Doc’s Sports
4 Unit Play. #539 Take Green Bay -2 over Youngstown State
If you throw out the powerful Detroit Titans, who currently sit at the bottom of the Horizon League standing, the Penguins have lost 11 straight games. Green Bay has dominated this season series, winning 17 of the 21 lifetime meetings and the Penguins are below .500 this year when playing at the Beeghly Center. The Phoenix have already recorded one victory against YSU and will complete the seasonal series on Wednesday.
4 Unit Play. #588 Take Evansville +9 over Illinois State
This number is inflated because the Purple Aces will likely be without Holsinger, but the MVC has so much parity this season you cannot be laying this many points on the road. The Red Birds are just a 5-5 team on the road this season and Evansville has a winning record when playing at Roberts Stadium. Evansville is allowing just 66 points per game and that makes it very difficult for teams to cover big numbers.
4 Unit Play. #595 Take Wisconsin -2 over Illinois
This is a big square play but Wisconsin has a couple things going that will offset that notion. One is that they are extremely well coach and have great balance on the offensive end. Illinois will not be able to take away all of their weapons and thus Wisconsin will be able to dictate the pace. Coach Weber has stated that his squad lacks leadership this year and that does not bode well down the stretch, as this team will likely quite on him. Illinois has lost four of their last five games including their last two at home and after a loss @ Penn State they will not bring much to the tank on Wednesday.
5 Unit Play. #608 Take Maryland -8 over Virginia Tech
The Terrapins have really come on of late having won five of their last six games and will blowout a struggling Hokie team that has lost three straight games. Tech is just a 3-7 team on the road and will be lucky to make the NIT come March. Maryland has the athletes to make this a rout and cannot afford a loss here is they have vision of making the big dance.
4 Unit Play. #612 Fresno State -6 over Hawaii
This is a blind play against the Warriors who are not the same team when they enter the mainland. State has won 21 of the 35 meetings and needs a big win to get back on track after suffering a couple of bad beats on the road. Hawaii is making the trip from the islands and that never bodes well as they have just two road victories this season. Fresno gets back on track with a victory and we collect big in the process.
STRIKE POINT SPORT'S
2-Unit Play. #539 Take Wisconsin Green Bay -2 over Youngstown State
The Phoenix have cashed eight of the last ten meetings against the number when facing YSU, and the Penguins have struggled losing nine of their last ten in conference play. Wisconsin Green Bay will have the best player on the floor in Mike Schachtner, and he'll lead his team to their sixth straight win in this series.
5-Unit Play. #621 Take Charleston +1.5 over Elon
Charleston have made this series one-sided in recent memory. They are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings, and these four victories have come by an average margin of victory of 17 points. The College of Charleston is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games following an ATS loss. And here is another one in the series that goes to better team, and again that will be the Cougars.
5-Unit Play. #593 Take North Texas -1.5 over Louisiana Monroe
The Mean Green jumped all over UL Monore in the first meeting via a 21-point win. North Texas is far and wide a stronger team than the Warhawks, and there isn't enough to prevent them from a season sweep. The Mean Green are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 road games and they have covered their last three conference games as well. In this one they get their 17th win and climb above .500 in league play with the victory.
3-Unit Play. #601 Take New Mexico -2.5 over Air Force
The Lobos held serve at home over Air Force by 15, and now after four straight wins by double figures, New Mexico is really rolling. The Falcons have failed to score 60 points in five of their last six games, and that's not going to cut it against a high scoring, up-and-down team like the Lobos. We'll see New Mexico continue their strong push in Mountain West play with a nice road cover in this one.
Gina from Sports Rumble
Detroit Pistons (39-14) at Milwaukee Bucks (19-34)
The Pistons 10-game winning streak came to an end with Tuesday's 103-85 defeat to the Magic, but should get back to a winning path tonight when they square off against the Bucks in Milwaukee. Detroit has won five straight and 10 of the last 12 meetings versus Milwaukee. Go with the Pistons to take their fourth straight road victory and fourth against the Bucks at the Bradley Center. The dismal Bucks have lost eight of their last 10 games, including last four at home.
Detroit Pistons
Alex Smart
Dallas Mavericks @ New Orleans Hornets
The New Orleans Hornets offense has been clicking on all cylinders of late , eclipsing the 100 point plateau in 12 of their L14 contests. They have set the pace for a majority of those games, and will once again push the action tonight against the visiting Dallas Mavericks. Look for the Hornets to force their capable opponents, who have averaged 99.3 PPG on the season, to reciprocate with some fire works of their own or be blown off the court. I know Dallas struggled on offense just before the all star break, but the rest, and a trade that has seen Jason Kidd come over from New Jersey, will have the team rejuvenated and ready to respond in what I predict will be a run and gun affair. Final notes & Key Trends: The Hornets have gone OVER in 4 straight home games, and have jumped over the number in 5 of their L6 against against Western conference opposition. Play Over
Al McMordie
Tennessee coasted a bit last Saturday against Ole Miss, but you can bet Bruce Pearl will have his squad focused at home Wednesday when the Vols host the Auburn Tigers.
Our Wednesday night college basketball selection is on the Tennessee Volunteers minus the points over Auburn.
In their last game, Bruce Pearl's men went into Athens and defeated the Georgia Bulldogs by three points, 74-71. Now, they return home to take on a poor Auburn Tigers squad which is 3-7 in SEC play.
Although Tennessee has the No. 1-ranked Memphis Tigers on deck, I don't think the Vols will be caught looking ahead. Tennessee has an impressive 29-game win streak at home in Thompson-Boling Arena, and is also an awesome 34-10 ATS in the regular season off a road victory (since Jan. 31, 1998).
This season, Tennessee has averaged more than 90 ppg at home, and the Vols are also 7-2 ATS at home vs. Auburn since 1990. Lay the points.
Tennessee -17
GAMBLERS WORLD TIP OF THE DAY
Game:San Jose Sharks vs. New Jersey Devils
Prediction: New Jersey Devils
Reason: The fans at Prudential Center will be treated to a game between the San Jose Sharks and the New Jersey Devils when they take their seats on Wednesday. Oddsmakers currently have the Devils listed as 150-moneyline favorites versus the Sharks, while the game's total is sitting at 5. The Sharks lost for just the seventh time on the road Monday, as they fell 3-2 to the Islanders. The Sharks were listed as -140 favorites, while the five goals fell were a PUSH against the posted over/under (5). Marcel Goc and Joe Thornton scored for the Sharks. The Devils grabbed a spot atop the Eastern Conference with a 5-1 win over the Hurricanes on Monday, as -190 favorites at home. The six goals made it OVER the posted over/under (5.5). Travis Zajac, Mike Mottau,Jay Pandolfo, Johnny Oduya and Zach Parise scored for the Devils. Current streak: San Jose has lost 4 straight games. New Jersey has won 2 straight games. Team records: San Jose: 31-20-8 New Jersey: 34-21-5 San Jose most recently: When playing on Wednesday are 3-6-1 Before playing Toronto are 3-3-2 After playing NY Islanders are 6-6-1 After a loss are 4-6 New Jersey most recently: When playing on Wednesday are 7-3 Before playing Buffalo are 9-1 After playing Carolina are 4-6 After a win are 6-4 A few trends to consider: San Jose is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games on the road San Jose is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games San Jose is 1-3-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Jersey San Jose is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing New Jersey New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing San Jose The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey's last 7 games at home New Jersey is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
John Ryan NHL
3* Islanders, Flames
RAS Totals
559 Marshall OVER 140... 1 UNIT
572 Nova UNDER 137'... 1/2 UNIT
616 UC Davis UNDER 129'... 1 UNIT
FERRINGO
4-Unit Play. Take #583 Valparaiso (Pk) over Loyola-Chicago
The Crusaders have been playing poorly over the last month, but they've had a brutal schedule against the top teams in the Horizon. We're buying low here, and taking them over a team that is not as talented or experienced. Loyola already got Valpo once, but I think our side has enough to top the Ramblers. Loyola is just 3-8-1 ATS at home.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #529 VCU (-3.5) over Northeastern
I think VCU bounces back from their stunning home loss to take down the Huskies. They are too good of a team to come out flat, and I think they can rattle Northeastern a bit. This one may be tight, but there's no doubt who the better team is here. The Rams are 5-1 ATS after a loss and NE is 3-8 ATS against a team with a winning percentage above .600.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #552 Cincinnati (-7) over South Florida
Cincinnati has been a strong home team and they proved they can cover a decent-sized number with their blowout of St. John's. South Florida is coming off a tough two-game stretch with a win over Syracuse and a hard OT loss to Connecticut. I think they will come out a little flat and the physical play of Cincy will bother them. USF is 2-8 ATS as a road dog and Cincy is 14-3 ATS overall.
2.5-Unit Play, Take #539 Wisconsin-Green Bay (-2) over Youngstown State
The Penguins have been competitive, but this number is a bit short. I think Youngstown should be getting around 5 or six points here, so we have a little value on the Phoenix. GB had some letdown games earlier in conference play, but this is an upperclassmen-laden Phoenix team and they are getting their March game face on. GB is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings, including 4-1 on the road.
2.5-Unit Play. Take #571 West Virginia (-2) over Villanova
The season-long trend of short road numbers for the Mountaineers continues. WVU is 7-3 ATS on the road and 4-1 ATS as a road chalk. I like this team's determination on the defensive end and I think their offensive execution will bother this young Wildcats club. Nova is 3-12 ATS on the season and West Virginia is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
2-Unit Play. Take #561 Auburn (+16.5) over Tennessee
I really wouldn't be shocked if Tennessee won by 25 or 30. But we're going to try to catch them looking ahead to the Memphis game. It's a value play and it's a calculated gamble. Everyone in the state is buzzing about that game, so it may be a little tricky for them to get all the way up for the Tigers. Auburn also may be due for a letdown after its game of year on Saturday at Mississippi. But UT is defensively challenged, and if Auburn's hot shooting can carry over just a bit then they could manage to hang around in this one and lose by 12 or 14 points.
2-Unit Play, Take #595 Wisconsin (-2) over Illinois
The number and betting action could be a red flag here, but you can't be scared of going against Illinois. They've been a huge disappointment this season and have not been able to score a cover in tough home games against Indiana, Purdue, or Ohio State. Maybe they finally get one here, but I doubt it. All the value is on the better team here, and we have that with a short number.
2-Unit Play, Take #607 Virginia Tech (+8) over Maryland
I like what Maryland has going and I hate Virginia Tech, but this number is off. The Hokies are a scrappy team with a couple athletic swingmen. I think they can score and play enough defense to hang around and test the Terps in the last five minutes here. Va. Tech has been a solid dog over the past two years and the Terps have covered six straight games (which over-inflates the line).
BEN BURNS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NEBRASKA
Game: Kansas State vs. Nebraska Game Time: 2/20/2008 9:00:00 PM Prediction: Nebraska Reason: I'm taking the points with NEBRASKA. By now, everyone knows about the Wildcats' freshman phenom Michael Beasley. It's true that Beasley has been a "beast" and that his team has been playing well. However, I feel that all the hype about Beasley has caused Kansas State to be over-valued here. The Wildcats have lost their last two road games and could easily get caught looking ahead to an upcoming stretch that includes road games at Baylor and Kansas, sandwiched by a home date with Texas. Overall, the Wildcats are 2-3 SU/ATS in true road games and one of those victories came by only two points. The Huskers lost their last game here vs. Missouri by eight points. However, the Tigers had some extra motivation as the Huskers had beaten them at Missouri. This time, its the Huskers who are playing with "revenge" from a 15 point loss at Kansas State. Looking back further and we find that Nebraska beat both Texas Tech and Iowa State fairly easily in their two previous home games and lost by only two vs. a strong Baylor team before that. It should also be noted that these teams both had a common non-conference opponent (Oregon) and that the Huskers beat the Ducks while the Wildcats lost to them. Including the win vs. the Ducks, the Huskers are a perfect 4-0 ATS since 2006 when listed as home underdogs of four points or less, winning three of those games outright and losing the other (vs. Texas last January) by only one point. Huskers center Aleks Maric stepped up and accepted blame for the Huskers' recent loss to Iowa State. I expect the 6-11 and 270 pound Maric, who leads the team with points and rebounds, to have a big game against Beasley tonight and for the Huskers to defend their home floor.
NC STATE
Game: North Carolina vs. N.C. State Game Time: 2/20/2008 7:00:00 PM Prediction: N.C. State Reason: I'm taking the points with NC State. Last season, the Tar Heels visited North Carolina State as the nation's No. 3 team with a healthy Ty Lawson in the lineup - and they lost outright. This season, the Tar Heels are again ranked #3 but will be without the injured Lawson. Of course, the Tar Heels are still awfully good, even without Lawson. That being said, several other players have also been dealing with injury or illness and I feel that this evening's line is too high, providing us excellent value with the revenge-minded home underdog. The Tar Heels won big against V-Tech on Saturday. However, the previous three games without him in the lineup were all closely contested, including a loss vs. Duke, a double OT win vs. Clemson and a 1-point win at Virginia. With the pointspread loss at Virginia, the Tar Heels fell to 4-7 ATS the last 11 times they were listed as road favorites in the The Tar Heel's blowout of V-Tech has helped keep this line generously high, as has NC State's current 3-game SU/ATS losing streak. The Wolfpack have historically been profitable when coming in off a losing streak though as we find them at 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS this season after having failed to cover the spread in their previous three games and 19-9 SU in that role over the past decade. During that time, they 11-5 ATS after suffering three consecutive SU losses. Over the last 12 months, dating back to an 81-56 upset win vs. V-Tech on 2/18/07, the Wolfpack have gone 16-3 when listed as the home team. NONE of those three losses came by more than seven points. Look for the inspired Wolfpack to give their instate rivals all they can handle here, improving to 4-1 ATS the last five times that they attempted to avenge a road loss of 20 points or more. *Main Event
UNDER Fordham/St Louis
Game: Fordham vs. St. Louis Game Time: 2/20/2008 8:00:00 PM Prediction: under Reason: I'm playing on St. Louis and Fordham to finish UNDER the number. At first glance, this number looks pretty low. However, it's low for good reason. Fordham managed only 53 points vs. Charlotte last time out. That was enough to earn a victory though as the defense allowed only 51. That game stayed below the number and brought the UNDER to 4-1 the Rams' last five games and 7-3 in their conference games. Note that the Rams have seen the UNDER go 6-0 the last six times (games with a total) they failed to score 60 points in their previous game and 16-6 in that situation the past three seasons. St. Louis comes off a rare high-scoring game, losing 88-77. Note that was just the second time an opponent had scored 80 or more points against them for the season. The previous time, the Billikens responded by allowing only 48 (52-48 final vs. Long Beach State on 12/1) in the following game. That brought the UNDER to 5-1 the last six times they played (with a total) after allowing 80 or more points in their previous game. Additionally, note that both those high-scoring games occurred on the road (at Kent State and at Massachusetts) and the Billikens have played very low-scoring games at home, where they tend to really S-L-O-W down the tempo. In fact, in their last game here they held George Washington to a mere 38 points. Naturally, that 63-38 final score stayed well beneath the number. For the season, the Billikens have allowed only 56.5 points per game on this floor while seeing the UNDER go 8-4 in 12 games which had a posted over/under line. Looking back further and we find that the UNDER is a profitable 25-10 the last 35 times that the Billikens played a home game which had an over/under line. I'm expecting another defensive affair this evening with the UNDER improving to 21-7 the last 28 times that the Rams played a lined game vs. a team which allows 64 points or less. *A-10 Conference Total of the Month
NBA
RAPTORS
Game: Orlando Magic vs. Toronto Raptors Game Time: 2/20/2008 7:05:00 PM Prediction: Toronto Raptors Reason: I'm laying the points with TORONTO. The Raptors catch the Magic in a tough spot here as they come off a huge win at Detroit last night. The Raptors will have "revenge" on their minds as the Magic beat them here back in early November. Note that the Raptors had been a perfect 7-0 ATS the previous seven series meetings though. Overall, the Raptors are a highly profitable 31-10-3 ATS against Southeast division opponents the past three seasons. Additionally, note that the Raptors are playing a lot better these days than they were earlier in the season, closing out the first half by crushing the Nets. That brought them to 7-3 SU/ATS their last 10 home games and 14-5-1 ATS their last 20 in the month of February, 20-7-2 ATS their last 29. Its also worth noting that they're 5-2 SU/ATS on the season when listed as home favorites in the -3.5 to -6 range. Bosh tends to thrive against the Magic, averaging 32.3 points and 11.0 rebounds in his last four games in this series. Additionally, Calderon figures to be playing with a chip on his shoulder after being overlooked for the All Star game. Behind big games from both Bosh and Calderon, I expect the Raptors to avenge the earlier loss and resume their dominance in this series. *Personal Favorite
BUCKS
Game: Detroit Pistons vs. Milwaukee Bucks Game Time: 2/20/2008 8:05:00 PM Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks Reason: I'm taking the points with MILWAUKEE. The betting public will be quick to back the Pistons here. After all, the Pistons have the best record in the Central while the Bucks have the worst one. Additionally, the Pistons got blown out last night and the general feeling will be that they can't lose twice in a row. I typically see things a little differently though. For starters, the Pistons are an ugly 7-13 ATS their last 20 games and just 2-3 SU/ATS when playing the second of back to back games in 2008. One of those losses came by a score of 89-65 at New York, showing that they are capable of losing to a "last-place team." Another of the losses came at Chicago, which followed a home loss vs. Sacramento the previous day, showing that they're fully capable of losing two games in two days. I also feel that the All Star layoff should have done the Bucks some good. Not only were they struggling to win games before the break but they had several players who had been dealing with some nagging injuries and who will have benefitted from the rest. Note that we already saw a couple of last place teams, (New York and Minnesota) which had both been struggling before the break, both come out and score outright upsets to start the second half. I believe that the Bucks are capable of playing a lot better than their record indicates and that they too will be refreshed by the time off. They'll certainly have plenty to play for. Despite their poor overall record, the Bucks are still very much alive for a playoff spot. In fact, if they did manage to sneak into one of the top eight spots, the Pistons could be a possible first round matchup. Additional motivation will be provided by the fact that the Pistons crushed them twice already this season. Despite a loss vs. the Pistons here back on 12/1, Milwaukee has been much better at home all season, finishing the first half with a winning overall record here. The Bucks know that they'll be facing the Pistons at The Palace on Friday, meaning that if they want to avoid the season sweep, they'd better come to play tonight. While the Bucks entered the second half on a losing streak, it's worth noting that they're 8-2 ATS (6-4 SU) after having lost their previous three games. The line has already climbed over night and I feel that value lies with the home underdog. *Contrarian GOW
PHILLY-CONNECTION
2* UL Lafayette +4
Accu-picks
5* VCU
4*W. Virg
4*Mich St
4* Butler
3*Marq
3*Clev St
3*NC Char
Three2Won
Miss. St
Wolkosky Milan
10* PHILADELPHIA -6
10* NEW JERSEY +3
10* DETROIT -6
10* DALLAS +2½
10* PHOENIX -3½
10* SACRAMENTO -5½
10* BOS/GSW UNDER 219
Northcoast
4* CLEVELAND STATE
3* WEST VIRGINIA
Priceless Picks
1 Unit on Tulane +13
Memphis barely lived to see another day as the only unbeaten remaining in CBB and you'll see the Tigers tighten up again on the road tonight as they look ahead to Saturday's matchup with Tennessee. Tulane has nothing to lose going up against the Tigers and this is the attitude that all of these Conference USA teams have been taking to give Memphis several scares. As a result of these close games, the Tigers are only 1-4 ATS in their last 5. Tulane keeps this one within the 13 points tonight.
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on North Carolina -8
This game means a lot to the NC State Wolf Pack, but I just don't think Sidney Lowe's squad will have enough in its tank to pull off the upset. UNC is 17-6 ATS in all games this season. It is a perfect 12-0 on the road and 8-4 ATS in those contests. NC State is just 3-7 ATS at home and 3-8 ATS in ACC play. The Pack are only 6-16 ATS in all lined games this season. UNC won by 31 points in round one at its place back in January and has won 7 of the last 10 meetings SU and ATS at NC State. This game will be considerably closer, but when it's all said and done, a Wolf Pack team which averages just 67.6 ppg can't compete with the high powered Heels, which average 90.4 ppg. Lay the points.
Locksmith Sports
1 Unit on Kansas State -3
Nebraska has been solid at home this season, but let's be honest, most of the damage it did on its home floor was done in non-conference play. Nebraska is just 3-7 in the Big 12 this season and 2-8 ATS in those games. K-State is 8-2 SU and ATS in the Big 12. Nebraska does not have a soul which can come close to guarding freshman sensation Michael Beasley tonight. Just Two weeks ago the Wildcats beat Nebraska by 15 points. I don't think the 3 the Huskers are catching tonight will cut it. Nebraska is just 4-12 ATS revenging a loss to an opponent over the last 2 seasons and with the Cats in the thick of the conference race, it's just not going to happen. Lay the points.