Brian Marshall
Game: Niagara vs. Loyola-Maryland
Plays On: Loyola-Maryland -6 (-110)
Game Analyses: Loyola-Maryland should be able to beat Niagara.
Loyola-Maryland matches up well against Niagara. This means Loyola-Maryland should be able to score many easy points, while holding Niagara to scoring a minimum.
Loyola-Maryland has been a proven winner when playing at home. In fact, Loyola-Maryland is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games.
Loyola-Maryland is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 meetings against Niagara, and should be able to get another against the spread win tonight!
Take Loyola-Maryland -6
By: Totals 4 U
San Antonio at Boston
San Antonio (31-16) topped the Wizards 85-77 Wednesday night with a dynamite 28-17 4th quarter run, keyed by Coach Gregg Popovich’s signature defense (91.5 points allowed this season) that held Washington to .354 shooting from the field on the night. That signature defense has also captured NBA Championships for the Spurs in 1999, 2003, 2005, and 2007.
“Pop” is actually a pretty interesting guy. After playing four seasons at the Air Force Academy, where he earned a degree in Russian Studies, he joined the US Armed Forces Team where he extensively toured the Soviet Union, inviting rumors of a “Confessions of a Dangerous Mind” sort of secret career, ala Chuck Barris. This season, Coach Popovich has numerous obstacles to overcome if his is to significantly add to his career 92-51 playoff mark.
First of all, reliable veteran role player 6’10” 240 F/C Robert Horry (1.6p, 2.1r, 1.0a, 7 of 32 from 3-point) couldn’t open his season until December and is all but finished in his 16th season. Next, the Spurs lost a critical piece in point guard Tony Parker (19.2p, 3.0r, 6.1a) to an ankle injury, who will not likely return for another three weeks. Most recently, G Brent Barry (7.3p, 1.9r, 1.8a) went down with a re-injured ankle on January 24th, sidelining the squad’s most deadly shooter with 46 makes in 107 attempts (.430) from behind the arc paired with a .950 mark from the stripe. Of course a franchise of this caliber hasn’t remained pat. The Spurs have brought in 13th-year veteran point guard Damon Stoudamire (20 points, 5 boards, 3 assists in 2 games with San Anotnio and a career .392 shooter from 3-point), who got his wish when the Grizzlies released him on January 28th, and have boosted minutes for 6’1” G Jacques Vaughn (4.8p, 1.2r, 2.5a), who responded with a season high 17 points last Friday night. Add to this the shooting of 6’7” 200 F Bruce Bowen (5.5p, 2.8r, 1.3a, 46 of 112 from 3-point) and 6’7” 225 G/F Michael Finley (10.0p, 3.8r, 1.7a, 85 of 225 from 3-point), plus the career year 6’6” G Manu Ginobili (19.4p, 4.8r, 4.2a, 1.63s) is enjoying and San Antonio will likely hold their own for now at the guard position.
On the blocks, the Spurs have a decent array of supporting talent in 6’10” 240 C/F Matt Bonner (6.0p, 3.5r), 7’0” 235 C Francisco Elson (3.6p, 3.6r), and 6’10” 245 Fabricio Oberto (5.1p, 5.5r, 1.1a), but if Coach Popovich’s crew is to thrive, they need Parker’s return to take the heat off franchise star 6’11” 260 F/C Tim Duncan (19.6p, 11.3p, 3.1a, 1.79b). Duncan’s versatile athletic ability is still pretty tough to handle in his 11th season, and he has done a fine job in improving his effectiveness from the line at .703 this season. But without a 3rd scoring option, the big guy is getting a lot of attention from defenses. A perennial powerhouse, the Spurs are just 14-13 since January 11th and 11-11 on the road in 2007-2008.
Boston (37-9) hasn’t won an NBA Championship since 1986, but the folks at The Garden have reason to believe that this is their year - as long as 6’11” 220 F Kevin Garnett (19.2p, 9.9r, 3.8a, 1.41s, 1.41b) is healthy. Garnett’s flight from the career graveyard that was Minnesota for Bean Town has not only added a third offensive option to 6’5” G Ray Allen (18.4p, 4.0r, 3.0a, 1.07s, 103 of 272 from 3-point) and 6’7” 235 F Paul Pierce (20.2p, 5.6r, 4.9a, 1.42s, 76 of 205 from 3-point), but also added the critical defensive stopper the Celtics were missing. Garnett has also served as an effective mentor for 6’10” 264 C Kendrick Perkins (7.5p, 5.6r, 1.0a, 1.20b), who also joined the NBA straight out of high school. 2nd in team points, 1st in boards, 3rd in assists, 3rd in steals, and 1st in blocks, Garnett’s absence with an abdominal injury the last five games has accelerated the trend away from the stifling defense that has earned this crew the best record in the NBA.
For the season, the Celtics are averaging just 88.8 points allowed per trip, but have given up 95.4 with KG sidelined, including 113 and 100 against the Cavaliers and Clippers this week (allowed 100+ only five times through their first 44 games). Garnett may miss Friday’s game at Minnesota as well, but should be on the court by Sunday. With Scott Pollard (1.9p, 1.8r) also sidelined it has been up to 6’9” 235 F/C Brian Scalabrine (1.9p, 1.4r) and 6’8” 217 F James Posey (7.4p, 4.3r, 1.4a, 54 of 129 from 3-point) to pick up the slack. Garnett's absence has also meant more minutes for youngsters 6’8” 240 F Leon Powe (4.8p, 2.5r in 9.1 minutes per game), 6’9” 289 F Glen Davis (4.7p, 2.9r in 12.7 minutes per game), and 6’1” G Rajon Rondo (10.0p, 4.3r, 4.6a, 1.76s), who piled up a career best 17 points Wednesday night in a 111-100 win over the Clippers. Throw in the production of guards 6’4” Tony Allen (6.3p, 2.2r, 1.5a, 1.0s) and 6’1” Eddie House (7.9p, 2.3r, 1.8a, 0.9s, 72 of 177 from 3-point) and Coach Doc Rivers has his hands full trying to find playing time for so many quality players.
Coach Rivers has 16 seasons of hustling college and pro ball as a player to draw from while learning from coaches like Rick Majerus, Pat Riley, Larry Brown, and Mike Fratello. So the success he has achieved on the sidelines is no surprise, but the numbers his squad has produced in 2007-2008 are eye-popping. Edges of +2.2 steals, +3.6 assists, +2.7 rebounds, and 10.8 points per contest are more than decisive, while 327 makes in 860 attempts from behind the arc (.380 from 3-point) is a dimension that few defensive clubs have ever been able to bring to the court. Boston is not playing their best at the moment with six losses in their last 14 games, but the return of Garnett should get the Celtics back on track.
Free winner from Totals 4 U: We fully expect Kevin Garnett to be on the court for the Celtics at The Garden on Sunday, and it's hard to remember a stretch over the last four or five years during which the Spurs were more vulnerable to getting handled wire to wire. Take Boston and lay the points.
Big Al McMordie
San Antonio Spurs v/s Boston Celtics
At 1:00 pm, our complimentary selection is on the Boston Celtics PK'em against San Antonio. The Celtics will once again be without their best player, Kevin Garnett, who is out with an abdominal/groin injury, and that's the reason Boston is priced this cheap at home. But don't forget that San Antone is also missing key players, with point guard Tony Parker (heel) and Brent Barry (leg) sidelined for a few more weeks. Both teams have played a number of games this season without one or two of their top three players and Boston has consistently played better than San Antonio when short-handed. The reason Boston has the league's best record this year has been its FG percentage defense (41%). That usually has been the Spurs' calling card, but San Antone has hovered around 19th in the league this year at 47%, so that gives a lot of Spurs fans cause for worry. The reason the Champs have slipped is simple: age. Bruce Bowen is older and slower, and Gregg Popovich has given some of his minutes to newcomer Ime Udoka. And Robert Horry, a key rebounder and defender is still working himself into shape. Boston hasn't lost to a Western Conference team yet this season (15-0), and I look for that streak to continue today. Take the Celts. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.
Armvin Sports
CBB
Xavier -9.5
Ohio State -2.5
Ul - Lafayette 0
Niagara 6
NHL
Anaheim 136
Washington -133
Joe Wiz
Denver
Bowling Green
Redzone Sports
Rhode Island
Jim Feist
Dallas
Arthur Ralph
Super Pick: Bowling Green
900 Blow out: Arizona
Josh Dean
15* Nuggets
15* Spurs
5* Raptors -4
Free B: Dallas -5.5
Tony Karpinski
Anaheim Ducks vs. Detroit Red Wings
Pick: Money Line: -147 Detroit Red Wings
NHL The Red Wings are #1 on my Power Rankings for many reasons. We get a chance to play on the best team in hockey, (at a reasonable price) that is coming off an embarrassing home game, as they lost to the worst team in Hockey at -330. One way to check if a team is really playing "playoff caliber" hockey is to check how they do against winning teams. The Red Wings are #1 in the league with a 20-5 record as opposed to the Ducks who are just 12-12 against teams that are above .500. Go Redwings!
Tony Karpinski
St Joseph's vs. Xavier
St. Joseph's is 15-6 and 6-2 in their 8 Atlantic 10 games. Xavier is number 14 in the country with a 19-4 record and have won 7 of 8 in the Atlantic 10. Look for the Musketeers of Xavier to play together all for one and one for all as they win their 20th game of the year. They are the better defensive team and will put the clamps on St Joes. Play on Xavier to win by 12-20 points. Play on XAVIER
Tom Freese
Game: Southern Illinois at Creighton
Prediction: Creighton
Reason: Creighton is 15-5 ATS when playing a team with a winning record after game 15 or more and they are 23-10 ATS their last 33 conference games. The Blue Jays are 16-6 ATS after allowing 60 or less points in their last game and they play with revenge from a loss to the Salukis. Southern Illinois is 2-8 ATS their last 10 road games and they are 1-7 ATS away vs. teams with a winning home record. PLAY ON CREIGHTON
John Ryan
Game: Clemson at North Carolina
Prediction: Clemson
Reason: Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Clemson ? AiS shows a 73% probability that Clemson will lose this game by 9 or fewer points. Clemson also has an 82% probability of scoring 75 or more points and hitting 38% of their 3-pointers. Note that Clemson is 40-21 ATS when they make 38% to 45% of their three point attempts in a game since 1997; 32-13 ATS when they score 75 to 80 points in a game since 1997.Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 258-174 ATS since 2002. Play on a dog after 2 consecutive covers as a favorite and playing only their 2nd game in a week. UNC, despite their record, is not an aggressive team defensively. They are whistled for just 17 foul in all games and 16 fouls in home games. Note that Clemson is 7-1 ATS versus teams who are called for 17 or less fouls/game this season. Take the Tigers.
GAMEDAY SPORTS NETWORK
Pick: LA Lakers -9
NATIONAL SPORTS ADVISORS
Pick: Dallas -6
MATT RIVERS
For Sunday take Richmond at home
A couple of similar teams are going at it right here as both the Billikens and Spiders like to play some defense and slow things down on the offensive side of the court. You never truly know what you are going to get from either team as both have looked pretty good and both have been fairly awful at times but to pretty much only have to win the game at home with an improving Richmond squad is enough for me.
Rick Majerus' boys came back nicely in that last cover and small loss against a quality Xavier group but things will not come nearly as easy here away from home. If that last game was on the road things would have unraveled after getting down double digits in that first half but by playing in front of their own fans St. Louis was able to make some three's and get back in the game. Don't forget how this is still the same team which compiled a whole 20 points at GW about a month ago in a dismal loss
Richmond has won eight of 11 and have beaten some pretty darn good teams. Earlier in the season it looked like the Spiders were going to be poor and a bottomfeeder but these guys have really been coming around. They have recently beaten Virginia Tech, Dayton and Old Dominion and just upset Temple at home after an unreal outright at NC Charlotte as the double digit dog.
The bottom line here is that it is a lot tougher for the Billikens to win this thing on the road as it is for the Spiders to win this game at home
JEFF BENTON
For Sunday, we'll stay on the College hardwood and lay the wood with UCLA at Washington.I'm not too excited about this number, as we are definitely paying a tax on the Bruins. But with the way Ben Howland?s troops are going right now ? and as bad as Washington is playing ? I?m really not afraid to lay it. UCLA is on a 5-0 SU and ATS run, destroying its last four opponents by margins of 23 points (Oregon State), 33 points (Arizona State); 22 points (Arizona) and eight points (Washington State). The Bruins are now 9-1 SU and 8-2 ATS in the Pac-10 this year, including a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS in league road games. Talk about impressive!
Actually, the Bruins have been road warriors all year, winning all nine of their games away from Pauley Pavilion (7-1-1 ATS). What?s more, they?re an astounding 45-22-1 ATS in their last 68 road games!
Now UCLA faces a Washington squad that?s lost seven of its 10 Pac-10 contests both SU and ATS, including four in a row SU and ATS overall and three in a row SU and ATS at home! And to say the Huskies hit rock bottom in Thursday?s home game against USC was an understatement ? they lost 73-59 as a one-point underdog and went 2-for-21 from three-point range!
Simply put, these are two teams headed in complete opposite directions, and despite the inflated price, I see no reason why UCLA, which is 14-6-2 ATS overall this year, can?t get the job done by double digits.
(based on a 1 to a 10* Rating)
5* UCLA BRUINS
TONY WESTON
Now, we focus on the last NFL game of the 2007-08 season as the AFC and NFC set to go at it in the Pro Bowl.If you follow the NFL in any capacity, you know that the Pro Bowl is almost a waste of a game at this point. There?s very little value in trying to pick a winner because just as in an exhibition game, you never know who?s going to play for how long.
So, in the Pro Bowl, go with the easy money on the total. In this case, take the over.
The early total is set in the low 60s. And when you have a season where offensive numbers skyrocketed, this is an easy call.
Over the L10 Pro Bowl games the teams have averaged to combine for 62.7 points per contest. And over the last six games, the teams have combined for 65 points or more four times.
Very little defense is ever played in these games and it will show once again.
While, the two may not match the point total of the 2004 Pro Bowl, when 107 total points were scored, they will definitely go over the total.
Go with the over on this one.
4* PRO BOWL OVER (1* to 5* Scale)
Chuck Franklin
I gave you the Celtics many times during the first half of the season and we cashed huge profits. They started the season 34-7 SU and 24-15-2 ATS. Now that the linesmakers have caught up with Boston and actually are overadjusting the line, I'm going to go the other way when the right opportunity presents itself. Today is one of those days.
San Antonio has has won 24 of the last 26 games in this series, going 19-6-1 ATS. The Spurs were favored in each of the last 12 visits to Boston and they went 10-2 ATS in those games. Although the Celtics have won 12 in a row against Western Conference opponents, they only were 6-5-1 ATS in those games. The defending champs will serve notice that they will not lay down against up-and-coming Boston.
This will be a road win and easy cover for the Spurs.
3* SAN ANTONIO
Bobby Maxwell
Ohio State got a 65-55 win over Michigan on Monday but came up short as a 13 1/2-point home favorite. But the Buckeyes know how to beat Indiana and will get the job done at home today.
Indiana is coming in off an 83-70 double-OT win in Illinois on Thursday, covering as two-point road favorites. The win stopped an 0-3 ATS slide for the Hoosiers, who are just 4-4-1 ATS in Big Ten play. And dating back to last season they are just 5-12-1 ATS in conference games.
The home team in this series is 4-0 the last few seasons and the Buckeyes beat Indiana 74-67 in last year's lone meeting.
Ohio State is 13-1 at home and 5-0 in Big Ten action. The only team to go into Columbus this season and score a wiin was then top-ranked North Carolina. The Buckeyes are playing some great defense lately, giving up just 56.4 points per game in the last five games and they've held all the opponents to less than 60 points. Meanwhile the Hoosiers have given up 68 points per game in the last four games (1-3 ATS).
We like the Buckeyes to get the home win and cover in this one. Lay the small chalk and play Ohio State.
3* OHIO STATE
DAVE COKIN
Rams vs. Rams, but that's where the similarity ends. URI seems to go full bore for the full 40 virtually every game. Fordham is sloppy and unimaginative on offense. The senior-dominated home team just doesn't seem to care too often to be successful. URI is gunning for win number 20 here, and while I don't see this being a runaway, I like Rhode Island's chances of getting past the reasonable number."
JIM FEIST
Nets maybe the worst team at home covering spreads, evidenced by a very poor 7-18 ATS home mark. Moreover, when installed as a home dog, they are an even worse 2-7 ATS. And, that's just what we get today as the Mavericks come to town. Dallas jumped to an early lead on Saturday evening of 20+ points over Memphis. The Mavs cruised the rest of the way to a easy win, 92-81. We don't expect much of a fight here on Sunday as the Nets continue to be bamboozled at home. Take the Mavericks in another Nets home loss
Tony Mathews
Matchup: Southern Illinois vs. Creighton
Selection: Creighton -4.5
Explanation: We will lay the points with Creighton as they face-off against Southern Illinois in Sunday's College Basketball contest.
Creighton has a huge advantage on the offensive end. Creighton (at home) is scoring an average of 76.1 points per game, while Southern Illinois (on the road) is scoring an average of only 57 points per game. To say the least, this Creighton offense should have no problem outscoring Southern Illinois.
Southern Illinois is one of those teams that struggles on the road. In fact, Southern Illinois is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Creighton is a perfect 3-0 ATS in their last 3 meetings against Southern Illinois, and should once again be able to get another blowout win!
Take Creighton -4.5
Ross Benjamin
Eastern Michigan @ Buffalo
Play On: Buffalo 3.0
Any conference home favorite that has won 17 or more of their last 40 at home, is off a conference away underdog SU win, they are playing with revenge, and their opponent is off a conference away underdog SU win is 9-0 SU and ATS since 1994. The favorite has won those 9 games by an average of 12.1 points per game. Play on Buffalo minus the small number
James Patrick Sports
Nuggets vs. Cavaliers 7:05 p.m. est.
The Nuggets were Golden for us on Friday in their victory over Washington and they have been performing real well of late. With the Cavs banged up and Denver on a four game win streak at the Cavaliers expense our Sunday NBA selection is on #701 Denver Nuggets.
John Fina
Selection: Rhode Island -4
Today we will side with Rhode Island as they take on Fordham. Rhode Island has played solid basketball this season (19-4 record) and should be able to beat a poor Fordham team (8-11 record). Rhode Island has the much better offense. Rhode Island is scoring an average of 81.9 points per game, while Fordham is scoring an average of only 64.3 points per game. This means the Rhode Island offense is scoring an average of 17.6 points per game more then the Fordham offense. In addition, we don't mind Rhode Island playing on the road today. That's because the road team is 13-3 ATS in the last 16 meetings between these teams. Rhode Island is also 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings against Fordham. Lay the points! Take Rhode Island -4!
Joel Tyson
Dallas (-6) at NEW JERSEY
No problem laying points on the road when it's the Mavericks giving them to the New Jersey Nets. The Nets are not only 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games overall, they are an awful 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 home games. In the last 14 contests between these two the Mavericks have covered the number 11 times. The Mavericks march in with some momentum as they have won three-straight and seven of their last ten overall. The Nets on the other hand have pretty much the same fortune, reversed. Despite their win last time out the Nets have still dropped seven of their last ten. Play the Mavericks to get the win and cover.
2* DALLAS
Sports Gambling Hotline
St. Louis at RICHMOND (-1')
Our free play run stands at 102-78-4 as we enter play for Sunday.
After watching St. Louis rally late on Thursday at home against Xavier, only to get beat on a put back with .1 left on the clock, we expect the Billikins to come up flat in this roadie at Richmond. The Billikins are just 3-6 straight up away from home this season, and just 3-4 against the spread on the road. Richmond counters with a solid 7-4 straight up mark at the Spider's Web, and a 5-2-1 spread mark in lined home games this year. Richmond is closing strong, as the Spiders have won 8 of their last 11 straight up, and have covered in 7 of their last 10 on line with a push along the way. A 7-2-1 spread run is a run we can get behind, especially when the visitor comes in off a disappointing loss to a Top 20 team on their home floor. As Dicky V would say, "Letdown City for St. Louis baby!" Play on the Spiders.
4* RICHMOND
Karl Garrett
Massachusetts (+4) at TEMPLE
The G-Man is interested in any points I can get with the Minutemen this afternoon at Temple. as UMass has played some money-making ball on the road this year, sporting a 6-5 straight up mark, and a 7-3 spread mark away from Amherst. The Owls are just 11-10 under first year coach Fran Dunphy and are just 3-6 against the spread when laying points this year. These teams have split the last 4 meetings straight up, so you can't really hang your hat on the recent series trends. It is the G-Man's feeling that the 15-7 Minutemen who have covered 3 of their last 4 on the Atlantic 10 will cover once again today.
Take Massachusetts plus any points at Temple.
2* MASSACHUSETTS
VEGAS EXPERTS
Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio State Buckeyes
Hooisers played great in emotional spot in Illinois but not so long ago were losing to Connecticut at home and Wisconsin on the road. Ohio State has won four-of-five and has had more time to prepare after downing Michigan at home Tuesday 65-55. It is 5-3 S/U and ATS at home versus the Hoosier, 14-3 ATS in home games off a no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite since 1997 and 43-25 ATS after allowing 55 points or less since 1997.
Play on: Ohio State
COMPS
Big Al McMordie
Boston Celtics
VEGAS STEAMLINE
Phoenix -12.5 n
HD'S ACTIONLINE
FAIRFIELD -2.5
TV HOTLINE
RHODE ISLAND -4
#1 SPORTS
AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE - 3
DARKHORSE
Phoenix -12
MIKE WYNN
So Alabama -9
HUDDLE UP
Dallas -6
COMPUTER SPORTS
UCLA-10
EASY MONEY SPORTS
Toronto -4.5
CAPPERS ACCESS
NFC
RAZOR SHARP
TORONTO/MINNESOTA OVER the total of 191
DR. VEGAS
Phoenix -12.5 over Washington
BIG TIME SPORTS
AFC -3
HeadWaiter Sports
AFC at NFC Over 63
Bob Harvey Sports
Spurs/Celtics Under 178
BRW Sports Advisors
AFC -3
Templer's Sports Picks
Philadelphia/Pittsburgh Ov6
Must Win Sports Picks
Buffalo -1.5
Las Vegas Sports Advisors
Rhode Island -4
NICK JONES
Bowling Green -4 -110
MADDUX
Ohio State -2.5
NEVADA SHARPSHOOTER
TOLEDO +4 OVER BOWLING GREEN
ARTHUR RALPH
UNDER total Dallas Mav's
Picks4Less
NBA - Dallas (-6)
Michael Barger
Southern Illinois +4.5
Vegas Experts
Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio State Buckeyes
Hooisers played great in emotional spot in Illinois but not so long ago were losing to Connecticut at home and Wisconsin on the road. Ohio State has won four-of-five and has had more time to prepare after downing Michigan at home Tuesday 65-55. It is 5-3 S/U and ATS at home versus the Hoosier, 14-3 ATS in home games off a no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite since 1997 and 43-25 ATS after allowing 55 points or less since 1997.
Play on: Ohio State