Lee Kostroski
8* Central Florida (-3) vs. Houston
UCF is playing as well as any team in Conference USA not named Memphis. The Golden Knights have won 5 straight games and they are on a 7-0 ATS run. The odds makers still have not caught up with this team. They are very good right now.
UCF is 11-2 at home with their only losses coming at the hands of Florida and Memphis. They played Memphis tougher than any other team in the conference has this year losing by just 7 points. However, the game was even closer than the final indicated. The Tigers led by just 3 points with 47 seconds remaining in the game. During their 5 game winning stretch the Knights have been outstanding on both ends of the court. They’ve scorched the nets shooting 51% as a team while allowing their opponents to shoot only 37%. In conference play, this team is #1 in offensive points per possession and #3 in defensive points per possession in the 12 team conference. Their points per possession differential is a very good +0.180 in league games. The numbers show this is the best overall offensive team in the conference as they are #1 in field goal percentage, #1 in 3-point percentage and #1 in free throw percentage. They have perhaps the best player in Conference USA in Jermaine Taylor who is shooting over 50% from the field, over 41% from 3-point land and averaging 24 PPG.
Houston is struggling right now. They are in a bad spot coming off their “Conference Game of the Year” at Memphis on Saturday. The Cougs really wanted to make a statement in that game, but instead they fell flat losing 83-68. That was their third straight loss. Ever since blowing a big lead @ Arizona and losing, this team has been whipped at home by UTEP and lost @ Memphis. Now they travel for the second straight game and this will be their 5th road game in their last 7 outings. Another letdown is in order and that’s not a good thing when traveling to team that is playing great basketball. Lay this small number as UCF continues their roll.
5* Creighton (-2) vs. Drake
It’s not often that the Creighton Blue Jays are seeking revenge from an earlier season loss at home. That’s because they don’t lose very often at home. The Jays have lost just 7 games at home since the start of the 2005 season. They are 11-2 in the Qwest Center this year with one of their losses coming at the hands of this Drake team just a week and a half ago. It was Creighton’s worst performance at home in quite some time. The lack of effort and hustle that defines Dana Altman’s teams was not there. They shot just 30% from the field and were outrebounded by 11. A close game turned Drake’s way down the stretch when the Jays missed 16 of their final 20 shots and were outscored 28-15 over the final 13 minutes. Creighton had a 6-point halftime lead but shot just 22% in the second half while the Bulldogs went crazy hitting nearly 57%. After the loss the upset Altman stated, “I’m disappointed in myself. I’m disappointed with our team for not doing a better job today.” You can bet this team will be ready on Wednesday night.
The Bulldogs began the season on a huge run winning 13 of their first 16 games. However as of late this team has not been playing well. In fact, their only win since January 11th was @ Creighton. This team has lost 5 of their last 6 and two straight at home. Their most recent loss at home was to an Evansville team that had been playing very poorly coming into that game. The Aces had lost 4 of 5, including a 22-point home loss to Creighton. This Bulldog team is simply struggling to put the ball in the hole. Minus their win @ Creighton, they are averaging just 54 PPG since January 11th. They are shooting just 39% over their last 5 games and that INCLUDES their 57% outburst in the second half of the Blue Jay game which looks to be an aberration.
Creighton is 7-4 in conference play and their points per possession differential is +0.062. Drake is 5-6 in the league and their points per possession differential tells us they are not a good team right now as it stands at -0.004 in conference play. Creighton is a veteran team with four seniors and two juniors in the rotation and they are not fazed by playing on the road. They are 3-3 this year away from home in league play. They get revenge tonight and top a struggling Drake team.
JEFFERSON-SPORTS
NBA EARLY RELEASE FOR WEDS
OKLAHOMA CITY/DENVER UNDER 214.5
Las Vegas Sport Picks
NCAA
1* Oklahoma -13
2* Mississippi -3
NBA
1* Nuggets -4.5
2* Suns/Warriors Over 229
3* Clippers +14
NHL
1* Leafs/Sabres Over 6
ATS Sports Club
NBA
Lakers -8
Suns/Warriors Over 229
NHL
Coyotes/Red Wings Over 5.5
Leafs/Sabres Over 6
NCAA
Wake Forest -2
Nebraska -4
Texas -3
Maddux Sports
3 units on Miami +4.5
3 units on Portland +4.5
3 units on Boston College -2
3 units on Texas -3.5
3 units on Murray State -5
I have a bit of a emergency guys and doubt I will be on all day so if you see some plays don't be afraid to post them,thanks.
Overthespread.com
20 Dimes on James Madison +1
20 Dimes on Miami Heat +4
Dr. Canada
Game 1 - Leafs/Sabres over 6
Game 2 - Wild -140
RON RAYMOND’S 5*
NBA O/U GAME OF THE WEEK! (69% WINNER INSIDE)
Pick # 1 New Jersey Nets /Washington Wizards Over 191.5 -110
RON RAYMOND’S 5* NHL BEST BET + 2 BONUS PICKS!
Pick # 1 Boston Bruins (-130)
Pick # 2 Tampa Bay Lightning (190)
Pick # 3 Anaheim Ducks (120)
DOC
4 Unit Play. #524 Take Indiana over Iowa (6:30 pm Big 10 Network) Iowa is still without two of their key players (Tate is doubtful) and if Indiana ever is going to win a conference game, it will come tonight at Assembly Hall. Iowa is just 1-7 in road games this season and by know means warrant being favored in this affair. We will ride the Hoosiers and fully expect them to win this one straight-up
WUNDERDOG
Game: Miami at Detroit (7:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: Miami +4 (-110)
The Pistons’ defense can never be questioned, but this year, the offense is just as weak as the defense is good. They rank just 29th in points scored offensively, their lowest ranking in memory. It has made life difficult against the better teams. The Pistons sport just a 1-6 ATS record at home when listed as a favorite against a team with a winning record on the season, and are just 8-20 ATS in their last 28 at home. The Heat have been producing winners as they are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14, and in a game that is typically ugly and low scoring, the points look good here and I'll back the Heat.
Jake Timlin
Wednesday's Action
1000♦ Cleveland Cavaliers
In my highest rated NBA selection this season I look for the Cavaliers to blast the Knicks tonight at MSG as LeBron James looks to trump what Kobe did just days ago in New York. Well while I don’t expect James to go off for 60 plus points I do expect LeBron and the Cavaliers to dominate the Knicks for the third straight time this year. You see in the first two meetings this year it was Cleveland who won by 18 points at New York in late November and then a 36 point win at home in early December giving the Cavaliers their third straight win and cover in the series. Well given that Cleveland is still one of the best teams in the league as they have won 7 of their last 8 games while covering their last 3 games overall I just don’t see the Cavaliers slipping up against a New York team that they have dominated twice this season. Meanwhile, for the Knicks while if they were unable to stay inside the number against the Lakers just days ago they don’t stand much of a chance as tonight against a Cleveland team that has just lost 9 games on the season. Plus, once this one becomes a blowout for Cleveland don’t expect any late rallies from the Knicks as they will start to prepare for the Celtics on Friday. Flat out, tonight is a bad spot of the Knicks and it will show as Cleveland wins in a blowout. All Cleveland minus the points!
200♦ Utah Utes
In bonus action I like the Utes on the road by double digits as they keep pace with the upper teams in the Mountain West Conference. I mean given that TCU has hit a major wall as they have lost their last two games while failing to cover in their last three games the Horned Frogs will find league play tough once again tonight against a good Utah team. The same Utah team that has covered two of the last three games against TCU. Meanwhile, for Utah fresh off a pair of wins over New Mexico and BYU the Utes roll into tonight having won four of their last five and eight of their last 10 games over all. Well due to the Utes major advantage down low with Nevill I look for Utah to pound the much small TCU into submission. With that take the Utes minus the points as they coast to an easy win.
Lenny Del Genio's
Famous Nba Trifecta Tonight.
Play Is On Toronto +7.5 (7:00 Start)
Play Is On Cleveland -5.5 (7:30 Start)
Under 211 Denver Nuggets Game (8:00 Start)
(15-5) Last 20 Games
Hey md75 thanks for posting Akmens plays last night. I have a Ben Burns and Bob Akmens sub on who2beton and they didn't list the other 2 hockey plays by Akmens. I would have went 1-3 without the other 2 so thanks or I would have had an even worse day.
Great Lakes Sports
5* GOY Michigan St - 8