OC Dooley
2 Units Grizzlies -2
This is one of those wagers where I feel the oddsmakers have made a major statement by the way they chose to price a particular contest. Utah is an underdog tonight even though they have owned Memphis in this series (13-1 current tear) including a pair of triumphs this season out west in Salt Lake City. One of the reasons why the Jazz are “getting” points this evening has to do with a key INJURY to forward Paul Millsap (hip) earlier this week which has put his status for tonight in question. In a home victory against Memphis last Saturday, Millsap’s statistics (22 points, 10 rebounds) were excellent as he dominated down low in the paint. The possible absence of Millsap will open the door for Memphis red-hot big man Zach Randolph who in the past four games has put up excellent per-game averages (28 points, 14 rebounds) for the Grizzlies who are having special activities for this evening’s home affair which puts this revenge pick also into what I like to call the “intangibles” category. First of all Memphis this evening is launching a birthday salute to legendary music icon Elvis Presley which automatically creates much local interest. But the Grizzlies are also honoring one of the Chilean miners who was trapped underground for 69 days and he just happens to be a self-described Elvis fan. For the moment I am a fan of the Memphis Grizzlies who are coming off a pair of outright upsets against Oklahoma City and the LA Lakers where they were cast as an underdog. For the entire season to date Memphis is UNDEFEATED where it counts (7-0 ATS) when off an upset win as an underdog which makes this a very high percentage wager as well
Joseph D'Amico
Texas A&M vs. LSU
Play: Under 49
In this game, we see two teams with a lot of media surrounding them. After much anticipation, LSU RB Steven Ridley has been cleared to play. The Tiger offense is mediocre, ranking 91st. Now a lot can be said for the Tigers. They play against some of the best teams in college football. Their only losses TY have come to Auburn and Arkansas, both top teams. LSU posts just 28.8 PPG. Despite scoring almost 29 PPG, the offense only earned 7 TD passes but has 10 INTs. QB Jordan Jefferson has 4 TDs with 9 INTs but is the schools 2nd leading rusher with 383 YR and 6 TDs. Although the Tigers stop unit has yielded 67 combined points in their L2 outings, overall the LSU “D” is ranked 8th in the nation allowing a mere 301 YPG and holding foes to a laughable 17.8 PPG. Their defense houses Sheppard, Nerus, and Peterson. These are three players with NFL potential. LSU’s offense is stagnant. They face an A&M “D” that has allowed just 3.3 YPC and ranks 23rd in pass efficiency. Michael Hodges and Von Miller are the workhorses behind the stop unit that hasn’t allowed more than 30 points in their L8 games. The Aggies won and covered their L6 games. The fact is that LSU isn’t a scoring machine that doesn’t light up the scoreboard and A&M only posted 33 points combined in their L2. Also, A&M’s offense will look like they have a stutter vs. the very smart Tigers “D” that beat ‘Bama, Florida, Tennessee, and Mississippi State. The UNDER is 4-0 in the Aggies L4 vs. the SEC, 4-1 in the Aggies L5 Bowl games, 5—1 ATS in the Tigers L6 games vs. teams with a winning record, and 8-3 ATS in the Tigers L11 overall.
Evan Altemus
2* Drake -3.5
Bradley has really struggled lately and has also lost three straight conference games both straight up and against the spread. The Braves are also coming off of an eight point loss to Southern Illinois at home. Meanwhile, just a few days ago Drake beat that same Southern Illinois team at home. Bradley's defense has struggled lately giving up 72, 79, and 80 points in their three conference games. Meanwhile, Drake is coming off of a tough two game stretch where they had to play conference front runners Creighton and Wichita State on the road. Because of those two tough road losses, I look for the Bulldogs to be motivated to get a strong home win against a struggling opponent. Drake's weakness is their poor rebounding, but Bradley also struggles on the boards as well. Sharp money has also come in early on the Bulldogs, moving the line up a half point within a few hours. Look for Drake to get a strong home win in a great bounceback spot.
Carolina Sports
5* LSU
Jim Fiest
TV Steamroller - LSU
Texas Sports Wire
5* Texas A&M / LSU Under
Dwayne Bryant
LSU -2
Stan Lisowski
3* Memphis -2
If the Grizzlies can stop gambling and fighting amongst themselves, they should be able to handle Utah tonight. The Jazz are having some injury issues with their frontline as Milsap is banged up and ailing while Oker is probably out. This is a double revenge game for Memphis who has covered 33 of 55 off of a win. Home team has won 6 straight in this series.
The Duke's Sports
Texas A&M (+2') for 1.5 Units
The Aggies do not have an impressive winning bowl ledger at 0-4 ATS; as a matter of fact, they haven't won a bowl game since the late stages of the Slocum era following the 2001 season. However, this year's Aggies contingent brings a pretty well balanced group to the field. A&M's defense improved dramatically under DC DeRuyteras he utilized Butkus Award winner Von Miller well. Von Miller will be a disruptive force off the edge against a productive but not dominant LSU offense. On the other hand, the A&M offense started cooking when Ryan Tannehill took over the controls. He made good decisions, was accurate, and can run. We'll look for Aggies' HC Sherman to utilize Tannehill effectively tonight against the dominant LSU defense. And the Cotton Bowl stadium in close proximity to their school gives A&M a slight edge. LSU is a mere 1-4 ATS in non-conference play and we'll fade them.
King Creole
2* Bradley +4.5
That situational System worked out very nice for Speedee and the gang last night, with the only TWO qualifiers both covering the spread VERY easily. We have another 'value' team going tonight, and it's the BRADLEY BRAVES.
8-0 ATS so far this season: All Conference underdogs of 2 > points (BRADLEY) playing off a DOUBLE-DIGIT SU and ATS loss (lots by 10 or more and lost ATS by 10 or more)..... versus any opponent also off a SU loss (Drake).
This is a series that Bradley has RULED in MVC play. The Braves went 2-0 SU last year vs Drake, and are 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings. So that means that the Bulldogs are playing tonight's game with DOUBLE-Revenge.
2-10 ATS so far this season: All Conference teams playing with 'LSR2' (last season DOUBLE-Revenge).... and also off BB SU losses in a row (Drake).
Both teams come in off multiple losses in a row..10-2 ATS last 2 seasons: All MVC underdogs playing of
f 3 or more SU and ATS losses in a row (BRADLEY).
There's a BIG line swing tonight in regard to the Drake Bulldogs. They were underdogs of +17 in their most recent game (vs Wichita St)... and underdogs of +10.5 in the game before that (vs Creighton). Now... they shift to 'favorite' status.
0-8 ATs last 2 seasons: All Conference home favs of > 1 point (Drake)... after playing back-to-back games as an underdog of +15 > points... and an underdog of +10 > points.
Christian Alexander
Texas A&M vs LSU
Pick: LSU -2
Texas A&M enters this game on a roll, riding a six-game winning streak. The key to their surge is an uptick in their offense brought about by some gutsy coaching calls and some injuries.
First, after starting the year 3-3, coach Mike Sherman benched starting quarterback Jerrod Johnson for Ryan Tannehill, who had been playing wide receiver. Tannehill showed he was up to the switch, tossing 11 touchdowns against just three interceptions in six games - all wins.
Then, starting RB Christine Michael broke his leg in October and Cyrus Gray was forced into a starting role. All Gray did then was wrap up the season with six consecutive 100-yard games, highlighted by 223 yards in a win over hated rival Texas.
But with all that said, the Aggies will have a tough time in this one against an LSU defense which is eighth in the nation in total defense (301.7), tied for ninth in scoring defense (17.8) and 10th against the pass (165.8).
Yes, LSU is pretty pathetic on offense but give Les Miles credit, he finds a way to win games. He will do it again in this one.
Vernon Croy
3* NY Knicks +2.5
Executive
400 Texas A&M
250 Parlay N Iowa & Bradley
Dr Bob
Opinion/Possible Best Bet
ILLINOIS STATE (+8) over Wichita State
After 3 straight seasons of 22 or more wins Tim Jankovich’s Illinois State team has suddenly fallen on hard times. The Redbirds are a decent 8-6 straight up, but that has been against an easy schedule and they haven’t come close to beating a decent team. Nonetheless, the Redbirds do apply to a very good 53-13-1 ATS home underdog situation that is 20-4 ATS when applying to a team off 3 or more consecutive losses. Illinois State should be better than they’re playing and a fair line on this game is 9 points, so the line has almost caught up to the Redbirds current level of play. I’ll lean with Illinois State at +8 or +8 ½ and I’d take Illinois State in a 2-Star Best Bet at +9 points or more.
Sports Unlimited
Texas A&M
Creighton
Bradley