Free Picks: Service Plays for Thursday January, 3

DUNKEL INDEX

Colorado at Arizona
The Wildcats look to build on their 11-1 ATS record in their last 12 Thursday games. Arizona is the pick (-11 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Wildcats favored by 14 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-11 1/2)

Game 505-506: Penn State at Wisconsin (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Penn State 53.834; Wisconsin 73.925
Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 20; 120
Vegas Line: Wisconsin by 18; 124
Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (-18); Under

Game 507-508: UL-Lafayette at Florida Atlantic (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UL-Lafayette 51.636; Florida Atlantic 50.336
Dunkel Line: UL-Lafayette by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida Atlantic by 2
Dunkel Pick: UL-Lafayette (+2)

Game 509-510: WI-Green Bay at Wright State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: WI-Green Bay 55.938; Wright State 56.143
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Wright State by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: WI-Green Bay (+2 1/2)

Game 511-512: Northeastern at George Mason (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Northeastern 52.359; George Mason 62.264
Dunkel Line: George Mason by 10; 125
Vegas Line: George Mason by 7; 129 1/2
Dunkel Pick: George Mason (-7); Under

Game 513-514: WI-Milwaukee at Detroit (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: WI-Milwaukee 43.793; Detroit 60.038
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 16
Vegas Line: Detroit by 17
Dunkel Pick: WI-Milwaukee (+17)

Game 515-516: Michigan at Northwestern (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan 72.406; Northwestern 64.265
Dunkel Line: Michigan by 8; 133
Vegas Line: Michigan by 10 1/2; 129 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northwestern (+10 1/2); Over

Game 517-518: Colorado at Arizona (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 61.907; Arizona 76.502
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 14 1/2; 136
Vegas Line: Arizona by 11 1/2; 139 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-11 1/2); Under

Game 519-520: Troy at North Texas (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Troy 44.151; North Texas 53.684
Dunkel Line: North Texas by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: North Texas by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Troy (+11 1/2)

Game 521-522: Middle Tennessee State at Arkansas State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Middle Tennessee State 65.977; Arkansas State 59.592
Dunkel Line: Middle Tennessee State by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Middle Tennessee State by 5
Dunkel Pick: Middle Tennessee State (-5)

Game 523-524: Western Kentucky at Arkansas-Little Rock (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Western Kentucky 56.129; Arkansas-Little Rock 58.756
Dunkel Line: Arkansas-Little Rock by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Arkansas-Little Rock

Game 525-526: South Alabama at UL-Monroe (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 52.170; UL-Monroe 46.803
Dunkel Line: South Alabama by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: South Alabama by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UL-Monroe (+7 1/2)

Game 527-528: Loyola Marymount at BYU (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola Marymount 51.820; BYU 68.911
Dunkel Line: BYU by 17
Vegas Line: BYU by 15
Dunkel Pick: BYU (-15)

Game 529-530: Texas State at Denver (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas State 43.096; Denver 65.824
Dunkel Line: Denver by 22 1/2
Vegas Line: Denver by 19
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-19)

Game 531-532: TX-San Antonio at New Mexico State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: TX-San Antonio 47.583; New Mexico State 57.992
Dunkel Line: New Mexico State by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: New Mexico State by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: TX-San Antonio (+12 1/2)

Game 533-534: Seattle at Utah State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 48.344; Utah State 63.956
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: Utah State by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-13 1/2)

Game 535-536: Gonzaga at Pepperdine (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Gonzaga 70.663; Pepperdine 53.532
Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 17
Vegas Line: Gonzaga by 15 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Gonzaga (-15 1/2)

Game 537-538: Stanford at USC (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Stanford 63.180; USC 62.825
Dunkel Line: Even; 130
Vegas Line: Stanford by 1 1/2; 125
Dunkel Pick: USC (+1 1/2); Over

Game 539-540: Idaho at San Jose State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho 53.616; San Jose State 56.182
Dunkel Line: San Jose State by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: San Jose State by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Idaho (+3 1/2)

Game 541-542: UC-Irvine at UC-Santa Barbara (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Irvine 55.544; UC-Santa Barbara 54.581
Dunkel Line: UC-Irvine by 1
Vegas Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Irvine (+1 1/2)

Game 543-544: Long Beach State at Cal Poly (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Long Beach State 53.646; Cal Poly 53.412
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Cal Poly by 2
Dunkel Pick: Long Beach State (+2)

Game 545-546: UC-Riverside at CS-Northridge (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 40.778; CS-Northridge 53.709
Dunkel Line: CS-Northridge by 13
Vegas Line: CS-Northridge by 15 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Riverside (+15 1/2)

Game 547-548: Portland at San Diego (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 49.622; San Diego 57.630
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 8
Vegas Line: San Diego by 6
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-6)

Game 549-550: California at UCLA (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: California 61.339; UCLA 70.869
Dunkel Line: UCLA by 9 1/2; 149
Vegas Line: UCLA by 7; 152
Dunkel Pick: UCLA (-7); Under

Game 551-552: CS-Fullerton at Hawaii (12:00 a.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: CS-Fullerton 55.523; Hawaii 54.598
Dunkel Line: CS-Fullerton by 1
Vegas Line: Hawaii by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: CS-Fullerton (+1 1/2)

Game 553-554: NE-Omaha at Oakland (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NE-Omaha 34.560; Oakland 57.743
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 23
Vegas Line: Oakland by 20
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-20)

Game 555-556: SIU-Edwardsville at Morehead State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: SIU-Edwardsville 41.595; Morehead State 52.814
Dunkel Line: Morehead State by 11
Vegas Line: Morehead State by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Morehead State (-9 1/2)

Game 557-558: Eastern Illinois at Eastern Kentucky (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Illinois 42.035; Eastern Kentucky 56.907
Dunkel Line: Eastern Kentucky by 15
Vegas Line: Eastern Kentucky by 13
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Kentucky (-13)

Game 559-560: Fairfield at Canisius (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 57.965; Canisius 60.466
Dunkel Line: Canisius by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Canisius by 5
Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+5)

Game 561-562: Marist at Niagara (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Marist 47.282; Niagara 56.569
Dunkel Line: Niagara by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Niagara by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Marist (+10 1/2)

Game 563-564: Tennessee State at Tennessee Tech (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 48.103; Tennessee Tech 50.205
Dunkel Line: Tennessee Tech by 2
Vegas Line: Tennessee Tech by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee Tech (-1 1/2)

Game 565-566: Murray State at Tennessee-Martin (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Murray State 57.909; Tennessee-Martin 44.843
Dunkel Line: Murray State by 13
Vegas Line: Murray State by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee-Martin (+14 1/2)

Game 567-568: Austin Peay at SE Missouri State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Austin Peay 43.855; SE Missouri State 51.203
Dunkel Line: SE Missouri State by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: SE Missouri State by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Austin Peay (+9 1/2)

Game 569-570: North Dakota State at South Dakota (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota State 60.631; South Dakota 52.368
Dunkel Line: North Dakota State by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: North Dakota State by 10
Dunkel Pick: South Dakota (+10)

Game 571-572: South Dakota State at UMKC (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: South Dakota State 56.754; UMKC 49.957
Dunkel Line: South Dakota State by 7
Vegas Line: South Dakota State by 9
Dunkel Pick: UMKC (+9)

Game 573-574: Belmont at Jacksonville State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Belmont 63.112; Jacksonville State 57.386
Dunkel Line: Belmont by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Belmont by 8
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville State (+8)

Game 575-576: Sacramento State at Northern Arizona (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento State 45.855; Northern Arizona 45.393
Dunkel Line: Even; 148
Vegas Line: Northern Arizona by 1 1/2; 144
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento State (+1 1/2); Over

Game 577-578: Eastern Washington at Montana (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Washington 43.790; Montana 54.419
Dunkel Line: Montana by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Montana by 13
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Washington (+13)

Game 579-580: Portland State at Montana State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland State 49.026; Montana State 47.680
Dunkel Line: Portland State by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Montana State by 2
Dunkel Pick: Portland State (+2)

Game 581-582: Northern Colorado at Weber State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 45.823; Weber State 61.494
Dunkel Line: Weber State by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: Weber State by 13
Dunkel Pick: Weber State (-13)

Game 583-584: North Dakota at Idaho State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota 42.032; Idaho State 44.687
Dunkel Line: Idaho State by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Idaho State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Idaho State (-1)

Game 591-592: Chicago State at UNLV (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago State 38.997; UNLV 71.647
Dunkel Line: UNLV by 32 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

WunderdogFOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Kansas State vs. OregonFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: Kansas State +8.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Oregon Ducks have an offense geared to play at warp speed, and they will put it to work against the Kansas State Wildcats. The Ducks averaged 50.8 points per game, and have put up gaudy offensive numbers for the last three years with this group of seniors. The one thing they haven't done very well is translate the high-powered offense into their Bowl game when they face stiff competition that has had a month to prepare. The Ducks’ last three Bowl games have seen the high-powered offense reduced to ordinary as they have averaged a pedestrian 28.7 points per game. K-State will be ready. The Wildcats are all about Collin Klein. He was injured late in the season and the Wildcats offense suffered, scoring 23 and 24 points in consecutive games while he was not at 100%. Klein has passed for 15 TDs and rushed for 22 more, and his ability to run has made the Wildcats difficult to handle in the red-zone. Kansas State’s ability to run will also help limit possessions in this game, and their offense isn't far behind the Ducks at 40.8 ppg. While everyone loves the "sexy” offense, teams that play in a Bowl game that average 48 or more points a game are just 4-8 ATS. The Wildcats have been a good spread team at 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26. They are also 9-2 ATS the past two seasons as a dog and 17-8 ATS in the Bill Synder era when getting points. Take the points and go with Kansas State.

Ben Burns

Penn St. vs. Wisconsin
Pick: Wisconsin

Before getting started, I do think that this line could potentially come down a bit from its current (18) number. So, if considering Wisconsin, you may want to wait. (I will be.)

I successfully backed a large favorite in Big Ten play yesterday. My ticket was on Ohio State over what I felt would be an over-matched Nebraska squad. Laying three touchdowns, the Buckeyes cruised to a 70-44 victory.

This matchup ...

... may not be quite as much of a mismatch but I expect the end result to be similar.

Penn State comes in on a roll, playing quite well in non-conference action. Don't be fooled by the record though. Conference play will represent a big step up in class. The Nittany Lions were just 4-15 in Big Ten play last season. Eleven of their 15 losses came by double-digits.

This year's team lost some key components from last season. Making matters worse, Tommy Frazier, arguably the most important member of the Nittany Lions' backcourt, is out for the season, he's been out since mid-November. (Frazier, now a senior, averaged 18.8 points with 6.2 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game last season.)

The number may look generous at first glance. Consider that the Nittany Lions are only 6-13 ATS (0-19 SU) the last 19 times that they were road underdogs in the 15.5 to 18 range. Needless to say, this hasn't been a favorable role for them in recent seasons.

Wisconsin snapped an ATS skid last time out, earning a decisive 87-51 victory. Long known for being "stingy," in recent seasons, the Badgers have shown a tendency to play well off a strong defensive effort like that. They're 32-16 ATS their last 48 lined games, after holding their previous opponent to 60 or less.

The Badgers have long dominated the Lions here. With the support of a lively home crowd behind them, they should give them a taste of reality tonight. Consider laying the points.

Jesse Schule

California vs. UCLA
Pick: UCLA

After giving out 3 CONSECUTIVE WINNERS in the NBA, I am changing things up today with a play on college ball. UCLA is 8-1 at home this year, and they are coming off an upset victory at home over #7 Missouri, winning 97-94 in overtime on Friday. The Bruins only loss in Los Angeles this season came at the hands of another California team, the Cal Poly Mustangs.

The Bruins take on rivals Cal on Thursday, and the Golden Bears have dominated head to head meetings with UCLA in recent years, winning five of the last six. This isn't a particularly good Cal team though, and they are just 3-7 ATS this season, and coming off a loss in their last game. The Bears went 0-6 from beyond the arc in a 67-62 loss at home to Harvard.

After a shaky start to the year that saw the Bruins drop out of the rankings, they have strung together five straight victories. Freshman Shabazz Muhammad has been living up to the hype, hitting the game winning 3-point shot in the win over Missouri, and scoring a career high 27 points.

Neither team has been great ATS this season, however Cal has failed to cover in each of their last six games. This will be their third road game of the season, and they are 1-1 SU and 0-1 ATS in their previous two away from home. The Bears looked terrible on the road against Wisconsin, getting blown out by a score of 81-56.

Matt Fargo

UC Irvine vs. UC Santa Barbara
Pick: UC Santa Barbara

I won with Cal Irvine two games back when it went to USC and won outright, part of my current 13-0 ATS run with 10* CBB Plays but I will be fading the Anteaters tonight as they find themselves in a very tough situation in Santa Barbara. Santa Barbara is 4-8 on the season including two wins against non-Division I teams so it has been a tough start for the Gauchos which are in a rebuilding season to begin with. However this team is better than the record shows and it is that record that is providing us with a very solid line tonight. There is a reason the wins have been scarce as Santa Barbara has played the toughest schedule in the country according to Jeff Sagarin and second toughest according to Ken Pomeroy. The Gauchos have faced four teams in the top 25 and have played eight of their 12 games on the road. This includes three straight on the highway, all of which resulted in losses so a return to the friendly confines of the Thunderdome is a welcomed sight. Cal Irvine is playing .500 basketball and it has won two straight games heading into Thursday. I played on the Anteaters two games back when they went to USC and defeated the Trojans as 9.5-point underdogs but that was mainly a play against USC which was coming off a blowout win last time out. Cal-Irvine is a very solid team as all of its players are back from last season and it is a very long and athletic team but this is a very tough spot in a very tough venue. The Anteaters are 2-4 on the road and going back they are 0-5 ATS in their last five road games against teams with a home winning percentage of greater than .600 while going 2-11 ATS in their last 13 games after two or more consecutive wins. Meanwhile the Gauchos are 4-0 ATS in their last four home games against teams with a road winning percentage of less than .400. Play (542) Santa Barbara Gauchos

Bruce Marshall

Michigan vs. Northwestern
Pick: Michigan

If there is one team in the rugged Big Ten that could ill afford injury problems, it was Northwestern. So it was an especially bad break for the Cats to lose versatile swingman Drew Crawford to a season-ending shoulder injury; looks like the Cats 0-for-forever Big Dance drought continues for another year. Now, G Reggie Hearn, who was expected to carry a heavier load in Crawford’s absence, is dealing with ankle problems and is likely out for Thursday's Big Ten opener, too. In this year’s loaded Big Ten, the Cats can ill afford those type of injury issues John Beilein will have no trouble getting Michigan properly focused after a pair of OT games vs. Bill Carmody’s bunch last season, even though new stars G Nik Stauskas (13.4 ppg & 56% treys) & F Glenn Robinson III (11 ppg) were in high school last year. Wolverines should have recently-hurting star G Tim Hardaway, Jr. available tonight in Evanston.

David Chan

Penn St. vs. Wisconsin
Pick: Wisconsin

Penn State is 8-4 SU and 4-4 ATS; it's coming off an 84-74 win over Duquesne as a 5 point favorite on the 29th. DJ Newbill had 23 points and 12 boards. The Nittany Lions let the Dukes to get within five with just 56 seconds left, but would hold on for the victory.

Note though that Penn State is already 3-4 ATS after a non-conference game this year, and is 9-14 ATS in the same position over the last three.

Wisconsin is 9-4 SU and 4-7 ATS; it's coming off a an 87-51 win over Samford as a 29 point favorite on the 29th.

Five players scored in double figures for the Badgers, including Mike Bruesewitz with 13.

Frank Kaminsky had 16; Ryan Evans chipped in 14 points and 12 boards.

Already 4-3 ATS this year in front of the home town crowd, note that Wisconsin is 20-14 ATS in the same position over the last three.

This is the opening of Big Ten play for both teams, and I simply can't understate how important home court advantage is here. The Badgers are the more experienced team, and I do not see them looking past Penn State whatsoever. Consider a second look at the home side here!

Jimmy Boyd

Minnesota/Denver UNDER 204.5

Minnesota's offense looked ugly last night in Utah when the Wolves only managed to put up 84 points against the Jazz. That's really no surprise since they have only broken the 100 point barrier one time in their last seven games.

Denver on the other hand is known as a high scoring team but has stepped up their efforts on the defensive side of the floor lately. The Nuggets have held three straight opponents to 85 points or less and only scored 72 and 92 against the Grizzlies and Clippers in their last two.

These two teams have played twice already this year with totals of 199.5 and 192. I think the odds makers over-adjusted significantly since those two games went over the total. This one stays UNDER.

Dennis Macklin

Gonzaga -15½

Not exactly going out on a limb with this one. Gonzaga has beaten Pepperdine 18 straight times including the last nine in Malibu. The Zags have not only beaten the Lions nine straight on their home floor, eight have come by double-digits and all nine have been by seven+. The Waves are somewhat improved against their own kind but when they've played better (but much less than the Zags) they were beaten by 15 by Tulane and 17 by Cal. In recent years, Mark Few has shown very little inclination to take his foot off the pedal and this might be the game to get the Zags back in gear with suitcase. Lay the points.

Ray Monohan

USC +1½

Its the conference opener for USC and they are looking to become that surprise team many liked in the preseason. The nonconference wasn’t pretty but I think the criticism might have been a little too harsh. There is some talent there but they are still learning to play together. Plus I think it is very unlikely that guards Jio Fontan and J.T. Terrell remain sub 30% shooters - they are just better than that. Stanford makes you work and this one won’t be pretty but USC pulls off the small upset victory against the Cardinal. The under is 6-0 in this matchup.

Rob Vinciletti

Timberwolves vs. Nuggets
Play: Over 205

This game fits a nice totals system here that plays to the over for Road dogs of 5 or more with no rest, like the Wolves that had 3 or more days rest prior to their last game, vs an opponent that scored 90 or more as a home dog or favorite of 3 or less and shot 45% or higher like Denver. These game average 212 points per game and have cashed 9 of the last 12 times if tonight's total is 200 or higher.. Minnesota has flown over in 25 of the last 33 division games. When they have played in Denver off a road game with no rest they have posted overs 5 of the last 6 times. In the series 8 of the last 10 between these two have played over the total. Look for this one to go over the total.

Jim Feist

Timberwolves at Nuggets
Pick: Over

Minnesota has plenty of offensive punch with a win over the Suns 111-107, but playing in Denver can take a toll on defense and legs as the Nuggets like to run at opponents in the thin, Mountain air. The over is 5-2 in the Timberwolves last 7 road games 35-14-2 over the total in their last 51 vs. the NBA Northwest. This is the second of a back to back spot for Minnesota, so look for Denver to run right at them. Denver runs at everybody, 8th in the NBA in points scored, 5th in assists and tops in rebounds. Of course, they allow 100 ppg (24th). Look for an uptempo game as the rested home team runs at the road weary visitors and when they meet the Over is 5-0 in the last 5 meetings. Play the Nuggets/Timberwolves over the total.

SPORTS WAGERS

Kansas State +7½ over Oregon

These are two outstanding programs that are both talented and well-coached. They both finished the year 11-1 but the Wildcats played a much tougher slate of games against so many high-powered offenses. The Ducks offense is one of the nation’s best but there are some concerns that should not be overlooked. Oregon takes too many penalties, they cough up the rock at an uncomfortable level and they rarely hit long passing plays. K-State excels in all those areas in that they rarely take penalties, its pass defense doesn’t give up big plays and they have a propensity for causing and scooping up fumbles.

Until last year, the knock on Oregon was that it couldn't beat a physical, downhill team or win a big game away from Oregon. Wins over Stanford on the Farm and Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl put that to rest but it's still worth noting that a date with Collin Klein and the Wildcats profiles much like Kelly's past defeats. The Wildcats match up quite well and field the nation's best special teams to boot. Giving this many points is a generous bonus in a toss-up game between two of the nation's best.

Idaho +3½ over SAN JOSE ST.

These two have already started conference play with the Spartans of San Jose getting off to a quick 2-0 start. However, SJSU beat the two WAC bottom feeders in Texas State and UTSA, who are a combined 0-4 in conference play and 8-18 overall. The Spartans were just 5-5 prior to those two wins and have already lost to New Orleans, Houston and James Madison among others.

After defeating Seattle on Saturday, the Vandals are now 5-0 under Don Verlin in WAC road openers. Idaho held a 35-32 rebounding margin over Seattle, which entered the game ranked in the top 15 nationally in rebounds per game. Idaho has out-rebounded its opponents nine times in 11 games this season, including each of the last seven. They not only rebound well but they also shoot well with a number of options and they rank 47th in the country with a .465 shooting percentage. We’ll now take back a few points with this rising program against a team that does not warrant this billing.

USC +124 over Stanford

Not convinced that the Cardinal should be road favorites here. They do have a 9-4 record but they’ve also played a rather soft schedule that ranks the 101st toughest in the country. Stanford is a poor shooting team that has played just two true road games this season and posting a 1-1 record. Stanford ranks 265th in the nation in PPG and 230th in assists.

The Trojans record is worse at 5-8 but their strength of schedule ranks the 80th toughest in the land. They’ve already played three ranked teams, not to mention Marquette, Texas, Illinois and Dayton and they’re more battle tested and prepared to open conference play. The Cardinal will come to play to open its PAC-12 season. However, USC is the better all-around team despite the records not reflecting that and taking back a price at home is a decent bargain.

JR O'Donnell

New Mexico St -12.5

Lay it as these Aggies are an angry bunch of ball players..... The Pan American Center will be a rocking crowd.... These Aggies are better than the 6-8 season mark and a lousey 0-2 in the WAC this season after losing to Louisiana Tech, 81-72, Dec. 31 in Ruston, La.. The Oster capped Defense first..... THE AGGIES CAN PLAY THE D... they have allowed 60 or fewer points in seven of the 14 games. NMST is 43rd in the NCAA in rebounding margin (+6.6). NMST has out-rebounded opponents in the last 10 ball games. Aggies are in the top 50 in the nation at defending the 3 pointer...... CAN YOU SAY WIRE TO WIRE BLOW OUT!! #'s check in @ 21-8-1 ATS in their last 30 home games..Power Rated @ - 23 points 72-49 final.