ARMVIN SPORTS
NFL INDIANAPOLIS -10
NFL NY GIANTS/DALLAS Over 46.5
CBB RHODE ISLAND -7.5
CBB TOLEDO -1.5
NHL VANCOUVER 115
NHL NASHVILLE -160
LENNY 20* STEVENS
20* Giants
10* Indy
Wolkosky Milan
10* COLTS -9½
10* GIANTS +7½
10* NYG/DAL OVER 46½
10* CHICAGO +4
10* MEMPHIS +12½
Sports Investors
CBB DENVER U
ROOT
Chairman.....Indy
Millionaire...Dallas
Will Cover
5* GOY Indy
Frank Rosenthal
CHARGERS VS COLTS
1:00 CBS TV
FREE PICKS
108 COLS-9.5 SB
OVER 45 SB+
GMEN VS THE BOYS
4:30 FOX TV
FREE PICKS
110 BOYS-7 SB
OVER 46 SB+
NBA
802 RAPTORS-4 SB
803 BULLS+4 SB
808 KNICKS+8 SB
812 LAKERS UNDER 221 SB
COLLEGE HOOPS
813 LOUISVILLE-12 SB+
816 INDIANA U-11.5 SB
817 BAMA+10 SB
827 STANFORD+2 SB+
832 DUKE-14 SB
Gavozzi
3*Duquesne
3*Oregon
2*Memphis
GAMBLERS WORLD
TIP OF THE DAY Sport: NFL Game: 4:30PM, Cowboys host Giants
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys
Current Line: -7.5 Over/Under: 48 Reason: The Giants looked awfully efficient in winning their eighth road game of the year. Dallas had better be ready for a stout defense, tough running game and a team that is looking to go 9-1 on the road. Dallas won and covered both meetings this year, but before that, the Giants had gone 5-0-1 ATS in the previous three seasons. Oddsmakers currently have the Cowboys listed as 7½-point favorites versus the Giants, while the game's total is sitting at 48. The Giants defeated Tampa Bay 24-14 as a 3-point underdog in the NFC Wild Card round. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (39.5). Eli Manning threw for 185 yards with a pair of touchdown passes for the Giants, while Brandon Jacobs rushed for 34 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown and caught a TD pass in the win. The Cowboys lost to Washington 27-6 as a 9-point underdog in Week 17. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (39). Tony Romo completed 7-of-16 passes for 86 yards with an interception for Dallas and Sam Hurd caught three passes for 64 yards. Team records: New York: 10-6 SU, 10-6 ATS Dallas: 13-3 SU, 9-7 ATS New York most recently: When playing in January are 4-6 When playing on turf are 6-4 After outgaining opponent are 8-2 When playing within the division are 4-6 Dallas most recently: When playing in January are 2-8 When playing on turf are 8-2 After being outgained are 6-4 When playing within the division are 5-5 A few trends to consider: NY Giants are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games on the road NY Giants are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games on the road The total has gone UNDER in 7 of the NY Giants last 8 games on the road NY Giants are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games Dallas is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home Dallas is 12-5 SU in their last 17 games when playing at home against NY Giants The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Dallas's last 13 games when playing at home against NY Giants
KELSO STURGEON SPORTS
10 Units
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-10) over San Diego Chargers
Prediction: Indianapolis by 14-17
5 Units
Over 45 ½ Points
Prediction: 47 Or More Points
25 Units
New York Giants (+7) over DALLAS COWBOYS
Prediction: New York Giants by 1-3
5 Units
Under 46 ½ Points
Prediction: 42 Or Less Points
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
BEST BETS CLUB
5 Units
WEST VIRGINIA (-8 ½) over Syracuse
Prediction: West Virginia by 12-13
3 Units
MARIST (-7 ½) over Fairfield
Pointwise Phones
4* Indy
3* NYG
3* NY/Dall over
NORTHCOAST COMPS
3* DUKE -14...SPREITZER
4* CHI BULLS...Billy Coleman
Cash & Profit Experts
NFL
Indianapolis -10 -115
New York +7.5 -115
NBA
Portland +5
Larry Ness' Las Vegas Insider (5-0 with Sat reports / 8-1 in games!)
My Las Vegas Insider is on the Tor Raptors at 12:35 ET. Portland (22-13) has won 17 of its last 18 games (16-2 ATS) after opening the season 5-12. The Blazers were in the midst of a 13-game winning streak when they beat Toronto 101-96 on Dec 19. That loss was the beginning of a slump for the Raptors, who lost SIX of eight before breaking out with wins in their last two contests. Beating Portland will be no easy task, as the Blazers have even been strong on the road lately, winning five of six after losing their first nine away from home. This is the opener of a seven-game road trip for the Blazers, over 11 days (longest of the season). Brandon Roy (18.7-4.6-5.7) sat out most of the Blazers' game against Utah last Saturday because of a tailbone bruise and finished with eight points, eight rebounds and eight assists in 29 minutes on Wednesday (win over GS). Steve Blake, Roy's backcourt mate, had a big game, scoring a career-high 24 points, but left in the second half after being knocked to the court when Warriors guard Monta Ellis ran into him. Both are listed as questionable for Sunday. The Raptors have some injury issues as well, as Garbojosa has played just seven games TY and TJ Ford (14.1-6.8 APG) is sidelined once again. However, Calderon (11.6-8.3 APG) has played very well at PG and Bosh (21.1-9.1) continues to play at an All-Star level (had 40 points and 11 rebounds to lead Toronto to a 99-90 win at New York on Friday night, finishing two points shy of his career high). I think this road trip will be a tough one for the young Blazers, who seemingly have had one or two journeyman players step up every night. Outlaw, Webster, Jones, Jack, Blake, Frye and Przybilla have taken turns with breakout games, but I'm calling for Portland to struggle over the next 11 days. It starts here in Toronto, a team which was 30-11 at home LY and matches up well with Portland. Portland is second in the NBA with a 38.9 percent mark from three-point range but the Raptors lead the NBA, making 40.3 percent on their threes. Kapono (50%) and Parker (48.5%) are particularly deadly. Las Vegas Insider on the Tor Raptors.
Drew Gordon
1. 400,000* Colts
2. 50,000* Syracuse
1. Colts- As if Peyton Manning and his Colts needed more motivation! Guys, besides the fact Indianapolis has been playing in New England's shadow all year long, feeling like they accomplished nothing last season. The Colts have one hell of a payback angle in this contest, as they remember well their 23-21 loss in San Diego back on November 11th.
That game was easily the worst of Peyton Manning's seasons, tossing 6 interceptions as he struggled to bring the Colts back from an early 23-0 deficit. Manning almost did it, but a missed field goal from one of the most reliable kickers of this era, Adam Vinatieri, sealed the loss for the Indy.
There's two things you can count on to be different this afternoon. First, the Chargers are not the same team on the road. They're just 1-3 SU on the road against teams with a winning record, with the lone win coming against the Titans in overtime. Not only that, but Tomlinson is far less effective when they travel, scoring only 5 of his rushing TDs away. Also, there's the Philip Rivers factor, but we'll get to that later.
The second thing you can count on to be different is Peyton Manning. Needless to say, one of the smartest people to ever don a helmet isn't going to be beaten like that twice. The fact he gets Marvin Harrison back only makes this play that much easier, as Manning is a different QB with his full complement of weapons. As if Peyton doesn't have enough motivation... He can and will redeem himself this afternoon.
Finally, let's discuss the biggest mismatch of this contest: Philip Rivers against the Colts excellent pass defense. Rivers is capable of losing this game all by himself with turnovers and bone-headed decisions, but the fact he'll most likely be without top-target Antonio Gates is a major major problem. You know how many yards he had in their 23-21 win back in November? 104 yards and 2 picks! If not for Sproles running back two kicks, this Chargers team would've lost that game soundly thanks to Rivers! Now on the road, playing only his 2nd game ever in a dome, look for Rivers to self-destruct, costing his team the game and earning us the cash in this afternoon's AFC Semifinal!
Take the Colts BIG over the Chargers as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Syracuse- Both teams are coming off losses here, but West Virginia's play has been far less impressive. Losers of 3 of their last 4 SU and 4 of their last 5 ATS, the Mountaineers are being given way too much credit here against a solid Orange squad. Sure, they've been much better at home, but the way the Orange are playing right now, it doesn't matter.
While their loss a Cincy was disappointing, overall this Syracuse team is firing on all cylinders despite the loss of G Devendorf for the season... Proving that sometimes you can add to a team by subtracting. More than anything it opened the door for Scoop Jardine, who's more of a pass-first guard, as opposed to Devendorf who was shoot first. The proof is in the pudding, as the Orange are averaging 81 ppg on 49% shooting over their last 5 games!
West Virginia has some nice numbers at home, but problem is lately they haven't been playing well, averaging just 69 ppg on 40% shooting (29% from 3-point) over their last 5. You can't win in any system if you're going to shoot that badly, especially against an offense as strong as Syracuse. Its no surprise that West Virginia's struggles coincide with an upswing in their level of competition, as their early season stats look great, but that's not what I saw against Loiusville or Notre Dame.
Bottom line, the Mountaineers most likely win this game, but not by nearly as much as the guys in Vegas want you to believe. Seriously, what has West Virginia done to earn this kind of respect against a team that can run with anyone, anywhere, like Syracuse? In the end, its a competitive game throughout, with the winner coming late.
Take Syracuse plus the points over West Virginia in this Big East showdown.
1. 50,000* NY Giants
2. 50,000* Oregon
1. NY Giants- All we've seen this Dallas team do over the last 4 weeks of the season is struggle. They went 0-4 ATS, including an outright loss to the Eagles in Dallas as 10-point favorites! Now you can blame injuries, you can blame poor coaching decisions, you can even blame Jessica Simpson, but the fact of the matter is this Cowboys team is playing like garbage right now.
The Giants meanwhile continue to impress, knocking of the Bucs in Tampa 24-14, in a game not many people gave them a chance to win. They're now 7-1 SUATS on the road, doing it with a blend of hard-nosed defense, and efficient relatively mistake-free football on offense. Unlike Dallas, they came into the playoffs playing well, and it showed in their game at Tampa Bay. The Giants lone road loss of the season was at Dallas in the season opener, and since then New York has done nothing but win on the road.
While I expect a healthy Owens and the return of Terry Glenn to bolster this Dallas offense, its going to tough sledding against a New York defense allowing just 18 ppg on the road this season. Also, you have to consider the rust factor, as an offense based on timing (like Dallas) is going to need to time to readjust after resting most of their starters in the season finale. If the Cowboys come out flat, and allow the Giants to get up early, they could lose this game outright.
Finally, let's examine their earlier matchups this season, as the Giants were in both games until late deep touchdown tosses ended their respective comebacks. Look guys, Romo threw 4 TDs in each one of those games, facing little pressure from a sack-happy Giants defense. This time around, the Giants know they need to pressure Romo, who's been known to get a little unreliable when under duress (19 interceptions).
Bottom line, the Giants are not only playing well, but doing so in hostile territory. They've got a ton of motivation in this game with the double-revenge angle, and know they can hang with Cowboys because they've done it before. Look for a focused/hungry Giants team to further expose this Cowboys team with a solid cover here. Wouldn't surprise me too much if the Giants win outright, just based on Dallas' piss-poor play of late, but we'll take the points, as their playing at home and Owens is healthy.
Take the NY Giants plus the points over the Cowboys in this afternoon's NFC Semifinal showdown.
2. Oregon- After a couple poor efforts in mid-to-late December, this Ducks team had finally turned things around with impressive wins at Arizona and against California in their last two games. The outright victory at Arizona was huge, but beating a big lumbering team like Cal, which is similar to Stanford, tells me more about today's match up.
Cal had the size, but I told you Oregon would run-and-gun their Bigs to death, and that's exactly what they did... More of the same this afternoon, as the Ducks force the Cardinal bigmen to play their style of basketball. Make no mistake, this Stanford team is loaded with frontcourt talent, but the Ducks have just the kind of offense to make that more of a detriment than a bonus.
Starting only one true forward against Cal wasn't a problem, as Leunen scored 18 points and chipped in 11 rebounds. But it was guards Hairston and Taylor that led the way, dropping in 20 points each, and dominating their match up with the Cal guards. Stanford has the same problem today, as guards Goods and Johnson are only average players. Note the Ducks are an outstanding 8-1 ATS over their last 9 games against PAC-10 opponents, proving their system works best in conference.
Finally, you tell me how this Cardinal team keeps pace with an Oregon squad that averages upwards of 91 ppg on and outstanding 53% shooting (40% from 3-point) at home this season?! Guys, in case you haven't noticed, Stanford struggles to score points on the road, averaging 66 ppg on 42% shooting. While its true their defense is far and away better than Oregon's, they'll be hard-pressed to contain this explosice Ducks offense for long... They may have been able to shut down Oregon State 3 days ago, but Oregon is a completely different story! Ducks roll at home in this one!
Take Oregon over Stanford in this afternoon PAC-10 match up.
Docs CBB
4 Unit Play. #828 Take Oregon -1 over Stanford (4:30 pm CBS) This line surprises me since the Ducks do not lose at home and Stanford does not have the guards to stay in this contest. Oregon can score shooting over 50% on the season and already has beaten Arizona in Tucson. They took down California on Thursday and will complete the sweep of the Bay Area on Sunday.
4 Unit Play. #830 Take Denver +1 over Arkansas Little Rock (6:00 pm) The Pioneers have not played many home games this but when they do they are 4-1 at Magness Arena. Both teams are bad offensively, but Denver is used to low scoring contest, since their Coach is Joe Scott of the Princeton system. Denver wins this game straight-up and the money line is an inviting proposition.
4 Unit Play. #832 Take Duke -14 ½ over Virginia (8:00 pm FSN) This is just a strong play with Duke, who has the ability to get things down when they shoot the basketball successfully. Virginia has not win @ Cameron since 1995 and they do not have the talent edge on Sunday and thus Duke will jump on the early and win this game by 20 points.
Scott Spreitzer's NFL 25* Sunday Playoff Knockout! *3-1, 75%!
I'm laying the points with the Cowboys on Sunday. The Giants' coaching staff, especially the much maligned Tom Coughlin, deserve a ton of credit for making outstanding in-game adjustments last week. The Giants trailed Tampa Bay and had a total of minus-2 yards through the first quarter. And, while the network fell in love with Tampa DC Monte Kiffin, Coughlin and company designed an underneath passing attack that shook the Buccs down. Don't expect the same results this week. First of all, before that win, the Giants had played six straight road games against non-playoff teams with a combined 34-62 record. Eli Manning was just 48-95, or 50.5% passing in those games, averaging just 146 yards per game with two TDs and four interceptions. They were off to another bad offensive start until the adjustment last week. The Giants are missing key components on the both sides of the ball and I expect Dallas to take full advantage. Tony Romo, along with Brett Favre really did a number on this sack-happy defense, because they get rid of the ball quickly. NYG had no shot against the Cowboy offense in their first two meetings this season and I don't believe much will change here. I'm laying the points with the Cowboys as they win by two touchdowns. The Cowboys are my Sunday NFL Knockout.
Scott Spreitzer's Sunday CBB Knockout Blowout! *69-28, 71% Run!
I'm laying the points with Rhode Island on Sunday. Duquesne has been a great story since the program changed to an uptempo offense. But they haven't done real well against quality opposition, outside of a tight game against Pittsburgh earlier this season. In fact, the Dukes are 1-4 ATS against teams with a winning record. They're also 0-2 as a dog this season, losing by an average score of 86-68. A step up in competition usually puts a kink in their ability to fly up-and-down the court successfully. By the way, while Duquesne likes to push the tempo, they're kind of like a schoolyard bully, if you will. The Dukes own great numbers against lesser competition, but when they face teams that score a lot of points also, they're no longer a healthy investment. The Dukes are just 1-3 ATS when facing teams that score over 76 PPG. Today, they make a rare step up in level of competition. Rhode Island is a quality team that's off a tough road loss at Dayton. The Rams return home where they're perfect both SU and ATS. In fact, URI is one of those quality high-scoring teams that gives the Dukes fits. URI is scoring an average of 87 PPG at home this season, while holding the opposition to just 66 PPG. They're also on an 11-0 SU, 8-2 ATS run when laying points, with an average final score of 83-67! URI crushed Duquesne by a score of 111-87 last February. I expect another big win and cover on Sunday. Rhode Island is my CBB Knockout.
Strike Point Sports Picks For College Basketball
Sunday's College Hoops Plays
3-Unit Play. #819 Take Central Michigan -2 over Ball State
When there's a team that is as offensively inept as this year's Ball State, sometimes you just have to fade them. At 1-12, they are a mess. They are averaging just 55 points per game, while the Chippewas are over 72 per contest. Central Michigan was thought be a contender in the MAC this season, and while they have struggled some in non-conference play, they are 1-0 in the league and they can still make a push like most thought. Behind Giordan Watson and Purdue transfer Nate Minnoy, Central Michigan takes this one.
Robert Ferringo's Picks For College Basketball
3.5-Unit Play. Take #819 Central Michigan (-2) over Ball State
1.5-Unit Play. Take #827 Stanford (+2) over Oregon
1-Unit Play. Take #817 Alabama (+9) over Arkansas
Cal. Sports
4* W. Virg
3* Ark
3* Grizzlies
Spritzer
direct line release......................west virg
ko........................cowboys
tko........................colts
Cokin
fat man plays...............cowboys over,oregon
window....................rider
under the hat.............duke
3 star action.........................raptors
window........................cowboys
Feist
inner circle..................st peters
platinum........................pistons
inner circle....................lakers
5 star executive..............portland
div goy................colts
platinum.................giants
totals...............under colts, over giants
Hurley Newsletter
VIRGINIA at DUKE: No question there was plenty of rust on the Dookies last weekend in 81-67 non-cover triumph over 29 ½-point dog Cornell but first games back off long, long layoffs can do that to any team - even yours, Coach K! However, would expect air-tight Duke defense and ever-improving G Nelson (team-leading 13.8 ppg) to get the job done here against Cavaliers club that often times relies too heavily on G Singletary (17.8 ppg) who figures to have hands in his grill right from the opening tip! The "Cameron Crazies" live it up. Duke 88, Virginia 68.