Freddy Wills
San Diego Chargers vs. Baltimore Ravens
Play: San Diego Chargers +6.5
I don't think there are many things that separate these two teams and if they are on a neutral field it's probably a pkem in my opinion, but the Chargers have not played well enough compared to how they started the season to deserve that kind of credit. Baltimore on the other hand has been blowing opponents out at home, but they have not beaten anyone at the level of the Chargers yet here. The Chargers are getting healthier at linebacker and Ryan Mathews returned last week to rush over 100 yards creating a more balanced offense. Running on Baltimore is never easy, but the big plays down the field have been there which I think Rivers won't be shy about going after. I expect San Diego to be in this game and this should be very close to playoff atmosphere as both teams can not afford to lose.
Brandon Shively
Richmond vs. Northern Iowa
Play: Northern Iowa -6½
I am high on this Northern Iowa team this season and I like them at home with a small spread. They return their top 6 scorers and 91% of last season's output. They are deep, talented, experienced, and versatile with 5 seniors and two juniors. They are a perfect 6-0 SU on the season with 5 of their 6 wins coming by double digits. They had an impressive overtime win @ S.F. Austin to end their long home streak. That win was important as it showed me the maturation this team has. They beat Northwestern by 19 and Virginia Tech by 19 as well on a neutral.
Seth Tuttle is a 6'8" 240 lb. senior that can score around the basket and grab rebounds. Tuttle improved his conditioning off season and also worked on his perimeter shooting. Tuttle is shooting 67% from the floor including3-for-5 3 PT. They then have a trio of guards that can shoot the 3 ball and a senior point guard in Deon Mitchell. Northern Iowa has 9 guys that are averaging 12 minutes or more on the season giving this team plenty of depth. Overall, they are shooting 49% from the floor, 74% from the foul line, and are shooting the 3 ball at 38%.
Richmond comes into this game 2-2 SU on the season. They are 0-2 SU on the road, losing by 6 to Old Dominion and by 12 to NC State. They are lacking size down low and are getting killed on the boards this season. This is a team that mainly relies on their 5 starters and basically use a 7 man rotation sparingly. Their top 2 guards that play the most minutes are small at 5'8" and 5'10". That is where see Northern Iowa as having an advantage in this game.
In closing, we are getting Northern Iowa who is 3-0 at home while Richmond is 0-2 SU on the road. Richmond is now 1-10 ATS in their last 11 road games and 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall. N. Iowa plays defense only allowing 54.5 ppg. I look for them to play their brand of basketball and to slow Richmond down and wear them down in the 2nd half with their depth, size, and experience.
Wunderdog
San Antonio @ Boston
Pick: Under 205.5
Boston hasn't been playing much defense this season, but the coaching staff has been emphasizing it this week. Into town comes San Antonio, the best defensive team in the league allowing 92.7 points per game. San Antonio is 7-2 UNDER the total on the road and on a 12-5 run UNDER the total overall. Boston has shown some recent improvement defensively despite losing a fifth straight at home, 109-102 to Chicago on Friday. The Spurs turn to that great defense on the road, 6-1 UNDER the total against the East. Look for them to control the pace. This total is too high. Play the Spurs/Celtics UNDER the total.