FERRINGO
2-Unit Play. Take Marquette (-2) over Villanova
1-Unit Play. Take 'Under' 141.5 Marquette at Villanova (7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 25)
Marquette has FINALLY started playing up to its potential and has started playing like the team that took the floor in Maui back in the beginning of the season. They have been playing better on the road lately and our either catching the Wildcats at the best time or the worst time. Nova just scored a big win over Connecticut over the weekend and could have a letdown. They have looked like they turned the corner recently, playing much better after a mid-season swoon, but they are just 2-8 ATS at home lately and are just 5-17 at home against teams with a winning percentage over .600. Villanova is a young, unpredictable, guard-oriented group. Marquette plays a similar game, but they have more overall talent and experience, and I give the edge to their interior players. This game will be close, but I think we're on the right side of a short number.
2-Unit Play.Wisconsin-Milwaukee (-2.5) over Valparaiso
After a promising start the Crusaders have found it to be tough sledding in the Horizon League, especially on the road. UW-M is exactly the type of athletic, random, street-ball club that gives Valpo trouble on the perimeter and I think there's a chance they could get run out of the gym tonight. Valpo is in the midst of a 2-7 ATS run, and are 1-7-1 ATS in Horizon play. UW-Milwaukee has been a solid bounceback team, going 6-1 ATS after a loss. I tihnk they rebound at home and lay a big number on Valpo.
2-Unit Play. Take Texas (+3) over Kansas State
Hey, let's ride the hot hand. Once A.J. Abrams got his shooting touch back this Longhorns team went from good to Nasty. They have the best backcourt in the nation, and K-State has become a bit too reliant on Walker and The Big Frosh. That interior tandem went for over 70 at Baylor and I don't know if they can duplicate that feat tonight. K-State has been fantastic at home, but UT is just too strong right now. I think they can matchup on the interior and at least slow down State's Big 2. Oh, and we're getting points on a team that's won seven straight and covered six straight, is 7-2 ATS as a dog, and is playing in a series where the puppy has covered six straight
STRIKE POINT SPORTS
2-Unit Play. Take Texas +3 over Kansas State
Seven straight wins for the Longhorns, going 6-0 ATS in those games, its safe to say Texas is peaking at the right time. The 'Horns have also won three in a row on the road in Big 12 play, and they are facing a Wildcats team that is struggling. Kansas State has dropped two straight and four of its last seven, and being at home doesn't assume into a win against this tough and talented Texas team that has a nice balance of outside shooting and athletic interior presence. The underdog has covered the last six meetings, and Texas will hear as well with the outright win.
Michael Cannon
25 Dime –
MARQUETTE
Take Marquette for the road win tonight over Villanova.
Granted, Villanova has been playing good basketball lately, but they haven’t been as impressive as the Golden Eagles have been.
Marquette has won four straight by an average of more than 20 points. They are getting superb play from their defense, which has been forcing turnovers and turning them into fast break points.
Villanova likes to slow it down and Marquette is fine playing at that pace too. It actually helps the Golden Eagles defense in that they won’t have to expend much energy running up and down the court chasing an up tempo team.
The Wildcats start two freshmen and they’re going to have to grow up real quick tonight facing Marquette’s defensive pressure. The Golden Eagles have forced 23 turnovers in each of their last two games.
Villanova is on a 2-8 ATS slide in its last 10 home games.
Take Marquette for the road win as they get it done tonight over Villanova.
10 Dime –
KANSAS STATE
Take K-State at home as the small chalk for the win and cover over Texas.
Texas is the team coming in on a roll, but they’re going to have their hands full defending the Wildcats dynamic duo of Michael Beasley and Bill Walker. The two combined for 75 points in the Wildcats 92-86 loss at Baylor on Saturday.
We’re getting some line value with Kansas State for tonight’s game as they’ve dropped three of four, with all the losses coming on the road, while the Longhorns come in having won seven straight.
But the Wildcats have won 11 in a row at home and with the line diminished all they have to do tonight is win and they will most likely cover.
Texas has been playing great defense the last few games, but they’re going to have to step it up to a new level if they’re going to hold Beasley and Walker in check.
Kansas State is on a 20-8 ATS run in its last 28 home games.
Take Kansas State as they grab the home win and cover.
Drew Gordon
1. 300,000* St. Mary's
2. 50,000* Pacers
3. 50,000* Santa Clara
BiG AL
At 7 pm, our selection is on the Villanova Wildcats, as Jay Wright's men fall into an 40-11 ATS momentum system of mine that plays on certain .571 (or better) home teams off back-to-back wins, and four or more covers, which are matched up against .561 (or better) opponents off a win and cover. And if our home team's last victory was by less than 10 points, then our 81-28 stat zooms to 23-2 ATS since 1991. With Villanova in off three straight wins (and four covers), including a 67-65 victory over UConn as a 1-point favorite on Saturday, and Marquette in off a 78-48 victory over Rutgers, the Wildcats fall squarely within our 23-2 ATS tightener. Finally, Villanova is 17-1 at home since 1992 off back to back wins vs. Big East foes, if its foe is also off back to back wins, but has not won more than five straight games. Take the Wildcats.
GamblersWorld
TIP OF THE DAY Sport: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Buffalo Sabres
Prediction: Buffalo Sabres
Current Line: -185 Over/Under: 6 Reason: The Philadelphia Flyers and the Buffalo Sabres will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at HSBC Arena. Oddsmakers currently have the Sabres listed as 185-moneyline favorites versus the Flyers, while the game's total is sitting at 6. Daniel Briere had the only Flyers goal in their 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday night. The Panthers were winners as +130 road underdogs in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night's posted total (5.5). Ales Kotalik scored twice for Buffalo in their 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday night. The Rangers had been listed at -105 on the road in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (5.5). Current streak: Philadelphia has lost 10 straight games. Team records: Philadelphia: 30-25-7 Buffalo: 30-24-8 Philadelphia most recently: When playing on Monday are 5-4-1 Before playing Tampa Bay are 4-6 After playing Florida are 5-5 After a loss are 1-9 Buffalo most recently: When playing on Monday are 6-4 Before playing Colorado are 6-4 After playing NY Rangers are 5-5 After a loss are 5-5 A few trends to consider: The total has gone OVER in 6 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing Buffalo The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games Philadelphia is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road Philadelphia is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Buffalo Buffalo is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia Buffalo is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia The total has gone OVER in 6 of Buffalo's last 7 games when playing Philadelphia Buffalo is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
Wunderdog
Atlanta at San Antonio
Pick: Game Total UNDER 187
Everyone is talking about the improvements of the Lakers, Suns and Mavs after the big trades. But let's not forget about the defending NBA champs. The Spurs didn't make any big moves but they have quietly won nine of their last ten games. Was there any doubt they would catch the Hornets in the Southwest? This team is allowing just 89 ppg on the season at home and they get a Hawks club averaging just 91.4 per game on the road. Atlanta reeled off seven straight OVERs before going UNDER last game vs. Utah. The Hawks are 10-2 UNDER this season on the road coming off an UNDER performance. The Spurs are 28-15 UNDER the past three seasons at home vs. non-conference foes and 15-5 UNDER this season off a home win.
InfoPlays
3* on Bulls/Mavericks UNDER 196
We will favor the UNDER tonight in this contest between two defensive-minded squads in the Mavs and Bulls. The Mavs have gone UNDER is 6 of their last 8 games overall. The Bulls have gone OVER in 3 consecutive games now, but that means this is a great spot to bet the Under in accordance with the following trend. The Bulls are 18-7 UNDER after 3 or more consecutive overs over the last 3 seasons. The Mavs are 28-15 UNDER in home games after having won 2 of their last 3 games over the last 2 seasons. Bet the UNDER 196 points.
Priceless Picks
1 Unit on Denver Nuggets +1
After embarrassing the Suns last night, I look for the Pistons to experience a letdown against one of the best home squads in the NBA. Denver has lost back-to-back games on the road to lesser opponents and will be hungry tonight with the opportunity to prove themselves against one of the best teams in the league. Denver is 22-6 at home this season and 17-11 ATS in those games. The Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games, 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 1 days rest, 19-7 ATS in their last 26 vs. NBA Central, and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a SU loss. Take the Nuggets at home.
Marco D'Angelo
Toronto Raptors -3
Matty O'Shea
Kansas State -3
JWhip
Villanova +2
JB
Atlanta Hawks +12
Alatex
Kansas St -3 - Superplay
Philly Conn
San Antonio - 12
Winning Points Online NCAAB
**PREFERRED
St. Mary's* over San Diego by 1 (San Diego, + points)
Big game for both and sure, St. Mary's was looking past Kent State to it when they lost on Saturday night, but San Diego can play hoops.Brandon Johnson has been around the WCC a lot more than St. Mary's freshman guard Mills, and San Diego's coach spent 14 seasons with Gonzaga so he knows what St. Mary's is all about. No surprises for anyone in what figures to be a close one all the way. ST. MARY'S, 76-75.
Larry Ness
Marquette @ Villanova
PICK: Villanova
REASON FOR PICK: No. 25 Marquette easily handled Rutgers on Saturday, winning 78-48. The Golden Eagles have now won four straight games by an average of more than 20 points. However, winning tonight in the Wachovia Center against suddenly surging Villanova, will NOT come easily. 'Nova ended No. 13 Connecticut's 10-game winning streak with a 67-65 home win over the Huskies on Saturday and the Wildcats (17-9) have now won three straight games to play their way back onto the bubble for an at-large berth in the NCAA tournament. Marquette (20-6) is already all but assured of a spot in the 65-team field plus has a showdown with Big East co-leader Georgetown coming up on Saturday. Marquette is led by a trio of terrific perimeter players, McNeal (13.4-4.7-3.7), James (13.1-4.5 APG) and Matthews (11.0-4.3) but Villanova matches up well. Reynolds (16.4-3.0-3.3) leads a backcourt which includes freshman Fisher (10.4) plus four other players who combine to average just over 21 PPG. Marquette's only real inside player is 6-6 soph Hayward (13.4-6.2) and he'll be tested by the 6-8 Cunningham (10.3-6.6), the 6-7 Clark (7.3-4.4) plus two freshman, the 6-8 Pena (6.7-4.3) and the 6-10 Drummond (5.8-5.3). It's possible that Drummond could sit out with an ankle problem but even if he does, the Wildcats own a solid edge inside and have the talent (and DEPTH) to match Marquette's perimeter trio (few other teams do). The Wildcats have won three straight at home, where they are 11-2 this season. Meanwhile, Marquette is just 4-4 on the road, so I'm taking the small home dog here.
Hi Bettors
I know that Monday is start of the working week, but I cannot afford myself to miss Tonight's NBA matches...look at my pick's:
Toronto Raptors -2½ Over 207½-(Toronto has won three of its last four games, including a 115-92 rout of the New York Knicks on Sunday. Andrea Bargnani scored
25 points and All-Star Chris Bosh added 17 for the Raptors, who
avenged Friday's 103-99 loss at New York.)
Dallas Mavericks -10½ Under 195½(Dallas is coming off its second straight win with Sunday's 99-83 triumph over the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves behind the
efforts of Nowitzki, who had 29 points.)
San Antonio Spurs -12 Under 186½-(San Antonio, which went through an 11-13 stretch from mid-December until the end of January, has matched its season
high of five consecutive wins.)
P.s. How He wins over 97% of his sports bets...Good luck if you betting Tonight...
Dave Price
Detroit vs. Denver
Take Denver Nuggets
1 Unit on Denver Nuggets +1 After embarrassing the Suns last night, I look for the Pistons to experience a letdown against one of the best home squads in the NBA. Denver has lost back-to-back games on the road to lesser opponents and will be hungry tonight with the opportunity to prove themselves against one of the best teams in the league. Denver is 22-6 at home this season and 17-11 ATS in those games. The Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games, 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games playing on 1 days rest, 19-7 ATS in their last 26 vs. NBA Central, and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a SU loss. Take the Nuggets at home.