Larry Ness
Xavier @ LSU
PICK: LSU
Xavier won 30 games last year and advanced to the Elite 8. The strength of the team was its depth and balance and while some key players are gone from last year, this year's team is much the same in its depth and balance. Nine players are making significant contributions with the key players being the 6-8 Brown (13.8-5.3) and two 6-6 swingmen, Raymond (11.7-4.1) and Anderson (10.8-5.6). Xavier opened 9-0 before getting thumped 82-64 by Duke in the Meadowlands on Dec 20. Three days later, Butler came to Cincinnati and beat the Musketeers 74-65 but the team hasn't lost since. The 15th-ranked Musketeers (16-2) go for their eighth straight victory on Saturday as they take on a 15-3 LSU team which has won 17 consecutive home games at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Trent Johnson left Stanford ("his dream job") to come to Baton Rogue and few thought much of LSU's prospects this year. The Tigers were just 13-18 last year (6-10 in the SEC) but LSU looks to be "for real" this season. Swingman Marcus Thornton (18.3-4.9) is the team's leading scorer and the return to health of the 6-7 Mitchell (15.7-6.2) has been HUGE. Mitchell was freshman when LSU made its Final Four (2006) run but last year, he was lost to an injury after just three games. The backcourt is manned by Spencer (12.0) and Temple (7.3-4.7-4.2) plus the 6-11 Johnson (7.8-7.7) rounds out the team's starting-five at center. LSU is 14-0 at home this year, with its average margin of victory being 20.3 PPG. However, Johnson knows that Sean Miller's Xavier team presents a significant challenge. I'm betting that the surprising Tigers are up to that challenge. Take LSU.
Wunderdog
Depaul at Marquette
Pick: Depaul +16.5
This is a big rivalry game between these two that goes back a long time. The Golden Eagles are out of the gate at 12-0 at home, but this is a huge number to ask them to cover in a rivalry game, especially with a date at Notre Dame to follow. The Blue Demons are down this season, but not out and have managed to hold seven of their last 10 opponents to 70 points or less, which makes this number take on an even bigger look. While the rivalry will get the DePaul "A" game here, I am not sure the same interest will be held by the Golden Eagles. DePaul hangs inside the number here.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAYS
Villanova -6 over SOUTH FLORIDA
The Wildcats are 11-5-1 ATS in their last 17 games as a road favorite, while the Bulls are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games as an underdog of 0.5-6.5. The Bukks are just 2-4 in the Big east with both wins coming over Depaul. Nova is just 2-3 in the conference, but have taken UConn, louisville and Marquette all to the wire. The ats are the better squad here and will take this one easily.
POWER ANGLE PLAY
Boston College/ NC State Over 139
The Over is 18-7 in Wolfpack last 25 vs. Atlantic Coast, while the Over is 20-6 in Eagles last 26 home games. BC is putting up 76.6 ppg and allowing 69.8 ppg. Their home games have averaged 147.7 ppg on the year. The Wolfpacks's offense hasn't been great this year, but they still put 70.1 ppg on the board and are facing a BC defense that has allowed 79.4 ppg in their last 5. State's defense has been tough this year, but BC has scored 77.9 ppg at home and will get more than enough to push this one over the Total.
POWER ANGLE For This Play--- The OVER is 10-0 in BC's last 10 games as a home fav of 6 or less or a pick. Average points scored is 156.1 ppg.
2 UNIT PLAY
ARKANSAS -5 over Auburn
The Tigers are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Southeastern, while the Razorbacks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games, plus the host is 6-2 ATS the last 8. Which Arkansas RTeam will show up in this one? The one that beat Texas and Oklahoma right here or the one that is 0-3 in the SEC. I'm thinking the first team. Arkansas has outscored thier home opponents by 13.4 ppg, while Auburn has been outscored by 6.5 ppg on the road.Nuff said.
1 UNIT PLAY
Maryland +16 over DUKE
The Terrapins are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win, while the Blue Devils are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 vs. Atlantic Coast. In the last 5 meetings Maryland has won 2 outright, while the 3 that Duke won have all been by 12 or less points. Maryland always plays Duke tough and will be able to keep this one close as well.
3DAILY WINNERS
NBA
2* Cleveland (+3)
CBB
3* Arkansas (-4) – UNLV (-4)
2* Nebraska (-4) – Niagara (+7.5) – So. Flor. (+6.5)
ROCKETMAN
Wisconsin @ Illinois
Play: 1* Wisconsin +6.5
Wisconsin is 19-8 ATS on the road the past 3 years. Wisconsin is allowing only 61.1. points per game overall this year. Wisconsin is 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS overall vs Illinois the past 3 years. Badgers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Saturday games. Badgers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS loss. Badgers are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games as a road underdog. Badgers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog of 0.5-6.5. Badgers are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 road games. Fighting Illini are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games after allowing less than 50 points in their previous game. Badgers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Illinois. Badgers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Road team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings. We'll recommend a small play on Wisconsin today!
Lee Kostroski
Kansas @ Iowa State
PICK: Iowa State
Kansas is less than a year removed from their National Championship in 2008, yet this year’s squad couldn’t be more different. The Jayhawks are 14-4 heading into Saturday, but just 3 of those 17 games came on the road (1-2 record, with the one win coming against Colorado – Probably the worst team in the Big 12). Even when the Jayhawks were great last year, they struggled playing at Iowa State, winning by just 11. They have struggled lately when traveling to ISU, needing overtime to secure a 4-point win in 07; also notched a 5 point win in 05, and losing to the Cyclones in 04. Iowa State is 10-2 at home this season, and we expect them to get the easy cover today vs. an overrated Jayhawk squad.
The Cyclones are coming off probably their worst performance of the year last Saturday when they visited a tough Missouri team. They have had a week off to let that horrible loss sink in and to prepare for Kansas. They were playing very well before that game, winning 5 of 6 with the only loss coming @Texas by 8 points. Four of the Cyclones’ 6 losses were by 8 points or less. We see this as a perfect situation for a bounce back game for the Cyclones.
Iowa State has two players, 6’10’ forward Craig Brackens, guard Diante Garrett; that matchup very well to Kansas’ two best players, guard Sherron Collins, forward Cole Aldrich. Iowa State’s overall defense will give Kansas problems, as they only allow 61 points per game and 38% field goal shooting. Look for Kansas to struggle on the road as they have all season, and for Iowa State to be well-rested and have a great bounce back performance after their struggles in their last game. Go with the Cyclones.
David Malinsky
Kansas State @ Colorado
PICK: Under
We will let Colorado forward Casey Crawford set the tone for this one - "It's going to be a tough game and a really scrappy game … There's going to be a lot of guys hitting the floor and working hard because both of us are struggling to get a win."And that is exactly what we expect to see – a lot of guys hitting the floor, because there will be loose balls galore in a game in which offensive execution will rival fingernails on a chalkboard. There is a reason why they area a combined 0-7 in Big 12 play, after all, and it almost all comes on the offensive end.
Not only are these two at the bottom of the conference standings in terms of wins and losses, but they are tied at the bottom at 38.4 percent shooting as well. Colorado has more than twice as many turnovers (64) as assists (30) in conference games, and must play without one of the few bright spots, with Ryan Kelley sidelined after scoring 13.0 points per game in Big 12 action. Detailing the Kansas State offensive woes is nothing new for us, having cashed three tickets already against that part of their game (two Sides and a Total). The Wildcats are nearly as bad in assists to turnovers, 68 vs. 36, and only Denis Clemente is scoring in double figures against conference opponents.
There is nothing fluid happening in this game. White State has struggled to score the Wildcats do play intense defense, which challenges an already-struggling Colorado attack. And the Buffaloes play a combination of zones that can befuddle a road team lacking offensive chemistry, and one that has been knocking down 3-pointers at an ugly 29.0 in Big 12 play. With neither side pushing the tempo it also limits the opportunities that will be available anyway, which keeps this one comfortably Under the Total.
maddux sports
Today's Free Pick is Oklahoma -7
Jack Jones
Take DePaul +17 over Marquette
DePaul has had their struggles this year, but they always play tough against Marquette. The last two games were within single digits, and I expect this one will stay close as well. Marquette has been solid at home, but I'll take the points and the Blue Demons.
Take Iowa State +8 over Kansas
Take the home team in this match up as the home school in the series has won 5 of the last 5 against the spread. The Cyclones are 6-2-1 against the spread in their last 9 games as a home dog while Kansas is only 1-2 on the road this year.
DUNKEL
Sacramento at Milwaukee
The Kings (10-33 SU) are just 3-13 against the Eastern Conference and face a Milwaukee team that is 13-5 ATS against teams with a losing record. The Bucks are the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has Milwaukee favored by 12. Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-7).
Game 501-502: New York at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: New York 116.827; Philadelphia 126.206
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 9 1/2; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 8; 208
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-8); Under
Game 503-504: Orlando at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 129.646; Miami 121.219
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 8 1/2; 197 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 505-506: New Jersey at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 112.336; Memphis 113.509
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 1; 189 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 507-508: Sacramento at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 108.378; Milwaukee 120.540
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 12; 211 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Milwaukee by 7; 216
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-7); Under
Game 509-510: Cleveland at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 124.590; Utah 121.970
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 2 1/2; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 2 1/2; 195
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (+2 1/2); Over
Game 511-512: Washington at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 111.856; Portland 120.626
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 9; 192 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 11; 190
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+11); Over
O.C. Dooley
Hofstra +7 at James Madison
Even though Hofstra has been cast as a prohibitive underdog this evening, consider that they have WON SEVEN IN A ROW against James Madison in this series. In their most recent pair of visits to tonight's location, the Hofstra offense has exploded for point totals of 86 and 98 points respectively. Considering that Hofstra returned 9 of the top 10 scorers from one year ago, odds are that at the very least they will be able to stay competitive in this primetime contest. What grabs my attention regarding Hofstra is their excellent DEFENSE which currently is ranked #1 in the Colonial Conference as they have held 13 of 19 opponents to below 35% shooting from the floor. The Pride are coming off a pair of victories where the defense allowed the opposition to score only 44 and 52 points. Hofstra also leads their conference averaging a whopping 5.2 BLOCKED SHOTS per contest. Finally tonight's visiting team has a current #5 national ranking in total rebounds (42.8 per game) and is ranked 2nd in conference in rebound margin (+6.3 per game). With such strength on both sides of the basketball, one has to wonder why the Pride are getting so many points from the oddsmakers. My research indicates that Hofstra is a very solid 16-5 ATS the past two years when playing on a SATURDAY. Check all calendars
cbb.auburn @ arkansas-5. the hogs are just better team at home than auburn is on the road and will get it done big, arkansas wins-5. Charlies Sports
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1/24/09
Gonzaga @ Loyola Marymount
Prediction: Gonzaga -27
Sports Action 365
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1/24/2009
So Illinois @ Illinois St
Picks: Illinois St -7.5
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