Saturday 12/22/18 thread for free handicapping service plays and expert predictions for Saturday's NCAAFB, NFL & NBA games.
Mike Wynn
Free Play: Ohio St -5 Over UCLA
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Razor Sharp
YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR EARLY SATURDAY: CONNECTICUT (CBB) +6½ over Villanova
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Totals4U
Early Saturday's Free Selection: Connecticut/Villanova over 145 1/2
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Atlantic Sports
Early Saturday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: Drexel + 12
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#1 Sports
Early Saturday's Free Selection: Texas State Bobcats + 9 1/2
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Platinum Plays
Free Pick: the Texas A&M Aggies -8 over Marshall
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Easy Money Sports
Lee' Early Saturday Free Selection Is
Georgia Tech -5½
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Nevada Sharpshooter
Your free winner for Saturday: Take LOUISIANA TECH/HAWAII (CFB) UNDER the total of 61
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Golden Dragon
FREE WINNER for Saturday
Georgia Tech -5' College BB
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Hawkeye Sports
Early Saturday's Free Pick: Boston Bruins - 125
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Huddle Up Sports
Free Play: St Marys -2 College BB
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Arthur Ralph
SAT: Total UNDER 141 1/2 Nevada/Ark State
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Vegas Steam Line
Your free winner for Saturday: Take WASHINGTON/TENNESSEE (NFL) OVER the total of 37½
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High Stakes Syndicate
Free Selection for Early Saturday: Arkansas State Red Wolves + 20 1/2 (NCAA BB)
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John Anthony Sports
Early Saturday's Free Selection: Nebraska Cornhuskers - 19
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Kenny Towers
FREE PLAY FOR SATURDAY - MILWAUKEE/MIAMI OVER 215½
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BIG AL
Our complimentary selection for Saturday, Dec. 22 is:
Montana +7.5 over South Dakota State.
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CAPPERS ACCESS
(CFB)Memphis
(CFB)Houston
(NFL) Titans
(NFL)Chargers
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BOBBY CONN
NCAA-F | Dec 22, 2018
Houston vs. Army
1* Free Play on Army -5 -114
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BRODY VAUGHN
NCAA-B | Dec 22, 2018
Eastern Kentucky vs. Duquesne
Duquesne-10 -109
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CHIP CHIRIMBES
UCLA vs Ohio State 3:00 ET
Bruins (+) over Buckeyes
LA is so kool they wear their sunglasses at night it's just that they should remember NOT to steal them! Okay, my knock on the Bruins won't stop there as they were confused and out-manned by Cincinnati (Power Play winner)...(nothing like Chip's 4-0 NCAA SWEPT last Saturday...he's don't it again TODAY! Don't miss any of it! Get it NOW!) PS- UCLA will suck it up here and give the Buckeyes a run for their money...Take the BRUINS!
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DUSTIN HAWKINS
NCAA-F | Dec 22, 2018
Wake Forest vs. Memphis
Free Play on Wake Forest +3½ -110
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HUNTER PRICE
NCAA-B | Dec 22, 2018
Iona vs. Yale
1* Free Pick on Iona +11 -110
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TOTALS GURU
NCAA-B | Dec 22, 2018
Tennessee State vs. Memphis
Free Total Annihilator On Tennessee State vs Memphis under 158 -105
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MARK WILSON
NCAA-F | Dec 22, 2018
Louisiana Tech vs. Hawaii
Free Play on Hawaii +1 +100
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SEAN HIGGS
NCAA-F | Dec 22, 2018
Buffalo vs. Troy
OVER 49½ -106
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R&R TOTALS
R&R Totals FREE NBA Over-Under Saturday 12-22-18
OVER 220 -107 Toronto/Philadelphia
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CALVIN KING
NCAA-F | Dec 22, 2018
Buffalo vs. Troy
[1%] Free Play on Buffalo -1½
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RED DOG SPORTS
NFL | Dec 22, 2018
Redskins vs. Titans
5* Washington +11
The Redskins are still in the playoff hunt at 7-7 and play at Tennessee on Saturday. QB Marcus Marriota has been erratic for the Titans even though they have a solid running game and defense. Washington will use QB Josh Johnson and he should be more prepared this week.
I think Tennessee wins by 7 points. Take the +11.
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BRANDON LEE
NCAA-F | Dec 22, 2018
Wake Forest vs. Memphis
10* FREE NCAAF PICK (Wake Forest +3.5)
I'll take the points with Wake Forest. I have a hard time not seeing the Demon Deacons winning this game outright. I also think there’s a good chance it won't be close.
I just really question what motivation does Memphis have in this game. They so desperately wanted that rematch against UCF and to be the team that snapped their winning streak. It would be one thing if they were just outplayed from the start, but they had a 24-7 lead at the end of the 1st quarter and were up 17 at the half. There’s not many worse ways to lose a conference championship game and there’s no question it hurt them in terms of what bowl they are playing in.
I think Henderson sitting out this game is pretty good indicator of how little this game means to the Memphis players. Throw in they got zero continuity in terms of play calling with both coordinators gone, it’s hard to see them showing up for this game.
With all that said, I think another huge key here is that I would probably of taken Wake Forest and the points if Memphis has won the ACC and Henderson was playing. I just think the Demon Deacons are a lot better than people realize. The defense improved dramatically over the course of the season and the offense can light up the scoreboard. Wake scored 50+ in 3 different games and will be facing a really bad Memphis defense. If the Tigers defense had been just average this year they might have gone 12-1 and been playing on New Year’s Day.
Memphis is 1-5 ATS last 6 bowl games and a mere 3-7 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games overall. Wake Forest is 4-1 ATS last 5 bowl games. Give me the Demon Deacons +3.5!
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ROB VINCILETTI
NCAA-B | Dec 22, 2018
George Washington vs. Harvard
Harvard-13½ -110
The NCAAB Comp play is on Harvard at 2:00 eastern. The Crimson have revenge on George Washington here today and despite being a game under ,500 they have played the 3 st toughest schedule in the country. They are 8-1 at home vs A-10 Conference schools and a solid 10-1 ats at home vs teams that are .400 or less on the road. George Washington has failed to cover 20 of 25 on the road and 4 of 5 off a win. The Colonials are 6-19 to the spread off 3+ home games and have failed to cover 8 of 10 on the road vs teams with a winning home record. They are ranked 286 in the RPI Scale almost 200 spots worse than Harvard. With the Favorite 5-1 ats in this series we will stay at home with Harvard.
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STEPHEN NOVER
NBA | Dec 22, 2018
Bucks vs. Heat
Heat+3 -105
Bad matchup, bad timing. Look for those factors to do in the Bucks. Milwaukee is coming off a huge road victory against the Celtics Friday night. The Bucks hardly had time to celebrate before flying into South Florida to take on the Heat. Not only is Milwaukee playing without rest, but it's the Bucks' third game in four nights and fourth game in six days all at different venues. Miami is a tough opponent for the Bucks. Not only are the Heat playing their best ball with three straight victories - holding the Grizzlies, Pelicans and Rockets all below 100 points in those wins - but they have the defense, offensive rebounding and slowdown style to frustrate the high-scoring Bucks. Miami is 7-3 in its last 10 games, its best stretch. So it's not a fluke the Heat have defeated Milwaukee five times in a row. The Heat held the Bucks to just 88.3 points in sweeping the three-game series last season. The Bucks are flash and offense with today's new kind of superstar in multi-talented Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Heat are old-school slowing tempo with a powerful commitment to defense. This clash in styles has worked in Miami's favor. The oddsmaker has no choice but to open the Bucks a road favorite. Milwauklee is 2-5-1 ATS in that role the past eight times.
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MIKE LUNDIN
NFL | Dec 23, 2018
Packers vs. Jets
Packers-2½ -115
The Green Bay Packers look like great value at NY Jets Sunday afternoon.
They took a 24-27 loss at Chicago last week but looked rather comfortable on the defensive side of the ball, holding the Bears to 332 yards of offense. Here they'll face a Jets' team which is averaging just 297.9 yards per game and I don't think NYJ rookie QB Sam Darnold will have much success moving the sticks in this one.
On the offensive side of the ball, Packers' QB Aaron Rodgers is expected to start despite suffering a groin injury last week. "I think it's a lot about leadership," Rodgers said of his desire to play the Jets. "If I want to be listened to and followed and looked up to, how could I stand here and say that these games that don't matter for playoffs, I'm going to cash it in? That's just not the way I lead, and I'm super competitive, and I want to be out there with the guys, and I look forward to being out there."
Rodgers' will be without some of his most trusted targets but must still feel pretty confident as the Jets are fielding one of the worst defenses in the NFL, including No. 22 in total defense and No. 26 in scoring defense.
The Jets are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight games overall and 0-3-1 ATS in their last four home games. Green Bay has been atrocious on the road going 0-7 SU and 1-5-1 ATS, but I think the visitors will get the job done here.
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TOMMY BRUNSON
Birmingham Bowl to start your Saturday bowl action, and I have a strong suspicion this Memphis team is a beaten team before they even take the field!
When last we saw the Tigers they were in control of their AAC Championship clash with undefeated Central Florida. Memphis was up 38-21 at the break and it sure looked like Mike Norvell's team was going to hand the Knights their first loss since 2106, but then things unraveled in a 35-3 second half as Memphis went back home with their tail between their legs.
I am of the opinion that Memphis is disappointed to be playing in this bowl game when they had bigger visions prior to blowing their big chance with that loss to UCF. Norvell will only have one of his coordinators along for the ride, and he will also be minus his record-setting running back Darrell Henderson who will sit out this one as he prepares for the upcoming NFL draft.
The Tigers have dropped 3 bowl games in a row entering today's action, the last pair of losses under Norvell's guidance, and I see them losing this year's bowl game to a Wake Forest team that enters this one with plenty of momentum on their side.
Wake Forest was among the most injured teams in the land pretty much throughout the season, but they got a huge spark from sophomore Jamie Newman who came in on a Thursday night in early November and engineered a road outright upset over N.C. State, 27-23 as the almost 3 touchdown underdog.
That was followed by a home loss to Pittsburgh, but with their backs against the wall, and their bowl game hanging in the balance, Dave Clawson's team sprung a resounding 59-7 win at Duke as the double-digit underdog to become bowl eligible.
The Demon Deacons have proven to be a tough out at this time of the year, as they have gotten up the past 2 years in bowl action to spring an upset win over Temple in 2016, and they also won last year's bowl game in a wild 55-52 shootout over Texas A&M as the -3 1/2 point favorite.
Clawson and his Deacs covered their final 3 this season as the road underdog as they improved to 11-3 against the spread since 2016 when catching points on the road.
Keep an eye out for the status of WR - Greg Dortch who suffered an injured finger in Wake's win over Duke. It would obviously help our cause if he and his 1,750 all-purpose yards of offense were available, but even if he is not in there, I think the mental psyche of the Tigers is a HUGE question mark, and I simply do not trust them with their leaky defense that could not come up with any key stops in the second half of their game with Central Florida. I am not suggesting that Wake Forest is anywhere near as prolific as UCF, but I have seen evidence at the end of this year, and of course the past 2 years in bowl play that Clawson knows how to rally his team. Cannot say the same for Norvell.
Grab the points and Wake Forest.
3* WAKE FOREST
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RAY CHADWICK
Your comp play in hoops for Saturday is Syracuse by a million over Arkansas State.
The last time Syracuse lost back-to-back non-conference games at home? That was all the way back in the mid 1970's when Jim Boeheim had hair, and the Carrier Dome was not even built!
That is the situation that presents itself this afternoon in upstate New York, as the Orange blew a double-digit halftime lead last weekend at home in an 8-point loss to Old Dominion, then followed it up earlier this week with a 12-point loss to undefeated Buffalo.
Chances the Orange's streak hits 3 in a row in non-conference? Zero!
Now, don't get me wrong, the Red Wolves are not going to just roll over and play dead, and Coach Balado's team actually sports a 2-game winning streak, but both of those games came in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
The Red Wolves are a long way from home right before Christmas, and they are just 1-6 straight up on the road/neutral site games this year, and a not-much-better 2-5 against the spread in those 7 games.
The same issue that plagued them last season - poor defense - looks to be the same issue rearing its ugly head this year, as Arkansas State is allowing almost 80 points per game on the season.
After dealing with a tough defending Buffalo Bulls team, today's contest against the yielding Red Wolves is just what the Orange need to get their offense ramped up.
The good news from this week's loss to the Bulls is that Frank Howard showed some signs that he is ready to have a bigger role offensively, as he was one of four 'Cuse players to score in double-figures in that loss.
With just a 7-4 mark this season, the Orange can ill-afford any more slip up - even here in the month of December! - so look for them to come out like a house on fire and roll to a very big win and cover over the poor-traveling, poor-defending Red Wolves.
Lay it.
3* SYRACUSE
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Sports Book Edge
Kevin 'Bubba' Smith
'Railside' Harry MLB Expert
#45/6 Pit.Penquins/Ca.Canes Over
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Priority Sports Info
Roy Maddux
#532 Golden State Warriors
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TDS Pucks & Dunks
Sloan Shannon
Home of the Dog Pound
#612 Drexel
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Billy Irish Picks
Billy Irish
Original Pot of Gold Top Play
#48 Toronto Maple Leafs
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Vegas Pro Insiders Daily
Doug Upstone
#225 Buffalo/Troy Over
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Winning Colors Pks
TJ Elliot
Football & Basketball specialist
#107/8 Wa.Redskins/Ten.Titans Over
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Todays Round Robin
Harry Walker
#123/4 Ba.Ravens/LA Chargers Under
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Valley Sports
#226 Troy
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Vegas Hotsheet
#123/4Ba.Ravens/LA Chargers Under
#223/4 Houston/Army Under
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Team Underground
NCAA Football LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS ‑110
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Furbookie
nhl tampa bay lightning ‑150
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Top Dog
NCAA Football HOUSTON COUGARS +210
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Jeff Allen
Saturday's Free Selection is on the Utah Jazz
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Teyas Sports
FREE PICK 12/22 CFB MEMPHIS -3 1/2
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GUS AUGUSTINE
The total on this Houston-Army Armed Forces Bowl opened at 67, and as I type my analysis is now down a full touchdown to "just" 60 points, so someone was hammering the Under hard in early wagering.
I have to say, while on paper this looks like an Under, I am not going to play it that way, as there is enough evidence in front of me to believe there will be enough offense to push this one into the Over column.
We all know Army is going to run the football, and they run it very good out of that triple-option, but consider that the Over/Under mark for the Black Knights was not slanted at all in the favor of an Under, as they wound up 6-6 in the Over/Under column this year.
Houston goes into this game with a defense that was already suspect, but now they will be missing 4 linemen from this game in Fort Worth, as Ed Oliver is going to sit out the game in preparation for the NFL draft, while Jerard Carter, Payton Turner and Isaiah Chambers are all injured for Major Applewhite's team.
The Cougars had issues stopping teams when they were healthy on defense, as the already have faced 2 of the nation's top-rushing teams in Navy and Memphis and gave up 344 and 401 yards respectively, and BOTH games sailed well Over the posted total.
In fact, 8 of Houston's 12 games this year have landed Over the total, so it is not a stretch to think that banged-up defense will be giving up touchdown drive after touchdown drive to the Army infantry.
Army is playing in their third straight bowl game for 5th year coach Jeff Monken, and last year they played to a 42-35 final in a win over San Diego State. The season before (2016), they played to a 38-31 win over North Texas. As you can see, this is not a Black Knights team that misses out on many scoring opportunities come bowl season.
Since Houston has posted 41 points or better in 10 of their 12 games this year, I do feel they are going to get some points, even with quarterback D'Eriq King out for this game.
Going to look for these teams to head Over the total in this year's Armed Forces Bowl.
3* HOUSTON-ARMY OVER
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JACK BRAYMAN
My free play for Saturday is from the same game I'm releasing as my premium play. In this near pick'em game that figures to come down which team gets the key stops, I'm playing the Under.
Louisiana Tech already boasts a strong defense, while Hawaii has shown it can push the tempo, but make big stops when it has to. And with this one being on the Rainbow Warriors' home turf, you have to believe they'll answer the bell for a physical game here.
Hawaii's defense has allowed an average of 35.4 points this season, and 38 over its last three starts. But tonight the Warriors are facing a team that doesn't score a lot of points.
Louisiana Tech's success is predicated on its defense. That'll be the tone the Bulldogs need to set, considering they score only 24.2 points per game, 22.1 away from home and 21 over their last three starts.
As for La Tech slowing Hawaii, it won't take much as long as the Bulldogs can watch game film. The Warriors averaged 20.5 points during a four-game skid near the end of the season - all in Mountain West play. Nevada held the Warriors to 22 in Hawaii and Utah State limited them to 17 on the island.
Because its offense can be inept, Louisiana Tech's defense is one of the best. So, look for a tough defensive battle from both teams.
3* UNDER Louisiana Tech-Hawaii
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MATT JOSEPHS
NCAA-B | Dec 22, 2018
Georgia vs. Georgia Tech
Georgia+5 -105
The Georgia Bulldogs travel to play Georgia Tech on Saturday. UGA has played just one true road game losing at Temple 81-77 this season. Their offense is improving as they rely on their big three led by Rayshaun Hammonds, Nicolas Claxton and Tyree Crump. The team has a solid mix of size and speed so they could stress Tech. The Jackets are a hard team to figure out as they are coming off a four point win at Arkansas a game after they lost by 10 at home to Gardner Webb. Their other losses were to St. John's, Northwestern and Tennessee. Jose Alvarado is one of their known commodities, but a lot of the rest of the roster is a mixed bag. UGA has been a very good underdog covering in 23 of their last 35 in that situation. I think they are a live dog in this one.
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BEN BURNS
NBA | Dec 22, 2018
Spurs vs. Rockets
Rockets-5 -109
The Spurs are off a big win vs. the T-Wolves yesterday. This evening's game figures to be considerably more challenging. While I successfully played against the Rockets in their last game - a loss at Miami on Thursday - they're still playing well. Prior to the loss against the Heat, the Rockets had won five straight, going 4-0-1 ATS. The Spurs are winless in five tries this season, when playing the second of b2b games. Those five losses came by an average of eight points, each by a minimum of five. The Rockets are 14-8 ATS the past couple of seasons, when off an upset loss as a road favorite. Consider laying the points.
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COLE FAXON
NCAA-F | Dec 22, 2018
Wake Forest vs. Memphis
FREE PLAY on Wake Forest +3½ -114
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MIKE WILLIAMS
NCAA-F | Dec 22, 2018
Wake Forest vs. Memphis
1* on Wake Forest +3½ -114
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INFO PLAYS
NCAA-F | Dec 22, 2018
Louisiana Tech vs. Hawaii
1* Free Play on Hawaii +1 -110
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BRYAN LEONARD
Event: (223) HOUSTON U at (224) ARMY
Sport/League: CFB
Date/Time: December 22, 2018 3PM EST
Play: ARMY -5.5 (-102)
224 Houston at Army
The Cougars are without its excellent quarterback and one of the top picks in the upcoming draft in Ed Oliver. The word we are getting out of Texas is that this team is not overly excited to be playing in its own state. The Cougars also played in this bowl just four years ago.
Army had an outstanding season when compared to preseason expectations. Military schools have been big money makers in bowl season historically. The line contunues to go up on this game and we want to get it before it hits the key numbers of 6 and 7. Even though we have Army winning by double digits, it's a better value now as opposed to what we will see at game time.
PLAY ARMY
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DAVE COKIN
Event: (223) HOUSTON U at (224) ARMY
Sport/League: CFB
Date/Time: December 22, 2018 3PM EST
Play: ARMY -5.5 (-110)
I won't be getting the best of the number here but the info on this game has gotten me to the Army side. I have little worry about the Cadets showing up for this game, that team is always ready to play. I've got some real doubts its about how Houston is going to hold up even with what might be a minor site advantage. The Cougars are very shorthanded on defense. Ed Oliver and Isaiah Robertson have decided to turn pro. Three other starters on the defensive line are done with season ending injuries. Houston will now also be without Bryson Smith, one of their more explosive offensive players. Plus, while Clayton Tune looks like a decent QB prospect, he's clearly a big step down from D'Eriq King when it comes to running the offense. Can't say there's any value here with the number having risen, but Army simply looks like its likely to be the more cohesive entry and I'm going to spot the points with the Cadets.
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