Dave Cokin
Play: Saint Louis +10
Here's some news you already knew. Rick Majerus is one outstanding college basketball coach. It's my opinion that even with still limited personnel, the Billikens are going to rapidly improve now that Majerus is back for his second year with the program. They're off a very nice game against Boston College and I will look to cash in again on the Billikens as they remain an early season value side. Nebraska is pretty good, but they won't like this pace and I expect a tight game. I'm on Saint Louis plus the good sized spot.
Ben Burns
Golden State Warriors at Washington Wizards
Prediction: Over
The Wizards have seen the 'over' go 16-4 their last 20 games against teams from the Pacific. Not to be outdone, the Warriors have seen the 'over' go 15-5 their last 20 against teams from the southeast and 28-12 their last 30. Not surprisingly, both last year's meetings sailed above the number. They finished with combined scores of 237 and 238. Consider the Over.
Jimmy The Moose
Atlanta Thrashers at Toronto Maple Leafs
Prediction: Over
The Thrashers have played over the total in their last 4 road games. The over is 5-1 in their last 6 games vs. a team with a losing record. In Atlanta's last 13 games overall the over is 9-4. The Thrashes have played over the total in 6 of their last 8 vs. Eastern Conference team's. The Maple Leafs have played over the total in 10 of their last 11 games. The over is 6-1 in their last 7 conference games. The Maple Leafs have played over the total in 4 of their last 5 home games. Neither team has been very good defensively and both can score goals making this a high-scoring game. Play the over.
Brian Hansen
Niagara at Buffalo
Prediction: Buffalo
Buffalo is coming off an embarrassing 64-49 loss by the hands of Evansville, but I look for them to rebound with a big effort tonight against Niagra. In fact Buffalo is already 2-1 ATS this season in non-conference games; look for that stat to climb to 3-1 after tonight. Niagra falls to 0-1 ATS as a road dog of 3 points or less or pick; play on BUFFALO!
Bobby Maxwell
Navy +3 at N. ILLINOIS
The Middies have had some pretty nice wins this season, beating the likes of Rutgers, Wake Forest, Air Force and Temple. They got beat two weeks ago by Notre Dame but look for them to get the running game going early and often against Northern Illinois and probably win, but definitely cover.
Navy scored a 35-24 win over N. Illinois last year as a 12 1/2-point favorite. The Middies are the second best rushing team in the country, averaging 295 yards per game on the ground and averaging 5.32 yards per carry. Last year against the Huskies they had 60 rushes for 359 yards for an average of 6 yards per carry.
Northern Illinois gives up 130 yards per game on the ground and 4.08 yards per carry. Thats not all that great of a rush defense against a great rushing team tonight.
Navy has played some pretty stiff competition this year. They have been able to put up points all season, it's just the defense that has disappeared at times. They want to close this one out and get themselves to a bowl game.
As long as the Middies don't turn the ball over and control the clock, they will be right there to take this one. Look for Navy to score early and surprise Northern Illinois with some decent defensive play. Play Navy tonight.
3♦ NAVY
Matt Rivers
For Tuesday take the Cavs at the Garden.
Like I always say laying points on the road in any sport is not usually the way to go but the Knicks once again have become half a joke and LeBron at the Garden always turns out to be a dominant show.
Mike D'Antoni came to town and the Knicks started out 6-3. But after a few losses and a couple of semi blockbuster trades including shipping a beast in Zach Randolph to the Clippers the new mantra has become 2010 when the quality crop of free agents become available. Coincidentally (or not) that is the year that LeBron and others can be had for the right price and it appears that the King very well may come to the Big Apple as he seems to be perfect for the bright lights and big city.
The Knicks are a team that still have some talent but with new pieces coming and going and the whole Stephon Marbury nonsense I just do not see the home squad mustering up enough here to be able to compete against what is a 50 plus win Cleveland squad led by the superstar of all superstars.
Sure the Cavs are still a flawed team as pretty much every team, save maybe the Lakers are, and when all is said and done probably have no shot against Kevin Garnett and the Celtics in the playoffs but all the signs today point towards a 105-80 or so blowout.
Alex Smart
New Jersey Nets +13.5
The Los Angeles Lakers and the NJ Nets go head to head in a west coast tilt this evening in the Staples Center.
The Lakers lackluster defense and overall lack of physical play continues to be a concern for management. It almost seems as complacency has over taken the dressing room, which is not a good omen for this group going forward. The Lakers as a whole are doing just enough to get wins, something I am betting will not come easily tonight against a high scoring and explosive NJ Nets side that's averaging 111.4 points and shooting 48.3 percent from the field during a 5 game stretch that has netted them wins 4 times. The Lakers have allowed their opposition an average of 101 PPG during a current 5 game run, with three opposing teams scoring 106+ PPG.
Final notes & Key Trends: The Lakers have lost four of six home games against New Jersey. Lakers are 0-11 ATS in their last 11 vs. Eastern Conference.
Projected score: LA Lakers 107 NJ Nets 102 -Play on he NJ Nets to cover
Mike Anthony
Saint Louis vs. Nebraska
Play:Saint Louis +10
It's Year Two as head man at Saint Louis for coaching wiz Rick Majerus. Looks to me like the Billikens are going to be a pain in the neck on a regular basis, even though they aren't real talented. They will frustrate opponents with their methodical pace and undisciplined adversaries will pay the price. I think this team is a bit undervalued right now, as they play great defense and can rebound, so I'll opt for Saint Louis plus the generous spot tonight as they take on the CornHuskers.
Yankee Capper
3 Units - New York Knicks +7
2 Units - Navy +3
2 Units - Blues/Predators Over 5.5
DUNKEL INDEX
Western Michigan at Ball State
The Broncos have won three straight, but are just 3-8 ATS over the last three seasons after two or more consecutive SU wins, while the Cardinals are12-5 ATS as a favorite. Ball State is the pick (-10 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Ball State favored by 14. Dunkel Pick: Ball State (-10 1/2).
Game 301-302: Western Michigan at Ball State
Dunkel Ratings: Western Michigan 81.434; Ball State 95.552
Dunkel Line: Ball State by 14; 58
Vegas Line: Ball State by 10 1/2; 53 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ball State (-10 1/2); Over
Game 303-304: Navy at Northern Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Navy 79.326; Northern Illinois 85.522
Dunkel Line: Northern Illinois by 6; 59
Vegas Line: Northern Illinois by 3; 52
Dunkel Pick: Northern Illinois (-3); Over
NCAAB
Creighton at Arkansas Little Rock
The 3-0 Blue Jays look to take advantage of an Arkansas Little Rock team that is just 4-14 ATS against teams with a winning record over the last three seasons. Creighton is the pick (-3) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Jays favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Creighton (-3).
Game 511-512: Mississippi State at St. Bonaventure
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi State 67.804; St. Bonaventure 59.341
Dunkel Line: Mississippi State by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Mississippi State by 6
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi State (-6)
Game 513-514: Penn State at Pennsylvania
Dunkel Ratings: Penn State 56.177; Pennsylvania 55.344
Dunkel Line: Penn State by 1
Vegas Line: Penn State by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pennsylvania (+3 1/2)
Game 515-516: VA Commonwealth at East Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: VA Commonwealth 59.306; East Carolina 53.726
Dunkel Line: VA Commonwealth by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: VA Commonwealth by 9
Dunkel Pick: East Carolina (+9)
Game 517-518: NC Wilmington at Texas A&M
Dunkel Ratings: NC Wilmington 54.532; Texas A&M 71.645
Dunkel Line: Texas A&M by 17
Vegas Line: Texas A&M by 20
Dunkel Pick: NC Wilmington (+20)
Game 519-520: St. Louis at Nebraska
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 58.199; Nebraska 65.433
Dunkel Line: Nebraska by 7
Vegas Line: Nebraska by 10
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+10)
Game 521-522: Ball State at WI-Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Ball State 52.187; WI-Milwaukee 55.732
Dunkel Line: WI-Milwaukee by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: WI-Milwaukee by 8
Dunkel Pick: Ball State (+8)
Game 523-524: Creighton at Arkansas Little Rock
Dunkel Ratings: Creighton 64.061; Arkansas Little Rock 57.221
Dunkel Line: Creighton by 7
Vegas Line: Creighton by 3
Dunkel Pick: Creighton (-3)
Game 525-526: Georgia State at Troy
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia State 46.517; Troy 48.830
Dunkel Line: Troy by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Georgia State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Troy (+1)
Game 555-556: Furman at Dartmouth
Dunkel Ratings: Furman 42.526; Dartmouth 48.189
Dunkel Line: Dartmouth by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Furman by 1
Dunkel Pick: Dartmouth (+1)
Game 557-558: Niagara at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Niagara 56.840; Buffalo 54.571
Dunkel Line: Niagara by 2
Vegas Line: Buffalo by 1
Dunkel Pick: Niagara (+1)
Game 559-560: SE Missouri State at Iowa
Dunkel Ratings: SE Missouri State 39.586; Iowa 56.442
Dunkel Line: Iowa by 17
Vegas Line: Iowa by 18 1/2
Dunkel Pick: SE Missouri State (+18 1/2)
Game 561-562: Arkansas State at Tennessee Martin
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas State 45.661; Tennessee Martin 52.776
Dunkel Line: Tennessee Martin by 7
Vegas Line: Tennessee Martin by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee Martin (-4 1/2)
Game 563-564: Weber State at Utah State
Dunkel Ratings: Weber State 51.937; Utah State 64.877
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 13
Vegas Line: Utah State by 10
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-10)
Game 565-566: Long Beach State at Idaho State
Dunkel Ratings: Long Beach State 45.115; Idaho State 50.505
Dunkel Line: Idaho State by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Idaho State by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Idaho State (-2 1/2)
Game 567-568: Canisius at Washington State
Dunkel Ratings: Canisius 52.322; Washington State 68.451
Dunkel Line: Washington State by 16
Vegas Line: Washington State by 19
Dunkel Pick: Canisius (+19)
Karl Garrett
UNC Wilmington at TEXAS A&M -20
Second full season for Mark Turgeon at College Station, and the G-Man expects Turgeon to have this Aggies' team "dancing" come the end of March. Texas A&M has 3 starters back who have all played on both winning teams, and postseason tournament teams!
The Aggies are playing their 4th straight home game to open the season, and their first against some decent competition, as wins over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, SF Austin, and Jackson State doesn't really qualify as "tests" for A&M.
Expect the Aggies to get their offense cranking against a Seahawks team that has not shown much defense in their 4 games to date, allowing over 100-points twice already this year, including a massive 120 points at Wake Forest 2 games ago. This is the 3rd straight road game for UNC Wilmington, and the G-Man has a feeling we may be looking at the college blowout of the night.
Lay the wood with A&M to drill UNC Wilmington.
3♦ TEXAS A&M
Sports Gambling Hotline
Navy at NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Tonight we like the lights on the Huskie Stadium scoreboard to be all lit up, and consistently moving to the higher digits, as Navy and Northern Illinois ring up the big number.
Both teams are adept at playing in colder weather, and wintery conditions, so we don't expect that to be an issue if the snow hits the area as expected tonight.
While not as high-powered as in edtions past, the Middies have scored 31 points or better in half of their 10 games this season. The Midshipmen have also allowed 27 points or more in 6 of their last 10 games this year.
Northern Illinois has put up 72 points in their last pair of games, but they have also allowed a rather large 92 points their last 3 times on the gridiron.
Last season, these schools combined for 59 total points in a 35-24 Naval Academy victory.
We think this game is going to see a combined total of around 69 points before we are finished with regulation play.
Play on the OVER.
3♦ OVER
Vernon Croy
Western Michigan Broncos @ Ball State Cardinals
Pick: Western Michigan Broncos +10.5
1 Unit, Take Western Michigan ATS, This is just too many points for the Cardinals to cover against a very potent passing Broncos team. The Broncos are averaging 325 pypg on the road this season while completing over 67% of their passes and they are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games off a win against a conference rival. The Broncos have held their opponents to averaging just 14.7 ppg over their last 3 games and Ball State barely pulled off the win against the Chippewas last week. The Broncos are 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games as a dog and the Cardinals are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games against a team with a victorious road record. Take the Broncos with their potent passing attack to keep this game close tonight as my CFB Complimentary Play for Tuesday night and make sure you get on my huge overall run which continues tonight.
John Ryan
Game: Golden State Warriors at Washington Wizards
Prediction: Golden State Warriors
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Golden State Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 31-8 for 80% ATS since 2002. Play on favorites that are terrible defensive teams allowing 103+ points/game on the season and after trailing in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half. AiS also projects an 85% probability that Washington will not hit better than 30% of their 3 point attempts and they are just 4-14 ATS when that occurs in a game over the past 3 seasons. Here is a second system that has gone 24-5 ATS for 83% since 2002. Play on road teams that are explosive offensive teams scoring 103+ points/game on the season and after trailing in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half.
Tom Freese
Game: Phoenix Suns at Oklahoma City Thunder
Prediction: Under
Phoenix is 8-0 UNDER vs. teams with a losing record and they are 5-1 UNDER their last 6 games. The Suns are 22-8 UNDER their last 30 games vs. Seattle/Oklahoma City. The Thunder are 17-4 UNDER vs. a team with a winning record and they are 9-3 UNDER off an ATS win. Oklahoma City is 4-0 UNDER at home vs. a team with a losing road record and they are 23-8 UNDER their last 31 games vs. Pacific Division foes. PLAY ON 'UNDER'