Free Picks: Service Plays for Friday, November 8

DUNKEL INDEX

NCAAB

Oregon vs. Georgetown
The Hoyas look to build on their 18-8 ATS record in their last 26 neutral site games. Georgetown is the pick (-4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Hoyas favored by 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Georgetown (-4 1/2)

Game 525-526: Alabama vs. Oklahoma (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama 69.003; Oklahoma 61.451
Dunkel Line: Alabama by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Alabama by 5
Dunkel Pick: Alabama (-5)

Game 527-528: TCU vs. SMU (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: TCU 52.271; SMU 54.730
Dunkel Line: SMU by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: SMU by 10
Dunkel Pick: TCU (+10)

Game 529-530: Colorado vs. Baylor (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 62.616; Baylor 73.586
Dunkel Line: Baylor by 11
Vegas Line: Baylor by 4
Dunkel Pick: Baylor (-4)

Game 531-532: Boston College at Providence (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston College 64.063; Providence 64.783
Dunkel Line: Providence by 1
Vegas Line: Providence by 3
Dunkel Pick: Boston College (+3)

Game 533-534: Maryland vs. Connecticut (6:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 62.109; Connecticut 71.151
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 9
Vegas Line: Connecticut by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-5 1/2)

Game 535-536: Delaware at Richmond (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Delaware 52.856; Richmond 58.836
Dunkel Line: Richmond by 6
Vegas Line: Richmond by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Delaware (+8 1/2)

Game 537-538: Illinois State at VCU (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois State 60.233; VCU 71.918
Dunkel Line: VCU by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: VCU by 20 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Illinois State (+20 1/2)

Game 539-540: Cornell at Syracuse (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cornell 43.663; Syracuse 78.440
Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 35
Vegas Line: Syracuse by 26
Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-26)

Game 541-542: Missouri State at Old Dominion (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Missouri State 50.159; Old Dominion 51.733
Dunkel Line: Old Dominion by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Missouri State by 3
Dunkel Pick: Old Dominion (+3)

Game 543-544: Miami (OH) at Notre Dame (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (OH) 48.583; Notre Dame 71.216
Dunkel Line: Notre Dame by 22 1/2
Vegas Line: Notre Dame by 20
Dunkel Pick: Notre Dame (-20)

Game 545-546: Oregon vs. Georgetown (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oregon 65.241; Georgetown 73.787
Dunkel Line: Georgetown by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Georgetown by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgetown (-4 1/2)

Game 547-548: Buffalo at Texas A&M (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 55.179; Texas A&M 58.581
Dunkel Line: Texas A&M by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas A&M by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (+5 1/2)

Game 549-550: Detroit at South Alabama (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 58.935; South Alabama 63.530
Dunkel Line: South Alabama by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: South Alabama by 8
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+8)

Game 551-552: WI-Milwaukee at Loyola-Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: WI-Milwaukee 44.232; Loyola-Chicago 52.336
Dunkel Line: Loyola-Chicago by 8
Vegas Line: Loyola-Chicago by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Loyola-Chicago (-5 1/2)

Game 553-554: James Madison at Virginia (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: James Madison 56.218; Virginia 69.415
Dunkel Line: Virginia by 13
Vegas Line: Virginia by 21 1/2
Dunkel Pick: James Madison (+21 1/2)

Game 555-556: UL-Monroe at Kansas (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UL-Monroe 40.221; Kansas 77.212
Dunkel Line: Kansas by 37
Vegas Line: Kansas by 28
Dunkel Pick: Kansas (-28)

Game 557-558: St. John's vs. Wisconsin (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. John's 59.107; Wisconsin 70.076
Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 11
Vegas Line: Wisconsin by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (-4 1/2)

Game 559-560: Troy at Mississippi (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Troy 53.708; Mississippi 66.498
Dunkel Line: Mississippi by 13
Vegas Line: Mississippi by 15 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Troy (+15 1/2)

Game 561-562: Texas State at Houston (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas State 51.782; Houston 61.266
Dunkel Line: Houston by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Houston by 6
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-6)

Game 563-564: TX-Arlington at Boise State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: TX-Arlington 53.508; Boise State 68.189
Dunkel Line: Boise State by 14 1/2
Vegas Line: Boise State by 18
Dunkel Pick: TX-Arlington (+18)

Game 565-566: USC at Utah State (9:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: USC 58.143; Utah State 60.282
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 2
Vegas Line: Utah State by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: USC (+8 1/2)

Game 567-568: Oakland at North Carolina (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland 48.882; North Carolina 72.883
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 24
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 17
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-17)

Game 569-570: NC-Wilmington at Iowa (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NC-Wilmington 44.964; Iowa 72.650
Dunkel Line: Iowa by 27 1/2
Vegas Line: Iowa by 24 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Iowa (-24 1/2)

Game 571-572: UC-Davis at Portland (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Davis 51.401; Portland 49.726
Dunkel Line: UC-Davis by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Portland by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Davis (+4 1/2)

Game 573-574: Fresno State at UC-Irvine (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Fresno State 62.782; UC-Irvine 57.263
Dunkel Line: Fresno State by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: UC-Irvine by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Fresno State (+5 1/2)

Game 575-576: Cal Poly at Arizona (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cal Poly 52.315; Arizona 72.827
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 20 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona by 17 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-17 1/2)

Game 577-578: UC-Riverside at San Diego State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 48.225; San Diego State 64.047
Dunkel Line: San Diego State by 16
Vegas Line: San Diego State by 19
Dunkel Pick: UC-Riverside (+19)

Game 579-580: Pacific at Nevada (10:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Pacific 52.644; Nevada 61.230
Dunkel Line: Nevada by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Nevada by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nevada (-6 1/2)

Game 581-582: Louisiana Tech at St. Mary's (11:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana Tech 57.652; St. Mary's 72.819
Dunkel Line: St. Mary's by 15
Vegas Line: St. Mary's by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Mary's (-5 1/2)

Game 583-584: Drexel at UCLA (12:00 a.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Drexel 57.163; UCLA 63.762
Dunkel Line: UCLA by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: UCLA by 9
Dunkel Pick: Drexel (+9)

Game 585-586: Air Force vs. Army (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Air Force 51.903; Army 57.806
Dunkel Line: Army by 6
Vegas Line: Army by 3
Dunkel Pick: Army (-3)

Game 587-588: The Citadel vs. VMI (3:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: The Citadel 41.397; VMI 48.805
Dunkel Line: VMI by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: VMI by 10
Dunkel Pick: The Citadel (+10)

Game 589-590: Florida International vs. Eastern Kentucky (5:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida International 50.059; Eastern Kentucky 57.695
Dunkel Line: Eastern Kentucky by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Eastern Kentucky by 5
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Kentucky (-5)

Game 591-592: Youngstown State at Kennesaw State (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Youngstown State 49.512; Kennesaw State 47.505
Dunkel Line: Youngstown State by 2
Vegas Line: Youngstown State by 5
Dunkel Pick: Kennesaw State (+5)

Game 595-596: South Dakota State at San Diego (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: South Dakota State 53.603; San Diego 59.579
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 6
Vegas Line: San Diego by 4
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-4)

Game 597-598: Tennessee State at Hawaii (11:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 53.925; Hawaii 53.640
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Hawaii by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee State (+8 1/2)

Game 599-600: Western Michigan vs. New Mexico State (2:30 a.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Western Michigan 53.254; New Mexico State 62.236
Dunkel Line: New Mexico State by 9
Vegas Line: New Mexico State by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Mexico State (-6 1/2)

Game 601-602: Appalachian State at NC State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Appalachian State 53.373; NC State 65.645
Dunkel Line: NC State by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: NC State by 15
Dunkel Pick: Appalachian State (+15)

Game 603-604: Davidson at Duke (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Davidson 61.747; Duke 79.838
Dunkel Line: Duke by 18
Vegas Line: Duke by 15 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Duke (-15 1/2)

Game 605-606: Monmouth at Hofstra (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Monmouth 41.222; Hofstra 51.228
Dunkel Line: Hofstra by 10
Vegas Line: Hofstra by 6
Dunkel Pick: Hofstra (-6)

Game 607-608: Wofford at Georgia (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wofford 54.003; Georgia 59.774
Dunkel Line: Georgia by 6
Vegas Line: Georgia by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wofford (+7 1/2)

Game 609-610: Jacksonville State at Bradley (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville State 46.750; Bradley 59.481
Dunkel Line: Bradley by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Bradley by 10
Dunkel Pick: Bradley (-10)

Game 611-612: SIU Edwardsville at Arkansas (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: SIU Edwardsville 43.274; Arkansas 62.708
Dunkel Line: Arkansas by 19 1/2
Vegas Line: Arkansas by 22 1/2
Dunkel Pick: SIU Edwardsville (+22 1/2)

Game 613-614: NE-Omaha at Northern Illinois (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NE-Omaha 43.356; Northern Illinois 45.385
Dunkel Line: Northern Illinois by 2
Vegas Line: Northern Illinois by 5
Dunkel Pick: NE-Omaha (+5)

Game 615-616: SE Missouri State at St. Louis (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: SE Missouri State 50.834; St. Louis 76.223
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 25 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Louis by 23
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-23)

Game 617-618: Murray State at Valparaiso (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Murray State 51.367; Valparaiso 66.806
Dunkel Line: Valparaiso by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: Valparaiso by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Valparaiso (-6 1/2)

Game 619-620: Northern Colorado at Kansas State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 54.993; Kansas State 64.949
Dunkel Line: Kansas State by 10
Vegas Line: Kansas State by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Colorado (+12 1/2)

Game 621-622: Tennessee-Martin at Wyoming (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee-Martin 37.953; Wyoming 57.328
Dunkel Line: Wyoming by 19 1/2
Vegas Line: Wyoming by 15 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wyoming (-15 1/2)

Game 623-624: Weber State at BYU (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Weber State 62.920; BYU 70.079
Dunkel Line: BYU by 7
Vegas Line: BYU by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Weber State (+8 1/2)

Game 625-626: Portland State at UNLV (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland State 49.310; UNLV 63.117
Dunkel Line: UNLV by 14
Vegas Line: UNLV by 16 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland State (+16 1/2)

Game 631-632: Florida Gulf Coast at Nebraska (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida Gulf Coast 61.165; Nebraska 64.960
Dunkel Line: Nebraska by 4
Vegas Line: Nebraska by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (-1 1/2)

Jeff Scott Sports

2 UNIT PLAY

NEW MEXICO -2.5 over Air Force: Neither defense is all that good, so that is a wash, but the Lobos do bring in a much better offense and they have the home field edge as well. The Lobos are 0-3 in their last 3 games, but 2-1 ATS in those games. Two of the losses were on the road at SDSU and Wyoming and those losses were by a combined 12 points, while Air Force lost to those two teams at home by a combined 40 points. Let's also note that Air Force is just 1-11 ATS when playing a conference opponent, when the Falcons are off a non-conference foe, including 0-2 ATS in that spot this year. Look for the Lobos to get a solid home win here.

Raphael Esparza

Louisville / Connecticut Over 49

So let's see: the Louisville Cardinals offense is averaging 31 points per game in its last four games, but the Connecticut Huskies defense is allowing 36.2 points per game this year. Both of these trends will hold up Friday night, and I see the Louisville Cardinals piling up the points on this sad Connecticut defense. Central Florida scored 62 points on the UConn defense, so what is Louisville and QB Teddy Bridgewater going to do Friday night? They might be able to cover this spread all by themselves! But Connecticut should be able to manage a score or two of their own, and that will get us over the posted number.

Red Dog Sports

Oakland vs. North Carolina
Play: Under 175

This is by far the highest total of the night. Look for this game to go under. I do expect plenty of points at the Dean Dome but it could end 96-77 and stay under.

Jim Feist

Sacramento vs. Portland
Play: Over 203

Portland is really running and gunning this season, averaging 105 ppg (5th), but they are giving up 105 ppg. They love to run and at home and the over is 16-5 in the Trail Blazers last 21 home games, 6-0 over the total playing on 2 days rest. Sacramento struggled on defense last year and is doing so again, giving up 100 ppg. The over is 7-1 in the Kings last 8 games playing on 2 days rest, plus 15-7-1 over the total following a S.U. loss. Look for a run and gun game with all these young legs and no defense; Play the Kings/Blazers over the total.

Dave Essler

Oakland +17

Yes, I totally get where North Carolina is ranked, who they are, and who their coach is. I also get that they play fast. But, two years ago they lost four players, all drafted in the first round, to the NBA (Zeller, Henson, Marshall, and Barnes). Then comes last season, and of course they lose Reggie Bullock to the Clippers. Trust me, by no means do I think they're in trouble. But, for Friday's game their going to be without Leslie McDonald and P.J. Hairston due to suspension. Both were either going to start or be counted on for big minutes.

Now to Oakland, who will play anyone, anywhere. Last season they started off playing Boise State, Michigan, and Pittsburgh, all games they covered, actually. They lost Drew Valentine, which is significant, but they've got one of the fastest tempos' in basketball, so they'll be glad to run with the Tar Heels. They do bring back Travis Bader, perhaps the most lethal three point shooter in the land, and do have SOME size inside with Corey Petros. They also added Tommie McCune, a transfer from West Virginia, who's long and has some size, and obviously has been exposed to big programs. They've added Dayton transfer, Ralph Hill, who sat out last season, and he can score from the perimeter or inside as well. Both these guys bring something to Oakland (inside game) they've never had.

Bottom line here is that Oakland will play this game for forty minutes, and I'd almost rather have them come in the back door against the bench, but they can hang, and they're playing a depleted team that runs, so my guess is Williams just wants the win and move on.

Marc Lawrence

Air Force vs. New Mexico
Pick: Air Force

Wow, a week ago we had already tossed the Flyboys into a mass grave and were heaping dirt atop their corpses when they broke a 21-21 halftime tie against Army and went on to score a 42-28 victory over the Black Knights. Yes, the Falcons were flying high after snapping a 7-game losing skid against the infantry, prompting SS Christian Spears to declare, “This is the best 2-7 has ever felt… it’s an awesome feeling.” Credit RB Anthony LaCoste – who actually played defensive back last season – for leading by example: a career-high 263 rushing yards and three touchdowns. The elusive LaCoste will continue his campaign to take over as the team’s featured RB against a porous New Mexico rush defense that gets ripped for a disturbing 6.3 YPC. Still, Troy Calhoun’s jet jockeys are riding a ridiculous 0-7 ATS losing streak in games after battling fellow military teams, plus they’ve lost their last seven games in a row when playing away from Colorado Springs. Meanwhile, following their close-but-no-cigar loss to San Diego State last Saturday, 2-6 New Mexico is now in the unenviable position of having to run the table to become bowl-eligible. That’s a tall order tonight as the Lobos are a dreadful 2-10 ATS in Weekday games. They’ve also lost the stats in their last three games – meaning they are ‘leaking oil’ – and we’re not about to trust a team like that as chalk. Current troubles aside, Air Force has absolutely mopped the floor with New Mexico in recent series history, going 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings, including 5-0 SU the last five. Despite some not-so-attractive numbers in 2013, we’ll ride with the history dog in Albuquerque this evening. We recommend a 1-unit play on Air Force.

Kyle Hunter

Texas Arlington vs. Boise State
Play: Boise State -18

The Boise State Broncos return a wealth of talent this year and they'll be a major player in the Mountain West Conference this season. Boise State returns 92.4% of their scoring from last year, including star Anthony Drmic. The Broncos are terrific at home and often roll over weaker teams. Last year, Boise State beat UT Arlington by 18 on the road. UT Arlington lost their top four players from last year, and now Boise State is only favored by 18 at home. This has a blowout written all over it. Look for Boise State to jump on Arlington early in this one and coast to a big win. Take Boise State.

Ray Monohan

Maryland vs.Connecticut
Play: Connecticut -5½

The Huskies are looking to rejoin the elite on the hardwood and have the perimeter players to do so. Having the first game against Maryland isn’t exactly easing into things but with the best set of guards in the country, or close to it, I like them to be sharper, and better than the Terps in the opener.

Red Dog Sports

Nashville Predators vs. Winnipeg Jets
Play: Nashville Predators +100

Take Nashville +100. They are 8-5-2 and just won at Colorado and at Los Angeles. Winnipeg is just 6-9-2 and has lost 7 of their last 9 games. Nashville has won the last 4 meetings. Take the road team with value at +100.

Matt Fargo

USC vs. Utah State
Play: Over 139.5

This will be the head coaching debut for Andy Enfield at USC after making a name for himself at Florida-Gulf Coast following the magnificent NCAA Tournament run from a season ago. The Trojans do not bring a lot back this season so things could be very tough in Enfield's first year but I like the way this matchup works out as we could see his "Dunk City" uptempo style have success here. UCS faces a Utah St. team that has struggled on defense the last few years and there does not seem to be much improvement this season. The Aggies were very inconsistent and in a recent exhibition, Central Methodist shot 56.3 percent on the Aggies, including nearly 62 percent from three-point range. The good news is the offense scored 108 points and the offense will be the focal point again this season. The Aggies were banged up beyond belief a year ago but that will help them this season with depth and they should be able to score at will against USC. The Trojans will try and utilize full court pressure but with a brand new systems involving new players, it will be a work in progress. That will lead to easy baskets and if that doesn't happen, USC will drop into a soft zone that Utah St. can take advantage of. The Aggies have gone over in 21 of their last 28 home games and with this matchup on opening night, we should be seeing a ton of points.

Rob Vinciletti

Brooklyn Nets vs. Washington Wizards
Play: Washington Wizards +2.5

This the 4th highest rated play on our card but it is a three unit regular rated selection. We are playing against Brooklyn and any road favorite of 4 or less points with rest if they scored 90 or more points as a home favorite in their last game and are taking on an opponent, The Wizards in this case, that scored 100 or more on the road in their last game. These short road favorites are just 3-10 straight up and 1-12 to the spread since 1995. The Wizards are 14-2 to the spread at home off a win and have also covered 17 of 24 after a game where they scored 105 or more points. Both teams are off easy wins but The Nets have lost 25 of 34 vs teams who average 99 or more points per game. Were on Washington here.

Jimmy Boyd

Providence -3

Providence was a much better team than Boston College last season. The Eagles may have won the matchup between these teams, but it was at Boston College and the victory came by just three points. This year Providence will play host and they return a wealth of talent from last year's team. The Friars posted a 19-15 record last season, and played in the Big East, a conference that featured nine teams winning 20+ games. The Eagles on the other hand were 16-17 including a 7-11 record in the ACC, a conference that was extremely top-heavy.

The Friars will have both Henton and Batts returning this season. The duo let the team in rebounds, and both players averaged double-digits in scoring. The Eagles only real threat in the paint is Ryan Anderson, but he is also second to last on the team in free throw percentage. The Eagles finished last season going 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games while the Friars are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games. Providence returned more talent, and they are the better team. They should have no problem covering a three-point margin in this matchup.

Doug Upstone

Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers
Play: Indiana Pacers -8½

On Friday, Play On favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points like Indiana after two consecutive division victories. The logic is if a team has manufactured these wins, they have built a little momentum in meaningful matchups and this is likely to have a carryover effect. In the past five seasons, these teams are 35-11 ATS, 76.1 percent. Consider the Pacers to night.