Jack Jones
Michigan State -4.5 over Penn State
The Michigan State Spartans have proved that they can win just about anywhere. They are already 4-0 on the road this season and are off to a 3-0 start in Big 10 conference play. This team has won at Texas and at Minnesota already this year, so there's no way they are intimidated by heading to Penn State to face the Lions. Over a tough 6 game stretch the Spartans have played at Texas, against Oakland, at Minnesota, at Northwestern, at home versus Ohio State, then at home against Kansas. The results? Michigan State walked away 6-0 through that brutal schedule. Looking at Penn State, their most recent game was at Minnesota, where the Spartans have already won, and they lost in a 20-point blowout to the Golden Gophers. PSU is better at home, there is no question about that, but there is also no question that Michigan State is the better team on the court tonight. Take the Spartans to the bank Wednesday.
Atlanta Hawks -4 over L.A. Clippers
Take the Hawks tonight at the Clippers. L.A. continues to bet the worst team in the NBA at home this year at just 3-15 in 18 games as the host. It's been a problem for the Clippers for some time now. In their last 32 home games, L.A. has managed to cover the spread just 8 times. Now, Atlanta is not the best road team in the world, but they certainly have the chops to take down the lowly Clippers. The Hawks are 5-1 against the spread in their last 6 games against the NBA's Pacific division. Tonight they play one of the two worst teams in that division, the Clippers, who are 8-29 overall on the season and already 23 games behind the Lakers. The Clips have had a ton of injuries this year including losing Baron Davis a week ago. Now L.A. has to rely on Marcus Camby and Al Thorton for their production, which is not a good sign. The Clippers are up against one of the best backcourts in the NBA this year with Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson running the show for Atlanta. I truly don't see how the Clips find any way to stop them.
Who2Beton
This is a revenge spot for the Hofstra Pride, as they lost at home to these Drexel Dragons two weeks ago.
Even with that defeat, Hofstra is still 10-6 on the season, and they have gone a very respectable 4-4 in their true road games. They are coming off of a covering eight-point loss at conference kingpin VCU on Saturday and should appreciate this drop in class.
The Pride have also won each of their last four visits to Drexel. In fact, the visiting team is now 6-2 straight up and 7-1 against the spread in the last eight head-to-head meetings between these schools.
Meanwhile, Drexel is struggling this season, as they are two games under .500 at 6-8. They even have a losing home record of 2-3, and they are getting outscored by an average of -5.0 points right here in their own building.
Hofstra is simply the better team here, and they should get their revenge for that earlier upset loss in this spot on the Drexel floor.
Pick: Hofstra +4