Free Picks: Service Plays for Friday, November 21

DUNKEL INDEX

NCAAB

George Washington at Virginia
The Colonials head to Virginia tonight to face a Cavaliers team that is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games versus Atlantic 10 oppoents. George Washington is the pick (+13 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Cavaliers favored by only 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: George Washington (+13 1/2).

Game 525-526: Loyola-Chicago at Michigan State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola-Chicago 53.594; Michigan State 69.327
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 16
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 18 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Loyola-Chicago (+18 1/2)

Game 527-528: George Washington at Virginia (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: George Washington 65.106; Virginia 75.527
Dunkel Line: Virginia by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Virginia by 13 1/2

Dunkel Pick: George Washington (+13 1/2)
Game 529-530: Toledo at Oregon (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Toledo 62.236; Oregon 66.336
Dunkel Line: Oregon by 4
Vegas Line: Oregon by 7
Dunkel Pick: Toledo (+7)

Game 531-532: Troy at Georgia (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Troy 49.233; Georgia 64.024
Dunkel Line: Georgia by 15
Vegas Line: Georgia by 17 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Troy (+17 1/2)

Game 533-534: UL-Monroe at Florida (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UL-Monroe 51.648; Florida 70.694
Dunkel Line: Florida by 19
Vegas Line: Florida by 21 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UL-Monroe (+21 1/2)

Game 535-536: WI-Milwaukee at Oklahoma State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: WI-Milwaukee 56.406; Oklahoma State 70.860
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 14 1/2
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 16 1/2
Dunkel Pick: WI-Milwaukee (+16 1/2)

Game 537-538: UL-Lafayette at Auburn (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UL-Lafayette 54.678; Auburn 65.027
Dunkel Line: Auburn by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 539-540: UC-Riverside at Utah (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 44.913; Utah 69.510
Dunkel Line: Utah by 24 1/2
Vegas Line: Utah by 22
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-22)

Game 541-542: Marshall at Louisville (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Marshall 52.058; Louisville 83.633
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 31 1/2
Vegas Line: Louisville by 27 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Louisville (-27 1/2)

Game 543-544: Georgia State at Colorado State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia State 56.578; Colorado State 66.075
Dunkel Line: Colorado State by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado State by 7
Dunkel Pick: Colorado State (-7)

Game 545-546: Delaware at Cal Poly (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Delaware 53.025; Cal Poly 56.192
Dunkel Line: Cal Poly by 3
Vegas Line: Cal Poly by 7
Dunkel Pick: Delaware (+7)

Game 547-548: Kansas State at Long Beach State (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas State 60.908; Long Beach State 60.766
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Kansas State by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Long Beach State (+1 1/2)

Game 549-550: Pittsburgh at Hawaii (12:00 a.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 67.317; Hawaii 58.790
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (+13 1/2)

Game 551-552: College of Charleston vs. Texas A&M (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: College of Charleston 53.035; Texas A&M 59.831
Dunkel Line: Texas A&M by 7
Vegas Line: Texas A&M by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: College of Charleston (+8 1/2)

Game 553-554: Dayton vs. Connecticut (2:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Dayton 66.219; Connecticut 72.368
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 6
Vegas Line: Connecticut by 2
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-2)

Game 555-556: Boston College vs. West Virginia (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston College 56.668; West Virginia 68.338
Dunkel Line: West Virginia by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: West Virginia by 9
Dunkel Pick: West Virginia (-9)

Game 557-558: George Mason vs. New Mexico (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: George Mason 53.008; New Mexico 57.106
Dunkel Line: New Mexico by 4
Vegas Line: New Mexico by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: George Mason (+6 1/2)

Game 559-560: USC vs. Drexel (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: USC 51.555; Drexel 52.662
Dunkel Line: Drexel by 1
Vegas Line: USC by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Drexel (+1 1/2)

Game 561-562: Akron vs. Miami (FL) (2:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Akron 56.974; Miami (FL) 66.993
Dunkel Line: Miami (FL) by 10
Vegas Line: Miami (FL) by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (FL) (-8 1/2)

Game 563-564: Charlotte vs. South Carolina (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 56.552; South Carolina 63.926
Dunkel Line: South Carolina by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: South Carolina by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: South Carolina (-2 1/2)

Game 565-566: Cornell vs. Penn State (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cornell 47.805; Penn State 57.996
Dunkel Line: Penn State by 10
Vegas Line: Penn State by 13
Dunkel Pick: Cornell (+13)

Game 567-568: Clemson vs. Gardner-Webb (1:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Clemson 58.762; Gardner-Webb 55.367
Dunkel Line: Clemson by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Clemson by 6
Dunkel Pick: Gardner-Webb (+6)

Game 569-570: Seton Hall vs. Nevada (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seton Hall 65.863; Nevada 56.120
Dunkel Line: Seton Hall by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Seton Hall by 7
Dunkel Pick: Seton Hall (-7)

Game 571-572: LSU vs. Old Domionion (6:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LSU 62.726; Old Dominion 58.705
Dunkel Line: LSU by 4
Vegas Line: LSU by 1
Dunkel Pick: LSU (-1)

Game 573-574: Illinois State vs. Weber State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois State 55.564; Weber State 53.555
Dunkel Line: Illinois State by 2
Vegas Line: Illinois State by 4
Dunkel Pick: Weber State (+4)

Game 575-576: Yale vs. Illinois-Chicago (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Yale 53.814; Illinois-Chicago 50.456
Dunkel Line: Yale by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Yale by 10
Dunkel Pick: Illinois-Chicago (+10)

Game 577-578: Southern Illinois at Kent State (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Illinois 54.590; Kent State 60.422
Dunkel Line: Kent State by 6
Vegas Line: Kent State by 4
Dunkel Pick: Kent State (-4)

Game 579-580: Central Connecticut State vs. Towson (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Central Connecticut State 41.843; Towson 52.537
Dunkel Line: Towson by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Towson by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Towson (-4 1/2)

Game 581-582: Bethune-Cookman at Monmouth (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Bethune-Cookman 42.218; Monmouth 57.129
Dunkel Line: Monmouth by 15
Vegas Line: Monmouth by 13
Dunkel Pick: Monmouth (-13)

Game 587-588: Youngstown State at Eastern Michigan (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Youngstown State 47.325; Eastern Michigan 59.735
Dunkel Line: Eastern Michigan by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Eastern Michigan by 10
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Michigan (-10)

Game 589-590: NC-Greensboro vs. Longwood (4:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NC-Greensboro 42.263; Longwood 35.659
Dunkel Line: NC-Greensboro by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: NC-Greensboro by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Longwood (+8 1/2)

Game 591-592: Stanford vs. UNLV (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Stanford 64.728; UNLV 59.399
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Stanford by 7
Dunkel Pick: UNLV (+7)

Game 593-594: Temple vs. Duke (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Temple 56.003; Duke 77.006
Dunkel Line: Duke by 21
Vegas Line: Duke by 18
Dunkel Pick: Duke (-18)

Game 595-596: Wofford at Fairfield (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wofford 55.496; Fairfield 49.454
Dunkel Line: Wofford by 6
Vegas Line: Wofford 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wofford (-3 1/2)

Game 597-598: Sam Houston State vs. South Dakota (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Sam Houston State 51.918; South Dakota 47.375
Dunkel Line: Sam Houston State by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Sam Houston State by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: South Dakota (+5 1/2)

Game 599-600: Morehead State at Louisiana Tech (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Morehead State 50.897; Louisiana Tech 60.269
Dunkel Line: Louisiana Tech by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Louisiana Tech by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Morehead State (+11 1/2)

Game 601-602: American vs. Presbyterian (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: American 54.971; Presbyerian 29.800
Dunkel Line: American by 25
Vegas Line: American by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: American (-13 1/2)

Game 603-604: IPFW at Georgia Tech (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: IPFW 54.045; Georgia Tech 66.494
Dunkel Line: Georgia Tech by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Georgia Tech by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgia Tech (-8 1/2)

Game 605-606: Montana State at Buffalo (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Montana State 43.737; Buffalo 57.732
Dunkel Line: Buffalo by 14
Vegas Line: Buffalo by 17 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montana State (+17 1/2)

Game 607-608: North Dakota at South Dakota State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota 47.074; South Dakota State 56.422
Dunkel Line: South Dakota State by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: South Dakota State by 12
Dunkel Pick: North Dakota (+12)

Game 609-610: Austin Peay at Illinois (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Austin Peay 43.478; Illinois 72.360
Dunkel Line: Illinois by 29
Vegas Line: Illinois by 22 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Illinois (-22 1/2)

Game 611-612: Iona at Wake Forest (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Iona 57.646; Wake Forest 64.121
Dunkel Line: Wake Forest by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Wake Forest by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wake Forest (-3 1/2)

Game 613-614: Idaho State at Washington State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho State 46.387; Washington State 54.247
Dunkel Line: Washington State by 8
Vegas Line: Washington State by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Idaho State (+11 1/2)

Game 615-616: Oral Roberts at Oregon State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oral Roberts 50.734; Oregon State 60.699
Dunkel Line: Oregon State by 10
Vegas Line: Oral Roberts by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oregon State (+1 1/2)

Game 631-632: Boston U at Kentucky (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston U 52.565; Kentucky 77.593
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 25
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 28 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston U (+28 1/2)

Joe Gavazzi

Utah St. -14

A look at last week's stats shows why San Jose St., my preferred SIDE on these pages, deserves a better fate, for they outgained the Rainbows 462-240 in a 13-0 home shutout loss. But, that defeat drops them to 3-7 SU ATS and home for the Holidays once again. They could well mail this one in, knowing they are 1-5 ATS recently on the road. Lone bright spot for the Spartans is QB Gray, who has passed for 305 or more yards in each of the preceding 5 games. Not sure how well that plays against a Utah St. defense that is on the verge of being a Defensive Dandy, allowing just 19 points per game, 4.8 YP play. With the divisional crown still in their sights, expect full focus behind 4th string QB Meyers, who is connecting on 75% of his throws. The Aggies have won this matchup 5 consecutive times, including the last 2 years by an average score of 45-20. In a classic late-season Super Surger vs. Towel Tosser, look for the Aggies to drop the Spartans' recent record to 0-5 SU ATS. We've got a big afternoon tomorrow and I have games at all hours of the day to fit wherever you need. Like these Bets? They only get better.

Jim Feist

Chicago at Portland
Pick: Under

Your free play for Friday, November 21, 2014 is in the NBA contest between the Bulls and Blazers in Portland. Chicago can play any style but here they play their third straight road game and the second of a back to back spot. It's unlikely the Bulls will want to run in this situation and the under is 9-4 in the Bulls last 13 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Portland still has a strong offense but they have a much improved defense this season allowing 95.9 ppg (7th in the NBA), tops in rebounds. Last week they rallied from 23 points down to defeat Charlotte, and then Monday night they erased a 16-point, third-quarter deficit to beat the New Orleans Pelicans 102-93. The under is 7-2 in the Blazers last 9 home games, as well as a 9-4 run under the total overall.

Ari Atari

Newcastle United -120

After a miserable start to the season, Newcastle find themselves on 5 wins on a row. Coach Alan Pardew whose job was reportedly in jeopardy bought himself some breathing room on the back of his teams winning streak and looks to extend it to 6 on the trot at home to QPR Saturday night.

Newly promoted Queens Park Rangers have struggled with their form and coach Harry Rednapp will have to put out a strong line up to steal some points at St.James Park. QPR has never beaten Newcastle with an overall record of 3 losses and a draw against their northern opponents.

DAVE COKIN

TOLEDO AT OREGON
PLAY: TOLEDO +7

Let’s get the bad news out of the way right off the bat. This is not an easy travel spot for Toledo. The Rockets played at VCU on Tuesday and have now had to endure the Atlantic to Pacific trip as they prep for this game with Oregon. So I know I’ve got that against me tonight. But hopefully there’s enough fuel in the tank of these Rockets to allow them to play their game tonight. If so, I think there’s a chance of an upset and I’d at least expect a competitive duel.

Toledo is expected to be one of the top MAC entries this season, and with good reason. They’ve got the core of last year’s 27-7 team back and as far as the power rankings are concerned, they’re the favorite to snare the MAC’s NCAA automatic come March Madness. Of course, winning a big non-conference game certainly wouldn’t hurt the Toledo resume, and that makes this a serious test for the Rockets.

Toledo gave Virginia Commonwealth a great game on Tuesday. Don’t be misled by the nine-point final margin. This was a one-point game inside three minutes, before VCU broke away with a 9-0 run. The narrow loss was a disappointment for sure, but Toledo should come out of that game loaded with confidence that they can compete with just about anyone.

Oregon is off to a 2-0 start but the win over Detroit was less dominating than the 83-66 final score. This was a three-point game midway through the second half. The Ducks broke it open after Juwan Howard Jr. picked up his fourth foul, and it got out of hand late. But the Titans certainly exposed some potential Oregon issues in this game, and I’ll be interested to see if a good offensive team like Toledo can exploit those potential soft spots tonight.

Oregon has a big game on deck as the Ducks are taking on Michigan on Monday in the star studded Legends Classic taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. That’s a potential look ahead and that can be a factor in analyzing early season non-conference hookups.

My expectation is that the public money will be on Oregon tonight. That’s not a deal maker or breaker for me, but I’m never unhappy if square cash shows up on the chalk and I’m on the dog. I’m high on this Toledo squad and I’m expecting them to come up with a strong effort tonight. If the Rockets play to their potential, they can pull off an upset this evening. The number actually looks shaded a bit to the dog side, as I thought it might come a bit higher. Thus, it appears as though I might be siding with the house tonight by playing Toledo plus the points.

Bryan Leonard

UTEP / Rice Over 51.5

The Miners have moved the ball at will against the majority of opposition this year, putting up 26 points or better against all but one opponent. In fact, only two games all season stayed under the current line on this contest. In those two games the opposition was Southern Miss and UTSA, two of the weakest offensive units in college football.

Rice has been able to put points on the board when not stepping up in class against the likes of Marshall, Notre Dame and Texas A&M. In games against simila€r talented defenses as UTEP only once all season have the Owls not reached 28 points in a contest. The last five meetings in this series has resulted in point totals of 52, 57, 78, 68 and 59 points. In our opinion this number is cheap.

LT Profits

Air Force vs San Diego State
Pick: San Diego State -6

The San Diego State Aztecs are 5-5 while the Air Force Falcons are 8-2, but this is a more important game for San Diego State as it looks to break a three-way tie atop the West Division of the Mountain West while Air Force seems out of the running for the Mountain Division title as the Falcons are in fourth place with both losses coming in conference. The Aztecs are a perfect 4-0 in San Diego while winning by an average of 18.0 points at home, helping explain why they are decided favorites despite the overall records. Both teams rely heavily on the run, so the key should come down to which team does a better job of stopping it and the Aztecs are allowing just 129.0 rushing yards per game on 3.5 yards per carry at home. San Diego State is 5-0 ATS in the last five head-to-head meetings.

Jeff Scott Sports

3 UNIT PLAY

San Diego State / Air Force Under 50.5: The Aztecs have been a very solid defensive team this year as they have allowed just 22 ppg overall, including just 14 ppg at home. The Aztec Offense has played very well at home, where they have averaged 32 ppg, but the Air Force defense has been solid allowing just 23 ppg on the road. The Aztecs play a very slow brand of ball, while Air Force isn’t really an uptempo team, while both defenses are very solid and we note that the under is 5-1 the last 6 in this series. I see a game in the lower 40s here.

BEST OF THE REST

Utah State / San Jose State Under 46: I just can't see this as a high scoring game. The San Jose offense has looked goot at times this year, but also have shown that they really miss David Fales like last week in which they were shutout at home by Hawaii. Now this inconsistent offense that has averaged 20 ppg on the road, will take on a tough Utah State defense that has allowed just 15 ppg in MWC play and just 20 ppg at home. San Jose State has allowed just 23 ppg in conference play and Utah State isn't really an explosive offense, averaging just 27 ppg in conference play. They do score 34 ppg at home, but don't see them hitting that mark here. The Aggies are also big favorites and should call off the dogs once they are up big as they have a big game vs Boise State on deck. The Under is 8-2 in the Aggies last 10 conference games and 22-6 in their last 28 games off a SU win. I see both trends continuing here.

Joe D'Amico

UL Monroe at Florida
Pick: UL Monroe

Yes, I know that Florida snapped their 33-game home win streak in the come-from-ahead, 69-67 upset loss to Miami. However, the Gators are banged-up and missing several key players. Chris Walker is cleared from suspension. Dorian Finney-Smith (if he plays) is hampered by a wrist injury. And Chris Walker and Brandone Francis are both out for the season. ULM comes in with a bit of confidence after breaking the school's scoring record, lighting up Baptist for 106 points. The Warhawks are a scrappy bunch of experienced players, consisting of an awesome frontcourt that will frustrate the Gators big men. I must take the 21.5 points here with the Warhawks.

Joe D'Amico's Featured Package

Larry Ness

Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks
Pick: Atlanta Hawks

The Atlanta Hawks look to get back on track after two straight losses. The 5-5 Hawks have followed a four-game winning streak with back-to-back defeats, 127-94 at Cleveland on Saturday and 114-109 to the Lakers on Tuesday. Atlanta had allowed 97.0 PPG in opening 4-0 at home but had no answer for the Lakers, who shot 54.0 percent. Meanwhile, frustrations are starting to grow for Detroit, which will try to avoid a fourth consecutive loss Friday night. The 3-9 Pistons sit at the bottom of the Central Division and are 27th in the NBA averaging a modest with 92.4 PPG. They're averaging 89.0 PPG during their three-game skid, after falling 88-86 to Phoenix on Wednesday. "Anytime you lose, frustration builds especially when it's consecutive," forward Greg Monroe said. "We just have to have some resiliency right now. (We have to) go on the road and try to get a win."

The Pistons are hungry for a win after losing SIX of their last seven and shot just 37.9 percent from the floor in an 88-86 loss to Phoenix on Wednesday. Monroe had 18 points and 12 rebounds for Detroit, which erased an eight-point deficit with under two minutes to go but couldn't keep up down the stretch. Brandon Jennings scored 19 despite shooting 1 of 9 from three-point range. "We're a little frustrated," former Hawks star Josh Smith said. "But, at the same time, we're motivated that we can get the job done. We just have to stay with what we've been doing, kind of tweak little things, and try to keep moving in the right direction. And we need to start getting wins."

Van Gundy seems to be losing patience with Smith, who has been a major bust since signing with Detroit last year. Smith spent his first nine seasons with the Hawks but averaged 9.3 points and shot 30.8 percent in three meetings against Atlanta in 2013-14. He averaging just 12.5 PPG while shooting what would be a career-worst 36.9 percent in the early going of this season. Detroit has reached triple digits just ONCE in 12 outings, a 107-103 loss at Washington. Detroit ranks 27th in scoring (92.4 PPG) and 29th in FG percentage (41.3).

In contrast, Atlanta has not had trouble on the offensive end (102.6 PPG ranks 10th) with four players scoring at least 13 per game, led by Paul Millsap’s 18.0. Al Horford is off to a strong start after missing the last 53 games of 2013-14 with a torn pectoral muscle, averaging 13.8 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor. The backcourt duo of Teague (15.8-7.0 APG) and Korver (13.7 PPG on 56.1% shooting from three-point range), conclude Atlanta’s four main scorers. Horford’s presence will continue to give more operating space to Millsap, PG Jeff Teague and the sharp-shooting Kyle Korver. The return small forward DeMarre Carroll (groin) will help (12.0-6.3) but is not likely here. Note that Thabo Sefolosha has scored in double figures four straight games, after averaging 3.7 in his first six contests.

The Pistons had lost 10 straight at Atlanta before a 102-95 win last April 8, so expect the struggling Pistons to make in 11 losses their last 12 in Atlanta, tonight.

Jack Jones

UTEP +7

The UTEP Miners (6-4) have been playing their best football of the season coming into this one. They have gone 4-1 SU & 5-0 ATS in their last five games overall and continue to lack the respect they deserve from oddsmakers as 7-point underdogs this week. I believe there is value in backing them here in what is a pretty evenly-matched game between teams with identical records.

UTEP’s only loss during this stretch came as a 9-point underdog at Western Kentucky in a 27-35 road loss. It has beaten Old Dominion (42-35), Southern Miss (35-14) and North Texas (35-17) at home, while also topping UTSA (34-0) on the road during this stretch. So, it has not only been winning, it has been dominating.

Rice (6-4) is also playing very well having won six of its last seven. However, last week it suffered a crushing 14-41 loss at Marshall that will likely keep it from repeating as Conference USA champion after winning the title last year. That deflating loss will be tough to bounce back from emotionally, and the Owls likely won’t bring their best effort to the field Friday night because of it.

Common opponents are a great way to compare teams. Both UTEP and Rice have played the same four teams this season. UTEP is 4-0 against those four teams, outscoring them by an average of 20.0 points per game. Rice is 3-1 against those teams, outscoring them by 11.3 points per game. Common opponents would certainly tell you that UTEP is the better team in 2014 as it is outscoring them by 8.7 points per game more than Rice.

Plays against home favorites (RICE) – in a game involving two mistake-free teams (1.25 or fewer turnovers/game committed), in conference games are 86-41 (67.7%) ATS over the last 10 seasons. UTEP is 15-5 ATS in its last 20 when playing against a marginal winning team (51% to 60%). The Miners are 8-2 ATS in all games this season. The Owls are 2-5 ATS in their last seven vs. a team with a winning record.

Rob Vinciletti

Phoenix Suns vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Play: Phoenix Suns -9½

The winner in this series has covered 27 of the last 28 times and the Suns are 20-1 straight up as a favorite on the road at -6.5 to -9. They have covered 15 of 22 vs Atlantic Division teams. The Sixers are 21-41 ats vs Non conference teams and are 0-4 with one cover in the series. For the system we note that road favorites like Phoenix with rest that scored 90 or less as a road favorite of 4 or less, vs an opponent off a home dog loss at +5 or more and failed to cover are 7-0 ats since 2000. The Sixers would beat an NCAAB Team like Kentucky, even though many don't think so. However they will be lucky to keep this one under double digits.

Rob Vinciletti's Featured Package

John Ryan

UTEP vs. Rice
Play:UTEP +7

Marshall controls the East Division with a perfect record and Louisiana Tech the West Division with a perfect conference mark. So, essentially these two teams are building their resume for the best possible bowl game. A UTEP upset road win, would add a very attractive mark to that resume and I believe they can pull it off. Supporting this view is a strong system that has gone 86-41 ATS over the last 10 seasons. Play against home favorites (RICE) in a conference game involving two mistake-free teams committing

John Ryan's Featured Package

Steve Janus

Milwaukee Bucks +9

This is a great spot to back the Bucks as a 9-point underdog. Milwaukee has been one of the big surprises early and as a result have been a covering machine. The Bucks are 5-1 SU in their last 6 and 9-3 ATS on the season. While Toronto is one of the better teams in the East, they are simply overvalued in this one. The Raptors are going to have a difficult time focusing on this game with a visit to face LeBron James and the Cavaliers on deck tomorrow night. We saw Toronto struggle in this spot already this season. They had to rally from a big deficit to beat the Magic 104-100 as a 10.5-point favorite with a big game at home against the Bulls on TNT looming on deck.

System - Home favorites who are outscoring opponents by 9+ points/game against an opponent that just allowed 105+ in their last game are 8-28 (22%) ATS over the last 5 seasons.