Arthur Ralph Sports
Free play
Rhode Island
Razor Sharp
FREE PICK FOR EARLY SATURDAY: Take the PENN ST +2 over Iowa
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#1 Sports
Saturday's free selection: Portland Trailblazers - 13
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Easy Money Sports
Lee's Free Saturday Selection
DAYTON -6
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Hawkeye Sports
SATURDAY TAKE: Rhode Island -11 over UMASS
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Arthur Ralph Sports
218 - 147 run 60 %
Saturday Rhode Island
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Dark Horse Sports
Free Play - Saturday - Detroit +3 over Atlanta
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JIM FEIST
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS / MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Take PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Memphis can breath a sigh of relief....they just got a win, which ended an 8-game skid. Who did they beat? The miserable LA Clippers. Memphis is third worst in scoring in the NBA and defensively allows over 47% shooting -- 25th in the league. The 76ers are motivated, in a battle for their playoff lives for the No. 7 and 8 seeds in the East. They've had 4 full days to rest and prepare for this one, and are hungry after close losses to powerhouse teams that Magic and Hornets. Playing a cupcake is just what the doctor ordered. Play the 76ers.
DAVE COKIN
CAL RIVERSIDE / CAL POLY SLO
Take CAL POLY SLO
Curtains for Cal Poly after this one as they will not qualify for the Big West Tournament. That should insure a concerted effort to at least finish the season on a high note, and the fact that Riverside won the first meeting by 34 and really ran it up in the process won't hurt. Cal Poly is 8-0 SU at home in this series and the game should be far more meaningful to them, so the home team is the choice.
Matt Fargo
Massachusetts vs. Rhode Island
Play: Rhode Island -10.5
This is the weekend that we see a lot of final home games for teams as the regular season comes to an end before the majority of the tournaments commence next week. That is the case for Rhode Island who closes out the season hosting Massachusetts and only a NIT or CBI invite would mean more home games and that is something they do not want as it is striving for better results. Rhode Island has now won six straight games and 10 of their last 11 to climb to second place in the A-10 standings behind Xavier. The Rams took out Dayton on Wednesday in overtime and then won at Duquesne on Sunday which was a huge victory as far as tournament seedings are concerned. Because of their win over the Flyers, the Rams own that tiebreaker and if they finish in a tie, the Rams get the second seed. With just one game remaining, all Rhode Island has to do is win. The Rams won the first meeting in Amherst last month fairly comfortably as they took out the Minutemen by 12 points. Rhode Island is 12-1 at home this season with its only loss coming against Atlantic Ten leader and nationally ranked Xavier by just a single bucket. If that game had gone the other way, which it easily could have, the Rams would be looking at a conference championship possibility on Saturday. Keeping hold of the number two seed is of importance right now as it means it would avoid Xavier until the A-10 Championship game should they both advance that far. Still, finishing second is huge following this recent run considering it was just the opposite last year as the Rams closed the season going 2-7 in their last nine games and missed the NCAA Tournament. That will not be the case this year as their strong finish overshadows their RPI rank of 60 which I consider very low following a three-point loss at Duke and that two point loss against Xavier. Massachusetts defeated Kansas early in the season and it looked as through it might be in for a special season despite losing a lot of talent from last season. However, it did not pan out that way as the Minutemen followed that win over the Jayhawks with two more victories but since then they have gone 5-11 and any shot of a postseason berth in any tournament has been lost unless it can win the Atlantic Ten Tournament which is quite unlikely. This recent skid includes a 2-6 record on the road with the lone road victories coming against St. Joseph’s and lowly Fordham. Massachusetts closed out its regular season home schedule with a senior night victory against George Washington on Wednesday so any emotions still in the tank could very well be left on floor there. The Rams have a clear edge in this matchup as the Minutemen have had trouble this season against athletic teams that are excellent in the transition game. That was apparent in their last two losses against Duquesne and LaSalle, two teams who are similar to the style of Rhode Island, as they dropped those games by allowing 94 and 97 points. I expect more of the same from Rhode Island in what hopes to be its final home game of the season. 3* Rhode Island Rams
Bob Harvey
Cleveland Cavaliers -9.5
It’s Lebron vs. D-Wade, Part 2 tonight as the Heat visit the Cavs.
Earlier this week Wade had 41 points while King James scored 42 points in the Cavs 107-100 victory over the Heat. Miami’s task will be daunting as they try to hand Cleveland just it’s second home loss of the year.
The Cavs are 2-1 SU against the Heat this season but the South Beach club is 2-1 in the money department. All three games have been decided by fewer than ten points.
Cleveland has the best home record in the league at 27-1 with their only loss coming against the Lakers in early February. Their ATS mark is an eye popping 22-6 compared to Miami’s 13-14-1 mark vs. the number
Cleveland has also won nine of 11 overall, but are coming off an 11-point loss in Boston last night. It’s worth noting that the Cavs have lost back-to-back games just once this season. I also don’t expect Lebron James to shoot 5 for 15 from the field as he did in Beantown.
Cleveland has lost consecutive games only once this season, falling at home to the Lakers and at Indiana on Feb. 8 and 10. The Cavs have won eight of their last 10 home games against the Heat.
Cleveland can’t be at all happy with their performance on Friday night and I look for them to take it out on a Miami team that also played last night. Lebron simply won’t let his team lose two straight and especially at home.
Look for the Cavs to pull away in the second half for an impressive win and cover.
Jimmy The Moose
Edmonton Oilers at Toronto Maple Leafs
Prediction: Toronto Maple Leafs
Oilers struggling to hang on to the last playoff spot have dropped 6 of their last 8 overall. Leafs red hot of late winning 5 of their last 6 and have registered at least a point in 8 straight games. Toronto has won 3 straight and 5 of the last 6 vs the Oilers who are just 1-7 last 8 trips to Toronto. Play on Toronto +.
Dave Price
1 Unit on Detroit Pistons +3
Detroit has now won 4 in a row with 3 of these wins coming against Orlando, Boston, and Denver. The Hawks are struggling, having lost 5 of their last 7, and we'll take a Detroit team hitting its stride here as it looks to avenge 2 earlier season losses to the Hawks. The Hawks are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite of 4.5 or less points. The Pistons are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 and I'll take them to keep rolling Saturday.
Charlie Scott
Kentucky vs. Florida
Play: Under 147
Kentucky has one, maybe two legitimate scoring threats on offense, but play hard on defense and rebound. Kentucky won't let Florida play at the fast pace they prefer, and Florida struggles in a half court offense. Earlier in the season when these teams met the pace was even slower that the 68-65 score. (Kentucky Won ) PLAY UNDER !
Connecticut vs. Pittsburgh
Play: Under 140
When these two teams met earlier in the season on Big Monday the total was 134, it was U Conn's lowest total of the season to date, the Public Loved the Under and of course it went Over. Today with the early start time it will be a different story. Point Guard Fields for Pitt is questionable and if he plays, won't be close to full strength. Both Head Coaches stress Defense first and no easy Baskets. Play Under this adjusted Total !
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Iowa -2.5
Iowa is 12-4 at home this season and I like the Hawks to bring home the bacon in their last home game of the season. Iowa has played very well down the stretch, but is has come up just short in most games. The result though, has been covered in 4 of its last 5. Penn State is coming off a highly emotional comeback win against Illinois 2 days ago and that sets the Illini up for a letdown here. Iowa will have plenty of confidence in this one since it played the Nittany Lions to a 4-point game on the road earlier this season. Iowa has won 8 of the last 9 at home in this series and is a perfect 2-0 SU and ATS at home the last 3 seasons. The key is Iowa's tempo, which gives Penn State all sorts of problems. Penn State is just 2-11 ATS versus slow-down teams averaging 53 or less shots/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons, losing to these teams by an average score of 55.8 to 67.0. Bet Iowa.
Jake Timlin
Noon tip off I say lay the home points on the Panthers. After all thanks to Pittsburgh winning the first meeting by 8 points in Storrs thanks to their physical play there is just no reason to believe the Huskies will be able to respond here today. Not on the road and not when the Huskies are a bit soft when it comes to physical play. Also hurting Connecticut still is the loss of Tyson in the back court as he would be very helpful today in controlling Fields and company. Flat out, with the league title up for grabs and a number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament coming up I look for a battle here today, but one that Pittsburgh pulls out late thanks to being at home and being the better team. With that lay the small home number as the Panthers earn the sweep by at least five points!
PICK: Pittsburgh Panthers
Tony Weston
Today's Selection:
We come through strong last night as the Lakers destroy the Minnesota Timberwolves and deliver an easy Comp Play winner for us.
We’re switching gears as we’re heading to the college hardwood where we’re taking Washington at home against Washington State.
The Huskies come into tonight’s game having covered in five of their last seven lined games and are 7-1 SU in their last eight games, having beat their opponents by an average score of 79.5-69.5. Tonight, Washington is installed as about a 7 1/2 point favorite.
Now the Huskies get a shot at a Washington State team that they’ve covered against each of their last two meetings, including their first meeting earlier this season when Washington beat the Cougars 68-48 as a 3-point underdog.
The Huskies also come into this game having covered in five of their last seven against the Pac-10. The Cougars, on the other hand, have covered only once in their last five road games and have gone only 2-9 ATS their last 11 games when installed as a road underdog.
Going a little further, Washington State has covered only five times in their last 18 games when installed as an underdog at home or on the road.
The Cougars will drop another one as an underdog and get beaten up easily by their Pac-10 and in-state rivals. Take Washington easily at home in this one.
3♦ WASHINGTON
Craig Davis
Another day, another free play winner as Charlotte takes care of business at home beating Atlanta 98-91 as a small favorite. That makes 8 of the last 10 FREE PLAY WINNERS and 11 of my last 16. The numbers don’t lie and I plan on nailing yet another FREE PLAY winner on Arizona tonight in Tucson.
When these two last met, Arizona was still struggling got completely dominated on the perimeter as Stanford ran away with a 76-60 win. But these two teams have headed in opposite directions in February and a win today for Arizona could bode well for a potential NCAA Tourney bid.
Arizona is 14-3 at home while Stanford is just 4-7 on the road, and being that this is senior night you can bet this will be the best performance of the year for the Wildcats. Arizona was on fire until a recent four-game slide in which they played some tough competition and still had a chance to win three of those four games.
Stanford is getting too much credit here after pulling off an amazing upset of Arizona State in Tempe.
It won’t happen tonight… it just won’t. Lay the points and watch Arizona completely dismantle the Cardinal at home.
3♦ ARIZONA
Chris Jordan
Golden State at MILWAUKEE -6'
Time to snap this losing skid.
Milwaukee has lost three straight and seven of nine, but this is the perfect spot for the Bucks to rebound, especially being back in the Bradley Center.
The Bucks are 18-12 at home, where they get to play 11 of their last 17 games. With the chance to play themselves into the postseason, there’s no better time to build momentum than the present. Golden State is a brutal 6-26 on the highway, and though the Warriors have had their success in cheese town, they’re dinged up right now and come in off a 108-91 loss at Detroit last night.
Coach Don Nelson had eight players on the active roster last night, as his top two scorers – Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggette – sat out and could do the same tonight.
The Warriors, who are mired in a 1-5 slump on the hardwood, are 3-7 ATS versus the Central Division, 0-4 ATS as an underdog and have lost six of seven to the books.
Lay the chalk with the home team in this one.
1♦ BUCKS
Nevada at BOISE STATE -1
Wasn’t too long ago this might have been for the WAC title. Instead, these two Northwest powers will battle for the No. 2 seed since Utah State will roll into the postseason tournament as the top-seeded team. And something tells me the Wolfpack won’t be able to survive the Taco Bell Arena atmosphere tonight.
I love the way this Boise offense has come together at the right time, as its 73.2 points per game and 47.7 field-goal percentage both rank second in the league. Those numbers were bolstered a bit by a season-high 104 points in a victory over New Mexico State earlier this week.
Now I realize Boise State will be playing its third game in six days, but this game has been circled since Jan. 15, when the Pack won by 14 in Reno. And since a loss could send the Broncos down to the fourth seed, they’ll be extra motivated tonight.
In addition to the 12-point win over New Mexico State on Monday, the Broncos took care of Fresno State by 14 on Thursday.
The home team has won three of the last five meetings, while Boise has captured two of the last three against the books. And with winning marks of 13-2 SU and 8-5 ATS inside the Bell, I’ll lay this slim number and bank on a revengeful win for Boise.
1♦ BOISE STATE
Karl Garrett
Stanford +6' at ARIZONA
G-Man smells a close one tonight in Tuscon when suddenly hot Stanford plays suddenly cold Arizona.
The Cardinal have won their last pair, including posting an easy upset win at Arizona State on Thursday, 74-64 as the double-digit dog.
The Wildcats have dropped 4 straight, and they have also dropped the last 4 in this series, failing the last 3 against the spread.
A Stanford outright win tonight, and you would have to feel like the Cardinal would merit some consideration for an at-large bid, and while the outright may not happen, do note the underdog in this Pac 10 rivalry is on a money-turning 17-4 run against the math.
With Arizona reeling, the G-Man is taking the generous points, and looking for the Tree to stay close in Tuscon tonight.
Grab the points and Stanford!
2♦ STANFORD