Sunday Service Plays

JARED KLEIN

Calgary at Anaheim
Recommendation: Anaheim

Don’t look now, but here come the Anaheim Ducks. They seem to be back on track after a 3-0 win at the New York Islanders. The Ducks have also registered big wins against the Rangers, New Jersey and last but not least the first place Detroit Red Wings. Teemu Selanne made his long awaited return to the Ducks in their game against the New York Islanders. Selanne has two assists and is taking much needed pressure off youngsters Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks had lost six straight before their current 4-0 run. “This was an important win. Hopefully this is going to be a turning point,” Selanne was quoted as saying. “I want to get tired and I want to keep pushing myself and get all the rustiness out.” Anaheim had gone 177 minutes, 56 seconds without a goal prior to Scott Niedermeyer’s goal that Selanne assisted on last Tuesday. “Eventually, it was going to turn around,” Niedermeyer was quoted as saying. “To score definitely releases a little bit of tension and you just go out and play after that.” The Ducks take on the Calgary Flames this weekend that have dropped three out of their last four games on the road and will find an Anaheim team that is 4-0 with Selanne in the lineup. Look for the Ducks to build off their momentum of their winning streak due to Selanne’s return with another win this weekend against the Flames. Take the Ducks.

ROB VENO

Ohio State at Michigan
Recommendation: Michigan

I am very interested in the Michigan side here which figures to be somewhere in the vicinity of a seven-point home underdog.The first meeting between these teams just 12 days ago was preceded by a players meeting led by senior Ron Coleman and the positive outcome of that spirited team chat is now visible in the form of back-to-back pointspread covers. Against Ohio State, the Wolverines were out-shot, out-rebounded and they visited the free throw line a mere seven times opposed to OSU’s 15. Still, Michigan led the game deep into the second half on sheer hustle, desire and some decent three point shooting.The follow up to that contest was last Saturday’s home win and cover versus Penn State making head coach John Belein’s team 2-0 ATS since their decision to salvage the season was made.Ohio State meanwhile has taken a totally different course as they continue to struggle and frustrate head coach Thad Matta. Senior guard Jamar Butler tried the motivational team speech route getting on everyone but the results haven’t been the same as Michigan’s as the Buckeyes are on a 1-2 SU and 0-3 ATS slide heading into this week’s play. Expect Michigan to be very aware of the one they let get away from them in Columbus just a couple of weeks ago as they play with an extreme revenge motive here. Maize and blue likely feel they can beat this team straight up and I share that feeling so call here is for the host

ATS Consultants Newsletter Plays

Hoops
Notre Dame over Rutgers 79-65-Pref.
Duke over Wake Forest 84-64-Pref.

Hockey
Dallas over Detroit - Pref.
Over in the Calgary/Anaheim - Pref.

Larry Ness' Las Vegas Insider-CBB (28-14 with BKB Insiders since Jan 1)

My Las Vegas Insider is on UCLA at 10:00 ET. When these teams met in Pauley back on Jan 19, the Bruins collapsed down the stretch, as the Trojans outscored UCLA on its home floor 21-6 over the game's final 6:18. UCLA shot an abysmal 33.3 percent from the floor for the game (8-of-26 on threes), while USC made a remarkable 60.9 percent. A quick check of UCLA's "stat box" shows that UCLA is shooting 49 percent for the year, so don't expect that kind of 'brick laying' from the Bruins in the rematch. UCLA will be bolstered by the return of the 6-8 Mbah a Moute to lineup (9.2-5.1), as the junior has missed four of the team's last six games with an ankle sprain. His presence is huge, as he's always contributed more to this team's success than the stat sheet indicates. The 6-10 Kevin Lowe (17.5-11.0) will surely be anxious to get another shot at UCLA's cross-town rivals, as this may be the freshman's last shot at USC (does anyone believe he's NOT going to the NBA next season?). UCLA's perimeter game is terrific, led by dual PGs Collison (13.9-2.6-4.3) and Westbrook (12.3-3.5-5.4) plus swingman Shipp (14.3). Westbrook in particular has been superb, after averaging just 3.4-0.7-0.4 last season. Like UCLA's Love, USC has its own "diaper dandy" (it's always a LONG time between Dickie V quotes for me!) in guard OJ Mayo (20.2-4.4-3.0). However, while UCLA is getting back a key player in Mbah a Moute, the Trojans will be forced to play without sophomore PG Hackett. Like Westbrook, Hackett has blossomed this year, upping his stat line from 5.3-2.8-0.7 as a freshman, to 9.4-3.9-3.6 this year. In the first meeting, Hackett played 33 minutes adding six points, five rebounds and eight assists. Mayo isn't the only freshman to come up big for USC this year, as the 6-8 Jefferson (13.1-6.2) has been outstanding and "lit up" UCLA in that first meeting with a season-high 25 points. The 6-9 Gibson (10.0-7.8) is USC's only other real contributor inside and with Hackett out, guards Lewis (10.7) and Johnson (4.40 will have to step up. Beating UCLA a second time (even while playing at home) seems like too much to ask of these Trojans (especially with no Hackett). UCLA (which has been to two straight Final 4s under Howland) is 6-1 SU and ATS on the road this year and is coming off that lone road loss just this past Sunday (in Washington). The Bruins have had the week to 'stew' over that poor effort, plus has had time to reflect on its collapse at Pauley last month to the hated-Trojans. UCLA's won at Stanford (76-67), at Oregon (80-75) and at Washington St (67-59), so why not here at USC? No reason!

Las Vegas Insider on UCLA.

POINTWISE
SAINT LOUIS RATING: 4

Paul Leiner NBA All-Star Game
10* Over 262 East/West

Totals 4 U

UCLA at USC

UCLA (21-3, 9-2 PAC 10) had their 5-game win streak summarily stuffed by the Washington Huskies Sunday by the score of 61-71. It was a game in which the Bruins were ice cold all day, missing 40 of 61 shots from the field, including 15 of 16 from behind the arc, and came up short for the first time away from Pauley Pavilion (9-1) this season. For a squad with team shooting marks of .488 from the field, .388 from deep, and .751 from the stripe, this performance was completely out of character and we certainly don't see this as the beginning of a trend.

The Bruins' success is largely due to the aggressive man-to-man defensive approach of Head Coach Ben Howland (106-43 in 5th season at Los Angeles, 50-26 PAC 10). Coach Howland built programs at Northern Arizona and Pittsburgh by urging his charges to get up in opponents' grills, but some have questioned whether or not he could get Blue Chip athletes at a glamour program to grind like their overachieving counterparts. Back to back Final Four appearances, as well as Pacific 10 Conference Championships in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007 have put that question to bed.

New to the program this season is National High School Player of the Year, 6'10" 260 freshman C Kevin Love (17.5p, 11.0r, 1.8a, 21 blocks), who brings a polished shooting stroke (.608 from the field, 13 of 34 from 3-point, .762 from the line) along with his size - although not always the greatest attitude. Love can legitimately be criticized for flashes of immaturity, but the kid is just 19 years old and nobody in the country works harder than assistants Danny Daniels, Scott Duncan, and Scott Garson at building men from boys, so expect Love's learning curve on this front to be steep.

Last season's perimeter core of 6'5" 220 junior F/G Josh Shipp (14.3p, 3.0r, 2.4a), 6'1" junior G Darren Collison (13.9p, 2.6r, 4.3a), and 6'3" sophomore G Russell Westbrook (12.3p, 3.5r, 4.8a) has returned to combine for 87 makes from 3-point range in 235 attempts, while piling up 106 thefts to key an offensive attack that averages 74.8 points per game. Love has had to make due with role players 6'8" 235 junior F Alfred Aboya (3.7p, 2.7r) and 6'9" 240 sophomore C Lorenzo Mata-Real (3.4p, 4.4r, 24 blocks) to help him on the blocks while starter 6'8" 230 junior F Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (9.2p, 5.1r) heals from an ankle injury suffered against Arizona on February 2nd. Mbah a Moute has a 7'2" wingspan, is able to play both small and power forward at this level, and possibly the next, and is expected back on the court come Sunday. For those tempted to make fun of his name, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute is actually a prince in his native Cameroon... and you are not! If you were wondering why the "C" in the "UCLA" on the Bruins' jerseys is highlighted this year, it is to represent the 100 (C is the Roman numeral for the century mark) National Championships their school has racked up over the years... and yours has not!

USC (15-8, 6-5 PAC 10) was spanked 50-74 by #17 Washington State at the Friel Center in Pullman while allowing the Cougars a ridiculous 59.6% shooting from the field. Head Coach Tim Floyd (57-33 in 3rd season at University Park) wasn't around for the finish after getting ejected for arguing calls, but that's not the worst news for Trojan fans this week.

It has been announced that the squad's starting point guard and best free throw shooter, 6'5" sophomore Daniel Hackett (9.4p, 3.9r, 3.4a, 27 steals), is done at least for now with a diagnosed stress fracture in his lower back. The injury was actually sustained on January 31st while diving for a loose ball against Arizona. This kid has tried to battle through it (a broken vertebrae?), but has been ordered by team doctors to rest and rehab his core strength before returning to the court.

Sharing the load at the point position will be starters 6'5" sophomore G Dwight Lewis (10.7p, 2.2r, 1.5a) and freshman phenomenon 6'5" G O.J. Mayo (20.2p, 4.4r, 3.0a, 33 steals), plus 5'11" freshman G Angelo Johnson (4.4p, 2.0r, 2.0a), who moves into a starting role from the bench.

Beating Arkansas and Texas on their way to the Sweet 16 in 2007, plus the arrival of Mayo, had created some pretty high expectation from the faithful at the Galen Center; but the reality of losing their top three scorers in Nick Young (17.8p), Loderick Stewart (13.8p), and Gabe Pruitt (12.5p) from the team that finished at 25-10 last season came crashing down in a hurry with a 81-96 home loss to Mercer in the season opener. Since then, Southern California's season has produced some pretty spectacular highlights, including wins over South Carolina, San Diego, Miami, Southern Illinois, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington twice, and UCLA 72-63 back on January 19th when the Trojans held the Bruins to just 22 of 66 shooting from the field, while nailing 28 of 46 of their own shots.

There may be no coach in college basketball today that gets more out of his players than Tim Floyd - who groomed 12 players in 14 college coaching seasons for careers in the NBA, where he also coached both the Bulls and the Hornets. Three of those players never even played ball in High School! On that note, a big part of USC's success this season has been the rapid improvement of 6'8" 215 freshman F Davon Jefferson (13.1p, 6.2, 21 blocks) and 6'9" 225 sophomore F Taj Gibson (10.0p, 7.8r, 53 blocks), who contribute greatly to the strong defensive set that allows just 62.4 points per game on .388 shooting from the field. In contrast, the Trojans' offensive unit have been deadly shooting at a brisk .488 clip from the floor, including .370 from downtown.

Free winner from Totals 4 U: As much as we like this Trojan crew, the loss of Hackett is just too much to overcome against a unit as defensively stiff on the perimeter as the Bruins, and it looks from our vantage point like this season each squad will bag a road win toward The Lexus Gauntlet (the annual competition between these rival schools in the 18 varsity sports in which they go head to head). Take UCLA and lay the points on Sunday at the Galen Center.

Platinum Plays

Duke at Wake Forest

Coach Mike Krzyzewski's #2 ranked Blue Devils (9-0/21-1) make the short trip down "Tobacco Road" to take on Dino Gaudio's Demon Deacons (4-5/14-Cool in a Sunday ACC tilt. Suprisingly, the ACC is not the premier conference in college basketball, but not suprisingly, Duke has rebounded from a subpar 2006 season to once again be one, if not, the best team in college baskeball. Preseason predictions had Duke near the top of the conference and Wake near the bottom. Wake Forest has exceeded expectations, and they have fought through tragic circumstances to do so.

Let's start with Wake Forest and the unexpected death of head coach, Skip Prosser, on July 26th, 2007. Prosser was well respected and well liked. Prosser was also the only coach to take three seperate teams (Loyola-MD, Xavier and Wake Forest) to the NCAA Tournament in his first year as head coach of each program. In 21 seasons, Prosser's teams either qualified or were selected to participate in the "Dance" in 18 of 21 seasons. Gaudio was Prosser's protege, and it wasn't a major surprise that he was selected to succeed as Wake Forest's head coach. He had coached along with Prosser for 13 years at the collegiate level, and 17 overall. Continuity has played a big part in the Deacons' success this year.

The leading scorer on this year's squad is Fr. James Johnson (14.7 ppg). Johnson is also the Deacons' leading rebounder with (8.1 rpg), so there is hope for the future. Fr G Jeff Teague contributes (12.0 ppg), and Soph G L.D. Williams adds another (10.1 ppg) for double digit scoring. Gaudio has good depth, as he has ten players who've seen significant playing time.

The weakness of this year's ACC would mean Wake Forest will either have to go very deep or win the ACC Tournament; or at the very least, go on one heckuva run to finish the season in order to make the NCAA Tournament. A win over Duke would make a huge statement, but is also very unlikely.

Coach K has Duke back at the top of their game, and he credits Phoenix Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni for offensive tips which have Duke averaging 86.0 points/game, which ranks third in the nation. Great head coaches stay great because they are not afraid to deviate from their normal beliefs if they can find options which better suit their team.

The Blue Devils boast five players who average double-digit scoring, led by Sr G DeMarcus Nelson at (15.5 ppg). Fr. F Kyle Singler and Soph G Gerald Henderson each average over 13 points in Duke's high scoring offense. Winning the regular season ACC title is definitely a possibility after the Blue Devils defeated North Carolina in Chapel Hill earlier this month. However, the Tar Heels were playing without lightning quick PG Manny Lawson, so a possible rematch in the postseason tournament bears watching. The only blemish on Duke's record was a December 20th one point loss at Pittsburgh.

Free winner from Platinum Plays: The advanced line on this game favors Duke by 10 points. The Blue Devils are only (5-5) ATS on the road, and every game has someone trying to pull off the upset. However, I'm not sure this young Wake squad is up to the task. Platinum's prediction for this game is to take DUKE minus the 10 OVER the Demon Deacons.

Marc Lawrence

Miami Hurricanes at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

The 11-12 Rambling Wreck play host to the Hurricanes in an ACC rematch from earlier this season that saw Miami emerge victorious in a 78-68 win. There is no refuting the fact that Tech needs every win it can muster in order to land a post-season berth. With the Rambling Wreck 10-2 SU & 9-3 ATS as a favorite in games when playing with same season double-digit loss revenge, including 7-0 when the opponent is off a win, and Miami reeling with two wins in its last eight games, look for Georgia Tech to even it's record here today.

Play on: Georgia Tech

Sports Gambling Hotline

Virginia at BOSTON COLLEGE -5

Saturday winner on Florida plus the points at Vanderbilt to make it a 105-82-4 comp play run from the SGH.

Today we will go against Virginia, as the Cavaliers last win comes back on January 19th when they beat this Boston College team 84-66 in Charlottesville. Since that win, the Cavs have dropped 7 in a row while covering just twice along the way.

Boston College just snapped a 6-game slide with a home rout of NC State. The Eagles are 11-6 at home this year, and they did defeat Virginia 78-73 the last time these schools met in Chestnut Hill back in January of 2007.

The Wahoos are just 3-6 against the spread on the road this year, and the Cavs are only 4-9-1 ATS their last 14 Sunday affairs.

We will lay the home impost with the BC Eagles today.

Play on BC.

2* BOSTON COLLEGE

Karl Garrett

St. Louis +7 at MASSACHUSETTS

The G-Man is on a 24-15 free play run as I hit the court this Sunday.

Going to grab the points and go with the Billikins in what should be an easy underdog cover.

St. Louis has won their last pair, and 5 of their last 8, while covering 4 in a row, and 6 of those 8. Included is a 71-59 home win over UMass back on February 2nd as the 2 1/2-point underdog.

That makes 5 straight covers in this series for St. Louis, while winning outright in 4 of those 5.

Massachusetts has dropped 2 in a row, and 5 of their last 7 both straight up and against the spread.

This is just too many points to lay with the slumping Minutemen, so the G-Man is grabbing the points and going with the hot underdog today in Amherst.

4* ST. LOUIS

Bobby Maxwell

Duke at WAKE FOREST +9

Delivered two FREE winners on the college hardwood Saturday when Clemson got the job done against N.C. State and when BYu destroyed UNLV in Utah. Today we're going with Wake Forest as the Demon Deacons are getting just way too many points against Duke.

Duke might have won the last five in this series, but Wake Forest has dominated when they've gotten the Blue Devils on their home court.

The Demon Deacons are 3-1 in the last four meetings on thri home court (2-2 ATS) and they are getting enough points and will be inspired enough tonight to keep things close and make this an exciting ACC game right down to the buzzer.

Wake Forest is coming off back-to-back wins, beating Virginia 80-64 at home as 4 1/2-point favorites and then going to Florida State on Thursday and scoring a 78-70 win as 5 1/2-point underdogs. The Deacons are 6-2-1 ATS at home while Duke is just a mediocre 5-5 ATS on the highway.

Duke is just 1-1-2 ATS in its last four, getting a push Wednesday at home against Maryland, winning 77-65 as 12-point chalk.

Wake Forest is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games overall, 8-2-2 in its last 12 home games and the home team is the team to play in this series, going 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

Wake Forest is going to pack the place, hang tough and make this a close one right down to the wire. Grab the points with the Demon Deacons and as long as they stay close, we're cashing our ticket.

2* WAKE FOREST

Dave Cokin

My free pick of the day is the game between (675) Sacramento St and (676) Montana St. Take "(676) Montana St". Dave enjoyed a solid Saturday, featuring a Top Level winner on Boise State, a Text Special score on Columbia and a 2-1 ledger with his Conference Games of the Year. For Sunday, it's an Under the Hat call on Miami-Georgia Tech. Just $50 at Dave's Pure Gold Club, or even better, get it FREE at 1-888-389-7223!... "Sacramento State managed to beat Montana State the first time around. But look for the blowout in this Big Sky rematch. Sac State is incredibly awful on the conference road. They're winless and the average margin has been a whopping 22 points per game. Look for another pasting here and lay the spot with Montana State."

Jim Feist

My free pick of the day is the game between (15) NAS Predators and (16) MIN Wild. Take "Under". Nashville struggles to score away from home, averaging just 2.6 goals on the road. Their last 11 road games: 8-2-1 under the total. Minnesota is 9th in total defense, and they allow just 2.4 goals per game at home. In 4 recent home games they went 3-0-1 under the total. Look for a defensive duel on the ice on Sunday, play the Predators/Wild under the total!

Chip Chirimbes

NOTRE DAME

After falling victim to the Big East's hottest team its last time out, Notre Dame will try to bounce back by taking advantage of the league's coldest squad. The 20th-ranked Fighting Irish look to avoid their first back-to-back losses since November on Sunday when they visit struggling Rutgers, which has dropped five straight and 11 of 13 since the beginning of Big East play. Notre Dame (18-5, 8-3) had won five in a row before visiting Connecticut on Wednesday, but fell 84-79 to become the eighth straight team to lose to the 17th-ranked Huskies. Luke Harangody continued his impressive scoring binge with a career-high 32 points and 16 rebounds against UConn, but the Irish shot just 33.0 percent in the second half while being outscored 45-37. They dropped to 2-3 on the road in Big East play.

VEGAS SPORTS PICS

Miami Hurricanes + 4 over (at) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech (11-12, 4-5) vs. Miami (16-7, 3-6) is 8-3 ATS last 11 road games off winning SU at (14-11) Virginia Tech 74-71 on 02/09. Canes have won and covered last 3 meetings.

Charlotte 49ers + 2 over (at) Fordham Rams

Fordham (9-12, 3-6) vs. Charlotte (14-9, 5-4) is 3-2 last five road games including an 82-72 win at then No.19 Clemson, which entered off an OT home loss to then No.1 North Carolina.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons + 9 over Duke Blue Devils

No.2 Duke (22-1, 10-0) at Wake Forest (15-8, 5-5) is 11-1 at home, 7-1 ATS last 8 ACC games, and 3-1 vs. Duke last 4 home meetings. Playing the points over the on a roll Blue Devils.

UCLA Bruins - 4.5 over (at) USC Trojans

USC (15-8, 6-5) vs. No.6 UCLA (21-3, 9-2) leads the PAC 10 with a plus 16.4 scoring margin. The Bruins will be looking for pay back off losing at home to USC 72-63 on 01/19.

Arthur Ralph
Super Pick: Ball State
900 GOLD KEY PLAY: U MASS

ARMVIN SPORTS

NCAA
SETON HALL 13
DUKE -10

NHL
COLUMBUS 120
PITTSBURGH /BUFFALO Over 5.5

BIG AL
Ball State -4

#1 SPORTS
NC-CHARLOTTE

TRACE ADAMS
Notre Dame

THE VEGAS STEAMLINE
Notre Dame -11

RAZOR SHARP
NBA ALL-STAR GAME OVER 261.5

COMPUTER SPORTS
DUKE -9 1/2

DARKHORSE
Notre Dame -11

MIKE WYNN
Fordham

CAPPERS ACCESS
Sun (NBA) East

HUDDLE UP
UCLA

HD'S ACTIONLINE
UCLA

TV HOTLINE
CAL SANTA BARB -9

DR VEGAS
West Virginia -13

SCOUT
NBA All Star Game
West -7

Bobby Bo
Prediction: 1* Duke -9.5

Win Book Sports
Minnesota Wild -174

Bob Harvey Sports
Sacramento State +16.5

FAT JACK SPORTS
West Virginia -13

Must Win Sports Picks
Wake Forest +9.5

Kyle Baugues
Boston College -5