2002 Buzz Word Sports records:
SEASON NFL: 130-94, +73.45 UNITS!!
SEASON NBA: 133-106, +48.7 UNITS!!
COLLEGE FOOTBALL: 126-110, -6.1 UNITS
SEASON MLB: 672-582, +151.85 UNITS!!
FREE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAY:
Cincinnati @ East Carolina 7:00 PM EST
East Carolina +8 over Cincinnati (3.5 Units)
The Cincinnati Bearcats come into East Carolina with two important pieces of knowledge... first, a win in this contest would not only provide Cincy with a winning season, but it would also provide them with a share of the Conference USA Championship and a bowl invitation as well... The other piece of knowledge is that obtaining that win is going to be very difficult against an East Carolina squad that has now won seven straight home games against the Bearcats, and are an imposing 12-2 SU in the last 14 games these two have played against one another...
While the importance of this game is bound to bring out the best in Cincinnati, we are of the belief that all the inspiration in the world won't make a difference if you don't match up well against an opponent... and with the Bearcats on the road against a Pirates team that is solid at home and has dominated Cincinnati over the years, the idea of laying more than a touchdown here with the Bearcats is virtually impossible for us to swallow...
An amazing 17 players will be celebrating senior day for the East Carolina Pirates, and I doubt this group of players will want to look bad in their final game at home, especially when ECU's last home loss by more than a touchdown came back in September of 2000 against the Virginia Tech Hokies... this season alone, the Pirates are averaging over 36 points per game at home, and their offense should certainly have some success against a Bearcats defense that has allowed 20+ points in six of their last seven games oevrall, and an average of 27.3 ppg in their last 22 road games... considering that Cincinnati has scored just 18.5 ppg in their last four contests on the road, the idea of them laying more than a touchdown here is just ridiculous... especially when you also consider that Cincinnati is a terrible 1-5 ATS in their last six games as a road fav...
On the surface, Cincinnati may look like the better team here, having won four of their last five games straight up... however, their defensive points allowed has now increased for three straight games, while East Carolina's points allowed has now decreased for four straight contests... not only do the Pirates get back star running back Art Brown (who has 1029 yards rushing and 17 total touchdowns this year), but their ability to rebound after a big loss sets them up well in this contest... after a double-digit loss, the Pirates are a spectacular 7-2 ATS, with one of those losses coming by a mere point as a 21-point favorite...
East Carolina has won four straight contests over Cincinnati... the home team in this series is 4-0 ATS... the underdog is 3-1 ATS... and the Bearcats are just 4-9-2 SU when playing on a Friday... with the pride of a nationally televised contest in their last college game of their careers, we look for the 17 seniors and the rest of the Pirates to respond with an effort that will not only cover the massive spread in this contest, but keep the Bearcats out of the postseason with a heartbreaking loss...
FINAL PREDICTION: EAST CAROLINA 30, CINCINNATI 23
FREE NBA TOP PLAY:
Indiana @ Phoenix 9:05 PM EST
Phoenix +3 over Indiana (4 Units)
The Indiana Pacers play their fourth straight road game as they head into Phoenix to try and take down Shawn Marion and the Suns... Indiana has been squeaking by on the road this year, for while they are 6-2 SU on the road this season, they have yet to win by more than six points on the road this season, and have failed to cover both games in which they were installed as a road favorite of more than a bucket... what is perhaps most concerning about Indiana's play right now is the fact that they have now allowed 102 and 111 points in their last two games after allowing 102+ points just twice all season prior to their contests against Utah (a loss) and Seattle (a three point win)... and a lack of defense often is the surest sign that a loss is coming up, and we're pretty sure that Phoenix is up for the challenge of taking down the Eastern Conference leaders...
Despite the Suns' 9-8 overall record, Phoenix has been strong as ever at home this season, with just three losses against eight wins (including victories against the likes of New Jersey, Milwaukee, Portland, Houston, San Antonio and Atlanta)... and two of the three games in which they failed to emerge victorious were decided by two points or less... toss in the fact that Phoenix is 9-3 SU/ATS as a home dog, and have won their last five games in this position by a MINIMUM of 11.5 points ATS, and we like Phoenix even more... finally, when installed as a home dog of greater than two points, the Suns are a perfect 8-0 ATS...
Phoenix's defense at home has been strong enough to limit their opposition to an average of 83.3 ppg... and holding the Pacers to anything relatively close to that amount will likely mean an easy victory considering Indiana's recent struggles to shut down the opposition... The Suns have already won three straight home games against the Pacers both SU and ATS, making it six straight games in this series in which the home team has won, and five straight covering efforts by the home team... the Suns offense has finally started breaking out of their doldrums this season, with 90+ points in each of their last four games (after scoring 90+ in just two games prior to this streak), and we look for the offensive outburst to continue against an Indiana team that is growing a little road weary and are prime candidates for a letdown...
FINAL PREDICTION: PHOENIX 96, INDIANA 90
OTHER FREE PLAYS (no analysis):
Philadelphia @ San Antonio 8:35 PM EST
San Antonio/Philadelphia Under 181.5 (2.5 Units)
Dallas @ LA Lakers 10:35 PM EST
LA Lakers +1.5 over Dallas (2 Units)
Chicago @ Toronto 8:05 PM EST
Toronto/Chicago Over 187 (1.5 Units)
I agree, nice write-up
MC
i tend to disagree.ECU is a BAD team.they beat only 1 good team this year.they also have NO defence at all.Cinci is a well balanced team that played good teams well in cluding almost beating Ohio st.i dont beleive that cause your a senior that you are gonna win the game.in that case know one would ever lose there last coll game.I see this game not being close at all.Bearcats win easy.
good luck to you and nice write up 
Although the game is about to startand I am not playing it, I would lean to East Carolina. December home dogs are great wagers in college.
Good luck...whoever you decided on.
i do like trends but ECU is a very bad team playing for notta