Friday 3/5/21 thread for handicapping service plays and expert predictions for NBA, MLB & NCAAB games
Fujita Punter
USA: NHL
New Jersey Devils - New York Rangers
New Jersey Devils M/L
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Matt Severance
E. MICHIGAN @ W. MICHIGAN | 03/05 | 7:00 PM EST
W. MICHIGAN -2
ANALYSIS: It's the regular season finale for these Mid-American Conference schools, and pretty much every model out there, including SportsLine's, says that Western should be about a 5-point home favorite instead of 2. EMU (located in Ypsilanti) has one victory in its past nine and was slaughtered at Ball State on Tuesday. The Eagles are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games as underdogs. WMU (located in Kalamazoo) played well Tuesday in a 10-point win at Northern Illinois, and home finales are always a nice edge for NCAA teams as they honor seniors, etc., and they don't want to go out on a losing note. WMU is 6-2 in the past eight at home in this series with an average winning margin of nearly 12 points.
TAMPA BAY @ CHICAGO | 03/05 | 8:00 PM EST
CHICAGO +175
ANALYSIS: These teams played one of the more entertaining games of the year on Thursday, which the Lightning won with a second left in OT. Tampa Bay was down 2-0 at the start of the third. The Bolts used No. 1 netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has been absolutely brilliant this season. The Hawks are thus good value at this price in the second of a back-to-back because it's all but a lock the Lightning will go to backup Curtis McElhinney, who is solid but a major step down. In addition Tampa Bay likely will be without to defenseman Eric Cernak again. Chicago is 5-2 in its past seven as an underdog.
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Insider Sports Report
Premier Picks® For 03/05/21
4* Missouri St. -7.5 over Valparaiso (NCAAB)
Range: -5.5 to -9.5
3* Northern Illinois/Central Michigan OVER 145 (NCAAB)
Range: 143 to 147
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Larry Hartstein
GEORGIA TECH @ WAKE FOREST | 03/05 | 8:00 PM EST
GEORGIA TECH -9
ANALYSIS: Wake Forest has lost six in a row, the last five by an average of 22.8 points. Senior guard Ian DuBose, the team's second-leading scorer, "has hit the wall," according to first-year coach Steve Forbes. DuBose has totaled 13 points over the past three games while shooting 1 of 8 from deep. The Yellow Jackets rank second in the ACC in field goal-percentage and third in 3-point shooting. They won the first matchup by 16 at home. Look for Tech to cover its seventh straight.
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Big Al
St Bonnie 11 am
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BetQL NCAA
5* Bowling Green +1
4* East Kentucky +1.5
4* Central Michigan Under 146.5
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BetQL NHL
3* Colorado -260
3* Chicago +165
3* Vegas -210
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Larry Hartstein
COLORADO ST. @ NEVADA | 03/05 | 9:00 PM EST
COLORADO ST. -1
ANALYSIS: Colorado State has won five straight and still has a chance to win the Mountain West. The Rams have split with Utah State and San Diego State. The Rams have won five straight, most recently winning by 14 over New Mexico on Wednesday, and still have a shot at the Mountain West title. They split with Utah State and San Diego State, while the Wolf Pack come in after getting swept by Utah State. Those are the only two games Nevada has played since Feb. 7. Even though this game is in Reno, I like Colorado State to stay hot.
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Larry Hartstein
SACRAMENTO ST. @ MONTANA ST. | 03/05 | 2:00 PM EST
SACRAMENTO ST. +5
ANALYSIS: The Hornets are only 4-8 while the Bobcats are 10-8, but Sacramento State has played the tougher schedule due to COVID-related cancellations. In their last outing, the Hornets lost by two to Big Sky power Weber State. Montana State has dropped five of six, including a loss to previously winless Idaho. Take the points in a game that should come down to the wire.
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Brian Bitler
9* CBB Executive Order
Saint Louis -7 (-107)
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Tom Fornelli
DAYTON @ VCU | 03/05 | 3:30 PM EST
VCU -3.5
ANALYSIS: Dayton has had a good season, but VCU has been a thorn in its side. The Rams and Flyers played twice this season, with the Rams winning the first meeting 66-43 and the second meeting 76-67. There's nothing from the games or the box scores to suggest the results were flukey. It's just not a great matchup for Dayton.
MASSACHUSETTS @ SAINT LOUIS | 03/05 | 1:00 PM EST
SAINT LOUIS -8
ANALYSIS: This line is moving quickly so you should too. St. Louis beat UMass by 21 on Monday, and has since been resting. UMass took out its frustration on St. Joseph's yesterday, winning 100-66, but the Billikens are a much better team and will show it again today. Though probably not by 20+.
DUQUESNE @ ST. BONA. | 03/05 | 11:00 AM EST
ST. BONA. -7.5
ANALYSIS: While I appreciate Duquesne getting an easy cover for me on Thursday, I'm a firm believer that when lower-tier teams advance in conference tournaments, more often than not, they'll run out of steam when facing the upper-tier of their conference. Especially when they played the day before and the better team is rested. That's exactly what I'm anticipating for the Dukes today against a St. Bonaventure team currently ranked in the top 35 nationally by KenPom.
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Gus Augustine
100 Dime
+ MAX WAGER +
Winner # 24 of 34
( - and 8th Straight since last Thursday - )
BLOWOUT OF THE WEEK
Cal Baptist -3.5
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IC
7 -Under 155 Buffalo
4 -Wild
3 -Schalke +.5
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Scott Spreitzer
Appalachian State -2 (5U)
Blues (6U)
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Matt Severance
WASHINGTON @ BOSTON | 03/05 | 7:00 PM EST
BOSTON -135
ANALYSIS: Washington burned me in Boston on Wednesday with a 2-1 OT win, but I find it hard to imagine that the Bruins will lose consecutive home games even with the Capitals playing really well right now. Wednesday was the Bruins' first game at home this season where they didn't outshoot their opponent or not score on the power play. I also think the B's will be fired up that Caps star Alex Ovechkin was barely penalized for spearing Boston’s Trent Frederic. Ovi got a minor penalty and a $5K fine. The Caps are 3-7 in their past 10 as road dogs.
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Dr. Bob
Best Bet – (853) *Seattle (+4) over CAL BAPTIST at +3.5 or more
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Larry Hartstein
UTAH VALLEY @ GRAND CANYON | 03/05 | 9:00 PM EST
UTAH VALLEY +9
ANALYSIS: This is a matchup of the WAC's best. Utah Valley has won three of four while the Antelopes have lost two of three. I think the Wolverines keep it close tonight, if not win outright. Back Utah Valley to cover its fifth straight.
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Burns
Annihialtor
E Washington
Goy
Ut Arlington
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Will rogers
10 Ball st under
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Power sports
Wake forest
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Matt Fargo
10 goy Missouri st
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Jack Jones
20 Georgia tech
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Larry Ness
9 Uc davis
9 Morehead st
10 West michigan
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Larry Hartstein
NORTHERN IOWA @ DRAKE | 03/05 | 6:00 PM EST
DRAKE -6.5
ANALYSIS: Drake has a target on its back. Every Missouri Valley team wants a piece of the Bulldogs. But they need to step up and at least get to the final if they want to make the NCAA Tournament as an at-large team. Plus Drake beat Northern Iowa in both meetings this season and covered in both, including one without leading scorer Tank Hemphill. Drake gets the double-digit win.
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Stats Analytics Sports
(NHL) - 1* Boston Bruins -1.5 goals (+170)
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Matt Severance
STETSON @ LIBERTY | 03/05 | 2:00 PM EST
LIBERTY -10
ANALYSIS: ASUN TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL -- Really no question who wins this game outright as Liberty was the regular-season Atlantic Sun champion. The Flames haven't lost since Jan. 15 at Stetson. Liberty didn't look great Thursday in beating awful Kennesaw State by only 10 as the team played a bit tight early on in its tournament opener, but that probably brought this spread down. Liberty has the ASUN Player of the Year in Darius McGhee and Defensive Player of the Year in Elijah Cuffee. Stetson upset second-place Bellarmine by three on Thursday, so Liberty will not overlook the Hatters (plus there's that earlier loss). The Flames have been in the conference for two years and won both tournament championships. They are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 neutral-site games.
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Matt Blunt
VegasInsider
NHL
St Louis -127 (BIG PLAY - 8-0 run on Big Plays going for #9 Tonight)
Vegas/San Jose Over 6
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Thom Cunningham
(VegasInsider CBB)
Nevada/Colorado State Over 144.5
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PicksWise Sports
NHL 3* Best Bets 61-34 Overall
Friday 3* Best Bets
Tampa Bay -1.5 goals +145
St Louis -127
Colorado -1.5 goals +105
Colorado/Anaheim Under 5.5
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Larry Hartstein
JAX. STATE @ BELMONT | 03/05 | 8:00 PM EST
JAX. STATE +7.5
ANALYSIS: Belmont center and leading scorer Nick Muszynski (14.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg) is dealing with a foot injury. When he sat out the last two games of the regular season, the Bruins lost. He returned in the first round of the OVC Tournament, scoring five points in 18 minutes. The Gamecocks played the Bruins tough even when Muszysnki was healthy, losing by seven and four. They've won eight of nine and should keep this one tight.
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Total Winners Sports
Last 45 Picks 23-22
Drake -6.5
Davidson -5.5
Missouri St -7.5
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Super Lock Line
Last 15 Picks 8-7
Drake -6.5
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Capper Advantage
Last 14 Picks 8-6
Missouri State -7.5
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Power Plays Wins
Last 14 Picks 6-8
Indiana State -6
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Vegas WiseGuy Plays / Bob Francis
Last 15 Picks 7-8
Central Michigan -5
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5 Star Baller
Last 15 Picks 8-7
Davidson -5.5
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Up & Up Sports
Last 14 Picks 6-8
South Alabama -5
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MidWest Capper
Last 15 Picks 6-9
Manhattan -4.5
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MVP Lock Club
Last 15 Picks 10-5
TX Arlington -6.5
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Wiseguy Insider
Last 15 Picks 7-8
Mercer -7.5
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Matt Severance
DAYTON @ VCU | 03/05 | 3:30 PM EST
VCU -3.5
ANALYSIS: We won on Dayton over Rhode Island on Thursday, but beating the Rams in their own gym 24 hours later is another story. VCU easily handled the Flyers twice in the regular season and the only reason this spread is so low was the uncertainty of whether VCU star Bones Hyland (19.2 ppg) would play. He apparently will, so this spread is great value when it should be around -7.
ST. LOUIS @ LOS ANGELES | 03/05 | 9:00 PM EST
LOS ANGELES +115
ANALYSIS: The Blues are the better team and on a three-game winning streak, but they are down several key injured players and will go with backup Ville Husso in net. He deserved to lose Monday in allowing four goals to the Ducks, but his offense got him five. St. Louis might be a bit worn down playing a fourth straight away from home. The Kings have dropped three in a row but before that had won six straight and they split two in St. Louis earlier this season -- Husso allowed five goals in one of those. Solid underdog value here.
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Jack Banks
CBB 10* Appalachian State
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ASA
CBB Afternoon Top Game Total!
Under Indiana State
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Big Al
CBB
MAC CONFERENCE GAME OF THE MONTH!
Northern Illinois
NCAA HOOPS DAYTIME ROADKILL
VCU
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Jimmy Adams
4% [CBB] (881) UL - Monroe at (882) South Alabama
Time: 6:30 PM EST
South Alabama -5.0 (-110)
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Larry Hartstein
SAN FRAN. @ LMU | 03/05 | 9:00 PM EST
SAN FRAN. -1.5
ANALYSIS: The Dons started erasing the bitter taste of their late-season slide with a 67-51 pasting of San Diego on Thursday. Look for them to maintain that momentum against a Loyola Marymount team that beat them in two close games this season. San Francisco, which beat Virginia and Nevada earlier this season, could make a deep run in this tournament. Lay the small number.
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Jeff Hochman
SAN FRAN. @ LMU | 03/05 | 9:00 PM EST
LMU +1.5
ANALYSIS: The Lions are 2-0 against SF this season and will be playing with extra rest. ULM is 7-1 when playing with three or more days of rest this season. San Francisco has played four more games than the Lions, including a win over San Diego on Thursday. I think the wrong team is favored. Take the points.
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John Bollman
ANAHEIM @ COLORADO | 03/05 | 9:00 PM EST
COLORADO -245
ANALYSIS: These two teams split their first two meetings this season in Anaheim, but this game is in Colorado. The Aves are much better at home and should have Philip Grubauer in net, a mid-season Vezina candidate. Both these teams play defense well, but the Aves should be able to outscore the Ducks easily at home.
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Kenny White
GEORGIA TECH @ WAKE FOREST | 03/05 | 8:00 PM EST
GEORGIA TECH -8.5
ANALYSIS: Georgia Tech has not been to the NCAA tournament since 2010. The Yellow Jackets have a 10-6 record in the conference and there is still enough to play for as they look to solidify a spot in the big dance. Wake Forest has struggled down the stretch, having lost its last five games straight up and ATS. Georgia Tech is on fire, having covered six straight. The Yellow Jackets beat the Demon Deacons 70-54 earlier this season, and expect a similar result today.
E. MICHIGAN @ W. MICHIGAN | 03/05 | 7:00 PM EST
W. MICHIGAN -2
ANALYSIS: I am going against Eastern Michigan because the Eagles are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games and 1-9 straight up in their last 10. Eastern Michigan lost its last game vs. Ball State by 35 points. Western Michigan has covered in five of its last eight games.
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Jack Winningham
Drake
Georgia Tech
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Chris Jordan
600♦
Missouri Valley
Game of the Week
Drake
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Gabriel Dupont
75 Dime
West Division
Underdog of the Week
Minnesota Wild
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Kirby Maxwell
40 Dime
College Hoops
Winner
Missouri Valley Tourney Line Lock
Missouri
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Karl Garrett
40 DIME
Winner
West Division Lock
Blues
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Trace Adams
ACC Rivalry Lock
Wake Forest
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Bobby Valentino
50 Dime
ACC Bankroll Builder
Miami
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Brandon Lang
100 DIME
College Blowout of the Year
Morehead st
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Al DeMarco
10-Dime Release
College Hoops Winner
Pacific
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