Strike Point Sports Picks For College Basketball
5-Unit Play. #826 Take Northern Arizona -2.5 over Wichita State
This one's a Bracket Buster mismatch. NAU has been a tough out at home this season, while the Shockers are a miserable 2-8 on the road. Wichita State has dropped three in a row and eight of their last ten, and their last five on the road. This one goes to the Lumberjacks by double digits.
5-Unit Play. #855 Take Miami (OH) +1 over Valparaiso
Coming into the season, the Redhawks were one of the top mid-major teams to watch. And while they have struggled to a degree, they are still a strong team, and back on the big stage for Bracket Buster Saturday they will bring their 'A' game and impress with a victory. Valpo is on the decline, losers of seven of its last ten, while going 1-7-2 ATS in those games. Miami Ohio has gone 9-4 ATS in its last 13 non-conference games, and have also covered its last four road games. Behind Michael Bramos and Tim Pollitz, it will be the Redhawks that come through on the road.
5-Unit Play. #867 Take Tennessee Martin +3 over Elon
The wrong team is favored here, and the Skyhawks of UTM will prove that with an outright victory over the Phoenix. Tennessee Martin has won five straight and have been one of the best college money makers this year at 16-8-1 ATS. They boast the nation's leading scorer in Lester Hudson, and this kid is a hidden gems among college offensive weapons. He and his team like to get up and down the court and attack from three point range. They are the stronger team, and its the Skyhawks that take this Bracket Buster match-up.
7-Unit Game of the Month Play. #805 Take Tennessee +6 over Memphis
Quite possibly the game of the year in college hoops, but it will be #2 Tennessee that take this Volunteer state match-up. Under Bruce Pearl, UT has been extremely successful in big games. They are 16-6 ATS when receiving points, including an impressive 9-1 when facing superior competition of .770 or better. Tennessee ranks No. 1 in assists in the country, No. 2 in steals and No. 5 in three-point field goal percentage allowed. The Volunteers will win the three's and the free throw battle. Tennessee is deeper and a more dangerious team, and getting points certainly gives them a lot of value. I love their ability to score from six to eight different players. Chris Lofton is playing as well as he has this season, while JaJuan, Tyler and Ramar Smith are a very strong trio just the same. Here, it will be Tennessee that wins this game and takes over as the nation's top team.
Net Prophet
NBA
New Orleans +6' over San Antonio
NHL
Washington/Carolina OVER 6 -125
CBB
Georgia Tech +3' over Virginia Tech
St. Louis +7 over Charlotte
Ohio -1 over George Mason
High Point +2 over Towson State
Ferringo
2-Unit Play. Take ‘Under’ VCU at Akron (11 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #881 Hawaii (-3) over UC-Riverside (8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
2.5-Unit Play. Take #869 Indiana State (+3) over Murray State (7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
2-Unit Play. Take #741 Oregon (+14) over UCLA (3:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
2.5-Unit Play. Take #828 James Madison (-6) over Morehead State (2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #885 Evansville (-2.5) over Eastern Illinois (8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #805 Tennessee (+6) over Memphis (9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
2-Unit Play. Take #794 Baylor (-2) over Kansas State (8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #876 Wisconsin-Green Bay (+2) over Western Michigan (8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #900 Fresno State (-8.5) over Cal Poly SLO (10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #813 BYU (-3) over San Diego State (11 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #881 Hawaii (-3) over UC-Riverside (8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
2.5-Unit Play. Take #869 Indiana State (+3) over Murray State (7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
2-Unit Play. Take #741 Oregon (+14) over UCLA (3:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
2.5-Unit Play. Take #828 James Madison (-6) over Morehead State (2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #885 Evansville (-2.5) over Eastern Illinois (8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #805 Tennessee (+6) over Memphis (9 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
2-Unit Play. Take #794 Baylor (-2) over Kansas State (8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #876 Wisconsin-Green Bay (+2) over Western Michigan (8 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #900 Fresno State (-8.5) over Cal Poly SLO (10 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
3-Unit Play. Take #813 BYU (-3) over San Diego State (11 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 23)
BURNS NBA
SPURS
Game: New Orleans Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs Game Time: 2/23/2008 8:35:00 PM Prediction: San Antonio Spurs Reason: I'm laying the points with SAN ANTONIO. The Hornets were in the midst of a major winning streak when they traveled here last month. They were able to keep that momentum going, blowing out the Spurs in front of the San Antonio faithful. The Spurs, 3-1 SU/ATS the last four times they were attempting to avenge a home loss, are playing better now than they were then though, going 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS their last four games. Conversely, the Hornets are now coming in off a blowout loss suffered at the hands of the Rockets last night. They'll now be playing their third "Texas team" in the past four days. While the Hornets were busy getting beaten up by the Rockets, the Spurs had last night off. San Antonio got Tony Parker back last game. He'll be gradually working his way back into the lineup but should be stronger with a game under his belt and will boost an already powerful lineup. The Spurs have only played one home game since last month's loss to the Hornets here and they allowed just 65 points, winning by 20. The Spurs know how important this game is. Look for their "big game experience" to make a difference as they avenge the earlier loss in convincing fashion, dropping the Hornets to 19-34 ATS the last 53 times they were listed as road underdogs in the +3 to +6.5 range. *Personal Favorite
UNDER Lakers/Clippers
Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Game Time: 2/23/2008 10:35:00 PM Prediction: under Reason: I'm playing on the Lakers and Clippers to finish UNDER the number. Everyone saw the Lakers and Suns play an extremely high-scoring game against each other in Shaq's Phoenix debut. That helped cause last night's Suns over/under line to be higher than it should be (game finished below the number by more than 50) and I feel that it's done the same to tonight's Lakers' number. In fact, I looked at 20 meetings between these teams, dating back to 2003, and NONE of them had an over/under line even close to this high. Keep in mind that the Lakers have still seen five of their past nine games stay below the total and that they've also seen the UNDER go 11-8 on the season after allowing 105 or more points in their previous game. Despite playing a high-scoring game last night, the Clippers have still seen the UNDER go 16-11 in their "home" games and 31-21 on the season. That includes a profitable 18-9 mark when matched up against a team which allows 99 or more points per game. Looking back further and we find that the Clippers have seen the UNDER go an extremely healthy 58-34-3 the past three seasons when facing a team which allows 99 or more points per game. The last two times that the Clippers played the second of back to back games (02/02 and 02/09) they managed to score just 80 and 84 points. Both those games stayed below the number and I expect tonight's game to do the same. *Pacific Division TOM
BURNS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
WISCONSIN MILWAUKEE
Game: Wis-Milwaukee vs. Bradley Game Time: 2/23/2008 9:00:00 PM Prediction: Wis-Milwaukee Reason: I'm taking the points with WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE. I played on Bradley in their last game and the Braves scored an emotional upset win at Drake. However, this is a difficult spot to be laying this many points. Off back to back big conference wins, the Braves also have a big "revenge" game vs. Southern Illinois on deck. Yes, the Braves have been winning recently. However, they've also gotten used to playing very close games. The one-point win at Drake marked the sixth time in 12 games that the Braves saw a final score decided by four points or less. Note that the Braves have only been favored by in the -8 to -12 range once in 2008. That game came on 1/19. Laying -9 vs. Evansville, they won by only a single point. Conversely, the Panthers have been underogs in the +8 to +12 range twice since Christmas and they won both those game outright. On 12/29, getting a dozen points, they won at Wyoming. Then, on 1/10, listed as +10 underdogs at Valparaiso, the Panthers again won outright. Dating back to that win over Wyoming, the Panthers have gone 10-5 in 15 games. Only one of those 15 games resulted in a loss of greater than 10 points and that came at Butler more than a month ago. Catching the Braves in a tough scheduling situation and playing without their third leading scorer (Andrew Warren broke his hand vs. Creighton and he averages 13.1 points per game) look for this evening's game to be closer than expected once again.
MEMPHIS
Game: Tennessee vs. Memphis Game Time: 2/23/2008 9:00:00 PM Prediction: Memphis Reason: I'm laying the points with MEMPHIS. The Volunteers and Tigers are ranked #1 and #2 in the country so it goes without saying that they're both very talented teams. They've got some similarites too. Both teams are deep, both are well-coached and both love to run up and down the floor. While the Volunteers would love to hand the Tigers their first loss, I feel that Memphis' homecourt advantage will be too much to overcome. This game is absolutely huge in Memphis and tickets have been going for a fortune. The FedExForum crowd will surely be extremely fired up and that will provide both energy and confidence to the Tigers, who have won 47 straight here. Make no mistake, these teams don't like each other. The coaches don't like each other and neither do the players. In addition to having homecourt in their favor, the Tigers will have some additional motivation. For starters, a lot of people still doubt them and say that their perfect record has been padded by beating up on weak teams. The Tigers are sick of hearing that and a convincing win today will go a long way in putting that topic to rest once and for all. For the record, Memphis beat UConn, Georgetown and Arizona ALL by double-digits while knocking off Gonzaga by "only" eight. Additionally, the Tigers will have major payback on their minds, as the Vols handed them their most embarrassing loss of the season last year. Coach Calipari didn't look at the tape from that game for a full year but he pulled it out this past week. As Calipari says: "This is an ego thing." Look for the Tigers to have their revenge, remain perfect on the season and improve to 6-1 ATS the last seven times they were favored by eight points or less. *Non-Conf. GOY
VILLANOVA
Game: Connecticut vs. Villanova Game Time: 2/23/2008 12:00:00 PM Prediction: Villanova Reason: I'm playing on VILLANOVA. The Huskies have been on quite a roll and have earned some impressive victories during their winning streak. They've shown signs of slowing down lately though and I feel that they're ready to see that streak come to an end this afternoon. I played on the Huskies three games ago. That turned out to be a winner as they knocked off Notre Dame by six points. However, I felt rather fortunate to get that win as they were challenged the entire way. That was at home though. In their next game, the Huskies went on the road and just barely defeated South Florida, Most recently, the Huskies had real trouble with Depaul, eventually winning by only five as double-digit home favorites. Villanova represents a step up from either Depaul or South Florida and the Wildcats are starting to play their best basketball. After suffering through a tough stretch through late January and early February, the Wildcats have started playing much better the past few weeks. Four games ago, they snapped their losing streak by defeating Seton Hall. They followed that up by losing by only two on a controversial call at #8 Georgetown, a venue where UConn also lost. The Wildcats followed up that easy cover by winning by 18 points at St Johns. Most recently, they crushed West Virginia here by 22 points. Note that West Virginia won by 17 when it played at South Florida, the team which gave UConn so much trouble in its last road game. Despite earning a couple of "covers" as underdogs in their recent win streak, the Huskies remain an ugly 3-11 ATS (2-12 SU) the last 14 times they were listed as underdogs, including a 1-3 ATS mark the last four times they were underdogs of four points or less. The Wildcats won at UConn last season. They also won 69-64 the last time the teams met in Philadelphia. They've gone 23-7 the last 30 times that they were coming off a game which saw them allow 60 points or less and I look for them to continue their strong recent play this afternoon. *Big East GOM
UNDER washington state/arizona
Game: Arizona vs. Washington St. Game Time: 2/23/2008 10:00:00 PM Prediction: under Reason: I'm playing on Arizona and Washington State to finish UNDER the number. These teams played a high-scoring game when they faced each other at Arizona. That's no surprise really though. Washington State's road games have been higher-scoring than it's home games while Arizona has played higher-scoring games at home. Playing on their homecourt allows the Wildcats to more effectively dictate the tempo, which they'd like to speed up. Arizona's last two opponents provide a good example. Last time out, the Wildcats played at Washington. The teams combined for 141 points and the game stayed below the number. However, when the teams had met at Arizona previously, they finished "over" the total with 153 points. Prior to facing the Huskies, the Wildcats hosted Stanford. That game finished with 133 points, sneaking above the number. However, when the same teams met at Stanford, the Cardinal were able to dictate the pace and the teams combined for a mere 108 points. Like Stanford, the Cougars have an excellent defense. Indeed, last time out they held Arizona State to just 47 points, marking the fourth straight opponent to finish with 57 or less. Previously, they went into Oregon and held the Ducks to only 53. Both those games fell below the number. For the season, the Cougars are allowing just 51.9 points per game here with those games averaging less than 120 combined points. The Cougars, who lost the earlier meeting at Arizona, have seen the UNDER go 12-8 the past three seasons when attempting to avenge a road loss. During that time, the UNDER was also a perfect 3-0 when they were listed as home favorites in the -6.5 to -9 range. Despite Washington State's tendency to play lower-scoring games at home and Arizona's tendency to play lower-scoring games on the road, tonight's total is even slightly higher than it was for the earlier meeting. I feel that provides us with excellent value. Look for the Cougars to slow things down, play their usual excellent defense, and for the final combined score to fall beneath the generous number. *Blue Chip
JOHN RYAN
Indiana State vs. Murray State
Play: Indiana State
Indiana State Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Indiana State – AiS shows a 72% probability that Indiana State will lose this game by 3 or fewer points. ISU is coming off a huge OT win against Wichita State. Tuesday’s comeback win in overtime against Wichita State was one of the biggest in years for the Sycamores. ISU erased a 21-point deficit to the Shockers with approximately nine minutes left in the game and later had to come back from a nine-point deficit with just a 1:22 left in the game. However, ISU forced the game into overtime and came away with an 83-73 win over the Shockers. When any team wins in this fashion it always provides a huge emotional life for several games. ISU has a solid defense especially defending the perimeter. Defending the three-pointer has been a strong point for Indiana State this season, as they are allowing opponents to shoot just .343 from beyond the arc on the season, which ranks second in the league and have allowed a league-low 154 treys. That defensive effort shone through last Tuesday when Bradley, which entered the game seventh nationally with 233 three pointers this season, made just 4-of-27 (.148) attempts from behind the arc against the Sycamores, which helped ISU snap a five-game losing skid. Take Indiana State and look for the SU win as well.
Malinsky
6* KANSAS OREGON ST
5* N TEXAS
4* MARYLAND N ARZ BOISE ST
Special K 3 pack
20* Texas A&M
20* Tennessee Volunteers
20* Oregon Ducks
Ethan LAW
Syndicate play
$60,000 RELEASE, HIGHEST PLAY OF THE YEAR
OKLAHOMA
Brandon Lovell
10* NCAAB ODU -12.5
10* NCAAB Wisconsin - Milwaukee +11
5* NCAAB Drake +5
5* NCAAB GA Southern +3.5
5* NCAAB Niagara +5.5
Executive
Mia Fla GOY
G Washington
ETHAN LAW
2* Oregon State
1* Butler
1* Ill. Chicago
1/2* Colorado
1/2* Nevada
1/2* Kent State
The Killer Move's picks for Saturday:
10* New Orleans/San Antonio UNDER
10* Weber State
10* Drake
Gameday
4* Texas A & M
3* Temple
3* Vandy
2* Maryland
2* Ariz St
2* Drake
2* Flor Atl
Gametime Sports
10* Arkansas
10* Tex A&M
5* Memphis u
5* Nova
5* Weber St
4* Colo.St
Sports Authority
3* Wash St
2* Providence
2* Miss St
NorthCoast
MTI Sports
4* San Ant
Master Spts
4* Texas A&M
Sports Bank
500* Bracket Buster Game Of Year
Southern Illinois
Chris James Sports
3* Oregon St
2* Memphis U
1* George Washington
1* Kentucky
Billy HIll
12* Spurs
12* Denver
12* 76ers
11.5* Clippers
Preferred Picks
4* Arizona State
3* Maryland
3* Baylor
Right Angle
1* Ohio U, No Arizona, Hawaii, San Jose St, Fresno St
1* Florida-Atl Over 141, New Mexico St Over 147
Marc Lawrence
Triple Dime Play Underdog game of the year
757 Ariz. St 4.0 vs 758 Washington
Analysis: Play On: Arizona State
Note: The Sun Devils close out their trip through the Apple State with a visit to Washington with purpose and revenge on their minds today. The purpose is the fact that they are sitting on the NCAA Tournament bubble at 16-9 this season following Thursday night's 59-47 loss at Washington State, a game in which they were outscored 14-4 down the stretch. The revenge is from an 11-point home loss as five-point home favorites earlier this season. Inside this series ASU is 5-1 ATS hen playing off back-to-back losses, including 4-0 as a dog. In conference play, the Sun Devils are 7-0 ATS taking points off back-to-bacl losses when seeking same season revenge. On the flip side, the Huskies enter off a same season revenge win over Arizona (0-5-1 ATS in games after the Wildcats) with a same season revenger up next at Stanford (0-6-1 ATS before the Cardinal against an opponent off a loss). That makes this a perfect revenge sandwich. The clincher, though, is an Awesome Angle from our powerful database that tells us to: Play On any college road dog with same season revenge of 5 or more points off back-to-back losses versus an opponent off a same season revenge win that has a same season revenge game on deck. These road dogs are 14-1 ATS since 1990, including 12-0 if they allowed less than 90 points in its last game. Grab the points as we make Arizona State our College Basketball Underdog Game of the Year.
Double Dime Bet
794 Baylor -2.0 vs 793 Kansas St.
Analysis: Play On: Baylor
Note: The Bears return to their den looking to snap a four game losing skein when they host Kansas State in a key Big 12 battle in Waco. As a result of the four losses, Baylor suddenly finds itself in a logjam at 5-6 in the conference standings as no less than eight teams are within two games of one another, ranging from 4th to 11th place in the standings. Thus this game is huge for the Bears as far as conference tourney seeding is concerned. Inside the series we find Baylor is 8-1 ATS against Kansas State as a dog or favorite of two or less points. A Super System tells us to: Play On any .630 or better home team off three losses in its last three games if they lost their last game by one-point exact. Teams in this role are 17-3 SU & 10-5-1 ATS since 1990, including 5-0 ATS if they have revenge. That, coupled with KSU's 4-40 SU conference road record against .666 or better opposition, finds us at home with the Bears here tonight
Doc's NHL
4* LA Kings -115
4* Buffalo -120
4* Detroit -105
Score
600* College Game Of Year Ucla
400* Vandy, West Virginia
300* Memphis, George Mason
Lee Stryker's Bracket Buster GOY
Wisc-Milw+ 10 1/2
Scott Delaney
40* TEXAS - I know Oklahoma has won three straight, but in the basketball version of the Red River Shootout, we will once again take Texas. Back on Feb. 6 I gave you the road underdog Longhorns as a free winner, telling you we’d be better served with the team most likely to actually win the basketball game.
After that outright win in Norman 2-1/2 weeks ago, Texas is on a 4-0 run in this rivalry (3-0 ATS). True, Oklahoma was without second-leading scorer Longar Longar, but that has nothing to do with the fact Oklahoma is 3-9 ATS the last 12 meetings and 2-5 ATS in their last seven trips to Austin.
Also going against the Okies in this one, the Sooners are mired in a 4-14 point-spread freefall in conference play and are trudge into this rivalry clash sporting several other negative trends, including a 3-8 ATS skid overall and a 17-37-2 highway funk.
On the other hand, we’re siding with the 22-4 Longhorns, who are on ATS runs of 23-9 after a hardwood win, 4-0 on Saturdays, 4-0 in Austin and 8-3 against teams with a winning record on the floor. Let’s lay the points and count on a 14-point win here.
10* CONNECTICUT - U Conn has won 10 straight and rolls into Philly with plenty of momentum to be catching points from the 16-9 Wildcats, especially with the Huskies in revenge from last season’s 78-74 home loss. They come into this Big East road contest on positive ATS streaks of 5-2-1 overall, 4-1 on Saturday and 4-1 coming off a non-cover. Meanwhile, ‘Nova is on negative ATS runs of 4-12 overall, 1-8 at home, 4-10 in the Big East and 2-5 at home against teams with a winning road mark. Take the slim points here and bank on the outright win.
10* GEORGETOWN - Don’t get caught up by the Bearcats’ three-game win streak – it means nothing to me, as Big East-leader Georgetown will denounce Cincinnati today in Washington D.C. The Bearcats’ three wins have come against Rutgers (in overtime), St. Johns and this past Wednesday, when it eked out a one-point win over South Florida. Certainly nothing to brag about and nothing to be confident with when talking about a Georgetown team that is on a 3-0 run in this series, winning both meetings last season by a combined 25 points – including a 15-point win here. Lay the points.
10* MARQUETTE - Rutgers is in store for yet another ass whooping, and the Golden Eagles are just the team to serve one up. Marquette is 13-1 at home and rolls into this Big East battle having won three straight on the wood and four in a row at the bank – including a 3-0 ATS spurt on the road. Back in Milwaukee, the Eagles are outscoring teams at home by an average of 20 points, with the only SU loss coming earlier this month against Louisville. Of course, the Knights and Cardinals are hardly a comparison, and we’re talking about the same Rutgers team (2-9 SU and 2-7 ATS on the road) that lost here by 20 last season. Play the home chalk in this one.
Spritzer
bracket goy........................kent
ko................................oral roberts
ko.................................byu
tko........................maryland
tko.........................kansas
tko...............................stlouis
tko.......................west virg
tko........................mia-oh
tko........................tenn
tko..........................vcu
5 star....................cincy
4 star.....................richmond
3 star............................boise
Cokin
fat man plays...........kentucky, texas
gom.............................kent
super total........................duke under 43
champ club..........................maryland
big shot................................ill-chic
window..........................reno
window.........................la-laff
under the hat...........................stlouis
under the hat.....................butler
under the hat..........................buffalo
3 star.......................hous
3 star..........................marquette
3 star.........................jazz
Feist
bracket goy.........................mia-oh
sunbelt goy.........................mid tenn st
island source.............................c.fla
personal best.......................vcu
personal best........................richmond
steam......................morehead st
steam.......................mia-oh
steam..........................tenn
steam............................ga southern
steam...........................mich
steam..............................kent st
platinum............................new mex
platinum..............................san diego
inner circle...................................indy st
inner circle..................................fla int
5 star................................g.tech
4 star.....................tenn tech
total..........................nets under 01.5
personal best...........................nets
platinum..........................nuggets