Brett Atkins
I'm on a 13-11 run with my free selections, with tonight's winner coming to you in the Big West Conference opening round as I grab the points with Northridge against Fullerton.
Northridge is coming in with revenge on its mind. On Feb. 13, these two teams played a double-overtime game in Northridge that Fullerton, by some miracle, pulled off 113-112 as a 2 ½-point underdog. The Titans needed game-tying 3-pointers at the end of regulation and the first OT to stay alive and then got a miracle to win the game in the second OT.
That loss still stings the Matadors and they're out for blood today in the Big West tourney in the opening round.
Northridge is 4-1 ATS in its last five neutral site games while Fullerton is on ATS skids of 1-4 overall and 0-5-1 as a favorite. In this rivalry, the underdog has gotten the cash in each of the last four meetings.
Look for Northridge to come out focused for this one as the Matadors are on a mission against the Titans.
3♦ NORTHRIDGE
Scott Spreitzer
Nebraska at Missouri
I'm laying the points with Missouri on Wednesday afternoon. As much as Doc Sadler says his team has not given up, the bottom line is that they're not making their shots. The Cornhuskers have suffered some serious droughts in Big-12 play this season, including both games against Mizzou. Nebraska doesn't matchup well with this opponent, going back to last year's final meeting. They have lost the last three to Mizzou by scores of 74-59 (in Lincoln), 70-53, and 70-47 last year. That's an average of just 53 ppg for the Big Red. They have made just 52 of 139, 37.4% in those games, with just 30 assists and a hefty 48 turnovers. And now Nebraska's one somewhat bright star, and leading scorer, Ryan Anderson is banged-up (knee). The Huskers are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five conference tilts, while Mizzou is 10-2 ATS off a SU loss, and 22-8 ATS in their last 30 when laying points. Nebraska doesn't matchup well with Mike Anderson's style, and their long season finally comes to an end.
Play on: Missouri
VEGAS EXPERTS
New Jersey Nets at Dallas Mavericks
If there were ever a team to cure the Mavericks pointspread woes at home, it would be New Jersey. Right now, you could not construct a more uncompetitive matchup in the NBA. The Nets are just 6-17 ATS vs. the Western Conference and 1-11 ATS after scoring 100+ points in back to back games. Since '96, Dallas is 13-2 ATS at home when on a win streak of 10 games or more. Lay the double digits with the home team as they match the NBA season's longest win streak.
Play on: Dallas
SPORTS WAGERS
BUFFALO -½ -1.02 over Dallas
The Stars picked up a very unlikely win in its last game when they went into Washington and beat the Caps in OT 4-3. However, they were outshot 52-26 and Marty Turco was the reason for the win, as he put forth a rare, brilliant performance. The three games prior to that the Stars went 0-3 and were outscored 17-5. That’s the Dallas Stars team you can expect to see tonight, as the Sabres will not allow any soft goals like Pittsburgh and Washington did and Buffalo has its swagger back. The Sabres are coming off back-to-back OT wins over the Flyers and Rangers in two gritty and disciplined efforts. Defensively, Buffalo gives up nothing and in this contest they’re very likely to outhit, outplay, outwork, out-goaltend and outscore this very beatable guest. Incidentally, this is the third game in a row for Dallas and they’ll return home to play the Kings on Friday. This is also its first trip to Buffalo in five years and after games against Washington and Pittsburgh, this one will not have the same intensity level for them. Play: Buffalo -½ -1.02 (Risking 2 units).
NY Rangers +1.44 over NEW JERSEY
The Devils are simply not playing well and they haven’t been for some time now. In fact, the Devils have the NHL’s worst record over the past 20 games, in which they’ve gone 6-14. Incidentally, of those six wins, two were against the Maple Leafs. They also have just two wins over its last 11 games and it’s a rare feat these days when the Devils allow less than three goals in a game. To make matters even worse, the Devils were shutout by the Oilers in its last game and they return home from a four-game trip for this one and frankly, things couldn’t get much worse for this team. The Rangers have dropped three straight but they played Pittsburgh, Washington and Buffalo and two of the three games went into OT. They always play the Devils tough and have split four meeting with them this season. One of those losses was a 1-0 defeat in which the Rangers poured 51 shots on net. The bottom line here is that the Devils offer up absolutely nothing as heavy chalk and one has to believe that the Rangers chances of winning are just as good and perhaps even better than the Devils chances. Overlay. Play: N.Y. Rangers +1.44 (Risking 2 units).
Vernon Croy
1* Take Northwestern ATS
This pick falls into one of my top NCAAB systems and the Hoosiers are just 3-14 ATS in their last 17 games after a win. The Hoosiers are just 2-7 ATS in their last 9 conference games and they are just 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games when playing a team that has a winning record. The Wildcats are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games after a loss and they are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games. The Hoosiers are just 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games against Northwestern and Indiana is just 2-9 ATS in their last 11 tournament games. The Wildcats are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games off a loss against a conference rival and the Hoosiers have been out-scored by an average of 12.5 ppg on the road this season. Take the Northwestern Wildcats as my Big Ten Tournament Play for Thursday.
Rocketman
St. John's vs Marquette
Play: Marquette -3.5
St John's is 14-42 SU as an underdog the past 3 years. Marquette is 45-11 SU last 3 years as a favorite. Marquette is 5-1 ATS this year after a loss against a conference opponent. Marquette is 9-2 ATS this year when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games. Marquette is allowing 63.6 points per game overall this year. Marquette is 7-0 SU and 6-1 ATS overall vs St. John's since 1997. Red Storm are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Red Storm are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 Wednesday games. Golden Eagles are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU loss. Golden Eagles are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss. Golden Eagles are 10-2-1 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. Golden Eagles are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. Golden Eagles are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Big East. Golden Eagles are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 neutral site games. Golden Eagles are 19-9-1 ATS in their last 29 games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5. Favorite is 5-1-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Red Storm are 1-5-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. We'll recommend a small play on Marquette today!
Jimmy Moore
New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils
Pick: New Jersey ML -165
The Devils have lost 2 in a row and will be very motivaed in this one to get the win and they have a knack for bouncing back since they are 12-5 coming off of a loss of 2 or more goals. The Rangers are 5-12 in the division and 3-7 when playing with 2 days rest. Take the Devils to get the win in this one.
Tom Freese
Rice vs. Tulsa
Rice is 8-22 overall and 1-15 in League Play. Guard Tamir Jackson scores 10.7 points a game. Forward Arsalan Kazemi scores 10.4 points and 9 rebounds a game. Guard Connor Frizzelle scores 9.2 points a game. Center Trey Stanton scores 9 points a game. The Owls score 64 points a game. Rice is 2-5 ATS their last 7 Wednesday games and they are 1-5 ATS their last 6 mettings with the Hurricanes. Tulsa is 21-10 overall and 10-6 in League Play. Guard Ben Uzuh scores 15.4 points a game. Center Jerome Jordan scores 15.1 points and 8.7 rebounds a game. Guard Justin Hurtt scores 13.9 points a game while shooting 38.5% from behind the arc. The Golden Hurricanes score 71.4 points a game. Tulsa is 13-5 ATS their last 18 games vs. a team with win percentage of under 40%! PLAY ON TULSA -
Hollywood Sports
Utah Jazz at Detroit Pistons
Prediction: Detroit Pistons
The Pistons offer some nice value right now. Despite losing six of their last seven games, much of that can be explained by a brutal road stretch that put the Pistons on the road for six of seven games. Detroit has been ravaged with injuries this season -- but veterans Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince are now both healthy and back in the starting lineup. Prince has been particularly effective as of late as he is averaging 18.2 PPG over his last nine games. The Pistons will be without point guard Rodney Stuckey who collapsed on the Detroit bench midway through last Friday's game in Cleveland. But the Pistons have a capable backup point guard in Will Bynum who scored 12 points while racking up 11 assists in Detroit's 110-107 overtime win over Houston on Sunday. The Pistons have picked-up their overall scoring as well. Despite averaging 93 PPG, over the last five games Detroit is averaging 98.8 PPG on 46.4% shooting. The Jazz, on the other hand, have lost much of their defensive intensity over their last five games as they are allowing their opponents to score 102.8 PPG on 48.7% shooting. Trading starting SG Ronnie Brewer may have hurt Utah's team chemistry. While the Jazz have still won four of five after burying the Bulls by a 132-108 score last night, it will be a challenge for the Jazz to maintain their intensity playing this game without rest. Utah often underachieves in situations like this as they have failed to cover five of their last seven road games against teams with a losing record at home. Conversely, Detroit has covered four of their last five games against teams with a winning record while they have also covered five of their last seven games against teams in the Western Conference. Back at home, Detroit should play an unrested Jazz team very tough. Take the points with Detroit.
Jimmy the Moose
Utah Jazz vs. Detroit Pistons Utah Jazz
Play: Utah Jazz -6½
The Jazz come into this one after hammering the Bulls in Chicago last night 132-108. Utah has now on their last 3 SU and ATS and are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last 5 overall and over their last 55 they are 37-15-3 ATS. The Jazz are a money making 12-2-1 ATS in their last 15 road games. In their last 8 games vs. an Eastern Conference opponent they are 6-1-1 ATS. Utah is 16-5-2 ATS in their last 23 games as a favorite.
Detroit is 22-41 SU on the season and is just playing out another horrible season. The Pistons come into this one having lost 6 of their last 7 games SU. In their last 12 home games Detroit is 3-8-1 ATS and in their last 7 as a home dog they are 2-5 at the window. In their last 19 home games vs. a team with a winning road record the Pistons are 6-13 ATS.
The Jazz are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 trips to Detroit and in their last 12 meetings overall between the clubs Utah is a money making 10-2 ATS. Utah comes in playing a lot better and they'll easily take this one.
JR O'Donnell
Iowa State vs. Texas
Play: Texas -9
The Over Ri comes in last night as we move to 67% the last 18 plays, The lines makers are sharp and tonight's J bomb goes to the recently under achieving Longhorns laying 10 in the opener, Imo this will be un ugly night for the Iowa State gang as the Longhorns need one real real bad. Ats losers of the last 3 and getting stomped by the Baylor Bears will have our camp on the focused Texas crew tonight, All the trends here favor the Dog and we will throw them out tonight and play Texas -10
Red Dog Sports
East Carolina vs. Houston
Play Under 151
ECU is without their coach (Mack McCarthy) and has struggled to score lately. Houston gets plenty of steals and the Pirates turn the ball over more than any team in the conference but this will be an early start at 1pm and could get off to a slow start. My guess is that these two combine to finish in the 140's. Play UNDER!
Stan Lisowski
Sacramento
Toronto is off a huge game last night with the Lakers. They stand just 3-10 ATS playing back-to-back this year. On the road the Raptors are just 10-20 outright, while standing 4-10 against the number away off of a loss. Host is 9-1 straight up and 8-2 vs. the spread in this series. Kings are on a run of covering 6 of their last 7 games.
LARRY NESS
Utah @ Detroit
PICK: Detroit +6
Rodney Stuckey collapsed while on the bench during the third quarter of Friday’s 99-92 loss to Cleveland. He was taken to the hospital but is now back home, although he's expected to miss again tonight. The Pistons are going nowhere, so why risk it, as Stuckey is arguably the team's best player right now (17.1-5.0 APG). The Pistons won without him on Sunday, beating the Rockets in OT, 110-107 in Detroit. Here, the Pistons attempt to snap a nine-game losing streak vs the Jazz, who come to town off a 132-point effort in crushing the Bulls last night. Seven players scored in double figures, led by Williams (18.6-10.2 APG) who had 28 points and 17 assists and CJ Miles off the bench (26). The team tried to move Boozer (19.4-11.2) before the trade deadline but now the Jazz are focused on their playoff positioning, one game back of the Nuggets in the Northwest . Utah is 4th overall in the West but just two games behind Dallas for the No. 2 seed, while behind them are the Suns (two games back) and Thunder (2 1/2-games back). The Jazz can't afford a slipup here vs the Pistons but it's dangerous spot. The 132 points scored at Chicago last night was just one point shy of the team's season-high in points and note that this team which is 16-14 SU on the road this year, has averaged 99.8 PPG away from home. Detroit is on pace to miss the postseason for the first time in nine years (last year ended a stretch of six straight appearances in the East Finals) but with Hamilton, Prince and Gordon, the Pistons just may give the Jazz "all they want" in this spot. I'm taking a stab with the home dog.
Freddy Wills
East Carolina vs. Houston
Play: East Carolina +12½
A 10 seed vs. a 7 seed should not have a spread as large as we have here! In fact the #11 seeded Tulane is +6.5 against the #5 seeded Southern Miss. The reason we have a spread so large here is that on their home court East Carolina lost by 19 to Houston. Houston has the #1 offense in the conference USA but they also have the worst defense.
I believe in their coaches last game East Carolina will give that extra effort that gives them the cover. The key will be not turning the ball over because on every other level these two are pretty close to even. In the first match up Houston was just drilling threes at 41.7% and East Carolina defense on the road at 31.5%. I actually think these two teams are closer to even if they are on the road. East Carolina -7.9pts while Houston -2.6 points. The biggest differences are Houston -11.2 rebound margin and +7 turnover margin. If East Carolina can have a rebound advantage here this game stays close.