Johnny Banks
Notre Dame vs. Cincinnati
Play Cincinnati -5
The Bearcats have been dominant at home this season and Notre Dame is shooting just 40.1% on the road this season. The BEarcats are shooting 48.8% at home. The Irish are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as an underdog. Cincy pulls away with a double digit win!
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Heat/Thunder UNDER 193.5
Play Under on all teams where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points (MIAMI) - after successfully covering the spread in 2 or more consecutive games, in a game involving two marginal winning teams (51% to 60%), are 45-18 the last 5 seasons. This situation is already 3-1 this season and I fully expect it to continue its winning ways tonight with both of these teams feeling the effects of playing last night. Bet the Under.
Bob Wingerter
Rutgers vs. South Florida
Play: South Florida -8
A pair of teams trying to grab their first Big East win of the season come together in Tampa tonight, as the Rutgers Scarlet Knights face the South Florida Bulls at the Sun Dome. The Knights' fast start to the season has all but been erased by a current losing streak of five games. The last four of those bouts have come in Big East competition, including an 81-65 setback to nationally-ranked Syracuse on Wednesday. Rutgers is now 9-7 overall, as it heads out to the road, where it has gone winless at 0-3. As for the Bulls, they have dropped each of their past four outings, all of which have come in league play. The most recent of those setback came on Wednesday, a 69-50 loss to nationally-ranked West Virginia. With the defeat, USF dipped to 10-6 overall and 5-3 at home. Neither team has had any success in the Big East, so this is a great opportunity for one club to grab a league win. Go with the Bulls, as they are at home and have the best player on their side in Dominique Jones.
Jack Jones
Alabama vs. Arkansas
Play: Arkansas -1
Alabama isn't as good as their record indicates as they are only outscoring their opponents by 8 ppg and not doing anything special on offense or defense. Arkansas does a good job of scoring, putting up 79.3 ppg against teams who allow 68.2. They also shoot 48% from the floor and 39.4% from behind the arc at home while allowing just 40.6% shooting from the field.
Bama is coming off a tough one point loss against Vanderbilt and while Arkansas has lost four straight, they have covered three in a row so they are playing better than the odds makers think. That success translates into a victory today over the Tide.
JR O'Donnell
Rhode Island vs. Fordham
Play: Over 153
We're grabbing an over here as a 13-2 Uri squad is really humming they do own a top 50 rank in fg % . Our camp will not be surprised if the hit the 100 mark today in the Bronx A team that presses and capitalizes on fast buckets , we capped this game at 160. Fordham does fill it up at home to the tune of 72 ppg and the Uri defense in run and gun paced games does give up points.
SPORTS WAGERS
CHARLOTTE –2½ over Phoenix
The Cats are on a serious roll at the moment and should have plenty in the tank tonight against what should be an exhausted Suns squad. Charlotte is coming off a 92-76 win over the Spurs last night and have now won three in a row and six of its last seven. Defensively, you won’t find a team in the Association that’s playing better than these Cats right now and that’s a problem for this intruder, as they rely solely on offense to beat its opponents. The Suns played their hearts out for 48 minutes last night only to get beat at the buzzer on a three-pointer to rip their hearts out. That game had to take some life out of them and now they’ll be asked to play its third game in four nights and the tail end of back-to-backs. Phoenix has now dropped eight of its last nine on the road and things don’t figure to change here. Hot vs cold in a good spot gets the call. Play: Charlotte –2½ (Risking 2.12 units to win 2).
Missouri –3½ over OKLAHOMA
I’m going to repeat what I wrote on Wednesday about this Missouri team. They have a chance to go the final four and possibly win the National Championship. Yes, this is how much I believe in this team and once again they have been made a small favorite over a very pedestrian Oklahoma team. Oklahoma is not going to make the tournament this year and its downfall is going to be its defense, which ranks in the bottom half of the nation in three point percentage allowed (36.2%) and near the bottom in turnovers created. Yes, they feature potential NBA player Willie Warren but the rest of the squad is made up of slow un-athletic players who simply can’t keep up with Missouri. Missouri will kill Oklahoma with the three ball, (39.8%) and wreck havoc on defense, as they rank first overall in the entire NCAA’s in steals and block 13.3% of their opponents shots. This is a terrible matchup for an Oklahoma team that is allergic to fast breaks and hasn’t played a team of Missouri’s caliber this season. I’ll lay chalk on the road with a team I have complete confidence in to show up every game and beat opponents who play right into their strengths. Play: #535 Missouri –3½ (Risking 2.1 units).
Arizona St. –4½ over OREGON ST.
Speaking of massively underrated teams, Arizona St. has managed to go a relatively quiet 13-5 thus far, winning three conference games in a row over solid opponents, including a 19-point drubbing of Oregon last Thursday. Arizona State has done so with an excellent offense, shooting 38.6% from three, 52.8% from two (placing them in the top 30) and shooting 74% from the line. Remarkably, its defense is even better, as they rank in the top 20 nationally in defensive efficiency and allow opponents to shoot a miserable 41% on shots inside the arc, an incredible improvement over last years already excellent 46% allowed. Oregon State is without a doubt the weakest team in the Pac 10 but has somehow already managed two conference wins over Oregon and Arizona, which they need to be congratulated for. I’ll chalk them up to complete flukes because after all this is still the same squad that lost to schools like Texas A&M, Corpus Christie, Seattle, Illinois Chicago and horrific Sacramento State. Those losses stick out much more than the two recent wins and truthfully it’s helped keep this line fairly low. The talent disparity between these two teams is easily worth 10 points and only the aforementioned winning streak has pushed it down. Arizona State is going to make some real noise in the tournament this year while the Beavers will be back at school and coach Craig Robinson is relaxing at the White House. Play: #601 Arizona State –4½ (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).
Alabama +1½ over ARKANSAS
You have to wonder how Arkansas can be made favorites when they have losses to Morgan State, East Tennessee St., and South Alabama. Those are very troubling losses for any SEC school let alone one that is on a four-game losing streak and hasn’t beaten a potential tournament team yet. Alabama lost a very close game to Vanderbilt last Wednesday and have put up some good statistics playing a decent schedule. As a team, Alabama ranks in the top 100 in both offensive and defensive efficiency and manages to shoot 51% on two point shots and 34.4% on three point shots. They have some very nice wins over Baylor and Michigan and feature potential NBA player JaMychael Green who averages 15 and 7 in only 26 minutes a game. The bottom line here is that backing Arkansas takes some serious guts considering they haven’t done a thing all season to warrant laying points. The only way they sniff any postseason tournament is with a strong conference tournament showing and the odds of that are extremely low. Alabama is the better team and even though they’re playing on the road I won’t let that deter me from making this wager. Play: #537 Alabama +1½ (Risking 2.02 units to win 2).
King Creole
NOH +2 vs IND
12-29 ATS this season: All NBA teams playing with NO REST... and off BB SU wins (Indy). These teams are 1-10 ATs if their last win was as an Underdog (Indy).
0-6 ATS since december: All EASTERN Conference home favs off a win (Indy)... vs a WESTERN Conference opponent off a loss (Indy).
WRONG team favored?
1-7 ATS this season: All <.500 favorites off BB SU wins (Indy) vs a < .500 opponent (NEW ORLEANS).
Lenny Del Genio
Mississippi +7 vs Tennessee
Our hats off to Tennessee Head Coach Bruce Pearl for leading a depth-shy team, crippled by suspensions and injuries, to an outright win at home last Sunday over then #1 and unbeaten Kansas. How Pearl pulled it off, we'll never know. The Vols fielded just six scholarship players and used three walk-ons in the 76-68 win. Our guess is that they caught the Jayhawks napping. They also benefited from 16 KU turnovers. Playing at home against the top-ranked team in the nation for the first time in school history probably didn't hurt either.
Another factor to consider is that Tennessee has yet to begin conference play since the suspensions were handed down. Four of the team's eight leading scorers are now out of the lineup, including Tyler Smith, who was dismissed from the team altogether. Smith led the team in minutes played. Now that the party is over, it's time for cold dose of reality in Knoxville. Your team lost by 22 to a terrible USC team earlier in the year. It remains to see how they will come out on Thursday against Auburn, but regardless we are going against them in this matchup vs. what we maintain is a strong Ole Miss squad.
Even with our loss on the Rebels last Saturday against rival Mississippi State, we still like what we see out of Andy Kennedy's team from Oxford. This is a high-scoring team that has posted 75 or more points in seven of their last eight games. That might prove to be too much for a patchwork Tennessee roster. Also, let's not forget that Mississippi will be getting points, more than they probably should, thanks to the Vols upset of Kansas. The Rebels are 2-1 ATS in underdog situations this year, only failing to cover against a tough Villanova squad where they were getting just three points on a neutral court. They beat Kansas State outright. Play on Ole Miss.
DUNKEL
New Orleans at Indiana
The Hornets look to build on their 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 games as an underdog. New Orleans is the pick (+3) according to Dunkel, which has the Hornets favored by 3 1/2. Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+3 )
Game 501-502: Phoenix at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 118.806; Charlotte 119.569
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 1; 206
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 2 1/2; 207
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+2 1/2); Under
Game 503-504: Sacramento at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 114.125; Washington 115.438
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 212
Vegas Line & Total: Sacramento by 1 1/2; 209
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+1 1/2); Over
Game 505-506: New Orleans at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 117.944; Indiana 114.431
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 3 1/2; 211
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 3; 209
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+3); Over
Game 507-508: New York at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: New York 114.764; Detroit 113.928
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 1; 193
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 1; 194
Dunkel Pick: New York (+1); Under
Game 509-510: Miami at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 115.519; Oklahoma City 124.339
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 9; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 4; 193 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-4); Over
Game 511-512: San Antonio at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 120.489; Memphis 125.986
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 5 1/2; 206
Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 1 1/2; 201
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-1 1/2); Over
Game 513-514: Milwaukee at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 114.154; Utah 128.501
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 14 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 9; 193
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-9); Under
Game 515-516: Cleveland at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 126.304; LA Clippers 121.412
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 5; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 9 1/2; 193
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+9 1/2); Over
NHL
Buffalo at NY Islanders
The Sabres look to build on their 8-2 record in their last 10 road games. Buffalo is the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has the Sabres favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-140)
Game 51-52: Chicago at Columbus
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.373; Columbus 12.767
Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+155); Under
Game 53-54: Detroit at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 10.800; Dallas 11.461
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+100); Under
Game 55-56: New Jersey at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 12.360; Colorado 11.591
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-120); 5
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-120); Over
Game 57-58: Boston at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.793; Los Angeles 13.482
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-140); 5
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-140); Over
Game 59-60: Edmonton at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 9.903; San Jose 12.598
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 2 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-320); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-320); Under
Game 61-62: Buffalo at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 12.320; NY Islanders 12.168
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-145); Over
Game 63-64: Ottawa at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 10.081; Montreal 10.973
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-160); Under
Game 65-66: Tampa Bay at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 12.891; Florida 11.938
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Florida (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+120); Over
Game 67-68: Atlanta at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 11.590; Carolina 11.160
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina (-130); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+110); Over
Game 69-70: NY Rangers at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.303; St. Louis 12.008
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-125); 5
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-125); Under
Game 71-72: Minnesota at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.928; Phoenix 12.071
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix (-140); 5
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-140); Under
Game 73-74: Pittsburgh at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.399; Vancouver 11.451
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+110); Over
John Ryan
Texas A&M vs. Texas
Play: Texas -14.5
3* graded play on Texas as they take on state rival A&M set to start at 6:00 EST. Texas is ranked number 1 and will not take a state rival lightly. Our handicapping model clearly shows that Texas will win this game by 14 or more points. Simply stated, Texas is hitting 54% over of their last three games and ranks second in the nation in scoring at 88 PPG. The Longhorns have been near perfect at home winning 10 straight by an average margin of 29 points. Texas will look to run them right off of the floor. We see Texas shooting between 47 and 53% in this game. Note that they are 15-5 ATS the last 3 seasons and 68-29 ATS since 1997 when shooting between 47 and 53% in past games. A&M has absolutely no answer to Texas. HC Barnes is a solid 12-4 ATS (+7.6 Units) in home games versus teams who are called for 3+ less fouls/game than their opponents after 15+ games. Take the Longhorns.
Wunderdog
Missouri State vs. Bradley
Play: Missouri State -1
The Braves opened the season with hope and promise off a 5-2 start that included a big win vs. Illinois, but have really fallen back to the level most expected, becoming a mediocre team. They are just 2-7 in their last nine games, and are really struggling on the defensive end as they have allowed 80+ in four of their last five. One team that can take advantage of those defensive shortcomings is Missouri State. The Bears can score, and have already been over the 70- point mark 13 times this season. The Braves simply lack the firepower to stay with this club. The Braves are really struggling vs. winning teams as they are just a lowly 5-17 ATS vs. a team with a winning record in their last 22. I'll go with Missouri State in this one.
Freddy Wills
Houston U vs. East Carolina
Play: East Carolina +9
Houston is 3-9 ATS in their last 12 conference USA games. They have opened up 2-1 this year but they have played the bottom feeders in UTEP and Rice, 157 AND 269 in the RPI. They lost to Tulsa who is 80 in the RPI. Houston themselves are 125 compared to East Carolina at #156. ECU is 0-3 in conference but their strength of schedule is far more challenging than Houston. They have played the three best C-USA teams so far this year in Marshall, UAB, and Memphis who are a combined 38-8 this year. They are 41, 33, and 101 in the RPI. I think that has prepared them for this game at home. Also I think because they have played poorly in C-USA they are looked at as a joke and hence the 9 point dogs at home to Houston. ECU is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 as an under dog and I think they bark loud on Saturday.
Tom Freese
Cleveland Cavaliers at Los Angeles Clippers
Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers
Tough spot for Cleveland as they play the last game of a five game road trip. Lebron James is scoring just under 30 points a night. Mo Williams scores 16 points a night As we all know you need three legitimate scorers to win an NBA Champioinship. The Cavs don't have a third scorer. Anderson Varejao does a lot of dirty work but he is not a scorer. James and Williams take half of the teams shots and that can become a promlem. They need someone else to step up come playoff time. The Clippers are very balanced with five players averaging double digits. Chris Kaman scores 20.4 points a night and Eric Gordon puts up 17.1 points a night while Rasul Butler chips in with 10.3 points a night. Marcus Camby and Craig Smith bring stability off the bench. PLAY ON LA CLIPPERS
Black Widow
1* on Weber State -3.5
Weber State is 10-7 this season and are clearly the better team than 4-13 Idaho State. Laying the points on the road with them Saturday is the only move here. Weber is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting <=18 free throws/game over the last 2 seasons. Idaho State settles for too many jump shots, and that's why they have found it hard to be competitive in most their games this season. Weber State is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) on Saturday games over the last 2 seasons. Weber is 15-6 ATS (+8.4 Units) in road lined games over the last 2 seasons. Take Weber State and lay the points.
Info Plays
3* on Tennessee Tech +18
Reasons why Tennessee Tech covers:
1.) System Play. We'll Play Against - Home teams as a favorite or pick (MURRAY ST) - after 6 or more consecutive wins, a top-level team (>=80%) playing a marginal losing team (40% to 49%). This is a 48-19 ATS System hitting 71.6% over the last 5 seasons. This line has been inflated due to the recent success for Murray State, but Tennessee Tech is no pushover as this line would indicate. Bet Tennessee Tech on the road.