Free Picks: Service Plays for Wednesday, December 28

NCAAB

Indiana at Michigan State
The Spartans look to take advantage of an Indiana team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games as a road underdog of 1 to 6 1/2 points. Michigan State is the pick (-5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Spartans favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (-5 1/2)

Game 741-742: Northwestern at Ohio State (5:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Northwestern 62.326; Ohio State 76.641
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 14 1/2; 139
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 16 1/2; 135
Dunkel Pick: Northwestern (+16 1/2); Over

Game 743-744: Oklahoma State vs. SMU (6:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma State 60.119; SMU 58.398
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 1 1/2; 118
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 4 1/2; 121 1/2
Dunkel Pick: SMU (+4 1/2); Under

Game 745-746: Georgetown at Louisville (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Georgetown 67.046; Louisville 70.022
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 3; 125
Vegas Line: Louisville by 5 1/2; 127 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgetown (+5 1/2); Under

Game 747-748: Villanova at West Virginia (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Villanova 62.224; West Virginia 73.370
Dunkel Line: West Virginia by 11; 140
Vegas Line: West Virginia by 8; 137
Dunkel Pick: West Virginia (-8); Over

Game 749-750: Seton Hall at Syracuse (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Seton Hall 64.539; Syracuse 77.193
Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 12 1/2; 134
Vegas Line: Syracuse by 15 1/2; 138
Dunkel Pick: Seton Hall (+15 1/2); Under

Game 751-752: UAB at George Washington (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UAB 54.024; George Washington 55.552
Dunkel Line: George Washington by 1 1/2; 111
Vegas Line: George Washington by 4; 114
Dunkel Pick: UAB (+4); Under

Game 753-754: Cleveland State at Toledo (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland State 60.069; Toledo 47.832
Dunkel Line: Cleveland State by 12; 130
Vegas Line: Cleveland State by 8; 128 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland State (-8); Over

Game 755-756: Buffalo at Temple (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 59.303; Temple 70.264
Dunkel Line: Temple by 11; 140
Vegas Line: Temple by 9 1/2; 143
Dunkel Pick: Temple (-9 1/2); Over

Game 757-758: Bowling Green at Duquesne (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 51.327; Duquesne 62.506
Dunkel Line: Duquesne by 11; 132
Vegas Line: Duquesne by 9; 138 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Duquesne (-9); Under

Game 759-760: Indiana at Michigan State (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 70.224; Michigan State 77.052
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 7; 145
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 5 1/2; 140
Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (-5 1/2); Over

Game 761-762: Missouri State at Creighton (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Missouri State 60.612; Creighton 67.996
Dunkel Line: Creighton by 7 1/2; 138
Vegas Line: Creighton by 10 1/2; 144
Dunkel Pick: Missouri State (+10 1/2); Under

Game 763-764: Wichita State at Bradley (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wichita State 69.947; Bradley 57.230
Dunkel Line: Wichita State by 12 1/2; 142
Vegas Line: Wichita State by 10; 137 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wichita State (-10); Over

Game 765-766: Indiana State at Drake (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana State 59.310; Drake 60.843
Dunkel Line: Drake by 1 1/2; 120
Vegas Line: Indiana State by 1 1/2; 126 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Drake (+1 1/2); Under

Game 767-768: Charlotte at Arkansas (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 55.768; Arkansas 60.352
Dunkel Line: Arkansas by 4 1/2; 143
Vegas Line: Arkansas by 7; 138 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+7); Over

Game 769-770: New Mexico at New Mexico State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Mexico 66.215; New Mexico State 65.693
Dunkel Line: New Mexico by 1; 147
Vegas Line: New Mexico by 2; 142
Dunkel Pick: New Mexico State (+2); Over

Game 771-772: Mississippi State vs. Baylor (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi State 66.712; Baylor 77.530
Dunkel Line: Baylor by 11; 147
Vegas Line: Baylor by 8; 142 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baylor (-8); Over

Game 773-774: Connecticut at South Florida (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 68.637; South Florida 61.346
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 7 1/2; 117
Vegas Line: Connecticut by 6; 121
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (-6); Under

Game 775-776: Portland at Gonzaga (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 450.974; Gonzaga 70.382
Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 19 1/2; 148
Vegas Line: Gonzaga by 22; 144 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+22); Over

Game 777-778: Purdue at Iowa (9:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Purdue 67.807; Iowa 59.985
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 8; 143
Vegas Line: Purdue by 4 1/2; 139 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Purdue (-4 1/2); Over

Game 779-780: Colorado State at UTEP (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado State 57.968; UTEP 63.898
Dunkel Line: UTEP by 6; 140
Vegas Line: UTEP by 3 1/2; 138
Dunkel Pick: UTEP (-3 1/2); Over

Game 781-782: Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Jacksonville State (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 40.451; Jacksonville State 44.303
Dunkel Line: Jacksonville State by 4; 122
Vegas Line: Jacksonville State by 6; 118
Dunkel Pick: Arkansas-Pine Bluff (+6); Over

Game 783-784: Wofford at South Carolina (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wofford 53.059; South Carolina 63.809
Dunkel Line: South Carolina by 11; 121
Vegas Line: South Carolina by 10; 126
Dunkel Pick: South Carolina (-10); Under

Game 785-786: Columbia at Marist (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Columbia 54.306; Marist 48.655
Dunkel Line: Columbia by 5 1/2; 123
Vegas Line: Columbia by 2 1/2; 130 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Columbia (-2 1/2); Under

Game 787-788: Siena at Florida Atlantic (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Siena 49.588; Florida Atlantic 58.617
Dunkel Line: Florida Atlantic by 9; 137
Vegas Line: Florida Atlantic by 10 1/2; 134
Dunkel Pick: Siena (+10 1/2); Over

Game 789-790: Fairfield at Drexel (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 57.509; Drexel 59.522
Dunkel Line: Drexel by 2; 112
Vegas Line: Drexel by 4; 117 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+4); Under

Game 791-792: Morehead State at SE Missouri State (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Morehead State 48.836; SE Missouri State 50.239
Dunkel Line: SE Missouri State by 1 1/2; 137
Vegas Line: Morehead State by 1; 135 1/2
Dunkel Pick: SE Missouri State (+1); Over

Game 793-794: Portland State at Montana (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland State 47.090; Montana 54.183
Dunkel Line: Montana by 7; 146
Vegas Line: Montana by 10; 141
Dunkel Pick: Portland State (+10); Over

Game 795-796: Eastern Washington at Montana State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Washington 51.470; Montana State 47.179
Dunkel Line: Eastern Washington by 4 1/2; 144
Vegas Line: Eastern Washington by 3 1/2; 140
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Washington (-3 1/2); Over

Game 801-802: IPFW at South Dakota State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: IPFW 49.523; South Dakota State 64.067
Dunkel Line: South Dakota State by 14 1/2; 162
Vegas Line: South Dakota State by 12 1/2; 159
Dunkel Pick: South Dakota State (-12 1/2); Over

Game 803-804: Oral Roberts at UMKC (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oral Roberts 65.573; UMKC 52.870
Dunkel Line: Oral Roberts by 12 1/2; 127
Vegas Line: Oral Roberts by 9; 129 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oral Roberts (-9); Under

Game 805-806: Southern Utah at South Dakota (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Utah 48.256; South Dakota 49.473
Dunkel Line: South Dakota by 1; 140
Vegas Line: South Dakota by 5 1/2; 144
Dunkel Pick: Southern Utah (+5 1/2); Under

Game 807-808: Oakland at North Dakota State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland 54.984; North Dakota State 61.633
Dunkel Line: North Dakota State by 6 1/2; 166
Vegas Line: North Dakota State by 4 1/2; 160
Dunkel Pick: North Dakota State (-4 1/2); Over

Game 809-810: Lamar at Kentucky (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Lamar 56.248; Kentucky 76.276
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 20; 150
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 23; 146 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Lamar (+23); Over

Game 811-812: Central Arkansas at UNLV (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Central Arkansas 43.202; UNLV 72.108
Dunkel Line: UNLV by 29; 162
Vegas Line: UNLV by 32; 158
Dunkel Pick: Central Arkansas (+32); Over

Marc Lawrence

Missouri St. at Creighton
Prediction: Creighton

When the Blue Jays host the Bears from Missouri State in a Missouri Valley contest Wednesday evening Creighton will look to avenge three losses suffered in this series last season, including a knockout from the MVC tournament. With the Birds 12-3-1 ATS most recently in this series, including 5-0 ATS when playing with three or more days of rest, look for revenge to rear its head here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on Creighton.

Scott Spreitzer

Missouri St. at Creighton
Prediction: Creighton

The Blue Jays are a legitimate top-20 team and "own the Big-10's best record" at 3-0. Okay, so the Jays are in the Missouri Valley and conference action begins tonight, but Creighton have already beaten Northwestern, Nebraska, and Iowa. Greg McDermott's troops also own impressive wins at Tulsa and on the road at San Diego State. McDermott's son, Doug, is one of the top players in college basketball. He enters this one averaging 25.4 ppg & 8.3 rpg. And as his dad put it, he knows he has at least 3 years of job security (Doug's a sophomore). Creighton is loaded with role players and the backcourt is as strong as you're going to find in the Mo-Valley. PG Antoine Young is averaging 4.5 apg and just 1.4 tpg. And while McDermott is the obvious advantage, I expect Creighton to crush the Missouri State backcourt led by a first-year starter at the point. The Bears still have Kyle Weems on the roster, but they're in definite rebuilding mode, and they're also on the wrong end of a triple-revenge situation. Creighton lost all 3 meetings with Missouri State last season despite leading by at least 8 points in the second half of each game. This Blue Jay edition ranks 3rd in the nation in scoring (86.1 ppg), in FG percentage (51.7), and in 3-point shooting (44.7). While I highly doubt they'll keep up the red-hot marks throughout the entire conference season, I expect them to do so tonight. I'm laying the points with Creighton on Wednesday.

Hollywood Sports

Bruins at Coyotes
Prediction: Over

Boston (23-9-0-1) won their sixth game in a row last Friday with their 8-0 win over Florida. Now the Bruins go back on the road after their short holiday break and they have played 8 of their last 11 road games Over the Total. Boston has also played 4 of their last 5 games Over the Total after holding their previous opponent to two goals or less. And in their last 21 games against Western Conference opponents, the Bruins have seen the Over go 14-6-1. Phoenix (18-15-1-2) lost their second game in a row on Monday in their 4-3 loss in Los Angeles to the Kings. Now they host a Boston team that enjoys a 10-3-0-0 record on the road and the Coyotes have seen the Over go 9-1-2 in their last 12 home games against teams with a winning percentage over 60% on the road. The Over is also a decisive 21-10-3 in Phoenix?s last 34 games against an opponent that held their last opponent to two goals or less. Take the Over in this one.

Charlie Scott

Toledo vs. Air Force
Play: Toledo -3

Although Air Force & Service Academies are generally a good bet ATS in Bowl games, Air Forces results vs good passing Teams has me on Toledo Today. Look at Air Forces record this season (0-5 s/u) vs Bowl teams that can also pass : TCU 19-35, Notre Dame 33-59, SDST 27-41, Boise St 26-37, Wyoming 17-25. Air Force just doesn't have the athletic ability & speed on defense to match up vs quality offense's and then once behind by a decent margin, struggle to play catch up because they can't pass downfield & run the triple option on offense.

Rob Vinciletti

Indiana U vs. Michigan State
Play: Michigan State -5.5

Both teams are solid this season, however Indiana fits a negative indicator that plays against Undefeated road teams. The Hoosiers have won both road games this season. However this will be their toughest task to date against a Michigan St team that has won 11 straight here with 8 spread wins vs Indiana. The Spartans are 9-0 at home winning by 23 points per game. They are 21-3 as a home favorite from -3.5 to -6 with 16 spread covers. Indiana has dropped 19 of their last 22 on the road and will struggle vs a Michigan St team that is 6-2 against the spread vs winning teams. Look for the Spartans to get the win and cover.

Matt Fargo

Wichita State @ Bradley
PICK: Bradley +10

Wichita St. comes in riding a seven-game winning streak with only one of those being a single-digit victory but after having a break of 10 days from games, the Shockers may come into this MVC opener a little rusty. Over this winning streak, they have played only one game on the road and while that game resulted in a 10-point win at Tulsa, the game was close up until the final few minutes. Wichita St. went 8-1 on the road last season during conference play but don't expect a repeat of that.

Bradley is 5-7 on the season so it is not throwing a big scare into the Shockers. The Braves were picked by some to finish last in the MVC this season after losing two starters from last season including leading scorer Andrew Warren as well as another starter, center Will Egolf, out for the season with a knee injury. Bradley has not been that bad however as four of those seven losses came by five points or fewer and a loss at Michigan in its last game was closer than the final score indicated.

The upcoming schedule for the Braves is extremely difficult as their first seven conference games will include five against teams that are currently ranked among the top 47 in the RPI in the nation. That is a daunting task for a young team and if ever there was a time to play with full energy, this is it as this team could be frazzled by the end of that tough opening slate. Bradley is 26-8 in MVC openers played at home, including an 11-5 record at Carver Arena.

The Shockers are being asked to lay a big number and while it is the conference opener, you have to figure they are looking ahead to Saturday's huge showdown with 21st-ranked Creighton at Koch Arena. Bradley falls into a great situation as we play against favorites of 10 or more points with a winning percentage of .800 or better after seven or more consecutive wins, playing a team with a losing record with a winning percentage between .400 and .499. This situation is 41-14 ATS (74.5 percent) over the last five seasons.

David Chan

Wild @ Predators
PICK: Over

The 20-12-5 Minnesota Wild blast into Nashville to take on the 18-14-4 Predators.

Both teams are hungry for a win here.

Minnesota has lost seven straight, and is coming off a 4-2 loss to Colorado on Monday; note that defenseman Jared Spurgeon is out due to a lower-body injury:

“This is still part of our process,” coach Mike Yeo said. “We passed the test earlier about how we would do if we were having success. But where we clearly have to improve is when things are not going well, how does that affect you?”

Nashville's five game home winning streak ended with a 4-1 setback to the Wings on Monday; note that all-star defenseman Shea Weber is out with a concussion:

“I think there was some apprehension (without Weber),” coach Barry Trotz said. “We had a very good Detroit team coming in here and you don’t know who is going to respond to matchups.

“I thought we responded pretty well.”

"Desperation" is a powerful motivating factor; in my humble opinion, all signs point to a high-scoring affair!

Jim Feist

Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
Play: Denver Nuggets -10

A terrible situational spot for the young Jazz, playing their second straight road game -- on back to back nights. The Jazz is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games playing on no days rest. It's never easy to play in the thin Denver air and the Nuggets are rested. The Nuggets are 9-3-2 ATS in their last 14 home games, 22-8-1 ATS in their last 31 games playing on one days rest. And the Jazz are 5-11-2 ATS in the last 18 meetings. Play the Nuggets.

Dave Cokin

Missouri State at Creighton
Pick: Creighton

Tough night likely in store for Missouri State. The Bears are off a lengthy stay in Las Vegas for a holiday tournament and now must travel to Omaha to duel a team they defeated three times last season. That last loss by Creighton was extremely costly as it cost the Bluejays any chance of getting to the NCAA Tournament. Creighton is in a good spot to deliver a knockout blow tonight, and I'll give the points.

James Patrick Sports

Mississippi State vs. Baylor

No. 17 Mississippi State Bulldogs have played "over" in seven of the (12) games this season to date. Mississippi State is averaging (77.2) points a game and shooting (47.8) percent from the floor. Baylor brings a spotless (12-0) SU record into this game and a (4-1) record ATS. The Bears are ranked 22nd in the nation in scoring with (79.6) points a game and shooting (50.2) percent from the field. Points a plenty as #17 meets #7 in Waco. Big Game James Patrick's Wednesday complimentary selection is Miss State - Baylor Over the Total.

EZWINNERS

Philadelphia 76ers -1

After losing nine out of twelve meetings to the Suns, the Sixers swept Phoenix in both meetings last year and I like them to pick up the win in this game. Phoenix is in serious rebuilding mode, the problem is that they don't have many building blocks for the foundation. The Sixers are a young team on the rise that is loaded with athleticism. Philadelphia is a very good defense team and I expect them to hold down the Suns team that lacks an explosive scorer. Play on Philadelphia.

SPORTS WAGERS

Toledo –3½ over Air Force

Air Force got the bowl assignment it wanted most and the Falcons will easily have more supporters in the crowd than the Rockets. Quarterback Tim Jefferson, who is starting his fourth bowl game, is one of the best passers in recent school history, though the Falcons still rely on their usual option attack. The extra preparation time will certainly benefit a Toledo defense that has been far stingier against the run than the pass this year but the Falcons will still put up some points here. They'll have to, because the weakest Air Force defense of the Troy Calhoun era has little chance to stop the Rockets. Toledo's offense has been among the most successful ever to employ a true two-quarterback system, as the Rockets have moved the ball easily with both Austin Dantin and Terrance Owens under center. The offense has rushed for at least 236 yards in each of the past seven games and hasn't allowed a sack in the past six. This year's Air Force team isn't that strong by program standards, having beaten no winning opponents and dropping all five games versus other bowl teams by more than a touchdown. Even with the Toledo coaching staff in transition, the Rockets have too many horses for the Academy. Play: Toledo –3½ +104 (Risking 2 units)

California +4 over Texas

This should be an outstanding game between two well-prepared teams that missed ‘bowling’ last year. California has a balanced team featuring an explosive but sometimes inconsistent offense to go with a solid defense. Texas counters with a physical, dominant defense but anemic offense. Texas is ill-equipped to exploit the Bears' vulnerability to good downfield passing attacks. While the Longhorns should benefit with the return of tailbacks Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron healthy, still give a big edge to the Golden Bears offense. Cal is amped up for this matchup against a premier program. Fewer than half the players on a young Texas squad have been to a Bowl game and the Horns are treating this one just as seriously. Golden Bears coach Jeff Tedford is 5-2 in bowl games and that can be a plus as we’ve already seen experienced winning coaches come out on top in a few of the bowl games already played. Add a partisan home crowd in what should be a low scoring game and we’ll gladly take the points. Play: California +4 (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).

SPORTS WAGERS

N.Y. Rangers –104 over WASHINGTON

Simply stated, the Capitals have too many flaws to overcome the juggernaut Rangers. Washington has just two wins in its past six games and they’ve managed just 28 shots on net or less in five straight. That’s not going to get it done against the stingy Rangers. Since Dale Hunter took over approximately one month ago, the Caps have responded with very few inspiring efforts and it’s becoming more and more evident the problem was not Bruce Boudreau. Meanwhile, the Rangers have won five straight, seven of nine and they’ve not allowed more than two goals in any of those wins. The Rangers only losses over that span came in St. Louis against the red-hot Blues and a 1-0 loss against Dallas in which they were clearly the better team. New York also has 12 wins in 18 road games and not only are they superior to the Caps, they’re in a great state of mind, as winning is as contagious as losing. Play: N.Y. Rangers –104 (Risking 2.08 units to win 2).

Vancouver +107 over SAN JOSE Pinnacle

Anytime we can take back a tag on the Canucks you can pencil us in every time. The Canucks are an elite outfit that has beaten the Sharks in six of the last seven games and there’s no reason to expect a different result here. Vancouver has won four of five and scored four goals or more in all of those wins. The Sharkies are coming off a 3-2 home loss to the Ducks and that snapped Anaheim’s 13-game road losing streak. The Sharks are a good team but they’ve been wildly inconsistent this season with many bad losses and shaky goaltending throughout. That shaky goaltending is what makes the Canucks so appealing, as they’re as talented offensively as any team on the circuit. Play: Vancouver +107 (Risking 2 units).