Dennis Macklin
San Jose Sharks at Detroit Red Wings
Prediction: Over
This is a feature matchup of Western Conference heavyweights, the rematch of a 6-5 Shark win in San Jose on January 17th. This series has a high scoring history with six of the last seven games producing six goals or more. The Sharks are 6-1 over in their L7 versus winning records and 7-2 over in L9 after scoring one goal or less in previos game. The Wings 9-2 over in L11 and 16-7 over with revenge. Take the over in the shootout in Motown.
Matt Fargo
South Florida at Seton Hall
Prediction: Seton Hall
I was on Seton Hall on Sunday at the Pirates were a huge letdown as they lost at St. Johns in a game they easily should have won. Seton Hall has now dropped three straight games but two of those came against the two of the top teams in the conference in Connecticut and Marquette, a combined 25-4 in the Big East. Despite ending up on the losing end in both games over the past week, Seton Hall held two of the better shooting teams in the conference to a field goal percentage of below 40 percent combined and just 24 percent from three-point range. Against Connecticut it was the Pirates own perimeter shooting that undid any shot of an upset as they went just 2-15 from long range, which also included a +8 turnover margin to offset Connecticuts +12 rebounding advantage. Against Marquette, it was an incredibly sloppy second half where Seton Hall was -6 in turnover margin and that only helped Marquettes frenzied style of defense that completely disrupted the Pirates. Seton Hall actually led at halftime 37-34 but was outscored 16-3 to open the second half. In the last loss against St. John?s, it rebounding as it was outboarded 41-27 including an incredible 21-9 on the offensive glass. This is a very solid Seton Hall team and one that is better than what the record indicates. South Florida meanwhile is not. The Bulls are riding a four-game losing streak following their upset home win over Marquette. They are 3-11 in the Big East including a 1-6 record on the road. That lone win came against DePaul, one of two teams that is actually worse in the conference than South Florida. Seton Hall has own all of the Big East meetings in this series and it catches the perfect opponent to end its recent three-game skid. The Pirates take their frustrations out on the Bulls Wednesday night. 3* Seton Hall Pirates
Info Plays
Iowa vs. Michigan State
3* on Michigan State Spartans -15
Reasons why Michigan State covers the spread:
1.) Iowa really doesn’t have anything to play for here down the stretch until the Big Ten Tournament. Michigan State is fighting to win the Big Ten Regular Season Title and they won’t be having a letdown tonight.
2.) The Spartans are 9-0 SU & 8-1 ATS in their last 9 home meetings with Iowa. Michigan State has been unstoppable at home. The Spartans have won their last 3 home games by 11 over Wisconsin, 28 over Indiana and 27 over Minnesota. With Iowa ranked as the second-worst team in the Big Ten, we see no way they can stay within 15 points f the Spartans tonight. Iowa’s lone shot to make the Big Dance is to win the Big Ten Tournament, so this game really means nothing to them in comparison to what it means for Michigan State.
3.) System Play. We’ll Play Against - Underdogs of 10 to 19.5 points (IOWA) - a horrible offensive team (<=63 PPG) against a good defensive team (63-67 PPG) after 15+ games, after allowing 30 points or less in the first half in 2 straight games. This is a 33-10 ATS System hitting 76.7% since 1997. Michigan State’s home dominance in this series cannot be ignored tonight. Bet Michigan State at home.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on South Carolina pk
Off a big blowout win over Tennessee, expect the Wildcats to come out a little flat on the road against a strong South Carolina squad tonight. The Gamecocks have already beaten the Wildcats on the road this season and are a staggering 15-1 at home. The Wildcats have rained on SC's parade 10 of the last 11 meetings at home and I look for the now capable Gamecocks to taste that sweet revenge tonight. SC is 13-4 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%) after 15 or more games over the last 3 seasons. Take the Gamecocks at home.
Larry Ness
Marquette -1 vs UConn
No. 2 U Conn has a chance to regain the No. 1 ranking after Pitt lost last night but I'm assuming Jim Calhoun is more concerned with staying No. 1 in the Big East. The Huskies are 13-2 in Big East play (tied with Louisville, while No. 8 Marquette (23-4) enters this game 12-2 in Big East play. This is the only meeting between the two schools this year and U Conn has yet to lose away from home this year, going 13-0 in road and neutral site games, while Marquette is 16-0 at home this year and looks to extend its 17-game home winning streak. It would be easy to say that U Conn has a huge advantage in size, as the 7-3 Thabeet (13.4-10.2) and the 6-7 Adrien (13.8-10.2) are two of the Big East's (and the nation's) best inside players. There is also the 6-9 Robinson, although with his late start, he hasn't quite returned to his form of last year (10.3-6.5 LY and just 5.9-4.4 TY). Marquette's big men are the 6-6 Hayward (16.0-8.6), who is very good, but the 6-8 Burke (2.7-3.7) and the 6-7 Hazel (2.3-2.1) are the only other contributors. However, facing size issues is nothing new for the Golden Eagles and their excellent first-year head coach, Buzz Williams. Marquette's incredible trio of guards, McNeal (20.0-4.7-4.1), Matthews (18.7-5.3.25) and James (11.7-3.6-5.3), are all seniors and have risen to almost every challenge this year. U Conn has an excellent perimeter game as well but the loss of Dyson (13.2-4.1-3.2) is HUGE, as he was not only a scorer and creator but an excellent perimeter defender. Still, Calhoun's team can rely on Price (12.3-3.3-4.5), Walker (8.7-3.3-2.6) and Austrie (7.6). Something has to give here and I'm betting that Marquette's senior trio of McNeal, Matthews and James will be the difference. Take Marquette.
Jeff Scott Sports
5 UNIT PLAY (Overall CBB GOY)
(Power Angle Play)
Villanova -13 over DEPAUL
The Wildcats are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 road games, while the Blue Demons are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and 6-20 ATS in their last 26 home games. The Villanova Wildcats are rolling right now as they have won 8 of their last 9 games and they currently stand at 10-4 in the Big East. The Cats offense has been on fire lately as they have averaged 89.4 ppg and 50.8% shooting in their last 5 games, plus they have averaged 80.6 ppg in Big East play. That offense will be facing a struggling defense as Depaul comes in allowing a whopping 85.5 ppg and 53.7% shooting in their last 4 games. The Villanova defense has struggled a bit lately, but tonight they could look like a top 10 defense, as they take on a Depaul offense that has averaged just 57 ppg in their last 7 games overall and 56.3 ppg in their last 6 games at home. I'm not sure if their is a team playing worst ball in the nation right now than the Blue Demons, as they come in having lost 14 in a row and have been outscored by 17.5 ppg in the process, including being outscored by 23.1 ppg in their last 7 games. The Villanova offense is just too hot right now to think that this pitiful Blue Demon team will be able to put enough points on the board to keep this one close. The Cats by 20+ here.
POWER ANGLE For This Play---- DEPAUL is 1-13 ATS versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of <=42% this season.
4 UNIT PLAY (Total Of The Month)
Duke/ Maryland Over 145
The Over is 4-0 in Blue Devils last 4 games as a favorite, while the Over is 5-0 in Terrapins last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. I had a longer writeup for this one but lost it. Both offenses have been scoring at a pretty good clip lately, as the Blue Devils have averaged 83.2 ppg in their last 5 games, while the Terps have averaged 76.6 ppg in their last 5 games. The defense has been a sore spot for these teams of late and that will help up get the Over here. Duke comes in allowing 83.2 ppg, 55.5% shooting overall and 50% shooting from beyond the Arc in their last 5 games. Maryland has allowed 83 ppg on 47% shooting overall, including 43.2% from beyond the Arc in their last 5 games. These teams have averaged 171 ppg in their last 4 meetings here and with the way both defenses are playing right now I see more of the same tonight.
3 UNIT PLAY
Northwestern/ Indiana Over 127
The Over is 7-0 in Wildcats last 7 games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5 and 6-1 in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. The last 7 in this series has gone Over as well, with an average of 140.4 ppg being scored. Nothwestern games have not put up a ton of points lately, but that's mostly due to their inept offense. That offense should break out tonight and have some success vs an Indiana team that has allowed 70.2 ppg overall and they are 328th in FG% defense, allowing 47.5% shooting. The Hoosiers are also 331st in 3pt defense (38.2%) and will be facing a Wildcat team that is 24th in shootign the 3's (38.9%). Northwester does come in allowing just 61.1 ppg overall (32nd), but they have allowed 64.4 ppg on the road this year and 65.4 ppg in their last 5 games overall. The Indiana offense has struggled this year, putting up just 60 ppg overall, but at home that number goes up a pt to 63.7 ppg, including 62.3 ppg in their Big 10 home games. Indiana hoime games have averaged 129.4 ppg overall, while their big 10 home games have averaged 132.3 ppg. This game should flirt with 140.
JACK JONES
Oklahoma State -5 over Colorado
The Cowboys are playing really well lately with three straight wins to bring them to 6-6 in Big 12 play. This team is amazing on the offensive end of the floor, scoring 83.3 points per game while allowing just 76 on defense. Colorado on the other hand stands at 1-11 in conference play and 9-17 overall. The Buffs have lost seven straight times and it's tough for me to see them keeping up with Oky State tonight.
San Antonio Spurs -2.5 over Portland
I'll lay the small number here even with the Spurs missing Manu Ginobili and barring a miracle, Tim Duncan as well. Tony Parker has put the team on his shoulders and Gregg Popovich just continues to find ways for his team to win. Both of these teams played last night, but the Spurs dominated Dallas for an easy win while the Blazers battled back strong (using a lot of energy in the process) in the second half against the Rockets. Lay the small number here with the Spurs at home on Wednesday night.
Nelly
Pacific - over UC-Davis
Despite only a 13-11 overall record Pacific clearly grades as the top team in the Big West conference. The Tigers allow just 62 points per game and has played a stronger schedule than most other teams in the league. Coming off back-to-back road losses magnifies the importance of this game for the Tigers and they defeated the Aggies by 15 on the road a few weeks ago and won by 45 at home in this match-up last season. UC-Davis poured a lot into a narrow one-point home loss in the Bracket Buster last weekend a huge game for the young D-I program with the opportunity to host such a match-up. Davis has solid spread numbers this season but that has created an adjustment on this number and a focused Pacific squad should easily pull away in this match-up.
Rocketman
Delaware @ Towson=
Play: Towson +1
Towson is 5-1 ATS since 1997 in a home game when the total is 140 to 144 1/2. Towson is 12-4 ATS overall vs Delaware since 1997 including a very nice 6-1 ATS at home vs Delaware since 1997. Blue Hens are 5-14-1 ATS in their last 20 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Blue Hens are 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Blue Hens are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win. Blue Hens are 0-4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win. Tigers are 15-6 ATS in their last 21 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Tigers are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 games following a double-digit loss at home. Tigers are 15-7 ATS in their last 22 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Underdog is 11-4-1 ATS in the last 16 meetings. Blue Hens are 3-12-1 ATS in the last 16 meetings. Blue Hens are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Towson. We'll recommend a small play on Towson tonight!