William Burns - Betting Expert

Burns' Selection // Miami OH Redhawks vs. Akron Zips [Over] . 

Miami Ohio had lost three of its last seven games of the season prior to this tournament commencing. Even though the Redhawks finished second in MAC play, nobody knew what to expect from them. Well, they've looked extremely strong so far and are just one game away from glory. The Redhawks are averaging 80.8 PPG this season and will need to be able to score if they want to have a chance this evening. 

Unluckily for them , they'll have to go up against the toughest team in the MAC by far in Akron. The Zips average nearly 85 PPG and that number keeps on going up. Akron scored 100 points yesterday and 96 in its first game of the tourney. Playing at one of the fastest paces in the country, this team is going to light up the scoreboard. 

Back in January, Akron dropped triple digits on Miami Ohio. In that matchup they combined for 177 points. Now, even if there's not that much, the "over" should still be safe this evening. Akron doesn't play in many low scoring games and this one very well could see just as many. 

Score Prediction: 96-79 Akron.

Burns' Selection: New York City FC [3-Way Moneyline] . 

Simply put, I don't believe that New England has the attacking options to be winning too many games this season. Yes, its midfield is very strong with an excellent playmaker in Gil. However, the Revolution have yet to even score a goal in three MLS matches this season and could struggling finding the back of the net again today. 

Beginning the season with one win, one draw and one defeat, New York City FC will be looking to win their second consecutive game here today. It looked very good against Orlando in its most recent game, with nine shots on goal and holding on after receiving a red card late in the match. I expect NYFC to win this game with the likes of Martinez striking another goal through the back of the net today. 

Score Prediction: 2-0 NYFC.

Burns' Selection // Oklahoma City Thunder [Against The Spread] . 

Oklahoma City will still be without Chet and Williams. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander makes his teammates better whenever he's on the court. He's coming off an excellent performance against the Celtics where he looked "average" for his statistics this season. It's ridiculous how well he's been playing to think that. This OKC team is special, even not at full strength. 

As the Pistons started winning and winning, oddsmakers started to respect them. I believe that they have started to respect them way too much. Yes, it's been a great year and J.B. Bickerstaff is getting the best out of these guys. However, this isn't a team that should be that much better than last years team. I mean this is against OKC we are talking about, even with the injuries. Expect a big win for the Thunder. 

Score Prediction: 126-113 Thunder.

Burns' Selection // Toronto Maple Leafs [Moneyline] . 

Even though Ottawa is on a 5-game winning streak at the moment, it's not going to like coming to Toronto for this game. The Senators have been a lot better at home this season and have won only 44% of their road games this season. Ottawa is also quite average at finding the back of the net as it averages 2.92 GPG. That will make it difficult to score against a Leafs team that's allowing less than three goals per game as well. 

Talking about the Leafs, this is a team that I have real high hopes for come the playoffs. The Leafs have a great core of Matthews, Marner & Nylander and the rest of the guys are playing very well this season. With a 61% win percentage on home ice this year, expect Toronto to pull through and end the Ottawa winning streak. 

Score Prediction: 4-2 Leafs.

Burns' Selection // South Carolina State Bulldogs [Against the Spread] . 

Last night, I won with both South Carolina State (MEAC TOURNEY GOY) and the "over." I expected the Bulldogs to win this tournament in my CBB Conf. Tournament previews and I still do. They are on an 11-game win streak at the moment and should be considered a threat to any team, especially ones in this conference. 

Yes, the Spartans of Norfolk State have been great all season. I mean they are the top seed for a reason. However, they do not shoot 3pt shots very well and that's going to cost them against a team that can snipe those at any moment. Despite this game being played in the city of Norfolk (not at the Norfolk State's home stadium) I do believe that SCST is the better team and is the best team in this conference. Hammer the Bulldogs in the MEAC Championship Game. 

Score Prediction: 83-70 SCST.

Burns' Selection: Grand Canyon [Against The Spread] . 

After starting out slow this season, Grand Canyon really picked it up and started dominating in the second half of the season. The Antelopes don't have just one guy, they've got, in my opinion, the best duo in the WAC conference in Tyon Grant-Foster & JaKobe Coles. Coles has been the focal point so far in these tournament games. But, don't sleep on Grant-Foster. He averaged 20+ last season. 

On the other hand, don't get me wrong, Utah Valley has been really good (won 10 consecutive now.) However, the Wolverines are just an average overall team that is good at rebounding (so is GCU.) They did beat Grand Canyon earlier this year, but lost the last game by 18 against it, which was actually their most recent defeat. 

In the WAC Tournament section in my article, I mentioned both of these two teams should make the final. Well, here we are. GCU has got more experience and that will help it very much in this game. Hammer the Lopes in the WAC Championship Game. 

Score Prediction: 78-66 GCU.

Burns' Selection // Real Madrid [3-Way Moneyline] . 

Barely surviving against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League is exactly what Real Madrid needed. It could not afford to lose in penalties like that, especially with the quality that this team has. Now, even though it might be tired and could rest some guys here, I don't see Madrid "losing" for the second game in a row, especially with how the current standings look. Real Madrid cannot afford to drop more points, tied with Barcelona at the top right now, but having played one more game. This could be game changing if it were to lose or draw. Even though Villarreal is going to be hungry for a goal or two, Madrid should have enough to be able to match that. There is a massive break after this game for players to rest and recoup. Don't expect Madrid to be conserving too much energy. It'll be going for the win here and I'll gladly take it at this price. 

Score Prediction: 3-1 Madrid.

Burns' Selection: Brighton & Hove Albion @ Manchester City [Over] . 

Having beaten Manchester City already this season, Brighton & Hove Albion will be feeling confident entering this game. The Seagulls are at home which should help them as well. Although I don't necessarily see them winning this game, with the current form of City, I would not be shocked at all to see them score at least one, maybe more here on Saturday. 

On the other hand, Manchester City are desperate to get back into the winning column. City has been atop the standings over the last few seasons now and this is a real shock to the European football world to see it struggle so much. Having said that, teams have a long break after this match week. I believe that Pep will have City fully prepared and focused for this match, especially with City out of the UCL already. Expect lots of goals today. 

Score Prediction: 3-2 City.

Burns' Selection // Michigan State Spartans [Moneyline] . 

Wisconsin has quietly been very good this season. John Tonje is ridiculous at getting to the free throw line and the Badgers run their offense through him. Having said that though, the Badgers were not able to get their offense going in the first matchup that these two sides had this season. Wisconsin scored only 62 points in that game and Tonje shot 3/13 and just four free throw attempts. He'll have a tough time getting going if Michigan State plays how it did yesterday (held Shelstad to 8 points.)

After watching the Spartans win easily yesterday (I had them,) I don't see many teams in the entire country being able to beat them. They are very good at off ball movement and will torch you with baseline & face cuts. Having multiple guards that can play iso ball and create their own shot at any moment makes this team that much better as well. I believe that MSU will win this game and move onto the Big 10 Championship without much problem. 

Score Prediction: 76-67 Michigan State.

Burns' Selection // Alabama vs. Florida [Over] . 

As high as this line has opened as, I still don't believe that it's high enough. That might be hard to believe. But, this game is going to have loads and loads of points. Alabama is coming off of a great offensive showing against Kentucky. The o/u line in that game was 178.5. Now, all season long, the Crimson Tide have been the top scoring team in the country. They average 91.2 PPT and play at the fastest pace out of any team according to KenPom. That being said, I see them continue the offensive barrage here against Florida. 

Even though the Gators don't average quite as many points, they still average 84.5 PPG which is top 10 in the country. Florida also plays very fast. When these two teams matched up a couple of weeks ago, they combined for 193 and Florida scored 99 of those points. The Gators are very well coached and have the ability to match Alabama's scoring. 

In the end, I expect this game to be very close, leading to a bunch of late points. This total is ridiculously high but I don't see that mattering. Both should reach the 90pt mark and that will be enough for this game to finish "over." This is my NCAA BASKETBALL TOTAL OF THE YEAR. 

Score Prediction: 98-94 Alabama.