Youngstown Connection
Ohio State -1
BeatYourBookie
50* Play Florida State (-5.5) over Wisconsin
50* play Miami (+9.5) over California
Indiancowboy
4 Unit Play. Pod.Take Oklahoma City Thunder +6.5 over Washington Wizards
I was very, very close to making the Bucks my POD today for #5 in a row as we look to keep the Golden Week in tact. But, I laid off as I will consistently take the points rather than give it despite the fact I think Milwaukee defeats the Pistons by 10-12 points today with or without Iverson. Nevertheless, I think OKC wins this game outright here. Yes, the Thunder have three wins this year. But, that is irrelevant to us as we want the team that can cover with sound ATS - and the Thunder are top 5 over the last 2 weeks at covers. Explain this to me: Why in the world would we not back a team that lost by 4 to the Mavs on the road (easily covered the 13 point spread), lost by 5 to San Antonio on the road (easily covering the 16.5 spread), defeated Toronto at home, covered against Cleveland at home, covered against the Hawks on the road and was leading at points late in the second half and nearly defeated the Pistons on the road losing by a bucket as 11 point dogs. So, here you have a team that lost by just 4 points to Dallas and 5 points to San Antonio on the road, led the Hawks late, nearly defeated the Pistons and has covered 6 of their last 7 and they are a 6.5 dog to the Washington Wizards who are 1-7 ATS and have just 4 wins on the year. Yes, Washington played well against Cleveland and nearly beat them in Cleveland for the Cavs first loss of the year on the road, but in the same token, that was because Mike James used to be a Cav and showed up for 26 points as normally he does not light up the scoreboard. I look for OKC to win this game outright or get inside the number as they are the better, more focused team coming into this game and 13-3 ATS as road underdogs.
4 Unit Play. (Pod). Kentucky -22.5 over Florida Atlantic
If you know anything about my handicapping, I don't take heavy favorites very often. After all, this week alone has been the likes of Fairfield as a heavy do at Uconn, Niagara as a small chalk and even East Carolina as a big dog against Wake which fell short. Thus, we are 2-1 in college hoops coming into today and the nba has been going well with a current golden week at 4-0 over the last five days. I've read countless articles published that talked about how coach Gillepsie in a lot of way took an incredible amount of heat in his first go around with traditionally historic Kentucky seasons. This year Gillespie had even more pressure as the faithful are sick and tired of losing and not being a top tier school. After all, one can only defend a coach so long if he continues to lose. But, this year is different. Gillespie has that chip on the shoulder and in particular at home. This team has consistently recruited well of late and they are buying into Gillespie. Look what Kentucky has done over the last few games at home: They defeated Tennessee State by 42 easily covering the -23 chalk. They defeated App State by 24 easily covering the -16.5 chalk. They handled Indiana by 18 at home barely covering the -17.5 chalk and defeated Kansas State and West Virginia away from Rupp this year. This is impressive. It's that chip on the shoulder of Billy Gillespie we bet on today. Sure, Kentucky was public favorites before against Tennessee State, App State and others, and they still covered. Gillespie does not call off the dogs, he knows how important it is to win and win big in Kentucky - and win on Saturday's in particular where alumni and boosters are there and he will want a big win. You can only kick a man down for so long before he rears up and wants to kick some ass and that is what Kentucky and Gillespie are doing currently. I have been hard on Gillespie and Kentucky over the past few years, but I will take it back if they can cover here. The Wildcats are 4-0 ATS as favorites of 13 points or more and the Owls of Florida Atlantic who just come off a 33 point thrashing to UAB on the road are 1-4 ATS when facing teams with a winning % of 60% or more.
Wunderdog
4 units Miami Florida +10
Sports Wise Guys
California -8 over Miami (FL)
Rutgers -7 over NC State
Oklahoma State -2.5 over Oregon
USC -9 over Penn State
Pittsburgh +2 over Oregon State
Scott Spreitzer
25 * Florida State
Seabass
NCAA hoops
50 WVU
20 Vermont
NBA
20 Bulls
NHL
20 Boston/Carolina under
Jeffersonsports
Adding College Hoops
Portland -2.5
West Virginia +1
GOLD MEDAL CLUB
ADDING
ST.Mary/San Jose State-UNDER 137.5 (Reg)
DR COGLE WEST
BOS/CAR OVER 5.5
The Consensus Group Guaranteed Selections
8000* COLLEGE HOOPS LATE STEAM WINNER
Hawaii -6
C-Stars Sports
2000 Units Super Play Miami/California under
50 Units West Virginia minus the points over North Carolina
50 Units Wisconsin plus the points over Florida St.
Guaranteed Sports Picks
10* Wisconsin (5-0 this year on 10* releases)
West Virginia/North Carolina over
CBB - San Jose St.
Craig Davis
40 DIME - West Virginia
10 DIME - California
5 DIME - Wisconsin
40 Dime - West Virginia
Yes, I do know that Butch Davis is 4-0 ATS as a head coach in his last four bowl games, but he's had so many injuries this year that is surprising this team made it this far. The Mounties have been winning games with defense, and QB Pat White and RB Noel Devine are just waiting to explode as the offensive machine that they can be. This is Pat White's senior season and there's no way he's going out a loser.
I'm fully aware of their recent offensive struggles, but the Mountaineers have been working on a lot of play-action the last few weeks and you can bet they'll catch North Carolina selling out on the run.
North Carolina is just 2-6 ATS in their last 8 vs. the Big East and even though this game is being played closer to the Tar Heels campus, it won't matter to a senior-laden defense that will go out on top. Lay the few points with West Virginia and cash in.
10 Dime - California
Bowl dogs of double digits are usually pretty goood, but several of those dogs aren't playing an away game either. Cal is basically in their own back yard and has definitely played better at home than on the road this year. I've seen Miami travel... it's not good. There will be approximately 5,000 Canes fans in attendance, meaning this is pretty much a home game for the Golden Bears.
This line started around 7 or so, and now it's moved up to around 10... and for good reason. Miami is going to be playing minus some very important players, including QB Robert Marve. The Canes have athletes all over the field, but it won't be a match for Cal's equal speed and defensive prowess. QB Nate Longshore has fought for his job all season, and will prove to the nation today why he should have been starting all season long.
5 Dime - Wisconsin
Too many people backing the superior athletes in Tallahasee, and that's the biggest reason I like the underdog in this one. Wisconsin has a bigger, more physical offensive line and they run the ball extremely well. Obviously the passing game won't scare anyone, but as long as they continue to chew up yardage on the ground, it won't matter much. Wisky has enough defensive speed to keep up with the FSU athletes and will likely keep this game within a field goal... as they've done in recent bowl games.
Florida State isn't really happy to be in this game while the Badgers should feel fortunate to even be playing in the post-season. I like the underdog to keep this within a FG today, so I'd definitely suggest taking the points.
Bob Akmens
Rangers
Dallas
Detroit
Phoenix