Marc Lawrence
Texas @ Villanova
PICK: Villanova
The Wildcats take on the Longhorns at Madison Square Garden in New York City in a battle of top ranked teams tonight on ESPN. Villanova will take the court undefeated this season behind all 5 returning starters from last year's 22-win squad. On a familiar court (they play the Big East tournament) where they will have more fans that Texas, look for the Wildcats to improve to 3-0 ATS in this series here tonight.
We recommend a 1-unit play on Villanova.
John Ryan
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Phoenix Suns
Play: Milwaukee +6.5
AiS shows a 70% probability that Milwaukee will lose this game by 6 or fewer points. Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 188-121 for 61% ATS since 2002. Play against home teams that are poor defensive teams allowing 99+ points/game on the season and after a win by 6 points or less. Phoenix is in a poor role noting they are 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in home games versus foul prone teams being called for 24 or more fouls/game over the last 3 seasons. Phoenix has not had a consistent offense this season and it is reflected by the fact that they are 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) after one or more consecutive overs this season. The defense has been consistent, but in a negative way. They are just 5-16 ATS (-12.6 Units) in home games after allowing 100 points or more 5 straight games since 1996. In years past Phoenix would just run teams to their game death, but not this year. They are scoring just 100.2 PPG and allowing 100.7 PPG, which ranks 20th in the NBA this season. Now another minor factor supporting Milwaukee is that they have lost 20 straight at Phoenix. Take the Bucks to make this a very close game tonight.
Game Time Sports Advisors
Marist vs. SIENA
Play: SIENA -15.5
Marist lost its HC and best player and are clearly not the team that has gone 10-3-1 ATS the last 14 and 8-0-1 ATS in Sienna. Sienna is still top dog in this conference and it will show tonight how far Marist has fallen
Lenny Del Genio
Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards
Prediction: Detroit Pistons
Despite the fact that both teams come in riding losing streaks, history favors the Pistons. They are 17-5 ATS off BB SU losses and an even better 18-4 ATS if they failed to cash in each of their previous two games. Losses to Philadelphia and New York are surprising for many reasons, but mainly because they went 16-1 ATS last year in December. They are not going to lose three straight times as a favorite, particularly against this awful Wizards team that is already thinking about next year. Take Detroit.
WUNDERDOG
San Francisco at Pacific
Pick: San Francisco +5.5
The Dons have been impressive to start the season as two of their three losses were against Pac-10 teams on the road including a hard-fought loss at USC by just five points. The Dons have shown the ability to get hot from deep as they are knocking down seven threes a game. Pacific has struggled with the unexpected loss of potential conference player of the year PG Steffan Johnson, who transferred out of the program. They took an additional hit when center Michael Nunnally was suspended for the entire season. To make matters worse they are also without the services of backup PG Michael Kirby, who has also been suspended for the first semester. That leaves the Tigers very vulnerable, and inexperienced PGs are going to make this team struggle as they have early. The Dons have played well and are catching the Tigers at the right time, so I'll back USF here on the road.
Johnny Guild
Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings
Sacramento is shooting horribly and playing pitiable defense, allowing an average of 106 points per game. The struggling Sacramento Kings are 5-16 thus far this season and have dropped eight straight games Arco Arena. Look for the hot Lakers, the highest scoring team in the league to torment the gloomy Kings. The Lakers are 4-1 both straight-up and against the spread in the last five games in Sacramento. Additionally, Sacramento most likely will be without their leading scorer Kevin Martin.
Los Angeles Lakers -11.5
Villanova Wildcats +3
Drew Gordon
Toronto at CLEVELAND -12
Let's make a couple things clear in this match up: First off, the Raptors have NOT responded well to the firing of coach Mitchell. Interim coach Triano has only a couple games under his belt and already the players are questioning his more "defensive" style of play, that values protection of the paint above all else. While that system works just fine in places like Houston and Boston, the Raps just don't have the personnel to play Triano's scheme, and it shows. Heading back out on the road against the hottest team in the NBA is the last thing this team needs!
Speaking of the hottest team in the NBA, the Cavs are on fire, winners of 8 in a row SUATS, and if there's any place you don't want to face them, its at home, where they're 11-0 SU & 9-2 ATS this season! Of those 8 straight wins, the Cavs were double-digit home favorites 5 times, and covered each and every one of those match ups! Look guys, if ain't broke, don't fix it, as the Cavs roll to another lopsided home win!
Finally, looking over the series, the Cavs have won 7 straight at Quicken Loans Arena against Toronto, thanks in large part to King James, who's dominated the Raps in the past. With the addition of Mo Williams, the Cavs now have the speed and athletisicm needed to make teams pay for overplaying Lebron. The fact their playing in mid-season form defensively, also bodes well for Cleveland tonight. In the end, the Raptors don't stand a chance, especially considering their defensive struggles (108 ppg allowed L5 games)! Cavs roll!
Take Cleveland BIG over Toronto in this NBA match up.
2♦ CLEVELAND
Drake at IOWA STATE -3
Let me spell it out for you: r-e-v-e-n-g-e! The Cyclones got crushed by Drake 79-44 in Des Moines last season, and trust me when I tell you, they've been waiting patiently for payback tonight at home.
What better place for revenge than in Ames, where the Cyclones are 5-0 SU this season, including an impressive win and cover over Oregon State in their last one (as 10-point favs no less)! How do they do it? The same way they beat down the Beavers with defense, allowing just 56 ppg on 35% shooting at home this season!
Also, don't be fooled by Drake's 4-game win streak either, as 3 of those wins were against cupcakes in non-lined contests, and the only win was on a neutral court against New Mexico. In other words, the Bulldogs have yet to play a "true" road game, and I say they get thoroughly exposed in hostile territory tonight.
Finally, from a match up standpoint, who stops the Cyclones talented F Craig Brackins? While he was solid against Oregon State, he's just one game removed from a 32-point, 16 rebound effort at Northern Iowa, so sleep on the Cyclones bigman at your own risk! Also, expect a better effort from G Diante Garret, who had a sub-par game against the Beavers, and will be looking to redeem himself in front of the home fans.
Bottom line, revenge is a dish best served cold, and the Cyclones have been waiting just over a year to avenge their embarassing loss against the Bulldogs. Tonight is the night, as the Iowa State defense locks down Drake en route to the solid home win and cover.
Take Iowa State over Drake in this college hoops match up.
3♦ IOWA STATE
Jeff Benton
How did you like my fifth consecutive free-play winner on the Magic last night? Not only is that five in a row, but I’m now 10-2 with freebies over the last 12 days! Let’s keep the streak going on Tuesday by switching to the college hardwood and taking Texas minus the points against Villanova at Madison Square Garden.
Pretty simple logic behind this play: The Longhorns have proven that they’re a legitimate Top 10 team already, while ‘Nova – despite an 8-0 record and a Top 15 ranking – haven’t proven squat. That’s because Texas has faced the likes of Oregon, Notre Dame and UCLA, the latter two being Top 10 programs when the Longhorns played them. Meanwhile, the Wildcats’ most impressive win so far – and by a mile – was against … Rhode Island? Villanova’s other seven cupcakes, er, I mean, opponents: Albany, Fordham, Niagra, Monmouth-New Jersey, Towson, Penn and Houston Baptist!
Hell, even ‘Nova coach Jay Wright, after Thursday’s win over Houston Baptist, admitted, “We’re 8-0, but who knows what that means? Thirty teams could be better.”
Another reason to like Texas tonight: Its best player, A.J. Abrams, is in mid-season form – he tied his career high with 31 points in last week’s win over UCLA – while the Wildcats’ top dog (Scottie Reynolds) has been struggling despite his team’s weak slate of competition. The junior guard is averaging just 12.7 points and shooting 34 percent from the field – and that’s after a season-high 23 points against Houston Baptist.
Bottom line: I’ve seen enough from the Longhorns (the win over UCLA, a tough last-second loss to Notre Dame in Maui, the 23-point rout of Oregon in Maui) to know they’re the real deal. However, it’s impossible to be sold on Villanova right now. So given this short number, Texas offers way too much value to pass up.
4♦ TEXAS LONGHORNS
Jake Timlin
Your Tuesday selection is Cal State Northridge.
In a match up where there is little known about both team I do know that Cal State Northridge is the better team and who is playing at home. Sure it’s tough to see how Northridge is better then Denver as both teams have only one win, but given that Cal State has actually played good teams and done so on the road the Matadors will welcome Denver tonight. The same Denver team that has not looked good this year due to being the youngest team in the nation as they trying to run a tough Princeton type offense. Well due to being on the road and playing a pressure type CS Northridge hungry for a win the Pioneers are in trouble tonight. Flat out CS Northridge is a big favorite for a reason and with that I look for the Matadors to with by double digits. All CS Northridge minus the points!
Rob Homyak
5 unit Play on Houston Rockets
Oddsmakers currently have the Rockets listed as 4-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game's total is sitting at 193.
The Hawks surge came to a halt in a 100-98 loss to the Mavericks last time out, as 7-point underdogs.
The 198 points fell UNDER the posted total of 199.5.
Joe Johnson tossed in a game-high 32 points for the Hawks in that loss.
Rafer Alston and Luis Scola each picked up 16 points in Houston's 109-97 loss to Memphis on Monday night.
The Rockets had been favored by 7 points on the road in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the night's posted total (190).
Houston is 8-4 in its last 12 games (7-5 ATS), including 4-2 at home (3-3 ATS). Houston swept the season series from Atlanta last year. The Hawks are 0-4 ATS in their last four trips to Houston. The SU winner is 8-0 ATS in the last eight head-to-head battles. The favorite is 6-1 ATS in the past seven. Atlanta has failed to cash in six of its last seven games on Tuesday. The Rockets are the pick.
Scott Rickenbach
Calgary Flames @ Montreal Canadiens
PICK: Calgary Flames
Calgary’s history at Montreal is not good. They haven’t won there in eight years! However, a hot goalie can change that in a hurry! Calgary has won five of their last six and seven of their last nine and it’s due to contributions from unexpected sources, like right wing David Moss, as well as the stellar play of Miikka Kiprusoff between the pipes. “Kipper” is 5-1 with a 1.86 GAA in his last six starts! He’s helped Calgary to win four straight road games and two of those victories were via shutouts! Keep in mind that in the eight year streak noted above, these teams have only met three times in Montreal so it’s not a lengthy losing streak in terms of games and the Flames certainly will not be intimidated about playing the Habs in the Canadiens barn! Montreal has struggled some in recent weeks and this includes a power play that is in a 1 for 19 slump. Also, the Canadiens overall home record of 8-2-3 looks impressive but they’ve actually won just three of their last six home games after another loss at the Bell Centre against New Jersey on Saturday. Consider a play on the underdog FLAMES on Tuesday night!
Rocketman
Northern Iowa @ Iowa
Play Northern Iowa +7 1/2
Northern Iowa is 8-3 ATS overall vs Iowa since 1997 including 4-1 ATS at Iowa since 1997. Panthers are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 vs. Big Ten. Panthers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games following three or more consecutive home games. Hawkeyes are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 non-conference games. Hawkeyes are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 vs. Missouri Valley. Hawkeyes are 1-11 ATS in their last 12 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. Hawkeyes are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Hawkeyes are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 home games. Panthers are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Underdog is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. This one was very close to being a premium play here tonight. My 4 sets of power ratings have Iowa winning by only 1.49, 3.42 and Northern Iowa winning outright by .29 points and 1.92 points. We'll recommend a small play on Northern Iowa tonight!