Johnny Guild
Connecticut Huskies -3
New Mexico St. Aggies -8
Jrtips
TEXAS vs. TEXAS A&M
Texas A&M goes into tonight's game desperate for a conference win after dropping two in a row to two Top teams in their conference, Kansas and Oklahoma by double digits.The Aggies have one of the best perimeter players in conference in 6-7 small forward Josh Carter although he has seen his 3-point field goal percentage fall from up over 50% to 36%. Joining him in the backcourt is 6-3 junior Donald Sloan and 6-0 sophomore BJ Holmes. Holmes shoots 5 or more 3’s per contest and is hitting 36%. Along the frontcourt, the Aggies have 6-9' junior Bryan Davis who shoots a respectable 54% from the field and 6-10 junior Chinemelu Elonu who shoots 65% from the field off of point blank looks and put backs. Although he was a non-factor against Kansas and Oklahoma offensively and on the glass,Texas must keep him off the boards and out of position to neutralize his offense. Texas’ offense is excellent at maximizing the number of shots per possession, as it sits near the top of the conference rankings in both offensive rebounding and turnover rate. Despite this, the Longhorns aren’t particularly efficient, as their shooting is simply not that good. Texas tends to focus on inside scoring, where it is reasonably effective, but struggles both from behind the arc and at the free throw line. This will probably be to the Aggies’ benefit as Texas A&M defends the inside as well, but is weak against the three-point shot. Texas A&M will compete well with Texas on the glass,as these two teams have surprisingly similar statistical profile. This will be a close game and tonight and A&M will get the edge playing a game against their rival playing at home in a game which they need a much needed win.TAKE TEXAS A&M +2
Jim Feist
ATLANTA THRASHERS / LOS ANGELES KINGS
Take Under
Atlanta's offense has stopped functioning, scoring 13 goals the last 8 games. Atlanta is on a 6-2 run under the total. This is a long trip to the West Coast, so don't look for their offense to be sharp after such a road trip. The LA Kings have scored just two total goals the last two games, both losses, and are on a 4-2 run under the total. The Kings remain four points out of the final playoff spot but have only 24 wins, second-fewest in the conference. Don't look for much offense, play the Thrashers/Kings under the total.
Rocketman
Marist vs. Saint Peter's
Play: Marist +2.5
St Peters is scoring only 58.5 points per game this year. Marist is 5-0 SU overall vs St Peters last 3 years including 2-0 SU and ATS at St Peters last 3 years. Peacocks are 12-25-2 ATS in their last 39 home games. Peacocks are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Peacocks are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as a home favorite of 0.5-6.5. Peacocks are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Peacocks are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games as a home favorite. Peacocks are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games following three or more consecutive road games. Road team is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. We'll recommend a small play on Marist tonight!
Ben Burns
Atlanta Thrashers @ Los Angeles Kings
PICK: Los Angeles Kings
The price on the Kings is too steep to qualify as one of my "guaranteed" selections, as I practically never go above the -150 mark with my premium plays. That said, we've had plenty of success backing large favorites over the years and this should be a solid spot to "lay the wood" with the home team.
The Thrashers exploded for eight goals at Anaheim last night, knocking off the Ducks by a score of 8-4. That was certainly an impressive victory. However, they're still 3-7 against teams from the West. They're also 3-8 after a win by two goals, 6-14 after scoring four or more goals AND a money-burning 6-18 (-11.4) after allowing four or more goals. Looking back further and we find them at an ugly 30-60 (-34.8) their last 90 in that situation. Additionally, during the same stretch, the Thrashers are a poor 14-32 (-15.2) when playing the second of back to back games.
The Kings lost last time out. However, that was an unfortunate loss as it came in a shootout and they had a 41-21 edge in shots on goal. They're a much better team than they've been in recent years and should be able to bounce back with a victory here. Consider LA
Scott Rickenbach
Dallas Stars @ Columbus Blue Jackets
PICK: Under
This one has all the makings of a fierce, tight, low-scoring battle. The last time these teams met, the Stars pummeled the Blue Jackets and Columbus goalie Steve Mason ended up getting pulled from the game. However, he was suffering with mononucleosis and he's now back and as strong as ever. He and his Blue Jackets teammates will be looking for redemption as a result of that ugly loss. Also, the Stars are looking for redemption themselves after they just lost an ugly 6-2 game at Chicago.
As a result, both of these clubs are coming into this game looking for better defense and better goaltending. Additionally, this is a key game in the battle for the playoffs in the Western Conference. These two teams are tied in the #9 spot in the conference. The Stars Marty Turco has bounced back after a sluggish start to the season and, prior to the ugly loss to the Blackhawks, the Stars had been doing a great job in terms of holding opponents down with solid defense as well as excellent netminding. After a poor effort at Chicago, the Stars bounce back here, including Turco. That means one should consider a small play on the UNDER in Columbus on Monday night.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Siena -4
It's a bit of a down year for the Gaels and Siena won't make the mistake of taking them lightly again after nearly going down to them at home. Siena has dominated this matchup recently, winning all 5 meetings over the last 3 seasons, including a perfect 2-0 SU and ATS at Iona during this time frame. Siena is 7-4 SU at Iona since 1997 and a perfect 8-0 ATS in those lined games. Iona is just 3-11 ATS as a home underdog of 6 points or less or pick over the last 3 seasons and 3-11 ATS in home games revenging a road loss vs opponent over the last 3 seasons. Lay the number.
Rob Vinciletti
Canisius vs. Loyola Maryland
Play: Loyola Maryland -6½
On Monday the comp play is on Loyola Md. Game 507 at 7:30 eastern.Loyola comes in here at 8-3 vs losing teams, while Canisius is 0-5 su 1-4 ats as a road dog of 6.6 to 9.After allowing 60 or less they are 0-5 su-ats.With revenge 4-13.If they scored 60 or less they are 3-9.Ill back Loyola as the free play.
Dave Price
1 Unit on Pitt/UConn UNDER 135.5
Pitt is a perfect 7-0 UNDER when playing against a top-level team (Win Pct. > 80%) this season. The average point total in these games is 124.9. UConn is 15-5 UNDER in all lined games this season and 10-3 UNDER against conference opponents this season. Each of the last 2 meetings between these teams have gone under easily, with combined scores of 117 and 113. Bet the Under.
Great job on the Nascar mates!!
Any Indian cowboy or "Doc" THANKS in advanced!!!
Good lUCK!
Vegas Experts
Texas at Texas A&M
Since suffering through a three-game SU/ATS losing streak, Texas has turned it around with back-to-back convincing league wins over Oklahoma State and Colorado. Tonight, they'll get a Texas A&M team that is currently mired in a three-game losing streak of its own. The Longhorns are 17-6 ATS the last three seasons off back-to-back conference wins and not to mention beat this same Aggiest team, 67-58, in Austin just last month. Lay the short number.
Play on: Texas
Drew Gordon
Siena at IONA +4
Do not like this spot for Siena, who's coming off a blowout win over Manhattan, and could very well be in for a letdown tonight at Iona. A couple things bother me about this match up, but let's start with their last meeting - a 69-68 Siena SU win, but easy Iona cover as a 10-point road dog. You're very next thought should be: If Iona lost by just 1 point at Siena, what makes you think they can't cover tonight as a slight home dog?!
Situationally, the reverse is true for the Gaels, who got a much needed win at Loyola-Maryland in their last one. Iona shot nearly 48% in that match up and a return home should keep their offense rolling in this one. The Gaels have been up-and-down this season offensively (mostly down), but they proved more than capable in their last meeting with the Saints, and should be even better tonight at home.
From a match up standpoint, I was impressed with the Gaels getting a strong all around effort against Loyola-Maryland, with 5 players contributing 8 points or more. They'll need more of the same tonight, as we know the backcourt duo of Hansbrouck and Ubiles will get their points for Siena, but Iona should be able to counter with another strong effort from their frontcourt.
In the end, these two teams are closer than most people think, despite the difference in their records. Siena has proven plenty beatable on the road (4-7 ATS), and coming off an easy blowout home win could easily have them riding a little too high in the saddle (if you know what I mean). Iona proved a feisty opponent in their last meeting, as Siena barely scrapped by with a SU win, and I suspect they'll be just as feisty tonight at home.
Take Iona plus the points over Siena in this college hoops match up.
1♦ IONA
Jeff Benton
La. Tech +9' at NEW MEXICO ST.
For starters, New Mexico State has no business laying this kind of chalk against anyone. The Aggies have failed to cover in eight of their last 10 games, all against Western Athletic Conference opponents, and that includes a 1-5 ATS mark at home, all as a favorite. On the other hand, Louisiana Tech might be well below .500 in the standings, but the Bulldogs have been one of the better pointspread teams in the country, going 13-7 ATS overall, 10-4 ATS in the last 14 games, 6-1 ATS in their last seven on the road, 11-5 ATS as an underdog and 9-2 ATS when catching five points or more.
On top of that, La-Tech has cashed in each of its last two trips to Las Cruces, and the underdog is on a 6-2 ATS run in this rivalry.
Throw in the fact that the Bulldogs are 16-5 ATS as a road underdog since last year, 20-8 ATS in their last 28 WAC games and 6-0 ATS in their last six on Monday, and my money’s on the undervalued visitor and the better defensive team (La-Tech has held seven of its last eight opponents to 63 points or less).
2♦ LOUISIANA TECH
Matt Rivers
For Monday take Siena on the road.
Iona is clearly an improving program as they are no longer the total dreck they had been over the past few seasons and are somewhat dangerous. But Siena is still the clear superior team and should be able to take care of business today.
The Saints are still the class of the conference at 14-1 and 20-6 overall. Being on the road won't make this thing easy for Fran McCaffery's group but they are a team that is ridiculously battle tested. Siena has already faced off against Tennessee, Wichita State, Pitt, Kansas and Oklahoma State and pretty much played extremely competitive ball in all of those games. They just blasted Manhattan and have an RPI of 28. Guys like Hasbrouck, Ubiles and Franklin should be too good today in outclassing another opponent.
Iona is alright and did have a solid enough road win at Loyola but ultimately they have one guy averaging double figures and the Gaels already played their best ball in the cover a few weeks ago at Siena and still lost the game.
After 40 minutes today the Saints will be too good for this too cheap price!
Jake Timlin
Today's Selection
What a way to end the week as Boston College not only covered, but they won outright in an upset over Duke yesterday.
Now to build off yesterdays win I like the Longhorns in College Station tonight. Sure neither team is tearing it up right now, but thanks to Texas having won their last pair of games I they are much better than the Aggies here tonight. You see for Texas A&M they have struggled big time in league play as they have lost their last three games overall and 7 of their last 10 games, including an 11 point loss in Austin. Meanwhile, for Texas after losing three straight games they have rebounded to win the last two games as they head into tonight having won 3 of the last 4 series meetings. So with that I expect for the Longhorns to continue to rebound as they sweep the Aggies on the road today. All Texas minus the road chalk!
PICK: Texas Longhorns