Maddux Sports
Boston College +20
FERRINGO
3.5-Unit Play. Take #736 Wisconsin (-4) over Indiana (9 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31)
Home court and more depth is going to make the difference here. I've said it before and I'll say it again: Indiana and Villanova are the two worst Top 25 teams. IU has been less than impressive on the road and I think that Wisconsin is better, more experienced, and has already been tested more than IU. It won't be a blowout but the Badgers should win this one handily.
2-Unit Play. Take #724 Illinois-Chicago (-3) over Cleveland State (8 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31)
This is just a play on the line and the action on this line. Around 85 percent of the action is on Cleveland State, the team with the better record and generally regarded as the better team, but the line has actually moved from 2.5 to 3.0 and at one book it's already 3.5. Something fishy is up. UI-C is a chuck-and-duck 3-point shooting team and are hitting 52-percent of their 3-pointers at home while ringing up an 8-1 mark in their own gym. The favorite is 7-2 ATS in this series and I like a lot of things about this play.
1.5-Unit Play. Take #758 Austin Peay (-3) over Murray State (8:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31)
The Govs are a veteran squad and they should be able to bounce back from a 3OT loss. AP is coming off a brutal road stretch but they know how important this game is and I simply think they are better than Murray State. The home crowd will give a boost if there are any tired legs, but i actually don't think the 3OT game will catch up with them until after this game.
1.5-Unit Play. Take #765 Northern Arizona (-2) over Northern Colorado (9 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31)
This is the squarest play on the board today but we're going to bite. Oddsmakers keep giving NAU low numbers on the road because past Lumberjacks teams couldn't play away from SkyDome. That hasn't been the case, as NAU completes a four-game road trip against the league bottom feeders. They have been shooting the ball well and they are one of the surprise ATS teams in the country this year. We'll go to the well once more and look for another convincing road win.
1.5-Unit Play. Take #738 Denver (-4) over Florida International (9 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31)
A shaky Florida team heading into the mountains to face a team running the Princeton offense? Sounds like a decent spot. Denver is terrible, but they have been much better at home than on the road.
1.5-Unit Play. Take #739 UC-Irvine (+8.5) over UC-Northridge (10 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 31)
We're backing another Big West underdog in a game that I don't think will be a blowout. Northridge is the surprise team in the conference but their schedule has been less than impressive over the past two weeks. I think Irvine can win this game - though I don't think they will - and I think this is a 3- or 4-point game in the last two minutes.
Thanks Mr.Bojangles 
InfoPlays
3* on Indiana Hoosiers +4
Indiana is the class of the Big Ten and they will prove it at Wisconsin tonight. In the only meeting between the teams last season, Indiana upset then-No.2 Wisconsin, 71-66. Eric Gordon is averaging a Big Ten best 21.7 points per game this season for the Hoosiers. D.J. White grabs a double-double nearly every game for Indiana. These two studs will be extremely tough to stop tonight, especially coming off a loss. Indiana is shooting 49% from the field and 39% from the 3-point stripe. In the end, the Hoosiers’ playmakers will make more plays than the Badgers to win this game. Wisconsin is 0-7 ATS after a combined score of 125 points or less this season. Bet Indiana on the road.
Wunderdog Comp
New York Rangers at Philadelphia
Pick: New York Rangers +130
The Rangers defense gives them a shot in any game. They are allowing just 2.5 per game on the season, 2.2 per game over their last five and 1.9 per game against a division foe, whom they know well. Offense is their problem but they face a Philadelphia team here that allows 3.2 per game at home. The Flyers are just 20-39 the past two seasons against losing teams including 6-20 against teams at 40%-49% SU. They are also 4-11 this season against poor offensive teams (those scoring under 2.6 goals per game). Philadelphia embarrassed New York 6-2 earlier this month so look for New York to come out steaming. The Rangers are 7-1 the past two seasons on the road revenging a home loss by 2+ goals. Philadelphia is only 14-34 over that same span in division games. New York for the upset win here.
Right Angle Sports
Nevada-9 1 UNIT
Todayspicks.
USC -3.5
BEN BURNS
NBA SELECTIONS
SAN ANTONIO
Game: San Antonio Spurs vs. Phoenix Suns Game Time: 1/31/2008 10:35:00 PM Prediction: San Antonio Spurs Reason: I'm taking the points with SAN ANTONIO. Enough is enough! After three straight losses, including an embarrassing 88-85 defeat at Seattle on Tuesday, I expect the defending champs to awaken from their slumber this evening. While the Spurs will be highly motivated to snap their skid and avoid their first 4-game losing streak in four years, they'll also be hungry for some payback, as the Suns upset them at San Antonio back in mid-December. It's true that the Spurs haven't fared too well without Parker in the linuep so far this season. However, I agree with Suns coach Mike D'Antoni when he said: "They're going to come in wounded and desperate and needing a win and so that's probably when they're the most dangerous." Despite their recent loss at Utah, which had followed a low-scoring game vs. New Orleans, the Spurs remain an outstanding 32-6 the last 38 times they were coming off a game in which they scored 85 points or less, going 24-14 against the number. Despite winning 16 of 20 games here on the season, the Suns have only managed a 9-11 ATS record. Tonight's over/under line currently ranges from 200 to 201, with most books sitting on 200.5. That's worth noting as we find the Suns at just 21-33-5 (39%) ATS the past 59 times they played a home game with an over/under line ranging from 200 to 204.5. During the same stretch, the Spurs were 9-5-2 ATS when playing a road game with a total falling in the same range. Looking at the series history and we find that the Spurs have won 13 of the last 20 meetings. Additionally, note that only two of those seven losses came by more than six points. Look for an inspired effort from the revenge-minded champs tonight, as they take the game down to the wire and earn at least the cover. *Western Conf. GOW
DETROIT
Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Detroit Pistons Game Time: 1/31/2008 7:35:00 PM Prediction: Detroit Pistons Reason: I'm laying the points with DETROIT. The Lakers won when these teams faced each other at LA back in November. However, winning at Detroit is an entirely different matter, particularly when dealing with several injuries. Bynum, Mihm, and Ariza already were sidelined going into Tuesday's win vs the Knicks, and they were joined by Walton, who left in the first quarter with a right hip pointer injury. Walton's status for today's game is uncertain. Even when healthy, the Lakers have lost eight games in a row here, losing by an average of 15.8 points. Most recently, the Pistons limited the Lakers to 78 points (93-78) in a win here last February. Note that Kobe Bryant had only 18 points, on 5-of-13 shooting, recording eight turnovers. It was his third straight game here in which he didn't even crack 20 points. The Pistons have shaken out of a mini-slump by winning each of their last three games. Note that Detroit is 10-3 SU/ATS this season after having won three or more consecutive games. Their eight-point win and cover vs Orlando in their last game here brought the Pistons to an impressive 15-4 at home for the season, going 13-6 against the number. That includes a 6-2 ATS mark (7-1 SU) in eight games when listed as a home favorite in the -6.5 to -9 range. Coming off a victory at Indiana on Tuesday, it's also worth mentioning that that Pistons are 7-1 SU/ATS this season when coming off a divisional game. Look for the Pistons to continue their homecourt dominance in this series, avenging the earlier loss in convincing fashion.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
FORDHAM
Game: Temple vs. Fordham Game Time: 1/31/2008 8:00:00 PM Prediction: Fordham Reason: I'm playing on Fordham. The Owls are a solid team, led by Dionte Christmas, the A-10's leading scorer. That being said, they're coming off a nail-biting home loss vs. rival St. Joseph's and they're just 4-6 in road or neutral-court games on the season. Coming off that tough defeat, I won't be surprised if they're a little flat to start this evening's contest. Dating back a few seasons, we find them at just 9-22 SU their last 31 true road games. That includes an 80-73 loss here last season. Note that the Rams returned five starters from that team, along with a handful of role players. The Atlantic-10 is really competitive this year and the Rams, who also played some really tough non-conference road games, have struggled away from home. They've still been tough at home though, winning three straight and five of six here. While they have underachieved somewhat thus far, I still feel that they're improved from last season's team which finished tied for fourth in the conference. Looking back further and we find that the Rams have beaten the Owls in each of the past three seasons, with each victory coming by a minimum of seven points. The Rams, who are currently listed as slight underdogs, have thrived in this role. In fact, they've gone 16-7 SU/ATS the last 23 times that they were listed as home underdogs (or pick'em) of three points or less. This is a really important game for the Rams as they badly need to protect their homecourt. Look for them to be at their best tonight, continuing their recent success in this series. *Thursday Roast
WASHINGTON
Game: Stanford vs. Washington Game Time: 1/31/2008 10:00:00 PM Prediction: Washington Reason: I'm playing on WASHINGTON. Stanford comes in with the higher ranking and better record. However, I expect the Cardinal to have their hands full tonight. Brook and Robin Lopez typically give Stanford a major size advantage in the paint. While Stanford's twin brothers will still have a height advantage, they'll be matched up against another "big body" tonight, in Washington's Jon Brockman. The Huskies' star forward, he weighs in at a healthy 245 pounds, leads his team with 19.1 points per game (fourth in conference) and a whopping 11.5 rebounds, the most in the Pac-10. He's been particularly lethal of late, averaging 23 points and 13 boards while shooting nearly 62% from the field in his last four games. Not surprisingly, Brockman was named one of 30 finalists for the John R. Wooden Award on Saturday. It's also worth noting that Brockman more or less had his way with the Lopez twins last season. Indeed, Brockman had a pair of double-doubles against the Cardinal last season, averaging 18.5 points and 10.0 rebounds. Meanwhile, Brook Lopez was held to nine points and 3.5 rebounds in those games, while Robin averaged 12.0 points and 3.0 boards. Note that the Huskies won by 12 points when the teams met here last season, improving to 5-0 the last five times they were a host in this series. Overall, the Huskies have won 10 of their last 12 home games, including solid victories over Oregon and Oregon State most recently. The Cardinal managed a win and cover at California last time out. However, they're still just 5-10 ATS their last 15 games overall. Behind another big effort from Brockman, I expect the Huskies to continue their recent homecourt success in this series. *Pac-10 GOM
Wolkosky Milan
10* DETROIT -7½
10* DALLAS +3
10* SAS/PHO UNDER 201
Paul Leiner
20* Over 200.5 Suns/Spurs
10* CBB Indiana +4.5
5* NC State +18
SportsAction365
100* Washington +1.5
75* Arizona St +13.5
75* Indiana +4
75* Temple -1
50* UNDER 201
50* LA Lakers +7.5
ATS LOCK
5 Cal Northridge -8
3 Ill Chicago -3
3 W Kentucky -13
ATS FINANCIAL
4 N Texas +3
3 Arizona +3 1/2
3 UCLA -13 1/2
Cash & Profit Experts
NBB
Cleveland -4
CBB
Indiana +4.5
Usc -3
Washington +2
Brandon Lovell
10* wisc-mil
5* wright st
5* celtics
BeatYourBookie.
NBA Basketball
100* Play Detroit (-7.5) over LA Lakers
Detroit is 13-5 ATS as a home favorite this year
Detroit is 2-0 SU vs. LA Lakers at home the last 3 seasons
Detroit is 37-25 ATS coming off 2 or more consecutive wins
100* Play Phoenix (-8) over San Antonio
Phoenix is 7-1 SU & ATS over the last 8 games
Phoenix is 71-52 ATS coming off an OVER the total the last 3 seasons
San Antonio is 3-12 ATS when playing in the month of January
NCAA Basketball
50* Play Minnesota (-2.5) over Michigan
Michigan is 5-13 ATS in all games this season
Michigan is 7-18 ATS as an underdog the last 2 seasons
Michigan is 2-8 ATS coming off an OVER the total
STRIKE POINT SPORTS
2-Unit Play. #729 Take Temple -1 over Fordham
Prior to a one-point setback to a good St. Joe's team, the Owls had reeled off three straight wins and are playing some good ball in the A-10. Conversely, Fordham has dropped four of its last six. Temple will have the two best scorers on the floor in Dionte Christmas and Mark Tyndale, and this duo will help their team come through with the win.
2-Unit Play. #765 Take Northern Arizona -1 over Northern Colorado
The Lumberjacks have already beaten the Bears by 16 in an earlier meeting this season, and not enough has changed to deny NAU a season sweep of Northern Colorado. Northern Arizona's last four wins over the Bears have all been by double figures, and in this one, too, they will cash against a sub .500 team.
2-Unit Play. #745 Take Stanford -1.5 over Washington
The Cardinal are the hottest team on the west coast, and again we'll back them to capture yet another Pac-10 victory. Stanford has now won five of its last six league games, and here too they will put together another balanced offensive outing to knock off the Huskies. Behind the Lopez twins, it will be Stanford that cashes in Washington.
Johnny Guild
NBA Selection
San Antonio Spurs (28-16) at Phoenix Suns (33-13)
The Spurs have taken a dive, dropping their last three games and weaken without starting point guard Tony Parker. Go with the Suns at home. The home team in this series has won four of the last five meetings, nine of the last 12.
The Suns have won and cover the spread in seven of their last 8 games overall. Meanwhile, the Spurs are 2-6 ATS in its last 8 and a nasty 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games away from home.
Phoenix Suns -7
CBB
Weber St. Wildcats -8.5
Washington Huskies + 1.5
Nevada Wolf Pack -9.5
Michael Cannon
15 Dime –
ILLINOIS-CHICAGO
Take Illinois-Chicago tonight as the small home chalk over Cleveland State.
There’s no question Cleveland State is one of the better teams in the Horizon League, but Illinois-Chicago has been pretty tough to beat at home and they do have revenge motive for a 17-point loss at Cleveland State earlier this month.
Illinois-Chicago is deadly from 3-point range, especially at home. The Flames shoot an incredible 52.3 percent from beyond the arc at UIC Pavilion. They are second in the conference in scoring and assists.
Basically, they are more than capable of putting up the offensive numbers necessary to get by the Vikings.
Cleveland State is just 8-20 ATS in its last 28 Thursday games. They are also playing their third road game in eight days, so the traveling might take its toll tonight.
The favorite is on a 7-2 ATS run in the last nine meetings.
Take Illinois-Chicago tonight as the small home chalk as they grab the win and cover.
10 Dime –
INDIANA
Take the points with Indiana tonight when they travel to take on Wisconsin.
Both teams are coming off losses, but I think Indiana’s was a case of maybe looking ahead to this game, as they never clicked offensively at home against unranked Connecticut.
Wisconsin had a tough battle with Purdue, but the Boilermakers pulled it off at home, 60-56.
Indiana is a more dynamic offensive team, and I expect Eric Gordon to bounce back from a tough shooting game in the loss to U-Conn.
The Badgers offense isn’t good enough to cover this number in my opinion. They shoot poorly from the free-throw line and basically just grind it out all game long offensively.
Take Indiana plus the points as they stay within the number.
5 Dime –
MINNESOTA
Take Minnesota as the small road chalk tonight over Michigan.
Michigan might be trying, but they really have nothing right now. They have fallen so hard that they have to play a superhuman game just to compete, let alone win.
Minnesota started the year off strong, but has tailed off since Big 10 play started. But Michigan should be the tonic they need to get some confidence back. Tubby Smith has been openly critical of his team’s effort recently, and there is a great chance to see some results from that here against a weak Wolverines squad.
Michigan is 4-13 ATS in its last 17 games and I don’t see them getting it done here tonight, even at home.
Take Minnesota for the road win and cover.
Gold Medal Club
CBB:
Denver U
Illinois-Chicago
Ga. Southern
NHL:
Canes -1.5
Tampa Bay
Gator's NBA/CBB 70% Report
CBB
Thursday: Play On CBB home teams as an underdog or pick after going over the total by 48 or more points total in their last seven games, a team with a winning percentage of 60% to 80% playing a team with a winning record
26-5 ATS since 1997 (83.9%) PLAY: North Texas +2.5
Sebastian
20* S.A. Spurs
20* Fordham
10* Denver U
10* Wright St
10* N.D.
10* NY Isles
Inside Info 4-2 this 10........9-7 total
100* Det Pistons
Vernon Croy
Vancouver Canucks vs. Tampa Bay Lightning
Pick: Money Line: -102
25 Units, Take Vancouver -102, We are getting tremendous value here tonight with the Canucks on the road who have the superior goaltending and they are 21-6 in their last 27 non-conference games. The Canucks are 6-3 after allowing 4 or more goals this season and they are 8-2-2 in their last 12 games against Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay is just -16 this season after 3 or more games in a row have gone over the posted total and they are just 1-4 in their last 5 non-conference games.
Drew Gordon
1. 300,000* South Alabama
2. 50,000* Pistons
3. 50,000* Arizona State
1. South Alabama- No question the Jaguars are playing the best basketball in the Sun Belt right now, sitting at 9-0 in conference play, you better believe their goal is to stay undefeated tonight. They get just what the doctor ordered, as this North Texas team is struggling right now, going 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS over their last 4 games.
Some may argue that the Mean Green will be looking to bounce back after their last home game, an 83-61 ass-whipping at the hands of a good, but not great New Orleans team. While that may be true, they didn't show much motivation in the two road losses after the New Orleans debacle, and its going to take a lot more than motivation to beat a surging South Alabama squad in this one. In fact, the trends support the road team, going 9-4 ATS over their last 13 meetings!
First and foremost, a superior Jaguars offense is going to rip apart a very flimsy Mean Green defense. Over their last 5 games, North Texas is allowing 73 ppg on a ridiculous 48% shooting! Over the same span, this Jaguars squad is scoring 78 ppg on 49% shooting... Can't you just see Demetric Bennett (29 points in their last meeting) and company licking their chops?!
Second, if you've seen this Mean Green offense of late, do you really believe they're going to be able to crack a solid South Alabama defense? Besides the fact the Jaguars are coming off a game where they limited Denver to 33 points, over their last 5 games they've been rock-solid, allowing 63 ppg on 42% shooting. Not only that, but in their last home game, the Mean Green shot just 32% and turned the ball over 20 times... Sloppy play making all that much easier for the Jaguars!
Bottom line, North Texas is in no condition right now to be butting heads with a surging South Alabama squad. The Mean Green maybe slumping, but don't expect the Jaguars to lose focus, as their last meeting was a 90-89 OT battle. South Alabama is the team to beat right now in the Sun Belt, and I expect them to play accordingly tonight. Jaguars roll!
Take South Alabama over North Texas as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Pistons- Lakers come into this game slumping a bit, losers of 4 of their last 6 games SU, including both road games in Texas against San Antonio and Dallas. Now they travel to place they've had real issues winning, the Palace of Auburn Hills, going 0-8 SU & 1-7 ATS over their last 8 meetings there!
Pistons play has been up and down, but after losing 4 of 5, they've gotten back on track with 3 straight victories, including a nice win and cover against Orlando in their last home game. Note that Detroit is 9-2 ATS over their last 11 home games, thanks in large part to their defense allowing a miniscule 86 ppg there on the season!
Expect Detroit to be especially motivated in this one, as they remember well their last meeting, where the Lakers took advantage of the absence of Billups to beat the Pistons 103-91 at the Staples Center. My how the tables have turned, as the Lakers are now coming into this game short-handed, as the loss of Bynum is huge in this match up, not to mention F Ariza and possibly F Walton. Needless to say based on their 8-game losing streak in Detroit, the Lakers need every player they can get!
Finally, much like their last meeting in Detroit, the Lakers defense has been suspect on the road this season, allowing 102 ppg on 44% shooting. The last time they met at the Palace, Detroit scored 93 points on 45% shooting and turned the ball over only 7 times! Lakers find themselves in a bind again tonight, with their frontcourt severly shorthanded, they'll be hard-pressed to match up with Rasheed and company in this one.
Take the Pistons comfortably over the LA Lakers in this NBA match up.
3. Arizona State- While its true the Sun Devils have dropped off a bit since starting scorching hot, I firmly believe oddsmakers went too far with the number in this one. Not only is Arizona State 6-2 ATS over their last 8 meetings at UCLA, but I expect the Sun Devils to come out fired up for this one, knowing a win here would completely reverse the downturn they've taken in losing their last 3 games.
Both teams rely on stout defense to beat their opponents, but did you know over their last 5 games, the Sun Devils defensive numbers are actually better than the Bruins?! Both are allowing roughly 68 ppg, but Arizona State's opponents are shooting only 42%, as compared to a much higher 47% (44% from 3-point) for UCLA.
Granted, the Bruins have the edge in the frontcourt, with C Kevin Love in the paint and on the glass, but let's not get too carried away. The Sun Devils Harden is one of the better freshmen guards in the country, coming off a 25-point effort against an excellent Washington State defense. Not only that, but I expect Pendergraph, who's been struggling over their 3-game losing streak, to come alive in this critical conference match up for the Sun Devils.
Finally, for all the hoopla surrounding the Bruins, they're just 4-5-1 ATS at home this season. They've failed to cover double-digit spreads in three straight home games, against USC , Washington, and UC Davis. More of the same tonight, as the public may love the Bruins, but sharp bettors know covering a bloated number in a heated conference match up is too much to ask from the Bruins in this one.
Take Arizona State plus the points over UCLA in this PAC-10 showdown.
ASAWINS
Montreal Canadiens +105
The Habs are rolling while the Capitals are fading fast right now. That makes this the perfect time to cash in on some additional line value based on the current situation. The situation being eluded to here is that many people will be lining up on the Caps tonight because they were shutout at Montreal on Tuesday. That loss means Washington has a chance at right-back revenge and they have that opportunity on their home ice too! However, this is where it gets interesting. The Capitals offense has taken a hit with the recent loss of Nylander to injury. That means they are putting more reliance on defense and goaltending and that has not been a strong suit recently for Washington. The Caps were winning games with a high flying offense. That is not likely to happen here as, not only were they shutout by the Habs on Tuesday, the fact that the Canadiens getting solid goaltending has been nothing new. They've been doing it all season long with Christobal Huet and the Habs road success has also been very impressive this season. When you have a strong road team with the better defense and the healthier club, facing a struggling home team that is starting to doubt itself, you have the makings of a solid win for the road team. The Capitals struggles, which started before the All-Star break, were still there Tuesday and they'll still be there tonight. Change of venue is not going to be enough to result in a change of outcome here. The Canadiens will knock off the Capitals again tonight and to get Montreal juice-free here is a real bargain!
Insider Sports Report
Duke -18
WAYNE ROOT
Chairman- Fordham
Millionaire- Wisconsin
Money Maker - San Antonio Spurs
No Limit- Michigan
Insiders Circle- Washington Huskies
Mitch Sargen
Betting Syndicate out of Philly
100* NC ST
25* Wisconsin
10* Washington Minnesota Sonics
Free Pick North Texas