SPORTS ADVISORS
(3) North Carolina (21-2, 9-12 ATS) at (6) Duke (20-3, 11-10-1 ATS)
Another chapter in the most intense rivalry in college basketball will be written tonight when North Carolina makes the eight-mile trek down Tobacco Road to Cameron Indoor Stadium for the first of two regular-season meetings with Duke, with first place in the ACC on the line.
The Tar Heels have ripped off seven straight victories, all in ACC play, including Saturday’s 76-61 home win over Virginia, though they came up short as a hefty 24-point home chalk. It was the first time in nine games that North Carolina was held under 80 points, as it shot just 41.8 percent from the field. The Tar Heels have been blowing out opponents all season, with 21 of their 22 victories coming by 15 points or more.
Three days after an embarrassing 74-47 loss at Clemson as a four-point road favorite, Duke returned home and came out flat against Miami, Fla., on Saturday, falling behind 32-19 at halftime. But the Blue Devils rallied and pulled out a 78-75 overtime victory, failing miserably as a 14-point chalk. Duke has followed up a 10-game winning streak (5-3-1 ATS in lined games) by splitting its last four contests (1-3 ATS). Still, 16 of the team’s 20 wins have been by more than 10 points.
Both squads are two games clear of the rest of the field in the ACC standings at 7-2 SU. However, neither has been profitable in conference action, with the Tar Heels going 3-6 ATS (2-2 ATS on the road) and Duke posting a 4-5 ATS mark (3-2 ATS at home).
North Carolina has taken control of this storied rivalry in recent years, winning four of the last five meetings and cashing in five of the last six, including three consecutive wins and covers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Last year, Duke took the first clash 89-78 as a 4½-point road underdog, but the Tar Heels got revenge in a 76-68 victory as a 1½-point pup. UNC is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 trips to Cameron Indoor Stadium, the underdog is 12-3 ATS in the last 15 battles overall and the visitor has gotten the money in four of the last five.
From 2004-07, these rivals played seven games decided by a total of 27 points. However, the last three meetings were decided by margins of 14, 11 and eight points.
The Blue Devils average 78.2 ppg on 44.8 percent shooting, including 83 ppg on 46.5 percent shooting at home. More than anything, though, coach Mike Krzyzewski’s team has made its mark on defense this season, holding opponents to 61 ppg (40 percent shooting) overall, including 59 ppg (40 percent shooting) at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Tar Heels rank second in the nation in scoring at 92.3 ppg and 10th in field-goal percentage (48.8), and they’re putting up 83 ppg (46.5 percent shooting) on the highway. However, UNC is surrendering 71.2 ppg overall (40 percent) and 70 ppg on the road (40.2 percent).
North Carolina is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games on Wednesday and 5-1 ATS in its last six after a non-cover, but the Heels have failed to cover in nine of their last 12 ACC contests and 10 of their last 13 after an outright victory. Duke is 6-2 ATS in its last eight after a non-cover, but 6-14-1 ATS in its last 21 on Wednesday and 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight after a SU win. Also, in their only game as an underdog this season, the Blue Devils annihilated Purdue 76-60 as a two-point road pup.
North Carolina is on “over” stretches of 4-1 overall (all in conference), 8-2 on Wednesday, 4-1 after a SU win and 17-8 after an ATS setback. On the flip side, Duke is riding “under” streaks of 21-6 overall (10-2 last 12), 18-5 at home (6-2 last eight), 13-3 in ACC play, 35-17 on Wednesday, 19-7 after a SU win and 4-1 after an ATS loss.
Finally, the over is on a 5-1 run in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NORTH CAROLINA and OVER
(14) Xavier (20-3, 12-8-1 ATS) at Dayton (21-3, 8-11 ATS)
Coming off its first conference loss of the season, Xavier will attempt to bounce back when it visits Dayton in a battle of two of the top three teams in the Atlantic 10.
The Musketeers had an 11-game winning streak (8-1-1 ATS in lined games) snapped in Saturday’s 72-68 loss at Duquesne as a five-point road chalk. Xavier, which had scored at least 70 points in nine of its 11 wins during the streak, has struggled on defense lately, allowing 80, 74 and 72 points in its last three contests.
Dayton’s seven-game winning streak went by the wayside Sunday as it fell at Charlotte 79-66 as a two-point road favorite. The Flyers, who are just 4-8 ATS in their last 12 contests, have averaged just 61.3 points per game in their last four outings. Although they’re unbeaten through 14 games at Dayton Arena – holding visitors to 53.4 ppg – the Flyers are just 3-7 ATS in lined home contests.
Xavier still sits alone atop the A-10 standings, a half-game ahead of St. Joseph’s and one game clear of Dayton. The Musketeers are 8-1 SU and 6-1-1 ATS in conference, including 3-1 SU and ATS on the road. Dayton is 7-2 SU and 3-6 ATS in league play, including 4-0 SU but just 1-3 ATS at home.
The Musketeers have dominated this rivalry over the past two seasons, going 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS, including 2-0 SU and ATS at Dayton Arena. Last year, Xavier won 69-43 as an 11-point home favorite, 57-51 as a 4½-point home chalk and 74-65 in the Atlantic 10 tournament, coming up just short as a 9½-point choice. The favorite is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings, and the SU winner has cashed in eight of those 10 contests.
Both teams play tremendous defense, with Xavier allowing 63.5 ppg on 38.3 percent shooting and Dayton yielding 59 ppg on 38.1 percent shooting. The Musketeers rate the edge on offense, averaging 74 ppg (47.4 percent), while the Flyers put in 67.1 ppg (42.3 percent).
Xavier is on ATS streaks of 8-2-1 overall, 7-1 on the road, 6-1-1 against teams with a winning record and 4-1 as a favorite of less than five points. The Flyers are in pointspread funks of 3-7 overall, 1-5 at home, 8-17 in A-10 play and 2-6 on Wednesday, but they’ve cashed in both games as an underdog this season.
The over is on stretches of 5-2 for Xavier on the road, 13-3 for Xavier after a SU loss, 4-0 for Xavier after a non-cover, 9-3-1 for Dayton in league play and 5-1-1 for Dayton after an ATS setback. However, the under is 4-1 in the last five battles between these rivals at Dayton Arena.
ATS ADVANTAGE: XAVIER
(23) Syracuse (18-6, 9-11 ATS) at (1) Connecticut (22-1, 10-9 ATS)
UConn guns for its 12th consecutive victory when it hosts slumping Syracuse, which has lost five of its last seven games, including four straight Big East road contests.
The Huskies struggled with Michigan in a non-conference home game Saturday, eventually pulling away for a 69-61 victory but coming up way shot as a 16½-point chalk to end a four-game ATS winning streak. UConn has scored between 68 and 71 points in four of its last five games, but defensively, Jim Calhoun’s team remains solid, allowing just 56.6 ppg (35.2 percent shooting) in its last five games and holding nine of its last 11 opponents to 61 points or less.
Syracuse went to Villanova on Saturday and got spanked 102-85 as a 6½-point road underdog, the second time in as many road outings that the Orange surrendered 100 points. Since winning 16 of its first 17 contests, Syracuse is 2-5 SU and ATS, including 0-4 SU and ATS on the road, all in Big East action. Jim Boeheim’s squad yielded 92 ppg in those four road defeats. The SU winner is 9-0 ATS in the Orange’s last nine contests, all in league play.
This has been a competitive rivalry in recent years, with UConn winning six of the last 10 matchups both SU and ATS, including a 63-61 win as a 2½-point road underdog in last year’s lone meeting. The winner has cashed in each of the last 10 series clashes, the favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last seven clashes, and the Huskies are 6-0 ATS in the last six regular-season battles against Syracuse on their home court.
In addition to its ATS slumps of 1-4 overall and 0-4 on the road, Syracuse is 2-5 ATS in its last seven on Wednesday, 1-5 ATS in its last six as an underdog and 1-4 ATS in its last five against winning teams. Also, after starting the year 3-0 SU and ATS against Top 25 teams, the Orange have gone 1-4 SU and ATS in five contests against ranked Big East foes. UConn has cashed in four consecutive Big East games and four of five against winning teams, but it is 2-6 ATS in lined home games this season. The Huskies are 7-1 (6-2 ATS) against Top 25 competition
The under is 10-4 in the last 14 head-to-head battles, including 6-2 in the last eight at Connecticut. Also, UConn is on “under” runs of 4-1 overall, 5-2 in Big East play and 10-4 against winning teams, and the Orange have stayed low in 10 of their last 14 against winning teams. However, the over is 4-1 in Syracuse’s last five on the highway.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UCONN and UNDER
(2) Oklahoma (23-1, 10-8-1 ATS) at Baylor (15-8, 6-9 ATS)
Baylor, which has seen its NCAA Tournament hopes take a big hit this month, can help its resume immensely if it can hand second-ranked Oklahoma its first Big 12 loss of the season.
The Bears fell apart down the stretch at Texas Tech on Saturday, falling 83-76 as a 4½-point road favorite, their fifth consecutive SU and ATS defeat. During the slump, Baylor is 0-2 SU and ATS at home and it is averaging 72.2 ppg on just 38.3 percent shooting while allowing 84 ppg on 50.3 percent shooting. Since starting the season 12-1 (4-1 ATS in lined games), the Bears are 3-7 SU and 2-8 ATS, including 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS at home.
The Sooners ran their winning streak to 11 with Saturday’s narrow 77-72 victory over Big 12 bottom-feeder Colorado, falling way short of covering as a 19½-point home favorite. Oklahoma has followed up a 5-1-1 ATS run with back-to-back non-covers, and the team’s last four wins have come by an average of 7.3 points per game. However, the Sooners have been filling the bucket lately, pouring in 83 ppg on 49 percent shooting in their last five contests.
Oklahoma is the only Big 12 team unbeaten in conference play at 9-0 (5-3-1 ATS), including 4-0 (3-0-1 ATS) at home. Baylor is now just 3-6 (2-7 ATS) in the Big 12, including 2-2 (1-3 ATS) at home.
This has been a lopsided series in favor of Oklahoma, which has won 29 consecutive meetings since 1997 and is 34-5 all-time against Baylor. Back on Jan. 24 in Norman, Okla., the Sooners cruised to a 95-76 victory as a seven-point home chalk, a result that started the Bears’ current five-game SU and ATS slide. Oklahoma is 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight meetings overall and 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight trips to Waco, including a 77-71 upset win as a 4½-point road favorite last year.
Oklahoma is on ATS streaks of 5-2-1 on the road, 5-2-1 against winning teams, 8-3 on Wednesday and 4-0 as a favorite of less than five points, but it is 19-40-3 ATS in its last 62 road games versus teams with a winning home mark. Baylor carries negative ATS trends of 0-5 overall, 1-4 at home and 0-4 against winning squads, but the Bears have cashed in all three games as an underdog of less than five points.
Seven of the last eight series clashes in this rivalry have topped the total. Also, Baylor is on “over” streaks of 24-8-1 overall, 11-5 at home, 39-17-1 in Big 12 play, 7-1 versus winning teams, 11-3-1 after a SU defeat and 21-6-1 after a non-cover, while the Sooners have topped the total in six consecutive games (all against league foes). However, the under is 9-4-1 in Oklahoma’s last 14 on the highway.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA and OVER
NBA
Denver (35-17, 29-22-1 ATS) at Orlando (38-12, 33-16-1 ATS)
The Nuggets continue their eight-game road trip with their one and only stop this season in Orlando, where the Magic will attempt to defeat Denver for the third straight time.
Denver was down the state in Miami last night, rolling over the Heat 99-82 as a 1½-point road favorite. The Nuggets have won eight of their last 10, but they’ve followed up a 4-0 ATS run by going 3-4 ATS in their last seven. George Karl’s club has scored in triple digits eight times in its last 11 games – tallying more than 110 points five times – but it managed just 81 and 70 points in its last two defeats.
Orlando has alternated SU and ATS wins and losses in its last five games, most recently pounding the Nets 101-84 as a 13-point home favorite. The Magic are 5-2 SU and ATS in their last seven (3-1 SU and ATS at home), averaging 110 ppg during this stretch. Going back to Jan. 6, Orlando is 12-4 SU and ATS, scoring more than 100 points 11 times. Finally, the SU winner has cashed in each of the Magic’s last 15 outings.
Orlando went to Denver on Jan. 17 at the tail end of a four-game Western Conference road trip and hammered the Nuggets 106-88 as a 1½-point road underdog. That snapped an 11-game SU and ATS winning streak by the home team in this rivalry. In fact, the Nuggets are 0-8 SU and ATS in their last eight trips to Orlando. Going back further, the Magic have covered in 12 of the last 17 head-to-head battles.
The Nuggets are 2-7 ATS in their last nine outings when playing on back-to-back nights and 5-10 ATS in their last 15 on the highway versus teams with a winning home record. Conversely, the Magic are on a plethora of positive pointspread surges, including 35-17-1 overall, 4-1 at home, 4-0 against the Northwest Division, 35-16-1 versus the Western Conference, 22-8-1 on Wednesday, 21-6-2 when playing on two day’s rest and 13-4 against winning teams.
The under is 4-1 both in the last five meetings between these teams overall and in the last five in Orlando. Also, the Magic are on “under” stretches of 11-4 at home, 11-5-1 against Northwest Division foes, 10-3 when playing on two days’ rest and 4-1 against winning teams. However, the over for Denver is on runs of 4-2 overall, 7-4 on the road, 11-5 against the Eastern Conference and 5-1 on Wednesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER
Phoenix (28-22, 17-30-2 ATS) at Cleveland (39-11, 32-18 ATS)
The Cavaliers return to Quicken Loans Arena carrying a two-game losing skid as they host the Suns, who are concluding a three-game road trip.
Cleveland won its first 23 home games this season before running into the Lakers’ buzzsaw on Sunday, falling 101-91 as a five-point favorite. The Cavs then went to Indiana last night and lost 96-95 as a 6½-point road chalk, moving to 8-3 in their last 11 games, but just 5-6 ATS. Despite Sunday’s loss to Los Angeles, Cleveland is still 18-6 ATS at home this season, including 6-2 ATS in the last eight, and it surrenders just 89.5 ppg to visitors at Quicken Loans Arena.
Phoenix started its trip with Sunday’s 107-97 rout of Detroit as a one-point underdog, but followed that with Monday’s 108-91 loss in Philadelphia as a 3½-point pup. The Suns are 5-9 in their last 14 games and 9-23-2 ATS in their past 34 outings. On the road this season, Phoenix is 14-12 SU but just 10-15-1 ATS, averaging 103 ppg but giving up 103.8.
The Suns have won and covered four straight meetings with the Cavaliers, and they’re 8-2 SU (7-3 ATS) in the last 10 clashes. They’ve posted consecutive wins at Quicken Loans Arena by a total of seven points, going 2-0 ATS. The favorite has cashed in each of the last seven clashes in this rivalry.
Phoenix is in ATS tailspins of 4-11-2 overall, 3-7-1 on the road, 3-9-1 against the Eastern Conference, 3-7-2 when playing on one day of rest and 1-4 on Wednesday. Cleveland has failed to cover in four of its last five against the Pacific Division, but the Cavaliers are on positive pointspread stretches of 37-18 overall, 21-6 at home since last year’s playoffs, 13-5 against the West, 6-1 when playing on Wednesday and 7-2 when playing on consecutive nights.
The over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in this rivalry and 4-0 in the last four in Cleveland. Also, the over is on stretches of 5-1 for Phoenix on Wednesday, 35-17 for Phoenix against the Central Division, 5-1 for Phoenix against winning teams, 4-1 for Cleveland on Wednesday, 6-2 for Cleveland against winning teams and 5-1 for Cleveland when playing on back-to-back nights.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND and OVER
L.A. Lakers (42-9, 27-24 ATS) at Utah (29-23, 26-26 ATS)
After a brief stop at home last night, the Lakers head back on the road for a clash against the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena.
Los Angeles followed up a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS Eastern Conference road trip with Tuesday’s 105-98 victory over Oklahoma City, failing to cover as a 12-point home favorite. The Lakers have scored at least 100 points in eight straight games and 22 of the last 23, the only exception being a 99-85 win over the Spurs 2½ weeks ago. In fact, Los Angeles has scored in triple digits in all but seven of 51 games, averaging 108.5 ppg overall and 113.4 ppg on the road.
Utah had a three-game SU and ATS winning streak snapped in Sunday’s 116-96 loss at Golden State as a 1½-point road favorite. Prior to that contest, the Jazz had averaged 108.2 ppg in their previous six games. Although Jerry Sloan’s team is on a 3-0 SU and ATS run at home, it is just 6-8 SU in its last 14 overall and 5-10 ATS in its last 15.
The Lakers have won three straight meetings against Utah, and they’re 7-2 SU and 6-2-1 ATS in the last nine clashes, including a six-game Western Conference semifinal playoff series victory last spring. In the lone clash this season, Los Angeles prevailed 113-100 as a 10-point home chalk on Jan. 2. Going back to the 2006-07 season, the Lakers are 9-3-1 ATS in this rivalry, and the host is on an 11-4-1 ATS roll.
In addition to its 6-0 ATS run on the road, L.A. is on pointspread surges of 5-2 against the Western Conference, 4-1 against the Northwest Division, 4-0 against winning teams and 19-7 when playing on back-to-back nights (9-3 in back-to-backs this season). Utah has cashed in seven of its last 10 against the Pacific Division, but is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 versus the Western Conference.
The last four meetings in this rivalry have gone over the total. Also, for the Jazz, the over is on runs of 15-6 overall, 8-3 at home, 11-5 against the Western Conference, 30-12 versus the Pacific Division, 11-4 when playing on Wednesday and 4-0 against winning teams. Finally, Los Angeles is on “over” streaks of 6-2 overall, 8-1 on the highway, 5-2 against the Western Conference, 5-1 on Wednesday and 4-0 when playing on back-to-back nights.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS and OVER
James Patrick Sports
Nuggets vs. Magic
In Wednesday NBA action our selection is Denver - Orlando Under the Total as the Magicians are Under the Total in 11 of 15 at home and 11-5 ATS Under the Total versus the NBA's Northest Division.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Arkansas
When the Razorbacks travel to Auburn to take on the Tigers in SEC action Wednesday night they will be looking to avenge their worst loss of the season, a 73-51 setback they suffered as home favorites last month. Tonight will also mark the first time in ten meetings they will be dressed up as an underdog in this series. With Auburn off an upset revenge win against Tennessee and having another revenge affair up next against Mississippi State, look for the Hogs to even the slate here tonight.
Dave Cokin
La Salle @ George Washington
Play: La Salle +2
La Salle coach John Giannini pulled no punches following Saturday's loss by the Explorers to St. Bonaventure. Even though they lost by only five points, Giannini called the performance his team's worst effort of the entire season. I'm assuming we'll see the response tonight. La Salle will be without one of their starters for this contest, but I don't consider Mbala to be one of their real key guys. George Washington finally won a conference game last outing as they wallopped hapless Fordham, but that doesn't tell me the Colonials rate being favored here. I'm willing to give La Salle a roll off Giannni's post-game comments from the St. Bonny contest, and I like the idea of grabbing the Explorers as small dogs tonight.
Ross Benjamin
Western Carolina @ Charleston
Play: Western Carolina +7.5
This is a perfect spot for a let down from Charleston after pulling off a huge double-digit road underdog upset over Davidson. Now they come back 3 days later and lay a hefty number at home to a Western Carolina team that leads the Northern division of the Southern Conference. Ordinarily you can make a case for the home team playing with revenge since Charleston lost on the road to Western Carolina just recently. However the revenge may occur but with all things considered the value lies on the underdog in this spot.
Any away underdog of 11.0 or less that is coming off of a SU loss, versus an opponent that they beat in the only previous meeting this season, the opponent is playing on 3 or less days of rest, and they are coming off of a away underdog of 10.0 or more SU win by 5 points or less is 10-0 ATS since 1990. The underdog has won 7 of those 10 games outright.
Bobby Maxwell
Phoenix at CLEVELAND -7
We've delivered FREE winners in 11 of the last 17 days and we'll do it again tonight as we play the Cavaliers at home to blow out the Suns.
The Cavaliers are back on their home court and they are looking to break a little two-game losing streak. They lost to the Lakers at home on Sunday and then went to Indiana and fell to the Pacers by a point on Tuesday.
Cleveland was a perfect 21-0 at home until the Lakers got a 101-91 win there on Sunday as five-point underdogs. The Cavs might have still been reeling from that one when they lost 96-95 on Tuesday at the Pacers as 6 1/2-point favorites.
Even with two straight losses, LeBron and Co. are still on ATS runs of 21-6 at home and 37-18 overall. Phoenix is on ATS slides of 4-11-2 overall and 3-7-1 on the road.
The Suns got destroyed at Philadelphia on Monday 108-91 as a 3 1/2-poing underdog and they got very mediocre play from their three veteran starters with Steve Nash (two points), Shaq (seven points) and Grant Hill (six points) totaling a lousy 15 points. These old guys don't like road trips, especially along the East Coast.
Cleveland will run them tonight and have just too much for the Suns. The Cavs are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games on the second night of a back-to-back. We think they'll add to that total tonight with a big 12-point win at least. Play the Cavs.
3♦ CLEVELAND
Syracuse at UCONN -11
The Orangemen have really struggled lately, losing five of their last seven SU and ATS. And those loses haven't been real close either with the closes one a 100-94 loss to Providence.
On the opposite side, UConn has won 11 straight overall and gone 4-1 ATS in their last five. Last time they were at home in a Big East game they crushed Providence 94-61 as a 13-point favorite.
The Huskies are 4-1 ATS in their last five after a straight-up win while the Orange are just 1-4 ATS in their last five Big East battles and 2-5 ATS on Wednesdays. Throw in an 0-4 ATS for Syracuse on the road and this game is pointing right at UConn.
The favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings and the Huskies are 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings with Syracuse in Connecticut. The Huskies allow just 59.9 points per game at home and they have just got too much for the Orange. Play UConn to get this one by 20.
4♦ UCONN
Karl Garrett
Georgia Tech +8 at VIRGINIA TECH
The G-Man is on a 13-4 comp play run the last 17 days!
All about taking the points tonight with Georgia Tech, as they travel to Blacksburg to take on the Hokies.
Both teams love to play them close, in fact the Yellow Jackets last 3 games have been decided by a grand total of 7-points, while Virginia Tech's last 4 games have been decided by 14-points - 2 of those 4 games having gone into overtime.
G-Man has to believe we are staring at another down-to-the-wire affair in this one.
At 10-12, the Yellow Jackets need to get themselves above .500 to even think NIT at this point, while at 15-8, the Hokies could be Big Dance-bound with a strong finish. Problem is, I don't believe V-Tech can blow this sub-par Georgia Tech team out tonight, even on their home floor.
Keep in mind the Hokes are just 2-5 against the spread at home this season.
Make that 2-6 after tonight's non-cover.
Take the Yellow Jackets plus the points.
2♦ GEORGIA TECH
Sports Gambling Hotline
North Carolina -1' at DUKE
Underdog NBA winner lst night on Oklahoma City plus the points, now 5-1-2 the last 8 days with our comp plays!
First meeting of the season for North Carolina and Duke, and the linesmakers have priced this one slightly in favor of the Tar Heels. We agree UNC should be favored, but we think the line should be closer to 5.
It looks to us like Coach K's team is reeling a little right now, as they were pasted at Clemson by 27-points, and were behind double-digits through most of Saturday's home game against Miami-Florida before waking up to win by 3 in overtime in a non-cover.
North Carolina has been humming along, winning their last 7 games by double-digits. The Tar Heels have also won 3 of the last 4 series meetings both straight up, and against the spread. That includes their last two visits to Duke's campus.
We feel this price is very, very cheap based on the schools recent performances, and we will gladly lay a couple with the quicker, deeper Tar Heels.
Play on UNC.
5♦ NORTH CAROLINA
DAVE COKIN
LA SALLE / GEORGE WASHINGTON
Take LA SALLE
La Salle coach John Giannini pulled no punches following Saturday's loss by the Explorers to St. Bonaventure. Even though they lost by only five points, Giannini called the performance his team's worst effort of the entire season. I'm assuming we'll see the response tonight. La Salle will be without one of their starters for this contest, but I don't consider Mbala to be one of their real key guys. George Washington finally won a conference game last outing as they wallopped hapless Fordham, but that doesn't tell me the Colonials rate being favored here. I'm willing to give La Salle a roll off Giannni's post-game comments from the St. Bonny contest, and I like the idea of grabbing the Explorers as small dogs tonight.
JIM FEIST
LOS ANGELES LAKERS / UTAH JAZZ
Take Over
You don't really want to get into a track meet with the young, deep Lakers. They lead the NBA in scoring with 108.7 ppg. LA is also on an 8-2 run over the total. They face a Utah team that loves to play an uptempo style, averaging 102 ppg -- 8th in the NBA and 5th in the West. Utah is on an 8-3-1 run over the total. The defense is a concern, allowing 107 and 116 points the last two games. These teams met last month and the game sailed over the total in a 113-100 Lakers win. Look for plenty of offense the day before the All Star break for both these squads. Play the Lakers/Jazz over the total.
Frank Jordan
Phoenix Suns vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Play: Cleveland Cavaliers -7.5
Cleveland, in their last two games, lost their first game at home all year and lost with less then a second on the clock so it has been a tough last two games. Phoenix has been consistent this year as they have 28 wins on the year 14 on the road and 14 at home as well as having a 5-5 record in their last 10 games. Look for Cleveland to bounce back and get back to winning in front of the home faithful as they spread the scoring around. Play Cleveland
Big Al McMordie
San Antonio Spurs vs. Toronto Raptors
Play: Toronto Raptors +6.5
At 7:05 pm, our complimentary selection is on the Toronto Raptors plus the points over the San Antonio Spurs. Last night, San Antonio had a hard-earned victory against the New Jersey Nets, and that followed San Antonio's biggest win of the season -- a 105-99 upset of Boston at TD Banknorth Garden. Toronto also comes into today's game off a win Tuesday night (at Minnesota). But Wednesday night's game against the Raptors is an awful scheduling spot for San Antone. The Spurs are a much older ballclub than Toronto -- indeed, the oldest team in the NBA is San Antonio -- and will have more difficulty than the Raptors in rebounding off Tuesday night's game. The statistics bear this out. Since February 2003, San Antonio is 49-59 ATS when playing with no rest; 180-158 ATS when playing with one day of rest; and 85-50 ATS when playing with two or more days' of rest. Take the Raptors as a live underdog here.
Cajun Sports
San Diego State vs. Utah U
Play: Over 131
The Jon M. Huntsman Center will be the site of tonight’s Mountain West Conference clash between the host Utah Utes and the visiting San Diego State Aztecs. Both teams enter tonight’s game off of straight up wins in their last game with San Diego State winning at home over Air Force 65 to 34 and Utah going on the road to Wyoming and coming away with a ten point victory 80 to 70.
San Diego State is 17-5 straight up and 13-6 against the number this season. Their overall total record is 7-10 but when playing on the road they have posted a record of 5-3 ‘over’, in their last five games they are 3-2 ‘over’ and in conference affairs they are 6-3 ‘over’ averaging 71.3 points per game on 46.4 percent shooting and allowing 61.3 points per game on 41.4 percent from the field.
San Diego State after winning ATS in their last game and are now playing on the road they are 23-10 ‘over’ and if the line range for the game is 3 to 6.5 points they are 10-1 ‘over’. If the Aztecs are coming off two ATS wins they are 22-6 ‘over’ and if we have the same line range their record is 11-1 ‘over’. In conference play off an ATS win they are 27-14 ‘over’ and if they are on the road with the same line range their record is 6-0 ‘over’. If the Aztecs were at home in their last game and now face Utah on the road they are 5-0-1 ‘over’ their last 6 meetings.
Utah is 16-7 straight up and 13-9 against the spread this season. Their overall total record is 12-8 ‘over’ and if they are on their home floor that record is 7-2 ‘over’, their last five have seen the ‘over’ cash at a rate of 4-1 and in conference play the Utes are 7-2 ‘over’ averaging 73.7 points per game on 48.6 percent from the field and allowing 66.2 points per game on 42.5 percent shooting. Their opponents shooting percentage has increased over their last five games with the Utes allowing 48 percent from the field.
With Utah coming off a straight up and against the spread win in their last game their record is 39-23-1 ‘over’. Utah coming off an ATS win and a line range of 3 to 6.5 points are 23-9-1 ‘over’ if they now face a conference opponent their record is 18-6-1 ‘over’ and coming off a road game and now installed as a conference home favorite they are 17-7 ‘over’.
San Diego State qualifies in several college basketball systems that are active for tonight’s contest. Play OVER on CBB teams coming off 4 straight ATS wins and are now a road underdog of 3 to 6.5 points, 101-71-3 ‘over’. If they are now facing a conference foe that record is 80-52-2 ‘over’ and if our team is off 5 straight ATS wins and now a conference road underdog their record is 40-15-2 ‘over’.
These two teams last met on January 10th at San Diego State with the Aztecs winning 72 to 63 and going ‘over’ the posted total of 128.5. Seven of twelve meetings in this series since 1997 have gone ‘over’ the total, four of five meetings in Utah have gone ‘over’ and the last two meetings in Utah have sailed ‘over’ the posted total. This series when played at Utah has been an ‘over’ series the last several years and both teams have a higher shooting percentage when they play in Utah, both squads like to shoot in Salt Lake City.
With significant support on the floor, historical and technical we will play the ‘over’ here as they make it three in a row in Salt Lake City on Wednesday night.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: (2*) San Diego State / Utah OVER 131
Craig Trapp
North Carolina vs. Duke
Play: North Carolina -1.5
What another great match up between these two teams!!
UNC has been playing great basketball and have worked there way back up the rankings. There problem all year has been getting motivated to play 40 minutes of basketball and outside shooting. Ellinton and Green are really there only outside shooters and Ellington is coming off a mini slump. Both of these guys will have to be on there game against Duke if they plan on winning.
Duke got lucky and won in OT over Miami on Saturday. Coach K will have another great game plan but will still struggle to match up with the great athletes of UNC. Hansborough has beat Duke at home 3 years in a row and Duke is trying to end that streak today. Paulus will be a huge key for Duke as he must play well and keep UNC guards out of the lane.
Close game early, UNC will then show there strength and athleticism and pull away late. SCORE UNC 88 - DUKE 75
Dennis Macklin
New Mexico at Air Force
Prediction: New Mexico
New Mexico saw eight games MWC cover streak snapped in last, a four-point win over in OT over UNLV. A boatload of points to give up on the road but .... this Air Force team is avgg 47.1 ppg on just 36% shooting while Lobo train is rolling to the tune of 72.8 ppg on 49% shooting. Alford has this team hitiing on all cylinders while this is the worst edition of the flyboys in recent memory. Take New Mexico.