POINTWISE
OREGON STATE RATING: 5
HOUSTON RATING: 1
ATS Consultants
Newsletter Plays
Thursday, February 21st
Hoops
Pitt covers over Notre Dame 68-69-Pref.
Georgia Tech over Virginia 78-63-Pref.
Hockey
Buffalo over Toronto - Pref.
Under in the St. Louis/LA Kings Game - Pref.
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Atlanta Thrashers at Carolina Hurricanes
Prediction: Atlanta Thrashers
Reason: The Hurricanes are leading their division but the Thrashers are only 3-points back with two games in hand. The Thrashers are 6-2 in their last 8 games vs. Eastern Conference opponents. Atlanta is 12-5 in their last 17 games vs. Division opponents. The Hurricanes dealt Stillman a couple of weeks ago and then Brind'amour went down and both will hurt Carolina's playoff chances. This will be their 3rd game in 4 night and in their lat 5 games played in this scenario they are 1-4. The Thrashers are 5-0 in their last 5 trips to Carolina. Atlanta has won 4 of the last 6 meetings overall. Play on the Thrashers +.
James Patrick Sports
Duquesne vs. Xavier
A track meet is scheduled for the Queen City this Thursday under the disguise of an Atlantis 10 match up between the conference’s elite . Scoring won’t be the problem here as the first team to 80 claims a victory. Our selection in Atlantic 10 action is Dukes – Musketeers Over the Total.
Dave Cokin
Virginia @ Georgia Tech
Play: Georgia Tech -5
Virginia and Georgia Tech are suffering through tough campaigns, and neither team is in good current form. But the Yellow Jackets have a good chance to improve their lot tonight. They have simply dominated the Cavs at home, covering nine straight meetings at this site. The number looks just a little short to me and with that remarkable history, I'll give Georgia Tech a shot tonight.
THE SPORTS REPORTER
DENVER
Mighty Quinn
Dayton -1
Gold Medal Club
100* 24 Karat Gold Play---Xavier
18 Karat play-Arizona
Scott Spreitzer
Miami Heat at Houston Rockets
I'm taking the points with the Heat on Thursday night. With Shaq in the desert and Shawn Marion now bringing his athletic style to South Beach, I believe Miami is in "buy" mode. The team is much better with their current lineup. Marion averaged 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 3 steals per game in his first three outings with the Heat. Meanwhile, although the Rockets won at Cleveland on Tuesday, Tracy McGrady has been in a cold-funk and Yao Ming didn't fare to well himself, in the win. In fact, McGrady is barely topping 12 PPG on 31% shooting in his last five outings. Houston has been getting solid play from the supporting cast, but with T-Mac off his game, they should NOT be laying double-digits against a Heat squad that just got much better due to the Marion/Shaq trade mentioned above. I'm "buying" the Heat and taking the points with the double-digit pup
Play on: Miami
Josh Dean
20* Weber St. +1
10* Oregon +5.5
10* Arizona Pk
10* Heat +11.5
5* G. Tech -5.5
Free B: Mich +8.5
VEGAS EXPERTS
Oregon State Beavers at UCLA Bruins
It would be difficult for the Bruins to let down far enough to keep the Beavers in this one. Oregon State is 6-19 on the year, 2-9 on the road, 0-13 in the Pac-10 and thus 0-7 on the Conference road. It has lost those seven contests by an average of 14.3 points. It comes off a Saturday home loss to Washington by 38 points, 97-59. UCLA has won six of its last seven and the loss, at that same Washington club, came just two games ago. UCLA has played just five Conference home games, losing to arch-rival USC but winning the other four contests by 14, 17, 33 and 22 points.
Play on: UCLA
THE SPORTS REPORTER
BEST BET
DENVER over MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE by 14
Joe Scott’s Pioneers are back home, again, which should result in a sharply-improved performance level for this hard-bitten, defensively-oriented outfit. After a decent stint at Air Force, Scott didn’t work out so well when he tried to go home again (to Nassau Hall, my boy. . . ), but his edgy style and this crop of players have got something going. MTS is a long way from home, and headed the wrong way, as forwards Uriah Hethington and Josh Sain both missed last Saturday’s game with the Hilltoppers with health/academic issues.
DENVER 71-57
LAS VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Notre Dame Fighting Irish - 4.5 over Pittsburgh Panthers
Injury depleted Pittsburgh (19-6, 7-5) is out of the national rankings for the first time in two plus seasons. No.21 Notre Dame (19-5, 9-3) is 15-0 at home with an average winning margin of 17.1 points. The Irish lead the Big East in both scoring and rebounding margin.
Massachusetts Minutemen + 6 over (at) Rhode Island Rams
Rhode Island (20-6, 6-5) vs. Massachusetts (16-9, 5-6) ranks tenth in the nation averaging 82.2 ppg. In A-10 games the Minutemen's 284 three-pointers easily leads the league. They're 3-1 last four meetings, the loss coming at Rhode Island 75-72 last season.
Michigan Wolverines + 8.5 over (at) Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota (15-9, 5-7) vs. Michigan (8-17, 4-9) enters on a three game win streak off posting an 80-70 home win over (17-9) Ohio State on Sunday. Sagarin ratings has the Wolverine's schedule ranked second toughest in the nation. Michigan won at Minnesota 62-51 last season.
Oregon Ducks + 5.5 over (at) USC Trojans
USC (15-9, 6-6) key player starting guard Hackett (back) is out. Oregon (15-10, 6-7) in its last road game hit a team record 18 three-pointers winning at (15-9) Cal. 92-70. Ducks lost at USC 71-68 last season going cold from the field getting outshot 60.2 percent to 33.1 percent.
Madduxsports
Pittsburgh +5
Great Lakes
Washington State
WINNINGWAY SPORTS
Selection: Rhode Island -6
Reason: Put us down on Rhode Island -6 for our Free College Basketball Selection on Thursday. Today Massachusetts will be on the road as they take on Rhode Island. We will lay the points with Rhode Island! Out of these two teams, Rhode Island has the much better defense. Rhode Island (at home) is allowing opponents to score an average of only 68.6 points per game, while Massachusetts (on the road) is allowing opponents to score an average of 82.4 points per game. That means the Rhode Island defense is allowing opponents to score an average of 13.8 points per game less then the Massachusetts defense. In addition, Rhode Island has been a proven winner against Massachusetts. In fact, Rhode Island is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings against Massachusetts. Lay the points
Take Rhode Island -6
Scott Spreitzer
Wash Univ
Cappers Access
Notre Dame
Minn Univ
Joe Wiz
S. Alabama
Ark St
Redzone Sports
Ark Little Rock
Bob Donahue
Denver
John Ryan
Game: Montana at Idaho State Feb 21 2008 9:00PM
Prediction: Idaho State
Reason: Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Idaho State - AiS shows an 80% probability that Idaho State will win this game. Montana State is 15-10 on the season, but just 4-9 on the road. They are averaging 35 points in the 1st half, but nearly 5 PPG less on the road. Idaho State has a solid defense, which I think Montana will struggle against tonight. Idaho State also defends their glass well and has allowed opponents just 29 total boards in home games and also allowing 31 PPG in the first half. This combination of matchups certainly supports Idaho State in getting a home win tonight. Note that Montana State is 5-15 ATS in road games in February games since 1997.
Scott Rickenbach
1* (regular play) Toronto Maple Leafs
An amazing rally by the Sabres last night as they scored two late goals to force overtime versus Tampa Bay. Buffalo then proceeded to win the game in overtime as they shocked the Lightning with a late rally. It was Thomas Vanek that led the way last night as he had a hat trick. He has been hot recently as he's scored 12 goals in his last 11 games. However, the good news for Leafs fans tonight is that Vanek has just one goal in four games against Toronto this season. Also, this is the second night of a back to back for the Sabres and, prior to last night's 'miracle win', the Sabres had lost their prior two games by a combined score of 9-2.
The Maple Leafs will be seeking to avenge a tough 1-0 loss in their most recent meeting with Buffalo. The Leafs do appear to be catching the Sabres at the right time and Toronto does come into this game confident. The Maple Leafs have won each of their last two games and the trade rumors that are circulating as the deadline approaches certainly do not appear to be bothering the club. Overall, Toronto's play has been better since the management change and we expect that to continue. The Leafs have earned points in three of their four games against the Sabres this season and they won the only game played at the Air Canada Centre by a 4-2 final. Vesa Toskala has looked strong in goal and the Maple Leafs puck possession has been much better as they've avoided the turnovers that have plagued them when they were playing poorly. Right now, there is nothing poor about the Leafs level of play and they catch the Sabres in a tough spot