Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
02-19-20 | Michigan v. Rutgers -2.5 | 60-52 | Loss | -109 | 6 h 23 m | Show | |
My selection is on Rutgers minus the points over Michigan at 7 pm et on Wednesday. I like the way this spot sets up not just as a play on Rutgers but as a fade of Michigan. The Wolverines ride a three-game SU and ATS winning streak into this one. Keep in mind, two of those wins came at home and the other came at a weak 6-19 Northwestern squad that sits 14th in the Big East. The Scarlet Knights will certainly be up for this matchup after suffering a 69-63 loss on the road against Michigan back on February 1st. The Knights have yet to post consecutive wins here in February, but their schedule has been tough with three of five games coming on the road. They remain undefeated at home this season and I expect them to keep that flawless record intact tonight. Take Rutgers (10*). | |||||||
02-18-20 | Vanderbilt +13 v. Tennessee | 61-65 | Win | 100 | 9 h 12 m | Show | |
My selection is on Vanderbilt plus the points over Tennessee at 6:30 pm et on Tuesday. I'll grab all the points I can get with Vandy in this matchup. The Vols crushed the Commodores by 21 points on the road back in January but I do expect to see Vandy hang a little tougher this time around. The Commodores have lost three games in a row since their stunning upset at home against LSU. Note that those three games came at Mississippi State, home against Kentucky and at Florida. Vandy's prospects of ending that losing streak here aren't great, but I certainly expect it to get up for this rivalry matchup. The Vols have been more down than up lately, dropping five of their last seven games overall including a disheartening two-point loss at South Carolina on Saturday. Take Vanderbilt (10*). | |||||||
02-17-20 | Iowa State +16.5 v. Kansas | 71-91 | Loss | -115 | 13 h 56 m | Show | |
My selection is on Iowa State plus the points over Kansas at 9 pm et on Monday. Kansas had no trouble disposing of Iowa State in their most recent meeting in January, rolling to a 26-point victory. I look for the Cyclones to provide a little more resistance this time around, however. Note that Iowa State is an impressive 49-29 ATS the last 78 times revenging a loss where it scored less than 60 points, as is the case here. The Cyclones are a perfect 7-0 ATS revenging a home blowout loss by 20 points or more. Kansas enters this game on a three-game ATS winning streak. The last time it won three in a row ATS it followed that up with a narrow six-point win as a 13-point favorite against Tennessee on January 25th. Given the Cyclones history against the Jayhawks (14-7 ATS last 21 meetings), I believe this line will prove too steep. Take Iowa State (10*). | |||||||
02-16-20 | Missouri State v. Indiana State -3 | 71-58 | Loss | -105 | 18 h 31 m | Show | |
My selection is on Indiana State minus the points over Missouri State at 4 pm et on Sunday. I'll back the Sycamores on Sunday afternoon as they host a Missouri State squad that finds itself in a major letdown spot. The Bears have just two wins over their last six games and both came at home, with the most recent coming by 35 points against Drake. Note that they're a miserable 2-8 on the road this season. Indiana State will be in a foul mood here after suffering back-to-back losses on the road. Here at home, the Sycamores have gone a perfect 10-0 and I fully expect them to keep that flawless record intact. Note that Indiana State took the most recent meeting between these two teams by 10 points earlier this month. Take Indiana State (10*). | |||||||
02-16-20 | Cincinnati v. East Carolina +11.5 | 70-67 | Win | 100 | 14 h 50 m | Show | |
My selection is on East Carolina plus the points over Cincinnati at 12 noon et on Sunday. I'm willing to bet against Cincinnati getting up for this early start matchup at East Carolina - a team it already defeated by 25 points earlier this season - coming off games against Houston, Wichita State, Connecticut and Memphis so far in February. East Carolina is a double-digit win team, with eight of its 10 victories coming on its home floor. The Pirates are a respectable 8-5 at home this season while Cincinnati has gone 3-5 on the road. Unlikely to win their next game on the road against Memphis on Wednesday, the Pirates will get up for this one. Take East Carolina (10*). | |||||||
02-15-20 | Morehead State +13.5 v. Murray State | 57-85 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 54 m | Show | |
My selection is on Morehead State plus the points over Murray State at 5 pm et on Saturday. I like the bounce-back spot for Morehead State here as it has gone 27-12 ATS in its last 39 games following a home loss and 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games following an upset home loss in-conference. The Eagles do check in coming off back-to-back losses but both of those games were close, decided by seven points or less. Following a red hot run, Murray State has cooled off a bit, dropping two of its last three contests. Its last win by double-digits came back on February 1st as a 17-point favorite against SIU-Edwardsville. Take Morehead State (9*). | |||||||
02-15-20 | Eastern Illinois v. Tenn-Martin +2.5 | Top | 79-80 | Win | 100 | 9 h 17 m | Show |
CBB Revenge Game of the Month. My selection is on Tennessee-Martin plus the points over Eastern Illinois at 5 pm et on Saturday. The Skyhawks have only been able to sprinkle in a few wins in-conference this season, largely struggling including back-to-back losses entering this contest. With that being said, they haven't dropped more than two games in a row since losing four straight from January 11th to the 23rd and I do expect them to bounce back against Eastern Illinois here. Save for a four-game winning streak in mid-January, EIU has also struggled in conference play. Its last ATS victory came back on February 1st in a four-point loss at Austin Peay. Here Tennessee-Martin falls in a strong situation that has gone 45-12 over the last five season and a perfect 2-0 this season where we back small underdogs revenging a double-digit road loss coming off a loss by three points or less in their last game. Take Tennessee-Martin (10*). | |||||||
02-15-20 | Eastern Kentucky v. Austin Peay -12 | 85-93 | Loss | -108 | 9 h 1 m | Show | |
My selection is on Austin Peay minus the points over Eastern Kentucky at 5 pm et on Saturday. I'm anticipating a blowout in this matchup as Austin Peay takes on what I would consider a 'paper tiger' Eastern Kentucky squad. After reeling off nine straight ATS wins, Austin Peay has now dropped the cash in three of its last four games overall. This looks like a smash spot, however, as the Governors have gone a perfect 6-0 ATS against opponents that shoot below 42% from the field this season, outscoring them by an average of 13 points per game. They've also gone 8-0 ATS against teams that allow the opposition to shoot 45% or better, outscoring those teams by over 16 points per contest. While Austin Peay will be playing its second straight home game, this will mark Eastern Kentucky's fourth straight on the road. Take Austin Peay (10*). | |||||||
02-15-20 | Florida Atlantic +11.5 v. Louisiana Tech | 68-81 | Loss | -107 | 7 h 58 m | Show | |
My selection is on Florida Atlantic plus the points over Louisiana Tech at 3 pm et on Saturday. This has been a tight series with each of the last four meetings being decided by single-digits. The Owls have certainly held their own against the Bulldogs with the two teams splitting the last eight meetings ATS. I simply feel this line will prove too high on Saturday afternoon. Note that under coach Konkol, the Bulldogs have gone just 14-26 ATS when playing on one day or less rest, as is the case here. Louisiana Tech's last two games have been decided by a grand total of just seven points. Florida Atlantic has lost three games in a row, but the last two could have gone either way. Expect the Owls to put forth a strong effort here. Take Florida Atlantic (9*). | |||||||
02-15-20 | San Jose State v. Air Force -9.5 | 86-95 | Loss | -105 | 6 h 45 m | Show | |
My selection is on Air Force minus the points over San Jose State at 2 pm et on Saturday. There should be lots of excitement in Colorado Springs on Saturday as later in the evening the Kings and Avalanche will do battle outdoors in the NHL Stadium Series. In the afternoon, I expect it to be all Falcons as they host San Jose State. Note that the Spartans are a miserable 0-10 ATS after allowing 75 points or more in two consecutive games over the last two seasons and they've been outscored by a whopping average of 30 points in those contests. Likewise, they're 0-10 ATS in late season games against opponents that commit less than 15 turnovers per game over the last two seasons - outscored by over 31 points on average in those games. The Falcons do enter this game off seven straight losses but they were favored in only two of those games. Keep in mind, this is a team that beat Utah State by 19 points on this floor this season. Off back-to-back losses as double-digit underdogs they'll relish the opportunity to get loose against a beatable opponent - in a revenge spot. Take Air Force (9*). | |||||||
02-14-20 | IUPU Ft Wayne +12.5 v. North Dakota State | 70-80 | Win | 100 | 12 h 14 m | Show | |
My selection is on IUPU-Fort Wayne plus the points over North Dakota State at 8 pm et on Friday. IUPU-Fort Wayne enters this game off an outright underdog win at Denver last time out and that puts the Mastodons in a solid play-on situation here as they stay on the road to challenge North Dakota State. Note that the Mastodons are on a long-term 84-57 ATS run in an underdog role. They've gone 27-13 ATS the last 40 times they've come off an outright underdog win. On the flip side, North Dakota State is a miserable 5-17 ATS the last 22 times it has scored 80 points or more in consecutive games, as is the case here. North Dakota State comes in riding a season-long five-game winning streak. Headed into uncharted territory, I believe it is laying too many points in this matchup. Take IUPU-Fort Wayne (10*). | |||||||
02-13-20 | Marshall v. Texas-San Antonio | 63-72 | Win | 100 | 12 h 24 m | Show | |
My selection is on Texas-San Antonio over Marshall at 9 pm et on Thursday. I like the bounce-back spot for UTSA here as it returns home off a loss to Charlotte on the road last time out. Marshall has won just three of 10 road games this season and falls into a letdown spot here after posting victories in each of its last two contests - both at home. Note that UTSA has gone an incredible 18-8 ATS in lined games against losing opponents over the last three seasons and has fared well against high-quantity three-points shooting teams such as Marshall as well, going 24-11 ATS in its last 35 games against opponents that attempt over 21 three-point shots per game. Take Texas-San Antonio (10*). | |||||||
02-13-20 | Clippers +2 v. Celtics | 133-141 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 37 m | Show | |
My selection is on Los Angeles plus the points over Boston at 8:05 pm et on Thursday. This is a big step-up game for the Clippers as they come off a poor showing in Philadelphia two nights ago. I fully expect to see Los Angeles' best effort in this nationally-televised TNT affair. Note that the Clippers have gone an impressive 31-19 ATS in non-conference games over the last two seasons. They're also an incredible 24-7 ATS off a road loss over that same stretch. Here we play against the Celtics as they fall into a situation that is a miserable 8-33 ATS since 1996 and 3-8 ATS this season where teams that outscore the opposition by 6+ points per game come off three consecutive games allowing 105 points or more. Take Los Angeles (10*). | |||||||
02-12-20 | Marquette v. Villanova -5 | Top | 71-72 | Loss | -108 | 10 h 17 m | Show |
CBB Big East Game of the Week. My selection is on Villanova minus the points over Marquette at 8:30 pm et on Wednesday. Villanova enters this game having lost three games in a row but that was certainly a tough stretch as it faced Creighton, Butler and Seton Hall. Here, it faces another stiff test in the form of Marquette but with revenge on its mind and with three consecutive road games on deck, I expect Jay Wright to get the most from his Wildcats as they win this one going away. Marquette has won two Big East road games but those wins came by the narrowest of margins - a combined six points. The Golden Eagles enter this game riding a three-game winning streak - matching their longest win streak in Big East play this season. I believe it ends here. When Marquette defeated Villanova back in early January it was in a much stronger motivational spot - fresh off a 17-point drubbing at the hands of Creighton three days earlier. Here, it's the Wildcats that will play a more desperate brand of basketball. I'm not convinced Marquette will match 'Nova's intensity here. Take Villanova (10*). | |||||||
02-12-20 | Hornets v. Wolves -7.5 | 115-108 | Loss | -110 | 23 h 41 m | Show | |
My selection is on Minnesota minus the points over Charlotte at 8:05 pm et on Wednesday. This game has blowout written all over it as the T'Wolves return home to host the Hornets on Wednesday night. Minnesota finally brought an end to its long losing streak with a blowout win over the Clippers at home on Saturday but couldn't follow it up as it dropped a 12-point decision in Toronto on Monday. I do feel that game was closer than the final score indicated, however, and I'm confident we'll see the new-look T'Wolves come out with plenty of energy back home on Wednesday night. Charlotte picked up a rare victory on Monday night, but that came at the expense of the lowly Pistons who are in full tank mode after dealing Andre Drummond at the trade deadline. The Hornets are just 9-19 on the road this season and I don't expect them to hang with the Wolves on Wednesday. Take Minnesota (10*). | |||||||
02-11-20 | Utah State v. Colorado State +2.5 | 75-72 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 35 m | Show | |
My selection is on Colorado State plus the points over Utah State at 9:30 pm et on Tuesday. This line makes some sense when you consider Utah State rolled Colorado State by 16 points in their most recent meeting back on January 25th. The Aggies were nine-point favorites in that game. Colorado State has posted three straight wins since then. In fact, the loss to Utah State is the Rams only setback going back to January 4th. Here, I look for the Rams to earn an ounce of revenge at home. Utah State has managed to win only two games on the road in conference play, with those victories coming against two teams with a combined 13-36 record this season. Take Colorado State (10*). | |||||||
02-10-20 | Wolves +9.5 v. Raptors | 126-137 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 25 m | Show | |
My selection is on Minnesota plus the points over Toronto at 7:30 pm et on Monday. The T’Wolves suddenly have some upside after making wholesale changes prior to the trade deadline last week. Over its last five games, Minnesota has quietly crept into the top-12 in the league in offense rating while also showing some improvement (relatively speaking), with eight teams sitting below them in the defensive rating rankings over that stretch. The Raptors are in the midst of a record-setting winning streak but they’ve narrowly escaped with two of their last three losses and now face a bit of a flat spot in a non-conference matchup before a rematch with the Nets (who they beat 119-118 on Saturday) coming up next. I look for Minnesota to find enough success offensively to keep within arm’s reach tonight. Take Minnesota (10*). | |||||||
02-08-20 | Duke -7.5 v. North Carolina | 98-96 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 25 m | Show | |
My selection is on Duke minus the points over North Carolina at 6 pm et on Saturday. The Tar Heels are going to be a popular play as a sizeable underdog against rival Duke on Saturday. We've made some money backing North Carolina this season but I won't hesitate to go the other way in this matchup. Duke suffered back-to-back losses against Clemson and Louisville in mid-January but has rebounded since, reeling off four straight victories. The fact that the Blue Devils burned their backers in a win but non-cover against Boston College last time out and are just 2-2 ATS during their current win streak should keep some bettors away. North Carolina had a brief surge in late January, posting consecutive wins over Miami and N.C. State. The Tar Heels have back to their losing ways since then though, dropping their last two games including a 65-59 loss at Florida State on Monday. When there is a class difference in this matchup, as is the case this year, it's rare that we see perception and reality line up as far as the line goes. That remains the case here as Duke could be laying even more points. Take Duke (10*). | |||||||
02-08-20 | Purdue v. Indiana -1.5 | Top | 74-62 | Loss | -108 | 16 h 30 m | Show |
CBB Big Ten Game of the Month. My selection is on Indiana minus the points over Purdue at 2 pm et on Saturday. This one sets up well for us with Purdue coming off a blowout win over Iowa earlier this week and Indiana on the heels of three consecutive losses. Note that the Hoosiers last two setbacks came on the road. Their lone loss at home during their current skid came by just a single point against a quality Maryland squad. In fact, there's no shame in either of the Hoosiers two home losses this season with the other coming against 16-6 Arkansas. Purdue has won on the road just once since the beginning of January and that came against 6-15 Northwestern (by a narrow three-point margin). Indiana will be highly-motivated to snap its season-long three-game losing streak here and Purdue will be hard-pressed to follow up its scorching shooting performance last time out. Take Indiana (10*). | |||||||
02-08-20 | Kansas v. TCU +9.5 | 60-46 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 40 m | Show | |
My selection is on TCU plus the points over Kansas at 12 noon et on Saturday. The Horned Frogs enter this game losers of four games in a row. Keep in mind, three of those losses came on the road. Their lone home defeat over that stretch came by a single point against 14-8 Texas. That marked TCU's lone home loss in Big 12 play this season. Kansas has reeled off seven straight wins but the Jayhawks are by no means invincible. We just cashed a ticket fading them this past Monday night as they won by 11 but failed to cover against Texas. I believe we're dealing with an inflated line again in this spot. Note the most recent meeting between these two teams resulted in a narrow five-point Kansas victory. Take TCU (10*). | |||||||
02-07-20 | Blazers v. Jazz -8.5 | Top | 114-117 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 17 m | Show |
NBA Blowout Game of the Week. My selection is on Utah minus the points over Portland at 10:35 pm et on Thursday. Let's try this again. We missed the mark with the Jazz in last Saturday's loss in Portland but I won't hesitate to go back to the well here as the spot sets up much better. Portland is coming off a 125-117 win over the Spurs last night (we won with the 'over') but will now be playing its third game in the last four nights, in three different cities - with two of those games being played in altitude (the other was a 127-99 loss in Denver on Tuesday - we won with the Nuggets in that game). Utah plays just its second game since last Saturday. While the Blazers continue to perform well offensively, Damian Lillard has cooled off following an incredible scoring run. After scoring at least 34 points in eight straight games, Lillard has put up just 47 over his last two contests. Note that the Jazz check in third in the league in defensive rating at home this season. Meanwhile, the Blazers are 13th in the league in offensive rating on the road compared to fourth in that category at home. Portland sits 25th in the NBA in defensive rating on the road. Utah enters having lost five games in a row and this is certainly the game for them to turn things around with a trip to Texas to face the Rockets and Mavs looming. Take Utah (10*). | |||||||
02-07-20 | Niagara v. Manhattan -6 | Top | 59-77 | Win | 100 | 11 h 29 m | Show |
CBB MAAC Game of the Month. My selection is on Manhattan minus the points over Niagara at 7 pm et on Friday. Both of these teams check in with losing records but I certainly feel that Manhattan has more upside as we head into the second week of February. The Jaspers snapped a four-game losing streak with a resounding 72-49 rout of Iona last Sunday. Keep in mind, during their four-game skid, three of those games could have gone either way (decided by seven points or less) and the two home losses came against winning MAAC squads Monmouth and Rider. Niagara ended a three-game losing streak with a surprising 16-point win over Quinnipiac last time out. Of course, that victory came at home. The Purple Eagles are a miserable 2-11 on the road this season with those two wins coming by four points at a 10-13 Norfolk State squad mired in a down year and by a single point at 5-12 Iona. Manhattan took the first meeting between these two teams by five points at Niagara in January. Take Manhattan (10*). | |||||||
02-06-20 | Louisiana Tech v. Western Kentucky +2 | 54-65 | Win | 100 | 11 h 17 m | Show | |
My selection is on Western Kentucky plus the points over Louisiana Tech at 9 pm et on Thursday. I like the bounce-back spot for Western Kentucky here as it returns home following a tough, winless trip through Florida in which it fell against Florida Atlantic and Florida International - two teams that have combined to go 30-18 this season. Prior to that, the Hilltoppers had won five games in a row. They've suffered just one loss at home this season and that came at the hands of a terrific 16-7 Belmont squad. Louisiana Tech owns a 17-5 record this season but it has beat up on some weak opposition without question. Yes, there have been some impressive victories mixed in as well but I believe the Bulldogs will be in for a tough test here. Keep in mind, the Bulldogs winning streak was nearly snapped last time out as they barely outlasted a 9-14 Old Dominion team by three points in Ruston this past Saturday. Motivation will be high for the Hilltoppers as this veteran-laden squad looks to earn a little revenge after suffering a 12-point loss against Louisiana Tech in their last meeting last January. Take Western Kentucky (10*). | |||||||
02-06-20 | Pelicans -4.5 v. Bulls | Top | 125-119 | Win | 100 | 11 h 9 m | Show |
NBA Non-Conference Game of the Year. My selection is on New Orleans minus the points over Chicago at 8:05 pm et on Thursday. The Pelicans bandwagon has cleared somewhat following back-to-back losses at Houston and at home against Milwaukee. Neither of those losses were unexpected although it would have been nice if they could have stepped up and stole one of them as a statement victory of sorts. Nevertheless, the Pelicans hit the road on Thursday for a very winnable game against the Bulls. While Chicago has gone 4-1 over its last five home games, note that three of those victories came against three of the league's worst teams in Washington, Cleveland and Minnesota. The other came against another losing team, San Antonio. Only two teams have been worse than the Bulls in terms of defensive rating over their last five games, the Cavs and Wizards. Not exactly good company. Meanwhile, the Pelicans check in sixth in defensive rating over that same stretch, despite a tough schedule. New Orleans also ranks an impressive second in the league in pace rating over its last five contests while the Bulls sit 23rd. Take New Orleans (10*). | |||||||
02-05-20 | Bradley v. Drake -1 | 60-73 | Win | 100 | 14 h 19 m | Show | |
My selection is on Drake minus the points over Bradley at 9 pm et on Wednesday. We missed the mark with Drake last time out as it fell at home against Southern Illinois. For whatever reason, the Salukis have had the Bulldogs number this season. I won't hesitate to go back to the well with Drake here, however, as it will undoubtedly get up for this showdown with Bradley. Note that the loss to Southern Illinois was Drake's first home loss this season. To add to the Bulldogs motivation here, they enter having dropped their last two games, with the other being a tight 58-56 setback at Indiana State last week. Bradley hasn't won a road game since January 15th. The Braves two Missouri Valley Conference road wins have come against Evansville and Missouri State - two teams that own a combined 19-27 record this season. Bradley has also dropped road decisions against 4-18 St. Joe's and 9-13 Miami-Ohio. Take Drake (10*). | |||||||
02-05-20 | Northern Iowa v. Valparaiso +4.5 | 63-51 | Loss | -115 | 13 h 12 m | Show | |
My selection is on Valparaiso plus the points over Northern Iowa at 8 pm et on Wednesday. Northern Iowa is the class of the Missouri Valley Conference but does find itself in a bit of a tough spot on the road against Valpo on Wednesday. The Panthers come in looking somewhat invincible having lost just once since the start of January and riding a three-game winning streak. Keep in mind, their last three wins have come in favorable spots, at home against Loyola-Chicago and Missouri State and on the road against one of the MVC's worst teams in Evansville. Northern Iowa has proven to be somewhat vulnerable on the road in conference play, dropping decisions at Illinois State and Southern Illinois. Valpo has been consistently inconsistent since the start of January, alternating wins and losses. Not helping matters has been the fact that the Crusaders have played five of their last nine games on the road. Note that they've lost just once at home this season, that coming against 15-8 Loyola-Chicago. Take Valparaiso (10*). | |||||||
02-05-20 | Suns -3 v. Pistons | 108-116 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 9 m | Show | |
My selection is on Phoenix minus the points over Detroit at 7:05 pm et on Wednesday. Both of these teams are injury-ravaged and likely looking at some changes before Thursday's trade deadline. With that being said, I think the Suns have a lot more upside and should have little trouble disposing of the reeling Pistons at Little Caesar's Arena on Wednesday night. Yes, Phoenix has lost three games in a row but did anyone really expect any wins out of a stretch that saw it face Oklahoma City at home (it lost by only four points) and Milwaukee and Brooklyn (noting the Nets have been playing much better lately) on the road? Here, the Suns have a solid opportunity to at least salvage something on their current road trip as they face the undermanned Pistons. Detroit has just one win in its last seven games and it came by way of overtime in an early start against a weary Nuggets squad on Super Bowl Sunday. Phoenix checks in ranking sixth in the NBA in pace rating over its last five games while the Pistons sit 27th over that same stretch. I look for the Suns to run Detroit out of the gym here. Take Phoenix (10*). | |||||||
02-04-20 | Spurs v. Lakers -12 | 102-129 | Win | 100 | 13 h 37 m | Show | |
My selection is on Los Angeles minus the points over San Antonio at 10:05 pm et on Tuesday. The Spurs gave the Clippers all they could handle last night here at Staples Center but really what else could we have expected given how inconsistent the Clips have been lately? Here, I look for a highly-motivated performance from the Lakers, who struggled in their first game following the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant last week but then responded with a blowout win in Sacramento the very next night. While the Spurs have been close in each of their last two road tilts, they remain just 8-15 away from home this season. LaMarcus Aldridge and Demar Derozan accounted for over half of their 105 points last night. Look for the Lakers to use their depth to ultimately pull away from San Antonio on Tuesday. Take Los Angeles (10*). | |||||||
02-04-20 | Blazers v. Nuggets -4.5 | Top | 99-127 | Win | 100 | 14 h 4 m | Show |
NBA Northwest Division Game of the Year. My selection is on Denver minus the points over Portland at 9:05 pm et on Tuesday. I absolutely love the way this one sets up for the Nuggets as they host the surging Trail Blazers on Tuesday night. Portland checks in having won four straight games after dropping 11 of its previous 16 contests. Of course, the Blazers have been riding the extremely hot hand of Damian Lillard during their current streak. Portland actually ranks number one in the league in offensive rating over its last five contests. I'm just not sure it's sustainable, in fact, I know it's note. As good as they've been offensively, the Blazers check in 24th in the Association in defensive rating over that same five-game stretch. Denver suffered an overtime loss in a matinee affair in Detroit on Sunday, snapping a mini two-game winning streak. The Nuggets are still a solid 11-6 since the start of January. They've gone 17-4 in their last 21 games here in the high altitude of Denver. The last time these two teams squared off in December the Nuggets rolled to a 114-99 victory. Lillard will get his, but I look for Denver to prevail. Take Denver (10*). | |||||||
02-04-20 | Tennessee v. Alabama -5.5 | 69-68 | Loss | -108 | 12 h 50 m | Show | |
My selection is on Alabama minus the points over Tennessee at 7 pm et on Tuesday. This is a solid spot to back the Crimson Tide as they host the Vols on Tuesday night. The Tide are coming off back-to-back losses but there was no shame in either of those defeats as they came against two teams that own a combined 33-9 record in LSU and Arkansas. Here, the Tide face a much more manageable opponent in Tennessee - a team that has dropped three games in a row. The Vols have managed to win two road games in SEC play but both of those came against losing teams in Missouri and Vanderbilt. Alabama got off to a slow start this season but has been a different team since the end of November, winning 10 of its last 15 games despite a tough schedule. Take Alabama (10*). | |||||||
02-03-20 | Baylor v. Kansas State +7 | Top | 73-67 | Win | 100 | 13 h 30 m | Show |
CBB Big 12 Game of the Month. My selection is on Kansas State plus the points over Baylor at 9 pm et on Monday. There are few more battle-tested teams in the country than Kansas State right now. The Wildcats have faced an extremely tough schedule since the start of January - at Oklahoma, vs. TCU, at Texas, vs. Texas Tech, vs. West Virginia, at Kansas, at Alabama, vs. Oklahoma and at West Virginia (all winning opponents). While the Wildcats have only managed to win two of those games outright, they've been competitive in the majority of them (four of seven losses came by single-digits) and I expect them to take this one down to the wire as well. Baylor of course hasn't lost a game since way back on November 8th against Washington - its only loss of the season to date. Coming off three straight double-digit wins I do see this as a bit of a letdown spot for the Bears. That marks their longest streak of double-digit wins in-conference this season. There shouldn't be much of an intimidation factor at play here given the setting, and the fact that Kansas State took the most recent meeting 66-60 last March. Take Kansas State (10*). | |||||||
02-03-20 | Mavs v. Pacers -4.5 | 112-103 | Loss | -115 | 9 h 19 m | Show | |
My selection is on Indiana minus the points over Dallas at 7:05 pm et on Monday. It's been a bit of a struggle for the Mavs lately as they've gone just 3-4 over their last seven games since reeling off four straight wins from January 11th to 17th. They're coming off a blowout win on Saturday night but that came at home against the lowly Hawks. The Pacers were stunned by the Knicks at home on Saturday night so will certainly be highly-motivated to bounce back here. Perhaps they were caught flat-footed following a 115-106 overtime win over the Bulls in Victor Oladipo's long-awaited return to the lineup in their previous game. Whatever the case, I expect to see a much sharper performance from them here. Take Indiana (10*). | |||||||
02-02-20 | Marist v. Canisius -7 | 65-66 | Loss | -105 | 5 h 19 m | Show | |
My selection is on Canisius minus the points over Marist at 2 pm et on Sunday. I'll lay the points with the Golden Griffins on Sunday afternoon. Canisius is a better team than its 8-13 record would indicate as far as I'm concerned. It will be highly-motivated to get back on track here after suffering three straight losses. Note that two of those losses came on the road and its most recent setback came at home against a good Quinnipiac team. Marist checks in just 5-14 on the campaign but has won three of its last four games overall. Keep in mind, two of those wins came at home and the other came on the road against 6-14 Niagara. Take Canisius (10*). | |||||||
02-01-20 | Jazz -5 v. Blazers | 107-124 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 30 m | Show | |
My selection is on Utah minus the points over Portland at 10:35 pm et on Saturday. This has not been a good week for the Jazz as they have dropped three games in a row, starting with a loss as a double-digit favorite at home against a Rockets team that was without Harden and Westbrook. Since then, we've seen Utah drop back-to-back games on the road but I look for it to bounce back here on Saturday as it faces what has to be an emotionally-drained Blazers squad coming off last night's victory over the Lakers in Los Angeles - the Lakers first game following the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant. Portland ranks a miserable 28th in defensive rating playing at home this season. Meanwhile, the Jazz have been generally solid on the road, where they rank top-11 in both offensive and defensive rating. Take Utah (10*). | |||||||
02-01-20 | Southern Illinois v. Drake -5 | Top | 79-72 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 29 m | Show |
CBB Missouri Valley Conference Game of the Year. My selection is on Drake minus the points over Southern Illinois at 6 pm et on Saturday. I really like the way this one sets up for Drake on its home floor. The Bulldogs had their two-game winning streak snapped in a 58-56 loss at Indiana State last time out but should bounce back here at home where they have yet to lose a game this season and ride a 15-game winning streak. Southern Illinois has won four games in a row but only one of those victories came on the road, and that came against 7-14 Illinois State. The Salukis have traveled two other times here in January, falling by 19 points at Bradley and 16 points at Loyola-Chicago. This is a quick revenge spot for Drake after dropping a surprising 17-point decision on the road against Southern Illinois back on January 19th. Take Drake (10*). | |||||||
02-01-20 | Wolves v. Clippers -9.5 | 106-118 | Win | 100 | 5 h 57 m | Show | |
My selection is on Los Angeles minus the points over Minnesota at 3:35 pm et on Saturday. Clippers head coach Doc Rivers was disgusted with his team's effort in their most recent game - a blowout home loss to the Kings. I fully expect a return to form from Los Angeles as it hosts the lowly Timberwolves here. Minnesota has lost 10 games in a row and this doesn't appear to be a favorable spot to turn things around. Note that the T'Wolves check in 21st in the league in offensive rating and 26th in defensive rating over their last five games. While the Clippers certainly haven't been at their best lately, they do still hold down the 10th spot in defensive rating over their last five contests. This wouldn't ordinarily be a circled game for the Clips but because of their awful performance last time out, I expect them to show up and show out at Staples Center. Take Los Angeles (10*). | |||||||
01-31-20 | Blazers v. Lakers -11.5 | 127-119 | Loss | -110 | 14 h 59 m | Show | |
My selection is on Los Angeles minus the points over Portland at 10:35 pm et on Friday. It will undoubtedly be an emotional night for the entire Lakers organization on Friday as they play their first game since the passing of Kobe Bryant. I'm anticipating a strong performance from Los Angeles as it hosts the surging Trail Blazers. While Portland has won three of its last four games overall, keep in mind all four of those contests were played at home. The Blazers check in ranking 25th in the league in defensive rating away from home. By contrast, the Lakers are second in that category here at home. L.A. also checks in top-10 in offensive rating at Staples Center. Take Los Angeles (10*). | |||||||
01-31-20 | Dartmouth v. Princeton -4.5 | Top | 44-66 | Win | 100 | 22 h 45 m | Show |
CBB Ivy League Game of the Month. My selection is in Princeton minus the points over Dartmouth at 7 pm et on Friday. This is a fine spot to back the Princeton Tigers on their home floor as they aim for their fifth straight win against a very beatable Dartmouth squad. Princeton has suffered four losses on its home floor this season but all four of those setbacks came against winning opponents. Dartmouth has three wins to its credit on the road this season but only one came in an underdog role and that was way back in its season opener at Buffalo. Note that the Big Green have won only twice in their last 11 games and those two victories came against Maine and Central Connecticut State - two teams that own a combined 8-36 record this season. Princeton's lone loss over its last seven games came against 16-7 Hofstra back on December 19th. Take Princeton (10*). | |||||||
01-30-20 | Jazz +1.5 v. Nuggets | 100-106 | Loss | -105 | 16 h 53 m | Show | |
My selection is on Utah plus the points over Denver at 10:35 pm et on Thursday. We missed the mark with our free pick on the Jazz last night in San Antonio but I won't hesitate to go back to the well with them again here. Utah still ranks fourth in the league in offensive rating and seventh in defensive rating over its last five contests. It also checks in just outside the top-10 in 11th place in pace rating over that stretch. The Nuggets have been lagging offensively, ranking 21st in offensive rating and 23rd in pace rating over their last five contests. They're always going to find themselves near the top in most defensive categories, I'm just not sure it will be enough against a highly-motivated Jazz squad here. Take Utah (10*). | |||||||
01-30-20 | Warriors v. Celtics -13.5 | 104-119 | Win | 100 | 13 h 19 m | Show | |
My selection is on Boston minus the points over Golden State at 8:05 pm et on Thursday. I'll lay the points with the Celtics in a game that has blowout potential on Thursday night. Golden State continues to struggle, ranking 28th in the league in offensive rating and 23rd in defensive rating over its last five games. While the Warriors do rank top-10 in pace rating over that stretch that could be to their detriment here. That's because the Celtics are rolling again, ranking sixth in offensive rating and third in defensive rating over their last five contests. While they're just middling in terms of pace rating over that stretch, I'm not all that concerned as they should get plenty of transition opportunities against the Warriors. Take Boston (10*). | |||||||
01-30-20 | Raptors -10 v. Cavs | 115-109 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 18 m | Show | |
My selection is on Toronto minus the points over Cleveland at 7:05 pm et on Thursday. This game certainly has letdown potential for Toronto coming off back-to-back emotional wins over the Spurs and Hawks following the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant but I believe the Raptors will be up to the challenge in Cleveland on Thursday night. The Cavs continue to struggle. They had a glimmer of hope earlier this week as they got past the reeling Pistons in Detroit but couldn't follow it up as they were easily disposed of by the Pelicans the next night. The Raptors enter this contest in fine form, ranking ninth in offensive rating and fifth in defensive rating over their last five games. The lowly Cavs on the other hand sit 24th in both of those categories. Despite the strong showing in the Motor City earlier this week, Cleveland still sits just 22nd in the league in pace rating over its last five contests - a stark contrast to the Raptors seventh ranking in that department. Take Toronto (10*). | |||||||
01-30-20 | Western Kentucky v. Florida Atlantic +3 | Top | 65-69 | Win | 100 | 22 h 30 m | Show |
CBB C-USA Game of the Month. My selection is on Florida Atlantic plus the points over Western Kentucky at 7 pm et on Thursday. Western Kentucky rides a five-game winning streak into this matchup on Thursday night but it's worth noting that only two of those wins came on the road, and they came at the expense of Middle Tennessee State and Marshall, two teams that have gone a combined 14-28 overall this season. The last time the Hilltoppers faced a winning team on the road, they lost by double-digits at UAB earlier this month. Florida Atlantic has lost three straight games but the last two came on the road and its lone home loss over that stretch came against aforementioned 12-9 UAB. That was the Owls lone home defeat this season. The last time these two teams met, FAU prevailed by six points last January. I believe the case can be made that the wrong team is being favored in this one. Take Florida Atlantic (10*). | |||||||
01-29-20 | West Virginia v. Texas Tech -2.5 | Top | 81-89 | Win | 100 | 22 h 28 m | Show |
CBB Big 12 Game of the Month. My selection is on Texas Tech minus the points over West Virginia at 8 pm et on Wednesday. This is a big step-up spot for the Red Raiders at home, where they've traditionally owned a strong advantage. Texas Tech comes off back-to-back losses, most recently falling by just two points in overtime at home against Kentucky this past Saturday. The only other home loss the Red Raiders suffered this season came against 17-1 Baylor. It's interesting to note that Texas Tech closed as a 3.5-point favorite in that contest - a steeper number than we're dealing with on Wednesday. West Virginia's last victory against a winning team away from home came back on December 29th at Ohio State. Keep in mind, that game started a stretch that has seen the Buckeyes go a miserable 2-6 over their last eight contests. Outside of that win, the Mountaineers really haven't been all that impressive away from home. Revenge will certainly be on the Red Raiders minds here after falling by 12 points in Morgantown back on January 11th. As we always like to say, revenge is a dish best served at home. Take Texas Tech (10*). | |||||||
01-29-20 | Pistons +6 v. Nets | 115-125 | Loss | -105 | 10 h 29 m | Show | |
My selection is on Detroit plus the points over Brooklyn at 7:35 pm et on Wednesday. We missed the mark with the Pistons in this same matchup last Saturday as they covered the number in regulation time but ultimately fell by double-digits in overtime. There's really not much separating these two teams at all right now and I'll gladly take all the points I can get with the Pistons in a big bounce-back spot on Wednesday night. Motivation will be especially high for Detroit coming off an embarrassing loss at home against the lowly Cavs on Monday. Meanwhile, Brooklyn went right back in the tank following Saturday's win in the Motor City, falling to the Knicks. Take Detroit (10*). | |||||||
01-29-20 | Alabama v. LSU -4.5 | 76-90 | Win | 100 | 22 h 47 m | Show | |
My selection is on LSU minus the points over Alabama at 7 pm et on Wednesday. Alabama enters this SEC showdown having won four games in a row but only one of those victories came on the road, and that came at the expense of an 8-11 Vanderbilt squad. Note that the Crimson Tide's three road wins this season have come against three opponents that own a combined 22-40 overall record. Meanwhile, LSU has climbed back into the national rankings following a big road win at Texas. The Tigers haven't lost a game since falling by just two points at 16-4 USC back on December 21st. LSU has dropped two games at home this season but there was really no shame in either of those losses against 16-6 Utah State and 18-3 East Tennessee State. We got burned on a backdoor cover by Florida at LSU last week but that won't keep me from backing the Tigers again here as we're being asked to lay a very reasonable number. Take LSU (10*). | |||||||
01-28-20 | Wizards v. Bucks -16 | 131-151 | Win | 100 | 9 h 5 m | Show | |
My selection is on Milwaukee minus the points over Washington at 8:05 pm et on Tuesday. NOTE: Giannis Antetokounmpo will not play in this game and as a result the line has dropped considerably. The 9* play on the Bucks stands at the current number. We're dealing with a steep pointspread with the Bucks here but just as we did a couple of weeks ago when they hosted the Knicks, we won't hesitate to go back to the well with Milwaukee in another smash spot on Wednesday night. The line would likely be even higher were it not for the fact that Milwaukee is returning home following last Friday's tilt in Paris. The Wizards are coming off an embarrassing beatdown at the hands of the lowly Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. Only the Blazers have been worse in terms of defensive rating over their last five games. While Washington does rank 12th in offensive rating over that same stretch, it is going to have a tough time keeping pace with Milwaukee in this one. Note that the Bucks sit atop the Association in defensive rating over their last five contests. They also hold top spot in pace rating over that time frame. This is a 'name your score' type of game for the Bucks and I expect a lopsided result. Take Milwaukee (9*). | |||||||
01-28-20 | Syracuse v. Clemson -1.5 | 70-71 | Loss | -109 | 7 h 23 m | Show | |
My selection is on Clemson minus the points over Syracuse at 7 pm et on Tuesday. Clemson is coming off a blowout loss on Saturday, but that came on the road against 17-3 Louisville. The Tigers are 4-2 since the beginning of January with both of their losses coming on the road, the other at the hands of a quality 14-7 N.C. State squad. Syracuse has won five straight games here in January, including three in a row on the road. It's certainly worth noting that all three of those road wins could have gone either way. One came by way of overtime at Virginia and the other two by identical two-point margins against Virginia Tech and Pitt. The Orange could get caught looking ahead to a big showdown with Duke at home this coming Saturday. I simply feel that the motivation level will be very high for a Tigers squad that has been playing some pretty good basketball save for that egg laid at Louisville this past weekend. Take Clemson (10*). | |||||||
01-27-20 | Kansas v. Oklahoma State +7.5 | 65-50 | Loss | -114 | 11 h 43 m | Show | |
My selection is on Oklahoma State plus the points over Kansas at 9 pm et on Monday. Despite having gone winless through its first six Big 12 games this season, Oklahoma State has to feel alright about its chances against undermanned Kansas on Monday night. The Cowboys gained some much-needed positive momentum with a win over Texas A&M, on the road no less, on Saturday. Kansas of course continues to play in the aftermath of last week's brawl with Kansas State, missing a number of key cogs entering Monday's matchup. The Jayhawks played just seven players in Saturday's narrow win (but non-cover) against Tennessee. I simply feel Oklahoma State is catching too many points in what should be a tightly-contested affair. Take Oklahoma State (10*). | |||||||
01-27-20 | Cavs v. Pistons -6.5 | Top | 115-100 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 37 m | Show |
NBA Game of the Month. My selection is on Detroit minus the points over Cleveland at 7:05 pm et on Monday. This is the perfect storm to back the Pistons as they host the lowly Cavs on Monday night. Detroit has won two of three meetings with Cleveland this season, splitting the most recent two affairs with both of those games going down to the wire. I expect more of a lopsided contest here as the Pistons aim to bounce back from consecutive discouraging losses against the Grizzlies and Nets - both at home - on Friday and Saturday. Note that despite their recent struggles in the w/l column, Detroit actually checks in top 10 in the league in offensive rating and top nine in defensive rating over its last five contests. By contrast, Cleveland sits 24th and 25th respectively in those two categories. Most will want no part of laying points with the Pistons here off Saturday's frustrating overtime loss and non-cover against the Nets. I see this as an ideal bounce-back spot for Detroit laying a very reasonable number against one of the league's worst teams. Take Detroit (10*). | |||||||
01-27-20 | North Carolina +5.5 v. NC State | Top | 75-65 | Win | 100 | 9 h 45 m | Show |
CBB ACC Game of the Month. My selection is on North Carolina plus the points over N.C. State at 7 pm et on Monday. A 94-point outburst in a rout of Miami on Saturday was just what the doctor ordered for North Carolina. That brought an end to the Tar Heels five-game losing streak to open 2020 and now I look for them to build off of that performance as they make the short trip to Raleigh to face in-state rival N.C. State on Monday. The Wolfpack saw their three-game winning streak come to an end in a 64-58 loss at Georgia Tech on Saturday - their second loss in as many games against the Yellow Jackets this season. While they have posted a 4-3 record here in January, that hasn't come easy with three of those four victories coming by six points or less. This is a big game for both teams but I actually think there's a little less pressure on the Tar Heels at this point as they've largely been forgotten thanks to their disappointing start to the ACC campaign. Take North Carolina (10*). | |||||||
01-26-20 | Celtics v. Pelicans +1.5 | 108-123 | Win | 100 | 10 h 51 m | Show | |
My selection is on New Orleans plus the points over Boston at 6:05 pm et on Sunday. The Pelicans have gone 0-2 since Zion Williamson made his debut earlier this week but I believe they'll have a good shot at getting back in the win column here against the streaking Celtics. Boston has won three games in a row but prior to that it had dropped six of its last eight contests. The Pelicans will certainly have revenge on their minds after suffering a 35-point beatdown at the hands of the Celtics back on January 11th. Note that prior to losing its last two games, New Orleans had won five of its last seven games. Take New Orleans (10*). | |||||||
01-26-20 | Missouri State v. Drake -4.5 | 69-71 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 51 m | Show | |
My selection is on Drake minus the points over Missouri State at 4 pm et on Sunday. We won a big ticket with Missouri State recently but I won't hesitate to go the other way and fade the Bears as they hit the road to face Drake on Sunday. Missouri State is coming off back-to-back wins but those came against Evansville and Valpo, neither of which own a winning record on the season. Drake checks in sporting a solid 14-6 record and has yet to lose a game at home. Off a disappointing split on a two-game road set at Southern Illinois and Evansville I do expect the Bulldogs to get up for this one. Take Drake (10*). | |||||||
01-25-20 | Nets v. Pistons +2 | 121-111 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 44 m | Show | |
My selection is on Detroit minus the points over Brooklyn at 7:05 pm et on Saturday. I simply feel that the wrong team is favored in this matchup as the Pistons have been playing some pretty good basketball lately and should be up for the challenge against Kyrie Irving and the Nets on Saturday. Detroit ranks an impressive sixth in both offensive and defensive rating over its last five games while Brooklyn checks in 28th and 23rd in those two categories respectively over the same stretch. While the Nets have undoubtedly faced a tougher schedule than the Pistons over their last five contests and Irving has been injured, the fact is, this has been a disappointing campaign for 18-25 Brooklyn. Coming off a 125-112 loss at home against the Grizzlies, motivation should be high for the Pistons here. They beat the Nets as a four-point underdog here at home back on November 2nd. Brooklyn will be desperate to snap a five-game skid but it hasn't won on the road since way back on December 17th in New Orleans. Take Detroit (10*). | |||||||
01-25-20 | Southern Illinois v. Illinois State -1.5 | Top | 58-55 | Loss | -117 | 6 h 14 m | Show |
CBB Game of the Week. My selection is on Illinois State minus the points over Southern Illinois at 3 pm et on Saturday. I really like the way this one sets up for the Redbirds as they aim to snap a six-game skid here in what has been a winless January so far. Keep in mind, their schedule has been tough. Four of those six games came on the road and not a single one of those setbacks came against a team that currently owns a losing record. They own three truly impressive wins here at home this season, coming against Belmont, Little Rock and Northern Iowa - three teams that own a combined 44-16 record. Southern Illinois checks in 4-2 this month but all four of those wins came at home. The Salukis have yet to win a road game this season going winless in eight tries. Off back-to-back impressive wins over Drake and Northern Iowa I expect them to suffer a letdown here. Take Illinois State (10*). | |||||||
01-24-20 | Niagara v. Monmouth -7.5 | Top | 71-82 | Win | 100 | 12 h 7 m | Show |
CBB Blowout Game of the Week. My selection is on Monmouth minus the points over Niagara at 7 pm et on Friday. Niagara enters this game off three straight wins but remains just 6-11 on the season. The Purple Eagles have won just two road games this season with those coming against teams that own a combined 12-20 record, not to mention the fact that the two wins came by a combined five points. Monmouth has gone a perfect 3-0 at home in MAAC play, winning each of those games by at least eight points. Despite the fact that the Hawks have gone 4-2 here in January, they should realize the importance of this contest with three of their next four games coming on the road, where they've gone 3-6 this season. Take Monmouth (10*). | |||||||
01-23-20 | Pepperdine v. Santa Clara -4 | Top | 90-86 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 4 m | Show |
CBB WCC Game of the Month. My selection is on Santa Clara minus the points over Pepperdine at 10 pm et on Thursday. I'll lay the points with the Broncos as they look to string together consecutive wins for the first time in January on Thursday night. Santa Clara managed to bounce back with an 84-80 win over a good Pacific team last time out, playing the second of back-to-back nights after getting blown out by a whopping 50 points against Gonzaga. It's certainly encouraging that the Broncos were able to put that beatdown in the rear-view mirror so quickly. Note that Santa Clara has yet to lose a game at home this season and should be able to keep that perfect record intact here. Pepperdine fell below the .500 mark with a hard-fought 78-69 loss to St. Mary's last Saturday. The Waves have gone 2-3 since the start of January with their two wins coming against teams that own a combined 15-25 record. You have to wonder if the Waves might be a little weary with each of their last five contests being decided by single-digit margins. The Broncos are still without star big man Guglielmo Caruso but have managed to score 80+ points in both home games without him here in January. Take Santa Clara (10*). | |||||||
01-22-20 | Grizzlies +7 v. Celtics | 95-119 | Loss | -105 | 9 h 21 m | Show | |
My selection is on Memphis plus the points over Boston at 7:35 pm et on Wednesday. The Celtics are coming off an epic beatdown of the Lakers on Monday night but I believe that only serves to leave them overvalued as they host the Grizzlies on Wednesday. Memphis checks in ranking sixth in offensive rating, 14th in defensive rating and seventh in pace rating over its last five games. While the Celtics do rank fourth in offensive rating over that same stretch, they're a miserable 24th in defensive rating and a middling 12th in pace rating. I simply feel the Grizzlies will be able to keep up with the C's all night long on Wednesday. Take Memphis (10*). | |||||||
01-22-20 | Massachusetts v. George Mason -6.5 | Top | 63-73 | Win | 100 | 9 h 16 m | Show |
CBB A-10 Game of the Month. My selection is on George Mason minus the points over UMass at 7 pm et on Wednesday. George Mason checks in having lost three games in a row on its home floor but keep in mind, those three losses came against VCU, St. Bonaventure and Richmond, three teams that own a combined 40-15 record this season. Here, they'll be stepping down in class against 7-11 UMass, which has lost three games in a row - all by double-digit margins. In fact, since the start of December, the Minutemen have won just three games and those wins came against teams that own a combined 24-30 record. Their only road win this season came against MAAC squad Fairfield, which owns a losing record on the season. Take George Mason (10*). | |||||||
01-21-20 | Florida v. LSU -2.5 | 82-84 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 3 m | Show | |
My selection is on LSU minus the points over Florida at 7 pm et on Tuesday. I'm comfortable laying a short number with the Tigers here as they face a tough challenge in the Florida Gators on Tuesday night. LSU has dropped just four of 16 games this season and there was no shame in any of those defeats. Some will point to the double-digit home loss to East Tennessee State back on December 18th as a bad loss but ETSU has gone 17-3 this season and is no pushover. The Tigers have gone 5-0 since the turn of the new year with the last four victories all coming by four points or less. That only serves to give us a reasonable number to work with here, however. The Gators are coming off back-to-back blowout wins over Mississippi State and Auburn but both of those wins came at home. They've split two SEC road games, beating a middle of the road South Carolina squad and getting blown out by Missouri. Take LSU (10*). | |||||||
01-20-20 | Oklahoma +10 v. Baylor | 57-61 | Win | 100 | 11 h 6 m | Show | |
My selection is on Oklahoma plus the points over Baylor at 9 pm et on Monday. The Sooners will face a tough test on the Big 12 road on Monday night as they head to the Ferrell Center to face 15-1 Baylor. I do think Oklahoma can hang in this matchup. There's been no shame in any of Oklahoma's five losses this season with those coming against Stanford, Wichita State, Creighton, Iowa State and Kansas. On Saturday we saw the Sooners deliver a blowout win at home against a quality TCU squad that had lost just four of 16 games heading in. Baylor hasn't lost a game since falling by three points against Washington way back on November 8th. There aren't many flaws in the Bears' game. I simply believe they're laying too many points against a scrappy Sooners squad here on Monday night. Take Oklahoma (10*). | |||||||
01-20-20 | Thunder v. Rockets -6.5 | 112-107 | Loss | -102 | 8 h 15 m | Show | |
My selection is on Houston minus the points over Oklahoma City at 5:05 pm et on Monday. We won with the Thunder on Saturday night but I won't hesitate to switch gears and fade them as they hit the road to face the Rockets on Monday afternoon in Houston. Note that the Thunder rank a miserable 26th in defensive rating over their last five games and will be hard-pressed to slow a Rockets offense that ranks third in the league in pace rating over their last five contests. Having dropped four games over that stretch, Houston will undoubtedly be highly-motivated to get back on track here and won't take the upstart Thunder lightly. I had this pointspread pegged a couple of points steeper, so I'll gladly back Houston at a discount here. Take Houston (10*). | |||||||
01-18-20 | Blazers v. Thunder -4.5 | 106-119 | Win | 100 | 13 h 8 m | Show | |
My selection is on Oklahoma City minus the points over Portland at 9:05 pm et on Saturday. I'll lay the points with the Thunder on Saturday night as they look to bounce back following consecutive losses here at home. Portland is in a tough scheduling spot here, playing for the third time in four nights on the road, splitting the previous two including an upset win in Houston and a tough battle in Dallas last night. Despite dropping their last two games, the Thunder still rank ninth in the NBA in offensive rating over their last five games. By contrast, the Blazers sit 19th in that category over the same stretch. While Oklahoma City has struggled defensively, it still ranks two spots ahead of Portland in terms of defensive rating over its last five contests. Take Oklahoma City (10*). | |||||||
01-18-20 | Old Dominion v. Marshall -4 | 67-68 | Loss | -107 | 11 h 47 m | Show | |
My selection is on Marshall minus the points over Old Dominion at 7 pm et on Saturday. I'll lay the points with Marshall on Saturday night. We missed the mark with the Thundering Herd last time out as they dropped a narrow two-point decision against Charlotte. For the same reasons we backed the Herd in that one, we'll go back to the well here as they face 6-11 Old Dominion. The Monarchs haven't posted a road win since back on November 16th at Northeastern. They've posted just three wins overall since then with those victories coming against three opponents that own a combined 17-37 overall record. This is a big motivational spot for Marshall at home and I look for it to bounce back strong. Take Marshall (10*). | |||||||
01-18-20 | The Citadel v. VMI -3 | Top | 79-88 | Win | 100 | 5 h 26 m | Show |
CBB Southern Conference Game of the Month. My selection is on VMI minus the points over Citadel at 1 pm et on Saturday. We faded VMI earlier this week as it fell by double-digits on the road against a highly-motivated Mercer squad. I won't hesitate to switch gears and back the Keydets as they return home to face Citadel on Saturday, however. VMI checks in having lost seven straight games but winnable contests have been few and far between over that stretch. The fact is the Keydets were competitive in each of their last two games away from home, including a narrow six-point loss against 16-3 East Tennessee State. Citadel has lost five games in a row with its last victory coming against 6-12 Longwood and the Bulldogs needed three overtimes to secure that win. They own just three wins against Division I opponents this season. Take VMI (10*). | |||||||
01-17-20 | Cavs v. Grizzlies -8 | 109-113 | Loss | -107 | 13 h 13 m | Show | |
My selection is on Memphis minus the points over Cleveland at 8:05 pm et on Friday. I'll lay the points with the upstart Grizzlies on Friday night as they host the lowly Cavs. Cleveland did open its current road trip with consecutive wins in Detroit and Denver but it's been all downhill from there as it checks in off back-to-back blowout losses against the Lakers and Clippers in Los Angeles. Memphis ranks 4th and 9th in offensive and defensive rating respectively over its last five games, not to mention 6th in pace rating. Meanwhile, the Cavs have settled back into their woeful ways, sitting 21st in offensive rating, 29th in defensive rating and 25th in pace rating over that same time frame. Take Memphis (10*). | |||||||
01-17-20 | Siena v. Canisius +1.5 | 63-73 | Win | 100 | 12 h 20 m | Show | |
My selection is on Canisius plus the points over Siena at 7 pm et on Friday. I'll back the Golden Griffins on Friday night as I believe they have plenty of upside despite their disappointing 6-10 overall record. We saw Canisius come up with a hard-fought 72-68 win at St. Peter's last time out. While it did drop its first two games at home this month, those games could have gone either way with the losses each coming by four-point margins. Tonight's opponent, Siena, checks in sporting a 7-7 record but has yet to win a game away from home this season. The Saints have won a couple of conference games at home here in January, but both of those games could have gone either way as well with a three-point margin of victory. Take Canisius (10*). | |||||||
01-16-20 | Jazz v. Pelicans +5 | 132-138 | Win | 100 | 10 h 45 m | Show | |
My selection is on New Orleans plus the points over Utah at 8:05 pm et on Thursday. The Jazz are red hot right now, winners of 10 games in a row. I do expect them to face a stiff challenge in New Orleans on Thursday night, however. While the Jazz are on top of the league rankings in offensive rating over their last 10 games, the Pelicans also find themselves inside the top 10 in that category. While New Orleans sits inside the top 10 in pace rating as well, Utah is in 21st over its last five contests. I simply like the way the Pelicans are playing right now and certainly feel they'll be up for this showdown at home. Take New Orleans (10*). | |||||||
01-16-20 | Charlotte v. Marshall -5.5 | 77-75 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 7 m | Show | |
My selection is on Marshall minus the points over Charlotte at 7 pm et on Thursday. I'll lay the points with Marshall in this spot. Charlotte has yet to lose a game in January, going a perfect 3-0. Only one of those wins was of the impressive variety, however. That coming at home against UAB on January 2nd. Note that the 49ers have won just once in five tries on the road this season and that came against 5-14 NC-Wilmington. Marshall has split four games so far this month. Keep in mind, both of the Thundering Herd's losses came against winning opposition including an 11-point setback at aforementioned UAB last time out. Look for them to get back on track here. Take Marshall (10*). | |||||||
01-15-20 | Blazers v. Rockets -7.5 | 117-107 | Loss | -112 | 13 h 47 m | Show | |
My selection is on Houston minus the points over Portland at 9:35 pm et on Wednesday. The Rockets are banged up and playing the second of back-to-back nights so it's understandable that they're laying a relatively short number against the Blazers on Wednesday. I believe the line will prove too short. Note that Houston ranks just outside the top 10 in offensive rating over its last five games, sitting in 11th. The Rockets somewhat surprisingly (to some) find themselves in 10th in defensive rating over that same stretch and an even more impressive third in pace rating. Meanwhile, the Blazers have struggled in all three of those departments, ranking 19th, 24th and 18th respectively over that same time frame. There's no shame in the Rockets loss against a steadily improving Grizzlies squad on the road last night. Expect a solid bounce-back performance here. Take Houston (10*). | |||||||
01-15-20 | Bradley v. Missouri State -1.5 | Top | 91-78 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 35 m | Show |
CBB MVC Game of the Month. My selection is on Missouri State minus the points over Bradley at 8 pm et on Wednesday. This is a tremendous bounce-back spot for Missouri State on its home floor against Bradley on Wednesday night. The Bears are coming off an 80-57 beatdown at the hands of Northern Iowa on Saturday but keep in mind, the Panthers are among the class of the MVC and own a 14-2 record this season. Prior to that, the Bears had won two of three in MVC play since New Year's Even with their lone loss coming by just four points on the road against a quality 11-6 Loyola-Chicago team. Bradley is fresh off back-to-back blowout wins but could be caught looking ahead to a revenge date with Northern Iowa at home this coming Saturday. Bradley's lone road victory this season came against Evansville - a team that has gone winless in MVC play this season. Take Missouri State (10*). | |||||||
01-15-20 | VMI v. Mercer -6 | 62-73 | Win | 100 | 11 h 42 m | Show | |
My selection is on Mercer minus the points over VMI at 7 pm et on Wednesday. Mercer has yet to win a game in 2020, dropping three straight games to open the calendar year. Keep in mind, the Bears last three games have come against teams that own a combined 36-14 overall record. VMI checks in having dropped six games in a row. The Keydets have yet to post a victory on the road this season. Note that three of VMI's five wins this season have come against non-Division I opponents. This is the first of two meetings between these two teams this month. Look for the Bears to take round one on Wednesday. Take Mercer (10*). | |||||||
01-14-20 | Missouri v. Mississippi State -3.5 | Top | 45-72 | Win | 100 | 12 h 15 m | Show |
CBB SEC Game of the Month. My selection is on Mississippi State minus the points over Missouri at 9 pm et on Tuesday. This is a great spot to fade Missouri off its big blowout win at home against Florida on Saturday. Now the Tigers hit the road where they have posted just one victory this season, that coming against an uneven Temple squad that just got blown out at home against Tulane on the weekend. There's no shame in Mississippi State's current three-game losing streak as those three losses came against SEC opponents that have combined to go 34-11 this season, Auburn, Alabama and LSU - with the most recent two setbacks coming on the road. This is a big motivational spot for the Bulldogs as they aim to make up some ground in the SEC in a tough but winnable game at home. Take Mississippi State (10*). | |||||||
01-14-20 | Knicks v. Bucks -16.5 | 102-128 | Win | 100 | 10 h 58 m | Show | |
My selection is on Milwaukee minus the points over New York at 8:05 pm et on Tuesday. We're dealing with an extremely high pointspread here in favor of the Bucks but it's warranted in my opinion. New York continues to struggle and checks in last in the league in defensive rating over its last five contests, and the scary thing is, it's not really all that close. The Knicks won't have a hope of slowing down a Bucks squad that sits second in the NBA in pace rating over their last five contests. New York hasn't shied away from playing an up-tempo style lately and I think that backfires here as the Bucks should be able to name their score and will be happy to be back home following a western road trip. Take Milwaukee (10*). | |||||||
01-13-20 | Magic v. Kings -1.5 | 114-112 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 46 m | Show | |
My selection is on Sacramento minus the points over Orlando at 10:05 pm et on Monday. This is a great bounce-back spot for the Kings coming off what looked on paper like a blowout loss to the Bucks at home. That game was closer than the final score indicated and we should see a highly-motivated Sacramento squad in rebound mode here on Monday. The Magic battled hard but ultimately fell short in Phoenix on Friday (we won with the Suns in that game). Orlando has now dropped five of its last six games on the road and could get caught looking ahead to a trip to Los Angeles for back-to-back games against the Lakers and Clippers beginning on Wednesday night. Take Sacramento (10*). | |||||||
01-13-20 | Coppin State v. Florida A&M -3.5 | Top | 54-65 | Win | 100 | 9 h 20 m | Show |
CBB MEAC Game of the Year. My selection is on Florida A&M minus the points over Coppin State at 8 pm et on Monday. Not all 3-11 teams are created equal and in this case, I believe Florida A&M is a much better team than its record indicates. The Rattlers faced an absolutely brutal non-conference schedule to open the season, playing just one home game between the start of the season and the second week of January, and that home date came against 14-5 Pacific. We've seen the Rattlers find some success lately, most recently prevailing by a 77-68 score against a quality Morgan State squad on Saturday. Here, they catch a Coppin State team that hasn't won a game since December 3rd, that coming on the road against 8-8 East Carolina. The Eagles have played well on occasion but here I simply feel they're in the wrong place at the wrong time against a highly-motivated Florida A&M squad. Take Florida A&M (10*). | |||||||
01-12-20 | Hawks +7.5 v. Nets | 86-108 | Loss | -105 | 9 h 34 m | Show | |
My selection is on Atlanta plus the points over Brooklyn at 6:05 pm et on Sunday. The Nets snapped a seven-game losing streak with a win over the Heat on Friday night but that only serves to leave them overvalued as they host the lowly Hawks on Sunday. There really hasn't been much separating these two teams lately. The Nets actually rank a miserable 29th in the league in offensive rating over their last five games. There's reason to believe they could have a tough time keeping up with Atlanta, which ranks top 10 in pace rating over that same time frame. Brooklyn sits in the bottom half of the league in that department over its last five contests. With only eight wins on the season it's been mostly doom and gloom for the Hawks but they have to feel like this is a rare winnable game away from home. Take Atlanta (10*). | |||||||
01-12-20 | Rider -7.5 v. Marist | 69-52 | Win | 100 | 5 h 39 m | Show | |
My selection is on Rider minus the points over Marist at 2 pm et on Sunday. I believe this game has blowout potential as Rider travels to face Marist on Sunday afternoon. The Broncs are coming off back-to-back losses in MAAC play but neither of those setbacks were of the demoralizing variety as they came against Quinnipiac and Iona. If anything, those losses should motivate them to put their best foot forward against a very beatable Marist squad here. The Red Foxes have won just twice in 13 games this season and those came against 5-13 VMI and 6-9 Fairfield. They were actually double-digit underdogs against Fairfield last time out so I believe we're getting a bit of a discount here with what I would consider to be a stronger Rider team. The Broncs have already defeated the Red Foxes once this season, taking an 84-74 decision back in December. Take Rider (10*). | |||||||
01-11-20 | 76ers v. Mavs -2 | 91-109 | Win | 100 | 11 h 24 m | Show | |
My selection is on Dallas minus the points over Philadelphia at 8:35 pm et on Saturday. The Mavs are coming off another tough loss last night, this one coming at the hands of the Lakers. I do expect Dallas to bounce back on Saturday, however, as it hosts Philadelphia. Despite struggling to find the win column, the Mavs still rank sixth in the NBA in offensive rating over their last five games. While their defensive play has left a lot to be desired, ranking a miserable 27th over that stretch, Philadelphia hasn't been much better, also finding itself in the bottom-10 over that time frame. Both teams are missing key cogs right now with Joel Embiid sidelined for the 76ers and Kristaps Porzingis out for Dallas. I'll lay the short number with the home side. Take Dallas (10*). | |||||||
01-11-20 | Clemson v. North Carolina -4.5 | 79-76 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 39 m | Show | |
My selection is on North Carolina minus the points over Clemson at 4:30 pm et on Saturday. This is a perfect bounce-back spot for the Tar Heels at home - where they have shockingly dropped consecutive games against the likes of Pitt and Georgia Tech. Clemson is not a good team - we learned that the hard way in a disappointing result in a huge motivational spot at home against Miami a week-and-a-half ago. Look for North Carolina to take the opportunity to flex its muscle in the midst of a down season against a very beatable opponent on Saturday afternoon. Take North Carolina (10*). | |||||||
01-10-20 | Magic v. Suns -3 | 94-98 | Win | 100 | 9 h 42 m | Show | |
My selection is on Phoenix minus the points over Orlando at 9:05 pm et on Friday. We're getting a terrific number with the Suns here considering they were a 6.5-point favorite against the Kings last time out (we won with Sacramento in that game). The Magic have won three of their last four games but all four of those were played at home. They own five road wins this season but those have come against the Cavs (twice), Pelicans and Wizards (twice). This is the start of a long six-game road trip for Orlando. Playing on two days' rest and having not traveled since New Year's Day, I like this spot for the Suns. Take Phoenix (10*). | |||||||
01-10-20 | Wright State -10 v. IUPU-Indianapolis | Top | 84-70 | Win | 100 | 9 h 7 m | Show |
CBB Horizon League Game of the Month. My selection is on Wright State minus the points over IUPUI at 7 pm et on Friday. Bettors may be a little hesitant to back Wright State coming off a narrow one-point win over 3-14 Detroit last time out. Keep in mind, just two games back the Raiders blew the doors off a better Oakland squad by a 96-69 score. In other words, take that result against Detroit with a grain of salt. Wright State is the vastly superior team in this matchup and IUPUI comes in having not faced a winning opponent since suffering a 10-point loss to 10-7 Youngstown State on December 28th. The Jaguars are just 2-4 at home against Division I opponents this season. Take Wright State (10*). | |||||||
01-09-20 | Blazers v. Wolves +2 | 102-116 | Win | 100 | 11 h 31 m | Show | |
My selection is on Minnesota plus the points over Portland at 8:05 pm et on Thursday. The Trail Blazers are fresh off a come-from-behind win over the defending champion Raptors two nights ago but Toronto isn't the same team right now as it deals with a number of key injuries. Keep in mind, Portland has won just twice in its last eight games with the other victory coming against the 12-25 Wizards. Minnesota has been dealing with its share of injuries as well but does check in having gone 4-3 over its last seven games, including a 2-1 mark here at home. The T'Wolves battled hard but fell by a 119-112 score in Memphis two nights ago but are well-positioned to rebound in this spot. Minnesota has a number of key advantages in this matchup as it ranks tied for third in the league in pace, sixth in three-pointers made per game and seventh in rebounds per game. Portland finds itself outside the top 10 in all of those categories. Take Minnesota (10*). | |||||||
01-09-20 | Louisiana Tech v. Texas-San Antonio +5.5 | Top | 73-89 | Win | 100 | 10 h 40 m | Show |
CBB C-USA Game of the Year. My selection is on Texas-San Antonio plus the points over Louisiana Tech at 7 pm et on Thursday. This is a fine spot to back the Roadrunners as they return home following a winless two-game road trip that included unsurprising losses against Florida Atlantic and Florida International, two teams that own a combined 21-9 record on the season. Keep in mind, prior to those losses, UTSA had won five of its last six games with its lone setback over that stretch coming against 11-3 Oregon State. Louisiana Tech hasn't lost a game since December 8th but hasn't exactly faced an exhausting schedule. Here, the Bulldogs will play just their second game in 2020 following a 28-point beatdown of lowly Southern Miss, which has won only four times in 15 tries this season. In fact, Louisiana Tech's last two wins have come against Southern Miss. The Bulldogs really haven't been tested since that loss to Sam Houston State back in early December. Their last four wins against division I opponents have featured teams that own a combined 16-30 record. Take Texas-San Antonio (10*). | |||||||
01-08-20 | UNLV v. Boise State -6.5 | 66-73 | Win | 100 | 13 h 17 m | Show | |
My selection is on Boise State minus the points over UNLV at 9 pm et on Wednesday. This is a terrific bounce-back spot for Boise State at home after suffering a blowout loss against Nevada on Saturday. UNLV is 'fat and happy' following six straight games played at home and now hits the road where it owns just one win in four tries on the campaign. Boise State generally owns a tremendous edge on its home floor and I expect its dominance to continue here on Wednesday night. Take Boise State (10*). | |||||||
01-08-20 | Nuggets v. Mavs -3 | 107-106 | Loss | -106 | 11 h 21 m | Show | |
My selection is on Dallas minus the points over Denver at 7:35 pm et on Wednesday. The Mavericks are still trying to find some consistency and round back into form with Luka Doncic back in the lineup and they took a step in the right direction with a 118-110 win over Chicago last time out. While they've still lost three of their last five games, two of those losses came against the Lakers and the red hot Thunder on the road and the other by way of overtime in a true flat spot at home against the Hornets. I don't think there's any question they'll be up for this matchup with the Nuggets. Note that Denver ranks dead last in the league in defensive rating over its last five games. The Nuggets have tried to make up for it at the offensive end of the floor, where they rank second in offensive rating over that same stretch but the Mavs have been rising in that department as well, ranking ninth over their last five contests. Take Dallas (10*). | |||||||
01-07-20 | Kings +6.5 v. Suns | 114-103 | Win | 100 | 12 h 54 m | Show | |
My selection is on Sacramento plus the points over Phoenix at 9:05 pm et on Tuesday. I'll grab all the points I can get with the underdog Kings as they travel to face the Suns on Tuesday night. We suffered what could only be considered a bad beat fading the Suns on this floor last week against the Knicks but I won't hesitate to go back to the well here, noting that Phoenix has gone just 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games as a favorite. Kings are off a 2-2 homestand and need to build here before returning home for tough matchups with Milwaukee, Orlando and Dallas. Take Sacramento (10*). | |||||||
01-07-20 | Miami-FL +13.5 v. Louisville | Top | 58-74 | Loss | -105 | 10 h 17 m | Show |
CBB ACC Game of the Month. My selection is on Miami plus the points over Louisville at 7 pm et on Tuesday. It's going to be very easy for Miami to get up for this matchup against the Cardinals in Louisville. Keep in mind, these two teams already met in their season opener this season with Louisville rolling to a 13-point victory. The Cardinals aren't exactly in top form right now, having dropped three of their last five games, albeit against tough opposition. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are fresh off a blowout loss at home against Duke following a perfect 5-0 December. We faded the Canes in a road date with Clemson last week and paid the price as Miami showed plenty of resolve in a come-from-behind victory. Here, I believe the price is right to back Miami in what should be a competitive affair. Take Miami (10*). | |||||||
01-03-20 | Knicks +6.5 v. Suns | 112-120 | Loss | -110 | 24 h 23 m | Show | |
My selection is on New York plus the points over Phoenix at 9:05 pm et on Friday. The Knicks are doing a couple of things really well right now, they're playing tough defense (fifth in the league in defensive rating last five games) and they're pushing the pace at every opportunity (sixth in pace rating L5). That sets them up well as they head to Phoenix to take on the struggling Suns. New York has actually split its last four matchups here in the desert. It's not as if Phoenix holds any sort of home court advantage, having won just seven times in 16 tries on this floor this season. Take New York (10*). | |||||||
01-03-20 | St. Peter's v. Iona -7.5 | 75-74 | Loss | -110 | 23 h 46 m | Show | |
My selection is on Iona minus the points over St. Peter's at 7 pm et on Friday. I think there is more of a gap between these two MAAC squads than is being reflected in the pointspread. St. Peter's is off to a 3-6 start with its only wins coming against the likes of St. Francis-NY, Fairleigh Dickinson and LIU-Brooklyn. None of those opponents own winning records. Of course, neither does Friday's opponent, Iona, but I do think the Gaels have plenty of upside. Iona hasn't played a home game since the third week of November, going 1-3 over its last four road tilts that included tough stops at UConn, Princeton and Colorado. The Gaels have quite simply faced a brutal schedule to this point this season and will welcome the opportunity to get right in this conference matchup with the Peacocks. Take Iona (10*). | |||||||
01-02-20 | South Alabama v. UL - Lafayette +3 | Top | 60-57 | Push | 0 | 11 h 48 m | Show |
CBB Sun Belt Game of the Month. My selection is on Louisiana-Lafayette plus the points over South Alabama at 8 pm et on Thursday. I love the way this one sets up for the Ragin' Cajuns as a home underdog in-conference. Louisiana-Lafayette has lost five games in a row heading into this one but that shouldn't come as a big surprise as all of those losses were against superior competition and only one result was a true blowout (against Louisiana Tech in Ruston). This is an excellent opportunity for the Ragin' Cajuns to get going with this Sun Belt matchup followed by a date with Troy on Saturday (both on their home floor). South Alabama is fresh off a blowout win, but that came against unheralded Mobile. The Jaguars are a middle of the pack team that I don't believe warrant being favored on the road in this one. Take Louisiana-Lafayette (10*). | |||||||
01-02-20 | Hornets v. Cavs -2 | 109-106 | Loss | -104 | 11 h 8 m | Show | |
My selection is on Cleveland minus the points over Charlotte at 7:05 pm et on Thursday. The Hornets are really struggling right now and after cashing a fade of them two nights ago, I won't hesitate to go back to the well against them on Thursday. Charlotte checks in a miserable 27th in the league in both offensive and defensive rating over its last five games, not to mention the fact that it sits dead last in pace rating over that same stretch. Meanwhile, the Cavs have shown some signs of life, sitting around the middle of the pack in defensive rating and an impressive top-four (tied with the Bucks) in pace rating over their last five contests. Offensively, they're not going to blow the doors off of anyone but I do see this as a favorable matchup on their home floor. Take Cleveland (10*). | |||||||
01-02-20 | Towson +6.5 v. College of Charleston | 69-81 | Loss | -108 | 10 h 2 m | Show | |
My selection is on Towson plus the points over Charleston at 7 pm et on Thursday. I like the value being offered with Towson here as it enters this game battle-tested and eager to bounce back off a tough home loss to Hofstra last time out. Meanwhile, Charleston rolls in off a season-high three straight wins and is certainly positioned for a letdown against a losing Tigers squad. Towson has faced a tough schedule to this point and has generally played competitive basketball. There's not a lot separating these two squads at all but we're being given a generous cushion with the Tigers due to the setting. Take Towson (10*). | |||||||
01-02-20 | St. Joe's v. Richmond -12.5 | 52-84 | Win | 100 | 10 h 56 m | Show | |
My selection is on Richmond minus the points over St. Joseph's at 7 pm et on Thursday. This is a blowout waiting to happen as Richmond looks to bounce back from rare consecutive losses against struggling St. Joseph's. The Spiders mini-skid started with a shocking home loss to Radford before falling on the road against Alabama on December 29th. This is a terrific 'get right' spot for Richmond as it hosts 3-9 St. Joe's, which has had a miserable time when stepping up in class early this season. Meanwhile, the Spiders have certainly proven their ability to take care of business with a number of lopsided home wins to their credit. Take Richmond (10*). | |||||||
01-01-20 | Connecticut +2.5 v. Cincinnati | 51-67 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 36 m | Show | |
My selection is on Connecticut plus the points over Cincinnati at 7 pm et on Wednesday. I'll grab the points with the Huskies as they hit the road to face Cincinnati on Wednesday. Connecticut has reeled off three straight wins since it suffered a narrow three-point loss to Indiana back on December 10th. There's no question the Huskies have had this matchup circled since suffering that most recent loss, noting their last three victories all came at the hands of very beatable opponents. Cincinnati will certainly be up for this one as well as it is fresh off a seven-point setback on the road against Iowa. The Bearcats have actually dropped three of their last four games, cooling off considerably following a hot start to the season. I feel the underdog is the way to go in this showdown. Take Connecticut (10*). | |||||||
01-01-20 | Fresno State +13 v. San Diego State | 52-61 | Win | 100 | 7 h 49 m | Show | |
My selection is on Fresno State plus the points over San Diego State at 3 pm et on Wednesday. This line makes sense if you're only looking at these two teams' overall records as Fresno State has won just four times in 13 games while San Diego State checks in a perfect 13-0 on the campaign. But a deeper look shows that the Bulldogs have faced a tough schedule to this point, and have generally played competitive basketball. Note that in San Diego State's most recent game it rolled by 16 points but that was against lowly Cal Poly, which has gone 2-11 this season. I see this as a bit of a flat spot for the Aztecs as they get ready to square off with a top-flight Utah State squad on Saturday. Take Fresno State (10*). | |||||||
12-31-19 | Miami-FL v. Clemson -2.5 | 73-68 | Loss | -100 | 6 h 20 m | Show | |
My selection is on Clemson minus the points over Miami at 4 pm et on Tuesday. Miami comes into this matchup sporting the better overall record but I expect Clemson to rise to the occasion on its home floor on New Year's Eve. Miami hasn't lost a game in December, going a perfect 4-0. I see this as a bit of a flat spot for the Canes as they take the floor for the first time since December 21st and ahead of a big showdown at home against Duke on Saturday. Clemson has really cooled off following a strong start, dropping five of its last six games overall. It has faced a tough schedule over the last month, however, and even in its most recent loss - a 54-45 setback against Yale - there was no real cause for alarm as the Bulldogs are a solid Ivy League team that has gone 10-4 so far this season. This is a strong motivational spot for the Tigers in this ACC affair. Take Clemson (10*). | |||||||
12-31-19 | Celtics -6.5 v. Hornets | 109-92 | Win | 100 | 7 h 36 m | Show | |
My selection is on Boston minus the points over Charlotte at 3:05 pm et on Tuesday. This is a blowout waiting to happen as the Celtics roll into Charlotte to face the struggling Hornets. Boston ranks fourth in offensive rating and seventh in defensive rating over its last five games while Charlotte checks in 25th in both categories over the same stretch. While the Celtics haven't been pushing the pace all that much, sitting 20th in pace rating over their last five, the Hornets pull up the league's rear in that category over the same time frame. Unless the C's absolutely overlook the Hornets on New Year's Eve, this should be a rout. Take Boston (10*). | |||||||
12-31-19 | Northern Iowa v. Illinois State +5.5 | 70-76 | Win | 100 | 5 h 27 m | Show | |
My selection is on Illinois State plus the points over Northern Iowa at 3 pm et on Tuesday. Illinois State is off to a less than impressive 5-7 start this season while Northern Iowa checks in a near-flawless 11-1. With that being said, the Redbirds have faced a sneaky-tough schedule to this point and have a good opportunity for a fresh start here as they open Missouri Valley Conference play against the Panthers. Northern Iowa hasn't lost a game since November but it will be playing for just the third time since December 12th this afternoon at Redbird Arena. I'm anticipating a battle in this one and not convinced we'll see the Panthers win by margin. Take Illinois State (10*). | |||||||
12-25-19 | Bucks -3.5 v. 76ers | 109-121 | Loss | -105 | 3 h 9 m | Show | |
My selection is on Milwaukee minus the points over Philadelphia at 2:35 pm et on Wednesday. Full writeups will return on Thursday. The Bucks check in top-four in offensive rating and top-two in defensive rating over their last five games. Solid spot to back the road favorite here. Best of luck today. Take Milwaukee (10*). | |||||||
12-23-19 | Bulls +4.5 v. Magic | 95-103 | Loss | -103 | 21 h 21 m | Show | |
My selection is on Chicago plus the points over Orlando at 7:05 pm et on Monday. The Magic just aren't very good right now, losers of six of their last seven games overall, and now they find themselves in a difficult scheduling spot, playing their first game back at home following a 1-3 road trip out west. Meanwhile, the Bulls have won back-to-back games and sport a 4-2 mark over their last six games. They'll look to carry some positive momentum into the short holiday break before returning home to host the Hawks on the 28th of the month. Take Chicago (10*). |
Service | Profit |
---|---|
Ross Benjamin | $675 |
Sean Murphy | $454 |
William Burns | $419 |
Ricky Tran | $323 |
Sean Higgs | $237 |
Will Rogers | $192 |
Joseph D'Amico | $127 |
Joey Tron | $16 |