Bobby Maxwell
Wisconsin at PENN STATE (pk)
Today we are going with Penn State at home to get the job done against Wisconsin.
Penn State is playing better basketball right now than Wisconsin. It's that plain and simple. The Nittany Lions are at home and playing well, so we see them getting a big win today and beating the Badgers by about 8.
Penn State was riding a four-game winning streak (3-1 ATS) until Thursday when they went ot Michigan and lost 71-51 as a 4 1/2-point underdog. But look at their wins leading up to that and you'll see a 73-58 win over those same Wolverines and a 72-68 road win at Michigan State, pulling off the shocking upset as 12 1/2-point underdogs.
Wisconsin had lost six straight Big Ten games before getting a 63-50 home win Thursday over Illinois as a four-point favorite. They were 0-5-1 ATS during the six-game slide and they have lost four straight conference road games.
The Badgers have won nine straight over Penn State, but back on Jan. 3 they got a 65-61 home win over the Nittany Lions but failed to cover as 9 1/2-point home favorites.
Penn State is 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 overall, 8-3-1 at home, 4-1-1 on Sundays and 6-0-1 ATS after a non-cover. Play the Nittany Lions at home in this one.
4♦ PENN STATE
Washington at STANFORD (pk)
We scored a FREE play winner Saturday with Michigan and we'll do it again today with Stanford at home against Washington. We've now delivered 10 days of free winners in the last 14.
The Huskies are struggling right now and they are playing their fourth straight Pac-10 road game. That's not good for them as it's tough enough to win a road game in that conference without struggling on the defensive end.
Let's play Stanford at home to add to Washington's troubles.
Washington has given up 82.2 points a game over their last five games which is 12 more than their normal defensive effort. They are 1-2 SU and ATS in their previous three road games and got drilled at Cal on Thursday, 86-71 as a one-point road favorite.
Stanford scored an easy win over Washington State on Thursday, winning 65-54 as a 4 1/2-point favorite. The Cardinal looked more like normal against the Cougars, playing a solid defensive game and shooting a decent percentage in front of the home fans.
These two teams met last month in Seattle and the Huskies got an 84-83 victory but didn't cover as a 6 1/2-point home chalk. In fact, Seattle is just 2-5 ATS in their last seven against winning teams.
On the opposite side, the Cardinal is on several ATS streaks, including 14-4 overall, 6-1 against winning teams, 4-1 at home and 7-2 against Pac-10 foes.
We'll play the home team in this one as the Huskies are just anxious to get home. Stanford wins this one by 12.
2♦ STANFORD
Sports Gambling Hotline
Louisville -11 at ST. JOHN'S
Rick Pitino has had a few extra days to work his charges after their no-show on Monday at home against Connecticut.
The problems the 'Ville faced in their contest against UConn will not be nearly the same when they take on the Johnnies this Sunday afternoon.
St. John's is coming off a double-digit loss at Seton Hall, and while the Red Storm is a positive 11-3 at home, and 6-2 against the spread at home this year, we doubt they will be able to stay close in this game, as we see the Cards dealing a major romp to St. John's.
Louisville has performed quite well away from home this season, as the Redbirds bring a 5-1 straight up mark, and a 4-2 road spread mark into the Big Apple this Sunday afternoon.
Prior to their loss to the Huskies, Louisville sure looked like a team that could be Final Four-bound. We believe that is still the case, and look for the Cardinals to flex their muscles in today's conference clash.
Louisville has won the last 2 series meetings by double-digits, splitting against the spread, so a double-digit win and cover is definitely a possibility on the road today.
Play on the Redbirds minus the points.
4♦ LOUISVILLE
Bob Harvey
Detroit Red Wings @ Pittsburgh Penguins Over 6
Detroit looks like they’ve taken their game to another level especially Saturday’s brilliant performance against Edmonton. The Red Wings scored FIVE first-period goals en route to an 8-3 win. Marian Hossa, Pavel Datsyuk, and Brian Rafalski each had a goal and assist, while Niklas Kronwall added three assists. The Red Wings are clearly the team to beat and a heavy favorite to once again hoist Lord Stanley’s cup again.
The Detroit offense shouldn’t have much trouble against a Pittsburgh defense that ranks in the lower percentile in the league in every defensive category including goals allowed . On average this season the Pens have allowed three goals per game and unless they come up with a HUGE defensive effort today against the Red Wings that average could rise significantly.
For the purposes of our OVER play, Pittsburgh can “Light the Lamp” with the best of them, especially when everyone is healthy. Evegeni Malkin who has a league-leading 80 points, including 11 in his last seven games. Sidney Crosby’s game is getting better each day but he still struggles with injury woes. We need “Syd the Kid” to involved offensively today.
In their only meeting of the season in November, Pittsburgh rallied for a wild 7-6 victory.
From the what have you done for me recently file: Detroit is on an OVER run of 7-3 with two of the games topping a combined 11 goals. Pittsburgh is on a 4-1-1 streak to the high side.
The Red Wings are averaging 3.26 per game and allowing 3.26 per game. Detroit’s had better goal-tending this season with the two-man rotation of Ty Conklin and Chris Osgood. Marc Andre Fluery has been the Pens main man between the pipes but is allowing 2.80 GPG.
I’ve had a huge success rate when play OVER 6. If the line is set that high, there’s a good reason for it. Look for enough scoring in this one to cash our OVER payday.
Dennis Hill
Dayton vs. Charlotte U
Play: Charlotte U +3
This line on this match-up looks too short, and too easy to wager on Dayton. If it looks too easy it isn't. My Free Pick is to take NC-Charlotte to win this game outright.
Big Al Mcmordie
Purdue at Illinois
Prediction: Illinois
At 1 pm, our member selection is on the Illinois Illini minus the points over Matt Painter's Boilermakers. In the Big 10 opener for both teams, Illinois went into Mackey Arena and upset the Boilers, 71-67, and look for the season sweep in Champaign this afternoon. And, if my database is correct, Illinois will get the 'W' on Sunday, as Purdue is a dismal 7-33 ATS as road underdogs of less than 10 points since January 26, 2000, including 1-9 ATS of Purdue is playing with revenge and 2-16 ATS if Purdue is off a straight-up loss. The Illini have won nine straight at home (currently the Big 10's longest Home Win Streak), and 13 of 14 since last season. Take Illinois.
Jimmy The Moose
Philadelphia Flyers at Atlanta Thrashers
Prediction: Philadelphia Flyers
Both team's are struggling but the Flyers are by far the more talented team. The Flyers beat the league's best team, the Bruins, on their own ice on Saturday and will carry the momentum into this one. Philadelphia is 7-3 in their last 10 vs. Southeast opponents. Atlanta is 4-10 in their last 14 vs. a team with a winning record. In their last 18 home games they are 4-14. In their last 64 vs. Eastern Conference team's they are 19-65. The Flyers are 14-2-1 in their last 17 trips to Atlanta. The Thrashers are 3-28-2 in the last 33 meetings between the clubs. Play on the Flyers -.
Johnny Guild
Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Hornets
The Timberwolves have dropped five of their last six games, including a 107-90 whipping at Houston on Saturday. Take the Hornets at New Orleans Arena. The Wolves are just 9-16 on the road thus far this season, 2-5 both straight-up and against the spread in the last 7 clashes versus New Orleans.
New Orleans Hornets -4
CBB
Louisville Cardinals -10.5
Penn St. Nittany Lions -1.5
Gina
Charlotte Bobcats at Miami Heat
The Bobcats are in trouble without leading scorer forward Gerald Wallace and guard Raja Bell, both sidelined with injuries. Go with the Heat back at home to have a big advantage against the shorthanded Bobcats this evening. Miami is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games, Charlotte 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.
Miami Heat -7½
Mr A
Cleveland Cavaliers -4
Miami Heat -7½
Computer Picks
AFC vs. NFC Over 64½
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Nets/Magic OVER 201
New Jersey has played its best basketball on the road this season and Orlando has been putting up big offensive numbers at home all season. I'm expecting a shootout here with both teams going over the century mark. The Over is 11-3 in the Nets last 14 games playing on 0 days rest so tired legs shouldn't be an issue here. The Over is also 9-4 in the Nets last 13 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. The Over is 4-0 in the Magic's last 4 games following an ATS loss and 4-1 in the Magic's last 5 games following a SU loss. Bet the Over.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Stanford +1.5
Stanford is 14-5 ATS in all lined games this season and 11-2 SU and 9-3 ATS in home lined games. Washington beat Stanford by just 1-point at home in the first meeting this season and the Cardinal have had this date circled ever since. Stanford avenged a 1-point loss to Washington State with an 11-point win last game and I live it to have its revenge here too. Stanford has won 11 straight in this matchup at home dating back to 1997. Stanford is 11-2 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record this season and 10-2 ATS versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 4+ points/game this season. The Cardinal are also 9-1 ATS as a home underdog or pick since 1997. Take Stanford here.
MTi Sports
New York Knicks at Portland Trail Blazers
Prediction: New York Knicks
The Trailblazers are 0-10 ATS (-10.1 ppg) as a home favorite when they lost their last two games and both were on the road and the Knicks are 7-0 ATS as a dog when playing the first game of at least a three game road trip. Grab the points with the Knicks.
Mike Anthony
AFC vs. NFC
Play: AFC +2.5
Lets back the underdog today in the NFL Pro-Bowl. The NFC secondary simply doesn't boast any terrific cover men in this game, and AFC receivers Andre Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Wes Welker, and Reggie Wayne should have a field day with Peyton Manning, Jay Cutler, and even Kerry Collins pulling the trigger. They dont allow the defenses to blitz and give these 3 QB's time and they'll find the open men.AFC by 6
Tom Freese
Utah Jazz at Golden State Warriors
Utah is 12-2 OVER vs. an opponent that allowed 100 or more points in their last game and they are 15-5 OVER their last 20 games overall. The Jazz are 36-17-1 OVER after scoring 100 or more points in their last game and they are 9-2 OVER off an ATS win. Golden St is 12-2 OVER vs. teams with a losing road record and they are 20-8 OVER their last 28 home games. The Warriors are 36-17 OVER as underdogs of 4.5 or less points and they are 11-4 OVER their last 15 home games with the Jazz.
Play on: Over
VEGAS EXPERTS
Indiana Pacers at Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are simply abysmal. They have lost three straight games, all by 16 or more points, and continue to be unable to piece together a quality starting lineup that is healthy. They are 5-15 ATS off a double-digit loss of any kind, including 1-9 vs. the number when playing at home. They have yet to cover the number this season when coming off a home loss of 20 pts or more.
Play on: Indiana
John Ryan
Utah Jazz vs. Golden State Warriors
Play: Golden State Warriors +1.5
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Golden state as they host Utah slated to start at 9:00 EST. AiS shows a 72% probability that GS will win this game. GS is 20-8 ATS (+11.2 Units) in home games in games where they attempt 77 to 83 shots over the last 3 seasons.Utah is just 5-15 ATS (-11.5 Units) in road games versus good foul drawing teams that are attempting >=27 free throws/game over the last 2 seasons. Supporting this graded play is a strong money line system that has produced a record of 29-11 hitting 73% winners and making 18.2 units since 2003. Play on home teams versus the money line after 2 straight games where both teams scored 100 points or more facing an opponent after scoring 110 points or more 2 straight games. Utah in a terrible role noting they are just 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) after covering 3 of their last 4 against the spread this season. Take Golden state.
AC Sports Advisors
AFC vs. NFC
Play: AFC +2.5
As a free play we like the AFC here. We just like the AFC's personel is a little better a a few guy's who are playing just hate to lose at anything that they do Manning for one and how about ed Reed and Palalmu in your secondary. Just a small lean on AFC.