Gold Medal Club
Florida State +7.5
Kansas State -3
Larry Ness
7* CAA Showdown
Few will forget George Mason's Final 4 run a few years back and with Jim Larranaga on the bench, the Patriots will always be a dangerous team, especially in the CAA. However, GMU has "come back to the pack" and this year's Huskies have all five starters back from last year's team. Bill Coen took his team on an extended trip through Canada this August and September and he believes it has made the team much better. The Huskies have won EIGHT of their last 10, losing only at Memphis and this past Saturday, 57-52 at Hofstra. Losing to the Pride in a revenge game (Huskies beat Hofstra on Jan 5 in Boston) is hardly considered a 'bad loss.' Two 6-4 guards form an excellent backcourt in Janning (14.9-4.6-2.8) and Allen (10.0-5.2-3.1). Up front, it's 6-9 center Ojougboh (8.0-5.1) surrounded by a pair of 6-8 forwards, Adako (11.7-4.5) and Spates (6.9-2.5). GMU lost forward Thomas and swingman Campbell from LY's team (both were part of that Final 4 team as well) but the 6-7 Monroe (10.5-9.1) is back healthy TY after missing last season with an injury. The 6-7 Birdsong (7.9-43.2) and 6-6 freshman Pearson (7.1-4.2) join Monroe inside. The backcourt has solid depth with seniors Vaughan (11.1-3.9) and Smith (8.5-3.4) joined by sophomore Long (11.6-4.4-3.5) and freshman Cornelius (6.6). Mathews Arena (6,000 capacity) is a tough place to play, as the Patriots found at last year in a 70-59 loss. The Patriots are not a great rebounding team and they still lack a legit "go-to" threat. Northeastern can play pretty good defense and its frontcourt should be able to contain Monroe and Co. inside. Linemakers realize this as LY the Huskies were a small home dog in their home game vs the Patriots, while this year they've been installed as the small favorite. The adjustment is correct but I still expect the Huskies to win this one with some "room to spare."
CAA Showdown on Northeastern.
Oddsmaker's Error - NCAAB
The Gators lost at Fla St back on Dec 7 and fell out of the top-25. However, they haven't lost since and with 10 straight wins, are back in the top-25 this week at No. 24 with a 16-2 mark. That being said, head coach Billy Donovan will not have to be reminded that last year's team opened 18-3 but lost eight of its final 11 games and got left out of the NCAA tournament for the first time in a decade. South Carolina is thinking NCAA tourney this year as well, after back-to-back 14-win seasons. Darrin Horn, of Western Kentucky fame, is the school's new head coach and at 12-4, he's got the Gamecocks on pace for 20-win season. The Gators are led by the 6-6 Calathes (17.7-5.2-6.4) who is joined in the backcourt by senior Hodge (7.7) plus two freshman, the 5-8 Walker (8.9) and Shipman (4.2). Up front, the 6-8 Tyus (12.7-6.4), the 6-7 Werner (9.4-4.2) and the 6-9 Parsons (8.6-5.1) also get some help from a freshman, the 6-10 Kadji (5.4-2.8). The Gators are on quite a roll, holding opponents to 64.2 PPG while winning by an average margin of 17.5 PPG during their 10-game run. However, this will only be the team's fourth true road game all season. The Gamecocks are 10-1 SU at home (only loss came to Clemson) and while the team's frontcourt is a little undersized, three 6-7 players will not back down from the Gators here in the Colonial Center. Archie averages 11.6-7.3, Holmes 11.6-8.1 and Banilus 7.6.-3.0 (leads team with a FG percentage of 55.8). Downey (19.6-4.3 APG) and Fredrick (16.3) are an excellent guard duo with Raley-Ross (6.7) adding nice depth. Florida is "ripe for the taking" in this one, having just returned to the polls and playing only its fourth road game. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are tough to beat here in Columbia and after losing two close games to the Gators last year (73-71 and 85-82) will be primed to spoil Florida's return to the national rankings. I expect a 10-point win, meaning this price is way off.
Oddsmaker's Error on South Carolina
Conference 10*
I 'rode' Nebraska to an easy 73-51 home win last Saturday over Kansas St, noting that the 'Huskers were 10-1 at home (now 11-1), losing only right before Christmas (12/23), when Maryland-Balt Co. came to Lincoln and shot 57.1 percent in a two-point win. I was "right on the money," as Nebraska shot 50% vs the Wildcats, including 10-of-18 from three-point range. I also noted in that analysis that Doc Sadler's Nebraska team is an odd one, which basically starts five guards. The 6-5 Dagunduro (10.8-3.8) and the 6-4 Anderson (4.8-4.5) are the team's best rebounders and six players average 23-plus minutes (McCray gets about 18 minutes, averaging 7.1-3.4), The 5-11 Harley (12.4-3.6) is the team's leading scorer, followed by Dagunduro, the 6-3 Henry (9.5-3.4) and the 6-2 Velander (9.6). Winning at home in Lincoln is one thing but winning on the road is another, especially here in Norman at the Lloyd Noble Center. Nebraska won its first road game this year (at TCU) but has lost its three road games since. The Cornhuskers didn't come close at Arizona Sta (lost 64-44), while also losing at 6-10 Oregon St and in their first Big 12 road game at Iowa St. The Sooners are 17-1 and ranked sixth, led by p-o-y candidate, the 6-10 Blake Griffin. Griffin averages 22.0-13.4 and is joined up front by his older brother, the 6-7 Taylor (9.1-6.1). The Sooners have two big guards, 6-5 freshman Warren (15.5) and 6-6 senior Crocker (10.4) plus a solid PG in Johnson (7.7-4.4 APG), who was just named Big 12 Player of the Week for the first time on Monday. The Sooners have opened Big 12 play 3-0, sandwiching an impressive 78-63 home win over Texas with road wins at Kan St and Tex A&M. Oklahoma's lone loss this year came on Dec 30 at Arkansas (lost 96-88), when the homestanding Razorbacks not only shot 51.7 percent from the floor but also were awarded 43 FTs (made 30) to Oklahoma's 22 (made 11). Imagine that? Oklahoma will well-remember last year's embarrassing 63-45 loss at Lincoln, in a game the Sooners were held to just 37.0 percent shooting. I'll note that Nebraska is holding teams to 40.1 percent shooting and 55.8 PPG, which ranks second in the nation. However, the Sooners can play some defense too, limiting opponents to 37.7 percent shooting from the floor this year (ranks 14th) plus the 'Huskers will have a hard time holding Oklahoma from scoring here in Norman (Sooners are averaging 79.6 PPG on the season, including 83.1 PPG here in Norman, where they are 10-0 SU). Oklahoma's won the last four meetings here in Norman over the Huskers and win No. 5 in a row comes with relative ease.
Conf 10* in the Big 12 on Oklahoma.
7* Bailout Blowout
LeBron (27.6-7.2-6.6) is 'King' in Cleveland but the Cavs have not won a division title since 1975. They do however, look like "sure things" in the Central Division this year (are currently 31-8) and while the Celtics and Magic may still have something to say about it, the Cavs also seemed poised to win their first-ever Eastern Conference crown this year as well. Of course, Delonte West and Ilgauskas had better get healthy. West (12.3) is having a career-season, shooting 46.7 percent from the floor (40.9 on threes) and Igauskas (13.8-7.1) is as steady a player as there is the league. Varejao (9.2-7.1) is a quality player but after averaging 16.0-8.3 in the first four games without Ilgauskas in the lineup, he's averaged just 6.3-5.5 in the last four and that includes his 10 points and 12 rebounds in Monday's loss to the Lakers. Varejao's at his best for Cleveland, providing a 'spark' off the bench. James was held to 23 points while making only 9-of-25 shots Monday night in LA, as the Cavs were outscored 56-38 in the second half of that 105-88 loss. Cleveland continues its four-game West Coast swing tonight in Portland (Warriors and Jazz, still to come) and while the Cavs, haven't had much trouble beating the Blazers lately (Cleveland's won seven of the last nine meetings), this will be the team's FIFTH game in nine days (four of which have been on the road). As most know, Portland is a strong home team, entering this game 15-4 SU in the Rose Garden, outscoring opponents 101.5-to-92.8 PPG. Guard Roy (22.3-4.8-5.3) and power forward Aldridge (17.5-6.9) are All Stars but the Blazers are still waiting on Oden (8.3-7.0). Oden scored a season-high 24 points and tied a season-best with 15 rebounds on Monday, as the Blazers beat the Bucks, 102-85. However, in his three previous games (all on the road), Oden had totaled just 12 points and seven rebounds, while battling foul trouble in each game. That being said, he teams with Przybilla (5.4-7.8) to give the Blazers a pretty decent center duo. Portland will miss PG Steve Blake (11.6-4.7 APG) who is out with a shoulder injury but it's better him than Roy. Outlaw (11.7-4.0) continues to play well off the bench in the frontcourt plus Fernandez (11.0), the rookie from Spain, has been providing a huge offensive 'spark' to the backcourt all season. LeBron had 37 points and 14 rebounds plus made the winning layup with less than one second remaining in Cleveland's 84-83 victory in Portland on Jan 30 of last year. However, don't expect the Cavs to win this year's visit to the Rose Garden. West and Ilgauskas are HUGE losses and as already mentioned, the Cavs are in a tough stretch of games and that lack of quality depth will hurt against the Blazers here on their home court.
Bailout Blowout on the Portland Trail Blazers
Pro Sports Plays
10* Take Mississippi State (+5.5) over LSU (NCAA Top Play)
LSU has lost 4 consecutive games vs. Mississippi State and they have also lost 15 of the last 20 games against the spread when the total posted is between 130 and 139.5 points. LSU has lost 23 of the last 35 games against the spread as a favorite.
10* Take Virginia Tech (+13) over Wake Forest (NCAA Top Play)
Virginia Tech ahs won 7 of the last 8 games and they have also won and covered the spread in 3 of the last 4 games vs. Wake Forest. Virginia Tech has covered the spread in 9 of the last 11 games coming off a conference win.
5* Take LA Lakers (-15.5) over LA Clippers (NBA Bonus Play)
RAS
Eastern Washington -3
Wyoming +8
UTEP +6.5
SD State -5
All 1.0 unit plays
Vegas Sports Experts
10* Take Bradley (+7) over Northern Iowa (NCAA Power Play)
Northern Iowa
• 9-23 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 12 points
• 3-13 ATS in home games when the total is between 120 and 129.5 points
• 4-13 ATS in home games coming off a road game
10* Take Charlotte (-6.5) over Memphis (NBA Power Play)
Memphis
• 4-12 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points
• 5-14 ATS coming off two or more losses
• 6-15 ATS coming off a home game
Bonus Hoops & NHL Plays are:
3* Take Nebraska (+12.5) over Oklahoma (NCAA)
3* Take Philadelphia (-250) over Atlanta (NHL)
BeatYourBookie
100* Play Florida State (+7.5) over Miami (NCAA)
Florida State is 5-0 ATS vs. Miami on the road
Florida State is 5-1 ATS when playing 2nd game in eight days
Florida State is 5-1 ATS coming off a home game
100* Play UTEP (+6.5) over UAB (NCAA)
UTEP is 7-0 ATS after having won 2 of the last 3 games
UTEP is 6-0 ATS in road games coming off a win by 15 points or more
UTEP is 7-1 ATS over the last 8 games
NBA Basketball
50* Play New Orleans (-5.5) over New Jersey (NBA)
Bonus Hockey Plays
30* Play Calgary (-210) over Columbus (NHL)
IndianCowboy
Florida Gators @ South Carolina Gamecocks
4 units South Carolina Gamecocks -1 (POD)
Keith Fredrick
Thunder at Warriors
Pick: Thunder +5.5
In the role of a 5+ home favorite the Warriors have done well SU going 12-5 SU but they are only 5-12 ATS. They are also only 3-9 SU & ATS off a SU win. The Thunder may have the worst SU record in the NBA but they have been MUCH better ATS wise as can be seen by the fact they are 2-17 SU as an away dog but have got the cover in 14 of those 19 games. Oklahoma City has actually won 3 of their last 5 games SU and the Thunder beat Golden State 107-100 as a home dog back on 12/31.
SCOTT SPREITZER
TAILOR-MADE BEATDOWN GOY
OKLAHOMA
CHARLIE
Northen Iowa -6' (500*)
Goerge Mason +4 (30*)
Old Dominion -20 (20*)
Wake Forest -13 (20*)
Portland +1 (10*)
New Jersey +6 (10*) free play
Fat Harry
New Orleans -5
DESTROYTHEBOOK SPORTS
CBB
5*- Oklahoma -12
5*- Bradley plus 7
4*- S Carolina -1
4*- UTEP plus 7
NBA
4*- Trail Blazers PK
NHL
4*- Boston / Toronto Over 6
3*- Chicago puckline -105
NSA
20* Arizona +2.5
10* Wisconsin -2
10* Villanova +9.5
10* Drake -1
10* Detroit -5.5
10* Portland +1
ATS Lock Club
5 units Georgia St. +9
4 units San Diego St. -4.5
4 units Northeastern -4
3 units Oklahoma St. -1.5
ATS Financial Package
4 units Drake +1
3 units N.Iowa -6.5
3 units Arizona +3
Computer Sports
100* Northern Iowa -7