Friday 2/17/17 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DAVE COKIN

VALPARAISO PK

It’s the second time around for Valparaiso and Oakland. The Grizzlies got the outright underdog win in the first meeting, as they went wire to wire in what turned out to be a somewhat shockingly easy 78-66 win. It wasn’t a fluke, as Oakland was clearly the superior team for virtually the entire 40 minutes.

I’m not ruling out more of the same tonight, it’s absolutely a possibility. The one standout memory from that game was how much more athletic the Grizzlies were. I have to tell you, I was stunned by how much quicker Oakland was at every aspect of the game. If there isn’t some adjustment made here by the Crusaders, it could be deja vu all over again. (My first Yogi Berra reference in some time. I miss that guy.)

I would lean toward Valpo having an improved game plan this time. If that’s the case, the Crusaders should be okay. They’re a good bet to stifle Oakland’s offense if they avoid turnovers and limit transition. The Grizzlies were a great outside shooting team last year, but this edition sure isn’t.

I think that last note is the overall analysis in microcosm. If Valpo forces Oakland to launch from beyond the arc, the Crusaders will likely win this game. I am not strong enough here to make this a personal service play, but I like the revenge angle and what I expect from the matchup to lean in Valparaiso’s direction.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Art Aronson

Blue Jackets -116

Seems like a good spot to pull the trigger on Columbus. If this was a seven game series, would we take the Blue Jackets over the Penguins? Probably not. However, from a situational stand point this one sets up great for the home side. first off, Pittsburgh won 4-3 in OT over the Jets at home just last night (a game that it led for most of the way, only to then cough up the lead, before tying it late and notching the victory in the extra frame). Clearly the Pens are going to be tired tonight in the second game of the back-to-back. Columbus has had a night off after crushing the Leafs 5-2 and will be eager to avenge a 4-3 OT loss of its own in Pittsburgh just two weeks ago. All things considered, we think that COLUMBUS offers pretty good value in this spot.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer

Pennsylvania -2

Both teams are just 2-6 SU in Ivy League play, but in our opinion the Quakers should be a bigger road favorite than they are on Friday night. Penn has won two straight games, playing better on the offensive end, while slamming the door on defense. In fact, they not only made about 55% of their FGA last time out, but also held Cornell to 14 first half points. With the offense scoring a few more points of late, they catch a break tonight against Brown's shaky defensive play. Brown has allowed opponents to make half their shots on the season, while giving up nearly 78 ppg. And we expect Penn's A.J. Brodeur and Matt Howard to dominate the glass in this one. Penn lost 82-70 to Brown last month, suffering through a 4 of 19 night from the 3-point line, while getting outscored 24-16 at the FT line. No chance to overcome those numbers, but they do have a chance to gain a measure of revenge tonight. The Quakers are on a decent 6-2 ATS run when laying less than seven points and we'll back them here.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Marc Lawrence

Yale +1½

Edges - Bulldogs: 8-0 SU and 6-2 ATS home in League games following a SU favorite loss. Tigers: 6-12 SUATS last 18 games here. With the Bulldogs two games back of Princeton for the top spot in the Ivy League chase, we recommend a 1* play on Yale.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Braxton Myles

Stanford +3½

This game should be a great one and a very close game at that. I would normally take California in this one but with California having a player who is a big part of their offense probable for Fridays game I love Stanford to take this one. Stanford is 8-4 SU this season at home and should be tough to beat there, with Stanford coming off two tough losses on the road I look for them to get back on track coming back home against a not healthy Cal team. Stanford is coming into this game 2-0 ATS in this series when played at their home court in the last 3 seasons. I am going all in on Stanford in this one for Fridays game and you should too!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jimmy Boyd
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
VCU vs. Richmond
Richmond +3½ -105 at BETONLINE

Free Pick on Richmond +

I really like the value here with the Spiders as a dog at home against the Rams. VCU comes in T-1st in the A-10 at 11-2, but if you have followed this team at all, you know they are fortunate to not be lower in the standings. The Rams had two of the most unlikely wins of the season. Had it not been for fans storming the court early, they would have lost at St. Bonaventure. Instead they win 83-77 in OT. The very next game they pulled off a gimmick in-bounds play with 0.4 seconds left to draw a foul and win the game 54-53 at George Washington.

If VCU loses those two games, they are sitting here with an identical 9-4 record in the A-10 as Richmond. The Rams would also be coming in having lost 4 straight conference road games, as they lost their previous two before the fluke wins at Fordham and Davidson. Two teams that currently have losing records in the A-10. It's also worth noting that Richmond proved they can hang with the Rams, losing by just 7 on the road at VCU on 2/1. A game in which they had the lead in the 2nd half.

The Spiders are 9-1 ATS this season after covering the number in their previous game, while VCU is 0-6 ATS this in road games against teams who attempt 21 or more 3-point shots/game and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 as a road favorite. Take Richmond!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jack Jones
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
Kent State vs. Akron
Akron -8½ -110 at BOVADA

Jack's Free Pick Friday: Akron -8.5

At 22-4 overall and 12-1 in conference play, the Akron Zips are head and shoulders the best team in the MAC this season. I look for them to make easy work of Kent State tonight, which is just 14-12 overall and 6-7 in conference play.

The Zips have a tremendous home-court advantage. They are a perfect 13-0 at home this season, outscoring the opposition by an average of 15.1 points per game in the process. They have won four straight home meetings with Kent State, including the last two by 14 and 9 points, respectively.

I think the fact that the Zips have failed to cover five of their last six against the spread actually has them a bit undervalued coming into this game. And the Golden Flashes have been overvalued for quite some time, going just 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games overall.

Akron is 9-1 ATS after failing to cover four or five of their last six against the spread over the last three seasons. The Golden Flashes are 3-10-2 ATS in their last 15 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Kent State is 4-12-2 ATS in its last 18 road games overall. Bet Akron Friday.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Dave Price
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
Valparaiso vs. Oakland
Oakland -1 -110 at BETONLINE

Dave's Friday Bonus Play:

1* on Oakland -1

The Key: Oakland trails Valparaiso by two games for first place in the Horizon League. Its only chance of winning the league would be to beat the Crusaders tonight at home. And the Grizzlies have already beaten them once, pulling off the 78-66 road victory as 3-point dogs in their first meeting this season. Now I think we're getting a discount on the Grizzlies at home as only 1-point favorites tonight in the rematch. Valpo is 0-6 ATS in road games when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games over the last 2 seasons. The Grizzlies are 24-7-1 ATS in their last 32 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. The Grizzlies are 8-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings. Take Oakland.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Black Widow
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
Iona vs. Marist
Marist +10½ -105 at BETONLINE

Widow's Free Pick: Marist +10.5

Bets on underdogs of 10 to 19.5 points after a loss by 15 points or more against an opponent that scored 40 points or more in the first half of two straight games are 191-108 ATS since 1997. This situation's record is 11-3 this season alone. Give me Marist.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Teddy Davis
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
California vs. Stanford
Stanford +3 -115 at BOVADA

I like Stanford here at home tonight which is a big rivalry game that is going under the radar. The Cardinals have dropped 5 of their last 6, but 4 of those were on the road. These two teams were in a battle the first go around being tied at half, but Cal pulled away. Stanford only shot 38% from the field that game. Cardinals get the much needed revenge tonight

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bobby Conn
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
Illinois-Chicago vs. Detroit
Total 163 -110 at BMAKER
1* Bonus Play on Illinois-Chicago/Detroit over 163 -110

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

John Martin
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
Columbia vs. Harvard
Harvard -8 -110 at BETONLINE

1 Unit Bonus Play on Harvard -8

Harvard has owned the Ivy League going going 6-2 SU & 6-1-1 ATS in eight games this season. The Crimson still trail Princeton in the standings and need to keep winning to have any chance of making the NCAA Tournament. They'll be motivated tonight to avenge a 62-65 loss at Columbia in their first meeting this season. The Crimson are holding opponents to just 59.8 points on 37.4% shooting at home this year. Harvard is 9-1 ATS after winning two of its last three games over the past two seasons. The Crimson are 6-0 ATS versus teams who make 8 or more 3-point shots per game this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ray Monohan
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
California vs. Stanford
California -2½ -102 at 5DIMES

California -3.5

Cal invades Stanford on Friday night and the visitors laying the points has some value.

California continues to build a solid tournament resume, sitting at 18-7 on the season. This is one of those games that won't help their resume, but can only hurt it if they fall.

They've been dominant in the month of February, entering play 14-4 dating back to last season and 7-0 this year. The Cardinal just aren't powerful enough to keep up here.

Some trends to note. Golden Bears are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Pacific-12. Golden Bears are 17-8 ATS in their last 25 games following a ATS win.

Expect Cal to really push the issue here and control the tempo of this one.

Back California ATS.

Good Luck, Razor Ray.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Brandon Lee
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
California vs. Stanford
Stanford +3½ -108 at 5DIMES

10* Free NCAAB Pick (Stanford +3.5)

The Cardinal come into this game having lost 5 of their last 6, but note that 4 of the 5 losses came on the road. Stanford did have an impressive 81-75 win at home over Utah during this stretch as a mere 2-point dog. Much like the case with Cal here, the betting public was all over the Utes in that game. I see a similar outcome here. While Stanford is just 8-4 at home this year, Maples Pavilion is no easy place to play. Just ask the Golden Bears. Cal is 3-16 in their last 19 trips to Stanford. I also don't love the spot for the Bears in this one, as this is their 3rd straight on the road and they are fresh off a crushing loss at Arizona. I just don't see Cal being sharp here and I expect a big effort from Stanford on their home floor. Give me the Cardinal +3.5!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mikey Sports
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
Cornell vs. Dartmouth
Cornell +2½ -110 at 5dimes

Mikey Sports FREE CBB play Friday 2-17-17

Cornell +2 1/2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
Cornell vs. Dartmouth
Cornell +2½ -110 at 5DIMES

Mikey Sports FREE CBB play Friday 2-17-17

Cornell +2 1/2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Red Dog Sports
Feb 17 '17, 3:00 PM
Soccer | Nimes vs Troyes AC
Play on: Troyes AC -105 at Bovada

Troyes -105

Free soccer play takes place in France on Friday afternoon.

Nimes 0

Troyes 1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sal Michaels
Feb 17 '17, 8:00 PM
NCAA-B | Princeton vs Yale
Play on: Princeton -3 -110 at GTBets
Princeton -3 -110

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Bobby Wing
Feb 17 '17, 8:00 PM
NCAA-B | Princeton vs Yale
Play on: Yale +3 -110 at betonline
1 Unit Free Pick: Yale +3 -110

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pure Lock
NCAA-B | Feb 17, 2017
Cornell vs. Dartmouth
Cornell +2½ -110 at 5DIMES

Pure Lock's FREE CBB play Friday 2-17-17

Cornell +2 1/2