Tom Freese
Tennessee at Vanderbilt
This is a real tough spot for Tennessee off their win over Memphis they are for the first time ever ranked #1 in the country. The Volunteers are 2-11 ATS after going under in one or more straight games. The road team is 1-4 ATS the last 5 meetings in this series. Vanderbilt is 24-11 ATS their last 35 home games as home underdogs and they are 22-12 ATS when playing their second game in a week. The Commodores are 4-1 ATS off a straight up win and they are 4-1 ATS on Tuesday.
PLAY ON VANDERDBILT +
Cajun Sports
PICK: PHO -9.5
ANALYSIS: The Suns have not fared too well after the All-Star break although they have faced three of the leagues best teams but in doing so they lost two of the three and got shelled by the Pistons who laid an extra 30 on them. In that game either Detroits ability to slow down the Suns transition game or the fact they have a Big Man in the middle that is past his prime, time will be the judge, but they only scored 10 points in transition which is not a common occurrence when facing the Suns. The Suns game is to get out and run, scoring more than 100 has not been an issue until the last two games where they were held below 90 points for the first time since 2005. A trip to Memphis could be just what the Doc ordered for this ailing Suns team. The Grizzlies are on a 0-5 SU and ATS run their last five times to post, they are also 42-64-3 ATS coming off at least two SU losses and now facing a conference foe at home. If we make them an underdog in the price range of 8 to 10 points that record drops to 8-19 ATS. We also know that the Suns are 6-0-2 ATS coming off an ATS loss in their last game and now facing Memphis on the road. Lay the points with the visiting Suns as they get a much needed win and we get the cover
DOC'S
6 Unit Play.Take Bradley -1 over Southern Illinois
We have had this game circled for quite some time, as Southern Illinois continues to get too much hype and people fail to realize their deficiencies. Bradley is now healthy and has won nine of their last 11 games. SIU has been a terrible road team this season winning just two of 11 true road games this season. Bradley has not lost a home game since January 5th and has a win at Drake during this streak. The Salukis have had a home heavy schedule recently and their one road victory came against Wichita State, a bottom feeder MVC team. Carver Arena will be hostile on Tuesday, as the Braves tie the Salukis in the standing with a convincing victory.
4 Unit Play.Take Drake -1 over Missouri State
One might assume this would be a trap game for the Bulldogs coming off an emotional victory in Indianapolis on Saturday, but the line is much lower then what it should be. The Bears have a solid home record, but already have 15 losses on the season. Drake will not take them lightly either since they escaped with a one point victory against MSU earlier this season. The Bears have trouble scoring the basketball and that does not bode well when playing the best the MVC has to offer. Drake still is not guaranteed a high seed and must keep winning in order to receive a top-5 seed come tournament time. They already have 10 road victories this year and win No. 11 will come tonight at Hammons Center
LT's Lock Of The Day
VANDY +2
Drew Gordon
1. 200,000* New Mexico
2. 50,000* Indiana
3. 50,000* Trail Blazers
1. New Mexico- Lobos have been red-hot of late, winning and covering 6 straight games, including crushing 3 weaker opponents at home, and impressive road wins at San Diego State and most recently at Utah! Make no mistake, Brigham Young may be leading the Moutain West, but right now, New Mexico is the hottest team in the conference and it'll show tonight.
First of all, the Cougars have been far from impressive when they travel, going 6-4 SU & 7-6 ATS this season. Those 4 SU road losses all came against strong opposition, including Boise State, Wake Forest, UNLV and San Diego State - All tough road games, all losses SUATS!
Biggest issue for the Cougars has been their offense, which falls apart on the road, scoring just 66 ppg on 42% shooting... That's all long ways from their 75 pgg on 46% shooting they average overall this season! It won't get any easier tonight, as the Lobos are downright nasty on the defensive end at home, allowing just 55 ppg on 38% shooting there this season!
Also, its hard to ignore the fact New Mexico has been a cash machine in Albuquerque this season, going an incredible 13-2 ATS! Its not just their defense either, as they light up the scoreboard on the friendly rims, averaging 77 ppg on 49% shooting! You know the Cougars will bring their defense, but its not nearly enough to slow down the Lobos surging attack.
Bottom line, look for the Lobos streak to continue tonight at home against a Brigham Young team that has shown vulnerability in tough road games this season. Cougars offense will struggle against the Lobos lockdown home D, while Giddens and company will shoot well enough at home to cover the number. In the end, the Lobos are red-hot and staying with them at home is simply too much to ask from this Cougars squad.
Take New Mexico comfortably over Brigham Young as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Indiana- One of two things happens to a team being tested by controversy: Either A. their galvanized by the fire, becoming a stronger unit. Or B. they fall apart at the seams, and start pointing fingers. Needless to say, you can tell by my siding with the Hoosiers, that I'm expecting them to come out a better unit because of the coaching controversy.
They had a close one at Northwestern in their last game, but with several days to let the dust and emotions settle, I say we see one of the more focused efforts this season from Indiana tonight in their first home game in the post-Sampson era. We already know how good their defense can be at home, allowing 61 ppg on 40% shooting, but the real difference-maker is their offense.
Herein lies the problem for the Buckeyes, as they're a young team without a true "go-to" guy. Butler and Koufos are both solid players, but Butler rarely explodes for more than his average, and Koufos is too young and too soft right now to be considered anything but a # 2 option. The numbers prove my point, as Ohio State scores just 64 ppg on 44% shooting on the road this season... Just pop in the tape of their last road game, a 70-80 outright loss at Michigan, and you'll see exactly what I mean, and that was against the 9-18 Wolverines.
Indiana's offense is head and shoulders better than Michigan's, averaging a hearty 80 ppg on 49% shooting (40% from 3-point)! They were able to beat two of the Big Ten's best defenses in Michigan State and Purdue in back-to-back home games, and you best believe they can take care of Buckeyes in Bloomington also!
Bottom line, this is exactly the kind of win the Hooisers need to quell any doubts about this team ability without caoch Sampson. Look for D.J. White and company to come out more focused than ever, thanks in large part to the scare they received at Northwestern 3 days ago. Hoosiers capitalize on the Buckeyes inconsistencies on offense, on their way to the solid home win and cover.
Take Indiana BIG over Ohio State in this Big Ten showdown.
3. Trail Blazers- First things first, I don't care if Brandon Roy is out with ankle injury, as there's no excuse for a professional basketball team to lose by this many points in this spot tonight. True, the Blazers have lost 7 of their last 8 SUATS, but let's not get carried away, as the only game they covered in that span, was the only game they were double-digit underdogs - a 92-81 loss at Detroit back on February 8th.
Okay, so the Lakers are rolling, winners of 8 in a row SUATS, including 7 of those games on the road, which is impressive no doubt. But before we go giving them the crown, let's examine who they played over those 8 games - Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Minnesota, LA Clippers, Seattle - Are you starting to see a pattern here? Guys, besides their win against Phoenix, which was a rivalry game, they've beaten NBA cupcake after NBA cupcake. In other words, don't get too carried away by the Lakers success against the bottom-feeders of the league!
Blake, Jack, and Aldridge might not be as good as Kobe, Gasol, and Odom, but being spotted this many points, they don't have to be. Either the Lakers get ahead early, leaving the backdoor wide open all fourth quarter, or we get a relatively competitive contest, with the Blazers keeping it just inside the number. Guys, I can't tell you the anount of times I've doubted an NBA team because of one injury, and then all of a sudden, a player like Jack or Aldridge drops 30 points because they finally got to be the # 1 option.
Bottom line, there's no doubt the Lakers are the superior team right now, but I believe oddsmakers went a bit too far in overestimating the margin in this contest. Granted, the Blazers aren't playing well, but they also know without Roy, they're going to need a "max-effort" tonight or they'll get their asses handed to them. Its that kind of effort, from top to bottom, which propels them to cover tonight.
Take the Trail Blazers plus the points over the LA Lakers in late NBA action.
Hi Bettors
I suppose that you ready for Today's NBA betting...Just look at my pick's:
Sacramento Kings -1½ Over 202½-(The Kings lost to Orlando 112-93 as an 8-point underdog last time out. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (216).)
Houston Rockets -12½ Under 190½-(Tracy McGrady scored 24 points and dished out eight assists for Houston, while Luis Scola added 17 points in the win.)
Milwaukee Bucks +3½ Under 195½-(Michael Redd poured in a game-high 42 points to help the Bucks defeat the Nuggets 115-109 on Saturday.)
P.s.Are you read The Ultimate Sports Betting System ... Good luck Tonight...
STRIKE POINT SPORTS
2-Unit Play. Drake -1.5
Winning Points Online NBA.
**PREFERRED
Phoenix over Memphis* by 18
Black Magic sports
NCAA Basketball
5 Unit Mountain West Bracket Buster on New Mexico -4
New Mexico and BYU face off in a big Mountain West contest with serious NCAA Tournament implications on the line. We will favor New Mexico at home tonight where they have been tremendous all season long. New Mexico is 15-1 at home this season with a 13-2 ATS record in home games. They are outscoring their foes by 22 points per game when playing at home. New Mexico is finishing their season strong, going 6-0 SU and ATS in their last 6 games overall. They would love nothing more than to get revenge against a BYU team that handed the Lobos their lunch earlier this year on the road. New Mexico is 18-2 ATS after 1 or more consecutive wins this season. New Mexico is 11-1 ATS after 3 or more consecutive wins this season. Cash in with New Mexico as the favorite.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Drake -1
The Drake Bulldogs are still not getting the respect they deserve here, despite beating a Top-10 team in the Butler Bulldogs on Saturday. Drake will continue their dominance in MVC play tonight when they travel to Missouri State. Drake is 9-2 against the spread in all road games this season. Drake is 7-0 ATS after a non-conference game this season. Missouri State is 1-10 ATS as an underdog this season. They lose the games they are supposed to lose, and this one definitely fits into that category. Missouri State is 0-7 ATS after a game where they covered the spread this season. They have never won in this situation. Cash in with Drake as the favorite.
NBA
4 Unit NBA Dog of the Night on Milwaukee Bucks +3.5
Milwaukee should not be the underdog in tonight’s match-up with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bucks have responded with 2 straight home wins over some of the best teams in the league. A 5-point win over Detroit and a 6-point victory over the Nuggets, thanks to Michael Redd’s 42 points, have this team going in the right direction now that they are healthy. Milwaukee has won 15 of their last 22 home meetings with the Cavs. Milwaukee is 15-11 in all home games this year. The Bucks are terrible on the road, but they are stellar at home. Milwaukee is 14-4 ATS in home games versus teams who attempt 18 or more 3 point shots/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons. Cash in with Milwaukee as the underdog.
Brandon Lang
15 Dime - Vanderbilt
5 Dime - Southern Illinois
5 Dime - Drake
FREE PICKS - Rockets and New Mexico
Ryan NHL
5* Calgary
Josh Dean
10* Missouri -5.5
5* SW Missouri St. +1.5
5* BYU +4.5
5* V Tech -5.5
FREE B: Miami +2
Any IndianCowboy? Released this morning I think. Thanks in advance.
Rockdeman Dog Of The Day
Ohio St.
Alatex 20* Superplay
Bradley
Wise OWL Syndicate
NBA Game Of The Month
Seattle / Golden State Under 223
Ben Burns
New Jersey Devils @ Carolina Hurricanes
PICK: under
REASON FOR PICK: These teams have played some high-scoring games against each other at New Jersey. However, the games here at Carolina have typically seen fewer goals. The most recent meeting here was on 1/10 and the teams combining for five goals in a 4-1 New Jersey victory. That resulted in a "push" as the over/under number was only five. Six weeks later and we're getting an extra half goal to work with. That doesn't sound like much. However, with five being a very common final combined score, particularly in recent meetings in this series, it is significant. Looking back at the last five meetings here and we find the "under" at 4-0-1 with four of those games finishing with exactly five goals. In fact, nine of the past 19 series meetings here have finished with exactly five goals. Note that only three of those 20 games finished with more than five goals.
It's also worth mentioning that we find the "under" at 10-1 when the Devils have played a road game with an over/under line of 5.5. Carolina comes off a high-scoring game vs. Washington on Saturday. They've seen the "under" go 9-2-1 when playing with two days off in between games though and also 11-8-3 when facing a team with a winning record. New Jersey has held five straight opponents to two goals or less and I won't be surprised if we see another relatively "defensive" affair this evening.
Mike Rose
BYU +4.5
“The Pit” will be rocking tonight with 1st place in the Mountain West Conference on the line when the (21-6) BYU Cougars take on the (22-6) New Mexico Lobos. Brigham Young currently holds the top spot in the conference with a 10-2 mark, but New Mexico sits just one game behind sporting a 9-3 SU mark of their own. BYU is a combined 7-6 SU & ATS in their road contests this season, while the Lobos come in a stellar 15-1 SU and 13-2 ATS in their own house.
These clubs squared off against one another in late January in Provo, and the Cougars slapped the Lobos in the face by handing them an embarrassing 83-66 road defeat. The win was the Cougars 5th in a row over their conference rivals, and they’ve pretty much owned this series of late winning 8 of the L/10 overall match-ups SU and 7 of the L/10 ATS.
We last saw the Cougars take the court over the weekend when they shockingly lost to the San Diego State Aztecs by a 69-65 final count. The loss snapped BYU’s 9-game winning streak, and it was only their second Mt. West road defeat of the season. In their six Mt. West road games this season, the Cougars are 4-2 SU and ATS.
As for New Mexico, they’re only loss at home this season came against the same Aztecs club that knocked off BYU over the weekend. However, that loss occurred way back in early January and they’ve rattled off five straight home wins since then. They last took the court on Saturday as well when they went into Utah and picked up a huge 72-71 decision on the road. J.R. Giddens and company come into tonight’s crucial Mt. West showdown winners of 6 in a row, and they’ve made their backers plenty of loot over that stretch by cashing in ATS in all six contests.
The home team has dominated this series of late winning 9 of the L/11 meetings ATS, but BYU has cashed ATS in five straight meetings. Even though the favorite has gone 7-2 ATS the L/9 meetings, BYU is a perfect 6-0-1 ATS their L/7 off a SU loss.
This is sure to be a gripping Mt. West clash, so hopefully all you night owls have it in you to stay up late and see what exactly transpires on the court….
Black Magic Sports
1 Unit on Miami Heat +1.5
Miami will end this dreadful losing streak with a win over the Sacramento Kings Tuesday night. After 33 points from All-Star Dwayne Wade in their losing effort to the 76ers, Wade had some promising remarks that lead us to believe they will still give max effort from here non out. "Nobody in this locker room is going to quit," Wade said. "The ball is going to drop as it's going to drop and we have to accept that and move on." Sacramento is just 9-19 in all road games this season. Miami is 12-3 ATS against Pacific division opponents over the last 2 seasons. They have had much success against this Western Conference Division. Cash in with Miami as the underdog.