage of Chris Paul's absence although his backup Darren Collison is coming off a career game finishing with 16 points and a career-best 20 assists in a 135-131 win over Golden State on Monday however the Hornets lost forward Peja Stojakovic late in the third quarter with a strained right groin and he will not play tonight. Collison has averaged 22.1 points over the last 15 games although he was held to nine on 4-of-12 shooting against the Thunder in February. The Hornets cannot continue to count on their rookie backup point guard to lead them to narrow victories and they will not be able to stay in the game on the road against this hot Oklahoma City team with a defense that gave up 131 points to the lowly Golden state warriors on their own home court. This one will get out of hand early.
Take Oklahoma City -7.5
EZWINNERS
New Jersey Nets +11.5
This appears to be an easy game for the Mavericks who have been red hot and have won twelve straight games coming into this contest with the lowly Nets, but I think Dallas will be in for a tougher then expected game. New Jersey is having a horrible season, but they have been cashing in tickets lately as they are 7-0-1 against the spread in their last eight road games and 7-3 against the spread in their last ten games against teams with a winning record. The Mavs have been a money burning 3-22-1 against the spread in their last twenty six home games and this could be a hard game for the Mavericks to be motivated to play. I expect New Jersey's Devin Harris to have a big game against his former team. Take the points.
Brad Diamond Sports
Play Charlotte over Philadelphia
The Sixers have looked a little better of late, but are coming off a game in Indiana and now must travel to Philadelphia in a back-to-back scenario with the Bobcats. The Sixers are 2-10 ATS as a home underdog. In the series, the roadie is 4-0 ATS, while the UNDERDOG counters wonderfully at 4-0 ATS. Finally, the Sixers are an horrific 7-28 ATS overall at home.
James Patrick Sports
Raptors vs. Kings
Euro-Raptors, as they are known North of the Border in the Great White North are composed with a slew of international players and they are catching a tough assignment as they had a game with the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center and now they get the Kings in Sacramento. The Kings are (9-4) ATS Under the Total at home the past (13) games and the Raptors are (10-3) ATS versus the Western Conference. Big Game James Patrick's Wednesday selection is Toronto - Sacramento Under the Total.
Stephen Nover
Rice (+14') at TULSA
Going to play Rice plus way too many points against Tulsa in Conference USA action tonight.
I won my Tuesday free selection with underdog Rutgers as the Scarlet Knights nearly upset Cincinnati in their first-round Big East Conference Tournament game.
I've found another underdog to my liking for my Wednesday complementary selection.
It's in the Conference USA Tournament where Tulsa is laying too many points to Rice.
The Golden Hurricane is 7-14 ATS when favored. Only twice in the last 14 games has Tulsa covered a spread. The Golden Hurricane hasn't beaten any team by more than 14 points during this stretch.
Rice has dropped seven in a row and the tournament is in Tulsa. But these factors have caused the oddsmaker to overreact. Only once in their last 14 games have the Owls dropped a game by more than 14 points.
When the Owls met Tulsa on the road back in January, the Owls only lost by four points. The Owls have covered five of their last six road games. Tulsa is going to get their best effort, which will be strong enough to get the cover.
2♦ RICE
Northridge vs. Fullerton (-2), at Anaheim
This is a cheap line considering Fullerton was -6 1/2 hosting Northridge earlier this season.
Fullerton is the better team and this is almost like a home game for the Titans being around 10 minutes away from Anaheim, site for the Big West Tournament.
Northridge fans are going to have a tough time making the 6 p.m. West Coast time game because of the long drive into heavy LA traffic so expect Fullerton to enjoy much better crowd support.
Fullerton has won its last five road games. The Matadors have failed to cover in seven of their last eight games.
I'll take the better team and lay the short number.
2♦ FULLERTON
Chuck O'Brien
Washington St. vs. Oregon (+1), at Los Angeles
George Washington covered easily last night at Dayton for a complimentary winner. On Wednesday, take Oregon plus the couple of points against Washington State in opening-round Pac-10 tournament action from L.A.
This is a rematch of Saturday’s regular-season finale, a game Oregon won 74-66 as a 2½-point home favorite. Thus, the Ducks swept the season series from Washington State (including a 91-89 overtime road win on New Year’s Eve). They also finished up on a 3-1 SU and ATS run (including back-to-back road wins over UCLA and USC in Los Angeles two weeks ago).
The Cougars went the opposite direction down the stretch, losing three in a row, six of seven and nine of their last 11. They also killed their backers in the final 2½ months of the season, going 5-14 ATS.
Obviously, it’s never easy to beat a team three times in the same season. But I’m a big believer in momentum this time of year, and there’s no arguing that of these two teams, only Oregon is going in a positive direction. Plus, with rumors swirling that Ducks coach Ernie Kent is going to get canned at season’s end, it’s safe to assume his players will give max effort.
2♦ OREGON
Karl Garrett
Rice vs. TULSA (-13) - at Tulsa, OK
Tuesday comp play winner on St. Joe's just staying inside of the number at Rhode Island last night. Now 12-5-1 my last 18 comp plays.
It's all or nothing for Tulsa in the Conference USA tournament, as they must win this tourney if they want to be picked this Sunday when the selections are announced.
Things look god for the opening round, as Rice ended with an 8-22 straight up regular season mark that featured just 1 road win all season long.
True, the Owls easily hung inside of the double-digit impost in this season's lone meeting with the Golden Hurricane, losing by only 4, but Tulsa had covered in the previous 5 series meetings.
Can't give you many positive numbers for Tulsa as far as their pointspread record is concerned, but the G-Man's gut tell him that Tulsa will step up in their backyard on Wednesday and run away with this one.
Lay the wood!
2♦ TULSA
Bobby Maxwell
Charlotte (-1) at PHILADELPHIA
Scored a FREE winner on Tuesday with Butler as the Bulldogs blew out Wright State for the Horizona League title, improving my comp record to 64-32-3 with my last 99 freebies. Tongiht I have a free winner on Charlotte as the Bobcats visit Philadelphia.
Charlotte is fighting for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference while the Sixers are a mess, having lost five of their last six overall (2-4 ATS). I’m laying the chalk with the Bobcats in this one, as they are looking for their fourth straight blowout win.
The Bobcats beat up the Lakers on Friday night 98-83, cashing as a 3 ½-point home pup and then Saturday they took care of the Warriors 101-90, cashing as a 9 ½-point chalk. Then Tuesday night they beat the Heat 83-79. This team has some serious talent and if they can put it together, they can challenge somebody in the first round of the playoffs.
Philly had looked like crap for five straight games and then on Sunday they went to Toronto and won 114-101 as a 5 ½-point pup. Tuesday they went to Indy and lost 107-96 so who knows what team is going to show up. The Sixers are just 8-21 ATS at home this season and don’t look like they’ll be able to keep this one close.
Charlotte has won three of the last four meetings and five of the last seven (4-3 ATS). The Bobcats are 19-7 ATS the last 26 times they’ve played the second night of a back-to-back. Philly is on ATS slides of 2-10 as a home pup, 1-6 vs. Eastern Conference teams and 5-12 at home against teams with a losing road record.
The road team is 4-0 ATS in the last four series clashes and will improve to 5-0 when the Bobcats win this one by at least 10.
5♦ CHARLOTTE
Jeff Benton
Easy wire-to-wire free-play winner with St. Joe’s on Tuesday in Atlantic 10 tournament action. I’m now on runs of 35-17-1, 25-11-1, 22-10-1 and 15-7-1 with plays that I’m giving away! For Wednesday, I’ll head to the Big 12 tournament and take Iowa State plus the points against Texas.
Is there a concern that Iowa State shot its wad in that stunning 85-82 overtime upset of Kansas State on Saturday. Definitely. However, I’m much more confident the Cyclones can overcome any letdown than I confident in putting money on Texas. The Longhorns were a pointspread disaster over the final two months of the season, cashing just three in their last 18 games, going 1-9 ATS away from home.. That includes a 90-83 win at Iowa State as an eight-point favorite back in the second game of the Big 12 season.
The Longhorns followed that victory at Iowa State with a five-point overtime victory over Texas A&M to improve to 17-0 and climb to the top spot in the rankings. But from there, Texas fell off a cliff, losing eight of its final 14 games, including six of eight on the road.
Iowa State has definitely underachieved this year, but this team isn’t without talent. And while the Cyclones went just 4-12 ATS in the Big 12, they were 9-6-1 ATS, including 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine games. You have to go back a month for the last time Iowa State lost a game by more than five points, and that was a 14-point setback at top-ranked Kansas (as a 21-point underdog).
The Cyclones have cashed in five of the last seven meetings with Texas (all as a ‘dog), and the Longhorns have covered just five times in their last 26 Big 12 contests! Take these massive points!
5♦ IOWA STATE