Free Picks: Service Plays for Wednesday, November 16

David Chan

New Jersey @ Buffalo
PICK: New Jersey +1.5

The 8-7-1 New Jersey Devils storm into Buffalo to take on the 11-6 Sabres.

The venerable Martin Brodeur gets the start in net in the back to back scenario for the Devils; he'll be opposed by backup Jhonas Enroth.

Buffalo has won three straight in the series.

Enroth has been red hot, with a 1.76 GAA and .942 save percentage.

New Jersey has split its first two games of its current road trip, losing 4-3 to Boston on Tuesday:

“We’ve got to be able to seize control and play with a little more composure,” coach Peter DeBoer said. “Overall, this year we’ve done a pretty good job of that. But (Tuesday) we got exposed by a veteran team in the third.”

When I look at this contest, I can't ignore the obvious goaltending matchup, and believe this game will be decided by the net-minders; so, in what will be a tightly contested affair, I'm going to lay the juice for the extra 1.5 goals!

Jim Feist

New Mexico State vs New Mexico
Pick: New Mexico

Annual rivalry game for the pride of New Mexico. This has been a series where home court stands out and this New Mexico team won 22 games last season and returns four starters. They have two seniors inside in A.J. Hardeman and Drew Gordon, plus a senior on the edge in Phillip McDonald. The favorite is 6-0-2 ATS in the last 8 meetings. New Mexico State is off a losing campaign and lost twice to this team a year ago. The Aggies are 0-5-2 ATS in the last 7 meetings and 0-3-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings in New Mexico. Play New Mexico!

JR O'Donnell

Long Beach St +13.5

This nasty dog goes @ 9 PM EST as the Vaunted Pitt Panthers host the Long Beach State 49ers. LBSU returns "4" starters and a rock solid recruiting class from a team that won "22" games a year ago, while playing the likes of UCLA, Temple, North Carolina (-5 loss), Kentucky and Texas, all on the road. This group of veteran seniors have played these people + Duke, Syracuse, Xavier and Iowa (when they were good)! The Oster personally saw them play UNC in Chapel Hill last year, and Heels were happy to get out with a "5" point win, in a game they were favored by 15.5. On the other side, these Pitt Panthers are playing their usual schedule of lollipops in the preseason, including Albany, Rider (won by "8"), LaSalle, Penn (only road game), Robert Morris, VMI (like division III), South Carolina St, St Francis and Wagner. This includes only one real road game. LBSU still has Louisville, Kansas and UNC to play, so they won't be intimidated. Picked to win the Big West, they have a super rated backcourt and the same for their deep frontcourt. They need to develop one more player to go the needed "8" deep.

NHL Predictions

Vancouver Canucks -115

The Blackhawks come into tonight’s game 11-4-3, while Canucks are 9-8-1. These two met back on November 6th in Chicago, with the Canucks winning 6-2 as underdogs. 5 of those 6 goals scored by the Canucks came on the powerplay, which highlights the special team problems the Blackhawks are having this season. Chicago sits 26th in the league in penalty killing at 76.4%, and 23rd in the league with their powerplay converting at 13.2%. On the other hand Vancouver’s powerplay (26.7%) ranks first in the NHL, and their penalty killing is 11th at 86.5%. Tonight the Canucks will have Cory Schneider in net, but he has been solid this season. Although he is just 2-3, he does have a low 2.38 GAA and .918 SV%. Corey Crawford is in net for the Blackhawks. Crawford has let in 3 or more goals in 6 of his last 7 starts, pushing his season GAA up to 2.72. He is 8-4-2 with a .905 SV% on the season. These two teams went 7 games in last years postseason, but the Canucks have taken 7 of their last 10 meetings and 4 of 5 in their last 5 in Vancouver. Take note Vancouver is 89-40 in their last 129 home games, and 65-30 in their last 95 games as a favorite. Also note that the Blackhawks are just 2-6 in their last 8 games as an underdog. Don’t let the better record of the Blackhawks fool you here, as Vancouver has been just as good or better overall. Home ice is big tonight, as the Canucks don’t lose at home often, and they will come out fired up for this rivalry game in front of their home crowd. The Canucks make it 5 of their last 6 vs the Blackhawks at home tonight with a win. Take Vancouver to win.

SPORTS WAGERS

BUFFALO -½ +100 over New Jersey

Playing the tail end of back-to-back games is usually not much of a concern in most situations but this one is not favorable for the Devils. They’re coming off three intense games over Washington twice and the Bruins last night in which they really played their hearts out, fought back twice from being down a goal in the third and eventually lost it with three minutes to go. It was a tough and hard fought loss that is likely to have a lingering effect here. Also, Marty Brodeur is between the pipes and New Jersey is a better team when he’s not in net. The Sabres are coming off a big third period ion Montreal on Monday night. They rallied from two down and won it in a shootout and have now won five of six. The scary thing is that, despite winning, Buffalo isn’t even that sharp. Tyler Myers, a guy that looked like a “sure thing” in his first year was benched last game. The Sabres have blown some leads and they’re barely over .500 at home. They’re in a favorable spot tonight, they have a huge edge in net, they’re the superior club and that’s more than enough reason to have confidence in them to put this intruder away. Play: Buffalo -½ +100 (Risking 2 units).

JEFF BENTON

Your freebie for Wednesday night is Western Michigan as the small road underdog at Miami-Ohio.

True, the RedHawks have a shot at winning the MAC's East Division, and they do come into this home game with a head of steam - 4-2 straight up last their last six games, 5-1 against the spread in those six - but Miami cannot run the ball at all, and their penchant for untimely turnovers cost them last week's game at Temple University.

Western Michigan has scored 108-points in their last two games, and the 5-5 Broncos are also in a must-win situation if they wish to keep their holiday bowl hopes alive. Broncos QB Alex Carder threw for nearly 600-yards and seven touchdown passes last week in a loss at Toledo, and I expect his hot play to continue tonight on the road.

This line sure looks tempting to back Miami-Ohio, but I believe we are staring at a good, old-fashioned linemakers trap in this one.

Mark me down for a play on Western Michigan plus the points.

3♦ WESTERN MICHIGAN

MATT RIVERS

College basketball comp play for Wednesday will be to grab the points with the Princeton Tigers as they play at N.C. State this Wednesday night.

Both teams sport new coaches, but it is Princeton new head coach Mitch Henderson that at least is working with some returning talent from last year's big dance team, as four starters are back from last year's team.

Mark Gottfried takes over in Raleigh, and he already has his new team off to a 2-0 start, but tonight's foe is a bit tougher sledding for the Wolfpack, as Princeton has covered 20 of their last 26 on the road.

N.C. State is just 2-5-1 against the spread their last eight lined home games, and while they should be able to improve their season ledger to 3-0 straight up, this impost tonight looks a little to large for the 'Pack to overcome.

Take the Tigers to keep things tight tonight on the hardwood.

1♦ PRINCETON

BANG THE BOOK

Wednesday's Best NCAA CFB Bets

Ohio Bobcats at Bowling Green Falcons (+7, 57.5)

Midweek MAC games continue this week, and we are set to make our NCAA football picks in the duel between the Ohio Bobcats and the Bowling Green Falcons.

The Bobcats are the only team in the MAC East that can truly control their own destiny for a spot in the MAC Championship Game. They already have seven wins, but this game is crucial for more than just the league title race. An eighth win is going to make a strong case to the bowl games that Ohio is worthy of a slot. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but there will be at least one team with eight victories that doesn’t win this conference that does go bowling. The Bobcats have won three in a row and have scored at least 35 points in all three games to reach the top of the East Division standings thanks to the play of QB Tyler Tettleton. He is leading an offense that ranks in the Top 35 in total yards, passing, rushing, and scoring. He has thrown the rock for 2,445 yards and has rushed for 308 more, and he has a total of 29 touchdowns versus just six picks. His favorite target is WR LaVon Brazill, who has 48 receptions and 10 total touchdowns on the year. Getting 138 yards will make him one of the first 1,000 yard receivers in the nation this year.

After a great 2-0 start to the season, Bowling Green has more or less fallen apart and only has one truly notable performance, a 13-10 upset over the Temple Owls on October 22nd. That’s the only win the team has had since September 24th. That being said, the team can reach bowl eligibility with an upset in this one and a win over the Buffalo Bulls next week, but even that almost certainly won’t send the Falcons to a bowl game. Speaking of great receivers, the Falcons have won of their own in WR Kamar Jorden. He has 67 receptions for 928 yards and nine scores this year, and the senior will be playing in his final home game after over 2,000 yards, over 160 receptions, and 13 scores in his two years at Bowling Green. QB Matt Schilz has 2,556 yards and 21 TDs this year, but he has also been picked off 10 times and often makes mistakes when he really needs to keep the football under his control.

Ohio Bobcats @ Bowling Green Falcons Pick: Though this is the last home game of the year for BGSU, we just don’t think that it has the oomph to finish off the Bobcats. Ohio is clearly the superior team, and though this might be a tough game for awhile, in the end, the visitors will be able to prevail relatively comfortably.

PICK: Ohio -7

Western Michigan Broncos at Miami-OHIO Redhawks (-2, 58.5)

If you’re a fan of passing the football, you’ll love Wednesday night’s MAC college football betting affair, as the Western Michigan Broncos will take on the Miami Redhawks at Fred Yager Stadium.

The boys from Kalamazoo went 6-6 last year in the MAC, but they were left out of the bowl season. This year, winning this game would leave them at 7-5, which might not be enough once again. QB Alex Carder is going to have to have a big time game in this one, as he once again really doesn’t have all that much of a running attack to help him out. Carder is accounting for about a quarter of the team’s rushing with 234 yards and four TDs, but for the most part, this is a pure passing attack. WMU ranks No. 9 in the land in passing, and it is because Carder already has over 3,000 passing yards and 25 TDs on the campaign. WR Jordan White has been a monster, catching 112 passes for 1,402 yards and 12 TDs. However, this isn’t nearly the only option that Carder has to throw the ball to. Both WRs Chleb Ravenell and Robert Arnheim have the ability to stretch the field as well, as the two have combined for 93 catches, 1,111 yards, and nine TDs.

Miami hasn’t had the greatest season in the world at just 4-6, but thanks to the weak play of the MAC East, winning out and getting a loss from the Temple Owls somewhere along the way would leave it in the MAC Championship Game. There isn’t a team that struggles more to run the ball than the Redhawks, though. They are putting together just 77.2 yards per game, and they aren’t nearly as prolific as the Broncos throwing the rock. Sure, QB Zac Dysert is getting there in his third year as the starter of this team, but he is only averaging 280.4 yards per game for his team through the air. Interestingly enough, Miami has a fantastic pass defense at 171.0 yards per game, but there is a real question whether this unit is really that great, or whether it is a product of a bunch of poor passing offenses. In the only game against a somewhat comparable team, the Bowling Green Falcons put up 37 points in a game played here in Oxford. This ‘D’ has been all over the board, posting five games with 17 points or fewer, but five games with 27 points or more allowed.

Western Michigan Broncos @ Miami Redhawks Pick: We just don’t believe that the Redhawks have the ability to beat a team that basically mirrors it. WMU is just a better version of this Miami squad, and we figure to see the visitors come to town and walk away with a victory to at least keep their slender bowl hopes alive and to crush those of the Redhawks once and for all.

PICK: Western Michigan +2

Dom Chambers

For my free selection, let’s take a look at Ohio to cover against Bowling Green.

Ohio has ran for more than 200 yards four of its last five games. It ran for 309 yards against Central Michigan. The Bobcats are paced by LaVon Brazill. He has topped 100 yards receiving in all but one of Ohio games.

Bowling Green has a nice pass rush and that can disrupt an offense. But Ohio has a too diverse offense to fall into that trap. The Bobcats should be able to keep the Bowling Green defense honest so it can overplay either the pass or run.

The key to that will be Ohio quarterback Tyler Tettleton, who has played better. He has thrown for 2,455 yards and 22 touchdowns.

Bowling Green has had its offensive problems as it has not scored more than 21 points since September.

Ohio has too much offense and will dispose of Bowling green.

3♦ OHIO

Dave Price

1 Unit North Texas +7

Expect a close game tonight between a pair of inexperienced teams. North Texas won last year's meetings by 9 points and should have an opportunity to make it two in a row over the Red Raiders. The Red Raiders are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 home games, 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a home favorite of 7.0-12.5 points. The Mean Green Eagles are 28-11-1 ATS in their last 40 games as a road underdog and 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a road underdog of 7.0-12.5 points. Take the points.

Jimmy Boyd

1 Unit Louisiana Monroe +21

Tennessee shot the lights out in its opener, hitting 64.6% percent of its shots in a 29-point win over UNC Greensboro. I'm willing to bet the Vols won't shoot nearly as well tonight. Louisiana Monroe lost at Ole Miss by 22 points in its opener and shot only 28.6% from the field in that game. It the Warhawks can play Ole Miss to a 22-point games while shooting horribly, it can certainly keep this one within the number against a Tennessee team that only returns one starter and is still adjusting to the philosophies of its new coach. The Warhawks return 3 starters and 7 of their top 9 scorers. Playing Tennessee is a big deal for ULM so it will have no trouble getting up for this game. It will be difficult, however, for this inexperienced Vols squad to give the Warhawks the attention they deserve knowing Duke is on deck. The Volunteers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 non-conference games, 1-6 ATS in their last 7 home games and 1-7 ATS in their last 8 games as a favorite. Take the points.

Jack Jones

Ohio Bobcats -7

The Ohio Bobcats sit atop the MAC East division standings with a 7-3 record overall, and a 4-2 mark in conference play. If they win out, the Bobcats will be crowned East champs. This team certainly has plenty to be motivated about right now with a MAC title on the line.

Ohio has saved their best football for last, going 3-0 SU & 3-0 ATS in their last three contests. They beat Akron on the road 37-20, followed by a 35-31 home victory over a very good Temple team. Last week, the Bobcats won at Central Michigan 43-28 for yet another blowout road win.

Bowling Green has simply fallen apart, and I don't believe they are going to be able to match the intensity that Ohio brings into this game tonight. The Falcons are 1-5 SU & 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games overall. All five of those losses have come by seven points or more, and I believe the Bobcats will be able to win by at least seven tonight as well.

This is a great match-up for Ohio defensively. Bowling Green's offensive strength is a pass attack that ranks 30th in the country (267.1 yards/game). Ohio's defensive strength is a pass defense that ranks 44th in the land (211.6 yards/game).

This is also a great match-up offensively for the Bobcats. Ohio ranks 18th in the country in total offense (464.2 yards/game). This is a very balanced attack as they rush for 203.1 yards and throw for 261.1 yards/game. Bowling Green ranks 95th against the run (200.0 yards/game) while allowing a whopping 5.0/carry.

Ohio jumped out to a 28-3 halftime lead last year against the Falcons. They coasted for a 49-25 victory. There's no question in my mind that the Bobcats have an even better team this time around, and a similar final score can be expected. In five road games this year, the Bobcats are averaging 37.4 points and 476 total yards/game. They have actually played their best football away from home.

The Falcons are 1-8 ATS vs. excellent passing teams with a completion pct. of 62% or better over the last 3 seasons. Bowling Green is 1-9 ATS after having lost 2 out of their last 3 games over the last 2 seasons. The Bobcats are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 November games. The Falcons are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record, and 10-23 ATS in their last 33 home games. Bet Ohio Wednesday.

Rob Vinciletti

Louisiana-Monroe vs. Tennessee
Play: Tennessee -21

Tennessee opened their season with a solid win and covers vs UNC Greensboro, coasting by nearly 30 points while shooting 64% from the field. They have won all 14 games they have played vs Sun Belt Conference teams covering both times the last 3 seasons. Tonight they take on an LA. Monroe team that dropped their first 2 games, on the road vs an other SEC team in Ole Miss in a game where they lost by 22 mustering only 38 points on 28% shooting. They followed that dismal effort with a home loss to Indiana St in a game where they again struggled to get their offense going shooting just 36%. Now they travel to Tennessee knowing they have lost their last 27 games to SEC Teams and are just 1-9 ats the last 10 vs these tougher schools from this conference. Look for Tennessee to coast and deal Monroe another blowout loss.

Nick Parsons

Chicago Blackhawks @ Vancouver Canucks
PICK: Chicago Blackhawks

For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is on the visitors:

Chicago is 11-4-1-2, including 4-3-1-0 on the road; its won three in a row, including Sunday's 6-3 beatdown victory over the Oilers.

This is the second meeting of the year between the clubs, as the Blackhawks suffered a 6-2 setback in front of the home town crowd back on November 6th.

This is the first leg of the Blackhawks annual six-game circus trip.

Corey Crawford gets the start in net for Chicago.

He'll be supported by an offense that's outscored its opposition 16-7 during its win streak; “It’s great for everyone’s confidence to see different guys score,” Jon Toews said. “I don’t think it matters to anybody who scores as long as we find a way.”

On the other bench: The Canucks are 9-8-0-1, including 4-2-0-1 at home; Vancouver beat the Islanders 4-1 on Sunday.

Corey Schneider will be between the pipes for Vancouver; Schneider has a 3.96 GAA in four career starts vs. Chicago.

Bottom line: Important to note here that Chicago was 4-1-1 in 2009 on its Circus trip, and went 4-2-0 last year, with each of those including victories over the Canucks.

Good line value on the Blackhawks!