Dr Chad
7 units on HOFSTRA +5
5 units on LSU +12
Burns
NHL Underdog GOW
Islanders
RAS
667 LB St. PK
678 Pacific -7'
717 N AZ -8'
california sports
4*s.Ala
Big AL
Our 3 selections are Stanford, Missouri and Virginia.
At 4 PM, on Fox Sports Net, our West Coast Conference Game of the Year is on Gonzaga minus the points over San Diego.
At 12 pm, our Big East Game of the Month is on the Syracuse Orangemen minus the points over Villanova.
At 8:35 pm, our NBA Central Division Game of the Month is on the Detroit Pistons minus the points over Chicago.
At 2 PM (TIME CHANGE), our Atlantic 10 Game of the Year is on the Fordham Rams, who play with revenge from a 74-62 loss at Duquesne last week.
Drew Gordon
1. 300,000* Mississippi
2. 50,000* Utah
3. 50,000* New Mexico
4. 50,000* Bucks
1. Mississippi- After watching the Rebels annihilate the Tigers on this very same court 82-59 last season, you might be inclined to think Ole Miss would be in for some payback today, but that's simply not the case and here's why:
First, this year's version of the Rebels is even better than last years. Ranked 15th in the country and sitting at 15-1, Ole Miss has benefited greatly from their freshman phenom G Chris Warren. He's joined in the backcourt, by 6'5 guard Eniel Polynice, who can not only score (12 ppg, 4 assists/game), but can also play defense (30 steals).
But the real mismatch is in the frontcourt, where 6'8 290 lbs Dwayne Curtis can and will control the paint. He's coming off a 20-point 12 rebound effort against Florida, and with Tigers F Korvotney Barber out with a broken hand, no one can stop him. F Kenny Williams (8 ppg 8 boards/game) occupies the other block, giving Ole Miss another strong option against a short-haned Auburn frontcourt in this one.
With such a tremendous edge in the paint, you can expect the Rebels high-powered offense to have their way with the Tigers defense today. Both teams are allowing 70 ppg over their last 5 games, but the BIG difference is the Rebels are allowing opponents to shoot just 41%, while the Tigers are allowing 51%... Needless to say, that's a huge difference.
Bottom line, if Auburn had its full compliment of weapons, maybe, just maybe, we'd side with the Tigers here. But you don't just lose your best frontline player and then turn around and compete with a team like Ole Miss, who's frontcourt is big, strong, and capable of controlling the game. Although it won't be as bad as last season, Ole Miss gets the solid road win and cover here.
Take Mississippi comfortably over Auburn as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Utah- While there's no doubt BYU is excellent at home (9-0), they've proven vulnerable on the road (2-3), and if you don't believe me, check out this afternoon's game at rival Utah.
The Utes are no joke at home (7-1), especially defensively, where they lockdown opponents to the tune of 54 ppg on 40% shooting! For all the success BYU has had on offense on friendly rims, its a completely different story in hostile territory, where they average just 65 ppg on 41% shooting. Utah's empahsis on defense is bad news for this Cougars team, which dropped in just 41 points on 33% shooting in their last road game at UNLV (one of the ugliest offensive efforts I've seen in a while).
Utah is one of the few teams in conference that can say they've got a solid answer for Cougars C Trent Plaisted. Their own bigman, Luke Nevill, is not only bigger (3 inches and 30 lbs.), but a better shot blocker (25 to 14 swats), and playing at home. Make no mistake, Plaisted disappeared in BYU's last road game at UNLV, scoring just 5 points and grabbing 6 rebounds in 23 minutes.
Finally, we know damn well these two teams don't like eachother, and the fact BYU won both match ups last year only fuels the Utes fire for revenge. In fact, the last time they played at the Hunstman Center, the Cougars handed the Utes a tough 76-66 loss... Payback's a bitch, and BYU finds that out the hard way in this one!
Take Utah at home over BYU in this MWC rivalry showdown.
3. New Mexico- Tough match up for Air Force, which has a lot of trouble on the road, going just 3-9-1 ATS over their last 13 away. They did get the win and cover at Wyoming in their last one, but a win over a flawed Cowboys team is hardly enough to change my mind about the Falcons road play.
More indicative of the Falcons true demeanor in hostile territory is their previous three road games - all losses - including a very ugly 58-36 loss at Utah two weeks ago. New Mexico's offense is well above average, scoring 76 ppg on an excellent 49% shooting at home... So how in the hell do you expect this road-weary Falcons squad to keep pace? Air Force averages only 54 ppg on 41% shooting away this season, a big part of the reason they've got only one true road win this year (at sorry-ass Wyoming).
If you've followed New Mexico basketball then you know how good of a bet they've been at home, going 8-2 ATS there this season! Not to mention they're also 12-4-1 ATS over their last 17 games overall. Coming off their first home loss of the season, a disappointing effort against San Diego State, look for the Lobos to come out fired up in this one. Don't get discouraged by the fact they've lost two straight, returning home against offensively inept Air Force is the perfect situation for this New Mexico team.
Bottom line, look for the Lobos to blow Air Force right out of their gym in this one. Superior offense, coupled with the Falcons inability to score on the road, equals a lopsided home win and cover for the Lobos in this one!
Take New Mexico BIG over Air Force in this MWC match up.
4. Bucks- I gave you the Warriors over the Bulls yesterday as my Free Play release, but tonight, I've elevated the Bucks to my paid play simply because I believe Golden State will run out of gas in this one.
Playing their 4th road game in 5 nights, even a team used to running-and-gunning all game long cannot hold back fatigue. In fact, one could argue that the Warriors cover up their defensive deficiencies with a superior offense... So what happens when the offense is tired? You get what will happen tonight, a tired Warriors team trudging up and down the floor against a rested Milwaukee team that's a solid 11-5 (8-8 ATS) at home this season.
Match ups may also be an issue, as Bogut has shown improvement, coming off a 21 point 10 rebound effort in the Bucks 87-80 win over the Hawks Wednesday. In fact, over his last 3 games he's averaging 23 ppg and 10.5 rebounds per game! While normally you'd take the more balaned Baron Davis over Michael Redd, I have serious concerns about Davis' energy in this one. He's coming off an exhausting 45 minute 40 point night in Chicago yesterday... I don't care who you are, he going to be noticaeably slower in this one (as goes Davis, goes this Warriors offense).
Finally, the one place the Bucks do play some real defense is at home, where they allow 95 ppg, which is down 5 points from their season average. After a tough home loss to Washington, the Bucks have beaten the struggling Heat, and a solid Hawks team with strong defensive efforts, and I expect another solid effort here tonight. In the end, Golden State is a team built on offense, and if they can't execute because of tired legs, then they can't win, plain and simple. Bucks roll!
Take the Bucks over the Warriors in this NBA match up.
Doc's Sports Picks For College Basketball
6 Unit Play. #544 Take Purdue -3.5 over Illinois
Game of the Month. This was our Big Ten Game of the Year last season and it won with ease and expect a similar result this year playing the home team Boilermakers. Purdue is 3-1 in conference play and all three of their victories have come over today’s posted number. The Fighting Illini has seen a major drop in talent and are just a .500 team with a poor 1-4 conference record. All four of their losses have come over today’s posted number. Purdue beat up on Illinois last year winning, 64-47 and expect Illinois to struggle to reach 50 points in this contest. Home court means a lot in the Big 10 and that will become evident today.
4 Unit Play. #554 Take Southern Illinois -10 ½ over Wichita State
This is a fade on Wichita State, who is really banged up and have lost three straight games and five of their last six encounters. They have been struggling to reach 60 points all season and that does not bode well when playing a hard noise defensive team like SIU. The Salukis have gotten off to a slow start as well but have pulled it together of late and have found a scoring punch, lighting up the scoreboard for 80 points at Evansville last Tuesday. If they reach 80 points at home today, they will win this game by 20 points.
4 Unit Play. #588 Take Nebraska -3 over Baylor
A classic example of a team that plays much better at home against a team that is not used to winning big games on the road. The Huskies have started out poorly in the conference at 0-2 and need this win in a big way to keep the faithful somewhat content. That being said, their only home conference loss came against undefeated Kansas and they do have some big home wins against Arizona State and Oregon. Baylor opened Big XII play with two bottom feeder conference team in Waco and they had trouble putting both of them away beating Iowa State by just 7 points and Oklahoma State by only 8 points. This is their first road game in the conference and it will also be their first conference and road defeat, as Nebraska gets it done on the road.
4 Unit Play. #615 Take Valparaiso +2 over Cleveland State
Classic example of a letdown spot for the Rams, who are coming off a big win against Butler on Thursday. The Crusaders already have four road wins this season and unlike Butler they can score points in bunches and will pull the upset tonight handing the Rams their first lost of the season.
4 Unit Play. #649 Take Boston College +5 ½ over Virginia
After a hot start to the season, the Cavaliers have fallen upon hard times losing three straight games including getting thumped by Xavier 108-70. BC continues to surprise teams and has yet to lose a game in the conference. Too many points for a struggling team to be laying.
4 Unit Play. #687 Take Fresno State +2 ½ over Hawaii
Hawaii is not Hawaii at home this season and has had trouble putting bad teams away and Fresno State is a much better team then they are. Wake up tomorrow and find out Fresno wins comfortably.
Strike Point Sports Picks For College Basketball
Saturday's College Basketball Picks
6-Unit Game of the Week. #571 Take Texas A&M -1 over Kansas State
Look for the Aggies to bounce back with a nice victory after their setback in Lubbock earlier this week. One thing that will separate TAMU in this one is their defense. Texas A&M plays some of the best team defense in the country, and they as a whole are one of the more physical teams I have seen over this season and last. Down low is where it starts with super freshman DeAndre Jordan and Joseph Jones. These two bigs can force Michael Beasley outside to play more of a perimeter game, and that's where he tends to get a little out of his flow. Kansas State is not very diciplined, and overall the Aggies are the stronger group with shooters Josh Carter and Dominique Kirk. KSU's only legit test at home was Oregon and the Ducks beat them. Texas A&M is a better team that Oregon, and they will hand Kansas State their second home loss off the season. Play the Aggies here.
2-Unit Play. #593 Take Kent State +2.5 over Ohio
The Golden Flashes have really come on as of late. Winners of four straight and nine of their last ten, Kent State has also won the last five meetings (4-1 ATS). They have shown more over the last couple weeks than has Ohio, and we like the underdog to come away with the outright win in this MAC clash.
2-Unit Play. #609 Take New Orleans +1 over Middle Tennessee State
I'm not buying what the Blue Raiders are selling. New Orleans is clearly the stronger team, and they should be favored in this spot. The Privateers have had success on the road this season at 5-2, and they are 13-5 overall compared to MTSU's 7-9. New Orlean's Bo McCaleb will be the best player on the floor, and he'll lead this team to the victory tonight.
2-Unit Play. #633 Take Illinois State +5 over Drake
Two undefeated MVC teams collide, and this game could help decide the conference's top team. Drake has been the league's big suprise, but with their top player still questionable and out for the last week or so, Illinois State will be more fit to come away with this showdown. Drake's Josh Young has been out for the last couple of games, and even if he gives it a go, he can't be 100 percent. I'll take a full Redbirds team over perhaps a better Bulldogs team minus their best player at full strength. Great value with the points, but Illinois State will have a great shot to steal one on the road.
2-Unit Play. #644 Take N.C. State -1.5 over Miami
We saw the Wolfpack play as poorly as they possibly could have in their last two road games. Now back at home, let's see how they respond, and I really liked to to bounce back in front of their own fans. Miami hasn't proven itself on the road, and we saw that in a loss dominated by Boston College earlier this week. This match-up is certainly gut-check time for the 'Pack, and they'll have enough to send the Hurricanes to their second straight loss in ACC play. Lay the small number here.
3-Unit Play. #683 Take Arizona State +8 over Stanford
Still trying to figure out this line. ASU beat Arizona, but somehow they are receiving almost twice the points as were the Wildcats when they played at Stanford on Thursday. The Sun Devils have really taken the league by storm, and they are a legit threat. Jeff Pendergraph and James Harden have carried the load, but Arizona State has a very solid core of perimeters, such as Ty Abbott and Derek Glasser. This is too many points, and we'll see the Sun Devils stay inside the number in a close ball game.
Robert Ferringo's Picks For College Basketball
1-Unit Play. Take #526 Syracuse (-4) over Villanova
The Orange are going to either win this game by eight or ten points or they are going to lose outright. I’m expecting the former. I think it’s an indicator that the unranked team is the solid favorite over the Top 25 team and Nova is 0-5 ATS in its last five conference games. The Wildcats are young and I think they may have some trouble in the Dome today. It can be a daunting place if you’ve never played there before, and if SU can keep Scottie Reynolds under 30 I think they’re in good shape.
Alex Smart
Wofford -8 2 units
NC Char + 7.5 2 units
Clemson +9 2 units
Marc Lawrence dog of the week
Missouri
BeatYourBookie.com
NCAA Basketball
100* Play Tennessee (-10.5) over Ohio State
Tennessee is 8-0 ATS in non-conference home games the last 2 seasons
Tennessee is 12-1 ATS in home games coming off a win
Tennessee is 2-0 ATS vs. Ohio State the last 2 games
50* Play Vanderbilt (-13) over LSU
LSU is 2-10 ATS in all games this season
LSU is 3-11 ATS when playing in the month of January the last 2 seasons
LSU is 8-22 ATS coming off an upset loss as a favorite since 1997
50* Play New Mexico (-12) over Air Force
New Mexico is 10-3 ATS as a favorite this season
New Mexico is 8-2 ATS in home games this season
Air Force is 2-9 ATS in conference road games the last 2 seasons
50* Play Miami (+2) over N.C. State
N.C. State is 3-10 ATS in all games this season
N.C. State is 1-7 ATS as a favorite this season
Miami is 8-1 ATS in all games this season
NBA Basketball
50* Play Denver (-13.5) over Minnesota
Minnesota is 12-23 ATS as an underdog this season
Minnesota is 2-11 ATS in road games when playing 4 games or less in 10 days
Minnesota is 2-17 SU over the last 19 games
Feist
a-10 goy.................lasalle
horizon goy.............wisc milw
personal best..................k st, duquesne
platinum......................e.mich, ariz
inner circle.....................miss st
5 star.....................ole miss
4 star.......................new orleans
3 star..........................tenn
total..................raptors over 90.5
platinum.......................mavs
5 star............................nuggets
Billy Coleman
NBA
4* Orlando -4.5
3* Miami -4
CBB
4* Arizona +1
4* Creighton -12.5
3* TCU +1
3* Mississippi -5
NHL
3*Dall/Columbus under 5
Breakthelines Sports
Mil 4*
Sebass Insider plays
Mizzou, Iowa
Malinsky Saturday
6* Iowa St
4* ND
4* Vanderbilt
4* UTEP
GAMEDAY
4* Xaiv
3*NEB
3*ILL ST
2*VILL
2*V.TEC
2*CINNY
GAVAZZI
6*Duquesne
3*Iowa St
3*SD
3*DEL
3*OHIO
3*UL LAF
Dr. Bob
College Opinion/Possible Best Bet
IOWA STATE (-2 ½) over Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State has still not won a road game under coach Sean Sutton, as the Cowboys are now 0-11 straight up and 1-10 ATS as the visitor since Sutton took over for his father at the beginning of last season. Iowa State started the season slowly and without leading scorer Wesley Johnson, but the Cyclones have been playing pretty well lately (8- 2 straight up and 4-1 ATS in their last 10 games) and my ratings favor Iowa State by 3 points in this game. The Cyclones also apply to a decent 70-30-3 ATS home momentum situation, although that situation isn’t as good when applying to favorites. I’ll lean with the Cyclones at -3 to -1 ½ points and I’ll take Iowa State in a 2-Star Best Bet at -1 or pick and for 3-Stars at +1 or more.
Dr Bob
3* Syracuse
3* E. Michigan
Frank Rosenthal
NBA
504 MAGIC-4.5 S
510 HEAT-4
516 BULLS+7
522 CLIPPERS UNDER 185
COLLEGE HOOPS
524 DREXEL-5
528 FL-7
531 ND+8.5
534 GEORGIA TECH-4
536 VANDY-12
557 MARYLAND OVER 157
560 UCLA-10
563 SD+17.5
586 DUKE-8
588 NEBRASKA-3
589 OREGON ST OVER 131
631 ARIZONA+2
644 NC ST-1
656 SETON HALL+8.5
688 HAWAII-2
Seabass
300 Clemson
20 Iowa St.
20 Utah
20 Creighton
20 GW
20 NC Charlotte
100 Cincinnati
20 Bucks(NBA)
Inside Info
100* Mizz +7.5
100* Iowa +4