Cash & Profit Experts
NBA
Cleveland +5
CBB
Washington St. +2.5
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Pittsburgh Panthers - 3 over West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia (16-6, 5-4) is 2-2 in Big East road games. Working through injuries No.21 Pittsburgh's (17-5, 5-4) record includes wins over (at) No.2 Duke 65-64 and No.6 Georgetown 69-60. The Panthers have handily won the last three meetings.
Rhode Island Rams + 3.5 over (at) Massachusetts Minutemen
UMass (14-7, 3-4) averaging a nation's sixth most 83.3 ppg is 1-3 last four games averaging 67.0 ppg in the three losses. Rhode Island (19-3, 5-2) in A-10 games ranks second in the 14 team league in scoring, fourth in scoring margin, and fifth in rebounding margin.
Indiana Hoosiers - 1.5 over (at) Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois (10-13, 2-8) has continued to underachieve going 2-9 last 11 games. No.13 Indiana (18-3, 7-1) starting the Big Ten's top two scorers is off to its best league start in six years. The Hoosiers look to snap a six game losing streak at Assembly Hall.
UCLA Bruins - 2 over (at) Washington State Cougars
No.17 Washington State (17-4, 5-4) has dropped its last two home games including a 69-64 loss to (4-4 Pac 10) Cal on 01/31. No.5 UCLA (20-2, 8-1) is 8-0 away from home. The Bruins leading the Pac 10 by one game have defeated the Cougars last seven meetings.
ATS LOCK
6 Middle Tenn St -4
4 Wisc Gr Bay -2
3 Cal Santa Barb -3
ATS FINANCIAL
4 Fresno St. -1 1/2
4 Pitts -2 1/2
3 Denver -3 1/2
LT Profits
Los Angeles Kings @ Detroit Red Wings u5.5 (115)
The Detroit Red Wings have the best record in the NHL, thanks to a defense that also leads the NHL allowing just 2.02 goals per game, and we look for that unit to key this Under vs. the Los Angeles Kings tonight.
The Under is now 6-1-2 in the last nine Detroit games overall, with the push coming in overtime in a 3-2 win at Minnesota on Tuesday. Dominik Hasek was in goal that game, but Chris Osgood is expected to get the call tonight. Osgood is an amazing 22-3-2 with a fantastic 1.84 GAA and a .927 save percentage. Moreover, he has been brilliant in his two starts vs. the Kings this season, allowing a grand total of one goal.
Now the Kings have been play better lately, but they are still averaging just 2.80 goals per game for the season, a figure that drops all the way down to 2.35 on the road. Throw in the fact that they have not scored more than two goals in any of their last four meetings with the Wings, and they should have trouble finding the net against Osgood tonight.
Since we don’t think that Detroit will go Over in this game by themselves, we look for a safe Under here.
NHL Free Pick: Free Pick: Kings, Wings Under 5.5 (+115)
St Louis +8.5 (-110)
The St. Louis Billikens have already had a couple of memorable meltdowns this season, but that has served to give us some nice value at home here vs. the Xavier Musketeers.
The Billikens received some national attention by scoring just 20 points in an entire game vs. George Washington, and they recently had another dismal 36-point effort vs. Dayton. In all fairness though, both of those efforts (or lack of) came on the road, and St. Louis actually has a winning record at 12-9 overall. Most importantly, they are a very good 9-3 straight up at home, with recent home wins over a couple of other conference heavyweights in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Now Xavier is 18-4 and nationally ranked, but they have played only six true road games so far, and they are an ordinary 3-3 both SU and against the spread in those games. Furthermore, the Musketeers have allowed exactly as many points on the road as they have scored (67.0 points per game).
Finally, St. Louis has upset Xavier outright in three of the last four head-to-head meetings, and we look for the Billikens to at the very least take this game down to the wire.
CBB Free Pick: St. Louis +8.5
Mike Rose
Golden State Warriors -13.0
The Bulls dropped a 100-97 decision in Portland late last night. The injury bug has taken a huge bite out of their roster of late as they were without the services of Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, and Kirk Hinrich. Thabo Sefalosha and Andres Nocioni led all Chicago scorers with 22 apiece, but it wasn’t enough to pull out the victory. Chicago has only managed four wins in their L/10 overall games, and their shoddy and inconsistent play has forced a majority of Bulls fans to change the channel whenever they’re on the tube.
As for the Warriors, they’re coming off a 127-96 beatdown of the Charlotte Bobcats back on February 1st, and they will have had six full days to rest up for this primetime affair. Warrior Backers take note: Golden state is 0-2 ATS this season with 3+ days of rest, and they’re being asked to cover a lofty number in this spot.
These teams met earlier this season in a wild game played in the Untied Center back on January 18th. Baron Davis dropped 40 points on the Bulls defense and Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson combined for 47 as the Warriors picked up a 119-111 road win and cover.
Chicago is 19-26 ATS (42%) combined on the road against +.500 Western Conference opponents, while the Warriors are 13-27ATS (33%) at home vs. sub .500 Eastern Conference opponents. The home team is 10-2 ATS the L/12 meetings including Chicago’s loss at home a couple weeks ago, and the favorite has cashed tickets in 7 of the L/9 overall meetings. The Bulls have only managed one spread win against Golden state in their L/5 showdowns, and they’ve produced a goose egg in the bay going 0-5 ATS their L/5 visits.
WAYNE ROOT
Chairman - West Virginia
Millionaire - Washington
Money Maker - Illinois
No Limit - Wash St
Insiders Circle - Virginia
Michael Cannon
20 Dime –
PITT
Take Pitt as the small home chalk tonight over West Virginia.
Pitt has held the upper hand in the basketball version of “The Backyard Brawl”, winning 9 of the last 12, including three in a row all by double digits.
The Panthers are also 6-1 in their last seven home games against the Mountaineers.
West Virginia hasn’t completely ditched the 3-point assault that former coach John Beilein used. Bob Huggins is known for having tough, athletic teams but he has adapted his coaching style to the players that Beilein left behind.
That’s not going to help him tonight against a physical Pitt team.
The Panthers will control the paint and it wouldn’t surprise me if freshman DeJuan Blair has a huge night.
Take Pitt minus the small number as they grab the home win and cover.
10 Dime –
RHODE ISLAND
Take Rhode Island tonight over Massachusetts.
This is a revenge spot for Rhode Island, who was embarrassed in a 77-55 loss last season at U Mass.
The Rams have improved their scoring this season and continue to play an ultra high-tempo pace. U Mass eventually would like to mold themselves into that type of team, but they are still too inconsistent.
As long as Rhode Island continues to get everyone involved offensively, nobody in this conference can compete with them.
Take the Rams as they get it done on the road tonight over U Mass
Winning Points Online
**PREFERRED
Golden State* over Chicago by 22
It's what the Warriors were built to do -- run opponents who are in distress on long road trips out of their building.
Rested home team that plays up-tempo game meets visitor playing second of back-to-back nights way out on the Western road, and the visitor played all four quarters in Portland last night. We know. We had 'em at +5.5 on the Executive Club list. Ben Gordon is out,Hinrich is hurting, missed last night and hasn't practiced since bruising his ribs at Seattle. Duhon is playing hurt.
GOLDEN STATE 114-92
Black Magic Sports
NCAA Basketball
5 Unit Black Magic Pac-10 Elite Rematch on UCLA -2
The UCLA Bruins will put the hammer down on the Washington State Cougars just as they did already once this season! Washington State is overmatched and there are just too many mismatches all over the floor for the Cougars to compete. Washington State has lost 3 out of their last 4 games overall, including back-to-back home losses to Cal and Stanford. UCLA is a perfect 8-0 in road games this season, so playing away from home has not phased this Pac-10 powerhouse one bit. UCLA is 6-0 ATS after 4 straight games outrebounding opponent by 6 or more this season. The Bruins always win the battle on the boards. Washington State is not a prolific scoring team so they will be doomed again tonight when the Bruins man-handle them inside. Cash in with UCLA as the favorite.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Morehead State -6
You may have never bet on Morehead State before, but one thing you need to know is that Morehead is perhaps the best home team in the country. Morehead State has yet to lose at home this season and their perfect 9-0 home record will go without a blemish again tonight. SE Missouri State is just 5-9 SU and ATS in road games this season. Morehead is winning their home games by 15 points per contest. Morehead beat SE Missouri State by 4 points on the road earlier this season. Morehead has won 7 out of their last 8 games and are on an 8-2 ATS run heading into Thursday’s match-up. Cash in with Morehead State as the favorite.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Cal Poly S.L.O. +1.5
Cal Poly is very talented and as shown by their huge road win over Pacific on ESPN 2 a couple games back. Cal Poly had a letdown in between that game and tonight’s game, but we fully expect them to bounce back in a big way at home tonight against one of their rivals. UC-Irvine is just 2-11 in road games this season. UC-Irvine is 2-9 ATS off a win against a conference rival over the last 2 seasons. Cal Poly is 8-0 ATS off an embarrassing road loss scoring less than 60 points over the last 3 seasons. Cash in with Cal Poly as the underdog.
Gator's NBA/CBB 70% Report
CBB
Wednesday: Play Over CBB road teams when the total is between 120 and 129.5 points after going under the total by 24 or more points total in their last three games against an opponent after going under the total by 42 or more points total in their last seven games 32-8 Over since 1997 (80.0%) PLAY: Indiana / Illinois OVER 127
Net Prophet
NBA
Miami/Philadelphia OVER 190'
Chicago/GS UNDER 212
NHL
Toronto +165 over Montreal
Nashville -1 1/2 +175 over Tarpon Bay
Chicago +190 over Calgary
CBB
Pittsburgh -3 over West Virginia
Seabass Insider
100* Wisc-GB -2.5
Seabass
10* Wash
10* Pitt
20* RI
50* Wash St
50* Cali
Bob Akmens
Furman
u143.0 3 units
Los Angeles Kings
o5.5 (-125) / 3 units
North Texas
u144.5 / 3 units
Cal Poly S.L.O.
u129.5 / 3 units
Scott Spreitzer's CBB "STATEMENT" GAME OF THE YEAR! *4-1, 80% ATS!
My Statement GOY is a play on Washington State on Thursday. This is literally the "Game of the Year" for the Washington State Cougars, and I believe they're up to the task. The 17th ranked Cougs are off a couple of tough losses which is why they opened a home dog in this one. But this is not a team that's going to fade down the stretch in my opinion. In fact, don't be surprised to see them make a deep run in the Big Dance. A "Great-Eight" appearance is not out of the question. They're 43-12 SU under the direction of coach Tony Bennett, and the recent two-game slide was their VERY FIRST two-game skid since Bennett has been calling the shots! They have the quality veteran leadership that will get them back on track, fully understanding tonight's opportunity. They're an unselfish team, as you'd expect from a Bennett team. Six players average between 7 and 14 PPG. Of course, the leader of the team is 6'2 guard Derrick Low. To beat UCLA, you must have solid guard leadership. Low smoked the Bruins for 24-points in UCLA's 81-74 win earlier this season. A team also must be able drive the paint once in a while, and grab their share of rebounds. Mbah A Moute is the perfect compliment to UCLA's Kevin Love inside, and denied WSU penetration and a shot at cleaning the glass in the first meeting. Good news for Washington State here, Mbah A Moute injured his ankle in their win over Arizona and is not expected to play. The injury will force Love to work that much harder on both ends of the court. Also, I don't expect UCLA to have the same intensity as they did against the U of A. The Bruins thought of that as their "statement" game and played as well as a team can. Now, they'll be on the road against a team ready to make a statement themselves. The Cougars are in a good in-season spot, going 11-2 SU this year with at least three days between games, winning by an average score of 67-55. Bennett's seniors took full blame for their recent two-game slide in a post-game press conference. After this one, I believe they'll be able to take full credit for their biggest win of the season. Washington State is my Statement Game of the Year.
Larry Ness' 20* Conf GOY (2-1 CBB Weds ups Y-T-D mark to 84-62!)
My 20* play is on Denver at 9:30 ET. Troy starts a trio of seniors in its backcourt, Bassett (18.0-4.2), Jonus (13.5) and Odem (7.2). The 6-7 Mack (8.5-4.8) is the team's lone consistent starter up front, with the 6-7 Acker (6.6-4.1), the 7-0 Jervis (5.7-4.4) and the 6-6 Telfair (4.5-3.7) all getting some playing time. The Trojans like to run and shoot the three but it surely hasn't worked away from home. The Trojans are just 2-8 SU on the road, losing to the likes of Utah Valley St (11-13), Georgia St (5-16), Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (5-14) plus SBC lightweights Fla-International (6-16) and Fla-Atlantic (10-14). Denver is no power but the Pioneers have been tough at home in the high altitude, going 7-1 SU and ATS. There's little doubt the loss of the 6-6 Kummer (11.4-4.6) to an ankle injury (likely for the season) is a big blow but I'll note that Denver has won BOTH of its home games without him. The 6-8 Tanner (10.5-3.5) and the 6-5 Rohnert (7.9-3.9) are solid frontcourt players and with the loss of Kummer, expect improved contributions from 6-7 freshman R. Lewis (7.2). A case in point being he's scored 35 points the last two games! Guards K. Lewis (9.3) and Jackson (7.9) will have to play well against Troy's solid trio. However, the fact remains that Denver has continued to come out on top at home, while Troy's shown little ability to win on the road. Sun Belt GOY 20* Denver.
Larry Ness' Las Vegas Insider-CBB (now 20-11 with BKB Insiders since Jan 1!)
My Las Vegas Insider is on Wisconsin-Green Bay at 8:00 ET. Valpo is in its first year in the Horizon (after a successful run in the Mid-Continent) and longtime head coach Homer Drew (31st year of coaching, 19th at Valpo) starts a unique blend of players. The starting guards are McPherson (9.9) and Diebler (4.1-3.1) who are joined by a pair of Finish players, the 6-7 Huff (11.4-4.9) and the 6-8 Haanpaa (10/7-3.2), plus the 6-9 Igbavboa (9.8-6.6) who of course, was born and raised in Minnesota (?). Loyd, a senior guard who averaged 5.9 PPG over his first three years, is coming off the bench this season and leads the team in scoring (11.8) and assists (4.0). Wisconsin-Green Bay was a disappointment last year (18-15/7-9) but returned four starters for this season. At 12-9 overall (6-4 in the Horizon), the jury is still out on this year's team but the Phoenix have been a tough team to beat at home, going 8-1. The 6-9 Schachtner (17.4-4.7) is one of the league's best inside players and he had 34 points at Valpo in a Jan 12 loss. Staring in the frontcourt with him have been swingman Evans (9.1-6.4) and the 6-9 Berry (6.8-4.9). However, Berry is expected to miss again with an ankle injury (he's missed MOST of the L4 games) and neither the 6-9 Morris (2.4-2.1) nor swingman Barkley (3.8-2.9) have been adequate replacements. The 6-8 Tillema (11.6-3.6) will match up favorably with Haanpaa plus freshman guard Fletcher (8.7) and backcourt reserve Cotton (4.1) give the Phoenix a decent perimeter game. The 'key' to this play is the situation. Not only are the Phoenix a tough home team (remember that 8-1 mark) playing with "in-season revenge" but Wisconsin-Green Bay is also catching the Crusaders off a heartbreaking loss just two nights ago at Butler. Valpo outplayed the 10th-ranked Bulldogs at Hinkle Fieldhouse the entire game but lost 71-68 when Pete Campbell nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer, which was Butler's ONLY lead of the game. Las Vegas Insider on Wisconsin-Green Bay.