BIG AL
100% (18-0) NBA DIVISION GAME OF THE YEAR
At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Atlanta Hawks plus the points over Miami, as the Heat fall into a negative 22-58 ATS system of mine which plays AGAINST certain home favorites (or pk) off upset wins, if they're matched up against a foe off a straight-up loss. And in division games, our 58-22 system improves to 14-2, 88% ATS. In its last game, Miami upset the Orlando Magic by seven points, 103-97, while Atlanta dropped a 104-99 game at home to Phoenix last evening. But before defeating the Magic, Miami had lost all six of its January games vs. .500 or better opponents. This season, the Hawks have had a split-personality. Atlanta has covered 14 of 18 (78%) as an underdog (including 10-1 ATS vs. .618 (or worse) foes), but is 9-15-1 ATS as a favorite. Miami has a similar profile this year, as the Heat are also terrible as a favorite (6-12 ATS) and profitable as an underdog (13-10-1 ATS). Finally, Miami has covered 0 of 18 since March 18, 2007 off a SU/ATS win, if not getting 5+ points, including 0-8 this season. NBA Southeast Division Game of the Year on Atlanta.
Winning Angle
NBA
Play Atlanta (+4) over Miami* (Top NBA Play)
NCAA Hoops
Play Notre Dame (-2.5) over Marquette* (Top NCAA Play)
Play Oklahoma (-2) over Oklahoma State
Vegas Sports Experts
10* Take Niagara (-13.5) over Canisius (NCAA Power Play)
10* Take Atlanta (+4) over Miami (NBA Bonus Play)
3* Take Wofford (-6) over Elon (NCAA
RON RAYMOND
5* Marquette / Notre Dame Under 158
Joyce Sterling
10* Marquette +3
Paul Leiner
300* NJ/Okla Over 202.5
50* Oklahoma -3.5
10* Notre Dame -3
IndianCowboy
Elon College Phoenix @ Wofford Terriers
4 units Wofford Terriers -6.5
We're rolling with the Terriers at home today in the Southern Conference. We are simply rocking right now in College Basketball as we are 10-1-1 over the last 12 days for over 35 units of profit - that's $3500 for the $100 bettor. How great would it be if I closed the month going 25-5 for 30 plays - I've done it before and I'm more than capable of doing it again. As per this game, I'm not sure if you remember last year, but I do when Elon came into Wofford and beat them 70-67 in OT. Why do I remember? Well, I remember any dog that wins outright on the road as that is what I specialize in - but Elon was a 8.5 dog that day that won outright. In fact, it surprised me considering Elon swept Wofford last year and Wofford did not step up and win that game. Well, Wofford steps up here today. Wofford is 7-9 but their record is very misleading in how good this team actually is. After all, Wofford is a top 250 team while Elon is outside the top 300. The Terriers come off an ugly 23 point loss to Davidson that is fresh in their mind as well as a 21 point loss to Georgia Southern. In short, this team took it up the chin on the road and will look to rebound at home. Remember, Wofford SOS is much harder than Elon this year. Wofford played UGA on the road and lost by 1 point in OT, they beat Air Force on the road by 13, they lost to Dayton by a bucket on the road, they played Clemson this year on the road, they lost to Navy by just 5 on the road, they beat top 200 Chattanooga on the road by 3, beat Samford on the road by 3 and recently defeated a good 10 win Citadel ballclub. In short, this team has played some strong teams and although they are 7-9, they could be much better if they played a cupcake schedule. But, they are building the program by playing some of the better schools in the country. I say that Wofford gets the revenge against Elon for the sweep they suffered last year including the loss in OT at home in the very place they play today. Elon comes off a huge Double OT win over Chattanooga at home and I can see them having a classic let down here on the road. Also, note, that Elon lost to Navy and Samford at home while Wofford beat both teams outright on the road. I think Wofford wins by about 10 here.
Elon College Phoenix @ Wofford Terriers
4 units Wofford Terriers -6.5
Congrats on another winning week! That makes 5 winning weeks in a row for us. You place the faith in me, I work hard, we reap the rewards. It's as simple as that. As per this game, want to know why this line is so high? Well, Houston beat this team 96-76 earlier this year at home so NY undoubtedly has revenge. Houston comes off a big win over Detroit on the road as McGrady made it back for that game to score 15 points and Artest put up 24 against the team and the place he dislikes so much in the Palace. NY comes off a tough road loss to Philly despite having revenge (did manage to cover the 7.5) and they have covered their last 4 in a row and 7 of thier last 10. Heck, remember, this team even beat NO on the road as well. Do you want to know what the total was in the Rockets vs. Pistons contest? 178.5. What was the final score? How about 108-105 Rockets with 213 points total scored. Want to know how many points the Knicks put up against the defensive Hornets on the road when NY had revenge? How about 101 when they won outright as 11.5 dogs at NO. In short, when the Knicks are competitive games go over. Also, when the Rockets are involved in competitive games on the road, games go over. I just simply cannot see the Knicks beind held to under 80 points at the Garden tonight. The Knicks have beat the likes of Boston at home, have scored 110 at Philadelphia who is a very good team right now (look for Philly to make the upset at New Orleans tonight by the way which is why the line is +2, but that is neither here or there) and put up 102 against the Bulls at home. McGrady is back for the Rockets and Artest played over 25 minutes yesterday, so I do expect them to play irrelevant of what the "injury" report states. Here is exactly how this game is likely to play out. You have the Knicks as just a 2.5 dog at home. I'm guessing about 65% to 70% of the public thinks, "Gee Wiz! The Rockets -2.5 on the road at New York! Way too easy! I'm a genius! I should do this for a living!". That same mentality would have got them burned when the Rockets got cooked at Indiana as the Pacers were coming off a tough road trip. In short, the Knicks come back home off a SU loss to the Sixers, they got drilled at Houston last time out, they have revenge big time now, D'Antoni will have them ready, they are playing well having covered 7 of 10 games and as I don't want to go against Houston - I expect a very competitive game which will push this game over as I roll with my patented philosophy of the Dog and the Over. The over is 13-6 of late when the Rockets have hit the highway this year.
Big Al
5* College Basketball Game of the Month
At 7 pm, our selection is on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish minus the points over Marquette. The Golden Eagles have won nine straight games, while Notre Dame has dropped its last three, including Saturday's defeat at the hands of UConn which snapped Notre Dame's 45-game home win streak (then, the longest active streak in the country). But Marquette has played the MUCH EASIER schedule, and that's played a large part in the teams' records. Consider that, of its 19 games, Marquette has only been an underdog once before, and it lost that game, 80-68, at Tennessee. Overall, Marquette has played just four true road games this season, but its two road games in Big East conference play, to date, have been against Rutgers and Providence, and neither will make the NCAA Tournament this season. In contrast, Notre Dame has had a tough slate in both conference and non-conference play. Earlier this season, the Irish played back-to-back games against then-No. 1-ranked North Carolina, and then-No. 6-ranked Texas, and Notre Dame fared well, with an 81-80 victory over the Longhorns, and a 102-87 loss to UNC. In Big East action, the Fighting Irish are 3-4 but its last three games (all losses) were at then-No. 23-ranked Louisville, at then-No. 8-ranked Syracuse, and at home vs. then-No. 3-ranked Connecticut. In each of those games, Notre Dame was an underdog, so it's not completely surprising it came away with three losses. But the Irish are an incredible 41-14 ATS since 1990 when not laying more than 4 points against .930 (or worse) foes, if Notre Dame is off back to back losses. And since 2000, Notre Dame is 9-0-1 ATS off three straight losses, and has covered the spread by an average of 12 points per game! The Irish are led by the 2008 Big East Player of the Year, Luke Harangody who, at 6'8", will be able to exploit the lack of size on Marquette's front line. In his four career games vs. the Golden Eagles, Harangody has averaged 20.5 ppg, and 10.8 rebounds. In Saturday's game against UConn, Harangody recorded his 8th straight "double-double" with 24 points, and 15 rebounds, so he's in fine form. Finally, Notre Dame falls into a super 71-26 ATS system of mine which plays on certain .350 (or better) teams off back-to-back losses, which are matched up against .850 (or better) foes off back-to-back wins. 5* College Basketball Game of the Month on Notre Dame.
Chip Chirimbes
Oklahoma at Oklahoma State
Pick: Oklahoma State +3
Oklahoma enters this contest ranked No. 5 in the country and is 19-1 having only lost to Arkansas. The sooners are coming off a 19 piont win over Baylor and have won seven straight since their defeat at the hands of the Razorbacks. Oklahoma State has played well in the conference going 9-3-1 against the points in Big 12 action. Having the home court and going up against their bitter rivals the Cowboys will have their full attention on beating Oklahoma. Take STATE!
Nick Parsons
Notre Dame
Opposite Action Plays
Oklahoma City
JB Sports
Miami Heat
Mike Lineback
T'Wolves/Bucks Under
Lenny Del Genio
Notre Dame
Alatex
15* Notre Dame